Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

A baby cries because the crib is too large, and they don’t feel secure until they are in the arms of their parent. A toddler reaches for the hand of an adult when a loud noise frightens them. A young child turns from strangers and clings to their parent. An older child grasps the hand of the adult beside them on a rollercoaster. Children are willing to cling to the adults in their lives without shame. They know they need help and are willing to reach out for others. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Jesus said, Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it (Luke 18:16-17). Jesus provided a way for us to be adopted as God’s children through His death and resurrection. God wants us to come to Him for help. We also see this in Hebrews 4:16, So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Yet sometimes our pride can stop us from reaching out for help, both from God and from other people. It can be difficult to ask a friend for support, to ask an adult for guidance when we don’t know what to do, or to admit when we feel scared. It can even be tough to turn to God for help. We might think we have to figure things out on our own. We might feel ashamed. But the truth is, no one can get through life without help. God designed us to depend on Him and be in community with each other. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have full access to God through His Holy Spirit living in us, and we are part of His family, the church. God is with us through community, and He provides other people who will pick us up when we get knocked down. And we also get to help others! As Christians, when we go through difficult days, we are never alone. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, and He will never leave us. We are part of a community created by Jesus, and God is always with us, guiding and loving us. Emily Acker When do you find it difficult to ask for help? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your struggles? How might God be giving you opportunities to help other people who are struggling? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:2 (NLT) Read Verses: Galatians 6:2-Galatians 6:3; James 5:13-James 5:16; 1 John 5:13-1 John 5:15; Psalm 121:2

Dull gray eyes stared back at me in the mirror. Unimpressive, unimportant, unseen. That’s how I feltinvisible. Would anyone notice if I were gone? Would anyone really care? Contemplating my apparent superhero power of invisibility really lifted my spirits. Sighing deep, I tried to stop the tears from leaking from my eyes. As I turned my back on the mirror, wondering if I even wanted to face one more day, I noticed a small bird perched on a branch right outside my window. I edged forward slowly for a closer look. The bird seemed to stare straight into my soul, unafraid, as I moved closer to the window. It was a tiny sparrow. Deep in the recesses of my heart, a memory stirred. Something I had heard when I was a child: Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. I could not even recall where I had heard this or even how old I had been, but the words in my mind blazed brighter than the sunrise. I snatched my phone off the bed and searched the words. They came from Matthew 10:29-31, and they were in red. Further investigation revealed that the red words were the words Jesus spoke. Sinking onto my bed, I gazed out the window and let the tears spill. This time, they were not tears of discouragement or dolor. No, these were tears of joy and promise. I was not invisible. I was known, wanted, loved, and forever seen. Savannah Coleman When we feel hopeless, Jesus sees us and cares for us. Where do you need hope today? If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also talk with someone via web chat at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat If your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away. If you need someone to talk to but are not in need of immediate help, 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. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 139; Luke 18:35-Luke 18:42; Genesis 16

Consider the birds, Whose magnificent wings Propel them through the air. No human voice could match Their song, and their beauty’s Beyond compare. Consider the lilies, As they color the fields, And wonder at how they grow. Flowers do not work, Or look after themselves, Yet they’re clothed by a heavenly glow. The God of all nature, Creator and King, For both roses and sparrows provides. Seek first, then, the kingdom, The kingdom of God, And He’ll surely remain by your side. Christian Davis The God of all nature revealed Himself to us in Jesus. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, through His death and resurrection, we can know that He is always with us. How can looking at God’s creation remind us that He is trustworthy? Jesus calls us into a life of rest as we rely on God for all our needs. And life with Jesus is also meaningful and fruitful as we seek God’s kingdom. How can relying on God for our needs free us to follow Him? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 6:25-Matthew 6:34

He takes a whole mass of nothing, a void of empty, and fills it with lightand life! This is our God. When His heart breaks over evil and sin consuming His precious creation, He seeks out the faithful and delivers them. After the waters roar and the mountain peaks are covered, He covers us with the promise of His unending lovea rainbow. This is our God. Despite the continuing cycle of disregard, disobedience, and idol worship, His compassion is moved at the cries of His children. He splits the seas in two, He guides by fire and cloud. He provides manna from heaven even amidst the whining and the wandering. This is our God. In hard places where there is no water, He makes streams come forth. The jugs of oil that have run dry, He fills to overflowing. When all hope seems lost and God seems silent, He is working on our behalf. When bones are dry and scattered, He breathes life and puts the pieces back together. This is our God. When the whole world cried out for saving, for a way back to God, He sent us Himself. Opening the womb of a virgin, making room where the animals were kept when there was no room elsewhere, opening our hearts to His Son. This is our God. The very heart of the Father among us: He turned the water into wine, touched the unclean, healed the sick and the broken, healed us by His death on the cross for our sins. This is our God. Father, forgive them, This is our God. The Way, the Truth, and the Life This is our God. The tomb is empty! This is our God. I am with you always, This is our God. Savannah Coleman The time came for the baby to be born. Luke 2:6b (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 1:23-Luke 1:34; John 14:6; Matthew 28:20; Luke 2:1-Luke 2:20

Last Christmas, our pastor used the hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing as inspiration for a sermon. In the third verse, eighteenth-century preacher Charles Wesley wrote lyrics about how Jesus was born to give us second birth. But what does it mean to have second birth? When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, sin and death entered the world. God’s good creation was stained by the brokenness of humanity. And without Jesus, we also deserve to die. But God sent Jesus to our world as a baby, vulnerable and helpless, born in the place where animals were kept. Our Creator became like us. He got down to our level. He was born on earth so that we can be renewed, revived, and restored. So that we can be born again. God reveals glimpses of this new life throughout the Bible. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet Ezekiel shares a vision he had of a valley filled with bones. The bones were dry. Dead. Void of life. And yet, God asked Ezekiel, Can these bones live? (Ezekiel 37:3). As unlikely as it seems that dry bones could come to life, Ezekiel had a good response: Sovereign Lord, you alone know (Ezekiel 37:3). And then, God did what only God can do: He brought renewal and life to something that seemed long dead and gone. The bones rattled and came together, tendons and flesh and skin covered them, breath entered the bodies, and God brought them to life once more. Without Jesus, we are like those in the valley of dry bones, alone and void of life. But like Jesus told Martha right before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Jesus was born so that we could experience a rebirth of our own. A rebirth from hopelessness to hope, from emptiness to joy, from death to life. And just as God raised Jesus bodily from the dead, He will also raise usHis forgiven followersfrom the dead! And so, this is what the good news of Christmas is all about: a God who would send His own Son to be born on earth, so that if we put our trust in Him, we can receive life to the full. Jesus was born so that we can be born again. Becca Wierwille In what areas of your life do you need God to bring renewal? How might Jesus be inviting you into His fullness of life today? If you want to dig deeper, take some time to read John 3:1-21. What do you think Jesus means when He tells Nicodemus, No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (verse 3)? I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10b (NIV) Read Verses: Ezekiel 37:1-Ezekiel 37:14; John 11:17-John 11:44; John 10:10

For many years, my family celebrated Christmas at my grandparents’ home in northern Wisconsin, where winter is typically very cold and snowy. One year my dad thought it would be fun if he and I hiked out into the woods and cooked breakfast over a fire. We got lost. Then we couldn’t start the fire. We were mocked by our family upon our return. We learned though, and the following year everything went well. Except it was so cold, I kept moving my feet closer and closer to the fire until I noticed my boots were melting! Again, I was mocked. Another year, some other family members joined us and pretty much made fun of the whole thing, saying, We could have stayed home, been warm, and had better food. No one really understood why my dad and I did this tradition. Mostly we were made fun of. But those mornings are some of my favorite memories of my dad. People often make fun of what they don’t understand. You’ll notice this when you follow your Heavenly Father as well. He sent Jesus into this world to save people from sin and death, to forgive us and give us new life. Jesus revealed the Father and proclaimed His kingdom, which was totally foreign to the way the world was going. Most people didn’t get it, and they rejected Him. Even Jesus’s brothers didn’t understand. Many people mocked Jesus, especially people from His hometown. Even His own disciples rarely seemed to understand what Jesus was up to. Don’t be surprised if following Christ makes you look weird! It will, and the world that doesn’t understand will mock you. But Jesus said, Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me (Matthew 5:11). When people make fun of you for following Jesus, remember that He knows how you feel. And even when others don’t understand, it’s okay. You can still enjoy being with your Father! Jeff Weddle Without Jesus, none of us would want to spend time with God, let alone follow Him. We need Jesus to give us faith to move us from mocking Him to trusting Him. When you find yourself mocking others, how can Jesus’s grace bring you comfort and move you toward compassion? Why did Jesus Christ come to save people who didn’t understand or like Him? (Including us!) The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) Read Verses: John 1:9-John 1:14; John 7:1-John 7:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14

Every Christmas, I hear about the wise men coming to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus as recorded in Matthew 2. But why is this historical event important? Who were the wise men and how did they play a key role in the Christmas drama? Let’s take a closer look at the wise men. The Bible gives us very little detail about these people. How many were there? Did they ride camels? Were they kings? The correct name for the wise men, based on the original Greek text, is Magi. The next question is: Who or what are Magi? Some believe the Magi were a priestly tribe of an ancient people called the Medes, in the part of the world where Iran and Iraq are now. The Magi were very well educated in astronomy and mathematics and very powerful politically. One of the main jobs of the Magi was to crown Kings The next question is: Why did the Magi get involved with baby Jesus in Bethlehem? Their story might be tied to the events of Daniel in the Old Testament. When some of the Jews were in exile in Babylon, God helped Daniel (a Jew) to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream when the Magi could not (Daniel 2:26-28). Then the king said, Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery, and he made Daniel chief of the Magi (Daniel 2:46-48). In this way, God helped Daniel to have tremendous influence over the Magi. It is very possible he taught them Old Testament prophecies about the promised Messiah. So, when a group of Magi saw the star and traveled to Jerusalem hundreds of years later looking for the king of the Jews, they might have known the teachings of Daniel. (Also, at that time in history, it is more likely these wealthy travelers rode horses, not camels.) The Magi were the first people to worship Jesus as King. This detail about Jesus’s birth was especially important to New Testament author Matthew because he emphasized that Jesus is the King who God had promised generations before. By causing a star to rise, God led these ancient Magi to proclaim Jesus as King. Doug Velting Since Jesus is the King of Kings (Revelation 1:5; 19:16), how might this affect the way we worship Him? After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 2:1-Matthew 2:12

