Josiah was one of the "royal performers" of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. Though he had not much encouragement from his grandfather or father (Manasseh, his grandfather, set up altars to Baal and did evil, 2 Kings 21:2-3), and Amon, his father, worshipped idols and did evil (2 Kings 21:20-22), Josiah from his earliest age of accountability "did right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in the way of David his father" (2 Kings 22:2). His was a good reign of thirty-one years, beginning at age eight (22:1). Perhaps his mother helped make the difference in his life. Note some great characteristics youths of today should imitate.

Josiah determined early to "remember his creator" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). He allowed "no man to despise his youth" (1 Timothy 4:12). He purposed early, as Daniel did, not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8). He would have been an example to Daniel, for Daniel must have been born and reared during Josiah's reign.

Josiah "turned not aside to the right hand nor to the left"(22:2). He was steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58). Neither the pressures of politics nor of friends and acquaintances nor of prestige, power and influence turned his head from the truth. He deviated not from the straight and narrow (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 John 9-11; Revelation 2:10). He put God first (Matthew 6:33).

Josiah sought early in life to learn the law of God (22:8). He humbled himself before God, and he shuddered to think of the wrath of Jehovah, "that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Jehovah, to do according to all that is written in this book" (2 Chronicles 34:21).

Josiah had a tender heart (22:19; 2 Chronicles 34:27). "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3). Blessed are those who want to know the truth and are ready to obey, like the Ethiopian nobleman (Acts 8:26), like Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:16), like the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30).

Josiah wanted all people to obey the Lord (22:11). He sought to teach the Word to all (23:1; 2 Chronicles 34:29). The king and the people made a covenant to serve Jehovah (2 Chronicles 34:31-33). This they did all of his days.
Think of what a youth can do.

• He can restore God's law to his life, his family, and his associates.
• He can be a power against evil and perversion (23:4-7).
• He can receive God's wondrous grace -- salvation, peace of mind, and strength (23:24-25).
• He needs to realize that apostasy is but one generation away potentially (23:26-27). He was one of Judah's last hopes.
  

May our young people of today be a Josiah!!!

Curis A. Cates

Rich Young Ruler

Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking.

No matter how much wealth he had, he could not—

ride in a car.
have any surgery,
turn on a light,
buy penicillin,
hear a pipe organ,
watch TV,
wash dishes in running water,
type a letter,
mow a lawn,
fly in an airplane,
sleep on an innerspring mattress,
or talk on the phone,

If he was rich, then what am I?

Author Unknown

Memorial

A memorial service for sister Viola Morinier will be held following our morning services on Sunday, November 24th..

Holiday Party

December 7th, 2002
Time: 5:00 PM
Place: the Wheelers

The food theme for this occasion is finger foods and appetizers.

At our party we are having a Gift Exchange, If you wish to participate please bring a wrapped present with a maximum cost of $5.00.

R.S.V.P. by November 30th.
Sign-up Sheet in the foyer.

If directions are needed please let us know. Hope to see you there.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2