Student Prayer at School

It is that time of year again for the See You at the Pole rally. As a youth pastor I have been a part of this event for about 13 years now in some way. I encourage my students to attend and support one another. As uplifting as this event can be, it can also be used in a "Pharisaic" like way for everyone to look and see how good a Christian I am being, in other words "look at me, look at me!" I pray for this year to be a true coming together of Christians not in opposition to other non-believers or people of other faiths, but as a testimony of God's love for all people! Unity is what Jesus called for the church in John 17:20-23, 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." That is my prayer for us as well, let it be so!

Bringing Churches Into the 21st Century

"What's going on with a church wanting to reach a younger generation. The youth are an 'on demand' generation with our music, TV shows, movies, school lessons and connecting with global friends. Churches meet at designated times (usually once a week), in designated places...... seems some shifts are needed. What's going on that churches refuse to enter 21st century world?" was the question from a 23 year old searching for faith. Any responses....?

Go to New Smithfield Student Ministry Blog!

Go to New Smithfield Student Ministry Blog!

Pretty is as Pretty Does

This is a new format that I am trying out to express contemporary issues from Youth Culture. So, today our Pastor, Dr. Donald Rhoton, preached on a shift that has happened in Youth Culture. Youth are very concerned about their appear, so much so that it consumes their lives. He quoted from a study done between the diaries of 19th Century to 21st Century teenage girls and found that they are more self-image and outward focused and less caring about the needs of others. Why is that? Societal and cultural influences are definitely at work here. Adults have caused some of this putting the idea that a successful person does certain things and looks a certain way. The images in advertising are all of the "pretty" people. The result is more cases of eating disorders, drug addictions, increase of depression and suicide rates. That is the culture that we find ourselves living in the 21st century. Diaries are no longer private or secret they are facebook posts on someones wall. The good news is we are aware of the problem, now what are we going to do about it? Scripture says we were "created in the image of God" and God said his creation was "very good." So, don't believe the lies of the world. Remember sin is very much alive and active in the world today. Girls you are beautiful and created in the image of almighty God, Guys too!

Student Devotion: Inspiring Others

Key Verse: "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Everyone needs to be reminded that God creates us with a calling for each of our lives. Everyone is given gifts that need to be shared with the world. You can be an agent of change in our world. You can empower anyone, no matter what age, to make a change in their life and to follow God’s call. Ever have to sit at the “kids’ table” at family get-togethers? I remember sitting at a small table with my cousins, separated from adult conversation. Sadly, many of us feel removed when it comes to faith. We are led to believe only our church leaders and adults are the people who really possess knowledge and gifts. However, what about those who are not pastors or deacons or elders or teachers? Writing to Timothy, a teenager, Paul reminds him that in Christ there is no kids’ table. Timothy is told to demand respect, pull up a chair and join the conversation. Surely Timothy was shocked when Paul told him to be the leader in the congregation! Don’t sit at the kids’ table because you don't feel worthy or able to contribute to the cause of Christ! YOU have something to say, a gift to use, something to contribute. Welcome to the table! God, thank you for your invitation to the table! Help me to step up and offer all that I have in service to you, even when I feel inadequate or that my opinion does not matter. I offer myself to you. Amen.

It is easy to feel that we are not inspirational to others. However, each day we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be agents of inspiration and change in the lives of others. How have you been empowered by the Holy Spirit to inspire someone else? How can you make a difference in the world today?

You have the gifts, the ability, and the Spirit of the Living God to inspire others.

Go! Be! Inspire!

Student Devotion Week 6: More Than On Your Own

Key Verse: Joshua 1:1-9, "1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites.³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.⁶ Be strong and courageous,because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditateon it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Ok, it's Bible Story 101. Time to test your knowledge. What do you remember about Moses and his story? What do you remember about Joshua and his story?

Here's a recap. Moses was God's handpicked leader to free His people from slavery in Egypt. Moses was a just and faithful leader. But due to the people's sin along the journey from Egypt to the promised land, God told Moses that he would never actually enter the land. Next up: Joshua. Joshua was Moses' right-hand man. He had been at Moses' side while Moses was leading the people. Joshua was the heir to the leadership of the Israelites.

Now, take a moment and read Joshua 1:1-9. But before you do, here's some quick background info. Moses had died, God had some words of encouragement. As you read the passage, pay close attention to verse 5. What important message did God give Joshua? If you were in Joshua's shoes, how would this make you feel?

You could spend hours reading about all the ways God was with Moses. And here God was telling Joshua, "You know what? All the awesome stuff I did for Moses? I'm going to do the same for you." What a powerful promise! It must have been just what Joshua needed to get ready to lead God's people.

The important truth is this: God does not call His people to a task without empowering them. God calls you then gives you His strength to carry out the call. As you live out your call, don't forget Joshua and how God promised to be with him

Student Devotion Week 5: Push Through It!

Key Verses: Philippians 3:12-4:1, "12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!”

Chances are you probably know that Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. At 29,029 feet above sea level, Everest dominates the border of Nepal and Tibet. The first successful expedition to reach Everest’s peak was led by New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay in May of 1953. It was an amazing feat of commitment and fortitude. In the years since the duo’s famous ascent, over 4,000 other climbers have made it to the top of the majestic mountain. And while all of these climbers came from different countries, they all have one thing in common:

They didn’t make it to the top of the mountain by focusing on what was behind them. They made it to the top by focusing on what was ahead.

Tackling Everest is such a difficult challenge that the only thing to keep climbers going is the promise of the summit. The prize of standing on the world’s highest point keeps the climbers motivated. It helps the push through the most difficult terrain.

Stop for a moment and read Philippians 3:12-4:1. Philippians was one of Paul’s “prison epistles”, letters he wrote while under house arrest in Rome. When Paul wrote Philippians, he was nearing the end of this life and had experienced a tremendous amount of hardship and suffering, all for the sake of Jesus. But notice what he said here: Paul wasn’t quitting. And he wasn’t resting on his past accomplishments. What was he doing instead?

Verses 13-14 say it all: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul had not stopped pressing on toward the finish line. What was this finish line Paul talked about? Just like the summit of Everest motivates climbers to push on, the goal of living his entire life for Jesus motivated Paul to stay strong in his faith. He wasn’t about to give up just because things got hard. He was concentrating on the goal.

You are called to live the exact same way. In a world that will happily knock you down because of your faith in Christ, you must be willing to pick yourself back up and press forward. God desires for you to live this way. And He has sent you His Spirit to keep you strong. There is nothing left for you to do but to face the goal and press onward. Keep climbing, keep running, and keep moving toward the goal of a powerful life lived for Christ.