YOUTH HOUSE: THE LINE IS HERE

“THE LINE IS RIGHT HERE.”

“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

James 4:7-10 MSG

The hardest part about being a YOUTH is being a Youth.

MS and HS isn’t the easiest…

// You’re starting to figure out so much - your finding your purpose - you can feel the pressure and sometimes you dont. And no matter what you are feeling right now in this season - whether its GOOD or its BAD whether you feel zero pressure and life is good or you feel like the world is bearing down and you feel a lot of pressure I just wanna tell you that you serve and you have a HEAVENLY Father who promises He will be with you whether its Good or it’s BAD> He is WITH YOU.

I wanted to take a few minutes tonite and talk about the landscape of today: What are you facing and How is GOD IN THIS.

You might be here tonite and looking around in your world… and asking “WHERE IS GOD”.

…. And what is going on right now ??

maybe what I believe the WORD says we can do Here

The title of the message is this: “THE LINE IS RIGHT HERE”

(repeeat that, say it out loud!)

There are times where we need to work out and figure out what’s HEALTHY for me in an unhealthy WORLD.

This is CALLED DRAWING THE LINE in the life of a believer.

But how do we know how to draw the line… what do we know is right?

....

Is what my parents told me right? Probably pretty close.

Is what my teacher told me is that right? (maybe?)

What about the things I read online or social media? (Maybe).

....

and this is where I want to ZOOM in the LENS a little tonite and speak to where I believe the heart of our YH is at..

which is what do I do with SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT NOW.?

How do I live with it, How do I maybe use it… how can I limit it - or maybe you’re just wondering… what do I do?

SO HOW CAN I BRING ENCOURAGEMENT AROUND THIS: I WANT TO TO THINK ABOUT IT THIS SIMPLY: DRAW THE LINE.

ITS ABOUT DRAWING A LINE: BUT FIRST YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE LINE IS.

And this is where we need to get to, and always need to get to....

THE LINE IS JESUS… AND THE WORD.

So the Q:Should I allow my device, my social media DRAW THE LINE IN MY LIFE the RIGHT ANSWER? No

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER - and WE CAN TAKE JESUS and APPLY HIS LIFE, HIS WORDs, HIS LORDSHIP TO OUR LIVES AND ALLOW HIM TO TAKE THE LEAD IN OUR LIVES.

But I wanted to BUST UP a FEW MYTHS today that Might help us SEE JESUS, SEE THE LINE.

AND DRAW THE LINE IN OUR LIVES AND BE ABLE TO SPOT THE LINE AND SAY

I can see it now….

“THE LINE IS RIGHT HERE”

Here is some verses:

2 Cor 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Romans 15:7 “7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

A few things we need to KNOW… and i have 3 points (we shoot three’s)!

1.SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT REAL LIFE.

Social media is not my REAL life.

Social Media is the HIGHLIGHT REEL of LIFE…. Its NOT REAL LIFE.

it might be some of the highlights but its NOT ALL of yoUR LIFE>

Social media is the NEARLY there, but Miles away.

Instagram says this “Show the best, Hide the REST”. the only issue with is that God cares about ALL of you. and VALUES ALL OF YOU. not just SOME.

SO JUST REMEMBER: SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT REAL LIFE.

(your life is REAL life. Whats ONLINE is a SHADED version, maybe a TWISTED version of what is actually REAL......This affects how we think. and it can impact HOW WE SEE OURSELVES.

This is who DEPRESSION kicks in, Anxiety KICKS In...

We need to LOOK TO THE WORD. and KNOW WHAT THE WORD Says about me:

I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. / Social media could tell me im old news

I am accepted by God / Not rejected by Social Media and the world.

My life has value / the world tries to set my value

My life has purpose / The world doesnt give me my purpose, God does.

My life has signifcance to God. / You are SIGNIFICANT. God thinks youre AMAZING!

I am called.

I am Graced by God.

We have to be careful because Social Media can make us feel INSIGNIFICANT

2.MY VALUE IS NOT ATTACHED TO LIKES, COMMENTS and FOLLOWS.

Anything that God creates is perfect.

Right>?

Anything that God creates, the DEVIL wants to counterfeit or create something that’s appears to be GOD, but its NOT GOD.

God created relationships. think of a GREAT friend you have. God has created and given us friendships.

But if were not careful, on something like social media we can get an ALMOST version of what GOD CREATED as GOOD.

We see this in SOCIAL MEDIA.

Its a shimmering attractive thing but its NOT… QUITE… REAL.

And in the same way, if we DONT know the LINE: We can start to think:

Maybe they didnt like my post because.....

Maybe im not as good as j thought

maybe they dont like me.....

Maybe they…

.. and quickly it becomes a lesser version of what God intended all along which was GOOD, and WHOLESOME, and HEALTHY and LOVING.

Some helpful tips i wanted to pass along to you as you navigate this world:

1.Use social media to encourage people. Comment positive or don’t comment at all! if someone isnt being positive and uplifting i would challenge you to consider muting them or just not engaging.

2.Turn off all notifications except texts. No DM’s no comment notifications

3.Mute everything that is just noise.

4.Limit screen time to an hour a day.

5.Read your bible First, and Last. (even if its just one verse!).

.... and i wanna challenge you with this:

Practice “no phone days” - tell your spouse how to reach you at work or just go without it… everything is gonna be fine.

3.JESUS HAS ASSIGNED MY VALUE.

And I am HIGHLY PRIZED BY HIM

and HE HAS SET MY VALUE AND GIVEN ME MY LINES.

I can SEE THE LINE when i see JESUS.

//

YH MSG..

Background Notes: “Because He cares: A SERIES about Mental Health YOUTH HOUSE”.

Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG

“Lest walk right up to him, take the MERCY… GET THE HELP”.

Heart for the series: Starting the conversation

Know how to deal with mental health.

Destroy myths about social media.

Minds racing....Dark Thoughts......Rest is getting stolen.....The past thing they see each night is their phones.....Pressure & expectations about school.

Message Time. 15mins.

Ending / 5 mins.