Next Steps

Day 5 Devotional

"... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:4-11
This week we have been studying the passage our kids have explored to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?". We have discovered that Jesus is fully God and fully human. That He was our substitute on the cross and died for our sins. Because Jesus obeyed God's calling and mission with ultimate humility, God exalted Him above and gave Him a name above all names. Jesus is Lord.

It is essential to have a true understanding of Jesus. There is confusion and misunderstanding surrounding Him, as well as erroneous information that is presented in culture, education, online, and even in some churches. Our passage from Philippians is a good one to help us become grounded in truth, and to use for ongoing dialogue with our kids and others about the true Jesus.

A relationship with Jesus Christ is never a stagnant one. It must be alive and growing. But our relationship with Him will not grow automatically. We must be intentional about it. So as our students end their retreat and head home, they will be encouraged to take some "Next Steps." These steps are appropriate for all of us because the result of an encounter with the Lord is never an end in itself. it is always a call to growth.

Think about this for a moment. All the deepest mysteries that humans have considered and search for, and the deepest desires and longings of men's hears, can be met by knowing Jesus. God wants to reveal Himself to you. He cares about you, He knows everything about you, and He wants to know you.

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As Lord, Jesus is..

Worship God Corporately and Privately

We are created in the image of God. Part of being in His image is the capacity and desire to worship Him. We worship God corporately at church, and we worship Him personally in our times of prayer and devotion. Being part of the Christian community in church helps provide us with accountability, encouragement, and support during hardship. We need other believers to help stimulate us to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). So worship should be a priority in the life of every Christian.

Schedule your own "Silent Sounds"

Set a time to meet with Jesus in daily prayer, personal Bible study, and personal worship. Also, choose a place that will allow you privacy and freedom from distractions. Like so many of the students on our Beach Retreat, this daily quiet time will become a favorite time of your day.

Begin to systematically study the Bible and apply its truth

When you sit down with your Bible, ask God to help you understand what you will read. Then seek to apply what you learn to your life. Consider keeping a notebook and writing down what you learn, and attend a Bible study class at church.

Look for opportunities to serve others

Remember, loving and serving others is a part of having the attitude which was in Christ Jesus. There is no shortage of need in this world, so find a place where you can use your interests and gifts to make a difference.

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10
What goals can you set to help you move forward in worship, prayer, Bible study, and service? What changes would you like to see in your life as a result of your time in Philippians 2:4-11?

Thank you for joining us for Silent Sounds. Please join us for worship on Sunday, and make sure your kids come. They will want to see all their friends from Beach Retreat. And remember, you always have a welcome waiting for you in the Second Family.
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