Things in life change, just as the seasons change so it goes with life. Change is a constant. In New England they say “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” If change is inevitable and time marches on, what are we doing to insure we influence the direction of the future? We need to act in a way that will have a lasting effect on tomorrow. Next! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Remember the old days? I am sure we all have stories of events, places, locked in our memory forever. We can recall them like they were yesterday. What about favorites? We all have certain ones that for one reason or another hold a special place; memories that are burned into our minds forever.

How about heroes? There are people we look up to, separate them from others in our lives, as we seek to use their lives as motivation for ours. Do you have some heroes in your life? Do you look up to someone and desire to be like them?

I think we all do in one form or another. Sometimes it can take over our lives and everything we do revolves around them. It becomes an act of worship. We need to be careful that we don’t let it get to that point; God is the only one worthy of worship.

Listen to the words Peter shares with us about our responsibility to Generation Next.

1Peter 5:2-5; Care for your flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly-not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the great shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

In the same way, you younger men (and women) must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for God opposes the proud but favors the humble”

Peter provides a timely message to us about our responsibilities to ourselves and those who are watching and following our example.

We all share in the responsibility to set the right example for the next generation. We also have a responsibility to guide those around us in the way that is right, true and honorable. I sometimes look at the example I set and find it necessary to go before God and ask His forgiveness.

In God’s Word we also see that Paul cared for and took several young men under his wing. He taught them about God and how to live a life that honors God. One of those men was Timothy. He charged Timothy to keep at it, follow the teachings he had been taught. Show the world the difference Christ can make in your life.

2 Timothy 4:1-5, I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

For me this passage holds special meaning. On the day that I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry; T. Marshall Thompson read this passage to me. He was my mentor, my Paul. He spent his time helping me learn to handle God’s word correctly. He helped me learn how to be bolder for Christ. He encouraged me to run the race in such a way as to win.

A short time after he read this passage to me T. Marshall left this earth to join God in heaven. I will never forget the impression he made on me and the things he taught me. When I am faced with challenges beyond my understanding I think about T. Marshall and what he would tell me to do. He is still with me.

Let me ask a couple of questions; have you taken the time to pass along what you have learned in your life and help someone learn? Have you sought out someone with more experience than you and let them guide you? What have we done to continue the work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

There is much we do not know and will not learn unless we let someone teach us. There are many challenges in life that we cannot get through without someone there to encourage us. Take some time and be a teacher, an encourager. Make the effort to ask for help from someone who knows how. The experiences we endure in life are only valuable if we learn from them. Let us make every effort to help and encourage those who follow us, next.

Blessings,

Pastor Don