Either Black or White! No Grays Please.

Follow the crowd or...
Being in between a rock and a hard place is not a comfortable spot to be in. What is a youth in, High school, college or uni, or even an adult to do? Peer pressure affects "all" ages, not just the young people. Here you are, a Christian, and yet you think some of the things that other people are doing in school or in the workplace, seem completely harmless. It sort of seems it could be borderline as to what Jesus would accept.
Ever think to yourself, "Oh man, what am I gonna do? I don't want to seem like a nerd? A holy-roller? I don't want to be THAT different. I want to be accepted and yet I want people to like me just the way I am; a Christian."
The Rock is Jesus Christ, and the hard place is the world with its pressure. Many Christians today try to straddle that fence between the two, and end up falling off on the wrong side of the fence, the "hard place". Straddling the fence is dangerous in itself, because we "compromise." We try to keep peace. But, in reality, we can only serve ONE master. Either Jesus Christ or (our old master) Satan.
My godly wisdom tells me to offer this advice. KEEP, in God's Word every day. I suggest getting yourself a One Year Bible that disciplines you in your reading commitment to Christ. Meditate on what you have read. Joshua gives us an advice ‘do not let this Book of the Law (BIBLE) depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night.’ Look for things that God wants you to apply in your own life, and then do it. The "closer" your walk is with Jesus every day the easier it will become to make the "right" decisions and avoid pressure.


Know who you are in Jesus Christ. Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential for your success at living a victorious Christian life. Its either black or white, no grays in between if you want to challenge the challenges you face. I have friends whom would not understand me at first but they have come to appreciate me for who I am and respect my values and beliefs.
One thing I have learnt over several years and still trying hard to do is to set the truth free. How do I do this? By letting people know what I believe in as the truth. By doing this I give the truth an opportunity to lead me. I have never believed that my identity comes from what the majority think and say about me. This is what I believe in and what makes me unique, my identity as a Christian comes from what God has done for me, and is still doing.

Carry these following questions around with you on a piece of paper and when/if you get cornered with a difficult decision ask yourself before you do or say anything:

1. Is it the Godly norm? (Whatever is True)
2. Is it worthy of trust? (Whatever is Honest)
3. Does it conform to holiness? (Whatever is Just)
4. Could it corrupt spirituality? (Whatever is Pure)
5. Would Jesus embrace it? (Whatever is Lovely)
6. Would it attract others to Christ? (Whatever is of a Good Report). . .
. . .think on these things. . .and do. . .and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

This also means Christian think about who you are in Christ. You are an Ambassador for Christ. He has chosen you to be His messenger; to represent Him. What an honor!

You are employed by the Creator of the universe, Jesus Christ, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 30 days a month, 365 days a year. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that in the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)

One day, when you leave this temporary world, and cross over onto God's eternal celestial shores of. . .Home, wouldn't it be awesome to see the glory of Jesus' face look upon you and say, "'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.'" (Matthew 25:23)

Jesus never said this life would be easy my dear brothers and sisters, but He did say, it will be worth it all. Christ is your rock; the hard place is the world. Satan and his demonic wrecking crew rule this earth trying to lure you with all sorts of ‘good and cool stuff’. Which one do you want to hang out with?

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

Here is the crowd I recommend all Christians to hang out with, and they are:
Joshua, Ruth, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Paul, Kind David, King Solomon, Timothy, Joshua, etc. etc. I'm sure you'll enjoy hanging out with this crowd as much as I do. And we can all benefit from all of them, don't you agree?

While we were still sinners...Christ Died for us

Here's a devo to use in your group or for personal meditation...

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Happy Week After Valentine's Week. Or Happy Making Fun of
Valentine's Week Week. Some people just can't stand the hype
leading up to the biggest greeting card day of the year. Others
can't wait to get some candy love!

For starters, we're absolutely convinced that God has proved His
love for us way before we could do anything to make ourselves
lovable. As today's verse points out, He gave His Son to make it
possible for us to live with Him forever. Do you need more evidence?

Think: Do you ever wonder if God really loves you? Are you
convinced that His gift of the life of Jesus in your place is a
demonstration of His forever love for you? Why or why not?

Pray: Thank God that He demonstrated His own love for us by sending
Christ to die for us when we were still sinners.

Read: See how huge this idea really is when you read Romans 5:1-11.

Special thanks to our friends at Planet Wisdom, Paul & Al for that devotional thought!

WHO WE ARE

ABOUT US

The URBAN HOPE Project is non-profit charitable youth organization registered as an NGO under the

NGOs act of Kenya. The main purpose of the organization is to develop socioeconomic empowerment

through education and spiritual development through mentorship.

We therefore run programmes, carry out events, and provide solutions to youth issues in the most fun

and appropriate ways while at the same time instilling the correct values for societal transformation.

MISSION

The mission of The Urban Hope Project is to provide vulnerable residents of Kenya, with comprehensive

services, including food, housing, clothing, medical care, education and legal and social services, in an

atmosphere of dignity and respect.

VISION

The vision of The Urban Hope Project is to nurture and impact young people for responsible leadership

for societal transformation into excellence.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of The Urban Hope Project is to work in partnership with the like-minded in the community

and the society at large to enable both personal and communal development of young people in

working towards transforming the society.

We aim to encourage and support young people to:

1. Participate in community development

2. To acquire proper education leading to employment and independence

3. Build and maintain positive relationships with the community and society

4. Have a strong sense of well-being and self-esteem

5. Have a better understanding of their culture-social values and beliefs

6. Develop a variety of life-skills

7. Make informed choices related to their well being and health

8. Be in safe places away from streets and crime activities

9. Have the skills to acquire and access support services e.g. employment, financial advice etc.

VALUES

1. Hope 2. Faith 3. Love 4. Justice 5. Humility 6. Truth 7. Mercy 8. Excellence

In the Run; Still Pressing On

HEAD WORDS
We’re aiming, though often failing, ‘to become all things to all men so that by all possible means we might save some’. Join with us in this worthy cause of exploring and implementing how the Church and community might become truly authentic in mission: Contextual yet Biblical: Passionate, but also Compassionate: In Word, as well as in Deed. The Spirit of Jesus within is calling each of his followers to reach out and fulfil the Missio Dei in a world of pain and need.

God Bless.

Bantu Moses
Founder & Director