Tag: Eternal Life

Living Without Lies: A Christian’s Duty to Speak Truth

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

I can feel the Lord’s presence, and it comforts me more than I can explain. My heart is full, but there’s also this lingering conviction I can’t ignore. God has been pressing something on me all day, through my quiet time this morning, my conversation with a friend over coffee, and even during that awkward moment at work when I laughed at something I knew I shouldn’t have. I think I’m finally understanding: God is calling me to a deeper honesty. Not just the absence of lying… but full, raw, truthfulness—in all things.

I don’t know why it hit so hard this morning. Maybe because I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty honest person. I don’t steal, I don’t tell outrageous lies, I don’t deceive people—at least not on purpose. But honesty isn’t just about not lying, is it?

It’s about integrity. Transparency. Vulnerability.
And I think I’ve been cutting corners with all three.

Ephesians 4:25:
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

That verse wouldn’t let go of me. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a command. If I’m part of Your body, if I represent Christ, then I don’t have the option to hide behind half-truths, people-pleasing, or pretending I’m okay when I’m not. You’ve commanded me—not recommended—to speak truthfully.

I think about how often I smile and say “I’m good” when I’m not. How I keep things from my family so they won’t worry. Or how I try to clean myself up emotionally before I come to You in prayer, like I need to get my act together first. But that’s not what You want, is it?

You want me real. And raw. Even messy.

Prayer:
God, forgive me for the ways I’ve hidden behind niceties or avoided uncomfortable truths. I want to be honest—with You, with the people I love, and even with myself. Thank You that I don’t have to pretend with You. You already know me inside out (Psalm 139:1-4). Help me walk in truth, even when it costs me pride or comfort. Amen.

I think the hardest thing for me right now is being honest with myself about where I’m still growing. About the areas I try to gloss over or rationalize. Like how I sometimes water down conversations about You when I’m around people who don’t believe. Or when I make excuses for not spending time in the Word because I’m “too tired” when really, I just don’t feel like facing conviction.

But You’ve reminded me over and over again: Honesty is the foundation of relationship.
You can’t have intimacy with someone you’re constantly trying to impress or hide from.

That’s why being honest with GOD matters so much. Because if I can’t be truthful my creator… how could I ever expect to be truthful with others about God’s presence in my life?

I remembered what David wrote in Psalm 51:6:
“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”

Truth in the inward parts. That’s deep.
That’s not just honesty in what I say—it’s honesty in how I live. Honesty in my motivations. In my worship. In my repentance.

And the amazing part is… when I bring that truth to You, You don’t reject me. You refine me. You heal me.

Prayer:
Jesus, You are the Truth (John 14:6). Make me like You. Let truth dwell so deeply in me that it transforms how I live and love. Guard my mouth from deceit. Teach me to love truth even when it’s hard. Give me courage to speak it in love to others (Ephesians 4:15), and grace when others speak truth to me. Amen.

I talked to Sarah about this over coffee today. She admitted she’s been struggling too—especially with how hard it is to be honest with non-Christian friends about what we believe. It’s tempting to soften the edges of the gospel to make it more palatable. But You didn’t call us to be popular, Lord. You called us to be faithful.

Proverbs 12:22 says:
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

I want to be someone You delight in. Not someone who plays it safe or dances around truth to avoid awkwardness.

I think about how Jesus spoke truth everywhere He went. And not just comfortable truth. He called out hypocrisy. He told people to repent. He even challenged His closest friends when they were out of line. And yet, people still followed Him—because He was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). I want that balance in my own life.

I don’t want to be harsh or self-righteous. But I don’t want to be lukewarm or vague either. The world doesn’t need another nice girl who’s too scared to talk about Jesus. The world needs light. The world needs truth. The world needs You.

So Lord, help me to be honest—really honest—about who You are, what You’ve done in my life, and what it means to follow You. Let my testimony be filled with truth, even if it’s messy. Even if it’s awkward. Even if it makes people uncomfortable. Because the truth is the only thing that can set people free (John 8:32).

