Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

Christians around the world celebrate the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ as we remember Jesus riding on a donkey into the city of Jerusalem. This is popularly known as Palm Sunday, because the people went out to meet Him with palm branches, and it is exactly one week before we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection on Easter. Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday? Why is it important to our lives, and what are its spiritual implications? When we set aside time on Palm Sunday for the remembrance of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we are also remembering the fulfilment of promises, proclaimed by prophets of old thousands of years back. One of these prophecies was from Ezekiel, who said that God left the temple but would return one day. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, this was God’s long-awaited return. God has confirmed to us that none of His words will ever fall to the ground (Joshua 21:45; 1 Samuel 3:19; Isaiah 55:11). What God proclaimed for us will surely come to pass, no matter how long it takes. We can also see that Palm Sunday is called a triumphant entry. This is because Jesus was prepared to triumph over the devil, who had held humankind captive for ages past. Though the people did not know it, Jesus knew He was about to suffer in the flesh for the sins He never committed. But above all, He would triumph. Before Jesus entered the city, He instructed His disciples to bring Him a donkey colt, and He rode on it. Thus, He fulfilled another promise: that the king of Israel would come riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus is the King of all kings (1 Timothy 6:15). He is worthy of all honor, dignity, respect, and reverence. No wonder the people were shouting, Hosanna! Hosanna! Shadrach Goni Palm Sunday shows us that God always fulfills His promises. What promises did Jesus fulfill when He entered Jerusalem? How did Jesus triumph over Satan, sin, and death? (Find out more on our “Know Jesus” page.) They took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord the King of Israel! John 12:13 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 21:1-Matthew 21:11; Mark 11:1-Mark 11:11; John 12:12-John 12:16

Every hurt that Spills from your eye, Slips down your cheek, And falls from your chin, Is caught. Is treasured in a bottle. By a loving Father Who values His children’s tears, Knows why they cry them, And draws them close. Yes, the hands marked with nail scars, Are drawing you, Broken as you are, Closer to His heart, Into a heavenly embrace. Eliana Canfield What hurts have you experienced lately? God knows each of your sorrows and always wants to comfort you when you’re hurting. Jesus carried all your sorrows when He went to the cross (Isaiah 53:4), and when He rose from the dead, He guaranteed His promise to return and put an end to all painforever (Revelation 21:4). But in the meantime, Jesus grieves your hurts alongside you. How might it give you comfort to know that God values your tears, and He invites you to take time to grieve? 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 34:17-Psalm 34:18; Psalm 147:3

Aurelia looked at the tattered map in her hand, then up at the mountain. This was it. The place she had been searching for all her life, ever since she had heard the tales of the lost treasure of Cordoro as a little girl. According to the legend, the inhabitants of Cordoro had traveled far and wide in search of priceless treasures and hidden them deep inside this mountain. Then some unknown tragedy had befallen the city, and Cordoro and its treasure became nothing more than a fable. But Aurelia had believed the stories and dedicated her life to finding the lost city’s hidden treasure. Now it would soon be hers. She followed the map to a cave, then lit her torch and made her way along its dark, twisting passages. Then she saw ita door. She turned the ancient handle, and the heavy metal groaned as it cracked open. She stepped inside and held her torch high. The sight that met her brought her to her knees. Gold. Gold as far as her eyes could see. She found a row of torches on the wall and lit them one by one. Light filled the room, and mounds of treasure glinted back at her. She laughed and threw herself into a sparkling heap, letting a handful of coins seep through her fingers. That’s when she heard it; a low hum that seemed to pulse through the pile of gold. Curious, she began to dig, and the faint, rhythmic sound became louder. As she plunged her hand into a nest of diamonds, she felt something soft and wet. When she pulled it out into the light, her screams reverberated off the walls of the cavern. It was a hearta human heartbeating in her hand. She hurled it away from her with all her might, but the pulsing only grew stronger. It wasn’t the only one. She could now see that each pile of gold had its own heart beating within it. So this was the cause of Cordoro’s downfall. The mountain didn’t just hold the inhabitants’ lost treasureit held their hearts too. Aurelia ran for the door as fast as she could, leaving the treasure of Cordoro and the hearts devoted to it behind in the cold depths of the mountain. When she finally stumbled into the sunshine, tears of relief flowed down her face. Cordoro’s treasure had lost its grip on her heart. Now she was free to seek a greater treasureone she had ignored in her lustful quest for gold. A treasure that brought life instead of death. Courtney Lasater All sin, including greed, leads to death. But through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He forgives us, gives us new life, and transforms our hearts and desires. How might this truth give you hope? For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 6:19-Matthew 6:24; Matthew 22:37-Matthew 22:40

Late evening sunlight filtered through the tree leaves as I walked the wooded path, breathing deeply. Looking down, I saw pieces of a broken bird’s egg, shards of sky blue scattered in the dirt. My heart sank, and for a moment I felt tears surge. This egg was once filled with hopethe promise of a new lifeand here it was, dashed to pieces. Hope shattered. As I continued down the trail, I thought about how often my hopes end up like that poor bird’s eggbroken and unfulfilled. I contemplated several years back when I felt the most hopeless. Upon waking up one morning when I was 30 years old, I could hardly stand, much less walk, due to severe pain in my feet. This began a long struggle of intense pain, visits to top clinics and doctors, the endless search for relief and answers. No answers were ever found. After suffering greatly for a year, I was finally able to walk a mile for the first time due to a lumbar sympathetic nerve block. Here I am, six years later, walking! I still struggle with some pain and discomfort. There is no name for what I have, but I can walk. I am able to stand to make dinner for my family, or take a trip to the store, or walk up a hill. All these things I do not take for granted, for there was a time when I thought I would never be able to do them again. My hope was like that eggbeyond repair. Yet, God reminded me of Psalm 71:14, As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. How can we cling to hope when we feel overwhelmed by our current circumstances, ambushed by physical pain, emotionally crushed? The answer is found in Psalm 42:5, 11to put our hope in God and keep praising Him. Our hope is sure because Jesus has risen from the dead. He endured terrible pain for usbecause He loves us. He grieves our hurts alongside us, and when He returns, He will put an end to our suffering forever. And even now, He is with us, comforting and strengthening us. When we choose to place our hope in God instead of our health, physical comfort level, ease of circumstances, etc., He will fill us with the only thing that can truly satisfy and renew us: Himself. Savannah Coleman Have you gone through or are you currently going through a season where you feel hopeless? If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have full access to the God of hope and the joy and peace He offers. What do you think it means to overflow with hope (Romans 15:13)? May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 42; Psalm 71

We have friends who have prayed for a miracle for years. But they haven’t yet received their miracle. They haven’t heard an answer from God. Why do some people get miracles, while others seem to spend their lives waiting? It’s easy to feel like God answers some prayers and ignores others. But what if our Creator has a different way of moving mountains? What if there is a reason for the waiting? One of my favorite Gospel stories is the account of Lazarus. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. But when Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days. If I had the ability to heal someone I loved, I think I would leave to see them as soon as I heard the news. But Jesus waited. And there was a purpose in waiting. When Jesus got to Lazarus, he had been dead four days. Jewish people believed the soul stayed near the body for three days. But Jesus waited until people would’ve thought Lazarus had no hope of rising again. Then, Jesus raised Lazarus back to life. By waiting, Jesus proved His power over the grave. He foreshadowed that His own coming death would have no hold on Him. Not all stories end like Lazarus’s. We live in a broken world filled with suffering and pain. Jesus healed many people while He was on earth, but not everyone had the chance to meet Him. We don’t all get the miracles we hope for, and we may never know the reasons why. But Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And one day, everyone who has put their trust in Him will be raised from the dead. We will live with Jesus, free from every sickness and sorrow. Until that day, the Holy Spirit helps us to trust Him. Trust there is a reason for the waiting. Trust an answer is coming, even if it’s not the one we’ve hoped for. Trust God is with us, even when life feels terribly hard. Because God is always the God of miracles, even when we don’t understand how He is working. Becca Wierwille Have you ever prayed for a miracle, either for yourself or someone else? How might it be comforting to know that Jesus weeps with us as we wait for Him to make all things new, including our bodies? (John 11:33-36) Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 5:12-Luke 5:16; John 11:1-John 11:45

Have you ever been mad at the church? I know I have. And sometimes, that’s okay. Now, when I say the church, I mean all of God’s people around the world and throughout history. And I absolutely LOVE the church. Walking alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ as we live into our new God-given identities is one of the greatest blessings I can imagine. Without the church, I would not be who I am today. But sometimes, I get furious at the church. I see corruption, power trips, greed, false teaching, apathy, assault, division, and so, so much sin and brokenness. And it hurts. It leaves me wondering how we wandered so far away from the gospel. Where is Jesus in all of this? In these moments, Jesus grieves too. We see this in Luke 19:41-48. When He saw the lack of peace among God’s people in Jerusalem and the corruption and greed in the Temple, He was overcome with grief and anger. And in Revelation 2-3, Jesus demonstrates His anger, grief, and love as He critiques seven specific churches. Jesus reminds me that He is angry at sin, yet He has mercy on sinners who turn to Him. He shows me that I’m not the one in charge of fixing the churchthat’s His Job And He is a God of restoration and wholeness. He died and rose again for the churchincluding me. My job is just to follow Him. The churchincluding meis broken. It always has been, and it will be until Jesus returns to make all things new. And until then, I will probably always be angry at the church’s sin, because there will always be sin to be angry at. But I pray that this anger flows out of love. A deep, deep love for the church and a desperate desire to see the church whole and holy, healed of every hurt and sin. And I pray that my anger is always wrapped in humility, knowing that I am just as sin-stained as everyone else and my judgment is far from perfect. While I may not be able to fix the whole church, Jesus can help me bring healing which sometimes includes correctionin my circles. As I follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, He shows me where people are hurting and how the gospel can bring them hope. And He uses the people around me to bring healing to my heart. This is the beauty of the churchpeople who love Jesus and each other, following Him together. That is the church I love. Taylor Eising Do you see injustices in the churchplaces we lost the gospel? You can bring these to Jesus. What have you seen in the church that you love? How does this reflect the gospel? Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (WEB) Read Verses: Luke 19:41-Luke 19:48; Acts:2:42-Acts:2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-1 Corinthians 12:27

