Encouragement for young men (Part 1)

Today we heard a great teaching at church, that I really enjoyed. It made me want to press deeper into the Word and search out the truth that is able to save your souls. After thinking this thought, a temptation tried to enter my mind. After taking the thought captive, I wondered "where did that thought come from?" I had not been thinking anywhere near those lines a minute before. Then suddenly it came to me. As soon as the word, (or seed as in the parable of the sower) is sown on the heart of a man, the forces of evil strive to snatch it away from us.(As in the parable of the sower where the seed is sown on the road and the birds sweep down and eat it) So when a young man is just kind of floating along, going through life, not really thinking on the Lord, or his way, the forces of evil don't have a problem with him as he is no threat to them. However, when that same young man is stirred up in righteousness, and encouraged in the way of the Lord by the word of God, then evil attacks and attempts to snatch away the word of truth, which is able to save the soul. So young men, I want to encourage you to step up to the plate, begin reading the Bible on a daily basis. There is much need for this. In the following verse God tells Joshua:

Josh 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

And then again in the Psalms:

Ps 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
Ps 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.Ps 1:3 He will be like a tree {firmly} planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

But a warning, as you read the word, there will be tests and trials that come to try to choke out the word, as stated in this verse:

1 Pet 4:12 ¶ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
1 Pet 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
1 Pet 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 Pet 4:15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
1 Pet 4:16 but if {anyone suffers} as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
1 Pet 4:17 For {it is} time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if {it} {begins} with us first, what {will be} the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?

This brings me to a point. There are two halves, if you will, to the Christian walk, The first half is learning the fear of the Lord to begin learning wisdom, and beginning to cease from sin. After that we begin to learn how to walk as the Lord would have us walk. That is where we "overcome evil with good" and replace our old sinful man with a new man in Christ. We become a new creation. It is a matter of ceasing from sin, and learning to walk in how God wants you to walk. Putting off ungodliness and putting on love, joy, peace, ect.

We also sang a song called "How can a young man keep is way pure?" The answer is "By keeping it according to Thy Word". Well, if a young man is not reading the word and stirring up the word(seed) that the Lord in His mercy, has sown within him(The young man), how will the truth come and minister when the time of trail comes? This verse has the right idea. "Thy Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee". How can we learn to be a man for Christ, if we do not study His word! Here is some instruction Paul gives to Timothy:

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."
2 Tim 2:20 ¶ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
2 Tim 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these {things,} he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Tim 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love {and} peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

We as young men are to flee from evil(sin, lust, ect.) and pursue faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart! Furthermore we are instructed:

1 Tim 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but {rather} in speech, conduct, love, faith {and} purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
1 Tim 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the {public} reading {of Scripture,} to exhortation and teaching.
1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
1 Tim 4:15 Take pains with these things; be {absorbed} in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
1 Tim 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

I was reminded of this in part by Michael over at http://bloggingteen.blogspot.com/ It seems to me, that his is living up to the verse above. By his striving to follow his Maker, he has encouraged me to do the same. I hope that all Christian young men rally to the Word this coming week, and for all weeks forevermore!

God Bless,
The Blogging Boy Scout,
Travis