I AM ON MY NEW LAPTOP!! WOO-HOO!!!
This is so cool! What a blessing! I was on a video chat with my dad for a couple hours last night, and my grandparents for even longer. Are any of you on AIM? If you are, post your screen name with your devo's today. This is going to be so much fun!
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday:
Amy: That is so cool that you are so interested in missions! I majored in Missions and Bible in college. I have always felt a burden for missions. I have been interested in Senegal, Morrocco, and Romania. Maybe we should visit one of them on a youth group trip.
Alex: Yes, I agree, Paul is so cool! We should strive to be like him.
Rachel: You said that you "want to be like that"... Refering to Paul... Did you mean that you want to be in jail? or that you want to spread the gospel? Just wondering...
Gaby: Only 3 More Days!!! We <3>
Jessica: Glad you made it, I was on a midnight and I thought you missed a day. Sorry you were so sick today? Do you have chicken-pox?
Phillippians 1:19-26
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Picture this: Paul sitts in this Jail cell, and as he sits here, it seems almost as if he is day dreaming about heaven. What a wonderful relationship with God: Paul daydreams about being with the God that he loves so much. The key verse in this passage is verse 21 in which Paul says: "for me to live, is Christ; and to die is gain". What a concept, Paul explains to us that he is torn, part of him wants to stay here on earth and continue living for Christ, and the other part of him wants to go ahead and die so that he can go to heaven to be with Jesus Christ.
I dont know about you, but I dont day dream about dying, so that I can be with Jesus. I think that just shows where I am spiritually in comparison to Paul. I have some work to do.
The interesting part is that Paul did not just day dream, but he literally reasoned this whole idea out in his head. In verses 22-24 Paul explains his reasoning: (22) Paul says, I honestly do not know which I would choose if I were given the opportunity. He explains in 23 that to be with Christ would be greater than anything else, but verse 24 explains that He still has work left to do. Paul tells us that it is more needful for the church at Phillipi (and us) for him to stay alive at this point, because we needed to hear what he would continue to say to us through the word of God.
What an incredible man, I am looking forward to spending time with him. A man who truely understood what death and life is. May we understand as well.
FRIDAY, May 2nd, 2008
Hey everyone! Great Job Yesterday! I think our youth group broke another record for doing the most comments yesterday! Awesome! DO THIS: Think of someone that you know who has not been on recently or at all, and help them get involved with this.
I woke up this morning at 4:00 am to feed Will and I prayed for all of you! stay faithful! Come to Sunday School THIS SUNDAY!
A few thoughts from yesterday:
Brooke: Great to see you on here! It is great, isnt it! Keep it up!
Josh L: What is up with changing your profile? I liked the old one better.
Gaby: when you said "this passage kind of hit me in the face" was that supposed to be a pun or a play on words? :) We missed you Wednesday Night too!!!
Cary: I want to see that round house kick!
Josh S: I loke your new nickname much better: Hmmm... Doughnut Boy or God's Man... I choose Gods man :)
Phillippians 1:12-18
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
What a cool passage! Yes, Kenshin (Josh) the person, who wrote this book (Paul) is in Jail. Paul was headed to the city of Philipi when he saw a girl that was posessed by demons. (Acts 16:16-18) Paul decided to free this woman from the bondage of these demons, and when he did, the people of the city got angry and had Paul arrested. Here is the amazing part, like joseph in the Old Testament, when Paul was put in Jail, he did not lose his faith, he knew that he was only in jail because it was part of Gods plan for his life. He had complete peace, because he knew that he was in Gods will, EVEN IN JAIL. Well, I gave you that little introduction to help you understand todays devotions better.
