Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

This morning as I was reaching for my Bible, I was soul-weary from a week of grief and tears. I needed to be saturated in the tRuth Then, a picture popped into my mind so instantly and clearly, I felt sure it was from God. The picture was of an IV line threading from my Bible into my arm. Doctors use an IV line (or intravenous line) to give a patient fluids or medicine. The small tube feeds straight into a vein. When our bodies are sick or dehydrated, an IV can give us the help we need. Similarly, when our souls are weary and the world feels like it’s crumbling around us, we can cling to the encouragement that comes from God’s life-giving words. When Jesusthe very Son of Godcame to live among us, He embodied the truth of the Word. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness, He was weary. When the devil came to tempt Him, Jesus used Scripture to combat every attack (Matthew 4:1-11). Later, in Matthew 24, Jesus said that although heaven and earth will pass away, His words never will (verse 35). Jesus explained that the Temple, the place where God’s presence dwelled among His people, would be destroyed, but His words would endure. God has come to dwell with His people, no longer through a building but through fleshJesus Christ. He went to the cross and rose from the dead so we could be with God forever. And Jesus will return to reign over the new heavens and new earthand God will dwell with us in a whole new way. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have unfading hope. We can rest in the knowledge that the enduring Word of God will not return void but will accomplish everything God intends (Isaiah 55:11). By reading the living and active Word of God, we have access to the truth our souls so desperately need. We can ask God for His mercy to help us in times of wondering and weakness. He will equip us with everything we need for life. Watch God’s transformative power as His truth flows through your veins. Savannah Coleman Do you have a favorite Bible verse, passage, or story? Why is it meaningful to you? Have you ever felt refreshed while reading the Bible? Have you ever felt frustrated? Most people experience botheven people who have been Christians for a long time! Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about the Bible? Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Timothy 3:14-2 Timothy 3:17; Hebrews 4:12-Hebrews 4:16; Romans 15:4

Two of your closest friends are whispering to each other, glancing at you every now and then, giggling. What thoughts enter your head? Does your mind spin something negative without knowing the truth of the situation? Spoiler alert: Your friends were actually planning a surprise birthday party for you! Over a few days, you send multiple texts to a family member and even try to call them, but they never get back to you. Where does your mind go? Do you spend the days anxiously wondering if something you did or said upset them, only to discover their phone was acting up? Our minds play gamesand not always the fun kind. How can we rein in those thoughts that whiz through our brains faster than the speed of light? If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are a child of God, and you have the Holy Spirit’s power in you to help you take your thoughts captive before they start making destructive pathways in your brain. It won’t be easy since our minds tend to drift toward the worst-case scenario, but with God’s help we can take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In Colossians 3, Paul says, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (verse 2). As followers of Jesus, we can practice thinking differently than we did before Jesus was the Lord of our lives. Jesus died for all our sins and rose again victorious; we have been raised with Him by believing in His sacrifice. Therefore, Christ is our life (verse 3), and we can practice dwelling on thought patterns consistent with our new self (verse 10). When our minds play games, Philippians 4 reminds us that we have God’s peace to guard not only our hearts but also our minds in Christ Jesus (verse 7). When thoughts enter, we have a choice to let them spread chaos or to evaluate them before they marinate in our minds. Verse 8 is the ultimate mind monitor: Is this thought true? Is this thought pure? Is this thought lovely? Is it admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? When troubling thoughts threaten to take control of our minds, we can turn to Jesus and behold HimHe is always true, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of our praise. And His love for us is sure. Savannah Coleman When our minds play games, how could it help to remember what Jesus has done for us? Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Read Verses: Philippians 4:4-Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-Colossians 3:17; Philippians 4:8

I’m twenty-eight years old, and I wish I had realized sooner that God is my truest friend. As a teen, I was told that everyone could make friends easily. But in school, I felt as if I was the only one who couldn’t. I desperately wanted to, but I had a hard time finding true friends. I would make friends only to have them walk out of my life, sometimes permanently. This took an emotional toll on me. When really nice people would come into my life, I actually expected to be treated poorly. I expected them to leave me just like everyone else did. I went through so much heartache, I would sometimes forget that Jesus was and ismy truest friend. He is someone I can always talk to and always rely on, no matter who walks in and out of my life. Jesus is the One who will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus never abandoned me to figure out life on my own, and He never will. He wants me to remember that He is always with me, even when my friends walk out of my life. No matter how people see me, He sees me as His beloved child. I’m thankful I can call Jesus my best friend. Alexis Wohler Have you ever had trouble making friends? Community is important to God, and He hurts with you when you are lonely. Consider taking a moment to pray and ask Him to bring people around you in His good timing. When you feel left out or like you don’t have enough friends, how might Jesus be inviting you to come to Him and receive His comfort? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 34:18; Psalm 55:22; John 15:15; Proverbs 18:24

Do you often think about what is to come tomorrow, next week, or next year? None of us know what is to come. It’s up to God to know. He holds the future, and He will be with us when we get there. We can trust Him because He’s good, and His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 136:1). As we rely on God and follow Jesus, we don’t have to worry about the future. Instead, we can be free to focus on the present. If we take a look at our lives, we might start to notice some of the ways God is blessing us right now. Let’s not forget to enjoy these good moments because we are too focused on the future. Let’s not miss out on the good things happening right now because we are consumed with thoughts about what could happen later. For example, the people who are in our lives now might not be with us tomorrow. Perhaps God has put them here now for a reason. We can ask God to help us see what opportunities He is giving us, and we can rely on His strength to focus on being present where He has placed us. Every blessing comes from God, and we can praise Him for giving us so many good things (Ephesians 1:3; James 1:17). We can also thank Him for the promise that He will be with us in the future (Hebrews 13:5). Since Jesus died and rose from the dead for us, nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). And because of that, we have nothing to worry about. Bethany Acker God is powerful, and He loves us. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He will be with us no matter what. How might these truths give you comfort as you look toward the future? What about the future is exciting to you? What are you concerned about? You can bring all these things to Jesus in prayer. He loves to listen to you, and He will guide you as you seek Him. Do you ever have a hard time focusing on the present? When worries about the future feel overwhelming, who could you talk tosuch as a parent, counselor, pastor, or friend? This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 6:25-Matthew 6:34; Psalm 118:24

I sometimes struggle with the fact that God offers the same kind of grace and love to someone who has hurt me as He does to me. I mean that person doesn’t deserve all that, do they? Maybe you are the kind of person who goes out of your way to do nice things for others. And then you have someone in your life who only thinks about their own needs. Does it bother you when you realize that God loves them just as much as He loves you, and He wants to accept them into His family too? We are all equal. We might feel like we’re better than some of those around us. We might feel worse. But we all have the same value in God’s eyes. The death of Jesus on the cross was not just for me or you or certain people who are good or worthy of being saved. There was a criminal dying on the cross next to Jesus’s, and he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). The truth is, we are all sinful. We could never do enough good things to earn God’s grace. That’s not how grace works. God loves us with a never-ending love, a love that isn’t affected by what we do right or what we do wrong. And when we realize this is how God loves and accepts us, it becomes easier for us to accept others and to admit our own faults. We are not better than others. We struggle too. We need God’s grace. Without Jesus giving His life for sinners, we would not have the hope of eternity. We are just like those who hurt us, those who look out only for themselves. All of us are unworthy. But Jesus is the Worthy One (Revelation 5:1-12). He went to the cross and rose from the dead so that EVERYONE who puts their trust in Him can be counted worthy in God’s sight. Emily Acker Do you ever struggle with thinking that you’re better than others? Jesus invites us to bring these thoughts to Him. He won’t condemn us; He will help us turn away from sin and live in His love. Do you sometimes feel like you’re not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness? You can bring these thoughts to Jesus too. According to today’s Bible passages, what does Jesus say about you? For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 3:23-Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:1-Ephesians 2:9; Titus 2:11

God can do all things. There are countless passages in the Bible about amazing things God has done. The Exodus is a good example. God rescued the Israelites, along with many other people, from the ruthless rulers who had enslaved them in Egypt. God sent plagues until Pharaoh let the people go, and then God went ahead of His people in a pillar of fire and cloud to guide and protect them. When Pharaoh’s army came after them, God made a path through the Red Sea by piling up the water so His people could walk through on dry ground! It’s just crazy to think about. Think about the sea; have you ever made piles of water while at the beach? Of course not! Only God can. God can do all things. In Joshua 6, the Israelites faced off with Jericho. The people of Jericho were already scared of the Israelites. They were really scared of God, because they had heard about how God parted the Red Sea for His people. Neither the Israelites nor anybody are anything without God. He told Joshua to lead the Israelite army around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. On the seventh day, God told Joshua to march around seven times. Joshua and the people listened, and the walls fell! God can do all things. In John 11, when Jesus arrived at His friends’ home, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Both Mary and Martha told Jesus that their brother Lazarus would have gotten better from his sickness if Jesus had been there. Jesus replied, Your brother will rise again (verse 23). Martha thought Jesus meant Lazarus would rise on Resurrection Daywhich is the day of Jesus’s second coming when everyone will rise from the dead and those who believe in Jesus will live with Him forever. Later in the passage, Jesus was with Martha at Lazarus’s grave. Jesus told her to roll the stone away. She had no idea what Jesus was doing, but she obeyed. Then Jesus prayed out loud to God, and Lazarus walked out of the grave when Jesus commanded! God can do all things. Josh Wager Do you have a favorite story about something amazing God has done, either from the Bible or from your own life? If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 1:8-22, 12:37-38, 13:1714:31, 15:8; and Joshua 2:1-24, 6:1-20. Jesus looked at them and said, with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Read Verses: Exod:14:21-Exod:14:22; Joshua6:2-Joshua6:5; Joshua6:20; John 11:1-John 11:44; Matthew 19:26

