[Biblemat] A) THE ROAD TO HIGHER EDUCATION

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Friday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.  Here
is an article from my recent files:

THE ROAD TO HIGHER EDUCATION

     We have several young people who are soon going away
to college.  Some have been home for the summer and are
about to return for a new semester.  Others are going away
for the first time after finishing high school.  We love you all
and we're very proud of you.  We miss you when you are gone.

     The road you're about to travel is at once an exciting and
dangerous one.  The road to higher education is laced with
great possibilities, while at the same time offering pitfalls you
will want to avoid at all costs.  I just want a few minutes of 
your time to suggest some things to help you travel this new
road and are immersed in this new environment.  If that OK?

     My admonitions are based on Psa. 119:9-16, "Wherewith
shall a young man cleanse his way?" it asks.

STAY CLOSE TO GOD'S WORD: -- (vs. 9).  "Wherewithall 
shall a young man cleanse his way?"  That is the question.
And the answer is forthcoming.  "By taking heed thereto acc-
ording to Thy Word."  No matter what you do this year, don't
stray far from the Word of God.  Keep it close.  It's your pro-
tection against evil inclinations and cultural temptations.

SEEK THE LORD WHOLE HEARTEDLY: -- (vs. 10).  "With my
whole heart have I sought Thee."  Some changes are inevitab-
le, but that doesn't mean everything needs to change.  Some
things need to stay at they are.  You don't want to change
what you are.  You're a Christian.  You decide wht you're going to do -- and 
that's well and good -- but plan to seek God with your whole heart, no matter 
your plans.  Keep your
faith above all keeping.  No change is needed there.

TAKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH YOU: -- (vs. 11).  "Thy Word
have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."  "You'll be going 
some places that are new to you; and some 
of those new places are dangerous  (such is indicated by the
number of young people that we hear about that come up
missing or are found murdered in some wooded area, etc. JS)
Hide His Word in your heart so that you may be armed against the invasions of 
evil you no doubt will face.  What a
good way to begin this new time in your life -- with His Word
in your heart.

INVITE DIVINE INSTRUCTION INTO YOUR LIFE: -- (vs. 12).
"Teach me Thy statutes," he says.  You will be getting consid-
erable new information about how to live life in your new educ-
ational career, but you should not forget to invite some new
instruction into your life concerning your eternal well-being.
Being a good Christian is more important  than being a good
engineer, or a good nurse, or a good teacher, or a good any-
thing else.  Learn about Him and you get the best of all educ-
ation.

DON'T BE ASHAMED OF WHO YOU ARE: -- (vs. 13).  It's easy
to get caught up in this new life.  And it's easy to just follow
along with others, some of whom don't share your convict-
ions.  Don't let that happen.  It's important that you make it
known early on that you are different.  Don't be ashamed.  Be
glad abut who you are and let others know.  Declare it with
joy and without timidity.

DON'T BE DISMAYED AT THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD'S WORD: -
(vs. 14).  It's easy, when you've just been loosed from the 
rules of home and you're in charge of your life, to be a little
loose about the discipline of God's Word.  Instead of treating
the Word of God with rejoicing, you may feel somewhat hem-
med in by it.  Remember, God's Word never requires anything
or restricts anything that is not for your good.  "I have rejoic-
ed in the way of Thy testimonies," says that you understand
its discipline to be for your good always.

KEEP IN MIND THE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR
LIFE: -- (vs. 15).  No matter how good the education you get,
it's not as important, nor is it as functional, as is knowing
and loving God and His Word.  "I will meditate on Thy precep-
ts," the psalmist says.  Don't get so busy with your new life
that you don't take time to contemplate the eternal, to muse
about the spiritual, to remember what has true value and last-
ing consequences.  Meditation takes time.  Take the time.

DELIGHT IN HIS WORD AND DON'T FORGET ITS INFLUENCE
IN YOUR LIFE: -- (vs. 16).  Of all the books you can study, 
none should delight your mind more than the Word of the 
Lord.  It's the first thing you need to live a happy life, first be-
fore any other book.  Be sure you pack the Bible in your bag
first of all.  When it's coupled with the good education you 
will no doubt achieve, it can bring you a totally satisfying life.
Without it, you can never be truly happy.  "I will delight myself
in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy ways."

     We love you, gang.  We're proud of you -- every one of you.  You 
continue to be a joy to all of us.  As you leave, plea-
se remember who you are, what you are, and from whence
you came.  And come home again real soon.  May God bless.
------- Dee Bowman, via. Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 31, Aug. 5, 2007.   </HTML>
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