The Attitude of a Young Overcomer

© 2013 Jasper Life Publications 1st Edition in English – February 2013 1st Edition in Portuguese – June 2010

ATITUDE – um jovem vencedor Translated from Portuguese with permission of Editora Árvore da Vida All rights reserved by Jasper Life Publications Inc. 725 Viscount Road London, Ontario, Canada N6J 4G9 Email: info@jasperlife.com http://www.jasperlife.com ISBN 978-1-926970-50-9

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Other versions of scripture are indicated as follows: Darby

Darby translation

Contents

Preface...................................................................... 5

The Choice is Yours!................................................ 7

Do You Have a Place for the Lord?..................... 11

Reflecting What We Contemplate....................... 15 Our Attitude in the End Times............................. 19

Warning Signs. ...................................................... 23

Today or Tomorrow?............................................ 27

Build with What is Unshakable............................ 31

My Friends are Awesome!...................................... 35 Is It a Sin to Pray This Way?................................ 39

Don’t Waste Your Time!....................................... 43 3

Attitudes of a Young Overcomer. ....................... 47 Forgiven Because God Has Forgiven.................... 51

What a Great Salvation!...................................... 55

Depressed Young People!........................................ 59

Follow the Lord.................................................... 63

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Which Side are You On?........................................ 67

PREFACE The articles of this book were originally written for the section Corre e fala a Este Jovem (Run and Speak to the Young People) in the Jornal Árvore da Vida (Tree of Life Magazine) published by Associação Arvore da Vida. They were previously selected and adapted for the purpose of showing that it is possible, completely possible, to be an overcomer and reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom after the Lord’s return! It all depends on your attitude—whether you believe in the Lord’s Word or have an evil heart of unbelief and doubt God’s Word. May the Lord grant you a tender and strong heart to believe in His promise: “And he that overcomes, and he that keeps unto the end my works, to him will I give authority over the nations” (Rev. 2:26 Darby).

The Editors.

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“I want to leave the world of hallucinations, of journeys of death, and enter into eternal life.”

THE CHOICE IS YOURS! We know that there is a loose monster on the streets, houses, schools, workplaces etc. The world of drugs is a constant invitation that haunts us in the midst of our friends, at school doors, at parties and in all kinds of social groups. It is a threat only waiting for a moment of carelessness to get us. Every day we see in newspapers, magazines and on television that young people’s lives are being damaged and destroyed by this big lie that is sold as the solution to problems. Indeed, it is something that makes an end, although not to their problems, but to the lives of those who get involved with it. Many try it under the pressure of friends to show that they are fearless and revolutionary. This false image given by the “system” is actually a call to collective suicide. It is as if someone who 7

The Attitude of a Young Overcomer

is drowning but does not want to die alone, wants to take many with him. Their motto is to stay together with the others in this true hell. Thus, according to their thought, this will be more fun.

How many enter this boat of death and never have strength to return! What chemical substances extracted of plants, such as the poppy, can direct your life? Do you think that man made chemicals can provide you with endless satisfactions that will give meaning to life? Certainly not.

Do you think that a few moments of euphoria outweigh the destruction of your life? It is time to put a stop to this. We know a much better journey, not to death, but to eternal life!

You don’t need drugs but you need Christ. He came to give us life. In John 10:10, He says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Do you know what it is to drink of the living water? (“you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” – 4:10b). Do you know what it is to eat the living bread? (I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” – 6:51a). Do you know what it is to have the light of life? (“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” – 8:12). What about being a branch of the true vine? (“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” – 15:5). What is more, it is not a journey of passing hallucinations, but something real; neither is it 8

The Choice is Yours!

of temporary pleasures, but an eternal satisfaction. What good is an addicted colleague of yours and their talk about their crazy journeys that lead to death?

If you have experienced Christ, you can say, “‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.… But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:9-10, 14). Isn’t it better to experience Jesus? By enjoying Him, you will be touching what is real, what is eternal, touching salvation. In Him, we experience life and the meaning of life, and also we experience what God has prepared for those who love Him. There are two conditions for men’s salvation: the first is that God desires to save them, and the second, that men desire to be saved. If any of the parties does not have this desire, there is no salvation. The Bible clearly says that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Therefore the first condition, God’s part, was satisfied. Now it is men’s turn which is the second condition; this only depends upon you. If you desire to be saved, you will be, but if you do not desire, you will not be. The choice is yours. Have an attitude of courage; decide in favor of God’s life. Open your heart and say to the Lord: “Lord, I am tired of everything. I open my being to You. I do not want drugs. I do not want to 9

The Attitude of a Young Overcomer

live in a world of illusions. I want You. I want to have a journey in You, to experience what is eternal and real. I want to gain eternal life, which is God’s life itself. Forgive my sins. Lord, You died for me, so that You could grant me the true life. I want to live in truthfulness, with no lies, no mistakes and without escaping. I want to leave the world of hallucinations, of journeys of death, and enter into eternal life.�

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