A few years ago, I remember watching an Australian movie called “Danny Deck Chair”! It was a story of an average Aussie bloke that got fed up with his life and decided to strap 500 helium balloons to a deck chair and float off into the wild blue yonder!! 

Seriously, haven’t you ever secretly wanted to strap a boatload of balloons onto a chair and head out into the big blue sky? Maybe it’s just me, but I think cruising over my neighbourhood rooftops in a helium powered chairplane would make my day.

Well, Leave it to Pixar to take this common fantasy to an entirely different level. Instead of a chair, how about we fasten helium balloons to a house and float waaaaay past our neighbourhood to South America to find the adventure and triumph we thought we’d never see.

This is the basic plot of “Up” - one of the best reviewed and finest made films to hit the theatres in a long time and about to be released in the U.S..

(Not counting Hannah Montana: The Movie, of course…*ahem*.)

What is it that makes us want to fly away and experience a radical change from our oftentimes ho hum, black and white monotone existence?

Is it that we don’t have enough entertainment options? Let’s see, iPods – internet – Facebook/MySpace – 6000 satellite channels – Wii – Mii – and 200 texts an hour…and we’re still bored?

Yup. Because you are hardwired for something else. Because the God who created you downloaded a program in you at birth that can only run properly when you rise “up” out of your day-to-day doldrums and find adventure in fulfilling the greatest mission ever assigned:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

These are some of the last words Jesus spoke before He returned to heaven. But they are much more than words…they are balloons that you can secure to your soul – and when you do, they will lift you away to places you never thought you could reach.

How? Well let’s look at each ‘balloon’ a little closer – and picture Jesus saying these words to you right here and right now:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

Jesus Christ came back from the dead and conquered the one thing we will never be able to defeat – which is physical and spiritual death. Because of His triumph, we have the gift of eternal life – and that gives Him the right to plan out our course and journey – which is:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

This is called ‘The Great Commission” – because it is the responsibility of every Christian to ‘pay it forward’ by sharing the amazing news that sins can be forgiven, hope can be restored, and eternal life is available by simply trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. This is the core of the Christian’s ‘job description’ and the primary reason we were left down here and not immediately taken to heaven when we trusted Christ.

Can you see how being faithful to these words can shoot your life out of Boredomville into the skies of endless possibilities? Think about it…each day is a new opportunity to share God’s love and Christ’s message of salvation. Each person you meet is a participant in the great cosmic battle for souls destined for heaven or hell. Each word you speak and action you take is helping or hindering the Kingdom of God on planet earth.

Of course you could ignore this incredible offer of exploration and adventure and continue to believe that you’ll find excitement in life in a website or a possession, you can just sit back, settled and moved into the retirement home and just imagined what might have been.

Or…you can tie on the Spirit filled words of the Great Commission and launch into uncharted spiritual territory. You have Jesus’ unlimited power, unconditional promise of eternal life, and unconstrained presence until the end of time. With a setting like that…you have nowhere to go but- UP!

We really need to understand that we need to “Tear Down all the Walls” and the things that have kept us idle and isolated!!  We need to rise and change the world one life at a time!!

The first step in obeying the Great Commission is waking up each day praying for an opportunity to share God’s love and Christ’s message of salvation in the good news of the gospel. The next step, then, is keeping your eyes and heart wide open for chances to start a spiritual conversation. In a nutshell, make a commitment every day to pray for your unsaved friends and family, pursue conversations about Jesus Christ, and persuade them to trust in Him alone for salvation.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).

Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The internet makes it possible for Christians to find solid evidence for our faith in a shorter amount of time than in the past. This week, take some time and research your explanation for why you believe in God and have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. Here are a few sources to get you started:
www.doesgodexist.org/
www.gotquestions.org/Does-God-exist.html
Also, check out these books:
A Case for a Creator
A Case for Christ
A Case for Faith
All by the author Lee Strobel (www.leestrobel.com/)
As well, try to enter into conversations this week that could get the ball rolling with this subject and give you an opportunity to explain your faith in Jesus.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6).
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.  I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children (1 Corinthians 4:12-14).
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:46-48).

Do you trust God to meet your needs his way? In His strength, you have the power to turn away from the counterfeits and seek satisfaction in the real thing. We have to admit our needs and see Jesus as the only option for meeting them.

What are some of the counterfeits you settle for in life? Where do you seek satisfaction when you should be finding it in God or others?

Remember Encounter will be awesome this week make sure that you get along!!

