Hey Everyone! Today Is Saturday! What are your plans (besides doing your devotions)
I was up pretty late last night gettin DESTROYED in the game RISK. It was pretty funin the begining because I was winning, but then my two opponents collaborated and really put a "woopin' " on me. It was sad! But Fun! Anyways, I hope you have an exciting day!
DON'T FORGET SUNDAY SCHOOL TOMORROW MORNING @ 9:15am!!!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Josh L: I am glad that you were here to explain you silly joke. Ok, It was kind of funny :)
Brooke: I am sorry Girl, I forgot about your little cord... I will get it to you on Sunday, can you come Sunday night?
In K C UR Wondering: Those are some wise words! We must KNOW the word so that we can SHARE the word!
Jeff: Thanks for teaching me how to do a backflip yesterday... I will get it one day! :)
C.M.: We are glad that you came... I enjoy hanging out with Zach and Brad! (ok, you too!)
My Two Cents: Well, Well, Well...you think that you are so sly... I went through the list of who went, and I think that the "reason why you did not get sunburned is because YOU WERE NOT AT SUNSPLASH... What do you think about that? I also think that you WILL ride in my van. Ha! :) I am reading an INCREDIBLE book that talks about EXACTLY what you were saying in your devotions yesterday... As we get out of our comfort zone... we EXPAND our comfort zone, and there fore we become comfortable doing more things! Pretty Cool Huh!
Rachel: Wow, that was late girl! I am glad you did them! And they made a lot of sense! Keep up the good work! GET RYAN ON HERE AGAIN! :)
John 13:1-9
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,
4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
So Jesus is there with His disciples. They are all hanging out together eating supper. When the meal is over, Jesus got up, changed His clothes, and got a bowl of water and began to wash the Disciples feet!
This must be a Biblical Error! Right? I mean they should be washing Jesus' feet right? What do you think? Well here is the great explanation of what is going on. Jesus is showing that whoever will be the greatest of all will be the least of all. Whoever wants to be the leader should be the servant. Christ, who is the creator and sacrifice for mankinf not only dies for man, but He washes the dirty stinky feet of man kind.
WHEN was the last time we saw someone wash someones feet? Do You remember? It was when Mary washed Jesus feet. Mary was showing Christ how valuable He was to her. Think about this: Christ is showing the desciples how valuable they are to Him. The amazing part is If Christ were here teenagers... He would wash your feet!!
In my pride, I would probably be like Peter. I would say: " You are not washing my feet!!!!" I will wash your feet, but Christ in His wisdom explained to Peter... This is not about you Peter, this is about me. If you will not let me serve you then you have no part with me.
We have been created to follow the example of Christ and glorify God. I think that we must learn to better follow the example of Christ when it comes to SERVING OTHERS.
Christ would be the LAST PERSON that ever existed that should be washing the feet of others, but He was showing HOW IMPORTANT it is to SERVE OTHERS!
Whom do you serve? To display the example of Christ!
FRIDAY, July 11th, 2008
I hope that you were able to come and be a part of the great time that we had yesterday at SunSplash. It was very exciting! Stay involved, because we are a busy Youth Group!
We are doing some reward events next week so stay faithful in the WORD!
The next BIG event that we will be going to is SUMMER CAMP at The Wilds!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and I know that YOU are going to have a REMARKABLE time!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Josh L: To answer the quetion you asked at the end of your comment... Oh, So Much!!!
Jeff: You have to talk to the President about it... President Jessica
Cary: Nice Job on the FLIPS yesterday!
IN K C UR Wondering: Were you SO TIRED because of a water park yesterday???
Marvino: DUDE! Dont forget to type out the APPLICATION. That is the most important part!! and Tell Kervin to: "DO YOUR DEVOTIONS.... DOT COM!"
My Two Cents: Since I do not know who you are... and you are going to the Wilds, you need to ride in my van and I will figure out who you are! Deal? Great Job on the devotions by the way... I am pretty sure that "the Glorify" part that you had a question aboutbasically means that God has been glorified in the past... Creation, Protection, and Faithfulness in the O.T., and He will be Glorfied in the N.T. ( I am not positive, but I will look it up and let you know)
Teer-E-AL and Jonathan Massey: Hey guys! I am burnt' as well! It is not fun AT ALL! What is the deal with the sunscreen lotion not working at all!
