Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55-58; HEBREWS 10:24-25; JAMES 2:14-26 Do you have a responsibility that feels like it doesn’t matter? Part of my job is updating the township’s website. When we have public meetings, I upload what are called agendas (which describe the meeting’s subject matter) to the website. Not a big deal, right? Well one day, we had a board meeting where a very hot topic was being discussed. Citizens were up in arms, and what is usually a very relaxed meeting turned into a mess of questions and claims. I attend the meetings to learn about and be involved in the community. I don’t have to say or do anything. So, you can understand my shock when all of a sudden someone says, “We didn’t know this whole issue was happening because the agenda wasn’t posted on the website.” Suddenly, I felt just as involved in this issue as the board members everyone was frustrated with. Was my not uploading the agenda a criminal offence? No. But the fact that I didn’t complete my “small” responsibility was adding gasoline to an already fiery flame. Sometimes, as Christians, there are things that we feel aren’t a big deal. Do I really have to read my Bible? Do I really have to go to church? And while there isn’t a set of requirements for being a Christian—other than repenting of our sins and receiving God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus—there are some things that are good for us to be part of. It’s good to read the Bible because it gives God more opportunities to speak to us. It’s good to go to church gatherings because it’s good to be with other believers, encouraging one another, worshipping God together, and learning more about Him. It’s even good just to pray before a meal because it helps us practice thankfulness. And, just like my little responsibility of posting the agenda, we might discover that those little habits make a bigger difference than we expected. • Natty Maelle • Is there a particular Christian habit you’d like to do more? Maybe practicing silence, or prayer, or thankfulness? Sometimes, we don’t make something a priority because we don’t KNOW what the Bible says about it. On the other hand, have you ever tried to work on different habits or responsibilities and just ended up getting discouraged and giving up? You’re not alone. We’ve all done that. And Jesus is still with us—He knows we can’t follow Him in our own strength, and He is eager to help us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Who are trusted Christians who can help you dig into what the Bible says about certain topics, discern how Jesus might be inviting you to follow Him in your daily life, and encourage you when things get difficult? …stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

READ: LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32 Life can be tough, and we all make mistakes, but one thing that remains constant is God’s mercy. In moments of doubt, fear, or guilt, we often forget just how merciful our heavenly Father is. So, let’s dive into this wonderful aspect of God’s character and reflect on the question: Isn’t it merciful? What even is mercy anyway? Mercy is often defined as compassion or forgiveness shown by someone in a position of power toward someone who deserves punishment. In essence, it’s about withholding punishment or offering kindness when it’s not deserved. We all sin, and we all fall short of God’s glory— however, God’s mercy is abundant (Romans 3:23-24). Remember this: God’s mercy is unfailing. It’s not based on what we do or don’t do; it’s a gift freely given (Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-7). And Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. No matter how many times we stumble or fall, God’s mercy is there to pick us up and set us on the right path. But, humans are imperfect. You may sometimes feel overwhelmed by your own imperfections. You might worry about falling short of expectations, not just from others but also from yourself. But remember, God knows your weaknesses, and His mercy is tailor-made for your imperfections (Hebrews 4:14-16). He knows all your flaws, and He loves you anyway. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you so that you can be forgiven and dwell with Him for eternity (1 Peter 1:3-9). So, we can now live out God’s mercy. God’s mercy isn’t just for us to receive; it’s also for us to extend to others (Colossians 3:12). We have opportunities every day to show mercy to our friends, family, and people we interact with at school, work, church, the grocery store, etc. By offering forgiveness and compassion, we can be living examples of God’s mercy. So, let’s revisit the question: Isn’t it merciful? Yes, God’s mercy is a gift that keeps on giving, and it’s available to us every day! We are loved and cherished, imperfections and all. And as we carry the awareness of God’s mercy in our hearts, it shines through our actions toward others. God is always ready to forgive and heal, to welcome us with open arms. • Matthew Shumway • Can you think of a time someone showed you mercy? What was that like? • In Jesus’s parable (or symbolic story) in Luke 15, what do you notice about God’s mercy? The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

READ: EPHESIANS 4:20-24; COLOSSIANS 3:8-14; HEBREWS 10:10-14 Have you ever seen a lizard shed their skin? Chameleons, for example, shed their skin whenever they get too big for it. Unlike humans, their skin doesn’t grow with them. So, when they get too big, they need to shed their smaller, ill-fitting skin and grow new skin. As Christians, we’re called to shed our old, sinful habits. Things like lying, cheating, and gossiping no longer fit us because Jesus has saved us from sin and given us a new life. Just like a chameleon puts on new skin, we need to put on new, godly characteristics that fit who we are as God’s children—things like kindness, patience, and humility. The Bible tells us that Christians take off the old self and put on the new self—the person Jesus has created us to be. And the only way to do this is through the Holy Spirit. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit lives in us, helping us turn away from sin and live in God’s good ways instead. We can be confident that Jesus has given us new life once we trust Him as our Savior. Then, we can celebrate that He has made us new people! That means our old, sinful ways no longer fit who we are because He has freed us from sin and given us His Spirit. It’s time to shed those old, sinful habits by seeing ourselves as new people, dead to sin and alive in the Holy Spirit because of what Jesus has done for us (Romans 6:11). Then, others can see the new people Jesus has created us to be—people who are like Him, filled with His kindness and love. • A. W. Smith • If you know Jesus, how have you seen evidence of God transforming you into a new person? How have you seen the Holy Spirit producing good fruit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23)? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this! (For more about trusting Jesus, see our “Know Jesus” page.) • What old, sinful habits do you still struggle to shed? Sometimes, these will be lifelong struggles, but we’re not alone. Jesus loves us completely, and He has already secured our forgiveness through His own death and resurrection. He invites us to come to Him in our weakness and receive His strength (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:14-16). Consider taking some time in prayer, bringing your struggles to Jesus and thanking Him for His forgiveness. You can ask Him to help you shed these sins and walk forward in His good ways. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10 (NIV)

READ: LUKE 7:47; JOHN 15:9-15; 1 JOHN 4:19 I don’t know if anyone knows how difficult life is for me, living at the edge of our village. I lost my family long ago and all I can do is spend each day looking for some argoine—the substance we must eat to survive on this planet. I wake up early in the morning and my body aches. I spent all day yesterday walking around, trying to find the fuel I need to live a little longer. Most of the people around me have families; they help each other find what they need to survive. I open the door of my shelter and my eyes widen. There, on the ground, is the glowing red substance that is our food. Who would leave this here? I pull the argoine apart and devour it. Today will be easier. I can look for argoine for tomorrow, but what I have eaten is enough for today. Over the next few days, I wake to a gift each morning. Confused, I decide to stay up through the night and watch to see who is bringing this to me. Late in the night, I hear footsteps. I stand. “Who is it? Speak.” “It is me.” The voice is old. “I know what it is like to be alone, to search alone, and I have brought argoine for you.” I can barely see through the darkness, but I spot my nearest neighbor, a member of the village who has been here since before my family arrived on this planet. She struggles to walk. “Why would you bring it to me?” I ask. “It’s difficult for you even to look for it.” “It is difficult, yes,” she says. “But I have been sustained many days. I bring the extra to care for you.” “You could save it so you don’t have to go out each day,” I say. “Why would you give all that you have to me?” “Someone once gave their all for me,” she says. “That Someone completely changed my life. All I can do now is give to someone else.” • Emily Acker • Has someone ever surprised you by giving sacrificially? What was that like? • We love because Jesus first loved us (1 John 4:19), and because we know how much we’ve been forgiven (Luke 7:47). If you know Jesus, how has the gift that you received from Him—His life given for you—affected the way you live? (For more about knowing Jesus, see our “Know Jesus” page.) He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 56:8; 62:5-8; ISAIAH 40:11; 43:1; 55:8-9 Waves roll wild across the lakeWith every roar my soul achesGrief and sorrow meldLike the waters foam and quakeThis pain and anger testifyMy heart is still awakeThe sharp intake of sobbing breathPounding beat beneath my chestAlternating between sorrow and rageBut still, my God, you know my nameI don’t always understand Your waysSuffering and days of strainThe laying of flowers on a graveI clench my fistsMy grip is tightBut You uncurl my fingersTurn this darkness into lightLike a child pounds her fistsAgainst the chest of the oneShe knows bestI will feel my griefBut not forgetYour complete faithfulnessYour ways are so much higherAnd although I don’t agreeI know that You’ll forever beThe One who carries meToday I feel this sorrowTomorrow, perhaps joyAlways there is Your promise:I will never walk aloneYou bottle every tear that fallsYou will handle all this rageIn You I am found and heldAnd ever, always safe • Savannah Coleman• What emotions do you notice in this poem? Can you think of a time you felt those kinds of emotions? Do you feel that way today? Everyone goes through seasons of grief, pain, and suffering. Whether you are facing a diagnosis you didn’t see coming, missing a loved one who passed, or struggling with depression and anxiety, you are not alone.* God never promised us a life free from troubles, but He does promise His presence and peace (Exodus 33:14; John 16:33). And, He promises that one day Jesus will return and make all things new—then everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever, finally free of all suffering and sorrow (Revelation 21:1-5). What emotions do these promises stir up in you? • God created us with many emotions and the ability to express them. Instead of shutting these emotions down, we need to process our grief and anger with God. Remember, Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He knows what it feels like to be human. He did not withhold Himself from any of the pain and sorrow of human life. He entered into it fully, ultimately suffering the agony of the cross so that He could be with us forever (Mark 14:32-36). But death could not keep its hold on Him—He rose again, defeating sin and death and darkness to save us. Nothing we could bring to Him could ever be too much. He already knows it all before we say a word, and He wants to shed His light on every dark place (Psalm 139; Ephesians 5:13-14). Have you ever tried to be open with Him about how you’re feeling? What was that like? • David wrote many psalms where you can feel his raw emotion bleeding through the pages. His honesty is refreshing and cathartic. Even as he pours out his heart and relays the tragic things that happen to him, he reminds himself to place his hope and trust in God and continue to pour out his heart to the One who loves him (Psalm 62:5-8). (If you want to dig deeper, you can read a few of David’s psalms for yourself: Psalms 31, 34, and 62.) Consider taking some time to let yourself be honest with God and pour out your heart to Him. • It can be difficult to give ourselves permission to feel the emotions God has given us, but God is eager to help us, and one of the primary ways He helps His people is through His people. Who is a trusted Christian you could talk with about what’s going on in your life and how you feel about it? • *If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concern, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can...

