Yeah! It Is The Weekend! See you in Sunday School tomorrow at 9:15am! Don't Forget! Come to church tomorrow night as well... It will be great!!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Lucy: How in the world do you make an upside down question mark?!?!
Cary: That was good stuff! I Like the way that you said we are little appendages of Him. :)
PHILLIP: AWESOME TO SEE YOU MAN!!!!!! Thanks for coming on!! Great Job too! I am glad that Bethany is your Partner in Crime!
Bethany: Thanks for coming on here again girl!! I am glad that you have been coming back to youth group as well!! :)
Alex: Thanks for doing your devos!
Josh LaPerriere: All I can say is WOW! I think that was the most interesting Devotion of all time! I think it defeats the purpose of doing devotions if you have to break your parents rules to do them... It is never right to do wrong to do right! :)
Anonymous... They prank call you because they can't get you off of their mind.
Mallory, Jessica or Jon... whichever one of you wrote that comment: I think it is awesome how you said we need to show the "pretenders" the real thing!
2 Cents: Chores?? :) what for?... your allowance?
Ryan: Do you believe this?!?! The days that you do them, Rachel doesn't... what is this world coming to?? :)
John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
This is a great passage about the Love of God. In verse 9 we see that we are supposed to abide in His love! How do we abide in Christ's love?? I was wondering the same thing... It is a good things that we have the very next verse that tells us: If you keep my commandments then you will abide in my love.
To abide means to live, so Jesus is telling us to live in His love... does that mean that we can live out of His love? Doen that mean that we can be separated from the Love of God? Romans 8:38-39 answer that for us... "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." So if we cannot be separated from His love, then what is this talking about.
I believe to abide in His love means to live in the mindset of acknowledging His love for us. Let me explain it like this... When I think about how much Christ loves me, then It motivates me like nothing else To live for Him Daily! When I keep my heart focused on His love for me, then I want to keep His commandments because I don't want to hurt the one who loves me so!
The passage goes on to say "greater love hath no man, than to lay down His life for His friend" That is INCREDIBLE!!! God cannot love us any greater than He already does! What a motivation to serve such a loving God with My life! And did you notice... He calls us His friend!!!
Abide in the Love of Christ today! Live every moment acknowledgeing the Love that Christ has for you, and realize what a priveledge it is to serve a loving God with your life!
FRIDAY, July 18th, 2008
Hey Guys!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Tricia: Woo Hoo! You were first! Keep it up! If you want you can create a profile so you don't have to be "anonymous"
Lucy and Jessica B: I am glad that you both will hole each other accountable and let me just say how thankful I am that you are both in the youth group! I hope that this upcoming is year is your greatest year ever!
Josh L and Brooke: You can both still be partners, Josh will simply have to write the devos out and show them to me. YOU CAN DO YOUR DEVOTIONS WITHOUT A COMPUTER! :)
Cary and Josh S: I am glad that you guys are working together on this. Make SURE that you qualify for the next reward trip!!!
Amy and Grace: GRACE??? Where were you? Amy, did you call her and remind her? :)
Kacey and Rachel and Ryan: All I have to say is that you two girls have your work cut out for you! You are going to have to push that Ryan if you are going to qualify!! :)
Tyler and Kervin: Hey guys! Glad you could make it! Feel free to talk about things in addition to your devotions!
Jeff: Sweet! I can't wait to see your gainer! I will try to come Sunday!
Jessica and Mallory: Ya'll have to figure out some way to do the devotions while you are out of town next week! Do you have internet at your condo?
Jonathan Massey and Kervin: Do you guys have partners?
John 15:1-8
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
What a cool picture here! By THIS is God Glorified: When We Bear Much Fruit! obviously this is not talking about watermelon growing out of your ears. This passage is talking about the spiritual fruit or EVIDENCE of the working of God.
Let me explain it by the illustration Christ gives. Jesus explains that He is the vine and we are the branches... Let me first ask have you ever seen a branch alive that was not connected to the "true vine" or to the "trunk of the tree". No! Branches don't just grow on their own, they must be connected to the vine where they get life from. We too must be connected to Christ because He is the source of our life!
