I’m soooooo Tired!!!

Exodus 17: 11-12, “As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset” (NLT).

Israel was at war with the Amalekites. In fact, the Bible records that it was the Amalekites that started the fight. In order to encourage, support and motivate the soldiers, Moses told Joshua that he would stand at the top of the nearby hill, holding the rod of God. And the Bible also records that whenever Moses raised his hands with the rod, Israel prevailed over Amalek; but whenever he was tired and brought down his hand, Amalek triumphed over Israel. Moses’ tiredness meant defeat for the soldiers of Israel. His tiredness put a lot of destinies at risk.

Whether we believe it or not, we are at war. The ‘Amalekites’ around us are not just physical. They are ‘lighting’ mental, emotional, social, spiritual, etc, fires all around us. In Ephesians 6:12, the Bible makes us to understand that we are not fighting ‘against flesh and blood’. So, this is not a regular war. It is a planned provocative and intensely sustained conflict to muscle and destroy who we are, what we stand for, and our constituencies. It is important for us to understand this in order to recognize the ‘attackers’ modus operandi – to pound you until you are tired and then finish you off!

I’ve met a lot of teenagers in recent years who have said to me, “I’m soooooo tired”. And I’m like, “Tired? Of what?” They quickly respond, “Of everrrything. Notice the drag on the significant words. By the time we sit down to talk, they are tired of fighting with their parents and siblings; they are tired of school (especially if they are not doing well or are being bullied); they are tired of being harassed physically and sexually; they are tired of being accused, judged and rejected; they are tired of so much violence in the land, the addiction to alcohol and drugs (having lost friends and loved ones already); they are tired of listening to so much bad news as Breaking News; and much more. And their reaction to this condition ranges from moaning about it to committing suicide.

In our Bible story today, you can see that Satan orchestrates the situations that lead to our ‘tiredness’. There was Israel going about their regular lives when Amalek ‘started’ the fight. Why he can’t just let us be beats the imagination of a lot of us. Satan knew that provoking the people of Israel to a fight will get an expected response – their soldiers would fight back. He knew that Moses had this ‘much-talked-about’ rod; the power of that rod and the significance of raising that rod. And we can see from the scenario – whenever Moses kept the rod lifted up, Amalek were at the losing end. But Moses is human, susceptible to human failings such as being tired, hungry, thirsty, frustrated, afraid, worried, angry, etc, and the devil counted on this to happen. And it happened. Moses may have manifested some or even all of these emotions as he beheld Israel’s defeat whenever he gave in to ‘tiredness’.

But glory be to God that this situation did not last for long. Aaron and Hur, companions of Moses, watched the unfolding situation with unease. They knew the danger and the consequences of defeat by Amalek. They understood the humanity factor affecting the spiritual results of the war and they also knew that they had to find a unique solution. So, they arranged for Moses to sit on a stone while they held up his hand. The rest, as they say, is history (Exodus 17:13).

As we journey through our Christian race, there are many orchestrated battles along the way. They all have one mission… to stop our mission. In so doing, the plan of our ‘attacker’ is not only to terminate our destiny but those of so many others that we have impacted or will impact upon. I call them our constituency. They include a lot of the people that make us ‘sooooo tired’ already. The ‘attacker’ is banking on getting us weary and in that state, renders us powerless and puts our constituency in a vulnerable position. So, when we get tired in our place of divine assignment, some people will suffer for it; when we fight with our family, friends and loved ones all the time, everyone becomes miserable; when we are frustrated with school because of bad grades, we announce that we do not value education; when we give in to bullies, we send the word out that bad behaviour wins; when we cease to be prayerful, we leave many in a bad situation without intercession; when we turn away from living a pure and sanctified life, many souls reading us as their Bible might just ‘fall by the wayside’. Our tiredness is a danger to our constituency, even to generations unborn.

Some people are depending on our prayers to succeed; some people will fail if we fail; some people will get things wrong if we don't set the right example; some destinies will experience stagnation if we cannot offer words of life and power. Our tiredness has too many implications for others.

Nehemiah 4:10 says: “And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall”.

In summary, that verse is telling us, “If your strength is decayed, you won’t be able to build the walls that God will have you build, and others won’t achieve the victory that God positioned you to help them achieve”.

So, today, let us reject every kind, style and nature of weakness and tiredness in our lives. We must return to the place of prayer, consecration and spiritual strength. We must cry to God, like Prophet Isaiah did in Isaiah 35:3 and plead with God to: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees”.

