DAVID SMOTHERS

You’regonna say “I didn’t know that!” at least 5 times. 

Really neat stuff here :

Alaska

More than half of the coastline of the entire

United States is in Alaska.

Amazon

The Amazon rain forest produces more than 20% of the world’s oxygen supply

The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean. The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States.

Antarctica

Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Ninety percent of the world’s ice covers Antarctica This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world. As strange as it sounds, however, Antarctica is essentially a desert; the average yearly total precipitation is about two inches. Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it, ice.), Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.

Brazil

Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

Canada

Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined Canada is an Indian word meaning ‘ Big Village’.

Chicago

Next to Warsaw, Chicago has the largest

Polish population in the world.

Detroit

Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, carries the designation M-1, so named because it was the first paved road anywhere.

  Damascus, Syria

Damascus, Syria, was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BC making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey, is the only city in the world 
located on two continents.

Los Angeles

The full name of Los Angeles is: l Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula

— and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size: L.A

New York City

The term ‘The Big Apple’ was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang expression ‘apple’ for any town or city. 

Therefore, to play New York City Is to play the big time – The Big Apple. 

There are more Irish in New York City 
than in Dublin, Ireland;
more Italians in New York City
than in Rome, Italy;
and more Jews in New York City
than in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Ohio

There are no natural lakes in the state of Ohio,

everyone is man-made

Pitcairn Island

The smallest island with country status is Pitcairn in Polynesia, at just 1.75 sq. miles/4,53 sq. Km.

Rome

The first city to reach a population of 1 million people 
was Rome, Italy (in 133 B.C.)

There is a city called Rome on every continent.

Siberia

Siberia contains more than 25% of the world’s forests.

S.M.O.M.

The actual smallest sovereign entity in the world 
Is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta S.M.O.M)
It is located in the city of Rome, Italy, and has an area of two tennis courts. 

And, as of 2001, has a population of 80, 20 fewer people than the Vatican. 
It is a sovereign entity under international law,
just as the Vatican is.

Sahara Desert

In the Sahara Desert, there is a town named Tidikelt, Algeria, 

that did not receive a drop of rain for ten years. 

Technically, though, the driest place on Earth 
is in the valleys of the Antarctic near Ross Island.
There has been no rainfall there for two million years

Spain

Spain literally means ‘the land of rabbits’.

St. Paul, Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota, was originally called Pig’s Eye 
after a man named Pierre ‘Pig’s Eye’ Parrant who set up the first business there.

Russia

The deepest hole ever drilled by man is the Kola Superdeep Borehole, in Russia. 

It reached a depth of 12,261 meters (about 40,226 feet or 7.62 miles.) It was drilled for scientific research and gave up some unexpected discoveries, one of which was a huge deposit of hydrogen – so massive that the mud coming from the hole was boiling with it.

United States

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

Waterfalls

The water of Angel Falls (the world’s highest) in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters.) 

They are 15 times higher than Niagara Falls.

I have always said, you should learn something new every day. Unfortunately, many of us are at that age where what we learn today, we forget tomorrow.

But, give it a shot anyway.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Ministry isn’t just sitting all day in prayer or reading your Bible, this job takes work. You have to get out and talk to people; you need to feed your own spirit; you minister to others help out in communities, and more.

Ephesians 4:11-13
Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers,so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him. (CEV)

2 Timothy 1:6-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 6:3-4
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. (NLT)

2 Chronicles 29:11
Let’s not waste any time, my friends. You are the ones who were chosen to be the Lord’s priests and to offer him sacrifices. (CEV)

There is a great deal of responsibility in ministry. As a Christian we are all called to be a minister of his word, you are an example to others. People are looking to see what you do in situations because you are God’s light to them. You need to strive be above reproach and yet approachable at the same time

Peter 5:3
Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. (CEV)

Acts 1:8
But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world. (CEV)

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. (NLT)

1 Timothy 2:7
For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (NKJV)

1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:17
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (NIV)

2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)

Luke 6:39
He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (NIV)

Titus 1:7
Church officialsare in charge of God’s work, and so they must also have a good reputation. They must not be bossy, quick-tempered, heavy drinkers, bullies, or dishonest in business. (CEV)

There are times that you will think I can’t do this. You will have to have a strong heart to face those times head on and do what you need to do for God.

2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist,fulfill your ministry. (ESV)

1 Timothy 4:7
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. (NASB)

2 Corinthians 4:5
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (NIV)

Psalm 126:6
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (NIV)

Revelation 5:4
I cried hard because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or see inside it. (CEV)

by Toni Smothers

---

Life was mute – Few rainbows.
And there were only puny, fleeting sunsets.
No time to notice anything, too many goals.
Too busy – Numb to love’s ever-flowing rhythm.
Trees and flowers swayed, giving beauty to each day.
So what?
God’s perfect truth, His essence – Was a distant myth.
My frozen granite heart knew better.
Life was for self, snatching moments, surviving.
The entire world cannot comfort one heart void of hope.
So what?
Busyness is foolishness – More unstable than whirlwinds.
Worse even than plain falsity, wherein dwells the Devil.
Funny – The evil one knew me well enough to swear he’d won me with his shiny dime.
So What?
So everything – At least according to the Lord.
The One God, Almighty – The author of it all – Creator extraordinaire!
He sent his answers well before I asked for them.
Turns out that I’m more precious than I’d ever dreamt – Jesus told me so.
Why did He care so much that he could not abide my anguish?
Why indeed?
Why had my God claimed me? If ever there was a good reason to ask, “Why me?” I know none better.
But claim me he did – His own, from the very first – Never to be lost again!
Remarkable!
He sweetly sailed thru every grief, searched me, and still He took me to Himself.
A place beyond rainbows, beyond sunsets, and far past shiny dimes.
Thank God!
Thank God for His perfect love, which sweetens all of life.
Its music plays a chorus within all hearts to hear.
Eyes see each sight and sound beam bright with promise.
And Grace and mercy transform all who would come –
Yes, even you – If you only will draw near!

