Friends

Question:



I absolutely love some of my friends. But, there are one or two that I don't like being around because they put me down and make me feel lower than dirt. They can really hurt my feelings to the point where I could cry! They don't care, either. They act like their better and I dont want to be around people like that. When I'm with my other friends I bring it up and they agree, but the next day they're back with them!
I remember God said, "Love your enemies," and I've prayed to him to give me the strength to, but its hard. I find myself wandering back to disliking them, and I remember God will only put as much as He can handle on my shoulders, and I could really use a light in this dark tunnel before I say, do, or even think something I will regret.



Answer:



I think what's important for you to understand is that there's a difference between loving someone and letting them do whatever they want because you don't want to be mean. Now I know that you want to handle this situation carefully and I commend you for that. But you don't have to allow those people to say or do the things to you that they have been. If you read Scripture, there isn't a single person that Jesus did not show love. He may not have said, "I love you." to everyone, but He showed it in His actions toward them by sharing the love that God had poured out on Him to those around Him. To some that meant forgiveness of sins when they believed in Him as being Lord. To some it meant teaching them about the Father because they were open. To the Pharisees it meant exposing the wrong that they were doing to the people. It is possible to call someone on what they are doing and let them know you aren't going to allow it to happen without being mean spirited. If your friends choose to hang out with these people from then on, that is their decision. But you have the right to call these people on what they are doing and let them know you are not going to just sit back and take it.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

About Knowing God

Question:



I really need some answers. I am a Christian and I do my devotions every night. But I still feel like God isn't there anymore and I don't know what to do. Please help me.




Answer:



One thing that we have to understand in coming to God is that our relationship with Him is not one that we judge by our feelings, because our feelings can tell us one thing when the reality is something else. God reminds us that our hearts can be deceived if we rely on our emotions, and God has chosen not to relate to us through them. When we come to God we have to see the way that He has prepared for us, and He prepared the way for us through faith. Only then are we able to walk with God in the way that pleases Him and is fulfilling to us. I would also like to encourage you to keep pressing forward in your walk. Our walk with God is not just based on having devotions, it's learning to live out the life and Spirit He placed inside of us. A key part of that is through receiving His Truth into our lives daily, through His Word, but keep letting Him reveal Himself to you, and as He reveals, obey.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Love the Program

Question:



I have never had the chance to talk to anyone before about all my hardships. I have always kept things bottled up inside. I am 32 and have been married for 9 years and it has been great knowing I have found my soul mate. Even though that may seem great there are a lot of things in my life that have not been so great and are weighting heavy on my mind. I have been a sick person pretty much my whole life. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and spent more time in a hospital then my mother. I have a list of medical conditions that seem to go on and on, but my last diagnoses was Mysthenia Gravis which was a hard condition for me to deal with. I was very sick when diagnosed and I almost died at age 19. Although I did survive I have always felt like I lost myself though all my suffering. Today as my husband and I are reaching our 10 year anniversary. We are deeply wanting to have a child together and if God could give me just one piece of JOY through all my suffering it would be awesome!!! I pray everyday for a miracle baby. Both my husband and I would make great parents as we are financially stable and we own our own home. He works hard every week making an honest living. I have had to deal with many things in life and go through a lot of pain and it would be nice to feel the weight lifted.



Answer:



I want to thank you for sharing your testimony with us at Xtreme. I am encouraged to see that you are looking to the Lord for your life through the circumstances that you deal with on a daily basis. I would be more than happy to pass along the request for prayer that God would give you a child. I would also like you to consider this. When we think of the word joy in Scripture we tend to think of something that we find emotional satisfaction from in our lives. Joy for the believer is defined as finding one’s satisfaction in the Lord. I am sorry that you have dealt with physical ailments your whole life, and I know that those obstacles are always in front of you and are out of your control. The obstacles that you face happen to be physical, and although most people don’t face those obstacles, they are bound by the effects of sin and bad decisions which serve just as cruel of a chain. Praise God that you belong to Him and are counted worthy and righteous as His child! You are chosen by Him and truly free. It’s easy to lose heart in this life because troubles may be all that we know, but this is not all that we have to look forward to. God is more than able to strengthen us through faith that lasts longer than our earthly lives. Thank the Lord because our promises have to do with our life beyond this one. I say all that to say this, hold strong. You belong to Him and you are loved.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Help for Discussion on Self-Injury

Question:



I am going into a class on Monday and really need your help. I have a group of teens that have been cutting, and I have agreed to go into our school (small private) and talk on stress and dealing with teen pressures. I am wondering if you have any outlines on this topic.



