In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and constant challenges, there's a profound truth that can anchor our souls and fill us with unshakeable confidence: If God is for us, who can be against us?

This powerful statement, found in Romans 8:31, encapsulates a revolutionary perspective on life that can transform how we face every obstacle, enemy, and seemingly insurmountable challenge. It's a declaration of divine protection, a reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His children, and an invitation to live with boldness and assurance.

But what does it truly mean for God to be "for us"? To understand the depth of this promise, we must first grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us in Christ. The book of Romans paints a vivid picture of our human condition – we are all sinners, justly under God's wrath. Yet, in His infinite love and mercy, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.

Through Christ, we have been justified – declared righteous in God's sight. We have been reconciled – our broken relationship with God restored. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us navigate this sin-infected world. We have been adopted as God's children and made heirs to a glorious inheritance. Even in our suffering, God is working all things for our good, strengthening our faith and drawing us closer to Him.

This is what it means for God to be "for us." It's not just a casual support or a distant approval. It's an active, all-encompassing commitment to our ultimate good and His eternal glory.

With this understanding, the question "If God is for us, who can be against us?" takes on new significance. It's not suggesting that we won't face opposition or enemies. Rather, it's declaring that in light of God's power and His commitment to us, no opposition can ultimately prevail against us.

This truth is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament story of David and Goliath. When the entire Israelite army trembled before the imposing Philistine giant, young David stepped forward with unwavering confidence. His secret? He knew that the battle belonged to the Lord. David's words echo the sentiment of Romans 8:31: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).

David's victory over Goliath wasn't just a triumph of skill or bravery – it was a demonstration of what happens when we truly believe that God is for us. It's a powerful reminder that the giants in our lives – whether they be fears, addictions, or seemingly impossible circumstances – are no match for the God who fights on our behalf.

Another compelling illustration of this truth is found in the story of the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 6. Surrounded by a vast enemy army, Elisha's servant was gripped with fear. But Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see" (2 Kings 6:17). Suddenly, the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire – the invisible army of God protecting them. This story reminds us that even when we feel overwhelmed and outnumbered, there is an unseen reality where God's protection and power are always at work on our behalf.

But what exactly is the nature of this divine protection? Romans 8:34 gives us a powerful insight: "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Our security rests in the completed work of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved. But death could not hold Him – He rose again, proving that His sacrifice was accepted and our sins truly forgiven. Now, seated at the right hand of God, Jesus continually intercedes for us.

This resurrection power is the ultimate proof of our forgiveness and acceptance before God. Just as Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man (Matthew 9), His resurrection demonstrates the efficacy of His death for our sins. When we doubt whether we're truly forgiven or wonder if God could really be for us, we need only look to the empty tomb.

Living in light of this truth doesn't mean we won't face difficulties or suffering. In fact, the Bible is clear that followers of Christ will face trials and persecution. But it does mean that we can face these challenges with an unshakeable confidence, knowing that our ultimate victory is secure in Christ.

This assurance isn't just a theological concept – it's meant to radically change how we live. When we truly believe that God is for us, it frees us from fear, empowers us to take risks for the Kingdom, and fills us with joy even in the midst of trials. We can echo the words of the Psalmist: "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)

However, it's crucial to remember that this promise is specifically for those who belong to Christ – those who have put their faith in Him and committed to following Him. The power of Christ's death and resurrection is applied to us when we unite ourselves with Him in faith, symbolized in the act of baptism. As Romans 6:4 puts it, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

If you've never taken this step of faith, or if you've wandered away from your commitment to Christ, today is the day to embrace or return to the power and protection found only in Him. There is no enemy – not even sin and death itself – that can prevail against those who are in Christ Jesus.

In a world that often feels chaotic and threatening, let this truth be an anchor for your soul: If God is for us, who can be against us? May it fill you with courage, peace, and unshakeable confidence as you face whatever challenges lie ahead.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

That phrase that I’ve noted as the title of this Youth Corner, has been and will be, uttered countless times this time of year in some form or fashion. As Dan has mentioned from the pulpit several times, today is not a holy day given to us by God, but it is an opportunity when almost everyone in this world is thinking about Jesus Christ. Sure, many do not believe, even more do not choose to follow, but this time of year most cannot help but to think about this claim that God sent His Son into the world. The thought becomes so common that it is easy to gloss over, even become numb to, the complete awesomeness that the Eternal all powerful Creator of the universe sent His son to earth. In fact, so common that this time of year people water down, twist, confuse, even commercialize the birth of Jesus, but the fact is…they are thinking about Christ.

The opportunity for us with friends and family, is to ask questions…scatter seed if you will. If you can agree with someone that Jesus was historically born, (trying not to get on our high horse and being sure to implicate this date is factually incorrect - I have made this mistake in the past, which does nothing to get someone to listen to the Gospel message) then ask them the question why? If they do not believe Jesus is the Christ, God’s son, then their answer will reveal that…and you know where to start. For instance, why do so many celebrate His birth? Well, they might say, He was a good man, a good teacher…hmmm, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis, how can a good teacher be a liar. Just be ready with a few questions. Sometimes the greatest impact we can have is causing someone else to think…or rethink as they answer questions in their own head.