I examined the scroll. The instructions were clear, but sometimes hard to interpret. I nodded my head confidently as I rolled up the scroll and stuffed it into my satchel. I would need to make my way through the Whispering Forest, cross Chelsey’s Chasm on the second bridge, then travel through the Ash Trenches. Simple enough, but not easy. Still, my steps had a joyful bounce. I was glad the Son of the High King had periled through our country to clear a path for us. A friend from my village had given me the instructions spoken by the King Himself, and I had started the journey right away. Be sure to follow the path exactly, he had said. Then he whispered, And beware the Prince of the Air. All shuddered when speaking of the thief prince. I was deep in the forest when a raspy screech startled me. Crimson-beaked black birds crowed, Away! Away! I had to catch my beating heart. I suppose those birds had always been there, but I noticed them more now. I made it through the forest, the birds still following me, screeching, Away! Away! When I came to the first bridge, I was so relieved. I almost set foot on the bridge thinking, “A way across!” But then I laughed as I remembered I needed to cross on the second bridge. Once I found it, I crossed the chasm and started toward the Ash Trenches. This was the part I feared the most. Away! Away! The landscape became rocky and hazardous the closer I got to the trenches. Away! Away! Finally, I came to the first trench. Its walls were steep and jagged, and the birds were silent for the first time. “Away! Away!” I heard inside my head. I looked around the trench and saw the rocky plains. I started backing away from the trench. Maybe I was supposed to go away from here and instead go through the plains? I tripped on a rock and fell on my satchel. I remembered the scroll. I checked it quickly. Yep. The way is through the trench. Abigail Scibiur Jesus faced every temptation we do, and He overcame them all (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was the only one who could live without sinning, and He has compassion on us. Because of God’s great love, He gave His life for usdying on the cross and raising from the dead so that we could be totally forgiven and free from sin. He calls us to follow His good ways, but even when we do give in to temptation, Jesus extends His grace and mercy to us (1 John 2:1). When we are experiencing temptation, how might it be comforting to know that Jesus understands what we’re going through and wants to help us? We face various challenges that come in many forms on our journey with God. What specific tools has God given us to help us combat these challenges? (Ephesians2:1-10) Throughout our lives, the enemy tries to lead us away from where God is leading us. But as we follow Jesus, He empowers us to overcome the pull of the enemy. Can you think of a time you didn’t know what to do, but then something in the Bible helped you? Many temptations are hard to spot in the moment. How does the Holy Spirit help us in these moments? (John 14:25-26) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:7-8 (NIV) Read Verses: Ephesians 2:1-Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 5:6-1 Peter 5:11

In high school, I became a vegetarian and avoided eating meat for a number of years. I often skipped school lunches since they usually featured a main dish that included meat. And I only took the time to pack a lunch once in a while. By the end of most school days, I’d feel famished, sometimes having eaten nothing since breakfast. On the afternoons when marching band practice followed a full school day, I could barely wait for rehearsal to finish so I could go home and scrounge up a snack. My friend Tracy also marched in the school band, and she had a free period at the end of the day. So, Tracy had time to go to her own house between classes and band practice. Sometimes, she microwaved a cheese pizza while she was home and then brought me a slice when she came back to school for rehearsal. Every time I saw Tracy approach me carrying her baton in one hand and a triangle wrapped in aluminum foil in the other, I was overjoyed! Even though I wasn’t actually perishing, in that moment I felt rescued from starvation by Tracy’s kindness. In Colossians 3:12-14, the apostle Paul urges the Christians in Colossae to clothe themselves with compassion and kindness, among other virtues. And these virtues don’t come from us. Rather, because we belong to Jesus, we are able to love others because God’s love overflows from us. God showed us the ultimate kindness. He rescued us, people who were perishing, by giving His own life for ours. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to forgive us and restore us to relationship with God. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is in ustransforming us and making us new. As new creations, we possess God’s power to clothe ourselves in attitudes and actions that flow from a heart transformed by Jesus Christ. This is what my friend Tracy did. She was not just a classmate but also a sister in Christ, and she put on kindness toward me by sharing that delicious, meat-free pizza on a handful of afternoons. Allison Wilson Lee Can you think of a time someone was kind to you? What did they do? How might remembering Jesus’s kindness to us help us be kind to others? So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 (NIV) Read Verses: Colossians 3:12-Colossians 3:14; Matthew 7:12; 2 Corinthians 5:16-2 Corinthians 5:21

Sometimes, I wonder how God loves me so much. Me. A normal person. A messed-up person. A person who sins. What have I done to deserve what He gives me? How can I show Him how much His love means to me? The Bible talks about God quieting us with His love (Zephaniah 3:17). When the world is crazy and we can’t find peace, His love is there. Jesus gives us His peace (John 14:27). When we are tired but we can’t calm down, He is there with us. He invites us to come to Him, and He will help us relax (Matthew 11:28-30). God knows we can’t do anything to earn His love. We sin. We mess up. We are not worthy of the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Yet God sacrificed for us despite all of that. It was because of His love that God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for us (John 3:16). Jesus was willing to die a death He didn’t deserve so that we could be with God forever. And because Jesus rose from the dead, we can know that God’s love is more powerful than anything. The Bible talks about God’s love being steadfast. It’s always there for us. When people abandon us or hurt us, we don’t have to worry that God and His love are going to disappear. As followers of Jesus, we can know that His love is always with us (Psalm 23:6). I cannot imagine my life without the love that God has shown me and continues to show me each day. I know I don’t deserve that love, and I am so thankful for the gift of love that God gives me. Emily Acker Can you think of a time you felt loved by God? If not, you can ask Him to reveal His love to you anytime. Have you ever felt like you needed to do something to earn God’s love? How might today’s Bible verses speak into this? For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) Read Verses: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:31-Romans 8:39

Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t pray? You are not alone. Why does this happen, and what can we do? Living in a world that has been broken by sin means that problems often arise, and we experience moments of crisis and times of suffering. Worry, anxiety, and grief can be destructive, leaving an emptiness. Sometimes, praying feels impossible. If you are ill and aching, your heart may desire to pray, but the pain is too intense and your mind becomes distracted. You may be on medication and so are unable to focus. No matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, it’s okay to ask someone else to pray for you. You can also be open with God and tell Him you are struggling to pray. Remember that He knows the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). There are times in life when grief and sadness can tear your heart in two, making your emotions raw. You may be angry if you have suffered a tragedy. Share your grief with the Holy Spiritalso known as the Comforter (John 14:16). Remember that Jesus is fully God but also fully human, and He understands your pain (Hebrews 4:15). He invites you to come to Him, even when you’re angry with Him. Expressing your grief and feelings to God is a form of communication. When there are no words, for whatever reason, you can sit or lie down in the silence. Say nothing. Listen to God. Trust our loving Father who knows your needs. He invites you to rest and enjoy being in His presence. Our willingness to be close to God is a form of prayer even if we can’t articulate the words. And, as Christians, we have an Advocatethe Holy Spiritwho will always intercede for us, praying on our behalf. Speaking, singing, listening, asking other people to pray for you, or simply sitting in God’s presence are all ways of praying to God (Psalm 62:5). This might go against your perceptions of prayer, but just spending time with God is enough. He knows what you need and will direct you. Cindy Lee Have you ever felt like you couldn’t pray? What did you do? Consider taking a moment to pray for someone in your life who is struggling. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 (NLT) Read Verses: 1 John 5:13-1 John 5:15; Romans 8:22-Romans 8:30

Do you wake up at night worried sick about the future? You are not alone. Fear and anxiety are rife. Stress has become a natural ingredient in peoples’ lives, regardless of their age. News from around the world provides a daily diet of issues to worry about. Communities and families all bring different problems. Concerns about school and decisions about next steps can cause unease. Family issues such as sickness, addictions, and broken relationships can incite worries. It’s easy to become despondent with so many thoughts swirling inside. When fear consumes us, it’s impossible to think clearly. Worry strangles us like a nagging voice waiting for us to lose our cool and make hasty decisions we later regret. But there is hope. As the author of Psalm 112 recognized, trusting in God means that we do not have to fear bad news. Instead, as we look to God we can rest in His secure love for usand for the world. God cares deeply about His creation, and He came to be with us. When Jesus was walking around on earth, His disciples struggled with worry and stress the same as we do. They felt overwhelmed with their own problems even though they saw Jesus face-to-face and spent lots of time with Him. In John 14, Jesus recognized their fears, and His message for them was the same as it is for us today. Comfort and hope. When we are troubled, Jesus wants us to turn to Him and trust in Him and our Heavenly Father. In a world full of pain and confusion, Jesus says, I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the only One who can save us from the sin and brokenness of the world we inhabit, and He will. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to look forward to the day He will return and restore His creation, and we’ll live with Him forever. In the meantime, He sends the Holy Spirit, who helps us give our problems to God and rest in His love. When we follow Jesus, we have everything we need, and we can rely on Him to guide us through our difficulties. By fixing our attention on Jesus, rather than our worries, we are focusing on the One who will rescue the world from its troubled stateand who empowers us to bring some of that healing wherever we are. Our circumstances won’t be trouble free, but He will help us through them. Cindy Lee What is worrying you today? Consider bringing these things to Jesus, remembering His love. Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 12:2-Hebrews 12:3; Psalm 112:6-Psalm 112:8; John 14

Growing up, church attendance, youth group, and church camp were all regular parts of my life. However, I never really read my Bible or talked about my faith outside of church stuff. I probably would’ve told you that I believed in God if you asked, but I wouldn’t bring it up and I definitely didn’t live like it. After my junior year of high school, I got a job at my summer camp as a maintenance assistant. When we arrived, I started hearing the staff talk about their life verse. These verses meant a lot to them, so they memorized them and used them to describe their lives. I didn’t know many Bible verses other than John 3:16, but I felt like I needed one. After searching online for Bible verses on trials, I settled on James 1:12, Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Now, one of the most important things to understand when reading the Bible is the context of any verse or passage you read. In order to understand what it means for you, you usually have to understand what the author was intending when they wrote it. I didn’t know that, and honestly, I didn’t really care. I thought this verse told me I was blessed for making it through all the difficult things in my life, and God was even going to reward me! But James 1:12 is actually about those who love God receiving the crown of life or the resurrection to eternal life. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing that He died and rose again, we’ll get to live and reign with Him forever when He comes back! James hung out with Jesus, and he gives us some incredible wisdom and insight for living the Christian life. We will experience trials, and God will help us be steadfast. Our focus should be on His faithfulness. Years later, I began using Philippians 2:3-4 as my new life verse. These are both great passages, but my purpose behind using the James verse was misguided. I was using it to elevate myself. Now I want to remember that Jesus calls us to elevate others! Hunter Taylor Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Have you looked at the context of this versewhat verses are surrounding it, what book of the Bible it’s in, who wrote it and why, etc.? Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB) Read Verses: Philippians 2:1-Philippians 2:11; James 1:9-James 1:18