John 12:
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
This is a cool passage and there is a lot of great truth in it! However, I am going to place my focus on the first two verses. This gives a message that is COMPLETELY APPLICABLE in our lives today! Verse 42 begins by explaining that MANY people, including rulers truely DID BELIEVE that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, but because they were scared of man, they DID NOT ACCEPT CHRIST, and therefore did not gain eternal life.
The passage explains it pretty clearly, but I will restate it, to avoid any possible question... It says that many wise men did not accept Christeven though they believed in Him... and the reason why was because they did not want the Pharisees to kick them out of the synagogue (the church).
So here is the application: READ CLOSELY: Who in your life is keeping you from living for the Lord? Who are you afraid to tell that you are a Christian?
When you see someone doing something WRONG in youth group, at the mall, at home, at school, what keeps you from taking a stand for Christ? Do You Love The Praise of Men More Than The Praise of God? Do you want the accceptance of Men or a relationship with God?
I would say that this is something that MANY TEENAGERS struggle with... but I would be wrong. The Truth is... This is something EVERYONE struggles with... Trying to please man, instead of God.
We must seek to please our creator, our savior, our sustainer, not some selfish man who truely cares nothing about my soul! Focus on the Lord not man! Live in obedience to the Lord! Not man.
What a powerful challenge! What are some ways that you have feared man more than God?
We are doing some reward events next week so stay faithful in the WORD!
The next BIG event that we will be going to is SUMMER CAMP at The Wilds!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and I know that YOU are going to have a REMARKABLE time!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Josh L: To answer the quetion you asked at the end of your comment... Oh, So Much!!!
Jeff: You have to talk to the President about it... President Jessica
Cary: Nice Job on the FLIPS yesterday!
IN K C UR Wondering: Were you SO TIRED because of a water park yesterday???
Marvino: DUDE! Dont forget to type out the APPLICATION. That is the most important part!! and Tell Kervin to: "DO YOUR DEVOTIONS.... DOT COM!"
My Two Cents: Since I do not know who you are... and you are going to the Wilds, you need to ride in my van and I will figure out who you are! Deal? Great Job on the devotions by the way... I am pretty sure that "the Glorify" part that you had a question aboutbasically means that God has been glorified in the past... Creation, Protection, and Faithfulness in the O.T., and He will be Glorfied in the N.T. ( I am not positive, but I will look it up and let you know)
Teer-E-AL and Jonathan Massey: Hey guys! I am burnt' as well! It is not fun AT ALL! What is the deal with the sunscreen lotion not working at all!
John 12:
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
This is a cool passage and there is a lot of great truth in it! However, I am going to place my focus on the first two verses. This gives a message that is COMPLETELY APPLICABLE in our lives today! Verse 42 begins by explaining that MANY people, including rulers truely DID BELIEVE that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, but because they were scared of man, they DID NOT ACCEPT CHRIST, and therefore did not gain eternal life.
The passage explains it pretty clearly, but I will restate it, to avoid any possible question... It says that many wise men did not accept Christeven though they believed in Him... and the reason why was because they did not want the Pharisees to kick them out of the synagogue (the church).
So here is the application: READ CLOSELY: Who in your life is keeping you from living for the Lord? Who are you afraid to tell that you are a Christian?
When you see someone doing something WRONG in youth group, at the mall, at home, at school, what keeps you from taking a stand for Christ? Do You Love The Praise of Men More Than The Praise of God? Do you want the accceptance of Men or a relationship with God?
I would say that this is something that MANY TEENAGERS struggle with... but I would be wrong. The Truth is... This is something EVERYONE struggles with... Trying to please man, instead of God.
We must seek to please our creator, our savior, our sustainer, not some selfish man who truely cares nothing about my soul! Focus on the Lord not man! Live in obedience to the Lord! Not man.
