Dear Society,

I need to get some things off my chest. I’ve been holding this in for some time now because I didn’t want to be the one to have to tell you this. But I’ll be bold. I’ll be the one to start this conversation. I’m going to have to call you out cause this is really getting ridiculous. CUT IT OUT!  SHUT UP!!
I’m so sick of the lies that you’ve been feeding us. Explain the point to me, please, why there needs to be a half naked person in an add about life insurance? How many articles about “How to Keep Your Girl” or “Is He REALLY that into You” do we need? My question is, what qualifications do you have to tell me anything? Who do you think you are? How dare you try to tell me what I’m supposed to look like. How dare you attempt to convince me that I have to change myself for you. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!

I wasn’t created in your image, thankfully. (Genesis 1:27)
You didn’t knit me in my mothers womb. (Psalm 139:13)
You would never die for me. (John 3:16)

So SHUT UP already!! Stop trying to play me cause I’m too smart for you. You clearly don’t know a good thing when you see it. You don’t appreciate me and you are sooo overrated. This is the first of many letter’s. Someone has to tell you about yourself and if they’re too scared to, I will.

My deepest sympathy,
Persona Non Grata

The post Dear Society: Shut Up! appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Here at IMPAC, we’re tired of the world thinking Christian Music is corny. #MusicMonday is all about bringing great music, with a Goldy message, to our generation. Feel free to send us links to some of your favorite music in the comment section below. Enjoy!

The post #MusicMondays: Skrip – When The Beat Drop appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

First of all, we are called to believe the bible completely. Yes men wrote the bible but they were led by the holy spirit to write each word they wrote (“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”-2Tim 3:16-17). I find it hard to believe that several different men, in different time periods could write one complete, harmonious book that doesn’t contradicts itself without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Imagine you and a group of people you may not know from different time periods trying to write one paper without communication from one another, it would be hard and one big mess so thank God for His awesome guiding power.

Anyways in looking on instagram, I strolled onto the following post and it lead me to Galatians 5:

The entire chapter is really great but I want to highlight a couple of verses.

5 So stand strong for our freedom! The Anointed One freed us so we wouldn’t spend one more day under the yoke of slavery, trapped under the law. (Voice)

As my pastor always preaches, people don’t like surrendering their lives to Christ because they see Jesus as a “crutch” but what some people don’t realize is by surrendering to Jesus, you are actually being set free. There is a freedom like no other. When you are not set free by Jesus, you are enslaved by the devil. Now you may say “no, not I!” but if you are not being led by the Holy Spirit, you are being led by the devil who will use you as a puppet.
Now others will say they are not being led by the devil and he doesn’t guide their every step but if you are not being guided by the Holy Spirit, you are being guided by the flesh and what does the flesh wants us to do?

19 It’s clear that our flesh entices us into practicing some of its most heinous acts: participating in corrupt sexual relationships, impurity, unbridled lust, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, arguing, jealousy, anger, selfishness, contentiousness, division, 21 envy of others’ good fortune, drunkenness, drunken revelry, and other shameful vices that plague humankind. I told you this clearly before, and I only tell you again so there is no room for confusion: those who give in to these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Voice)

So you can say that the devil isn’t leading you but when the flesh is leading you, you are being led to a path of destruction—the path the devil wants you to go on all the way to hell. It is very clear in this passage that this way (your way) will lead you NOT to heaven but to hell. It seems harsh but this is the reality of things: you are going to end up in two places, hell or heaven. What you do right now and how you live your life will determine where you go. There is NO in-between!

So what now? How do you not give into your flesh?

16 Here’s my instruction: walk in the Spirit, and let the Spirit bring order to your life. If you do, you will never give in to your selfish and sinful cravings. 17 For everything the flesh desires goes against the Spirit, and everything the Spirit desires goes against the flesh. There is a constant battle raging between them that prevents you from doing the good you want to do. (Voice)

The amazing thing about Jesus is that He already has won the victory for us by dying on the cross for our sins. This means that we already have the victory; we just have to claim and believe it. We have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to not give into our flesh and sinful cravings—we do NOT have to sin. We do not have to come into submission of our flesh. As verse 1 says, we have been freed from that! So walk in your freedom and walk in the Spirit (verse 16)

What does that look like?

24 Those of us who belong to the Anointed One have crucified our old lives and put to death the flesh and all the lusts and desires that plague us. (Voice)
As Paul says, I die daily (1Cor 15:31), we must die daily. From the moment we wake up, we have to surrender our flesh and lives to Jesus. We have to make that decision to live for Christ not only for that moment but also for every single day of our lives.

Here are some practical steps to do that:

1. Renew your mind

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” –Romans 12:2

This means our thinking has to be that of the Lord’s. We can’t allow our thoughts of the flesh or of negativity be in our minds. As soon as they come in, dismiss them! They don’t belong in your mind. Instead, let your minds be full of the Word. Read the Word, think (meditate) on the Word, speak the Word and live the Word.