Answer:



Because of our conversations with students on the Hopeline we have come to understand that every situation is different so the message is tailor-made for each situation. However there are key components and truths to dealing with this struggle. A good web resource that would be very beneficial to you is at www.selfinjury.org. Under the Christian Resources you’ll find helpful articles that deal with the topics such as Scripture and Self-Injury, This is a Hard Teaching!, Atonement for Sin, What God is doing in Me, and Affirmations, I think they would be very helpful in your preparation for encouragement and help for these students.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Lonely

Question:



I've just been struggling in the relationship I'm in now. It's like I really love him but he keeps hurting me and hurting me and I always take him back.. but I started praying that I have strength to just leave for good and for God to help my broken heart. But I still take him back so I'm at a point where I'm just crying everynight and I have no one to tlk to about this and I really don't no what to do because now this realationship is leading me away from God because I feel as though He isn't helping. I know I should be patient and I can see that the devil is getting to me threw my resentment and anger and sadness because he sees that I am weak , so I'm becoming depressed. I just need someone to help me, to give me good spiritual advice because I feel that I have nothing a no one, and the thing is I'm hiding all this from my family because I really can't talk to them about things like this. So please I'm just calling out for help so whatever you have to say I'm hear to listen.



Answer:



The guy you are seeing now is taking advantage of you and he will continue to do so if you continue to take him back. He sees that you are feeling needy and he’s using you as a “safety net” in case the one’s he’s lusting after doesn’t work out. You have to let go of the fear of being alone for a couple of reasons. (1) You belong to God. You are His temple in bodily form and He promises that He will never leave you or let you down. HE is the One who is provides all your needs, and He is the One you need to trust to bring you and the one He has prepared for you together in His perfect timing. (2) You are not designed to carry this burden. It’s clear that you see this is weighing you down. God says that you need to give your burdens to Him, He loves you more than you can imagine and He is the only one who can set you free from this burden. (3) Fear does not come from the Lord. The only thing that this is blurring your vision from seeing the love God is ready to pour into your heart. His love casts out all fear. You already have access to His love and nothing is going to separate you from Him. It’s just a matter of you taking a stand on His love and allowing Him to have His love wash over you. But you have to submit this to the hand of God. Nothing will help you outside of this. If you bring this to His throne, and keep it there, He will take care of everything else. Otherwise, nothing else will help you.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Alone

Question:



I feel alone like no one cares. Sometimes I just wanna commit sucide. All I feel is hurt and pain. My parents are divorced and makes my hurt worst. All I think about is sex and porn, and I'm afraid if I trust God I'll just be rejected. At school all I feel is worry and I feel like all my friends don't care. I feel so much hurt cause my friends don't realize what they have and they take it for granted. Some of my friends do drugs. I just feel so much pain and don't know what to do? No one knows about porn or anything that i do it because they think I'm perfect. It just hurts and I feel so lost with my walk with Jesus.



Answer:



I want you to know that it begins with your relationship with Christ, and in Him you are completely forgiven and totally loved. I do not know everything going on from your past, and I am not negating anything that has happened, but it appears as if you are isolating yourself from everyone. You have a great fear of rejection hanging in front of you and I can see the condemnation in your typing. God assures us from His Word that He holds no condemnation against us, and He will never do so. Condemnation is that overbearing sense of worthlessness or that you deserve all the bad that is in your life. Another thing that makes it blatantly clear to me that this is not from God is because it makes you consider thoughts of suicide. A Godly sorrow leads us to repentance but the condemnation and guilt from this world only produces death. This condemnation is coming from the enemy. Jesus says that the thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but that He came to give us life that is abundant and overflowing to other lives. My little sister, you are loved by the Father! Christ paid for the sin that the enemy is trying to make you think you can’t get rid of and the condemnation does not hold the power to keep you down. Jesus is right there with you and is ready to take that heavy load if you want Him to and believe that He is able, and He is more than able.

