3 Reasons To Wait For Marriage

Posted on May 25, 2015

3 reasons to wait for marriageYou might have heard at church or youth group about waiting until marriage to have sex. But in the halls of your school, the shows you watch on TV, and stuff you talk about with your friends, you hear lots of talk about sex. You hear how good it is, or how much fun it is. So when it comes down to it, why should you be waiting until marriage to have sex?

Here are three reasons to wait to have sex until you’re married.

  1. You’re worth the wait.
    You have got to believe this. You are incredible. You have limitless worth to God. He paid a huge price to get to know you. That fact alone should make you see how valuable you are to God. God sees you as important and valuable. You’ve then got to believe that about yourself too. You’ve got to take to heart your value to God and believe that you’re worth the wait. You might have a girlfriend or boyfriend who tells you differently. They might pressure you to have sex with them. However, stand firm in your belief that you have value to God.
    The right person will see that value too and believe that you’re worth the wait. When you meet the right person, they will push you to be closer to God. They will see your value and want to wait to have sex. If the person you’re dating is pressuring you, run away. Realize that you’re worth the wait.
    But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  – Romans 5:8
  2. The sex is better.
    You might have seen the movies or read books about how awesome a one night stand is. Don’t fall for this lie. There is nothing fulfilling about casual sex. Sex is designed to be something that brings you together with someone. If you want to have great fulfilling sex, then don’t look for it in one night stands or other relationships. The best sex is found in marriage. God designed us for intimacy and relationship and His plan was for that in marriage.
    If you want to have great sex, wait until you’re married. Its in marriage that you can really experience the joy God intended when He created sex.
  3. Its easier on your heart.
    Many people do survive a past relationship failure that involved sex and they still were okay. But if you were to ask them, they would tell you they have regrets from that relationship. That’s because sex is like glue. It bonds you to another person. When the relationship ends, you are still bonded to that person. And just like if you glued two pieces of paper together, and then later tried to separate them, there would be lots of ripping and tearing involved. In the same way, if you bond yourself to someone with sex and you’re not married when that relationship ends, there will be tearing of your heart. Your heart is too important to let this happen. Choose to not let yourself get hurt time and time again by saving yourself for marriage.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
 – 1 Cor 6:18 (NIV)

 

How to Deal With Guilt

Posted on May 20, 2015

how to deal with guilt - teen devotionHave you ever messed up? Maybe it was a big thing, or it could be as simple as feeling bad because you told a lie to your sister. It doesn’t really matter what you did, but usually after you do something wrong, you feel bad. You have guilt. Guilt is a real thing. Lots of times, we know to do right, but do wrong instead.

God has said in 1 Jn 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

This means that when you say “God I’m sorry I did wrong- please forgive me” that God hears you. But the next step we must also do is believe the second part of that verse. “to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” means to take away the guilt associated with sin. He not only cleanses the sin and He remembers it no more, He also removes the guilt. This is the part of sin that stays in our minds- we see ourselves having done wrong. But when God removes the sin, He removes the memory from His mind- so you are back in right standing again with God. Our part is to forgive ourselves as well and then see ourselves right with God again- because that what God sees.
Guilt is satan’s way of keeping the effects of sin continually bombarding your mind and feelings. 
“I don’t feel forgiven” you may say. But you must believe you are forgiven and every time the thought or feeling comes, you must speak to it and say, “regardless of how I feel, I know God has forgiven me, I have forgiven myself and I am now righteous (in right standing) with God.”

Think about it: You’re either forgiven and not guilty or guilty and not forgiven

Prayer: Father, I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I see myself forgiven and I believe you erased it from Your memory. I choose to erase it from mine as well. You said I am righteous and forgiven so I say I am and think the way you think. Thank you for freeing me from all sin and guilt so I happily serve you today free!

