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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Summer Stop Syndrome

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Across America a deadly plague envelopes Independent Baptist churches, threatening to do untold damage to the lives of many of our faithful teens. This diabolical disease paralyzes the spiritual growth of many young people at this particular time of the year.
This scourge is what I call The Summer Stop Syndrome.
With school now out, it’s so easy to get out of our regular routines and halt healthy habits that we developed during the more scheduled school year.
It’s easy to get lazy in the summer and stop doing the things necessary for spiritual success.
The Apostle Paul urged young Timothy in II Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of.”
Often in the summer, teens are tempted to become lazy and lackadaisical in their Christian lives. They may sleep more, work less, and develop bad habits.
In short, they may fall victim to The Summer Stop Syndrome.
How can a young person guard himself against becoming the next spiritual casualty of this paralyzing plague?
Continue In The Word.
The summer is not a time to slow down or stop in your Bible reading. With school out, you should have more time to devote to God’s Word.
Why not set a goal to read a certain portion of the Scriptures this summer? You could easily read through the New Testament this summer if you set your mind to it.
Remember that your success or failure in your Christian life is directly tied to what you decide to do with the Bible. If you read it and heed it, you will have success. If you disregard it and disobey it, you will suffer.
In Joshua 1:8 we find the only usage of the word success in the Scriptures. Joshua was given this formula for success, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Continue In Your Worship.
Even with more time on their hands during the summer, some teens attend church less while school is out. Don’t take a vacation from God this summer.
Determine to be in church every time the doors are opened. Going to a good Christian camp can be a life-changing experience for you. Attend every youth conference or teen rally your church endorses.

 

The summer is an opportune time to draw closer to God through increased exposure to red-hot preaching and spiritually charged atmospheres.
Continue In Your Witness.
With additional time during the summer, why not increase your witness? Set a daily or weekly goal for passing out tracts. Get involved with your church’s bus ministry. Show up for soul winning.
Death takes no summer vacation. How many people in your area will die while you are out of school? By being a faithful witness, you may help keep someone out of hell.

When we think of summer vacations, we usually ask ourselves three questions: 1.Where am I going? 2. How am I going to get there? 3. What am I going to do when I get there?
Consider the summer that lies before you. Spiritually, where do you want to go? Don’t you want to be a better Christian at the end of the summer than you are right now?
How will you reach your desired spiritual destination? Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance are requirements for you to truly progress spiritually.
What are you going to do when you arrive at your desired destination? Determine to do the will of God.
You don’t have to be another victim. You can be a victor. You can defeat The Summer Stop Syndrome.

[Tony Bazen, Park Meadows Baptist]

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