College preparation is daunting. You outline the roadmap to your futurea blueprint setting a foundation for your life. Thus, you strive to place every step perfectly in order, as though you were scaling a mountain and had to plan each foothold to reach the summit. In high school, I applied to a wide range of colleges, considering numerous paths, though I’d always planned to study English. By the midpoint of senior year, I believed I’d found the college for me, which offered two English tracks. Meanwhile, I had been exploring other colleges. And then, at one local university, I was amazed by the sense of connection and community I felt. A traditional English major program, however, was not offered. I was torn; I had to choose my original blueprint, didn’t I? Ultimately, I made the choice that was best for me, enrolling in the university with a great community but no English program. Initially, I was overwhelmed by designing a new course of study personalized to my dreams. But, as I let go of knowing all the details leaving my worries in God’s care and trusting that He works all things for His good purposeseverything naturally fell into place, and new opportunities arose that I had not foreseen. It wasn’t a traditional English program like I’d imagined, but it exceeded my plans. I learned so much about myself, discovering new subjects I was passionate about. I cultivated a meaningful educational pathway through listening to God as I took steps into the future, resting in His immense love for me. I don’t have to worry about ordering every specific step of the future. I can rest knowing Jesus is with me now. He has already triumphed over death, rising from the grave. With faith in His goodness, I can let go of the fears weighing me down and savor the amazing journey of walking with Him. Kathryn Sadakierski As Christians, we walk with Jesus through our lives, which means we can talk with Him as we make big decisions, and we have the freedom to adjust course as we notice what opportunities God is giving us and as we learn more about the ways He has made us. Think of a time when God surprised you with a new opportunity. How did this help change you for the better? At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ Colossians 4:3 (CSB) Read Verses: Romans 8:28; Colossians 4:3; Proverbs 3:5-Proverbs 3:6

I might feel weak, not ready to face the bullies I see around me. I might feel weak, not prepared for a health battle in front of me. I might feel weak, unable to stand up for myself. I might feel weak but I serve a God who is strong. You will have days when life gets to you and you feel weak. You will have days when you are tired. But even on those days, God is strong, and He is prepared to be there for you. Again and again, the Bible talks about God giving us strength (Psalm 18:30-36; Ephesians 3:14-21). When we are worn out and we don’t feel ready for the things that are coming up in our lives, we can ask Him to make us strong. The Bible talks about God being there for us. Sometimes, all it takes to feel stronger and ready for anything is knowing that someone is with us and we don’t have to deal with things on our own. When I am weak, God has the chance to show me just how strong He is. When I am weak, I can grow closer to God and accept the help He offers. When I am weak, God can work through me. Being weak does not always have to be a negative thing. Emily Acker Can you think of a time you felt weak? Do you feel weak today? Has God ever surprised you with the kind of help He gave you when you were weak? That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 31:9-Psalm 31:10; Isaiah 40:28-Isaiah 40:31; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 12:10

“This better be worth it, I muttered through gritted teeth. The straps of my backpack bit into my shoulders, making each step feel heavier than the last. “Malik said it would be just around this bend. If he’s wrong, I’m gonna tell him to carry this stupid weight all this way.” I knew it didn’t actually work that waynobody could carry somebody else’s weightbut the thought made a wry smile stretch across my face. If Malik was right, soon I’d finally be able to put this weight down. I’d been carrying it for a long, long time. I followed a bend in the trail, and a gasp escaped my mouth. I saw it. “This. This has to be the place.” Straight in front of me stood a glorious building made of precious gold, shimmering silver, and glittering gems. It seemed to shine in the afternoon light. I pushed open the heavy wooden door, and inside I found a man. While His simple clothing wasn’t nearly as glamorous as the building around Him, He still seemed radiant. Before Him sat a large basket. Welcome, Dominic. He smiled. I’m so happy to see you. He glanced at my backpack. That looks heavy. Would you like to put it down? He asked, waving a scarred hand at the basket. I remembered Malik’s words when he told me that He would take whatever I put in the basket. Y-yes, I think I would. Here, let me help. He gently lifted the bag from my back and opened it on the floor, exposing its contents. Inside, I saw my life. Rocks of various shapes and sizes, each one labeledmistakes, regrets, and hurts mingled with my talents, achievements, and prized relationships. I knelt to the floor, and one by one, I placed each rock in His basket. I expected to feel lighter, and I did, but a heaviness remained in my heart. I just couldn’t shake it. Giving Him the contents of my backpack didn’t feel like enough. Confused and desperate, I began to panic. “Why do I still feel this way? What else do I have?” In my desperation I looked up at Him, and in His eyes I saw love. And suddenly, the answer was clear. Before I quite knew what I was doing, I got to my feet. He seemed to read my mind and beamed as He held out a hand to help me balance. Then, I got into the basket. Taylor Eising What is weighing heavily on you today? Consider taking a moment to imagine all these things as heavy objects. What are these objects, and what do they represent? Do you feel like you can give these things to Jesus? Why or why not? Because God cares about us, we can cast all our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus, in His grace, gives us the faith to drop all our worries at His feet and rely on His love. How can the truth that Jesus cares about usand every part of our livesmake it easier for us to entrust our troubles to Him? What do you notice about Jesus in this story? Why do you think the author depicted Him this way? Why do you think Dominic got into the basket? You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:16-17 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:28-Matthew 11:30; 1 Peter 5:6-1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 51:16-Psalm 51:17

How should we react when negative and unkind words are spoken to us or about us? Do we react in anger to defend ourselves or get involved in arguments in order to clear our reputations? Do we meditate on these hurtful words and hold grudges? Years back, I would respond to such words in a rude way, either to defend myself or to hurt the people who had spoken hurtful words to me. I would meditate on the negative words so much that I would end up with bitterness in my heart. Then, I came across Philippians 4:8. In this passage, God’s Word tells us to think and meditate on good things. I began to see that I was doing a wrong thing by meditating on wrong words. Instead of storing up the cruel words of others in our hearts, we can meditate on God’s Word. We can rest in the truth that He loves us immeasurably and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). And when we are secure in the love God has for usa love fully revealed in Jesus’s death and resurrectionthat love overflows into how we respond to the unloving people around us. In our day-to-day encounters with people, we hear unkind and negative words. In these situations, we are tempted to fight back, to hate and hold grudges. But such a reaction will lead us to sin against God and each other. James 1:20 warns us that the sinful anger of humans does not work toward the righteousness of God. Instead of reacting in sinful anger, we can rest in the love Jesus has for us and for those around us, and we can let that love direct our speech. Through the Holy Spirit’s work in us, we can be slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Let’s follow the example of Jesus: when He was insulted by others, He did not insult them in return but instead trusted God, who is the just judge (1 Peter 2:21-23). Enid Adah Nyinomujuni When we hear gossip or unkind words about ourselves, we often want to get revenge. How could remembering Jesus’s love for you (and those who hurt you) bring peace and healing? May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8; James 1:19-James 1:20; 1 Peter 2:21-1 Peter 2:23

Miriam was a prophet, a leader, and a singer. In Exodus 15, she led the women in a dance to the Lord on the day He saved them from slavery in Egypt by parting the Red Sea and defeating the army that pursued them. In this instance, she used her mouth for good, to sing praises to God. However, in another incident (Numbers 12), Miriam used her mouth wrongly. She and Aaron spoke against their brother, Moses, because of the Cushite woman he had married. The same mouth that had sung praise to God was now backbiting and judging Moses, the servant of God. The Bible says, the Lord heard this (verse 2), and He summoned Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to the tent of meeting, where He came down in a pillar of cloud and spoke to Miriam and Aaron. The Lord corrected them and spoke what was true about Moses. Then they repented of their sin, and God was merciful to them. We sometimes find ourselves doing what Miriam did. In one situation, we use our mouth for good, and in another, we use it for evil. We use the same mouth to praise God and to slander, criticize, and belittle others. James 3:10 says, Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 4:6-12 urges us to turn away from sin, including slandering and condemning others, and instead submit to God humbly. This command comes with a promise: Come near to God and he will come near to you (verse 8). We are able to come to God because Jesus took all our sin upon Himself when He went to the cross. Jesuswho always used His mouth for good and not for evillet people insult Him and slander Him and judge Him unjustly. Jesus is fully God, yet He showed the utmost humility (Philippians 2:5-11). He laid down His life. And then He rose from the deadso everyone who puts their trust in Him can be forgiven of all their sins. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus as our example. With the Holy Spirit’s power, let us endeavor to use our mouths as Jesus did, for good and not for evil. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni Have you ever been hurt by someone’s words? Have you ever hurt someone else? How can Jesus bring healing and restoration to these wounds? Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Exod:15:20-Exod:15:21; Numbers 12; James 3:10

Confess your sins All the wrong things you do He won’t condemn But He will make you new When you are weary Remember the words He’s spoken Come to Him He heals the broken God’s Word is powerful He’s never lied He loves the sinners To them, His grace applied Confess your sins Let Him heal you Come to Him Let Him make your life new Bethany Acker When we do wrong, we don’t have to try to hide our sin. God already knows, and He wants us to come to Him and receive His forgivenessinstead of hiding in shame and fear. This forgiveness is possible because Jesus died on the cross, taking the full weight of our sin upon Himself, and then rose from the dead, beating sin and death once and for all. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, all our sins have been forgivenpast, present, and future. Because our forgiveness is secure, we don’t need to be afraid to confess the full extent of our sins to God and ask Him to help us turn away from them. In fact, confessing our sins is one of the ways we draw near to God. Are there any sins weighing on you today? You can bring these to Jesus in prayer. 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 Verses: 1 John 1:5-1 John 2:2