“There’s no time, the voice on the radio says. You must come now. I look around the cockpit of the spaceshipmy spaceship. The control station, the thick, curved glass of the windows, the sleek engines quietly humming in the hull belowall of it is my design. I spent years building this spacecraft, painstakingly attending to each detail so it could do what no other ship has done. I put my heart and soul into this ship. How could I leave it behind? But then I look out the window at the black hole looming before me. A star-sized abyss that light itself cannot escape. Luminescent gas swirls around it, but the glow abruptly stops at the black hole’s edge as its inescapable gravity pulls everything around it into eternal darkness. I can feel the black hole’s gravity wrapping around every cell of my body, pulling me closer. I thought my spacecraft would be able to withstand the gravity at this distance, but I was wrong. I’m being pulled in, speeding toward the darkness, and it’s only a matter of time before I’ll be swallowed up forever. Your ship isn’t fast enough to escape this level of gravity, the voice says. But mine is. I turn to face the opposite window, where another spaceship hovers adjacent to mine. I can see the faint outline of a figure sitting in the cockpit. It must be the man whose voice is coming through my radio, telling me he can save me. He speaks again, his voice calm but firm. You need to come aboard my ship now. I look at the screens and blinking lights around me. All my workmy ship, the data I’d collected, everything I’d accomplished to further human understanding of black holeswould be lost forever. But then I look out at the black hole again, feeling its gravity more acutely, and I realize it’s all going to be lost anyway. Nothing can escape a black hole. Except for this man, whose voice is crackling over my ship’s radio. He can escape it. Somehow, infinite gravity and darkness are no match for him. Alright, I say, turning my back on the computers, the cockpitmy whole life’s work. I’m coming. Courtney Lasater According to Romans 6:23, we cannot escape the gravity of our sin, which leads to certain death. But Jesus can save us. He offers us the gift of eternal life! Romans 10:9 says, If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Have you ever given up something to follow Jesus? Was it worth it? If you haven’t put your trust in Jesus, what is holding you back? You can come to God with your questions, frustrations, fears anything. When we seek God, He reveals Himself to us (Jeremiah 29:13). Who are trusted Christians you could talk to about questions you have? If you want to know more about who Jesus is and what He’s done, see our “Know Jesus” page. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8a (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Philippians 3:7-Philippians 3:12

At the beginning of every spring, I get stressed. The long, harsh winter is finally coming to a close. I know the flowers will start blooming soon, and I worry that I’ll miss it. That I’ll miss seeing the crocuses peek up through the grass before they’re mown over. That I’ll miss seeing the flowering trees full with blossoms before the next windy or rainy day strips off the petals. I find myself anxiously looking all around me whenever I go outside, desperate not to miss a hint of the beauty I’ve been starved for all winter long. When I do see something alive and growing, I fear I can’t appreciate it enough, can’t take in the vibrance enough. I’m afraid of missing it. But this past spring, I paid closer attention to this feeling. And I noticed something hopeful. The blossoms stayed on the trees longer than I expected them to. Not only that, but when one kind of flower finished its bloom, another kind would show itself. I’d forgottenflowers don’t just bloom in spring. Every season has its own kinds of flowers. Lately I’ve been reminded that God is the giver of all good giftsand He keeps giving them! If I miss one of His gifts today, I haven’t exhausted His grace. He keeps giving good things, every day! It’s who He is. Goodness just flows and bursts out of Him, like flowers erupting from every nook and cranny of the springtime soil. If you haven’t guessed already, change isn’t easy for me. But it has been so helpful for me to realize that God brings beauty in the midst of change. In every stage and phase of life, He is generous. He cares about my needs, and not just physical needs like food and clothing, but also my need for beauty and wonder. He knows what my heart needs, and He delights to delight me. He longs to comfort me. To draw me near to Himself and share His good gifts with me. And God helps me enjoy His gifts. Instead of fretting that I will miss out, I can rest knowing that I am beloved and delighted in by God, the giver of all good gifts. Hannah Howe What good gifts have you noticed God giving you lately? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for one of these! See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children and we are! 1 John 3:1a (CSB) Read Verses: 1 John 3:1; Psalm 19:1; James 1:17-James 1:18

In the book of Genesis, Joseph was the favorite son of Israel, also known as Jacob. And his brothers hated him because of it. One day, they did an evil thing to Joseph and threw him into a cistern. Joseph pleaded for his life (Genesis 42:21), but they cruelly sold him as a slave to some Midianite traders. Joseph was then sold to an Egyptian official named Potiphar, and God gave Joseph success as he served in this household. Then Joseph was wrongly accused and imprisoned, but with a sudden turn of events, he was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt, and God helped him prepare for a famine that was coming. When famine came into the land of Joseph’s family, his father, Jacob, sent his other sons to Egypt to buy grain. When Joseph met them, they didn’t recognize him, and he spoke harshly to them. After he had tested them, Joseph revealed his true identity and wept. He did not reject or resent his brothers. There was no bitterness in his heart. Instead of repaying them for the wrong they had done to him, Joseph accepted them. He treated them well. He forgave them. He willingly made peace with them. Joseph was at peace with God, and he was able to give that same peace to his brothers, even providing for their needs. Joseph’s forgiveness foreshadows the great forgiveness Jesus would bring to the whole world. Jesus paid for all our wrongdoing by dying on the cross and raising from the dead. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). And He calls us to love others as He loves us, not taking revenge but doing good to our enemies (Romans 12:17-21). When someone wrongs you, God empowers you to forgive. Through Jesus, you can walk in the way of peace. Following Him is the path that brings healing, love, and joy. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He chose to forgive the people who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He paved the way for peace. As you follow the way of Jesus, youlike Josephcan live at peace with others. Golda Dilema When do you find it challenging to live at peace with others? Remember, forgiving someone does not always mean being in close relationship with them. If you have questions about how to have loving boundaries after someone has hurt you, who is a trusted adult you can talk to? And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me [Joseph] here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:5 (NIV) Read Verses: Genesis 45:1-Genesis 45:15; Romans 12:17-Romans 12:21

Life is full of ups and downs. When everything seems to be going wellwhen we have friends and are at peace with those around us, when we have all the material things we need and are in good healthwe feel good and acceptable. But when these things are lacking or we think we don’t have enough of them, we feel forsaken or abandoned, even by God Himself. In Psalm 37, we have the testimony of an old man who had walked with God for many years through different stages of lifein his youth, in middle age, and now as an old man. His name was David, and he was the second king of Israel. He says, I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread (Psalm 37:25). In his own life, David had experienced war, loss, violence, and death threats, yet He knew God was his protector, provider, and healer. He saw what happened to people who followed God, and people who didn’t. In the same Psalm, he says, Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous (Psalm 37:16-17). What does it mean to be righteous? Psalm 37 gives several examples, but simply put, being righteous is being right with God and honoring Him in everything we do. But we can’t be righteous on our own. Apart from Jesus, we are all wicked, and our sin leads to death. Yet God loves us, and Jesus died and rose again so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can follow His good ways even as we rest in God’s promise: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). When it seems like we do not have enough, we can remember that God cares about our needs (Matthew 6:31-34), and we can ask Him for help, remembering that He gives us strength to be content in every situation (Philippians 4:11-13). When things are not going well and we start to wonder where God has gone, let us remember the testimony of this old man David, for God is with us in every situation and He will never leave us alone. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni Have you ever felt forsaken by those around you, even by your own relatives? (Psalm 27:10) Do you sometimes feel like God has forsaken you? You can be honest with God about this. As you come to Him, He will reveal Himself to you. He is trustworthy and good, and He loves you. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken Psalm 37:25a (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 37; Hebrews 13:5-Hebrews 13:6

What is it I see going o’er the fields? Some shadow, beast, or ghost? Swooping down low. Ensnaring its prey. My escape from it I cannot boast. It has armies no, legions! They will try to get you to follow. To listen to its lies and in your anger, fear, and shame to wallow. It captures you, draws you in. Tells you, Everything is alright. Its traps are hidden, its temptations are strong. But truly I tell you, One can win the fight! There is a light that can push back this shadow. A weapon that can defeat the beast. This light, this weapon, is all but a secret. You can take it, wield it, conquer shadow at least. There is a book, an ancient book, in which this weapon is held. Read it, use it, trust it. And a solid faith you may wield. Gracee Terrell We live in a broken world where evil brings destruction every day and lies coax us away from God. The temptations we face are strong, but Jesus is stronger. He is the Light of the World. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in you, giving you the power to fight against temptation. What weapon does God give us? (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) Jesus defeated sin and death once and for all when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. He promises that He will return to heal our broken world, and sin and death will be no more. In the meantime, God has given us His Word, the Bible, and community with fellow Christians so we don’t have to fight alone. When you feel overwhelmed by sin and brokenness, who are trusted Christians in your life you can go to? The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5 (NLT) Read Verses: John 1:1-John 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 4:1-Luke 4:13

Jehu Jones Jr. was born enslaved in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1786. His father, Jehu Jones Sr., was trained as a tailor, and he was so skilled that the elite class in Charleston requested his exacting work. He was allowed to charge his customers a fee. He asked his slave holder if he could purchase his own manumission (freedom). The slave holder agreed, and Jehu Jones Sr. and his family became Free Blacks. Free Blacks weren’t enslaved, but their freedom was still limited. If a free Black person left Charleston, they weren’t welcome to return. If they did, they could be jailed. Jehu Jones Sr. opened the most fashionable hotel in Charleston and became prosperous. But even with his success, he was not allowed to leave his property unless he was accompanied by a white escort. Freedom was precarious. One important difference between an enslaved and a free Black person was the right to learn how to read. The Jones family optimized that freedom. Jehu’s brother Edward became the first southern Black person to graduate from college in the United States of America. Jehu Jr. became the first Black Lutheran minister, and he started the first Black Lutheran congregation in the USA. Jehu Jr. faced many challenges and injustices. He went to New York to become an ordained minister and was arrested when he returned to Charleston. He had to relocate immediately to avoid being imprisoned and quickly said goodbye to his wife and children, including his three-day-old baby. Eventually they all ended up in Pennsylvania. Once there, Reverend Jehu Jones Jr. received very little aid to build a church, and he worked relentlessly to gain funds. Jehu continued to serve God, speaking at various congregations and encouraging those who were sick and poor. He was a leader in Black communities and beyond. He never stopped spreading God’s Word. Jehu may have been born enslaved, but only God was master of his spirit and faith. Even when the world was against Jehu, Jesus was with him. God worked through Jehu to bring many to Himself. The power of the gospel could not be kept in chains. Kelly Bakshi God hates when people are mistreated, and He is always working to bring freedom. Jesus announced, Captives will be released the oppressed will be set free (Luke 4:14-21). How does Jesus give us hope and endurance, even when others are conspiring against us? He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released that the oppressed will be set free Luke 4:18 (NLT) Read Verses: Phlm; Luke 4:18