The devil would never want Moses to lift up that rod. He knew that Moses had Aaron and Hur to help him but he was also counting on the limit of their strength and commitment. But the devil did not bargain for the divine wisdom that guided the idea of the stone for Moses to sit on while his hands will be held in an upright position by his escorts.

What is the rod in your own hand? Where is it? Right beside you or kept far away? Is it available ‘in season and out of season’? Is it powerful to “to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments? To destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God? Will it capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-5)?

Who are your companions? Amos 3:3 asks a very poignant question, “Can two people walk together except they agree”? Are you in agreement on the fundamentals of life and the direction you desire to go? Will your friends tend toward divine wisdom at any given time or rely on family, other friends, wealth, status and connections? Are our friends assets to our Christian journey or liabilities?

Do we know our constituency? What are their wants, needs, desires, fears, worries, joys and hopes? What role have we been given to impact their lives? I learnt something last weekend – that my job may not necessarily be to make someone happy every time. It could be to provoke a person to amend. Imagine standing up to that notorious bully, no matter how bruised you’ve been. Imagine that you prefer to go offer your day volunteering at a charity endeavour rather than frolicking with your friends. Imagine that you decide to spend more time studying while reducing your extra-curricular activities. Imagine that your prayer points are focused less on you and your needs but more on the plight of the poor, the sick, the suffering, the oppressed, the discouraged, the frustrated, etc. Imagine that you could be saving a life!

I found a poignant quote recently, “You cannot control what the world throws at you but you can certainly, control how your reaction to them”. That is why I am asking you to please declare with me: I refuse to grow weary. I will not succumb to tiredness. The Lord will send help to me in my time of need. My spiritual strength must increase, in Jesus’ name.

Hope When Everything Looks Hopeless!!!

Psalm 146:5, “But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God”.

What is hope?

It refers to the feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. Hoping for things to happen isn’t easy with us. It is not natural in our character. We want things to happen in the way, time and manner we desire. Yes, we are very impatient. We tend to see things in the short term and that makes it harder to hope for a future that calls for patience and endurance. Hope is something we must preach to ourselves, diligently and forcefully, otherwise, we will give way to sadness and anxiety.

So hope for us becomes:

1.   A desire for something good in the future,

2.   The thing in the future that we desire, and

3.   The basis or reason for thinking that our desire may indeed be fulfilled.

But biblical hope is much stronger. It is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future — it expects it to happen. And it not only expects it to happen — it is confident that it will happen. There is a moral certainty that the good we expect and desire will be done.

So, you are not doing well in school and you are likely to lose your college admission; your relationship with your best friend seems to be going nowhere; you are on a war path with your parents; you are being bullied in school and no one seems to care; you just lost your job in these days of high unemployment; you just feel like committing suicide!

When we feel hopeless, we display signs of irritation, anger, anxiety, helplessness, a defeatist attitude, and even depression. A teenager recalls her experience: “You don’t care what happens to you and couldn’t care less what happens to the people around you. And that all starts by losing hope”.

But hope and faith are almost synonymous. Wherever there is full assurance of hope, there is faith. Faith is the full assurance of hope. Biblical faith is a confident expectation and desire for good things in the future.

Joseph did nothing wrong except reveal his dreams to his siblings. That cost him his freedom and almost his youth. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of attempted rape and sent to prison. Far away from home, with no family or friends, and in hostile territory, how hopeless can one’s situation be? The rest is history!

Biblical hope is never based on what is possible with man. Biblical hope looks away from man to the promise of God. And when it does, it becomes the “full assurance of hope” — the expectation of great things from God. In other words, whenever faith in God looks to the future, it can be called hope. And whenever hope rests on the word of God, it can be called faith. Therefore, let our hope be based on God’s promises.

That is how I know that your troubling situation, my current problems, will not last forever. So, don't let your faith die; don't give up hope, don't allow the voice of what you are going through to be louder than the voice of God’s promise.

Anne Lamott, an American bestselling novelist and non-fiction writer, has had her fair share of dark life moments ranging from divorce to substance abuse, but she refused to give up on her faith or hope. Here’s one of her most memorable quotes on hope:

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up.”

Your school grades won't hit the rocks forever in Jesus name;

You won't be jobless forever in Jesus name;

You won't lose your good relationships forever in Jesus name;

You won't be at logger heads with your parents forever in Jesus name;

You won't be sick forever in Jesus name;

You won't be downcast and discouraged forever in Jesus name;

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Your morning is coming and your weeping will be turned into dancing again in Jesus name. When men say it is over, then God takes over; and when God takes over, the battle is over.

