by Ken Turner | Faith
Image hearing the news that the most notorious person on earth has changed. Or maybe you get a call that someone who has personally caused you all kinds of trouble in life now wants to be your best friend because they have completely changed. Could the biggest criminal, the most notorious drug dealer, the gang leader or the bully in the hallway at school really change? I mean REALLY CHANGE?
Have you heard about a man named Saul in the Bible whose name was changed to Paul? Saul was a notorious murderer of Christians, going house to house capturing men and women and executing them just because they had committed their life to Christ.
One day while walking down the road on the way to a city called Damascus a bright light burst onto the scene and blinded him while the voice of Jesus spoke from “out of nowhere” saying, “Saul, why are you kicking against the pricks?” Jesus literally asked him why he was ignoring the conviction God had placed in his heart and why he was continuing down this life path of wickedness.
Saul fell to his knees and when the voice stopped Saul couldn’t see and he didn’t eat or drink for three straight days. God sent a man named Ananias to talk to him and Saul accepted Jesus as his Savior and became transformed. He was so transformed that his name was changed from Saul to Paul and he is the Paul that ended up writing about half the books of the New Testament.
God is powerful and He can change lives. He can help you do a 180 degree turn and become a completely different person if you will let Him.
“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?” Acts 9:20-21
Here Are the Key Factors of Saul’s 180 Degree Life Change
- He Experienced God’s Voice of Conviction. Don’t ignore what you know is God’s voice. God has a unique way of “pricking our heart” and making us aware that we are living in sin. He tells us that we are wrong, we are headed the wrong way and its time we stop and listen.
- He Stopped and Embraced the Silence. For three days he couldn’t see, eat or drink. He was consumed with nothing but an overwhelming sense of “what now?” When God speaks to you it’s important to stop and listen. Maybe it’s time away from the distractions, sometimes it’s a time of illness, time in the hospital, time after the break up of a friendship or just some change in life that gives us that opportunity to be alone and listen to God. He has a message and you need to have ears wide open to hear it.
- He Recognized the Voice of Truth. God sent a man named Ananias to talk to Saul about who Jesus really is and how Jesus could transform his life. Do you know the difference between the “truth tellers” in your life and those who aren’t? It’s very important to know who to listen to and who to ignore when it comes to decisions that will change your life forever.
- He Committed His Life to a New Purpose. When Saul accepted Jesus into his heart he put 100% of his heart and passion into sharing the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus. He became a preacher and surrounded himself with other disciples of Christ. When God changes your life, He changes your heart and with that should come a commitment to a new life purpose and new friends that align with that purpose.
Read Acts 9:1-22
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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by Ken Turner | Faith
In 2014 there were 24,289,000 youth living in single parent homes in the United States. That’s 35% of all kids in America.
Teens growing up fatherless sometimes have big questions about God. Have you ever struggled with questions like…?
“Does God care less about me and is that the reason I don’t have a dad in my life?”
“Did I do something wrong and is it my fault that dad isn’t around?”
“If my dad is struggling with things like being here for his children, keeping a job or even staying out of trouble… does that mean I’m going to turn out just like him?”
The answers to these questions are all no, no and no!
Have you ever wondered how God feels about the fatherless? I’ve met hundreds of youth who are growing up fatherless. Our High Impact Teen youth outreach focuses intently on the unique needs of fatherless youth and these teens have taught me a great deal.
The Bible says a lot about the fatherless and God makes it clear the although He is not a “respecter of persons”, meaning He doesn’t play favorites… He does have a special place in His heart for the fatherless.
- Exodus 22:22-24, “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child… my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.”
- Job 29:12, “Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.”
- James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Here is what I see in scripture about God’s heart for the fatherless.
- God loves the fatherless.
- God watches out for the fatherless and provides them food and shelter.
- God is protective over the fatherless and watches closely for their well being.
- God listens to the fatherless and is sensitive to their needs.
- God call Christians to have a heart of ministry and compassion for the fatherless.
If you are fatherless, know that God understands and loves you deeply. If you have a great father, know that God loves and cares for you deeply also and He desires that you have a heart of compassion for a friend who may be growing up fatherless. One way to encourage your friend is to share your life with them and ask your dad to be open to including your friend to do special things with your family.
