Devotion For Youth

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He Came, He Sought, He Saved

By: Adam R. Rinehart

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost,� (Luke 19:10).

When I was in High School back in the day, I loved to play sports. One of my favorite lines after we won a game was, “We came, we saw, and we conquered!� What a feeling that would run through our veins when we won! We would get crazy!

You know what? Jesus did the same, but in a slightly different manner. He came, He sought, and He saved! Just think, Jesus, the Son of God, which spoke and galaxies came into existence, stars burned into place, and the heavens and the earth unleashed in power and glory, came to this earth to seek us out, and to save us!

The more and more that I look at my salvation the more and more that I adore the Savior who sought me out, and saved me. Then, I ask myself, what kind of response does that deserve? The answer is my everything! Everything that I am is because of Christ, and therefore, everything that I am belongs to Him! Praise the Lord for seeking me, and giving me salvation! May God’s Grace Abound in You!

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Real Friendships

By: Beth Hays

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:3-4) NIV

I’ve heard it said several times that all friendships should have the beauty and depth of David and Jonathan’s. And I’ve prayed countless times for God to give me someone like that. I guess I didn’t realize I had to be ready to be that kind of friend before I could have that kind of friend.

I went most of my life without knowing the preciousness of a best friend. And the loneliness seemed unbearable at times. I had acquaintances and even a few surface friendships, but very few heartfelt, deep ones. God has since taught me that I didn’t yet know how to love, as a friend should. Friends should love the other as themselves. Well, I could love people like I loved me. The problem was that I didn’t love me.

I realized that I wouldn’t sacrifice things for me, let alone another human being. And I started to see that all those years searching for a friend were worthless until I knew how to be one. Over the past few years I have worked endlessly on trying to find worth in my heart and see God’s reflection in me.

Once I gained glimpses of this, I was able to see Him in others too. It wasn’t until I started to love myself that I could love anyone else. And just about the time I thought I cared enough about myself to sacrifice and care for me, I was given an amazing gift by someone who was also willing to sacrifice and care for me. I do have a best friend now and I love her dearly. And our friendship is as deep and precious as I imagine Jonathan and David’s must have been. But, I couldn’t have had or understood it without first seeing the beauty in me.

So many of you have shown me your intense loneliness and it breaks my heart. You deserve a friend so close that the relationship is as comfortable as a family should be. But, sometimes God waits to give us what we want until we can appreciate it. I hope and pray that you can begin to see the beauty in you and the reflections of our creator in His creations. And may that knowledge lead to beautiful friendships rooted in the God of love.

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Daily Battles



For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

We, like Paul, are merely weak humans, but we don't need to use human plans and methods to win our battles. God's mighty weapons are available to us as we fight against Satan's "strongholds." The Christian must choose to either use God's or the world's methods. Paul assures us that God's mighty weapons (prayer, faith, love, God's Word, and the Holy Spirit) are powerful and effective!

These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God. When dealing with the pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ, we may be tempted to use our own methods. But nothing breaks down these barriers like God's weapons.

God won't do anything until you ask Him. Ask God for help on your daily battles

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Being A Heartbreaker

By: Brittany Waller

"I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart." (Ezekiel 11:19)

Don't you wish some days you could change the hearts and minds of non-believers? Well I do every day! You want them to share in God's Word and see His light. I have many friends who are non-believers, and I can't even mention God around them without offending them. It hurts because they have built stonewalls around their hearts and minds.

Sometimes I think there is no hope. But, what we have to remember is that even if everything else is gone we must have hope. So, I turn to God and ask Him for help. Just being able to talk to God makes my soul soar with renewed persistence to carry on.

With the help of God we can change hearts, so let's get to work! I got my tool belt! You ask what is in this tool belt? Well let's take a look. A hammer to break the stone away, and do not run after your friends with this hammer, I meant it figuratively not literally. Safety comes first! Three nails to remember Jesus died on the cross to save us. A flashlight, because Jesus is the light of the world and of course you cannot forget the batteries. God's love is like the energizer bunny, it keeps going, and going, and going.

Not to disappoint you, but you are not going to break the stone away from every heart. Many people are stubborn and set in their ways. But, just being the Christian you are will reflect God's Word and change the hearts and minds of some and eventually break that stone away.

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The Promises of God

By: Jeff Lappano
Jeff@tddm.org



“So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to
me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing for
which I sent it.� (Isaiah 55:11)

I heard a preacher say something so interesting one time that it stuck with
me and I want to share it with you. What we consider to be promise of God,
He considers a prophecy. What does that mean and how does it work? Whatever
God says has to come to pass; as it is written that God is not a man that He
should lie. Whether He speaks a prediction type of prophecy or he speaks
just a simple word, it can only come to pass.

