Life in Student Ministry » Time Out

Time Out: Loyal love (Hosea and Gomer)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:45:16 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

The story of Hosea and Gomer is one of the strangest love stories in literature. Imagine God telling a prophet, a committed servant of his, to marry a woman who was (or who would become) a prostitute! God gave him a deep love for a woman who would break his heart over and over. She didn’t share his commitment to God. She wasn’t faithful. She wasn’t a good mother. It doesn’t even seem like he was the father of the children she bore. She didn’t love Hosea back. She was bitter, angry and self-seeking. She only thought about herself. Even when the life she was living led to slavery and Hosea sought her out and paid good money to buy her back she didn’t seem to love him. But later on, love and appreciation would grow. Still, imagine how this was for Hosea, a prophet who spoke for God and tried to turn the people back to God. His own wife was among the worst. How it must have hurt him and burdened his heart. So why did God make such a demand on Hosea?

Hosea was living out his message. Day after day he preached about God’s unconditional love for His people. Even though the Jews were unfaithful to Him and committed spiritual adultery with false gods and pagan idols, He still loved them. They took advantage of Him, used Him, hurt Him and deserted Him. So what did He do? In love He pursued them and paid the price to buy them back and restore them to the place that was rightfully theirs. He did this because He loved them. He loved them. It was one thing for Hosea to speak the words but another to actually live them out right in front of the very people he was speaking to.

God wants us to tell others about Him and His love. But more than that, He wants us to show it by how we love them. Loving those we like is easy, but to love those we don’t like, those who hurt and take advantage of — that’s the kind of unconditional love the world needs to see because it reflects God’s love. We can only do that through His strength, but He calls us to do more than preach a message — He calls us to live it first of all. That means starting in our home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, be a reflection of His unconditional, sacrificial love. Standing up and speaking God’s message is easy and rewarding, but living it? That can be tough. But that’s where it must start, in our daily lives. Does your life reflect the unconditional love of God which your words speak. It better, for words alone won’t do much good.

Scripture
1 John 4:7-12, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:16, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:19-21, “We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

Reflect

Are there any areas in your life where your walk is not matching your words? Confess it and ask God to help you be faithful in that area.
God has a higher standard and greater expectations for those who commit their lives to serve Him. Are you willing to be more than a mouthpiece for Him, but to be an example as well, no matter what it will cost?
Who are you having trouble showing unconditional love to now? Why? Ask God to give you His love for them and for you to see them as He sees them?
What can you do today to show unconditional love to someone you’ve been having a hard time loving?

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Time Out: God answers eventually, not quickly

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:27:26 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Wouldn’t it be great to have a magic gene to grant your deepest wish? You could immediately have whatever you felt you needed. Sometimes it’s easy to think that’s how God should respond to our desires. We just assume He’ll show up on time and make things perfect once again.

The people in Jeremiah’s day faced these same things. God had warned they would go into captivity for their sin and turning from God. But like today, they didn’t believe it would really happen. They felt their country was safe. After all, God delivered them from the Egyptians and the Assyrians; surely He would deliver them from the Babylonians as well. As is often the case today, they had an entitlement mentality as far as God went, assuming that God would deliver them and they would all “live happily ever after.”

Only the Jews were taken into captivity. So God gave them His message through His prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to those in captivity in Babylon which is recorded in Jeremiah 29. In it he tells them not to get discouraged but to settle in and make the best of it for God would deliver them, but not for another 70 years. To us God says the same thing, He will deliver but not right away so settle into this life and make the best of things until He returns. We, too, are living in captivity in a foreign environment longing for our real home.

God’s promise through Jeremiah started in 29:10: “This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.’” This is the prophecy that prompted Daniel to ask God what would come after these 70 years. In response God gave Daniel the outline of history until He returns recorded in Daniel 9.

God affirmed that deliverance was coming eventually, but not quickly. He could have done it immediately but needed to teach them things first. They needed to see their need to repent and get back right with God. If He’d have delivered them right away that might never have happened. When you pray, make sure God’s delays aren’t to bring you to repentance. If there is anything between you and Him remove it immediately.

Another reason for delaying is because God was doing other things during this time. Daniel ministered in Babylon and wrote his book. Nebuchadnezzar and many others in Babylon became believers. Several Old Testament books were written (2 Kings, Lamentations, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Psalm 137). If God is delaying an answer to your prayers it is because He has a good reason. There are things is He currently accomplishing by delaying. Remember, His delays are not denials. God answers eventually, just not quickly.

Scripture
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.”

James 5:16, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Reflect

Could God be delaying something in your life because there is a sin of which you need to repent? If so, pray and confess it now. If you aren’t sure, ask Him to show you anything that might be there.
Think of a request you feel God has not been meeting. What has He been teaching you while you wait?
What other things has He accomplished while you wait?
Pray and ask for the fruit of patience so you can persevere until He knows the time is right to provide.

Time Out: Self-centered obedience (Jonah)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:57:27 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

The life of Jonah makes a great story for children, but the man himself isn’t much of an example for us to follow. He ran away from God, then reluctantly carried out the duty God had for him. He went through the motions and did what was required by warning the Ninevites that God’s judgment was on the way, but his heart wasn’t in his message. He didn’t love the Ninevites like God did. He didn’t even like them. They were the scourge of the ancient world and the enemies of his people, the Jews. Jonah left no doubt that he thought that the only good Ninevite was a dead Ninevite. Fortunately God was much more gracious.

After fulfilling his duty and delivering God’s message of coming judgment Jonah went on a hill to see what would happen. Thinking more about himself than about the thousands of people in the city, he still hoped God would destroy them. Then, when God showed mercy, he got very upset. Still, God used him to bring about the largest revival ever. God had to teach him a lesson about his self-centeredness, though, by giving him some shelter from the sun then taking it away. It’s encouraging to think that Jonah learned his lesson, for he if he hadn’t he probably wouldn’t have written the book of Jonah about himself. He knew his reluctant, hesitant and half-hearted obedience can be a lesson for all of us.

When Tim and our other children were young we told them, “delayed obedience is disobedience.” That’s true of God’s children, as well. Jonah delayed his obedience until forced to it. Then his “going through the motions” with a bad attitude was just as bad. Just going through the outer actions doesn’t impress God. In fact, He calls that hypocrisy. We won’t always like or want to do what God requires of us, but we must learn from Jonah and obey promptly and thoroughly. That’s how Jesus obeyed, that’s how we want our children to obey. And that’s how God wants His children to obey as well.

God always has a good reason for what He wants us to do. We may not understand or agree, but we are responsible to obey quickly and completely. And that means more than just going through the motions.

Scripture
Colossians 3:22-24, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Psalm 119:34, “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”

Josh 22:5, “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Reflect

Are you just going through the motions in any of your responsibilities, ministries, or spiritual disciplines?
Is there anything God wants you to do (or not do) and you are dragging you feet about it? Confess that at once and commit yourself to taking care of it today.
Do you obey and serve God out of love for Him and those you minister to? If not ask God to put a love in your heart for those you help. If not it’s be empty obedience only.
What can you do today to show prompt and complete obedience to God?

Time Out: The servant who became the master (Elisha)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:36:52 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Elisha doesn’t get as much attention as many other Bible servants, but he is among the best. For many years he was a student of Elijah and served his master faithfully and loyally. When Elijah was dying and Elijah asked what his wish was, Elisha said he wanted to minister as faithfully as Elijah had and God granted that wish. Elisha went on to perform even more miracles than Elijah, although it was really God doing them through him. He is a fine example of someone who learned how to serve and then became a master who taught others.

While almost everyone wants to lead and things they can do well at it, very few desire to serve. Yet only those who really have learned how to serve can truly lead. Those in the bible who have become the best leaders have had to go through a time of learning to first follow. David, Paul, Joseph, even Jesus Himself, had to learn to serve before being placed in a place of leadership. That’s the basis of the military’s officer training program, as well. Those training to be officers must learn to take orders before they can learn to give orders.

It seems tempting to want to skip the servant step and go right to leadership. After all, we’d rather be giving orders than taking them. But that’s not the way it works with God. Remember, Jesus Himself said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).

Make sure you learn how to serve others, how to be a team player, how to follow directions and support the leaders over you. Learn the lessons God is now trying to teach you about being a servant. Work harder at being a servant than a leader. For when we learn to be good servants we automatically qualify to become godly leaders – and not before!

Scripture
Matthew 10:24-25, “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”

Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

Matthew 25:21, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

Reflect

How well do you do with taking orders and serving others?
Are you more interested in being a good servant to other people or in becoming a leader yourself?
Who, to you, is a good example of a servant whom God has put in leadership position? What can you learn from this person?
What specifically can you do today to be a better servant to those around you?

Time Out: Whipping up a good pity party (Elijah)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:29:54 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

While some are more prone to self pity than others, I guess everyone has had a time or two when they’ve indulged themselves in it. Depression isn’t fun, and it isn’t easy to defeat. While there are various contributing factors, central to victory over depression is a strong faith in God. When we get our eyes off Him we sink emotionally just like Peter sunk in the water when he focused on the waves instead of Jesus in the boat. Elijah was a great man of faith, but when he lost focus he, too, sank.

After experiencing God’s power in a way few ever have, he ran away depressed. Challenging the priests of Baal was a draining experience and Elijah was exhausted when God burnt up Elijah’s altar and sacrifice. The priests of Baal were killed and the people turned back to God. But Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life and he fell apart. He forgot how God had protected and taken care of him when the raven fed him and when he lived with the poor widow. Instead he withdrew from the people and places he knew and told God he was tired of living and wanted to die. He said he was the only one still faithful to God and he was tired of it all. He got into a deep depression, felt sorry for himself, didn’t think God cared about him any more and even wanted to die.

What did God do? Well, God didn’t lecture him, scold him, reject him or punish him. God let him talk, had him eat and sleep, then let him talk again. After eating and sleeping some more told him to get back to work. God reminded him that he wasn’t the only one who had stayed faithful to God, that others had as well. Elijah got his eyes off himself and back on God and went on to continue his fruitful service as a prophet.

We can, too, when we do the same thing. Proper diet, enough rest, good exercise – these are foundational to keep good emotional and spiritual health. But even more important is to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting Him no matter what happens It is easy to get our eyes off of God and onto ourselves when things get hard and we face difficulties and opposition, especially if we are physically or emotionally drained. God still loves us. He is still there. We are not alone. We need to stop believing those lies. We need to get your eyes off ourselves and back on Him!

Scripture
1 Kings 19:3, “I have had enough, Lord,” Elijah said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

Psalms 42:11, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Philippians 4:8, “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.”

1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Reflect

Are you prone to self-pity and depression?
What usually triggers it in your life?
What can you do to help prevent depression from taking over?
How can you help someone else who is going through depression?

Time Out: Learning to take advice

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:05:02 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Greed and foolishness aren’t limited to the young, but young people seem to fall into that trap quite regularly. With age and perspective comes wisdom, at least some of the time. However, without that important asset it is easy to let pride and self-centeredness rule. That’s what happened to the man who replaced Solomon as king, his son Rehoboam.

When Rehoboam took the throne the people demanded a remission in the severe financial burden that Solomon had imposed to carry on his building activities. Rehoboam said he’d give them an answer in three days. That was a smart move for there is always time to make a good decision. Forced reactions seldom turn out well. Take time to thoroughly think and pray about important decisions.

During this time Rehoboam talked to his father’s advisers who advised him to give in to the people and lesson the burden so the nation would continue strong and whole. But instead of taking this advice Rehoboam consulted the young men who grew up in the palace with him. They didn’t have the maturity, wisdom or perspective to make a good decision about this, but they were his friends. Perhaps peer pressure had something to do with it, but obviously Rehoboam liked their advise better for it boosted his ego and would increase his wealth. Their advice was to actually increase taxes and show the people who was boss. “Don’t let them tell you what to do, show them you are tougher than your father was. Show them who is the king!” Unfortunately, Rehoboam liked this advice for he took it. The consequence, though, was disastrous. The northern 10 tribes broke away and he was left with Judah and Benjamin. The 12 tribes would never again rejoin to form a united nation. The days of Israel’s glory were over and her decline was swift.

It’s so easy for us today to think we know what is best and not realize pride and/or greed are motivating us. We want to do what impresses our peers and feel we know better than those who are older. Then we later regret our choices. This is true of everyone, from youth pastors to university presidents. Be careful of searching out those who will give you advise you want to hear. Learn to listen to those who disagree with you and would point you in a different direction. If they are wise, godly mature people pay close attention to what they say and don’t dismiss it lightly. Peers are great to enjoy, but outside perspective can offer a lot of good sense. Learn from Rheoboam – take godly advice.

Scripture
Proverbs 12:5, “The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.”

Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Proverbs 19:20, “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”

Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Reflect

When was the last time you made a decision you regretted? What made it so bad?
Was there greed or self-centeredness involved?
Are you aware of the limits of your age and perspective when you make a decision, or do you feel you know better than those you might consult?
Who do you go to for advice and guidance? Are they will qualified to direct you?
What do you do if you don’t like the suggestions they make?
What major decision are you making now? Who are you going to for advice?

Time Out: Increasing our fruit production

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:07:49 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

How does a branch bear fruit? By trying its best and working hard? By doing its very best? No, a branch cannot bear fruit by itself. If you see a branch lying by the side of the road and bring it home will you see fruit form, grow and ripen on it? Never. A branch only bears fruit when it is attached to the fine. Actually the vine produces the fruit, the branch just displays it. It manifests itself on the branch, but is produced within the vine itself. The roots and trunk supply the branch with what it needs to produce fruit.

That was common knowledge to anyone in Jesus’ day, so that is the analogy Jesus used when explaining to His disciples that they needed Him to produce fruit. It was late Thursday night, April 2, 33 AD, a few hours before the crucifixion. Jesus knew His time with His disciples was almost at an end so He wanted His last teaching opportunity to really count. So He uses this final opportunity to again make sure they knew the importance of staying in close contact with Him in order to produce spiritual fruit for the Kingdom.

The meaning is clear: Jesus’ branches (disciples) need to stay in close contact with Him in order for Him to produce fruit through them. We can’t do anything on our own, only through Him. Salvation is all by Him, so is the fruit we produce as we live for Him. A branch not in direct contact with the vine is useless. It can be a mile from the vine or a thousandth of a Millimeter. The distance doesn’t mater. Any removal at all, no matter how small, and the sap doesn’t flow so fruit isn’t produced. Without God’s Spirit freely flowing in us we won’t be able to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

How can we tell if we are in direct contact or not? That’s easy. When we spend time in prayer and Bible study, worship and service, and when we make sure all our sins are confessed and under the blood, then we are assured we are filled with His Spirit. We will then find we have an unconditional love for God, family, self and others. We will have a joy despite circumstances and be at peace with God and others no matter what is going on around us. We will be patient in trials and our thoughts and actions will be characterized by kindness, goodness and gentleness. Our faith in God will grow and so will our loyalty and devotion to Him. We will have Spirit-control in all areas of life. In effect, we will be growing in spiritual maturity. He does all the work – we just stay close and allow Him to work in us. That certainly isn’t hard, is it. It’s all available if we allow Him to do it.

Scripture
John 15:1-8, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “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. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Reflect

Does your life and ministry clearly show evidence of these fruit being produced in your life?
What percent of your ministry is done in the power of the flesh and what percent under the control of the Holy Spirit?
Of these 9 fruit of the Holy Spirit, which do you need most in your life? Why?
Write them down and pray every morning that God would fill you with His Spirit and produce these fruit in you. When a need arises during the day pause and ask for His fruit to be manifest at that time.

Time Out: Spirit Control (don’t leave home without it)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:26:45 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

A young girl was learning the fruits of the Spirit, so her father asked her to recite them to him. “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and remote control,” was her reply. That’s not exactly right, but it is much closer to the truth than we may realize. You see, “self” control doesn’t mean that self is IN control. It means that self is UNDER control – under the control of the Holy Spirit.

We are born without self control. Babies can’t control their muscles to walk or to feed themselves, they can’t control their bowels and they certainly can’t control their emotions. Control needs to be learned – physically, emotionally and even spiritually. This fruit really should be called SPIRIT control, not self control.

So what does Spirit control really look like? It is the ability to rule your personal life so that you are not dominated by sin (Romans 6:12). It is the ability to control your self life from within by spiritual means (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

For the Christian self-control is a spiritual grace. In the secular world we often associate self-control with willpower. Self-control or willpower would embrace such things as dieting, quitting smoking, exercise, gambling, alcohol, work habits, ethics, and living within your means. These are only just a few; each of you can add many others to this list. In our Christian walk nothing is ever accomplished by our own personal works, efforts, or merit. The entire Christian life is a walk of grace in total surrender and dependency upon the Holy Spirit. It comes by grace through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, not by any personal effort on my part other than total surrender and obedience to Him. Christian self-control always honors Jesus, not myself.

Remember, self control (really Spirit control) starts within, not without. It is not just controlling our actions, for it starts with controlling our thoughts. What is in our heart comes out through our mouth. Spirit control doesn’t just help us keep our mouth shut, it shows us how to have a proper attitude in our heart.

Imagine if you started your car and noticed white smoke coming out the tailpipe. You wouldn’t get a new tailpipe because that isn’t the problem. The tailpipe only reveals the problem. Rather, you would do some engine work. In the same way, your habits only reveal what goes on in your heart.

If you have a habit of gossiping, the problem isn’t gossip; the problem is malice or envy. If you have a habit of blowing up, the problem isn’t your temper; the problem is rage, hatred, and bitterness in your heart. If you have a problem with pornography or infidelity to your spouse, the problem is lust in your heart. The base sin in all these is pride which is idolatry. Any time something is put before God it is idolatry, and idolatry begins in the heart.

Everyone needs the fruit of self control. Paul needed it as well (Romans 7:19-21). Victory came when He let the Spirit control him (Romans 8 follows Romans 7). And we need it daily, even hourly (2 Corinthians 4:16). It isn’t just for the “big” things in life but for everyday things like our actions and speech (James 1:26). Spirit control – don’t leave home without it.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is self-controlled in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

II Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Reflect

How would your life and ministry be different if you were always under the total control of God’s Spirit?
Think of a time in the past week when you would have responded differently to something in your life or ministry had the Holy Spirit been in total control of you?
Think of some areas in life where you need God’s Spirit control. Pray specifically for each area and the control you need in it. Remember to pray throughout the day as these issues arise in life.

Time Out: Power under control

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:50:35 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Do you remember the chant from childhood: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?” It isn’t true. Everyone has sometimes been hurt by words. We are hurt by lying words. We are hurt by unkind words. We are hurt by angry words. Words can hurt us. That’s why God wants His people to be gentle.

Gentleness is possibly the most misunderstood virtue. Many people think of gentleness as being weak, timid, or passive. This is not the biblical understanding of gentleness. The Greek language in which the N.T. was originally written, was a precise & expressive language. When the Greeks developed a word, they not only gave it a careful definition, but they almost always illustrated it. Their definition of gentleness was “power under control,” and they illustrated it with the picture of a horse that had been tamed. Gentleness to them was a powerful animal with its power completely under control. Have you ever watched a 2000-pound horse pull logs? That big, strong Belgium horse was strength under control.

For example, water that’s under control would be water rushing through a dam turning turbines, generating electricity to light a city. Water out of control would be a flood destroying everything in its path. A disease out of control can devastate the body and kill its victim. But a disease under control can produce vaccines & save thousands of lives. So when you think about gentleness, think about power under control, anger under control, our emotions under God’s control.

