Maybe a summer camp or incredible worship gathering stoked your fire for Jesus like never before. Chances are, there is a time where you have felt closer to Jesus.
One Saturday evening, not too long ago, Molly decided her life would never be the same. For the first time, she was truly excited about God.
During an amazing weekend retreat Jesus seemed to be closer to her than ever before.
She finally felt God’s love.
She let go of her guilt over past decisions and embraced what Jesus did for her.
She developed new friendships with strong Christians.
When she headed home, she was ready to make drastic changes in her life, friendships, and habits.
But by midweek, she felt herself slipping away from Jesus.
Once full of hope and excitement about what Jesus could do in her life, Molly had now settled back into her old habits and friendships. She knew life could be different. However her old habits caused her passion to burn out.
Her passion for Jesus slowly burned out.
Have you ever met someone like Molly?
Perhaps you have had the same experience as Molly – during a retreat you experienced God like never before, but shortly after your passion seemed to slowly burn out.
From my vantage point as a pastor and former staff member at a Christian camp and retreat facility, I have seen tens of thousands of people draw near to Jesus – and subsequently I’ve seen hundreds of people fail to stoke that passion once they returned home.
But why did that passion fade?
Was it your schedule? Perhaps your habits? Or what about your relationships?
Every student leaves an event ready to passionately pursue Jesus, but many fall back into the passion-smothering routines that await.
How do we continue to stoke our passion for Jesus?
After working with thousands who have attended camps, retreats, and events, I knew that I had to encourage people to stoke their passion for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Stoking your fire for Jesus is easier than you think.
These six simple questions will enable your passion to burn brighter for the glory of Jesus.
The times when I was isolated, spiritually burned out, or tired were the times I made decisions that I regret. Stoked asks pointed questions that will lead students away from the habits and situations that are extinguishing their spiritual fires.
Stoked is designed to be either a stand-alone book or to be used in a small group setting. Each week explores one question with a core session and five daily devotions to spark conversations and habits.
Students are able to work through the book on their own as a six-week devotional, or small groups can study it together as a six-week small group study.
It is far easier to tear someone down than to build someone up. And too often, we even justify tearing someone down because we see their behavior as wrong or insulting to us personally.
[bctt tweet=”It is far easier to tear someone down than to build someone up.” username=”@chasesnyder12″]
But we all know this doesn’t make it right.
In John Chapter 8, the religious leaders of the day devised a plan to trip up Jesus and undermine His ministry. Why? Because Jesus was threatening their way of life.
Jesus’ teaching exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They considered His teaching as an attack against their identity, their career, their livelihood, and their power.
So the religious leaders devised a plan to make Jesus pick between extending grace or fulfilling the Law.
3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap,in order to have a basis for accusing him. (John 8:3-6)
The religious leaders thought they had won! If Jesus sided with the Law, this woman would be killed on the spot. If Jesus picked forgiveness, Jesus would be guilty of breaking the Law.
Obviously, Jesus didn’t fall for the trick.
7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stoneat her.” (John 8:7)
The men began to leave one at a time, oldest first, until the youngest man finally left.
Only the woman and Jesus were left. Jesus gave her an option.
10“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”(John 8:10-11)
He gave her the option of repenting from her sin and accepting forgiveness or continuing the empty pursuit of sin.
This woman, who was used by the religious leaders as an object lesson, was extended the opportunity to repent.
Most of us (I hope all of us, actually) wouldn’t actually throw a stone at someone in an attempt to kill them. But we drop “stones” in the form of comments and jokes that are meant to tear down. These “stones” sit on others’ shoulders, weighing them down.
As Christians, we shouldn’t be like the religious leaders in these verses. We shouldn’t use others’ sins or circumstances to make ourselves feel better.
Instead, we should be like Jesus. We should give others the opportunity to meet Jesus, repent, and walk faithfully with Him.
[bctt tweet=”What would make your life better?” username=”chasesnyder12″]
Do you ever ask yourself this question?
Maybe you aren’t quick to spell out a well-written statement on what you believe will make your life better. I bet you have some ideas, hopes, and beliefs that are shaping your decisions.
We have formulas that we have bought into that promise to produce a better life.
More money + Better friends = Better Life
More flexible job + More obedient children = Better Life
More degrees + Nicer iPhone = Better Life
Less arguments + More sleep = Better Life
More BBQ + Banana Pudding = Better Life
I don’t know the formula that you have bought into, but, when we are honest with ourselves, we all have a formula for success.
