Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: PSALM 23; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-7 Once again, intense pain had brought me to the emergency room where I waited to be admitted to an upstairs room. Beyond discouraged, I asked the Lord, “Do You still love me?” My depression deepened as one nurse after another poked me with needles and questioned me. The paramedics had been concerned and caring. At the hospital, the staff seemed determined to add to my suffering. How I longed for someone gentle to care for me. Someone like Annie. Annie was the friend who had introduced me to my boyfriend. A few days earlier, she had begun her first nursing job in this same hospital. “Lord Jesus, please fix it that Annie is my nurse.” It was a crazy prayer. The hospital was large, and I had no idea what department or shift my friend was working. Still, I repeated my prayer until the shots did their work and I fell asleep. Before I knew it, I was at an upstairs nursing station. A familiar voice nudged me awake. Opening my eyes, I looked into the face of my admitting nurse. It was Annie. • Kathy Irey • Have you ever felt like God had stopped listening to your prayers? Was there a way He showed you He still cared? If not, you can ask God for this anytime. The Lord may not always take away our pain, but He’ll let us know, He has not abandoned us. (If you want to dig deeper, read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 12:7-10.) • When we feel like no one understands our suffering, Jesus does. He suffered for us so that we could befree from the bondage of sin (Isaiah 53). When Jesus returns, He will make all things new; then sin and all its effects will be gone for good, so terrible things like pain and depression will be no more (Revelation 21:1-5). Until that day, He stays with us through everything. Even when it feels like He’s distant, He is always so very present with us—through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Are there any Bible passages that have resonated with you in times of sorrow and pain? Are there any people in your life who have embodied the kindness of Jesus to you, like Titus did to Paul, and the Corinthian Christians did to Titus, in 2 Corinthians 7:5-7? How might you be able to share the comfort He has given you with others? “I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

READ: MARK 2:13-17; JOHN 6:37 It’s common sense that showers are for the dirty, hospitals are for the sick, and life preservers are for the drowning. So why is it so hard for some of us to accept that we don’t have to fix up our lives before coming to the very One who promises to clean us, heal us, and save us? We may resist coming to God for help because we think we’re too far gone. We are correct in seeing that our sin separates us from a Holy God; we were all once totally lost in spiritual darkness (Ephesians 2:1-10). But God didn’t leave us there! Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead paid for all of our sins and made the way for us to be with Him forever (Colossians 1:12-14). If we think we’ve sinned too much to be forgiven, we are severely underestimating the power of God’s grace and perhaps even missing the point of the gospel. Sometimes those of us who know we’re forgiven still struggle to come to God because we feel like we’ve wandered too far. We think that since we’ve been straying into different sins, or haven’t been keeping up with our devotions, or haven’t been praying enough…that God doesn’t want anything to do with us. But God always wants us to draw near to Him! I think it makes God sad when His children try to live apart from Him. He has called us to live in pursuit of Him, and once we have been redeemed by Christ, we can do so with the Holy Spirit’s help. But God’s love doesn’t require our obedience in order to reach us (Romans 5:8). God’s love has no strings attached. Whether you’ve never asked God for forgiveness before, or you’ve recently wandered, don’t wait to come to Him. There is true forgiveness for all of us in Christ’s work on the cross, and Christ promises to never cast you out (John 6:37). • Katherine Billingsley • Have you ever felt too far gone? If you know Jesus, all your sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. When God looks at you, He sees His Son’s perfect righteousness. And He loves you more than you could ever imagine. You can come to Him in prayer anytime, asking Him to help you draw near to Him once again. If you’ve never come to Jesus, find out more on our “Know Jesus” page. • In John 6:37, Jesus promises that He will never cast out those who come to Him. How can this truth comfort us when we have doubts about our salvation? When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (CSB)

READ: JEREMIAH 42:1–43:7; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 “Rhode, tell us what to do. We will die here on the planet Yavorah! The Kuvil Regime took the rest of our people to their planet, and they won’t let us live here peacefully. It’s been years since Juro’s old dynasty held us in slavery— maybe if we go back, their new rulers will help us.” The desperate shouts and worried exclamations filled their meeting space, a hollowed-out tree trunk aglow with jars of lightening bugs. Rhode closed his eyes for just a moment, resting in Yahweh’s presence despite the contentious atmosphere. After generations of sin and idolatry, Yahweh’s judgment had come to pass. Kuvil had conquered Rhode’s people, the Yavorians. Now, only a remnant was left on their home planet under the Kuvil Regime. Their ships swarmed the sky, as numerous as the bugs, blocking the two Yavorian suns, slowly killing the planet’s lush greenery. Soon, their livelihoods would be upended, and they’d starve. Bora, the Yavorian army captain, stepped closer and shook Rhode’s shoulders. “Go, ask Yahweh for mercy. Ask Him to show us the way, and we swear we will follow it— whether that means we stay here as captives of Kuvil or we return to Juro for refuge.” Rhode was appalled at the idea of returning to the very planet Yahweh had delivered them from. He wanted to be compassionate and hopeful, but he could only be suspicious of Bora’s plea. Of course now they wanted to hear from Yahweh, after generations of ignoring Yahweh’s commands. Were they merely desperate to avoid destruction, or were they sincere in their desire for repentance? “I will pray,” Rhode decided. “Whatever Yahweh says, I will tell you.” The moment Rhode was alone, he collapsed with exhaustion. A few glimmers of light shown in the sky through the dense canopy. As Rhode stared up at them, he wondered if they were stars or impending spaceships. Sighing, he prayed, “Help me be faithful. Please, reveal Your will to me.” For ten days, Rhode remained silent before Yahweh, until He spoke. Rhode called the commanders together, but the cold and determined look on Captain Bora’s face made him hesitate. Gathering himself, Rhode said, “If we remain on this planet, the one Yahweh promised to us, and trust in His protection, He will be gracious and we will prosper. We can trust that He will be merciful to us.” Everyone was silent, but Bora’s eyes were ablaze with anger. “You lie! Your words are treasonous! If we stay, Kuvil will destroy us all.” “But Yahweh promises He will preserve a remnant of our people,” Rhode said. The leaders began filing out of the tree, casting dirty glares and muttering “traitor” in his direction. Rhode hollered after them, “Fleeing to Juro would just be another idolatrous response. Yahweh is giving us another opportunity to put our trust in Him!” No one listened. Before the suns had even set, Rhode was corralled onto a shuttle with a hoard of other Yavorians. They slipped through Kuvil’s blockade with a cloaking device. Rhode pressed his face against the window and watched as the green planet’s surface grew dim. Yavorah was a gift from Yahweh, a place for prosperity after slavery. And now, instead of leaning into His mercies, Rhode was taken with the rest of his people back to Juro. But Yavorah was his home, their home. “I am with you, and I still give my mercy to my people,” Yahweh said to Rhode as Yavorah faded from sight. “One day, I will bring you home. I am making all things new, and I will dwell with you forever.” • Zoe Brickner • Today’s story is an allegory of Jeremiah 42–43. Israel sought Egypt’s help when Babylon attacked them, despite the fact that Egypt had enslaved them for over 400 years. Their choice to return to Egypt for refuge was an act of idola...

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALMS 119:73; 139:14; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 Who am I? This question is one we wrestle with throughout our lives. And it’s an important question to ask, because much of what we do flows from who we believe we are. Here’s the thing though—we can’t answer this question without God. And thankfully, He provides the answer in His Word. Take a look. God created human beings, and He did so out of love. Genesis 1:26-31 says that God made us in His image, and He entrusted us with the important job of caring for His creation. Furthermore, if we are in Christ, Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s masterpiece—we are created anew in Christ Jesus, and God has given us good and purposeful work to do. Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s masterpiece? How amazing to think that God created each of us, purposefully crafting us to be unique and wonderful (Psalms 119:73; 139:14). Yet, oftentimes we don’t realize how valuable we truly are. As we go through life in a world broken by sin, we are bombarded with lies about ourselves, lies that say we’re not worthwhile, not capable, not lovable. As we’re confronted with our own sins and shortcomings, we may even start to believe our very existence is a mistake. But God knows the truth about us. He made us, and so He’s the only one qualified to tell us who we are and what we’re worth. The fact is, we are so precious to God that He came to be with us. The second person of the Trinity, the Father’s only begotten Son, became human and lived among us. It was worth it to Him to pay the ultimate price to save us from sin—Jesus was willing to lay down His life so that we could be forgiven, brought near to God, and made new. And God the Father is glorified in all of this (John 17:1-3; Galatians 1:3-5; Philippians 2:11). So now, as people who’ve put our faith in Jesus, we can rest in God’s love for us. And, because the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5), we can rejoice in the ways He has made us, using both the natural abilities and the spiritual gifts He has given us to express our love for God and for the people around us. And whenever we find ourselves struggling with lies about who we are and what we’re worth, we can turn to Jesus. He will remind us that we are His priceless work of art. God doesn’t make mistakes, He makes masterpieces! • Hannah Howe • When you struggle to see yourself as God sees you, who are trusted Christians who can remind you of what God says about you in His Word? How could you be this kind of friend to others? For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