The Life Application Bible states concerning gentleness: “Gentleness—Humble, considerate of others, submissive to God and his Word. Even when anger is the appropriate response, as when Jesus cleared the temple, gentleness keeps the expression of anger headed in the right direction. Gentleness applies even force in the correct way.”

The fruit of kindness is showing love and compassion to others. Goodness is an inner spirit of love and holiness that show itself in doing that which benefits others. Gentleness, then, is tenderness but not weakness. It is power, but power under control. Examples would include Jesus’ dealings with the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8 ) and Zacchaeus the moneychanger (Luke 19).

DeSales once wrote, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness,” and “Nothing is so gentle as real strength.” When you are producing the fruit of the Spirit you will find you are strong enough to be gentle. What a perfect picture of Jesus. What a wonderful goal for us!

Scripture
1 Timothy 6:4, “…he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.”

1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

Reflect

Think of some times when others showed you gentleness. How did it feel? How were you affected?
Think of some times God has been gentle with you. Thank Him for it.
Who do you know that needs gentleness but doesn’t deserve it? Will you commit to show them gentleness anyway?
Who can you show gentleness towards today? Make plans as to who and how you can show gentleness.

Time Out: Can God count on you?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:57:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Semper Fidelis is Latin for “always faithful.” It is the motto of the City of Exeter in Devonshire, England, and is a testimony to the city’s loyalty to the British Monarchy. Queen Elizabeth I wrote a letter to The Citizens of Exeter in 1588 suggesting they adapt this motto because of their faithfulness in supporting the British fleet that had defeated the Spanish Armada. It has also been the motto of the United States Marine Corps since 1883, and it is the title of the official March of the Marine Corps composed by John Phillips Sousa in 1888. Christian Disciples are called by the Holy Spirit to be “always faithful,” and Semper Fidelis would be an excellent motto for us to adapt as well.

Just what does this word for “faithfulness” mean? How can we define it? That is very easy for it is the same word as that used for “faith.” Faithfulness is staying true to someone or something, being trustworthy, being someone who can be counted on. A faithful person is one whom can be trusted and depended on. Trustworthiness is the characteristic of the man who is reliable.

God is faithful (Psalm 119:138; 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Thes 3:3). Jesus is often called “faithful” (Rev 1:5; 19:11). He is faithfulness personified. He is totally reliable, trustworthy and steadfast.

Faithfulness, life love, joy, peace and all the other fruit, is something that will be shown outwardly to others. It doesn’t stay inside, it expresses itself visibly in our lives and actions. First of all, we are to be faithful to God. He has been faithful to us so why wouldn’t we be faithful to Him? He should be able to depend on us.

Then, too, we are to be faithful to others. We are to be loyal and dependable to our families and friends, to our church and employers. The Golden Rule still applies – treat others the way you want to be treated. Do so and you will be showing faithfulness to them.

Scripture
1 Cor. 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man (woman) be found faithful.”

2 Thes. 3:3, “The Lord is faithful, who will establish us and protect us from evil.”

Hebrews 13:5, “I Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Reflect

How dependable are you? If you were God, would you trust yourself with important Kingdom work?
Do you have a reputation for being a loyal and faithful friend? To whom can you show that faithfulness today?
Are you as faithful to those who are a drain on you as you are to those who contribute to your ministry? If not, confess that and ask God to help you be faithful to all, not just those from whom you benefit.
We grow in faithfulness by learning the Word of God (Roman 10:12) because the better we know God the more we will want to serve Him. Spend some time reading the Bible today, not to prepare a message or lesson, but just to listen to God speak to your spirit.

Time Out: If God gave you three wishes (Solomon)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:19:44 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We all have heard about the person who gets 3 wishes and we wonder what we would ask for were we given the opportunity. However, that has only ever happened once in history and that was when God gave Solomon one wish for what he wanted. Instead of asking for riches or power, Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people – a very wise choice on his part. God thought so as well for not only did he grant Solomon great wisdom, He also promised he would make him wealthy. Solomon ended up wise, wealthy and very popular.

Wisdom is something we all should ask for, were we given a wish by God. Nothing is more important than being able to make wise choices and godly decisions. What’s nice to know, though, is that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it (James 15). It’s available for us as well. God promises it.

So then why do we make some very foolish decisions and destructive choices? Simply because we aren’t using God’s wisdom, we are using our own human understanding and that is very undependable. Even Solomon did the same thing when he took 700 wives and 300 concubines and turned to idolatry. He tried to find satisfaction in women, work, pleasure, riches., etc. – but none of it succeeded. He wrote about this in the book of Ecclesiastes. Even very wise people can err when they go by their wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.

The choice is ours. How we can ever think we know more or better than God is mind-boggling. But too often we do. Thankfully God is patient to forgive, restore and even turn use our bad choices to bring about good (Romans 8:28). Each day, though, we should ask God to grant the one wish He delights to give – godly wisdom.

Scripture
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 3:13-15, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-21, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’”

James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Reflect

Think of some times when you made decisions or choices without consulting God and going by His wisdom. What were the consequences?
Where do you need God’s wisdom in your life today? How will you know if you have it?
Take a few minutes now to pray and ask God for His wisdom in all your choices and decisions in life. Thank Him for it.

Time Out: A man after God’s own heart (David)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:14:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Who can figure God out? First, He says His people need to be holy and set apart from sin. Then He says that a man who was an adultery, murderer and admittedly poor father is a man after His own heart? So which is it? How can both be true? Yet they are, aren’t they. David is called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Yet David’s sins are apparent, and they aren’t minor.

Perhaps we should ask just what it means to be a man after God’s heart, for that is something for which we all should aspire. Obviously we’re not talking about sinless perfection. Paul seems to come the closest to this in the New Testament, and clearly wasn’t sinless, either – before or after salvation. So what does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart.

I think it means having a heart the same as God’s. Therefore having our desires, our motives, our goals, our values and our priorities line up with God’s. It means loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and looking at life as He looks at life. It is having His biblical world view of things in our minds and His love or righteousness and hate of sin in our hearts. You may see it differently, but I’ll stick with that definition because, in effect, it means being like Jesus. That is God’s ultimate goal for all of us – to be more Christ-like.

So can we be a man or woman who is after God’s own heart but still sin? Of course. John clearly reminds us that we won’t stop sinning (I John 1:8, 10) and Paul experienced this in his life as well (Romans 7). That means that you and I can be after God’s own heart. After all, a heart is internal, so its not external actions God is most concerned about. Just being like God externally is hypocrisy and we know how God feels about that. But if my heart beats with His heart, for the things His heart beats for, then I am after God’s own heart.

Oh what a wonderful goal in life, what a worthy dream to follow, to have a heart like God. That should be the desire of each and every one of us. What could be better than to have the mind of Christ and the heart of God?

Scripture
1 Samuel 13:14, “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Acts 13:22, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

1 Peter 3:3-4, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Reflect

In what ways have you seen your values and goals line up with God’s in the years since you became a Christian?
Where do you struggle most with being Christ like in thoughts and actions? What can you do about it today?
Spend some time in worship thanking God that you can become more like Him and for His perfect, wonderful character to emulate.

Time Out: Out of his comfort zone (Saul)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:35:34 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We all have choices to make in life: decisions about how we will adjust to what happens to us and attitude modifications as our faith gets stretched. For most of us these come in the form of negative, painful life experiences. For a few, though, like Saul, it comes through very good things happening.

Saul’s only claim to fame was that he was tall and good-looking, so everyone thought he would make a good king. But Samuel was a shy introvert, insecure and fearful of the spotlight. That’s why he hid when they wanted to make him king. We all know his story, how he was impatient and disobedient and eventually lost his life and his throne because of not obeying God. Instead of trusting God when he found himself in an rough place, outside his comfort zone, and asking God to help him rule the people, he let his fear and insecurity control him.

Thus his whole focus was on protecting himself, keeping control of his power, watching out for anyone who may have been a threat to him and reacting instead of acting. Envy, jealousy and manipulation characterized his life. Some times he would turn to God’s prophets for guidance, but more often he would turn to pagan gods for help. What a sad waste of a life.

So why did God choose him to be king? God wanted to show the people that judging a person solely by their outward appearance is wrong. God also wants to teach Saul that He could be trusted to be there for Saul and to help him rule as God wanted him to. Sadly, neither Saul nor the people learned their lesson.

Sscripture
1 Samuel 16:7, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Psalms 23:1-5, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Reflect

How often do you form opinions of someone by their appearance and your first impression of their personality? How often have you been wrong about the person when doing so?
When are you most guilty of judging someone by outward appearances?
How do you respond when put in a situation that is outside your comfort zone?
How sensitive are you to criticism? How often do you find yourself jealous or envious?
Ask God to help you see today’s challenges as opportunities to trust Him for your needs.

Time Out: The last shall be first (Ruth)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:37:07 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We seem to hear a lot about servanthood today and how God wants His people to be servants. Naturally we all consider ourselves to be servants. We believe we put others first and sacrifice for the needs of those who aren’t as well off as we are. And that may be true. But in the Bible there is the story of a woman who truly was a servant.

Ruth wasn’t a Jew. She was from Moab. When her future husband came to her country to live and asked her to be his wife she thought life would go on like it had for others. But that wasn’t the way God had it planned for her. Her husband, brother-in-law and father-in-law all died because they were out of God’s will in leaving Israel and turning to Gentiles. Thus Ruth found herself a young widow. Women then who weren’t married didn’t have many options, certainly no wholesome ones.

The smart thing for Ruth to do would be to return to her home town for she was young enough to remarry and have a husband and family. However her mother-in-law, Naomi, had no one so Ruth stayed with her. Ruth loved Naomi and her God as well. She committed herself to both of them, even though it meant moving to a strange land and living as an outsider in a foreign culture. In addition, this culture was one in which men were forbidden to marry Gentile women. So what future was there for Ruth in Israel? Still, she went.

Fortunately, God has provided for the needs of the poor by saying they could go into fields after they had been harvested and collect any grain that had been left. It was hard work, but at least there would be something to eat. So that’s what Ruth did to provide for Naomi and herself. It wouldn’t provide enough for the months ahead, but at least they could eat while the grain lasted.

Ruth was willing to give up everything to serve Naomi. She did it out of love. God saw this and smiled on her. So did Boaz, who owned the field where she gathered the grain. Boaz was so impressed by Ruth’s service to Naomi that he married her. God blessed her as well. She had a son named Obed who had a son named Jesse who had a son named David. Thus Ruth the Gentile widow ended up as an ancestor of Jesus Himself. Ruth was willing to give up everything to serve God. But when a person does that, God always out gives them. God always blesses those who are willing to serve Him. Jesus was the ultimate servant, and we’re never more like Him than when we are serving.

Scripture
Ruth 1:16-18, “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.’ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”

Matthew 20:26-28, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:35, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

John 13:14-16, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Reflect

When your friends think of those who are servants, will you come to mind?
Who is it hardest for you to serve? Why?
When is it hardest for you to serve? Why?
What can you do today to improve your service to others?
Pray and ask God to give you opportunities to serve others and Him today.

Time Out: What are you good for?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:55:49 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

One of the favorite New Testament stories for children is The Good Samaritan. Everyone knows how the Samaritan responds to another in need. That is why he is called “good.” But what exactly does “good” mean other than the opposite of “bad” how would we define good?

Goodness is defined as praiseworthy character; moral excellence. The Bible speaks often of the goodness of God (Ex 33:19; Rom 2:4). God’s goodness consists of righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace, mercy, and love. Goodness is also one of the fruits of the Spirit that should characterize Christian believers (Gal 5:22). Christians are called to goodness, even as God the Father is perfect and good (Matt 5:48). Goodness differs from the previous fruit, kindness, in that kindness is an outer action and goodness is the heart attitude that causes that action.

When used of God, “goodness” sometimes is used as a summary of all His attributes (Exodus 33:19). Goodness is all God is. To the extent that we are “good” we are like God. When we are lovable, virtuous and righteous we are like God.

Goodness can not be separated from holiness. Holiness of life will always expresses itself in always of doing what is in the best interest of others. Moral Goodness is not optional, to keep the Commandments and God’s Word must be a high priority. We must conform to all God’s laws and principles. Holiness is not listed as a fruit of the Spirit, for it is part of goodness. When we are holy we are good, when we are good we are holy.

There is a difference between being good and doing good. Being good comes when God’s Spirit indwells us at the moment of salvation. Doing good is the acting out of that inner goodness in everyday life. Being good is the holiness of Jesus that God gives us at salvation. Doing good is living a holy life in all we think, say and do. In essence, only God is good. But when He lives in us then we have His goodness, the fruit of His Spirit, which works through us.

The “good” Samaritan is a fine example to all of us of what happens when God’s goodness reigns in the heart. His love flows out of us to those around us. The good Samaritan wasn’t unique – we can and should all be like Him when God’s Spirit lives within.

Scripture
Psalms 25:8, “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.”

Romans 15:14, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”

Reflect

What comes to mind when you think of holiness? Where would you say God’s holiness is most evident in your life? Where do you need God’s help to be more like Him?
Think of some ways you can show God’s goodness to others through your actions today. What are they?
Ask God to fill you with His Spirit today and have Him manifest the fruit of goodness in your life.

Time Out: Christlike kindness

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:12:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

What do Pharaoh’s daughter rescuing Moses, Rahab helping the Jewish spies, David’s treatment of Mephibosheth and Elijah’s response to the woman whose son just died have in common? They all were showing kindness.

Kindness can be defined as God’s loyal love and favor toward His people. In the Old Testament, the word translated as “kindness” or “lovingkindness” refers to God’s long-suffering love — His determination to keep His promises to His chosen people in spite of their sin and rebellion (Deut 7:12; Hos 2:14-23). This attribute of God was shown through His divine mercy and forgiveness toward sinners when payment of sins through the sacrificial system was no longer effective (Deut 22:22; Ps 51:1).

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as “grace” best represents the idea of God’s kindness or lovingkindness. Because God has been gracious toward believers, they should treat all people with kindness or grace (Luke 6:35). All people are created in God’s image and should be treated accordingly, no matter how badly they have twisted and deformed that image (James 3:9). Kindness is not an apathetic response to sin, but a deliberate act to bring the sinner back to God (Hos 2:14-23; Rom 2:4).

God wants us to be kind to others because He is kind to us. Our kindness shows His kindness to others, and in doing so we become more like Him. Whenever we show love or compassion to others we are being kind. To an extend man can do that out of their old nature, but to show real kindness requires the presence and power of His Spirit for it means being kind to those who aren’t deserving of it and may retaliate with hate. Turning the cheek in love can’t be done without God’s power.

How can we become more kind? First, we need to submit to the will of God (Philippians 2:1-8). If we can’t submit to God’s will we won’t be able to submit to the needs of others. Then, we need a teachable spirit (James 1:21). We need to be open to instruction to make us more like Jesus. If we think we know it all already we will never grow more like Him. Finally, we need to have a consideration and love of others (Ephesians 4:1-2). We need to be able to put ourselves in other’s shoes and be sensitive to their needs.

Kindness is love in operation so others can see Jesus in us. We deeply appreciate God’s kindness to others. Others can experience His kindness through us.

Scripture
Proverbs 14:21, “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Galatians 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Reflect

Who comes to mind when you think of people who are kind? What is there about them that makes them stand out from others? (Make a list of traits or characteristics.)
How do you measure up to the list you just make?
Are you so focused on leading your ministry that you neglect doing little kind things for others?
Pick 2 or 3 of the traits you lack and pray about them, asking God to produce them in your life. Then make a list of things you can do today to meet these.

Time Out: Lord, give me patience and give it to me now!

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:54:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

The annual cost of those who run red lights is over $7 billion dollars. This includes medical bills, car repairs, etc. The average time saved by running a red light is less than 50 seconds. So why do so many do it? Impatience.

Patience is a fruit, a product of God’s Spirit. It isn’t part of the equipment we are born with. Have you ever met a patient newborn? No one has to learn how to be impatient. We are automatically made that way – its part of our self-centered sin nature.

A French proverb says, “Laziness is often mistaken for patience.” Perhaps the opposite is also true, patience is often mistaken for laziness. A mother once chided her doctor, when her daughter was ill and she was worried. “Why don’t you do something?” she asked. “I am doing something,” replied the doctor. “I am waiting.” Many of us have trouble determining when we are being patient and when we are being lazy.

We can define patience as bearing difficulties without complaint, trusting in a greater reason or purpose behind them. The Bible uses four different Greek words that are translated in various ways as patience. Each of these words emphasizes one aspect in one way or another of what we think of as patience. Paul said the fruit of the Spirit is “makrothymia.” This is a compound Greek word made up of the words “makro” meaning long, and “thymia” meaning anger. So literally it means LONG TO ANGER as opposed to “oxythymia” which means sudden anger. Longsuffering gives us the picture a person who in relation to those who annoy, oppose, or molest him, exercise patience. He refuses to yield to passion or to outbursts of anger.

What’s so great about patience? Why does God want us to be patient? One reason is because He wants us to be like Him and He is patient (2 Peter 3:9). Another reason is because He knows it is best for us to patiently trust and wait.

Every fruit I know of has a protective outer layer. We peel a banana or orange to eat the fruit inside. Others fruit like an apple or grape we will eat skin and all. The outer layer serves an important purpose; it helps keep the moisture inside the fruit, even in dry seasons. The outer peel will also protect the fruit and allow it to grow. If the outer peel or skin is broken or removed, then the fruit will rot and spoil. Patience is like that for the soul of man. Patience protects our hearts from becoming rancid—bitter and rotten to the core. God wants our lives to be sweet and appealing to others; that’s the purpose of the fruit of the Spirit to give our lives the aroma and taste of Jesus! The practical practice of patience restores and protects relationships. Godly patience enables us to show mercy instead of hate, to forgive instead of seek revenge. “Patience is the ability to put up with people you’d like to put down.”

Patience is love enduring; it’s love that lasts and won’t be broken by anger. We are to be patient; with a long fuse we give allowances for each other’s faults and shortcomings. It only comes from staying closely attached to Jesus, the vine (John 15:5). Then when trials come it means we place our faith in Him and default to His timing instead of taking things into our own hands (Romans 5:3; James 1:2-4).

Patience is not idleness; it doesn’t mean you do nothing. Patience is active. The patient man is always ready to meet his neighbor halfway; instead of building fences, patience builds bridges to maintain relationships. Further, patience is not simply a character trait or quality an individual may possess. PATIENCE IS A LIFESTYLE! It is a way of life that affects all our relationships. Patience is an expression of love because love is patient. Patience, being slow to anger enables us to live a good life. Patience will keep us from embarrassing ourselves by what we say or do.

Scripture
Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Isaiah 40:31, “They that WAIT on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Reflect

Would those who know you best say you are a patient person? Why or why not?
What seems to make you most impatient? What can you do about that?
Are there any particular people who seem to bring out impatience in you? Why?
Ask God to show you any impatience you may have within you now, then confess it as sin and ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and patience.

Time Out: I’ve got peace like a river

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:47:40 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Peace. We often talk about it but don’t always understand it. Sometimes we think of it as calm circumstances, a time when there aren’t external difficulties or stresses. Thus peace is the absence of trouble. Perhaps that is why we so often try to control our environment and pray for God to remove anything that stretches us. But there is a big difference between everything going OK in life and real peace deep within. We seldom live with circumstances perfect, but we can always have peace within, no matter what storms rage without.

