Youth Weekly Devotion - Current Week

Introduction: Break Out of the Herd! 

            Are you strong enough to stand up against peer pressure?

            Do you ever feel like a Bar T brand in a Bar S world?

            Do you ever feel like giving up?

            What do you do when tempted with something that's way out of line?

            Becoming a strong Christian is'nt something that " just happens."  You don't become Prime Rib by hanging out with the coyotes and chewing on tumbleweed.  The truth is, if you want to grow, you�ve got to feed on the utter truths of God�s Word.  You�re got to watch your step.  And you�ve got to break out of a herd mentality.

            The eight weeks of devotions contained in this book will give you the milk and meat you need to beef up your faith.  Beefin� Up is designed to help you stand your ground when the rest of the herd is in full stampede away from God.  And that�s no bull.

            When he�s not working or playing with his two daughters, Mark Littleton likes to listen to music, write poetry, and compose songs on the guitar.  He enjoys playing softball and frisbee.  He often spends his evenings writing and has had several books published.  One of his dreams is to write fiction for teens and also children.  Mark and his family live in Columbia, Maryland.

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Author�s Note: The Utter Truth 

            All tight, that title�s a bit corny -  I�ll admit that up front.  But we all need a little corn now and then.  What we have to find in it is that one kernel of truth to take back to the farm with us.

            Just the same, the issues aren�t corny at all.  In this book we�ll look at a number of important elements of Christian living: how to stand up against peer pressure, how to resist temptation, what it means to endure in the Christian life, what�s important in this life.

            None of these are matters we want to take lightly � and all of us could use a little beefin� up in them.

            Recently, I had the opportunity to watch two different groups engaging in body building.  One was a women�s aerobic dancing class.  Take about �getting down on it!�  Those women did.  I mean, they were working out, jumping around, dancing through, and holding up like no one I ever saw.  Just watching them made me tired.

            The other was a guys� basketball game.  Now these fellows were serious.  Lots of grunting, pushing, knocking around, and sore ankles there.  Before the end of five minutes I had  ad it.  I was ready to be carried away on a dogsled.

            Both these groups recognized their need to beef up physically. 

            We Christians likewise all understand the need to get into spiritual shape.  But too often we think spiritual fitness is far different from physical fitness.  It�s not.

            Physical fitness takes

                        work

                        sweat

                        motivation

                        endurance

                        determination

                        courage

                        hope

                        commitment

                        passion.

            So does spiritual fitness.

            The only difference is the tools you use.  In the physical realm, it�s your body, a solid regimen, and the appropriate playing equipment.  In the spiritual realm, it�s your heart, soul, mind, and might.  But it also requires a regimen and the right playing equipment.

            What�s the equipment?

                        prayer

                        the Bible

                        God�s people

                        books (like this one)

                        the world (your playing field)

            And the regimen?

            That�s where most of us flake off.  But the utter truth lying at the base of all of it is this: no radiance without obedience.  Or put another way: no pain, no gain.

            The Christian life revolves around the issue of obedience.  The question is, how much of the word of God are you willing to put into practice and apply to your circumstances?  We�ll look at that a lot in this book.

            But not without a few smiles along the way.

            I hope you�ll take this book both seriously and in stride � step by step.  Every journey begins with the first step.  Every devotion begins with the first verse, the first prayer, or the first application.  Any way you cut it, beefin� up as a Christian is work.  But it�s work that can be fun, exhilarating, challenging, and life-changing.

            And that�s no bull!

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Devotion for the week of 3/11/07

Taken from Mark Littleton's Teen Devotional, Beefin' Up

"Five Finger Discount"

Chapter Four: When Cows Go Bad

Continued from 3/4/07 Devotional

            Hugh and Dave headed out into the mall and walked around.  It was winter, and both wore heavy jackets.  Hugh wore a military green jacket with large pockets.  Dave�s was a blue ski parka.  He skied nearly every weekend with his family in the Pennsylvania mountains.

            Hugh put his hand in his pocket and drew out a package.  Instantly Dave recognized the U2 tape.

