the wild...

God created everything with purpose. Just like Henry Ford created the car so that we could travel farther and faster God created everything with purpose and for a reason. He is the manufacturer and we are the design. Think about a car for a second. Somebody made that car. So in order to know what the purpose of the car is (if you've never seen a car before) you would have to go to the manufacturer to figure out why that car was built. And if you can't get in touch with the manufacturer, what does a car always have in the glove box? That's right, an owner's manual. This manual has everything you need to figure out the purpose of the car and not only the purpose but how everything in the car functions.

Well, if you were a car then God is your manufacturer and the bible is the owner's manual. If you want to know your purpose you have to develop a relationship with your manufacturer and you also have to read your manual. I hope you get the point.

One more thing before I go on to the next topic. Before you try to figure out your purpose you have to know why you were created. If you try to find your purpose before understanding why you were created you will base your fulfillment in life on what you do. This will lead to frustration and an unhappy life. Do you know why you were created? I'll tell you why, to know God and to have an intimate relationship with Him. He says in the bible if there is anything you should brag about its that you know and understand Him (Jeremiah 9:24). That's that on purpose. Now to our next lesson.

We are past the halfway point of our devotionals for this year and we have covered much ground. I know some of you may be asking how can I take all this in, or who is going to help me remember and apply these lessons in my life. I don't like going to church and if I go I feel like falling asleep. I understand where you are coming from. We have talked about going to church and I strongly believe that you should find a good church that you should attend. But if we were honest with ourselves we would find that we spend most of our time outside of the church.

So if I only spend 2 hours in church on Sunday what about the other 166 hours out of the week. Well a lot of it will be spent sleeping. Lets say you spend 56 hours a week sleeping. Some of us don't even get that much. That would give us 110 waking hours. I don't know how accurate these numbers are but my point is that we spend a lot of time outside of church and so how are we going to get the help to apply these lessons into our life. What if I told you that there was a person who would be with you at all times and His purpose was to help you remember all those lessons and apply them to your life? What if I told you there was someone to lead you in your purpose in all your waking hours if you let Him? Well, I am here to tell you that there is such a person and His name is the Holy Spirit.

I struggled with whether I should talk about Him or not. He is not talked about much but He is the only one from heaven who is here on earth to help you. We talk about God our Father, which we should...we talk about our Lord and Savior, which we should...but we don't here much about the Holy Spirit and I think you should hear about Him. Like I said, He is the only one who is here on earth and He is here to help you. The bible calls Him the Helper and the Comforter. He has a few purposes and I will give them here. (1) To help you remember what Jesus said. If you read the bible or hear a preacher and you ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember the lesson He will do that. (2) He will teach you all things. If you don't have a preacher all the time He will be the one to teach you everything you want to know that pertains to life and Godliness. (3)And He will show you your future.

Now having the Holy Spirit is conditional. What I mean is that it is not guaranteed that you will get His help. Do you know why? Because you have to WANT to be helped by the Holy Spirit. If you don't have a strong desire to be taught by Him and led by Him He won't do it. He is not your servant He is your helper. You have to want Him. He is a gentleman. If you don't want Him He will just stand back waiting. If you put a demand on Him He will come into your heart and help you. I challenge you today. If you have given your life to Jesus Christ ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. It might take a while. It might take some determination on your part. But if you are willing to wait it will be the most powerful experience of your life. The Holy Spirit came on Jesus before He started His work. As soon as the Holy Spirit came on Jesus He started working miracles.

If you are hungry enough to be filled with the Holy Spirit He will lead you on a wild ride. When I say filled, that means He will come to live on the inside of you and lead you and do those things that I mentioned above. He is not boring. He is the coolest leader you will ever have. He is wild. He is so wild that those in the old days who had a good relationship with Him would call Him "the wild goose" because He would just lead them in a fun and adventurous life. Get hungry for God and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit and your life will never be the same.

Mickey

the secret to life

Purpose is defined as the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. Since everything had to be made and/or created at one point, it’s understood that everything has to have a purpose. So why was I created? Why were you created?

