Youth Ministry - Youth Ministry Is Hard Work

Youth Ministry is one of the most important foundations to a successful church, community, and lifestyle for those who participate in it. A successful youth ministry can be of any size, from a small Bible group that meets around a kitchen table, to a thriving church driven ministry with hundreds of members. A successful youth ministry will take part in helping the community where it is, by doing various outreach activities to the members of the town or city where it resides. A successful youth ministry is based and focuses on a loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. When leading a youth ministry it is important to remember that the members of your youth ministry will often look to you as a role model and also a leader. So running a youth ministry does come with a number of responsibilities to your students. Having sound understanding of biblical teachings so you have a grasp on the material you are teaching is an important aspect of being a great youth leader. By knowing the material you are teaching to your students you are readily available to help your students understand what God wants and expects of them. A youth ministry must also have a leader who is passionate about Jesus Christ and spreading his word. When you show enthusiasm about the material that you are teaching to your students, it is much easier to keep the students attention and also shows that not only can you teach about Jesus Christ, you yourself have a meaningful and deep relationship with Jesus Christ which helps you navigate through life. A successful youth ministry is constantly reaching out to others who need help. When your youth ministry comes together as one group to help those who need help, you are showing a great example for those outside of your ministry who may want to become part of your ministry when they see the work that you do. When your youth ministry leads by example, you help your community, and you also spread the word of God is doing his good work. A successful youth ministry also takes dedication, if you do not prepare creative material for your students on a regular basis; there is a strong possibility that you will lose their attention and their interest in your ministry. Keeping a teen's attention or interest can at times be a difficult task, but if you are dedicated and also you continue to improve yourself as a youth leader and the material that you delivered to your students you will be successful. Here at ChristianTeenWorld.com we try to help you along your youth ministry travels. We deliver two brand-new Bible lessons for teenagers each and every week for you to use with your teens. If you are a youth leader, a youth pastor, a Christian parent, or anybody else in a role, which interacts with teens the material on this website, can be a great asset to you and your ministry. In addition to the two brand-new Bible lessons each week, we have tons of other material that is constantly updated for you to use at any time. So I encourage you to take a look around at what we have to offer and if you like what you see I encourage you to join the Christian Teen World Inner Circle so you can reap the benefits of membership.

Choose To Be Saved

The notion of being "saved" is a bedrock tenet of the Christian faith. The church fathers struggled to make sense of mankind's relationship with God. Still today, many interpret the saving message of scripture as God bestowing favor on one who submits to the Provider's will. One might, however, choose another interpretation, a perspective of unity - creator with creation. From this vantage point being "saved" is not so much anticipating a gift offered by a supreme benefactor as it is awakening to the truth of the human condition. The gift is already bestowed - you are one with creation and one with the source. To be "saved" you need only choose to recognize and accept the truth. Being "saved" is knowing life anew. If you accept the truth: you are one with all that is, enduring and without need - you are "saved" then and there, here and now. Embracing the truth allows you to live from an unlimited, timeless point of view, safe and secure in the faith that no matter what happens in the world of form you exist beyond form complete and whole fulfilled and at peace. Wisdom has found its place. From this perspective you, an individual, on a journey through time and space, travel with surety knowing that all that is, is good. The New Testament reveals that early Christians struggled with how it is that one is "saved". Some contended salvation is through works and is therefore under an individual's control. Others asserted that salvation is through grace, a gift from God beyond an individual's influence. The disparity in these views does not demand an "either or" - they are both possibilities. Different paths to salvation by way of works or grace are possible, are necessary, are real, in this dream. Through the centuries organized religions, dominated by the interests of ego, embraced the idea that life is form and that somehow human beings can and must buy their way out of form. People suffer in this life to pay a debt. They redeem themselves by means of penance. This belief shackles the individual - lost in form, disconnected from the source - to a power beyond form. Here people rely on a benevolent, external power to connect them to the source - to save. They wait earnestly and patiently for salvation. The tragedy is, these people never realize they possess the gift they seek. The gift of grace, accessible to everyone, is the soul-freeing realization that the world of form is not "it". What we see is not all there is. Our physical senses do not allow a complete picture. Grace is a gift of awakening to accept, believe, live, knowing life is more than material surroundings and a series of events in time and space. Grace is the recognition that you are enduring, complete and unified not in appearance but in purpose, in being, in spirit. An essential point of the debate "works versus grace" is coming to grips with the notion that the intellect doesn't matter. Being saved through works is living the unity of the whole by choosing fulfilling experiences - activities of sharing, of charity, of love. Similarly, you can live within nature, a life connected to spirit, at peace with form, accepting what is and influencing what becomes. You are "saved". You don't need an intellectual rationalization, just an enduring, connected, vibrant faith. Don't live apparently disconnected from the source lost in everyday activities, seemingly alone and scared. It is then grace extends her hand, she whispers, guides, implores - never resting or sitting idly by. Wisdom beckons, truth calls, grace whispers. The will to choose is your gift. Choose wisely - choose to be saved.