If they do believe that Jesus was the Son of God, they may quote John 3:16 or something similar, and likewise you now have a starting point. If Jesus Christ is King, the Son of God, what does that mean in our lives. Again asking the questions, getting people to think. Let me ask this, have you thought about it yourself? 

We are not perfect, we fail, but have we given in and given up to the pressures of this world, or are we striving to be obedient to the King. Picking ourselves up when we fall and relying on our fellow brothers and sisters to strengthen and encourage us as a community of believers. His church, His bride, worshiping Him and striving to live our lives as He commands. Let me sum it up, it is amazing to acknowledge that Christ was born as a baby…but what gives us a Happy New Year is acknowledging that Christ, the Son of God, has risen as Lord! Have you? #GloryToGod

It is important to be ready when others ask questions, challenge your faith, or mock your beliefs. However, to “Always Be Ready” doesn’t always mean we defend...sometimes it means we counter by challenging someone or asking questions. of our own. In many cases a good question or direction to go answer their own question is the best defense.

Colossians 4:5 tells us as followers of Christ to “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”

In “The Case for Christ movie”, we’ll be watching at the fALL Nighter Friday, the Tribune’s religion editor, Kenny London, wisely but boldly seized the chance to challenge Lee Strobel in ways he really needed it. As you’ll see in the movie, that challenge becomes a catalyst for a deep dive as Lee sets out to disprove the Bible, Christ, & God to his wife.

The applicable question is this...Who might God have put in your life with an opportunity to encourage, coach, or challenge in their walk toward him? Chances are no matter how much you want them to, they don’t relate well to being told what to believe (most of us don’t). Perhaps they need you to guide them down a path of self discovery through questions instead of answers. Have the courage to follow God’s promptings — there’s no telling how he might use you! #AlwaysBeReady #GloryToGod

By: Connor McDaniel
Do you ever think about what Jesus looked like? It’s kind of funny how if you look at a lot of artwork of Jesus from over the years, we’ve developed an image of Him. Long, straight, brown hair, a long and kind of pointed nose, dark eyes- it’s always someone like that representing Him. Especially in ancient and Medieval artwork, Jesus always looks perfect. He looks like the ideal human. He is pleasant to look at. But I wonder if we do ourselves a disservice by creating this image of Jesus.
Let me clarify- Jesus did live a perfect life. He was sinless and became the physical embodiment of love (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21). But Jesus was also human, which means He probably didn’t look perfect. And there were even times when perhaps He didn’t feel perfect. In John 6:67, after many of Jesus’ followers leave Him behind, Jesus asks the twelve apostles if they want to leave, too. Here is a small glimpse into Jesus’ feelings. Why did He ask the apostles if they would also go away? Did He think no one cared? Was He sad that people had walked away from what Peter would call “the words of eternal life”? Maybe it was a combination of these things. I can’t speak for Jesus and say I know how He felt, but I do believe that this is a moment that we can all relate to in some way.
Have you ever felt not good enough? Ever felt there was something about yourself that there was something you didn’t like or wanted to change? Well, it appears you’re in good company. The difference is where you find your value. Jesus knew that His value wasn’t in how He looked or who followed Him, it was in how well He followed God, and that’s why so many people loved Him and still do today. He focused on love and being kind to people and showing them the way to a better life. So if you ever want to change something, or feel like you need to be different, remember you are part of God’s amazing creation and that as long as you’re guiding people to Him, you’re all you’ve ever needed to be.

My Hero the Ampelmann
By Connor McDaniel


Recently when I was traveling in Europe, I had the chance to go to the city of Berlin, Germany. The city itself has a very interesting history, but my favorite part was learning about the Ampelmann. Ampelmann is the little guy who decorates the pedestrian lights across the city of Berlin.As you can see from the picture, it shows in a funny little pose and wearing a hat and he was one of the first things I noticed when we got to the city. 
But, even more interesting to me was his story. After WWII ended, West Germany was given to the US, England, and France, while the East was given to Soviet Russia. Berlin was split down the middle. Over the years, East Berliners didn’t have much, but they were able to create a more comical version of the pedestrian light- the Ampelmann. When the city was reunited though, the Western government took over, and the lights began to change to the normal stick man. As people began to notice this, both East and West Berlinians petitioned for Ampelmann to stay and decorate the pedestrian lights in the city, and even today he is the standard fix and a cultural symbol of Berlin!

The lesson from Ampelmann is this- the good things survive. The things that make us smile, bring joy, and shine out in times of darkness are the things that we like to have around. Think of Matthew 5:16- “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 

Look for ways to shine that light. It doesn’t have to be something huge, either. It can be as easy as making someone smile or laugh, or telling them you hope they have a nice day. Take inspiration from Ampelmann’s triumph and go shine your light to guide others toward Jesus Who has triumphed over all!

What’s in a Name?
By Connor McDaniel

Have you ever tried to figure out what your name means? Or have you ever asked your parents why they chose your particular name? You may have even wondered where you got your last name. Names are the most common and arguably most important identifying aspects of a person.

