What are you willing to do for Him?
Are you willing to sell out?
If you’ve sold your whole field to buy the treasure, and if you’ve given your whole life in exchange for the life He gives you, then you’ll do anything for Him. You don’t care what it is. If He asks you to go to Africa or Asia on a mission trip, you’ll go. If He asks you to quit cussing or quit smoking, you’ll do it. None of that really matters, because He’s given you life.
You may think, Well, I don’t know that the Lord has asked me to do anything specifically. But what about your integrity and your character? Do you often ask yourself, “What would Jesus do or say in this particular situation?” Or do you make decisions based on what your friends think is cool?
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide.
(Ps. 26:1 AMP)The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.
(Prov. 11:8)
What about being submissive to your mom and dad? Are you so set in your mind as to what you want to do that you don’t even listen to anything your parents tell you? Just because you are a teenager doesn’t mean you have to be rebellious. That is a lie from the pit of hell! How can you expect to hear from God, whom you can’t see, when you don’t listen to your parents, whom you can see? How can God trust you with a position of authority if you don’t submit to and respect those who have been placed in authority over you?
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise —”That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
(Eph. 6:1-3)
Nothing on this earth can be compared to the greatness of the eternal life that’s inside of you. If you haven’t given all that you are in exchange for Jesus, the treasure, right now’s the time to do it.
I want you to pray the following prayer with me. If you’ve already done this, then do it again. Make sure you’ve given everything to Him.
Lord Jesus, I give You my all. Every piece of my heart, every piece of my life, it all belongs to You. It doesn’t belong to me. I give everything in exchange for the new life You give me, because I know You gave everything for me. I commit every part of me to You. It all belongs to You—my summers, my days at school, my time with my parents, my future, my career, my job, my college education, everything belongs to You. I submit my life to You, because You’ve given Your life and put it inside of me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.