Teen Challenge Ministry

Paul now begins to instruct on how to live for God. We are to walk in a way that is pleasing to God and will attract other people to Christ. We are to walk in the calling that God has given us and walk worthy of Him.

People like to receive gifts, especially at Christmas. There is anticipation and excitement of receiving a gift at Christmas and of giving gifts. Do you remember the excitement of Christmas as a child? This Christmas, let us focus on the gifts Christ has given us.

As we enter this Christmas season, let's remember to celebrate Jesus and what He has done for us. The old cliche, "Jesus is the reason for the season," is true, but do we really remember that? Do we get caught up in the gift giving and gift receiving? Do we remember the awe and wonder of the birth of Christ? The shepherds give us three things we must continue to do, not only at Christmas, but during the year-listen, obey, and praise-Christmas characteristics all believers should endeavor to have in their lives.

As we consider this Scripture, we must ponder which is more active in our lives, doubt, or faith? Doubt causes us to disbelieve, question, be uncertain, have misgivings, and hesitate in our relationship with God and others. On the other hand, faith allows us to be loyal, to completely trust, and believe in God even when we cannot or do not see any proof. Today, the question we must face is do we have doubt or faith in our lives?

We live in challenging times. We do not always know what our next move in life will be; how to pay the bills, our children's safety, and faith in God, where our country is going. This is the perfect time for us to do the only wise thing, call on God! He is waiting for us to do just that. This psalm gives us three things we can do that will help us in our walk with God and in this life, as we comprehend that God is in control.

Paul is encouraging the Philippians to live a life that pleases the Lord. He urges certain people in the church to be united together in Christ. The church is also to live a life of thanksgiving through rejoicing, gentleness, and prayer. Paul also encourages the Philippians to live of purity and an example to others.

As followers of Christ, we need to influence our community for Christ. As a disciple, we must let others see us serving God. Christ has called us to make a difference where He has placed us. We do this by staying focused. Hebrews 12 helps us with this.

A strong young athlete was wading waist deep in the shallow part of a recreational lake. Unknowingly he stepped off an underwater ledge and plunged 15 feet beneath the surface of the water. After several seconds, he bobbed to the top of the water flailing his arms and gasping for breath. The lifeguard attentively watched the situation from a nearby bank. A friend of the struggling young athlete grabbed the lifeguard by the arm and cried out, "Bob can't swim, you've got to help him." The young man's friend furiously yelled at the lifeguard, "If you won't go after him, I will." Calmly but firm the lifeguard said, "No one can help him yet. I'll help him when he's ready for my help." After a coupe more minutes the young athlete stopped his struggles, as his body became limp. The patient lifeguard suddenly dove into the water, swam out to the young man and brought him to shore for a successful rescue. Later the friend asked the lifeguard, "Why did you wait so long to help my friend?" The lifeguard responded, "As long as Bob was trying to save himself there was nothing I could have done for him. If I had swam out to him, he would have grabbed me and pulled me under with him. Only when he was weak, exhausted and had given up was I able to save him."

Acts 1:8 says we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. This word power can mean ability. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to serve God in every avenue of our lives. Let us examine what living with power or ability from the Holy Spirit means.