What a powerful challenge! What are some ways that you have feared man more than God?
THURSDAY, July 10th, 2008
Today We Are Going To Sunsplash! Dont forget to be at the church by 8:30a. We are going to have a great time! I hope you came to church last night: we had a great time!
Don't forget to begin thinking about who you are going to have as your "devotional blog accountability partner"! When you think of who you partner will be and you ask them, then let me know on this blog so that I can keep track of all the groups. I think this will be a helpful and creative way to keep each of us even more faithful!"! A "Three Cord String" is not quickly broken!!! (You, Your Partner, and God)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
In K C UR Wondering: Who are you? We are glad that you are on here... But... Who are you?
Mallory: I DID NOT MIS SPELL YOUR NAME!! You are slightly confused :) Are you coming to sunsplash today?
Jeff: Well, I was fine with you joining us, but apparently I found out last night that the "silly songs" club is exclusive?!?! Who knew?!?!
Grace: We missed you last night!
Pastor Lee's lil' Sister: Love You! Thanks for joining us! Come back anytime or all the time :)
Josh L: Wow... that is all I can think to say... Wow... You are crazy!
Alex: What is up with the name change AGAIN!!?!?!?
Marvino: Dude! Where is the application??
Kervin: Hey man that was some good stuff! "if we can't give God 100% then we need to figure out what is limiting us from God.
My Two Cents: I am sure this sick little game is fun for you, but don't get to complacent... we are on to you like white on rice... :)
Rachel: Great Job Girl! I think most of us do exactly what you said... mix a little of God in with everything else that we do in our life... but most arent willing to admit it like you did. That is the first step. Admit is and the fix it. Lets do it!
John 12:27-36
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Wow there is so much here: I am going to mention only two great thoughts about the passage... each of you find the rest!
This passage is where Christ begins to tell His followers that He is going to die... As you will see, they never understand what He means, (not even after He dies). The benefit that we have over the followers back then, is that we have God's word. Christ predicted that He would die, all the way down to the detail of "being lifted up" on the cross. Christ knew this would happen all along. That is why verse 27 is so powerful: Christ admits as He is 100% God that He is still 100% man. And because He was 100% man, His heart was nervous about being crucified on the cross... But Still... Jesus Christ Chose to "Do Hard Things" for you and me! What hard things do we do for our savior? Many times we cannot even stand up to our friends for Christ's sake, let alone Die for Christ. We must FULFILL OUR PURPOSE, because our example fulfilled His purpose by going to the cross for our sins! By the way: Our purpose is to GLORIFY GOD! To live every moment of our life not for ourselves, but for Him!
My second thought came in the last two verses... Jesus once again compares himself to the light... The fact is that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we went on the campout in June, I remember being out there when we were playing with the glowsticks and we had no light with us. It was very dark, I think I actually have it on video where I am walking and I trip... Luckily I did not fall all the way down, I caught myself... BUT when we walk in the darkness of life... it is not as easy so catch ourselves from falling. When we walk without applying the truth of God's word, then it is like walking through a pitch black forrest without TURNING ON THE FLASHLIGHT! Or better yet.. Without Turning on the SUN!!! Turn on the Son in your life and allow Him to shine brightly!!
Love you all! Call up your partner and tell them to do their devotions!
Don't forget to begin thinking about who you are going to have as your "devotional blog accountability partner"! When you think of who you partner will be and you ask them, then let me know on this blog so that I can keep track of all the groups. I think this will be a helpful and creative way to keep each of us even more faithful!"! A "Three Cord String" is not quickly broken!!! (You, Your Partner, and God)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
In K C UR Wondering: Who are you? We are glad that you are on here... But... Who are you?
Mallory: I DID NOT MIS SPELL YOUR NAME!! You are slightly confused :) Are you coming to sunsplash today?
Jeff: Well, I was fine with you joining us, but apparently I found out last night that the "silly songs" club is exclusive?!?! Who knew?!?!
Grace: We missed you last night!
Pastor Lee's lil' Sister: Love You! Thanks for joining us! Come back anytime or all the time :)
Josh L: Wow... that is all I can think to say... Wow... You are crazy!