Peterpan Christian

by Toni Smothers 

Hebrews 12:1-4 (From the New Living Translation)
“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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.”

Peter Pan Christian
By, Toni Smothers (approximate. word count 2,400)

On the third day after Jesus died, He rose from the dead. His disciples and many other eyewitnesses verified this. Because of this reality, disciples where changed from frightened deserters to dynamic leaders in the new church. This single fact, the resurrection of Christ, was and is today, the foundation of the Christian faith.
All of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior are in the process of being changed, recreated, just like the disciples were. After the change, we experience personally a bountiful influx of God’s perfect forgiveness and love and from then on we possess an abiding confidence that our bodies will one day be raised to live with God forever. And besides that, the same power that raised Christ to life can give, even people like us, the ability and fortitude to follow Christ each day.
Sometimes we think of the rebirth experience as a once in a lifetime experience – It’s true that in some instances the Holy Spirit hits a person right between the eyes with a dramatic, sudden, revelation that Christ is truly who He said He was… WOW! Others of us, however, have come to faith more gently, gradually through years of family example, prayer and study and our revelation is not so instantaneous, but rather progressive – like a light coming on here and there, as the darkness retreats. Light shines through the darkness and once it does, the darkness can never extinguish it as we gradually understand.
There are probably as many ways to experiencing Christ as there are people, but there is only one way to find the Father, God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We must all understand that there is no side door into heaven. Jesus is the door and if anyone enters by Him, only then will he be saved. Our rebirth experience may have been outrageously intense, or it may not have been anything specifically dramatic. That really isn’t too important. The thing that makes our experience of Christ invaluable is the end result, which must always be, our realization of our need for forgiveness and our unconditional acceptance of our salvation through Jesus death and resurrection.
Okay, most Christians agree on the basics. But then what? Is our adoption, redemption and eternal inheritance the totality of the alteration God has planned for us? What about the rest of our lives spent living here, now, within the midst of a lost and ailing world? Are we to only develop friendships from church membership and avoid non-believers altogether? Do we place an invisible barrier around ourselves and stay separate from those people and activities outside of our church? Sure, we could do that. Some of our friends from church become especially close to us and we prefer to spend time together. It is so easy to become an exclusive group of people. After all, the fellowship of believers is vital for strengthening and nurturing one another. We are connected, which is truly good. As the body of Christ we are individuals sharing our faith, helping and providing for each other. We are brothers and sisters in the family of God. Doesn’t that make you all warm and fuzzy?
Sure it does… But, many others, some friends, some strangers and neighbors all around us, not to mention many of our very own family members, are all out there, having no such connectedness and they have no assurance of their loving Father who awaits them. Many of them are truly good people – Just folks trying to raise a family, get by, survive for the most part. But they do all this alone. They rely only upon themselves and they fear failure at every turn. Can we possibly go about our daily lives with no regard for this devastating fact? Can we truly be God’s people; accepting all the many blessings we have received, while at the same time hoarding all God’s love and grace for ourselves? We have knowledge of the most important information available today. How can we be unwilling to share it?
Now whether you realize it or not, Jesus message, his incredibly good news about forgiveness and salvation truly is the most important information there ever was or ever will be. Yet we remain nonchalant and in some cases even embarrassed about it. Instead of rationalizing my message today as extreme, or maybe just “pie in the sky”, I challenge you to take time off from any defensive tendencies – Just for a little while.
Okay, with all our various facades dropped, mine included, and our guard down, let’s honestly ask ourselves, “Do we, or do we not, possess a faith that tries to follow Christ’s teachings?” Because if we really do, how could we bear to face the fact that we are constantly missing and even deliberately avoiding, chances to bring our friends and loved ones to the throne of our welcoming Savior?
If we read the Bible, spend time in prayer daily and really get what this whole salvation business is about, how can we live with the deliberate disobedience our silence and inaction represents? It seems unfathomable, doesn’t it? We all love the Lord. We all want to do what is right. We all have read and heard, repeatedly, what is right, what it means to follow instructions that are plainly stated in the Bible.
So if after accepting the most precious gift we could possibly conceive of, our salvation and our new relationship with Jesus, how can we still remain quiet and uninvolved in terms of outreach? How can we compartmentalize our faith and restrict it to the designated portion we allow it to exist in our day-to-day thoughts and actions? How ever can we make any sense of our behavior?
Jesus told us to go out and make disciples. How many disciples have you made lately? How many disciples have I made lately? How many times has He forgiven us for opportunities missed?
So, does ignoring all that, which we mostly do, mean that we are evil, or ignorant, or stupid, or what? I mean what does our lack of motivation to serve mean in terms of our relationship with Christ? The only answer I can come up with that makes any sense to me is that we seem to have this undefined comfort zone that we stay in. And because it’s comfortable and familiar, we don’t want to stray past the invisible, yet very definite, boundaries of that zone. It’s a kind of self-created environment that suits us well and serves our purposes. God is good to us there and we need do absolutely nothing in return. We are simply cared for with no strings attached. Pretty neat, right? This no-obligation zone reminds me of the childhood story about a character named Peter Pan.
