Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

We all struggle, and it can be both heartwarming and strengthening to know that someone is praying for us during those times. Have you ever been in a really tough situation and found yourself just wishing that someone would pray for you? Maybe you didn’t feel like you could even find the strength to pray for yourself, and you just hoped that someone was talking to God about you. When you are struggling and you want to know the feeling of someone else praying for you, you might be interested in reading the first half of Psalm 20. This is a blessing of sorts, with the writer talking about how he wants God to bless the reader. In the second half of the psalm, the writer proclaims that God canand doeswork things out for His people. And there are other places in the Bible where you can find prayers people have prayed for you. Jesus prayed for all Christians in John 17:20-23. Paul prayed for all the Lord’s holy people in Ephesians 3:14-21. When you are struggling, find someone you can go to who will pray for you. Don’t be ashamed to let others know you are having a hard time and you want prayer. You could also read Psalm 20 and let the words wash over you. No matter what you’re facing, you have a God who loves you, and He will have the victory. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He has defeated sin, death, and brokenness forever. And Jesus has promised to raise you from the dead when He returns to make all things new. If you’ve put your trust in Him, you will get to dwell with Him forever in perfect creation. This is the victory Christ offers you. And He will never disappoint. Emily Acker Can you remember a time someone prayed for you? How did it make you feel? Who can you pray for today? Consider asking God to bring someone to mind. Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. Psalm 20:6a (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 20

In kindergarten, I owned a pair of sturdy brown shoes with thick, black shoelaces. My mom often insisted I wear them, but I hated them. I thought they were hideous and felt embarrassed to wear them. They also did not fit me well. More than once, I was enjoying the playground swings, pumping to swing higher and higher, only to witness those shoes slip off my feet and soar through the air. That brought on more embarrassment, of course. Still, occasionally my mom would pull out that pair of shoes and encourage me to wear them. One summer day, my brother and I took a walk in the woods after a rainstorm. We played near a pond where the soaked dirt had turned into muddy soup. Another downpour began, and we hurried home. In our rush, one of those despised heavy shoesalmost the color of the soilslipped into the muck. The soggy mud quickly swallowed it, and in the rain I didn’t stop to retrieve it. I walked home with one bare foot and one (now useless) shoe. I secretly rejoiced that I could finally rid myself of that loathsome footwear. Those ugly, ill-fitting shoes remind me of something else we should throw off. Once we come to live in Christ and receive forgiveness for our sins, God calls us to live in His love and to cast off the habits and distractions that prevent us from faithfully following Him. Jesus Christ died and rose again so that we could be free from the power of sin. He helps us throw off the sin that entangles us and everything that hinders us from running in His good ways. Those attitudes and behaviors don’t fit us anymore once we have become God’s children. Instead, we can clothe ourselves with Christ, who helps us honor Him with our lives and reflect His love to others as we run in His good ways. Allison Wilson Lee Is there a sin in your life that God is inviting you to throw off? How is it possible for us to turn away from sin and run in God’s good ways instead? (Hebrews 12:1-3) According to Colossians 3:12-17, how does God see us once we’ve put our trust in Jesus? What does God call us to clothe ourselves with? let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 13:12-Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:12-Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 12:1-Hebrews 12:3

There is a truth that is unfolding before me: God is holy, and He requires holiness of us. For years, I never saw this tRuth I became a Christian at age eleven and through the years I have been in church, but I never really considered the issue of holiness. I thought I was okay since I was not committing big sins. I had categorized stealing and murder as big sins, while I labeled telling lies, gossiping, and evil imaginations as small sins. But James 2:10-11 says that the One who commands us not to commit adultery is the same God who commands us not to commit murder. That means if a person avoids one sin and commits another, that person is a sinner. This Scripture opened my eyes to see that all sin is a big deal to God. Whenever I do something that God forbids me to do, I am sinning against Him. I now realize that the things I considered small sins defile a person just as much as those I termed big sins. By definition, sin is opposite to God’s goodness. Sin hurts everything it touches and points to the brokenness that invaded God’s good creation when humans rebelled against God. But because God loves us, He sent Jesus to put an end to sin, to forgive us, and to heal our brokenness. Jesusthe only human who could be holydied and rose again for us. If we have put our trust in Jesus, He has forgiven our sins, and He also empowers us to live holy lives, set apart for God’s good purposes. On my own, I cannot be holy. Yet Jesus Christ is my holiness, and He has made me right with God (1 Corinthians 1:30). If I am to walk forward in holiness, as Jesus calls me to do, I must rely on His strength to resist sin. And when I fail, I can come to the Lord for forgiveness, and He will continue to help me turn away from sin. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni Are there some sins in the secrecy of your life that you’ve thought God overlooks? God promises Christians full forgiveness through Jesus, and He also promises to help us turn away from sin. Who are trusted Christians in your life who could remind you of God’s love and forgiveness and also encourage you to resist the temptation to sin? Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) Read Verses: James 2:8-James 2:11; 1 Peter 1:13-1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:15

CLANG! Raymnd’s sword clashed against the training dummy, his flowing movements getting faster and faster. SWOOSH! Raymnd was determined to become one of the strongest, fastest knights there was. As he trained, his thoughts wandered to the king. Raymnd ached to be accepted by the ruler of Fidem, King Justain. Though he would never speak it aloud, Raymnd wanted more than anything to become a close friend to the king, like a son to him. Raymnd slashed at the straw dummy harder and harder, his determination driving him. If he could finally be good enougheven though he didn’t know what good enough washe might be able to impress the king. If, and only if, he could work hard enough to reach that point. Just then, Raymnd’s tired arm gave out and he dropped his sword. He sighed, then yelled, I’ll never be good enough! to no one except the dented armor and mangled post in front of him. Suddenly he heard a cough behind him and spun around to see Tye, the king’s steward. The king requests your presence immediately. It’s urgent! He motioned for Raymnd to follow. Raymnd tugged nervously at his gloves, but hope sparked in his eyes. “Maybe the king finally noticed how much I’ve been training,” he thought. When Raymnd entered the marble throne room, King Justain stood up from his golden throne and smiled. Raymnd knelt, pressing his fist to his chEsther Why have you been training and working so hard? asked the king. Raymnd didn’t know what to say. Was the king displeased with his progress? My son. The king’s words took Raymnd’s breath away. I already love you. Don’t you know that the High Prince has already knighted you through his own efforts and sacrifice? Through Him, my love and acceptance are yours. There is nothing you need to doeverto earn your place in my kingdom. In fact, I view you as my own son. The king opened his arms and embraced Raymnd. Tears of relief streamed down Raymnd’s face. All this time, all his work was unnecessary. Not only was he accepted as a knight, he was even loved as a sonfreelyby the king. Carissa Vruggink In this story, King Justain represents God and the High Prince represents Jesus. Have you ever felt like Raymnd did, trying to do things to earn God’s approval instead of enjoying being with Him? How might God be inviting you to come to Him today? for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB) Read Verses: Romans 8:1-Romans 8:4; Ephesians 2:8-Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:5

I used to love writing letters to my pen pal. Whenever her letters showed up in my mailbox, I had the thrill of ripping into them, excited to hear what was going on in her life. The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to the church in Corinth. In his second letter, Paul calls the Corinthian Christians living letters, not written in ink but written on human hearts. When people looked at these Christians, they could see the penmanship of the living God. To understand what Paul means in this passage, it helps to look at the Old Testament. God made a covenant (or promise) with His people, the Israelites, when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). Following God’s good laws was necessary if the people desired to have a right relationship with God. After God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face radiant with God’s glory. Having been in the presence of the God of the universe, Moses was reflecting the glory of God. But the people were afraid, so Moses wore a veil to cover his glowing face (Exodus 34:27-35). Then, even though the Israelite people knew God’s laws, they continually broke them and sinned. Yet God, in His mercy, appointed priests to make animal sacrifices to cover the people’s sins. Generations later, when God sent His Son Jesus to die for us and raise again, we received a new and better covenant that would cover our sins once and for all (Hebrews 7:22-28). No longer do we need to make sacrifices or have a priest intercede on our behalfwe have direct access to God the Father because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. As Paul told the Corinthian church, when we place our trust in Christ alone to save us, the veil is removed; we now have unveiled faces that reflect the very glory of the One who is in us (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). If you are a Christian, you are a living letter to everyone around you. The more time you spend in the presence of the One who created you and loves you beyond measure, the more you will be transformed into Christ’s image. The glory of God is in you, and His light is shining in your heart (2 Corinthians 4:6). Who will read you today? Savannah Coleman Do you know anyone who shines God’s glory? How does their life point others to Jesus? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living Godnot on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (CSB) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 3

“I wish God understood how hard this is for me, you whisper. You’re trying to live right, but the temptation to do wrong is really strong. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. In the book of Hebrews, we are told that we serve a God who understands our weaknesses and our temptationsJesus is a human, and He faced everything we do. As His forgiven followers, we serve a God who knows just what we are going through and just how hard it is to do what’s right. We serve a God who knows that there are things all around us that are trying to pull us away from our faith and away from God’s good ways. We serve a God who invites us to come close to Him to receive the help we need to resist temptation, and grace when we mess up. We are told to get close to the One who was tempted but still did not sin. The One who loves us so much that He suffered and died to forgive our sin. The One who rose again because He is more powerful than sin and death, and He wants us to be with Him forever. Until Jesus returns to earth, there are always going to be temptations around us, but God sees us even in those times when we are tempted. He understands, and He cares. And He wants to help. Emily Acker What temptations get to you the most? Do you feel like God understands what you are facing? Who are trusted Christians in your life who you can be honest with about the temptations you are facing? How can you remind each other of Jesus’s love and the power He gives us to resist temptation? For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:13-Hebrews 4:16

Hey, Jesus, we need to talk. I have to tell you about someone we both know. She tries to follow you, but she tends to gossip. She doesn’t make up lies or say cruel things, but she shares information she has heard about other people. She indulges in conversations based on rumors. Sometimes, she tells secrets. Friends trust her with their private lives, and she betrays them. When she’s sharing the information, she feels connected to whoever she’s talking to, as if by spreading the gossip, the listener is in her inner circle. Yet, she knows it’s wrong. And she hates feeling untrustworthy. But since she spreads gossip, other people are inclined to share gossip with her. They know she’ll be an eager listener. This makes her feel connected to whoever she’s gossiping with, but the connection isn’t authentic. The friendship is hollow. Jesus, the person I’m talking about is myself. If I were to gossip about myself, that’s what I’d say, I’m ashamed to admit. I feel small and petty after I gossip, so I ask you to please set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). I no longer want to dish the dirt; I want to ditch the dirt. I want to stop hurting people. I want true friendships, and the only way to foster that is through love. Thank you for loving me. When I speak honestly with you, I remember how much you love me, how you died on the cross and rose from the dead for me, and I feel safe. I want to emulate your example. Help my words spread light, not gossip. Kelly Bakshi If you know Jesus, your value and worth are totally secure in Him. You are loved beyond measure. How might knowing that God loves you affect the way you speak about others? Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can bring any struggle to Him in prayer. He wants us to be totally honest with Him about our sins and shortcomings, and He looks at us with compassion and forgiveness. Consider taking a moment to open your heart to Jesus, inviting Him to heal your hurts and transform you more and more into His image. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 John 1:5-1 John 1:10; Proverbs 17:9; Ephesians 4:29-Ephesians 4:32; Hebrews 4:14-Hebrews 4:16

