Tag: faith in action

Obedience: The True Mark of Christian Discipleship

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Today, I’m writing this with trembling hands and a heavy heart—not out of fear, but with the kind of spiritual weight that comes when God stirs something deep in your soul. I feel like the Holy Spirit won’t let me move forward until I sit with this truth: obedience is not occasional. It’s a lifestyle. A commitment.

I don’t want to sugarcoat anything. I’m not here to play Christian dress-up or quote Scripture when it feels convenient. I’m here to live it, breathe it, suffer for it if I have to. And lately, God has been confronting me about what I really mean when I say, “Jesus is Lord of my life.”

Because if I truly believe that, how dare I reserve the right to say “yes, but not right now” or “yes, but not in front of them” or “yes, as long as it doesn’t cost me comfort, reputation, or connection.” Who am I kidding?

Luke 6:46 says: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

That verse pierced through me today like a sword. It’s Jesus asking a question most of us dodge with spiritual fluff. We love the idea of Him being our Savior—our Provider, our Comforter, our Deliverer. But our Lord? That’s where we hesitate.

And the truth is, Lordship means ownership.

If He owns me—my body, my choices, my time, my future—then obedience is not optional. It’s expected. Not from a place of fear or pressure, but love and honor.

I think of Hebrews 13:5, where God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
That’s not a cute quote for a coffee mug. That’s a promise to carry with us when obedience leaves us standing alone. When saying “yes” to God means losing relationships. When obedience costs us popularity, stability, or dreams we once held dear.

And He will ask us to surrender things we value.

Why? Because He’s cruel? No. Because He’s holy. And we can’t carry our idols and His glory at the same time. It’s one or the other.

I’ve had to wrestle with this personally. God recently asked me to walk away from a situation that wasn’t sinful in the eyes of the world—but it was disobedient in the eyes of God. I knew it. Deep down, I knew I had to walk away.

But do you know how hard it is to obey God when everyone around you is choosing convenience over conviction?

That’s when Romans 8:28 anchored me: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

All things. Even heartbreak. Even loneliness. Even the messes that come from doing the right thing.

Sometimes, obedience looks like closing doors you prayed would stay open. Sometimes, it’s deleting the text, walking away from the friend group, or speaking up when silence would be safer. Sometimes, it’s trusting God with your reputation when the world calls you “too intense” or “too Christian.”

But what does too Christian even mean? Last I checked, Christ didn’t go halfway to the Cross.

That’s why I can’t be halfway with Him.

Here’s the thing: partial obedience is still disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Conditional obedience is disobedience.

We don’t get to pick and choose. It’s either all in, or we’re playing church.

And I’m done playing church.

I’m done saying, “God, I’ll obey if…” or “I’ll obey when…” I want to be found faithful even when it’s dark, even when I’m scared, even when the outcome is unclear.

I want to be the kind of woman who obeys God with tears streaming down her face, with shaky hands and a surrendered heart, trusting that His way is better—even when it breaks mine.

1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
God isn’t impressed by how many Bible studies I attend, or how eloquently I can talk about faith. He’s looking at the posture of my heart. Am I willing to obey Him when no one’s clapping, when it’s inconvenient, when it costs me everything?

Because that’s when obedience becomes real.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

This isn’t about legalism. It’s about love.

I obey because I love Him. I love Him more than my comfort. More than my image. More than my timeline or dreams.

And tonight, I want to say this out loud as a prayer:


Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve obeyed selectively. For the moments I negotiated with You as if You owe me options. You are not a consultant; You are King. Help me to walk in radical obedience—even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it costs me everything I thought I needed. I trust that what You ask of me is always for my good, even if I can’t see it yet. Make me the kind of woman who follows You without compromise. I want to live for Your glory, not my gain. In Jesus’ name, amen.

So here I am. A 25-year-old woman who doesn’t have it all figured out, but knows one thing for sure:

I’d rather be rejected by the world in obedience to God than accepted by the world in rebellion against Him.

And if obedience means I walk alone sometimes, I’ll still choose it.

Because I am committed.

Not halfway. Not occasionally. But fully, completely, and passionately—

Even when it hurts.


