Bible Reading: Proverbs 7:21-27
Don't let your hearts stray away toward [an immoral woman]. Don't wander down her wayward path. Proverbs 7:25
IT'S NO SECRET that sexual desires are potent. And like a young guy named Mitch found out, they can blow up on you if you aren't careful. That's just as true for girls as it is for guys.
Mitch's first mistake was deciding to satisfy his growing curiosity about sex in the same ways most of his friends were-by staring at all the sex magazines and vid?eos he could get his hands on. He told himself it was okay because he would find out everything he wanted to know about women and sexuality, and his curiosity would then be satisfied. Since he wasn't fooling around himself, he thought he could be?come wise about sex without sinning.
But the only thing Mitch accomplished was filling his mind with twisted ideas about sex. When he dated, he could hardly help imagining trying out what he had read about and seen. Instead of satisfying his curiosity, the "information" he stored in his brain from magazines and movies produced huge battles with guilt.
There's hardly anyone who can claim to be out of reach of the temptations Mitch faced. How can you avoid getting snagged in the same snare?
First, promise yourself that no matter what you ever feel or do sexually, you will find someone-like a parent or a mature friend—to talk to when you need informa?tion or just need to talk. Big hint: Find someone other than your friends, who are go?ing through the same pains you are.
Second, get out your Bible and concordance—or a Bible software program—and search under all the headings like "lust," "passions," and "sexual immorality." Write out what you learn on note cards and read through these cards at least once a week-more often if your feelings about sex are out of line with how God sees the subject.
Third, write a private note to yourself. On the left half of the page, spell out the specific standards and commitments you want to keep and why. On the right side, write down the best plan you can think of for escaping when you are tempted to sin sexually. You can't count on having clear, creative thinking when you're in the mid?dle of intense temptation. That's nearly impossible. But it's amazing how God will remind you of what you wrote down earlier as a way of escape.
Guys and girls choose all kinds of ways to quench their curiosity about sex. Friends may pressure you to join them in actions that mess up your mind-and your body. But by choosing your own, better way to handle sexual pressure, you gain genuine independence. You grab hold of your God-given freedom to choose.
REFLECT: What are you going to do to avoid being hooked by sexual snares?
PRAY: Ask God to help you set biblical sexual standards—and keep them.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Fear This
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate. (NKJV)
What Makes You Afraid?
What makes you afraid? Do you run and hide under the covers in a big thunderstorm? Does you stomach lurch when you approach a steep cliff out in the mountains? When you’re late getting home, do you fear what your dad will say, or what privilege he’ll take away? Lots of things can make us afraid.
“Many of us are unaware of it, but we are ambassadors of whatever we allow to control our lives. We might find ourselves controlled by drugs, alcohol, lust, and lying. On the other hand, we could also be controlled by the Lord, with characteristics such as kindness, righteousness, goodness, and love.” (Dr. Edwin Louis Cole)
A person’s life is formed by his decisions and constructed by his words. We can either choose to be ambassadors of the Lord or ambassadors of Satan. If we choose to represent Satan, we are choosing death. Every temptation given in to, every sin, every act of rebellion will ultimately lead to destruction, given enough time and enough repetition. Every temptation resisted, every sin abandoned, every act of rebellion will lead to life, peace, and ultimate joy.
So ask yourself this question today: “What ruling authority do I represent? Who is controlling my life?” If you choose to rebel against God’s standards you are Satan’s faithful ambassador. But, if you determine to make obedience to God your trademark, you can represent him as a powerful representative. You can proclaim his good news and act in his authority wherever you go in the world.
Today’s Prayer:
Precious Jesus, I come before you right now asking that you would cleanse me inside and out. I ask that you would make me an ambassador of love and your goodness. I want to be a representative of your ruling authority. Thank you for your grace and love. In your name I pray, Amen.
Written by Lindsey Tenpenny, Flagstaff Arizona
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate. (NKJV)
What Makes You Afraid?
What makes you afraid? Do you run and hide under the covers in a big thunderstorm? Does you stomach lurch when you approach a steep cliff out in the mountains? When you’re late getting home, do you fear what your dad will say, or what privilege he’ll take away? Lots of things can make us afraid.
“Many of us are unaware of it, but we are ambassadors of whatever we allow to control our lives. We might find ourselves controlled by drugs, alcohol, lust, and lying. On the other hand, we could also be controlled by the Lord, with characteristics such as kindness, righteousness, goodness, and love.” (Dr. Edwin Louis Cole)
A person’s life is formed by his decisions and constructed by his words. We can either choose to be ambassadors of the Lord or ambassadors of Satan. If we choose to represent Satan, we are choosing death. Every temptation given in to, every sin, every act of rebellion will ultimately lead to destruction, given enough time and enough repetition. Every temptation resisted, every sin abandoned, every act of rebellion will lead to life, peace, and ultimate joy.