The LORD has made everything for his own purpose…
(Proverbs 16:4; God’s Word translation)

Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds a lot smarter than one thing evolving from another. If evolution did exist, why does purpose exist? That’s a different topic, but it’s something to think about.

Growing up in the church, I have to admit I was blind to “purpose” until maturing and it wasn’t until I began attending youth ministry (teens, yanno.. what comes after children’s church), before it became as serious as it was supposed to be to me.

I remember the exact time it hit me too. It was the first time I realized I didn’t know what my purpose was. I was sitting in the sanctuary (either before or after the service) and my youth leader Deacon Daniel, who was sitting next to me, looked over and asked me, “C.j., do you know what your purpose in life is?” (Well… so maybe I don’t remember every exact detail… but it sounded a lot like that. You get the point!) I really didn’t at the time, and I didn’t want to seem like I was worthless, so I began spilling what I thought and wanted my purpose to be. I easily said I wanted to preach God’s Word through rap – although, I knew in my heart it wasn’t a great talent of mine. I continued to spill what I thought God had planned for me instead of what I should’ve felt in my heart was for me. At the time I didn’t even know what purpose was – let alone my personal purpose. So – if you’re still lost to why you’re here on this earth ( your personal purpose) – lets review why God put us here.

The one who had gone down also went up above all the heavens so that he fills everything. He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts to his church. Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.
(Ephesians 4:10-13; God’s Word translation)

So we’re not only here to prepare God’s people… but to serve and build up the body of Christ as well. Imagine this for a moment: “You are the only person on earth.” Scary thought, eh? I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie I Am Legend (starring Will Smith) but long story short, Will’s character was alone in a big city, and to cure his loneliness he placed mannequins (those stiff model things in clothing stores that wear the clothes better than you do..) all around the city, in different places and stores, and talked to them as if they were normal people. Yes people, loneliness can drive you crazy.

This movie is a superb example of the affects of loneliness. But what I’m getting at… is even God gets lonely. He put us here on this earth for the same purpose Will’s character placed the mannequins around the city. God’s purpose however, was more divine - obviously because we can move, talk, and think. But he gave us this free will because it makes him proud when we turn to him. When sin came into the world, we were put to the ultimate test. It’s now a challenge to serve God and live for Him (Thanks a lot Satan!). And it’s so much easier to fail than win. But you’re stronger when you do choose to win and choose not to give up. This makes God a proud creator, and this is pleasing to him. A lot more pleasing than a lifeless mannequin! And because there is so much sin in the world, we as strong Christian’s are responsible for helping our brothers and sisters of this earth stay on the right path, as well as lead them to this path. We do this by becoming ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries. And the best part about this is, within this purpose, we all are put here to reach out to different people. Our individual gifts will reach out to different people, because not everyone learns the same way. I assure you, that if you weren’t special my friend… You wouldn’t be alive today. So don’t hesitate think about and find out what your purpose is. Talk to God about it, search deep inside yourself, and stay in the word. God talks to me the most when I’m reading the Bible, or in church. So seek God in these places and he may turn up for you as well.

I’ll tell you, the only thing I fear about death is not fulfilling my purpose before my time on this earth is over. I pray God keep me here long enough for me to fulfill it, but I realize tomorrow is not promised. So do what you can, whenever you can, to work towards your purpose. My ultimate goal in life, is to hear “Well done my good and faithful servant,” after I enter the gates of heaven. Yours should be the same!

Be blessed, be a blessing, and stay blessed!
C.J.

what am I here for?

Why am I here? What is my purpose? It’s one of life’s biggest questions and for years I felt like the answer eluded me. I looked around and saw that it seemed everyone had a talent or some big dream they wanted to accomplish. I looked around at church and it seemed that everyone knew their purpose, what they wanted and why they were here.
I was scared that everyone else had talent, everyone else had a purpose but I was just here slipping through the cracks with time just going by with no real purpose.

Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.

I began asking God what MY purpose was. It didn’t come overnight but I began understanding how to fulfill my purpose and what it was. I began hearing the Word of God (through preachers and by reading my Bible). God put us here because he wanted to enjoy our company. He wants us to have a relationship with Him. That’s my purpose - to have a relationship with God. God also wants to use me to tell others about Him and that he wants a relationship with him. That’s also my purpose, to help bring others to Him – my testimony, witnessing.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)
God has blessed each of us with gifts and talents. There’s something that you do well that God will use to fulfill your purpose. Whether it’s music, sports or whatever career you choose, whatever talents you have, he will use this! That is good news! You don’t have to turn yourself into anyone else. God has made you unique! He will use your humor, your love, your life, your music, your comedy, your business sense, your sport to help reach out to others! He gave you all these things to help fulfill your purpose and while you’re doing that you can also enjoy your life.
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose. (Psalm 20:4)

Be Blessed,
Arlene

Gay Christians?

[below was a 'letter to the editor' I sent for an article about "the Gay Christian debate"]

********************************************************
"Firstly, I wanted to say you did a good job on the article. You presented both sides of the issue clearly.
On the issue, however, I think it's a silly argument.

You HAVE to change things (or add a little imagination) to even begin to take the side of believing God doesn't call homosexuality sin. I mean if we're talking from a Christian mindset and viewing things from a biblical perspective. The bible is clear that God calls the act an abomination. I don't believe God creates people homosexual. There's no biblical point to stand on that said that He does or would.
Is homosexuality the ultimate sin? No way, but what makes this issue so important is this very article. The fact that people justify it and say "God made me gay".

Stealing, murdering, adultery... sins that hurt people, there's no issue there because large groups of people aren't starting churches and debating that God made them that way.
Paul, in writing most of the New Testament, mentioned how some of his writings were to set things straight where others were bringing false teaching into the church.
The Bible does mention that in the last days people will seek after teachers that "itch their ears".
(I'm at work rushing this email, so I don't have the scripture reference with me at the moment)
In these last days people are looking for Pastors who can make them feel like they're okay, just the way they are. This just isn't going to work when they're facing eternity.
God wants us to come to Him just as we are, but He doesn't leave us that way. We become Born Again and our old nature is "buried" (represented when we're baptized), and we're new creatures in Christ Jesus. "Old things passed away, all things created new."

Homosexuality really is a perversion. I know gay people who I love and respect, who are REALLY nice people. I've had loved ones that have stolen cars, do heavy drugs, addicted to pornography, but we're discussing homosexuality.
I've heard the discussion that they're in love and God see's that (why would God want to deny them their happiness???):
It's one thing to truly love someone. You can be loyal, faithful, express appreciation, and share in life's experiences, but what God calls perverse is when that man or woman enters into a sexual relationship with someone of the same sex. He calls it unnatural. Like if a dad entered into a sexual relationship with his daughter (her being consensual); he could argue all day long about how they're in love with each other, but don't try to call yourself a Christian saying God made her for you.

Gay people say He created them that way.... No, the parts of their body they'd been given are literally created to join with someone of the opposite sex, and God ordained that for marriage.

Can a gay person be a Christian???
I don't think so, but I could see their being a Christian who struggles with Homosexual desires.
I'm a Christian, and I still have struggles and weaknesses. Some I'd be to embarrassed to discuss.
But I'm prayerfully trying to live Holy. Not saying "God created me this way, so it's okay."
**************************
If I wanted to try and say God made me to be that way, I'd have to find a different religion to support that because the Bible just doesn't.

I am compassionate to Gay people because I know the confusion and the struggle they must be facing, but just like with anyone else- we have to call sin "sin", and accept God's word as the truth.

Atleast for those of us who call ourselves Christians...

[please don't mistake my words for "Gay bashing" or that I hate Gay people. I certainly do not. I only meant to discuss the issue of what God's Word says about homosexuality]

What am I doing?

