Friday, April 30, 2021

Are You Afraid of the Future?

Hey, Awesome Teen!

Are you afraid of the future? If so, you are not alone.


Our world is teetering on the edge of destruction. Events are unfolding exactly as the Bible prophesied they would. Every where we turn, we see violence, death, and destruction.

The result is fear. It’s all around us. It penetrates and saturates our culture as water does a sponge. We read it in the headlines every morning. We hear it on the news every night.
We feel it in our bones, in our muscles, and in our hearts.

Yes. In our hearts.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way.  Throughout the Scriptures, God continually commands us not to fear.  Interesting, isn’t it, that He gives us a command?  A command from God implies that we are able to obey it.

So, why are we afraid? I would propose that we are afraid because we do not know God.

You see, God is Love, and in Him there is never anything to fear.  Scripture tells us that “perfect love drives out fear” (I John 4:18).  God, Who is Perfect Love, will drive out fear every time.  But here is the clincher:  We must trust Him and believe Him when He says that there is nothing to fear for those of us who know Him.

Bottom line, we get rid of fear by getting to know God intimately.  Here is His promise to us found in Isaiah 26:3: ” You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  This is the antidote to fear: Keeping our minds fixed on God.  And why do we keep our minds fixed on God? Because we trust in Him. And why do we trust Him? Because He is God and perfectly trustworthy!

Are you struggling with fear today? Then turn your eyes toward Jesus and keep looking into His beautiful face. Keep your thoughts fixed on Him. As you do, His peace will drive out every fear.

Now, it's your turn: Do you struggle with fear? What has helped you overcome fear?
Please share your comments in the box below. The words "No Comments" simply mean that no one has yet posted a comment. So, be the first one! :)


TWEETABLE: Are You Afraid of the Future? by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)

 ______________________________________________________

Copyright 2016-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.

You can find me on the following Social Media Venues:
Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, April 23, 2021

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR GENERATION Z?

Hey, Awesome Teens!

 Most of you reading this blog were born after September 11, 2001. So, all that you know of that horrific day is what you've been told, read about, or viewed in a documentary on TV or YouTube.
But even though you were born after that ignominious day in American history, you are living the consequences of the 9/11 event in your daily lives today.

 How so?

 Well, for one thing, 9/11 marked a crucial turning point in our country's perspective. Up until 9/11, we considered ourselves pretty safe. But 9/11 proved to us that we aren't as safe as we think. Consequently, you've grown up living with anxiety not only about your safety but also about your future in a country filled with perils unlike any we've ever witnessed.

 In addition, you are facing situations that my generation did not face. Situations like:

  • Terrorism: You can no longer trust your daily environment. 
  • Political Correctness. You are being silenced because speaking truth now offends. 
  • Prayer Shaming. You are being ridiculed for praying, especially praying in public.
  • The Glorification of Immorality. You are mocked when you speak out against sin by those who brazenly and openly celebrate sin. 
  • A Godless Culture. You are living in a culture that has driven God out of its schools, its marketplace, its art, its music, and its entire social structure. 
So, what are you to do?
  • Keep standing firm in righteousness. This is what God says to you: "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing" (Isaiah 41: 10-11 NLT). 
  • Keep speaking truth. Keep standing up for truth, no matter the opposition. Why? Because only the truth sets people free. Jesus said this: "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8: 32).
  • Keep praying, especially praying in public. The Word of God gives us this command: "Never stop praying" (1 Thessalonians 5: 17 NLT).
  • Keep speaking out against sin. Why? "For the wages of sin is death...." (Romans 6: 23).  Most of all, do not sin. Why? Because "the wages of sin is death...." (Romans 6: 23).
  • Keep sharing the Gospel. The Gospel alone is the message of salvation. "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile." (Romans 1: 15 NLT).
The time is very short before the return of Jesus Christ to catch away His Church in the world-shaking event called the Rapture. If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Your Savior and Lord, I urge you to do so now. Pray this simple prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am. I have made a mess of my life and I need You to save me. I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died on the Cross, and that You rose again on the third day. I accept You as my Savior and the Lord of my life. Forgive me of my sins and make of me what You created me to be. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I will send you a little booklet to help get your start in your walk with Christ.

Also, please leave a comment in the box below. I am happy to hear your opinion and to answer any questions you may have.

Meanwhile, keep looking up for our redemption draws near!  :) 

Dr. MaryAnn
_______________________________________
Copyright 2017-2021 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA.  All Rights Reserved.
www.maryanndiorio.com


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Friday, April 16, 2021

ARE YOU FEELING HOPELESS?

Hey, Awesome Teen!

 Are you feeling hopeless today? Are you wanting to give up, throw in the towel, end it all? If so, this blog post is for you!

