Valley Christian CA
13 September 2007I have just returned from the West coast, where I have spent a week speaking to 1200+ teens at Valley Christian High School for their spiritual Emphasis Week. I have spoken numerous times at VC throughout the past two years and have grown to fall in love with these teens, their administration, and specifically, one very cool and quite schooled Bible teacher, Ryan Hinn.
By the way, Peter Park, if you are reading this, I won’t stop until I figure out your card trick!
As I am writing this blog, I am actually on a plane back to Nashville – my thoughts are on the past week at VC. In this blog, I want to do something a little uncharacteristic of previous entrees on my blog. I want to specifically address the students at Valley. (If you are not a VC teen, don’t stop reading. There is good stuff here for you as well.)
As a VC teen, already this year you have probably been hit more times with scripture and religion than Zac Efron’s name has appeared in online search engines in the past month. I can imagine how challenging it must have been for you to once again enter into another Spiritual Emphasis Week. My hope for you is that you allowed, and will continue to allow, the truths you heard the past four days to speak into those areas of your life that need addressing.
This week we talked about making the most count with our lives. We discussed the difference between experiencing the world’s “good” and living in God’s “best.” Remember, no matter how appealing, engaging, or fulfilling the world’s (Satan’s) advances, God’ s best will always trump the world’s good. Don’t forget that. Satan wants to dangle the fruit of popularity, worldly success, sexual fulfillment, and more before you. But no matter how tasty the bite, you will always be left hungry for something more…remember the Surviving Sicilian?
Don’t forget Abraham. He was willing to kill his son because he clearly understood loyalty to God; he kept his focus on true surrender. God spared the life of his son and gave Abraham a legacy that continues to this day.
Let me also remind you that God is pursuing you. He sees the man/woman He knows you can be. Let Him capture you if you have not already done so. Capture begins with surrender. Surrender begins with giving your life to Him. If you haven’t prayed yet to give your life to Him, do it now! Pray:
“God, I believe in you. I believe your Son Jesus gave His life for me. I want to give you my life. Capture me.”
Lastly, remember what we discussed this morning. True surrender is a daily choice. The Christian journey isn’t about arriving at a destination. It is about one day at a time choosing to “give God more of you today than you did yesterday.” Four steps that you can apply to your life everyday to help you as you strive for holiness:
1. Time in the Word.
Remember the promise of Psalm 119:9-11 and “stay under the weight.”
2. Time in prayer.
Remember the grass. No, not that grass!
3. Time without.
Set down the phone…I dare you.
4. Time with friends who do the same.
Don’t forget the warning of Proverbs 13:20
Until next time, stay strong, stay away from the edge of stages that are filled with fog, and Peter Park, I’m warning you - I’ll be back with a few “tricks” up my sleeve, as well as, a few quarters for your ears too.
I am married to Amy. I have two daughters, Bailey and Brynnan. Though we rarely have a winning season, I am a Razorback fan. I am a pastor, author, and communicator. I love teens, ice tea, Mac, and I believe any day is a good day when it is spent on my boat.