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom’s basic meaning is wholeness and well-being in all areas of life. Real shalom isn’t something that we can produce ourselves any more than we can whip up unconditional love or deep joy. It has to come from God’s Spirit. It is His fruit. It is an inner contentment, an attitude of faith in God despite what we face in life.

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace because He alone brings peace. He isn’t called the Prince of Love or Hope, although He could have been. God blesses His people with peace (Psalm 29:11) because Jesus provided it on the cross (Ephesians 2:13-14).

The fruit of the Spirit is peace. Remember first, it’s FRUIT not fruits. Love is the blossom; peace is love trusting. God has placed His Spirit, His love within our lives. Therefore, while we may still live within a world in desperate need of peace, we trust God with absolute confidence for He is our peace.

Second, don’t forget it is the fruit of the SPIRIT, not the fruit of the saints. We cannot produce the fruit. This is spiritual fruit, and peace is only produced in our lives as we are connected to Jesus. He is the life giving vine by which we receive His Spirit in our lives. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing,” but when we are connected to Him we will “bear much fruit.” (See: John 15:5).

The first step to having peace in your life is to be connected to Jesus. Jesus went to the cross and died in your place. Jesus suffered torture and the most brutal of deaths to restore peace in your life. Therefore first we have peace WITH God (Romans 5:1), for the enmity is removed by the cross and He accepts us because Jesus paid for our sins. Then we have peace FROM God (Phil 4:7).

Scripture
Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…”

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Reflect

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much peace do you have in your life now? What is keeping it from being a 10? What do you need to do to make it a 10?
Is your first response to trouble to try and control circumstances or ask God for His peace?
Are your expectations for yourself or your ministry too high? Are you putting stress on yourself because you are evaluating your effectiveness by human standards?
Where do you need peace in your life right now? Ask Him for it now.

Time Out: A vessel unequal to the task (Gideon)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:31:20 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Gideon exhibits all the characteristics of someone with a poor self image. He was hiding in a pit when God’s messenger found him and sarcastically called him a “mighty warrior.” He said he was the least qualified person in the least qualified tribe to serve God. He even demanded using a fleece to make God prove Himself – twice!

When he did obey God he carried out his orders in the dark of night so he wouldn’t be seen, then he needed his unbelieving father to protect him from negative public opinion. So why did God choose a man like this? Because God chooses the weak in this world to carry out His plan for then He gets the credit and not the vessel (1 Corinthians 4:13).

Why does He choose you to do a job that you feel totally incapable of doing instead of someone who seems much better suited for the task? God does it so we depend on Him. If we could do something in our own strength, that’s what we would do. But if we know can’t do it we will turn to Him for help and we will depend on Him instead. It’s that simple, you think we’d have caught on by now.

But we don’t. Even Moses complained that he wasn’t able to lead the Jews when God spoke to him at the burning bush and sent him back to Egypt. God did the same thing with Gideon. He even made sure Gideon was out numbered by something like 300 to 1 so it would be clear God won the battle and not Gideon. And God certainly did win. But He used Gideon to do it.

God is a jealous God and He wants us to make sure we know He is the one who accomplishes good and not us. That keeps us from pride, the sin that first brought Satan down. However we can have “pride” in our inability as well. Self-focus can come from thinking we are better than others, but also by thinking we are worse than other. Seeing ourselves as less than God created us is just as sinful as seeing ourselves as more. Self-depreciation can be as bad as self-exaltation. In fact it can be worse for it is more subtle and even can hide behind Christian “humility” when really it is a self-absorbed as the most overt boastfulness. So don’t think of yourself more highly than you should (Romans 12:3) but also don’t think of yourself more lowly than you should either.

Scripture
Judges 6:15, “‘But Lord,’ Gideon asked, ‘how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’”

Matthew 22:37-40, “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 your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Reflect

What is God asking you to do or be now that you think is impossible?
List some times when you faced impossible tasks but, with God’s help, you were able to accomplish what needed to be done.
What can you learn from these times?
When is the last time you took credit for something God did? How can you prevent this from happening in the future?
Would your friends say you think too much of yourself? What about thinking too little of yourself?
Why is thinking less of yourself than God thinks of you a sin?

Time Out: God wants availability more than ability (Deborah and Jael)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:25:06 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Even today it isn’t easy for a woman to be a leader, but in the times of the Judges it was almost unheard of. Deborah was such a woman. Her story is in Judges 4 and 5. She was the spokeswoman for God. Even though Barak was the leader of the army, he wouldn’t do anything without her. He lacked courage to lead. Deborah trusted in God and had courage to be used by God however he chose.

Not only did God use Deborah, he also used another woman, Jael, to kill Sisera the general of the army of Hazor. She showed lots of courage and ingenuity in luring him into her tent then driving a tent spike through his temple when he was asleep. Clearly these women get the credit for the Jews victory over their enemies.

There are several clear lessons from this event. Not only can and will God use women, He will use anyone who is available and willing to serve Him. It’s not our ability that God looks for – He can give that to anyone He wants. It’s our availability He requires.

We also learn from Deborah the importance of courage. Both these women risked their lives in following God. Had anything gone wrong they would have been killed. Following God is not risk free. Even today there are dangers and threats for those who would be servants of God. Being courageous doesn’t mean we aren’t afraid, but it means we don’t let our fear keep us from doing what needs to be done. Courage isn’t being fearless but it is having victory over our fear. There will always be obstacles in our lives – opportunities to fear. But when there is an opportunity to fear there is also an opportunity to trust. Which is it for you?

Scripture
Judges 4:9, “‘Very well,’ Deborah said, ‘I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman.’”

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Acts 20:24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Romans 8:14-15, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Reflect

Do you ever look down on someone, thinking God can’t or won’t use them for a special ministry?
Do others think you show courage in serving the Lord?
Where or when do you have the hardest time showing courage? When you get the most afraid?
What can you do about it?

Time Out: Content to be number 2 (Caleb)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:32:42 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Contentment. It’s not standard equipment for human beings! Babies don’t have it – they want what they want when they want it. Learning contentment is a lifelong process and often a very painful one at that. Even Paul said he had to learn patience through the things he suffered (Philippians 4:11-12).

Caleb is one of those unsung heroes in the Bible who never had a movie made about him. But his life is one of devotion and faithfulness under difficult circumstances. Only he and Joshua had faith that God could defeat the giants and give the promised land to the Jews. The other 10 spies influenced the people with their fear and as a result the nation wandered for 40 years until that whole generation dies off. Only Joshua and Caleb remained to enter the land. Caleb had to suffer the consequences of disobedience even though he stayed faithful to God. Imagine having 40 years of your life wasted because of the sin of others?

Then when they entered the land God chose Joshua to replace Moses. Caleb was passed over, but he had a good attitude and helped Joshua any way he could. His faith didn’t waver for when Joshua offered him his choice of the land he picked the very place where the giants were the strongest. Then he and his clan defeated them by themselves (with God’s help). What a story of lifelong devotion, of faithfulness, of willingness to be a support player and help in any way he could. What an example Caleb is for us today.

Scripture
Philippians 4:11-12, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Numbers 14:23-24, “Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”

Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Reflect

Do you get jealous when someone else gets more attention than you?
Are you content in your present situation, or does discontent keep popping up in your heart?
Are you willing to be a good number two man, supporting others without getting the credit yourself?
Is you faith stronger now than when you first believed, or has the unfairness and injustice in life caused you to start doubting God?

Time Out: Watch out for those easy decisions (Joshua)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:04:38 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Some decisions seem so easy we don’t even give them a second thought. The answer seems obvious. Why even bother God with it? So we made the decision and think nothing more of it – until later we realize that it started us on the wrong path. Think back on your own life, how many major difficulties started with what seemed like a small thing, a little decision that seemed simple at the time.

Joshua had such a time himself. God directed Joshua through the Jordan River and to victory over Jericho. Defeating tiny Ai seemed no problem after watching mighty Jericho crumble, but the Jews were defeated. They didn’t go to God first or they would have learned that there was sin in the camp.

Then when the Gibeonites offered to sign a treaty with the Jews Joshua thought it was a sure thing. At first glance it was evident they had come from a long distance so they couldn’t be part of the people that God said had to be destroyed. After signing the treaty Joshua found out they had fooled him and were really from nearby.

But it even gets worse. The Gibeonite’s neighbors attacked them because they signed the treaty with Israel so Joshua had to come to their assistance. Here he finds himself defending the very people he was supposed to destroy – all because making the treaty seemed like such a simple decision that he didn’t go to God with it. God bailed him out and turned it to good by using the battle to destroy many Canaanite tribes. God even sent hail and kept the sun from setting until they were destroyed.

Now we don’t have to pray and wait for an answer about what color socks to wear in the morning, but we must be careful about quick, simple decisions that seem OK without asking God. Things are not always what they seem, as Joshua discovered. We, too, are open to deception. Be very careful, always run it by God first.

Scripture
John 8:44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

John 8:31-32, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Reflect

What lessons can you learn from times when you didn’t go to God for advice before making a decision? How can you prevent that from happening next time?
How can you help someone who seems to be making a poor decision and it leaving God out of it?

Time Out: Never quit

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:26:17 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels is known for running a fumble the wrong way in the 1929 Rose Bowl. His error cost his team the victory. Roy was devastated. He sat in the corner of the locker room at half time with a towel over his head and cried. But his coach made him get back in the game and he played the second half at such a high level of intensity that his teammates voted him captain of the team for the next year. Roy didn’t quit.

Americans seem to have a real love for the underdog, the upset victory, the big come from behind victory. I think that’s because we can identify with them and we love a good ending. We fantasize that the same thing will happen in our life. That’s why movies like Invincible and Facing the Giants have been so popular. In the first movie, an average citizen tries out for the Eagles, makes the team, and contributes to their victories. The later is about a high school team that goes from perennial losers to state champs. We love them because the underdog doesn’t quit and so ends up winning.

It’s easy to quit in the Christian life, as well. It’s often tempting to not suit up, get in the game, play our position and stay tough despite the hits and hardships. Discouragement is one of the enemy’s biggest tools against us. But God blesses us when we persevere and stay faithful.

To persevere without quitting takes strength and endurance. Physically, athletes need a healthy diet, good rest and proper training. The same is true for us spiritually. Spiritual junk food may make us feel good for a moment, but its only when we nourish ourselves in His Word that we will be strong enough to endure and not quit.

We also need proper rest – peace that comes only from God. When we are tired, stressed and frustrated we can easily become discouraged and want to quit. Then we can persevere in prayer, Bible reading and holy living. We can keep going when it is hard to reach out to others, forgive those who hurt us and love those who aren’t easy to love.

So put on the uniform God provides, get in the game and don’t quit no matter how tough it gets. Even if it seems you’re losing and a comeback seems impossible, remember you’re the victor in Jesus. Talk about a great comeback! Imagine being nailed to a cross and hit with the eternal hell punishment for every sin ever committed? Who would have thought He’d win? But He did. What an upset! What a comeback! What a great ending! Because of His victory we are victors as well. So don’t quit no matter what. He didn’t quit on you, don’t quit on Him.

Scripture
Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

James 5:10-11, “Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

2 Timothy 2:3, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Reflect

Do you spend quality time each day connecting with God, talking to Him as well as listening to Him, and studying His Word?
What usually gets you discouraged quickest? (The enemy knows, so you better know as well.) What can you do about it?
Think of someone you know who is discouraged and out of the game. What can you do today to help them?

Time Out: Get tough

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:03:26 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Football is a contact sport. It’s a tough game. There are 15 times as many injuries in football as in bowling or tennis, ten times as many as in gymnastics. Football players get hurt. That’s why there is always an injury report for each team listed in the newspaper or on line.

But, you know, life is a contact sport. Life is tough. You can’t get in the game and play your position for very long without receiving some hard hits from your opposition. If you want to keep your uniform clean and neat don’t go in the fame. When you are playing your best you’ll get dirty, you’ll get hit. You’ll get scars and limps. Life is full of pain and suffering, of injustice and rejection, of fear and disappointment. The more we try to be like Jesus the more the enemy will attack us. He can’t get at Jesus so he takes it out on us.

Many Christians solve that problem by getting out of the game and watching from the sidelines. They’ve discovered they don’t get dirty, they don’t get hit when they aren’t suited up and playing their hardest. They give in to the intimidation of the enemy.

So why doesn’t God protect His people from the contact and tackles of the enemy? He Himself wasn’t immune and we are certainly no better than Him. Plus, God allows them at a means of strengthening us. They become opportunities to get stronger, to trust God and obey Him. When we get to heaven there won’t be any more hits, but in this life they are our way of standing for Him and showing the world by our example all He can do for a person.

God allows us to get knocked down some times to help us get our eyes back on Him (Hebrews 12:5-11). Even the dirty cheap shots the enemy takes at God’s children are used for God’s glory and our growth. Job is an example of that. Hosea and Paul are examples of those who took some major hits for God’s cause.

So put on your uniform, get in the game and take your hits. The game isn’t as long as you think – there’s less time than we realize. Soon the whistle will blow and that will be it. Then we’ll enjoy the fruits of victory for all eternity. But now its time to get tough! And if you ever think the game is too hard, remember Jesus. He took the really bit hits on the cross for us. What we face is nothing compared to Him. He got tough for you – can you get tough for Him?

Scripture
2 Corinthians 1:8-9, “Brothers and sisters, we don’t want you to be ignorant about the suffering we experienced in the province of Asia. It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living. In fact, we still feel as if we’re under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life.”

James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

1 Peter 4:19, “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

John 15:2, “Every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Romans 8:28, “All things work together for Good for the benefit of those who love Him.”

1 Peter 4:16, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name.”

Reflect

What is your attitude to the things in life that are hard, unfair, or painful? Do you resent them and feel sorry for yourself, assuming God should make you exempt from them?
What can you do to help a friend going through a hard time? What can you do today?
Take a moment and write out a plan of how you should approach the difficulty you are currently facing.

Time Out: Be Offensive

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:58:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

It’s been said that a good offense wins football games but a good defense wins championships. A solid defense is crucial, but if a team can’t score they’ll never win even if they hold their opponents to no points. Every team needs a good offense, too. Winning teams can slowly but surely move the ball down the field to score. They can also score from far away. When necessary they can grind it up, using the clock and moving the ball down the field. A strong offense brings victory.

God provides for our offense as well. Not only does He give us ways to defend ourselves against the enemy’s attacks, He also provides a way for us to go on the offensive, to take the battle to the enemy, and to win. That is through the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

When Jesus was tempted He quoted Scripture to have victory over Satan’s temptations. Psalm 119:9,11 tell us that it’s through God’s Word that we have victory. When we have negative thoughts and attacks we must use Scripture to have victory. Ask God to give you some verses that will help against these things, write them down and memorize them. Say them over and over when these thoughts attack you. That is the only way to victory, and God guarantees it will work!

So every morning before getting up and getting into the game you must put on your uniform. Put on the helmet of salvation so you have God’s thoughts, the breastplate of righteousness (pads) to protect yourself from sin by Jesus’ holiness, and the belt of truth to keep from being deceived by the enemy’s lies.

In addition, put on the shoes of peace so your daily standing is secure, take up the shield of faith (stiff arm those trying to tackle you) so you can face whatever happens in strong faith, and pick up the sword of the Word of God, which is the only way to move ahead against the enemy. Study, memorize and quote Scripture against whatever comes up in your life. When you wear His uniform you can enter the game assured of victory. But you have to put it on and use it!

Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Reflect

Each morning, before getting out of bed, mentally put on the uniform God has provided so you can get in the game and defeat the enemy of your soul.
When in ministry its easy to use the Word each day without really personally feeding on it. Are you guilty of this? What do you need to do today to correct this?
What part of the uniform are you weakest in? That’s where the enemy will attack to defeat you. What can you do to be stronger in that area?
What are some of your favorite verses to use when attacked? Make sure they are always available. No matter how good a defense you have, winning only comes by attacking your opponent using the Word of God.

Time Out: Wear your pads

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:46:28 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

When is the last time you saw a football player run onto the field without wearing pads? They know how dangerous that would be. Football pads are very expensive but totally necessary. Without them injuries would occur that would know the player out of the game. The team owner is willing to provide the best equipment so his players can perform at maximum efficiency.

Our owner, God, has spared no expense in providing us with the breastplate of righteousness. The cost was the life of His dear Son on the cross. Without His righteousness we would be doomed and defeated by sin. But when we are covered by His blood and righteousness we are safe from any condemnation for His righteousness protects us.

While the belt isn’t the most glamorous part of a football players uniform, he’s in trouble without it! Thigh pads would pull his pants down and hinder his progress. It wouldn’t take much for him to trip and fall. Without our belt of truth we’ll trip and fall as well. The enemy slips us eyes to cause us to stumble. Only by knowing and applying God’s truth can we keep our spiritual balance.

Another very important part of a football players equipment is his footwear. Correct foot wear is necessary to prevent injury and to provide stable footing for running and cutting. If a player is slipping and sliding he is worthless to his team. Players have dozens of different shoes to choose from to assure stable footing and safety.

God also provides an outer wall of protection, our shield of faith. Just as a good stiff arm can keep a tackler from us, so a strong faith in God can keep doubt and fear away. This is our outer protection.

God provides His followers with “sandals of peace” so we can enjoy our safe footing in Him and stand secure against anything the enemy throws against us. Operating from a base of peace is the only way to move on to victory in life. God provides that for us as well.

Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”

John 8:31-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Reflect

Ask God to show you any lies of the enemy you are believing. How are they causing you to stumble? What truth of God can you use to defeat these lies?

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Time Out: Wear your helmet

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 05:50:55 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Football is a touch sport. Thus, it requires special equipment to protect those who participate. The players don’t have to provide their own equipment, the team owner does that. But players must avail themselves of the equipment and use it. How foolish would it be for a football player to decided he didn’t want to wear a helmet, or to leave his cleats in the locker room? God also provides the protection those who fight on His team need.

The helmet is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a football player. Last year 36,412 football related head injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms. These can cause lifelong disability or paralysis – or even death. That’s why new rules state that a play is immediately dead if a player loses his helmet.

For the Christian, too, proper head protection is essential. We are first attacked in our thoughts and attitudes, our motives and values, our priorities and beliefs. Every sin starts as a thought. All our actions begin as ideas and beliefs. Thoughts determine actions. The enemy attacks our mind to defeat or discourage us. So God provides the helmet of salvation to guard our thoughts.

The helmets of some football players contain small radios so the coach can talk directly to the player and give him the guidance he needs. We, too, need to listen to God as He guides and directs us through our game of life. So get in the game, play your decision but make sure you wear your helmet when you do so!

Scripture
Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand…. Take the helmet of salvation…”

Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Reflect

How is your thought life? If the images and thoughts that you allow in your head were broadcast for your family and friends to see, how would you feel?
Take a moment to confess any and all thoughts or attitudes that are sin.
Would you say your attitude to your ministry is what God would want it to be? Where does it need to change? Pray about that now.
Ask God to put His helmet of salvation on your head daily so you have His thoughts and the mind of Christ.

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Time Out: Play your position

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:55:47 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

A football team is composed of many players each of whom plays a different position. There is offense, defense, special teams, kickers, and so forth. Everyone has a little different job to do and they must all work together. If only 9 players run onto the field to try and score against a defense of 11 players, what will happen is obvious. Each player must be doing his part in order for the team to win. If only a quarterback went to play he’d never accomplish anything. Or if 11 quarterbacks went out then what would happen? As a group the purpose is to defeat the opposition, but each contributes in their own unique way.

