Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: PSALM 71:20; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-5; 12:5-10 When I was a kid, I thought I had just about everything figured out. God was good. Evil and suffering were a result of sin, not a result of God. But then I got older... In the middle of my teen years, I began to see the effects of sin a little closer to home. Suffering (and every emotion that came with it) was no longer an abstract idea about the world; it became my world. An event happened in my life that ripped my reality in two. Life suddenly got more complicated. I felt numb at first. "Did that really just happen?" And then I felt mad. "Why did that just happen!?" Throw in some bitterness, relief, sorrow, and confusion for good measure and you’d have what I was feeling at the time. Doubt flooded my mind. "Am I strong enough to face this?" It was in this dark period of my life when I rediscovered 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Paul relays a real and present struggle that torments him. He tells the Corinthians that he repeatedly cried out to God, pleading for his Lord to take the struggle away. Jesus said in reply, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9). So Paul embraces his suffering, delighting in his weakness and difficulties. He says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (verse 10). How powerful an idea! Paul understood that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can be honest about our weaknesses and rely on Him for strength. Applying this concept to my own life, I see that, no, I am not strong enough. My situation is too heavy for me to bear. But Christ is my comforter. He weeps with me. He is my strength when I don’t have any. And He will use my experiences to His glory. And, someday, He will return to get rid of all sin and suffering permanently. • Emma Pamer • Can you think of a time you felt like a situation was too heavy for you to bear? • During painful times, Jesus doesn’t sit at the end of the difficult season, waiting for you to catch up with Him. Jesus walks with you and weeps with you. He does not abandon you—and He never will. That is why we can embrace suffering—not because suffering is good (it’s not) but because Jesus Himself endures our suffering with us, giving us comfort and strength. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

I live long-distance from my best friend, and sometimes, it’s terrible. I miss her tons, and even though we video chat often, I usually go months without seeing her in person. The Bible stresses the importance of having a good Christian community, but what do you do when a part of that community is close in your heart, but not close on a map? Take a look at John 11. Jesus demonstrated love for His friends when He visited Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus had died. Jesus took time to mourn with His friends and listen to what they had to say. And then He performed a miracle and raised their brother from the dead! This miracle was just a preview of the resurrection all Christians will have when Jesus returnsbecause Jesus overcame sin and death through His own resurrection. Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He promised His followers that He would always be with them (Matthew 28:20). As I look at Jesus, I know I can still be a presence in my friend’s life, even if I can’t always physically travel to her. Because the Holy Spirit lives inside Christians, we have a special connection with other people who have put their trust in Jesus. In a letter to Christians in Colossae, Paul writes, For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit (Colossians 2:5). One of the ways my friend and I stay present in each other’s lives is by praying for each other often. If I have an event that I’m anxious about, I’ll ask her to pray for me and vice versa. When we video chat, I listen earnestly to what she has going on in her life, and she does the same for me. We both offer support and advice when the other one needs it. Being friends over a long distance is difficult, but we both try to practice Christ-like love, even from far away. Naomi Zylstra Is there someone you love who lives far away? What’s one way you can show them that you love them? When we miss people we love, Jesus invites us to tell Him about it. He mourns with us, and He listens to everything we have to say. How might it give you comfort to know that Jesus is this kind of friend to you? For though I [Paul] am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit Colossians 2:5 (NIV) Read Verses: John 11:1-John 11:44; John 15:12-John 15:16

In the book of Acts, there is an account of Peter being rescued from prison by God. After an angel guided him out of the prison, Peter went to a house where fellow believers were praying for his release from an unjust stay in the Roman jail. This account also tells of a girl named Rhoda who answered the door when Peter knocked. The Bible does not tell us any more details about this girl. What was going through her mind that night? It’s fun to imagine how she would have told her story Hi, my name is Rhoda, and I am a servant in the house of Mary. We were gathered there late one night to pray for Peter. You see, Peter was arrested and thrown in prison. We were afraid the government leaders were going to have him killed. As we were praying, I heard a knock on the door. I went to answer and asked who it was. The voice on the other side said it was Peter. Recognizing that the voice was actually Peter’s, I ran back and told the others that Peter was at the door! Nobody believed me. I kept trying to tell them it was Peter until we all heard the knock again, and this time everyone went to the door, and there was Peter! We were all amazed. He told us how the Lord sent an angel to rescue him from prison. We all rejoiced and were very thankful. After I went to bed that night, I started thinking about what had happened. Why hadn’t I let the poor man in when he first knocked? We were all praying for Peter’s rescue from prison, and yet when God answered our prayers, we were amazed. After all, I remember when Jesus was going from town to town and healing people who were sick. I remember the time when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. And I remember when Jesus Himself rose from the dead! Yet we were all amazed when God rescued Peter from prison. Lord, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for answering our prayers. Thank you that I can trust you to do more than I could ever imagine. Doug Velting Have you ever been surprised by how God answered a prayer? Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, Peter is at the door! Acts 12:13-14 (NIV) Read Verses: Acts:12:5-Acts:12:17; Ephesians 3:20-Ephesians 3:21

My favorite verse in the Bible is Isaiah 54:10. It assures me of God’s unfailing love for me that will never be shaken and of His covenant of peace that will not be removed. It shows me that God’s love for me is more certain and stable than the mountains and the hills. Even if these are shaken and removed, God’s covenant of peace is a sure one. In the book of Isaiah, Isaiah the prophet said God would punish the Israelites for their sin. Because they did not obey God’s commandments but instead rebelled against Him, worshipping idols and acting unjustly, God would send them into exile. But then, because God is compassionate, He would bring restoration, forgiveness, and healing after the punishment. Not only would God rescue Israel from exile, but He would also send the Messiah who would bring peace and safety to Israel and beyond. The Messiah would be a light to the nations. He would suffer for sin, and through His suffering, our wrongdoings would be taken away. This verse was a message of hope and comfort to the Israelites, the original audience, when they were suffering in captivity because of their sin. God said, because of His unfailing love, He would never leave them. What does this promise mean for us today? At times, we may feel overwhelmed with the fear of abandonment by friends and even family. We crave safety, protection, and a sense of connection with people who love usand these are all good desires. Yet, because our world has been broken by sin, the people in our lives will fail us. But even then, God will be with us (Psalm 27:10). He loves us with unfailing love, and He will not abandon us. In the New Testament of the Bible, we see the promise of a Messiah fulfilled. Jesuswho is God in fleshcame and suffered for our sins by dying on the cross. Then He rose from the dead, beating sin and death once and for all. Hebrews 7:22 tells us that Jesus guarantees the covenant of peace and love. Because I’ve put my trust in Jesus, this covenant assures me of God’s unfailing and everlasting love for me. Let us be encouraged to know God’s love for us will never fail and His covenant of peace stands forever. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni What feels shaky in your life today? How might God’s promise in Isaiah 54:10 give you hope? Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah31:3; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 13:5

I like to give the things in my life names. I name my car, my plantsand I even brainstorm future pet names. Names can carry a lot of weight and significance, so what does it mean that God calls Himself “I AM”? In Exodus 3, God speaks to Moses through a burning bush thatmiraculously does not burn up. When Moses asks God what His name is, God replies, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ââ¬ËI AM has sent me to you The Lord, the God of your fathersthe God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacobhas sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation (verse 14-15). When God uses the name “I AM,” He sets Himself apart from any other god the Israelites may have been worshipping. This is not a god of fertility or the sun, this is the God who rules over everything. This is the God who existed before the Israelites were even a people, and He will continue to exist after they rebel against Him and are sent into exile generations later. God presents His unchanging nature in His name. The Hebrew name for God, Yahweh, sounds like I am in Hebrew. This name was so sacred to the ancient Israelites that they would often substitute God’s name for “Lord,” or “Adonai,” in Scripture texts. This is why you see the name “LORD” in all caps in the Bible. God has lived up to His name. He showed His unchanging love and grace in the sacrifice of sending Jesus to die on the cross and rise again for us. And God continues to show us His unchanging love by sanctifying and transforming us each day. So, whenever the future is uncertain, we can know that our God remains unchanging in His love and grace. Naomi Zylstra Why is it important that God is unchanging? Besides His name, how else does God set Himself apart from other gods? One of the ways Jesus revealed His identity was by saying, Before Abraham was born, I am! (John 8:58). Why do you think Jesus said this? Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Exod:3:1-Exod:3:15; Psalm 20:7

The city of Atlantis was real. My forehead pressed against the thick glass window of the submarine, and I could only gape as the shining city came into view. The best we could have hoped to find was the crumbled ruins of a once great city, now resting at the bottom of the ocean. We never could have anticipated this. The city was fully intact, safely enclosed inside a clear dome that protected the buildings, vegetation, and people from the freezing water of the ocean’s depths. The captain of our sub made contact with the natives of Atlantis, and they welcomed us into their city through a special double-door chamber that drained all the water from around our vessel so we could breathe the sweet air inside the dome. The city was bright and colorful. Flowers grew along the bustling streets filled with people laughing and selling goods like fresh produce and clothing. Children chased each other through the crowd, not a care or concern on their faces for the darkness that lay just outside their city’s dome. The Atlantians threw a feast in our honor, and we took turns asking dozens of questions, them about the world on the surface and us about their life at the bottom of the ocean. How is it possible? our captain asked, gesturing to the city around us. How can all of this exist in an environment as dark and cruel as the deep sea? It was the question we had all been asking since laying eyes on the remarkable city. The queen of Atlantis smiled warmly and raised her arms, gesturing to the dome around us all. I imagine the explanation is much the same as the explanation for how your submarine allows you to travel to such depths. Outside this dome, so deep in the sea, there are thousands of pounds of pressure. Outside the safety of our dome, or a vessel like yours, the water would crush us, killing us instantly. But this dome exerts a pressure equal; its materials are stronger even than the pressure that lies beyond it. And it is because of the pressure within, she placed her hand on her heart, that we are able to withstand the pressure without. Emily Tenter If you’re a follower of Jesus, you have received the Holy Spirit, the One who gives us the power to withstand the pressures we face every dayloss, illness, decisions about the future, conflict with friends or family, etc. What pressures are you experiencing right now? Sometimes, it feels like the problems of this broken world and the powers of evil will crush us, but Jesus is stronger than everything. Because Jesus beat death, sin, and evil through His own death and resurrection, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). How might this truth give you hope? Inside the dome, the city of Atlantis was bright and full of life. When we trust in Jesus, what does He fill us with? (Romans 15:13-15) How does the Holy Spirit help us endure, even during difficult circumstances? (Colossians 1:9-14) Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit guiding or encouraging you? As we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, it’s important to remember that God does not contradict His written Word, the Bible. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern what is from God and what is not? this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 (NIV) Read Verses: John 16:12-John 16:15; Acts:2:38-Acts:2:39; Ephesians 3:14-Ephesians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 4:7-2 Corinthians 4:8

