Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:8-14; ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8; ROMANS 8:28-29; 35-39 A lot can happen in a year. A year can seem like both a long time and a short time all at once. Already, this year is nearly over. Isn’t it crazy? A new year is right around the corner. What was this year like for you? Was it filled with joy? Grief? Trials? Growth? Change? So many things can happen in the course of a year, yet it might be hard to see the significance of all these events until later down the line. But we can be confident that God is working in all things for our good and for His purposes. As we wait for the day Jesus will return to right every wrong and restore all things, we can rest knowing that God holds us in His love, and He is helping us become more and more like Jesus. At the moment, you may not fully understand what’s happening, but later on you might be able to look back and see just how God worked through the things that happened throughout the year. Hindsight is a beautiful thing—it gives us a glimpse of just how much God is present in our lives. So, when we recognize the amazing things He’s doing in and through us, it’s good to take time to thank Him and rest in His faithfulness. As this year draws to a close, I have a challenge for you, if you’re willing to take it on. Set aside some time and pull out some paper and a pencil. Think about this past year: • What were some really amazing things that happened? • What were some of the hardest things you experienced? Looking back, can you see how God used any of those situations for good? • What’s one way you saw God work in your life? What are some of the prayers He answered? Were there any events or circumstances that you now realize He orchestrated? • What did God teach you throughout the year? How did He speak to you? In what ways has He helped you grow? • What are you most grateful for this past year? • What’s one word you’d use to describe this past year? Why? • What are you most looking forward to God doing in your life in this coming new year? Take your time to think through and answer as many of these questions as you’d like. When you’re finished, consider taking some time to thank God for everything He’s done in your life throughout this year, and ask Him to bless you and guide you in the new one. May this new year be full of blessings and growth from our loving Father. • Rebekah Scott Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-7; 1 JOHN 4:7-21 The simple note written on a card and given to me by a family member echoed in my mind. It read, “Love you! Proud of you!” I couldn’t stop thinking about those words. I felt a nudge, as if the Holy Spirit wanted me to pay attention. And then I remembered why—my question. “How can I be a better sister?” The question had been on my mind and in my prayers. I have good intentions to love my siblings when I wake up each day. But somehow, from the moment my feet hit the carpeted floor of my room, my goal of being a better sister felt directionless and unattainable. The note from my family member made me realize that the problem with focusing on how to be a better sister is that it places my thoughts on me. It becomes a selfish pursuit, and therefore sets me up for failure because love is not selfish (1 Corinthians 13:5). This note changed my perspective. Instead of asking the question, “How can I be a better sister?” I started to ask myself, and ask the Lord, “How can I love my siblings well? How can I show them that I love them, and I am proud of them today?” The point is not about whether I am a better sister, the point is for me to love my siblings because God first loved me (1 John 4:19). The beauty of this is that, when you and I love one another, God’s love “is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12). • Daevis McMurphy • God calls us to love each other out of the overflow of His love for us. As we spend time pondering how much God loves us—how Jesus died on the cross for us so we could be forgiven, and then rose from the grave so we could live with Him forever—we often find that loving others just comes naturally. How could you spend time pondering Jesus’s love today? • How can you love the people God has placed in your life today, whether they be family, friends, other people you know, or strangers? Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to bring people to mind and give you ideas of practical ways you can show these people that you love them. Maybe you could help with a task, write a note, or simply have a conversation. We love each other because He loved us first. 1 John 4:19 (NLT)

READ: ROMANS 5:5; 8:1-2, 8-11; EPHESIANS 1:13 Imagine you saw a pair of shoes walking down the street without anyone wearing them. You’d probably think it was some uncanny new technology or an elaborate prank, right? Obviously, shoes need to have a wearer to move around. They can’t move by themselves. It’s only when someone puts their feet in those shoes that they can move and run and dance. That’s kind of like what the Holy Spirit does for us. Without the Holy Spirit, we’re all like empty shoes. Lifeless. Or, as Ephesians 2:1 puts it, dead in our sins. But when Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, He makes us alive spiritually. Just as no shoe will move without someone moving it, no person will have spiritual life without God’s Holy Spirit living in them. Until we receive the Holy Spirit, we can’t walk in step with Jesus. But once we put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again to save us from sin and give us new life, His Holy Spirit indwells us (Ephesians 1:13). The Spirit helps us run and dance and follow after Jesus. How beautiful is that? God’s own presence dwells in our very bodies. As 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” The Spirit fills us with abundant life and peace, and moves us to do the good things God has designed us to do and tell others the good news about Jesus. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He has given you new life through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings God’s presence, guidance, and comfort into your life, and transforms you to become more and more like Jesus. And that’s worth dancing about! • A. W. Smith • Jesus is the only one who can give us life. If you have questions about what it means to put your trust in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit, who is a trusted Christian you can talk to? You can also learn more on our "Know Jesus" page. • If you know Jesus, can you think of any ways you’ve seen the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • If you want to dig deeper, read Acts 9:31; Romans 8:15; 15:13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 2:1-10; 3:16; Colossians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 3:3-8. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

READ: LUKE 15:1-32; JOHN 13:34 I said, “Give me my portion of the goods,” And in my youthful heart I knew he would. I took, and turned, and quickly walked away And relished in the freedom of that day. For pleasures I had dreamed about I’d roam, Not once regretting ever leaving home. I traveled far until one fateful day I found I lost my treasure on the way. There was no food to eat—no bread, no figs; I sadly found myself among the pigs. Where could I go, how could I now survive? “I hurt my father when I left,” I cried. But home I went, I’d beg him to forgive, If only I could have a place to live. Then, to my unbelievable surprise, I saw the love within my father’s eyes. I know now fully what it means to live— To honor, to do good, and to forgive… • Sharon Roberts • Today’s poem is based on a parable Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32. Consider taking some time to read this passage slowly. What do you notice? How did the younger son hurt his father? How did his father respond? • Just as the father in the parable received his long-lost son, running to him and embracing him, God receives us. He longs for us to turn away from sin and come home to Him. That’s why Jesus died for our sins and rose again—because God wants to lavish us with forgiveness and mercy, and welcome us as His own children! Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. • God extends compassion and forgiveness to us, even though we could never deserve it. But sometimes, when God gives grace to another sinner like us, we feel resentful. Sometimes we look down on others because we’ve fallen into the trap of thinking we’re not in need of Jesus’s saving grace anymore, like the older son in the parable. How does looking to our good Father, and remembering the love and grace He daily shows us, help us extend that love and grace to others? “He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (WEB)

READ: PSALM 107:8-9; MATTHEW 13:44-46; JOHN 4:1-30 During Christmas, our hearts are full of expectations. Things like, who we will see, what we will eat, and what we will receive. Then, once all the gifts are opened, the food is gone, and the guests are saying goodbye, we may experience an instant breath of fulfillment. Unfortunately, we often find this fulfillment lasts only till December 26th. On the day after Christmas, we may wish we had asked for something else. Our desire for fulfillment is never really satisfied, is it? Ecclesiastes 1:7-8 sums it up this way: “Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Thankfully, we find hope in John 4:13-14. Jesus is talking with a Samaritan woman who comes to the well every day to draw water, and He gives her the answer to the age-old question: Where does true fulfillment come from? Jesus says, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Only Jesus will fulfill us. That’s not to say we shouldn’t enjoy and look forward to presents or food or time with friends and family. But we need to look to the Lord to satisfy us, before we look to anything else. Jesus taught us to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). And Jesus told parables to show us how the kingdom of heaven is worth more than anything else we could ever want. He said God’s kingdom “is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field” (Matthew 13:44). The man was so excited, he sold everything he had so he could buy the field. Then Jesus told a similar parable about a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found a valuable pearl, the merchant sold all he had and bought it (verse 45-46). When we realize how much God loves us, everything else pales in comparison. Knowing God is what we were created for. That’s why we will only ever be satisfied in Him. And Jesus came so we could be with Him forever. So, as we’re in the midst of the holidays, we can ask God to fill us with joy this season, to help us enjoy His good gifts, and to teach us to live with a greater awareness of His presence. The Lord truly is our fulfillment. • Ana Johnson • Can you think of a time something felt really fulfilling in the moment, but then that feeling faded? How is Jesus different? For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9 (NLT)

READ: ISAIAH 53:2; LUKE 2:4-7; JOHN 3:16-17; 10:10-11 What matters more, the fancy wrapping on a gift or what’s inside? Once the paper and bows are off the present, we rarely think about them again. All we care about is what we’ve just unwrapped. Jesus proved that all the fancy “wrapping” didn’t matter when He was born where the animals were kept. Jesus is God’s Son. He could have been born anywhere. He could have shown the whole world who He was with fancy clothes and a beautiful palace to live in. Instead, He was humble, wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger. Jesus showed us that the greatest thing about Him coming down to earth was Himself. He was the gift. He was born by the will of God the Father so that He could save the world. Jesus grew up with his parents, Mary and Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus’s life was nothing fancy. But even when He was grown, He never demanded anything fancy. Even though He is God the Son, He didn’t try to look or act like He deserved recognition. He was humble, and He treated people well. In His greatest act of love and humility, Jesus gave up His very life. He died to give us forgiveness. And then He rose again to give us new life. It’s not what’s on the outside that matters, but it’s the gift that counts. Jesus was the greatest gift on that Christmas so many years ago, and His gift of life will last forever. • Bethany Acker • Were you ever excited about a gift because of the wrapping, but disappointed by what was inside? Or maybe the wrapping wasn’t exciting, but the gift was much better than expected? • Especially at Christmas, we have the opportunity to remember how amazing it is that Jesus came in such a humble way, and yet He is the greatest gift of all. Because of Jesus, we can know God, experience His wonderful love for us, be forgiven from all our sin, and live with Him forever. Consider taking some time just to thank Him today. • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 4:17-22; 19:10; John 14:6; 18:37; Philippians 2:5-11. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:7 (NLT)

