July TPYM: Forgiveness

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption~Ephesians 4 (NIV)
 

Compassion is a feeling of sympathy.
Forgiveness is an active, conscious thought, and when we forgive, we move on and are at peace. (Forgiving does not mean forgetting.) Forgiveness takes time, but we need to decide to do it.

You can't truly get over something until you forgive the person. Move past the incident and get on with your life. That's what God wants us to do. Holding onto something that happened in the past is giving the devil a foothold, which is a way to let him into your life. Showing forgiveness is a way of letting God shine in your life.

June TPYM: Allowing God Into Your Life

Some questions to think about:

• Do you allow God to come into your life? How?
• How do you feel clsoer to God when you let Him into your life?
• When you make decisinos (life or any), do you base them off of what's good for your or what you think God wants you go do?

How do we make decisions based on God? We pray and listen to what He has to say.

God has a plan for everyone- it is up to us to decide to follow it. The world doesn't allow us to escape disease, issues, relationships, and we don't always get what you want. It is up to us to ask God for guidance and help.

When you accept God, you begin to see things differently. Without God, your problems seem impossible. He forgives us no matter what we do. It pains Him to see us sin. Do you want to leave it to chance? There is no second chance when we die.

Is there room in your life for God? Are you willing to abide by His rules, listen and follow Him all of the time?

How can you make room for God? 

Pray, read the bible and other books about Christian living, show kindness to everyone, show forgiveness.

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved~Romans 10 (NIV)

May TPYM: Doing the right thing even when no one is watching

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will,to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. ~1 Peter3:13-18 (NIV)

How many of you make better decisions around those who are older or that you respect more?

Why do you? Some answers from our teens: they don't want to disappoint, they know what's right/better, fear of punishment/don't want to get in trouble/lectured

What are those excuses? Self-helping excuses, those that benefit you.

Do you feel that you still benefit if no one sees?

We generally tend to do nice things if we benefit or are being watched.

God is watching you even when no one else is around.

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,but trusting the Lord means safety. ~Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Don't do things for yourself, your esteem, or your reputation. Do it because it's the right thing to do, and do it to the best that you can do it.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.~Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)