Often when we are at a place of weakness in our lives, the Lord will use worship music to inspire and motivate us.  In my life, time after time it seems that God will play the right song on the radio or in church - yes that song that speaks specifically to me and whatever I might be going through at that time.   God's use of music to comfort of hearts, bring us peace and strengthen our purpose is nothing short of amazing.

The stories we here are countless from teens and singles who were vulnerable or struggling with issues of abstinence and purity when the right song happened to come of the radio that motivated them to continue to trust God. 

Many times we are asked by parents and teens alike if we have a compilation of music or Christian artists that we can recommend to them.  Many Christian artists such as Rebecca St. James, Barlow Girl, ZOE Girl and Ashley Reynolds have made purity a cornerstone of their music ministries.  The beautiful "Wait for Me" by Rebecca St. James is probably the most popular purity song.  Other songs such as "I Promise" by Jaci Velaquez, "One this Day" by Ashley Reynolds and "Barlow Girls" by Superchic[k] are all inspiring songs about purity and waiting of God.  These are other awesome Christian singers such as Nicole C. Mullen, Sarah Brendel and Inhabited who make their purity messages in song a priority. 

Check out these above mentioned artists (and others that we apologize for missing / not mentioning) that have inspiring purity music.  Like a good book on the subject of purity, an inspirational purity song will speak to your heart and help fuel your strength to wait on God's will !!   Have no doubt that God loves you beyond imagination, He has great plans for your life and you are worth the wait !!

There has been much debate between the difference, if any, on purity and abstinence.  There is a huge difference.  For some reason, the world insists that it is just about abstinence, virginity pledges as what we need to do, and then hope it works.   When it does not work people complain, criticize and protest that abstinence does not work.  Society come up with all these ridiculous statistics proving that virginity pledges do not work without first investigating what has been done and what has not.

If we take diabetes, for an example, and only strive to take our insulin shots and not worry about our diet, or fail to take our insulin shots, it could mean trouble for the diabetic.  Why?   Because there are many factors and tasks we need to perform every day to keep our self in check and the diabetes under control.  If we fail to do one and not the other then there are short-term and long-term consequences. There is a process and several steps to take, not just one.  When we do projects and tasks, rarely is it just one-step.

When it comes to abstinence, we are only targeting the physical part, which again is only part of the solution to something that is a heavy and often daily temptation.  We need to prepare for these kinds of temptations well in advance before they come into our lives.  We need to act now, and not later, and not respond negatively to some statistics done by someone not privy to all the information.

Purity is what we need to look at in order to maintain physical abstinence.  Maintaining physical purity involves several steps and not just one-step.  We need to find out what our major temptation is and learn to avoid it at all costs.  We need to read the bible every day and memorize scriptures pertaining to purity.  We need to pray and choose our friends carefully.  This is the equation to the solution.  You cannot do just do one part and think it will work and when it does not work get frustrated.  That is unfair to the effort and to the solution as well.  It just does not work.

To entirely say that abstinence does not work without properly considering the steps needed to be taken is wrong.  Abstinence, celibacy, and purity are all different.  Purity encompasses the full process to equal a successful solution by addressing all the factors,

1. Physical (the act of sex)
2. Emotional (the feelings we feel that drive us to fall into temptation)
3. Mental (our thought process and what we feed our minds related to the topic, magazines, TV, etc)
4. Spiritual (our ultimate strength to be successful).

If one of these areas lacks attention or you do not think it matters in the process, you will have a fair or failed result.  Without a true commitment to purity, abstinence is all the more difficult.  Addressing all the factors and the necessary steps does lead to a favorable result.  It is possible, it can be done, it has been done, and you can do it too.

Remember, nothing comes without effort or hard work.  Understand yourself, put measures in place to bring you success and make great decisions.

Remember these three questions to ask yourself when you make a big decision in life:

1. Is it in line with God’s commands?
2. How does it affect your value system?
3. Who are you going to affect if you make this decision?

Bring Glory to God in all you do, stay close to him and protect you always from temptation..... and no matter where you are in life or where you have been - you can start anew right now, living in Purity.  God is forever gracious and forgiveness.  With heartfelt repentance we have a fresh start! 

  -  Jessica Psalidas, Author - Everlasting Purity

People often ask us when the best time is to give your teen a purity ring.  Realistically any time is a good time and “back to school” season does represent a very good time of the year to give them a purity ring.  Usually during the back to school season teens are presented with much “new” in their lives.  New school, new friends, new social circle, new sports activities, new after school clubs, etc.   It’s a big transition from middle school to high school, or high school to college.  Yes, during this time of year there’s a lot of new things happening in their environment.  Being focused on purity is critical, being connected with like minded friends (a good youth group) is essential, and it really is a great time to make or re-commit their covenant of purity.  It is a good time of the year for youth groups and churches to address purity and abstinence.