ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Disney Invasion: December 19th – 21st. Please sign up A.S.A.P. Cost is $215 if you turned in early deposit. If no early deposit it is $245.
Christmas Party: This coming Sunday we are having a Christmas party for the youth at 6pm.
Last night was our final message for the series attached. If you remember last week we talked about how we all attach ourselves to things in life in search for an identity. The world will try everything it can to get us to attach ourselves to something other than God. Answering the question “Who am I?” is one of life’s biggest struggles. In order to answer this we must attach ourselves to the One who knows us—Jesus. Once we do this we find that we are God’s sons and daughters, and because of this we are his beloved. This truth is what we must attach ourselves to because this is who we are.
Becoming this, though, is going to take risk. There is going to be a cost. Life how we planned it may not turn out as we expected it to. There are going to be things that we like that we are going to have to lay down or detach from in order to attach to God and experience an intimate relationship with Him, whether it is our reputation, a sport, a grade, or popularity. Because of the things we must give up many of us are scared to love Jesus passionately. This fear leads to a functional relationship with God. For example, “I’ll go to church and say a prayer and in exchange I’ll go to heaven when I die.” We can stay in a functional relationship and never be attached to Jesus.
Anything worth having is going to cost something. If you think about it, is there really a cost to attaching yourself to Jesus (think about what you get in return)? Yes! There is absolutely a cost. It will be the biggest risk you’ll ever take but the return on the investment is substantially greater than the amount of risk.
John 3:1-10 gives an example of a man named Nicodemus that questioned whether it was worth it or not to take the risk. Nicodemus was a high official who knew all 618 Jewish laws. In other words, he knew religion like the back of his hand. One night Nic came to Jesus and told Jesus, “I know you are from because no man could do the miracles you do apart from God.” Jesus in return responded, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Nic was completely confused about what born again meant. Jesus addresses Nic’s question and explains that no one can enter God’s kingdom unless he is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus was still confused and walked away.
Why did Nicodemus not get it? Was it because he didn’t understand what Jesus was saying? No, the reason he did not get it was because Jesus’ words sounded too risky to him. This God Jesus was talking about was too adventurous and untamed. The God Nic was used to was safe. He was a god boxed in by religion and laws. To have this relationship that Jesus was talking about meant he would have to surrender all. It would cost him his life. He no longer could just go to Bible class to be a Christian. He no longer could just go to church with parents and be safe. He would now have to be a Christ follower. He would now have to pursue Him and lay down his desires for God’s desires.
Who wants to attach to Jesus? We all do! The problem is not that we don’t want to. The problem is we don’t want to unattach from other things. We have the mentality that we’ll just serve God and…”
In the end what happened to Nicodemus? In John 19:25-42 Nicodemus comes back on the scene as a new man. After Jesus died on the cross Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus took Jesus’ body and wrapped it. Here Nicodemus was, a Pharisee that had a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable men of his day, laying down his reputation to help take care of Jesus’ body. He was now attached to Jesus. Though he knew he had would be detaching from his reputation he had worked so hard for, he knew that it was well worth it. He now understood what it meant to intimately know God.
Are you willing to take the risk? It will cost all you have? He is not tame. He will rip your life apart to give you one better than you could ever imagine.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Attached: Identity
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
December 16th: Christmas Party.
December 19th –21st: Disney Trip! On Wednesday we are going to MGM, and on Thursday we are going to Magic Kingdom. We will be coming back home on Friday. If you pay a $50 deposit this coming Sunday and sign the parental consent form the total cost of the trip is $215. If any later, then the cost is $245. Your children don’t want to miss this trip! It’s going to be a blast!
Next Week: Guys discipleship starts @ 5pm Sunday night before service.
Questions: Call me @ 904 887 2307
(Message Outline from XP3.org)
THE MESSAGE
Last night was our second part in the series Attached. We are all attached to something. Whether it is making good grades, sports, dance, or relationships we all attach to something because we are all in search for an identity. I remember when I was in middle school my brother and I loved playing basketball. We were such passionate Micheal Jordan fans that we would record the Bulls games on Wednesday night at church and then come home and watch the games after the service. I remember one night when my dad almost destroyed Aaron and me when he said, “Ryan and Aaron…you guys know that Micheal Jordan is not going to heaven unless he surrenders his life to Jesus?” Aaron and I sadly responded, “Yeah.” My dad was making sure that we were not getting too attached to basketball and letting it form our identity.
One of the most important questions in life is “Who am I?” To answer this question we attach ourselves to things to define who we are. Some of us attach ourselves to an “A” and we define ourselves as smart; others of us to an “F” and define ourselves as dumb. The list is endless, whether it is sports to be defined as athletic or dance as talented; we all attach ourselves to something that we believe defines who we are.
If this question is so important to us, how do we find out who we are? The answer is you must find the One who knows you. Who does God say you are? I John 3:1 says we are children of God. What does this mean? In Matthew 3:17 John baptizes Jesus and the heavens open up and God speaks, “This is my Son whom I love and am well pleased with.” Jesus was loved because He was God’s Son. God didn’t love him because of what He had done but simply because He was God’s Son. God’s love for Him was unconditional. This is incredible because I John says we too are God’s children, meaning we are God’s beloved. We are his sons and daughters loved unconditionally by him. This is what we should attach our worth and identity to.
How is it that God knows who we are? God understands our identity because He created us. He knows us better than we know ourselves and far better than the world knows us. The world will try to define you. The enemy would love for all of us to find our identity in the world. If you let the world define you it will only leave you empty, and will always bring you short of your greatness and potential. God defines you as his beloved, his son, his daughter, his warrior, his princess.
Pause for a couple of minutes and just listen. Listen for God’s voice. Let him define who you are. After a couple minutes of silence I read Psalm 139:1-18 in the Message Bible. In Psalm 139 David talks about how he is awed by how God knows everything about him. He knows every little detail about you because He is your creator and is in love with you.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Remind your child that their identity is not in sports, in their talents, or school, but God defines who they are. One thing that really helped me growing up was how my parents complimented me. They would always tell me how proud they were of me when I had a good basketball game or ran good but more than anything they would constantly brag about my relationship with God. “Ryan, we’re so proud of you reading your Bible everyday, and witnessing to your friends…” When my parents did this I felt good about myself. I felt love and it made me want to do it more and find my identity in God rather than sports or making good grades. I realized what was really valuable in life.
December 16th: Christmas Party.
December 19th –21st: Disney Trip! On Wednesday we are going to MGM, and on Thursday we are going to Magic Kingdom. We will be coming back home on Friday. If you pay a $50 deposit this coming Sunday and sign the parental consent form the total cost of the trip is $215. If any later, then the cost is $245. Your children don’t want to miss this trip! It’s going to be a blast!
Next Week: Guys discipleship starts @ 5pm Sunday night before service.
Questions: Call me @ 904 887 2307
(Message Outline from XP3.org)
THE MESSAGE
Last night was our second part in the series Attached. We are all attached to something. Whether it is making good grades, sports, dance, or relationships we all attach to something because we are all in search for an identity. I remember when I was in middle school my brother and I loved playing basketball. We were such passionate Micheal Jordan fans that we would record the Bulls games on Wednesday night at church and then come home and watch the games after the service. I remember one night when my dad almost destroyed Aaron and me when he said, “Ryan and Aaron…you guys know that Micheal Jordan is not going to heaven unless he surrenders his life to Jesus?” Aaron and I sadly responded, “Yeah.” My dad was making sure that we were not getting too attached to basketball and letting it form our identity.
One of the most important questions in life is “Who am I?” To answer this question we attach ourselves to things to define who we are. Some of us attach ourselves to an “A” and we define ourselves as smart; others of us to an “F” and define ourselves as dumb. The list is endless, whether it is sports to be defined as athletic or dance as talented; we all attach ourselves to something that we believe defines who we are.
If this question is so important to us, how do we find out who we are? The answer is you must find the One who knows you. Who does God say you are? I John 3:1 says we are children of God. What does this mean? In Matthew 3:17 John baptizes Jesus and the heavens open up and God speaks, “This is my Son whom I love and am well pleased with.” Jesus was loved because He was God’s Son. God didn’t love him because of what He had done but simply because He was God’s Son. God’s love for Him was unconditional. This is incredible because I John says we too are God’s children, meaning we are God’s beloved. We are his sons and daughters loved unconditionally by him. This is what we should attach our worth and identity to.
How is it that God knows who we are? God understands our identity because He created us. He knows us better than we know ourselves and far better than the world knows us. The world will try to define you. The enemy would love for all of us to find our identity in the world. If you let the world define you it will only leave you empty, and will always bring you short of your greatness and potential. God defines you as his beloved, his son, his daughter, his warrior, his princess.
Pause for a couple of minutes and just listen. Listen for God’s voice. Let him define who you are. After a couple minutes of silence I read Psalm 139:1-18 in the Message Bible. In Psalm 139 David talks about how he is awed by how God knows everything about him. He knows every little detail about you because He is your creator and is in love with you.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Remind your child that their identity is not in sports, in their talents, or school, but God defines who they are. One thing that really helped me growing up was how my parents complimented me. They would always tell me how proud they were of me when I had a good basketball game or ran good but more than anything they would constantly brag about my relationship with God. “Ryan, we’re so proud of you reading your Bible everyday, and witnessing to your friends…” When my parents did this I felt good about myself. I felt love and it made me want to do it more and find my identity in God rather than sports or making good grades. I realized what was really valuable in life.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Attached
For some of us life is going really well. We get good grades. Football is great. We are the stars on the dance team. We get to play halo when we want. Our popularity is increasing, and our family is running smoothly. Others of us are at the opposite end of the happiness spectrum. Grades are crashing. We just got cut from the team. We don’t have an iPod. Our family is dysfunctional, and we are outcasts at school. Then there is a third group that lives somewhere in between that has some great things going on in life and some not so great.
If you are the person living in a really happy place right now what is the one thing that would change everything? Maybe it would be receiving an “F” on your report card, or taking your cell phone away. How about those of you in the bad place? Maybe it’s an “A” on your next algebra test, or a new x-box 360. Maybe it’s becoming popular. If you just had that one thing go right in your life it would make everything right.
What if you could remain consistent no matter what happened? What if you had something deep within you that was ultimately okay with whatever? I’m not saying you wouldn’t care if something bad happened to you, but when something did go wrong it would not crush your world. People are like human roller coasters; they go up and down. A boy, a girl, a grade a position…It is amazing how 1 thing can hold so much power over us. Why do these things affect us so much? It is because we are attached. It’s why some of you will I.M for 4 straight hours, or text 20 times in 1 hour. It’s why some of you are so aware of how you look that you constantly stare at yourself in the mirror.
What if we stopped clinging to accomplishments, people and stuff and we attached ourselves to something more stable? We would have highs and lows but would not be destroyed if we didn’t make the team. When we place our happiness in these things we lose big time. Everything has an expiration date. An “A” will last until the next test. The new video game will eventually be boring. Sports don’t last. Where is Micheal Jordan now?
The things we attach ourselves to in order to bring us happiness the Bible calls idols—things that always fall short! Isaiah 44:10, 15-20 talks about a man that uses a block of wood to build a fire and cook his food. After he is finished making his food he uses the rest to carve out an idol and then worships it. Isaiah asks the question, “Does this man realize that he is worshiping what he cooked his food with? Will he ever ask himself, ‘Is this idol, this thing that I am worshiping, a lie?’”
This guy is obviously way to attached to this block of wood. It would be like us making a Playdough figure and then bowing down to it and worshiping it. Or putting on make up and worshiping what you see in the mirror. Or being so proud of your grades that you feel above everyone else Don’t we all do the same thing as this guy making an idol. It seems like what he is doing is complete nonsense and we would never even think about doing such a thing. The reason it seems like this is because we he did is not a part of our culture. But the truth is we do the same thing.
We live in a world where everyone tries to attach themselves to their circumstances; we are up and down. Can we get off this roller coaster? God says, “I am contentment.” He says, “OUIT LOOKING AT THE BLOCK OF WOOD, THE GREADE, THE BOY, THE GIRL, THE IPOD, YOURSELF…” What are you attached to? Ask yourself, “Is this thing that I believe that can make me happy a lie?”Attaching is when your emotions and happiness are defined by something other than God. The emptiness inside you only God can fill.
If you are the person living in a really happy place right now what is the one thing that would change everything? Maybe it would be receiving an “F” on your report card, or taking your cell phone away. How about those of you in the bad place? Maybe it’s an “A” on your next algebra test, or a new x-box 360. Maybe it’s becoming popular. If you just had that one thing go right in your life it would make everything right.
What if you could remain consistent no matter what happened? What if you had something deep within you that was ultimately okay with whatever? I’m not saying you wouldn’t care if something bad happened to you, but when something did go wrong it would not crush your world. People are like human roller coasters; they go up and down. A boy, a girl, a grade a position…It is amazing how 1 thing can hold so much power over us. Why do these things affect us so much? It is because we are attached. It’s why some of you will I.M for 4 straight hours, or text 20 times in 1 hour. It’s why some of you are so aware of how you look that you constantly stare at yourself in the mirror.