Pornography is a terrible addiction that chokes someone from the intimacy and love that we were deigned to receive from God and learn to give to others. Now I am not condemning you. I see you want to stop. I know in your heart you are longing for something more. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” James 4:8 says Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Jesus knows that this is a struggle too great for you to handle and He knows that you are weak here. But you are FORGIVEN. He took every mess up and bore it in His body on the cross. The enemy wants you to think you are worthless for giving into that but that is a lie. Jesus did this for you because He LOVES you. But you have to let down your guard to Him. He is not going to reject you like any other people that you may know. He is not like other people because He IS LOVE. He made you to receive His love and He intends to fill you with His love. But He will not force Himself on you. You must want it, and want Him. You have to trust yourself under His hand that He will nurture those parts deep inside of you that are hurting. But you have to get up. You have to stand and believe that you are forgiven. You have to take that step of faith and be vulnerable to Him. He is Faithful and will respond, but you have to hunger for Him, and learn to be open to Him and letting Him fill you.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Cursing

Question:



A lot of my friends curse and say there's nothing wrong with it. I didin't think it was the Christian thing to do so up until a couple days ago I didn't cuss. Then for some reason I just started doing it. I feel like I shouldn't and I want to know...is it a sin to cuss?



Answer:



Whatever your friends are basing their decision that it’s ok to curse is not Biblical. If their influence on you is leading you to cursing when you are otherwise brought up to know better, you should probably not hang around these people. With that being said, you have to judge what is wrong based on Scripture. Exodus 20:7 reveals the fourth commandment in saying, “Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.” Whenever the Name of the Lord and His Son Jesus is used in a mocking sense or as an expletive it takes what is holy and makes it common. God mentions in that same verse that there is a consequence for cursing.


Now someone might then say that all the other four letter words are ok because saying them isn’t taking the Lord’s name in vain. That is not true. You have to remember that you belong to God, and I’m not just talking about you in general, but everything about you was bought with Christ when you accepted Him into your heart and life. You are the temple of the Holy Ghost and whenever you use your mouth to curse, you take your mouth and breath which are gifts from God and you use the instruments of God to willingly disobey. It’s like taking a white sheet and rubbing mud on it. I know this sounds upfront and bold, but I want you to understand the seriousness of what we are talking about. Matthew 12:36 reminds us that every single little word that we have spoken in this life will be judged by the eyes of Christ and we will give an account for what we said, and why we said it. Now there is forgiveness of course for cursing. Confess it and move forward. But know that God takes this seriously.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Is Grinding Ok?

Question:



I wanted to know. Is it ok to grind at dances?



Answer:



Before I go into this I want you to know that I appreciate dancing. I think there is alot of good that comes from it. There's nothing wrong in dancing in itself. There are different expressions of it in different cultures and dance is healthy. God made us with the desire to dance. First off to be an offering to Him (Psalm 149:3). Secondly for our good pleasure.

But I do have some cautions. I believe you need to take into consideration what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." You have the freedom to choose what you want to do in your life because Christ gave you the freedom to do so. However, you have to keep in mind that what you choose, you give it power over you. If we are practicing something that someone who is weak in the faith sees, gets confused, and stumbles at it, we are held responsible for that. True freedom in Christ means that you have the ability to say "no" to something, not that you can do whatever you want.

Back to dancing. There are alot of things that are associated with certain types of dancing that are not helpful, not just to the body of Christ, but to your own well being. This form of dance desensitizes a person to the proper view of sex, giving it the idea that it's all just for fun. The fact that this form of dance is a very public flaunt of what it pictures goes against the privacy in which God intended for sex between a husband and wife to be. This is not harmless. The question you have to ask yourself is, "Does this build up the Body of Christ?" Would you be ashamed to dance like this in front of godly believers, who are a small picture of Jesus? Grinding is unhealthy from both aspects, for the Body of Christ and for yourself.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

How do I Trust?

Question:



You hear people and pastors all the time saying "just lay your troubles at jesus' feet" well i don't know how to do this. I don't know how to just hand over all my worries and cares to him because it feels like his arms are not out to take them. Obviously i cannot do it physically, and i don't know how.