READ: ISAIAH 9:6; MATTHEW 2:1-2, 9-11 For as long as Sahine could remember, the world had been at war. For years she had defended her small kingdom against the fierce advances of the Hadyssian empire, and so far they had remained free, as had her sisters’ kingdoms to the north and to the south. But every time her armies returned from battle, the soldiers were fewer and more ragged than before. It was only a matter of time before the Hadyssians would overtake them and her beloved country would fall under the rule of the ruthless King Farshid. But when she saw a new star glowing bright in the western sky, Sahine knew something had changed. She summoned every astrologer in her court, but none of them could explain the sudden appearance of this great light or what it meant. After she sent the last astrologer out the door, one of her servants approached her and bowed low. “Your Grace, the God I serve has revealed the meaning of this star to me. It lights the way to a child born in the country I come from—a child who will one day rule as the greatest King of all and bring peace to the entire world.” Peace. No more Hadyssians. No more King Farshid. Sahine could hardly imagine a peaceful world. Yet her heart was filled with hope, and she ached to see this newborn King with her own eyes. “Where is this child?” she asked the servant. His eyes dropped to the polished stone floor. “Zagral.” Sahine gasped. Zagral lay deep in the territory of King Farshid. If the Hadyssians found out who she was, she would be killed, and her kingdom would fall. But it was a risk she was willing to take. Sahine immediately sent messengers to her sisters, who quickly sent word back: “We’re coming too.” They arrived in her kingdom a few days later bearing costly gifts for the child. When everything was loaded onto the camels, the three queens took off their crowns. They would not be traveling as queens, but as commoners. Sahine placed her golden crown with the other gifts. It would make a fitting gift for a king. Then, as evening fell, she and her sisters mounted their camels and began their journey to find the child of peace, guided by the bright light of the star in the distance. • Courtney Lasater • Today’s allegorical story is inspired by Matthew 2:1-12, when a group of magi saw a star and came to worship Jesus, “the newborn king of the Jews” (verse 2) who God had promised generations before. The Bible gives us very little detail about the magi. How many were there? Did they ride camels or horses? Were they kings? While these people have sometimes been called kings or wise men, the Bible’s original Greek text calls them magi. Some believe the magi were a priestly tribe of an ancient people called the Medes, in the part of the world where Iran and Iraq are now. The magi were very well educated in astronomy and mathematics and very powerful politically. One of the main jobs of the magi was to crown kings. So, by causing a star to rise, God led these ancient magi to proclaim Jesus as King! Consider taking some time to read Matthew 2:1-12 slowly, and notice what sticks out to you. What questions do you have? What captures your imagination? • What is your response to the news of a King born to bring peace to the world? (If you want to know more about who Jesus is—and what we gain by putting our trust in Him—check out our “Know Jesus” page.) • We currently live in a world ruled by evil (1 John 5:19), but Jesus promises peace to each person who puts their trust in Him (John 14:27), and one day He’ll bring peace to the whole world when He returns as King (Revelation 21:1-4). Have you ever experienced the peace of Jesus in a world full of trouble? What was it like? “I [Jesus] have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you...

On a rainy African day, we flew in a small plane from the city of Monrovia, Liberia, to a small airstrip in the northern part of the country. This ninety- minute flight saved us two days of travel on muddy, washed-out roads. The most amazing part was rising above the rain clouds and emerging into the glorious light of the sun. From underneath the clouds, it was all dark, rainy, and gloomythe belly of the storm. Do you ever experience life like this? A gloomy underside where all seems dull, dreary, and hopeless? You might know the sun is always shining somewhere above the clouds. But have you ever witnessed it with your own eyes? It’s one thing to know it intellectually, another to see it firsthand. When Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms, He experienced the light of God firsthand. Simeon had been eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel (Luke 2:25). God led him to Jesus and gave him these amazing words to proclaim: I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! (Luke 2:30-32). Like rising above the clouds in an airplane, Simeon, in his old age, finally saw God’s promised Savior with his own eyes. Light has come into this dark world, and His name is Jesus. Not just that day long ago when the Savior was born, but every day since then, Jesus is the Light of the World. Yes, even today! No matter how hopeless it may seem under the belly of the storm you are going through, Jesus is the ever-present light over it all. Daniel Dore Is there something you have been waiting for? Longing to see with your own eyes? What promise did God give to Simeon? What promise does Jesus give to His followers? Jesus came to rescue us, and He is more powerful than any darkness. What darkness are you experiencing today? Jesus understands, and He is inviting you to come to Him. Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. John 8:12 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 2:25-Luke 2:35; John 8:12

One person in the New Testament I admire is Joseph. He isn’t mentioned much in the Bible, but his actions had a tremendous impact on humanity. Who was he? How did his role influence Christianity today? The Bible tells us Joseph was a descendant of King David, and he was pledged to marry a woman named Mary. But when Joseph found out Mary was pregnant before their wedding, his thoughts must have been wild with varying emotions. There are so many responses Joseph could have had. Yet even though the culture he lived in was harsh and strictespecially when it came to sexual sinJoseph chose to treat Mary with compassion. He didn’t want his fiancée to be humiliated or worse, executed. Instead, rather than allow her to be shamed or killed, he thought about divorcing her later. But a dream from an angel changed his initial plan. The angel revealed that Mary was miraculously pregnant through the Holy Spirit and told Joseph not to be afraid to marry her. So instead of divorcing Mary, Joseph took on the role of supportive husband and loving stepfather. He stood by Mary, and together they cared for Jesus as he grew up. Joseph took care of his family by fleeing to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23) and following the Jewish feasts (Luke 2:41-52). As a carpenter, Joseph probably taught Jesus his trade (Matthew 13:55-57; Mark 6:3). Since there is no record of Joseph being present at Jesus’s death, many assume he died before then. Yet Joseph got to be part of God’s plan of redemption. Joseph allowed God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to step in and drastically change his plans. Joseph followed God’s law, and every time God spoke to him in a dream, he obeyed. By accepting and caring for Jesus, Joseph got to be part of God’s plan to bring salvation to this broken world. Cindy Lee Do you sometimes feel like you’re behind the scenes or in the background? Rest assured you are not forgotten. How might God be inviting you to be part of His plan of redemption? But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 1:18-Matthew 1:25

When Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem with the newborn Jesus, there were shepherds in a nearby field. Suddenly an angel appeared and told them about the baby Jesusthe Savior they had all been waiting for had come! The shepherds ran down to the village to see this sight. Immediately after they had seen Jesus, they went and told others this amazing good news. That is being a missionary. When Jesus was put to death on the cross, there was a great earthquake. The Roman officer and his soldiers who witnessed Jesus’s execution and the earthquake made this proclamation: This man truly was the Son of God! (Matthew 27:54). They told what they had seen and heard. That is being a missionary. This happened not only at Jesus’s birth and death but also after His resurrection. The women who came early to the tomb were met by an angel who told them Jesus was not dead, He was alive! The women ran to tell others this good news. That is being a missionary. The shepherds who marveled at the birth of the Savior were missionaries. The soldiers who witnessed the power of the Son of God, even in death, were like missionaries. The women who were shocked to find the empty tomb were missionaries. How? By running to tell other people about the good news God had showed them. Who is a missionary? Anyone who has personally experienced the good news of Jesus. Jesus came to save us, sinners who can’t save ourselves. This news is too good not to share! All it takes is seeing, going, and telling others. That makes it seem possible for us to be missionaries too, doesn’t it? Daniel Dore How did you hear the good news about Jesus? (If you want to know more, check out our “Know Jesus” page.) Have you experienced God’s love in your own life? How? Who is someone in your life who might not have heard the good news about Jesus? If you’d like to, you can take a moment to pray for this person. You can even ask God for an opportunity to tell them about Jesus. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. Luke 2:17 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 2:8-Luke 2:18; Matthew 27:27-Matthew 27:54; Matthew 28:1-Matthew 28:8

Mary paused her vigorous kneading of the bread dough, her thoughts whirling. She was pledged to be married to Joseph. He was a good man who had shown her only kindness, but lately her life moved faster than the river’s currents after a spring rain. Suddenly, there was a being standing before her. Mary trembled and clutched the edge of the table for support. Then the being spoke. Greetings the Lord is with you. The angel’s words were like a shaft of sunshine. Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. The angel Gabriel proceeded to tell her that the God she loved and served was sending His Son into the worldthe very Savior they had all been longing for. Mary herself would be the one to carry the Son of the Most High in her womb. Mary took a deep breath and whispered, How? I am a virgin. Gabriel didn’t hesitate to reply, and Mary felt emboldened as he answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you no word from God will ever fail. Mary could not even begin to grasp how this would change her life, let alone the entire world. But somewhere deep in her heart, she knew she didn’t need to understand it all, she just needed to be willing. I am the Lord’s servant, Mary said aloud. May it be so. Days later, Joseph wrestled with sorrow and anger in his heart. He’d thought Mary was the one for himhow could he have been so blind to her true nature? Love. He did love her, and if she was exposed for sexual sin, she could be stoned. Joseph couldn’t bear the thought of Mary being hurt, so he decided to divorce her quietly. That night, an angel invaded Joseph’s dreams with an astounding proclamation: the child inside Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit! This child, Jesus, would save the people from their sins. Joseph awoke in a cold sweat. He didn’t have all the answers, and he wasn’t even sure how this would impact his life, but his love for God compelled him to be willing. He did what the angel told him to do and accepted Mary as his wife. Savannah Coleman Today’s story is how one author imagines God helping Mary and Joseph to do what He called them to do. Can you imagine how you would feel if you were in Mary’s or Joseph’s place? Why do you think Mary and Joseph were willing to follow God, even in a messy situation? I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 1:18-Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:26-Luke 1:38

The holiday season isn’t always a time of joy. Stress can push at us from all sidesfamily, school deadlines, Christmas preparations, etc. Life is shaky. And not just for us. While Ahaz was king of Judah, his life was pretty shaky too. Both Syria and Israel (what was left of it after it split from Judah) were ganging up on his kingdom. In response, Ahaz put his hope in the king of Assyria to save Judah, even giving him gold and silver from the Lord’s temple (2 Kings 16:7-9). But God invited Ahaz to put his trust in Him instead. Speaking through a prophet, God gave Ahaz this encouragement: Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewoodbecause of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah (Isaiah 7:4). God wanted Ahaz to know that despite the smoldering national threats surrounding him, Ahaz’s life was securely in God’s hands. The Lord went on to tell Ahaz some powerful words that continue to ring true for us today. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9). Like Ahaz, we cannot stand firm through our troubles unless we rely on God and put our hope in Him above all others. When we take our focus off God, we are easily overcome with worries. The key to remaining steady is pressing into relationship with God and leaning on His grace when we fail. Did I mention God gave Ahaz a promise? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel was on His way. Hundreds of years later, a virgin named Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit, and she gave birth to the promised Son, Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25). His name means God with us. He lived among us and, out of love, gave His own life for ours. If we put our trust in ourselves, friends, or kings to save us, we’ll be let down. The only one worthy of our trust is God, who sent His Son to be our Savior. Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection made a way for us to enjoy God’s nearness. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He helps us stand firm in our faithand He forgives us when we mess up. Immanuel keeps us steady in a shaky world. Eliana Duran What is causing you stress today? Consider bringing these things to God, who loves you dearly. What are some ways you’ve seen God’s faithfulness in your own life? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 7