Do you ever wrestle over what God’s will is for your life? When I graduated high school, I was quite anxious about choosing the right path. I grappled with decisions about college, wrote lists of pros and cons, prayed and sought God in tears. Since then, I’ve had other large decisions where I responded similarly. Lately, I’ve felt like God has been prompting my heart to dig into what His will is for us, not just in daily decisions or even the life-altering ones, but overall. First and perhaps most obvious, God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4). This is the crux of life, the very heartbeat of our existence. When a crowd of people asked Jesus what God required of them, Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent (John 6:29). The apex of God’s will is that everyone who looks to Jesus has eternal life (John 6:40). Under the canopy of being in Christ, what then is the will of God? I believe His will is to make us more like Jesus Christ. This can be accomplished in many different ways, none of which need to be labeled the right or the wrong way, as I once fretted. If we belong to Jesus, He promises to work in and through us to fulfill His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). And He equips us with everything we need to do His will (Hebrews 13:20-21). God’s plan for His children is to give us hope in Jesus and a future with Him. He wants us to remain in His love, and from this place of connection with Him, to love others (John 15:9-17). As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds and seek to live according to God’s Word, we will be able to determine what His will is (Romans 12:1-2). Through Jesus, we have everything we need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3), and we can rest in this promise. Savannah Coleman Have you ever felt like there was one right path for your life? How might today’s Bible passages speak into this? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) Read Verses: John 6:25-John 6:40; Philippians 2:1-Philippians 2:16; Romans 8:28-Romans 8:29

Have you ever had a heavy heartfelt the physical effects of your sadness weighing you down? You are not alone. I have felt this way too. Worries, painful experiences, anxiety, grief, or guilt can burden you. It feels as if your emotional state is sinking physically into your body. Craving solitude, I dragged myself on long walks. Alone time in the fresh air helped, and during these strolls, or at night before sleeping, I would share my deepest thoughts with God. Nothing happened straight away. It was a long process, but even though my emotions were painful, I believed that God was always on standby ready to listen and my worries were His. Our Heavenly Father knows us and loves us deeply. He didn’t create us to sit suffering in terrible silence, allowing anxieties to rattle around inside our minds. He created us to enjoy fullness of life with Him (John 10:10). And even though we live in a world that has been broken by sin, God doesn’t give up on us. Jesus came to allow us to have a relationship with God and to reassure us that He is always with us, always ready for us to reach out to Him. Jesus was born, died, rose again, and ascended to bring new life to this broken world. Jesus’s sacrifice, His substitution for our sins and punishment, shows the immensity of God’s love (John 3:16-17). Jesus’s death on the cross is a profound act of selflessness that is mindboggling to understand, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true or relevant. When Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead three days later, He changed everything. He gave us grace and forgiveness, and He sealed His promise to heal all brokenness and defeat all evil. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are never alone. Jesus grieves our pain alongside us, and He heals us. Surrendering your heart to Him disperses the pain inside. It is a reminder that you don’t have to go through whatever trial you happen to be facing alone. In my own life, the walks, the talks in a quiet room, the tears shed before bed helped me unburden myself and calmed my soul. I also found that God provides trusted people in our lives to help us. When we surrender our hearts to God, when we come to Him in simple trust and faith, something precious happens. He untangles the sadness within us and restores us piece by piece. Cindy Lee Can you think of a time you felt a heaviness or sadness within you? These emotions are painful, but God loves us more than we could dare to imagine, and He wants to help us. If you are experiencing worries, painful experiences, anxiety, grief, or guilt you’re not alone. Who are trusted adults in your life who could help you process these things? 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. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rEsther Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 11:28-Matthew 11:30

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable where a father has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, even though his father is still alive. The father does not scold his son but willingly and freely gives him the inheritance, although it was not the usual thing to doand the way the son treated his father was very rejecting. The son soon goes to another country where he spends everything on wild living. When his last money is gone and there is a famine in the land, he feeds pigs just so he can live. He then comes to realize that he made a mistake by leaving his family. He decides to go back to his father and ask to take the role not of a son but of a servant. He journeys home humble. When the father sees his son from a distance, he runs toward him, then embraces and accepts him as if no offense was made. Even though his son’s actions hurt him, the father does not hold this against him but rejoices that he is home. Like the son in this parable, we all mess up. Since humans first went their own way against God, we all sinpurposefully doing wrong. So often we do not think through decisions, or we merely follow our passions instead of following the God who loves us. But God invites us to come home to Him by putting our trust in Jesuswho died and rose from the dead to forgive us for everything we’ve ever done (and ever will do) against God. Once you know Jesus, you can rest assured that God will not reject or scold you, even when you mess up. Like the father in this parable, He will not criticize or resent you. He will run to meet you and hug you. Like the son, all you need to do is humble yourself before God and come back to Him. Golda Dilema When you mess up, do you find it difficult to forgive yourself or to ask for forgiveness? Do you ever feel like God will be harsh with you for messing up? You can be honest with Him about this and ask Him to show you what He is really like. Consider taking some time to sit with Jesus in prayer and imagine the father’s reaction to his son coming home in Luke 15:20-24. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 32:5; Luke 15:11-Luke 15:32; 1 John 1:9

One morning, while out for a nature walk, I observed a group of tiny sparrows mobbing a large hawk perched in a tree. Why did they do that, when the hawk was so much bigger than them? Well, while the hawk looked harmless perched in a tree doing nothing, the sparrows knew it was a threat to their safety, their young, and other animals. The sparrows didn’t want a dangerous predator looming over them, so they continued to swoop and dive at the hawk until it finally flew away. Watching the sparrows chase away the hawk reminded me of sin in our lives. The violence of these birds is just one instance of the brokenness that entered creation when humans first went their own way against God. Like the hawk, sin may not seem dangerous, but its impact is huge, and even a small sin can have devastating results. Our sin affects more than just us; it hurts those around us. Sin is rebellion against God, the One who loves us and created the world good. Our sin brought death and suffering into the world, and every one of us has sinned, fallen short of God’s goodness (Romans 3:23; James 1:14-15). But God made a way for us to be free from sin through His Son, Jesus. He came to live among us and reveal God’s love for us. He lived without ever sinning, died for our sins, and rose back to lifevictorious over sin and death. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are forgiven and brought near to God. Because of our new life in Jesus, we don’t have to live under the tyranny of sin anymore. So what can we do when sin and temptation threaten our lives? We can be like the sparrows and chase them away! Because the Holy Spirit is in Christians, we have the power to turn away from sin and follow Jesus instead. And God also provides communityfellow Christians to walk alongside us, help us be aware of the influences that surround us, encourage us to choose our actions wisely, and remind us of God’s unfailing love and forgiveness. If something in our lives keeps causing us to sin, we can get rid of it. When temptations come, we can follow Jesus’s example and fight off temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). Sin may seem like a powerful enemy, but Jesus overcame sin and temptation. Because His Holy Spirit gives us His strength, we can too. Abby Ciona When we are tempted to sin, how does God help us? (1 Corinthians 10:13) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 6:1-Romans 6:12; Hebrews 2:14-Hebrews 2:18; James 4:7

Who is my enemy? I feel like anyone who hurts me in some way is an enemy in that moment. I know I get hurt a lot, so I get lots of opportunities to pray for my enemies! How can I do this? Asking God for wisdom in how to pray is step number one. Each of my enemies has a different personality and different needs. Even when I don’t know what they need, I can ask God to bless them anyway (Romans 8:26-27). Only God, who made that person, fully understands why they are treating me in such a mean way. There is a saying, Hurt people, hurt people. Most of the time when someone hurts me, it’s because they’ve been hurt. And I may not be the cause of their hurt. They could be lashing out about something that happened days, weeks, or even years ago that still hurts them. Another way I can pray for my enemy is to think about how I feel when I’m hurt and someone comforts me. Then I ask God to comfort that person, either in the same way I would want to be comforted or in a way that meets their specific needs. I can even ask God to help me comfort them if that’s what He is inviting me to do. It’s also important to share with God when we’ve been hurt and tell Him how we’re feeling. He cares about our hurts, and He wants to heal us just as He wants to heal the person who hurt us. When I’m hurt, my first response is often anger. Feeling angry is NOT sin. Instead, the Bible tells me: Don’t sin by letting anger control you (Ephesians 4:26). When I get angry and retaliate by hurting the person who hurt me, I am sinning. But when I get angry and make the decision to give my hurts over to Jesus and pray for my enemy, I am acting like Jesus. Jesus showed us this same forgiveness while He was on the cross, saying, Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). Even while we were His enemies, Jesus made a way for us to be fully restored to relationship with God (Romans 5:10), and now He works in us, empowering us to forgive even our enemies. Sharon J. Morris Who are you struggling to forgive right now? A friend? Family member? Teacher? Yourself? Consider spending some time sitting with Jesus in prayer, asking Him to heal you and the person who hurt you. Navigating broken relationships can be complicated. If you aren’t sure what forgiveness looks like in a particular situation, who can you ask for guidance? But I [Jesus] say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44 (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3-2 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians 4:31-Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 5:43-Matthew 5:48

“No one cares what happens to me, you mumble, wrinkling up the paper you’d been writing on. What’s the point of even trying? We’ve all had times when it felt like it was us against the world. We had a problem we needed to tackle, and we didn’t feel any support from anyone as we tried to take it on. We’ve all had times when we’ve felt alone and like no one really understands what we’re going through or cares about what happens to us. In times when you feel like no one cares, God does. In times when you feel like you’re battling alone, God is with you. There is no one better to have on your side than the God who sees all that is happening and is with you no matter where you go. There is no one better to have on your side than the One who made you and cares about you deeply. We face many tough situations in this life, but we have a God who goes to battle for us. In Psalm 9, David writes about God defeating his enemies for him, and that same God is on our side when we feel alone. This Psalm looks forward to when God would come and live among us. Jesus defeated the enemy when He died on the cross and rose from the dead to save us. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know He is with us no matter what. And we can look forward to the day Jesus will return, and sin and all its effects will be no more. Until that day, the Holy Spirit reminds us God is present with us in every moment, including this one. Emily Acker Do you ever feel like it’s you against the world and no one is around to support you? Can you think of a time you felt sure God was with you? If so, consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. If not, you can ask Him to let you know He’s with you anytime. Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (WEB) Read Verses: Psalm 9; Ephesians 3:17

The night had been long. Simon felt bone-weary as he cleaned his fishing nets. There on the shore, surrounded by a large crowd, was Jesus. This man had already healed many. He taught with such authority; He had even driven out a demon who called Him the Holy One of God. Simon was wondering what Jesus would do next, when Jesus stepped into Simon’s boat and looked at him in a way that made Simon feel seen and known. Jesus asked Simon to move his boat to the shallows. Shrugging, Simon complied, and Jesus sat down and continued teaching from the boat. When Jesus finished speaking to the people, He turned to Simon and said, Put out into deep water, and let the nets down for a catch. Feeling like he needed to clean the wax out of his ears, Simon shook his head in bewilderment. No one fished during the day. He said, Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. Simon signaled his partners, James and John, and together they lowered their nets into the water. After a moment, James yelled, John, Simon, look! They peered over the side of the boat and gasped. There’s already a bunch of fish in the nets! The boat began to tip at the sheer number of fish flowing into the nets, their bodies shimmering in the morning sunlight. John signaled more of their partners in a separate boat for help. The muscles in Simon’s arms strained as he gripped the net with all his strength. The boats are sinkingthere’s just so many fish! James threw his head back and laughed in wonder. Simon looked at Jesus and fell at His feet. Surely this Jesus was more than just a man. Savannah Coleman This story is how one author imagines Luke 5:1-8. Why do you think Simon did what Jesus asked? What did Simon say when he fell at Jesus’s feet, and why do you think he said that? What did Jesus say in response? (Luke 5:8-10) Who is Jesus? Simon (later renamed Peter) followed Jesus, and God revealed His true identity to him. Simon Peter was the first of the disciples to say that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-18). To find out more about who Jesus is, check out our “Know Jesus” page. So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:11 (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 4:31-Luke 4:37; Luke 5:1-Luke 5:11