King David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He is remembered as noble, a man of character and courage. In many instances, he obeyed God, but David also sinned just like you and me. We can read about two heinous sins David committed in 2 Samuel 11-12. When David should have been out fighting with the Israelite army, he stayed in his palace and had sex with Bathsheba while her husband, Uriah, was away at war. When Bathsheba told David she was pregnant, David tried to cover up what he’d done. So David ordered that Uriah be killed in a battle. God did not tolerate the sins of David, and He sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David. When David acknowledged his sin and turned back to God, God forgave him. When you fall into sin, no matter how terrible the sin is, remember that God will forgive you just like He forgave David. This radical forgiveness is possible because of Jesus. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to pay the penalty your sins deserve and give you new life. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, not only has God forgiven you, He has also taken away your guilt and shame. Isaiah 1:18 says it this way: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Although God is perfect, He reaches out and accepts us even when we do wrong against Him. As forgiven followers of Jesus, we can know that nothing we do will ever make God abandon us. He loves us, and we are His children. When we fall into sin, God will help us come to Him in humility, and He will raise us up once again. When we struggle with guilt and shame, we can remember how Jesus took all our sins on Himself on the cross, and He prayed to God to forgive us. Golda Dilema Do you ever feel pulled down by guilt or think God won’t forgive you for something you’ve done? What does David’s story reveal about God’s forgiveness? If you want to know more about God’s forgiveness through Jesus, see our “Know Jesus” page. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 43:25; Luke 23:33-Luke 23:34; Acts:3:19; 1 John 1:9

READ: GENESIS 2:4-25; SONG OF SONGS 8:6-7 The book of the Bible called Song of Songs is...confusing. It uses all kinds of metaphors and imagery that make no sense to us twenty-first-century readers. And, to make it more confusing, scholars have argued about how we should read Song of Songs for centuries. Is it a love song between husband and wife? Is it all a metaphor for God and Israel? Or Christ and the church? Most scholars agree that on some level it’s all three, but it’s primarily a love song between a husband and wife, celebrating the goodness of sexual love, marriage, and desire. So, if it’s primarily a love song, what’s it doing in the Bible? Song of Songs belongs in the Bible because sexual love, marriage, and desire are all good gifts from God. They are an innate part of the way He designed us. We are wired for intimacy. Sexual love is a powerful thing. It drives the husband and wife in Song of Songs to run all over town, searching for each other. They describe one another’s beauty in a long series of metaphors that don’t make a lot of sense to most modern-day readers. But these metaphors, mostly mentioning gardens, precious jewels, and expensive perfumes, point to the bounty found in Eden in Genesis 1-2, where the goodness of God’s creation was unmarred and in full bloom. And these good gifts point us back to God’s goodness, which is revealed in Jesus. The strong desire demonstrated by the husband and wife in Song of Songs echoes Jesus’s strong desire to live in union with His people, the church. He loved the church so much that He became human to live a perfect life on our behalf and take our sin upon Himself on the cross. Then, He rose again to defeat sin and death so we can live in union with Him forever when He returns. And in the meantime He sends His Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer and constantly reminds us of God’s pursuing, never-ending, ridiculous love for us. So, while Song of Songs is primarily a human love story, it points to God in the same way that every love story does. Sexual love in marriage is a beautiful gift, and its beauty is only an echo of the beauty of the Giver. • Taylor Eising • God designed sex for marriage as a way for husband and wife to show how they have given their whole selves to each other completely, freely, and faithfully. This union points to how Jesus has completely, freely, and faithfully given His whole self to His bride, the church. And because Jesus loves us so much, He offers forgiveness for any sin. If you’ve sinned sexually, how could it be freeing to lay these sins at Jesus’s feet and rest in His grace? How can you rely on Him to help you walk in obedience to His good plans for sex? • For an unmarried person seeking to follow God’s plan for sex, sexual desire may not feel like a blessing. In fact, it might feel more like a curse. God has created us with sexual desire (and that’s a good thing!), but Satan can take this good gift and twist it for evil purposes, tempting us to lust and misuse God’s good gifts. If you wrestle with these feelings, talk to Jesus about them. You can talk to Him about anything. He isn’t embarrassed to talk about sex—He invented it! In addition to talking to God, who is a trusted Christian you can talk to? As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. Ephesians 5:31-32 (NLT)

Do you find it hard to love people as Jesus tells us to? I know sometimes I do, and it is especially hard to love people who have hurt you. In John 15:12, Jesus tells us to love people as He loves us. If we know Jesus, we can love others because He lives in us through the Holy Spirit, and His love overflows from us to the people around us. But sometimes sin gets in the way. Sometimes, instead of loving people, we judge them harshly for little things. I remember one particular time when I should have loved someone, but I thought that, because of their actions, Jesus wouldn’t love them, so I didn’t. I was horribly wrong. Jesus will always forgive a person who turns to Him, no matter how bad the sin was. God deeply loves the person who hurt me. I ruined relationships because of my lack of love. But even though I thought I lost this person, God has brought them back to me. Now I can show this person love so that they can see God through me. Jesus is the light in the darkness (John 8:12), and He calls us to share His light. We can do this by loving people. I still struggle with loving this person because they hurt me so much, and that’s okay. Jesus offers me grace as I continue healing. And, when people hurt us deeply, forgiving that person doesn’t always mean we need to be in close relationship with them. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is set up healthy boundaries. Jesus’s love is so good, and He gives us the opportunity to share it with everyone around us. He can bring healing to even the most broken relationships. Kari Cuddie Can you think of a time you experienced the goodness of Jesus’s love? If not, you can ask Him to reveal His love to you anytime. When someone hurts us deeply, what might healthy boundaries look like? If you’re not sure, who can you ask (maybe a parent, teacher, pastor, counselor, youth leader )? If you’ve been hurt deeply and 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. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 5:43-Matthew 5:45; John 15:9-John 15:17

“You’re not good enough and nothing is ever going to change that.” The words rang through his head over and over again. “Forget trying out for the team.” He turned and dashed out of the school. The things others say about us can stick with us and cause us to have doubts about our abilities or even our worth. We are quick to believe the hurtful comments others make about us, and those comments can affect the way we live. But your value has nothing to do with the way other humans see you and everything to do with the One who created you. No matter how talented you areor how lacking in talent you areyour worth is based on what God thinks of you, and nothing else. You are valuable because God has said so. He made you in His image, and He loves you. In fact, you are so valuable to God that He was willing to suffer immensely for you. Jesus knows what it feels like to endure people’s hurtful comments. When Jesus went to the cross, people mocked and insulted Him. But Jesus, in His great love, forgave them. It was worth it to Him to die for these peopleand for us. But nothing could keep Jesus in the grave. God raised Him back to life, and He will also raise Jesus’s forgiven followers back to life someday. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He has given you a new identity. Not only are you made in the image of God, but you are also forgiven, justified, and a child of Godbecause Jesus has called you His own. And you get to look forward to eternity with Him, where hurtful comments will be no more. When people mistreat you, come to Jesus. Let Him remind you how He feels about you. When you can’t get the words of other humans out of your head and you feel like giving up, take some time to remember who made you and what He thinks of you. He knows your true value. Emily Acker Who is a trusted Christian in your life who can remind you of your worth in God’s eyes, even when you have a hard time remembering for yourself? Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b (CSB) Read Verses: 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 12:6-Luke 12:8; Luke 22:63-Luke 22:65; Luke 23:32-Luke 23:43

Some people spend long hours looking into their family history. They want to find out where they came from, who came before them in their family, and which countries they have a connection to. You might have tried to look into your family history, and you might have struggled as you tried to trace things back as far as you could. Most people eventually get stuck at some point. Yet ultimately, humans all come from the same ancestors. The same family. While it can be exciting to find out which parts of the world our ancestors called home, it’s also pretty amazing that we all came from Adam originally. (The name Adam literally translates man.) God made humans in His image (Genesis 1:27). God gave us life, yet when humans went their own way against God, death came (Romans 5:12, 19). But God didn’t give up on humanity. Because He loves us, God came to give us new life. Jesus is fully God, but He is also fully human. The Bible calls Adam the first man and Jesus the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-47). Jesus did what no other human could doJesus defeated death and made a way for us to be forgiven and made right with God. Because Jesus died on a cross and God raised Him from the dead, God will also raise all of us from the dead who have put our trust in Jesus! If you are frustrated because you don’t know how to track your family lineage or you don’t have the information you need to find out who your ancestors are, take heart. You are a descendant of Adam, as I am. And as Christians, we have an even deeper connection with each other through the last Adam. People from all over the world who’ve put their trust in Jesus are part of His unified family. And the entire Bible is the story of our family. From Genesis to Revelation, we are being told our family history in Christ Jesus. Emily Acker Have you ever tried to find out where your family comes from? Why is this important to you? Do you sometimes long to feel a connection to a particular place or people group? How does Jesus help satisfy this longing in the family of God? For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 15:20-1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 Corinthians 15:35-1 Corinthians 15:58

God is our help. How amazing is that? The Bible tells us so many times that we can rely on God. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always with us (Matthew 28:20). In Deuteronomy 31:6 and then again in Hebrews 13:5-6, we are told that God will never leave us. Never. He is always on our side. In 1 John 4:4, we are reminded that God is great, and He is in us through the Holy Spirit. He is far greater than those in the world. He is bigger than our enemies and anything that we could face. God is our help when we are in trouble. God is our help when we have decisions to make. God is our help every day. So many Bible passages talk about the way God cares for us, and the Holy Spirit reminds us that He will continue to take care of us. Whenever we are afraid, we can cling to God. In times when everything seems to be falling apart in our lives, we can find comfort in God’s words to us, like Psalm 46, which begins, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God, the Creator of the universe, is our help. God, the One who can do anything, decided to create us. And love us. And die for us. He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), and not even death can keep Him from saving us. Jesus, our loving God, rose from the dead. We can rely on God to be our help. Always. Bethany Acker Do you have a favorite Bible verse that reminds you God is your help? If not, do any of the verses mentioned above resonate with you? Why or why not? How do you need God’s help today? (Remember, we never have to feel bad for needing help. In fact, God WANTS us to come to Him for help.) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 46; 1 John 4:4

