Young people have a lot on their minds.
                We help them explore what they really want to know, but might be uncomfortable asking about.
                    Asking questions is encouraged at Teen Action on Thursday nights at The Bread of Life.
                        Putting aside our regular program to focus on teen relevant topics is a great way to fill space!
          Even when we change our regular program, we still make the YWAP Character Fitness Lesson of The Week available, it's posted below for your information. Please feel free to use it. If you'd like a copy in a Word Document. please email us at ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com or call us at 716-830-8240.
                                                                         Teen Action Night, 6-8 pm Thursdays
                                                                                  Bread of Life Church
​                                                                       1638 South Park Ave. Buffalo, NY 14220

     Words of New Beginnings: “Helping other people, is like planting seeds that grow heart-smiles.” ♥
KEY WORD of THE WEEK
→DISCERNMENT
 
Discernment is the ability to judge between what’s right, what’s almost right & what’s wrong.
 
1. You may not like to take a test, but when making a decision, it’s good to test your decision up against what’s right and wrong. 
2. One way to discern or decide if an idea is good or bad, is to ask, “Would this idea be good in heaven as it is on earth?” Would God be happy with what you decided to do? 
3. The world has bad things & bad people. You need to make wise decisions or you could end up in a heap of trouble. Drugs & alcohol fog up your ability to make good decisions. 

          2 → KEYS → 2 → DISCERNMENT

1. Go 2 God’s Word & Study what’s right..
2. Go 2 God and ask Him for wisdom.

 
GOD’S WORD 4 THE WEEK
 
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.” ~ James 1:5 (AMP)
 
“But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. Then it is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest.” ~ James 3:17 (ICB)
 
 “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TLB)
Jesus Loves You And So Do We.
youthwithapurpose.org               716-830-8240    

          Young people listen intently when someone speaks to them from their heart.
               When Pastor Virgie Baker volunteered to share his heart, you knew this dude really cared about kids.
                    Anger can be good or bad, destructive, instructive or constructive.
                        People can use anger to cause pain or influence change. Compassionate folks are angry about things that hurt children. It's time for us to do more to protect children on both sides of the womb.
          Thank you Pastor Evangelist Virgie Baker. You brought knowledge, insight and wisdom straight from God's heart, through your heart and into the hearts of young people. Jesus loves you and so do we.
         The YWAP Lesson for the night is on Anger & Resentment. The Lesson is posted below. Please feel free to use it in your youth group.

It’s Good To See Ya! We’re glad you’re here.
You Have A Reputation With God.
YWAP Teen Action Night At The Bread  1-23-20

• Words of New Beginnings: “Your past does not have to define your future. Make a decision to follow a path of greater potential.”
• Resentment is “resending” a bad memory back into your heart and causing a greater wound.
• Resentment is a weak emotional response that only serves to further embitter a resentful person.
• The world is unfair, resentment only serves to recreate unfairness.
• Let unfairness become a key to learning how to create greater fairness in your life, and in the folks around you.

1.  Ø  Accept others the way they are. Hold them accountable when necessary, but do it with grace, not anger. None of us are without faults, we will make mistakes. When you hammer someone who made a mistake, it’s like being a hypocrite. Treat other folks the way you want to be treated.
2. Ø  Silence is golden. The person who learns how to keep his mouth shut in the face of hard times is often viewed as a strong person. It’s easy to complain, it’s harder to be quiet during times of unfairness. Think quietly and meditate on a better solution that showing anger.
3. Ø  Emptiness is a state of readiness to be filled with something. Choose this day what you want to be filled with. Anger is like a volcano that will fill you to exploding. Peace is like a river that wells up in your soul. Peace will take you through the valleys where death has cast its shadow. Peace will take you over the mountains of life.

