Tag: hope

Unwelcome Convictions: How Progressive Ideology Intolerantly, and Hatefully, Targets Christians

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Today, my heart is heavy.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the world I’m living in. The way things are shifting — so quickly, so radically. It seems like each time I open my phone or scroll through headlines, there’s a new attack — not just on Christianity in general, but on those of us who actually try to live by the Word of God.

I’ve seen it in the classroom, in the workplace, even in family conversations. There’s this growing hostility — a sharp edge in the air — toward people who hold to biblical convictions. Somehow, we’ve gone from being seen as “old-fashioned” to being labeled as hateful, bigoted, even dangerous.

The irony is painful. The very people who preach tolerance and acceptance can’t seem to tolerate us. Not when we speak truth. Not when we draw lines. Not when we stand on the authority of Scripture rather than the ever-changing winds of cultural approval.

But Jesus told us this would happen.

In John 15:18-19, He said:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world… therefore the world hates you.”

It still stings though. I’m not made of stone. I don’t enjoy being misunderstood or misrepresented. I don’t like being called names just because I believe God created two genders, that marriage is between a man and a woman, that life begins in the womb, or that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

But those are the “unwelcome convictions” that make progressive ideology bristle. They want a Christianity that conforms. A Jesus who agrees with their worldview. A Gospel stripped of repentance and truth. But that’s not real Christianity. That’s a counterfeit.

I read Isaiah 5:20 this morning, and it hit hard:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

That’s exactly what’s happening. We’re watching good be labeled as evil. Biblical love — the kind that tells the truth, even when it hurts — is being rebranded as “hate speech.” And evil is paraded in the name of “progress.” But it’s not progress if it walks away from God — it’s rebellion.

I had a conversation yesterday that’s still sitting with me. A friend from college messaged me out of the blue and asked why I “support oppression” because I’m still vocal about my faith. She said Christianity has caused pain and should evolve to reflect modern values. I tried to answer with gentleness and grace, but she wasn’t interested in a dialogue — just a monologue of outrage.

I wanted to cry afterward. Not because she disagreed with me — but because she’s blind and doesn’t even know it. And because deep down, I know the more I stand firm, the more opposition I’ll face.

But I can’t compromise truth just to be accepted. That’s not what Jesus did. That’s not what the apostles did. That’s not what faithful believers have ever done.

2 Timothy 3:12 warns us:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

It’s not an if, it’s a when. And honestly, the more I reflect on that, the more peace I find. If they hated Him, they’ll hate us too. If they nailed truth to a cross, why would we expect to be applauded for proclaiming it?

This world isn’t our home. We’re ambassadors. Pilgrims. Salt and light in a culture that prefers decay and darkness.

Still… it hurts.

So tonight, I brought all of this before the Lord. I lit a candle, opened my Bible, and just sat quietly. And I prayed:

“Lord, give me courage. Not the kind that shouts or fights, but the kind that stands firm in the storm. Help me love those who hate what I believe. Help me speak truth in a world addicted to lies. Forgive me for the moments I’ve been silent to avoid conflict. Let me never be ashamed of the Gospel. Remind me, Jesus, that You were rejected first — and that in You, I have everything I need to endure. Let my life be marked not by fear, but by faithfulness. Amen.”

I feel calmer now. Not because things are better, but because I’ve laid them at His feet.

This isn’t the first time in history Christians have been despised. The early church faced imprisonment, exile, and even death. And yet the Gospel spread. Light always overcomes darkness.

I think about Paul and Silas singing hymns in a prison cell. About Stephen forgiving those who stoned him. About Jesus praying for the ones who nailed Him to a cross. That’s the spirit I want. Not bitterness. Not fear. Just bold, beautiful obedience.

It’s tempting to retreat. To go silent. To blend in. But then I remember Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

This is why I have to keep speaking. Keep loving. Keep living in such a way that even those who hate my convictions will see something different — something divine.

If progressives can’t tolerate Christians, it may not be because we’re doing something wrong… but because we’re finally doing something right.

So I’ll press on. With truth in my mouth. Love in my heart. And Jesus at my side.

This world may reject me. But He never will.

And that’s enough.

An Unusual Way To Deepen Your Faith

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

God has given us a lot of blessings.

Including the ability to create and appreciate art.

Art is an incredible way to express your true feelings in ways that words can’t.

But did you know that it can also be an incredible tool to deepen your faith and connect with God?

It’s true.

