Youth Blog - FBC Concord

Youth Ministry Blog

The following blog will enable you to stay updated on our most recent teaching and prayerfully encourage you in your relationship with Jesus Christ. If you ever have any prayer requests or questions always feel free to contact me aedwards@fbcconcord.org .

Trust God and Let Him Rule!

Posted on Sep 29, 2019 in Youth Blog |

Make sure to take time to complete days 3-5 in the devotional book before moving forward this week with days 6-10. Especially, go back and read “Day 3: The Choice.” The question at hand in Session 2 (The Cost of Ownership), correlates with the challenge from this devotional: Who is in control of your life? This question is not only an issue of sexual purity, but in every area in your life. Ladies, if you give your life to Jesus and trust Him, He will give you back so much more. God has a plan for you and God will provide for you, but you must trust Him. He cares for you and the boundaries He has provided for you are meant to protect you out of His love. Guys, only Jesus as Lord in your life can satisfy you. As guys, we have been deceived at times, believing that a girl can make us happy or complete. However, only God can bring true joy and wholeness in our life. Therefore, let’s make Him the ruler of our lives and give Him everything. God bless.

Days 1 & 2 – True Love Project

Posted on Sep 24, 2019 in Youth Blog |

Last night was beautiful! Driving on Oak Island after a great evening with our Young Hearts (Senior Adults) ministry, I was stunned by the beauty of hundreds of stars I could see facing toward the ocean. To feel the breeze and hear crashing waves, very few things compare to it on this side of eternity. Coupled with this moment, I began to think about God. To know that the God of the universe, who creates such wonder and beauty, loves me is overwhelming. However, his love is not for a man who is anywhere close to perfect. He loved and saved me, and I didn’t deserve it. He chose and adopted me into His family, and I didn’t earn it.

Godliness in a Godless Culture: Social Media and Christian Wisdom

Posted on Oct 30, 2018 in Youth Blog |

Our culture over the last ten years has accelerated in the variety and accessibility of social media platforms. With these programs, we can communicate through text, pictures, and videos to over millions of people in our local community and around the world. This acceleration in communication has resulted not only in positive outcomes, but harmful consequences. Therefore, the question remains for us as Christians: Can social media be redeemed? Most Certainly! Nonetheless, we must utilize social media with godly wisdom, knowing the possible temptations that ensue. The objective of this blog is to prayerfully provide some reflections on Scripture that may guide us in our use of social media.

Selflessness: Imitating Christ in a Selfish Culture

Posted on Oct 16, 2018 in College Blog, Youth Blog |

We live in a culture that’s saturated with selfishness. From all angles, we are thrusted toward self-seeking lifestyles and attitudes. Some would argue that this evaluation is pessimistic and would point to the actions of others displayed in crisis. However, it’s easy to notice that it takes catastrophic moments to compel us to selfless acts from our apathy. For we know it will not take long for us to move back into our usual self-centered habits.

The Exclusivity of Jesus

Posted on May 17, 2018 in College Blog, Youth Blog |

On Monday morning while preparing for the day, I witnessed on television the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. During the dedication ceremony, a Southern Baptist pastor from Dallas, Tx was invited to pray at the opening and concluded his prayer with the phrase, “in the name of Jesus.” For Christians, such as this pastor, this expression points to the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to relationship with God. As you could imagine, some backlash would follow from media outlets and politicians, including politicians who aligned with the pastor’s own political affiliation. Nowadays, as Christians, we are not surprised at the hostility toward the exclusivity of Jesus, but even simple moments such as this might catch us off guard. Has the truth claim of Jesus Christ really become that offensive in American culture? Will this hostility continue to expand in the coming years?

Force-Fed Religion?

Posted on Apr 13, 2018 in College Blog, Youth Blog |

It’s quite possible you’ve heard the notion that Christians “force religion down the throats of others.” At this moment, we confess that at times over the centuries some in the name of Christianity have very well use power to force supposed conversion (emphasis added). However, in observing the ministry and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, we witness that Jesus didn’t conquer by force, but by engaging hearts! Even Napoleon, the renown French Emperor took note that Jesus was a different kind of king with a different kind of kingdom. Even when standing before Pilate, Jesus declared that his kingship had nothing to do with force-fed religion but had everything to do with finding willing followers. Even when Jesus was falsely accused or mocked, he never fought back and didn’t push himself on anyone.

How to Respond in Trials (James 1:1-8, 12)

Posted on Feb 4, 2018 in Youth Blog |

Beginning in September 2017, we began a new series on Sunday evenings for youth from the letter of James. Praying and discerning where to begin a new series for the school year, I was naturally inclined to work through a book that wrestled with the daily aspects of the Christian life. Our students, though hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ in multiple settings with many responding by faith, have struggled at times living out their new life in Christ. This is nothing new. All believers should be growing in their walk with Christ and all believers struggle at times, even falling into temptation. Therefore, with these realities in mind, we turn to James for biblical wisdom.

Reflections on Kung Fu Panda 3

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 in Youth Blog |

First and Foremost, thank you students for participating in Mystery Night. I hope you had a great time just relaxing and spending time together. One of the activities during the night was attending AMC Concord Mills 24 theaters for the 5:40 P.M. showing of “Kung Fu Panda 3.” There were many good aspects to the movie, but one of the main ideas that ran throughout the movie that might have been new to you was the Chinese worldview of Chi. Reviewing this movie, “Plugged In Movie Reviews” describes Chi as “the energy that flows through every living thing.” The only way to control or direct your Chi is through mastering or knowing yourself.

Whom do you Trust in the Midst of the Battle? (Read Psalm 3)

Posted on Jan 23, 2016 in Youth Blog |

Life is a spiritual battle! Life is a struggle! Our Bibles do not ignore this. This has been true ever since the fall of man. David, the former king of Israel and beloved Old Testament person, was not immune to a battle either. Following David’s adultery with Bathsheba, life began to go downhill for David. So far downhill that even his son, Absalom, turned on him, won over many hearts in Jerusalem, and forced David to leave his own palace. These series of events are recorded in 2 Samuel 15-19, but his response to this battle is recorded in Psalm 3. In this personal prayer, in the midst of impending danger, i.e. a battle, he begins to complain about his enemies, but then turns to God in confidence and assurance that he will give him the ultimate victory.

Do you feel secure? Paul Blart vs. God

Posted on May 12, 2015 in Youth Blog |

Romans 8:26-30 (ESV)

(26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (27) And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

If you watch any comedy movies, you are probably aware of Kevin James and his ability to make you laugh. In recent years he has been the star of the movie series “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” Both movies revolve around the theme of “security.” If you have watched either movie, you are aware of the inability of “Paul Blart” to keep people secure at times in the mall or the Las Vegas hotel. Sometimes, he literally just falls flat on his face. However, does God ever fall flat on his face? Is our salvation in God secure or is there a possibility that he might fail us? This passage in Romans answers this question.