Answer:



You have to remind yourself that you can’t judge your walk based on your feelings. God’s Word says that our hearts are deceitful, and can be deceived. Our feelings are not an honest gauge on how we are doing before the Lord. So if our hearts are not the correct judge of our walk, then we have to focus on what is. For that we look to God’s Word and find that our walk is strengthened in knowing Him, and we access that by faith. If you look to your feelings you will never feel better, or you will have a good day and think your problems are solved and then crash a couple days later.



You have to take your walk with the Lord one day at a time. God shows us in His Word the end result and the aim for our purpose in this life. His goal is to make us more like Christ, and our responsibility is to learn to focus on Him one day at a time. That means we need to learn how to walk with Him based on how He has shown us to through His Word. We need to hand our troubles to Him knowing He is right there. We do this when we feel ourselves being burdened. When we give them to them we walk away from them, and we keep doing this until it becomes instinctive to hand them over to Him. As you seek Him and He shows you truths to apply, follow Him one step at a time. That is the key to your walk. It’s learning to be faithful to Him in your daily decisions and He will mold you into the person He wants you to be.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

I'm Not Sure

Question:



I'm a junior in high school and plan on graduating early and heading to college the spring semester of my senior year. However, I've been in this horrible low stage lately. No motivation, knowing I have to do my homework and go to school along with work and studies. I grew up going to church every Sunday and Wednesday up until I was around 8 or 9. My family tried out new churches and then sooner than later quit going altogether. I never got the information I had hoped to get at church to build my relationship with God. My parents divorced not too long after we stopped going to church and I flip flopped with who I lived with for a long time up until the summer before my sophomore year. I didn't really have any motivation for church. My dad liked to drink. I would sit and watch him get drunk on saturday nights and watch him sleep through getting up for church sunday morning. So it set into me that church wasn't all that important.

But now as I'm about to head off to college within the year I've been thinking probably more than I should. I've done A LOT of things I'm not proud of.. from repeating the Saturday nights I saw my dad live a few weekends.. to having too serious of a boyfriend for 2 years. I just feel super alone 98% of the time and I hate that feeling.. I'm a great student though; A's in B's in college credit courses but now I'm just wondering where do I start. What do I do to get my path with God straightened and fixed. Everyone I ask says 'ask Him for forgiveness' but I feel like there should be more than just asking for forgiveness. I want to get involved in a church. I'm not a very outgoing, step outside my shell kind of person so stepping into a new church and deciding where to go from there is a little intimidating to me. My mother is who I live with now. And she does her best as a single mom, but I get mad at her from time to time because I expect more.. and that makes me feel so cruddy because I know I shouldnt feel that way. She encourages me to go to church, but we don't have that relationship to talk about stuff concerning stuff like this.. So I was hoping you could help. Thanks



Answer:



First off, I want to say that I’m sorry that you have had a poor example of parenting in your life from your dad. I can understand that you get upset with your mom. It’s not that she’s not trying, but you feel like your missing out. That’s your dad’s fault though. The truth is that you were made for a greater purpose than what you’ve experienced so far. It’s great to hear that you are heading to college with a strong head start, but that is not where the success of your life is found (as you can see). Your purpose in life is meant to be found in your relationship with God. As easy as this might not sound or as hard as it might be to accept, but He is the Father that you have been longing for. Your dad may have neglected his duties of fathering you and rejected seeking God in his life, but that was not God’s plan. That was your dad’s choice. The truth is that sin leaves everyone in a bad state. No one goes unaffected. What I want you to examine first before going any further is your relationship with Him? It’s good to ask for forgiveness for things done, but you can’t do that if you do not belong to Him. Have you ever received Jesus into your life as your Savior? If you have not, that is issue that needs to be settled in your heart before continuing forward.