Alex: What is up with the name change AGAIN!!?!?!?
Marvino: Dude! Where is the application??
Kervin: Hey man that was some good stuff! "if we can't give God 100% then we need to figure out what is limiting us from God.
My Two Cents: I am sure this sick little game is fun for you, but don't get to complacent... we are on to you like white on rice... :)
Rachel: Great Job Girl! I think most of us do exactly what you said... mix a little of God in with everything else that we do in our life... but most arent willing to admit it like you did. That is the first step. Admit is and the fix it. Lets do it!
John 12:27-36
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Wow there is so much here: I am going to mention only two great thoughts about the passage... each of you find the rest!
This passage is where Christ begins to tell His followers that He is going to die... As you will see, they never understand what He means, (not even after He dies). The benefit that we have over the followers back then, is that we have God's word. Christ predicted that He would die, all the way down to the detail of "being lifted up" on the cross. Christ knew this would happen all along. That is why verse 27 is so powerful: Christ admits as He is 100% God that He is still 100% man. And because He was 100% man, His heart was nervous about being crucified on the cross... But Still... Jesus Christ Chose to "Do Hard Things" for you and me! What hard things do we do for our savior? Many times we cannot even stand up to our friends for Christ's sake, let alone Die for Christ. We must FULFILL OUR PURPOSE, because our example fulfilled His purpose by going to the cross for our sins! By the way: Our purpose is to GLORIFY GOD! To live every moment of our life not for ourselves, but for Him!
My second thought came in the last two verses... Jesus once again compares himself to the light... The fact is that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we went on the campout in June, I remember being out there when we were playing with the glowsticks and we had no light with us. It was very dark, I think I actually have it on video where I am walking and I trip... Luckily I did not fall all the way down, I caught myself... BUT when we walk in the darkness of life... it is not as easy so catch ourselves from falling. When we walk without applying the truth of God's word, then it is like walking through a pitch black forrest without TURNING ON THE FLASHLIGHT! Or better yet.. Without Turning on the SUN!!! Turn on the Son in your life and allow Him to shine brightly!!
Love you all! Call up your partner and tell them to do their devotions!
WEDNESDAY, July 9th, 2008
Today is my sisters Birthday... Happy Birthday Amanda! Tonight Is Also: SUNCOAST YOUTH GROUP!!! And YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT! We are going to have an incredible evening! We are also going to be giving you all of the details about our Sunsplash Trip (along with the permission slips) so make sure that you are here tonight! Youwill NOT regret it!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Brooke: You are Back with your thorough devotions!! I am so glad!! :)
Jessica M: That was a great video yesterday! Thanks for telling me about it... you want to hear the crazy part: Katie saw the exact same commercial on TV yesterday!!!
Jeff: Great Job! We had "song time" with Jeff Yesterday... you keep that up Jessica and I might let you join our "silly song club"
Grace: I am so glad that you are back on! Remind Kacey to do hers as well!!!!
Malory: I am glad that you like sardines... I will buy you a can of sardines the next time I see them... I did not know that you are a Tennessee Fan!! Cool! I am a Gator Fan! B)
Marvin: ... I love the new name... Marvino! I am picking you guys up for church tonight!
My Two Cents: WHO ARE YOU? I mean that with all due respect... but I just cannot figure out who you are?!?! :) But I sure am glad that you are on here with us!
Tyler: That was some good stuff yesterday. It was obvious that you got it!
John 12:20-26
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
This is a simple passage with just a few short key thoughts in verses 24, 25, and 26. I will explain the introduction to the story in verses 10-23 and then we will check out the application. So there were some Greeks who wanted to see and worship Jesus. They went to Phillip and asked him to get Jesus, so Phillip and Andrew went to Jesus to get Him...
In Verse 23, Jesus explains that the time has come that He is about to be glorified. Jesus is explaining that He will soon give His life for the salvation of Mankind.
