#xp3students

DAY 4 HEAR // In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, God used words to create heaven and earth and everything in it. Only a few chapters later, the devil disguised himself as a snake and used words to bring sin into God’s perfect creation. Words have power. They can create and uplift, or they can destroy and break apart relationships. Be mindful of those whose words are sharp and cutting. Instead, surround yourself with those whose speech is full of love and kindness. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #playingwithfireseries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 3 PRAY // The difficult thing about controlling your tongue is that it can often feel like you’re incapable of doing so. And as James 3:8 tells us, we are incapable of taming the tongue on our own. Instead of “just working harder” to keep your words in check, pray and ask God to help you speak in a manner worthy of the gospel. God is eager to help, all we have to do is ask for it. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #playingwithfireseries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

#playingwithfire begins this morning at 9:50 AM at #MCBC #YLDyouth #DRIVEN #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

EASTER SUNDAY // THE GIFT OF SALVATION Who doesn’t love a good gift? One of the best parts about receiving a gift is that you don’t have to earn it. You can earn awards, rewards, and even praise. But a gift is something someone gives you with no expectation of payment in return. It’s like getting a birthday present from an aunt or grandparent who lives in another state or country. They aren’t even around enough to see whether or not you’ve done something to deserve the gift. They simply gave you the gift because they love you. And that’s exactly what Jesus did. Jesus was beaten, crucified, and killed, but then rose from the dead in order to give the ultimate gift to the world: freedom from sin, which is called salvation (John 3:16). Every Easter Sunday we celebrate what Jesus did for us 2,000 years ago—and that was defeat death, offer hope for the most impossible circumstances, and give life in the situations that feel most dead. We call that salvation. The gift of a life free from sin, free from hopelessness, and free from the chains of a life lived in sin. And like all gifts we didn’t do a thing to earn it. All that’s left for us is to reach out and accept it. Do we believe Jesus is who He says He is? Do we believe God is more powerful than even death itself? Do we believe God has the final word about who we are and who we can be? When we decide to accept God’s free gift by believing that Jesus rose from the dead to save us from our sins, we receive salvation. There are some amazing gifts that we can receive in life, but none will ever compare to the gift of salvation. Salvation provides forgiveness and freedom from all of our sins—past, present, and future (Romans 5:15). What an amazing gift! Have you accepted God’s free gift? If you have, thank God for that gift today. If not, maybe today is the day you accept God’s gift of salvation, which gives you freedom from sin and a fuller life. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

SATURDAY // WHEN THE STORY FEELS OVER Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be a follower of Jesus the day after Jesus’s death on the cross? After all, they had just seen their friend and leader die, the guy they assumed would be a powerful leader. Now, Jesus is dead and His body is in a tomb. Game over, right? No more talking to Jesus, seeing Jesus, or receiving guidance from Him. Maybe you can relate to that feeling. The feeling that God is nowhere to be found. Like you had an expectation for how things would look, and it isn’t happening. Those moments feel like “game over” moments. But that doesn’t mean they are. Believe it or not, even Jesus felt this way. When Jesus was hanging on the cross He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 NIV). In actuality, God didn’t leave Jesus during that difficult moment, it just felt like He did. And feelings are powerful. In that moment on the cross, Jesus felt abandoned. And the day after Jesus was killed, the disciples felt the same way. We know the story didn’t end there—but when it comes to the stories in our own lives, it can feel like it has. On the Saturday of our lives—after the death and before the resurrection—it can be hard to know how things can turn out. It’s okay to stay there awhile—in your disappointment, in your worry, in your fear. The disciples felt that way and Jesus did, too. But their feeling that way didn’t make it true. And we can remember the same thing when we face those same feelings. How we feel doesn’t determine what is true. It’s possible the story isn’t over yet. Don’t let your feelings write the ending. Because there may be more to it. Just like for Jesus. Just like for the disciples. Is there a part of your life where it feels like it’s “game over” for you? Ask God to remind you that—with Him—your story is never over. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

FRIDAY // NO GREATER LOVE When most of us think of love, we think of people who are nice, giving, and consistently willing to serve. And that’s true. Oftentimes, love does look like that. But, there is something different about the love Jesus has for us. Something that makes it so much greater. A common fear most people have in high school (or as adults!) is being humiliated in front of a group of people. No one wants to be the person who gets rejected or suffers public embarrassment. Along those same lines, no one wants to get punished for something they didn’t do. We care a lot about what people think of us. Even our closest friends probably wouldn’t willingly sign up to face these things for you—even if they do care a lot about you. Rejection, embarrassment, and taking the fall for someone else’s mistakes is tough. Which is what makes what Jesus did so amazing. Right after Jesus was arrested and taken away to be crucified, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, rejected Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75). Those who beat Jesus made fun of Him for claiming to be the Son of God, pretending to kneel before Him and tearing off His robe in front of everyone (Mark 15:17-20). Can you imagine? On top of the physical pain there was the public humiliation. Still, Jesus allowed it all to happen. He let them beat, bruise, nail, and hang Him for sins He didn’t even commit (John 19). And He didn’t do a thing to deserve it. He did it with us in mind. To show us how far He was willing to go to make sure we knew how big and lasting and far reaching His love for us is. Jesus was willing to take on the toughest task—death, with humiliation and rejection and loneliness—so that we may have eternal life and victory through Christ. There’s truly no greater love than that. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus was willing to take on humiliation, rejection, and even death on your behalf? What does that tell you about how much He loves and values you? #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 5 HEAR // The key words here are “hear” and “believe.” Salvation is really that easy. If you hear the good news and truly believe, you will be saved! Then, once you’ve been saved, you begin the process of sanctification. Now, sanctification is a crazy word, but it’s really quite simple—it’s the process of looking more like Jesus. You see, Salvation happens in a moment—the moment you put your faith in Jesus. But sanctification is a lifelong journey. Where are you in this process? If you’re a Christian, how are you different today from before you put your faith in Jesus? There’s no right or wrong answer here. Today, take a minute to celebrate the areas of your life you’ve grown thanks to your relationship with Jesus. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 4 PRAY // We’re constantly thinking about, planning for, and protecting our own lives. But Jesus tells us that the secret to saving our lives . . . is losing it? It’s counterintuitive for sure. But the truth is, we will never grow in our faith and relationship with Christ if we refuse to let Him have control over our lives. If we really want to live full, exciting, meaningful lives, then we must “lose” our life by giving it to God. What things in your life are you holding onto with white knuckles? What areas in your life are you afraid to let go of or lose? Today, ask God to give you the courage to hand over those things—and your life—to Him. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)