There is a question that people have been asking for years. It has been a mystery to some but to others who have answered the question it has made all the difference in their lives. I believe it is a question that we should all be asking if you have not asked it already. Schools try to answer this question as best as they can but are missing a big part of the puzzle. College universities attempt to make a stab at it, but without the main ingredient it doesn't work. What is the question or the questions that people have been asking since the beginning of time? The questions are...
"What am I supposed to do with my life?"
"What am I here for?"
"Do I have a purpose? If so what is it?"
These are all good questions that we should all be asking. These questions sit deep inside of us. They sit deep inside of every man and woman. Some of us have seen the people we have grown up with and those around us as models for our lives who did not seek out their life purpose and it has made us believe that we do not have a great purpose in our lives. I am here to tell you that statement is a lie. You do have a purpose. And you are alive so that you can make sure that you do that purpose. God was talking to a pretty young man one day and He said "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...I have ordained you to be a prophet unto the nations." This means that before that young man was born God already knew him and He had already planned out what he was going to be. Wow!!! Sometimes I really don't understand that statement but for this guy (Jeremiah) God knew who He was and had made a plan for Him before he even came into this world.
You are alive in the greatest times the world has ever seen. You are not here on accident. You were born on purpose. I don't care if your parents did not want you or if they say you were a mistake. THAT IS A LIE. You were born on purpose to do something that would have a great impact on the lives of others. If you are breathing that means that your life has meaning and you better get going with finding the thing you were born to do. God turned to the same man and said "I know the thoughts and PLANS that I have toward you, thoughts of good and not of evil, and thoughts of an expected end." If you want to know those plans for your life, if you want to know your purpose, do not be afraid to be who you are. Stop trying to be like someone else. Do not be afraid to follow your heart. God has wired you to do the very thing you were born to do. You only have one life. Build a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, learn how to hear from Him, and He will take you on the ride of your life. It will be hard at times. It's supposed to be but it is all worth it. It will be an adventure that you will not want to miss. He will direct your wildness and use it. He is not boring. He is wild Himself. You really can't contain Him in the thoughts that you have about Him. He is not what you think or what you have heard about Him. You have to get to know Him so that you can get going with what you are supposed to do.

-Mick
Youth Leader
//Cross Over Y.M.

If I died for you...

You may know me, you may not. But if someone came up to tomorrow and told you for whatever reason, I died so that you could live… What would your first thought be? If you died for me, and I knew you, I’d be able to understand a little bit. But, if I didn’t know who you were, I’d wonder who you were and who I was to you...

It’s not really hard to feel strongly about someone who would do this. Knowing I couldn’t ever thank that person, I’d feel like I owed them something and could never repay them.

Over time, that person easily becomes a part of your life. Anyone you meet becomes a part of your life and has the potential to gain your love, depending on how much their involved. Sure love is a gradual thing... and it can be hard to determine if you actually love someone.

It makes me think then… “How do I know I love someone?” or “What exactly is love?”

With anything I question, I turn to the dictionary first, because it lays out a concept that allows me to at least begin to understand something. So with defining love, the first thing I notice is there are countless definitions and meanings for this one word, many of them either involving “affection” or “sex”. To my surprise – here in this reference that has no view toward any particular faith, belief or theory – I see God’s name among the list of meanings.
It reads:
“the benevolent affection of God for his creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God”

Now wait a minute… How amazing is it that you can’t define love without God, in a world free to believe what they want to believe. Getting back to the definition however, I notice there’s that word “affection” again. So I define that. Along with it being described as “the state of being affected” it is “a fond attachment, devotion, or love.” Hmm… the state of being affected… That sounds a lot like what someone does when they become a part of your life. They make some kind of affect, even so simple as to meet you, or so extreme as to give up their life, so that you can live yours.

Earlier I mentioned the feeling of owing someone who would die for you. When someone dies for you, you can easily say “You owe them your life.” This is what giving your life to Christ is. He’s died for you, and in turn, you owe it to him to live “your life” for “Him” (because He gave up His for yours.)