Paul says in verse 12, I want you guys to know something, you may think that it is not too good that I am here in Jail, but the truth is, It has turned out really good, The gospel is being spread even further because I am in here... WHAT??? How is the gospel being spread more while Paul is in Jail. I am so glad you asked. Verse 13 explains that all the guards all know about the gospel because of Paul. while he was in Jail he was witnessing to all the people in Jail with him. How cool is that. Not only was Paul spreading the gospel more. Verse 14 tells us that since everyone saw that Paul was in prison and preaching the gospel, they figured, If Paul can spread the gospel in Jail, then I can definitely spread the gospel outside of Jail. All because of Pauls faithfulness to the gospel, many more people heard about Christ.
Paul was passionate about the Gospel and he made it his goal to tell the whole world about it. Where do you stand in comparison with your passion for spreading the gospel?
verses 15-18 explain to us, that we should spread the gospel, but we should also do it with the right intentions, we should do it with love and concern for lost souls, NOT for any kind of personal agenda.
Good stuff in this devo today! Lets spread the Gospel like Paul did!!!
I woke up this morning at 4:00 am to feed Will and I prayed for all of you! stay faithful! Come to Sunday School THIS SUNDAY!
A few thoughts from yesterday:
Brooke: Great to see you on here! It is great, isnt it! Keep it up!
Josh L: What is up with changing your profile? I liked the old one better.
Gaby: when you said "this passage kind of hit me in the face" was that supposed to be a pun or a play on words? :) We missed you Wednesday Night too!!!
Cary: I want to see that round house kick!
Josh S: I loke your new nickname much better: Hmmm... Doughnut Boy or God's Man... I choose Gods man :)
Phillippians 1:12-18
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
What a cool passage! Yes, Kenshin (Josh) the person, who wrote this book (Paul) is in Jail. Paul was headed to the city of Philipi when he saw a girl that was posessed by demons. (Acts 16:16-18) Paul decided to free this woman from the bondage of these demons, and when he did, the people of the city got angry and had Paul arrested. Here is the amazing part, like joseph in the Old Testament, when Paul was put in Jail, he did not lose his faith, he knew that he was only in jail because it was part of Gods plan for his life. He had complete peace, because he knew that he was in Gods will, EVEN IN JAIL. Well, I gave you that little introduction to help you understand todays devotions better.
Paul says in verse 12, I want you guys to know something, you may think that it is not too good that I am here in Jail, but the truth is, It has turned out really good, The gospel is being spread even further because I am in here... WHAT??? How is the gospel being spread more while Paul is in Jail. I am so glad you asked. Verse 13 explains that all the guards all know about the gospel because of Paul. while he was in Jail he was witnessing to all the people in Jail with him. How cool is that. Not only was Paul spreading the gospel more. Verse 14 tells us that since everyone saw that Paul was in prison and preaching the gospel, they figured, If Paul can spread the gospel in Jail, then I can definitely spread the gospel outside of Jail. All because of Pauls faithfulness to the gospel, many more people heard about Christ.
Paul was passionate about the Gospel and he made it his goal to tell the whole world about it. Where do you stand in comparison with your passion for spreading the gospel?
verses 15-18 explain to us, that we should spread the gospel, but we should also do it with the right intentions, we should do it with love and concern for lost souls, NOT for any kind of personal agenda.
Good stuff in this devo today! Lets spread the Gospel like Paul did!!!
THURSDAY, May 1st, 2008
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Hey teenagers! Today is the national day of prayer! Make sure and make it a point to pray throughout the day today. If you dont do your devos until 11:59PM then just pray really really quickly! (Hopefully you are praying throughout the day anyway- if not - make up for it by praying all day tomorrow).
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday:
Josh S: Doughnut Boy??? I could have come up with a thousand nick names for you, none of which would have been doughnut boy :) You are silly!
Kasey: Great Thoughts about being "REAL" (Even in our devos)
Josh: How in the world can you mix gangster and redneck together... ... ...Oh Wait!!! (TC) :) J/K
David: I agree with you that Cary is confizzled... BTW what does that mean?
Tyler: I am praying for you and your family everyday!!