“Where is that pearl?” Mira worriedly wound a strand of her long, lavender locks around her finger. She swam up to a glistening sea anemone and peered around it carefully. Nothing! Hey girl! Mira whipped around to see the freckle-filled face of her best friend grinning back at her. Lena! You scared my tail off! Mira huffed, smoothing her turquoise scales. Lena laughed and said, What are you looking for so intently? I don’t think you would have noticed a flotilla of swordfish! Mira grabbed Lena’s arm. You’ve got to help meI’ve lost the Pearl of Protection! Waityou’ve lost the very pearl that protects all of Merlantis from enemy invaders and now it’s out there just waiting for the Ligores to find it? Lena’s face grew pale. Keep your voice down! Mira shuddered. The Ligores were the fiercest kind of tiger sharks known to mer-kind. Their jaws had been known to slice a mer-tail in half, their manes barbed with stinging tentacles that would render the victim immobile for up to a day. SorryI’ll help you search. Lena swam quickly over to the coral reef, her fuchsia tail blending with the bright colors of the reef. Hours later, Mira and Lena hovered at the edge of Skelton, the ship graveyard of the deep. If the Ligores stole the pearl, they would hide it here. Mira tried to keep the fear from seeping through her whispered words. Lena nodded solemnly, and they swam forward together. Deep in the hull of the third ship they searched, Mira noticed a board sticking up from the floor at an odd angle. She motioned Lena over, and they tugged until the board came free, revealing a pouch that looked as though it had been crafted from Ligore skins. Grimacing, Mira pulled on the strings that she hoped were not entrails. Inside lay the glistening Pearl of Protection. Once it was lost, but now it is found. Lena breathed with a victorious smile. Mira enclosed the smooth pearl in her palm. Oh Lena, I’m so thankful we found it! Let’s get this beauty back to Merlantis where it belongs then we can celebrate! Savannah Coleman In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables about something lost: a sheep, a coin, and a son. In the first two instances, the people who lost things searched until they found them. But in the parable of the lost son, the father was eagerly waiting to welcome his straying son home with open arms. God the Father rejoices when the lost are found (verses 6-7, 9-10, 22-24, 32)! How might this truth give you hope? Just as Mira and Lena searched for the pearl until it was found, and the people in Jesus’s parables searched for what was lost, God never stops seeking those who are lost. He desires that all people come to Him (2 Peter 3:9). He is the God who provides a home for the lost, safety for those in danger, and rest for the weary. He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from bondage and set us free by dying on the cross and rising from the dead (Ezekiel 34:27; Luke 4:17-21). If you haven’t put your trust in Jesus, are you ready to come to the One who provided a way for you to be found? (Romans 10:9-13) If you have questions about this, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (You can also find more information on our “Know Jesus” page.) Jesus also told a parable about how the kingdom of heaven is like an extremely valuable pearl. He said, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46). As God seeks us with deep love, He also longs for us to seek Him. Why is knowing God more precious than anything else? For the Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 8 Sometimes, even the best-laid plans don’t work out. There’s nothing wrong with planning, and, in fact, it’s healthy. However, what I have learned since I was a teen is that God is working His purposes through all things, even when my own plans fall apart. Trust me, I know personally the pain of a lost dream and plan. My fiancé was someone I really loved. We seemed perfect for each other in every way, but ultimately, when we were planning our future, we felt God pulling us in separate directions. It hurt...bad. There aren’t words to express the anguish of a broken heart. But do you know what? Because he and I mutually and maturely ended our relationship, I finally took notice of another man who’d always been there for me. This young man helped me through this hardship and many others. Years later, I married him, and we now have four beautiful children together. It’s good to plan some things, but even when our lives don’t go according to our plans, we can know that in Christ—no matter what we face—God loves us and is working all things out for His good purposes. • Jordyn Johnson • Reread today’s Scripture passage. What are some of the good plans God is working out for His children? How can these promises comfort us in the face of disappointment and heartbreak? • Who are trusted people—such as counselors, parents, pastors, or friends—you can talk with when you’re facing disappointment and heartbreak? • Do you know someone who has been disappointed by a failed plan recently? Consider taking a moment to pray for them. You might even ask God to help you bring them comfort today. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation. Psalm 33:11 (CSB)

Living creatures thirst for water. Thirst is the kind of feeling that makes one unsettled until water is found to quench it. As humans, we also experience spiritual thirstthe kind of thirst God alone can satisfy.In Psalm 42, the psalmist compares his longing and thirst for God to that of a deer for water. When a deer has an overwhelming longing for water, it can’t settle till it finds it. In a similar way, the psalmist had such longing for fellowship with God that he could not find rest elsewhere. He realized the only true and living God was the God of his life (verse 8). His innermost self desired God more than anything in this world. And he desired to live a righteous life before God.Like this psalmist, we are living in a world full of sin, where we are surrounded by evil and evildoers. When we long for God, for His holiness and righteousness, we are longing for Him to make things right and whole, to bring justice and restore this broken world. In Mathew 5:6, Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Jesus will satisfy them Himself because He is the source of living water (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39). He alone is the source of life and the Savior of the world.As we get to know Jesus, we long for more and more of God, to worship Him and be near Him. He is the giver of living waters, and He will quench our thirst and give us full satisfaction in our souls. Let us desire more and more of God. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni Have you ever felt a longing for God? Maybe you felt a desire to be closer to Him. Maybe you ached for some part of creation to be brought under His good reign. The wonderful news is God longs for these things too! And He invites us to come to Him and ask. God has provided the way for us to know Him through Jesus’s death and resurrection. According to John 7:37-39, how does Jesus give us living water? Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 42; Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2

If I could just reach a little farther Stretching as much as I canI see that hand reaching toward me I feel myself falling awayDown I goSave me!Just like that, I am grabbedHe pulls me upI am rescuedI am warm and wrapped in peace One cry to HimOne catch when I was falling awayI am okay nowHe is with meHe holds me and whispers to meI have been saved Emily Acker No matter how hard we try, none of us can save ourselves (Ephesians 2:1-9). But God is so near, ready to save us as soon as we cry out to Him. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God made a way for us to be forgiven and live with Him forever. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are held securely in God’s love. Have you put your trust in Jesus? If not, what questions do you have? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about these things? (You can also find more information on our “Know Jesus” page.) God doesn’t just want to save us from sin and death; He also wants to help us whenever we are in trouble. What hard things are going on in your life right now? Are you ever hesitant to cry out to God for help?If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:9, 13 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 94:18-Psalm 94:19; Ephesians 3:17; Acts:16:29-Acts:16:32; Romans 10:9; Romans 10:13

Most of us don’t enjoy waiting; it feels like a boring, passive exercise. Just the word “waiting” might stir up images of sitting in a doctor’s office with nothing to do. Or maybe it feels like the endless days before summer vacation, staring out the window or watching the clock. Waiting seems like a non-activity.As Christians, we wait for many things. We wait for God’s perfect timing and for His promises to be fulfilled. Most of all, we are waiting for the return of Jesus. But this waiting is not a passive, sitting-on-our-hands kind of waiting, whiling away the time until He appears. In Luke 12, Jesus told a parable about servants waiting for their master to return home. Like these servants, we are called to be dressed for service (verse 35), actively serving God as faithful and wise managers who God has left in charge of caring for His creation (verse 42).Christ’s return is a sure thing, and as we look forward to it with hope, there is much for us to do in His service until He comes. God calls us to share in His joy by being part of the good things He is doing. We can engage in good works (which usually look like helping others), in prayer, and in sharing the gospelwhich is the good news about Jesus. And we don’t do these things in our own strength; rather, we rely on the Holy Spirit and work together with fellow Christians. We are called to see ourselves as servants until our Master returns so that He will find us actively working for Him.Notice the special promises that come with this active waiting: Jesus says, The servants who are ready and waiting for his [the master’s] return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! (verse 37). The God of the universe reverses the roles of master and servants. Jesus showed this on the night before He went to the cross, when He took the position of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet. Then He told them to serve one another in the same way and to love each other as He had loved them. When Jesus returns, He will reward His faithful followers who loved well. What an honor for His people! Jesus will put these faithful servants in charge of all he owns (verse 44). In the life to come, He will give greater responsibility to those who have served Him in this world. So let us wait actively as we rest in this sure hope: Christ is coming again! Laura N. Sweet How might remembering the way Jesus has lovingly served us help us to lovingly serve one another? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 13:1-17, 34-35 and Philippians 2:1-13.)The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! Luke 12:37a (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 12:32-Luke 12:46

Sparrows are the most common birds in the world, and almost every type of sparrow is small and beige with brown streaks. It’s no surprise that many people, even experienced bird-watchers, have trouble telling them apart! That’s why bird-watchers don’t just look at outside appearances to tell species apart. Even though many birds look the same on the outside, different species of birds often act differently from each other. They may also sing different songs or live in different habitats.The look-alike birds remind me a bit of being a Christian, a follower of Jesus. Sometimes, we can look like Christians on the outside, but we might not act like Jesus at all. We might say that we follow Jesus, but the song we singour words and actionsmight say differently.Jesus saw this in His day too. He criticized the Pharisees and the religious teachers who said they followed God and looked very religious on the outside, but inside they were full of greed and pride (Matthew 23:23-28). Though they taught people about following God, they didn’t follow their own teaching (Matthew 23:1-4)!The fact of the matter is, no matter how religious we act on the outside, the only way for us to be made clean from sin is through Jesus. He died and rose again to forgive us and make us right with God. The Bible says that when we become followers of Jesus, He makes us new and changes us (2 Corinthians 5:17). We should not conform to the way of the world or go back to our sin but be transformed to become more like Jesus.Jesus loves us deeply, and He calls us to follow Him through every aspect of our lives. He said all God’s commands can be summed up by these two: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). So don’t be afraid to be different from the worldstand out for Jesus and show His love in your thoughts, words, and actions. Abby Ciona Are you ever tempted to make yourself look religious? You can bring this to Jesus in prayer. Jesus forgives sinnersincluding Pharisees like Nicodemus and Saul/Paul. If you’d like to dig deeper, read John 3:1-21, 7:45-52, 19:38-42; Acts 7:548:3, 9:1-30; and 1 Timothy 1:12-17.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 23:23-Matthew 23:28; Ephesians 4:17-Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:2; Matthew 23:1-Matthew 23:12