Is your hope for a secure future in your degree. Is your hope for acceptance wrapped up in your dating relationships? Are you convinced that more money will bring more happiness?
We are quick to finish this statement:
“Things will be better if…”
Things will be better if I have more money.
Things will be better if I have a different job.
Things will be better if I get this degree.
Things will be better if my wife would listen to me.
Things will be better if we have a different house.
Things will be better if they saw it from my perspective.
We rattle off these statements everyday. Some pursuits are noble and not necessarily sins. Others are lies we have believed because they promise life but lead to our demise. Either way, nothing in these statements will bring us lasting joy, comfort, and peace. Everything will leave us wanting more.
The Creator > The Created Things
Instead, I would love to offer a different statement up.
It is simply this:
Things will be better if I got closer to Jesus.
[bctt tweet=”Things will be better if I got closer to Jesus. ” username=”chasesnyder12″]
Above all, our pursuit of Jesus must be the primary focus of our lives. As we draw near to Jesus, we begin to live within how He has purposed us to live while we cling to His promises.
A better life begins only with a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
You have been created to worship the Creator – Jesus. The life Jesus intends for us to live is the best life we could ever experience.
During my time in ministry I have had the privilege of seeing hundreds of high school students make the transition to college. While many have succeed in their pursuit of Jesus and a college degree, college has been a dark time of regret for others.
I’m not looking to add to the cliché statements about starting a new chapter in your life book, but I do want to offer some advice as you head into a new phase of life.
I believe college is a perfect opportunity for you to grow as a disciple of Jesus, to see how you have been wired to make a difference in this world, to build friendships that will shape your personality, and to serve God like never before.
Be intentional with your time and your pursuit of Jesus and your college years will be lived for the glory of God.
[bctt tweet=”College is a perfect opportunity for you to grow as a disciple of Jesus.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
6 Things Every College Freshman Needs To Hear
1. Following Jesus Is The Most Important Part Of College
As you step into your first class you will feel the pressure to believe your grades are the most important part of college.
This is not true.
Following Jesus is the most important part of every phase of life.
Yes, your education is important, after all, you are spending tens of thousands of dollars on this degree each year. But anything that hinders your pursuit of Jesus (even the pursuit of a college degree) is not God honoring.
Your worth is found in Jesus, not your degree.
Don’t miss out on opportunities to serve God while you are in college.
[bctt tweet=”Your worth is found in Jesus, not your degree.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
2. Choose Your Friends Carefully
Newsflash, your friends will change from high school to college. Some of you will be horrified that some friends won’t last through adulthood, but others will rejoice at the opportunity to start over!
Here is one thing you need to know early on in college: drama is forever.
The notion that high school is too dramatic and somehow college will be more chill is naïve. The world is full of drama. You will have to learn how to navigate interpersonal problems.
But the best way is to limit the drama is to carefully choose your friend group.
[bctt tweet=”But the best way is to limit the drama is to carefully choose your friend group.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
3. Get Connected to a Church, Not Just a Group of Christians
Small groups of Christians do not replace the need for a biblically based church.
Christians need to be connected to a local church to benefit themselves and the church community.
Joining a campus ministry or non-profit is not the same as worshipping at a local church.
Don’t get me wrong, campus ministries are incredible – they simply aren’t a church.
(And a group of friends who listen to a Matt Chandler sermon together as their “church” isn’t a church either.)
You need to be a part of a biblically based community of believers. If you have been burned by church, I’m sorry for your negative experience, but don’t give up on the church because of a negative experience.
There are thousands of churches with different styles, traditions, and formats for you to visit and pray about joining.
4. Start Somewhere And Do Something
Deciding on a major doesn’t have to result from God writing out the perfect choice in neon lights for you. In fact, few of your life decisions will be clear.
If you are daily in the Word and prayer, it may really be as simple as “What am I good at and what do I like to do?”
Our communities need more teachers, government workers, doctors, and mechanics who are strong Christians.
Make the jump and prayerfully pursue a practical faith. Once you jump it is incredible to see how God starts to reveal how you are wired.
5. The Price Tag On Your Bad Decisions Increases With Age
The older you get, the higher the price tag on your bad decisions. This is a concept I heard from Brandon Conner, senior pastor at Mosaic Church in Gulf Coast, Mississippi.
As an adult, your decisions hold more weight.
