S3 Stories of Strength

Trust in Him.

Inspiration can come from anywhere!! My brother and I started an S3 club in my school 2 years ago after the Lord put a spark in my Mom’s heart to do something more in our schools so that people could get closer to the Lord.  And since then, I have felt my relationship grow with God. I was excited to start the club right away. And it was a challenge, adding another activity to my already busy schedule. For a while, it was something I didn’t want to do. It was another thing to take up my time. Or so I thought.

 S3 was an opportunity I didn’t see at the time for me to have fun with friends while learning a lot about God and His word. Honestly, I didn’t think I would learn so much. God was able to respond to my doubts through some of the lessons and Bible verses. He showed me what I needed to know at the time I needed it most. It was a big learning experience for me!

If there is one thing you take out of my story, let it be this, always listen to what God tells you to do. He knows what is best and what you need more than you do. He loves you and wants what is best for you. As Psalm 37:5-6 says “Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Trust in the Lord and He will show you what to do and when to do it. Don’t try to do things on your own, but ask God and He will tell you. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” All it takes is for you to put your trust in Him.

Isabella,

S3 Student

First Liberty Institute

A few months ago, I had the privilege of meeting Terry Ann (S3 President) and learning more about the incredible work of Students Standing Strong in America’s public schools.

I was especially encouraged by the fact that S3 is committed to equipping and empowering students with sound Biblical knowledge, something that is necessary right now in our country more than ever before. Today, younger generations, and students especially, are constantly bombarded with information, news, arguments, theologies and not all of it helps edify their lives. This is partly the reason why so many students at times stray from their faith, or simply choose a path for their lives that isn’t what God wanted them to do.

I can tell you this from experience, as I grew up going to schools where both my peers and my teachers were rather hostile against Christianity. First, in high school and then through my college years, I saw first-hand how much lack of Biblical knowledge exists and how much distortion of Biblical truth often happens in our public schools and universities, particularly as it relates to our nation’s history, the Bible and the influence of Judeo-Christian values.

Thankfully, I had the opportunity to attend Liberty University for my graduate degree, where I was able to further solidify God’s calling for my life and to remain grounded in Jesus Christ even in today’s hostile climate against people of faith like myself. Today, because I opted to stand strong in my faith, I have the privilege of working for a fantastic nonprofit that defends religious liberty. This is precisely where God wants me to be and to use my talents, skills, and knowledge for His glory. As a volunteer worship leader at my church, God has given me a whole new level of appreciation and gratitude for being able to live out my faith and worship with my community.

The joy that I have now to work for a nonprofit and to use my creative side to worship God through music only came about, again, because at one point in my life I made the choice to “stand strong” in my faith. I encourage you if you’re reading this, to stand strong in your beliefs and to help others remain firm and faithful to God.

-Jorge Gomez

Stand Firm!

You may live in the world, but don’t live OF the world. We constantly are told that we need to fit in with everyone else in the world. Standing out in today’s society is not easy, and it’s not exactly appealing either. By standing out, we feel that we may be made fun of or persecuted, even when it comes to our faith. But God calls us to stand out!

As Christians, our main goal is to glorify God and follow what the Bible tells us to do in order to bring others to Him, but that can be really difficult for students. Our peers may not share our beliefs and maybe living a worldly lifestyle. They may be doing things that do not go along with what the Bible calls us to do, such as cussing, drinking, etc. Although you may feel the need to follow your peers in order to fit in, we need to keep in mind that God brought us to this Earth in order to be set apart from the sins of the world. By giving into peer pressure, you are not glorifying God. By being unkind or disrespectful to other people just because that’s how everyone else may be acting is not glorifying God.

2 Corinthians 10:4 says,“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world”, meaning that we are called to be set apart and to show others love and kindness and stand firm in our faith. Listen to His Word and what He tells us to do!