READ: ISAIAH 43:1; LUKE 2:8-20; JOHN 3:16 When Jesus came into the world, God could’ve invited anyone to welcome Him. God could’ve told the angels to invite priests, soldiers, or kings to visit the newborn King. Instead, He sent the angels to proclaim the news of Jesus’s birth to ordinary, everyday shepherds. It may seem like a strange thing to do. Why not choose some more powerful, rich, important people? But this odd decision only foreshadows what Jesus would do during His ministry—choose ordinary people. He didn’t just come for the famous people, He came for the everyday people like you and me. We don’t need to worry about being significant to Jesus, we’re already priceless in His eyes! We’re worth so much to Him that He came to earth to die on the cross for our sins. Not only that, but He rose again, promising that He’ll also raise us from the dead one day. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He’s preparing a place for us, and He continues to be with us while we wait for the day He’ll renew the world. He loves us that much. We might view ourselves as not worthy of God’s notice, but He has a place for us in His kingdom. We will never be insignificant in God’s eyes. So-called “ordinary” people are important to Him, so much so that He wanted them to be the first to visit His Son. We all have a place in God’s story. • Morgan A. Mitchell • Have you ever been invited to see a newborn baby? Usually a baby’s parents choose people who are very important to them to be the first to meet their new son or daughter. It’s a big honor. What does it say about God that He wanted shepherds—people who did not serve in the temple, who were not rich or powerful, and who were even looked down upon in society—to be the first ones to meet His newborn Son? (Matthew 10:29-31) • God created each of us on purpose, and no one is ordinary in His eyes. Jesus embodied this truth when He called people of all walks of life to follow Him. Can you think of a time you felt like you weren’t significant enough for God’s notice? As you read today’s Scripture, consider taking some time to talk to God about this and ask Him to help you see yourself how He sees you. When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15 (NLT)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-13 Do you ever wish you had someone else’s talent? Maybe you have a friend or family member who’s really good at math or basketball or singing. Sometimes, when we look at what others can do, it’s easy to feel like we don’t measure up. In times like these, it can be helpful to think about Christmas presents. While it can be fun to get everyone the same gift—like handing out candy canes to your friends or getting funny hats for your family—there’s something special about choosing unique gifts for the people who are closest to you, finding presents that suit their personalities. Maybe you give a chess set to one person, and a tool belt to another. Everyone has different interests and talents, so it makes sense to give different presents to different people. The same is true with the spiritual gifts and natural abilities God has given us. They’re unique and valuable, and everyone will have different ones. It can be tempting to compare our gifts to other’s and think that what we can do isn’t as good or important, but that’s not how God sees it. God gives His children all sorts of different gifts and abilities. Some people are good at school-related subjects, and others have a knack for fixing and building things. We shouldn’t think less of our talents just because they’re not the same as somebody else’s. God created each of us the way we are, and He loves us regardless of what we can do. So, instead of wishing we had somebody else’s gift, we can thank Him for the gifts He’s given us—and use them to help others. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can do our best at whatever we do, knowing Jesus loves us just the way we are. • A. W. Smith • Jealousy and discontentment are sneaky. They can work their way in to how we view ourselves and our own gifts. But Jesus and His love are stronger than any discontentment or jealousy. How have you noticed these feelings or thought patterns showing up in your heart? Consider taking a moment to honestly talk to Jesus about the things you wish you could do, but also thank Him for the wonderful gifts and abilities He has given you, and ask Him to help you use them well. • Do you struggle to notice your own gifts and abilities? That’s okay, lots of us do! Who is a trusted Christian in your life who can help you discover what you’re good at? Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (CSB)

READ: ACTS 2:42-47; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20 One year, our family faced long months of unemployment. Jobs were scarce. So was money. I did everything I could think of to make ends meet, but a Christmas feast would be out of the question this year. It wasn’t the end of the world. It was only food, after all. Then, a few days before Christmas, a woman at our church called and asked if we’d like our name added to the list of those receiving Christmas food boxes. Funny how God humbles us from time to time, isn’t it? Just a few years earlier, I had been on the giving end of Christmas giving, happily delivering fudge and goodies to families in need. And now, behold, our need. I swallowed my pride so that my family could swallow turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, and pie. There was more besides: food for the next several days, and even small gifts, one for each of my children. The heart of the Father, generous and good, displayed through the hands and hearts of His children on earth. This is how He wants His church to be. God’s master plan was never for us to go it alone. We are each equipped with gifts from God to be the hands of Jesus for one another on this earth. In community, one with the other, sometimes we get to be the hand extended, to help someone stand. Other times, we are allowed seasons of want, where we extend our hand upward, humble to receive. What we receive from others is given from the generosity of God’s own hand. He gave Himself, and He did so through people. Birthed by Mary, cared for by Joseph, proclaimed by shepherds, adored by Magi, hailed by Anna and Simeon. Each one played their part in God’s plan of ultimate salvation, to bring humankind unto Himself. God’s hand reaching down. Our hands reaching up. To receive the gift of salvation. • Kristen Merrill • Have you ever been in a low spot, but the people of God delivered something to help—like encouragement, or goods, or a verse, or even a smile or a hug? Are you plugged in to a church or fellowship of believers where you can enjoy this type of community? • Would you like to be that hand extended? You can be God’s agent for good to those around you today. Consider taking a moment to pray and ask God to help you notice opportunities to bless others. Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Psalm 118:7 (WEB)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11; PROVERBS 14:20-21; MATTHEW 25:31-46 Seni tossed the ragged orange ball and watched it sail through the hoop at the end of the gym, moving a bit more sluggishly than usual. The gravity controls must be on the fritz again, he thought. This court had been built generations ago, when the first settlers came to the newly terraformed planet. Mars was the only home Seni had ever known, but he was glad they played the same sports his ancestors played on Earth. “Nice shot!” his friend Calvus called as he stepped into the gym. “Are you ready to go serve dinner at the homeless shelter?” Every third Tuesday, Calvus and Seni went to the shelter on the fringes of their settlement to help serve a meal. “I decided not to go anymore,” Seni said as he threw the ball again, and missed. “Really?” Calvus looked surprised. “What made you change your mind?” “Well, Tarquin says it’s a waste of time because those people don’t deserve help. He says they wouldn’t be poor and homeless if they worked harder and made better decisions.” “Huh,” muttered Calvus. Then he made a quick motion and stole the ball. “Let’s see who can shoot the most baskets in the next five minutes.” “You’re on!” said Seni. They took turns shooting, and Seni quickly shot more baskets than Calvus. “Wow, you’re way better than you were last year!” Calvus said, giving his friend a high five. “Yeah, Coach has been spending lots of time helping me this year,” said Seni. “I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. Some of the guys even wanted me off the team, but Coach didn’t listen to them.” “So,” said Calvus thoughtfully, “you’re saying that he didn’t let the other guys decide whether or not you deserved help?” “No, otherwise I’d still be—oh.” Seni froze, realizing what his friend was getting at. “You know,” said Calvus, “if help was only given to the people who deserve it, none of us would have received the gift of salvation from Jesus. We were hopeless sinners, but He decided to save us—only He was sinless, so He could die on the cross for our sins, and then be raised from the dead.” He tossed the ball to Seni. “Well, that’s a good point…” Seni trailed off. “Honestly, I’m so thankful He did that for us.” Calvus continued. “That’s actually why I help out at the homeless shelter. It’s not up to me to decide whether or not people deserve help. It’s not like I’m any better than they are. I don’t have to judge how they got there—I just have to love them and share the hope Jesus gave me with others who need it. And I’ve gotten to know some pretty cool people there!” “I guess you’re right. We all need help sometimes,” Seni sighed. “Thanks for reminding me why we do this. Let’s go to the shelter.” Seni took a few steps, then paused, sniffed his shirt, and grimaced. “Can you wait till I change my clothes?” Calvus smiled. “Good idea.” They both laughed as Seni jogged to the locker rooms. • A. W. Smith • Are you ever tempted to think that everyone in a difficult life situation deserves to be there? Remember, not everyone has the same opportunities and support. And it’s not our job to judge people based on their life circumstances, no matter how they got there. If Jesus had decided to only help those who deserve it, none of us would have received His forgiveness and salvation. When we remember that truth, we can be moved to help others in need because Jesus showed us love and mercy when we didn’t deserve it, and because He also loves the people we’re serving. Consider spending some time in prayer, asking Jesus to help you see others through His eyes of compassion and mercy, and asking Him where He might be inviting you to serve others....

READ: PSALM 27; LUKE 2:6-20; REVELATION 21:1-5 I used to love Christmas—the lights, the songs, the joyful feeling in the air. But not this year. Rather than filling me with excitement and delight, everything seemed shallow and empty and selfish. How could we celebrate joy and peace when the world is in chaos and people are hurting? How do you suddenly ignore the fact that people are suffering around the world, and even the families closest to you are bombarded with afflictions of grief and difficulties? How do you spend a Christmas celebrating if you personally feel hurt, lonely, and forgotten? In a world that is so full of hatred, conflicts, pain, and disease, it’s easy to scoff at the idea of there ever being peace on earth. And if all this bad stuff is happening, how could God possibly be showing goodwill toward us? But that’s when I realized my thinking was completely wrong. The very reason we have Christmas is not to make you feel more alone, but to prove how much you are truly loved. God isn’t ignoring the suffering going on around us. Christmas marks the day that God proved His care for us by sending his Son Jesus, not only to be born as a baby, but also to conquer sin and death once and for all by dying on the cross and rising from the grave, so that anyone who believes in Him can experience His peace, forgiveness, and an eternal future where all hurts will be finally and fully healed. Joy isn’t ignoring pain—it’s having hope in spite of it. Jesus can be that hope for you. The story of Christmas is a precious reminder that no matter how bad things get, there is hope for the world, peace for your heart, and the promise of everlasting life to those who put their trust in Jesus—and that is something to celebrate. • Christina Cheng • Have you ever felt like Christmas was just a cruel reminder of something you lost? It’s okay if you don’t feel like celebrating, just remember that Christmas isn’t about tradition or faking happiness, but rather a loving act of God bringing hope and salvation to a broken world. So we can acknowledge and grieve the hurts in our lives and in the world around us, while also celebrating the good news that God cares about those hurts, and He’s doing something about them. • Do you ever feel like no one sees your pain, Christmas-related or not? The Bible says Jesus does. He loves you, and He understands what you’re feeling. Consider taking a moment to come to Him in prayer, telling Him about your pain and asking for reminders of His hope and care. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25; LUKE 2:11; JOHN 3:16-17; 4:42 In my beautiful Colombia, and Latin America in general, calling your child Jesus is a sign of consecration to God or giving a respectable name to a child. Jesus, Jesus Maria, Maria de Jesus, Jesus Adrian, Jesus Alberto, Jesus Dario, among others, are common combinations that occur in our countries. However, I have noticed that most Anglo-Saxon parents, especially those from the USA, Australia, and the UK, do not call their children Jesus. And the question that comes to my mind is: Why not call your children Jesus? Think about the meaning of the name Jesus. It’s derived from the Hebrew name Joshua (Yehoshua), which means “God is salvation” or “the LORD saves.” So how did Mary and Joseph choose Jesus’s name? In the book of Matthew, we read that an angel appeared to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to go forward with His marriage to Mary, because it was by the Holy Spirit that she had become pregnant. Then the angel said, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). At Christmas, we not only remember the beauty of Jesus’s human nature, but also the glory of His divinity. Jesus healed people, performed miracles, cast out demons, demonstrated His dominion over nature, and ultimately resurrected from the dead. This child born in Bethlehem is the hope of the world. He is God the Son, come to rescue humankind from our worst enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Through His own death and resurrection, Jesus has overcome. He is the Savior of the world. This is why Acts 4:12 tells us, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” We can then say that Christmas is not primarily about gifts, feasts, or parties. The central point of Christmas is the birth of the Savior, and with Him, the plan of rescue of humankind. Let us remember then, in this season of Advent, that every time we mention the name Jesus, we lift up and emphasize the meaning of that beautiful name: God is salvation! Father, we thank You for the salvation You have given us in Jesus. Thank You that You sent Jesus to save us. Thank You that You conquered sin and death, and today we can celebrate our freedom. Help us to remember with love and fervor that at Christmas we celebrate the work of our Lord. Amen. • Samir Eljagh • Do you know anyone named Jesus? What does this name reveal about God the Son? “You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 1:1-14; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-10; 1 JOHN 1:1-10 I wanted to go home. This walk was not such a good idea. Heavy grey skies, colorless bare trees, and even an angry crow glaring down at me quickened my pace. When would I finally see some light? The skies on that December twilight seemed especially dark—almost ominous. I grew weary of the darkness, and my eyes ached for light. Beauty. Color. Finally, I got out of the woods, rounded the corner, and there was my Christmas tree, peeking out the window! It glowed with warmth and cheer. I nearly ran toward it. My eyes were hungry for light, color, brightness. I entered my apartment and shook off the gloom and shadow, leaving them out in the cold where they belonged. When Jesus was born, when His presence arrived in the flesh, our gloomy world was altered forever (Luke 2:8-14). God, arriving as a tiny baby in Bethlehem, blazed into our world with a Light we had never known. He burst into our darkness, His presence lighting up the world. Behold the contrast between the Light of God and the darkness of sin—and the pain and suffering all that sin produces. When He comes shining into our lives with the goodness of His pure love, our lives are changed, lightened, brightened. Because Jesus died and rose again to cleanse us of our sin, we can live in the light of His presence. In times when life feels bleak and hopeless, we can always draw near to Him, hurrying toward His warmth and basking in His glorious presence (James 1:17; 4:8). Even better than a Christmas tree on a grey, dark, December day. Today, in our darkness, Christ still breaks into the gloom of our lives. He comes where He is invited, and He is found by those who seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13). • Kristen Merrill • Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is always with us. He never leaves us, never abandons us. Though this world may seem pretty dark at times, there is always hope. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He has secured forgiveness for everyone who trusts in Him, and He promises to return one day and make all things new. As we wait for that glorious day, it’s important to remember God’s loving presence with us by spending time in His Word, in prayer, and with fellow Christians. What is one way you could focus on God’s presence today? • If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus, or if you just want to know more about how He rescues us from darkness and brings us into the light (Colossians 1:12-14), check out our "Know Jesus" page. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (CSB)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:8; PSALM 139:1-12; ROMANS 8:26-39 When I don’t understand My racing mind You know me When I’m alone In the dark You see me When my cries are silent And the words won’t come You hear me When I’m lost And desperate You find me When I stumble And fall apart again You love me When I’m tired and weak And I feel like giving up You’re with me • Faith Lewis • We have all felt lonely, confused, and desperate at times. We live in a broken world, and we see this brokenness in our emotions and thoughts. But when we turn to God, the truth becomes clear. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us from sin. And at Jesus’s return, He will heal us from all the brokenness sin causes. Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, we can have a restored relationship with God, and we can know that we’re never alone or hopeless. God promises that He is always with us and for us, even when it doesn’t feel like it. How could it be comforting to know that God sees and knows us, even when we may not understand ourselves? • God always hears and understands us, and He often makes His presence known through other Christians who can remind us of the truth and show us His love. Sometimes He may work through doctors and counselors to help us with difficult feelings too. If you’re struggling right now, who can you talk to? If you’re not currently struggling, how could you support and encourage someone who is? Whether you’re the one giving or receiving help, reaching out can be difficult, but God is eager to bring hope and healing to every difficult situation. • If you’re not sure who to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15 (NIV)