Tragedies wrap themselves around my heart Clinging tighter. Constricting Squeezing and squeezing and squeezing until I can’t move. Can’t breathe. Can’t think Locked in place by overwhelming hurt Anger. Grief. Shame. Take your pick Each one amplifies another Louder and louder and louder until I hear nothing. But chaos People shouting And oppressing. And killing And dying. And hurting Creation screaming HOW LONG, O LORD? Another voice whispers a Story An old, old Story Told a million times in a million ways The story of brokenness set right Death turned to life A King in a cradle Walked the earth in earth-coated sandals Creator covered in creation Crucified. Died. And buried And, for a moment, my heart pauses here Lingering Though it knows it’s not the end Because my heart needs to know That my King’s heart knows pain Loneliness. Hopelessness Death itself Then the rock rolled My heart begins to beat again He walked. The tragedies wince He smiled. Evil trembles The Story wraps itself around me Like a blanket Covering my hurt My panic My fear It hugs me tight Encircles me with love And proclaims Tragedy is not the end. All will be made right. Chaos will be stilled. Death reversed. Hurts healed. The King is coming. Taylor Eising What hurts do you see in the world or in your life right now? How can the gospel bring hope to these hurts? (Hint: read what Jesus said in Luke 4:14-21.) If you know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in you, comforting you and empowering you to follow Him. How might God be giving you opportunities to bring healing to hurting people around you? Someday, Jesus will return to get rid of all sin, death, and brokenness forever. How could this sure hope affect the way you live now? The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 13; Colossians 1:15-Colossians 1:23; Revelation 22:1-Revelation 22:5; Isaiah 61:1

My absolute favorite story in the Old Testament is about these three Israelites, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were taken as prisoners to Babylon when they were teenagers, and how God was with them every step of the way. King Nebuchadnezzar built a humungous gold statue of himself and declared that everyone in his kingdom was to bow down and worship it. He threatened that anyone who did not would be thrown into a blazing furnace (Daniel 3:6). Yet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. When they were brought before the king, I love how they declared their faith in God: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believed that God would deliver them. Although they didn’t know how they could survive the fire, they trusted in God’s ability. And they declared that even if God did not spare their lives, they would STILL serve and worship Him alone. What awesome determination! Because God had always been faithful to them, they trusted Him and were loyal to Him above all others. The king was furious and ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual (Daniel 3:19). When they were thrown into the furnace, the soldiers who took them were killed by the fire, but the king said, Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:25). And when the three Israelites came out of the furnace, they didn’t even smell of smoke! Who was the fourth person who had been walking around in the furnace with them? Some scholars believe it was Jesus! I love how the ropes that bound the three friends were burnt off. When we follow Jesus, our Rescuer, the sins that bind us are destroyed, burnt off, and we become freer to serve the God who goes with us THROUGH the fire! Sharon J. Morris How might God be inviting you to follow Him today? Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:28b (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 43:1-Isaiah 43:2; Daniel 3

God is always at work. But because we are just human and we can only see a small portion of the big picture, sometimes we get so discouraged when it feels like things are falling apart because we don’t know what’s going to come next. But God does. God knows what needs to work out and what needs to fail. He knows what is best for us in the end. God’s power is amazing. So often we underestimate the things that He can do through us when we are at our weakEsther In our pain, He has compassion on us; He comforts and strengthens us. When we feel like we have nothing left to give, He can still do great things through us. Even in our disappointment, we can share the hope of Jesus with others. Romans 8:28 says, 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. Specifically, God is planning to renew His creation including us! If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to look forward to living in renewed creation with Him, where all our deepest desires will be fully satisfied in His wonderful presence. Until that day, life can be really hard as we experience the brokenness caused by sin. But we can rest because God knows the desires of our hearts, and He cares about us deeply. He knows what is best for us in the end, and He is worthy of our trust. We can leave it all to Him. And when we lay our lives before Him and ask Him to work through us, we get to be part of the good things God is doing here and now! Life isn’t always easy, but we can trust that everything will turn out according to God’s ultimate plan to save the world. So often we underestimate God and His power. It’s mind-boggling that He can use every situation for good. He knows much more about what is going on than we do, and He is always working to defeat evil, heal brokenness, and draw us close to Himself. Bethany Acker Can you think of one way you’ve seen God work in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for 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. Romans 8:28 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 8:22-Romans 8:39

In high school, I wanted to be like my friend Alyssa. Alyssa has a passion for loving others. She’s outgoing and good at making friends. I admire how she and her family often travel to serve communities that are struggling. I’ve been out of high school for seven years now, and I wish I’d known sooner that God gives us different gifts. While love and service are important to all of us who follow Christ, my gifts are different from Alyssa’s. I love and serve differently than she does. And that’s okay. God didn’t create us all to be preachers. He didn’t create us all to prophesy on street corners. He didn’t create us all to be teachers. No, in His great grace and love, God has given us each unique gifts that we can use to love and serve Him. The Bible says the church is the body of Christ. Everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is part of the body, though we are all different (1 Corinthians 12:27). There is great freedom in this tRuth Imagine how boring the world would be if we all had the same gifts. Imagine how challenging it would be for the church to move together as one body. In Romans 12:6-8, Paul writes, If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Friends, we are free to love God and love others with the gifts God has given us. We don’t have to love and serve the same way. Like a body, the church needs different parts, and it needs people with different gifts. Let’s embrace the gifts God has given us as we become the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world. Becca Wierwille Have you ever wished you could be more like someone else? Consider taking a moment to thank God for how He made this person, and also thank Him for how He made you. What natural abilities and spiritual gifts has God given you? How might God be inviting you to use your unique gifts to serve others? We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 12:3-Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-1 Corinthians 12:31; Colossians 3:14-Colossians 3:16

Many of us hear it all the time: I’m going to church tomorrow, or I attend this church. But what is the church? It isn’t a place we go or something we do; it’s who we are. If you’re a Christian, you are part of the church (1 Corinthians 12:27)! God’s family is made up of all Jesus’s followers from all over the world, regardless of their background or where they meet. Acts is a great book of the Bible to read if you want to learn more about the church. It tells the history of the first Christians after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. If you think church history is boring, think again. Acts is full of actionincluding riots, shipwrecks, and miraclesas the first Christians continued Jesus’s mission: sharing the good news about how Jesus came to save us, and helping each other follow Him (Matthew 28:18-20). The book of Acts starts in Israel, where Jesus’s disciples were staying, but when Jesus sends them His Spirit, things change (Acts 2). These Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin to speak in all different languages about the wonderful things God has done, and the good news about Jesus spreads from Jerusalem and the Jewish people, throughout the entire world and to all people. Acts goes on to show the early church gathering as a family in Christ, giving us a powerful example of what Christian community can look like. They love others and serve those in need, and they spend time together worshipping God and learning more about Him through Scripture. No matter what the church faced, whether persecution, threats, imprisonment, questioning, or execution, the church only grew stronger. Nothing could stop Jesus’s kingdom from spreading, and it will continue to spread until He returns! Today, we get to continue the mission Jesus gave us thousands of years ago: sharing the good news of Jesus with the world through loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:35). Abby Ciona Throughout history, people in the church have gotten things wrong and acted in ways that don’t align with God’s Word. This grieves God, and He calls His people to repent. When you see things in the church that don’t align with God’s Word, how can you draw attention to these things? Who are trusted Christians you can talk to? But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (CSB) Read Verses: Acts:2

From naan in India to tortillas in Mexico to baguettes in France, bread has been a staple food for thousands of years all around the world. Bread plays a central role in the food of almost every culture, and it’s even an important part of the Bible. In the Old Testament, God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were traveling in the desert after God rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They didn’t trust God though, and they complained and worried about the lack of food in the wilderness. But God showed them grace and mercy, and He provided them with a miraculous bread called manna. Every morning, He would send down manna from the sky with special instructions for the people to gather only enough for each day. When some people tried to save extra manna for the next day, it would go moldy (except on Friday, when they were to gather twice as much because there would be no new manna on Saturday, the Sabbath). By instructing the people to collect just enough every day, God was inviting them to rely on His provision for each day and to trust Him with the future. Just like God provided His people with bread in the Old Testament, He provides for us todayand it’s even better than bread raining from the sky. In the New Testament, after Jesus multiplies bread to feed a hungry crowd, He reminds the people of the story of the manna in the wilderness, then adds to it. Jesus calls Himself the bread of life. Just as God provided His people with manna from heaven to save them from hunger, so Jesus came from heaven to save us from our sins. Before Jesus went to the cross, He foretold His death by breaking bread and giving it to His disciples, saying, This is my body. When we take communion, we remember how Jesus died for us (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And Jesus rose from the dead, providing for our ultimate need: forgiveness of sin. As His followers, we can look forward to the day He will also raise us from the dead! Bread may take away our hunger for a while, but when we put our trust in Jesus, the bread of life, we have something far greater: eternal life with the One who loves us. Abby Ciona Why did Jesus compare Himself to bread? Why do you think God uses everyday things to help us understand what He is like? If you want to know more about eternal life with Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 (WEB) Read Verses: John 6:25-John 6:69; Exod:16:1-Exod:16:35

Have you ever baked bread before? It’s a long, time-consuming process of mixing, kneading, rising, and baking. One of the most important ingredients in breadmaking is leavening, often yeast. Though yeast is small, it makes a huge difference in bread. Without yeast, bread is flat and dense. Even a little yeast goes a long way, and when you mix it into the dough, it impacts the entire loaf and makes it grow in size. Yeast is a small thing that makes a huge impact on its surroundings. The Bible talks about how our words and actions can be like yeast, affecting the people around us. In Luke 12:1-3, Jesus warns about the yeast of some of the religious leaders, the Pharisees, and the dangerous influence of their hypocrisy. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul says, Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? (1 Corinthians 5:6). In this passage, Paul is telling the church in Corinth that they need to discipline fellow Christians who continue in their old sinful ways of life, in hopes that these people will repent. Paul goes on to caution against associating with people who call themselves Christians but continue to indulge in sin. In another letter, Paul says, This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! (Galatians 5:9). Paul is refuting a false teaching that was going around in Galatia. He tells the Galatian Christians that it doesn’t matter whether or not they are circumcised, but rather, What is important is faith expressing itself in love (Galatians 5:6). These three examples all compare yeast to harmful influences, but did you know that Jesus also compares the kingdom of God to yeast? Jesus said the kingdom spreads like yeast through the dough. And we get to receive the kingdom through putting our trust in Jesus and following Him. Abby Ciona Why do you think Jesus said the kingdom of God is like yeast? How can we recognize hypocrisy and false teaching? A good place to start is by comparing it to the gospel, which is characterized by love and centered around Jesus (see our “Know Jesus” page). the Kingdom of God is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough. Luke 13:20-21 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 12:1-Luke 12:3; Luke 13:18-Luke 13:21; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 5:1-Galatians 5:12

