Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12.
Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, has left an example for the youth. He toiled in the workshop at Nazareth for His daily bread. He was subject to His parents, and sought not to control His own time or to follow His own will. By a life of easy indulgence a youth can never attain to real excellence as a man or as a Christian. God does not promise us ease, honor, or wealth in His service; but He assures us that all needed blessings will be ours, “with persecutions,” and in the world to come “life everlasting.” Nothing less than entire consecration to His service will Christ accept. This is the lesson which every one of us must learn….
We have marked illustrations of the sustaining power of firm, religious principle…. The gaping lions’ den could not keep Daniel from his daily prayers, nor could the fiery furnace induce Shadrach and his companions to fall down before the idol which Nebuchadnezzar set up. Young men who have firm principles will eschew pleasure, defy pain, and brave even the lions’ den and the heated fiery furnace rather than be found untrue to God. Mark the character of Joseph. Virtue was severely tested, but its triumph was complete. At every point the noble youth endured the test. The same lofty, unbending principle appeared at every trial. The Lord was with him, and His word was law.
Those who study the Bible, counsel with God, and rely upon Christ will be enabled to act wisely at all times and under all circumstances. Good principles will be illustrated in actual life. Only let the truth for this time be cordially received and become the basis of character, and it will produce steadfastness of purpose, which the allurements of pleasure, the fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving, and the heart’s own clamors for self-indulgence are powerless to influence. Conscience must be first enlightened, the will must be brought into subjection. The love of truth and righteousness must reign in the soul, and a character will appear which heaven can approve.
Maranatha p. 83
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Prayer Requests
—– Pray for Tom’s cousins who are atheist both of them. . . .They are getting up in years late 70’s and he is in his mid 80’s they are a sweet caring couple just burnt out on professed Christians. Their names are Bob & Kathryn. Mary
—– Please keep my family in your prayers. Melinda
—– Please keep us in prayer. The air is bad here because of the wildfires. Rich
—– A Dr.from our church here is leaving for Africa to relieve another DR at the hospital for a month. He will be around the Ebola epidemic. Please keep him in prayer and the other DR’s at the hospital. that they do not get the Ebola. Thanks. M.
—– Please pray for my son Alex and daughter in law Rosi and their dear baby. She’s in the hospital right now with possible serious complications. Thankfully baby Kane would be full term if they have to take him, but of course it would be better to avoid that. Debbie
—– Please pray for the nearly 20 folks who came from the community to our Breathe Free Stop Smoking Program in Kalkaska tonight. We want them to be free from this and all harmful addictions to live the abundant life Jesus has for them. The road will be tough, but it is possible when we decide to quit and rely on His power. More than 20 million people have quit using this Biblically based program designed by Seventh-day Adventists. Wes
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Dear Friends,
Two weeks after my seventh birthday, my mother took me to Wisconsin Dells for a vacation. It was not as commercialized as it is now, but there were stil many things to see and do. We had a wonderful time. My favorite activity was the boat tours where we could see the beautiful rock formations on the cliffs along the river. Occasionally the boat pulled up to a dock and everyone got out and followed our guide through some cool, damp, narrow canyon.
We visited many gift shops and brought back lots of souvenirs. Most were lost or ruined within a short time, but one souvenir I had until we lost everything when our house burned down in 1979. As we were walking along the street, we saw something about twice the size of a telephone booth. A sign on the outside of the booth read, “Record your own record.” We went inside. There was recording equipment as well as a little slot to put the money into that would start the machine. My mother whispered what I should say, and in a childish voice I repeated every word.
My mother mailed that little record to my grandparents, who listened to it for awhile, and then gave it to my mother. She kept it until I was a teenager. Then she gave it to me. That record was very special to me. It brought back memories of the wonderful time I had had. Throughout the years, I would sometimes listen to that little record until I nearly had it memorized. I loved to hear that seven year old voice even though I couldn’t say my “r’s” right and it sounded really funny. All I can remember now is, “Hello, Gwandpa and Gwandma. I had a nice west last night and a Daiwy Queen.” The equipment had also recorded my mother’s whispered voice, as she was giving me the words to say. That always brought a smile to my face. Eileen was the only one of my children who got to listen to that little record. It amazed her that I had ever sounded like that.
Our Great and Loving Creator gave us a record, a record that we would do well to read daily. We do not have to be in darkness, for He has given us Great Light. From Genesis to Revelation, His voice is recorded, that we may know the Way to Life Eternal. Without it we would fall off into the dark and wicked world. God’s Holy Word is a record of the lives of many of God’s followers throughout the time span of more than four-thousand years. It was written over a period of more than 1500 years by over forty men. Throughout the centuries, beginning at Moses and ending with John, the Scriptures were written similarly to that little record my mother and I recorded in 1952. Peter explains, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20,21 Paul adds, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 1 Tim 3:16, 17
As we read the stories of God’s dealings with the patriarchs and prophets who lived so long ago, we can recognize His dealings with us. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor 10:11 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4 Through meditating upon their lives, we can follow their example in the good things and avoid making the same mistakes that they did.
David reminds us, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 119:105,130,11; 19:7-11
May we take God’s Holy Word as our only rule of faith and practice. May we “study to show [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we daily study the Scriptures with a heart that is receptive to His Spirit, that the same Holy Spirit that moved upon man to write it in the long ago may fill us with light to the Glory of God. (Matt 5:14-16)
Rose