Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Saying NO

It was Saturday night, 12:30 am. It was time for Jon to be home. When a parent is waiting for their son or daughter to come home, all kinds of things can go through their minds. What if something has happened and he can't get home or get to a phone. Your mind wonders with all the terrible stuff that could have happened. Then you see the headlights in the driveway, he is home. As he comes in the door we look and say, "Hi, how was your night?" Then a strange feeling overwhelms you as you realize he doesn't look normal. Oh no, he is either drunk or high on something. He gives you all the small talk of where he went and what they did. He goes to bed.

Then as parents we sit and discuss what to do. This is a terrible feeling for a parent to go through. We want to trust our children. But what happens when they break that trust?

So Sunday morning comes we get ready for church. I tell him we need to talk when we get home. He starts to cry and tells me he feels terrible. He decides he really wants to go to church so we go. After church we talk.

He drank at a party cause he couldn't say no. People were handing him beer and giving him shots, he didn't say no. He knew it was wrong but couldn't say no.

You have to know ahead of time what is right and wrong. You have to plan ahead in order not to do something that may catch you off balance. When you know how you will respond to a situation where you think you can't say no, then you give yourself the power to say no. Plan out how to say no to a certain situation. Have someone else stand with you and hold you accountable. Don't go to the places where you feel strong temptation for doing wrong. Replace the negative places with new positive things.

Galatians 5:19-21 says, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Bad habits originate in your flesh. To over come these tendencies, you need the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." You walk by the Spirit when you obey what Christ has shown you to do and trust Him to enable you to do it.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Buckle Up For Safety

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7) NKJV.

When we stay close to the Lord in our lives, we feel safe and secure. Anything and everything seems like a piece of cake when done through Him. The impossible becomes possible and the possible becomes easy. But just the same with the Lord, the same goes without Him. The struggles become more noticeable and you feel lost and without meaning.

The other day I was traveling to work like I do every Monday to D.J. the Christian skate night at the local roller skating rink, when for some reason the ride seemed a little different and I couldn't quite pin-point it. After a few miles down the road it hit me that I forgot to buckle up. I couldn't believe it because this has always been one of the first things that I do when I jump in, but today I forgot. When I relized what I did wrong, I felt lost and a fear came over me that I could fly thru the windsheild at any moment, and my protection of keeping me in the seat wouldn't be there.

After I had realized what had happended, I quickly fastened the seat belt up and continued on my way. Sometimes in life we tend to stray from the Lord a few miles before it hits us what has happened you seem fine going with the flow of everyone else, but then you know something is wrong, something is missing.

The Lord is our seat belt in our drive thru life. He is the one that keeps us together when we collide with life's trials. But if we try and do it on our own with out Him, you're in risk of a head on collision. Stay buckled up with the Lord and keep Him with you always and you should have a smooth ride. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Is It Love?

By: Tony Rhoda
TDDM Tony@aol.com

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"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) NKJV.

What type of love is it that you feel for that special someone in your life, what about your family? What kind of love do you have for your favorite sports or activities? One could say you love all these things, but is there a differnce in the type of love we have for them? Now, what type of love do you feel for Jesus?

I don't believe we love a boy/girlfriend like we love are parents. It's a different type of love that we have about are favorite activities. So how does this relate to the love we feel for Jesus? Well, I can't answer that because I don't know if and/or how much you love Him. But, I do know how much I love Him. The weird thing is that I think I love Him a lot. But, as I look at the big picture, I have a long ways to go.

What I did find out though, is that the love for Jesus can and should be a combination of all the things we love. As I look at a few comparisons that are running through my head it almost scares me. Do I love Jesus with as much drive and dedication as I do Cross-Country? Do I love Jesus with the same compasion and longing for as I do my girlfriend? I don't know about you but I'm starting to think about this. Finally, do I love Jesus with the respect, trust, and honor that I love my parents?

Before writing this I thought I had a pretty good grasp on love and my love for Jesus. But, the further I got into this topic, the further I feel my love for the Lord is slipping away. This week, look at all the things that you love. Look at how much you love Jesus. Then look at how much He loves you. Pretty scary huh? May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  How Teens and Parents Are Alike

How Teens and Parents Are Alike

Teens and parents alike??? No way, most parents and teens will say. But the adolescent period is when a person is in a growth process to maturity. The word period means this stage won't last forever. Adolescents face changes physically, sexually, emotionally, intellectually, and socially. During this time of change with a teen, we parents need to dwell on the internal changes and not so much with the external.

While most of our teens are going through this life changing period, often very emotional, parents are going through the same sort of thing. Believe it or not when your parents reach around 40 years old they go through an adolescent period also. Often adults think of the teen's adolescence as a period of crisis for them as well as for the parents. Parents go through what is called by many as a mid-life crisis. Well, mid-life is a wide term. At the time you are a teen most of your parents are in late 30's early 40's, some may be older some younger. Knowing and understanding these changes in both teens and parents at the same time really helps some situations. Teens understand that at this period of your parents lives they are going through some "changes." While you are getting stronger and bigger, your masculine and feminine traits are developing you into a man or woman, your parents at this time are changing also, the are getting weaker, and even shrinking, or accumulating some unwanted body changes. Most outward features known to us a beauty are fading. This is why the internal person is so important not the external in both children and adults.

At this time a teen wonders about their sexuality, excited with anticipation of their future in this area. Parents are wondering also, because many loose the anticipation and wonder where all the excitement went. Teens are thinking of the future, career, school etc. Parents are thinking of retirement, pensions and setting up for their "old age." Many teens have taken on the mother/father role with their own parents. Seeing a parent that was always so together, start doing silly things again makes one wonder if they lost their mind. As the parents wonder where the mind of their teens are sometimes.

Parents are supposed to understand and love their children unconditionally. Teens really need to do the same for their parents. When parents don't seem to be emotionally available for you, don't take it personal, maybe they are going through some hard time themselves. Unconditional love and understanding what is happening can really make a smooth transition for both teen and parent. So for many years there can be two adolescents in most homes, the under-eighteen child and the over-forty adult.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Remember What You've Learned

"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:1-2) NKJV. "

The day was October 12, the year was 1996. Well, to most people this was just another day, but for me it was a new beginning, a new freedom, and a new life all together. This was the day that I turned 16. This day also meant something special for my dad as well. Even though he told me how happy he was to see me becoming a grown up, inside it was killing him to see me get older. I won't know exactly how he feels until I hit that day in my life, but I had an idea.

I had a few nice presents, but all I had my mind on was an old '87 Ford truck that my dad planned on giving me for my birthday. that night I was going to the movies, but most importantly by myself and in my new-found freedom. It was only 5:00pm and I was already wired. I couldn't wait much longer to be off on my own. I had my whole life to live and only an hour and a half to wait.

Finally, 6:30 came around and I went into my dads bedroom to get the keys. He then got up and walked out with me to the truck. He took the keys unlocked the door and I jumped in ready to go. He had the keys in his hand and paused before handing them over. He then said, "Son, I'm proud of you, but now you're about to take one of the biggest steps in your life. Be careful, and don't forget all that I have taught you. even though you are practically an adult, don't forget your past and what got you to this point. I love you." With that he handed me the keys.

If I could have seen my dad's face as he walked away, I'm sure there would have been tears, whether of joy or sadness or maybe both, I will never know. But the Lord said the same thing to His Children, even though it's hard to understand a Father's love now, one day we will. Whether standing with Him in heaven, or having a child of your own. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Love

What is love? Some people may think of it as when you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. But that's not what love really is. In the dictionary, love is defined "to enjoy greatly." Sure it can mean loving another person, but it doesn't say who or what to enjoy greatly. To me, this definition should be used to mean the love of God.

God loves us so much that he sent His only son to die for us. We all know what John 3:16 says, but read 3:17 & 18. It says: 17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

That means God sent Jesus to take our place. I mean, He loved us so much to die when He did absolutely nothing wrong. To me, that's really loving someone.