READ: COLOSSIANS 3:1-17; HEBREWS 12:1-3; 1 JOHN 4:19 When you get ready for bed at night, do you put your pajamas on over your clothes? That would kind of defeat the purpose. First you take off your daytime clothes, and then put on your bedtime clothes. In Colossians 3, Paul gives a list of characteristics we are called to put on: “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” and forgiveness (verse 12-13). However, just like when we get dressed for bed and need to take off our day clothes, we first need to take off the things that don’t honor God. Paul instructs us to take off “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language” and lying (verse 8-9) because they don’t fit with the characteristics Jesus made for us to wear. Our kindness doesn’t work as well when we put it on top of lying. Think about it this way. Would you wear hiking gear if you were running a marathon? Imagine running a race with big, bulky pants, a heavy coat and boots, and a backpack. You wouldn’t last long, would you? Like these heavy clothes, our sin weighs us down and hinders us from following Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus.” So, we take off what doesn’t represent Jesus, such as anger, lying, and filthy language, and instead we put on mercy, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. As we read further into Colossians 3, we learn there is one virtue that is most important because it binds all the others together. Love. Because Jesus loves us and gave up His life for us on the cross, we can now love Him and each other (1 John 4:19). When we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, all our other godly “clothes” stay on us securely too. • Renee Robinson • If we know Jesus, we can choose to put off sins and put on virtues because we have the Holy Spirit. As you read Colossians 3:1-17, which sins and virtues stick out to you? What questions do you have? • The more we are aware of God’s love for us, the more His love naturally overflows from us. What are some ways you could spend time being reminded of God’s love this week through reading His Word, talking with Him in prayer, and being with other Christians? Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (CSB)

READ: LUKE 5:16; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; HEBREWS 4:14-16 I was determined to bring meaningful traditions into our family when I was a young mother. During the season of Advent, many Christians remember how Jesus came the first time, and how He will one day come again. So we made a little Advent wreath and decked it out with four candles, one for each of the four Sundays in Advent. And, on each of those four Sundays before Christmas, I’d make some fancy biscuits or scones and serve tea and sandwiches while we read from Scripture, lit the candle of the week, and sang some Advent songs. We did this for years. Some years we were super busy, and so we observed our Advent tradition in a rush. Some years it was like, Maybe we can get to it before bed, once everyone is back home from whatever they’re all involved in! Christmas is a busy time of year, after all. But do you know what I’ve found to be a better tradition? One I can always find time for? One that doesn’t even need special sandwiches and scones? One that feels less hectic, and more authentic, more real? It’s prayer. It’s invitation. It’s inclusion. It’s a solitary moment, with my Creator and Redeemer and Friend. We can take a moment, throughout the Advent season, to stop and sit with Jesus. Prayer takes us, wherever we are, into the very throne room of God! Because once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have full access to God—we can talk to Him anytime, anywhere. We can take time to invite Him into our jam-packed days, right into the middle of this jam-packed season. That’s what makes Advent real. The real you, closing your eyes and focusing on the real Christ, come into the world out of so much love we just can’t comprehend it. The real you, treasuring the real baby in the manger. The real you, looking forward to His return. • Kristen Merrill • Jesus is God the Son, and while He lived on earth, He often went away from others, alone, to spend time with the Father in prayer. Such fellowship they had! Did you know that God invites us to join in that fellowship? (John 17:20-21) Have you ever thought about prayer this way? • God is so happy to hear from His children. Hearing your voice brings Him joy! He loves you so much that Jesus died for you. And then He rose again so you could be forgiven and be in close relationship with Him— forever. Consider taking some time to pray (with your eyes open or closed, it’s up to you) and treasure some moments with Him, this Advent and beyond. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)

READ: COLOSSIANS 3:16; HEBREWS 10:23-25 Have you ever sat by a warm fireplace on a cold winter day? When the weather is stormy and harsh outside, a well-tended fire seems especially bright and comforting. But what happens when an ember is removed from the fire? That lone ember loses its glow and warmth. It needs to be tossed back in with the rest of the burning wood in order to ignite again. The same thing can happen to us as Christians when we don’t regularly gather with other believers. That’s why Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to give up meeting together. Worshiping God and learning about Him with other Christians helps us feel the warmth of His love. It helps us remember that we belong to Him. Whether in a church building, a home, or somewhere else, we can gather with other believers, not only to worship God together, but also to encourage one another, experience communion and baptism together, and pray for each other. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can remind one another of God’s love and shine His light in the world together. And, because everyone who has put their trust in Jesus has the Holy Spirit, in a way we actually embody God’s presence with each other. We are God’s hands and feet for one another—and for the world. Jesus died and rose again to unite us to Himself and to the entire family of believers. So, when we don’t meet regularly with a group of Christians, we lose out on these wonderful gifts God has for us. Now, some people are elderly or sick and can’t go to church gatherings. But we can trust that the Lord provides other ways to keep the embers glowing. Even if we have to stay home or in a hospital room, often we can still spend time with other believers in person, over the phone, or through video calls. We can still pray, sing hymns and worship songs, share Scripture, and listen to sermons together. And we can also send messages or letters. But if we are able to attend regular church gatherings, getting in the habit of skipping church means we miss out on so much richness and community. We need the warmth and light that God offers us in being with His people. • A. W. Smith • Do you attend a local church? If so, how has church helped you grow in your faith? • Gathering with believers outside of church services to sing songs, read the Bible, talk about Jesus, and pray can also help encourage us in our faith. Who are some Christians you could do this with? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify people in the future. And let us not neglect our meeting together…but encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

READ: HEBREWS 4:12; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 Have you ever been following along in your Bible at church and realized none of the words on the page matched what your pastor was reading aloud? Why is that? It’s likely because you and your pastor were reading different Bible translations. A Bible translation is created when a group of scholars study the original languages of the Bible (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic) and then translate the ancient manuscripts into the most accurate or understandable English possible. There are quite a few English translations, and there are also some paraphrases. Paraphrases don’t meet the criteria for an official translation, but they attempt to convey the meaning of the Bible in today’s language. But why are there so many? To answer this question, let me give an example. I once led a meeting for work in which I was one of only two monolingual people in the room. I only speak English, one of the other attendees only spoke Spanish, and everyone else in the room spoke both. When I spoke, a translator interpreted for me. But then everyone else in the room chimed in, explaining it slightly differently. I only spoke once, but my words were translated four or five times. So it is with the Word of God. God spoke once, inspiring the human writers of the Bible. However, as modern language and our understanding of word origins change, new translations of the Bible are regularly created. They all share the same purpose: to help as many people as possible hear about the gospel—about God’s pursuit of His people, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some translations use very formal language, like the King James Version. Some are very poetic, like The Passion Translation (which is, in fact, a paraphrase). Others are very blunt, like the Contemporary English Version. Some Bible translations seek to translate word-for-word as closely as possible, and others try to summarize the meaning of each phrase in a way that is easily understandable. All endeavor to help people know how much God loves them and how they should live in response to His love. Which is the “best” translation? Everyone you talk to will likely give you a different answer, but I tend to believe the richest study of the Word uses multiple translations, giving us a fuller picture of who God is and what He wants to say to us. • Abigail Aswegen • How can reading multiple translations of the Bible help us understand it better? Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18 (NLT)

READ: COLOSSIANS 1:9-11; 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-3; 1 PETER 1:3-9 The final line of yesterday’s poem says the winter trees wait, “Certain of the coming spring.” Can we be certain spring is really coming? I mean, will our hard times truly end—and not just in death? As I wrote that line, I had in mind the letters of the apostles Peter, Paul, James, and John. They wrote to early Christians enduring great persecution for their faith (2 Corinthians 4; 12; 1 Peter; James 1; 5; Revelation 1–3). One thing is clear—the apostles believed without a doubt that spring was coming. And they believed for one reason— because of the resurrected Christ. They counted it a joy to suffer for His Name and believed they were one Body in Christ, already on their way to an eternal life with our Lord. Death was but a doorway to where they wanted to be. And, quite frankly, history shows that little daunted their enthusiasm. Christ was no pipe dream. And so, they reminded their suffering fellow believers of several things: 1) They were companions in suffering—the apostles were experiencing persecution as well! 2) Jesus had also suffered. His life was often lonely. He experienced rejection and derision and betrayal. Finally, He faced a brutal, unjust death. But then, He rose from the grave. So, in everything we experience, Jesus empathizes with us, and He promises new life is coming. 3) Our suffering on this earth is very real, but it is temporary. Paul even said our troubles are small in comparison to the everlasting hope and joy we have in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:17). While Paul was waiting under house arrest, under a death sentence, he said that, for Christ’s sake, he had “lost all things” (Philippians 3:8). Yet, even in this dark winter, Paul experienced the hope and joy of knowing our loving God. Is Christ truly worth losing all this world has to offer? One can only answer that question by taking it to the cross. 4) Scripture makes it clear that a day is coming when our pain will end—and winter with all its hardships will be over for good! Our love and fellowship—with Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all believers—will be so joyful we cannot imagine it! May we remind ourselves of these truths often. For yes, it is good to know we can grow more beautifully Christlike in tough times, as Scripture reminds us. But God also plainly tells us to rejoice, because a day is coming when pain itself will be no more. Amen and Amen! G. Kam Congleton • Which of the four truths listed above resonates with you the most today? Why? “‘There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain…” Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-18; 12:8-10; HEBREWS 4:14-16; 12:1-3 Sharp and sheer, Against the white-washed sky, Winter trees stand stark and frozen— Not a leaf to greet the eye. Thick and thin, Limbs lifted to the wind, Shining in the morning sun, Side by side they stand. Crisp and clear, Awash in winter’s glory, Patiently they wait, watching— Certain of the coming spring. I don’t know about you, but I tend to “wish away the winter.” But one cold morning God grabbed my attention as I rode by a small grove of trees— sparkling like slender diamonds in the sun, their naked limbs coated in icy frost. As I paused to soak in this unexpected beauty, I was hit by a soft twinge of conviction. Something about those trees got to me. There they stood—barren and leafless— yet beautifully reflecting God’s creative glory. The whole scenario reminded me of another kind of beauty described in Scripture—that of the soul. Like the winter trees, we may find that God sometimes works through harsh winters in our lives, helping us mature and reflect the beauty of Christ in unexpected ways. And though some winters seem to drag on way too long, we can be sure that God will redeem our sorrows. For Jesus goes before us in facing hardship (Hebrews 4:15). And in His grace, God gives us “endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:5). Thus, the strength to endure hard times is not something we have to dredge up by our own will power! So let’s pray for the grace to receive this endurance, so that even in our barren seasons we may, like the winter trees, be found glorifying “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6). • G. Kam Congleton • Can you think of a time God gave you endurance and encouragement through a difficult season of your life? What was that like? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