You will especially never see a branch that is not connected to anything that is growing and producing fruit. There are some people in this World that want to pretend to be Christians. The fact is, they can pretend all they want, but their will NOT BE FRUIT in their life if they are not connected to the "True Vine" Jesus Christ.
Let me ask you... are you bearing fruit in your life? What is fruit? Love, Joy, Peace, longsuffering, gentelness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance
Because if you are not bearing fruit, Jesus makes it clear in verse 2 that: "every branch that does not bear fruit He takes away" and verse 6: "if anyone does not abide in me he is cast out as a branch into the fire". Can you guess what Jesus is refering to there?
It just reminds us, that if we truly believe in Christ, then there will be evidence in our lives... If we do not believe then there will not be any fruit in our life. Don't fool yourself by trying to pretend like you have fruit when you don't. Jesus makes it clear that the branches that don't produce fruit will be "thrown into the fire".
If you are not producing fruit in your life, then ASK CHRIST TODAY, to make you a branch that brings forth fuit. Be connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, and then you will see wonderful FRUIT in your life!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Tricia: Woo Hoo! You were first! Keep it up! If you want you can create a profile so you don't have to be "anonymous"
Lucy and Jessica B: I am glad that you both will hole each other accountable and let me just say how thankful I am that you are both in the youth group! I hope that this upcoming is year is your greatest year ever!
Josh L and Brooke: You can both still be partners, Josh will simply have to write the devos out and show them to me. YOU CAN DO YOUR DEVOTIONS WITHOUT A COMPUTER! :)
Cary and Josh S: I am glad that you guys are working together on this. Make SURE that you qualify for the next reward trip!!!
Amy and Grace: GRACE??? Where were you? Amy, did you call her and remind her? :)
Kacey and Rachel and Ryan: All I have to say is that you two girls have your work cut out for you! You are going to have to push that Ryan if you are going to qualify!! :)
Tyler and Kervin: Hey guys! Glad you could make it! Feel free to talk about things in addition to your devotions!
Jeff: Sweet! I can't wait to see your gainer! I will try to come Sunday!
Jessica and Mallory: Ya'll have to figure out some way to do the devotions while you are out of town next week! Do you have internet at your condo?
Jonathan Massey and Kervin: Do you guys have partners?
John 15:1-8
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
What a cool picture here! By THIS is God Glorified: When We Bear Much Fruit! obviously this is not talking about watermelon growing out of your ears. This passage is talking about the spiritual fruit or EVIDENCE of the working of God.
Let me explain it by the illustration Christ gives. Jesus explains that He is the vine and we are the branches... Let me first ask have you ever seen a branch alive that was not connected to the "true vine" or to the "trunk of the tree". No! Branches don't just grow on their own, they must be connected to the vine where they get life from. We too must be connected to Christ because He is the source of our life!
You will especially never see a branch that is not connected to anything that is growing and producing fruit. There are some people in this World that want to pretend to be Christians. The fact is, they can pretend all they want, but their will NOT BE FRUIT in their life if they are not connected to the "True Vine" Jesus Christ.
Let me ask you... are you bearing fruit in your life? What is fruit? Love, Joy, Peace, longsuffering, gentelness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance
Because if you are not bearing fruit, Jesus makes it clear in verse 2 that: "every branch that does not bear fruit He takes away" and verse 6: "if anyone does not abide in me he is cast out as a branch into the fire". Can you guess what Jesus is refering to there?
It just reminds us, that if we truly believe in Christ, then there will be evidence in our lives... If we do not believe then there will not be any fruit in our life. Don't fool yourself by trying to pretend like you have fruit when you don't. Jesus makes it clear that the branches that don't produce fruit will be "thrown into the fire".
If you are not producing fruit in your life, then ASK CHRIST TODAY, to make you a branch that brings forth fuit. Be connected to the vine, Jesus Christ, and then you will see wonderful FRUIT in your life!