Philippians 1:1-10
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Verse 1 is simply an introduction of this next letter. Paul explains that they are bondservants for Christ and that this letter is written to the people of the church at Phillipi. Verse 2 is simply a kind way of greeting each other. It would be like saying God bless you or something. Then In verse 3 we see Paul explain to the people of the church at Phillipi that He has been praying for them. (Kind of Ironic that TODAY is the NOATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER... who are you praying for?) He begins his prayer by thanking God for these people, Paul prays that they will experience Joy, and fellowship, and Paul explains one of my favorite verses. He explains that He is confident that God started something good in each of YOUR lives, and he will be faithful to complete His good work if you simply follow him. How great is that!! Verse 9 tells us that Paul wanted the people to understand what to love and what not to love (that is what discernment means- to know how to choose what is right or wrong). And verse 10 is exactly what Kacey did in her Devos yesterday... She told us to be REAL in everything, even our devotions. And she even said she didnt want to offend anyone, just like Paul said "without offence". Great Job! Finally we need to pray that we and our friends are filled with the fruits of Righteousness. In other words, Our actions are good fruit because of our relationship with God.
Take some time today and pray for a few things: When you do your devotions, add any other prayer request to the list that you may have and lets take some time as a youth group praying for each other.
Pray for:
Our Youth Group (the spiritual growth and number growth)
Sarah Watkins and Rachel Mace (that they will continue to heal quickly)
Tyler King and Family (I told Him I would pray for him... you can too!)
Katie and Will (Just because I love them and I want everyone to pray for them :)
Pastor Chip: That God will continue to use him and speak through him to our church
Pastor Dick and Mrs. Bev: They are out of town, pray that they make it back safely!
Pray for the families and marriages in our church. (Satan has many many marriages under attack in our church, we must pray that God will have the voctory and these relationships can be healed.
Hey teenagers! Today is the national day of prayer! Make sure and make it a point to pray throughout the day today. If you dont do your devos until 11:59PM then just pray really really quickly! (Hopefully you are praying throughout the day anyway- if not - make up for it by praying all day tomorrow).
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday:
Josh S: Doughnut Boy??? I could have come up with a thousand nick names for you, none of which would have been doughnut boy :) You are silly!
Kasey: Great Thoughts about being "REAL" (Even in our devos)
Josh: How in the world can you mix gangster and redneck together... ... ...Oh Wait!!! (TC) :) J/K
David: I agree with you that Cary is confizzled... BTW what does that mean?
Tyler: I am praying for you and your family everyday!!
Philippians 1:1-10
1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Verse 1 is simply an introduction of this next letter. Paul explains that they are bondservants for Christ and that this letter is written to the people of the church at Phillipi. Verse 2 is simply a kind way of greeting each other. It would be like saying God bless you or something. Then In verse 3 we see Paul explain to the people of the church at Phillipi that He has been praying for them. (Kind of Ironic that TODAY is the NOATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER... who are you praying for?) He begins his prayer by thanking God for these people, Paul prays that they will experience Joy, and fellowship, and Paul explains one of my favorite verses. He explains that He is confident that God started something good in each of YOUR lives, and he will be faithful to complete His good work if you simply follow him. How great is that!! Verse 9 tells us that Paul wanted the people to understand what to love and what not to love (that is what discernment means- to know how to choose what is right or wrong). And verse 10 is exactly what Kacey did in her Devos yesterday... She told us to be REAL in everything, even our devotions. And she even said she didnt want to offend anyone, just like Paul said "without offence". Great Job! Finally we need to pray that we and our friends are filled with the fruits of Righteousness. In other words, Our actions are good fruit because of our relationship with God.
Take some time today and pray for a few things: When you do your devotions, add any other prayer request to the list that you may have and lets take some time as a youth group praying for each other.
Pray for:
Our Youth Group (the spiritual growth and number growth)
Sarah Watkins and Rachel Mace (that they will continue to heal quickly)
Tyler King and Family (I told Him I would pray for him... you can too!)
Katie and Will (Just because I love them and I want everyone to pray for them :)
Pastor Chip: That God will continue to use him and speak through him to our church
Pastor Dick and Mrs. Bev: They are out of town, pray that they make it back safely!