If you recall, Peter wanted to live forever as a kid and never grow up. Peter lived in Neverland, a fantasy world, where the theme of never growing up was totally embraced. Anything associated with restraint or authority was completely disowned in Neverland. The children of this strange fantasy world supposedly remained in a sort of suspended state of happiness, free of aging and any demands. The story is also about the idea of play vs. work. Work was considered very objectionable. So besides no rules, we have no work. The premise was, Peter would just have fun and live forever as a happy youngster.
Well, although Neverland did allow Peter and the other boys there to remain children, it still wasn’t really a perfect world. There was danger there in the form of the pirates and the crocodile. And what about Captain Hook? In other words, it wasn’t as good as one first imagines. Sure, no children had to grow up, but they did have to deal with things like, walking the plank, being captured, tied up… all that… plus who could forget Tinker Bell? She almost died, if you’ll recall.
You know, I really can remember being one of those earnest little kids clapping loudly with tears running down my face and an intense anticipation in the pit of my tummy as I rooted for Tinker Bell’s revival with everything I had. You see, I did believe in fairies and I especially believed in little Tinker Bell.
But I was a child then – Just as I was when I first believed in Jesus and the salvation He bought for me, paying with the price of nothing less than his own brutal death. My child status as a new believer wasn’t about my chronological age either. In terms of years, I was much older, well past my little girl status. No, it was about my newness to my faith and my small knowledge of His Word that accurately described me as a child.
If you clapped real hard for Tink back then too, I’ll bet you never once felt foolish about it. But now, most of us can’t muster up anywhere near that kind of genuine enthusiasm for something as important as the revival of our faith…Is it because we’d feel foolish? Why aren’t we just bubbling over to tell others of our delight in the Lord?
I think Jesus continues to want our applause, even when it means some personal discomfort. He wants us to express our joy outwardly, over what we know to be true inwardly – To give life to our faith, by demonstrating openly, our willingness to share what He wants everyone to embrace – His gift of unconditional love and salvation. That is called witnessing and that is very much a part of His rules for our changed lives.
There is so much more I’d like to say about this, but people often don’t want to listen. Many of you have been Christians a long time now and so you may feel inclined to dismiss my remarks as pertaining to someone else. No one wants to look at himself as a Peter Pan Christian who is unwilling to grow up in the Lord’s teachings. That image isn’t exactly flattering.
But we may find true value in forcing ourselves to be honest. One way to evaluate spiritual maturity is by looking at the choices we make. The writer of Hebrews notes many of the ways those choices change with personal growth. Do we strive to teach others, rather than just being taught? Are we developing depth of understanding, or do we still struggle with the basics? Do we avoid self-criticism but still spend time clearly evaluating our behavior and motivations? Do we seek unity or promote disunity with unbendable opinions and ideas? Do we have an active faith or are we trapped by cautious apathy and doubt? Are we confident or fearful? Do we take the time for careful study and observation or do we blurt out ignorant rhetoric and make halfhearted efforts to be knowledgeable? Do we judge our experiences in the light of God’s Word or according to our own feelings?
And finally, the really big question, “How seriously do we believe in Jesus and his instructions, which are clearly spelled out in the Word of God? In the fourth chapter of Hebrews, it says, “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done”.
The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating lofty ideas – It is living, life changing, as it works in us. The demands of God’s words require decisions. We must not only listen to these words, we must let them shape our life.
When we have truly matured in our faith, our priorities will be in total alignment with God’s and we will feel no conflict within ourselves about going out and making disciples. We will gladly seek out and draw near to our Lord, all those we are able to touch with our testimony. Can we commit ourselves in that way? I really don’t know the answer for each of you, but I know my answer is yes. Yes, with God’s help, I can begin today to become the person He wants me to be. Can you? Will you?
Can you see your church just bursting at the seams as it welcomes all those new disciples that are out there right now, waiting for us… each of us… to boldly reach out with confidence as God enables us to express what and why we so firmly believe? You now, I really can see that. Join me and together we can be about our Father’s business.
And now I implore each of you to pray daily for God’s empowerment and then move with confidence against those boundaries that entrap you. Go in peace and love to serve our Lord.

(Below is a matching, quick kids mini-sermon if your church uses them.)
Children’s Sermon
By, Toni Smothers (approximate word count – 200)
What do you think about living forever as a kid and never growing up? Would you be interested in doing that? What are the good parts of that? What would you miss if you never grew up?

God was wise when He planned all the different stages of our lives. He wanted us to be able to experience all of the different blessings that will come to us as we grow and learn. So if you ever feel some time that you don’t want to change and learn something new that’s maybe a little harder than you’d like it to be, just remember that God is always with you and He will help you to grow up.

