Making Decisions While Young

Often in our lives we are forced to make decisions that affect ourselves as well as those around us (i.e. family, friends, brethren in the congregation, and etc.). Whenever we come to the place in our lives where we must make life changing or spiritual decisions we must be very careful that those decisions are in the best interest of our hope for eternal life after this sojourn here on earth has ended cf. Matt. 10:28 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. KJV

Some of the decisions that we make may hinder our pursuit of spiritual goals because the decisions were made under less that wise conditions. The desire in youth to steal from others, commit sexual sins, etc. are often perused without consideration of the effects they may have on our future life. Make no mistake; sins that we commit while young may be accompanied by lasting (i.e. even lifetime) effects. In the case of sexual sins, we may contact a venereal disease or involve ourselves in a situation where we create a new life that we did not want. Indeed; while we are young and strong physical we are often weak with a true sense and capacity for making wise decisions.

David and Solomon gives much advice to the young and we should make every effort to direct our young boys and girls to read his important materials found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Please note the following wise advise from the wise man; Solomon.

Ps. 119:9-11 – 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. KJV

Prov. 1:2-4 – 2 to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 to give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

Eccl. 11:7-10 – 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth is vanity. KJV

Eccl. 11:7-10 – 7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. KJV

CONCLUSION:

Yes, we must be careful in youth that we do not create problems for ourselves when we grow older and wiser. Perhaps one of the important decisions that we make in life will be our decision to believe and obey God early in life. Whenever a young person becomes a Christian early in life they are less likely to become involved in sinful practices and to visit sinful places where they may be tempted to become involve in sin and sinful lifestyles.

Indeed, young person remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth is a good policy to live by. Godly parents will aid and assist their children to live godly lifestyles as well, cf. Eph 6:4 – And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. KJV

Col. 3:21 – Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. KJV

Heb 10:23-24 – 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

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Comforters Needed

Miserable Comforters

We often think of patience when it comes to Job. We think of all the trouble that happened to him by the hands of Satan and we think “What a patient man!” But not only was job a patient man but he was also a troubled, sorrowful, and confused man. As is often the case in times of trial some folks will come along and attempt to give some measure of comfort. Sadly many of us fail miserably at doing so: Job’s friends where no different. In Job 16:2 job replies to what they had said by claiming, “I have heard many such things;” but then said, “Miserable comforters are you all!”

In contrast Jesus looks upon the horde of souls that that followed Him and was “moved with compassion toward them” (Matthew 14:14). So he healed their sicknesses and fed them with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Unlike Job’s friends Jesus was not accusatory toward the masses. He did not suggest that their sicknesses where punitive for some unknown (or known) sin. He did not suggest that they had been negligent in preparation and send them away hungry. He did not throw their past up in their faces.

We all need to be comforted from time to time. None of us is so strong and untouchable that we will not feel the need for compassion. But what I do appreciate about Job’s friends (that is not often the case with us today) is at least they were there! They may not have done it right, and they may have been miserable comforters, but they were there for him. Unfortunately we are often to busy with our own lives to stop and help the friend in need. So what can we learn from Jesus about doing it right?

Don’t Look Away! When Jesus looked upon the multitude He could have just as easily (or more easily) just looked the other way and ignored their suffering. He could have been like the Priest and the Levite in Luke 10 who looked and the “passed by on the other side.” In John 4:35 Jesus tells His disciples to “lift up your eyes and look” and we need to do the same. There are people all around us who are suffering: physically, mentally, financially, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually.

Open Your Heart! Jesus was genuinely sorry and was filled with sympathy and empathy for the hungry, the sick, the sorrowful, and the sinful. He has looked upon all of us and has borne our grief and carried away our sorrow (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus cares! And in order for us to be like Him we must have the same kind of compassion for others (Colossians 2:1–5; Colossians 3:12–14).

Do Something About The Need! In Matthew 14 Jesus ordered His disciples to give the people something to eat. He surveyed the available resources and systematically distributed the food. But not only did He fill them He was also a good steward for He has them gather up the leftovers. There is always something we can do. There is always a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a directional instruction, or a word fitly spoken.

What are you doing to be more like Christ? Obey Him, be compassionate, and be faithful.

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Baptized Question

Three times the book of Acts records non-Christians asking a familiar question.  The Philippian Jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16: 30).  The Jews on Pentecost asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (2:37).  Saul of Tarsus asked, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (9:6).

Please notice (first of all) that each of these dear souls assumed they had to DO something in order to receive salvation.  Secondly, please notice that they were never told (1) that they were already saved or (2) that “faith only” saves.  On each occasion they were told to DO something in order to be saved.  The Philippian Jailor was told to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (16:31).  He and his household believed and they were baptized (vv. 32-34).  The Pentecost Jews were instructed to “repent and be baptized” (2:38), and they obeyed (vv. 41).  Saul was told what to do in the city of Damascus (9:6) when Ananias said, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (22:16), and he did it (9:18).

