Splash Lagoon – Additional Info.

In addition to our Harvest medical for, Splash Lagoon requires that all students bring a signed copy of their medical form. You can download that form here. Let us know if you have any questions.

If you are coming, we need a definite by tonight at Crave along with a deposit so we can finalize transportation and meal plans.

We plan on leaving the church at 9:30am and returning no later than 9:00pm. Students should pack a lunch and bring $15 for dinner along with any other spending they would like to do (i.e. snack bar, locker rental, etc.) Feel free to contact us with any questions.

 

 

Crave Blog: the Temptation of Jesus

This past Monday at Crave, we examined Matthew 4:1-11. Before Jesus began his public ministry, He went into the wilderness to fast, pray, and be tempted by the Devil. Satan presented Jesus with 3 temptations and frequently tried twisting Scripture to manipulate and entice Jesus. Jesus was unmoved because He knew Scripture and refuted Satan’s lies with truth. I would encourage you to read this passage if you missed this past week.

Knowing that Jesus faced and resisted temptation in every way reveals that we worship a God that is much closer than we realize. He not only cares, but He can identify with our struggle. Hebrews 4 tells us:

“14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 

I know that many people get frustrated when trying to follow God because old habits seem impossible to break. I would dare say that our human will is not enough for us to change. We need to be transformed by the power of God’s Spirit which is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). If you’re struggling with a sin that seems impossible for you to overcome, I would encourage you to do the following:

1. Confess your weakness.
2. Believe that Jesus is sympathetic and the Cross is sufficient to break the power of sin.
3. Find another Christian to encourage and pray for you.

Please know that your small group leaders and I are here to serve you. Let us know how we can encourage and help you follow Jesus.

Crave blog: God’s Sovereign Hand

Last night at Crave we continued our series in Matthew, finishing up at the end of chapter 2. In this section, we saw God’s hand at work in the early details of the life of Jesus. In a dream, God told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt in order to protect Jesus from Herod (he wanted to destroy Jesus). Outraged, Herod had all of the male children under the age of two slaughtered. Later when Herod had died, Joseph took his family to the district of Galilee, the city called Nazareth.

In this passage we saw God fulfill 3 prophecies made about Jesus long before He was born:

• Verse 15 references Hosea 11:1 which states, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
• Verse 18 quotes Jeremiah 31:15 which foretells the slaughter of the children of Israel.
• Verse 23 sees the fulfillment of Jesus being called a Nazarene.

Matthew shows us that God not only knew what was going to happen, but He made plans to make sure His will was carried out.

Sometimes when things don’t go our way, we tend to feel that God is either surprised by our circumstances or powerless to handle things on our behalf. During this Christmas season, let us remember how sovereign and good our God is. Ephesians 1 assures us that God is just as active now in the lives of His adopted children as He was in the early life of Jesus. Remember to celebrate that this year.