Luke 8:38-39
"Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.' And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him."
I've had people ask me why we continue living in this world even though we've been saved from Hell by Jesus' blood. They ask why we don't just go right up into heaven and be with our Savior? Just the same way Jesus told the previously demon-possessed man to go away and tell what God has done for him, he tells us to witness to tell people and share what God has done for us.
Witnessing can be done not only by direct word of mouth, it can also be spread the same way the man in the scripture "proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him." It can also be done by actions: being nice, helpful, loving, peaceful, faithful, hopeful. Anything that Jesus did, any little thing, we should imitate. He makes every one of us differently; hey, I have red hair for instance! W e're different so that we can perform the different tasks that exist for doing our part for Jesus. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them!" (Romans 12:6) I added the exclamation point, but I think it fits. The variety God gives in each and every one of us is so awesome. To Him we are flowers; our colors and scents are there for creating fruit. Everyone is different, and yet, every Christian is purposed for one common goal: "...so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another." (Romans 12:5) Jesus told the man to "return to your own house," not to go to India or South America. God has a plan for all of us. He may want us to be missionaries in Somalia, or He may want to to clean the bathrooms at the neighborhood church. Everyone is different, and yet, we've the common goal.
Extra time in the Bible: Luke 8
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Luke+8
Written by Josh Barrios, 17, New Orleans, LA
[email protected]
Revelations 3:15-16
�For I know your works, that you are neither hot nor cold: I wish you were hot or cold. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.�
This scripture should hit home for a lot of people. God says that it is worse to be in-between he and the world than to have never known him before. This is very true. God doesn't want his people to be playing games. Take time to think just what games you could be playing with God right now. If you are he will spit you out, lukewarm food doesn't taste very good, and he can't use someone who will easily turn his back on him and go with those things that he has kept a hold of. We need to totally cut off any things in our lives that could stop God from using us, and make us lukewarm. I recently have found myself stuck in this corner searching to see how he could possibly forgive me for playing games for so long and letting people think that was God. But no matter what he will forgive you and you can become hot again. Just sit today for a while and search yourself for these things and ask God to take them from you. Get ON Fire For God!!!!!!
Extra time in the Bible: Revelations 3
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Revelations+3
This was written by God through Jessica (a.k.a. JessLynn), age 17, from Indiana.
Psalm 1:5,6
�Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.�
This may not be the most popular scripture, but for some reason this passage struck me today. I feel sometimes we forget that this world is not forever. We get wrapped up in our daily tasks and school projects, go to Sunday services perhaps midweek service or prayer meeting, and forget that Jesus is coming back for a church that have made themselves ready.
We forget that THINGS will perish, but what we need to hold on to is righteousness and make sure that we are pleasing in the eyes of God. God knows the way of the righteous, and God knows what we're capable of; we are going to be judged on our own merits.
Nothing ungodly will last. We know what sinful things lead to. . .
death, both spiritual and physical.
We need to model our lives after Jesus! Remember that popular phrase? What Would Jesus Do? If we would truly model our lives after that statement we would be a righteous generation. I know its kind of overwhelming when you think of trying to be righteous and godly, but we have a Rock, a Counselor, a Savior, a Comforter, a GOD to turn to.
If we rely on him for daily strength and guidance, and not lean upon our own strength and understanding, we can grow closer and closer to the walk that Jesus had.
God, help us to be righteous, godly, and Christ-like young people despite the stereotypes and the environment around us.
In Jesus Name Amen
Extra time in the Bible: Psalm 1
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Psalm+1
Isaiah 53:6
�I've blotted out your sins; they are gone like morning mist at noon! Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.�
No matter what it is you have done if you once had a very close relationship with God, but you have backslidden maybe slipped away inch by inch or maybe on purpose you decided to turn your back on God. I want you to know that He still loves you with the same love as always and is just waiting for you to come back home. Don't allow the devil to lie to you and tell you that you have done such terrible things and that it is too late, the only time it is too late is if you are in the grave. Isaiah 1:18 says "Come, let's talk this over! Says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool." or Jeremiah 3:21,22 "I hear voices high upon the windswept mountains, crying, crying. It is the sons of Israel who have turned their backs on God and wandered far away. O my rebellious children, come back to me again and I will heal you from your sins". It is time to come back home.