READ: MARK 9:20-25; JOHN 6:25-35; PHILIPPIANS 1:6 Do you truly believe that Jesus’s way of life is the best way of life? I was raised in the church, and when I was presented with this question, my instinct was to say, “Of course!” Upon further examination, however, I began to realize that if I truly and wholeheartedly believed this, my life would look quite a bit different. If I fully believed Jesus’s way of life is the best, would I take out my anger on my family? Would I have trouble forgiving those who wrong me? And would I neglect listening to what God has for me? When we put our trust in Jesus to save us from sin and death, believing He died for us and rose again, we can be sure that we belong to Him forever. As Christians, we grow to trust Jesus more and more, bringing every area of our lives into alignment with what He says is best. Yet, this is a lifelong process, one that will only be finished when Jesus returns. So, remembering to trust Jesus is a practice that needs to be done often. One prayer I pray on a weekly basis is, “Jesus, I choose to trust you. Jesus, I want to trust you. Jesus, help me trust you more.” Often, our trust is still pulled away from Jesus by the things of the world, and sometimes we hardly even want to trust Him. This is when the prayer looks like, “Jesus, I want to want to trust you.” This is a beautiful heart posture, because we’re recognizing we can’t live life on our own, even though we still have a desire to try. And this vulnerability actually helps us trust Jesus more and more, every day. There will be times of struggle when we’re following Jesus, but continuing to turn to Him through the struggle is the best way to learn to trust Him more. In every situation, we can choose to believe that Jesus’s way of life is the best way of life. • Joshua Schmitz • We all have times when it’s hard to believe that Jesus’s way of life is the best way of life. We’re often tempted to do what we think is best instead of relying on Him and following His good ways. In what areas of your life have you found it difficult to trust Jesus? Why? • Jesus invites us to be honest with Him about all the reasons it’s hard for us to trust Him. He is eager to assure us of His love and goodness and help us grow in Him. He does this through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Consider taking some time to be open with Jesus, and perhaps a few trusted Christians, about what you’re thinking and feeling. • If you want to know more about what it means to trust Jesus to save you, see our “Know Jesus” page. Then he [Jesus] said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 4:4-30, 39-42 When I was 18, I took part in a scholarship program to earn money for college. All the participants stayed with host families during the week of rehearsals and competition. Volunteer drivers picked us up for events and then returned us to our host homes in the evening. On the final night, I loaded my bags into the driver’s car for the short trip to the auditorium. Impulsively, I locked the car door as I shut it. Then I realized my mistake—I had locked the car while it was running, locking all of us out of the vehicle. I dreaded walking back inside the host home to explain how I’d messed up. But they all responded in a way I hadn’t expected. They laughed with me (not at me) and quickly devised a plan. Our driver stayed with the car, waiting for a locksmith, while a host parent stepped in to drive my group to the auditorium. That evening, nobody scorned me for my mishap, which had certainly caused inconvenience. Instead, they surprised me with grace, with patience instead of criticism. I felt I didn’t deserve their kindness, yet they extended it anyway. This experience reminds me of John 4, when Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. She had a messy past, and it’s likely she came to the well when she thought no one else would be there. She probably didn’t feel she merited tenderness, either, especially from the Savior. Yet that’s how Jesus approached her, with gentleness and patience, loving her into relationship with Himself. He spoke to her about salvation and worship, and He revealed that He already knew everything about her. He told her the truth about her life and extended His grace. When we trust in Jesus, as the Samaritan woman did, we receive forgiveness from all our sins and we are credited with His perfect righteousness. Because Jesus died for us and rose again, we can be counted blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22). And now, as God’s forgiven people, we are called to extend His patience, gentleness, and love toward others who don’t seem to deserve it. Like Jesus did for the woman at the well. Like my roommates did for me the night I locked us out of our car. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time someone showed you patience and gentleness in a meaningful way? What was it like? • When we’re tempted to beat ourselves up over our mistakes or sins, how can remembering Christ’s gentleness help us come to Him and receive His help? Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 8:10-18; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:16-18 Have you ever looked up at the night sky and dreamt about what you might do in the course of your life? Maybe you’ll make a scientific discovery that will save thousands of lives, or write music that will touch thousands of hearts. Maybe someday, everyone will see just how amazing you truly are. All those twinkling stars seem to make space for dreaming, and the moon shines more brilliantly than them all. On a cloudless night, a full moon can illuminate the landscape, its pale glow moving us to wonder. And yet, the moon doesn’t make any light of its own. Instead, it reflects the sun’s light. Even though the moon shines brightly, it can’t take credit for its brilliance. And, just like the moon, we can shine too. We reflect a light that is not our own. It’s God’s. He made us and gave us the abilities we have. When we use those abilities, we are reflecting His glory and brilliance, not our own. When we realize this, it shouldn’t make us feel less valuable or less important in the universe. On the contrary, it’s because God has made humans in His very own image that we are the crown of all His creation (Genesis 1:26-31). And, as Christians, we shine with a special kind of light. Because we’ve trusted Jesus to save us from sin and death through His own death and resurrection, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, filling our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5). God is working in our lives to make us more like Jesus so we can reflect His wondrous love to others. As we go through life, we may be tempted to take credit for the things we do. But let’s remember, we wouldn’t be able to do anything without God. So, in everything we accomplish, we can reflect the humility of Jesus, the Creator of the universe who humbled Himself to die on a cross for us (Philippians 2:5-13). We can give all the glory to Him, rejoicing that we are His wonderful creations, the people He loves. • A. W. Smith • What are some of the things you’ve accomplished? Consider taking a moment to praise God, thanking Him for giving you the ability to do all you can do. • What are some of your dreams and hopes for the future? As you ponder how God has created you, and how He works in your life to help you serve Him and shine His light to others, you can ask Him to guide you in how to steward the gifts and abilities He has given you. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Psalm 29:2 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 3:21-26; 6:14; EPHESIANS 1:3-10 I have started a program to read through the Bible in ninety days. That means I’ve been reading a lot from the Old Testament each day. Wow, if there’s one thing I’m learning through my reading, it’s that we have so much to be thankful for when it comes to Jesus, His death on the cross, and the way He gave Himself as the one sacrifice to pay for all our sins. Before Jesus came, God’s people, the Israelites, were living under the law. The law proves that all of us fall short of God’s glorious standard and reveals our need for Jesus (Romans 3:23-24). In those days, people were required to offer animal sacrifices regularly to cover their sins. Yet, in faith they looked forward to the day God would fulfill His promise to deal with the sin problem once and for all, even though they didn’t know how He would do it. And God did fulfill His promise—Jesus came as the final sacrifice. He is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). His death on the cross does not merely cover our sins but removes them. So now, we no longer need to offer sacrifices. Because of the death of Jesus, we know grace. A grace that changes our lives. A grace that is available to all of us, no matter how badly we have sinned. Because of the death of Jesus, we are redeemed. All our sins are forgiven. They are forgotten (Isaiah 43:25). We can have a special relationship with God because we are connected to Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s easy to forget what the death of Jesus really did to change our lives. It’s important to remember just how different life was for God’s people who came before us, for those who lived before Jesus gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice. • Emily Acker • What does it show us about the character of God that He sacrificed Himself for us? • How is the permanent forgiveness Jesus offers different from the temporary covering of animal sacrifices? If you want to learn more about Jesus’s forgiveness, check out our “Know Jesus” page. God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 103:12; MATTHEW 18:21-33; COLOSSIANS 3:12-17 In Matthew 18, Jesus said to forgive people “seventy times seven” times (verse 22). Have you ever read this and thought, “I’m sure I’ve forgiven _______ that many times already! I’m done!” You might already know this, but this verse doesn’t mean we should literally forgive someone seven times seventy—or 490—times. It means we should forgive someone every time they wrong us—the way Jesus forgives us unconditionally, every time we sin. God’s forgiveness never runs out. Ever. His love for us is inexhaustible. Even though all of humanity turned away from God, choosing the filth of sin instead of His love, He kept pursuing us, determined to make the way for us to be with Him again. That’s why Jesus died on the cross. He took all our sins upon Himself, bearing the guilt and shame we deserved. And then, He rose again. Through His sacrifice, Jesus cleanses us from all our sin—past, present, and future. So now, as forgiven people, we are called to forgive others. It might help to imagine that forgiving other people is like cleaning a sports uniform. You might have just washed it yesterday, but it will get dirty again the next time you have a game. And every time it gets dirty, you wash it—even though you know you’re going to get it dirty again. You wash it whenever it needs to be washed. That’s the way Jesus calls us to forgive too. Again, and again, and again. It’s never easy. But remember, you can talk to the person who wronged you and be honest with them about how their actions have affected you. Forgiving someone does not mean you let them continue harmful behavior, and in some cases you may need to set up some loving boundaries or even go to the authorities. But, since Jesus took away our sins, He calls us not to hold others’ sins against them. And Jesus doesn’t just tell us to forgive, He makes it possible. Once we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to forgive as we’ve been forgiven (Luke 7:47). When we ponder how often we do, say, or think something that’s wrong—and how we are forgiven by Jesus every single time—it makes it a little easier to forgive those who do wrong to us. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time someone forgave you for something you did wrong? How did you feel? • Is there someone you’re struggling to forgive? Consider spending some time in prayer. You can process your thoughts and feelings with God because they matter to Him, and you can ask for His help to forgive the person who wronged you. Remember, forgiving someone doesn’t always mean being in close relationship with them. If someone is hurting you, seek help from a trusted adult. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Colossians 3:13 (CSB)

READ: GENESIS 50:15-20; ROMANS 15:23-24; EPHESIANS 1:1-2; 6:19-20 Life as he knew it was over. His most precious possession was out of reach. Impossible to retrieve. He lay on the floor, nose touching the ground, limbs outspread in utter dejection. He was eighteen months old, and his red ball had rolled behind the sofa. She was eighteen years old, and the college she wanted to go to had accepted her. But her estranged father wouldn’t pay for a private school. Her hard-working mother couldn’t. She sat on the sofa, tears running down her cheeks. He was old. Near the end of his life. He had always wanted to go to Spain. Plant new churches. Tell the good news to people who had not yet heard. Yet here he was under house arrest in Rome. How could he accomplish his dreams when his movements were so limited? Paul picked up a pen. “To God’s holy people in Ephesus…” Perhaps a few people would read the letter he wrote. No matter your age, life can have its disappointments. If Paul had been free to do more traveling, he might have touched hundreds of lives. Because he couldn’t travel, he wrote letters, often with help from others. Letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, and Philemon. Instead of words that might be heard by hundreds in the first century A.D., he wrote words that would be read by millions or even billions over many centuries. Words that would change hearts and minds. Even today. Even in parts of the world unknown in Paul’s time. God, in His infinite wisdom, doesn’t always give us what we ask for. Has God said “no” to some of your requests? Maybe you didn’t make the team. Or get a part in the play. Or get accepted into the school you really wanted to attend. God always listens to our prayers. But sometimes He has a better plan. Be open to His leading. • Carol Raj • Can you think of a time when you didn’t get something you wanted, but later you were grateful for how things turned out? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • As Christians, we trust God with our eternal salvation, believing that Jesus’s death and resurrection has made the way for us to be forgiven and be with God forever. Yet, sometimes it feels so hard to trust Him with our desires. Remember, Jesus cares about our longings. He holds us and weeps with us in our pain. And when He returns, our every desire will be fulfilled. How could these truths help us draw near to Jesus in times of disappointment or suffering? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 23; 1 JOHN 1:1-5 Chester turned his face to the sun one last time before climbing into the truck. Though the sun hung low in the sky like always, not providing much warmth, Chester knew he would miss it almost as much as he would miss his family. He was leaving all light and warmth behind to work in the shadowside mines for three months. It paid well, and his family needed the money. As the truck ventured into the plains of the planet’s dark hemisphere, Chester craned his neck to see the last wisps of the sun’s glow fading behind them. Then he turned around and stared into the darkness ahead. There were no roads here, no people except for those carted out to work in the mines. Because Athebos was a tidally locked planet, which meant one side always faced the sun and the other was perpetually in darkness, cities were built on the perimeter of the two halves in what was called the twilight belt. Athebos was a mineral-rich world, and nearly all its interplanetary exports came from mining. Brightside mining operations were deep underground, safe from the sun’s intense heat and radiation, but solar panels on the surface kept the mining tunnels warm and well lit. Mining on the opposite side of the planet, however, was an entirely different experience. Far from the sun’s rays, the battery-powered shadowside tunnels were always dark and cold. When the day’s work was done, you could go up to the surface, but there was no warmth or light there either—only a solid blanket of stars in the eternal darkness of night. As the truck drove deeper into the darkness, Chester suddenly felt panic seize his heart. Thoughts whirled through his mind. What if something happens to my family? What if working out here still isn’t enough to provide for them? What if I never see the sun again? Chester closed his eyes and took deep breaths. One of his favorite psalms came to mind, and he repeated one of the verses over and over in his head. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. He opened his eyes and looked outside. The darkness was thick and unmoving as molasses, but a sense of peace began to loosen the grip of panic in his chest. He was going shadowside, but he wasn’t alone. Jesus, the One who defeated death itself, was here with him in the darkness. • Courtney Lasater • Have you faced a “valley of the shadow of death” in your own life? What was it? How did you make it through? • Jesus faced the valley of the shadow of death quite literally when He willingly left the glory of heaven, took on human flesh, and died on the cross for our sins. When He rose from the dead, He defeated sin and death so that we could enjoy the light of His presence for all eternity (1 John 1:1-5). If you know Him as your Savior, you can rest in His promise to be with you through every dark valley. Nothing can ever separate you from His love (Romans 8:35-39). If you want to know more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page. • Have you ever felt Jesus’s presence in the dark valleys of your life? What was that like? If you’ve never felt Jesus’s presence with you, you can ask God for this anytime; He delights in answering these prayers. • Spending time in the Word is one of the primary ways we can spend time with Jesus. If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about how Jesus is the Light in Matthew 4:16; John 1:1-5; 8:12; 12:46; Acts 26:9-18; 2 Corinthians 4:6; James 1:17. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4 (WEB)

