"Don't Let Anyone Look Down On You Because You Are Young"

I would like to encourage young people to "stand up" for their faith in Jesus. God has a very specific plan for you and your life. God had this plan for you before you were created. He has a specific plan for each of us. Just look what He said to one...

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. "

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

As you seek His will, His plan for your life, I encourage you to search the scriptures. Timothy was a young man. God told him that he could be an example to all believers, even those older than he, in the church.

Warnings against False Teachers

1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.

2 These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.

3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanksgiving by people who know and believe the truth.

4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts.

5 For we know it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 If you explain this to the brothers and sisters, you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed.

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.

8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 9 This is true, and everyone should accept it.

10 We work hard and suffer much* in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

12 Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you. (NLT)

GOD's Call to Youth

Youth of the World come to Jesus

"But aren't youth too young to do anything great for God?"
In every age God has called youth to do a special work for Him. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Keenly aware of his inexperience, Jeremiah replied, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."

But the Lord answered, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jer. 1:5-7).

God has a plan for your life as surely as He did for Jeremiah's. The same Word which made Jeremiah fearless in the face of imprisonment and persecution will strengthen you to accomplish the task He gives you.
God asks only for a willing, believing heart.

Do you believe He has called you to a special work for Him?

Are you willing to follow Him wherever He might lead?

"What if God asks me to do something difficult?"

This is a me-centered question that all of us ask! But let's take our minds off ourselves, and reflect on the life of Jesus.

Did God ask Him to do something difficult in sending Him to save us?

As we look at the early years of Jesus, we find His childhood was like ours. He didn't tell His friends tales about the glories of heaven, because He didn't remember heaven.

The Bible tells us He was "made like his brethren" (Heb. 2:17).
As He "increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52), His knowledge of His heavenly Father grew because of His study of the Bible.

He was blessed with a wonderful mother, who chose to home-school her son, teaching Him valuable lessons from Scripture.
His early years were difficult, for He often endured the ridicule of His brothers and neighbor children, who taunted Him for not joining in their sinful practices. To them His example had to be a constant rebuke.
Just how much Mary told Jesus of the miracle of His birth we don't know. We do know He didn't understand His Father's purpose for His life until His twelfth year. For the first time, He joined His parents and other Israelites in their once-a-year trip to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.

At the temple He questioned the Jewish rabbis about the coming Messiah. Having studied Daniel, He knew the Messiah's coming was near. As He watched a priest slay a perfect young lamb on the altar and saw its blood trickle down the side, it dawned on Him--He must be "the Lamb of God" that would take away the sin of the world. He must be the Sacrifice to which all the sacrifices pointed. His death must be the first "real" death in the history of the universe--a "second death" with no hope of resurrection (in Luke 8:52 Jesus refers to the first death as sleep).

His young heart must have been rent with anguish as He realized that Someone must bear the sins of the whole world (Isa. 53:6). What was lost "in Adam"--the salvation of all mankind--He must redeem in Himself (Rom. 5:18). But the Father did not force Him; at the age of 12 Jesus chose voluntarily to die for us. Why?

His heavenly Father had given Him up in love--a gift to the human race forever. No wonder He later said in His ministry, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . ." (John 3:16).