Though the conclusions were the same, the three instructions were somewhat different.  Why? Suppose a man traveling from Mt. Vernon to Cincinnati was told that he was about 156 miles from his destination.  A person in Columbus might be told it is about 102 miles.  A person in Dayton might be told it is about 49 miles.  Is there a contradiction? No.  Three different answers would be given, but all three would be correct.  The same is true spiritually. The jailor, the Pentecost Jews, and Saul were at different stages of understanding on the road to salvation.  The jailor was not initially told to “be baptized” because he had not yet heard and believed the gospel message.  (It would be pointless to command baptism to someone who has not first heard and believed in Christ – cf. Mk. 16:16).  After hearing and believing he and his household did what was required of them (they were baptized).  At the preaching of Peter the Pentecost Jews were cut to the heart (i.e., their belief was evident); thus he did not command them to believe, but to repent and be baptized.  Saul was not told to believe or repent because he was already a penitent believer by the time he came in contact with Ananias; thus he was only told to be baptized.  Though three different answers were given, they all came to the same conclusion.

Friends, do you believe?  Have you repented and have you been baptized into Christ that your sins may be forgiven?  If you haven’t, why not do it today?

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Manliness

Over the last few years the internet has shown an interesting trend. ” Manliness ” has become cool again among males in their 20s and 30s. Of course, some of that has carried over from online trends into real life, which can be seen every day in the facial hair-growing, meat-eating, gun-shooting men that fill college campuses and cities. However, their attempts to proclaim manliness ring hollow. It’s not that there is anything wrong with those things, and they certainly are more associated with manliness than womanliness generally speaking, but it falls short of being what a man is all about. You see, it’s many of these same twentysomethings that have given into feminism and consider their wives (or potential wives, since they also avoid marriage like the plague) equally burdened with providing. While young women are ambitiously chasing education and careers, young men are now more commonly thought of as “sowing their wild oats” and playing video games rather than finding work and doing it with all of their might. It makes sense that the world would settle for a cheap misunderstanding of what being a man is all about, though. It is God who provided those guidelines, and without Him we can expect to find males exactly where we do today – dodging responsibility and avoiding their roles as God-given leaders of the home.

As with all things that our culture cheapens, we in the church must reject what they think and make sure we continue to uphold God’s standards and definitions. What does God expect of a man? A man must provide. From the very beginning God gave Adam the responsibility of caring for the Garden and watching over the animals, but it was after the fall that he was told to work to provide by the sweat of his brow. A man must protect. Peter tells us that husbands need to treat their wives as the weaker vessel, protecting them by giving emotional security, caring for them, and understanding and accommodating that which makes them delicate and special. A man must teach. Too many families rely on Bible school teachers, youth ministers, or the mothers alone to teach and train the children the ways of the word. Fathers, it is placed upon you to train, discipline, and teach your children according to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 6).

Manliness isn’t merely just some outward declaration of difference from females. Instead, it is living up to the calling that God has placed on men everywhere and leading families that will be faithful for generations. It is the man who is responsible for leading his wife and children to heaven, and responsibility brings accountability. Fathers and husbands, lead with eternity in mind. Single men, treat all women with respect as sisters and mothers, preparing yourself to be a spiritual leader and example whether you choose that path or not. It’s time God’s men showed the culture what a real man looks like and does. Are you up to the challenge?

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Praise God Often

Saved Hearts Praise God Often

It is difficult to imagine how heaven rejoiced when the church began. Acts 2 describes that time when the most devout Jews from every nation under heaven arrived at Jerusalem and found a treasure they did not know existed. They thought they already had found what God had planned for them—the holy altar where sacrifices for their sins were made, the beautiful temple where the Lord met them and the priesthood chosen by God to carry their offerings to the Almighty. They were so wrong!

Then heaven intervened! Suddenly there was the sound of a rushing mighty wind that came from heaven to the place where the apostles were assembled. Then the visible fire that came upon the twelve and these common men began to speak in foreign languages. The text tells us that news of these events spread throughout the city, and the whole city came to investigate. To their amazement, men from every nation found these lowly Galileans talking about the wonderful things of God. Then Peter and the other apostles preached the first gospel sermon ever proclaimed. The result was the birth of the church when 3,000 were immersed on that day. Those Jews from every nation realized that God had something far better than the treasures of Judaism for He was now revealing the ultimate treasure of the kingdom of heaven.

There is a great lesson to be learned by every Christian when we see how those new Christians responded. Look at the text, “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people” (Acts 2:42-47). How heaven must have rejoiced to see the response of the redeemed in the daily lives of these new Christians! They had been saved, and every day they wanted to praise God.  Heaven rejoiced, as did the church!  This is the basis of worship! We have been saved, and we cannot wait to praise Him and seize every opportunity to be with the saints to adore Him.

Having said this, could I talk from my heart to those who choose to come to worship only one time each week? How would the choices you make today compare with the actions of those Christians? If your conclusion is that every other service other than Sunday morning is optional, look again at Acts chapter two. The joy of their salvation made them choose the “option” of being with the saints every day. Every week you have the same “option” choice. How would the option you have chosen compare with the option they chose? Prayerfully, I ask that you think about this.  Heaven rejoices when we long to praise God!

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