SOAPing Up~ Abigail Massung

What you need:

~Bible (study Bible with notes preferred)

~Notebook or paper

~Pen or pencil

  I recently learned about a Bible study method known as SOAP (Study, Observe, Apply, Pray). The first time I ever did it was in a small group. Instantly, I fell in love with it. Some of you may already be familiar with this study type, but for those of you who don’t know about it, here’s how it works.

  First, you have to pick a passage from a Bible that you want to study. The passage can be one you or your group thinks about beforehand or it could be one chosen at random. It works either way. Next, you read the chosen passage. After that, look over it again and decide on a part you find interesting and want to focus in on. Grab your pen and paper to write down your chosen verse(s) and your thoughts about what you chose along with how you could apply it to your life. Afterwards, pray or write out a prayer about it.

  If you’re doing this as a small group (which I recommend), you could take turns discussing what you chose to focus in on and your thoughts on it. Although I’m not a big sharer myself, I do really love this part because it deepens the lessons you can learn from the whole experience. Even if you don’t share yourself, you can really gain quite a bit by listening to the thoughts and perspectives of others.

  SOAP is a fun, refreshing Bible study that can have many or only a few people, and last only as long as you want. So, if you’re just interested in a quick study by yourself before work or a big group study at camp or something, it’s perfect. It gives you a moment to slow down, zone in on God, and step away from everything. So why not try it out this school year? It’ll probably be the most refreshing soap you’ll ever use!

How to Gain Inner Strength~ Abigail Massung

  Unfortunately, it takes more than just wanting to grow strong. It takes determination and God. To become truly strong we need God in our lives 24/7. So guess what, going to church once a week and calling it good won’t cut it. So if you think you’ll go to church, go to youth group, than party with your friends and forget God, think again. You have to determine to turn to God for, and in, everything. He needs to be a part of your everyday life and actions.

   Our strength comes from God. If we want to survive then we have to grow under His light. We have to deliberately take time out to seek Him through focusing on the Bible; praying and just talking to God about life; sitting in the silence to just acknowledge His presence with us; and praising Him with our lives. Don’t just do it when it’s convenient, but push yourself to constantly be seeking God in some way in every aspect of life.

  There are going to be days when the last thing you want to do is go to youth group. Times when you’re tempted to turn back to what’s easier or a lifestyle you’re more familiar with. Those are the times when Satan tests how strong the branch is supporting the new life. That’s when you need to force yourself to open your Bible, pray, talk to your Christian friends about how your feeling, and go wherever you know you need to be. Because those are the times when the branch is tested, and the cost may be high if you don’t.

World Watch List~ Emily Ciszewski

Crazy to think that in one moment I’m praying that I won’t get my period this week because I have a party to go to, Mom’s trying to decide if we should have tacos or chicken for supper, my sister is complaining that she doesn’t know what to wear to Church and someone in Asia is being beaten for singing a praise song in her own home.
Ridiculous, isn’t it? And I just hum along with my stereo blasting my favorite Jamie Grace song.

We forget. We’re humans. Not elephants.

And I apologize when I remember what a spoiled little American girl I am.
I really do - and I know many of you do as well - so I’m not raining on your good life. Just reminding the lot of us to hear the thunder.

Over 1 million Christians in this world are daily persecuted for their love of God.
And it’s not me receiving that weird look from the guy in A&W after he heard me thanking God for my chicken and root beer. That’s not persecution; that’s curiosity.
I don’t know where we come up with our American idea of persecution.

So, in those five minutes that I prayed for my period to wait a week, my friend to invite me over, my nerves to relax, the sun to shine in the morning…I could’ve been praying for somebody being tormented in Belarus Poland.

Want to start praying a little more?
Great - I hoped you might!
Here’s a link to help you pray for the whole world of the known persecuted Church! (Isn’t it crazy how God made even the Internet to further His cause?)

By the end of 2012 Open Doors International and all involved will have prayed for all of these countries and peoples, and you can be apart of it! Go to the World Watch List website and sign up for the weekly emails, and help us pray for these 50 countries.

To be honest, I’m still struggling with praying for the Church…the Bride of Christ - that’s us you know…and so it’s not like I’m little Miss Perfect ranting on you. But I bet I if spent one day in the shoes of that Asian woman being beaten by hate filled locals…I’d remember to pray.

And just remember as well, that God gives us grace to do the things He asks of us -

2^nd Corinthians 9:7-8 　
Will you accept the grace so that you may do every good work He’s prepared for you?

http://www.worldwatchlist.us/

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…

10 People, 10 Nights, Minutes~ Cassie Stout

Pray for ten people, for ten nights, for ten minutes.

Write down ten people that you just don't get along with.

For ten minutes every night for ten nights, selflessly pray for a different person (from the list) each night.

On the eleventh day, you'll find a pleasant change in both yourself and them.

Try it.

Did you know that Cassie over-uses the word 'marvelous'?

A Word from the Wise (The Wise Being God)

Dear Nadia,

 This is going to sound really weird but, is there a right way to pray? I feel as though I need to be all formal but, it says that Jesus is our Father and Friend. A few of my friends say to talk to Him like He's right in my
 room but I don't know. What do you think?