Throughout the Sacred Texts, we see examples of art being used to glorify God and express our love for Him.

In Exodus 31, God tells Moses to choose Bezalel, a skilled artisan, to create the artwork for the tabernacle.

In Psalm 33 3, we are encouraged to sing, play skillfully, and shout for joy.

When we engage in artistic activities like painting, drawing, or playing music, we are tapping into that divine spark within us.

We are using the talents and abilities that God has given us to create something beautiful and meaningful.

And in doing so, we are glorifying Him and deepening our faith.

When we create art that reflects God’s beauty and love, we are expressing our faith in a unique way. 

Throughout history, many of the greatest works of art have been inspired by Christian themes and beliefs.

Art is not just for “professionals.”

Anyone can engage in artistic activities.

Whether it’s painting a picture, writing a poem, or playing an instrument, art can be anything.

By tapping into our creative energy, we can connect with God and express ourselves in a way that is pleasing to Him.

So if you’re looking for more ways to deepen your faith and connect with God, I encourage you to try incorporating art into your daily routine. 

Take some time to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation, and let that inspire you to create something beautiful of your own.

It is okay if what you create has flaws.

Actually, it is supposed to.

The point is to express yourself in different ways.

Why don’t you try it?

And if you need some guidance.

See why creating art is easier than you think.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT THIS CUTE LITTLE BABY TELLS PRESIDENT TRUMP!

Why Does God Punish People?

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

“If God loves us, then why does He send bad people to Hell?” someone once asked me.

This is a question that a lot of folks have.

So I would like to clear any misconceptions people might have about our Lord.

Our Lord’s love for us is vaster than we can imagine.

He loves us so much that He even sent His Son to rescue us from our mistakes.

But along with His love, He is also perfectly fair and just.

Let’s think about it like this. Imagine a good, caring parent.

This parent loves their child more than anything.

But when the child does something wrong, like stealing or lying, the parent doesn’t just ignore it.

Instead, they correct the child.

They do this not because they suddenly stopped loving their child, but because they want their child to learn from their mistakes and grow up to be a good person.

It’s the same with the Lord.

When we do something wrong, He doesn’t just ignore it, even though He loves us deeply.

His fairness comes into play. Sometimes we face the results of our bad decisions, and this helps us learn and grow, and improve.

I know the idea of hell can sound scary.

But it’s essential to remember that God doesn’t want anyone to end up there.

He would like everyone to transform their ways and choose Him.

Hell is a choice. It is what happens when people decide to turn their backs on the Lord’s love and His ways.

God loves us so much that He lets us make our own choices, even if they lead us away from Him.

Our job as Christians is to accept His love and understand His fairness.

We need to make good choices that bring us closer to Him.

And we should always pray for those who seem to have lost their way, hoping they find God’s love and choose Him.

Sometimes, it’s tough to understand why things are the way they are.

But remember this. God’s love for us is a love that helps us grow. It’s a love that guides us, teaches us, and helps us become the greatest we can be.
Why don’t you use these simple ideas to accept God’s love?

Why Do Miracles Not Happen Anymore?

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

A little boy once asked me,

“Why do miracles not happen anymore?”

This is something that I’ve heard many times.

People don’t believe in miracles because they don’t see them.

And yet God works wonders every day.

There is actually one I’d like to share with you in this Christian blog post.

There is a good woman at my church named Sarah (just for this article because I don’t know if she’d want me using her real name without her permission).

Sarah spends most of her time helping people.

In her profession, she nurses people back to health.

In her day-to-day, she volunteers.

She gives most of what she makes away.

And she does that with a smile on her face.

People see her and believe she was always like that.

What they don’t know is that Sarah grew up in the streets.

She was poor, and she was struggling with addiction.

Her friends and family had given up on her.

She felt alone, hopeless, and abandoned. 

But one fateful day, God stepped in and changed everything.

Sarah was wandering the streets, lost and desperate, when she stumbled upon a small church. 

She had no idea why she was drawn to it, but something within her compelled her to step inside. 

As she sat in the back, tears streaming down her face, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder.

An elderly woman, with a warm smile and a gentle voice, asked Sarah if she was alright. 

Sarah, unable to hold back her emotions, shared her story of pain and despair. 

The woman listened intently, offering no judgment.

When Sarah finished, the woman asked if she could pray with her. 

Sarah, who had long since abandoned her faith, hesitated but ultimately agreed.

