Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Mich
Re:
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 8:54 am
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Thanks for the post. I actually was just having this conversation with one of my friends. One of the things that I think help is to remember that this guy has a wife somewhere and that my husband is walking around. It is much easier to remember to honour your future husband all the days of your life if you remind yourself of how he would feel if he saw yoou!
Gods Jewel
Thanks, great post
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:19 am
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Me and my sister were talking about this with one of our friends. There is a lot of bad influence in society. We all have to keep praying for all of the people caught up in satans lies. This was a great post, thanks.
The_Good_Miss_Lollipop
Re:
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm
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The future husband thing has never really done it for me. He's not actually going to see me, and the sort of man who would throw you out over that is not someone I want anyways. God's the one really watching.

Then there's the normal things like risk of infection, pregnancy and a ruined reputation.
Heidi
Re:
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm
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Thank you so much for writing this!! I too am exasperated with the half-dressed people plastered everywhere you look. I'm 15, too, and it is really encouraging to hear another 15-year-old who feels the same as me.
Anymous
Re:
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 3:18 pm
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Thank you so much for this post. I really, really needed it right now. God bless you, Debra!
mary
help...?
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 6:56 pm
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so, for about 5 years now, I have been having trouble with my dreams. in my dreams, actually.

I dream of having sex, and making-out with guys. and a couple times I have had dreams of sleeping with other girls. I am not even gay, and don't ever want to be! annnd I am a virgin, and never even kissed anyone.... so I don't know where this is coming from. especially when this all started, I was like 11 years old.

and I have never told anyone. this is something that is my deepest, darkest secret... so I am coming clean. But I need help.

anyone reading this, please stop and pray for me. I have been needing prayer in this for a long time, I just never opened up for it.

I always just brushed if off saying, "this isn't a big deal". But I can't keep ignoring this.

how can you stop doing impure things in your dreams??? I can't seem to do anything about it. I have tried, but I just get stuck in the rutt again and just keep doing it.

for about 3 weeks in row, I had dreams of sleeping with my dad almost every night. and those just freaked me out so bad. Thank God those went away. I have no idea where all this is coming from.

just please help me. this is sort of emotional... I have never told anyone... I swore to myself I'd never tell anyone. well, after reading this post I knew I had to say something and not ignore the plea for help anymore.

it has gotten better... but they never go away all the way.

thank you for your prayer! I kind of rambled, sorry. when I pray about it it gets better, and I have asked God to take it away, and it does temporarily. I just need any help you guys can give. I am just sort of tired keeping this all to myself.
KristEE
@Mich and my own thoughts
on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:53 pm
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Yeah, that's something I have heard, too. It really helps :)

Another thing to think about is, "Would Jesus want me to look at that revealing poster?" "Would Jesus be happy with how I'm dressed today?" etc.

Yes, it's a bit cheesy, but everything we get oursleves involved with involves our God.
Lisa M.
Trivial sin
on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 2:01 am
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Our church had a series of messages on "Grace" and that when we sin we have grace from God and he forgives us. But this series of teachings taught us a new spin on it that I had never even thought of. That we can go before the throne of grace BEFORE we sin and ask God to help us not sin!! How simple right? Yet we dont think about or do it! Try it girls and guys, it works;)
kiana
So cool!!!!
on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 1:46 pm
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Debra, that's so cool. Cause I'm ho, homeschooled too!!!!! Awesome!!!! I love that i cant work in between school. It's so much fun!!! May God bless you in many ways.


Yeah so true. I mean i have so much trouble with that kind of stuff. Especially right now. like I want to be like everyone else, in the way they dress and talk ect.... But thank the Lord He is always there for me. :)
The_Good_Miss_Lollipop
mary
on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 2:27 pm
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Please don't feel guilty about this. You can't control what you dream about.

It's very normal to have sexual dreams. It doesn't mean you're a lesbian or a pervert. After all, it's not like you're actually doing these things in real life. Sex dreams are natural.

However, I understand how horrifying it is to dream about your own dad. Continue to pray and ask God to take these dreams away forever. You may grow out of them too.

Remember, this is not your fault, and you are not a bad person. <33 I'll pray for you.
Amanda
Help and Prayer Needed!!
on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 4:51 pm
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I have been a christian for about 6 years now and at this point in my life i am no where near who i need to be as a christian. I have a sin that i am so ashamed of that i never wanted to tell anyone....I believe that god puts people in your path that will help you with your troubles and i believe that i can bring up what i have been going through with yall.

