Yo what up YFN!!! Its your boy Big Merk and I’m the Assistant Nation Director. Recently I had to preach for one of my classes called Homiletics and the topic I chose to preach on was Perseverance. It was very intimidating preaching for a grade because your constantly thinking about not messing up or oh man, what if they don’t like that. But, I pressed on, fought through the doubt and fear of failure and I did my best and ended up with a 98!! But I just wanted to stress to you all the importance of persevering. I’m sick of people who come to church, and get saved and then a few weeks down the road when things get tough or some obstacles get in their way they decide to turn away from christianity. Do you know what the Bible says about obstacles and temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  So my friends, when persecution comes your way because your a christian then endure it! Take joy in it because we know that God will bring us out of it and in the end when we look back, we know that the trial we just went through helped define our relationship with Jesus and it pushed us farther than what we thought possible. So I encourage you to continue pressing through and fighting the good fight, and like my good friend Joe Dirt says, “You gotta keep on keeping on!” Enjoy the things you are going through because in Romans 8:28 it says “God works all things together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” So I urge you to continue to persevere and to not lose hope.

2010! Not only are we going into a new year, but we are entering into a
whole new decade! Talk about a fresh slate! I can’t tell you how excited I
am for this new year, especially being a part of the YFN team. There is such
an attitude of expectation for our 20th year. I am so ready to see God do
incredible things through me and in my life! I believe God has things in
store for you as well! Jesus even said that, “I makes all things new.” But,
let me ask you a question: is there something about your life that you want
to see God change this year? Is there a habit or something holding you down
that you’ve been battling for so long that finally you want to claim the
victory over? Is there something you have been standing in faith for, but it
seems just too big to accomplish? Maybe you are like me and have gotten
frustrated with “new years resolutions” and have just stopped making them
all together because of the fact that you know in the end you are going to
fail. The disappointment seems so unnecessary right? Well, I’m going to tell
you something that changed my life: GOD BELIEVES IN YOU! His word says that
“through Christ, you can do ALL things!” and that “He has made you MORE than
conquerors!” Here’s the deal: if you are looking for something from God this
year, or a victory in your life, God believes that if you trust in His power
in your life, YOU CAN DO IT! No matter what circumstance, God promises that
you can be free and overcome! So this year, even if you have messed up
already, believe in what God says about your life and claim the victory! You
have the victory!

-Jared Ellis