Obedient Lifestyle

I felt like doing a short bible study today so let’s see how this goes. Today I am going to use a couple paragraphs out of one of my favorite books by Ellen G. White called “Messages to Young People.” I encourage everyone to read this book for its valuable information.

This is titled “Cherish Broad Ideas.”

“Young men should have broad ideas, wise plans, that they may make the most of their opportunities, catch the inspiration and courage that animated the apostles. John says, “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” An elevated standard is presented before the youth, and God is inviting them to come into real service for Him. True-hearted young men who delight to be the learners in the school of Christ, can do great work for the Master, if they will only give heed to the command of the Captain as it sounds down along the lines to our time, “Quit you like men, be strong.”

You are to be men who will walk humbly with God, who will stand before Him in your God-given manhood, free from impurity, free from all contamination from the sensuality that is corrupting this age. You must be men who will despise all falsity and wickedness, who will dare to be true and brave, holding aloft the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Your talents will increase as you use them for the Master, and they will be esteemed precious by Him who has brought them with an infinite price. Do not sit down and neglect to do anything, simply because you cannot do some great thing but do whatever your hands find to do, with thoroughness and energy.”

This is not only for the men but for women as well. I think everyone should have great ideas and inspiration to do great things for God. It’s important we do anything even if we think it’s too little because what we think is too little could be a very big for another.

We all deal with some kind of stress in our lives, most of us hide it but it’s there. Unfortunately, one of the biggest stresses out there comes from social media. It’s full of fantasies and great novels of a life we wished we had. The proof is in the high depression rate, numerous suicides and/or psychotropic drug use. Sadly, this has been among our youth lately, and a lot has to do with comparison. We should never compare ourselves to anyone other than our past selves in order to move forward. We should be thinking about the improvements we’ve made in our lives in the past 5-10 years, and if we think we need more improvement we keep going until satisfied, being stagnant for another 5-10 years will only hurt ourselves and it will be nobody’s fault but our own. Comparing ourselves to people like Kim Kardashian is like comparing ourselves to a Barbie doll, it’s not real. She has to keep up the happy easy life front by always looking beautiful and/or sexy to please the world because it’s her job otherwise she will be ridiculed, I am sure it costs a ton of money to be her too, whether we believe it or not she has a lot of stress too.  Sure, she’s famous because of her looks, but wouldn’t you rather be known for your brain? I know people who would take looks over brains in a heartbeat for fame but it’s not always that simple and/or happy. It’s sad because there are a lot of confident beautiful women out there who seem to have it all because of their looks but are really dying inside. We all have problems and some of them may seem little to others but in reality it’s killing them.

We have to remember we are all different and we handle stress differently but it could feel the same. For example, there are two suicidal people, one person is dealing with depression because of a sickness and the other is dealing with depression from an abusing spouse, they both want to kill themselves because they hate their lives. Yes, they are different scenarios but they have the same pain inside, I know some may disagree but how could they not if they both are suicidal? So before you call someone a name, gossip, or lie about them, just remember they are human too and they have feelings, they bleed and breath like the rest of us, instead make them smile, tell them they are loved, not only by us but by our Creator as well. Sometimes we need to be reminded even if it’s from a stranger. We shouldn’t let pride get in the way of our inspirations to help others get closer to God. The more we tell people about God the more we will be blessed. Like Ellen White said, our talents will increase as we use them for God, and remember, nothing is too small for God. Carry the light where ever you go! Let it be the study of our lives to bless and save others! Like the bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” Pay it forward and don’t forget to make God smile today by making someone else happy. Love God. Love Yourself.

Psalm 139:14
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”