 ~ Wannabe Prayer Warrior


Dear Wannabe Prayer Warrior,

The best person to get advice about prayer from is... Jesus! He was God Himself, and still He prayed. His prayer was powerful and full of faith, but also humble. You sound like you have a beautiful, humble
heart... especially in prayer. Keep it up! In one of Jesus' teachings about prayer he said: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you... for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:5-8). I
think it's beautiful that you talk to Him like He's right in your room! He tells us to come to Him in silence and pray and, wherever that may be, He is there! Whether you pray formally (which is great -there are many beautiful formal prayers) or as if you were talking to a friend (which is awesome as well - He IS our best friend after all), "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14).

Girl, you are a prayer warrior! Once, when the disciples were struggling with having faith, Jesus explained to them: "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Most people today aren't familiar with what a mustard seed is, so think of a grain of rice or sand. Our tiny bit of faith in God's goodness can produce amazing results, and I'm certain you have a lot more than a tiny grain of faith! God bless you
Ms. Prayer Warrior!


 Dear Nadia,

I want to get more involved in my church but i don't know where I can serve. Do you have any ideas for me?
 ~Helper Outer

Dear Helper Outer,

What a beautiful servant's heart you have! Every church is different and has different needs, but there are a few basic ways that you can help in pretty much any church. Use your God-given gifts to serve. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10).

• Encouragement - this is so underrated! You have no idea how much a kind, encouraging word can brighten someone's day and give them the strength they need to continue in ministry. Let God speak words of joy through you to others! 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up."
• Organize a team to repair/clean - Talk to your pastor or church administrator. Maybe your church needs a major cleaning up or just a little bit of TLC. Whether you volunteer to take on a weekly task like sweeping up after service, or even pull together a large group to do a big spring cleaning project, giving of your time in such a way gives so much honor and glory to God. Cleaning can be tedious, but especially in such acts, God is blessed because you: "with good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Ephesians 6:7).
• Lead youth group/child care - Helping with a youth group for middle-schoolers, elementary school children, or even babysitting is an incredible help to parents as well as regular adult leaders/teachers. If you work well with kids, serving in this way can be a huge blessing to your church family!
• Music ministry - Many times in the songs, we hear: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High" (Psalm 92:1). If you are a talented musician or singer, joining your church's music ministry is a great way to glorify God. Even if don't consider yourself musically gifted, singing your heart out to God during praise and worship is a wonderful way to just adore Him and thank Him. You can sing your heart out quietly if you need to ;)
• Set up/clean up for events - this goes along with forming a clean-up crew. I think that any person who was in charge of social events would be thrilled to have extra help with setting and cleaning up before and after youth group, Bible study, or church BBQs! If this interests you, try talking to your church administrator to get a calendar of upcoming events, plan to arrive early or stay late, and then offer your help!
• Usher - Some churches have ushers to greet people and engage newcomers. If you have a friendly and outgoing personality, you may enjoy ushering. Some churches prefer adults to play this role, but it wouldn't hurt to ask if you can help in this way!
• Bulletin/fliers - All you tech-savvy or artsy girls, I bet your church would be THRILLED to have you help them make weekly church bulletins or event fliers. If art and design is something you enjoy, offer to serve in this area. Maybe come with a sample of your work or an idea for a poster/flyer. How cool to get to glorify the Lord through your creative art!

In all of this, it is important to remain humble and take on a spirit of service. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind... do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).


Did you know that Nadia loves to sing and dance though she doesn't think she's good at either?!

Why We Should Pray

Everybody has said a prayer, at least, once in their life. We say a prayer in our time of need. We say a prayer when we are in a church service. We say a prayer around the dinner table, but do we really know why we should pray?

God commands us that we pray to Him. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Colossians 4:2 also tells us that we should continue in prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God. Without communication, we would have no relationship with God. Can someone say, “Oh yeah, I know Katie really well. No, I’ve never talked to her before, but she’s my best friend”? No! You cannot have a relationship with someone and not talk to them. That is why God commands that we are to continue in prayer.

We are told to be examples of Christ, and Christ prayed! Hebrews 5:7 says, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” Jesus prayed before He fed the four thousand. (Mark 8:6) Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His Crucifixion. (Matthew 26:42) If Jesus prayed to His Father, then we are to pray to our Father too.

Prayer has the power to do many things! Prayer can defeat the Devil. (1 Peter 4:7). Prayer can bring back a person who has been backsliding (James 5:16). You can glorify God through prayer! Revelation 8:3-4 says, “… and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden alter which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came up with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” That verse says that our prayers are incense, which is something sweet smelling. One day, our prayers will be a sweet smelling savor to our Savior!

Prayer has the power to give you what you need and to reveal the will of God (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9-10). (Prayer has the power to keep someone from sinning. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  We have this power of prayer because of the Holy Spirit who lives in us! Prayer is of God, and without God, we are nothing.

Prayer is not just something you do every now and then. Prayer is an important part of your relationship with God! The next time you pray to God, make sure you thank God for His awesome gift of prayer.

Did you know that Haylie LOVES sea turtles?!

Did you know that Paige likes taking flowers and pressing them into library books so that, when someone checks out that book, they get a lovely surprize?!


Photograph property of Lilies Among Thorns Magazine. Photograph taken by Paige Cunningham.