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  YOUTHS THREE GREAT CHOICES
  by Arthur Vess
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Arthur Vess' address to young people emphasizing that God understands them
completely and calls them to fellowship with Him as their highest purpose in
life.

  Chapters: 5

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  TABLE OF CONTENTS
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    1. 000 - Introduction
    2. 01 - Your God
    3. 02 - Your Life's Work
    4. 03 - The Choice Of Your Life Companion
    5. 04 - Conclusion

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  CHAPTER 1: 000 - INTRODUCTION
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YOUTH’S THREE GREAT CHOICES

INTRODUCTION

Few realize the great problems facing the youth of our day. From infancy to
their grown up years, they face problems and temptations unknown in our earlier
days. But along with these great problems, they also face greater opportunities
than we older ones ever knew or realized in our younger years. Just recently, we
have felt urged and called to write this book for the defense, inspiration,and
instruction of our modern youth. Along with the fond memories of our own
childhood and youth, the many years of experience which we have had in dealing
with our precious young people has given us an intelligent and tender
understanding and interest in them. Added to a number of years teaching inour
public schools, we have spent a major portion of our life in teaching and
counseling our young people in our church schools, besides connection in the
pastorate and evangelism. It has been our serious and wonderful privilege and
responsibility to stand at the cross-roads of many young people who are now
making major contributions to the cause of Christ, in the various fields of
Christian service, as well as in other honorable fields of service. A heart
understanding and fellowship with young lives has made unlimited contributions
tomy own limited life, and left fond memories of our contacts with them. We
trust that a number ofthem will read these lines, and continue to live
honorable, noble lives for God and others. Young people are not usually our
problems, but our opportunities to live on and better through their lives of
conscientious devotion to God and others. They have their problems, but let us
help them solve them, and save their lives for time and eternity.

Now young people, come in, and let us sit down together and discuss your
problems with atender, experienced, sympathetic spiritual understanding. After
you have read this book, if you still have unsolved problems and uncertain life
choices to make, feel free to write us, with a self-addressed, stamped,
envelope, and we shall doour best to be a father unto you, in the most tender
and understanding manner. Your letters will bekept strictly confidential.

All right, here we stand, facing your future life which depends on the Three
Great Choices which compose the theme of this book, and the theme of your lives.
These Three Choices are:

I.Your God.

II. Your Life Work.

III. Your Life Companion.

These choices are all tied up together,and each dependent, one on the other.
They are in the right order: Your God, Your Life Work, AndYour Life Companion.


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  CHAPTER 2: 01 - YOUR GOD
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01 -- YOUR GOD Your God understands you completely, and knows all your past,
present and future. He alsoknows your ability, temperament, qualities and
possibilities, the trials and triumphs ahead. He ha sa special place for you in
His work. He created you in His own image for a special place here,and
hereafter. Your highest calling is fellowship with God in all His love, wisdom
and grace.

"Thou hast made us in thy likeness, and our souls are restless until they rest
in Thee," said Augustine of the Fourth Century. God has made all things for us,
that He might make us forHimself. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the
Most High, shall abide under the shadow ofthe Almighty." P> Yes, God has
created, in every heart, a full and complete longing for God, in all Hisintimate
love and understanding. He understands us better than all others, including
ourselves. When the writer of these lines was an infant, about 18 months old, he
realized and sensed that there was a great God hovering over him, but he felt so
unworthy and unfit to be in His presence. He had good, honorable parents. When
they would sing the old hymns and songs, with stammering infant tongue, he would
try to sing the songs, longing to know the God who inspiredthem.

If our PARENTS only realized the innate desires for God and righteousness in the
heartsand minds of their little children, they would take less time feeding and
clothing their bodies, and take more time feeding their little hungry hearts and
minds. When Jesus’ disciples tried to push aside the little children who longed
to know and love Him, Jesus pushed aside his disciples andtook them up into His
arms and blessed them and said, "Suffer - permit - the little children to
comeunto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." They
never forgot that Divine hug, close to the heart of Jesus, close to the heart of
God. All children still long to know God, and to know that He loves them. On
another occasion, Jesus rebuked his ambitious disciples by saying, "Except ye be
converted and become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
This is why it is so easy to win children to Christ. They are so close to God,
and so simple and childlike in their sincere longing for God. Almost all of our
children could be won to Christ, if some one loved them and loved God enough to
bring them to Jesus, in a simple, child-like, tender, heavenly manner.They must
be won before that longing to know God is crowded and crushed out of their
little livesby subtle, satanic suggestions and snares.

Most great men and women who have done most for God and others, have been won to
God through Christ in their early years. Few ever find God after their teens or
early twenties. When the writer was a small child of four years, he said to his
mother, "Mama, if I’ll always be a good boy, won’t I get to heaven when I die?".
She replied, "No, Arthur, you will have to be born again before you can get to
heaven," and just kept on with her house work. If she had understood my heart
hunger, she would have stopped her work and invited me to bow at her knees and
find God, which I would have gladly done. (Parents, take time to answer the
anxious questionsof your little children, and lead them to Jesus Christ; and
then bring them up in the way that they should go.) My young friends, let us see
what Jesus says about WHEN you should seek and find God."Seek ye FIRST the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these THINGS shall be addedunto
you." Most people seek food and clothing and all other things, first, then
expect God to savethem later in life, after it is forever too late. God can give
us material things without our consent, but he cannot save our souls and feed us
on the bread and water of eternal life without our consent and full
co-operation.

Then let us notice a number of reasons why we should "seek first the kingdom of
God" andHis salvation. Here they are:

First, we should seek God and His righteousness first because nothing else can
satisfy theheart but God. You can run after the sinful things of the world and
try to have a big time, but you are never happy until you yield your heart and
life to God, and let the God who made you forHimself live in your heart. God is
the source and substance of every good thing. When you have GOD, you have
everything. He is the Fountain from which all true joy and pleasures flow. When
you have God, you are happy without any thing else. When you have every thing
else without God, you are poor, miserable, and blind, helpless, naked, and
hopeless. "What shall it profit a man if heshall gain the whole world and lose
his own soul"? What will he give in exchange for his soul? When you have God,
you have all there is already. You do not have to seek and run after it,
andnever find it.

Next, Seek God and His salvation before you form the wrong habits, and get tied
down tosinful pleasures which wreck your life, kill your body, blight your mind
and damn your soul. Before cigarettes, whiskey, and other destructive things
make you their slave and blight and wreck your soul, mind and body. Heart
trouble, cancer, and other deadly diseases are sweeping our nation and world
because of these terrible habits. God can break you loose from them if you yield
your all to Him, but few ever get loose and get to God after they get tied down
to these things. God saved me just before I got tied to all these sinful habits.
He saved me FROM so much FOR somuch. He can do the same for you now.

Then, Seek God first and lay a foundation for a useful life which will honor you
and yourparents, and make you a blessing instead of a curse to many others. Only
those who live forOTHERS are appreciated, while they live, and are remembered
and honored by OTHERS afterthey are dead. A boy grew up in our community and
gave his heart to God when he was a lad, andafterward served God and others in
almost every field of Christian life and service, as well as other useful
occupations. After some years, a godly older man in the community said to him,
"Youare the only boy in our community who ever amounted to any thing. My young
friends, give your hearts and lives to God before you lead others away from
home, God and salvation, and into all kinds of disgraceful, sinful ways. ALL OF
US influence OTHERS, and are influenced by others. It will be so much more
wonderful to live a Godly, usefullife here, and have your friends and others
meet and greet you in heaven, and tell you how you led them to Christ and to
heaven, than to have to meet them in hell and have them curse and abuse you
through all eternity for leading them to the wrong life and to destruction.