So ask yourself this question today: “What ruling authority do I represent? Who is controlling my life?” If you choose to rebel against God’s standards you are Satan’s faithful ambassador. But, if you determine to make obedience to God your trademark, you can represent him as a powerful representative. You can proclaim his good news and act in his authority wherever you go in the world.
Today’s Prayer:
Precious Jesus, I come before you right now asking that you would cleanse me inside and out. I ask that you would make me an ambassador of love and your goodness. I want to be a representative of your ruling authority. Thank you for your grace and love. In your name I pray, Amen.
Written by Lindsey Tenpenny, Flagstaff Arizona
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Eager
Revelation 22:12-14
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward {is} with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
Yesterday while we were waiting for the ferry to take us across to Crystal Beach for the mission trip I saw a few seagulls hanging out by the car. There were just a couple of them there so I thought about my childhood and how fun it was to feed the birds. I had some small crackers and tossed them out the window. The got excited and started making noise and devoured the crackers in no time flat. Not only that, but other seagulls flocked to the side of our car starting waiting for me to toss out some more goodness. Before you knew it, there was a large throng of seagulls waiting for food. Eager. If I so much as rolled the window down the activity got more hurried and rushed. Who could get closer. Who would get the gift the person in the car was offering.
It made me think of us and our walk with the Lord. Are we as eager watching for him and waiting to see what his next move is? Are we gathering together and calling out to others that there is good news right here and now so that they can come and receive his goodness, and his salvation? Or are we quietly sitting back on our news and keeping it secret? The scripture above says he is coming back quickly. Do you believe that? Are you living in a way to show that?
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for these reading this that they come to know you and eagerly await all the goodness you have to offer. That they cling to your salvation, and that they shout it out that they are saved in Christ Jesus and want others to know.
Written by Becky Sosa July 28th, 2009.
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward {is} with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
Yesterday while we were waiting for the ferry to take us across to Crystal Beach for the mission trip I saw a few seagulls hanging out by the car. There were just a couple of them there so I thought about my childhood and how fun it was to feed the birds. I had some small crackers and tossed them out the window. The got excited and started making noise and devoured the crackers in no time flat. Not only that, but other seagulls flocked to the side of our car starting waiting for me to toss out some more goodness. Before you knew it, there was a large throng of seagulls waiting for food. Eager. If I so much as rolled the window down the activity got more hurried and rushed. Who could get closer. Who would get the gift the person in the car was offering.
It made me think of us and our walk with the Lord. Are we as eager watching for him and waiting to see what his next move is? Are we gathering together and calling out to others that there is good news right here and now so that they can come and receive his goodness, and his salvation? Or are we quietly sitting back on our news and keeping it secret? The scripture above says he is coming back quickly. Do you believe that? Are you living in a way to show that?
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for these reading this that they come to know you and eagerly await all the goodness you have to offer. That they cling to your salvation, and that they shout it out that they are saved in Christ Jesus and want others to know.
Written by Becky Sosa July 28th, 2009.
Monday, July 27, 2009
A Spiritual Science Experiment
(sorry i dont have much time to edit this i am doing this on lunch stop on the road to Crystal Beach Mission Trip).
A Spiritual Science Experiment
1 John 1:7If we walk in the light, as he is in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Fruit of the Spirit
Suppose a student chooses to test the effects of light and darkness on the growth of seeds for a science fair project. He gets some marigold seeds from the store, plants them in four Styrofoam cups, and waters them. He places two of the cups in a dark closet. The others go into a sunny window. In a couple of weeks, the seedlings appear. For a few hours, the plants in the dark and the ones in the light are quite similar. Two tiny green leaves break through the soil and begin to grow. Within a couple of days however, the plants in the closet turn yellow and begin to die, while the ones in the light grow and get more and more leaves. The experiment proves that plants have to absorb light in order to have the energy needed to grow, bloom, and make seeds.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. We need to live in the light in order to grow and become fruitful. Galatians 5:22-23 describes spiritual fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are in stark contrast to the ones Paul listed as acts of the sinful nature: Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, envy, etc.
Let’s imagine a spiritual science fair project in which we try to become more and more kind. At first, we determine to observe how we act after a few days of listening to rap music that encourages rebellion and watching television shows that glamorize gang members who commit violent crimes. We may continue the experiment by hanging out with some kids at school who like to sneak around after dark to paint graffiti on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Would we become more kind or less kind after a week or so?
