All Boys Laser Tag Event from Christopher Orr on Vimeo.
Tuesday, October 22
All Boys Laser Tag Event
On Saturday, October 19th, 15 young men headed out to Marionville, Missouri to see who would be victorious in laser tag. We went to Bill's Extreme Paintball and Laser Tag and had a blast. This week we start our series on prayer, titled "Can You Hear Me Now?" I believe that God is going to do amazing things through this series. Get your kids to Wednesday night service.
Friday, October 4
You Pagan, Bro?
As Jesus sits with his disciples and teaches them how to live as God intended, we come across a challenging and resisting statement. A statement that goes against our very nature and our world. A statement that sets apart Christians from Pagans. Disciples from tax collectors. Good from evil.
"Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you"
Several people throughout the old testament call upon God to bless them and destroy their enemies. I found an instance of this during my devotions today in the Psalms.
Psalm 3:7 "Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked."
Loving our enemies instead of praying for their destruction was a radical statement by Jesus. I'm sure it was especially difficult for the disciples and people of Israel as they live under Roman rule. America went through a similar situation several hundred years ago when they were under the rule of England. How radical would it be if Thomas Jefferson said, "Let's pause a minute, and pray for King George and England. Though they unfairly tax us and treat us like second rate citizens, it is still our job to love them." George Washington would personally slap him and tell him to get that weak sauce out of here. And since Tommy was super into living like Jesus, he would offer George the other cheek to slap as well. (Get it? Turn the other cheek?) Ba dum tsshhh. The point is, loving our enemies is hard and against our very nature. But that act of loving our enemies is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.
Matthew 5: 46
"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"
If you stay in your own clique of friends and never reach out to others, what makes you any different than the non-Christian? If you hate the one who bullies you, how are you set apart from the bully? If you don't pray for the partier, what makes you better than them? Love when it is easy, but also love when it is difficult. Undeserving, unconditional love is what we should be displaying because that is the very love we receive from God. As Jesus was tortured and died on a cross, he loved us when we didn't deserve it. When we sin, God gives grace even though sin is against His very nature. How will you turn the other cheek? Go the extra mile? Give your shirt AND your coat? And how will you love your enemies? God doesn't give us suggestions, he gives us commands. What are you going to do about it?
"Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you"
Several people throughout the old testament call upon God to bless them and destroy their enemies. I found an instance of this during my devotions today in the Psalms.
Psalm 3:7 "Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked."
Loving our enemies instead of praying for their destruction was a radical statement by Jesus. I'm sure it was especially difficult for the disciples and people of Israel as they live under Roman rule. America went through a similar situation several hundred years ago when they were under the rule of England. How radical would it be if Thomas Jefferson said, "Let's pause a minute, and pray for King George and England. Though they unfairly tax us and treat us like second rate citizens, it is still our job to love them." George Washington would personally slap him and tell him to get that weak sauce out of here. And since Tommy was super into living like Jesus, he would offer George the other cheek to slap as well. (Get it? Turn the other cheek?) Ba dum tsshhh. The point is, loving our enemies is hard and against our very nature. But that act of loving our enemies is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.
Matthew 5: 46
"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"
If you stay in your own clique of friends and never reach out to others, what makes you any different than the non-Christian? If you hate the one who bullies you, how are you set apart from the bully? If you don't pray for the partier, what makes you better than them? Love when it is easy, but also love when it is difficult. Undeserving, unconditional love is what we should be displaying because that is the very love we receive from God. As Jesus was tortured and died on a cross, he loved us when we didn't deserve it. When we sin, God gives grace even though sin is against His very nature. How will you turn the other cheek? Go the extra mile? Give your shirt AND your coat? And how will you love your enemies? God doesn't give us suggestions, he gives us commands. What are you going to do about it?
