Frogs And Depression

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." (I John 1:9)

There once was a scientist who studied frogs. One day, the scientist put the frog on the ground and told it to jump. The frog jumped four feet. So the scientist wrote in his notebook, "frog with four feet, jumps four feet." So the scientist cut off one of one of the frog's legs. The scientist told the frog to jump. Frog jumped three feet. So the scientist wrote in his notebook, "frog with three feet, jumps three feet." So the scientist cut of another leg. He told the frog to jump. The frog jumped two feet. So the scientist wrote in his notebook "frog with two feet, jumps two feet."

The scientist cut off one more leg. He told the frog to jump. Frog jumped one foot. So the scientist wrote in his notebook, "frog with one foot, jumps one foot."

So the scientist cut off his last leg.

"He said, "Frog jump. Frog jump. FROG JUMP!"

So the scientist wrote in his notebook, "Frog with no feet, goes deaf."

How many of us are "scientists" when it comes to our philosophy of life? Let me paraphrase the frog story to explain what I mean:

There once was a Christian who studied life. One day, the Christian felt depressed, so he put his life events into a journal to see if his observations would help him figure out the reason for his unhappiness. The first day, the Christian lied once, gossiped twice, and coveted once. So the Christian wrote in his journal: "day had four sins, felt depressed four times". So the Christian decided to always tell the truth, not gossip, and be satisfied with his life. The next day, the Christian was unforgiving once, and hot tempered in traffic twice. So the Christian wrote in his journal: "day had three sins, felt depressed three times". So the Christian decided to forgive his friend, and be patient (especially in traffic). The next day, the Christian skipped his devotions and watched TV all day, and he stuffed his face with a fist full of Fritos and a bowl of chili. So the Christian wrote in his journal: "day had two sins, felt depressed twice". So the Christian decided to not be slothful or gluttonous. The next day, the Christian visited all the wrong sites on the internet. So the Christian wrote in his journal: "day had one sin, felt depressed once". The next day, the Christian didn't commit one sin! So the Christian wrote in his journal: "life with no sin, gets depressing".

It's right there in our face, isn't it? We harbor known sin, knowing that it wreaks havoc on our personal lives, and knowing that confession and repentance will restore our fellowship with our Creator. Yet when the time comes to come clean before God, we suddenly become convinced that if we let go of that little pet sin, our lives will be "happy challenged".

Here's an excerpt from another person who kept a journal about his spiritual life, except he came to the right conclusion.

"Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." (Psalm 32:1-7)

King David was a "scientist" for a while, but he was also a man after God's own heart. Eventually he realized that true satisfaction and joy in life is impossible to find without righteousness, and secret sins are the surest way to sadness.

I believe we are all smart enough to realize that a frog without legs is not going to get anywhere. Let's also be brainy enough to grasp this concept: life without righteousness is going nowhere fast.

Questions:

1. Are there secret sins that you refuse to give to God?
2. What truly brings you happiness in your life?
3. Is joy and purpose possible without living in obedience to God's will? Why or why not?

Forgiveness a Phone Call Away?

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 2:5)

So I'm browsing through the newspaper online one day, and I find this advertisement that reads (name and number blocked for certain reasons):

SORRY FOR SIN?
Repent- call 1-900-7-REPENT
$3 first minute, $1 additional minute, must be 18
F*****t Ministries, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522

Wow - what a relief! Now you can repent of sin and be forgiven through the medium of modern communication- and all for the low low price of $3. Unless of course you are really guilty, then you're going to have to cough up a buck for each additional minute.

Seems like there was Someone else who came up with the idea of forgiveness long before the telephone was invented. His name was Jesus Christ, and here's what His ad has to say:

DESTINED FOR HELL?
Trust- simply place your trust in Christ's death and Resurrection as your only hope of salvation
No charge, because the full price has already been paid, no minimum age required
Here are a few words from the Founder:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

If you are feeling guilty today, there are two possibilities. One would be that you have never truly placed your faith in Jesus to forgive you. The other would be that you are a Christian, but you are living in active disobedience to our Lord. In either case, remember that repent means a 'change of mind', so you either need to change what you believe about Christ, or you need to change what you think about living for yourself.

