Psalm 150

All week we are in Psalm 150 and talking about being thankful.

Psalm 150:1 says

Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Most of the time when you hear the word sanctuary, you think church, but it doesn't just have to be. Since God lives in us, where we are could be seen as his sanctuary. And actually, the church is more than just a building, its the people.

How can you praise God at the different places you go throughout the day?

1 Timothy 3:16

Today's movie is: The X Files

Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.



Daniel 2:27-28

Today's TV show is: ?
Today's Scripture: Daniel 2:27-28

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:

Colossians 4:3-4

Today's movie is: ?

Today's Scripture: Colossians 4:3-4

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 1:24-29

Today's movie is: ?

Today's Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness- the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

This week the blog is slightly different. There will be video clips of different mystery shows/movies and Scripture. No devotional. Remember all five of the movies and tell me at the Masquerade Party of Sunday and be entered to win a prize.

Today's show is: ?

Today's Scripture is: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5



This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1 Chronicles 29:8-9

During college I worked at After School Fun, an after school program that the church next to campus ran. My main job was to coordinate the food program; everything from ordering the food to managing volunteers and sometimes even cooking. One of my volunteers was the church's secretary and her name is Darlene. My senior year she was unable to volunteer because she was grieving the death of her husband and had to have knee surgery. About a month after surgery I went to visit Darlene and I brought along her favorite ice cream. I had only planned to visit for at most an hour, but I ended up having so much fun that I had spent over three hours visiting with her. My visit to Darlene brought her lots of joy and when she returned to work a few weeks later she told everyone about our visit. 

I didn't know how much my visit meant to Darlene until the senior pastor stopped me one day and thanked me for visiting her and giving her my time, because it really touched her heart.

I didn't really do anything special. I took an older lady ice cream and shared stories with her. But to her, it meant the world.

1 Chronicles 29:8-9 says Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

In my story, the precious stones was the ice cream. What are precious stones that you can give?

What precious stones can you give to someone else?

John 3:16

Today, as you watch this video think of the gift that this man gives.

This man gave the gift of life to all those aboard the train. The decision he made for his son to die had to be rough.

God gave us the gift of life. Let's look at Scripture and see what it says.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

The man in this video made the same decision God did- they both let their son die so that others could live.

To me, there is no better gift!

Spend time today thanking God for his gift of life to us. 

1 John 3:17-18

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. ~ 1 John 3:17-18

This Scripture makes me think of someone. This lady:

Mother Teresa

Here's a short bio, taken off of motherteresa.org



"By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus." Small of stature, rocklike in faith, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was entrusted with the mission of proclaiming God's thirsting love for humanity, especially for the poorest of the poor. "God still loves the world and He sends you and me to be His love and His compassion to the poor." She was a soul filled with the light of Christ, on fire with love for Him and burning with one desire: "to quench His thirst for love and for souls.

Mother Teresa gave the gift of love to many people in Calcutta, India and the legacy she left behind continues to inspire people today

What inspiration can you take from Mother Teresa? From this Scripture?

Pray that God helps you to love with actions and in truth.

2 corinthians 8:7-9

There is a man that lives in Massachusetts that is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy that has completed over 1,000 races, including marathons, duathlons, and triathlons (with 6 being Ironman competitions). His name is Rick Hoyt and with the gift of his dad, Dick Hoyt, he has been able to do it all. This story is inspirational in many ways, but the reason I am sharing this today is because of the gift that this father gives to his son.

Watch this video on the story (the audio is off a little bit at the beginning but then is better):

To read more information about Team Hoyt you can visit their website at teamhoyt.com

2 Corinthians 8:7-9 says But since you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you-see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Dick Hoyt has excelled in giving. Now we all might not be able to give a gift like Dick gives to his son, but we all can give gifts to others.

Ask God to put someone on your heart that you can give a gift to.

Romans 12:3-8

This week we are talking about giving. 

Romans 12:3-8 says For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Here in America, because we are truly blessed with many things we can sometimes think very highly of ourselves and forget about those who don't have as much as we do. In doing so we may not take the time to give to others.

When was the last time you donated items to Salvation Army or Goodwill or Chopin Hall? When you donate, what condition is the stuff in, can it actually be used again?

What about the people in your life. Have you ever given your time to help them without expecting anything in return or a form of payment?

This passage talks also about our spiritual gifts. We all have special talents God has given us, but we also are all able to do some of the above things. We have talked about serving, encouraging others, and even being a cheerful giver, but we haven't practiced that as a youth group.

What are you spiritual gifts? What do you find yourself doing a lot, that comes with some ease? Encouraging, serving, making people feel welcome, working with little kids, public speaking, musical talent, prayer, being a good listener, just to name a few.