I pray for you today, may God take over every impossible issue in your life today; May He grant you permanent solutions; May you succeed and prosper where others have failed; May you have breakthrough in every area of your life; Because you are more than a conqueror, may you win every battle surrounding you and conquer every satanic trap set on your journey of life in Jesus marvelous name.

My Social Media Life

Many adults may find it difficult to understand why teenagers use social media so much. It’s like they're always online, and always distracted from happenings around them. So, those perplexed adults are probably asking, “What is Social Media”?

(Culled and edited from www.parents.au.reachout.com)

What is social media?

Social media refers to any digital platform, system, website or app that enables people to create and share content, and connect with each other. Here are a few of the most popular sites that teenagers use, and how they work:

Facebook

A free site where registered users (aged 13 and up) can share pictures, links, videos, and other content with their 'friends'. Friends are other registered users you have connected with within the network. Most of the time, anything you share will only be seen by the people you have 'friended'. Facebook changes it's privacy settings regularly so it's important to stay up-to-date with their settings and policies.

Instagram

A free image sharing service that is used mainly on mobile devices. On Instagram, it's common to connect with people you don't know but share common interests with (for example, Taylor Swift). You can have a public account or a private account where only friends can see your posts. Instagram also has their own privacy settings to stay up-to-date with.

Snapchat

A mobile phone messaging application that allows you to send video or picture messages to one or more people at a time. The messages are only viewable for a few seconds at a time, as determined by the sender. However, there are ways of saving the images using other phone functions.

Tumblr

A blogging website where people can publish their own articles and share it with people who follow their blog or profile. They also view the content of people they follow. On Tumblr, it is more common to connect with people you don't know in real life than people you do.

WhatsApp and messaging services

WhatsApp and messaging applications let you contact friends using internet data (or wifi) instead of your mobile carrier, which reduces the cost of messaging. It can be used without a sim card if connected to a wifi network. It is popular because it allows you to send messages to a group of friends at one time.

Other games and sites

YouTube, Club Penguin, or online games like World of Warcraft are also considered social media because of the way they enable social interaction.

I heard young people weren't using Facebook anymore!

Not true. Data shows us that young people are using more social media sites, but they're not rejecting others. Their time spent online is expanding as social media become more and more ingrained in their daily life.

Why are they always checking social media?

Social media is a way for teenagers to stay in touch with their friends, like hanging out at the bus stop after school or chatting on the phone. It is an important part of socialising and connection in the modern world. Some of the main reasons teenagers regularly use social media include:

·         talking to friends

·         joining in on group conversations

·         learning about current events and staying up to date with online content

·         meeting new people

·         not having anything to do, or feeling bored

·         feeling like they might miss out if they aren't always up to date with social media.

What are the benefits of using social media?

Being socially connected is very important for the psychological development of the teenager, and in this day and age, the online environment is where they get a lot of this. By connecting with others through social media, they could:

·         develop better social skills

·         feel less isolated

·         learn about new cultural and societal ideas and issues

·         bond with their friends

·         have fun

·         be creative and share their own ideas with friends

·         be better equipped to be active citizens in society

·         develop real world skills to help them become more independent

·         learn about world events and current affairs outside of their immediate environment.

What are the risks of using social media?

Like any form of social engagement, social media comes with risks. Some of the most common risks include:

·         spending too much time online and being disconnected from the real world

·         being the victim of online bullying

·         damaging your online reputation

·         having your personal information shared online

·         being harassed or annoyed by someone you do not want attention from

·         being the victim of an online scam

·         having reduced self-esteem (for some teenagers)

Sometimes teenagers can feel a 'compulsion' to check their social media accounts frequently, but this is generally only in extreme cases. Teenagers can develop positive habits like taking regular breaks from checking social media, and making sure notifications are turned off so that their mobile device isn't distracting. This can help reduce the compulsion to check in with social media so often.

When to know if something is wrong

Some teenagers can be so absorbed in the social media that their behaviour and their wellbeing are disturbingly affected. Watch out for big changes in:

·         your energy levels and enthusiasm for offline life

·         your engagement in normal conversation

·         the amount of time you spend doing other activities, like sport, homework, and other hobbies

·         your self esteem and sense of self worth

Then it might be good to think again about your use of social media.

Planning for my Successful Future

Luke 14:28, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it”?