That’s the way it is with Christians as well. God gives each of us special abilities, spiritual gifts and talents. He assigns us to the position He wants us to play and gives us each our own unique mission in life. If we don’t accomplish what He wants we are hurting the whole team effort. If someone in a family or church isn’t functioning as God wants them to the whole group is hurt. When we don’t pray, give, serve, help or witness as God would have us then everyone is the loser. That’s why so many families, churches and ministries struggle. Everyone has a part and everyone must play their part.

The best teams don’t succeed just because of a superstar, they win consistently because everyone plays together well as a team. The 1972 Miami Dolphins were the only professional football team to go undefeated through a whole season. They aren’t remembered for any outstandingly great players but for their play as a team. Any coach wants that. Our great coach, God, wants the same thing from His players. So get in the game and play your position!

Scripture
A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together… If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it. 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (MSG)

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)

…each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. (1 Corinthians 7:7)

At the moment of salvation when the believing person is baptized into the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit gives to every believer one or more gifts, God-given abilities for service as He chooses (1 Corinthians 12:11)

Reflect

What position does God want you to play in His game plan? Are you playing it?
What are some abilities that God has given you which you aren’t using? Why?
Are there any areas in which God would have you serve but you aren’t? Why aren’t you?
Is there anything you’re doing that someone else should be doing? What can you do to have others do that so you don’t have to?
Are you a good team player? Would others say you are a good team player? How can you improve in this area?
Are you more interested in your own performance, your statistics, what awards you get – or in the accomplishments of the whole group?

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Time Out: Cheap travel for 2009

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:15:55 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We recently went on a trip, but did it differently than is usually done. We found out at the last minute we had to use up some vacation time or lose it, so we had to plan a special trip in just a few days. Normally we would dream about where we wanted to go and then start making plans, but this time we first looks for a cheap airplane ticket and when we found something unbelievable affordable its destination became where we decided to spend our time. Finding a last-minute deal at a resort was easy because the economy was causing everyone to lower prices, especially for rooms that would have been going unused. Finding a cheap airfare is easy if you aren’t particular about the destination. We ended up in Cancun!

The point of telling you all that is to make an analogy with life. Many people live their lives like we planned our trip. Instead of picking a destination and planning how to get there, they just go in what seems the easiest, cheapest direction. What ever seems like fun and doesn’t take a lot of effort is the path their life takes.

There definitely is a down side to planning this way. While we saved a lot of money on travel, our travel days started at 2 AM and didn’t end until late in the evening. When life is lived this way there are definitely hidden costs that at first one doesn’t expect.

How are you entering 2009? Do you have a definite destination in mind for yourself spiritually, emotionally, educationally, socially, financially and relationally in 2009? Or are you just going to take whatever comes easiest and follow that path? If you don’t know what you are shooting for you’ll never hit the target! And sometimes we don’t want to shoot at anything. We just want to stay safely at home and not risk the difficulties or travel. We don’t want to leave the comfort of where we are now at so we don’t grow or stretch. That may be safe, but it doesn’t bring growth.

How should we plan for 2009? First spend time in prayer and meditation evaluating where you are in life spiritually, emotionally, etc. Then think about where you’d like to be a year from now. The goal should be large enough to challenge and stretch you, but not so far out that it is unattainable and discourages you. When you have an idea then start planning. As in any trip, research where you are going and how to get there. Talk to others who have made the trip to get advice from them. Plan it all step by step, like you would a vacation. Then carry out your plans just like when you travel.

Living this way is more costly than taking the cheapest and easiest route, but you must be willing to pay the price if you want to get to the destination. Life often puts detours and obstacles in your way. There are very few direct flights from where you now are to where you want to be next year, so be prepared for some tough travel conditions. That means be flexible, but always keep moving toward your goal. See the obstacles as challenges. Remember, the process is the key, for without the process there is no product. We just want to get there, but God is more concerned about the process. When God is your travel agent and plans your trip it may not be as smooth and easy as you’d like, but you can be sure the destination is worth it.

So have a nice trip – no matter what it is like. Take it one step at a time. By the time the end of December 2009 rolls around you’ll be glad you did!

Reflect
Take a few minutes to pray and meditate about where you are now and where God wants you to be in the following areas. Write down what He shows you.

Spiritual
Emotional
Relational – spouse
Relational – family
Relational – friends
Educational/career
Social
Financial

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Time Out: When it doesn’t seem like Christmas

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:07:44 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Because of a last minute change in my wife’s vacation policy at work we ended up taking our 30th wedding anniversary 6 months early – less than 2 weeks before Christmas. Fortunately a poor economy and last-minute rock-bottom rates enabled us to get an unbelievably great deal and last week we found ourselves at a beautiful resort near Cancun, sitting on the beach. Our biggest concern was making sure we didn’t get too sun burnt! It certainly wasn’t like any other Christmas season I had ever experienced!

There was a Christmas tree in the lobby of the resort. Here and there throughout town were subtle reminds that it was almost Christmas. Every once in a while Felice Navidad could be heard playing in the background. But it definitely did not seem like Christmas.

I sat on the beach one day pondering that whole idea of what Christmas should “seem” like. Being from Pennsylvania, it seems like cold weather and snow, family traditions and decorations, singing Christmas carols in church, shopping, sending cards and visiting friends. That’s what Christmas seems like to me. But as I sat on that beach I was struck with reality of it all – what does cold weather and familiar activities have to do with the birth of Jesus? Absolutely nothing! Not a thing I associated with Christmas had anything to do with God Himself leaving heaven to come to earth to pay for my sins. Clearly the birth of God’s Son wasn’t the central focus of the holiday I was celebrating. It was a quite sobering thought, a humbling revelation.

I’m as quick as anyone to reject the idea of a “Winter Holiday” as secular and insist it is Jesus’ birthday I celebrate. Yet when it doesn’t “seem” like His birthday without my cultural traditions it makes me wonder. What should Christmas really “seem” like anyway?

Then my thoughts ran to how God looks at our customs at this time of year. Is He angry? Upset? Disappointed? Jealous? Quite honestly, I don’t think He minds the traditions and customs that make it “seem” like Christmas, as long as we keep Jesus as the central focus of it all. He created the colors and sounds, the smells and tastes, the music and togetherness that makes this time of year special. Yet if that is all it is then something is missing. Why even bother? Clearly many of our fellow vacationers didn’t bother at all. This whole massive event we put on every December can either help us remember the reason for the season, or it can keep us so busy we leave Jesus our of His own birthday party.

How can we keep Him in focus? It has to happen in our hearts and devotion, in our love and praise to Him, in giving Him the credit for all we have and telling others about Him. It transcends location and weather, traditions and cultural events. It may not “seem” like the Pennsylvania Christmas celebration I am used to when I sit on a Mexican beach right before Christmas, but then it isn’t the externals that make it Christmas anyway – it’s what happens in my heart. That’s where the real celebration takes place, wherever my body is.

So if this applies to you, if things have changed and it doesn’t “seem” like Christmas, realize that you are looking at the wrong things. The essence of the season is a God who loves us so much He gave up everything so we could one day be with Him in heaven. And if your ducks are all lined up so that it “seems” like Christmas to you, make sure you look within and not at the external celebration to find what Christmas is all about. If it “seems” like Christmas or not doesn’t matter. It is – because God Himself came to earth in human flesh! And that’s where our center of attention must be!

Reflect
If you would like to focus a bit more on Jesus this season here are some suggestions.

Pray and ask God to return to you the special “magic” of this season, to give you a fresh awe and wonder concerning the miracle of His coming to earth.
Write Him a card expressing your love. Then get a gift for Jesus. Do something that would please Him like helping someone in need, getting a gift for those without finances, make a donation to a worthy charity or ministry, etc.
Memorize some or all of the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke.
Make sure you have a special time of devotions each day. Focus on family devotions as well. Don’t be too busy for this.
Take time to discuss some of your favorite memories of past Christmas celebrations.
Reach out to someone without family and include them in your family events.
Read the words of some Christmas carols slowly, thinking about what they mean. You can even use them as the basis of a prayer.
Write down a list of how your life would be different if Jesus has never come to earth.
Have a birthday cake for Jesus first thing Christmas morning. Read the Christmas story in Luke and sing happy birthday to Jesus.

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Time Out: Get in the game

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:45:41 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Since the 1990s, football has surpassed baseball as the most popular spectator sport in the U.S. The 32-team National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional league. Its championship game, the Super Bowl, is watched by nearly half of US television households, and is also televised in over 150 other countries. College football is also popular. College games are widely televised with millions of viewers. Yet despite the large numbers of people who enjoy watching football, it like other sports was created to be played, not watched. Football is not supposed to be a spectator sport. The real benefit and enjoyment comes not from watching others participate but by getting involved ones self.

The Christian life is that way as well. Living for Jesus isn’t a spectator sport, although many Christians have taken themselves off the field and watch others from the sidelines. But that’s not the way to really benefit. Each one needs to pick their side, get dressed (put on the pads/armor) and get in the game. Sure, you’ll get bumped around some and you’ll get dirty, but football is a game to be played, not just watched.

Perhaps there was a time when you were really living for Jesus. You read the Bible and prayed each day, talked to others about Him, were involved in your local church – and loved every minute of it. But it got hard and you got banged up a bit, so now you find yourself on the sidelines watching others take on the enemy for God’s sake. Or perhaps you got busy doing other things and you got distracted and before you knew it you were on the sidelines. It’s time to get back in the game! There’s not much time left on the clock so make the most of it. You know you’re on the winning team. So get in the game!

Scripture
Joshua 24:14-15, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Reflect

How does your commitment as a young Christian compare to your commitment now? Have you faded and taken yourself out of the game? Spend some time asking yourself why. Be honest with yourself.
Being in the ministry doesn’t mean you are really in the game. It’s easy to fake it. Are there any areas in your life where you have withdrawn from living as God would have you?
What do you need to do to get back in the game in that area?
What can you say to a friend who is watching from the sidelines?

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Time Out: Knowing when to act and when to let go (Miriam)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:32:01 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Miriam was an excellent older sister! She was 8 years older than Aaron and 12 years older than Moses. She courageously risked herself to watch her brother when he was put in the basket in the bull-rushes, then flawlessly carried out her part of the plan by suggesting her own mother nurse the baby which Pharaoh’s daughter had found.

Yes, Miriam was quite the person. She was a natural leader. The women of Israel looked to her for leadership and followed her words and example. This is clearly seen in her guiding the women to sing and dance praising God for their deliverance through the Red Sea. She was a good leader, and pointed others to God. But when it was time to step aside from her position as the number one woman in Israel and let Moses’ new wife take that role, she balked. She criticized Moses publicly, and got Aaron to join her. Because of her jealous display God struck her with leprosy but Mosses prayed for and God healed her. This hit her hard and seemed to have taught her what she needed to realize: the Lord gives and the Lord takes, away – blessed be the name of the Lord!

Jealousy can be an insidious monster. We often don’t realize we are acting in jealousy until we are far into it. Then we still justify it and blame the other for it. It can be hard to let another take our place, to see someone else praised instead of us, to submit our will to a new leader or to humble ourselves to take second place. Watch for jealousy today. When do you find yourself most prone to jealousy? Why? What should you do about it instead? Remember to keep your eyes on Jesus, not others or yourself, and it’ll go much better for you.

Scripture
Proverbs 27:4, “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”

Romans 13:13, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”

2 Corinthians 12:20, “I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”

Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

Reflect

Who are you most jealous of at this time in life?
What makes you jealous of others? If you don’t know your weak areas you won’t be able to defend them.
Do you know of anyone who is jealous of you? What would Jesus have you do about that?

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Time Out: What’s so bad about being a people-pleaser? (Aaron)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:43:20 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Everyone likes to be liked. We all want to be accepted. Most people are more interested in doing what is popular rather than what is right. Some people are especially susceptible to peer pressure. Like Peter, they have a hard time standing for the truth if they know they may be disliked for it. Aaron, Moses’ brother, was such a man.

Aaron was a nice enough guy. Everyone liked him. He seemed to have the gift of gab. That’s why Moses insisted Aaron be the spokesman for God and not he himself. Aaron was easy to like because he made himself likeable. He wouldn’t do or say anything to offend anyone. That’s why when the Jews asked him to make a golden calf to worship because Moses had been on Mt. Sinai too long and wasn’t coming back, he went along and did it. That’s why when Moses did return and held him accountable for this sin he blamed the people and the fire: “I just threw some gold into the fire and out came this golden calf!” And that’s why when Miriam attacked Moses in jealousy Aaron went along. After all, resisting big sister Miriam was not something Aaron was able to do.

There’s nothing wrong with being liked, with doing what needs to be done to please others, with being concerned about what others think – as long as the “others” is God Himself and no one else. When we have to choose between pleasing Him and pleasing others we must always choose Him. Peter himself went wrong here when he denied the Lord 3 times. He doesn’t put on the immediate pressure others do, but what He desires is always for our best as well as his. Jesus Himself said we are in trouble if everyone likes everything we do (Luke 6:26). Others just think about themselves, not us – but God has what is best for us in mind always. So watch out today for places where you give in to please others and remember God is watching. So who do you want to please today? Make sure it is God!

Scripture
Luke 6:26, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”

James 4:4, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

John 15:19-20, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’”

Reflect

Do you have a strong need for the approval of others?
Has it ever gotten you into trouble? Has it caused you to do or say something you shouldn’t have?
What should you do to not be overly influenced by what others think or say?

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Time Out: Going deeper than thankfulness

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:44:40 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

I’m sure God likes Thanksgiving. I’m sure He likes it when we sing songs of thankfulness and share what He has done for us in the past year. I’m sure He appreciates it when we recognize all the blessings we have. What parent wouldn’t be happy to have their children thank them?

But something bothers me about our thankfulness. It seems too shallow. It’s fine to recognize all the wonderful things He has given us as a nation and to appreciate the many good things He has given each of us individually. There’s nothing wrong with that. My problem is that it makes ME the one who determines what God has done that is “good.” If I like it, if it benefits me, if my life is better or easier because of it, then it is “good” and God deserves to be thanked. The rest of the stuff? Forget it!

We thank God that we live in a land of plenty, but do we thank Him that the economy has taken a down-turn? Never! That just gives us something to thank Him for next year when things are (hopefully) better economically. Do you get my point here? Who am I to pass judgment on what God does and label some of it “good” and the rest, well, just “not as good?” I am way out of bounds when I start determining what in my life is worthy of thanks and what isn’t.

Sure, I like it when my children thank me for something. but what about all I do to benefit them which they don’t like, or which they don’t even know about. Shouldn’t I be thanked for that as well? Is there really any less reason to thank me for that? And wouldn’t it be even better if, instead of thanking me for everything I do, they just thank me for being me, for loving and caring for them? Now that’s the very best for me, and I think for God as well.

So instead of just thanking Him for things He has done that we approve of, lets praise and worship Him for Who and what He is — a God who loves, cares, sacrifices, shows mercy, forgives, restores and does everything that is right for us, if we “approve” of it or not. Who would want a God who only did things to please us? A good parent does what is right and best for their child, not only what is popular. Let’s praise our Heavenly Father because He is the same way!

So enjoy Thanksgiving, give God all the thanks you can, all year round, but don’t stop there. Go deeper and praise Him for the wonderful, marvelous, loving God He is. Don’t pass judgments on all His actions, praise Him because you know He does everything for our growth and His glory.

Scripture
Ephesians 5:19-20, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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.”

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Reflect

How would you rate your attitude of gratitude? Do you sometimes presume on God or do you take credit for things He does?
Do you usually remember to thank Him for all you have in your life? Do so now.
Spend time now in praise and worship to God for Who and what He is.

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Time Out: The danger of anger (Moses)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:35:36 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Anger is one of those sins that we all struggle with. We seem to explain it away by saying it is the fault of the one who caused it, or it is just the kind of person we are. While there certainly is a right time and right way to be angry, most of the anger we deal with is destructive to ourselves and to others. Take Moses as an example. Moses was gifted, intelligent and a wonderful leader. But he had one problem that kept him from entering the promised land – his anger.

When trying to protect a Jewish slave, he killed an Egyptian in anger. Later he got angry at Pharaoh for not allowing the Jews to leave Egypt. And when he came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets of the law and saw the Jews sinning, he threw them down and broke them in anger. But the final straw, after a lifetime of God working with him so he would overcome his anger problem, was when he struck the rock, twice, instead of just speaking to it as God had said. Moses defeated many great enemies in his lifetime, but was defeated by one that overcame him – his own anger.

Anger that is sinful is a secondary emotion. Instead of feeling pain or fear (both primary emotions) we substitute anger instead. When we are hurt and don’t want to admit the pain, but turn it against other people or things in anger. When we are afraid of something we often try to control it by anger, for the adrenaline rush we get and the control we gain over others who give in to our anger seem to deed our misconception. But in truth, pain can only be handled by feeling and working through the pain. Fear can only be handled by admitting and working through the fear. It’s harder, but healthier. What about your anger – is it a cover for pain, or a way of trying to control circumstances? Keep note today, you may be surprised by what you discover. The best cure for anger is to properly handle the primary emotion behind it – pain or fear.

Scripture
Psalm 4:4, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”

Ephesians 4:26-28, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Proverbs 19:11, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

Proverbs 14:29, “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.”

Reflect

Would those who know you best describe you as an angry person?
When you do you have the most problem with your anger?
Take some time to pray and confess your anger. Ask God for the fruit of patience in your life. Write out a plan of better ways to respond instead of anger.

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Time Out: You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Joseph)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:59:51 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

The path to maturity is never easy. It always includes stretching and suffering. But it is always worthwhile. We may not appreciate that until it is over but then we are thankful for how God has worked in our life. That certainly was true of Joseph, the Old Testament patriarch.

We first see Joseph tattling on his older brothers. Then he shares with them how God is going to elevate him over them and how they will one day bow down to him. So they take the first opportunity that comes their way to get rid of him and make a little profit for themselves. They sell him to slave traders. I can’t imagine how Joseph must have felt about God’s role in allowing it. God did provide a good master to serve and blessed Joseph’s work, but then he was falsely accused of being involved with his master’s wife and put in prison. Again God prospered his work, but I’m sure Joseph would have rather had God keep him out of these situations to begin with. Nevertheless, God did use them in a special way to bring Joseph’s family into Egypt so they would not die in the famine and also so they would not intermarry with the unbelievers around them but grow into a mighty nation for God.

How have you seen God work in your life in the past? As you look back can you see events and circumstances that were painful but that matured you and brought you closer to God? What about what is happening now, could God be doing the same thing through the present situation in your life? If so, how should you be facing it now in order to learn what God has for you – and in the quickest time possible?

Scripture
James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

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.”

Matt 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Luke 6:22, “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

Reflect

Thank God for the times He has bailed you out and protected you from the harm others meant for you.
Thank Him for the times He did this and you don’t even realize He did it.
Thank Him, too, for the times he let you go through suffering unfairly because He had a greater plan and purpose for you in it.
If you are going through something now that isn’t fair, how can the lessons from Joseph’s life help you?

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Time Out: What goes around comes around (Jacob)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:11:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

‘”Do unto others before they do unto you” seems to be the life motto of many people these days. Some have worked hard to perfect that lifestyle. Others just seem to be their victims. Often those who can claw and fight their way to the top of the food chain are envied by others, even if they aren’t liked. Getting the results we want seems to be the final goal, no matter how it is done. But that’s nothing new.

