My dear son,
I realize you will be serving Christ in a world far different than the one where I was trained and first released into ministry. Your methods, your dress, your vocabulary, the technologies you use and even the problems you face may have little in common with the world I knew, or even the world in which we both minister today. You will be a faithful servant of Christ not because you mimic my words or imitate my ministry style, but because you live out the timeless values we share – values that come to us from the Word of God and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
So while I still have the opportunity, I want to take a few minutes to summarize in writing the values and life lessons I have attempted to live out before you and most want to pass on to you…
Keep Jesus at the center of your life! No matter what happens walk with Jesus daily as your Lord, Savior, Master, and Friend. Love Him with all your heart and don’t let anyone or anything distract you from Him.
Treasure the Word of God. Read it daily, study it, memorize it, and allow it to transform your life. Allow your daily life in all settings to speak God’ s Word both in word and deed. Make sure you allow God’s Word to be your standard for truth, not the ways of this world.
Always walk moment by moment in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Remember to daily confess your sins and remember that you can stand before God only because of Jesus. Remember to treat others with the same grace that Jesus freely gives you.
Love people. Remember that every single person has value because they were created in the image of God. Love them not based on conditions or because you will receive something from them, but love them unconditionally the way that Jesus loves you. Continually strive to see people the way Jesus sees them.
Be a man of character. Be the same in private that you are in public. Allow your word to be truth, keep your promises, and keep falsehood far from your lips. When you mess up, be quick to repent, ask for forgiveness, and stand back up in God’s strength and redemption.
Be accountable. You cannot do this on your own. You need other Godly men in your lfe that are going to care about your enough to tell you what you need to hear whether it is a word of encouragement or a gentle correction. Be that kind of man for others as well!
Lastly keep an eternal perspective. This life is short, it’s the next one that lasts forever. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, and don’t get caught up in the things of this world. Know that it is Jesus who began a good work in your and will carry you to completion and long for that day… but until then make the most of each opportunity that God has blessed you with.
In the Precious Blood of Jesus and His Perfecct Love,
Matt Householder