The Shoes Of Peace From The Good News

Ephesians 6:13-17-"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For SHOES, PUT ON THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM THE GOOD NEWS so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

So, now we have got on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. We know that He is the truth, and we know that by His power and grace, we have been declared righteous. What do we wear for shoes? Ephesians 6 says "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News." What does that mean exactly? Here is something Charles Spurgeon wrote that I relate to this phrase.

"My own sight of the precious blood is for my comfort; but it is the Lord's sight of it which secures my safety. Even when I am unable to behold it, the Lord looks at it, and passes over me because of it. None can tell His delight in Jesus. Now rest we in calm security. We have God's sacrifice and God's word to create in us a sense of perfect security. He will, He must, pass over us, because He spared not our glorious substitute. Justice joins hands with love to provide everlasting salvation for all the blood-besprinkled ones."-Charles H. Spurgeon

In a way, the peace that comes from the Good News can be related to passover thousands of years ago in Egypt. Their homes are like our hearts, and the blood they sprinkled above their doors is like the sacrificed blood we have accepted from Christ. I don't know about you, but I am filled with peace when I think about how much Jesus loves me, and that I won't be destroyed by the wrath of God when He judges the world!

Exodus 12:13-"But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see that blood, I will pass over you. this plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt."

Satan tries to trick your mind into believing all sorts of wrong things about God, life, and even yourself. Even though he can be very cunning, as Christians, we have a weapon that he can't get past-our shoes of peace! You have the Holy Spirit living in you if you have accepted Christ. His job is to guide you and show you what to believe and what to do with your life. Put on the shoes of peace today, and start walking through your day. If God fills you with peace about something, He probably is happy you are doing it. If you are filled with something other than peace, well, you might want to think twice about whatever you are up to! Stand firm, and you will become stronger.

Ephesians 4:14-"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Isaiah 41:13-"I will hold you always in the palm of my hand."

Keep Measuring UP! You are and always will be loved.

-Jenna Hampton
with Charles H. Spurgeon and some pretty awesome shoes, given to me by the Good News :)

A Lily Among Thorns

Song of Solomon 2:2-"Like a lily among thistles is my darling among young women."

A couple of years ago at camp, we had a purity night. After Joe White gave a great speech, the girls went to the cafeteria and, among other things, we received a piece of paper with thoughts from all of the guy counselors (college age guys) about what they look for in a girl. These guys are all Christ followers, and it is very interesting to see what they look for in a girl. Honestly, it is probably much different than you would think. God has been leading me to put this on Measuring Up, so I am going to share it!

"Three things I look for in a girl (that are observed)

1. Serving- how and whom does she serve?

2. Prayer- does she seek God so much that I have to get close to God to get close to her?

3. Modesty- does she dress and act tastefully or classy in order to not cause her brothers in Christ to stumble?"

"The things that are most attractive about girls are usually contrary to what they hear guys find attractive. When a girl is modest (and by that I mean when she dresses in a way that's not revealing-including shorts that are long and shirts that cover well) that is so attractive because I know she is content in who she is and is not trying to find the approval through guys. Also, when she is humble and simply loves others in all she does shows that she has a true relationship with the Lord and has her priorities straight. Yeah, you might get some guys' attention by dressing less modestly, but that is not a healthy attention. Find who you are in Christ, not the acceptance of others. Every girl is beautiful, even if you don't feel that way. It's time. And it's likely that you'll meet someone who feels that way about your character and your appearance... and they'll be worth waiting for. I promise. That's how God designed it. P.S. Loving all people is a great thing to see in a girl too!"

"One of the most important qualities a Christian guy looks for in Christian girls are girls who are genuine. By that I mean if they are a Christian, they should live like one and encourage others in their faith. For me one of the most frustrating things is finding a girl who says they are one thing when they are actually someone completely different. Simply put, to be a Proverbs 31 woman, girls must put God before all things loving and glorifying Him in everything they do."