What if we stopped clinging to accomplishments, people and stuff and we attached ourselves to something more stable? We would have highs and lows but would not be destroyed if we didn’t make the team. When we place our happiness in these things we lose big time. Everything has an expiration date. An “A” will last until the next test. The new video game will eventually be boring. Sports don’t last. Where is Micheal Jordan now?
The things we attach ourselves to in order to bring us happiness the Bible calls idols—things that always fall short! Isaiah 44:10, 15-20 talks about a man that uses a block of wood to build a fire and cook his food. After he is finished making his food he uses the rest to carve out an idol and then worships it. Isaiah asks the question, “Does this man realize that he is worshiping what he cooked his food with? Will he ever ask himself, ‘Is this idol, this thing that I am worshiping, a lie?’”
This guy is obviously way to attached to this block of wood. It would be like us making a Playdough figure and then bowing down to it and worshiping it. Or putting on make up and worshiping what you see in the mirror. Or being so proud of your grades that you feel above everyone else Don’t we all do the same thing as this guy making an idol. It seems like what he is doing is complete nonsense and we would never even think about doing such a thing. The reason it seems like this is because we he did is not a part of our culture. But the truth is we do the same thing.
We live in a world where everyone tries to attach themselves to their circumstances; we are up and down. Can we get off this roller coaster? God says, “I am contentment.” He says, “OUIT LOOKING AT THE BLOCK OF WOOD, THE GREADE, THE BOY, THE GIRL, THE IPOD, YOURSELF…” What are you attached to? Ask yourself, “Is this thing that I believe that can make me happy a lie?”Attaching is when your emotions and happiness are defined by something other than God. The emptiness inside you only God can fill.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
James Series: Choosing Sides
Here is the message spoken to your children this last Sunday night. The Nerf war was a blast this last Friday. Young men were made heroes as they went into battle facing their fears and fighting for their friends. Thank you for your support and faithfulness.
THE MESSAGE
Last Sunday was our last message for the Series of James. In James 4:4-10, James tells us that we cannot be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time. James is telling us to choose sides. In Matthew 12:30 Jesus says, “If a man is not for me, then he is against me.” In other words, a line has been drawn in the sand and you must choose your side.
Because choosing a side is so costly to us, whether it’s sacrificing what our flesh desires or what our spirit desires, we will sometimes decide to not choose a side. We do this believing that we will get the benefits of both sides as we have one foot on God’s side and one foot on the world’s side. We tell ourselves, “I’ll just live life in between. It’s so much easier.” But the truth of the matter is not choosing is choosing. It’s like a basketball shot, you either miss it or make it. There is no such thing as half points.
An example of this is shown in I Samuel 13. God commands King Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites, to leave nothing alive. Saul goes to battle with the Amalekites, and God gives Saul the victory, but Saul keeps the best cattle and possessions, along with the king. God is angry with Saul’s disobedience and tells Samuel to inform Saul that he has been rejected as king. As Samuel and Saul meet each other Saul says, “Hey Samuel, I did everything God told me to do. I destroyed the Amalekites.” Samuel replies, “Then what is this bleating of sheep that I hear. You have not obeyed God but have kept the best for yourself. To obey is better than sacrifice. Because of this God has rejected you as King!” Where did Saul go wrong? Saul tried to keep his feet in both worlds. He was not willing to give up everything for God.
I then explained that our world has launched an all out attack on God. Prayer has been taken out of schools. Creation has been removed from science. Christians have been taken out of history. We rarely, if ever, hear any Biblical history when the Bible contains the most accurate and greatest amount of history of any history book on the planet. There have been countless attempts of the enemy to remove God from the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Because of this attack there is a war going on and we must choose sides.
If we don’t choose to fight for God’s Kingdom we are siding with the enemy. If what the world offers is too appealing to risk loosing, or if our image or reputation is too important to us, then we will be siding with the enemy. In I Samuel 13, after Saul is rebuked by Samuel, Saul says that the reason he failed to obey God was because he was too concerned with what the people thought of him. He wanted to look good in their eyes. We must, therefore, be willing to lay down everything we are to fight for God’s Kingdom.
The number one tool that the enemy uses for today’s youth is apathy. Apathy is a lack of emotion; indifference. It’s the, “I don’t care” mentality. James shows us in verses 8 through 10 how to battle this. He says, “Grieve, mourn, wail!” In other words, get mad at what the enemy is doing to your friends, get upset and then get excited to go fight him. This is a war we are in. For example, in battle your best friend has just been shot by the enemy and you have the choice to fight back. You are going to be sad and mad at the same time and you are going to fight with all your heart. You are not going to say, “Oh well…”
I closed the message with telling everyone, “Choose your side! Pray, talk about God, read your Bible and pray!” You choose which side you are fighting on everyday you wake up when you have the choice of reading your Bible and praying. The question is will you be on the winning or the losing side?
Thanks again,
Ryan Austin
Element Leader
THE MESSAGE
Last Sunday was our last message for the Series of James. In James 4:4-10, James tells us that we cannot be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time. James is telling us to choose sides. In Matthew 12:30 Jesus says, “If a man is not for me, then he is against me.” In other words, a line has been drawn in the sand and you must choose your side.
Because choosing a side is so costly to us, whether it’s sacrificing what our flesh desires or what our spirit desires, we will sometimes decide to not choose a side. We do this believing that we will get the benefits of both sides as we have one foot on God’s side and one foot on the world’s side. We tell ourselves, “I’ll just live life in between. It’s so much easier.” But the truth of the matter is not choosing is choosing. It’s like a basketball shot, you either miss it or make it. There is no such thing as half points.
An example of this is shown in I Samuel 13. God commands King Saul to totally destroy the Amalekites, to leave nothing alive. Saul goes to battle with the Amalekites, and God gives Saul the victory, but Saul keeps the best cattle and possessions, along with the king. God is angry with Saul’s disobedience and tells Samuel to inform Saul that he has been rejected as king. As Samuel and Saul meet each other Saul says, “Hey Samuel, I did everything God told me to do. I destroyed the Amalekites.” Samuel replies, “Then what is this bleating of sheep that I hear. You have not obeyed God but have kept the best for yourself. To obey is better than sacrifice. Because of this God has rejected you as King!” Where did Saul go wrong? Saul tried to keep his feet in both worlds. He was not willing to give up everything for God.
I then explained that our world has launched an all out attack on God. Prayer has been taken out of schools. Creation has been removed from science. Christians have been taken out of history. We rarely, if ever, hear any Biblical history when the Bible contains the most accurate and greatest amount of history of any history book on the planet. There have been countless attempts of the enemy to remove God from the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Because of this attack there is a war going on and we must choose sides.
If we don’t choose to fight for God’s Kingdom we are siding with the enemy. If what the world offers is too appealing to risk loosing, or if our image or reputation is too important to us, then we will be siding with the enemy. In I Samuel 13, after Saul is rebuked by Samuel, Saul says that the reason he failed to obey God was because he was too concerned with what the people thought of him. He wanted to look good in their eyes. We must, therefore, be willing to lay down everything we are to fight for God’s Kingdom.
The number one tool that the enemy uses for today’s youth is apathy. Apathy is a lack of emotion; indifference. It’s the, “I don’t care” mentality. James shows us in verses 8 through 10 how to battle this. He says, “Grieve, mourn, wail!” In other words, get mad at what the enemy is doing to your friends, get upset and then get excited to go fight him. This is a war we are in. For example, in battle your best friend has just been shot by the enemy and you have the choice to fight back. You are going to be sad and mad at the same time and you are going to fight with all your heart. You are not going to say, “Oh well…”
I closed the message with telling everyone, “Choose your side! Pray, talk about God, read your Bible and pray!” You choose which side you are fighting on everyday you wake up when you have the choice of reading your Bible and praying. The question is will you be on the winning or the losing side?
Thanks again,
Ryan Austin
Element Leader
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
James 2: Taking a Step of Faith
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nerf War: Date changed to Friday, November 9th because of October Bash. This should give everyone more prep time.
Fall Festival: Wed., October 31. From 6pm to 8:30pm. INVITE FRIENDS.
October Bash: Sunday, October 28. Begins at 6pm. INVITE FRIENDS AND DRESS UP AS A SUPER HERO (Be creative).
THE MESSAGE
Sunday night was part 2 of the James Series. We began the night with watching a scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana’s mission was to find the Holy Grail which gave eternal life because his father was dying. On this mission Indy has to make a “leap of faith” across a huge valley to get to the grail. When he finally makes the step across he finds that there is a seemingly invisible bridge that has been painted to match the cliff and valley. If Indy would not have had the faith to make the step his father would have died.
After watching the video we read James 2:14-19, 26. In this passage James lays before us two types of faith: one that is living and one that is dead. Verse 26 says, “Just as the body without spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds dead.” Spirit here is spirit, not Spirit. Spirit here means breath. In other words, like a living organism breathes so living faith breathes. Something that does not breathe has no life. Faith with actions is living faith that breathes. Faith without actions is dead. It has no breath.
A living faith breathes in God’s virtue, His character (love, joy, kindness, patience, etc.) and exhales activity. As we read God’s Word, pray, live in his presence and seek his face his character begins to form in us and when this happens his activities begin to flow out of us. This is living faith; a constant interaction with God.
After explaining living faith I went back to the video. During this video the Nazi who shot Indy’s father to force Indy to get the grail made a very important statement: “It’s time to ask yourself, Indy, what you believe.” Following this statement Indy’s faith is tested as he faces the choice of making the leap of faith across the “invisible bridge.” People watch this video and say, “Man, the bridge was already there!” But I don’t believe it was there UNTIL HE STEPPED OUT.
You have a world depending on you! Will you take the first step? But the bridge is not there until you take the first step! For example, when you have the choice to read your Bible or sleep in, the energy you long for is missing until you take the step of faith and start reading. When you are taking a test and the temptation is to cheat, you might not even have the ability to not cheat until you take the step of faith. When God tells you to witness to your friends you have the choice to speak to them or wait. The words will not be given to you until you speak. When you are faced with the choice of coming to church or staying home and doing homework and studying for tests, the knowledge of that material will not be given to you until you decide not to rely on your own strength but on God’s and take the step of faith and come to church.
THE BRIDGE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE THERE: the provision, the energy, the knowledge, the words UNTIL YOU TAKE THE STEP! That fear you have may be real (people making fun of you, being an outcast, looked at as stupid) until you take the step of faith.
God is calling you to step out of religion into relationship. Religion is comfortable. Relationship is faith. (It’s interaction). How do you step out of religion into relationship? You first must make Jesus your Savior and Lord. He must have complete control of your life. Secondly, you have to talk to Jesus all the time; in the halls of your school, when you wake up, at practice and in class. WILL YOU STEP OUT? DO YOU HAVE THE GUTS? DO YOU HAVE THE FAITH? IT’S TIME TO ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Talking to your children I found that some of you are reading the book of James as a family. This is awesome and a perfect opportunity. The ultimate goal for the message that was spoken this week is for your children to learn to go beyond their abilities and completely rely on God. This living faith and the fortitude to take the leap of faith will come to your child as they place Jesus first in their lives. When they have the choice of coming to church or studying for a test, sleeping in or reading the Bible they must know to place God first and take the step of faith. They will know what the right choice is when they see what you believe the right choice is. Sports, computers, video games and school should never even come close to church and their relationship with God.
Ryan Austin
Element Jr. High Leader
Nerf War: Date changed to Friday, November 9th because of October Bash. This should give everyone more prep time.
Fall Festival: Wed., October 31. From 6pm to 8:30pm. INVITE FRIENDS.
October Bash: Sunday, October 28. Begins at 6pm. INVITE FRIENDS AND DRESS UP AS A SUPER HERO (Be creative).
THE MESSAGE
Sunday night was part 2 of the James Series. We began the night with watching a scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana’s mission was to find the Holy Grail which gave eternal life because his father was dying. On this mission Indy has to make a “leap of faith” across a huge valley to get to the grail. When he finally makes the step across he finds that there is a seemingly invisible bridge that has been painted to match the cliff and valley. If Indy would not have had the faith to make the step his father would have died.
After watching the video we read James 2:14-19, 26. In this passage James lays before us two types of faith: one that is living and one that is dead. Verse 26 says, “Just as the body without spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds dead.” Spirit here is spirit, not Spirit. Spirit here means breath. In other words, like a living organism breathes so living faith breathes. Something that does not breathe has no life. Faith with actions is living faith that breathes. Faith without actions is dead. It has no breath.
A living faith breathes in God’s virtue, His character (love, joy, kindness, patience, etc.) and exhales activity. As we read God’s Word, pray, live in his presence and seek his face his character begins to form in us and when this happens his activities begin to flow out of us. This is living faith; a constant interaction with God.
