TODAY’S YOUTH
Not all of today’s youth believe in the cross and the second coming of Christ!
It is sad and painful to see a whole generation of Christian youth ( born and brought up in Christian families ) turning away from God. They boast of either being agnostic or atheist or something similar.
There is no doubt that we live in sinful end times in a broken and battered world. Human values have changed and human society has seen marked upheavals.
Could it be that the glitter and glamour of the modern world offer them far too many distractions? Countless wicked diversions are available at the tip of their fingertips?
The Consequences of Rejecting God
When you rebuff God and His Word, you are spurning away God’s gift of eternal life. Parents can only pray and pray for their children. But, it is up to the young people to repent and receive salvation.
Each person stands before God and is accountable for his or her actions at the end of their life.
A Pleading Note to the Next Generation Youth
Dear Youngsters…
The teachings from the Word of God are not very difficult!
Jesus died and rose from the dead to give you a new life.
When Christ died on the cross, by Grace your sins are already forgiven.
The cross is all about love, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and hope. In other words, the message of the cross is about being a good human being and receiving salvation.
A Role Model
It is a good idea to have a role model whom you can emulate, to become a good and better person. Who can be a greater and perfect role model than our Lord Jesus?
WHEN YOU ARE A GOOD HUMAN BEING, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY FOLLOW ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
The teachings of the Cross and the Word Of God
1. Forgiveness
Jesus makes it very clear that we can not RECEIVE forgiveness without GIVING forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we cannot enjoy eternal life!
Unforgiveness is a sin that is the root cause of other sins like bitterness, anger, contempt, pride, and ego.
The Bible says:
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” Mathew 6: 14-15.
2. Never be Rude or Talk ill of your Parents
It is unacceptable to use the sharpness of your tongue to hurt your parents, who taught you to talk, walk and eat. Never hurt them to please others. Your parents spent a lifetime loving and caring unconditionally. You will always be their little child, however old you become!
Never abandon them, especially when they are old and helpless. Did not Christ ask his disciple to look after his mother while he was on the cross?
The Bible says:
“Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head.” Leviticus 20:9
3. Do not be Toxic
Toxic people spread negativity. They create chaos, blame and intimidate others. Nothing is achieved by gaslighting! The sense of control and the feeling of superiority of toxic people is just a mirage.
Whereas, when you are kind and tender-hearted, your superiority is real and not a mirage!
The Bible says:
“ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
4. Keep away from Putting People Down
Under no circumstance put people down and make them squirm. It is vicious and inhuman!
Jesus commands us to lift people up and not to put them down.
Instead of putting people down, inspire them, change their life for the better, and make them happy and cheerful!
Still, want to put someone down? Put them down on your PRAYER LIST.
The Bible says:
“ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
5. Restrain from using Harsh and Hurting words
Words are powerful. They have the power to either break and devastate hearts or cause great joy and bring comfort! Hence, be watchful of the words you use.
It is downright sadistic to traumatize another human being with stinging words!
You have no right to be brutal and use ruthless words, even in anger. Anger is not an excuse.
The Bible says:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” Proverbs 15:
6. Curb your Pride and Ego
Do not be full of yourself. Pride goes before a fall. What is there to be proud of and egoistic in this temporal world? Aren’t we dust and to dust we shall go? We came into this world with nothing and we shall go taking nothing with us. Death is a great equalizer. Whether you are wealthy or poor, educated or ignorant, everyone becomes dust or ash.
Pride blinds us from realizing that we need God in our lives. We need to rely on Him for all that we need.
The Bible says:
“Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure”. Psalm 101:5
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
7. Be Compassionate and Merciful
Do not be callous. Compassion is all about being caring, kind, charitable, sympathetic, and understanding.
Refuse to be an audience and watch injustice being done to other people. Instead, empathize and understand their suffering and ease their pain. Put yourself in their shoes! Perspective is important.
Bible says:
“ Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
8.Count your blessings and be Grateful
Focus on the blessings you receive each day and be appreciative and grateful for them. To see a new day is the first big blessing each morning, which is denied to many people.
Don’t we take the air that we breathe in for granted? Whereas, during the 2nd wave of the Covid pandemic, countless people died due to the shortage of oxygen in our country. Hence, never take anything for granted but thank God at all times.
Having a grateful heart is a positive emotion that has the power to fill us with hope and joy!
The Bible says:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Thessalonians 5: 16-18
9. Laziness
In Genesis, we can see that God worked when He created the universe. He worked for 6 days and on the 7th day, He rested.
God put Adam in the garden to work and to take care of it .‘ The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it ‘. Genesis 2:15
Therefore, we are designed to toil for our bread and butter, and God provides for us through our work.
God has given us knowledge, different talents, and abilities. In the parable of the talents, Christ calls the man who was lazy and did not use his talents “evil and wicked”. Christ considers slothfulness as sin!
God is still at work in our lives!
The Bible says:
“You who are servants who are owned by someone, obey your owners. Work hard for them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Work for them as you would for the Lord because you honor God.”
10. Do Not Over Think.
It is deplorable to think too much and let your imagination run wild.
By overthinking, you will create problems that were not there at all! Moreover, you cannot control your life, your present, or your future by letting your mind spin in circles and assume the worst in everything. You may become paranoid.
Trust God and leave your cares with Him.
The Bible says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
Concluding Note to the Youth
Make it your priority to get it ‘Right with God’.
You CAN NOT change your past. But Christ CAN change your past. He died on the cross so that all your wrongdoings are forgiven. But then, you should be willing to change your way of living.
Bear in mind, that Satan has the power to blind your mind.
Look up to the cross, and Christ will guide you.
Enjoy God’s blessings and Love!
Dear Young People ...
Please do let Christ into your Hearts
Would you like to explore the ‘Genealogy of Christ in the Gospel of Mathew ‘
You might also like to know why your ‘Family is important to God !’
We are happy to give away 6 Free downloadable Scripture cards to share God’s love..It is in pdf format and can be printed on a single sheet.
CLICK on the image below to DOWNLOAD the above Scripture Cards.
May we keep today’s young people in our prayers. And may we, as adults, be a reflection of God’s love, grace, and faithfulness that draws them to Himself. Blessings!
Thank you for the prayers Joanne and thanks for stopping by!
I love this and it’s so true! We need to put on our armour and take this battle seriously!
Thank you for stopping by, Nita.
Lot’s of biblical wisdom for young people. This is a hard generation to grow up in. Joining you in prayer for our youth.
Yes indeed, this is a hard generation! Thanks for your prayers Ginger,and thank you for stopping by.
Thanks so much for sharing this. Many blessings to you!
Thank you very much, Boma…
My pastor gave Revelation 3:20 to me when I was a teen. It has always spoken to my heart. Thanks for this wonderful post!
Thank you Deb.. your appreciation means a lot to me.
Thanks!
Wish you a Happy New Year!