Back-to-School Encouragement

For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

that you abstain from sexual immorality;

that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

I Thessalonians 4:3-5

As students head back to school, I'm reminded of the difficulties they will inevitably face, particularly those who love Jesus Christ: 

"You may be tempted to join the party scene (rebelliously indulge your sinful desires, James 1:14-15), to downplay your faith (hide it under a basket, Matt. 5:14-16), to keep an open mind (question the only eternal truth, 1 John 1:1-4), or to chase your dreams (pursue selfish ambitions, James 3:13-18) instead of running after God’s commands," (Girltalk.blogs.com, He Goes With You).

The students from our church have been on my heart lately.  I want to encourage them to be pure, "set apart" for God in a world that denies Him and encourages students to live for themselves.

Godly living isn't a set of rules to follow; it's desiring, because of work done in your heart by the Holy Spirit, to please Him in all you do.  And this holiness actually produces happiness -which is what everyone is going for, right!?  God designed it perfectly that way.

Students, if the Holy Spirit is at work in your hearts, participate in that work by controlling your body & mind against the temptations of this world and guarding your heart against unruly passions.  You are responsible to be obedient to Scripture and trust that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to overcome all temptations.

Holiness is a blessed thing - run toward it!  And be encouraged when the going gets tough:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9