Dear Younger Self: A Letter from Your Future
Part 3: Choose Your Friends Wisely

Proverbs 11:30 (NLT) – The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.


Three Qualities to Help You Choose Your Friends Wisely:

1. Relational Warmth
1 Peter 4:9 (NIV) – Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.


2. Life-Giving Words
Proverbs 11:9 (NLT) – With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

Proverbs 18:19 (NLT) – An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Proverbs 26:18-19 (NLT) – Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”

Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) – Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.


3. Godly Wisdom
Proverbs 12:26 (NLT) – The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) – Walk with the wise and become wise…”

“In the past eight years, I’ve intentionally mentored sixty-four guys. Most report that they have a deeper, more meaningful walk with Jesus than they did before the next generation mentoring experience. They are disciples…learners and followers of Jesus. To my knowledge, none have fallen away. All are still married. All are involved in a church. All are attempting to raise their kids in the faith. And from what I can tell, they are, to varying degrees, walking with God.”
—Regi Campbell

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) – As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Dear Younger Self: A Letter from Your Future
Part 2: Put God First

Revelation 2:2-4 (ESV) – “‘I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.


Three Keys to Putting God First:

1. Remember
Revelation 2:5a (ESV) – Remember therefore from where you have fallen;


2. Repent
Revelation 2:5a (ESV) – Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent,

Matthew 4:17 (AMP) – From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Acts 3:19 (NIV) – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.


3. Return
Revelation 2:5a (ESV) – Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

Dear Younger Self: A Letter from Your Future
Part 1: Let Go of Yesterday
Stephen Blandino

Exodus 1:11, 13 (NLT) – So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor….the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy.

How to Let Go of Yesterday:

1. Embrace a New Identity


Exodus 14:11b-12 (NLT) – “Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2. Envision a Better Future


Numbers 13:27 (NLT) – “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces.

3. Enlarge Your Perspective


Numbers 13:28, 31b, 33b (NLT) – But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!…“We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”…Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Numbers 14:2-4 (NLT) – Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

4. Establish New Habits


Exodus 16:2-3 (NLT) – There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”

Numbers 11:1, 4-6 (NLT) – Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said….4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. 5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”

Wonder: Recapturing Christmas
Part 2: The Enemies of Wonder

Three Enemies of Wonder:

1. Jealousy

Matthew 2:1-3 (NLT) – Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.


Matthew 2:3 (NLT) – King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.


Matthew 2:8 (NLT) – “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

2. Fear


When fear comes knocking, God…

• Hears our prayers
• Extends His favor
• Brings good news
• Directs our path

3. Busyness


Luke 2:4-5 (NLT) – And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

Luke 2:6-7 (NLT) – And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them.

Wonder: Recapturing Christmas
Part 1: The Response of Wonder

He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
—Luke 2:5-7 (NLT)


Four Ways to Respond to the Wonder of Christmas:

1. Worship Christ

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
—Luke 2:10b-14 (NLT)


2. Share Christ

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
—Luke 2:15-18 (NLT)


3. Reflect on Christ

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
—Luke 2:18-19 (NLT)

4. Give to Christ

And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
—Matthew 2:9b-11 (NLT)


Key Thought: The wise men brought gold for His royalty, frankincense for His deity, and myrrh for His humanity

…they presented to Him gifts [fit for a king…
—Matthew 2:11b (AMP)

Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin’?
Loneliness

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
—Genesis 2:18 (NLT)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
—John 10:10 (NIV)

20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
—Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

REALIZATION: We’re better together
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
—Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)


TRUTH: Your mentality has the power to shift your reality.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
—Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
—Psalm 23 (NIV)

36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
—Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)

45 “Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.
—Leviticus 13:45-46 (NLT)

41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
—Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)


TRUTH: The solution to someone’s loneliness is within your reach
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
—Mark 1:35-45 (NIV)

Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin?
Insecurity
EJ Brown

Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin'?
Depression

When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.
—1 Kings 19:1-2 (NLT)

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
—1 Kings 9:3-4 (NLT)

Four Keys to Win in the Valley of Depression:

1. Perspective
“Before any great achievement, some measure of the same depression is very usual…. Such was my experience when I first became a pastor in London….This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry.”
—Charles Spurgeon


2. People
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day.
—1 Kings 19:4 (NLT)
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)


3. God’s Presence
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
—Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
—1 Kings 19:9-10 (NLT)

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
—1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)


4. Purpose
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came…
—1 Kings 19:15 (NLT)

Just Checking In // How Ya Feelin'?
Uncertainty About the Future

The Lord now said to Moses, 2 “Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” 3 So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He sent out twelve men, all tribal leaders of Israel, from their camp in the wilderness of Paran.
—Numbers 13:1-3 (NLT)
Four Truths on Navigating Uncertainty:

1. Fear is the Cause of Uncertainty
This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. 28 But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!
—Number 13:27-28 (NLT)


A. Fear is a Contagious Feeling

“We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we FELT LIKE grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”
—Number 13:31b-33 (NLT)

B. Fear is a Crippling Forecaster

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?”
—Numbers 14:1-3 (NLT)


2. Faith is Our Response to Uncertainty
But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”
—Number 13:30 (NLT)

For we live by FAITH, not by SIGHT.
—2 Corinthian 5:7 (NIV)


3. Disobedience is the Danger in Uncertainty
Do not rebel against the Lord…
—Numbers 14:9a (NLT)

“At the age of 22, I arrived in America with Lia and Flavius and $2,000 in our pocket that we saved while working in a refugee camp for 18 months. We knew Jesus, but everything else was unknown. Looking back, I can’t believe what God does when someone just obeys without knowing all the pieces.”
—Ben Sterciuc

4. God’s Presence is Our Assurance in Uncertainty
“The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
—Numbers 14:7b-9 (NLT)