Category Archives: LifeWay
Grace vs. Guilt
This week I’m doing two things. First, I’m in the jury pool this week here in Spartanburg with a high likelihood of serving as a juror. I wasn’t chosen today, but it was an interesting process. Second, I’m working on the message for Ignite on Wednesday. As we finish up our series on temptation we conclude this week by looking at God’s provision for forgiveness for our sin. I think as the week goes along God’s got something he wants to teach me about grace and guilt. Check out today’s devotional from our youth material from LifeWay’s Known curriculum 07.
The Civil War was one of the most devastating wars in the United States where over 500,000 people lost their lives. The country was divided between North and South, and in the middle of the war, President Lincoln set forth the Emancipation Proclamation establishing that all slaves in the United States were free. Some say that this single event marked the turning point of the Civil War. Later, these events would lead to the creation of the 13th Amendment, changing the laws of the nation, and unifying a country.
Jesus also completely changed the playing rules. Not with the laws of a country, but the laws that governed sin and death. It was a turning point that gave us the hope of eternal life with Him.
Read Romans 8:1-4. What makes it possible for us to experience no condemnation?
Have you already fallen into temptation? Are there areas in your life where you have failed God? Do you still feel guilty? Where/why?
Guilty feelings or not, if you have genuinely turned back to Jesus, you are free. It’s hard to believe that it is that simple, but it is.
Jesus changed the laws of sin and death not only to overcome temptation, but also to overcome the guilt of failure. What Jesus did was the turning point for all humanity and yes, you. Praise God!
Running Man
We’re in our third week of our study on temptation in the youth ministry here at Morningside. Here’s one of the great devotionals from our student book from LifeWay’s Known 07 material.
If you have ever taken martial arts or self-defense class, you know there are a lot of ways to defend yourself if you need to. You learn to protect yourself and also how to stop an attacker. But, as my instructor once said, the best defense is to not be there. In some conflicts, it is sometimes better to avoid the conflict and run. The same is true in our spiritual lives as well.
Joseph knew the principle very well. Read his story in Genesis 39:7-12. What did Joseph do when faced with temptation?
Potiphar’s wife wanted to have sex with Joseph. But when temptation came, Joseph resisted because he had made up his mind where he stood. He could never betray his master and do this great evil and sin against God. When the temptation continued, he fled. He didn’t need to wait or think about it. He ran.
What is your limit? What lines have you drawn? Have you made up your mind what your standards are? What are some of your standards? Are there temptations that you are resisting, when you should really be running? In what areas of your life do you need to run? Set your standard. If you get too far – Run!
Ideation Conference
I’m in Nashville this week at LifeWay Christian Resources participating in a Student Bible Study Curriculum Ideation Conference. “Ideation Conference” is just a big term that means about ten people who love students and who enjoy writing coming together to brainstorm ideas for Sunday School curriculum. We’re working on the KNOWN curriculum for Winter 2010. For more info about the material that’s being produced for students click here. It’s been really cool. I love the opportunity to sit down with youth pastors from around the countyr and hear the ideas that they share and hear their passions for ministering to students. We have been using KNOWN this year at Morningside and love it. It’s a great curriculum tool for teaching God’s word and connecting not only the Sunday Morning aspect of it but also the daily devotional life of the student and the mid-week service for youth groups. It’s a great tool. I’m grateful that Morningside is giving me time to be here and I’m grateful for those who are back home keeping everything running. I’ll be praying tomorrw (Wednesday) for our Seniors who are leading the Ignite Student service back at church.