Verse 24 is where it gets really really powerful! Think about this... Jesus gives an illustration of How someone can drom a grain of wheat and nothing will happen. BUT... GET THIS... when that grain dies then it can produce MUCH MORE "Fruit".
Here is the application: If we are going to produce all the "fruit" that God would have us enjoy then we must also DIE to ourselves and live for Christ. What does it mean to "Die to ourselves"? A better way of saying it would be to "kill the flesh". Let me explain... I have a sin nature and for some CRAZY reason, I constantly battle the flesh... For Example: When I get in line and someone walks in front of me and cuts in line... I think to myself... "who do they think they are??? I deserve better than that!! They should not make ME wait in line..." That is SELFISH! PRIDEFUL! and SINFUL! I must die to my sinful flesh.
We all should die to the sin in our life if we expect God to bless us with fruit!
What sin is in your life that you must confess and forsake?? DO IT TODAY! You will be so glad you did! :) God is Good! Die to yourself so that you can Live for Him!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Brooke: You are Back with your thorough devotions!! I am so glad!! :)
Jessica M: That was a great video yesterday! Thanks for telling me about it... you want to hear the crazy part: Katie saw the exact same commercial on TV yesterday!!!
Jeff: Great Job! We had "song time" with Jeff Yesterday... you keep that up Jessica and I might let you join our "silly song club"
Grace: I am so glad that you are back on! Remind Kacey to do hers as well!!!!
Malory: I am glad that you like sardines... I will buy you a can of sardines the next time I see them... I did not know that you are a Tennessee Fan!! Cool! I am a Gator Fan! B)
Marvin: ... I love the new name... Marvino! I am picking you guys up for church tonight!
My Two Cents: WHO ARE YOU? I mean that with all due respect... but I just cannot figure out who you are?!?! :) But I sure am glad that you are on here with us!
Tyler: That was some good stuff yesterday. It was obvious that you got it!
John 12:20-26
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.
21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
This is a simple passage with just a few short key thoughts in verses 24, 25, and 26. I will explain the introduction to the story in verses 10-23 and then we will check out the application. So there were some Greeks who wanted to see and worship Jesus. They went to Phillip and asked him to get Jesus, so Phillip and Andrew went to Jesus to get Him...
In Verse 23, Jesus explains that the time has come that He is about to be glorified. Jesus is explaining that He will soon give His life for the salvation of Mankind.
Verse 24 is where it gets really really powerful! Think about this... Jesus gives an illustration of How someone can drom a grain of wheat and nothing will happen. BUT... GET THIS... when that grain dies then it can produce MUCH MORE "Fruit".
Here is the application: If we are going to produce all the "fruit" that God would have us enjoy then we must also DIE to ourselves and live for Christ. What does it mean to "Die to ourselves"? A better way of saying it would be to "kill the flesh". Let me explain... I have a sin nature and for some CRAZY reason, I constantly battle the flesh... For Example: When I get in line and someone walks in front of me and cuts in line... I think to myself... "who do they think they are??? I deserve better than that!! They should not make ME wait in line..." That is SELFISH! PRIDEFUL! and SINFUL! I must die to my sinful flesh.
We all should die to the sin in our life if we expect God to bless us with fruit!
What sin is in your life that you must confess and forsake?? DO IT TODAY! You will be so glad you did! :) God is Good! Die to yourself so that you can Live for Him!
TUESDAY, July 8th, 2008
GREAT JOB YESTERDAY! What an encouragement so many of your comments were to me yesterday! Great application and many funny thoughts! I enjoyed it very much... There used to be a Folgers coffee song that I remember..."the best part of waking up, is folgers in your cup"... well I must say, "The best part of waking up, (for pastor lee) is reading all of your devooooootions" (Sing it to the same tune)
Ok, so on to the comments:
Josh L: Unbelievable, Josh gets his liscense and stops doing his devos... :) Just kidding! I am proud of you! Great Job Yesterday!!
Jessica B: I am glad that you read my comments... yesterday, I posted them right after I posted the verses... (incase anyone was already waiting on the passage... like you)
Jeff: I am proud of you, good job helping pastor Chip last night, there are not too many teenagers that He would let up in the sound booth at all, let alone touching everything!