 ”Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry –but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge.  And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life.” ~ Ephesians 4:26 –27 (MSG)
 “Complain if you must, but don’t lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for His verdict. ~ Psalm 4:4-5 (MSG)
 Jesus Loves You And So Do We.
youthwithapurpose.org               716-830-8240

          Once upon a minute, there was a village of folks who lived on a mountaintop. They were a happy group of people, always looking for new ways to walk in the hope of Christ by loving their neighbors.
These folks didn’t always walk this way; they had come from many different valleys in the shadows of the mountain. The valleys were filled with dark and enticing temptations. On their way to the mountain, folks got delayed by all sorts of battles. All of them had to fight with the enemy of their destinies just to even get near the trail leading up the mountain. The enemy caused them to crave a fake self-fulfillment that tricked them into enslavement to self-destructive habits. The devil used weapons of drug and alcohol addiction, sexual abuse, slavery and human trafficking, selfish pride, pornography and many other evils and generational curses to keep the people from reaching their destinies on the mountaintop.
          One by one, though still mired in the quicksand of the enemy’s deceit, they saw a bright Light on top of the mountain. The Light beckoned them with an extraordinary force; it was like a personal invitation. Every time they looked at the Light, they felt a pure and holy power surge from the tops of their heads all the way down to their toes. It was a cleansing purge that wiped out any emotional feelings of self-loathing or dark foreboding thoughts of self-worthlessness. The desire to change welled up within them. It filled their whole hearts, their whole souls and filled them with new strength. The light touched their bodies; piercing even to their joints and marrow. It judged the thoughts and attitudes of their hearts. It shined into the shadows of their valley existence. Separately and at different times, the people began leaving the valley of shadows and headed toward the Light on the mountain.
          It was a long and very hard trek up the mountain. Sometimes they would slip and fall; causing them to backslide back into the valley of temptations. When they lifted their heads to look again toward the Light, courage welled up in their hearts and they began to climb once more. Near the top, the terrain was the steepest and most difficult to climb. Sometimes they had to stop and be still, resting from near exhaustion. The winds grew very strong as they began their final approach toward the Light that drew them. It was if the enemy was using his last gasp as a storm to stop them. Evil was hoping their struggle to reach the Light would be too hard, and they would return to the bondage of the valley.
          There were crevices in the cliffs that gave them some shelter from the fierce winds. Pushing their faces toward a crevice in the Rock allowed them to gain some relief from strong winds. The crevice in the Rock became a quiet, almost secret place. The wind became a whisper and they heard words in the whisper. “I knew you before you were born. I have set you apart for a special work. I will teach you. I will lead you and guide you in the way you should go. I have already established the work of your hands. I have prepared a place for you. Keep climbing.” They now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt they had to keep climbing and never give up. Those whispers left indelible imprints on their souls. Quickened with a new resolve to persevere, they left the stillness and faced the storm..
          Pulling their faces out of the cleft in the rock, they looked up and saw a trail of stones. Their eyes were almost riveted to trail of stones that appeared above them. A voice in the storm said, “This is the Way, your personal pathway to the Light. Lift your eyes unto the Light; this is where your Help will come from.” The stones stood out as perfect handholds and footholds to grab onto. Climbing this Way would keep them safe as they climbed the hardest and steepest approach to the mountain. The stones had words etched into them - like petroglyphs. Each stone had a word on it and they were in order. Chiseled into each one of the stones was a word. The first stone said, “GIVE.” The second stone said, “PRAY.” The third stone said, “FAST.”  The stones seemed to cry out in unison, “GIVE, PRAY, FAST!”  The cry of the stones became a cadence in their hearts as they climbed upon them. One by one, on different pathways and at different times, the people reached the top of the mountain.
          Their shared experiences of overcoming the chains that bound them in the valley created a bond of communion in their hearts on top of the mountain. Shoulder to shoulder they stood and vowed to each other that they would live lives dedicated to giving, praying and fasting. The Light was in the midst of them and walked with them. They burned with a newfound love for each other greater than any love they had ever known or could have ever imagined. They invited other folks to join them. They held Christmas celebrations for almost 500 children and their families. They loved on people in other countries. Men prayed. Women prayed. They fasted together and they gave their hearts away. One woman laid down her life and moved into another couple’s house to care for them when they were ill. Creative people invented small things that kept pancakes from getting soggy. They opened motels for the homeless. They mentored youth in detention. Young people played basketball and learned about the Light. They held family style gatherings in their homes to study and share the Light with each other. They held worship services with baptism ceremonies so people could come and be immersed in the Light. The village on the mountain of Light grew brighter as they gave, prayed and fasted.
          The list of what those people are doing is as immeasurable as the Light that shines on them. Yes the Light shines on them. That Light is in you, especially when you share love with folks you don't even know. You go into the dark valleys and share love. That's an extraordinary act of selflessness that goes beyond what the world is accustomed to. You are showing the Light you've on the mountain with folks in the valley from whence you came. God the Father in heaven has seen your giving. He has heard your prayers. He has been honored by your fasting. All in recognition of the Way our Father gave us His only Son – the Light of the world, to break through the darkness of our sins and die for us. God, your Father in heaven is saying, “I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you on earth as I am in heaven. Stay the course; help others to see the Light. Jesus loves you and so do we.”