After explaining living faith I went back to the video. During this video the Nazi who shot Indy’s father to force Indy to get the grail made a very important statement: “It’s time to ask yourself, Indy, what you believe.” Following this statement Indy’s faith is tested as he faces the choice of making the leap of faith across the “invisible bridge.” People watch this video and say, “Man, the bridge was already there!” But I don’t believe it was there UNTIL HE STEPPED OUT.
You have a world depending on you! Will you take the first step? But the bridge is not there until you take the first step! For example, when you have the choice to read your Bible or sleep in, the energy you long for is missing until you take the step of faith and start reading. When you are taking a test and the temptation is to cheat, you might not even have the ability to not cheat until you take the step of faith. When God tells you to witness to your friends you have the choice to speak to them or wait. The words will not be given to you until you speak. When you are faced with the choice of coming to church or staying home and doing homework and studying for tests, the knowledge of that material will not be given to you until you decide not to rely on your own strength but on God’s and take the step of faith and come to church.
THE BRIDGE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE THERE: the provision, the energy, the knowledge, the words UNTIL YOU TAKE THE STEP! That fear you have may be real (people making fun of you, being an outcast, looked at as stupid) until you take the step of faith.
God is calling you to step out of religion into relationship. Religion is comfortable. Relationship is faith. (It’s interaction). How do you step out of religion into relationship? You first must make Jesus your Savior and Lord. He must have complete control of your life. Secondly, you have to talk to Jesus all the time; in the halls of your school, when you wake up, at practice and in class. WILL YOU STEP OUT? DO YOU HAVE THE GUTS? DO YOU HAVE THE FAITH? IT’S TIME TO ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Talking to your children I found that some of you are reading the book of James as a family. This is awesome and a perfect opportunity. The ultimate goal for the message that was spoken this week is for your children to learn to go beyond their abilities and completely rely on God. This living faith and the fortitude to take the leap of faith will come to your child as they place Jesus first in their lives. When they have the choice of coming to church or studying for a test, sleeping in or reading the Bible they must know to place God first and take the step of faith. They will know what the right choice is when they see what you believe the right choice is. Sports, computers, video games and school should never even come close to church and their relationship with God.
Ryan Austin
Element Jr. High Leader
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
James Series: Listening and Doing
Sunday night was awesome! We had tons of young people come out to the water balloon war. Thank you for reminding your children to invite their friends. We began the night with our normal praise and worship service along with the message, followed by dodging, launching, ducking and running for our lives. Below is the list of our next big events and the message spoken Sunday night.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 26th: Guys Nerf War! 6:30pm – 10:30pm
When we did this event in Texas when Pastor Eric was my Jr. High pastor it was my favorite event. This is not just shooting Nerf guns at each other. It is top secret missions with obstacles and barriers, trying to get by flying bullets to capture the enemy’s flag, to get the “president” to safety and more.
Sunday, October 28th: October Bash! 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
Bring a covered dish and some friends. Awards to most original super hero costume!!
Wednesday, October 31st: Fall Festival! 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
This Week: Last week to sell car raffle tickets!
NOTE: All these events are perfect for your children to invite their friends to because they are filled with fun. We could really make a huge impact this month.
THE MESSAGE
James Series: Part 1
I began the message reading James 1:22 which says to not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves but do what it says. I explained that we as Christians sometimes come to church and hear the truth that we should read our Bibles everyday, pray constantly and place God first. But we go home, get busy, and God is set on the back burner. We know the truth. We know what we should do but we don’t do it.
After this we showed a short clip from the Matrix which shows Cypher choosing to betray his friends and join the bad guys and go back to being a “battery” so that he could fulfill his selfish desires. I then explained that Cypher knew the truth, but he decided to do the wrong thing. How could someone like Cypher know the truth and still do the wrong thing?
How do we relate to Cypher? I explained that we too are faced with a choice (James 1:22): obeying God’s Word verses desires of the flesh. On a white board I wrote obeying God vs. desires of flesh. I went around the room asking people what are some examples of having a relationship with God. People responded with reading the Bible, praying, being kind, obeying God, witnessing, etc. I wrote these down and then did the same with Desires of the Flesh. I received answers such as video games, computer, shopping and sports.
I then asked the question, “How often should we read our Bibles? Is it okay to place the computer, video games, practice, or homework above God for any reason?” Everyone said “NO!” We know the truth but, like Cypher, choose to not do what God’s Word says. How is it that we all know that we should place God first but when it comes to getting on the computer, going to practice and playing video games, reading the Bible and having a relationship with God is placed on the back burner?
Some of us may be saying, “I don’t play video games. I don’t even hang out with friends. I am just too busy with school and working.” The problem is not being too busy. How do I know this? To answer this question I asked, “Who usually eats something every day? Drinks a little water? Okay, who usually eats everything in sight when you get home from school because you are starving?” Everyone yelled, “Me!” WHY? Why do you do this? Your body craves food. If you don’t have it you will die. Therefore, you want it and NEVER fail to eat it.
The problem is we don’t crave God’s Word. If you craved God’s Word like you do food and oxygen, then you would devour it like you do food and oxygen. You would never miss a day because you crave it so much. You can’t live without it. If you don’t read the Bible, pray, and obey it, it is because you don’t crave it.
Why is there this craving for these (circled desires of flesh: computers, etc.) and no craving for this (X through relationship with God)? Examining Cypher we find out. Cypher trained himself to ignore the truth that he would be giving his life away for this delusion. Like people that are anorexic, who train their minds to ignore their body’s needs. We do the same thing. We train ourselves to not crave/desire God. How do we do this? We train ourselves by starving our spiritual desires and feeding ourselves the desires of our flesh.
We must, therefore, train ourselves by feeding ourselves spiritually. Halo 3, computers, and sports cannot feed our souls the healthy food we need. It is going to be hard at first to feed ourselves the spiritual food God wants us to eat; just like going from eating donuts all your life to eating broccoli. But what happens when we do this (circling relationship with God) over this (X through fleshly desires) and decide, “I’m not going to feed my flesh?” James 1:25 says, “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” We will experience the blessings of God and walk in the incredible destiny that God planned for us before we were born.
In closing, I asked the class who has been struggling with doing the Word of God rather than just hearing it. I prayed that God would help each of us to place him first and become doers of His Word.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For the next 5 weeks we are continuing the book of James series. It would be great if you could have your child start reading James. If you are also reading James this would be even more effective. You could talk to your child about specific verses in James every so often asking them what they think the verse means or how they are applying it to their life. For this week the ultimate goal of this message was for these young men and women to understand the most important thing in their lives is having a relationship with Jesus. This comes by reading God’s Word everyday and seeking his face before anything else; even school, computers and sports. If they learn to place God first now, they will succeed later on in life in school and their future career.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, October 26th: Guys Nerf War! 6:30pm – 10:30pm
When we did this event in Texas when Pastor Eric was my Jr. High pastor it was my favorite event. This is not just shooting Nerf guns at each other. It is top secret missions with obstacles and barriers, trying to get by flying bullets to capture the enemy’s flag, to get the “president” to safety and more.
Sunday, October 28th: October Bash! 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
Bring a covered dish and some friends. Awards to most original super hero costume!!
Wednesday, October 31st: Fall Festival! 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
This Week: Last week to sell car raffle tickets!
NOTE: All these events are perfect for your children to invite their friends to because they are filled with fun. We could really make a huge impact this month.
THE MESSAGE
James Series: Part 1
I began the message reading James 1:22 which says to not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves but do what it says. I explained that we as Christians sometimes come to church and hear the truth that we should read our Bibles everyday, pray constantly and place God first. But we go home, get busy, and God is set on the back burner. We know the truth. We know what we should do but we don’t do it.
After this we showed a short clip from the Matrix which shows Cypher choosing to betray his friends and join the bad guys and go back to being a “battery” so that he could fulfill his selfish desires. I then explained that Cypher knew the truth, but he decided to do the wrong thing. How could someone like Cypher know the truth and still do the wrong thing?
How do we relate to Cypher? I explained that we too are faced with a choice (James 1:22): obeying God’s Word verses desires of the flesh. On a white board I wrote obeying God vs. desires of flesh. I went around the room asking people what are some examples of having a relationship with God. People responded with reading the Bible, praying, being kind, obeying God, witnessing, etc. I wrote these down and then did the same with Desires of the Flesh. I received answers such as video games, computer, shopping and sports.
I then asked the question, “How often should we read our Bibles? Is it okay to place the computer, video games, practice, or homework above God for any reason?” Everyone said “NO!” We know the truth but, like Cypher, choose to not do what God’s Word says. How is it that we all know that we should place God first but when it comes to getting on the computer, going to practice and playing video games, reading the Bible and having a relationship with God is placed on the back burner?
Some of us may be saying, “I don’t play video games. I don’t even hang out with friends. I am just too busy with school and working.” The problem is not being too busy. How do I know this? To answer this question I asked, “Who usually eats something every day? Drinks a little water? Okay, who usually eats everything in sight when you get home from school because you are starving?” Everyone yelled, “Me!” WHY? Why do you do this? Your body craves food. If you don’t have it you will die. Therefore, you want it and NEVER fail to eat it.
The problem is we don’t crave God’s Word. If you craved God’s Word like you do food and oxygen, then you would devour it like you do food and oxygen. You would never miss a day because you crave it so much. You can’t live without it. If you don’t read the Bible, pray, and obey it, it is because you don’t crave it.
Why is there this craving for these (circled desires of flesh: computers, etc.) and no craving for this (X through relationship with God)? Examining Cypher we find out. Cypher trained himself to ignore the truth that he would be giving his life away for this delusion. Like people that are anorexic, who train their minds to ignore their body’s needs. We do the same thing. We train ourselves to not crave/desire God. How do we do this? We train ourselves by starving our spiritual desires and feeding ourselves the desires of our flesh.
We must, therefore, train ourselves by feeding ourselves spiritually. Halo 3, computers, and sports cannot feed our souls the healthy food we need. It is going to be hard at first to feed ourselves the spiritual food God wants us to eat; just like going from eating donuts all your life to eating broccoli. But what happens when we do this (circling relationship with God) over this (X through fleshly desires) and decide, “I’m not going to feed my flesh?” James 1:25 says, “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” We will experience the blessings of God and walk in the incredible destiny that God planned for us before we were born.
In closing, I asked the class who has been struggling with doing the Word of God rather than just hearing it. I prayed that God would help each of us to place him first and become doers of His Word.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For the next 5 weeks we are continuing the book of James series. It would be great if you could have your child start reading James. If you are also reading James this would be even more effective. You could talk to your child about specific verses in James every so often asking them what they think the verse means or how they are applying it to their life. For this week the ultimate goal of this message was for these young men and women to understand the most important thing in their lives is having a relationship with Jesus. This comes by reading God’s Word everyday and seeking his face before anything else; even school, computers and sports. If they learn to place God first now, they will succeed later on in life in school and their future career.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Loneliness
THE MESSAGE
On Sunday I began the message by reading Deuteronomy 30:11-20. I explained that the Israelites were at a crossroad. They had the choice of choosing the road to death or the road to life. Moses was the police officer at the traffic light saying, “Slow down! The next road you take will be either the road to life of the road to death. Go right for the road to life. Go left for the road to death. I’ll even give you a hint on which road to take. Choose life!” This seems like a very simple, common sense decision doesn’t it? But for the Israelites it wasn’t. Why?
You too are faced with a choice, a crossroad that you must decide which road to take. This crossroad presents you with the option to choose the road of loneliness or the road of life. Jesus is at the intersection saying, “Choose life. Don’t go down the road to loneliness!” This also appears to be a very simple, common sense decision but it is not. Just like the crossroad the Israelites faced there is something “seemingly” appealing about the road to loneliness.
I then asked the question, “Why is this choice so hard? Who has ever been lost and had to make a choice on which road to take?” Of course everyone raised their hands laughing. I then told everyone my story about Pastor Eric, Aaron and me getting lost in the Appalachian Mountains this summer. We ended up hiking 60 miles in 30hrs and for 13 of the 30hrs we had no water thinking we might actually become part of the Appalachian Trail forever (to see details of story read the blog “Hiking through Life without Direction”).
Like the Israelites my brothers and I also faced a crossroad: H20 (life) or Pride (death). In hindsight this seems like an easy choice BUT revealing certain factors shows that it is not. It looked appealing to be able to say we could hike so far in so little time. It fed our pride. Secondly, we could not see the end consequences of our choice.
So what’s so appealing about the road to loneliness? :
1. It is all about “Me.” You receive 100% of the attention you can give. You get to do what you want to do with no one to stop you. “Wow!” You get all the self-sympathy you want: “No one loves me.”