            �I thought you weren�t going to buy it.�

            �I didn�t.�

            �You didn�t!  Then what��

            �Five-finger discount, man.�

            Dave gasped a moment at Hugh.  He had never known Hugh to be dishonest.

            �You can�t do that,� he sputtered.

            �What do you mean I can�t?  I just did.� Hugh grinned.

            �Saved eleven bucks, plus tax, sonny boy.  Think of it as an investment in my future tape collection.�

            �You mean you�ve done this before?�

            Hugh rolled his eyes and looked away.  �Think I�m up to my seventeenth tape this year.  Those people in that store have the IQs of rats.�

            Dave swallowed and glanced around the mall.  Suddenly he was afraid they�d be followed, or a policeman would walk up to them and make an arrest.  He looked at Hugh again.  For so long he and Hugh had been best friends.  Why hadn�t he known?

            Dave tried to think of what he should do.  Was he supposed to act like nothing was wrong, or should he have nothing to do with Hugh?  Both ways seemed wrong, but what was right?

            Suddenly, Dave said, �Hugh, I don�t like this.�

            Hugh smiled.  �You don�t have to.  It�s my gig.  Now let�s listen to the music.�

Grazing

            Shoplifting in America is at an all-time high.  When you go into a store and make a purchase today, some of the money you pay goes towards the costs the store incurs because of theft.  Often, people begin shoplifting in their early years.  When they find it�s easy and the fear lessens, they may try bigger heists.

            But for Dave as a Christian, this situation was most disconcerting.  What was he to do � just let Hugh continue?  Or should he say one thing, then leave it to Hugh to determine what to do?  Or should he just duck out, pretending he didn�t know or care?

            James had a good word for us as a starting point.  He said, �My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins� (James 5:19-20).

            Clearly, James had no thought of �hoping the problem goes away.�  He calls us to action.  �If you see a brother sinning,� he might say, �you have to stop him.  You could literally save his soul from death in the here and no, and maybe from condemnation to hell in the hereafter.�

            In the concluding scene of Shakespeare�s play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet has been found lying over the body of the poisoned Romeo, a dagger in her breast.  The whole story comes out from the Friar, who gave Juliet the potion that would let her sleep until Romeo could rescue her.  But all has gone awry, and now both lovers are dead.  It�s the word of the Prince that somehow brings it all to a close.  His speech turns sharp with bitterness and cruel regret.  The fathers of the two houses whose rivalry has split Verona stand, heads bowed.  Their wives and other kinsmen stand about them, weeping and heavy hearted with guilt.

            The Prince speaks to all of them.

            �Where be these enemies?  Capulet, Montague

            See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,

            That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love

            And I, for winking at your records too,

            Have lost a brace of kinsmen.  All are punished.�

            The line that has always truck me is the one that says, �And I for winking on your discords�� Here was a man who saw that he�d done nothing when people around him sinned.  In the end, �All are punished!�

            That�s what Dave would be doing, though, if he left Hugh to his own devices � �winking� on his sin.  Can any of us stand and watch someone destroy himself?  Especially when we could do something to stop him?

Chew for Thought

1)     Read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.  Why do you think stealing is wrong?  Is it always wrong?  Can you think of a situation where it might not be, and why?

2)     Have you ever stolen something?  If so, would you be willing to go back and correct what was done by paying for it?

Devotion for the week of 3/18/07

Taken from Mark Littleton's Teen Devotional, Beefin' Up

"Why Do I Have to Know About This?"

Chapter Four: When Cows Go Bad

Continued from 3/11/07 Devotional

            Dave felt uncomfortable and hot as he listened to U2 with Hugh in his room.  The music was all right.  But he couldn�t listen.  He felt guilty.

            Meanwhile, Hugh showed him the other tapes.  All rock, but a few Christian albums.  One by a group called Stryper.

            �I figure I�ve saved some two hundred big ones so far,� Hugh said with pride.

