Dear Graduates,

I, as have all of the adults, have cheered as you ran up and down basketball courts, played in band contests, under the Friday night lights and on many volleyball courts.  We have listened to you sing your hearts out and then pull our hearts out as you have given speeches for student council or other presentations.  I have had lunch with some of you many weeks since 6th grade as a part of Lead Council and I am proud of you. I know what I think of you.

I would like to share with you what this culture thinks of you and your generation:

• Over 35% of you are heavy users of alcohol and marijuana.
• Society believes that you have little self-control or integrity because 4 out of 10 girls become pregnant by age 19 – 80% of the time the guy bails.
• 93% of boys and 62% of girls are exposed to internet porn before age 18.
• Only 3% of boys say they have never struggled with it.
• On average teens spend over 7 hours each day participating in social media and the internet.
• Dating – If you were allowed to begin dating in the 6th grade – 91% have already become sexually active
• Society thinks you are entitled and lazy.

As a matter of fact…some parents have bought into the lie that if we have gotten you to this point, to high school graduation, and you haven’t been involved in a pregnancy and you aren’t addicted to drugs…then we have succeeded.

Well…that’s hog wash…because that may be what society thinks of you…but let me tell you what almighty God says about you.

He goes before you and behind you. – Deuteronomy 31:8

His wings cover you. – Psalm 91:4

He gives His angels charge over you. – Psalm 91:11

He has prepared good works for you. – Ephesians 2:10

He equips you. – Ephesians 4:12

He knows the number of hairs on your head. – Luke 12:7

His thoughts of you are more numerous than sand. – Psalm 139:17-18

He has not forsaken you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

He has set you apart for such a time as this. – Esther 4:14

He calls you to be a light. – John 12:36

John 17:15-17 says–
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth.”

You are called and equipped to be set apart.

You were born into a time of war…

Literally, I believe most of you were 4 years old when September 11, 2001 happened and we have been at war ever since.

Certainly spiritually you were born into a war….

You have an enemy and he has plans for you.  He has set traps for you and some of you have fallen into them: Sex, drugs, drinking, porn, temptations of all kinds.

Then you have God who has great plans for you, not to harm you but to prosper you.  He declares that you are overcomers, more than conquerors.  He has prepared good works for YOU to do.

There is a war for this generation…there is a war for you.  You are already fighting for one side or the other.

Joshua 24:15 says–
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

You choose – you choose today which side you will stand on.  That is my question for you…whose side are you on???

1)  Some of you have never accepted Christ and if you haven’t, you are in the middle of this war with no weapon to fight with and without His power or protection.

To choose His side takes only confessing you have sinned, accepting Jesus died for you and for your sins, and then ask the Lord to forgive you, save you and become Lord of your life.

Step one is to get on the right side in the war…

2)  Some of you know Christ and are standing on the right side – you have accepted Christ – but you are unarmed.

The Word of God is your sword…learn to wield it…what does it say?  This is not a game.

The King is giving you orders in the battles you face, but if you don’t spend time with Him – you can’t hear His assignments or His help and encouragement.

You are on His side but you are unarmed and unprepared.

3)  And then some of you are true warriors…you are the real deal and you understand the enemy and the war you face.  You know His word and you are using your sword.  You spend time with the King and His words heal you, encourage you and give you direction.

You keep your eyes locked with His and you go after Him.  You will change the world.

2 Kings 6:8-17 says–
“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place. ”The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.  This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”  “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”  “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.”  Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.  When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.  “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

There is a battle for you…for this generation. You have an enemy and he has set a multitude of traps for you…sex, drugs, drinking, porn, temptation…he desires nothing less than to steal, kill, and destroy.  But I am asking the Lord to open your eyes so that you see that there are far more for you than there are against you.  I have very high expectations for you.  Keep your Eyes Open.

Now those of you who know Christ…you are called to LEAD and to live a life worthy of the salvation you have received.  Remind yourself of these things–“I am not who this culture has defined me to be.  I choose to believe that I am who He says I am and that He can do what He says He can do through me. I will take a stand.  I will make a difference.  And, I will be different.”

Eyes open,