THURSDAY, July 17th, 2008
Hey Everyone! I am so glad you came on the blog today! I want us to do what I mentioned Last Night in the service. We are going to post Who our Partner is and if you are on here and you do not have a partner then say that when you comment, I will find you a partner.
The next Big Reward Trip will be around November and we will be doing something great! Make sure that you and your partner are doing your devotions every day! If for some reason it is impossible to get your partner to do their devotions then let me know and we will find you another partner. Remember: TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY RECEIVE GREATER REWARD FOR THEIR LABOR!!! Be faithful to your devos! You will be rewarded! (in more ways than one)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Brooke: Thanks for the brownies yesterday! They were GREAT!
Jessica B and Alex: We missed you guys last night! I hope you had a great time with your Dad!
Grace: It was good to see you last night!
Lucy: Great Question about Jesus being God... I am glad it caught your attention. The fact is Jesus is saying that they are one in the same... If you believe in God, then you should believe in Me! (Because He was God in the Flesh)
Josh S: Thanks for the nice poetry!
TRICIA! Thanks for the devos! What a great Job! I especially liked the thorough definition of the word Amen!... Amen! (I affirm everything before this to be correct! :)
Kervin: I love you man! But, you are making a poor choice, Is there absolutely nothing I can do to talk you into changing your mind?
2 Cents: I must say thank you for making the devos a little more exciting for all of us! I almost wish we did not know who you were so that we could keep the excitement going. :)
Rachel: That was great! you are excatly right about how other religions can't understand how something so amazing can be free. But the truth is, If we could "earn" it, then it would not be nearly as valuable.
Mallory: Thanks for the encouragement about last nights message! I enjoyed it as well!
Jessica M: I love it when I have teenagers that are on the right track trying to please God with their thoughts and actions! Thanks for being an encouragement!
Ryan: Hey Man! Thanks for coming on! Stay faithful! We love to see you on here!
JONATHAN MASSEY: I told you that you should do them earlier in the day! Because If you put it off until midnight then it is easier to forget about! DO THEM IN THE MORNING!!!! :)
John 14:
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Sing it with me... There are no strangers!!!! Ther are No Outcast!!!! There are No Orphans, of God!!!!! If you do not know that song then you should go to this link and listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4anyzSLX9U&feature=related
Now, Lets start back at the top of this passage:
WOW! Jesus Tells us that if we think that the Works that He did were Great, THEN JUST WAIT, because the works we do have the potential to be even greater!
God says that our works have the potential to be greater than turning water into wine, walking on water, and raising someone from the dead! Wow!!!! God has Has GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR US!!!
Think of the endless abilities and potential we have! God explains that He will give us ANYTHING THAT WE ASK, if we ask in His name for His Glory!!! What great things have you asked God to do recently! Remeber: We have not because we ASK NOT!
Verse 15 is so powerful! If you Love Jesus Christ, Then you are supposed to strive to keep His Commandments!! Do you strive to obey Jesus?
Finally verses 16 and 17 tell us about the wonderful Gift that God has given to us... The Holy Spirit. Once you accept Christ as your savior, then you immediately have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Praise God, that we will never be orphans in the sight of God, we will always have Gods protection and provision as long as we place our faith in Him.
DONT FORGET TO POST THE NAMES OF YOUR PARTNER!! LET ME KNOW WHO YOU ARE TEAMING UP WITH!
The next Big Reward Trip will be around November and we will be doing something great! Make sure that you and your partner are doing your devotions every day! If for some reason it is impossible to get your partner to do their devotions then let me know and we will find you another partner. Remember: TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY RECEIVE GREATER REWARD FOR THEIR LABOR!!! Be faithful to your devos! You will be rewarded! (in more ways than one)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Brooke: Thanks for the brownies yesterday! They were GREAT!
Jessica B and Alex: We missed you guys last night! I hope you had a great time with your Dad!
Grace: It was good to see you last night!
Lucy: Great Question about Jesus being God... I am glad it caught your attention. The fact is Jesus is saying that they are one in the same... If you believe in God, then you should believe in Me! (Because He was God in the Flesh)
Josh S: Thanks for the nice poetry!