I grew up studying in a religious school. My parents were respected in our small town. They were kind, generous, and accommodating. I looked up to them, and I loved helping the needy. However, I did something terrible when I was a teenager. I ended up bullying a poor classmate of mine. She was silent as a lamb. She did not retaliate. I did not see her angry. I was not aware that I was already bullying her. I just thought I was making fun of her. One day, I came to realize that what I did was wrong. I realized I was hurting and shaming her. I was guilty of bullying. I was troubled and upset by what I had done. I realized I was being insensitive and narrow-minded. That hit me hard in my conscience. Regret followed me, and I was not at peace. Joy left me. I said to myself, “I should not have done that. I am not perfect, but I am compassionate, or so I thought.” Even after acknowledging that I had bullied someone, it was hard for me to forgive myself. What do you do when you mess up? Come to Jesus. God knows everything about youincluding everything you’ve done wrongand He loves you. No matter what you’ve done, He wants to forgive you. When Jesus, God the Son, died on the cross, He took the punishment our wrongdoing (or sin) deserves. Then He rose from the dead, beating sin and death forever. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, all our sins have been dealt with. God does not condemn us. So we do not need to condemn ourselves. Instead, we can come to Jesus, confess what we’ve done, and rest in His complete forgiveness. God does not want us to be trapped in regrets and negative feelings. He helps us realize our sins so that we can confess them and live in His good ways instead. And He gives us the power to do so through the Holy Spirit. He will help us move forward. He will bring healing and make us whole again. Golda Dilema Do you ever have a hard time forgiving yourself? In moments like these, come to Jesus. In Psalm 32, David describes how awful he feels after doing wrong. But when he confesses his sin to God, he is set free from guilt! Then David talks about how God shows us the way to go. When we do wrong, God might call us to do something to make it right, such as apologizing. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern what to do after you mess up? Come now, let’s settle this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18a (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 103:10-Psalm 103:11; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:34; Isaiah 1:18

I’m twenty-eight years old, and one thing I wish I would have known about God as a teenager is that He made me unique and special. I was born three months premature, and I had a stroke at birth. I’ve struggled to gain weight ever since. Kids would be mean to me and call me anorexic because of how skinny I was. (Anorexia is a very serious eating disorder that should never be joked about.) I would try to explain my situation to them, but it never seemed to help. Everyone would either laugh at me or say that I was lying about my story. It got to the point where I just stopped explaining myself, and I wouldn’t say anything when the kids in school made fun of me. I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I wish I had known sooner that God made me special and unique in His own specific ways. I know now that God made me on purpose, and He loves me deeply. He loves me so much that Jesus became human to die for me and rise from the dead, defeating sin and death so I can live with Him forever when He returns. In the meantime, He empowers me to share my testimony to help others who need encouragement or are going through similar circumstances. Because Jesus is so good, He can use even the hard things in our lives to connect people to Himself. I’m still small for my age, but I know God has worked in mighty ways to help me share His good news with everyone around me. I’m thankful for God’s incredible grace. He showed me that even though some kids made fun of me, my worth doesn’t come from them. It comes from Jesus. Alexis Wohler Have you ever struggled to gain weight? Have others made fun of you for any reason? When people are mean to you, Jesus weeps with you. He knows your hurts, and He cares for you. How might Jesus be offering you comfort and healing? For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:14; Jeremiah1:5; Ephesians 2:10

“Am I fake?” Has this thought ever crossed your mind? You are not alone. When someone decides to become a Christian, they might be surprised to discover they still struggle with sin. Even if they are working hard to follow Jesus and reshape their life choices and patterns, mess-ups inevitably happen. Trials come. The old you may be tempted to join in with thoughts and actions that don’t honor God. But the new you (with Jesus at the center of your life) wants to reject your past and strive to live in God’s good ways. This can feel like an internal battle. Because the world is broken, we experience hurt every day, and it’s easy to become enraged, bitter, or apathetic. The way we react to these struggles whether with hatred, a fiery retort, or impatiencecan leave a burning question in our heart: “Am I a fraud? Why am I so upset? I’m supposed to be a Christian.” Don’t despair. This is perfectly normal. The apostles were tempted and had imperfectionsthink of Peter’s fiery temper and how he cut off Malchus’s ear in John 18:10and yet they were present with Jesus. We all face temptations, and when we recognize them, we may feel discomfort, but Jesus promises He will never leave us. His Spirit is in us and working to restore us, day by day shaping us to become more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). You are not a fake Christian if you lose your temper or say something wrongyou are a human Jesus loves. Even though you are being transformed, following Jesus isn’t easy. Making changes is a lifelong choice that doesn’t happen instantaneously, but you are not alone in the process. You are on a spiritual journey with Jesus. Remember that artwork doesn’t become a masterpiece right away; it happens in stages with a few brushstrokes here and there until a beautiful picture is made. As Christians, we are all God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). So keep going. Persevere because through it all you have a heavenly Father who loves you dearly, the Holy Spirit who helps you in your weakness, and Jesus who took all your sins upon Himself when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are totally forgiven, and nothing can separate you from His love. Cindy Lee Do you ever feel like a fake or a fraud? As Christians, how can we come alongside each other when we sin? (Galatians 6:1-5) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14 (NLT) Read Verses: 1 Peter 5:8-1 Peter 5:11; Philippians 3:14; Romans 7:14-Romans 8:39

Imagine you wake up one morning and begin to get ready for the day. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you are horrified by what you see: you have a massive case of bedhead, eye crust is piled up in your eyelids, last night’s dinner is stuck between your teeth, and you look like you haven’t showered in days. Would you shrug it off and start your day without cleaning up first? No way! When we read the Bible, it’s like looking into a mirror. The Bible reveals who God is and also who we are. It tells the story of God’s love for all people and the whole creation and how He is redeeming the world through Jesus. Part of what the Bible shows us is how sin operates in the world, and it even exposes our sin and shows us our need for God. Throughout the Bible, God invites us to live in His good wayswhich must be centered around putting our trust in Jesus. Just as it wouldn’t make sense to look in the mirror and then not do anything about your appearance, it doesn’t make any sense to read the Bible and not be affected by it. James tells us that the person who reads the Bible and never does what it says is deceiving themselvesthey are tricking themselves into thinking that everything is okay when it’s definitely not! It can be difficult to read the Bible and become convicted of sin. But as we come to understand our sinfulness, we also gain a deeper appreciation for the work of Jesus on the cross. He took all our sins upon Himself and died in our place so that we could be forgiven. But that wasn’t the end. Jesus rose from the dead, beating sin and death and promising to return to heal all the effects of sin. If we have put our trust in Jesus, we can know that all our sins are forgiven. Now, Jesus is calling us to follow Him, and that means being both hearers and doers of the Word. Jacob Bier In John 14:15, Jesus says that obedience is a sign of our love for Him. We don’t obey God to earn His love He already loves us completely! Rather, we obey God because He loves us and He is transforming us through Jesus. How might this truth affect the way you read the Bible? When we realize we have sinned, Jesus invites us to come to Him. As we turn away from sin and back toward God, He forgives us and empowers us to live in His good ways. Are there any sins you would like to confess to God? Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 4:12; James 1:19-James 1:27

Do you yearn to break free from the chains of your past? Are you weary of running Or wearing a mask? Pain, guilt, shame, and despair Ugly, heavyit’s too much to bear Hope shines through the dark When all else seems lost He took all our sin When He bore the cross No longer slaves, no need to fear His burden is light; God’s presence is near Will you receive the freedom He gives? Grace is for all; healing is here Joy, forgiveness, peace for the taking A new creation in Christ in the making Savannah Coleman Do you ever feel like you’re running, or like you’re wearing a mask? Jesus came to free usnot only from sin and deathbut also from shame and fear. From the beginning, God had a plan to send His Son, Jesus, to save us. When Adam and Eve sinned, death reignedpain, guilt, shame, and despair were the rule of the dayuntil God abundantly provided the gift of new life through Jesus Christ. This gift is for everyone who puts their trust in Him (Romans 5:17-21, 10:9). Have you made the decision to put your trust in Jesus? (If you’d like to know more about what this means, see our “Know Jesus” page.) Once you belong to Christ, He begins a good work in you that He promises to bring to completion until the day He comes again (Philippians 1:3-11). Jesus invites us to live in His freedom and abundance. As you spend time in God’s presence, He will deepen your knowledge of Himself and equip you with everything you need to follow Him. How do you like to spend time with God? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 11:25-Matthew 11:30; 2 Corinthians 5:14-2 Corinthians 5:21

We have all experienced the pain of betrayal, unkind words spoken, and possibly even more serious hurts inflicted by someone against us. What is the natural response when people wrong us? Retaliation is often our first instinct. But is that the loving, Christian response? When someone wrongs us, God calls us not to do them harm in return. Instead, we are to do them good. Now, that sounds hard. What good can we do to someone who has hurt us? Take a look at the life of Joseph in the Bible. Because Joseph was his father’s favorite son, Joseph’s brothers hated him and continually spoke harshly to him. They hated him so much that they sold him into slavery to get rid of him, and Joseph was taken to Egypt. That is a very serious offense, and, for many years, the brothers thought they had gotten away with it. Joseph was gone, and no one would ever know why. Fast-forward a few years. A famine came to the land where Joseph’s brothers lived. They showed up in Egypt looking for food. Ah! Here was Joseph’s chance! Joseph, though once a slave, now had great power in Egypt and could imprison his brothers or require grave consequences for their actions against him. Instead, Joseph forgave them! And he met their need for food with abundance. He returned love for their spiteful sin, and his loving actions led to a restored relationship with his brothers and the survival of their entire family. Joseph’s actions foreshadowed the radical forgiveness that Jesus gives us. We have all done wrong, but God Himself took the punishment for our sin when Jesus died on the cross. And Jesus rose from the dead, so now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is restored to relationship with God! Though we all deserve death, He gives us life. When someone sins against us, we can forgive them as God has forgiven us because the Holy Spirit empowers us to do so (Romans 8:9-12). In response to evil, we give good. We act in love. We let go of anger and resentment. With God’s help, we hope and pray that the offender will repent, and we choose to retaliate with good. Rebecca Moore How could you do good to someone who has wronged you? (Remember, when people hurt us deeply, forgiving them doesn’t mean we have to form close relationships with them.) See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT) Read Verses: Ephesians 4:31-Ephesians 4:32; 1Thess:5:15; Genesis 45:1-Genesis 45:11; Genesis 50:15-Genesis 50:21

I recently had an experience that still makes me smile each time I think about it. I was carrying my five-month-old nephew while his two-year-old brother was running around in the house. We made a game of the younger one chasing the older one, and soon both boys were shrieking with laughter. It made me so happy to see the two interact and enjoy one another while they were still so young. When I got home, I said that I wanted to remember those moments forever. God gives us special times with the ones we love. He allows us to see and do things that create memories we cherish. I thank God that there is a time for joy along with a time for tears. As Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. Life can get really heavy. I have a lot weighing down on me right now. But God mixes in a lot of good as we go through each day, giving us a break from our pain and the chance to smile and laugh. Emily Acker What is a special memory you hold onto? Has God ever given you a happy moment when you really needed it? Consider taking some time to enjoy this memory and thank God for it. When Jesus came to earth as a human and lived among us, He experienced everything we dothe sorrows and the joys (Hebrews 4:14-16). When Jesus returns, there will be no more sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4). But until then, He is with us through everything we experience, grieving our hurts and delighting in our joys right along with us. How might these truths give you comfort? Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) Read Verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-Ecclesiastes 3:4; James 1:17

When you mess up or wander away from God, you might feel like that’s it. You might think, “The things I’ve done are too much. God couldn’t forgive me.” But that is not true. The amazing thing about God’s grace is that it’s not too late for you. There is still hope for you even after you mess up. God knows none of us is perfect. Ever since the first humans went their own way against God, we all sin and do wrong. But God didn’t give up on us. Though we all rejected Him, He still loves us. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to this world, to live and die and rise again for us. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. All of us have sinned. All of us. We have all fallen short of deserving anything from Godbut He gives incredible grace to us anyway. Ephesians 2:4-5 says, God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) When you have messed up, even in a big way, it’s not too late. You can repent by turning away from sin and coming to God. You can ask for His forgiveness, and He will give you new life. God can make all things new. He can help you leave the past behind. God’s grace truly is beautiful and amazing. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can live without shame from the past (Psalm 34:5; Romans 8:1). We can live freely, knowing that God is with us, and we can look forward to eternal life with Jesus when He returns. Thank you, God, for your grace. Bethany Acker Have you ever felt like what you’ve done is unforgivable, like there’s no going back? Take heart. Jesus’s death on the cross was for you, and His grace is big enough to cover your sinall of it. It’s not about what you’ve done; it’s about what Jesus has done. If you’d like to know more about God’s grace and what it means to put your trust in Jesus, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to? (You can also find more information on our “Know Jesus” page.) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 3:23-Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:1-Ephesians 2:10

Your friends don’t always understand what has you upset. You are unique, and when it comes to things that hurt you and your feelings about what is going on in the world, not everyone will be affected the same way you are. When you feel misunderstood, know that God sees you. Your family might get uncomfortable when you cry. They might try to stop you or tell you that things really aren’t as bad as you think. Your hurts are real, though, and so are your feelings. God sees your pain when others don’t understand how you are feeling or don’t have the patience to deal with you. When you feel like your pain is yours alone and no one is going to stand by you or help you through it, know that God is there. He sees your tears, and He cares about you. He values you. He hurts for you. Jesus identifies with your pain, and He weeps alongside you. Jesus grieves what you grieve. God is not ashamed of you when you cry, and He is not going to tell you to stop. God knows what types of things bother you. He understands you. You can reach out to Him when you feel alone in your pain. He will never turn you away. Emily Acker Do you feel alone when you are hurting? Sometimes, other people don’t know how to be there for us in our pain, and this can make us feel even worse. In John 11, when Jesus’s friend Mary was crying because her brother Lazarus had died, Jesus did not tell her to stop. Even though Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus wept with Mary (verse 35). In the same way, Jesus weeps with you when you are hurting. Jesus understands your pain because He has been through similar pain (Hebrews 4:14-16). He was willing to be wounded so that you could be healed (Isaiah 53:4-5). How might this truth give you hope? In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul talks about God comforting us, and then he reminds us we can comfort others through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. How could receiving God’s compassion for us help us show compassion to others? He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (CSB) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3-2 Corinthians 1:5; Psalm 147:3

While hiking on a trail in the Smoky Mountains, my husband and I needed to make a decision. The sign had said the trail was only a few milesbut it didn’t say we were headed uphill through rough terrain. Hot and weary, we considered going back, but once we realized how far we had already come, we rallied and kept hiking to the trail’s end. The book of Hebrews was written to weary people who were encountering difficulties as they followed the way of Christ. While we don’t know the identity of the writer of Hebrews, he or she is clearly someone who knew and understood God’s Word. This author is encouraging Hebrew (or Jewish) Christians who are discouraged by the persecution they are facing as believers. They are tempted to return to their old way of life, but this would be a terrible mistake. Point by point, the author of Hebrews shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. When God was revealing Himself to the Jewish people throughout the Old Testament, everything was leading up to Jesus. The book of Hebrews shows us that Jesus is greater than anything or anyone. He is greater the angels (chapter 1). He is greater than Moses, who was a faithful servantbut Jesus is faithful as God’s Son (chapter 3). Jesus is greater than the Old Testament priests (chapter 5) and the sacrifices they offered for sin, because Jesus offered His own blood as the very last sacrifice and obtained eternal redemption (chapter 9, verse 12) for His people. Because Jesus is greater than all these, the writer of Hebrews calls on believers to persevere and continue to walk in faith. Chapter 11 gives examples of Old Testament believers who did just that. People like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and others are listed as heroes of the faith who persevered during difficult days, even though they did not experience the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lifetimes (verses 13, 39). Hebrews calls us to do the sameto persevere, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (chapter 12, verse 2). Laura N. Sweet Do you ever get discouraged about following Jesus? Ever think about turning back? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with when you feel this way? Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 3:1-Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:14-Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19-Hebrews 10:23

“Go in peace, the worship leader said at the end of my first chapel service at my Christian university. I had never heard the phrase before, but after hearing it at every following chapel, I learned that some churches close every service with the words go in peace. It was amusing at first to anticipate this catchphrase, but then I realized just how powerful those words are. It made me wonder, what does it look like to actually go in peace? First, before you go in peace, you have to come into peace. God invites us to refocus on Jesus, the Prince of Peace, in the middle of the craziness of the world (Isaiah 9:6). Coming into peace is drawing near to God and listening to Him, whether through prayer, reading and reflecting on His Word, doing a Bible study or worship night, or attending a church gathering. In Luke 7, a woman who lived a sinful lifecame to Jesus and, weeping, anointed His feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair (verses 37-38). While some people looked down on her, Jesus defended her. He said that her sins were forgiven, and He explained that her actions were done out of love for God. Then He told her to go in peace (verse 50). Like this woman, we can come to Jesus knowing that He will accept us. When we admit our sin to Him and accept His gift of eternal life through His death and resurrection, we too can go in peace knowing that we are forever loved by God. Our peace comes from knowing we have a secure future with Jesus. Through faith, we have an unshakeable hope wherever we go, no matter what the future holds. It’s peace during a challenging exam or a bad storm. It’s peace in health challenges and family struggles. It’s peace in war and persecution. It’s peace that passes understanding. Our world is broken by sin and full of chaos, but with Jesus, we can have peace no matter what we face because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Abby Ciona Can you think of a time you came into God’s peace, either by yourself or with others? Read Colossians 3:12-17. According to these verses, what does it look like to live in the peace that Jesus has given us? Who can you share Jesus’s peace with today? 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: John 14:27; Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:4-Philippians 4:9; 2Thess:3:16

We tend to feel confident when the people in our lives respect us and celebrate our accomplishments. We feel good when we do big things. But when we are struggling and no one seems to notice us, we might start to question our value. As humans, we want to impress others and to be accepted by them. It’s hard when we feel like no one sees us. In those times, it’s important to remember that God sees us and He loves us. God created you just the way you are. The parts of yourself that you like, the parts of yourself that you don’t likeHe made every part of you. He created you in His image, and Jesus said, You are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Matthew 10:31). God showed how precious you are to Him when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so that you could be accepted into God’s family. You have value because God made you and He claims you as His own. God sees you every day, whether you are accomplishing big things or just getting through each hour. You don’t have to do anything special to capture the attention of the One who made you. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that you are God’s precious child, a child He celebrates. Emily Acker Do you ever feel like you need to do something impressive to get people to notice or value you? God says that you are precious to Him, and you don’t need to do anything to earn His love. Jesus has already done everything that was needed by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. How might this truth free you to follow God in love and gratitude? If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 1:27; Romans 15:7; and Ephesians 5:1-2. But to all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 135:4; Ephesians 3:17; 1 John 3:1; John 1:12

Recently, I was on a flight from Chicago. Shortly after takeoff, we reached our cruising altitude. The pilot warned us about some possible turbulence. “No big deal,” I thought. Suddenly, the plane dropped. A lot. It probably lasted barely two seconds. The oxygen masks didn’t even fall from the ceiling. But there was an audible gasp from the passengers as our stomachs seemed to fly upward. The guy next to me turned a ghastly white. Up till that moment, I had felt a bit sleepy, but the rush of adrenaline canceled my nap. I was reminded of the adrenaline-filled incident in Mark 4 when the disciples and Jesus are traveling by boat across the Sea of Galilee. A sudden storm erupts, and the disciples, many of them experienced fishermen, panic when water begins to gather in the boat. Unlike my brief adrenaline rush, I’m sure the disciples worked feverishly to right the small boat. They rowed hard against the storm, but they seemed to be losing. And Jesus? Mark tells us Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the boat. That may seem hard to believe, but I’m sure He was exhausted after days of teaching, healing, and traveling. Besides, we fear what we cannot control. Thus, Jesus had no fear. No aspect of creation fell outside His dominionsickness and death, all aspects of nature, demonic powersall of them are subject to Jesus’s power. Colossians 1:16 tells us that in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth. The next verse adds, in him all things hold together. Whether it’s airplane turbulence or the turbulence of our own lives, we fear the unknown. But the cross of Christ can overcome that fear. I can’t control the events of life, but I know the One who can. I can panic at the waves or turn to the One who overcame death and secured my salvation. Trust Him with your life, and He will secure it as surely as He calmed the waves and settled the storm. Mike Hurley We all have times when we feel afraid (Psalm 56:3). In these times, God invites us to rely on His sure love for us (1 John 4:13-19). How might knowing that Jesus is greater than everything help us to have courage even when things feel out of control? For in him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV) Read Verses: Mark 4:35-Mark 4:41; Colossians 1:16-Colossians 1:17

