So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul--then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.
Deuteronomy 11:13-16
Lovely lovely ladies!!! I love hearing how you're doing and all the cool things God is up to in your lives! It blew my mind to see a picture of how packed club was last week--way to go! Keep inviting!
In light of the Scripture I wrote above (if you haven't read it yet, do it now! or just read it again!), I want to remind you that we are living for God, not the other way around. He created the world, he made how it works. I encourage you to keep seeking the Lord--what does he want for you? How does he want you to live? Just as we don't get to determine whether or not when we wake up, there will be gravity again or not, we don't get to determine the natural consequences of our actions either. I don't say this to shake a finger, not at all! I say this out of love, to say--guess what!? I know the answer!!! It's Jesus!!! Check him out! Just look at all the blessings that come from following God's way--IT'S SO WORTH IT! But be careful... there are so many distractions (especially in high school! I bet you could write a list for me!... in fact, if you want to write a list, maybe that's a good idea... ha). The good gifts God has given us with school, sports teams, friends, relationships, etc. are all good things, but be sure they don't take priority over your relationship with God. He is, after all, the one who has given you life--the air you breathe at this very moment!
In light of the Scripture I wrote above (if you haven't read it yet, do it now! or just read it again!), I want to remind you that we are living for God, not the other way around. He created the world, he made how it works. I encourage you to keep seeking the Lord--what does he want for you? How does he want you to live? Just as we don't get to determine whether or not when we wake up, there will be gravity again or not, we don't get to determine the natural consequences of our actions either. I don't say this to shake a finger, not at all! I say this out of love, to say--guess what!? I know the answer!!! It's Jesus!!! Check him out! Just look at all the blessings that come from following God's way--IT'S SO WORTH IT! But be careful... there are so many distractions (especially in high school! I bet you could write a list for me!... in fact, if you want to write a list, maybe that's a good idea... ha). The good gifts God has given us with school, sports teams, friends, relationships, etc. are all good things, but be sure they don't take priority over your relationship with God. He is, after all, the one who has given you life--the air you breathe at this very moment!
So here are some ideas that you can implement this week if you so choose...
READ: John 8-14. I challenge you to read one chapter a day. (If you missed last week, read John 1-7 first). You can read more or less if you so choose, BUT whether you read a lot or a little, I encourage you to read at least some of it every day. And if you finish before the week is up, then start back at John 1 and read it again. AND as you read, take notes of any questions you have and either ask Kelli or post them to me here and I will get back to you as best I can =)
MEMORIZE: Matthew 22:36-40. Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
If you memorized last week, you already have half this verse memorized! Here Jesus tells us the greatest commands--all others stem from these! Even if you know it, I challenge you to review it every day anyway. Repeat it to yourself in the shower, as you walk to class, etc. Let Jesus' words reshape and renew your mind!
PRAY: In light of this week's memory verse, ask God to help you love him with all your heart, soul, and strength as well as to love your neighbor as yourself. Spend some time intentionally with him, and ask him how you can better love him by loving others. Ask him how you can better love those around you (especially those that are hardest to love!). And ask him for the strength to do so.
That's it! That's this week's challenge to you. You girls are so dear to me--I love you and know that you can always text, call, email, facebook, whatever... BUT even more importantly, God is always there. He loves you, and he's the greatest resource of all!
PRAY: In light of this week's memory verse, ask God to help you love him with all your heart, soul, and strength as well as to love your neighbor as yourself. Spend some time intentionally with him, and ask him how you can better love him by loving others. Ask him how you can better love those around you (especially those that are hardest to love!). And ask him for the strength to do so.
That's it! That's this week's challenge to you. You girls are so dear to me--I love you and know that you can always text, call, email, facebook, whatever... BUT even more importantly, God is always there. He loves you, and he's the greatest resource of all!
Sincerely,
Sarah Smith (again, if you are wondering why I chose this name, read the excerpt on the right side of this blog...) ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment