I Timothy 4:12

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity." I Timothy 4:12 (ISV)

Just because we are young doesn't mean we can't be influencial! We teens can change the world! People may overlook us at first, but if we show them that we are motivated by God to be pure in everything, they will see us and be encouraged by us. Not only that, but other teens will be strengthed and encouraged to live holy in Christ, too.

My sister found a blog written by a girl that is just sixteen years old. She is trying to make a difference in every country in the world. She started sponsoring a compassion child off of her birthday and Christmas money, and some babysitting money. Now she sponsors four kids - and she still doesn't have a real income! (her blog is hannahproject195.blogspot.com if you want to check it out) She is a great example of a Christian teen showing the world what it means to be motivated by God's love.

-Aylin

Let it Fade

Ok, so this post is going to be a little small due to the fact the my mouse for my computer isn't working. Thankfully there is also the touchscreen feature, but using it for anything is a bit of a pain. So, I wanted to share a few really good music videos with you today:

Have a great day!~Elizabeth

Shepherd's Love

Here's a poem I wrote that I think fits the verse of this week.

When I look upon my Shepherd Lord,
I feel peace surround me which I hoard
Deep within me, in a jeweled chest
Then breathe out my song of thankfulness.

When He wraps His strong arms 'round me
My soul feels light and free;
I pour out my burdens to Him who cares
And He guides my feet from Satan's lairs.

I thank You, Lord, for Your gift to me,
So I may spend my eternity
With You, Jesus, whom I love,
In heaven up high above.

-Aylin

Sheep

"Like a shepherd, he tends his flock. He gathers the lambs in his arms, carries them close to his heart, and gently leads the mother sheep." Isa. 40:11

I love this verse. It is such a beautiful picture of how God takes care of us. I researched sheep, especially sheep in the Bible, and here's what I found -

Sheep cannot find the best food for themselves. They must be led to it.

They do not have the instincts to find their way home.

They run from danger.

They never mistake their shepherd's voice for anyone else. Even when two flocks are together, they will easily separate and follow their own shepherd just by the sound of his voice.

Sounds a lot like us!

God knows what is best for us. Often times we cannot see the full picture and want the wrong things.

We cannot get to heaven on our own. We can only get there by being led in Jesus.

We run from the devil. We cannot successfully defeat him in our lives without God's strength.

If we are in God's word and following after Him, we will recognize His voice speaking to us in our lives.

-Aylin

Freedom

Hi everyone! We have a guest blogger today! Her name is Lizzie, and she will be posting from time to time on Free and Holy.

-Aylin

“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

We, often, do not realize the abundant freedoms we have. Well, one very important freedom (I'm sure you've all heard of it) is the freedom of religion. As it says in the first Amendment of the United States, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;” In common words, it basically says that the government cannot make any law forbidding any religion or religious practices. Places like Pakistan, China, Russia, and Romania do not have the ability to practice their choice of religion. Actually, about 100 countries do not have this freedom.

In Pakistan, innocent, God-fearing people are being put in prison for their beliefs."Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins. ... Our Christ is alive,” Asia Bibi told her co-workers. Asia is now in a Pakistan prison facing a death sentence. Asia has two young daughters. I ask that you will pray for her and them. Also, please go to www.callformercy.com to sign a petition. Sign the petition asking for her immediate release from prison and the dismissal of her death sentence. This can save her life...and yours.

-Lizzie

First Post

Hello! So, I figured that for a first post I should probably explain who I am, what I do, and why I participate in this blog.
I've posted my bio on the "About Elizabeth" page.
I also blog over at www.rwryastyle.blogspot.com , so although I'm used to blogging, bear with me, because my posts may not be as regular as they would be if I were only posting on one blog.
The goal that Aylin and I hope to achieve with this blog is to not only help teens in their faith, but also to encourage them to read the Bible.

THANKS

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praise to your name, Most High; to proclaim your gracious love in the morning and your faithfullness at night." Psalm 92:1-2

Thank God! There is so much to thank Him for today. Did you have food to eat for breakfast this morning? Give Him praise! Did you get to school today without getting hit by a vehicle? Give Him praise! And what if things did go badly? Thank Him for staying by your side through the tough parts as well as the parts of your day that went really well.

This has been a hard thing for me to do lately. Some things in my life haven't been going so smoothly. I've cried a lot of tears recently and I don't know what the future is going to look like. But when I took the time to thank God for what I do have that's been going right (my faithful friends, my family that loves me, this new blog, the vacation I was on recently, God's love, forgiveness and patience with me) I saw how much God had blessed me. It didn't make the problems in my life disappear, but I realized that there is so much more to life than just the issues that were bugging me.

Even if there doesn't seem to be one good thing in your life right now, praise Him anyway. Thank Him for every breath and for giving you another day filled with His forgiveness and love.

-Aylin