Prayer:
God, give me holy boldness. Make me brave enough to be honest when I share the gospel. Help me love people enough to tell them the truth, even if it costs me something. Fill my heart with compassion, not compromise. Let my life point to You in truth and love. Amen.

I can’t believe how much God has shown me today. God never stops pursuing my heart. And even when God corrects me, it feels like love. Thank You for being so patient with me Lord. Thank You for caring more about my soul than my comfort.

I know this journey won’t be easy. There will be moments I’ll want to shrink back or stay quiet. But I also know God promised to be with me.

Isaiah 41:10 says:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

That’s all I need to keep walking in truth.
The Lord will strengthen me.
God helps me.
God holds me up.

So here I am, Lord.
All of me.
The good, the messy, the in-between.

No pretending. No performing.
Just me.
Just truth.
Just Yours.

Final Prayer:
God, thank You for calling me to truth—not to shame me, but to free me. Thank You that honesty leads to healing, intimacy, and growth. Make me a woman of integrity. A woman of Your Word. A woman unafraid of truth because I know who holds it. Use my honesty to glorify You and to point others to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Thank you, Lord.
I love You more than anything.
And today… I love You with honesty.

Pray for Strength and Rejoice in Hope: Seven Prayers for Hope

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

May these prayers for hope encourage your heart, soul, and mind!

A Prayer for Hope
Lord, help me to hear you saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless so I’m running to you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen.

The Lord Bless You with Hope
May the Lord show you the greatness of his goodness, that you overflow with thanks every day. May the Lord bless you abundantly with rest for the heart, power for virtue, wisdom for life, and patience in suffering. May the Lord bless you with joyful hope, and one day with the inexpressible joys of eternal life.

Prayer for Faith, Hope, and Love
Almighty Lord God, give us true faith, and make that faith grow in us day by day. Also give us hope and love, so that we may serve our neighbors according to your will; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for Hope
Heavenly Father, I am your humble servant, I come before you today in need of hope. There are times when I fell helpless, There are times when I feel weak. I pray for hope. I need hope for a better future. I need hope for a better life. I need hope for love and kindness. Some say that the sky is at it’s darkest just before the light. I pray that this is true, for all seems dark. I need your light, Lord, in every way. I pray to be filled with your light from head to toe. To bask in your glory. To know that all is right in the world, as you have planned, and as you want it to be. Help me to walk in your light, and live my life in faith and glory. In your name, I pray, Amen.

My Hope and Refuge
Ah, Lord God, Holy Lover of my soul, when you come into my soul, all that is within me will rejoice. You are my glory and the exultation of my heart. You are my hope and refuge in the day of my trouble. Set me free from all evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections, cure and cleanse me within, that I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. Let me love you more than myself, and love myself except for you, and in you all that truly love you, as the law of love commands, shining out from yourself. Source: Thomas à Kempis

Hope in God’s Promise
O Father in heaven, look upon all your people who struggle with anger, anxiety, doubt, frustration, guilt, hopelessness, loss, memories, lack of patience, pain, regret, sadness, selfishness, temptation and weakness. Your Holy Word tells us “All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” And that means that you make all these things work for your good purpose in our lives, even when we do not understand. Remind us of your invitation, “Cast all your cares upon me,” and of your assurance that goes with it, “because I care for you.” …through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Hope Today
Lord, help me to hear you saying, “I am your hope” over all the other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless so I’m running to you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen.

The Beautiful Gifts God Gives His Children

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

It’s exhilarating to know that God sets the standard for the best gifts when it comes to gift-giving. James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” This passage is a sweet reminder that God’s gifts are good and perfect.

Matthew 7:11 states, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” This passage indicates that just as humans give pleasant gifts, our heavenly Father provides supreme and superior gifts. So, let’s take a look at some of the amazing gifts our Father provides those whom He calls His children.

Gift #1 – Jesus
The very best gift God gives us as His children is Jesus. He was the most sacrificial gift God gave, which demonstrates His immeasurable love for us. Because of Jesus, we have access to all of the other gifts our generous, heavenly Father has to offer. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Gift #2 – Eternal Life
As stated in the previous gift, God gives us eternal life once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The precious blood of Jesus covered all of our sins, and as a result, God mercifully gifted us with the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven instead of the fiery pit of hell.