            Dave swallowed and chewed his lip.  He didn�t know what to do.  He knew this wasn�t right.  But he couldn�t just turn his best friend in to the police.  He coughed and said, � I need to use the bathroom.�

            Hugh motioned him out of the room.  �I�ll keep the tape player hot.�

            Dave stood in the bathroom and looked at his face in the mirror.  �This is ridiculous,� he murmured.  �Hugh is vice president of the youth group.�

            He looked himself up and down.  He�d grown a lot in the last year.  He was nearly six feet tall, two inches taller than Hugh.  Hugh was on the wrestling team.  Dave played JV basketball.  Still, he felt himself shaking.  �What am I so scared about?� he whispered.

            Was it that Hugh might hit him or start a fight?  That their friendship would end?

            That was a real possibility.  Maybe that was it� Hugh might cut him off � forever.

            But wasn�t caring enough to stop someone from doing wrong the essence of friendship?

            Dave flushed the toilet and looked at himself in the mirror again.  He ran his fingers through his dark hair.  He felt like cursing.  �Why do I have to know about this?� he murmured again as he walked out.

Grazing

            Someone once asked me if I wanted to know about some of his pet sins.  I thought about it, then I said, �No.�  He laughed and asked me why.  I told him I didn�t want to know because then I�d have to confront him about it and I hated confrontations.  I told him, though, that if he knew they were sins, he should stop.

            He told me he was only kidding.

            Sin is a serious issue.  It is so serious that God sent his son to die on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven.  Dave now had a decision to make.  Should he stand by and watch Hugh continue to steal?

            A verse that Dave might have consulted if he wanted to find out what the Bible said about it is Galatians 6:1: �Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.�

            Dave�s motive for confronting needs to be to restore his fallen brother � not to berate him, put him down, or reject him for his sin.  Sometimes people gain a lot of pleasure from pointing out another person�s sin � it allows them to justify their own behavior.

            But, even if your motive is pure, confrontation can provoke hot words.  Two friends can cease to be friends.  Two neighbors might begin a feud.  Whole families could clash.  It�s not easy.

            No one likes to be told he�s a sinner.  That was Dave�s problem.  How could he tell his friend Hugh that he was sinning, without resorting to anger or name-calling?

Chew for Thought

1)     Jesus knew the importance and the problem of confronting sinners.  Take a look at how he handled one in Luke 10:38-42.  How would you describe Jesus� style?

2)     What do you think you would do in this situation with Hugh?  How would you handle it?  What scriptures would you use as guidance?

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Devotion for the week of 3/25/07 �

Taken from Mark Littleton's Teen Devotional, Beefin' Up

"Is It None of My Business?"

Chapter Four: When Cows Go Bad

Continued from 3/18/07 Devotional

            On the way home that night, Dave argued with himself.  �It�s none of my business,� he said.  �If Hugh wants to rip off a music store, what�s that to me?�

            But another voice within him said, �Hugh�s supposed to be a Christian.  The commandment says, �You shall not steal.�  It�s not right.�

            Dave breathed out heavily and turned into his parents� driveway.  He suddenly found himself praying, �What am I supposed to do, Lord?  He�s my best friend.�

            That evening he ate little at dinner and went up to his room.  He wasn�t the kind of Christian who read his Bible a lot.  He knew where the books were and so on, but he wasn�t sure where to look for help.  Suddenly he picked up the phone and dialed his youth pastor�s number.

            Tom Jarrett was a graduate of a nearby Bible college.  He frequently took the group on camping outings to the beach and mountains.  He was a rough-and-tumble type of person, and Dave liked him.  At times he hoped he would be like him when he reached his twenties.

            Tom answered.

            �Tom, it�s Dave Hogan.�

            �Hey, Dave!  What�s up?�

            �Just got a question for you.  Do you know any scriptures or anything about what to do when a fellow Christian does something wrong?�

            �Sure.  Are you talking about a situation you know about?�

            �Sort of.�

            �Are you sure it�s sin and not just a gray area?�

            �Definitely.�

            �Okay, get your Bible.  I�ll tell you a few passages and you can look them up and read them on your own.�

            Tom gave Dave five different passages relating to sinning Christians and confrontation.

Grazing

            We�ve already looked at some of those passages in previous lessons.  But here�s another, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15: �If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame.  And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.�

            That word admonish is the key idea.  It means not only to confront someone about sin, but to warn and instruct him or her.  Correction is the idea.  Gentle persuasion from a heart that cares.

