Youth

Advice to the Youth

Being a teenager today is no easy task. Being a Christian teenager is a challenge. Every day, you face constant peer pressure and it's hard to know where to turn for advice. Just how do you know what's cool and what is not? Questions like these are hard for any person to answer. Sometimes, what your parents say really makes no sense to you. The problem with parents is that they've been through the same things you have, but don't always know how to tell you how to get through them. Most of the time, you do end up having to figure it all out by yourself.

The good news is that the Bible does provide the answers you need. It's a matter of applying what you already know in your life and learning what you don't already know. Here at Surf In The Spirit, we believe that the best way to help you do this is to provide you with your own section on the site filled with resources, ideas and lots of entertaining information.

We know being a teenager is hard, but also know that you can live a good Christian life and still have fun and enjoy your teen years. Christian teens hear a lot about "Godly behavior," but often wonder what that actually means. As Christians we are asked to live to a higher standard, because we are representatives of God on Earth. So striving to live a God-centered life is important, because when we exhibit Godly behavior we are providing a good witness to those around us.

Sometimes it is hard to maintain your faith. You can feel separated from God, face a lot of pressure to give up your faith, or sometimes life just seems to busy. Here are some ways that you can remain a strong Christian. God knows that sometimes Christians struggle in their faith. Sometimes devotions don't really seem like devotion, but "just another chore." Other times Christians wonder if God is even there. Here are some ways to keep your faith strong even when you feel a bit weak.

1. Read your Bible and Pray. God is always there always willing to help. Ask him to send his Holy spirit to help comfort and guide you. That's what he's there for. He will and can help you through any problem.

   "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

2. Talk to your parents, preacher, or an adult you can trust. This may seem hard at times but realize that your parents and other adults have been through what you are going through plus maybe a lot more.

   "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:8

   "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding." Proverbs 4:1

Sometimes you doubt your faith. Sometimes just finding five minutes for God seems like just another chore. God knows that sometimes Christians struggle in their faith. Sometimes devotions do not really seem like devotion, but work. Sometimes Christians wonder if God is even there. Here are some ways to keep your faith strong even when you feel a bit weak.

1. Remember that God is Always There

Even in the driest times, when you just don't feel God's presence, you need to remember that God is always there. He does not forget you. True faith is developed even when you don't feel God.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)

2. Do a Daily Devotional

Developing long-term habits is important to maintaining your faith. A daily devotional will keep you in the Word and enhance your prayer life. It will also keep you closer to God even when you struggle in your faith.

Philippians 2:12-13 � "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (NIV)

3. Get Involved

Many people become apathetic over time, because they do not feel connected to a church body. Some churches do not offer ways to connect. Yet, there are a lot of activities on campuses and in the community. You can even look into other ministries. The more connected you are to the body of Christ, the more likely it is that you will maintain your faith.

Romans 12:5 � "so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (NIV)

4. Talk to Someone

If you feel separated from God or you find yourself backsliding, talk to someone. Try your old youth leader, a pastor, or even your parents. Talk through your issues and pray with them about your struggle. They can offer insight into how they have worked through their own struggles.

Colossians 3:16 � "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (NIV)

Who Is A Friend And What Is Love?

Who Is A Friend?

A friend is someone you trust, someone you can always count on, someone who shows up the world turns their back on you, someone you love, someone you confide in, someone you can run to when in tight rope, someone you can give what you have even if you might gain in return, someone you share things in common, someone you always take as a sibling, someone who can lay down his life for his fellow friend as Jesus did at the cross of Calvary. A friend is someone who establishes a mutual relationship, not a parasitic one or any other form of relationship. A friend is someone who is much more than a sibling.

What Are Friend For?

Friends are of great importance to man, having understood who is a friend, I guess now understand that there are of purpose for friendship to be established. Friends are always there to assist and help you and also guide you whenever the need arises. Just as a great philosopher says, in a certain stage in life, a parent especially a mother is the only one who can really say who and what a child is, but at a certain stage, only a friend can tell all about one not even the siblings. A friend is the only person who can really say who his fellow friend is and a friend is someone you can look at and know your child/ward is. A friend is someone who always has your interest at heart who would not want to see your downfall. In other words friends are for molding of ones life but before that is possible you have to allow God to mold you to enable you have the grace to mold someone else.

Who Could Be A Friend?

Anybody can serve under the conditions that he is really devoted, spirit-filled and holy, following all God's instructions and abiding by the truth no matter his/her gender, age grade, race, tradition, class, or religion. This type of friend can mold you in God's satisfactory way and make you look meaningful in God's sight. Remember, a friend is a pleasure that no one can measure, therefore all Godly friends are treasures.

What Is Love?

Love is a phenomenon which is very hard to define, it is something every one has to experience, even though Christ showed his love by laying down his life on the cross of Calvary for us, yet one has to experience the love mandated to man by God. Love is a feeling of pleasure and Godly likeness for another person, love is that which covers a multitude of ill behaviors, it is not something said but shown, it is true when it pours out from the inside, that is when it is shown.

Types Of Love?

We have different kinds of loves which are referred to the world, which also was created by our enemy, the devil, being used as a tool against our youths today to stop us from knowing God's Word and abiding towards it. But the most effective love is the agape love. This is the kind of love shown to mankind by Christ. It is the kind of love shown only by our maker and his apostles. It is a love which took so much time for it to be shown to humanity. It is a love which serves as a sacrifice which brings men back at peace with his maker Jesus Christ the holy.

Lamb Of God

Let me this opportunity to urge everyone that love is something that must be shared in a Godly way amongst everyone that comes our way. If we can understand that the presence of love boosts a person's ego, no matter the person showing the act, that it is the only thing which keeps Gods hands in peace, that is a commandment by God. Then everybody should at least learn to love one another, no matter what it may cost and who it is for. It's a holy command. Remember love is the substance of living, an essence of life.