Why this story? As youths we're obviously vibrant and we have the strength and capacity to make things happen. When Things don't happen our way we lose focus thereby turning to check at who seems to be succeeding. At that point of crises we are eager to get out of it and push forward. If you observe that story critically, you'll observe; that is when satan showed up.

Take a look at every temptation you have ever been through. Yielding doesn't occur automatically, rather you yield when some need or want is aroused in you. Suddenly you discover - "this is the solution!"- whether good or bad is non of your business as long as the problem is solved. Satan being subtle will definitely jump in. He had set the stage from afar and was looking for the right time to jump in. And he did! What are the consequences: Regret, depression, unhappiness, bondage to an addiction, inner sadness and even attempts of suicide etc.

Mama looked at a dead tree and cried "God if you want that tree to live again it will live...............' that was faith. Unyielding faith despite the uncertainty, despite the negative result. She had scriptures she held on to, she had hymns that encouraged her and she cried to God. And what did God do, He first of all gave her strength why because she hoped in GOD. Strength is needed for success. Apostle Paul did shed more light on this strength. He writing to the Ephesians prayed thus:"

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his SPIRIT in the inner man. " Ephesians 3:16.

And what did strength do for her, it produced perseverance. If your faith is gone perseverance will never see the light of the day. What did perseverance produce Romans 5:3-5 says

" character, and character, hope. And hope does not DISAPPOINT us" Why "because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy spirit, whom he has given us."

Bingo there was a miracle and satan's temptation disappeared. This is how she waited or hoped in God.

The solution to temptation is found in God. Sexual needs emotional needs etc is found in God. What your manufacturer has not prescribed for you isn't good for you. Therefore let your hope be hinged in God. Quench every temptation of the devil with God's word. And just as the scriptures has promised God will not disappoint. When next temptation comes simply declare : IT IS WRITTEN. But you need to know the bible in order to declare the right- "it is written". Turn to find God in your Bible today and obey what you read then overcoming temptation will be a child's play. For in the bible you will find the truth that quenches every ungodly desire. Mama held on to it- even when She kept miscarrying .  When she remembered Hannah, not to talk of old Sarah, these stories served as  memorial stones  helping her to hold on tight to God. A guy or a girl makes ungodly advances at you,  What do you do? . You are in tight corner and there seems to be no way out but death or disgrace and shame. You are not the first to face these things, Joseph was faced Potipher's wife , Shedrack Meshack and Abednego were faced with a furnace. But they looked beyond the circumstances and the shame- they knew God will forgive if they compromise but they would have sold their future for sex, addiction , and compromise . These stories in the bible energizes us to stand in this immoral world, knowing fully well; God will reward every deed. If you sow righteousness, you reap peace, wealth, prosperity and long life. But if you sow unrighteousness, you will reap regret, rejection, depression, and eventually death. Why crave for the acceptance of the world when God is crying "

Behold I stand at the door and Knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in and dine with him" .
revelations 3: 20( I am paraphrasing NIV)

Jesus is waiting for you by the Bible. There is temptation in the world but not in the bible. I'll wrap up this devotional with a piece of advice apostle Paul gave to the Ephesian elders as he was about to leave them. He says

" I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you and grant you an inheritance among the saints." Acts 20:32(paraphrased (Niv). Read the bible today.  God Bless you.

Prayer: Heavenly father, I receive grace to dwell in your word today. Let the reality of your word be made manifest in my life. I chose to follow you today. Make me as I obey you to overcome every temptation fired against me, in Jesus Mighty Name I pray.

One of the basic problems I faced as teen was peer pressure. I overcame a lot of vices by not indulging in them-however I felt odd. I don't know if you feel that way as well. Especially if you are a born again Christian. You feel castrated from your peers, You are counted as nothing, nobody cares if you exist. Most times you find yourself forcing yourself on your peers just to gain acceptance. If you are rejected, then your world goes crumbling down the tube of life. Most times you feel depressed. And worst of all if you have no sibling or like me, you are the only boy or girl in the midst of the opposite sex-Wow-I better not go into that. But if you are not strong in Christ you'll have no option than to cave in.

I came to realize; ignorance is a disease. Especially ignorance of God's words. In some few years to come you'll discover; your teen role models made the biggest mistakes of their lives. If you had followed suite your fate wouldn't have been different.

How then can you overcome peer pressure? I will give you three ways to overcoming this dreaded disease.

(1) Have it at the back of your mind that you are unique. You have a unique destiny and no other person can be you. God speaking from our text declared, "Before you were born I set you apart....".Why? This is the question you should ask yourself. No one whoever stamped his/her foot on planet earth is a mistake. Every one of them have a unique purpose destined by God on the surface of the earth. And same is applicable to you.

(2) You are not of this world. John 3:31 declares "The one who comes from above is above all; The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth , and speaks as one from the earth. The one who is from heaven is above all." and A a born again Christian it is not your duty to seek acceptance because the world has no part in you. Rather you are to shine with the joy and beauty of the lord. You are the mountain of the lord and the bible in Micah 4: 1 declares that the mountain will be lifted above the hills and nations will troupe to it. So be yourself be free from  the bondage of peer pressure in Jesus Name.

(3) Finally, Make The Bible your friend. As teens I know our best friends aside human beings are television, video game, magazines etc. It's not bad as long as you are reading the right thing. But Non of these things will uplift your spirit and draw you closer to God. Non of them will give you divine inspiration in the days of trouble. Its is only God's Inspired word that will keep you going. Besides, If you practice what you read, I guarantee your life will never remain the same again. peer pressure will be a thing of the past rather, The Holy Ghost through you will affect men.