If today you decide to repent, don't pick up the phone! Instead, lift up your heart and have a conversation with the God who is ready and willing to grant you a full and abundant life for his glory.

Questions:

1. Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?
2. Are you living for Him, or for yourself?
3. What are three ways you can show your appreciation this week for His marvelous gift of salvation?

Forgive and Forget?

What is forgiveness anyway? Why must we forgive? What does it truly mean to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply? Consider this illustration about a man named Tomas Borge that I found in Let Me Tell You a Story compiled by author and speaker Tony Campolo.

Tomas Borge was a Nicaraguan freedom fighter who led a group against a regime who sought out to destroy their country by way of utter domination. Borge was captured and tortured in a dungeon, where he was chained to a wall, castrated, and even witnessed the rape of his wife. Finally the revolution ended and Borge was released and marched through a parade as he was hailed by fellow Nicaraguans as a hero. As he marched down the streets he recognized the man who had him in chains and raped his wife. He fell out of order and ran to the crowd. Approaching this man, he grabbed him by the shoulders and began asking Him if he remembered who he was. The captor acted as if he had never seen Tomas Borge before. Borge continued talking about how he could never forget his face. Still clutching onto his shoulders, Borge screamed loudly saying,

"Now do you know what this revolution is all about? Now do you understand this revolution?"

The man responded in fear saying, "Yes! Yes!"

Tomas answered back, "No! You don't understand what this revolution is all about!"

Then he embraced the man and shouted, "I forgive you! I forgive you! That's what this revolution is all about!"

This is a perfect example of Christ's ultimate love and forgiveness that is offered to us. We have done so much to hurt Him, and turned our backs on Him. We have mocked Him, and hurled insults at Him more times than we probably care to count. We put Christ on the cross and crucified Him, because of our sin. Yet Scripture tell us that:

"as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins" (Psalm 103:12, msg).

He has not only forgiven our sins, but He has forgotten them as well. Our sins were removed by the price paid on the cross. God sent His only Son, Jesus to take on the sins of the world and die in our place. He gave a clean slate to work from. God's love is so great; He did this for us, sacrificing everything.

"You'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!" (Ephesians 3:18, msg)

Christ forgave, therefore we too have the responsibility to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." In other words, we have been forgiven and many of us have seen the transformation of God's powerful forgiveness in our own lives, and are now called to forgive others in the same way.

From a human perspective, this task is impossible! We have been hurt and we justify our hurt and anger, yet God forgave the worst of sins. For example, let's take a look at a man who seemed to have every right to hate his brother for the sins committed against him and refuse forgiveness. Esau was stripped of everything. Jacob, his conniving brother, stole everything that rightfully belonged to Esau. Jacob plotted and schemed his entire life. Years later, Jacob was to face his brother. He was met by Esau and 400 soldiers. Jacob would have deserved death and humiliation, but Esau approached Him and Scripture tells us that he

"ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept" (Genesis 33:4).

Instead of fighting back in anger and hurt, Esau chose to love Jacob and give the ultimate response of love; that is forgiveness.

I know we all have situations in our lives that require us to forgive and forgive more than we want to. I know I have a situation that requires me to forgive someone each and every day. I do not claim to be perfect, and I know you will not always succeed in the realm of forgiveness. However, I ask that you consider trying with the help of Christ, through whom all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When we choose to forgive as people like Tomas Borge, Jesus and Esau forgave, we will see great things, especially in our own lives as we are lifted out of bondage to bitterness and anger.

Questions:

1. Is there someone in your life that requires your forgiveness without asking for it?
2. What is holding you back from forgiving someone with Christ's love?
3. Will you approach that person immediately and forgive them once and for all, without using it against them later?
4. Will you be the next Tomas or Esau?