How To Lead Worship in 3 Simple Steps

If you are in search of ways to learn how to lead worship in three straightforward steps then this might be some of the necessary articles you've got ever read. Leading worship in church is a accountable and revered position, but many times people who are inexperienced are thrown into the job, though they have no idea how to lead worship effectively. So here are just a few points on how to lead worship powerfully and effectively, particularly if you are inexperienced. How To Lead Worship Step 1: Prepare Your Material The first step in learning how to lead worship is to prepare your materials thoughtfully, rigorously and most importantly prayerfully. I can not emphasize this level enough: if you wish to learn how to lead worship in a robust means that's properly acquired by your viewers, you must choose your materials carefully. The perfect praise and worship songs to use, especially if you end up studying how to lead worship, are ones that individuals are acquainted with. This will in fact very from church to church, but there are a variety of great requirements that people know and love and can immediately respond to. Great praise and worship hymns resembling "I Give up All", How Nice Thou Art and Nice Is Thy Faithfulness are sometimes sure hearth methods two great worship occasions, as are more fashionable songs reminiscent of Shout to the Lord or How Nice Is Our God. The factor to remember whenever you have been learning how to lead worship is that praise and worship leading is more about your audience than it is about your preferences. One of the largest mistakes those studying how to lead worship make is they choose songs they liked that the congregation is unfamiliar with. If you want to make a terrific impression and learn how to lead worship with anointing and great favor, select songs that everybody knows! How To Lead Worship Step 2: Put together Your Worship Group If you are starting out studying how to lead worship, it's worthwhile to prepare your worship group in order that they're a hundred% with you and supportive of what you were doing. You must spend time with them not only practicing and enjoying, but additionally having fun with espresso and laughs as you build a relationship that will likely be transferred into your praise and worship leading. Be sure you spend time getting ready your team in prayer, and in addition explaining to them why you were doing certain songs within the order you may have chosen. As you prepare the songs, attempt to embody their concepts because there's nice power in unity, and if you are learning how to lead praise and worship you have to also be studying how one can lead men and women. How To Lead Worship Step three: Put together Your Coronary heart The third space of learning how to lead worship is to arrange your individual heart. It's essential spend time with the Lord if you are going to lead others into his presence, and that features prayer and devotions, reading the phrase of God and in search of him as to which songs he wants to make use of within the worship time. Of all the areas of preparation, if you are learning the way to lead worship an important is to prepare your personal heart. When you have seen in your life, confess it and get it out of the way. You probably have distractions in your life, take care of them and make sure they don't interfere together with your mind or your heart as you come to lead worship. I believe that in the event you take these three easy steps to heart, you'll learn how to lead worship in a strong and effective way for your congregation. Keep in mind, you aren't simply studying how to lead worship but you are learning find out how to lead your workforce, put together your hearts and direct your viewers right into a greater worship experience. So when you might have the opportunity, do not simply rise up and sing a collection of songs but learn how to lead worship in a strong, anointed and efficient way.

Simon Says Walk by Faith

Jesus said... "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24 You remember how to play Simon-Says, don't you? It's probably been a few years. It's the children's game where a leader gives verbal commands that are to be followed if and only if they are preceded by an explicit statement of permission bearing the warrant of mighty Simon himself. Non-"Simon-Says" commands are worthless, and following them only gets you in trouble. Aside from being fun (for a few minutes anyway), the game also helps kids work on motor skills, coordination, listening skills, manners, and respecting authority. But shhhh... don't tell them that. I'm not convinced the game's so popular these days, as everyone's more interested in raising leaders than followers anymore, but I digress. Let's just look closely at the three actions in the verse above, which begins not with "Simon Says," but rather "Then Jesus said..." 1) Turn Around ("let him deny himself..."). This is what denying one's self is all about. Repentance. Seeing things God's way. Going from darkness to light. Playing the fool for God. Even the notion of playing a child's game is apropos here, as we must not use our own adult human knowledge and wisdom to accomplish this step, but instead we die to self and come willingly in faith like a child. 2) Bend Over, Stand Up ("take up his cross..."). When you pick up the cross, you have to set down other burdens, the other things that you tend to think define "you." Taking up your cross does not equal the burden of being you, your identity. You are indeed unique, but each day you should take on something new from Christ that makes you more like Him. 3) Go Forward ("...and follow Me"). Following = sacrificial living. It's advancement toward a Kingdom goal. In Matthew 8:1 we find that when Jesus "had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him." He had just finished teaching them; they had received instruction from one who had no place to lay his head and was feeding thousands on mere loaves and fishes. Moving forward in the Kingdom can only involve putting others in front of self. Is it really all that foreign to us? People sacrifice all the time to climb ladders in their career and for other personal goals. Why not sacrifice without the ladders? Intersecting Faith & Life: Is this verse, are these three instructions, hard, or easy? The answer depends on perspective. Quitting smoking looks easy to the non-smoker, but the smoker must take it one minute, one day, one step at a time. Losing weight is a manageable goal for most, but if the focus is on losing 60 pounds in the first day the dieter is fighting a losing battle. Make it your goal to Turn Around, Bend Over/Stand Up, and Go Forward one day this week and see where playing "Jesus Said" takes you.

How to Control Anger Before It Destroys Your Future

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city King Solomon. Anger is destructive and is a destroyer of destinies. Many people have lost jobs, relationships, and opportunities, all because of anger. Also, some people are in prison houses, wasting their fruitful years simply because they did not control their anger. Anger is an emotion that must be controlled before it destroys your great future. You need to understand that anger stems from selfishness, lack of wisdom and understanding. In Ecclesiastes 7:9, Solomon made it clear that anger rests in the bosom of fools. A man of wisdom and understanding will control his anger and overlook certain wrongs done to him. People get angry because they are considering themselves, how bad their pride or ego has been injured, how their time, energy or money was wasted, etc. Does it mean you are never to be angry? I will say NO, because there is also time for you to be angry. For instance, you need to be angry enough when things are not working well to force yourself to take steps to change the situation. The question is what do you do when you are angry? Also how long does it linger? Ephesians 4:26 says, Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath (KJV) So, how do you control Anger before it destroys your future? Make a decision not to be easily angered. When one of my mentors, David Oyedepo, learned that anger lies in the bosom of fools, he made a decision to forgive people even before they wrong him. This attitude will keep anger far from you no matter what people say or do to you. Don't consider you first. Sometimes, people don't intentionally do things to make you angry. Be wise enough to take a breath and consider the scenario before acting. Through experience, I have learned that such short breaks diffuse the anger and allow you to think well and make the right decision. Make no friendship with a hot-tempered man Evil communication corrupts good manners. If you continue with such a person, you will learn his/her ways and snare your future. Proverbs 22:24-25 Watch your words Words are powerful and are seeds that when declared will bring forth a harvest. Don't confess how easily you get angry; instead say how difficult it is for you to get angry. Let the words - anger or angry - not be part of your usual vocabulary. Walk away This is not a sign of weakness but of strength and great wisdom. When you sense anger building up within you, you need to just walk away from the scene or person. That moment is not the right time to say or do anything. Anger stirs up strife and develops problems that could have been avoided. Ask for God's help. God crowns your effort to control anger with His own power. Many people have tried to control anger but failed because they didn't ask for God's help. Anger is a force that is out to destroy you, so you need a higher force to overcome it. Don't be angry with yourself If in the process of learning to control your anger you miss it, don't tear yourself apart. Every success story had failures to fight with on the way. So, learn from your mistake and be determined to overcome next time. Anger is a snare that should not be played with or tolerated. Many success stories were cut short merely because of anger. Your future is bright, great and colourful. Nothing should be allowed to destroy it, especially anger. How else can you control anger?

