Psalm 63 Part 1

This month we are going to be focusing on our devotion to God that is fueled by our desire for godliness in our lives. That devotion begins with a desire to know God. One of the greatest passages that express our hearts attitude toward knowing God is found in Psalm 63. David is writing this psalm while he is in the wilderness of Judah. What I find amazing is that even while David is experiencing a great trial, he is deeply devoted to seeking God. As you read just look at how deeply he longs to be with God. David is writing in the first person. Over and over you see if say “I” this or that. I wonder could you write something similar. Could I? In the very first verse David says, “O God, You are my God.” Who or what is your God? For some of us its our schedule, for others a relationship. What is it for you? Listen whatever is our God is what we will pour our lives into. It will be that thing that consumes our time, money and minds. David at the onset of this great psalm identifies God as his God. Maybe today we need to evaluate our lives and ask what or who is our God?

Father today may we have the desire to pursue only you. Help us to look within our hearts and be confident that we are serving only you. You alone deserve our time, money, and minds. Find us faithful today.

1 Timothy 4:7b-16 Part 4

As Paul closes his encouragement to Timothy. He gives to him several more area in which to practice godliness. Really there areas that as they are practiced will build godliness into your life. First he says give special attention to God’s Word. He says read it, meditate on it and share it. These are all practices that every believer must do in order to maintain godliness. Also he says do not neglect that gift that you have received. Each one of us when we get saved received a special ability from the Holy Spirit. That gift is to be used for God’s glory and for the building up of the church. The way you find out what gift you have is to get involved in ministry. Again this is vital to living out a life for God. Because God calls each of us to serve. God wants each one of us to get involved in ministry to others.

Father thank you that you give us the giftedness to serve you. Thank you for your Word that encourages and builds us up to do the work you call us to do. Father help us to spend time in your word and to exercise our gift.

1 Timothy 4:7b-16 Part 3

Paul not only exhorts Timothy that he should be striving daily to live a godly life. He also tells him how. I love that about Paul. Maybe I should say I love that about God. Because God is the one who inspired Paul to write. God will convict us or encourage us to live in such a way. But he never leaves us hanging. He gives to us clear direction of just how we can live a godly life. In verse 12 Paul gives Timothy some very practical areas to live out godliness. Paul says be an example in speech (the way and the words you talk), in conduct (the way you live your life, the places, the people, the activities), in love (self-sacrificing service of others), in faith (faithfulness or commitment) and in purity (sexual purity). As you look at these five, ask yourself which am I doing well in being an example? Which areas do I need to improve in? Again understanding that God’s desire is for us to live godly we need to understand that each one of these areas is vital in doing so. So as you look ask God to show you the answers to the above questions.

Father thank you that you call us to live a godly life. Thank you that you show us how and in what ways we should pursue. Help us as we look at our lives to be honest and be willing to take the steps necessary to fulfill your desire for our lives.

1 Timothy 4:7b-16 Part 2

Today as we continue to look Paul confirms our truth that godliness permeates every aspect of our lives. Look at verse 8. Godliness is profitable for all things. As Paul continues to encourage Timothy that one of his life long pursuits is to be godliness he emphasizes the impact of that pursuit. Notice Paul does not say it will profit for the present time only, but Paul make careful reference to the life to come. What is that life? That life is eternity. What is eternity? Eternity is life that never ends. Understand whether you die knowing Christ or not the Bible teaches that your soul (the real you) will live on for all of eternity. That eternity will be spent in one of two places. Either you will spend eternity together with God in heaven or you will spend eternity separated from God in hell. That is why it matters whether or not you pursue godliness now. Because what you do know will determine your place of residence for eternity. I love the line from the movie Gladiator, “Brothers what we do now will echo into eternity.” How true what you and I sink our lives into now in this life will have a direct influence on our eternity. Where will you spend eternity? What are doing to ensure your residence for eternity?

Father I pray that I will be reminded daily that my actions by pursuits will play a huge role in my eternal home. Thank you that because of your son I know I will spend eternity with you. May you evaluate our hearts today and find that we are pursuing godliness.