Even though it may be difficult to stand up against the sins of the world, God is there for you! He understands if you mess up, He loves you no matter what and will be there for you while you try to make things right. Joining Christian Clubs, like Students Standing Strong (S3), is a really good start to be surrounded by Godly people in a secular world. Being in S3 gave me such a great start in my high school career because I was surrounded by people who loved God just as much as I did and were there to remind me to glorify Him in all that I do. Through S3, I made such a solid friend group that encouraged me to not give in to the things of the world, to STAND FIRM!!!

Challenge: I challenge you to glorify God in your everyday lives by standing apart from everyone else. 

You are a Child of God! Show off your amazing Creator! Show everyone that you are a proud Child of God no matter what anyone says or what anyone else is doing! Don’t fit in with the world, stand out, and stand firm in God!

– Keeley, S3 Student

Be Strong & Courageous!

Hello Everyone. My name is Celia Palamalayil. This quarantine has affected so many of us whether it be mentally, physically, or spiritually. If you feel like you have lost your connection to the Lord or just want a few things to think about, please keep reading:)

As many of you may have seen or heard, believers across the globe have tied the bible verse Joshua 1:9 to the COVID-19 virus. Check out the picture below!

The verse itself states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9. There may be times where we feel alone, scared, and confused. Believe me, lots of people feel this way especially now. One thing I remember hearing from my older brother Albin is that “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.” It took me a while to really understand the power of that quote, but it stuck the second I heard it. Sometimes we are in such difficult situations thinking there is no way out. That’s when the power of prayer is revealed to us. Any worries in your mind or pain in your heart, tell God about it. He listens to you and will take those worries and pains away from you.

God is with you every step of the way. At times we look back and may only see one set of footprints and begin to doubt our Lord. That one set of footprints belongs to the Lord. In times of hardship, God has carried you and will continue to carry you. Any time, any place, speak to God and he will hear you. During this global pandemic, God is with each and every one of us. Every minute of every day, He is with us. All of us.

Who can admit not being able to attend church, having to live stream the service, and watching sermons from the other side of a screen just doesn’t feel right? I sure can. Going to a physical church, listening to the hymns, responding to the priest, all are such unique experiences. I’ve been feeling so unmotivated to watch a live stream and sometimes even to just pray throughout the day. What I’ve realized is that everyone has a different way of keeping themselves spiritually hydrated.

You might find yourself closer to the Lord through meditation and prayer, maybe through reading scripture. You may feel closer to God when you are listening to worship music or maybe you connect with him in a different way. Whatever helps guide YOU to God, do it. Now more than ever we have so much time on our hands. We always have plenty to pray for (family, friends, neighbors, school, etc.) Take this time, right now. Do not forget while praying, to thank God for all he has provided you with. A roof over your head, food on the table, a loving family by your side, and much more. 

Just a quick list of praise and worship songs to get you through your day:

• Lord, I need you– Matt Maher
• By Your Side– Tenth Avenue North
• Your Love– Brandon Heath
• Sparrows– Jason Gray
• City On Our Knees– TobyMac
• Christ In Me– Jeremy Camp
• Every Little Thing– Hillsong Young & Free
• We Won’t Be Shaken– Building 429
• Somebody Tell Them– City Harbor
• Healing Begins– Tenth Avenue North

Something to keep in mind…

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”- Romans 8:18

*In other words, “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming!”*

I truly hope everyone reading this is staying safe and healthy. Take the time to pray, reach out to friends and family, and love God:) 

   With love and blessings, 

            Celia <3

Hi, my name is Haleigh and I was involved in Student Standing Strong for two years at Harris County Carver Middle School.

Over the past two years in S3 my life has completely changed. Before being involved in S3 I wasn’t really serious about reading my bible or praying. I knew about the Lord and the simple things but never really got involved in learning more. Being in S3 taught me how important the Lord is and how he can change your life. My first year in S3 I was just a student in the club, but after realizing how amazing and how awesome our God is, I decided to be a leader and spread the word to many other students about the Lord! I really encourage you to be involved in S3, it will impact your life in many ways!

      Just remember: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever! – Psalm 106:7

Love,

Haleigh