Church Of Christ - Youth Group

This morning we’re taking a look at a promise of God from Psalm 46. I’ve highlighted some of the verses that I really like.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
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Keith clutched his pole tightly. This was the first time he was ever pole vaulting at a meet. Keith has been doing well. So far, he has cleared 10 feet, which is the highest he ever vaulted. Keith started to get nervous. He now has to vault 10′6″. This suddenly looked higher then what it actually was, and the fall into the foam pits looked longer and longer. It wasn’t really the fall that Keith was worried about. It was all of the other things that could go wrong with a vault. Missing the pit and landing on the ground, having the pole land on top of you, or numerous other things. Keith felt like he wanted to quit.

Then Keith’s coach came up beside him and told him, “Remember what I told you in practice. Pray that you have a good vault and land safely in the pits. God will help you.” Keith remembered a verse he read at school in Psalm 46. It said, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Keith said a little prayer and got ready. He sprinted towards the pit and planted his pole in the box. The pole launched him up and over the crossbar with only a few centimeters to spare. As Keith landed safely in the pits, he prayed, “Thank you, Lord!” We can learn a lot from this story. How many times have you felt that you needed someone to help and there was no one around? Whenever you need help, you can ask God to help you. Even when you are in a life-threatening situation, God will answer you your calls for help. You can also go to God when you feel afraid. God says in Scripture, “Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.” You need not be afraid at all, because God is there for you. Psalm 46 says, “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” This is comforting to know.

Points To Ponder: Remember a time when you needed help and God helped you? Are there times when you became afraid but God still helped you? Have you ever had problems and tried to solve them yourself? What happened?

Prayer Possibilities: Ask God that you remember Him in your times of need. Pray that you won’t be afraid of things because God will help you through it.

Lets take a look at life’s direction based on Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16. I’ve posted verses 11-16 below, but I encourage you to click the link above and read the whole passage.

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Have you ever wondered what you were made to do? Where is my life going? Lately, it seems like everyone is asking you what your future plans are. Sometimes you just get so frustrated and confused; you don’t know what to do. If this situation sounds familiar, God offers advice for us in Ephesians 4:11, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.” This verse should give us comfort in knowing that God gave each of us special talents and gifts with which to do specific things in life. We all were put on the earth for a special purpose, and God knows exactly what that purpose is for each of us; even when we feel that we can’t do anything.

As all of God’s children work together, His will is done. “We will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” So, even the little jobs give glory to God. So let us all, in everything we do, do it for the glory of God.

Points To Ponder: How will I know if what I choose to do with my life is what God wants? Does God truly appreciate even the little jobs that we do?

Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for giving us talents and gifts. Ask God to help us make the right decisions in life. Thank God for people who help us choose the right path.

This morning we are taking a look at where God is when we are in times of trouble. I encourage you to read all of Job 42 before you continue. We’ll quote a few verses below.

“Then Job replied to the LORD : “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

My wife cried many tears and was very upset when her parents got divorced. At times she possibly questioned, “Where was God, why was He doing this to my family?” When trouble comes our way, we blame others and God. Instead, we should trust our Giver of Life, just like Job did.

Job was a religious man who lost much of his wealth, family, and belongings. Even after losing everything he owned and suffering a terrible sickness, Job still confessed his trust in God, “I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Job trusted and prayed to God, just like we should. We need to remember, that allowing us to be real people and not programmed robots is so important to God that he is willing to risk the hurt. God hurts with us at times like these because He never leaves us.

Prayer is essential during hardships. We must trust God and place Him #1 in our lives, and before we know it, He’s answered us, maybe in some way we never thought of. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Points To Ponder: What should we remember to do during hardships that we experience? How did Job show his trust in the Lord?

Prayer Possibilities: Ask God for His continual guidance in your life. Ask God to help you remain strong during life’s hardships.

Today we are looking at the influence the world has on us and what we can do to overcome it. Take a look at 1 John 2:15-17 for this morning’s scripture reading.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

The influence of this world is very powerful. It can hold us in its grip. It can enslave us and keep us captive to its will. It can convince us of its own importance, making itself out to be more real to us than God. Wisdom cries out to us, desiring to guide us to the Truth. The truth is that the things of God are real and lasting, and the things of this world are passing. And yet we are consumed by this world, the cares of this life, the pursuit of personal happiness, and more. Day after day we invest time and energy into making a life in this world. And the longer we continue doing so, the more we become like those in the world around us. We think as they do. We live as they do. We seek the same material things, the same successes, and the same pleasures. Our thinking, that is to be transformed to the likeness of Christ´s, clings instead to the patterns of worldly thought. We believe in faith and miracles as long as they are subject to common sense and practicality. The influence of this world is very powerful. It can hold us in its grip. How much hold does it have on you?

Points To Ponder: What can you do to break free from the grip the world has on you? Is it worth it? When you are free from the worlds grip - you have true freedom. Freedom is not doing whatever the world says is cool, it’s the ability to do what is right.

Prayer Possibilities: Pray that you can be free from the world’s grip. Ask God to keep you free and give each day to God.

We’ve looked at Psalm 23 a while back, but it is a great Psalm and this morning we’ll take a look at it again from a different angle.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Remember when you were little and there was something that scared you? Your parents would be there to comfort you and make you fell better. This is the picture that God wants us to have of Him when we read Psalm 23. In verse one, God tells us that He will provide all that we may need during our stay on earth.

In verse two through four, God lets us know that even though there may be rough times in our life, He will be there to comfort us and make the road smooth again. Even though life on earth may be difficult, if we believe in God, we will be rewarded in heaven. The last verse, assures us that if we remain faithful to God, all the good things He promises us will be ours.

Just remember, God is always ready and waiting to wrap us up in His arms and protects us. If you ever feel discouraged, read Psalm 23 and be comforted by the fact that your Father in heaven loves you immeasurably.

Remember one of the promises that Luke shared last night at youth group - God will never leave or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6

Points To Ponder: What picture does God want us to have when we read Psalm 23? What does God promise us if we believe in Him?

Prayer Possibilities: Pray that God will continue to protect you and that He will continue to bless you the way He sees fit.