Is Suffering Inevitable?

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Peter 3:17, NAS Suffering. It's not standard daily devotional fare, because let's face it, usually we want to begin or end our day being uplifted, or even better, lifting up God, rather than focusing on our pains and problems. But there's the rub... we all have pains and problems. Christian and non-Christian. Lifelong disciple and baby believer. Red and yellow, black and white. Everyone, from the moment he or she was born, has struggled, tried, failed, hurt, sinned, misunderstood, and reacted. Humanity shares a true brotherhood over suffering, one that we might understand a lot better if suffering weren't also so relative. By which I mean, one person's issues may sound simple, easy-to-solve, even petty to another. "That's nothing compared to what I've had to endure!" But the fact is, your sorrows and difficulties are real to you. It's one reason why I'm no fan of when people say a certain place or time in their lives isn't "the real world," as if the spot they are currently tucked away at is immune from any degree of difficulty. Suffering is very real, and there's certainly no reason any Christian would expect life to be otherwise. We purport to follow a "Suffering Savior." His stripes have healed us, and wow do we seem to feel them sometimes, which is as it should be, as we deserved them instead of Him. If we agree that no person but one - no matter where they lived or how easy or hard they had it - has escaped sin's corruption, then how much more must we agree that truly NO person has escaped suffering? Look at what Peter suggests in today's verse: you can suffer for doing good, or you can suffer for doing bad. By extension, some of the problems in your life may be a result of your own rebellion, while other hurts may naturally result from walking so closely with Christ that you ache at the injustice and hardship around you, with the world despising and persecuting you. In the classic allegory Hinds' Feet on High Places, Much-Afraid journeys with companions named Sorrow and Suffering, and these two assist her in her climb up the Injury Precipice, which is a part of her transformation into "Grace and Glory." The same is true for you. Your sufferings have informed you, educated you, helped you along in your journey. You may despise them, but they are yours. And they will be with you whether you are doing right, or not. Of course, the nature of them will be quite different. There may be one way, though, to avoid suffering. There's a third option, left out here by Peter, but not left out by John in the Revelation. It's the lukewarm response to life, the do-nothing approach. This is the approach that cocoons itself off from life and all of its pain. And make no mistake, "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something," says that famous theologian the Man in Black in The Princess Bride. You may not feel anything from inside a cocoon; in fact, it may be an abundance of pain and suffering that forced you in there. But remember, no creature that cocoons itself is intended to stay locked up forever. The point is to be rested, healed, matured, transformed. To become more beautiful, useful. Even the emerging process itself carries a degree of struggle, but one that, if the insect did not go through itself, would leave it too weak to fly. So be lifted up in your suffering today. It is a companion. It is designed to transform you. It gives you a share in the inheritance of Christ and the brotherhood of humanity. And it gives you empathy, which gives you every excuse for ministry. Intersecting Faith & Life: Make it your goal to partake, as much as possible, only of the brand of suffering that comes from doing what is right according to God's Word.