I’ve watched people in my life struggle. I’ve watched them deal with health issues. I’ve watched them leave jobs, not knowing what was next. I’ve had my own struggles. Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s hard to understand why things are happening the way they are.God created the world good, but when the first humans sinned, the world became filled with death and sickness and conflict and pain. But God didn’t give up on us. He came to restore what we broke.JesusGod in fleshtook our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. Then, He rose back to life, beating sin and death once and for all. Because of what Jesus has done, we can look forward to the day He will return to restore creation then there will be no more health issues, no more struggles, no more heartache (Revelation 21:4). In the meantime, God does not leave us to fend for ourselves. He sends His Holy Spirit to be in everyone who has put their trust in Jesus.We have a God who wants to be with us. We can try to make it through each day alone, or we can lean on God. We live on a planet where life is difficult, and we have to deal with things that are hard and weigh us down, but we can choose to rely on the One who is over everything and God of all.Why do we sometimes forgetor even ignorethe fact that God is always there to support us? We don’t have to make plans without looking to God first. We don’t have to try to figure out what to do all on our own. When we need to go to the hospital, we don’t have to go by ourselves. We don’t have to walk a single step alone. Through it all, we can talk to God.We can come to God at any time. He loves us, and He invites us to rely on Him for guidance and support. At the first sign of trouble, we can turn to God. Emily Acker Jesus is Immanuel, which means God with us (Matthew 1:23). Why do you think God wants to be with us? Have you ever experienced God guiding or comforting you in some way? If so, consider taking a moment to thank Him. If not, you can come to God anytime and ask. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 118:5-Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 26:4

Perfect timing! I exclaim as my family walks in the door just as I finish baking cookies. Usually, perfect timing is what we say when things happen when we want them to, at our convenience, according to our planning and preferences. But what about when things don’t work out according to our timing or terms? When disappointments pile up, or we miss out on opportunities? What about when our prayers feel unanswered, or we feel stuck in life?When we look at the Bible, we see that God’s timing often looks very different from the timing we have in mind. Take Abraham and Sarah, for example. God promised them a son when they were more than ninety years old! After years of waiting, even in their old age, God gave them a son, Isaac, and his descendants became the people of Israel (Genesis 21:1-7).Then there’s Job He faced immense suffering and lost wealth, health, and family, but he was patient and trusted God and once again experienced God’s overflowing blessing. Job’s story reveals that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy (James 5:10-11).Finally, when Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus waited two days before starting the journey to Lazarus’s home in Bethany. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Everyone thought Jesus was too late to save him. But Jesus went to the tomb and shouted, Lazarus, come out! And Lazarus came back to life (John 11:43-44)!These stories remind us that God is always on time: never too early, never too late. Waiting isn’t easy for any of us, but God is with us in times of waiting, steadfastly loving us. And if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He helps us to become patient like He is patient (Galatians 5:22). Through the Holy Spirit, He teaches us, reminds us to surrender control, and helps us trust in Him. Through waiting, He helps us grow in faith and learn to live in the present, trusting God with our future because His plan is bigger than ours. We might think God is slow to fulfill His promises, but that isn’t the case; rather, God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9). He sees things from an eternal perspective, all part of His great story. Abby Ciona Do you ever question God’s timing? In John 11:4-7, why did Jesus wait to go to Lazarus? Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV) Read Verses: Proverbs 3:5-Proverbs 3:6; Lamentations 3:25-Lamentations 3:26; 1 Peter 5:6

Do you have a constant contact list on your phone? Mine includes my family and some close friends. I’m constantly texting, calling, or emailing these people with my schedule updates, plans, and schoolwork questions. We are in touch all day with the minutiae of pick-up times, homework assignments, and random things like funny videos.My constant contact list is my inner circle. They know my whereabouts, my habits, and my humor and I know theirs. My constant contact list brings me a sense of security. We don’t necessarily have long talks or big adventures every day, but the short, frequent texts and calls make me feel included and cared for.I pray in text message format too. I pray constantly,about everything,every day.When I’m worried, I let Jesus know.When I see something beautiful, I thank Jesus.When I’m hoping for something, I ask Jesus for it.These prayers are not formal or long or even out loud,but they are constant and help me connect with Christ.He and I know that the lines of communication are always open. Whenever I’m talking, He’s listening.And by conditioning my thoughts to prayer,It has gotten easier for me to hear His Word.My ongoing dialogue with Christ opens my heart to His guidance, And I know I am never alone. Kelly Bakshi If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can be in constant contact with God, who loves you more than you know. Jesus has made this possible through dying on the cross and rising from the dead (Mark 15:37-39; Hebrews 4:14-16). What would you like to talk to God about? Maybe you have some anxieties or fears on your mind? Maybe something made you smile recently? Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 8:26-Romans 8:27; Romans 12:12; 1Thess:5:16-1Thess:5:18

I’m afraid my cousin is dying, I confessed with a catch in my voice. I clutched my Bible as I sat in an upstairs room in our church building with a small group of young adults. The class leader had called for prayer requests before he led into that day’s study. While holding back tears, I expressed worry and sorrow about my cousin’s worsening battle with cancer.Instead of concern, though, I was met with awkward silence. The handful of other people in the class wouldn’t meet my eye. Some fidgeted. Then, into the silence, the teacher announced, Let’s open our books.My heartache had been overlooked, and I got the message I should keep my sadness to myself instead of burdening others.But, in Christ, there is another way to walk alongside each other during trials. When we turn to Jesus for forgiveness of our sins, we receive new life, a new relationship with God as our Father, and a new place in the family of God.In His Word, the Lord shows us how to interact with those in His familyour brothers and sisters in Christ. He invites us to bear each other’s burdens, including mourning with those who mournsharing the load of grief with fellow believers (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2).Jesus Himself carried our burdens all the way to the cross. He subjected Himself to the pain and weakness of human life so that He could rescue us. He showed us love and compassion. Now, as His followers, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow God’s command to offer that same love and compassion to others (John 15:12). Allison Wilson Lee Has God’s Word or the presence of Jesus ever comforted you in times of grief or loss? How can you extend Christ’s compassion to others just by listening when they open up to you? Have you ever been hurt by a church community? You can share your experience with Jesus, the One who knows our suffering (Hebrews 4:14-16). As you share with Jesus, you can talk with Him about who might be a good person to process your experience withsuch as a pastor, parent, counselor, or friend. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 12:9-Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15

Of all the interesting things Jesus did, one of the most intriguing was that He stayed on that cross. Growing up, I remember childhood adversaries who would taunt, I bet you can’t Of course, the first thing any of us want to do when challenged this way is to prove we can. It can be so hard to ignore the taunts of others.Jesus knows what that feels like. As He suffered on the cross for our sins, His enemies taunted Him to get down from the cross. Jesus had just spent years showing God’s glory to the world, and thenHis friends deserted and betrayed Him. Now He had a chance to stop His suffering and really prove God’s power. We know Jesus could have freed Himself in an instant because He had said earlier, in Matthew 26:53, Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?This is amazing. Jesus could have climbed down from the cross, but He chose not to. Why? In verse 54, Jesus went on to say, But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?And those Scriptures needed to be fulfilled because our salvation depended on it. It was for us that Jesus ignored the taunts and took the pain. It was for the people taunting Him. Jesus loved us more than He loved His own life. And He fully proved His power by rising from the dead, defeating sin and death on our behalf, and guaranteeing that, when He returns, His people will rise from the dead and live with Him forever. Who but God? Heather Tekavec Have you ever loved somebody so much that you would suffer greatly to help them? Jesus loves you so much that He suffered the cross for you. How might this truth give you hope? What significance do Jesus’s death and resurrection have for us? (Find out more on our “Know Jesus” page.)Because of the joy awaiting him, he [Jesus] endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2b (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 26:47-Matthew 26:56; Matthew 27:39-Matthew 27:44; Romans 5:10; Hebrews 12:2

“Gone. Passed away, Distorted, disturbing words. Swallowing back painStinging eyes, blurred. I think of you. Gone! Stumbling away, Heart pounding. I can’t talk Searching a quiet space, To silence my thoughts.I think of you.Gone. I didn’t know you Your dreams, your hopes But your loss rips through Deep within my soul.I think of you.Gone. A community mourns Praying,Broken, torn,Jesus binds our wounds,We remember you. Cindy Lee Have you suffered a loss in your family, school, or community? Even if you didn’t know the person well, like the narrator of this poem, shock and grief can leave you feeling overwhelmed or even numb. This is normal, and it’s okay to need time to process. Jesus understands our pain. He wept when Lazarus died, even though He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead that same day (John 11:35, 43-44). How might it give you comfort to know that Jesus grieves with us? As God who became human, Jesus knows the brokenness of the world we live in, and He came to make things right. Jesus has defeated death by dying and rising from the grave, and when He returns, death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). On that day, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will be raised with Him. Yet, even as we cling to this sure hope, we can also be honest about the pain we’re experiencing now. Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our sorrows, questions, frustrations, and fears. In our grief, we may not feel His presence, but Jesus is always close to us. How have you experienced brokenness lately? Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus about what you’re feeling. One of the ways God comforts us in our troubles is through community (2 Corinthians 1:2-9). In times of grief, who is a trusted adult you could talk tosuch as a counselor, parent, or pastor? 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.He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (NIV) Read Verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-Ecclesiastes 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Psalm 147:3

My mom taught first grade at a local elementary school. One year, the group of students in her class included a girl named Rosa. But Rosa struggled to pronounce the letter R. When she introduced herself, the other kids thought she’d announced her name was Wosa. Throughout the early months of that school session, the other first graders referred to this little girl as Wosa. I don’t think they intended to tease or embarrass her; they were simply confused.Eventually, Rosa’s patience wore thin. She’d tolerated the mispronunciation of her name for far too long. So, during class one day, she passionately declared, My name’s not Wosait’s Wosa!Our names belong to us in a special way; they’re closely connected to our identities. When our names are misused or misspoken, it feels personal, maybe even insulting. And when others use our names intentionally to connect with us, we take notice.The Bible tells us that God calls His people by nameand He even calls them His own. The Lord’s voice beckons us into relationship with Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, summons His sheep by name to follow Him. When we turn to Jesus as our Saviorthe One who died in our place and rose from the dead so we can have forgivenesswe begin a relationship with Him. We can recognize the voice of our Savior and follow where He leads. The Lord calls us to be joined with Christ and become His ownand He never mispronounces our names. Allison Wilson Lee Can you think of a time someone misspoke or misused your name? Jesus knows you by name, and He speaks your name with love. How could this truth encourage you? If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have been enfolded into the people of God, grafted into the family tree of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacobwho God named Israel (Galatians 3:27-29). Take a look at Isaiah 43:1 (below) and try replacing Jacob and Israel with your own name. Then read it aloud slowly. What do you notice? Now this is what the Lord saysthe one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, IsraelDo not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (CSB) Read Verses: John 10:1-John 10:30; Isaiah 43:1

