Staying Strong in Tough Times

Hey, Awesome Teen! 

Hope you're having a great day! This week we're going to talk about how to stay strong in these tough times.

No matter where you live in the world, there are things going on around you that are troubling, to say the least. The Bible warns us that "perilous times" would come before the return of Jesus. 

Look at what the Apostle wrote in 2 Timothy 3: 1-5:

" . . . in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that."

I think we are living right now in the times Paul described in this passage. So, what are we to do to stay strong and to be true to Jesus?  Listen to what His Word says:

• Don't be troubled or afraid. (John 14: 27)
• Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21: 36)
• Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. (John 14: 1)

God placed you on this earth at this time of history for a reason. A very important reason! He wants you to carry the light of Christ within you to all those whom He places in your circle of influence.

Be faithful to that calling!  Countless souls are at stake!

TWEETABLE:Staying Strong in Tough Times by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)
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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

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Copyright 2017-2021 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA.  All Rights Reserved.

www.maryanndiorio.com

SOLAR ECLIPSE: A WARNING FROM GOD

Hey, Gabriel Girls!

If you live in the good ol' USA, you know that on Monday, August 21, 2017, our country will be experiencing a total solar eclipse. The eclipse will traverse the entire United States from the Northwest to the Southeast. 

This is an event of major significance in that it is a warning from God calling us to repentance, both as individuals and as a nation. The eclipse will occur only over the United States and over its expanse, meaning this is a message specifically for America.  So, we must take special heed!

The  Bible tells us that God speaks to us through the signs in the sky (Genesis 1: 14).  The question is: Are we listening?

God issues these celestial warnings out of His infinite love for us. He is saying that if we don’t repent, we will bring judgment and great suffering on ourselves because we have disobeyed His commands. (See the Book of Revelation).

Please take this warning to heart and warn your family and friends.  This is not something to take lightly and to brush off.  Your eternal destiny and theirs are at stake.

Many Biblical scholars and other Christians believe that the Lord’s return for His Church in an event called the Rapture is at hand, and that this eclipse is meant to prepare us for the Lord’s return.  Only those who have been born again will be removed from the earth and will escape the great Tribulation which will soon come upon the entire world with the rise of the AntiChrist. Those who have not accepted Christ as Savior and Lord will be left behind and will endure the Tribulation. This will be a seven-year period of horrific suffering and oppression such as the world has never seen.

You do NOT want to be left behind! If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, accept Him now as your Savior and Lord and spend eternity in His Presence. Here is a simple prayer to be born again:

“Lord Jesus, I come to You now just as I am—broken, bruised, and empty inside. I’ve made a mess of my life, and I need You to fix it. Please forgive me of all of my sins. I accept You now as my personal Savior and as the Lord of my life. Thank You for dying for me so that I might live. As I give you my life, I trust that You will make of me all that You’ve created me to be. Amen.”

If you sincerely prayed this prayer, you are now a child of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. Please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorioministries.com. I would like to send you a booklet to help you get started in your walk with Jesus. 

Now, it’s YOUR turn: Are you listening for God’s voice as He speaks through His signs in the sky? Are you looking up for the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His Bride? How are you preparing for His return? 

If you found this post helpful, please forward it to a friend. Thank you! Please tell your family and friends about this blog and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

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Copyright 2017 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD.  All Rights Reserved.