Youth-Led Service

Speaker: Aaron Crain

A new path means heading to a different destination. The path isn’t the destination.

Don’t be discouraged if you find things you need to work on on the new path!

Philippians 2:12,13 Obedience to God gets me on the right path. If my life isn’t layed out the way I hoped, is there something in my life that’s in the way? This is not turning over a new leaf.

Things don’t always work out the way I wanted. Real change comes from a conviction of my position with God or when I act through the courage of my convictions. The impulse to act on a firmly held belief is faith.

In my morning contemplation, I can ask myself: Is there something I could do or would do to improve my relationships or my life with God? This is a collaboration with God to improve my life.

What spirit am I coming to God? Am I resentful? Prideful? Am I demonstrating humility, love, and trust?

God's answer may not seem to be congruent to my request. God may ask me to do something small, even temporal, to help me gain respect for myself or the respect of others.

Do not denigrate your small improvements!

Favorite verses

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Proverbs 3:5,6

Ecclesiastes 3:1

John 8:12

Proverbs 16:20

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Philippians 4:6

Proverbs 3:25,26

Psalms 121:2

Lamentations 3:22,23

Matthew 6:33,34

Acts 18:28

Speaker: Dama Crain

Jeremiah 29:13

Why do we form connections with people? My relationship with God is formed the same way. The more I get to know Him, the more connected I will be to Him. This helps me understand why He does what He does, what He expects of me, and causes me to be more comfortable coming to Him.

I can form a better connection with God by:

• Spending time with His Word.
• Prayer.
• Listening to worship music.
• Spending time with other Christians.
• Creating good habits.

I can spend time in God's Word many different ways: listening, using podcasts or apps, or reading. I can start slow to build habits. Even committing to once a week or even one scripture gives me something to build on and takes pressure off. Ask someone to hold you accountable!

Prayer can seem like a daunting commitment. Start by working on being genuinely grateful during prayer at meals. Commit to pray once a day. Keep them short and sweet. If you feel like to have nothing say, we are called to serve others and this is an easy way to serve - even to remember just one prayer request.

Take advantage of time spent at church. Ask questions in BST. Take notes in church.

Grow and do more than the minimum. Don’t be afraid to start over. God is patient. Building habits helps us be more comfortable talking to God.

Emily Crain

Waiting is about trusting God's timing, not my own. I know it’s for my good!

I may have to wait when other people have moved on. I may not “fit in.” If there’s no answer, it will challenge my faith and my contentment. It will cause me to wonder about my spiritual state.

Loss of dreams, disappointment, sorrow, or depression can come with waiting. Fill this silence with good things and other action. God doesn’t want us to be idle, but sometimes He does want us to wait.

It’s okay to tell God how you feel. He won’t be upset by questions or feelings.

Mark 5:23,24

Mark 9:17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 Even when the father struggled with faith, Jesus did not find fault with him.

John 11:38,39,40,41,42,43,44 Waiting season can "stink: and be full of loss.

Sometimes we have to stop praying so we are not consumed, but keep the faith.

Psalms 37:1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Joshua 21:34,35

Jeremiah 29:11,12,13,14

Psalms 27:13,14

Lamentations 3:18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26

James 1:2,3

Psalms 46:1

Ecclesiastes 1:3,11

Psalms 42:11

Philippians 5:11,12,13

Isaiah 40:28,29,20,31

Talk to others when you struggle; you don’t have to wait in silence. If someone expresses their waiting burden, just listen and pray with them. Let them know they are not alone.

You are worthy of God's answer to your prayer! Don’t place your hope in a specific outcome, place it in God. He works all things for good. Be thankful. It makes waiting bearable. God's plan has a purpose!

Flowers by Samantha Ebert