My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, – Philippians 3:10 (Holman)

My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, – Philippians 3:10 (Holman)

Paul’s goal was to know Jesus and His power. He didn’t want to just fake having a relationship with God. Paul. Paul studied the Bible and grasped the truth’s of the new testament. He truly accomplished this goal of knowing Jesus because not only did he know the truth, but he applied it to his everyday life.

Today will you also make it your goal to know Him and His power. Get into what the Bible has to say about Jesus. Primarily, get to know what happened to Jesus and what that sacrifice has done for us.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
 – James 2:10

Today’s Bible verse is kind of sobering. It shows us how perfect we would have to be to be accepted by God. We see that if we have ever done anything wrong, if we’ve ever told a lie, ever said something unkind, ever lusted after someone, or anything else that is considered sin, that we are as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

The truth is we all needed a savior. We couldn’t be good enough to be accepted by God. No amount of good works makes up for the fact that our sin separated us from God. Even the smallest sin, the tiniest of white lies was enough to keep us from God.

The good news for us is that God wasn’t okay with that. He wanted us to be able to know Him. So He did what we couldn’t do. He sent His son to pay the price our sin deserved. That’s why now, if we’ve accepted Jesus as our savior, we are considered righteous. So take a moment today and thank God for making you righteous!

HOW TO DEAL – TIPS FOR DEALING WITH TOUGH TIMES

Tough times are hard on us all. Whether a tough time comes from the passing of a loved one, a low grade on your history final, not making the softball team, or some other source, tough times can really weigh on you. Many times, it’s hard to know how to deal with tough times. You might feel like you don’t know how to respond, or want to blame God for the tough time you’re facing.

Where do tough times come from?

Let’s take a look at where tough times come from. Many people try to blame God for tough times. If a person you love dies, often people will say, God took them, or that God needed another angel in heaven. When you’re going through a difficult situation you might have someone tell you that God is using that situation to teach you a lesson. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about difficult situations.

No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. – James 1:13 (HCSB)

This verse shows us that God isn’t sending a trial or a tough time to you to test you. God isn’t to blame for the difficulty you’re facing. He isn’t testing you or trying to teach you a lesson. God is good.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. – James 1:17 (NLT)

This verse shows us that God sends us good things. He’s not out there ready to strike down a loved one with cancer. He’s only got good gifts and things to give to you. So when tough times come, realize that God isn’t the source of your trial.

Your outlook is key in tough times

Your attitude and outlook makes a huge difference when you’re faced with a tough time. You can choose how you will respond to difficulties in your life. Your response makes a huge impact on how you handle difficulty. You can choose to be defeated or upbeat about the difficulties that come your way.

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. – Romans 8:37

Paul is an awesome example of this. He faced lots of crazy stuff in his life. He was shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, and put in prison. Despite all the hard things that happened in his life, he kept a good attitude. He chose to put his trust in God and keep a positive attitude in the midst of tough times.

Paul’s example should challenge us when we face tough times. Regardless of what is going on around us, we can take comfort in the fact that God never leaves us and isn’t the source of tough times. We can go to God in tough times and let Him be our shelter and our refuge.

Choose to look to God for His strength in difficulty. Remember that with God on your side you can’t be defeated. Keep a good attitude and know that God will help you through the difficulty you’re facing!

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this lesson, you can download a youth group lesson outline and powerpoint based on this devotion to share with your youth group in our online resource center.

WHAT ORDERING ONLINE CAN TEACH US ABOUT FAITH

Have you ever ordered something online? I got an Amazon gift card for Christmas this year, and I used it to buy a bunch of great things on their website. The interesting thing about ordering from Amazon is that you don’t get what you order immediately. They have to ship it to you, and that takes time. Most of the time you have to wait several days to get what you ordered. When you’re really excited about your purchases, that can feel like forever.

Ordering products online reminds me of how faith works. Faith is simply taking what God says and believing it. It doesn’t matter what you might feel or see around you, if God’s word says something, then faith believes that it is true.

Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. – Hebrews 11:1 (ERV)

Sometimes the things that we have faith in, don’t always happen right away. Its like when you place an order online. You have to have faith that the company is going to do what they said they would do and send you what you ordered. That in the most basic sense is faith. Its trusting someone to do what they said they would do.

And that is what God asks us to do in the Bible. He tells us to take what He said in the Bible and believe it. And even though we don’t always see it right away, we can believe that we will have what God has promised. Just like when we order something online, we don’t get it or see it right away, but we know that it is coming in a few days.

