13. Why your goals are attainable
EXCERPT FROM IMAGINE THE FUTUE YOU, By Ada Brownell
Summary of Imagine the Future You
A
motivational Bible study by Ada Brownell
Ready or not, you’re
going into your future.
If
you continue to do what you do now,
Review: How I would have loved to sit at Mrs. Brownell's knee when I was
a teen. This wholesome book resounds with sage, Godly advice and could be
picked up again and again as needs arise. Worthwhile for parents too. Much
fodder for family discussion.
Also available in Audio. Read or listen to first chapter
free! #Teens #Family #Devotions
ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS
When people know where to
go with their lives, their suitcase is packed with important things for the
journey. Where do you hope to go, and what do you think you need?
Would you like to be rich and famous? Is that your
goal in life?
Fame and riches bring risks. Paul told young Timothy,
“People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many
foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the
love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving
money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”[1]
The King James
Version of the Bible uses the word “snares” for the type of trap Satan sets.
Snares trap animals around the neck or body, and tighten.
Elvis Presley started his career singing in church,
but he had great talent—and Satan wanted it. Elvis never lost his love for
gospel music and his desire to serve God, but Satan’s snare snapped, closed,
and tightened until Elvis died young, divorced, and addicted to prescription
drugs.
Nearly every day on the news we hear about a celebrity
whose marriage is breaking up (if he or she is married at all), committed a
crime, died too young, or is at risk because of drug addiction or alcohol
abuse.
IMAGINE A LION AT THE DOOR
We can plop all of the above at the feet of the thief,
Satan, who walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Given
half a chance, he will steal your future and destroy your life.
When Peter
wrote this warning, he prefaced it with, “Be sober (clearheaded), be vigilant
(on your guard).”[2]
One young girl told how her dad warned her not to open
the door one inch to the devil because he is like a lion who will charge
through before you can shut it.
There are famous people who guard their testimonies, serve
God with boldness, and walk in purity, but they realize Satan could take them
down in a flash if they don’t stand against him, clothed with the whole armor
of God described in Ephesians 6: The belt of truth around your waist; the
breastplate of righteousness in place; your feet fitted with the readiness
(footwear) that comes with the gospel of peace; the shield of faith, which will
stop the fiery arrows of the wicked one; the helmet of salvation; and in your
heart and hand the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Despite our access to spiritual
armor, fame and riches aren’t valid goals in themselves. Many talented young
people dedicated to the Lord seek first to serve Him and to develop their
talents to the best of their ability. They usually are willing to go through
the doors the Lord opens, and if that includes fame and riches, they’ll deal
with it when it comes.
SUCCESS IS ALWAYS WRAPPED IN WORK
When you listen to a famous person, think about how the
celebrity achieved fame. Never forget success is always wrapped in what people do every
day.
For instance, consider the Jonas Brothers. Nicholas
Jonas started memorizing lines and acting at age seven. He wrote “Joy to the
World (A Christmas Prayer)” with his father. His brothers joined him in music
and performance. Before they toured and sold millions of albums as teenagers
and young adults, they spent hours and hours developing their talents. Then
they studied, practiced, and rehearsed some more.
They had goals in mind, believed God was with them,
and developed their talents through trial and error, lessons, practice, study,
work, practice, and more practice. They are examples of Christians who achieved
fame and fortune.
In contrast to the Jonas Brothers, we have famous
singers who have filthy mouths and live unholy lives. I’ve never been into the
music of these people, but one day channel surfing I ran across Madonna and
decided to listen a moment to see what on earth made her famous.
She’s a great singer.
Likewise there’s a huge reason Michael Jackson
became a superstar. He came into this world talented, but he literally lived to
sing and dance—and he practiced even the night before he died.
TALENT IS LIKE A DIAMOND; IT ISN’T BEAUTIFUL UNTIL
IT’S POLISHED
Since God deserves our best, it is a great
catastrophe when talented youth committed to the Lord don’t bother to develop
their gifts and use them to win souls and bless people! We have terrific
singers on worship teams, groups that travel and present concerts in churches
and auditoriums, soloists, and also recording artists who bless, challenge, and
encourage. Could that be you?
IMAGINE YOUR SPECIAL TALENT
Music isn’t the only gift God can use greatly. The
Lord uses special people to preach the Gospel. But those who work behind the
scenes, such as sound engineers, are just as important. People gifted at math
and numbers are needed to work in churches as they grow, build, and work to win
souls. God can use math experts in missions to help organizations, charities,
and other ministries to balance their budgets.
Even the president of the United States needs people
who can project ideas on how to eliminate the debt, cover important
expenditures, and slash unnecessary spending. States, counties, and cities need
people like that, and if they find someone with good ideas and God-given
ability to help politicians live within their means, it definitely will be a
ministry to the taxpayer.
Businesses, individuals, and families need auditors,
office workers, financial planners, and those with expertise in risk
management. People need hairstylists, and help caring for their skin and nails.
Health care organizations use people with compassion
willing to learn the latest successful treatments, cures, and surgeries. We
need someone to develop more effective medications and devices. But we also
have a place for people willing to minister to everyday needs of people.
We look for righteous workers in politics, defense,
energy development, building, auto repair, law enforcement, television and
newspapers, and film production. Our nation needs firemen, godly fashion
designers, sales personnel, steel and other industrial workers, secretaries,
web and software designers, bankers, attorneys, real estate brokers, inspectors
and appraisers, counselors, teachers and principals, painters, poets,
photographers, large equipment operators, welders, farmers, and insurance
agents.
We need regular people to invent things that meet
needs and enhance life, comfort, and health. The list is unending of the things
God can do with your talents.
IMAGINE YOUR CAREER
Thousands of careers from which to choose revolve
around your life. Watch people. Look at everything around you. Your spoon. Your
cereal bowl. The cereal. The milk.
Will Kellogg, the younger brother of Dr. John
Kellogg, in the nineteenth century left a pot of boiled wheat to stand, and the
wheat softened. The brothers didn’t want to waste food, so they rolled the
wheat and let it dry, hoping they could make it edible.
Kellogg
belonged to a Seventh-day Adventist group that operated a sanitarium and helped
people through good nutrition to recover from diseases.
When the rolled wheat dried, each grain became a
large, tasty flake. The brothers kept experimenting with other grains and
discovered corn flakes.
Someone figured out how to make Os from grain and to
pop corn and puff wheat. Other people forged spoons from a mineral in a rock.
The bowl you ate out of this morning came from products someone worked to make.
Someone with willing hands milked the cow, probably with a machine somebody
invented, so you could have milk on your cereal.
CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK AND QUIZ--next week
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