Jacob was good at that. He tricked his father Isaac and his twin brother Esau. He ended up with the largest part of the inheritance, as well as the generational blessing, both of which should have gone to his older brother. The down side was that he had to leave his family to protect his life and he never saw his mother again. She was the one who had helped him hone his skills of deception and trickery. But he met his match when he went to stay with Uncle Laban. After working for him for 7 years in order to marry his daughter Rachel, Jacob ended u with her sister Leah instead. That cost him another 7 years of labor to complete the deal. Things eventually turned out all right for everyone but Leah! But what about Jacob?

Finally he had to return home and face the music – his brother Esau. Finally there were no more manipulations or shady dealings Jacob could come up with to protect himself. So finally he had to throw himself on God’s mercy. After an all night wrestling match Jacob came to his limit, he hit bottom and had to submit to God. Then he found that Gods ways and God’s powers are better than anything he could do to try and control his own life.

Are you trying to direct your own life, doing whatever it takes to get what you feel you deserve? That is a dead-end street. It’s an empty, stressful, self-centered existence. Sooner or later you must come to Jesus, submit it all to Him, and trust Him to handle it in His way. Why put that off? Submit to Him now whatever you are trying to control – trust Him with it. It’ll give you a new start just as it did Jacob.

Scripture
Galatians 6:7-10, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. et us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Job 4:8, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”

Proverbs 1:31, “they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”

Matthew 6:12, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Luke 6:37-38, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Reflect

How has the principle of reaping and sowing played itself out in your life?
Would you want God to treat you as you treat others? If not, where can you improve.
Do you see any relationship between the mercy God shows you and the mercy you show others?

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Time Out: Trusting God and others (Isaac)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 04:33:22 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Trusting God with your life is quite hard, but trusting another human being with your life is even more difficult. Isaac faced such a challenge as a teenager. I can’t imagine what he thought when his father informed him that he was to be the sacrifice, that he was to lay on the altar and let his father kill him with his knife, trusting that God would then bring him back to life or something as the promised son. Now that is a major test of faith!

It can be challenging trust an authority figure in our lives: a boss, pastor, husband or parent. But for a teenager to so totally trust his aged father that he will voluntarily (and Isaac was too old and strong for old man Abraham to force) let him violently kill him is a great statement of belief and loyalty. Of course it was hard for Abraham, too, to give back to God that which was the most precious thing in life for him. The interesting thing is that it didn’t turn out as Abraham expected (very few things in life do turn out as we expect). God provided in a way Isaac never imagined – a substitute was provided.

Sometimes God stretches our faith in a major way, like He did with Abraham and Isaac. He never gives us more that we can handle, though. He is always with us and always faithful to us. We only get a few of those ultra major trust tests in life, and usually they spring upon us unaware. Be ready, though, to trust God when they do come.

Scripture
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

1 Peter 1:7, “These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Romans 8:24-25, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Reflect

Think of some you have trusted in the past who have let you down. Have you forgiven them?
Is there any time someone has trusted you and you let them down? Confess that and apologize to them if you haven’t done so.
Is there anyone you now are having a hard time trusting? Remember your faith is first and foremost in God Who is sovereign over all things. Trust Him.

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Time Out: Testing! Testing! (Abraham)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:38:20 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

I don’t know if anyone really enjoys testing. It seems the best part about it is the good feeling when it is over even though we all recognize the need for testing. Tests give us an opportunity to show what we know and can do. They are a chance to demonstrate how well we can apply what we have learned. We face testing in all aspects of life: school, college, even getting a drivers’ license, even spiritually as a child of God.

Abraham is a prime example of how God tests us. Actually his whole life can be outlines as a series of tests. Some he passed, others he failed. Then there were retests in areas where he failed, but sometimes he still didn’t pass even on the second round. He had to trust God to leave Ur to go to Canaan (pass), to trust God to take care of him in Canaan despite the famine (fail), trusting God for his finances (pass), patiently waiting for God to provide an heir (fail) and giving his only son Isaac back to God (pass), to name but a few of the more obvious tests.

There is a very important lesson we can learn from Abraham. We, too, face many challenges, disappointments, decisions and obstacles in life. Instead of seeing them as hindrances and threats, we need to see them as opportunities to trust God. If we view each “roadbump” in life, no matter how minor, as a chance to trust and obey God, then we will have a much better attitude to them as well as a far higher success rate. If we see these tests for what they are we can get our eyes off ourselves and what feels best for the moment. Instead we can be reminded of the importance of trusting God and obeying Him in each situation. Try it. Look for tests coming your way today, no matter how little, and see them as opportunities to live and act as Jesus would want you to.

Deut 13:3, “The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Luke 8:13, “They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”

Heb 3:7-8, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,”

Reflect

Think of several of the tests you have already faced in life. Which have you passed? What have you failed?
Think of tests you are now going through right now. Are you passing or failing them?
What can you do to pass the current tests in your life?

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Time Out: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away (Job)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:25:02 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Job. Just that one word says it all. The pain, the misery, the victory – all wrapped up in the name Job. Job lost more than most of us will ever loose at one time. His physical, mental, emotional and spiritual suffering was great. He wasn’t perfect in his response – but almost so. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” “Though he slay me, yet will I serve Him.” What finer words have ever been spoken by anyone who has lost it all (all but his wife) and had to go on. God gives no explanation of why, in a few short hours, he lost his possession and property, his servants, his children and eventually even his health. He had prayed for God to put a hedge of protection around them the very morning they died. Yet he chose in faith to trust in God even when there seemed to be no earthly reason to do so. I guess that’s why God put his story in the Bible, and why we are so readily drawn to him. We can so easily identify with times of pain and loss when God was quiet and never answered the “why” question.

But what is also encouraging about Job’s message is that God assures us that there is a “why” even if we don’t know what it is. In Job’s case it was the conflict between God and Satan. God uses Satan’s challenge to show the whole spiritual realm of angels and demons that some will serve God out of love and not just for what they’ll get out of it. Job also glorifies God by showing that to everyone who has ever heard or read the story of Job. Job challenges us to ask ourselves just how much we serve God out of love and devotion and how much we do so for what we get out of it. When we unexpectedly suffer pain or loss, with no explanation from God, do we continue to trust and follow? Or do we doubt, criticize and withdraw from God? The choice is ours, and we only have one chance to make the right first choice in following Him.

Are you making the most of the opportunities God gives you to trust Him no matter what? The angels, and demons, are watching. So is God. Lets make sure they know we aren’t following God for self-centered reasons but just for His glory. Trust Him no matter what.

Scripture
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.”

Romans 5:3-4, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflect

What are some of you biggest “why” questions for God?
How are you resolving them?
What can you learn from Job to help you get through these unanswerable situations?

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Time Out: Persevering for 120 years (Noah)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:05:40 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

What’s the longest you had to persevere at any one thing? A week, several months? Perhaps even a few years? Noah holds what must be the record for perseverance. He spent 120 years building a very large boat on a mountain top in a time when it had never rained. Can you imagine the comments from neighbors and relatives? He and his family must have been a laughing stock for everyone in the area and even beyond. What he was doing seemed so fruitless and unnecessary, so worthless and wasteful. Why put all your time and resources into such a project? Sure, God told him to do it, but after building for a hundred years and not hearing anything more from God, you’d think he would get discouraged and quit. Wouldn’t you? But he persevered.

That’s what makes this such a remarkable story. He “ran with patience the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The key is to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and not on our circumstances. Are you getting weary? Is it hard for you to keep persevering? Don’t quit, for we’ll be rewarded for it if we persevere. The enemy will do anything to discourage us and get our eyes off Jesus. God wants to develop perseverance in us because it makes us so much like Jesus Himself who persevered and never quit until He accomplished all God had for Him. So next time we get weary remember Noah toiling away for 120 years. Remember to keep your eye on the goal, not on the circumstances around you. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Scripture
Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Romans 2:7, “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

Romans 5:3-5, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Reflect

Are you known for your perseverance?
What usually gets you to want to quit? What events or set of circumstance make it hardest to persevere? You should know, because the enemy knows and uses it against you.
Pray and ask for the fruit of patience and for courage to keep moving ahead no matter what.

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Time Out: One little bite won’t hurt (Adam and Eve)

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:43:58 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

It’s not hard to figure out that “little” sins can be a lot more tempting than “big” sins, simply because they just don’t seem so bad. Gossip can be a lot more tempting than murder, because it just doesn’t seem to be nearly as “wrong.” But the bible tells us that harming a person’s reputation is as bad as harming their body. The Jews certainly saw it that way.

When Adam was tempted to take one little bite of fruit it wasn’t like he was denying the virgin birth or claiming to be an atheist. It was just a little taste – no big deal. Or was it? Clearly it was a big deal to God! Didn’t He understand that it wasn’t that big a sin – no one was getting hurt, they didn’t mean to harm anyone, and there was the peer pressure factor. But in God’s eyes sin is sin. Despite Satan’s lies and deception all sin is sin. God required total disobedience. Valuing some sins as worse than others just makes it easier to commit the “lesser” sins. Satan counts on us seeing some things God forbids as not so very bad – or he wouldn’t have such an easy time getting us to commit them.

What sins do you see as not so terrible? Those are probably the very sins you most often commit. When we see all sin as what it is – something Jesus had to suffer for on the cross, then we can better resist and obey in all things. Watch out for those “little” sins – they are the most dangerous and deadly of all. And remember, they don’t stay little – they grow and grow!

Scripture
Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalms 26:2-3, “Test me, O Lord , and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.”

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Reflect

Do any “little” sins that you haven’t dealt with come to mind as you think about these things? Take a few moments to admit they are sin (confess them).
Sit quietly waiting for God to show you any other ‘little’ sins that may be in your life. What would knows who know you best say? Repent of them and ask God to help you have victory over them.
Be alert all day to anything that you may have considered as “little” but see how it really is in God’s sight.

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Time Out: Getting serious about my prayer life

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:31:17 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Recently I attended a pastor’s leadership conference and was challenged by the speaker and by God to get serious about my prayer life. Don’t misunderstand, I never stopped praying to God, but I must admit that the quality of my communication with Him leaves lots of room for improvement. I really want to get serious about prayer.

Prayer is a great resource and a wonderful privilege that we just don’t avail ourselves of as we should. It is something we should want to utilize to the fullest. I’m not talking about praying more often or longer, although I’m sure that will be part of it. What I am talking about is connecting with God on a much more regular and deeper level than I have been. When things are going well in my walk with God, my prayer life is great, but when my walk with the Lord struggles, so does my prayer life. I’m not sure which causes the other – I think they both leap frog along together and are dependent on each other.

What do I need to do to get serious about my prayer life? I’ve been more serious about focusing when I pray, pouring out my heart more sincerely, keeping lists of people I said I’d pray for, listening to God’s still, quiet voice speaking to me, and desiring to deepen my personal relationship with Him. It takes focus, it takes time, it means having my priorities right, and it demands honesty and openness in my time with Him, but it certainly is worth it. I really do want to get serious about my prayer life. What about you?

Scripture
Phil 3:7-14, “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead…. One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Reflect

Evaluate your recent prayer life. Honestly, what would God say about it?
Why not start right now – take a few extra minutes to really connect with God. What could be a better use of your time?

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Time Out: Hanging out with God

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:08:27 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

I’ve been thinking about a phrase that is very common today,: “hanging out.” As best as I understand, it refers to socializing with others, spending times with friends. It seems to have a connotation of doing whatever – nothing specific planned, just being together. It focuses on friends spending time with each other. The emphasis isn’t on the activity itself, but one being together. In our very busy, production oriented and often impersonal world, that sounds nice! Unfortunately I’m not very good at it myself.

But I’ve been thinking about this whole concept of “hanging out” more in context of my relationship to God than to other people. Perhaps because I’m not real good at hanging out with people I’m not real good at hanging out with God, either. Working toward a common goal is fine, sacrificing to benefit God’s work is great, even times of deep conversation and serious discussion come easy to me. But just hanging out, not doing anything special, focusing on enjoying each other’s presence — that’s what I need to cultivate more with God and with others. It seems to me that’s what Paul’s praying without ceasing it all about (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That’s the essence of the branch abiding in the vine (John 15). And that’s what I need more of in my life. So I’m trying to learn how to hang out with God during the day. No matter what I am doing, I try to be more conscious of Him, more aware of His presence, more in connection with Him emotionally and spiritually. I don’t have to have a work project going with Him or a deep conversational prayer structuring the time. I just need to enjoy His presence all day every day. I think that’s what He wants from me more than anything else. It certainly sounds easy enough. I’m looking forward to doing a lot more hanging out in the future – with the God of the universe!

Scripture
Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

1 John 1:3, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

Reflect

How would you define hanging out?”
What does the principle of praying without ceasing mean to you?
Have you been hanging out with God lately? If not, what can you do to improve the quality and quantity of your time with Him?

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Time Out: Self-centered sinlessness

Tim Schmoyer — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:30:10 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Sin is something we all try to avoid, and rightly so. But lately I’ve realized there’s more to it than just eliminating sin from my life. God is convicting me of my real motive for not sinning. I’ve been doing it out of selfish motives and reasons. He showed me that the real reason I avoid sinning is because I don’t want the guilt and consequences in my own life, which feels self-centered to me. So what should my reasons be? I would really like to say that I abhor sin because my love for God is so strong I don’t want to offend Him but instead want to honor Him in any way I can. Now I hope there is some of that in me, but in all honesty that isn’t always my first thought when tempted.

When God brought this to my attention it was a real wake-up call as to how shallow and self-focused my whole life is. If the only reason I choose to not give in to sin is because I don’t want the consequences of guilt, distance form God and possible divine discipline, then I’m missing something important. That alone isn’t always a strong enough motive to not sin! Sometimes a “little” sin may seem well worth the price! I know I would live a much more holy life if I didn’t want to offend God in anything I said, did, thought or didn’t do what I should.

What’s the solution? I try to be more aware that my sin is against God, the One whom I love and who loves me. David recognized this (Psalm 51:3-4; 2 Samuel 12:9-14), as did Joseph (Genesis 39:9) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:21). Recognizing our own selfish reasons for not sinning and asking God to make us aware of them is a first step. Becoming aware of God and His love for me when I am tempted is a better motive to resist than just thinking about myself. So I ask God to help me get my eyes off myself and onto Him in all things, including sin.

Scripture
Psalm 51:3-4, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”

Genesis 39:9, “No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Luke 15:21. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”

Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Reflect

Honestly search your heart and ask God to reveal to you any self-centered sinless you may have. Ask Him to forgive you of it and to bring true conviction of sin to you.
Try to remember tempted that the only right reason to not sin is because of our love for a holy God, not out of fear of the consequences in our lives.

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Time Out: Do you have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:30:29 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

How do you feel when you hear the Hallelujah chorus? Does it sound joyful to you? We assume Handle must have been overflowing with joy in order to write that fine piece of music and I’’m sure that is true. However, his joy didn’t come from circumstances because his health and his finances had reached the lowest possible place at that time. His right side was paralyzed, he was threatened with debtors prison because he couldn’t pay his bills, and he was fighting depression. But when he got his eyes off himself and onto God he was filled with so much joy it overflowed into his masterpiece. Handle was a man of deep faith in God. While writing the Hallelujah chorus, a servant hadn’t heard from him in some time so he quietly entered Handel’s room to find him sitting at his desk with tears streaming down his cheeks. He looked up and said, “I saw all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” Now that will bring joy no matter the circumstances!

True joy is not something we can whip up on our own, especially when conditions are unfavorable. Anyone can be happy when life is doing well, but to have joy when things are falling apart is a gift of God. It is a fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy isn’t easy to describe. In the Old Testament there are 27 different words that are used for some aspect of joy. Suffice it to say, though, that joy is an attitude of mind that flows from peace and hope when our focus is on God and His faithfulness. Perhaps it could be said that joy is the outflow of a foundation of peace. So joy isn’t dependent on circumstance. In fact, often it is negative circumstances that cause us to turn more closely to God and thus find joy in Him alone (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-13).

Always remember that joy is a gift of God’s grace. It comes from His Spirit. In the Greek the word for joy and the word for grace come from the same root meaning “rejoice.” This is not by chance. The “joy of the Lord” is not something we have naturally in our own strength and power; it comes by His grace.

So how does this apply? Well, if the roof is leaking and you can’t get someone to fix it, move your chair! In other words, if things are tough and you’re getting down under it all, change your attitude. Focus on God and His faithfulness and He will produce the fruit of joy in you by His Spirit. When we focus on Jesus’ words, only then does God promise that our joy will be full and complete (John 15:11). God knows that circumstances will not always make us happy (John 16:33) but that He will give joy despite it all (Psalm 30:5).

Remember Peter and Silas in prison after being unfairly whipped. It’s midnight in a dark, filthy dungeon and they are locked in stocks with their bodies screaming in pain. Sow what do they do? They sing! (Acts 16:22-25) That’s what God’s joy within is like — no matter what is happening in life God’s joy is greater than any situation we may find ourselves in. But, like Peter when he walked on water but started to sink when he looked at the waves, we too must keep our eyes only on Jesus.

1 Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Reflect

Do you tend to look at circumstances around you and get discouraged? Is your glass half empty instead of half full? Take a moment to get your eyes on Jesus by writing down a list of times and ways in which He has been faithful to you. Trust Him to be so in your present situation.
Does your joy depend on how well your life and ministry are going, or do you depend on God to fill you with His joy each day?
Select one of the verses above to meditate on all day. Whenever circumstances start to get to you remember the verse. When God gives you His joy thank him for it.

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Time Out: But the greatest of these is love

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:24:36 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We Americans say we love everything! We love pizza, football and our country. We love Mom, apple pie and American Idol. We love whatever is good and wholesome. But when we say we love everything, we really don’t love anything. That cheapens love and puts everything on the same level. Real love is sacrificial and costly, it is unconditional and unselfish. It is for the good of the other and not for our self. This kind of love is commanded by God. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37 say: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Where does this supernatural, unconditional, other-centered love come from? It certainly isn’t something we can just decide to start doing one day. Human love is conditional. We love “if” and “because.” To love “in spite of” comes from God. It is a fruit of His Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). He produces it in us as we let Him fill us and control us. It comes from Him. It is a response to His love. We love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19). Loving God something He won’t force us to do. It’s a free will choice we make and that’s why our love is so important to Him. Still, His Spirit is the source of the love inside us.

I Corinthians 13 tells us that love is the greatest of all attributes. That’s why it is listed first among the fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. All these fruit (not fruits) describe one character, and love is the predominate trait in that character. That is God’s outstanding quality and that is also reflected in Jesus’ life. Donald Grey Barnhouse puts it this way: “Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.”

To be like Jesus means to have His love flowing out to others. He makes it available for His people. It’s free for the asking, but you have to ask.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…. Love never fails…. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Reflect

Read the above verses again, only instead of the word “love” insert “Jesus.” Does that describe Jesus?
Now read it again and insert your name or “I” for the word love. How does it sound that way? How well does that describe you?
Do those you minister to you know you love them? Would they use “loving” as one of the first words they choose to describe you?
Pick out 1 or 2 of the places where you need improvement. Spend a few minutes praying about them, asking God to make you more like them. Plan some steps you can take to become more like Jesus in these areas.

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Time Out: With fruit it’s all or nothing

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:44:24 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

The concept behind a water wheel is very interesting because there are both overshot waterwheels and undershot waterwheels. In one case, the water falls from above the wheel to turn it. In the other case, water turns the wheel as it flows beneath it. Which is the more powerful? The first, or course.