There’s two amazing things about names when it comes to God. First, He actually has one. I’ll admit, it was a long time before I learned that God had a name, but believe it or not you see it a lot in the Bible. Wherever in the Old Testament you see “LORD” written in all capital letters, or the name “Jehovah”, depending on the translation, that is God being called by name. In the original Hebrew, God’s name is written “YHWH”, and was never pronounced by the Jews for fear of using it vainly. Knowing that you’re reading God’s name, now you can learn a little more about Him whenever you see and realize you’re seeing a bit of God’s personality. 

The next thing is that God knows YOUR name! Think about that. I’m terrible with names (and I’m sure some of you remember me calling you the wrong name when I got here). Now think about how many names God knows. 7 billion people are alive right now alone, and He still knows me and you! Look at Isaiah 43:1- “But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” See that “LORD”? God has called us by name, which means He specifically wants me and you. And I think belonging to God is something pretty remarkable.

By Connor McDaniel
What do you think of coincidences? Have you ever sat back and thought about the chances of any given thing happening? According to the internet, the wonderful source of knowledge and  unhindered truth, the chances of you existing to begin with 10^2,685,000. That number is a 10 followed by almost 2.7 million zeros. That number comes from adding the chance of your family lineage remaining unbroken, the chances of your parents meeting, the chances of your parents deciding to have a child when they did, and all of the DNA coming together at just the right moment to make you.

If you’ve never asked your parents about how they met and why they were in the place they did meet, listen to the story. For my parents, it was about 7 years of, as my dad puts it, “the grace of God and kindness of strangers” that led them there. So, what does all this mean? What do we do with the fact that even just being here on Earth we’ve beaten the odds?

I think it means that God has a good reason for it. There’s so many times in the Bible where God tells us He cares for us and has plans for us. Now, we do have the option to live as we want to. But as I look back on all of the things that had to fall perfectly into place for me to end up where I am, I can’t help but believe that God has been guiding me the whole way through and that when a lot of other things could have happened, God still made me and you happen. The only question now is what will you do with it?

On days like today I miss my mother, but I also rejoice that my life was blessed by her. God used her, in large part, to shape me into who I am today. Her love for others, love for me, love for family, and love for the Kingdom were all impactful in my life. She wasn’t perfect, none of us are, but she had a servant’s heart and that drove most, if not all, actions in her life.

Days like today can be hard as I can’t visit, hug, or call her. There is no note to be sent, no card to be written, no gift to be given. And yet, her love still encompasses me, surrounds me, and blesses my life daily. A glimpse of her picture, a memory of her laughter, a thought of her embrace places a smile on my face, and perhaps a tear in my eye.

I realize not all have had Godly Mothers like the woman of Proverbs 31, but I’m guessing if you are reading this, someone in your life has spoken wisdom to you and given you faithful instruction that continues to impact your life today. My encouragement to you on a day like today, if you can, is to call and/or visit and embrace that special someone. Let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. How thankful you are for the blessing they have been in your life. It’s what I would do if I could…but don’t feel sorrow for me. It is because of Him that the day is coming when I’ll get to again. #GloryToGod

By Connor McDaniel
Being born in the year 2000, I have the distinct privilege of remembering when a lot of the first wave of Pixar movies came out. In particular, I remember going to see the timeless masterpiece, Cars. In the following years I had many shirts, toys, and various other things themed after the movie. You may remember one particular part of the movie where Lightning McQueen and Mater are spending time together. Mater turns on all of his lights and drives all around town backwards. At the end he tells Lightning, “Don’t need to know where I’m goin’, just need to know where I’ve been.”

At first glance, this seems like an insignificant statement. Afterall, you aren’t meant to drive backwards. You have to be able to see the road and the people on it. It’s hard to keep track of turning the wheel to go the right way for long periods of time. You can even miss certain things by just looking in your mirrors. But here’s the key- Mater always knew where he was going. He knew Radiator Springs like the back of his hand (or tire?). His confidence in his driving through town helped him to know where he was going when the way didn’t always seem clear.

Think about how this applies to us. We don’t always know just where we’re going in life. But we always know where we’ve been. Think about the definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen.” Faith is knowing that the God we don’t see is in a place we’ve never been. How does this faith come? “...hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) As you read the Bible, you can read story after story about how God helps His people. And you can probably think of a few times in your life where you’ve seen God work through giving you certain people in your life or certain experiences. So, if you ever start to worry about where you’re going in life or how to get there, remember the wise words of Mater.

By Connor McDaniel
Charging is important. Especially in the past 25 or so years, with the rise of smartphones and handheld technology, we are always looking for places to charge batteries. As the energy contained in the battery is transferred to the light, heat, and sound emitted by whatever is being powered, there is less energy stored in the battery. And depending on what the battery is powering and being used for, it can use up the energy quicker. Ever noticed how running certain apps on your phone runs the battery down faster than others?

