“NOT Excluded OR Excused”

In today’s society, and even in the church, people are beginning to talk extensively and often about how younger people need to replace the older people

However, especially when it comes down to ministry and the will of God, we must ensure that we do things God’s way

From the world’s perspective, there is no place for those who are seasoned to help groom and mentor those who are younger.  In fact, from the world’s perspective, those who are seasoned are old fashioned, out-dated, and have nothing more to offer.

That being said, they are simply to move out of the way and let the YOUNG people come in and take over

….like throwing out the TRASH!  

This is a DISGRACE and not AT ALL in line with the Word of God.  Therefore, this belief system should NOT be embraced by the church…God’s people.

Of course, some able bodied people use age as a way to get out of things…to say, “I’m TOO OLD to do such and such.”  But according to God’s Word, we should not “be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 

Instead, God’s people are to “occupy until he comes.” Luke 19:13

His people are going to be obedient to the will and Word of God…

Working “heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23

They are going to “work while it is day!” John 9:4

So, it is very important that we do NOT embrace this type of false teaching…beliefs that are not of God.

As long as there is breath in our bodies, that means that the Spirit is WITHIN us…to help us make a difference in the lives of others.  If there is breath in our bodies and we are ABLE to do ANYTHING for the Lord and we still have a DESIRE in our hearts, we are COMMANDED by God to do it. 

If all you can do is SPEAK… there’s a place for you in ministry

If all you can do is SING…there’s a place for you in ministry         

If all you can do is WRITE, then you write what the Lord has shared with you… there’s a place for you

If all you can do is GREET people at the door with a SMILE…there’s a place for you

If all you can do is COOK… there’s a place for you, because these days people don’t cook anymore…

So, cooking is a ministry.  It’s a ministry!  It’s a blessing and it is a God given talent and passion for some.

So, share your talents and passion with others in whatever way that you can and help bring people to Christ.

There is no one who is EXCLUDED from helping to further the kingdom of God.  There is no one who is EXCUSED as long as they are able to do SOMETHING for the Lord. 

If you find that you are able to leave your house to go places that you want to go…then YOU can be ministering for the Lord. 

If you find that you are able to TALK to you friends and family, then YOU are capable of SERVING and furthering the kingdom of the Lord.

For an able bodied person, there is no such thing as you are “TOO OLD.”

Besides, in today’s world, it’s hard to find GOOD help.  It’s hard to find willing people to do ANYTHING these days. 

“…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” Matt. 9:37 

So, as long as you are able, you should SERVE THE LORD!

Don’t sell yourself short!  God did not put you on this planet without equipping you with GIFTS and TALENTS that are much needed in this vineyard.  As long as you are HERE and you are ABLE, those gifts and talents are needed somewhere.

For those who are YOUNG…well, you should be teachable.  You should be teachable and you should look toward those who are seasoned with the utmost RESPECT for the wisdom, experience, and skills that they have to offer.  They have been there and done that…and a young person who is not willing to listen to their elders, is not the type of person that should be taking the place of those who are no longer able to serve. 

After all, the younger will need to assist and minister to the older at some point.  In fact, they should have a concern and a desire to do so.  Furthermore, as the circle of life goes, those who are young today will be old one day, God willing.

In the Bible, there were many examples of young people who worked under the leadership of an older, wiser, more experienced person to shadow and learn from them.  These students held their teacher in high regard.  It was very much like a parent-child relationship.  In many ways, we have lost this aspect of growth and ministry.

We need people who are going to stand BEHIND and ON the Word of God at ALL times.  We have to be careful not to take on the viewpoint of the world

And it is so easy to slip in among believers and within our church walls, because it sounds good or it seems like it makes sense; but, we have to make sure that we look to the WORD OF GOD “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction…” 2 Tim. 3:16

Furthermore, before placing people in positions and roles, we need to be PRAYERFUL.  We don’t need to “put the cart before the horse.” 

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that HE will send forth laborers into his harvest” Matt 9:38.

God’s people should be asking the Holy Spirit for guidance on who should be doing what.  It’s not about how old or young a person is that should determine this.  When we talk about placing more young people in leadership roles to help further the kingdom of God, Criteria #1 should be that they have a HEART FOR GOD and they want to please God in their lives.  The #1 Criteria should not be…that they are in their 20’s.

That’s a very dangerous thing that we are doing, by failing to look at the things that matter most to the Lord.

People who believe in the Word of God and love the Lord are going to ask God for direction and wisdom regarding who should follow in someone else’s footsteps when they are no longer able to serve. 

It is better to leave a position or role VACANT for a time, than to place just ANYBODY in it, because if we want to reach people for the Lord, it’s going to take God-seeking people to accomplish that mission.

So, we need to be very careful and vigilant, because we do not need to get caught up in the ways of the world.  Only Satan wants to divide believers based on categories of young and old, male and female, etc.  God created us to complement one another and work together

There is a special, unique, and divinely inspired work for each and every one of us to do.  We are to encourage and support one another, building each other up in love throughout the different ages and stages of life.  We are to help and strengthen one another for the GLORY and cause of CHRIST.

Let us PRAY and ask God to help us to embrace one another both young and old, male and female, because God knows…WE NEED EACH OTHER!

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