This Week for Students

1. Something for Your Heart

It's His Universe

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1.16)

Have you ever heard or used that expression: "It's so-and-so's world; we're just living in it?" This week you might hear someone say, "It's Miley Cyrus's world; we're just living in it."

It's a funny thing to say, but of course it's true for only one being: God. He made everything. Every living thing. Every non-living thing. Everything you can see or can't. Every being that breathes or exists somehow without breath. And it was all made "for him." It's literally His universe; we're just living in it.

Hearing that can either make you feel jealous and small and angry about the inequality of a universe where one being has all that power -- or it can make you feel deeply grateful that such a being is also a person who would willingly sacrifice His Son on a cross to include you in His plans for that universe.

What's your response?

Think: How much power would it take to create everything in the universe? How much control would the Creator have over all that exists in His universe? Why, again, would God let His Son be mocked and killed by a handful of His tiny, weak creatures?

Pray: Thank God for letting you live in His universe and then thank Him again and again for including you in His family through you faith in Jesus.

Do: Read more about this big idea in Romans 11.33-12.2

2. Surf Report

- Movie Review

17 Again

- Book Review

"Nation" by Terry Pratchett

3. Forgettable Fact

By recycling just one glass bottle, the amount of energy that is being saved is enough to light a 100 watt bulb for four hours.

4. Potent Quotables

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."

~ Goethe

"No legacy is so rich as honesty."

~ William Shakespeare

5. Uh, That's Funny?

Q: What is an Eskimo cow called?

A: An eskimoo.

This Week for Students

1. Something for Your Heart

Don't Be Frightened

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (1 Peter 3.13-14)

Two of the most pwerful motivators are anger and fear. We know instinctively that selfish anger can motivate us to do hurtful things. But when we are ruled by fear of the wrong thing, that also motivates us to NOT do right things, to NOT boldly walk the path God has called us to.

Peter wrote these words to people who had good reason to be frightened. They all knew that following Jesus could lead directly to painful persecution. Peter said that was less likely if they were known for doing good. He didn't say it wouldn't happen anyway. Hard time will to all of us. So how can he say, "Don't be frightened?"

When we organize our lives to avoid suffering to didge all the things that scare us we make fear our god. We serve fear by letting it tell us how to live. Peter says, "You may sugger; you may not. Either way, you have a mission to serve the God who loves you. Don't run gfrom the line of fire if that's where He calls you."

Think: How many of your devcisions are based on a fear of what others might think? Or of the work that be involved? r of losing something you care about?

Pray: Ask God to make you a fearless followed of Jesus.

Do: In today's passage, Peter quotes Isaiah 8. read Isaiah 8.11-17.

2. Surf Report

- Music Review

Flo Rida:  R.O.O.T.S

-Movie Review

Hannah Montana The Movie

3. Forgettable Fact

The odds of being killed by falling out of bed are on in two million.

4. Potent Quotables

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure."

~ Colin Powell

"Some people that they are concentrating when they're merely worrying."

~ Bobby Jones

5. Uh, That's Funny?

Consciousness is that annoying time between naps.

WAC: The Autopsy of Christ

Reflect:

Tonight we experienced the crucifixion of Christ according to the postings of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The details that were discussed were on the physical death of Jesus Christ. It painful to listen to but much more painful to experience.

Share:

Why is it important to understand these aspects of Christ's crucifixion? Perhaps a more demanding question is did Christ really have to be crucified or could there have been some other way? 

Move:

Should the crucifixion of Christ change anything about our spiritual experience? If so, why? If not, why not? 

What are you you doing about the crucifixion of Christ? Are you adding to the need for Christ's crucifixion through your sin?

Do you even care?

Let me encourage you to click on the "comments" tab below this you can share your thoughts.

As you enter the church on Sunday morning, I encourage you to look in the Youth Center.