            Several years ago a friend took me out to lunch.  I thought the purpose was purely social.  But after we�d eaten, my friend said, �There is a reason I wanted to meet with you today.�

            She then went on and detailed a number of problems she saw cropping up in my life.  Little dishonesties.  Giving in to others too easily about things that were wrong.  Pretending there was no problem when there was.  These were things I was aware of but which I had hoped were hidden from people like her.  I was cut inside, convicted deeply.  I knew it was sin.

            But it was her gentle manner that encouraged me.  She took my hand and told me that the only reason she�d confronted me was because she cared.  She didn�t want to see me hurting myself and my family.

            I took what she said, went home, and began working and praying towards change.  Sometime later I asked her if she�d seen any improvement.  She said, �So much that I�d forgotten about it.�

            I was grateful and encouraged.

            I believe what she had done with me was biblical admonishment.  It was gentle, kind, loving.  Not a curse-laden cry in the middle of an argument.  Or a bottle of Scope in my mailbox.  It was direct, straightforward confrontation that minced no words but also expressed love.

            Confrontation doesn�t have to be loud or mean.  It can be one of the most exhilarating and freeing experiences in life � for those who desire to change.

Chew for Thought

1)     You can read about how the Lord confronted different people in other passages: Genesis 3:8-24 and 4:1-15.  Describe God in these sections.  How does he feel about sin?

2)     What gives you the greatest fear about confronting someone about sin?  Be specific.  Why do you think it�s troublesome to you?

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Devotion for the week of 4/1/07

Taken from Mark Littleton's Teen Devotional, Beefin' Up

"Matthew 18�

Chapter Four: When Cows Go Bad

Continued from 3/25/07 Devotional

            The passage that related most directly to Dave�s problem was something Jesus said in Matthew 18:15: �If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have own your brother.�  But he especially liked the real life situation Tom told him about in 2 Samuel 12 where Nathan confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba.

            Dave was sure he needed to do something with Hugh.  He couldn�t let him continue to steal.  But how could he talk to Hugh more directly about it without Hugh blowing up or even rejecting him as a friend?  Hugh had longed demonstrated a fierce temper, and he and Dave and fought more than once.  Hugh always won.  Through they hadn�t had a bitter dispute in several years, Dave had vowed never to get into something like their last fight during a back-lot football game.  Hugh belted him in the nose, and through Dave tackled him and knocked him to the ground, it had taken them both several weeks to face one another.

            Dave meditated on the passages he�d read.  Finally he prayed and asked for God�s guidance.  But he knew very well, God wasn�t going to make it all disappear.  He thought about talking to Tom again before he did anything, but he decided to take Jesus� words in Matthew 18:15 literally: �reprove him in private.�  He didn�t feel he should let anyone know about what was going on, unless it went to that second step.

            He tried not to think about what that meant.

            That afternoon after basketball practice, he headed over to Hugh�s house.  His mother said he was in his room.  Before entering, Dave made sure once again he had his little pocket Bible in his jacket pocket.

            �Hey, what�s up?�  Hugh said and jumped off his bed.  The music was loud.  Dave didn�t recognize the band. 

            �Something new?� Dave said.

            Hugh winked and said, �Yeah, I got it yesterday afternoon, if you know what I mean.�

Grazing

            If there is a key passage on confrontation in the Bible, it�s Jesus� statement in Matthew 18:15-17: �And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.  And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.�

            Notice several important thoughts from the passage.

�       This applies to a fellow believer.  It�s not something you do with just anyone.

�       Be sure what he or she is doing is sin, not just a matter of differing opinion or a �gray� area of Christian living.

�       Don�t wait for him or her to do something or invite a confrontation.  Take the initiative.

�       Point out the sin.  Just having someone else know that you�re sinning is often enough to stop you.

�       Do it �in private.�  No one else should know about it.  It�s critical, both for your feelings and the other person�s.