A Day Within King David's Life

David arose even before the sun had peeked over the horizon. He washed his face, and anointed his head before saying prayer unto the LORD. "Thank You almighty God, for thine kingdom which thou hast given into my hand, praise thine mighty hand for delivering mine enemies unto my feet." "For thou art but one - creator of the heavens and the earth." "I extol thy Holy name, above all things." "I pray Oh LORD, thy spirit leadest me unto all judgments. "In every matter, both small and great, may thine divine influence rest upon my stead." "Amen." He summoned his cup-bearer to bring drink, and food. He sat before the immense teak table, and pondered the answer the LORD had given him to his prayer the night before. David had his armor bearer come fourth, to discuss the day's activities. "I inquired of the LORD, should I attack, or shall I refrain? His answer was "refrain." "There shall be no battle today. "Give ye command unto the fighting men, that they may know this day is declared for rest, and reverence, unto the LORD God."." After he had eaten and drank, he ordered his ten-stringed instrument to be brought unto him. In the court, he had men-singers and women singers join him in singing praises unto the LORD. Halfway through the songs of praise, he noticed an advisor, kneeling at the edge of the court. He raised his cup, into the direction of the man giving him permission to come forth. "My Lord, a messenger has come, and wishes to speak unto thee," "bring, him," spoke David. The messenger looked tired, and the urgency of his words, was upon his countenance. "Permission to speak, unto my lord," said the man. "Speak," David said." "Sire", the man began, "I have come forth unto thee, to ask for thy mercy, for it has been spoken among the people thou hast sent spies beyond the river Jordan to look upon the lot. The people think you are about to advance your men, to attack." "I have been sent by the men of my company, to let thy lord know, that we wish not to do battle against the LORDS anointed, but rather we wish to join with thee into thy next battle." David pondered these words for a moment, and then spoke "It shall be as you wish. " Tell your men the LORD, had me refrain from attacking, and now I understand why." "Be it as I, have spoken" said David. " May the king live for ever and ever said the messenger, "and blessed be ye, by the hand of the LORD of the most high God." And so he bowed himself unto the king, saying "as thou hast spoken, so it shall be," with this he turned and left. David again picked up his instrument, and began singing praises unto the LORD. And so it was, until noon, they all gave reverence and praise unto the LORD. It was then, David ordered everyone, each back unto his own house. His cup-bearer asked him was He ready to eat, the mid-day meal, and David told him, "nay but for a short while, then inquire of me again." David arose from his throne, and went to his room to pray, in private. He closed the door, and kneeled down and began. "Oh sovereign LORD, of the most high GOD, forever mayest thy name be exalted, for thy judgments are true, and righteous art all of thine ways." "Thine council is above any man or men's. Thou hast me to refrain from going to do battle beyond the river Jordan, and I knowest now why." "For the men of the company sent unto me a messenger, vowing their will to join with my captain. LORD, if you sent not this man with the words of thy honor, allow me to perceive, and instruct me on what thou wouldst have me do." "To thy kingdom of kingdoms, you art the rock, and the horn, of my strength." "Amen." David remained kneeling, for he knew that his answer from the LORD, would be sure and quickfast. "I sent ye the messenger, spoke the LORD into David's heart, for my prophet had spoken to them. They harkened unto his words, and turned away from their wickedness, and they art worthy to join thy company, for I am with them." "Be it as thou hath spoken," said David. "I thank thee for thine council, and thy guidance."." "By thine command shall all of my steps be ordered." "Thou hast delivered them, and blessed them." I thank you LORD, for all things thou hast given me, for thou hath truly laid all things unto my feet, and till my death will I revel and serve thee in truth." "Amen." David rose to his feet, and summoned the cup-bearer to set the table, with food and drink. He also sent for the captain of the fighting men to join him to eat at the king's table. When he had come, and sat, David told him that he had inquired of the LORD, concerning the messenger. "What did the LORD, of the most high GOD, tellest thou lordship," asked the captain of the guards. The LORD sayest unto me, that HE had sent fourth a prophet, unto them, and they harkened unto his words, and turned from their evil, in the sight of LORD GOD. They vowed unto the LORD, to become true, and faithful to his ways. When the LORD saw, that they spoke in truth, he heard their cry and supplications. So the LORD had them send fourth a messenger unto me. He spoke their intentions of joining us in battle, and the LORD sayest to me, they are worthy, for I am with them." These words pleased the captain for he understood the reason, the LORD, had them to refrain from attacking. "Be it as thou hast spoken, and I will tell my company, what thou hast commanded." David was pleased with the day's events, for a small army had been won, without the shedding of blood. "Bring ye forth more drink," he ordered his cup-bearer. "As you wish sire," he responded. So they sat, and made merry, until the afternoon sun, was nearing the tops of the trees. It was a mid-November day, and the days had grown shorter, outside a light wind sent the leaves swirling. David ordered his robe-bearer to bring forth his robe, as he wished to take a walk outside onto the courtyard. He stepped out into the sunlight, and he heard the songbirds singing. "They are also singing praises unto the LORD," he thought. He smiled at the hand-maids as they bowed before him, saying "long live our king, for the blessing of the LORD, is upon him." He continued his walk, until the sun looked like a huge ball of orange, just above the horizon. It was surrounded by puffy low clouds, that were bathed in the orange of the sunlight. David loved being outdoors, where he could behold the wonder, and awe of Gods creations. He walked back to the court while thanking GOD, in his thoughts for the many blessings which he had been given.

Challenges Facing Young Christians

Congratulations on your decision to adopt the Christian lifestyle. You are blessed to have taken the step to follow Christ early in your life. As a young person in Christ you are likely to have many questions for which you need answers. You have a vision of a bright future but there are some dark clouds in the back of your mind that keep coming into the picture. Here are five questions that every young Christian must think about and helpful advice about how to deal with them. 1. Will I remain faithful? Making the decision to become a Christian is the single most important decision that you will make in your life. If you have ever made a large purchase you may have noticed that you had serious doubts about the wisdom of the purchase after you made the decision. This is what marketers recognize as "buyer's remorse" and is linked to dissonance theory. The joy and the excitement of having taken the bold step to become a Christian are accompanied by nagging thoughts about whether you made the right decision. You may recall your "For eternity" response to the question as to how long you will remain faithful. Yet, the glee with which your answer was received suggests that another response is possible. Your faithfulness till death is not guaranteed. I want to share with you some proven strategies for helping you in living faithfully as a Christian: Accept the fact that your doubts and fears are not surprising and is a regular occurrence. You are not alone in this and many have overcome those negative thoughts. Your concerns are genuine and should be heeded. They are there to protect you from overconfidence and complacency. Win the battle against the negative forces by seeking security in the constant contact with well grounded, mature Christians. Knowledge drives out fear. Be a faithful student of the Bible and watch your confidence grow. 2. What about my friends and colleagues? One issue that is sure to bother you is how to deal with your non-Christian friends and colleagues. The degree of difficulty that friends and colleagues present to your Christian walk is dependent on the relationships you had before you became a Christian. Be assured about one thing. No matter what reactions you get on the surface, all right thinking individuals respect your decision to accept Jesus as Lord of your life. They may not have the courage to follow your example and peer pressure might cause them to jeer and tease. However, deep inside they appreciate your commitment and hold you in high esteem. They key now is to ensure that they see the difference in how you lead your life. Be a witness to them by living in keeping with Christian principles. 3. Can I still have fun? Don't be surprised if you feel that a decision to become a Christian is a choice to give up fun. Many have the image of a Christian as a very serious-minded individual who has decided to give up happiness. Be assured that one fruit of the Spirit is JOY. Happy moments and the pleasures of the world are fleeting. Joy is enduring. Here is some further advice: 3.1 Reflect on your own interests and hobbies. Things that you enjoy doing. 3.2 Seek out Christians that share those interests and work out how you will enjoy wholesome fun together. 3.3 Share with your Christian brethren the fun that can be had in pursuing your interests. 3.4 Open your mind to new opportunities for enjoyment and satisfaction. 4. What if I mess up? As a Christian you are concerned about your salvation. You are also fully conscious that you are not perfect and that you are not free from sin. You might even be scared stiff by this quotation from 1 John 3: The fact that we sin from time to time is worrisome and frustrating. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." God abhors sin and Christians are required to avoid wilful sinning. With that at the forefront of your mind you can take comfort in this quote from 1 John 1: sentence 5 9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It is your attitude to sin that really matters in your Christian journey. True repentance is the answer for those times when you occasionally slip. If you genuinely regret the trespass and commit to doing your best to avoid the error in the future you will be on good grounds. Study of God's word and fellowship with supportive Christians are great strategies for remaining faithful in your Christian walk and moving on to claiming Eternal Life. 5. How can I really know what God wants me to do? Christians of all ages have to grapple with the question of God's Will for their lives on an ongoing basis. You will also be seeking clarity as what is your life's purpose and what role you are expected to play in God's service. Today, God speaks to us through His word - the Bible. The surest way to feel comfortable about the choices you make is by diligent study of the Scriptures. You can also benefit from the advice of wise and spiritually mature Christians. Take comfort in the fact that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Finally, accept the encouragement of Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

