Simply Believing YOU are Strong

It is quite obvious that our heavenly Father is coming for us soon. Sometimes it feels like everything is going wrong and I begin to wonder if I am strong enough to handle it.

Almost every day it seems we hear of another shooting, or worse. The wonderful thing to remember though is that if we stay strong in our faith in Jesus, He will carry us through.

It may not be something big, it may just be getting through this year without failing another class, but God can carry us through. He will always be there for us, allowing us to lean on Him and rely on His strength. God makes us stronger!

Always remember that no matter how bad things seem to be going, God is right there beside you and He can get you through anything.

Simply Believing YOU are Called

Several years ago, a young family in my church answered a call to move two and a half hours away from their current home to do mission work for Christ. It is easy, as we hear of these things, to get discouraged, because it isn't like we can just up and move at the age of 16.

Sometimes as a teenager, I feel like I can't make a difference for Christ. The real truth though, is that we are all called by Christ for a greater purpose. It may not be something crazy like moving. It may not even be in another country, but there are plenty of callings, even within your own church family. There are so many opportunities to make a difference such as, greeting, singing, playing an instrument, or helping with Vacation Bible School at your church.

Romans 8:28 says "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."

YOU are called to make a difference. Whether you are 13 or 93, you have a calling. The question is, when will you choose to answer it?

Simply Believing YOU are Talented

I am attending a hand bell festival this weekend. I have noticed that as you hear each group's individual piece they have prepared it is easy to get discouraged. Thoughts come washing over me of, "I wish our group was that good," or, "Maybe we would be cooler if we sounded like that."

Something I have noticed though is that the fact that I can play the hand bells is a talent. I may not be the greatest bell ringer ever or be able to play an entire song by myself, but God has given me a talent. It is important to remember that our talents are given to us by God to use for God. Our talents were given to us with the purpose of aiding others as they draw closer to God. Many people get caught up in the applause and complements, but all the glory should go to God.

Use your talents for God! Show others His amazing grace through music, speaking, drama, or even a smile. We all have different talents and the beauty of it is different talents speak to different people.

I beg you to allow God to speak to others through the talents He has given you so that His kingdom will be bursting at the seams. And I'm sure your church won't mind you using your talents to fill the church either.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31

Simply Believing YOU Have a Purpose

Sometimes it is easy to think that don’t have a purpose. Especially as a teenager it is sometimes difficult to see why you have been put here on this earth. The beautiful thing is that God has a purpose thought out for every one of His children. And He has a purpose for you!

As I am trying to decide what college I will be attending, I continue to feel the pull to go to a public university. All of my friends and the adults in my life continue to push me towards continuing my Adventist education, but I don’t feel like that is God’s plan for my life. I have the inclination that a large part of God’s purpose for my life is to reach others for Christ through Bible studies. God is pulling on my heart strings to start a revolution. To attempt to reach the young ladies at a public university. I don’t know which college that will be or how I will be able to accomplish this task, but I don’t believe it is impossible.

I have already felt God’s purpose for my life as I have led an online Bible study along with a Bible study in my high school dormitory at my boarding school. I feel called to share God’s word with the ladies around me. And God is calling you too!

God has a beautiful plan for your life. Although you may not be able to see it right know, I pray that it will soon become clear. God would not have created you if He did not have an amazing purpose for your life. I encourage you to pray to God, that He would reveal His purpose for your life to you, so that you can get started. Once you find your purpose, I hope that you will be energized to run towards accomplishing your new goal! I promise you it will be worth it.

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16

Simply Believing YOU are Free

So many times we want to follow in someone's footsteps or follow the crowd, but God created us to be unique individuals. We are free to be who God created us to be and not to be molded, by the world, into something that we are not. The real truth though is that each one of us is unlike another. 

God gave us the freedom to be one hundred percent original! Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” You are free to be unique, free to be yourself and free to be YOU! So why not go out and proclaim to the world that YOU ARE FREE!