a word for the guys...

Check out this thought provoking and helpful blog from Joel...

So I’m going to list and talk about some of the things that I think as young men of God we can find difficult at times. I’ll look at what the Bible says, how we find it difficult, and how we can improve on this in the future.


Honour
We’ve chatted a lot about honour in True recently, in Life Groups and Tris did an excellent preach on it as well, looking at the three ‘directions’ that honour can take. I think possibly the direction that we can struggle most is honouring others. The Bible says in Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour”. I think that this is particularly relevant because we are brothers in Christ. “Outdo one another in showing honour” makes me feel so challenged to continually honour everyone, and I hope it challenges you too. Guys like to have a lot of banter, and a lot of such is mostly, good hearted fun. (Like when we all tease Jez when he loses!). This kind of fun I think also helps build good relationships – definitely a good thing. What’s important to remember though, is to keep an eye on yourself. Make sure that the teasing is not over-frequented and that it doesn’t get out of hand. It can be easy to let this banter get out of hand, and become hurtful to the recipient.

Pride and humility
As men, we are proud. We don’t need directions from anyone, we can fix or construct anything with our bare hands, and we certainly don’t need instructions when we get a new gadget! It’s easy to think that we can go alone and that we don’t need anyone’s help, especially when it comes to more difficult life issues like our walk with God. It can be difficult to admit that actually, we are struggling in our walk with Him, and that we need some encouragement. Accepting that we are struggling with something is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that we know we are out of our depth and that we need help from others and from God. If we cry out to Him, he will not let us down. Just remember that He will do that in His own timing, I found this Psalm, which I love. Psalm 69:13 “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me in your saving faithfulness.”


In about AD56 when Paul wrote 2 Corinthians his opponents claimed that his suffering (which can be read about in chapter 11:24-29) proved he was not an apostle. Paul simply stated that his suffering highlights his dependence on Christ. In verse 30 Paul says “If I must boast, I will boast in the things of my weakness.” Again, I think that this is a brilliant challenge to us to not hide away our weaknesses, but to “boast” in them.
 
We should also be humble about our achievements. It is crucial for our humility that every gift we have, is all from God, and not through our own doing. Proverbs 11:2 says “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom”. Who doesn’t want to be wise!? Wisdom is one of the greatest gifts that God can give, as we see with the story of King Solomon, who then goes on to write much of the book of Proverbs. I saw this quote on Facebook a while back, from a member of the youth: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking about yourself less. It's about being Jesus focused rather than self-focused” The bit about being Jesus focussed is so key – it’s so easy to forget everything good comes from the Lord, not from ourselves.


Boldness
It’s not always something I’ve found easy. At the beginning of secondary school, I found it difficult to even mention that I was a Christian, let alone to be bold and step out in faith! In Acts 4, when Peter and John stand before the Council in Jerusalem, after healing the lame beggar in Acts 3. Peter speaks out, fuelled by the Holy Spirit, tells them that the only true and lasting salvation comes from God, through Jesus’ death on the cross. Acts 13 says “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” So Peter managed to speak out in a very difficult situation, and the people around realised that he had been with Jesus. So, if we step out in faith to our friends and others, then that in itself is going to testify to them the amazing power and faithfulness of God. Be encouraged to follow in Peter’s footsteps! (A quick tip for you, when talking to others about God: try to listen more than speak. Draw out their thoughts rather than fill their minds. Too much of a good thing will make them sick. If you do this, you won’t actually have to say much at all!)


School/College work
Something I feel quite strongly about! I’ve always been aware of just how important school or college work is. My parents have never been forceful about my grades, but they’ve always made sure that I remember that they are important. Here’s how I see school and college work as important, in a Christian context:
One day, I would love to have a wife and children. Now, as the ‘man of the house’, I will be responsible to God for my family. It will be my job to make sure that they are fed well, have clean clothes and a house that is safe to live in etc etc. Now, while God does provide, on a practical note I see it that if I work hard at college, get into Uni and get a good job, then I will have enough money to provide these things for my family. Without a reasonable income, it may be a struggle to provide these things. I must stress that this is my take on this topic, and I shall not say anymore to allow you to reflect on what I have said.

These are things that I’ve personally struggled with at times of being a young man of God. I hope that what I say here helps you in some way. Do remember that any problems, talk to your Life Group leader or a Youth Leader or even better – God!

How Social's Your Media?

Nearly everyone has Facebook, and lots of people have Twitter. These, and other social networking sites are great ways of keeping in touch with people, and seeing photos of what they've been up to etc. BUT, how can we as Christians use social media better??

I think there are two ways of doing this:

1) Your "Religion" on Facebook says "Christian", right?? Your "About Me" section might even have your favourite Bible verse or Christian song lyrics in it. But in your pictures, comments and likes etc match up to this?? Are your comments and likes those of a young man or woman of God?? If you don't think they are, what impression does this give about Christians to others???

2) Secondly, there are ways of encouraging other Christians, and sharing with non-Christians about the amazing news of Jesus. You can do stuff like post a Bible verse that you're read and found encouraging. You never know, by sharing a verse that you've found helpful, you could really make a difference to someone's day! You could also post a video or link that may challenge non-Christians to think about the fact that there might actually be a God. By posting stuff like this, it makes sharing the gospel seem far less intense and personal to those you're trying to share with, rather than talking face to face a lot of the time. It's a clever, more subtle way of getting your point across to either one specific person, or non-Christians in general.