Isabella Barbuto wrote this article on www.poughkeepsiejournal.com which I found quite profound;

As teenagers, we often are not taken seriously by authority. We are held hostage by the assumption we are troublemakers and can do no good.

That is quite a stereotype because teenagers are the next generation. They will be controlling and running the world someday. It might not be in the exact mindset they have right now, but the ideas are all coming from an identical area and viewpoint.

We are experiencing things in our world right now and the exposure to the media and large political leaps where we live are important for us to be aware of, especially for our future. The groundwork for our future is right now.

Teenagers have an important role in society. What we do, what we accomplish, what we are exposed to has every effect on, not only our personal future, but the future of society as a whole. Every generation grows up in a completely distinct world. Depending on when you grew up, there are varied aspects of life that could have had an influence on the development of your future society. When people refer to teenagers with a negative connotation it doesn’t make sense because that person was once a teenager, so they are contradicting themselves.

There are many teens who are risk-takers and are drawn to adventure and danger. These aren’t necessarily bad qualities to obtain because every society needs that. Every society can’t function without the minds that think and work differently, and aren’t afraid to voice opinions and ideas that are unheard of or made out to be classified as “wrong.” This might come off as a bias opinion, but teens are highly intelligent and are regularly solving problems. They have the insight of the future. They are new minds open to wild ideas because they feel they are invincible.

As teenagers, we need to have faith and power within ourselves. We need to have initiative. We are in charge of the future generations. If we don’t make a change ourselves, how will improvements in society occur?

Our parents play a large role in how we see society because they raise us and bring us up to believe certain ways, and when we become teenagers, we begin to think about the world and our role in it. Teens have the right mindset and are excited and motivated for the future of society.

Just because we are young doesn’t mean we are incapable of creating change and improvements in our society.

Isabella Barbuto is a sophomore at Red Hook High School. Contact her at life@poughkeepsiejournal.com

Nearly everyone has goals for today and for the future which some may refer to as having a “life plan”. A life plan can help you achieve your goals and plan for the future. When you think ahead, it will help you make good and healthy decisions regarding areas of your life. As a teenager, you are getting to that point in your life when you have to become a very important part of the world around you. It is a world that would count on your physical, spiritual, mental, emotional and social contribution.

Our Bible text in Luke 14:24 is a poignant education on the significance of planning – planning for a project, planning for your future. The Bible encourages us to plan for the future and how we can approach our planning;

James 4:13-15, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that".

We assume that we will live and do whatever we have purposed to achieve but we forget that tomorrow may never come.  Therefore, James tells us to take our plans to God.  Why?  Because God knows what is best for us.

At www.wikihow.com, we are provided with steps to take to plan for a successful future. Let’s check out some of them;

Step 1: Think and identify a future for yourself

Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”.

Ø  Find a place to do your thinking where you will not be disturbed, free from distractions and interruptions.

Ø  Get to know yourself better by asking yourself questions about the kind of future you envisage.

Ø  Don’t dwell on the past but focus on the future. Success is all about moving forward and letting go of the past.

Step 2: Find your passion

Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”.

Ø  A passion will fuel confidence and create excitement on your path to succeed.

Ø  Be proud of your strength areas. It gives you the confidence and enthusiasm you need to succeed.

Step 3: Maintain your motivation

Ø  Put pen to paper. Write down your goals in a journal so you can keep track of your achievement. Habakkuk 2:2, “Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write the vision, and engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets, so that the one who reads it will run with it”.

Ø  Paste your “Life Plan” where you can see it every time as a reminder of work-to-be-done.

Step 4: Prepare an Action Plan

Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, O Sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.  Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest”.

Ø  Start saving money for your future needs. It’s time to be disciplined with spending money and your turn to make sacrifices for your own good.

Ø  Examine your lifestyle. You will need to scrutinize your current habits, relationships, activities, etc, and how they will help you succeed in your future plans. Keep the helpful habits and discard the obstructive ones.

Ø  Put your plan into action and build on it and have fun as you work your way toward its achievement.

Conclusion

Psalm 20:4, “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed”.

This prayer needs a resounding ‘Amen’. Yes, there will be difficulties, distractions, confusion, doubt, delays, outright hostility and attempts at shortcuts on your way to implementing your Life Plan but you can overcome them all.

Proverbs 14:8, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts”.

Pastor Rick Warren, author of the bestseller, The Purpose-Driven Life, encourages us to ask God for help to establish our goals for our future so we’ll be ready to learn how to get to where God wants us to go.