We’d all love to be wise sages, knowing exactly what to do each time a major life decision pops up. However, that kind of wisdom can take time to develop. Time spent in God’s word and time living through life. But what about the decisions you need to make in a month, next week, or right now? You don’t always have the time to discern what to do on your own. The good news is, God loves His children deeply and doesn’t leave us high and dry when it comes to accessing His wisdom. God has given us great wisdom in His Word, including watching the life and decisions of Jesus as He lived on earth. Definitely look in God’s Word for yourself, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help! That’s where Christian community comes in. You may not have the years and Bible knowledge to make the wisest and most informed decision, but you likely have people in your life who have knowledge and experience that you don’t! God can speak through these people as they listen to you and to Him. This happened in the Old Testament with King Rehoboam. He needed to decide how to handle taxes in the kingdom after his father Solomon passed away. Rehoboam asked for some time to decide, and he started in the right direction by consulting his father’s old advisors about what he should do. They gave him sage advice, telling him to take it easier on the people. Then Rehoboam asked his friends the same question. Now, these friends were around forty, which sounds old, but they were described with similar wording to that of younger boys, so these were not mature friends. (Remember, age doesn’t automatically grant wisdom.) These friends told the king to be even harsher with taxes. Rehoboam eventually went with the advice of the immature friends, and this foolish decision allowed the kingdom of Israel to fracture in two, with Rehoboam’s rival, Jeroboam, becoming the king of the other kingdom. When you have a big decision to make, don’t be afraid to ask for help. As you listen to people’s advice, look for solutions that agree with God’s Word, and lean on the Holy Spirit (who lives inside Christians) to help you discern what God is calling you to do. Naomi Zylstra What’s your process when you need to make a big decision? Who are wise people in your life who exemplify the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16 (NLT) Read Verses: 1Kgs:12:1-1Kgs:12:17; Proverbs 15:22; Colossians 3:16

The Incredible Sparkle, superhero and defender of Glimmer City, couldn’t tell whether her constant shivering came from the cold or from the raw terror she felt coursing through her body. Behind her, the roof extended mere inches before dropping ten stories to the busy street below. Looking forward frightened her even more. Her nemesis, Dr. Danger, stood smiling wickedly a few feet away. Injured and cornered by the villain, Sparkle tried not to flinch as she stared down the barrel of Dr. Danger’s most powerful ion blaster. You can’t win! You’ll never match the power I possess. You had the chance to kill me earlier, but you didn’t go through with it. Coward! You don’t have what it takes. I never back down from a fight, and I always get what I want! Danger was monologuing? Again? Despite her fear, Sparkle almost rolled her eyes at the predictable speech. She had to think of something, anything she could do to get the upper hand. A word clicked in her mind. Something Danger had said gave her an idea. Would it work? Slowly, Sparkle kneeled down on the roof, staring silently at her opponent. What on earth are you doing? Danger’s eyes widened and her proud smile faltered. Blessed are the meek, Sparkle said in a calm, clear voice, for they will inherit the earth. Danger arched her eyebrows but didn’t move. What? What are you talking about? The villain shifted her eyes from side to side. Sparkle continued, Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mercy? Don’t expect that from me! Danger’s words sounded confident, but her hand shook as she held her weapon tighter. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God! Sparkle raised her voice and stood up quickly. Danger jumped at the sudden movement and took a step back, just in time for a giant net to drop from the sky on top of her! As police officers ran toward them and a helicopter landed, Sparkle smiled and delivered a monologue of her own: You think giving mercy shows weakness, but it actually takes strength. Causing pain to others who have hurt us is the natural response. Killing you would be the easy way to end this. But it takes far more strength to let go of the trigger or to forgive someone who has hurt you. That doesn’t come naturally. In that way, mercy is a kind of superpower. The greatest hero this world has ever seen never used violence against people, but instead He saved all of humanity, armed only with grace and forgiveness. Hatred will disappear someday, but love and mercy have the strongest saving power of all! Andi Potter In this allegorical story, Sparkle mentioned the greatest hero this world has ever seen: Jesus. How has Jesus shown mercy to you? Do you know anyone like Dr. Danger, who never backs down from a fight, who will do anything to get what they want? How can you show mercy to these people? Do you think the Incredible Sparkle got her name from Philippians 2:15, or some other way? But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 5:1-Matthew 5:12; Ephesians 2:4-Ephesians 2:5

Curling up with a gripping read is something I love to do, and I’m blessed to regularly receive novels from family or friends so that I rarely have to buy one. For ages, after reading them, I would keep these precious books on shelves or in boxes in the loft until I realized that I would never have time to reread them. Holding on to all these books without passing them on felt selfish; I was allowing them to gather dust instead of letting someone else delight in them. Knowing the novels were far better off with a new reader, I started giving them to friends, passing them on to charity shops, or leaving them in designated bookcases in train stations for commuters to enjoy. At first it was difficult to give them away, but now it’s second nature. And instead of looking back at the books I have read, I anticipate my next read. In a similar way, God entrusts us with gifts and talents to share with others. Sometimes we may be afraid to allow other people to see our gifts, and so we hide them away, but that isn’t what God intended. He doesn’t want our talents to become dusty and forgotten. Instead, like the books I have, they should be shared to help others and give them joy. God has given each of us gifts and talents, some we might not even recognize. And to Christians, Jesus also gives spiritual gifts. Even though we may be scared to share what God has given us, we can rely on the Holy Spirit (who lives in us once we’ve put our trust in Jesus) to help us. As we share the light of Jesus, we can trust in Him to reach out to the broken and lost through us. Cindy Lee Take a moment to reflect and thank God for your gifts. If you are unsure what they are, who is a trusted Christian in your life who could pray with you and tell you what they notice God doing in and through you? How could you share your gifts with others? Are you afraid to use any of your gifts? Why? In Jesus’s parable, why do you think the master (who represents God) said to his first two servants, Come and share your master’s happiness (Matthew 25:21, 23)? Consider taking a moment to reflect on how others have shared their gifts with you and to thank God for the impact they’ve had on your life. You could even thank this person and encourage them! Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 25:14-Matthew 25:30; 1 Peter 4:8-1 Peter 4:11

Darkness. That’s all I’d ever seen. I’d heard countless people’s voices. I’d tasted numerous kinds of food. However, I didn’t actually know what humans looked like. I’d never seen one. I’d never seen the fruit I ate or the money I begged. But I knew the weight of the thin, round coins, and I could identify the fruits from their different shapes and sizes and textures. As you can see, I was blind, but one day all that changed. It was just an average day. I was sitting at the city gates on my cot, begging. I listened carefully when I heard people talking around me, and it sounded like they weren’t moving away anytime soon. From what I gathered, one of the men was their Rabbi. This teacher said something about night is coming and light of the world. I scoffed. That was nothing I was interested in. I focused my attention on the busy noise all around me. Then, the strangest thing happened. I felt gentle hands put something pasty over my eyes. What was happening? At that moment, the familiar voice of those people’s teacher said those words I will never forget: Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam. Shocked, I did as he said and, somehow, slowly I got there. At least it wasn’t that far. I ducked my head under water, and then the most extraordinary thing happened. I saw the clear blue sky and the blazing sun. I saw brown donkeys and tan camels. I saw all sorts of humans and the murky water I was standing in. Best of all, I could finally see light. I could see! No words could explain my joy that day. Truly, that teacher had the power of God. Teah Wipf This story is how one author imagines Jesus’s encounter with a man who was born blind. (You can read the rest of the story in John 9:1-41.) This man didn’t ask to be healed, and he didn’t know who Jesus was, but Jesus healed him anyway. What does this show us about Jesus? How did Jesus reveal Himself as the Light of the World to this man in particular? (Hint: Not only did Jesus heal this man, but He also found him later and had a conversation with him.) This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 1 John 1:5 (NLT) Read Verses: 1 John 1:5; John 9:1-John 9:7

Let’s face it relationships can be hard. Maybe you and your mom had another fight and you both used harsh words that hurt the other person. Maybe your best friend won’t talk to you and you don’t know why. When relationships are good, life seems to be good, but when relationships go bad, life seems really bad. We don’t usually start our day wanting to hurt people, but sometimes we might say the wrong thing or do something stupid that hurts someone else. Remember something important when you want to repair that relationship: your foundation in that repair is love. This love is not just the feeling of love, but this type of love recognizes the importance of the other person in the broken relationship. Sometimes you focus on your hurt, your anger, and what that person did to you and this is an important part of healing. But to love is to recognize other people’s hurt and anger as well. Jesus exemplified this love perfectly. Romans 5:10 tells us that our sin has made us enemies of God, but He loved us so much that He restored our broken relationship with Him through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. And, if we know Him, He empowers us to extend this love to others through the Holy Spirit. As you work to heal this relationship, ask yourself: Why did that person lash out at me? What hurts might they be experiencing? Is there something I can do to make things right? Sometimes a person will hurt you and refuse to admit it. In cases like these, you might need to set up some healthy, loving boundaries. Talk to a trusted adult in your life to figure out what that might look like. As Christians, Jesus gives us the courage and wisdom to step up and apologize when we are in the wrong, and He helps bring healing to broken relationships. As we work toward forgiveness and reconciliation, we can rest in the secure hope that Jesus will always love us, no matter what. Doug Velting What has caused brokenness in your relationships? How could you bring these hurts to Jesus and follow His wisdom in repairing them? Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12 (NIV) Read Verses: Ephesians 4:31-Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:1-Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:7-1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:11-1 John 4:12

Our world is full of turmoiltorn apart by wars, filled with pain and brokenness. And yet, despite all the chaos, we continue to rise. Abba’s Own, we call ourselves. No longer are we enslaved by the Dark Shadow. We are free. Before Abba called us as His own, our sins consumed us, our minds were leading us to death. Seeing our need, Abba sent His only Son to sacrifice Himself for us. Believing in Him, His blood shed to save, we were enabled to have a right standing with Abbaadopted as His children forever, bearers of His glory. Abba chose us to be like His Son, the Light Bringer. This is what we strive for. While we look ahead for our full restoration, we groan with longing. We know our weakness in body and spirit, and we wait for the glorious freedom from death and decay that Abba has promised. He helps us in our weaknesses by deploying the Voice of Truth, who is as much a part of Abba as the Light Bringer Himself, a trifecta of unwavering power. The Voice of Truth and the Light Bringer plead with Abba on our behalf, in complete harmony with Abba’s will. How wondrous! Abba is for us! Who can stand against us? He who gave His own Son as a sacrifice for our sinsHe has already given the ultimate. Considering this as Abba’s Own, we remind one another that He will surely give us everything we need. Here is the question we contemplate: Can anything separate us from Abba’s love? Today we wrestle, amid suffering and trials of numerous kinds, seldom finding reprieve. Does this mean He no longer loves us? We have concluded a resounding No! Even in the middle of all this, we know that overwhelming victory is ours through the One who loved us! Abba’s Own are convinced that nothing in all creation can separate us from His love for us. There will be wars, agony, sorrow, and fear, but nothingnot even the Dark Shadow or death itselfwill be able to separate us from Abba’s love that was revealed to us through the Light Bringer. We are Abba’sfor eternity. Savannah Coleman Does all the tragedy and chaos in the world make you weary? If you know Jesus, you are not alone or hopeless. You are part of His people, and He lives in you through the Holy Spirit, giving encouragement and strength through the gospel. How does God carry us through hard times? 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 8:39 (NLT) Read Verses: John 10:25-John 10:30; Romans 8

