Youth For The Nations

Perseverance

YFN — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:30:00 +0000

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.

Stephen Merkey

Assistant Nations Director

Right vs. Wrong

YFN — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:46:11 +0000

It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. Romans 7:21

LOOK AT THIS LIST:
Adolf Hitler
Josef Stalin
Jack the Ripper
Benedict Arnold

Compare the above list with these names:
Mother Teresa
Abraham Lincoln
Joan of Arc
Martin Luther King Jr.

Most people would label the first list of names as “bad” people and the second list of names as “good” people. Ah, but there’s a problem with those categories. The line between good and evil doesn’t separate us (people like you, me, and Mother Teresa) from them (people like Hitler and Stalin)

Like Paul in today’s Bible reading, as much as we want to be “good people,” all of us do wrong. Sometimes we do good. Sometimes we do evil. It’s not that wewantto be crappy people, but the evil that lived in Hitler’s heart lives in our heart, too. Pretty crummy, huh? Paul would agree. He said, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25).

It is important to realize that we are all born sinners, apart from God, radically depraved, never choosing God (just like our father Adam). But it is important to know that we don’t have to give in to our sinful natures. We don’t have to keep feeling guilty. God sent his Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins; He was crushed on the cross for our sins, He sent his Spirit to live in us and deliver us from the power of sin, day by day, decision by decision. He can and will overcome the evil desires in our hearts and help us to do good according to Him.

Justin La Fond
Asst. Guest Minister Coordinator

Seek His face, not His hand

YFN — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:57:07 +0000

Romans 1:21-25, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

In these passages Paul the apostle is talking to the believers, he is saying that they know who God is, but they became vain in their imaginations, meaning they began to pick apart the things of God that they liked apart from the things of God they didn’t agree with. This reminds me a lot of some of us Christians today, so many of us pick and choose what parts of the Bible we like, and the parts that we don’t like we just skim over and don’t pay much attention to. If God wanted us to do that then He wouldn’t have given us the whole Bible to read, He could’ve just chose the “most encouraging and uplifting scriptures” to put into it so we would be satisfied and content with ourselves every time we read it. In verse 25 Paul tells us that they began to change the truth of God into a lie and began worshipping the creature more than the Creator. As I was reading this the first thought that came to my mind was, “How dare they! How could they worship the things God created, but not God Himself!” Then I came to realize, if you truly think about it, how much do we worship the blessings, and the things God so freely gives us because He loves us that much, yet we take those things for granted daily, even if we don’t realize it at the time. If we start loving those things and desiring after the satisfaction of them, then we truly are worshiping the amazing blessings God give us rather than worshipping Him! Let us as Believers and Lovers of God, never seek after His hand and the blessings He so lovingly gives us, but let us keep seeking after His face, and His face alone!

Keshia Heath
Guest Minister Coordinator

2010

YFN — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:59:49 +0000

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

Stephen’s thoughts…

YFN — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:16:50 +0000

God has been doing a lot in my life since YFN last summer and I’m hoping that what He’s been teaching me could potentially help you. Recently I’ve been going through the book of Romans and it has been changing my perspective on things. After partially reading through I’ve realized that the way that I viewed my sin and the things that I thought I had to do to get back on God’s “good side” were all mixed up. I see now that the Lord loves us no matter what we do or when we do it because his love will never increase or decrease. I used to think that after I would commit a sin I wouldn’t be back to being right with God until the next worship service where I can lay it at his feet and then he could forgive me. Paul tells us that we can do that whenever and wherever and that we don’t have to be in a spiritual environment to talk to God and to ask for forgiveness. Paul says in Romans 8:1 & 2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. We are dead to sin and for a while I would get tempted and then give into the temptation but now my outlook on temptation and the devil is just that it is dead to me so I act as if it is no longer there and I keep my eyes on Jesus and let him renew my mind and I die to myself daily. In Romans 8:8 it says “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” That is all that I want to do in my lifetime is just stay in the will of God and bring him as much glory as possible. Man I pray that ya’ll will consecrate your lives to Christ because it is the most beautiful thing and as cliche as it sounds, you won’t regret it. Well, thats all I got. Hope to see you all at YFN ’2010 this summer!

