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Do You Want To Be Successful? - Good Advice for Young People of All Ages

By Jeffery Canaday, Youth Director, Calvary Baptist Church, Monticello, Florida

How to Glorify Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ With Your Life By Applying the Principles and Practices of Fundamental Independent Baptists.

Part I - Introduction

Everyone who lives on this planet is divided into two groups when it comes to their moral beliefs, and everyone who lives in our world, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man, woman, boy or girl, will take a position that sides with one of these groups. You will either be honorable, truthful and pure or you will be dishonorable, a liar, and corrupt. You will either be intelligent, and have a mind full of helpful information that you have discovered to be true or you will be ignorant, repeating the opinions of others. I can’t stress enough, how important it is to you, your parents, your friends and to society in general that you should be honorable, informed, truthful and pure in all of your character. Your entire life would stand out and you would be a source of inspiration and happiness to everyone you came in contact with. It should be of great concern to you as to how you would accomplish this type of life. Proverbs declares it and many parents will bear witness to the fact that “A wise son maketh a glad father but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother” (Proverbs 10:1). Nothing will make your parents happier than to know that you have chosen to be a person of integrity and honor. You are not born with character, it is something that must be taught, and you will find that usually, the lesson is not pleasant but it is necessary and worthwhile. Don’t be amazed or surprised, if you are honest with yourself, you will admit that what I’ve just said is right and you would want the same for your children. You should start showing these qualities as soon as possible, no matter how young you are, Proverbs 20:11 says “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

Using the King James Bible, which is our sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, I will try to offer you some advice and some suggestions that will help you get to a point where you are happy in your own life, and where you will be useful and a joy to others, but most importantly to glorify Jesus Christ through your actions and display of moral standards and judgment. Don’t be shocked or become discouraged to find out that much will be required of you and you have many things to watch out for and many things to do. As God’s steward (which simply means that you have been given something of God’s to take care of and use to the best of your ability), it is very important to examine your character and personal health habits and be wise in the use of your limited time.

You should always be aware of your health and the condition of your body so that you will be able to serve the Lord in any capacity that He leads you. Right now, this may not seem to be that important but an overweight middle aged person in poor health is not of much use to the Lord. Remember this and take care of your body, it is the temple of the Lord (1^st Corinthians 6:19). Bad eating habits and lack of regular exercise while you are young will result in weight problems and poor health when you get older. This also includes using tobacco, alcohol and drugs, you cannot indulge in these vices without serious consequences in your life, both immediate and long term. Always be aware of the effects of anything that you are doing, bad habits while you are young will result in horrific results when you are old. If you do not get enough rest in the pursuit of pleasure (partying late into the night) or if you subject your body to the elements for reasons of vanity (like tanning), it is a sad mistake and much too dear of a price to pay. You must develop regularity of habits in eating, sleeping and exercise which will be of more importance to your happiness and well being than you can imagine. Remember, your mental powers depend very much upon your physical powers. A well developed mind needs a strong physical foundation. You can accomplish these things by being in control of yourself when it comes to your habits and situations you find yourself in. You have to learn to say no to your flesh (Romans 13:14).

Be fiercely protective of the hours God has given you in each day. Start right now to schedule your time, buy a personal planner and use it. Do not leave time in your day when you are not doing something constructive to glorify Jesus Christ. Some examples that are honorable, truthful and pure should include witnessing for Christ, reading your Bible, praying, studying to further your education, school work/projects, helping with household chores, developing relationships with family members, visiting shut-ins, attending every service at your Church, visiting and doing things for the elderly, widows and fatherless, handing out Gospel tracts, volunteering to help with ministries in your Church, developing a wholesome hobby or craft, daily exercise, writing letters to Missionaries and their families to encourage them, taking the time to lift up friends who are hurting or going through a difficult period, keeping a daily journal and use it as a mirror for your life. Remember, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, do not waste your time with useless or wicked games, videos, television, movies, mall trips, hanging out with your friends with nothing honorable, truthful or pure planned. To find out if what you are doing is worthwhile, ask yourself if it glorifies God (1^st Corinthians 10:31). I’m not telling you that you can’t have fun, on the contrary, Christians have the most fun of any group of people I’ve ever been around, they are exciting, intelligent and they have a genuine concern about you, their Christian Brother or Sister.