1 Timothy 4:7b-16 Part 1

This week we begin a new series on understanding that godliness permeates every aspect of life, that Christianity is not just a Sunday thing. As we begin think about this, “Does my relationship with Christ reflect a Sunday only lifestyle? In this passage Paul is writing to Timothy giving him instruction on identifying false teachers. In verse seven, Paul writes, “exercise yourself toward godliness.” First we need to understand godliness. Godliness is a right attitude and response toward God. It is a mindset that focuses on pleasing God and wanting to bring Him glory. Paul is telling Timothy that this is to be a constant pursuit of his life. Exercise is not just something you do once and and hope you get in shape. Exercise must be done regularly if one pursues being in shape. Here Paul is saying you must regularly exercise your faith in order to be godly, in order to focus on God and His desires for your life. Question, how often are you exercising your faith? How much time do you spend in God’s gym in order to get in shape spiritually? To really understand that godliness permeates every aspect of life can only come about as one exercises their faith.

Father teach us to exercise our faith. Help us to become spiritually fit. Give us a desire to be godly and the determination to do whatever it takes to be godly.

1 Peter 1:22-2:10 Part 4

The fourth and final picture of unity is a picture of people of the same nation. In verse nine Peter eludes to it with his statement of “a holy nation.” We are all people of God if we have come to know Christ as our savior. In this passage Peter gives to us one last practice for unity, Mercy. Mercy by definition is not getting what we deserve. Think about that in light of our interaction with each other. How often do we want to get back at someone who has done something to us? Maybe I should ask how often we think that way. Have you ever been guilty of treating someone differently because of what they may have done to you? I know I have. But in this passage Peter makes clear to us the reason we show mercy. Because we have been shown mercy. Just imagine if God decided to give to us what we deserve. Guess what we all would be dead. Each of us deserves death because of our sin. Death is the penalty for sin. However, God saw fit for each of us to experience life through His son. God poured out His wrath on Jesus so that we can have life and have it more abundantly. Why should we be merciful? Because we have been shown mercy and that is reason enough.

Father help me to be merciful. Help me to look at others that way you see them. Remind me daily that you have shown me mercy. Let that reminder be reason enough for me to show mercy.

1 Peter 1:22-2:10 Part 3

Read 1 Peter 1:22-2:10

Today we are going to look at the third picture of unity. This picture is one of priests. Specifically priest serving in the same temple. Peter in verse nine calls us all priests, priests of the most high God. It is interesting but the word proclaim is found no where else in the new testament except this verse. It means to tell something not otherwise known. The something is the praise of Him (Jesus Christ). I really think this can be looked at in two ways. First in order for us to maintain unity in our ministry we must praise God together. Singing is one aspect of that and that is why it is so important that we sing together. But also we need to just talk about what Christ has done in our lives in our everyday conversations. Second I think this means we need to share Christ with the outside world. We need to share the gospel with our unsaved friends, neighbors, everyone who does not know the truth. Our ministry needs to be reaching out to others with the gospel in order for us to be in unity. Again I ask what am I, what are you doing to spread unity in our ministry? I find that incredible. So often when you think about unity you think what we need to do within our group to build it. But here in this verse Peter encourages us to look outside of our group.

Father thank you for entrusting us to proclaim your son. Thank you for the opportunities we have to sing your praises. Help us to be willing to proclaim your son to this lost and dying world. As we do would you draw us closer in unity to each other.

1 Peter 1:22-2:10 Part 2

As we look at each picture of unity, I hope that you are evaluating yourself in light of each picture. Today we look at the second picture of unity found in verses four through eight. The second picture is that of stones in the same building. In this passage we are called living stones that are part of a living house. That house is the body of Christ. Like with any house the foundation is the key to the stability of the entire house. What Peter is saying here is of extreme importance in understanding and maintaining unity within our youth ministry. We are called living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house. Notice who is the chief cornerstone. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. What is a cornerstone? It is the stone that sets the foundation and squares the whole building. In order of our ministry to experience unity we must base everything we do on Jesus Christ. Not on any other person or program or activity. This ministry is not about me or you, it is to be all about Jesus Christ. Why? Because when Christ is at the center it affects everything we do, the way we treat each other, the way we treat those who come into our ministry and the way we see ourselves.

Father thank you for sending your son to give us life. Thank you that He is the reason we can experience unity in our ministry and lives. Help us to keep our focus on Him. Help us never to put someone else or something else in His place.