Of course there are even stranger ideas about Easter, like the one I picked up from a few blogs: “Easter is the day Christians celebrate the idea that a dead Jewish preacher came back as a zombie…”

So what is Easter to you? What really happened? Is it ridiculous to think that there was an actual event that occurred on a Sunday morning 2000 years ago that changed the course of history?

Or maybe we should be *smarter* and go with the conspiracy theories that Jesus was a great guy and all…but when you are dead, you’re, well, dead. So all this resurrection talk should be filed away with belief in the Tooth Fairy (sorry if you were still counting on that one), Santa Clause, and (of course) the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

I’ll admit that from a logical and scientific angle it seems impossible for someone to come back from the grave…but there is one more perspective I’d like you to consider, and that is a historical one.

As in, if there is overwhelming historical evidence that Jesus came back from the dead, then there must be a logical and scientific explanation as well. And most importantly, if He claimed to be the only way to heaven, then what you decide about Jesus’ existence really needs to move to the front of the line in terms of your worldview.

So let’s put the resurrection of Jesus on trial, then you decide what most likely happened on that bright and brilliant morning at the grave site of Jesus Christ.

Let’s first hear opening remarks from best-selling author Lee Strobel:

If we were to call to the witness stand every witness who personally encountered the resurrected Jesus and we cross-examined them for only 15 minutes, and if we went around the clock without a break…we would be listening to first-hand testimony for more than 128 hours…that’s over 5 days worth of testimony…who could possibly walk away unconvinced?”¹

Perhaps you are unconvinced? Let’s bring out the exhibits.

Exhibit A: The broken Roman Seal. This meant an investigation, an apprehension and automatic death for whoever did it…so obviously the Roman soldiers didn’t break it. The disciples? Well, they were in hiding, and I wouldn’t put my money on that group being able to overpower a group of soldiers.

Exhibit B: There was a huge stone that was moved uphill. We’re not talking about a small boulder here. This was a 1.5 – 2 Metric Tones of massive hunk of mountain that was supposed to stay where they put it. It didn’t.

Exhibit C: There was an empty tomb, and the disciples immediately proclaimed the resurrection right away IN Jerusalem where the resurrection happened! They would have been completely laughed out of town if the tomb wasn’t empty.

Exhibit D: The absence of the Roman soldiers who were guarding the tomb. This was a death penalty offense that would get you burned alive. Why would they disappear from the scene if they could simply produce the body and get off the hook?

Exhibit E: The resurrected Jesus stayed in town for 40 days. He appeared to more than 500 people in all kinds of different places, times and circumstances.

Exhibit F: The word of the angel who was outside of the empty tomb. Here are his exact words:

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying ( Matthew 24:6).

That statement and corresponding evidence changed a frightened and hiding group of people into fearless witnesses who ended up dying for their belief in a risen Christ.

History shows it, billions believe it, and your life can be radically changed by it. So this Easter, get past the bunnies and chocolate and reflect on the most amazing day in all of history. Jesus Christ is alive, and you can have a relationship with Him starting today! That’s why the Bible lays it out in no uncertain terms:

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

This is all well worth thinking about!! 

¹ Source: J.I. Packer quoted in God’s Outrageous Claims by Lee Strobel, pp. 170-171.

But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. – The Apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:10)
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. – The Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
If you’re like me, these predictions are just a bit unnerving. I know that they will come true because every other prophecy given in the Bible has come true, so why would we doubt these? And, like Nicholas Cage, we should be desperate about letting people know (with a loving attitude) that Judgment Day is no joke. Rather, it is an unavoidable date with destiny.
At the same time, we can take comfort in the fact that God is ultimately in control, and there is one more prophecy that can give us peace even in the midst of upcoming calamities and catastrophes:
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. –Jesus (John 3:16)
True, the world will end one day. But equally true is the fact that there is another life after this life that is eternal.

If there is anything you should *know* about the future, it is this -
God made you. God loves you. Jesus died for you. Eternal life in heaven is yours forever if you simply put your faith in Jesus as your only hope of salvation. No matter how bad it gets, your place in the paradise in heaven is safe and secure.
See? Didn’t I tell you that knowing is everything?
*Source: Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.

1 Cor 13:1-4
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Love is Patient!! The Greek word used here for “patience” is “Markrothumein”. This word is used throughout the New Testament to describe patience with people and not patience with circumstances.

The word is very strong and it used to describe a man who is wronged, and has it easily within his power to avenge himself and yet he will not do it!! It describes the person who is slow to anger and often used by God to minister to many!!