MALLORY NICHOLE BURTON: I am so glad that you came on yesterday!! Great job! by the way... I can tell that your mom is a real life author... because you write very well also... You are exactly right about how this passage makes us think about how much we love Jesus. Keep it Up!
Marvin: That was deep man! :)
Kervin: You are Hillarious man! I got a visual image of you rubbing your bald head on the bottom of Jesus' feet... That is pretty funny! I am glad that you are willing :) By the way, do you like the yankees or the redsox? I cant remember.
Jon: MOVIE NIGHT??? What are you talking about?
Rachel: It is so good to have you back! Your so funny! (It is gross to... let Judas in your house) :)
McCue: Hey man! We miss you very much! It is good to see you on here! I wasnt to talk to you sometime soon, I will try to send you an email today or something...
Love you Mom! :)
John 12:9-18
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “ Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “ Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
There are two very interesting part to this story: I will start with the first one... first. In verses 9-11 we see how much the world hates Jesus and what they are willing to do when people are following Christ. Think about this. Lazarus has done NOTHING WRONG!!! He simply got sick, went to heaven, came back from the dead when Jesus performed a miracle, and then the pharisees wanted to kill him... They were not only seeking to kill Jesus, BUT LAZARUS AS WELL!! Are you kidding me?!?!
Ok, so on to the comments:
Josh L: Unbelievable, Josh gets his liscense and stops doing his devos... :) Just kidding! I am proud of you! Great Job Yesterday!!
Jessica B: I am glad that you read my comments... yesterday, I posted them right after I posted the verses... (incase anyone was already waiting on the passage... like you)
Jeff: I am proud of you, good job helping pastor Chip last night, there are not too many teenagers that He would let up in the sound booth at all, let alone touching everything!
MALLORY NICHOLE BURTON: I am so glad that you came on yesterday!! Great job! by the way... I can tell that your mom is a real life author... because you write very well also... You are exactly right about how this passage makes us think about how much we love Jesus. Keep it Up!
Marvin: That was deep man! :)
Kervin: You are Hillarious man! I got a visual image of you rubbing your bald head on the bottom of Jesus' feet... That is pretty funny! I am glad that you are willing :) By the way, do you like the yankees or the redsox? I cant remember.
Jon: MOVIE NIGHT??? What are you talking about?
Rachel: It is so good to have you back! Your so funny! (It is gross to... let Judas in your house) :)
McCue: Hey man! We miss you very much! It is good to see you on here! I wasnt to talk to you sometime soon, I will try to send you an email today or something...
Love you Mom! :)
John 12:9-18
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “ Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “ Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness.
18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
There are two very interesting part to this story: I will start with the first one... first. In verses 9-11 we see how much the world hates Jesus and what they are willing to do when people are following Christ. Think about this. Lazarus has done NOTHING WRONG!!! He simply got sick, went to heaven, came back from the dead when Jesus performed a miracle, and then the pharisees wanted to kill him... They were not only seeking to kill Jesus, BUT LAZARUS AS WELL!! Are you kidding me?!?!
This is often how people are... I remember when I was growing up, When I was backsliding, and running from the Lord, I could not stand anyone that was right with God. I avoided my youth pastor, I talked bad about my youth pastor, He was an incredible man, but because of my sin, I wanted to deny anything that could possibly prove me wrong... I know people who are like that today... It is amazing how I can be so close to a teenager, but as soon as they get involved in something that they should not be doing, they dissapear off the face of the earth.
It is sad how satan drags us along on his leash, once we get involved in sin. Sin makes you stupid, and it maked you do REALLY STUPID things!! Don't fall for it!
The second thought in the remainder of this passage is, how fickel people can be... One moment the whole city is ready to stone Jesus... then the next minute they are worshipping Him. As Jesus rides into town on a donkey, everyone lines up on the streets like it was some kind of Christmas parade or something. They line up to WORSHIP Jesus, and to Praise His Name...
The rediculuos part is that if you have EVER been to any kind of EASTER PRESENTATION then you know that today they are worshipping, tomorrow they are yelling: "Crucify Him!!!!"
