By: Jake Schrimsher
"Live life to the fullest." That's what we have been told to do all of our lives, but what does it truly mean to "live life to the fullest"?
What I see this as is an opportunity to do something that not many people attempt to do. Many people are told "live your life to the fullest" and have no clue how to do that. I would like to tell you the best way possible to "live life to the fullest."
Put God first, others second, and self last.
God first.
If there is one verse that makes me want to strive my best to live my life for God it is John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Putting God first requires a change of mind. How can I not put my self first in a decision? Think of how it will effect your relationship with God if you put yourself first in a decision and don't turn to God.
It could destroy it.
Others second.
I cannot stress enough how important this is. It is not easy to put someone else before you, especially if you do not even know the person. It is hard, but necessary.
This means that you have to think of others before you think of yourself.
Some people think, "if I don't get my way I'm gonna die." But you can't put yourself before others.
One of my most important goals in life is to learn how to put others before myself.
Self last.
This is probably the most difficult of all. How is it possible for me as my own person to put myself last?
Again, it is a mind set. If you tell yourself, I am going to put God and others before myself, you will follow through with it.
That is how it is with many things.
If you tell yourself at the beginning of the day that you are going to put yourself last and set continuous reminders throughout the day, you will be able to accomplish it.
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the se things shall be added to you."
Matthew 22:39 says, "And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
God first. Others second. Self last.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fitting In
By: Katie Long
What is something that almost every girl struggles with? How about popularity? Always trying to fit in and be liked by everyone. This is probably one of the main struggles because this is what brings us to wear the immodest clothing, give into peer pressure, say those words, etc..
As a Christian, are we supposed to fit in and be liked by everyone? I guess a better question would be CAN we be a faithful Christian and still be liked by everyone? The answer is NO. "And you will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).
As Christians we are supposed to be different than the world (Romans 12:2).
If we wear the same clothes, speak the same way, etc. How are we any different?
As Christians we WILL be persecuted, and when we are, we shouldn’t be discouraged but encouraged. In Acts 5 the apostles were put in jail and beaten for preaching Jesus Christ, in verse 41 it says “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” They were glad to suffer for Christ! When was the last time you were thrown in jail or beaten for being a Christian?
Our persecutions are nothing compared to what the first century Christians went through! So, when someone talks about you or makes fun of you for not wearing what they wear or doing what they do, don’t be discouraged and more importantly don’t give in to their peer pressure, but be happy that you are suffering shame for His name. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 5:10).
If you are a faithful Christian you WILL be persecuted for Christ’s sake (2 Timothy 3:12). If you are not being persecuted, maybe you should take a look at your life and try to see why not. The struggles of a teen girl can be pretty tough, but we have to keep our mind set on Heaven and remember to take pride in our Christianity and not worry about the world persecuting us “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).
Dealing with life’s struggles can be hard, but remember, if we keep pushing on and stay faithful then when Jesus comes back we can say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
What is something that almost every girl struggles with? How about popularity? Always trying to fit in and be liked by everyone. This is probably one of the main struggles because this is what brings us to wear the immodest clothing, give into peer pressure, say those words, etc..
As a Christian, are we supposed to fit in and be liked by everyone? I guess a better question would be CAN we be a faithful Christian and still be liked by everyone? The answer is NO. "And you will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).
As Christians we are supposed to be different than the world (Romans 12:2).
If we wear the same clothes, speak the same way, etc. How are we any different?
As Christians we WILL be persecuted, and when we are, we shouldn’t be discouraged but encouraged. In Acts 5 the apostles were put in jail and beaten for preaching Jesus Christ, in verse 41 it says “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” They were glad to suffer for Christ! When was the last time you were thrown in jail or beaten for being a Christian?
Our persecutions are nothing compared to what the first century Christians went through! So, when someone talks about you or makes fun of you for not wearing what they wear or doing what they do, don’t be discouraged and more importantly don’t give in to their peer pressure, but be happy that you are suffering shame for His name. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 5:10).
