Wow, I do not know about you, but I had an amazing Easter week and weekend. Not only did I get to particiapte in amazing worship, but I was able to see God's love for you.
What? Did I confuse you? Or do you think that I am talking about Christ dying on the cross for you?
Yes, Christ showed His love by dying on the cross for you, but I saw God's love in another way. And let me tell you, it is so cool!
When you are a teenager, you think adults do not understand how difficult it is for you. And I think I would have to agree with you. Your generation does not have it easy. Temptation has increased by it being at your fingertips 24/7 and the world's morals have plummeted. What I experienced at 15, some of you experience at 12 or even younger.
But do you want to hear the good news??? Well, I am going to tell you anyway. God hears your prayers. God sees you struggling with all these trials. God feels your pain and heartache.
How do I know this you ask? I witnessed God speaking to adults. Huh?? Did I confuse you? God spoke to me and others this week about the needs of all of you. The cool part is He spoke to us and when we shared it we realize He was telling us all the same thing.
Adults came before God and cried out for you. All ages of adults have felt the need to be praying for our teenagers. We are praying for you as you face each day, but we also know God wants to do some crazy and mighty things through your generation.
I know some of you are thinking Mrs. GaLynn is even more crazy than before. Which in ways I am a little more crazy. But it is a good crazy.
Today, you may face heartache. You may face trials. You may face temptation. Sadly, some of you may face another day of being alone. But my dear sweet friend, you are not alone and whatever you are facing, please know there are some of us lifting you up in prayer.
Choose to believe the truths of who you are in God. Choose to know God loves you so much and has prayer warriors praying for you. Choose to know I love you and I am praying for you. Choose to know my friend that in the midst of your pain and loneliness, you are not alone, God is with you. Choose to know God has a special plan for you and He is ready for you to rock this world for Him. God has chosen you, my friend.
This is my life, I choose:
Write this verse on my mirror :
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
* as I brush out the tangles, to ask God to forgive me for turning to the world instead of him.
*as I put on my contacts (eye makeup), ask God to help me see that there are people who love me and are praying for me.
*as I brush my teeth, to ask God to help me share the hope I have in Christ.
*as I put on my clothes, to put on the armor of God.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Footsteps to Remember
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10
If you look, you will see Jesus' footsteps once more. The footsteps start inside the tomb and walk right out. I'd like to see CSI explain that one. How amazing that day must have been!
But as we have looked at Jesus' steps to Jerusalem, to the cross and from the grave, have you stopped to examine your own?
If someone were to write about your steps, what would they say about your life? Do your steps lead to Christ, walk with Christ, or no where near Christ? Why?
You have looked at Jesus footsteps for a week. As you looked you saw the pain He endured, the prayers He cried, but most of all you saw Christ's love for you in each and every step. Knowing what Christ did for you, how have your desires changed to live for Him? Or have they changed? Why or why not?
My dear friend, Easter has come and gone. We cried at the cross. We celebrated the Resurrection. We cried at our sins that nailed Christ to a tree. We celebrate the new life we have in Him. But today a new story begins, a story of your steps.
Will your footsteps now take up your cross and follow Him?
The road will be long and will be bumpy at times. Your feet will tire and even get a few blisters along the way. But when your footsteps end, just like Christ's, you will rise and be with your Heavenly Father. Oh to hear my Father say about the footsteps of my life,
"Well done my good and faithful servant."
Now start the story of your footsteps, I know it will be amazing.
(We will return to our choices tomorrow)
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Last Footsteps
Footsteps of the crowd surrounded Christ again, but this time, oh this time, they did not shout Hosanna. With their feet planted firm, they shouted, "Crucify Him." In just a few days the shouts of praise turned to shouts of death. The same Jesus who they praised for His miracles was the one they now scorned.
22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." Matthew 27:22-23,26
My Lord would not ride through the crowds, but now carry a cross down the long road. Those footsteps that started for Jerusalem a week ago, now would finish the journey to the cross. His steps were not firm, but weak. Jesus' feet could barely carry his beaten body, yet they carried the cross. Again, Christ would take step after step for me. He still knew where the road would lead, but His love for me, for you was so great that with what little strength He had left He walked down the road.
But wait, the footsteps have stopped. Look up my friend and see the feet that walked this long road for you. Jesus' feet now hang, nailed to the cross. Blood flows over and from them. Christ's blood covers His feet. Oh my friend, Christ's blood was shed for you, for me. It drips from His toes to forgive me, to forgive you.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Do you understand it? Do you see it? Do you feel it?
Stop at the cross tonight. Sit below the feet that walked this earth and lived and died for you.
No matter where your feet have led you. Whether they follow close to or far from Christ, they are welcomed at the foot of the cross.
My friend, your Savior has made this journey for you. Praise God for sending His son as a sacrifice for you.
What burdens, what sins are you holding on to or trying to hide?
Confess them at the foot of the cross. They are already nailed with Christ.
Now be still, feel His blood fall on your head. Experience Christ's forgiveness.
Sit at the cross today...and wait. The footsteps have not taken their last step....
22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." Matthew 27:22-23,26
My Lord would not ride through the crowds, but now carry a cross down the long road. Those footsteps that started for Jerusalem a week ago, now would finish the journey to the cross. His steps were not firm, but weak. Jesus' feet could barely carry his beaten body, yet they carried the cross. Again, Christ would take step after step for me. He still knew where the road would lead, but His love for me, for you was so great that with what little strength He had left He walked down the road.