Pray for the families and marriages in our church. (Satan has many many marriages under attack in our church, we must pray that God will have the voctory and these relationships can be healed.
WEDNESDAY, April 30th, 2008
Great Job Yesterday! It was cool to see some new faces. You all had some incredible thoughts about yesterdays devos. Keep it Up you guys!! See you tonight at church!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Sarah: Hey Girl! Good to see you on here! I hope you are feeling good! You are right on in what you said yesterday. Satan doesnt only want to fight us at school but at home too... and anywhere else he can manage to tempt us.
Josh LaPerriere: How in the world do you come up with this stuff. You have one of the most unique minds I think I have ever heard. We need to get together and let you write another message and you can use that passage. You really did have some great thoughts about it. And yes, you now have the trophy for the longest devotion. Sorry Kacey :)
Amy: I love the way that you said: "We must use the (S)Word of God in that battlefield! Very Cool!
McCue: Glad you are back in town man! How did everything go? I love your image of the "physiological, mental, and spiritual behemoth!!"
Rachel: Ha! You are so funny! I loved your "Pamphlet"
Ephesians 6:21-24
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;
22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Well this passage is simple but important. We see Paul writing the conclusion of his letter to the church of Ephesus. He tells them that He is sending this letter to them by way of his "faithful minister" Tychicus. Let me explain to you what Paul tells us about Tychicus. Paul said that he was a beloved brother, and a faithful minister. The greek words for "faithful minister" literally meant Tychicus was an "Active Servant". Tychicus, although he had a wierd name, :) was a wonderful servant. He was Pauls right hand man at this time, willing to serve Paul in whatever he could. People that are active servants (like tychicus) are priceless! Think about it, we need people like Tychicus today, Pastor Chip, Pastor Dick, and even your Crazy youth Pastor (Pastor Lee)... ((Me)) need people who are willing to be ACTIVE SERVANTS for Christ!!!
Would you consider yourself an active servant? Do you do things to help Christ's Church? Do you build it and help it grow? or do you use all the resources for yourself?
Let me put it like this? What do you do to serve God at your church? You may think... WHAT CAN I DO? I'm only a teenager! Well, I am glad you asked! Get involved. Join The Choir, Play in the Orchestra, Help with Wednesday Night Teen Services, Clean the Teen Room after the service, Greet visitors and make them feel welcome! Help start a teen choir or praise team... I can think of a hundred things that you could do to serve the Lord.
As we finish this book of Ephesians, lets consider this as our challenge. Even we, as teenagers, can become ACTIVE SERVANTS for the Lord and His church!
Also... as the last verse says: Are you sincere in your love for God... Is it real?
GREAT JOB EVERYONE! WE FINISHED ANOTHER BOOK!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Sarah: Hey Girl! Good to see you on here! I hope you are feeling good! You are right on in what you said yesterday. Satan doesnt only want to fight us at school but at home too... and anywhere else he can manage to tempt us.
Josh LaPerriere: How in the world do you come up with this stuff. You have one of the most unique minds I think I have ever heard. We need to get together and let you write another message and you can use that passage. You really did have some great thoughts about it. And yes, you now have the trophy for the longest devotion. Sorry Kacey :)
Amy: I love the way that you said: "We must use the (S)Word of God in that battlefield! Very Cool!
McCue: Glad you are back in town man! How did everything go? I love your image of the "physiological, mental, and spiritual behemoth!!"
Rachel: Ha! You are so funny! I loved your "Pamphlet"
Ephesians 6:21-24
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you;
22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Well this passage is simple but important. We see Paul writing the conclusion of his letter to the church of Ephesus. He tells them that He is sending this letter to them by way of his "faithful minister" Tychicus. Let me explain to you what Paul tells us about Tychicus. Paul said that he was a beloved brother, and a faithful minister. The greek words for "faithful minister" literally meant Tychicus was an "Active Servant". Tychicus, although he had a wierd name, :) was a wonderful servant. He was Pauls right hand man at this time, willing to serve Paul in whatever he could. People that are active servants (like tychicus) are priceless! Think about it, we need people like Tychicus today, Pastor Chip, Pastor Dick, and even your Crazy youth Pastor (Pastor Lee)... ((Me)) need people who are willing to be ACTIVE SERVANTS for Christ!!!