Saturday, September 28
Small Groups
Small groups are the best way for students to get connected with others and grow in their relationship with Christ. We have designated times and places for students to meet according to their age group. There have been changes made to the high and middle school boys time and place so that those in Royal Rangers can take part in Small Groups.
High School Boys
Where: Christopher Orr's House
1650 E. Pythian St. Springfield, MO 65802
When: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Middle School Boys
Where: The Youth House
When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
Where: The Youth House
When: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
High School Girls
Where: Panera (Battlefield)
When: Thursday from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Middle School Girls
Where: Abigail's Apartment
1744 W. Catalpa St. Apt C37 Springfield, MO 65807
When: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions or concerns you may contact Abigail at (218)590-3591.
Thursday, September 19
When Temptation Strikes
James 1:14-15
John 15:9
Today I learned that if I let my own desires lure me into sinning, it will lead to death. I must surrender my troubles to Jesus and let him put them to death so that I can be more like Him. When times are tough and we are struggling with temptation, it is always good to just remember the plain and simple face that God loves us with his whole heart. To be more like Him, we need to love everyone just as He does to us. If we fall into those temptations, sin blocks our hearts from loving on other people. We must strive to not sin so we can fully love on people.
My Challenge: When temptation has become present, immediately give it to God and flee the situation. We do not need to sit and try and fight the urge, just literally get up and go into a room where there are other people. If it's at night and no one is around, start to pray and read the Bible. God will scare the devil away and make you pure in thoughts and feelings! I'm giving my temptation to God so I won't sin and am becoming completely reliant on Him. Let God show His love and mercy to you and I promise you'll by shocked by what He gives you.
Kyler Burgess
"14 But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
John 15:9
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
Today I learned that if I let my own desires lure me into sinning, it will lead to death. I must surrender my troubles to Jesus and let him put them to death so that I can be more like Him. When times are tough and we are struggling with temptation, it is always good to just remember the plain and simple face that God loves us with his whole heart. To be more like Him, we need to love everyone just as He does to us. If we fall into those temptations, sin blocks our hearts from loving on other people. We must strive to not sin so we can fully love on people.
My Challenge: When temptation has become present, immediately give it to God and flee the situation. We do not need to sit and try and fight the urge, just literally get up and go into a room where there are other people. If it's at night and no one is around, start to pray and read the Bible. God will scare the devil away and make you pure in thoughts and feelings! I'm giving my temptation to God so I won't sin and am becoming completely reliant on Him. Let God show His love and mercy to you and I promise you'll by shocked by what He gives you.
Kyler Burgess
Monday, September 16
For Some Unknown Reason, God Loves Us
Genesis 4: 9-15
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
After committing murder, Cain comes face to face with God as he answers for his sins. Instead of responding in sadness or guilt, Cain seems to sass God. Often, we are confronted with our sin and hide behind walls of denial. Too scared to confess. Too prideful to repent. Too human to change. God gives Cain his consequences for murder and Cain then begs God for his mercy. Cain does this out of selfishness. He does not show remorse, but only cares about his life. And somehow and for some reason I do not understand, but am eternally grateful for, God shows mercy to Cain and offers His protection. Even at our darkest and most arrogant moment, God shows His love and mercy to us. What a great God we serve! That is why He deserves our worship and our lives! This is what devotions showed me today. What did God show you?
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
After committing murder, Cain comes face to face with God as he answers for his sins. Instead of responding in sadness or guilt, Cain seems to sass God. Often, we are confronted with our sin and hide behind walls of denial. Too scared to confess. Too prideful to repent. Too human to change. God gives Cain his consequences for murder and Cain then begs God for his mercy. Cain does this out of selfishness. He does not show remorse, but only cares about his life. And somehow and for some reason I do not understand, but am eternally grateful for, God shows mercy to Cain and offers His protection. Even at our darkest and most arrogant moment, God shows His love and mercy to us. What a great God we serve! That is why He deserves our worship and our lives! This is what devotions showed me today. What did God show you?
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