So the next time that you’re checking out at an online store, remember that just like you trust that store to send you what you ordered, you can trust God to do what he said. You might not see the promises of God come to pass right away, but you can trust that they are coming to pass in your life.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Many times people say the Bible isn’t relevant and doesn’t help us make decisions in today’s world. However, if you simply read it with an open heart, you’ll be surprised to find that it’s very relevant.

When you read God’s word you get the chance to learn things that help you with your everyday life. Whether you need advice on dealing with others or some wisdom for your finances God’s Word has what you need.

God’s Word (the Bible) is ready and available to give you light to the decisions you’re needing to make. God cares about the path you’re on. He has wisdom for you today. Read God’s Word today and let it speak truth to you and light your path.

Even a young man is known by his actions – if his behavior is pure and upright. – Proverbs 20:11

How are your actions? Its easy to say the ‘right thing’ when you’re around your parents or at church. But what’s the real you like? How do you act when no one is around? Do you slack off? Do you only do the minimum of what is expected? How you act when no one is looking shows your true character.

Your actions are what you’re known by, so if your actions aren’t uplifting and helping others, decide today to make any changes that are necessary. Its not always easy to change, but its always worth it. Its worth it to put the effort in to be a person of character. Choose to not compromise, even in the smallest area. Be a person of excellence and always do your best. Its the small choices you make every day that will set you apart from others. Choose to be someone who is known by good actions!

The small choices you make every day are what sets you apart from others. 

Pray: Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I ask you to show me if there are things I’m doing that aren’t uplifting and helping others. I desire to be a person that is pure and upright. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. – Phil 4:6 (NLT)

Worry is such an easy habit to fall into. Its so easy to start looking at what is going on around you and begin to worry. You might worry that you won’t make it into the right college. Or that you’ll never meet the right person and you’ll end up alone. There are so many things that are uncertain in life, and its easy to fall into the trap of worry.

However, today’s Bible verse tells us what we should be doing when we’re tempted to worry. It says that we should not worry, but pray about everything. We should be giving those worries to God and telling Him what we need. When we begin doing this, it helps us because we don’t have to carry those worries and fears any longer.

A final thing this verse tells us to do is to thank God for what He has done. So instead of spending all your time getting worried and worked up over a problem, choose to spend some time thanking God for all He has done in your life. If you do this, worry doesn’t stand a chance in your life!

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  – Philippians 4:6

We all are faced with difficult situations in life. Often we feel that if it’s tough, it’s probably because we out of God’s will. Sometimes this isn’t the case. Often God calls us to do things that will require us to trust Him to accomplish it. While in the process it can be challenging but God will give you the strength to get through it victorious.
Remember that never having problems isn’t victory. Trusting God to help you through difficult situations is.
Today, lean on God’s strength. Trust in Him to help you in whatever you might be going through.
 

Today’s Bible Verse and Daily Devotion is on Ephesians 1:3

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. – Eph 1:3

Being a student at school can be challenging. Whether you struggle with school work, with friendships, or what to wear this verse is encouragement for you today.

This verse tells us that we are blessed. That means we can expect good things to happen to us. We don’t have to walk the halls of our school with our heads down, feeling bad about ourselves. Instead we can hold our head up high because we are blessed.

Don’t let the back to school blues get you down, choose to focus on the fact that you’re blessed which means you’re able to conquer everything that comes your way today!

With God on our side, we can overcome everything we face today!

DAILY BIBLE VERSE AND DEVOTION – SEPTEMBER 30

DAILY BIBLE VERSE AND DEVOTION – SEPTEMBER 30

What do you think of when you think about trust? Do you think of someone always having your back? Do you think about someone who does what they say? What does trust mean to you?

When it comes to relationships, most of the time trust comes with time. As time passes, you see the person in a variety of different situations and you begin to see who they really are. You begin to see how they think and respond to situations. And over time, you begin to trust that person. You begin to know if what they say is true and if they’ll follow through.

Today’s Bible verse is all about trust. Can you say that God is who you trust? Have you spent time getting to know Him, getting to see how He responds in different situations, and building trust with Him? God is someone you can rely on and trust in, but to build that trust, you’ve got to spend time reading your Bible. That’s one of the best ways you can get to know God. You begin to see in the Bible how God responded to different people throughout history. You can see that God always comes through and is faithful. To build trust in God, you’ve got to spend time reading the Bible.