Would you consider yourself an active servant? Do you do things to help Christ's Church? Do you build it and help it grow? or do you use all the resources for yourself?
Let me put it like this? What do you do to serve God at your church? You may think... WHAT CAN I DO? I'm only a teenager! Well, I am glad you asked! Get involved. Join The Choir, Play in the Orchestra, Help with Wednesday Night Teen Services, Clean the Teen Room after the service, Greet visitors and make them feel welcome! Help start a teen choir or praise team... I can think of a hundred things that you could do to serve the Lord.
As we finish this book of Ephesians, lets consider this as our challenge. Even we, as teenagers, can become ACTIVE SERVANTS for the Lord and His church!
Also... as the last verse says: Are you sincere in your love for God... Is it real?
GREAT JOB EVERYONE! WE FINISHED ANOTHER BOOK!
TUESDAY, April 29th, 2008
Hey everyone! Great Job yesterday! Tomorrow night is going to be lots of fun. Bring your Bible and Bring a firend. Think about it: if everyone who came last week brought just one friend then we would have over 60 teenagers in there! WOW~! Lets Do It!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Jon and Jessica: Good joke, although I didnt get it at first... (Considering your resource) They used some lame joke book on my shelf that had a thousand jokes in it (not too many of which were funny)
Cary: Ummm... you are crazy! Do you realize that you said that your authority "just needs to back hand you somtimes" whenever you get an attitude... Dont let your mom see that, you just gave her permission to back hand you. :)
Kacey: Dont worry, I didnt get the joke either.
Jeff: You are funny man, one minute you are slamming someone for the "lame joke" and the next minute you are like... "we should respect other people and treat them like Christ would" Ha! LOL Glad you got on today!
PDawg: Hello there, we are glad that you are on here... what does "incessant ramblings" mean? :) Just kidding.
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Once again! There is so much in this passage, there have been entire books written on this passage so feel free to write your own. :) When I read this passage It helps me grasp the fact that we are in a spiritual battle. A REAL, Give it all you got, fight to the death, battle! We are living day to day and we are either fighting and winning, or losing this battle. Did you win this battle today? Well, the truth is, winning is not based on what we do to make "our team" win. Winning is simple based on if we CHOOSE to get on the winning team. That team is Gods team. If you choose to go into battle on Gods team, here are the requirements for battle. You must wear truth and righteousness (that means you must know it and live it). You must have the gospel (Gods glan of saving the world) on your feet. (that means always have it on your mind every where you go) In this battle your shield will be your faith, and your helmet is Salvation, the coolest part though is your sword. What is the Sword? (just take the "s" off) it is the word. That is your weapon in this battle. And finally Dont forget to pray diligently as you enter this battle.
Everyday teenagers, your battlefield is School and when you go to school without these things, it is like entering the battlefield without any armor and without and weapon. Be ready for this battle you face. It will begin again tomorrow morning as you walk out the door of your house.
And remember, our enemy is not the people we face, (that is why God tells us to have on our mind at all times His gospel) our enemy is Satan and we will only win with Christ on our side.
I feel like William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, as he encouraged and prepared his men for battle. :P
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Jon and Jessica: Good joke, although I didnt get it at first... (Considering your resource) They used some lame joke book on my shelf that had a thousand jokes in it (not too many of which were funny)
Cary: Ummm... you are crazy! Do you realize that you said that your authority "just needs to back hand you somtimes" whenever you get an attitude... Dont let your mom see that, you just gave her permission to back hand you. :)
Kacey: Dont worry, I didnt get the joke either.