READ: NUMBERS 13–14 Numbers—funny name for a book, don’t you think? Five of its thirty-six chapters contain lists of people. But most of this book records the story of a people on the move. The best part of Numbers? We find God’s loving intervention in the lives of His people, over and over again. Numbers not only includes records of people and lists of ceremonial regulations, it also contains stories. Have you ever heard the story of a flashing sword, a shining angel, and a talking donkey? It’s in chapters 22-25, and it involves blessings and curses, bribes and greed. In this passage, and throughout the whole book of Numbers, we discover the underlying theme of God’s unceasing goodness, His personal interaction, and His abiding care for His people. He plans good things for them, even when they are ungrateful, stubborn, and faithless. God’s plan for His people, the Israelites, was to give them a home—the Promised Land. And this was crucial. For from this nation would arise His Son—the Savior, Jesus. And Jesus would be the perfect Israel that the Israelites could never be— faithful, loving, and sinless. God’s strategy all along was ultimately to provide the way of salvation for His people through Jesus’s death and resurrection. And the book of Numbers is part of His rescue plan. It’s in Numbers that we get the inside story of how God’s people responded to Him in defiance, faithlessness, and fear right on the borders of their Promised Land. We learn how that broke God’s heart, and then we see how He directed His people back into the desert to wander for forty years, until that faithless generation had died out. Then, we learn about how Joshua and Caleb finally led the people into the Promised Land, and we see God’s undying faithfulness through it all. We learn how trustworthy God is, and how important it is for us to trust Him. His ways are good, and trusting and following Him is the best thing we can do. Today, if we know Jesus, He lives inside us through the Holy Spirit, helping us to faithfully follow our loving God. This treasure of a book has much to offer the student of the Word. May He reveal Himself to you as you read it! • Kristen Merrill • Which of the stories mentioned above sounds the most interesting to you? What questions do you have about them? • How could remembering the ways God has been faithful in the past (either in our own lives or in the lives of people in the Bible) help us trust Him to be faithful in the future? “Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid… the LORD is with us!” Numbers 14:9 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 104:10-28; MATTHEW 6:19-34; 10:29-31 There is a lot of nature outside my window. I hear birds singing their morning songs and talking to each other all day long. Occasionally I see rabbits and even a few deer. I hear coyotes howl at night, and I’ve seen turkeys strut across the yard. All of these animals have a home out there. They know how to survive in the forest and get what they need to make it through each day. And God is the One who made all of them. He gave them the ability to make a home in the wild and survive. When I think about all the animals and what God has given them, I know that He will take care of me. After all, Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26). Humans are God’s most precious creation. We are the ones He came to seek and to save (Luke 19:10). It was for our sins that Jesus died on the cross. And just as He rose from the grave, He promises to raise us when He returns. We are the ones He loves. God cares so much for us, even more than He does for all the animals in the wild (Matthew 10:29-31). When I am afraid or wonder about what to do with my life, I can remember that. I can know that God will help me and show me what to do. He takes care of all the animals, and He will do even more for me. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of animals can you see where you live? Consider taking some time this week to pause and watch them and be reminded of how God is taking care of them and you. • Because our world has been broken by sin, sometimes animals hurt each other and compete for what they need to survive, and humans do too. But one day, Jesus promises to return and make all things new. Then “the wolf will live with the lamb…and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy” (Isaiah 11:6-9). How can the hope of the new creation Jesus is bringing free us to trust Him, and to love others the way He calls us to, instead of hurting other people for fear that we won’t have enough? (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:13-14) “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 107:21-24, 31; COLOSSIANS 1:16; REVELATION 4:11 Have you been to an art gallery or installation recently? It’s amazing to see the way artists create memorable and beautiful works of art using paint, pencils, clay, stone, fabric, metal, wood, glass…the possibilities are nearly infinite! And just think about how our ability to create art reflects the Creator who made us—He is the greatest artist. Have you ever thought of God as an artist? Have you noticed how creative He is? Both the cold winter snow and the warm summer sunshine were His idea. He made oceans, and He also made deserts. He made plants and animals, some that live in oceans, others that live in deserts, each perfectly suited to their environment. He made stars and galaxies, atoms and photons…And He wasn’t content to make everything in grayscale—He painted the universe in more colors than we can count! God created everything there is as an expression of love. And that includes us. God didn’t create the universe because He was lonely or bored or because He needed anything. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have always existed in perfect love and joy. No, He created because it delighted Him to do so! God has boundless creativity. He has made so many wondrous things, each one just the right color, just the right shape, and just the right size. And even though sin brought brokenness into God’s good creation, He has promised to redeem it. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He is making all things new. And if we put our trust in Jesus, we get to take part in His wonderful work. Because Christians have the Holy Spirit living in us, we can use the creativity He has given us to glorify Him and bless others, both today and in the age to come. And, as we behold God’s beautiful creation, we can remember how awesome He is and how much He loves us. He’s the greatest artist, and He invites us to enjoy His creation with Him! • A. W. Smith • What is one of your favorite things in all of nature? Why? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this and tell Him what you like about it! • In what ways do you like to be creative? How do you like to take what God has made an arrange it in a purposeful way—such as through painting, sculpting, building, designing, cooking, etc.? Is there something new you’d like to try but haven’t yet? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 6:11-14; EPHESIANS 5:1-20; 1 JOHN 1:7-9 Have you ever finished cleaning a room…only to notice the sun shining on a dusty spot you missed? In our Christian lives, the same thing happens in our hearts. Often, we don’t even notice our own sin. But, through God’s Word, through our prayer times, through our times at church, or through something else, Jesus continues to show us forgotten places in our hearts where we are struggling to love God and our neighbors well. Think about it this way—Jesus is the Light, and in His mercy He shines on us, showing us sin in our lives that He wants to clean away. It can be unsettling to realize we have sin in our lives that we weren’t even aware of, but we can trust that whenever God brings an area of sin to light, it’s because He wants to help us and bring renewal to that messy place. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Like a dust rag cleans dust off a forgotten table, Jesus cleans away our sin. And this good news is multi-faceted. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He frees us from both the result of sin—which is death—and also from the power of sin. That means, once we put our trust in Jesus, we can know that all our sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. And, because the Holy Spirit is living inside us, we don’t have to give in to the temptation to sin anymore. The Holy Spirit empowers us to say “no” to sin and live in God’s good ways instead. And even though we’ll never do this perfectly until Jesus returns, His forgiveness remains sure. Has something you’ve done that’s wrong been made visible to you by Jesus recently? We all sin every day, and that’s why He invites us to confess our sins to Him often, resting in His sure forgiveness. Then, we can live by the light of His Spirit, trusting Him to help us do what’s right. We can live in love toward God and our neighbors because of Jesus. • A. W. Smith • Where in your life do you struggle to truly love God and your neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40)? Jesus invites us to talk to Him about this—we can be totally honest with Him because He knows what temptation is like and He empathizes with us, but He Himself never sinned, so He can help us (Hebrews 4:14-16). He reminds us how much He loves us, and He often reveals underlying lies we’re believing that might be causing a struggle to continue—lies about God, ourselves, or others. Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about whatever comes to mind. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 18:20; ROMANS 12:9-18; EPHESIANS 3:14-21 “Is it enough?” The question rolled around in my brain as I drove home. A family in our church was experiencing a number of medical problems, so a few of us went to their house to pray with them, bring a meal for us to eat together, and share communion. “Is what we did enough?” I asked myself on my drive home. Suddenly, the answer sprang to life in my mind, bringing a smile to my lips and easing the tension in my shoulders. Of course it wasn’t enough. I laughed at myself. Because of course, it was never meant to be enough. Nothing we do as the church is ever meant to be enough. Instead, we point to the One who is enough. I can’t solve all the problems in the world. I can’t remove all the suffering. And that’s not my job. It’s not your job either. But it is my job, through my presence, my words, and my actions, to point people to Jesus and His love for them. And it’s also my job to let myself be pointed to Jesus by the presence, words, and actions of my siblings in Christ—the church. And this is only possible because Jesus has already done enough. Jesus—God in human flesh—lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again from the dead to save us from sin and death. If we’ve put our trust in Him, He lives in us through the Holy Spirit. And one day, He will return to resurrect us from the dead and destroy all sin, suffering, hurt, and death forever. There’s nothing I can do to add to what He has already done. And resting in that truth frees me to let go of my arrogant, “I-can-fix-all-your-problems” attitude and instead enter into the lives of others with humility, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice. Together, we can throw ourselves into Jesus’s loving arms, trusting Him to care for us. And that’s enough. • Taylor Eising • Can you remember a time when others pointed you to Jesus through their presence, words, or actions when you were going through a hard time? What was it like? • Is anyone in your life struggling right now? If you’re ready, you can spend some time in prayer, asking Jesus to show you how to show them His love. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 (NLT)

READ: PSALMS 42:1–43:5; 46:1-5; MATTHEW 26:37-38 Sometimes, you cry tearsThey fall as hard as the rainIt feels just like a stormThis life, full of painBut just as quickly, the sun appearsA smile comes to your faceJoy in your life againIt’s a beautiful time and placeGod is with you through these momentsThe ups and downs of daysHe gives light to the darknessHas a listening ear when you prayPain and joy are a part of lifeBoth times will come, you knowTears and smiles until the endOur God will hold you and not let go • Bethany Acker • How could it be comforting to know that Jesus personally experienced all the joys and sorrows of being human, and He promises to be with us through all the ups and downs of life? • Even when we experience deep sadness, it can be helpful to remember that these feelings won’t last forever. We will feel happy again, maybe in a few minutes, maybe in a few days. However, if it’s been more than a couple weeks since you’ve felt happy, you may be experiencing a form of depression. This is nothing to be ashamed of—depression can be the result of several factors, and many people will experience depression at least once in their life. God does not stand far off when we are depressed. Jesus grieves our hurts alongside us and wants to help us heal, not only through His Word and through prayer, but also through community with fellow Christians and the expertise of professionals like counselors, therapists, and doctors. If you think you might be experiencing depression, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about it? • If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. 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. “And be sure of this: I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NLT)

READ: PSALM 139:1-3; ISAIAH 53; HEBREWS 4:14-16 I know someone who lost part of his leg due to health issues. Now he has a prosthetic and is able to get around just fine. Seeing him in long pants, you would never guess he has anything going on with his leg. You would have no idea of the struggles he’s faced or the fact that he still has to deal with things now that a person with two good legs would never think about. You might have an illness that most people don’t know about. This may cause you to act differently at times, and you may feel judged because of it. You might have a mental illness that affects the way you feel but is hidden to those around you. Maybe no one knows the pain you are in or how much you’re struggling to look “normal.” The world around us thinks they know us based on what they see when spending limited time with us, but they don’t know our background or what is going on inside. The average person would never guess that the man I mentioned has something going on with his leg, and there may be things you’re dealing with that the average person would never know either. God knows it all, though, and He understands. Your pain is not hidden from Him. God created you and loves you, and He feels your pain with you. Others might not see or understand, but you can know that He does. He will hold you even when others have no idea what is going on. • Emily Acker • Do you have a painful situation in your life or in your past that nobody knows about? God does not want us to suffer alone. He is with us, holding us in our hurts and offering comfort, strength, and healing. And He also gives us His people, the church. Who are trusted people you could talk to about the difficult situations in your life, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? • Because of God’s great love and compassion for us, Jesus came to save us. He lived among us as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3), and He befriended and healed those who were isolated in their suffering. Even when most of the world doesn’t know about your pain, how could it be comforting to know that Jesus sees you and He cares? • Jesus suffered and died for us, and He rose again so we could be with Him. One day, Jesus will return to restore creation and resurrect His people from the dead, free of injury, illness, and suffering. In the meantime, He is with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). How could these truths remind us that we are never alone in our suffering? You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 63:1-5; JOHN 4:1-14; 7:37-39; PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 Imagine how good it feels to take that first sip of cold water after a long, hot run. Imagine how good it tastes to take that first bite of your favorite meal after you’ve been smelling it cooking all day long. Water and food sustain us. We need them to survive, and it can feel so good to consume them, especially in more desperate times. Now, think about how God is our living water. Jesus said to a woman He met at a well that if she believed in Him, she would never thirst again. That doesn’t mean physically. We will always need food and drink to survive on earth. But think about how much food and water mean to us. If God says we will never thirst again with Him, that’s a big deal. God is everything we need. He gives us life. He gives us purpose and meaning. God helps us through the hard times and gives us joy. He is our living water. He is enough for us. Jesus is God the Son, sent by the Father to die for us and rise again. Before He went to the cross, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). And during the last supper, Jesus broke bread and gave it to His disciples, saying, “‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it’” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). In communion, the bread is broken, and we remember how Jesus’s body was sacrificed for us. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, He promises that everyone who trusts in Him will have His presence with us always—and the sure hope of eternal life to come. When we know Jesus, He not only sustains us, He satisfies us (Psalm 63:5) and fills us with “a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). • Bethany Acker • Jesus is the bread of life, and He gives us living water, which is the Holy Spirit (John 4:14; 6:35; 7:39). Why do you think God describes Himself as bread and water? How might this help us understand Him better? (If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about communion in Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) “But those who drink the water I [Jesus] give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 (NLT)

READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:7-21; 4:10-13 Do you ever feel like there’s something you need to have in order to be happy? In our world of uncertainty, it can be tempting to think that something— some piece of technology or clothing or jewelry, some rental property or car or brand name—can bring us the satisfaction we crave or solve all our problems. Sometimes, we can get so focused on getting that thing, that we lose sight of our neighbors and our Creator. We end up choosing greed and violence instead of following the way of Jesus. We get lost in chasing after created things rather than walking in the love and service of our Savior. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Because the reality is, in Christ, we already have true riches. We have the promise that God loves us, that He is with us every moment of every day, and that He is making all things new through Jesus’s death and resurrection—He is freeing all of creation from sin and its effects. Yet, as we wait in eager anticipation for Jesus’s return, we live in the already-not-yet tension of God’s kingdom. We see glimpses of His restoration, but we also long for the day all things will be made fully right and whole (Revelation 21:1-5). So, as we live in this tension, we can count our blessings. And that’s not as cliché as it sounds. Because as we spend time pondering all the good things God has done for us, we find ourselves becoming more joyful, more peaceful, and more able to say “no” to the greed and violence and other temptations of our broken world. And counting our blessings can be as simple as making a list. We can list the promises we find in the Bible. We can list things in nature that remind us of our Creator’s love and goodness. We can list all the ways He has been providing for our physical needs through things like food, clothes, and shelter. We can list things that delight us, like our favorite flavors and colors. And we can list the relationships in our lives that remind us of Jesus’s love—whether we see that in friends, family, teachers, pastors, church family, or other loved ones. All these good gifts come from God! And as we rest in God’s abundant love for us, we start to crave possessions less and less. Things we own don’t last that long, but knowing Jesus lasts forever. In Him, we find true riches—love that satisfies our deepest longings and purpose beyond ourselves. • A. W. Smith • Consider making a list of blessings—where do you see God’s love in your life? Then, put your list in a safe spot so that, when you need encouragement, it’s readily available to you. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 36:5-9; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-13 “Made it. I’m free!” Sultan yelled, jumping on the train as the doors bleeped shut behind him. Where is everyone? He thought, sitting in the empty carriage, a knot of dread weaving itself inside him. Is this the right train? “Tickets,” the guard’s rasping voice called. With trembling hands, Sultan handed over the ticket, watching in horror as the destination letters changed to Nowhere. Staring out of his dark, empty eyes the ticket collector grinned. “You’re on the right track, to Nowhere” he laughed, handing the ticket back before striding away. Wiping the prickling sweat from his forehead, sadness physically dragged Sultan down. Past mistakes flashed before his eyes. “You’re wasting your life. They aren’t your true friends.” Mom’s words haunted him. “I wish your grandpa was still here. He’d know what to say.” Pushing himself up with his last remaining dregs of strength, Sultan stumbled along the carriages as the train hurtled along. Nothing. The ticket collector had vanished. If only you were alive Grandpa, Sultan thought. I miss you, your faith, your Bible stories and adventures. When you died, it felt like I lost my trust in God. I don’t know if I even believe anymore. Sliding to the floor, Sultan shuddered, recalling how he’d flung Grandpa’s well-worn Bible in his closet. He felt an ache in his stomach. Is it too late? “Help!” His plea was a strangled whisper. “Father, Jesus. My grandpa loved you. Please help me trust You again. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” Tears poured down his face. His eyes stung and every bone ached. A glimmer of light appeared, glowing brighter and brighter until it dazzled. A loving voice cried out, “Sultan, weep no more. You are my precious, beloved child, and my Son Jesus died for you so you could be cleansed of sin and brought into relationship with us. We have not forgotten you. We have not abandoned you. We see your sorrow, your pain. We will help you trust in us, and we will heal you.” Sultan nodded, choking on the words. “I-I believe,” he cried out. The heaviness lifted. He could feel peace beginning to heal his brokenness. Sultan stood up. The train was buzzing with the chatter of people. Glancing at his ticket, his destination had changed to Hope. • Cindy Lee • Have you ever felt like Sultan in this story? Sometimes, when we experience a tragedy or life-changing event, it can make us question our beliefs or make us angry with God. But the truth is, once you become a Christian, nothing can ever separate you from Jesus’s love (Romans 8:38-39). We live in an imperfect world, but Jesus has restored our broken relationship with God through His death and resurrection. And one day, Jesus will return and restore the heavens and the earth—then death and sorrow and pain will be gone forever (Revelation 21:1-5). As we wait for this glorious day, Christians don’t need to be afraid of losing our faith. Faith is a gift from God, one He gives generously (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Peter 1:1; Philippians 1:29; Acts 3:16). No matter what, you can share all your worries, your anger, your hurt, and your fears with Jesus, the One who died for you and loves you dearly. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever is on your mind. • If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus and you want to know more, check out our “Know Jesus” page. • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be open and honest with about your struggles? How could you encourage each other, pray for each other, and point each other to Scripture, especially in hard times? When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. Psa...

READ: 1 SAMUEL 3:1-10; 2 KINGS 5:1-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27; GALATIANS 5:13-14 Do you ever feel too young to do anything important for Jesus? Sometimes, when we hear stories of people traveling overseas as missionaries, or becoming foster parents, or starting a career they sensed God guiding them into…we can be left wondering, What about me? Though we may love Jesus and want to follow Him with our lives, it can feel like all we’re able to do during our teen years is wait and prepare to be an adult. But that’s not how God sees us. Just look at the Bible—there are teenagers and even kids who served God. For example, in 2 Kings 5 we find an Israelite girl who was taken captive by raiders from Aram, and she became a servant to Naaman’s wife. But when Naaman had leprosy, this girl said the prophet Elisha could cure him. Because of her compassion and her courage to speak up, Naaman journeyed to Israel, found Elisha, and was cleansed from the deadly skin disease. Then Naaman became a worshipper of the one true God (verse 15). And in 1 Samuel 3, we see that Samuel was only a boy when he “served the LORD by assisting Eli [the priest]” (verse 1). One night while he was sleeping in the Tabernacle, young Samuel heard God call to him! Samuel listened and shared the message God gave him. As he grew up, he continued to be attentive to how God was calling him to serve in his community. No matter how old we are, as Christians, we’re a part of God’s kingdom and family. Since we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we all have the same Holy Spirit. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” The Holy Spirit equips us to share Jesus’s love in our words and actions wherever we are. Maybe you could pray for a friend, encourage a church leader, rake a neighbor’s leaves, help a sibling with something they’re struggling with, or look for ways to help members of your community who are experiencing homelessness. All of these loving acts of service can reflect how Jesus first loved us (1 John 4:19)—and none of them have to wait until you’re older. • A. W. Smith • What are some practical ways you could show Jesus’s love to others by serving them? Consider taking a moment to pray and ask God to help you notice opportunities to serve the people in your community, church, or home…and write down anything that comes to mind. And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 55:22; MATTHEW 11:28-30; 1 PETER 5:6-9 It’s natural to worry. We humans just do it, pure and simple. And the Lord, knowing how distracting chronic worry can be, lovingly offers His children a remedy because He wants to set us free from the cares that clutter up our minds and petrify our hearts. In 1 Peter 5:6-9, we see how Jesus provides that remedy. We read in verse 7 that we can cast our “cares on him.” Maybe you’ve tried this already! But sometimes, after casting our cares upon His loving Self, we take them back again, and get back to our job of fretting. We can get into a repetitive cycle that doesn’t help at all: give it to God, take it back, give it to God, take it back. Has this ever happened to you? It can be exhausting. But we find an answer to this dilemma by taking a deeper dive into the original language of 1 Peter 5:6-9. The ancient Greek word for “casting” is in the aorist tense (meaning a “one-time event, back in the past” verb tense). So, it might be helpful to think of Peter saying: “since you have already cast your cares upon Him, live that way.” Past tense—one and done! We recall that we are not the ones in charge, because we gave our lives and everything concerning us to our great and loving Shepherd, Jesus. This is why, before Peter talks about worry, he says, “Humble yourselves” (verse 6). We humble ourselves under God’s authority and governance. We recall that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we are His, not our own. We were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). And, when we became His, we gave up worrying over what is happening to us now, or what will happen to us next. We don’t need to. Why? Because He has it. He has you. Peter goes on to tell us that “he cares about you” (verse 7). Indeed, He does! He is with you always, no matter what worries and cares you have. And He promises to return someday to put an end to everything that is worrisome. If you’ve given your life to Jesus, you have accepted His Lordship over your life. So, you can rejoice that He has you—worries and all—today, and tomorrow, and forever. • Kristen Merrill • Can you remember a time when you shared your worries with Jesus? What was it like? • When you feel overwhelmed with worry, who is somebody that can help you and remind you of Jesus’s peace and loving care, such as a parent, pastor, counselor, youth leader, or friend? …casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (CSB)

READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1; JAMES 5:15-17 Are you familiar with the most famous of all missionaries? His name was Paul. He preached the gospel to numerous people soon after Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and he wrote much of the New Testament. During Paul’s missionary journeys, he and his companions would start a church, then journey on. He’d spend time getting to know each unique culture, and then explain the gospel to them—the good news of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Paul went back and forth, founding new churches and visiting the established ones, until he was finally arrested, imprisoned, and made to stand before the emperor of Rome: Nero. Paul was thrown in jail many times. He was whipped, ship-wrecked, and stoned, but even then, he would not stop spreading the good news. He couldn’t stop sharing the gospel. And yet there came a time when this man, who had spent years of his life giving speeches, asked for prayers for how to speak! This is the great missionary, Paul! He knows how to speak! And here we see his example of humility. Weary after so many years of diligent service, Paul asks his friends for help, as he has done many times before. Pray for me, he says, that I might speak as I ought. Why? Was it because he was about to stand before the notoriously evil Nero? We can’t be certain. And yet, it’s good to remember that no matter what great accomplishments we achieve, there will always be those times when this particular problem or that future event just feels too hard. And when we’re in the habit of asking for prayer for the little things, it’s easier to ask for prayer in the big things, too. When the task before us seems too big, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves. We’re tempted to beat ourselves up for not being “stronger” or “braver” or “trusting in God more.” Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example. When we are afraid, let’s ask for prayer like he did. Let’s lift one another up in prayer, trusting our loving God to give us what we need. • Kristen Merrill • When do you find it difficult to ask people to pray for you? How could it be encouraging to know that people are praying for you in the midst of a difficult situation? (If you want to dig deeper, read about other times Paul asked for prayer: Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:10-11; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; Philemon 1:22.) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 27:7-10; JOHN 14:18-20; ROMANS 8:31-39 It can feel terrible to feel all alone in the world. Whether you’re going through a time when you don’t have a lot of friends in your life or you feel like you can’t connect with others when you’re around them, loneliness can hit you hard and upset your life. When you feel like no one cares about you, know that God is always there. He always loves you—in a way that goes beyond anything you can imagine (Ephesians 3:17-21). When I’m feeling lonely or when I feel like I’m all alone in a stressful situation, I like to imagine God holding me. I like to imagine myself securely in His hands. I know that He is there. I know that He will not abandon me. I know that He is holding me. He is there with you, too. No matter what you’re facing or how lonely you feel, God sees you, He is with you, He holds you. How can we know this is true? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we not only receive salvation, we receive connection with God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are never really alone. No matter what you go through in life and how many—or few—people you have supporting you, may you always feel God right there with you. • Emily Acker • Can you think of a time you felt lonely and like you didn’t really have anyone you could rely on? Do you feel that way today? How could it be comforting to know that God—the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth who died for you and then defeated death itself—is with you? • Have you had times in your life when it felt like God was the only one who was supporting you and holding you and keeping you going? Consider taking a moment to thank God for the ways He has helped you through these tough times. • God reminds us of His presence with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible),and His people (the church). Who is someone in your life who might be feeling alone right now? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person, and ask God for ideas of ways you could show His love to them; then write down anything that comes to mind. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 20:16; MARK 9:33-37; GALATIANS 5:13-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 Have you ever been picked on? Or have you made fun of others for being different? In our broken world, this is an all-too-prevalent reality. But here’s the thing. When we pick on others, we’re acting like chickens. Think about it—chickens have a pecking order. The bigger, stronger chickens have the most power and access to food. Any chicken who’s different or appears weaker is at the bottom…and is mercilessly pecked and denied food to show them their assigned place in the system. If a chicken is injured, even if it’s just a small red spot on its neck, when a big chicken sees that hurt, they jab the sore, making it even larger. This should not be. Here’s the good news: Jesus turned the pecking order upside down. Jesus is God the Son, and He was willing to give up His place at the top because He loves all of us at the bottom. Philippians 2:6-7 says, “Though he was God…he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus lived among us because God wanted to save us from sin and heal all the brokenness sin causes. He was picked on mercilessly, but He was willing to endure all this pain and sorrow and rejection and injustice—for us. Ultimately, He let Himself be killed on a cross, and then He rose again, triumphant over sin and death, all because He loves all of us—people He created to be different from one another. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to follow the pecking order anymore. Chickens fight because they think they need to prove their strength and survive. Similarly, humans act out of selfishness and fear, taking others down to try to push ourselves up. But since Jesus humbled Himself to flip the pecking order, we can trust Him with all our needs and fears, and we are free to love our neighbors as ourselves. We can work together and take care of each other. With our differences, we can glorify our good Creator. We can listen to one another and work to set up systems in our communities that reflect the beauty of the differences we have as people who bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27). And we can look forward to the day Jesus, our just God, will return and restore His creation, abolishing the pecking order for good. • A. W. Smith • How have others picked on you? How have you picked on others? Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our hurts and sins. He forgives our wrongdoing, touches our hurting places with His love, reminds us of what is true about us, and guides us in how to move forward in love. (If you or someone you know is being bullied, who are trusted adults you could reach out to for help?) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 (NLT)