Shine God’s Light: Simple Ways to Bless Others Daily

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Today has been heavy, and I don’t say that lightly. Not in a “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” kind of way, but heavy like I’m carrying weights that don’t even belong to me. I guess that’s what happens when your heart is so open to the brokenness around you. You start to feel the ache of others. And let me tell you—there’s so much ache in the world right now.

It’s not like I ever really forget how hard life can be, but some weeks just shove it in your face. This week has been one of those. I can’t stop seeing the pain behind people’s eyes, the tension in their smiles. It’s like God gave me a special lens this week to see what’s usually hidden. A spiritual x-ray vision, maybe.

Family members are dealing with health scares and secrets too deep to share. Friends are grieving—one just lost her mom, and another had her heart broken by someone who promised forever. Financial stress is drowning some people I love. Others are still battling wounds from relationships that never healed right. And what do I even say to all that?

I used to feel helpless in moments like these. Like my compassion wasn’t enough, and my words were falling flat. But God’s been teaching me something powerful: it’s not always about fixing it. Sometimes it’s about showing up, really showing up.

Romans 12:15 tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” That verse is such a simple call, but it’s deeply confrontational if we’re honest. It’s asking us to feel with people—to step into their joy and their pain without rushing it or sanitizing it with shallow encouragement.

So, what can we really do when we can’t fix things? I’m learning there are three simple things that carry eternal weight.

I felt prompted to text my old college roommate two days ago. We haven’t talked in months—life gets busy, right? But God wouldn’t let her off my heart. So I did. Just a simple message: “Hey, I was thinking of you today. How are you really doing?” She called me crying. Her father had just gone into the hospital. She hadn’t told many people yet.

God doesn’t prompt us randomly. If someone is on your heart, act on it. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” But how can we help anyone up if we don’t see that they’ve fallen?

I want to be the kind of woman who doesn’t just say “I’ll pray for you” and move on. I want to check in, be present, hold space for the hard stuff.

It sounds ridiculous at first, right? But a genuine smile is a ministry all its own.

I was in the grocery store yesterday, and the cashier looked exhausted. You know the kind of tired that has nothing to do with lack of sleep and everything to do with life just being too much? That kind. I smiled, met her eyes, and said, “Thank you for being here today.” She paused, blinked, and said, “That just made my whole morning.”

We’re not called to be flashy or loud with our faith 24/7, but we are called to let Christ shine through us. Matthew 5:16 reminds us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Sometimes that light looks like a smile that says, “I see you. You matter.”

This is the foundation of everything.

Prayer is not passive—it’s powerful. James 5:16 says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” I cling to that. Even when I feel like my words are weak or my faith feels shaky. Prayer still matters.

When we pray, we’re stepping into the gap for others. We’re saying, “God, I don’t have the answers, but You do. Show up. Intervene. Heal.” It’s the most loving thing we can do, especially when we feel powerless.

I’ve learned that when I start praying for someone else, God often works in me just as much. He softens my heart, refines my attitude, and teaches me patience and empathy.

So here’s my challenge to myself—and to you, if you’re reading this one day:
Make a difference in someone’s day. Not because it earns you favor with God. Not because it’ll fix their problems. But because Jesus cared deeply about people, and if we’re walking with Him, we should too.

Let me leave this here as a prayer I wrote tonight, hoping it helps me focus on what matters:

God,


Thank You for giving me a heart that feels deeply. Thank You for showing me the pain in others—not so I can carry it all, but so I can love them well.
Help me to never grow numb to suffering. Help me to smile when someone needs joy, to reach out when someone feels forgotten, and to pray with faith even when I can’t see the outcome.


Let me be a vessel for Your compassion. Let my presence make a difference, even in small ways. Remind me that no act of kindness is wasted in Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.

Tomorrow, I’ll try again. I’ll smile even if I’m tired. I’ll text the person I’m thinking of instead of just thinking. I’ll pray like I believe it changes everything.

Because it does.

Loving the Unlovable (Help Me God)

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Dear Lord,

Some days I wonder why You allow certain people in my life — the ones who seem to make my spirit cringe, who mock what is sacred to me, or who just constantly seem… difficult. The ones I might never say it about out loud, but who I sometimes label in my heart as unlovable.

Tonight, I’m asking myself a question I’ve been avoiding:
If I refuse to love the unlovable… do I really love You?

That’s a hard thing to admit. But Your Word is direct, and You don’t allow me to sit comfortably in my “good intentions.” You ask for my whole heart — including the way I treat the people who test it the most.