READ: ACTS 18; ROMANS 16:3-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 16:19 Who are Priscilla and Aquila? This was a question I asked as I was reading through Romans 16. They’re mentioned in verse 3, and for some reason it caught my eye. So, I looked up their names in my Bible app, and I was surprised to learn their story! In Acts 18, we find that Paul first met this married couple in Corinth. Paul had come to Corinth to continue his ministry. Aquila was originally from Italy, but because he was a Jew he had been ordered to leave Rome. So, both he and his wife Priscilla (or “Prisca” in more formal Greek) traveled to Corinth. When they met Paul, they began to work together as tentmakers. Acts 18 goes on to tell us that after “some time” the couple traveled with Paul to Ephesus. This is where Priscilla and Aquila stayed, while Paul moved on. Then Apollos came to Ephesus too. Apollos was already a good teacher who had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, but he had some significant gaps in his understanding of Jesus. So, “when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). I don’t know about you, but this verse amazed me! I’ve heard of Apollos many times before, and I’ve heard about how great a teacher he was. It’s cool to know that this seemingly humble, inconspicuous couple was able to explain the way of God to him more adequately! The Bible mentions Priscilla and Aquila three more times. In 1 Corinthians 16:19, Paul says, “Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.” Here we learn that this welcoming couple hosted a church in their home, as churches meeting in homes was common at the time. And in two other letters, Paul sends them greetings (Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19). This couple is not very well-known, but they seem to have meant a great deal to Paul. And the way they welcomed people and shared the love of the Lord can be an inspiration to us today. • Kimberly Brokish • The gospel is amazing, and as we grow in our understanding of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, we are compelled to share it with others in a number of ways. Some of us are called to be missionaries like Paul, and others are called to be more like Priscilla and Aquila—offering hospitality, teaching, and support. What gifts has God given you to help others know Him better? If you’re not sure, consider spending some time asking God, and also ask trusted Christians. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my [Paul’s] co-workers in Christ Jesus. Romans 16:3 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 119:9-16, 105; JOHN 14:5-6, 16-18 Have you ever heard the advice, “Be true to yourself,” and wondered, But what does that mean? How can you be true to yourself if you’re not one-hundred-percent sure who you are yet? After all, you’re still learning and growing—not just in your teen years but throughout your whole life. As you make choices about what to do for your education and career, if and who you will marry, what values your family will reflect, where you will live, and everything in between, these choices will influence the person you become. If you feel confused about “being true to yourself,” know that you’re not alone. I found it hard to know what choices to make every day to be true to myself when I didn’t know for sure who I was to become. Still, I had an advantage in figuring it out: I had put my trust in Jesus. My identity is first and foremost that I am a child of God, because Jesus died and rose again to forgive me and make me part of His family. Once I recognized the identity I already held, choices to be true to myself became easier. The Bible, which is God’s words to all of us, gives a lot of guidance about good and bad choices for those who want to follow Jesus Christ. As we look forward to spending eternity with Him on the new heavens and new earth, our decisions should reflect that hope. When we look to Jesus in making daily choices, we find that He sheds light on the path forward (Psalm 119:105). When we dig into God’s Word, we start discovering who we are—and we see that, ultimately, our identity is defined by our relationship to Him. In Christ, we are fully loved and forgiven. The fact that Jesus Christ is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) begins to permeate our very being. He is worth giving ourselves over to and being true to. • Ronica Stromberg • When you’re in a confusing situation, how do you decide what to do? Can you think of a time when God’s Word, the Bible, helped you decide? What was that like? • If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are new people—we are dead to sin, and we have the Holy Spirit living in us, guiding and empowering us (Romans 6:8-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-26). Who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of your identity in Christ, help you discern God’s guidance, and help you live in ways that honor God and reflect His love—even when it’s hard? Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25; JOHN 1:1-18; 3:16-17 One of the greatest mysteries for the church to comprehend is the nature of Jesus. In the incarnation—that is, the event in which God became human— something happened that theologians call the hypostatic union. This refers to the union of two natures in one person: Jesus is one-hundred-percent human and one-hundred-percent divine. He is fully human and fully God. To save the world, God did not simply appear from heaven and announce what was going to be done. But in Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father, God was born into the world like any other human being. If you read the account of Jesus’s birth in Matthew’s Gospel, you will notice that the author presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). It’s as if Matthew is saying, this child who has been born in Bethlehem, He is human, but He is also God. One thing that the event of the incarnation teaches us is that God planned, decided, and executed the project of drawing near to human beings in Jesus. It’s as if Jesus moved to our neighborhood. And when Jesus died and rose again, He broke down the wall that separated us from God (Matthew 27:50-51; Ephesians 2:11-18). In this way, God drew near to human beings, and He made the way for us to draw near to Him as He calls us to Himself. Today, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can say that He is close to us, not only when we are aware that we need Him, but always. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says to His followers, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” From the beginning to the end of his Gospel, Matthew is trying to communicate something to us: God is with us in Jesus! In this week of Advent, when we await the birth and coming of our Lord Jesus, let us remember that, in the midst of feasts, loneliness, gifts, sorrows, banquets, and need, Jesus is our eternal companion. God never abandons us! Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel, God living with us. Thank You for dying for our sins so we could be in Your eternal company—You are with us at all times, and You never abandon us. Today, help us notice and rest in Your company in our lives. Amen. • Samir Eljagh • Have you ever thought about how Jesus became human because He loves you and wants to be with you? How does this make you feel? Is it hard to believe it’s true? You can always ask God to help you know for sure that what He says about Himself, and about you, is true. (Ephesians 3:14-21) “And they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 5:43-48; EPHESIANS 4:26, 31-32 Have you ever worn a full backpack for more than a few minutes? When you first put it on, it doesn’t seem too bad. But after walking across campus or standing in line for a while, it can feel like that backpack is getting heavier and heavier. Of course, you didn’t add anything to your load. But as your back gets more tired, it can certainly feel like the backpack weighs more. Sometimes, anger and bitterness can work like that too. At first, it may seem easy to carry around a grudge against someone who’s hurt you. But after a while, it starts to get very heavy. It wears you out and drains your energy, leaving you exhausted and sore. But Jesus offers us a different way. Instead of stubbornly clinging to our resentment, Jesus tells us to hand it over to Him. As we rely on Jesus, He replaces our hatred with His love and forgiveness (Ezekiel 36:26). And this is only possible because He died and rose again to forgive our sin. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we don’t have to carry around our anger and bitterness anymore. Through His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His people, God reminds us of how much Jesus loves and forgives us, and that truth frees us to extend that same love and forgiveness to others. Have you ever felt the heaviness of anger and bitterness in your heart? Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, unforgiveness hurts. It weighs on both you and the person you’re angry at. But, when you find yourself getting mad at someone, you don’t have to let your anger fester and hurt your relationship. Instead, with the Holy Spirit’s help, you can honestly tell that person how you feel and be willing to forgive. Remember, Jesus died for our sins and rose again so we could know His love and forgiveness and show it to others. We can always give our grudges to Jesus, and then trust Him to help us forgive those who have hurt us. • A. W. Smith • Can you remember a time Jesus helped you let go of a grudge? What was that like? • Sometimes, letting go of anger and bitterness is easier said than done. It can be a process—and that’s okay! Whenever we notice it starting to resurface in our hearts, we can bring it straight to Jesus. He is eager to help us lay these burdens down. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you process the hurts you’ve experienced with Jesus and, if necessary, set up good boundaries? Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 4:3-42; 7:37-39; REVELATION 7:16-17 The drought in Xzerio had gone on for a year. People were so thirsty they were fainting in the hot streets. That is why I came up into the mountains—I hoped to find water. I plod on. Then, I see a glimmer up ahead. What is it? Lakes! Three lakes, shimmering in front of me. I rush toward the first one. A sign, made of gold, is engraved with the words “The Lake of Wealth.” Leaning over the water, I see jewels lying on the lake floor. But what do jewels matter? I am too thirsty. I fill my cupped hands with water. “K-ph-eul!” I spit the water out, rubbing my tongue in an attempt to get rid of the incredibly, awfully sweet flavor of the water. I can’t find the words to describe it. I am still desperately thirsty though, and I can only hope that the other lakes are not like the Lake of Wealth. I run along the gold dust shore toward the second lake. Its waters sparkle against white sands. A huge sign with brightly colored letters blares out, “Fame Lake.” Here I am still faster to fill my cupped hands and bring the water to my lips. I start coughing and collapse on the sand. My tongue! My mouth! That couldn’t have been water. It was liquified dryness and bitterness! I begin to run. I will run down the mountain before I find out what the third lake will do to me. But I am too thirsty. I find myself heading toward the third lake. I will only taste a little. Just the smallest sip. The lake is calm, with green grass along its banks. A modest board is carved with only two words: “Living Water.” I kneel and drink. Everything changes. My dry mouth feels moist again. I feel strength and…and joy flowing back into my body. I feel as though I’ll never be thirsty again! I yank out my waterskin and fill it. Then, I run down the mountain, eager to share the news of this Living Water with everyone I meet. • Lorna Garlets • Have you ever felt like the character in today’s allegorical story, desperate for something to soothe your pain, but sorely disappointed at every turn? Jesus has so much compassion on us, and He wants us to come to Him. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about your longings. • In John 4, Jesus sat down by a well in the heat of the day, and then He talked with a Samaritan woman who came there every day to draw water. Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but… the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus knew about this woman’s messy past, and He loved her. He offered her living water and told her that He is the Messiah, the Savior who has come into the world. Why is Jesus the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest longings? • Because of God’s overflowing love for us, Jesus was willing to die a terrible death to save us from sin. And then, He was raised from the dead to give us new life. Each of us is in need of His living water every day of our lives—and, praise be to God, He freely gives it to us! If you’d like to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • After meeting Jesus, the Samaritan woman ran to tell everyone about Him, and many more people believed in Him! Who is someone in your life you could share the good news of Jesus with? How could you share about the living water Jesus gives you daily, and invite them to come and see for themselves that Jesus really is better than we could hope? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person and ask God to help you notice opportunities to show His love and share His good news. “But whoever drinks the water I [Jesus] give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of w...