2. Do not tiptoe around sin

8 I know for certain the pressure isn’t coming from God. He keeps calling you to the truth. 9 You know what they say, “Just a little yeast causes all the dough to rise,” so even the slightest detour from the truth will take you to a destination you do not desire. (Voice)

Do you remember when you were a little kid and your parents told you not to go somewhere or do something and you tried to tiptoe so they couldn’t hear you? What happened? You would get caught most of the time. When you tiptoe around sin, you get caught in it. It’s like playing with fire. If you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.

3. Do NOT open doors to sin

This means do not open doors of opportunity to sin. You know how you do it. You text that boy and invite him over although you know maybe it isn’t the best idea because your parents aren’t going to be home. You may not have the intention to do anything, but because you opened the door for your flesh to run free, it runs wild. Another example is when you know you shouldn’t go to a party because you’re going to probably end up drinking or smoking but you do it anyways. You are opening the doors for temptation and for opportunities to sin. Why make it harder for you to not sin by opening those doors? Close it before you even open it.

4. Shut it down!

If you already have doors that you have opened from before, shut it down! If you know your family is going to want you to drink at a party, say no from the beginning. Don’t say “maybe later” or “not now” but say “no, I do not want any alcohol so please don’t ask me again” and say no every time. If you are consistent with your no’s, they will eventually stop asking you. It’s ok to say no. True friends and family members will respect your decision.

 
5. Have accountability

Find a strong accountability partner. One who will be honest and tough on you. One who knows the Word of God and one who will call you out when you are not acting right. Find someone who you trust/be transparent with and you can call at 3am if you need to. You should be able to be comfortable with this person to tell them when you are struggling with things you don’t want to share with people and when you need prayer. This person will help lead you closer to God when you go astray and wants the best for you. This person is not a “yes (wo)man” and will tell you what you don’t want to hear and when you need to hear it. This person is crucial to your walk but will only be useful if you utilize them to the best of their ability.

6. Surround yourself with people who will lead you to God and not away.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
It is much easier to live right for Christ when you are surrounded by people who want to live right for Christ too. They will be there to encourage and motivate you. They will help you out, show you the way and let you know that you are not in this thing alone. You can live for Christ and overcome sin like they have.

7. Remind yourself that the Holy Spirit dwells in you.
The same way you wouldn’t curse around the Pastor or your grandparents is the same way you need to be with the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit is in you (1Cor 6:19), He is always there when you sin. You can’t hide from Him so because you can’t, when you sin, you are sinning in His presence. If you wouldn’t disrespect your Pastor or grandparents, how much more shouldn’t you disrespect the One that dwells within you?

22 The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this. 24 Those of us who belong to the Anointed One have crucified our old lives and put to death the flesh and all the lusts and desires that plague us. (Voice)

8. Be transparent
We all fall and struggle. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not be afraid to be honest with yourself and others. I am not saying you need to shout it out to the world whenever you fall but it’s ok to seek guidance and wisdom from Godly men and women. It’s ok to be transparent with those you trust and not judge each other. We have to stop acting “holier than thou” and throwing stones at others. We all live in glass houses, if you throw rocks, rocks will be thrown back.
Most importantly, it’s ok to be transparent with yourself. Only you know your innermost struggles and weaknesses and if you’re not sure, ask God to reveal them to you. Recognize the areas you need help in and seek God to help you in those areas. My pastor once said, “The mind is the armory in which you build your weapons of defeat or victory”. It all begins in your mind: recognize, admit, seek God and conquer those struggles and weaknesses.

9. Walk in your freedom!
Once you make that conscious decision to live for God and not to compromise, walk in that freedom! You don’t have to be tied down by your struggles, doubts, depressions, people etc.

3 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b]

What’s the point?

We were not called to this earth to live a life of our own. We were called to fulfill the great commission of preaching the Gospel to one another and to love others. We are called to be the light unto this world so lets die daily to our flesh, surrender our wills use that freedom to walk with God so we can do what He called us to do. It will make the world a better place!

25 Now since we have chosen to walk with the Spirit, let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit. 26 This will happen when we set aside our self-interests and work together to create true community instead of a culture consumed by provocation, pride, and envy. (Voice)

What are you going to do with your freedom?

The post Freedom appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Here at IMPAC, we’re tired of the world thinking Christian Music is corny. #MusicMonday is all about bringing great music, with a Goldy message, to our generation. Feel free to send us links to some of your favorite music in the comment section below. Enjoy!

The post #MusicMondays: Thi’sl – Ring The Alarm (Oh Lord) appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Here at IMPAC, we’re tired of the world thinking Christian Music is corny. #MusicMonday is all about bringing great music, with a Goldy message, to our generation. Feel free to send us links to some of your favorite music in the comment section below. Enjoy!