Maybe you’ve noticed something like this with yourself, too. The obvious comparison is sleep. You get energy by resting all night and the next day your mind and body are ready to take on whatever life throws at you. Rest and recharging yourself are both just as important as charging your phone. And not just physically, sometimes you need a mental break as well. Ever been doing work at school and it feels like you just can’t do anymore? That’s usually because your brain is telling you it is trying to compute too much. (Pro tip from someone who has been there- build in ten minutes for a brain break when doing homework/studying to stretch or get a snack.)

Believe it or not, Jesus often took time for Himself to recharge. One example is in Matthew 14, after Jesus feeds the 5,000. The next big story after this is Jesus walking on water. But the thing that often gets glossed over is why Jesus wasn’t with the disciples. Verse 23 explains that, “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone…” After being surrounded by people and teaching them Jesus saw it was important to take care of Himself so that He could continue to do His best work. In the busy seasons of life we often forget to recharge. So, remember even Jesus took time to rest and pray and recharge Himself.

By Connor McDaniel
When you think of a best friend, what comes to your mind? There are lots of iconic friendships and partnerships from history- Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, Phineas and Ferb, Han Solo and Chewbacca, and the list goes on and on. For me, one of my best friends has always been my dad. There’s a lot me and my dad have in common, mostly from me always looking up to him and wanting to be like him. My dad has always been someone who has had a great influence on me. I can talk to him about anything. He gets my jokes. He is interested in my hobbies, many of which he passed on to me. I love spending time with my dad because he is someone I want to be like, and your best friend probably holds that same distinction.

Think about and zero in on that person. You want to be like them. You like the influence they have on you. And depending on the level of the relationship, you may even go to them for advice. One thing I love about my dad and a lot of my other close friends is they don’t just tell me when I’m doing good things, they also help me know what I need to change. In our close relationships, it is not about me and my friends making each other happy, it’s about helping each other be better. I know my friends love me and that’s why they try and help me be better, and because I like their influence, I listen.

In John 15, Jesus offers some words about friendship, telling His apostles that no greater love can be demonstrated than by laying down your life for your friends, and that Jesus’ friends are those who follow His commandments. Is that not amazing?! Jesus, the Son of God, has extended His hand of friendship to you by laying down His life for you. It can be hard to picture Jesus as our friend. Afterall, it isn’t like you get to hang out with Him or play with Him on Xbox Live. But the most integral parts of friendship, the love and respect and desire to push you to be the best you can be, those parts are very much there. And that is why there is no greater friend than Jesus, and no one we should strive to be more like.

Identity in Christ
By Connor McDaniel

Almost every person in America carries a small plastic square in their pocket. This driver’s license may vary by state when it comes to looks, but there are a few things that are on every single one, like your name, a picture, eye color, birthday, and several other things. The things are meant to help you be identified as a person who can drive a car or help you should you be in an accident. There are all kinds of ID’s. Your parents may have one for where they work. You probably have one for school. I use mine at school to get food, pay for things, take my chapel attendance, and (thankfully) get discounts at some restaurants.

And especially now, there are a lot of groups of people that want others to identify with them. Around here, you see a lot of orange and white for the University of Tennessee. You may have a few shirts from your school. People group themselves together by what kind of car they drive, what kind of shows they like. Do you like reading or sports? Do you like to be outside or inside? We have all kinds of things that identify us and align us in certain ways. If you sit and think for a minute, you could probably think of a few groups that you identify with. These things lump us in with some and separate us from others.

This is why Galatians 3:28 is so amazing. Paul writes that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When it comes to our salvation, we are all the same. It doesn’t matter who likes what team or where someone lives or goes to school. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what color your skin is. Jesus has given us one thing that unites us despite our differences, and it is amazing to see all of those things put to the side. Especially as you get older and see more groups emerge in the world, groups based on politics and moral philosophies and things that you never knew you’d have to think about, it becomes especially important for us in the church to thank God He has taken that away. We should spend every day trying to introduce people to the God who can make them a person that doesn’t need everything in the world, they just need Him.

by Connor McDaniel

There are many things that we can learn and that can be brought to our attention through art. For example,, I’d like to point out a few things from a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper. This was done by da Vinci as a fresco in a monastery, on the wall of the dining room, and while traveling to Milan, Italy, I had the opportunity to see it.

There are several interesting things about the painting in the people it depicts. Each of the Apostles have varying expressions. Some look angry, others forlorn, confusion and concern could also be in some of the faces. And for some reason, Peter is depicted holding a knife.

But the two most interesting figures to me are Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot, because of their stark contrast to the remaining 11 figures, most notably in their posture and expressions. Jesus is the only one sitting straight up, maybe to emphasize His uprightness, and His expression is one of sadness. It is almost as though He is sad that He has just delivered the news of His death to the apostles, and He is sad that instead of focusing on spending time with Him and understanding what it meant, in their shortsightedness they had chosen to bicker and whisper about who it was betraying Him. Judas is also distinct in that he is the only one actively leaning away from Jesus. What does this tell us about how it looks when we lean away from Jesus? How must that make Him feel? Every week we take the Lord’s Supper and we travel back to this night and the events that followed. Next time, try reading through one of the accounts in the Gospels, and imagine how Jesus felt- anxiety, fear, anticipation- and know that no matter how difficult it was for Jesus, looking at His betrayer at the table and being surrounded by people who didn’t understand, He still chose to suffer for me and you, and we should thank God for that sacrifice every day.