"A passion to disciple/love people"

"Reverence for the Word of God"

"A quiet reverent spirit"

"Verbally affirming and encouraging"

"Cares for others"

"Encourages and challenges"

"Doesn't gossip. Isn't cocky"

"Servant heart"

"Sees the best in every situation. Positive"

"Content, but not satisfied"

"Seek after the Lord more than boys"

"Confident in herself (doesn't allow the world to dictate who she is)"

"Honest with self"

"Smiles a lot"

"Gentleness in her words. Respectful"

"Listens to all advice (respects others)"

"Quick to forgive others when wronged"

"Christian actively seeking God"

"Family oriented"

"Honest in all situations, distinguishes friendship from flirting"

"Joyful. Finds her identity in Christ, not guys"

"Selfless"

"Gets along with other girls (not drama queen)"

"Pleasant to be around, smiling, positive (Negative Nancy's aren't fun)"

"Elegant and ladylike"

"Goofy and not afraid to be stupid"

"Consistency"

"No drama"

"Genuinely cares for those around her"

"Don't be forward (in relation to flirting)"

"Assertive (not aggressive)-this is easily mistaken- it means she is not passive but speaks about what she believes. (bold)"

"A teachable heart"

"Willingness to listen and know when to speak"

"Modesty"

"Gentle, persevering, self-motivated"

"Christ-centered"

"Genuine, integrity, mystery"

"Serving"

"Dress modestly (direct your beauty to your face)"

"Doesn't seek attention with clothes"

"Modest"

"Good moral values"

"Loyal/Modesty/Humility/Loving others"

God has a perfect plan for your life-including marriage. He probably has a guy out there right now who will want to marry you someday, and you may know him right now, or you may not. Throughout your life, keep this in mind: A true Christian guy looks for a modest, encouraging, serving, loving, respectful, and God-centered girl to be friends with and date. If you start to like a guy who is interested in you for other reasons than these- kick him to the curb! He is not the guy that God has planned for you, and he will never be nearly as good.

Song of Solomon 8:4-"Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right."

Proverbs 31:30-"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

Keep Measuring up! You are loved.

-Jenna Hampton

with quotes from Christian guys and lots of thought and guidance from God :)

The Body Armor of God's Righteousness

Ephesians 6:13-17-"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the BODY ARMOR OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Here are two questions I am aiming to answer in this post:

1. What is the benefit of wearing God's armor of righteousness, as opposed to not wearing it?

2. How can we obtain righteousness before God?

Probably the biggest benefit of wearing the righteousness of God is that we KNOW that by our faith, He has forgiven us, and we have become righteous in his sight. Therefore, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and share in His eternal glory! No one can touch you when you are wearing the righteousness of God. You know where you are going, and you know who is always with you!

Romans 8:31-"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"

"Advantages of the Kingdom of God:

1. God has done everything necessary to make our pardon possible.

2. We will not be required to observe the entire Mosaic Law.

3. We are declared legally righteous, justified and acquitted by God.

4. We will not experience God's wrath.

5. We are part of God's kingdom and family.

6. We will not spiral downward into depravity.

7. We experience peace with God.

8. We experience the glory of God.

9. It is a free gift.

10. Inner transformation; we gradually become truly good.

Disadvantages of choosing something but God:

1. No one succeeds.

2. Experience God's just wrath.

3. Miss out on experiencing God and his kingdom.

4. Miss out on the purposeful, abundant life God offers.

5. Miss out on becoming truly good and truly fulfilled."-A church bulletin from a Carmel Church

Please realize that the righteousness that God can give you is so wonderful! And it's free! It comes by faith. John 3:16-"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is our advocate before God. If you have faith in him, confess your sins, and promise to live your life for Him, your sins will be forgiven and you will be declared righteous before God! Jesus payed the price of YOUR sins on the cross, so that you can stand righteous before God. :)

Satan may sometimes trick you into thinking that you have done things so bad, that you can't be forgiven by God, or that you will never be righteous. When he gives you those thoughts, pray for forgiveness, and put on the body armor of God's righteousness! He's with you always, and He will never fail you. Even when you die, you will be protected, for you will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven! God is good!

Deuteronomy 31:6-"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

-Jenna Hampton

with notes from a Church in Carmel, and so many good verses from God's Word!

