AWAITING!! Watching & Praying
The Just shall live by Faith
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lusts thereof: but he who does the Will of God abides forever.
Young people today need the Prayers of every Born-Again Christian across the entire world! The days we are living in now are evil and temptation to depart from the Word of God grows ever stronger. Our Youth and Children are bombarded in today's society to except things as "normal," and to go along with ideas that does not line up with the Word of God. My own child is allured to the deceitfulness of sin through the Disney Channel. Once upon a time, there was Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Today's norm is witches and wizards and all the magic they perform. Her response to my disapproval is "Mama it's not real." It is real, my Bible tells us very clearly in Lev. 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. In Lev. 20:6 God says anyone who goes after familiar spirits and wizards, He will set His face against you! De. 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consultant with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all these things are an abomination unto the Lord: - furthermore it's my conviction that one should not entertain demon spirits in Church dramas, for the Word says to abstain from all appearance of evil. It does not say to entertain them!
This world is full of distractions, things that are not in the best interest for a child of God. Technology, which was meant to make life easier and fun, has become one of satan's greatest weapons. He is subtly drawing our children after himself. From the Internet, text messaging, very disgraceful video games, and drugs & alcohol. Our kids today needs their Parents reinforcing solid Biblical Principles to them. They need the Word of God!! They need to see you reading the Bible everyday. The Bible is your "Parenting Book." Take your child back this day and loose them from the things that bind them in the Name of Jesus Christ.
God created you in His Divine Image to Worship Him. We are warned not to love the world, neither the things of this world. Satan wants you to get comfortable in this life and take pride and delight in the attractions of the world. He wants you to love and covet after all the things the world has to offer. Yeah, you want the big house, the new car, the hot new cell phone that comes out every year. You want, want, and want and yet those things will never fill that void in your heart. Yes, the enemy of your soul is constantly nagging you to get the next best thing. All that "stuff" means absolutely nothing!
The Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation (lifestyle) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, But Godliness with contentment is great gain (that means to be content with what we have). vs. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (this speaks of worldly possessions. The only thing a person can keep is their Faith, and that Faith is Jesus Christ and the Cross). vs. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. - Oh how much more joyful and "free" would you be, if only food and clothes were all you wanted.
Let us talk about the lust of the eyes. I will keep this simple and clean. Do not look upon one another with lustful desires. 1 Co. 3:16-17 says it all; Know you not that you are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple you are. ( Our physical bodies must be a living Sacrifice, we are to be pure and clean, a living sacrifice meet for the Master's Use! By making the Finished Work at the Cross the object of your Faith, the Holy Spirit will enable you to be that pure and Holy Temple that God will be pleased to make His abode in!)
Also listen to what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, Brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a Living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. - After all that The LORD Jesus did for us, all His sufferings, all the way to the Cross, why wouldn't you want to honor Him by keeping yourself pure?
We are told in verse 2, be not conformed to this world (the ways of the world): but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. It is good for the youth to be at Church on a Wed. night, listening to their Youth Pastor. It is good for the little children to be at Church with their Parents. It is good to be at Church year round, not just Easter and Christmas. God has a Pastor in place to watch for your souls, to feed you the Word of God! Read your Bibles, as if you are going to be tested on it. Please pray! Your prayer life establishes your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In Luke 18:1 Jesus said that men ought to always pray. Ephesians 6:18 says, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints; - 1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing. - 1 Ti. 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up Holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
John told us love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. The Apostle Paul tells us something equally important. Young people, you need to have an understanding on this subject right now. Before you start seriously dating someone, before you graduate from High School. Listen carefully, and ask the Holy Spirit to always keep you mindful of this. Following this command will save you from a lifetime of troubles and misery! 2 Co. 6:14-17 Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has Righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? - There are two fellowships in the world. You are either a Christian following the Lord, or you are following unbelievers and their ways. Do not "yoke up" with someone who is not a Christian! Young men and ladies be very careful to who you keep company with and those who would try to seduce you into believing a lie. When it's time for you to get married, you better make sure he or she is Saved, and filled with the Holy Ghost! vs. 15 And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he who believes with an infidel? - If you have asked Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and Savior, you should absolutely separate yourself from the ways of the world. The world may entice you to come over to her side, but it cares nothing for you. You are like a sheep in the midst of wolves! The world will chew you up and spit you out. Come out and be ye separate, because we serve a God who is the King of Glory. The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Praise the Lord!
vs. 16 And what agreement has the Temple of God with idols? for you are the Temple of the Living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. - What is the object of your affection? Where do you focus your thoughts? Have you made your girlfriend or boyfriend into an idol to be worshipped? Or do you hold up some Hollywood Personality in high esteem? As oil and water do not mix, neither does our Almighty God and idols mix. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in your heart. Our God is a jealous God and He wants you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
vs. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ( touch not the unclean thing refers to avoiding all unholy contact with a vain and polluted world or person) vs. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! What comfort we have, to know that He is our Father. Young people never resort to the world to meet your needs, but know that you can boldly come to the throne of Grace, to make your requests known unto God. He is there to help you in more ways than you could ever imagine!
In closing, you need to understand that I am not asking anything out of you that is impossible. You as a Christian, a Child of the Most High God, saved by the Precious Blood of The Lamb, can walk clean and pure and Holy in this world. You can do this by making the object of your Faith in the Finished Work at the Cross. With your Faith placed in the Cross of Christ, the Holy Spirit will enable you to live a life that is right and pleasing unto God. It is a great, inward work of the Holy Spirit and He desires to make His abode in you, leading and guiding you into all Truth. But, you have to want it more than anything in this world! And yes, it will cost you everything. 2 Ti. 3:12 says, Yes, and all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. - Fear not little flock, for He overcame the world and so will you. "Crave" the Presence of God in your life as if you are about to die, and He will fill your soul!
Let us ever be so careful to give God all the Praise and Glory. For God is our Father, Jesus is our Savior, and the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Teacher, and ever present help in time of need. And Yes, he and she, who does the Will of God will abide forever. For he who acknowledges the Son has the Father, and this is the Promise that He has promised us, even Eternal Life.
Praise God and Amen and Amen.
Sister Tracey