I have days when I wonder, “How am I going to get through this?” It feels like the things I need to do and the steps I have to take are too much for me. I wonder if I will be strong enough to keep moving forward. But in the times when I feel like I am not enough and that I am too weak, I can reach out to God. When I don’t have the power to take on the things that I need to do, I turn to the One who made me and who definitely has more power than I have. The One who loves me and who came to be with me. God knows that we need Him, and He wants us to come to Him for help. The Bible makes it clear that we don’t have to be ashamed of our weaknesses. Rather, God says, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). On the days when you feel the weakest, God is there, ready to be strong for you. In the times when you don’t know if you are going to make it, God is still working. He wants to come beside you and give you strength. God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit in you, empowering you to do what God calls you to do. Sometimes God will call you to press on through difficulties, and other times He will call you to take a rEsther Whatever the case, He will be with you through it all. How amazing is it that we serve a God who not only sent His Son to save us but who is also willing to step into our lives and help us? How amazing is it that He will be strong for us when we cannot be strong on our own? Emily Acker Can you think of a time you felt weak and God helped you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. Where in your life do you need strength today? Do you feel like you can talk to God about this? The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Exodus 15:2a (CSB) Read Verses: Isaiah 40:28-Isaiah 40:31; 2 Corinthians 12:5-2 Corinthians 12:10; Exod:15:2

I used to have a little baby bird that I raised all on my own. Her parents neglected her since she was disabled and not as strong as the rest of her siblings. I fed her many times a day, including getting up twice a night (even on school nights) so that she would get enough food to become strong. She needed a lot of care, but I was willing to put in the effort to try and save her life. Even when I thought that my bird might not be able to survive, I never gave up on her. So, day by day, little by little, my bird became stronger. With the right amount of care, she was able to become a perfectly healthy bird. In the same way, Jesus doesn’t ever give up on us either. When nobody else believes in us, Jesus stays right by our side. He is always there for us, whether we’re doing great or we’re at our absolute worst. He will continue to help us, and we don’t need to do anything to earn that help. Jesus is the God of healing and miracles. He cares about all our hurts, and He came so that we could be made whole. He will be with us, and He will continue to love us and care for us, no matter what. Hanna Leopold Have you ever felt like that baby bird? How might it give you hope to know that Jesus never gives up on you? If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to the day He will return and put an end to sickness and pain forever. There is so much brokenness in our world, but Jesus has come to restore. Even now, God is bringing healing and wholeness all over creation. And He invites us to be part of this good work, extending kindness and compassion wherever we go. How could you show God’s love today? He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles Isaiah 40:29-31 (CSB) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 13:4-1 Corinthians 13:13; Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 40:29-Isaiah 40:31

If we are honest, at one time or another we all have doubts about our faith, what God is doing in our lives, or God’s character. In Mark 9, a man brought his son, who had been possessed by a demon since childhood, to Jesus for healing. The father said to Jesus, If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us (verse 22). Jesus replied, Everything is possible for the one who believes (verse 23). The father immediately cried out, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (verse 24). Jesus did not rebuke this father for his doubts. Jesus healed his son. What a beautiful picture of how Jesus cares for us in our suffering and doubts! In times of doubt and questions, we can echo this father’s simple yet powerful words: I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! God won’t rebuke you for your honest cries to Him, He will pull you close and remind you of who He is. Another day, Jesus miraculously walked on water, and He invited Peter to join Him. So Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus! But when Peter saw the waves and began to sink, he cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus didimmediately. Peter was in the middle of the miracle of walking on water when he had doubts. And Jesus gently reminded Peter that He was with him. Peter trusted Jesus to save him in the midst of his doubt. After Jesus’s resurrection, Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them, and Thomas said that he would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes. Instead of leaving Thomas drowning in a pool of doubt, Jesus appeared to him and gave him what he needed. Even though Jesus’s disciples walked with Him and saw His miracles firsthand, they still had doubts (Matthew 28:16-17). When that inevitable doubt comes knocking, what should we do? We can cry out to Jesus. He wants to reveal Himself to us. He wants to help us know Him. And as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we are afraid, we can remember that God is with usHe is our strength and help (Isaiah 41:10). We can fix our minds on God’s truth (Philippians 4:8) and remind our hearts that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:39). Savannah Coleman Even when Thomas was doubting, he stayed with the other disciples. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with when you are doubting? I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! Mark 9:24b (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 14:22-Matthew 14:36; Mark 9:14-Mark 9:29; John 20:24-John 20:29

I recently learned of two newborn babies who died, mere days and weeks after being born. Having a baby of my own, learning of such tragedies breaks my heart. I look at my sweet baby boy and hug him a little tighter, thankful for the gift of a healthy baby. But I can’t help but ask, Why, Lord? Why is there so much sorrow and grief and suffering in this world? Why is life filled with such heavy things as babies dying? As I mulled over these things, the Lord reminded me of Romans 8, a passage that spoke comfort to my own heart a few years ago when I walked through my own season of heartache. This passage describes our world as being subjected to futility and being in bondage (verses 20-21). You see, the world as we know it now is not the way God originally created it to be. When God created the world, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed (Genesis 1:31). But when humans went their own way against God, everything changed. Humanity became sinful, and the world groaned under the curse of their sin. But take hope! It won’t always be this way. Revelation 21:3-5 declares that the day will come when once again, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more grief and pain. No more sin. We can be sure of this hope because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the deaddefeating sin, death, disease, and sickness once and for all, and making a way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to be forgiven. When Jesus returns, every wrong will be made right. However, we’re not there yet. We still live in this world that is marked by the heartache of the effects of sin. Perhaps you have personally experienced the great sorrow of losing someone you love dearly. Suffering in this life is real. We cannot deny it. But as we suffer, we can cling to the hope of what is yet to come: one day, God will make all things right. Angela Stanley Where do you see brokenness? How can God’s promise to make all things new give you hope? Do you feel like you can talk to God about the sorrows you experience? God sees all the brokenness of His creation, and He is filled with compassion for us. Through His death and resurrection, He made the way for us to come to Him. He invites us to process the hurt, grieve the wrongness with Him, and receive His peace (Romans 15:13). Then the one seated on the throne said, Look, I am making everything new. He also said, Write, because these words are faithful and true. Revelation 21:5 (CSB) Read Verses: Romans 8:18-Romans 8:30; Revelation 21:1-Revelation 21:7

Abeo sat alone in his room. He heard laughing and talking coming from downstairs. Are they singing? He laid back on his bed. He’d told everyone that he wanted to be alone. He really wished that they would miss him down there, though. There was part of him that hoped someone would come up by him and insist that he join them. The night went on and no one came to get him. None of his family’s guests came up to tell him goodbye before they left. Abeo stretched out on his bed, tears welling in his eyes. He was lonely when he was with people, but even lonelier when he was alone in his room. All he wanted was to be loved and to know that he was accepted. Reading in Psalms the next day, Abeo could understand the pain of the psalmist and how he felt alone in the world. As the psalmist cried out to God, Abeo cried out right along with him. He wanted to feel God’s presence. And then, Abeo started to feel that God was there with him. He started to feel God’s love and compassion. Sitting by himself in his room, suddenly Abeo knew that he wasn’t alone. Emily Acker Do you ever feel alone, even when others are around? In times of loneliness, God invites you to come to Him. God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other. But when humans went their own way against God, our relationship with Him was broken. Because we live in a world that’s been broken by sin, we all experience loneliness and have difficulty navigating relationships. Yet God doesn’t leave us alone. He came for us. He took on flesh to dwell among us. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made a way for us to be restored to relationship with God. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that you are loved and accepted by the One who Created youand you are part of His family, the church! God calls His people to love and accept each other (Romans 15:7; 1 Peter 1:22). How might God be giving you opportunities to reach out to others who are lonely? All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 62:5-Psalm 62:8; Psalm 142; Psalm 38:9

The psalmists weren’t afraid to admit when they were afraid. They even talked about feeling abandoned by God. Some of my favorite psalms are those that cry out desperately to God. You can feel the writers’ authenticity. You can feel their struggle. It’s easy for me to relate to what was going on with them. These psalms remind me that God is not against our honesty. He knows what is on our hearts anyway (Psalm 139:1-4), and He invites us to tell Him when we are afraid or when we are feeling alone. When Jesus was in agony on the cross, He cried out in the words of Psalm 22:1, My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46). In the same way, we can be honest with God. We can also talk to others about the way we feel. When we are frustrated with life, when we feel like God has abandoned us, it’s important that we reach out to other Christians who will listen to us and pray with us. As the body of Christ, we are called to encourage one another and remind each other that God is trustworthy and compassionate. Like the psalmists, we all go through struggles. At times, we find ourselves wondering why God is doing the things He is doing. In these times, the psalms can give us words to express our hearts to God, and they can help us remember His goodness and praise Him again. We don’t need to be afraid to ask for help, prayer, and encouragement when we need it. Like the psalmists, we can be honest with God, and with one another. Bethany Acker Can you think of a time you felt discouraged, alone, or afraid? Did you feel like you could talk to God during that time? Why or why not? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about what you’re going through? And how can you be a good friend to others when they are struggling? For you, Lord, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. Psalm 116:8 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 88; Psalm 116:3-Psalm 116:6

Do you get frustrated with the amount of stuff accumulating in your space? For some of us, it’s easy to get things but not as easy to get rid of those items when they are no longer being used. Although the Israelites in the Bible did not necessarily have the issue of accumulating too many possessions, it’s possible that the root cause of their problems was similar to my own when it comes to material possessions. Soon after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, they needed food. To provide for His people, God sent bread, known as manna, from heaven. Each morning, the Israelites were to gather just enough to last for the day; the exception was on the sixth day of the week when they were to gather enough for the seventh day as well. But when some of the people gathered too much and kept it until the next day (besides the seventh day), the manna bred worms. Because they kept the manna overnight, the very thing they had needed one day became a burden the next. God was inviting His people to depend on Him daily. The Israelites simply needed to trust God and follow His instructions, and they would have enough food to eat (without having to deal with worms). Similarly, God invites us to trust Him daily. Though we should not be wasteful, we sometimes hold on to things too long. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that you have accumulated, maybe it’s time to get rid of some of it and trust God to provide for your needs in the future. Jennifer Miller We don’t need to hoard because God cares for us, and He provides for His people. When have you seen God provide for a need in your life? Are you holding on to something you don’t need that could be a blessing to someone else? Then the Lord said to Moses, I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. Exodus 16:4a (CSB) Read Verses: Exod:16:1-Exod:16:5; Exod:16:14-Exod:16:32; Matthew 6:25-Matthew 6:34

