Teen Tuesday: Technology Challenge

Written by Bro. Andrew Tewell

I want to challenge you!  I know, I know, we don't like being challenged.  Just the word “challenge” itself makes many of us cringe, because it means work and effort.  It's something that will cause us to live life differently and it won't be easy.  Here's the challenge.... I want to challenge you to make a pledge to your pastor, youth pastor, parents, yourself, and most importantly to God that you will use technology responsibly.  When I was a youth pastor, I used to hear all the time how teens just wanted to be treated like an adult by their parents. Well, here is an opportunity for you to take some adult responsibility for your actions.  Here is the challenge,

Because I respect my authorities’ wisdom and loving care to protect me from any harm the internet and technology might cause, I promise to do the following:

1.      I agree to be open about my use of the internet/technology with my authority.  I will be transparent in my use so that they can come to trust me completely.

2.      My parents and I will regularly view my use of the internet and I will respect their wisdom and cautions they may give to me.

3.      Together, we will establish rules about when and how I can use the internet.  I agree to abide by whatever time limits and restrictions they put in place, understanding these are privileges that they are granting me.

4.      I will NEVER use any other computer or device to access the internet (such as a friend’s phone) without keeping them informed.

5.      I will never use the internet inappropriately such as to "bully" or threaten anyone.

6.      I will never begin speaking with someone over the internet that my parents are not aware of. I will also never meet anyone that I have met over the internet.

7.      Because internet pornography addiction is now rampant, I will never access or download any pictures or information of a sexual nature that my parents and God would disapprove of.

8.      I will never send or receive inappropriate pictures from anyone.

9.      When I am worshipping at church I will not text, surf the internet, or play games on my device.

10.  I will try my best to show my parents that I can be a responsible user of the internet so they can be proud of me for being responsible.

So, what do you say?  Are you up for the challenge?  Just think, if all the time that we spent on technology was spent on our relationship with Christ.  Do you think we would be a better Christian?  Take the challenge and don't give in to temptation.

Monday's Message: Delight in Mercy

Of all of the differences we have from everyone else, there is one thing we have in common. We are all sinners. And if by the grace of God, we heard the gospel, and trusted Christ as Saviour; we are now sinners, saved by grace.  But we are still sinners.  The dear Lord hates all sin; my sin, your sin.  We have His will for us in regard to sin written to us in I John 2: 1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 

I know I’ve sinned and made mistakes, all of which I wish had never happened, or that I could take back or do over again.  We do not have any of his words of repentance, or remorse, or any words at all; but there was a man dealt with in I Corinthians 5 for a very serious sin.  He received church discipline by the word of God through the apostle Paul. This man, it seems,  is the man spoken of in II Corinthians 2 who had obviously gotten right with God, and had sought restitution with the church at Corinth.  Verses  5-8  “But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”

His sin is declared plainly in I Corinthians 5, as is the seriousness of it.    His sin though serious, and should have been dealt with, was not one of the sins Proverbs 6 teaches us that God hates. 

The Lord has Paul now write to the church at Corinth in the behalf of this man to be forgiven by them and received back into fellowship.

I would that we would each remember a statement I’ve tried to make my way of thinking, when it comes to those who’ve fallen, or stumbled, or gone into sin. And that is : “but by the grace of God, there goeth I.”

The word of God teaches us in Micah7: 18 “He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. “  I get convicted by this passage; that as the One Who hates sin the most, loves mercy the most, does this not make me more responsible to love mercy, which is: . That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves;  should not I love and exercise mercy also?  The word of God teaches us that the answer is yes.

Family Friday: Your Children's Story

What story are you giving your children?

We read quotes and hear others say, “everyone has a story”, or “once you’ve heard their story, you’ll understand why they are the way they are”.

These statements sound cliché, but are so very true. As parents we have a very important job at hand. We are molding and shaping our children’s character, mannerisms, behavior and sense of self-worth on a daily basis. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” God is very clear about how important our job is a parents.

What kind of story will our children have to tell? Have you equipped them with the necessary spiritual, physical and emotional tools with which they can accomplish life to it’s fullest as an adult? Or, are we too busy with our job, church ministries, social media and daily events to stop and give our children the time, training and love they need.

It can seem overwhelming, at times, and God knows that we can’t do it by ourselves. We, as parents, must first realize that our own lives must be consecrated and yeilded to the Lord. We must daily walk with God, ask Him to give us the strength, power and wisdom to be consistent in our expression of love and in our daily teaching. If our lives do not reflect what we are trying to pass on to our children, they will see the hypocrisy and choose a different direction once they are out of your home.

What chance are we giving our children? When they become adults, will their lives reflect a beautiful story of a God-centered home where love abounded, or will they be a wounded grown-up with a long, sad story to tell?

What an amazing opportunity we have!

Thoughtful Thursday: Joan's Story

Written by Joan Boritzki-Bettinger

After just losing our second child to miscarriage since getting married May 30, 2015, God has given us a powerful strength and peace within that we have never experienced before. It feels like a deep well and the Comforter keeps drawing from it and putting the cup to our lips to drink. While we are sad and know some hard days are still to come, we are trusting in God because His plan for us has far surpassed any hope or dream we ever had for ourselves.
My heart spilled out this poem last night when sleep would not come...

That precious life You loaned us, 

For just a short sweet while 

Brought our hearts such happiness and filled us with a smile. 

You heard us daily pray for baby's 

Body mind and soul

You heard us say "we dedicate this child to You, Lord".

Then You'd hear us laugh and talk and dream of one day meeting 

That miracle You loaned us,

For just a short sweet while.

We thought that we were ready,

This little child to have 

But in Your will was planned for us 

A slightly different path.

So You gave us strength to stand 

And bravely bear this trial 

And promised that Your best for us has not yet been revealed.

So thank You, Lord, for loving us and we know all the while

We'll meet You and that precious life

In just a short sweet while.

Trust is something that has never come easy for me. As a matter of fact, I'm a suspicious person by nature. But God, in His great love, is teaching me that love conquers all. And gaining back my trust began with Him. He is the great Teacher and the Changer of lives. He proves Himself over and over again, so trust in Him, lean on Him and love Him. 

God bless you and draw you close to Him.

Love,

Joan