Category Archives: Next generation

December 16, 2011 · 3:21 am

Have a summer you don’t forget (with no regrets!)

I love summer. It’s a time of family, friends, fun and if were lucky, great surf. In Australia, we celebrate Christmas over summer, with temperatures soaring and lazy afternoon’s watching the cricket an Aussie right of passage.

Because it’s such a great time of rejuvenation, relaxation and celebration, it’s important to do so without letting our guards down. “Above all things guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23). Over the past 8 years of youth pastoring, every summer I see young people allow this to happen. Instead of creating a summer they wont forget, they create a summer they later regret.

Here are a few tips I’ve shared with our youth ministry when it comes to having a summer they don’t forget, and don’t regret!

Over this summer break, be a young person that is:

1) Passionate about your Bible.

The Bible compass for anyone who wants to have a walk on fire for God. Whenever we read the word it’s like pouring pure life into our spirits. Read Hebrews 4:12

2) A Prayer Warrior.

Those we hang around we become like. When we pray and hang with God, we become like him. Prayer is where you will find home. Read Colossians 4:2

3) Don’t chase drama – chase God.

Our lives are not called to be like the latest episode of Home and Away. Seek God with all your heart, minimize drama, and you will find your summer a lot more joyful. Read Hebrews 12:1

4) A young person that is In church.

Over summer break youth ministries can often to have a break. Be committed to being in church. This will help you stay connected with other believers and strong as you enter 2012. Read Psalm 122:1

5) A young person that is a Worshipper.

It’s hard to lose focus of Jesus if your continually thanking and worshipping Him. The more you worship, the greater the sense of God’s presence in your life. Read Psalm 22:3

6) Be at Summercamp (for those at Mannahouse Youth!)

Start the year with a bang! Summercamp is an awesome opportunity to get fired up for the year while hanging with good friends. Read Acts 2.

May 2012 be your best and most fruitful year yet!

Much love,

Benaiah

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Filed under Friends, Next generation

February 17, 2011 · 6:07 am

Leadership: unleaded vs premium unleaded.

Last year I bought myself a motorbike. One of the finest looking machines I’ve ever seen. I call her “jezza”, a 2008 Suzuki black GSXR, and yes she sounds as good as she looks with her growl loud enough to scare both kids and grandmas alike.

When I purchased her, I was happy to see that the guy I was buying it off was just as passionate about the bike as I am today.

He told me two things over and over:

“Make sure you let her warm up to 70 degrees before you ride”

“Only use premium unleaded, she works best with that fuel”

I was happy with this as I knew I was buying a bike that had been looked after.

Since then I have made sure that I only used the best fuel available. In Australia, we call this fuel premium unleaded. It’s more expensive and harder to get, but it makes all the difference in any performance machine.

Towards the end of last year I felt God speak to me about the motivation we have when it comes to ministry.

When it comes to inspiring people to go forward in God, there are a bunch of tools God has given us. The main two ways we commonly use as leaders are:

Vision and /or

Looking at the need.

Both of these are powerful and will always have a great effect. Both of these are needed and are essential in being an effective leader. Personally, I lean more towards vision, as this is part of the gifting on my life.

This is where God started to speak to me about unleaded and premium unleaded petrol and leaderership. I felt Him show me that using vision, and looking at need, are like using normal unleaded petrol, they work and are good, however, there is a higher fuel available that will run more efficiently and smoothly: premium unleaded.

So what is premium unleaded in this example?

Love.

Love is such a powerful, deeply seeded force that nothing compares to it. When vision fades and need becomes overwhelming, love goes on.

The more we allow love to fill our hearts for those we lead, the more of the supernatural element of His strength and power grows.

Just like premium unleaded, having a heart of love is harder and more expensive to get. But nothing will run as well as it.

“Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) . It’s as simple as that.

Much love,

Benaiah

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Filed under Leadership, Love, Next generation

February 9, 2011 · 4:50 am

For The Win! 2011

So often we can start the year well but not finish well. We see this with new years resolutions: we can start with such great intentions, but not enough conviction to see it through. I know a lot of us can relate to this!

My heart for you is that you would be setup for a win in 2011. Here’s my top 5 tips for staying on track this year.

Ready?

This year be dedicated to being a…

1) Heart-guarder: Make this the most important thing in your world. Proverbs 4:23 says “above all things guard your heart, for it’s the wellspring of your life”

Be ruthless about guarding your heart. Wrong friendships, relationships, jobs, advice, and anything else close to your hearts can make you or break you. If it’s bringing you closer to God then you know it’s good fruit, anything else cut off.

Guard your heart in such a way  that God will always be first in your heart.

2) Bible-Consumer: Be committed to reading your bible like never before. I would recommend the www.oneyearbibleonline.com for some great reading plans. Why not read the bible in a year? You will be a different person by the end of it.

3) Purpose-definer: Live 2011 with purpose. Do you know what your promised land looks like this year? Don’t let the storms of life dictate your direction. Let the Holyspirit direct your path. Write down what you believe God wants to do in and through you this year.

4) Connection-protector: No matter what happens this year, be committed to staying connected with people who will stir your faith and  the God-given dream within you. The only way a wolf can eat a sheep is by isolating it from the flock. Also make sure you make time to meet with your shepherds, they have been graced to help look after you.

5) Dedicated-discipler: This will always cause you to be selfless, not selfish and will help you to fix your eyes on Jesus. Discipling others is a basic food group in being spiritually healthy. Those who don’t disciple live in disobedience according the Matthew 28. Obedience equals health.

I hope these simple thoughts have helped. This is a new year, a year like no other, a year to see God invade earth like never before.

Much love,

Benaiah

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Filed under Heart, Holyspirit, Intimacy with God, Next generation, purpose