We were all lined up for the egg toss contEsther Jack threw our team’s egg, and SPLAT! The raw egg hit my new pink blouse and broke. As it slid down the front, it left a long trail. Jack laughed so hard, his body spiraled down to the ground like water draining out of a sink. He didn’t seem to mind that the “splat” meant we had lost the egg toss contEsther Jack and I were part of the same church youth group. It wasn’t unusual for him to fall. Unsteady on his feet, he had difficulty walking. None of us knew what caused this. He never said, and we never asked. We just accepted it. And Jack. When he fell, we had learned not to try to help him up. Our role was to wait until he got up on his own. After that, we all continued with what we had been doing. One year, our youth group’s weekend camp retreat included a foot-washing service, following the example Jesus gave us when He washed His disciples’ feet on the night before He went to the cross. We proceeded in silence as our guest speaker read Scripture aloud. My partner and I sat in chairs facing each other. I have to be really gentle and careful, I told myself when I saw Jack’s feet in front of me. Praying the entire time, I wondered how I would get the towel under his feet to wash them. Could Jack move his feet to help? If I rotated them, would I break a bone in his legs? I thought about only washing the tops of his feet. That wasn’t the answer either. Jack was one of us. I would treat him that way. There was only one option left. I got up out of my seat and knelt on the cold concrete floor. I reached under Jack’s feet and thoroughly washed and dried them. I washed dozens of feet that day. Only once did I feel fully like a servant. When I left my chairand my comfort zoneand got on my knees to wash Jack’s feet. Kathy Irey When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, what did He tell them? (John 13:1-17) Why do you think Jesus calls His followers to serve one another in love? (Galatians 5:13) How might God be inviting you to serve other people in your life today? Do you have mobility issues or have friends who do? It’s always a good idea to ask someone what they’re comfortable with or if they want help. People with mobility issues usually know what would be the most helpful, so you don’t need to be afraid to ask. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT) Read Verses: John 13:1-John 13:17; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Matthew 23:11

There was a golden engraving on the massive wooden door in front of me: House of Wisdom it read. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. Inside, my eyes were greeted by a plush entryway, red velvet under my feet, and glistening ruby walls. A curved, golden staircase stretched up farther than I could see. Come higher, a soft whisper beckoned. The rubies sparkled on the walls, pulling at me. Perhaps if I just pocketed one or two I was tempted, but that still small voice was greater. Ignoring the urge to indulge in the temporary treasure, I ascended the staircase. At the top of the stairs, there were two closed doors. My heart felt conflicted within mewhich one to open? I knelt on the carpet and breathed a prayer: Show me the way. The door to my left was made of ornate topaz, the one on the right of simple wood, but strongly built. As I watched and waited, I heard the voice call from beyond the wooden door: This is the way. Walk in it. Emboldened, I twisted the knob and entered through the wooden door. The room I entered was filled with treasures. I marveled at bowls overflowing with amethysts, a pearl as large as my fist, a mirror inlaid with sapphire. In the center of the room was a throne made of emerald, and on it was a book. The voice echoed through the room: What is wisdom? Choose wisely. My heart pounded in trepidationwhat if I chose the wrong thing? What was wisdom, really? I approached the book and knew at once it was the Word of Life. My fingers brushed the feather-light pages of the Word and I read: The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). Sweet relief flooded my soul. This. This is wisdom, I spoke with confidence. Immediately, the Word was transformed into a Lamb. As the Lamb gazed into my eyes, I felt my entire soul was bare before Him. I fell down in worship. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, is the true treasure. To seek and find Him is the greatest form of wisdom. Savannah Coleman In this allegorical story, the search for wisdom leads to Jesus, who is the Word of God and the Lamb of God. In the Old Testament, the Jewish Passover lamb pointed to Jesus (if you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 11-12). While animal sacrifices had to be made again and again to pay for people’s sin (or wrongdoing), Jesus’s death on a cross took the punishment for the sins of the whole world. And when Jesus rose back to life, He defeated sin and death once and for all! Jesus knows us fully, and He loves us completely. If we’ve put our trust in Him, we are forgiven, and we get to enjoy life with God. First Corinthians 1-2 tells us that Jesus Christ is our wisdom. As we worship Him, He leads us in wisdom. When Jesus came to earth and lived among us, He was born into a common family, not a royal one. When Jesus grew up, He worked as a carpenter and He was not wealthy. Why do you think Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, came to earth in this way? While God doesn’t promise Christians worldly wealth in this life, He gives us something far greater. Through Jesus, we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom (Ephesians 1:7-8). And when Jesus returns, we will live and reign with Him in renewed creation! In the meantime, God invites us to ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). According to James 3:13-18, how can we tell when wisdom is from God? Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. Proverbs 24:3-4 (WEB) Read Verses: Isaiah 30:21; John 1; John 6:60-John 6:69; Proverbs 24:3-Proverbs 24:4

The rich scent of trees and earth fill the deep woods. Waves of alternating warm and cool breezes wash over your skin as you step from the shadows to the sunlight and back again. Bright eyes of a cherished friend sharing a story. Wide smiles and wrinkled hands of the ones who have been there for years. Holding on to these moments that slip by far too quickly. Rushing out the door, heart squeezing. The list is never-ending, the clock keeps on ticking. Hurrying by the friend struggling with a load to carry. Taking air in your lungs, but not breathing deep. Not allowing your fingers to linger on the cat’s soft fur or the rough bark on a tree you pass. Being present is a struggle. We all have demands on our time, deadlines to make, life to live. But even as we feel the push and pull of hurry, we don’t have to be mastered by it. Being present in the midst of daily life is a choice one we have to practice. We can make time to see, hear, feeljust be in the moment God has given us. Choosing to slow down and really feel the sun on your skin, breathe deeply of a flower, gaze into the eyes of a loved onethese choices are honoring to the God who has given us good gifts (James 1:17). God wants to give us an abundant life, a full life (John 10:10). He sent us His one and only Son, Jesus, so that we could experience the freedom and fullness of life with Him. His invitation is, Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Throughout His Word, God reminds us to meditate on His unfailing love for us (Psalm 48:9). If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He has freed us from a life ruled by rush and worry; instead, He calls us to seek His Kingdom first and focus on today (Matthew 6:31-34). Through the Holy Spirit, He helps us to be present and rest in the presence of Jesus. Savannah Coleman Like David did in Psalm 19, you can allow your heart to take in the beauty of God’s creation and consider His unchanging goodness. What is one of your favorite things God has made? God created us to have sweet relationship with Him, to lovingly linger, to gaze at His beauty and enjoy His creation. How might being present to our surroundings help us grow closer to God? Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rEsther Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 19; Matthew 11:28

Have you ever been content, then out of nowhere a problem or difficult situation replayed itself in your mind? You are not alone. One day, during some solitary time with God, a troubling memory flashed inside. It clouded my mind, and heaviness rested in my heart as I relived a particular trial I’d had. The remembrance of praying, blindly moving forward in trust, and the sheer slog of persevering returned. As I struggled through these feelings, a thought entered my heart: Difficulties can give you strength and determination. They can help you empathize with others and be a testimony. The sadness threatening to ruin my day was replaced with hope that God is working for the good of His people in all situations (Romans 8:28). God can take stressful times, whether caused by school, a loss, a challenging event, or even trauma and use them to provide us with blessings not only for ourselves, but for others too. God can use this terrible experience to bring about something good, like helping us grow in empathy and understanding. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rely on Him to give us courage to walk through the challenges in our lives. And as we walk with Him, He draws us into a closer relationship with Himself. As we walk with Jesus, our experiences, both positive and negative, can assist others. Bad things happen because sin has invaded God’s good world. And sin has invaded our hearts, so we all rebel against God, hurt each other, and mess up. But the wonderful news is that Jesus came to heal all this brokenness through His death and resurrection. And because of His work in our lives, the trials we face can become landmarks, reminding us that God’s love is steadfast, and He gives us strength beyond our imagination so that we can follow Him even in the midst of difficult situations. This can serve others as they witness how Jesus is working in our lives and find hope. Let’s not allow the scars of our lives to define us, but instead use them to tell others about God’s healing, extending the same comfort that God has given us. Cindy Lee Have you ever felt encouraged by seeing how Jesus worked in someone else’s life? Are you going through a challenge right now? How might God be inviting you to receive His comfort today? Who is a trusted adult who could help guide you through this time? we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4b (NIV) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3-2 Corinthians 1:7

One of the biggest issues I struggled with in middle school was the overwhelming pressure to find an identity. Most of my friends had their thingshobbies, talents, or interests that seemed to define them as a person. I had a few interests and practiced several activities, but I thought that because I hadn’t locked into one skill and perfected it, I was missing out. As it turned out, I had been consuming lies about my identity that I hadn’t even been aware of. During my first year of high school, I went to a Christian summer camp. This experience is one of the most valuable of my life, not just because I had fun, but because I redefined what identity meant for me as a Christian. As I listened during our chapel gatherings, this caught my attention: If your hope and confidence are based on achievement, then when you fail, your feeling of significanceand your happinesswill crumble. If you remember anything when you feel lost, remember this: You are not an athlete, an artist, an academic, or any other temporary label. These may be things you do, but they are not who you are. According to the Bible, you are a child of God. You do not have to perform for God’s love and affirmation. You already have it. You don’t have to be afraid of failure. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are already forgiven and faultless in God’s sight. Through Jesus, God has already made you victorious. And you are part of His people, the churchyou never have to earn a place in God’s family! Don’t listen to identity lies. Because you are a child of God, I know that you have God-given talents. They may not be something physical, like painting or playing sports; they may be gifts of encouragement, compassion, patience, or the ability to make others feel accepted. Whatever your talents are, you can be free to embrace them joyfully, without being weighed down by the pressure to perform. If you know Jesus, your identity is secure in Himand nobody can shake that. Talents may come and go throughout your life, but Jesus’s unconditional love will last forever. Sophia Grogg Do you feel the need to become better than others at particular hobbies or activities, even if they aren’t competitive skills? God invites us to talk to Him about these pressures. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:21-2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:11-Ephesians 1:14; 1 John 3:1