Let’s pray together – Lord, thank you for these precious children. Bless each of them with the firm and abiding knowledge that as their loving Father, you will always be available to them as they grow. We also ask you to multiply their number so that all children in our community, who need to learn of your love, will come and find spiritual fulfillment in this place of Christian love. We pray in the saving name of Jesus, Amen.

by Toni Smothers 

As children of God, we desire and faithfully pursue Christ’s redemption, while we also yearn for God’s grace. We pray that His Holy Spirit will saturate our lives. In our gratitude, we develop a truly worshipful love for our Savior. When God accepts our worship, His glory is revealed to us as He inhabits our praises. We experience a deep communion with God’s presence as He pours His love and unfathomable peace into our hearts and minds. But, before any of that becomes possible, we must discard the world’s standards and replace them with God’s Law.

In the Old Testament we read about God’s demand for holy perfection and the blood sacrifices required for forgiveness of sin that the Israelite people lived under. God says in Leviticus 18:5 (NIV), “Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.” You will notice that God doesn’t say, keep some of the laws. God’s laws were, and still remain, inflexible and they demand complete obedience.

God is holy and He wants His people to be holy also. This is a very real problem for us. Even on our best day, even deliberately separating ourselves from the world, how could we shed all the pride and selfishness inherent in us? We try, sure, but we can’t actually live sinless lives. We are sinners in desperate need of complete change.

The Pastor, the Elders of your church or the Christian you most admire are all sinful people!

Even if we know Romans 7:22 by heart, (“With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God.”), we simply cannot live that out by ourselves. That’s the reason, in His love and mercy, God sent us Jesus. (See John 3:16) Jesus lived a sinless life and offered himself as the blood sacrifice for our sins. Jesus has broken sin’s power and polluting influence over us. The problem with perfect obedience has been solved because God accepts Jesus’ covering over His believers and grants us forgiveness. We now have the privilege of living an abundant life in the present, with the Holy Spirit as our guide. Once we physically die, we are promised an eternity in heaven with God – We are truly blessed!

“For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Check out Romans 8:1-11 to read more on this life changing subject.

I love writing and I love God. If I can influence anyone to know Jesus, I’ll be fulfilling my purpose as a child of God. That is my heart – Come follow me!
Toni Smothers
tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com–CHRISTIAN WRITERS

I

Living Confessed Lives

by, Toni Smothers

Isaiah 6: 1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were angels, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD ALMIGHTY: the whole earth is full of his glory”
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD ALMIGHTY.” Then one of the angels flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

In God’s Presence, sin is revealed and sin is healed.

Isaiah knew immediately that he was unclean and unfit before God. He also knew that he lived among a people that were unclean as well. Isaiah’s sin was atoned for by a touch from the coals of the altar. God has atoned for our sin also by sending Jesus to take our guilt upon himself.

Only after the revealing and healing of sin, did Isaiah hear God speak. We cannot expect to hear from the Lord if we are not living confessed lives.

How often do we feel convicted when we come before God? We need to praise God for Jesus’ sacrifice for us and continually confess our sinfulness, asking the Lord to give us new hearts. Then, as cleansed children of God, we can claim the atonement given us by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our loving Father waits for our true confession and repentance.

Take a moment now to speak to God and ask him to show you anything in your life that is separating you from His love and guidance.

Prayer:
Father, I thank you so much for Jesus and all that He has done to make it possible for us to come to you in full confidence that when we pray you will hear us and forgive us. We confess that we sometimes rationalize our sinfulness and disobedience to your laws and try to pretend that our sin is not so bad, or that You don’t notice them, compared to others whose sin is more open and obvious. Please forgive us now, Lord, as we truly repent from all our pretense and rationalization about our sin. Please keep our spirits sensitive to your truth, keep us daily seeking to learn from your Word and help us learn to live more and more like Jesus everyday. Amen.

youth group class

by  Toni Smothers 

God’s Will For Your Life
Part I

How many here today want to know God’s will for their life? Come on and raise your hands. Don’t be timid. (Wait for a response, but its pretty likely with a group of skittish kids, all you’ll probably get are some dead-pan expressions or some giggles.)

1. Isn’t there anyone here who wants to know for certain what God’s will for your life is?

2. Do you think God keeps this information hidden purposely? Does anyone have any idea what God’s will for his or her life is?

(First go with any discussion your questions might provoke. If nothing comes at you but blank stares, don’t be surprised. Just continue with:)

Well, when someone is really looking for God’s will for their life, they must be positioned for His will. In the book of Romans, in Chapter 12: verses 1-2, reveals the way to get in place for His grace.

(Have someone read that scripture for the group -I’ve found passing scripture reading card assignments first thing as the kids arrive to different youth is a very handy way to fit reading in quickly when the verses are needed. The card just says the book and verse to look up and then the card remains as the bookmark until the quote is needed.)

(Now the LEADER, not the youth who first read it, should repeat the reading with emphasis.)

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, present yourselves a living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable, which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

From these verses, we see that three things position us for His will:

1. “Brothers” This word indicates a belonging to the family. Being a brother just naturally makes us think there are other siblings and parents, like anyone’s family.

2. Secondly. “Living Sacrifice” is a term that deals with salvation and the laying down of Christ for us and of our laying ourselves down for Him. We then allow Him to pick us up for His use. It has been said, “the problem with a living sacrifice is that it wants to get up off the altar.” In other words, we say one thing, but we do something entirely different. Being used by God and chosing His ways to govern our lives isn’t the most popular choice sometimes.