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Secrets of Getting Along With Your Siblings

Posted on May 18, 2015

Devotion on Getting Along With SiblingsYour brother is at it again. He stole the remote while you went to the bathroom and now won’t let you watch your favorite show. Living with siblings that drive you crazy can be really hard. So, what do you do when your siblings do things that drive you crazy?

A normal response would be to hit your brother, steal the remote and continue watching your TV show. But is that behavior right? In society today, a lot of the things that are considered normal, aren’t right. Just because something is normal doesn’t mean that its the right thing to do. The Bible encourages us to be different. In the Bible, we’re encouraged to love and forgive those who treat us wrong.

[Tweet “Just because something is normal doesn’t mean that its the right thing to do. – @studentdevos”]

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Being kind and forgiving someone when they’ve done you wrong isn’t normal. Normally, people would hold a grudge, use the silent treatment, or try to get revenge. But the Bible challenges us in light of what Christ did for us to treat others with love and kindness.

So when your brother or sister does that thing that drives you crazy, remember to not be normal but different. Choose to love your siblings and forgive them when they do wrong.

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. – 1 John 4:20

Help! No One Gets Me

Posted on May 13, 2015

Teen Devotion on Being Mis understood, no one getting youDo you ever have times when you feel like no one understands you? Or maybe that those closest to you don’t really get you? It can be really hard to know what to do when you feel like those close to you don’t get you, don’t listen, or maybe don’t take your concerns seriously.

Even though sometimes your family or friends may not understand, Jesus does. The Bible describes it like this:

“For we do not have a high Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a fellow feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.” – Hebrews 4:15

The next verse says this: Heb 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

In other words, Jesus not only understands, He also has help for you to also beat the temptation and overcome every trouble. We are  told to boldly come (because you’re His child) to the throne of grace and obtain or receive the mercy (that’s the help when we mess up) and the grace (that’s the strength to overcome) in time of need (that covers everything).

So when you feel like no one understands or is there to help you through a tough time, remember that Jesus is there for you. He understands and will always listen to you and have your back. Go to Him when you need help and someone to get you. He’s always ready to help you out.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you really understand what I’m going through. I’m glad You are my friend during this time. I come to your throne of grace and ask you to give me the help I need to overcome this situation and the strength to whip this temptation. I receive it and believe it’s mine. Thank You Jesus!

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What Google Maps Can Teach You About Success

Posted on May 11, 2015

Devotion on Following God's Plan For Your LifeI want you to imagine for a moment that you were in a new town and you didn’t know your way around. Let’s say that you’ve got a smart phone, and you know that you’ve got Google Maps on the phone. You know that Google maps can give you turn by turn instructions on how to get to your destination.

The interesting thing about your Google maps on your phone is that it is up to you to use it. You can keep your phone in your pocket and never use it and wind up lost. If you don’t ever consult the directions, or look to see where to go on the map, you won’t get to where you want to go. You’ve got to consult something smarter than you…Google Maps to help you get to your destination.

The same is true in life. Whatever path you take in life, you’ll find success in that by letting God lead. Success is consulting God on each turn, like you would Google Maps on your phone to help you get to your destination and to get which way to go.

Proverbs 3:5-7 5. Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the lord and turn away from evil.

So to be successful in life, do what this verse says and let God lead your life. Don’t run around life without direction and lost. Find success in your endeavors by letting God lead. Seek God’s direction in the decisions you make…include Him in what you do.

Self- sufficiency & self dependence have been the ruin of man-kind since Adam. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God – Adam Clarke

Just like Adam said, living independently of God, just doesn’t work. It doesn’t bring happiness or fulfillment. When you try to live your life in your own strength and ability you will always fail, be unhappy or feel like something is missing.

The foundation for happiness and success in your life is knowing Jesus and letting him lead in your life. As you go through life, as you make decisions and as you make choices for your future, consult God in everything you do, and you’ll find true success!

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this devotion, we’ve got a lesson outline and powerpoint download available for you in our online youth leader resource center.

