Addicted

Addiction is a word that is loosely used in the English language. For example I could say I'm addicted to coffee and energy drinks (which is slightly true) but these are minor and insignificant addictions that won't make much a difference in our lives (at least after you become immune to the caffeine and sugar). But what happens when our entire lives are shaken by an addiction. What if the life you once lived becomes an obsession that will take you to places you never thought you would be. It has happened to many strong believers including me. Everyone stumbles or falls but we can get back up in fact we have to get back up or we will never see the light of Christ again or even life itself again. It is a scary thing to be in and the battle to defeat can seem like a lion vs. a lamb. I say that you must over come addiction but many of you suffering will say it is near impossible to do. I agree that it is one of the toughest battle fronts you will face but it's with this battle that you will emerge stronger than many others. The one who can overcome will be rewarded and strengthened. But how to begin this process of renewal. It starts with the base of the problem? What are you addicted to? Lust, Gambling, Food, Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking, Etc. Whatever it is figure out what makes you want to do these things? To get pleasure, fit in, try to erase the memories? You have a reason for it and you can find it. Once you know the enemy you can start to plan. What can I do to avoid this or contradict it. For example if it gives you pleasure I can guarantee you it doesn't last for more than a few minutes after maybe if you're lucky a couple hours. Than depending on how much you're addicted you'll get that twinge of guilt and ask why did you do it. God doesn't give you happiness. He gives you everlasting joy. You might say false. You've accepted God but you're not joyful all the time. Well when you sin or you stop caring about God he isn't able to give you that. Try to find things that distract you from the wanting. What are you're favorite hobbies, talents, etc. Get involved with a sports team, a theater program, a music teacher. Whatever you like to do get involved with it. Also participate in you're church events. Not only are you distracted but you're filling you're self up on the God's word which contains lots of neat tricks on how to round house kick the devil (Chuck Norris style :D). God can help you and so can you're friends who might have a clear mind at the time. It's hard dealing with addiction but is it worth giving up and spending an eternity without real joy? You make the choice.

Opinion

The human race is divided into many differentiating thoughts on how life works and what is what. For example the American culture has many different goals then the African. We strive for wealth and power while most African culture's strive for survival. I'm not stereotyping I'm just talking for the general cultures. So if there are so many opinions on how to live your life which is the right one? Well many people will tell you turn to religion. That might prove just as hard to do. There are so many religions that it proves to be overwhelming. I can tell you this. No other "religion" has produced the same amount of proof and miracles as Christianity. People will speculate about this but it can not be denied. God has proven himself over and over again. Don't believe me? It doesn't take more than a google search to find out who's lives have been changed. Or you could pick up a copy of 90 min. in heaven. Either way Christianity is not a religion its the truth. Opinions are things of this world and throughout history worldly things have proven to either A) Rot and disappear or B) Eventually destroy something. God doesn't say you cant have an opinion though. You can still have you're taste of music or who you're favorite teacher is. You see without opion we would be lifeless carcasses. God jusy says that there is no opinion in how to live you're life. This rule could potentialy contradict you're opions you hold right now. Going back to my example of opion of music. Lets say you enjoy eminim. God probably wont like the swearing and mistreating women in his lyrics. You could probably make an excuse that you don't even listen to the lyrics but in truth after you listen to something over and over you're mind will remeber the entire thing. So compare you're opions with Gods rule's. Do is it match up? Most likely not every thing will. Everybodies probably don't. Since were humans we'll probably never have this happen but we can get as close to it as possible. Ask God today to help you to disern what is right opion and not.

Forgiveness

When someone hurts you or ticks you off what do you do? Most people will stay angry but come around and forgive. But some people don't. They can't accept that that person who hurt them is human. People make mistakes and we have to give the second chances. If we don't forgive than we create a wall between you and them. It makes you secluded from everyone and you start to think that world is out to hurt you. It can also go from the other side of the perspective. Example you and God. You hurt God almost on a daily basis. You sin all the time but God is alway's ready to forgive. So why do so many people not accept forgiveness? Because they have done so many things wrong to one so many people but in Gods eyes they were all done to him. They think that they have done so much sin to one person that they could not be forgiven. Or they don't want to admit what they have done is wrong so they search for a religion that says that no matter what they do they're perfect. First of all Christianity is not a religion it's reality. It doesn't matter who you are you're sinning against a loving God and you are hiding from him. It's time to face those fears and admit that you are a sinner. You're not perfect and I bet plenty of people you know could vouch that. So why are we afraid of God? Media and people portray God as an angry tyrant who can't stand us. How could we think that? If that was the case we'd have a Noah's Ark situation. We have a loving God. A God who forgive the dumbest and most evil sin's. You might think you can hide from him but he is omnipresent(always there). So what if you never are forgiven? You might have a little punishment on earth but the amount of sin we commit is to long of a list of punishment it can't all be done here. So you receive the full punishment in hell. I hope I don't sound to critical but this is the case. God did not create hell and he doesn't want us to be afraid because there is no reason to be afraid. God is the you're get out of jail free card. All you need to do to be saved is accept him. So are you forgiven?