When I was about twelve years old, I started struggling with germaphobia. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a major perfectionist, and I stressed and worried about a lot of unnecessary things. Then I began to wash my hands so much that they were constantly cracked and bleeding. I worried about getting sick or something bad happening, and I tried to use my own power to keep those things from happening. I was constantly stressed and sad. Eventually my mom sent me to a counselor, which really helped. I also realized a big part of my problem was that I was trying to control my life by myself. As I tried to control my life, I was constantly anxious, and I was becoming sick. I realized I couldn’t do life on my own. When I was overwhelmed with anxiety, God’s love for me didn’t change. He had compassion on me. He got my attention and drew me to Himself. I realized that, even though I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I wasn’t trusting Him to take care of me. I wasn’t entrusting full control of my life to Him. And I wanted that to change. As Christians, we have a choice: Will we acknowledge our loving God’s full control of our lives? If we choose to rely on Him and follow His leading, we get to see God work in our lives for His good purposes. Through my experience with anxiety, I came to trust God more, and I started to give Him full control of my life. I realized there are some things I cannot control, but God can. And I can pray about these things, knowing that God is big enough to take care of them all. Parker Ryan While making a choice to trust in God and give Him control won’t magically take away anxiety, it is a step in the right direction. It’s also helpful to know that God is with us, even when we experience anxiety, and He doesn’t condemn us (Romans 8:1). Whenever we feel stressed or worried about something, we can pray about these things. We can lean on Jesus, the One who hurts with us and understands our anxiety fully because He experienced it Himself (Luke 22:39-44). And we can seek help from friends, family, and professionals who can remind us of His great love for us. Ultimately, we can look forward to the day Jesus will return and fully heal all brokenness, including anxiety. If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress or worry, you’re not alone. 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. Worry, fear, and mental illness are common because God’s good creation has been broken by sin. But Jesus took all this sin on Himself when He went to the crossbecause He loves us. Through His resurrection, He is making everything new and well. When Jesus returns, He will put an end to all mental illness. How could looking forward to this restoration give you hope? If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, and He provides comfort and healing as we seek Him. (And one of the ways He does this is through community with fellow Christians.) Can you think of a time you experienced God’s comfort or healing in some way? Jesus experienced anxiety personally, not just so He could empathize with us, but also so He could save us from anxiety. Sometimes He calms our anxiety in the moment, and when He returns, He will banish anxiety forever. Whenever you feel afraid or anxious, you can turn to Jesus. No matter what, He loves you. He is holding you. And nothing can separate you from Him (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39). In moments of anxiety, how could it help to remember that Jesus will never leave you? It can be helpful to know that feelings of stress or anxiety aren’t necessarily bad. These feel...

As I watch the snow fall outside my window, I notice all it is covering up. Just yesterday, my sister remarked that nothing really looked beautiful. The trees were gray and free of leaves. The little snow that was on the ground had already been trampled and made dirty. The world was in need of something new. Then comes the fresh snow. Crisp. Light. Perfect little puffs. It falls from the sky in clumps, making quick work of covering the ground. Clean. Pure. The gray trees are becoming white. The ground doesn’t have a single track on it. The Bible talks about us being made clean like snow. Think about the things we have done to get dirty, the wrongs we have committed. And then think of being covered in snow. Being made like snow. That’s what Jesus does when He forgives us. He gave Himself up for us so that He could wash away all our wrongdoing and make us new (Ephesians 5:25-27). God can truly take what is dirty and make it beautiful and clean. And He is willing to. With each one of us. Emily Acker When do you feel dirty and in need of washing (either physically or spiritually)? Anyone who puts their trust in Jesus can be made clean. What did Jesus do to make this possible? (See our “Know Jesus” page.) Consider taking a moment to imagine yourself becoming as pure as the fresh snow. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 10:19-Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 1:7-1 John 1:9; Psalm 51:7

Fear is one of the most discouraging forces against us. Fear can emotionally and spiritually make a person weak. Fear is a joy-stealer. It can hinder us from doing what God calls us to do. But remember, fear is temporary. Fear will pass. And when Jesus returns, fear will be gone for good. Until that day, when we are afraid, we can know that God is with us. He is bigger than our fears. The Lord will help us overcome them. When the servant of Elisha saw a vast army with horses and chariots surrounding the city where they were staying, he was filled with fear. But Elisha told him, Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them (2 Kings 6:16). Then Elisha prayed, and the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw that the hills all around them were full of chariots of fire that God had sent. In the end, God prevented violence, and the army that was trying to capture Elisha instead went away peacefully. Fear may come, but God is there to protect you. As you rely on Him, He will not let your fears defeat you. God will drive away all of them. We can defeat fear by remembering the victory Jesus won by His death and resurrection. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He has saved us and totally forgiven us. Nothing can take us out of His powerful and loving hand (John 10:28). When we feel afraid, we can focus our attention on the victories God has won in our lives in the past. We can win over fear by fixing our eyes on what God is about to do, rather than thinking about what frightens us. As we trust in God and put our faith in Him, the scary things in this life don’t seem as threatening, because God is so much bigger (Romans 8:31). Golda Dilema When do you experience fear? Can you think of a time God helped you when you were afraid? What does God say is the reason we don’t have to be afraid? Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (CSB) Read Verses: Joshua1:9; 2Kgs:6:8-2Kgs:6:23; Psalm 34:4; Isaiah 41:10

Tuesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to sing with my friends in choir. I used to mentally divide my whole week into days that were Tuesday and days that weren’t. The non-Tuesdays only served to get me to Tuesday. I was on mental pause for 86 percent of my week because I was centered on the Tuesday ahead. While looking forward to something isn’t a sin, my fixation on Tuesdays caused me to forget that the other days also had value and purpose. All my life, I have obsessively anticipated thingsholidays, parties, the next meal, everything! Life was only meaningful when it was eventful. The worst part was, I would be so focused on something, I didn’t know what to do with myself once it was overor worse, canceled! So I just focused on the next upcoming thing instead of being mentally present. But once God helped me realize what I was doing, I prayed and took steps to change my focus. While I still enjoy Tuesdays, I no longer block out the rest of the week. Now, every morning, I take a moment to connect with God and center myself on Him by praying, Today is a beautiful day because it is Your day, and it’s going to make me more like You. Perhaps you struggle with something similar. Maybe you’re anxious about your future or long for past times. But this season of your life, however difficult or drawn-out, has purpose. Because you, a being intentionally designed by God to glorify Him, have purpose. God is shaping you now to become more like Jesus. He might even be growing your patience and trust in Him while you wait for the next thing! This season of your life will pass. Ultimately, this life and all its brokenness will fade away. As Christians, we know this world is a shadow of what it will be when Jesus returns and brings Heaven with Him. Now that’s something to look forward to! In the meantime, we can rest in knowing that He is with us in each moment. Lizzie Joy Do you ever find it difficult to focus on the present? What helps you in moments like these? Have you felt like this time of your life doesn’t have purpose? What does God say? How can Jesus’s promise of eternal life with Him help us focus on living with Him today? This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (CSB) Read Verses: 2 Peter 3:13; Psalm 118:24; Ecclesiastes 3:1-Ecclesiastes 3:11

Have you ever had a debate with someone who belonged to a different Christian denomination? Maybe it was about baptism, styles of worship, whether to attend church or not, and if so, whether it’s important to go on a certain day of the week. Or perhaps you have never socialized with people from a variety of churches. Some Christians can be hesitant to interact with brothers and sisters from different groups, and sadly, an opportunity for fellowship is lost. If you’re unsure about befriending Christians from other denominations, the first step is acknowledging what’s in your heart and bringing these concerns and questions to God. Next, rather than arguing over all the things you disagree with other Christians about, take some time to focus on the beliefs you have in commonthat you believe in God the Father, His divine Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Other truths Christians are united on are that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth as a baby, was born of a virgin, lived among us as a human, suffered and died for us, and rose from the dead! His sacrifice offers hope and grace for our broken world. These core beliefs (which are found in the Apostle’s Creed) are the foundation of the Christian faith. As we consider the gospel, we can rejoice together in the hope and wisdom Jesus gives! The UK, where I live, is very secular. As many surveys and the census have indicated, church attendance has had a huge decline and more people than ever describe themselves as having no affiliation to any church, religion, or belief system. The world needs Jesus. So let’s come together in unity, based on the Bible’s teachings, and be open to sharing the good news about Jesus in whatever way we can. When Christians bicker, it doesn’t help anything. Instead, let’s celebrate what Jesus has done, accept each other, praise God together, and help to heal the denomination divide. Cindy Lee What questions do you have about different Christian denominations? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about these things? Personal relationship with Jesus is an essential part of the Christian faith. If you’d like to know more about how Jesus has made this relationship possible, see our “Know Jesus” page. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) Read Verses: John 17:20-John 17:26; Romans 15:5-Romans 15:7; Galatians 3:22-Galatians 3:29

What does it mean to live as a Christian in a non-Christian world? Many of the first Christians were asking this question, and God provided answers that still hold true for us today. For example, God inspired Paul to write a letter to the Christians in Corinth, and he addressed specific problems they were facing. These issues had to do with divisions, sexual immorality, lawsuits, quarrels, the Lord’s Supper, worship, and spiritual gifts. Paul also explained some theological points, including the resurrectionhow our faith hinges on the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead, and He will one day raise all His forgiven followers from the dead too (1 Corinthians 15). Paul also clarified that our freedom in Christ doesn’t mean that we do whatever pleases us, but rather we should seek the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24). And Paul answered questions these Christians had about married and single life (chapter 7). Ultimately, Paul taught the church that love is always the primary driver and conclusion of how we live out our faith in Christ (chapter 13). To Paul’s original audience, this letter was an answer to their questions and a guide for how to live. The same kinds of problems that arose in the Corinthian church continue to arise in the church today, and God equips us to handle them according to His Word. He calls us to set an example in speech in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). As we seek to walk with Jesus in every area of our lives, His Holy Spirit guides us to solutions to the problems we face. As people who are chosen by God and precious to Him, we are called to conduct ourselves wisely and to live such good lives among non-Christians that the world will see the light of Christ (1 Peter 2:12). Today, we still face theological issues in the church, and we continue to wrestle with questions. But when Jesus returns, all our questions and disagreements will be settled in Him, for Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1). Whenever we have questions, we can bring these to Jesus, listening for His guidance and resting in His sure love for us. And through Jesus, we can walk in love toward one another. Enid Adah Nyinomujuni What are some of your questions about Christianity? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to when you have questions? What problems do you see in the church today? How might you be able to help address these? Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Read Verses: John 15:9-John 15:27; Hebrews 4:16

