Tonight, I want to address a problem those of you who are young may experience. A problem many of us have not had to consider for awhile...that is when you witness, teach or prophesy for the Lord, you are not accepted because of your age.

"Don't tell me about God!" You're told, "I've been in the church twenty years." Or, "What do you know? You're just a kid." Do you face these calloused responses? If so, know tonight that Paul's words to his spiritual son, Timothy, are God's words to you, just as they have been to the young in each generation since. "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you...Meditate on these things, give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all" (1 Timothy 4:12-15, NKJV).

No matter how young you are, you are an essential soldier for the Lord! Don't let people's resentments or "sour grapes" slow you down but rise above them. God says to keep going for "in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Timothy 4:16, NKJV).

Please email or write to Brother Cerullo and me when you feel persecuted and alone. We were considered too young once, too, and know that the pressures on you are enormous. Just remember, God's army desperately needs you...now!

Heavenly Father, thank you that, age notwithstanding, all people are precious to You. Grant me strength and grace to withstand both the pressure of peers who oppose me and older people who may resent me. Give me the wisdom to handle the mockers without compromising or backing down. Help me to remember, as I in turn become the older generation, to be sensitive to the youthful zeal of my younger brothers and sisters. In Jesus' Name, Amen.