So challenge yourself today to spend time getting to know the God of the Bible. Take some time out of your day to read some of the great stories in the Old Testament of how God came through for His people. As you do, you begin to realize that He will do the same for you!

WHAT LEGOS TEACH ABOUT WORSHIP

Playing with Lego as a little kid was always one of my favorite things to do. I loved to build anything I could get my hands on. I liked building houses, towns, cars and pretty much anything else I could dream up.

I remember one year at Christmas, I got a new Lego set. It was a train station, and I just loved building it. I opened up the instruction booklet that came with the set and began following each step to construct the train station. In all the excitement to build the set, however, I began to realize that I had missed a step somewhere in the building process. Things began to look a little strange, and the train station just wasn’t looking right. Because I missed a step along the way, things began to not look right.

That reminds me of how its like for us to worship God. Much of the time we try to get the end result of worship, singing, eyes closed, hands clapping and whatever else worship looks like, but we often forget a step.

The Missing Step

Often when we worship, we forget why it is that we worship. And sometimes, we forget why we even can worship. We’re able to worship because of our relationship with God.

You wouldn’t be able to talk about how good food is at a restaurant if you didn’t eat there. It’s after you’ve tried the food that you’re able to talk about how good it is. That’s how we are with God.  To really enjoy praising him, we’ve got to get to know Him. We’ve got to develop a relationship with Him.

God wants nothing more than a relationship with you. He loves you and wants to know you in a deeper and more real way. This relationship enables us to worship God and enjoy him in a deeper way.

This verse gives us lots of good examples of what praise is. It’s a sacrifice, that it may take some work and effort and stepping out of what feels comfortable to give praise. It also tells us that our lips should be giving thanks. That we should be producing thanks to God.

Worship Starts With the Heart

There are so many things that you can thank God for. Whether it’s simply the fact that you’re breathing, or for the food you got to eat, the clothes you wear, or the friends that you have. It could be taking time to think about all that God provided for you in Christ.

You can thank God that you’re not a sinner any longer, but a child of God. You can thank God for His faithfulness and goodness. There are so many things to thank God for.

Worship isn’t complicated. It’s not hard or something that you’ve got to go to Bible school to learn how to do effectively. Worship starts by simply taking time to thank God for what He’s done in your life. So don’t be like I was with my train station Lego set as a kid. Don’t forget a step when it comes to worship. Don’t forget that worship isn’t about actions only, it’s about your heart. It’s about taking time to focus on who God is and what He’s done for you. Worship starts with the heart.

Challenge yourself today to not let your worship become stale, but to refocus your attention on Jesus. Focus on who He is and what He’s done for you.

DAILY BIBLE VERSE – SEPTEMBER 29

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

One of the hardest things to do is to be kind and forgiving to people. Especially when those people have done you wrong. When someone mistreats you, the normal response is to get back at them. To hurt them like they’ve hurt you, to give them the silent treatment, or just do something to teach them a lesson. That’s what is considered normal. That’s how most people live their lives.

The Bible stands that on its head and tells us as Christians to be different. We’re challenged to not get back at someone, but to forgive them, just like God forgave us. Doing this isn’t normal, and it isn’t easy, but its what’s right.

So challenge yourself today to push past what’s easy and choose to be kind and forgive others.

Gods Love Letter To You

A Worth to Watch Video

The words are bour to experience are true.

They will change your life if you let themFor they come from the very heart of God

He Loves you.

And He is the Father you have been looking for all your life

This is His love letter

My Child,

You may not know me, 
But I know everything about you. 
Psalm 139:1 

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28 

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28 

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5 

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12 

You were not a mistake, 
For all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth 
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14 

I knit you together in your mother's womb. 
Psalm 139:13 

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented 
By those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, 
But am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16 

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1 

Simply because you are my child 
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11 

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48 

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11 

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3 

My thoughts toward you are countless 
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17 

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40 

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5 

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41 

And I want to show you great and marvellous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3 

If you seek me with all your heart, 
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29 

Delight in me and I will give you 
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4 

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13 

I am able to do more for you 
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20 

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you 
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

When you are broken-hearted, 
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18 

As a shepherd carries a lamb, 
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11 

One day I will wipe away 
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4 

And I'll take away all the pain 
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4 

I am your Father, and I love you 
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23 

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3 

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, 
not against you. 
Romans 8:31 

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

His death was the ultimate expression 
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32 

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, 
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you 
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party 
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7 

I have always been Father, 
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15 

My question is...
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13 

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God