I encourage you to use social media in these ways, because its another way that we can lift up the name of Jesus to those who are yet to know Him.

God Bless
Joel

Back from the dead?! Are you sure?

The truth about the Resurrection of Jesus...

Occasionally a report comes out that someone has died, and then returned to life. The reports carry passing interest, but how long does the excitement last?

A week? Two?

But then why are so many people still talking, debating and resting the base of their faith on one man's death thousands of years ago?

So, to dive straight in, lets look at the available evidence surrounding the truth of the resurrection.


The Empty Tomb: Everyone agrees that the Tomb was empty, but there are only three logical explanations for this:

1) Jesus' friends took his body.
2) Jesus' enemies removed the body.
3) Jesus rose again.

1) His friends nicked it...
The events of Good Friday would have broken the disciples' spirit completely, therefore the last thing on their mind would be to plot frauding a resurrection. And besides, there was a guard by the Tomb,
so this was virtually impossible. (Matt 27 v62-66)

2) Jesus' enemies removed the body. But what would be the motive?? Removing his body would only promote rumours that Jesus was alive.

3) Jesus rose again. Surely this is the only logical explanation?

Appearances after the resurrection:
- Jesus appeared to his followers around ten times following his resurrection. On some occasions only one or two people were present, and on another over 500 were present. There is no possibility of hallucinations. The appearances took place in different places and at different times. Then the appearances stopped abruptly. Any who are subject to visions or hallucinations tend to go on experiencing them - they don't stop abruptly.

So what about the disciples, were they hiding anything?? Well, take Chuck
Colson, an associate of ex-US President Richard Nixon. He was involved with the Watergate scandal alongside Nixon in the 70's, and became a Christian while in prison. He knew from the Watergate scandal that the truth has a way of coming out. He admitted that he couldn't hold their story for three weeks under the intense pressure. He also concludes that if the resurrection was a lie, that the disciples could never have held out. So, if the disciples were hiding anything, it would of come out eventually.

Obviously, its up to you to decide whether you believe the resurrection to be true, but if it isn't, then clearly the biggest prank has been played on the world, with billions falling for it.

But, then again, how likely is that to happen?

Joel.

Youthful...Yes!...Insignificant...No!

Check out the latest post from Joel...

1 Timothy 4 v12-16

(12) Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (13) Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (14) Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council laid their hands on you. (15) Practise these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (16) Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers"


When looking at Paul's letters, it's best to read what they are about first - to 'set the scene'. It is easy to not bother with these bits, and get straight in to the first chapter, but finding out what the book is about will enhance our understanding and therefore our learning from it. (In my ESV, there is an introduction and in yours there is probably similar.)


So, it was written by the apostle Paul as a pastoral letter to Timothy, who had been appointed to lead the church in Ephesus. This church had a great need for order in worship and doctrinal correction (Correction of the church's theology). The church was also plagued with false teachers.



So, moving into the passage. Just because we are young doesn't mean we are insignificant. We should not let people upset us by treating us badly because of our youth. (V12) It also doesn't mean that we cannot be an example and an inspiration to older members of the church. In fact, we should strive to do this more and more. I absolutely love it when Graham tells an inspiring story from something that has happened in and around the youth on a Sunday morning!
Who doesn't want to see more of this!? Even if it doesn't make it to the main stage!



In V13, Paul instructs Timothy to stay focused and determined, and to keep going until he returns. One thing that I did not understand in this passage was the term "exhortation". The dictionary definition of this is "an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something". So Paul wants Timothy to encourage people, in every area. To devote yourself to something is a big ask. Think of something that you 'devote' yourself to, and how hard it may be at times. Then try applying this to teaching God's word, not easy I'm sure!



Timothy was young, just like us. However, Paul still encourages him in his letter to use the spiritual gifts we have. (1 Corinthians 12 v4-6 says this
"(4) Now there are varities of gifts, but the same Spirit; (5) and there are varities of service, but the same Lord; (6) and there are varities of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone" See verses 1-11 of the same chapter for more on Spiritual gifts) Because of our youth, we could possibly find ourselves 'nervous' about using our gifts. Paul suggests this "Practise these things, immerse yourself in them" I think that there is nothing I can add to this and no other way than this in order to grow in confidence using your gifts!



Coming towards the end of the passage, Paul finishes by warning Timothy (V16).
I interpret this as a warning to stay humble and keep himself pure. Paul mentions the teaching specifically, as this was a problem within the church.
Timothy needs to 'watch' it, to ensure that it is theologically accurate. Paul is completely correct when he says that Timothy will save himself, and others by being persistent. Science has proven that teaching something to someone else, will only enhance your understanding of the subject matter. The same applies here - although I'm not sure whether Paul was aware of this at the time! We must be determined to do the same as Timothy - be persistent, be humble and be pure!



I hope this helps you to grow in God, and not to feel insignificant or unimportant. Every young person is a prominent part of the church, at present and in the future. It is important to the success of the church for us to know that we have this responsibility, and to rise to the challenge of this. I also urge you to get stuck into God's word and learn more from it.

Joel