When we deal with others, regardless of how they may have dealt with us! Regardless of how unkind they may have been to us, regardless of how they may have even hurt us! We must always exercise the same patience that God has dealt with us!!

Many would say that this kind of patience is a sign of weakness, the reality is that this kind of patience is really a sign of strength!!!

No matter what the conflict, issue or circumstance. The patience of love will always conquer and be victorious in the end!!

Love is Patient!!!

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ‘if anything is excellent or praiseworthy’ think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

When I was in high school, I felt like there was nothing wrong with dating around. I partied a lot, and ‘hooking up with guys’ just happened as a result of being intoxicated. Even when I wasn’t drinking, my goal was to see how many guys I could kiss or ‘mess around with.’ One of my big concerns in high school was being popular. I wanted people to like me, and everybody else was doing it, so in my mind there was no harm in it. Each time I would hook up with a new guy, I would go a little further. I had boundaries at one point, but when I was in the heat of the moment, there is no such thing. I wasn’t thinking about the consequences or the regret later on in life. I would always say to myself, I would never have sex. Believe me, there were times I wanted to, but I was always taught to practice abstinence. According to the new standards that our generation set, sex only included intercourse, everything else was permissible. During any such encounter, I felt so important. I felt wanted, beautiful, and even found my worth. As long as I was desired by members of the opposite sex, I felt like I was somebody. I would always deceive myself into thinking I meant something to certain guys, only to find myself the next day ridden with guilt, and frustration, not to mention losing friends. For some reason I not only lost guy friends as a result of hooking up, but I lost girl friends as well, because my reputation was going downhill fast. I became the talk of the boy’s locker room, and rumors began to spread. All my efforts to make more friends, were failing, because I was going about it the wrong way. I was trying to be somebody I really wasn’t. I hated who I was. I felt filthy, and I knew I could never take back all the things I had done. I had given some of the most precious parts of me away. I felt deep remorse and regret. Although later I discovered God’s restoration and forgiveness, I still bore the permanent scars.

I am now 21 years old and I recently got married. Prior to our marriage, there were a lot of things my husband and I had to work through from each of our pasts. Both of us had crossed the line in relationships, and had to deal with the pain of not giving those to each other for the first time. I would cry and grow angry with him because he didn’t save certain things for me, his wife. I know he felt the same way. However, I had to come to the realization that we had changed, and God had made us a new creation.

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently I read a lengthy article about the sex culture among teens today and I was deeply grieved. Kids that were interviewed in this article were very open with their sexuality and promiscuity. All discussed how they had had sex and planned to continue experimenting. Most students spoke of their,’friends with benefits’ and the inconvenience of actual relationships. I believe each year it gets worse and worse, especially as there is an increase in the urge to move in with members of the opposite sex prior to marriage.

Kids are beginning to experiment with sex starting in elementary school. One girl here in Colorado claimed she was confident that she would have sex before entering high school. Why are kids eager to share such an intimate part of themselves with others at such a young age? I believe it has everything to do with our entertainment. Sex sells, so we see it in advertising, on TV, in movies, and especially in our music. Most pop stars today barely clothe themselves and provocatively move on stage and call it dancing. As girls we aspire to be these people, and for guys, they aspire to date someone like that. This explains the rise in internet porn, teenage sex, and sexually transmitted diseases.

God is calling us to a higher standard than the world around us. He desires us to live lives set apart only for Him. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says:

“God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” (NCV)

The Bible talks in length about purity and holiness. The temptation is great, but His strength to resist it is greater. He is asking us to leave behind the things of this world and strive to live for Him.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)

People around us will know who we serve by our actions. If they see us living a pure life, they will see Christ. What is more, we know that those who are pure will experience God and see Him. I believe when our hearts are pure, God is more able to use us. If nothing else, God blesses us for purity.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

I can promise you that you won’t regret the decision to wait to experience sex until marriage. It is a gift designed solely for that purpose. Sex is for those who are committed to marriage for life. It is not for those who think they ‘love’ their girlfriend or boyfriend. It is not for those who have ‘friends with benefits.’ It is not for those who need to feel loved and accepted. God loves us and accepts us the way we are.

The lines of sex have been blurred, and you should not ask the question is this okay, because in the eyes of the world, it probably is. However, you must ask yourself; does this bring glory to God? Are you being a witness for the kingdom of God?

Your prayer needs to be that of Psalm 51:10:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Many of you have probably already made a mistake, and that is okay. God can restore you, but from this day forward make a commitment in your heart to Him that says you desire purity and holiness. Lean on His strength to fight the temptation.

What a powerful devotion!!  See you all this Friday!!