I have fallen into the world and have had sexual impurity. I am a virgin but i watch bad movies and porn at times. I know that the devil is at work and i am doing nothing to stop it. I want to change and i know i can through god's grace. I don't know if anyone has ever been through what i am going through and i am probably the only one. But i really need help and prayers because my heart has been damaged and broken in this. This sin is taking my heart away from god and I want to be closer to him not farther from him. I would love it if someone could help me with this
nATALIE
mary
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 12:18 am
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I guess I'm releaved to inquire that other girls feel as you, and I do. I DISLIKE those horrid dreams so much. that happened to me all the time 2 years ago about 3 months ago I just prayed and prayed for god to just erase those horrifying thoughts that I developed in my sleep. god bless u
nATALIE
Waiting
Uhhhhh??????????
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 5:18 am
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The_Good_Miss_Lollipop responded to Mary saying "It's very normal to have sexual dreams... After all, it's not like your actually doing these things in real life. Sex dreams are natural."

Are they? Or is that sin inflltrating our minds... While we sleep? Like I don't think that's what God really wants us to be focused on... But like I have random occasional ones.. I don't really feel guilty because it's stuff like holding hands, or like a first kiss, and like I'm not obsessed about always having those dreams... But I don't think they are natural because I don't think God wants us focused on that. How would u explain it?
Heidi
Mary
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 10:27 am
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I will pray for you, too. Please don't beat yourself up about it. Obviously you aren't trying to dream those dreams. Please don't give up on praying!!
Miss
Re: Mary
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 5:27 pm
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Have you considered that spiritual warfare could be a big factor in causing your dreams? I have a very good Christian friend that dreams that she's been left behind and that God didn't keep His word and take her to Heaven when the Rapture happens or she'll dream other nightmares like that. She and I both pray for her that God will give her a restful night of sleep and keep the evil dreams away. It really helps in her case. I would specifically pray that God would keep those dreams away each night before you go to bed. Also, is there anything in your home that would not be pleasing to God? Go thru it and see if there is anything there or in your life that could allow Satan to gain a foothold. Ask God to show you why these dreams are happening. Or you could ask your parents to pray with you before you go to bed each night that God would keep bad dreams away. It may help to go to sleep listening to Bible verses. I know how you feel, cause I've had bad dreams before that seriously would upset my spirit for the rest of the day. Praying for you!
Molly
to Mary
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 6:33 pm
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Dear Lord,
Please help Mary with this. Comfort her and fill her life so fully that she dreams of you instead. Remove her guilt and give her triumph.

Mary, if your thoughts in the day are sexual, they are more likely to be in your dreams. I struggle with lust and I know how discouraging it is. Remember, God is so forgiving. There is no sin that is not common to man and there is nothing God can't forgive.
Amanda Libby
HEY, Debra!
on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 6:50 pm
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LOVED THIS POST! Filled with good truth and Scriptures + HOPE! AMEN.
Rae L.
to Mary
on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 2:52 pm
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Hey Mary!

I used to have dreams about kissing and sex and even lesbian dreams too. I have gotten over it though. The only time it comes back is it I think about it while I am awake. Are you thinking about those things too much while you are awake? Not that you can't think about them, it is totally normal to do so, but don't obsess with them and DON'T think about them right before bed. That's a big thing, try not to think about them before bed.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

That verse in in Philippians, and it was very helpful for me to stop having these dreams and to stop over thinking about these things in the day.

Hope this helps!
In Christ,
Rachel

ps- I will pray for you!
Debra
Mary
on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 9:13 pm
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Mary,
Although I can't say I identify with you because I've not had dreams like that, I do know that you have to first put stuff in your mind before it can come out. If I were you I would be very careful what movies and tv I watch, books I read, subjects I talk about, and stuff I think about. Eliminate anything even remotely questionable. (Proverbs 4:23) The Bible says, The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fill his heart Luke 6:45.

No you can't control what you dream about, but you can control what goes in your mind. If it isn't in your mind it can't come out (even in a dream).

I think it is a big deal because in Matthew 5:27 & 28 it talks about how if a man even has lusts for a woman they have commited adultery. (You can change the genders to fit your situation) Lusts are sexual thoughts. If you are having sexual dreams, could it be that you are having sexual thoughts? Which are a sin.

Renew you mind and memorize verses that aply to your situation.

Tell your mom, or pasters wife, or a girl youth leader and get christian counseling.

