Jealousy. We all experience it at some time or other. I figured out the other day; well, a few weeks ago now I guess, that the suffix of the word jealousy is lousy. Strange, huh? Could whoever have come up with this word been on to something?
How does jealousy make you feel? I know how it makes me feel-- angry, hurt, unjust. So, why do I let it get to me? The answer lies in that I am human, just as much as you are. We allow our sinful desires and actions to get the best of us. It doesn't make sense why we allow it, because we see what it does to other people. It is much harder to see faults in others than ourselves. That is just a fact of life, sadly.
What does the Bible say about jealousy? Well, James 3:16 says this: "Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things." (CEV version)
I don't know what this leads you to think, but it leads me to this; jealousy is selfishness in disguise. Now, that may or may not be a big revelation to you, but it may be too. I don't know; Jesus does though.
Think about it this way; selfishness, obviously, causes jealousy. We are upset because someone has what we don't. So we become jealous and envious of them, which won't help us in the long run; it could damage our relationship with God and with close friends and family members. If we don't take control of it, it could grow from covetousness to resentment of a person or thing-- or worse, even God!!
God commands us in Exodus 20: 17 to not want anthing that belongs to someone else-- not to covet what they have. Proverbs 3:31 has another great saying. I'll type it out for you: "Don't be jealous of men who who use violence. And don't choose to be like them."
There are stories in the Bible about people who were jealous and where it led them. Haman, in the book of Esther, is one example. Satan was cast out of heaven because of his hate and jealousy. That story is in Ezekiel 28, in case you want to check it out.
In the end, we need to learn to be content with what we have, material wise. Wanting to grow spiritually is something everyone should have an innate desire for. I have other verses posted below that you can look up and read for yourself. Have a great evening, and may God bless you this week.
Proverbs 23:17
1 Corinthians 13
Monday, February 25, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
What to do when Loneliness strikes
Loneliness. Everybody faces it at some time in their life. We are abandoned by a trusted friend, wronged by someone close to us; forgotten. But you know what? We are never alone or forgotten--there is always Someone watching us!
Psalm 9:10 gives a promise to God's children; "Those who know the Lord trust Him. He will not leave those who come to Him." Hebrews 13:5, stated in the Message version, says this; "God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." Great promises, aren't they?
I think that Hebrews 13:5 is a verse that we, as Christian youth, should remember. There is power in that verse! People will fail us, leave us, and let us down. But Jesus never will! He will always be with us-- no matter what! Claiming these promises will help us feel safe and secure and happy-- and content.
Jesus shouldn't be just another friend. He should be everything to us! Now, I'll admit, I don't always live by that rule. But, it is my own fault. I let life get the best of me, and I become lonely, angry, and stubborn. Even through that Jesus loves me. Amazing, isn't it?
I want to encourage you to memorize Hebrews 13:5. I know that this is a big feat to some, but I think you should try. You can do it. Don't worry about how long it takes--just try and do your best! With some training and practice it will come naturally!
The main thing I want you to remember is that God is "with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
"The eternal God is our hiding place; He carries us in His arms." ~Deuteronomy 33:27 (CEV)
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)
Psalm 9:10 gives a promise to God's children; "Those who know the Lord trust Him. He will not leave those who come to Him." Hebrews 13:5, stated in the Message version, says this; "God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." Great promises, aren't they?
I think that Hebrews 13:5 is a verse that we, as Christian youth, should remember. There is power in that verse! People will fail us, leave us, and let us down. But Jesus never will! He will always be with us-- no matter what! Claiming these promises will help us feel safe and secure and happy-- and content.
Jesus shouldn't be just another friend. He should be everything to us! Now, I'll admit, I don't always live by that rule. But, it is my own fault. I let life get the best of me, and I become lonely, angry, and stubborn. Even through that Jesus loves me. Amazing, isn't it?
I want to encourage you to memorize Hebrews 13:5. I know that this is a big feat to some, but I think you should try. You can do it. Don't worry about how long it takes--just try and do your best! With some training and practice it will come naturally!
The main thing I want you to remember is that God is "with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
"The eternal God is our hiding place; He carries us in His arms." ~Deuteronomy 33:27 (CEV)
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
God's love and Salvation
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God loves us. He cares about us. He wants us to reach out for Him. Why else would He have created the earth and all that is in it; including you?
Psalm 91:14-16 declares this: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation."
Just think about that for a moment; reflect upon it. "I will deliver him; I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him; I will satisfy him." Aren't these amazing promises for us to hold on to? GOD LOVES US!! He always does, no matter what we do-- so long as we turn back to Him. That is what He desires; for us to come to Him-- each and every one of the people on the face of the earth. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Jesus came, lived and died to save us. He loves us, just like His Father does. His story of life, death, and resurrection are found in the Gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I want to quote a verse from John 3:16. It says this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Amazing, isn't it? The Holy One who created the universe-- Who existed before the world began-- Who sent His Son to die because He loves us so much-- how is it possible to reject Jesus and His Father and the Holy Spirit? Yes, it may be scary and intimidating at first, but He is the best thing that can and will ever happen to you. Giving your life for something bigger is scary, but He is with you through it all!