 

How to Live For God

Posted on May 6, 2015

How to Live for GodMost people would agree that living for God is important. They know basically which things are right and which things are wrong. However, actually living out those right or wrong things is another story. We know its wrong to lie, but it sure comes in handy when you need to make up an excuse why your school paper didn’t get written. So how do you actually live for God everyday?

One of the best ways to live for God is to fall in love with Jesus. When you fall in love with someone, how you view them changes. You want nothing more than to make that person happy. You have probably seen people who changed how they acted or even how they dressed because they wanted nothing more than to make the person they liked happy. That’s how it is with Jesus. When you fall in love with Jesus, its easy to live for God. You want nothing more than to make Him happy.

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Once you’ve fallen in love with Jesus, let that relationship change how you think, what you say, and what you do. Let Jesus become number one in your life.

A third piece of advice for those who want to live for God is this: keep yourself out of bad situations. Avoid anything that would tempt you to do bad stuff.

Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure. – 2 Timothy 2:22 (CEV)

Living for God isn’t easy. It takes guts and saying no to peer pressure. Its not always easy to say no to something that might feel good in the now. In the long run, its worth it to say no and live for God.

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How to Live for God in College

Posted on May 4, 2015

How to Live for God in College

If you’re one of the many students getting ready to head off to college this fall, you probably are experiencing lots of different emotions. You might be scared, maybe a little excited, or maybe even unsure of what the future might hold for you.

For most students, college is one of the first times they will be living on their own. Many of the rules, guidelines and curfews they had as a kid are suddenly gone, and as a college student they’re left having to make life choices on their own. How do you live a Godly life at an university or college where you have so many choices and where many of the students aren’t living for God?

Here are a few things that will help you live for God while going to college.

  1. Find godly friends. One of the best things you can do if you want to live for God in college is to find a group of good friends who love God. You can do this by search online to find a church near your school that offers a college age Bible study. Or find out if there’s a group that meets on your college campus to worship God together. Do your research and find friends that are dedicated to serving God like you are. Decide to hang out with the people you meet in these groups. Godly friends will help you stand strong when your faith at college feels tested. They will help you make good decisions and be someone you can talk to when you need advice or wisdom.
  2. Have a solid foundation. You’ve got to be solid in what you believe if you’re going to live for God in college. You can’t just base your faith in God on what your parents believe, or what you heard preached at youth group. You’ve got to know what you believe and why you believe it. If you don’t when the challenges of college come to you, it will be much harder to live for God.
  3. Set up your own rules.  You might not have your parents telling you what to do, but you can benefit by setting some of your own rules. For example, if you don’t want to mess up sexually with your girlfriend or boyfriend, then make some rules for how you’re going to stay pure. Decide that you won’t be alone together in your dorm room. Or that you won’t sit on the bed together. Setting up your own rules will help you from pushing any of the boundaries. Choose ahead of time a strategy for staying out of trouble and set up good rules to keep yourself in check.
  4. Don’t compromise. This is huge. Decide to not compromise in any area. Even the small stuff. You won’t have a parent or guardian looking over your shoulder all the time, so you have to determine on your own to not compromise. Compromise in even the smallest area can lead to bigger and bigger compromises. Eventually you’ll be heading down a path that you didn’t intend. But it starts with choosing not to compromise even in the small things.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. – 1 Cor 10:13 (KJV)

Living for God in college is possible. You can come out on the other side and still love God and live for Him. However, its not just going to happen. You’ve got to set up a plan and choose not to compromise in any area. If you do these things, you’ll find that you can live for God at college.

Do you have any advice for students on living for God in college? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!

4 Reasons to Live for God

Posted on April 29, 2015

Devotion on reasons to live for God

It can be easy to wonder, ‘what is the point of living for God?’  You probably have friends that don’t live for God, and it seems like they’re having more fun than you. Or maybe you feel like there is so much pressure to be good and do the ‘right’ thing that you question if it is really worth it.