And remember, God is a father to the fatherless. He desires you to have a relationship with Himself… and He will never leave you or forsake you!
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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by Ken Turner | Faith
One of the most frustrating things in all the world is to have to start over! Have you ever spent hours working on a project and realized you messed up and the only answer is to stop and start all over from the beginning?
But guess what? One of the most rewarding things in all the world is to “get to start over.” Sometimes it’s not a burden to start over… it’s actually a blessing. It’s that opportunity to say, “I’ve really blown it and if I could do it all over again, I’d do it differently.” And guess what? You can!
Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches us that we can stop right now and have a new start. A fresh start. A brand new beginning. And that is exciting to think about. Here is the message of Ephesians 4:22-24.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Here are three important steps in starting over with God.
- Put Off the Old Walk of Life.
Be honest with yourself. This is not the time for excuses but the time for real acceptance of your current reality. What is it that you need to “put off” in order to be closer to God than ever before? Call it what God calls it… sin. Confess it to Him and ask for His forgiveness.
- Be Renewed in Your Mind… A new Attitude.
It’s time to accept His forgiveness! Once you have truly taken sin to the Lord and asked for forgiveness… accept that He has forgiven you and ask Him to take away the guilt and feeling of defeat. Ask Him to help you by giving you a new attitude, a new zeal for Him and His word and a renewed joy in living for Him.
- Put On the New Man… A New Walk of Life.
Make a list if specific action steps that will keep you away from the old temptations and defeat. Be serious about this and make a deep heart felt commitment to God that you will follow through relying on Him to give you the strength. Choose a trusted friend and ask that friend to help by holding you accountable and praying for you.
So it may be true that one of the most frustrating things in life is to “have to start over” but it’s also true that one of the most amazing things about God is that when things are terribly wrong in our life He says we “get to start over.”
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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by Ken Turner | Faith
What is your “family story?” Do you have a great family with a solid legacy? Does your family last name carry weight in your community? If so you should thank God for that. But what if it doesn’t? Maybe your family name carries some negative vibes with people in the area. If that is your family story… I have good news for you. It is possible to create a generational shift in your family and it could start with you. The truth is that you can create a generational shift in the family tree for good or bad. Why? Because the Bible says that ultimately every one of us must give an answer for ourselves before God.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
Whether you have a great family or are fatherless or motherless and trying to survive, the reality is that God can take your circumstances and do amazing and mighty things with your life. It may be hard to imagine today but one day you will likely have a family of your own and your children… the next generation of the family tree… could do great things for God based on the direction you choose today. So know that you may be facing challenges but if you choose to “own your own faith” and take personal responsibility for your own spiritual growth, you can experience the wonderful opportunity for God to change things in your family for generations.
In the book, “All Pro Dad” the story is told of two men who made decisions that created a family legacy. Read these two stories carefully and commit yourself now before God that you will be the agent of change in your family tree.
The definition of “legacy” is “something handed down from one who has gone before.”
A man named Jonathan Edwards left a legacy. He attended Yale University at age 13 and eventually became the President of Yale University. At age 20 he wrote a list of “personal resolutions” that he would live by. His resolve was strongest in his commitment to be a good father.
Benjamin Warfield, a Princeton professor researched the descendants of Jonathan Edwards years after his death. He found 1394 descendants. Here is what he found…
13 college presidents, 65 college professors, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 authors, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 pastors, 3 United States Senators, 80 public servants in other capacities including governors and ministers to foreign countries and 1 Vice President.
A man named Max Jukes lived about the same time as Jonathan Edwards. He also left a legacy. Jukes had a serious drinking problem which kept him from holding down a job. It also kept him from showing much concern for his wife and children. Of his 540 known descendants here is what is known…
30 died in poverty, 150 were criminals, 7 were murderers, 100+ were alcoholics, and half of the females were prostitutes.
Remember this… the way you choose to parent will affect your children, your grandchildren and beyond. There is a “five-generation rule” that is illustrated in Edwards and Jukes. Everyone leaves a legacy… with God’s help yours can be life-changing for years to come.
