A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 2 NO. 24                                            July 31, 2005

“YOU WON'T LET ME!”

BY JIM R. EVERETT

I think that some teenagers really believe that their parents are dead set against them having any fun in life.  One of those famous “generalized” statements made by teenagers is, “You won't let me do anything!”

And, if they are asking parents about the kind of fun that is sensuous and immoral, it indicates that they are developing tastes for entertainment and recreation that is worldly and wrong.  No parent in his right mind, who really loves his child, would allow him to do things destructive to his well being.

So, what can teenagers do to have fun?  There are some positive biblical principles taught that are applicable to entertainment as well as to other areas of life.

1. One should think (carefully reflect) on things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, etc. (Philippians 4:8)
2. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; hence, it should be properly cared for that one might glorify God in the body (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
3. We are stewards of God:  Therefore, we should use our time and money wisely (Luke 12:42-48; 16:1-13), while keeping God first in every part of our lives.
4. In everything we do, we exert an influence on those about us.  One should always make sure that their influence is for good (Matthew 5:13-14; I Thessalonians 5:22).

These positive principles necessitate a negative counterpart.  Certainly, the idea of thinking on things that are pure, virtuous, etc. demands that one NOT allow things that are lascivious to find dwelling in his thoughts.  True, impure thoughts pass through the mind but a Chinese proverb wisely states:  “I cannot keep the birds from flying above my head, but I can keep them from building a nest in my hair.”  If a person chooses to sample, taste, and dwell upon lasciviousness (anything that produces lewd or base emotions like magazines, books pictures, immodest dress or forms of modern dancing), he involves himself in a work of the flesh.  Paul says that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

Since one should do things beneficial to his body, he should NOT engage in things that are detrimental to it.  Neither should he dissipate his time and waste his money.  Above all, he should be careful that he never exerts a bad influence that might cause someone else to stumble.  Let entertainment and recreation pass these God-given principles and there will never be a need to worry about one's influence or the eternal outcome of his actions

There is much that is good that provides fun and recreation -- live, enjoy life, appreciate the good, wholesome things, while remembering God in your youth (Eclesiastes 12:1-ff).

STUDYING YOUR BIBLE!

BY DAVID SAIN

What is your attitude toward the Bible?  Do you believe it is just a good book to read when you are sick or when you are dying?  Do you just use it to prove you are right in a religious argument?  And, are you one of those people who only use it to preserve wedding and birth announcements?

Friend, the Bible is God's Word!  It contains the things God wants us to know and do!  It is a book to live by!  It thoroughly furnishes us to every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17).  In other words, everything we need to know or do in order to be saved in revealed in the Bible.

Obviously, then, we need to be students of the Bible.  We don't just need to own it---we need to study it.

How long has it been since you spent just thirty minutes privately studying your Bible?  Tell me, who is worse off; the man who can't read the Bible or the man who won't read the Bible?