All the few who do find God in after years always say, "Oh, I am so sorry that I
did notgive my heart to God earlier, before I wasted my life and led others
astray and down to hell." But you never heard any one say, "I am sorry that I
gave my heart to God when I was young." God and His Righteousness are worth more
than all else. Then why not seek and find Him first, right NOW,if you do not
know Him

Seek God before you get tied down to earthly interests and riches, and die like
the richfool, and WAKE UP IN HELL, where there is "weeping, wailing, and
gnashing of teeth." "How hardly shall they who have riches enter the kingdom of
heaven." Rich men and millionaires are the most miserable people in the world.
You cannot have more than your share, while millions are hungry and starving,
and be happy and contented. Others can murder you and rob you of your riches,
but they cannot murder your soul or rob you of all "true riches" of peace and
joy and eternallife, without your consent. There is one thing worse than dying a
lost rich man, and that is dyingpoor in every way.

Seek God first and His salvation, before you grieve Him away, and your heart
gets so hardthat He cannot talk to you any more. "My Spirit shall not always
strive with man." "He that being often reproved and hardeneth his heart and
stiffeneth his neck, shall SUDDENLY BE destroyed,and that without remedy." When
you shake your head and say no to God, he will soon say no to you FOREVER. "No
man can come to me except the FATHER who sent me DRAW him." Children and young
people are so much harder now than they were a few years ago. They have so many
more opportunities than many of us had when we were young. When we get "past
feeling" and God speaks to us no more, we are lost forever, and will regret, for
all eternity, that we did not get rightwith God in our younger years.

Then, may we say to your young hearts, you should get right with God before you
die in your younger years. Many of my young friends and playmates died in their
childhood or younger years.

Young and Grover, my nearest neighbors, both died when just boys, one of them
abackslider, and the other never saved. Then there was Torence, Dallas, Hugh,
and many other boys grew up with who have been gone from this life for years.
They would not listen to God or their playmate. My own brother, McKinley, died
at 12 years and went home to heaven. He was one of the first ones that I won to
Jesus Christ in my boyhood days. I shall meet him in heaven some gladday.

There is just one thing worse than dying in our younger years, and that is
living a long life in sin, and dragging your own friends and loved ones, and
many others, down to eternal sorrow and night. There is EVERY REASON for
becoming a Christian at the earliest moment, but NOT ONE REASON for putting it
off another day or hour. "Today IS the day of SALVATION," "Before the summer is
ended and the harvest is passed and YOU are not saved." A man I once knew ran
after riches and then died crying, AThe Harvest is passed, the summer in ended,
and I am not saved.""He has been in eternity for many years. His family
following his example.

Oh, I am so glad that I got saved when I was just a boy. I shall never forget
that night in myold country home, when God convicted me of my sins and saved me,
after I gave him my all. I had just read a sermon on the Second Coming of Christ
and God pulled back the curtains of the future and let me see Christ coming and
finding me unprepared, and I know how I would feel if He should come now and
find me not ready. I cried in bed and out of bed, and walked around the house,
looking up into the sky, begging Jesus not to come until I got ready. I
confessed and forsookall my sins, promised God that I would make my past life
right with God and others. After I had done all I could do, then I looked up
from my bed, where I was then lying and praying, and trusted in Jesus Christ to
save me. Immediately, He came into my heart with joy unspeakable and full
ofglory. My heart rejoiced and my chest heaved with happiness and joy, and I
cried out, "Even so,come Lord Jesus. I am now ready."

Young friends, if You do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, remember that He
loved you enough to give His life for you, and will save you from your sins NOW,
if you will give them up and trust Him this moment. Do it now. this very hour.

How To Get Saved May we tell you how to get saved and know that you are saved.
So many hearts that arehungry for God are led astray into false hopes and
professions of salvation. Some join a church, make good resolutions, or are
baptized with water as a substitute for salvation. Others depend on aonce-
before, out-of-date profession or experience. It is all right to be baptized and
join a spiritual church AFTER you are really saved, but these things cannot save
you. You can get into A church without salvation, but you cannot get into the
only TRUE Church except by being born into it. "And the Lord added to the church
daily such as were saved." Only the Lord can take you into His own church by the
"new birth." ’Except ye be born of the water (flesh) and spirit, you cannot
enter intothe kingdom of God. For that which is born of the FLESH is flesh, and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." We can only become a human being by
the fleshly birth, and we can only become children of God, and partakers of the
spiritual life or nature by the spiritual birth. "Marvel not thatI say unto you,
ye MUST BE BORN AGAIN," said Jesus to Nicodemus, a great church leader.Most
church leaders and members of our day need to be born again. We may deceive
ourselvesand others, but we cannot deceive God.

Then How may we get saved and know that we are saved? First, we must let God
reveal to us by His Spirit that we are LOST, and undone, and needto be saved.
"No man can come to me except the Father which sent me DRAW HIM." "My
Spiritshall not always strive with man." "Seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." "In the day that
ye SEEK me with YOUR WHOLE HEART,I will be found of you." "Come unto me all ye
that labor and are heavy laden and I will GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you
and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall findrest unto
your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

We must realize that we are lost before we can be saved. "And the publican stood
afar off, and would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon
his breast, saying "God be merciful to me a sinner." We must realize how
unworthy we are. Then we must realize that the trouble is in our own sinful
hearts. After that, we must cry to God, our only hope and helper, and realize
that we are sinners and that only through His mercy can we find God. We must
confess that we are sinners and hopeless. "God be merciful to me, a sinner."
"Grieve not the holy Spirit of Godwhereby we are sealed unto the day of
redemption." Each must realize that he is a poor lost sinner,and come to God and
cry for mercy.

There are two parts in our salvation, namely: GOD’S part, and OUR part. God
convicts usof our sins and then saves us, after we meet his conditions. Our part
is to repent of all our sins, and then trust God to save us. We must yield to
God’s convicting Spirit before He can save us.

Then there are two parts to our finding God:

First, we must completely Repent of all our sins. "Except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish." "Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." We must
repent to escape hell and get toheaven.

Then what do we mean by repentance:

1. Repentance means sorrow and contrition for allour past sins, and life of sin
against God and others. Godly sorrow produces repentance. Next, we must confess
our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins." We must confess to God and all others that we have sinned against with
our words or deeds. This includes restitution or the carrying back and paying
for what we may have stolen or cheated others out of. We must confess the lies
that we have told, and the unkind words that we have spoken. Next, we must find
in our hearts a hatred for all kinds of sins, and a determination to turn from
them and live a godly and different life ever afterward. Naturally, when we hate
our sins, we forsake them, and say goodbye to the old crowd, old habits and
secret and open sins. God cannot save us from our sins until we forsake our
sins.

We cannot expect our friends to forgive us for certain sins unless and until we
stop sinning against them. Neither can God forgive us until we quit sinning
against Him When we are really sorry, we stop sinning against God and others.
"If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature;old things have PASSED
AWAY, and behold ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." We must saygoodbye to the old life
before we can obtain and live in the new life.