What It Means To Have a Friend in Jesus

Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you know what it means to have a friend in Jesus? Being without friends is lonely and frustrating but it is even worse when Jesus is not one's friend. Jesus wants to be friends to all but only those who accept Him get to have Jesus as a friend. Jesus is that friend you need at all times, in times of joy and peace or in times of sorrow and disappointments, etc. He is always there for His friends. You don't need to go far to reach Him neither do you need to spend money calling Him. He is there with you even now. Having a friend in Jesus is to have peace of mind in times of trouble. He comforts us and leads us in the path of peace and joy, Psalm 23:2. Have you ever needed a shoulder to cry on? Jesus as a friend forever provides His shoulder for us to cry on. Yes, you can go to Him and pour out your heart to Him. He truly understands and cares about us and all that concerns us. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weakness and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we, yet without sinning.(Hebrews 4:15, AMP) A good friend can tell you what is the matter with you in a minute. He may not seem such a good friend after telling - Arthur Brisbane. Jesus is a friend indeed! He tells you when you are wrong. In fact, He rebukes and chastens; all because He loves us and does not want us to go down the road of destruction, Hebrews 12:6. Jesus as a friend is so humorous! O yes! He can amuse or make you laugh. Even in between tears, Jesus can make you smile. What love! Having a friend in Jesus is to be excited all the time. There is always a reason to be happy as a friend of Jesus. Everybody may desert you but with Jesus as your friend you won't be lonely. O how I love Jesus and desire to know Him more and more, to know and enjoy the wisdom of His friendship. A friendship I will give anything for and never trade for any other thing. It is so sweet to walk with Jesus and behold the beauty of His loveliness and holiness, to follow His directions and experience no failure. Jesus is a friend of those who do whatsoever He commands. He calls them friends and not servants, John 15:15. Obedience to God's words qualifies you as a friend of Jesus. This is a relationship you will never regret. It is a friendship full of blessings, peace and joy. Make Jesus your friend today and enjoy all it means to have a friend in Jesus What else does it mean to have Jesus as a friend'

The Cheapest and Fastest Way to Solve Problems

Have you ever wondered the cheapest and fastest way to solve problems? To encounter problems in life is inevitable but what we do when we encounter them determines our progress and placement in life. Many people do not know how to handle problems. The first step you take will determine whether you will solve that challenge, what it will cost you or how long it will take you to solve it. Depending on the challenge, some will first cry out their hearts, go into shock, get very angry, look for whom to blame, tell everybody who cares to listen, and some may even go to smoke, drink or take some hard drugs, etc. Everyone is expressing his or her inner beliefs and perception of the situation at hand. When you take such first steps, you tend to harm yourself instead. You actually give room to the devil to afflict you the more. Headaches, heartaches, broken relationships and regrettable actions are usually the results of wrong ways to solve problems. What then is the way out? The cheapest and fastest way to solve any challenge is to first call on Jesus! I know what you may think How can that be the cheapest and fastest way? How can that be the first step to take? The truth is that Jesus remains THE ANSWER. Jesus is everywhere, all-powerful, all-knowing, the only wise God. There is nothing too hard or impossible for Him to handle. He can make a way where there is no way. The earth is His and the fullness thereof. He makes crooked path straight and levels mountains to become plains. He turns the hearts of men to wherever He wills, Proverbs 21:1. When you go to Jesus first, you have your mind focused on the right direction, on what God says about that situation. Also, you will give no room to the devil to paint a worse scenario in your mind. Your mind will be alert to see the situation from the perspective of the overcomer and not a looser. The Holy Spirit will remind you of scriptures that will strengthen you and give you the wise steps to take. A word from God even in the midst of chaos will calm the situation immediately. Really, calling on Jesus first is the fastest way to solve problems. Merely calling on Jesus name will command a standstill to any further incursion of the enemy, giving you time to get directives from God on what next to do. Furthermore, because Jesus is ever with you, you don't have to spend a dime to be able reach Him. Just call on Him and He will give you the exact next step to take, thereby saving time, energy and resources for you. I have come to realise that when a problem seems to linger or take a further wrong turn, it is because I did not pause for a moment to say, Jesus, what are you saying in this situation? We can avoid aches and pains if we will take a moment and ask Jesus for help. Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man Psalm 60:11. Truly, calling on Jesus first is the cheapest and fastest way to solve problems. RUN TO JESUS FIRST!

Are We Saved By Works Or Grace?