READ: EXODUS 34:5-6; MALACHI 3:6; MATTHEW 7:24-29; 14:22-33 The world is constantly changing. There are always new technologies being developed and new ways of doing things. Each generation puts different emphases on different issues. It can be easy to feel like our parents and grandparents don’t understand what we’re facing today because certain things about life are just different. Yet, no matter which generation you’re from, growing up is a process everyone has to go through, including Jesus. He knows what it’s like to be a teenager in a changing world filled with lots of different opinions, and He knows what it’s like to be misunderstood (Luke 2:41-52). Even though everything around us feels like it’s changing faster than we can keep up with, one thing remains the same. God. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. His love, His trustworthy character, and His commitment to rescuing His people and restoring His creation can never be shaken. Having Jesus be the constant in our lives helps us find our bearing. It helps us to know where to look when everything else is uncertain. We never have to worry about God changing and becoming something different. We don’t have to worry that He’s not going to understand us. We don’t have to be afraid that He’s going to want something different from us. We know He’s going to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. • Tynea Lewis • How do you tend to handle change? Are you someone who enjoys change, or not so much? • What is one thing you’ve seen change in the last five years, either in the world or in your own life? Do you think people view this change differently depending on which generation they’re from? How might God be bringing good out of this change? (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28-29) • How could knowing that God doesn’t change, and yet He perfectly understands everything going on in our world and in our lives, bring us comfort through all the changes we experience? Consider taking some time to talk to God about the changes around you and about what you think and feel about them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 139; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 3:17; 16:7-14 I work in the office of our local fire department, and unfortunately sometimes part of the fire department’s job is locating the bodies of people who have drowned. This is a valuable service that can help bring some peace to the victim’s family. However, it can be difficult to locate people under water—especially in more harsh weather conditions. So, our fire department recently purchased a new tool to help them do this. Previously, the fire fighters had to walk through the water in a line, spread out every few feet to thoroughly search an area. But now, from what I understand, they have an underwater drone that will do most of the searching for them. All they have to do is use it. In a similar way, sometimes we have things that are hidden in us. Sins. Struggles. Frustrations. We might just look across the waters of our hearts and assume there’s nothing there. Or we might be in the water, wading aimlessly. Or we might be ruffling the waves, stirring up the silt and creating a difficult waterway. Or we might even be tying cement blocks to some of our struggles, hoping they’ll just sink, disappear. But there’s no need. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit to help us with the hidden things of our hearts (John 16:7-14). So, we can pray Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” If we ask the Lord to search us and help us process the things that may be hidden even from ourselves, He is more than willing to bring us into His rest. He is willing to get in the water with us, not just convicting us and leaving us to wallow in how wretched we feel, but encouraging us, and leading us through (John 3:17). • Natty Maelle • Have you ever asked the Lord to search you, like David did in Psalm 139? What was that like? • What stops you from asking the Lord to search you? The fear of being fully known can hold us back from being open with God, but He already knows everything about us, and He loves us completely. • Consider taking some time to ask God to search you, and then pause and listen. He may bring to mind a sin He wants you to confess, a hurt He wants to touch, or a lie He wants to free you from. He may invite you to make a change in your life. His correction always comes with hope. As you listen to God, who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern His voice? Remember, God never contradicts His Word, the Bible. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB)

READ: ISAIAH 53:1-12; MATTHEW 26:27-28; 27:35-54; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19, 21 Early I come to behold Your face,Seeking still Your glorious grace,Christ who died…holy…divine,Love crucified.Blessed be the Lord my God,Blessed be, O, blessed be,Blessed be the Lord!In shame the sun did turn away,As darkness in the silence reigned,God in flesh afflicted then,Cursed for all our sin.Holy is the Lord my God,Holy is, O, holy is,Holy is the Lord!Hail the light of breaking dawn,Christ the King, the Risen One!Wounded God who intercedes,‘Tis Thy blood we plead.Blessed be the Lord my God,Blessed be, O, blessed be,Blessed be the Lord! As He bore in His body the curse for our sin, who can imagine the deep agony Jesus felt—hanging in the darkness those final hours? The cost of our sin to God is truly unfathomable, yet His love for us is greater still, for He gave Himself up to save us (John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25-27). As we reflect on both the glory and the sorrow of the cross, let’s pray for the courage to turn toward God when we feel forsaken, knowing that on the cross Jesus hung in that silent, empty space for us—so we never have to. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can be certain that through any silence—or any suffering—we are not alone. God is present, and He is also at work, in every joy and every pain, to draw us into Himself (Romans 8:28-29). The cross stands as stark proof that God will walk through death, darkness, and despair to bring us near (Psalm 23:4). May our praises never cease for Christ our Sin-Bearer—for “God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • G. Kam Congleton • Consider taking a moment to picture Jesus on the cross. It is good and right to turn to Him in praise, and also in lament, honestly crying out to Him about anything that is troubling you. He is worthy to receive it all. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Galatians 3:13 (NLT)

READ: ROMANS 2:9-16; 3:21-31; TITUS 3:3-8 It was a sweltering Sunday. We were a few days into the mission trip, and I decided this must be the usual climate in Costa Rica. The small church was filled with people. There was no air conditioning. We were on the third hymn when my vision began blurring. All I could think was, I need water. The last thing I remember before losing consciousness was gripping the back of the pew. Soon I felt my dad’s strong arms. He carried me from the stuffy sanctuary into the small church office. A few years after this experience, someone shared with me that he viewed God as a disappointed father, a father who would point his finger and judge you. Yes, Scripture says that God will judge all of our hearts (Romans 2:16). Yet, I reminded that person, the same God who is a righteous judge loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we could be forgiven. God saves us “because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Though it is in God’s character to judge our hearts justly, it is also in His character to pursue us with love (Luke 15:1-32; 19:10). That morning in Costa Rica reminds me of God’s grace. I had not heeded what my dad wisely advised me: to stay hydrated. So, I suffered from dehydration. However, my dad picked me up when I was too weak to walk and carried me to safety. This is what God does for us too. Yes, God always wants us to listen to Him and bring all our thoughts, words, and actions in line with His good ways. Yet the same God knows we fall short, and, through Jesus, He saves us from sin and death and offers us a life free from shame and condemnation (Psalm 34:5; Romans 8:1). A life lived in the fullness of God’s grace and love. He is our Advocate, Savior, and Father—He cannot be divided. He is all of His attributes at the same time and in complete fullness. Because He is the same merciful God. • Daevis McMurphy • When do you struggle to see God as a good Father? Why do you think this might be? Consider taking some time to tell God how you feel. You can bring Him all your questions, doubts, anger, fear, sorrow, and disappointment. And you can ask Him to show you His true character as a good Father, Savior, and Advocate, all in one. He will be faithful to do this. • We can be sure God is a good Father because He mercifully sent Jesus. Do you know someone who is struggling to see God as a good Father? Consider taking some time to pray for them. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; 1 PETER 4:10-11 When was the last time you hurt one of your fingers? It happens often— it’s so easy to accidently cut, bruise, break, or burn our fingers, and then we have to figure out how to do everyday things like eat or write or drive with a hurting or bandaged finger while we wait for it to heal. We don’t tend to think about our fingers much…until we can’t use them. Then we see how much we really need them. They’re way more important than we ever knew! And God says that’s exactly how it is with the believers who make up His church. All the people who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior are referred to as “the church,” or “the body of Christ,” and every single member is important—just like every part of our physical bodies is important. Each person has a job to do for the body to function properly. If we exclude members of the body of Christ because we think they have nothing to offer, it’s like we’re operating with a broken finger. But, if we stress that each person has a part to play in the church, more people will see how valuable and welcome they are. In the same way, if we believe that we have nothing to offer the church, then we are limiting what the church can do. Do you think you’re not really needed or maybe even able to serve Jesus? If so, you’re wrong. Things you can do may seem small to you, but each part of the body of Christ is needed. Because, if you know Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. God has equipped and empowered you to serve, and you are a valuable part of His body. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time someone showed you Jesus’s love? What was that like? • Throughout our lives, we may be able to build up the body of Christ in different ways. In this season of your life, what can you do to serve and show people Christ’s love? What are some of your natural abilities and spiritual gifts? If you’re not sure, who is a trusted Christian you know who could pray with you and help you discern how God has equipped you? Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 1:1-15; 8:12-18; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 Vacation time for my family when I was a kid usually involved tents and sleeping bags. We enjoyed the outdoors, and camping helped us stay close to nature—while also saving on hotel costs. As a little kid, I took notice of signs where we camped warning us of bears in the area. Although my parents reassured me that we’d be safe inside our tent, I asked to hold a flashlight when I bedded down for the night. Even though I realized a flashlight would offer little defense against a black bear, I found comfort in knowing I could flick on that light whenever I felt afraid in the dark. I still go camping, but I no longer grasp a flashlight as I fall asleep. Sometimes real life seems far scarier than a night at a wooded campsite, though, and now I need a different kind of light to fortify me during life’s uncertainties and unknowns. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In His holiness and love, Jesus dispelled the darkness of confusion and sin so that we might know God. He did this by laying down His life for us. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the grave to make the way for us to have a relationship with Him, Jesus shines His light into our hearts, so we never have to walk in darkness. In times of worry or questioning, Jesus gives Himself as the Light that pierces through the gloom of our fears. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you ever felt like you’re wandering around in the darkness without a light? How can we look to Jesus to quiet our hearts in unsettling seasons? • You may not have all the answers you want as you face uncertainty, and that’s okay. God is not afraid of our questions. You can bring your questions and confusion to Him anytime in prayer. And you can draw near to Him by reading His Word, the Bible. When you feel lost, who are some trusted Christians you can talk to, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 23; JOHN 10:1-30 Did you know that sheep can be easily distracted? If a shepherd is leading a flock, and a stranger gets in the way, the sheep can lose their focus on the shepherd and scatter. And when sheep scatter, they can get into trouble. They might get stuck in dangerous places, or they could be attacked by a hungry predator. Away from the protection and care of the shepherd, sheep are lost and vulnerable. That’s why they need to keep their eyes and ears trained on the shepherd. Throughout the Bible, God compares us to sheep. And when Jesus came, He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Sometimes we can be easily distracted and forget to stay focused on Jesus, which leads to problems. But Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to forgive us and save us from sin and death, and He promises to care for us and provide for all our needs. He’s the One we should always follow. But even when we do get distracted and wander away—when we’re captivated by people or possessions or ideas, chasing after them in hopes they’ll solve our problems or satisfy the deep longings of our hearts—our Good Shepherd chases after us. When we are lost and vulnerable, He has compassion on us. Every day, every moment, He helps us leave sin behind and follow Him. There’s nothing in this world that can give us the peace and joy that Jesus does. So, when we get distracted and start looking to created things to provide what only the Creator can give us, we can listen for our Good Shepherd’s gentle voice. He speaks to us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). We can rely on His love for us and trust Him to lead us well. And even when the temptations are strong, as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, helping us turn away from sin and turn our eyes and ears upon Jesus once again. Instead of trying to solve our problems on our own, we can bring all our concerns to Him and trust Him to lead us where He wants us to go. • A. W. Smith • Do you know anyone who looks to Jesus to guide them in their daily life? What is it like to be around them? • Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus. You can ask for His help with tough situations and temptations, confess any sins that come to mind, and rest in His never-failing love for you. If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 40:11; 53:4-6; Zechariah 10:2; Mark 6:34; Luke 15:1-7. And if you want to know more about trusting Jesus to be your Shepherd, check out our “Know Jesus” page. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 30:5; ACTS 17:1-15 I absolutely love reading about the Berean Jews in the Bible. They show up in Acts 17:11, and in truth, I think this is the only place that mentions them by name. But this one verse is packed with helpful insight on how to live life well. Paul and Silas were going from town to town preaching the good news of Jesus’s death and resurrection, and they made a quick stop in Berea after a harrowing visit to Thessalonica. Some of the Thessalonians did not respond well to the gospel and even caused riots because they didn’t want to hear Paul and Silas speak any more. But the Berean Jews responded very differently to the message Paul and Silas brought. First, the Berean Jews received the word Paul preached with eagerness. They were hungry to hear more about God and joyful that someone had brought the message about Jesus! When God’s truth is brought to us, we too can receive joyfully as we learn more about our faith and the God who loves us more than we could ever imagine. Second, the Bereans examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas taught them was accurate. This is a habit I hope we all can cultivate more, me especially! In a world where information and opinions are pouring out at us from all directions, we have one solid place we can go for truth: the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God, and it reveals the truth about who Jesus is and who we are. So, when we hear something new about our faith, it is necessary that we check the Word to see if what we are hearing lines up with God’s truth. When we understand how amazing the gospel is, we can be joyful when we hear it taught, and we can be careful to check new ideas against the truth in the Bible. • Abbi Bloem • When was the last time you felt eagerness and joy in learning about Jesus? • Can you think of a time when something felt good to hear, but didn’t line up with God’s truth? • Examining the Scriptures is a good way to know if what we are hearing lines up with God’s best for our lives. What steps could you take today to know God’s Word even better? • Some people in Thessalonica did receive the good news, and later Paul wrote affectionate letters to them. If you want to dig deeper, check out the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 7:7-8; PSALM 34; ROMANS 8 I twirled the marble beads on my bracelet, cool against my skin. Grey, grey, bright blue. The turquoise color had intricate swirls of sky blue, the result making the bead look like an ever-moving sky. These bracelets reminded us of the love of Ahavah, the love He daily shows us. Quickening my pace, I hurried to the meeting of the Loved Ones. Every week we met to share our stories, and this would be my first time to share. Laughter and soft conversation spilled from within the willow tree leaves as I parted the delicate branches. They sat in a semi-circle beneath the great willow, this group I had come to cherish. Aspen waved me over in excitement, her own beaded bracelets sliding up and down her slender wrists. “Welcome, Loved Ones!” Rowan’s brown eyes were warm as he addressed us individually. “Who would like to share their story of the week first?” Aspen placed her hand on my shoulder encouragingly. I stood and pointed to my blue bead. “As many of you know, I just recently joined the Loved Ones. I always felt like something was lacking in my life—there was this void in my heart I couldn’t fill no matter what, or who, I tried to fill it with.” I lifted my arm graced with the bracelet. “Here is my story of Ahavah’s love: I was feeling deep grief because, as you know, my sweet cat of many years passed away. When I opened the Word, I read Psalm 34:18, ‘The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ I felt such overwhelming love in that moment, and I watched one of my grey beads transform into this blue. Now, I look to it as a reminder of that precious revelation of Ahavah’s tenderness toward me.” Heads nodded all around me and several eyes shone with tears as I took my seat. Aspen stood and shared one of her Loved moments, the colors on her many bracelets shining as she gestured excitedly. I breathed a silent prayer of gratitude to Ahavah for constantly showing His care to His Loved Ones. What color will you show me next, Ahavah? May I always be looking for the many ways that You love. • Savannah Coleman • Ahavah is a Hebrew word we find in the Bible, and it means love. In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, for example, God chose to save His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt because of His ahavah love for them, not because they earned or deserved His love in any way. Have you received God’s gift of love through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son Jesus for you (John 3:16-17)? Once we belong to Him, we can know that we are no longer condemned because, by the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven and set free from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Whatever we go through in life, we can be confident that God is for us because He already gave the ultimate for us—Jesus (verses 31-32). If you want to know more about this good news, see our “Know Jesus” page. • Although circumstances may be heartbreaking, and people may abandon us or let us down, we can be confident that nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ (verse 39). Can you think of a time when you experienced God’s redeeming, unconditional love for you? Consider taking a moment to express your gratitude and praise to Jesus, and perhaps also share this story with others. As we ponder God’s immeasurable love, may it well up in our souls and overflow from our lips and in our actions (Psalm 34:1-3). • God never stops showing love to His children. Not only does He listen to us—He delivers us, He provides for us, and He is close to us when our hearts are broken (Psalm 34:4, 6, 7, 9, 18). We are not promised a trouble-free life, but we are ultimately promised delivera...