There are times when it feels like God isn’t paying attention to the things that are going on here on earth. The author of Psalm 74 felt this way too and begged God to reach down and help those who were being mistreated and oppressed. When we feel like the world is in chaos and God isn’t seeing things, we can be honest with Him and tell Him our frustrations. As we come to Him, He assures us that He does see what’s happening, He reminds us that He is always working, and He promises that He will bring about justice in the end. When Jesus came and lived among us, He revealed that God loves us deeply and wants to be intimately involved in the mess of the world. Jesus had compassion for the oppressed, He brought healing and hope, and He took all the world’s suffering on Himself when He went to the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, He defeated sin and all its effects. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, God invites us to be part of the good things He is doing. When we see people suffering on the street, God invites us to cry out for Him to do something. We can ask God to heal their hurts and help them. When we hear of people dying all around the world, we can cry out to God for help. We can ask Him to move in power and stop violence, and to show Himself to people so that they do not die without knowing Him. As we notice and pray, God might give us opportunities to bless people, or He might just be calling us to pray for them and trust Him with the rEsther When we hear of injustices and people who are hurting, we can cry out as the psalmist did. We can ask God to pay attention to the things going on here on earth, knowing that He sees, He cares, and He responds to the prayers of His people. Emily Acker Do you ever feel like God isn’t paying attention? How might today’s Bible passages speak into this? What hurts do you see in the world today? Do you feel like you can talk to God about these? Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 74:10-Psalm 74:23; 1 Timothy 2:1-1 Timothy 2:6; Psalm 54:2

I love when God speaks to me in new ways. Have you ever been reading a passage of Scripture that you’ve read a number of times before, but something new stands out to you, and you feel like you’re reading it for the first time? That happened to me today. Sometimes I start to skim through passages when I think I already know what they offer. Yes, yes, I say. I know what’s about to happen, and I know what the whole point of this is going to be. I feel like I’m saving time by just hurrying through these sections. When I slow down, though, and I’m willing to listen to what God is speaking, He often reveals messages in a fresh way, even if the passage is one I’ve heard countless times. Sometimes He helps me see a verse that I’ve never noticed before. Or He helps me understand things in a way that I didn’t previously. A message in the passage I’m reading can be applicable to a specific situation that I’m in, and I can grasp its meaning more deeply. Hebrews 4:12 says, The word of God is alive and active. The Bible is breathed out by God, and He has many, many messages to share with us. When Christians read the Bible, we have a special connection to what we read because the Bible is about Jesusand we know Him! The central message of the Bible is the gospel: the good news that God saves us through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Once we put our trust in Jesus, He sends the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:12-15). Throughout our lives, He continues to unfold His wonderful mysteries to us as we seek Him. Emily Acker Have you ever read something familiar in the Bible and been tempted to skip over it? Why might it be important to revisit familiar passages? All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 55:8-Isaiah 55:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-2 Timothy 3:17

The builder surveyed the land eagerly. His arms were strong for the task, his mind sharp. Every builder knew a strong foundation was the most crucial element, and this house was no exception. Jars of cement mixtures labeled in colorful script glinted in the morning sunlight, begging to be chosen. The builder gripped a jar with calloused fingers: Family, he read. After a moment’s pause, he opened the jar and lifted his shovel. No one could deny the importance of family. Surely this would be a solid foundation. Months passed and the structure grew, admired by all who passed by. The builder was tempted to hang up his hat in satisfaction, for it seemed his work was complete. But then, the storm came. The rain poured down in torrents and the winds blew relentlessly against the beautiful houseand it fell with a mighty crash. In the years to follow, the builder, never one to give up when things got difficult, resolved to find the one foundation that would survive even the deadliest of storms. He chose an emerald green jar titled: Wealth. He tried a glistening gold one with the word Approval etched in the glass. In desperation, he seized one that read Strength, but this too resulted in catastrophic failure and the collapse of all his hard work. Blinking back tears of defeat, the weary builder rummaged through the remaining jars half-heartedly. In the midst of all the shimmering colors vying for his attention lay a clear, solidly constructed jar. It wasn’t fancy, and its glass didn’t catch the light, but the builder knew it was well-made. The word on it was written in bold scarlet red: Jesus. As people meandered by the builder’s finished house, there were few exclamations of beauty. The years passed with several devastating storms ripping through the land. With each tempest, many were drawn to see how the builder’s house fared. Those who regarded the house agreed it was not the most prominent or majestic, yet one thing was indisputable: this house had a solid foundation. Savannah Coleman This story is inspired by a parable Jesus told. Family is important, good friends are a blessing, and improving your health and mind are worthy pursuits, but Jesus gives the only foundation that can stand the test of time. He alone can save us. What are you building your life on? Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 7:24-Matthew 7:27; Luke 6:46-Luke 6:49; 1 Corinthians 3:9-1 Corinthians 3:16

READ: PSALM 34:4-18 “It’s over!” The shocking words crush you. “I’m breaking up with you.” Your emotions are in turmoil. What can you do? First of all, don’t bottle up the suffering, as this is damaging in the long term. Instead, acknowledge your pain. Take time to adjust. People tend to respond to breakups in a few different ways: Sadness: The end of a relationship can feel like a bereavement. When you’ve become accustomed to spending time with someone and sharing your plans and dreams, losing them can create an aching void. Deflation: Sometimes, after we experience a rejection, feelings of emptiness and low self-esteem can follow. “What is wrong with me? Why am I not good enough?” We might start wondering if we are inadequate. Anger: It’s common to feel frustrated or bitter with yourself and/or the person who broke up with you. Thoughts can spiral. “Why was I such a fool? Why did you break up with me?” So how can you cope in the aftermath of a breakup? Allow yourself grieving and alone time. Jesus took time to be alone with God. He took time to weep. And Jesus has compassion on you in this moment. He loves you with an unchanging, never-give-up kind of love. He invites you to come to Him and receive His comfort. And if you’re feeling angry, you can talk to God about it. Remember that anger comes with energy, so it helps to channel this energy into something positive like exercise, a sport, or a new project. Breaking up with someone can be devastating. It hurts, and it can be hard to move on. Remember, you are loved deeply by the Creator. He made you on purpose and wants the best for you. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that God will never abandon you. His love is divine and unfathomable. He understands your brokenness, your pain, and your innermost thoughts. As you look back on memories with the person you dated, you can rely on His comfort. And as you move forward, you can follow His trustworthy leading. • Cindy Lee • What questions do you have about dating? Who is a trusted Christian adult in your life you feel comfortable talking to about dating? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (CSB)

Joseph is only seventeen when his story beginsand he is having serious problems! Joseph is the youngest of eleven brothers and his father’s favorite. Even before their father has a colorful coat made just for Joseph, his brothers clearly hate him. Maybe the way Joseph talks about his special dreams is simply the last straw. One day Joseph’s brothers spot him in the distance, coming to check on them as they tend the flocks. Realizing they are alone in the wilderness, they quickly plot to kill him, but thanks to Reuben, the oldest brother, they decide to throw him into an old well instead. Most of them are willing to let him die. But waita better opportunity! Along comes a caravan of traders, pleased to purchase a healthy young slave in exchange for twenty pieces of silver. Thus, Joseph now finds himself in Egypt, a slave to an officer named Potiphar. However, the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did (Genesis 39:3). Potiphar notices Joseph’s good work and trustworthy character and places him in charge of his entire household. Things are looking up! Then, another disaster. Potiphar’s wife lusts after Joseph and demands, Come and sleep with me (Genesis 39:7), but he refuses her, saying he cannot violate his master’s trust, nor sin against God (Genesis 39:8-9). Probably feeling insulted and angry, she lies about Joseph, and Potiphar throws him into prison. Greatfirst slavery, now prison! Yet, the Lord was with him [Joseph] and caused everything he did to succeed (Genesis 39:23). Success? In prison? Yes, even in terrible situations God is there and He is working. Joseph was eventually released from prison, and he became second in command to Pharoah! Through interpreting dreams, God helped Joseph prepare for a famine that was coming, and when Joseph had a chance to pay back his brothers for what they did to him, instead Joseph forgave them and provided for their families. God worked through Joseph to save His people. And Joseph’s life foreshadows Jesus’s life. Jesus was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, then treated as a criminal even though He had done nothing wrong. By dying on the cross for our sin and raising again, Jesus provided the way for all people to be saved. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He empowers us to be trustworthy and invites us to be part of what He’s doing. And just as God was with Joseph, He is with usour most trustworthy Friend. G. Kam Congleton How does Joseph’s life reveal that God is worthy of our trust? The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did. Genesis 39:2a (NLT) Read Verses: Genesis 39:1-Genesis 39:5; Genesis 39:19-Genesis 39:23; Genesis 41:37-Genesis 41:41

READ: PSALM 51; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-13 Guilt is hard. Sometimes, Satan will try to convince us that we are guilty of something terrible when we really aren’t. This “bad guilt” tells us the lie that we are irredeemable, unlovable people. We can become discouraged and paralyzed, unable to do anything good. But in these times, we can come to Jesus, give our struggle over to Him in prayer, and rest knowing that we are made clean and new by Jesus’s death and resurrection. There are also times guilt can be helpful. The Holy Spirit uses “good guilt” to gently show us a specific way that we’ve disobeyed God. When our attitudes, words, or actions damage our relationships with others or God, good guilt shows us that we need healing and restoration. In Psalm 51, we see David’s good guilt. He had done something evil: he used his position as king of Israel to bring Bathsheba to his palace, have sex with her, and then have her husband killed. When David realized the evil of what he had done, he wept and repented, and he looked for ways to make things right. While David still had to face the consequences of his actions, his good guilt led him to restoration with God and others (2 Samuel 11-12). We also see good guilt in 2 Corinthians 7. This is the second letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, and his first letter contained some pretty strong words about ways they were not following God. Paul knew that disobeying God’s good commands would cause a lot of hurt, so it broke his heart to see that these people he loved were sinning. After reading Paul’s first letter, they felt good guilt, and as they repented and turned to God, the Holy Spirit helped them follow God more closely. So when Paul wrote this second letter, he rejoiced with them! Guilt never feels good. But good guilt leads to good change. While bad guilt (or false guilt) imprisons us in shame, good guilt spurs us on to pursue healing. It pushes us closer to Jesus and to each other. The Holy Spirit never tells us we’re irredeemable, instead He invites us to come to Jesus, who always forgives and restores. • Taylor Eising • Do you feel guilty about anything right now? You can spend time with Jesus in prayer anytime, asking Him if this is good guilt or bad guilt. If it’s good guilt, you can confess your sin to Him, rest in His forgiveness, and ask Him to guide you in how to move forward. If it’s bad guilt, you can bring it to Jesus and ask Him to remind you what’s true about you (Ephesians 5:25-27). Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

