Time to ACT, like the Apostles

We've just finished the 21 Days Fasting of the Holy Spirit and I'm sure many youths have had an unforgettable and amazing experience with Him. The question that many are asking now is, 'What next?' 

I'd like to answer this question directly and straight to the point. 

If you read the first chapter of the ACTS of the Apostles you'll see right at the beginning of the chapter the Holy Spirit encouraging the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were baptized (Acts 1:4-5).  Immediately after that He said they would receive power, after the baptism, not to worship or sing nice songs of praise, but to "... be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Hence the title of the book is ACTS of the Apostles. 

This means that the Holy Spirit has been given to us for action and not to become religious. There is this false idea that after the baptism our lives will become a bed of roses. Jesus said that He came not bring peace but sword, referring to the constant battle we'll go through until our death or His return. And this battle is fierce. We're fighting against the spiritual forces of this dark world that want to drag every single soul, especially youths, to hell. LET'S BECOME THE WITNESSES JESUS SPOKE ABOUT. The Holy Spirit is here for that cause, and not so we can use Him as an accessory.   

The YPG will be screening Paul, the Apostle nationwide. You will have the opportunity to see what you've heard so many times in church and read tirelessly in your Bible coming to life.

Speak to your local YPG leader and find out when the screening will begin.

It's time to ACT!

Pr Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Will He Catch You Sleeping?

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus and His disciples were in the garden of Gethsemane. Taking Peter, James and John aside, He told them to "Stay here and watch" while he went further to pray. But three times he came and found them sleeping, why? Because, as it is written, "…The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)

And maybe that’s what happens to you! Many times you receive instructions and direction but you find yourself weak to obey.

There are three secrets to having an effective faith which is through obedience, fighting doubts and taking action. It is not by coincidence that obedience was amongst the requirements.

It’s one of the hardest things to do because it requires sacrifice and our nature don’t want to sacrifice. Obedience to God demands you to trust and have faith in the One you do not see while putting your will aside.

"After all, you don’t want the Lord Jesus to find you

sleeping when He returns do you?"

The example of the disciples is just an illustration of how often your spirit is ready to obey but your flesh is ready to do the opposite. And that’s what the devil wants, because his nature is rebellious he wants you to be a rebel and turn against God just as he did.

At this point the disciples were unable to follow Jesus’ instructions because they were still in the flesh, they were not born of God. Therefore, though they wanted to please the Lord Jesus, they were unable to do so. And perhaps that’s your case. Though you have a sincere desire to please God and obey His instructions you find yourself doing the opposite.

This includes disobeying the directions of the authorities also, such as your parents, teachers, leaders etc. when they tell you to do something. Though it seems unrelated you are in that moment disobeying God because as it is written, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13:1-2)

The devil wants you to ‘sleep’ in your faith. But you can overcome this because as it is written "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world." (1 John 5:4)

If you want to overcome your flesh so that you may be able to please God through your obedience, seek for this new birth. After all, you don’t want the Lord Jesus to find you sleeping when He returns do you?

If you want to grow in your faith, join other youths for the Real Talk meeting every Thursday at 7pm (time may vary in some branches) in all YPG branches.

Pr Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Go Beyond - ACTION!

ACTION.

The time is now. Take all the information you received through the Go Beyond campaign and ACT upon them.

You should not waste anymore time. Tomorrow is too late.

Actually, tomorrow will come and some will say ‘tomorrow’ again. No more procrastination!

Those who are willing to sacrifice TODAY will reap the fruits TOMORROW.

ACTION!

Pr Luke Castro.