The Belt of Truth

Ephesians 6:13-17-"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on THE BELT OF TRUTH and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

As I started thinking about what to say in this post, I was wondering: "What is 'truth' exactly. How can I define it?" So, I looked it up in the dictionary-

TRUTH

1. The true or actual state of a matter

2. Conformity with fact or reality

3. A verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like

Okay, so we can see that the truth is anything that is a fact, reality, or actually true. In a world where so many people are trying to convince us that what they believe is true, it's difficult to find something that we can KNOW is true. "You can loose weight in just three days with no effort, if you buy this pill!" Is that the truth? "I will be the best boyfriend ever, and I will always 'love' you." Is that the truth? "God doesn't really care about us. We've done too many bad things to get his love." Is THAT the truth?

John 14:6-"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Jesus tells us that He is the truth. That should be easy to believe, but sometimes it isn't. Satan gives us all sorts of things like doubts, worldly things that look like the truth, and hardships that make us turn away from the truth of a Christian way of life. We are called, though, to put on the belt of truth, and to tell Satan to take a hike! Just by reading God's Word and remembering all the things God has done for us, we can know that everything we believe in is true.

"The Bible is like no other book in the world. It is filled with internal evidence that it is the Word of God. No other religion has a book filled with prophecies fulfilled one right after the other. The few books that have even attempted this have been proven to be written by false prophets who cannot foretell the future. But you can trust in the Bible, which is the true Word of God, who proves that He is the Author of it by fulfilled prophecies."-Matthew McGee

Ephesians 1:13-"And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago."

Put on the belt of truth today, and realize that God only speaks what is true! Keep measuring up. You are loved. :)

-Jenna Hampton

with Matthew McGee, Dictionary.com, and many prayers

Summary Of Being On Guard

GUARD WHAT YOU SEE-

Psalm 101:3-"I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of all those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me."

What will you do to literally guard your eyes? I decided not to look at "those magazines", I only watch G and PG movies, and I watch Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network on T.V. Yeah, it's hard to stand up for what I believe in, and yeah I get made fun of sometimes, but it's worth it! I'm so glad that when I close my eyes, there are no bad images stuck in my head. Plus, I know it's exactly what God wants me to do!

GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR-

2 Timothy 1:13-"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

Things you hear turn into thoughts, and thoughts turn into actions. So be careful! Examine the

things you listen to today, and think about whether you should be more careful about what you hear. If God wouldn't approve, just click it off! A good radio station in OKC and Edmond is Air One on 90.9 FM. You can also listen to it online in other states at Air1.com.

GUARD WHAT YOU DRINK-

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

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! You can do all things through Christ who can satisfy your thirst.

GUARD WHAT YOU SPEAK-

Colossians 4:6-"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person."

Guarding your speech is very wise! Think about this: do the things you say to and about others reflect what you believe? Kind words are like honey, sweet and good for the soul! Give some to people who need it today. Don't gossip, don't curse, and don't lie or use bad sarcasm! Well, that's the goal anyway. Aim for that, and remember how much speech can say about you as a person. Let your speech reflect your belief in God! You are loved.

GUARD YOUR TOUCH-

1 Corinthians 6:18-20-"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does! For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

Your purity is so important! It's not something to be messed around with. If you date someone and let them break down your walls (let them kiss you, let them become more important than God, let them cause you to lie to your parents about things) then sooner or later you will end up doing something you didn't plan on. One piece of dirt can ruin a glass of pure water. One dirty memory can ruin your pureness. Know your boundaries, and stick to them!

GUARD YOUR MIND-

Philippians 4:8-"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

God really wants to teach you wisdom and show you the right way to live your life! He can only do that, though, if you choose to think about Him. Think about what you have been thinking about today, and remember to be careful about the things you let into your mind. It's truly a battlefield, and it may take some time for you to really give your thoughts over to God, but it will be worth it when you do! You are loved.

GUARD YOUR HEART-

Psalm 119:11-"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

Proverbs 4:20-23-"My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't loose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. GUARD YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE, FOR IT DETERMINES THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE."

You've got a great bodyguard- CHRIST. Ask him to help you guard your eyes, ears, lips, thirst, touch, mind, and heart. God loves you, and He shows it with His actions. Ask Him to help you, and He will show you the way. Follow it. It's worth it. You are loved!

Keep measuring up!

-Jenna Hampton

with some awesome quotes from God's Word.