                  Jesus Is the Light of the World
“Later, Jesus talked to the people again.
He said, “I am the light of the world.
The person who follows me will never live in darkness.
He will have the light that gives life.”
John 8:12 (ICB)
 
“Send Your light and Your truth;
let them lead me.
Let them bring me to Your holy mountain,
to Your dwelling place.”
Psalm 43:3
 
As you freely receive love from heaven,
freely make it known and make it happen on earth.
 
“A light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Luke 2:32
 
We have been called to be
the Light of Christ to the world.
It is our privilege to share the Light
that will lighten the darkness of lives
living without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
 
GIVE
Giving is presenting the
Intimate knowledge of
Victory of receiving
Eternal salvation in Christ
 
PRAY
Pursuing a personal
Relationship that
Accepts   
Your God completely.
 
FAST
Fasting brings the
Awakening of greater
Spiritual revelation to
Teach others about the Light of Christ.

          The seeds in the Heart Farmers bag were excited. Soon they would reach the end of their long journey of life in the bag and be planted in the ground. Their lives as seeds would be forever changed and they would never see each other in their current existence ever again. Born as single seeds, their life journey would now cause them to die so they could produce a greater amount of seeds.
          Some of the seeds were scared by the thought of being alone and separated from the others. The stronger seeds encouraged them. They told positive stories of other seeds who had left all behind and began the journey from  the earth to the sky. They would only be alone for a short while under ground in the darkness, but soon they would change and grow toward the Light. They had to die to themselves to be able to grow into a vine capable of producing an immeasurable amount of fruit and new seeds.
          The big day arrived and the bag of seeds was loaded onto the Heart Farmers tractor. The seeds had peered out of tiny holes in the burlap bag and watched as the farmer plowed the fields. "Why is he breaking the ground?" One of the seeds asked the other seeds. The stronger seeds smiled and one of them said, "The farmer is breaking the ground and creating empty furrows so he can plant us as seeds of potential. Nothing grows without brokenness and emptiness. We are the seeds of hope and the farmer has faith that we will grow from the earth to the Light."
          One by one the Heart Farmer dropped the seeds of hope into the furrows and covered them up. When his work was finished, he looked upon the field of unseen hope seeds and smiled in gratitude. The next day he started getting the silo of faith ready for the harvest that was yet unseen. He smiled again, in his heart he could see the unseen harvest and made plans for the season he knew was coming. The day would arrive when the seeds of hope would reach maturity as they grew toward the Light of Heaven. The Heart Farmer kept smiling as he listened to the beauty of the birds singing in a nearby tree. He thanked God for multiplying his seeds for sowing and increasing his harvest. A tear welled up in his eye as he thought to himself, "On earth as it is in heaven."
          The 21 Day Fast is over, but a new beginning has arrived. In every ending is a seed of a fresh start and a new beginning. A child leaving home, retirement, changing jobs, ending an addiction, the end of a relationship, getting fired, and even death, represent the possibilities of being filled with new potential. Most of these things aren't easy life changes to make. They represent the end of something you knew very well. Death for someone with a relationship with Christ represents an eternity in heaven.
           A fast is a way of breaking your flesh and emptying your physical self to be filled spiritually. The end of a fast is not a time to consider going back to life as you knew it before the fast. That would be like backsliding from the level of intimacy that you had reached with God while you were fasting. Consider this a new beginning and make plans to maintain the spiritual level that you attained as you fasted. This would be a good time to think about scheduling your next fast. Maybe it's only a Sunday morning fast before church or fasting from one meal several times each week. Fasting is something that Jesus implied was extremely important in following Him.
         
