Fear

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Sometimes, fear takes over my heart. I'll get really nervous and start shaking and hyperventilating. I won't be able to think of anything, my mind freezes up. When I have these times, I'll grab my Bible and hold it in my hands while I'm curled in a ball. Just the Bible itself comforts me. When my mind starts clearing up a bit, I start quoting this verse over and over and over. Then, God just fills me with peace and calmness. Even though I'll still be frightened, he's right there with me. He's comforting me and loving me. He's always there, no matter what. Through the fears, through the tough times, through the fear.

Trust

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. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust is a pretty powerful thing and often falters. I know from experience, that if you trust someone, and they break that trust, you have trouble trusting anyone after that. The problem with people is... we are mankind. People will break our trust, and more than likely we've broken other people's trust. But... I have this friend who's never ever broken my trust before. He's my best friend. He's my Lord and Savior. 

He loves us so much! As it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, if we trust God and let him direct our lives, he will help us go down the correct path. The path of wisdom. The path that's straight. The path that's good, not evil. Put your trust in God... he'll never let you down. Ever.

Good Works

I met a Jehovah Witness at the door today and they kept trying to  explain to me about the necessity of doing good works, so that we can get to heaven. I didn't want to be rude or anything, but I couldn't help saying, "I trust in Jesus. I'm a christian." They didn't care... they continued to tell me about their lives in the Jehovah Witness and everything that they have to do and such. After they left, it got me thinking, "Wow... they were really insistent."

I wish as a Christian that I could be so insistent and constantly telling others about Jesus. Even though I don't have to do good works to get into heaven, God wants us to do good works. He commands us in the Bible to share His love with others! Anyway, I know this isn't like my usual style of posting, but I thought I'd share this with you, since it's been on my mind.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  - Ephesians 2:10 -

Transformed and Renewed

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:1-2

As a normal teen, I can get sucked up into the world's ways so often. It's really hard to not follow in the path and footsteps of the way the world wants me to. Whether if it's buying new clothes that are modest or not saying the bad words that some of my friends say. Maybe you're treating your parents in a disrespectful way when you're at home, but at church you're acting like a whole different person. 

During these times and during all these struggles, as Christians we need to remember that God is fully in charge of our lives. We need to try to be careful of how we are acting and whether or not we are glorifying him in what we are doing. The verse below is a great guideline to follow while trying to renew your mind to test God's will. :) 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
-Philippians 4:8

Tough Times

Sometimes... life gets really hard. It weighs down upon my shoulders and I feel like the pressure is going to crush me. I'll cry and ask God to help me out; to help lift the burden. I go through a lot of hurts and pains, but I always seem to forget that God loves me. He doesn't give me anything I can't handle. Everything that happens in my life he has a purpose for. It strengthens me and helps me to grow stronger in Him. It's hard to remember, but through those times of struggles... trust God. He knows what he's doing.

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:2-4

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28

Sincerely, the Christian Blogger