Do Something

Christianity means to commit you're life to Jesus and follow his ways. We are to pray to him praise him and worship him. Jesus says that he is not limited to certain people but available to anybody of any background to come to him and be forgiven. As the body of Christ it is our job to introduce the goodness of Jesus to everyone we touch. But unfortunately some people are stay at home Christians. They praise and worship Jesus and try to be good people but they keep Jesus to themselves. We take comfort in having Jesus to ourselves. We don't want to be embarrassed by our faith or use our energy to try. We are ignoring the calling God has given us. Many of us are so blessed beyond compare. So why are you still trying to satisfy you're self. There are people who are not even as close as blessed as you. It's time to put our pointless chase for more possessions and help others get to were they need to be. Recently I was sitting alone trying to deal with all my problems. Problems that wouldn't help me or my family. I looked outside and there was a homeless man with nothing but a shopping cart and a trash bag looking for something he could use to just keep him alive. Our problems are not even close to as serious as the problems of some of those around us. I have been inspired to go and do something now and you can too. You don't have to go on a mission trip to save a life. Theres plenty of people around you who need to be loved. My youth pastor had a friend in high school. While he was walking home that day he saw a kid drop his books. He helped him pick them up and they became friends. That kid became val Victorian of his class. In his speech he said "I'd like to thank my friend because the day I met him I was planning to kill my self. The power of just caring goes a long way. So will you do something?

The Power of the Mind Pt. 3

The mind once changed is very powerful but not invincible. We still must guard our minds like a great treasure. We must upkeep it and add to it. Just because you converted you're mind doesn't mean that it can't be added to. Wisdom is still to be discovered and things to be done. It is very dangerous to let anyone else than God govern you're mind. The devil is always trying to invade. The devil first has to enter the mind. He can't go straight for the hear or soul he invades the mind first because that is what is open to the public world. If you see something sinful the first thing it goes to is you're mind. You think about it. The mind holds the entrance to hell. But if if holds the entrance to hell than it also holds the entrance to heaven. We can over power anything Satan throws at us because God has infinite power and Satan has worldly power. We must exercise our minds constantly and keep our eyes on God in order to prevail.

The Power of the Mind Pt. 2

To convert you're mind to Gods mind it takes concentration, preservation, and commitment. So to get started on this transformation you got to realize what you're doing wrong and admit it. Until you rid you're self of those guilts that lurk in you're mind you'll never be who God wants you to be. So after this is accomplished you and God have to fix it. You must get closer to God in order to rid the mind of sin. Try doing a simple prayer in the morning and at night asking him to give you strength to overcome you're weakness's. Then try doing a short bible reading. Just a section or two will go a long way. Do this every day to train you're mind. Try to also do bible studies or get more involved in you're church. This will fill you're mind with good stuff. Try to Jesus as a friend and not a stranger because he's known you before you were born so chances are he knows more about you than you know about you're self. Do these things to promote a healthier, purer, God filled lifestyle.

The Power of the Mind Pt. 1

God gave us an amazing gift. The mind. Capable of solving problems, creating masterpieces, and perceiving life. It is the ever changing organ that never rests. And the power that lies in it is incomparable. Yet so many people neglect it or misuse it for idle thoughts. What if someone tapped into the power of the mind. Many people have. The great philosopher's, scientists, speakers, athletes, actors, artist's and many great people have trained their minds to work for them. But what if you could tap into god's power through the mind and sync it to you're mind. What possibilities could happen. What kinds of amazing things could we make happen. The possibilities that God has in store are endless. So how do you mold you're mind to work for the perfect plan of God? Obviously it doesn't happen over night and it takes sacrifice. A lot of people would think that all of that wouldn't be worth it but you spend a lot of you're life wasting it away and sometimes a sacrifice might seem bad but really it's might just be you getting rid of something you don't need. Conquering the mind is very important and you have to have God present in you're mind. However you're mind is always thinking even when you don't think you are. You're sub conscious is always thinking. If you could get God into you're sub conscious you would have a very powerful mind.