By Connor McDaniel

Anyone who has ever spent any time with me knows how much I love Disney World. When I was growing up, this was my family’s favorite vacation spot. We would ride all the rides, meet the characters, see the shows, you name it, we got it done. But a personal favorite attraction of mine is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. The show is performed by animatronic characters representing “the American family”, and takes you through the changes they experience as technology and innovation advance through the 20th century.

The most iconic part of the show is the song, which changes stylistically as time moves on, beginning with acoustic influences and moving though jazz, and ending with some techno influences. It was written by Disney’s iconic song writing duo the Sherman Brothers when the show originally debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. The song has one simple theme that goes along with the idea of the show- “there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day… and tomorrow is just a dream away.”

It reminds me of Psalm 30:5. The latter half of the verse says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” David of all people understood what it was like to have bad days. He was chased around by his best friend’s father, he was punished by God for his actions and ended up losing several of his children over it, and his son Absalom even tried to overthrow him as king. But David knew that even the worst days were not the only ones. As you go through life, there are going to be bad days. Hopefully the good outnumber them, but they will be there nonetheless. David’s encouragement is to remember that every morning brings the opportunity for a better day. Every morning we wake up on this Earth God has created, we have the chance to make it a great day. And sometimes things are out of our control. But nothing is out of God’s control which is why we can take comfort in knowing His promise of better days to come on Earth, and if not here, then in Heaven, are true.

Words we all need to read everyday…

“ Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it; Love thy neighbor as yourself.  All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

We live in a selfish world, a world where people are often more focused on what they want and what they like over what God has asked or what others need.

We would do good, in the midst of all the distractions of this life to simply…Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind.  Along with that, making sure to before we think about what we want…Love our neighbor as ourself.

Simple but powerful words. Pray on them daily and allow them to change your perspective. #GloryToGod

The theme for Evangelism University this year was “Plus One”. The question discussed, pondered, and provoked all weekend was, who will be your plus one pertaining to the Kingdom of God. We were challenged to think whether we were okay with friends going to hell. That sounds bold, but it is a reality that we too often push aside. Are we simply making sure we focus on heaven while becoming “comfortable” with the idea of friends and family not joining us?

Oftentimes we rationalize and compartmentalize our lack of sharing the gospel, the GOOD NEWS, because it is overwhelming. There are so many people who are lost, so many who do not truly understand or even know that there is a God who wants to offer them mercy & grace. A God who wants to be their father and give them an eternal life of joy if they would obediently follow Him as the authority in their lives. There are just so many…where do we even start?

We start with just one! Big things start with little things and we need to start trading the what if’s…for the even if’s. What if they say no, what if they get mad, what if they ghost me. When we love someone and we realize their soul is at stake we say…even if they say no…I’ll keep asking! Even if they get mad…I’ll show them God’s love! Even if they ghost me…I’ll never stop loving and praying for them.

Are you carrying your friends to Jesus? Don’t overcomplicate it, don’t get overwhelmed. Start with just one, pray, ask, pray, and repeat. Focus on who will be your plus one this year…and purposefully plan to share God’s love and salvation with them.

There’s always room…for ONE MORE, who is it going to be! #GloryToGod

PROVERBS 22:6 RE-EXAMINED: with Wes McAdams
“Train Up”
Proverbs 22:6 begins with the Hebrew word, “hanak.” This word appears in three other verses in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 20:5; 1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chronicles 7:5). Interestingly, every other time this word is used, it is not translated, “train up,” it is translated, “dedicate.” It means to get something started or initiate something.
So the first part of the Proverb is about starting a child off in a certain direction or starting him on a path.

“In the Way He [Should] Go”
The next phrase is very interesting. The word “should” does not actually appear in the original Hebrew at all. The phrase literally means, “in his way.”

The Hebrew word for “way” appears 69 times in the book of Proverbs. It is used to describe BOTH the way of wickedness (e.g. Proverbs 12:26) and the way of righteousness (e.g. Proverbs 13:6). Essentially, it is a road or path metaphor that simply describes a manner of life.

What Does It Mean?
So if you take what we’ve discovered, the literal reading of Proverbs 22:6 would read something like, “Initiate a child on his path; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” It seems to simply mean we are set on a path as children and we seldom deviate from that path.

This proverb could be a warning. It could warn me, as a parent, if I allow my children to follow the “way that seems right” to them (Proverbs 14:12), I will have a hard time getting them off that path when they become adults. After all, the path that children are naturally inclined to follow is a path of foolishness and it takes discipline to keep children from going down that path (Proverbs 22:15).

On the other hand, it could be an encouragement to “dedicate” or “initiate” children on the path of holiness, righteousness, and wisdom when they are young. In other words, get a child started on his path of doing right when he is young; it will be harder to get him off that path when he is an adult.