Your Word in 1 John 4:20-21 pierced me again tonight:

“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

God, I say I love You — and I mean it. I really do. My whole life is Yours. But if I’m being honest, there are people I’ve emotionally written off. I avoid them, criticize them in my mind, get irritated every time I see them or hear their voice. They don’t know You, and some even mock You openly — and it makes me feel awkward, angry, or even afraid.

But You didn’t give me permission to retreat from them.

You didn’t call me to love only when it’s easy.
You didn’t say, “Love your neighbor unless they disagree with you.”
You didn’t say, “Be kind only to those who understand you.”

You said:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

You said:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36

You commanded me to love — not because they deserve it, but because You loved me first, undeservedly.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

So Lord, how can I withhold love from someone else when You never withheld it from me?

I think what scares me is how much I still let my emotions lead. When someone offends me or behaves in a way that feels “godless,” I immediately feel this wall go up. I want to protect myself. I want to distance myself. But maybe You allow these people into my life not to torment me — but to transform me.

God, shape my heart into Yours.

Let me not be quick to take offense, but quick to offer grace.
Let me not retreat into silence, but speak with patience and wisdom.
Let me not feel superior, but humbled that I even know You at all.

Because the truth is, the only difference between me and someone who irritates or mocks or rejects You… is grace. That’s it. I didn’t earn it. I didn’t achieve salvation. I was rescued. And I want others to be rescued, too — even those who right now feel impossible to love.

Soften my heart, Lord.

Help me remember that people are not projects or problems — they are souls. Souls You formed. Souls You long to save. Even the rude ones. Even the loud ones. Even the dismissive, arrogant, or sarcastic ones.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

If You are patient, how can I not be?

Lord, here is my prayer tonight:

Father,
Help me to love those who test me.
Help me to see them through Your eyes.
Not as obstacles in my day, but opportunities for grace.
Let my irritation become intercession.
Let my distance become compassion.
Let my judgments be replaced with prayers.

I surrender the “right” to be offended.
I surrender the tendency to retreat.
I surrender my pride that tells me I’m better.
I just want to love like Jesus.

Let my heart be soft but strong.
Let my words be gentle but rooted in truth.
Let me reflect You, not just when it’s easy — but especially when it’s not.
Amen.

Lord, loving the unlovable might be one of the greatest tests of true discipleship. You said people would know we are Yours not by how much we know, or how well we argue, or how holy we look — but by how we love.

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

I want to be Your disciple. I want my life to bear the fruit of Your Spirit, not just when I’m alone with You, but in the tension of real relationships — in the messy, uncomfortable, unpredictable places.

Because honestly, that’s where Your love shines brightest — in the places where mine falls short.

I may never feel a natural affection for some people. That’s okay. You’re not asking for fake smiles or surface-level niceness. You’re asking for sacrificial love — a choice. An obedience. A heart posture that says, “I will love them because You love me. I will love them because You love them.”

It’s humbling, but I think that’s the point. The more I die to myself in these small, daily acts of love, the more I reflect the image of Christ.

So tomorrow, Lord, help me take one step closer to that kind of love.

Help me:

  • Speak kindly when I want to be silent.
  • Stay present when I want to walk away.
  • Pray instead of grumble.
  • Offer grace instead of sarcasm.
  • Remember that loving the unlovable is not weakness — it’s warfare.

Holy Spirit, fill me. I cannot do this on my own. I will burn out quickly without Your help. But with You, I can become more than just a “nice person” — I can become a light in darkness, a living testimony of Your mercy, and a vessel of Your love.

And maybe… just maybe… my love, flawed and growing as it is, might point someone toward You.

Let that be my legacy.
Not perfection.
Not popularity.
Just love.
Love rooted in You.

Prayers for the Unborn: A Christian Call to Protect Life

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Today, my heart has been heavy—aching for every precious, unborn life that has been lost to abortion and aching for every woman facing that painful decision. I can’t shake it; God has given me a burden to pray, to grieve, to intercede… yet I’m also filled with compassion, questions, and the longing to truly reach out in love.

I keep coming back to Psalm 139:13–14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The weight of those words brings tears—life is first breathed in–not created in–the womb. Every heartbeat, every fingerprint, every unseen cell is woven into being by the Master Creator.