If you can�t tell a friend something you think is wrong, what kind of relationship do you have?  Ben Franklin said, ��Tis great confidence in a  friend to tell him your faults, greater to tell him his.�

Chew for Thought

1)     Another example of confrontation occurs in Joshua 7:1-26.  It�s a very tense and difficult situation.  How would you have handled it if you were Joshua?

2)     What do you think confronting others, even Christians, gives us so much fear?  What can be done about it biblically?

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Devotion for the week of 4/8/07 �

Taken from Mark Littleton's Teen Devotional, Beefin' Up

"Thanks, Brother�

Chapter Four: When Cows Go Bad

Continued from 4/1/07 Devotional

            Dave sat down on the edge of Hugh�s bed.  He asked Hugh to turn the music off.  Hugh gave him a quizzical look, then turned off the stereo.  He sat down on the bed.

            �All right, what�s all the mystery about?� 

            Dave cleared his throat.  His mouth was dry.  His heart pounded.  He felt like forgetting the whole thing.  But he pressed on.  �Hugh, this stealing isn�t right/�

            Hugh snickered.  �Come on.  Is this what you�re upset about?�

            Dave fixed his eyes on Hugh.  �I�m more than upset, Hugh.  It�s wrong.  You know it.  I know it.  And if anyone else saw you do it, they�d say so too, especially someone from the church.�

            �Oh, come on, everyone does it.�  He paused.  �Except maybe you.�

            Dave tightened his lips.  He fought hard to talk evenly, but his words came in little gasps.  �Hugh, this is before God.�  And Jesus.  Do you think this pleases him?�

            Suddenly, Hugh was on his feet.  �Look, Holy Joe, who do you think you are?  I�ve done more for you than anyone on earth��

            Dave was on his feet.  �It�s not a matter of all you�ve done for me,� he snapped.  Then caught himself.  He closed his eyes and stopped; he sat down.  He sighed and went on.  �Hugh, it�s just that I don�t want to see you do something wrong.  I care about what you do with your life.  I don�t want see you go the wrong way.�

            For a moment, Hugh stood there appearing to waver between wanting to give Dave a smack and wanting to run.  He sat down and bowed his head.

            �Yeah,� he muttered.  �I know you�re right.�  He looked up.  His face twitched.  �Have you told anyone about this?�

            Dave explained about calling Tom but assured Hugh he hadn�t said anything about what was going on.

            Hugh shook his head.  �I knew I shouldn�t have done it.  But� � He sighed.  �I don�t know.�

            Dave breathed out heavily, then said, �Hugh, you have to return the tapes.�

            Hugh nodded.  �I know.�

            Dave put his hand on Hugh�s shoulder.  �I�ll go with you.  Let�s get it over with.  Okay?�

            Hugh looked up.  Suddenly, they both embraced.  �Thanks, brother,� he said.

Grazing

            Not all confrontations have a happy ending.  But in most cases, you never get to the second step of Jesus� process, or the third.  Most Christians turn around after a first talking-to.

            When I was in college my father confronted me about a problem I had with manner.  Being in a college fraternity had unfortunately done a job on my table talk and social graces.

            One night we sat down to dinner. When Dad sat down, he didn�t say grace or even say hello.  He dug right in with a loud grunt.

            I watched, fascinated.  To me, it was hilarious.

            Then he watched the salt.  He didn�t say, �Pass it,� he simply reached across my chests and grabbed it.

            I started laughing � I couldn�t believe his rudeness.

            Then Dad said, �Guess who I�m being like?�

            I had no idea, but whoever it was, it sure was funny!

            �You!�

            I was stunned, then convicted.  My father got his point across, and I began the great reformation.  He was very gentle with me after that.

            If confrontation mean anything, it means being loyal and loving enough to stick with and work and someone even though you may feel that person�s done something wrong.  Being loyal means not gossiping about it to someone else, not running the person down, but going personally and in private, and sharing your concern.

            Most of all, it means not committing the sin yourself.

Chew for Thought

1)     Take a final look at how Jesus confronted someone in John 4:1-26.  How do you feel about how Jesus handled this situation?  How would you have handled it?

2)     Is there someone you may need to confront?  Who?  Why?  What scriptures would you use to back up your convictions?

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