Youth Articles
(Page one)

Shared With You By
Bread On The Waters (BOW)
www.breadonthewaters.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Flee Fornication by editor
Teen Commandments by Faith, Prayer, and Tract League
Prayer and the Hamster Cage by Joey Bonifacio
Sex and Rock and Roll by unknown author
God's Trees by Helen Frazee Bower

Flee Fornication
by editor (Mission To Children)

"Sex is being thrown at us from the newsstands, television, and motion pictures. We are told sex leads to a fulfilled, a happy, and a good life. My friend, this is a lie. Sex outside of marriage is a way to destruction, hell, and judgment. The seventh commandment still says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Of course, I must make this clear� the Bible does not say that sex is a sin. The body is not evil. The Bible teaches that God made us, male and female, and it says that God said all He made was good. God ordained sex; God planned sex; sex is holy. It is a way to express our deep and total love for each other. Sex is not for playboys. It is a way to say, "I love you and you alone. I give myself to you completely and to you alone."

God has put a fence around marriage. Any sexual act outside of marriage is sin. Yes, sex outside of marriage is sin. The Bible says, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled"
(Hebrews 13:4).

So, sex is holy, good, and God-planned; but is only to be used in the proper place. Remember, there is an ocean of difference between love and lust. Lust is sin, but love is ordained by God.

I have been asked, "Why does God put this fence around marriage? Why does God prohibit sex outside of marriage?"

Well, he is not attempting to spoil our happiness. He loves us. He knows what is best for us. He knows what is best for the family, the home, and the nation. The Bible says in
1 Corinthians 6:19- "Flee fornication."

The Bible also tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "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." In other words, God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way to escape. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Keep thyself pure." He would never have written it if it were not possible to live a pure life. A Christian will avoid even the appearance of evil. and the Christian has the power to live a clean life for Christ.

Don't you wish you could live a clean life? Wouldn't it be wonderful to be as clean as the day you were born? Well, the Gospel can do that for you even today.

If you don't know Christ as your Saviour, repent of your sins. Repent� that means that you change your way of living, and that you say to God, "I'm sorry."

And receive Christ by faith. Trust Him. That word "faith" means to put your total commitment in Him. And then follow Him in obedience. With His help you can live the Christian life. You don't have to live it alone. He is with you."

This article quoted from the
Mission To Children Newsletter, Glendale, Calif., appx. date: 1987

Grief is the price
We pay for love

Teen Commandments:
by Faith, Prayer, and Tract League

1. Don't let your parents down; they brought you up.
2. Choose your companions with care; you become what they are.
3. Be master of your habits- or they will master you.
4. Treasure your time; don't spend it; invest it.
5 Stand for something- or you'll fall- for anything.
6. Select only a date- who would make a good mate.
7 See what you can do for others; not what they can do for you.
8 Guard your thoughts; what you think, you are.
9. Don't fill up on this world's crumbs; feed your soul on the Living Bread.
10. Give your all to Christ; He gave His all for you."

This article quoted from the
Faith, Prayer, and Tract League
(This tract available for purchase from them)

"It's a good idea not to give too much advice-
unless you are willing to accept blame for the outcome" -Frank Atherton

Prayer and the Hamster Cage
by Joey Bonifacio

"Last Sunday while preaching I shared an experience I had many years ago. It was about my children�s pet hamster whose name was Scooter and his cage. This lone rodent lived in a plastic cage that I felt needed expanding.

His cage had a tube that protruded upward that led to a tower. This tube can thus be extended if you wanted to connect the cage to another one.

In my benevolence I decided it was time to give scooter more room to move in. Who knows he may decide to take a wife? It was a Sunday morning when I decided to make the expansion move. My plan was to go to the pet shop after church.

When I got to the cage there was scoter sitting on top of the tower. I needed him to move out so I could dismantle the tower and bring it to the pet shop to find the necessary piece to connect to the new cage I was planning to buy.

Scooter would not budge. I opened the tower and tried to pick him up but he was scratching and even biting. I thought to myself "I�m trying to help make this guy�s life better and all I get is this rebellious hard headedness."

It was at this time that a thought entered my head. Compare the size of his brain to yours. Then I realized he�s not seeing what I�m seeing. A second thought was this is the same way I often was with God. God is wanting to expand me but I won�t give up my high tower and His brain is probably 14 gazillion times the size of mine.

It is this short sightedness coupled with human arrogance that has deprived me in times past of God�s blessing, guidance and wisdom. It has also been the cause of many painful experiences in life.

At that moment I prayed and repented. "God, forgive me and give me the ability to follow You and trust You. Please keep me humble and open every time when I "think" this is my high tower and I should not be moved."

God wants to make things better for us. He is a kind and benevolent God who wants to expand our lives. It was realizing this kindness that led me to repentance.

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God�s kindness leads you toward repentance?"
Romans 2:4

God has answered that prayer by using the picture of scooter in his high tower to remind me when its time to step down and let God do His thing. Thank You Lord!"

This article quoted from the web. Web address is
http://joeybonifacio.blogspot.com

If you run from the Lord-
Remember Jonah
He came out all right

Sex and Rock and Roll
By unknown author

"It seems like parents and preachers are all blown away these days over the sexual lyrics in Rock 'n' Roll.

John Oates of Hall and Oates admits that "Rock 'n' Roll is 99% sex". However, Debbie Harry, formerly of Blondie, disagrees, saying "Rock 'n' Roll is all sex- 100%"

What's the big deal! A little sex never hurt anyone, did it? Consider what the hard-rock fan magazine Creem had to say about the sex lives of many Rock groups.

"There's gonorrhea, syphilis, crabs, NSU, veneral warts and herpes...I mean you'd simply be amazed at the number of times one has to schlepp (go) to the Venerial Disease clinic; it's almost a regular stop for some groups on the way to or from a gig...the wallowing through the muck and mire of sleaze is all part of the rock and roll lifestyle..."

Don't be naive enough to think this couldn't happen to you. How many thousands of teens have experimented with sex, thinking it was fun, and now have herpes for life? It's a fact that one out of every ten teenagers will get pregnant this year; over one million pregnancies, and half of them will end in abortions.

Billy Idol disclosed that he has fathered two abortions, and yet ironically views monogamy (marriage to one person) as "inhuman". Killing babies is inhuman! MTV once aired a rock singer who looked into the camera nationwide and said, "I'm coming to your house, family man. I'm going to rape your wife, family man..." If you think lyrics like this aren't harmful, think again. In Knoxville, Tennessee, while hundreds of fans watched, an 18 year old woman was stripped and sexually abused in the aisle during a rock concert.

Don't get tricked into thinking that just because Prince's "Dirty Mind" album encourages bisexuality and incest, or Boy George (an admitted bisexual) openly reveals that "having sex with boys or girls is like eating a bag of (chips)...it's irrelevant," that unnatural sexual preference is normal, and never hurt anyone. AIDS is now at epidemic proportions and is most often directly related to the sexual habits of the person involved. Even doctors admit there is no such thing as safe sex.

Don't get ripped off! Sex, outside of marriage, is a "dead end". If you're experimenting with sex because you want to be accepted and loved, your Father in Heaven who created you, loves you, and accepts you unconditionally. If it's a thrill you're after, nothing will ever match the thrill of knowing the God of the universe, Jesus Christ. Why don't you ask Him to forgive you of your sins right now and come to know what real love is all about.

Since there is a constant turnover of new Rock groups, some of those mentioned above may not currently be "hot". However, be assured that other groups have taken their place and continue to present a similar message."

This article quoted from a tract once offered by
Christian Equippers International (CEI)
Their web address is on my links page

God does not want shares of your life
He wants controlling interest!

God's Trees
by Helen Frazee Bower

"A Story For Young and Old:

Far away on a hillside grew a forest of trees, little and big, old and young, tall and short.

Now these trees were very happy there on the hillside, but sometimes they spoke of the future - of what they wanted to do and be when they grew up.

One little tree said: "You know, I think I would like to be made into a baby's bed or a cradle. I have seen babies, carried in their mother's arms, going along the forest road, and to me a baby is the sweetest thing in the world. Yes, I should like to be made into a baby's bed."

A second little tree spoke: "THAT would not please ME at all. I want to be made into something IMPORTANT! I think I should like to be a great ship, strong and stately. I should like to sail the seven seas and carry cargoes of gold and silver and precious gems."

The third little tree stood off by himself on the hillside. He seemed to be in deep thought, but he said nothing. "And what would YOU like to do and be?" asked the Mother Tree. "Have you no dreams for the future?" "No dreams" the little tree answered, "except to stand on a hillside and point to God. For what could a tree do better than that?" Mother Tree looked at him fondly and smiled. "You are right, my child" she said. "To stand on a hillside and point to God is the best of all."

The years passed and the little trees grew up. One day there came into the forest some men to cut down the first little tree - the one that had wanted to be made into a baby's bed. And when he saw them coming he whispered, "Oh, I wonder if I am going to be made into a baby's bed now? I do hope so. I have waited so long."

But he wasn't made into a baby's bed. Instead this little tree was cut down, split into rough pieces and carelessly put together to form a crude manger for a stable in Bethlehem.

And when he saw this he was most unhappy! "Oh, this is not what I planned for my life. I who wanted to be made into a baby's bed. And now- to be nothing but a manger- and to be shoved into this dark cave (for that is what the stable really was) where no one can see me but the cattle!"

But God, who loves His little trees, whispered, "WAIT, AND I WILL SHOW YOU SOMETHING!" And He did!

For- "... there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."
"And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

In the stillness of the night God had laid in the little manger His own dear Babe - the Son of God!

And when he saw it, the little manger quivered with delight! "Oh, this is wonderful," he whispered. "In all my dreams I never thought to hold a Baby such as this! I am part of a miracle! This is better than all MY planning!"

And out on the hillside, the trees of the forest rejoiced because their brother, the little manger, had seen his wish come true.

The years passed by, and one day some men came into the forest to cut down the second tree - the one that had wanted to be made into a great ship.

And when he saw them coming he whispered, "Oh, I wonder if I am going to be made into a great ship now? I hope so, for I have waited so long."

But he wasn't made into a great ship. Instead this little tree was cut down and made into a tiny fishing vessel, owned by a simple Galilean fisherman named Peter.

And when he saw this he was most unhappy! "Oh, this is not what I planned for my life - I who wanted to be made into a great ship. And to think I have come to this - to be a dirty, smelly, fishing boat! And Simon Peter isn't even a good fisherman."

But God, who loves His little trees, whispered, "WAIT, AND I WILL SHOW YOU SOMETHING!" And He did! For one day, out of the crowd came a Person called Jesus, Who entered into the little boat and sat down and taught the people. He spoke words of such wisdom, beauty, and light that the multitude and even the little boat listened eagerly.

When Jesus had finished teaching the people He told Peter to launch out into the deep and to let down his nets again. But Peter said, "...Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake"
(Luke 5:5-6). The ship was filled with fish so that it began to sink. And then Peter "fell down at Jesus' knees, saying. Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord!"
(Luke 5:8).

And when the little boat saw this he trembled, not so much with the weight of fishes, as with the weight of wonder in his heart. "Oh, this is wonderful," he whispered. "In all my dreams I never thought to carry a Cargo such as this! Why I am part of a miracle! THIS is better than all MY planning!"

And out on the hillside the trees of the forest rejoiced because their brother, the little boat, had seen his wish come true!

Months went by and men came to the forest one day to cut down the third little tree, the one that had wanted just to stand on a hillside and point to God.

And when he saw them coming he was most unhappy! "Oh, I don't want to go down into the valley!" he whispered. "Why can't men leave me alone?"

But the men did not leave the little tree alone. They tore away its branches - then cut it down. They cut it apart and put it together in the form of a crude cross.

And when the little tree saw this, it quivered through all its being. "Oh, this is terrible," it whispered. "They are going to use me to crucify someone. Oh, I never wanted this to happen to me. I who only wanted to point to God!" And the little tree wept for sorrow.

But God, who loves His little trees, whispered, "WAIT, AND I WILL SHOW YOU SOMETHING!" And He did!

For, one day outside Jerusalem, a great multitude had gathered. In their midst was Jesus, and beside Him was the cross "And they led Him away to a place which is called Calvary and there they crucified Him between two thieves - one on the right hand and the other on the left."

The cross shuddered beneath its weight of agony and shame.

Then suddenly a miracle happened! "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent"
(Matthew 27:50-51).

"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God"
(Matthew 27:54).

And then, to the little tree that had become a cross there came floating down from the heavenlies, the echo of a promise, heard and remembered, "AND I, IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME"
(John 12:32).

And then the cross began to understand, "Why, this is wonderful," he whispered, "In all my dreams I never thought to point to God in this way! I am a part of a miracle! THIS is better than all MY planning."

And so it was. For millions of trees have stood on hillsides through the years, and not one of them has ever been able to point man to God. Only the Cross of Calvary can do that.

And out on the hillside all the trees of the forest bowed their heads and thanked God because their brother, the Cross, had seen his wish come true."

It is right and good to dream and plan how we can best serve God and man. But many times circumstances seemingly change those plans, and later on we see the hand of God in it all.

The main things to be sure of are that we have received forgiveness for our sins, through Jesus Christ - that our desire now is to please Him in everything and to serve Him faithfully. Such service needs planning and determination - really desiring to be used of God to the blessing of others. As you set forth in this way to make life really count you will see God wonderfully guide you from faith to faith and from victory to victory. It will then be sheer joy looking forward to the end of life when you shall meet your Lord, and be rewarded according as you have zealously and faithfully labored and lived for Him."
Quoted from the Gospel Tract Harvester Newsletter, December 2001, pages 12-13.


If you have not already invited Jesus Christ to come to live inside of your heart then click on the above banner if you want to learn how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and receive spiritual encouragement in your heart and soul.

In some small way I hope that God has been able to encourage you through these articles.
shared with you by Kraig Josiah Rice
www.breadonthewaters.com

  • Index of Newsletter Clippings

  • Encouragement when you are hurting

  • The 7 I Wills that God has promised you

  • How to overcome discouragement

  • Keep looking to God for deliverance

  • A Bible Study About Miracles
    Do you need a miracle to happen in your life? God still works miracles. Maybe He has one for you...

  • Testimonies
    Here are various testimonies that will help you with your faith.

  • You are the apple of God's eye


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    As of March 31, 2007