We, like wheels, are turned by forces from various sources, but too often we move by the undercurrent — selfish desires drive us. However when we let God’s driving force fall from above we have power beyond anything we can produce on our own. The love God puts in us is far greater than any love we can come up with on our own. So is His joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we allow God to do His work within us, the result is that He reproduces His fruit. Notice Paul doesn’t say fruits (plural) although he does use the plural ‘acts’ for what the flesh produces (Galatians 5:19). The 9 traits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 are not 9 separate traits but all characteristics of one person – Jesus. They aren’t set out on a buffet table for us to walk by and choose which ones we want. They are one unit. When God is in control all 9 of these are producing themselves in us, when He isn’t in control none of them are there.

Because we have different personalities, different temperaments, and different strengths and weaknesses, some of these fruit will come more “naturally” to us and others will be more difficult to grow. Still, God makes all of them equally available. If we are naturally laid back and easy-going, we don’t want to mistake that for the fruit of patience. Likewise, if we have a problem with anger we can’t blame God for not giving us more self-control. We must make sure we allow Him to produce fruit in the areas of our strength as well as weakness. If the patience we have isn’t from Him then it isn’t Christ-like, its just another of the works/acts of the flesh disguised as fruit. It’s counterfeit. And just because we may see evidence of 8 of these fruit but find it very hard to allow God to produce the last one, doesn’t mean we can coast thinking that 8 out of 9 is pretty good! To be like Jesus we need all 9.

Scripture
Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 92:12-14, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…”

Reflect

Which of these 9 fruit do you find come more naturally to you? In other words, which do you try to do in your own strength? Confess the danger in that and ask God to forgive you for trying to counterfeit His fruit by your own flesh.
Which of these 9 fruit do you most need? Which do you lack more than others? Do you make excuses for it, blame it on others, or just ignore it and live with it? If so, then confess that as well as the sin itself. Ask God to show you what you need to do for Him to reproduce Himself in this area as well.
Do you focus on some of these fruit to the exclusion of others in your ministry?
Pray and ask God to reproduce all His fruit in you, especially in the areas where you are least like Jesus. When situations arise during your day, pray again that He would help you respond as Jesus would have responded.

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Time Out: You can’t be like Jesus by trying to be like Jesus

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:59:37 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

A group of Christian laymen involved in missionary work approached a small village near an Amish settlement. Seeking a possible convert, they confronted an Amish farmer and asked him, “Brother, are you a Christian?” The farmer thought for a moment and then said, “Wait just a few minutes.” He wrote down a list of names on a tablet and handed it to the lay evangelist. “Here is a list of people who know me best. Please ask them if I am a Christian.” (Taken from “In Living Faith,” by Jimmy Carter)

The evidence of faith is fruit. Jesus Himself echoed this same truth when He said, “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). That still applies today. What if someone asked your closest friends if you were a Christian? Would they say yes without hesitation? That doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, but there should be evidence of Christ-like character in our lives. We all want to be more like Jesus, but that isn’t something we can do in our own strength. Its not like playing Simon Says where we just mimic some outward actions. We can’t become like Jesus by trying to force ourselves to become be like Jesus!

Becoming more like Him isn’t something that we can produce in our actions. It can only be done as God Himself works inside us to bring about an inner change in attitude and conduct. That’s why Paul calls the attributes of Jesus that God wants to reproduce in us fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus says we are branches that hold the fruit which He Himself as the branch produce in us (John 15). Roy Hession says: “Victorious living and effective soul-winning service are not the product of our better selves and hard endeavors, but are simply the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are not called upon to produce the fruit, but simply to bear it.” (“The Calvary Road,” Christianity Today, Vol. 33, no. 13)

That’s why we can’t be like Jesus by trying to be like Him. Only He can do it in us. What we do in our own strength, the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), are tainted by our sin nature and can never make us like Jesus. There is no way that we on our own can whip up such things as unconditional love, inner joy no matter what, peace despite circumstances, patience when things aren’t moving fast enough, kindness to those who are unkind to us, goodness to those who are intentionally insensitive to us, faithfulness to those who have been disloyal to us, gentleness to those who have been harsh with us or self-control when our emotions are running all over the place.

So if we can’t have these by doing them, how can we get them? We allow God to reproduce them in us as we draw closer to Him. When our intimacy with Jesus grows, the fruit just naturally starts to be produced in our lives. When a young child hangs around their parents, they start to automatically pick up characteristics of their parents. That happens as we grow in fellowship with Jesus as well. But for us as Christians it even goes beyond that, for the source of these traits is the Holy Spirit Himself inside us producing them as we allow Him full control of our lives. Grow in your relationship with Him and He will grow these in you!

Scripture
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

John 15, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 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…. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…”

Reflect

Can you think of times in your life when you tried to be like Jesus but failed? What about times you just submitted to Him and felt Him flowing through you and reproducing Himself in you?
If there is any sin in your life, any disobedience, any unforgiveness, any failure to do something He wanted you to do, admit (confess) the sin and ask for forgiveness (I John 1:9).
Now ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and to do whatever is necessary to replicate Jesus in your life.
Are you guilty of trying to get those to whom you minister to just act like Jesus instead of leading them to allow God to reproduce Jesus in through them?
Ponder this statement throughout the day, “I can’t be like Jesus by trying to force myself to be like him.” Let it become a part of the basis of your Christian life.

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Time Out: Yes, youth pastors are REAL pastors

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:07:57 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Some may think that youth pastors are not real pastors, but that definitely is not the case. A youth pastor is every bit as much a pastor as a senior pastor of a mega-church. A pastor is someone with a shepherds heart, and for those in youth ministry God has called them to shepherd youth. While a youth worker may or may not have gifts of teaching, leadership or evangelism, he or she always will have pastoring as part of their spiritual gift mix. Often their mates have it as well.

Are you concerned about the spiritual needs of the youth to whom you minister? Do you long to see them grow in the Lord? Do you have a burden and desire to help them, encourage them, rejoice with them, love them and assist them in any way possible? Do you give of yourself because of a concern for the youth you are ministering to? If these aren’t true and you are in youth work for the pay check, the ego satisfaction, or because you couldn’t say no when someone asked you to work with youth, then you don’t belong in youth work. Youth need and deserve a leader who loves them and cares about them. A shepherd must love his sheep in order to lay down his life for his sheep, and youth pastors lay down their lives for their teenage sheep every day.

The gift of pastor or shepherd is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. So yes, youth pastors are definitely pastors. The Greek word translated pastor refers to the caring, protecting feeding and leading of sheep. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Since He is not physically on earth, he calls some of us to be assistant shepherds to help care for His sheep. This is a great privilege and a wonderful calling. There is none higher. But it also entails responsibility and accountability. After all, they are his sheep, not ours. He owns them, not us. He brings growth, we are jut the channel He sometimes uses. When they rejoice, we rejoice. But when they stray or are in pain, we hurt with them and for them. In that way we represent Christ and show in a very real way just what Jesus is like. Those we shepherd should see a glimpse of the Great Shepherd in us. What a wonderful privilege and great challenge that is!

Scripture
Ephesians 4:11, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”

1 Peter 5:2-3, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

1 Timothy 4:12-15, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

Reflect

Take some time to identify the gift of pastor (shepherd) in your life. Write down your thoughts and burdens for your sheep.
What can you do to be a better shepherd, to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ in how you care for your sheep.
Every sheep needs a shepherd. Who is your shepherd? Who do you look to and go to? If you’re trying to function without a shepherd of your own you like a sheep trying to make it on his own. That just doesn’t work for long.
Spend some time thanking God for the wonderful privilege He has given you of being a shepherd of some of His sheep!

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Time Out: What if I’m not Billy Graham?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:15:42 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Everyone is required to share the good news of Jesus with those they come in contact with, but some seem to be much better at it than others. These few are relaxed, positive, motivated and seem to enjoy each opportunity to share. What makes them different than the rest of us? God has included evangelism as part of their spiritual gift mix.

Do you like to talk to people about Jesus, especially those who don’t know Him? Are you able to share the gospel in a way that is clear and understandable for others? Do you look for opportunities to share the plan of salvation? Has God used you to help bring unbelievers to salvation? Do you come away from times of sharing the gospel with great encouragement and enthusiasm? If you do, evangelism is part of your spiritual gift mix.

What if you don’t have this gift? Can you still minister with youth and others? Of course! If God didn’t give you this gift He didn’t want you to have it! No gift is better than any other gift. We thank God for those with the gift of evangelism for they are the spiritual obstetricians that bring new life into the church. But we need pediatric doctors, family doctors, etc., to help these new ones grow. If evangelism isn’t your gift, don’t feel left out. According to scripture, there are some things all believers are commanded to do whether it’s a spiritual gift or not. Serving, giving, and evangelism all fall into that category. We are responsible to share the gospel with others. I find the best way to do this is to be just what God tells us to be – a witness. A witness doesn’t argue a point, he just relates what he knows. He shares personal experience. When I realize that is what God wants me to do then I find it is much easier than acting like a lawyer trying to argue people into the truth. I share what Jesus has done for me and God uses that in mighty ways. After all, He does promise that He will use His Word for His glory.

Scripture
Ephesians 4:7, 11, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it…. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”

Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Reflect

Do you have evangelism as part of your spiritual gift mix? If so, what are you doing to develop it? How do you use it?
If you don’t have the gift of evangelism, are you using that a an excuse to not share the gospel as often as you can? If you struggle with this, write out your testimony (your witness) so you can say it in 2 to 3 minutes. God will take it from there.
Write down the names of several people you have spoken to about Jesus in the last year. Pray for them now and continue to remember them when you pray.
If you have the gift or not, ask God to give you opportunities to speak for Him this day. Then be alert for them. Even be intentional about creating opportunities, too.

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Time Out: Is the gift of leadership necessary for working with youth?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:07:47 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Like many pastors, I first cut my teeth in ministry by being a youth pastor. While God has graciously gifted me in several ways, leadership and people skills were not among them. I was not a good motivator, nor did I easily draw people to me and my cause. That made it quite hard to lead the youth in the church where I worked. I attracted the serious youth and could disciple them, but I envied those who could be cool with all the kids and attract their admiration and loyalty. Maybe you understand how I felt.

Is leadership part of your spiritual gift mix? Do you enjoy inspiring and leading others for the sake of Christ’s work? Are you quick to sense when a group needs direction and then able to step up and do something about it? Do others look to you for leadership and guidance? Are you able to motivate others to strive for goals you feel are important? Do you think of future accomplishments and how to bring them about? If so, you have leadership gifts.

The gift of leadership is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose and to communicate those goals to others so that they harmoniously work together to accomplish them for the glory of God. Often administration/organization accompanies this gift so the leader is better able to move forward in his plans. As with any privilege God gives, however, there is a responsibility to use it for Him and an accountability factor as well. 1 Timothy 3 lists characteristics a leader must have: without fault, sober, self-controlled, orderly, welcoming of strangers, gentle and peaceful, not greedy, able to manage his family and children, mature in the faith and respected by others. This gift must always be exercised under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We must at all times remember they are HIS sheep, not ours. We are just the under shepherd. But isn’t it a great privilege to be on God’s leadership team?

Scripture
Romans 12:8, “…if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12, “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.”

John 21:16, “Jesus said to Peter, ‘”Take care of my sheep.’”

Reflect

What is your plan to keep your focus on Jesus and not let your ego needs rise to the surface? How do you keep from using your leadership ability feed your own pride?
Who is your example as a leader? Find someone in life, in the Bible, or in history whom you admire as a leader and study their life.
What are you doing to further develop your leadership abilities? There are many fine books, web sites and workshops available. We are responsible to develop our abilities, not coast on them.
Ask God to show you how you an be a better leader to those who follow you. Sit quietly for a few moments and listen to what He would say to you.

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Time Out: If you think you have the gift of teaching…

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:08:50 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Good! At least it is mostly good. Shepherds are responsible to feed their sheep, and we feed by teaching. So being a teacher is good. The “bad” part is that God holds us accountable for all we learn and pass on to others (James 3:1). Along with the privilege there is a responsibility to use it and an accountability to apply His truth to our own lives.

How do you know if you have the gift of teaching? When you communicate biblical truth to others, do they seem to grasp what you are saying? Do you enjoy trying to make a biblical concept understandable to others? Do stories, illustrations or examples of what you are talking about come to mind when speaking? Do you have a desire to learn the Bible better and to help others learn it, as well? Have people responded that you have helped them better understand the Bible? Then teaching is part of your spiritual gift mix.

The gift of teaching is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communication information relevant to the health and ministry of the listeners in a way that they will learn and be edified. Feeding the sheep is a wonderful privilege. Like the farmer who first benefits from the crops, so we who teach benefit most from the information God is passing through us. Don’t take credit for God’s gift, don’t let pride get in the way. Always make Jesus the One in focus, not yourself or your gift. Say as John said, “He must increase, I must decrease.” We are not trying to impress others so we can build our kingdom, we are trying to feed others so they can grow and increase God’s kingdom. Thank God for those who fed you, and ask Him to use you to feed those He brings into your life.

Scripture
Ephesians 4:11, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…”

John 21:15-17, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs….Take care of my sheep… Feed my sheep.’”

1 Corinthians 12:28, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers.”

Reflect

Do you feel God has given you teaching as part of your spiritual gift mix?
What are you doing to develop your gift? (reading about teaching, taking teaching or speaking classes, attending workshops, learning from someone with the gift of teaching, etc.)
Do you work hard at your teaching, doing original research and developing good lesson plans? Or do you wing it and coast on your “gift of gap” to make your lessons interesting?
Do you in any way steal glory from God by using your gift to bring attention or focus on yourself? If so, confess it and humble yourself before God.

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Time Out: Using your spiritual gifts

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:51:25 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

So you’re gifted – at least that’s what they tell you. You’ve done some reading about spiritual gifts and seem to have a good grasp of the concept, at least as it applies to others. But unfortunately God doesn’t send out spiritual gift evaluations, so you are a bit unsure just what spiritual gifts you have or don’t have.

Learning about spiritual gifts is a good first step to using your gifts to their full potential. There are many fine books and web sites that offer insightful and practical information. This can be a good start, but it is only a start. You must practice using your gifts. That means functioning in the role God has assigned to you, doing what you are burdened to do and ministering as best you can in ways that are available to you. Even the most accomplished swimmer wasn’t world-class the first time he got into a pool.

One of the best ways to find out where you are gifted is through the feedback of others. What are you asked to do? For what reasons do people come to you? Where do you get positive reinforcement about your contribution? These are good ways of discovering how God is working through you. A spiritual gift is something you enjoy doing (have a desire/burden to do) and something you are able to do – maybe not as well as you’d like but certainly better than the average Christian.

Don’t limit what God is doing in you. God gives us a variety of spiritual gifts, a special “mix” that is unique to each of us. There are 3 basic colors but thousands of combinations can be made from them. That’s how it is with spiritual gifts. We each have a unique combination of gifts that blend with our personality and spiritual development. That makes each of us unique. Still, it can be good to try and find someone who has at least some of the gift mix you see in yourself and have that person mentor you. If it is a local person you can spend time with them. If it is someone in the Bible, church history or on the national scene today you can still study their life to see what you can learn to apply to your own growth. Remember that God will gift you, but He will also stretch you. My primary spiritual gift is teaching, but I’ve always been shy and uncomfortable speaking to groups of people. God didn’t make a mistake, He’s stretching me, just like He’s stretching you. The best advice I can give you as to how to develop your gift is to use it. Focus on it in your ministry. Be alert to opportunities to use it for God’s glory. Remember it is His gift for His glory. We use it for Him, not for ourselves.

Scripture
1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Ephesians 4:11-13, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12, “Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant…. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

Reflect

If you were describe your gift mix, what spiritual gifts would you say you have? What is the balance between them (which is the main gift, which supplement other gifts, etc.)?
What would your spouse or close friends say about the list you have written?
What can you do to further develop the gifts god has given you?
Is there any way you are holding back in using your gifts, any way you are resisting the way God is stretching you through using your gift? Ask the Lord for forgiveness and make yourself totally available to Him.

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Time Out: Questioning the Bible

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:15:29 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

A good detective, a scientist, a doctor and a Bible scholar all share one trait in common – they know how to ask the right questions. If the correct questions aren’t asked, it is impossible to come up with the right answers. That’s especially true in Bible study. The most important step in Bible study, and the one we are often weakest on, is observing a passage. Our application is only as good as our interpretation, and our interpretation is dependent on our observation. The best way to observe is to ask questions. If the author of the passage you are studying were sitting next to you, what questions would you ask him about what he wrote? If you were one of the original recipients of the letter or Bible book, what would you need to know to accurately understand what was written?

The best way to begin a good Bible study is to get a pencil and paper (or computer) and write down as many questions as you can about the passage. Some may seem very simple and taken for granted, but write them down anyway. Others questions will never be answered, but still write them down. Just write down every question you can think of. Don’t try to answer the questions. That comes when you do your interpretation of the passage. Now you list questions. What does a word or phrase mean? (What exactly was the life of a shepherd like in Psalm 23:1?) Look for cause and effect, the reason something happened. (Why did Jesus come to earth in Luke 19:10?) Or the question could be about the process in which something happened. (How do we know about God’s power in Ephesians 1:19-20)? Then, too, you can ask questions about an attribute, person, place or idea. (For example, what was John the Baptist really like?) Questions about how things compare are also insightful. Asking about the differences or similarities between people, objects, events of aspects of the verse are helpful. (In John 1:17 you could ask, what is the difference between law and grace?) Finally, you can ask questions which classify ideas, events, attributes, etc. (You might ask what different kinds of people followed Jesus if you are studying a passage that speaks about His followers.) Be creative and imaginative. No question is a “bad” question. Ask any and all that you can. Your product will only be as good as your process, and this is the key to having a good start to your process.

When it comes time to interpret the passage you do so by answering the questions you asked. Don’t flippantly and quickly just jot down what you already know – you aren’t learning anything new then. Instead search for a more complete and detailed answer than you already have. Pray for wisdom first. Then use footnotes and Bible dictionaries or any resources you have on hand. But remember, you can’t rush the time you spend observing if you want to have a meaningful study. And asking questions is the key to good observation.

Scripture
Jeremiah 5:21, “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear…”

Ezra 7:10, “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Reflect

Open your Bible to a verse you have recently studied and start writing down some questions. Start with simple who, what, when, why, where and how questions, then go deeper.
If the author was with you, what questions would you ask Him? If Jesus Himself were her, what questions would you like to have answered to better understand the passage?
Try doing this with a mate or friend. It is an enjoyable way to do Bible study together. Creativity feeds creativity.

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Time Out: Aiming for Christian maturity

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:15:09 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

They say you’ll never hit your target if you don’t know what you are shooting at, but even if you hit the target in the bulls eye it won’t amount to anything if you are aiming at the wrong target. The world paints a picture of what it calls maturity, but it is a lot different from the picture God’s Word paints. Which will we aim for? Remember, we can’t hit both targets, so just how are we to tell what traits God values and wants us to aim for in our maturity?

Christian maturity demands servanthood to Christ and serving others in love (Luke 22:24-27; Mark 10:35-45). The worlds view of maturity is for one to be tough, independence and self-sufficient. Christian maturity is just the opposite. In addition, Christian maturity entails developing character traits similar to those of Jesus (1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:7-9). Love, peace, gentleness, kindness – these are not qualities the world always values.

