In this episode, we discuss the importance of making godly choices and setting clear, faithful goals for the youth. Through scriptural references and personal anecdotes, we delve into how young people can cultivate respect and integrity, ensuring their growth in a secure and loving household. Discover insights into maintaining a focus on God while navigating life’s challenges.
The blessed hymn asks the question, how shall the young secure their hearts? Let’s answer that today from the International Gospel Hour, and our study begins in a moment.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.
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Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
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Well, thank you once again to our J-Web. I love Jay and I hope you do as well. We’re so delighted to hear from Jay throughout our broadcast. And today we are delighted to come to you once again. Greetings to all of you. Thank you for being with us. And you know, we want to seek God through our study today. Hebrews 11, 6 reminds us, But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. In our previous broadcast, we considered the text of Psalm 119, verses 9 and 10. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word. With my whole heart I have sought you, O let me not wander from your commandments. So we looked at the best way for youth, to give attention, or taking heed, and give application, seeking and not wandering, all to the word of God. When we give attention to the Word of God and we give application to the Word of God, then we have an affirmation that is there that I might not sin against you, Psalm 119, verse 11. Today we want to once again emphasize choosing the best way. How can the young secure their hearts? But first, as in our previous broadcast, we have another special gift for our young people. And for also older folks alike, here is our J-Web.
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Our free publication today is Valor and Virtue, a Christian apologetics magazine for teens. It is a great resource, especially for the challenging teen years. Get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say Valor. And you can also request it through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contacts tab and leave us your name and address and put Valor in the message box. Our friends at ApologeticsPress.org have made this possible for you, our listeners. Get your copy of Valor and Virtue today.
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Dear friends, the best way for youth, what about secure hearts in a secure home? You see, the good home life must present parents who also have secure hearts for Jesus Christ. We will parallel with that Matthew 22, 37, the love of the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. And to seek first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6 and verse 33. Give parents who have secure hearts for Christ, children will follow. In both the Old and New Testaments, it was clear what God commanded for parents. to place the word of God before their children, to teach them when they would rise in the morning, walk during the day, when they would lie down, and how they would have them throughout their houses. Oh dear friends, to note this from Deuteronomy chapter 11 verses 18 through 21, and even in the New Testament for children to obey their parents and the Lord in Ephesians 6 and verse 1, but we cannot miss verse 4 that says, And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and the admonition of the Lord. So moms and dads, it all starts with you. Securing your children’s hearts for God depends much upon your example and direction and if your heart is secure. It is well to know that as you follow God, the chances are very strong your children will as well. Statistics have shown where mom and dad are faithfully involved in a congregation, the high percentage that their children will be. If you just decide to quote-unquote go to church, well, believe it or not, folks, that fact drops a little. And if either parent is not involved, it drops even more. You can only imagine if both parents do not have church in their lives. Please always know here at International Gospel Hour, reach out to us and we will help you find a church of Christ in your area. And we hope that it will help you and your family. Number two, the best way for youth, well, secure hearts with sure respect. You know, everyone wants to be respected, especially our young people. But regrettably, some of our young people are willing to do other things to earn respect, or at least they think they are. They may rebel against their parents, even lie to them, sometimes just express the toughness themselves. They may bully other people to show their strength. They curse and speak loudly, trying to present their power, but you know, none of those are really sufficient. If youth desire respect, they must give respect. That’s the pattern of the golden rule in Matthew 7 and verse 12. And What about Titus 2 and verse 8? Sound speech that cannot be condemned, that he is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. So yes, our young people must have respect for authority in the home, out of the home, and in the church. And responding with respect will garner respect that builds and grows an all-around attitude that is of God and that is for God. And so, dear friends, dear young people, secure your hearts with sure respect. It’s another best way for youth. Now, I want to put together here a little side note. It’s an area of opinion, but I want you to think about it. Boys and girls, learn how to shake a person’s hand correctly. Young men, give a grip to the person, to the individual that you shake their hands. Don’t squeeze their hand to death, but give them a firm grip. Find a man that can teach you how to shake hands. Ask your fathers. But that’s a small thing. But when you shake hands and look a person in the eye, it gains their respect and it shows you have respect for them. Young ladies… Learn a firm handshake. I’m serious. If a young man shakes your hand, he’ll know this. Number one, I’m not going to try anything with this young lady. I should not. And number two, chances are she learned that handshake from her father, and he will correct me if I try to take advantage of his daughter. So young men and young ladies, a small thing, shake hands correctly. Here’s the third thing. The best way for youth? Secure hearts will set a plan to continue good choices. See, you’ve come this far because you have chosen the best way. Biblically speaking as a pattern, let’s look at those that made the right choices. Well, Jesus made a good choice, the right choice, when he asked his parents in Luke 2.49, How is it that you sought me? Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? You see, Jesus had a focus to be about God’s business. Josiah was a youth about the Father’s business in 2 Kings 22, 1 and 2. Timothy was a youth about the Father’s business, 2 Timothy 3 and verse 15. From a child he had learned the scriptures, and look how Paul was instructing and using him. We think of the choice Solomon made through inspiration when he taught us to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, Ecclesiastes 12.1. Choosing the best way will keep one continually walking in the best way. Secure hearts that come from attention and application of the word will keep hearts secure within good homes, giving respect, and continuing the plan God has put forth. Young people, I will assure you, begin now to make and set your goals and set godly goals. Stay with them. Continue to pursue them. And the day will come you will look back and you will see your blessings more than fourfold. I can tell you today that a lot of what I am doing, I determined to do in my teenage years. And while along the way I had some of my toughest moments in life, and while along that way it was very difficult, but I stayed with it and I kept my focus on God, He will bless you. Let’s put those good godly goals into action, because good godly goals made now results in many blessings down the road. What I’d like to do is share with you a very special online study. Young people, maybe you’re looking for answers. Parents, maybe you’re looking for answers with them. How would you love to engage in a video series together called Back to the Bible? Well, I won’t say any more about it. I will allow our J-Web to tell you how you can access this great study.
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Let’s go back to the Bible, shall we? On International Gospel Hour, we always desire to go back to the Bible for our studies. And now we are delighted to offer a special video series through our friends at World Video Bible School. It’s called Back to the Bible with our friend Rob Whitaker. A simple yet thorough study that deals with authority in religion, the church, and your salvation. It’s free, friends. Call us at 855-444-6988. Tell us your email address, say back to the Bible, and we will send the link to you. It’s that easy. You can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, leave us your email, type back to the Bible in the message box, and we will send the link right away. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Well, friends, we hope that this study today of choosing the best way for youth has been profitable. Now, part one of this broadcast is available at our website, internationalgospelhour.com, under the 15-minute broadcast. Just scroll down the screen, look for our daily broadcast, click on it, and you can find Choosing the Best Way for Youth, part one and part two. They’re also available on your favorite podcast platform. So we’d like for you to once again go back and hear part one as well as part two. We hope it will be of great help to you. We hope the tools that we have offered today will be of good help to you as well. We’d like to put in one quick plug for our friends at apologeticspress.org. Go to their website, peruse their material, and you’ll find a lot of great material that will help in your study of the Word of God for all the family. We really appreciate your interest in the things that be of God, and we’re going to continue our studies together at another time. But for now, thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and as always, keep listening.
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God be with you till we meet again.
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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.