READ: PSALM 63; JEREMIAH 33:3; COLOSSIANS 2:2-8 I don’t have time for devotions. Not today. Have you ever had this thought before? I know I certainly have. I mean, who has time for devotions? We’re busy, growing young adults. We have family, friends, school, sports, hobbies, jobs…the list goes on and on. In all the chaos—fun as it can sometimes be—it’s easy to think that we don’t have time for God. That other things are more important, and we can just have our devotions later. And then it gets put off. Again. And again. And again. The funny thing is, skipping devotions doesn’t make our lives easier. In the moment, maybe we have that extra couple of minutes to finish that last bit of homework, or stay on social media just a little longer. But we weren’t designed to be alone. God created us to have a relationship with Him. That’s what our ultimate purpose is—to know God. Or, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. All these other things—sports, friends, school, hobbies, family, you name it—are amazing. They can be crazy fun, and it’s good to enjoy these good gifts from God. …But when God is first in our lives, everything becomes so much better. We have purpose behind our passion. As we regularly spend time in the Bible, learning about how much God loves us, how He saves and redeems us through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, and how He calls us to follow Him, our lives become rich in meaning and full of hope. I really noticed the difference when I was at camp last year. We had half an hour for devotions every day. And the more I did them…the more I really wanted to spend time with God. It doesn’t have to be much. Even just ten or fifteen minutes a day. But as we spend time in God’s Word, we find that it draws us. We start thirsting after Him and yearning to know Him more. It gives a whole new meaning to life. And when we press in to relationship with Jesus, we become more like Him. And life becomes a whole lot more incredible. • Chloe Ludlum • If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is always with us. Yet, He still calls us to spend intentional time with Him, reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer. When is a good time of day for you to set aside a few minutes, maybe even an hour, to spend time with God? But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

READ: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-14; MATTHEW 28:20; ROMANS 8:35-39 Have you ever seen a plant that’s been repotted? If a potted plant gets too big, it needs to be moved to a bigger pot so it can grow and flourish. But, when you first put it in its new home, it may look droopy. That’s because it’s in a state of shock from being uprooted. Yet, if someone takes care of it, the plant will soon take root in the new dirt and get the nourishment it needs. With time, it will even start to thrive. Have you ever felt like a repotted plant—ripped out of a familiar situation and placed in a new one? This can happen when we move, or a relationship changes, or we have a health struggle, or we change schools. We might feel like a droopy plant in a state of shock. And it’s okay to feel that way. Being uprooted and making a new start is difficult. We may feel overwhelmed or helpless. It may seem like we’ll never adjust. But, like a potted plant, we have someone looking after us. Jesus is with us through every new change, and He will take care of us. He’ll give us the strength we need to adjust to each new situation. So, if you’ve just gone through a big change, remember that the state of shock is temporary. It won’t be like this forever. Eventually you will adjust, and grow, and even thrive. And in the meantime, you can lean on Jesus. Like a capable and attentive gardener, He promises to take care of you. His love for you always stays the same, and He wants to walk with you through this season of change, mourning what was lost and celebrating the good things that are to come. It may not be easy adjusting to a new situation, but you can trust Jesus to give you courage and strength as you acclimate to your new surroundings, and to help you thrive in the new place He has planted you. • A. W. Smith • Changes—even good changes—can take a toll on us. They can leave us feeling exhausted physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. But Jesus offers us stability, refreshment, and rest. Can you remember a time when you felt disoriented by changes in your life? As you look back, can you see any ways Jesus was caring for you in that time? • It’s easy to let good habits drop off when we go through a life change. But habits like prayer, Bible reading, and worshiping with other Christians can be powerful ways that Jesus sustains, energizes, and comforts us through changes. When life feels busy or just plain overwhelming, what are some ways you can incorporate intentional moments with Jesus throughout your day? He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 1:29; ROMANS 6:8-11; HEBREWS 10:1-25 I sat against my bunk bed. I had just realized that after being a believer for sixteen years, I didn’t understand Jesus. I know this sounds strange—and trust me, it was. I was devastated and confused. I had put my trust in Jesus at five years old and faithfully served ever since. But I realized that I didn’t really understand the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. I narrowed my questions down to the fact that I didn’t get why Jesus didn’t stay dead. I didn’t think it was fair. If the cost of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and we as humans would be separated from God’s presence forever if we didn’t receive His rescue, why didn’t Jesus have to do the same? Yikes. Those are kind of scary statements. But they were big questions that I’d never asked…that I’d never heard anyone else ask. So, what did I do? I spoke to my Christian mentors. I read multiple books about the heart of Jesus. I spent a lot of time praying. And I can confidently say that today, I feel close to Jesus. And I can personally testify to His unending, unfailing grace in a way I couldn’t before. While it may feel uncomfortable to ask certain questions about our faith, it’s imperative if we ever want to grow. The Lord invites questions. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” And, by the way, the reason Jesus didn’t stay dead is because He completed the sacrifice. Before Jesus went to the cross, God’s people had to make repeated sacrifices for their sins. They had to use the best of their crops and animals for these sacrifices. But no sacrifice was perfect. Jesus? He’s perfect. And He loves us so much that He was willing to give up His life for us. Because Jesus is the sinless sacrifice, and He is God in flesh, He was able to take all our sin upon Himself, satisfying the righteousness of God. So, He completed the sacrifice once and for all. I like to imagine that He “broke the system.” And now we’re free. • Natty Maelle • What questions do you have about your faith? Who is a trusted friend, parent, counselor, or pastor you could talk to about these questions? Remember, there are some questions we may never get answers to. After all, we’re humans trying to understand things on God’s level. How does that make you feel? Consider taking some time to talk to God about these feelings. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 15:13-15; ROMANS 3:21-24; 15:7; 1 JOHN 1:8–2:2 Are you good enough? I’m not. Not nearly good enough to please all those voices that tell me to do better, try harder, be perfect. How I’ve tried! Many of us are side-lined perfectionists, watching from the benches while other brighter, bolder, better perfectionists are in the game, seemingly living that gleaming, perfect, successful life where they seem to shine. “Seem” is the definitive word! All the posts and pictures that dominate our feeds make these perfected humans “seem” so perfect. Better than us, for sure. But it’s all an illusion. Not real, not at all. Perhaps they project the illusion that they themselves want so badly to believe. “Maybe, if I appear this way—beautiful, smart, athletic, successful—I will eventually believe it myself.” Because, believe it or not, those who seem so put-together struggle with the same inadequacies that we do. Turns out, humans just aren’t perfect—it’s been that way since humans first sinned. We can’t always achieve high marks, make the team, or have a slew of friends. But I’ll tell you what we do have. As believers in Jesus, we have Him as our Friend. Such a Friend! He will always have your back, include you, and love you exactly the way you are. His love never fails. And He doesn’t require you to be better, try harder, be perfect, measure up. Instead, God in Christ extends to each of us this marvelous, extraordinary gift called grace. Grace is God’s unearned favor, the kind of love and acceptance and inclusion that we all dream of enjoying. But the marvelous truth is, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus can enjoy God’s grace every day. And then, do you know what we can do with this wonderful grace of God? We receive it. We daily remind ourselves that, despite our imperfections, God loved us so much that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so He could give us this grace. And then we give it out freely, to everybody around us. • Kristen Merrill • In what ways have you tried to measure up? Do you ever feel like you’re pretending to be the person you want to be? How could it be freeing to rest in Jesus’s grace and love for you instead? • Do you feel far away from this free gift of grace? Maybe a bit distant from God? As Christians, sometimes this happens when we have unconfessed sin we need to take to God in prayer. Other times, it may be we’ve been believing things about God that aren’t true, and that makes it hard to feel close to Him. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can walk with you when you’re struggling? (If you’ve never received the grace of Jesus, you can find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:8; MATTHEW 6:25-34; JOHN 10:3-5 I was 24 years old, and I was bawling. I sat halfway down a mountain slope, one ski at my feet and the other several yards uphill where it had landed when I’d crashed. I had actually chosen this area of snow to land on, as leaping into a snowbank in order to stop had seemed less frightening than continuing to hurtle down the mountain. I was overwhelmed, soaked with wet snow, and quite done with skiing. Unfortunately, I realized there was no way to reach the bottom of the hill without continuing down it. Suddenly I heard a familiar voice and looked up to see my dad, who had followed me and watched me crash. He dropped my escaped ski beside me and helped me put them both on again. This time, he promised, he was going to show me something different, rather than the pizza-shaped ski formation I’d learned that morning—which had apparently failed me in my hour of need (I found out later I’d pulled a muscle). He directed me to angle my skis perpendicular to the mountain and go very, very slowly across the snow, turning sharply to keep the position. “Don’t look down the mountain,” he advised. “It’ll scare you and you might give up. Just look at the snow right in front of your skis, and follow in my tracks.” As long as I kept this thought firmly in my head—don’t look down; follow his tracks—I found I was alright. I even started having fun. Since then, overwhelming moments in my life have brought my dad’s words to mind, only now I hear them from the perspective of my Father in heaven. I imagine God saying, “Don’t look too far ahead; it’ll scare you and you might give up. Just follow the tracks I’m placing right in front of you. We’ll make it down together—I promise.” • Kathryn Venegas • God wants to help us follow Him, and often He calls us to just focus on the very next step of today—not the next five, just the next one! He leads and guides us through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). And remember, even when we mess up and crash, Jesus has promised to be with us and help us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 4:14-16). Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you see where He is leaving tracks for you to follow. • Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern the next steps God might be inviting you to take in your life, and who can also help you get back up when you fall? Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 139:14-18; MATTHEW 6:26; 10:29-31; EPHESIANS 2:10 I love snow. I love the way the delicate little snowflakes dance and spin as they fall from the sky. I love it when they all pile up into fluffy, white, satisfyingly smooth mounds. I love the way they look, with each little ice crystal so small, beautiful and intricate all at the same time. And yet, you’d think with just how much snow falls every year, surely there’d have to be some identical snowflakes. But no two snowflakes are ever the same. God put time, thought, and effort into everything He made. He even took care to make these little ice crystals wonderfully complex, each with their very own design. Each one is unique. Each one is beautiful. Each one is caringly crafted by God. Just like you and me. God made each of us unique and beautiful, and He took great care when He created us (Ephesians 2:10). He gave us each our own features, personalities, spiritual gifts, and even our own stories to live out. He takes so much time shaping you and me, thinking of you and me, and caring for you and me. We are His masterpieces, and He loves us so much we can’t even begin to understand it (Ephesians 3:18-19). He put much love into making us, just the way we are. So the next time someone tries to make you feel less-than, worthless, or like you don’t matter, think of the snowflakes. Think about how intricate and complicated they are, and how God even put care into making these little ice crystals that we hardly ever notice. Then think about how much more important you are to God, and how much more He cares for you and loves you. Remember that no matter what anyone says, you are “wonderfully complex” and “marvelous” (Psalm 139:14). You are God’s masterpiece. • Anna Tuckfield • As humans, we’re much more valuable to God than everything else in creation. He proved how great His love for us truly is when Jesus died and rose again, making the way for us to be with Him forever. Have you ever felt more like a toddler’s scribble than a magnificent masterpiece? God grieves these hurts with us, and He invites us to come to Him in prayer. He wants to help us feel His great love for us and comfort us with the truth that we are His handiwork. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us a new in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