But wait, the footsteps have stopped. Look up my friend and see the feet that walked this long road for you. Jesus' feet now hang, nailed to the cross. Blood flows over and from them. Christ's blood covers His feet. Oh my friend, Christ's blood was shed for you, for me. It drips from His toes to forgive me, to forgive you.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Do you understand it? Do you see it? Do you feel it?
Stop at the cross tonight. Sit below the feet that walked this earth and lived and died for you.
No matter where your feet have led you. Whether they follow close to or far from Christ, they are welcomed at the foot of the cross.
My friend, your Savior has made this journey for you. Praise God for sending His son as a sacrifice for you.
What burdens, what sins are you holding on to or trying to hide?
Confess them at the foot of the cross. They are already nailed with Christ.
Now be still, feel His blood fall on your head. Experience Christ's forgiveness.
Sit at the cross today...and wait. The footsteps have not taken their last step....
Thursday, April 1, 2010
By Your Side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdjRmM0Q0qs&feature=related
My dear sweet friend,
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
Did you hear Him? He is holding you. Just as Christ spread out those arms thousands of years ago to die for you, He is spreading them out to hold you.
God loves you. He loves you so much that He drank the world's sin and swallowed the grave so He could give you life.
I plead with you my dear young friend, accept God's love and let Him in. Give you life to Him because God will never let go.
*Words in italics are the song, "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue
My dear sweet friend,
Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
Did you hear Him? He is holding you. Just as Christ spread out those arms thousands of years ago to die for you, He is spreading them out to hold you.
God loves you. He loves you so much that He drank the world's sin and swallowed the grave so He could give you life.
I plead with you my dear young friend, accept God's love and let Him in. Give you life to Him because God will never let go.
*Words in italics are the song, "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue
Footsteps in the Garden
There many footprints leading to the garden this evening. But only one set continued to walk further into the garden. And when the footprints stopped, knee prints and an outline of a head would appear.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will ." Matthew 26:29
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will ." Matthew 26:29
These prints would be covered in his sweat.
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44
Jesus knew what was about to happen. He did not wonder, he knew. And Jesus also knew the will of His Father. As He arose after praying, Christ footsteps would lead Him to the crowd that came to arrest Him. God's will was about to be done.
Jesus' steps would now lead to the cross. But tonight He would be mocked and beaten. If you look, you might see the first drops of blood in the footsteps.
I pray you take the time tonight to fall on your face before God. The God who sent His Son to be beaten, flogged, mocked and crucified for you. Not because you deserved to be saved, but because God loves you!
May tears of repentance and joy fall down your face as you come before the Lord.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Footsteps of Betrayal
To even glance at these footsteps causes a lump to swell in my throat. Footsteps that had
faithfully followed Christ along the road, from town to town stopped following today.
They turned and walked away to betray Christ.
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the
chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,
for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the
Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and
discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give
him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them
when no crowd was present. (Luke 22:16)
Jesus knew one day Judas would betray him. As Judas walked beside Christ all those
years, He knew the day of betrayal would come. Their footsteps had traveled many roads
together, but the day of betrayal had finally come. And sadly, it was money that led Judas
to the decision of betrayal. He agreed to hand over his innocent friend for his own gain,
wealth.
My throat swells, tears fill my eyes; my mind tries to comprehend how anyone who knew
Christ and His love would betray Him for financial gain. But, as I sit and read this story, I
feel sick to my stomach. Not because of what Judas did, but because of what I did.
I have known and followed Christ for 27 years. Time and time again I experience Christ's
love and forgiveness. I already know that Christ died for me. Yet, like Judas, my
footsteps have walked away and betrayed Jesus for my own selfish gain. Oh Lord,
forgive me. The lure of success, money, and pleasures of the world has led my footsteps
away from my friend, my teacher, my Savior.
How about you? Have you betrayed, walked away from Christ for your own selfish gain?
Write a prayer confessing and seeking forgiveness.
But, I am thankful that I, like Judas, realize what I have done. But, praise God that I,
unlike Judas, do not give up. I can come before my Father and be saved by His grace.
Alleluia!!! My footsteps can find their way back to Christ!!
Now Praise God for His forgiveness and His grace. Praise Him for His footsteps that run
to meet yours when you return home to Him.
faithfully followed Christ along the road, from town to town stopped following today.
They turned and walked away to betray Christ.
1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the
chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,
for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the
Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and
discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give
him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them
when no crowd was present. (Luke 22:16)
Jesus knew one day Judas would betray him. As Judas walked beside Christ all those
years, He knew the day of betrayal would come. Their footsteps had traveled many roads
together, but the day of betrayal had finally come. And sadly, it was money that led Judas
to the decision of betrayal. He agreed to hand over his innocent friend for his own gain,
wealth.
My throat swells, tears fill my eyes; my mind tries to comprehend how anyone who knew
Christ and His love would betray Him for financial gain. But, as I sit and read this story, I
feel sick to my stomach. Not because of what Judas did, but because of what I did.
I have known and followed Christ for 27 years. Time and time again I experience Christ's
love and forgiveness. I already know that Christ died for me. Yet, like Judas, my
footsteps have walked away and betrayed Jesus for my own selfish gain. Oh Lord,
forgive me. The lure of success, money, and pleasures of the world has led my footsteps
away from my friend, my teacher, my Savior.
How about you? Have you betrayed, walked away from Christ for your own selfish gain?
Write a prayer confessing and seeking forgiveness.
But, I am thankful that I, like Judas, realize what I have done. But, praise God that I,
unlike Judas, do not give up. I can come before my Father and be saved by His grace.
Alleluia!!! My footsteps can find their way back to Christ!!
Now Praise God for His forgiveness and His grace. Praise Him for His footsteps that run
to meet yours when you return home to Him.
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