As they prayed together, something remarkable happened. 

Sarah felt an overwhelming sense of peace and love envelop her. 

Unlike anything she had ever experienced before. 

It was as if the weight of her struggles was being lifted from her shoulders. 

In that moment, Sarah knew, without a doubt, that God was with her.

From that day on, Sarah changed. 

She found the courage to face her addiction and began the journey toward recovery. 

She reconnected with her faith, attending church regularly, and forging a deep, personal relationship with God.

She even got a job as a nurse!

Over time, she began to share her story with others, offering hope and inspiration to those who were struggling.

That, my friends, is clear proof that miracles still happen.

Sarah’s story of redemption is a true testament to God’s love.

He supports us even when we don’t realize it.

Let us always remember that.

“Christians Are Against Science”

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

I’ve heard a lot of people say that Christians are against science.

And that we can’t believe in science if we also believe in God.

However, this is nothing but a misunderstanding.

Science is also one of God’s creations.

It is the study of the natural world and the laws that govern it. 

And it is simply a tool that helps us understand how the world works. 

Faith, on the other hand, is the belief in God and His plan for our lives.

And what most people don’t realize is that faith and science can coexist.

The Bible tells us that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) and science helps us understand how and when that happened. 

For example, the evolution theory helps us understand species’ development on earth.

While the Bible tells us that God is the creator of everything.

Both faith and science can be used to understand the beauty and complexity of God’s creations.

Another critical aspect of the relationship between faith and science is in the area of ethics.

Science helps us understand the natural world and the consequences of our actions.

But it is our faith that guides us in making moral decisions based on the teachings of God. 

The Bible tells us “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

People should continue to evolve according to God’s Will and help one another.

Science is simply a tool for that.

And we are not against it like most atheists think.

To make a long story short, science helps us understand how things work.

While faith helps us understand why they exist in the first place.

Together, they can give us a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.

So let us continue to explore the world around us, with the guidance of our faith and the understanding provided by science.

Together, we can work to fulfill the purpose that God has for our lives and make a positive impact on the world.

A Few Bible Verses That Christians Get Wrong

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

The Bible is the most important book ever written. The one true God chose to reveal Himself to us through the written word. Amazing and humbling!

Yet sometimes we get it wrong. We misunderstand or misapply the truth God has given us. Although there are countless causes, through my experience I’ve seen two primary problems crop up again and again.

Perspective – Too often we read God’s Word with our own purposes and goals in mind. But the Bible is all about God. When we read it with His eternal purposes in mind, we will better grasp the truth of His Word.

Context – The Bible may have unlimited applications, but its meaning never changes. It means the same today as it did when it was written. To understand the original meaning, we must pull back and understand the context – of the passage, of the chapter, of the book.

Here are 10 verses that are often misunderstood due to perspective, context, or both:

  1. Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Many Christians claim this verse as a “promise” that God will never allow them to experience more difficulties than “they can handle.” Yet, the larger passage (1 Corinthians 10:1-13) deals with temptation and our ability to withstand it. God promises He will always provide a way for us to say “no” to temptation. In fact, Paul learned by experience that God will allow us to face circumstances “beyond our ability to endure” so that we will learn to rely on Him (see 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

  1. Proverbs 22:6

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Misunderstanding Proverbs 22:6 as a promise has led to grief for many parents. The book of Proverbs is wisdom literature, which offers general principles for successful living. A proverb is not a promise. Instead, let us use it as a tool for wise parenting and decision-making, and entrust our children to our faithful God!

  1. Matthew 7:1

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Is all “judging” wrong? Jesus did condemn a harsh, critical “judging” motivated by a self-righteous, hypocritical attitude. But in the whole of Scripture, God clearly commands Christians to lovingly point out sin and exhort each other to holiness. It is not our place to determine their motives, but it is our responsibility to gently identify behavior God has already judged to be “sin.” The goal is to reconcile that person with God and others and to keep the sin from spreading (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:5-7, Hebrews 12:15, James 5:19-20).

  1. Psalm 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

If I find joy in God, will He fill my life with all the things I value and enjoy? Wait – remember context and focus. In this psalm, David contemplated the age-old question of why evil people seem to prosper while the righteous often struggle. David wrote to encourage his readers – and us – to widen our perspective, to live in light of eternity and to set our hope in God’s everlasting purposes. When we commit ourselves (delight) to God’s capable hands, our desire for the righteous to prevail will be realized in His timing.