READ: PSALM 23; PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13; HEBREWS 13:5 Growing up, I participated in a program at my church where I learned Bible stories and memorized Scripture. I remember memorizing Psalm 23 when I was in second grade. However, the words of this psalm didn’t mean nearly as much to me as a seven-year-old as they do now. Psalm 23 is an incredibly popular psalm. Verse 1 in particular is frequently quoted by pastors, speakers, and authors: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need.” So, it’s probably not surprising that for most of my life, this psalm (especially verse 1) felt cliché and stale to me. It wasn’t until college that God used this verse to open my eyes to a hard truth I had been desperately needing to see—and accept—for so long. In short, I had spent several years hoping to date a particular guy who simply wasn’t interested in dating me. However, even though I knew he wasn’t interested, I still spent countless hours thinking (and daydreaming) about him and the possibility of having a relationship with him. To say that I was dissatisfied with my situation would be an understatement. All I wanted was him. God had clearly shown me this guy wasn’t meant for me, but I ignored Him. However, there was a moment during my college years when Psalm 23:1 seemed to come to life. God used it to gradually change my perspective on the guy I had been hoping to date. Some Bible translations say that we “lack nothing,” or that we won’t be “in want.” It felt like God was telling me, “You don’t need to want anything, Grace—including that guy—because I’ve given you everything you need.” I still struggled to accept the reality of my singleness, but I was encouraged by the comforting truth of Psalm 23:1. Jesus is our loving Shepherd, and when we know Him, we have everything we need. • Grace McCready • It’s not bad to desire things—including romantic relationships—but these desires can sometimes turn into idols. And idols will never fulfill us. Only through Jesus can we experience real contentment, regardless of our circumstances. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we’ll live with Him forever in restored creation. And even now, He is with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. And that’s what we truly need—God’s presence with us. If we got everything we ever wanted, but we didn’t have God with us, we would never experience true fulfillment. Consider spending some time with Jesus in prayer, asking Him to help you lay down any idols in your life and experience true contentment in Him. • When you have questions about dating, who is a trusted Christian adult in your life you could talk to? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. The LORD is my shepherd; I have what I need. Psalm 23:1 (CSB)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:9-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7 Have you gone through something really hard lately? Maybe there’s been sickness or a death in your family. Maybe your parents are separating, or your best friend moved away, or your family is struggling financially. Even if you haven’t personally experienced suffering like this yet, chances are you know someone who has. As we go through life in a world that has been broken by sin, we might find ourselves asking, “Where is the hope in all this?” It may help to think about it this way. Have you ever seen a stained glass window? These works of art can be beautiful. But they look very different in the dark than they do in the light. When there’s no light shining through the window, all we can see are a bunch of little pieces of dark glass. But when the light shines through them, we see vibrant colors that reveal the patterns or pictures the designer crafted there. Life can feel that way too sometimes. From our point of view, life can seem dark and dull, especially when we’re going through hard times. But Jesus hasn’t left us to suffer alone in the dark. He came into our broken world and lived among us, and He said, “I 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). Jesus can shine through any difficulties we face—He can make a beautiful picture of our lives (Romans 8:28-29). That doesn’t mean our lives will be easy. But Jesus will be with us through it all. He knows what it’s like to go through terrible hardship—He suffered and died to save us from sin. When we face hard times in our lives, He is close beside us, and He can use even the most difficult situations to help us grow in our relationship with Him and show others His love. He can shine through our suffering so we—and others—can see a clearer picture of who He is. • A. W. Smith • Jesus understands how we feel when we’re hurting—He faced terrible suffering and death to give us eternal life. But, when He returns, He will restore creation and raise all His people to live with Him forever; then suffering will be no more. And even now, He is with us. We can trust Him to make something beautiful out of our lives. What kinds of hard things have you experienced lately? Consider taking a moment to tell Him about whatever is weighing on you. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

READ: LAMENTATIONS 3:22-26; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; 1 JOHN 4:16 Ten or fifteen years ago, when I was a teenager and struggling through that often awkward and difficult phase of life, I wish I had known just how much God loved me. I knew of God’s love. I felt it in my life. But I didn’t realize just how great it is. As the years have gone by, I’ve learned to rely on God more and more. The more I rely on and lean into Him, the more I feel His love. Each day, I feel Him with me. Through the challenges I face, I know He is always there. Through any future challenges, I know He will not abandon me (Psalm 16:8; Matthew 1:23; 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). God has proven Himself to me over and over through the years. I feel loved by Him because of the way He takes care of me. I feel loved by Him because I know He has given me the gift of salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection, and I will one day live on the new heavens and new earth with Him when He returns. I wish, as a teenager, I could have grasped how big God’s love for me is. I wish I had allowed His love to wrap around me and give me peace. I have never faced anything alone because He has always been with me. God’s love never fails and never ends, and I am always okay because of it. And, just as God loves me, He loves you too. • Bethany Acker • Have you ever had a moment when you realized in a new way how much God loves you? What was that like? If not, you can ask God for this anytime. He is eager to answer these prayers. • We can have full access to God’s love because of Jesus. (If you want to know more, see our “Know Jesus” page.) In Ephesians 3:19, Paul prays for the Christians in Ephesus, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” God’s love is beyond our understanding, yet the Holy Spirit helps us grow in our awareness of His love throughout our lives. Do you have any favorite Bible verses about God’s love for you? Consider choosing a verse to read every day this week, and as you read it, ask God to help you experience His love more and more deeply. • All of the truths in today’s devotion are from Scripture. If you want to read more about God’s love, here are a few places to start: Psalms 13:5; 26:3; 94:18; Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:5-11; 8:35-39; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:1-10; 1 John 4:10. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 32:24-32; HOSEA 12:3-5; EPHESIANS 4:22-24 When I was an RA (resident assistant) in college, I had this resident who used to tell me she and God had been “wrestling” about something. She would spend entire days with the Lord, crying and repenting, and wrestling with Him about different behaviors and attitudes in her life. Now, I had been a Christian for a while at that point, but I didn’t understand what she meant by that. Why would God, as she would say, “knock her out” like that? But then tonight, nearly two years later, a friend and I were talking about a ministry role that she is in. She made a reference to how she and the Lord are “negotiating” how long she’s going to be there. And I realized that I think I finally know what my resident meant. I’ve had so many situations since those conversations with her when the Lord and I have wrestled. When we have negotiated. When I have wanted my way, and the Holy Spirit has convicted me otherwise. I’ve had cry sessions in the car when I’ve confessed to the Lord that I can’t do this. I don’t know how to do this right. And while we may metaphorically wrestle with God, in Genesis 32, a man named Jacob actually physically wrestled with God. Then, God gave Jacob a new name: Israel, which means “struggle (with or of) God.” I’ve learned so much from having these vulnerable moments with God—not that you’re necessarily changing God’s mind on something, but you’re engaging with Him, learning from Him, and redefining your heart to His purpose. Together. • Natty Maelle • Many Bible scholars think that Jacob actually wrestled with Jesus, who is God the Son. Jesus loves us, and He welcomes our wrestling matches. He knows we won’t always understand His plans, decisions, or commands. But when we don’t like what He has to say, He doesn’t want us to ignore Him or try to hide our thoughts and feelings. He wants us to be totally honest with Him! He wants us to tell Him about how we feel and wrestle with Him over it. That doesn’t mean He’s going to change His mind, but it will help us know—and trust—Him better. • Are you wrestling with something right now, but you’re afraid to give it to the Lord? Jesus has your best interests at heart. He loves you and wants to help you grow. Holding back from Him can only keep you from the goodness He offers. What do you need to wrestle with Him about today? So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

