Monthly Archives: January 2010

Street Cred Christianity

By Bobby Blakey on January 22, 2010

Street Cred 2

Hypocrites.

This is what the world thinks of us.

They think that we say one thing, but then do another. To many unbelievers, this is the main thing turning them away from Christianity.

But this is the opposite of how Scripture says we should be. Our good lives should be making the gospel look attractive!

1 Peter 2:12

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)

– Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

We need Christians who have street cred. With so much hypocrisy in the world today, one legit disciple will truly stand out! You and I can show the people around us that God is real because he has radically changed our lives. They may even want to join us in worshiping him!

So what’s the word on the street about you? Do people see you as a fake or as the real deal? You could be the person that God uses to prove Christianity to someone who is skeptical. They won’t be able to write it off because you have established credibility in their eyes. Especially on the high school campus, this kind of street cred can open up doors. This weekend we are starting a new series at True North so don’t miss it. I pray God will use this teaching to challenge all of us. Let’s live without hypocrisy and represent Christ all over Orange County!

Give me a holla True North if you are with me!

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Better Than Twilight?

By Bobby Blakey on January 21, 2010

twilightbook Now that I have your attention, let me tell you about the book of 1 Samuel. If you think vampire romance and shirtless werewolves are exciting, try a witch who talks to dead people and a teenager who kills a giant. There is even a boy who hears the voice of God. And here’s the kicker about 1 Samuel…it’s all true. This is the kind of book high schoolers need to be reading.

I have always thought that 1 Samuel reads like a good novel. It is the story of a nation that wants to have a king like everyone else. But the real story is God raising up a king after his own heart. Eventually the people’s king is rejected and God reveals the kind of king he is seeking:

1 Samuel 13:14

14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” (ESV)

– But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be a prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.

Over the next 15 days, we’ll be reading through 1 Samuel. It will set us up perfectly for Revival: Winter Edition where we will study the teenage life of David in chapters 16, 17 & 18. Anyone who reads all fifteen chapters will receive a special prize upon their arrival at camp. I definitely hope you are going up the mountain with us to learn from the example of this godly young man. (For more info about Revival: Winter Edition or to sign up click here!)

Even now God is seeking teenagers whose hearts are after his. He chose David to be king. What will he choose to do with you? Let’s keep our hearts chasing after him by reading through the book of 1 Samuel together! Who is with me? Just click here to go to SOTD!

(Last night, after a long day here at the church, I was tired and ready to sleep. That is, until my son Tyler ran into my room with his hands in the air and said, “Hey Dad! Want to read me an AWESOME Bible story?” This totally made my night and we had a great time reading the Bible together. If you want an awesome Bible story, I recommend 1 Samuel wholeheartedly to you. Even Tyler knows this is where it is at…sorry vampires…)

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End Times Encouragement

By Bobby Blakey on January 20, 2010

At True North, one of our favorite words to say is MARANATHA. It means, “Come, O Lord!” And the encouraging news is that Jesus is coming. Soon. And this is news that needs to be used.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

The Coming of the Lord

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (ESV)

, Paul explains how the rapture is going to happen when Jesus comes to get his people. All of those who have died in Christ will rise. Then we who are still alive will meet our Lord in the air. We will get to see Jesus for the first time and we will be with him forever. Then Paul says this:

1 Thessalonians 4:18

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV)

– Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The fact that Jesus could come back at any moment is something we should use to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to help them keep their lives ready for his return and not get caught up in worldly things. Many Christians are ready to give up and stop standing. We need to let them know that the finish line might be closer than they think and they should keep running toward their eternal reward.

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)

– And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

This is a classic Bible passage on encouragement, but what we often overlook is that we should do this even more as we see the return of Jesus coming. The Day with a capital “D’ is almost upon us. It is clear that we are living in the end times. Sin is on the rise. There are wars and natural disasters. Therefore, we should be stepping it up in our personal encouragement of other Christians.

Hebrews 3:13

13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (ESV)

– But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Who do you encourage on a daily basis so that they will be ready? Who are you going to remind today that the end is near and Jesus could be here at any moment? The fact that the deadline is always coming should keep us from being lazy or apathetic in our spiritual lives. We should live like today could be the day and ask each other, “Are you ready?”

Now is the time to encourage another Christian that you know. Who knows? Tomorrow may be too late!

(I wrote this blog to encourage you to live today like Jesus is coming back, because he is and we don’t know when. I hope you will pass this encouraging thought on to someone else. Leave a comment and let me know if you will!)

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PRAY FOR REVIVAL

By Bobby Blakey on January 15, 2010

revivalrunners When I tell people that last summer we took six buses of students on an all-night ride to New Mexico, they look at me like I’m crazy.

I look at them like it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever been a part of.

