“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?
Have you ever wondered why resisting a late-night snack is difficult?
During the day, most people can stick to eating healthy.
But when the night comes, a lot of people feel the need to treat themselves to some “guilty pleasure.”
There is a very good reason why this happens.
And it’s the fact that as the day progresses, our willpower drops.
The Devil knows this.
And he does everything in his power to lure us away from God’s path.
He has many ways to do that.
He can give us sinful thoughts
Urge us to neglect our spiritual practices
Or push us toward unhealthy habits.
But we are not powerless against him.
We have God on our side.
Ephesians 6:11 says “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
This includes the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the Spirit.
It is not enough to simply put on the armor, we must also be ready to use it.
We need to be aware that the Devil is always seeking to exploit our weaknesses.
And one of these weaknesses is our declining willpower as the day progresses.
When we are tired or stressed, it becomes easier to give in to temptation.
This is why it is essential to remain vigilant throughout the day, especially in the evening when we are most vulnerable.
As Christians, we have the power of prayer to strengthen us.
We should make it a habit to pray for God’s protection and strength every day.
Even when we feel well.
We should also seek to build up our willpower by developing healthy habits that can aid us in resisting temptation.
These habits might include regular exercise, getting enough rest, and avoiding situations that may trigger temptation.
Trust. A word filled with powerful meaning. Where do you place trust? Perhaps in yourself, other people, things, or situations? Or do you trust in the Lord with all your heart? Maybe the answer is a little of both. Some moments trust is in the Lord, and other moments, trust is put in the wrong place or person. Times have come and will continue to come where we will have to decide where to place trust. The decision we make can impact us and others. Trusting God is important to developing a closer relationship with Him.
When we cross the street, watching for vehicles helps us to trust we will cross the road safely. When receiving a disturbing medical diagnosis, we trust the doctors to provide the correct treatment. Has someone trusted you to keep a secret? Perhaps you have asked someone to trust you during a stressful time. Uncertain times can be filled with fear and worry. Placing our trust in the Lord will help us navigate through every situation.
Humans make mistakes. God does not make mistakes.
Sometimes when wrong decisions are made, trust has to be rebuilt. Trusting that a relationship is honest and will continue in a positive way can cause grief if that trust is broken with mistakes and dishonesty. Trusting that person again may take time. God can help heal relationships when we ask Him for help if that is His plan.
With God, trust never wavers. We can trust Him with all our heart and know His love is forever. God will always listen and hear when we cry out to Him. If our hearts are troubled and we aren’t sure where to place trust, we can find strength in knowing we can trust God with all our heart.
Problems can’t be solved on our own. Placing our trust in God can give us the courage to face obstacles. We are not alone and don’t have to face any situation alone. God is with us.
What Does it Mean to ‘Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart?’ Have you heard someone say “I trust in the Lord with all my heart.” or maybe “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”? What does the person saying those words mean? If you have spoken or written those words, what was the meaning you were trying to convey? The statement may be a way of hopefully making someone feel better. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart means that you have given your full trust to Him. You have placed your faith and trust in God.
Knowing that God is with us in every moment can help us through troubled times. A situation may not turn out the way we hoped and prayed for, yet our trust and hope are found in going to God.
There are times when we may try to solve problems on our own. A busy life may cause us to put aside prayer and worship time. The list of things to do overwhelms us. Worship and prayer may not be at the top of the list due to the focus being placed on self and our circumstances.
As those times arise, go to God. Ask Him for help. Place your trust in the Lord and release your burdens (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
Not trusting in God with all our heart can mean that a person trusts someone or something other than God. Trusting God helps us worship and praise Him. In trusting God, we give Him the glory.
Is it Really Possible to Put Your Full Trust in the Lord with All of Your Heart? You may have heard someone say, “I trust the Lord, but, I want to move things along.” Someone may make the comment, “I try to trust in the Lord. I need the answer to come quickly.” As we hear those words or possibly speak them ourselves, we may realize that we are not fully trusting God.
Fear is not from the Lord. As humans, we often fear the unknown. Once we recognize that we are afraid, we can pray and ask God for guidance. Prayer is a great step in placing our full trust in the Lord (Psalm 28:7).
God will answer in His timing and in His way.
Placing our full trust in the Lord brings us to a closer relationship with Him. He knows our thoughts and our hearts.
As we place our full trust in Him, we acknowledge our own weaknesses and the need for Him.
Praying and giving thanks to God in every situation can help our faith grow. We are leading by example when we trust in God.
What Does the Bible Say about Trusting in the Lord with All Your Heart during Uncertain Times The Bible provides words of encouragement and reminders of how we are called to trust God in uncertain times. We are also called to trust God in good times. In other words, trust God at all times (Psalm 46:1-32 NIV).