Blustery winds ferociously blew the trees. Sitting on the train, waiting for it to leave the station, I was mesmerized as bending branches were pulled by the wind. Powerless, they could not resist or move in any other direction. They had no choice but to bow with the wind, helpless. Sometimes our lives can feel the same way. We are propelled toward a path we do not wish to follow and find ourselves in challenging situations. Trials in our family, peer pressure, exams, or choices about our future can consume us. We might think it is impossible to avoid or resist the direction we are hurtling toward. But there is always hope. God can set us free. God is stronger than all our troubles. In the midst of chaos, He gives calm. He can change our course, transform our mindset, give us courage when we are terrified. In Psalm 139, David recognizes God’s power and omnipresence, and he describes how God is with him in a very personal way. David acknowledges that when we are scared, we may want to flee from trouble, or even from God, but God loves us more than we will ever understand. He wants to rescue us from living fearful, anxious lives. He sent His son, Jesus, to be God with us (Matthew 1:23) and restore the broken aspects of our livesand the brokenness of all creation. Even when we run away from God, He comes after us in never-failing love. He is always with us, inviting us closer to Him, promising to help us even if we struggle to comprehend why. We may not be able to run away from the messiness of life, but we can always reach toward Jesus, arms outstretched to receive His loving embrace. Cindy Lee What feels out of control in your life today? How might Jesus be inviting you to experience His love and peace, even in the midst of this? When you’re feeling overwhelmed, who is a trusted Christian in your life who could listen to you, pray with you, and encourage 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. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 139

I have to admit, the last thing I wanted to do was teach Bible camp. Give up a week of my summer? For a bunch of little kids I didn’t even know? I attended church, sure, but it’s not like I was a Bible expert. Couldn’t they find someone more qualified? But my friend encouraged me to try it, so I thought, “Fine. It’s only a week. I’ll help.” When camp started, I was surprised. Some of these kids had never even heard of Jesus before! As one cute little face looked up at me and told me his family had never been to church, I thought, “I might be the only face of Jesus that these kids see today. Maybe that they have ever seen!” Suddenly my sense of purpose deepened. I wasn’t just a glorified babysitter. I was introducing these kids to Jesus. I didn’t need to be a Bible expert for these kids. All I could do was let them see Jesus’s love shining through me. If I could offer a friendly face and a kind heart, maybe they would start to know that Jesus is kind and He cares about them. Something as simple as a positive interaction with me might be all it would take to spark their faith! I mean, if they went home saying they loved Bible camp, those happy memories would plant a seed. They might come back next year. And the year after that. Maybe they’d even start coming to church. Maybe they’d teach Bible camp someday and lead a whole new group of kids to Jesus! You never know where saying yes to God will lead. Bitsy Kemper Have you experienced Jesus’s love through someone in your life? What did this person do that showed you what God is like? When we experience God’s love for us, sharing that love with others comes naturally. Can you think of a time when God revealed His love for you? If not, you can ask Him anytime. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, Come back to God! 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 10:9-Romans 10:15; 2 Corinthians 5:11-2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 4:3-Colossians 4:6

“This is madness, I sigh, trudging uphill through the snow, my face burning, the rucksack dragging me down. I’d hoped that going to Aunt Alana’s cabin would be a retreat from the worries churning inside, but regrets still plague my thoughts. Maya, a melodic voice cries out my name. Hello? I call. No one’s there. But then the snow starts melting rapidly. A gleaming light reveals a banquet on a picnic table. Maya, I’m here. I turn. A man’s dark eyes shine, and his ebony hands grasp my rucksack as I sit down at the table with him. Too nervous to eat, I stare at this stranger. You have regretted far too long, he says, pouring out the rich hot chocolate. “How do you know?” I think to myself, sipping the drink, warmth flooding through me. Inside your rucksack are the shells of regret, he says, opening up the bag and handing me a conch shell. Listen to your voice. I put the seashell to my ear. “Oh, why didn’t I listen to Skylar? She might not have moved schools,” I hear. My breath catches in my throat, and he hands me a second shell. “I wish I’d told my Nana how much I loved her.” The memory stings, and I reach for the third shell. “If only I’d gardened for Miss Patel when she broke her arm. I let her down.” More and more shells reveal hidden worries. But then, the shells crumble and turn into shimmering raindrops around us. I gasp, How ? My host smiles. Your failures have been covered by the love of One greater than you. Maya, you belong to Jesus, and His forgiveness releases you from guilt. But I stammer. I let them down. I let them all down. Yes, but even so, God was still working in their lives. He never stopped caring for them. He loves your Nana and Miss Patel and Skylar so much more than you ever could. And His love for you is deep and sure. Tears collect in my eyes. I don’t know how to move on. I feel stuck. God will help you. Tell Him your problems, your mistakes, your sins. Remember, you are imperfect, but Jesus is the perfect One. He died and rose again to forgive you and relieve your guilt. You can rest in His forgiveness and grace. His soothing words break down the regrets I’ve clung to. He smiles and disappears. The scene around me changes. Picking up the rucksack with ease, I spot Aunt Alana in front of the snowcapped cabin. Maya. Aunt Alana hugs me. Come on in. On my lips I can still taste the hot chocolate, but the regrets and bitterness have vanished. Cindy Lee Psalm 51:17 says, God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Can you think of a time you felt regret? How might God be inviting you to come to Him? Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rEsther Matthew 11:28 (WEB) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 11:28-Matthew 11:30

Where do you find yourself on the introvert-extrovert spectrum? People who are more extroverted tend to value their time with other people because the interaction and conversations give them energy. People who are more introverted tend to value their time alone, away from other people, because that’s what fuels them. On which side do you tend to find yourself? In the stories of Jesus in the Bible, we often find Him taking time away from the crowds and even His disciples to be completely alone with His Father. Why did Jesus do this? Did He just need some time alone from the constant pressure of the crowds wanting to see Him do miracles? Was He a more introverted person who needed this time away more than others? We can’t determine from Scripture if Jesus was an introvert or an extrovert, but one thing is clear: Jesus put a high value on His time alone with God! During that time, He could have been healing dozens of sick people. He could have been teaching people important truths about God. But He very intentionally stepped away from it all to pray. While Jesus was Himself fully God (and fully human), He still took time to be alone with God the Father. We get a glimpse of one of Jesus’s prayers when He was in Gethsemane. Jesus knew He was going to be betrayed soon, and He took three of His friends with Him when He prayed in the olive grove. Jesus was in agony as He prayed that, if there was any other way, God would take away the suffering Jesus was about to endure. Still, Jesus prayed, Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42). And God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus so He could endure suffering and death as a sacrifice for our sins. And just as God promised, Jesus rose from the dead! Through His actions, Jesus taught us the necessity of choosing to get alone with God. That may be hard for some of us who prefer not to be aloneever! And even those of us who are more introverted have a hard time devoting that alone time to being with God. But while spending time with people can be draining, spending time with God is differentGod fills us and refreshes us in His presence. The more you learn to step away from everything to be alone with God, the more you’ll see that His love fills your deepest needs. Mandy Desilets Have you ever spent time alone with God? What was it like? What keeps you from making time to be alone with God? What questions do you have? But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:22-Matthew 14:23; Matthew 26:36-Matthew 26:46; Luke 5:15-Luke 5:16

I didn’t use to think about God very often. But did you know that God is with us throughout our day, even if we’re not thinking about Him? When I was in high school, I really struggled with what people thought of me. Did people even want me around? As I read through the Scriptures, I read about the Creator of the Universe and how much He loves us and chases after us. The same God who breathed the galaxies into existence wants a personal relationship with me, and He wants a relationship with you too! That’s why Jesus came. He is literally called Immanuel, or God with us (Matthew 1:23). The more I read my Bible, the more I find verses and passages talking about how God is always with us. In Joshua 1:9, Joshua was about to enter the Promised Land with all of the Israelites, which meant entering into battles with much bigger and stronger armies. But God said that He was WITH them, so they could take courage and didn’t have anything to fear. God tells us the same thing today. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we don’t have to fear or be stressed because God is always with us. Generations after God spoke to Joshua, God spoke to His people through the prophet Zephaniahwhich is one of my favorite names in the entire Bible! In Zephaniah 3:14-20, we get a glimpse of how God will save the people of Judah from exile and how God will save the world through Jesus. This passage reminds us that, even when all seems hopeless, God has always been and always will be in control of everything. Verse 17 says, 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. Not only is God with usHe’s happy to be with us! This last verse is from one of my FAVORITE Psalms: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4). When life is hard, sometimes it feels like we’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but even then, God is with us, ready to comfort and help us. As I look back on my life, God has always been with me. When things were good, He was there. When things were bad, He was right there too, whether I was thinking about Him or not. I wish I knew that sooner, because I spent a lot of time thinking I was alone. Hunter Taylor When do you feel alone? your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (WEB) Read Verses: Joshua1:1-Joshua1:11; Psalm 23; Ephesians 3:14-Ephesians 3:20

On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He washed the feet of His disciples. This was a very unusual act that surprised them, especially Peter, because only servants were required to do this, and they would only wash the feet of those higher than them. Jesus soon after explained what He’d done. He said, You call me ââ¬ËTeacher’ and ââ¬ËLord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:13-15). Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet, and in turn He told them to serve each other. Jesus is humble, considerate, kind, gentle, forgiving, and loving and Jesus produces these same character attributes in His followers. Like the disciples, you are also a child of God if you’ve put your trust in Jesus by believing in His life, death, and resurrection. And you are called to lovingly serve others like Jesus has lovingly served you. This is an important part of being in God’s community. There are lots of ways you can serve. God has given each of us the ability to serve and help other people. Sometimes He calls us to do things that are considered lowly, like washing feet, and there are also times when God calls us to serve by using our talents, or things we’re naturally good at doing. What are you good at? What do you enjoy or love doing? Whatever talents you have, God gave you such a talent for you to enjoyand to share with others! How might God be giving you opportunities to use your talent to serve other people? If you’re feeling hesitant to serve, remember that God will equip, enable, and empower you to serve others as you rely on His love. Golda Dilema It can be challenging to follow Jesus’s command to serve. When do you feel reluctant to serve? How are Jesus’s commands to serve and to love related? (John 13:1, 34) For even the Son of Man [Jesus] came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 (NLT) Read Verses: John 13:1-John 13:17; Mark 10:45

My Gran collected crystal animal ornaments. They would be on display in the living room looking ordinary most of the time, until the sun shone on them. Immediately the sun’s rays transformed the crystalsprisms of light would radiate across the room in dazzling displays of color. All the crystals had needed was the sun to show off their potential beauty. They changed from ordinary to extraordinary. When someone becomes a Christian, a transformation takes place. The old ordinary self is renewed. Some people have immediate, dramatic, lifechanging experiences and are instantly cured of addictions or experience a revelation. Others do not, yet there is a powerful change inside of every believer. Through Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He promises new life to all His forgiven followers. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He has forgiven our sin (every evil thing we’ve ever done and ever will do), and His Holy Spirit is in us. He continues to transform us to be more like Jesus. Through Him, we can be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled than we ever imagined possible (Galatians 5:22-23). When you become a Christian, people may not understand why you’ve changed, and you’ll still struggle with sin and go through hard things, but in all these trials you’re never alone. Jesus understands the difficulties of being human, the everyday challenges of life, and the deep sorrows of death. He came to defeat sin, death, hell, and Satan and to establish His kingdom. Jesus heals brokenness, and when He returns to earth He will fully restore creation. And right now, Jesus is with us through struggles and dreams. He is at the heart of all things good (James 1:17). When we trust in Him, He gives us the strength and grace to endure difficult situations. He gives us determination to keep going and be who God has created us to be. As we follow Jesus, His good news shines through our lives. Cindy Lee What is one thing you like about the way God made you? How might God be transforming you to be more like Jesus? For God, who said, Let there be light in the darkness, has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 5:14-Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 4

The teacher was at his wits’ end. His search for truth had led him to understand some of the gospel, but he could not escape the never-ceasing pull of a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions (1 John 2:16). He felt helpless and frustrated beyond measure. He sought solace in the garden behind his home, as a stroll in a verdant setting can sometimes quiet a soul’s turmoil. But not so on this day. In anguish he cried out, How long, oh Lord?! And he began to weep. Then the strangest thing happened. He heard a child singing, Tolle lege, tolle lege, which is Latin for, Take up and read. His prayer had been sincere, and he heard this as the form of an answer, so he grabbed the nearest bookhis Bibleand opened to Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome and read these words: Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires (Romans 13:13-14). Instantly, he was flooded with hope and joy and placed his faith in Jesus. Thus was the conversion of Augustine of Hippo in the year AD 386. He went on to become one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in Western history. Though Augustine was not perfect, God worked through him to help the church develop a deeper understanding of the gospel. God’s Word has the power to change youto renew you and give you life. Jesus is called the Word made flesh (John 1:14), and the Bible contains His written words to us. Jesus came and lived among us, died, and rose again because He loves us. He has the power to change anyone. It doesn’t take a dramatic afternoon in a garden to experience this in your life. Augustine spent a lot of time in the Bible before his conversion and a lot more time afterward. So whether you are a non-Christian, a new Christian, or have believed in Jesus many years, “tolle lege;” take up and read. Cameron DeCou The Bible is a vital part of every Christian’s life because it’s one way God reveals Himself to us. When you have questions about the Bible, who can you ask? What resources could help you? The Word [Jesus] gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. John 1:4 (NLT) Read Verses: John 1:1-John 1:5; Romans 13:8-Romans 13:14; 2 Timothy 3:14-2 Timothy 3:17

READ: JOHN 10:1-30; 1 JOHN 3:19-24 Growing up in my village with my parents was a joyful and fulfilling experience. But I realize now that there are many things I did not bother to observe keenly during those years. My mum reared some local chickens at home, but I did not take an interest in observing their behavior. Years later, as an adult living on my own, I decided to rear local hens myself. After the hens hatched their eggs, I kept the mother hens and their chicks together in one shelter during the night, and then in the morning I let them all out at the same time. One morning after opening the shelter, I stood by the chicken house door just to see what would happen to the now mixed-up chicks. Would the chicks recognize their particular mothers, or would they just follow any of the mother hens? I wondered. Then I observed that each mother hen, as she came out of the shelter, was letting out certain sounds. To my surprise and amazement, each chick began to run in the direction its mother’s sounds were coming from. Each chick knew and recognized their own mother’s sounds immediately. In no time at all, each hen had her own chicks with her. Something similar happens with humans. A newborn baby learns to recognize their mother’s voice as she continually talks to them. As a result, the baby learns to differentiate her voice from others’ voices even without seeing her physical form. Jesus said His sheep hear His voice, recognize it, and follow Him. We learn to recognize His voice as we spend time with Him in reading His Word and waiting in His presence in prayer. His written Word is His voice speaking to us. He also speaks to us through His Holy Spirit, who lives inside Christians. Because Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), when He speaks to us we experience peace in our hearts. • Charity Kiregyera • Why do you think Jesus compared Himself to a mother hen in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34? • How can you tell whether it is the LORD speaking to you? When God speaks to us, He does not contradict His written Word, so the more we become familiar with the Bible, the easier it is to recognize His voice. And even when Jesus convicts us of sin, He brings hope and peace, not condemnation and fear (John 3:17). As we learn to listen to God’s voice, why is it important to be in community with fellow Christians? “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)

Sickness, accidents, conflict, persecution. Our world is broken, and hardship is inevitable in our lives. But how should we respond to hardship? Paul, the apostle, was familiar with suffering. After experiencing blindness and being shipwrecked, he was put in prison, deserted by friends, and had seen fellow Christians fall away from their faith. To top it off, he knew he was going to die soon. So, while Paul was under house arrest, he wrote a letter to Timothy, a young man who Paul had mentored and who was now a leader in the church in Ephesus. Paul was experiencing persecution, but he knew that God was with him and would be his strength (2 Timothy 4:16-18). Paul knew that God had always been faithful and always would be. No matter what happened next, Paul had the hope of eternal life with Jesus (verse 6-8). Even in suffering, Paul was able to encourage Timothy to persevere in the faith, stay strong in Jesus, and continue to lead the church and share the good news of Jesus (verse 5). When we face struggles, as followers of Jesus we can find comfort in knowing God is with us in our struggles. He grieves our hurts alongside us and gives us strength to keep going. God is so amazingly good that He even uses something as horrible as suffering to help us grow closer to Him and rely on Him. And just like Paul encouraged Timothy through hard times, we can reach out to others and encourage them, even when we ourselves are in the midst of struggles (as Paul pointed out in another letter, see 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). No matter the challenges we face, we can find strength and hope by resting in Jesus, who endured the cross because of the joy He knew was coming (Hebrews 12:1-3). In a similar way, we can know that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed when Jesus returns (Romans 8:17-18). Abby Ciona What struggles have you been experiencing lately? No matter how big or small your suffering seems to you, God cares about all of it, and He invites you to tell Him about it. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:17 (CSB) Read Verses: 2 Timothy 1:7-2 Timothy 1:14

Have you ever been the target of a bully? In today’s passage, Daniel gets a dose of what a bully with clout can do. About two years have passed since Daniel and his friends were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar as teens. Now, something else occurs that places them in grave danger: Nebuchadnezzar has a distressing dream and demands that his wise men (magicians/sorcerers) explain it. The catch is, he doesn’t tell them what his dream was. He demands they first tell him what he dreamed, then give the interpretation (Daniel 2:8-9). Ouch! The magicians plead with the king to tell them the dream, but Nebuchadnezzar is convinced that if he does, they will simply concoct a meaning. Naturally, they are at their wits’ end. No one on earth can tell the king his dream! they reply (verse 10). But Nebuchadnezzar is used to getting what he wants and believes he’s the most powerful guy in the world. He becomes enraged (i.e., throws a tantrum) and orders the execution of ALL wise men in the kingdom! Unfortunately, this includes Daniel and his friendsHananiah, Mishael, and Azariahwho were appointed royal advisors. When the captain, Arioch, arrives to execute Daniel, the Bible records that Daniel responded with wisdom and discretion (verse 14). Take note of Daniel’s actions: 1) He asks why the king ordered such a decree. 2) He goes to the king and requests more time; the king complies. 3) Daniel returns and asks his friends to pray and implore God to reveal the dream, because Daniel knows God is the One who really rules the world, not Nebuchadnezzar, and God is personally involved in the world He created. That night God reveals the dream to Daniel in a vision. Talk about relief! Daniel hurries to Arioch; Arioch rushes Daniel to the king. After making it clear that God alone possesses the wisdom to reveal secrets, Daniel describes the king’s dream in detail, then interprets it (verse 31-45). In the end, Nebuchadnezzar is astounded and ecstatic. He says, Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret (verse 47). Nebuchadnezzar promotes Daniel as ruler over the province of Babylon and chief over the wise menand gives glory to God! G. Kam Congleton While Daniel responded to Nebuchadnezzar’s bullying with calmness, sometimes God calls us to respond to injustice differently. Why do you think God calls us to respond to different unjust situations in different ways? What questions do you have about this? Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. Daniel 2:20 (NLT) Read Verses: Daniel 2

Have you ever moved? If so, was it sudden or was there time to prepare and say goodbye to friends? Moving can create a lot of mixed emotions. It may be exciting in one wayyet produce anxiety in other ways. Leaving familiar people and places is never easy. Today we are tracking Daniel, a teen who experienced a sudden moveso sudden, in fact, it’s more accurate to say that Daniel was kidnapped. As the story unfolds, we find that Daniel and other young Jews from Jerusalem have been taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Not only are Daniel and others abruptly snatched away from family and home, but they are also chosen to undergo specialized training: a three-year regimen designed to teach them the history and language of their captors, the Babylonians. Talk about rubbing it in! To make things worse, the trainees had to eat a special diet ordered by the king. This diet was supposed to be the best food available, but the problem was, Daniel and his friends were Jews, and obeying God’s laws meant avoiding certain foodsfoods that were on the royal diet. But God was already giving Daniel and the others favor and wisdom, and they trusted God. Notice two things about Daniel’s reaction. First, he determined not to defile himself (1:8). Second, Daniel respectfully asked for consideration. At first, he got a No from the chief of staff, Ashpenaz, who feared for his head if he disobeyed the king. But Daniel did not give up. He waited and then asked the attendant under Ashpenaz for a trial period of ten days eating vegetables and water. Daniel asked, Please test us see how we look (1:12-13). That phrase see how we look illustrates Daniel’s confidence in God. He trusted that as they obeyed God, the difference would be evident and their dilemma would be resolved. And it was! At the end of the ten days, Daniel and the other Jews looked healthier and stronger than all the others. Not only that, but God gave these four young Jews special wisdom and understanding, and they became the king’s most capable advisors (1:17-21). Through His people, God demonstrated that He is above any other authority. As Daniel and his friends faced challenges, they relied on God, who continued to be faithful to them. G. Kam Congleton What challenges are you facing today? How might God be inviting you to rely on Him? But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. Daniel 1:8a (NLT) Read Verses: Daniel 1