 Everywhere I turn, I find teens who are feeling hopeless because of everything that is going on in the world. Maybe you're one of them. If so, listen up!

 No matter what situation you're in, there is hope for you!

If your parents have just divorced, there is hope for you!
If your Mom has just died, there is hope for you!
If your Dad committed suicide, there is hope for you!
If your boyfriend just broke up with you, there is hope for you!
If you just got rejected from your favorite college, there is hope for you!
If you're addicted to drugs, there is hope for you!
If you're overweight and struggling to lose weight, there is hope for you!
If you're experiencing panic attacks, there is hope for you.
If you just failed your biology final, there is hope for you.
If you just got a bad medical diagnosis, there's hope for you.
If you hear voices in your head and think you're going crazy, there is hope for you!

No matter what your problem or situation, there is hope for you!

 That hope is Jesus Christ!
You see, hopelessness is a dangerous trap Satan sets for those he wants to destroy. And that includes you! If Satan can steal your hope, then he can overpower you.

 But if you refuse to give up your hope, Satan doesn't stand a chance!




 The Bible tells us in Hebrews 6: 19 that hope is "an anchor for the soul." In other words, hope keeps us stable and positive in the midst of trials. Hope keeps us looking ahead toward a better tomorrow---toward the day when Jesus Christ will return and usher us into the eternal realm where all suffering will end. 

 If, that is, you are born again!

But while we are here on this earth, God wants us not only to survive, but also to thrive. And in order to do so, we must have hope. But our hope must be in the right place.

The only right place for our hope is in Jesus Christ. To hope in anything outside of Christ is to hope in vain, for only Christ is the Solid Rock on which hope can stand.

 Much of our disappointment in life comes from the fact that we have hoped in the wrong thing or the wrong person. Perhaps we have placed our hope in a parent or a friend who has betrayed us or let us down. Perhaps we have placed our hope in a guy or a gal who let us down big-time. Perhaps we have placed our hope in a job or a career, only to be disappointed in that job or that career. 

 Whatever the case, when we place our hope in imperfect human beings or in imperfect human situations, our hope will falter. But when we place our hope in the Perfect God, our hope will never fail.

 In Psalm 39: 7, King David asks this question: “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?” David answers his own question when he says: “My only hope is in You.”

 David knew that the only safe repository of his hope was God. The same is true for us. When we place our hope in God, we will never be disappointed.

Perhaps you are reading this today, and you are feeling hopeless. Perhaps your life has crumbled, and you don’t know where to turn. Perhaps you have even contemplated suicide or have already made arrangements to kill yourself. If I am talking to you, then I urge you to give yourself another chance.

 You see, Satan wants to destroy you because you have a great purpose in God’s plan, and Satan wants to keep you from fulfilling that purpose. If you were not important to God, Satan would have no need to make you feel hopeless or to try to get you to kill yourself. But you are a threat to Satan, so he wants to eliminate you—to take you out of the picture. He does this by stealing your hope.

 Without hope, we see no reason to go on. So, if Satan can steal your hope, he can steal your future, your blessings, and, yes, even your life.

 God, on the other hand, wants to give you life, not steal it from you. He wants to give you hope and peace and every good thing. But in order to receive the hope that God wants to give you, you must receive it from His hand. You must, in short, come to Him.

 God is waiting for you to do that now.

 Today, if you are feeling hopeless, I urge you to turn to Jesus Christ. He is waiting with open arms for you to turn to Him. He wants to be your Hope. 

 If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, I invite you to do so now. Just pray this simple prayer after me:

 Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am. I admit that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy and grace. I acknowledge that You are the Son of God, that You died for me to pay the penalty for my sin, and that You rose from the dead. I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. I receive You as my Hope. Make of me all that You created me to be. Amen.

 If you sincerely prayed this prayer, you are now a born-again child of God and follower of Jesus Christ. Place your hope in Him. I promise you that you will never be disappointed.

 For more information to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus, I invite you to visit my website at maryanndiorio.com.

 Now, it's your turn! Do you ever feel hopeless? If so, what do you do to combat hopelessness?

 Please share your insights in the box below. Thanks!

Please tell your family and teen friends about this blog and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

Hugs,

Dr. MaryAnn










______________________________________________________________
Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.
If you enjoyed this blog, please forward it to your family and friends. Spread the Word of God and be a blessing to others! Thanks! 
You can find me on the following Social Media Venues:
Website: www.maryanndiorio.com
Truth-to-Teens Blog: truth-to-teens.blogspot.com
Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies.
Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
______________________________________________________________
Copyright 2001-2021 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA.  All Rights Reserved.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, April 9, 2021

How to Defeat Depression

Hey, Awesome Teens!