  1. James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

We would think that James meant we could find joy in Christ in spite of our trials. That makes more sense! Yet, James really did say – and mean – because of our trials. While God cares very much about our physical circumstances, James knew He uses trials to refine our faith and make us more like Jesus. That is something to rejoice about!

  1. Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Considering just this verse, we might believe that Jesus is with us only when we are with other believers. But the context of the larger passage is church discipline. When another believer sins, if he will not listen to one, two or three fellow believers should bring the matter to the church (Matthew 18:15-20).

  1. Romans 8:28

“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.”

Does God control all the circumstances of our lives to make things turn out great for us? Let’s take a step back to grasp the glorious truth of Romans 8:28. First, this promise is not for all people, just Christians who love and follow Jesus. Second, in the larger context, (Romans 8:18-39), Paul reminds us that although we must temporarily endure earthly suffering, God works through it to continuously work out His greater, eternal plan for us (Romans 8:28-30). The “good” God is working towards is not temporary, earthly “success,” but the eternal purpose of us being “conformed to the likeness” of Jesus (Romans 8:29).

  1. Habakkuk 1:5

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

If we read this verse by itself, we might believe God is going to do something wonderful and glorious before our eyes. Well, He definitely did, but probably not what you’d expect. God sent the prophet Habakkuk to pronounce judgment on Judah for turning away from God. The amazing thing God planned was to send the brutal nation of Babylon to conquer His people and carry them into captivity. This verse should stand as a strong reminder that God does discipline His children.

  1. Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

This verse is definitely a promise. But it’s a promise for a particular people in a particular time. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised that after Judah’s pre-determined exile in Babylon, He would bring them back to the Promised Land. We often misappropriate promises. And while God does make a lot of promises to all believers, this particular promise isn’t one of them.

  1. Philippians 4:13

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13 is probably the most misused verse in the Bible. We pull it out of the surrounding passage and hold it out as God’s obligation to empower our plans and dreams. Yet, Paul was writing about being content no matter his earthly circumstances. He could endure any difficulty or physical need through the strengthening power of Christ. Oh yes, Philippians 4:13 is a great promise indeed! Jesus will give us the strength we need to endure desperate need. His empowering presence will be with us through every difficult circumstance.

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.

Reasons Why God Is Working Behind the Scenes

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Where is God and what is He doing? I know that question. I’ve often asked Him in the middle of the night or when I’m really stressed. What I didn’t realize was how God is always at work behind the scenes. Even when you can’t see Him. Sense Him. Hear Him.

Are you going through a difficult season? Maybe it’s a hormonal teenager, or maybe you’ve hit a rut in your marriage. Maybe it’s something in your financial life? No matter what it is, you feel like your life is a frozen field on a cold winter day. You peek out the windows at first light to see that it is still dark, and a blanket of snow still covers the ground. Life looks dreary, cold, dead, and bleak.

5 Reasons God Is Working Behind the Scenes in Our Lives

  1. He is revealing His will. He desires to have fellowship with us; that’s why we were created. He wants us to look to Him for today and the future even if we don’t understand what He is doing but He will show us the way.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9

  1. He is revealing His purpose. Sometimes we pray and fast, and think we’ve made the right decision, only to have everything fall apart around us. The job didn’t pan out, the diagnosis came back worse than expected, or the answer is no. But we can trust He is working behind the scenes as He works out His purpose—one day at a time.

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

  1. He is teaching us how to walk in faith. Have you ever seen a mom scold her baby for falling after taking a few steps? Of course not! She kisses his boo-boos, steadies her child, and encourages him to walk again. This is how our Abba Father works on our behalf to build our faith. Especially when He leads us to unknown places. Especially when we are grappling in the dark. And especially when we grapple with how to walk in faith that he will work all things together for our good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

  1. He is building your confidence. It’s hard to depend on God when we are used to relying on ourselves. But the Bible teaches how to build confidence in God, not ourselves. The Scriptures give us a picture of what it will look like when we genuinely develop confidence in God. His Word reveals that no matter what tomorrow holds, He is still holding us steady in His plans for His purpose.

“He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3,4

  1. He is instilling hope. Hope is the heartbeat of God’s promises. He helps us rise in the middle of our circumstances. No matter the situation, God wants you to hope anyway.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Bible Quotes For Hope

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

1 Peter 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Ephesians 1:18
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people”

Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Psalm 130:5
“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”