There will always be people who bring you down, and you can choose one of two responses: revenge or love. Some people say hate your enemies, but Jesus calls us to love and pray for our enemieslike He did. When Jesus was submitting Himself to die on the cross, there were people mocking Him, beating Him, and spitting on Him. How did Jesus handle this? He said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). This boggles my mind. Most people would try to strike back. So why didn’t Jesus? Because Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully human, who lives in perfect obedience to God the Father. God loves us, even though we all sin against Him. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to rescue us from sin. By enduring death and raising to life again, Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven and live with Him forever! Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His love changes us, and His Holy Spirit is in us, transforming us to be more and more like Jesus. While the enemy tempts us to try to get revenge when people cause us pain, God calls us to handle these situations differently. Through Jesus, God empowers us to shine His love. There was a girl in my class who spoke harshly, and she was rude to everyone. But, through God’s grace, I still chose to be kind to her. Every day, I asked her how she was doing. I also invited her to come to church with me. One day, she thanked me for being so kind to her. I found out later that she had some really hard stuff going on at home. I’ve come to realize that most people hurt others because they are hurting. God sees all this brokenness, and He has compassion on us. As Jesus’s forgiven followers, we’re called to have empathy and compassion for others. We can shine His love to people even when they are harsh, because God empowers us to love everyone. While you may never know the hurt behind someone’s rudeness, you might be the only person in their life who treats them with kindness. Remember God’s great love for you and how He empowers you to shine His love to everyone. Talia Dahlman How does God’s love make it possible for us to love others? If someone has been cruel to you, God hurts with you and offers healing through Jesus. How might knowing that God cares about justice help you not take revenge (Romans 12:17-19)? Who are trusted Christians who can help you discern when and how to set up healthy boundaries? But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 (NIV) Read Verses: John 13:34; Romans 12:14-Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:44; Matthew 5:14-Matthew 5:19

Fleeing from my mind, My fractured soul How far I run I do not know. Attacking my heart, Emotions, burning Branding me within, Fear inside churning. Alone, I shout out, LORD, HELP ME, Falling down, I pray, Jesus, please save me, Silence until My tears tumbling down, Barriers crumble within, Peace is found. Fragmented soul You, Jesus, restore. Sadness turns into joy, Healing me once more. Cindy Lee When life is too much for us, when our thoughts are churning inside us, it’s natural to feel like running away. But Jesus, our loving Savior, invites us to run to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He died and rose again, and He will free us from the anguish inside our souls as we draw near to Him. What is weighing on you today? How might Jesus be inviting you to come to Him? Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 (NLT) Read Verses: Isaiah 55:6-Isaiah 55:7; James 4:7-James 4:10

Their opinion meant the world to me. Their acceptance was what I craved. Their attention was what I longed for. I was an outsider with the popular girls. They laughed at me, not with me. They talked about me, not to me. Their rejection was the framework I built my self-worth on. I was nothing to them, so I thought I must be nothing at all. I based my value on others’ opinions and not on God’s. God is the Creator of everything. Adam and Eve found wholeness and acceptance in God’s eyes as they lived in the garden of Eden. Looks, hairstyles, and their lack of clothing did not concern them. It was only after they went their own way against Godand sin entered the worldthat they became aware of their nakedness and attempted to hide from God. Since that time, humans have struggled with self-worth and acceptance. We long to be liked, noticed, appreciated, and deemed worthwhile and we look to other humans to satisfy this longing. Jesus didn’t come to earth to be popular and accepted by the world. On the contrary, He was persecuted, despised, and rejected by people (Isaiah 53:3-6). He came because God loves us. Our sin separates us from God, but He longs for us to be close to Him again. He wants to accept us into His family. Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead are what allow us to be reconciled to our Holy God. When we put our trust in Jesus to forgive our sins, we become holy and blameless in God’s eyes (Ephesians 5:25-27), and we become part of His people. Once you are redeemed by Jesus, you are invited to communicate with the Creator of the universe. He is the one who made youcarefully, purposefully. His opinion is what matters. As you grow in relationship with Him, you will find peace in His steadfast love and acceptance. The world may laugh, people may jeer and judge, but the Lord’s Word and His promises stand forever. He loves you with an unending love. You are precious in His sight. And Jesus knew you were worth dying for. Erin Nestico When have you felt like an outsider? Have you made others feel like outsiders? God loves you, and He invites you to come to Him, confess your sins, pray for those you’ve hurt, and rely on Him to help you love others. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Genesis 3:6-Genesis 3:13; 1 Samuel 16:1-1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 15:7

I pulled the borrowed blue coat tighter around me and followed our guide. I hadn’t expected the weather in Iceland to feel so cold in May. After graduating from college, I’d ministered for a year in Romania and then returned to my hometown. When my younger brother completed his own degree, we went on a backpacking adventure around Iceland. First, we spent a few days near the capitol then traveled to a town near the Arctic Circle. We joined a group exploring an area called Lake My’vatn. We climbed in dormant volcanic craters and observed snow melting at the edges of creeks flowing with geothermally heated water. I marveled at the glory of God’s creation. However, the most awe-inspiring display of the Maker’s creativity that we witnessed was the waterfall Godafoss, waterfall of the gods. Our guide explained the history of this colossal cascade of water: Around the turn of the tenth century, there was a massive meeting of the pagan parliament and the Christian parliament that could have easily turned violent. They couldn’t agree on whether Christianity should become the national religion. Eventually they all decided that Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, a pagan priest and leader in the pagan parliament, should make the decision. After a day and night in silent contemplation (some sources say he spent this time under his fur cloak), he said that Christianity should be the national religion but that people may practice paganism privately in their own homes as long as they didn’t practice publicly. Although he himself had been a pagan priest, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði chose Christianity. According to legend, he then expressed his own faith conversion by throwing his Norse idols into Godafoss. Beginning his life in Christ, this man flung his idols where they could never be retrieved. God’s powerstronger than that tremendous surge of watertakes us out of sin and brings us into life in Christ when we trust Him for forgiveness. God’s might overcomes our idols, whether they are physical representations of false gods or other created things we pursue when we doubt God can satisfy our needs and desires. Christ’s victory, shown in His death and resurrection, conquers our idols and brings us into the life that is truly life. Allison Wilson Lee In Acts 19:8-20, we see that many of those [new Christians] who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all (verse 19). Why do you think these new Christians burned their old sorcery books? Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from following Jesus with your whole heart? Who is a trusted Christian you could talk to about this? You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 (WEB) Read Verses: Deuteronomy 5:6-Deuteronomy 5:10; Acts:19:8-Acts:19:20; Hebrews 12:1-Hebrews 12:3; Exod:20:3

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the devil started by challenging Jesus’s deity: If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread (Matthew 4:3). Because Jesus is God, He could have turned the stones into bread. (And because Jesus is human, He was very hungry after not eating for forty days.) But Jesus didn’t need to prove that He is the Son of God. He simply answered, No! The Scriptures say, ââ¬ËPeople do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1-14), and He used God’s written Word to resist the devil’s temptation. Sin, or going our own way against God, leads to death, so it makes sense that a loving God would not want us to sin. On our own, we can’t resist temptation. Only Jesus could do that, and He set us free from the power of sin when He died and rose from the dead. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are totally forgiven for all our sin, and God empowers us to stop sinning. His Holy Spirit is in us, helping us turn away from sin and instead come to Jesus. He empowers us to stand against the devil with our offensive weapon: The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). We can become more familiar with God’s written Word (the Bible) by reading it for ourselves and talking about it with other Christians. God calls us to be in community, reminding each other of His faithfulness and encouraging one another to resist temptation. And God gave us a promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Sometimes I submit to temptation because I don’t look for the way out that God has promised me. Yet I can always ask the Holy Spirit to help me be aware of when the devil is tempting me, and I can rely on Jesus to help me resist that temptation. God will do this because He is faithful to keep His promises. Sharon J. Morris Sometimes we sin because we don’t trust that God will satisfy all our needs. When Jesus was in the wilderness, how did God meet His needs? I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 4:1-Matthew 4:11; Ephesians 6:10-Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 119:11

Before I entered middle school, I felt confident I’d join the school band. And I did, playing a trumpet that had belonged to my uncle. Performing with the county-wide honor band was a special memory from that year. By the next fall, our band welcomed a new director, and he envisioned expanding the brass section of our band. Specifically, he sought to add some new French horn players. I’d known other trumpet players who had moved on to the French horn. It could be an easy transition for me, and I wanted to help meet the needs of the band. Making this choice may seem like a small matter to some people, but not to me. I felt paralyzed as I considered this decision. Didn’t I enjoy the trumpet? Would I even play it anymore if I switched to a different band instrument? Was I obligated to make this change because my band director had asked me? I labored over this choice, crying many tears as I wrestled with what to do. Eventually, I elected to switch from one brass instrument to the other. But I wish I’d known then that the help I needed was not so difficult to find. When we put our trust in Jesus, believing that He died and rose again to rescue us, we begin a relationship with Him and get access to the Lord Himself. As His children, we have an ever-present invitation to go to His throne and pour out our hearts (Hebrews 4:16). We can ask Him to help us work through every decision we face because He loves us and invites us to keep in step with His leading. All those years ago, I might have chosen to stick with the trumpet instead of switching to the French horn. Either way, God would have led me and walked with me. He never wanted to withhold His help from meno matter how I struggled with the decisionand He doesn’t want to withhold His help from you, either. Allison Wilson Lee Are you struggling with a decision? God cares about every part of your life, and He offers His help freely. You can talk to Him about what’s going on in your life anytime. How might remembering we are God’s children make it easier for us to come to Him when we’re struggling? For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 23; Isaiah 28:29; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Proverbs 2:6

I started following Jesus at age thirteen, and I constantly got comments such as, I can’t believe you’re so young yet have a strong faith! And yes, those comments are lovely, but they secretly struck my nerves. They made me feel belittled. The way people said my faith inspired them was in a tone that suggested my faith shouldn’t be this important to me yet. Even though this probably isn’t what those people meant, doubts started forming in my mind, and one night, I was sick of it. I cried out to God, asking Him why He chose me at this age. I felt bad for questioning God’s plan and went to read my Bible app on my phone. It just so happened the verse of the day was 1 Timothy 4:12, which starts out, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young God had answered my prayer. Why did I believe Satan’s lie that I was too young for a relationship with God? Scripture clearly says otherwise. God is infinitely greater than the enemy of our soulsand what He says about us is true. We are called to obey God, no matter what others might think about us! And a few ways to do that are listed at the end of 1 Timothy 4:12: in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. I love to write, and I can write about the goodness of Christ. Jesus died for us so He could be with us. And He rose from the dead, forgiving all who put their trust in Him and defeating Satan and his lies forever. Because of what Jesus has done, God sees me and smiles. He says, There’s my child, not, Oh yeah, there’s that young one who follows me. I forgot about her. God never belittles you because of your age. He wants YOU, and you are not too young to have a relationship with Him. Lily Davito In 1 Timothy 4, Paul is writing to Timothy, who is not only a young Christian but also a leader of the church in Ephesus. Like Timothy, you also have gifts to offer the churchGod’s family. How might God be inviting you to set an example for Christians of all ages? Can you think of a time you felt belittled? God wants to heal your hurts, and He invites you to come to Him with all your frustrations, doubts, and questions. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 71:12-Psalm 71:17; Matthew 19:13-Matthew 19:15; 1 Timothy 4:12

