"Look at this odd plant," called Kelly as he and his fellow campers made their way around the swamp.
"Hm-m-m," murmured Mr. Pete, the counselor. "That's called a pitcher plant! It's one of North America's most interesting insect-eating plants."
"What are all those flies doing down in there?" asked one of the boys as they crowded around and peered into a cluster of leaves.
"That plant has caught them for food," explained Mr. Pete. "It has a substance-kind of like nectar-that attracts insects. They easily enter the opening at the top of the leaves, but the sides are slippery and have thousands of tiny hairs that all point downward, and the flies and bugs can't get back out."
"So they drown in that pool at the bottom, I guess," remarked Kelly. "Those flies thought they were getting something good, but instead they got caught."
"That's right," said Mr. Pete. "The nectar that draws insects to their doom reminds me of how narcotics, or drugs, pull so many young people down. They think they're getting something good, but instead they get caught and become addicted to drugs."
Kelly looked thoughtful. "A kid gave my brother free samples of drugs, so he tried them," he said. "Before Jon knew it, he was hooked pretty bad."
"What happened then?" asked one of the boys.
"Mom and Dad sent him to a drug rehabilitation center. He's there now, and I can't even send him a bag of potato chips or cheese curls because the people are afraid someone might try to sneak him some drugs that way," explained Kelly. He shook his head. "I'm never going to try drugs," he declared. "Not even for free."
"I hope and pray you won't," said Mr. Pete. "It's a very foolish thing to do."
"My dad says alcohol is a kind of drug, too," said one of the boys.
"I agree," said Mr. Pete. "Sometimes it's hard to say no when someone wants us to join in an activity, but God urges us to 'come boldly' to Him for help. Ask Him each day to keep you from ever acting like those foolish flies by giving in to the temptation to try any kind of drug-other than what doctors prescribe for you, of course." As he spoke, they heard a buzzing sound. A fly was circling the pitcher plant, drawing a little closer with each pass.
MEMORY VERSE: The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 2 Peter 2:9
HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you attracted by the world's drug culture? By its music? Its way of dressing? The fun some kids using drugs seem to have? Don't be foolish. Keep your distance! The closer you get, the harder it is to turn away. Choose to spend time with kids who hold the same values you do and want to avoid dangerous habits. Ask the Lord daily to keep you safe from the evil influence of anyone involved with drugs. With God's help, say no if drugs are offered to you.
THE KEY: Say no to drugs
"Hm-m-m," murmured Mr. Pete, the counselor. "That's called a pitcher plant! It's one of North America's most interesting insect-eating plants."
"What are all those flies doing down in there?" asked one of the boys as they crowded around and peered into a cluster of leaves.
"That plant has caught them for food," explained Mr. Pete. "It has a substance-kind of like nectar-that attracts insects. They easily enter the opening at the top of the leaves, but the sides are slippery and have thousands of tiny hairs that all point downward, and the flies and bugs can't get back out."
"So they drown in that pool at the bottom, I guess," remarked Kelly. "Those flies thought they were getting something good, but instead they got caught."
"That's right," said Mr. Pete. "The nectar that draws insects to their doom reminds me of how narcotics, or drugs, pull so many young people down. They think they're getting something good, but instead they get caught and become addicted to drugs."
Kelly looked thoughtful. "A kid gave my brother free samples of drugs, so he tried them," he said. "Before Jon knew it, he was hooked pretty bad."
"What happened then?" asked one of the boys.
"Mom and Dad sent him to a drug rehabilitation center. He's there now, and I can't even send him a bag of potato chips or cheese curls because the people are afraid someone might try to sneak him some drugs that way," explained Kelly. He shook his head. "I'm never going to try drugs," he declared. "Not even for free."
"I hope and pray you won't," said Mr. Pete. "It's a very foolish thing to do."
"My dad says alcohol is a kind of drug, too," said one of the boys.
"I agree," said Mr. Pete. "Sometimes it's hard to say no when someone wants us to join in an activity, but God urges us to 'come boldly' to Him for help. Ask Him each day to keep you from ever acting like those foolish flies by giving in to the temptation to try any kind of drug-other than what doctors prescribe for you, of course." As he spoke, they heard a buzzing sound. A fly was circling the pitcher plant, drawing a little closer with each pass.
MEMORY VERSE: The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 2 Peter 2:9
HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you attracted by the world's drug culture? By its music? Its way of dressing? The fun some kids using drugs seem to have? Don't be foolish. Keep your distance! The closer you get, the harder it is to turn away. Choose to spend time with kids who hold the same values you do and want to avoid dangerous habits. Ask the Lord daily to keep you safe from the evil influence of anyone involved with drugs. With God's help, say no if drugs are offered to you.
THE KEY: Say no to drugs
3 comments:
KK,
I love how you share your devotions. You are learning so many valuable lessons! Thank you for sharing them.
I love you,
Mom
I like the message in this devotion. If we continue to ask ourselves, What would Jesus do?" We'll know the right course to take. Although Jesus was tempted by everything we're tempted with, he was able to resist...and so can we! Loves and hugs!
Thanks for sharing this devotional sweetie! It's a great reminder! Love you and miss you! Your nana
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