Friday, February 29, 2008

Camp Man Comes to Town


Last Wednesday we had the opportunity to hear from Camp of Champions director Peter Lindell. He came and talked to our high school students about Camp and the staffing needs he has for this summer. Camp of Champions is a christian day camp located on Broadway Road here in Pekin. There are also locations in East Peoria, Eureka and Peoria. http://www.cocusa.org/.


Peter then led us through a lesson from 1 and 2 Kings. He pointed out a list of kings who were good kings, but they didn't really do all that God had wanted them to do. They didn't serve and look out for their fellow man. At the end of their lives, they suffered or died. However, one king came along who did more then just love God. He did what God asked and he served others. He was given 15 extra years of life. The lesson was a real challenge to our students to look to serve and minister to others. We are not here just to love God, but to show God's love to others. Hopefully some of our students will have the opportunity to serve others through service at Camp of Champions this summer.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Noah and the Flood

Wednesday night at JOLT we started studying Noah and the flood. The account of which can be found in the book of Genesis. It starts in chapter 6 and carries on into chapter 9. On Wednesday, we started the story of Noah. We learned that Noah was a man of God and that God decided to use Noah to carry out his will. The world had turned wicked, and God decided to blot out humankind. He was instructed to build an ark and God would send animals two of each kind to it. Upon completion, there would be a great flood and only those on the ark would survive.
God had a plan for Noah, and God has a plan for us too. We only need to follow and trust God to learn what that plan is. We are never to young or old to be used for God's work. As teenagers, I think it is important to realize that you are not to young! God can and will use you right where were you are. Remember, God can accomplish anything. What seems impossible to us, is no problem for God. Don't be discouraged, remember that God is in control and you can depend upon Him for strength and guidance.
Next week we will continue with Noah.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Temptation Message




Saturday night I had the opportunity to lead the Saturday night service here at the church. It was a great experience, except it was very clear that I am not qualified to lead singing. :) There was a great crowd there Saturday, which was a great help to me.
We studied Matthew 4:1-11, The Temptation of Jesus by Satan. On Wednesday nights, we have been studying Genesis, so I decided to compare the tempataion of Eve with the temptaion of Jesus. The 1st temptation was an appeal to the physical appetite. Eve was told she could eat the fruit, and Jesus was challenged to turn the stones into bread so he could eat. Remember Jesus had been fasting prior to these temptations. The 2nd temptation appealed to personal gain. Satan told Eve, she would not surely die if she ate of the fruit. Jesus was told that he would not be hurt if he hurled himself down, because the angels would come down to him and save him. The 3rd temptation appealed to power or glory. Eve was told that she would be like God. Satan told Jesus that he could have all the world's kingdoms if he would align himself with him.
All of Satan's temptations were going against God's Word. Satan wants nothing more than to see us go against God's Word and His will for our lives. How do we stay connected with God?
We need to spend time each day reading his word and having time in prayer with him. That way we will be ready to face the temptations of this world, and more importantly recognize when things are not jiving with God's will for us.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Walleyball




No school on Presidents' Day? Great. Come play Walleyball from 4-5 at Parkside. I have reserved two courts, so we can divide up as much as we need to.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

In the beginning...

On Wednesday nights we have been studying the book of Genesis. We have learned that God created the Heavens and the Earth. There were six days of creation, as God rested on the 7th day. This of course, is our example for today. Things were perfect in the beginning. However, when Adam and Eve took at bite of the fruit from the forbidden tree, things changed. Sin was brought into the world and Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

This brings us to our need for Jesus Christ. We as humans have all sinned and God's son Jesus is our road to salvation. As you can see, Adam and Eve's original sin is the reason we need Jesus!