July 17, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Many decisions and commitments are made during the life of a Christian.  What separates the real decisions and the temporary decisions?  No one would make a decision knowing full well that they don’t plan on keeping it.  When decisions are make, we are fully intent on following through.  So why does it seem that decisions made at camp are often forgotten about 1 or 2 months later?

Accountability - During a camp week, campers are focused on God.  The counselors and other leaders are focused on God.  The counselors are almost always around their campers to help them focus on God.  This accountability and constant focus on God is what helps the campers stay focused on their decisions.  When the campers get back from camp they have ball games, hanging out with friends, and other things to do other than worry about the decision they made at camp and often times, no one around to remind them.

Paul held the Corinthian church accountable.  I Corinthians 4:14-15 - “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.  For though you might have tenthousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”

Importance - When decisions are made, they are made because the camper thinks that the decision is an important one to make at the time.  Likewise, any decision that is made that would cause someone to be more like Jesus is an important decision.  At camp all spiritual decisions are held in such high regard that some might even be tempted to make a decision just because everyone else is.  It is true that if something is important enough for you, you will make time for it.  If changing your life to become more like Jesus is important to you, you will make time.  If basketball or piano is most important to you, you will make time.  Larry Bird use to shoot 200 free throws before school every morning.  He MADE time to shoot.  There is always time for devotions, it’s just whether we make the time.

Paul also knew what it took to BECOME more like Christ.  Romans 12:2 - “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Steps to help follow through on your commitments 

Step 1: Find someone who WILL keep you accountable.  Someone who will ask you the tough questions.  Someone who you can speak truthfully to.

Step 2: Understand the importance of your commitment.  Commitments made before the Lord should not be taken lightly.  Make the time to give you the opportunity to succeed.  Be willing to clear things that are not important off your schedule to make room.

Step 3: Pray.  God wants you to succeed.  God will help you follow through if you would only ask.  He loves it when we make decisions for Him.  He loves it even more when we follow through.  God gave you the Holy Spirit to help you.  You are not alone.

Everyone should be able to see if you followed through on your commitment.  They should see a changed life.  They should see a desire to please God.  They should see a Christ follower.

Philippians 1:6 - “being CONFIDENT of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you WILL complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

If you would like more tips on how to follow through successfully with your commitments, please email pm@youthteam.org or see Pastor Matt.

Posted in Devotion | Print | No Comments »

July 4, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Galatians 5:1 - “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject to a yoke of slavery.”

Before Christ we are slaves to sin.  There is nothing that we can do to please God.

After Christ we are set free so that we might sin no longer.  What did Jesus say to the woman accused of adultery?  “From now on sin no more.” (John 8:5)  Did He set her free to continue in sin?  Did He spare her life and then tell her that He’ll understand if she falls into adultery again?  No.  He said, “sin no more”. 

For those who trust in Christ our challenge is to sin no more.  Are you free to please God?  Praise the Lord that He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  Praise the Lord that three days later He rose from the dead.  Rising from the dead, showed the conquering of sin.  It was that conquering of sin that gave us our freedom. 

Which freedom do you enjoy most, the freedom to say what you want, when you want or the freedom to please and enjoy the Everlasting God?

Praise the Lord for our country where we have the freedom worship the God that has set us free from sin.

Questions to ask yourself this week:

1.  Is there any sin in my life that I am a slave to?  (just pick one)

2.  Did Christ die for that sin?

3.  What are some practical things that i can do to get rid of the temptation to sin in this way?

4.  In putting off that sin, what is something that God wants me to put on?

If you have any questions or comments on this topic, feel free to post a comment or send an email to answers@youthteam.org

Posted in Devotion | Print | No Comments »

July 3, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Many people believe that America was founded on biblical principles.  In truth, the Founding Fathers were not Christians. 

Ben Franklin doubted the divinity of Jesus. 

Thomas Paine said, “I do not believe in any creed professed…by any church that i know of.” 

George Washington allowed the appointment of a chaplain in the army who did not even believe in Hell. 

John Adams once said, “This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.” 

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The doctrine that flowed from the lips of Jesus himself are withing the comprehension of a child.”  He also said that the writings of John in the book of Revelation were the “ravings of a maniac”.

America might have had some generally good principles that followed along with the Bible.  The whole point of establishing America was not to have a country devoted to the one true God, but to give freedome from the oppression of the British.

Psalm 33:12 - “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

Has God blessed America more than other countries?  Pretty Obvious Yes

Is it because America is a godly country?  No 

Will America ever be a country who makes God as their Lord?  Not likely

Is there anything we can do?

Yes!  We can make God our Lord.  It must happen individually before it can happen nationwide.  It takes individuals in a community to start a revival.  It takes a personal commitment to God, that YOU won’t succumb to the pressures of the culture around you.  It takes individuals who will stand up among all those who are sitting down.  It takes godly teens who are devoted to their Lord to start a revival. 

That is when we’ll start seeing a change.  Let’s pray to that end.

Posted in Holiday | Print | No Comments »

June 29, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Here are some verses to follow up our lesson on Religion and Homosexuality so that you might think biblically about this subject.

Homosexuality in the Bible:

OT: Genesis 19:5-8 (Sodom); Leviticus 18:22;20:13 (an abomination & detestable)

NT: Romans 1:24-27 (Abandoned natural function/Indecent); I Cor 6:9 (Not inherit Kingdom of heaven); I Timothy 1:9-10 (In a list of ungodly characteristics)

These verses show that homosexuality was not created by God, nor does God condone homosexuality.  It is through the twisting and taking out of context that others might use these verses to further the cause of coexistence between Religion and Homosexuality.  BUT if you take these verses as literal and look into any commentary on these verses, you will see that God is against Homosexuality.

NOTE:  God is NOT against homosexuals.  Is homosexuality a sin?  Yes.  Are people who practice homosexuality sinners?  Yes.  Is stealing a sin?  Yes.  Are people who steal sinners?  Yes.

In loving one another, we need to call sin sin.  There is great hope in this.  When we acknowledge our sin before God, we are then able to ask for forgiveness.  When we try and redefine God’s standards and change “sin” to “preference” that is when we will never be forgiven for that sin, because we will never ask for forgiveness for a “Preference”. 

In loving one another, we need to love everyone.  If they are living a homosexual lifestyle, if they are a pathalogical liar, if they always disobey their authorities, no matter what sin someone is living in, we are all still created in the image of God and THEREFORE deserve to be loved as individuals not matter what.

As John S. mentioned on Wednesday, we are to confront ONLY if it is to restore a believer or bring someone to Christ.

Matthew 22:36-40

 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and ^foremost commandment.

 “The second is like it, ‘^You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Posted in Homosexuality | Print | No Comments »

June 21, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

The purpose of having this blog is to encourage teens to KNOW God and LIVE for God.

On this blog you will find follow up questions on the Wednesday lesson, Devotionals for teens, follow up on Pastor Crawford’s sermons and things I’ve been learning.

All comments must be God-Honoring.  Please provide honest feedback.  If any comment appears to be gossip or degrading or anything that would detract from thinking on things that are excellent and praisworthy, they will be deleted.

If you would like me to post anything about any certain topic, please leave a comment or email answers@youthteam.org.

>Pastor Matt

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »