It's true: You ARE 'worth more than gold'

by Morgan

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 

The past couple years of my life, I’ve leaned on a God who I’ve never leaned on before. I’ve loved a God who I’ve never loved before, and I’ve trusted in a God who I’ve never trusted in before.

Before I became a follower of Jesus, I lived my life on a bad road. A road that would lead to misery, heartbreak, and disappointment. A life I would never wish on anyone. How I saw myself back then, and how I see myself now are so different. I used to see a cute boy and think he was “the one." I wanted that label that made me popular, and I honestly thought sex was the way to get it. 

The attitude I had about sex and boys changed dramatically in the sense that I now see myself as worth it. I see myself as God’s prized possession, because I know I am. And I know you are. 

I struggled with purity and being pure. I struggled with knowing what being pure even meant. When I think of pure, I don’t think of “waiting till marriage” as much as I think of Matthew 5:8 that says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” 

Do I think waiting to have sex until marriage is a good idea? Yes, I do.

I think you are worth waiting for, too, and even if you haven’t waited, God still can make your heart pure and can make you new. He can make all things new. 

I’ve done things in the past that I regret, but I see God in all those things now. I see my life as His life, because He made me and created me. He knows the mistakes I’ve made and the mistakes I will make, but it’s never too late.

Being pure is something I always wanted. Little did I know, God already made me pure in heart and now I can see Him. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s never too late to turn back around.

God’s arms are wide open, and He’s waiting for you to run to Him. Britt Nicole’s new song says this “So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine, from the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold." 

This is how God sees you, worth more than gold.

Day 21: Watch out for slick promises by Folly

Today's reading — Proverbs 9

Two distinct types of people are compared here. Those who are wise (righteous) and those who mock (the dead). 

If you are wise, you will seek wisdom continually. You will not be offended by instruction. You will fear the Lord. You will be rewarded. You will receive eternal life. 

Read and reread verses 13-18. This is scary, isn't it? Folly is EVERYWHERE. It is our world — full of lots of promises of sweet water and delicious food. All clothed in the darkness of shame and death.  

If you are a mocker, you will fall for these shiny promises. You will trip over yourself to grab the bling that is dangled in front of you by "Folly." 

You get to decide.  If at this moment you feel "simple," you are being actively sought after by both types of people. You can be persuaded by either type of person. Make the right choice. Choose wisdom!

{xoxoxo}
Amy

Day 19: Don't be a youth lacking judgment!

Today's reading — Proverbs 7

Before I started reading today's selection, I scanned it and noticed I had circled only one small part of this chapter.  A short section of verse 7: A youth who lacked judgment. 

Don't ask me why I had highlighted this. Maybe because it spoke to me. In my confusion as an adolescent, I questioned God. Then when I didn't get the answers I liked, I turned my back on him for nearly a decade. 

I would call that stupidity on my part (thank God for an all-loving, grace-filled Father!). Here, He calls this "simple." 

I'd like to point out that our Lord does not call youth simple. He says like a "youth who lacked judgment." Listen, it's common for your generation to make decisions without wisdom. Heck, people of all ages do this! 

There are a lot of reasons — peer pressure and lack of experience, feelings of immortality or lack of conviction are some that come to mind. But this does NOT have to be you. The beautiful thing about youth is that God has a special love for you that He declares many times in His word. Because your faith can be so pure and deep. 

How can you be in that category? How can you be the kind of teenager that even adults look up to and learn from? It's both the easiest and hardest thing of all. GET WISDOM! 

In verse 3, "Bind (God's commands) on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart." 

If you're bored today, do this literally. Write your favorite scripture citations on your fingers. Or like our blogger Morgan, scribble them on your shoes. 

Wisdom = reading, knowing and memorizing the word of God. 

When you do and the seductress/adulteress (don't take this literally...remember to insert whatever your temptation to sin is in place of this) comes, you will be able to avoid becoming her victim and having your heart turn to her ways, from verse 25. Avoid death and temptation....

GET WISDOM! 

{xoxoxo}
Amy