Going to God allows us to find refuge and strength. He will provide the peace, comfort, and rest that we seek.
Scripture shares how we will go through troubled times, and God will never leave us. Placing our trust and faith in God reminds us of the mercy and love He has for His children.
We may not know the reason for everything that happens. Although we may want to know why God has allowed certain events, placing our trust in Him allows us to remember He has the answers. Our call is to follow Him and help lead others to Him. God’s love is steadfast and faithful.
10 Beautiful Things That Happen When You Trust in God with All Your Heart What will happen when you trust in God with all your heart? Will your life be changed? The possibilities are endless. His love for us is immeasurable. We can place our trust in Him and rest assured we are safe in His arms.
Trusting God with all your heart allows beautiful things to happen.
Our relationship with God becomes stronger.
We are released from carrying the burdens alone.
We are reminded of the love God has for His children.
Peace and comfort are found in trusting God.
Rest and renewal can fill the body when trust is placed in God.
Through trusting God, we can help lead others to Him.
In trusting God, we are able to give up control.
We are following the call to rely on God, and not ourselves.
When we place our trust in God, we are showing our love for Him.
When we trust in God with all our heart, we acknowledge His plan and His love for us.
Trust in God with all your heart. Worship and praise Him in every moment through words and actions. Share your faith with others. Trusting God releases the need to control events in life. How wonderful to be loved by Him.
Father, thank You for loving us. Thank You for helping us when our trust is placed in other places or in other people. Thank You for searching for your children and leading us back to You. We acknowledge that at times we try to control situations. Please forgive us. Help us to remember You have a plan and that plan is best. Father, help us to place our trust in You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
My parent’s used a few of the ten methods below to help encouraged me to pray and to become a better Christian overall when I was a teenager…I’m not a parent yet, but if you’re a parent that’s reading this, and are having a difficult time getting your teen to pray, then I suggest these 10 methods of encouragement below because they really do work…
Be an Example
We aren’t going to be much help to teens if we’re leading with a “do what I say, not what I do” perspective. We need to encourage teen’s prayer life by modeling our own. Let your kids of all ages see you pray. Let them know when you’re having your quiet time with the Lord.
Initiate prayer in front of them—and not just around the dinner table (though that’s a great start!) Start small but start somewhere!
Talk about Prayer Organically
Normalize prayer. Don’t let it become an awkward, taboo subject in your family. Talk about it! Ask your kids if they’ve prayed today. Talk about the reasons maybe why they didn’t. Never shame or punish if they forgot or didn’t make the effort—but discuss it and see what is holding them back so you know how to help.
But if you don’t talk about prayer with your kids, it’s going to be rare that it’s in their minds frequently enough to do it on their own.
Point out That Prayer Isn’t Always Formal
Sometimes, teenagers hold back from something new because they don’t want to get it wrong or embarrass themselves. So make sure your teenagers know that prayer doesn’t have to be formal or stilted.
They’re not going to “mess it up”. They don’t have to be on their knees or in a certain room or pray at a certain time of day. There’s nothing legalistic about talking to the Lord! Tell them they can prayer anytime, right where they are—whether that’s in the school hallway, in the car, on the ball field, or even in the shower.
While it’s important to come to the Lord with respect and reverence, it’s of the utmost importance just to simply come. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Buy Them Books/Find Podcasts on Prayer
If your teen enjoys reading, there are so many quality books on prayer that you could purchase for them as a guide. Ask your church friends or online community for recommendations, and get your teen set up with some nonfiction books to help develop this area of their life.
Sometimes, reading about someone else’s experiences can help pave the way to make our own. If your teen needs an icebreaker, reading a book on prayer could really make a difference in their life. If your teen isn’t a reader, but loves listening to audiobooks or podcasts, research some quality Christian podcasts that tackle the topic of prayer, and invite them to listen.
Read the Lord’s Prayer Together
Jesus gave us an example of how to pray in Scripture. It would be incredibly beneficial to discuss that model prayer together as a family and dissect it. The Lord’s Prayer isn’t meant to be the way we pray as a rote citation, but rather, a template to follow where we can plug in our own thoughts, thanksgivings, and petitions.
Matthew 6:9-14 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…
Discuss the “Why” behind Why We Pray
One of the best reminders I can give myself about why it’s important to pray is the simple fact that Jesus did. Maybe your teenager isn’t going through anything difficult at the moment and doesn’t understand why he/she should pray when they’re not asking for anything.
Take the chance to point out that even Christ, in all His sinless perfection, made specific effort to get away and pray to His Heavenly Father. If Christ needed to do so, how much more do we as sinful humans?
Give Them a Prayer Journal
I don’t know many teen girls who wouldn’t jump at the chance to own a new journal! There’s something so comforting and aesthetic about a fresh journal and a new pen.