The post #MusicMondays: Jay Minor – NineTwo appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Check out Lecrae’s newest Album Anomaly. Lecrae is really setting the bar in the industry for Christian Rappers with his record breaking numbers, publicity and artist features. This album was #1 on the Billboard’s Top 200, you can read more about it here. Support Godly music, and buy your copy here.

Tracklist:

1. Outsiders
2. Welcome to America
3. Say I Won’t (Ft. Andy Mineo)
4. Nuthin
5. Fear
6. Anomaly
7. Timepiece
8. Dirty Water
9. Wish
10. Runners
11. All I Need Is You
12. Give In (Ft. Crystal Nicole)
13. Good, Bad, Ugly
14. Broken(Ft. Kari Jobe)
15. Messengers (Ft. For King & Country)

The post #MusicMondays: Lecrae – Anomaly appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

A good word from Pastor Jentezen Franklin from Kingdom Connections about dealing with temptation. As long as we are in these fleshly bodies we will be tempted to sin; to look where we shouldn’t look, listen when we shouldn’t listen. We’re tempted to cheat, lie, and steal. Temptation is real and it can cost you everything if we entertain it. Pastor Franklin teaches 5 areas in our lives where we need to take heed and be watchful of our lives.

The post “W.A.T.C.H.” with Jentezen Franklin appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

I’m not a big fan of the whole “Let’s get on a ship and sail somewhere.” I know God gave me legs and not fins for a reason and I appreciate solid ground. Nonetheless, in the Bible we find that God spoke to people on their level, as He still does, and back then fishing was in high demand. One of my personal favorites is found in James 3:4 where God compares our tongue to the rudder of a ship. A rudder, compared to the ship, is very small and may seem insignificant to someone inexperienced in “Boat talk” but in reality, the rudder is what steers the ship. Without it, the boat would be as valuable as a game controller without batteries.

Wow, so our tongue has that type of power? Can it steer our lives in a particular direction?

Most definitely!! Not just any power but the power of Life and Death (Prov 18:21). “How can I have such power?” you ask, “Isn’t God the one in control? Doesn’t He govern my life, isn’t He the Captain of my ship?” These are all very good and valid questions.

I remember when I was a child and we’d watch those pirate movies. The worst thing you could get was “The Black Spot” because that meant that behind your back everyone conspired and found you guilty of some offense. If you were the Captain that usually meant a mutiny or rebellion was coming soon. I would argue that just like these captains lost control because of a mutiny, with our tongue, our lifestyle and our quiet confessions we lead a spiritual mutiny against God.

YES!!! God is the Captain of our ship but over time we plot against him. We get tired of following his “rules” and we compare ourselves to a world that gives into the pleasures of sin that only lasts for a moment. We become convinced that we can do better without him. Slowly we release his control and take over our lives. For a while it seems cool but shortly we find that we are completely unqualified to control anything, let alone our own lives. We find ourselves not walking but running to his throne; the place we should have never left.

In Luke 7:1-10 we find a seasoned veteran; a Centurion well aware of war and how rankings work. He says to Jesus in verse 8,

For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” With all that power and authority he knew that it meant nothing if Jesus wasn’t in control of his life. Jesus replies in verse 9,“I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Not only was he commended on his faith but the Centurions servant was healed.

I don’t know about you but I’ve decided that when God speaks my reply will be “Aye Aye Captain!”

The post Aye Aye Captain appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Check out the newest album from Reach Records recording artist KB entitled “1oo”. My personal favorite song is Undefeated (6:55). You can listen above and purchase the Full Album on iTunes (only $5.99).

Tracklisting:

1. Give My All (Produced by Dirty Rice and Joseph Prielozny) 0:00
2. 100 ft. Andy Mineo (produced by Lasanna “ACE” Harris for PK ONEDAY/ Sak Pase Music and Joseph Prielozny) 3:16
3. Undefeated ft. Derek Minor (produced by GRoc for Beat Mekanicz and GAWVI) 6:55
4. Kamikaze ft. Prisca (produced by Dirty Rice and Joseph Prielozny) 11:07
5. Doubts (produced by GAWVI and Additional Production by Jospeh Prielozny) 14:27
6. Crazy (produced by Tyshane and Cardec / Co-production by Jospeh Prielozny) 17:48

Support Good Music!!! Let us know what you think about the album by commenting below. Share your favorite KB album or just some cool music!

The post #MusicMonday: KB – “100” appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.

Who said Godly Rap was corny?

Check out this dope cypher by the members of Kings Dream Entertainment. Visit their website or YouTube channel to see some of their recent music. You can follow them on Twitter also: @RuslanKD @BeleafMel @JohnGivez.

If you have any cool Godly music (not Just Rap/hip-hop) share it below in the comment section!

The post Dream Junkies – Get a Bar 2 appeared first on IMPAC Youth Ministry.