DEVOTION: I DIDN'T DO IT

Text: Genesis 44:12

Have you ever been punished for something you didn't even do? Well, that is what happened to Benjamin. Everybody thought he had taken a silver cup. He knew he didn't do it, but the silver cup was found in his bag.

Sometimes life just doesn't seem very fair, does it? You get yelled at when your sister is the one who did something wrong. Your teacher blames you for something the boy next to you did. When that happens, try thinking of Benjamin. He got blamed for something he didn't do. But God still took care of him. He'll take care of you too! Praise the Lord!

DEVOTION: YOUR JOB IS IMPORTANT

Text: Exodus 2: 3-4

Miriam was just a young girl, but she had an important job to do. She had to watch her baby brother Moses.

Keeping an eye on a younger brother or sister is a big job, not a problem. Your mum or dad would only ask you to do that job if they thought you were big enough to handle it. So next time your mom asks you to watch your little brother or sister, don't complain, don't run and hide. Do the big jobs with a smile of love.

VERSE OF THE WEEK: PROVERBS 23:22

Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old

WHY DRINK?

THE LURE

• People who drink are young and healthy.

• People who drink are successful.

• People who drink are happy.

• People who drink have friends.

THE FACTS

• The body reacts to alcohol as it does to other poisons. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and kills cells in the brain and the liver.

• Successful people avoid alcohol because they know it impairs their ability to function.

• Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant.

• Most drinkers are lonely and depressed because behavior under the influence of alcohol is inappropriate, offensive, and even violent. People who avoid alcohol are admired.

THE CURE

If you are burdened and want to feel better:

Not in alcohol: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow?... They that tarry long at the wine.”

Proverbs 23:29, 30

But in God: “Come unto Me, all you that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

If you want to enjoy life fully:

Not in alcohol: “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess.”

Ephesians 5:18

But in God: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10

If you want wisdom:

Not in alcohol: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Proverbs 20:1

But in God: “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:6

If you want to be admired:

Not in alcohol: “Woe unto them that rise up early that they may follow strong drink.”

Isaiah 5:11

But in God: “But whoever finds Me finds life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord. But he that sins against Me wrongs his own soul.”

Proverbs 8:35, 36

If you want eternal life:

Not in alcohol: “Nor thieves, nor drunkards, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:10

But in God: “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

DEVOTION: FORGIVE EACH OTHER

Text: Genesis 33:4

Jacob and Esau were brothers- twin brothers. And like most brothers they fought. When they were teenagers, they had such a bad fight that Jacob ran away to live with his uncle. Many years passed. Finally Jacob went back home to see his brother Esau. Jacob was afraid that Esau would still be mad with him, but he wasn't. Read what happened in Genesis 33:4.

No matter how much you fight with your sister or brother, remember that God loves both of you and wants you to love each other and forgive each other.

10 WAYS TO PRACTICE PURITY

When you fall in love, it's natural to want to express your love in physical ways. But you also know God wants you to remain sexually pure—in both your actions and your thoughts. Sometimes it's a tough balance, but showing love for another and remaining pure is possible. Here are some suggestions:

1) Keep innocent expressions special. Rather than making the innocent expressions a mere prelude to the "heavier stuff," make the most of them. Let holding hands mean something. Express tenderness by simply putting your arms around each other. Make sure a kiss communicates true feeling and isn't just the first step to further physical involvement.

2) Pace your passion. Every marathon runner knows that you don't use up your energy at the beginning of the race; you need most of it at the end. Pacing your passion means that you realize you're trying to remain pure all the way to your wedding day. It's OK to express your love in little ways, but don't start messing with the package that is sex. To get real practical, avoid French kissing and petting—anything that is sure to ignite the fires of passion.

3) Don't feed your fantasies. It's normal to think about sex sometimes. In fact, with the way advertising and Hollywood exploit sex, it would be impossible not to think about it. So choose your entertainment carefully. Soap operas, certain songs, books, television shows, movies and Web sites only turn up the pressure. Feeding your thought life with junk only makes it harder to remain pure in your actions.

4) Remember whose property you're touching. You do not own the person you're dating. That person belongs to God. Imagine there's a sign on everyone you date that reads: PROPERTY OF JESUS.

5) Make a promise to God, and daily renew your commitment. Decide where you're going to draw the line, and tell God that with his help, you are not going to cross that line until marriage. Don't commit to it unless you mean it, though. The Bible says it's a serious thing to make a vow to God. At the same time, realize that you can't stick to your promise without his help. That's why it's important to renew your commitment daily.

6) Acknowledge Jesus' presence on every date. Before a date, it's normal to spend a lot of time getting ready. After all, you want to look your best. But you also want to make sure you're spiritually prepared. So spend at least as much time in prayer as you do in front of a mirror. As it says in Proverbs 3:6: "Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."

DEVOTION: MOVING IS SCARY

Text: Exodus 12: 31-42

Moving to a new house can be scary. Even if it’s just across town. But sometimes we have to move.

The Israelites had been living in Egypt for over 400 years when God said, "It’s time to move".

They had no maps or pictures, and they didn’t know how far away their new home was or how long it would take them to get there. But God promised to show them the way.

If the Israelite could follow God across a sea and a desert, you can follow him too. No matter where you go, God will go with you.