The source of our growth in maturity is different, as well. It isn’t based on us using our strengths and abilities, but on the gifts and enablements God gives us (1 Corinthians 12:6-8). It is God’s Spirit in us that brings about He work in us (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:18,Galatians 2:20-21). As Christians our motives and goals for maturity are different as well. What we accomplish is for God’s glory and for our long-term good. The worlds way is for immediate, personal gain.

So the target of Christlikeness we are shooting for is actually in the opposite direction of the target the world holds up as what maturity looks like. God values humility, the world lifts up pride. God says we are to serve, the world’s goal is to be served. God says turn the other cheek. The world says get revenge, don’t let anyone take advantage of you. What do you say?

Scripture
Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God…”

Matthew 12:33-35, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

Reflect

What is your definition of maturity? Write it out if possible.
What standards do you use to measure spiritual maturity in yourself or others?
How does your Christian maturity now compare to a year ago? Where have you grown? Where is growth still needed?
What steps should you be taking right now to keep growing spiritually maturity?
What should you be praying for each day in order to continue to mature into more and more Christlikeness?

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Time Out: Studying the Bible by the Timothy method

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:29:38 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

How old were you when you started studying the Bible? When did you first learn how to study the Bible for yourself? Paul tells us that Timothy knew the Scriptures from the time he was an infant (2 Timothy 3:15). He affirms that the Word is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. These four uses of Scripture form a good outline for personal Bible study.

TEACHING: Ask: What does this passage say about God? What do I learn about His character, purpose or power? What does it say about others and the temptations or trials they face? What does it say about ME? Is there any insight into my own sins or struggles?

REBUKING: As you think about the truths you have read, is there any place where you are falling short? If so, where? Why is this happening? Is this sin a root problem, or a symptom of a deeper problem? For example, you may find yourself critical of others. Is criticalness the root problem, or could it be that someone has unfairly criticized you and you are having a hard time forgiving.

CORRECTING: If you see a sin in the passage you are studying, what should be done to correct it? In other words, what is the opposite of the sin? What action or plan will you be taking to correct the problem?

TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: Now that you have seen where you fall short and what you need to do to correct that, what do you need to do to stay on track? How can you make this change a part of your life?

While not all passages will fall into this pattern (promises, for example will not work here), this can be a good way to study Proverbs, Paul’s epistles or even the statements made by Jesus. Howard Hendricks says the only wrong method is the one you use all the time. So if you’re looking for a fresh slant to your Bible study, try the Timothy method.

Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”

Psalms 19:7-8, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

John 5:39, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me…”

Reflect

Think of some times when you had a great time of Bible study – what made those times so meaningful?
What are some of the strengths of your current personal Bible study method?
What are some of the weaknesses of your present way of studying the Bible? What can you do about them?
If you’ve discovered something that helps make your Bible time more meaningful please let us know. We’d love to share some of these in future blogs.

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Time Out: Developing a godly character

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:36:48 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Character development. We’ve all heard the term, but what does it mean? Try writing an accurate, concise definition of character development and you’ll soon realize its quite slippery and elusive. Character is different than personality, image or reputation. It is the inner reality and quality in which thoughts, speech, decision, behavior and relations are rooted. The goal of our character development is to be like Jesus in thought, word and action. But how do we bring that about?

Years ago we realized we needed to remodel the bathroom in our house. If it was just a matter of painting the walls and changing the curtains we could have done that, but this needed far more work than that. A newer and better shower, toilet and sink were all a must. We needed an expert to come in and do the work for us, someone with the expertise and resources to bring about such a transformation. That’s the way it is with our character. We can’t just paint on a bright surface or rearrange of few things in our personality. Real character goes much deeper than that, and it requires the hand of Someone with the ability and resources to bring it about.

God promises to bring this change in us, but He needs our cooperation to do it. Just as I must fully cooperate with those redoing my bathroom and help in any way I can, so we must work together with Him in becoming more like Jesus Christ. What can we do? First, look for someone whose character you admire and want to be more like. Spend time getting to know them well. What do you see in them that you’d like to have in yourself? Do you lack compassion, sacrifice, patience, honesty, generosity, humility, kindness, responsibility, ambition, trustworthiness, etc.? Then make a plan as to what you can do about the areas where you sense God working in you. Write it out and share it with someone who can pray for you, encourage you and hold you accountable. Be alert to opportunities where you can practice good character traits and allow God to do His renovating work in you. If you fail, use First John 1:9 and look for another opportunity. It will come along. Remember, God promises He will do this work in you. Just sign the contract and let Him begin His renovation. He doesn’t work fast, but He does a great job!

Scripture
Ruth 3:11, “And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.”

Proverbs 31:10, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

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.”

Reflect

Who is someone whose character you admire and would like to emulate? What is it about that person that you would like to have?
Where is God already working in your character to make you more like Jesus?
What can you do to better cooperate with Him in His efforts to renovate your character?

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Time Out: Let God’s Word study you

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:51:45 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

When I was a young boy I loved baby food. Peaches were my personal favorite. I didn’t think anything could ever beat that taste. Then when my own children were eating baby food I thought I’d treat myself to a taste of their peaches. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. What had once seemed like such a wonderful food item turned out to be bland and almost tasteless. What happened? The food didn’t change, but my taste did. I guess if I would have stuck with baby food from then to now I’d still like it – it would be the only taste I’ve ever known.

The more we mature in the faith the more we need spiritual meat. Processed and simplified Bible truths are OK, but we need something deeper and stronger to feed our growing souls. Unfortunately many Christians stick to the simple stuff. They read devotionals and use lesson plans that are about the Bible, but don’t get into the Word themselves. They let others chew their food for them instead of chewing it themselves. Sure we are busy, but there is no quick way to take in the truths of God’s Word. It takes time to read and observe a passage of Scripture, looking for things you haven’t noticed before. There’s no fast way to unearth the gems of the Bible which only come to those who do careful and thorough interpretation. And only precise and insightful application can cause the truths we have been studying to become part of our daily lives.

When we rush we try to do application before we carefully observe and thoroughly interpret, it’s like leaving a doctor’s office with a cure before any examination has been made. A good doctor observes the patient, then interprets what he discovers. Only then is diagnosis accurate and helpful. We want a doctor to take his time and do a good job when checking us, and God wants us to do the same when handling His Holy Word. When we interpret a passage, we study God’s Word, but when we apply it to our lives we let His Word study us! Very little that we do in a day will be take with us to heaven – but what we learn in the Bible and its application in our lives will be ours eternally. Don’t spend all your time on daily activities, invest some in eternity. Spend some quality time in the Bible today.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”

2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Reflect

Have you ever tried journaling your Bible study, writing down the personal applications the Lord impresses upon your heart? Try it today. It’ll help you have better results and will be worth the time.
When is the last time you studied a passage just for your own edification, not for use in a lesson or message?
Which step of Bible study – observation, interpretation or application, are you weakest on? What can you do to improve in that area?

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Time Out: The lost art of meditation

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:03:27 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

What comes to mind when you think of meditation? If it has something to do with sitting in a monastery, bored to death while your mind wonders, then you are pretty typical. We seem to delegate meditation to the great mystics of long ago, to the church fathers who were so spiritual they were more in heaven than on earth anyway. I got quite a surprise recently when I started to study what meditation really is. I found it’s much different than I originally thought.

While the Hebrew root can mean “to ponder,” it can also mean “to converse aloud.” In fact, it is often translated “cried out” and “voiced his complaint.” Psalm 77 is an example of Asaph meditating out loud. Read it and listen to his meditation. The New Testament equivalent is praying without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17). Meditation, therefore, is speaking and listening to God by expressing what is on your heart and reflecting on what He says to you in the Word and by the Holy Spirit. It’s like a friendly, after-meal conversation with your wife when you feel close and aren’t in a hurry to end the connection.

Try talking to God out loud (this works best when you are alone and no one can overhear you!). It is a good discipline to put thoughts into words. We focus better and communicate more precisely. Try praying a Scripture passage. Read it out loud, think about it, read it again, talk to God about it and listen to what His Spirit tells you. Writing down your thoughts in a journal can help add to this experience. Sure, it takes a little more effort, but any good relationship takes effort to grow. The results are definitely worth it!

Scripture
Psalm 119:97, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”

Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually;”

Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Reflect

When was the last time you had a good, long time of fellowship with God, where you just relaxed and enjoyed His presence?
What the main obstacle to your having these kinds of refreshing, rejuvenating times with God?
Take a few moments to meditate right now.
Share what God has taught you about meditating in the comments below. We can pass on some of these insights in future posts.

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Time Out: Actions speak louder than words

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 12 May 2008 06:38:59 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

“Do what I say, not what I do!” We’ve all heard that saying and know it is totally unbiblical. However it isn’t always easy to set a perfect example for others, especially when it’s a weak spot in which God is working in our own lives. After all, we don’t come into ministry mature and perfected. God uses ministry as part of the process to refine us and make us more like Jesus. People look at us to see how the Christian life should really work. We know all the answers, or at least we tell others how to do it, so we should have it down ourselves.

Often we communicate more by what we do than what we say. Teaching how to witness, pray, and serve others can be relatively simple, but showing by example how to handle criticism and persecution is harder. It is especially difficult when such attacks come from other believers in the church. Yet God allows unfair criticism to come against us. One of the reasons is for us to set an example to others of how to respond. Youth who live for Jesus will be criticized and persecuted by others. You can tell them how to respond, but you can also back it up by your actions. What kind of an example are you setting for those who are watching you?

Scripture
Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

2 Timothy 3:10, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings — what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

2 Timothy 4:9, “Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia…. Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.”

Reflect

Have you been unfairly criticized lately? By whom?
What did your students learn from the example of how you handled it?
What did you do right?
What could you have done better?

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Time Out: Flee the sinful desires of youth

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:05:08 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

No one can deny that we live in a very sensual, sex-saturated world. Visual images abound. Our computers and TV bring them right into the privacy of our home, billboards litter the highway and magazine stands at the grocery checkout make it almost impossible to escape. Even in ministry the dress code and activity of some to whom we minister to can be at the least a distraction and often a great temptation. Being in the ministry doesn’t make one immune to sexual temptations – look at how many great Christian men fall. It’s one of the enemy’s best tools to destroy those who would serve God. The danger is always there, but it gets even greater when we struggle with our spouse or the ministry isn’t going well. It becomes an escape, a drug of choice, a way of anesthetizing ourselves against pain while substituting the hurt with “pleasure.” But it’s like drinking salt water because it doesn’t satisfy and ultimately makes the emptiness worse.

The solution starts with a strong, daily, growing relationship with Jesus. Connecting with Him every day is a must. Every thought must be brought under control (2 Corinthians 10:5). The temptation of what pops into our mind isn’t sin, but we are responsible for what we do with it. We can’t let it stay or entertain it for even a moment, or it will quickly take root and grow.

A strong relationship with our mate is also essential. Having an accountability partner is vital as well. We all need someone who will ask the tough questions in love, who will be there to challenge and help. Many don’t get serious about this until it is too late. Don’t wait until damage is done to your ministry and marriage before getting serious about this subtle but deadly sin!

Scripture
2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”

Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”

Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

2 Corinthians 10:5, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Reflect

If your private thoughts were made public for all to see, which would be most embarrassing to you?
When is lust the greatest temptation to you? What is your plan to be victorious at those times?
Who is your accountability partner, to ask the tough questions in love? If you don’t have one, who can you talk to today to become one who is not your spouse?

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Time Out: Who is your “Paul?”

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:13:35 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Howard Hendricks says that everyone needs a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy in their life. A “Paul” is someone who is spiritually mature and experienced to give wisdom and guidance. A “Barnabas” is an encourager and a peer and to share common experiences with as we journey through life together. A “Timothy” is someone younger in the faith to invest into. We need all 3 in our lives. The hardest relationship to develop, by far, is the “Paul” mentoring relationship. Finding someone with the time, experience and heart to build into your life isn’t always easy. I always had trouble finding men to fill this role in my life when I was younger. Now I look for “Timothy’s” God sends my way so I can pass on some of what I have learned. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of ministry.

We all need a Paul to hold us accountable, to ask the tough questions, to go through with us whatever are going through, to give encouragement and direction. The lone sheep gets picked off by the lion, so we need to connect closely those who have experience fighting the lion (I Peter 5:8). Busyness, pride, fear of disclosure, moving around a lot and other issues make it hard to find and keep a “Paul” relationship going in life, but it is well worth the trouble. It takes a bit of sacrifice and vulnerability. It requires time and honesty. But its essential for you to be all God created you to me as a person and servant. Remember, even Paul needed a “Paul” in his life.

Scripture
2 Timothy 1:3-6, “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Exodus 18:13-14, “The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, ‘What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?’”

Reflect

Who is your “Timothy?” Who are you taking the time to really disciple in the faith?
Who is your “Barnabas?” Who is your closest ministry friend (not spouse) with whom you can share your victories as well as your defeats?
Who is your “Paul?” What mature believer have you developed a mentoring relationship with so you can regularly connect with them to glean from their wisdom and experience?
If you lack any of these make that a regular prayer request.
What can you do to deepen your “Paul” relationship and get the most out of it?

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Time Out: If the senior pastor isn’t perfect

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:21:15 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Many youth workers seem to have a love-hate relationship with their senior pastor. While respecting and admiring him/her as their boss, you may not agree with everything he/she says and does. Sometimes hidden jealousy arises from within the senior pastor. Or, they hurt your feelings since the youth program may not be getting the focus it needs. Other times a senior pastor may criticizes you and thus harm your relationship. These situations can be fertile ground, a danger zone, a place of destruction that the enemy can use to ruin ministries and churches. If you allow negative feelings toward the senior pastor to fester, the rightly lit spark can set a volatile fuel on fire.

Consider the following scenario. Someone in the congregation comes to you with complaints and accusations against the senior pastor. This happens over time until finally this person approaches you, and tells you that you’d make a better pastor. Perhaps they start a movement to eradicate the pastor – and your name is attached as support, because you listened to the gossip. Maybe the movement wants to withdraw completely from the church, and appoint you as pastor of a new church where things will be done “right.”

These temptations can appeal to our ego in an impressive way. But seldom, if ever, does God work in this way. If there is a legitimate complaint against the pastor, steer the unhappy person, or group, to the proper board or committee. If it is your own complaint, take it to the proper channels only. Be sure to walk through this minefield very carefully. Get good advice from a mature believer outside of the church who is informed of and understands the situation. Do not speak to others and thereby gossip. Search your own heart for hidden hurts, revenges, jealousies, etc. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Do the right thing, the mature thing, not the easy thing, or the ego-motivated thing. Put yourself in the senior pastor’s position and apply the Golden Rule. Treat him as you would want to be treated, because chances are, one day you might be in his position!

Scripture
1 Timothy 5:19-21, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”

1 Chronicles 16:22, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

Psalms 105:15, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”

Matthew 7:1-3, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

Reflect

Do you harbor any hidden jealousy or secret resentment against the senior pastor or anyone in church leadership?
Are there any hurts you have not forgiven? Forgive them now!
Are you in any way responsible for passing judgment on anyone in church leadership? Confess it as sin to God. If the leader is aware, apologize personally.
Ask God to protect you from wrong feelings toward anyone in authority over you.

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Time Out: Handling Conflicts

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:11:17 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Even though we will do almost anything to avoid conflict, sometimes conflict arises no matter what we do. It may be a problem between parents, teens, or even the church leaders. Misunderstanding motives or poor communication skills are often behind these conflicts, but other times it’s just because of strong differences of opinion. Perhaps someone wants more control or authority then they should be granted, or someone else seems to enjoy causing trouble. No matter what the cause, conflict must be faced and resolved.

Prevention is better than correction, but we might not address the issue until it becomes large. Maybe we may feel it is not our duty or responsibility, and so we do nothing. However, when God shows us something that needs to be corrected it is our job to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We need to thoroughly articulate our response in our minds before doing or saying anything. We also need to pray about both the problem and the solution. God will provide wisdom and guidance. Then, when we act, we can often expect that others may not respond in a godly way, but we still need to do what is right to the best of our abilities, doing what Jesus would do if He were in our shoes. Afterward, we can learn from the experience and move on.

Remember, Jesus Himself faced conflict in His ministry, especially from within his own group of disciples. If He faced conflict, so can we! Don’t let the experience discourage you, distract you, defeat or depress you.

Scripture
Romans 12:18-20, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’”

Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

Galatians 6:1-5, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.”

Reflect

What is your “style” of handling conflict? Do you avoid it, rush headlong in, seek compromise, or just ignore it? What should your personal conflict management style look like?
Think of some conflicts you’ve had in the past. What did you learned from them? What might you have done differently?
Are you facing any conflicts at the present? What would Jesus do? Who can you go to for advice? Have you been praying about it? What is your plan of action?

P.S. Download Tim’s Principles for Confrontation from his Free Youth Ministry Resources page.

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Time Out: A Job or a Lifestyle?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:24:57 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Getting paid to do what you love is a real privilege and blessing. Every once in awhile I awaken to my own awesome opportunity of being able to spend my time serving God while watching Him work and receive a salary for it. I feel as though I should be paying others for this great opportunity! Being a pastor moves me deeply and I am humbled and inspired to give God my very best every day.

But, at times, I admit I see my job as a merely a job; a burden to be worn; something I am stuck doing to pay the bills at home. Sometimes this happens because I get discouraged during tough times, or because I’ve drifted in my own personal walk with the Lord. It can also happen because I get too busy doing too many things. Other times it is a hobby that diverts my focus, or administrative work that becomes cumbersome. There are many things which are fine in themselves, but can distract me from the main job.

In 2 Timothy 2:3-7 Paul uses the example of a soldier to explain the difference between a job and a lifestyle. A soldier’s first loyalty must be to his commanding officer. He can not be so involved in civilian matters that they affect his availability or commitment to his leader. He must be ready and available to do whatever and to go wherever, at any moment’s notice. In life, enjoying things outside of work is good, but when those things interfere with serving the Lord, then those things are out of place. They can become an idol, and we all know what God thinks of idols!

Scripture
2 Timothy 2:3-7, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs — he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

1 John 5:21, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Reflect

What is ministry to you, a job or a lifestyle?
If it is just a job, what must you do to change that?
What most distracts you from your ministry?
What must you do to keep your focus where it needs to be?

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Time Out: Ministry’s #1 Responsibility

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:53:50 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

When God rates the requirements of those who serve Him, He elaborates on one characteristic specifically and explains it in more detail than any of the others: the one about family (1 Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6). Clearly, this trait is very significant. Why is it so important to manage one’s family well? What does Paul mean when he says that the way we relate to our mate and children is the way we will relate to those to whom we minister? Maybe because our “real” self comes out most vividly at home and God is concerned with who we really are. He is not impressed with the face we show others — He knows that face is just a veneer and will one day crack and fall off. He knows if we use anger to get our way at home, we will eventually do this with others outside the home. He knows that if we avoid difficult situations, if we use others as a means for our purposes, if we manipulate guilt, whatever we do, that it will inevitably creap in our ministry, as well. Even the best hypocrite will slip up sooner or later.

Sadly, often our mate and family get the worst side of us. When was the last time that you were having a heated discussion with your mate, and the phone rang; you answered in a tone of voice completely different than that which you were using just a moment ago with your mate. Doesn’t our mate deserve our best behavior? Shouldn’t they be treated as well, or even better, than strangers? They know us better than anyone, and yet they love us unconditionally. They will be a part of our lives long after everyone else has gone. That relationship is the one that must come first. Sure it is harder because our spouse knows us as we truly are. It is much easier to be nice to the young teens in our group who are easily impressed with us. The young teens gives us an ego boost, but it is our mate at home that really matters.

