Today we live in a world where there is much confusion! There is confusion about the economy, confusion about relationships; confusion about war & peace, the list goes on and on. Among teenagers, growing up in the mist of all these “confusing” circumstances, it is important to note that there should be NO confusion about who God is, and that he loves you very much. Yet, the more I talk with teenagers, the more I realize there is confusion, yes even among “church-going” teenagers.
My prayer today, is that, as you read this article, God stirs your heart and clears away any confusion about his love for you!
The scriptures tell us that “God is Love”. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. (1 John 4:16). Despite this truth, in the world today, there is still much confusion about what “love” really is. Many teenagers find it hard to believe that God is a loving God. Could this be mainly, because love has been defined in so many different ways in our world?
It is difficult to define “love” when we have a society where parents say they love one another, yet they get divorced; we have moms and dads that say they love their children, yet they are virtually absent from their lives; we have “church communities” that say they love people, yet they judge and condemn. No wonder, if we look to the world, there is confusion about what love is! However, if we look to God we can clearly define love.
God says love is everlasting – God will never leave you or forsake you. “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.” (Deut. 31:8). We learn in God’s word that he promises to always stand by us. “ No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you”. (Joshua 1:5).
God’s love will never end and it cannot be measured. “ 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”. (Rms 8: 39). God, through his love for you, made a plan for your life. “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).
God has adopted you, you are never without a Father. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God”! (1 John 3:1).
This is the kind of love that will put to rest any confusion about what true love is. God is Love, and he loves you! You can depend on the love of God. Do not look to the world for love, look to and rely on God’s love. Spend time with God and you will come to know “love”.
This is your opportunity to share your thoughts/comments regarding popularity. Please share how this article relates to your life, feel free to ask questions and let’s dialogue (or, “talk”) together around God’s principles.
Tags: about love, gods love, relationships, teenagers, war
I really like this article about confusion about love. Lately I have been lazy and I haven’t done any worship or devotion. I just haven’t been eager, but god has put things and hard times in my life that make me finally turn to him. Now I hope to put more focus on him. This article reminds me to turn to him in times of temptation and he will help me through love. The world can not love me as much as he can.
I carefully read this post and I am really happy you chose to write about it.You’re right, we live in such a confusing world, but we are really blessed to have God’s word here among us and when it comes to love, I always refer to 1 Corinthians 13..It’s “love’s chapter” and I don’t know if you can explain love better.Yes, Jesus showed it in the best way possible, dying for us on the cross.But, it’s impossible not to think about it… “how should we show God’s love to the world?” and “do we do it ?how often?..how anyone express her love to the person next to her?”because it’s not only about knowing the true love, God’s love, it’s about sharing it and showing it to the whole world!And I think, this is the hardest thing in all this “love thing”…
Heyy,
uhm..I totally agree with that! It’s pretty difficult not to be confused about anything these days. How do you think we..as Christian teenage girls can show God’s love to others…how can we stand out and be different and not be like those ‘typical teenagers’ ??
I thought it was a great article! Lately my Mom has been saying that my sister is confused so maybe I will share this article with her! Thanks for taking the time to wright these awsome devotionals!
It’s so true that love can be confusing, from the world’s stand point. God’s love is so different from the world’s view. Unconditional love, agape love is God’s kind of love. It isn’t the world’s flaky kind of love.
Thank you so much for these articles it really helps me focus in on what I need to and “ditch” what I don’t. I didn’t really realize it until I read this article that I do feel that way sometimes. Thank You for opening my eyes Lucy.
Hey girls,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it is always great to hear from you. AJ I have a few thoughts regarding your question on how teenage girls can demonstrate God’s love to others…first off…great question!!
My thoughts go back to Jesus…what would Jesus be doing in a world that was so confused about love? Jesus would be kind, considerate, polite, caring…he would go the extrat mile to show someone that they were important and mattered to him. He would spend time with people who otherwise would not have anyone stop and talk with them. He would do something for someone else, with no other motive then to be a blessing. I challenge you to think of creative ways to be a blessing to at least one person each day. Show God’s love in practical ways, to others who are also living in a confusing world, and perhaps do not know the hope that we have by being in relationship with Jesus.
I welcome any comments/ideas on how you may show God’s love to others. Let’s start sharing “love” on purpose!
I pray for you all everyday, keep your eyes on Jesus, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts with us. Blessings!
I love every one of your articles! They really help me deal with the pressures of this world we live in… Thanks so much, Lucy!
I really like this article because its so true God is love . If you feel like no one loves you God does , God’s love is compassionate just thinking about how much love God shows towards me makes me want to treat others with love all the time . I was just reading about love vs lust , and love is patient, theres a big difference between lova and lust . But in the world we find ourselves finding love in all the wrong places . Just go to God and he will give you all the love you need . I thank you Jesus for the love you show towards me , when i want love from my mama , when i want love from my daddy , God is there to show me that love when they are not there for me … oh i thank you Lord God just thinking about makes me get emotional … Thank you Lord God for your love !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God is true love!
So, I thought I’d share some thoughts about popularity. I’ve never been one of the popular ones, and for a time I might have thought that it would be cool to be one. Today I have other thoughts, because I know God loves me so very much, I don’t have to strive to fit in with “the gang/cool ones”. I prefer to hang out with people I can trust, and that are kind. I have some good friends that are Christians, and I thank God for them, because I see now that they help me in my walk with Christ, and we encourage each other to go on. So, Christian friends are great to have at hand =D
As being invited to parties etc…where drinking occurs and other bad things happen, well, perhaps I wanted to attend once.
