General

Fix My Eyes Back On God

In this world, we tend to get distracted by the small happenings of the now, but during this time of uncertainty and isolation, it’s time we fix our eyes back on the God that gave us this life. 

I tend to be a person who likes to be busy with everything and feel useful to those around me. But because of this, I tend to lose my focus on why I’m busy and my purpose of bringing glory to God. During this time, I have been able to slow down and really focus on what has been pulling me away from God. I have realized that I wasn’t giving God the attention I did when I was first saved and that I seemed to only be going through motions, rather truly worshipping and loving God.

In Deuteronomy 6:5, Moses tells the Israelites “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Loving God means giving Him our attention and full devotion. Moses doesn’t say to do this in between a schedule or once a week, he says to do it continually with all of your might! It may be difficult for people in high school or middle school to really slow down and really listen to God and what He has to say, but having groups like S3 and having daily time can bring that devotion back to Him. God calls us to look to Him and focus on what He wants us to do, even if that means changing the way you live and think. 

My challenge to you is that you take time to truly devote yourself to God. Spend time reading His word. Immerse your self into worship and prayer and focus on the good God has truly done in your life. Don’t let the fire you once had when you were first saved fade, but rather continue to rage on. 

-Ashley, an S3 student 🙂

Hope in a Hopeless Time!

This is not at all how I thought the end of my sophomore year was going to look! While I was expecting the fun that comes at the end of a school year, I worry now about when we will all be able to get back together. But we have to have hope.

One of my favorite verses about hope is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I like this verse because it says God has a plan for YOU!

A friend of mine shared a verse with me, Matthew 5: 13-16. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deed and glorify your Father in heaven.” So God gives us hope that we will get to the light on top of the mountain (Shout out to Ryleigh fellow S3 member).

Hope is one of the main things about being a Christian. Like Paul said in Romans 8:24, “For in hope we were saved.” We don’t know what is to come for us as students, but we have to have hope.

There is more to come for us. God gives us this hope if we ask for it. We have to pray for it. This strengthens us and helps us through tough times.

– Ethan, S3 Student

How S3 helped me!

Hello, my name is Emma Edwards. I am currently an S3 leader at Harris County Carver Middle School.

I just recently moved to Harris County. I barely knew anybody, and I have always been shy, so that made it harder for me to make friends. I decided to be an s3 leader because I have always wanted to share with others about God, and his love for us. S3 helped me make new friends while teaching others about God.

Being in s3 has also helped me become much closer to God than I already was. At first, I felt like I didn’t have a super close connection to God. S3 helped me learn who God really is, and his love for us. S3 will impact your life in so many ways, and help you become much closer to God, and have a great connection with others!

Remember: Nothing can separate us from his love.  Romans 8:38

Love,
Emma

S3 Gave Me Opportunity to Grow

My name is Emery and I graduated from Spring Texas Private School in 2017. I grew up in a Christian home and gave my life to Christ when I was 6 years old. Growing up, I struggled to make my faith my own. It was difficult spending time with the Lord, and being confident enough to tell others about Him. Students Standing Strong gave me an opportunity to grow in these areas and strengthen my relationship with Christ.

I joined S3 in middle school and stepped out of my comfort zone in joining the leadership team. From there I stayed a part of the S3 leadership team through my senior year. I was given the opportunity to teach my peers about Christ and found that I was able to do this better by spending time with Him daily, making my faith more of my own. As I taught lessons every so often, and my relationship with Him became more personal, I became more confident in telling others about Him. S3 surrounded me with Christ-like friends who held me accountable as well as people I could share advice with and hold accountable. Thanks to S3, my love for Christ and the people around me grew and I could see that in the way that I live my life even today.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Get into the word, take some time, and pray, give Him your worries because He does care, He cares so much that He longs to have a personal relationship with you. Stay connected with other believers and find ways to love and serve people. There is hope, even though we can’t see the future. God is still sovereign. He has not, and will not fall off the throne. Find peace in that.

Sincerely,

Emery, S3 Alum

Fellowship in Christ!

Fellowship. It is a word that I have always heard since I was little, but I didn’t fully comprehend the meaning of it until I was older. Fellowship is such a sweet gift from the Lord! In Genesis 3:18, the Lord had just created Adam, He then realized that this was not enough because Adam should not be alone. As a result, He created Eve. The Lord gave us friendships because He knows it is not good for us to be alone!

To be honest, this is something that I used to struggle with a lot. I was always searching to find a perfect friend. I spent so long praying that the Lord would send me a friend that would encourage me and uplift me! Little did I know, the Lord surely would bless me. Years later, I find myself surrounded by sweet souls that encourage me and are there for me!

Through S3 at my school, I met so many amazing people that I may have never met if it weren’t for my countless prayers and this organization! I have people that pray for me, people that will send me texts of encouragement throughout the week, people that will listen to me when I am going through tough times! Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2 that we should “carry each other’s burdens” and I have learned the beauty of that phrase! Friendships are supposed to be beautiful. Encouraging. Joyful. Truthful. Loving. 

If you already have God-centered friendships, that is amazing! Praise God for that right now! However, if you find yourself feeling lonely or discouraged and you are in need of a Godly friendship, I encourage you to call out to God in complete faithfulness to send you a friendship like this. I know that He will do so in His timing!

Now, I have a question for you: how are you being a Godly friend to others? Proverbs 17:17 says that “a friend loves at all times” and I hope and pray that you will take that to heart and truly comprehend what a good, God-given friendship is! Fellowship is a gift from the Lord. We are not meant to take on this world alone!

I am praying for you, sweet friend!

With love, Madelyn Garinger, S3 student