When I ask the kids in my youth group what burdens they would like to lay at the feet of Jesus this time of year, school-related stresses are always among the top. Most parents I visit with are also a little more stressed at the beginning of the school year.

The fact is, summer is not only great break from school, homework, and such. It is also a great break from daily temptations that come in the form of peer pressure. But it doesn’t take long every year for kids who are on fire for the Lord because of church camp and other youth activities, to find themselves fighting temptations.

These spiritual battles become huge, especially for those who forget that Christians come equipped with an unlimited supply of POWER from on high (Ephesians 1:15-20), and from constant fellowship with their church family! (Hebrews 10:25)

One of my favorite passages for young people this time of year was written by the apostle Paul to a young disciple named Timothy. Paul wrote, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).”

Paul is urging Timothy to persevere in his faith. This step begins with a study of God’s word (Romans 10:17 & 2 Timothy 2:15). Even today, we must put aside our own likes and dislikes about how “religion” is done. We must get off God’s throne, and put Him back on it! Our place is not on a throne but on an altar (Romans 12:1).

Paul tells Timothy it is important to read from God’s word, and to obey it. “Faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26).” You see, putting our belief into action is just as necessary as having an accurate belief system to begin with, based on the Bible (Gal. 1:6-10).

In the first century Paul wrote letters of encouragement and instruction mostly to new bodies of believers. The persecution they were under made these letters even more important.

Paul wrote to remind them of the power that each Christian possesses because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that takes place when we put on Christ in baptism (Acts 2:38 & Galatians 3:26-27). God’s Spirit guides, comforts, and communicates our every need to God the Father as we earnestly seek to stay in step with God (Heb. 11:6 & Gal. 5:25). God will always show us a way of escape when temptations come (1 Cor. 10:13).

In Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians he said, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

Remember the power of God’s encouragement and guidance is here for us today the same as it was generations ago. What will you do with it today? Have a blessed week!

Reach Barrett Vanlandingham at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ at (918) 478-2222 or barrett@ftgcc.org.