1 Peter 1:22-2:10 Part 1

This week we are going to look at four pictures of unity from 1 Peter. Unity if a vital part of our youth ministry and should be a vital part of each of our lives as well. Unity is something each one of us should strive for as directed by Gods Word. As we look at this passage ask yourself, “What am I doing to promote unity in my life and in our youth ministry?” The first picture is that of children of the same family. Verses twenty two through chapter two verse three. Peter describes us as brothers loving one another with a pure heart born again into God’s family. What does it take to be a part of this family? Simple you must be first born again. To be born again means to accept Jesus Christ as your savior. Listen you cannot promote unity in our ministry if you are not a part of the family of God. The only way that will happen is if you are following Christ as your savior. Then Peter gives us some practices to build unity within this family. Lay aside or do not practice, malice (evil), deceit (lying), hypocrisy (two faced), envy (wanting what others have), evil speaking (gossip, back stabbing, tearing each other down). Rather we should practice using and applying Gods’ Word. This is the only way that we can grow together and individually. How much time do you spend reading God’s Word? Why is that important, because depending on how much time you spend is the amount of energy you give to promoting unity. Again ask yourself, “What am I doing to promote unity in my life and the life of the youth ministry?”

Father thank you for this day. Help us to desire to know you more so that we can make you more fully known to others. Give us the determination to spend time in your Word and then apply it to our lives.

Psalm 24 Part 4

Today we turn again back to the creator. But in the next few verses we see our God as more than a creator. In the next two verses 7-8 we see God as strong and mighty, mighty in battle. As I think about this I picture a soldier of old decked out with sword and shield ready to fight. I believe that is exactly what David is giving us a picture of in this passage. How awesome that we have a warrior on our side? God is the one who wants to fight our battles. God is the one who wants to lead the charge against the forces of Satan. He will not let us go at it along. He is ready to defend us from Satan and his desire to destroy us. Are you facing a battle today? Why not let the God who is mighty in battle take up arms for you and fight? Why not let the all powerful God fight in your place? To often we want to go it alone. What a mistake. God is ready to fight, He is ready to conquer.

Father thank you for defending me against the evil one. Thank you for giving me strength to overcome the battles that I face. Thank you that I do not face the battle alone.

Read Psalm 24

Now we turn from looking at our creator to looking at our own hearts. David first draws us to worshipping the creator over the creation. Now he poses a question, who may truly worship the creator? All of us should look to the creator rather than His creation. However not all have the ability to truly worship Him in spirit and truth. We as believers have access to God’s throne room through Jesus Christ. However many of us do not have complete fellowship with Him because of sin. David asks the question and delivers the answer. He whose hands are clean and whose heart is pure. Clean from what? Pure from what? Sin. Sin that continues without being confessed. Are you able to ascend the hill of the Lord? Are you able to worship God in spirit and in truth? Do you have sin in your life that you have not confessed? Why? You have already been forgiven of it; you just simply need to confess it to God and deal with it. What’s the result of dealing with sin? David writes you shall be blessed. Wow what an incredible promise from God that he would bless us for dealing with sin and worshipping Him. Tell which would you rather have God’s blessing or His curse?

Father today I choose your blessings. Help me to recognize sin and deal with it immediately. Thank you that I can ascend your holy hill with confidence in knowing that you desire to be in fellowship with me.

Psalm 24 Part 1

This week we are going to look at Psalm 24. As you are reading this throughout the week ask yourself, what does God want me to learn from this passage? You will find that as you make yourself available to learn that God will answer this question. So let’s look at the passage. Today I want to focus on verses 1-2. I think to often we forget this very important truth, that this world in which we live is God’s. He created it, He planned it, and He is the one who gave each of us life. Often I believe that people think that this world is ours and ours alone to enjoy. Why because to often people are worshipping the creation rather than the creator. I have seen this true even among Christians. Who for whatever reason will put God’s creation before the Creator. How often do we give thanks to God for creating the grass, or trees or beautiful flowers that pop up in the spring? How often do we give thanks for rain or the snow? I don’t know about you but often I take these for granted. Often I complain about getting to much rain or not enough rain. Often I complain about it getting to hot or not hot enough. God has created this world in which we live and wants us to enjoy His creation, but not at he expense of forgetting the creator. Today may we strive to remember all God has done for us.

Father thank you for the beauty of your creation. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your creation. Help us never to forget you. Help us never to take you for granted. May we each day be reminded how great and powerful you are.