Are you depressed? Are you feeling hopeless about your future? Are you suicidal?

Today, we're going to tackle depression. Yes, tackle it! :)  If you're depressed, or if you've ever experienced depression, then you'll want to pay close attention.
What is depression? Depression is a loss of hope accompanied by feelings of dejection, dread, and despair. When we feel depressed, we feel not only hopeless, but we also feel helpless.

 While all of us get depressed once in a while, an emotional state is characterized as depression when it lasts for two weeks or more.

 So, what are some of the signs of depression? Here are a few:




1---Feeling sad continually.
2---Loss of interest in activities that you used to find enjoyable.
3---Insomnia or sleeping too much.
4---Loss of appetite or eating too much.
5---Constant fatigue.
6---Trouble concentrating or focusing.
7---Difficulty making decisions.
8---Feeling worthless.
9---Thoughts of suicide.
10--Feeling hopeless that things will ever change.
If you've experienced any of the above for longer than two weeks straight, you may be suffering from depression.

 So, what should you do?
1--Go to God with your depression. Ask for His help. He is your Healer, and He will lead you out of depression.

 2--Talk to your parents or a trusted adult about how you feel. Sharing your feelings with someone who loves you will go far in helping you to overcome depression. 
3---Analyze your thoughts. Yes, depression is largely rooted in wrong thinking. If you are believing a lie, that lie could make you depressed. So, identify any lies you are believing and then renounce them and replace them with the truth.
4--Discover truth in God's Word. God's Word is Truth. It alone will help you recognize a lie. Any belief that does not agree with what God says about you in His Word is a lie. As you study God's Word, truth will replace the lie. And it is the truth that will set you free from depression (John 8: 32).

 5--Praise God continually. The Bible tells us that praising God drives out depression (Isaiah 61: 3). So begin praising God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind.

 When Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead, He defeated depression. Receive Him into your life today and He will give you His joy. Then watch depression leave your life! 

How to Receive Jesus as Your Savior and Lord

 __________________________________________________________
Copyright 2018-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Friday, April 2, 2021

Where Am I Going?

Hey, Awesome Teen,

Last week we discussed the second of the three great questions of life: Why am I here?  We learned that we are creatures made in the image of God and that we have great value and worth. If you missed last week’s post, you can find it here.


Today, we’re going to talk about the third anThis week, we'll discuss the third most important life question: Where am I going?

This question could refer to where you will go after you graduate; where you will go when you leave home; where you will go as the next step in God’s plan for your life. But we are going to discuss where you are going after you die. 

 As many of you already know, once our body dies, that is not the end, as so many falsely teach today.  In addition to your body, you have a soul and a spirit (See I Thessalonians 5:23). Your spirit is who you really are. Your soul comprises your mind, your will, and your emotions. Your body is what I like to call your “earth suit”. :)

 When we die, our spirit and soul leave our body, but they still continue to exist. They go to either one of two places: Heaven or Hell. Where your spirit and soul go after you die is entirely up to you.  But you must make that decision while you are still alive on this earth. Once you die, it is too late to choose where your spirit and soul will go.

 How do you make sure that your spirit and soul will go to Heaven to be with Jesus after you die? Simple. All you need to do is accept Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.  When you do, you begin to trust Him to get you to Heaven. And no one is more trustworthy than Jesus!  He is perfectly trustworthy.

 Those who do accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord will go to hell when they die. Plain and simple. The reason is that we can get to Heaven only through Jesus. He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). 

 So, no matter what anyone tells you, Jesus is the only way to be saved.

 If you have not yet invited Jesus into your life to be your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer now:

 Lord Jesus, I come to You just as I am. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. I invite You into my life, and I receive You now as my Savior and my Lord. Thank You for saving me. Make of me what You created me to be. Amen. 

 If you prayed this prayer, please write to me at Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, PO Box 1185, Merchantville, NJ 08109.  I will send you a little booklet called After You’re Born Again to help you get started in your wonderful walk with Jesus.

 Also, if you prayed this prayer, write down the date and time. This is your spiritual birthday. Get yourself a good Bible that you can understand. Read it every day. Pray every day. Prayer is simply talking with Jesus as you would to your best friend, because He is your Best Friend.
If you have any questions or comments about Life Question Three, please share your thoughts in the comment box below or write to me privately at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. Thanks and Blessings!  :)

____________________________
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and tell your teenage friends about it. Thanks!

_______________________________________________
Copyright 2016-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved
____________________________________________________
You can find me on the following Social Media Venues:
Amazon Author Central: www.amazon.com/author/maryanndiorio
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/maryanndiorio
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)