People are fickel! Don't follow the crowd! Do what you know is right Lastly: I think it is so funny how rediculously dramatic the pharisees are: They see this happen, and they say: "SEE!!! The Whole World Has Gone After Him!!!" Can anyone say: Sin makes you stupid?!?!
Get on God's team, and you will win. Listen to your youth pastor... He loves you and wants to see you closer to Christ than ever so that you can be HAPPIER THAN EVER!!!! Trust me on that one!
MONDAY, July 7th, 2008
Hey everyone! This week is very busy! Don't Forget that we are getting together tonight at 6:30p for a fun get together, pizza, and someone will spend a little bit of time talking to each of you guys about a Christian College! Make sure you are here!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Kacey: Thanks for coming last night! It meant a lot! Also, thank you for listeneing so well yesterday! Your explanation of the message yesterday is outstanding!
Josh L: I am glad that you have read som of that book, you MUST finish it! It is some REALLY GOOD STUFF! (I reccommend that any teenager that wants to do something great with their life, and not just WASTE their life, should read a book I have called DO HARD THINGS!)
Jon: Sorry for putting a downer on your life!
Jessica M: I must say, your song was INCREDIBLY INSPIRATIONAL!! :) Did you write that yourself????
Jeff: I love you man! Great Job! Stay with it!
John 12:1-8
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,
5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
So Jesus has now come back to Bethany where He had just raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus got there, Mary and Martha had a "dinner party" for Jesus. Can you imagine sitting there eating dinner with Mary, Martha, Jesus, The Disciples and Lazarus, who had just been raised from the dead. What a cool party that would have been!
Next we see Mary take her precious and expensive oil and begin to pour it upon Jesus' feet and wash His feet with her hair... Why did she use her hair? There could have been several reasons, but the one I believe is this: A womans hair is her glory... Have you seen how many HOURS and HOURS some of these girls spend fixing their hair... A womans hair is part of what makes her so beautiful! So Mary took the BEST THAT SHE HAD and used it to wash the feet of Jesus.
Now I know that some of you have problems with peoples feet... I think feet are cool, but for some weird reason I know there are many of you that get "grossed out" by feet... So think about this, Mary takes her beautiful hair, and her most expensive oil and uses them to wash the dirty, dusty feet of Jesus... She gave her absolute best to serve Christ! What have you given to serve Christ? Mary is a great example of giving her glory to God so that it could be used for His Glory!
Well, there is always a critic. Everyone is enjoying this beautiful moment of love and service until you hear Judas jump out there being critical... It you are critical of EVERYTHING... Don't Be! We See Judas ask this rediculous and SELFISH question... "Why are you wasting that oil, why don't you go and sell it and give it to the poor..."
I think it is interesting how we see Judas, try to look compassionate on the poor, but the fact is that He did not care about the poor, He wanted to take the money for himself... So literally He was thinking, DONT WASTE THAT OIL ON JESUS, SELL THE OIL AND I WILL TAKE THE MONEY!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Does anyone else see how rediculous that is?
WE DO THE SAME THING, when God has given us riches, talent, and abilities and we use them for OURSELVES instead of using them for God.
Jesus made it clear that it was good what Mary was doing... Giving her all to serve her Lord... Do you love Jesus like Mary did? Would you give your greatest glory, your greatest treasures to Jesus Christ?
If not... don't stress, As you get to know Jesus more, then you will love Him as much as mary did and THEN you will WANT to give Him everything you have. Stick with these devotions so that you can know HIM better!
Good Day To You All! :)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Kacey: Thanks for coming last night! It meant a lot! Also, thank you for listeneing so well yesterday! Your explanation of the message yesterday is outstanding!
Josh L: I am glad that you have read som of that book, you MUST finish it! It is some REALLY GOOD STUFF! (I reccommend that any teenager that wants to do something great with their life, and not just WASTE their life, should read a book I have called DO HARD THINGS!)
Jon: Sorry for putting a downer on your life!