Then after we have been sorry for our old sin life, and hated, confessed and
forsaken our sins, we are still helpless before God. There are two reasons why
we have to TRUST GOD to save us, namely: First, because we CANNOT SAVE
OURSELVES; and secondly, because GODONLY CAN SAVE US. Thou shalt call His name
Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21. "Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." After we realize that we
arevery moment, pardon and forgive all our sins, make us NEW CREATURES, and
ADOPT US into His great HEAVENLY FAMILY. Then how may we know that we are saved?
"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God." Our own transformed nature, plus the witness of God’s Spirit, testify that
we are now the children of God. "We know that we have passed from death unto
life because we love the brethren," other Christians which we before feared and
hated. "He that hath the Son, hath the witness in Himself." "And hereby we KNOW
that we KNOW Him, if we keep His commandments." "Beloved. NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF
GOD." "And hereby we KNOW that He ABIDETH in us, by His Spirit which He hath
given us." Do you think that we can have Christ and His Spirit dwelling in us
and not KNOW it? Read the entire book of First John, and watch the word "KNOW."
If salvation is the greatest thing in the world, it is the most conscious and
knowable thing in the world.

How To Live The Christian Life

Some who get saved, get discouraged or led away with some temptation, and give
up their salvation The same devil who first tried to drag you down to hell, will
drag you back into sin and damn your soul if you will listen to him. BUT, please
remember, that God will never leave nor forsake you if you keep your heart and
life yielded to Him.

After I was saved, the devil would knock all the feeling out of my heart, then
tell me that Iwas not saved. But I would begin to say or sing, "I must tell
Jesus" and the devil would flee, and God would bless and keep me. "He is able to
keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day."

You must keep in contact with God by living a life of prayer and communion with
Him. Read your Bible daily, along with other good books. Be faithful in your
attendance of church services, prayer meeting, etc. Be faithful in warning and
winning souls to Christ. "Shun the very appearance of evil," and stay away from
the wrong crowd. If you do make a mistake or blunder, hurry to Jesus Christ and
plead the blood and keep close to Him. Obey God’s commands and call for your
life and He will never forsake you. Other friends may forsake you, but Jesus who
died for you will live with you day by day. "The toils of the road will seem
nothing where we come to theend of the way." If you just have to give up, always
give up to Jesus; and he will carry you through, whatever others do.

Examples Of Great ChoicesRuth’s Choice In the Bible we have a record of one of
the most wonderful women of all time, whose record and great choice have
influenced the multitudes all down through the ages. Doubtless, multiplied
thousands throughout the centuries have been named in her honor, "RUTH," this
simple but almost sublime name. Had she made the wrong choice and gone back to
her native home, old friends, and customs, her name and record would never have
been made and known. The book of Ruth would never have been written.

Doubtless, multitudes who have come up to, and have stood at the cross roads of
life,between time and eternity, inspired by Ruth’s great choice, have turned in
the right direction, and are now in heaven, or on the road to that eternal home.

Think of what it would have meant to her and multitudes if, like Orpah, she had
turned back to the old crowd and been lost forever. Let us now listen to her
great and sublime testimony and choice: "And Ruth said, ’entreatme not to leave
thee, nor return from following after thee: For where thou goest, I will go; and
where thou lodgest I will lodge: And thy people shall be MY people, and THY God
shall BE MYGod: Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried: The
Lord do so unto me, and more also, if ought but DEATH part thee and me.......
And when she (Naomi) saw that she was STEADFASTLY DETERMINED to go with her,
then she left off speaking unto her."

My, what a CHOICE, and what a RECORD that followed. If she had sold out for
sometemporal record, pleasure or reward, like most young people today, think of
what she would have missed. "Good bye, old world, I’m through; I’ll go with GOD
whatever others do." Mind God and surely you’ll find God Say yes to Him, and
He’ll say yes to you, Whatever others say, or think ordo. "Yes, Yes, I say yes
to Thee. Well Hallelujah, He sets ME FREE!" In the early days of the Holiness
Movement, when they were despised, hated, mocked and persecuted on every side,
the daughter of a wealthy lawyer chanced to get into a holiness meetingand was
marvelously converted. Of course this shocked and alarmed her parents and
friends, and they did every thing they could to get her to turn back and save
them from the awful reproach, but she could not and would not sell her soul, nor
turn back to the worldly way of death.

Finally, her father made a final effort to turn her back by having a special
social gathering for her, and all her old friends were invited to attend. When
the time for the social gathering came, her parents urged her to stand at the
door and meet and greet her old friends. But, instead, she wentup stairs and
fell on her knees and prayed while the crowd was gathering in. They were
humiliatedby her absence, and her father went upstairs and pled with her saying,
"Mary, all your old friendshave come to see you and hear you play the organ;
please come down and play just one piece forthem." She was quite a musician. The
Lord said, "Get up and go down and play." When she sat on the organ stool and
stretched out her hands to play, all was quiet and still, and all eyes and ears
turned her way, as she began to play. But instead of some giddy, silly tune, she
began to reverently play, "Where He leads me, I will follow: I’ll go with Him
all the way." And behold, as she played,the Spirit of God seized the hearts of
her hearers, and in tears, they fell on their knees and faces,and a great
revival broke out, and swept the town and community round about. We once knew a
girl who prayed and testified in a public school in Indiana until a revival
broke out there.

If more of our Youth would take their stand for God and with God, what would
happen in our needy day and generation. Moses’ Choice All the great persons of
Bible times and since have had to make great choices, involving every thing,
risking all earthly treasures and pleasures. Temporal and eternal destinies are
settled in moments, not days and years. Moses, the greatest character of the Old
Testament, faced thisgreat crisis, and made the right choice. In any great
choice, there are always two great elements, namely: Negative and positive,
"Refusing and Choosing".

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, (age of responsibility), refused to
be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; CHOOSING rather, (instead), to suffer
afflictions WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season, ESTEEMING the REPROACHof CHRIST greater riches than all the treasures of
Egypt: For he had respect unto the recompenseof reward" hereafter. ABy faith he
FORSOOK Egypt, (the world) not fearing the wrath of the king:for he ENDURED as
seeing Him who is invisible."

Now let us check the great principles and purposes involved in Moses’ great
choice; -- inhis "Refusing" and "Choosing": Following the example of his Godly
parents, he risked every thing, even his life, to makethe right choice against
sin and for God and heaven.

He REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and later to sit on the
throne of Egypt. Doubtless the devil told him that if he would accept this high
honor and position, as aPharaoh, that he could do more for his own people by
giving them all the honors and treasures ofEgypt, and save them from many
Egyptian bondage. Oh, how many sell out for high positions and wealth and gold,
in Church and state. In political lines, let us view the choice of the Rich
YoungRuler who made the opposite choice: O how many young people sell out their
souls, and all future usefulness and happiness, forsome trifling thing worth far
less than Pharaoh’s throne. But instead of selling himself and his greatnation
out to the customs and idolatry of Egypt, he led them out of Egyptian bondage,
over the hillsand plains, and across mountains and seas to "Canaan’s fair land."
"Oh, you need not look for me,down In Egypt’s sands, For I have pitched my tent,
far up in Beulah land." My young friend, what are you selling out for? Some
fleeting treasure or pleasure whichmay never come to you. The devil rarely keeps
his promises, but deceives and lies and destroys. The more you may get of
earth’s pleasure, the more miserable you are. He promises you everythingand
gives you nothing, but God promises you and gives you everything. A Moses or a
Mummy, which? If he had sold out, he might have been buried under apyramid, but
he gave all to God, and led the Hebrew Children out of bondage by God’s
miraculous power. Yes, he wrote the first five books of the Bible, molded and
fashioned his own nation, and multitudes throughout the ages, and he still lives
today, in that same old fashioned way. His trialswere turned into triumphs. He
had the high honor and glorious privilege, with that fearless prophetElijah, of
meeting with Christ on the Mt. of Transfiguration, with greater honor than all
the thronesof Egypt or the world. Moses knew that the pleasures of sin could
never satisfy. But look at what he chose instead. "I’ll take the way with the
Lord’s despised few: I’m going through, Jesus, I’m going through." What about
you? Marvel not if the world hate you. It hatedme before it hated you. AWoe unto
you when all men speak well of you; for so did your fathers to the FALSE
PROPHETS which were before you. Check the history of those who have sold out God
for the world. Whatever keeps you from yielding to God, and serving God, that is
your god,and you are an idol worshiper.