1 Samuel 17 Part 3

Today as we conclude this week on David and Goliath we also conclude our month of looking at God’s character. Today look specifically at verses 49-58. God comes through just as David said. God delivered Goliath into the hands of this young man. God always comes through no matter the circumstance or issue. God always prevails, always comes through just in time. You may say why does this matter in my pursuit of Godliness? Understand if you pursue Godliness, if you pursue God He will come and meet with you. When we pursue Godliness in our life God will always work all things to good. That what Romans 8:28 if all about. God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Just as David pursued God and trusted God to do as He said. We also can trust God that as we pursue Him, He will come through for us. Just remember that sometimes we limit the good He promises to only things that make me feel good or seem to better me in some way. Don’t forget God’s ways are not ours nor His thoughts my own. Example my brother Nathan that passed away from cancer. We had prayed for years that he would get better, and then he died. Some said that God did not answer our prayer. In some ways they were right, he did not answer it the way we wanted it answered. In some ways they were dead wrong. When my brother died he was completely healed of cancer. Sure I miss him, but God’s plan was different from mine and yet it turned out to the good.

Father help me to keep your will in mind as I seek you. Thank you that you promise that if we will pursue you, you will work all things out to the good. Help me to see the good you have for my life and not limit you to the good I only think is possible.

1 Samuel 17 Part 3

Trust God lately? Trusting God is key to living out our faith. What good is it to have faith in God and not trust Him? God’s design for each of our lives is to trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Trusting in God was a major practice of David’s life. Today in verses 45-47 we find David expressing great trust in God. Why would David say such things if he did not believe and trust that God would fulfill them? David’s stand for God is amazing. Just think he is facing a giant and an entire army by himself. The giant makes fun of David but more importantly makes fun of God. Then David responds with verses 45-47. Wow what boldness, what incredible willingness to stand up and proclaim the truth. I wonder do I, do you trust God enough to stand and proclaim the truth. Or do we tuck tail and run from the opportunity? David boldly stood and proclaimed the truth to perhaps thousands without fear. What amazing faith this young man had. Today are you willing to stand for Christ and proclaim truth to whomever may come across your path. Our God is big enough to give you strength to do so and the words to share to make a difference for Him.

Father today help me stand for you. Give me the right words to say just as you gave David as he stood before Goliath and the army of Philistines. Help me to trust that you are in control and that you will do as you have said.

1 Samuel 17 Part 2

Today we will continue to look at the story of David and Goliath. So how have you done this past day in looking to God instead of looking at your issues? David as we know beats Goliath and ends up becoming King of Israel. But did you know in the midst of this battle that David ran to battle Goliath. Wow he actually in verse 48 ran into battle. I don’t know about you but most of the time I want to run away from the battle. I want to tuck tail and just hide like the rest of the army. Why is that? Is it because I am afraid of the outcome. Maybe its because I really do not trust that God has His best in mind for me. Maybe its that I don’t really believe that God is big enough to handle the situation. Whatever it is the verse that keeps going through my mind is “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” So here we have a young man who is running to battle a giant of a man. Not taken with fear or lack of trust but quite the opposite is totally believing that God would deliver him. But what if God chose not to give David the victory? What if God allowed David to have been killed? Do you think David with that in mind would still do it? I believe he would and did. As any of us would think it, I believe so did David. Just remember David did not have 1 Samuel to read and find out what happens. Yet he runs into battle to face Goliath. Man what incredible faith, what incredible trust he had in our God. Today do you trust God to deliver you? Are you willing to run into battle to face whatever may come your way knowing God is right there no matter the outcome?

Father give us strength today and the determination to follow you. Help us to trust you in every circumstance of life. Help us to look to you to be our deliverer and not to our own strength.

1 Samuel 17 Part 1

This week we continue in our theme of being Godly by looking at God’s character. We must understand and apply God’s character to our lives in order to live a Godly life. You cannot possibly live a Godly life apart from God. God must be at the center of your life. This week we are going to look at a young man who lived a Godly life with God at the center of his life. You probably all know the story of David and Goliath. A familiar story that we have been told over and over from the time we could understand it. This week we want you to put yourself in David’s shoes. Think about what David must have been thinking, feeling and struggling with in order to live a Godly life. You know the story David is sent to give food to his brothers, hears Goliath bad mouthing God, volunteers to fight Goliath and then kills Goliath. But there is so much more to this story. I want us to focus on verse 33. Saul takes one look at David and decides you cant fight Goliath you are just a youth. Guess what Saul was right. Problem is that Saul was judging the outward appearance instead of understanding David’s heart. The Israelites really struggled with this, they would define an individual based on outward appearance. That is why Goliath was so intimidating to them. Rightfully so, but they never even considered what God could do. So alone comes David who’s heart beats for God and God uses him to do incredible things. Have you been guilty of this? Looking at a situation and only focusing on the problem instead of looking to God.