READ: PROVERBS 25:15; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-8; 1 PETER 3:15-16 Have you ever heard of ginseng? It’s a valuable plant used in a lot of health foods. And those who grow ginseng need to have a lot of patience. While many seeds will sprout within a week or two, when you plant ginseng seeds, they can take over a year to sprout! That’s a long time to wait for a plant, especially when you can’t see any activity above the surface of the soil. Planting something like ginseng can help us remember what it’s like to tell someone about Jesus. Every time we witness to someone—that is, tell someone about Jesus and what He’s done to save us—we’re planting the seed of God’s Word. We may not see the results right away, but that’s okay. Jesus is at work, even if we can’t see it. So, instead of getting discouraged, we can be patient. We can trust that God loves us, and He knows what He’s doing. And in the meantime, we can continue watering and tending to the seeds of the gospel by showing people Jesus’s love and goodness. As we patiently care for the seeds we’ve planted, we can show others how Jesus patiently cares for us (1 John 4:19). It may take a long time for a seed to grow. But when it does, it produces fruit that lasts forever. And that’s worth the wait. • A. W. Smith • God calls us to be part of His good work by planting and watering seeds of the gospel, remembering that He is the only One who can make those seeds grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Have you planted seeds of the gospel by telling someone about Jesus? Have you been discouraged because you haven’t seen any results? It can be hard to be patient, but as we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can keep showing people God’s love and praying for them, leaving the timing up to Him. Consider taking a moment now to pray for some of the people in your life who might not know Jesus yet, asking God for ideas of ways you could share His love with them. • It may be that we won’t ever see the results of the seeds we planted or watered, but God promises that His Word will accomplish His purpose. How might this truth free us to trust Him with the results, and keep planting and watering? • If you want to know more about the gospel and how to share it with others, check out our “Know Jesus” page. “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NLT)

READ: ACTS 2:40-47; GALATIANS 6:9-10; EPHESIANS 4:1-16 Have you ever heard Christians talk about “doing life together”? It can be hard to understand exactly what this looks like. But I got to experience it in a variety of ways this week. I have some friends in my church who, like me, are married with young kids: Sam and Kristi, Kongcheng and Haju, and Evan and Nicole. We were all struggling in various ways this week, and I was amazed at how we came alongside each other. Kristi and I dropped off two dinners at Nicole and Evan’s house. I also dropped off a dinner at Haju and Kongcheng’s house. Sam helped watch my kids so I could catch up on house cleaning—while he also helped with cleaning. And a few of us were able to go to one another’s houses to just spend time together. I had been reflecting this week on how, when I was little, my parents had lots of siblings in town who also had young children, and they got to raise their kids together. It was such a blessing for our families. Today, I don’t have any siblings in town who have young kids, and yet, God provides through His family, the church. I get to raise my kids with my siblings in Christ. Doing life together will probably look different at different life stages. During our teen years, it might look like studying for a quiz together, helping a friend practice their lay-up, or just sitting with someone and bringing them their favorite snack when they’ve had a bad day. It’s amazing that Jesus has made us, as individual believers, into one body, which is His church, through His death and resurrection. And when we remember this, we can work together as the body of Christ, loving and supporting one another and truly doing life together. To work together like this, we need to be honest with each other about our needs and struggles. And that’s difficult. It requires trust and vulnerability. But when we share our needs and struggles with trustworthy people, it leads to the most beautiful community imaginable, reflecting the beauty of our Creator and giving us a glimpse of His kingdom. • Taylor Eising • Are you part of a local church? According to today’s Bible passages, how is the early church similar to or different from your church? • If we know Jesus, we are united with other believers through the Holy Spirit, and we share a common goal of growing in our faith, caring for others, and telling people about Jesus. How does this enable us to do life together in a deeper way than we can with non-Christians? • How does doing life together reflect the love of Jesus and show others what God is like? And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Acts 2:44 (NLT)

READ: EXODUS 14:14; 33:22; ISAIAH 42:13; ZEPHANIAH 3:17 “Go to the boulder!” He did not yell over the noise of the battle, but Rhyn heard, and without even having to look for the rock he had sent her to, she knew exactly where to go. So Rhyn ran to it. It wasn’t a very big rock, but if she crouched down, it would cover her on one side from the battle that was raging. Rhyn’s weapons and hope were long gone—she had lost them somewhere when the fight began, and now it was a full-blown war spread out before her. She had been running without much direction. This way from a sword, another way from a javelin, here from the pounding of horses’ hooves, and there from the clashing of shields against metal. Everywhere mud. Everywhere blood. Nowhere safe to run. But then, the king was there. Of course, he had always been there. She’d just forgotten to look for him and follow his voice above all the noise, and she’d become disoriented and lost her purpose on the battlefield. Rhyn could hardly believe he’d come for her, but he had. That’s when she caught sight of the ogre. It’s a mighty wonder how time slows in the moments before the worst thing can happen. And Rhyn saw it all move before her like dripping honey. The ogre approached, he lifted his ax, his eyes fixed on her. And then from above her, perched on the rock, one mighty warrior halted the ogre in his steps, his sword meeting the ax with a harrowing zing. The king took a step over her and, with one heavy thump, thrust his shield into the dirt, covering her completely from the battle. Now she could see nothing but the safe haven he had created around her, the rock and the shield, and amid the raging battle, she was safe. • Abbi Bloem • Often we view Jesus as merely a kind, gentle teacher. But the Bible tells us that Jesus is also our Rock and our Shield (Psalms 3:1-8; 18:2; 28:7). And He is the dreaded warrior we see glimpses of in the Old Testament. How could this image of Jesus as the Divine Warrior help us understand how He acts on our behalf? • As humans, we are helpless to save ourselves, but Jesus fought for us all the way to the cross. He defeated sin, death, and all the powers of evil and darkness by dying for us and rising from the grave. Because He has saved us, nothing can tear us away from His love (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:35-39). If you want to know more about this good news, check out our “Know Jesus” page. • When Jesus returns to restore creation and raise us from the dead, He will right every wrong, and every foe will be silenced. In the meantime, He wants to help us through everything we face, even when we forget to listen to Him, even when we fail to trust Him. How can these truths give us hope when we experience the battlefields of life? • Jesus calls us to listen to His voice and follow where He leads, and He empowers us to do so through the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we get to be part of His good and purposeful work—because He has extended grace and forgiveness to us, we can extend grace and forgiveness to others, bringing His light to dark places, fighting the lies of the enemy with the truth of the gospel, and extending loving kindness amidst the harshness of our broken world so that others may know the love of Jesus too (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21). And, don’t forget, we also get to rest in the safety of God’s tender love for us (Psalms 18:19; 23:1-6). We can learn to rely on God and discern His voice by spending time with Him through praying and reading His Word, both by ourselves and with fellow Christians. Who are trusted Christians in your life? How could you help each other listen to and follow Jesus? How could you remind each other of the hope of...

READ: PSALM 46 I never thought I would have to let go and say, “It is well with my soul,” like the old hymn. I never thought I would have to learn to be okay with the storms in my life. I prayed for God to take them. I begged Him to change things and make my life better. Then I learned to accept the struggles. I realized that even in them, God was still good. Even if this life got difficult—and it has—my God has not failed me. If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know how desperate you can get for them to just get better. You may have begged God to heal them. But if He didn’t, what then? Many things happen that shake us and make us doubt God’s goodness. We might beg and beg and wonder why He doesn’t seem to hear us. But He does. He listens. He cares. The things that grieve us, grieve Him too. And He will be there for us always, even when He doesn’t calm the storm. My God remains good through all of life’s struggles. He never changes, despite all that changes in my life. In every difficult moment, He is there. He takes care of me. He holds my hand and gives me the strength I need, moment by moment. Good times come and go. Storms sometimes feel like they are lasting forever. But no matter what comes my way, I am choosing to trust God to help me through. • Bethany Acker • We don’t know why painful things happen in our lives, but we do know that Jesus weeps with us. Jesus is God in flesh, and He experienced suffering and hardship. Because He loves us, He died and rose again to make the way to be with us and to one day put an end to suffering, sin, and death forever when He returns. In the meantime, He has given His Holy Spirit to everyone who has put their trust in Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He is with us in the midst of our suffering, feeling our hurts with us and offering us comfort and strength. Find out more on our “Know Jesus” page. • Have you ever been surprised by a storm in your life? Did you see any glimpses of God’s goodness in the midst of it? What was that like? • What might it look like to trust God in the middle of a storm? • Do you have any favorite Bible verses that remind you of how trustworthy God is? If not, consider asking a parent, pastor, youth leader, counselor, or friend to help you find some. In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the LORD!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Psalm 31:22 (NLT)

READ: JOHN 13:1-17; EPHESIANS 5:1-2 Have you ever seen a child imitating an adult? It can be so cute to watch a small child try to mix pretend food in empty pots, imitate a parent’s expression, or repeat a phrase they haven’t fully mastered yet. That’s how kids learn. They imitate the people they see. The Bible says something similar in Ephesians 5:1: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” But we weren’t always God’s children. In fact, at one time we were all separated from God because of our sin. But God loves us so much that Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross to save us, and He rose from the dead to make the way for us to be with Him always. Once we put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we have been adopted into His family and we belong to Him forever. And, just as kids imitate the people they spend the most time with, God calls His children to imitate Jesus. So how can we imitate Jesus? Well, we can start by looking at what He said and did in the Bible. As we read and study God’s Word, we see how much He loves us. Especially in the accounts of Jesus’s ministry on earth, it’s captivating to see how Jesus responded to people. No matter if they treated Him with honor or contempt, Jesus wanted them to know His love (Matthew 9:36; 23:37; Luke 23:34). We can also learn about His relationship with God the Father. Jesus is God the Son, and He loved and trusted the Father through everything. And in all kinds of situations, Jesus’s character was revealed by His actions. As we study Jesus’s life and trust Him to help us follow His example in our own lives, we will act more and more like Him. Of course, none of this is possible in our own strength, but as Christians we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, transforming us into Jesus’s image. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can learn how to “live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:2). • A. W. Smith • Everyone imitates other people—from little kids to elderly adults. Can you think of anyone you imitate, whether intentionally or unintentionally? Why do you think that might be? • In John 13:1-17, what do you notice about how Jesus acts and how He treats people? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you learn how you can imitate Jesus in your life. If you want to dig deeper, you could start reading through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