A paradox is a phrase that seems to be self-contradictory, backward, and impossiblelike less is more or this sentence is false. Paradoxes might seem confusing, but they make you think and often reveal deep, important truths. The gospel, which is the good news of Jesus, is a story full of opposites, and the book of 2 Corinthians beautifully illustrates many of the paradoxes of following Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God, who is both fully God and fully human. He had all power in heaven, but in order to save us from our sin, He came to earth as a human, limited and weak. He is King of everything, yet He came to serve. Though He never sinnednever did anything wrongHe died and took the punishment our sins deserved. He let people do wrong to Him so that He could cleanse us from all our wrongdoing. And from His death, He brought life. Jesus rose from the dead and gave eternal life to everyone who puts their trust in Him. When we choose to follow Jesus, we get to participate in the seemingly backwards gospel. Though this life is hard, when we fix our eyes on God’s promise of eternal life and live in the faith He gives us, our perspective changes. We find life in death and see that even if we have nothing in the present, we have everything in eternity. We have joy in suffering, comfort in struggles, and hope in trials. When we are weak, we can find strength in God. Even amidst uncertainty, we have confidence, boldness, and freedom because of what Jesus has done for us. Now, as Christians, we get to be Christ’s ambassadors, comforting and supporting each other and sharing the good news of the paradoxical gospel with the world. Abby Ciona What hard things are you facing today? When we come to God, He provides the comfort, hope, and strength we need to do what He calls us to do. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about whatever is on your mind. Where might God be giving you opportunities to comfort and support others today? If you want to dig deeper into the theme of paradoxes in the Bible, check out Matthew 20:1-28, John 12:23-25, and Philippians 2:6-11. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) Read Verses: 2 Corinthians 6:4-2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 8:9

My favorite verse in the Bible is Jeremiah 1:5. This is what God said to Jeremiah when He called him to be a prophet: I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. Just like with Jeremiah, God knew me before I was born, and He had a plan for my life while I was still in the womb. Life becomes meaningful when I know that I am not just an accident on planet earth. In the book of Jeremiah, we see God calling Jeremiah into ministry as a prophet to the people of Judah. This call was according to the plan God had made for his life before he was born. Jeremiah became God’s spokesman, calling the people of Judah to repent from worshiping idols and turn back to God. He warned them of the coming disasters and the Babylonian exile that would come as God’s judgment on them for their sin if they did not repent. However, Jeremiah not only pronounced judgment, but he also gave Judah a promise from God, a promise of restoration after seventy years of exile. God’s interaction with Jeremiah and His people foreshadows the restoration God is going to bring to the whole world. Since humans first sinned against God, humankind was doomed to face God’s judgment. But through Jesus, God has given us the hope of salvation. Jesus came to reveal God’s loving plan for the world, to save us from sin and death, and to heal all brokenness (1 John 4:14). Jesus willingly died for our sin, and He rose back to life! Now anyone who turns to God and puts their trust in Jesus is free from sin and judgment and is restored to relationship with God! As we receive God’s plan for salvation, God continues to unfold His plan for us. According to Ephesians 1:4-5, God knew us before the foundation of the world, and He chose us in Christ. Adopting us into His family gave Him great pleasure! In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul writes, But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. God was pleased to reveal Jesus to Paul, and God called Paul to share this good news. As Christians, we can know God’s plan for us is to be saved through Jesus. Let us then walk in God’s plans and purposes for our lives as His chosen ones. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni According to Ephesians 1:4-14, what is God’s plan and purpose for us? According to Ephesians 2:10, how is it possible for us to do the good things he planned? I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) Read Verses: Ephesians 1:4-Ephesians 1:14; 1 John 4:13-1 John 4:19; Jeremiah1:4-Jeremiah1:12; Galatians 1:11-Galatians 1:16

READ: PSALM 23; GALATIANS 6:1-2; 1 JOHN 2:1-2 Ashley stopped in front of the school doors and took a deep breath. Over winter break, her stomach had grown considerably larger, and it was impossible to hide it anymore. But if she didn’t go in, she would be late for class. Who cares? She thought. She wished she could just leave, but where would she go? She pushed through the swarm of teenagers to her locker. As she hung up her coat, Ashley felt a shiver go down her neck. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a group of girls from church—staring at her. One of them whispered, another giggled. Ashley’s face burned. She grabbed her binder, shoved her backpack into her locker as fast as she could, and started walking toward her first class on the far side of the building. Hugging her binder, Ashley kept her head down, but she could still feel the eyes on her belly. Then she heard someone cough, “Preggers,” and a group of guys snickered. She would not cry. She would not cry. “Hey Ash, I’ve been looking for you.” Miles came up alongside her. Ashley breathed a sigh of relief and tried to smile, but that’s hard to do when you’re trying to keep tears from leaking out. “You sure you want to be seen with me?” she said. Miles held her hand gently. “Hey, I’m not leaving you guys to fend for yourselves. You’re an awesome mom, and I’m pretty set on being an awesome dad.” Then Ashley did smile. As they walked through the halls together, the glances still stung but not quite as bad. “This morning,” Ashley said, “I was reading Psalm 23, and that’s what this feels like.” Miles tilted his head. “Which part?” Ashley pulled a crumpled paper from her pocket. “I wrote it down: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” She offered the paper to Miles, and he read the rest. “...I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” Ashley nodded. “That verse is the reason I came to school at all today. But when my friends won’t even look me in the eyes, it’s hard to remember God is with me. So, I guess, thanks for being here. It helps me remember that God still cares about me.” Miles rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. Sorry you have to go through all this. Sorry we didn’t...that I didn’t help us stop. I—I want to be here though. With you. I don’t know what it looks like to follow Jesus now, but I want to.” “Me too,” Ashley said. “Maybe we could talk to Pastor Carlos?” Miles pulled out his phone. “Yeah, I’ll text him right now.” Ashley stopped and Miles nearly bumped into her. “Oof!” He steadied himself. “Sorry, are you okay?” Ashley laughed. “I’m not that fragile.” She bumped his arm with a smile. “This is my class, and you should probably head to yours if you want to be on time.” Miles put his phone in his pocket. “Sent! Okay, can I walk you to your second class after?” “But won’t you be late to your class then?” Miles shrugged. “Maybe, but this is more important.” He squeezed her hand and whispered, “I’ll be praying for you.” She whispered back, “You too.” • Hannah Howe • While the characters in this fictional story didn’t follow God’s good plan for sex and marriage, God still loves them and their baby, and He is still working in their lives. People often make fun of us when we mess up, but God never makes fun of us. Instead, He wants to help us when we fail. How can you come alongside someone who is struggling and remind them God loves them? • God created sex for marriage—embodying the total, permanent union of one man and one woman. And this union points to the union of Jesus Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25-33). How might the gospel affect the way you view sex and marriage? • If you’ve sinned...

I worry, a lot. I worry about mistakes I’ve made in the past, and I worry about the future. I worry that my actions and insensitivities may have hurt people I care about. I worry that I have not handled my responsibilities well enough. I worry that I say the wrong things, or that I haven’t said enough. I worry about being a good friend, family member, and teammate. I even worry about things that I have no control over. When we have safety drills in school, I worry about a shooter breaking in. Other times I think, “What if my dog runs off and gets hit by a car? What if one of my family members gets sick and dies?” What if, what if, what if What if I can change my thoughts? One thing I don’t have to worry about is whether or not God loves me. Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, faced the worst possible worry of all when He went to the cross. He suffered and died, and He did that for me. Then Jesus rose from the dead, making a way for me to be forgiven and live with Him forever. God is more powerful than everythingeven death. His Holy Spirit reminds me that I am one of His. I am loved and protected. When the Israelites were about to enter the land God promised them, the Lord said to Joshua, This is my commandbe strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). When I begin to worry, I remind myself that God is with me and I am never alone. I can give my worries to Him and take solace in His ultimate protection. When I drop my worries at the feet of the One who loves me, I feel lighter, and I can spread the light of Jesus all around me. Kelly Bakshi What is worrying you today? God invites us to talk to Him about these things and ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed by worry, you’re not alone. It’s okay to ask people for help. If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:25-26 (NLT) Read Verses: Joshua1:1-Joshua1:9; Psalm 27:3; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah17:7; Proverbs 3:25-Proverbs 3:26

Silent. I cover up the darkness within. If I do not speak of what is hidden, I think that none shall know. But in my silence I inwardly groan and waste away. It is as if a heavy hand presses down upon me, sapping my strength like the blazing heat of summer. Naked. I am only deceiving myself. My guilt is already known and uncovered before the One who knows me better than I know myself. I rip away the covering and acknowledge the darkness within. All is exposed, uncovered, revealed. I know, am aware of, and renounce the evil. Covered. I no longer falsely cover my guilt. The One who carried, lifted up, and bore my sin away has me covered. I am forgiven, and He calls me Blessed. This poem is inspired by Psalm 32. The author (King David) felt horrible when he tried to cover up his wrongdoing, but when he confessed his sins to God, God forgave him. Trying to cover our sins doesn’t work. But Jesus doesn’t merely cover our sins (as Psalm 32:1 prays), but even more, He forgives and removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). God took the punishment for our sins on Himself. Though Jesus never sinned, He allowed Himself to be uncovered. He was humbled, stripped naked, and lifted up on a cross in order to carry our sins. Jesus died, but He rose againdefeating sin and death forever. Now He asks us to uncover the ugliest places in our lives to Him through acknowledging and confessing our sins. When we humble ourselves, He will lift us up and remove the guilt and shame. Then we will know the blessings of forgiveness instead of the despair of guilt. Marie Cleveland Can you think of a time you experienced God’s forgiveness? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. Is there something in your life you’ve been trying to cover up? How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! Psalm 32:1 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 32; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 1:8-1 John 1:10

Filling a basin with water in the upper room, our Lord Jesus Christ washed the feet of His disciples. He then tenderly dried each foot with a towel He had hung around His waist. This included the two feet belonging to Judas. Christ knew Judas would betray Him in a few hours. Still, He washed Judas’s feet, telling His disciples, And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet (John 13:14). Christ used the basin and towel to demonstrate His healing, cleansing love for us and to call all of us to demonstrate that love to one another. The next day, after Christ’s arrest and trial, another man used another basin and towel for a different purpose. In front of a screaming mob, Pontius Pilate used them to try to wash away his responsibility for Christ’s death. To prevent a political uprising, Pilate ordered that Christ be beaten, and then he handed Him over for crucifixion. Pilate allowed people to execute Christ, who he had found not guilty (John 19:1-16). Two basins. Two towels. Jesus used His to make His disciples clean and renewed, free from the stains of sin. Pontius Pilate used his basin and towel to try to do the same for himself. But it didn’t work. Jesus alone has the power to wash us, to free us of all sin. Only His death and resurrection can make us clean and forgive our wrongdoing. And Jesus offers this forgiveness to each of us freely and lovingly. Kathy Irey Jesus’s love and forgiveness is more powerful than any sin. What needs to be restored and made new in your life today? Consider taking some time to bring this to Jesus in prayer. How can you remind those around you of Jesus’s love and forgiveness? I [Jesus] have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:15 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 27:22-Matthew 27:26; John 13:1-John 13:17

