10.) Ramen noodles aren’t that bad…
For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” ~Luke 14:28-30
…be careful where you sign. Don’t get into financial trouble before you get out of school…or after, either.
9.) Call your mama…
Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. ~Ephesians 6:2-3
…learning to balance your relationship with your parents is one of the hardest things about college…especially during the summer…but it’s worth it…you’ll need them again one day…
8.) You’re smarter than you think…
Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. ~Psalm 119:66
…take some time to really study matters of faith…read authors who are time-tested and true…listen to those who are known to speak truth…dig deeper than you’ve gone before…
7.) Be in the world, not of it…
To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. ~I Corinthians 9:20-22
…there are lots of places for you to plug in on campus…embrace them…meet people…love them like Jesus…
6.) Everyone needs a place to call home…
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. ~Hebrews 10:23-25
…you need like-minded people to encourage you and hold you accountable…a campus ministry or small group is a great place to find this group…
5.) College is where you learn community…
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
~Acts 2:46-47
…you live with others…eat with others…travel with others…you are the church as it was begun, and intended to be…
4.) You’ll never have more time than now…
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?”
The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” ~Matthew 25:35-40
…you’re probably busy now, but your time is your own…you control more of it than you will in the future, so go change the world…really, you can…
3.) Remember Whose you are…
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
~1 Corinthians 6:18-20
…if you’ve committed your life to Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within you…live like Jesus to the world around you…
2.) Now is the time…
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ~Romans 10:9-10
…nobody can make you play the game anymore…you’ve got to own your faith…claim it as yours…and let it change your life…
1.) Nobody can improve the Original.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~Psalm 119:101-105
…you can join the best church, attend the best conferences, read the best books and have the best friends, but if you don’t read it straight from the Source…you’re missing God’s best…
Our time in college ministry has been a joy. You have taught us to love more deeply, laugh more richly, grieve with one another more completely, and play Wii games much more effectively. Because of you, we know more about Jesus and His Word, and we love Him more intimately. Because of you, we’ve been changed. We still live at the same place; our porch light’s still on for you. Come see us sometime. We love you.
Blessings!
Jerry and Kimberly
