R Ur Priorities in Order

(Third in the Back to School Series)

I challenge you to take out a piece of paper and write down everything you did yesterday and today? Go ahead. Do it.

In Exodus 20:3 God commands us; “You shall have no other god before Me.” (NKJV) Most of us who attend church probably say, “I don’t worship any other God. I know Buddha isn’t God and Muhammad isn’t God.” But let us go further. Was God anywhere on your list? Did you acknowledge Him at anytime besides saying the little rote prayers “God is good, God is great” and the “Now I lay me down to sleep” you learned as child?   Do you give God your time everyday? Or do you allow obligations such as homework, jobs, chores, family, sports, friends, social media, shopping, video games, or anything else take the place of your time with God? Do these get in the way of you attending church regularly?

If I asked you to describe yourself, what are the first words that come to your mind? Go ahead what is the very first word that comes to mind? Is it Christian? Or Child of God? If not, maybe, it is time to examine where God’s place is in your life. Before you are a student, an athlete, a singer, an artist, etc., if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you should be identifying yourself, first and foremost, as a Christian or a Child of God.

A few years ago, our son read Tim Tebow’s book “Through My Eyes”(I highly recommend this book for all young people) and it really struck a cord with him. One day, during the time he was reading the book, he came out and wrote something from this book on the black board wall we have in our kitchen:

R UR Priorities in Order

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Academics
4. Sports, etc.

Then he said, “We are never taking this down, ok, Mom?” And we never have. It is still there today. (Number four can actually be anything, but because our family is full of young men, sports works for our family.)

Something changed in our house that day. Although, Pastor Dany and I had taught our kids this over and over, once it was on the board, it took on a deeper meaning in our home. We all started looking at that list before we decided if we were going to do something or not. Instead of us making decisions or telling the boys, “Yes, you can” or, “No, you can’t,” we would just point to the board and say make your decision.

Sometimes there were hard decisions. One such decision came about because of the fact that our boys did play sports. Do you see where sports are on the list? And where is Faith? Faith means not only prayer time and devotion time, but also, church and “not forsaking the gathering of the saints.” So this meant major decisions when it came to what sports and sports teams they would play.   That was not easy, but the boys put God first and God made a way!

Sometimes it meant, if there was a family emergency or celebration they had to put sports on the back burner. That can be a difficult struggle. There was a time we had to go home (to Ohio) for an important family celebration, and the boys also had an important game. They wanted to go to the celebration, but they felt such a heavy obligation to their team. So we went to the board, we put God first and asked him to help us keep our priorities straight and then we let the boys make their decision. They looked at the board, family was above sports, and so the decision was right there in front of their face. Did it make it easy to tell their team? No! Did the team still play their game? Yes! Did they make the right decision? Yes! Was the family member blessed? Yes! Were the boys blessed? Yes!

If we don’t keep God as our first priority, we make it easy for Satan to mess with all areas of our lives. If we keep our priorities in order, we make it harder for Satan to cause struggles and very easy for God to move in our lives.

When life gets hectic and nothing seems to be going right, those words on our board serve as a reminder to slow down pray and prioritize.

As students, you have so many things going on and you are taking so many different classes, that in order to be successful you have to learn to prioritize. When you make God your first priority, and listen to what he tells you to do first; things will fall into place.   There have been so many times that I just did not think I could get everything done or achieve the level I wanted on a project, but when I slow down, put God first, pray and ask for his guidance, it all works out.

This week, if you want to be entered in the drawing you need to email, text, or give me a written list of your priorities. I don’t want you to stop there. Print them out, and post them somewhere you will see them everyday. Place it on the mirror in your room. Place it on the inside of the door of your locker at school. Everyday when you look at your list, if you haven’t given God first place; stop, spend some time with him, pray, read God’s Word, and get your priorities in order

 

A’s, B’s, & C’s OR D’s and F’s

(Second in the Back to School Series)

 

Last week, I had you find a verse to help encourage you through each day. This week, I want to discuss a verse that you hear us quote quite a bit. Today’s verse is about confession.