Foundation

One of the most known stories of the bible is the two men who built houses. One built his on rock and the other on sand. A storm came the rock house stayed the other was blown away. One had good foundation one had bad foundation. So what does foundation have anything to do with our lives? The foundation on a house keeps it upright and sturdy. It is the anchor in our life. Without an anchor we would crumble. Everyone has some sort of foundation but it matters were it is. Were should you're foundation be? I have a feeling you know what I'm going to say. God is you're perfect foundation in you're life. He will hold you in place for ever and ever. But how many people will actually build their life on God. There's a lot of options out there and it's hard to choose. Each one saying it's the best. Some people say they'll build their life on God but they lie and build it some where else. Here's a fact. God is the lone rock in a sea of sand. God is the only foundation that will hold. Anywhere else is sand. Bad foundation. Whole lot easier right? Probably not. Satan is the worst foundation but he knows how to disguise that fact. He will lie about it and say it will lead to life. He says it will give you benefits. The fact is satan doesn't give you anything that God can't give better. So why would anyone follow him? Satan is a coward but he is smart. He is not smarter than God the only reason he ever wins is because earth lets him win. He knows when to attack and when to comfort you. I thought I was the strongest Christian teen I could be. I was utterly wrong. I fell into a pit of despair and fell into temptation. It was an entire process to get out but it made me realize that I underestimated the devil. Do not make the same mistake as I did. Realize that the devil can have no power in you're life only if you let him. Some people will build there foundation on two different places. They think that as long as they have some good foundation they'll be ok. But they're wrong. It's actually the other way around. Only a little bit of bad foundation is needed to bring a building a down. You must put you're full faith in God to keep a good solid grip on life.

Prayer

When you go to a pastor or any one thats a Christian and ask for help with a problem they'll most likely say why don't you pray? The problem is that a lot of people don't know how to pray. Why? Because it's hard to talk to someone who isn't right there in front of you're face. Plus God communicates differently than a person would. So many teens try and find it silly or weird and bear the force them selves. So how do you talk to God. Sometimes you don't have to say anything because God already knows. It's always good to ask God for help you're self but if you don't know how to listen. Listen for God to speak. Try to read the bible or take note of things that are related to you're situation. He might come as a friend who went through the same thing you did or a speaker or even a song. God can show himself to you in any way he wants so you must be ready and pay attention. You don't have to totally go out of you're way and lock you're self in a room until God answers in fact God won't answer you at all then. God wants you up and about in the world making it a better place. If you really feel you have to pray try this. 1. address the problem and ask God to help you. 2. Believe that God is going to fulfill his promise. 3. Be at peace knowing God is there. What happens a lot is people will pray and then it won't work and they'll think that it's a bunch of crap. God answers every prayer but sometimes in different ways. We might not always understand but thats the way it is. If you pray for something but nothing happens it may be because if he fulfilled it to you're way you would get no good out of it. God answers it by giving you the best possible situation that will turn out in you're life. One last thing God never answers a prayer by punishing you. God does not punish. If you neglect God will let the devil do his work in you're life. Sin unfortunately is natural in this world and happens to good people but do not give up on God because the hope awaits on the horizon.

Temptation

Temptation is what brought Adam and Eve to there downfall. It's the life eater. There's so much of it in the world and around us that there is no chance of ever not falling into temptation. So how do we resist such a thing? We can't. No one can by them selves. The fact is we are weak. Are minds are too corrupt to resist for long. But there is hope. God does have the strength to resist temptation. He hasn't sinned in thousands of years. But how do we get God to lend us some of his amazing strength? Here's a simple step by step plan. 1. Accept Jesus Christ. That's it pretty much. Accept Jesus and you have access to the God supermarket of strength. Thats all you have to do to make you 're life a whole lot easier. Yet thousands of people don't except him. They will believe everything the media says but not God. But don't think that you're free of temptation when you accept God. He only give's you the strength. And you still have to upkeep you're relationship with God. Sound's like a lot of work? Most of you would say you don't have enough time. Lets look at what you do all day. breakfast, school, video games, hobbies, computer, tv, etc. So there's no time for God? There is always time for God. You can literally talk to him anywhere and any time. And I'm sure you could skip video games and maybe spend time with God. But the problem is God seems boring. A lot of people have this perspective and even strong Christians will get bored of reading scripture after scripture once in a while. So how do you make it fun. If you like to read try reading Christian based books like the Left Behind series. Check out you're Christian book stores and see what you can find. Try buying a different bible like the amplified. It's really easy to understand and read. But even after this temptation will still interest us. Why does it interest us. Sin comes in an elaborate chocolate. It's looks so good and so innocent that you have no fear in opening it. But you fail to think what might be in it. A wild beast waits for anyone that walks into temptation. Sometimes you might not be able to tell if it's right or not. Look at the people who have made the same decision as you. Did they get any good out of it? What kind of person are they? Would God be sad if you did it? Ask these questions when you're in need of help.