If you want to accept Jesus as your personal Savior, all that you have to do is follow the few easy steps: A- admit that you are a sinner
B- believe that Jesus loves you and that He came, lived, and died and ressurected from the dead
C- confess your sins, and allow Jesus to work in your heart and mind.
This is all He wants. Will you accept Him? Will you love him and trust Him with your life? I encourage you to do so. It will be the most important decision you will ever make, but it will be the best one!
If you do not make this choice, remember this-- Jesus loves you and He will never give up on you. He will continue to love and care about you anyway, and will keep fighting for you. He does not force or push, but He will be ever-present in your life. He loves you, and that is the reason why He will do this. But remember, you have a limited amount of time. Everyone does! The longer you push Him away, the longer you harden your heart. He can wait forever-- you can't!! He doesn't want to be pushed away forever. But, he knows you, and cares about you. He wants what's best for you-- please remember that.
If you did take this step tonight, I commend you. You have just made the most important decision of your life. Remember, the road will not be easy. The world doesn't really like Christians. But, there will always be God. He will love you and be your ever-present help in times of trouble. May God bless you tonight and always.
Psalm 91:14-16 declares this: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him my salvation."
Just think about that for a moment; reflect upon it. "I will deliver him; I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him; I will satisfy him." Aren't these amazing promises for us to hold on to? GOD LOVES US!! He always does, no matter what we do-- so long as we turn back to Him. That is what He desires; for us to come to Him-- each and every one of the people on the face of the earth. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Jesus came, lived and died to save us. He loves us, just like His Father does. His story of life, death, and resurrection are found in the Gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I want to quote a verse from John 3:16. It says this: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Amazing, isn't it? The Holy One who created the universe-- Who existed before the world began-- Who sent His Son to die because He loves us so much-- how is it possible to reject Jesus and His Father and the Holy Spirit? Yes, it may be scary and intimidating at first, but He is the best thing that can and will ever happen to you. Giving your life for something bigger is scary, but He is with you through it all!
If you want to accept Jesus as your personal Savior, all that you have to do is follow the few easy steps: A- admit that you are a sinner
B- believe that Jesus loves you and that He came, lived, and died and ressurected from the dead
C- confess your sins, and allow Jesus to work in your heart and mind.
This is all He wants. Will you accept Him? Will you love him and trust Him with your life? I encourage you to do so. It will be the most important decision you will ever make, but it will be the best one!
If you do not make this choice, remember this-- Jesus loves you and He will never give up on you. He will continue to love and care about you anyway, and will keep fighting for you. He does not force or push, but He will be ever-present in your life. He loves you, and that is the reason why He will do this. But remember, you have a limited amount of time. Everyone does! The longer you push Him away, the longer you harden your heart. He can wait forever-- you can't!! He doesn't want to be pushed away forever. But, he knows you, and cares about you. He wants what's best for you-- please remember that.
If you did take this step tonight, I commend you. You have just made the most important decision of your life. Remember, the road will not be easy. The world doesn't really like Christians. But, there will always be God. He will love you and be your ever-present help in times of trouble. May God bless you tonight and always.
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Purpose
God loves you! He is with you! I'm here to tell you that. My name is Augustine Gidney and I am a Christian teenager. I live in Weymouth, a really small village in Nova Scotia.
Anyway, I want to share the Good News about Jesus and His love to all who will listen. I especially want to reach teens in my generation who are looking for the truth. We are on our way to destruction if we stay on our current path. But, why can't we change? No, it is not an easy journey, but it is well worthwile!
It would be an amazing thing to see a revelation of teens taking a stand against the evil ways of the world and pressing on for the truth. But, this is a decision on your part. Will you take the challenge of standing up for Jesus Christ? Or, will you loathe and do nothing? I admit, I am not the greatest person to be saying something like this. I am probably the worst person to say this! I really don't deserve to say this! But, I am asking you to take the challenge with me and stand up against the devil and stand up for Jesus Christ. No, the road will not be easy. In fact, it will be the hardest thing that you will ever have to face! The world does not like Christians! But, with Jesus' help, you will be able to do it. Will you join me?
Anyway, I want to share the Good News about Jesus and His love to all who will listen. I especially want to reach teens in my generation who are looking for the truth. We are on our way to destruction if we stay on our current path. But, why can't we change? No, it is not an easy journey, but it is well worthwile!
It would be an amazing thing to see a revelation of teens taking a stand against the evil ways of the world and pressing on for the truth. But, this is a decision on your part. Will you take the challenge of standing up for Jesus Christ? Or, will you loathe and do nothing? I admit, I am not the greatest person to be saying something like this. I am probably the worst person to say this! I really don't deserve to say this! But, I am asking you to take the challenge with me and stand up against the devil and stand up for Jesus Christ. No, the road will not be easy. In fact, it will be the hardest thing that you will ever have to face! The world does not like Christians! But, with Jesus' help, you will be able to do it. Will you join me?
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