-Stephen Merkey
Asst. Nations Director

Kara’s thoughts

YFN — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:15:56 +0000

2 Cor. 3:14-18–(14) But their minds were hardened for to this day when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted. (15) Yes to this day whenever Moses read a veil lies over their hearts. (16) But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (17) Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. (18) And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same glory form one degree to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

-The other day I was just reading my Bible and I was drawn to this passage. But I couldn’t help but think, “What the heck is a veil?” I moved on but kept it in the back of mind, and finally today, I believe God gave me the answer. I believe that the veil represents the old self-who you were before you accepted Christ-because it says in verse 16 that when we turn to God that the veil is lifted. See, Moses and the people of the old covenant still had the veil covering them, but when Jesus came into the picture, by Him we are under a new covenant, which means that the veil has been lifted from us, and we can have intimacy with God. Under the old covenant, the people had to give animal sacrifices because blood must be given for their sins, and yet, they still had no real intimacy with God. But, we have the joy of being able to know God personally. Because the old self left when the veil was lifted, then we are brand new creations and we should live our lives as that brand new person. The amazing things is, now that the veil has been lifted we are completely set free of all our sin and bondage, and now He is making us in His image. That’s incredible. Take this gift that Jesus has given you; put on the new self, and forget the past and allow God to transform you into His image. Though we don’t always feel intimate with Him or feel completely free and new, we have this promise in scripture to hold fast, too. Never forget the One that saved you and set you free.

-Kara Turner
Asst. Core Leader

Jared’s thoughts…

YFN — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:15:11 +0000

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.Romans 6:6-10

How many times have you heard your friends say, “I just can’t do it! I just can’t let go of this stuff! I know it’s wrong, I just can NOT control myself!” Maybe those words have come out of your own mouth; maybe you feel like that stuff you know is gnawing at you on the inside has just too strong of a hold on you. Hold on my friends, because I have some insane news for you: Jesus has a completely different opinion of you and the strength that’s inside of you.

I can’t tell you how many years I spent in bondage to sin. I allowed it to rule my life, my relationships, my time. Yes, I know, it seems absolutely absurd, but there are ACTUALLY Christians walking around who are still in bondage to sin and addictions! But then I read this passage, and my entire world came crashing down around me. “I don’t have to be a slave to this stuff? I’ve been made free? I live with Christ?” Once I read that and prayed to receive that freedom and actually BELIEVED it in faith, my life was never the same.

What do you need freedom from today? What are you allowing to rule you? Know that you God has a different idea of how your life should look like, and He has given you the tools to be free. Spend some time with the Lord today and receive the freedom from that stuff you think you can’t shake off… and I promise you… He WILL set you free!

-Jared Ellis
YFN 2010 Head Dorm Counselor

Cody’s thoughts…

YFN — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:14:34 +0000

Alrighty… check out Ephesians 2:1-10, and then I will download you my thoughts. How does that sound!?
¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature^a]”>[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Here goes…

(v1) Without Christ we are dead in sin. We are not sinful because we sin, we sin because we are naturally sinful.

(v4) Verse four starts with “but God…” this is my favorite part of the scripture because this is the changing point from the way we use to be, dead in sin to how merciful, loving and good, God is to us. We don’t deserve anything good but God looks at our heart and he loves us regardless of our sin.

(v8-9) Salvation is a gift from God. It is not something that we can earn with good works.

(v10) We become prideful by comparing ourselves to other people and thinking we are better than them. But we have to humble ourselves by comparing ourselves to God and realize that He is above all and without Him we are nothing.

Good works should come as a result of knowing how majestic God really is and having the desire to lay down your life for Him.

Do you remind yourself daily how majestic God is and if so what are you willing to lay down for him?

–Cody Byrne
–Core Leader

Dani’s thoughts…

YFN — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:11:34 +0000

Climbing to the peak of a mountain is something that many in life wish they could consummate, but in the end only few get to obtain that serine accomplishment within their lives. Our lives should be constant challenges in which we need to work towards.

Even though many set goals in their midst, we actually need to wake up and realize that we are on earth with a perfect plan and purpose in which it is to love on others.

As in Ephesians 4:29, we have to build up each other as to the needs that are needed.

We must live a life of blessing others so; in conclusion, we must pursue our neighbors wellness instead of our own agendas. And as we help others we will grow towards Him, for there is such a deep reward in obeying His word and letting His love transcend in our lives. We must love all for He first loved us! So good!!

So ask yourself… what goal can you accomplish that will edify and build the body of Christ…?

-Danielle Birkbeck
-Merchandise Director