Did you know that you are gifted? When you become a follower of Christ, He gives you at least one spiritual gift to edify the body of believers. In Romans 12, Paul wrote to the church in Rome and reminded them of God’s love for them and of the different gifts they were given. These gifts were to be used in humble service toward their fellow Christians.The end result of using our gifts is building one another up. Romans 12:6-8 lists some of the gifts we can have, including serving, encouraging, and leading.Is there an area you know you are particularly gifted in? Perhaps God has given you a heart for getting down in the trenches and serving those in your community who may otherwise be overlooked. Maybe you thrive on being that voice of encouragement to others around you who are suffering, who might even be going through some trials that are similar to ones you’ve walked through in your own life. Do you display leadership qualities that could be used to rally others around a worthy cause?The Holy Spirit has graciously given us various gifts to use for God’s glory and for the encouragement of His people (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit is in you, and you are a part of His body of believers. Like a body has many different parts, we are all different and we all need each other.If you feel like you don’t have a clue what your spiritual gift(s) may be, you can spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal ways you can serve His people. You can also talk to some family members or friends you trust and ask them what kinds of qualities they see in you and how they think you are gifted.In many cases, our talents or the things our hearts bend toward can play a role in our spiritual gifts as well. For example, if you love praising God through song or instrument, ask God how you can use your musicality in the place He has you. If you don’t have a specific talent in mind, you can try out different areas of service in your church or community and see what fits your soul. Savannah Coleman What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? What questions to you have about spiritual gifts? How might God be giving you opportunities to serve His body, the church?A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 12:3-Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10-1 Peter 4:11

CRASH! You failed. Again. You are sad and mad at the same time, not to mention humiliated. We have all experienced failure: making a low grade on an assignment, forgetting to complete a promised task, giving in to temptation to sin, etc. Usually, we can handle the minor failures. Though embarrassed, we carry on. But what about when we have a sinful failure? The painful knowledge of our actions seems to be more than we can bear. Our humiliation is crushing. Conviction of our sin against God is stabbing. What can we do in times of failure? Let’s look at a few people in the Bible who failed.Jonah disobeyed God’s instructions to go to Nineveh. So God sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah. What did Jonah do when he found himself trapped in the slimy belly of a fish? He repented, gave thanks to God, and went straight to Nineveh as soon as he was expelled from the fish. (Then Jonah sinned again, and God called him to repent again, but that’s another story.)David sinned deliberately and grievously. What did David do when the prophet Nathan delivered a convicting parable and exposed David’s sin? David repented, gave praise to God, and rose from his sorrow to tell others of God’s mercy.Peter denied that he knew Jesus. What did Peter do when the eyes of Jesus zeroed in on him at the crowing of the rooster? Peter wept tears of repentance. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, He reinstated Peter. And then Peter boldly spoke of his love for his Savior.Even when these people failed completely, God did not give up on them. And because of His love, they didn’t give upthey got up! God raised them up from the despair and humiliation of failure. Because Jesus took all our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross and rose again, we can be forgiven. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we do not have to wallow in sadness or anger at ourselves. We can look to God, receive His forgiveness, and return to the path of righteousness.Don’t give up! Repent, rise, and joyfully return to serving God and others! Rebecca Moore When we realize we have sinned, Jesus invites us to repentwhich means turning toward God and away from our sin (anything we do or think that goes against God). He is eager to forgive us and reassure us of His love. Is there any sin you would like to repent from now? If you want to dig deeper, read Jonah 1:13:3; 2 Samuel 1112; Luke 22:3134, 54-62; John 21:15-19; Acts 2:14-41.I said to myself, I will confess my rebellion to the Lord. And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5b (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 40:2-Psalm 40:3; Proverbs 24:16

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah and relocated some of the Jewish people to Babylon. God gave special wisdom to three of these young menShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They impressed the king, and he placed them in positions of authority. All was well until the king built a golden statue. Everyone was ordered to fall flat and worship the statue when certain music was played. Failure to comply would result in death inside a furnace.Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew if they worshipped the statue, they would violate the commandments of the one true God. So, when the music played, everyone fell down and worshipped the statue. Everyone except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegowho remained standing. The king found out and gave them another chance. He said, If you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand? (Daniel 3:15). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respectfully told the king they would never serve his gods or worship his statue. The king became furious. He had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego tied up and thrown into the fiery furnace.As they were thrown into the fire, they didn’t say a word. They didn’t curse the king. They didn’t say, God’s going to get you, King, and the ones who snitched on us too! They could have. The Bible says they were tied but not gagged. But they didn’t fight back. Instead, they said, King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:16-18).So, what did happen inside the furnace? Daniel 3 tells us King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up and said, Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (verse 25). Some biblical scholars think the fourth man was Jesus; others think it might have been an angel. Whoever it was, this fourth man certainly points to God’s activity and presence. And when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fiery furnace, they were completely unharmed and didn’t even smell of smoke. Kathy Irey In Daniel 3, how did God show His power and love to His people and to those watching? the God we serve is able to deliver us Daniel 3:17 (NIV) Read Verses: Daniel 1:17-Daniel 1:20; Daniel 3; 1 Peter 3:15; Exod:20:3-Exod:20:5

How do you feel about libraries? They’re one of my favorite places! As the library doors swoosh open, I love breathing in the familiar scent of book pages and seeing the colorful spines lined along the shelves. I don’t even have a favorite section; I love them allfrom history to literature to comparative religion to fiction. Libraries are the bEsther But libraries got even more exciting for me when I found out that Jesusmy Saviorhas a librarian of sorts. The Bible tells the true story of Jesus, who is God, and how He died and rose again to beat sin and death. But the Bible isn’t just one book: it’s a whole library. It’s made up of many different types of books written by lots of different people, and the Holy Spirit oversaw the writing of all the Scriptures. The Bible includes history, law, poetry, prophecy, songs, letters, and more.But how did people know what books to put in the Bible? Enter Jesus’s Librarian.The Holy Spirit guided the people who wrote the Bible in a very special way called inspiration, which literally means the breath of God’s Holy Spirit guiding people. Then, He guided people in helping choose which books belonged in the Bible, His library. The people who chose the books in the Bible knew about the story of Jesus and listened to the Holy Spirit to figure out which books proclaimed that story well.That’s how we can know the Bible is true. God wrote it, using human people who trusted in and listened to Him. And we can see evidence of that truth in the unity of the Bible. Even though there are lots of different books, genres, and writers, it all tells the same story: Jesus died and rose again to beat sin and death!I love that God is so creative that He used a library to tell us the great story of His kingdom. And I love that this story has a happy ending, with Jesus coming back to make all things newfree from sin, death, and suffering (Revelation 21:1-5). Aurora Scriver What’s your favorite book of the Bible? Why? What questions do you have about the Bible? Who are trusted people you could talk to about these questionssuch as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors? He [Jesus] is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name. Acts 10:43 (NLT) Read Verses: Acts:10:43; John 20:31; 2 Timothy 3:16-2 Timothy 3:17

I recently planted sunflowers and realized the nature of the great outdoors reflects God’s nature. Consider the seasons: there’s an objective order to themit’s always hottest in the summer, and birds migrate to warmer places in the fall. There’s a rightand wrong time for things to happen. Yet there’s also a flexibility. For example, there aren’t set days for sunflowers to bloom. Although it would be wrong for them to bloom in winter (because they would freeze), they could pop their heads up any day of mid-summer or fall.This is a lot like God’s commands. While His standards of righteousness are just and objective, there is more than one way to follow God faithfully. For example, God commands His people to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12). Objectively, you shouldn’t kill your parents or be otherwise hateful. But, graciously, God doesn’t say you have to serve them breakfast in bed every day to fulfill His command to honor parents. You might help fix their car insteadthere’s no one set way to show honor.But even so, we all break God’s objective standards. We all sin. Yet, He has made it possible for us to receive a clean slate. God extends mercy to us through Jesus. Because Jesus paid for our sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead, everyone who puts their trust in Him can be forgiven. Our sin separated us from God, but because of what Jesus has done, we can be with God againour loving Creator who is both just and gracious.There are other touches of God’s nature on earth. The relationship between husband and wife is meant to show how Jesus and the church love each other (Ephesians 5:21-33). The relationship between parents and children is meant to show God’s protection and nurturing (Matthew 7:9-11). Our thirst for water reminds us of our desperate need for God (Psalm 63:1).This whole world is meant to reflect and glorify God and remind us of His love. Sadly, it is broken with sin, and so the pictures it’s supposed to paint are often distorted. Some spouses divorce. Some parents are abusive. Some water gets polluted. But this does not mean that God is not good or His love for us is not sure; rather, these things all point to the tragedy of sin. As Christians, we know Jesus will one day return and make all things well, and we will see His glory in a whole new way. Lizzie Joy How can looking at God’s creation help us learn more about Him? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) Read Verses: Job 12:7-Job 12:10; Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1

Levi was not a popular guy; in fact, most people didn’t like Levi at all. In Jewish society during Jesus’s time, tax collectors were despised as the lowest of the low. They worked for the enemyRome. They cheated their own people, and they got rich doing it. That was the kind of man Levi wasbut he wasn’t that different from us. Like us, he was a sinner who needed Jesus.But God was working in his heart. When Jesus extended a simple invitation to Levi, Follow me, Levi did just that, leaving his tax collecting booth, his job, and his sinful past behind him. This complete obedience was evidence of his faith in Jesus. Levi became a follower of Jesus and, eventually, one of the twelve disciples. We know him as Matthew (Matthew 9:9)!Levi knew others who needed Jesus, and he invited them to his house to have dinner with the Savior. These people were just like Levitax collectors and sinners. Levi wanted them to meet Jesus; maybe they would be saved from their sins too. But the Pharisees (Jewish religious teachers) who witnessed Jesus eating with this crowd were shocked. “Why would Jesus hang out with such sinners?” Jesus answered them by saying, Healthy people don’t need a doctorsick people do. I havecome to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners (verse 17).Of course Jesus wanted to be with people like Levi and his friends. He loved them, even though their lives were empty and wasted because they followed sin, and not God. They needed their hearts healed from sinthey needed Dr. Jesus to save them and make them right in God’s eyes. These were the ones who needed Jesus.And so do sinners like you and me. Laura N. Sweet Levi’s abandonment of his job and his past showed his complete change of heart and his faith in Jesus. How did inviting his friends to meet Jesus also show that change? Did the Pharisees see themselves as healthy or sick? What didn’t they understand about their own sin? According to Romans 3:22-28, why do we all need Jesus? Jesus told them, Healthy people don’t need a doctorsick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. Mark 2:17 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 5:27-Luke 5:32; Mark 2:13-Mark 2:17