You cannot have more than your share of earthly treasures and be happy and
contented. It iswhat you ARE and NOT what you POSSESS, that makes you miserable
or happy. All our days and treasures of earth will soon be left behind. We gain
millions of times more pleasures, here and hereafter, by going God’s way to that
eternal day. The trials of life are the things which develop character and gain
rewards. God is lookingfor those who will suffer for Him today. That which
humbles self, exalts God. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me." "They that will live Godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution." We MUST follow Christ to Calvary, if we would follow
him to the Resurrection and to the heavenly world. Persecution not only PROVES,
but IMPROVESour Christian life and character. If you would find out how much one
loves you, find out how much they are willing to suffer for you. The more we
suffer for God, the more God blesses us. "These are they who have come up
through great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made themwhite in the
blood of the Lamb." Those who suffer for God here, will be honored most in
heaven.When we dodge the reproach, we miss the glory; the cross, we miss the
crown.

"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For ALL that
is in the world: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father. but is of the world." Then hear the great
conclusion: "The world PASSETH AWAY and the lust thereof,BUT he that doeth the
will of the Father abideth forever." Well, praise God!! I had rather enjoy God
and heaven for all eternity, than to have all the fleeting pleasures, honors and
treasures of this world, in Church and state, for only a short time. When we
have God, we have everything, the sources of all blessings and true riches:
theriches of grace, peace and joy, the riches of love. "For the kingdom of
heaven is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Ghost." Well, "Praise God, from who all blessings flow," that makes the heart
glad and the countenance glow.

"By Faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured
as seeing Him who is invisible" to the natural eye. To be able to look thru and
out beyond all earthly treasures and pleasures, and view God and heavenly things
is the secret of happiness. While he endured opposition and persecution from
Pharaoh and all Egypt, he saw beyond, to the invisible.When he came down from
Mt. Sinai with his face shining like an angel, he forgot all about old Pharaoh
and his empty throne.

"Now, therefore we are no more pilgrims and strangers, and foreigners, but
fellow citizenswith the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone; In whom the whole building fitly joinedtogether, groweth
unto an HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord: In whom YE ARE ALSO builded togetherfor an
HABITATION OF GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT." When God dwells within, we need notfear
all that is without. "If God be for us, who can be against us"

"And now unto Him who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask
or think,according to the power that worketh in us: Unto Him be glory in the
Church, by Jesus Christ,throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." I say
Amen? and Amen’

"It pays to serve Jesus. It pays every step of the way" unto eternal day.That
Shocking SurpriseBy Arthur L. VessOn a sunlit hill, in a mansion fair,Once lived
a man, in splendor there; His estate was large, his mansion grand. None more
honored lived in that land.His goods increased, his barns were filled,With corn
and wheat, from fields well tilled. He dreamed of years of ease and repose,Nor
tho’t such days would ever close.With Christ he met one lonely day, And plead
for life which fades not away. With loving heart, the Master said:"Give up your
wealth, take Me instead."But grieved at heart, he turned away;The price too
great, he would pay. And tears he shed. as homeward he trod-His Christ left out,
his gold his god.His house was furnished with things so fine; His children were
cultured, his wife refined. He moved in circles of the renown and great, Like a
king on his throne, in royal estate. His wisdom was sought, by sages wise, His
morals and manners, none could despise. He loved his wealth and trusted in gold:
For mansions on earth, his heaven he sold.The Spirit then cried, "Your soul is
lost; Sit down quickly and count the cost."But thus he answered, A Soul, take
thine ease; My barns are filled, I have no disease.Cease your murm’rings, quiet
your fears;I have much goods laid up for many years. He lay down to sleep in
accustomed repose- Soon racked in pain, in fear he arose.The angel of death
stalked into his room:And proclaimed aloud, his awful doom: "You need not pray,
you cannot flee-This night, thy soul is required of thee. Then whose shall be
thy wealth and gold? And what shall become of thy poor soul? He was shocked and
awed with great surprise-With devils in hell, to lift up his eyes.


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  CHAPTER 3: 02 - YOUR LIFE'S WORK
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02 -- YOUR LIFE’S WORK

Next to your surrender to God, comes Your life’s work. "I’ll live for Him who
died for me:How happy then my life shall be." If God has a special mission or
call for you, you will never be happy or prosperous without obeying that call.
Keep busy and faithful to God in your own home and community, and if God wants
you in some special field or service, He will call you in His own time and way.
Your call may be like or unlike that of others, but say yes to God, and He will
continue to say yes to you, whatever others do.

Every normal child or young person has a desire or longing to be and do
something worthwhile in their life here on earth. When the writer was about six
or seven, a county superintendent of Public Education visited our public school,
and while speaking said, "Out there before me in that group of children, there
may be a great lawyer, preacher, congressman or president wrapped up in one of
those little coats." My chest almost heaved, and something in me said, "I hope
that I will be one of them." The nature, character and conduct of the
individual, plus the influence, council and exampleof others about them, have
much to do with one’s conduct and destiny. Many follow the occupation of their
parents or other influential persons. But those who are called of God, to some
special field of service, have special and added privileges and responsibilities
in choosing their life work.

Some have very definite and outstanding calls or commissions from God, while
othersmake a more gradual and ordinary approach. Most of God’s outstanding men
have had a definite, if not unusual call and commission from God. It requires
faith in God and willingness to hear and heed the call. While we may realize our
own inability to obey the call, we must also realize God’s ability. God never
calls us to do anything that we cannot do with His assistance. He does call us
to do things we cannot do in order that He may do them through us.

God uses various methods and modes to call different persons, depending on their
nature, circumstances, etc. The task is always too great for us without God’s
help. He called Noah to build an ark out on dry land. God ONLY sees the future.
He can changeor reverse natural laws and human circumstances to accomplish His
will.

Abraham was called to leave his homeland, and go out into a strange land. "And
he wentout not knowing where he went. By FAITH he sojourned in the LAND OF
PROMISE." By heeding God’s call, and venturing out, he became one of God’s great
heroes whose life and influence liveson today. Abraham was the father of the
Faithful. All God’s great men have launched out "BY FAITH." -- See Hebrews
11:1-40. We have reviewed Moses’ choice to yield to God, now let us review his
call.

Moses was called from the back side of the desert by the miraculous, burning
bush. Whenhe saw the bush burning, he turned aside to see why the bush was not
consumed, when God spoke to him and said, "Moses, Moses," he answered, "Here am
I." Then God spoke to him and commanded him to take off his shoes, "For the
place whereon thou standest is HOLY GROUND."Oh, how sacred and holy is the place
where God Himself calls and commissions His servants.Then God told him that he
was sending him to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. Moses,realizing how
terrible the task, pled with God, AWho am I that I should go unto Pharaoh,
tochallenge him?"