So remember, God does not look to see how we treat the teens that admire us, but how we treat our mate and family. That is how He evaluates our growth and maturity. What kind of score is He giving you?

Scripture
1 Timothy 3:4, “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)”

Titus 1:6, “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.”

Ephesians 5:21-33, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Reflect

As God looks at your relationship with your mate, where would He give you good marks? What are you doing right?
Where would God say there is room for improvement?
What would your mate change about you if they could? Maybe you should have that hard conversation with him/her to find out honestly.
Write down 3 things you can do to improve your relationship with your mate, starting now.

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Time Out: Seven principles for making tough decisions

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:51:30 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Black and white are distinct colors that are easy to distinguish. But not everything in life is black and white. Many times we see shades of gray, and sometimes it is very hard to decipher which option, or shade, is better than the other. Some decisions are not easy to make; the better option is not always apparent and the consequences may not always be popular. When our popularity, and even our ministry’s future are involved, decision-making becomes very confusing. Some decisions are extremely difficult. As ministers, what do we do?

1. Be certain that your mind is making the decision, and not just your emotions. Feelings can have their say, but they should not make the final choice. If they do, the choice will be a reaction, and not a pro-action. Allow your mind to explain the reality of things to your emotions.

2. Make sure fear is not controlling your thought-process. God does not give us fear, (2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15) therefore, we cannot let fear influence our decisions.

3. Putting off a decision is not good either. Avoiding a decision is itself a decision. To do nothing is a decision to go with the flow, or the status quo, (no rhyme intended). Thus, no decision is really a decision.

4. Get advice from a mature and experienced person whom you trust and respect.

5. Pray about the decision. God promises wisdom; trust Him, and He will guide you.

6. When it is time, make the decision and trust that God is behind that decision. Trust Him to be with you through it all, as He Himself promises (Proverbs 3:5-6).

7. Afterward, do not keep remaking the decision in your mind, wondering if you chose correctly — that will drive a person crazy! Instead, look ahead and do not look back.

Remember, Jesus knows how tough decision-making can be. He faced a difficult one in the Garden of Gethsemane, but He looked ahead and did what He knew was right even though it was hard. Follow His example, and you will be just fine.

Scripture
James 1:5-8, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

Joshua 1:7-9, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Reflect

What are some of the hardest decisions you have ever had to make? Why were they so hard?
Why are some decisions harder for you than others?
Whom can you go to for advice about a tough decision?
Are you facing any really touch decisions now? What principles can you apply to help you make a wise and godly choice?

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Time Out: Identifying “God moments” in your life

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:09:09 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Maybe you’ve heard someone refer to a “God moment.” This usually is a special time when it is clear that God has intervened and shown Himself in an exceptional way. It is important to notice and appreciate these unique moments and interventions of our Heavenly Father. We must enjoy them and thank Him for a clear answer to prayer, a sudden revelation of His will, a perfect circumstance that is no chance happening, a provision for a need, or a deep feeling of love and worship. These moments are important to recognize. They can become special teaching moments when we use them to minister to others. They can increase faith and intensify worship. Too bad there aren’t more of these God moments in our lives.

But wait a minute! Who are we to limit “God moments” to only those special events we notice and appreciate? Aren’t all events and occurrences part of God’s plan and purpose? How many God’s activities bypass our recognition because they do not seem special or unique enough for us to recognize them as coming from God? After all, God is good all the time and in every way. In happy moments we must praise God. In difficult moments we must praise Him. In quiet moments, worship Him. In painful moments, trust Him. At every moment we are to thank God. So appreciate the “God moments” as the “icing on the cake” special love notes from God, but do not limit God’s involvement in our lives to these. Realize that every activity and every event in our life is, in fact, a God moment.

Scripture
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.”

Romans 5:2-5, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Reflect

Think of some of the recent, clear God moments in your life. Why did God provide them for you? What should your response be?
How can you use these God moments to teach and encourage others?
Where has God been working in your life that you may have forgotten to give Him the credit?
What difficulties are you experiencing that God has willed for a purpose?

Make a very conscious effort all day to notice how and when God works in your life — in obvious and subtle ways. Carry a paper and pencil to write them down so you can read over them at the end of the day. This will help keep your eyes on Him rather than of the world around you.

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Time Out: You need a target in your sights before you shoot

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:53:32 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

As pastors, we enter ministry to serve God and change the world for Him, but somewhere along the way we find that our ministry has become a job that only brings in a weekly paycheck. We started the journey with specific dreams and goals we wanted to accomplish before we picked up expectations from the senior pastor, parents, and others in the church. Then we go to a conference or read an article and find out more worthy goals that we should accomplish. Before long, we’re trying to meet all the expectations and, in so doing, find that we don’t meet any of them. How can we know which goals to pursue and which ones to drop? Perhaps all are worthy, but not all can be accomplished. So what should we do? Should we pick the easiest, the most flashy, the ones that make us look best? Or should we choose the hardest, the most challenging?

Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer. We can only focus on one thing: God’s vision for our ministry. He has a plan and a purpose for us and our service for Him. He has a path for us to follow, an image to be created. He wants all of us to become like Jesus. That is His goal for every believer, but how that goal translates for each of us will be different, as is the path He leads us on. What is God’s plan for your ministry, your marriage, your students? What are His dreams and plans for you and those you serve? Often, we purchase a program or curriculum because it looks attractive to us when we should first know God’s vision for those we minister. We must first be able to see the complete picture. Only then can we start seeking a program or curriculum to paint that picture.

Scripture
Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Philippians 3:10-14, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Reflect
Spend some time in prayer asking God to share His vision for your life and ministry. Get away for a few hours or a whole day — whatever it takes for you to feel you understand what He wants to accomplish through you. Then, and only then, can you start to look at programs or curriculum to accomplish this vision.

What does God want to see in the lives of the people you serve ten years from now?
What should you be doing, today and tomorrow, to move in that direction?
Write down a description of what you believe God’s vision is your ministry. Re-read it and pray about it every day for the next week.

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Time Out: What to do with that “thorn in the flesh” parent

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:29:00 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

We all have them, or at least one of them: a parent who just seems to make ministry harder it should be. Instead of appreciating and supporting what we do, they seem to find something wrong with everything. It could also be someone in the church who doesn’t even have a son or daughter in your group. Even worse is when they criticize or condemn our mate instead of us. Jesus knows what that is like – He certainly faced criticism, even from his own family members.

First, see if there is anything you can learn from this nit-picky person. Often hidden in some very poor packaging can be kernels of truth and wisdom, if we’d only search them out and use them. Remember, always respond in gentleness and love. It is legitimate to try to guard our time from lengthy conversations that produce little fruit, since defending ourselves and explaining our actions sometimes waste time. Second, perhaps you can go to someone this nit-picky person will listen to and enlist their aid in speaking to this person. And third, Pray for this person and for the root cause which may be producing this type of critical behavior. Do not get caught in a power struggle with them. Do not gossip about them. Do not criticize or put them down in retaliation. Never stoop to their level. Pray and ask God to help you see them through His eyes and to love them with His unconditional love. Pray to God with sincerity. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes!

Scripture
2 Timothy 2:24, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Reflect

Which parent(s) do you find yourself avoiding? Who do you dread to hear from?
Why might they be treating you in this way?
What truth or wisdom can be gleaned from them that can help you minister in a better way?
Do you find yourself doing or not doing certain things to please them (or to annoy them)?
What would Jesus do if He were in your position?

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Time Out: Whose youth group is it?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:00:31 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

How do you react when someone refers to the youth group you lead as “your” youth group. “We’re going to Tim’s youth group tonight.” “Tim’s youth group is going on a trip…” What runs through your mind when you hear it referred to in that way? It’s OK to feel good since this is what God called you to do. You trained for it and throw your whole life into it. Yet down inside something should feel a little wrong about hearing it called “your” group or even when you call it “my youth group.” Sure, we know well enough what people mean by that term, and its OK for others to use it. The problem comes in if we start believing that, if we think of it as “my” group. We can sometimes loose perspective of whose group it really is.

Jesus says “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We can use whatever terms we want as long as we keep foremost in our minds whose group it really is. It isn’t mine, it’s the Lord’s group. I can’t build it, only He can. We are growing the youth for Him, He is growing them through us. He is the chief shepherd, we are just the under shepherds, the ones with the awesome privilege of having a front row seat to watch Him work. Thank Him for that privilege. Enjoy your ministry. Pour yourself into it. Just always remember it is His group, His work, His church.

Scripture
Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Reflect

Do you sometimes take credit for what God is doing? Don’t steal His glory in any way!
Do you put pressure on yourself to “do great things for God?” Try relaxing and letting God do great things through you.
Do you ask Him to help you with your plans and program or do you report for duty and listen sensitively for His plans and leading?

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Time Out: Throwing a good pass

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:22:21 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

You’ve worked really hard on a great devotional or Bible study. You think its one of the best you’ve ever put together and are excited to share it with the kids, but when you’ve finished delivering it, you walk away from the youth meeting confused because it just seemed to lay there, flat, without life. Or, how about the time you deliver a lesson you felt God wanted you to share, but despite not expecting much from it, several teens say your words touched them and changed their lives. What’s up with these situations? There’s great danger in evaluating what we do just by the results we see. If our audience likes our Bible lessons and responds well, we feel we did a good job. If they don’t — failure.

What we do is similar to being a quarterback. A quarterback’s job is to deliver the ball to the receivers and move it down the field. He is rated by how many passes he completes, but if you know anything about football you know that isn’t a true measurement of his skill. Passes can be dropped, receivers run wrong routes, or they may let the ball bounce out of their hands into the hands of a defender. Once the quarterback lets go of the ball, if it is caught or not is not up to him. He can’t throw it then run down the field and catch it. Of course he has to throw the best pass he can, a right spiral right into the receiver’s hands. Even so, they aren’t always caught, but that’s not the quarterback’s fault.

The opposite is also true. Sometimes the quarterback throws a wobbly pass that isn’t very accurate, but the receiver will make a great adjustment and end up with a miraculous catch. All a quarterback can do is try to throw the best pass he can making it as easy as possible for the receiver to catch it, but the catch is up to the recipient.

Do you see my point? We are the quarterback. We are responsible to deliver the message in the best possible manner, making it as easy as possible for our recipients to catch it, but God does not hold us accountable if they miss it. Sometimes we don’t pass as well, but a listener will come away with a miraculous change inside anyway.

Focus on delivering the message in the best way you know how and let the Holy Spirit work in their lives to do the rest. What happens after that is between them and God. Don’t put extra pressure on yourself. Don’t manipulate for results. Just put it out there and leave the rest up to God.

Scripture
2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Reflect

Do you put extra pressure on yourself to get certain results from your ministry?
Do you have a hard time patiently letting God work?
Do you find yourself frustrated with the teens you lead because they just don’t seem to be getting it fast enough? That’s a sure-fire recipe for discouragement. Take a few moments and turn it over to God. Ask Him to help you just focus on faithfully ministering to your kids, and let the results to Him and them.

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years now, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Time Out: Running on an empty tank

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:06:43 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

Sometimes when I’m busy driving errands around town I put off things that feel like a hindrance, like putting gas in the car. I have too much to do to stop for gas so I tell myself I’ll just do it later. Obviously, you can figure out what happens if I put it off for too long. It’s like skipping meal after meal because I’m too busy to eat. That will quickly catch up with me, as well. The same is true spiritually. It’s easy to be so busy that we neglect regular time alone with the Lord. After all, we deal with spiritual things all day. We plan Bible studies, pray with people and give Biblical counsel, but unless we have a daily personal intake of God’s Word and a time of close connection with God we will soon be running on empty. We can be so focused on what we DO that we start to neglect who we ARE. Then we start to become discouraged, drained, impatient and frustrated because we are trying to operate without the proper fuel. Let God fill you with His presence. As any worthwhile relationship, it takes time, quality time, with the other person listening and talking. We don’t want to become like the religious rulers in Jesus’ day — so busy doing godly acts that they missed out on their personal connection with God. Remember, its all about relationship, and that means our own relationship with God.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Reflect

Do you find yourself looking for a Bible lesson on line or in your files because you don’t have time to do something fresh from your own relationship with God? (See “Free small group curriculum: My life.”)
Do you find yourself spiritually empty without anything new to say to those you minister to?
What’s your plan? When do you try to schedule regular time with God?
What gives you the most difficulty in spending time with God each day? Is it business, laziness, unconfessed sin, poor priorities, etc.?
Who is your accountability partner? Who will ask you the tough questions about your relationship with God? If you don’t have someone (and your mate doesn’t count) then get someone now.

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Time Out: The Goal is Love

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:31:08 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

It’s important to have goals for your youth ministry. Although they may encompass many things, is one of the main ones to love students? Loving each youth with the love of Jesus should be a top goal for each one working with youth. Numbers, statistics, accomplishments – these are all important, but what they need more than anything is love. Knowing you love them means more to them than any fancy program or creative Bible study. It’s been said that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care, and that’s especially true of teens. Loving them is the easiest thing you can do, but it also can be the hardest things to do. Some are naturally very easy to love, but it’s the other ones, the ones who are hardest to love, that really need your love the most. Seeing God’s unconditional love in operation through you is the only way they’ll really be attracted to Him. Jesus emphasized His love for His disciples over and over, and He showed it by washing their feet when they least deserved it. There are many ways in which we influence the youth we minister to, but loving them has the greatest and longest lasting impact of anything. You are never more like Jesus than when you are loving your kids!

Scripture
1 Timothy 1:5-6, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

1 John 3:11, 18, “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another…. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

Reflect

Who do you have the hardest time loving in your group? Ask God to live you His love for them, to see them through His eyes.
When is the last time you have “washed the feet’” of those you minister to? What are some ways you can do that this week?
Look at the character traits in 1 Corinthians 13 (patience, kindness, etc.) and pray individually for each one, asking God to help you in specific areas of need in your life.

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Time Out: Feed the sheep

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:39:51 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

There are all kinds of great resources available for those working with youth. There’s hardly enough time in a day to check them all out and keep up with what is new. The tools available to us are virtually unlimited. Yet we must remember they are just that – tools. There is one that stands head and shoulders above all the others, one that guarantees God’s power to flow when it is used, one that promises results and assures success. Yet sometimes we get so busy with all the fancy, tricky, flashy stuff that’s available that we neglect focusing on this most effective resource: the Word of God. It alone can touch a heart (Hebrews 4:12). It alone defeats sin, temptation and the enemy himself. It alone brings light into darkness, joy into sorrow and hope into despair. Fancy packaging can be okay, just as long as the message is clearly communicated. Do you want your youth to grow? Feed them the Word. Make sure they get good, healthy doses of God’s Word. It’ll do what none of the programs or curriculum alone can do.

Scripture
Ephesians 6:17, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Matthew 4:1-4, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”” (cf v 5-10)

John 21:15-17, “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

Reflect

Have you drifted a bit from focusing on teaching the Bible to programs and gimmicks that are okay but lack the nourishment only the Bible can bring?
Are you nourishing yourself daily on God’s Word?
What can you do to focus more clearly on God’s Word with your youth?
Take some time right now to open your Bible and read, letting God feed your soul by His Spirit.

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Time Out: God works in us before He works through us

Tim Schmoyer — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:37:51 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

God is more interested in changing you through your youth than He is in changing your youth through you. Let me say that again. God is more interested in changing you through your youth than He is in changing your youth through you. It’s true. Why do you think He allows the frustrations and problems, the challenges and heartaches that keep driving you back to Him? It is easy to start thinking that God needs us to help these kids. The truth is: He doesn’t. He can do fine without us. He doesn’t need our skill — He’s the one who gave us the skill in the first place. We aren’t called to minister to others because we have reached some higher spiritual plateau. We are here in the ministry because this is God’s chosen way to stretch and mature us. Our ministry is His tool to make us more like Jesus. That’s His goal for all of us and it doesn’t end when we find ourselves leading others. Is He using you to help your teens become more like Jesus? I hope so — that’s great when it happens. But the real question is, is He using your teens to make you more like Jesus? That’s definitely on the top of God’s priority list for us. Don’t get so busy trying to change others that you miss what God is doing to change you!

Scripture
Philippians 1:3-6, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.”

Reflect

How has God used what you have gone through as a youth pastor to help make you more like Jesus?
What is He doing through your current situation to make you more like Him?
Submit yourself anew to His process in your life. Make your number one goal in life to be more like Jesus.

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Time Out: Who is your audience?

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:38:18 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)
Those in youth ministry are well aware that we are being constantly observed by others. It’s only natural to want to be seen in a positive way. It’s easy to wonder what the Senior Pastor thinks, or the board, or parents, or teens, or even fellow youth leaders. The temptation is to do whatever we can to get a positive response from these audiences. I’m not saying this is always wrong, as long as we remember that we really play to an audience of One. There is only One whose approval matters and it is easy to forget that He, too, is watching. Getting His, “Well done, good and faithful servant” will mean more than any praise we may get on this earth. There’s nothing wrong with being liked and appreciated in ministry. Just don’t let it become an idol — you know what God thinks of idols! He alone is the audience we must play to.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:32, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Reflect

What other audience “competes” with God for your attention?
Have you made your popularity and “success” an idol that comes before pleasing God?
Is there anything you need to change in your life to more fully please God as He watches you?
Remember, not only does God watch you, but He’s your biggest fan! Thank Him for that.

Time Out: God rewards faithfulness more than fruitfulness

Tim Schmoyer — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:57:21 +0000

Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)
Trying to minister for God can be difficult. Just ask Isaiah or Jeremiah or even John the Baptist. Ministering to teens can be even more difficult since they are going through transitions and changes without the maturity they will later attain, so results can be slim. It’s easy to make a splash that seems to full of activity and excitement, but we all know that real change deep in a person’s heart is sometimes a slow process. Often seeds are planted but the results don’t show until years after the teens leave the youth group and move on in life. Discouragement, that often-used weapon of the enemy, can become a constant companion. God, in His mercy, does allow us to see glimpses of change in the lives we touch and that’s great. Often it seems that no one really understands or appreciates what we do except our mates and they often have their own struggles to deal with. It’s important to remember that God knows what we strive to do, even if it doesn’t always seem to succeed. We know in our minds that God just wants us to be faithful in what we do and leave the results to Him. It is His job to change hearts and lives, not ours. We are to faithfully serve, to minister for Him. That’s what He looks at -– our faithfulness. God doesn’t compare us with each other (thankfully!), He just compares us with ourselves. If we are doing our best to faithfully serve Him then He is thrilled with us. God doesn’t evaluate us by the results we produce but by the faithfulness of our service. After all, the servant with two talents received the same “Well done” from the master as the servant with ten! Anyone can serve God when things are going great, but to faithfully serve when we don’t see the results brings greater pleasure to God and reward to us. Write that on a piece of paper and put it over your desk: “God evaluates me by my faithfulness more than my fruitfulness.”

Scripture
Matthew 25:19-23, “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

Reflect

Are you evaluating your effectiveness by the fruit of your ministry?
Are you discouraged with what external outcomes you can observe?
Thank God for not appraising your effectiveness by visible results but by your faithfulness.
Remember those in your own past who faithful service influenced you. Perhaps a thank-you to them would be greatly appreciated.
Recommit yourself to faithfully serve Him even when there are no visible results.