Pure Heart

David was a man who is known most for his defeat of Goliath the giant. How in the world could a young teenager defeat an experienced warrior like Goliath? David was close to God, and God was with David in everything that he did. When he was tending his flock, and a lion would snatch one of his sheep, David would run after the lion, rescue the sheep from its certain death, and then would kill the lion. He did the same with a bear! It's impossible right? Wrong! When your heart is pure, and God is with you, anything is possible. One day, David was sent by his father to go and see how his brothers were doing on the battle field, and he obediently delivered bread and cheese for them to eat. While he was there, this Philistine was mocking God and mocking Israel. David became angry because no one would go fight this guy. They all were hiding out in fear. David, after some time, finally convinced King Saul that he could defeat this giant. Saul had David wear armor made for a fully grown adult man, but after a few practice swings, David told Saul that God equiped him with a sling, not a sword. And that it didn't matter what the weapon was that he went into battle with. It was that God would go into battle with David, and God would defeat the giant, just as he defeated the bear and the lion. David went on to be the greatest King in Israels history, because his heart was pure, and his motives were just.
May we have a desire to have a pure heart and seek whatever it is that God has for us. May we be Lion chasers, and giant killers! May we be World Changers for Christ Jesus!

A Generation Rising

I believe that there is a generation rising up for Jesus Christ. I believe that this generation has the potential to be the most influential generation is history. This generation is thirsting for something to believe in, something to fight for, to stand for! As we see students surrender there lives to Jesus, we come closer and closer to that reality. This generation must have a significant impact on the next generation rising for Jesus, or they will be devoured by the world, and hope will be in short supply. I believe that the Generation Rising will produce the next great evangelist. I believe that the Generation Rising will have a political leader to the likes we have never encountered, and will be a person, who brings character and Jesus back into "popularity." I believe that the Generation Rising will produce the next great breakthrough, that will change history as we know it!

In order to see this movement come, we must have AUDACIOUS FAITH like Joshua! Let God develop and mature those audacious dreams that he has placed in you, and then allow Him to use you to realize them!

Forgive But Don't Forget

Tonight we are going to take a long look at what Jesus says about forgiveness. What will my life look like if I am a peacemaker, and can forgive those who have done me wrong? And what will my life look like if I will not forgive. Two very different lives in two very different places! Tonight we are going to lay ourselves out there and take a HUGE step to healing and take our sin to the foot of the cross and forgive those who we need to forgive.

ARE YOU AND I LIVING FOR THE SOULS OF MEN?

Have you and I lived to win souls at this noble rate? Are we possessed with the same all-absorbing desire? If not, why not? Jesus died for sinners, cannot we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where is our love to Christ, if we seek not his honor in the salvation of men? O that the Lord would saturate us through and through with an undying zeal for the souls of men.

I love Charles Spurgeon! He is so eloquent with his words, and so deep with his thoughts. I know it is sometimes hard to understand the old english writing style, but yet the message seems to leap off the page at you. Jesus died for the sins of man. Are you and I living for the souls of men? If not, why not? That is the million dollar question. Are you embarassed of Jesus? Do you raise your hands in youth group, and live like you don't even know him at school? Do I leave Jesus behind when I go to work? I want to be saturated with a passion to live like there is no tomorrow. To speak the truth of Jesus to everyone I know and meet. Can we be completely possessed with the desire to see this generation meet Jesus face to face? There are hundreds of millions of students all around us that are going to hell unless someone shares the Truth of Jesus with them. Will it be you? Why not?

Is Jesus attractive to you?

Phillippians 1:10,11

Live a life that is circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus would be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all...

We, as Christ followers, are to make Jesus attractive to everyone. Is Jesus attractive to you? If he is then I hope that you have surrendered all to Him, and have Jesus in everything you say and do. If Jesus is not attractive to you, have you spent any time checking the facts about Jesus? Have you weighed all the evidence? All time and space is measured based on the life and death of this one man. His life warrants a closer look. I believe that if you give it an honest evaluation, and compare Jesus to any other professed God or person, you will see that Jesus is who He said He was. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This statement turns allot of people off because they think that in the post modern world of "Religious Tolerance" that this point of view is too narrow. Jesus has everything that we need to find this path. We just need to ask, and He will be there!

Is Jesus attractive to you? Maybe it's time to take a closer look, and allow His Grace and Mercy to wash over you, and make you new!

John

ONE80 Missions 2011

Hey students....
I wanted to encourage you to pray about going on this years Jr High missions trip to Sault Ste Marie, MI. We will be partnering with YouthWorks again this year. We will be leaving on June 19th and returning June 25th. It's a great trip where we will serve those who are less fortunate than us. My favorite thing last year was the Kids Club. I can't wait to see all those familiar faces, and get those big hugs from the kids. All the other ministries were great too! Pick-up an application and information packet at the SWAP Shop upstairs in the Youth area.
Missions fits right into our calling as Christ followers to go out and tell everyone about the good news of Jesus, making disciples in His name. be a part of something that will leave you with memories that will last you a lifetime!

John

Father and Son

Every few months I take one of my three boys out for a guys night. One on one, just me and one of them. last night Luke and I took off for the Northland Inn and had a great time hanging out, eating a good meal, and talking, and catching a late movie. This morning we shared a cup of coffee and then spoiled ourselves with room service for breakfast. I think it's important for each of my boys to know that their Dad loves them beyond measure, and is willing to go to the ends of the earth for them. They can't know this from a distance. You can only achieve this by spending time with them. Listening to what is on their mind and in their heart. Sometimes, we don't even speak. We just sit next to each other and enjoy the other person just being there.

I think, that God, our Father wants to do the same thing with us. He wants to hang out and talk a bit. Maybe just hang out and not even say anything, but just enjoy each others company. You can't expect to have a relationship, unless you spend time with Him, and tell Him what's on you mind and in your heart. He already knows, but loves to hear us speak to Him.

As a father, I want my sons to know that I am there Always! God wants you to know that too!