Jeff: You are funny man, one minute you are slamming someone for the "lame joke" and the next minute you are like... "we should respect other people and treat them like Christ would" Ha! LOL Glad you got on today!
PDawg: Hello there, we are glad that you are on here... what does "incessant ramblings" mean? :) Just kidding.
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Once again! There is so much in this passage, there have been entire books written on this passage so feel free to write your own. :) When I read this passage It helps me grasp the fact that we are in a spiritual battle. A REAL, Give it all you got, fight to the death, battle! We are living day to day and we are either fighting and winning, or losing this battle. Did you win this battle today? Well, the truth is, winning is not based on what we do to make "our team" win. Winning is simple based on if we CHOOSE to get on the winning team. That team is Gods team. If you choose to go into battle on Gods team, here are the requirements for battle. You must wear truth and righteousness (that means you must know it and live it). You must have the gospel (Gods glan of saving the world) on your feet. (that means always have it on your mind every where you go) In this battle your shield will be your faith, and your helmet is Salvation, the coolest part though is your sword. What is the Sword? (just take the "s" off) it is the word. That is your weapon in this battle. And finally Dont forget to pray diligently as you enter this battle.
Everyday teenagers, your battlefield is School and when you go to school without these things, it is like entering the battlefield without any armor and without and weapon. Be ready for this battle you face. It will begin again tomorrow morning as you walk out the door of your house.
And remember, our enemy is not the people we face, (that is why God tells us to have on our mind at all times His gospel) our enemy is Satan and we will only win with Christ on our side.
I feel like William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, as he encouraged and prepared his men for battle. :P
MONDAY, April 28th, 2008
Hey everyone! Good to see you online! Well it is monday and we are finishing up Ephesians this week, so stay faithful in the word.
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday:
Well yesterday was Sunday and we had a great day at church. Many of you were not in Sunday School and we missed you. Also what happened last night? Lets stay faithul folks! :) (folks... HA!)
Well anyway, we will see you on Wednesday!
Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
This passage reminds us that we have authority in our life and we must understand how to "serve" our authority. Five explains that we must serve with fear and trembling, which means respect. We must aslo serve for the right reason, not with eye-service, in other words, not so that other people can see what you are doing. We must also serve our authority as if we are serving Christ himself. Because when we do obey our earthly authority, we are obeying our heavenly authority who tells us to obey our earthly authority... (if you didnt get that, then go back and read it again)
Maybe some of you are in authority over others, well if you are, then the end of this passage also speaks to you: It says that you must also show these same godly traits to your subordinates. Lets serve the people around us, whether they be over us or under us: Serve them with respect, for the right reason, and serve them as if you are serving Christ.
JOKE OF THE DAY:
Chosen By Jon and Jessica Massey
Even Adam and Eve had there problems. One Day, Adam Got Angry. "You've done it again Eve!" Said Adam. "You Put My Shirt in The Salad!!"
A Few Thoughts from Yesterday:
Well yesterday was Sunday and we had a great day at church. Many of you were not in Sunday School and we missed you. Also what happened last night? Lets stay faithul folks! :) (folks... HA!)
Well anyway, we will see you on Wednesday!
Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
This passage reminds us that we have authority in our life and we must understand how to "serve" our authority. Five explains that we must serve with fear and trembling, which means respect. We must aslo serve for the right reason, not with eye-service, in other words, not so that other people can see what you are doing. We must also serve our authority as if we are serving Christ himself. Because when we do obey our earthly authority, we are obeying our heavenly authority who tells us to obey our earthly authority... (if you didnt get that, then go back and read it again)
Maybe some of you are in authority over others, well if you are, then the end of this passage also speaks to you: It says that you must also show these same godly traits to your subordinates. Lets serve the people around us, whether they be over us or under us: Serve them with respect, for the right reason, and serve them as if you are serving Christ.
JOKE OF THE DAY:
Chosen By Jon and Jessica Massey
Even Adam and Eve had there problems. One Day, Adam Got Angry. "You've done it again Eve!" Said Adam. "You Put My Shirt in The Salad!!"
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