TRICIA! Thanks for the devos! What a great Job! I especially liked the thorough definition of the word Amen!... Amen! (I affirm everything before this to be correct! :)
Kervin: I love you man! But, you are making a poor choice, Is there absolutely nothing I can do to talk you into changing your mind?
2 Cents: I must say thank you for making the devos a little more exciting for all of us! I almost wish we did not know who you were so that we could keep the excitement going. :)
Rachel: That was great! you are excatly right about how other religions can't understand how something so amazing can be free. But the truth is, If we could "earn" it, then it would not be nearly as valuable.
Mallory: Thanks for the encouragement about last nights message! I enjoyed it as well!
Jessica M: I love it when I have teenagers that are on the right track trying to please God with their thoughts and actions! Thanks for being an encouragement!
Ryan: Hey Man! Thanks for coming on! Stay faithful! We love to see you on here!
JONATHAN MASSEY: I told you that you should do them earlier in the day! Because If you put it off until midnight then it is easier to forget about! DO THEM IN THE MORNING!!!! :)
John 14:
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Sing it with me... There are no strangers!!!! Ther are No Outcast!!!! There are No Orphans, of God!!!!! If you do not know that song then you should go to this link and listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4anyzSLX9U&feature=related
Now, Lets start back at the top of this passage:
WOW! Jesus Tells us that if we think that the Works that He did were Great, THEN JUST WAIT, because the works we do have the potential to be even greater!
God says that our works have the potential to be greater than turning water into wine, walking on water, and raising someone from the dead! Wow!!!! God has Has GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR US!!!
Think of the endless abilities and potential we have! God explains that He will give us ANYTHING THAT WE ASK, if we ask in His name for His Glory!!! What great things have you asked God to do recently! Remeber: We have not because we ASK NOT!
Verse 15 is so powerful! If you Love Jesus Christ, Then you are supposed to strive to keep His Commandments!! Do you strive to obey Jesus?
Finally verses 16 and 17 tell us about the wonderful Gift that God has given to us... The Holy Spirit. Once you accept Christ as your savior, then you immediately have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Praise God, that we will never be orphans in the sight of God, we will always have Gods protection and provision as long as we place our faith in Him.
DONT FORGET TO POST THE NAMES OF YOUR PARTNER!! LET ME KNOW WHO YOU ARE TEAMING UP WITH!
WEDNESDAY, July 16th, 2008
It Is Wednesday! Make sure that you do not miss out on the Wednesday Night Youth Service TONIGHT! As Always, we have a great night planned for you! Bring a Friend!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Rachel: What are you talking about??: "Pastor Lee has no "E's" ?!?!
Grace: Good to see you on here girl! What in the world is MyPraize??
Jeff: My only suggestion is that you better be back at church Sunday Night! And you better bring everyone from the party to church as well! Then we can all go out somewhere afterwards!
Lucy: I am glad it is so good to be back on here! We have missed you!
Amy: Hey Girl!! Long time no see! So are you planning on joining us at the wilds?? I hope you can! It will be lots of fun! (But you already know that)
2 Cents: I am on your tracks, I have you down to three people. I know that you are one of the three people, and I have an inclination to one of them... But we shall see! I am not too worried about my camp deadline! I am sniffing your tracks like a bloodhound that eats pancakes.
Jessica M: How Cool! One Week Away! Are you nervous about turning 13? Sorry! I had to! :)
Mallory: I am glad I have your sneaky suspicions on my side of this whole mystery... Your guess is one of my three! ;)
Jonathan: I must agree with Jon Massey! If you are not coming tonight then you are going TO MISS OUT!!
John 14:1-6
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
So Jesus continues talking to his followers at the last supper. I think it is interesting that Jesus waited until after Judas, the betrayer, had left before He really got into the deep truths that He wanted sharing with them. But that is not the best part of this passage. It is so great because they all just finished talking about How Jesus is leaving to go somewhere... They dont have a clue where He is going.