How can you use your spiritual gifts to help your neighbors and what can we do as a youth group? Spend time with God discovering an answer and feel free to share that answer in a comment.

Tithing

This week we have looked at tithing. Today there is a no Scripture but a video that I want you to watch and really think about. There will be a few questions after the video, but let the video speak to you and touch your heart.

When you think of tithing, do you think of the money being used in these ways?

How has this week changed your outlook on tithing? Spend some time reviewing the Scriptures from this week and then in prayer about tithing and what that looks like for you.

Proverbs 3:9

If I challenged you to give God a million dollars in 2012 how would you respond?

Here's a true story about just that:

Steve owned a small business and had an annual salary of $50,000. He went to a conference where Dr. Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) challenged people to give a million dollars to the LORD’s work. Steve told Dr. Bright it would be impossible for his family to give a million dollars. Dr. Bright asked, “How much money did you make last year, and how much did you give?” Steve said, “My salary is $50,000 and we gave $15,000.” Dr. Bright said, “Next year, trust God to help you give $50,000.” But Steve said, “That’s my entire salary!” Dr. Bright said, “Trust God and see how He provides.” With God’s help, Steve’s business did well and his family joyfully gave $50,000. The following year, God helped them give $100,000. Each year, his family lived on his $50,000 salary and gave all their extra income to the LORD’s work. Within several years, they gave over a million dollars!

When I first heard this story I was like, "true, yeah right!" Then I felt kind of guilty because who am I to judge how God works in the lives of others. The neat think about this story is how Steve trusted and honored God with his money.

Proverbs 3:9 says Honor the LORD with your wealth, and your firstfruits of all your crops.

How can you honor God? Can you trust God with your money like Steve did? If not, what needs to change so you can.

Malachi 3:8-10

Today we have a video from the Skit Guys. It may take awhile to load.

What kind of giver are you? Do you know people who would fit the different types of givers they acted out?

Let's look at the Scripture they referred to:

Malachi 3:8-10 says “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

In the Old Testament God asked Israel to do many things, and many times the Israelites didn't listen. In the reading today, we see that they weren't following when God asked them to tithe.

Would you rob Chase Bank? Would you rob from Heaven's bank?

This passage is telling us that by not tithing we are robbing God. That kinda hurts.

But what if I don't have a job or source of income? Do you receive an allowance? Do you go out for dinner? Do you receive birthday or Christmas gifts? We all are given things. What if instead of that latest gadget, a quick meal one night, or gum you ask for the money and give it to God. Get creative, there are ways you can tithe without having an income.

The good news that this passage brings is that by tithing God will bless us in many ways.

Instead of looking at tithing as a chore or something you have to do, try looking at tithing as a blessing. God has blessed us with having money. Try returning that blessing to God.

matthew 19:23-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

To fully understand why Jesus says what he does about the rich man, you need to back up and read about the man. You can find the whole story starting in Matthew 19:16. Here's an overview:

A man approaches Jesus and asks him what it will take to have eternal life. The man says that he has followed the commandments and then Jesus tells him to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor. The man is unable to do so and walks away because he is wealthy. Then Jesus turns to the disciples and says today's passage.

What was it about the man's wealth that meant more to him then having eternal life? If you were the man and Jesus asked you to go sell your possessions and give to the poor could you?

Jesus compares the situation to a camel going through the eye of a needle. It's impossible for that to happen! According to Wikipedia the size of an average needle eye is under 1mm and an average adult camel is around 7 feet including the hump. That's quite a difference. But if you look back at the verse, Jesus doesn't say that it is impossible, he says it's easier for the camel. So the rich man could have eternal life, he just has to give up his love of money. And Jesus says that God can make possible.

Are you in love with money? Are you able to give 10% for God to use?  Do you need to ask God to make it possible for you to fully trust him?



Leviticus 27:30

If you missed youth group last night there's two big things:

1. I am challenging us (me included) to place something aside this week and spend more time with God. I will be spending no time on Twitter and limited time on Facebook this week.
2. On Sunday our activity is Live Monopoly. So come check it out!

This week we are talking about tithing. Let's first start off watching the Tithe Rap.



This video cracks me up. Could you imagine seeing this skit on Sunday morning?

Leviticus 27:30 says A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

What do you think of when you first heard the word tithe? Does this verse match your definition?

When I think of tithe I think of money and how 10% of what we earn is supposed to be given back to God.

This week as we talk about tithing, think about how you can tithe, even if you don't have a job.

Prayer and Reflection

Every now and then on Fridays we will take time for prayer and reflection. During this time you can look back at a devotional you missed or look over the questions and see what God is putting on your heart. Take about 10 or so minutes to do this. You can journal if that helps you stay focused.