Guard Your Heart

Psalm 119:11-"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

"We are never out of reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad, we are liable to meet with allurements of evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps; but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence. Be not secure. We need, a watchman for the night, as well as a guardian for the day. Oh, for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful!"-Charles H. Spurgeon

"Worldly things are armed and ready to break into your heart. Don't let them come in. It's hard to say no- not because it's 'uncool' or will make you stand out, but because it takes courage."-Chloe Webber

Proverbs 4:20-23-"My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. GUARD YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE, FOR IT DETERMINES THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE."

One of the best things that the Holy Spirit can teach you is to guard your heart. Think of someone you know who you consider to have a good heart. Why do you think that about them? Probably because of the way they live. Think even further about that person. Do they guard their heart, letting only good and godly things in, or do they let their guard down when faced with temptation? Remember today to guard your heart and really think about your life. Maybe your heart needs some repairing. You've come to the right place! Jesus took the fall so that you could have it all. :)

"Can God restore spiritual virginity to someone who has had premarital sex? Yes. Absolutely yes. He does it every day. Can God remove guilt and help you forgive yourself? Yes. He can and does every day. With God, forgiveness is instantaneous as we confess our sin and turn from it. Our own forgiveness of ourselves sometimes takes longer, but it grows as we make the right choices and live in purity."-Joe White in Pure Excitement

1 Corinthians 10:13-"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."

You are loved! Keep measuring up.

-Jenna Hampton

with Chloe Webber, Joe White, and Charles H. Spurgeon, and endurance

Guard Your Mind

Philippians 4:8-"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

"A sincere boy came to me for counsel one summer day at our sports camp. Masturbation had become a problem. But the thing that bothered him the most was that every time he looked at a girl, his mind took her clothes off. It was killing him inside! 'What do I do?' he pleaded. Coincidentally, my straightforward 12-year-old daughter came walking by. I asked her to sit down and, leaving out the details, asked her to advise him. She simply looked him in the eyes and said, 'Mike, tell me, what kind of movies do you watch?' He knew what his problem was immediately. Satan had won his mind, and the only thing the boy knew to do was to masturbate and mentally rape girls. With prayer and some serious changes in his Friday- and Saturday-night entertainment, Mike won his mind back and now enjoys freedom from lust most of the time." -Joe White in Pure Excitement

There is a constant battle going on between good and evil in your mind. It is your choice to allow positive or negative thoughts to become a habit. It is also your choice to decide what you will allow to be forever engraved in your head. Giving your mind over to Satan is one of the worst choices you can make. Guard your mind, and it will be really hard for him to shake you.

"Although I was a Christian, I was having trouble because I had not learned to control my thoughts. I thought about things that kept my mind busy but were not productive in a positive way. I needed to change my thinking! One thing the Lord told me when He began to teach me about the battlefield of the mind became a major turning point for me. He said, 'Think about what you're thinking about.' As I began to do so, it was not long before I began to see why I was having so much trouble in my life. My mind was a mess! I was thinking all the wrong things." -Joyce Meyer in Battlefield of the Mind

God really wants to teach you wisdom, and show you the right way to live your life! He can only do that, though, if you choose to think about Him. Think about what you've been thinking about today, and remember to be careful about the things you let into your mind. It's truly a battlefield, and it may take some time for you to really give your thoughts over to God, but it will be worth it when you do! Keep measuring up! You are loved :)

Mark 4:24-25-"Then he added, 'Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given-and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

-Jenna Hampton
with Joe White, Joyce Meyer, and God's loving thoughts

Guard Your Touch

1 Corinthians 6:18-20-"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."


"I went a little too far with one of my girlfriends, and we ended up in bed. We really destroyed our relationship. We both regret what we did that one night. It has ruined both of our purity, and I'm sure we'll both regret it for many years to come." -A guy named Paul in Pure Excitement

Your purity is so important! It's not something to be messed around with. If you date someone and let them break down your walls (let them kiss you, let them become more important than God, let them cause you to lie to your parents about things) than sooner or later you will end up doing something you didn't plan on. One piece of dirt can ruin a pure glass of water. One dirty memory can ruin your pureness. Know your boundaries, and stick to them!