3. And third – the renewing of your mind is about your level of spiritually. We need to leave worldly thought behind. If we can empty our minds of fleshly temptations or intellectual thought that often can mislead us, then we can seek our answers to life’s problems in the spiritual realm and He will fill us with His wisdom.

When those three approaches to God become part of our daily walk with Him, God says that we “may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Without salvation, a servant spirit and a spiritual mind, we won’t be positioned to learn His will.

Ask yourself just how much you care about being positioned for God’s will. Are you passionate about it? Are you willing to do what He wants, even if that means you might have to do something completely different than what you would choose? These matters are very important things to consider, so I hope you’ll spend some time each day this week looking over this lesson and letting God speak to you about it.

Let’s Pray,
Father, help us to realize that we really do belong to a special family of believers. Teach us how to love each other no matter what mood we may be in or how we feel about being loving. Just show us that to love is a decision we consciously choose, as well as a commandment from you. Help us to grow up with less self-consciousness and more God-consciousness. Never let us forget what Christ did for us and teach us to be constantly grateful for our salvation. We want to walk closer to Jesus and learn from him what our purpose is. It is for your glory and in his precious name we pray.
Amen

God’s Will For Our Lives
Part II

Last week we talked about the necessity of being positioned for God’s will. The question I asked about passion is really important. We may think it would be kind of cool to know God’s specific will for our lives. It would be neat to know who we should date, or who the “right one” will be. Or it might be gratifying to know if we are taking the exact classes that God wants us to.
But are we passionately seeking answers for these issues. And, aren’t there even more important life choices to discover and examine?

If we listen to our Pastor and read the Bible, we will be able to get an understanding of God’s will, in general. We can get a non-specific idea of what God expects from all of His people. That’s certainly a start. So, to begin to really know God’s will for our lives specifically, we know that we need to begin by following God’s Word and by being faithful to what we know God wants in general. Any good concordance can tell you lots of verses to look up in your Bible that talk about God’s will for his people.

The reason I say this is because we can’t really expect God to reveal His SPECIFIC will when we still haven’t learned to live according to His GENERAL will.

Jesus said that He who is faithful with little will be given much. But he who cannot be faithful with little will lose even what he does have. In this example, the little is God’s general will and the much is His specific will.

God hasn’t hidden His will from us. What He wants from our lives is no great mystery. It’s pretty plain. Who can name some attributes that God wants his people to have?

(Wait for responses such as: love, obedience, holiness, forgiveness, faithfulness, etc) If you don’t get enough response read: Gal. 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”)

Okay, those are all the good ways we can treat each other and behave in general. Now measure your lives against the standard of God’s will. Do you follow God’s will in general? Until you do, and know that you do, you won’t be able to come anywhere close to finding out what his perfect plan and purpose for your life is . . . specifically!

We are his children and so we begin as youth, drinking milk, so to speak, and taking baby steps. There are goals and standards set for us to reach for. After a time, our knowledge of his Word increases and the time we spend in prayer and study draws us into a more personal relationship. As that relationship becomes more and more intimate, we recognize His special way of speaking to us. He will guide us through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, a specific sermon in church, or a confirming remark from something someone says, or an action done just at the right time, or any number of ways He chooses to communicate what He wants us to know or do.

So learning God’s plan and purpose for your life is as easy as asking Him and then as hard as actually wanting the answer and then waiting on His timing as he reveals it to us gradually over our lifetime.

Prayer:
Father, you are so awesome in your power and majesty and still somehow in our hearts we find your love feels just like that of an earthly father. You recreate, teach and nurture us and guide us every step of our way. Please help us keep so close to you by studying your Word and listening for your loving guidance that we are always aware of your presence and purpose in our lives. We just love you Lord and thank you for choosing us to follow you. We are so grateful to be able to offer this pray in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior.
Amen

by Toni Smothers 

Trials abound in the ministry and sometimes we feel pressed on every side by troubles. But, we are not crushed and broken by disappointments and even though we may become perplexed, we don’t give up or let out faith waver because we know in our heart of hearts that God never abandons us.

Although sometimes we may forget it, we are never really at the end of our rope. No matter what dreadful thing may occur around or to us, we always have hope. Because Christ has won the victory over death, we have eternal life as our inheritance. As children of God, we have the assurance that even death submits to the power and glory of God. I praise him for that incredible promise.

I envision even the smallest corner in the darkest closet in Heaven as a glorious place compared to anything that has ever or will ever exist here in our lifetimes.

But, while lavishing in imaginings of the grandeur and blessings of Heaven may be kind of neat, we must never let the future detract us from the present. The Bible teaches us that through suffering we share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in us. But, is it? Is the life of Jesus truly showing in each of us? That’s really what I want to address today.

I don’t believe we were saved to spend the rest of our lives yearning for eternity. Yet you can find many who will say that they have to endure this life until God calls them home. Their self-imposed endurance test keeps them diligently doing rather than gratefully experiencing. So is your cup half full or half empty today? The optimists’ cup is half full and the pessimists’ is half empty – What about yours?

Do you spend most of your time doing for others so you can show God how faithful and self-sacrificing you are? A lot of Christians do, you know. But by doing that, they are probably missing many of the blessings God has for them.