Forget First Aid

After an accident, a woman stepped forward and began to help the victim. She was pushed aside by a man who announced,

"I've had a course in first aid and I'm trained in CPR."

The woman watched his procedures for a few moments, then tapped him on the shoulder.

"When you get to the part about calling a doctor," she said, "I'm already here."

Have you had any accidents lately? I'm not talking about automobile wrecks, what I mean are those periods in life where you feel like you just got run over. It could be relationship trouble, financial difficulties, poor health, or any other number of misfortunes that blindside us and leave a mess of things.

But that's o.k. - right? We've all been trained in the First Aid Kit of life. We know how to handle our own problems, fix our own messes, and heal our own injuries. In fact, if we don't help ourselves, who knows what might happen? We may just be left in the street, because other people are so preoccupied with themselves- they'll probably just step right over us.

We're just like the guy in the story. As soon as we detect a problem, we rush right to it, pull out the First Aid Kit, and get to work.

Meanwhile, there is Someone else standing right by, watching you try desperately to "fix" the issues of your life. In fact, you probably shoved Him out of the way in your ambitious attempt to get your stuff together.

Who am I talking about? Jesus- the Great Physician. His specialty is putting the pieces of life's accidents back together. Let me give you a few examples:

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matthew 8:13)

Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. (Matthew 9:22)

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)

Things are no different now. He has compassion on us, and He knows what we need before we even ask, but sometimes we never get to asking because we're too focused on the difficulty at hand.

Meanwhile, Jesus is whispering to us: "When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I'm already here."

Questions:

1. In what areas of your life are you pushing Jesus out of the way?
2. Do you really believe that Jesus can handle the difficulties of your life?
3. How can you better 'get out of the way' and let Jesus work?

Forget Feeling Forsaken

One of the 'hats' I wear is that of a counselor. I receive e-mails every week from students who are demonized and downtrodden, sinful and sorrowful. It probably seems pretty lonely to these servants of God, and that is why they reach out for an answer. Today I want you to know that if you are one of those folks who is being pummeled by the prince of darkness these days, you are definitely not alone. Satan would love to suck the breath of hope out of your spiritual lungs by creating an illusion of isolation, but (as always) he is the 'father of lies' (John 8:44).

How do I know? The Bible tells me so!

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. (I Corinthians 12:12-13, 25-27)

The first reason we are not alone is because of what I call the 'Christian Connection'. When you trusted Christ, you were instantly adopted into the family and made a part of the body. Your finger may feel like it's not a part of you, but that doesn't make it fall off and run away! In the same way, your feelings don't cancel your membership in the fellowship of believers...in fact, nothing can! Think about the other Christians you know for a minute. It is no accident that God put you into a relationship with them, so if you are struggling alone- don't blame anyone but you! Since we belong to each other, we are commanded to "confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." (James 5:16)

The second reason we are not alone is because of what I call the '6th Sense Saints'. Check this out:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

It's not that we see dead people, it's that they see us! The saints of the past have a satellite hook-up to our everyday world, cheering us on to victory in the life of faith..talk about reality T.V!

So next time you feel discouraged, listen to the crowds - they are chanting your name...

The third reason we are not alone is because of what I call the 'Permanent Paraclete'. What in the world (or other world) am I talking about?

"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you." (John 14:15-18)

The word 'paraclete' is Greek for comforter or helper. Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, and how He lives inside each and every believer, bringing help and hope to even the worst of circumstances. The greatest thing is that He will never leave us, no matter what we are struggling with!

So if you are feeling a bit alone and abandoned, remember your:

• Christian Connection
• 6th Sense Saints
• Permanent Paraclete

You'll be amazed at how fast the schemes of the devil turn into dust!

Blog by: Stephen Dungan

Questions:

1. When was the last time you felt alone and abandoned?
2. How do these truths of Scripture help you?
3. Which of the three reasons has spoken to you the most? Why?

Firestarter

I read the other day about a Romanian teenager who torched his new car because he was angry after failing his driving test.