College is a phase of life where people believe that you should live in complete autonomy, but nothing is further from the truth. You need more accountability, wisdom, and encouragement as you mature.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to walk through life on your own. Sooner or later, you will make a horrible decision that may cost you more than you could imagine.
Be proactive in the decision making process by inviting others into the conversation before you make a decision. This is what mature adults do.
6. Do Something That Makes You Uncomfortable
Resist the urge to go to class, go home, study, and then repeat.
College is a unique time when you get to do stuff that is difficult once you have a full-time job and family.
Run triathlons, travel the world, do a summer-long mission trip overseas, spend time drinking coffee late at night with friends.
You will have more free time over the next four years than any other time in your life. Don’t waste four years on Netflix.
Even worse, don’t waste four years being self-centered. How can you make a difference in your community and around the world?
Redeem your time and do something to further the Gospel of Jesus.
[bctt tweet=”Don’t waste four years being self-centered.” username=”chasesnyder12″]
The past couple of months have been a little crazy around here.
The biggest factor contributing to the craziness?
My family is embarking on a new adventure starting this summer.
Yesterday I accepted a call to become the High School and Young Adults Pastor at First Baptist Church Loganville in Georgia and will begin serving there on June 18, 2017. Today I submitted my resignation as the Family Pastor at Valley Grove Baptist and will serve here until June 11, 2017.
During the entire process, God has been working in big ways. I know pastors tend to make cliché statements like that, but it’s the truth. Several months ago I received a message from the Executive Pastor in Loganville. He let me know that they were searching for a man who can equip students to continue following Jesus once they are in college and had all but shut down the search after months of looking through resumes. It turns out that he asked a close pastor friend for a recommendation, and my name was passed along.
I wasn’t looking to move to the Atlanta area and honestly had never heard of Loganville before my phone conversation! But the more we talked, the more I could see their heart for ministry and how God was at work.
You all know that I have a passion for encouraging and equipping pastors, leaders, and students to serve Jesus. High school and college are critical phases in the life of a young adult. These phases of life are of the utmost importance to me because that is when students start to discover what is means to live out their faith in Jesus. Students ask hard questions because they are discovering how God wants them to live. This is when students make the jump from merely listening to applying God’s Word. My heart for equipping leaders and students aligns perfectly with FBC Loganville’s. We are excited to see what God has in store as we serve in Loganville!
While we are stoked to accept the call to serve at FBC Loganville, it is definitely a bittersweet time for our family. Anne and I will be leaving our home in East Tennessee, which is a decision we don’t take lightly. We are sad about leaving the incredible people at Valley Grove and the Knoxville area. You all are our family, friends, and co-ministers. This area has always been my home, and Anne and I are so thankful for the friendships, memories, and investment that you all have made in our lives.
(And as a side note, we will never cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs. I will have Josh Dobbs’ Hail Mary playing on a loop in my office from now till I go to Heaven!)
Leaving Valley Grove and the Knoxville area has been a difficult decision for us to make. You all are family. You have helped raise Tripp and Brooke. Most of you have even sung “What Does The Fox Say?” with my kids during Bible study. We have made memories, shared milestones, walked alongside one another, and consumed large amounts of coffee together.
Moving to Loganville isn’t an attempt to run from Knoxville. That isn’t the case at all. We are faithfully following where Jesus is leading our family.
We are 100 percent certain that God is leading us to make the move to Loganville, Georgia. Anne and I sense God’s Spirit leading us to FBC Loganville. She and I are unified in spirit and are at peace.
As Christians, we understand that our lives are not our own. Our lives are hidden in Jesus and when He leads, we go. Going is always an adventure, and God has promised to provide for His plans.
One of my mentors has a quote that he says frequently:
“If I am where God wants me to be, not only will I have everything I need from God, God will also have everything He needs from me.”
This is my prayer for my ministry and my family: to be exactly where God wants me to be. I know that my life is making the biggest impact for the Kingdom of God when I’m in lockstep with Jesus.
Please be praying for Anne, Tripp, Brooke, and I as we begin the transition to Loganville, Georgia.
This one phrase is detaching God’s people from God’s mission. Because of this phrase many churches are shutting their doors, families are disengaged, and ministries fail. The danger of this phrase is it’s false sense of mission and service.
Don’t dismiss the ministry opportunities that God has for you. Check out the video below to see how deleting one word can change your community.
You must be logged in to post a comment.