Realize this…God is the only one who understands what true faithfulness is and He is the only one who has made the ultimate sacrifice of his son’s life for us. Even our noblest efforts are as filthy rags compared to what he has already done. He doesn’t want that kind of futile effort from us. He just wants to love us and be the center of our lives. Fellowship with God does not have to be a far off goal to become real only after death. His spirit is very real and immediate.

Sometimes we get so busy doing for God that we forget that. We go around spinning our wheels and leave little or no time for just waiting and listening for Him. His still, small voice is always with us, guiding, comforting and sustaining. God is present, now, today, as we live and breathe. As I write His message, He helps me choose the exact words that will communicate with your hearts, as well as your minds.

We need only accept that it is actually possible and true that He is here with us today – Just as He always is. We need only let our hearts believe, without question or rational explanation, that our Father wants to be that involved in our lives! He is not simply to be summoned periodically throughout our days when we pause to acknowledge Him with our prayers or good deeds. He wants to be so much more intimate with each and every one of us then we can ever conceive of in our grandest imaginings.

How close is your heart, your own emotions? God is closer. How well do you know yourself? God knows you far better than that. How many hairs are on your head? Even you don’t know that. But your Heavenly Father knows that answer. This incredible reality is often too huge for us to fathom, but it is still true.

I think that we are meant to live in multiple realities. We are our children’s parents, our parents’ children, our friends’ friend, our students’ teacher, our husbands’ wives, and on and on. We are not easily defined. But above all that we know ourselves to be in this life, God knows us as His children and that means so much more than all the rest.

It means that no matter how much adversity or evil we come against in our lives, we can always have the comfort and the council of our Father – And not only that! We can also have His celebration and companionship in our times of joy! He is always, and I underline always, with us! So all of our accomplishments, our risks, humiliations and trials, are really just opportunities for God to demonstrate His power, presence and love in and through us. We must not let anything steal that truth from us because we are meant to live joyfully in that knowledge!

We all have faced problems in our relationships or in our work or our homes that have seemed overwhelming at times. But that’s only because we temporarily forgot who faces those problems right there and then with us.

It’s true that God didn’t promise us an easy life, but he did promise to send us the Holy Spirit. Once we acknowledge Him, invite Him to take up residence within us; we live in two distinct realities for the rest of our lives. We live among the lost and hurting world in a state of blessedness that can only be experienced. It can’t be explained or adequately verbalized. But I can tell you this much… that state of blessed communion with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, can turn the hardest that life delves out, into wonderful opportunities to show the world God’s Glory in us.

If we accept that we are sinners in need of forgiveness and that we are predestined to adoption as children of God, purchased and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise who guarantees our inheritance into heaven, we are truly then saved. Those are the facts in a nutshell, so to speak. No more is necessary to obtain that eternal life in Heaven after death. And, unfortunately, many of God’s children remain satisfied with that.

But, that’s just part of the good news because if we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and direct our lives here and now, we can also understand and therefore claim the joy of our salvation. There’s such a tremendous difference between the two ways of being God’s child. I can’t emphasize enough how vastly different the presence of the Holy Spirit as a daily reality can make in our lives now.

Other than Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, I can’t imagine a more precious or perfect gift. The power and indwelling delight of the Holy Spirit’s presence must not be trampled by our nonsensical busyness. God blesses us according to our willingness to receive and share, and not for any other reason. That power and tremendous joy remains ever ready for all who will receive it. So my prayer for each of you today, is that you will also claim the joy of your salvation.
You know, as spirit-filled children of God, we leave the optimists of this world in the dust because our cup is not only half full; it is full and overflowing with the love of our Heavenly Father.

by Toni Smothers

DATING

This is a skit that was used with a group of around 30 youth. Whatever the size of your group, this lesson should be workable. Make the “stars” whoever is willing to be goofy and who isn’t easily embarrassed.

Always ask for volunteers. Most kids get a kick out of acting, especially if they are allowed to be silly. (I’ve found it best never to push kids into these kinds of things.) Tell them to be dramatic, which tends to make it funny, as well as pointed. You’ll need two male and two female “actors”, as well as six bible verse readers.

Also, before you begin, write out on separate cards or any piece of paper, the six bible verses. Hand out the bible verses to different kids to find ahead of time in their bible so that they are ready to read them when prompted by you after each skit.

Give actors and readers time to read over their lines so they are comfortable with the material.

There are three verses to be read after each skit. Make no further comment after each reading.

After both skits and the final verses are read, break up into small groups of 4 – 6 youth if possible. If there is only one leader, just hold an open discussion with the group. (See leading questions at conclusion that will help you begin discussion for class interaction.)

OPENING SCENE (Boy and Girl)

Guy: Hey baby, you’re looking hot. How about a date?

Girl: Well, I don’t know.

Guy: Come on darl’in. I’ll take you places you’ve never been before.

Girl: Really! Like where did you have in mind?

Guy: I know this really sweet spot. The crowd is wild, the music is hot, and you can party all night.

Girl: My parents would never let me go. I’m not even allowed to date yet, if you can believe that!

Guy: Yeah, parents can be a real pain.

Girl: You’re telling me?

Guy: Listen; just tell them you’re going out with a girlfriend or something.

Girl: It would never work. They watch me like a hawk. Man, you’d think I was there property or something. Anyway, I can’t go.

