Guard What You Drink

Proverbs 20:1-"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise."

"For years, high-school and college students have told me that drinking and sexual morals go together like Siamese twins. When you start drinking, your morals slide. Far too often, the two walk hand in hand all the way to the abortion clinic or the tear-stained pillow...Alcohol abuse is rampant in our country! In a recent survey of 68,000 fourth-through-sixth-graders, perceived alcohol abuse has risen to 45 percent! High-school kids around the country tell me that about three-fourths of the students they know drink. In college, it's more like four-fifths. The true stories pour into my mailbox. The alcohol and drug stories all say the same thing: 'Drinking and drugs corrupt your morals.'"-Joe White in Pure Excitement

Too many kids today think drinking can't harm them-but it can! There are millions of adults who will tell you NOT to drink, because it has hard consequences, and it is hard to quit. Even I, a middle schooler, know kids who have already started messing up their lives by abusing alcohol. I don't care if you think it's "cool" or not, stay away from alcohol!!!! God doesn't like it, and neither will you when the consequences come.

Proverbs 29-35-"Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don't gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, 'They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?'"

Please think about your life, and if there is anything you need to change in your relationship with alcohol. Maybe, you are not even thirsty for the "pleasure" it gives. Maybe you are just thirsty for life! There is only One who gives free, satisfying water to anyone who believes!

John 4:13-14-"Jesus replied, 'Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

You can do all things through Christ, who can satisfy your thirst! Keep measuring up :) You are loved.

-Jenna Hampton
With Pure Excitement and many prayers