2. Zero self-sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you don’t have to! For example, “Ryan (to Ryan-same person. One cell phone in right hand, one in left) do you want to hang out? Go to church and see a movie?” “No, but I’ll go to a movie.” “Okay! Sweet! When will you be ready?” “About 30 mins.” “Awesome! I think that is about how long it should take me to get ready. I just have to finish my calculus homework.” “No way! You’re doing calculus homework too? What number are you on?” “12” “You’re kidding same with me.” “Man you’re a great guy.” “I know. Same with you.” “Even if it’s only me and you we will have a great time…”
3. Basically it’s easy! (it appears)
Now, why is the road to life/relationships seem unappealing?
1. It is hard (because of pride and selfishness).
2. All about “We.” The farther along you travel this road the less and less it is about “me” and the more and more it is about “we.” You must sacrifice and your attention to others. You have to do what others want to do. No more self-sympathy.
3. 100% self sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you will probably still have to do it. No more “Bipolar Man.”
How do you get to the final destination? To reach the end of the road of loneliness pride and selfishness will take you there. Selfishness is all about “me” which destroys love. When there is an absence of love there is an absence of God because God is love. To reach the end of the road of life/connectedness you must have humility and love.
Now that you have reached the end what does each look like? The end of the road of loneliness consists of an absence of God and healthy, life-giving relationships. God created a hole inside of your soul that only He can fill and when we try to fill it with anything else besides Him we are left even more empty and confused. At the end of the road of life and connectedness there is God’s Presence (love) and life giving relationships.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
First, constantly emphasize that the most important thing in your child’s life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. My mom and dad constantly asked if I was reading my Bible and how my devotional times were going at this age and still do. A good thing to ask yourself is, “How often do we as a family actually talk about Jesus, about the Bible and about what God is doing with our friends.” Secondly, encourage your child to pursue Godly friendships. Don’t let them get caught up into the Computer/video game syndrome of isolation (I’m not against computers but you must be careful. I talk to students your children’s age who are struggling with pornography because their parents allowed them to have a computer in their room. Please don’t loose this battle. You can stop it!). Also, monitor who your child hangs out with. Neighborhood and school friends know a lot more about sin than most of us could imagine. Therefore, connect with other families in the church that have radical standards like you. It’s worth it!
Thank You,
Ryan Austin
Element Middle School Leader
On Sunday I began the message by reading Deuteronomy 30:11-20. I explained that the Israelites were at a crossroad. They had the choice of choosing the road to death or the road to life. Moses was the police officer at the traffic light saying, “Slow down! The next road you take will be either the road to life of the road to death. Go right for the road to life. Go left for the road to death. I’ll even give you a hint on which road to take. Choose life!” This seems like a very simple, common sense decision doesn’t it? But for the Israelites it wasn’t. Why?
You too are faced with a choice, a crossroad that you must decide which road to take. This crossroad presents you with the option to choose the road of loneliness or the road of life. Jesus is at the intersection saying, “Choose life. Don’t go down the road to loneliness!” This also appears to be a very simple, common sense decision but it is not. Just like the crossroad the Israelites faced there is something “seemingly” appealing about the road to loneliness.
I then asked the question, “Why is this choice so hard? Who has ever been lost and had to make a choice on which road to take?” Of course everyone raised their hands laughing. I then told everyone my story about Pastor Eric, Aaron and me getting lost in the Appalachian Mountains this summer. We ended up hiking 60 miles in 30hrs and for 13 of the 30hrs we had no water thinking we might actually become part of the Appalachian Trail forever (to see details of story read the blog “Hiking through Life without Direction”).
Like the Israelites my brothers and I also faced a crossroad: H20 (life) or Pride (death). In hindsight this seems like an easy choice BUT revealing certain factors shows that it is not. It looked appealing to be able to say we could hike so far in so little time. It fed our pride. Secondly, we could not see the end consequences of our choice.
So what’s so appealing about the road to loneliness? :
1. It is all about “Me.” You receive 100% of the attention you can give. You get to do what you want to do with no one to stop you. “Wow!” You get all the self-sympathy you want: “No one loves me.”
2. Zero self-sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you don’t have to! For example, “Ryan (to Ryan-same person. One cell phone in right hand, one in left) do you want to hang out? Go to church and see a movie?” “No, but I’ll go to a movie.” “Okay! Sweet! When will you be ready?” “About 30 mins.” “Awesome! I think that is about how long it should take me to get ready. I just have to finish my calculus homework.” “No way! You’re doing calculus homework too? What number are you on?” “12” “You’re kidding same with me.” “Man you’re a great guy.” “I know. Same with you.” “Even if it’s only me and you we will have a great time…”
3. Basically it’s easy! (it appears)
Now, why is the road to life/relationships seem unappealing?
1. It is hard (because of pride and selfishness).
2. All about “We.” The farther along you travel this road the less and less it is about “me” and the more and more it is about “we.” You must sacrifice and your attention to others. You have to do what others want to do. No more self-sympathy.
3. 100% self sacrifice. If you don’t want to do something you will probably still have to do it. No more “Bipolar Man.”
How do you get to the final destination? To reach the end of the road of loneliness pride and selfishness will take you there. Selfishness is all about “me” which destroys love. When there is an absence of love there is an absence of God because God is love. To reach the end of the road of life/connectedness you must have humility and love.
Now that you have reached the end what does each look like? The end of the road of loneliness consists of an absence of God and healthy, life-giving relationships. God created a hole inside of your soul that only He can fill and when we try to fill it with anything else besides Him we are left even more empty and confused. At the end of the road of life and connectedness there is God’s Presence (love) and life giving relationships.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
First, constantly emphasize that the most important thing in your child’s life is having a personal relationship with Jesus. My mom and dad constantly asked if I was reading my Bible and how my devotional times were going at this age and still do. A good thing to ask yourself is, “How often do we as a family actually talk about Jesus, about the Bible and about what God is doing with our friends.” Secondly, encourage your child to pursue Godly friendships. Don’t let them get caught up into the Computer/video game syndrome of isolation (I’m not against computers but you must be careful. I talk to students your children’s age who are struggling with pornography because their parents allowed them to have a computer in their room. Please don’t loose this battle. You can stop it!). Also, monitor who your child hangs out with. Neighborhood and school friends know a lot more about sin than most of us could imagine. Therefore, connect with other families in the church that have radical standards like you. It’s worth it!
Thank You,
Ryan Austin
Element Middle School Leader
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Love
THE MESSAGE
We began the night with breaking up into groups of 3 to 5 to answer the question, “What is man’s greatest craving? What is his greatest motivation in this world?” Of course with middle school students you get answers like steak, football, dancing, X-Box 360 and ice cream. Others answered, “Making money and being successful.” After everyone gave their idea of man’s greatest desire I explained to them that his greatest craving in life is to give and receive love. If you look at the majority of music, movies and books they are about love. If you think about why men are willing to risk their lives in war it is because the most valuable thing to them is love for their families and friends.
To help everyone understand this I asked, “When do you try harder—when people you don’t know are watching, or when your parents and closest friends are watching you play basketball, or dance?” You will usually always try harder when your parents are watching you. Why is this? It is because you feel love. Deep down inside we all have a deep desire to pursue love.
I then asked, “If man’s greatest craving is love, then what is love?” It seems almost impossible to define. The world has been trying to define it for thousands of years but still cannot explain it. Love is a mystery. There are no words to completely define it. We don’t know how to define or truly describe it, but we must have it. Erwin McManus says, “We cannot live unaffected by love. We are most alive when we find it, most devastated when we lose it, most empty when we give up on it, most inhumane when we betray it, and most passionate when we pursue it.”
Following this I asked, “What is this mystery—this conspiracy theory? It’s like we’ve been purposefully designed with a factory defect that keeps us searching for love. Why is there a deep desire in all of us to give and receive love?” To answer this question I read I John 4:8: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This is why man was created with a craving deep down inside of him to pursue love. God created this desire to pursue love, so that we would pursue HIM.
The next question I asked was, “Is it better to give or to receive love?” For example, when do you feel better—when you receive a gift from your parents, or when you give them a gift and they light up and say, “Wow! Thank You!” You feel more love when you give and others receive it. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” If this is true, in order for someone to feel love we must not only give love but also be good receivers of their love to us BECAUSE it is when we receive their love that they feel love. When we receive God’s love we are showing love to Him.
Finally, I asked, “How do you show love?” People around the room answered things such as giving, caring, being unselfish, listening, encouraging, etc. I then had everyone turn to I Corinthians 13 and told them what the Bible says about love. To help them understand how God is love I read the verses a second time placing the word “God” in place of love. “God” is not proud. He is not boastful. He is always Perseveres. He never fails...I then explained that God wants us to be molded into his likeness. The closer we grow to God the more we become like Him, and we are transformed into vessels of love. I then placed your children’s names in place of love and told them that this is what God wants us to become. Billy is not self-seeking. Hampton always perseveres. Kaley is not boastful. She is not proud. Tyler always hopes. Emily is not rude. Andy never fails…
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Understanding this elemental truth as a follower of Christ is essential, but it is going to take time to truly deep down inside understand it. Your child may know in their heads that God is love, but it is my goal that their hearts, the deepest part of who they are will come to understand this. This will only happen if they experience Jesus on a day by day basis as they read God’s Word and seek after Him. It is going to take time, discipline, trials and perseverance in their walks with Jesus to understand this. That is what is so amazing about God’s love. We can always learn something new about who He is, but it is up to us to pursue Him. Therefore, I encourage you as a parent to make sure that your child knows what is the single most important thing in life; having an intimate love relationship with Jesus. This relationship with Jesus is more important than sports, than school and hanging out with friends. Hold them accountable in their walks with God. Are they reading God’s Word on a daily basis? Do they have a prayer life? Is God first in their lives, even above school? Because if He is all the rest of the things in life will fall in place where they are supposed to be and God will make you more successful than if you focused on these things above Him.
We began the night with breaking up into groups of 3 to 5 to answer the question, “What is man’s greatest craving? What is his greatest motivation in this world?” Of course with middle school students you get answers like steak, football, dancing, X-Box 360 and ice cream. Others answered, “Making money and being successful.” After everyone gave their idea of man’s greatest desire I explained to them that his greatest craving in life is to give and receive love. If you look at the majority of music, movies and books they are about love. If you think about why men are willing to risk their lives in war it is because the most valuable thing to them is love for their families and friends.
To help everyone understand this I asked, “When do you try harder—when people you don’t know are watching, or when your parents and closest friends are watching you play basketball, or dance?” You will usually always try harder when your parents are watching you. Why is this? It is because you feel love. Deep down inside we all have a deep desire to pursue love.
I then asked, “If man’s greatest craving is love, then what is love?” It seems almost impossible to define. The world has been trying to define it for thousands of years but still cannot explain it. Love is a mystery. There are no words to completely define it. We don’t know how to define or truly describe it, but we must have it. Erwin McManus says, “We cannot live unaffected by love. We are most alive when we find it, most devastated when we lose it, most empty when we give up on it, most inhumane when we betray it, and most passionate when we pursue it.”
Following this I asked, “What is this mystery—this conspiracy theory? It’s like we’ve been purposefully designed with a factory defect that keeps us searching for love. Why is there a deep desire in all of us to give and receive love?” To answer this question I read I John 4:8: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This is why man was created with a craving deep down inside of him to pursue love. God created this desire to pursue love, so that we would pursue HIM.
The next question I asked was, “Is it better to give or to receive love?” For example, when do you feel better—when you receive a gift from your parents, or when you give them a gift and they light up and say, “Wow! Thank You!” You feel more love when you give and others receive it. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” If this is true, in order for someone to feel love we must not only give love but also be good receivers of their love to us BECAUSE it is when we receive their love that they feel love. When we receive God’s love we are showing love to Him.
Finally, I asked, “How do you show love?” People around the room answered things such as giving, caring, being unselfish, listening, encouraging, etc. I then had everyone turn to I Corinthians 13 and told them what the Bible says about love. To help them understand how God is love I read the verses a second time placing the word “God” in place of love. “God” is not proud. He is not boastful. He is always Perseveres. He never fails...I then explained that God wants us to be molded into his likeness. The closer we grow to God the more we become like Him, and we are transformed into vessels of love. I then placed your children’s names in place of love and told them that this is what God wants us to become. Billy is not self-seeking. Hampton always perseveres. Kaley is not boastful. She is not proud. Tyler always hopes. Emily is not rude. Andy never fails…
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Understanding this elemental truth as a follower of Christ is essential, but it is going to take time to truly deep down inside understand it. Your child may know in their heads that God is love, but it is my goal that their hearts, the deepest part of who they are will come to understand this. This will only happen if they experience Jesus on a day by day basis as they read God’s Word and seek after Him. It is going to take time, discipline, trials and perseverance in their walks with Jesus to understand this. That is what is so amazing about God’s love. We can always learn something new about who He is, but it is up to us to pursue Him. Therefore, I encourage you as a parent to make sure that your child knows what is the single most important thing in life; having an intimate love relationship with Jesus. This relationship with Jesus is more important than sports, than school and hanging out with friends. Hold them accountable in their walks with God. Are they reading God’s Word on a daily basis? Do they have a prayer life? Is God first in their lives, even above school? Because if He is all the rest of the things in life will fall in place where they are supposed to be and God will make you more successful than if you focused on these things above Him.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Depolarized
We had a ton of fun last night in the service. The worship went really well and we had a great time in the jr. high service learning what it means to become a depolarized Christian, along with taking the depolarized Christ follower quiz. I have placed the quiz in the middle of this message posting. The answers are at the end, so if you want to have a little fun, then go ahead and take the quiz and see if you can get the correct answers. It is not as easy as you might think. Making a good grade or poor grade on the quiz does not mean anything. It is simply here to help clarify what it means to transform from a polarized Christian to a depolarized Christian.