Jessica M: I must say, your song was INCREDIBLY INSPIRATIONAL!! :) Did you write that yourself????
Jeff: I love you man! Great Job! Stay with it!
John 12:1-8
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,
5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
So Jesus has now come back to Bethany where He had just raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus got there, Mary and Martha had a "dinner party" for Jesus. Can you imagine sitting there eating dinner with Mary, Martha, Jesus, The Disciples and Lazarus, who had just been raised from the dead. What a cool party that would have been!
Next we see Mary take her precious and expensive oil and begin to pour it upon Jesus' feet and wash His feet with her hair... Why did she use her hair? There could have been several reasons, but the one I believe is this: A womans hair is her glory... Have you seen how many HOURS and HOURS some of these girls spend fixing their hair... A womans hair is part of what makes her so beautiful! So Mary took the BEST THAT SHE HAD and used it to wash the feet of Jesus.
Now I know that some of you have problems with peoples feet... I think feet are cool, but for some weird reason I know there are many of you that get "grossed out" by feet... So think about this, Mary takes her beautiful hair, and her most expensive oil and uses them to wash the dirty, dusty feet of Jesus... She gave her absolute best to serve Christ! What have you given to serve Christ? Mary is a great example of giving her glory to God so that it could be used for His Glory!
Well, there is always a critic. Everyone is enjoying this beautiful moment of love and service until you hear Judas jump out there being critical... It you are critical of EVERYTHING... Don't Be! We See Judas ask this rediculous and SELFISH question... "Why are you wasting that oil, why don't you go and sell it and give it to the poor..."
I think it is interesting how we see Judas, try to look compassionate on the poor, but the fact is that He did not care about the poor, He wanted to take the money for himself... So literally He was thinking, DONT WASTE THAT OIL ON JESUS, SELL THE OIL AND I WILL TAKE THE MONEY!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Does anyone else see how rediculous that is?
WE DO THE SAME THING, when God has given us riches, talent, and abilities and we use them for OURSELVES instead of using them for God.
Jesus made it clear that it was good what Mary was doing... Giving her all to serve her Lord... Do you love Jesus like Mary did? Would you give your greatest glory, your greatest treasures to Jesus Christ?
If not... don't stress, As you get to know Jesus more, then you will love Him as much as mary did and THEN you will WANT to give Him everything you have. Stick with these devotions so that you can know HIM better!
Good Day To You All! :)
SUNDAY, July 6th, 2008
Sunday School was great this morning! I was so pleased to see all of you there! We had a good corwd, and we had lots of fun sharing stories about the "freedom float" and about everything we did this past fourth of July!! It was great fun! If you were not there then PLEASE READ THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!!
Tomorrow Night! Monday @ 6:15pm we will be meeting at the church for a fun fellowship! Plan to hang out with us from 6:30 until about 8:30! We will play games, eat pizza and have a great time! BE THERE!!!
Take Tuesday Night Off because the rest of the weeks is packed!!
Wednesday Night is Church! 7:00PM
And Thursday we are meeting at the church at 8:30 AM to go to Sunsplash! Bring 15 Dollars To Get In, and You can bring other money for lunch, OR YOU CAN BRING A SACK LUNCH!
For Todays Comments:
Talk about what you got out of either Sunday School, or the main service today!
If you were not there, then write some kind of inspirational song or something :)
See you bright and early tomorrow morning!!
Pastor Lee
Tomorrow Night! Monday @ 6:15pm we will be meeting at the church for a fun fellowship! Plan to hang out with us from 6:30 until about 8:30! We will play games, eat pizza and have a great time! BE THERE!!!
Take Tuesday Night Off because the rest of the weeks is packed!!
Wednesday Night is Church! 7:00PM
And Thursday we are meeting at the church at 8:30 AM to go to Sunsplash! Bring 15 Dollars To Get In, and You can bring other money for lunch, OR YOU CAN BRING A SACK LUNCH!
For Todays Comments:
Talk about what you got out of either Sunday School, or the main service today!
If you were not there, then write some kind of inspirational song or something :)
See you bright and early tomorrow morning!!
Pastor Lee
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