It can be really hard to stand strong in the face of peer pressure and live for God. Even though it can be hard at times, living for God is always worth it. So here are four reasons to live for God.

  • Living for God Doesn’t Bring Heartbreak
    There can be pain and hurt associated with making bad choices. Choosing to do things God’s way can seem hard at times. However, in the end, you won’t experience the regrets and heartbreak that not living for God will bring.
  • Living for God Brings Rewards –
    God brings rewards into the lives of those who do right.

    The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. – Psalm 18:24

    This doesn’t mean God is mad or doesn’t love those who don’t do right. God loves people regardless of whether they do right or wrong. However, doing the right things sets you up to be rewarded in the end.

  • You Get to Choose to Live for God
    A great thing about living for God is that it starts with a choice you make. You decide to put aside peer pressure and choose to live for God. One of the best decisions you can make is to start living for God when you’re young. Don’t put it off.  Make the choice to take control of your life and choose to live for God.
  • Living for God Doesn’t Mean You Have to Be Perfect
    What a relief, you don’t have to be perfect to start living for God. Many times we make living for God really hard, but here’s the truth: You don’t have to be perfect to start living for God. Lots of times in living for God, you’re going to mess up. That’s ok. God’s grace is big enough to help you through it. The good news is that you don’t have to be perfect to live for God.

Living for God might seem hard sometimes, however, in the end it is always worth it. Decide today to live for God and don’t let anything stop you or get in your way. If you do mess up, you can pick yourself back up, knowing that God’s love and grace are there for you.

Listen: You Lead by Jamie Grace

 

How To Be Happy – Part 3

Posted on April 27, 2015

Devotion on Being HappyDo you feel overwhelmed? Like you’ve got more on your plate than you are able to handle? If you do you’re not alone, check out what Romans has to say about that.

We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles. We can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans 5: 1-6 Message

Since the joy of the Lord is our strength, when we shout our praise it gives us strength to go through the tough times we’re in. Most people only sing when they feel joyful. But the Bible instructs us to praise through the troubles. In other words, praise will get you through it faster and while you’re going through it, help you keep your smile in place. Whatever is troubling you, God has an answer. So get your attitude of victory because you’re coming through this trouble.
God loves you and has poured into your heart all you need. Take a minute right now to praise God for the things He has given you and you will find the heaviness of your stresses ease up. [Tweet “Praise is a great way to stay encouraged and make it through the troubles you’re facing. – @studentdevos”]

Speak the word : Father I know you love me and have given me all I need to get through this. I come to You today thanking you for your help (grace) and strength. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I’m coming through this trouble. I receive Your wisdom when I don’t know what to do. I receive Your healing for the pain. I receive Your love to fill me up. Your peace is mine and I keep my mind on Your supply and help. I continue to speak these things through the trouble.

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How to Be Happy – Part 2

Posted on April 22, 2015

Teen Devotion on Happiness

Do you ever struggle with being happy just as you are? Maybe you’ve got a big problem that’s just weighing on your mind. You might think that once that problem is solved, then you’d be able to be happy.

How do you get yourself to be happy regardless of what is going on around you? Well, let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about happiness.

Rejoice in the Lord always- delight, gladden yourselves in Him: again I say, rejoice! – Philippians 4:6

This verse makes it pretty clear that it isn’t someone else’s responsibility to make you glad. No one else can make you happy and no situation can make you happy. In this verse, you are commanded (not merely encouraged) to rejoice and be glad! This verse encourages you to be happy no matter what you feel like, or what problems you might be facing.

I have a friend that tells any sad person they meet that they  “have 5 seconds to get happy!”

My friend’s advice to others is really pretty good. She knows that you just choose to be happy- one minute at a time. It’s so simple- and you can learn to train yourself to respond to everything with joy- being glad in Jesus!

So no matter what problems or situations that you’re facing this week, remember that you can choose your response to those situations. When problems or the stress of life tries to get you down, remember that you can choose to be happy!

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