In fact, most people don’t understand why an adult like me would be so excited about spending that much time with high school students. They seem downright shocked when I tell them our camp was my favorite week of 2009.

Now, in 2010 we’ve scheduled our winter camp for the same weekend of my 30th birthday. To be honest, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. I thrive on the energy of youth. I love to connect with them as individuals. I live to see teens revived in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Every time we go away for one of our Revival camps students get saved. The worship gets louder. Everyone seems eager to get into the Bible. There is a sense of heightened excitement and raised awareness that God is among us! I always come away having seen his glory in how he has worked in our hearts and answered our prayers.

Which brings me to the point of this blog: PRAY FOR REVIVAL!

Romans 10:1

10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (ESV)

– Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

I wonder who the students are who will get on the buses and come away with us to the snow, only to come back completely changed people because they are new creations in Jesus Christ! This makes me want to pray every day for those God will save! I am convinced we will see new conversions in 2010 if we will only ask God for them!

And the exciting thing is I know this is what God’s wants too. When we pray to God, asking him to save people from their sins, this is the type of prayer he will answer.

1 Timothy 2:4

4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (ESV)

says God desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (ESV)

says God doesn’t wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Our God is a good God who loves to draw people to himself. This is something we can ask for with confidence in Jesus’ name.

So, please join me in getting down on our knees. Let’s make sure that God hears from us how much we love it when he saves people for his glory and their good. He has done a great work in the past Revivals and I can’t wait to see what he does among us in a few weeks at Revival: Winter Edition.

Just don’t tell other adults how much I am looking forward to it…they’ll think I’m crazy!

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A Gem of a Chapter

By Ben Blakey on January 13, 2010

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Heirs with Christ

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)

is one of your favorite chapters in the Bible, you are not alone; some great preachers and theologians feel the same way. Dwight L. Moody once said, “I would rather live in the center of

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

Heirs with Christ

Future Glory

God’s Everlasting Love

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

than in the center of the garden of Eden.” John Piper called this chapter “the most precious passage of the Bible to me.” A.W. Tozer compared the book of Romans to a beautiful ring, with

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

Heirs with Christ

Future Glory

God’s Everlasting Love

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

being the jewel set in the ring and

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)

being the sparkle of that jewel!

Why do so many famous Bible scholars love this chapter so much? If we were to go slowly through this chapter and examine all the reasons for this affection for

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

Heirs with Christ

Future Glory

God’s Everlasting Love

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

, this post would cease to be a blog and become a book. So let’s just look at one verse.

“He who did not spare his own Son
but gave him up for us all
how will he not also graciously give us all things.”

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (ESV)

In order to make his readers look more confidently to the future, Paul takes a quick glance back to the past in this verse by reminding them that God did not spare his own Son. That is not a thought to be passed over quickly! God allowed his one and only Son to be arrested, beaten, brutalized, and ultimately murdered, and more than that, God poured out his wrath upon him. Nothing could be harder for God than this!

Remember the point of this verse is looking to the future. Paul is trying to make this point: If God has already done the hardest thing for you, everything else that comes up in your life will be so easy compared to that. If the Father did not spare his Son, how is not also going to provide for you? How is he not also going to be with you in persecution? How is he not going to make you more like Christ? And finally, how is he not going to keep you safe until you are with him in glory?

This verse is but one of many promises and truths in this amazing chapter. So if

Romans 8

Life in the Spirit

Heirs with Christ

Future Glory

God’s Everlasting Love

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

is not one of your favorite chapters in the Bible, read SOTD again and try and keep track of all the amazing statements about what God has done for his children and what he will do!

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The Godliness Goal

By Christa Blakey on January 7, 2010

christa All week I’ve been asking people what their New Year goals are. Most of them say, “Read through the Bible.” And many of them also have another goal, like being on time or watching less TV. By far the most popular goals have to do with the physical body—weight gain or loss, eating healthier, working out everyday. I noticed that some girls will say, almost in passing, “Read through the Bible” and then go on for 10 minutes about their plan to lose 15 pounds by summer. I wish we felt as compelled to trim the “flab” we have being undisciplined in spiritual things.

“For while bodily training is of some value,
godliness is of value in every way,
as it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:8

8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (ESV)

This verse makes an important distinction. It says that bodily training is worth something. So we know that taking care of our body and taking steps to be healthier is fine. But training yourself for godliness has superior value, it has worth in everything!

The words “bodily training” brings to mind Olympic athletes because they are the epitome of training for years to reach their goal of bringing home medals. They aren’t just trying to drop 15 to look better at the beach this summer. They are focused, uncompromising in beating their body to make sure it will be fit to dominate at their sport.

Godliness means, “conforming to the laws of God.” What if we had resolve, focus and didn’t compromise in training ourselves to obey God’s laws! Wow, that would be incredible! Our goal isn’t a gold medal, our goal is Christ! We should be way more intense and uncompromising in disciplining ourselves in spiritual things. No wonder he says it has value that lasts through the life to come!

