Matthew 5:1-11

Read Matthew 5:1-11. This section is part of the Sermon on the Mount and is know as the Beatitudes:
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

When you look up the word beatitude in the dictionary, it reads supreme blessedness, exalted happiness. Some of those situations don't sound like blessings to me, but Jesus then tells you why.

When a group of middle school youth and I went to believe ( a conference) this past April, they played this song based off the beatitudes. Listen to it below:

What blessed are... stood out to you? Did one just touch you a little more than others?

This week we have talked about some tough things. Being a follower of Christ isn't always easy and sometimes feels like we have no one in our corner cheering us on, but that's not true. Jesus is right there with us through it all and is always in your corner.

Hebrews 10:24-25

How long do you think you could go without talking? This includes texting, Facebook, sign language, letters, any form of communication with another person or object or self. A couple of minutes, an hour, all day, what about weeks?

Even a good competitor would be challenged by this. After so long you would want to talk to someone. You would probably begin to feel alone. We weren't created by God to live life alone. Even in the beginning Adam wasn't alone. He walked with God and then God created Eve.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we lived life alone, we wouldn't have others to encourage us or to love us or to hang out with.

Being a Christian can mean you will possibly be treated differently or judged by others. Sometimes it hard to let others leave you out or call you names or make fun of you, but that's the beauty of having Christian friends, a youth group, and a church of people who love and support you. We should all have each other's back.

Think of a time when you felt alone. How would it of helped if you had encouragement, love, and support from others? How would it of felt to not only have support, but to know that someone was praying for you?

Pray today that God would put on your heart someone you can encourage and pray for that is in the youth group or a member of the church. Then let that person know (letter, Facebook, text, ect) that they are loved and being prayed for.

Malachi 3:14

Have you ever thought that because you were young God isn't at work in your life? Or that if you weren't a Christian life would be a lot better? What about if your story matters? If you answered yes, then you aren't alone. I think everyone goes through a stage where they wonder the above things. In Malachi God says to the people: You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? (3:14)

Futile means useless, incapable of producing any result, ineffective. This is just one example of people in the Bible doubting God and wondering about life. Sometimes it is comforting to hear other people's stories and see that God is still at work. The following video is called Cardboard Testimonies. This is where people are given a piece of cardboard and a sharpie. They share how God has transformed their life. So the front is a before and the back is the after.

I could get lost watching Cardboard Testimonies. They are encouraging and I love to see God at work in the lives of people. Feel free to watch more on youtube. Today pray that God will transform you and that you will see how life changing serving God is.

Matthew 16:25-26

Matthew 16:25-26 says For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Yesterday I asked if you could deny yourself, today I am going to ask if you can let go.

When I got to college I always heard this phrase of letting go and letting God. Sometimes this phrase really bothered me, because I didn't always want to trust God or I didn't understand how God would turn things around. Others times I was giving things to God in a heartbeat, like the stress of finding a church to get involved at or the racist roommate I had or finding a job that I would benefit from more than just financially.

When I look back on the experiences where I gave things over to God and trusted him I learned a lot about myself but also about God. So for example the roommate situation: I learned that I had to stand up for myself and to be who I am and not what other people want me to be and God taught be patience, because there were many times I wanted to just slap that girl silly. There are many stories I can share about both holding on and letting go, but the important thing is that even in the tough situations God always came through. As much as I hated hearing the phrase let go and let God while I was in college, there is a lot of truth and comfort behind it.

Is there something that you need to let go and let God?

Matthew 16:24

When was the last time you played follow the leader? I still love this game, both as the follower and as the leader. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Jesus says follow me, so essential someone could say we are playing follow the leader with Jesus. The follow me part makes lots of sense, but what about the deny myself and take up my cross?

If I told you to build yourself a cross and carry it around with you all the time would you do it or would you look like me and think I am crazy? I hope you would think I am crazy. Jesus isn’t asking that you draw attention to yourself that way, but he is asking that you draw attention to yourself with the way you live your life.

Denying myself. This might be one of the hardest things Jesus asks of us. To deny ourselves we are giving God our dreams, desires, and fully trusting him. Have you asked God what he wants you to do after high school? Your dream might be to go to college and study music, but maybe God is calling you to not go to college and to go to Africa to do mission work. Are you willing to not only ask and listen, but to trust and follow? 

Pray that this week you can deny yourself and follow Jesus.

Matthew 22:39

Today's devotional is part two of yesterdays.

Today's verse says: And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’~Matthew 22:39. Of all 613 commandments Jesus sums them up with Love God and Love People.

