Turning Your Life Upsidedown: Ideas to Keep Fanning the Flames that Started at Youth Congress and Camp

If you went to Youth Camp or Congress this year, then there is no doubt that you experienced some amazing Spiritual breakthroughs. And when I say "Spiritual Breakthroughs," I mean that you feel as if you've reached a new point in your walk with God, and you have been challenged to do greater things for the Kingdom. At these meetings a flame within you was kindled. We need to make sure that we tend to those Spiritual fires that were stirred up during the summer so that they continue to burn and grow larger. Here are a few Biblical principles that will ensure that you not only maintain what you gained at the conferences, but will also continue to grow and mature in God's Spirit, and will become better equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead.

#1 Develop Your "Prayer Life" into a "Life of Prayer"

This is not just word play. This is a call to dedicated prayer. If you do not have a regular pattern of praying, now is a great time to start. It is very easy to begin working on; and greatly rewarding.

Tips to Begin Your "Life of Prayer"

• Decide that you will make time to meet with God at least once a day. This can increase as you mature, and become more accustomed to praying. 
• Have a mental (or written) goal of how long you think you can pray, and try to meet it. It's okay to start with a low number and then work your way up. As you meet your goals, you will feel accomplished in your efforts. 
• Make a prayer list. Things to pray for can include: personal edification, your local church, your pastor, your youth group, the unsaved in your city/state, unsaved relatives/friends...there is much to pray for if you give it thought. 
• As you pray for specific needs, watch and see God answer your prayers. Don't forget to give Him the praise!
• Don't forget that praying is part of being Apostolic! "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)."
• There is much, much more than can go into this section. If you want more information and help on how to pray, be sure to visit the U.P.C.I.'s website dedicated to prayer. It will be a great asset to you.                                  World Network of Prayer <- Webite link

#2 Read and Study Your Bible

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15)." Don't just read your Bible to meet a quota or to say, "I read my Bible today." Try to really learn and see what God is trying to tell you through His Word. As you read the Bible, you will learn more about Who God is, and what He asks of us as His followers.

Bible Reading Tips and Suggestions

• Start your day with scripture reading. This will begin your day with positive and Godly thoughts.
• Take notes of things you find interesting while reading the Bible.
• When you find a portion of scripture you do not fully comprehend, pray and ask God to help you understand. Jesus gave the disciples understanding of the scriptures, "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45)." I believe He will do the same for us!
• Remember that the Bible is God's Word! We should base our lives around the principles that the Bible instructs. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17)."
  
  
  
  #3 Other Tips and Suggestions

• Help in every way you can around your local church! Even it's just cleaning up the trash you see on the floor. God see's all we do. He will reward us openly for what we do in secret (Matt. 6:4).
• Fasting will help you maintain sensitivity to God. Also, you can fast more than just food. Try withholding from social networking or other forms of entertainment as you seek to draw closer to God.
• Encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord! Discuss how God has blessed you recently, share prayer request... "Drama" and bad attitudes are not usually stirred when Jesus is in the middle of a conversation.
• Be obedient and respectful to your leaders. They're watching over your soul. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Hebrews 13:7)."

Here are a few websites that are helpful to young Apostolics. 

General Youth Division- More info on Apostolic Youth Corp and Bible Quizzing there. 

InsideOut Online Magazine - Helpful articles on Christian living for young Apostolics.

Thank you for reading, God bless. 

Let's go and turn our world 

UPSIDEDOWN!

-Steven Russell-