I swam to an old sea cave before the battle. Our odds of winning were beyond scary. Soon my kingdom could be enslaved to the Sinades again. There was already talk of surrender. Once inside, I removed my helmet and wept the salt into the water. My armor clanked as I fell to the sea floor. I was not equipped for this. How could I possibly save my people? I knew what I must do. I began untwining the straps that held my armor to my scales and placed it in a pile. Once I was unburdened from my armor, I closed my eyes and whispered, salt still streaming from my eyes. Oh Lord, Protector of the sun and sea, this armor will do me no good. Only you can affect what is needed. I surrender this armor to you. I breathed slowly, remembering our history. You have been the one leading us. You are the one who died and rose from the dead to let us live in your freedom. I floated in silence, letting this warm truth envelop me. Save us once more so that we may raise the seas to your glory. “You trust me?” I felt the question ripple through the waters. I could only nod. “Sink your armor.” With a gulp, I pushed my armor down a dark crevice in the cave. It sank into the depths from which things never returned. Then I heard, “Now go.” Fear quivered down my fins as I looked at my bare arms. I clamped my eyes shut. Oh, please Lord, give me your armor lest I fail and die! “Oh, dearest child. See, I have given you my armor.” Where is it? I looked again at my bareness. “I sunk it beneath your skin. It will protect you.” No one will see it. “That is how they will know that it was I who rescued you. Now go.” I trembled but began to leave. I stopped at the mouth of the cave. I almost smiled. They will certainly laugh both sides. I could hear the smile in the Protector’s voice. “They always do.” Abigail Scibiur We live in a broken world, and the enemy is out to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). But Jesus came to save us. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has guaranteed His victory over the evil one. Jesus fights our battles for us, and He also gives His armor to His followers. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit in us, empowering us to take our stand against the devil. Yet, our help always comes from Jesus, not ourselves. How might this truth give you comfort? Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Ephesians 6:10 (CSB) Read Verses: 1 Samuel 17:23-1 Samuel 17:50; Ephesians 6:10-Ephesians 6:18

My heart aches for unity in the church. I see so many divisionsChristians disregarding each other, judging, shaming, excluding and I feel powerless. Unity seems impossible. One day I shared my feelings with my church small group, and then one of my friends shared John 17:20-26. In this passage, Jesus was sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, a hodge-podge group of fishermen, tax collectors, political radicals you get the picture. Jesus knew that in mere hours, one of them would betray Him, another would deny Him, and the rest would abandon Him. So, what did Jesus do? He prayed for them. And not just for the people who were following Him that day, but also for everyone who would believe in Him in the future. That includes us. It brings tears to my eyes when I realize Jesus prayed for us, for me, thousands of years before we were born. He knew us even then. He knew that we would all betray Him, deny Him, and run away from Him and yet He loved us (Ephesians 1:4-6). When Jesus prayed for us, He prayed that we would be unified, that we would be one like Jesus and God the Father are one. Wow. When I look at the hodge-podge group of people who make up the church, many who I don’t agree with or even understand (and who don’t agree with or understand me), who have opposing perspectives on politics, how to interpret Scripture, and how to love others wellI think, “How could we possibly be unified?” But the freeing thing is, it’s not up to us to unify ourselves. God is the only one who can. And He wants to. He gives the Holy Spirit to those who’ve put their trust in Jesus, and the same Spirit empowers each of us to love and serve each other like Jesus loves and serves us. Unity in the church is possible because God’s love is stronger than anything. Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead have covered over every wrongdoing, every offense, everything that separates us from God and each other. We will experience complete unity when Jesus returns, and it will be beautiful. But I believe we also get to experience some of that unity here and now as we live in God’s love. My friend from small group told us she’d begun reading John 17:20-26 daily and praying Jesus’s prayer along with Him. So, I started doing the same thing. As I read, I am agreeing with Jesus’s prayer, agreeing with what God wants to do, and asking Him to do it. Hannah Howe Where have you seen unity or disunity in the church? Consider taking a moment to pray. I pray also for those who will believe that all of them may be one John 17:20b-21a (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 15:5-Romans 15:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4-1 Corinthians 12:14; John 17:20-John 17:26

June 4, 1942. Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, leader of the Pearl Harbor attack, was steaming across the ocean on the aircraft carrier Akagi, alongside the powerful Japanese navy. Six months after crippling the United States Pacific Fleet in Hawaii, he was poised to destroy another targetthe US airfields of Midway. Fuchida felt invincibleexcept for a ruptured appendix. After surgery, he was recovering on the flight deck, when he saw American Dauntless bombers diving straight for him. Hell-divers! a lookout screamed. A one thousand-pound bomb rocked the ship. During the attack, Fuchida broke both of his ankles. The explosions and fires eventually brought the Akagi to a watery grave, along with three other carriers and over three hundred of Japan’s best planes and pilots. Fuchida, unable to walk, was rescued and taken to a nearby destroyer. He later found that everyone else in the sick bay, which he left before the attack, had died from a direct hit. On August 5, 1945, Fuchida was ordered from Hiroshima to Yamato. The next day, the United States’ atomic bomb flattened Hiroshima. Fuchida had barely escaped. Later, he accompanied a search party to assess the damage. One by one, every member of his group died from radiation poisoning. Only Fuchida survived. After the war, Fuchida became very bitter. He hated the Americans for destroying his country. One day, he read a tract that led him to the Bible. Soon he came to Jesus’s words, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Fuchida realized Jesus was praying for him! Then, Fuchida began a new life with his Savior. Until his death, Fuchida was an international evangelist, preaching the power of Christ to replace hatred with love. Jonathon Baker Have you experienced Jesus’s radical forgiveness? If you want to learn more, our “Know Jesus” page. Do you have any hatred or bitterness in your life? How might Christ’s prayer of forgiveness make a difference to you? But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Timothy 1:12-1 Timothy 1:17

Have you ever been reading a Bible passage and a certain word or phrase keeps popping up over and over again? That happens to me with the word good when I read the book of Titus, and it’s why I think one of the main themes of Titus is doing what is good. The book of Titus is known as one of Paul’s pastoral letters. Paul wrote it to instruct and give advice to Titus, who had been put in charge of organizing the churches on the island of Crete. In this letter, Paul gives Titus advice about choosing church leaders, about how those in the church should relate to one another, and about avoiding false teachings and division among believers. Paul also focuses on the link between belief and behavior. Good works are evidence of a heart that has been changed through faith in Jesus. Doing good does not make you a Christian, but the more you get to know Jesus, the more you will desire to do what is good. Paul emphasizes this as he tells Titus that those who believe in Jesus should: Love what is good (Titus 1:8). Teach what is good (2:3). Do what is good (2:7). Be eager to do what is good (2:14). Be ready to do what is good (3:1). Be devoted to doing what is good (3:8, 14). Yet even as Paul urges these Christians in Crete to do good, he also makes it clear that God’s kindness and love toward us are not dependent on anything we do. Rather, God saved us because He is merciful. Our own goodness can never be enough to save us from sin and death, but Godin His infinite goodnesssent Jesus to die and raise from the dead so that we could live with Him forever. When we confess our sins to Him and put our trust in Jesus to save us, He changes our hearts so that we overflow with His goodness. Then He calls us to share that goodness with others. Marie Cleveland Have you ever tried to do good to earn God’s approval? In Titus, we see that God loves us no matter what we do. How might this knowledge affect the way we go about doing good? But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5a (NIV) Read Verses: Titus 3:3-Titus 3:8; Ephesians 2:8-Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-Titus 2:14

As a daughter of missionaries, I had memorized John 3:16 in both English and Portuguese. I knew that God loved me and that Christ had died for me. But it still felt like a generic kind of love. So, God loves me. But with what kind of love does He love me? In a letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul declares, When the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children (Galatians 4:4-5). We see here the purpose for Christ’s death and resurrection: to adopt us as God’s children. What does it mean to be adopted? Adoption is the process that makes a child, who was not originally part of a family, now part of that family. When a child is adopted, they can take on their new family’s name and identity. The legal process of a child becoming part of a new family provides an incredible picture of what happened to me when I trusted Christ as my Savior: I was adopted intomade part ofGod’s family. As Galatians 4 says, Christ died for my sins (every evil thing I’ve done, said, and thoughtpast, present, and future), and He rose from the dead so that I might be adopted as God’s child. I became part of God’s royal family. I went from being an enemy of God to being His precious child and a joint heir with Christ (Romans 5:10; 8:17). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, believing that He died for your sins and God raised Him from the dead, God has also adopted you. Once you were not a part of God’s family, but now you are His child, beloved and precious. With what kind of love does God love us? With the love of a father. Angela Stanley Have you put your trust in Jesus and been adopted into God’s family? If you have questions about this, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to? (You can also find more information on our “Know Jesus” page.) How might knowing that God loves you as His child affect how you understand His love? See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a (WEB) Read Verses: Galatians 4:4-Galatians 4:7; 1 John 1:3

People can push us down and mess with our minds. When others treat us wrongly, we can get into a dark place mentally and be scared to keep moving forward. When we have enemies coming against us, it can be hard for us to stay positive or keep our trust in God. In Psalm 143, we can see that David felt the same way. He writes, The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead (verse 3). And in this dark time, David cries out to God: My spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails (verses 4, 7). David knows that the people who have been pushing against him have affected his energy and the way he feels about life. He doesn’t want those people to destroy him. So David cries out to God, wanting to receive the hope and strength he needs to keep living. He tells God about his enemies, and he also remembers God’s unfailing love, saying, I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done (verse 5). Even as David asks God for help, saying, Show me the way I should go Rescue me from my enemies Teach me to do your will preserve my life (verses 8-11), David also expresses his trust in God with words like, To you I entrust my life I hide myself in you (verse 8-9). There are times when life will get to us, and certain people around us will make us feel like quitting. When we are tired and worn out, we can cry out to God like David did. We can ask God to show us how good He is and remind us that He is always with us (Matthew 28:20). As Christians, we can rest in Jesus’s compassion for us and rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of all Jesus said (John 14:26). And we can look forward to the day Jesus will return to right every wrong. Just like David knew that he could rely on God and trust Him to be faithful, we can too. Emily Acker What do you have going on in your life right now that is making your spirit weak? How might God be inviting you to come to Him? Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Psalm 143:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 143

