Hungry? Student Devotional Week 18

Can Jesus really meet all my needs? Ever wondered why some people have a lot and some have very little? The Bible teaches us that God will provide all of our needs. Did you pick-up on the word "need." Needs are not I-pods and x-box 360 or whether or not you have a date for Friday night. But, there are Christians that do not have enough food to eat or clothes to wear or shelter to protect them from the harsh elements of the world; what about them? In "Jesus for President", Shane Clayborne says that God didn't make a mistake and create too many people, but rather we have plenty if we are willing to share. In the Gospel of Luke 9:10-17, you read about Jesus feeding the 5,000. After sending out His disciples on their first preaching and healing mission, Jesus took the Twelve to a remote place so they could be alone. A crowd followed them, however, and Jesus spent time teaching and healing them. Late in the day, when the people were hungry, Jesus miraculously used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the crowd of over 5,000, and 12 baskets of food were collected after the meal. So, there is enough for everyone if we use the resources as God intended them to be used, shared equally. How about you, do you have what you need? Can you do a better job of sharing the resources God has provided?

Difficulties & Doubts, Week 17

How many of you have ever doubted God? It's alright we all have done it at some point in our faith journey. Many things happen to us that cause us to question our faith such as illness, death, war, relationship struggles, but the one constant is that no matter what happens in life God never changes, He is the one and only consistent thing in our lives we can always count on. Does this mean we won't struggle with the things of life, by no means, but God will be there to see us through it all! Jesus on the cross uttered this phrase on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you foresaken me?" Many of us have felt as Jesus did on the cross, that God has foresaken us. David in the Psalms expresses the same feelings that God was "hidden" from him. I have just read the book "The Shack" and among many other theological themes it challenges the idea that on the cross Jesus was foresaken. The author describes each member of the Trinity suffering along with Jesus on the cross. The traditional understanding is that God has turned away from Jesus on the cross because He has taken on the sins of the world. However, just becasue we feel something doesn't mean that it is actually happening. Just like David felt foresaken by God in the midst of his sin with Bathsheba, when in actuality God was still there and it was his sin that caused him to feel and think that way. In other words, how cold and unloving of a God would He be if during the most difficult of times He turns His back on us. I think there is something to that idea and it is alright if you don't want to go there, but at least know this that God is always there even if you doubt that He is and question Him for a season of your life; He is there and will be waiting for you to call upon His name. You are going to read about John the Baptist and the doubts he had about God during a time of heavy persecution and struggles in his life. How about you, do you ever doubt God? How does faith in Jesus help you in your times of doubt? Do difficulties in your life ultimately make you stronger and closer to the Lord? Have you shared your faith story and struggles with others opening and honestly?Memory Verse: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk,those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." Matthew 11:5

Sight Unseen: The Centurion's Faith, Devotional Week 16

Sometimes seeing is believing, many want to see proof that Faith in a Living God is Real. Some will look to science for answers, still others are skeptical about the whole thing, but Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Faith is a very complex topic to cover, but at it's core is believing that no matter what God is ultimately in control. Our key memory verse comes from Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." What do you hope for? What are your dreams? Does Faith play a part in your decision making?

Don't Worry About It! Devotional Week 15

Jesus gave the most famous sermon in history on the mountain top. The best-known portions of the open-air sermon comprise the Beatitudes, found at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel. The sermon also contains the Lord's Prayer and the injunctions to "resist not evil" and "turn the other cheek." Also, there is Jesus' version of the Golden Rule. Other lines often quoted are the references to "salt of the Earth," "light of the world," and "judge not, lest ye be judged." It concludes with an admonition not only to hear Jesus' words, but to do them.
Jesus poses a intriguing question concerning worrying, "Who of you by worrying can add a single moment to his life?" Most of us worry from time to time about everything from who we are going to go out with on Friday night to what clothes you wear. Worrying can become very dangerous and trapping if you let it rule your life.
What do you worry about? Why is it hard or is it hard to believe that God is in control? How can you apply the saying "Don't Worry About It" to your life?