Thelife Student Ministries

10/01/2024

09/26/2024

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."
—Luke 9:26

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Some of the saddest words a child can hear are these: "I'm so disappointed in you." We don't want the reaction of our Lord and Savior Jesus as we stand before him when he comes in his glory to be, "I'm ashamed of you!" We want the world to know now that we love and honor Jesus as our Lord. We want those around us to come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, too! We refuse to be intimated or shamed into renouncing our Savior. We know that one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! But we want those we know, love, and influence to acknowledge the Lord with us on that day as we celebrate together his return in glory because we refused to back down from our faith in Jesus and led them to love the Lord, too!

Our Prayer...
Lord God Almighty; please give me boldness, wisdom, and respect as I seek to stand up for Jesus daily. May my words and my life declare my allegiance to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

09/25/2024

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"
—Luke 9:25

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
I once had a picture in my office of a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with the caption, "Who says you can't take it with you?" While it is humorous, it is also wrong: DEAD wrong. And that was the point of the picture! Jesus wants us to ask ourselves what have we really gained if we lose our souls in pursuing things we can't take with us after we die? Is more stuff, fame, wealth, and power worth losing the only part of us that matters eternally? No, it is not!

Our Prayer...
Loving Father, please help me focus on what is truly valuable and eternally enduring. Awaken my heart to use my blessings and influence to bring you glory and lead others closer to Jesus. I want to carry these things into the next life. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

09/24/2024

"Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.
—Jeremiah 9:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
This passage from Jeremiah reminded God's people of two truths about the Lord's character — truths we should display in our lives, as well:

God exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness.
God delights when he sees these aspects of his character alive in us.
Let's be more like our heavenly Father as we commit to a lifestyle of kindness, justice, and righteousness. Why? Because we should have no greater joy than to bring delight to the Father by becoming more like him in how we live and treat others around us each day!

Our Prayer...
Almighty and Holy God, may my life delight you and bring you joy. However, I know my character falls short of your standards of kindness, justice, and righteousness — these qualities you have demonstrated over the ages. So, please help me as I seek to please you and bless others by living more consistently aligned with your values displayed in Jesus. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit, who is transforming me increasingly to be more like my Lord, in whose name I pray. Amen.

09/23/2024

"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."
—Mark 9:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
A desperate father came to Jesus with a request for help and said, IF you can, Jesus, please help! IF? IF!

Jesus told the desperate father everything is possible for the person who believes. We say we believe that our Father in heaven will act for our best eternal good and the eternal best good of our loved ones in need as we love him and follow his purposes in our lives (Romans 8:28). We say that we believe, so let's ask in faith with a commitment like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three friends believed that God could spare them from the fiery furnace and confidently told King Nebuchadnezzar, "We serve a God who is able to deliver us, but even if he does not, we will not worship other gods who are false!" (Daniel 3:16-18) Let's be committed to the enormity of what's possible for us in Jesus when we believe!

Our Prayer...
Now to our God, who we believe can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, to that God be glory, both now as well as forever and ever. In the glorious name of Jesus, we praise you. Amen. (Prayer adapted from Ephesians 3:20-21)

09/22/2024

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
—1 Corinthians 9:22

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Christ left heaven, became one of us, endured the worst from us, and served us to save us. Paul sacrificed everything to share the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles and be able to save some. What have we done... what have we left... what have we given up... what have we endured... what have we done to become someone better able to share Jesus with those we love, know, or influence? Even more, what have we done to reach the lost, whom we don't know, and who are not like us so that they can follow Jesus? Let's do whatever it takes to follow Paul's example and his description of Jesus as his example:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8).

Our Prayer...
Father of mercy, God Almighty, so rich in steadfast love, please give me eyes to see those around me who need Jesus, empower me with the courage and the humility to share his grace, and bless me with the sense of timing to share Jesus with them when they are ready to know of his love. I want to do everything possible to win as many as possible, especially those whose hearts are ready to know Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.

09/22/2024

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our kids today! We had a blast, and were blessed with an amazing turn out! God bless you!

09/21/2024

We are rocking and rolling! Thank y'all for supporting our youth!

09/21/2024

Come see us Terry's Grocery and support Thelife Student Ministries raising money for our winter trip!

09/21/2024

[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
—Matthew 9:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her twelve-year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. Her condition imprisoned her and made her life nearly unlivable socially, physically, and religiously.

Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he also longs to free you from yours. What holds you captive? Jesus longs to give you freedom through at least five gifts:

The Scriptures to help you know God's will and protect yourself from harm.
Your surrender to his lordship as you let him lead you.
Your cleansing from sin, guilt, and shame.
The gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you, help you overcome sin, and become more like Jesus.
His family of brothers and sisters to support you, encourage you, help you, and hold you accountable to your commitment to him.
These are five of God's precious keys to freedom. So, dear friend, in your heart, "touch his cloak" by reaching out to him, confessing him as your Savior, and honoring him as your Lord.

Our Prayer...
Father, I pray today for all those who need deliverance from the evil one's grip in whatever form he has in their lives. I confidently pray in Jesus' mighty and holy name, asking that you, the Lord of all creation, to break the bonds that hold each of our readers captive to the evil one. Amen

09/21/2024

Today! See you there!

09/20/2024

Tomorrow!!