2 Timothy 2:22-"RUN from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."

Is there anything around you or in your daily life that compromises your purity? RUN from it. Be on guard! You can do anything through the love of Christ. I promise you this: Righteous living, faithfulness, love, peace, and companionship with pure friends who know the Lord is 100 times better than a one night stand or a High School romance! Yes, it is hard to wait for marriage, and there is a lot of pressure in schools today. That's why I set a high boundary for myself. I'm not going to date anyone until college, because I don't believe I will be mature enough to handle the pressure until then. What will you do to make sure you stay on guard?

Song of Songs 8:4-"Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right."

Keep measuring up! You are beautiful.

-Jenna Hampton

With verses, Pure Excitement, and prayer

Guard What You Speak

Colossians 4:6-"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person."

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. How untrue that is! Your words are probably one of the most powerful things you own, and God wants you to choose them wisely. The words of your mouth can either bring comfort and grace, or destruction.

James 3:6-10-"And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"

Proverbs 16:24-"Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

Proverbs 16:28-"A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends."

Proverbs 8:13-"All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech."

Proverbs 26:18-19-"Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, 'I was only joking.'"

As you can see, guarding your speech is very wise! Think about this: do the things you say to and about others reflect what you believe? Kind words are like honey, sweet and good for the soul! Give some to people who need it today. Don't gossip, don't curse, and don't lie or use bad sarcasm! Well, that's the goal anyway. Aim for that, and remember how much speech can say about you as a person. Let your speech reflect your belief in God! You are loved.

Ecclesiastes 7:20-21-"Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. Don't eavesdrop on others-you may hear your servant curse you. For you know how often you yourself have cursed others."

-Jenna Hampton (with thanksgiving to the Giver of life, God)

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

Guard What You Hear

2 Timothy 1:13-"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

Guarding what you hear is pretty much the same concept as guarding what you see. Here is some advice- If you don't want to hear foul language all the time, don't hang around with people who cuss. If you don't want to be thinking terrible thoughts all the time, don't listen to bad radio stations. If you don't want to have break-up, make-up, and crazy party lyrics stuck in your head, then choose your music wisely.

Maybe you are thinking, what I listen to doesn't really matter. I can still uphold my values if I listen to some bad music every once in a while. Get a load of these facts:

"1. All your actions, decisions, and attitudes begin in your mind.

2. Your mind is susceptible to manipulation by almost any attractive outside source.

3. The 10 billion cells of your brain are like tiny rooms that capture (whether you want them to or not) every sight and sound (especially when connected with music) you'll ever see and hear.

4. Your subconscious mind absorbs thoughts even when your conscious mind doesn't ask it to.

5. And finally, you become what you think about. Or as Proverbs says, 'For as he thinks within himself, so he is.' (Proverbs 23:7)" -From Pure Excitement by Joe White

Things you hear turn into thoughts, and thoughts turn into actions. So be careful! Examine the things you listen to today, and think about whether you should be more careful about what you hear. If God wouldn't approve, just click it off! A good radio station in OKC and Edmond is Air One on 90.9 F.M. You can also listen to it in other states online at Air1.com.

I know that sometimes it's hard to stop old habits (such as the movies you watch or the artists you listen to) but pray about it! Through Christ, you can do all things. Take it one step at a time, and eventually you will be closer to measuring up to God's standards.

-Jenna Hampton
with Love, and Joe White

Guard What You See

Psalm 101:3-"I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me."

There are so many things out there waiting to grab a hold of you and bring you down. Pornography, bad movies, bad television shows, magazine pictures, inappropriate drawings, you name it! There is a fine line between right and wrong, and most all of us know it.

How much do you guard what you see? Think about this- if Christ was sitting next to you at the movie theatre, would you rather be watching Finding Nemo or The Hangover? It's a pretty obvious choice. At the store, would you want Jesus to see you looking at magazines with semi-naked pictures of airbrushed celebrities all over the cover? Since God is with us all the time, we should want to honor Him by guarding what we see.

"I know teen girls always are looking at celebrities and other teens and trying to be perfect but being themselves is the right thing." -Chloe Freeman

"Guard your heart,' the Bible says. Get out your rifle and your two 'biggest and baddest' friends! It's the only mind you'll ever have! It will belong to God, or it will belong to Satan. It's your choice, and the prize will go to the one to whom you chose to give your eyes, ears, and thoughts." -Joe White in Pure Excitement

What will you do to literally guard your eyes? I decided not to look at "those magazines", I only watch G and PG movies, and I watch Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network on T.V. Yeah, it's hard to stand up for what I believe in, and yeah, I get made fun of sometimes, but it is worth it! I'm so glad that when I close my eyes, there are no bad images stuck in my head. Plus, I know it's exactly what God wants me to do! :)

Romans 12:1-2-"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Don't be afraid to be different. Keep measuring up to God, not the world! God loves you!