And I believe in this truth more than anything: Life is sacred because God made it. Christians oppose abortion not out of condemnation, but out of reverence for the Creator and compassion for women made in His image.

But what does that look like, practically, in the middle of an unplanned pregnancy? In the confusion, the shame, the fear?

I don’t have all the answers, but what I do have—what I cling to—is prayer.

Prayers for the Unborn: A Christian Call to Protect Life

  1. Father of Life, thank You for knitting the unborn in secret places. May every heartbeat be heard by heaven’s throne. Spirit of God, speak life over wombs that feel neglected or scared.
  2. Jesus, Compassionate Savior, open the eyes of every expectant mother to see her baby as a gift, not a problem. Surround her with loving support that reflects Your grace.
  3. Holy Spirit, breathe courage into those trembling in the face of unwanted pregnancy. Replace fear with faith, and terminate the lie that abortion is the only way.
  4. God of Healing, heal the wounds—physical, emotional, spiritual—of women who’ve walked through abortion. Bring restorative peace and the reminder of Your redeeming love.
  5. Prince of Peace, soothe the storms inside every conflicted mother. Let her find calm in Your arms, and wisdom in Your Word to choose life.
  6. Compassionate Father, send a community of believers to affirm, support, and protect these women. May no one walk this road alone.
  7. Lord of Mercy, silence the lies that say life will trap or ruin plans. Show how a child brings purpose, not just responsibility.
  8. Everlasting God, pour down supernatural provision—financial, emotional, spiritual—for families considering adoption. Let hope overflow.
  9. Spirit of Truth, expose the tactics and fears that drive abortion. Empower believers to speak truth in love, without condemnation, but with grace.
  10. Redeemer King, for those walking daily regret, teach them that forgiveness exists for every sin. Restore their souls, multiply their hope, and transform their pain into praise.

There. Ten heartfelt prayers. Yet the weight remains: “Why do Christians hate abortion?” It’s not hate—we oppose abortion because of love—love for the unborn, love for women made in God’s image, and love for the Gospel that teaches forgiveness and value for all life.

Christians cannot stand by and watch the vulnerable—both mothers and babies—be harmed by deception, fear, or isolation. Our opposition to abortion is anchored in belief that all life—at every stage—has purpose (Jeremiah 1:5). We oppose it not with weapons, but with prayer, compassion, and sacrifice.

How do we help women turn away from abortion? It starts with walking alongside them:

  • Listening without judgment. Let her tell her story: the fear, the shame, the loneliness. Let her feel seen by Jesus through us.
  • Offering tangible support. Offer rides to appointments, financial help, the presence of a trusted friend when she’s scared.
  • Resource connection. Pregnancy crisis centers, adoption agencies, single moms’ groups… connect her with Christians who are already walking this path.
  • Praying with her. And for her—right now, daily. Prayer is powerful. Having someone pray that she might choose life, authentic community, and peace.
  • Sharing biblical truth. Verses like “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you… I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5), and “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4), teach deep worth and premeditated love.
  • Modeling post-abortion grace. If women feel they’re past redemption, we must show them the power of grace: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…” (1 John 1:9). No one is ever too far gone.

I’m reminded of my friend Abby. Two years ago, she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant. She was terrified—college, no job, no plan. She felt alone. But a small group from our church simply showed up. They didn’t preach. They brought meals, they listened, they cried with her. She decided to keep her baby. That child is now a healthy baby boy, named Levi. Every time she texts me a photo of him sleeping, I think about the power of love to interrupt death.

Sometimes I wonder: would I have had the courage to choose life if the world told me I couldn’t?

That’s the Church’s call. To be the arms, voices, prayers that let women know they don’t have to choose abortion—they have a community, a Savior, and a purpose.

Reflection

Sometimes the temptation is to feel helpless. When the news blares statistics—so many abortions every year—it’s like staring at a storm. But, oh, God…

He reminds me: the rain is coming, but seeds planted—even one—grow in the storm. One baby kept, one mom encouraged, one prayer answered…starts a ripple.

Let’s not minimize that.

Maybe I can’t personally fight on every front, but I can pray. I can love like Jesus. I can bring hope. When I’m tempted to feel small in this battle, I remind myself of the mustard seed…

Jesus said even a tiny seed, planted in faith, can grow into something life-giving and immense.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that every single soul is sacred—mother and child alike. Help me be Yours in battle for life—through prayer, through presence, through perseverance. Teach me to love pregnant women who are scared, uncertain, or alone with compassion that looks like You.