READ: EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 3:14-21; 6:10-18 Ephesians is a short book—only six chapters. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, but everything in it is for us as well! This small letter contains some large truths. In fact, if you want a brief overview of the good news of salvation, along with your standing in Christ as a believer, and instructions for godly living, you’ve come to the right book. The book is divided in two. In the first three chapters, Paul teaches us about God’s plan of salvation for the world. The last three chapters tell us how to live as children of God. And maybe this book is organized that way because it’s important for us to know who we are in Christ before we try to live out His good ways. I didn’t use to know that. I would try really hard to obey all of the things in the Bible. But then I finally figured out that, until I understood who I was in Christ, trying to be good in my own strength just wouldn’t work. We need to rely on God to transform our hearts and help us walk in His good ways (Ezekiel 36:26; Philippians 2:13). Ephesians is famous for spelling out how it was God’s plan to rescue sinners from their sins—something that nobody can do for themselves. None of us can cleanse ourselves from our sinfulness. But, because of God’s grace—His un-earned, un-deserved love—we can become children of God, and co-heirs with Christ. • Kristen Merrill • According to Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-10, who are we in Christ? (If you want to know more about becoming a child of God and co-heir with Christ, check out our “Know Jesus” page.) • Why do you think it’s necessary to know who God has made us to be…before we try to figure out what He wants us to do? May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

READ: PROVERBS 17:17; 27:17; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10; JOHN 15:12-15 Do you ever meet someone and think something like, “I hope your weirdness matches my weirdness, so we can be friends”? I do! The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). The longer I walk with God, the more I realize what a gift those friends who sharpen me really are. I have a friend who sharpens her favorite knife each time she uses it. This seems like a hassle to me, but it really is an awesome knife! And I don’t think it would be the same if she hadn’t been so diligent in its care. In the same way, making deep friendships can feel like more of a hassle than it’s worth. It can be intimidating enough to let GOD into the vulnerable parts of our hearts, and He already knows us completely and loves us fully—Jesus even died and rose again so we could be friends with Him! Opening up to another person can be risky, but it also means your friend can have a rare opportunity to know the real and totally quirky you. It gives them a chance to step back and appreciate who YOU actually are! Another benefit (or risk) of making true friends: it results in a smoothing of our rough edges. The filing away of the parts of us that were bent by hurtful circumstances, experiences, or even other people, and the strengthening of our character… which all helps us love God and our neighbors better. This makes going through the process of making deep friendships well worth it. Iron is the best tool for sharpening iron, and making true friends who will be honest with you is one of the best ways to grow into more of the person God created you to be (Proverbs 27:6, 9). If we set out to try to change each other, it will never work, but through love, acceptance, encouragement, and even appreciation of each other’s “weirdness”…that’s when the good stuff happens. That’s when we feel safe to be ourselves. That’s when we don’t have to put up our guard to protect our hearts from being hurt. That’s when we shine our brightest, and yet it’s also when some of the not-so-shiny parts of our hearts can show up as well. It’s through these safe interactions that we are sharpened…if we trust Jesus to help us be sharpenable. • Sarah Andruszko • It can be scary to be honest about your thoughts and feelings with someone because they might criticize or even reject you. This fear can also keep us from going deeper in our relationship with God, but He never criticizes or rejects us when we open up to Him. He welcomes us with grace, healing, and gentle guidance. And He calls us to do the same (Romans 15:7). Have you ever opened up to someone and been welcomed by grace, healing, and gentle guidance? What was it like? Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

READ: LUKE 15:1-7; ROMANS 7:15–8:4, 38-39; 2 PETER 1:3-4 When kittens are rescued and placed in a new family, they have a lot to learn—which usually includes learning not to scratch the furniture! Still, their rescuers are patient and help them learn how to live in their new family. This is kind of like our story as Christians. We were lost before God rescued us, like an orphaned kitten caught in a thunderstorm, cold and wet and trembling. When we trusted Jesus as our Savior, God forgave our sins and gave us a brand-new life. He took us home and lovingly placed us in His family. But, we still do wrong things sometimes. As humans, we have a tendency to sin, a bent toward hating God and our neighbors. Just like rescued kittens give in to their instincts to sharpen their claws on the couch, we often give in to our old sinful nature. But when kittens become part of a family, the family teaches them not to be destructive. And God teaches us as Christians how to act like members of His family, too. He gives us His Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a godly life. Jesus takes sin seriously and calls us to commit our whole selves to living in His good ways. He also knows we’ll still do wrong things sometimes, but even when we do, He will always forgive us. And when Jesus returns, He will make everything new, and we won’t struggle with our old sinful nature anymore. Are you learning how to be a member of God’s family? We all still sin sometimes, but if we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit is teaching us to change our ways. Whenever we get discouraged at our own tendency to sin, we can come to Jesus and find rest in His unshakeable love and forgiveness. The reality is, as Christians we are part of God’s family forever, and nothing can separate us from His love. We can thank Him for the Holy Spirit’s power over sin and trust Him to guide us in turning away from sin and instead doing what’s right. • A. W. Smith • Learning to love God and our neighbors can be hard! When have you seen God work in your life to help you learn how to love well? What is an area where that struggle is still ongoing? Progress isn’t always linear, so it may be two steps forward, one step back. But you can know that Jesus is always with you and will complete the work He started in you (Philippians 1:6). • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your struggles? How could you set aside time to pray for each other and help point each other to God’s Word this week? His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 29:10-14; PSALM 62:5-8; EPHESIANS 2:4-10 Emil hadn’t dreamt about dinosaurs since he was eight. Yet here he was with a full-sized Tyrannosaurus rex, in a top hat no less, right in front of him. “If you’re going to eat me, do it quickly, I have other things I’d rather be dreaming about,” Emil said, surprised by his lucidity. Usually, he couldn’t control what he said or did in his dreams, but this one seemed different. Emil scrunched his eyes shut and concentrated. He opened them to see his determination had paid off—he was floating above the ground! With sheer joy, he flew up several more feet, twirling in the air with a happy yell before floating right in front of the perturbed looking T. rex. Then it spoke, “If you’re done lollygagging, we haven’t much time, so listen closely.” Emil was taken aback by the dinosaur’s voice. “Gra-Grandma?” “Don’t be absurd. I’m a talking dream dinosaur. I’m just using your grandma’s voice to tell you a valuable lesson,” the T. rex stated matter-of-factly. “Okay…what’d you want to talk about?” Emil floated around the dino’s head, his impatience and curiosity growing. He was startled when the T. rex began speaking telepathically. “Power and success have become familiar to you. You’re a whiz in your classes, a social butterfly, and, let’s face it, your volleyball team wouldn’t have made it to state without you.” Emil smiled. Whatever this dino had to say, he could handle it. In here he felt like he could handle anything. Still floating, he did a double-front flip. The Tyrannosaur voiced like his grandma continued. “I said listen. There are things bigger than you and me. What you’ve done and what you have are not really yours. You need to recognize a higher force at play.” Emil was about to try a backflip, but he hesitated at her remark. “I wanted to prove I could do it. That I could be someone others were proud of…someone they would love.” Emil was shaken by his honesty. He’d never said these anxieties out loud before. He could feel a lump forming in his throat as he thought of how overwhelming it really was to live “the life” that seemed perfect, fooling even himself. He knew that the high school achievements he’d craved so desperately meant he had missed out on other stuff he loved to do. Hanging out with his family, doing a Bible study with his two best friends…and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken out the dinosaur books and figurines he kept in his room where no one could find them. The Tyrannosaur softened her eyes. “Your family and friends are proud of you and love you no matter what you do, Emil. More importantly, someone greater than us all treasures you. He loves you with an intense and deep passion, and there is nothing you can do to earn His overwhelming grace in your life. He sees all your shortcomings, all your failures, all your hidden sins…yet His love for you is not changed. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He made the way to forgive you. There is no score, or medal, or certificate required. Jesus has already fulfilled the requirement. He died for you. He wants you just as you are. And He invites you into the freedom of enjoying relationship with Him, following where He leads, and glorifying Him in everything you do.” The T. rex began to grow foggier, and Emil realized he was waking up. Once back in his bedroom, Emil felt strangely empowered, just like in his dream. Not by any power from his own efforts, but by the work of the One who loved him. • Peter J. McDonough • Society and culture tell us that, in order to have value or be honored, we need to do things. The pressure to perform can be overwhelming, especially if, like Emil, you just want to make your loved ones proud. But take heart...

READ: EXODUS 15:13; PSALM 36:7; ISAIAH 54:10 Unfailing love of Jesus,unending mercy renewed,Unfailing strength in my weakness—for your name is Faithful and True.Unceasing comfort in sorrow,untold delight in my heart,Unceasing hope for tomorrow—for your mercy I see from afar.Jesus, my Savior, I praise You,Jesus, the One I adore,Jesus, the face of the Father—my God, my King evermore. This poem grew out of a season when I found myself turning to the psalms to find comfort in God’s presence. In the book of Psalms—and some of the prophets—I noticed the phrase “unfailing love” turned up repeatedly. The more I saw it, the more I thought that this is the perfect phrase for God’s loving pursuit of us. His unfailing love gets put on display in a variety of circumstances: when He helps His people through troubles (Psalms 44:26; 94:18), when He comforts people with His presence or His promise (Psalms 21:7; 90:14; 119:76), and when He extends forgiveness after failure (Psalms 51:1; 130:7; Lamentations 3:32). As I studied these Scriptures in different Bible versions, I learned that unfailing love may also be translated as: loving-kindness, faithful love, mercy, steadfast love, constant love, loyal love, and gracious love. Wow! I like thinking about God’s love in all those ways—His love is so much deeper and richer than any other! Thus, I find it fitting that we simply can’t describe His love with a single phrase. But we can join with the apostle Paul in praying that God Himself will help us “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19). • G. Kam Congleton • Which of the phrases for “unfailing love” speaks most to your heart today? Why? • Many of the psalms look forward to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the One who came in flesh as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) to reveal His unfailing love. Check out our “Know Jesus” page to learn more about God’s great love, which has come to us in Christ Jesus. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love… Psalm 143:8a (NIV)