I also want to challenge you to find someone to pray with. This person could be your mom or dad, a friend, a mentor, a coach, whoever you feel comfortable with.

When Jesus taught us to pray, he used the word us. Sometimes we overlook that in the Lord's Prayer. There is power when we share life with others. We aren't meant to do life alone, so on these days please stretch yourself and find someone to pray with.

Here are some tips to help you:

1. Think and pray about the person you want to pray with.
2. Let that person know that you are wondering if you can both share prayer concerns and then pray together.
3. Remember that prayer doesn't have to be fancy. Prayer is talking to Jesus!
4. Keep the prayer request between you and that person, unless you feel it's something you need to share with an adult.
5. Thank the person for taking time to pray with you and pray for them for the next week.

Remember that I am praying for you!

2 Corinthians 12:14

In this part of Paul's letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul has some concerns. If you continue on reading past verse 14 you will find those other concerns, but today we are going on focus on the middle part of verse 14.
what I want is not your possessions but you

Let's look at what's going on here...

Paul was someone who went out to spread the Gospel to people that the disciples were not reaching. Paul and his message of the Gospel were competing with idols and fake gods of the culture. In order to please those gods and idols people were usually required to pay money, property, and similar things. Paul knew the things of the culture he was up against so he would try to meet the people where they were. For Paul to tell the people at Corinth that he didn't want their possessions he grabbed their attention.

But let's take this another step farther. What would you say to God if he told you "[insert your name], I don't want your possesions, I want you."

God isn't concerned about the latest gadets and if we have them. God isn't concerned about if you're a Mac or a PC. God doesn't care if you sit the bench or if you are the star player.

God is concerned about your soul and if you are living your life for him.

Spend time today thinking about how you would react to God asking you the above question. Think of the conversation that would follow. Then pray that you will be able to set aside your stuff.

Matthew 7:24-27

 

Did you know the Bible has it's own version of the 3 Little Pigs? You can find it in Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Whenever I read that passage the 3 Little Pigs always comes to mind. While there are a few differences, one of the big things they have in common is the importance of foundation. You can build your life on God's words (rock/brick) or you can't (sand/straw and sticks). In both stories, you see which one lasts. Satan (the wolf) as much as he tries isn't going to be able to get to you if you are protected by a strong foundation. 

So then the question becomes how do you build a strong foundation. The difference between the two men in the Scripture passage is if they put God's word into practice, because they both heard the word. So what does God tell us? That's easy, open almost any Bible and read the red letters. Okay, that might seem overwhelming, but what it all comes down to (which is in an earlier devotional) is loving God and loving people. 

How is your foundation? Is it in some need of repairs? Ask God to point out areas of improvement and then listen for His response.

 

Luke 12:16-21

This video made me laugh, especially the spaceship. 

This parable can teach us a lot. There's the lesson about not knowing what the future holds, there's the lesson about not sharing, there's a lesson about leaving God out of your life. Let's take a look at what the parable says:

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Yesterday we talked about how having a lot of stuff can make us greedy. Today we are going to focus on how that stuff can get in the way of our relationship with God.

Have you ever meant to read your Bible, but got distracted with the newest youtube videos, or your tv show that, or sleep? What about making time to serve others or attend church, but you had a game and your team was counting on you to be there?

All that stuff we have, from our tvs and ipods to homework and sports, gets in the way. It happens to me too. I have a Bible app on my phone and there are many times that I sit down with the meaning to read it, but end up on Facebook or playing a game, or texting someone. This parable reminds us though, that our things aren't going on to eternity with us. We can value them all we want but one day they will be gone.

Is your stuff more important than God? Do you need to spend more time with God and less time with your stuff?

Luke 12:13-15

I have a confession to make...

I Have A Lot Of Stuff.

I think I first realized I had a lot of stuff when I was in Middle School and realized how messy my room was. It was bad. I was lucky to have a path from my bed to my door. There were clothes everywhere, clean clothes and dirty clothes were piled on the floor. My sports stuff in one corner and my music stuff in another corner. School stuff was in there somewhere too. My parents always told me to clean my room, but usually it went under the bed until a few days later when I would need something. I loved having a lot of stuff (except when I had to clean my room).

Do you have a lot of stuff? Do you have more stuff than your friends, your siblings, your cousins? What about compared to those in different countries?

The stuff we have eventually gets outdated, which means we want the newest version. Have you ever became greedy? Jesus told a story about being greedy, which we will look at today and tomorrow. Read the first part:



Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” ~Luke 12:13-15

Is your stuff making you greedy? Would Jesus agree with your answer to the previous question?

Think about all the stuff you have and pray that you don't become greedy.