On Monday night we talked about selfishness. We read from James 4:1-10.
The first part of the passage basically shares that is from our selfish desires of getting what we want is what causes discord in our lives. What we learn by the end of the passage that it is only by being humble that we actually are lifted up. Which is ironic, when we seek to put ourselves first we mess things up...but when we seek to put God first, it naturally occurs that we put others first and God lifts us up!
James 4:1-10.
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Here is a link to the whole lesson:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%208.How%20to%20Win%20the%20War%20Within.pdf
Here is a link to an abbreviated and supplemental material you can go over with your student:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/FaithfulLiving.8.Supplemental.doc
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Upcoming Events and Mondays Lesson
Be sure to check out the info and forms for our Philadelphia Missions and Snowfest.
Forms and Applications are due very very soon! Having them both by this next monday the 25 is the absolute last deadline.
Just scroll down blog.
And for those 8th graders going on Montana summer missions trip. There is a parent, student meeting at 5:41 pm at youth annex. It will be an important one as we set out our fundraising agenda for the year. Having at least 1 parent there would be great!
Last Mondays lesson was on wisdom and taken from James 3:13-18.
Like everything else in life, wisdom is multidimensional. The definition changes according to the situation and need. Monday we studied godly wisdom and how it relates to the way we treat others.
For the whole lesson click here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%207.How%20to%20be%20a%20Wise%20Guy.pdf
For an abbreviated lesson you can follow up with your kids:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/FaithfullLiving.7.doc
Forms and Applications are due very very soon! Having them both by this next monday the 25 is the absolute last deadline.
Just scroll down blog.
And for those 8th graders going on Montana summer missions trip. There is a parent, student meeting at 5:41 pm at youth annex. It will be an important one as we set out our fundraising agenda for the year. Having at least 1 parent there would be great!
Last Mondays lesson was on wisdom and taken from James 3:13-18.
Like everything else in life, wisdom is multidimensional. The definition changes according to the situation and need. Monday we studied godly wisdom and how it relates to the way we treat others.
For the whole lesson click here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%207.How%20to%20be%20a%20Wise%20Guy.pdf
For an abbreviated lesson you can follow up with your kids:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/FaithfullLiving.7.doc
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
FaithFULL Living: Taming the Tongue
A quick version of our lesson with questions and thoughts to carry on the lesson at home:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faithfull.Living.%20James.6.doc
The full version of our lesson:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%206.How%20to%20Tame%20the%20Tongue.pdf
Last Monday night Velocity went through our sixth lesson in our series called FaithFULL Living. We went over James 3:1-12 about how and why we are to tame the tongue. Ironically the kids were the most chatty we could remember for some time!
That being said it was definitely a hard hitting lesson as James really extorted us to control what we say for we will be judged by what we say. Just as a tiny spark can start a whole fire so too can the tongue be a flame to a fire that can set our whole life on fire! James calls the tongue restless, evil and full of deadly poison.
But it can also be used to bless and praise our Lord and Savior.
So how do we make sure that our tongue is a blessing to God and others rather than a curse?
If you want to tame your tongue as I do then let me encourage you to think about some speech therapy. Before you speak something that may be harmful ask yourself these five questions:
First, IS IT TRUE? Is what you’re going to speak the truth? If not, STOP.
If it is, second, IS IT NECESSARY? Jesus said you’re going to be judged for every careless word. Bite your tongue more often. There are so many things that we say that are not necessary.
Third, IS IT BENEFICIAL? Is what you’re going to say going to build someone up or tear them down? Is going to
do good or is going to hurt someone?
Fourth, ask yourself, DO I HAVE PERMISSION TO SHARE IT? I’m sure you all know people
who you consider friends who you can tell anything to, because
you know it will stop there. But we also all know people who are the first to spread that news all over town. Before you speak think about what kind of friend you’re being.