Moses had to say goodbye to all the honors and pleasures of this world in order
to obeyGod. Listen: "By FAITH Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter, CHOOSINGINSTEAD to SUFFER AFFLICTION with the PEOPLE OF GOD, than to
enjoy the pleasures ofsin for a season." Those called and commissioned of God
must part from all conflicting earthlyinterests, plans and ambitions before they
can wholly follow God. Moses had to say goodbye tothe throne and live in the
wilderness, but GOD was with him. We must say no to the world beforewe can say
yes to God. When we have God, we have every thing, the source of every thing
weneed. What prompted and enabled him to REFUSE and then CHOOSE the way of
afflictions. Pharaoh and his throne soon perished, but Moses lives on with
Christ today. It is better to liveforever, than to be buried under a pyramid. "I
have made my choice forever"; I’ll take the narrowway that leads to eternal
day."

Next, we see how Joseph, the dreamer, became Israel’s redeemer, by being willing
to become a slave and a prisoner. Great men and saints are made in the furnace
of affliction. Then comes Elijah, that great and fearless prophet, who was fed
by ravens and from thestarving widow’s meal barrel. Without fear, he marched
right into the face of old Ahab, his civiland religious leader, and denied his
charges against himself, and threw the charges right back intoAhab’s own face
where they belonged. Then he challenged Ahab and all his false prophets.
The"MAJORITY" did not win out. God’s great independent man, Elijah, mocked the
multitude of falseprophets right to their faces, and then built an altar to the
true God, and prayed right out in the openat the time of the evening sacrifice,
"Lord GOD OF ABRAHAM and Israel, let it be known THISDAY that THOU ART GOD in
Israel, and that I AM THY SERVANT, and that I have done ALLTHINGS , AT THY WORD.
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may KNOW that THOUART THE LORD GOD,
and that t hou hast turned their hearts back again." "THEN THE FIRE OF’GOD FELL
and consumed the sacrifice,

If more of our older and younger preachers would challenge the Jezebels and
Ahabs of ourday, the fire would fall on our altars and sacrifices as in the
past. Only those who are willing to stand alone with and for God are worthy of
His and our confidence and trust. God’s great independent men have molded
history, in Church and State.

Later Elijah challenged and rebuked Ahab, called Elisha to take his place, and
wentsoaring into the heavens, while his mantle and double portion fell on
Elisha. In the days of JesusChrist, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah met
with Moses and Jesus Christ in a specialconference concerning Christ’s death and
resurrection. I imagine that he forgot all about his battlesand abuses from old
Ahab and Jezebel on this occasion. He might have remembered about the racehe ran
away from Jezebel, when tired and worn out, and how God prepared him a special
meal which lasted forty days and nights.

Well, young friends, if you are not willing to go the whole way of the cross and
wait foryour reward at the Resurrection of the Just, you are not fit nor
prepared to preach the Gospel of Christ in the face of a frowning world, and a
back-sliding church. But take courage, Jesus Christ will soon be here, and we
shall follow old Elijah and the Son of God and Man up above the treetops, where
old fashioned "True Holiness" will be popular forever. "The God that answers
byFIRE, LET HIM BE GOD." Elijah did not have any furnished parsonage or
stipulated salary, butGod miraculously provided for his life and health.

Elisha, Elijah’s successor, was found plowing 12 yoke of oxen when Elijah passed
by andcast his mantle on him. He sacrificed two of his oxen and followed old
Elijah until his mantle and double portion fell on him.. Then he went out from
the plow handles to challenge men and devilsfor God and truth. Back through the
centuries, God has chosen men and women from all the common walks of life to
preach to the masses, "the common people." Divine wisdom, power and might are
God’s greatest defenses and the devil’s greatest foes. Human talent, and wit and
wisdom are good in their place, when under the anointing, but do not take the
place of God’s great powerand glory, fresh from the heart of God. Our great
preachers and evangelists have had to depend onGod for their wisdom and power,
every day and hour. The great Apostle Paul received his life and commission from
Jesus Christ on the Road to Damascus, where God found His man, and His man found
God. After his miraculous conversion,he took his post graduate course in the
Arabian Desert where he unlearned all his past bias andhatred for Jesus Christ
and true Holiness. He returned and went up and down the worldproclaiming the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, "With the power of the Holy Ghost sent down from
heaven." Reversing his former notions, he challenged all types of men and
devils, and declared Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. He challenged kings and
rulers, traveled on l and and sea, prayed the lightening and thunder down on the
jail house, made three great missionary journeys,stood before kings and
governors, defending himself and his stand for God through Jesus Christ.He was
miraculously delivered from mobs, rolling seas, and stone piles, while he wrote
over half the books of the New Testament, challenging every false doctrine, then
and now; proclaiming the power of the Resurrected Christ to save souls from sin
and hell. He went through many great afflictions which demonstrates his love and
loyalty to God through Jesus Christ who marvelously and miraculously delivered
him from death and destruction. In our language he must have had the"persecution
complex" when he testified: "In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure,
inprisons more frequent, in deaths oft; of the Jews five times I received forty
stripes save one.Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice
suffered shipwreck, at night and day haveI been in the deep (sea). In
journeyings, in PERILS of waters, in perils of robbers, in PERILS byMINE OWN
COUNTRYMEN, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in
thewilderness, in PERILS by the sea, in PERILS by FALSE BRETHREN; in weariness
andpainfulness, in watchings often. in hunger and thirst, in fastings oft, in
cold, and nakedness.

Besides those things which were without, that which cometh upon me daily, every
day, thecare of all the churches. Who is weak and I am not weak? If I must
glory, I will glory in mine infirmities." Later he said, "I will glory in mine
infirmities that the POWER OF CHRIST MAYREST UPON ME. Therefore I TAKE PLEASURE
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, indistress for Christ’s sake: for
when I am WEAK, then am I STRONG." No wonder he lives on today. How many of us
have gone thru such trials? The apostle Paul did not have the
"persecutioncomplex", as his enemies said, but he was persecution conscious and
God-conscious.

Young friends, you may not have to go through all that Paul went through, but
you will havethe same devil to battle with, and the more you fight him, the more
he will fight back, but God will bless you. But PRAISE GOD, "He is able to keep
that which we have committed unto Him against that day." Again persecution not
only proves, but IMPROVES our love and loyalty to God. It givesGod an
opportunity to prove his love and power for and in us, in delivering us from our
foes.

We have given you this glimpse of the great prophets and preachers of the Gospel
to inspire and inform you that God is able to bless you and make you a blessing,
if you heed the call and give God your all.

How To Recognize Your Call

Now for a few suggestions as to how you may recognize and obey the call of God
to His great harvest field which is white unto harvest. "The harvest is great,
the labourers are few" andthe time is short.

1. First, be sure of your right relationship to God; that your life is
completely yielded toGod, and that His Spirit dwells within your heart. It is
easier to understand God when we are close to Him. If you drift back away from
God, your call will become unreal and indefinite. Many who once felt the call,
and have backslidden, do not feel it nor God much any more.

If you have drifted away from God and decide to come back to God, you will
likely meetthe call of God as one of the conditions of His acceptance of you.

2. You must be willing to go or stay, if God is to have His way. Many good
Christians havea battle over heeding the call because they do not feel able for
the task. None of us are able, but God is able to make us able. The One who
calls you, has all wisdom and power. Let Him do it through you. Our weakness
gives God an opportunity to manifest and demonstrate his strength andpower, in
and through us.

3. The devil may tell you that you will be wasting your life in the service of
God; butremember that God’s call is the highest honor that can come to any soul.
When the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, calls you for His ambassador, this is
the greatest honor known to man, thoughwe are all unworthy.

If you miss the call of God, your life will be a miserable failure. No one is
ever happy and successful outside of the will of God. You must be "Ready to go,
ready to stay, ready to do His will."

4. At times your call may be more real than at others. One of my students came
to me and said that she was having a battle over whether she was called to be a
missionary. I said, "Georgia, how do you feel when you pray about the call?"
With tears in her eyes, she said, "I just can’t pray unless I am ready and
willing to go." I replied, "This is the sure evidence that you are called ofGod
as His missionary."