There are many challenges people face every day. The world we live in is dysfunctional, torn apart by imperfection. Sin has twisted God’s good creation, but Jesus came to heal the brokenness we inhabit. Because of Jesus, we have hope, and we get to share this hope with each other. When one of my friends was facing some challenges and was desperately in need of cheering up, I decided to email her some encouragementand a few funny animal pictures to make her laugh. What I didn’t expect to receive a couple weeks later was a gift. After the initial awkwardness of, Oh, you shouldn’t have, but thank you so much, I excitedly tore open the wrapping paper to discover a sequel to a novel we’d both enjoyed reading. It was such a lovely surprise, and I was touched by her thoughtfulnessespecially the kind thank-you message inside her card. I was overjoyed that my actions had helped my friend. I was reminded that simple acts of kindness, no matter how small, can mean so much to us. Plus, writing an encouraging email also made me feel uplifted. When we have a desire to reach out, we shouldn’t ignore it. Oftentimes the Holy Spirit puts these good desires inside us, and He also helps us do what God calls us to do. Let’s continue to build each other up and encourage one another like Jesus taught us. Cindy Lee Life is hard, but we can remind each other that we’re not alone. Can you think of a time someone encouraged you in a meaningful way? What did they say or do? Who is someone you could encourage today? Consider asking the Holy Spirit to help you think of a way to show kindness to them. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CSB) Read Verses: 1Thess:5:5-1Thess:5:11

People make promises but often fail to fulfill them. Sometimes people change their minds about the promises they’ve made, or lie about them, or even forget they made a promise at all. Other times, promises are broken because of human limitations or unforeseen circumstances. There are many reasons people cannot always be depended upon to keep their promises. But when God makes a promise, He always fulfills it. Because He is not limited in any way, God cannot fail to do what He has promised. He does not lie or forget what He has said. So it doesn’t matter how impossible it may seem for God’s promise to be fulfilled; it will come to pass because God has said so. One example of this is when God promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a child together (Genesis 17-18). Although Abraham and Sarah were very old and, naturally speaking, it was impossible for them to have a baby, that didn’t stop God from keeping His promise. Sarah gave birth to Isaac at just the time God said she would (Genesis 21:1-3). God gives us promises through His Word, and we see many of these fulfilled in Jesus. In the Old Testament, God promised to send a Messiah to save us. Jesus is that Messiah. Because God loves us, He came and willingly died for us, and then He rose from the dead three days later, just like He said He would (Matthew 28:6). We can rely on Jesus to do what He says He’ll do. As Christians, we can know He will be with us through the Holy Spirit, and He will return one day to judge the world justly, raise us from the dead, and restore creation! As we wait for Jesus to return, we can rely on God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5, I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. And the Holy Spirit helps us believe what God says, hold on to His promises, and wait for their fulfillment. God is dependable. When the winds of unbelief and the waves of doubt come, God will still keep His powerful and precious promises to us. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni How are God’s promises different from people’s promises? God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 (NLT) Read Verses: Hebrews 6:13-Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 13:5-Hebrews 13:6; Numbers 23:19

“Behold, I will do a new thing. Isaiah stood on a hill overlooking the once great city of Jerusalem. His shoulders were bent with age, his long beard a tangle of gray. It had been years since he first spoke the prophecy of Israel’s downfall and of the Messiah. The promised Rescuer had not yet come. Still, Isaiah clung to God’s words like a lifeline: Behold, I will do a new thing. Israel needed newness. They needed something beyond themselves, something greater. They had failed so many times, turning their backs on God, running in the opposite direction and straight into a life of slavery at the hands of their enemies. Yet even despite their unfaithful wanderings, God promised them a Savior. Isaiah squinted over the horizon, beyond the peaks of Jerusalem, over the lush countryside, to the sun dipping out of sight. Dusk was falling. A brisk wind rustled the treetops. “A new thing.” The words sang in his memory. After hundreds of years of captivity, of endless sacrifices, and of countless prophecies, the hope of a Messiah assured him that one day they would be free from their greatest enemy. Sin. The evil that twisted everything would one day be gone forever. And this promise was not just to Israel, but to all the nations. Blessed are you, oh Adonai, Isaiah murmured, that you remember your people and offer us a way of escape and redemption if only we will accept it. Isaiah let his gaze wander the horizon, remembering the toils of his life as a prophet. His journey was nearing its end, but there was the promise to wait for, and all of Israel would be waitingbreathless, anxious, and hopeful. Until his final breath, so would he. Anita Seavey We are all like Israel; we fail, turn our backs on God, and run away from Him and straight into the trap of sin that brings only death. What sins are you struggling with today? Because God loves us, He did a new thing: He sent the Messiah, Jesus, to rescue us from sin and death. How is Jesus the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy? (See our “Know Jesus” page.) Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (WEB) Read Verses: Isaiah 43:5-Isaiah 43:28; Isaiah 44:1-Isaiah 44:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17-2 Corinthians 5:21

When anyone becomes a Christian, it’s easy to become despondent when suddenly things go wrong. The dreams you had of walking in Jesus’s footsteps and showing others what He’s like can quickly turn sour when you lose your temper or do something you later regret. When this happens, don’t give up or despair. It’s easy to think, I’m not good enough. I’m supposed to be a Christian, and I’ve really messed up. What will people think? Or, Does this mean I won’t go to heaven? Have I blown it? Should I give up now? However, this is the wrong mindset. Yes, we are given a fresh start and a new heart when we put our trust in Jesus. But this does not for one minute mean we will become perfect in this life. Perfection is impossible, because ever since the first humans sinned by going their own way against God, we are all broken and flawed. Our sin separates us from God, and this is why we need Jesus. We don’t have the capacity to be perfect on our own. What we do have is an advocate who acts as the mediator between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5). When Jesus was born and lived among us as a human, He brought hope to the world. For generations, God’s people had been looking forward to the Messiahthe promised rescuer. When Jesus died and rose back to life, He made a way for us to be in relationship with God. And when Jesus returns, all His forgiven followers will be totally restored from all brokenness. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His perfect love covers all our imperfections. So when we mess up, God doesn’t want us to berate ourselves and just feel terrible. Rather, His Word says, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). When we fall short, God invites us to take a step back, acknowledge our weaknesses and wrongdoing, and admit that we need Him. Through His Holy Spirit, God helps Christians daily to repent and follow Him. Even though we will continue to mess up until Jesus returns, God still works through our lives to help others. We can be free to follow God out of love, knowing that our eternal life with Him is secure, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus did. Cindy Lee We are not perfect. Trying to be perfect causes pain. How might remembering that Jesus covers our imperfections help us come to Him when we fall short? For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:1-1 John 2:2; John 3:17; 2 Corinthians 7:8-2 Corinthians 7:13

Many of us have taken care of plants at some time, whether a little succulent, a pot of herbs, a flower bed, or a field of vegetables. Some of us are more successful gardeners than others, but whether we’re good at growing plants or not, there’s a lot we can learn about our lives from gardens. In John 15:1-9, Jesus describes Himself as a vine and His followers as branches growing from that vine, with God as our gardener. Just like a branch needs to stay connected to its vine to live, it’s only by staying connected to Jesus that we experience fullness of life and thrive in all seasons. One essential part of gardening is pruning. When you prune plants, you intentionally cut off branches and leaves. It may look harmful for the plant, but in fact, it helps the plant grow better. A pruned plant is stronger, healthier, and more fruitful. Pruning shows a gardener cares for the plant, and so does God’s pruning in our lives. We all go through pruning seasons, hard times where we face challenges and experience loss. But we can find comfort and hope in knowing God our Gardener prunes with a purpose. As we abide in Jesus, God is working in us, transforming us to be the people He created us to be. As we remain in Jesus’s love, we grow in faith and love and our lives produce good fruit. Abby Ciona What hard things are you facing today? How might God be inviting you to rest in Jesus’s love? While we can go through hard things that prune us, we must be careful not to equate pruning with trauma. A truly traumatic eventsuch as abuseis like a tree taking an ax to the trunk. Can God use trauma in our lives? Absolutely, but it’s a different category than pruning. It can be helpful to remember that, no matter what we experience, God is always with us and He grieves our hurts alongside us. Through Jesus, He gently and faithfully heals all our wounds as we come to Him (Isaiah 53:2-5). If you have questions about this, who is a trusted Christian adult in your life, such as a teacher, counselor, pastor, parent, or coach you could talk to? So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) Read Verses: John 15:1-John 15:17; Romans 5:3-Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-Galatians 5:23; Colossians 2:6-Colossians 2:7

When difficulties come, it’s easy to give in to worry and fear. When problems arise, we can find ourselves shaken, beaten, and hurt. The Israelites experienced this when God was rescuing them from slavery. They were stuck between the Red Sea and the Pharaoh’s army. But Moses told the Israelites, The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:14). Then God sent an angel to block the Pharaoh’s army, and God parted the sea, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left (Exodus 14:22). On that day, God rescued His people. And they only needed to be still. Sometimes when we’re in trouble, God calls us to do the same. When all seems lost, don’t get discouraged or give up. You need not fight because God will fight your battle for you. Just like the Israelites were helpless to save themselves from the Egyptian army, we were all helpless to save ourselves from sin, brokenness, and death. So God sent Jesus to rescue us. When Jesus was crucified, He did not fight back. He let people beat Him, spit on Him, whip Him, and nail Him to a cross like a common criminal. It didn’t look like He was winning His battle, but God, in the stillness of Jesus, fought the battle against sin and death. And God raised Him back to life on the third day. Whatever battle you have, whatever is troubling you, whatever is pushing you down or causing you pain, remember that God is fighting for you. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are held securely in His love and He will never give up on you. Though we will endure many pains and sorrows like Jesus did, He is always with us. Through it all, God provides peace. Sometimes, it’s through stillness that He brings victory. If you are a Christian, Jesus’s Holy Spirit is in you, and He helps you to be still before God. The same Jesus who calmed the stormy sea is the God who gave us His peace (John 14:27). Nothing is impossible for Him. You can be still because He is the almighty God and nothing is too hard for Him to do. Most of all, you can live in stillness because God loves you and He will do whatever it takes to help, save, and protect you. You can trust Him, knowing that He can do great things in your life. Golda Dilema Do you feel like you’re fighting your battles alone? What problems storm and trouble you? He says, Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a (NIV) Read Verses: Mark 4:34-Mark 4:41; Psalm 46:10; Exod:14

