TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER By Ashley Stevens

BEING THANKFUL

Can you believe it? November is here, and it is time to come together as a family and reflect on things to be thankful for! As we get caught up in the world and all of it’s negativity, we tend to lose focus on the things we are blessed with. This week I would like to challenge everyone to try and think about things we as young Christian believers can be thankful for. I have thought about a few and I would like to share just four things that I am

TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

MORE OF YOU JESUS, LESS OF ME

It is common to get wrapped up in our busy lives. We tend to get selfish and the only person we think about is ourselves. The first step to overcoming selfishness is to admit it and to be honest with yourself about it. This can often be the hardest step of them all. It is not very easy for us to look at ourselves in the mirror and honestly recognize we are selfish. The importance of admitting we are selfish is to take all of that weight off and

TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER By Ashley Stevens

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.” “Her candle goeth not out by night.” “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” This month’s article is centered for all the ladies out there. Recently I got involved in a young woman’s bible study. We meet once a week to discuss how to be “the virtuous woman” that is portrayed in Proverbs 31. The “Proverbs 31 Woman” shines like a bright and beautiful light in the Old Testament Book of precepts and warnings. Today we see women of all ages, following the wrong type of role models in their lives. However, we are refreshed to find and see a timeless example of virtue, responsibility and good sense. In Proverbs 31, we are painted a picture of a woman who shows the qualities which every believing woman should strive to be like in her personal life, appearance, family life, and in her daily duties. Being a Proverbs 31 woman is not about being “perfect.” It’s about living life with a purpose, diligence, forgiveness, and repentance. She is, just to name a few traits, noble, trustworthy, hard working, generous, fears the Lord, honors her husband, and speaks with wisdom. My goal for you and for all the young women out there is to strive to be a virtuous woman. Read your Bible, study and understand what God has provided for us. Strive in your life to be a Godly example of the “Proverbs 31 woman.” Until next time, Ashley Stevens. <><><><><><><><><><><><>

TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

SHARING GOD’S LOVE

In my mind I had this vision of what my summer was going to be; beach, hanging with friends, and just relaxing. However, God had a different plan for me. It was a few days into the month of June and I was volunteering at a local Church to help out with Vacation Bible School. The children’s pastor came up to me and asked me if I would be interested in going on a mission trip with the Church. I just blew it off and told him that I didn’t think that I would be able to go. I honestly never gave it another thought. About mid-week, the Lord laid it on my heart that this is a trip that I needed to go on. So, two days before the mission trip, I decided to go. I was scared and nervous and did not know what to expect, but I had this overwhelming peace that God gave me. I now know why God wanted me on that trip. Not only did we have 17 children come to know Christ, but God was working in my heart too. This trip allowed me to become closer to Him. Nothing can replace that. So I encourage you, if you have a chance to go on a mission trip, take it! You never know what seed God may be planting in your life.

Until next time, Ashley Stevens

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      TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
                By Ashley Stevens
              LIVING FOR JESUS

Living for Jesus in today’s society is extremely difficult for us as teenagers. We live in a world that is straying farther and farther from Christ’s teachings. Today, we have to face a lot more than other generations had to. There are less traditional families, more exposure to drugs, premarital sex, and on and on. I strongly believe that we have it the hardest of any prior generation.
Standing up for something you believe in, whether religiously or morally, is becoming less and less of something that is respected. As teenagers, we are just expected to follow the crowds, and the ways of this world and simply not ask any questions. This is exactly opposite of how Jesus lived. If we live our lives like Jesus did, then we have to expect that our lives look very different from our friends. This is something, as teenagers, we can come to accept and really embrace that we are different from everyone else. We are different because we love Christ and we want our lives to be just like Him. We are called to be the “the salt of the earth.” If others see that your life is different, and you are genuinely happy about it, I strongly believe that it pleases Jesus and I know He is proud of you. Jesus says in the Bible that we are not to just tell people about Him but we are to live our lives as a reflection of what He did while He was here on earth. I know that living this life is very hard and it takes a lot of work, but I am here to tell you that living this life brings so much more of a rewarding feeling than living any other way.

Until next time,          Ashley Stevens