5. You cannot always listen to your friends and loved ones, unless they live
close to God,and are willing to give you up and let you go. Even your Christian
friends do not always sense your call. You are the only one to whom God can make
it personal and real. My father wanted me to be a business man; my mother wanted
me to be a public schoolteacher; I wanted to be a lawyer; but God wanted me to
be a preacher of the everlasting gospel. I minded and obeyed God, and had all of
our dreams fulfilled. My father’s dream was fulfilled inthat I am a business
man, representing the greatest business Firm and business Corporation in the
World. It deals in the most valuable and priceless merchandise in this old
world, even precious immortal souls. "What shall it profit a man, IF he shall
gain the WHOLE WORLD and lose his own soul" and other souls charged to his
account? Mother’s dreams were fulfilled in my being a teacher not only in public
schools, but many years in Christian schools, training ministers,missionaries
and Christian laity for winning souls to Christ. Then my dream of being a lawyer
hasalso been fulfilled in a wonderful way. You say, "How?" Well I have the
privilege of representingand pleading for souls at the great throne of Mercy and
Grace where all must be tried andpardoned or condemned forever. Well, praise
God, it pays to serve Jesus, whatever the cost, inwhatever field God may honor
and call you. "The harvest is great, the labourers are few" and the time is
short, and the reward is eternal.

6. Another indication that you are called to some special field of labour will
be that other godly, consecrated people may often recognize your call. Others
should be careful not to call others, but should encourage them in every way.

7. Another indication of your call will often be that you have special gifts and
talents which help qualify you for such service for God and others. However,
this may not always be evident at first. God can give you your talents after
your first or second birth, or even later on. Just keep committed and
indifferent to every thing but the will of God. "All things work together for
good tothem that love the LORD and WHO ARE CALLED according to HIS PURPOSE." Do
not give up because the devil abuses, accuses and tries to discourage and defeat
you. The devil always deniesevery thing that God says. His accusations and
abuses may be an indication that God has called you into His harvest field. All
of us seem to fail at times, but if we are true to God, we never fail."Love
never fails." The devil always tells us that we are a great success or failure.
If you have special gifts and talents, qualifying you for your call, be careful
not to dependon these, instead of on God. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, we have a
record of those who demonstrate their gifts. "Though I s peak with the tongues
of men and angels, and have not love, Iam become as a sounding brass and
clanking symbol." The demonstrations of all our human talentsare empty and worse
than vain without God; but glorious and great, when used of God to His gloryand
the salvation of souls, and not to our own gain, honor, and promotion.

8. Providential openings and calls for our service may also be an evidence that
we arecalled. However, some times God’s servants are cut off from their
God-called appointments by men and devils. The great Apostle Paul said, "I would
have come unto you, but satan hath hindered me."There may be times when those to
whom you minister may evidence your call by their willing response to your
messages and services. However, there are also times when those to whom Godsends
you, may be dominated by the devil, and oppose what God calls you to preach and
do. Backslidden, worldly minded churches will not encourage or tolerate your
sound preaching. " For the time will (has) come when men will not ENDURE SOUND
DOCTRINE, but will heap to themselves teachers with itching ears." Keep prayed
up and obey God, and He will make the wayclear, if not always easy.

Let us ill remember that our reward is at the resurrection of the just, "For he
had respect unto the recompense of reward." Human praise and honor may be short
and empty, but we can succeed without either. We all need God and others, but if
God be with you and for you, who canbe against you? When the writer was a small
boy, four years old, he was alone over on the brow of the hill, when a holy
atmosphere settled down all around him, and he could see multitudes of upturned
faces, gazing at him with hungry hearts for the words of life. Too, he could
feel the words of truth and life flowing out of his heart, like he has felt many
times since, while pouring out the gospel to hungry souls in churches, camp
meetings, class rooms, conventions and through the printed pages.This was his
definite call to ministry, never to be forgotten or ignored. Yours may not be
like hison the outside, but it will be the same on the inside when the Holy
Ghost speaks to you in terms recorded in your own conscience and heart.

"Woe is me if I preach not the gospel of Jesus Chris, Athe power of God unto
salvation";but there is a more blessed response than the woe, and that is the
joy of being workers together with God in the greatest task known to humanity.
If you want to live on after you are dead, LIVE for GOD and OTHERS.O heed the
call one and all, Whether it be great or small. Let nothing come in between, For
the harvest fields to glean.When earthly things are all past With a stormy
deadly blast,Then eternal things will rise,AS OUR EVERLASTING PRIZE. The calling
to God’s work should not be temporary or occasional. Some times under astirring
missionary message, one may feel the powerful impulse of the speaker, creating a
desire to pour one’s life into the missionary work, particularly the field being
discussed and presented. Onemay be moved by the appeal and need of the field in
particular or general, and long to go to thatfield of service, yet when the
appeal dies down, that feeling or temporary impression may die out.God may use
such appeals to awaken and call an individual to that great harvest field, but
that temporary appeal alone is not sufficient evidence of the call. As one walks
and talks with God in the secret chamber, the call may become more real
andpersonal when all other voices but the voice of the Spirit are still, if God
is in it all. The call must become a permanent and a real part of one’s life if
it is a special, Divine call of God. If one does not have a sure and certain
call from God, when he or she gets on the trying battle field, the inspiration
may die out and leave one in discouragement and despair. Another oneof my
students, in a class in History of Missions, stated that to see the need was
sufficient for thecall to foreign mission work. Later he went to the foreign
field, but soon returned home again. Thecall must be definite and permanent,
with God’s sanction and approval.

God can use the most limited and helpless when they are wholly given up to Him.
He hasall wisdom and power, and can impart it to those yielded to Him. Some one
has said, "The world has yet to see what God can do with one who is wholly and
completely given up to Him." The ends of the world are upon us. Any thing can
happen any day. Never has there been atime when our young people have so little
to look forward to so far as this old world is concerned.The only place of sure
service and permanent reward is in the service and kingdom of God and forpoor,
lost souls. When the undertaker takes over, and our loved ones and friends look
on us, the greatest comfort that can come to them will be that we have given our
lives for God and others. All earthly honor and gain is vain and empty, and soon
gone.

Doubtless, Jesus Christ is soon coming. Let us "Occupy till He comes," and be
faithful tothat everlasting kingdom which will ride out over all earthly
kingdoms which soon must perish.Those who live for God and others can and will
live on, here and in the eternal ages, stretching out ahead of each of
us."Christ has no hands but our handsTo do His work today; He has no feet but
our feetTo lead men in His way;He has no tongues but our tonguesTo tell men how
He died; He has no help but our helpTo bring them to His side."-- Annie Johnson
Flint


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  CHAPTER 4: 03 - THE CHOICE OF YOUR LIFE COMPANION
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03 -- THE CHOICE OF YOUR LIFE COMPANION The choice of your life’s companion will
determine how well your other two choices will work out in the end. When two
persons are combined in one flesh, it is very vital and important that they have
a kindred and harmonious relationship, with common spirits, goals and
destinations. You will need God to help you choose the man or woman who will fit
into your life and love, live and work together with you in all kinds of
weather. This is why you must first have God’s grace, plus His plan, for your
life. Only God knows your nature, calling and destiny well enough to select your
life companion for you. Your life companion is half of your life. Young friend,
you’d better pray, night and day, lest you miss the way.

Then what are some of the things which must be considered in choosing your
life’s companion?