Another possibility is that this proverb is intentionally ambiguous in order to highlight the malleability of children and the challenge of getting adults to change their ways once they’re on a particular path. Either way, there is a lot of wisdom in this one little proverb and God’s people would do well to meditate on it and apply it to our lives.
I love you and God loves you,
Wes McAdams - Radically Christian Blog

Obedience is simple…but we complicate it

Jesus said you can’t serve two masters (Matt 6:24), but it doesn’t stop many from trying. In the book of Joshua we see an example of just that, and hopefully it teaches us a lesson we can learn. It was no secret, Glory had been given to God, Joshua’s success came because he loved the Lord and obeyed His Word (1:7-8). In battle, Israel had been diligent in obeying their commander Joshua, and now he was concerned about their spiritual walk. He knew going forward they had to worship and obey the Lord their God. In Matt.22:36-38 Jesus tells us that to love the Lord your God is the greatest commandment. Well what if I love God…but I just don’t want to obey Him?…Jesus answers…”If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15)

The bible is not a book of commands or a list of thou shalt and thou shalt nots. Just like the Isralites, if we think that we will soon forget, give up, or outright reject God’s Word. The bible is our opportunity to know God and learn to love Him because He, the Creator of the universe loves us…loves ME…and once I truly understand that…like Joshua I want to live for Him!

Think on this => If you don’t obey God you DO NOT love Him…I’m not saying it, Christ did. 

The motive for our obedience has to be love for the Lord our God. If we love Him, then we will delight in walking in all His ways and obeying all His commandments.

So what about that story from Joshua? Well two and a half tribes asked Moses to stay on the east side of the Jordan, but had agreed to fight with the rest of the Isralites till the land of Canaan was conquered. Although Moses agreed, and Joshua honored that agreement…they were choosing material over spiritual. Good cattle grazing (wealth) over being with God’s people and accepting the gift He had given them (the Promise Land). This created tension and separation between them and those who followed God. They thought they could serve both material & spiritual, but as we find out, it wasn’t the case. The Isralites (man) might have accepted their decision, it made sense using earthly wisdom…but it doesn’t mean God was pleased. Surrounded by heathen nations and separated from their Isralite brethren, these tribes quickly fell into idolatry and were taken by Assyria (1 Chron 5:25-26). You can’t serve two masters.

As Eli Myers said the other night, it is important where you plant your tree and who you surround yourself with. As Tucker O’Dell said, it is important that you form good habits. Spiritual habits that bring you closer to God and help you set your mind on things above. That is always my prayer for you, #GloryToGod.

By Keith W. O’Neal, Brentwood, Tennessee 
Youth Minister
Concord Road church of Christ

The following was written for “Action” the World Bible School Newsletter, and I thought I’d share  it in the Youth Corner this week. Concord Road has always been heavily involved with WBS, and we feel it is important to continue that with our youth. We always need teachers, and teaching online is easier now than ever. If you are interested in becoming an online teacher see Dave Beasly, David Harper, Josh Deck, or Keith O’Neal. Parents...become a teacher with your youth and grade lessons together! Read more @ https://www.worldbibleschool.net/action/ 

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, what profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (Ecc 1:2-3) The word Vanity, used 37x in Ecclesiastes, means “futility” or “uselessness”. The phrase Under the sun, used 28x, means “apart from God” or some would say a “humanist” worldview. To sum up Solomon’s wise conclusion, life under the sun (WITHOUT God) is vanity.

Some folks see Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes and think…how depressing, everything is meaningless, but that is not his point. Everything without God in the picture is meaningless. Too often we shield young people from this reality, if even with the best intentions. In the  name of “keeping them interested” we do every fun activity (under the sun) we can think of and are left wondering…why did they leave the church?

Our focus with young people…and really all ages, should take into account Solomon’s wisdom, everything without God is meaningless. We need to strive to show our young people their purpose and role in our church family. We need to show them that activities have purpose when you give Glory to God. The fact is, building relationships is vanity if we are not building them to the Glory of God. We need to show young people that relationships are important opportunities to encourage one another, spread God’s word, and serve His Kingdom.

That’s where the double value of connecting our young people with World Bible School is evident. Yes, through WBS we give glory to God by reaching the lost, but we can also use WBS to provide purpose to our young people. WBS is a game plan for how they can accomplish their mission as Christians…spreading seed, sharing the story of Jesus. By grading lessons and writing encouragement notes our young people find purpose and give God glory. By using Mathetis as a scaffolding for conversations they build confidence and see purpose in their relationships. WBS allows them to have the opportunity to learn the lesson that is paramount to living a faithful christian life…when you serve you are served. #GloryToGod

I want to give you a way to be an encourager. Some of you know the Todachine’s from Navajo Bible Camp, but I’d like for all of you to send a card of encouragement to Evan, Crystal, and the girls (Faith, Kenley, & Ramey). We can always use encouragement and coming from you means all the more. Below is their address and Evan’s email followed by some news from Evan’s latest Newsletter. Let’s shower them with encouragement…

The Todachine’s
777 W Chandler Blvd #1214
Chandler, AZ 85225
etodachine12@gmail.com

“… they began to report all the things that God had done through them” Acts 14:27

Ya’at’eeh family! God has been very good to us and we pray you are also focusing on what He is supplying you. My beautiful bride and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on July 15th. Wow … 8 years? Where did the time go? The bible says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22). How true of a statement that is – I AM A BLESSED MAN! Please keep our marriage in prayers as we strive to grow together (and in the LORD) more and more each day.