Oftentimes, we do not think before we speak. We can be quick to speak and slow to hear (James 1:19). We tease, tell jokes, and ramble on about things without thinking. And these things may be totally fine, as long as we are not being mean with our words! But we may not often think about the dangers of speaking thoughtlessly. A harshly spoken word can hurt the person we are speaking to. Thoughtlessly spilling secrets can damage a relationship. First Peter 1:15 says, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. And this includes how we use our words. It sounds impossible! All we say is supposed to be holy? What does holy speech look like? Holy speech builds people up. It shows others who Jesus is through love, gentleness, and tRuth We embody holy speech when we encourage a friend, lifting their spirits and bringing them joy! Holy speech can also look like offering gentle words of sympathy that soothe a hurting heart. But how do we do this all the time? The truth of the matter is, on our own it is impossible. But we are not on our own! When we believe in the Lord and trust in Jesus to save us from sin and death through His own death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit then comes into us. He lives inside of us! He renews us and forms us more and more into Jesus’s holy likeness, from our thoughts to our speech to our actions. He helps us glorify the King of the Universe through all our words. Let us press on to the day ahead of us with this knowledge: through Christ living in us, we can say things that build others up. We can think before we speak. We can glorify God through our words, and we can encourage others to do the same. Marie Mitton Can you remember a time when a person’s words had a strong effect on you? Words can hurt people, but they can also heal. Have you hurt someone with your words? If so, you can take some time to sit with Jesus and lay your guilt down at His feet in prayer. He loves you deeply, and He always forgives. Then, you can ask Him to bring healing to the person you hurt, and maybe you will get to be part of this healing. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 12:33-Matthew 12:36; Ephesians 4:25-Ephesians 4:32; 1 Peter 1:13-1 Peter 1:16

Thoughts waging war upon this tortured soul I want to be thankful, I long to have hope But some days the darkness won’t seem to end My eyes are bone dry, my faith feels thin Send forth Your truth to cut through the attack Remind me I’m Yours and I never will lack Your unfailing love, compassion, and grace Keep me here kneeling and seeking Your face When each step is pain, Despair overwhelming Remind me that You are the God who sees Somehow You’ll work this all out For my good And Your ultimate glory You promised You would Lord, find me waiting For wisdom I plead Give me Your courage Your perfect peace Savannah Coleman Have you ever felt like the author of this poem? We all go through seasons in our lives when the mental or physical pain feels beyond what we are capable of enduring. When oppressive thoughts threaten to overwhelm us, we can be honest with God. Jesus knows firsthand the pain we’re facing, and as His followers we can ask Him for help whenever we need it. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 70; Romans 15:13

People can do good, but there is only one person who did good all His life, and that’s Jesus. Even though He is fully God, Jesus came to live among us. He interacted and celebrated with different kinds of people, including the outcasts of society. Jesus was moved with compassion for a widow who had lost her son, and Jesus brought him back to life. Jesus healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter who was possessed by a demon, even though this woman was not a Jew (Jesus’s ministry started with the Jews and later expanded to all people groups). He healed a great number of people, always without payment. Jesus had compassion for thousands of people and fed them without condition. He did not condemn a woman caught in adultery; He forgave her. Greatest of all, Jesus died for our sins, even though we were His enemies, and He rose from the deadmaking a way for us to live forever with Him! Jesus did other wonderful things mentioned in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). One of Jesus’s close friends wrote, Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25). In everything He does, Jesus reveals the heart of God the Father. He is good, and He made us in His image. We were created to love others as Jesus does. We were made to be kind. And even though sin has tainted our ability to do good, Jesus came to restore what’s been broken. As forgiven followers of Jesus, we can love others like Jesus loves us. His Holy Spirit is in us, empowering us to be kind, to forgive, and to bring hope. There are many ways for you to do this each day. Wherever you areat home, at school, at work, in the communityyou can help others. You can show people respect. You can share what you have. You can pray for others and invite them to draw closer to the Lord, the One who answers prayer. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can always choose to be kind because God has planted kindness in your heart. Golda Dilema How can remembering Jesus’s love for you help you love other people? Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 6:11; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 4:32

“All that I’ve done all the people I’ve hurt there is no way I’m still worthy of being saved. Jesus might have died for some, but He definitely didn’t die for me. She wiped at her eyes with a shaky hand. There is no way I could be forgiven for all I’ve done. No way. Shh Her grandmother touched her shoulder, her hand warm. Nothing you do can take you too far away from God. Jesus died for all, not just some. You can be forgiven. I took too long. I should’ve turned to Him a long time ago. She shook her head. I knew that I could’ve turned to him when I was younger. I knew I could’ve asked for forgiveness then. Sweetheart, it’s not too late. Her grandmother cupped her granddaughter’s chin in her hands, gently lifting her gaze to see the compassion in her ancient eyes. The God I serve wants you to know it’s never too late. To a criminal on a cross, Jesus said that paradise was waiting. Moments from death, this man was offered forgiveness. I’m not good enough. You don’t have to be. Jesus is enough for you. I don’t know how to pray. I can help. I’m scared. She pulled away from her grandmother, turning her gaze down again. Like, really, really scared. Her grandmother embraced her. There’s no reason to be scared, sweet girl. Oh, Jesus, come be with my granddaughter right now. Emily Acker Have you ever felt unworthy of being forgiven and loved by God? Many people feel this way, yet Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead are enough to pay for all our wrongdoing. He forgives everyone who puts their trust in Him. Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about this? (For more about God’s forgiveness, see our “Know Jesus” page.) Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:19 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 103:9-Psalm 103:13; Luke 23:32-Luke 23:43; Psalm 80:19

Have you ever found yourself desperately praying for someone in a situation that seems helpless? Perhaps it’s a parent who isn’t following Jesus, a sibling struggling with addiction, or a close friend who is hurting. You pray, but nothing seems to be happening, except personal exhaustion. Your hope is sapping dry. If this is you, Jesus’s invitation to you is to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). God loves you and the person you are praying for. Through Jesus, you can pour out your burdens to our loving Father, who always listens. Remember, you are not the problem. And you are not the answer either. In many situations, people have to take personal responsibility to seek healing. You cannot hold yourself accountable for their problems, like divorce, addictions (alcohol, narcotics, gambling, pornography ), or if a person doesn’t put their trust in Jesus. What you can do is ask for advice from trusted adults. There might be community groups or tools available to help the person in your life who is struggling. And know that God hasn’t forgotten your prayers. Remember, your safety is important to God and the people who love you. If you’re being dragged into a dangerous or complex situation, get help. Our world has been broken by sin, which is why society, people, and relationships break down. But as Christians, we have hope; Jesus will walk with us through these tough times, and we can extend this hope to others. God cares deeply for the person you are praying for, and He loves you too. It’s okay that there’s a limit to what you can do. Sometimes you aren’t able to help or provide the right answer. In these times, you can rest in God’s love and leave it in His hands, knowing that the same God who rose Jesus from the grave is by your side, and He will one day restore all His people and all of creation to wholeness. Cindy Lee Are you trying to help someone in a complicated situation, or are you in one yourself? Who is a trusted adult, such as a teacher, pastor, counselor, or relative who could help you? 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. For the Lord your God will go with you; he will not leave you Deuteronomy 31:6b (CSB) Read Verses: Romans 8:18-Romans 8:29; Deuteronomy 31:6

I was a very shy kid and struggled to fit in at school. At home, my older brother teased me endlessly. Yet, I knew my family loved me. I also knew Jesus loved me and was always with me. By middle school I was also teased at school because I was tall and my pants weren’t quite long enough, plus my clothes weren’t the cool brands. I also got teased because I attended church and my favorite necklace was a gold cross my mom gave me for Christmas. Despite the teasing, I knew that I belonged to God and that Jesus loved me even if my peers didn’t accept me, let alone share my faith. I felt that on some level God understood my struggles; after all, He created me and took on flesh in Jesus Christ. But by high school it became harder to remember that God was always with me. I wanted badly to fit in and began to buckle under peer pressure. What could it hurt? Was having a little fun a bad thing? Wouldn’t Christ understand me and all my human flaws? In college, when my roommate teased me for attending a Christian group on campus, I started going to church less often, and I felt less and less lovable, especially by Christ. I felt ashamed for praying only when I needed somethinglike a good grade on a tEsther I felt like I was drifting further from the love of Christ. Finally, my pastor from back home reminded me that our Heavenly Father never leaves us even when we turn away from Him. He wants nothing more than to love us, to forgive us, and to have us return to Him. In one of the parables Christ told, a lost son returns home after going astray, and the father and the community rejoice! Christ also told a parable of a shepherd going out to find one lost sheep. When we go astray, Christ comes after us. And when we return to God, He rejoices! Lisa A. Wroble Have you ever felt like you were drifting away from God’s love? Even when we pull away from God, He keeps loving us. How might God be inviting you to come to Him today? Have you experienced or observed something that caused you to wonder if God is good? In these times, we can look to Jesus, who revealed God’s deep love and kindness when He died on the cross. Now the risen Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our questions, frustrations, and fears. He can take it. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3b (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 18:12-Matthew 18:14; Luke 15:11-Luke 15:24; Jeremiah31:3

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s Cube? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried and failed to unscramble this complicated mess of colors. It amazes me that there are people out there who can decipher this puzzle. I once saw someone solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than fifteen seconds! I think life is much like a Rubik’s Cube. Time and time again, I have struggled against the obstacles of life, doing everything in my power to put things back together, to fit all the colors into place. But each time, all I manage to do is jumble my life even more. So what can we possibly do when the Rubik’s Cube of our life gets more mixed up than ever? The answer is: turn to the One who can help. Jesus Christ, the master puzzle solver, is the only one who can sort out the problems of life. When I try to solve my troubles on my own, I quickly become overwhelmed. But Christ invites me to give all my worries and cares to Him. Instead of trying to figure out my problems on my own, I get to follow Jesus one step at a time. When I let Him carry my troubles, I can rest in the safety of His protective and guiding hand. His power alone can sort out the cares that threaten to overpower me. Right now, God is working to bring about His good purposes. Even when I can’t understand what He’s doing, I can look forward to the day Jesus will return to earth to right every wrong, heal every brokenness, and restore all of creation. And I can know without a doubt that no matter how mixed-up, cluttered, and confusing life may get, God holds me in the palm of His hand. Because I belong to Christ, I no longer have to worry about solving the puzzles on my own. When I cast my cares on Him, I can be sure that He will take care of me. The Rubik’s Cubes of life are no puzzle to God. Eliana Canfield Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the struggles of life? Consider taking a moment to bring your problems to God and ask for His help. How do you usually try to solve your problems? Remember that God doesn’t expect us to be able to figure things out on our own. He calls us to be in community and help one another. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with when you feel overwhelmed? casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 11:25-Matthew 11:30; 1 Peter 5:7