By Judi Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

I’ve always thought I had plenty of time. I always thought there wasn’t any need for rush. Then, last Tuesday, an earthquake hit my town, the first one to hit my town since the 1800s. Although no one was injured, it really made me think about some stuff.

The same thing I heard over the next few days was “The Lord’s coming back soon”, and it made me think about if he were to come, would I be ready for it. The answer, of course, is no. No one can be ready because no one knows the true time of when He will come back for us.

What I do know is I need to stop planning like I have so much time because, in reality, I don’t. Although I want to go to heaven, just like every other Christian, I’m not sure how ready I am. Especially when there’s so much more on earth that I want to do before my time is up. (more…)

“What do these Scriptures mean to you,” I asked.

“That He chose me,” one said.

“That I have spiritual blessings that I’m not choosing,” said another. (more…)

By Debra Weiss, RTF Staff Writer

Recently, I met someone online. We come from different countries, different religions, and different customs. But for all our differences, we have one thing in common—a hunger for truth.

She’s a Muslim and most of her family is Muslim. Her older brother is an atheist. She doesn’t seem too sure of what she believes. She asks me questions about what I believe and why I believe that way.

With each question she asks, I am forced to peel back the layers of theology and years of pat Christian answers. I am both surprised and delighted by what I find each time.

A God that is not too busy to hear a small child’s prayer. A God who cares for each of us. A God that loves us deeply and sent His only Son to save the world.

With childlike delight, I read the story of Christ birth. And as I read, the story feels new and fresh, stripped of all the fancy words and pretty theology.

I find myself thanking God for sending someone into my life to challenge and inspire me, for it is through the simple elementary questions that I am reminded of the true reason for the season—Christ’s birth.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Real Teen Faith!

 

Luke 2:1-7 (The Message)

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.

So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant.  While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 

She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. An Event for Everyone

Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. (1 Peter 1:22 THE MESSAGE)

Have you ever met someone who was nice to you because they wanted something in return? How did you feel when you realized the truth?

A girl entered a local pageant hoping to win a scholarship to college. When she met the group of contestants for the first time, one pulled her aside and gave her a bag of cool stuff. Another contestant gave her a warm hug and pumped her for information about her favorite music, the guy she was talking to, and more.

All day long these two girls pulled at her like they were in a game of tug and war. In the beginning she was flattered—until she realized that the gifts and attention had nothing to do with friendship. The two girls were in a heated race for the title of Miss Congeniality. They were working the room to win votes.

Counterfeit niceness leaves a bad taste in anyone’s mouth, but it’s especially bitter when compared to the image that Christ paints of brotherly (and sisterly) love. 1 Peter 1:22 uses the Greek word philadelphia (yes, that’s why they call it the city of brotherly love). This word paints a picture of brotherly love as a strong attachment, caring for each other as if they were your own body. It’s showing kindness to people even if you receive nothing in return.

This kind of niceness might not win you the title of Miss Congeniality, but at least you’ll be the real deal, and that’s a prize worth pursuing.

I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. (Psalm 119:11 THE MESSAGE)

Boxers or briefs?

Nunya! Right?

But maybe a good question to ask is “What’s really going on underneath?” You know, in your private life when no one’s looking. That seems like a personal question, but what happens then is who you are. It’s the unmasked version. It’s more than who you are, it’s what you are becoming.

Paul isn’t talking about Fruit of the Loom™ when he describes the fruit of goodness, but he is describing underwear. It’s what’s under the mask. It’s who you are when no one is holding you accountable and you’re flying solo. It’s how you resist (or not) when things try to trip you up spiritually. It’s taking sin to the light if it’s tripping you up in the darkness.

Sometimes people treat faith like a favorite T-shirt, wearing it out in public and then cramming it under the bed until its needed the next time. It’s tough to make it daily in your faith life when your private world has nothing to do with God, or if private sin is getting in the way.

So, what’s a person to do?

Invite God in and ask him to help you live your faith life the same privately and publicly. Spend time with God daily and soak in his Word. Talk to God about things that matter. He’s not going to be shocked by what you show him, but he can make it right. Extend an open invitation for God – and anybody else – to roam freely through the hidden places of your life.

Want to take your faith deeper? Check out Suzie’s book, Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway?

It’s a great one-on-one tool for teens who desire to make their faith their own. It’s also a perfect resource for small groups, discipleship class, or Sunday school.

 

 

By Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer

It seems everywhere I go, the same Christmas tunes are ringing in my ear. I can’t count how many times I’ve been told by these songs that Santa Claus is coming to town, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride, and that chestnuts should be roasting on an open fire. I feel like a humbug when these songs begin to play. There never seems to be any variety; just the same old jangles that I heard last year, and the year before that….

Don’t get me wrong—I don’t dislike these songs, but after awhile, they become rote, meaningless. I robotically sing the words without thinking about them. Repetition makes these songs seem weary and stripped of meaning. (more…)