-Jenna Hampton
with Joe White, Chloe Freeman, and help from Christ

If The World Hates You

1 John 3:13- "So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU."

John 3:19-20-"And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

"Faith is daring to put your dream to the test. It is better to try to do something and fail than to try to do nothing and succeed." -Robert Schuller

John 16:33- "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart! For I have overcome the world."

"We take on the strength of that which we overcome." -unknown

Guess what? If you stand up for what you believe in, the world may hate you. Why? Satan has control over the world, for the world is evil. Those who live in the light of God are not of this world. So, the world will hate them for many reasons, just as God's Word has said.

Galatians 1:10-"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

We all want the approval of people, we are only human after all! But as Christians, we are called to serve God first, even if that means doing something that may lose us a few friends or some approval. Writing this blog was a pretty hard decision for me to make. I post it on facebook, and all my friends can see it on my wall. Yeah, some kids probably make fun of me for it, or think that I'm weird, but I serve God first! It doesn't matter to me if the world hates me-it will soon pass away. God will last forever.

I am trying to spark some thought today with this blog because I haven't found a GREAT verse to do yet. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE either comment, send me an e-mail, or message me on facebook. God is good! He is the source of all strength and courage. Remember that, and measure up!

"The difference between having something happen and nothing happen, is courage."
-Jenna Hampton
With help from God. Thank You God.

The Lord Your God Is With You

Joshua 1:9-"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU wherever you go."

Job 37:1-5-"My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from His mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and His lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder- the tremendous voice of His majesty. He does not restrain it when He speaks. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of His power."

Once upon a time, there was a man with a fairly happy life. Things were going well with his family, his job was enjoyable and payed well enough, and he had plenty of time to do things relaxing and fun. He was involved in his local church, and knew God well enough to suit him. Some time later, though, he started to have troubles. His father was diagnosed with cancer, he was fighting with his mother and wife constantly, he was struggling at his job, and he started to have horrible nightmares. He questioned God about why he had left him on his own, and stopped going to church. One night he dreamt that he was walking beside God on the seashore. He looked behind him and saw a long line of footprints. At first, there were two sets of footprints alongside each other. The set on the right was slightly bigger than those on the left. After awhile, one set of footprints disappeared. The man was furious in his dream. "Why have you left me, God? Why did you leave me to deal with these hard times on my own? You walked with me before when things were going well, but now you have left me and everything has gone bad!" God turned to the man with love in His eyes. "Look again, my child. The footprints that stopped were your own. The smaller footprints have disappeared. I've been here the whole time silently blessing you and continuing to love you through your hard times. Trust me to help you, and together we can make things right." Suddenly the man woke from his dream. He realized that God had been with him the whole time, and that all he had to do was to trust Him. In a few weeks, the man's life had been turned around, for he now knew that God would never leave him or forsake him.

Romans 8:38-39-"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

God knows the deepest parts of your heart, and is always with you. Throughout your life, He will always be waiting for you to open the door to His love. If and when you do, you will never lose Him-ever! If your heart is sincere, He will never give up on you.

Revelation 3:20-"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."

1 Corinthians 2:12- "And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us."

-Jenna Hampton
with a story that I have heard many times, rewritten with help from the Alpha and Omega

Do Not Be Afraid

Joshua 1:9- "This is my command--be strong and courageous! DO NOT BE AFRAID or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much." -Mother Teresa

Are you afraid?... Afraid of what?... well, let's look at Joshua. Moses, who was probably one of God's best servants ever, just died. God decides to put Joshua, son of Nun, in charge of leading the Israelites across the Jordan River into the land He has promised them. Even though that may sound easy, I'm sure it was far from a nice walk in the park! Why else would God tell Joshua to be strong and courageous THREE TIMES in the same conversation?

Joshua 1:5- "No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you."