WORDS FOR HEART FARMERS  

Zechariah 8:12 (AMP)
“For there the seed will produce peace and prosperity; the vine will yield its fruit, and the ground will produce its increase, and the heavens will give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit and possess all these things.”
 
Zechariah 8:12-13 (MSG)
“But things have changed.
I’m taking the side of my core of surviving people:
Sowing and harvesting will resume,
Vines will grow grapes,
Gardens will flourish,
Dew and rain will make everything green.
“My core survivors will get everything they need—and more.
You’ve gotten a reputation as a bad-news people,
you people of Judah and Israel,
but I’m coming to save you.
From now on, you’re the good-news people.
Don’t be afraid.
Keep a firm grip on what I’m doing.”

A PRAYER FOR HEART FARMERS

Thank you God for carrying us through this fast. You knew when we were weak and your strength carried us. You helped us sow seeds that you watered and you helped to grow. You are the Light of the world and all seeds of hope have faith as they grow toward you. Lead us on as deep calls to deep. Don't leaves us in the shallows of superficial intimacy. Help us to stay vulnerable, transparent and empty - always ready to be filled anew with revelation from your Holy Spirit. Amen.

DEEP THOUGHTS FOR HEART FARMERS

• Each growing season is unique. All people - fallen or following Christ, have the potential of becoming multipliers of fruit in God's kingdom.
• The Heart Farmer first must break the ground before he can plant potential.
  
• The Heart Farmer must let go of the seed of potential and let it become unseen.
  
• In faith, a Heart Farmer plans for a harvest when the underground seed is still unseen above ground. 

          God sees the skeletons in the darkest closets. He wants to put some flesh on the bones you've been hiding. God saw your last drink, He saw your last gambling trip to the casino. He saw the needle in your arms. He saw the last thing you stole from your neighbor. He saw the last pill you swallowed. He saw between the sheets when it wasn't who you're married to that you slept with. Just when you think nobody's looking, the unseen becomes visible to an invisible God.
          He's not a voyeur, but He is a God of holiness and purity who wants the best for you. You feel the conviction in your gut and you know what's wrong. Forgiveness, grace and mercy are waiting for you if you'll only ask. He knows your struggles and challenges. He knows the trouble you have staying on the right path. His Bible is full of stories written about the lives of people who made many mistakes. Some left their struggles and went after the promises of God.
          This is your day. In this moment now, ask God to help you go one minute without doing anything that's destructive to you or anybody else. Just one minute and then do another until you've done an hour. Pick up a Bible and read about what Jesus did when he struggled the night before he died. He asked God to take his suffering away, but he added that he would do what his Father wanted him to do. You've suffered some, but if you continue on a destructive path, your suffering will grow into a mountain of pain and disgrace.
          Let this be the moment now that you turn the corner. Make a promise to God and write it down. Call somebody and tell them about your commitment. It may be hard to find somebody who believes in you because you've tried before and failed. God will not leave you alone if you trust Him. Take one step and then take another. Fill your first day with something positive. God believes in you. I believe in you. You are an overcomer who embraces challenges. Before long you will teach other people how you trusted God and became victorious over your struggles.

DAY TWENTY-ONE WORD

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ICB)
“The only temptations that you have are the temptations that all people have.
But you can trust God.
He will not let you be tempted more than you can stand.
But when you are tempted,
God will also give you a way to escape that temptation.
Then you will be able to stand it.”
 
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ICB)
“Do not be fooled:
“Bad friends will ruin good habits.”
 
James 4:7 (ICB)
“So give yourselves to God.
Stand against the devil, and the devil will run away from you.
 
1 Peter 5:10 (ICB)
“Yes, you will suffer for a short time.
But after that, God will make everything right.
He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling.
He is the God who gives all grace.
He called you to share in his glory in Christ.
That glory will continue forever.”