During the summer after finishing high school, I had the opportunity to fulfill a dream: leading my all-state marching band as drum major. Along with other musicians and dancers in this group, I flew for many hours across many states to Honolulu, Hawaii. Once there, we performed in multiple venues and enjoyed free time in a beautiful destination.What would you guess were the most memorable experiences of that trip? Tropical beaches, beautiful food, the parade we marched in with spectators cheering for us? Surprisingly, no. My most special memories of that time centered around the laundry room in the dorm where we stayed.At the end of each day, finished with rehearsals and touring, we headed to our dorm. After dinner, we gravitated to the laundry room. It provided space for all of us to hang out where we had permission to be together. We talked and laughed and ate lots of candy bars. I have photos of gorgeous sunsets. But the pictures that bring a smile to my face are the ones of my buddies sitting atop washing machines and clothes dryers making goofy faces for the camera.What about the laundry room made it significant? It gave us a place for community, a place to be together and build friendships. God is a relational God, and He created us for relationships. First and foremost, He yearns for us to be in relationship with Him. Even though humanity has rejected God, He came and made a way for us to be reconciled to Him. When we trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, we begin a relationship with the God who loves us.And God also made us for connection with others. We’re not meant to do life alone. We’re stronger when we have others to walk with us through life. As I interacted with new friends who also loved Jesus, I felt boosted in my own faith. As you invest in relationships, you can be there to encourage your friends when they stumbleand you can receive their help when you need to be strengthened too. Allison Wilson Lee Why do you think God calls us to invest in friendships? Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 10:24-Hebrews 10:25; Proverbs 27:9; Proverbs 17:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-Ecclesiastes 4:12

When I wake up in the morning Let each breath be love When I go out and aboutLet my actions spread your love When I come home againLet me love those around me When life gets hardLet your love surround me When others hurt meLet me respond with love When I am scaredLet your love comfort meWhen I lie down at nightLet me know that I am held in love Emily Acker Love is a defining mark of Christianity. When Jesus came, He revealed God’s wonderful love for the world (John 3:16). If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are held securely in His love. And because we are His followers, our lives should be centered around loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37-40). Why do you think love is so important to God? Have you ever made an attempt to live in a more loving way? While this is a great thing to do, it’s important to remember that we can’t do it in our own strength and wisdom. Jesus said, Apart from me you can do nothing. And so He calls us to remain in His love (John 15:4-5, 9). How might resting in Jesus’s love for us help us act lovingly toward others? And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14 (NIV) Read Verses: Colossians 3:14; Proverbs 3:3; John 15:1-John 15:17; Romans 8:37-Romans 8:39; 1 John 4:19

Before, I used to think I was weak. I was not proud of myself. I looked down on myself because of my imperfections. I did not consider myself beautiful, talented, significant, or important. I had a broken family. I was lacking. I envied people. I thought I was not loveable or likable.How do you see yourself? Do you see how wonderful you are? Because that is how God, the perfect and almighty God, made you. In fact, He made you in His very own image. Because of this, you are infinitely valuable. It’s true! You have a beautiful place and a unique position in this world. You are pleasantly unique. You are dear to God, and you are loveable.If you have been drowning in doubts about your worth, these are lies from the devil. Do not believe him! Do not fall for his deception. You can know with certainty that you are precious because Jesus came to save you. He died and rose from the dead to rescue you from sin and death. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are perpetually blessed, and you are a gift to many. Believe the Spirit of God when He says you are a beautiful person.Yes, there are ways we all fail, but you are still loved beyond measure. Believe the truth that you were made in God’s image and likeness. You are a child of God. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can learn from, obey, and enjoy spending the day with Godyour Fatherand you can show His love to others. Embrace the truth that you are accepted and forgiven by God, and therefore you can forgive others. Through Jesus, you can be strong, compassionate, and able to help others. The truth is that Jesus lives in you. Believe it and live it, for that is who you really are. That is the truth about yourself. Golda Dilema Do you struggle to love yourself the way Jesus loves you? You can ask Jesus to show you how much you are worth to Him. In addition, who are trusted adults you could talk to about this? How can loving ourselves and knowing the truth about ourselves help us to love others? If you’d like to dig deeper, read Psalm 139:14; Ephesians 1:3-5, 2:10; and 2 Corinthians 5:20.My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT) Read Verses: Genesis 1:26-Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 John 3:2; Galatians 2:20

Sometimes, thinking about the future makes me feel stressed. I can get caught up trying to figure out what I’m going to do, and I can miss out on a lot.One of the most important things I can miss out on when I’m only thinking about the future is the present. I might not notice the ways God is already working in my life. And if I am so focused on the future that I don’t see the present, I will have a hard time trusting God.Why? Because I will not see the work He is doing right now.But when I slow down and look for signs of God working in my life in the present, I’m reminded that I can trust Him to continue to work in the future. When I don’t let myself focus on the here and now, fear starts to take over for me. Worriesabout what might happen, what I should do, what I shouldn’t dopile on top of each other. It’s easy to forget that God already knows the future, and He will be working out His good purposes thenjust as He is now.God does so much in my life each day. As I pay attention to how He is caring for my needs, guiding me, and helping me grow, I am reminded that I don’t need to figure out how He is going to work in the future. As I look ahead, I can have confidence because I know that God will be with me. Emily Acker Do you ever feel stressed when you think about the future? While it can be good to consider what might happen and plan what we might do, there are lots of things we can’t knowor controlabout the future. But if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He will always be with us and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:28-39). How might this truth give you hope? How have you noticed God working recently? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. And remember, I [Jesus] am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20b (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 6:25-Matthew 6:34; Matthew 28:20

I’ve been to many funerals. I’ve yet to see the deceased rise up from the coffin and thank me for coming. I suppose there are scenes like this in horror movies, but movie-makers have ways of making you believe things like that can actually happen. Jesus was never in a movie, but He used His real power and mercy to raise people from the dead. There’s a riveting scene, recorded by both Mark and Luke, when Jesus brings a twelve-year-old girl back to life. Her father, Jairus, came to Jesus, fell at His feet, and pleaded with Him to come heal his daughter because she was dying. Jairus was a very prominent man in the synagogue, and he must have been desperate to even consider this wandering healer named Jesus as a solution to his daughter’s peril. Needless to say, Jairus was probably beyond anxious.To make matters worse, as Jesus was on His way to Jairus’s house, a woman in the crowd with a bleeding disorder of many years touched the edge of Jesus’s robe. The whole procession stopped as Jesus perceived healing power going out of Him. Jesus wouldn’t move on until He had spoken to this woman face to face.I imagine Jairus was close to pulling his hair out at this point. A lowly peasant woman had stopped the progress to where his daughter lay dying. What was Jesus thinking! But our Lord calmly assessed the situation, knowing the hearts of all involved. He comforted the woman, and not long after, He arrived at Jairus’s house, held the hand of the deceased girl, and uttered these words: Talitha koum! which means Little girl, I say to you, get up! (Mark 5:41).You may find yourself pacing the floor or getting depressed waiting for God to act. We are impatient creatures. But God does see, and He does act. Even though the twelve-year-old girl died before Jesus arrived, it wasn’t too late. Jesus raised her from the dead. In a similar way, all seemed lost after Jesus died on the cross. But the story wasn’t over. Jesus rose from the deadbeating sin and death once and for all!We may not see the healing we ask for in this life, but when Jesus returns, He will raise all His forgiven followers from the dead, and we will live with Him foreverfree from all suffering and sorrow. And as we wait on Him, He holds our hearts. So stay calm, and trust the One who loves us. The day of your healing will come. Susan Sundwall What do you think it will be like when Jesus raises us from the dead? (John 6:40)Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV) Read Verses: John 6:40; Psalm 27:14; Mark 5:21-Mark 5:43; Luke 8:40-Luke 8:56

The air was cold and bitter as Taylor trudged up the mountain path. She was after a rare flower; this flower was the last hope of saving her village from a deadly illness.The flower only grew in the harsh northern mountains. Many had gone before Taylor and had returned with nothing but broken bones and crushed hopes. But unlike the others, Taylor was following God through the mountains. She prayed constantly for His help in her quest, and she listened for His leading.The wind picked up, and it began to snow. Taylor could hardly see the path before her. “Oh Lord,” she prayed in her heart, “please help me find this flower, and please save my people from death. In Jesus’s name I pray.” Taylor finished her prayer with the words of her Lord: “Your will, not mine, be done.” She remembered how He had prayed in the garden, knowing He was about to be executed. Jesus was willing to go to the cross because it was the only way to save His people from death. This was God’s will. But it was not the end. Three days later, God raised Jesus back to lifedefeating death once and for all.The wind began to settle, the snow slowly started to let up. Taylor spotted a grass clearing ahead. She rushed toward it. In the center of the clearing, a single beam of sunlight shone on a pure white flower. Even the stems and leaves were white. The flower’s pollen was red. Taylor thought the pollen looked like the blood of Christ, the blood He shed for her sins, though He Himself was pure and sinless. Taylor knelt down. Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for me. Thank you for letting me find this Flower of Hope, she said softly. Taylor took the flower and started back down the path. Sarah Jordan God is merciful. Though we all deserve death because of our sin, He came to forgive us and give us life. Jesus lived among us and healed countless people, revealing God’s heart to restore His creation. In love, Jesus died and rose again for us, to heal us from sin, death, and evil. One day He will return to fully heal the world of all the brokenness caused by sin. As we wait for that day, we get to be part of His ministry of healingwhich points to the good news. We can pray for miracles, pray as we care for people who are sick, and pray as we search for ways to cure diseases and reduce suffering. How might God be inviting you to be part of His healing work today?Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 9:35 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 6; Luke 22:39-Luke 22:44; Acts:2:22-Acts:2:28; 1Thess:5:17-1Thess:5:18; Matthew 9:35

