By: Katie Long
"Tomorrow is “Payday”! I can't wait, I'm going to go shopping, get some new clothes, and maybe even get a new purse!" This is what a lot of us girls say before payday, right? That's okay! I'm not saying it’s wrong, I mean, who doesn't like to go shopping? :) I know I do!
The payday I am looking forward to, is the day Jesus comes back and we go to spend eternity with God in Heaven, which is our reward for living according to His Word (2 John 8). I cannot tell you when that day will come, no one can, (Luke 12:40, Matthew 24:36) but I do know it’s coming! The first part of 2 Peter 3:10 says “But the day of the Lord cometh…”
Eternal life with God in Heaven; nothing in this life can even compare to that. You could have everything you ever wanted plus more on this earth, yet I promise Heaven will be 100 times better! Let’s look at some verses on what Heaven will be like...
Matthew 6:2 says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." You see Heaven will be glorious for all eternity!
In Heaven we won’t have any of the troubles that we have in this life, Revelation 21:4 says, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." This verse alone makes me want to do everything I can to get to Heaven!
Heaven will be one eternal day! We read in Revelation 22:5 that, “There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light from the sun, for the Lord God gives them light..."
Heaven is a prepared place, but only for those who are prepared. (Matthew 25:31-34, John 14:1-3) But don’t get me wrong the unprepared will also receive a payment as well. We see in the first part of Romans 6:23 it says,”For the wages of sin is death…” So, one way or another we will get paid, but we can choose which payment we will receive (Romans 6:16).
With this article I hope I have shown you a little of what Heaven will be like, and I hope I have encouraged you to do your best to be prepared for the “Payday”!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Where No One Stands Alone
By: Katie Long
“For those who are Christian teens, my best advice is stick together with those friends who are godly and keep your activities with them. You are much less likely to fall when you are with those with the same value systems and beliefs. Also, MAKE time to study daily (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119; 11). It is imperative to do so if you want to be faithful! If we can find time to text/call friends, go where we want etc., we can find the time for God. He should be the first thought when we wake up and the last before we go to sleep. For those who do not have Christian parents, link yourself up with others who are Christians so you can get the fellowship, advice, and comfort that are needful to stay a Christian. We can't do it all by ourselves. God knew this when He told us to be "knit together as one," (Colossians2:2). The teen years are the most difficult, I believe, because of the pressure to conform (whether it is perceived or real). Above all - STAY CONNECTED! Once you turn loose from the fellowship of those with like precious faith, you start slipping and it is so much easier to slide backward that it is to climb upward.” (Nancy Goring, MO.).
Our friends are a very important part in life and have a huge impact on the choices we make in life. “Two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9). We all have at least one friend that is closer to us than our other friends (Proverbs 18:24). We need to make sure that who we hang out with are not going to pull us away from God,” Evil company corrupts good habits”(1 Cor. 15:33). Don't let the world corrupt you. Surround yourself with Christian friends and know that they are always there and will always be willing to help you. The week of MSOP lectureships was so helpful to me, it helped me to see what is important in life, which is living the Christian life and teaching others about God. Also it helped me to realize I am not alone. My Christian friends are striving for the same thing I am, to get to Heaven! As Christians we are to help each other, be there for each other and even though we may not like it, admonish one other. (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
If you feel like you don’t have anyone to go to for help always know that God is there! He is always willing to listen and in fact He wants us to talk to Him and know that He is there for us, because, He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7).
When I was in Memphis this past month for the MSOP lectureships, a couple nights me and a group of brothers and sisters in Christ got together to sing praises to God, it was so encouraging! One song in particular that we sang was “Where No One Stands Alone”. That song has stuck with me ever since. The second verse in that song says "Like a king I may live in a palace so tall, with great riches to call my own, but I don't know a thing in this whole wide world that's worse than being alone." I couldn't agree more with those words! Alot of times we as girls feel alone because maybe something happened with a friend and they are unhappy with us or maybe because we feel that no one has gone through what we are going through. Well I am here to say that you are not alone and there are plenty of strong Christian women that have been through the same thing! Don't be scared to ask those ladies for help, I have asked a couple of ladies for advice that they would give to teen girls.
“I did not grow up in the church, I was baptized after Michael and I were married for 3 years. So for me if I hadn't married a Christian chances are I wouldn't be one. That was my number one goal for my girls was to marry a Christian. And you marry who you date. Watching my kids grow up the most important thing I saw were they kept company only with Christians. Not meaning their work, etc., but their social time. My kids who made it thru very well kept only friends who were strong." (Diane Richardson, IA).
“For those who are Christian teens, my best advice is stick together with those friends who are godly and keep your activities with them. You are much less likely to fall when you are with those with the same value systems and beliefs. Also, MAKE time to study daily (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119; 11). It is imperative to do so if you want to be faithful! If we can find time to text/call friends, go where we want etc., we can find the time for God. He should be the first thought when we wake up and the last before we go to sleep. For those who do not have Christian parents, link yourself up with others who are Christians so you can get the fellowship, advice, and comfort that are needful to stay a Christian. We can't do it all by ourselves. God knew this when He told us to be "knit together as one," (Colossians2:2). The teen years are the most difficult, I believe, because of the pressure to conform (whether it is perceived or real). Above all - STAY CONNECTED! Once you turn loose from the fellowship of those with like precious faith, you start slipping and it is so much easier to slide backward that it is to climb upward.” (Nancy Goring, MO.).
