CCY Connect MARCH 2024 EDITION

BY KYLE MEEKS | CCY SHEPHERD

I am excited about the study our small group is going through! It is a course on spiritual formation. One of the issues that it has brought us is the idea of moralism. The question comes up in how do we respond to our spiritual guilt? When we sin and are convicted, what do we do with that? One temptation is moralism or working harder in our own lives to be moral. But have you tried that? I have, and it failed. I think this is a temptation that new Christians and more seasoned Christians can fall into at times.

I recall a quote from the series by Dallas Willard that says

"The Christian life is what you do when you finally realize you can do nothing."

Let that sink in. We cannot do what only Christ can. Working harder ourselves doesn't lead us into salvation.

I am reminded of Romans 7. I encourage you to read it, Romans 7:7-25. Paul shows that we often do the things we do not want to do even when we know better. We want to do good things and often can't bring ourselves to do them. Verses 22-25 are key here. We are at war internally. We cannot win this war on our own. Paul says in verse 24 "What a wretched man I am!" I think we have all felt that at times. Then in verses 24 -25, he says who will rescue me, thanks be to God Jesus Christ our Lord. We can't rescue ourselves! That's why we will continue to give all glory to Christ because he is the one who can rescue us.

Sometimes when we see our sin and feel the conviction, it opens a door for us to call out to God. That door is often harder to go through than simply saying I will do better tomorrow. We must be open to being honest with God, as Paul was, that we are wretched. When God convicts us, it gives us an opportunity to realize our continual need for Christ and to be open to the fullness of grace that is only found at the cross.

This passage then leads into Romans 8:1

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Jesus has overcome! I pray that we will spend a moment to reflect on the fullness of grace that only Jesus can provide.

As I am writing this article, one of my children is preparing to leave on a baseball trip to Florida for Spring Break. This will be an opportunity for him to stretch those wings, do something he loves, and stand on his own feet without Mom and Dad standing over him making decisions for him. Before he leaves, we will help with preparation by making packing lists, buying any toiletries and snacks he might need, provide emergency contact information – all the things. One of the last things we will do is “have the talk”.

This talk has become a legacy conversation in our family. Growing up, whenever I went somewhere without my parents, my Mama would always say “Remember who you are! You don’t only represent yourself, but you represent your parents, aunt, grandparents – your family. Be the person away from us that we taught you to be with us. Walk with integrity and always listen to that small voice inside of you.” In other words, walk the walk of your faith, your upbringing. My parents said this to us so many times that we would attempt to circumvent the talk and tell them, “I know…I will remember who I am!”

How things do not change. Now, my boys say the same thing to me, “I know mom, remember who I am”. It reminds me what God whispers in my ears at different times in my life – “Remember who you are, Christian. Remember who you are, Child of God. Remember who you are, Overcomer. Remember who you are, Beloved.” Yes indeed, remember who you are. But also remember WHOSE you are. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are holy temples of the Holy Spirit who is in us. Paul then says,

“…you are not your own; you were bought at a price.” I Corinthians 6:19-20

As we approach Easter, may we always remember the price Jesus paid for us, corporately and individually. That He paid my ransom for my sin. That He paid your ransom for your sin. That He paid our ransom so that we would not be condemned to an eternity of suffering, but a life everlasting with Him.

That is Good News! Glory Be To God!

Faith, Family, and the Foundations of Legacy

BY BILL DENISON | CCY MEMBER

A few weeks ago Donna and I were headed back from College Station through an aged agricultural countryside. It was cold and overcast outside and the gray day made the landscape look even older. I was curious about the remnants of the deteriorating homes, abandoned equipment and buildings and even the broken fences that framed the properties. I wondered about the people and families that were a part of the history. What were the hopes and dreams that went into building what is now, in many cases, abandoned and forgotten?

In many cultures a family home has been part of a legacy. A legacy of growing up together, of caring for family and friends, in some cases, over several generations. The pieces of property owned provided a means of families to be able to support and sustain themselves. It also represented unity, solidarity, faith and was a sign of a strong Christian family. Today, with the growing urban lifestyles, and the temptations and influences we are exposed to, these past examples are also becoming ruins. Makes a person wonder, what the legacies being left for future generations will look like.

The week following our trip, Clay’s message left me with the thought that today, our legacies need to be based on a strong, engaged, family. Engaged in faith in God and Jesus Christ, and a part of a strong church based on that faith.

In John 17:24 Christ prayed for his people.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

While many of us have seen or been a part of strong, multi-generational homes that have made up family histories, my hope is that, even with the changes we find ourselves experiencing, we are able to reach out to one another, draw close to one another, support one another, strengthen our family units and develop the means of leaving a strong Christian legacy.

BY TORI LAMBERT | CCY CHILDREN'S DIRECTOR

So, you know how some people choose a word for the year? Well, I never really did that, but this year, a word chose me – and that word is "legacy." With the start of the new year and some close calls with my Grandpa's health, I couldn't help but think about the legacy he's leaving behind.

Thankfully, through lots of prayers and an amazing medical team, Grandpa is back home and getting better every day. But that word "legacy" just won't leave me alone. I've been pondering on the kind of legacy my Grandpa is building – a legacy of love for God, for each other, and for our country.

As we approach Easter, I started thinking about the legacy Jesus left for us. When Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross, he left us with so much – the ultimate example of how to live our lives. His wise words are scattered throughout the New Testament, and he even assures us in Matthew 24:35 that

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Remember when Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness? He said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4). Jesus left us with his words and God's words as a guide for our lives.

Different seasons bring different challenges, and I've found that various scriptures speak louder during different times. But one thing I know for sure is that there are words for every situation we face each day.

As we dive into this season of reflecting on Christ's life and the sacrifice made for us, I encourage you to think about the scriptures that are speaking to your heart. What words are guiding you through this season of life?