“The tongue can bring death or life;

    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21(NLT)

I really like how the Message Bible interprets this verse: 

“Words kill, words give life;

    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (Message)

For schooling purposes you could look at it this way: the words you choose to speak over your education determine whether you get A’s, B’s, & C’s or D’s and F’s. I have rarely met a student, who comes to me for tutoring, in a subject, that doesn’t tell me they just hate that subject, or that they don’t get it. I have had students become very upset, break pencils and all the while saying things like “I can’t learn this.” Of course we all have subjects that are harder than others. We are all gifted in some areas more than others. That’s because we are all created differently, but that does not mean we all cannot have a level of competency to pass our classes.

You have to change your way of speaking. I want you to think of the class you have the hardest time with. Is it Math? Algebra? English? British Literature? Foreign Language? For the purpose of this post, let’s say it’s Algebra. Let’s line up your mouth by saying what you need to say to succeed in class.

The first and most important element is that you realize, as a Christian, you know the Creator of everything. Therefore, you know the Creator of Algebra. God created numbers; he even has a whole book of the Bible named Numbers. It goes to reason, that if God created numbers, then he understands them and the subject you are studying better than anyone else on earth.

We understand that everything we confess, must line up with the Bible if we want good results. Here is an awesome revelation: the Bible also says in

1 Corinthians 2:16

“ . . . But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”

This means you have the ability to learn whatever God created. God created Algebra, you have the mind of Christ, therefore, you CAN understand Algebra.

This year I want you to start speaking this confession over yourself. Put it inside the cover of your notebook for the class you are currently having the most difficulty with, confess it before class, and before you do homework for that class.

Lord, I thank you that you created all things; therefore your understanding surpasses that of everyone on earth. I thank you that you are imparting that wisdom to me. I have the mind of Christ. I can understand (insert subject). I thank you that you are teaching and showing me what I need to do and giving me a desire to learn more in (insert subject)class.

Now that’s not where we are ending today, because where a lot of people make their mistake is they think if they just speak that everything will line up. You can speak that you want that food on the dinner table 1000 times but until you get up and sit in front of it at the table and use your fork you won’t be able to partake of it. So let’s look at the entire chapter of Proverbs 18 and take time to look at a few more verses.

As you read this chapter in the Message Bible we see some other verses that apply to our education:

2 “Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;

    all they do is run off at the mouth.”

Be sure you keep your mouth in check! If you start to hear yourself speak negatively, stop and amend your speaking. Also, make sure you are only conversing about wholesome topics.

9 “Slack habits and sloppy work

    are as bad as vandalism.”

You have to study and not only turn in your work, but also turn in work that is neat and organized. If you need help with this, talk to your teacher or parent or I am always here during study hall on Wednesday nights starting at 3:30 pm and we can work on that.

13 “Answering before listening

    is both stupid and rude.”

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Most likely, because, as a young person, this was a bad habit I had. I still continue to work on this, daily. Basically, stop listening to respond. Instead, listen to hear, then take it in, comprehend it, pray for God to help you understand it and then if it requires a response, then respond. If it doesn’t require a response, then remain quiet.

You all have watched shows where someone in school has their hand up before the teacher is finished asking a question, or better yet a game show where someone buzzed in before the game show host was finished with the question, they answer the wrong question, and lose their money. This is because they were listening to respond instead of listening to hear. Have you ever been listening to your teacher, but arguing with her/him in your head or coming up with questions before they are done. Curb that reaction and listen, really listen.

15 “Wise men and women are always learning,

    always listening for fresh insights.”

Notice the word listening again? We should always be listening and learning. ALWAYS. You have to put in the work. You have to make learning a lifestyle. Remember to always make time to for your studies. Also, make sure you are not idolizing the “A”. Go to class with the goal to learn something that you didn’t know. Learn for the sake of learning. Fall in love with learning; strive for progress, not perfection. As you do, the more you will enjoy your classes and the more you will learn.

This week, if you want to be entered in the drawing you need to email, text, or give me a written note with the specific subjects for which you are confessing. Pastor Dany and I are going to agree with you for progress in that subject. Also, keep in mind that every Wednesday, beginning on September 23, 2015, we will begin this year’s study hall. If you wish to come and work on your homework and study till church begins, you are welcome. If you need tutoring in any areas, please contact me and let me know. These tutoring sessions are free so there is no reason not to take advantage of them.