I admonish you not to fail God, But to discover his purpose for your life. Understand why He took the trouble of setting you apart. Once your mind is focused on this, Then peer pressure will cease it's existence in your life

Idongesit Williams Is the Moderator of Idysmart devotional center.

http://idysmart.tripod.com

Let me start by wishing you a happy new year. Last year was a year of fulfillment and this year will be a year of greater fulfillment in Jesus name. I want to thank God and you- for your patience during our trying period. I am glad we are back on track doing what God wants us to do. While reactivating the website, God dropped this message in my Spirit, "The power of forgiveness". I don't know whom God is targeting, but I believe it will bless us all.

Alright, a warrior isn't a man who flings his weapon any how in the battle field, rather a warrior is a man or woman who commits havoc in the battle field and returns alive. He lives by wisdom, trading on the ignorance of his opponent-to his own advantage. He marches in like the Roman generals of old. Some people will frown at my calling satan a warrior. But whether you like it or not, that is true. He continuously lures men away from the essence of spiritual battles- only to strike when you are out of God's presence. But thank God for his mercies........

One of the various ways satan defeats us is by setting up a misunderstanding. he does it in such a way that members of the opposing sides retire with deflated egos and bruised spirits. Once our spirit is bruised by an individual, it is often difficult to relate well with that individual. Suddenly your prayer life goes down the drain, your quiet time gradually disappears. Yes you were right and the other man was wrong. It might be either true or false, but the bottom line is where are you heading to. Often we are blind to that part of the deal.

Thank God for Jesus, he took the lid off the pot with our text. Satan knew God will never forgive you if you don't forgive, so he sets you up. He knows your prayers will not be answered, He knows what  Isaiah 51:1-2 says  and  I quote:  " Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. "  Can you see the trick?

I was a serious victim of unforgiveness until I tried otherwise. Today by God's grace I have recorded so many victories. This is what changed my life. 1996, was the year I attended a remedial programme that ushered me into the university. Once we were in a lecture laboratory, there were about a 300 or 400 students jam packed in this inadequate laboratory. I believe it was meant for 100 students. The fans were running but ventilation was poor due to human blockage of air. I located a place near the window. I couldn't get much air but the little I received was better than nothing. Suddenly someone came and blocked the space. He too was struggling for a space and had no place to sit. My sweat started dripping  - I became uncomfortable. Politely, I begged him to help me gain access to the small space. he suddenly picked offence. So I gave up. Maybe I was selfish. But soon after he left and I forgot about the incident. Guess what?  who was the first person that greeted me the following morning- it was this guy. I was shocked but I learnt my lessons.

I have gone through worse scenarios. People have told lies about me, called me names that are unimaginable, curse me and even tried to pick fights. These are painful and mind disturbing scenarios. I wouldn't mention incidents that occur at home. But the greatest lesson I have ever learnt is; Forgiveness lifts you higher than your aggressor. It is a Spiritual weapon 2nd Corinthian 10: 4 declares "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty THROUGH God to the PULLING DOWN of strongholds." (kjv) Most friends I have were on the wrong side of the terrain. But forgiveness brought them over.

Listen friend, it is time to let go and let every man be. We all have pungent parts of our lives. Most of us, it is God's divine grace that leads people to us. Once you recognize you are not better than others, God's sympathy will lead you to forgive. Once you know that God forgives every sin confessed, but most at times you find yourself doing it again and again and he keeps forgiving, you'll forgive. If you had a friend who's weak point is to trample on your toes every time you walk together, would you throw that friend away? Most likely yes, but God has not done that. he only advices us to Judge ourselves. Matt 7: 1-2 says so and I quote: " Do not Judge or you too will be judged, for in the same way you judge others, you will be Judged......." Verse 3-5 declares: " Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye"

Friends, there is power in forgiveness. The ultimate source of power is God's throne. Unforgiveness bars that access. This other side of the coin as we have all seen is obviously dangerous. You can't bind satan when you are in his camp. You can't call God Father when you resemble satan in your actions. And you will never have peace when you live an unforgiving life.

The chastisement of our peace was upon Jesus, so says Isaiah 53: 5. Jesus paid the price for your peace. unforgiveness steals it away. Jesus loves you very dearly and he left us  with a command which says: A new command I give you: love one another. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, so you MUST LOVE one another. Don't allow satan break your fellowship with God. You can forgive and forget if only you rely on God today. If you are holding a grudge against anyone in your heart, forgive now, let go, send the person a nice message. God is speaking to someone out there. Don't cry, I know the word of God has touched you. What he/she did was so terrible and unthinkable, but the only way restoration will come is by forgiveness. Save  your soul, restore fellowship with God. Your wife /husband , son, daughter will come home as you keep sending the overtures of forgiveness and love.

Prayer: Father in the name of Jesus, I have sinned against heaven and you. I have allowed the devil to steal y joy, peace and happiness. I was badly hurt by ( name the person/persons). today I let them go. I love them, I forgive them, I chose to forget the past. Forgive me lord Jesus. In Jesus name.

If you are not born again, you need God's forgiveness. You can't access God's throne if you aren't forgiven- if you are still living in sin. Pray now; Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, I come to you just as I am. forgive me of my sins, wash me clean by your blood, I believe Jesus died for me and I believe He is Lord. Come into my life, fill me with your Spirit. In Jesus Name.

Friends give that your friend a call, a text message and tell them you have forgiven them. Don't bother about their reaction. The Most important thing is letting them know they are forgiven by you. If you have just prayed the last prayer, Locate a Bible believing church close to you fellowship with them. I am believing God for a time we a the idysmart devotional center will have resources for you. We will get there soon. Once again welcome to the year of uncommon miracles.