If you have received Him into your life, you have the connection to the Father that you need, and you have access to Him right here and now. You may have done some things that you regret, but you stand forgiven before the Father. It’s not because of anything you did or didn’t do, but because Jesus took your sin, your mess ups, mistakes, and paid for them on the cross. You stand blameless before Him. Not only that, but He is your Satisfaction. He is the Source which you were designed to feed from. Psalm 42:1 says as the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you Lord. You are hungry for the Lord, you crave that closeness to Him, and He promises to fill you if you open your heart to Him. It is through the strength of the Lord that you are meant to love your family, to forgive your dad, to receive an education for His plan for your life. But you have to want Him. You have to ask Him to lead you, and keep on asking. You have to search for Him as He has revealed where He is. You need to take the step and become vulnerable to Him and He is Faithful to respond and comfort you. Ask Him to help you see this situation the way He sees it. Ask Him to give you a hunger for His love. His love casts out all fear. Do not let your fear control you. Lift it to Him now. Confess anything you have done, and know that you are forgiven. And seek Him out.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

About My Walk

Question:



I read your devos so much!! I read them everyday. I going through a hard time that I just can't seem to get in a relationship with Gid like I want to!! My mind really wants to do it but my heart is not in it. I really want my heart in it but everytime I try it doesn't work. I want a close relationship with God but it just doesn't really seem like it is working.



Answer:



That is a very common struggle for many believers. I've gone through a time where I had the exact same struggle and it still bites at me from time to time. What you have to remember is that you have the power through Christ to bring your thought life captive to Christ so that you can allow His mind to direct you. Remember, you have been given a new mind that is renewed through the power of His Word (Romans 12:2). Open your heart to the Lord and share with Him in this honesty. Isaiah 45:22, God tells His people to look to Him and be saved. You are designed to focus and live with your life coming from and being poured out for Him. As you focus on Him, He will renew your strength. It is a discipline to do this but it is the discipline we were meant to pursue.



Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

I Need Help

Question:



I am 15 years old. For years I have been trying and waiting for God to speak to me, just once to know that He hears me. But when I pray I feel like its a one way radio...and there is no one on the other end. It is killing me to think He does not care or want to listen to me.




Answer:



I’m glad you wrote in about your struggle. It’s a good sign when you are open and honest. I want you to know that I’ve dealt with the same thing when I was your age. You really want God to speak but you don’t hear anything. I’d like to share a couple thoughts with you. The first one begins with understanding how God wants us to walk with Him. His Word says that we are to walk with Him based on faith and not based on how we feel. If you are trying to feel God then it’s like trying to talk in a telephone where you’re supposed to be hearing and listening where you should be talking, it’s not how we are designed and it doesn’t line up with the relationship God means for us to have with Him. I’m not saying this to discourage you. I just want you to understand which way is not the way to God so that you can understand what is.



If you remember stories about the children of Israel when Moses was leading them through the wilderness, you’ll see they had all the signs from God to believe in Him. They saw 10 plagues destroy their enemies, the Red Sea split so they could walk through, God’s cloud and pillar of fire guide them, and they still did not believe God. The truth is that no miracle ever helped someone believe in God. It would make sense that miracles or signs would help someone but it doesn’t. So you have to ask yourself, “Why doesn’t it work that way?” It’s because faith is a decision to believe God based on what He says is true, and when you believe Him and His Word, then He works. So if you want God to speak to you, look in His Word how He satisfies us. “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3 . Rest in these promises. It’s a discipline because your mind will want to do the opposite, but you have the power through Christ to bring your mind to quiet and focus on Him. Go to Him in His Word with this mindset and He will speak to your heart.

I would encourage you also to be real and honest with Him in how you feel. You did a good job of being real with me. That is exactly what He wants with you.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

My Walk with God

Question:



This year I have grown alot. I was raised in a strict church and I never knew there was anything else out there for me when I was younger. Then things started changing with my family and our church family. We started testing out different churches recommended by friends. My faith in God grew and grew with each sermon I heard.
Today, we went back to our old church. I was sad to say that I was dissapointed because I didn't feel the vibe of God with me like I had at the others. This is a tough decision and I'm trying to stay strong in the Lord. There are things going on in my life and I love to have connections with God. Please help me open my heart to understand the message God is trying to send me.



Answer:



I completely understand what you're saying because I know what it's like to grow up in a Christian setting that wasn't completely healthy and I too got a glimpse of what God intended for it to be. Think of it this way, God is drawing you out. You're asking for a prayer that He's answering before you even asked it! How cool is that?! Praise God He's giving you a vision and dream of what He has in store for you. He's showing you this because you are not always going to be in the spiritual atmosphere you may have to deal with for now. You might see where you are at as being too much for you but God sees everything He has planned for your life ahead of you, and I'm telling you that His blessing in this area is coming.

