Where all things concerning the youth at JCM are posted. Expect the summaries for this week's lesson as well any other interesting stuff.
Glory - Infinite Devos 8
God is infinite in his GLORY
To have glory means to have inherent beauty and majesty that outshines all competition.
As you read, reflect on these three questions:
What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
Psalm 97:1-9
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
Matt’s Reflections
1. What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
People have different answers regarding the impact of God’s glory in their lives. Since he is glorious (lol, I find that word funny), then I should be able to live a life that displays his glory for I know that I have a majestic king who watches, provides and helps me. In my relationship with him, he acts as my Father in Heaven who wants me to seek him for guidance and maturity in my faith, and also as a best friend who I can always talk to whenever in need.
2. What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
My church should take God’s glory more seriously. We should all realize that he is someone we should sometimes be afraid of and yet also be glad with. We don’t know how God fully works but we know he works in miracles and uses people to show and signify his glory.
The church is built with sinners who seek forgiveness and opportunity. When everyone is in church, we should be glorifying him due to the many chances he gives us in life. That means that my relationship with my church should never die out or be weakened cuz that’ll mean that we’re disrespecting his glory in a way. We should all rejoice in the presence of God.
Being part of the church should mean many things: keep the fire we have for God, share the word and his glory, never make anyone feel left out, and pass our fire down to the next gen and so on. Growing up in church grew onto me, my relationship with people grew dramatically. It’s good cuz we all praise one God who brought us all together. God’s influence has impacted our church so much.
3. What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
The world should see how glorious God is; he works in many ways and a lot of people don’t see that. They are so blind of many things, but it’s not their fault. However, the world should rejoice in many of the good things that happen to them, not just based on luck, but because of the God who works miracles. “The heavens proclaim his righteousness; all the people see his glory”. That’s what we should strive for as a world, to see his good works and miracles, to honor his glory.
Even though the world may be different from us Christians, it does not mean that we should insult them and look down on them. It means that we should share our beliefs to them and let God use us for his glory to get the Word out there. Many people are sacrificing their time and lives to get the Word out there — we should all do the same. After all, the non-believers are like us: we sin and then we grow. They are all brothers and sisters so let’s help one another.
Grace - Infinite Devos 7
God is infinite in his GRACE
To be gracious means to give others more than they deserve.
As you read, reflect on these three questions:
What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
Psalm 103:8-12
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Arwyn’s Reflections
1. What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
God has unlimited grace for us because he loves us sooooo much. The infinite amount of grace that God has for his people is something only an infinite being is capable of. Knowing that I am serving an infinite God with endless wisdom and Grace comforts me because I know that he is good.
2. What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
We worship an infinite God in church. God is so amazingly perfect and graceful that it is a joy worshiping him. Psalms 103:8-12 describes God and his graceful nature. This is a reason why we worship him.
Church is a place where people can bask in the grace of God and truly know that no matter how much they sin or rebel against God, he will still love them unconditionally. Grace is what makes everyday people like me and you be able to go to church and worship with an open heart.
3. What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
God’s grace means he loves everyone, including non-Christians. He loves everyone and does not hold any negative feelings toward us. We are covered by the infinite amount of God’s grace. Knowing that God has covered us in his grace comforts me because I know that he will always love his people and care for us even if we do not deserve it.
Wisdom - Infinite Devos 6
God is infinite in his WISDOM
To be wise means to know what is right from what is wrong.
As you read, reflect on these three questions:
What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
Proverbs 2:1-11
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.
Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
Chey’s Reflections
1. What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
We first have to seek God’s word by reading the Bible diligently as this will increase our wisdom and our understanding of how God wants us to live our life. In doing so, we will fear the Lord (be in awe of Him) and we will realize that we are not able to discern what is right and wrong on our own. Only God can give us wisdom and help us know what is wise. So in reading His word, we will be able to worship God with a greater understanding of who He is and His power.
2. What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
When we have a better understanding of God and His word, we will become better members of the church! Wisdom allows us to know what is right and wrong so we will make better decisions in our generosity (tithing), be equipped to act as advisors and examples to others (bigs and littles), and discern where our place is in the body of the church.