Marching up to the battle line Gleaming armor so sublime Ready to fight Satan’s evil Held in this dark His army, oh so stark God’s army was strong Heads held up in this throng Hearts brave and bold Our story unfolds Victory is ours The strong hearts empowered Chase away the evil No longer feeble Because we belong to the King Summer Joy Coleman Our battle is not against each other, and it’s not against ourselves; our fight is against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Although the battle is fierce, the good news is that, through Jesus’s work on the cross, God has fully equipped us with everything we need to fight because He has already defeated sin, brokenness, and death on our behalf. We can be strong and courageous, knowing that God is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9). Battles may be won and lost, but we know who wins in the end: Jesus Christ (John 16:33). Victory is ours! How have you experienced Jesus fighting for you? For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:4 (CSB) Read Verses: Ephesians 6:10-Ephesians 6:20

“State your name and business, the guard at the gate of the prison ordered. And be quick about it! Onesiphorus swallowed hard. My name is Onesiphorus, and I am seeking Paul of Tarsus. Can you tell me where he is? The soldier narrowed his eyes. Are you an accomplice of this Paul? He is our prisoner and a notorious enemy of Rome. Onesiphorus did not back down. He is my friend. I must find him! If you can, please take me to him. Very well, I’ll let you see him. But watch your step, or you might find yourself sharing his cell. The soldier turned on his heel and led Onesiphorus down the prison corridors. Paul! Onesiphorus cried when he saw the haggard face of the missionary. Onesiphorus? Paul looked up and could hardly believe his eyes. Then a new light lit up his face. Onesiphorus! He reached toward his smiling friend. Glad you came, brother. We don’t know much about Onesiphorus. He is only mentioned briefly in one of Paul’s letters to Timothy, yet his story is inspiring and exemplifies the way God calls us to love and show mercy. As Paul describes what Onesiphorus did for him, you can almost hear the tenderness in his voice. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, Onesiphorus searched everywhere for him, then visited and encouraged him often, even though this was a dangerous thing to do. Like Onesiphorus, we are called to love sacrificially. God calls us to love and serve others even when it means giving up something important, like safety, reputation, or comfort. As Christians, we love this way because Jesus loved us first (1 John 4:19), and He commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Jesus showed the greatest love by laying down His life for us. As His followers, we’re called to have a love that sacrifices. No matter the cost. Angela Faith What does it mean to lay down your life for someone (as mentioned in today’s Scripture passages)? How did Jesus lay down His life for us? (Check out our “Know Jesus” page.) We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 (NLT) Read Verses: John 15:12-John 15:13; 2 Timothy 1:16-2 Timothy 1:18; 1 John 3:16-1 John 3:18

The story of the Israelites’ journey through the desert to the land God promised them is striking in many ways. One of my favorite parts is in Numbers 9:17, Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. By night, God would lead the Israelites in a pillar of fire, and by day He would lead them in a cloud. It was a stark reminder of God’s intimate presence with His people as well as a visible cue guiding the Israelites to their next destination. Should they camp another day or week or month? Look for the cloud. If the cloud moves, follow. It sounds so simple. Often we wish we had a cloud to follow, some visible sign in the sky to show us God is with us and to show us what to do and when to do it. Yet, where the Israelites had a cloud, we have the Holy Spirit. In John 14, Jesus promised His disciples that though He was leaving, He would be with them through the Holy Spirit, guiding and teaching them. The cloud example in the Old Testament points to the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives now. Recently, my wife and I contemplated a move to California. It’s where I was born and raised, and it had long been a dream for both of us to move there. Through a series of events, we both saw the cloud moving. We were excited. Then we realized the cloud was moving not to California but to Texas. So here I sit in my new house, a new Texan. When the cloud moves, when the Spirit makes it clear that it’s time to move, you want to follow the cloud. We followed. Christ made a way for us to be in relationship with Him through His life, death, and resurrection, and He didn’t stop there. He promised a Helperthe Holy Spirit to be with us always. Jesus has not left us as orphans. Even as we await His return, He is with us. Mike Hurley Why did God provide a cloud for the Israelites to follow? Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit leading you to make a decision? What was it like? If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He is always with you through the Holy Spirit. How could this affect the way you make decisions about the future? But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representativethat is, the Holy Spirithe will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I [Jesus] have told you. John 14:26 (NLT) Read Verses: Exod:13:21-Exod:13:22; Numbers 9:15-Numbers 9:23; John 14:15-John 14:27

The sun descends on the horizon, and the thought comes: “Did I do a good enough job today”? Almost every night, I would evaluate this question. I realize now that this was kind of like asking myself: “Do I deserve to sleep?” Most days, my answer was no. And I would feel defeated, exhausted, and sad. Disappointed in myself. Desperate to try harder tomorrow. But then one day, this little parable caught my attention. Jesus is describing what the kingdom of heaven is like. As He’s been going around teaching and healing people in towns and villages near where He grew up, Jesus has been announcing the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew 10:7). This is one of the parables Jesus told: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches (Matthew 13:31-32). This last phrase caught my attention. Some translations use the word rest instead of nEsther So this tree is a place where birds can rEsther I really like that. God is providing a place of rEsther And it’s a place we get to be part of. I get to rest, and I also get to invite others into this rEsther But how is this possible? Do we only get to rest once we’ve done enough? No. That would actually be the opposite of good news. The truth is: rest is a gift from God. We can’t earn restwe could never do enough. Jesus didn’t say, Once you’ve fulfilled all the Father’s commands, and done a lot of things to bring glory to Him, then you can rEsther Nope. Jesus definitely didn’t say that. He actually made it pretty clear that the only one who could possibly fulfill all God’s commands was Him (Matthew 5:17). Jesus did say, Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rEsther Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus is the One who offers rEsther He gives it freely to anyone who has put their trust in Him, believing that He died and rose back to life. His rest is always available to all His forgiven followers, including me. At the end of the day, I don’t need to ask myself: “Did I do enough?” Instead, I get to rest because Jesus has done enough, and I am His. Hannah Howe Do you ever feel like you don’t deserve rest? If rest is a gift from Jesus, what might change? Come to me and I [Jesus] will give you rEsther Matthew 11:28 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 13:31-Matthew 13:32; Hebrews 4; Matthew 11:28

Torchlight flickered in the dark, casting shadows on faces, reflecting golden light off the waterbeautiful, and wrong. My mother’s body was laid in the funeral boat and covered with flowers. Someone said, It was her time to go. The comment stung me, just like all the other well-meaning condolences. Their voices still prattled on in my head. She lived a good life. She’ll be watching over us from above. The Creator missed her too much to let her stay here with us. Something inside me snapped. My ears started ringing. My vision grew blurry. My mouth opened and said, You know nothing. It was barely a whisper. No one heard me. My breathing got faster, heavier. I lifted my head to the sky, and out of my open mouth came something true. It was not a wail. It was not a cry. It was not a yell. It was uglier. It was fiercer. It was raw. It was real. It burned my throat, but it felt right. Right. The only thing that had been right in days. Because everything was so, so wrong. Some of the people were staring at me. Some looked away. But one face met mine. Soft eyes, gray hair. This woman saw. She knew. Then she opened her mouth and joined my song. Together we shrieked to the nightof the wrongness, of the death that stole my mother. I screamed faster, and my howls became sobs. The woman was beside me now. She held my hand. I didn’t pull away. I don’t remember the people leaving, but this woman stayed. She wept and moaned with me as the waves rushed and fled over the pebbles. All the heaving in my middle induced my stomach to empty, and the old woman held my hair. Then she rocked me. Slowly, tenderly. She hummed a lullaby and stroked the hair from my clammy face. My breathing started to slow. My exhausted limbs loosened. My tears made spots on her skirt. There is One who grieves with us, she said softly, lifting her face to the stars. He is the One who holds your mother, and He holds you. We sat together under the sky’s beauty, and then she sang an old song I had nearly forgotten. The Great One is with us. He came. He faced death alone. For us, He came. For love, He came. And His return will be death’s undoing. Hannah Howe Can you think of a time you experienced loss? How did others respond? How could you come alongside people who are grieving? Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15b (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 12:15; 1Thess:4:13-1Thess:4:18

Snowflakes falling, Christmas coming Born in a manger No longer strangers To God our Father Who sent His Son To live among us And rescue us from danger Our sinful, flawed, and helpless selves The weight of shame and crushing doubts Fled like the shepherds ran that night To the baby wrapped in LIGHT Gift of love for you and me Born to die upon a tree To bear the burden of our sin So that we could belong to Him Receive this gift He offers free LIFE with God eternally He came, He died and rose again Death could not keep its holdand then One sweet day we’ll rise with Him Watch with joy, He’ll come again Together, wait in hope and sing: Glory to the King of Kings Savannah Coleman Today is the beginning of advent, which means coming. How can we find hope in both Jesus’s first coming (as a baby) and His second coming (when He’ll return)? The Word became flesh, and lived among us. John 1:14a (WEB) Read Verses: Isaiah 9:2-Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 1:18-Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:8-Luke 2:20; John 1:14

Once, I visited someone with a seven-year-old daughter. Her father would play with her every evening after work and then ask her what gift she wanted him to bring the following day. The little girl would excitedly mention a number of things she wanted. However, day after day, the father would not bring anything home for her. When I was visiting, the father played with his daughter as usual and then asked what she wanted him to bring her. But this time, the little girl responded, Daddy, don’t ask me that again because you never bring anything. Turning to her father, I asked, Is what she has said true? The father admitted that it was true. To him, it was like a joke. The girl would eagerly await his return, hoping he would bring what he had promised. But the father was making promises without any intent to keep them. This human father acted dishonestly, which is not the way God intended for us to treat each other. Sadly, in our broken world, sometimes people don’t keep their promises. At times, this is because of unforeseen circumstances. As human beings, we are limited in our understanding of events. We cannot predict accurately the twists and turns that can come with our tomorrows. At other times, promises are not kept because the promiseralthough they knew they were not in a position to keep themmade promises simply to gain favor and acceptance. But when our Heavenly Father promises us something, He always keeps that promise. God is loving and faithful and just, and we can trust Him to act according to His character in every situation. God Almighty never comes across unforeseen circumstances. He knows the end from the beginning, and He is not out to impress or gain favor from us, His own creation! And since God does not lie, we can count on Him to keep His promises. Through Jesus, He kept His promise to provide us with a Savior, and He will keep His promise to return and redeem all of creation, getting rid of sin, lies, and broken promises forever. Charity M. Kiregyera Can you think of a time someone did not keep their promise? God knows what it feels like to be hurt by a broken promise (Luke 22:31-62), and He grieves our hurts with us. Can you think of a time you failed to keep a promise you made? No matter how many times we fail, God will keep His promise to forgive us through Jesus’s death and resurrection (1 John 1:9). God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 (NIV) Read Verses: Genesis 21:1-Genesis 21:2; Matthew 7:9-Matthew 7:11