Ps Jim

Well, we really need to look at how our attitudes are formed!   Attitudes are always developed as we look and evaluate our experienses and the events that happen to us!  In other words, our attitudes are developed from our responses to all the “stuff” that happens to us! 

Developing a right attitude requires us to filter “our stuff” in the following way:  ‘TO COMPARE OURSELVES WITH THE INWARD CHARACTER OF CHRIST IN ORDER TO RECEIVE GOD’S APPROVAL!!! 

Jn 5:44  “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain praise that comes from the only God? (NIV)

2 Cor 10:17 & 18  “The person who wishes to boast should only boast of what the Lord has done.  When people boast about themselves, it doesn’t count for much.  But when the Lord commends someone, that’s different!” (NLT)

Developing a wrong attitude occours when we filter “our stuff” this way:  “MEASURING OURSELVES WITH THE OUTWARD STANDARDS OF THOSE AROUND US IN ORDER TO GAIN THEIR APPROVAL!!!

2 Cor 10:12  “Oh, don’t worry; I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are!  But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves.  What foolishness!”

When issues arise in our lives, do react or form an attitude based upon what others might do or what others may think!!  Rather, when issues arise respond in a manner that will reflect the attitude of Christ.  This way our attitude will be sweet and Christlike.  We may not always receive man’s approval, but we will receive the Lords!!

Remember!  Make every decision & choice count!!

We looked at who we are as a Youth Ministry, and identified several key factors!!

We understand, that we continue to live in a world where everyone wants to question everything!!   We want to be a group of young people that know who we are and where we are going!!

We spoke about:

1.  We are a part of the Church!! 

• We as a Youth Ministry are a part of the Body of Christ!!  We do not function separate from Church, rather, we partner with Church!! 

2.  We Love Jesus!!

• We are “nuts” about Jesus.  We love Him because he has done soooooo much for us!!

3.  We Know Jesus!!

• We don’t just love him…we know Him!!  It is possible to “love Jesus” but not truly “know Him”.  Many love Jesus from an emotional place, however, we need to love Jesus from a place of substance!!!!  To really know Him!!

4.  We are Friendly!!

• We make people feel welcome by involving everyone!!!

5.  We are Generous!!

• We need to be a Youth Ministry that is generous in every way!!!

6.  We have Attitudes that honour God!!

• We want to be Young people that have been “Renewed in the Attitude of your mind…….”

7.  We want to be Empowered!!

• We want to be a Youth Ministry that live our lives filled and lead by God’s Spirit!!

8.  We want to be the “Light of the World”!!

• We want to be a Youth Ministry that never wants to hide our light!!  Rather, we want to “Know Jesus and make Him known to all men” . We want to let our light shine!!!!

 This is what ENCOUNTER YOUTH looks like!!!!

Many People these days construct their identities from all the wrong places.  As Christians, our identity is never found in what we do, what we have achieved or even what we have accumulated.  Rather, our true identity is only found in who we are in Christ.

Have a good look at “who we are” in Christ!!

In Christ I Am
Accepted, Secure, Significant !
I Am Accepted?
I am a child of God
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
I am Jesus’ chosen friend
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
I am holy and acceptable to God (justified)
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him
1 Corinthian 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
I am a part of Christ’s Body, part of His family
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
I am a saint, a holy one
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
I have been adopted as Christ’s child
Ephesians 1:5 In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
I have been bought back (redeemed) and forgiven of all my sins
Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
I am complete in Christ
Colossians 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
I Am Secure?
I am free forever from punishment
Romans 8:1,2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
I am sure all things work together for good
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I am free from any condemning charges against me
Romans 8:31f What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us??
I cannot be separated from the love of God
Romans 8:35f Who shall separate us from the love of Christ??
I am hidden with Christ in God
Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
I am sure that the good work that God has started in me will be finished
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I am a citizen of heaven with the rest of God’s family
Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
I can find grace and mercy in times of need
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me
1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
I Am Significant?
I am salt and light for everyone around me
Matthew 5:13,14 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
I am a part of the true vine, joined to Christ and able to produce lots of fruit
John 15:1,5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
I am hand-picked by Jesus to bear fruit
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
I am a Spirit-empowered witness of Christ
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
I am a temple where the Holy Spirit lives
1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
I am a peace with God and He has given me the work of making peace between Himself and other people
2 Corinthians 5:17f Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!?
I am God’s co-worker
2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
I am seated with Christ in heaven
Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
I am God’s building project, His handiwork, created to do His work
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
I am able to do all things through Christ who give me strength
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.