Has the Lord ever made a promise to you? If you’re His child, chances are
that yes He has promised made a promise to you! That’s point A, and point B
being of course, getting a hold of that promise. It can be a long road from
Point A to B; just remember Israel from their flight from Egypt to the
Promise Land! However, we have the benefits of the instructions of the Word!
First of all we should write down the promise. Secondly, we need to wait on
the Lord for Him to bring that promise to pass.

As time progresses on you can surely bet that the devil will come to you and
tell you that God is liar and will not fulfill His promises. We must always
remember that the promise is for an appointed time. God already has perfect
timing, and knows the exact day when it will come to pass, we are commanded
to wait on it because God is not a liar! God’s word will always come to pass
when He want it to.

So, check it out, I want you to think about what God has spoken to you. It
sure has been a while since He spoke about it, hasn’t it? It will come to
pass, I promise you! How do I know? Because the Bible tells us so!

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God Provides

By: Mandie Ross


“Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself...� Matthew 6:33,34

In this passage Matthew is making an appeal to us to understand that God has every intention of providing for us so we don’t have to worry about what we’ll eat, drink, or wear. Look at the birds. They don’t sow, or reap, or store things away, yet God feeds them. If we’re more valuable than they are, then what are the chances that God will do the same for us? And what about the lilies in the fields? They don’t run around looking for a flower to go with their stem, yet the stem of a lily is clothed with beautiful petals. I was recently challenged in this area of my life---letting God be my Jehovah-jireh.

When I moved out on my own over the summer I was happy to have a float device called a “savings account�. The savings has helped but I was naive to think that it was my lifesaver. I have used some of my savings towards various things and I thought I had it all under control until I was in a car accident, which left my car unrepairable. I was left with a ticket, towing fees, and without a car. I felt so defeated and almost in acceptance of “what’s done is done� that I hardly took the time to wonder how I would ever get an affordable car with my flotation device almost deflated. I was completely overcome, left with nothing. I didn’t ask for the things that followed, but God provided.

After the accident I went in to work and was informed by another employee that her brother was about to put his car up for sale---his nice and very affordable car. He even lowered the price for me after his sister told him about my situation. The day after that I was surprised to find that the back seat of the car I was borrowing was filled with groceries. Days later I received a call from someone at the church who, totally unaware of my accident, informed me that I would be receiving a gift basket of food and a gift card due to hearing that I was living off of ramen noodles since being on my own. And as if that’s not enough, I also had an offer for my heating bill to be paid for the winter.

Sometimes God allows us to go through unpleasant things so He can remind us that we can trust Him to provide for us. God’s got my back. Can He have yours too?

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The Perfect Guy

By: Sarah


“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind� (Luke 10:27)

Take a moment to reflect on your latest crush. Oh what a feeling it is to think that we’re “in love� or as I often call it, “in like.� As soon as his comes into sight, there are “butterflies� in your stomach. His name on your caller ID makes your heart skip a beat. Every song you hear on the radio, you relate back to him. A fifty-minute lecture goes by amazingly quickly as you daydream about the infinite possibilities. His name surrounded by hearts makes a unique border for your notes in class that day. Should you obtain a picture of him, you cherish it like it’s your highest prize. As a matter of fact, you probably know every last detail about this person. Somehow, he’s always on your mind, he’s got you on cloud nine. And should he smile back once, you can hardly breathe cause you know that’s the green signal. You can feel the adrenaline rush through your veins and your heart is pumping joy.

But the thought that that person doesn’t love or notice you, that crushes your heart. Now imagine Jesus feeling that kind of crush. He breathed life into you, counted the hairs on your head and planned the days of your life. He brought you into this world and basically provided you with more than you ever deserve or understand. His is a love that is unfathomable, one that is too great for human understanding. And yet, He stands there every moment, knocking at the doors to our hearts. He knows every last detail about us, watches our every move and cherishes us beyond belief. Many a time, we’re too busy to call to see what He’s up to or even to return a missed call. The song that’s stuck in our head does not remind us of our Savior and our biology notes do not remind us of God’s great miracles. We breathe just fine forgetting about Him, forgetting whose air we’re taking for granted!

We’ve all heard that being in love is a most amazing feeling. Surely God will eventually lead each of us to the love of our life, if that’s what He has in store for us. But the most fulfilling relationship must resemble the unconditional love that Jesus has for each us. Only when we truly fall in love with Him will we learn to love others the way He wants us to. In their song “You and Me,� Lifehouse describes perfectly how each of us should feel about our relationship with the perfect One: “It's you and me and all of the people, and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you.�

So you just met the perfect guy. Now all you got to do is give Him the green signal.