READ: EXODUS 20:8-11; MARK 1:21-22, 32-38; EPHESIANS 2:4-10 Imagine this: Cars zoom by as you sit on the side of the road. You hope no one you know sees you stranded, your car out of gas. You can’t believe you forgot to fill up the tank! Your brother even reminded you this morning. In humility, you wait for him to come to your rescue. And now you’ll be late for soccer practice. With school, sports, friends, family, clubs, social media, jobs, youth group, volunteering, college applications, and so…much…more, there is A LOT to do. It’s no wonder we turn to stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and screens to feel more alert and keep up with life. But these things can’t sustain us, and eventually we crash. They mask the real need: rest. Regular rest refuels our bodies, enabling us to do more than we otherwise could. Ironically, we can actually do more in less time when we rest. And here’s the secret: one of the benefits of resting in God’s presence is that it allows Him to refuel us and refresh our souls (Psalm 23:1-3), thereby giving us the energy—and the wisdom—to do the good work He has for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). This type of spiritually rejuvenating rest is called a Sabbath, which God demonstrated for us when He rested after the work of creating the universe (Exodus 20:11). Jesus is God the Son, and He is also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). During His ministry, Jesus regularly spent time in the Father’s presence to rest and refuel for the work before Him. For example, in Mark 1:35, “Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray,” making time to meet with God the Father after a very busy day of healing and preaching. We too can spend time resting in God’s presence, being refueled for the work He has given us to do. And even when we overdo it and end up drained, He has so much compassion on us. As we seek Him, He will help us learn to live in the rhythms of work and rest. • Tracy Mikula • Have you ever taken a Sabbath rest, pausing from work and busyness, even if all the tasks or to-do lists aren’t finished? What was it like? Taking regular times of intentional rest can help us remember that Jesus has already done the work of saving us. Because Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave, we don’t ever need to strive to do enough or be enough. Rest is not something we earn—Jesus gives us rest in Himself (Matthew 11:28-30). Consider taking some time to think about what you spend your time on, and ask God if there is anything He is inviting you to drop from your schedule, at least temporarily, to take the rest your body and soul need. “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 103:1-5; REVELATION 21:1-6 When was the last time you had a cold? Maybe you have one right now. They can be so annoying, but the process of healing from a cold can point us to an amazing truth about Jesus. Even though sickness invaded God’s good world when humans chose sin, God created us in a wonderful way so that when our bodies get hurt or sick, we’re usually able to heal and fight off germs and infections. Our ability to heal is such evidence of God’s loving care for us in our very own bodies, and it can also point us to the day Jesus will return, raise us from the dead, and permanently heal us of every hurt and sickness. But, as we wait for that day, sometimes our bodies can get really sick and not be able to get better on their own. In those cases, God might use doctors or medicine or even a miracle to heal us. But even if He chooses not to heal us right away, we can still trust Him, remembering that Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He truly empathizes with us in our suffering. Isaiah calls Jesus, “a man of suffering who knew what sickness was…he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains…he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds” (Isaiah 53:3-5). Jesus willingly entered into all the pains and sorrows of human life, and He went to the cross to take the punishment all our sins deserved. Because He was whipped and beaten, because His flesh was torn and bruised, because He died on that cross for us…we can be forgiven and made whole. So, even when our bodies are slow to heal, we can cling to Jesus’s promises to be with us in every moment, and to restore all of creation, including our bodies. As we experience the sicknesses and injuries that will inevitably come, we can thank God for giving us wonderful bodies that can heal. We can thank Him for the doctors and medicine He often uses to help us, remembering that God alone has the power to heal. And, once we know Jesus as our Savior, we can thank Him for healing us from the disease of sin, and we can rest in His promises to be with us and to fully heal our bodies one day too. • A. W. Smith • How can the experience of healing from an illness or an injury point us to the ultimate restoration Jesus will bring when He returns? While some sicknesses and injuries may never fully go away until Jesus returns, we can bring our pain and frustration and anger and sorrow to Him in prayer anytime. We can be honest with Him and ask for healing, and we can also find rest in His comfort and strength, even in the midst of our pain. My soul, bless the LORD…he heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3 (CSB)

READ: MATTHEW 1:23; 28:20; MARK 6:45-54; EPHESIANS 4:2 As I stood at the lake’s edge, I was observing a genuine SOS moment. A young family member—I’ll call him Ford—had just received a kayak for his tenth birthday. He loved to be on the water, so a kayak seemed a fitting gift for him. Since our party took place near a small lake, the family gathered to watch Ford test out his new watercraft. As we admired Ford’s skills, he glided toward the bank, laid his paddle in the kayak, and leaped from the boat to the grass. His forward motion sent the kayak backwards, moving out of reach while he stood watching it drift away. We ran to Ford to find out what had happened. He’d gotten scared, overwhelmed at being on the water alone, and decided to abandon ship. But Ford had failed to recognize this act would leave his birthday present on the lake with no one controlling it. We watched his bright blue kayak float farther and farther away. Then two fishermen approached offering to help. After a few expert casts, one of them hooked Ford’s kayak and pulled it to shore. Fear had led Ford to make a drastic decision. And, though we may not all kayak, we have all been struck with fear and made choices we’ve later regretted. That day at the lake, Ford had gazed at the vastness of water all around him and felt overpowered. He believed he faced the challenge of managing the kayak all on his own. Yet, he didn’t paddle alone that day. Ford had trusted in Christ to forgive his sins and bring him into a relationship with God, so Jesus was present with Ford. And when we trust in Jesus—believing that His death and resurrection has provided payment for our sins to make us pure in God’s sight—He is with us too. Whenever we feel like we’re in over our heads, we don’t even need to ask Jesus to climb into the boat with us; He’s already there—every time, on every lake, no matter how far from shore we drift. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you made a bad decision out of fear? We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, but Jesus doesn’t expect us to handle life alone. How could remembering that Jesus is “in the boat” with us help us when we feel overwhelmed? • Even when we do make bad decisions, Jesus has so much compassion on us. He is eager to help us, and oftentimes the way God helps His people, is through His people—like those fishermen helped retrieve Ford’s kayak. Has someone ever helped you when you messed up? How? Immediately he [Jesus] spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Mark 6:50 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 116; LUKE 17:11-19; REVELATION 4:6-11 Have you ever considered how much difference the words “thank you” can make? The Samaritan healed of leprosy in Luke 17 seemed to know the power of these words. While on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus met a group of ten men who were social outcasts because of the leprosy that had deformed their bodies. Jesus told the diseased men to show themselves to the priest, and they were healed! After this astonishing miracle, only one of the ten took the time to come back to Jesus and say thank you. Where were the others? Had they already forgotten who healed them? In our lives today, it can be easy to take things for granted, like the nine men did. When our prayers are answered, how often do we retrace our steps like the Samaritan and thank God? Jesus completely changed the lives of the ten lepers, and He has changed our lives too! By dying on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and rising from the dead, Jesus has given us the best gift of all: a personal relationship with Him and salvation from sin and death. When we remember this amazing gift, it can move us to thank Jesus for His great love and for all He has given us, just as the healed Samaritan did. Simply saying “thank you” to God can be a natural way for us to praise Him. In the Bible, a great example of this kind of praise is demonstrated by the psalmists. Psalm 118 begins by declaring, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” The rest of this joyous psalm recounts how God provided for the psalmist’s life. Similarly, in Psalm 116, “death wrapped its ropes around” and “the terrors of the grave overtook” the writer of this psalm, but God saved them (verses 3, 8). So the psalmist glorified God’s name by giving thanks. Besides exalting God’s name, saying “thank you” can also open our eyes to the beauty around us. The more we thank God, the more we will naturally notice the ways He is at work in our lives. When we stop and take time to appreciate the things around us, our perspective changes to one focused on God’s goodness. • Emma Schoessow • On the day Jesus returns to resurrect us from the dead, we will be completely healed and whole. Then, we will get to praise and thank Him for all eternity as we live together with Him on the new heavens and new earth! In the meantime, as we see glimpses of His goodness and healing now, we can thank and praise Him each day. Where have you seen God’s goodness and healing in and around you? Consider taking some time to thank God like the psalmists and the Samaritan. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 (NLT)

READ: LUKE 5:27-32; 18:9-17; ROMANS 5:6-11; 1 JOHN 2:1 The small chapel was an inconspicuous building tucked along a side street off of Main. The leaders on the mission trip hadn’t mentioned the little church, but they had told the students it was okay to explore the area in the evening after dinner as long as they stayed in pairs and didn’t go too far. The chapel itself had worn pews with only a few people scattered across several dozen rows. Xavier’s friend Liam had protested that it “wouldn’t be fun” and “there wasn’t much time,” but Xavier had responded, “There’s nothing better we could do than pray.” So, Liam begrudgingly took a seat near the front with his friend. Xavier stole a glance around the room and thanked God that he wasn’t like Liam, who wanted “fun” instead of wanting to pray. Then he thanked God that he wasn’t like the drunk, staring blankly a few pews over, barely aware of the world. Hearing a noise, he turned and glanced at someone slinking into a back pew, with a shirt that literally blazed, “I am the enemy” in flaming letters. Xavier thanked God that he knew better than to enter a church dressed like that. The man in the t-shirt didn’t lift up his face. He just hoarsely whispered, “God, I need another chance, because I am the problem in my life.” • Gideon Eising • Today’s story is an allegory of a parable Jesus told in Luke 18. Which character do you relate to most today—Xavier, Liam, the person in the middle pew, or the man in the back pew? Why? • Jesus was telling this parable “to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness” and looked down on everybody else (Luke 18:9). When are you tempted to look down on others? Are you sometimes tempted to think of yourself as “less of a sinner” than the people around you? • Is God too harsh in forgiving only the humble? Can our pride get in the way of grace? Read Luke 18:16-17. Jesus died and rose so all who put their trust in Him—relying on His perfect righteousness, not any imperfect righteousness of our own—can be forgiven (more on our “Know Jesus” page). Yet, even Christians can forget we need Jesus just as much as anybody. But, through the Holy Spirit, God helps us walk in humility and resist sins like pride. And even though we sin daily, we can come to Him with repentant hearts, knowing His love and forgiveness are sure. Because Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the person you’re tempted to look down on, and for you. “I [Jesus] have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 139; PROVERBS 3:1-6 When you feel like you don’t have a place in this world because you don’t think you’re as talented as others or you aren’t sure what to do with your life, remember that God made you. God doesn’t make mistakes. When He created you, He knew what He was doing. He knew just who you would be. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you have a place in this world when you remember that God is the Creator of the world, and He is also the Creator of you, and He wants you here. Maybe you don’t feel as talented as the other people around you. Maybe you aren’t sure what to do with your life. It’s okay to have some doubts. It’s okay to take your time to figure out who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re good at. Let God guide you. Let Him lead you. Remember that He knows you better than anyone else. He crafted you intentionally. He has given you the abilities you have, and if you know Jesus, He has also given you spiritual gifts. You can ask Him to show you how to follow His leading in your life, one step at a time. You have a place in this world for a reason. God wants you to be here. Your talents are your own, and God will work through you as you seek Him. He will take care of you and guide you and help you find a deep sense of purpose in living your life with Him. • Bethany Acker • Do you ever wonder about your place in this world? We all feel this way from time to time, and it can be helpful to remember who our Creator is. He made us just as we are, and He has given purpose to our lives. The truth is, Jesus rejoiced to save you through His death and resurrection, and He doesn’t need you to do anything. He delights in having you with Him, and He invites you to share in the joy of His good work—pointing others to Jesus and partnering with Him to bring restoration to the brokenness around you. In times when you’re feeling particularly discouraged or frustrated, who is a trusted Christian in your life who can lovingly remind you of the truth and help you receive God’s help and encouragement? (If you want to dig deeper, read Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 25:23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Hebrews 12:2-3.) • When we feel pressure to figure out “what to do with our lives,” how could it be freeing to remember that God knows us, He loves us, and He calls us to follow Him one step at a time? Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalm 119:73 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 14:12-21; 15:1-17 Let me understand when it’s You, GodTelling me to goSpeak loudly to me, GodSo that I can knowLet me feel You with me, GodAs I simply liveKnowing You are right beside me, GodHelp me to giveLet them understand when it’s You, GodHelping me to standShow them You’re supporting me, GodAnd I’m following Your commandLet them know You move in me, GodYou’re a part of all I doShow them You are helping me, GodI am nothing without You • Emily Acker • When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are given the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Spirit of Christ. As we seek to abide in Jesus, we may often find there are things we do in life that we know we would never be able to do without God’s power working through us—such as forgiving others, loving our enemies, speaking the truth in love, acting with self-control, giving generously, or enduring hardships. Yet, we cannot take credit for any of this—for, as Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” If you know Jesus, how have you seen Him working in you? How has the Spirit been transforming you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this, and ask Him to point people to Himself through your life. Remember, as we rest in Jesus’s great love for us, His love naturally overflows from us to others. • John the Baptist made it very clear he was not the Messiah and consistently pointed to Jesus. What might it look like for us to follow his example? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 1:15-39; 3:22-36.) “I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 37:1-9; 1 PETER 2:19-25; 3:8-18 Have you ever seen someone do something wrong and, instead of getting in trouble, they end up reaping a reward for it? You may have heard the saying, “Crime doesn’t pay.” But unfortunately, in this broken world we regularly encounter people who seem to benefit from being dishonest or breaking promises. It can be hard to watch someone gain wealth with ease by deceiving or exploiting people. But the Bible tells us not to envy those who seem to be rewarded for doing evil. God sees what’s happening, and the day will come when He’ll reward those who serve and obey Him. Yet, none of us can serve and obey God perfectly. We may be tempted to think of ourselves as better than “those evil people,” but the truth is, we all fall short (Romans 3:23-25). We all end up deceiving others and breaking promises for our own selfish gain. That’s why Jesus came to live the perfectly honest, perfectly just life that we could never live. As God the Son, Jesus always served and obeyed God the Father—and He did so out of love for the Father, and for us. Ultimately, Jesus died on the cross, taking all our sin upon Himself, and then He rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. This was the only way for God to save us. Through Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and we have the assurance of living with Him forever when He returns. Until that glorious day, it can help to remember that God is not okay with injustice. All sin must be accounted for. But Jesus endured the cross to pay for our sins for us. One day, those who have been forgiven by Jesus will receive their reward—eternal life with Him. Though it may sometimes seem like doing wrong pays off, it doesn’t. God promises to right every wrong at Jesus’s return. And even now, He lives in us through His Holy Spirit, empowering us to live with honesty and justice, to serve and obey God because of His great love for us. • A. W. Smith • How have you seen others benefitting from doing what is wrong? This can be so discouraging. When you see this happen, you can bring it to God in prayer and ask Him if there is some way you can bring honesty and justice into the situation. • We all do wrong, and often we seem to get away with it. When are you tempted to be dishonest or pull yourself up by pushing others down? Jesus understands temptation, and He is full of mercy. When you notice temptation, you can turn to Him and be reminded of His perfect love and truth. You can also confess any sin to Him and ask for His help to move forward in love. Trust in the LORD and do good. Psalm 37:3 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 3:5-6; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:5; EPHESIANS 2:8; 1 PETER 5:6-7 “UPDATE FAILED. VIRUS DETECTED.” Siren stared at the vile green letters on her monitor. There was one last thing she could try. She drew the small drive out of her pocket. The Willpower Program (or WPP) was rumored to be strong enough to revive any device that had been affected by The Virus. And Siren’s computer had been infected for a long time now. She had tried everything—flying to planets all over the solar system, asking experts, even rebuilding her operating system. Finally, she had built her own copy of WPP from the coding she’d seen at programing stations around the galaxy. She inserted the drive. “This has to work.” You could always try the blue button, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. “No, I won’t.” It’s the only option. Siren shook her head. Everyone knew the button was left over from long ago. If pressed, it sent a signal back to the manufacturer. And everyone knew the manufacturer was not to be trusted. A monster that could wipe out her entire system if she gave it access to her computer. She couldn’t risk compromising her hard drive. The thought was interrupted as her screen flickered—fuzzy, then checkered, emitting a gentle hum. Siren’s heart pounded as the computer monitor simmered out, leaving silence. WPP had failed. She fell to her knees in front of the machine and cried. Everything was on there. Her life, her memories, pictures of her colony. You could always—“Fine!” Siren jabbed the round blue button in the center of the computer. She squeezed her eyes shut. There was a gentle hum. She opened her eyes. Her apartment was cast in a beautiful blue light. “Is that it? Did that fix it? All that searching, and all I needed to do was press the blue button?” Relief settled over Siren as she skimmed through the files. All safe. But others out there were still battling The Virus. She needed to tell them. • Natty Maelle • Do you find yourself in need of a reset, but scared you’re too far gone? You are never too far gone. Jesus came to earth to live the sinless life that we can’t, and He died on the cross to pay for our sins. He came back from the dead three days later, defeating death and sin. For you. So, if you think you can’t be saved, don’t worry. Just reach out to Him. (See our “Know Jesus” page.) Even as Christians, we need to be reminded again and again that Jesus saved us, and is still saving us, and will save us in the end. What He started—that is, salvation— He will complete (Philippians 1:6). Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