For By Grace You Are Saved For by grace are we saved through faith that it is not of yourselves lest any man should boast. It not of works. Ephesians 2:8 I have been crucified with Christ and is no longer I who lives in me but Christ... Gal 2:20. These two verses are extremely misinterpreted by the majority of the Christians in this world, and we must understand that without Christ we can do absolutely nothing. If we say we follow Christ then he will live through us. If we say that we can be good enough to enter heaven, that means we can boast in our own good works. But if we continue to sin we will enter Hell. So what is the way out of this predicament? It seems like either way we are doomed. It's like if we try and keep the law of Moses we are doomed but if we break the law of Moses, God's laws, we will also be doomed. There is only one way out and that is to have Christ live through you. So I read it again Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. So I live by faith in the son of God hallelujah. Now this is what's happens to people who have come to know Jesus and that's what happened to me when I turned away from my sin. I turned to Christ and he started to live through me. It was no longer I living; the old me became a new me. I stopped doing all the things that I used to do and the old flesh stopped living through me. Some Christians will say Christ will renew your spirit but you'll still live in your flesh. This is a lie because if Christ lived through you and you are dead to yourself that means you can't live in the flesh. Because Paul said himself that if you live after the flesh you shall indeed perish but if you live after the spirit you shall inherit eternal life, hallelujah. In Daniel 12 we read: Some will rise to eternal life at the time of the end and some to shame and some to everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever... So I want to talk to you about these good works and deeds that Jesus Christ talks about. In Matthew 25 Jesus Christ says: Then he will say to those on his left; depart from me you cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you didn't invite me in. I needed clothing and you didn't clothe me and was sick and in prison and you didn't help me. And they'll say "Lord when did we ever see you hungry and thirsty or a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and we didn't help you. And Jesus said I'll reply to them, "Truly for in as much as you didn't do it for the least of these you didn't do it for me"... You can read that in Matthew 25. and so we can clearly see dear friends that there is a big emphasis here on the works of a Christian. Now since we cannot enter heaven by our good works lest any man should boast that he got there of himself and not through faith in Christ, why is it that people profess Christ and just go on and live like a sinner? It is clear because we read in James chapter 2 where James writes: Show me your faith by your good works... and you say you have faith well prove it by your good works... Because he goes on to write that faith without works is dead. And so we got another predicament; we have people who are saying that okay I have to live a holy and sinless life and be doing good works to enter the kingdom, and they say well within me there's nothing good and I continued to do evil daily and I just can't seem to stop... I get many people writing to me and they say "I struggle with sin so much and daily I just keep falling to the same addictions the same desires and the same problems". Daily they say they have trouble with lust and trouble with all these problems, all these addictions. They cannot really stop lying or swearing. People say that they just feel so far from God and they say "well I do go to church and I believe in Jesus but I can't stop sinning, and I feel far from God". I want to tell you that there is a way. There is a way that you can be righteous. There is a way that you can have a new way inside of you that you can do good deeds and have Jesus say "come my worthy servant you have helped me when I was sick, you did righteousness". It is when you realize that you need to turn away from your rebellious sinful heart and your flesh properly, deeply, really turn away from it, and you need to come to Jesus Christ that he can change you and that's what he will do. It is a supernatural change because Christ is real. It is not just some person the pastor talks about. It is not some thing that people just think is in the Bible. He is the living God who is alive NOW and he hears NOW and those who seek will find. That's what he said he said: those of you who seek they will find. So when Christ died for us he freed us by his grace for it is written that Christ died for the ungodly. So while we were sinners and evil and he didn't have to die for you while you were a rebellious sinner who didn't care about God anyway! He died for you to them so that when we were ungodly Christ came and died for us, and that's why there can be no boasting in heaven about your good works, because it is through this wonderful grace of Jesus Christ that we can be saved hallelujah. Praise the Lord. So none of us can boast in any good works because while we were ungodly Christ died for us. Nobody wanted God and cared about God, he died for us that if we believe and return to the Lord we will find this wonderful grace, this wonderful change of heart. This wonderful new way, this wonderful freedom from sin, power to turn away from evil. And that's what I want to talk about is how Jesus sets you free from doing evil and how he gives you the power to turn away from your flesh which is so full of evil desires, daily. Now since Christ has died for us and he has put upon himself to to take our sins and to forgive them all, then we can indeed cast aside every evil thing and go to him, hallelujah. Grace Brings Freedom I want to read to you what one Christian quoted about grace. He talks about one man crying out; "My lack of strength lies in this direction; that I cannot quit my sin, I don't know that I cannot go to heaven and carry my sin with me". Well I'm glad you say that because what you know is quite true. You must be divorced from your sin or you cannot marry Jesus Christ... Now will you love that your sins and go to hell? Or will you quit your sins and go to heaven! And this is where the good news lies is that; this power that you need to have a new heart and new way, the grace of God lies in prayer to Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ has that power. He died that there would be freedom from sin. Freedom from falling to sin. Freedom from being addicted to sin. You know people they they go and smoke and they go and drink and they go and curse and swear and they are in bondage to it. They can't stop, but Jesus came that there would be freedom from those things and all you have to do is go to him, cry out upon the name of the Lord, and ask him to set you free, because that is how I found freedom. When I asked Jesus Christ to set me free because that is what true faith is. And then with this true faith comes good works. The good works will work in your heart once you get a new one and you'll be going around and doing them IF you are dedicated, IF you are serious. And now this is where your part comes in. Jesus has already done it. He has already made the way, but it all depends now on YOU. It depends now on YOUR decision whether or not you want to turn away from your paths, your sins, your ways, and whether or not you want to turn to Christ properly in full dedication not hard deduction. Because that's what I used to do. I used to be dedicated to Christ one half in the world and one half in church, and you cannot dedicate half to Christ and serve him. You have to either be divorced from sin to marry Christ or you cannot marry him. You cannot have his power in your life. You cannot be made a new creation, if you do not make that choice. Now I want to read on: This is a question that every man will have to answer; for there is no going on in sin and going to heaven, that cannot be. You must quit or quit hope... That's true. If we cannot turn away from