READ: ISAIAH 61:1-3; JOHN 16:16-33; REVELATION 21:1-5 Every seven weeks, I watch an IV drip two hours’ worth of liquid medication into my arm. That’s the reality of a chronic illness— it’s never-ending. It’s most likely not going away. Not before Jesus returns anyway. Living with Crohn’s disease feels like a part-time job. I have to watch what I eat (goodbye, hot dogs), go to doctor’s appointments, get pricked by needles that sometimes find a vein easily and sometimes don’t. The medical upkeep is exhausting and painful. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world. But we know it’s only temporary. An example of this occurs in John 16, when Jesus warns His disciples that He is about to leave. They will grieve and weep after His departure, but their mourning will turn to joy. Jesus was about to die on the cross for the sins of all humanity. Three days after His crucifixion, He was raised from the dead, and forty days later He ascended into heaven. And He promised that all who believe in Him would have eternal life. When the time comes for Jesus to return, the book of Revelation tells us He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more sorrow or pain. Getting IV infusions for the rest of my earthly life seems like a long time, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the time I’ll spend in eternity with Jesus. Until then, I’ll live with my IV drips and sensitive stomach, knowing my story doesn’t end here. My pain will disintegrate, and my grief will turn to joy. And maybe, there will even be a hot dog waiting for me in heaven. • Jenna Brooke Carlson • Are you or someone you know struggling with chronic illness? How can the hope of our future with Jesus encourage us in our present? (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-21; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) • When Christians die, we enter into Jesus’s presence and escape the world’s burdens, physical and otherwise. And when Jesus returns to establish the new heavens and new earth, He will put an end to pain and death and sorrow, and He will raise us from the dead to live forever in renewed creation! Yet, Jesus not only promises to end our pain and sorrow in the future, He also promises to be with us now, grieving our hurts alongside us, holding us close, and giving us hope. What is troubling you today? Whether it’s something physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual, you can bring it to Jesus in prayer, knowing that He feels your pain as His own. “I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

READ: LUKE 24:1-49 After Jesus was raised from the dead, the women who went to the tomb were surprised to find it empty. Then angels appeared and told them Jesus had risen! So the women rushed back to tell the apostles and all the others what they had seen, but they didn’t believe the women because what they said seemed to be nonsense. Later that same day, as two of Jesus’s followers were walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to them! But God kept them from realizing it was Him. They walked with Him and talked with Him during their journey, and they still didn’t know it was Jesus. But when He sat down to eat with them and broke the bread, “suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:31). Sometimes we live our lives like we’re on the Emmaus Road. We can be quick to forget that God moves in mighty ways, and many times they aren’t the ways we expect. When we’re facing something difficult, we want God to show up, but often we have our own idea of what that would look like. We think about how our prayers should be answered, but sometimes God has different plans. Sometimes we miss seeing God because we’re not expecting Him to show up in a certain way. These two travelers didn’t expect to see Jesus walking with them, and yet there He was. Even when it doesn’t feel like God is with us, right by our side is where He’ll always be (Matthew 1:23; 28:20). We just need to open our eyes and our hearts to His presence. • Tynea Lewis • Can you think of a time when you had a specific idea of how you wanted God to show up in your life or answer your prayers? Did God surprise you by working in a different way? • Have you ever experienced God’s presence in unexpected ways? How did that experience deepen your faith or change your perspective? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you see how He is working in and around you today. Remember, He is eager to reveal Himself, and even when we don’t “get it” at first, He is patient with us—He never stops pursuing us. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. Luke 24:15-16 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 13:1-9; JOHN 15:1-17; 19:41–20:18 John 20 contains one of my favorite scenes in all of Scripture. On Easter Sunday, Jesus’s disciples discovered His tomb was empty, but they had not yet seen the risen Lord. They were probably confused and concerned, suspicious that something terrible had happened. In the midst of all this confusion, Mary Magdalene began to weep, unable to leave the empty tomb. After all the agony and heartbreak of Jesus’s crucifixion, the disappearance of His body must have felt like adding insult to injury. When Mary finally turned to leave, she nearly bumped right into Jesus. Overwhelmed by grief, she didn’t even recognize Him but mistook Him for the gardener! In His characteristically gentle way, Jesus revealed Himself to her and sent her to tell the other disciples what she had seen. As it turns out, Mary’s mistake is rich in biblical imagery that tells us more about who Jesus really is. Scripture is full of references to gardening, going way back to Eden. When God created the heavens and the earth, He planted the garden of Eden and placed people in it “to tend and watch over it” (Genesis 2:8-23). Many of Jesus’s parables depict God’s kingdom as a garden or field. Jesus Himself is the farmer who plants good seed that yields a great harvest, He is the true vine, and He is the first fruits of the harvest of the resurrection. Even now, He is like a gardener tending over His crop, producing in us the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-25). Given all this biblical imagery, maybe Mary’s mistake wasn’t so silly after all. The image of Jesus as gardener is a powerful symbol that reveals more about who Jesus is and what He wants to do in our lives. Because of His death and resurrection, we can grow and flourish in the way God intended. • Jacob Bier • How do you think Mary felt when she realized that the “gardener” was really Jesus? • How does the Bible use garden imagery to speak about spiritual things? How does Jesus act like a gardener today? Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages and write down what sticks out to you. (If you want to dig deeper, you can also read Matthew 13; Romans 7:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. John 20:15a (NLT)

READ: MARK 16:5-7; LUKE 24:1-53 You might have grown up hearing the “Easter story” and the gospel message over and over again. Maybe you understand that Jesus died, that He rose…that He was dead and then alive again. What was it like, though, for those who experienced all of this firsthand? For the people who knew Jesus and interacted with Him while He was on earth, it had to be incredibly difficult when He was killed. I cannot imagine having a friend and knowing that they had gone through the most painful and gruesome death. While Jesus’s friends were in the midst of their mourning, they found out that He was no longer dead. His body was gone from the tomb where He had been laid. They were told that He had risen—that He was alive. Many of us have heard about the resurrection enough times to believe it and to have the ability to imagine it happening. But for those who first heard the news, it had to be hard to believe. In fact, the Bible tells us that many of them doubted, and that’s easy to understand. Even though Jesus had hinted at what was to come, they still didn’t comprehend it when they saw it all playing out. They were utterly amazed when they saw Jesus alive and walking around after seeing His beaten and bruised body hanging lifeless on the cross. But Jesus, in His great love and mercy, spent time with His doubting followers. He showed them where the nails were driven into His hands and where the spear was plunged into His side. He explained how His death and resurrection were foretold throughout the Scriptures. And He ate with them, showing them that He wasn’t a ghost or a figment of their imagination. What an amazing God we serve. He came and lived among us, and He died and rose again so we could be with Him forever. What an amazing thing it must have been to witness His death and then His resurrection. And how amazing it will be when He returns to earth and raises us from the dead; then we, too, will see Him face to face. • Emily Acker • Why is it important for us to dwell on the astonishing miracle that is Jesus’s resurrection? (If you want to know more about what His resurrection means for us today, see our “Know Jesus” page.) • It can be hard to wrap our minds around who Jesus is and what He’s done. Thankfully, He is eager to help us understand. When Jesus appeared to His followers, “he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). If you want to dig deeper, you can read all four accounts of Jesus’s resurrection in Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20. For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:9 (WEB)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15 One day, unless Jesus returns first, I will die. And honestly, that’s a scary thought for me. I’ve known Jesus as my Savior for as long as I can remember, and I trust that He will hold me even in death. But sometimes I think I use the promise of the resurrection—that Jesus will raise us from the dead at His return—as an excuse to avoid my fear of death instead of actually facing it. In these moments, when the reality of death grips me in fear, I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself experienced death. It’s an easy fact to gloss over—we often jump straight from the cross to Easter Sunday, missing the tomb entirely. But Jesus didn’t skip the tomb. Jesus didn’t just die—He spent time being dead. Jesus lived a sinless life, then died on the cross. Jesus was laid in a tomb—a cold, barren place of darkness and death and despair. His limbs were still. His lungs didn’t move. His heart didn’t beat. And then, it did. His heart began to pump blood through His veins, and His lungs pulled air into His body. His cold hands became warm with life. He walked out of the tomb healthy, whole, and alive. And, when we put our trust in Him, that is what He promises to do for us when He returns. In fact, He promises to make all of creation new—healthy, whole, and alive. And this truth gives me great hope. Because one day, my body will lie in a grave—a cold, barren place of darkness and death and despair. My limbs will be still. My lungs won’t move. My heart won’t beat. And then, one day, it will. • Taylor Eising • Have you ever been afraid of death? How could the promise of the resurrection be comforting in these times? • Death is the ultimate result of sin. No wonder death is strange to us—God didn’t intend for us to die. And thankfully, He has made the way for us to have eternal life. Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25). As Christians, if we die before Jesus returns, our spirits will be with Him, away from our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:1-15). In perfect joy, we will await the day Jesus will return to earth and raise our bodies from the dead; then we will live with Him forever in renewed creation! So, we don’t need to be afraid of dying, because our Savior died for us, and now nothing—not even death itself—can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). If you want to know more about this good news, see our “Know Jesus” page. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 3:14-21; JOHN 19:1-22 As an author, I love being able to write full circle endings—when all the loose ends are tied up and the reader is satisfied by the end. There are a lot of full circle moments in the Bible that are so easily skipped over because we don’t always understand their significance. One of those moments is when a crown of thorns is placed on Jesus’s head. You may have read this before. It’s part of the Easter story, just before Jesus is put onto the cross. It was a crown meant to make fun of Jesus, to mock Him for being the “King of the Jews.” To understand this full circle moment, we have to go back to Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve rejected God and disobeyed His good ways, the world was subjected to the curse of sin, death, and suffering. Part of that curse, mentioned in verse 18, is that the ground produced thorns and thistles. Here’s the full circle part— thorns remind us of the curse of sin and death. They remind us of the pain and brokenness sin causes. When the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and pressed it onto Jesus’s head, it was like the curse of sin was being placed on Him. He took that curse away from us, along with all our sins, when He died on that cross. And then, He rose from the dead in victory, promising to one day return and put an end to sin and death, destroying the curse forever. How amazing is it that we have a God who loves us so much that He willingly wore the curse of sin as He died to save us? • Kimberly Brokish • Consider taking a moment to picture Jesus as the crown of thorns is pressed into His head…the blood flowing down His temples, the soldiers beating and spitting on His torn flesh, the crowds shouting for His crucifixion. “While we were still sinners,” Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He freed us from the ugliness of our sin— because He loves us. Yes, we will struggle with sin until Jesus returns, but His forgiveness is sure. (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20.) • Throughout the entire Bible, God points us again and again to the promise of Jesus’s return, when He will put an end to sin and make all things new. Then everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him in renewed creation, forever free of the curse (Revelation 21:1-5). As we live in a world that is still full of sin and its effects, how could we encourage each other with the hope of Jesus, that His sacrifice gives us freedom? (Romans 8:18-25) The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. John 19:2-3 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 23:4; MATTHEW 26:69-75; JOHN 21:15-19 Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed? Maybe you’ve had a family member or a friend violate your trust or turn their back on you when you really needed them. Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He knows the pain of being rejected by someone you love. In God’s Word, we can see that Jesus felt hurt and betrayed by those He was closest to. On the night before Jesus went to the cross, one of His chosen disciples, Judas, betrayed Him into the hands of the religious leaders who had been plotting to kill Him. Then, all His other disciples ran away, leaving Jesus alone to be brutally beaten and face an unjust trial. Then, right before Jesus’s crucifixion, Peter denied that he ever knew Jesus or had anything to do with Him—not just once, but three times. Talk about being hurt and betrayed! Whenever we are hurt by someone, our initial reaction may be a desire to get revenge or punish them, but this is not the reaction we see from Jesus. In John 21, after Jesus rose from the dead, we see that Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Three times, Peter says he does, and each time the Lord tells him, “Feed my lambs…Take care of my sheep…Feed my sheep” (verse 15-17). In this way, Jesus restores Peter, and Peter goes on to continue to glorify the Lord and tend to other believers. This encounter reveals that Jesus had mercy on Peter and still loved him. In the same way, Jesus has mercy on us and continues to love us when we sin against Him—after all, every sin we commit is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4). Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He forgives all our sins. So, whenever we are tempted to hate someone for their betrayal or wrongdoing, let us remember Christ’s continuing love and grace for us and also for this person, and may this love and grace overflow from us to them. And when we experience the unfairness and pain of betrayal, we can rest knowing that Jesus can relate to us better than anyone else. He hears our cries, and He comforts us in the pain. • Lydia Lancie • What is usually your first reaction when someone wrongs you? How might God be inviting you to, instead, come to Him with your pain, rest in His love, and extend that love to others? • Jesus is close to us in our distress. When someone has wronged us, forgiving them does not necessarily mean being in close relationship with them. If you have experienced a deep hurt, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about how to pursue healing and set up loving boundaries? The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV)