Let's go one to another kind of love: Loving our enemies. I know that's hard, but if you read Romans 12: 20 & 21 it says: 20) If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

So you see, even if we aren't perfect and we sin, we can still love the Father above because he loved us first.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Phases Of The Moon

"Let your light shine before all men so they can see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. (Matt 5:16) NKJV."

As I looked up to the heavens a few nights ago, I couldn't help but notice the moon as it shone down upon me. With darkness of night trying to swallow me whole, the lone crescent moon tried so desperately to clear a path of light as I rode my bike home. Even though the moon was only half full, it wasn't going to let the fact of its phase get in the way of giving off a radiant glow that would even make the sun step back and smile.

When we start our life in the hospital as a new moon, there's not much to understand, not a whole lot going on. Then as we start to grow older, we begin to take shape among the millions of stars around us. The reality that you're all alone in a big galaxy starts to kick in. At a young age we start to find out that there are certain things that we can and certain things we can't do. As the new moon slowly takes form in to a crescent of light the doors of the world start to open up.

By the time the teenage years set in, we come to find that we're stuck in the middle. We still have a ways to go to the full moon of adulthood, yet the excuses of being young don't seem to hold water like they used to. So what do you do? Where do you go from here?

All through our teenage years, clouds of temptation will try to throw their shadow across your life and try to make you seem a little less bright than you really are. Satan seems to use every trick in the book from music, to drugs, to even gangs, to keep us from God. Mainly because at this age we are the most vulnerable. Do you see 80 year old west-side grandma gangs? Not likely. No matter who judges you, don't let anyone tell you that you're a nobody, or you have to do this to be liked. Never let anyone try to put a limit on what you can do. Because when you have Jesus as your Savior even during the darkest of times, your light will always shine through. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Commitment

Who What Where When Why How

To be truly committed to the right things in your life will greatly please God and bring you great rewards.

Commitment to God cannot be compromised
Exodus 8:25-29 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land." But Moses said, "That would not be right.. The sacrifices we offer the Lord our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us? We must take a three day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, as he commands us."

Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God in the desert, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me."

Moses answered, "As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only be sure that Pharaoh does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord."

There is absolutely no doubt about the importance God places on true commitments in our lives. His first demand is a total commitment to Him. This exchange between Moses and Pharaoh is the result of Pharaoh seeking a compromise from Moses to change his commitment to God's requirement for sacrifices. Moses stated firmly that no compromise is possible.

As young men and women, learning the seriousness of making commitments to your family, your school, your friends, your church and to God is a very important lesson. It is a very difficult process that a lot of adults still have not learned so there is no reason to feel discouraged if you are having a hard time making and keeping commitments. Scripture teaches us about commitment not less than 25 times in the New and Old Testaments. Every aspect of your life requires a commitment on your part to some degree. You will encounter times when a very deep commitment is required, such as attending Youth Group meetings or successfully completing a very difficult course in school. If you have a pet that really belongs to you personally, you have a commitment to that pet because that pet will rely on you for everything it needs to stay alive and happy. You have commitments to your friends and especially to your family. God requires that we honor our commitments no matter how large or how small. Our ability to keep commitments determines our ability to keep promises (John 13:37-38).

It is also important that we make our commitments based on the right things because commitments that are based on the wrong things quickly fade (John 12:18). God has made many commitments to us and keeps each and every one of them. Don't you think that He would be pleased if you followed His guidance and instructions when you make commitments to Him, or your friends or your family. All will love and respect you more if you respect and love the commitments you make to them. Your rewards will be many many many many. Do not be afraid to make the right commitments in your life. I commit to each and every one of you each and every day of my life to pray for you, to love you, to respect you and to help you any way I can.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Overcoming Your Fears

"Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?" (Mark 4:40) NLT

Fear...your best friend...not likely...your worst enemy...more than likely. I do belive that there is not one soul who hasn't been gripped in so much fear that they couldn't talk, stop shaking, or stay calm. What are some of your fears? Hights, water, snakes, or your 3rd period math teacher? Oh, I'm sure you have more than just one fear.