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Elementary Teachings

By: Heather

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of the hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so" (Hebrews 6:1-3)

We all have ups and downs and big bumps and small bumps in our walk with God. As we go to church, and pray, we start to learn what they call the "Elementary Teachings." It's the basic information that you are taught about God and His Word. Trust me, it’s a lot of information, but their comes a time where we need to learn more. We need to learn about God in a deeper intimate way.

I have found myself knowing that I needed to take a step forward with my walk in God and that can be a scary experience because you never know what he has in store for you. I would read up in my Bible on things that I already knew. Stuff that I already experienced. I thought that if I just knew the stuff I already knew but better that I would grow. Or sometimes we all feel like once we know the basics what else is left?

Once you break away from your early teachings, doors will open for you, you won’t have to open them. You will see God working in every area of your life. The change will happen immediately. You may think that nothing is happening, but God is just changing and preparing your heart for what he has in store for you.

We need to take that step forward and step away from the "Elementary Teachings" and learn more about who God is. What type of personality does he have? How does he speak to you? What is God’s will in your life? Many can be facing the choice of what college God wants you to attended. I know I am. This is a very big choice for me, its mapping out the rest of my life. And I have found out in my own life the more I stepped out, the more time I spent with God, the more I got to know him. But most importantly, the more he got to know me.

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The Miracle in Darkness

By: Beth Hays


Can the darkness speak of your miracles? (Psalm 88:12) NLT

I read this verse and the obvious answer is no. Darkness cannot speak of your miracles. Darkness is simply…dark. At the time I read it my mom was going in for life-threatening surgery. The one whom I have taken care of for years (she has been sick most of my life) was leaving me and I was 6 hours away, powerless to do anything. I think darkness was an understatement.

Then, I looked back on the course of my life. It has been a life of darkness. I have been in countless situations that have broken me. I have traveled a long, dark, lonely road. But, then I stopped in awe. Amidst the intense darkness, I saw light. I saw the light of Jesus. I saw the healing power of the One who saved me. I saw a miracle…in darkness.

There is no real reason why I should be a Christian today. If we took inventory of the supportive people in my life who were Christians, I could easily count them on one hand. So, why am I here? It is the very darkness of pain and agony in my life that caused me to see Jesus. I am a miracle of darkness. Can darkness speak miracles? Yes…the proof is within my soul.

God decided to work yet another miracle through the darkness of that day. My mom made it through her surgery…amazed her doctors. I was left in awe. But, because of that darkness I turned to a close friend for comfort and we ended up spending the entire night encouraging each other and we had one of the most beautiful and amazing talks I have ever had with another human being.

Does the darkness speak of the miracles of God? You tell me. But, I say “YES!� My friend, are you in that darkness now? Are you living in intense pain and not sure if it will ever be worth it? Not only WILL it be worth it, but it IS worth it. Look around you, precious one, the darkness is whispering the miracles of God.

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Entertaining Sin

By: Tony B. Rhoda


"Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more." (John 8:11) NASB.

When lights go out one night do you ever wonder if you will see them come back on in the morning? Does it ever cross your mind that today might be your last day on this earth? Have you? If you were to die right now do you think that you would be satisfied with the life that you have lived? Would Jesus?

It's been ages since I sat down to my old trusty dusty gray box. The one that I spent most of my childhood with. It's the one, the only, regular Nintendo. I grabbed the Super Mario Brothers cartridge and sat down for a quick game. Ten minutes later and countless times slamming, blowing, and rubbing the game, I finally got it to work. My childhood has come back to life.

As I continued to trudge my way through the never ending levels, I start to realize that I have totally forgotten how to play. Every time I would find a mushroom that would make me bigger, I would run smack into one of the deformed creatures and BAM! Right back to a little midget I started from. I made it a little further before I finally died and then turned off the power. Hmmm, interesting.

Some of us continue to entertain our sins everyday. Soon as we start to grow stronger we get slammed back down again in our walk. We try so hard to be the type of Christian God wants us to be. But, we lack the drive to do what it takes to become that Christian. Luke 8:13 says, "And those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall way." Ouch! Is that you today? Are you striving to be a Christian but every where you turn you fail.