I have heard a lot that youth and children are unable to make a difference in the world because of their age. Age is really just a number, especially in this case. There are many stories of youth and children making a difference. But instead of focusing on stories of others, let's focus on what we can do to make a difference.

Over the summer a group of high school students from the church went to Washington DC. They made a difference to many people from sitting with a lady with alzheimers, to cleaning a neighborhood park, to sorting donations at a shelter to cleaning people's yards.  This year you will have many opportunities to make a difference right here in Findlay.

Watch the following video:

You can make a difference at your school. Reach out to those who don't have friends, stand up for those being bullied, sit with someone who is by his or herself at lunch. You can make a difference in your family. Help mom and dad with the chores without being asked, ask you parents how you can pray for them, actually have a conversation with your parents (say more than yea or you know). You can make a difference in Findlay. Middle School sign up for the Fall Retreat, everyone can participate in the service projects we will be starting and this summer is the local Mission Trip. You can make a difference overseas. Come to youth group to hear about an opportunity for this one.

Jesus tells us to Love God and to Love People. Ask God today to show you how to love people and make a difference. 

Feel free to leave comments on how we as a youth group can love people here in Findlay.

Matthew 22: 37-38

Many times people will look at Christianity and get turned off because they just see it as a list of do's and don'ts. I mean, there are only 613 commandments in the Bible. Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was and said: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. ~Matthew 22:37-38. 

Loving God seems like an easy thing to do. Doesn't it just take reading the Bible, spending time in pray and silence, and doing the right things even when no one is watching? Yes, but there is more to it than that. What's it mean to love God with our heart, soul, and mind? Let's look at those three words. To love God with our heart means that we desire or long for time with God. To love God with our soul means with our own will, not the will of our parents or pastors. To love God with our mind means that we make an effort.

When we desire to be with God, make it something we do on our own, and actually make an effort to follow God we are living out these verses. Loving God can be hard, because loving him includes trusting him and following Jesus' example. Both of those can seem like impossible tasks but that is why we have grace. God doesn't expect us to be perfect but he does expect us to try and not give up.

Spend time thinking about ways you can love the LORD with all you heart, soul, and mind. After a few minutes pray and ask God to reveal to you ways he wants you to follow him.

Sometimes we mean well to follow God but it takes someone in our corner encouraging us and checking in to see how we are doing. Do you need someone like that? If so talk to me or another adult in your life who is a spiritual role model to you (like a Sunday School teacher, parent, your confirmation mentor, ect) and ask if they will help keep you accountable.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Take time and slowly read the following song lyrics:

Your are a treasure, worth more than anything under the sun or the moon, God's greatest treasure, is the treasure of you ~Treasure of You by Steven Curtis Chapman

There could never be a more beautiful you, don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through, you were made to fill a purpose that only you could do, so there could never be a more beautiful you ~More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz

You mean so much, that heaven would touch, the face of humankind for you, how special you are, revel in your day, you're fearfully and wonderfully made, you're wonderfully made ~Imperfection by Skillet

To go along with these lyrics read the following verses:

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” ~Jeremiah 1:4-5

Sometimes it’s easy to look in the mirror and not like the person looking back. Maybe it's the haircut or the pimples or your nose or your complexion or whatever you don't like. The great thing is what the song lyrics and the Scripture say God formed you, treasures you, and that you are wonderful. And more importantly he has set you aside to do his work. Just as you are God can use you and God wants to use you.

Pick one of the song lyrics or the scripture, write it on a note card or piece of paper, and carry it with you all day. Then hang it in your room or someplace where you will see it every day. Throughout the day and for the next week or so remind yourself of that message.

Pray today that God will help you see yourself the way God sees you.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do the following activity then come back and read the rest of today's post.

Find a deck of cards (don't have some, find books or any object that is stack- able). Build a card tower (angle two cards together then lay one on top). See how long you can get that tower to stand.

Now actually do the activity...

Card towers frustrate me. They are one thing that no matter how much I practice, I am not any good at. How was your card tower building experience? Did you become frustrated? How long did you get it stand? Anyone got some pointers for me?

When you get a card tower standing you want to do whatever you can to keep it standing. So, if your brother walks in the room, you make sure to keep him as far away as possible because you know he is going to make a bee line for those cards. Our bodies are like those card towers: unique, being bombarded, and fragile.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Life is hard and sometimes, like those card towers, it doesn't take much to get knocked down. Honoring God with our bodies is like protecting your card tower from your brother, it takes work, but in the long run its worth it.