What do you value more, how you appear to people or obeying God?

Maybe your New Year goal is to read the Bible cover-to-cover this year. That’s a great plan! What is something else you could add to that to train yourself to not just intake God’s Word, but to obey the commands he gives you there? Leave a comment and let us know how you are going to take your New Years goal to the next level!

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One Thing to Think About in 2010

By Ben Blakey on January 4, 2010

onething If there is ever a time of year where there are many things to think about, it is most definitely right now. Even before the happenings of 2009 have finished bouncing around in our brain, 2010 is here with its own plethora of things to ponder. People are asking, “What am I going to resolve to do in the New Year?” Businesses are planning, “How are we going to use our money in 2010?” Seniors in high school are wondering, “What is it going to be like when I graduate and begin a whole new stage of my life?” Truly, there is plenty to think about.

But in the midst of “many things” at the beginning of 2010, there is “one thing” that we should commit to thinking about before anything else. Check out what David said thousands of years ago:

“One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.”

Psalm 27:4

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple. (ESV)

If anybody had many things to think about, it was David. Before he was king, he had to plan how he was going to avoid Saul, the first King of Israel whose mission in life was to make sure David was not alive to become the second King of Israel. After David survived that and became king, he had to think not only for himself, but for a whole nation! But in the middle of all of that, the one thing David wanted was to be with the Lord and behold the beauty of the Lord.

Everyone has many “things” to think about as the New Year gets rolling, but are you committed to seeking the “one thing” like David was? Before anything else, is your heart set of loving God more and getting a greater focus on his beauty in 2010? Will this priority show itself when you are fighting for time to spend with the Lord even when life gets busy with school, church, activities, and other events?

Do not let the one thing that is most important get buried and drowned under the many things that 2010 will bring.

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Top 10 Reasons 2010 Will Be Golden!

By Bobby Blakey on January 1, 2010

#10 – Oreo Cookies

1 Peter 2:2

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— (ESV)

– Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk…

In 2009, I found one of my favorite things to do in life: throw Oreo Cookies at high schoolers who are reading their Bibles. I hope to do a lot more of that in 2010, that’s one of the reasons we made this website.

#9 – Maranatha!!!

Revelation 22:20

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (ESV)

– He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

Every day of 2010 is one day closer to seeing my Lord Jesus Christ! I need to live ready to meet him in the air because hopefully I will!

08-teaching

#8 – Street Cred Christianity

1 Peter 2:12

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)

– Keep your conduct honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

This year we are teaching through 1 Peter at True North. Our next series is called Street Cred Christianity. My prayer is our students will be known on their campuses for not being hypocrites.

#7 – Revival

– The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart…

Revival: Winter Edition is just over a month away and I could not be more excited about it. This verse is a little hint as to what it is about.

And then, this summer Revival X is coming…and I can’t wait to tell you where it is… when the time is right…

#6 – Compass Bible Church

Matthew 16:18

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV)

– And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I love my church! It is a privilege to serve God’s people there and I love following the leadership of Pastor Mike and Pastor Pete. Easter at the Bren Center is an exciting next step of Ambitious Faith!

#5 – Pastor Ben

2 Timothy 2:2

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (ESV)

– And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

It is a great joy for me to tag-team True North with my younger bro. I’m stoked to see him grow this next year and can’t wait to make our next music video!

#4 – Christa, Tyler & Emma

Psalm 128:3-4

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord. (ESV)

– Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

Not only do I love serving at Compass, but also I love coming home to my family. Christa and I could not be more like-minded and excited about what God is doing in our lives. She is truly a partner with me in the ministry! It is so fun to watch our kids grow, but most importantly I pray that God will save them when the time is right!

#3 – Churchforhighschoolers.com

1 Corinthians 9:22-23

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (ESV)

– …I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

I love working on websites with my friend Brad Smith! I’m hoping this one will be a daily destination for high school students where they can read the Scripture of the Day, listen to sermons and get connected to God and each other through blogs. My prayer is that other people will even come to this site and see what God is doing among us at True North to the praise of his glory!

#2 – Senior Class of 2010

Psalm 24:6

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah (ESV)

– Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob!

This is the fourth year of True North and so we are graduating the first class that has gone all the way through! It is a large group of students and many of them have set themselves to follow after God well into the future. I am eager to see how they will lead in their last semester.

01-photona

#1 – Unsaved High School Students

Romans 10:14

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (ESV)

- …And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?

Every year there are students who join us. Whether it is at Revival or just a regular Sunday morning service at True North, the truth of God’s Word pierces their hearts and they are radically transformed! Who knows who will be the next student who will walk through the doors and get saved? It could be this weekend! Keep praying for REVIVAL!

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