Purchasing your teen—boy or girl!—a prayer journal and their favorite box of colored pens or markers might be one way to get them interested in writing their prayers. This can be especially helpful if your teen struggles to focus mentally and tends to drift off into distraction when they pray. Writing requires a different type of mental effort and could be a solution.
Also, it’s cool for teens to be able to look back when they’re adults and have a tangible reminder of how they grew in their faith over the years.
Challenge Them to Pray for Something Specific and Watch for Results
There’s nothing more motivating to pray than watching an answered prayer come to pass. While we know that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that not all our prayers will be answered with a “yes”, it’s so encouraging when they are.
To pique your teen’s interest in this partnership with the Lord, encourage them to pray for something specific and then watch for the results. Maybe it’s for healing, or for a friend to come to salvation. Maybe it’s to make a good grade on a big test coming up. Whatever is important to them in their life right now, challenge them to pray for it and then look for the Lord at work.
This could also be a great opportunity to point out how God answers prayers in different ways—sometimes with “no” or “wait.”
Explain the Benefits of Prayer
Your teen is probably more naturally bent toward prayer when they need something. Maybe they’re hoping a certain boy or girl asks them to the dance at school, or they’re struggling with math, or maybe are going through a health issue they need relief from. Those are good times to pray—the Bible makes it clear we are free to bring our petitions to the Lord.
But be sure to point out that prayer isn’t just asking for things—it’s also praise and thanksgiving. And when we’re worshiping the Lord with praise through prayer, we’re naturally filled with peace. Our anxieties fade. Our tension eases. We’re trading our burdens for the Lord’s comfort and filling our minds with thoughts of Him, rather than the world around us.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Pray Together
Be sure to pray with your teenager. While this can be awkward at first, it’s a great habit to get into. It doesn’t have to be long or official—taking turns saying a quick prayer in the carpool line on the way to school or at the end of the night can be a simple way to normalize prayer for your teen and get them used to praying out loud.
This will build their confidence and likely cause them to pray more often on their own
I’m not looking to date anyone until after I graduate from college, but I do ponder how Christian should go about dating in our app based dating society where everyone bases who they want to date just on how they look on the outside and not what makes them who they really are on the inside…I know this sounds “cheesy”, but I hope that the man I marry loves me for me and not for anything other than that.
Among modern evangelical Christians, there have been multiple books, movements, and rules presented as the “biblical” approach or method to dating. From Joshua Harris’ I Kissed Dating Goodbye in the early 2000s to the many rules for dating in contemporary Christian circles, there is no end to supposed scriptural views on dating.
Amid this overwhelming sea of methods and rules, many Christians wonder what the Bible says about this overly discussed topic and how they should approach dating.
Specifically, there is nothing in the Bible about dating. In fact, none of the people mentioned in the Bible ever dated but rather participated in prearranged marriages and betrothals. The modern Western idea of dating did not exist in biblical times and even many cultures today do not practice dating either.
Scripture, however, does provide a few general principles that can be applied to the modern practice of dating and courtship, including maintaining a proper perspective while dating and focusing on purity in romantic relationships.
Common ‘Biblical’ Methods and Rules for Dating In churches and Christian culture, there are many popular rules for dating. Some of these include not holding hands or not showing affection, only dating someone with the intention of marrying them, only dating for a set period, having a required chaperone on dates, or not dating at all in order to wait for a person’s “one true love” to come.
These rules are not found in the Bible since Scripture does not discuss dating. Instead, these assumptions have developed over time due to major movements in Christian culture.
In the early 2000s, Joshua Harris’ book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, swept through the Christian world and encouraged Christians to no longer date, but wait for the one person whom they would marry.
Many believers followed the teachings found in the book and refused to date anyone to instead wait for the divinely chosen person whom God intended for them to marry. Such teachings gradually declined in popularity and Joshua Harris recanted his book in 2016 and announced he was no longer a Christian in 2019.
Currently, the popular trend among evangelical Christians is to prepare and pray for their future spouse. This is especially popular among Christian girls and women who are encouraged to prepare, pray, and dream about their future husbands. Dating is not discouraged but is rather pushed into strict seriousness by requiring Christians to date with the intention of marrying.
The problem with this view, however, is that there is nothing in Scripture about praying for one’s future spouse, someone that is unknown or may not even exist. While Christians can participate in dating, there is no biblical promise or guarantee that every Christian will have a spouse.
Maintaining a Proper Perspective While Dating For Christians, their first priority in all situations should always be the Lord (Matthew 6:33; Luke 10:27). Oftentimes in dating, people become infatuated and almost obsessed with their new boyfriend or girlfriend. Other important relationships often take a back seat to the new person they are dating.