I hope this helps and I will be praying for you Mary. Please keep us updated on how it is going. LOVE in CHRIST!!! Debra
Heather (Svan)
Re:
on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 11:15 pm
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@Mary: I've said a prayer for you. I just want you to know that I've been dealing with sexual dreams, too. We can't control what happens in our dreams, but we can control what media we take in which will affect our thinking, and, by extension, our dreams. Sarah from LYWB gave me the advice to watch what movies, books, and any other media I am taking in, watch who I associate with, and basically everything that my heart meditates on. She said to find a verse that I can't switch my mind to whenever I have a sexual thought. You should do the same. I'll keep you in my prayers<333 *hugs*
The_Good_Miss_Lollipop
Mary
on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 11:51 pm
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Do you know how many nice Christian teens are ruined with guilt over this? An ethical life is not an asexual life. How can she be focused on sin when she's ASLEEP?!

Sometimes I think a lot about lust during the day and when I dream, it's about zombies or something totally chaste. So dreams aren't something easy to pin down, for each person it's different.

Mary, please talk to an adult (such as your pastor or a therapist) who you really trust. Continue to pray, God loves you!
Rae L.
to Waiting
on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 4:22 pm
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I know I'm not the person you wrote about explaining how sex dreams aren't a sin, but since I think it's normal too, I figured I would respond.

Think of it this way: pain in childbirth is natural, but it wasn't the way God designed it. It was given as punishment. Maybe (I am not an expert, but this is my opinion) sex dreams are something like that too. Not a punishment, but a result of a sin filled world. We can't totally control it so we shouldn't worry about it. I have heard that sex dreams are common for preteens and teens, and it is supposedly because of the raging hormones that people at that age have. It is normal because of that. God may not have designed us to have raging hormones, but because our bodies are no longer perfect because of sin, we do, and sex dreams are one of the results.

I hope I might have clarified things for you, I will be praying for you and Mary.

Rae L.
Molly
Re:
on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm
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Amanda, I'm totally praying for you. Listen, the Bible says we are never faced with sin not common to mankind. You're not weird, just a sinner like EVERYBODY else.
Last Edit: on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:35pm by cgaul  
Meredith
Strongholds and sin
on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 12:07 pm
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To Mary and Amanda:
The first step is admitting that you are conscious of your sin. Realizing that this is a stronhold (2 Cor 10) is essential to recovery. Enlisting the help of others is really important after you confess... listen to or read Nancy Leigh's Revive Our Hearts for today (7/5) and you'll understand how important your mom can be if you'll take the step to share with her.
I just spilled one of my deepest, darkest secrets to my mom on Sunday. It's something that is not in the Bible specifically, and no doctor would diagnose me as having a problem. But it was controlling my life and interrupting my fellowship with God and others. I call that an idol. If you recognize you have idols and strongholds in your life, I encourage you to enlist help. You've realized your need and shared so openly with us online... no matter how hard it is I'm praying that you'll have the courage to speak to someone in your life. Secrets cannot exist or take hold of us when someone else is in the know.
Just remember that, as a lot of the girls have stated, there is no temptation taken you which is common to man. I know that the things you and I struggle with are not unusual. The freedom that comes from coming clean is unmatched. You have been saved from so much, and you shouldn't let your initial salvation be the end-all, be-all. God has saved us from every sin, and we received forgiveness when we accepted Him. But He wants to make us wholly pure and clean, and to keep drawing us back to the cross. My pastor spoke on Sunday about freedom and He asked "What are you doing with your freedom?" Christ has made us free, and we are free indeed. Let's continue to let Him free us from our issues and mistakes.

loving you girls and praying hard for you...both in my thoughts and in my intentional prayers.

(As an aside, there are two Tenth Avenue North songs that may be encouraging. "Healing Begins" and "You Are More" Watch the music video to the second one if you can, because it packs a real punch. Christ wants you to be free, and to live weightless lives.)
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Mary and Rae L.
on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 4:42 pm
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2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says that we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. A wrong thought itself is not sin; it becomes sin when we choose to dwell on it. Failing to take our thoughts captive can lead us down a very slippery slope. Scripture tells us, however, that whenever we are tempted God has promised to provide a way of escape for us (1 Cor. 10:13).