Your Best Year Yet

Some of you have begun the new school year this week and the rest of you will beginning in the upcoming weeks, with this in mind, I would like you to take sometime and think about making this your best school year yet. Whether you are a 6^th grader or this is your senior year this can be your best year!

First, lay out some ways that this can be your best year. What were some ways that made last year hard for you? Then look at what the Bible says about what you should do. For instance, maybe you had a teacher that just did things to drive you nuts, maybe someone hurt you, whether the meant to or not. Maybe you were bullied. Maybe you were in a relationship that didn’t go well. Let’s begin this year with a clean heart. God say’s in Matthew 5:43-45 (NLT) that we need to pray for these people.

 

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ [a] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! [b] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.

 

As we pray for these people, a change takes place in our hearts that allows us to then follow another command from God, which is to forgive these people. In fact, in Matthew 6:14 (NLT), it is made very clear:

 

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

 

You may be thinking, they need to ask for my forgiveness, but it doesn’t say only if they ask. God’s forgiveness is for their sin. Our forgiveness towards them is so we can keep our heart and motives clean before God. This allows us to walk in love towards these people.   Think about it, as you pray for these people, forgive them, and walk in love towards them you could ultimately lead them to the knowledge and love of Jesus.

Keep in mind that all people are going through struggles, all people are growing and learning, and this is probably truer for young people than any other age group.

Let me leave this with you, as you know, we have three sons, two of my sons, both have had other young boys whom they did not get along with, while growing up. They just didn’t like each other. One son and another young man couldn’t even sit together in children’s church without getting into an altercation. The other son had one on one physical battles with another young boy every time our families were together. It didn’t seem to matter what, we as parents (on both sides) did, nothing seemed to help. So we all just decided to not have them together. If we were in children’s church or at an event they were kept separate. As they all grew and grew in understanding and applied the principles above, they became friends. Visiting each other’s homes, going camping, attending special events, graduations, each other’s sporting events, concerts and even studying the Bible together and asking each other to pray when life’s situations arise.

 

If you had told Dany and I that any of these boys would be friends today or even just able to sit next to each other without altercations, we probably would have rolled our eyes.   But now they really truly are friends! And they all have turned into wonderful young men of God! But think, if they (any of the 4) had allowed bitterness to overtake their hearts, and hadn’t shown forgiveness and been able to just move on from that, they would all still be miserable, but instead they are all friends and are enjoying life! This is the miracle of God’s love. I promise you as you apply God’s Word in these areas, you will have taken a big step towards this being your best year of schooling yet. God is that good!

This week’s challenge is to find a scripture that you can apply this school year. Then I want you to post it where you can see it, not only before you leave for school, but also where you can see it throughout the day. Maybe in the notebook you use during the class you need it the most, or in your locker.

To be eligible for this month’s drawing you must send or bring me the verse you have chosen. This in addition to the next few weeks’ correct answers will allow you to be entered into the drawing for this month’s prize. The drawing will be held during the 4^th Sunday morning Krave service. You must be in present to win.

Are You Kidding?

Have you ever read the Bible and thought, “God, are you kidding?” God’s answers to what is happening in our lives today, usually does not line up with the world’s answers, your neighbor’s answers, our friends’ answers and unfortunately sometimes they don’t line up with even our teacher’s answers.

Let’s do an exercise: Think back to a time that someone really hurt you. Can you picture it? Now, what was your first response? What did you want to do?

Did you want to retaliate? Did you want to give them a verbal lashing (tell them off)? Did you want to get them in trouble? Did you want to hurt them? Or did you want to pray for them?

Krave, I can hear you now, “Pray for them? Are you kidding?” But that is just what the Bible says to do in Luke:

²⁷ But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [^[a]in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,

²⁸ Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. Luke 6:27-28Amplified Bible (AMP)

³⁵ But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors ^[a]so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but ^[b]considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.

³⁶ So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

³⁷ Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and ^[c]release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and ^[d]released. Luke 6:35-37Amplified Bible (AMP)

Does it really say forgive them in the last verse? Yes, notice it says forgive them and you will be forgiven,

It doesn’t say to carry it around with you, rehearsing it in your head, and hold a grudge. It really does say PRAY – Pray for their happiness. Treat them well. Pray for God to bless them. Be kind and do good for them expecting nothing in return. Be merciful to them and forgive them.