Next, let’s imagine that we do exactly the opposite for a couple of weeks. We listen to music that encourages us to love others in the same way Jesus did. We read accounts of young people helping others through short-term missions projects. We watch uplifting TV programs and movies. We might even volunteer to paint some classrooms at the local community center or play games with the children who gather there after school. Would we become more or less kind after a week or so?
Clearly, kindness could grow much better in the latter situation. We tend to become like the people we hang out with. So, if we hang out with mean and violent people, we will become increasingly mean. If we hang out with kind, generous people, we will become kinder. Living in the light means developing relationships with people who will help us become more like Jesus. We grow in godliness when we choose our friends based upon whether they have the kind of qualities God approves.
Those friends will be more likely to do what Jesus would and that will help us do the same. Good friends definitely help us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the very best friend I could possibly ever want. You always love me and accept me. You even forgive me when I mess up. Please help me choose friends who will help me grow godly fruit in my life. Also, please me be the kind of friend who encourages others to become more like you every day. Amen.
Written by Martha E. Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
A Spiritual Science Experiment
1 John 1:7If we walk in the light, as he is in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Fruit of the Spirit
Suppose a student chooses to test the effects of light and darkness on the growth of seeds for a science fair project. He gets some marigold seeds from the store, plants them in four Styrofoam cups, and waters them. He places two of the cups in a dark closet. The others go into a sunny window. In a couple of weeks, the seedlings appear. For a few hours, the plants in the dark and the ones in the light are quite similar. Two tiny green leaves break through the soil and begin to grow. Within a couple of days however, the plants in the closet turn yellow and begin to die, while the ones in the light grow and get more and more leaves. The experiment proves that plants have to absorb light in order to have the energy needed to grow, bloom, and make seeds.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. We need to live in the light in order to grow and become fruitful. Galatians 5:22-23 describes spiritual fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are in stark contrast to the ones Paul listed as acts of the sinful nature: Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, envy, etc.
Let’s imagine a spiritual science fair project in which we try to become more and more kind. At first, we determine to observe how we act after a few days of listening to rap music that encourages rebellion and watching television shows that glamorize gang members who commit violent crimes. We may continue the experiment by hanging out with some kids at school who like to sneak around after dark to paint graffiti on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Would we become more kind or less kind after a week or so?
Next, let’s imagine that we do exactly the opposite for a couple of weeks. We listen to music that encourages us to love others in the same way Jesus did. We read accounts of young people helping others through short-term missions projects. We watch uplifting TV programs and movies. We might even volunteer to paint some classrooms at the local community center or play games with the children who gather there after school. Would we become more or less kind after a week or so?
Clearly, kindness could grow much better in the latter situation. We tend to become like the people we hang out with. So, if we hang out with mean and violent people, we will become increasingly mean. If we hang out with kind, generous people, we will become kinder. Living in the light means developing relationships with people who will help us become more like Jesus. We grow in godliness when we choose our friends based upon whether they have the kind of qualities God approves.
Those friends will be more likely to do what Jesus would and that will help us do the same. Good friends definitely help us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the very best friend I could possibly ever want. You always love me and accept me. You even forgive me when I mess up. Please help me choose friends who will help me grow godly fruit in my life. Also, please me be the kind of friend who encourages others to become more like you every day. Amen.
Written by Martha E. Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
Saturday, July 25, 2009
begging on the beach
Matthew 7:11“If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"
God, our Father, delights to give us good gifts.
I watched as three young children approach people on the beach. Two of them struggled to carry a five-gallon bucket. The third wore ten or fifteen straw hats with brightly colored bands streaming out behind him. I wondered what they were doing, these kids of about eight to ten years of age.
Eventually, they came up to me. "Senora, would you like some tamales, made fresh this morning by my mama?" one of them asked. Then, I knew. They were selling tamales and hats to earn a few dollars for their family. The rich Americans would surely buy a few of their wares, and they would be able to pay the rent and buy food for another day.
After buying a straw hat and a couple of tamales, I thought about this experience. What motivated three children to approach a stranger on the beach? Why weren't they in school? Why did their mother and father permit, perhaps even require, them to do this? The only answer was the dire need for income. Poverty had pressed them into service.
Scripture records hundreds of God's promises to His children. Yet, we often walk down the beach of life begging strangers for what we need. We sell little bits of ourselves for the price of being loved and accepted by people, many of them strangers. We expect money and friends to make us happy. We try to fill our empty hearts with fruitless entertainment and busy lives. Why?
Perhaps, we seek meaning and joy from the things of the world because we don't know how rich and generous our Father is. We don't understand that He would gladly give us anything we ask for that would be to our benefit.
What a pity it would have been to discover that the children selling hats and tamales on the beach were the sons and daughters of the richest man in town, a man who would gladly have given them food and clothing! How tragic it would have been to discover that their father earnestly wanted them to go to school. Imagine how hurt he would have been because they didn’t let him provide and care for them out of his abundant resources.
