I must tell you this!

I may never meet you again, so there is something I must tell you right now. It is so vital that it may change your entire future like it did mine.
It is a message that you may not like, but the decision you make regarding it will affect you both in life and death.
Let me emphasize that this message is absolutely true, because God said it, and He cannot lie. When God makes a promise, you can depend on it, because His promises can never fail. God will not make you believe this message – that is your choice – but He will hold you responsible for having heard it.
This is a personal message to you: you cannot escape it. You must either accept it or reject it. You must either say “I will” or “I will not.” You cannot be neutral.
Here then, is the message – from God's Word, the Holy Bible.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”(John 3:16).
Now, did you ever hear about such wonderful words before? Just think for a moment what they say! They reveal three amazing facts:
First, “God so loved the world.” Since you are in the world, it means that He loves you. If that does not astonish you, remember that when God loves you, He loves a sinner, because the Bible says that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23). If you are honest with yourself, you must agree. Now, although God loves you, He hates your sin. Sin will keep you out of heaven, because God is holy, and He must punish sin. Therefore a loving God must find a holy way of saving sinners; otherwise the sinner must pay for his own sins. That would mean spending eternity in hell!
Second, “He gave His only begotten Son.” God loves you so much that He gave His only Son for you! The Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the cross of Calvary so that you might be saved. He shed His blood so that your sins might be put away. He died for you so that you might live in heaven forever. You see, someone must pay the penalty for your sin – either you or a sinless substitute. God gave His Son so that He could be your sinless Substitute.
Third, “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Think of it – God gives eternal life to those who believe in Christ! The Saviour has finished the work. He has died, risen from the grave, gone back into Heaven. Your part is simply to believe in Him. This means that you should confess that you are a sinner, realize that Christ died for your sins on the cross, and then receive Him as your Lord and Saviour.
This is the message; now you must make a decision. Will you accept Him or reject Him? Your time on earth is short, but your decision for or against Christ lasts for eternity.
If you refuse God's loving offer, the Bible says that there is only one place for you to go when you die, and that is hell. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
I may never meet you on earth again, but I hope I will meet you in heaven. If you will accept the sinner's saviour, then you too will be saved! -W. McDonald, edited

Say this prayer; Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner, I confess and repent of all my sins today, please forgive me. Come into my heart and make me a new creature. Write my name in the book of Life. Help me to live for you and give me grace to walk with you in Jesus Name Amen.
culled from the Teens Torch

Peer Pressure

As we grow in life, we realize that we often yield to the pressures around. Sometimes it is conscious, other times unconscious. We want to be like others; we say what they say, wear what they wear, go where they go, do what they do and try to be current with fashion trends. Some of us go to the extent of getting the exact fashion designs worn by music and fashion icons just to impress others. We want to do everything possible to gain the acceptance and approval of people around us, even if it means displeasing God, by engaging in unwholesome activities.

But, do we need to be in unhealthy competition with others in order to survive? NO! Unhealthy comparison and competition with others does no good to us, our self esteem or our relationships with others. You should periodically evaluate your present state with your dreams, goals, aspirations and targets you have set for yourself. The focus should be on improving yourself consistently and ensuring that you are advancing on the course you have charted to realize your dream.

To what extent should the opinions of friends/people matter?
When we are young, friends have more influence over how we dress, think and act than our parents (or guardians). It has been discovered that most of us do what we do because we do not want to lose our friends or be called names even though we know it is wrong. However, if you refuse to say no to your peers on wrong things, you compromise yourself, your values, your principles and standards so it is important to carefully choose your friends. It is better not to have friends at all than to have bad friends who will influence you negatively.

Time and time again, friends have betrayed each other in many ways, on this note you should prayerfully select friends who share godly values and principles. Pick friends who believe in you, believe in God and are committed to doing God's will.
How do you handle peer pressure?
Do not let friends or people around you influence you to do that which is contrary to the Word of God.

Are you a truthful friend?
Speak the truth in love at all times without fear or favour

How can you choose a Godly friend?
Prayerfully select friends and close associates. It is not everyone you meet or come in contact with that becomes your friend. God bless You.
Ngozi Chidi
culled from the Teens Torch