 

Everyone on earth has been hurt by someone. I promise you that as you get in the Word and find out for yourself who you are in Christ, the less people will be able to hurt you. But furthermore, when you are hurt, when you apply the Word of God to your life by following what he tells us to do, you will find it hard to hold bitterness in your heart towards people. And when you don’t hold bitterness in your heart you feel better about yourself

We all as Christians are continually working on this principle. Everytime someone hurts us we have another chance to put this into practice.

These verses right here are a prime example of why it is so important for you to get into the Bible and search it out for yourselves. You have to do the praying, you have to read the Bible, and you have to hear from God yourselves.

We are blessed with a wonderful church, which allows us to learn from great pastors and teachers, but you have to still get in the Word for yourselves and make sure everything you are taught lines up with the Word. Pastor Dany and I challenge you to do this every service. This is why he gives you an outline online before services even begin.

You need to search out, more in this day and age, than ever before, what you teachers, friends, neighbors, media, and yes, even parents tell you.

My mom taught me this. She used the Word to teach me what was right from wrong. When I would come home as a young girl upset about being teased or what today’s world calls bullying, she would tell me who I was “In Christ” and make me repeat it back to her. She would then say, Faith, you need to not let what everyone else thinks or does bother you, get in the Word, and do what God says. Then we would pray together. She would send me back the next day to be kind to the person. Boy, I did not want to do that! But, I did. She instructed me to be sure to purposely do or say something kind for or to that person. Sometimes we would think of something together. Those moments made me strong today. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I thought it was awful then, but I learned I was more than what anyone else said I was, I was and am what God says I am.

Now when things happen, I know how to go to the Word and search it out and pray and do what God says to do, no matter how backward it may seem. I don’t go to my Mom (well sometimes I do) and I don’t get a general consensus from my friends on what to do. Again, I read the Word, search it out, pray and do what God says to do.

Teens, if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, have a Bible, attend a church with biblical teaching and have a good mentor, whether a Christian parent, youth pastor, etc. then you have everything you need to pursue your own relationship with God. It is imperative that you do this for yourselves. NO ONE ELSE CAN DO IT FOR YOU!!!!

So remember: Search, Pray, and Do!!!

Our Question for this week: Luke 6:49 What is a man who merely hears and does not practice doing My words?

Do You Know Why You Believe What You Believe?

I had planned on writing about knowing why you believe what you believe.  As I was praying about what to write, an article by Luke LeFevre popped up on my Facebook page from The Rebelution.  Luke’s article is well done and so I am encouraging you to read it for yourself.  I also encourage you to follow The Rebelution this is a site based on the books Doing Hard Things and Start Here that Pastor Dany has taught lessons from in the past.  If you were with him in Middle School you hopefully remember these lessons.  If you would like to read these books, we have them to lend out.

Knowing What You Believe. Know Why You Believe It.

By Luke LeFevre

As I sat in my room I remember thinking, “I have believed there was a God for as long as I can remember, but why do I believe it?”

I had grown up in the church, going every Sunday and being highly involved in our youth group. I had known God existed and had read and studied the Bible for years. I committed my life to Christ at a young age and He had transformed my life and given me a purpose.

But as I sat there, I knew that if someone asked me to give them a reason for why I believed God existed I would, besides giving the typical Sunday school answer, have nothing to say.

Don’t get me wrong, when I say I would have nothing to say, I do not mean I would not be able to present the gospel or how God had changed my life, but when confronted with the arguments that are presented by atheists today I would be completely unprepared.

Today’s atheistic arguments are complicated theological, social, and scientific questions which require deep and specific answers.

To read the rest of the article please go to:

https://therebelution.com/blog/2013/11/know-what-you-believe-know-why-you-believe-it/#.Vaa3nNDD-M9

 

Now for some fun, as I stated last week, each week I will be writing a blog to go along with Pastor Dany’s teachings. Each week I will pose a question at the end of the blog. Krave Youth, if you can bring me the correct answers, to each of the questions, before our 4^th Sunday Morning service each month, there will be something special in store for you. Each month will be something different. It could be something small, could be something big, something funny or something serious. You have to bring me the answers to find out. Also, if we have more answer all the questions than we have prizes for then you will be entered into a drawing for the prizes

 

Our Question for this week:

What verse did Luke LeFevre use as the basis for his article?