DAY TWENTY-ONE PRAYER

          Thank you God for giving us courage. You made us brave to be able to withstand the temptations of this world. You've given us the spirit of perseverance. Even when we've fallen backward, you've picked us up and set us on solid ground to launch a new beginning. Thank you for our grace. Thank you for giving us so many chances. Help someone tonight take a step out of a bad situation. In Jesus name. Amen.

DAY TWENTY-ONE DEEP THOUGHTS

The first thing that comes to my mind in helping someone overcome addiction or bad habits is the Word of God.
God has a purpose for your heart. He wants to receive praise through you. All you have to do is try, and your Father in heaven will be proud of you.
1 Corinthians 4:5  (ICB)
“So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will give everyone the praise he should get.”
 
You do have to seek God, but He’s easily found. In your day of trouble, hide yourself in Him – that’s a truly secret place of peace.
Psalm 27:4-6  (AMP)
“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
And to meditate in His temple.

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
 
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”
​

          Political discussions are banned in many families and organizations. They tend to bring out the worst in us. Everyone has an opinion and many folks are eager to "share" their opinion. Although "share" is a kind and gentle word whereas the strongly opinionated folks bulldoze their opinions into any available ears. The Pledge of Allegiance for the United States of America contain the words, "one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." If we're so indivisible, why are divided? Can we at least agree to fast and pray for our President?
          The Bible is pretty clear on how we're supposed to pray for our leaders. It also gives a pretty good indication that leaders are only there with God's permission. While it's true that people vote and elect the leader of their choice, the election results reflect the moral character and beliefs of the people. There has never been an elected official that hasn't had a target on his or her back. That's unfortunate and sad that we can't respect people. 
          Years ago I learned about a word called "promulgate" which means to make an idea known to many people by declaring it. I had questioned a decision in a court of law and I was told "Those who promulgate the law interpret the law." They went on to explain that those folks who make up the law have the ability to decide what it means when they want to use it. This doesn't work in favor of common people. What does this have to do with fasting and praying? Folks are now applying the same flawed wisdom to politics. They decide who to pray for based on their changing opinions of the person's character. 
          Every leader in politics deserves to be prayed for, regardless of whether they're your favorite person or not. Our current President may not be squeaky clean, but neither am I and neither are you. My character is not what it used to be thanks to my life given over to Jesus Christ and His more excellent way of life. There are some really good things happening in our country right now. It's time to kick up the effort to fast and pray with more urgency. 
          When leaders of a country show support for the most innocent and vulnerable lives of unborn children, that's the ultimate respect for life. There is no other issue as important as human life. If we get that right, God will lead us to greater acts of love for our neighbors. Maybe some day indivisible will be a word on earth as it is in heaven.

DAY TWENTY WORD 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (TPT)
Instruction on Prayer
“Most of all, I’m writing to encourage you to pray with gratitude to God.
Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests
as you intercede with intense passion. 
And pray for every political leader and representative, 
so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives,
as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts.”
 
1 Peter 2:17  (TPT)
“Recognize the value of every person
and continually show love to every believer.
Live your lives with great reverence and in holy awe of God.
Honor your rulers.”
 
Romans 13:1 (AMP)
Be Subject to Government
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
 For there is no authority except from God
 [granted by His permission and sanction],
and those which exist have been put in place by God.”
 
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“ if My people who are called by My name
will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, 
then I will hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
 
DAY TWENTY PRAYER 

Thank you God for the unity of your Word. You teach us about agreeing with each other in respect. There should be no division over the life of unborn children. You told us to put on love which will bind us together in perfect unity. You love children and you want us to love them on earth as in heaven. Forgive us as a nation. Lead us with leaders who will follow your ways of protecting the innocent and the most vulnerable. Amen.

DAY TWENTY DEEP THOUGHTS

• How do you advocate for the unborn?
• Have you given much thought to Preventable Death?
• Who do you speak up for that can't speak up for themselves?
• If you withhold your power to speak up for the voiceless, there may come a day when you are voiceless.