Have you ever asked a question and received an answer that began, Well, in a perfect world ? What would your perfect world be like? No pain or sorrow? Everything beautiful and fun?When God made the world, He made everything good. There was beauty everywhere, and no pain anywhere. Adam and Eve were placed in that good world, one that brought glory to God and joy to Adam and Eve. But all that changed when Adam and Eve sinned. Because they rebelled against God and broke His one command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the world was broken.Does that make you angry at Adam and Eve? There was one rule, and they broke it! You might feel like saying, Try a bazillion rules! That’s about how many we have now, thanks to you, Adam and Eve!Do you think you would have done better? Would you have obeyed God if you were in their place? I don’t know you, but I know me. I would have broken that one rule. I think we all would have. The Bible says, Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Everyone sinsfrom Adam and Eve down to me and you.And there are consequences for sin. Romans 6:23 says, The wages of sin is death. But the good news is, that’s not the end of the story. Even though humanity rebelled against God, He still loves us. And God sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the awful price for sin. God took our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross, and He beat sin and death when He rose from the dead. He did it for world-breakerssinnerslike me and you. To all who come to Jesus and repent from sin, He gives eternal life instead of death. And when Jesus returns, He will restore our broken world, and there will be no pain or sorrow; everything will be beautiful and good again (Revelation 21:1-7). The wages of sin may be death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Rebecca Moore Where have you seen the effects of sin in our broken world? Consider taking a moment to pray for God’s healing in this area, knowing that one day Jesus will fully heal every hurt.For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son [Jesus], so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 5:15-Romans 5:17; John 3:16; Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:31; Romans 5:12

I remember when I got sheepskin winter boots in middle school. That might not seem significant, but they werent just any winter boots. Everyone at school seemed to have them. When you got them, it was like you joined a club. My mom knew how badly I wanted a pair of these boots, and she found a less expensive, off-brand version for me. I couldnt wait to wear them. Once I had those boots, it felt like my life could begin again. How often do we want something so badly that we believe our lives are on hold until we have it? When we are so focused on wishing we had something we dont have, we can easily miss whats right in front of us. This causes us to miss opportunities to enjoy what we do have. I wish I had known back then that my life wasnt on hold without those boots. And my life wasnt made complete when I got them either. I would have been fine even if I never got a pair. God wants us to enjoy a full life today, no matter where were atits His gift! In John 10:10, Jesus says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Notice what Jesus doesnt say. He doesnt say, They may have life, and have it to the full…when they ace their social studies test, or …once the person theyve been crushing on finally notices them or …when they score the most goals on the soccer team. Instead, Jesus says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. PERIOD. There is no disclaimer. I believe one of the chief ways the enemy tries to steal, kill, and destroy is through making us believe God is holding out on us, but its not true! God loved us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, so that we could have life (John 3:16; 17:3). Only He can fill our deepest needs and desires. But, because our world has been broken by sin, we look to so many other things to fill us. In John 10, Jesus says that He gives fullness of life to His followers in an unexpected way: by laying down His own life for theirs. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He rose again so that we could enjoy life-giving relationship with God. To everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, God gives a full life today. Emily Rondello Have you ever felt like your life wouldnt be complete until something changed or you got something you wanted? What is one good gift God has given you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV) Read Verses: John 3:16; John 10:1-John 10:18; John 17:3

If you have ever watched a baby sleep in the arms of an adult, you might have an idea what peace looks like. If that baby starts to squirm, if they start to get uncomfortable, the one holding them adjusts their positionor the baby’s and the baby settles down again. Even when that child is screaming and fussing, the loving adult consoles the child until they can find deeper rEsther God longs to hold us in this way. Isaiah 26:3 talks about God keeping us in perfect peace. We can have peace with God because Jesus came to die and be raised to life for us. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are held by someone who is bigger and stronger than we are. We are held by someone who cares about us and will make sure that we can have peace. We are held by someone who knows what we need. When life gets crazy, sometimes we cannot imagine what it feels like to be at peace. We have so much going on and are so anxious that we cannot even consider relaxing, cannot even fathom believing that everything is going to work out. God holds us in those times. We can be at peace like a baby in the arms of someone who cares about them. We have a God who is holding us, and He is bigger and stronger than anything we will have to face. We can trust that God will take care of things, and we can relax. Emily Acker Can you imagine God holding you like a caring adult holds a sleeping baby? What do you like or dislike about this mental picture? Do you ever feel like you need to do something to earn God’s love or His peace? We all have times when we find it difficult to relax or feel at peace. When you feel this way, who is a trusted Christian in your life who could listen to you, pray with you, and encourage you? If you’d like to dig deeper, read Psalm 131:1-3 and Romans 4:235:2. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 46:7-Psalm 46:11; Isaiah 46:4; John 14:27; 2Thess:3:16

Have you ever been to a candle shop or watched people make candles? There are so many variations in candles! It seems like the possibilities are almost limitless. Differences in size, shape, color, design, fragrance, intended use, rate of burnall these contribute to the huge variety in candles. But there is at least one thing all candles have in common: they are meant to burn and give off light. I think we are a lot like candles. Jesus said, You are the light of the worldlike a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14-16). God created us as individuals, and no two of us are alike. Our various traitsour strengths, talents, abilities, spiritual gifts, and even weaknesseswere given to us so that we could glorify God. He delights in us, and He invites us to share His love with others. Do you meet people easily and make friends quickly? You might be able to befriend people who don’t know Jesus and show them God’s kindness. Do you like working behind the scenes, organizing, and planning? You could use your abilities to help operations in your church go smoothly and create opportunities for people to hear the gospelthe good news about Jesus. Do you like to preach or teach? Meet the physical needs of others? Encourage people who are despairing? Whatever gifts and abilities God has given you, He will empower you to use them to do good to others. Let people see God’s love through you. Let them see God’s mercy, grace, peace, and kindness. Shine brightly! Shine, not to show others how good you are, but to show them how good our God is! Rebecca Moore Has someone in your life been a light to you, helping you know God better by the way they lived? Consider taking a moment to thank God for that personand maybe thank the person too! What are some of your strengths? How might God be giving you opportunities to use your strengths to serve others? In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16 (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 4:5-2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:14-Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:16

Do you ever have those days when you try to pray, but it seems like God just isn’t listening? What can we do when those moments come? We might be tempted to give up in despair, or we can choose to push through and keep seeking. I encourage you: be a seeker! God’s Word has plenty to say about seekingand for good reason. We all go through times when it seems like God is closing His ears to our cries. I think we need to be reminded to keep seeking Himinstead of just focusing on our feelings or our circumstances. In Psalm 105, the psalmist urges us to praise the Lord and tell others what He has done. When we glory in His name, our hearts can let go of the things that trouble us. We can rejoice as we seek Him, no matter what surrounds us. This psalm reminds us to look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always (verse 4). Psalm 119 urges us to keep God’s commands and seek Him with all our hearts. We may not always feel God’s presence, but we can still choose to seek Him and obey Him regardless of how we feel. One of the main ways God reveals Himself to us is through the Bible. He invites us to hide His Word in our hearts and meditate on His ways. When we open His Word, we can pray along with the psalmist, Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law (verse 18). God loves to answer this prayer, and He longs for us to come close to Him (Luke 13:34). Many people like to quote Jeremiah 29:11, when God speaks to His people exiled in Babylon, saying, For I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. However, the following verses are also powerful: Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you (verses 12-14). God promises that, when we come to Him, He will listen to us. When we seek Him, we will find Him. Jesus echoes this amazing promise in Luke 11 when He says, Seek and you will find (verse 9). And then, only four chapters later in Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables about how God seeks us. When you feel like you just can’t seek anymore, think about how God seeks after you and pursues you. He never gives up. He is always waiting for you with open arms. Savannah Coleman How might reflecting on God’s passion for you give you the courage to seek after Him? For the Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 119:1-Psalm 119:20; Jeremiah29:10-Jeremiah29:14; Luke 19:10; Psalm 105:1-Psalm 105:5

As you get older, the problems in your life can seem to get bigger and scarier. When you were younger, there might have been someone who would take on your struggles for you, but now you have to face more of these challenges without help from others. Yet, God is still in control, even when your problems seem like too much to handle. You are never alone. When life is heavy, we only have to turn to God in order to get some relief. Jesus said, Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Jesus has compassion on us, and He calls us to follow Him instead of striving on our own. Because of what Jesus has donedying on the cross and rising from the deadwe can be with God. Once we put our trust in Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to live inside us as our Helper, Counselor, Comforter, and Advocate. The Holy Spirit reminds us of everything Jesus has said and transforms us so we can love others as Jesus has loved us. When I feel like I have to do things on my own, I need to be reminded that God is there and I am never really alone. Even if I don’t have a human to turn to for help, I have a God who goes with me through all that I have to face. Nothing is too heavy or difficult for God. When you are faced with struggles, you can turn to God for help. Your life is probably not going to be easy. Most of us face some type of hard times. But even though we will have trouble in this world, we have an unshakable hope because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). And He has promised, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). When you are in the midst of a difficult experience, you can know that God is with you. Emily Acker Do you ever feel all alone in life? We don’t always get the support we need from the people around us. But God sees us, and He loves us. We never grow out of needing Him, and He never gets tired of being there for us. What problems or struggles are you facing today? How might God be inviting you to rely on His help in this situation? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (WEB) Read Verses: John 14:18-John 14:26; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 23:4-Psalm 23:6