“Laila, don’t go in! I yell, as my friend opens the door of an abandoned hut in the hills. You can’t. Ignoring my pleas, she whispers, her dark eyes staring back at me, It’s not what you think. I have to, and you will too. Within seconds, the door creaks shut behind her and is locked. I bang on the hut, calling her name, but there is no response. Prowling around, I realize there are no windows, only a sign: “The Hurting Room.” God, please let her come out of there, I pray, wishing I’d understood her instructions. How long I wait, praying, heart thumping, I do not know. The door springs open. I step inside, but Laila has gone. Laila, I call. Laila. Are you in there? No reply. I’m inside a charcoal room. My skin prickles and my head pounds. Then, surging inside, my body creaks with physical pain, every illness I’ve ever had manifests itself inside of me. Unable to think, nausea rising up inside, struggling to cope, the physical pain subsides. Next, mental anguish wraps itself inside of me. Conversations bounce around the empty room. Tears from a time before fall again, and rage burns within until every emotion spins itself inside and outside of me. Make it stopplease stop! I cry out, my voice shaking. God, help me. A bright light outshines the darkness. The charcoal gray transforms to yellow, then gold. I shield my eyes for a moment. My bruised skin is anointed with overflowing oil. The love swirling around me cancels out the pain and sadness. I will take your hurts, I will wear them like scars on my skin and transform you, echoes the light. Hurt no more. I was crucified to bring you life. I am He who heals. For a few moments, or maybe hours, I lie in the presence of the Healer and don’t want to leave. Arise, be free, whispers a voice in my soul. I stand up. Healed. The hut has disappeared. Laila stands next to me, a radiant smile on her face. Cindy Lee Because we live in a world that has been broken by sin, we all experience pain and suffering. But Jesus died and rose again to bring us healing. When we come to Him with our pain, He grieves with us and turns our suffering into hope (Romans 5:3-5). Where do you need healing? 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: Isaiah 53:4-Isaiah 53:5; John 1:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Jeremiah17:14

Four different authors wrote accounts of Jesus’s life (called Gospels), and three of them recorded one of my favorite stories about Jesus: His interaction with a woman who bled for twelve years. This woman had spent over a decade suffering physically, but on top of that, in that culture she would’ve been considered unclean. She probably felt isolated, lonely, and hopeless. But then, she saw Jesus in a crowd. She edged her way toward Him until she was close enough to touch Him. She thought, If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21). So she touched Him. The Gospels of Mark and Luke tell the rest of the story in a similar way. After the woman touched Jesus’s cloak, she was immediately healed. Jesus knew someone had touched Him, and He asked, Who touched me? Then the woman fell at His feet and shared the truth with Jesus and with the crowd. Jesus told her, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace (Luke 8:48). Matthew’s Gospel gives us less detail. In his account, after the woman touches Jesus’s cloak, Matthew writes, Jesus turned and saw her (Matthew 9:22), then told her that her faith had healed her. I like to think Jesus knew right away who had touched Him. That He wanted the woman to come forward, but He saw her through the crowd. He saw her years of suffering. He saw her need to be healed, but also her need to be seen and known and loved. Have you ever felt like this woman? Like you’ve been waiting for healing for so long, but you’re not sure it will ever come? You are not alone. Jesus sees you. He’s waiting for you to fall at His feet and give Him your hurting heart. He is the God of healing. He fills our broken places with peace and love. All we need to do is reach out and touch His cloak. Becca Wierwille Have you ever experienced a time of loneliness, isolation, or suffering like this woman? What fears or anxieties do you think she might’ve had? While we can always ask God for healing, sometimes it won’t happen the way we want it to right away. But God always meets us with love and compassion when we come to Him. And we can know with certainty that when Jesus returns, He will fully heal all our hurts. Where do you need hope today? How might God be inviting you to reach out to Him? Jesus turned and saw her. Take heart, daughter, he said, your faith has healed you. And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:22 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 9:20-Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:25-Mark 5:34; Luke 8:43-Luke 8:48

Do you find yourself reaching for the tissues at the end of a movie? Are you someone who chokes up when you hear a tragic news report? I am. Do you sometimes feel ashamed for shedding tears that you want to hide away? Believe me, I can empathize. Growing up, I was (and still am) very sensitive about everything and anything. There were certain shows I would avoidanything to do with animals was a definite nobecause I couldn’t cope with the emotions welling up inside of me. Music would have me swallowing back tears, and novels would have me sobbing in the night when everyone else was asleep. The news, especially concerning the elderly, would touch a nerve and stick with me for days. For a long time, I was ashamed. When I was particularly saddened by something, I would walk away or switch something off. I was jealous of those people who didn’t cry easily. In fact, I wished I was like them because I believed they were tough. Emotions were an embarrassing weakness that I wanted to hide but somehow couldn’t. My tactic was avoidance. Now, I’ve come to understand that being sensitive isn’t something to be ashamed of, and it can actually be a strength. You have a deep understanding of sorrow because you have experienced it yourself. It can be helpful to remember Jesus experienced and understands sorrow too (Hebrews 4:14-16). And remember that God made each of us wonderfully unique, and all different personality types are needed in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Some don’t cry easily and can keep people calm in a crisis, while others can create a compassionate space for people to process their emotions. We all need times we can think deeply, as well as times we can laugh. God created us to use our differences to love and serve one another. Cindy Lee What kind of temperament has God given you? How might you be able to serve others? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, it’s okay to ask people for help. 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. You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 6:6-Psalm 6:9

While talking to one of my friends, I was refreshed by their honesty about a current situation: I was angry but God can handle our feelings. There is often the temptation to put on the mask of perfection or plaster on a smile when our world feels like it’s falling apart. My friend understood: God does not want us to stuff our feelings inside and suffer silently, He wants us to be real. He desires all of us: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Romans 8:1 breathes life into whatever we may be going through: in Jesus, there is no condemnation. As children of the King, we are His forever, and our spirits testify to this truth along with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14-16). We have a God who desires that we come to Him with all our burdens and worries because He cares for us so deeply (1 Peter 5:7). There was a woman in ancient Israel who got real with God. Hannah had been longing for a child of her own for years, and her soul was consumed with grief. While worshipping at the Lord’s house, Hannah poured out her tears, bitterness, and anguish before the Lord. She was so raw and real that Eli, the high priest, accused her of being drunk. In response to the accusation, Hannah replied, I was pouring out my soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15). We will all walk through inevitable times of darkness, but we can follow the example of Hannah and countless others who have gone before us. We can pour out our hearts to God. The Psalms give ugly-beautiful raw pictures of many who suffered and chose to bring their struggles to God. Psalm 88 is filled with phrases such as: I am overwhelmed my eyes are dim with grief darkness is my closest friend. In the midst of all this realness is beauty. Verse 13 says, But I cry to you for help, Lord Not only does God hear our cries, He accepts us fully. May we allow this knowledge to draw us close to Him in our times of suffering and struggle. May we pour out our hearts to Him and choose to praise Him in the middle of the mess. Savannah Coleman Do you tend to try to hide your pain and struggles from God or from those around you? Remember that God can handle your feelingsanger, sorrow, confusion, and everything in between. He simply desires that you cry out to Him. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Samuel 1:1-1 Samuel 1:20; Psalm 88; Psalm 62:8

Wandering, lost, and alone. How long have I been like this? My sins are against me, sapping my strength. Bones wasting away, I groan in agony. Those I had trusted in betrayed and enslaved mequite honestly, my own evil heart enslaved me. This heart is as hard as stone, my transgressions heavy from the time of my birth. Have mercy, God. Wash away my sins! Your love is great, your mercies are endless! I confess my evil ways, my tendency to roam, my search for meaning and satisfaction in everything that is not You. What will I, this stubborn sheep who has strayed so far, offer my Shepherd? I know He will not turn me away when I come to HimHe will not despise a heart full of brokenness and sorrow for my sins. Create in me a heart of purity, my God! Make my heart steadfast; cover me with Your forgiveness. Remove my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh! My Shepherd turns to me with love in His eyes, arms open wide. I hear Him whisper to my soul, I will gather you back I will cleanse you from everything impure I will give you a new heart, a new spirit I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Are you willing to lay down your idols? I contemplate the things I once thought would fill me, those pseudo-gods. My soul aches with emptiness and longing, and I knowI know. Will it hurt? My voice is barely a whisper. Sorrow shines in His eyes. Yes. But I already endured the deepest pain for you. It is then that I notice the nail scars in His hands. I nod, and He reaches deep. His hand finds my lifeless hearta cold mess of hardened tissue, muscle, and valve. I gasp as He removes this mass of stone from my chEsther I watch as the Shepherd covers my heart of stone with His nail-scarred hands. He breathes on those hands, my heart inside. Then, I hear it, the unbelievably sweet sound of a heart beating, deep and even. He opens His hands and therein lies a new hearta heart of flesh. Savannah Coleman Ezekiel prophesied that God would save His people through JesusHe is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for us, His sheep (John 10:11). What do you think it means that God will remove our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh? I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV) Read Verses: Ezekiel 11:16-Ezekiel 11:21; Ezekiel 36:24-Ezekiel 36:28; Psalm 32:1-Psalm 32:5; Psalm 51

Are you getting enough sleep? So many of us are sleep-deprived; studies show we are tired at school, tired at work, and tired when we are driving our cars. During our teen years, most of us need eight to ten hours of sleep every night. That’s hard to get if we are worried or stressed about the day ahead. We may push stress to the back of our minds during the day, but at night, our minds circle around our problems. Sleep and worry do not mix. Yet God has compassion on us. He invites us to give our worries to Him in prayer. He not only hears us, He helps us with the problems we face. Psalm 3 was written by King David when he was fleeing the rebellion led by his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15). David was literally running for his life! As the psalm begins, David cries out to God about the danger he is facing: Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! But by verses 4 and 5, David is reminded that the God he trusts is faithful: I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. David was able to rest at night, even when he was in danger. He gave his troubles to God, knowing that God would help him. If you are troubled by worries and fears at night, you are not alone. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that God is with you, even in the darkness. He is more powerful than anything that troubles us, and He invites us to give all our concerns to Him. And the Holy Spirit helps us remember God’s goodness and rest in His love. Some Christians make it a practice to come to God in prayer before bed, or meditate on Scripture or a song of praise as they drift off. Some find they can rest easier after they have a time of reflection and confession at the end of the day. No matter what is going on in our lives, we can trust God will help us with whatever the new day brings. And we can rest in His promises. Laura N. Sweet What kinds of thoughts keep you up at night? Worries, guilt, regret, fear ? God invites us to come to Him with all these things, and to rest in His love, forgiveness, and protection. Sleep is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Sometimes, we need help in order to give our bodies the sleep we need, and that’s okay. If you have difficulty sleeping, who is a trusted adult you can talk to, such as a parent, counselor, or doctor? In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 3; Psalm 4:8