Adrian Mocsani, 17, had been given the Volkswagen Polo by his family as a birthday present. But he was so disappointed at failing his test that he poured gasoline on the car and set it alight in his front yard.

He told police officials,

"When I came home I thought I saw the car laughing at me. So I put gas on it and lit it up. Who needs it anyway?"

So the first thought that I had anyway was that this fellow doesn't seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer- would you agree? I for one would love to get a new ride for my birthday (are you reading this Mom and Dad?), and if I did, cremating my car would not be on my list of 'things to do'.

But before we judge this pyromaniac pubescent too harshly, let us consider for a moment whether or not there are parallels between his life and ours. In order to do that, let's read a fairly pointed passage written by the brother of Jesus:

And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (James 3:6)

James doesn't mess around here. He is drawing a perfect analogy between the damage we do with our tongue and the destructive force of fire. Basically, he is warning us to keep a holy fire extinguisher very nearby, because at any moment hell itself might strike a match that wreaks serious harm on ourselves and others.

You know who really wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer? The person who wrote that ridiculous 'sticks and stones' thing. Words can and do hurt, and our tongues can light up our lives faster than you can say 'stop-drop- and roll'!

God has given us beautiful gifts called relationships. Yet like our Romanian friend, we oftentimes fail and feel like were being laughed at. So what do we do? Torch them!

Not literally of course. But we burn down folks with little jabs of sarcasm, raised voices, gossip, insincere praise, and even silence.

"Oh but they deserved it! You should have heard what they said to me first!"

I'm not saying you don't have a reason, but quite honestly - in God's sight your excuse sounds as reasonable as the guy in the story.

So what is that holy fire extinguisher? Well, it starts with self-control. Here's what Solomon said:

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28)

It's nothing more than the age old advice to think before you speak- especially when you are angry! It is always a good idea to consider how your words will affect people.

After self-control comes an examination of your motives. Ask yourself, why am I about to share this information? Is it helpful or hurtful? Is the person I'm talking to part of the problem or the solution? What if God held me accountable for what I'm about to say?

Questions like these can sure save you from having to call the Father's Fire Department later.

So the next time you are about to turn into a flame thrower, think of our car burning compatriot, and when you do...ask yourself if there's any possibility that you're related.

Questions:

1. How well do you control your tongue?
2. Are there people in your life who need an apology?
3. What is one thing you can do to start cutting back on your burning streak?

Feeling Sheepish?

"I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

If the Christian life is anything, it is a series of ups and downs.

Doesn't it seem like the downs oftentimes outnumber the ups? If you study Scripture carefully, you will discover that those who sought to serve God consistently suffered from depression repeatedly. What's a blue believer to do?

I recently came across an exchange between that might be of help to you today.

Dear God,

Where are You? How can You watch and not help me? I hurt so bad, and You don't even care. If You cared You'd make it stop or let me die. I love You, but You seem so far away. I can't hear You or feel You or see You, but I'm supposed to believe You're here. Lord, I feel them and hear them. They are here. I know You're real, God, but they are more real to me right now. Please make someone believe me, Lord. Why won't You make it stop? Please, Lord, please! If You love me You'll let me die.

A Lost Sheep

If we really knew how many believers this describes, it would be scary. Life's pressures, poor health, broken relationships, and just plain 'life' pulls countless numbers of servants off the playing field.

So how do you think Jesus would respond to this letter?

My Dear Lost Sheep,

You ask Me where I am. My child, I am with you and I always will be. You are weak, but in Me you are strong. I am so close that I feel everything you feel. Be crucified with Me and I will live in you, and you shall live with Me. I will direct you in paths of righteousness. My child, I love you and I will never forsake you, for you are truly Mine.

Love, God

Remember that no one who has ever lived, is living, or ever will live had a life as difficult as Jesus Christ. So when you pour out your heart to Him, He does more than listen to you...He lives it with you.

Questions:

1. Am I feeling like a 'lost sheep' today? Why or why not?
2. Do I really believe that Christ will 'never leave me or forsake me'? Why or why not?
3. What is one way I can connect with God better in the area of my personal problems?

