Awaken Youth Church
resurrecting a generation
Even When It Hurts
Mar 8th
Consider Psalm 15
David proposes some interesting thoughts in this Psalm. He starts off in verse 1 basically asking the question who is able to enter God’s presence and worship Him?
Now, we know that on this side of the cross, Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price and made it possible for us to “walk” right into the Throne Room. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us and made us righteous… even when we may not totally live up to a certain standard.
However, these words of David should still challenge the core of our being.
In verses 2-4, David gives a list of the characteristics of the one who is able to enter God’s presence. The one at the end of verse 4 is what sticks out to me.
“Those who… keep their promises even when it hurts.”
What does that mean?
It means being “people of our word.” It means how when Jesus said that when we say “yes” that should be good enough to suffice. Or when we say “no” that is good enough. However, if we’ve lived our lives in a way that when we say “yes” people know that we really mean maybe… there is a lack of trust in that thought.
As believers we should be people who keep our promises even when it hurts. When we say we’re going to do something, we need to do everything we can to accomplish and fulfill that word.
As Jesus was hanging on the cross, He could have called upon the angels to come and remove Him. And boy, I bet the cross hurt… it hurt BAD. The amazing things is is that He didn’t call the angels. He stayed on the cross… cause it’s what He said He would do. He kept His promise even while it was hurting Him to death.
Hangin’
Mar 8th
Consider Luke 19:47-48
Here we see Jesus teaching in the temple daily. As He was doing this the leading priests and teachers of the law began planning how to kill Him.
But check what verse 48 says… “But they [those planning to kill Him] could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word He said.”
Imagine that… Jesus’ followers hanging on every word He said. Not some of the words… but every word. Not just the ones we want to hear… not just the ones that are policitally correct… but every word.
In this world in which we live there is only one Truth and only two things that never change: Jesus and His Word.
I’m challenged by this passage to hang on to every word that He has spoken. No telling what would happen if all the believers on the planet began living their lives, hanging on the Word of God.
It’s not that big of a deal!
Mar 8th
Oh but it is!
Ever used that phrase “It’s not that big of a deal!”?
I find Jesus’ words interesting in Luke 16:10 when He says “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
These word speak directly to the attitude we have towards the things God asks of us. He is always calling us higher.
Enter Grace.
I am so thankful for God’s Grace. Where would we be if it wasn’t for His Grace? We all miss the mark and at times can be unfaithful in even the small matters (as Jesus was saying).
So how then can we move on to greater, bigger things?
It’s really easy to use Grace as an excuse for committing our failures, when that’s not even the point of Grace. “Oh, if I mess up, it’s ok, God’s Grace will cover me.” “It’s just this one time.” “It wasn’t that big of a failure.”
God gives us Grace to not only cover our failures but to bring us up out of those failures. Grace isn’t an excuse to wallow in sin, but to find freedom out of it.
God’s calling and plans for each of our lives is high. He is the God of BIG THINGS! And in order for us to get to where God will manifest those BIG THINGS in our lives, those “small, negative things”, that may seem insignificant, must be worked out. Then when it comes time for the BIG THINGS to be manifest we will be ready for the BIG THINGS because the hinderances of the “small, negative things” aren’t in the way.
Allow Holy Spirit to point out some of those “small things” where you’re not being completely faithful. Ask Him to give you Grace to find freedom so that you can move higher and deeper into Him and His will for your life!
That’s Expensive!
Mar 8th
Consider: Luke 9:57-62
Ever gone shopping and something catch your eye? Maybe a shirt, a video game? As you look it over you’re totally sold on it. You want it.
You can imagine yourself wearing the shirt and how good you’ll look. Or you can picture yourself sitting down with your friends, them impressed with your new game, and you all having a great time playing.
So you’re hooked.
You look for the price… and then it hits you.
Woah. That’s expensive!
It’s the same with being a follower of Christ.
The benefits of following Jesus look good. But then when you evaluate the price tag, it costs everything. Jesus makes it pretty clear that “anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” The reason I believe He said that is because it does cost everything.
The Gospel isn’t simply an add-on to our life, it should become our life. If all we’ve done is added something nice to our life and not been transformed and consumed by the Gospel then it’s possible that we’ve missed the point.
Grace is free, and we can’t earn it, but our commitment to Him requires everything.
Who Is This Man?
Mar 8th
Put yourself in the shoes of the disciples for a moment.
Here is this man whom you’ve been following for a little while now. You’ve been sitting under His teaching, hearing His heart and seeing His compassion for those around Him.
He tells you to get into the boat and cross over to the other side of the lake. Not that big of a deal seeing that you have fished many times.
However, once you get out into the deep parts of the lake, a storm blows up and while you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to stay alive, the One who told you to cross this lake in the first place is asleep.
Probably in your mind, I know in mine, I’d be thinking… who does this guy think He is? I mean, seriously?
In a panic you rush over to Jesus and begin to wake Him up. You’ve seen Him help others… so you know He maybe could do something for you.
He wakes up… and guess what He does… He rebukes the wind and waves and then examines your faith.
He goes from commanding creation to examining your heart.
Why? Because this Man, this One, who speaks and creation obeys, is the One who is after your heart.
Count the stars… If you can
Mar 8th
I love God’s sense of humor. In Genesis 15:5, the LORD is speaking to Abram about the covenant He was making with him. He tells Abram to “look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can…”
Abram must have been blown away at the point. How was that even possible?
The destiny God has on each of our lives is nothing like we can even imagine simply because we have no idea the things He wants to do in and through our lives. Our destiny may not be like Abram’s, but it will be a God-given, God-breathed plan that will be truly amazing. And it begins in our response to His leading, to His will for our lives.
Check out Abram’s response…
“And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.” – Genesis 15:6
In these beginning days of 2009 of reading through the Bible (Genesis and Luke), the recurring theme that keeps shouting at me is “what will your response be to the voice/word of the LORD?”
LA Dream Center Trip – July 2008
Jul 31st
LA Dream Center Trip – July 2008 from Awaken Youth Church on Vimeo.
Photos from Ground Level’s 2008 summer mission trip to the Los Angeles Dream Center.
Cast: Awaken Youth Church