Extra time in the Bible: Isaiah 53
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Isaiah+53
Written by Clayton E. Myers, 18, Wheatfield, IN, A student at North Central (Bible) University, Minneapolis, MN
[email protected]
Psalm 95:7b-8
"Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert"
Today God is speaking to you... he is giving you instruction for this new year/decade/century. The word is very clear about what to do when God speaks... Do not harden you hearts! The Jews had been led out of Egypt (where they had witnessed the power of God) and they were wandering in the desert. Unfortunately they hardened their hearts & they turned away from God. Many of you are backslidden... Many of you have done the same as the Hebrews did in the desert... Listen to what God is saying to you... He is saying REPENT! Don't harden your hearts this time! Listen to the voice of God & repent! To many of you God is giving instructions about your future. Listen for his voice, wait on him, and do what he is telling you to do! God is telling some of you to witness to your family, your friends, etc... Just do it & when you do what he tells you to do you are going to see miracles happen through you from God. People are gonna get saved & healed & all of the other good things that God has in store for them will happen!
Hear & obey!
Extra time in the Bible: Psalm 95
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Psalm+95
Sarah Holmes, 16, [email protected]
Paul writes in:
Romans 8:18+25
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us... But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."
Rom. 8:35+37
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
DCTalk recently released a book entitled "Jesus Freaks." The book is kind of like a modern-day "Foxe's Book of Martyrs." It tells the stories of people who gave their lives for what they know to be true, from the stoning of Stephen to when Cassie Bernall was shot for her faith in Littleton, CO. Their ages range from around 7 years old to 70's and 80's. In reading it, I started wondering if I would give up my life for Christ, even if it means enduring torture such as one man whose skin was slowly peeled off of his body, and was burnt and molested, starved and beaten. Even Paul, who wrote these verses, was tortured, captured, and eventually crucified upside-down. Yet through all of his tribulations, he continued to praise God and encourage others to endure the persecution as well. God tells us through Paul that the very worst things that we could ever imagine being done to us are not even comparable to eternal glory and life! Most of us don't have to live each day in fear of being captured and tortured. We need to be thankful that God has given us such an easy life, but we also need to be reminded of the fact that God is REAL, He's not just a little cloud that floats around, and you thank Him for your food, and you sing songs about Him at church. This is a real issue here. Either we will stand for Him or we won't. You need to decide right now what GOD means to you. Will you die for Him? He died for you.
Extra time in the Bible: Romans 8
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Romans+8
Written by Ali from Fl.
John 3:16;
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting love."
This verse is one of the most known verses in the world. Millions of people know it but only half of those millions truly understand what it means! If you really look at it, it means so much! It's saying that God loves you so much that he gave his son just for you! Imagine being a parent and giving up your child to save other peoples lives! That's amazing! I know it would be extremely hard for me. God gave his own son so that all of us can be sons and daughters of God! God loves us so much he's willing to do that for you so the least all of us can give back is just saying, God I love you! He already loves us! And this verse just proves how much! So today make it a New Year's resolution! I'm praying for you and God's always there waiting to take you by the hand and save you. Our Dad is waiting, lets make him proud. May God bless you!
Extra time in the Bible: John 3
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?John+3
Proverbs 22:1
"If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches, for to be
held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold."
People that lie sooner or later, gets trapped in his own lies. My Mom used to say if you tell a lie, you will then have to tell 9 more just to try to get out of that one. I have known Christian after Christian that lied and dealt dishonestly in their businesses and you know it sure did not take long for the word to spread around that everyone should stay away from them. My Mother In Law works in real estate she purchases older homes and repairs them and resales them. There have been time after time that she could have cut corners to not have to spend quite so much money to repair something, but she has always gone the extra mile to make things right. It certainly has paid off for her because other people in the real estate business know her as being honest and fair. It would be very easy to slip and allow the devil to get his foot in, but you know on her business cards she has scripture on them to witness to people and a lot of the people she has dealt with when they have a problem they go to her because they know her reputation. Proverbs 12:17 says "A good man is known by his truthfulness, a false man by deceit and lies." When people mention your name, what is it that you want them to say about you?