Feeling Discouraged?

Too often in our lives we experience the hurt of discouragement and rejection.So often we feel as though nothing else could possibly go wrong, and then it does... You fight with a friend, you fail a test, you get fired from a job, you get cut from the sports team, you loose an important relationship, and your dreams and plans fall apart before your eyes.

It is so common to encounter painful times in our lives where God feels distant.It feels as though we walk the hard road alone, and no one understands the struggles we are going through.When disappointment comes, it floods our lives all at once, and defeat slowly creeps in until we feel like giving up.

Personally, I have struggled with discouragement in my life a lot lately.Every time I turn the corner I face more rejection, or someone telling me I'm not quite good enough.At least so it seems.I know people don't intend to make me feel that way, but the reality of it is, I just can't help feeling discarded and worthless.I catch myself buying into the lies that Satan desperately wants me to believe.He wants me to give up and throw in the towel. He wants me to think there is no hope for my life.Yet God's word tells me otherwise.He desires to build character within my life, and mature me, so I can be more available to do His work.

Romans 5:3-5 says,"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (esv.)

Even during the hardest and most disappointing times in our lives, God is creating Christ-like character within us.Suffering is a part of God's plan to make us more compassionate and loving.However, He does not make us go through the struggles alone, but walks with us every step of the way, and gives us strength to keep moving forward despite opposition. In fact, in Deuteronomy 31:8, we learn, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

God also tells us not to give up because His plan is far beyond our comprehension; If something doesn't work out the way we expect it to, we must recognize God's sovereignty, knowing He never shuts one door without opening another, which is far better according to His plan for each of us!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."(esv.)

Be encouraged, brothers and sisters.You are not alone in your trials.In fact, Jesus himself knows rejection greater than anyone else.He wants to mend your heart and restore you, so He can use you for something incredible!! Even if you don't understand why at the time, just wait, because He knows what is best for you!

Feeble Followers

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. (I Timothy 4:8)

Most of us could probably use a little more exercise in our daily regimen. I thought I would let you in on a little secret I've found for building your arm and shoulder muscles. If you adopt this regimen just three days a week, it works very well.

I start by standing outside behind the house and, with a 5 pound potato sack in each hand, extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there as long as I can.

After a few weeks of this I moved up to 10 pound potato sacks, then 50 pound potato sacks and finally I got to where I could lift a 100 pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms out straight for more than a full minute!

Next, I started putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but I would caution all of you not to overdo it at this level.

I wonder how many of our "spiritual" exercise programs are a lot like my potato plan? We think that we're making huge progress from outward appearances, but there really isn't anything 'in the bag'. We think we're doing pretty well, but Jesus says to us:

"You say, `I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." (Revelation 3:17)

Notice what Paul is saying in this verse: "spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." Sure, we may look pretty buff by exercising in this life- but 100 years from now, who will even care? Working out spiritually gains rewards for eternity.

You see, your spiritual life is a lot like a muscle. If you don't use it, it shrinks and becomes pretty useless.

O.K., so take a minute and look in God's mirror to check out the shape of your soul. If you stand sideways and stick out your tongue, do you look like a zipper? Or have you been working out so much that if you flex you could rip the cover off an NIV study Bible?

Dear Christians, the majority of us have a prayer life that resembles more self-talk than saintly statements. We don't know our Matthews from our Malachis, and our worship is as pure as the driven sludge. It's time to start working out like Christ is coming back tomorrow, because He just might...

Blog by: Farmer Paul

Questions:

1. Why is it important to keep exercising spiritually?
2. Which 'workout area' is the hardest for you? Bible study? Prayer? Worship? Other?
3. What is the first step for you to get back on track?

Famous Last Words

Then there was the time that the Risen Savior played a little game of hide and seek with the two depressed guys who were leaving Jerusalem (Luke 24).