READ: PSALMS 34:18; 73:26; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 I was young when my grandmother passed away. I loved her, and she loved and cherished me. We had good times together. I valued being with her. She accepted me for who I really was. She cared for me. She was the best grandmother to me. When she passed, I was in deep sorrow. I was not prepared for her to go. She became ill, but I never thought it could lead to death. When she was gone, I became like a flower that had lost its fragrance. I missed her very much. Joy had turned to sadness, and I grieved for many days. When someone you love passes away, remember that God did not want to take your joy away. God created everything good, but sin and brokenness came into the world when the first humans chose their will over God’s. While it can be easy to blame God or be bitter toward Him when a loved one dies, know that God grieves with us, and He is going to bring about an end to death. Jesus defeated sin and death when He died on the cross and rose again, and He will return one day to raise us from the dead and crush death underneath His feet forever. When you are in sorrow, remember that Jesus promises new life. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, nothing can separate us from God, the owner of our souls who loves us deeply (Romans 8:38-39). God’s Spirit holds us, even in death. When you are sorrowful, you can cherish the memories and moments you and your loved one had together, and you can thank God for how He has blessed you with the life of this person. When you are sorrowful, come to God, and He will comfort you. • Golda Dilema • How might it be comforting to know that Jesus is with you as you grieve? • What are some ways you can bring comfort to those who are grieving? (Romans 12:15) • Death is a terrible thing, but it is not the end. All of Jesus’s followers will be with Him in the happiest, loveliest, and most peaceful place for eternity. He will wipe our tears, and there will be no more suffering (Revelation 21:1-7). How might this truth give you hope? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more. Psalm 71:20-21 (NIV)

Abraham is known for his obedience, faith, and trust in God. When God called Abraham (or Abram) to leave his homeland, he obeyed. It took a lot of trust for Abraham to leave his native land, not knowing where he was to go (Hebrews 11:8). He left his father’s house and relatives and went with his wife, Sarah (or Sarai), to Canaan. This was a point of strength in Abraham’s walk with God. However, in another incident, Abraham seemed to lose his faith and trust in God. When there was a famine in the land of Canaan, it was a time of danger and uncertainty. Abraham decided to go to Egypt, and he told Sarah to lieto say that she was not his wife. Abraham was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take Sarah, since she was a beautiful woman. So Sarah was taken into Pharaoh’s palace. This was a point of weakness in Abraham’s walk with God, as he failed to trust God to protect him and Sarah. So we see a man who once walked with God in obedience, faith, and trust, now relying on his own strength and wisdom. He wasn’t relying on the God who had promised to bless him. But God remained faithful. He rescued them by inflicting diseases on Pharaoh and his household. And God continued to keep His promises. In our own walk with God, there are times when our faith in God seems so robust that we can trust and obey Him in whatever He tells us to do. But, at other times, we are filled with fear. Especially in times of danger and uncertainty, we might doubt that God is really good and trustworthy. When we stop relying on God, we fall into sinsaying and doing things that go against God’s good ways. But even when we mess up, God remains faithful to us. When we are afraid, we can turn to Jesus. His love for us is sure. Before He went to the cross, He said, I am leaving you with a giftpeace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). We can rely on Jesus to keep His promises. He rose from the dead defeating sin and death once and for alland when He returns, we will live with Him forever. Until then, He gives us the Holy Spirit, who helps us learn to trust Him even in times of uncertainty. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni Even if we mess up, we are not failures. How might Abraham’s story give you hope? When it’s hard to trust God, who are fellow Christians who can encourage and pray with you? If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13a (NLT) Read Verses: Genesis 12; Hebrews 11:8; 2 Timothy 2:13

Sunshine and blue skies Fresh air and cool breezes Sparkling smiles and rosy cheeks Flowing hair and tight-knit curls Who would think of all of this? Green grass and blue lakes Snowflakes and hailstorms Human interaction and good talks Giggling babies and wild toddlers Who would think of all of this? Seashells and sandy beaches Raindrops and rainbows Soft fur beneath my hand Great big dogs and tiny bunnies Who would think of all of this? You thought of us as you created earth You did things your way You made great things You created the earth in a unique and wonderful way Who would think of all of this? Emily Acker Are you ever amazed at all God has created? What is one of your favorite things God has made? Did you know everything has been made through Jesus, who is the Word and the Son of God? (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-20) How might this affect the way we view Jesus? For by him [Jesus] all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (WEB) Read Verses: Psalm 33:5-Psalm 33:9; Romans 11:33-Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16

I try to make the right choices, but I know that I am messing up on a daily basis. Even though I call out to God over and over again and try to let Him guide me, I still make mistakes, and I still sin. No matter how hard we try, we just can’t be perfect. But the good news is, God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect to love us. He offers His grace in the midst of our mistakes. He is accepting even when we are messing up. On the journey of life, taking a wrong turn seems scary and dangerous when I am all alone. But I am not alone. I know that God is there to turn me around and make things right, and the assurance of His presence helps me feel so much better. God’s grace is bigger than we could ever imagine. We run out of patience with those around us, but God is always patient with us. God’s love is there for us even when we mess up. Human love can be conditional, but God’s love is not. God revealed the depths of His love on the cross. I am so thankful Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead so I could be forgiven. Nothing can separate me from God’s love because Jesus has covered all my sinspast, present, and future. I am so thankful God has chosen to show grace to me over and over again. That grace is so powerful. It can truly change my life and save me. Emily Acker Do you ever feel like you are one wrong step away from God giving up on you? God’s grace is not based on what we do but on what Jesus has done for us (Ephesians 2:8-10). So His grace is always big enough to cover our messes. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can encourage you and remind you of God’s love, even when you fail? How can you be this kind of friend to others? From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:16 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 5:6-Romans 5:11; Romans 7:21-Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 15:3-1 Corinthians 15:10; John 1:16

Sometimes, I read the Bible to study it, paying attention to who wrote each passage, who they were speaking to, what was going on historically and culturally, what the big ideas and themes are stuff like that. When I read the Bible during my quiet time, I often like to have my journal open in front of me so that I can write down verses that stick out to me. Then I can underline and circle words and phrases, or write down thoughts, questions, frustrations, and prayers. I find that writing helps me focus as I engage with the Bible and connect with God. But there are other times when I don’t use my journal. Lately, when I have felt weary and frustrated, I will read a passage (usually a psalm) slowly, one phrase at a time, in rhythm with deep breaths. This practice helps me settle myself, slow down, let the words sink in. Here’s an example. Psalm 23 starts with the words, The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. So, I might close my eyes, open my hands so they’re facing palms-up and resting on my knees, and repeat the words in my head as I breathe slowly: (Inhale) The Lord is my shepherd, (Exhale) I lack nothing. Sometimes, I do a whole verse in one breath. But if a word or phrase sticks out to me, I might breathe with it slower or repeat it a couple times. For example: (Inhale) The Lord is (Exhale) my shepherd (Inhale) (Exhale) The Lord (Inhale) is (Exhale) my shepherd I might breathe through the whole psalm, or maybe just a verse or two. This slow practice has helped me calm and quiet myself, and re-center my heart and mind on God. When I spend time with God, I’m reminded of His goodness and love and that makes it a lot easier for me to trust Him. As God’s truth washes over me, He cleans off the ick that has gotten stuck to me as I’ve gone through life, and He refreshes my soul (Psalm 23:3). Hannah Howe How do you like to read the Bible? we meditate on your unfailing love. Psalm 48:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 23; Psalm 48:9

There are times when someone in your life seems to need you in some way. Maybe someone new starts at your school and they are struggling in a class that you understand well. Maybe your sibling hurts their leg and struggles to get around with their crutches. Maybe you see a coworker going without anything to eat during their lunch break. When we see a need in someone else and we have the ability to meet that need, we can show God’s love by offering help. Throughout the Bible, God has compassion on people who are poor and struggling, and He helps themoften through the obedience of His followers. Today, God is still there for those who are going through hard times, and He can work through us to help the people around us. People go through a number of different struggles. We will all experience hard times until Jesus returns to restore our broken world, but God has not left us alone. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are part of God’s family, and He calls us to love one another as He has loved us. The more we are available to help others, the more we can touch this world and make it a better place. And remember, we aren’t supposed to do any of this in our own strength or wisdom. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit, who is our Counselor and Helper. The more we follow God’s lead and rely on His strength to do the right thing, the more we will shine His light. When we look out for the needs of those around us, we make a difference. Emily Acker Have you ever felt God’s love because someone helped you? Can you think of someone in your life who is hurting? How could you look out for their needs? Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (CSB) Read Verses: Galatians 6:2; Psalm 82:2-Psalm 82:4

Different things can happen that leave us in need of healing. Sometimes, we are injured physically, and we know we have a long journey ahead of us. Those times can be scary, and we might fear that our bodies will not heal as they are supposed to. There are also times when we are injured emotionally, when something happens in our lives that makes us feel hopeless or scared for the future. But there is always hope. God is a God of healing. Our world is broken because of sin, but when JesusGod in fleshcame and lived among us, He healed all kinds of hurts (Matthew 9:35; Luke 4:17-21). He took our sin upon Himself when He went to the cross, and He rose from the deadbeating sin, death, sickness, and every kind of brokenness. Pain will not have the last word. Jesus will heal all of creation when He returns. And He gives us glimpses of that healing when we come to Him. Whether we have been hurt physically or emotionally, God has a way of saving us and making things better. Even in the midst of pain, He gives us hope. I injured my finger recently. The injury was pretty scary at first. It took me a couple days to calm down and notice the healing that was already taking place. It took weeks for my finger to start looking the way it used to, but every time I looked at my finger, I saw God working. The healing that He was bringing about amazed me. Sometimes, God brings healing naturally or through the people around you such as friends or medical and mental health professionals. No matter what you have gone through, God can heal you. Who better to turn to when you need to be healed than the One who is all-powerful? Emily Acker Have you ever seen your body heal from an injury, even just a small cut or a bruise? How does the way God designed our bodies reveal His kindness? Have you ever prayed for healing, either for yourself or someone else? We can always ask God for healing. Sometimes He heals right away, other times gradually. God works in all kinds of waysthrough miracles, medical care, therapy and when Jesus returns, He will fully heal all of creation, including us! If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to that day (Revelation 21:4). What needs healing in your lifea relationship, an injury, a broken heart? God knows what you’re going through and has compassion on you. You can bring your hurts to Him in prayer. God also gives healing through community (the church). If someone has hurt you, tell a trusted adult right away. O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jeremiah 17:14 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 103:2-Psalm 103:4; Psalm 147:3; Jeremiah17:14