As Christians, how should we approach science? From forests to soil, seas to sky, planets to microorganisms, to you and me, God’s creation is incredible! God calls us to be caretakers of His creation, and to best take care of something and appreciate it, we have to understand it. But first, we have to acknowledge that our human interpretations and understandings of the world are imperfect and incomplete. Until Jesus returns, we will never fully understand how the natural world works, just like we will never fully understand the Bible. But that shouldn’t stop us from studying and exploring what God has given us. When we come across something that doesn’t make sense, it helps to remember that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). If there seems to be conflict between our interpretations of science and our interpretations of the Bible, there’s probably something we’ve missedor haven’t discovered yet. Sometimes, it might seem like science disproves what God says, but this is just because we don’t know all there is to know. As we search for answers, we can rest on God and His Word. The Creator knows everything about His creation, and He is master of all (Psalm 24:1). We need to remember that the Bible is not a science textbook; it’s God’s story of redeeming the world through Jesus. Science helps us understand God’s creation, and that helps us learn more about GodHis creation reflects His character. The complexity, detail, structure, beauty, and imagination in creation all point to the awesome One who crafted it. But creation also shows the brokenness caused by sin. God made all things good, but when people went against God, death and decay and violence entered the world. But God wanted to restore all of creation, including us. So Jesus, God the Son, came to live among us as a human. Out of His great love, He suffered and died for us. Yet death couldn’t hold the all-powerful Creator. Jesus rose from the dead, and anyone who puts their trust in Jesus will also raise back to life when Jesus returns to make everything new! Far more important than knowing exactly how the world works or how everything was created is knowing the One who created it all. God made everything with a purpose: to glorify Him. The God who is in complete control of the universe wants us to know His love deeply. As Christians, we can explore, appreciate, and care for God’s creation through science, recognizing that God is the Creator and Restorer of everything. Abby Ciona Where have you seen God’s goodness in creation? Where have you seen brokenness? The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 8; Romans 8:18-Romans 8:23; Colossians 1:15-Colossians 1:17; Psalm 19:1

Kiara slammed her mug of coffee on the blue diner counter, defeated. She had just spent the last of her sratos on what was most likely her last meal for a long time. She’d thought there was no way she’d run out of the intergalactic currency. She sighed, thinking about all she had done with the fortune of sratos her rich dad had given her when she demanded her share of the inheritance and left home. Wild parties, a new spaceship the list went on until she’d spent the very last of what she had. She’d worked at the diner for a while, but when a recession hit, they fired her. Asking for help only earned her threats and sideways glances. And now well, she didn’t know what to do other than become homeless. Kiara drained the coffee in her mug, then dragged herself out of the small diner and down the street. She thought about going back to her dad and asking for forgiveness, but the idea pricked her pride. She walked until her stomach growled, and she remembered the meals her dad provided for his workers every day. Shaking her head, Kiara crossed to the other side of the street. No, she really did need to go back to her dad. She headed toward the spaceport where her ship was dockedwell, she called it a ship anyway. She’d traded in her new ship and now her mode of transportation was a retrofitted escape pod that felt like it was about to fall to pieces every time she took off. Kiara walked up the ramp to her ship and climbed into the leather pilot’s seat. Maybe she’d ask to join his brigate of hired workers that took care of his large estate. Better that than becoming homeless, she muttered to herself as she set her course for her homeworld of Kelticas. When Kiara dropped out of hyperspace and landed near her dad’s estate, her pulse quickened. She was nearly in tears as she walked a familiar path, thinking of all that she would say to him when she saw him. Nearing the mansion, Kiara felt overwhelmed by shame. Just then, she heard a joyful voice shouting her name. Kiara! How I’ve missed you, my daughter! Kiara’s dad ran up and hugged her tightly, tears running down both of their faces. Come, we must celebrate! He took her hand, leading her into the mansion. You are home! Carissa Vruggink This story is how one author reimagined a parable Jesus told in Luke 15:11-32. Jesus talked about the joy in heaven when a sinner repentsturns away from wrongdoing and comes home to God. We have all done wrong against God, and Jesus is the only way we can come home. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness to anyone who puts their trust in Him. What sticks out to you in this storyeither in the author’s retelling or in the original parable? Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting. Luke 15:10 (WEB) Read Verses: Luke 15:10-Luke 15:32

“You’re not part of the team. You can’t come with us. You’re not invited. Has anyone said something like this to you? It hurts when others make it clear you are not welcome. We all want a place to belong. Whether in a family, church community, with friends, or on a team, having a place to belong gives us a sense of value. It’s a reminder that someone cares for us. And the truth is, God created us to live in community and have the purposeful work of caring for His creation together. But when humans went their own way against God, this good design was broken. Now we experience exclusion, which breeds feelings of isolation and low self-worth. But even amidst all this brokenness, God didn’t abandon us. Jesus came to be with us, and He made a way for us to be in close relationship with God and each other again. Through dying and raising back to life, Jesus has done what it takes to reverse the damage caused by our sin. One day, He will right every wrong. In the meantime, even though we may be rejected by friends, organizations, or family members in this dysfunctional world we inhabit, Jesus will never reject those who come to Him (John 6:37). He wants to include us in the family of God, and He doesn’t discriminate based on our background, appearance, gender, class, age, or anything else. Jesus knows our hearts, and He wants to satisfy our deepest desires. Even if everyone else disowns us, Jesus promises us the security of relationship with Him. When Jesus knew that His death was near, He told His disciples, I will not abandon you as orphansI will come to you (John 14:18). And Jesus kept His promise. After He rose from the dead, He returned to His followers. Then He ascended to heaven so that He could send them His Holy Spirit. And Jesus offers us this amazing relationship with Him today. When we put our trust in Jesus, we become part of God’s family, and no one can snatch us away from Him (John 10:28-29). Cindy Lee Can you think of a time you were left out, excluded from something? Jesus knows what it feels like to be rejected (Isaiah 53:2-6), and He grieves our hurts with us. If you realize you’ve purposely excluded someone else, Jesus invites you to turn away from wrongdoing and instead rely on His forgiveness, wisdom, and strength to treat others with kindness and dignity. Consider taking a moment to pray for the person/people you’ve wronged. Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Psalm 27:10 (NLT) Read Verses: Ephesians 1:13-Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 2:11-Ephesians 2:22; Psalm 27:10

It’s okay to not know what is to come. It’s alright to go into a new year or phase of life without plans or expectations. My expectations don’t always happen anyway. My plans aren’t always for the bEsther But when I look to Jesus, when I ask Him to guide my life, everything will turn out alright. It’s scary to not know what to expect in this life. It’s hard to just move forward without knowing what waits on the other side. It’s overwhelming to think about all that could happen, all that we need to do, or all that could go wrong. But no matter what happens, I know that Jesus will be with me. That is the greatest comfort in my life. Did Peter know he would be imprisoned and even killed for his faith in Jesus? No, but God was with him through it all. Did Esther know she would be taken into the king’s harem and made queen, or that God would call her to risk her life to save her people? No, but she was able to have courage with God’s help. Our lives might not always be easy, and the future might not always be clear, but when we have faith in Jesus and trust Him, we can make it through anything that is to come. Bethany Acker What are some of your plans, expectations, or fears for the future? When we think about all the unknowns of what is to come, it’s not as frightening when we remember that God will still be with us when we get there. Consider taking a moment to imagine God’s presence with you and how He might help you, even if the thing you dread most were to happen. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrownot even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth belowindeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) Read Verses: Esth:4; Romans 5:1-Romans 5:5; Romans 8:35-Romans 8:39

Your mission will be riddled with perils. Make no mistake, this exoplanet is uncharted territorythere are no illusions about our exploration team making it back to our home planet safely. Commander Sholer crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze penetrating the souls of the group gathered around him. Anything to add before we embark? Tylana adjusted her Rememlet tighter against her lavender skin. Her gold eyes blazed bright as she pressed the top button on the Rememlet. A soft chiming sound began emanating from the device. She spoke aloud, Commander, I have something. When all eyes turned toward her, Tylana swallowed her nerves down, standing straighter. I was reading the Sacred Manual, and I believe Metsuda brought something to my heart that has helped me become closer to Him. Implementing this into my life has helped me feel more prepared for this perilous mission; through it, Metsuda has given me great clarity and even bravery. Tylana, please, share this with us! Chandi, one of her closest friends, curled her silver hair around her finger in anticipation. Tylana smiled, encouraged. You all know how important it is that we read the Sacred Manual and spend time in the presence of Metsuda? Well, I know this too. Only, with all our recent discoveries and missions across the galaxy, I found myself getting away from the good message, even at times forgetting the great love of Metsuda, the very love that compelled Him to give up His life for us. Several heads nodded in agreement. But Metsuda, who lives forever, is so kind to me, and He wants to help me be in connection with Him. He knows that I like systems, and I believe He helped me develop this new system that I call ââ¬ËChallenge 15.’ I programmed my Rememlet to go off at a certain time every day. When it chimes, it reminds me to take 15 minutes to complete 5-5-5: five minutes of reading the Sacred Manual, five of praying to Metsuda, and five of praising Him. As I draw close to Metsuda, He is transforming my heart and equipping me for what He asks me to do. Commander Sholer smileda rare occurrence indeed! Savannah Coleman Do you have any systems for spending time with God? Have these been helpful to you? Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) Read Verses: 2 Peter 1:3-2 Peter 1:8; Hebrews 13:20-Hebrews 13:21; 2 Timothy 3:14-2 Timothy 3:17

I. ran a marathon once. In case you are unfamiliar, a marathon is 26.2 miles of running. That was in the year 2000, and I’ve never even considered running another one. I’m completely convinced it’s because I didn’t create a celebratory moment at the finish line. I’ve found that if I don’t celebrate something that’s worthy of celebration, I’m less likely to want to do it again. But if I make a big deal about the big moments in my life, I’m more likely to continue in these paths. In the book of 1 Samuel, in chapter 7, there’s an awesome story where all the people of Israel turn back to the Lord, get rid of their idols, confess their sins, and recommit to serving God and Him alone. Then they find out the Philistine army is coming to attack them, so the Israelites cry out to the Lord to rescue them. Verse 10 says, The Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. Then the prophet Samuel set up a stone near a boundary where the Israelites defeated the Philistines. After this battle, the Philistines didn’t even touch the Israelites. In fact, the Israelites took back some of the land that had been taken from them. The stone Samuel set out is called Ebenezer: Stone of Help. But the stone is not the thing. The important thing is that Samuel and the Israelites created a moment to recognize what God did and set up a memorial as a reminder of His faithfulness. The reason the Israelites conquered their enemies that day was because God answered their cry for help. The stone was a visual reminder of how God rescued them. In the marathons of life, it’s important for us to take time to celebrate God’s help. Set up an Ebenezer if you need to. Whether it’s a stone or a feather or a marshmallow, it doesn’t matter. Whatever it takes, celebrate God’s faithfulness. Remember times God has helped you, and also remember how Jesus came to save you by dying and raising from the dead. He loves you and wants you to cry out to Him. As you seek God through Jesus, He will give you the courage and perseverance to continue running strong in the paths He has for you. Andrea Bowden Can you think of a time God helped you? How can you celebrate His help today? Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means the stone of help), for he said, Up to this point the Lord has helped us! 1 Samuel 7:12 (NLT) Read Verses: 1 Samuel 7:1-1 Samuel 7:14