Saturday, May 11, 2013
Operation World - Pray through the nations
Here's a great website to help you understand the people and places around the world and to pray for their struggles. http://www.operationworld.org/
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Daniel & friends
When Daniel and his friends were taken to Babylon, they were given "pagan" names by Nebuchadnezzar to replace the Hebrew names given by their parents. What do their names say about them? Which name would you rather be known by?
Hebrew names:
Daniel: God is my judge.
Hananiah: Yahweh is gracious.
Mishael: Who is what God is? Or... Who is like God?
Azariah: Yahweh helps.
Pagan names:
Belteshazzar: Bel is the keeper of secrets. (Bel-Marduk was the sun-god.)
Shadrach: Command of Aku. (Aku was the moon-god.)
Meshach: Who is what Aku is? Or... Who is like Aku?
Abed-Nebo: Servant of Nebo. (Nebo was the god of wisdom.)
Think about their God-given Hebrew names in light of what they did. Who judged Daniel, God or Nebuchadnezzar? Did Yahweh help Azariah? Was Yahweh gracious to Hananiah? Who is greater, God who entered the flames and protected Mishael, or Aku the pagan moon-god?
After God protected Azariah, Misha'el, and Hananiah from the flames, Nebuchadnezzar said, "“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28) Even the great king Nebuchadnezzar had to admit that God was greater than his pagan idols.
Hebrew names:
Daniel: God is my judge.
Hananiah: Yahweh is gracious.
Mishael: Who is what God is? Or... Who is like God?
Azariah: Yahweh helps.
Pagan names:
Belteshazzar: Bel is the keeper of secrets. (Bel-Marduk was the sun-god.)
Shadrach: Command of Aku. (Aku was the moon-god.)
Meshach: Who is what Aku is? Or... Who is like Aku?
Abed-Nebo: Servant of Nebo. (Nebo was the god of wisdom.)
Think about their God-given Hebrew names in light of what they did. Who judged Daniel, God or Nebuchadnezzar? Did Yahweh help Azariah? Was Yahweh gracious to Hananiah? Who is greater, God who entered the flames and protected Mishael, or Aku the pagan moon-god?
After God protected Azariah, Misha'el, and Hananiah from the flames, Nebuchadnezzar said, "“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28) Even the great king Nebuchadnezzar had to admit that God was greater than his pagan idols.
Hey everyone! Sorry to reach out so late! We are ON tonight...getting Dominoes delivered at 6:00 and starting the movie at 6:30. If you have not been to youth group in a while, IT'S OK!! You are not behind! Come one, come all!! Great conversations are happening each week! I am so excited to see all of the youth be so CURIOUS!!!
ALSO!!! Canned food drive! Bring in canned foods to put in the box at the church.
ALSO!!! Canned food drive! Bring in canned foods to put in the box at the church.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Who do I want to be like?
Some things to think about this week...
- What talents has God given me, and how can I use them to serve Him and my community?
- Which Bible character am I being like right now...
- Samson: using my talents to show off, hanging around people who are a bad influence, ignoring God's "mission" for my life?
- Saul: not trusting God, not having the confidence to do what God wants me to do and the faith that He will help me do it?
- David: trusting in God, using my God-given talents to the fullest of my abilities, always turning to God in good times and bad. And when I mess up like we all do, turning back with a humble and contrite heart?
- When I need faith: Psalm 23
- When I've messed up: Psalm 51