3. What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
When we possess wisdom, we will live our lives with integrity, righteousness, justice, and insight. These qualities allow us to better reach non-Christians. We will be able to be an example to the world of how a good Christian should act, in a way that emulates God and Jesus. Also, acting in a way that is pleasing to God may bring us success and protection. This will attract the attention of the world — if I act like this, there must be a powerful person behind all his or her success! (I should learn about it!).
While we might not always be prosperous, if we remain faithful to God, this will be encouraging to other people (both Christians and non-Christians) or at the very least, make them wonder why we are doing this!
Faithfulness - Infinite Devos 5
God is infinite in his FAITHFULNESS
To be faithful means to never give up through all the stumbles and challenges.
As you read, reflect on these three questions:
What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
Psalm 86:11-15
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Kay’s Reflections
1. What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
Psalm’s 86:11-15 talks about God’s steadfast love. Steadfast describes God’s grace, His faithfulness and His loyalty in our lives. The fact that God willingly forgives and answers all the time emphasizes how much He truly loves us. Prayer and devotion reminds us that obstacles and challenges are only minimal. My relationship with God strengthens because I know I could lean on to this never ending and constant, steadfast love.
When dealing with situations that we cannot control, we often turn away from God. But God is aware of the challenges that we have and how we have different capacities. The “steadfast love” or the consistency in God’s love brings us back to him over and over again. We grow stable in our relationship with God by learning to remain faithful through these uncomfortable circumstances.
2. What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
It’s relieving to know other Christians in a world with so much problems. We maintain our spiritual walk with help from the church. By listening to personal testimonies and answered prayers from a youth group, we are able to see how God shines in others’ lives and be blessed from them.
Psalms 86:11 is our personal request to God. God wants us to call for Him. By asking God to teach us, we increase in humility and wisdom. When we ask God for wisdom, He listens and we develop that mindset of wanting to change for the better, seeking for more than what the world offers, and developing an urge to share the gospel with each other.
There is purpose for why God puts specific people our lives, especially people in church. We have to learn to be faithful to the church. God wants us to be instruments to non-believers and especially, with each other. God strives for us to grow people, He wants us to help them grow, and He wants them to help us grow.
3. What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people or the world, especially non-Christians?
It’s challenging to consistently live in the image of God. Psalms 86:14 speaks about non-believers and the pressure of this world. Psalm 86:14 reminds us about insolent people or those who mock God. When we are surrounded by these people, we should be more understanding to them. However, it’s important to set ourselves apart from temptation and sin.
God knows there are people who mock Him. But these are people who haven’t witnessed or felt God’s love. We should constantly remind ourselves that it’s our duty to evangelize to non-believers. This is an act of obedience and faithfulness to God.
These verses highlight God’s mercy. It reminds me to be less judgmental with non-believers because God is so patient with us. As Christians, it’s important to display God’s unconditional love so that others can get closer to Him. How can I be the salt and light?
Love - Infinite Devos 4
God is infinite in his LOVE
To be loving means to have the desire to seek a personal, joy-filled relationship with someone.
As you read, reflect on these three questions:
What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people of the world, especially non-Christians?
Isaiah 40:28-31
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
Who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
Who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
Who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
The sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
The moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.(…)
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Jan’s Reflections
1. What does this mean for my life and my relationship with God?
In every circumstance there is always something to be thankful for. The idea is that no matter how bad of a situation you think you are in, God put you there to use that situation as a stepping stone to grow in your relationship with Him. In Psalm 136, the phrase “His faithful love endures forever” is emphasized as the chapter speaks about God’s works here on earth and beyond because he loves his people.
2. What does this mean for my church and my relationship with the people at my church?
The same love God has shown me must be reflected in how I treat those in my church. We are called to serve the church willingly and selflessly just as God did for us. We are led to lead.
3. What does this mean for the world, and my relationship with the people or the world, especially non-Christians?
The Word urges us to evangelize God’s teachings to those that are of the world. So that, like we who were changed by His grace, they may also experience the love of God.