Sin

Sin. It's everywhere in this world. The fact is that every one will sin probably a million times in their life. It's unavoidable because God gave us the gift of freewill. In the beginning God made the earth and humans. And because he loved us (and because he didn't want robot humans) he gave us the ability to choose are destiny. So naturally they ended up doing something stupid. Just like we do. But we prefer not admit that we do. Most of us hide our sin pretending that it's nothing big and it doesn't hurt anyone. The fact is everything that we do is like a ripple effect. Someone is bound to get effected. What is it that makes sin so tempting? It's the curiosity of it. The short pleasure it may cause us. Most people don't consider what might happen in the future. The world is focused on now. Get this now buy this now! Everything is now. We don't consider what may happen. We hide from the sin. It's like were climbing up a tree. We keep climbing up away from our sin but it keeps crawling up. But as we go up the branches get thinner and eventually one breaks and we fall. If we don't admit our sin we will keep hurting ourselves. All you have to do is admit and you're free.

A look back at easter

So easter came and passed. We went to church song some hymns and went back home. But how many of us actually paid attention to what the pastor was saying? A lot of times it may be the same thing over and over so we tend to zone out during service. Almost every Christ follower knows that easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus but what happened before he overcame death. I was watching a special on crucification and was disgusted by what they did to a human being. Jesus arrived on earth in the worst time. The roman age was the torture age. Death was as common as seeing someone go to McDonald's. The Romans loved to prolong death and increase the amount of pain in a person. The first step in a crucification is that the criminal is whipped harshly on the back. This continues until the person's back is turned into a pulp. By this point Jesus was forced to carry a 100 pound cross beam a mile through the streets. On his way he was spit on and whipped again. When he fell with the cross it would caused severe trauma to the chest and caused a bruised heart. This meant he had a high chance of his heart rupturing. When he finally got to the sight they tied his hands to the cross beam then shoved 4 inch nails through his hands. Next they raised him on the cross and nailed his feet to the side of the cross. This would make it so he could breath a little better in order to prolong the agony. The pain he endured was unimaginable. When he raised himself up to breath his ripped back would scrape along the rough wood. Immense strain was put on his legs and he could hardly breath. After 4 hours he gave his spirit to God. If this was not enough he also suffered a spiritual death. Something we will never experience. Not only that but his spirit supported an eternity of sin on his spirit. No human is capable of this. He was then put in the tomb and as was predicted rose in three days. When he rose from the dead he showed that he could conquer physical and spiritual death. Jesus can do anything and everything. Impossible doesn't mean it can't be done it just means it hasn't been done yet. What God did for us was no less than the greatest act of love ever done. No one can ever do what he did. When you're down just remember God's love.

Does God really love me?

As a teen everything in our life is amplified. We have a huge look on appearance and school. When someone breaks up it's like world war three. And when tragedy strikes it's often seems as if are life is pointless. Since everything is amplified in teen life the bad things tend to seem like they're unbearable . At this point we really start question weather God love's us or is he cold hearted tyrant. Since we depend on God for our lives we tend to think that everything in our life is from God. A lot of the time this is true but anything that's bad or evil is not from God. I'll give you a big hint on who causes it. He's a slime eating, idiotic, moronic, moron who likes to make our lives a living hell. Yep it's the devil. Nothing good comes from the devil and nothing bad comes from God. They can't co-exist. Gods pure good and satan is pure evil. There's a bible verse to back me up. What do righteousness and wickedness have in common or what can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14. When bad things happen to us it's not because he did it. God always loves us. It's when we start to sin that's when the devil takes the chance to separate us from God. And the worst part is that the whole time satan is manipulating us God is stretching a hand out to us. So many of us never pay attention to God's hand because the devil makes us look the other way. If we would just turn around we would see God warning us but we never do. In Luke 19:41 it shows Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because he tried to save them but they did not pay attention. If we keep our eye's on God then it will be much harder for the devil to tempt us. However I am not saying that You're life will be perfect if you follow God. Since this world is sinful we will always have a couple of bad things happen to us. But if we follow God then most of the tragedy will keep away. Remember that when you're questioning if God loves you.

First Entry. what I plan to do

Hi, this blog is basically were I share my ideas about teen issues and other teens comment on what I right about. God and 13 pretty much stands for God and teens. Most of the time teens are being taught by adults which is fine but a lot of them want to here from there peers or people there own age. It's more comforting to know that someone like them found a way to resist temptations. Sometimes it seems as if everything is crushing down on us and there's no way out. I intend to find that way out. If you think that being a Christian (or Christ follower as I like to call it) means you can't have fun think again. It's ok to listen to music that isn't performed by a Christian artist's or hang out with you're friends. Just make sure that everything you do is in line with Gods perfect view on life. If you're looking for the meaning in life or need some comfort or even just to refresh you're view of Christ then read this It'll be worth it.