THE MESSAGE
Last week we talked about polarized Christianity. I began the message by going over a short review of what a polarized Christian was. I reemphasized that God doesn’t go up to heaven after Church or your quiet time then go to sleep while you go to school, dance practice, or football. But He goes with you to class. He sits at your lunch table and is talking to you at football. Therefore, what we must do is find God in everything we do; find out what he is trying to show us and what he is speaking to us. The polarized Christian fails to do this. He separates God from his regular activities.
I then explained that this week we were going to talk about how to depolarize ourselves and become the young men and women that God has called us to be. I used a white board and drew diagrams to help clarify the difference between polarized and depolarized and what it takes to become depolarized. Through the diagrams that I drew I explained that to depolarize ourselves we must use God’s Word.
What we often tend to do is use God’s word for only our spiritual lives and not apply it to our regular lives as well. What God wants us to do is apply God’s Word to both our spiritual lives and our other daily activities. When we do this God’s Word pushes and connects our regular and spiritual lives together depolarizing us. When this happens we find true joy and success as Christians.
To help clarify what it means to be depolarized I gave your children this quiz:
1. What is the most important day of the week to read your Bible? ________________
2. When are all the times God speaks to us?
A. When we read our Bibles
B. When we go to Church
C. When we pray
D. All of the above
E. Other
3. When should you read your Bible?
A. When you feel like it
B. When you finish your homework
C. As soon as you find time read it
D. After watching TV
E. None of the above
4. True or False: The Bible is only the spoken words of God.
5. True or False: When you read your Bible and obey it, it makes you smarter than your teachers at school?
6. True or False: Just about everything in the Bible is true.
7. The Bible was written for
A. our spiritual lives
B. our physical lives
C. for Christians
D. for Muslims
E. Both A and C
F. All the Above
8. True or False: The Bible teaches you best how to succeed in your spiritual life, while classes at school teach you best at how to be successful in the real world, such as your future job.
After this quiz each person graded his or her own quiz and I explained these answers:
1. The most important day to read the Bible is everyday
2. Ans. OTHER. God doesn’t just speak to us through our Bibles, prayer and Church. HE speaks to us all the time through our situations, authorities, parents, etc.
3. Ans. E. You must make time to read your Bible. The depolarized Christian makes time. He places God’s Word before his regular duties such as t.v. and football practice.
4. False, The Bible is not only the spoken words of God but is also the speaking words of God.
- (ROMANS 4:12) “The Word of God is living and Active”
5. True, when you apply God’s Word to your life it makes you smarter than your teachers.
- Therefore, you can apply it to your homework, to football, dance..
NOTE: This answer could go both ways so either answer is correct. David in Psalms does talk about how God’s Word makes him wiser than his teachers though. The important thing is God wants us to use His Word for everything in life—even becoming smarter and more successful.
6. False. Everything
7. F. All the above. The Bible is for every person. It is for you. For every area of your life. It is to reach your lost friends. It is for bringing life to your schools to those who are dying…
8. False. The Bible is the single most important thing to make you successful in life.
Finally, I said that the person that can apply God’s Word to both his spiritual life and regular life will combine his spiritual life with his regular life and be able to hear God in everything he does instead of just at church and when he reads his Bible in the morning.
Bring God into every area of your life. Let His Voice speak to you in your hall way at school, in practice, as you study, during cleaning and your life will be transformed!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
It was encouraging to read Mrs. Bird’s comment how she encouraged her son Bailey during a trial he faced last week by asking him what he thought God was trying to show him through the trial that he was going through. This is what it means to be a depolarized Christian. As parents, Simply asking questions like this is the first step to your child being transformed into a depolarized Christian and finding God in every area of their lives. If they face a trial or even have a joyful day refer to what they are reading in the Bible. Or ask them what the Bible says about the situation they are going through. because this is what Jesus is saying to them. we just have to help them hear better.
THE MESSAGE
Last week we talked about polarized Christianity. I began the message by going over a short review of what a polarized Christian was. I reemphasized that God doesn’t go up to heaven after Church or your quiet time then go to sleep while you go to school, dance practice, or football. But He goes with you to class. He sits at your lunch table and is talking to you at football. Therefore, what we must do is find God in everything we do; find out what he is trying to show us and what he is speaking to us. The polarized Christian fails to do this. He separates God from his regular activities.
I then explained that this week we were going to talk about how to depolarize ourselves and become the young men and women that God has called us to be. I used a white board and drew diagrams to help clarify the difference between polarized and depolarized and what it takes to become depolarized. Through the diagrams that I drew I explained that to depolarize ourselves we must use God’s Word.
What we often tend to do is use God’s word for only our spiritual lives and not apply it to our regular lives as well. What God wants us to do is apply God’s Word to both our spiritual lives and our other daily activities. When we do this God’s Word pushes and connects our regular and spiritual lives together depolarizing us. When this happens we find true joy and success as Christians.
To help clarify what it means to be depolarized I gave your children this quiz:
1. What is the most important day of the week to read your Bible? ________________
2. When are all the times God speaks to us?
A. When we read our Bibles
B. When we go to Church
C. When we pray
D. All of the above
E. Other
3. When should you read your Bible?
A. When you feel like it
B. When you finish your homework
C. As soon as you find time read it
D. After watching TV
E. None of the above
4. True or False: The Bible is only the spoken words of God.
5. True or False: When you read your Bible and obey it, it makes you smarter than your teachers at school?
6. True or False: Just about everything in the Bible is true.
7. The Bible was written for
A. our spiritual lives
B. our physical lives
C. for Christians
D. for Muslims
E. Both A and C
F. All the Above
8. True or False: The Bible teaches you best how to succeed in your spiritual life, while classes at school teach you best at how to be successful in the real world, such as your future job.
After this quiz each person graded his or her own quiz and I explained these answers:
1. The most important day to read the Bible is everyday
2. Ans. OTHER. God doesn’t just speak to us through our Bibles, prayer and Church. HE speaks to us all the time through our situations, authorities, parents, etc.
3. Ans. E. You must make time to read your Bible. The depolarized Christian makes time. He places God’s Word before his regular duties such as t.v. and football practice.
4. False, The Bible is not only the spoken words of God but is also the speaking words of God.
- (ROMANS 4:12) “The Word of God is living and Active”
5. True, when you apply God’s Word to your life it makes you smarter than your teachers.
- Therefore, you can apply it to your homework, to football, dance..
NOTE: This answer could go both ways so either answer is correct. David in Psalms does talk about how God’s Word makes him wiser than his teachers though. The important thing is God wants us to use His Word for everything in life—even becoming smarter and more successful.
6. False. Everything
7. F. All the above. The Bible is for every person. It is for you. For every area of your life. It is to reach your lost friends. It is for bringing life to your schools to those who are dying…
8. False. The Bible is the single most important thing to make you successful in life.
Finally, I said that the person that can apply God’s Word to both his spiritual life and regular life will combine his spiritual life with his regular life and be able to hear God in everything he does instead of just at church and when he reads his Bible in the morning.
Bring God into every area of your life. Let His Voice speak to you in your hall way at school, in practice, as you study, during cleaning and your life will be transformed!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
It was encouraging to read Mrs. Bird’s comment how she encouraged her son Bailey during a trial he faced last week by asking him what he thought God was trying to show him through the trial that he was going through. This is what it means to be a depolarized Christian. As parents, Simply asking questions like this is the first step to your child being transformed into a depolarized Christian and finding God in every area of their lives. If they face a trial or even have a joyful day refer to what they are reading in the Bible. Or ask them what the Bible says about the situation they are going through. because this is what Jesus is saying to them. we just have to help them hear better.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Polarized Christianity
Good Afternoon,
Here is the message from this last Sunday. Your sons and daughters never cease to amaze me! It is an honor to be able to sow into young men and women that have been raised in greatness thanks to you! 
THE MESSAGE
I began the message with defining the word polarization. Polarization is the possession of 2 opposing attributes, tendencies, or principles. In order to explain what this means in Jr. High terms I used magnets as a demonstration. I had one magnet in my left hand and one in my right hand. I then asked when are these magnets polarized? When I bring them close to each other and the magnetic force pulls them together or when I flip one around and as I bring them closer together they push away/repel from each other? The class answered when they repel each other, which is correct. I then said, “These magnets cannot go together can they? They are polarized. But the truth is they can go together. I simply have to flip them around.”
This magnet demonstration is a great example of what often happens in our lives as Christians. To explain this point I began by asking, “What are some worldly/secular responsibilities that you have each day, such as eating and brushing teeth?” People responded with, “going to school, taking out trash, going to football, dance, soccer, doing homework, chores…” I then said, “Now tell me some Godly/holy responsibilities you have.” They replied 
with, “reading Bible, praying, going to church, being a witness…” I then asked, “Have you ever wondered how these 2 responsibilities can work together?” (With magnets polarized I brought them close to each other and they repelled). “This is what I mean by polarized. You possess both. In right hand you have worldly responsibilities, while in left hand, Godly responsibilities. BUT each is separated from each other because of polarization. They repel each other. It’s almost like they are not supposed to be with each other. If you think about it, soccer practice is just for your fun. How can God be in soccer, or school work, or dance? These are not religious holy acts like praying and reading Bible, and therefore are meaningless and a waste of time, right?” WRONG! THIS IS POLARIZED CHRISTIANITY! 
I then had everyone turn to I Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do it to glorify God.” We tell ourselves, “It is a waste of time to go to school and study, because it is not a spiritual holy thing. Working hard in P.E., or soccer—how is that holy? How is this summer reading project getting me closer to God? AND what we tend to do is separate our worldly responsibilities from our spiritual responsibilities and WE BECOME POLARIZED. Polarized Christians that believe worldly responsibilities, such as school work, dance practice, soccer, football, algebra, taking out trash ARE UNIMPORTANT BECAUSE “GOD IS NOT IN THEM” We tell ourselves, “God, who is holy cannot be in a worldly duty such as soccer practice or summer reading.
THIS IS WRONG! When this happens we are robbed of our joy! Deep down inside we “think” that we should be doing holy things that God is actually in. AND THEN WE THINK THAT CHRISTIANITY IS BORING BECAUSE GOD IS SEPARATE FROM THE FUN THINGS WE DO SUCH AS SOCCER AND DANCE.
I then explained what is supposed to happen. We are not supposed to separate our worldly responsibilities from our Godly responsibilities. In I Cor. Paul tells us in everything you do, do it to glorify God. In other words, Playing football can be just as holy as praying. GOD WANTS YOU TO FIND HIM IN ALL THE SIMPLE THINGS YOU DO. HE WANTS YOU TO INCLUDE HIM IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. God wants you to experience Him as you walk down the halls of your school, in dance practice, in algebra, science, when you sleep, when you eat, when you take out the trash…GOD IS THERE AND BECAUSE HE IS THERE HE WANTS YOU TO FIND HIM THERE!
The polarized Christian fails to do this. He separates God from these secular responsibilities. This is why it is so important to give your best in all you do and ask God to help you see and hear what he is trying to teach you. This does not mean that everything is of equal importance. Reading the Bible is more important than soccer practice or hanging out with your friends. THIS IS SIMPLY SAYING YOU MUST PLACE GOD FIRST IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
RIGHT NOW WITH SCHOOL STARTED UP AND SOCCER PRACTICE, DANCE PRACTICE, HOMEWORK, PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS AND ALL THE OTHER AFTER AND BEFORE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES PACKED INTO YOUR AND YOUR CHILDREN’S SCHEDULE IT IS VERY EASY TO BECOME A POLARIZED CHRISTIAN. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENEMY FROM WINNING THIS BATTLE IN YOUR CHILD’S LIFE THERE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE. RATHER THAN JUST ASKING YOUR CHILD HOW THEIR QUIET TIME WENT TODAY YOU CAN ASK THEM HOW SCHOOL WENT, OR HOW SOCCER WENT. THEN YOU COULD ASK THEM WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS TRYING TO SHOW YOU THROUGH SUCH A HARD PRACTICE WHEN YOU WANTED TO QUIT? EXPLAIN TO YOUR CHILD THAT GOD IS WALKING RIGHT BESIDE THEM EVERY STEP AS THEY WALK DOWN THE HALLS OF THEIR SCHOOL. ENCOURAGE THEM AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT GOD GOES WITH US TO OUR CLASS ROOMS, TO DANCE PRACTICE. GOD DOESN’T DISAPPEAR WHEN WE START FOOTBALL. HE WANTS US TO HEAR HIM TALKING TO US AT OUR LOCKERS. PRAY FOR AND WITH YOUR CHILD THAT THEY WILL FIND GOD IN EVERY AREA OF THEIR LIVES.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Back 2 School Bash
Last night was our back to school bash. It was a ton of fun! We played volleyball, football and basketball. We also gorged ourselves on icecream. We had a ton of visitors in the Jr. High which was awesome. Your children are becoming incredible leaders, and it is obvious that God's favor is on their lives in their schools and with their friends. Here are some pictures from the party.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Is It In You?