1. First, you should be a CHRISTIAN, and then choose a Christian companion, if
Christ is to protect and direct your life, with all its future problems and
work. "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" lest you become an
unbeliever again, and lose your soul. Sinners and Christians have very few
things in common. One cannot serve God, while the other serves the devil, and
get along together. You will have conflicting natures, objectives, interests and
worship.This means a CONSTANT CONFLICT, instead of peace and harmony. In our
work and ministry, we have contacted many homes where one was a sinner and the
other a Christian. It is not only impossible to have proper relations to a
sinner-companion, but it is very difficult to maintain your right relationship
with God in an everlasting conflict with God’sgreatest enemy. Better get saved
good, then select a CHRISTIAN COMPANION, if you wish tolive a happy life in a
happy home here, and have a happy home in heaven, after this short life isover.

2. Then, again, next to your life’s work, comes your life’s companion. This is
true in the secular, but especially in Christian work. A minister should never
marry one who is not willing to give her life to supporting him in the ministry.
Divided interests and occupations hinders, and oftenmars, the life of both
companions.

However, if the wife is willing to be a keeper at home, and cooperate with her
husband, she does not need to have a special call for his occupation. There
should be a MUTUAL understanding. Husband and wife should not keep anything from
each other, but love, live andwork together for God and others. Where the
husband loves, the wife respects, and vice versa. The greatest tragedy of our
day is that the hand that SHOULD rock the cradle often wrecks the cradle.Young
lady, if you are not willing to settle down and keep the home fires burning, you
may help keep the hell fires burning before it is over with. Too much money of
your own makes it hard for you to be as submissive to your husband as you should
be.

There can be only one head of the home, if there is to be peace instead of war.
We cannot have more than one head of the home, any more than we can have such in
the business world and all other institutions. You may be his counselor, but not
his commander. Fine furniture and dresses often bring distresses. Then the
common and constant mixture of both sexes, in our public enterprises tends to
breed an undue familiarity not good for either sex or companion.

3. Another important thing in choosing your life’s companion is their financial
standing. Especially, when a poor man marries a rich girl or woman, it will be
difficult for him to meet her accustomed demands and keep peace in the home.
When you break a custom, you break your neck. Better be sure that the wife is to
be willing to step down after the wedding and the honeymoon is over, and live on
a lower financial level, and keep the sun of love warm and radiant.

It is not so difficult for a poor girl to marry a wealthier man, for it is
easier to step up than down. Both must realize and properly estimate the value
of the dollar if "The love of money is not to become the root of all evil."
There are many other things more valuable than food and raiment,fine houses and
furniture. Lazarus got to heaven from the beggar’s den, while Dives went to hell
from the palace. "Seek (and put) FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD, and His righteousness
and allthese THINGS shall be added unto you."

4. Another important factor in choosing your life companion is your cultural
backgrounds.If one has been brought up in a refined, cultural home, while the
other lived on the lower level, itmay be difficult for them to have common
interests and understandings. However, many adjustments may be made here, if
both parties have higher ideals and objectives. If a cultural, refined person
marries an ignoramus, one will have to become cultured, or the other an
ignoramus,if they are to live on the in the same plane together.

5. Our age level also has much to do with common realms and understandings. If
one is too much older than the other, the younger will have to get old fast,
especially when one passes the middle-years, and turns over into the older
years, and loses the charms and attractions of previous years. The tie that
binds may be broken. Usually, the husband should be the older, but if there is
not too much difference, it may not matter much. However, an older man can fit
into the life of a younger woman far better than an old woman can fit into the
life of a young man. It has been said"it is better to be an old man’s darling
than a young man’s slave," but it is better to be "Workers together" in all
kinds of weather.

6. The complexion may have some, but not too much significance. An extremely
fair complexioned person should marry one of the other extreme, if the features
of their children are not to be extreme. Especially two of one extreme
complexion should not usually marry each other,"unless the Lord is in it."

7. Then those of extreme statue, one very low and the other very high, might not
look likethose of the same human family. A giant and a dwarf might not be able
to keep pace in their family race. A short man should usually not marry a tall
woman unless he "wants to look up" to her. Tall men usually ride out over short
men in most of life’s races, though they do not always deserve it.

8. Church relationships should be considered in matrimony. It is best for both
to belong tothe same church, if their family and religious interests are not to
be divided. Especially if their church relations are far apart in doctrines,
rituals, etc. Above all things a Protestant should NEVER marry a Catholic,
unless they want to change over and worship the priest instead of God. It would
help if both would get converted before they get married. When the children grow
up and one parent goes to one church, and the other to another, the family is
divided and the children may become unbelievers, especially if their parents
argue overtheir religious relations in the home. In some cases, one may get
converted to the true Christian experience after they are married, and have to
disagree from their companion for a spiritual atmosphere and sound doctrine.This
makes a difficult task, unless the other one becomes converted also. The
Christian Companion will have to develop much patience, and be willing to bear
whatever reproach comes from the home or opposing church. We must be loyal to
God before any church or other human organization,or individual.

9. Those of like or unlike tempers or temperaments should be careful in their
selection of life companions. Those of strong wills should not marry another of
the same strong will. The times come when some one must yield. The grace of God
is an important factor here. Stubbornness should never be practiced in the home.
It takes more grace and humility to yield when principle isnot violated than it
does to contend. Let your companion have the last word. Shooting a stone that
cannot be stopped or turned aside, against a wall that cannot be torn down, or
shot through, makes an impossible task -- explosion. There are times when all
parents and companions must bear with each other. A sissy husband and a mannish
wife make both horrible and offensive. Again, only the grace of God is
sufficient. Both must know how to yield or stand to save the home.

Once upon a time it was said that a husband said to his wife, "Wife, when you
see me coming home from work with my cap pulled down over my left eye, You’d
better watch your steps." His wife replied, "Yes, husband, when you come home
and see a knot tied in my apron,You’d better watch your steps." Well, one
afternoon the husband came home with his cap pulled down over his left eye, and
behold, his wife had a knot tied in her apron. You immediately ask,"Well, what
happened?" Well what happens over there at your house when both decided to take
over and not yield an inch? An explosion, of course! Your children will never
forget it here, andmay not here after. The "Give and take" method will save more
homes than the opposite. Let us decide which way is right, and both go that way,
regardless of how much it may reflect on ourself-will, judgement and personal
interests. Each must be willing to ask forgiveness and reverse his or her
attitude and stand, when wrong.

10. The great climax in choosing a life’s companion is LOVE. Love that never
ends, butalways blends. Love must be the foundation of the home, flowing from
husband and wife to eachother, and to their precious children. Never get married
for money or lust, or any other selfish interest. Many of the other differences
discussed may be adjusted or overlooked where love reigns until none complains.
"Love hides a multitude of sins." All want to be loved, but the stream must keep
flowing both ways if the home fires keep burning in radiant love, coming down
from above.

Love is PATIENT and KIND. Love knows NEITHER envy nor JEALOUSY. Love is not
forward and SELF ASSERTIVE, nor boastful and conceited. She does not behave
herself UNBECOMINGLY, nor seek to aggrandize herself, nor blaze out in
passionate anger, nor BROOD OVER WRONGS. She finds no pleasure in injustices (or
unkindnesses) done to others, but joyfullysides with the truth. SHE KNOWS HOW TO
BE SILENT (under pressure). She is full of trust, fullof hope, full of patient
endurance. Love never fails. "And now there remain, faith, hope and lovethese
three, but the greatest of these is love," B Weymouth. A home without love???? A
home withlove.

Courtship My young friends, just a few suggestions about your love affairs
before you are married, during your happy courtship days.

