10 Days of Easter: Day 4

*All of the material was provided and put together by those at YM360. We just put together the pretty pictures.*

Truth from the Bible: Out of love for us, Jesus willingly embraced the suffering He was about to go through.
What do I do with it?: You'll reflect on what Jesus' sacrifice says about how valuable you are to God.

Read John 18:1-14.

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him,went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
-John 18 (NIV)

Grab a pencil or open up a drawing app and draw the scene you just read about. Feel free to share them with us on your social media sites! Tag TurningPoint in your photos, and use #10DaysOfEaster.

Consider these questions about the passage and your impressive new work of art:

• How did Jesus react to His arrest?
• What does His reaction say about His feelings for you?

Listen to the song, "How He Loves" by the David Crowder Band or John Mark McMillan as a reminder of what you mean to Jesus.

When the song ends, pray and tell Jesus what He means to you.

10 Days of Easter: Day 3

*All of the material was provided and put together by those at YM360. We just put together the pretty pictures.*

Truth from the Bible: Jesus gave the disciples a visual picture of how His sacrifice on the cross would purchase forgiveness for their sins.
What do I do with it?: You'll consider how the new life Jesus' death bought for your is different from the life you would have been left in.

There's a YouTube video of a guy who lives near Johannesburg, South Africa. The reason for the video is to document this guy's "friends." All 38 of them. See, this guy lives each day with 38 African lions? Have you ever heard the old saying, "If you play with fire you're gonna get burned?" Would it surprise anyone if one day this guy made the news because one of his 38 friends has betrayed his trust and turned him into dinner?

Read Matthew 26:17-30.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”Jesus answered, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
-Matthew 26 (NIV)

Betrayal is a harsh reality in life. In this passage Jesus reveals His betrayer while reminding His disciples that His soon-to-be bloodshed would purchase forgiveness for their sins. The betrayer, Judas Iscariot would turn on Jesus and choose not to accept His free gift of grace.

Most people will experience a moment where a friend betrays them. Maybe you already have experienced this. If you have, you know it hurts. But does the fact that it hurts to be betrayed mean that we should stop opening yourself to trust or to love? Of course not. Jesus didn't. And neither should you.

Consider these questions as you embark on a new day:

• Does your life reflect Jesus' willingness to love even in the face of great sacrifice? Or do you take His free gift for granted?
• Are you willing to risk loving even those who might betray me?

10 Days of Easter: Day 2

*All of the material was provided and put together by those at YM360. We just put together the pretty pictures.*

Truth from the Bible: Out of love for us, Jesus willingly embraced the suffering He was about to go through.
What Do I Do With It?: You'll reflect on what Jesus' sacrifice says about how valuable you are to God.

Begin today by taking the time to read Matthew 1:17-25. Reread the passage and note how the angel told Joseph that his son would take away the sins of the world. Why is this important? Because it confirms Jesus was truly God's son!

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
-Matthew 1 (NIV)

For Joseph to follow through with marrying Mary, he had to completely trust God. Marrying a pregnant girl was a huge disgrace, but God had told him to stay with her. Joseph might have asked, "why me"? And, what will people think? Clearly, Joseph was a man who maintained an active relationship with God through prayer and a life of obedience to God's commands. Joseph knew God well enough to believe that the girl he was pledged to marry was carrying the Son of God in her womb.

Joseph's deeply rooted relationship with God withstood many trials and attacks, and carried him on a mission beyond anything he had ever imagined for his life.

Meditate throughout the day today with the following quote:

"The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack."
-Oswald Chambers

10 Days of Easter: Day 1

Today is the first day of the devotional, 10 Days of Easter, which is from Youth Ministry 360. This 10 day devotional is a great way to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Jesus' death and Resurrection.
*All of the material was provided and put together by those at YM360. We just put together the pretty pictures.*

Truth from the Bible: Hundreds of years before He was sent to Earth, Jesus was God's plan to rescue us from the punishment of our sins.
What can I do with it?: You'll begin focusing on Jesus' sacrifice He made for you and how this makes you feel.

