When picking out Jelly Bellies or a religion some tend to lean toward their favorite flavors. When it comes to eternal life there is only one clear choice…faith in Jesus Christ alone. So what flavor are you peddling religion or a relationship?

Now……what did I do with that bag of jelly beans?

John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Are we stoking the fires of our passion for God? Are we adding the fuel? Are we creating the space necessary for the fuel to ignite?

May we be the sort of people who actively seek to ignite – not put out – the Spirit’s fire in our lives.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. – Romans 1:16

Sometimes we get to fearful of what people think about us. What they stop saying as you walk into the room, or what they say when you go out. Sometimes the reason we don’t talk about God to others is because we’re scared they will judge us. Scared they will look at us differently for believing in a God that created us.

It’s funny how everyone somehow contradicts themselves at some point.

This morning on the Today show they were talking about the suicide of the girl up in South Hadley Massachusetts. It is believed that the girl committed suicide because of extensive bullying mixed with a background of emotional instability.

Either way the story is sad. It made me think about the students in my ministry...

Romans 8:1 I am free from condemnation.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I was just thinking about this and there are questions I would like my Pastor’s to ask me. Maybe you want your Pastor to ask you too.

If I am missing some please feel free to add yours.

I have been meeting with parents of our teenagers in our youth ministry for "Adult Sunday School Class" this summer.

Here are a few of the things that this class has discussed. If you are a youth leader or youth pastor, I encourage you to find a place to get with the parents in your ministry and really get down to the issues of partnership.