READ: 1 SAMUEL 20:32-42; LUKE 1:26-45; HEBREWS 2:18 Do you know Mary’s story well? It begins when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she would be carrying the Messiah, the Son of God. Mary was a virgin and probably a teenager at the time. How did she explain this to her parents? Did they believe her? Did she tell her peers? Did they think she was crazy? These are some of the questions that came to my mind. But there’s something about Mary’s story I never noticed until recently: Mary’s story contains a beautiful picture of true friendship. God knew that Mary would probably have a tough time finding someone to believe her—even her fiancé Joseph had doubts at first. God understood how Mary felt and provided her a friend! That person was Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin. Like Mary, Elizabeth had experienced a miracle from God. Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age after being childless for many years. She was able to understand what Mary was going through and believe her. In fact, when Mary went to look for Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy (Luke 1:41-44). Both pregnant women were able to share each other’s joys and burdens. Another example of true friendship in the Bible is David and Jonathan in the Old Testament. They were great friends even though Jonathan’s father, King Saul, wanted to kill David because David was chosen by God to be the next king. Despite this opposition, Jonathan went against his father and protected David. They had sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, and they parted in tears at the end (1 Samuel 20:41-42). Friendship is a wonderful gift from God. Sometimes God provides a special person to support us in our times of need. It may be a neighbor, or a church friend who has gone through a similar experience, or somebody else. But that’s not all. God sent His Son Jesus to earth. Jesus is able to understand all the pain, suffering, and temptations we go through. So whenever we’re facing hardships or temptation, we can turn to Jesus for help (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16). He is our dear friend who will never forsake us (John 15:13-15; Hebrews 13:5). • Kelly Choy • Do you have someone you can confide in? If so, consider taking a moment to thank God for bringing this friend into your life. If not, you can ask God for this anytime. • Is there anyone in your life you could come alongside of and support through a difficult time? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person and ask God for His guidance and help. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 106:1-2; 146:6-10; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 When I look at my hands, each finger formed by You, When I feel the wind, each breath coming because of You, When I hear the noise of a crowd or the quiet of a peaceful place, All of this points to You. How can I not thank You? When I move my body, all my strength given by You, When I blink in the sunshine, the brightness coming from You, When I listen to the trickle of a stream or the boom of thunder, All of this points to a creator. How can I not thank You? When I feel stressed then have tensions eased, When hard things come up then somehow go away, When fear or grief fills my body, but I can still go forward, All of this is because of you. How can I not thank You? Whether bringing me joy when I am down Or showing Your love through created things, Whether listening when I need to talk or speaking to me To show me the way, Whether taking the pain or just being with me in it, I thank you for everything You are. Because of You, I will forever be filled with gratitude. • Emily Acker • Do you ever get caught up in thinking about all God has done for you? As we notice God’s good gifts and thank Him, we often find that our confidence in His goodness grows. Consider taking some time to thank Him right now. You could start by just looking at your own body and how it all works, or feeling the wind and the sunshine, or remembering a time God helped you. And even when it’s hard to think of anything we can be sincerely thankful for, we can always thank Jesus for coming to save us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have the sure hope of living with Him in renewed creation, forever free of all pain and sorrow. And that good gift outshines them all. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 12:1-3; JOHN 1:1-13; GALATIANS 4:4-6 For many people, the word family evokes ideas like safety, love, acceptance, and happiness. But for others, family evokes ideas like anxiety, strife, fear, and rejection. God established the family as the first human social structure, starting with the first marriage between the first man and woman as part of the “very good” world He created; He intended their family to multiply and flourish as they ruled the world on His behalf (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:18-25). That all changed, however, when the humans rejected God and rebelled against Him. Everything in God’s creation began to break down into evil, chaos, and corruption. Not only did their sin fracture their relationship with God, but it also fractured their relationships with each other. Where the family had once been a place of love and trust, it was now fractured by selfishness and distrust. These deep-seated sinful propensities affect every family today. But God did not give up on our now greatly-extended human family, although He would have been justified in doing so. Instead, He chose one very fractured and dysfunctional family—the family of Abraham—through whom He promised to restore His blessings to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-3). Despite this family’s long history of being continually unfaithful to Him, God was still faithful to keep His promise by sending His own Son, Jesus, to be born into the family of Abraham. Jesus is fully human, yet He never sinned. He lived as the perfect representative of all humans (Romans 5:17). Through His death for our sins and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus made the way for all people—all members of the human family—to be reconciled to God. He wants to make us part of His eternal family. In Jesus there is hope and healing available for every person and for every fractured family. • Kayla Esguerra • What comes to mind when you think of the word family? Why? • What are some practical ways you could demonstrate God’s loving and faithful heart to your family this week, such as praying for them, serving them, or encouraging them? • If you’ve experienced a deep hurt from someone in your family, who are trusted adults in your life who can help you set up healthy boundaries? • Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is adopted into God’s family! If you want to learn more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. And if you want to dig deeper, read Romans 4:16; 5:12-21; Galatians 3:7, 29; Ephesians 1:5; 2:19-22. See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 (WEB)

READ: ISAIAH 53:1-6; LUKE 15:1-10 Shivers snaked through my body. I blinked. The sun lit the surrounding snow with gleaming white light. I pushed my curls out of my eyes and away from the wound on my head. I touched the bruising and winced; the memory flooded back. After we lost the fugitive, a fight broke out. Of course, the others would leave me here. I muttered something unsavory. “Welcome, my child.” I snapped my head around, taking in the warm fire and the man sitting across from me. My eyes swam from the sudden motion, but my hand crushed a fistful of my fur cloak. I recognized him. “You came to Abaddon last year. I thought the Elders told you to stay away. We don’t want any of your nonsense about our home being destroyed!” The glint in the depth of his green eyes dimmed with sadness. “Yes, you have rejected me, but I have not given up on you. I would still guide you to Zahar, the Shining City.” “I need to go home.” I tried to push myself up but fell back, my head spinning. The snow crunched as he stood and walked to me. He offered his hand. “Let me help you.” “No! I need to go back. I have too much to do.” I rolled out of his reach, crawling until the snow turned black with soot and the sun darted behind a cloud. That night wolves howled in the distance. Exhausted from crawling toward my home, I curled into a ball. Why hadn’t anyone from Abaddon searched for me? I wasn’t far away. I could hear the laughter. But of course, no one came. I was the only one to ensure my success. I was alone. The wolves howled again, and the wind sent icy needles through my furs. Tears rose unbidden with the knowledge I would die here, and no one would care. “Let me help you." A warm hand rested on my shoulder. I rolled over and looked up into his green eyes. “Please,” I whispered. He placed a hand on my head and the pain dissipated. He offered his hand again, and I took it. The laughter from Abaddon seemed cold and indifferent. He led me away up the rising path into the mountains. Presently the moon came out and lit the path in silver light. • M. M. Liles • In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable of a shepherd who loses one sheep, so he goes after it and searches until he finds it. In the same way, Jesus pursues us. He comes after us, even when we’re stubborn and determined to go our own way. Even when we’ve gotten into trouble because of our own sins and failures. In what ways have you been pushing God away lately? What have you been tempted to turn to instead of turning to Jesus—such as hard work, busyness, other people, fleeting pleasures, etc.? Consider taking a moment to imagine Jesus coming after you, extending His hand to help you. • Jesus is the Good Shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus knows that we will die without Him, and He wants to rescue us and give us life “to the full” (John 10:10). That’s why He was willing to endure the cross for us. Because He died and rose again, we can have new life. If you want to know more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Once we put our trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and set free from sin, and the things we used to go to for security or pleasure or purpose might lose their appeal. After all, most sin comes down to loving the wrong things, or loving the right things in the wrong way. But Jesus loves us more than we could imagine. Life with Him is rich in meaning, and He gives us joy and peace far beyond what any created thing can offer. Has there ever been a time in your life when an old sin pattern lost its appeal? What was that like? • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 7:13-14; 16:21-28; 24:1-35; Mark 6:34;...

READ: ROMANS 12:13; HEBREWS 13:2; 1 PETER 4:7-10 Did you know that all Christians are called to some sort of ministry? You don’t have to be a pastor or missionary to have a ministry—the fact is, God commands all Christians to minister to others. The word ministry basically means service. And in Galatians 5:13, all Christians are instructed to “serve one another humbly in love” just as Jesus served us. What does this service, or ministry, look like? Well, God gives each of us spiritual gifts to use to serve others in various ways, and yet there are a number of ways every Christian is called to serve (1 Peter 4:9-10). And one ministry that all Christians are encouraged to participate in is hospitality. Hospitality is welcoming others and treating them in a warm, friendly way. Often that involves being willing to share our home and meals with guests. Hospitality is just one of the ways we show people God’s love, but it’s an important way—because hospitality reveals the heart of the gospel. Think about it. Jesus warmly welcomes each of us into His family. God calls us to Himself, gives us a home with Him, and shares all He has with us. That’s why it’s important for us as Christians to be welcoming toward others. As 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” Some people welcome traveling missionaries or international students—or even complete strangers—into their homes. As a teenager, you probably don’t have a home of your own to offer others. But you could talk to your family about ways you could extend hospitality to people who need it. And maybe you can offer hospitality to your friends by inviting them over, offering them a meal or a snack, and making them feel safe and welcomed. Or maybe you could invite someone new to sit with you at lunch or in church. As you go about your daily life, be on the lookout for ways you could make others feel included and valued. And if your family opens up your home to others, you can take part in showing hospitality. When you help prepare meals, wash extra dishes, or give up your room in order to welcome guests, you can show them the love of Jesus. Because He warmly welcomes us into His family and shares all He has with us, we have the opportunity to show others what a kind and hospitable host He is by treating them the same way. • A. W. Smith • Can you remember a time when someone extended hospitality to you? What was that like? • How does Jesus’s love for us enable us to extend hospitality to others? Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 6:25-34 Since I was young, I’ve often had to remind myself to just consider the next moment instead of trying to figure out everything that’s going to happen in the future. The truth is, it’s all in God’s hands, so I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. I don’t have to get stressed about what I’ll be doing in an hour or how things are going to turn out today. All I need to do is live in this moment. Take it slow. Just a little at a time. In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (verse 34). I get too stressed when I try to take on everything at once. I quickly realize I can’t control everything I want to. And sometimes, it’s best to just let go. It’s good to know I don’t have control over everything, but God does. My thoughts don’t always have to be on tomorrow, or further in the future, because God is already taking care of it all. As Jesus says, “Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (verse 32-33). God loves me, and He just wants me to live in the present and do what I can now, focusing on His presence with me and how He’s calling me to participate in His kingdom. I can’t handle everything at once. I’m not capable of doing that, much as I might want to. When I try to take on too much, I get overwhelmed. I worry that the future won’t be all that I want it to be. But when I trust God with my life instead, it’s easier to feel content in this moment. And I know He will gently lead me to the next. • Bethany Acker • In what ways do you find yourself worrying about the future? While it’s good to make plans to use our time wisely and consider how our actions will affect the future, it’s ultimately not our job to make the future turn out the way we think it should. And when we get wrapped up in trying to control the future, we may miss out on what God is doing here and now. Next time you’re distracted by worries about the future, consider bringing your worries to God in prayer, then ask Him to guide your attention to what He’s doing in this present moment. • As Christians, how can knowing that we are forever held in God’s love—and our eternal future is already secure—free us to follow Jesus moment by moment? (Romans 8:31-39) “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 23:27-28; EPHESIANS 2:4-10; PHILIPPIANS 3:7-9 Have you ever cut into a shiny red tomato, only to find it was all rotten in the middle? It may have looked perfect on the outside—not even a bruise. But inside, it’s mushy and not fit to be eaten. Sometimes we are like that rotten tomato. Many of us put up a good front. We may do good things—we follow the rules, read the Bible every day, volunteer at church, and help out at home. We look great on the outside! But God sees the sin in each of our hearts. He knows what we’re really like on the inside. The truth is, all of us sin. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.” Apart from Jesus, our hearts are sinful and deceitful even when our actions look impeccable. Doing good things doesn’t make us good. So what can we do? We can’t make a rotten tomato good, and we can’t fix our rotten hearts either. But God can. Jesus took all of that mushy, rotten sin upon Himself when He died on the cross in our place—then He was resurrected from the dead to free us from sin and death. When we stop trying to make ourselves good and instead trust Jesus to save us, He removes our sin and gives us His righteousness. He gives us new hearts, free from the decay of sin (Ezekiel 36:26). In the end, we can’t make ourselves look good to God by doing good things. That might make us look good to other people, but God sees our hearts—He knows we’re sinners. We need Jesus. Only He can save us from sin and give us good hearts. Once we put our trust in Jesus, we will still struggle with sin until the day He returns, but we can rest knowing that in Him we are forgiven, and He has purified our hearts through faith (Acts 15:9). • A. W. Smith . • When are you tempted to trust in your own good deeds to make you righteous in God’s eyes? We all fall into this from time to time, and we all need to be continually reminded of the gospel ("Know Jesus" page). Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to help you notice ways you are trusting in your own goodness— and to recognize how you fall short. You can ask Him to help you trust in Jesus’s goodness instead, and you can thank Him for His sure forgiveness. We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)