Father today as I face difficult situations may I instead of focusing on the problem may I look to the solution. Help me to be like David and look only to you to fight my battles. Help me to rely on you and not myself to face my struggles. Today may I be found faithful in taking my problems to you.

1 Corinthians 13 Part 4

Today as we conclude our look at 1 Corinthians 13, I want us to look at verse 13. The greatest of all virtues is love. Why? Isn’t faith vital to our Christian walk? Isn’t hope vital to our eternal destiny? Yes but realize that love encompasses faith and hope. Love believes all things and hopes all things. Think about this faith and hope have no purpose in heaven, where everything true will be known and everything good will be possessed. Love is the greatest because its eternal, even in this temporal life it is the greatest. Love is the greatest because it outlasts all virtues but also because it is the most God-like of all virtues. God does not have faith or hope, however God is love. We must understand that without faith we would not be able to fully experience or comprehend God’s love for us. Without hope we would be most miserable. The reason we have faith and the reason we have hope is because of God’s love for us. Without God’s love we are in no need of faith or hope. God’s love is what calls us to faith in Him and the hope that one day we will be with Him. Today may we walk in His love and allow God to fill our hearts with faith and hope as we experience Him.

Father thank you for loving me so much that you sent your son to die for me. Thank you for giving me hope through your son and thank you. Today may I walk in you. May I experience you throughout this day. May I express your love to others. Live in me today and may I live in you.

1 Corinthians 13 Part 3

As we look again at God’s character through the love chapter. I want us to focus on verse eight specifically “love never fails.” Again taking out the word love and replace it with God, “God never fails.” Think about that God has never failed and never will. God has always been and will always be. Everything in the Bible has come true. Even in our lives He has never failed. He has never failed in meeting our needs. He has never failed in giving us strength to face trials. He has never failed in any part of my life. Honestly, if anyone has failed it is that I have failed God. Oh how often do I fall short and let my Heavenly father down. God has never failed nor will He. You can bank on that and trust that He will always be there for you and me. So today as you go throughout your day hold onto God’s character and realize that He will never fail you.

Father today give me the understanding and determination to trust in you. Help me to see who you are and what you want to do in my life today. Today may I catch a glimpse of you.

1 Corinthians 13 Part 2

As we continue to look at God’s character this week through 1 Corinthians 13. Ask yourself does my character reflect God’s? Could I put my name in the place of the word love in this chapter and it would describe me? Today lets focus on verse 6. Specifically “love does not seek its own.” Wow that’s a tuffy. Especially when something tragic happens in our life, or we have been praying for God to answer one way and He answer another. God does not seek His own. He is not self-centered. He always has our best in mind and wants us to enjoy the fullness of life. That is extremely difficult for us to understand because we (at least I do) struggle with always putting others before myself. So many times I think about how this will impact me, or what will happen to me. God is all about others. So much so that He sent Jesus to die on a cross for our sin. God loves you and me and proved that love through His son.

Father today help me to love like you. Help me to get my focus off myself and on to you. I must admit that so many times I put myself ahead of others. Help me to become more and more others centered as I desire to follow you.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Part 1

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

This month we are starting a new series based on God’s Character. We are looking at passages that deal with God’s character in order to better understand His call for Godliness in our own lives. This week we will look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. As you read this passage take out the word love and replace it with “God”. Today I want us to look specifically at verse 4. Think about this God is patient. Wow how awesome. Could you imagine if God wasn’t patient? We would be in some serious trouble. So many times I mess up and fall prey to sin and yet God still uses me. So many times I reject God’s best and yet He still blesses me. Why? If God wasn’t patient with me, I would have been done a long time ago. However, “God is patient”, He wants what’s best for me. He longs to use me and bless me and in spite of my short comings, He does.

Father, thank you for being patient with me. Thank you that you don’t give me what I deserve. Thank you that you use me and bless me in spite of what I do. You are great and greatly to be praised.