We all have a friend or family member who struggles with God. We might even struggle ourselves. In these times of hardship and struggle, we might begin to lose faith in God. It is our job as Christians to help those who are struggling through love and faith. With our love we show those who are struggling that we care and with faith we can help them back to Jesus.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Galatians 6: 1-5
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Judge
As we Christians grow stronger in Christ, there are always a few Christians whose faith will not be as strong as ours. They might still do things that we have overcome. It is important not to look down upon or judge our fellow Christians. We should remember that we will always sin, making us no better than anyone else. Instead of judging our fellow Christians for their weak faith, it is an opportunity to help them. Instead of casting stones, we should be helping them, for we are not any better than any person.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
John 8:1-9
The teachers and Pharisees looked at the women and saw a sinner, an adulterer. They neglected to see their own sin, and realize that they are no better and shouldn't be judging the women. When Jesus saw the women, he did not see a sinner, he saw a women who needed help. Instead of judging the women, Jesus helped her leave her life of sin. So, when we our friends are doing wrong, we shouldn't think badly of them because there will be times when we do wrong as well.We should correct them and help them back to the narrow path and they will do the same for us when we do wrong.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Matthew 18:15
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
John 8:1-9
The teachers and Pharisees looked at the women and saw a sinner, an adulterer. They neglected to see their own sin, and realize that they are no better and shouldn't be judging the women. When Jesus saw the women, he did not see a sinner, he saw a women who needed help. Instead of judging the women, Jesus helped her leave her life of sin. So, when we our friends are doing wrong, we shouldn't think badly of them because there will be times when we do wrong as well.We should correct them and help them back to the narrow path and they will do the same for us when we do wrong.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Matthew 18:15
Monday, October 6, 2008
Soul
During our lives as teenagers in this world, we have many wants and desires. Some of these wants and desires lead to sin and stray us from the narrow path, such as greed and lust. When we work to fulfill these sinful wants, we can loose our souls. Desire for worldly goods and possessions can divert our minds from God. We can lose focus and forget all about God and his Son and lose our salvation. If we gain everything we want in this world, but don't have our salvation, what is the point? The items we obtain in this world are nothing compared to the blessings we will have in heaven.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36-37
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
1 Corinthians 15:50
It is very important to stay in touch with God and focus on Him. Without God and his Son, Jesus Christ, we would not be here today. Throughout our Christian lives, we have to remember the price that Jesus paid for us and as we work for our heavenly desires, we have to accept Jesus as our savior, for it is only through him and the amazing grace that our souls are saved from eternal damnation.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36-37
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
1 Corinthians 15:50
It is very important to stay in touch with God and focus on Him. Without God and his Son, Jesus Christ, we would not be here today. Throughout our Christian lives, we have to remember the price that Jesus paid for us and as we work for our heavenly desires, we have to accept Jesus as our savior, for it is only through him and the amazing grace that our souls are saved from eternal damnation.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Love
We as teenagers encounter many things in our lives. Of the many, two of these encounters are conflict and persecution. We argue with people, insult them, and are insulted back. We start to make enemies with our insults and arguments. We start to hate them. At that time, we should remember to love our enemies.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said, If we only love our neighbors, we have nothing to gain because they already love us back. If we love our enemies, we can gain their love. With the love of our enemies, we become brothers and sisters. Only with love, can you change the minds of your enemies. Love is very powerful and beautiful.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1st Corinthians 13:4-8
We should never forget to love. Love is a many splendored thing!
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1st Corinthians 13:13
Also, not only should we love our neighbors and enemies. We need to love Jesus as well. Our love for God and Jesus should be the strongest.
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matthew 22:37-39
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said, If we only love our neighbors, we have nothing to gain because they already love us back. If we love our enemies, we can gain their love. With the love of our enemies, we become brothers and sisters. Only with love, can you change the minds of your enemies. Love is very powerful and beautiful.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1st Corinthians 13:4-8
We should never forget to love. Love is a many splendored thing!
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1st Corinthians 13:13
Also, not only should we love our neighbors and enemies. We need to love Jesus as well. Our love for God and Jesus should be the strongest.
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matthew 22:37-39
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Faith
Complete faith in Jesus Christ doesn't come easy.
Saya Latt once told me a story:
A man was walking along a narrow path, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell, he grabbed a branch growing from the side of the cliff. Realizing that he couldn't hang on for long, he called for help. The man said, "Is anybody up there?" A voice replied, "Yes, I am here!" "Who are you?" "The Lord." "Lord, help me!" "Do you trust me?" "I trust you completely, Lord." "Good. Let go of the branch." "What?" "I said, let go of the branch!" After a long pause, the man asked, "Is there anybody else up there?"
Although the man said he had complete faith in The Lord, he could not trust him for his salvation.
Another story comes from the book of Matthew:
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him
The disciples were afraid of the storm and did not trust Jesus for he was sleeping, but Jesus awoke and calmed the storms.
These stories show how weak our faith in Jesus can be. We can find situations in our own lives where we were that that man on the branch or the disciples on the boat. Our faith should always be strong. Although there are storms and tough situations throughout our lives, we should always remain faithful to God. Our faith in God is challenged everyday, at school and at work, but we must rise above these challenges and give glory to God to the highest.
Saya Latt once told me a story:
A man was walking along a narrow path, not paying much attention to where he was going. Suddenly he slipped over the edge of a cliff. As he fell, he grabbed a branch growing from the side of the cliff. Realizing that he couldn't hang on for long, he called for help. The man said, "Is anybody up there?" A voice replied, "Yes, I am here!" "Who are you?" "The Lord." "Lord, help me!" "Do you trust me?" "I trust you completely, Lord." "Good. Let go of the branch." "What?" "I said, let go of the branch!" After a long pause, the man asked, "Is there anybody else up there?"
Although the man said he had complete faith in The Lord, he could not trust him for his salvation.
Another story comes from the book of Matthew:
23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him
The disciples were afraid of the storm and did not trust Jesus for he was sleeping, but Jesus awoke and calmed the storms.
These stories show how weak our faith in Jesus can be. We can find situations in our own lives where we were that that man on the branch or the disciples on the boat. Our faith should always be strong. Although there are storms and tough situations throughout our lives, we should always remain faithful to God. Our faith in God is challenged everyday, at school and at work, but we must rise above these challenges and give glory to God to the highest.
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