          My wife and I were out walking today and as usual had an interesting conversation. That's one of the things I love about my wife, she's interesting and intelligent. Today we were talking about being offended. No, neither one of us had offended the other, but we were talking about how the Bible says to not take offense.“A wise person is patient. He will be honored if he ignores a wrong done against him.” Proverbs 19:11 (ICB) I told my wife that I fight hard against being offended, but some things hit my hot button. One of them is when folks refuse to help all children find their God-given purpose in life.
          God knew all of us before we were formed in the womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) It only stands to reason, that if God knew us, He had a plan for us after we exited our mother's womb.Your purpose in life is to find the missions that God has already preplanned for your life journey. All throughout the history of mankind, there's been a battle against children on both sides of the womb. People think abortion is okay because somehow they believe that a pregnant woman isn't carrying a baby. They give the baby all kinds of names, but deny its humanity. The flesh of a human is the flesh of a human at any stage of life.
​          Youth With A Purpose was named after our belief that all children are gifted with purpose on both sides of the womb. One of our primary responsibilities is helping youth use their gifts to become the world changers that God meant them to be. Back in the days when Moses was born, they would throw baby boys into the Nile River as a means of slowing the population growth. Today abortion seems to have slowed down and that's a good thing, but there still are too many children dying. 
          There's a purpose to your life designed by God. If you have a purpose then so does every child in the womb and they deserve a chance to follow their life mission. I believe with all of my heart that one of my missions from God is to be a voice for the unborn. They're innocent, defenseless and voiceless.  We are all called to love God with our whole heart, mind and strength. We're also called to love our neighbor as ourselves. When Jesus taught us to pray, he included the words, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus also said, "Let the little children come to me." Can you imagine God allowing abortion in heaven? If it wouldn't be in God's will to let it happen in heaven, it wouldn't be in his will to let it happen on earth.
          What is your mission from God? At the very least, we're all called to show compassion to those in need; widows, orphans, the fatherless, the sick and dying, those in prison and those who can't speak up for themselves. Children on both sides of the womb are targets of the devil. It's time for a greater awakening of love for children. They are 100& of the future. Help them go on a mission from God.

DAY NINETEEN WORD   

  Psalm 139:13-16 (ICB)
“You made my whole being.
    You formed me in my mother’s body.
I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
    What you have done is wonderful.
    I know this very well.
You saw my bones being formed
    as I took shape in my mother’s body.
When I was put together there,
you saw my body as it was formed.
All the days planned for me
    were written in your book
    before I was one day old.”
 
Isaiah 49:1 (ICB)
“All of you people in faraway places, listen to me.
    Listen, all you nations far away.
Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him.
    The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s body.”

DAY NINETEEN PRAYER
     
Thank you God. I praise you for the day my mother gave birth to me. I praise you for writing my name in your planning book. You've made all of us with enormous potential. God you know I have a heart for unborn children, show me how to do more for them.Amen.

​DAY NINETEEN DEEP THOUGHTS

          We have to be willing to take a stand for what we believe in and what God believes in. He hates the hands that shed innocent blood. We will be attacked, but it's worth it to lay our lives down on behalf of children who've been planned by God. I take offense at folks who staunchly support abortion, but I must say what Jesus said on the cross, "Father forgive them, they don't know what they're doing."