God is always with you, always watching, always thinking about you. Even if you don't know Him, He is always waiting for you with loving arms. If you feel afraid, take heart! There is hope in God like nothing else. He NEVER leaves you, or fails you. Even death loses it's sting when you've got God. You will have no fear!

1 Corinthians 15:55- "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

1 Peter 13-15- "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."

Don't be afraid to stand up for God! What is more important, speaking the truth, or keeping the approval of people who won't matter in a few years? Don't back down :) It'll be worth it if you keep standing and don't fear.

God is good! Keep measuring up. <3

-Jenna Hampton
with Mother Teresa and some good words for the Bible!

1 Timothy 4:12 Summary

1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."


Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young-

"Today we live in a culture that promotes comfort, not challenges. Everything is about finding ways to escape hardship, avoid pain, and dodge duty. In the past, young people were expected to make significant contributions to society. Today, our culture expects very little from teens- not much more than staying in school and doing a few chores. A sad consequence of such low expectations is that life-changing lessons go unlearned." -Chuck Norris

Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."


Be an example to all believers-

If there is anyone in your life that needs strengthening spiritually, be an example for them! Continue to follow God's guidance, and put their needs above your own. Then you will be an example for that believer. As iron sharpens iron, one man can sharpen another.

Isaiah 58:11- "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."


In what you say-

"1. Listen more; speak less

2. Choose your words carefully

3. Break the habit of blurting out anything and everything that comes to your mind.

4. Watch the volume of the tone of voice you use.

5. USE YOUR TONGUE TO BUILD UP, NOT TEAR DOWN."

-Dare 2 B Wise

2 Timothy 1:13- "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."


In the way you live-

What can people tell about you from the way you live your life? They can tell you like music if you are constantly seen with your i Pod playing. If you are always reading, they can tell that it's pretty much your thing. Think about this: Can people tell that you are a Christian simply by the way you live your life?

Philippians 2:14-16- "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.


In your love-

Can people see a difference in your love than in the way others love? Maybe you talk to someone who is lonely, maybe you hold your tongue when you are tempted to gossip, maybe you stop yourself from flirting constantly with boys. Whatever you do, keep doing it! Keep living up to God's high standards, and finding more ways to stand out for the truth. :)

"One way to live out love is to be kind to everyone that comes across your path, because everyone carries a burden." -Stefanie Hampton

1 John 3:18-19 "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God."


In your faith-

Please have faith! It is a wonderful thing. By faith, you can be saved. By faith, your heart can be changed. Faith can give you the motivation to repent of your sins. In simplest terms, faith is (according to the dictionary) confidence or trust in a person or thing. So, faith is trusting God to know what's right. It's taking your sins to the cross, laying your crown at His feet, and trusting Him to make things right.

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory."


In your purity-

There is one thing that God has to say about sexual impurity- RUN FROM IT. Media and the world around you tell you anything but to stay pure. Set high standards for yourself, stay away from things that will break those standards down, and live them out.

Psalm 119:9-11 "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you- don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

Philippians 4:8- "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."


-Jenna Hampton
with many others, and blessing from Jesus :)

In Your Purity

1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and YOUR PURITY."

"As much as I've read God's love letter, I've seen only two places where He says in exactly these words, 'This is God's will for you...' He couldn't be more directly to the point when He says, 'Hey guys, you've gotta get this straight. Sexual immorality- any sex outside marriage- is a huge mistake. Don't do it. Whether in the mind, with the fingertips, or directly to the point, don't engage in sex... yet!" -Joe White in Pure Excitement. There is one thing that God has to say about sexual impurity- RUN FROM IT. Media and the world around you tell you anything but to stay pure. Set high standards for yourself, stay away from things that will break those standards down, and live them out.

2 Timothy 2:22- "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."

Think about a clean, pure glass of water. That's like you, the way God intended you to be. Pure, clean, and usable. The world, however, tries and tries to make you dirty. If you give in to the temptation even once, your purity is ruined. Even one clump of mud in a glass of water makes it impure. Even one time loses your virginity. Even one bad movie ruins your clean mind. Even one bad song ruins your pure thoughts. One bad friend, one bad influence, one cigarette.