READ: 1 PETER 5:6-11 Each small worry can quickly become a big worry. It expands from the place inside of me where a little thought pops up. I start to think about it more and more. I consider all the scenarios and things that could happen. I start to worry about how I’m going to stop things from getting worse. I wonder how tomorrow will be. I worry about other things too, as the fears really begin to take over. But before any of that happens, I can give it to God. It’s so good to know that, when a small worry starts in my mind, I can immediately hand it over to God. The Bible says we don’t need to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6), and it doesn’t help to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34). It isn’t up to us to try to control things by worrying. Instead, we can go to our heavenly Father in prayer and give it all to Him. He invites us to tell Him about everything that worries us. He has so much compassion on us, and He wants to help us. Because He loves us dearly, Jesus died and rose again so everyone who trusts in Him could be brought near to God. And when Jesus returns, He will put an end to everything that is worrisome. It isn’t easy to stop worrying, but it is possible with God. I try to hand Him my worries each time they pop up, and instead focus on something I’m grateful for (Philippians 4:8). This doesn’t always work, but when it does, I’m glad I did it. Anytime I hand my worries to God, I’m grateful to know that He will take care of things for me. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of worries do you struggle with? Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus about these. • Sometimes, we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But God wants to help us in lots of ways, including through other people such as medical and mental health professionals who can help us figure out if what we are experiencing is worry, anxiety, or something else. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried a lot of the time, or if your thoughts keep going to dark places or “what if” scenarios and you can’t seem to stop, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? If you need someone 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. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 4:8; JOHN 14:25-29; 16:33 As a younger teenager, I was so interested in reading fiction. It provided entertainment, romance, adventure, comedy, and interesting plots. Not to mention, it also provided an escape from the real world, thrusting me into an author’s made-up fantasy. During stressful or anxious times in my life, I strolled through the young adult shelves at my local library seeking reprieve. The desire to shrink out of reality became a struggle, as I felt more desperate after each book. At the time, I felt like the only thing that could give me peace was books, or something to constantly read. Then one day, I lost my library card. I spent months without reading. Fortunately, that gave me time to dive into my dust-collecting Bible. Diving into the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), I did not leave my room for the next hour. I was stuck on a specific chapter—John 14. In verse 27, I was stunned to read what Jesus told His disciples. Here, He gives them a specific gift. Peace! He specifically stated that He would give them “peace of mind and heart.” That changed my life. Furthermore, Jesus said that His peace wasn’t like the peace that created things could give. As followers of Christ, we have access to the eternal peace that transcends what any other person or thing can give! Today, I still love reading. And I’m still a teenager who loves romance, adventure, comedy, and interesting plots. But my heart was what changed. Now, I look for my peace in the One who I can always rely on. • Evelyn Cardriche • One of Jesus’s names is “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Because Jesus died and rose again to forgive us and save us from sin and death, everyone who trusts in Him can have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1). That means our sin no longer makes us enemies of God—instead, we get to “rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (verse 11). And it’s because of this relationship that we can bring God all of our worries and, as Philippians 4:7 says, “experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” When Jesus returns to restore creation, all His people will feel perfectly at peace all the time. And until that day, He invites us to draw near to Him whenever we feel unpeaceful, resting in His great love for us and bringing Him all of our concerns, desires, and needs. Through the Holy Spirit, He will help us experience His peace more and more throughout our lives. Can you remember a time in your life when you experienced God’s peace? What was that like? “I [Jesus] am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT)

READ: JOHN 3:16; 14:1-3; REVELATION 21:1-6 Time passes so quickly. We go from being children to adults. We see ourselves in the mirror and notice changes happening right before our eyes. Technology advances, new political leaders take control. Life moves at a fast pace, and sometimes we long for it to slow down…But what will eternity feel like? As we grow up, we learn that things in this life don’t last. Job opportunities come and go. Relationships fall apart. Death happens. We get used to dealing with losses and endings. But eternity contains none of that. God has given us the chance to live forever. Because He loves us, Jesus died and rose again so we could have eternal life. We have the opportunity to experience something beyond what we have ever experienced before. We are used to thinking in terms of everything having a start and an end, but when Jesus returns, the new heavens and new earth will have no end. Our future with God is an eternal one. We will not lose it. We will not want to leave it. No one can take it away from us (John 10:28-30; 16:22). There is a peace that comes from knowing that something is going to last. Eternal life can be our future. If we know Jesus, we have something immeasurably wonderful to look forward to. Time passes quickly, but when we know what the future holds for us and that our time with God will have no end, we don’t have to be afraid. • Emily Acker • Have you ever tried thinking about this present life as just a small part of your whole life—with eternity waiting for you? How could this change our point of view? • Thinking about eternity can be overwhelming. It’s too big for us to wrap our minds around. And nobody knows exactly what it will be like. But we do know that we will get to be with God and all His people forever, filled with His love and joy, free from sin and all the brokenness it causes. To learn more about God’s promise of eternity for those who put their trust in Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 13:1-6; 37:23-24; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 Are you going through a really difficult time? Do you wonder if there’s a way out? Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with grief, anger, or frustration. When we’re in the middle of painful situations, it can seem like they’re never-ending. Will the hurt ever pass? Is this it? Am I trapped like this forever? We may ask ourselves, Who can help me? Why doesn’t anyone understand? These questions are totally natural when we’re going through an intense season. Everyone has what I call the “dark chapters” in their lives. Some last hours, days, weeks, or even years. They can be excruciating. But all is not lost. The world we live in has been broken by sin, and with it comes imperfection, failures, and trials…but we don’t suffer alone. We have a heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, more than anyone can comprehend (Ephesians 3:19). He sent His Son, Jesus, to be God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus lived as a human, and He personally understands all the hurts and sorrows of life. Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins and rose again, so everyone who trusts in Him can become God’s child. In every dark chapter, we can know that Jesus is with us, and we can look forward to the day He will return and make all things new and whole. Even when we think God is far away, He is with us, guiding us. And He can bring good even out of terrible situations (Romans 8:28). Just look at the Bible—so many people went through incredible personal challenges. But in the midst of the dark chapters of our lives, God invites us to cry out to Him and honestly lament our pain—this is why we have so many amazing lament psalms written by people like King David. Time and time again, God meets His people with His compassionate love and brings hope, even to situations that seem hopeless. So, if you are currently struggling, remember that these moments will not last forever. They are episodes, chapters, life segments…but not the whole picture. • Cindy Lee • What kinds of difficult things have you gone through? How have you seen God bring hope? • Are you in a “dark chapter” right now? In addition to talking to God, who can you be honest with about what you’re experiencing? If you are in danger, tell a trusted adult right away. • Do you know anyone who is going through a difficult chapter in their life right now? How could you come alongside them today, perhaps through prayer, listening, or helping them? Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 (NLT)