Taking our thoughts captive during waking hours requires we practice what one author calls “threshold thinking”. This means that every thought that crosses the threshold of our mind must be examined in light of God’s Truth. If the thought is in line with God’s Word – then we may think on it; if it is not, then we must choose to dismiss it from our minds. As we refuse to dwell or “entertain” a wrong thought, you must also quickly replace that thought with God’s Truth – with thoughts that are true, honorable, and pure ( Phil. 4:8).

As you actively engage in this battle to renew your mind in the truth of God’s Word you should also experience a decreasing occurrence of dreams that are impure. You must remember, however, that the enemy has no desire for you to gain or maintain freedom in this area; he seeks to destroy in whatever manner he can. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

Here are several steps that will help guard against the enemy’s while you sleep.
• Ask the Lord to show you if there are any areas where you have given ground to the enemy sexually – either physically or mentally. Repent of any sin that He reveals and ask Him to reclaim the ground that you have surrendered as a result of that sin. Begin memorizing passages of Scripture that will serve as a shield against future attacks of the enemy. Romans 6 would be a great place to start.
• Guard against watching or reading anything that is immoral or questionable. Images and thoughts implanted in our minds become fuel for our flesh and the enemy.
• Spend time praying each evening before you go to bed. Ask the Lord to place a hedge of protection about your mind as you sleep.
• Let your last thoughts of the day be focused on praise and worship of the Lord. You may even want to go to sleep quoting scripture or listening to praise music
• If you awake from an immoral dream, simply acknowledge the dream and your desire to be free from such immorality to the Lord. Then use that “temptation” as a springboard for specific prayer. Choose a “prayer target” such as an unsaved loved one or friend. Begin praying for that individual every time you are plagued by an immoral dream. If the enemy is responsible for tormenting you while you sleep, he will grow weary of you using his “arrow of destruction” as a call to prayer.
• Acknowledge your struggle to your mom and ask her to pray for you. Exposing that which lies in the darkness to the light of truth breaks the power of sin that desires to take root in our hearts.

Praying for you tonight, girls! Keep pressing on… keep praying! Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me (Ps. 55:17-18).
Last Edit: on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 4:44pm by cgaul  
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Re:
on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 8:29 pm
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Amanda,

I’m so thankful for your honesty! And I’m so proud of you for taking that initial, important step in overcoming this addiction by being open and transparent here on the blog.

I want you to know two things, Amanda. First, you are not alone! In the True Woman Blog No longer just a " guy’s struggle" Erin and Dannah Gresh share that 1 out of 6 women in 2003 ( including Christian women) were addicted to porn. The enemy that seeks to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) has ensnared far too many women in this destructive habit.

Second, there is forgiveness and hope, dear friend! You do not have to live in bondage to porn. John 10:10 also says that Jesus died so that those who have a personal relationship with Him can live a life of abundant freedom! If you are a Christ-follower sin no longer has power over you (Rom. 6:6-7).

Your journey toward freedom begins as you confess your sins (1 John 1:9) to the Lover of your soul who has promised to never condemn you ( Rom. 8:1) nor forsake you( Rom. 8: 37-39). Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ, Amanda. He is, even tonight, pursuing you and desires to set you free from this bondage (Is. 30:18-19).

After confessing your sin to God, you must then take the next step and confess your struggle to your mom or another older, godly woman – perhaps your pastor or youth pastor’s wife. I know this can seem terribly frightening. But the Lord works in the lives of those who will be H.O.T. – honest, open and transparent - with more mature believers who can pray for you and help you in this journey. You will never maintain freedom apart from this step, Amanda! Bringing that which lies in the darkness into the light helps to breaks the “power” of sin.

Will you make that call this week, Amanda? Know that I am praying for you!
"In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength (Is. 30:15)."
Rae L.
re Carrie and the LYWB team
on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 10:26 pm
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I already DID tell my mom about it years ago, and I am over the sex dream thing. I had to really take the verse I mentioned above to heart, Phillipians 4:8 in order to do that. A few other things too, but mostly that.

However, I will still keep your response in mind, since my thought life isn't and never will be perfect. Thanks for caring!
Carrie, with the LYWB team
Rae L.
on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:03 am
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So thankful for what God has done in your life! His Word really does transform our thinking! You’re so right, the battle for our mind is daily… sometimes minute by minute!