Jesus tells them that they do not need to worry, because if they believe in Him then they are on their way to be with Him. Jesus explains it in his next phrase... In my fathers house are many mansions, I go to prepare one of them for you.
It is very clear that Jesus was leaving to go get things ready for His followers... (by the way that would be us too!)
Jesus tells them that they know how to get where He is going, but they say... NO WE DON'T!!
Then in the last verse Jesus explains to them that the way to get to Heaven is to believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!!!
Jesus is the only way that we can get to Heaven as well, we must believe and confess that Jesus is the only one who can pay for our sins.
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Rachel: What are you talking about??: "Pastor Lee has no "E's" ?!?!
Grace: Good to see you on here girl! What in the world is MyPraize??
Jeff: My only suggestion is that you better be back at church Sunday Night! And you better bring everyone from the party to church as well! Then we can all go out somewhere afterwards!
Lucy: I am glad it is so good to be back on here! We have missed you!
Amy: Hey Girl!! Long time no see! So are you planning on joining us at the wilds?? I hope you can! It will be lots of fun! (But you already know that)
2 Cents: I am on your tracks, I have you down to three people. I know that you are one of the three people, and I have an inclination to one of them... But we shall see! I am not too worried about my camp deadline! I am sniffing your tracks like a bloodhound that eats pancakes.
Jessica M: How Cool! One Week Away! Are you nervous about turning 13? Sorry! I had to! :)
Mallory: I am glad I have your sneaky suspicions on my side of this whole mystery... Your guess is one of my three! ;)
Jonathan: I must agree with Jon Massey! If you are not coming tonight then you are going TO MISS OUT!!
John 14:1-6
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
So Jesus continues talking to his followers at the last supper. I think it is interesting that Jesus waited until after Judas, the betrayer, had left before He really got into the deep truths that He wanted sharing with them. But that is not the best part of this passage. It is so great because they all just finished talking about How Jesus is leaving to go somewhere... They dont have a clue where He is going.
Jesus tells them that they do not need to worry, because if they believe in Him then they are on their way to be with Him. Jesus explains it in his next phrase... In my fathers house are many mansions, I go to prepare one of them for you.
It is very clear that Jesus was leaving to go get things ready for His followers... (by the way that would be us too!)
Jesus tells them that they know how to get where He is going, but they say... NO WE DON'T!!
Then in the last verse Jesus explains to them that the way to get to Heaven is to believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!!!
Jesus is the only way that we can get to Heaven as well, we must believe and confess that Jesus is the only one who can pay for our sins.
TUESDAY, July 15th, 2008
Hey everyone! Great Job on the Devotions yesterday. So many of you were faithful!!! Dont' Forget! this week we are keeping track of who does them to reward you guys next week! STAY FAITHFUL! There were still several people who use to be faithful who have not been on in some time. Make sure that you find someone to hold accountable and call them up. Can you believe that we have been doing these devotions for 7 months!! Wow! You guys are great!
Hey also: I am preaching on Sunday Night in church, so you guys all better be there!!! :)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Rob: That was some good stuff! I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Call me sometime today if you can!
Aviata: Who are you?
Brooke: Sorry about your migraine. Sorry about your problem. I will pray for you throughout the day today.
In K C U R Wondering: That was a great challenge about "running without a message". I am glad you were in church on Sunday night! By the way... who are you?
Jeff: I am not sure, But I guess it would be pretty scary to see a man "Posed by Satin" :) LOL!
Kacey: I hope you are feeling better! I am glad that you are on these devotions so faithfully. Tell Grace to do hers as well!! :)
My Two Cents: Very Good Question! I believe that because Peter motioned and leaned back onto Jesus' chest when He asked the question that Jesus only told Peter who would betray Him. So yes, you could say that Peter was on the DL! Why? Because He asked a question! BTW, My 2 cents, if you take 5 minutes and create a user profile then no one can pose with your name. I figured it was not you, because I am learning your patterns... Yes, I am still doing my research!