Good Afternoon,
Today was a big day for you and your children - being the first day of school. This morning I prayed that God would touch your children and anoint them to go to their schools in boldness. Today, school is a battle field. It is something that you must be prepared and equipped for. The enemy may think that he is in control of the school realm. What he doesn’t know is that your child is coming to take over. The enemy is going to be taken by surprise when he sees your sons and daughters ignite their schools on fire for God.
THE MESSAGE
TITLE: Is It In You?
Because of today being the start of the school year we talked about taking our schools for God. I began by reading John 10:11-13 in the message Bible: “The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep
mean nothing to him. He sees the wolf come and runs from It, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.” Jesus compares the differences between the Good Shepherd and the Hired man (hireling). He is relating this to our lives teaching us a very valuable lesson. As a Christian you are either a hireling or a good shepherd.
I then laid out the differences between the hireling and the good shepherd. 1. The hireling is working to get paid. He’s only in it for the money. The hireling is in Christianity because he knows he will get paid—go to heaven (fire insurance), feel better about himself, receive God’s blessings (good grades, sports, dancing success…). On the other hand, the good shepherd wants the sheep to prosper. He wants the One he works for to benefit and be honored by the work he does for Him. I then asked, “Why did you come tonight? Was it to have fun and be blessed or to bless God? So many times we place fun above God.” I then asked the question, “What motivates you to be a Christian? For personal gain? Feel good? Going to heaven? Or is it because I am in love with Jesus Christ and I want to honor Him with my life?”
The second area that I compared was the hireling’s and shepherds happiness. 2. The hireling’s happiness is getting paid. Therefore when the money runs out there is no motivation to work. The shepherd’s happiness comes from seeing others prosper. His motivation is love, therefore, his joy is eternal. I then asked, “What happens when your athletic career, your beauty, blessings, dance disappear?” If your relationship with God weakens you are playing the role of the hireling.
The next area I compared was work ethic. 3. The hireling is looking for the bare
minimum. As long as he doesn’t mess up too bad and make everything look okay then he will keep his job and money. If he just does almost all his boss tells him to do he is okay. But the Shepherd goes the extra mile. Just like running a triathlon, unlike a track race, you have no one to push you. You set the pace. You determine how much is accomplished. It is what you do when you are alone that determines your growth!
The third area I compared was when they work. 4. The hireling works when watched. I then asked, “Do you still obey when no one is there? Would you read your Bible? Would you pray every day? Would you get a ride to church even if your parents did not take you? Do you do it because you have to, or because you want to?” The enemy never gets off pace. The hireling says, “If I just rest a second. I’m so tired. If I just skip one day of reading my Bible. If I just finish my homework first. If I just watch 5 more minutes of t.v., listen 10 more seconds it won’t hurt me…” THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS FIGHTING AND GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO BREAK YOU. THE MOMENT WE STOP GROWING IS THE VERY MOMENT WE BEGIN TO BACKSLIDE. THERE IS NO LIFE IN BETWEEN. YOU ARE EITHER GROWING OR FALLING. The Shepherd does not have to be told what to do. His focus is on others. He doesn’t want to bless himself but God.
The final area compared was how each reacts to those around them. 5. The hireling does not recognize those around him. To him people are just objects of matter. But the shepherd is constantly on the lookout for those God has placed around him. He has an unselfish heart that places others above him because he wants to see the lost sheep found. I then asked, “When you walk into your school can you feel the pain of your lost friends or is it all about you?” If you choose to be a shepherd tomorrow you will notice those around you and will be waiting and ready to step out and show God’s love to them, no matter how insecure you are. You will have a positive attitude. You will lay down your pride and show God’s love. You will be on the lookout for the WOLF and be ready to rescue your friends from him.
Finally, I asked, “How is the Good Shepherd able to do this?” Because of Love. I finished by reading I Cor 13:4-8 “Love never fails…” The good shepherd has Jesus at the center of his life who is love and not himself. This is what makes him different than the hireling.
MAKING IT REAL
When I finished speaking I said, “If you are willing to be a good shepherd this school year stand to your feet.” (Of course everyone stood. Who wouldn’t?) We then prayed for God to make us become the shepherds he has called us to be and change our schools for Him.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Every day before your child goes to school, whether it is in the car or at breakfast, pray with
your child. Pray with them and have them pray too (important). Pray that they would be a witness to their friends, to show God’s love to their teachers and coaches by respecting and honoring them. Pray that they would be the good shepherds God has called them to be, to not give into insecurity but to find their security in Jesus. This is a battlefield they are going into. If we don’t pray with them we are giving the enemy a foothold. God has planned something great this year but we must be ready!
Today was a big day for you and your children - being the first day of school. This morning I prayed that God would touch your children and anoint them to go to their schools in boldness. Today, school is a battle field. It is something that you must be prepared and equipped for. The enemy may think that he is in control of the school realm. What he doesn’t know is that your child is coming to take over. The enemy is going to be taken by surprise when he sees your sons and daughters ignite their schools on fire for God.
THE MESSAGE
TITLE: Is It In You?
Because of today being the start of the school year we talked about taking our schools for God. I began by reading John 10:11-13 in the message Bible: “The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep
mean nothing to him. He sees the wolf come and runs from It, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.” Jesus compares the differences between the Good Shepherd and the Hired man (hireling). He is relating this to our lives teaching us a very valuable lesson. As a Christian you are either a hireling or a good shepherd.I then laid out the differences between the hireling and the good shepherd. 1. The hireling is working to get paid. He’s only in it for the money. The hireling is in Christianity because he knows he will get paid—go to heaven (fire insurance), feel better about himself, receive God’s blessings (good grades, sports, dancing success…). On the other hand, the good shepherd wants the sheep to prosper. He wants the One he works for to benefit and be honored by the work he does for Him. I then asked, “Why did you come tonight? Was it to have fun and be blessed or to bless God? So many times we place fun above God.” I then asked the question, “What motivates you to be a Christian? For personal gain? Feel good? Going to heaven? Or is it because I am in love with Jesus Christ and I want to honor Him with my life?”
The second area that I compared was the hireling’s and shepherds happiness. 2. The hireling’s happiness is getting paid. Therefore when the money runs out there is no motivation to work. The shepherd’s happiness comes from seeing others prosper. His motivation is love, therefore, his joy is eternal. I then asked, “What happens when your athletic career, your beauty, blessings, dance disappear?” If your relationship with God weakens you are playing the role of the hireling.
The next area I compared was work ethic. 3. The hireling is looking for the bare
minimum. As long as he doesn’t mess up too bad and make everything look okay then he will keep his job and money. If he just does almost all his boss tells him to do he is okay. But the Shepherd goes the extra mile. Just like running a triathlon, unlike a track race, you have no one to push you. You set the pace. You determine how much is accomplished. It is what you do when you are alone that determines your growth!The third area I compared was when they work. 4. The hireling works when watched. I then asked, “Do you still obey when no one is there? Would you read your Bible? Would you pray every day? Would you get a ride to church even if your parents did not take you? Do you do it because you have to, or because you want to?” The enemy never gets off pace. The hireling says, “If I just rest a second. I’m so tired. If I just skip one day of reading my Bible. If I just finish my homework first. If I just watch 5 more minutes of t.v., listen 10 more seconds it won’t hurt me…” THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS FIGHTING AND GOING THE EXTRA MILE TO BREAK YOU. THE MOMENT WE STOP GROWING IS THE VERY MOMENT WE BEGIN TO BACKSLIDE. THERE IS NO LIFE IN BETWEEN. YOU ARE EITHER GROWING OR FALLING. The Shepherd does not have to be told what to do. His focus is on others. He doesn’t want to bless himself but God.
The final area compared was how each reacts to those around them. 5. The hireling does not recognize those around him. To him people are just objects of matter. But the shepherd is constantly on the lookout for those God has placed around him. He has an unselfish heart that places others above him because he wants to see the lost sheep found. I then asked, “When you walk into your school can you feel the pain of your lost friends or is it all about you?” If you choose to be a shepherd tomorrow you will notice those around you and will be waiting and ready to step out and show God’s love to them, no matter how insecure you are. You will have a positive attitude. You will lay down your pride and show God’s love. You will be on the lookout for the WOLF and be ready to rescue your friends from him.
Finally, I asked, “How is the Good Shepherd able to do this?” Because of Love. I finished by reading I Cor 13:4-8 “Love never fails…” The good shepherd has Jesus at the center of his life who is love and not himself. This is what makes him different than the hireling.
MAKING IT REAL
When I finished speaking I said, “If you are willing to be a good shepherd this school year stand to your feet.” (Of course everyone stood. Who wouldn’t?) We then prayed for God to make us become the shepherds he has called us to be and change our schools for Him.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Every day before your child goes to school, whether it is in the car or at breakfast, pray with
your child. Pray with them and have them pray too (important). Pray that they would be a witness to their friends, to show God’s love to their teachers and coaches by respecting and honoring them. Pray that they would be the good shepherds God has called them to be, to not give into insecurity but to find their security in Jesus. This is a battlefield they are going into. If we don’t pray with them we are giving the enemy a foothold. God has planned something great this year but we must be ready! Thursday, August 16, 2007
Climbing Through Life Without Direction
This last week Pastor Eric, Aaron and I decided to start hiking the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia for our 23rd birthday. Plans were to leave on Wednesday morning at 7:30am and arrive around 4:00pm. We would leave Eric’s truck at the finishing point and my truck at the starting point. We then would hike to Eric’s truck and drive back on Saturday to pick up my truck. We wanted to hike 42 miles in 3 days but our plan was destroyed because of a series of events which prevented us from leaving until almost 11am. Because now we had lost almost a whole day for some odd reason we said, “Since we now only have 2 days let’s just go all out and hike 52 miles!” We parked Eric’s truck 52 miles away and drove my truck to the starting point; Springer Mountain. That night we went to bed at 11pm with great expectations.
The following morning we packed our bags and began hiking at 9:30am. We were so excited to be hiking the AT enjoying nature, telling ourselves this was going to be easy: “Man, most people
only go 8 to 10 miles a day, but we are college athletes (cross country runners). This will be a breeze!” So on we went, the first 6 miles feeling okay. We then stopped for a 20 minute lunch break. We were nearly out of water and the next water stop was 7 miles away. After 2 and a half more hours of hard hiking we eventually arrived at the creek to fill up with water. We were dying of thirst so this was incredibly refreshing. At this point we began to realize that we may have made a mistake deciding to hike 52 miles (though none of us would admit it out loud).We had hiked 13 miles and the next water stop was 5 miles away, but we were tougher than that: “We’re not going to get water until mile 23.” So on we hiked at our blistering pace to get water. Finally after complete exhaustion we arrived at mile 23 at the water spot, but there was a problem. It was 7:30pm and our camp ground—Dockery Lake was still 3 miles away. At 9pm it is pitch black in the mountains (a situation you want to avoid). We had the choice of filling up right there or hiking to our campground where there was water anyway. Of course, in all of our wisdom Aaron and I said, “Let’s just hike to our camp ground and then get water so we don’t have to hike in the dark.”
Eric was completely exhausted and told Aaron and me to go on ahead and set up our tents. So Aaron and I left with the thought of 3 miles to water. As we were hiking we noticed the sun setting faster than we expected. Therefore, Aaron and I began running up the mountain giving it everything we had. We did this strenuous hiking for 30 minutes and said to ourselves, “We’ve
got to be getting close.” This is where this story gets interesting.10 minutes later there is still no sign of the creek. Aaron and I begin to get a little worried. Another 20 minutes went by and still no creek. At this point it was almost pitch black, 8:50pm. Aaron pulled out his flash light and we began to sing songs so we wouldn’t surprise any bears (It’s amazing how difficult it is even to talk when you are this dehydrated). At this time we were going down a side trail and left a note on the ground to show Eric where we went. Another 40 minutes went by and still no sign of water! Aaron and I agreed that we had to go back and find Eric. One we couldn’t go any longer and two Eric could be in danger.