READ: PSALMS 46:1-3; 61:1-3; MATTHEW 14:22-33; HEBREWS 13:8 You are my refuge and strength, My strong tower in the storm. So I do not shudder as The clouds darken. You promised peace In the midst of turmoil, Peace that does not falter, So I stand firm as the thunder rolls. And as the rain pours down I remind myself of the one Who walked upon the waves To reach for me in the storm. And though the wind howls and The waters threaten to overwhelm me, I will keep my gaze on You, The only one who never changes. • Emily Gwaltney • Which line sticks out to you most in this poem? Why? Can you find a verse from today’s Scriptures that inspired this line? • What kinds of storms have you experienced lately? We all go through storms, like doubt, fear, uncertainty…upheaval in our relationships, finances, or health…or struggles with sin. But in every storm, Jesus is with us. As we fix our gaze on Him, we find peace and strength in His unwavering love for us (Hebrews 12:1-3). Jesus has already saved us from the greatest storm of being lost forever, so all the other storms we experience pale in comparison. Like Jesus reached out to save Peter when he was sinking beneath the waves, Jesus reached out for us (Matthew 14:31). He came to rescue us from sin and death by dying for us and rising again. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to the day He will return,and every storm will finally be stilled. And in the meantime, we can always find refuge in Him. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 73:11-28; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 We can ask God hard questions. In Psalm 73, Asaph’s question to God is basically, Why are the wicked so successful, while people like me who follow God experience so many hardships? Asaph finds his answer as he goes into God’s sanctuary, and God opens his eyes to three things: First, success is fleeting. Second, God is with His people on earth, holding our hand. And third, God leads His people to a glorious destiny. We find a potent example of the emptiness of worldly success in the life of Howard Hughes, one of the most successful people in American history. He was healthy and good looking. He inherited a family fortune, invented airplanes and flew them, produced movies, owned huge amounts of real estate, dated famous actresses, and golfed alongside professionals. But earthly success did not bring peace. Hughes survived multiple plane crashes that resulted in head injuries. In his later years, he would sit naked, watching the same movie over and over again. He died sick and addicted to drugs. Even as we recognize that Howard Hughes’ legacy has shown he acted selfishly and took advantage of others, we can also have compassion for him. It seems he didn’t know the peace of having God hold his hand. I knew a man named Pastor Brummel who loved Jesus. As he grew older, his body wore out and he could barely walk. Then, over time, his mind grew weak, and he began to tell the same stories over and over. Eventually, all he could do was sing “Jesus Loves Me” and smile at people. He died happy. No earthly success is a good trade for the love of Jesus and the promise of eternal life with Him. We can spend lots of dreams and time on what we want, or what we want to be known for, but a relationship with God is the only thing worth living for (Matthew 16:24-26; Philippians 3:8-11). Consider what Jim Elliot, a missionary, wrote in his journal before he was killed by the very people he was trying to share the good news of Jesus with: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” • Luke Eising • When we see the success of people who don’t follow Jesus, we can easily become bitter (Psalm 73:21). How can remembering the good news of Jesus give us perspective and hope? ("Know Jesus" page) Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 73:1-15; HEBREWS 4:14-16 Usually when I hear adults pray publicly, they sound very wise. They thank God and ask for blessings, but they never complain or disagree with God. But that’s not how people pray in the Bible. Just read the book of Psalms. They tell God what’s really on their hearts. Sometimes it’s how much they love and worship God, but other times it’s how scared or sad they are, or they even tell God that it seems like He’s not being fair. For example, in Psalm 73 a guy named Asaph has a problem. He’s doing what’s right, but his life is hard and painful. Meanwhile, the guys who don’t care about God are healthy, rich, popular, and successful. So Asaph asks, Is serving God worth it? Why do I try so hard to be good and I don’t get anything for it? Why is there so much pain and suffering in my family? The truth is, many of us have these same questions, but we might be embarrassed to say them aloud to our pastors or parents or even to God. Questions like these seem “unchristian.” But believe me, when you pray, the only embarrassing thing is trying to hide what you’re thinking from God. He already knows all our thoughts before we even think them. The thing is, tough questions about God unsettle us. They make us doubt, and we stew on them. But God can handle whatever we pray to Him. He isn’t scared by our tough questions, our doubts, or even our accusations against Him (Mark 4:35-41; John 20:24-28). So take your toughest questions to God. Journal them, pray them, bring them out of the dark parts of your heart and into the light. God will answer. When you pray to God like this, you don’t always get the kinds of answers you’re expecting, but you will find His peace. • Luke Eising • What kinds of tough questions do you have about God, the Bible, the world, etc.? Have you ever voiced these questions to other people or to God? Consider taking some time to be honest with God and tell Him the truth about whatever is on your mind. • God welcomes our tough questions, and He is eager to reveal more and more of His truth and love to us. He does this through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you seek God through your tough questions by praying and digging into the Bible through the lens of the gospel ("Know Jesus" page)? Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Psalm 42:9 (NLT)

READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13; PSALM 139:14; ISAIAH 60:1 Every single day we are bombarded with social media posts, pictures, and videos of friends, actors, models, singers, and superstars. And seeing these images can lead to thoughts of not being enough. We see so many people every day, and often the first thing we do is compare ourselves to them. And that is so sad. Because of this constant comparison, we often walk around with zero confidence. But it doesn’t have to be this way. When we truly understand who we are in Christ and find our worth in Him and how preciously and carefully He created us, we may start walking around a little taller with a brighter smile and a new pep in our step. It just makes us happy to know we are clothed in His beauty and righteousness. It’s more than just confidence in ourselves; it’s a confidence in who we are in Christ and who He has created us to be. Just listen to these verses for a moment: Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” And 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” Do you see what God says is more beautiful than perfectly styled hair or perfectly applied makeup or the most stylish outfit? It’s His glory rising upon us. It’s a heart that is seeking after God. It’s a quiet, gentle, and meek spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). It’s the new heart Jesus gives us when we put our trust in Him (Ezekiel 36:26). This is an easy truth to forget. So, if it helps, you could write this down: “Though people may discredit me based on my looks, the LORD who sees my heart loves me and will work through me in ways I could never imagine. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at my heart, and only a heart saved by Jesus, cleansed by His blood, is truly beautiful.” Dear reader, I hope you know how truly precious and beautiful you are in your Creator’s eyes. I think something we all need to remember is this: A heart in God’s hands overflows with a beauty that is shown in joy, compassion, and hope. • Mary Garner • If you know Jesus, your heavenly Father sees you with overwhelming love and joy. When you struggle to see yourself as God sees you, what Bible verses could help you remember the truth? Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 4:16; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:5; 1 PETER 2:9 Darkness. That’s all I can see. There used to be so many dazzling lights—my friends, my family. They’re all gone now. I’ll probably never see them again. My own light is dimming. The Shadow keeps reaching closer and closer. I gave up fighting him long ago. The Shadow could overtake me anytime, but I think he enjoys watching my fear slowly turn to despair and defeat. Elyon, where did you go? Why did you leave us? It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to Elyon. I vowed I never would again, not since everyone’s lights went out. I guess old habits are hard to break. I open my eyes one last time, deciding I would prefer to know when the Shadow finishes me off. But what my eyes see astonishes me. The very fact they see something other than the Shadow is odd. There, way off, is a…light? I must be imagining this. It can’t be. “Why do you doubt what you know to be true?” That voice! Just the sound of it brings tears to my eyes. Can it really be you? “Yes, my child. I have never left you. You merely needed to look.” I suddenly feel a warmth stir inside of me. Looking down, I gasp in shock. My light! The Shadow around me starts swirling in anger. But The Light swells even brighter in response, causing the Shadow to shriek away, my fear going with him. I run to embrace The Light, and as soon as I touch Him, The Light spreads like a wildfire—consuming every corner of darkness, until nothing but the Shadow himself remains. There is nowhere left for him to hide. I watch as even he is eventually consumed by The Light, exploding into a million fireworks. But instead of fading, the embers grow brighter. They’re back, all of them. Every light that had been snuffed out, is back. “The Shadow was blinding you to the truth. Their lights were never extinguished, merely hidden.” • Jessica Lutz • Can you think of a time when it felt like God had abandoned you? Sometimes the darkness of the world can be overwhelming. But Jesus is The Light. He came into our dark world, and through His death and resurrection, God “has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:12-14). Jesus’s light is always shining in this dark world, and if we know Him, even death cannot extinguish our light. He promises to always be with us and to raise us to eternal life. (John 1:1-14; Romans 8:35-39; 1 Corinthians 15:26) “I [Jesus] am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 139:23-24; 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12-16 Do you know why dentists take x-rays of our teeth? Even though dentists and dental hygienists look for cavities while they clean people’s teeth, some small cavities can’t be seen with just the human eye. So, by using an x-ray, dentists can find cavities before they’re visible on the surface. Then they can fill those small cavities to make sure the problem doesn’t get any worse, saving us from more painful issues in the future. X-rays are a big help because they show us things in our bodies that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. In a way, the Bible does that too. Through His Word, God examines our hearts and shows us our need for Jesus. As we read or listen to the Bible, He shows us where there’s sin in our lives—and He also points us to the remedy. The truth is, a lot of sin in our lives can remain hidden—even hidden from ourselves! But when we examine ourselves through the lens of the Bible, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. Seeing our own sinfulness is never easy. In fact, it can be deeply painful. But it’s more painful to let sin stay hidden in the darkness, where it will grow and cause more and more damage. We can only find freedom by bringing our sin into the light and letting Jesus deal with it (Ephesians 5:8-14). Because He loves us so much, Jesus went to the cross for us, giving up His life so we could be forgiven. Then He rose from the dead, and now His Spirit lives inside everyone who puts their trust in Him. He delights in helping us walk in His good ways, leaving our old, sinful ways behind and instead doing what’s right. So as we read the Bible we can be on the lookout for what God might want to say to us. Like an x-ray, Scripture reveals things inside us that we can’t always see— things like cruel thoughts and selfish desires. It shows us sin in our hearts, and it also tells us about Jesus and how He died and rose again to save us from sin. As soon as we recognize our sin, the best thing we can do is confess it to God. Then walk forward in freedom, following our loving Savior. • A. W. Smith • Have you ever been convicted of a sin while reading the Bible? As you read today’s Scripture passages, consider asking Jesus to show you what you need to give over to Him today. • It can be helpful to confess our sin to trusted Christians who can remind us of Jesus’s love and grace and encourage us to walk with Him. Who is someone in your life you can be honest with? For the word of God is alive and active…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

