YOU Podcast

African Americans have often felt pressured, not only from their own communities to meet the culture’s expectations of what it means to be Black, but to refute the wider culture’s often negative stereotypes of African Americans, while wrestling with their own unique callings and identities. African Americans are not monolithic. There are various political, social, economic, and religious views that exist among Blacks.

While there is this sense of responsibility to represent our culture positively and accurately, what helps us not to be confined to both color and cultural expectations is being followers of Jesus Christ.

It is being led by both the Spirit and the Scriptures that help us to transcend social expectations, which will often put us at odds within our own culture and the culture at large.”

It is being led by both the Spirit and the Scriptures that help us to transcend social expectations (Ro. 12:1-2), which will often put us at odds within our own culture and the culture at large. There is a song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “Order my Steps.” It says, “The world is ever changing, but You are still the same. If You order my steps, I’ll praise your name.” We honor God, not by meeting cultural expectations, but by submitting to the Spirit and ordering our steps in His word (Ps. 119:105).

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Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904) is considered by many to be one of the unsung, under-appreciated heroes of history. He was an African American surgeon, researcher, and the first Medical Director of the American Red Cross Blood Services. Drew spoke against the U.S. Navy’s policy of blood separated by race and his groundbreaking plasma research helped save thousands of lives during World War II. Dr. Drew resigned from the Red Cross to teach at Howard University and to train Black students for American Board certification and to become surgeons. He advocated for African American doctors to be admitted into the American Medical Association (AMA) because the AMA had never admitted a Black doctor.

After his premature death in an auto accident, his work and advocacy continued to inspire many, and 18 years after his death, the AMA ended its policy of racial discrimination. Dr. Drew’s research and work is still used today.

Even before he was king, David served with excellence though King Saul, his boss, hated him. Our service may seem menial to some, but to God it really matters.”

Even before he was king, David served with excellence though King Saul, his boss, hated him. Our service may seem menial to some, but to God it really matters.

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Barack Obama became the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States of America (2009-2017). However, there were many African Americans who ran for president before him, and who are often not credited for paving the way. These men (Frederick Douglas, Jesse Jackson) and women (Shirley Chisolm, Lenora Fulani), along with several others, changed the way that the country and the world viewed African Americans by breaking barriers, addressing stereotypes, and rewriting false narratives. Despite not achieving their goal, they continued to work for the greater good of their community, country, and the world.

We mustn’t give up, because our service to God is valuable, no matter who gets the credit.”

Have you ever experienced disappointment when someone failed to mention your name, recognize your contribution, or give you credit for your work? Have you ever waited for a simple, “thank you” from somebody you helped, but it never came? In this session, we’ll see that Barak was told upfront he would receive no honor for the battle he would lead and fight, yet he still went to the battlefield and did what the Lord wanted him to do. There’s an important lesson here for each of us. We mustn’t give up, because our service to God is valuable, no matter who gets the credit.

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Amelia Boynton, a civil rights activist who held Black voters registration drives in Selma, Alabama, asked the foremost leader of the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to come to Selma and help secure voting rights for African Americans. Dr. King accepted, and the SCLC established their headquarters in Boynton’s home. They planned a march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, March 7, 1965. Six hundred protestors showed up for the event. On Edmund Pettus Bridge, peaceful marchers were beaten with batons and tear gassed by police. Seventeen protesters were sent to the hospital, including Boynton. A newspaper photo of Boynton lying bloody and beaten unconscious, drew national attention. The event became known as Bloody Sunday. It prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson, with Dr. King looking on, to sign the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Boynton was the guest of honor.

In 1990, Amelia Boynton was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Freedom. Her contributions to the civil rights movement were dramatized in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Selma.”

In 1990, Amelia Boynton was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Freedom. Her contributions to the civil rights movement were dramatized in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Selma.

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Old school verses new school-which is better? From music to dances and even clothing styles, the debate between the generations is ongoing.

We might laugh at that statement while reminiscing about our most recent dance battle with our kids. Even so, many of us prefer something new to something old:

Newness wears off quickly. A new car loses its new car smell and before we know it, there is a scratch or ding. New clothes become last year’s fashion, and hairstyles also come and go. Indeed, a few years later, when we view old pictures, we can’t believe we ever dressed that way or wore such hairstyles! And we may tire of a new job as quickly as we tired of our old one.

God has promised us something new that will last forever: an unending relationship with Him that begins when we place our faith in Jesus Christ.”

However, God has promised us something new that will last forever: an unending relationship with Him that begins when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Fads and trends will come and go, but the new life God offers us will never fade. The abundant life Jesus offers us begins when we choose to trust Him (John 10:10).

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Traveling to Israel on a pilgrimage to what many Christians refer to as “the Holy Land” may be on your “bucket list.” Visiting the actual places that are described in the Bible is said to be a life-changing, spiritual experience.

One of the highlights in the northern region of Galilee is Mount Arbel. From atop the mountain, one can see where the international highway ran right next to the mountain.