Being cared for is one of our deepest needs as humans, and caring for others is a noble thing to do. The reason we care for others is because God cares for us. All throughout the Bible, we see examples of God caring for His people. When Jesus came to earth, He further revealed God’s caring nature. One example of this is how Jesus cared for His disciples. After He sent them out in pairs to the surrounding towns to share the good news of the kingdom, heal sickness, and cast out demons, they returned to report back to Jesus. But so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat (Mark 6:31). So Jesus told them to come with Him and go somewhere else to take a rEsther Jesus’s love for us should inspire us to care for others. Here are a few practical things we can do to care: Appreciate and thank others. Express gratitude for their kindness, love, and support toward you and others (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15). Give them a call, a note, or send a message. Accept people for who they are, their uniqueness, even their weaknesses. Accept them even when they make mistakes and stumble, for God accepts you even when you fall because Jesus’s death and resurrection have covered all your failures and shortcomings (Romans 15:7). Be present with people, especially when they need you. Your presence can let them know you value them and they’re not alone. Giving your time to family, friends, and loved ones can help them feel loved and remind them of God’s nearness (Romans 12:15). Believe in people (1 Corinthians 13:7). Your affirmation can help others become courageous, see themselves differently, and do the good things God has given them to do (Ephesians 2:10). Give and provide for other’s needs. While donating and volunteering are great ways to care, remember that people’s needs are not always material. It could be that someone needs your listening ear, your support, your advice, your comfort, or your encouragement. Golda Dilema Can you think of a time someone cared for you? What did they do? What did it mean to you? How might God be giving you opportunities to care for people in your own life? Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Philippians 2:1-Philippians 2:5; 1 John 3:16-1 John 3:18; Galatians 6:10; Psalm 65:9; Luke 10:30-Luke 10:37

It was the end of my freshman year in college when I got a glimpse of what it looks like to give thanks to God in all circumstances and to be content with His gifts. I’d been feeling sorry for myself because all my friends were off on spring break. Even my family was on vacation in Florida, but I had final exams coming up and had to stay in town to study. I decided to study on the patio in the sunshine. At some point, I noticed an elderly neighbor struggling to rehang a bird feeder, so I went over to help. She said, Thank you. God sent you over. I laughed, but she said, No, really. God is good. I woke with a pain in my back, but I thanked God anyway. Thinking this was odd, I asked, Why? She responded, Because God is good to me in all things. I have a pain when I wake, well, at least I’m still alive. And later, as I move, the pain goes away. So, I thank Him for that too. And now, you came to help me So you thank God for that too, I said. She nodded and, to be silly, I added, Well, I thank Him for your bird feeders because I love watching the birds they attract. Soon we were thanking God for everything in her yard, then for the people we loved and for all the tiny things in our everyday lives. It felt silly, but it also felt good. Something clicked in my heart that day. I went back to my textbooks and no longer felt jealous of my friends and family on a beach somewhere. Jesus taught us to pray by first giving thanks. The more I gave thanks, the more I saw God at work in my life in minute ways. And I discovered that gratitude also primes our hearts for deeper prayer and connection with our Heavenly Father. Lisa A. Wroble How has God provided for you in small ways? If you’d like, you can take a moment to express your gratitude to Him for these things. How could thanking God help us connect with Him in deeper ways? Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 9:1; Philippians 4:12-Philippians 4:13; Colossians 3:17

When I lived in Peru for a few months, some days I felt like I didn’t belong. I was a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, one-armed American. I stuck out among my Peruvian neighbors. No matter how many people welcomed me into their homes and their city, I knew I was different. This experience has given me new empathy as I consider my own neighbors. We don’t all look the same. We don’t all speak the same. We don’t all wear the same kinds of clothes or enjoy the same traditions or eat the same foods. But these differences in appearance and in culture are not something to be ashamed ofthey are something to be celebrated. When I was a teenager, I wish I would’ve learned to see diversity as a celebration of God’s creativity. I love Revelation 7. Even in a book that can be challenging to interpret, the diversity of God’s people could not be clearer. In his vision, John sees people from every nation, every tribe, and every language worshipping Christ and crying out, Salvation belongs to our God. Our God. Not my God. Not the God of this one country or people group. Not the God of people who only speak a certain language or celebrate certain traditions. Our God. The story of the gospel is so much greater than what we can wrap our minds around. God came for all people who will give their lives to love Him. The differences between us are a celebration of His creativity. So how can we look down on those who are different? The love and respect we give others shouldn’t depend on where they’re from or what language they speak or their political perspective. What matters is how we love people, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Because in the end, we all stand before the same Godthe Resurrected King who gave His life to save and unite us to Himself and each other. Becca Wierwille How can we celebrate diversity as a witness of God’s creativity? What are some ways we can love each other well and see God in every personpeople who are like us and people who are different? (We’re all made in God’s image, so non-Christians can also reflect aspects of God’s nature! Though not to the same extent as Christians, who are God’s children and have the Holy Spirit.) After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne Revelation 7:9 (NIV) Read Verses: Acts:17:24-Acts:17:28; Galatians 3:28-Galatians 3:29; Revelation 7:9-Revelation 7:17

Job 19:25-27 is my favorite passage in the Bible because it assures me of seeing my Blessed Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, when He resurrects His people from the dead. This fills me with joyful hope and great expectation. I have something amazing to look forward to! The book of Job starts by recording heavenly debates between God and Satan. God is pleased with Job’s integrity, but Satan argues that Job only reveres God and stays away from evil because God has prospered Job and protected his possessions. Then God permits Satan to test Job by destroying his property, killing his adult children, and making him deathly sick. Throughout this ordeal, Job suffers extreme pain and loss, and he doesn’t know the reason for his suffering. Neither do his friends, but they incorrectly presume Job has sinned in some way. That must be why he is suffering. Even Job’s wife urges him to curse God and die (Job 2:9). Yet Job longs to believe that God is just and good. In the middle of all this suffering, Job says, But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! (Job 19:25-27). Even though the book of Job was written hundreds of years before Jesus came and stood upon the earth, God inspired Job’s words to point to Jesus’s coming. Jesus’s death and resurrection guarantee that He will return and raise all His forgiven followers from the dead. He will make everything new, and we will suffer no more. This passage in Job gives me hope. Even when I experience deep pain and loss, I know that I will see Jesus one day. The dying and decaying of my body cannot prevent me from seeing Him. Even though Christians and non-Christians experience physical death alike, a Christian dies with hopethe hope of meeting our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself died but rose again and lives forevermore. Jesus is alive, and He helps us persevere in hope. At the end of the day, we are all accountable to God. And if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can be confident that we will see Him in the flesh, and He will welcome us with love. Charity M. Kiregyera When you’re facing hardships, how could looking forward to seeing Jesus give you hope? But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! Job 19:25-27 (NLT) Read Verses: Job 19:25-Job 19:27; Titus 2:11-Titus 2:14; Revelation 21:1-Revelation 21:7

Night falls, and in the quiet, the thoughts come: “What did I do today that matters? Could I have done something differently in that situation? If this was my last day on earth, would I be happy with the way I spent it?” But how do we know if what we did matters? As children of God, what we really need to know is what matters to Him. In John 15, Jesus has just comforted His disciples and promised the Holy Spirit. Now, He tells them to remain in Him (verse 4-7). Jesus gives us a beautiful word picture: He is the vine and we, His followers, are the branches. If we remain in Him, our lives will bear good fruit. But we cannot be fruitful on our own; we need to be connected to the vine. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing truly worthwhile (verse 5). So, what does it look like to remain in Jesus? A good place to start is reflecting on His Word (verse 7) and remembering His commands (verse 10), the greatest of which are to love God with all we are and to love one another (verse 17). Jesus said, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (verse 11). This joy He invites us into is not dependent on our feelings, our circumstances, our accomplishments, or our failures. Rather, His joy is rooted in the unchanging character and unfailing love of God. The author of 1 John 2:24-28 is the same disciple who recorded Jesus’s words about the vine and the branches. John uses the word remain four times, and he urges God’s children to continue in him as we wait for Jesus to return (verse 28). When we live our lives in connection with God, seeking Him and engaging in community with fellow Christians, we can be confident that God will guide and bless our actions. When we are walking with Jesus, we get to do things that matter. And when we mess up, God invites us to come to Him. The Holy Spirit will help us repent from any sin. We can rest in Jesus’s sure forgiveness because His death has paid for all our wrongdoing. Jesus calls us to remain in His love, and from this place of connection with God, to love others. Savannah Coleman If the main goal in any situation is to remain in loving connection with God and to love others, how might this affect the way we live? In moments when we’ve fallen short or failed, how can we come to God and rest in His love? Remain in me, as I [Jesus] also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 22:36-Matthew 22:40; John 15:1-John 15:17; 1 John 2:24-1 John 2:29

There was a time when there was no rain in Israel for three years. God did this because King Ahab and Israel had acted wickedly. So God sent the prophet Elijah to say there would be no rain or even dew for a long time. Because of the drought, food was scarce. Life was hard. But God had a plan to heal the land, and He guided Elijah in what to do. Elijah prayed for rain to come. God listened, and He sent rain just as He had promised (1 Kings 18:1, 41-46). Like the Israelites, we may encounter difficulties because of our sin or simply because we live in a fallen world. Yet the same God Elijah prayed to is the God we can pray to today! Like Elijah, we can listen to God, pray to Him, and make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6-7). You can tell God your needs and desires. He will listen to you. Speak to God about your longings and dreams. Tell Him your goals and plans. Thank Him for the good things happening to you and the blessings He gives you. Talk to Him about your concerns, worries, and fears. He always listens to you because you are His child. He is not just your God, He is also your Father. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have been adopted into God’s family! Because Jesus’s death and resurrection made it possible for us to be in relationship with God, we can come to Him confidently and receive what we need (Hebrews 4:14-16). When you can’t find the right words to say, don’t shy away from talking to God, because He listens to what your heart is saying as well (Romans 8:26-27). Each day, all day long, He is always eager to listen to you. Be assured He will respond according to His love for you and in His perfect timing. Golda Dilema Do you sometimes have difficulty talking to God? Do you find it hard to express to him what is in your heart and mind? How might Romans 8:26-27 give you comfort? If it’s true God is always eager for us to talk to Him, how could this affect the way we pray? This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears uswhatever we askwe know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 John 5:14-1 John 5:15; 1Kgs:16:29-1Kgs:16:34; 1Kgs:17:1; 1Kgs:18; James 5:13-James 5:18

