Matthew 4

Have you ever been tempted to want to peek or open presents before Christmas? For me, it's always been very tempting to take a look at my gifts. Jesus was tempted too. Let's see if He did the right thing...!

God led Jesus into the desert where He stayed there for 40 days and nights, praying and listening to God. After 40 days and nights, Jesus was tempted to do wrong. The devil tried to get Jesus to sin three different times, but He resisted by standing firm on God's Word. Jesus was tempted, but He did NOT do wrong! Jesus stayed pure. Think about some ways that you are tempted and what we can do to stay pure.

There are a few things that come to mind when learn how to do right and avoid sin.

1. Learning Scripture is so important and can help us avoid temptations like Jesus did.

2. Jesus spent time in the desert praying to God. We should do the same! Jesus is the best example for us to follow!

Matthew 3

Before Jesus began his ministry to the people of Israel, we read that there was a man named John the Baptist. John is nothing like most people we read about; from his clothing (camel hair?) to what he eats (locusts...really?). John is different. He is also really different in what he shares with the people, in that they should "repent of their sins".

Most of us think of "repenting" as simply confessing our sins. But "repenting" actually means to change ones mind. We should change our minds about our sins.

When we lie; John the Baptist is telling us that we should not just feel bad about lying but we should also think about lying as really bad and that we should never want to do it again.

As we learned about this summer, Obedience is so important to living the life we are asked to live by God. We should all seek to do what is right, but if we do mess up, we should repent (change our minds) about our sins and try to never do them again!

I also thought it was really neat to be reminded that when wise men came to Jesus they brought treasures and gifts with them. Their worship of Jesus involved giving themselves of their time, their treasures, and themselves.

This should spur us on to give our own gifts to the Lord.

Everything we have is a gift from God - whether or not we asked Him for those gifts! God expects us to use the gifts He gives us. As we use our gifts to serve and help others, we're actually giving those gifts back to the Lord.

Matthew 2

It's early November and the first hints of Christmas are already peeking out! Last night as we were driving home from recruiting at UT we saw a house glowing in Christmas lights. I walked in Wal-Mart today and the first thing I saw when I walked in was a huge Christmas tree. It's crazy to see the decorations coming out, but I do get excited about celebrating the birth of my Savior and that we get to read about it in Matthew together.

As I was reading Matthew 2 a few things struck me. During this Christmas season you might see the shape of star - I know we used to put one at the top of our family Christmas tree every year. I think sometimes we forget the importance of the star. It was something God used to guide the wise men. Today God has ways of guiding us too. An awesome example of that is the Bible! When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced. When you see a star shape this season let it be a reminder that God is always there to guide us and to rejoice in that!

"After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."

- Matthew 2:9-10

Book of Matthew - Ch 1. Jesus Family Tree

As you read through the first chapter of Matthew we all spend the first few minutes reading about Jesus's family tree. Starting with Abraham and continuing to David and onto Joseph the father of Jesus.

Why is this important you might ask?

One of the ways that we know the Bible and Christianity to be true is by seeing the prophesies in the Old Testament come true by Jesus's family tree.

A prophesy is a prediction of the future. We know that the Old Testament was written hundreds of years before the New Testament so all the predictions in the Old Testament that came true in the New Testament help prove the truthfulness of scripture.

One great example is Isaiah 11:1-5. In Isaiah it tell us that one will come out of the lineage of Jesse who will have the Spirit of the LORD.

Another great passage is 2 Samuel 7:12-16 that you can read when you have time. This scripture talks about out of David one will establish his kingdom forever.

As you continue to read each week, always keep in mind that everything in the Bible is important.

Visiting YOUR counselors and finding new ones...

Hey Sky 1 & 2,

So, we at SkyRanch wanted to give ya'll a quick update about our NEW summer camp counselors for 2011! We are out at colleges right now talking to your counselors from last summer and talking to their friends about being counselors for next summer!

We've been to Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas where some of our favorite Sky 1 & 2 counselors go like Aaron Watson, Madison O'Connor, Liz Richardson, Justin Trewitt, Patrick Krauss and so many others!

We've also been to Texas A&M where Ann Marie, Erin Legan, Traci Virdin, Caleb Farrell and Martyn Doleman and Texas Christian University where the amazing Jane Imizumi goes.

And right now we have a few of our Summer Camp Managers at the University of Arkansas with Caleb Watanabe, Adam Waddell and Meleah Gross.

Wanna FIND a great Church?

If your looking for a great Church the Bible says...

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Check out this super easy to navigate website called... www.ChurchHunt.com and find a great Church in your area. If your community isn't listed let US know and we'll give you some suggestions.

We love you guys...

Sky 1 & 2 Camp Managers.

Clinton, Tamara, Kate and Andrew

Check your F.R.O!

Summer is over :( and we are all home getting back into School :). Just like we talked about this past summer on Friday in PowWow, WE want you to be checking your F.R.O. while your away.

Do you remember what your F.R.O. is?

F-Foundation: read your Bible, go to Church.
R-Relationships: love your family and friends well.
O-Obedience: do what's right, all the time.

We want to help you with checking your F.R.O. so this blog is ALL about keeping your FOUNDATION, RELATIONSHIPS and OBEDIENCE strong.

Throughout the year we'll post verses you can read, great places to go to get connected to a church, and some great stories and websites to help you as you are away.

We love you guys. Can't wait to see you next summer!

Sky 1 & 2 Camp Directors...

Clinton, Tamara, Kate and Andrew.