People from many different nations traveled that ancient highway. Powerful kings from Assyria, Babylon, Greece, and Rome led their armies through that area. Those kings were great, but now they’re gone. Their kingdoms didn’t last.

Even a country as great as the United States has no guarantee it’s power will last. Ultimately, only one kingdom will stand forever— the kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule.”

History has seen many empires, dynasties, and kingdoms come and go. At the height of their power and greatness, the leaders of those kingdoms might have thought they would remain on top of the world, but history has proven otherwise. Even a country as great as the United States has no guarantee it’s power will last. Ultimately, only one kingdom will stand forever— the kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule. King David was quite aware of God’s blessing on his life. David had a plan to serve God well, but God had a greater plan for David.

The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God’s Promise of a King (YOU-Sum’24, Study 1, Session 5) appeared first on YOU.

“Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

Humility is an attribute of Christ, and it’s an attribute that He wants us to have. But for many believers, acquisition of humility is not easy. We live in a world that is controlled by strong attitudes of pride and where the ambitions of many people are to take what they want without regard for others. This is the world’s definition of “inherit the earth,” but it’s not what Jesus meant. This prideful cultural attitude is driven by a “me” generation of people that look out for themselves. Unfortunately, this attitude sometimes seeps into the church and into the hearts of Christians.

God loves us and wants to send a revival that
would heal our land.”

The upside-down, prideful attitudes of the world have no place in our hearts and our lives. Through King Solomon, God gave this same message to the Israelites. Prideful attitudes had caused them to choose the waywardness of the world. This led to suffering and distress. God’s solution was for the people to return to Him in repentance and humility, so that He could extend His blessings. This is a lesson that we can learn to lead.

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No matter our age or status, rules are a part of life. Most of us as children likely had to hold a parent’s hand when we walked across the street or through parking lot. Our parents had rules for us because they wanted to keep us safe. At the time, we probably thought of the rules as limiting our freedom. Some of us broke the rules in rebellion, while others waited it out until reaching an age where that rule no longer applied.

Many aspects of our lives come with rules. The places we work have procedures to follow. We have traffic laws that tell us how fast we can drive on roads, when we need to stop, and more. Sports in which we engage, such as basketball, football, and volleyball also have rules.

People sometimes question certain rules and their relevance, but they still obey them because they know they must. If we’re honest with ourselves, we probably consider some of life’s rules a bit restrictive or even irrelevant.

God intends His commands for our blessing, and when we obey them, we experience life to the fullest, as it is meant to be.”

Similarly, when it comes to one’s relationship with God, many people view His commands as confining, obsolete, or as mere suggestions. However, God intends His commands for our blessing, and when we obey them, we experience life to the fullest, as it is meant to be.

The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God’s Promise to Make a Holy Nation (YOU-Sum’24, Study 1, Session 4) appeared first on YOU.

Study or visualize the sinks you have in the rooms of your home. Connected to the sinks there are pipes, faucets, and hoses. Considering these fixtures, what do they all have in common? Yes, they help to bring water into our living environment.

Someone might ask, “Which of these items is most important?” Well, from one perspective, they’re all important. Without any one of them, the water doesn’t make it into the sink. Yet, the water is what’s most important; the other items only create a means through which the water can flow.

God’s plan of salvation included Abraham and his descendants—ultimately the nation of Israel—as His spiritual vessel. God professed that Abraham would be the “father of many nations” to include kings (Gen. 17:4-6) and ultimately the King of Kings. Through this bloodline, God would bring a Savior, Jesus, and through Jesus, God would bring hope and reconciliation to the whole world.

God promised to bless all people through His chosen people.”

In essence, God promised to bless all people through His chosen people.

The book of Genesis records how God promised Abraham that through him, blessing would come to the world. Today’s session features Bible verses important to laying the foundation for God’s purpose and plan.

The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God’s Promise of Blessing (YOU-Sum’24, Study 1, Session 3) appeared first on YOU.

Can you name a “new beginning” in your life—a time when you started over in some way?

Sometimes new beginnings come when we move to a new place. Others experience a new beginning after graduation from college, when they marry, or take a new job. These new beginnings often bring excitement and great anticipation. Other new beginnings tend not to bring joy. The death of a family member, a failed marriage, an unexpected medical diagnosis, or even a natural disaster can leave us sad and devastated.

New beginnings, whether we view them as good or bad, are transitions. We all face various transitions in our lives at some point, but God will give us the grace to move forward in these transitions, no matter our circumstances.

God will give us the grace to move forward in transitions, no matter our circumstances.”

The Book of Genesis records how God judged the world through a great flood, but through Noah and his extended family, God preserved His creation and provided a fresh start. God’s instruction to Noah reinforces for us God’s continued care for His creation. He reaffirmed His covenant with humanity, affirmed the value of human life, and promised to preserve His creation.

The post PROMISES WE CAN COUNT ON: God’s Promise of Preservation (YOU-Sum’24, Study 1, Session 2) appeared first on YOU.