          The heaviness begins slowly as a sick feeling in your gut. The guilt moves up your chest until it saddles itself on your shoulders as a heavy weight. It happens to everyone and it even happens to the folks who are "holier-than-thou." On second thought maybe not those folks. If your conscience has been flattened by hubris (pride,) guilt may be something you're no longer familiar with. How does guilt get in our guts?
          It usually waits until after we've done or said something out of character that's not in line with God's character. Then the conviction of the Holy Spirit plants some nauseousness in our guts to make us queasy and uncomfortable. Why does God wait until after we're done to let us know about our errant ways? He sees what we do, why doesn't He stop us? Simple answer - He din't make us as puppets and He gave us a free will to do as we please.
          Repentance is a process that includes admitting what we did, showing remorse and changing our habits so our character doesn't fall the same way again. We may also have to apologize or make restitution if our mistake was costly. There's a cost to bad character to ourselves and those who watch us. They may do as we do.
          We often pray for God to be out front and lead us. We pray for Him to watch our backs and protect us. Is it possible that we fall into a bad habit of wanting God in front of us and behind us, but not looking over our shoulders Maybe we'd prefer He stays out of our everyday personal business? It's a foolish question for most folks to ask, Does God Look Over Your Shoulder?" He sees everything we do and He knows everything we think. Hebrews 4:13 (AMP) “And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.”
          I was studying the Greek word for hypocrite this morning. "Hypokritēs is pronounced, hü-po-krē-tā's and the meaning given in the Blue Letter Bible's Outline of Biblical Usage is,  "one who answers, an interpreter, an actor, stage player, a dissembler, pretender, hypocrite. I can follow most of that, but I have to confess i didn't know what a "dissembler" was. Here's the meaning from The Free Dictionary, "dissemble - To disguise or conceal one's real nature, motives, or feelings behind a false appearance." Young people especially, are very good at spotting dissemblers!
          So it's easy to know that God is watching us, but did you ever stop to wonder whose eyes He's using to look over our shoulders? My Christian faith tells me to look for Jesus in the eyes of everyone I meet. It only stands to reason that I should expect those eyes to be looking over my shoulders at everything I do. Sometimes doing the right thing is like shoveling snow. It's hard work moving heavy snow while keeping a proper posture without hurting your back. After awhile, you're in a hurry to get done and your thoughts are no longer on proper posture. Soon your back starts to ache. Life gets busy and when we're in a hurry or very tired, we don't always make the right decisions. When we're wrong, the best thing we can do is admit it immediately. Any wavering on our parts can make a young person use our mistakes as permission to make their own. The eyes of God and the eyes of young people are always upon us.

DAY EIGHTEEN WORD

Proverbs 5:21-23 (AMP)
“For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].
The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him,
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),
And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.”
 
Romans 8:27 (ICB)
“God can see what is in people’s hearts.
And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way that God wants.”
 
Genesis 28:15 (AMP)
“Behold, I am with you and will keep [careful watch over you and guard]
you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this [promised] land;
for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

DAY EIGHTEEN PRAYER

Thank You God for always watching over us. You don't approve of everything we do but you always accept us back when we admit we blew it. You know it's hard work to be human and another bad action is always just around the corner. Help us to get better at being role models, especially for the kids looking over our shoulders. Amen.

DAY EIGHTEEN DEEP THOUGHTS

• Before we judge anybody as a hypocrite we need to make sure there isn't any skeletons in our own closets.
• Speak your word - Do Your Word.
• All people need accountability partners who will be honest in being faithful to wound a friend when needed. It's better to be a wounded warrior than a hypocrite on the way to hell.

     Young people come for the fun, the food and the friendship.
          Words that can improve their character are another kind of food.
               Another YWAP Teen Action has begun - as they always do!
                    Pastor Evangelist Virgie Baker from Praise Fellowship Ministries is our 9 Minute Guest Speaker tonight. 
          The YWAP Lesson for the night is on Anger & Resentment. The Lesson is posted below. Please feel free to use it in your youth group.

It’s Good To See Ya! We’re glad you’re here.
You Have A Reputation With God.
YWAP Teen Action Night At The Bread  1-23-20

Words of New Beginnings: “Your past does not have to define your future. Make a decision to follow a path of greater potential.”
 V  Resentment is “resending” a bad memory back into your heart and causing a greater wound.
V  Resentment is a weak emotional response that only serves to further embitter a resentful person.
V  The world is unfair, resentment only serves to recreate unfairness.
V  Let unfairness become a key to learning how to create greater fairness in your life, and in the folks around you.
 Ø  Accept others the way they are. Hold them accountable when necessary, but do it with grace, not anger. None of us are without faults, we will make mistakes. When you hammer someone who made a mistake, it’s like being a hypocrite. Treat other folks the way you want to be treated.
Ø  Silence is golden. The person who learns how to keep his mouth shut in the face of hard times is often viewed as a strong person. It’s easy to complain, it’s harder to be quiet during times of unfairness. Think quietly and meditate on a better solution that showing anger.
Ø  Emptiness is a state of readiness to be filled with something. Choose this day what you want to be filled with. Anger is like a volcano that will fill you to exploding. Peace is like a river that wells up in your soul. Peace will take you through the valleys where death has cast its shadow. Peace will take you over the mountains of life.
 ”Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry –but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge.  And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life.” ~ Ephesians 4:26 –27 (MSG)
 “Complain if you must, but don’t lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for His verdict. ~ Psalm 4:4-5 (MSG)
 Jesus Loves You And So Do We.
youthwithapurpose.org               716-830-8240