Oh yeah, He disguised Himself and had them tell the story about the very Person with whom they were walking! I so wish I could have been there- how funny that would have been to see. Were you thinking that Jesus doesn't have a sense of humor? Think again People- Christ would blow away the greatest comedic minds of all time. Not that He took life lightly- are you kidding? Yet where do you think laughter and joy came from if not from God Himself? The point is that whenever Jesus jests, it is to communicate truth.

Not only does the Lord have a heart for humor, the angels do as well. One of my favorites is the incident that occurred not that long after the first Easter. Allow me to set up the scene: Jesus had appeared to more than 500 people in all kinds of places and circumstances; spoke to people- ate food- and generally proved to everyone that He had returned from the dead. Now it was time to take His rightful place at the right hand of God in heaven. Jesus speaks His final words to the disciples, and 'POOF' He's taken up into the sky lickety split. Here's what happened next:

They (the disciples) stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared--in white robes! They said, "You Galileans!-why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly--and mysteriously--as he left." (Acts 1:10-11)

Can you picture it? Jesus makes this fantastic and glorious exit- and the disciples are frozen in time with their heads tilted back and their mouths hanging open as they gaze up at the heavens. The angels don't waste a second. "Hey- what's going on boys? You looking for alien encounters or what? We're pretty sure Jesus' famous last words before He left were marching orders, so we highly recommend that you get going, because He'll be back to check on your work..."

O.K., that's a pretty loose interpretation of mine, but basically that was the gist of the reprimand. And how funny would that have been to see!

So what was the truth they were communicating through their comedy? Simple: don't be a blockheaded believer. Every Christian who has ever lived, is living, or will live is under the exact same 'life purpose statement'- which is: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Problem is that many of us are just standing around 'looking at the sky' (so to speak) - and consequently the whole 'witness' thing is not getting done!

So what condition are you in? Are you a sky gazer or a witnessing laser? Sky gazers are all about the 'wait and see' scene. They wait around and see if people will drop out of the the heavens so they can share the gospel with them- but I would ask the same question: why do you stand around staring at the sky? People in this post-modern potpourri are not particularly positive about approaching believers- that's why Jesus said:

"Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19)!

Witnessing lasers, on the other hand, are armed to the teeth with winsome ways to share Christ with others. The firepower comes from the Holy Spirit, but you must take the aim and pull the trigger. Remember, every day brings a potential chance to be a witness for the risen Christ.

I'm so glad that the heavenly host has a sense of humor- but don't think that sharing your faith is a joking matter, and don't stand around too long, because He really is going to follow up with His famous last words!

Questions:

1. Are you a sky gazer or a witnessing laser?
2. What things distract you from being a witness?
3. Who in your life desperately needs to hear the good news?

Memory verse:

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

Drinking Problem

Jesus replied, "People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:13-14)

Many years ago in South America, a crew of Peruvian Sailors headed up the Amazon River came upon a strange sight. A Spanish ship was anchored off the coast, and as the Peruvians drew closer they saw that the Spaniards were in terrible physical condition. They looked the picture of death itself, their lips parched and swollen. They were dying of thirst.

"Can we help you?" shouted the Peruvians.

The Spaniards cried out, "Water! Water! We need fresh water!"

The Peruvian sailors, surprised at this request, told them to lower their buckets and help themselves.

The Spaniards, fearing they'd been misunderstood cried back, "No, no we need FRESH water!"

But they received the same reply from the Peruvians to lower their buckets and help themselves. They finally did lower their buckets into the ocean waters and when they brought the buckets on deck they discovered (to their amazement) fresh water.

There at the mouth of the Amazon river, anchored for days, too far from land to see the coast, but not too far from the mouth of the river, they had fresh water in abundance.

The sailors nearly died of thirst when the cure was easily within reach. When they placed their faith in someone who had 'been there', it saved their lives.

Sound familiar? You and I are on this incredible journey called life. Our past is forgiven and our future is secure, but sometimes we mess up the present pretty well.

Why is that? Well for one thing, just because we have trusted Christ doesn't mean that we don't have the same thirst for love, meaning, and significance. I think that some Christians are surprised when they get spiritually thirsty, so they go into denial and go through life in terrible spiritual condition.