Most of us, as believers, live in spiritual poverty because we don't ask our Father for what we need. We fail to experience His bounty because we're so busy begging on the beaches of the world. Jesus stated that God delights to give good gifts to His children who ask. Let's start asking God, rather than the world, to love us and fulfill us. What joy we'll find as we go to the only reliable and gracious source for all we yearn to have and experience in our lives!
Today’s Prayer:
Holy Father, forgive me for begging from the world when I could just ask You for the emotional and spiritual food and clothing I need. I want to be a child who honors You by allowing You to take care of me. Teach me how, Lord, please.
Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
God, our Father, delights to give us good gifts.
I watched as three young children approach people on the beach. Two of them struggled to carry a five-gallon bucket. The third wore ten or fifteen straw hats with brightly colored bands streaming out behind him. I wondered what they were doing, these kids of about eight to ten years of age.
Eventually, they came up to me. "Senora, would you like some tamales, made fresh this morning by my mama?" one of them asked. Then, I knew. They were selling tamales and hats to earn a few dollars for their family. The rich Americans would surely buy a few of their wares, and they would be able to pay the rent and buy food for another day.
After buying a straw hat and a couple of tamales, I thought about this experience. What motivated three children to approach a stranger on the beach? Why weren't they in school? Why did their mother and father permit, perhaps even require, them to do this? The only answer was the dire need for income. Poverty had pressed them into service.
Scripture records hundreds of God's promises to His children. Yet, we often walk down the beach of life begging strangers for what we need. We sell little bits of ourselves for the price of being loved and accepted by people, many of them strangers. We expect money and friends to make us happy. We try to fill our empty hearts with fruitless entertainment and busy lives. Why?
Perhaps, we seek meaning and joy from the things of the world because we don't know how rich and generous our Father is. We don't understand that He would gladly give us anything we ask for that would be to our benefit.
What a pity it would have been to discover that the children selling hats and tamales on the beach were the sons and daughters of the richest man in town, a man who would gladly have given them food and clothing! How tragic it would have been to discover that their father earnestly wanted them to go to school. Imagine how hurt he would have been because they didn’t let him provide and care for them out of his abundant resources.
Most of us, as believers, live in spiritual poverty because we don't ask our Father for what we need. We fail to experience His bounty because we're so busy begging on the beaches of the world. Jesus stated that God delights to give good gifts to His children who ask. Let's start asking God, rather than the world, to love us and fulfill us. What joy we'll find as we go to the only reliable and gracious source for all we yearn to have and experience in our lives!
Today’s Prayer:
Holy Father, forgive me for begging from the world when I could just ask You for the emotional and spiritual food and clothing I need. I want to be a child who honors You by allowing You to take care of me. Teach me how, Lord, please.
Written by Martha E Menne, Flagstaff Arizona
Friday, July 24, 2009
Loving God is Required
Today's scriptures
Psalms 18:1
I LOVE you fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength
Devotional
Being a follower of Christ is so much more than just attending church. The bible says to love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. (Mark12:30) When we are in love with someone, we express to them by our actions and words “I love you” on a daily basis. As we begin to establish our relationship with God, eventually we should reach this place where “I love you” is a daily expression to him in thought, words and actions. Whenever we fall in love with someone we must first spend time with them, getting to know them, it works the same way with the Lord. Spending time with the Lord means that we talk to him regularly, we read the bible often and we do the things that God likes to do as well as include him in things we like to do. Take time to sincerely tell God, I love you, he deserves to receive our expressions of love, and he also requires it.
from prayerforyouth.com
Psalms 18:1
I LOVE you fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength
Devotional
Being a follower of Christ is so much more than just attending church. The bible says to love the Lord with all your heart, mind soul and strength. (Mark12:30) When we are in love with someone, we express to them by our actions and words “I love you” on a daily basis. As we begin to establish our relationship with God, eventually we should reach this place where “I love you” is a daily expression to him in thought, words and actions. Whenever we fall in love with someone we must first spend time with them, getting to know them, it works the same way with the Lord. Spending time with the Lord means that we talk to him regularly, we read the bible often and we do the things that God likes to do as well as include him in things we like to do. Take time to sincerely tell God, I love you, he deserves to receive our expressions of love, and he also requires it.
from prayerforyouth.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Youth Mission Trip
Okay everyone I will be going with the youth on the mission trip. Allen and I will be working with the youth and taking turns watching and doing things with the kids. I will still be doing the blog if I can get Internet connection that is. So keep reading.
Pray for the mission trip.
Pray for the mission trip.
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