One might ask, "Tony what are you afraid of?" Ok go ahead and ask...i'm waiting... ok glad you asked. I'm terrified of spiders. Yes those little guys that are intent on making there homes around every turn I make. I personaly think they have some kind of email system with my name on it, these things literally stalk me. And here my friend told me about this new action movie called "Arachnaphobia," he said that is was really kool and that me and him should go to it. Let's just say he was lucky to be in one peice by the end of the movie.

Nothing is worse than actually facing your fears face, to face. Not to long ago I was in a nice deep sleep, dreaming about some nifty little place, when I felt something on my back. Something told me that it wasn't the waves at Malibu that were tickling me. I woke up and rolled on my back and jumpled out of bed. And sure enough there he was. The little fella was sent on a suicide mission to freak me out. I bet his friends where having a blast watching me jump and scream. But rolling over it didn't satisfy me. I grabed the nearest book and slamed it a few times. Then my bat was near by so I made sure it had more than just a headache.

Sure getting a good laugh at my expense is okay, but is fear really ok? Well I would say its natural, but Jesus clearly stated when the desciples were on the boat. He said when they were in the middle of a storm, "you do not trust me?" At that moment I trusted my louiville slugger. But the Lord says to trust in Him. Trust in Him when the Spider's 5th Platoon comes for me? yes, that is what He is saying. The Lord will keep you from dangers. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Don't Worry

"Don't worry aobut anything; instead, pray abut everything;" Phillipians 4:6a

Well this verse tells it like it is, don't worry, be happy. Parents are always saying "don't worry it will be ok", friends say "don't sweat it". Teachers say "don't stress yourself over this, pace yourself." And even God says "don't worry." The alternative to worry is PRAYER. Give your worries to God in prayer. He will give you guidance, strength and comfort.

You must trust God that he will take care of you as He promises.

In our world we are full of worries. Some of us have great worries, such as where to live, where to work, if our parents are going to divorce, am I pregnant, etc. Some of us have small worries, such as, is he going to call, I might miss the bus, I forgot my Math book. All in all, a worry is a worry, no matter how great or small. Worries distract us from the truth.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Caught in the Current

The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14) NKJV

So many of us at one time or another get caught up in the wrong current. We disobey what our friends and parents say, and try to trudge out into the waters to make either a name for ourselves or to fulfill some sort of purpose that we feel needs to be done. Then what usually happens is we think that everything is fine one minute, then the tide changes and you are stuck out in the middle of the ocean caught helplessly by the current as it handles you without mercy.

This has happened to all of us when we think we can go a little farther with the one we love, or maybe stay up a little later then we should. A common one for me is to push my parents a little farther even if they say no to something. I am constantly pushing the limits on stuff. But there comes a point when you have gone to far. There comes a point when you do something you regret. Something that is eating at your heart and there is nothing to do about it. Instead of fighting the current you let it beat you down and sweep you under.

It's during these times that we need the Lord the most. Why do we swim away from Him in our times of need? I believe it is because of the fact that we may not think He will forgive us. Maybe you believe that you have done to much. Maybe ran your bill up more than you can pay. But I'm here to tell you that no matter how far you have gone out to sea the Lord will not leave you. No matter how much you hurt the Him, He still loves you.

If you are thinking right now that you can't go to the Lord with something, think again. He went to the cross for us so He could be there when we need Him the most. Go to Him with what you need. Jesus is the life guard that will brave the currents and will go after you no matter how deep or how cold the water is. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Faith or Friends

“Be strong and cougarous because you will lead these people” Joshua 1:6a

     Michelle was a freshman in high school, and she was loving it. This was her first year of being in a public school. All of her previous years she had attended a number of private schools, and special schools of the arts; but finally this year she was in the real world. She no longer had her little shell of friends that all shared the same faith, and all went to church on Sunday.

     As a freshman she made allot of friends, made the volleyball team, was homecoming royalty for her grade, and was getting straight A’s in all of her classes. She was everyone’s high school sweetheart.

      The thing that had scared her the most about high school was that she would have to hide her faith in order to be popular. Everything was great thoguh, she got along with all her friends fantasticly, and none of them looked down upon her for being a Christian.

