The third generation of BGCG. Although they maybe young and wild, I believe they will make a bigger and greater impact in their school as well as generation. Continue to pray for them!

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Tim 4:12

“ And we need to share our story. Not with everyone but with someone. There is someone who is like you were. And he or she needs to know what God can do. Your honest portrayal of your past may be the courage for another’s future. ”

It’s easy to be tempted to give up on a goal, prayer or desire when it seems as if the answer isn’t coming as quickly as you would like. Yet, at these times, dare to learn how to hope even more in God. Usually, our battles seem the darkest just before the dawn. Just like a woman experiences birth pains right before the birth of her child, we too experience intense moments before breakthrough. Yet, we must not give up prematurely during these heated times.
In Hebrews 10:35 it says, “Do not cast away your confidence for it will be richly rewarded.” As faith-filled believers, we must keep hoping, keep believing and staying faithful. Many times, we are closer than we think to victory. God is faithful to His promises. When God says we will be richly rewarded for keeping our confidence in Him, that should give us a second wind, giving us fuel to keep up the faith. Don’t give up today on your dreams and your hope in God. By developing the attitude, “I’ve come too far to stop now” and learning how to be full of hope, expecting God’s favor daily, you’ll see God begin to do amazing things, even in the midst of trying times! You are closer than you think to victory. Dare to hope in God and His promises. You will not be disappointed!

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”

—	Philippians 3:8 NLT

Knowing the Bible is one thing. Knowing the Author is another.

 
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV.)
We have to realize our mistakes aren’t that powerful. Our mistakes aren’t too big for God. He’s not up in the heavens shaking His head saying, “I never dreamed they would do that. They’ve ruined My plan.” No, God knew every mistake we would ever make. He knew every wrong turn, and He’s already prepared a new route. He already has your detour figured out.
Scripture says that God knows the end from the beginning. If you’ve made some mistakes, the good news is that He has already planned a way to get you back on track! Just come to Him with an open and humble heart. Let Him wash you clean and make you new. Your mistakes aren’t bigger than God. He loves you and has a good plan in store for you!

Prayer for Today:
Father God, thank You for choosing me and accepting me beyond my mistakes. Thank You that the blood of Jesus cleanses me and makes me new. I invite You to have Your way as I submit every area of my life to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friends with fries!

Healthy friendships are vital to life, so it’s important that we have good friends and that we become good friends to others. God invented friendship, so His Word is the ultimate source for determining how to do it right. Here are a few key traits that should be present in any healthy friendship.

1. Friends Forgive. Friends don’t bring up old dirt and gossip about each other. They forgive and seek forgiveness with transparency and humility.

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9

2. Friends love unconditionally! They are there for you when you need them most, not just when it’s convenient.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

3. Friends have your back! Loyalty is vital to friendship. There’s no such thing as a “frenemy”.

“There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

4. Friends tell you the truth. Even when it’s hard to hear, friends will speak the truth in love.

“An honest answer is a sign of true friendship.“ Proverbs 24:26

5. Friends make each other better!

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17

6. Friends communicate openly.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 14:15

Let’s all strive to live out these traits in our own relationships and I believe our friendships will become more enriching, fulfilling and God-honoring