Love is willing to wait instead of demanding, "prove you care now!"
Love isn't stuck up. Love doesn't think you're better than others because your clothes are more expensive.
Love lets others have their turn talking. It never puts others down by acting like they don't count.
Love doesn't insist on getting all the credit or always being in the popular crowd.
Love doesn't lose its temper when a brother or sister hogs the phone or spends too much time in the bathroom.
Love doesn't hold grudges. It doesn't keep thinking over and over again about how someone hurt you.
Love doesn't think doing wrong is cool.
Love looks out for the interests of others.
Love keeps on trusting God even when the right choices you make don't turn out the way you want.
Love keeps on expecting the best.
Love doesn't give up just because something goes wrong or because your feelings are hurt. God is in charge, so those who love just keep right on loving.
Self Image
Still worried about your looks? Remember they're temporary. They'll change. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
II Corinthians 4:18
How can you build a positive self-image? Remember God made you the way you are. And God doesn't make junk. Don't spend time concentrating on what you think are your bad points. Work on your good ones. Build on your strengths, and stop focusing on your weaknesses. Most important--make good decisions. Stick to what you know is right, and you'll have a great reason to feel good about yourself.
Dating
"Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God . . . No one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. '
I Thessalonians 4:4-6
Look for friendship, not passionate love.
Go out with groups. Don't always isolate yourselves.
Avoid getting too close too soon.
Don't stay together just for security.
Don't feel you have to pay for dates with physical intimacy.
Friends
Jesus chose you to be his friend. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Romans 15:7
Parents
"Honor your father and mother . . . that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Ephesians 6:2-3
So you don't always get along with your parents as great as you'd like? They just don't understand at all what it's like to be a teenager today? Well, it's been a few years since they were teenagers and the world has changed tremendously, so why not be their "teacher"? Talk to them. Fill them in on all the honest-to-goodness truth about your world.
Siblings
"Do not take revenge, my friends . . . on the contrary: 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:19-21
Church
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."
Hebrews 10:24-25
Witnessing
"Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 'Matthew 10:19-20
You can earn the right to witness by being real. By taking an honest interest in others. By being friendly. By stating what you believe without attacking others or putting them down. When you earn respect some may laugh, but they'll listen to what you say.
Entertainment
"Finally, brothers, 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."
Addiction
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires . . . You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. '
Romans 8: 5, 9
School
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. '
Colossians 3:17
Try to think of school as an opportunity to practice your faith. Like in the way you study. Or with that teacher you just can't stand. You can figure out the "how" by yourself. But one thing's for sure. "Whatever you do" includes school!
Guilt
God's way is better. "'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord'--and you forgave the guilt of my sin."
Psalm 32:5
"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
Hebrews 10:17
It takes time to learn to live with forgiveness instead of guilt. Just remember when you do wrong to face up to it. Confess it to God, and let him forgive you. Jesus died to take your sins away. He'll take your guilty feelings too.
Stress
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty . . . I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:11-13
Death
Death always brings sorrow. But a Christian's sorrow is eased by hope: "We do not want you to . . . grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him."
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
God has promised to "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."
Money
Money is important. Sixteen of Jesus' forty parables mention money. Jesus told one parable to illustrate the truth that "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." You can read the story in . . .
Luke 12:13-21
Prayer
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father . . .'"
Matthew 6:9
Prayer is remembering that God is your Father. He likes it when you stop to think with him. He wants to hear how you feel and what you're thinking. And he's never upset when you talk to him about something you want.
There's no guarantee God will say yes when you pray. If He says no, its not necessarily because you didn't have enough faith. It will be because what you asked for wasn't the best for you and others at the time. Like a good and wise father, God only gives what's best for you.
We have a dedicated team of christian practitioners ready to serve you. You can step into a new way of life where there are infinite possibilities. Why not take a few minutes to email or fax us today.