     One day at lunch Michelle was sitting with her friends, and they started talking about the new guy in there Civics class, and how great everyone thought he was. One of her friends pointed him out in the lunch room, and all of the girls stared. Ann, who is Michelle’s best friend leaned over and wispered to Michelle something that she had heard going around. “ Everyone is saying he likes you” she said. Michelle felt her stomach tighten as she looked up and he was walking toward her. “I wouldnt get to close though” Ann continued, “ Some are saying he is Buddest, and we all know that you are a Christian”

     The girls continued to talk about how cute he was, and how cool the guys he hung out with were, and how great it would be to be seen with them.

     As he walked over Michelle had to make a choice, whould she hang with him, or would it be better to stay with her friends, who believe the same things. Could she still stand up for her faith?

     The new guy came to hte girl’s table and sat across from Michelle, he introduces himself as Brad, and said he was really glad to have met her. He asked foe her number and promised to call.

     That night when Brad called one of the first things that they talked about was faith. Brad said that he had heard Michelle was a Christian, and wondered if it was okay with her to still hang out with him, even though they did not share the same beliefes. HE explained that he respected how she felt, and what she believed, and said how much he just wanted to befome friends with her.

     Unfortunatly for us, life isnt always that easy. Not everyone always understands that we have beliefes and they are important to us. Not everyone respects us when we ask them not to swear, or don’t want to participate in things that we know are wrong. But even in those hard times God is always there with us to help us through them.

     I know that sometimes being a Christian is harder than you think it is worth, but God sent His son for us so that we can live forever in Heaven, can’t we atleast acknowledge it?

[Soldier4Christ]

  Shifting Gears

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities." (Isaiah 54:2-3) NIV

Wouldn't it be nice if life was an automatic car? So when we ever needed more speed it would shift for us. To give us that extra rpm all we needed to do was press the gas a little harder. But, to drive a stick shift, it takes more than just pressing the gas, it takes time and effort and concentration. This funny little thing called the clutch now gets thrown into the picture.

As Christians, we often think about reading the bible more, talking to a lost soul, or acting more like a Christian should. But, when it comes right down to taking action we are stuck in first gear. Yes, it would be nice if all we had to do was think about it to have it shift gears, but it takes more than just thinking about stuff to do it. You have to start pressing the clutch shift into gear to get doing it.

Learning to change gears is not very easy. It takes time and hard work to learn how to do it. And a couple of messed up transmissions in my case. Once you get the hang of it though, its like riding a bike. To start you have to condition yourself for it. Start out and read the bible two chapters a day. Or with what ever you would like to accomplish. Then you get into that habit and you might even miss reading the bible one day if you didn't get to that night. You can apply this to everything else not just the bible.

Unfortunately, we can't just think of doing something and it happens. So instead of thinking about the problems that you feel that need to be worked on, go ahead and start praying and start trying to take that next step in your faith. If we don't start now, we could be stuck in first gear for a long time. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Can Music Effect Me?

“That righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard." (2 Peter 2:
The Christians at Corinth thought that immorality in the church wouldn't affect them, but they were wrong. (1Corinthians 5) NIV.
Music, we live it, fall in love with it, and treasure it. We sing our favorite songs over and over in our heads. We remember loved ones and ones we are currently in love with by these tunes. So with songs begin such a high point in our lives, we sometimes over look what God wants. I can't find a, 'thy shalt not listen to Usher, or MatchBox20' in the Bible, but what I did find was a couple of verses that not too many can argue with. The first one being with Lot. Read the verse above, it is fairly easy to the point to understand. If you hang around bad company and listen to bad stuff your soul will be tormented and some of it will rub off on you.

Ok maybe that didn't faze you or you're still thinking, "but it won't effect me." Let's look at the second verse. Now if fellow Brothers and Sisters are struck with immorality in their own church, and fail, now that's a problem. Even if we think we are stronger than that, we are not. I have been listening to Christian music for a while and I have noticed a major change in my attitude and daily life. From walking down the hallways humming, "I want to push you around, and I will, and I will." To singing, "Shine, let it shine before all men." That right there can change your life towards God.