Guy: Well listen. Why not tell your folks that you need to go to the library Saturday for some report that you have to do. They’ll fall for that.

Girl: I guess that might work. But then what?

Guy: I’ll met you there and then take you to my place.

Girl: I don’t know about that.

Guy: Come on, it’ll be cool… we can just talk… or watch TV… or whatever!

Girl: I don’t know.

Guy: What’s the problem? Don’t you want to have a little fun?

Girl: Yeah, but…

Guy: You know you want to. Don’t be a chicken. You gonna be a good little girl all your life.

Girl: No.

Guy: Okay then! Sounds like a plan. What time?

Girl: Guy: How about 2:00 o’clock.

Girl: It’s a date!

Guy: We’ll have a real good time!

CLOSE SCENE



Read:
Ephesians 5:3-7
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

Proverbs 6:12-15
12 A scoundrel and villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks with his eye,
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart-
he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;
he will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5
1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;


———————-


SCENE TWO (Boy and Girl)

Guy: Hey, you’re name’s Karin, isn’t it?

Girl: Yeah, how’d you know that?

Guy: I asked your friend, Todd.

Girl: Really, and why did you do that?

Guy: Well, I was hoping you and I might get to know each other. I mean, I was thinking of asking you to go out with me.

Girl: You were thinking about it, or you’re asking me?

Guy: You really know how to put a guy on the spot. Do you think you might like to go to a movie with me? Or maybe we could just have a picnic at the lake?

Girl: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you. Well, maybe I did, a little. But, I’m not allowed to date yet. I’d really like to but my parents would have a fit.

Guy: Parents sure can be protective sometimes.

Girl: Yeah, sometimes I think they may just love me to death, if you know what I mean.

Guy: Well, at least you know they care about you. Do you think we could meet at youth group and just talk a little.

Girl: Sure, that wouldn’t be a problem.

Guy: Maybe you could introduce me to your folks so they could get to know me.

Girl: They’d really appreciate that. I’ll ask my folks if you could come over for dinner or something.

Guy: That would be great! Maybe we could just go for a walk after dinner. Your parents might not mind that.

Girl: Probably not. Not after they get to talk with for a while. I think that they might just think you’re pretty special.

Guy: Thanks. That sounds really great. Just let me know what they say. See you at youth.

Girl: Okay, I’ll save you seat.

(CLOSE SCENE)


Read:

Psalm 119:1-9
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD .
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

2 Timothy 2:22
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Philippians 4:8
8Finally, 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.

—————————-

Though both skits may be exaggerated to entertain, the kids will get the idea. These are good for a few laughs while the point is still taken.

Break up into small cells of 4-6 if possible and open in prayer for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom.

Discuss the pros and cons of both approaches to dating, along with open discussion about:
1 – Parental possessiveness
2 – Obeying parents
3 – Obeying God’s Word

Be prepared for frank discussion!

Easter Party Skit (Children)

by Toni Smothers

Easter Bunny Skit

(Approx. word count: 1500)

Purpose: Turn an Easter egg hunt or party into a great opportunity to teach children about Jesus and Easter.

(You’ll need a Bible, either a large stuffed animal pretending to speak, (lamb) to sit on speaker’s lap. He will be wearing bunny ears (they’re found in lots of stores during the Easter season – usually a headband with bunny ears attached and a bunny cottontail). Or a person dressed as a lamb wearing bunny ears can play the part. One or two chairs for the speaker and live lamb to sit on in front of children gathered on the floor near the speaker, a card table to place hidden basket and a sheet to cover a large, decorated Easter basket, filled with grass, colored eggs and candy, the stuffed animal or the seated lamb, if using a person.) The Lamb’s part is either spoken by character dressed in lamb costume, or anonymous speaker reading from concealed area, while speaker sort of animates the doll to appear as if its talking – HINT: Doll actually works well because it captures the kids attention better.

Begin:

Table with concealed basket and lamb, with speaker’s chair which is already set up as the speaker comes to take his seat and begin the skit.

Speaker: Boy, I’m tired. All this partying has pooped me out. Why, . . . what is this big bunch of stuff on my table? (Pokes at covered basket and lamb, then uncovers them.)

Lamb: Hey, be gentle with all that poking around! I bruise kind of easy, you know.

Speaker: Lambster, what in the world are you doing under here?

Lamb: Well, I WAS hiding out – Till you gave me away, that is!

Speaker: Hiding? Hiding from what? And what are you doing in that bunny get-up?

Lamb: I was hiding from all the kids. Since I’m the Easter Bunny-lamb, they’re not supposed to catch me bringing in all the goodies, you know.

Speaker: Wait just one minute, Lambster. Where’d you get the crazy idea that you could pass for the Easter Bunny?

Lamb: Shush! They don’t know any better. After all, I’ve even got a big fluffy white cottontail. I really am a most excellent Bunny-lamb, don’t you agree? And, kids all love the Easter Bunny. So, well, I just wanted the kids to like me. Is that so terrible?

Speaker: No, not terrible – But, don’t you realize that the kids would like you just as you really are? After all, you are a most excellent Lambster!

Lamb: Now I know you’re kidding. It’s Easter time. Kids want to see the Big Fluffy Easter Bunny, not some skinny ole lamb!

