Are You Smarter?

I taught school for enough years to know that a fifth grader can be pretty smart.  In fact, as I taught fifth graders about living a healthy life and making good choices, every single one made a commitment that they would not drink or use drugs.   But something often happens somewhere after the age of 12.  “Tom” died when he drove off the road and rolled his car- he was drunk.  “Joe” went to prison- he was driving drunk- had an accident- and his passenger was killed.  “Larry” committed suicide- alcohol and drugs were a factor.  What’s the point?  Fifth graders don’t need to be ‘convinced’ that right-is-right and wrong-is wrong.  They already know.  As teenagers and adults, life gets complicated when our desires conflict with what we know in our hearts to be true.  We can fight to live a holy life (and be blessed by God), or we can surrender to our passions (and live without his blessing.  No one (including your pastor) always chooses the ‘high road.’  What can help?  Don’t fight alone!  Find a good friend (of the same sex) that you can be completely transparent with.  Be accountable to one another- pray for one another- ask each other the tough questions.  God will bless you for it!  See you next week! -brad

Revolution

“Changing the World” would be a massive job description.  It’s a good thing for all of us that God breaks our responsibilities into single servings.  What does God require of his followers?  Go- Invite- Tell- Teach.  It’s really simple.  God changes the world one heart at-a-time, our job is simply to be witnesses for Jesus.  How?  Invite someone to church.  Ask a friend how you can pray for him or her.  Tell what God is doing in your life.  Demonstrate by your example and your words that you care enough to get out of your comfort zone.  Share your life, but also share what Jesus has done.  Choose three people- perhaps one neighbor, one co-worker, and one family member who are unsaved and begin to pray for them.  God can use you to change your world!