High school students! I would like to say there is nothing wrong with being a virgin. For in the eyes of God, it is the right thing because He commanded men to abstain from fornication. 1 Thess 4:3-8. 1 Cor 6.18.
Fornication means unlawful sexual intercourse. The sex is illicit, because it is outside marriage and sex has been created by God and given to husband and wife. 1 Cor 7:1-5. Gen 3:16. Now you may say, "I didn't know that. Everywhere I look, I see people talking about sex and having sex"! And that might be the case,because people don't do what God commands. Many young people grow up in houses, where the word "God" is never mention; unless it is added to the word "damn." Such is an ungodly home and sadly it is producing siblings who have no relationship with their Creator. But it doesn't have to remain that way. Man can change and come to understand what the word of God teaches. However, one must take an interest in what the word of God has to say. So don?t be ashamed by taunts. You are fine, so stand your ground. You will grow up the right way and free from having children out of wedlock and other things which only cause problems before you are adults. Bad things occur on the highways and streets. Take for example; hit and run drivers. Aggressive drivers who are ready to use violence in the blink of an eye. Assaults. Rape. Robbery. Snatching children, murder. etc A few year ago, an Ohio man, angry with his former girlfriend randomly shot and killed stranger who was out picking up bottles from the street.
Yes, the roadways get us to where we want to be, but it can also be a place where one is introduced to injury or death. Jesus said evil originates in the heart of man. Matthew 15:16-20. When the evil thought is conceived, it doesn?t stay still; it turns into action and then we hear about the wicked results on the news. The heart of man must change and that comes when people give themselves over to the word of God. To live life as He teaches us. To love God with all our being and to love our fellowman as well. Luke 10.25-28. That is the mission of the Lord?s church, to reach out and teach one person at a time. Are you dear reader; ready for the change in lifestyle that the word of God can give you? At times the Lords church has been subjected to receive complaining phone calls from people who are angry that church material has been left on their car or front door. There is no way I?ll be able to know the answer to this question, but I will reveal it to you anyway. I wonder if these people phone anyone who places printed material on their cars or front doors? Or do they only phone churches? If the pizza man can place printed material and they don?t call him to complain; I have to wonder why? If the roofing man can place printed material and they don?t call him to complain; I have to wonder why?
Could these people be church haters? They hate God. They hate anyone trying to spread the word about God. They are just mean, miserable and wrong. Jesus said men would hate the truth and hate those who teach it. John 3.19-21. John 7.7. John 15.18-23. John 16.1-4. And they have another foolish action they display in their phone calls. They don?t identify themselves, their homes or cars. Some of them even use profanity toward the church. They throw rocks and hide their hands. What a bunch of cowards.! To all the haters out there. I tell you this. Next time you call; leave your name, address and description of your car. We will gladly avoid your property. We don?t want to offer the word of God to those who hate it. Matt 7.6. Acts 18.5-6. A roofing company that does business in Mt Airy, Chestnut Hill and other areas has taken the down payment of a customer and didn't do the work. To the best of my knowledge, any smart person would say that is deplorable and I agree.
However, what would make a company do that to a customer? The love of money is the reason. 1 Tim 6.10 teaches the love for money will lead men to do things that are wrong. When a lover of money, thinks that he can get free money and not work for it; they will do it. The reason they do, is they are without ethics. When a person is like that they have no regard for what is right, they think only of themselves and set no example of their word being their bond. We are sorry to see the customer and his family put though all this drama by the roofing company; but small claims court is available and hopefully they can get justice. 1 Peter 2.13-15. On one last note; we must remember that God has seen all things and He will reward the roofing company according to their works. Eccl 3.17 It makes no different who a person is. Black, White, Asian, Jew, Greek, Iranian, North Korean, etc. The Lord will extend mercy to any who seek to understand what they must do to be saved. Rom 10.8-17. Acts 16.25-33. Acts 2.36-42. Gal 3.26-29. Col 3.11. Acts 10.34-36. The powerful message revealed in the scriptures I have provided for your reading with show you every point stated. So, what should one be waiting for? Nothing! No person should be waiting for anything. All should take strong interest in starting a relationship with God. And if you need some reason to do so; think death! Some people talk so easy about death because they have no idea what they are stepping into. Death is eternality and as a person dies, so will they be when they stand before God to be judged. Heb 9:27. John 8.21-24. Luke 16.25. Matt 25.31-46.
