Set an example

 I am really concerned for our younger generation today . . . those between sixteen and thirty-something. They have a lot of challenges and are being told a lot of lies and shown a lot of deceptive plans for their future. Satan is indeed busy . . . . and it seems busier than ever!

“Don’t let anyone look down on your because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith and purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

This generation is going to be in charge on day. Teens need to know now, though, that their opinions are important. They should be encouraged to set an example to peers and even adults. They must be encouraged to not simply blindly follow others. Young people have the ability through Christ to do amazing things in their life and in the lives of others. 

We, as adults, need to listen more and be willing to learn from our younger generation, even as we are teaching and modeling life as a believer for them. While the Gospel remains the same, as culture changes, we must adapt to how we present God's Truths. Jesus did not share the same way with every one He encountered. He listened, He healed, He comforted, He corrected, and He cared through it all. As Christ was, we too need to be in touch with the Holy Spirit and led by Him in our daily activities.

We all, young and not-so-young alike, need to set an example for others to witness and follow, even before words are ever spoken!

A new beginning . . .

But the Lord says “Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them. I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land. (Isaiah 43:17-19)

End of school . . . end of Covid restrictions . . . beginning of summer and a new beginning for us all! It is time to stop thinking about what was and begin to think about what will be . . . what God is doing next. God took the Israelites through high waters and dry deserts. He has surely brought us through these past fifteen months or so. As He provided a land of milk and honey for the Jews, (Exodus 3:8)He is providing opportunity for us as well. Will we embrace the new or go back to the old?

Was your GPA not quite as high as you wished? It's done . . . move on! Did Covid restrictions cramp your style? Let's change styles! Have we been stuck in the past and all the doom and gloom? Well, God is about to do something new . . . It is happening now . . . new opportunities, new friends, new areas to explore . . . don't you see it coming? 

Each day is a new beginning. Seek God and embrace His will for you today, tomorrow, this summer, next year. He still rewards those who diligently seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) 

What are we doing with what we are learning?

 Here is what I’m telling you. I am speaking for the Lord as I warn you. You must no longer live as the Gentiles do. Their thoughts don’t have any purpose. They can’t understand the truth. They are separated from the life of God. That’s because they don’t know him. And they don’t know him because their hearts are stubborn. They have lost all feeling for what is right. So they have given themselves over to all kinds of evil pleasures. They take part in every kind of unclean act. And they are full of greed. But that is not the way of life in Christ that you learned about. You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus. You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray. You were taught to be made new in your thinking.  You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is. So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.  Scripture says, “When you are angry, do not sin.” (Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.  Don’t give the devil a chance.  Anyone who has been stealing must never steal again. Instead, they must work. They must do something useful with their own hands. Then they will have something to give to people in need. Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.  Do not make God’s Holy Spirit mourn. The Holy Spirit is the proof that you belong to God. And the Spirit is the proof that God will set you completely free. Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Don’t have anything to do with any kind of hatred.  Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. (Ephesians 4:17-32)

What are we doing with what we are learning? It has been a challenging year to say the least. Yet, for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ . . . His disciples or students . . . we have a bigger challenge in front of us: What are we doing with what we are learning? We are instructed to DO the things we have learned. (Philippians 4:9) Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

So here we are . . . the end of a school year and what is seemingly the end of pandemic restrictions and limitations. So again I ask us all: What are we doing with what we are learning?

Walking "in" (with) the Spirit . . . .

 Spirit Week: Holy Spirit Part III

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26) 

I got a HUGE question: If we say we are saved and agree that the Holy Spirit lives within us, why do we choose the wrong thing so many times?  I know we all struggle. Nearly every night we all can look back upon our day and realize how many times we have failed Christ and grieved the Holy Spirit. We honestly repent and seek forgiveness . . . the life of a Christ follower!

There is a key word in Paul's words above . . . practice. Yes, we are talking about practice! However, unlike what the famous NBA player was referring to years ago (https://youtu.be/eGDBR2L5kzI), this practice leads to eternal life! It refers to a habit, a way of life!

As we grow in faith, the influence of the Holy Spirit should be growing within us. We should be sinning less and less and walking in the Spirit more and more! We should be acknowledging our sin and denying our flesh more than giving in to it. Let's make a habit of walking in the Spirit!