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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by Ken Turner | Faith, Spiritual Growth
As a youth minister Part of my “job” is to have an answer to give when a teenager comes to me with a problem. I’m usually okay with that but one day a few years ago I found myself in a conversation with a very distraught teenage boy and when he asked for advice, I said, “I don’t know what to tell you.” I still remember that moment of total helplessness.
I met Anthony in a juvenile detention center where I was leading a Bible study with a room full of teenage guys. During the Bible study Anthony began to get emotional and eventually his emotions got the best of him. He left, went to his cell and sat on his bed and began to cry. We could hear him crying while we were downstairs in a common area finishing our study. Our study quickly ended and I asked a security guard if I could talk to Anthony and she encouraged me to go up to his room to see if he would want to talk.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, I asked Anthony to tell me what was wrong and if I could help. After several minutes he calmed down enough to talk. He went on to tell me that he has no one and Christmas is coming soon and he feels all alone and scared. He told me how he lost his parents at age two, his 21-year-old sister is addicted to drugs and can’t help him and his grandparents passed away. He looked me in the eye with tears flowing and said, “Don’t you see… I don’t have anyone.” And I said, “I don’t know what to tell you.” Then we both began to shed tears.
Immediately, God reminded me… I am with Anthony. So I said, “Anthony! Wait a minute! You are not alone. Remember a few weeks ago when you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Well He is with you. As a matter of fact, God is with you and you are not alone… you are not fatherless… God is with you now and he will be with you for the rest of your life! This is great news.”
Anthony began to smile as I said we need to pray! The more I prayed for God’s peace and presence in his life the more happy he became. As soon as I said “amen” Anthony looked at me with a huge smile and said, “I feel so much better now, I know God is with me and I know I am not alone.” I heard from from Anthony a few weeks later through a friend. He said, “Tell Ken God is good… He placed me in a great home and I’m doing great now!”
Guess what? If you know Christ as your Savior, He’s with you always. Psalm 139 is a great chapter to read today. There are four key truths God is teaching us in Psalm 139.
- God Knows You – Psalm 139: 1 – O Lord thou has searched me and known me. He knows when you sit down and rise up… He knows everything about you.
- God Is with You – Psalm 139:3-12 – God is behind you and in front of you, has His hand on you, and always covers you with His presence.
- God Made You – Psalm 139:13-18 – He covered you in the womb, He saw you when you were an “unformed substance” and He fashioned all of you.
- God Leads You – Psalm 139:23-24 – Allow Him to search your heart, and reveal any wickedness and know that He promises to “lead you into the way everlasting.”
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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by Ken Turner | Faith
“You will be the same person in five years you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Charlie Jones, author of Life Is Tremendous.
So, if reading can change a person so dramatically… imagine how much more enriched our life would be if we read the Bible… the most powerful book ever written?
So here’s my challenge to you… begin to read with a desire to grow! This is different than reading out of obligation to complete an assignment. And make reading the Bible a top priority.
Here Are 9 Benefits of Reading The Bible From Psalm 119
- Victory Over Sin In Your Life
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Verse 11
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. Verse 29
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. Verse 101
- Cleansing From Sin
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Verse 9
- More Joy
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. Verse 14
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Verse 16
- Wisdom and Direction
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Verse 18
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. Verse 24
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law… I shall observe it with my whole heart. Verse 34. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Verse 99
- You Will Be Revived… Rejuvenated
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. Verse 159
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Verse 107
- Renewed Strength
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Verse 117
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Verse 28
- You Will Experience Liberty and Freedom
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Verse 45
- Less Shame and Embarrassment
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. Verse 46
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. Verse 80
- Comfort in Affliction
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. Verse 50
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Verse 153
I was impressed the first time I read David’s plea in Psalm 51:10. It tells me that he sometimes came face to face with his own inadequacies and his own lack of desire to really change and grow. If you have lost the desire… the real hunger and thirst to know God more… why not pause right now and ask Him to renew a spirit of hunger and thirst for Him?
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Ken Turner
Learn more at https://kenturnerministries.org/walking-with-god/
Email me at kenturner@highimpactteens.org
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