Now at the same time, look forward to this, but I want you to know that this is only the icing on the cake. The actual cake (the best and most fulfilling part of your life) is learning to walk in your relationship with God now. When Jesus said take my yoke and learn of me, HE was actually saying let Me be your Teacher. Ask God to show you those things that you may have been taught in your life that are not from Him, and as He reveals, put them to the side. Ask Him to teach you what it means to be a disciple and to walk in His love. He's with you right now and is more than ready and capable of teaching you if you rely on Him and let Him. Have a blessed day.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Eating

Question:




I have struggled with an anorexia and bulimia for almost five years. I got help and recovered mostly because of God and reaffirming my faith in him. Lately, things have just gone down hill for me. My faith in God has never been stronger, but my dad took a job out of town and I only see him on the weekends and he is the one person besides God who understands me. Also I feel so alone all the time because I don't feel like I have many friends and that no one likes me. My brother went to college and my mom is always at work. I spend most of my day by myself. Because of all of these things I've just been so sad all of the time. The only way I know how to cope with sadness and depression is through anorexia and bulimia, so I've relapsed. I know God doesn't want me to do this to myself, but all I think about is food, calories, fat, and my weight. I have never been this sick in my eating disorder before and I need help but I almost feel like I don't want it. This is the only way I know how to cope with pain. I am miserable and I need to know how I can make my faith even stronger so that I can make myself want to beat this again.



Answer:



It's encouraging to see how God has been at work in your life. Just from reading how you've allowed God to help you through this is awesome. You faith in God is the foundation for which you can overcome any weakness. I just want to let you know that I understand where you are coming from. It is so easy to get worried about how you look that it can consume you. The first thing I want to say is don't beat yourself up. God knows all about your struggle and He's proud of you for letting Him help you for all that time. He knows that you are not perfect and that you'll have times where you stumble. The Bible says in proverbs 24:16 that the righteous falls seven times, but then he gets back up again. Falling isn't the issue. It's if you refuse to get back up is when you are defeated.

Another thing that you need to remember is that God doesn't want you to be bound to what your appearance is. You are beautiful just as you are because that is how God made you. He made you in His image and you are special and dear in His sight.

I'm sure you heard the story of Job. He went through some hard times even though he was living a life that pleased God. At first it looked like God was just allowing hard times to come on him to see if he would crack. If you look at the end of the story though, God had a special plan for him. God wanted to bless him more and give him a greater life. But he would not have been able to have that if he had not gone through the rough times. God did not put you in this situation to fail. He has a greater plan for you and it requires that you go through a time that you need more of Him. Ask for grace to get back up and that He would give you the friend and accoutability that you need to get through this. He will get you through this, so hang in there.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

Not So Perfect

Question:




I am a senior in high school and I don't remember the last time i let out all my troubles and shames. I lost my grandma at age 10 and from there my life went downhill. I am not proud of how things are but I am not all that bad I mean I have straight As and I push myself in figure skating and track but there are so many things that I don't know anymore.
My journal that I keep has suicide written all over it from the nights I would fight with my parents and I have all my feeling bursted out in it. This year I had my first real drink...or drinks but I knew when to stop so I didn't screw up my life that bad. I dated a guy more than a year ago and I dumped him cuz i was afraid that he was almost too perfect for me (afraid I would fall in love with him basically). He liked me for the next 15 months after that and then I went out with this other guy to get my ex out of the way but now my ex got a new girlfriend and I just dumped my boyfriend of 2 months this weekend because I have feelings for my ex and he doesn't realize it.

Some days I wish he knew and others I wish things would disappear for good. When things get way out of hand my ex says I can call him but I just cant always take it and thats when I wish I would disappear and never comeback. I miss my grandma so much and I know that I should accept the fact that she's dead but she was always someone to talk to and when she died I haven't had a real decent person to let out all my feelings. My ex and I have become great friends and I'm afraid I might mess it up or his new girlfriend will break our friendship that I just got with him (I hated his guts for awhile then I got feelings for him agian and then I hated him agan. back and forth like that). I'm afraid to let my real feelings out and I can't always figure out what they mean to me.

If you can help me that would be great because I just give up on who to turn too. I'm sorry I kept going and going but its all in my head and I need to get out and get help with it. Thank You.



