by Stan Mitchell

"A man who commits adultery lacks judgement; whoever does so destroys himself" (Proverbs 6:32).

A mother and her young son returned from the grocery store and began putting the groceries up. The boy took the packet of Animal Crackers, opened them up, and began to lay each animal out on the table. "What are you doing," his mother asked.

"The box says you can't eat these crackers until the seal is broken," the little boy replied. "I'm looking for the seal."

Here is a message especially for our young people. There are some things that should never be opened until the time is right. One of those is indulging in sex before marriage. God created humans with a desire that is strong, natural, and wonderful, if it is enjoyed in the correct relationship, the one where the act of sex is accompanied by the proper amount of commitment and love.

In our society there are many, many young people who wish to posses the privilege of sex without the responsibility of marriage. The wise man urges us not to "lust in our heart after" the beauty of the wayward woman (Proverbs 6:26). He warns us that if we "scoop fire into" our laps we will get burned (Proverbs 6:27). Sex is God's gift to the married couple; sex is the married couple's gift to each other. It is designed to be an expression of love that is uniquely shared with no one else!

But when we tamper with the seal, when we open it before its time, we have cheapened something wonderful and God-given. It is tarnished, diminished.

Young people, don't you want to offer that very special gift to your beloved at marriage? Don't you, deep down, want to offer that to the love of your life? Don't tamper with the seal until the right time!

by Barry Newton

A few minutes earlier, the crowd inside the house had marveled and wondered at a man called Jesus.\1 A blind and mute man had been brought before Jesus. Now they too had witnessed what so many others had claimed. Jesus had power to instantly heal. What could this possibly mean? Searching for comprehension, someone had mused aloud, "This man can not be the Son of David, can he?" Soon others had picked up the chorus as the question ricocheted throughout the crowd.

The Pharisees had cut short such Messianic speculation by ascribing Jesus' power to the prince of demons. Jesus retorted that Satan's rule could not stand if it worked against itself. But the scribes and Pharisees were not finished yet. They challenged Jesus to produce a sign.

What would Jesus do? Already he had healed the mute and blind. What sign could he possibly give them now? Would they believe in him if he did produce a sign?

Throughout his ministry, Jesus provided many reasons why people should accept his message and claims. And to the religious leaders who called upon him for a sign, he said they would only be given the sign of Jonah.\2 And what a powerful sign it was! Jesus predicted the length of time he would be in the grave before his resurrection! Three days and nights and then, good-bye grave.

In what Jesus called "the sign of Jonah," we discover the supreme sign of the Father's vindication of his Son. With his resurrection, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power.\3

Can I trust what Jesus taught? Look at the empty tomb. Is Jesus really the Son of God? Remember the resurrection. Can I really believe that heaven is prepared for those who love God? For those who are open to trusting in Jesus provided they are given a good reason, Jesus pointed to his resurrection from the dead.

1/ Matthew 12:23,46 2/ Matthew 12:39-40 3/ Romans 1:4