Our friends are a very important part in life and have a huge impact on the choices we make in life. “Two are better than one” (Eccl. 4:9). We all have at least one friend that is closer to us than our other friends (Proverbs 18:24). We need to make sure that who we hang out with are not going to pull us away from God,” Evil company corrupts good habits”(1 Cor. 15:33). Don't let the world corrupt you. Surround yourself with Christian friends and know that they are always there and will always be willing to help you. The week of MSOP lectureships was so helpful to me, it helped me to see what is important in life, which is living the Christian life and teaching others about God. Also it helped me to realize I am not alone. My Christian friends are striving for the same thing I am, to get to Heaven! As Christians we are to help each other, be there for each other and even though we may not like it, admonish one other. (2 Thessalonians 3:15).
If you feel like you don’t have anyone to go to for help always know that God is there! He is always willing to listen and in fact He wants us to talk to Him and know that He is there for us, because, He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7).
"Take my hand, let me stand,
Where no one stands alone"
Where no one stands alone"
Monday, April 11, 2011
My Bible... My Cell Phone
Unknown Author
I wonder what would happen if we treated out Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go, hmmm...
Where is my bible?
I wonder what would happen if we treated out Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go, hmmm...
Where is my bible?
My Christian Creed
By: Paige Almond
GIRLS ONLY
GIRLS ONLY
OK so this guy spoke in chapel one day and he was from the military. He read to us the creed that he had to follow. I thought that we as Christians also have a creed to follow and that creed is for God. So, here's my creed:
I will do everything in my might and power to follow the commands of my God. I pledge allegiance, loyalty, and my life to the following of God's will and fulfilling my duty as a Christian. I will meet whatever requirements necessary to successfully be a hard, fighting Christian soldier. I will remember my fellow comrades and keep them accountable as I expect them to do for me. I will be the bright light shining in this dark world. I will love everyone and will always set the best example I can. I commit to this duty for my whole life and I will never back down nor forget where my priorities lie. God first before everything, then others, and myself last. I will always remember the price that was paid for me and will do my best to give back what is due. I am a committed Christian soldier and I will follow the one true God.
I hope y'all can make a creed for yourself and try to live by it each and every day. Soldiers in the army have to know their creeds by heart and must obey what it says. I hope that as Christians we strive to be the best we can be and always remember our duty on the battlefield and follow God's word at all times.
Nearer, Still Nearer
By: Jake Schrimsher
Every time I sing this song I think of it as a promise to God.
"Nearer, Still Nearer, while life shall last, Till safe in glory my anchor is cast; In endless ages, ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee, Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee."
This verse is saying, while I'm here on this earth I will remain near to you. My anchor has been cast out and it's going to remain strong and will not stray. One day I will be in heaven and then I will be nearer to you than I could ever be here on this earth.
It's very important to cast your anchor firmly in Christ. In fact, it's the most important thing you can ever do.
Until you're safe in Heaven, it's not safe to pull your anchor up, but sometimes it's easy to pull it up and place it somewhere it shouldn't be.
How firm is your anchor placed in Christ? Is it barely grazing the surface or is it deeply set?
An anchor's weight has a lot to do with how firmly it's set. Our faith in God should make our anchor so heavy and so deep that it will never stray. Our anchor should be "both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:19).
The way we live, what we say, how we treat others, the choices we make, what we watch, what we listen to, and how we think can all effect how close we are to God and how strong our anchor will hold. If our anchors holds strong we will forever be with our Savior.
The song says, "In endless ages, ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee." Endless ages. Wow! How awesome does this sound? If we live our lives the way God wants us to and firmly set our anchor then we will FOREVER live in Heaven with Jesus!
Stay closes to Christ and follow in His footsteps and never pull up your anchor. Place your anchor and make sure it's "both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:19).
Every time I sing this song I think of it as a promise to God.
"Nearer, Still Nearer, while life shall last, Till safe in glory my anchor is cast; In endless ages, ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee, Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee."
This verse is saying, while I'm here on this earth I will remain near to you. My anchor has been cast out and it's going to remain strong and will not stray. One day I will be in heaven and then I will be nearer to you than I could ever be here on this earth.
It's very important to cast your anchor firmly in Christ. In fact, it's the most important thing you can ever do.
Until you're safe in Heaven, it's not safe to pull your anchor up, but sometimes it's easy to pull it up and place it somewhere it shouldn't be.
How firm is your anchor placed in Christ? Is it barely grazing the surface or is it deeply set?
An anchor's weight has a lot to do with how firmly it's set. Our faith in God should make our anchor so heavy and so deep that it will never stray. Our anchor should be "both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:19).
The way we live, what we say, how we treat others, the choices we make, what we watch, what we listen to, and how we think can all effect how close we are to God and how strong our anchor will hold. If our anchors holds strong we will forever be with our Savior.
The song says, "In endless ages, ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee." Endless ages. Wow! How awesome does this sound? If we live our lives the way God wants us to and firmly set our anchor then we will FOREVER live in Heaven with Jesus!
Stay closes to Christ and follow in His footsteps and never pull up your anchor. Place your anchor and make sure it's "both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:19).
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