"Let no one despise thy youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
In today's culture between the ages of 13 to sometimes mid-20's, "teenagers" are considered irresponsible, unintelligent, slobs, rude, disobedient, disrespectful and rebellious. The majority may be this way but we Christians should look and be different! Instead of seeking to be like the world, we should strive with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength to emulate Jesus Christ. Why is it that in America we think that until you're an adult the Lord can't/won't use you? What a mistake! If you earnestly search the Scriptures you will see that the Lord often called youths' to accomplish His purposes.
1. Samuel was a little boy when the Lord spoke to Him for the first time and told him of the future of Eli and his sons. Listen to what the Scripture says about him: "But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod." 1 Samuel 2:18 [emphasis mine]
2. David was a youth when he, in the strength of the Lord, slayed the mighty Philistine and was anointed King of Israel. "And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking." 1 Samuel 17:42
3. What about the young servant girl of Naaman's wife? If she hadn't testified before her mistress her master would never have known true physical and spiritual healing. "Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.”" 2 Kings 5:3
What about the New Testament? I think of Mary, the mother of our Savior. In that culture then, she was probably between 12-15 years old when she had Jesus. And I think of Timothy to whom the verse at the beginning of this post is written too (1 Timothy 4:12). I've read many stories of young persecuted Christians in our time, who were unashamed to stand up and declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they suffered the consequences because of their faithful witness.
Don't you see? Something dramatic has happened in this Satan-influenced culture! Instead of being all we can for the Lord ALL the days of our life...we've begun to say to the Lord "I give you my life BUT only after I "enjoy" my teenage years." We need to rise above the low expectations so many people set on us as teenagers (I prefer young adults). We need to show what the Lord can do with a youth fully devoted to Him and His will for their lives. We need to be an example to the believers just like Timothy was in 1 Timothy 4:12. And we need to rise up out of the norm and influence, challenge those unbelievers all around us. How can we testify to the lost if we look and act just like them?!
I am praying that each one of us, including myself, will rise above low expectations and be a brilliant light to this dark and dying world!!
Hannah
1 Timothy 4:12
In today's culture between the ages of 13 to sometimes mid-20's, "teenagers" are considered irresponsible, unintelligent, slobs, rude, disobedient, disrespectful and rebellious. The majority may be this way but we Christians should look and be different! Instead of seeking to be like the world, we should strive with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength to emulate Jesus Christ. Why is it that in America we think that until you're an adult the Lord can't/won't use you? What a mistake! If you earnestly search the Scriptures you will see that the Lord often called youths' to accomplish His purposes.
1. Samuel was a little boy when the Lord spoke to Him for the first time and told him of the future of Eli and his sons. Listen to what the Scripture says about him: "But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod." 1 Samuel 2:18 [emphasis mine]
2. David was a youth when he, in the strength of the Lord, slayed the mighty Philistine and was anointed King of Israel. "And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking." 1 Samuel 17:42
3. What about the young servant girl of Naaman's wife? If she hadn't testified before her mistress her master would never have known true physical and spiritual healing. "Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.”" 2 Kings 5:3
What about the New Testament? I think of Mary, the mother of our Savior. In that culture then, she was probably between 12-15 years old when she had Jesus. And I think of Timothy to whom the verse at the beginning of this post is written too (1 Timothy 4:12). I've read many stories of young persecuted Christians in our time, who were unashamed to stand up and declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they suffered the consequences because of their faithful witness.
Don't you see? Something dramatic has happened in this Satan-influenced culture! Instead of being all we can for the Lord ALL the days of our life...we've begun to say to the Lord "I give you my life BUT only after I "enjoy" my teenage years." We need to rise above the low expectations so many people set on us as teenagers (I prefer young adults). We need to show what the Lord can do with a youth fully devoted to Him and His will for their lives. We need to be an example to the believers just like Timothy was in 1 Timothy 4:12. And we need to rise up out of the norm and influence, challenge those unbelievers all around us. How can we testify to the lost if we look and act just like them?!
I am praying that each one of us, including myself, will rise above low expectations and be a brilliant light to this dark and dying world!!
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| Photography for Jesus |
"Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever."
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever."
Daniel 12:3
Learning to delight in Jesus,Hannah
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