our sin, if we cannot decide to do that, then there is no point going further because if you want sin ultimately, then what are you going to do! Are you going to have sin? Yes we choose who we serve, and this is the part where many people stumble. It is because they are having a problem with a doubleminded. Most of them wants sin, a little bit of them wants God, but the most part wants to continue doing evil. And if that's what you want to choose, that's what you're going to have, evil. And that's what people are choosing these days. They're saying they believe in Jesus and they say they are saved by grace and faith, and yet their fruit is bad. They don't know Jesus. He is far away from sinners. He doesn't listen to the prayers of people who like to continue to sin. You tell somebody to repent of living an immoral lifestyle, who also claims Jesus, and often they'll get offended with you. It is because they want to stay in that sin. But a child of God would not be offended about the message of repentance. He'll want to turn away from his sins. He will agree that this is wrong and will get on his knees and cry out to Jesus Christ to set him free hallelujah. Now I want to read on about some quotes from some certain serious Christians in the past. This particular Christian was quoting John Bunyan and he says here: Personally I could never have overcome my sinfulness, I tried and failed. My tendencies were too great for me, till the belief that Christ died for me and I cast my guilt upon him and I received a new soul, a new spirit, I overcame my sinful self. There is nothing like faith in Jesus Christ, it overcomes all evil. For Christ died for me who am ungodly and with no strength, and Christ died for me but I must arouse myself to love and serve him who has redeemed me. I cannot trifle with evil which slewed my best friend, so I must be holy now for his sake for how can I live in sin when he died and freed me from it!... We turn to Hebrews chapter 6, also chapter 10 where we read that those who got on in sin and willful sin, they are recrucifying Christ and that's what this Christian said, this old Christian, he said: "How can I live in sin when Christ has died for my sin and saved me from it." so he is free from sin so how can he go and re-crucify Christ, when it was his sin (and our sins) that caused Christ to have to go and die. It goes for us too dear friends; how can we go on in choosing evil, choosing ungodliness unrighteousness, choosing false paths, and thinking that this is okay, when Christ died for our sins and freed us from them. It is time to make no excuses for the flesh anymore and it is time to get Jesus Christ to set us free from our sin, for that is the gospel of grace hallelujah. And that's what I came to find; I came to find this wonderful freedom from sin. And don't get me wrong the flesh will try and take you back every day so you must keep him up on that cross and must nail the flesh to cross, keep him up there. He will come down if you let him. Grace Makes You A New Creation So everybody who's tasted the saving grace of God has become a new creation in Christ as Paul writes that; he's become a new creation in Christ and he has become a divine partaker in the divine justice, divine grace of the Lord and he is a new creation... Jesus said that, (John ch3), that he who believes and has faith in the son of God becomes a new creation. He becomes born-again and the old way becomes new. But Jesus goes on to say that: the verdict is that the light has come into the world but many people love the darkness and they wouldn't come into the light because their deeds were evil, and so they refuse to come into the light lest their sin be exposed. And that is why we must expose our sins to Christ today and stop hiding the stop covering them up. Let us stop making excuses that following the world is evil, because it is! Let us stop making excuses that we can continue to chase after this TV movie loving world of crime and evil, and let us not make excuses that porn is not wrong because it is wrong because lust is wrong. And let us not make excuses for partying foolish lifestyle that doesn't glorify God and doesn't allow Christ to live through us! Now I read back at the start Reading from Galatians chapter 2:20 that: I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ in me... Now if Christ truly does live through you then is he living through you? What are your works? Are they the works of Christ living through you? Jesus Christ came and gave me some new works. He gave me the power to live a new way and put out the old way. And we are going to have to keep doing that every day and if we fall we are going to have to get up and have to keep going hallelujah. Because a man of God is not going to be following the flesh. Because all who fall away to the flesh and follow the flesh are going to die. The renewed man is a man who Christ has saved. He is the man who Christ has changed and it is the grace of God that brings us on to repentance that we can turn away from sin. So I ask you; what is it that you need to turn away from today? What sin are you secretly doing or hanging onto that you need to turn away from and put out? Is it that you are holding onto something that is displeasing to God? That is why there is a block up between you and him and Christians say: "Well I just feel so far from God and I don't have any peace". It is all that sin you are letting into your life that you are actually doing each day. And we can do sin also in our hearts, because a lot of us and a lot of religious folk and lot of church folk, can look very righteous on the outside and they don't go around and do too many blatant sin like you will see in the world, but inside they're full of evil deeds, lustful eyes, secret sin, doing things that God doesn't approve of in private, doing things that are righteous, and hearts of malice and evil, and we can have all these problems in our hearts that we need to repent of, and we need to get Jesus Christ to straighten us out and to put his new way in our hearts. Because I tell you truly if you have come to know Jesus he will touch you and make you a new person. He will change your heart, give you a new way, set you free hallelujah! He will free you from your sins and your burdens and bring you to God. Our Good Works Are As Filthy Rags I want to talk about these good works, good deeds, and why we cannot enter heaven by any good works lest any man should boast. You see without Christ in us, without him working through us, all our good deeds are as good as filthy rags. And people say: "Well I'm pretty good". It is because in our pride and our arrogance we just can't see how dirty we really are and our good works are all selfishly motivated and they might look good but they really are FALSE good works and they are selfishly motivated for our own agenda. But it is the works that come out of a heart that is changed by Christ that are good works that are through Christ, that he will turn to us on the last day; the people on his right. And you'll see that you have given to brethren who needed help. You will see that you have loved others as he loved you. You will see that you went and visited people who needed it who you knew. You will see that you didn't ignore others in need that were around you that you could have helped (were able to) because when you have the Spirit of Christ he cannot do things (which are evil and heartless). That is why he will say to the people on his left: "Go away you cursed you didn't do anything for me". Because they never sought him and never repented and they never had him live through them, so they never had a heart to go and help those around them. Instead they just looked at them (those in need) and said: "You know you brought it upon yourself your own fault." They might have accused some of the least or they turned a blind eye to some needy children. Or they just didn't help anyone. You know that's who Jesus will say, "Go away you cursed", because they didn't have the right heart. And if you feel you don't have the right heart today, you need to get to Jesus to ask him to fill you with his