Some Bible stories are easy for me to relate to. When Simon Peter and his friends go fishing for a long period of time and catch nothing, I feel their pain. They most likely expected to catch a lot of fish but came up completely empty. Keep in mind these are professional fishermen who stayed out all night. They are tired, dirty, and probably grumpy from throwing and retrieving empty nets all night long. I imagine their pride was more than a little hurt from a night of failure in their chosen occupation. While they’re cleaning their empty nets on shore, Jesus is there teaching the word of God to a crowd. Then Jesus gets into Simon Peter’s boat and, after He finishes teaching, tells Peter to return to the deep water and drop their nets. Peter replies, Master, we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets (Luke 5:5). With Jesus in the boat, they start catching so many fish, their nets begin to break! They call to their friends for help, and soon both boats are so overloaded with fish, they begin to sink! Peter responds to this haul of fish by falling at Jesus’s feet and exclaiming, Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord! (Luke 5:8). At first glance, Peter’s response may seem odd. Why would he say that? Peter has just encountered God in the flesh. He is filled with amazement and awe, and at the same time, he is acutely aware of his own sinfulness. Standing before the Messiah, Peter knows He is unworthy. Jesus doesn’t correct Peter’s statement. But Jesus doesn’t go away from Peter either. Instead, He wants Peter to follow Him and be part of what God is doing. So it is with us. The gospel reveals our sinfulness, but Jesus’s death on the cross pays the price for our sin. And His resurrection from the dead invites us into new life! When Peter sees the Lord before him, he confesses his sin, drops his nets, and follows Jesus. The Lord gives us the same call today: confess your sins, drop anything that’s keeping you away, and follow Him. Mike Hurley Why do you think Jesus revealed Himself to Simon Peter and the others in this particular way? Why do you think they were willing to leave everything and follow Jesus? Don’t be afraid, Jesus told Simon. From now on you will be catching people. Luke 5:10b (CSB) Read Verses: Luke 5:1-Luke 5:11

Matthew 27 describes one of the most heart-wrenching episodes ever recorded. After hours of physical beating, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, is now on trial before Pilate. He is there because Judas, one of His disciples, has betrayed Him. The other disciples, some of whom declared their allegiance to Him only hours before, have scattered. Now Jesus stands alone before Pilate, the Roman governor who is supposed to uphold the rule of law. On three separate occasions, Pilate states that he finds Jesus not guilty. But despite knowing Jesus’s innocence, Pilate yields to the crowd and condemns Jesus to death (John 18:38-19:22). After a grueling night of physical, mental, and emotional pain, Jesus is finally nailed to the cross, an excruciating form of execution. The Scriptures tell us He made seven different statements from the cross, but none as dramatic as His cry in Matthew 27:46, when He quoted Psalm 22:1, My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? In this very moment, Jesus was bearing the sins of the world. The perfect Lamb of God, unblemished and without fault, accepted the guilt and shame of our sins. Jesus and the Father had always enjoyed perfect fellowship. But now, carrying the sins of the world, Jesus stood in judgment from His Father. No wonder Jesus had prayed earlier in the Garden of Gethsemane, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39). As horrible as the experience had been up to this moment, suffering His Father’s wrath was surely the low point of Jesus’s suffering. But this was the only way to fulfill the holy justice of God and open the door of relationship that our sins had closed. In love, Jesus provided the perfect, ultimate sacrifice. And after three days, God raised Jesus from the dead! Jesus’s willingness to suffer the Father’s just wrath allows us to be adopted by the Father. Because Jesus cried out from the cross, Why have you abandoned me? we can now shout in the joy of adoption, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15). Mike Hurley How does what Jesus did on the cross reveal God’s love for us? (Check out our “Know Jesus” page.) If you’d like to dig deeper, read Acts 2:22-36 and Romans 8:15-39. Jesus called out with a loud voice My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Matthew 27:46b (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 27:11-Matthew 27:61

Maybe you’ve heard that, in Philippians 4:13, the Bible teaches that you can do anything you want if you believe hard enough. So, if you want to be an engineer, but you hate math, this verse could teach that, with enough faith and prayer, you will become an engineer. But is that really what this verse means? Unfortunately, many people use God’s Word in the wrong way and claim teachings that are not there. While it’s absolutely true that God can make miracles happen, that isn’t what this verse is teaching. To understand this verse better, we have to look at it in its own context. When reading Scripture, we can’t just pull one verse out without looking at the verses before and after. In this case, you can’t tell what verse 13 teaches without knowing verse 12. When we look at verse 12, we see that Paul (the author of Philippians) was talking specifically about receiving the strength to live in times of great poverty and times of plenty. God sent Paul to tell people about Jesus and start churches throughout the western part of Asia and eastern area of Europe. But the job was not easy. Many of the Jews wanted to kill him, and the Romans eventually would. There were times he ran for his life and went hungry, and there were also times he stayed at a friend’s house and had plenty. In all this, Paul relied on the strength God gave him to handle the bad times and also to be thankful when life went well. No matter how much or how little Paul had, God gave him the ability to be content. So while many people think Philippians 4:13 means that God will strengthen us to succeed, the context actually reveals that God will strengthen us to be content, whether living with abundance or loss. How is this possible? 2 Peter 1:3 says, His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He is always with us, and His presence is enough to carry us through every situation we face. Doug Velting How has God helped you when times were difficult? What are some ways you can celebrate and share with others when you are in times of plenty? I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) Read Verses: Philippians 4:10-Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 6:6-1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5

One of my favorite Bible stories is when Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus. After the Lord raised her brother, Lazarus, from the dead, she took an expensive flask of perfume, worth nearly a year’s wages. It was likely the most expensive thing she owned, and she used it to anoint Jesus’s feet, gently wiping His feet with her hair. Mary may have been scared to do what she did. Her actions were not typical of the women of her day, and some thought her actions were wasteful (John 8:4-6), yet she did it in sincere worship of Jesus. And He honored her gift. God isn’t always concerned with what we think would be practical. While Mary’s perfume could have been sold to benefit the poor, that’s not what God had in mind. Mary likely did not understand what the scope of her actions would be, but Jesus did, and He explained them to everyone in the room. Through anointing Jesus, she was symbolically preparing Christ’s body for His burial. We don’t know what the scope of our actions will be, but God does. And we can trust that He will use our gifts for His good purposes. As forgiven followers of Jesus, we can follow the example Mary set she had a gift, and she used it for her Lord. We can do the same; each of us has a gift from the Lord, and He calls us to use our gifts in sincere worship of Jesus. When we look at all Christ has donedying and raising again to free us from the power of sin and deathwe, like Mary, might search for any gift we could possibly offer Jesus. These gifts could be material, like Mary’s perfume, or spiritual, like the gifts God provides through the Holy Spirit. Don’t let the watching eyes and criticisms of others stop you from accomplishing what God has for you to do with your flask of perfume; it’s your gift to Him. Sometimes, God invites us to use our gifts in ways that we don’t think are practical. But He calls us to trust Him anyway. And, sometimes, the best way for us to use our gifts is by doing something extravagant to celebrate His goodness. Lily Walsh What gifts has God given you? (These could be talents, possessions, spiritual gifts, etc.) How might God be inviting you to use your gifts in worship to Him? You can ask Him for guidance and wisdom about this anytime. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:5 (NLT) Read Verses: John 12:1-John 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-1 Corinthians 12:11

Is God calling you to be a missionary? Our pastor asked the question while he introduced the visiting missionaries from Sierra Leone. I sat in the hard pew and watched the couple walk on stage to share what God was doing in their mission work. I tuned out and blankly watched the slideshow of places and people that meant nothing to me. I was pretty sure God was not calling me to be a missionary or a pastor. Those thoughts had never entered my mind. Where did that leave me? And, if you’re like me, where does that leave you? It has taken me forty years to learn what I wish I knew as a teenager: God has a purpose for every life He has created. As a teen, I thought God only had a purpose for people He called to do something big. Like live in a foreign land and speak in a foreign language to tell others about Jesus. The rest of us were relegated to attend church, be good, get a job, and live an ordinary life. I was mistaken. It has taken heartache, wrong choices, and a renewed relationship with God for me to realize He has a divine purpose for each of us in His kingdom. He has equipped everyone with a unique combination of talents, strengths, and desires. No one is insignificant in God’s eyes. We don’t have to be foreign missionaries to spread the good news about Jesus and His death and resurrection, or to share God’s love with the world. What’s in your future? What career(s) will you have? Electrician? Doctor? Store clerk? Designer? Farmer? Scientist? Parent? Where will you live? Who will you be in relationship with? The possibilities for your life’s influence are endless because our amazing God is limitless. You are a useful, worthwhile, one-of-a-kind kingdom citizen. God has a purpose for your life tailored specifically for you. As you seek Him and follow Him, He will lead you along the paths He desires for your life. Erin Nestico What are some of the talents, strengths, and desires God has given you? How might He be inviting you to contribute to His kingdom today? What about in the future? As you continue to discover what God has put in you, who are trusted Christians in your life who can pray with you and help you notice what God is doing in and through you? For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Timothy 1:8-2 Timothy 1:12; Matthew 5:13-Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:8-Ephesians 2:10

Before Jesus left this earth, before He rose from the dead, even before He went to the cross, He made a promise to His disciples. He let them know that they would see Him again one day. We can hold on to that same promise and know that Jesus is preparing a place in His kingdom for us and more than just a place, a room. What a special thing. If you’ve never felt very special here on earth, if you’ve never had your own space or anything that was truly just your own, Jesus said there are many rooms in His Father’s house, and He was going to prepare one for you. Try to image that Jesus, getting a room ready for you. You are greatly loved by our God, so much so that He is setting up a special place for you. Yet, while we wait for Jesus to return, we experience brokenness every day. This brokenness is caused by sin, either directly or indirectly. Our lives are affected by our own sins and the sins of others. Apart from Jesus, all people are caught in a cycle of sin. Life here on earth is often unfair. We don’t value other people as we should. We mistreat each other, ignore each other, and show favoritismgiving better help to some people rather than others. Even though God made us each wonderfully unique, there are many times when we just don’t feel special. But you do not belong in a broken world. God created this world good, and one day, Jesus will make it whole again. And if you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you will get to be part of renewed creation! Jesus has a special place for you in His kingdom, and when He returns, you will reign with Him. You can look forward to your future with Him because He is trustworthy to keep the promises He gives. Emily Acker What kinds of brokenness have you experienced lately? How might looking forward to Jesus’s return give you hope? Consider taking some time to imagine Jesus personally preparing a place for you. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? John 14:2 (CSB) Read Verses: John 14:1-John 14:7; Revelation 21:1-Revelation 21:5