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15; 3:14-17 Do you ever find the Bible confusing and frustrating? That’s totally understandable! The books of the Bible were written thousands of years ago in different languages and in different times and places in history. It’s going to be difficult to understand at times. And it’s normal to read a passage for the first time and feel like you just don’t get it. Learning to understand the Bible better is kind of like learning to ski. It takes practice. If you decided to take on the biggest hill you could find your very first time skiing, you’d probably tumble your way down to the bottom, and end up with a few new injuries. And if you try to tackle a difficult Bible passage without any help or training, you’ll probably end up confused and frustrated. But the more you work at skiing, the better you can do it. And the more you read and study the Bible—at church, with others, and on your own—the more you’ll understand it. If you wanted to learn to ski, you would probably seek out a ski instructor. And a Bible instructor is a good idea too. In a way, the Holy Spirit is like our Bible instructor. When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, His Holy Spirit lives inside us. And He helps us understand what God is saying to us and apply it to our lives. We can also ask other Christians for help when we don’t understand something—like our pastors, youth leaders, family members, or friends. God doesn’t leave us to figure everything out on our own. He gives us community and His very own presence! Just remember, anything worthwhile takes time and effort. So don’t give up when reading the Bible gets hard. Keep practicing. • A. W. Smith • The whole Bible points to Jesus (Luke 24:27; John 5:39; 20:31; Acts 8:26-40). And if we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit living in us. So, as we read the Bible on our own and with others, He will help us understand what it says. How has Jesus helped you understand His Word so far? • Have you come across a Bible passage that’s particularly difficult to understand? That’s okay—even Peter said Paul’s writings were sometimes hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16)! And there are some things we may never fully grasp until Jesus returns. Who is a trusted Christian in your life who could look at this passage with you and help you find scholarly resources that could help you understand it better—like study Bibles, commentaries, websites, or videos? The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 5:1-11; 15:13; HEBREWS 11 Hope is a four-letter word. Yet, between those four letters is a tremendous range of nuance. People can use hope to convey an innocent wish. “I hope it doesn’t rain on the picnic.” Or hope can be used to reveal an unrivaled desire. “I hope my grandma lives through Christmas.” Our hope often conveys what we want to happen, but it doesn’t change what will happen. We have no control over the weather, people’s lifespans, or much else. So why is such a persnickety and ultimately powerless word plastered across churches? Because biblical hope is more than a mere desire. It carries a very special subtext. Anticipation. Hope can be frail because it often shatters when the desire is unfulfilled. But what if you knew that what you hoped for was going to happen? Romans 5:5 says, “Hope does not put us to shame.” Why? Because the hope this verse is talking about is a hope placed in God Himself, and God always keeps His promises. This verse is talking about the hope that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection has cleansed us of our sins. The hope that Jesus will come back again. The hope that we will live with Him in the new heavens and new earth one day. The hope that we will see our fellow believers again, and sorrow and pain will be gone forever. These are all things God promises to those who accept His gift of salvation by putting their faith in Jesus. Hebrews 11 starts by saying, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This chapter goes on to describe many people who were able to act in faith because they put their hope in something certain— God. So hope becomes the anticipation of something assured, not just a four-letter word. • Abigail Scibiur • How can hoping for something assured change our outlook on life or even the way we act? (Hint: read 2 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 4:13-14; Hebrews 10:22-25.) • What are some specific promises God has made that we can put our hope in? Consider starting your own list of Scriptures about those promises to look at whenever you feel discouraged. • Remember, our hope is ultimately in Jesus Himself (Ephesians 1:12). Because of His death and resurrection, we can rest in His promises, and we can also be honest with Him about what we want and need. There is power in expressing our desires to God in prayer because He has the power to change things. Consider taking some time to express your desires to Jesus. He is listening. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 (NIV)

READ: ACTS 2:1-14; ROMANS 12:4-21; GALATIANS 5:22-23 When people first hear that Christians all receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), there can be a sense of excitement as they anticipate a life-changing, empowering moment. In the Bible, we find the account of the day of Pentecost. Jesus’s followers are all sitting together, because after Jesus died and rose again, but before He ascended into heaven, He’d told them to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Then, the Holy Spirit comes in a very visible and dramatic way—including flames and wind! The Bible goes on to show the instantaneous transformation in the apostles—they went from fearful to courageous, and they shared the good news boldly. But what happens if your experience of the Holy Spirit isn’t quite like you expected? You may ask yourself, Why don’t I feel different? Where is my Holy Spirit zeal? Is something wrong with me? Do not panic. It’s okay if your experience is different from what happened to the first disciples. The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to all believers (1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11). We are called to use our different gifts to share the good news and the gift of salvation, and also to serve one another in a variety of ways. For example, some Christians receive a gift of teaching or wisdom that they can share with others through speaking or writing as they listen and offer support to those in need. The Holy Spirit also strengthens us to battle through difficulties and overcome obstacles, empowering us to resist temptation and love others, even our enemies. God the Holy Spirit always glorifies God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) and never contradicts the Bible, but each believer’s experience of the Spirit is unique and personal to them. If you wonder if the Holy Spirit is doing anything in your life, remember that God works in many different ways. Although you can’t always recognize what is happening on the inside, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The Spirit’s work is sometimes a gradual process—like in nature when seeds are planted and it takes time to witness the results. Other people may begin to notice positive changes in you, such as becoming more self-controlled and showing more joy and love, which are fruits of the Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7). So, embrace your journey with the Holy Spirit. Remember, it’s a lifelong process. You can trust God’s timing as you seek His direction and rely on Him in faith. • Cindy Lee • What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit? Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you dig into Scripture and discern what the Spirit might be doing in and through you? Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIV)

READ: ISAIAH 58:6-12; JOHN 4:14; 7:38-39; GALATIANS 5:13-23 “Look over there, Jett—under those tall weeds!” Kyra jumped over a stream as she and her brother explored the area behind their new home. When they had lived by the sea, their family made their living as fishermen, but when the dragon wars encroached on their tiny coastal town, they had to flee inland. They hoped to make a fresh start in this new village in the Amplio valley. Kyra pushed aside some of the rough grass to get a better look. “Are those trata fruit?” “Looks like trata fruit to me,” confirmed Jett. “Let’s pull up these weeds so we can see the plants better.” They began pulling the grass and thistles that had grown more than waist-high. Sure enough, they found other fruits and vegetables too. Kyra said, “Somebody must’ve planted this garden long ago. I’m surprised the trata plants survived in the middle of all these weeds.” “Let’s work this garden instead of planting a new one,” Jett said, remembering their old garden back home. Its produce had helped them through many a tough time. “We’ll need to bring water from the stream—and the weeds will come back if we let them.” Kyra paused thoughtfully. “You know something? I came across a verse in Isaiah this morning—‘You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’ I’ve heard it said that Isaiah points to our need for Jesus. Remember how everyone who believes in Jesus has living water flowing inside us, and how He produces good fruit in our lives? As His people, I guess we’re His garden. I like thinking about how He’s the One watering that garden.” Jett rubbed a trata leaf. “I want to be like that—producing fruit instead of thistles. I don’t want to cause harm, like the wars do. I want to bring good into the world. But every day, I keep finding more sin in my life—like how we’ll keep finding weeds in this garden. I know Jesus has already made us holy through His death and resurrection, but I can’t wait till He comes back and we won’t struggle with sin anymore.” Kyra nodded. “Me too, but I’m also thankful the Spirit tends our hearts every day, rooting out the thorns of violence and greed so we can be people of mercy and kindness.” • A. W. Smith • When we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us and works to produce good fruit in our hearts. What does this fruit look like? (Hint: read Galatians 5:22-23.) • The Holy Spirit also makes us more aware of the sin in our lives. Consider taking some time in prayer, confessing any sin that comes to mind and resting in Jesus’s sure forgiveness. “You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 139; ROMANS 8:28-29, 38-39; PHILIPPIANS 1:6 At times, growing up is hard. Change is exciting, but at the same time such a difficult thing to go through. Feeling your body change. Seeing things around you shift. Knowing that your mind is growing and your perspective on things will not always be the same. Change feels strange, but as we experience it in ourselves and in the world around us, we don’t have to be afraid. There are some things that are never going to change. When life feels different than it used to, we may feel unsteady and disoriented, but it can help to remember that God will not change. His love is always constant. The promise of eternity will never fade. The gospel is always true. Jesus died and rose again for us, and if we’ve put our trust in Him, we can know with certainty that He is with us—forever. He will never leave us. Throughout our lives, we will continue to grow and change. We will find new things to be passionate about and new ways to enjoy life. We will find new purposes for our lives, and we’ll get excited about what is to come. As we go through all those changes, both the good and the bad, the struggle and the joy, we can remember that God is there with us. When we need something to ground us, we can pray to Him. When we need something to remind us that, even as we are drastically changing, some things in our lives will always be the same, we can think of His unchanging love. • Bethany Acker • As we grow in our walk with Jesus, He will continue to reveal Himself to us in various ways, and He will keep forming us to become more and more like Him. This means our perspectives on different things will likely shift throughout our lifetimes. And that’s okay! As we pursue Jesus and study His Word, He will help us bring all the areas of our lives into alignment with Him. And this is a lifelong process. Who are some people in your life who can walk through this process with you—such as parents, pastors, counselors, youth leaders, and friends? Consider taking some time to ask a trusted Christian adult how their perspective has changed over the years. • When the world around us changes, how could remembering that Jesus never changes help us come to Him in prayer? Do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you of this truth? Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (CSB)

READ: ISAIAH 53:4-12; COLOSSIANS 1:22; HEBREWS 9:11-28; REVELATION 5:12 You gave up Your life,You are the Perfect Sacrifice—God’s precious Son,The Holy, Just, and Righteous One.Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray,Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day!You alone are good,Teach us, Lord, to live as You would—Holy and pure,By faith, Your blood the costly cure.Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray,Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day!Risen from the dead,You are Life, the Living Bread—Lamb that was slain,Bearing the curse, took up our pain.Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray,Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day…Speak to us, Lord,that we might obey. Sometimes, when I try to describe the sacrifice of Jesus I am stilled into silence. Trying to put the most profound mystery in the universe into everyday words is sort of like visiting the Grand Canyon and bringing home a single snapshot. The photo is accurate, but it’s simply incapable of capturing the grandeur you see and feel— gazing across a chasm so vast that the bottom is a hazy blur. Only by hiking down inside can you begin to experience the canyon’s true depth and beauty. That’s sort of what it’s like when we think about the matchless glory of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. It simply cannot be experienced from afar—it is something we must enter into. Christ’s blood was shed on the cross, for us. He not only bore our sin, but He took up our suffering and pain (Isaiah 53). Come, and gaze with me there. • G. Kam Congleton • Throughout the Bible, Christ’s sacrifice is portrayed in many ways. For example, we find similar descriptions in Isaiah 53:12 and in Hebrews 9:28. What do you notice is included in Hebrews that is not mentioned in Isaiah? Why do you think this is? • The life-changing truth of the gospel is deeper than any words can convey, that because of the sacrifice of Jesus’s shed blood, God Himself can dwell with us—and in us—making us one with God. (More on our “Know Jesus” page.) Which description of Jesus’s sacrifice resonates with you most today? God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood— to be received by faith. Romans 3:25 (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALM 35:27; PROVERBS 3:11-12; ISAIAH 62:4 If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard over and over that God loves you. And He does! But did you know that He also likes you? This is a truth I’ve struggled to accept. It’s easy for me to believe that God loves me, because that’s His job! It’s just who He is. But I can fall into the false belief that it’s only a duty-bound love. That He loves me only because He has to, not because He truly enjoys who I actually am. Make no mistake, God does love us because of who He is. His character is unchanging, and so is His love for us. Nothing can shake that. But I think it’s important to also remember that God likes us. He enjoys our presence with Him. He delights in us—and even rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He created us and gifted us with our unique personalities and abilities—and He likes what He made! It may seem trivial or self-centered to wonder if God likes us, but it really does matter. It affects the way we interact with Him. We may believe that, because we are fallen and sinful, we are unlikeable. And when we believe that we are unlikeable, all we can focus on is our own smallness and unworthiness before the Lord, instead of focusing on His goodness and majesty and love. But as the Holy Spirit helps us grow more secure in our belief that God legitimately enjoys our presence and wants to spend time with us, it frees us from that insecure self-focus on our own unworthiness and allows us to truly enjoy God’s presence like He enjoys ours. Jesus died and rose again to make the way to be with us forever. Let’s take a moment and think about that. He died because He wanted to be with you. He most definitely likes you. • Taylor Eising • Do you find it easier to believe that God loves you or that God likes you? Why? How does this affect the way you view God and the way you approach Him in prayer? The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)