heart. You need the heart of the Lord, his new way inside. It is the only way. I want to read you from Ephesians chapter 2: For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has ordained for us from the beginning that we should walk in them"... Dear friends is Jesus living through you that you are completing your good works for the kingdom of God? Or are you saying that it's all by grace not good works lest any man should boast? And then Jesus Christ will say to you: "Depart you cursed because you didn't help me, you didn't help me". Now we should be doing good works because it is through the grace of God that we can get this new heart to have Christ lived through us that we can do the good works that have been ordained for us to walk in from the beginning. Now Matthew 5:16: let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven"... This is another example of Christians who have Jesus inside of them. They have a light of good works, of righteousness, holiness. Now ask yourself this question; show me your faith by your good works, do you have these good works or are you just a sinner still? If you're just a sinner still your blind, pitiful, poor, naked and bankrupt before God. Dear friends it is time to cry out onto the Lord and you will find him because only he and his grace can change you. Now James 2:14: What does it profit you my brethren, though a man say he has faith but no good works, can his faith save him? No! I want to read to you from 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every man receive according to his deeds in his body according to what he has done whether good or bad... So once again for the grace camp of Christians who claim that it's all by the faith and no works and they continue to sin, just be aware that you will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and you'll be called to account for the things you have done in your BODY, your body, the actions of your hands, minds, and DEEDS, according to what you have done whether good or bad it is written in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. So friends are we going to be turned away as the sheep or the goats on the left? Or are we going to be the people on the right who have had Christ work through us good works, righteous deeds, holiness, freedom from sin, no longer continuing in the works of evil. I want to continue reading. Now Hebrews 6 verse 10: For God is not unrighteous to forget your works and your labor of love for which he has shown towards his name. There you go this works and this labor of love comes from God, comes from Christ working through you. You need to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ hallelujah. He is only a prayer away. Now I want to read on: for God is not unrighteous to forget your works he will reward you according to what you do in Christ. Hallelujah, I want to read on in Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ and nevertheless it is not I who live it is Christ in me! Hallelujah! Once again we have Christ living within us who turn to him live for him and experience him. Now what happened to Paul? He fell on the road in Damascus and Christ appeared to him and changed him at that point. What has happened to you? Have you had an experience? Has Christ set you free? Have you got on your knees and asked Christ to know you? To show you, to free you to change you, to make you have a a new way in your heart? Or are you just stuck in dead religion that doesn't have any reality of Jesus at all. So many people don't know the Lord. They never ask. They just read the Bible and they just do religious things but they don't know him. They got no faith. Works By The Holy Spirit Not The Flesh Once again we are coming back to all these WORKS. Works, works, works, all these good works of service to the kingdom, getting your talents improved, increasing your talent like the parable of the talents, he doubled his money that the master gave him. Now in your case you are increasing the kingdom of God that the Lord has given you. Now are you doing that or are you not increasing God's kingdom but you are just following your own path? You are just living your own sin? Just going to your own parties living a life like a sinner and saying your saved by grace lest any man should boast! Dear friends let us not be deceived because the axe is at the foot of every tree that doesn't bear good fruit and as is written by Christ, Christ himself when he spoke where he said that: "The axe is laid at the foot of the trees that do not bear fruit"... Once again it comes down to you and to me. WE have to make the choice for Christ has ALREADY made the way. The grace is already there. The grace to do good works, the grace to live righteous is already there through Christ it shall be done. We shall be righteous through Christ, but it is down to you and is completely reliant on you now if you want to not be cast away, you MUST go to the Lord Jesus Christ to get changed and made a new creation. Many believers think they're born-again, they think they must be saved, yet they are not a new creation. The old is not new. They are still living their old life, their old sins. Going on in immorality and evil. They are not turning away from paths of sin, unrighteousness, they are not able to help those who are lost, starving, and naked, in need of Christ because they themselves are not a light. We need to realize that we must turn to Christ today for his reality and get change on the inside. Now he did it for me and he will do it for you if you go and spend the time crying out to him. And don't stop until you find him. Now I want to read to you here that we need to have the power of the Holy Spirit with us to give us the power to keep walking because Jesus said that when he goes he will send us a HELPER and it was written that this spirit of truth (now I'll read about the helper) he said (John 14:15-17): if you love me you'll keep my commandments and I will pray to the father and he will give you another helper that may abide with you for ever and it is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. But he will dwell with you and he will be with you... Now this Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit of God that comes to those who obey the commandments of Jesus and the reason why people don't get to know the Lord and the reason why they're not filled with the spirit is one reason and that is because they do not obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. But we have to obey his commandments and turn from our sins, it is the only way. And so let us do so while we can lest we get cast away. Now I want to read to you what happens in acts chapter 11 where Peter began to speak he said: The Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as it fell on us in the beginning, and since God gave the Gentiles the same gift that he gave us, then who are we to stand in God's way!... And what was this way? This way that the apostles were given and what were they given? They were given the Holy Spirit through fire, the tongues of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues, this was the first evidence of the Holy Spirit. And other people say that they have the Holy Spirit but they don't speak in tongues. They got no evidence and the Holy Spirit causes you to speak in tongues because that's what happened to the Gentiles as Peter said: As I began to speak the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he fell on us at the beginning... You see every Christian has the right to repent, turn away from sin and get filled with the Holy Spirit. And that's what I'm urging you all today that if you're able to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and if you're able to have him set you free, and if you are able to repent of all your sins, what is going to happen is that he's going to give you the Holy Spirit. But you got to go and ask and you've got to be serious and dedicated because it is the Holy Spirit living in us, that gives us the power to live a righteous life and be holy. Do you know Jesus and does Jesus know you? Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7826607