What caused Rue to help Katniss escape from the angry career tributes? Why did Sam follow Frodo even when things got testy on the way to Mount Doom? Simple. Love. Nothing more, nothing else.

Compassion, loyalty, and love are powerful connectors. These three relationship builders make for great entertainment. Movies utilize them to tug at our heartstrings through fictional tales costing millions of dollars to produce. But long before movies existed, Jesus' mission on earth was planned.

Take a moment to read Isaiah 53:5-7, 12:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors . For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
-Isaiah 53 (NIV)

In today's passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a coming Savior capable of delivering the people form their sin. This coming Savior would be insulted, beaten, and crucified even though He had not sinned even once. This Messiah would carry their sins through a public trial, countless abuses, and finally a criminal's death. He would do this so they could have forgiveness and eternal life.

Jesus' sacrifice brought us life. His pain purchased our freedom. He willingly endured the cross for the sake of rescuing humankind. For the sake of rescuing you.

Think about these questions now and throughout the day:

• How far would you go to save a friend from imminent death? 
• Who do you know that would willingly sacrifice his or her life for yours?
• What blows your mind most about Jesus' sacrifice for you?

Comment below with your answers, or follow us on Instagram, where you can comment on the picture.

A Teen's Life: Recap

As part of our "A Teen's Life" series, we discussed six topics; change, growth, expectations, experimentation, emotions and decisions.

What was the most important category to you? Many of our teens told us emotions and decisions were most important to them.

Who are you affecting when you make decisions? At some point, you should begin to think about who you are affecting (like others or God), and not base decisions about looks or feelings. We need to learn to think "what does God want from me?"

Everything gets amplified as you grow. It's appropriate for a 12 year old to think like a 12 year old, but it's inappropriate for an 18 year old to think like a 12 year old, or a 25 year old to think like an 18 year old.

All of the categories are involved in your life. You need to grow and learn so you can become an independent adult. You are now learning how to do that. You need to learn how to handle emotions and make decisions now, so you are able to mature into an adult. Becoming an independent adult is a mental state, not something that happens because you reach a certain age. You should show respect for others and yourself, be past experimenting, begin planning for your future and thinking about tomorrow. People expect you to do this, and people will take you seriously when you can do this and show that you can do this.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

A Teen's Life: Decisions

What are some decisions you make? What you do with your life, school, jobs, friends, food, sex, alcohol, God, fighting, relationships, sleep, etc.

You make decisions every day, every second. All decisions, big and small, affect you personally. Your decisions have an affect on the future decisions you haven't even made yet. Even decisions now effect you when you're 50. 

What affects your decisions? Peer pressure, God, experience, parents, and surroundings, as well as many other factors. Good decisions generally have longer term rewards, and bad decisions generally have short term rewards.

Who can your decisions be blamed on? Only you. You make the final decision of your actions, so there is no one else to blame. If you choose to put yourself in bad situations, you'll more than likely be dragged down. It is not common to bring people up to be better.

All categories of this series coexist and work together. As you change and grow, you need to meet higher expectations, which has a huge effect on your emotions. You will try new things, as you change and grow, leading you to make decisions about your daily life, as well as your future.

A Teen's Life: Emotions

What emotions do you feel? Love, hate, sadness, joy, etc.

What is an emotion vs a feeling? An emotion is more of a mental sate, where a feeling is more of a physical state. (You can find more information here)

There are 5 basic emotions that everyone feels; acceptance, celebration, depletion, empowerment and exposure. There is a range of emotions within each emotion, from low/neutral feelings to intense feelings. (Pastor Myke would be more than happy to chat with anyone about the 5 basic emotions, if you have any questions or would like to learn more).

What happens when you have no control over your emotions? They tend to escalate, especially if you do not try to change them. You need to lower the level of emotion that you are feeling.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-Romans 12: 17-21 (NIV)

How to deal with your emotions in a healthy way:

• You need to make a change or get away. When you get too high in an emotion, it's harder to deescalate.
• You need to bring yourself down to a lower emotion to think about your problem with a clear head, so you can resolve the situation.