READ: ISAIAH 43:1; 49:13-16; 53:5-6; JOHN 20:24-27 Have you ever had something with your name on it—like a keychain, a necklace, a bag, or a jersey? Do you have a hard time finding things with your name on it? Do people sometimes forget your name or pronounce or spell it wrong? Our names are important to us. We’re alert to the sound of our own names. Have you ever heard a stranger say your name in a crowd, or even just something that sounds like your name? It catches our attention immediately! And names don’t just serve the practical purpose of helping us communicate with others; they can also tell us something about our history. Whether that be what our name means, where it came from, or how we got it. Names are important to God, too. In Isaiah 43:1, God says, “I have called you by your name. You are mine.” And in John 10, Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name (verse 3, 11). The fact that God knows each of us by name shows how much He loves and cares for us. In Isaiah 49:16, He even says our names are engraved on the palms of His hands. That’s a striking image! Have you ever written something on your hand so you would remember it? When God said our names were engraved on His hands, He meant it literally. When Jesus went to the cross, He let them drive nails through His hands. And when Jesus rose from the dead, He still bore the scars on His hands. Those scars will be there for all eternity as a reminder of His great love for us. He was willing to go to the cross, to take all our sins upon Himself, so that we could be with God forever. We are that precious to Him. First Peter 2:24 says it this way, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.” God knows you by name, and He loves you so much. In Christ, we can always remember that our names are written on the palms of His hands, now and forever. • A. W. Smith • Do you know the meaning or story behind your name? What do you like or dislike about it? • Even if people forget your name or pronounce it wrong, God will always remember your name, and He always says it perfectly. How could this truth bring us comfort when we feel unseen or forgotten? “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (WEB)

READ: 1 PETER 1:1-5, 18-23; ROMANS 3:25-26; REVELATION 1:4-6 Even though I’m in my twenties now, my family still dyes eggs every Easter. It’s a tradition we’ve kept since I was little. In fact, I can’t remember not dying eggs on Easter. And this is just one of the many fun, color-filled traditions I associate with the holiday. We often have egg hunts using bright plastic eggs with colorfully wrapped candy inside. We display pastel-colored décor in our homes and on our lawns, and we even wear colorful clothes on Easter Sunday. As I think about the colors I typically associate with Easter—light blues, greens, yellows, pinks, and purples—one color I don’t normally associate with Easter is red. It stands in contrast to the pastel colors that we see on eggs, candy wrappers, décor, and clothing. But the color red is vital to the Easter story. Because without the red blood Jesus shed on the cross for our sins, there would be no reason to celebrate Easter. We can’t truly grasp the significance of what He has given us without remembering what it cost. And so, it’s important to reflect on His sacrifice, to think about the pain He experienced and the blood He lost on the cross. He was willing to go through all of this—for us. Because of His sacrifice, we can be free from the entrapment of sin; and because of His resurrection, we can be free from the fear of death. The red blood of Christ is the source of our freedom. Because of Jesus’s costly sacrifice, we have the joyful hope of living with Him forever. • Grace McCready • If Jesus hadn’t given up His life for us on Good Friday, there would be no Resurrection Sunday. How can remembering the price Jesus paid for our sin help us more fully celebrate our forgiveness and new life in Christ? (Find out more about the good news of Jesus on our “Know Jesus” page.) • Jesus’s blood is hugely important, and it’s talked about time and again in Scripture. If you want to dig deeper, read Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:14; 9:7–10:29; 12:24; 13:11-12, 20-21; 1 John 1:7; 5:6-8; Revelation 5:9; 7:14; 12:11; 19:13. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 37:18-28; 50:19-21; ROMANS 8:28 When Joseph was seventeen years old, his brothers wanted to kill him. So they threw him into a pit, then sat down and ate lunch. After lunch, they pulled him out of the pit and sold him into slavery instead. Then, later, the wife of Joseph’s new Egyptian slave owner tried to have sex with Joseph, and he refused. Her vengeance landed him in prison where he remained for years. But eventually, Joseph became an important leader of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Because God was blessing Joseph, he was able to save nations from starvation during a huge famine. Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment led to countless lives being saved, including his own family. He was even reunited with his brothers, and he forgave their wrongdoing against him. In a similar way, Jesus Christ came to earth as a human to love and forgive us. Though He is God the Son, He willingly took the position of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11). He healed people who were blind and deaf, made those who were lame walk, and fed the crowds. Yet He was beaten, mocked, and crucified. Jesus suffered horrible circumstances, ultimately enduring the cross to die for our sins. Jesus willingly paid that price so that we could be freed from our sin and receive His forgiveness. By His death and resurrection, countless people are being saved. God’s love overcomes evil. Joseph endured great pain through the wrongdoing of his brothers, yet God used bad circumstances for good. Perhaps God used the trouble in Joseph’s life to mature him into a man who could forgive his brothers. Forgiveness is possible because God has extended His forgiveness to each of us through Jesus. Even on the cross, Jesus asked God the Father to pardon those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). We too can receive this amazing and complete freedom in Christ. Perhaps you are in a painful position because others have wronged you. The middle of a difficult place can sometimes be where God helps us learn, mature, and grow. Hardships can open opportunities for God to do great things. His forgiveness heals us all. • Mary Schilling • God can use any situation to help us grow—both good situations and bad ones. What are some ways you have seen God use situations in your life to help you grow? • If you know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in you, empowering you to forgive people who have sinned against you. Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to help you notice any unforgiveness lingering in your heart and to lay it down at His feet. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 21:1-11; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 The governor was coming into town. Moriah had been waiting weeks to catch even a glimpse of the man. He was supposed to stay for the festival week and bring his entourage of soldiers and even a jester. Moriah had even heard the governor’s war horse would be the biggest she’d ever seen. The wide gates were heaved open by two men. At the front entry, an announcer shouted, “You are honored with the presence of the esteemed Governor Pontius Pilate.” “All hail Caesar!” the crowd echoed back. The first group of soldiers marched in, stoic faces in perfect rows. Soon—I’ll get to see the governor soon, she thought. Then, from the other side of the city, she heard a commotion. A few people looked over and some even fell away from the parade to wander to the eastern gate. Why would people go over there? she wondered. But as more and more people broke off from the crowd, curiosity got the better of her and she abandoned the parade as well. I’m sure I can get back in time to catch a glimpse of the governor; I just want to see what everyone’s gawking at. As she approached the street and peeked over the crowd, Moriah got her answer. That’s just some guy on a donkey. A disappointed frown crept over her face. She plucked up the courage to ask a woman next to her. “Excuse me.” She pulled on the woman’s sleeve. “Who is that?” “That’s Jesus—He’s a prophet and the Son of David. He’s going to save us all and overthrow Rome. He’s bringing a new kingdom. I’ve heard Him talk of it and seen Him do things only a prophet could do!” Wow, I’d hoped to see a governor, and now I get to see a prophet! Moriah took off her shawl and laid it on the ground. When the prophet passed by, He met her gaze, and something in His eyes made her wonder if He was more than just a prophet. • Naomi Zylstra • This fictional story imagines Jesus’s humble triumphal entry into Jerusalem, contrasted with the pomp and circumstance of a governor’s traditional entry into a city. Since the days of Solomon, Israel’s kings rode donkeys to their coronations. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey because He is the promised King, and He is riding to His death as a ransom for many. How does the humility of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem reveal who He is and how He saves us? “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:10 (NIV)

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:18; 1 PETER 1:3-8 “AH-CHOO!” That sound is not usually good news. It could mean someone is coming down with a cold. Sneezes and other symptoms show us the effects of germs on our bodies. Even though we can’t see germs without the help of a microscope, they have a significant impact on our lives. When you think about it, there are lots of things that affect us that we can’t see—we only see evidence that they exist—things like wind, electricity, radio waves, Wi-Fi signals, etc. This is kind of similar to how we don’t see God, but we see evidence of His existence all around us. Theologians use the term “general revelation” to describe how God reveals Himself to us through His creation. As we explore and study science, there are so many things we can know about God by observing how He designed the universe in ways that are beautiful and logical. Theologians also use the term “special revelation” to describe how God reveals Himself to us through His Word, and specifically through His Son: Jesus. Like a microscope allows us to know things about germs we’d never be able to see with our eyes alone, the Bible reveals things about who God is and what He’s done that we’d never be able to know just by looking at the natural world. And the whole Bible points to Jesus—He is God in human flesh, the “image of the invisible God,” and He shows us the Father (John 1:1-18; 14:8-9; Colossians 1:15-20). Throughout Scripture, God reveals His love for us, shows us how we can have a relationship with Him through Jesus, and describes how one day Jesus will return and everyone will finally see Him. We see evidence for the existence of invisible things like wind, electricity, radio waves, Wi-Fi signals, and more—and we rely on these things to be there when we need them. Similarly, we can see evidence of God’s existence all around us in the world He created, and we can search out the deep mysteries of God in the Bible. Through faith, we can know that God exists and He loves us. Because of what Jesus has done and promises to do, we can have confidence that God’s love is real—and it’s far more reliable than electricity and Wi-Fi and all these other things we can’t see. As 1 Peter 1:8 says, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” • A. W. Smith • What questions do you have about God? Who are trusted Christians you could talk with about these questions? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal someone in the future. You can also learn more about the whole story of the Bible, and what it tells us about God, on our “Know Jesus” page. …we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 42; JOHN 14:25-27 I am prone to forgetting. I’m not talking about the usual things like my cell phone, car keys, or sunglasses—wait, they’re on my head. I’m referring to the more profound things. When I am downcast and my soul is disturbed, sometimes I forget to put my hope in God. Sometimes I forget to praise Him. But, as it says in Psalm 42, God is worthy of my praise. He is my Savior, and my God. I forget that I need Him more than water to quench my thirst—I need Him for surviving and thriving. And I’m learning that remembrance is a choice, a practice. When my soul is aching and tears keep falling, I can choose to grasp the one little word that is so powerful: yet. “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (verses 5, 11). I will remember Him. I will remember His character, His goodness, and His faithfulness from the past. There are days when it feels like He’s forgotten me, but here’s the reality: “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me” (verse 8). As the deer knows it needs water to survive, my soul knows I need the living God (verses 1-2). Yes, we are prone to forget, but Jesus promises to remind us of who He is. When we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us His Spirit to dwell inside of us, help us, and remind us of our Savior’s words (John 14:26). And so, by His grace I will remember my Rock (Psalm 42:9). I will remember to meet with my God, the source of my strength. In times of sorrow, I will remember the “yet.” I will remember to praise. I will remember His love for me, constant and unfailing. I will remember His songs in the night. I will remember He is my hope. • Savannah Coleman • God knows we’re forgetful people. The Bible is full of people forgetting God’s care for them. From the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in victory to whining for food in the desert, from the courage Peter had to get out of the boat and walk on water with Jesus to the moment he noticed the waves (Exodus 14; 16; Matthew 14:22-33). Thankfully, God gives us His Word so we can look back on the ways He’s been faithful. What are some ways you could practice remembrance in your everyday life? Maybe you could write prayers in a journal and then highlight the ones God has answered, or display works of art in your space that remind you of God’s character, or choose or compose a song that helps you remember what God has done for you personally… Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