We sometimes get so caught up in our music, we don't even realize what we are singing. I'm not saying if you don't stop this second your going to hell, but sit back. Let's try praying about it. I believe in your heart you know what is right and what is not. Not only will changing the type of music help your social life, but will also help with your with our Savior.

Try going to the local Christian Book Store and check out some CD’s, or visit our online christian CD store!. The Christian music industry has gone way up in the past few years, and even the secular music stores carry them. If you are having trials with keeping your faith or staying close to God look at a few aspects of your life, then pray. Not just on music, but on anything that could be put into question. Remember I do not own my life, when I was saved I gave it to Him. So don't give half of your life but give it all, and one of those is music. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Choices

It was finally here, Saturday night, and Jen was going to the biggest party of the year. She had wanted do badly to be invited, and then she got the invitation. All the cool people were going to be there, not to mention some really hot seniors. Her best friend even got invited. It was the party that determined your social status for the year.

Jen had been in her room, and the bathroom since 11 in the morning getting ready. She had to look perfect. She had the perfect outfit, the perfect shoes, even the perfect shade of eye shadow, and finally it was 7, time to go.

Jen garbed the keys, told her parents good night, she wouldn't break curfew so not to worry. She was on her way, she picked up Ann her best friend and they were off. They got to the party at 7:30. They were not the first people there but not the last by far. As they walked in they saw a few people they knew, and then they looked over and there he was Jason, the hottest senior in the entire school. He was here! The girls heart rate immediately went up. They would do anything to impress him, to even be noticed by him, for him to think they were cool.

The night went on and everything went pretty smoothly, they danced with some guys they knew, they talked to a bunch of juniors, and there social status grew. Around 9:30 some guys came in with a few girls that they knew were trouble. Everything was cool though, nothing came up for a while. About 10 minutes later one more guy walked in and one of the girls shouted out, “finally let the party begin!”

Jen and Ann had no idea the choices they were about to face, they were thinking dare, the closet game, maybe 7 minutes in heaven, but unfortunately for them they want even close.

One of the guys pulled something out of his pocket and lit it, he took a long drag, and passed it along. Jen new immediately that it was pot, Ann had a good feeling. Both of the girls began to wander out to the pool, trying to escape the pressure from inside.

As they stepped out onto the deck Jason was there, he greeted them with “hey ladies, care to join us?” Jason then opened a can of beer, and one of the girls passed Jen a wine cooler. Now bearing in mind that no one at this party was older than 19, Jen began to panic. All she had wanted was for Jason, or any senior guy for that matter to notice her. If she didn’t drink, would he think she was a wimp, a geek, or simply totally uncool? So many things ran through her head, what was she going to do? Ann looked over at her very scared.

Slowly Jen turned to Jason, knowing what she had to do, softly she said” um no thanks, I'm not into that.” “That’s cool” replied Jason, and a huge feeling of relief ran through both Ann and Jen.

They felt so thankful at that minute that words can not express it. The pressure was gone, they were still popular, and Jason smiled at them. The rest of the night was a blast, everything went great and they didn’t have to do anything they didn’t want to.

The night may not have ended that way though, what if had ended this way? ... Another one of the girls passed Jen wine cooler. She wanted so badly for Jason to think she was cool, or for any senior guy to think she was cool for that matter. She looked over at Jason, and smiled, she took a sip and continued the conversation. She kept sipping, and didn’t even notice when she was handed another. When Jen woke up she was in a bedroom at the party. She had passed out, her body wasn’t use to the alcohol and Ann was beside her making sure she was okay. It was 6 hours past curfew and she had made a big mistake.

There are hundreds of different ways the story could end, how will it end for you? In Corinthians 6:19-20 God tells us “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own you were bought at a price, therefor honor God with your body.”

Your body is a temple of the Lord, your heart a dwelling place of him, honor Him with it. By drinking or smoking pot, or even cigarette you are hurting your body. Would you smoke or drink in church? A temple of God? My prayers are with you through out all your choices.