January 26, 2008
Contents
- 180 News
- Something for Your Heart
- Surf Report
- Forgettable Fact
- Potent Quotables
- Uh, That's Funny?
Read Through the Bible
How's your journey been so far? It's been exciting to read through the Bible and see how God has always taken care of His people. If you haven't joined in yet, now is a great time to do so! We're starting two new books this week, Exodus and Romans. Just pick up where we are now.
Let us know what you've been learning or thinking by writing a comment on the blog, or email your thoughts to newsletter@180students.com.
| Day | Genesis | Psalms | Romans |
| Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 44-45 | 49 | 1-2 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 46-47 | 50 | 3-4 |
| Thursday, Jan. 29 | 48-50 | 51-52 | 5-6 |
| Friday, Jan. 30 | Exodus 1-2 | 53-55 | 7-8 |
| Saturday, Jan. 31 | 3-4 | 56-57 | 9 |
| Sunday, Feb. 1 | 5-6 | 58-59 | 10-11 |
| Monday, Feb. 2 | 7-8 | 60-61 | 12 |
2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
SOMETIMES I FEEL UNFORGIVABLE
All that garbage we just got rid of? God hates it.
And while Jesus readily takes it, don't think it doesn't have to be reconciled, forgiven, or atoned for. Feeling better? Probably not. That's why we're spending one more chapter on it.
Here's the good news: The reconciling, forgiving, and atoning isn't your job.
Jesus did that. He died an ugly death on an ugly cross in order to pay the price for all the ugliness in the world.
Ever wonder what big landfill all this garbage ends up in? Somehow I have a feeling God anticipated our question, because the answer we find in the Bible doesn't lack clarity or power.
"You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
That might not be far enough for you, so how about this?
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
Once you've asked for forgiveness, God doesn't remember your sins. But just between you and me, Satan would love to have you continue to beat yourself up over all the embarrassing and shameful things you've said, done, and thought.
Really, that makes his day. In fact, he'll go to great lengths to torment you with your past. Yes, torment. Don't open the door for him--even a crack. He never brings a party with him.
But Satan does something more. He makes God out to be a liar. If you'll remember back to the Garden of Eden, you'll know that this is one of Satan's specialties (Genesis 3). He likes to make you doubt the finality of God's forgiveness. Satan really trips up a lot of people with this, so let's not go any farther without putting this to rest.
Satan is famous for saying, "Yeah, God says you're forgiven, but remember what you've done? Why would God wipe that away? No, my fellow loser-friend, you can be quite sure you'll have to carry around that hideous past of yours for quite some time. Maybe forever.”
He may even have you thinking, Good point. I can't forget it, so why should I expect God to?
Well, you can expect God to forget it because he said he would.
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)
God keeps promises.
You're forgiven.
You're his.
And you can take that to the bank.
Now we've come to the part where you smile.
C'mon. A big one.
(Make everybody wonder what you're reading.)
**
Taken from “You Are Not Alone” by Shirley Perich, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
3. SURF REPORT
~ DCLA2009: Check out this amazing event for students.
~ Planet Wisdom Forums -- Christian teen talk
4. FORGETTABLE FACT
The ancient Egyptians bought jewelry for their pet crocodiles.
5. POTENT QUOTABLES
"I don't know what I would do without a God that blesses me with the ability to do this."
~ Miley Cyrus
"Even songs we write today, if you really listen to the lyrics, it can be about love songs, but it's also about our relationship with God. It's simple. We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."
~ Joe Jonas
===========our|sponsor===========
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
At some point you have probably wondered if you're okay. (Just so you know, you are!) But everywhere you look there's someone telling you how you should look, act, think, and feel. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the pressure to fit in to what our culture says is "acceptable." But you're not alone. Throughout the Bible are stories of people with the same questions, doubts, and issues you face. As you read, you'll discover that you're not alone (and you're perfectly normal!), and you'll also find your true identity in the God who created you.
Learn more about or purchase "You Are Not Alone" here.
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6. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What do you call a fish with no eye?
A: FSH!