CRACK! CRASH! Ivy gazed in horror at the chaos around her. Everywhere she turned, everywhere she looked, there was turmoilshe couldn’t escape it. The very earth was trembling as mountain caps collapsed and fell. Ivy clutched at her head. Peace. She needed peace. Quiet. Stillness. Where could she find that on this crumbling earth? Another earthquake shook the ground, and Ivy fell. “Everything is wrong!” she thought. Ivy wrapped her arms around her head again and cried. She could never escape the chaos, the noise. She could never find peace. Then, through the turmoil, she heard a still, small whisper. Go to the Rock, the voice said. Go to the immovable Rock that is higher than you. There you will find peace. Ivy looked around. There were mountains and rocks higher than her everywhere. But she could only see one that wasn’t shaking like the rEsther She ran toward it, pushing through swarms of people running the other way. When she finally reached the Rock, she started to climb it desperately. But it was steep, and her feet slipped. She kept going, trying to claw her way up until her legs were scraped and her strength was drained. Help me, she cried out inwardly, not even sure who she was asking. But then, she felt a hand grasp hers. She looked up to see someone helping her climb. She felt renewed strength enter her body, and she began to climb the Rock again. Finally, she made it to the top and collapsed, catching her breath. Then she stood and gaped in awe. On top of this rock, it was lush and green and full of people. She looked out and saw that on the ground all around the Rock, there was turmoil. But up here, there was quiet. There was stillness. There was peace. This Rock will never fall, she heard the voice whisper again. Trust in It. It will never fall. Be still. Natalie Crowe Have you ever felt like everything in the world is wrong and there is no peace? Pandemics, political unrest, environmental catastrophes, relationships falling apart it’s all too much! But in the midst of chaos, God is always trustworthy. Jesus made a way for us to enter God’s rest through His death and resurrection. If you’d like, you can take a moment to imagine coming to Jesus, either like Ivy came to the Rock in today’s story or another way. How might you be able to invite others to trust in Jesus and experience His rest? From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 (WEB) Read Verses: Psalm 46

He never got over being excited about the resurrection of Jesus. It was the central event of his life. Nearly every minute of every day throughout the year, his enthusiasm was obvious. His name was Rev. William J. Irey. I’m very thankful he was my dad. A lot of ministers and a lot of Christian parents approach the Christian life as dull, boring, and somber. Living in their homes is a dreary, restricted life. Dad was different. Our home was filled with laughter. Living the Christian life filled him with joy. It was the same way for Mom, but she just wasn’t as boisterous about it. People knew when Dad was around. When he talked about the resurrection, he’d nearly bounce for joy! And when Easter rolled around, he’d all but burst when he’d shout from the pulpit, He is risen! He is risen indeed! I used to say to myself, One of these Easters, he’s going to fly right out of the pulpit. When Dad died young, we were left heartbroken. We also clung to an unshakable belief in Christ’s resurrection because we had witnessed the all-consuming joy it can bring to a person’s life. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, we know that when He returns, He will raise all His forgiven followers from the dead to be with Him forever. Even though my dad isn’t with us anymore, I still say of Christ, He is risen! He is risen indeed! I urge you to embrace this essential tRuth There is no more important event for your life. If you believe, it will change your life. Kathy Irey Do you know anyone who makes the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus the focus of their life? How does this affect the way they live? In your experience, does the Christian life seem to be joyful or full of restrictions? Why? God loves variety, and He created people with a variety of temperaments. Do you tend to be more expressive, like this dad, or more calm, like the mom? What does joy look like for you? He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 28:1-Matthew 28:15; 1 Corinthians 15:50-1 Corinthians 15:58

God created you and me. Even though He is divine and infinitely greater than us, He wants to accept all of us into His family. Being accepted doesn’t just give us a good feeling; acceptance is one of our deepest needs as humans. When God made the first humans, He was very pleased with us. But when humans went their own way against God, He was grieved because, in His holiness, God cannot accept sin, and people became separated from Him. Yet God longed for us to be near Him again, so Jesus, God the Son, came to live among us. His death and resurrection provided the only way for us to be made acceptable to God. And Jesus also showed us how He calls us to accept one another. To accept others is to welcome them without judgment or resentment. Accepting them despite their differences, flaws, mistakes, and past or present situation is a noble thing to do. Jesus, being the perfect human and the perfect God, accepted His disciples and other people without any demands. Jesus repeatedly ate with outcasts, those considered notorious sinners and traitors. He wanted them to choose Him, and many of these people did eventually turn to God and away from their old, sinful ways. But Jesus accepted them before they made any changes in their lives. Jesus revealed that God loves us unconditionally. He gave His own life so that we could be faultless in God’s sight. In the same way Jesus accepts us despite our faults, He calls us to accept others, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. Jesus calls us to accept one another the way He accepts us. When we accept others, we bring praise to God. He created us to be in community and, through Jesus, He has provided the way for us to accept each other wholeheartedly. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have been accepted into God’s family, and His Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to accept one another as Christ accepted us. Remember that when we accept others, we imitate Jesus and reflect His love and compassion. Golda Dilema When is it difficult for you to accept others? In moments when it’s hard to follow the way Jesus accepted people, how can you remember Jesus’s love and acceptance toward you? Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 9:9-Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:1-Luke 19:10; Romans 14:1-Romans 14:4

I’ve been learning so much about the world. I had no idea Satan had his fingers so curled. It isn’t much like the time of my childhood, What was once sweet now reeks with wormwood. I find no rest in what I used to enjoy. The world seemed a bit brighter when I was a boy. The more I walk these streets and watch the news, The more I feel doubt about what I learn in the pews. But then I turn to You, oh Lord! Your path narrow as an Icelandic fjord, Your wisdom comforts me when I lie down, And in the morning I still see that I wear a crown! So now Lord I know I will see your face, When Satan still seeks for my disgrace. You have never left my side, my King And you are as close to me, as a bird to its wing. Alexander Childs Have you felt stressed or even overwhelmed by the news or by learning more about the world we live in? God cares about the world’s hurts, and He is near to those who are suffering (Psalm 34:18). Jesus came into our broken world, and He suffered with us. His death and resurrection guarantee that one day, He will make all things new! In the meantime, He is with us (His forgiven followers) through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people. And He is always working to draw people to Himself, to heal all kinds of brokenness, and to set people free. God invites us to come to Him with our frustrations and sorrows, even (and especially) when we’re having doubts about Him. He can take it. What is weighing on you today? For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases. Ecclesiastes 1:18 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 4:8; Amos:6:12; Matthew 7:13-Matthew 7:14; James 1:12; Ecclesiastes 1:18

Darkness. Mena jolted awake, jumping up off the prickly grass. Where was he? Is anyone there? he called out to the emptiness. Silence responded. A memory flashed inside him, of the recent burning anger when he’d yelled, No one cares! Nothing makes a difference! It’s all a waste of time. Now he was alone. Sweat trickled down his face. “Oh Jesus, help me,” he prayed. “What’s happening? Am I in hell?” No, echoed a warm voice, startling him. Humans are often deceived into believing that their actions are worthless. But God wastes nothing. Acts of kindness, faithfulness, trusting in Jesus, suffering for Him God enables His children to do all these things, and through them He demonstrates His love to the world. Watch. Have faith. An image of Mena as a child running up to a lonely boy appeared above him. Let’s play together! his younger self said, then disappeared, creating a spark in the sky. Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll always love you, his ten-year-old self whispered, hugging his father after Mom left unexpectedly. The memory evaporated, leaving a light shining above him. Mena watched more forgotten memories take shape. The people he’d helped, the kind words he’d spoken, illuminated the sky. Memories of defending others, of sharing smiles and laughter, shimmered as a beacon of light. Maybe it hadn’t been a waste of time after all. You believed in Jesus’s message, acting on it in a broken, damaged world. It was never you accomplishing these good works, but God was doing good through you, bringing love and hope to people who needed itpeople just as broken as you. This is a glimmer of God’s amazing love for us all. He sent Jesus for you, to heal the rift between you and Him. Now you get to be part of sharing His good news. Never give up hope, Mena. Even if no one else notices or cares about what you do, God does. You are His precious child. He loves you now and forever. Mena sobbed as the stars shone around him. When the tears stopped, his heart was lighter. God, he whispered. Thank you for reminding me that what I do matters because of you. The stars spun around and disappeared into daylight. Cindy Lee Can you think of a time you felt like your actions didn’t matter? Consider asking God to bring to mind moments when you shined His light to other people. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God. John 3:21 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 5:14-Matthew 5:16; John 3:16-John 3:21

Your classmate or coworker enters the room, cringing. Her face is flushed and her eyes sparkle with unshed tears. A group of people start smirking, nudging each other and staring at their cell phones at a video of her at a party. Although you don’t really know her, you realize she is suffering. Maybe you’re a Christian and you believe that Jesus taught us to love others and help the distressed. So what do you do? There are typically a few kinds of responses: 1. Ignore it. She’s not your friend. Someone else can help her. It’s none of your business, and if you keep out of it, no one will bother you. Judgmental thoughts might sneak inside your heart: “She brought it on herself. She should have been more careful.” 2. Join in. Curiosity burns inside you. You can’t help it. What did she do in the video? You forget about kindness and compassion. After all, you’re only human, and you want to fit in. 3. Take a risk. As a Christian, you understand what it’s like to be an outsider. You empathize with her because you know you’re no better than she is and your own sin is just as bad as whatever is on the video, but Jesus befriended you anyway. Jesus always reached out to the broken and lost; He identified with those who were hurting, and He calls us to do the same (1 John 4:19). Your approach will be different, depending on your personality. You might defend and support her publicly. Or you might come alongside her quietly, maybe with a smile, a small gesture of encouragement, or by offering to listen to her. And you can always pray. God might even give you ideas of ways to help her. Your job is not to judge her actions but to love her like God loves her. After all, Jesus died and rose again so that we could be free from condemnation and shame (Psalm 34:5; Romans 8:1). As followers of Jesus, we get to share this good news through our actions and words. Cindy Lee Have you ever been ridiculed? Jesus has (Matthew 27:28-44), and He understands what it’s like to be mocked and even despised. If you or someone you know has suffered an attack of privacy, know that God has compassion on you and grieves with you. Why do you think listening to people is often the first step in helping them? If you or someone you know is going through a messy issue, who is a trusted Christian adult you could talk to, such as a counselor, pastor, relative, or teacher? This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I [Jesus] have loved you. John 15:12 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 7:1-Matthew 7:5; John 15:9-John 15:12