What's the second best piece of advice you would give a young person?
I know you would first counsel him to nurture his relationship with the Lord. But what would be your second best piece of advice? In other words, what would be the most important thing you could suggest that would determine his future success or failure? I believe it's found within today's passage, so please carefully read through Proverbs 13:13-25. What do you think it is?
I'm not a prophet, but I think I could do a pretty good job of predicting a person's future. If I could be a fly on the wall (err, if I could bug the place where he hangs out), and could see what kind of friends he hangs out with, I think you and I both could predict the future of that person, if God didn't intervene. When I worked with inner city teens in Humboldt Park, I heard stories of guys getting shot and their mothers wailing. "He was a good boy! He wasn't no gang-banger." No mam, he wasn't in a gang. He just hung out with them, dressed like them, talked like them and represented like them. But he wan't a gang member." To quote Prov.13:20b-"a companion of fools suffers harm."
So what's the second best piece of advice you could give a person, young or old, if he wants to grow and succeed in life? Here's mine. Devote yourself to friends who are ahead of you on the path of where you want to get to in life. Proverbs 13:20a puts it succinctly- "He who walks with the wise grows wise."
Charlie Tremendous Jones was an enthusiastic Christian leader who spoke and wrote on on personal development. He also predicted people's futures. He said that five years from now you will be much the same unless you read life changing material and spend time with people better than yourself. Social researcher, David McClelland of Harvard University said, “The people with whom you choose to associate is more important in determining your success or failure than any other single factor.” Wow! You can't afford to spend time with losers or loafers, if you want to be a winner. Put another way, "If you want to soar with eagles, don't hang out with turkeys."
"A righteous man is cautious in friendship" Prov.12:28. So some people you might need to disassociate from entirely. Others you'll need to limit your association with. You may have to work with some negative or carnal people, but don't spend your lunch breaks with them. Finally, others you ought to strive to expand your associations with. These are the people you admire and want to be more like. For example, if you want to succeed in business, ask a successful businessman out to lunch and come prepared with good questions to ask. Also ask how you could help him. You've heard it said, "It's not what you know, but who you know." But that's not really true. It's who you know and how much they like you. So be friendly and helpful. Those people will open doors for you. And by all means, if they give you good advice, put it into practice. Don't you dare go back for another mentoring meeting without acting on their input. They will quickly tire of you. It's also been stated that if you want to excel, join a team where the morale and the expectations are high (sounds like M3 to me:). That way you will be challenged and helped to climb higher than you ever could on your own.
Who would you like to get to know better who knows the ropes? I know some GREAT men of God in M3, who I'm sure, would be honored if you would ask to spend time with them and discuss things on your mind. Offer to buy them "coffee" or to take a walk together. "He who walks with the wise grows wise."
1.-Share now, as if you were talking with a young person, about the person or group that has had the biggest influence for good in your life and how so?
2.-He who walks with the wise grows wise. I believe you are such, and in such a wise group. He who wins souls to this GREAT way is also wise. So who will you be seeking to "win" or recruit to M3? By activating them, they will become your lasting legacy. You will also help them to climb so much higher than they ever dreamed they could. Those who walk with the wise become wise.
3.-Write on your MP3 card a verse or phrase that grabbed your attention from our reading today in Prov.13:13-25. Then seek to share it with others. According to Jesus, those who practice and share God's word are great in God's kingdom. You are doing GREAT things, especially as you multiply your life into others you recruit.
Announcements
Congratulations to Vince and his wife on the birth of their healthy, 7lb. boy, Caleb at 4AM yesterday morning! Caleb has got a great dad to raise him in the ways of the Lord.
You won't want to miss Monday's blog! Glad most of you will have some free time being Memorial Day. My family and I will be in Michigan, but I look forward to still being with you on the blog that day.
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