TOPICS
Find out what the Bible has to say about...
ANGER
Anger sometimes sinful: “ Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” –Ephesians 4: 26-27
Be slow to anger: “But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1: 19-20
“A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.” Proverbs 14: 17
Anger pacified by: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15: 1
CHOICES (article by Jake) (Top)
Ask God for wisdom: "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Prov 2:6
Put your trust in God, not yourself: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Prov 3:5-6
Choose wisely: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Eph 5:15-17
DATING (article by Mitchell) (Top)
Dating a non-Christian is harmful: "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil ? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" -2Corinthians 6:14-15
Don’t choose a date solely based on appearance: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
Sex should only occur within marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4
FEAR (article by Tina) (Top)
Fear of God is wise: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
What does it mean to fear God: “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13
Do not fear doing good: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” 1 Peter 3:14-15
Fear God and God alone: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 32-39
FRIENDSHIP (article by Ben) (Top)
Choose friends carefully: “A righteous man is cautious in friendship but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26
Friends sacrifice for each other: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 13
Friends are honest with one another: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6
Real friendship persists when it’s tough: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17: 17
Jesus calls us friends: “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15: 14-15
FUTURE (Top)
Hope for the Future: "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." -Jeremiah 29:11
Don't worry about tomorrow: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?.... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:25-34
All evil, suffering, and injustice will be no more for those who follow Jesus: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:1-4
GUILT (article by Max) (Top)
If you have sinned, then confess it to God: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalms 32:5
Freedom from shame: "In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness." Psalms 31:1
Restoration from guilt: "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalms 51:10-12 (NLT)
HEAVEN (Top)
Christians will be rewarded in heaven: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
Christians will experience new life in heaven: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15: 51- 54
Heaven will last for eternity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16
HELL (Top)
Hell is a place of torment: “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” Luke 16: 23-24
Only Jesus can save from hell: “If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20: 15
JOY (Top)
Let the Lord be the source of your joy: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11
True joy comes from obedience: “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.” Proverbs 10:28
Worship should be joyous: “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke: 24:52
Joy lasts through painful situations: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4
LOVE (Top)
Love defined: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love God & people: "Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." -Matthew 22:37-40
Love & obedience: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." -John 15:9-10
LONELINESS (article by Bekah) (Top)
The Lord will always be there: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord will provide community for the broken: “God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalm 68:6
Humans were meant for community: “The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18
LUST (Top)
Be careful what you look at: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” -Job 31:1
Lusting after people is adultery: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” -Matthew 5:28
Put lust to death: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. -Colossians 3: 5-6
MONEY (Top)
Make wise decisions with your money: “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” Proverbs 17:16
Money does not satisfy: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
Don’t let money control you: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24
Give to people who are in need: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12: 33-34
PAIN (Top)
There can be Joy in Pain: “Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.” Job 6:10
Pain can come from following God: “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:19
There will come a time when pain ceases: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:4
PERSPECTIVE (article by Larry) (Top)
God is BIG, you are small : “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." -Ecclesiastes 5:2
God is in control: "For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. 8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne." Psalms 47:7-8
There is hope: "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." Romans 15:13
SEX (Top)
Sex is created by God and is good: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24
Sex should only occur within marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4
Honor God with your body: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6: 18
STRESS (article by Josh) (Top)
Relax and remember God is in control: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46: 10
God will work things out for good: “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.” Romans 8: 28
Cast your burdens on Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30
SUFFERING (Top)
Rejoice God is with you: "You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." -Psalms 22:23-24
Prayer of Deliverance: "Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. -Psalms 119:153-154
"For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes. Psalms 54:7
Suffering is hard, but it develops character: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
Suffering for your faith: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.... if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:12-16
WORRY (article by Jared) (Top)
Worry doesn’t accomplish much: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6: 25-27
Trust in God’s provision for the future: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Anxiety can be balanced with cheerfulness: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs: 12:25
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