Finally, ask yourself, IS MY MOTIVE PURE? Why are you saying what you’re saying? Most of the time our gossip is for selfish purposes. We want something to talk about. We want others to think we’re
important. Do you know that need you have to gossip, it comes from sin. Give it up.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faithfull.Living.%20James.6.doc
The full version of our lesson:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%206.How%20to%20Tame%20the%20Tongue.pdf
Last Monday night Velocity went through our sixth lesson in our series called FaithFULL Living. We went over James 3:1-12 about how and why we are to tame the tongue. Ironically the kids were the most chatty we could remember for some time!
That being said it was definitely a hard hitting lesson as James really extorted us to control what we say for we will be judged by what we say. Just as a tiny spark can start a whole fire so too can the tongue be a flame to a fire that can set our whole life on fire! James calls the tongue restless, evil and full of deadly poison.
But it can also be used to bless and praise our Lord and Savior.
So how do we make sure that our tongue is a blessing to God and others rather than a curse?
If you want to tame your tongue as I do then let me encourage you to think about some speech therapy. Before you speak something that may be harmful ask yourself these five questions:
First, IS IT TRUE? Is what you’re going to speak the truth? If not, STOP.
If it is, second, IS IT NECESSARY? Jesus said you’re going to be judged for every careless word. Bite your tongue more often. There are so many things that we say that are not necessary.
Third, IS IT BENEFICIAL? Is what you’re going to say going to build someone up or tear them down? Is going to
do good or is going to hurt someone?
Fourth, ask yourself, DO I HAVE PERMISSION TO SHARE IT? I’m sure you all know people
who you consider friends who you can tell anything to, because
you know it will stop there. But we also all know people who are the first to spread that news all over town. Before you speak think about what kind of friend you’re being.
Finally, ask yourself, IS MY MOTIVE PURE? Why are you saying what you’re saying? Most of the time our gossip is for selfish purposes. We want something to talk about. We want others to think we’re
important. Do you know that need you have to gossip, it comes from sin. Give it up.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Philadelphia Missions Trip Info/Form and SnowFest Forms
SNOWFEST!
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowtubing! A great time to come up and learn as we are going for a half day and getting group rates.
When? Saturday Jan 30th. Meet at Church at 3pm to caravan up.
Who? Open to all families, students and friends. More the merrier! But remember there will be limited rides as most families will need to caravan.
Where? Liberty Ski Resort at 78 Country Club Trail Carroll Valley, PA 17320
Cost? $30 Lift Ticket only. $54 for Ski's/Snowboard Rental with Lift ticket and optional lesson. $45 Learning to Ski or Snowboard package with rental, lesson and access to beginner slopes only.
We need parents signatures on the following forms:
Skiing/Snowboarding:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/RentalForm0910.pdf
Snow Tubing:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/RELEASE%20Tubing%20release%20doc%2009-10.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------
MS Missions Trip to Philadelphia
Velocity Missions Trip – March 5-7
Where? Philadelphia with CSM. www.csm.org
Who? MS students. Minimum age 12.
Cost? $145 (Don’t let cost be an issue, we can raise funds if needed)
- There are nine spots available. First come first serve.
- Applications and $55 deposit is due Monday Jan 18th.
- Service may include food banks, homeless shelters, nursing homes, children’s centers. Etc.
Parent and Student Informational Meeting is Monday January 11th from 6 - 6:30 pm.
Application and $55 Deposit Due January 18th
Full $145 due February 1st.
Application for Missions Trip:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MissionsApplication2010.MS.Philadelphia.doc
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowtubing! A great time to come up and learn as we are going for a half day and getting group rates.
When? Saturday Jan 30th. Meet at Church at 3pm to caravan up.
Who? Open to all families, students and friends. More the merrier! But remember there will be limited rides as most families will need to caravan.
Where? Liberty Ski Resort at 78 Country Club Trail Carroll Valley, PA 17320
Cost? $30 Lift Ticket only. $54 for Ski's/Snowboard Rental with Lift ticket and optional lesson. $45 Learning to Ski or Snowboard package with rental, lesson and access to beginner slopes only.
We need parents signatures on the following forms:
Skiing/Snowboarding:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/RentalForm0910.pdf
Snow Tubing:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/RELEASE%20Tubing%20release%20doc%2009-10.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------
MS Missions Trip to Philadelphia
Velocity Missions Trip – March 5-7
Where? Philadelphia with CSM. www.csm.org
Who? MS students. Minimum age 12.