Recently we went camping and enjoyed God’s stunning creation alongside 18 of Crystal’s family members. Yes, 18! Remember, she has 8 siblings. Talk about a mission field, right? We always have a great time with them. Sunday morning, her father Isaac asked me to give a lesson to the family as we gathered around the fire. We are thankful for how God has worked in our relationship with them. Isaac is a preacher for the Assembly of God congregation in their small community of Dennehotso, AZ. Isaac and I have talked and studied countless times over the years and the Lord continues to convict Him after each study. Isaac has changed his stance on many areas such as: the command to take the Lord’s Supper weekly, women’s roles, contribution and even the importance of baptism! If there is one thing you can do for our family and the Native work, you can pray for Isaac’s conversion and influence. Lord willing, he will continue to seek truth and arrive – paving a way for the dozens and dozens of people who look to him as a spiritual leader in the community. Thank you LORD!

To finish out the month, we drove to St. George Utah to attend the annual American Indian Missions Seminar (AIMS). We are so thankful for this week-long seminar/retreat that is offered for every missionary family on the reservation. I look forward to telling you more about this in our next newsletter. We truly are blessed to have supporters like you. We pray for you all daily. Keep up the great work, family. We pray that others notice your good deeds and glorify God who is in heaven (1 Peter 2:12).

9. “Why should I think that heaven really exists-and that God sends people to hell?”

C.S. Lewis once famously wrote “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” While perhaps this thought is too simplistic, it kinda hits the nail on the head for the majority of our world.

There are many ways to answer this question, and let me recommend Dan’s new book on Heaven if you are especially interested in this topic…of which we all should be, if not for ourselves (perhaps we just accept heaven as reality without further investigation) then for the folks who might ask this question. The quickest, simplest answer though is because Jesus clearly taught about Heaven & Hell. I realize for those in the world, that may not suffice, and for those you need to start in a different place of why we recognize Christ’s authority and the clear historical accounts that prove His life. (more proof I’ll add then any Greek, Roman, or other historical figure that no one doubts lived). As we’ve mentioned before He was either a liar, lunatic, or Lord…and the evidence if actually looked at, fairly considered overwhelmingly shows Him as our Lord. However, I’ve even heard other self-professed Christians ask this question before, especially questioning Hell.

So, let’s take this opportunity to open up our bibles (something we should always be in the habit of doing) and see what Jesus the Christ has to say to answer this question. It a literal sense you can say to someone…don’t take my word for it…listen to Jesus. Read: John 14:2-3, Matt. 22:29-32, Matt. 10:28, John 3:13, John 6:38, Matt. 5:29-30, Matt. 23:33, Luke 6:22-23, Luke 10:15, Luke 10:20, John 17:3-5, 24, Matt. 13:41-43, Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 and of course Luke 16:19-31 which I believe to be a true account, not a parable.

What about the whole God sending people to Hell thing though…in short…He doesn’t, people choose Hell. What??? Who would choose to go to Hell? Again C.S. Lewis put it in perspective when we wrote “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who sat to God, ‘Thy will be done’, and those to whom God says, ‘Thy will be done.’” God does not want anyone to go to Hell (Study: John 3:16-17, 1 Tim. 2:3-4, 6, 2 Pet. 3:9, Rom. 6:23), however, He also doesn’t force anyone to believe in the free gift He offers. The question is have you accepted that gift?

Remember the more we study & discuss, the better chance we have of fulfilling the instruction of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”. #GloryToGod

8. “How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites?” 

“And why are Christians so judgemental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them?”

When people express anger at hypocrisy, they are in good company. Jesus, himself, directed some of his harshest messages towards the Pharisees who were often living, breathing, walking, examples of hypocrisy. The problem with hypocrisy is not with God, it’s with people. So I’ll answer this one simple and short…

Don’t let anyone get between you
and your relationship with God!

No one is perfect save Christ so in some way, the argument could be made (especially by one wanting to justify unbelief), we are all hypocrites. In fact I believe Satan uses our brokenness very effectively to keep us from speaking out…even when in humbleness & love we should. However, the simple answer is that stated above. We are all broken, we all fail, remember that throughout your life and don’t allow someone else’s failure to get in between you and your relationship with God. At the same time, diligently pursue Christ in a way that minimizes the chances of your failure being a stumbling block to others.

PURSUE OBEDIENT FAITH

You don’t answer for other Christians, you answer for yourself, and if you are having this conversation with someone…they answer for themselves based on God’s Word & His Creation. Be an example of a believer who strives and pursues truth while acknowledging the fact that you struggle and are imperfect. Avoid deceiving yourself and refusing to acknowledge you struggle and fail…BUT don’t let those failures keep you from showing others the truth.