Give me the words, the wisdom, and the courage to step forward when the world says, “You can’t.” Let me be faith in motion—clinging to Your truth that You’re not done with her story yet.

Amen.

Faith on Display: Is It Meant to Be Shared?

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Last night I sat in the corner booth of a cute little mom and pop coffee shop with my Bible open, my journal beside me, and a peppermint tea in hand—just like every Wednesday pretty much. But something about last night felt… different. Not in a dramatic or supernatural way, just a subtle stirring in my spirit that I couldn’t ignore.

There was a girl sitting two tables down. She looked about my age, maybe a little younger. Alone. Earbuds in, but she wasn’t really focused on her phone. She glanced at my Bible more than once. Not judging—more like curious.

I felt this nudge in my spirit—one I’ve felt before and honestly, too often ignored.

“Say something. Smile. Ask her if she wants to talk or pray.”

But I didn’t.

I froze. I told myself, “Maybe she doesn’t want to be bothered,” or “She probably thinks I’m weird.” And then, like a coward, I packed up and left early.

God, I’m sorry. Truly.

I’ve been thinking about this question for weeks now: Is my faith meant to be shared? And the answer is always yes. A loud, resounding yes. But I still hesitate.

Why?

I guess I don’t want to come off as “that girl”—the one who forces faith into every conversation. But then again… why shouldn’t I be that girl if I truly believe this is life-saving truth?

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

Am I ashamed? I don’t think so. But maybe I act like I am sometimes. That hurts to write out.

When I really sit with the thought, I think I’m more afraid of rejection than I am of disobedience. That’s heavy.

But Jesus never called us to comfort. He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Denying myself includes denying that fear. That worry about awkwardness. That instinct to self-protect.

I think about the early church—how they risked everything to share the gospel. Not just reputation, but their very lives. And me? I can’t even risk an awkward moment in a coffee shop?

Lord, forgive me for my silence.

I remember reading 1 Peter 3:15—“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” But it doesn’t stop there. It says to do this “with gentleness and respect.”

So maybe it’s not about being loud or invasive. It’s about being available. Present. Willing.

What would it look like if I made it a point to be more intentional? Not to push Jesus on people, but to present Him—in how I speak, how I love, how I show up in everyday moments?

Honestly, it’s easy to talk about Jesus when I’m with other Christians. At church, youth group, Bible study—we’re all speaking the same language. But outside those circles, I shrink. And that’s something I desperately want to change.

I don’t want a compartmentalized faith.

I want a faith that overflows. One that people can see and feel, even without a word—but especially with one.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What good is a light if I’m constantly hiding it under the weight of my own insecurity?

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still figuring out what it looks like to live a bold faith in a quiet, unassuming world. But I know this: I don’t want to live a life that keeps Jesus a secret.

So tonight, I’m praying this prayer.

A Prayer for Boldness and Compassion

Father,
You see every part of me—the parts that want to shout Your name from the rooftops, and the parts that whisper when I should speak boldly. I thank You that You’re patient with me. That You don’t condemn me for my hesitations, but gently invite me deeper.

Lord, give me courage. Not the kind the world gives, but the holy, Spirit-filled kind that can only come from You. The courage to speak when it’s uncomfortable. To offer a word, a smile, a prayer—even when I don’t know how it will be received.

Let me never be ashamed of the Gospel, because I know it’s the power of salvation. Remind me that sharing You isn’t about perfection or performance—it’s about love. Help me love people enough to risk my own pride.

And Lord, make me sensitive. Let me listen well. Let me follow Your nudges. Let me be a light—not a spotlight, not a floodlight—just a gentle, warm flame that points to You.

I surrender my fear, my image, my comfort. Use me, Lord. Not someday. Not when I feel ready. But now.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

So that’s where I was last night. A mix of conviction, hope, and longing. I don’t want to be silent anymore. My faith isn’t just mine—it’s a gift meant to be shared.

Next Wednesday, I’ll go back to that same coffee shop. Maybe she’ll be there again. Maybe she won’t. But either way, I’ll be ready this time.

And even if I’m not, God will be.