Cost? $145 (Don’t let cost be an issue, we can raise funds if needed)
- There are nine spots available. First come first serve.
- Applications and $55 deposit is due Monday Jan 18th.
- Service may include food banks, homeless shelters, nursing homes, children’s centers. Etc.
Parent and Student Informational Meeting is Monday January 11th from 6 - 6:30 pm.
Application and $55 Deposit Due January 18th
Full $145 due February 1st.
Application for Missions Trip:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MissionsApplication2010.MS.Philadelphia.doc
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
This Year will be Different
Happy New Year Everyone!!
So can you hear that noise? Thats the sound of New Years Resolutions being broken already! Isn't that the way it always seems to go? I know I have already broken a couple I've made to myself. The problem is I rely to much on myself and I am prone to mess up. We then feel unhappy with ourselves and with life. So how do we have happiness and contentment?
When it comes to any resolution and spiritual ones especially the only way we can follow through is by relying on our relationship with God. In life we do a great job of compartmentalizing things. We put on our at home self, our at work self, our at school self, our with these people or with those people self, our at church self. The problem is, we don't always act consistently in all the different compartments and arenas of our lives. We think we can be Godly only during quiet times and church times or with other Christian times but we forget that God is King and Sovereign over all of our life. Why not put God first during a soccer game? During work? Walking in the hallways at school? Driving on the interstate? We get so busy with filling up our lives with ultimately unimportant things that end up dictating how we feel and act. A car cuts us off, an opponent fouls you, a schoolmate mocks you, a boss mistreats you, you join classmates in cheating....whatever it is....we join the world of our moment rather than allow the God of eternity reign supreme in our everyday life. And what happens is we feel angst, we feel separated from something important. That separation is from God.
How about a New Years resolution this year to allow God to reign supreme in your everyday life. Throw up an arrow prayer during the middle of work, school, or play? Filter your everyday deeds, thoughts and environments through God. Talk to him like you talk to a friend throughout the day. Perhaps then you will have the right perspective on resolutions....for its only by following God first that all those other things fall into the right place. Be Resolved to Put God first in all things. That only comes through humbly asking him for his grace to achieve such end. And in doing so you will bring God glory! It wont be self-centered resolutions but God centered.
I think this resolution made by Jonathan Edwards is a good one to take on as one's own.
"Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it."
So can you hear that noise? Thats the sound of New Years Resolutions being broken already! Isn't that the way it always seems to go? I know I have already broken a couple I've made to myself. The problem is I rely to much on myself and I am prone to mess up. We then feel unhappy with ourselves and with life. So how do we have happiness and contentment?
When it comes to any resolution and spiritual ones especially the only way we can follow through is by relying on our relationship with God. In life we do a great job of compartmentalizing things. We put on our at home self, our at work self, our at school self, our with these people or with those people self, our at church self. The problem is, we don't always act consistently in all the different compartments and arenas of our lives. We think we can be Godly only during quiet times and church times or with other Christian times but we forget that God is King and Sovereign over all of our life. Why not put God first during a soccer game? During work? Walking in the hallways at school? Driving on the interstate? We get so busy with filling up our lives with ultimately unimportant things that end up dictating how we feel and act. A car cuts us off, an opponent fouls you, a schoolmate mocks you, a boss mistreats you, you join classmates in cheating....whatever it is....we join the world of our moment rather than allow the God of eternity reign supreme in our everyday life. And what happens is we feel angst, we feel separated from something important. That separation is from God.
How about a New Years resolution this year to allow God to reign supreme in your everyday life. Throw up an arrow prayer during the middle of work, school, or play? Filter your everyday deeds, thoughts and environments through God. Talk to him like you talk to a friend throughout the day. Perhaps then you will have the right perspective on resolutions....for its only by following God first that all those other things fall into the right place. Be Resolved to Put God first in all things. That only comes through humbly asking him for his grace to achieve such end. And in doing so you will bring God glory! It wont be self-centered resolutions but God centered.
I think this resolution made by Jonathan Edwards is a good one to take on as one's own.
"Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it."
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