Southeast Texas Teen Ministries
Armed and Virtuous Abstinence Ministry
Many teens and parents are searching for help with a Southeast Texas abstinence ministry.
The abstinence message is important for Southeast Texas teens – and challenging for Southeast Texas parents and ministers.
Southeast Texas abstinence ministry “Armed and Virtuous” speaks directly to adolescents, teens, and parents to share this important message:
Genesis 3:9-11 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked (NKJV)?”
I know, this is an unusual verse to be using for a devotional, but bear with me for a minute. We’ve just begun a series about embracing he single life- being content with who you are in Christ and needing nothing else. A friend of mine shared these verses with me recently, and it opened my eyes to a completely new meaning of this old story; one that I’d like to share with you.
Most likely, if you’re reading this, you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (If not, I humbly suggest that you stop right here and read the “Find Your True Love” page.) If this is true, then you are already in the ultimate “relationship”. You are “in” with the All-Knowing, All-Powerful God of the universe, and He delights in spending time with you! Even though He created everything-including you, and knows your every need and every thought, He desires an ever deepening relationship with you.
How does this relate to fighting the “urge to merge?” I’ll tell you: the world sends you constant messages that you need someone or something else to be satisfied. In many of our cases that equals a romantic relationship. But, do we really need this? We’re already in a relationship with the King of Kings. He provides our every need, most often before we know we have a need, and gives us the best gifts; ones that ultimately bring us the most joy and contentment.
Who told Eve she needed anything besides God? Satan. He whispered to her soul: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” His intention was to deceive her, entice her to sin, and enslave both Eve and her husband with the consequences. After giving in, did they feel satisfied? No, they became even more dissatisfied with themselves as God made them.
At their regular time of fellowship, God called to them and asked “Where are you?” He obviously knew where they were. His question, unlike Satan’s, was meant to enlighten them. He wanted them to examine where they were compared to where they should be-by His side, walking with Him. Adam’s response? “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Then God asked the big question, the question I want to ask you: “Who told you that you were naked?” Let’s look beyond the obvious here, and make this question personal: Who told you that you were incomplete? Who told you that you needed something else to be satisfied? God didn’t, and He knows you better than you know yourself! What you “think” will satisfy you is, in fact, a mirage. It promises contentment, but will leave you feeling emptier than before.
Is it sinful to want to date? No. Is it sinful to feel inadequate and not good enough? No, but a feeling is not reality. Who is telling you that you need someone else? Ultimately, the answer is, the same person that tempted Eve. Satan, the enemy of your soul hopes to use these feelings of inadequacy to lead you to sin.
But, take heart! Here are the facts: you are created in the image of God. You are saved by the blood of God’s only Son. You are to inherit the riches of Heaven one day, and God’s plans for your time here on earth are greater than you can possibly imagine! Don’t be fooled by a snake, instead take a walk with God, let Him meet your deepest needs and give you the best gifts, with no sorrow attached, in His perfect time.
So, was this a new take on an old message for you, too? Did it bring you some encouragement? If so, please feel free to other parents.
My name is April M. Anderson, and I’m just a girl with a story. God laid a burden on my heart to pray for my husband when I was in the sixth grade. I prayed and waited for him for six years, dated him for three, and we’ve been married for 15 years. By God’s grace, both my husband and I were virgins on our wedding day and we’ve been living out our “happily ever after” from that day on!
Armed and Virtous Abstinence Ministry encourages young Southeast Texas women to save themselves for the husbands God is preparing for them.
Stay tuned to SETX Church Guide for more Southeast Texas abstinence ministry messages from Armed and Virtuous.
The abstinence message is of critical importance to our youth.
Southeast Texas abstinence ministry “Armed and Virtuous” will be featured throughout the year on SETX Church Guide to help make sure that message reaches your family in an impactful manner.