Psalm 119:9-11 "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you- don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

"He paints the original, and He alone can repaint the portrait and remount it in a more secure frame, the cost of which is a gold wedding band." -Joe White. Since none of us are perfect, and never will be, it is important to always remember the fact that Jesus was sent to pay the price of our purity. If you have ever messed up (which you have) if you have ever sinned (which you have), you can be made pure! You can be made pure as silver, white as snow. God is good!

Matthew 26:41- "Keep watch and pray, so that you do not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"

Philippians 4:8- "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

-Jenna Hampton
with Joe White and the Holy Spirit

In Your Faith

1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, YOUR FAITH, and your purity."

Matthew 17:20- "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

There are so many things to say about how to live out your faith. Faith is held very high in God's eyes, and he loves those who honestly believe in His name, without having seen Him with their own eyes or felt Him with their own hands.

It's hard to understand the verse about moving mountains. But God tells us that if we have even a tiny amount of faith, and we pray for something meaningful to happen, then by His power, He will do it for us. The problem is, we often pray that He will move a huge mountain, and we expect Him to do it very quickly. Look at the mountain ranges and hills! God has shaped, formed, and destroyed them, but never quickly. Faith and patience go hand in hand. If you keep believing your mountain will be moved, even when you don't notice any change, nothing will be impossible for you.

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory."

Please have faith! It is a wonderful thing. By faith, you can be saved. By faith, your heart can be changed. Faith can give you the motivation to repent of your sins. In simplest terms, faith is (according to the dictionary) confidence or trust in a person or thing. So, faith is trusting God to know what's right. It's taking your sins to the cross, laying your crown at His feet, and trusting Him to make things right.

So keep aiming toward the goal! Keep knowing that God is good, and that He only wants what is best for you, and also for the Kingdom of Heaven. Work on showing your faith in God by not worrying about your life, your sins, or the people around you. Obey Him, and even the bad will be good!

Jeremiah 29:11- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

-Jenna Hampton
with much prayer and help from God

In Your Love

1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, IN YOUR LOVE, your faith, and your purity.

John 15:12-14 "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

Here are three questions to ask yourself daily: (Write them down somewhere)

• What does the world say about love?
• What does God say about love?
• Which type of love does my life show?

The answer to the first question is pretty simple. Worldly views of love include the "butterflies in my stomach" feeling, a parent/child love (family), and physical "love". Teenagers, especially, chase after the approval of boys, because the importance of romantic love is way over-advertised. Mostly, the type of love that the world tells us to show ultimately ends in emptiness.

If you have ever read my blog before, you know what God says about love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 are the guidelines to loving others. When you shine out for God by loving others, He highly rewards you. In easy times, loving your neighbor more than yourself isn't hard. The difference between God's love and the world's is that God keeps on loving, even when it's hard.

So, which one are you? Can people see a difference in your love than in the way others love? Maybe you talk to someone who is lonely, maybe you hold your tongue when you are tempted to gossip, maybe you stop yourself from flirting constantly with boys. Whatever you do, keep doing it! Keep living up to God's high standards, and finding more ways to stand out for the truth. :)

"One way to live out love is to be kind to everyone that comes across your path, because everyone carries a burden." -Stefanie Hampton

1 John 3:16- "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

1 John 3:18-19 "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God."

-Jenna Hampton

with Stefanie Hampton and God!

In The Way You Live

1 Timothy 4:12- "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, IN THE WAY YOU LIVE, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

What can people tell about you from the way you live your life? They can tell you like music if you are constantly seen with your i Pod playing. If you are always reading, they can tell that it's pretty much your thing. Think about this: Can people tell that you are a Christian simply by the way you live your life?

2 Corinthians 6:6- "We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love."

2 Corinthians 6:6 tells us several different ways that we can prove we are Christians. By being pure, we show that we want to fulfill the high standards God has for us. Understanding and wisdom come only from God, so if you are full of wisdom, people will know why. If you are patient and kind, you will be loving sincerely, not like the world tells you too, and people will appreciate it. The best way that others can tell that you have God's Spirit inside of you is if you put God first, others second, and yourself last.

Philippians 2:14-16- "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless."

Don't choose to live in darkness! Jesus is a source of eternal life. If you know Him, rejoice! Let His love for you shine out to others so that they will have hope. The only way to have forever-lasting hope is to accept the eternal love that God has for you, and forever have faith. God is good!

-Jenna Hampton