Answer:




I really am glad you came here. I am sorry that you've had to try to contain these feelings for such a long time. That's a hard thing to try and hold onto. It makes it harder when you don't feel like you can really share how you feel with anyone. You are always welcome here and we won't turn you away no matter what you are going through. Now we can only encourage you so much and our help for you has limits. But one thing I can do is point you to Christ. He is the only One who can really help you where you are hurting. He can take the burden that you are carrying from you and use the pain that you have felt inside and make good come out of it. He can help you based on a personal relationship with Him. If this is something you do not have, please come back and let me know, I would love to show you how you can begin this. If you do have one, you already have what you need to get you through what you are feeling. All it takes is calling out to Him and giving your hurts to Him by faith. Hang in there, God has not given up on you.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

After Highschool

Question:



i am a senior in high school and i feel a calling to help people or do something for the Lord and so i thought about going into phsycology in college but i feel like there is something more for me and i don't kno if u kno about the honour academy but i wanted to go there but i can't afford to...so i was wondering if there are any christian organizations that have internships that i could apply for, and i always wanted to do missions and i am going to costa rico this summer and have been on 2 other missions trips in the past. i really like what dawson mccalister does i just want to help people if u have any suggestions that would be awesome! thanks!




Answer:



I think that it's awesome that you have a desire from God to help other people. The fact that you have that desire shows that God has a special plan for you. Just to let you know, there are tons of internships out there. I went to Bible College and they came to us with many internships and missions outreaches in all the continents of the world. The best thing for you to do is to lift up your desire and your plans to God in prayer. He's the one that put that desire in your heart. He did that because He has a plan for you. He doesn't want you to try and figure it out. Just give this to Him and let Him bring what He wants for you to you. He will make it clear what He wants you to do and where He wants you to go. Let Him lead. Don't let money be a factor, if He has a plan for you, He will give you what you need to carry that out. He will supply your every need


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

I Need an Answer

Question:



Hey there,
well, im just a teenager thats needing an answer. okay. so you may get this alot but I just need advice. so, I am a Christian and have asked God to be in charge of my life. and I believe all the things that I read in the bible, well I'm trying lets say. and I really want to feel God and feel like He's real but its hard because I just dont get it. and like I pray, read my bible and all that stuff but I just don't feel close to God but I want to. and I tell Him that but nothing happens. It's so hard cause I want to so bad. and I'm like 'ahh God I really want to feel you, please help me, but its not working out I'm just confused. Help?



Answer:




Hey there, I want to let you know that for a long time, I went through the exact same thing. I went through Bible College feeling this way! What makes struggle hard to deal with is because you know that you want what God wants and you know that God wants this for you too, but it feels like there is a disconnect, so you think something is wrong with you.

I need to remind you of a very important truth about our walk with Christ. It's a walk of faith. It's very easy for us to be led by our emotions. I know this because for a long time I let my emotions run my walk. But our emotions is not what God wants us to be led by. Out emotions change on the turn of a dime. One moment we're happy to be alive, the next we wish we were never born. God wants us to live our lives on the steady road of faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith and not by sight.

Another thing you need to understand is having the proper mindset of God having control. You don't have to go finding God because He is right there with you! Because of your relationship with Christ your old life is dead and your life is hid in Christ. Colossians 3:3 says For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

All you need to do is ask God to quiet your emotions and settle down. He's right there with you and He'll help you do this. Then, just open His Word and allow Him to show you what He wants you to know about Him. Remember, His word is alive. That's found in Hebrews 4:12. You've already surrendered to Him, now just be still as Psalm 46:10 says and let Him lead you where He wishes.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.

A Calling

Question:



Im Josh and I am 15. The last year I have felt a calling from God to become a youth pastor and I have no clue what to do. I want to follow His calling but i dont know where to go or what to do. I want to do something now, something that I thaught about that might be possible is maybe getting an internship with my youth pastor. If you could give me some direction or advice that would be great.





Answer:




The first thing I would do is ask God to confirm this in your heart. Just be open to His leading. Proverbs 3:6 says that if we put the Lord before us in all of our decisions, He promises to direct our paths. We aren't supposed to do anything for God. All we are required to do is be still and listen for His leading and follow where He leads.

Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.