READ: EXODUS 16:4; MATTHEW 6:9-11, 31-34; JOHN 6:25-51 Father, we come, we kneel, we pray.As You have commandedwe ask bread for today.Bread for today and today alone—Your grace we needfor tomorrow’s unknown.Tomorrow’s unknown looms ahead—We fear it, Lord!We confess our dread.Ah, dark dread—may you forever beforbidden and crushedby His wounds on the Tree.His wounds run deepwith healing strength,His sinless bloodmakes darkness shrink—‘Till darkness fades and fear gives wayto glorious hope—Resurrection Day!Father, we come, we stand,we sing!You are the Bread,Everlasting King,To You aloneAll praise we bring. I love the metaphors Jesus uses in Scripture—like calling Himself the “bread of God,” “bread of life,” and the “living bread” (John 6:33, 35, 51). By using a metaphor about something we can touch, taste, and smell—something as life-giving as bread—Jesus communicates crucial things about Himself that ordinary descriptions simply fail to do. • G. Kam Congleton • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Scripture passages. Why do you think Jesus tells us to ask for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11)? • And in John 6, why would Jesus compare Himself to bread? What point is Jesus making to His listeners that is hard for some of them to swallow? (Okay, pun intended!) “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:33 (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; 2:7, 15; JOHN 1:1-5 God created everything in the world, including us. We were created in His own image. How incredible is that? Nothing else in this world has that same stamp from the Creator. Think about all the incredible things God has designed and made. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the flowers growing from season to season, the high peaks of mountains, the waves crashing on the beach. The list goes on and on. The world around us shows His creativity in many ways. Because we were made in His image, we also have that creativity within us. We have the ability to make new and beautiful things. We have the ability to add beauty to the lives of the people around us through what we make, and we can also admire and appreciate the beauty other people have created. Each of us has been gifted differently, but we all have the ability to create. We might enjoy writing stories or music. Maybe we’re talented at coding a video game or baking a delectable cake. Perhaps we can decorate a room or craft something out of wood. Or maybe we have a passion for gardening, sewing, organizing a space, making a new tool, or a thousand other things. When we lean into the creative side of ourselves, we can grow in our relationship with God and reveal to others how God works in us. If we know Jesus—having put our trust in Him and believed in His life, death, and resurrection—He is always with us. Because His Holy Spirit lives inside believers, we can rely on Him to lovingly guide our creative process. As we work with Him, we can embrace the way we were designed to create. • Tynea Lewis • Can you think of a time when seeing somebody’s creativity reminded you of God’s creativity? What was that like? • What is your favorite way to create? There are endless ways to be creative, and you will probably encounter more and more areas of creativity throughout your life. How do you think God feels when you engage in something creative? • If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 28:3-4; 31:1-6; 35:30–6:1. So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

READ: ROMANS 6:1-11 Sometimes I watch the seasons progress with awe. Everything looks dead in winter, and then suddenly one day in the spring, daffodils start popping up, and soon after the trees blossom and turn green. God has a pattern of bringing new life. In the beginning, God created everything, including people. Adam was nothing more than dust before God gathered up that dust, formed it, and breathed life into Adam. He gave Adam and Eve the calling to rule over the creatures of the Earth, giving dignity and purpose to what was once nothing but dust (Genesis 1:26-30). Similarly, God blessed Sarah’s 90-plus-year-old womb and gave her and Abraham a baby: Isaac. In this way God fulfilled His promise, and through Isaac He brought forth the whole nation of Israel (Genesis 17:15-19; 21:1-7). Generations later, Jesus called His followers to a new life. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, two ordinary fishermen, He said, “‘Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20). When Jesus called Levi, a tax collector who would’ve been considered a traitor to His own people, Jesus simply said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14), and Levi got up from his tax collector’s booth and followed. These disciples left everything behind because Jesus called them to a new life. They went on to be leaders of the early church and served a great purpose as Christianity was just starting out. They became willing to endure terrible suffering and hardship because of Jesus. And Jesus Himself rose from the dead to new life. Jesus’s miraculous resurrection aligns so well with the character of God. Of course Jesus was resurrected into new life, and of course God invites us into that new life. That’s what He does! We see it all throughout God’s story, we see it in the beautiful world He has created, and we see it in our own lives. • Naomi Zylstra • Where have you seen God breathing new life in and around you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to help you see how He has been working. • Do you have a favorite story from the Bible where God gave new life and purpose to something or someone that was dead (either literally deceased or otherwise hopeless)? • When Jesus returns, He will raise us to new life, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever! If you want to know more, check out our “Know Jesus” page. Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 7:1-5; GALATIANS 6:1-10 “What are they doing?” I grumbled to myself, watching a bright orange pickup truck in my rearview mirror weave in and out of traffic behind me. The driver apparently wanted to go faster than the cars in front of them, and kept tailgating the other cars and zooming over to the next lane to try to get ahead. This orange truck was far enough behind me that I didn’t feel unsafe, but I kept watching scornfully in my rearview mirror. Suddenly, I realized it had been several seconds since I actually looked at the road ahead of me. I had been so preoccupied with the orange truck that I wasn’t paying attention to my own driving. Thankfully, the road was calm and nobody had slammed on their brakes ahead of me, otherwise I could have gotten into an accident. I felt a prick of guilt thinking about my kids sitting in the back seat and how they could have been hurt because I wasn’t paying attention. Sometimes, we do the same thing in our spiritual lives. We see somebody do something outrageous and obviously evil, and we get so wrapped up watching them and judging them that we fail to notice our own sin. And sin always causes hurt. The truth is, I have no control over how other people act. When somebody does something terrible—especially somebody I don’t know personally—I can mourn their sin and pray for God’s restoration, and that’s about it. Everything else is just gawking. But when I see sin creeping its way into my own heart, I can actually do something about it. I can look to Jesus, who died and rose again for me—and for the driver of the orange truck—and ask Him to take this sin away from me. I can lean on His strength, forgiveness, and healing, and seek His wisdom in how to move on. And I can look forward to the day when He will return to resurrect us from the dead and rid the world of all sin—including mine—permanently. And that does a lot more good than gawking. • Taylor Eising • Why do you think it’s easier to focus on other people’s sin than our own sin? In what areas of your life are you tempted to do this? • God already knows all our sin, and He has secured our forgiveness through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Consider taking a moment to confess any of your own sins that come to mind. You can ask for His restoration and guidance in your own life, and also in other people’s lives. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-9 Have you ever wondered what pastors do when they’re not preaching, visiting people in hospitals, or doing other pastoral things? Some people seem to think pastors study and read the Bible all the time. While pastors do study more than most people because they teach God’s Word at church, they’re really just like anybody else. Jesus continues to work in the lives of pastors and help them get to know Him better, just like He does with other Christians. It’s easy to be awed by someone who holds a church leadership position, and we might even start to assume they’re some kind of superhuman Christian. But this isn’t the case. Pastors need Jesus just as much as we all do! Even though church leaders have what the Bible calls “an honorable position” teaching God’s Word, they are regular people (1 Timothy 3:1). They have likes, dislikes, hobbies, trials, joys, families, and friends. They have temptations, they sin, and they need forgiveness— just like the rest of us. Simply put, pastors are people too. So, get to know your pastors if you can, and pray for them. Remember that pastors have physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational needs just like we all do. They have their own questions and doubts and temptations and times when they don’t feel connected to God. They need time to rest, and they need support and guidance and accountability from people they trust. Even though pastors are leaders in the church, they are still part of the church. And we all need each other. So, as you pray for the pastors in your life, you can ask God to provide for their needs and help them share His love with others—including you. And you can also ask God to show you ways your whole church community, including pastors, can serve and bless each other. In this way, we get to reflect the same love Christ has shown all of us. • A. W. Smith • What pastors do you know? What assumptions have you made about their lives? • What are some ways you can pray for and show Jesus’s love to your pastor(s) and your whole church community? Consider taking some time to pray and write down whatever comes to mind. • Pastors are part of the church, which the Bible sometimes calls “the body of Christ.” Each of us is a vital part of the body, and as we abide in Jesus we learn to love each other well. If you want to dig deeper, read John 15:1-17; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:25–13:13; 1 Peter 4:8-11. “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT)

READ: EZEKIEL 1; REVELATION 1 When you start reading the Bible, it doesn’t take long to realize there is some strange stuff in prophetic books like Revelation and Ezekiel, especially the visions about crazy creatures and symbols that seem bizarre in our contemporary context. Why are those things in the Bible if they’re hard to understand and interpret? Well, since everything in the Bible is there for a reason and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), I’ve begun to realize the value of having confusing things in the Bible. These passages aren’t always written literally; they use a lot of figurative language. Often, visions use the word “like,” meaning this is the writer’s way of describing something unfamiliar to us by comparing it to something familiar. For example, in Revelation 1:16, John writes that his vision of Christ was “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” These visions are so beyond our imaginations that we as humans can only begin to describe them by comparing them to something simpler. I’m still often confused after reading passages in the Bible that are full of wild imagery and symbolism, but they remind me of something important: God is beyond our understanding. His thoughts and plans are way beyond what we can fully grasp (Isaiah 55:8-9). Reading passages in the Bible that confuse me fills me with a sense of awe and wonder at God’s hugeness and power. And it’s amazing to think that this huge, powerful God became human and lived among us. In fact, the whole Bible points toward Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of His ministry and His coming kingdom (Luke 24:27; John 5:39; 20:31; Acts 8:26-40). He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and was resurrected from the dead on our behalf. The Bible reveals that God loves us so much, and He made the way for us to know Him and be with Him forever in Christ. It’s humbling to remember how little I know and understand, but comforting to know that in the vastness of the universe, the King and Creator of it all knows me, loves me, and cares about the little details of my life. • Abby Ciona • What are some of the Bible passages that confuse you? Who could you talk to about these passages, such as pastors, teachers, parents, or church elders? One helpful way to move forward is to use a study Bible (either a physical Bible, an app, or a website with notes from reputable Bible scholars). What resources can you find to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 19:11; 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13 Frigid air made my eyes water as I pulled my cloak tighter around me. I watched my breath come out in little puffs of white, an ode to the snow that most certainly lingered on the horizon. Night would soon be upon me, and I needed to make camp and a fire, but my cloak called to me. Opening the folds of my leather cloak, I pulled out one of the gems from one of the many pockets: an egg-sized ruby. Shimmering in its crimson depths was a tale from my past, this one not fifty days old. “We are sorry, but you’re just not who we need.” My fingers gripped the ruby harder as the memory washed over me. “This other warrior is more qualified to complete the task…” My cheeks burned with shame and anger as I placed the gem back in its pocket. As the sun broke over the mountains, I stretched my stiff back. I had lost more time than I thought caught up in reminiscing over that ruby, so when I finally fell asleep, my bedding of hard ground had to suffice. Tonight I would take the time to craft an appropriate bed. My stomach protested in hunger, reminding me that I needed sustenance for the journey ahead. But, the cloak called to me. Deep in a pocket near my heart, I reached for an emerald as large as my fist. The glistening green of the gem blurred as tears clouded my vision. I watched a scene I knew well despite the years that had passed. “The way you handled that was wrong…I can’t believe how much time I’ve wasted being with you.” This memory hurt more than others, for the person speaking was dear to my heart. Hours passed of reliving the hurt before I remembered I must continue my journey. At midday, I could feel my steps growing heavier, my energy waning. How would I ever make it to my destination? Suddenly, there was a brilliant flash of light—and a man materialized beside me. Stunned into silence, I gaped at Him while He smiled at me. This smile was the most genuine, kind smile I had ever seen. He spoke no words but simply placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “I can’t make the journey; it’s too much for me.” I don’t know why I shared this, but something in me told me I could place my trust in Him. He gestured to my cloak, and I noticed deep scars on His hands. “This cloak? Oh, I need it.” He looked straight into my eyes, and I saw the depth of His love for me. He held out His scarred hands and waited. Somehow I knew, without Him saying a word, that He would wait all day, all my life even. I knew that He would be here whenever I was ready. I pulled my cloak tighter around me and attempted another step, staggering under the weight. Tears shone in His eyes, brighter than any gem. In His eyes, I saw my past, present, and future. I saw every mistake I had ever made and how I broke His heart time and again. In spite of all the times I had offended Him, I saw the end result: He died for me. Those nail scars on His hands were because of me. Weeping, I fell to my knees and handed Him the heavy cloak. If He loves me enough to give His life for me and forgive all my offenses, the least I could do was give Him my life. “I don’t have much,” I whispered, “but I choose to give You my cloak of offenses. Help me fix my eyes on Your love instead.” He pulled me to my feet and kept my hand in His. Together, we took a step. The air was still cold without my cloak, but His presence kept me warm. I was finally free. • Savannah Coleman • Many things can burden us. Our own sin can weigh us down and make moving forward seem impossible. We may feel like we don’t deserve the freedom and forgiveness Jesus offers. However, our perfect and humble Jesus loves us so much that He took our sin upon Himself when He died on the cros...