Take time today to thank God for creating you, specifically for being unique and one of a kind. Also spend time listening to see how God wants you to honor him with your body.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every Christmas season, I have a strong dislike of going to the store. Why, because of those Salvation Army bell ringers. I know, it sounds weird, but those bell ringers make me uncomfortable. Either the people are a little too friendly, or they seem completely bored, or that high pitched bell just strikes a wrong nerve with me, but I feel pressured to give money. Half the time I don’t even have cash or change to give (they should take that into consideration). Due to the circumstances I usually give money to the Salvation Army out of guilt. When I do give out of guilt or pressure it means nothing to me.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This verse makes me feel like a horrible person. When I give to the Salvation Army I give with the intent of helping them. I feel I am making a difference, but truthfully, my heart is not in it.

Have you ever felt pressured or guilted into donating money or time to an organization? Did it affect how you gave or served?

How do you think you can change your attitude the next time you are pressured or guilted into giving?

Proverbs 23:4-5

Proverbs 23:4-5 says Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

What comes naturally to you? Are you a good athlete, a good musician, a good speaker? What makes you, you? The things you listed  are probably easy for you not to trust God with. For example, if you are a great gymnast you might forget to ask God for strength and be thankful for the talent. But when you get outside of your comfort zone that is where you need to lean on God’s guidance more.

Over the weekend how can you step outside your comfort zone and trust God?

Psalm 49:16-17

 Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them ~ Psalm 49:16-17

There’s this phrase- he who dies with the most toys wins. This passage challenges that. IF you are always trying to get the biggest, newest, best thing, you are missing out on the surprises of life.

Listen to the song American Dream by Casting Crowns.

 Are you building a castle in the sand? Are you pushing God away because of that castle? Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you see the castle you are building and how to focus more on God today.

Matthew 6:19-21

First, I need to admit that I loved watching TV growing up. With that said, I am going to talk about another show I used to watch on Nick. This show was about treasure and called Legends of the Hidden Temple. There are 6 teams that start, but by the end of the episode only one team gets to search the Hidden Temple for treasure. Watching game shows really hype me up. They seem easy but that's because we as watchers see where the players need to go. Legends of the Hidden Temple was fun to watch, but really only when the kids found the treasure.

If you haven't figured it out, today we are talking about treasure. What does treasure mean to you? Do you just think of money/wealth, or time spent with someone, or maybe even pirates?

Matthew 6:19-21 says Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Are the things you think of as treasure something you can store up in heaven? Matthew doesn't say what can be stored in heaven. Make a list of things that you believe cannot be stored in heaven. Then after that, make a list of treasure that can be stored in heaven. Which list was easier to make? What things did you put under the stored in heaven list? 

Sometimes it's hard to think of treasure that can be stored in heaven. The blessings from yesterday are small treasures you can store in heaven. Now try working on that list a little more. As much as seeing the kids on Legends of the Hidden Temple win the treasure, I think winning treasure in heaven is more important and more enjoyable.

Matthew 13:44

Growing up I had a Rugrats (check out an episode on youtube) wallet that I only used a couple of times. It mostly just sat in my desk drawer. One day a few years ago I came across the wallet and found a five dollar bill in it. At first I was confused, then I was excited, and then I wanted to leave it there to find again later. I think I ended up spending it.

A similar experience happened to a man in Matthew 13, which says the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Have you ever come across treasure? If you were this guy, do you think you could leave the treasure? Would you be afraid that the treasure would be discovered? Would you want to steal it, nobody would know it was you?

Everyone treasures different things. One thing I really treasure is getting to spend time out in nature, especially the woods. What are the things you treasure?

Try to keep your eyes open for treasure today and thank God for the many blessings we have.

Colossians 1:10

thrive:Thirst is here to help you spend some quality time with God. The thirst blog will be updated Monday through Friday and build up to the sermon and youth group on Sunday. Take time to reflect and let God reveal himself to you. Each devotional will last no longer than 15 minutes, they will include either questions, songs/videos, and/or little stories. I would recommend picking a journal or a notebook and using that each day to write your prayers, answers questions, write questions that you may have, or even doodle (but if you doodle something awesome, you better share!). Take your time, don't rush through this time, enjoy it.

Today, to start things off we are going to look at our theme verse Colossians 1:10, which says: so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Think about these questions:
How do you please your parents? Your friends? Your teachers?

What can you do to please God? Now that might be easy, read your Bible and spend time in prayer. But God wants more than that. Each time you go out of your way to help someone, you are pleasing God. Each time you cheer up a hurting friend, you are pleasing God. Pleasing God doesn't need to be complicated. So think again about what you can do to please God.

The greatest thing about God is that he loves you! He loves you no matter how many times you have failed or given up or pushed him away or how close you are to him. 

Pray today that in every way you can please God, but don't be overwhelmed. Start small and let God stretch and mold you along the journey.