October 6 - Standing Strong on Sexual Purity

"The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.  These are not from the Father, but are from the world."  1 John 2:16

• If we really believe sex outside of marriage is wrong, we've got to teach our boys and girls how to go against the grain in the society they are living in
• Whatever a parent's background, it's important to help children avoid poor choice
• If you are married, remain pure in your thoughts and actions, but perhaps even more important, encourage young people to pursue sexual purity

Thoughts from the top of my head:

• The proliferation of internet pornography and ease of its access only make this more important, and more important to talk to children at a younger age (as tough as that thought may be)
• Do we have plan?  At what age do we start?  Does the plan address peers and the media (including internet)?
• Who are some role models that we can point them to?

October 4 - Doubtful

Jesus was standing among them .  "Peace be with you," he said.  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands.  Put your hand into the wound in my side.  Don't be faithless any longer.  Believe!"  "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed.  Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."  John 20:26-29

• Doubt.  Perhaps you've been fortunate and haven't been experienced it in a while.  I doubt it.  It hits us all on a regular basis, and it can be devastating when it hits
• But then Jesus come sto us, as He came to Thomas, to keep those doubts from taking firm root
• Live as doubt-free as you can.  And when doubts start to gather, honestly admit them to God

Thoughts from the top of my head:

• Doubt is among my chief demons.  It's not just belief without seeing that causes.  It's the belief in the miracles, that which there is no science to prove.  That is my biggest obstacle.  It comes down to - do you believe what is written in the Bible or not
• I need to remember I am not alone when doubts creep in and it does not make me a bad Christian.  I just need to ask for help from God when it happens, and remember what Jesus suffered on the cross
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October 3 - A Worthwhile Building Project

"What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions"  James 2:14

- not everyone goes out of their way to invest in the lives of those outside their normal circle of relationships
- we can give a hand to provide unusual opportunities for opportunities for people who haven't had many
- we can see the potential in others and help them achieve it
- That's what it means to leave a legacy

Thoughts that jump to mind:

• Service is not limited to where you're serving at church
• Service outside the church is not limited to just "giving" (although that's not a bad thing, either).  It's investing time to build into others
• I wouldn't have immediately thought of service when reading this verse.  I would have thought more about how I comport myself in day to day life.  But I can see now why service was discussed, because there is perhaps no better way to show one's faith through action
• Am I challenging myself to do this, or am I making excuses via our busy lives?