Thanks for sharing your story, Rae L. and for the reminder that we must constantly be engaged in the battle to take our thoughts captive!
Janine
HELP!
on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm
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I'm still struggling with daydreaming about getting married & having sex :'( Anyway, I've been reading the comments and thanks for reminding that we all need to take our thoughts captive instead of letting our thoughts make us captive!
J
Fallen World :(
on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 8:31 pm
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Living in a fallen world stinks a lot. Especialy when your school makes you study things you really don't want to. Like my Honors English teacher hads us doing a summer book report on The Kite Runner. It's deffinantly not much of a kid's book at all.I don't want to read it, and I'vetryed asking for an alternate book to read, but the teacher never got back to me, and we have a test and the the first chunk of the lesson plan is based on this book. I can't just fail the class or drop out. It's worth college credits, and even if I did drop out, I would still have to take an English 12 class that will most likely have the same kind of books. I know because they have in the past. But mostly because if I even CONSIDERED or HINTED the idea of dropping out of this class, my Mom and step dad would (no joke) blow up at me and possibly never forgive me because they would think I was doing it to please my dad, which is like a capital offense to them. On the other hand, my dad would acuse me of not being a real christian for reading the book.He does it all the time. (one time I asked a simple question about christian living, if it was wrong for unbeleivers to like you at all even if they did know you where a christian. And he told me that if I where REALLY a born again christian, I would have known the answer. I went to bed in tears that night. ) So I'm pretty stumped whether or not to treat this school work like the "evolution" section in science where you answer the questions just for the sake of a decent grade but you don't really agree with it. To me it feels like a loose-loose situation no matter if I continue the assighnment of not.
Brenda
Re: Mary & Natalie and everybody
on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 9:38 pm
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Mary my hearts cry it that you will have victory over these dreams! I think we all have this stuggle to some extent but I think I'm in the same place you are!! I'll pray for you! And id like to ask you to pray for me too!! I feel guilty after i have thoughts and dreams like that, even though i am a virgin! Its tough but through God all things are possible! I'm praying for all you girls!
tricked
PLEASE TELLL ME ITS NOT TRUE
on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 9:00 am
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hi everyone, i was just wondering how God works, i was a virgin up until i was 18. i had a long distance relationship with this LONG TIME family friend, who was not a faithful christian. every summer i would go to visit him. we both decided that we were going to wait until we were married before becoming sexualy involved. but one summer, we both failed. it started way before the summer with text messages and phone conversations. and then it led to extremely inappropriate video chat sessions. fineally one summer it happened. anyway, i was wondering if i will ever have a happy marriage with him since we HORRIBLY SINNED sexualy before marriage. he is now a christian, but is fairly new to it. and when ever i talk to him about God, hes somewhat timid, and uncomfortable seeming. but he knows more than i expect him to know. i must say, i have seen a pretty decent change in him and in our relationship as far as sexually. neither one of us have any type of sexual conversations, we dont send inappropriate text messages, phone conversations, and when ever we video chat which is VERY often, we are ALWAYS appropriate. so again i ask, do you think God has worked on us, or is it satans tricks again
Bri
Re: Mary
on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm
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Some other things you can do to help stop having sensual dreams are:
1. Be very careful what movies you watch. Avoid anything with any sexual content. No making out, no long hugs, no kissing. No romance period, not even Jane Austen.
2. Don't listen to music that talks about sex.
3. Don't read romance books. Even "Christian" romance books can have the, "He leaned in close and kissed her passionately" + descriptions beyond what I want to take time to type right now. And they can cause you to think wrongly.
4. Don’t let your mind dwell on those things during the day. I once had a dream that was along those lines, and it was a huge wake-up call. You see the Holy Spirit had been convicting me about my thought life for a long time; it wasn't that it was all that bad, but it wasn't what I should be thinking about. Anyway, I had kinda been like, "yeah I know, but there are so many other things I'm working on and trying to do better at I'll get to that later. Besides, it makes me feel good." So, I stopped letting those thoughts continue in my mind and I haven't had a problem since.
Rae L.
to J
on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 9:01 pm
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I feel SO bad for you. You seem to be a young Christian who desperately wants the truth, but can't get it from those around you. Let me assure you, that God will help those who cry out to Him. Please keep reading your Bible and praying for answers, He will answer you. And don't believe what your dad said about if you were a real Christian you would know the answer. We are all at different walks in our christian walk, and it is ok if you don't know the answer to something. You are still growing! We all are. :)
As far as what to do, I am not totally positive. Keep praying for the answer. One thing that came to my mind was how Jesus told someone or a group (I honestly can't remember who) to keep paying taxes to the government, even those taxes are sometimes used to ungodly purposes. We are to be a good testimony no matter what. Also, Daniel respectfully asked if he could not eat the food he was commanded to eat. You seem to have done the same with your test, but with different results. I'm not sure what the right thing to do is, so I don't feel comfortable suggesting something, but consider these examples and keep praying. God sees your heart and your thoughts, and will ALWAYS forgive you if you mess up!