Even a Christian’s relationship with the Lord can be negatively impacted by putting too much focus, time, and energy into pursuing dating or a new relationship. As Marshall Segel states in his article about dating, “The first step in dating should always be the step of faith we take toward our Lord, Savior, and greatest Treasure, King Jesus” (“The Golden Rule in Christian Dating,” Desiring God).
Just as each individual Christian should be deliberate about their relationship with the Lord, seeking to glorify Him in their life, they should also ensure that the person they are dating is completely in love with the Lord. Believers should not date unbelievers because of the possibility of marriage in any dating relationship (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).
Also, even if a Christian is dating a believer, they need to be aware of the other person’s relationship with God. Are they actively growing in their walk with Christ? Do they desire to love Him more than anything in the world, including being in a relationship or getting married? Believers should be aware of the spiritual state of the person they are seriously dating.
Finally, in regard to keeping a proper perspective while dating, Christians should also avoid falling into the trap of desperation. The church culture in the Western world, especially America, places a large emphasis on marriage, which places pressure on single believers to get married.
This often causes single Christians to become desperate and to date anyone because of the pressure to be married often just to have sex within the confines of marriage. Such a mindset goes against the Bible, which urges believers to seriously consider marriage or singleness based on legitimate reasons and not because of external pressure (1 Corinthians 7:35).
Although these Christians can still date with the intention of finding someone to marry, there is still the possibility that they will remain single for a part or the rest of their life. Being single is not a lesser state but has many great benefits in serving the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32, 34).
Believers would be wise not to waste the time they have as single individuals, but instead pray and be open to God’s guidance about when, who, and if they should be dating.
The Need for Biblical Purity While Scripture does not give any rules for how a person should date, the Bible does teach about the need to maintain purity in romantic relationships (1 Corinthians 6:13). Purity is a foreign idea to the worldly system, which promotes sexual immorality.
Many unbelievers and even some believers will commonly date someone, live with them for a while, and then find another boyfriend or girlfriend. However, Christians who want to live glorifying lives for Christ according to the Bible should avoid the temptation of living with their girlfriend or boyfriend and instead maintain celibacy until marriage.
Teenagers and young adults are especially susceptible to the temptation of sexual relations outside of marriage because of the inundation of lust-inducing messages from movies, TV shows, music, and celebrities.
Scripture speaks against this, however, by stating, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT). Sexual relations should only occur within the bonds of marriage, between a husband and his wife (Matthew 19:4-6; Hebrews 13:4).
Thus, Christians who are dating should avoid any situations for the temptation to sin (1 Corinthians 6:18). Having accountability to godly family members and friends can help protect against sinning against the Lord and the person one is dating.
Also, asking for friends to double date could also be helpful in some situations. Believers should be aware of their hearts and know what will cause temptation, which can help prevent compromising situations of impurity.
If a Christian is tempted during a date, they should pray and seek to leave the situation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Both men and women followers of Christ should pursue purity in their dating relationships to glorify the Lord and follow His Word (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Christians and Dating Though there are many dating methods and rules suggested in Christian circles, the Bible does not explicitly discuss how a Christian should approach dating. However, Christians need to view dating differently than those in the world, which promotes impurity and sexual immorality.
Instead of merely thinking about their own preferences in finding a boyfriend or girlfriend with the intention of marrying, believers should place God first in their lives and seek to be pleasing to Him in all they do, including dating.
Staying focused on one’s love for God will provide a proper perspective for romantic relationships since God is the one who provides ultimate fulfillment and love.
Our world is constantly changing and it seems like we face new struggles each morning. If you are feeling overwhelmed with anxious thoughts and worries about the unknown, this collection of Bible quotes will offer inspiration for your soul! Whether you are a lifelong follower of Christ, a new believer, or a skeptic, these Scripture verses can be used for motivation, guidance, and comfort. We have collected our favorite quotes from the Bible that you can turn to daily for strength. As you are encouraged by these verses, share them with your friends and family so that you can comfort others!
Read some of the following Bible quotes each morning to start the day inspired and reminded of God’s love for you!
Dear God, thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. Amen!
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with youl he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”
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.”
Worship is an integral part of the Christian life. It allows us to solidify our relationship with God, and reminds us to focus our hearts and minds on his word. In the same way a human body requires food and water, so does our spiritual health depend on worship. Without it, our hearts grow cold and our faith withers into nothing. Scripture tells us that the devil will do anything to get between us and God. 1 Peter 5:8 even warns us to be, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Our enemy will wait, and scheme, and hunt for any sign of weakness in our lives. It shouldn’t come as any shock that he’ll try to sabotage our worship. In the days ahead, be sure to put on the armor of God, and keep these 10 lies from stealing your joy!
The Christian Tech-Nerd 