Your salvation experience was not intended to be a fix-all happy pill that would solve all your personal issues...anybody who preaches that is probably trying to sell you something.

Believer- wake up! The Living Water is all around you, but your going to have to lower your bucket and get it yourself. Believe me, I've been on that boat- and it's not fun. But I can testify to you now that the Water is fine- don't be afraid of it: drink deeply.

Am I dampening your spirit down with too many metaphors? Let me translate some of this for you so that the message will flow better.

• Ship: your circumstances
• Journey: your life
• Saltwater: The things you used to try and make you happy, but now you know they end up making life worse
• Bucket: Your relationship with Christ
• Freshwater: The Bible, prayer, pure worship, and fellowship with other Christians.

As long as you are on this earth, you are going to have deep needs. If you want to truly satisfy your soul-oriented sigh-ings, you must develop a drinking problem. That is, it's a problem if you aren't drinking from the bucket of frequent prayer, reading the Bible (at least) daily, spending time in pure worship and hanging out with solid believers.

Cheers!

Questions:

1. Feeling 'thirsty' lately? Could it be because you have dropped the bucket?
2. How do you get your basic needs met?
3. Do you have a drinking problem? Why or why not?

Dream On

"You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights."

-Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go!

Where are you going?
What are you waiting for?
Do you believe that you will soar to great heights?

Too often we find ourselves believing Satan's lies; lies that say you will never amount to anything; lies that you aren't special enough or that God can't use you until you are more mature, older, or more educated.

God is in the business of making our dreams come true. He puts many of our desires and dreams in hearts. Then He equips you with the right tools and gifts to accomplish them. We know from scripture that God has a extraordinary plan for your life, yet all He desires is a life of obedience and faith. Faith and obedience is what the "high fliers" or the great people who have gone before us, had in common.

Take David for instance. He was a teen aged guy with lots of older, bigger brothers. His job during the fighting was to bring food to his brothers. That was not a very glamorous task during a battle. But when he arrived a the battlefield, he found no battle. Just petrified soldiers. So he sprung into action. Why? He had faith, not in himself, his size or his ability, but in God. You remember the story. God wins and he used a teenager to win the battle.

No matter who we are or what we become, God wants to use us in big and small ways each day. Some may become famous, others may find themselves in a more ordinary kind of life, but with God it is always possible to do extraordinary things! When we surrender our lives with the intent to glorify God in all things, I can guarantee God will do more than we can fathom. "Oh the Places You'll Go!"

• Into distant lands with the message of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard!
• Into your junior high and high schools where the things of this world have replaced Jesus and prayer
• Into office buildings where many who get by only because it is routine
• Into burning buildings where you will rescue people
• Into hospitals where people are dying of illnesses
• Into restaurants where people are hungry, and searching for food of substance; The Bread of Life
• Into science labs where others search for the meaning of life
• Into the sports career where athletes search for a reason to be great besides money

You hold the key to life. In every place you will go, you have the answer that could potentially change the course of someone's life forever. My question to you is, are you willing to share? Are you willing to surrender and let go of your plans for your life and allow God to use you to go places you never imagined you could go? With a small amount of faith all things are possible.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20,

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, You can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Dream big, surrender, and wait.

"So...Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So... get on your way!"

-Dr. Seuss Oh the Places You'll Go

Questions

1. What are your dreams? What is holding you back?
2. Are you limiting God and His purpose for you?
3. Can you say you fully surrender to God, and want to go wherever He takes you?