Mallory: I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO THE WILDS! YOU ARE GOING TO LOOOOOOVVVEEEE IT!!!
Lucy: Good to see you on here Girl!! Now remind Jessica to get on as well!!
Jonathan: That was a great thought... It was even more incredible that Jesus knew but did not stop it from happening! He sure loves us!
Rachel: Great Stuff! I liked your thoughts very much! I never really thought about if the bread was possessed. :) I am pretty sure that it was not. I think it had something to do with this... Jesus knows the future, but Satan does NOT! so maybe Satan was in that room as well, and He was just waiting to possess one of them, and when Jesus said that Judas would betray Him, Satan figured that would be the best man to possess... Very interesting thoughts though!
Jessica B: You are funny! you said: "TRUST ME!!! you cannot hide anything from God" :) what did you do??? :) J/K!
John 13:33-38
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
This is a short passage, but there are three key thoughts I want to share with you...
First: Jesus calls His disciples "little children". That is interesting? Why? Was it because they were so ignorant of everything? Was it because of their Child like faith? (BTW: Child like faith is something good to have... We are supposed to trust in Christ Just like a Child would!)
Second: Verses 34 and 35 give us an INCREDIBLE Commandment!!! Love one another, As CHRIST LOVES US!! That is powerful! We have seen the Love of Christ displayed in every chapter in John. It would be crazy to say that Christ did not Love, because EVERY CHOICE that He makes is based on LOVE! Are you Loving? Or are you spiteful and hateful? Well, If you are loving then you are more like Christ, of you are hateful then you are more like Satan.
Verse 35 sums it up like this: All men will know that you are my Disciples if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER!! Do people know that you are a follower of Christ by the way that you LOVE the people around you??? It is so important to Love as Christ did/ does!
Third: Peter, Peter, Peter... Do you believe this... One minute Jesus tells Peter something that will happen in the future... and you could say... (as My 2 Cents did...) that Peter was on the DL with Christ!! But I am pretty sure that Peter started to get a little bit to confident in Himself!
I have said many times that I would die for Jesus Christ, because He died for me... but I have to wonder if I am more like Peter than I realize. Would I truely Die for Christ? Peter would not even stand up for Christ in a crowd of slaves or servants. Peter denied Christ 3 times in just a few short hours.
We must love our Lord, We must not Deny Him? How do we often deny our Lord throughout the week? Maybe when we don't want to pray in Public, maybe when we are willing to swear to make ourselves look cool? I am sure there are many ways... what are some of your thoughts?
Finally, think of this: Even though Christ knew that Peter would betray Him, Jesus LOVED PETER!!!! Wow! Unconditional Love! How amazing is that! Jesus knows that we are going to mess up and maybe even Deny Him as well, but He Loves us unconditionally!
Now, a God like that is definitely someone that I want to please with every ounce of my life!!!!
Hey also: I am preaching on Sunday Night in church, so you guys all better be there!!! :)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Rob: That was some good stuff! I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Call me sometime today if you can!
Aviata: Who are you?
Brooke: Sorry about your migraine. Sorry about your problem. I will pray for you throughout the day today.
In K C U R Wondering: That was a great challenge about "running without a message". I am glad you were in church on Sunday night! By the way... who are you?
Jeff: I am not sure, But I guess it would be pretty scary to see a man "Posed by Satin" :) LOL!
Kacey: I hope you are feeling better! I am glad that you are on these devotions so faithfully. Tell Grace to do hers as well!! :)
My Two Cents: Very Good Question! I believe that because Peter motioned and leaned back onto Jesus' chest when He asked the question that Jesus only told Peter who would betray Him. So yes, you could say that Peter was on the DL! Why? Because He asked a question! BTW, My 2 cents, if you take 5 minutes and create a user profile then no one can pose with your name. I figured it was not you, because I am learning your patterns... Yes, I am still doing my research!
Mallory: I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO THE WILDS! YOU ARE GOING TO LOOOOOOVVVEEEE IT!!!
Lucy: Good to see you on here Girl!! Now remind Jessica to get on as well!!
