Sprout

Devo - ...

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The ellipsis (...) is my favorite punctuation mark. In grammar it represents the idea that there is more to come. You have heard the story up to this point, and there will be more to come.

Life on earth is pretty great. I have a ton of good friends, my family is wonderful, I really enjoy my job, and I find a way to be amused each and every day. But guess what... there is so much greater to come! If I enjoy this broken, sinful world this much, I cannot imagine how much greater God's perfect paradise can be!

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere. Philippians 3:20-21

BMV - Colossians 3:23

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Here are some verses that you can read through as you give thanks to God...

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. "O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! Psalm 29:11-13

How great is the goodness. You have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:1-6

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Devo - Going Home

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

I went to college in Texas at Baylor University. I absolutely LOVED college! I loved the people, I loved the school, I loved the experiences... I loved it all! Despite the heat, I even loved living in Texas.

Throughout my four years I would fly back to California pretty often. There was just something about going home. I loved living in Texas, but every time the plane would land, I would feel relieved. I was with the people who had loved me for so many years, I knew exactly how to get everywhere I was going, and the people around me understood me without questions. I was home.

I think this is what heaven is going to be like. Life on earth is pretty great. I have a whole lot of fun and really have very little to complain about. But when I die, I will be going home. I will be known without question. I will no long have doubts or a lack of faith. And most importantly, I will be with the One who loves me more than anyone could possibly love me.

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:8

BMV - James 3:16

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 3:16

Sprout Session - Wildside's SUPER Sunday

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:20:00 GMT

For more information,
contact Bethany at bethanyj@saddleback.com

Devo - I Will Give You Rest

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

When Julie and her boyfriend first broke up, she would drive to her parent's house, crawl up into her mom's lap, and her mom would just rock her as she cried on her shoulder. There was nothing she could say or do to fix the situation or make Julie's pain go away. But the simple act of being there for her and loving her was all she needed.

In this verse, God is promising us that if we come to him, he will give us rest. We don't have to beg God or do anything to earn rest. And He doesn't just give rest to those who come to church every weekend or go to Africa to work in the orphanage. God gives rest to ALL who come to him.

God doesn't promise to change the situation or make things perfect, but he will give us the rest that we need. Are you willing to crawl up into God's lap and let him rock you?

BMV - 1 John 4:15

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

1 John 4:15

DeVIDEOtional - Custom Design

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:56:00 GMT

Custom Design from Wildside Junior High on Vimeo.

Devo - Why Trust?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

What if I were to tell you that we are going on a trip to Hawaii - you and me! I took care of all of the travel arrangements. All you have to do is show up at the Long Beach airport. When you show up you find me standing next to a big refrigerator box that I have converted into an airplane. I painted it to look like an airplane. I fixed wings to each side. I placed 2 comfy chairs inside the box for us to sit in. I even brought a boombox so we can listen to some tunes on our trip. Next to my homemade airplane is a big rubber band attached to two wooden poles - a giant sling shot. My plan is for us to get into the box and slingshot across the Pacific ocean!

Would you get in to my airplane? Of course not! (Well, maybe you would try it out, cause how fun would that be?!) No one in their right mind would think that my homemade airplane could get us all the way to Hawaii!

Now, what if I were to tell you that we were going to Hawaii, I took care of all of the travel arrangements, and we were going to fly on Hawaiian Airlines? That's a totally different story, right?

What makes you trust Hawaiian Airlines over my homemade airplane? It's the fact that the people who made the Hawaiian Airlines airplane know what they are doing. They have been trained on how to make airplanes. They have been making airplanes since the beginning of airplane history. They know exactly how to make an airplane fly all the way to Hawaii.

The very first verse in the Bible says, "In the BEGINNING God CREATED the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) God is the creator of everything. EVERYTHING! He created you, he created me, he created this planet, he created everything. And he has been doing this since the beginning of time. He knows what he is doing with your life, so you can trust him.

Who do you put your trust in? Why?

BMV - Mark 11:24

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

BMV - 1 John 4:8

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:8

Devo - Time to Rest

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:20:00 GMT

Have you noticed that there is something so wonderful about sleeping? Sometimes, it is so hard for me to wake up in the morning because my bed is so comfortable and warm! God created us to need sleep. We will not be able to function properly if we don't spend a big chunk of the day simply laying down and closing our eyes.

Not only physically do we need sleep, but spiritually we need rest as well. Do you ever feel tired in your soul? Maybe you are going through a tough time, or you are trying so hard to be perfect. These things wear us down. But here is God's solution:

Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"

In this passage, Jesus promises rest when you come to Him with whatever "burdens" you carry. He doesn't promise a burden-free life, but he will help carry the load and give us rest along the way. The only thing He asks of you (verse 28) is to come to Him. Why don't you come before Him now and REST.

BMV - Proverbs 11:2

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:08:00 GMT

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2

Prayer - Thankfulness

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:22:00 GMT

As you think about the past 24 hours, what causes you to be thankful? Look back over the past day, the big things and the small things in your life, and look at the reasons you have to be grateful. Think about these experiences, helping you clear your mind so you can focus on God and his goodness. For example, you can be thankful that you were able to hang out with your friends today or that your little brother let you sit in the front seat while driving to school.

Write out a list of everything you're thankful for.

Looking back over the past 24 hours, what are you most grateful for?

What makes you feel thankful?

Write a thank you note to God, telling him everything you are thankful for and why.

Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) - All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

DeVIDEOtional - A Message from Summer Camp's Pastor Keith!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Keith P. from Wildside Junior High on Vimeo.

BMV - THE LAB :: Summer Series Verses

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Memorize all 10 of these verses and win a fabulous prize... lunch for you and a friend with the Wildside team! Deadline is Sunday, September 13th. If you have any questions, email Bethany at bethanyj@saddleback.com

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

Devo - Scary

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Read Matthew 14:22-32

²² Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. ²⁴ Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. ²⁵ About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" ²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" ²⁸ Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." ²⁹ "Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the said of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" ³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

Imagine how Peter felt when Jesus told him to step out of the boat into the storm. I imagine he was terrified. He was in a safe boat and Jesus asked him to step out of the safety and into a scary place.

We all have safe places (like a boat surrounded by a storm) and Jesus asks us to trust Him and step out of that safe place.

Perhaps your safe place is to hang out with your best friends, but Jesus asks you to do something scary and to hang out with people who don't know Jesus or people who don't have any friends. Perhaps your safe place is to come to church alone but Jesus is asking you to do something scary and invite your friends to church too.

What is your safe place? Is Jesus asking you to do something scary for him?

Wildside Q&A

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:32:00 GMT

QUESTION:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)
I don't know what perish means? Can you give me and example or something? Thanks.

ANSWER:
Perish is just a fancy word for die. Check out the Contemporary English Version of John 3:16...

"God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die." John 3:16 (CEV)

This doesn't mean that you will live on this earth forever. It just means that when we die, we will go to Heaven and live there for forever.

BMV :: John 3:16

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:00:00 GMT

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believed in him would not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16