Off we went back tracking our steps calling out, “Eric! Where are you?!” This went on until we finally found Eric completely exhausted: “Guys, we’re going to have to set up our tents right here and get water in the morning. We’re not going to make it. We’re going to have to hike back to the truck tomorrow.” We got into our tents at 10:40pm completely dehydrated and exhausted. That night was misery. All night we had cold chills in 85 degree weather and heat fever because we were so dehydrated. I did not fall asleep until 5:30am because of this and we woke up at 7am. We had hiked 30 miles when the map had said 26 miles. We found out that the map mileage was marked based on the horizon, not including the ups and downs and switchbacks of the mountains.
It is now 7am, Friday morning. It has been 21 hours since we started hiking and we have gone 30 miles. Our new plan is to find water at the station that is 5 miles back at mile marker 23. From there Aaron and I will hike back to my truck and pick up Eric on the Highway at Woody Gap. In misery we begin our hike back just trying to make it to water. We hike for 5 miles and finally arrive at the water sign we saw the night before at mile 23. We began rejoicing and shouting, “Water this Way!” (I can’t tell you how much joy flowed through me at this moment).
We have hiked 35 miles but to our dismay we could not find the water. Not until almost another mile and a half did we find a spring of water about the size of my two hands. It was at this moment that we were at an all time low in our lives praying for God to show us water. At first we could not drink the water because we were so dehydrated. We soon ate breakfast and filled up our water jugs. At 10:45am Aaron and I set out to hike the rest of the day to pick up my truck. We took off our 40 pound backpacks and just used fanny packs and our camel packs. We hiked nonstop (except for 2 ten minute stops to fill up water) for 6 and a half hours at under an average of 20 minutes per mile (this is fast for hiking up mountains).
This was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life. I know for a fact that I could not have made it those last 23 miles without my brother by my side and of course God’s help. In 30 hours we had hiked 60 miles and I still feel the pain even as I write. God taught me many
things from this trial.First, he broke me of my pride. That Friday night when we could not find water Aaron and I were repenting for thinking so highly of ourselves. We realized that we were nothing without God. Secondly, He showed me the POWER OF INPUT. We had the choice of bringing a trail guide and getting advice from experienced hikers. But we chose to do it all on our own. Imagine how enjoyable it would have been if we would have received input, and direction before we started. At the 40 mile mark Aaron and I stopped to talk to an experienced hiker that had been hiking since 6 years old. He was shocked out how far we were going and told us, “Experienced hikers only go 10 miles a day. You guys are going 30. You guys are hiking at an unsustainable pace.”
Therefore, it is my goal from now on to get input from others. I now that my ideas alone will be powerless. But with your help we can change this world. I am asking for your help. I am asking that you as a parent will pray for this junior high group and give your advice and input of what you think we can do to make this group more effective. Whatever you think can make this group better please tell me about it. This is why I have created this blog so that you can post your comments and great ideas! I know that this is going to be a team effort. If we all work together no telling what we can accomplish for God.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The Weakest Strength
Good Afternoon,
God is steadily growing Element and transforming lives. Young men and women are starting to read their Bibles on a daily basis becoming familiar with His Voice. Kourtney Kozdras mentioned to Shelby Reeder (youth leader) that her and her friend Mackayla have been holding each other accountable by reading their Bibles together everyday. Many have become stronger in their prayer life. Baily Bird informed me about how his family meets each night to pray for their lost friends—talk about a family that is going to change the world. Others are continuing to bring their friends to church week after week. Element has changed from being just a group of Christians to followers of Christ growing and seeing their lost friends being transformed. To insure the victory of this generation, though, it is not going to be a sprint. It is going to be a marathon that is sown into week in and week out.
THE MESSAGE
I began by asking everyone, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” They replied that they wanted to be doctors, professional athletes, actresses, veterinarians, dancers, etc. After this question I stated that God has blessed each of you with incredible strengths and talents. He has blessed you with the talents of athleticism, leadership, good looks, humor—ability to bring happiness and laughter, music, intelligence, etc.
But what you must know:
1). These talents are powerful. They can get you what you want (what your flesh desires or what God desires). Therefore, you must be careful how you use them and what for.
2). They were given to you by God for a specific reason. Therefore, you have a responsibility that is great.
3). The devil wants to take them away from you.
4). You will always lose something and miss out on God’s blessings when you choose to use your talent for your fleshly desires.
In order to explain these points I chronologically told the story of Samson (Judges 13-16). Before the Samson was born the angel of the Lord came to his mother and told her that she was going to give birth to as son. This son would be a Nazarene that would save Israel from the Philistines. After his birth Samson grew up and became known for his strength. Like the strength God gave Samson to defeat the Philistines, (Point 1) your talents were given to you by God for a specific reason.
Later on Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman. God forbade the Israelites to marry foreign women because of their foreign gods. Samson’s father and mother encouraged Samson not to do this. Samson had incredible talent but used it to get what his flesh desired. (Point 2) In the same way, your talents are very powerful. Therefore, be careful how you use them and what for. You can use them to feed your flesh or to glorify God.
After Samson marries he returns to Israel for a while. When he comes back for his wife he finds that she has been given to his friend. In fury, Samson catches 300 foxes ties them tail in tail with torches attached to them, lets them loose and sets fire to the Philistines’ grain. In return, the Philistines murder his wife and his father in law. After this Samson had many other feats, destroying thousands of Philistines.
Samson’s final stage in life came when he fell in love with Delilah. Samson blinded by his desires could not see God’s desires. The Philistines used Delilah to get Samson to give up the secret to his strength. After 3 attempts to get Samson to tell the secret of his strength Samson began to give in. In (16:15-17) it says that day after day Delilah nagged until Samson gave up the secret to his strength: “If you cut my hair…” (Point 3) The enemy is trying everything he can to get you to give up the secret to your strength.
IF THE ENEMY CAN BLIND YOU WITH THE DESIRES OF YOUR FLESH, YOU WON’T SEE GOD’S DESIRES and you will give the talents and strengths God has blessed you with to the enemy!
(16:20) The enemy subtly robs you of your calling as you little by little compromise and give into the desires of your flesh. Like Samson, one day you will awake to see your strength stolen in complete shock that you have let yourself get to this point.
Finally, (Point 4) You will always lose something and miss out on God’s blessings when you choose to disobey God. Samson lost his wife, father in law and his eyesight before he came to the realization that it was God who gave him his talent to be used to glorify God and not to get what his flesh desired.
Samson’s strength became his greatest weakness because he used it to get what his flesh desired. Your life will be miserable if you are talented and use your talents outside of God’s will. Micheal Jordan, the most successful athlete in history, is empty. Olympians are empty, actresses, millionaires…The most talented, yet the most empty!
I then prayed and asked if anyone felt that they have played a similar role to Samson—if they have been using their talents outside of God’s will to get something their flesh desired instead of what God desires. About 8 of them raised their hands. I then read (II Timothy 2:22) “Flee the evil desires of your youth and pursue…” Finally, I had everyone repeat after me, “I will flee the evil desires of my youth and…”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Imagine what is going to happen when the youth of this generation comes to the realization that they have talents given to them by God that are to be used for His glory and not for the desires of the flesh. In order for this to take place I believe that are young people must be equipped with the Word of God in their hearts. THEREFORE, FOR THE NEXT TO WEEKS WE ARE GOING TO BE MEMORIZING (II TIM 2:22) “FLEE THE DESIRES…” As a parent it would be great if you could challenge your child to learn this verse. For example, “Ryan, if you can repeat this entire verse to me by the end of 10 days I will…” What would also be great is if you could have them repeat it to you each night and then have them pray with you to flee the evil desires of youth.
God is steadily growing Element and transforming lives. Young men and women are starting to read their Bibles on a daily basis becoming familiar with His Voice. Kourtney Kozdras mentioned to Shelby Reeder (youth leader) that her and her friend Mackayla have been holding each other accountable by reading their Bibles together everyday. Many have become stronger in their prayer life. Baily Bird informed me about how his family meets each night to pray for their lost friends—talk about a family that is going to change the world. Others are continuing to bring their friends to church week after week. Element has changed from being just a group of Christians to followers of Christ growing and seeing their lost friends being transformed. To insure the victory of this generation, though, it is not going to be a sprint. It is going to be a marathon that is sown into week in and week out.
THE MESSAGE
I began by asking everyone, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” They replied that they wanted to be doctors, professional athletes, actresses, veterinarians, dancers, etc. After this question I stated that God has blessed each of you with incredible strengths and talents. He has blessed you with the talents of athleticism, leadership, good looks, humor—ability to bring happiness and laughter, music, intelligence, etc.
But what you must know:
1). These talents are powerful. They can get you what you want (what your flesh desires or what God desires). Therefore, you must be careful how you use them and what for.
2). They were given to you by God for a specific reason. Therefore, you have a responsibility that is great.
3). The devil wants to take them away from you.
4). You will always lose something and miss out on God’s blessings when you choose to use your talent for your fleshly desires.
In order to explain these points I chronologically told the story of Samson (Judges 13-16). Before the Samson was born the angel of the Lord came to his mother and told her that she was going to give birth to as son. This son would be a Nazarene that would save Israel from the Philistines. After his birth Samson grew up and became known for his strength. Like the strength God gave Samson to defeat the Philistines, (Point 1) your talents were given to you by God for a specific reason.
Later on Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman. God forbade the Israelites to marry foreign women because of their foreign gods. Samson’s father and mother encouraged Samson not to do this. Samson had incredible talent but used it to get what his flesh desired. (Point 2) In the same way, your talents are very powerful. Therefore, be careful how you use them and what for. You can use them to feed your flesh or to glorify God.
After Samson marries he returns to Israel for a while. When he comes back for his wife he finds that she has been given to his friend. In fury, Samson catches 300 foxes ties them tail in tail with torches attached to them, lets them loose and sets fire to the Philistines’ grain. In return, the Philistines murder his wife and his father in law. After this Samson had many other feats, destroying thousands of Philistines.
Samson’s final stage in life came when he fell in love with Delilah. Samson blinded by his desires could not see God’s desires. The Philistines used Delilah to get Samson to give up the secret to his strength. After 3 attempts to get Samson to tell the secret of his strength Samson began to give in. In (16:15-17) it says that day after day Delilah nagged until Samson gave up the secret to his strength: “If you cut my hair…” (Point 3) The enemy is trying everything he can to get you to give up the secret to your strength.
IF THE ENEMY CAN BLIND YOU WITH THE DESIRES OF YOUR FLESH, YOU WON’T SEE GOD’S DESIRES and you will give the talents and strengths God has blessed you with to the enemy!
(16:20) The enemy subtly robs you of your calling as you little by little compromise and give into the desires of your flesh. Like Samson, one day you will awake to see your strength stolen in complete shock that you have let yourself get to this point.
Finally, (Point 4) You will always lose something and miss out on God’s blessings when you choose to disobey God. Samson lost his wife, father in law and his eyesight before he came to the realization that it was God who gave him his talent to be used to glorify God and not to get what his flesh desired.
Samson’s strength became his greatest weakness because he used it to get what his flesh desired. Your life will be miserable if you are talented and use your talents outside of God’s will. Micheal Jordan, the most successful athlete in history, is empty. Olympians are empty, actresses, millionaires…The most talented, yet the most empty!
I then prayed and asked if anyone felt that they have played a similar role to Samson—if they have been using their talents outside of God’s will to get something their flesh desired instead of what God desires. About 8 of them raised their hands. I then read (II Timothy 2:22) “Flee the evil desires of your youth and pursue…” Finally, I had everyone repeat after me, “I will flee the evil desires of my youth and…”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Imagine what is going to happen when the youth of this generation comes to the realization that they have talents given to them by God that are to be used for His glory and not for the desires of the flesh. In order for this to take place I believe that are young people must be equipped with the Word of God in their hearts. THEREFORE, FOR THE NEXT TO WEEKS WE ARE GOING TO BE MEMORIZING (II TIM 2:22) “FLEE THE DESIRES…” As a parent it would be great if you could challenge your child to learn this verse. For example, “Ryan, if you can repeat this entire verse to me by the end of 10 days I will…” What would also be great is if you could have them repeat it to you each night and then have them pray with you to flee the evil desires of youth.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
How to Get Everything You've Ever Wanted
Good Afternoon,
Sunday night was another exciting night at Element. We began with our first Sunday Night full on worship team led by the High School. God really moved in worship through these students. After worship we split from the high school and had our Element service.
It was encouraging to see your children bring their friends to youth group. One particular young lady that came is Ryan Hall’s neighborhood friend Ariel. Ryan has been witnessing to Ariel and we have been praying that she would come to know Jesus. This is exciting because God is obviously at work moving through your sons and daughters. Billy Leighty brought his three friends again along with another brother from that family.
Many others are inviting their friends and bringing them to church. I talked to some of your children over the phone last week and heard amazing stories of them and their families praying together each night as a family for their lost friends. This is how the Kingdom of God is built. Who would ever think that God would use a Jr. High student to change the world?
THE MESSAGE
The title of the message was How to Get Everything You’ve Ever Wanted. I began by asking, “Who has ever wanted something really bad and did not get it?” (Of course everyone raised their hands). I then read Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I then said that this is the key to getting everything you want (“…He will give you the desires…”), but the key is you first have to “delight yourself in Him.” Therefore, we must find out what it means to delight ourselves in God.