Jonathan: That was a great thought... It was even more incredible that Jesus knew but did not stop it from happening! He sure loves us!
Rachel: Great Stuff! I liked your thoughts very much! I never really thought about if the bread was possessed. :) I am pretty sure that it was not. I think it had something to do with this... Jesus knows the future, but Satan does NOT! so maybe Satan was in that room as well, and He was just waiting to possess one of them, and when Jesus said that Judas would betray Him, Satan figured that would be the best man to possess... Very interesting thoughts though!
Jessica B: You are funny! you said: "TRUST ME!!! you cannot hide anything from God" :) what did you do??? :) J/K!
John 13:33-38
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.
This is a short passage, but there are three key thoughts I want to share with you...
First: Jesus calls His disciples "little children". That is interesting? Why? Was it because they were so ignorant of everything? Was it because of their Child like faith? (BTW: Child like faith is something good to have... We are supposed to trust in Christ Just like a Child would!)
Second: Verses 34 and 35 give us an INCREDIBLE Commandment!!! Love one another, As CHRIST LOVES US!! That is powerful! We have seen the Love of Christ displayed in every chapter in John. It would be crazy to say that Christ did not Love, because EVERY CHOICE that He makes is based on LOVE! Are you Loving? Or are you spiteful and hateful? Well, If you are loving then you are more like Christ, of you are hateful then you are more like Satan.
Verse 35 sums it up like this: All men will know that you are my Disciples if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER!! Do people know that you are a follower of Christ by the way that you LOVE the people around you??? It is so important to Love as Christ did/ does!
Third: Peter, Peter, Peter... Do you believe this... One minute Jesus tells Peter something that will happen in the future... and you could say... (as My 2 Cents did...) that Peter was on the DL with Christ!! But I am pretty sure that Peter started to get a little bit to confident in Himself!
I have said many times that I would die for Jesus Christ, because He died for me... but I have to wonder if I am more like Peter than I realize. Would I truely Die for Christ? Peter would not even stand up for Christ in a crowd of slaves or servants. Peter denied Christ 3 times in just a few short hours.
We must love our Lord, We must not Deny Him? How do we often deny our Lord throughout the week? Maybe when we don't want to pray in Public, maybe when we are willing to swear to make ourselves look cool? I am sure there are many ways... what are some of your thoughts?
Finally, think of this: Even though Christ knew that Peter would betray Him, Jesus LOVED PETER!!!! Wow! Unconditional Love! How amazing is that! Jesus knows that we are going to mess up and maybe even Deny Him as well, but He Loves us unconditionally!
Now, a God like that is definitely someone that I want to please with every ounce of my life!!!!
MONDAY, July 14th, 2008
Hey everyone! This week (From Monday to Friday) we will be checking the devotions. We will do a reward activity next week. We will either take you to a movie or we will go out out to the beach again... (Or we can do something else if you recommend it to me) I am excited! Stay faithful! Get your partner to stay faithful in your devotions! (If you have not yet selected a partner do not fret, you can still qualify alone for this reward event!)
John 13: 21-30
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
This is such an incredible passage... If you just read it, and you did not get it, then you should read it again, after you read my explanation. This passage is at the supper with Christ and His Disciples. They are all gathered around the table enjoying each others company. They are even involved in some "small talk" that is not so small...
In verse 21 Jesus tells the Disciples: "one of YOU will betray me". When He said this, the passage says that the disciples all looked at each other. Do you know that look? When you walk up to a group of children and say "Who broke the Gumball Machine" They ALL just look at each other... (even the guilty one)
Well anyway, they main application I got out of this passage was in vere 23-26. I love Peter! I read a book once that explains that Peter has a Sanguin personality type. I have the same and therefore as I read about Peter, often times I can relate to what He says and does.
I would be dying to know who Jesus was talking about when He said that one of them would betray Him. So was Peter.
Most people would think, If Jesus wanted us to know who the betrayer was, then He would have told us. NOT PETER. Peter thinks to himself, I have to think of a sneaky way to ask Jesus who the Betrayer is...