Gift #3 – Forgiveness
Forgiveness is another remarkable gift that God gives His children when we confess our sins. God does not have to do it, but He forgives us over and over. He loves us just that much. Micah 7:18-19 states, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” God not only forgives our sins, but He casts them away and no longer brings them up. What an incredible gift!

Gift #4 – Holy Spirit
Have you ever found yourself saying “something told me not to do that” or, “something told me to do that?” Well, that something is Someone. The Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Two of the many names and functions of the Holy Spirit are comforter and spirit of truth. God gave us this ever-present gift to guide, teach, and comfort us whenever we need Him. God is such a great Father that He did not leave us unaccompanied.

Gift #5 – Wisdom
Do you need clarity or direction? Are you trying to determine what the right decision to make is? God has the ideal gift for these concerns. James 1:5 states, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” God wants to hear from His children and grace them with His matchless wisdom so that you and I can be all that He has created us to be and so that He may be glorified. We certainly do not have all of the answers, so we should choose to accept the gift of wisdom by asking God for it just like we ask for a new job, finances, good health, etc.

Gift #6 – Way of Escape
One sneaky (and sometimes not so sneaky) thing that creeps up in all of our lives is a 10-letter word. T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N. Temptation has our address, phone number, and email address. There is hope, though. God has just the right gift to help us when temptation comes knocking at our door. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” There is always a way out. We must open our eyes, ears, and hearts to accept the gift and proceed to the nearest escape route.

Gift #7 – Abundant Life
We have an enemy that is always on the prowl to see who he can devour, demean, and diminish. If the enemy had his way, our lives would be desolate, depressing, and deplorable. But God had a better gift and plan in mind. John 10:10 states, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The fact that Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, and rose again canceled out the enemy’s plan. Instead of an empty life, God gifts each of us with abundant life in Him. We just need to embrace this wonderful gift.

Gift #8 – Spiritual Gifts
God created each of His children uniquely and gave each of us spiritual gifts. While all of us do not have the same gift(s), each of us is given gifts to edify the kingdom and point others to the Lord. The entire chapter 1 Corinthians 12 highlights an array of spiritual gifts and callings such as apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, governments, and diversity of tongues (verse 28). Additionally, other references for spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. The recurring theme surrounding spiritual gifts is service. Our heavenly Father gave each of us as His children spiritual gifts to serve one another.

Gift #9 – Power, Love, and a Sound Mind
God gives His children a threefold gift that can combat fear when it arises. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” This gift bundle is valuable when the spirit of fear tries to seep in and cripple us. We can tap into power, love, and a sound mind to confidently pursue both great and small tasks that we are presented with each day, knowing that the spirit of fear is not from God. Embracing these gifts takes practice because fear can be persistent, but we must remind ourselves that God freely gives us power, love, and a sound mind.

Gift #10 – Beauty for Ashes
There are times in life when tragedy strikes, and we find ourselves in a season of mourning. God graciously has gifts for us during these seasons. Isaiah 61:3 states, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” While we cannot avoid sorrow and pain, the gifts of beauty, joy, and praise are promised in exchange. We do not have to remain in a season of mourning forever, thanks to these precious gifts.

Gift #11 – Peace
When we feel confused, uneasy, or anxious, God has the perfect gift. Jesus stated in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” His peace that surpasses all understanding is available for the taking. We must choose to accept the gift, and in exchange, give God all of our cares. We can lay them right at His feet, leave them there, and walk away with the gift of peace.

Gift #12 – Victory
God gives His children victory. Not defeat, but victory! 1 Corinthians 15:57 states, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus Christ, who overcame death, we as children of God always win. Trials will come. Situations may appear bleak, but defeat is not our destination. Instead of a period, there is a comma, and the gift of victory proceeds every storm and each tribulation. When we hold on to this gift, we can grasp hope in those moments where it seems like we have lost. After all, God reminds us that the battle is not ours, but it is His. When He is fighting for us, the result is always victory.