Utica Church of Christ
PO Box 532
115 N. Central Ave.
Utica, Ohio 43080
Phone: 740.892.3838
Youth Leader
Jarrod Scarberry
740.501.3718
KNOW GOD FOLLOW JESUS IMPACT OTHERS
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:6-7
Is it coincidence that the boldest apostle ended up a coward the night Jesus was arrested? How did he go from walking on water to denying Christ? Of course it's easy to sit back and criticize Peter for this failure. After all, shouldn't he have had greater faith after such a triumph as walking on water.....and being the only person besides Jesus to do so.....in the world....ever!
I look back at my life and I can honestly say that some of my biggest failures came after the greatest victories. I believe that when God comes through for us or we have success as believers in serving God, Satan begins attacking. He sends opposition to destroy what God has ordained. Satan will never over power God our father. He will never conquer our risen king. However, we are human and the slightest glance away from the Holy One could quite possibly send us into a path that leads to destruction.
Just like Peter looking at the waves instead of the wave maker caused him to start to sink. Now we surely can't fault Peter, as you and I may not have even gotten out of the boat. We can surely take away a great lesson in keeping our focus on the Lord. So what about Peter denying Christ? I believe he feared for his life that night. After all the victories and miracles the apostles witnessed and the fact that Jesus had just told them that he would be killed and then rise again three days later, Peter allowed fear to set in. Again he took his eyes off the One.
Keep your eyes on the ONE!
Jarrod <+><
UCC IMPACT Youth Leader
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7
Last month at IMPACT youth group, we talked about fear and how it will stop you, hold you back. It will keep you from fulfilling what God has called you to do.
It’s easy to give in to fear. In our daily walk, working and going to school it’s easy to become accustomed to being afraid. We get so used to living our life in fear that it becomes normal.
Instead of facing each day with fears and worries, choose to resist the fear that tries to attach itself to your life. Decide to, not let fear hold you back from doing the things God has called you to do.
Stand firm in the face of fear and when fear tries to attach itself to you, say no. Don’t allow yourself to become accustomed to being afraid. Kick the habit of fear by filling yourself up with Gods word.
Remember fear isn’t from God so don’t live your life afraid. Choose to think on God’s word and kick fear out!
Jarrod <+><
UCC IMPACT Youth Leader
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you encounter trials." -James 1:2
Reading that for the first time you seem to think; no, trials are not meant to be joyous. I mean, I'm facing something, and I'm supposed to be happy about it? Being happy is not the same thing as being joyful. Happiness is dependent on circumstances and joy is dependent on Jesus. Because He never changes and His Spirit is always with us, and joy after all is one of the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, etc. We can have joy all the time even in the trials. Think of it like this, joy is in the heart, happiness is on the face. Joy is of the soul and happiness is of the moment.
In Psalm 16:11, the psalmist writes, "You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Here God gives us joy, even if we're not happy. We don't have to smile all the time. We are not promised sunshine and rainbows in this life, but we are promised salvation and eternal life, which is cause for great joy even during pain and unhappiness.
Have joy my friends!
Jarrod <+><
UCC IMPACT Youth Leader