Scripture of the Day
1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)
“Young Disciples”
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
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Our young disciples must be examples to the believers. Although the excitement of eternal life is fantastic, the concern for walking right as a Christian can be confusing to a new believer! Especially for our young Christians. Does a young person give up being cool because of their new relationship with CHRIST? What about the clothes . . . how should the young Christian dress? What type of conduct is appropriate?
We all know that most people (young and old) are not comfortable with asking questions . . . so they began to look for answers. I always say, “Most people will not ask a question . . . however, they will still look for an answer.” So, if a young person wants to know how a young Christian should live . . . they will watch how the young Christians lives! Will they see a different lifestyle when the young disciple is not at bible study or choir practice? Will there be any evidence of Christianity in the young disciple’s life as the new believer is looking?
Young disciples . . . your words, conduct, love towards one another, faith and purity can send a clear message or a discouraging message. Regardless of our age, we are to be living examples of CHRIST. Even as a “baby in CHRIST” you are to be an example to the believers! What kind of answer is your life giving to those who are watching?
Let Your Light Shine
3 comments:
Having taught the youth several years....
The one thing I know is that each generation is a reflection of societal norms and morality...which causes me to believe that we are closer and closer to the "End Times." America is definitely becoming a "Sodom and Gomorrah."
With regards to Timothy...Paul was his teacher who set the example for living the Christian life...for Paul it is about "practicing" the things he preached. It was about showing Timothy that he believe so strongly in what he was saying that he was willing to shape his own life around it.
It seems to me that many parents, especially the young parents of today...they are investing in the wrong things for their kids...i.e., mostly the things of this world. It seems to me that the greatest challenge that parents have today is competing against "Technology"...everything is now coming into our homes at a faster and faster pace...stuff that's mostly no good!!!
Why does media have to suck our teens/children into this "un realistic" world of negative idea's?" Media is telling our youth that "You can have it all today"...you're "entitled" to it all... every teen has to be skinny, sexual, cool, popular, and live a homosexual lifestyle if you choose...besides it's your world...just do as you please...Sex, abortion, profanity, pornography, gambling, same-sex marriage, alcohol consumption, the use of illegal drugs are all serious issues facing our young folk...the media has dressed all this up into this "you deserve to have it all" little packages!!!! Children if you want to know more about all this...it's all available in your own little hands...call smart phones, and TV "eye candy!"
Paul gave Timothy a sound foundation...life moved much slower in those days...it took years upon years...or generations for a "fad" to set in...today, it seems like there's some new "fad" every week! Change is lightening fast today! Today, the future for many of our young people is at risk... never before has there been such broad access to information of all kinds for younger and younger kids...even 9, 10, 11 year olds today are cursing, and having sex. Too many parents today are working too hard preparing the path "for their child" rather than preparing "their child" for the path...i.e.--as parents, we need to follow the example of "Timothy" Under the wings of Paul!!!
You are absolutely right! The world goes round and round, but with the internet . . . it goes much faster! 100 years ago it would take days to travel along a journey! Now, we can fly there in a matter of hours, and in a matter of seconds, we are taking a virtual-tour on of it on the internet! Our youth have so many things available to them, and the scary part is . . . their children will have even more available! Who will be able to say enough is enough, when we live in a society that tells us it's never enough! Make the computer faster and my phone smarter! That familiar question asked by the youth of our past will soon and forever be gone! You know the question . . . "Are we there yet?"
As parents and guardians . . . we have to put down our laptop, bluetooth, smart phone, etc. and pick up the Holy Bible, and read! Or maybe we can pick up our laptop and search for a daily devotional of the Holy Bible, tune our bluetooth into a station that is preaching the Holy Bible, or load an "App" on the smart phone the locates scriptures. Since technology makes the world move faster . . . why aren't we seeking GOD's Word faster? Instead of following tweeters . . . Why not follow CHRIST! Instead of using our notebooks for facebook . . . let's spend face time with the LORD!
Now before anyone thinks I am blaming our youth for being out of control . . . I just want to remind you that I don't see a ton of pre-teens bring home the salary! Nor have I seen alot of teens with the cable bill in their names! I just saying . . . we all must share the blame!
NHIShand,
I can't believe you didn't get any responses to your comments...
"Now before anyone thinks I am blaming our youth for being out of control . . . I just want to remind you that I don't see a ton of pre-teens bring home the salary! Nor have I seen alot of teens with the cable bill in their names! I just saying . . . we all must share the blame!
You probably struck a nerve...GOOD POINT!
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