So Peter makes a motion to Jesus to let Him know that he wants to ask Him a question. Then Peter leans back towards Jesus and says... "Lord, Who is it?"
Did He really just ask Jesus who the betrayer would be? What would Jesus tell Him? It is none of His business? Would Jesus tell Him that he (Peter) was the betrayer. (He was wasnt He? Remember when He denied the Lord three times?)
THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE... Jesus told Peter exactly what he wanted to know. Jesus answered Peters question. Peter knew who would betray Christ BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENED. How? Because He aksed His Lord!
What have you asked of your Lord lately? Have you asked Him for anything? Jesus, the creator and savior of the world, is willing to answer your question. So ask Him!
Ask Him to restore your family! Ask Him to provide your needs! Ask Him to guide you to the life that He has planned for you! JUST ASK HIM!
Peter asked Jesus for something! Even thought it may have seemed a little weird, Jesus gave Him an answer!!
John 13: 21-30
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
This is such an incredible passage... If you just read it, and you did not get it, then you should read it again, after you read my explanation. This passage is at the supper with Christ and His Disciples. They are all gathered around the table enjoying each others company. They are even involved in some "small talk" that is not so small...
In verse 21 Jesus tells the Disciples: "one of YOU will betray me". When He said this, the passage says that the disciples all looked at each other. Do you know that look? When you walk up to a group of children and say "Who broke the Gumball Machine" They ALL just look at each other... (even the guilty one)
Well anyway, they main application I got out of this passage was in vere 23-26. I love Peter! I read a book once that explains that Peter has a Sanguin personality type. I have the same and therefore as I read about Peter, often times I can relate to what He says and does.
I would be dying to know who Jesus was talking about when He said that one of them would betray Him. So was Peter.
Most people would think, If Jesus wanted us to know who the betrayer was, then He would have told us. NOT PETER. Peter thinks to himself, I have to think of a sneaky way to ask Jesus who the Betrayer is...
So Peter makes a motion to Jesus to let Him know that he wants to ask Him a question. Then Peter leans back towards Jesus and says... "Lord, Who is it?"
Did He really just ask Jesus who the betrayer would be? What would Jesus tell Him? It is none of His business? Would Jesus tell Him that he (Peter) was the betrayer. (He was wasnt He? Remember when He denied the Lord three times?)
THIS IS SO INCREDIBLE... Jesus told Peter exactly what he wanted to know. Jesus answered Peters question. Peter knew who would betray Christ BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENED. How? Because He aksed His Lord!
What have you asked of your Lord lately? Have you asked Him for anything? Jesus, the creator and savior of the world, is willing to answer your question. So ask Him!
Ask Him to restore your family! Ask Him to provide your needs! Ask Him to guide you to the life that He has planned for you! JUST ASK HIM!
Peter asked Jesus for something! Even thought it may have seemed a little weird, Jesus gave Him an answer!!
SUNDAY, July 13th, 2008
Hey teenagers! Thanks for coming on today... I want us to do something a little different for today's blog. We are going to play a game. Here is how it will work... I will ask a question, and then the first person to log on will answer my question and then ask another question... We will start a question chain and see how far it gets... (this is just someething silly and fun to do to throw a little twist into what we do every day!
By the way... I hope that you are coming tonight! We will be watching a funny Ken Davis Movie and then going out somewhere to eat afterwards... Make sure you are there!!!
HERE IS THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE CHAIN...
1. Name 10 fun things that you can do at the Wilds!!!!
REMEMBER... If someone has already commented, then don't answer my question: Go to the last comment and answer the question that they ask. And so on...
See you tonight!! :)
By the way... I hope that you are coming tonight! We will be watching a funny Ken Davis Movie and then going out somewhere to eat afterwards... Make sure you are there!!!
HERE IS THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE CHAIN...
1. Name 10 fun things that you can do at the Wilds!!!!
REMEMBER... If someone has already commented, then don't answer my question: Go to the last comment and answer the question that they ask. And so on...
See you tonight!! :)
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