Now you may ask… "What’s love got to do with it? What's love, but a second hand in motion?"

Let’s look at it like this:
A well know scripture is John 3:16. The first part of this scripture reads:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son…”
Before I get deeper into this, let’s just go back to the family of the sacrificed, which I mentioned earlier. When anyone dies, they leave someone behind, be it a mother, brother, father, or sister. If I were to die for you, and you attended my funeral, it’s not hard to believe your relationship with my family would be affected. The message I want to relay with this is that the relationship between you and God strengthened – as it would with any deceased member’s family. But He gave His ‘only Son’ as a sacrifice. Now this changes a lot. Not only did Jesus die for you, but under His father’s will, he agreed to sacrifice Himself for you.

Now picture my dad, being the reason behind me giving my life for you. He’d have to feel strongly towards you to be able to be willing to sacrifice his son, let alone his child.

I don’t know if anything I’ve said thus far makes any sense at all to you, but basically I’ve been trying to illustrate the greatest example of love to help you understand this phenomenon called Love.
The bible says, “We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave His life for us. (1John 3:16)” It also says “We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words. (1John 3:18)” There’s a difference between telling someone you love them and then actually living like you love them.
Live to love.... God and His people.

Be blessed,
C.j.

insights of love

This month's topic shares insight about love. Love is a special topic in the hearts of everyone because our world is engulfed in the spiritual power of love. Everyone talks about it. Friends ask each other if they love each other. Parents say "I love you" to their children. At wedding young couples whisper "I love you" in their precious vows. Many song lyrics boost the feelings of love. It is easy to love your friends, family, boyfriend/girlfriend and others. However "to love your enemies" takes true discipline of your will. I would like to share why we should love those who persecute you even if you "feel" like you want to punch them literally.
Loving your enemies is a contradictory according to the world's standards. We have seen many examples on hating your enemies and trashing their reputations. Movies such as Mean Girls and Superman show how we have archrivals and our missions in life are to destroy them. God says the total opposite of the world. In Matt 5:43-45 Jesus says " You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." You might be wondering why should I love and even pray for enemies but God gives a clear answer "that you may be children of your Father in Heaven." (Matt 5: 46). In case we don't remember, when we accepted God in our lives, we become His Children. We desire to be like Him. It is the same concept when I was little and I wanted to be like my dad. I would wear his shoes and walk around the house mimicing his every move. Just like I wanted to be like my Biological Father, I want to be like my Heavenly Father. God loves everyone including those who spat on His Son. We should do the same and love people who have hurt us.
Loving your enemies will humble you and get rid of your pride. When you first show God's love to those who persecute you; it will feel awkward for your flesh because your flesh wants to hate enemies but God inside you loves them. The more you show love and kindness to your enemie, the more comfortable you will get interacting with the person. With my first encounter of my "proposed" enemy, she gave me a look that could kill. At first I wanted to send curses to her and let her suffer much more than she made me suffer. But God reminded me of what His word says about loving your enemies. Luke 6:28 gives excellent wisdom and I highly recommend you read this powerful scripture. God wanted me to pray and bless her. At first, my flesh did not want to but we should not comply with our feelings but comply with what God says. I started to think positive about her and pray for her. Soon I began show love and kindness to her without hesitation. The more I show her God's love the more I show compassion toward her. Now I have no grudges toward her. There no hardness in my heart toward her. Show love as we have been shown love from God.
Even our enemies are loved by God so we ought to love them. God loves so there is no rational reason why we can't love that person or people. Our problem is that we see them in carnal eyes. When we continue to renew our mind and see them with spiritual eyes then we will see them as God does...one of his beloved creations. When we see them as God sees them then we will see them as Kings and Queens in God's Kingdom. Even if they are not saved now, they will be future royalties when they accept God into their lives. The more we love them then they will see Jesus. The more Jesus they see in us then the more we become more like our Heavenly dad.

-Brittany (FSU)