What do most immigrants to the United States want their children to do? Go to med school, of course! The idea has become such a stereotype, standup comics make millions telling jokes about it. But the stereotype is not untrue. Parents of every stripe, of every American ethnicity and culture have imagined their children asContinue reading “How Do I Get My Children to Follow the Lord? 2 Chronicles 24:24-25.”
Category Archives: Children and Youth –Never Too Young to Walk With God
THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.
Image: Johnny Derouen’s first day at FBC Houston, spring of 1984. Also pictured, Joel Nettles. Photo courtesy of Lance Vinson. The story goes that in the early ‘80s, Associate Pastor Felix Wagner interviewed 70-some people before he found the right man for the job. Let’s call it 77—the perfect number. After a two-year quest, FirstContinue reading “THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.”
Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.
The disciples asked Jesus to name the greatest person in the Kingdom of Heaven. They expected Him to say Abraham or Moses or David or Elijah or maybe John the Baptist, but He surprised them: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ AndContinue reading “Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom? Matthew 18:1-4.”
GODLY YOUTH. 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:11-12.
What is Paul’s advice to young Timothy about how to be a successful young disciple and pastor? Previously I discussed a passage about men who would be elders and deacons. Paul’s first letter to Timothy provides a similar list (3:2-14), then provides a list for older widows, for younger women, and even for slaves. FinallyContinue reading “GODLY YOUTH. 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:11-12.”
Have you ever been treated badly because you were young? 1 Timothy 4:12
Adults often look at youth and make assumptions. They dismiss you. They don’t take your problems seriously. They assume you are a whiner. And they don’t give you the benefit of the doubt. They assume you are lazy, or cheating, or selfish, or deceitful. But what does the Bible say? You know the most popularContinue reading “Have you ever been treated badly because you were young? 1 Timothy 4:12”
IS THERE A BEST TIME TO BE DEVOTED TO CHRIST? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:32-34.
Is there a time of “peak performance” in your spiritual life? Everyone knows peak performance in sports happens while you are young—early teens for female gymnasts, to 20s for runners and tennis players, and perhaps 20s and 30s for baseball and football players. The peak time for academic achievement is college and grad-school years. IContinue reading “IS THERE A BEST TIME TO BE DEVOTED TO CHRIST? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:32-34.”
Serve God Now, While You Are Young! 2 Kings 23:25
Before Josiah, there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him. 2 Kings 23:25. And he was crowned king at the tender age of 8! The time to serveContinue reading “Serve God Now, While You Are Young! 2 Kings 23:25”
Seek God While You Are Young! Ecclesiastes 12:1.
Twenty-somethings raised in the church are growing up to be the nicest adults. They have the best intentions. They are sensitive to everyone’s triggers. They are so sincere! They have not been drunk since college. They are not trying to score heroin on the street at midnight. Most of them have never seen a prostituteContinue reading “Seek God While You Are Young! Ecclesiastes 12:1.”
Your Young Years Are Critical.
The future kings Saul and David were so different. Saul hid from the spotlight, complaining that he was from a clan of nobodies. David welcomed the anointing and was fearless in the face of a ten-foot-tall Philistine with a spear so heavy normal men called it a beam. Samuel anointed each man. The Spirit ofContinue reading “Your Young Years Are Critical.”
Household Words: 