The only, way you are going to become a strong Christian is to be grounded in the Word. Read the Bible daily. Start a routine in your life. Don't be afraid to pray and pray without ceasing. Also, get plugged in with some friends who instead of dragging you down will pick you back up. Because in Luke 8:15 it says, "And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word and in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance." What kind of Christian are you? More importantly, what kind of Christian do you want to be? The question is there. Now it's up to you to come up with the answer. God Bless and Keep the Faith!

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Friendships


"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." Proverbs 27:6 (NIV)

Sometimes there are times in all of our lives where we go through a period of stress with a good friend. It's hard, because life just gets in the way of your friendship, decisions you have to make, plans for the future, so many life changing things. It can be a major strain on any friendship. However, that is if we let it. When we care about someone, then we need to let them know how important they are to us, even when things get hectic. Let the people that you cherish try to see where you're coming from, rather than get angry and annoyed, and ruin your friendship over it!

There are times also, where things will be said that will hurt very badly. That's where this verse fits in. I believe that this verse is trying to encourage us that even though our friends might say things or do things that hurt us, if they are truly our friends, than we'll be able to make it through together. If you're going through a hard time, and you need to restore a friendship with someone, or get past some kind of hurt, I recommend you spend some time on your knees asking God to help you, and He will! Be encouraged that no matter how many hardships you may go through in friendship, Jesus is our friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) you can always go to Him!

Keep in mind as you go to set your friendships as God would have you: "A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17a (NIV) Just love your friends, even through the hard spots and it'll be okay!

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Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 John 2:1 Proverbs 14:12 Genesis 13:1-4

Results of Backsliding

Genesis 13:1-4

Even though Abraham returned to fellowship with God, irreparable damage had been done. When a believer backslides, he does things he will never be able to undo.

Abraham's testimony had been weakened, and damage beyond repair had been done to worldly Lot, Abraham's nephew. Lot had gone with Abraham to Egypt. The backslider never backslides alone; he always takes others with him.

Even though Abraham had backslidden and had brought about much damage, Genesis 13:3,4 tells us that he went back "to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hai; unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord."

God has made provision for every backslider. Just as Abraham returned to fellowship with the Lord, you, too, can come back into fellowship with Him if you have backslidden.

First John 2:1 says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

In the first chapter of 1 John, every believer is assured: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (v. 9).

Do not stay in the miserable place of disobedience. Come back to God and confess your sin.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12).

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Halloween
Pastor Roger

Psalm 27:1 says, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
John 8:32 says, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Do not fear anything, know the truth and be free. Celebrate the Lord and His ways only. He is your safety from evil.

The Spirit of fear is not of God. It is a debilitating force that can cause one to loose the proper perspective of life.

September 23 is the official first day of Autumn or Fall. This time of year is celebrated as the time of harvest. Thus having Thanksgiving. Many fall festivals are being held all over our country. One of the most celebrated times in Fall is Halloween. Something that really seems so innocent can really be "a sheep in wolves clothing." Halloween is the day before November 1 which is All Saints Day or All Hallows Day (hallow referring to saints). This day was a celebration to honor all Saints. These spirits were dead, but it was thought that this night they would come back to life. If you left a gift of fruit, flowers, bread or candy outside of you house then only good spirits would come to your home. If you didn't appease the spirits they would haunt you. It was believed that all the dead spirits would rise and wonder throughout the towns so you wanted to make sure you would be in their favor but putting out these treats. Some would light candles and torches at their homes. The evil or frustrated ghosts were supposed to play havoc on those who didn't show them favor. Any form of manifestations such as black cats, ghosts, witches, goblins, fairies and demons of all kinds were said to be roaming about. In olden times it was thought to be a time of joining with the spirits as dressing up in customs, like the spirits, nature creatures, or demons. Having a party and running around with them and taking the treats that were left out was thought to be a "if you can't beat them join them." This became lots of fun for some but for others became a time of evil behavior that would get out of control.

Our modern day "trick or treat", where we dress up and go door to door, may seem like the most innocent of things. Some will go a little too far in the trick area, while others really get into the evil and fear aspect. Some parent refuse to celebrate Halloween in their homes or let their children dress up. Some think it is innocent fun and play. Some churches have haunted houses in them and others celebrate Fall festivals. I believe the choice is up to you on how you view this.
Even as innocent as it seems at one level, at another level its innocence is lost altogether. Because of the modern revival of witchcraft, occults, and Satanism we need to be very careful. Many devoted to Christ think of this day as paying respect or drawing attention to evil and Satan is wrong and we must NOT do that. Evil, Satan, witches and black magic is really practiced in this world and they would love nothing better than to see others join in, even in the smallest of ways. Lets not give anything to Satan or evil. Celebrate Fall and the beauty of the earth and the bounty the Lord has given to each of us.