Forward 2012

We are so excited about this year’s Forward Conference 2012! It has been such a blessing for Caleb and I to be a part of the youth and to be taking them this year. The due date for signing up is March 11th  (next Sunday) with the $70 deposit. We are praying that all of the R.E.I.G.N. youth will be attending and look forward to the Word that will be received. Those who may have forgotten, the speakers for the conference will be Jentezen Franklin, Matthew Barnett, Steven Furtick, Reggie Dabbs and more. Music will be performed by Israel Houghton, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Free Chapel, and many more. It is going to be such a powerful weekend. The Youth really bond on these trips, which makes us stronger as a youth group.

Have a blessed day!

Jessica

Stages of Sin

James 1: 13-15
Let no man say that when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn way of his own lusts and entices. Then when lust have conceived it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished forth death.
Roman 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.
7 Stages of Sin
1. Temptation
2. Being drawn away
3. Personal Lust
4. Enticement
5. Lust Conceived
6. Actual Sin
7. The consequences of Sin
Temptation- Anything that turns you away, something that pops in your head that is not from God. No matter what the sin is, it starts with the thinking process. Temptation is not a sin. A thought is never a sin till you take action on it.
Being drawn away- This is when you have strong imagination about the temptation.
Personal Lust- Those strong imaginations start to take pleasure in your mind and those thoughts are speaking and showing active in your mind.
Enticement- Satan trying to entice you to take action into these thoughts and images.
Lust Conceived- You cannot have sin till you have lust conceived (giving birth). Lust conceived is the birthing of something not in place yet. At this stage it is very hard not to sin because your total will is yielded to what the temptation represents.
Actual Sin- There is many people who say something with their hearts and not with their mouths. They still have committed sin in their heart because they are one with it and in full agreement with it. It is your choice to reject a thought or dwell on it. Any person in agreement with a thought in his or her heart will eventually act on that thought.
The consequences of Sin- And sin when it is finished brings forth death…Sin not repented for brings spiritual death. It also opens the door to curses in your spirit, soul, and body. It opens the door for sin to rule you, to reign and to destroy and have dominion over you. Unless it is repented for, dealt with and cast out it will be continually be there to tempt you.

In Him,
Lauren Motherway, Student Leader

FORWARD 2011

So excited about the upcoming youth trip to FORWARD 2011. There are 21 signed up for this trip and they are SO EXCITED! Please keep us in your prayers they group got so much out of this conference last year and we expect even more changes this year. ATL look out, WVC is heading your way!

Managing You Emotions

Proverbs 16: 32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
People think that if you are a Christian you won’t have negative emotions but, even being a Christian it is still hard to control your emotions.
In class we did an activity where we got an egg out of the basket and in the egg there was two emotions written on a piece and we were supposed to go around the room and say whether the emotion was a good thing or a bad thing at any point in time.
Example 1—Anticipation & Gladness—– Anticipation on getting my new car, and Gladness, I was glad that it was the car I wanted.
Example 2—-Depression & Homesick—— Depression is never a healthy emotion.   Feeling depressed about a death.  Homesick being away for a long period of time and missing home.
Too often however, we find that when our emotions are left unsupervised, they are like an ocean, our emotions tend to come and go out like the tide. One moment we are rushing back, leaving the debris behind us everywhere.
3 John 2—Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
There are two parts in this scripture. The first half talks about life, prosperity and health. But, the second half talks about the prosperity of your soul.
Your soul is made up of three parts.
1. Your mind
2. Your will and
3. Your emotions
God doesn’t want us to be ruled by our emotions, he wants them to be happy and have peace that comes with knowing how to control our emotions.
Sometimes we feel like we have no control over how we feel. We have a challenging situation, and a wave of emotions come over us, and we feel overwhelmed and powerless. But,  just because our emotions feel powerful, doesn’t mean that they are all powerful, we have to power to overcome our emotions,  just because we feel them doesn’t mean we have to act on them.
When you have a feeling that you feel that you can’t control, it’s from the devil; pray and seek God for wisdom on how to overcome these feelings.
Hebrews 4:15 this high priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same things we do, yet He did not sin.
Sometimes I think us as Christians tend to forget that Jesus faced the same challenges that we face every day.
Mark 14:32-34 they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
How did Jesus Feel? He wanted the torment to be taken away, Fear, anger, he wanted out, he wanted Gods plan and will.
Luke 10:19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them.  Nothing will harm you in the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 6:16 you do not have to bow your knee to the trick that Satan tries to play on your emotions. God Himself tells you to “hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery of the devil.”
When Satan tries to plant a thought in your head, stop, think and ask God if this is from him or the devil.

Stay Tuned, More to Come,
Lauren Motherway, WVC Youth Student Leader

Managing Your Emotion’s, God’s Way !

Topic: Anger/ Self Centeredness
Genesis 4: 1-6

In the story about Cain and Abel , Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a tiller of the ground. Abel brought unto God his best unlike his brother Cain .His offering was not his best because he did not bring his first fruits. The Lord had respect to Abel and his offering because he brought the first fruits unto God. It angered Cain that the Lord chose Abel over him . The Lord said unto Cain, why are you angry. Why do you look sad, and depressed and dejected? If you do well, will you not be accepted/ if you do not well, sin crouches at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

The questions were asked in class what types of emotions do we go through when someone is chosen over you? Jealousy, Anger, Sadness, Depressed, Bitterness, Hurt, etc. In what way do you deal with these emotions? Some people hit things, blame others, some withdraw, some even react with violence, stalking, etc.

What exactly is anger? A strong passion or emotion of displeasure or antagonism, excited by a real or supposed injury or insult to one’s self or others, or by the intent to do such injury.

Most angry people are self-centered . All they think about is themselves— while they are mad they don’t think about anyone else, everything is about them.

Your Perspective is Power. Why? Because the way you look at things affects your faith, emotions, actions, etc. Your perspective should match God’s perspective.

Question— How do we get our perspective to match God’s. The way we do this is by understanding God’s Nature. Everything that God does is based on Love. That means that God’s nature is love. So the answer to the Questions is to love others more than you love yourself.

So how do you combat self-centeredness—-FIX IT !! Love others—— By loving others, you lose self – centeredness, choose something other than yourself .

Last night was a great night in youth class . We are growing which humbles me , I remember when there was only 7 of us and now it’s been 35 plus for a month now , is God great or what? I want to encourage everyone to keep coming Pastor Derrick and Miranda are amazing and love us some much Thank you guys for everything you do for the youth!!!

Let me hear from you. Send me your thoughts about the blog and class notes.

Living In His Blessing,
Lauren Motherway, Student Youth Leader

Managing Your Emotions, God’s Way!

Join us tonight as we start a series in youth class entitled ” Managing Your Emotions God’s Way”.
Most young people today allow their emotions to dictate their response to the world. God has freely given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness and our response is necessary. Don’t miss out on what God has to say about your emotions and how you should control them.
Derrick and Miranda Griffie

FORWARD 2011

Excited to have so many kids signed up for this years conference! Look out satan, we are raising up an army for Jesus!