Extra time in the Bible: Proverbs 22
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Proverbs+22
Written by a teenager
Matt 5:28
�But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already
committed adultery with her in his heart.� (TLB)
The penalty for adultery was death in the old and new testament, also it is one of the ten commandments to not commit adultery. Jesus said that just looking at a person with lust in your heart is adultery. Us guys need to try harder not to look at girls in that way. and girls need to not wear high shorts, tight shirts, low necked shirts, etc. next time you see a person dressed immodestly remember that "no temptation has taken us except that which is COMMON TO MAN. but GOD IS FAITHFUL and WITH EVERY TEMPTATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT."
Extra time in the Bible: Matthew 5
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Matthew+5
Written by Ben, 17, I'm from Texas.
[email protected]
1 John 3:18 (Niv)
�Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but
with actions and in truth.�
As I look across this world, I see one thing that many lack and search for, and that being Love. So many people try to fill this God shaped hole with things that are only of this world. People are dying each day and going to hell because our words of "love" aren't reflected by our actions. If Christians don't show love to the unsaved, then we aren't showing them God, because God is Love. (1 Jn 4:16) If I told you I'd give you a million dollars, it'd mean nothing, until you actually had this million dollars in your hands. The same applies to our lives with love. Love is verb, meaning an action. So as you go into the world, take action. Don't be one to sit back and warm your Church pew, but be one to get up and love somebody. After all, if CHRIST sat back and did nothing, our only destiny would be eternal separation from God aka hell.
Extra time in the Word: 1 John 3
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?1+John+3
Written by a fourteen year old in Kennewick, WA
1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Hebrews 13:5
"Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you."
1 Peter 5:7
"Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you."
I'm a shy person, really! Four years ago I never thought I would be in public school, be doing this, or be forgiving people that have hurt me all my life and really be forgiving them. But four years ago I started finding verses in books, through my friends, and on my own and I started penning them up on my wall. Christ Jesus has brought me so far. My family is starting to say that I'm not the same person I was before. I've been brought up in a Christian home and always thought I was a Christian until four years ago. The first time I ask Jesus into my heart I didn't mean it. Four years ago I said, "God I really want you in my life." Four months ago I ask God to take my life, mind, and everything I've have. If you really take God's promises to heart it will change your life. And don't think just because you're not an adult you can't change the world. God uses even three year olds for him.
I challenge you for the next week to pray when you get up, read the Bible (Yes, everyday!), and not do anything without asking "What would Jesus Do?". It's not a year! You can do it with God's help.
Extra time in the Bible: Philippians 4
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Philippians+4
This Bible study is written by Tina Kane
Isaiah 40: 29-31
�He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.�
These verses remind us of how faithful and loving God is. It shows us that even while we are facing pain and trouble, that God is with us and that He will provide a way out. God says that He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. To me, that says that he has already given us the way out, all that we need to do is trust in Him, and do what he tells us to do. Now, if you think that the reason that I am able to say this is because I am not facing pain and trouble, you are wrong. See, I have learned that if I am in pain all that matters is what God's word says, not what I feel. The greatest thing that God has given to me, are my friends. I have Christian friends who aren't afraid to tell me when I am wrong and to show me how I should respond. And every one needs that kind of encouragement. I know that God's word is true and that when I stand upon it, the devil can't touch me. Sure he's going to try every scheme he has but I know that he who is in me is greater then he who is in the world. I know that every time I face trouble that I come out stronger in the end. I do not need to fear any pain because God, my Daddy, will carry me through. I encourage all of you to remember God's word when you face trouble and walk by faith and not by sight in everything. Remember what Jesus did for you, and your troubles will seem small. Trust in Him, for He will ALWAYS bring you through!
Extra time in the Word: John 15
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?John+15