With love,
Rae L.
Lorree, with the LYWB team
re: J
on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 12:30 pm
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I’m so sorry you are struggling with completing your English class assignment. It sounds like you did what you could to have the opportunity to read a different book, but it didn’t work out. You can choose to do this assignment in a way that honors the Lord. He says we are to submit to the authorities in our lives just as we would submit to Christ (Eph. 6:5-7). You can tell the Lord that you really don’t want to read this book, but you will choose to do it out of love and obedience to Him. You can ask the Lord to teach you something through this book – that it wouldn’t be a waste of your time, but that you would learn something about the Afghan culture that you might be able to use in the future. You don’t necessarily have to agree with the book, but you can still learn something.

Although you may not want to do this assignment, J, you can choose to honor God with your heart attitude as you read the book and do your best for Him in the assignment. In the end, the Lord will hold each of us accountable for our thoughts, our words, and our actions. His grace is available and sufficient for everything that He allows in our lives (2 Cor. 12:9-10). We need to seek to please the Lord in everything we do. There are some really good verses in Colossians 3:22-24: “Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

As you do this assignment, J, do it for Jesus – not for your parents, but do it with an attitude that would honor and please our Father in heaven. Praying for you, J!

Serving Him,
Lorree
Lorree, with the LYWB team
re: Tricked
on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 5:02 pm
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It sounds as if God is doing a mighty work in your lives. But, because you have been sexually active in the past, this will always be a weakness in your lives until, if God be willing, you marry. Because of that it will be important to keep some guards in place so that you do not fall into that sin again. It would be good if you would share this with an adult so they can help you to maintain purity in your relationship going forward. Bringing your sin out into the open has the ability to remove the power that is held over you by keeping it secret. When someone else knows about our sins, they can encourage us, pray for us, and hold us accountable to walking a life of purity.

You and your boyfriend need to talk openly about how to protect yourselves in this area. Look back and see where the temptations began and covenant to not go there again. It may be that you need to limit the times you are together to group activities. You may also need to instill some boundaries as far as physical contact – touching, holding hands, kissing, etc. It sounds as if you are already limiting your texting and guarding your conversations and that is very good!!! As long as the two of you are coming at this from the same direction with the goal of honoring God in your relationship going forth, you can find victory. Keeping God at the center of your relationship is the key!

Can you be happily married to him? God has the ability to redeem our lives and to work good out of all the bad we do (Rom. 8:28). As you keep God at the center of your lives, He can bring you happiness and restore all the loss that you experienced because of your sins. From today forward, covenant with God to live a life of purity with this young man and to honor Him in all areas of your life (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

I’ve prayed for you today, friend, and have asked the Lord to continue to strengthen you and give you the power and desire to do the right thing in your relationship with this young man. God gives us everything we need to live godly lives (1 Pet.1:3). Stay in the Word, Friend! It is our most powerful weapon for the battles we are in!

Serving Him,
Lorree
Chloe
Thanks
on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 7:03 pm
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I'm 15 too, and let me say right now that it so encouraging to hear someone our age who has a good, firm sense about the Bible. I only have two friends who have this good of an understanding of the Bible. I really appreciate it
Mason
Re: Mary
on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 2:12 am
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Mary,
First lets get one thing straight for everyone. You can control your dreams. Not specifically, but yes in theory, and in general you can. Your dreams are a compilation of what you did, saw, or thought of during the day. Your body, when deciding what goes into long or short term memory, turns it into a story. Hard to believe there's not a God when you here that huh?! So really you can control what you dream, by controlling what you are exposed to. If sex is something that you think about often, maybe that is why. Maybe a girl you know was thrown in simply because you texted her that day, and your Dad, well you see him all the time! Or maybe it could be simply what this post is all about! Our generation is exposed to sexuality nearly every day of our lives. Just know that your dreams, don't make you a bad person. I know better than anyone how difficult it is to overcome any obstacle all by yourself, so I would reccomend Just keep praying to God about it. Ask him to help you be mindful of what you expose yourself to and maybe what your own thoughts are. Just hold his hand every step of the way. I will be praying for you!