When it comes to the judgmental part of the conversation, be careful not to get caught up in winning an argument, but always direct toward God’s word. If others reject the truth of Christ, that’s on them. Your job is to spread the seed and reflect the light.

Remember the more we study & discuss, the better chance we have of fulfilling the instruction of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”. #GloryToGod

7. “Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same?”

Have you discussed as a family how to answer this type of question? One of the reasons we study and discuss is so that when a topic comes up we have thought it through. My dad used to always tell me, think about how you’ll handle a situation before you find yourself in it and you’ll be better prepared to handle it. That was wise counsel and applies to most of these questions we’ve been discussing.

Two important thoughts from God to start with…
“God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God” 1 Tim.2:3-5

“And Jesus said to him…“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:9-10

We cannot fall into the trap of seeing certain sins worse than others…or even worse, viewing certain sins as unforgivable. We are ALL broken, we ALL fail, we ALL need forgiveness and a Savior who is seeking us! God made us ALL, and we all have sins we struggle with…that doesn’t make the sin okay. We cannot rationalize that because God made us, and we have sinful desires, then the sin is okay. We need to struggle against the things God condemns throughout scripture, whether that is homosexuality, pride, jealousy, gluttony, drunkenous, etc. the list goes on and affects ALL of us.

Don’t make this topic or question about what you think…or about just homosexuality. You nor I condemn behaviors and desires within us and others because of sin. God alone does that, and if we love Him we don’t look for loopholes or twist His words to please ourselves…we seek to please Him through Obedient Faith. Why because Jesus loves me and I love Him! Honor God with your body in all things (1Cor.6:15-20).

God gives us a clear model for sexual expression within biblical marriage in Genesis 2, and Jesus reaffirms this in Matthew 19:4-8 when he asks “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?...They record from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’...This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Paul then reiterates the biblical pattern of one-man and one-woman relations forbidding expressions of sex in any other context: read Ephesians 5:31,33 & 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

Well, much more can be said & discussed. If you are struggling with this or have a close friend I’d be happy to grab dinner and study more in depth with you, because I love you. Remember the more we study & discuss, the better chance we have of fulfilling the instruction of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”. #GloryToGod

6. “Why is abortion such a line in the sand for Christians - why can’t I be left alone to make my own choices for my own body?”

Of the questions we are addressing perhaps none is as politicized, debated, or more controversial than this one. People have deeply rooted feelings and no one will change someone else's mind via a passive-aggressive Facebook post, Snap, or Instagram pic. As with most of these questions, if you really love someone and want to make a difference in their lives, there has to be a relationship that builds a bridge. James 1:19 comes to mind, “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” For this question in particular I’m not going to spend space telling you what I think or sharing my advice…I’ll just let you read God’s word.

Genesis 1:26-27 - “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Psalms 139:13-17 - For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

Jeremiah 1:5 - “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Galatians 1:15 - But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Luke 1:41-44 - And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb…and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!...For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Granted, if someone doesn’t believe in scripture, this might not work, but then again you have a different question to address with that person. If you have taken the time to form a relationship you know that. Don’t waste time arguing about the color of the carpet, when you haven’t even purchased the land to build the house. But that comes back to, are you more interested in the issue, or the soul?

Remember the more we study & discuss, the better chance we have of fulfilling the instruction of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”. #GloryToGod

5. How could a good God allow so much evil, pain, and suffering – or does he simply not care?

Possibly the most often asked question of all these questions, and the most easily answered…however it doesn’t mean most people like the answer. God loves us so much He allowed us to have free-will. That free-will gave way to sin and the broken, fallen world we live in. Many people don’t like that answer, but that doesn’t mean it is not truth.

The fact is, without the goodness of God we wouldn’t even have an understanding of what evil was. Those that try to deny the existence of God because of evil are caught in an endless loop. A question to ask is what is evil if there is no God? No, really, it’s a very legitimate question. By evolutionary standards, men & women throughout history who have sought power by inflicting pain, suffering, and death on others…were simply achieving survival of the fittest. Without God, there is no moral argument to say they were wrong…well, we just know they were wrong…why? Those unwilling to submit to God as their creator don’t like that question, because they have no real answer. The flip-side as mentioned above is that we have a real answer…they just don’t like it.

The good news is we can share that God has promised us an eternal life in a new world that He will create and it will be just as He intended! As Dan mentioned a couple weeks ago, it’s not that we won’t have choice in this new world…it’s that we have already made our choice to follow & love Him, accepting the gift he freely offers us. That's the “GOOD NEWS”!

I feel like I say this every week, but there definitely is more to say on this topic so study, discuss, and formulate your own ideas…not off of human logic, but from Godly wisdom and study of His word. One important thing to note, if a friend is asking this question because they are currently in the midst of pain and suffering from a tragic event or life circumstance…remember you are dealing with a soul. Comfort and healing are more important in the short term as you walk alongside and shower them with love showing you care. Don’t win an argument just to lose a soul. Time will come for discussion, make sure to meet them where they are and “Be Christ”.

Remember the more we study & discuss, the better chance we have of fulfilling the instruction of 1 Peter 3:15 “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect”. #GloryToGod