God strengthen me Sometimes I feel so weak God guide me Sometimes I feel so lost God hold me Sometimes I feel alone God care for me Sometimes I can’t care for myself God save me I cannot save myself Jesus, your sacrifice is enough for me I know you gave everything Let me cling to your salvation I want to be yours I want to be with you God keep me going until you return I want to honor you Emily Acker Do you ever feel so weak and empty, like there’s no way you can face what lies ahead without God’s help? God didn’t intend for us to try to get through life on our own. Rather, He came to save us, and He invites us to rely on Him for everything. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about whatever is weighing on you today. He longs to help you and to reassure you of His love. Jesus died and rose again to be with usand to save us from sin and brokenness. How can His sacrificial love bring you strength and comfort in hard times? ââ¬ËAnd everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:21 (NIV) Read Verses: Ephesians 2:1-Ephesians 2:9; Acts:2:21

In first grade, my teacher picked a leader for our class each day. The leader’s primary job consisted of taking the daily collection of lunch money to the school office. Additionally, the leader had the chance to select a classmate to join them on the trip to the office. We six-year-olds felt important marching the large envelope of coins and bills to the secretary who sat behind her desk, keeping the school running. Once my friend, who I’ll call Daniel, chose me as his lunch money buddy on his day to serve as class leader. We delivered the funds and began our walk back to the first-grade hall. But Daniel took a detour. I followed. Then he knocked loudly on another teacher’s door before skipping away. I stood alone at the door, confused and practically paralyzed. When the teacher opened her door, she scolded me and then turned away. I stumbled down the hall, rejoining Daniel and entering our own classroom. I don’t believe my friend’s intention that day was to get me in trouble. But his actions did lead to my embarrassment and a tongue-lashing from a teacher. Without knowing where Daniel was leading, I followed. It’s a mistake I wish I hadn’t made. While human leaders often disappoint us, God is always a trustworthy leader. When we put our trust in Jesus, the Son of God, for the forgiveness of our sins, we begin a relationship with Him, and He places His Spirit in us. The Spirit of God desires to lead us in decisions big and small. God realizes that we don’t do a good job of leading ourselves. Sometimes, we don’t know what to do, where to goand sometimes, we follow the wrong leaders. When we look to God for wisdom and understanding, He will faithfully guide us. Our good Father wants to direct us down His good paths. Allison Wilson Lee Can you think of a time you followed someone and later regretted it? Are you facing any decisions that seem overwhelming? How might God be inviting you to follow His guidance? Who is a trusted Christian you could talk to about this? He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 8:14; Psalm 25:1-Psalm 25:11

“I must be the worst evangelist in the world,” I thought, as worry knitted itself inside of me. In church, I preferred being at the back, behind the scenes. Everyone around me was confident, talkative, and quickly put themselves on the frontline. I had heard about the Holy Spirit transforming the disciples from quivering cowards to strong, bold preachers but still my mouth was clamped shut. I wore my Christianity inside and avoided the limelight. I didn’t vocalize my beliefs because I was acutely aware that many people treated faith with derision and ridicule. Sometimes, I felt entirely alone, surrounded by worshipers in church who were not in my age group and wondering what on earth I could possibly have to offer others if I wasn’t prepared to open my mouth. What could I do to reveal God’s love for us, to share how He sent His Son, Jesus, to heal the broken relationship we had with Him? It was then that I discoveredwhile I might not shout out in prayer, preaching, or singingI loved reading and knew the written word had the power to change lives. My gift wasn’t to try and be like everyone else. They had their skillset, and I had mine. My inner panic was slowly unlocked, and I found a freedom to express myself through writing what was in my heart. Joy filled up inside of me when I realized I could do something after all. You can too. If, like me, you are worried about speaking out, you don’t need to feel guilty or afraid. God’s love for you doesn’t depend on what you do, and He invites you to rest in His love and rely on His strength to use the gifts He has given you. The way we all preach is through loving the people around us, no matter what we happen to be doing at the time. There are different ways of speaking, preaching, and professing your faith. Maybe you will speak up through art, dance, acts of kindness, or having a quiet strength through adversity. Don’t chase what isn’t yours, but catch the skills our loving Father has given you. Cindy Lee Do you ever feel like it isn’t okay to be quiet? God made some of us to be naturally quiet, and He invites all of us to be quiet sometimes. It’s good to take time to think and reflect. If you are naturally loud and extroverted, how could you support the quieter people in your life? Consider asking them, and remember to take time to listen to their ideas. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 12:4-1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10-1 Peter 4:11

The next morning, we continued down the forest path. After a couple hours, we came to a clearing on the top of a hill. I set down my pack with a grunt. My shoulders were sore where the straps had been digging in. He gestured to my pack and said, That’s a heavy load. I stooped down to check the straps and buckles. Has to be, I replied. Why? He asked. I looked at Him for a moment, then started pulling things out to show Him. I need all these things. Tools and rope and food and clothes and flint and kindling and more I took everything out and laid it on the ground all around me. Finally, I looked up at Him again. He surveyed all my things, carefully picking up each object. Sometimes, He smiled, other times His eyes grew sad. I watched Him and held my breath. I knowI know, I said. It’s too much. But I don’t know what I’ll need. He looked at me with the tenderest compassion. That’s a heavy load. I could feel tears starting to roll down my cheeks. Where did I set my kerchief? He held out His own clean kerchief to me. Hesitantly, I took it and blew my nose. Would you like something to eat? He asked. My eyes darted to the last of my stale bread, and my stomach made a noise. He continued, How about some soup? I looked all around, but He didn’t seem to have anything with Him. He smiled, then reached inside the folds of His cloak and pulled out two steaming bowls. I took one uncertainly, but then I smelled itleeks and carrots, my favorite. I muttered a thank you and took a sip. It was perfect. As we ate our soup, He leaned back and looked up at the sky, where clouds were skuttling across the great big blueness. I looked too. It was peaceful. I finished my soup and let out a contented sigh. He smiled at me again. I was starting to like His smile. You know, He said, you don’t have to carry that heavy pack anymore. I felt a pang of guilt, and something deeperfear? But I looked at Him and said, I don’t know how not to. He reached for my hand and held it. His hand was strong and kind. He said, You’re traveling with me, remember? Do you trust me? I looked at my pack, then at our empty bowls. Finally, I said, II don’t know. I want to trust you. He nodded and said, That’s enough. I took a deep breath. Okay, I said, and realized I was smiling. Hannah Howe Sometimes, it feels like we are never enough. Never prepared enough, strong enough, smart enough But Jesus is always enough. How might God be inviting you to rely on Him today? Come to me [Jesus], all you who are weary and burdened Matthew 11:28a (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 6:25-Matthew 6:34; Matthew 11:28-Matthew 11:30

After a while, I kept walking. Mercifully, the sun continued its course in the sky and no longer beat down on me. I pulled a crust of stale bread from my pack and ate as I walked. I tried to remember an old hymn to turn my thoughts to praise, but I was too tired to sing. Then I realized night was falling. The path sloped downward, and soon I was surrounded by trees. “Great,” I thought. “I guess I chose the wrong way. What now, God? Should I go deeper into the forest? Should I turn around? What do I do!” I strained to get a better look at the path, the terrain, anythingbut it was so difficult to see in the dark. My breath came faster. I rubbed at my eyes and realized I was crying. I sat on a rock, my head in my hands. I was so tired. So tired. Dear one, the words came on the breeze. I’m here. I wanted to hear more of the voice, but I held back. I had to figure out what to do about the path, and the voice would just lull me to sleep. How was I supposed to fix this mess? I was such a fool! Dear one. The voice was closer. And then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I shivered at the warm touch. I hadn’t realized until now that I was cold. Dear one, I love you. I buried my head deeper in my lap. How? How could you love me? I could hear the bitterness in my voice. I love you, He said again, with such tenderness that I looked up at Him. When I saw the compassion on His face, the tension I’d been holding in my shoulders released. I felt like I might collapse, but He caught me, gently, and held me in a warm hug. I didn’t want to pull away, and He didn’t want to either. He just held me. And slowly, ever so slowly, my tired limbs began to warm. I cried. Eventually I told Him about the hot sun and the confusing path. I told Him I was angry at Him. He listened, and He kept holding me. Finally, I had said all that was inside me to say, and I felt lighter. Then He whispered, Dear one, I am the way. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the verse. He nodded, knowing my thoughts. You’ve been asking me and asking me which way to go It was so clear to me now. All I wanted was to be near Him, to be loved by Him. Could I really be loved? He smiled, then said, I want you to be with me. The way is with me. Hannah Howe When was a time you felt lost? Jesus seeks us when we’re lost (Luke 19:10). He died and rose again so that we could be close to Him. How might God be inviting you into His presence today? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6a (NIV) Read Verses: John 14:1-John 14:21

The sun beat down on my back. Was I going the right way? Sweat poured down my face, stinging my eyes. I had known the journey was going to be hard, but I didn’t expect it to beconfusing. As I trudged down the path, I squinted to see what lay ahead. Was that? No. Not again. A moan escaped my throat as my feet came to a crossroads. Another choice. I dropped my pack to the ground. This would take all my energy. I knelt on the dusty road and prayed, “Lord, you are Sovereign. I want to honor you in all I do. Help me choose.” The sound of water found my ear, and I looked up. There, only a few steps from the path, was a stream. I stumbled over to it and drank. The water was cold and delicious, cooling my travel-weary throat and rinsing the dust from my fingers. I felt my muscles start to relax; the water felt so good. “No,” I thought. I snapped myself to a standing position. That was enough. I didn’t have time for more than that. I needed to make the decision about the fork in the road. It was my fault I didn’t start my journey earlier in the day. It was my fault I didn’t have time to rest by the stream. I was too tired. If I lingered, it would just get harder to move on. So I pulled my weary self back up to the road, with one last longing glance at the stream. “Which way?” I asked again, impatient this time. I squeezed my fingers to my temples, squinting down each path. “Which one?” I was exhausted. So exhausted. Couldn’t He see I was exhausted? I needed an answernow! Maybe He was letting me use my intellect. I searched for clues. The path on the left had berry bushes, but I couldn’t tell if they were good for food or if they’d make me sick. The path on the right had no berry bushes. I chose the right and asked God for strength. Wait. I heard a voice like wind. Go back to the stream. I hesitated. Then the voice said, Come to me. Let me refresh you. I was confused. “But what about the journey?” I asked. There’s time, the voice replied. Take a rEsther After a moment of deliberation, I walked back over to the stream and drank deeply. Hannah Howe Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides us, and He gives us living water (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39; 10:10-18). Through the cross, He has made it possible for us to enter His rEsther How might Jesus be inviting you to rest in Him today? He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:2-3a (NIV) Read Verses: 1Kgs:19:3-1Kgs:19:8; Psalm 23:1-Psalm 23:3