Man needs to get his soul right and that will require investing time with a teacher of the gospel. 1 Cor 1.20-24. Acts 8.26-39. 1 Cor 3.1-9. John 6.45. Acts 16.13-15. Acts 28.23-31 The hurricanes going through the tropics and causing all that damage is evidence that nothing stays nice forever. Storms are a common thing for that part of the world and with the nice weather, it is the price those people have to pay. But now is also a good time for those with means to seek ways to help the people of that area.
If you know an organization or people who can be trusted to deliver aid; now is the time to share with them in this need. The recovery will be long and hard for the Bahamas; but people working together can get it done. Gal 6:10 All of mankind will have problems. Job 14.1-2. But, the difference between the unbeliever and the believer, is the peace that the child of God has because of the guidance and help of the Lord though the time of trouble. Proverbs 1.33 The unbeliever has no help from the Lord; he is all out there on his on and will suffer the consequences of being beaten by something which is greater than himself. Proverbs 1.24-32.
God on the other hand is bigger than any problem one may face and by being a child of God; the peace which passes all understanding will make it easier to sleep at night. Proverbs 2.10-11. Proverbs 3.21-24. Because most don?t submit themselves to the will of God; they will miss out on all the things the Lord would have done for them. Luke 13.34-35. Don?t let that happen to you. Get to know the Lord today. Hebrews 3.15. Trying to change people is very hard. The old saying; "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink." This is true when it concerns the teaching of the gospel of Christ. The church can introduce people to the word of God; but have no power about getting men to embrace it.
Noah preached for many years while he was also preparing the ark. The world in which Noah lived, was full of brick head people and he didn't gain one convert. The only people saved from the flood were the eight people who lived in his house. Everyone thought Noah was crazy so they didn't listen to him. 2 Peter 2.5. 1 Peter 3.20 Gen 7.5-11 Getting along with others is vital and here are some pointers. Refuse slander because it?s infectious and only contaminates. Pro 15:18. Pro 26:17-22. A person's mouth must be used for encouragement not destruction. Jas 3:8-12. Eph 4:29. Col 4:6. Lk 4:22. When people do you wrong, don't resort to violence. Physically attacking someone is based upon wrath and such actions never work righteousness. Jas 1:20. Don't be a walking time bomb; because such people are always in trouble and apologizing because of their tempers. For the bible teaches,? wrath rest?s in the bosom of fools?. Eccl 7:9.
Look at the example set by Jesus; He was slandered and suffered many wrongs, yet He didn't repay evil for evil. 1 Pt 2:21-23. Rom 12:17-21. When issues arise, men must settle them honorably. Phil 2:3-5. 1 Thess 5:15. 2 Cor 8:21. Col 3:13. Being friendly toward others cannot hurt, a smile requires a few face muscles while a frown demands more. So if you are feuding with someone and would like to work toward peace, give them a sincere greeting. If the person has the right spirit, he will respond in a positively. If not, you have done what you could. Pro 14:7 Many people are confused by the fourth of the ten commandments ,"Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy." Ex 20:8.
By going to church on Sunday, some people think they are obeying this command. But that is not the case. The ten commandments are a part of the Old Testament given to the Jews, prior to Christ death on the cross. Lk 16:16. Jesus death terminated the Old Testament and established the New Testament which is for us today. Matt 26:28. Heb 9:14-26. Heb 10:9-10. Col 2:10-17. 2 Cor 3:3-14 The Sabbath isn't part of the law of Christ and one can't keep what isn't the law of God. Rom 4:15. Also, the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week.(Saturday) And on that day, travel and cooking restrictions were in place, with anyone caught working on the Sabbath, being put to death. Ex 20:11. Ex 31:12-18. Ex 16:22-30. |