READ: EPHESIANS 4:20-32; 6:10-18; 1 PETER 5:6-10 What would you say is the most dangerous animal in the world? Sharks, lions, snakes? If we look at the number of humans killed each year by these predators, we find that sharks kill about a dozen humans per year, lions kill more than 100, and snakes kill over 100,000. But the deadliest animal by far is the mosquito. Unlike many dangerous animals, they live in close proximity to humans and bite unprovoked. These annoying little insects don’t seem like they could cause much damage, but in some parts of the world, they carry malaria and other diseases that have killed a lot of people. It’s estimated that mosquitos cause over 700,000 human deaths per year. That’s way more than sharks, lions, and snakes combined. Thinking about mosquitos can help us remember that we need to watch out for dangerous little things in our lives too. It’s not always the big things that discourage us—like family problems or a serious illness. The seemingly small frustrations of daily life, like running late or getting a bad grade, can have an effect on us too. In our disappointment or irritation or fear, we’re often tempted to lash out at people, numb out on social media, or sin in any number of ways. But God calls us to a different way. The Bible says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). The Bible compares the devil to a roaring lion, but the devil often uses little things to try to get us to sin and to forget that God loves us. Sometimes the little problems are the ones that can wear us down to the point we make a hurtful remark or give in to other temptations. The best way to stand firm against the enemy and resist his mosquito-like temptations is through prayer. When we take time to remember that Jesus loves us, that He extends forgiveness to us, and that He wants to help us with every problem we face—no matter how big or small—it changes how we respond to the painful things we experience. The truth is, we don’t have to go through any difficulty alone. We can talk to Jesus about all of them. He promises to be with us through all the big things, and all the small things too. • A. W. Smith • Do you notice how little things can affect you? When all the small irritations pile up, what helps you focus on Jesus? Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:4-9; 1 PETER 2:1-5 What do we need to do to become more spiritually mature? Be really self-sufficient? Come up with all the right answers to life’s questions? In 1 Peter 2:2, we are told to “like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” This metaphor really caught my attention, and the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. I don’t know if you’ve ever been around a hungry baby, but when they crave milk, they let everyone know it. It’s not a quiet, composed, passive desire. They aren’t saying, “Well, milk would be nice, but I could take it or leave it.” They scream. They cry. They wail. They do whatever it takes to get what they need. That’s the kind of craving for spiritual growth God wants to cultivate in us through the Holy Spirit. He wants us to cry out, passionately desiring more and more of His goodness— desiring to know Him and His love for us more deeply, to walk with Him more closely, to become more like Jesus, and to love Him and others more fiercely. And much like a parent feeding a hungry baby, God meets that need in the context of relationship. When babies eat, whether they nurse or are given a bottle, they are held close in the arms of their caregiver as they get the nourishment they need. Likewise, the only way for us to receive spiritual nourishment from God is to draw near to Him. There’s no such thing as spiritual growth apart from relationship with God. It’s only in the context of deep, intimate relationship with Jesus that we can grow and thrive spiritually. This truth can be both humbling and freeing. I cannot force myself to spiritually mature any more than a newborn baby can create food for themself. I have to look to Jesus and His death and resurrection. I have to receive His love and care. It is only through daily, even hourly dependence on the Holy Spirit that I can grow. So, if I want to spiritually mature, instead of coming up with my own answers to all of life’s questions, it’s my job to cry out to our loving Father, desperate for His presence and nourishment. It’s my job to dig into His Word, the Bible. It’s my job to be sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit. It’s my job to invest in a community of believers, giving and receiving encouragement, comfort, love, and help. Then, it’s God’s job to make me grow. • Taylor Eising • In what ways have you tried to become spiritually mature apart from God? What might it look like to passionately pursue relationship with God? I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 18:1-19; EPHESIANS 5:8-20 I find myself surrounded by The lies that tangle through my mind. It started with just one falsehood of the enemy, One measure of deceit I did not quell with truth. Too long I did not let the light break through, And now I fear I will be stranded in This web of darkness entrapping me. In desperation I call to heaven, A plea for rescue from my oppressors; In my darkest moment when I feel all hope is lost, the voice of the Almighty thunders from on high. His wrath is fierce against those who torment me, And with a single word my enemies are vanquished. I take shelter beneath His wings. • Eliana Canfield • Have you ever felt overwhelmed by lies? Maybe lies that say you could never be forgiven, that God isn’t good, or that there is no hope? God promises to be our refuge and strength whenever we are afraid or in need of help (Psalm 46:1; 91:4). Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He has already defeated every lie and dark scheme of the enemy. So if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are forgiven children of light, and we can “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). And even if we let a lie fester, or we realize we’ve been believing something that’s not true, our loving God wants us to cry out to Him for help. Though the enemy will continue to accuse us, try to deceive us, and tempt us to sin, Jesus is infinitely more powerful. He will help us discern the truth and resist sin through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible) and His people (the church). Consider taking some time to ask God to reveal any lies you’ve been believing and replace them with His truth and love. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life who you can talk openly with and who can help you untangle lies from the truth? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 8:12; 14:6; Romans 8:31-39; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 4:15-16; 6:10-20; 1 Peter 5:6-11; 1 John 1:5; Revelation 12:10.) The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

READ: 1 KINGS 19:1-18; HEBREWS 12:1-3; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58 A failure. That’s how Elijah saw himself as he fled for his life into the wilderness. He’d had such high hopes going into the dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Surely Yahweh’s clear victory would lead to a lasting national revival! But the death threats Elijah received from Jezebel following Mount Carmel shattered all his expectations. The struggle was far from over. He was exhausted and weak. No better than any of his forefathers. He thought maybe it would be better if he died. What difference could one lone man make? Any Christian who has attempted to faithfully follow God will, at some point, experience the same emotions that Elijah felt at this juncture in his life. In those moments, we would do well to remember two things. First, while God delights to partner with His people, the success or failure of God’s plans does not ultimately rest upon us. Our job is to serve Him faithfully wherever He places us—whether in the public eye like Elijah, or in relative obscurity like the unnamed seven thousand who remained faithful to Yahweh (1 Kings 19:18). The results belong to God (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Second, true success or failure can look radically different than we expect. When, by all human reckoning, it looked like everything had fallen apart for Jesus, the Son of God, everything was falling into place. Instead of failing, by His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished the greatest victory of all time over sin and death. And now, everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him shares in His victory. Whatever apparent successes or failures we may have while serving Him, we can rejoice in the victory He has already won for us, and live as the victors that He has already made us. • Kayla Esguerra • Have you ever felt like a failure? You’re not alone. Jesus sees you and He loves you, and He is at work in all things—even failure. Consider spending some time with Jesus in prayer, telling Him how you’re feeling and asking Him to help you see your failure through His eyes. • Can you think of any other people in the Bible or church history who had everything fall apart for them and who might have looked like failures, but God used them in great ways? • What are some ways you can be an encouragement to someone else who you know is struggling with feelings of failure? Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 25:4-9; ROMANS 8:31-39 You don’t have to do a lot of research to discover there’s an expert for pretty much everything. And these experts offer all kinds of advice, ranging from health and beauty tips to education and relationship advice to life goals and more. Sometimes this abundance of information causes overload, whether it’s in the form of articles, interviews, videos, books, or podcasts. All these experts have the power to tell us how they think we should solve our problems. Sometimes we go to experts when we have a problem, and sometimes we turn to people we know. When I’m feeling anxious, it’s easy for me to fall into the negative cycle of churning up my problems and moaning about them before dashing to ask family or friends what I should do about any particular situation I’m experiencing. What can happen next is I end up listening to various different answers, writing down all the possible solutions, and then just becoming more confused. The truth is, we live in an imperfect world. Problems will arise and cause us distress. While it can be helpful to get advice from experts, friends, and family, what’s most important is seeking out the one true expert. God is our loving Father who sent Jesus to restore humanity’s broken relationship with Him (Romans 8:3). Sometimes, in my panic, I forget to ask the one true authority. After all, God is the Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, and He knows everything. He truly cherishes me, and He knows me better than anyone else. It’s so good to be still, trust, and believe that my loving Father will guide me and show me the steps to take according to His path. • Cindy Lee • Do you have an important decision to make? Do you need guidance about a problem you’re facing? God loves you deeply and wants to help you. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about your situation and ask Him to guide you to Scriptures and people who can help you. (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 23; 146; James 1:2-7, 22-25; 3:13-18.) Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 27:27–28:10; 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26 Turiel glanced solemnly around the cemetery, noticing their planet’s tri-colored flag waving over many of the graves. He’d only lived on this planet for a few months, but he would recognize that flag anywhere. “Sunan, why do only some of the graves have flags flying beside them?” Turiel asked. He pointed to a section of the cemetery. “All those over there have them.” “Those are graves of people who fought in the Dread War,” Sunan explained. “They defended Planet Tutania when the Uhyre attacked long ago. Many of them gave their lives to protect our freedom.” Turiel was silent for a moment, thinking about how his family had found refuge here on Tutania after their home planet had been taken over by Uhyre. “They paid the ultimate price for us, didn’t they?” Sunan nodded, placing flowers on a nearby grave. “It makes me think about the Great One. He paid an even greater price for our freedom.” “I hadn’t thought about it that way before.” Turiel kept his gaze on the flags. “The Great One bore not only the pain of physical death, but also the punishment for our wrongdoing. I can’t even begin to imagine that.” “It’s mind-blowing,” Sunan agreed. “And He did that because He loves us. What an amazing thing. It wasn’t like we were innocent civilians—we were His enemies. Our sin has caused so much harm to the good universe He made. Yet, if we trust in Him, we don’t have to suffer the punishment we deserve.” “Yeah,” whispered Turiel. He looked around at the graves adorned with beautiful flowers. “I’m grateful, but it pains me to think of what He went through for us. I want to honor His sacrifice somehow. But there’s no grave to decorate for Him.” Then a smile spread across Turiel’s face. “And I guess that’s a good thing, because He lives again, now and forever.” “That He does!” Sunan shared his smile. “There is something we can do to remember His sacrifice though.” Turiel gave his friend a quizzical look. “When we take the bread and the cup,” Sunan continued, “it’s a way of remembering the Great One’s sacrifice, how His body was broken and His blood was shed, for us. And it also shows that we’re looking forward to His return. When He comes back, He’ll rid the world of wrongdoing and death—then horrible things like war will be no more, and all of creation will be made well, and everyone who knows Him will be raised to live with Him forever.” Turiel looked up at the sky, his eyes beginning to fill with tears. “Then there won’t be any graves to decorate.” • A. W. Smith • How did Jesus pay the ultimate price for our freedom? If you want to know more about what Jesus has done and what that means for us today, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He took bread and wine and gave them to His disciples, telling them to continue to do this together in remembrance of Him. Many churches take communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, as part of their regular gatherings. When you take the bread and the cup, consider taking a moment to remember Jesus and what He’s done for you. We can thank Him for the sacrifice He made so we could be saved and not have to suffer the punishment for our sin. We can thank Him for loving us so much. And we can have hope knowing that He’s alive and will someday come back, and everyone who trusts in Him will live with Him forever. • What questions do you have about communion or the Lord’s Supper? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about these questions? If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20. For as often as you eat this brea...