Have you ever been at school, with nothing to eat, and felt so hungry? Have you been on a diet or had to fast for a doctor’s appointment? It isn’t fun when we can’t satisfy our physical cravings, and it’s even worse when we can’t meet our basic needs. On a deeper level, we all want to feel satisfied and whole. We want to feel complete. And it can be frustrating when life does not satisfy us at all. Have you ever tried to get happy by buying something new, or even going on a trip? Have you looked for fulfillment by taking on a new project? There are times when nothing we do makes us happy. The fact is, nothing this world offers can make us whole, and it makes sense that we feel incomplete. Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that He is the only one who can fully satisfy us. He created us to be in relationship with Him, but we have all rejected Him and gone our own way. That’s why we’re left feeling empty. But God loves us, and He chases after us. He came to live among us and restore our relationship with Him. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). When we follow after Jesus, we are made complete. As we trust in Him, God fills us with joy (Romans 15:13). And He helps us when we are in tough places. God knows everything we need, and He provides for us as we seek Him (Matthew 6:32-33). No matter what we do, we will never be able to find joy or completeness on our own. Only God will satisfy us. Emily Acker Do you ever feel empty inside, like you’re missing something? How has Jesus made it possible for us to have life to the full? (Read John 10:10-18.) One important way God satisfies our needsboth physical and emotionalis through Christian community. Who are trusted Christians you can share life with? The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) Read Verses: John 6:32-John 6:40; John 7:37-John 7:39; Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 103:1-Psalm 103:5; John 4:1-John 4:42

Psalm 19:1 says, The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. God made the vast heavens with the glorious light of the sun and the calming reflection of the moon. And to top it off, He sprinkled the sky with innumerable twinkling stars that bring us delight at night. He created countless planets and galaxies beyond our solar system, and here on Earth, He created plants that offer feasts of fruits and bounties of flowers. And the animals! He made mighty tigers and tiny mice; cruising whales and dashing minnows; horses and dogs, beautiful and faithful. And God made people. He made Adam and Eve in His own image to have fellowship with Him. God made us to glorify Him. Why does God bring glory to Himself? Is that even okay? Isn’t it like bragging? The Bible is clear that God does not sin. When Scripture talks about God doing something to glorify Himself, it means that God is showing us who He iswhat His attributes are, what He can do, and how much He loves us. He wants us to know Him. Do you realize that we do something similar? We reveal things about ourself when we play a musical instrument, create works of art, play a sport, whiz through mathematical equations to discover an answer, or use whatever knowledge or talent we have. But people aren’t sinless like God is. A person might have a sinful, boasting attitude and do things simply to show off. And we usually show off when we feel like our needs for love or affirmation aren’t being met. God sees these needs, and He wants us to come to Him so that He can fill them. As we follow Jesus, He helps us use the gifts God has given us to glorify Him. He calls us to serve others like He serves us (Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 4:10). Jesus humbled Himself by becoming human and dying on the crossand He raised from the dead, defeating sin and death forever. This resulted in God being glorified! When God glorifies Himself, He is simply being God. He is the sinless, mighty, loving, beautiful God. His works are glorious, and so is He! Rebecca Moore How does God reveal Himself through creation? What is one of your favorite things He made? How can studying history or science or music or art help us know God better? How can we invite others to know God through these things? They were calling out to each other, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory! Isaiah 6:3 (NLT) Read Verses: Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; Isaiah 6:3

“I hope this isn’t a prank,” Jacob thought, waiting in the park by the daisies, just like the unusual parchment in his hand instructed. “It would be typical of me to fall for it.” Glancing around, he expected someone to jump out and shout, Gotcha! But there wasn’t anyone about. Wanting to turn back home, he took a deep breath before calling, I’m here. No one replied. Without warning, the sky turned black until he was catapulted through time and space. He found himself in a cave, and echoes reverberated around him. I’m no good. Why am I useless? I can’t do this. Why can’t I be like everyone else? He pushed his fingers in his ears. The grating insults, churning inside of him, were familiar. With each word, the bitter smell of sulfur spread through the air. How can I? I’m too dense to understand this. God, why did you make me this way? Burying his nose in his sweater, gagging at the stench that was worsening as each vitriolic comment pierced the air, Jacob could not escape from the sound of his own voice from the past. Am I in hell? he cried, shaking, tears pouring down his face. Please stop this. Oh, Jesus, God, help me. The words quieted down and then stopped. Bitterness evaporated, and a radiant light transformed the darkness. Out of nowhere a voice called to him, I created you. These poisonous words about youthey’re not true. Listen to my voice instead. I do not condemn you. Please help me, Jacob pleaded. The cave became warmer. Rainbows filled the air. I love you. I made you on purpose. You are precious to meso precious that my Son, Jesus, took your place on the cross to save you and give you eternal life. I have silenced every accusation against you. You are an important part of my kingdom. Mesmerized, Jacob witnessed God’s words fill the room with dazzling rainbows, showering him with blessings, until finally the cave disappeared and he was staring at the daisies in front of him. Peace soothed him. In his hand he still gripped the paper, but the message had changed: “You are loved.” Cindy Lee Have you ever believed lies about yourself like the ones in this story? You can take some time with God, asking Him where those lies came from and remembering what He says about you. Kind words are like honeysweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 119:73; Proverbs 16:24; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:31-Romans 8:34

Anna shifted her legs. Sitting in the crowded marketplace was hot, but she had come with many other people wanting to hear from this man named Jesus, who some said was the Messiah. Dust blew across her lap as a man stood up. Anna almost gasped, recognizing an expert of the law. She listened intently as he and Jesus spoke. Who is my neighbor? the expert asked. Jesus described a man attacked by robbers, and Anna looked around at the people sitting near her. By chance a priest came along. Anna smiled. A priest! Of course a priest would help him! But, Jesus said, when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. Anna’s eyes widened. How could a priest be one of the bad guys? The priest cannot touch anything unclean; he must have thought the man was dead, a lady beside Anna whispered to her neighbor. Anna nodded. That would make sense. Jesus continued, A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Anna frowned; it didn’t make sense for a Temple assistanta Leviteto ignore a man in need. Who would be the one to help this man? Whoever the hero was going to be, they must have been very wise. Then a despised Samaritan, Jesus started. Anna heard loud gasps from the people around her. A man in front of her looked angry; he stood up and left. Anna watched a couple more people stand up and leave. “A Samaritan?” Anna thought. Samaritans were the enemy; it was hard to believe they would be the one to help the poor man! Anna turned her attention back to the story. Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits? Jesus asked. The one who showed him mercy, the expert in the law replied reluctantly. Jesus told him, Yes, now go and do the same. Kimberly Brokish This parable would have been shocking to Jesus’s audience. The Israelites thought the Samaritans were totally corrupt, but the Samaritan in this story showed God’s love and care. Have you ever received God’s love and care from unexpected places? But I [Jesus] say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 5:43-Matthew 5:48; Luke 10:25-Luke 10:37

Hebrews 12 encourages us to run the race that God has set before us, which is possible when we keep our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith (verse 2). Not only did Jesus start the race and finish the race, but He ran it faithfullyfor us. He didn’t take His eyes off the end result, the prize. He was able to face anything that came His way, even enduring an excruciating death. Why? Because it was all worth it to Him. The prize was greater than the race. The prize was greater than the pain. The prize was greater than the shame. The prize was greater than the rejection. The prize was greater than the cross. He saw usHis people, His creationand thought, “They’re worth it.” Look at the second part of verse 2: Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Isn’t that beautiful? Jesus was looking forward to the joy of reuniting us to Himself, of healing His creation that has been broken by sin. What about us? If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to look forward to living with God in His new world, where we will be free from sin and death. That is our joy that is set before us. In this life, we have hurt, we have pain, we have sorrow, we have defeat, we have discouragement, we have______. Fill in the blank. But that’s not the end of our storyand praise God for that! We have pain for a season, but thank you, Jesus, that joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Because we belong to Jesus, we can know that He is right alongside us in the pain. And the Holy Spirit empowers us to endure the hurt, the sadness, the brokenness knowing that the prize will be worth it all. We can look forward to the end of our race, being with Jesus and hearing Him say, Well done, my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23). He loves us, and He won’t leave us. Mary Garner Jesus ran the race for YOU. How can this give you hope? And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NLT) Read Verses: Hebrews 12:1-Hebrews 12:3

If you were at the starting line, about to run a big race that you had spent months training for, would you wrap weights around your ankles? Would you tie them around your waist? Would you wear a backpack full of weights? Would you carry them in your hands? Of course not! Why? Because running a race is hard enough, and if you want to win, then you want to be as light as possible so that you can move faster and easier. Weights of any kind would just slow you down and wear you out faster. Hebrews 12 compares the Christian life to a race. Verse 1 says, Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. What are these weights? The Bible says that sinanything we do or think that goes against God’s good ways, that doesn’t flow from faith in Himwill cause us to trip. And at one time, all of us were completely weighed down by sin. But praise God, He has set us free from the power of sin! Jesus personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right (1 Peter 2:24). If we’ve put are trust in Jesus, we are totally forgiven, and we are called to lay aside the sin that hinders us from running the good race. To lay aside our weight and sin isn’t a one-time thing, and I think we forget that. As Christians, we continue to struggle with sin. But because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can daily turn away from sin and back to God. Every day, we can ask ourselves, What is causing me to trust myself more than Jesus? The author of Hebrews reminds us to run with patience and endurance because the race is difficult. Yet God is with us through it all. He is dedicated to us, and He empowers us to be dedicated to Him. Mary Garner What weights are getting in the way of you trusting and following Jesus? Consider spending some time talking to Him about these in prayer and asking Him to help you lay them down. Sometimes, hobbies, relationships, etc. can get in the way of us following Jesus, but usually the problem is sin, such as the love of money, the seeking of power or status, etc. Who is a trusted Christian who can help you discern what is and is not a weight in your life? Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Read Verses: Hebrews 12:1-Hebrews 12:3