Four Ways to Have the Hand of God On Your Life

Text:  Nehemiah 2

God puts you in a place so you can influence it.

#1.  Have a Passion to Help the Church (1.4)

• God is not looking for deadbeats.  He is looking for passionate people.
• Quit slumping around like a dying fish.
• Bring your Bible and start participating.
• Be a helper instead of a hinderer.

#2.  Have a Passion for Prayer (1.4)

• Not just a one time prayer but an ongoing, passionate conversation with God.
• Prayer saves the world.
• Start by praying for your own life.

#3.  Have a Passion to Clean Up Our Lives (1.6-9)

• The greatest thrill in life is to have a right relationship with God.
• We can’t live for God and live in sin at the same time.

#4.  Have a Passion to be Used by God (1.10-11)

• You have to be available to God 24/7.
• Go where He wants you to go.
• Do what He wants you to do.

We need this generation to rebuild the walls of the church!!!!

Title:  Four Warning to Assure Us We Live a Truly Dangerous Life for Jesus Christ.

#1.  Don’t Live for Artificial Danger (4.10-11)

• We all want to live an exciting life.
• Who, in Heaven, is going to give you a high-five for doing a daring stunts or for being an amazing athlete?
• A real man, doesn’t go off for crazy adventure but instead finds a woman who loves God, marries her, loves her and raises his children.
• Artificial danger = skateboarding, x-games, cheap thrills.
• Real danger = standing up for Christ in your school.

#2.  Don’t be Replaced (4.13-14)

• Perhaps the worst feeling in Heaven is finding out God had a job for you but you were replaced because you fought against it.
• God does have a job for you, but if you aren’t willing to do it, God will replace you.
• God won’t use you if you aren’t willing to step up.

#3.  Don’t Wish for Another’s Life (4.14)

• Don’t wish for someone else’s adventure–live for you own adventure.
• Don’t just sit back wishing you were someone else.  Live your own life w/ the purpose God has for you.
• Stop living a fake life–Stand up and Be Real!!!
• Know why you are here–for such a time as this!
• The greatest feeling in the world is to wake up and know your life is filled with Jesus.
• Live your life to the fullest!

#4.  Don’t Hold Back Anything (4.15-16)

• If I die, I die–but I WILL obey!!
• “It is not the last drop of blood that is hard for a soldier to lose.  It is the first drop.”  Abraham Lincoln in a response to a question about the Civil War soldiers.
• Have you spilled the first drop of blood for Jesus yet?
• Don’t hold anything back!
• How must Jesus do you have on you?
• Jump in to a dangerous live with Jesus.

God put you in this generation for such a time as this–Live & Live to the fullest!!!!

I had the chance to see Alex Herning and Raquel Mentzer climb.

Kevin even had a try at the wall.

I am sad that our time here is nearing the end.  Continue to keep us in your prayers.

Chapels are great.  The middle school speaker is Tim Vine.  He is going through the New Testament using the Walk Thru the Bible curriculum.  It is a really good program that teaches students the Bible through catchy phrases and hand motions.

And by the way, our high schoolers had a talent show last night that Anna taped.  Look for that video to come out soon!

Most of our HS students had their first experience today paintballing.

But by far, the highlight of Day #2 for the Senior High campers is Fight Night.  Fight Night is just a chaotic time of crazy games and screaming.   It is absolute mayhem and absolute fun.

Oh, and as you can tell, Kevin has gotten in on the fun as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some last minute details you will need:

• Time of departure from Grace Point–12:00 am Sunday night/Monday morning
• Time of return to Grace Point–5:00 pm Saturday afternoon (June 20th)

As you get ready, here are some items to pack:

• Bible
• Pen
• Notebook
• Warm Bedding (sleeping bag)
• Pillow
• Clothes for activities and cool or rainy weather
• Long pants or jeans
• Closed toe shoes (like tennis shoes) (for all programs)
• Modest one piece bathing suit
• Covering for to and from the beach, beach towel
• Toiletry items
• Soap & towels
• Insect repellent
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Money for Snack Shack, Sweet Shoppe, Handcrafts and Corner Store
• Money for meal on the way up and on the way back

Extras to Bring
Senior High Camp:

• Long sleeved shirt and long pants for playing paintball.
• Old clothes for “Fight Night”

Please be sure to put your name on everything that you possibly can. The camp will keep lost and found items for two weeks, and then distribute items to donation centers. If you should leave something behind, please call the camp as soon as you can, they will look for it and, if found, will get it in the mail to you right away.

Now I know that some of you are a little skeptical already because I said “Middle School and High School” in the same sentence, but let me explain.

We are looking at attending Lake Ann Camp in Traverse City, MI from June 15th-20th. The camp runs both MS and HS programs the same week but they are two TOTALLY separate programs. This allows the church to save money and yet accomplish important spiritual development in each respected age group at the same time. It is our way of “killing two birds with one stone.”

Below are promo videos for each camp:

Middle School

High School