1. Be careful in all your relationships one to another, so that if you do not
get married, you will not fear to look your lover’s future wife or husband in
the face and tell them how you once treated their companion. If you do not want
others to hug and kiss your companion before you marry him or her, then do not
do it to others. In these days of low, lax moral standards, better watch your
affections and feelings. Listen: "Keep thyself pure" if you want your love to
endure.

2. The length of courtships may vary, but they should never be too short or too
long. It maybe easy to "fall in love," but not so easy to "fall out." If you
make a mistake, make the best of it.You may be disappointed in your lover after
the marriage, or she may be disappointed in you, but this is too late to change
your minds. Take time to get acquainted before marriage. After marriage, correct
your errors and faults which try each other, and live for each other.

3. Be sincere, honest and frank with each other before you are married like you
must beafter you are married. You may court in your "Sunday clothes" and manners
before you are married, but it is a seven days a week and a life time
proposition AFTER you are married.

If you desire to know any thing about the past moral records of each other, ask
the questions before you are married. It will be too late to do any thing about
it AFTERWARD. Then be truthful and frank in your replies to the questions, or
you will have to live and die a liar afteryou are married, or, make confessions
which may wreck your home. Do not be too intimate in your sex discussions before
marriage. It is best not to discuss previous relations after marriage, unless
conscience demands it.

4. Your courtships should not be too long, lest you become overfamiliar, and
lose your love for each other. If you wait until you are both set in your ways,
the after marriage adjustments may be difficult or impossible. Once upon a time
two courted until they were about forty before they got married. Later another
young man was courting and wondered how long he should wait to get married. He
said, "If ,any one knows how long our courtship should be before marriage our
neighbor who courted until he was forty, should know; I’ll ask him." Then he
went and asked theman how long one should court before they were married, and
the older, now, married man answered, "Well, which ever one you do, you will
wish that you had done the other." Living in the valley of indecision too long
makes it difficult to make a right and final choice. Besides it robs one of a
number of the best years of the married life. Do not fall or jump in, until you
are sure that you should; neither wait so long that you do not know what you
want to do. Get well acquainted, then get married, or get out before you
fallout. Indecision makes life uncertain and insecure.

5. Of course you should be affectionate, but not indulgent in your courtships.
In this loose, lax generation, you must be careful in your relations to the
opposite sex, before, and after you are married. Then if you show proper respect
for each other BEFORE YOU ARE MARRIED, youwill have more love, confidence and
respect for each other AFTER YOU ARE MARRIED. The right kind of pure love will
make it easy and necessary to respect your lover before marriage. The writer
loved his wife so much before their marriage until he would not have blighted
her character for any thing in the world.

Then if you have questionable or sinful relations with each other before your
marriage, then what if you do not get married? How would you feel in the
presence of another who might later love and marry your TEMPORARY sweet heart?
If your own later lover and life companion asks you about your former
courtships, how would you feel, and what would you say? "Keep thyself pure" if
you want to be sure and happy as long as life doth endure. "Blessed are the pure
in heart for they shall see God." Live like God wants you to live and you will
have nothing to fear here, or over there. If you do not respect each other
before you are married, you cannot love and trust eachother after you are
married.

6. You need not wait to get rich before you set married, but it is fine to have
a place to live after you get married . However, it is better to live in a
rented cottage with one you love, than to live in a mansion with one not loved
or appreciated. After marriage, both must live together, and each do his or her
part to bear the burdens and enjoy the blessings of life. If you cannot reason
withand understand each other before marriage, you cannot get along together
after you are married. Leteach live for the other, and not for self, and your
love will last.

7. From the beginning, the husband must be the head of the house, even as Christ
is the headof the church, 1 Timothy 5:22-25. Every husband should love his wife
and be the head of the house, if his wife is to respect and work with him. A
sissy man and a mannish woman both are repulsive tothe other. The devil tries to
reverse and destroy every thing that God has done. That’s why women are being
pushed into leadership in every realm, while men are being pushed aside and left
out.World destruction is soon to prove the folly of this.

Admonitions To Parents

Parents should advise and council their young people relative to the selection
of their life’s companion, but should not do the choosing for them. They should
win and hold the confidence oftheir children from their childhood up, so that
they will come to them for advice and council in all important matters. Above
all else, win them to Christ in their childhood, before they get tied up with
the wrong crowd and companions. Except in EXTREME CASES, parents should never
"butin" and forbid their children to court or marry certain persons. After they
"fall in love," great caution must be used lest your opposition drive your
children into the arms of their lovers.

Many, or most parents, often feel that their own children are better and
superior to all other young people, but this is imagination, unless they are far
superior to their parents?? We should begin in time to advise our children
before they are too much in love. Teach them WHAT KIND OF LOVERS that they
should seek and marry, BEFORE THEY FALL IN LOVE. Never tease children about
their "sweethearts" until they are old enough to get married.They may court or
marry too young.

If they decide to marry against your own advice and council, except in very
extreme cases,always attend the wedding ceremonies. Then after the wedding take
them into your lives and confidence, and make them feel welcome in your hearts
and homes. This is the only way to turnthem in the right direction for your own
child’s protection. Never drive your own children out of your homes because they
married the "wrong person." Do not indorse their wrong principles orconduct, but
seek to win them to Christ.

Soon after they are married, they should be encouraged to move out into their
own homes,and run their own affairs. There is not room enough in any home for
two families, especially kinsfolk. Then do not meddle in the affairs of your
"in-laws," lest you make them "outlaws." Be very cautious in taking sides, if
your children have difficulties in getting along with their companions. It is
easy to let your sympathies run away with you and your children. Never make a
final decision until you give both sides a chance to state their side of the
issue. Let both be present, and do your best to help them understand, love and
allow for each other. "Blessed are the peacemakers." Keep them out of the
divorce court by all means. Fast and pray for them and lead them to Christ by
allmeans. Do not meddle in the affairs of your grandchildren. Let your children
raise their own children like you did. In extreme cases, you might make kindly
suggestions, but never give orders or commands.

Grandma, do not let your SOFT sympathies run away with you in dealing with your
GRAND children. Grandparents should never but in when parents are disciplining
their children. The great danger has always been in being too easy on children.
The grandchildren might not be so GRAND after all, especially if they take after
or resemble their grandparents?

We have heard many older people express their appreciation for the strict
discipline oftheir parents in bringing them up; but we NEVER heard any one
express their appreciation that their parents were soft, easy and lax on them
when children.

"Attend to your own business and let every one’s else alone,"and you will have
plenty to do.


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  CHAPTER 5: 04 - CONCLUSION
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04 -- CONCLUSION

Nothing is more wonderful than to have made the right choice, and to have become
a true Christian in the early years. This decides and determines how all your
other life choices, conductand relations will turn out, here and hereafter. It
saves the terrible risk of losing your own soul, and wasting your life in sin,
and the dragging of others down to eternal sorrow where there is no glad
tomorrow. How wonderful to live a godly life from your own childhood, and be an
honor andblessing to your home and all others.

Then to find the will and plan of God for your life, and live a happy and useful
and successful life for God and others, and to lay up treasures in heaven, and
meet your record there without fear, how wonderful.

Then added to all this, to marry a godly companion and have a happy home on
earth,surpassed only by and in the one in heaven, and have a family reunion in
heaven without the loss of one. Then to leave behind a clean record and
influence that will live on after you are gone. Only the life lived for Christ
will last and bring an eternal reward, where life is eternal.

Let us live so here that we shall be glad to live that way forever. THE END

Contents


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Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/vess-arthur-youths-three-great-choices/
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