Today I don’t, because I’ve found Jesus, and a Christian youth club, where I can hang out instead.
My advice to anyone who struggles with wanting to be popular; it’s not worth it. You’re popular in God’s eyes, he has a plan for you, and certainly he cares and he LOVES you very very much =)
this is a great article.i am sure it will help alot of us teens.. god is amazing in all that he does. god made everyone. and he loves us all individually.. sometimes its hard to remember that god loves us… and i struggle with that heaps.
I just wanted to say thanks. I must say that honestly it was just a reminder, but quite a good one at that. I am at a very confusing stage of my life, I don’t know who I am. But I’ll get there. ThAnK yOu
Yeah you will!
i love commenting on this.
I really Like this Article It tells Alot. What i was Going to say was I don’t No Exactly How to Except God into My heart like What do i throw in my prair To Let him no how i fill. It is just very Hard. i have tryed But i also don’t no How i am supposed to no if He is there By me And Has let me Except Him Into My heart !
Please If anyone No’s What a Can say our do our no that He has Fully Heard what i said And would like to Except him into my heart ! Plz Comment this Thanks, Laure(:
Lauren,
Thanks for sharing. The bible teaches us that if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, then we willl be saved. We do not have to beg God to accept us. We have to trust him in our hearts and believe on his son Jesus Christ. Once we ask for forgiveness of our sins and trust in Jesus, God, by his spirit does a miracle in our lives and seals our hearts for him. Once you have done that Jesus comes into your heart and by his spirit he will lead and guide you into all righteousness as you choose to stay close to him. Our salvation is not a “feeling” it is a trust in Gods faithfullness to his word. God loves you and he is there with you right now. Keep close to God by reading his word and talking to him through prayer. God promises never to leave you or forsake you. Blessings!
May Our Lord Jesus christ be with thy spirit forever! Amen
I really like this article! Thanks for taking your time to make it.
I am very happy that you took the time to make this article.I’m also happy that the subject on popularity come up because there are some friends who I think i should ditch because of their bad influence on me and the bible says that we shouldn’t associate with people like that, but at the same time I’m not sure if i should because how will i tell them about christ and set a good example for them if i ditch them. I may be the only christian friend they have and i want them to get saved. What should i do?
This article was pretty good
I do find it hard to remember that God loves me. Or that he loves everyone – because every time I think of it I think of the amount of people he has killed. Truely – I find him scary. I want to say I am friends with the Lord … It was a good article tho 
I’ve found that the greatest way to show God’s love is through serving. It doesn’t have to be complicated. When you see someone cramming books into their locker, and their binder falls out onto the floor, pick it up and hand it to them. And when you do smile. Maybe there is an older guy in front of you at the store….you can help him put his groceries in his cart. Also, you can clean up after events. There are always broken pens and leftover bulletins at church. Pick them up and put everything where it goes to surprise the guy that cleans the church. When you do something like that, don’t tell him/her it was you. Just know that you have shown God’s love and your reward for doing so is in heaven. I got caught doing this once, and the thank yous never stop. I know it makes a huge difference. If you have trouble seeing those opportunities, pray that God would open your eyes to see the things happening around you. You’d be surprised at what you’ve been missing. ~KAD
Gina,
Glad you shared your thoughts with us. We are too be a light in the darkness, but we are not to let the darkness put our light out. If people are being a bad influence on you, there is a caution flag there. By making good decisions for yourself according to God’s word, you are making an influence on others. God word says that it is the spirit that draws all men onto himself. Share you faith by your actions, and those around you will see that you are different. Those not following Christ are not bad people, they just may be making bad choices. I pray you will have discernment in knowing who should be your friend. Keep praying for your unsaved friends, that God may open the eyes of their understanding, so the truth of God’s word will make a difference in their lives.
Beck,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, why do you find God scary? God is a God of Love. God loves you.
i know its late but thank you very much.
i have been confused about relationships lately. there is this guy i really like and he’s great. he wants to serve God and do what is right but i dont know if i should let it get serious right now or wait and see what God has for me….if you want to comment that would be great!
~psalm 30:5~
hi i’ve been stressed lately- how do i say a prayer thanking God and asking him questions without going on and on? i want to thank him and have a relationship with him but it seems like praying is becoming kind of a drag- i want to look forward to it but i dont. how can i help this problem?
i was reading lauren’s comment and i remembered something my youth group leader said. he said to imagine u are sitting in ur house playing a game and a famly member knocks on the door. u open the door and see that this family member that loves u a lot. they have a huge present in their hands thats for u. instead of accepting the gift and thanking them for it u shut the door and go back to playing your game. this represents turning away from God’s gift of love and forgiveness that was given to us when Jesus died on the cross for us. however, u can still accept that gift! the offer never goes away! when u accept that gift God will enter your heart! know why u have accepted this gift- because we are human. we arnt perfect and we make mistakes. we sin. but in accepting this gift God will forgive us! accept it as soon as possible and pray telling God you accept it.
Marysa,
You asked about prayer… praying is simply talking with God. God knows your heart, just be opened and honest, as if you were talking to your best girlfriend. God wants to be your best friend, he wants you to share every detail of your day, your life with him. God wants to spend time with you, he looks forward to hearing from you. The more you talk with God, the closer your relationship will be. Talk with God all day, it does not have to be a ritual, just a conversation, and don’t forget a conversation is two ways…he wants to talk to you as well, give him time and listen as well. God loves you.