In order to explain what it means to delight yourself in the Lord I began by telling the bizarre story of Jephthah in Judges 11. Jephthah was a mighty warrior that God called to save the Israelites from the foreign enemies of Israel. The elders of Gilead asked him to lead Israel in battle to fight the Ammonites. Jephthah agreed to the task but knew that it was going to be through God that the battle would be won. Therefore, Jephthah made a vow to God: “Lord if you will give me victory over this army, I will sacrifice a burnt offering of the first thing that comes out of my house.” After this vow the anointing of God fell upon Jephthah and he was victorious. When the battle was over as he approached his house a great tragedy occurred. His one and only daughter walked out of the house. She was to be the burnt offering. Jephthah fell to his knees and wept and ended up keeping his word sacrificing her.
All the Jr. High students gasped at this story. I explained to them that, first of all, human sacrifice is a sin. I then explained that what Jephthah did wrong was he tried to bargain for God’s blessing rather than trust in Him (something we often do).—“Lord, please give me this…Make me successful in…If You will do these things Lord, then I will do anything for You. I will read my Bible, pray, worship…” Although we may not say it out loud we often say it in the back of our minds.
After telling this story I turned back to Psalm 37:4 and read it again: “Delight yourself…” I then explained what this verse actually means. The word delight actually means “satisfy”. In other words, you have to “satisfy” yourself in the Lord. He must be the one you find happiness in. Satisfy is an action verb, like eating or brushing your teeth. We therefore have to put ourselves to action in satisfying ourselves in the Lord. It is an effort, an action, not just thinking happy thoughts about God.
We must make ourselves find satisfaction through Him alone. Not through sports, not through how good you look—how pretty you are, not through making good grades, video games, t.v., being successful, winning, etc. A vicious cycle occurs in our lives when we fail to do this. When we are bored, empty inside, looking for something to fill us we will be moving from one thing to the next to satisfy us. When sports don’t satisfy you, you’ll go to relationships. When relationships stop satisfying you, you’ll focus on making good grades. When making good grades doesn’t bring you happiness, you’ll go to video games. After video games you’ll go back to sports. Then sports back to relationships and on and on the cycle continues—for days and days, to months and months, to years until it consumes your entire life. And the scary thing is the more things we try to make us happy the more numb our hearts become, and the more sinful things we will be willing to try to make us happy.
Finally, I explained to them the reason that no other thing will work besides “satisfying ourselves in the Lord” is because of a simple truth that St. Augustine spoke of. He wrote, “Thou hast formed us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee.” We were created for God alone; for his pleasure.
When we start to satisfy ourselves in The Lord, such as read our Bibles when we would rather watch t.v.. Pray when we are tired. Worship when we are sick. Obey the voice of God when He speaks. Listen and respect our parents when we have another agenda. God begins to satisfy us. And when He becomes our satisfaction our desires become His desires. AND WHEN OUR DESIRES BECOME HIS DESIRES WE WILL WANT WHAT HE WANTS TO GIVE US. AND WE WILL GET EVERYTHNG WE NOW WANT.
Making it Real:
After this message I prayed and asked the students if they feel they have not been satisfying themselves in the Lord like they should be— If they’ve been looking for sports to bring them happiness, or relationships, t.v., or some other thing other than God. Around 12 students raised their hands. We then prayed that God would transform us and give us the strength to make Him our satisfaction.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
As a parent we want to help you in any way we can to teach your child to satisfy themselves in God. An example of what you could do is have your child for the next two weeks cut 15 minutes of t.v., computer, or sports and have them read their Bible in place of that time. My parents did something very similar to this when I was younger and although I didn’t want to at first the discipline produced a passion in me and now I love it more than anything. If your child learns this principle at a young age it will save them from a ton of trouble and no telling what God will do with them.
Thank you,
Ryan Austin
Element Jr. High Leader
Monday, July 23, 2007
PAUSE
Last night when we started Element I asked all the Jr. High students if they have been praying for their friends each day, and the majority of the room raised their hands as opposed to 3 or 4 hands last week.
This is huge! God is already changing lives and working miracles in the lives of these young men and women of God thanks to parents like you who believe in this rising generation of heroes.
Not only have these youths been praying for their friends but some of them brought some of their lost friends. Billy Leighty brought three of his neighborhood friends to church last night, which was a big step of faith! Not only is God transforming the youth at VYM, he is using them to change their lost friends.
Last night I spoke on hearing God’s Voice. The title of my message was P.A.U.S.E. (which is important). I began by asking the question, “If God spoke to you right now what would it sound like?” I then unfolded 5 ways God speaks to us.
I explained the first way He speaks to us is through our Parents; just like David constantly told Solomon as a young boy to get wisdom (proverbs 4). We know that Solomon listened to His father David because he asked God for wisdom and was the wisest man to ever live. We as children must also honor our fathers and mothers and listen to them because God speaks through them on how we should live.
I then explained the 2nd way God speaks to us is through our Authorities (coaches, teachers, elderly, pastors, etc.) and just like we must listen to and obey our parents we must also respect and listen to authority. God will often teach us things that we must work on through authorities so we can become the men and women He created us to be.
The third way God speaks to us is through Unexpected people and places. For example, when Saul was riding to Damascus and God blinded him with light and spoke to him and then had a random person come to his hotel named Ananias to remove his blindness. Although this is rare God will use situations, circumstances and unexpected people at times in our lives to speak to us. Therefore, we must, everyday have expectancy for God speaking to us and be ready to obey him when He does.
The fourth way God speaks to us is through Scripture. This is the number one way that God speaks to us. If we are unsure whether or not someone or something is right we should always look at what God’s Word says, because His Word is the ultimate authority.
The final way that God speaks to us is through the Earth or creation. Romans 1:20 explains how creation reveals the invisible attributes of God.
In closing, I said that we as followers of Christ must P.A.U.S.E. and listen to God’s Voice everyday that we live. I closed with a prayer asking the students to raise their hand if they feel that they have not been listening to God’s Voice like they should be; whether it is their parents, reading the Bible, etc. and about 15 students raised their hands. I then prayed for these students.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: we are hoping that this will help jump start your child into becoming someone that listens for and hears God’s Voice on a daily basis. We want to do everything we can to help you teach your child how to hear God’s Voice. We made this message the acronym P.A.U.S.E. so that your child would remember it easily. Now that you know what pause means we hope that you will take time to review your child and teach him or her more about it so that the elementary foundations of following Jesus may be implanted in their hearts and minds.
This is huge! God is already changing lives and working miracles in the lives of these young men and women of God thanks to parents like you who believe in this rising generation of heroes.
Not only have these youths been praying for their friends but some of them brought some of their lost friends. Billy Leighty brought three of his neighborhood friends to church last night, which was a big step of faith! Not only is God transforming the youth at VYM, he is using them to change their lost friends.
Last night I spoke on hearing God’s Voice. The title of my message was P.A.U.S.E. (which is important). I began by asking the question, “If God spoke to you right now what would it sound like?” I then unfolded 5 ways God speaks to us.
I explained the first way He speaks to us is through our Parents; just like David constantly told Solomon as a young boy to get wisdom (proverbs 4). We know that Solomon listened to His father David because he asked God for wisdom and was the wisest man to ever live. We as children must also honor our fathers and mothers and listen to them because God speaks through them on how we should live.
I then explained the 2nd way God speaks to us is through our Authorities (coaches, teachers, elderly, pastors, etc.) and just like we must listen to and obey our parents we must also respect and listen to authority. God will often teach us things that we must work on through authorities so we can become the men and women He created us to be.
The third way God speaks to us is through Unexpected people and places. For example, when Saul was riding to Damascus and God blinded him with light and spoke to him and then had a random person come to his hotel named Ananias to remove his blindness. Although this is rare God will use situations, circumstances and unexpected people at times in our lives to speak to us. Therefore, we must, everyday have expectancy for God speaking to us and be ready to obey him when He does.
The fourth way God speaks to us is through Scripture. This is the number one way that God speaks to us. If we are unsure whether or not someone or something is right we should always look at what God’s Word says, because His Word is the ultimate authority.
The final way that God speaks to us is through the Earth or creation. Romans 1:20 explains how creation reveals the invisible attributes of God.
In closing, I said that we as followers of Christ must P.A.U.S.E. and listen to God’s Voice everyday that we live. I closed with a prayer asking the students to raise their hand if they feel that they have not been listening to God’s Voice like they should be; whether it is their parents, reading the Bible, etc. and about 15 students raised their hands. I then prayed for these students.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: we are hoping that this will help jump start your child into becoming someone that listens for and hears God’s Voice on a daily basis. We want to do everything we can to help you teach your child how to hear God’s Voice. We made this message the acronym P.A.U.S.E. so that your child would remember it easily. Now that you know what pause means we hope that you will take time to review your child and teach him or her more about it so that the elementary foundations of following Jesus may be implanted in their hearts and minds.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Greater than Superman
The theme of this message was God has called us to reach out and change our friends for Him. I began by telling them that God wants to use you by reaching your friends, but in order to do so you must first REALIZE WHO YOU ARE.
I told them the story in Judges 6-7 about Gideon, how the Israelites were in captivity and God called out to a young man named Gideon and said, “Rise up Oh mighty warrior for I am with you!” and used this young man who thought he was a loser to save an entire nation by destroying the altars of Baal and defeating the Midianites. I then explained to them that they too are called to fight the same battle God called Gideon to fight. They are called rescue their friends from the hand of the enemy and to be God’s light to their friends and show them who he is.
I then asked them, “Who likes Spiderman? Batman? Super heros? Who would like to be one?” (everyone raised their hands). I then explained, “You are one! You may be saying, ‘I don’t have any super powers’ but the truth is you have powers far greater than these. You can move mountains. You can catch your friends on fire for God. You can run faster than a horse. You can stop the fiery darts of the devil. You can walk on water. You can defeat an army of 10,000, you can single handedly beat a lion and a bear in a fight…etc. In other words, you can defeat the Midianites and change this world for God. In fact, you are even greater than Superman, Batman, and Spiderman combined. You have something that they don’t have. They can be stopped, you cannot. The devil doesn’t have kryptonite to stop you. ONLY YOU CAN STOP YOU!
Finally, I explained to them that the source of our power is Jesus Christ and I read Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We are just like Gideon. What made Gideon a mighty warrior was not that he was born some super hero but this simple truth, “Rise up, Oh mighty warrior for I am with you!” Because God was with him he was a mighty warrior and was able to conquer the Midianites and destroy the altars of Baal. You too are a mighty warrior, I reemphasized.
At the end of the message we handed out orange cards and asked your sons and daughters to write down 2 of their friends names and place them on their mirrors at home so that they could start praying for them everyday. THIS IS WHERE WE BELIEVE YOU COULD PLAY A HUGE ROLE by praying with your child for their friends before they go to bed, driving on the way to sports camp, etc.
Thank you for your help,
Ryan Austin
Element Youth Leader
I told them the story in Judges 6-7 about Gideon, how the Israelites were in captivity and God called out to a young man named Gideon and said, “Rise up Oh mighty warrior for I am with you!” and used this young man who thought he was a loser to save an entire nation by destroying the altars of Baal and defeating the Midianites. I then explained to them that they too are called to fight the same battle God called Gideon to fight. They are called rescue their friends from the hand of the enemy and to be God’s light to their friends and show them who he is.
I then asked them, “Who likes Spiderman? Batman? Super heros? Who would like to be one?” (everyone raised their hands). I then explained, “You are one! You may be saying, ‘I don’t have any super powers’ but the truth is you have powers far greater than these. You can move mountains. You can catch your friends on fire for God. You can run faster than a horse. You can stop the fiery darts of the devil. You can walk on water. You can defeat an army of 10,000, you can single handedly beat a lion and a bear in a fight…etc. In other words, you can defeat the Midianites and change this world for God. In fact, you are even greater than Superman, Batman, and Spiderman combined. You have something that they don’t have. They can be stopped, you cannot. The devil doesn’t have kryptonite to stop you. ONLY YOU CAN STOP YOU!
Finally, I explained to them that the source of our power is Jesus Christ and I read Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We are just like Gideon. What made Gideon a mighty warrior was not that he was born some super hero but this simple truth, “Rise up, Oh mighty warrior for I am with you!” Because God was with him he was a mighty warrior and was able to conquer the Midianites and destroy the altars of Baal. You too are a mighty warrior, I reemphasized.
At the end of the message we handed out orange cards and asked your sons and daughters to write down 2 of their friends names and place them on their mirrors at home so that they could start praying for them everyday. THIS IS WHERE WE BELIEVE YOU COULD PLAY A HUGE ROLE by praying with your child for their friends before they go to bed, driving on the way to sports camp, etc.
Thank you for your help,
Ryan Austin
Element Youth Leader
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