If you are a faithful Christian you WILL be persecuted for Christ’s sake (2 Timothy 3:12). If you are not being persecuted, maybe you should take a look at your life and try to see why not. The struggles of a teen girl can be pretty tough, but we have to keep our mind set on Heaven and remember to take pride in our Christianity and not worry about the world persecuting us “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).
Dealing with life’s struggles can be hard, but remember, if we keep pushing on and stay faithful then when Jesus comes back we can say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Friday, June 3, 2011
Something Is Calling Me Away
By: Jake Schrimsher
God told Adam and Eve to not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but something called them away.
There are so many times in the bible where God tells his people to do one thing and they do another. Simply because the devil is calling them to do the opposite.
Christ tells us in Matthew 5:21, "You shall not murder" and what do we see on the news just about everyday?
Christ tells us in Matthew 5:27, "You shall not commit adultery" and what do we see happening all around us?
Christ tells us in Matthew 5:44, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." and what do we see people doing today?
Christ tells us in Matthew 6:1, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them..." and what are people out doing?
Christ tells us in Matthew 6:14, "if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." and people are still holding grudges.
Christ tells us in Matthew 6:19, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal..." and what are people doing?
Christ tells us in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters..." but what are men trying to do?
Christ tells us in Matthew 6:25, "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Yet, people are making such a big deal out of them.
Christ tells us in Matthew 7:1-6, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Yet, again, people are doing this!
Christ tells us in Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate..." Yet, people everyday are doing things that push themselves further and further away from it.
Christ tells us in Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Yet, we let our guards down.
Everyday we are faced with the decision, "Am I going to do what is right or what is wrong?"
I encourage you to do what is right. I encourage you to follow what the bible says, leaving nothing out. I encourage you to try your best in everything that you do, especially when something as important as your soul is at stake.
The devil is calling us away from our God. I encourage you to plug your ears. Do not listen to him. Do not follow him.
Follow God. Study his word. Live by his word. Be the Christian that he wants you to be.
I know that it is easier said than done, but we can do it. Together we can achieve eternal life.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Not As Strong As You Thought You Were
By: Jake Schrimsher
In every one of our lives there is always, at some point in time, a thought that goes through our minds that says, "I'm stronger than I've ever been." Yet, somehow most of the time when we think we are at our strongest point we are actually at our weakest.
"Well, I haven't sinned in a week or so. I'm doing pretty good." Right then is when our guards goes down! Sometimes it's not even a week. It may only be a day or two.
Life is difficult. If you think otherwise, you're wrong.
There are times when we just don't want to leave the house because we are so down. There are times when we feel like we can't get back up because we are so weak. There are times when we bottle everything up inside of us and we reach the point where we don't trust anyone, not even God.
Don't let this happen to you. The one thing that no one should ever do is give up on trusting in God.
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." Trust him with everything. Go to him and just let it all out.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." God will give you strength.
Trust in God, lean on him for strength, and when you think you're at your strongest point, keep going.
In every one of our lives there is always, at some point in time, a thought that goes through our minds that says, "I'm stronger than I've ever been." Yet, somehow most of the time when we think we are at our strongest point we are actually at our weakest.
"Well, I haven't sinned in a week or so. I'm doing pretty good." Right then is when our guards goes down! Sometimes it's not even a week. It may only be a day or two.
Life is difficult. If you think otherwise, you're wrong.
There are times when we just don't want to leave the house because we are so down. There are times when we feel like we can't get back up because we are so weak. There are times when we bottle everything up inside of us and we reach the point where we don't trust anyone, not even God.
Don't let this happen to you. The one thing that no one should ever do is give up on trusting in God.
Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." Trust him with everything. Go to him and just let it all out.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." God will give you strength.
Trust in God, lean on him for strength, and when you think you're at your strongest point, keep going.
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