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16; GALATIANS 5:16-26; EPHESIANS 5:1-20 I’ve always had a sweet tooth. On one special occasion, this served as a great qualification for a unique job. My family and I had joined with others in our community for a fun-filled summer day, complete with a barbecue, picnic, games, and a dessert contest. I had been asked to arrive early and help judge the desserts. My mouth watered at the idea! Over one hundred people were there, and multiple people in each family submitted a dessert to be judged. I ate just a small amount of each sweet treat entered in the competition. But after dozens and dozens of cakes, cookies, and pies, I was too full for the barbecue. I skipped the meal because I’d eaten so many bites of dessert that I couldn’t hold anything else. That day, fulfilling my role as judge, I filled up on sweets and had no room for more nutritious food. In our spiritual lives, we’re invited to be filled as well—but with something more than sweets. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul writes, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.” When we put our trust in Jesus—believing in His life, death, and resurrection—our sins are forgiven, we become God’s children, and He sends His Spirit, who is God, to live in us. Isn’t that amazing? The Holy Spirit indwells all believers, comforting us and helping us understand God’s Word, know His love, follow His leading, and pray according to God’s will. Not only does God the Holy Spirit dwell inside followers of Jesus, He wants to fill us. Whatever fills us sets the direction for our choices and actions and leaves room for nothing else. When we have a relationship with God in His Son, we can choose to live filled with His Spirit. • Allison Wilson Lee • If we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us, or indwells us. Consider taking a moment to thank God for this amazing gift! (If you want to dig deeper, read more about the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-27; 15:26; Romans 5:5; 8:1-39;Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:7.) • We are called to pursue God first and foremost. When we do, all our other desires and pursuits find their right place in our hearts and in our lives. What are you tempted to pursue over God? • When we are yielding to the Spirit, we are empowered to follow God’s good ways, we can confess and turn away from sin, and we see the fruit the Spirit produces in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). What does a Spirit-filled life look like? (Hint: reread today’s Bible passages.) …be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NLT)

READ: NEHEMIAH 8:8-12; PSALMS 16:9-11; 68:3-6 Some of us have grown up thinking that Christians are meant to be serious all of the time. It’s like we see a group of people having fun and laughing loudly and we think, “No, that’s not for us.” Some people are even hesitant to become Christians because they’re worried about all they would have to give up. They might wonder whether or not they would ever be allowed to be happy again. But the Bible doesn’t say Christians aren’t supposed to be happy. Instead, the Bible talks about joy and even happiness coming to those who follow God! For example, Psalm 68:3 says, “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Who are the righteous? Well, apart from God, none of us are righteous, or sinless. But Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave so we could be counted righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, why shouldn’t we be happy? We have a God who loves us, who delights in us, and who is watching over us. As Christians, we have been saved from sin and death, and nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. And we have hope that one day Jesus will return to renew heaven and earth. We are going to live with Him forever in the most beautiful and perfect place. Hard times will come, and we will have days when we feel down about all that we are facing, but we don’t have to stay that way. When we start to feel happy again, we can lean into that. We can rejoice. We can have a good time! We don’t have to live our days acting completely serious and somber. Our faith is not a burden that is weighing us down. It’s a wonderful gift! When we know Jesus, we “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). • Emily Acker • Do you ever feel like God doesn’t want you to be happy? Why do you think that is? • God delights in His creation, and He invites us to delight with Him in all He has made! What are some of the things that make you happy—like your favorite foods, favorite music, favorite places, etc.? Consider taking a moment to thank God for these things! • If you feel like God may be calling you to give up something because it’s getting in the way of the abundant life He has for you (John 10:10), who is a trusted Christian mentor you could talk to about it? But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3 (NIV)

READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16; 1 PETER 3:15-16 As Christians, we’re called to share the good news of Jesus with others. And this is a wonderful thing—it’s an honor to be entrusted with such a task. But have you ever been around somebody telling others about Jesus in a way that just doesn’t seem all that great? It might feel like this person is bragging because they know Jesus and others don’t. While it’s commendable to have the courage to speak up about Jesus, we should be careful to consider the way we witness to others. If people don’t even like to be around us, maybe our approach needs to change. In Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 14-16). A person’s witness—the way they share Jesus with others—can be like a floodlight shining in someone’s eyes, blinding them. On the other hand, a witness with a kind, gentle spirit is like a scented candle (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). As Christians, sometimes we’re tempted to be a floodlight in situations when a candle is needed. Think about it this way—imagine you walk into your friend’s home, and you’re greeted by the warm, calming scent of coconut. Even though the smell is coming from a candle, it makes you hungry for your favorite dessert: coconut cake. Just as a scented candle can make us hungry for the real thing, a gentle witness can make people hungry to know Jesus. When we consistently treat others the way Jesus would and gently tell them what He means to us, they can see the difference He’s made in our lives. Then they may decide they want to know Him too. So, how will you witness? Will you be like a floodlight, trying to shine God’s truth on people all at once? Or will you be like a scented candle, gently yet consistently pointing to Him in your words and actions? While there are times when a direct conversation with someone about Jesus is necessary, we should never do it with a know-it-all attitude. Instead, we can remember that we need Jesus just as much as anybody, and we can let our lives be filled with the aroma of His love and kindness so others will be hungry to know Him too. • A. W. Smith • Think about how you came to know Jesus. Were there any people who were like scented candles in your life? What did they do or say that was helpful? • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages and write down what sticks out to you about how we’re called to share the good news. (More about this good news on our “Know Jesus” page.) “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

READ: LAMENTATIONS 3:19-22; ROMANS 12:15 Have you ever heard of lament? In Christianity, lament is the practice of telling God about your hurts, anger, and disappointments—and asking Him to do something about it. Sometimes we find it hard to lament something we have lost. We tend to prefer laughter to crying, joy to anxiety, celebration to nostalgia, and happiness to mourning. Anxiety, sadness, anger, and nostalgia are part of the spectrum of human experiences and therefore normal to every human. They must be embraced, not avoided. I don’t know why we have the idea that following the God who gives joy means that we cannot experience sadness, anger, or anxiety. Sometimes, we feel pressured to be happy all the time even when the Bible teaches that weeping, lamenting, and mourning are regular experiences for those who follow Jesus. In fact, Paul encourages us to “weep with those who weep,” not to command them to feel well (Romans 12:15). Instead of shunning uncomfortable emotions, we can normalize saying things like “I’m angry,” “I’m hurt,” “I need time to process,” or “I’d like to talk to someone.” God enables us to embrace uncomfortable emotions. Jesus Himself experienced uncomfortable emotions like anxiety, grief, and sadness (Luke 22:44; John 11:33-35). He invites us to process all our feelings with Him, trusting in His unfailing love. And even when we don’t have words, He laments for us, on our behalf. In the midst of grief, sadness, and anxiety, the first step to regaining hope is to allow ourselves to recognize these emotions. Some other things we can do to help process difficult emotions are: • Talk to someone. Friends, family, and health professionals can be of great help. • Recognize and accept that you are going to have bad days. The faster you recognize it, the more comfortable you’ll feel with it. It’s okay to not be okay. • Don’t try to move on to the next thing. Listen to your emotions; they’re trying to talk to you and give you important information about how you’re doing. As you do these things, bring your feelings to Jesus in lament. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but tell Him how angry, sad, disappointed, or hurt you are. God is not afraid or ashamed of your feelings, and you don’t have to be either. Let’s embrace lament, it’s normal. • Samir Eljagh • What do you need to lament right now? If you’re ready, you can write your own lament. For some ideas about where to start, you can read Psalm 13, Psalm 88, and Psalm 102. The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 51; REVELATION 21:1-5 God can make all things new. That’s what the Bible tells us. It’s easy to believe, too, when it’s spring and everything is changing in the world around us. But it can be harder to see in fall and winter, when trees start to lose their leaves. The whole world becomes a bit barren. Everything looks gloomy and gray. But then the weather starts to warm a bit; little signs of spring and life appear. Buds pop up on the trees. Flowers push up from the ground. The grass starts to brighten. Spring comes, and suddenly the world is beautiful again. Everything is new. That’s what God can do in our lives. He can make us fresh and bright and new. He can take us from any dark and wintery place and help us see spring again. God can renew our lives, even though we have all sinned and made mistakes. One example is in Psalm 51. David wrote this psalm after he repented of his sin—using his position as king of Israel to have sex with Bathsheba and then have her husband killed. David had been in a season of darkness and despair, lost in his sin, but after the prophet Nathan confronted him, David trusted God to cleanse him of his sin and make him new again (2 Samuel 11-12). We can also see God’s renewal in the life of Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament. Before Paul knew Jesus, he killed and persecuted Christians. Then one day, God met him on the road with a bright light and transformed him and made him new by the power of Jesus’s death and resurrection (Acts 9:1-31). God loves us, and He can take anything and make it new. When you feel in need of spring in your life, you can ask Him to help you find it. • Bethany Acker • Where do you need renewal in your life? A painful situation, a persistent sin, a broken relationship? You can bring all of these to Jesus in prayer, asking for new life. He loves you, and He is listening. • Because of Jesus, any sin can be forgiven, and any life can be made new. And when Jesus returns, He will establish the new heavens and the new earth—then sin and death and suffering will be no more, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever! How can observing the spring season help us remember Jesus’s bountiful forgiveness and look forward to His glorious return? He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:5a (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 1:20-31; ISAIAH 11:6-9; ROMANS 8:18-25 How do you feel about spiders? Many people have strong opinions about these web-making creatures. They often inspire fear or disgust. But the reality is, although some spiders’ venom can cause pain or illness to humans, most spiders are harmless to large beings like us. In fact, there are a lot of things we can appreciate about spiders. They construct beautiful webs of silvery strands connected to make a lacy pattern, which sparkle with dew drops in the morning sun. They also do some important pest control because their diet includes insects. We can be thankful that the presence of spiders means there will be fewer bugs that can sting or bite us, or eat the plants we rely on for food, or carry diseases that could be spread to humans or animals. Spiders have a purpose, just like all the other animals, plants, etc. we find in our world. God made everything good. But when sin came into the world, it changed things. All that God made good was bound to death and decay (Romans 8:21). That’s why now there are bugs that can bite or sting us and diseases that make us sick. But it will not always be this way, because Jesus came into our broken world, and He faced death head on—for us. He died for our sins, and then He rose from the grave, declaring victory over sin and all its effects, including death and decay. One day, Jesus will return and make all things new, and everything that has been warped by sin will be made right again. Then spiders won’t be scary to us anymore, and “there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). On that glorious day, “the baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy” (Isaiah 11:8-9). So, think about the creatures you’re unsure of. How might they play an important part in God’s world? When we take the time to notice how everything is good for something, it can help us marvel at the greatness of God and all He has made. We can rest in God’s role as Creator and in His promise to one day restore all His creation to the way He intended it to be. • A. W. Smith • What is your favorite creature? What about your least favorite? What good might these creatures bring to the world? Consider taking a moment to thank God for that good work and for His promise to one day make all things new, free from sin and death. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31a (NLT)