          We've heard stories about an open heaven over Sedona, Arizona. Driving through the middle of town you'll see a large number of psychic shops. Many folks call it the center for new age and a place where you can get positive vibes. My wife and I went there to hike in one of the canyons. We had a great hike and met some interesting people.
          As I was putting on my hiking boots and getting my backpack ready, a nice lady walked up to our car. She asked me if I was one of those smart people who stopped and got water before I came. I kind of smiled because I wasn't sure what to say. Most folks would know enough to bring water on a hike, especially in Arizona. I told her we packed our supplies before we left home. She said it was probably a short hike anyway and walked away. My wife met her as she was coming back from looking at a map. The lady asked her if she knew where the vortex was. Not being much of a vortex lady, my wife just shook her head and said "No."
          After we hit the trail, I was taking pictures while Linda walked on ahead. She was about 100 yards away from me when I heard a man talking to her. By the time I caught up to where they were standing, I could see the man giving Linda a rock. The guy told her that it was a "magic rock." He had three of them in his hand and they were all shaped like hearts. he said they were all magic rocks. As he walked away I told him "Jesus is my Rock. Jesus loves you and so do we!" He hurried away down the trail while yelling something about we all have one love and one creator. He had no desire to talk to us as soon as we mentioned the name Jesus.
          I have to admit that I have a bit of a mischievous streak in me and I like to find humor in almost everything. Linda got rid of the magic rock and we never experienced any vortex vibes. We did see another young girl sitting on a rock holding her necklace up to the trees. As much as I like to see humor in things, this whole episode made me feel sad. Folks are searching for energy and healing in vibes and rocks when God is waiting to give them love.
          Both my wife and I have had a personal relationship with Christ for many years. We've experienced being led by the Holy Spirit and we've been overpowered by the Presence of God. It's easy to see God in His creation and be energized by His awe inspiring handiwork. What we saw in Sedona was a cottage industry of man-made spiritualism. I read that you can even go into a spiritual trinket shop and buy "vortex-in-a-can." 
          I know from reading the Bible that all of us are sinners, meaning that we all make bad moral decisions sometimes. Those bad moral decisions cause us to be separated from God. We make good decisions when we do what Jesus told us to do, “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’ This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (AMP)
          Positive energy and vortex vibes won't remove selfishness or sin. New Age folks can be very nice people, and we will love them in a Christ-like way, but we can't give them "sin-remover-in-a-can." The Bible has been proven to be true in many ways over and over again. Folks searching for energy will eventually get burned out. Folks searching for Jesus will find the Truth. If you seek Him, you will find Him.

DAY SEVENTEEN WORD  

Proverbs 14:12 (AMP)
“There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.”

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (AMP)
Spiritism Forbidden
“When you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable (repulsive) practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire [as a sacrifice], one who uses divination and fortune-telling, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead]. For everyone who does these things is utterly repulsive to the Lord; and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God. For these nations which you shall dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners and fortune-tellers, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so."

DAY SEVENTEEN PRAYER

          Thank you God for creating us to be in a relationship with you. You've made a wonderful world for us to enjoy. All of creation testifies about your personal relationship with mankind. You didn't make us to worship the energy of your creation. you made us to be in communion with you. Help us to stand strong against demonic powers that would pervert your message of perfect love. Amen.

DAY SEVENTEEN DEEP THOUGHTS 

• New Age began in the garden of Eden. The devil does his best (worst) to distract, distort, deceive and destroy our efforts to follow God.
• Be patient, be consistent and be loving with all people. Do your best to not take offense if they mock you.
• It always hurts when someone rejects the love that you hold so dearly, but do your best to share the love within you and leave the rest to God.