take

:   Read: Psalm 139:8-10
               Psalm 1:1-3
               John 12:26

     If you were at Effort Baptist Church on this year's Youth Sunday, you heard a sermon called "The Three T's". It was about the three ingrediants to making Jesus your BEST FRIEND and getting really close to Him in your everyday life. I think that these three things are essential to growing in your faith in God. What are the 3 T's? Take, talk, and time. I'm going to take the next 3 days and go over each of them seperatly. The first one is take.
     When I came to college, I had to bring soooo much stuff with me. I had to remember all my clothes, dish soap, towels, sheets, a computer, a desk light, batteries, paper, food, quarters (for laundry), posters, pictures, and of course my 50 million stuffed animals. But the most important thing that I took with me wasn't a thing at all...it was a person, and that person was Jesus. Having Jesus at college is way cool too...I mean, He's my best friend, right, and who wouldn't want their best friend to be right there beside them? He's here when I feel like I'm surrounded by the darkness on campus...He brings me His light and helps my light to burn bright in the dark. He's right there when I'm lonely, He'll always be there to talk to, even at 3 am when all my other friends are snoozing. He's there when I fail...He's there when I succeed.
      This kind of blows my mind...that Jesus, the perfect Son of the living God is willing to come with me, not only to college, but EVERYWHERE I go and everywhere any of His children go!   That's what TAKE stands for...take Jesus with you EVERYWHERE you go. It says in Psalm 139:8-10...no matter where you go...even if you go to the ends of the earth, God is by your side, holding you in His hand.    The sad thing is that even though He is right by our side...we seldom remember He's there...but we need to remember Him...He's God!   He is by your side, so why not pay attention to the fact! If you really make it a point to try and remember that Jesus is standing by your side 24/7 maybe your life will change. Maybe you won't listen to that certain song anymore, or maybe you won't be so quick to jump down someone's throat when they make you mad, or cuss when you get flustered.   Maybe you won't be so tempted to cheat on that test you forgot to study for, or go to that party to drink or smoke. Maybe being aware of God's presence will make you humble...maybe it'll help you restore a friendship you threw down the drain...help you forgive someone who stabbed you in the back.   People...especially your friends, will probably think you've gone nuts if you change your behavior that drastically...but it's what God wants. He wants you to do a 180 in your lifestyle.   God is there and He is watching...don't forget it...live a life aware of His presence right by your side...show Him and all of His creation love and compassion and selflessness. Jesus is standing by your side all the time...so live like it and take Jesus with you everywhere you go all through out life!