Don't Believe The Lies

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable 'if anything is excellent or praiseworthy' think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

When I was in high school, I felt like there was nothing wrong with dating around. I partied a lot, and 'hooking up with guys' just happened as a result of being intoxicated. Even when I wasn't drinking, my goal was to see how many guys I could kiss or 'mess around with.' One of my big concerns in high school was being popular. I wanted people to like me, and everybody else was doing it, so in my mind there was no harm in it. Each time I would hook up with a new guy, I would go a little further. I had boundaries at one point, but when I was in the heat of the moment, there is no such thing. I wasn't thinking about the consequences or the regret later on in life. I would always say to myself, I would never have sex. Believe me, there were times I wanted to, but I was always taught to practice abstinence. According to the new standards that our generation set, sex only included intercourse, everything else was permissible. During any such encounter, I felt so important. I felt wanted, beautiful, and even found my worth. As long as I was desired by members of the opposite sex, I felt like I was somebody. I would always deceive myself into thinking I meant something to certain guys, only to find myself the next day ridden with guilt, and frustration, not to mention losing friends. For some reason I not only lost guy friends as a result of hooking up, but I lost girl friends as well, because my reputation was going downhill fast. I became the talk of the boy's locker room, and rumors began to spread. All my efforts to make more friends, were failing, because I was going about it the wrong way. I was trying to be somebody I really wasn't. I hated who I was. I felt filthy, and I knew I could never take back all the things I had done. I had given some of the most precious parts of me away. I felt deep remorse and regret. Although later I discovered God's restoration and forgiveness, I still bore the permanent scars.

I am now 21 years old and I recently got married. Prior to our marriage, there were a lot of things my husband and I had to work through from each of our pasts. Both of us had crossed the line in relationships, and had to deal with the pain of not giving those to each other for the first time. I would cry and grow angry with him because he didn't save certain things for me, his wife. I know he felt the same way. However, I had to come to the realization that we had changed, and God had made us a new creation.

'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently I read a lengthy article about the sex culture among teens today and I was deeply grieved. Kids that were interviewed in this article were very open with their sexuality and promiscuity. All discussed how they had had sex and planned to continue experimenting. Most students spoke of their,'friends with benefits' and the inconvenience of actual relationships. I believe each year it gets worse and worse, especially as there is an increase in the urge to move in with members of the opposite sex prior to marriage.

Kids are beginning to experiment with sex starting in elementary school. One girl here in Colorado claimed she was confident that she would have sex before entering high school. Why are kids eager to share such an intimate part of themselves with others at such a young age? I believe it has everything to do with our entertainment. Sex sells, so we see it in advertising, on TV, in movies, and especially in our music. Most pop stars today barely clothe themselves and provocatively move on stage and call it dancing. As girls we aspire to be these people, and for guys, they aspire to date someone like that. This explains the rise in internet porn, teenage sex, and sexually transmitted diseases.

God is calling us to a higher standard than the world around us. He desires us to live lives set apart only for Him. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says:

"God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable." (NCV)

The Bible talks in length about purity and holiness. The temptation is great, but His strength to resist it is greater. He is asking us to leave behind the things of this world and strive to live for Him.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5)

People around us will know who we serve by our actions. If they see us living a pure life, they will see Christ. What is more, we know that those who are pure will experience God and see Him. I believe when our hearts are pure, God is more able to use us. If nothing else, God blesses us for purity.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)

I can promise you that you won't regret the decision to wait to experience sex until marriage. It is a gift designed solely for that purpose. Sex is for those who are committed to marriage for life. It is not for those who think they 'love' their girlfriend or boyfriend. It is not for those who have 'friends with benefits.' It is not for those who need to feel loved and accepted. God loves us and accepts us the way we are.

The lines of sex have been blurred, and you should not ask the question is this okay, because in the eyes of the world, it probably is. However, you must ask yourself; does this bring glory to God? Are you being a witness for the kingdom of God?

Your prayer needs to be that of Psalm 51:10:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Many of you have probably already made a mistake, and that is okay. God can restore you, but from this day forward make a commitment in your heart to Him that says you desire purity and holiness. Lean on His strength to fight the temptation.

Blog by: Christine Priest

Questions:

1. Have you ever been involved with the opposite sex in ways that you now regret?
2. Will you trust that God has forgiven you? (Read I John 1:9)
3. Will you commit to complete purity until you are married?
4. How can the fact that God forgives you be helpful in sharing Christ with your friends?