Speaker: But Lambster, surely you know that Easter isn’t just about the Easter Bunny hiding eggs.

Lamb: Oh, I know. You mean about Jesus.

Speaker: That’s right. Easter is a very special and holy day. Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Lambster, do you know what resurrection means?

Lamb: Well, I think it means that when Jesus died, He came alive again three days later.

Speaker: That’s exactly right.

Lamb: Wait a minute. If Easter is for celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, then why are we having this Easter Egg Hunt?

Speaker: That’s a good question, Lambster. One legend says that a poor woman dyed some eggs during a famine and hid them in a nest as an Easter gift for her children. Then, just as the children discovered the nest, a big rabbit leaped away. The story spread that the rabbit had brought the Easter eggs and then, through the years, candy and parties were added to the tale.

Lamb: Wow – I didn’t know that!

Speaker: Well, most people don’t know that story. You see, Easter parties and Easter egg hunts are fun. People just naturally like to get together and have fun. There’s sure nothing wrong with that. (Lambster shakes his head up and down in agreement with what Speaker says.) But, it is good to remember the real reason we Christians celebrate Easter too.

Lamb: What Jesus did for us makes Easter a very wonderful day, maybe the best day of the whole year!

Speaker: You know, Lambster, that’s really true. But, you know what?

Lamb: What?

Speaker: These kids here know all about the Easter Bunny and having fun at an Easter egg hunt, but some kids might not know what Jesus did for us. Why don’t you tell them now, while we’re all together?

Lamb: Well, Jesus had to die because of the bad things we do. My Sunday school teacher calls it sin. A long time ago, God made the very first people. Their names were Adam and Eve. At first, they lived in a beautiful place that God had made just for them and they were very happy. But then, they disobeyed God and that’s when sin came. Since then, God tried a lot of different things, you know, all the different stories from the Bible that we talk about in Sunday school. Well, anyway – no matter how many times God warned people to stop sinning, they just wouldn’t listen to God. So… God had to send Jesus to help us.

Speaker: It sure sounds like you have a good understanding of what Jesus did.

Lamb: Boy, I didn’t realize how much I really do know about Easter and Jesus.

.

Speaker: Well, It’s like you said, you learned many important things in your Sunday school classes. That’s a really great place for all kids to learn – It is very exciting to learn about God.

Lamb: It sure is! And I always have fun there too! It’s different than regular school, you know. I bet all these kids would like to go too.

(The plug for Sunday school was deliberate and can be easily removed from the dialogue if desired.)

Speaker: Yes Lambster, I know, but you’ve lost track of what you were talking about. Remember – You were telling us why God sent Jesus. Jesus was God’s only son, but God still sent him to earth because he loves all of us so much that He wanted to save us from our sin. Jesus sacrificed his very own life in the place of all people who sin.

Lamb: Right, well, Jesus was born on Christmas, first of all. (Another pretty terrific holiday, by the way.) So, he lived on earth and was always very good. He learned from his human Dad how to be a carpenter. Jesus loved God right from when he was a little kid and he always did what God wanted. When he got older, he went all over telling everyone that He was the Son of God. Jesus told everyone that God loved them and he helped people too. He made sick people well and he fed hungry people. Then one day, Jesus told His friends that he would die soon. Then some soldiers came and they stuck a crown of thorns on His head and hung Jesus on the cross and they killed him.

Speaker: I’ll bet his friends were very sad when He died.

Lamb: Well, yeah – they really were! Then they took Jesus’ body and put it in a tomb. (That’s a big hole inside a mountain or like a cave.) But, anyway….here’s where the story gets happy again. Cause, well, it’s hard to explain real well, you know.

Speaker: Yes, it is kind of hard. But you’re doing a very good job, Lambster. Just take your time and tell us in your own way.

Lamb: Well . . . just when everyone was all sad and sure that Jesus was dead and all –his body disappeared from that tomb! Can you read it to us from the Bible?

Speaker: Sure I can. Here it is right here. “Now Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb while it was still dark and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.”

Lamb: Right, and she saw a beautiful angel in a white robe!

Speaker: The angel said, “You are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen!”

Lamb: Wow! That must have been exciting! And all that happened so that when we get old and die someday we get to go be with Jesus in heaven.

Speaker: Boy, you sure are a smart little lamb. You really do understand how important Jesus’ death was to everyone who believes in Him. We celebrate the victory over sin that Jesus won for us when He died on the cross and then rose again from the dead.

Lamb: Yeah, and that’s why everyone can believe that nothing, not even death, is more powerful than Jesus.

Speaker: You’re absolutely correct. Now, if I may, I’d like to add just one thing to your very excellent storytelling.

Lamb: Sure thing – Go ahead.

Speaker: In my bible it says, “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist said that when he baptized Jesus…So, you see Lambster, that a lamb is even more important to Easter than a bunny. Especially a most excellent Lambster like you!

Lamb: (Acts all shy for a second, then thinks out loud.) Well, I was getting a little headache from this bunny-ears headband and this big cottontail is kind of uncomfortable, if you know what I mean!

Speaker: (Laughs a little.) Here, (stands and picks lamb up), let me take you somewhere where you can change back into the sweet little Lambster we all love, whether its Easter or not. (Speaker hugs Lambster) … Say, Bye.

Lamb: Bye. (Lamb waves as they exit.) . . . . . . . The End