Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

One of my friends was walking through a difficult time. While I was reading in Ezekiel 22, a phrase from verse 30 tugged at my heart: God said, I looked for someone among them who would stand before me in the gap but I found no one. The people of Israel were full of wickedness: worshipping idols, acting in impurity, etc. God told the prophet Ezekiel how He looked for someone, anyone to rebuild the wall of righteousness, but no one was found. Idolatry doesn’t just look like praying to physical idols. There are other ways we can be so consumed with our own lives that we value other things above God. I thought about the busyness of my life, and how even good things could at times keep me from standing in the gap for others who need it. Right then, I chose to lay aside my plans and instead pray for my friend who desperately needed God’s help. James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. As Christians, we are called to be alert and ready to pray for all God’s people (Ephesians 6:18). We can follow the example of Epaphras, who wrestled in prayer for his fellow believers. We can pray that they stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured (Colossians 4:12). There is One who stood in the gap for us, when we could not save ourselves. In our sin, we needed a Savior, and God sent us Jesus. The prophecy in Ezekiel was ultimately pointing to Jesus, the only One who could live righteously. He paid the ransom for our souls through His own life, death, and resurrection; He is the One Mediator between God and humans. God desires that every person be saved and that all come to know the tRuth Let’s stand in the gap for others, remembering how Jesus stood in the gap for us. Savannah Coleman Has someone ever stood in the gap and prayed for you in a difficult time? Who might God be calling you to pray for today? Take a moment to set other things aside and pray for them. I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people 1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 106:1-23; Ezekiel 22:23-30; 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Christians understand the incredible life-changing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection bring each believer new life. This is truly good news. How far would you go to share this news with people who didn’t know it? While reading about church history, I came across one of the greatest names of all time: Mesrop Mashtots. I believe it is impossible to improve upon this name. Not only did Mr. Mashtots have a cool name, he did incredible things to share the gospel. Mashtots wanted to translate the Bible into the Armenian language. Only one problem: there was no alphabet, so there was no written Armenian language to work with. But this didn’t stop Mashtots. He traveled around Armenia paying attention to the common sounds of their language. He hired a calligrapher to link Greek letters to the sounds and developed a thirty-six- letter Armenian alphabet. Alphabetizing the language didn’t solve the problem though, because no one could read it. So, get this: Mashtots persuaded the government to establish an Armenian school system to teach everyone how to read his new alphabet! In order to get Armenians a Bible, Mashtots invented their alphabet, began a school system, and then gave them a Bible in their own language! I find this all to be absolutely incrediblehow is there no international Mashtots holiday? We could sit around playing games with invented alphabets and eat tater tots. Today, Armenia still credits Mashtots for making the nation literate. He didn’t stop there though. He went on to create the Albanian and Georgian alphabets! Truly this man knew the awesomeness of the gospel and was consumed with a desire to share it. Jeff Weddle Even if God doesn’t call you to work in Bible translation or international missions, you can still spread the gospel by living faithfully wherever He puts you. Maybe you’ll contribute through science, construction, stay-at-home parenting, food service, ministry, health care, office work, etc. All these are part of God’s kingdom! Where has God placed you? How can you use the opportunities and skills He’s given you to share the gospel of Jesus with those around you? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news! Romans 10:15 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 9:35-38; Romans 10:14-17

Hollywood blockbusters sometimes portray supernatural events with big orchestral scores, thunder, lightningthe works! But the supernatural special effects at the crucifixion were so much more than dramatic artistry. These events, which no one could have engineered, had a special significance as Jesus willingly gave Himself as the sacrifice for sins. Darkness over the land: Matthew writes that, in the middle of the afternoon, darkness came over all the land for three hours (Matthew 27:45). Hundreds of years earlier, God had judged Egypt with total darkness when the Pharoah refused to let the Israelites go (Exodus 10:21-23). But this time, it was Jesus who was being judged, taking on the curse of sin for the whole world in His body on the cross so everyone who puts their trust in Him could be set free. The earth shook and the rocks split: After the darkness lifted, the ground quaked and rocks broke. Such a cataclysmic event as the death of the Son of God shook the earth to its roots! The Creator was on the cross. And Creation recoiled. A partial resurrection: Matthew records the following eerie sign: the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life (Matthew 27:51-52). This event seems to be a sort of mini-resurrection, an example of what will occur when Christ returns to earth. The fact that these resurrected saints were seen by many people later confirmed the disciples’ report that Jesus rose from the dead three days later! Surely he was the Son of God!: Even those who didn’t know the Scriptures that foretold Christ, like the Roman centurion, realized these supernatural signs demonstrated that Jesus was no ordinary victim of public execution. The centurion testified: Surely he was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). Only the Son of God could live the righteous life and die the sacrificial death required to save us. He alone could rise victoriously from death to proclaim a supernatural salvation for you and me. Laura N. Sweet What did these signs reveal to the Romans who were crucifying Jesus? To the Jews who were watching? To Jesus’ followers? How did God the Son show His power and mercy on the day He allowed Himself to be killed? Why did Jesus give His life for ours? (Read more on our “Know Jesus” page.) Surely he was the Son of God! Matthew 27:54b (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 27:45-56; 1 Peter 2:21-25

Years ago, a friend invited me to a huge Christian conference. It was amazing! In an arena filled with people worshipping God, I felt so uplifted and inspired. I was filled with excitement after hearing people discuss the power of God’s Word and how they had read the whole Bible in a year, and I desired to achieve the same result. After all, as an avid reader, surely I could succeed. How wrong was I? A year later, I was far away from achieving my goal. I had committed to reading the entire Bible, but my pace was much slower than I’d planned. I could have just given up then, believing that I’d failed. But I felt like devouring huge chunks of the Bibleand then forgetting it allwasn’t the way the Holy Spirit wanted me to read His Word. I needed to take baby steps. It wasn’t easy, and it took me five years, but I eventually finished reading my whole Bible! Maybe you have a goal in your heart to deepen your relationship with God. Maybe you feel frustrated, like I did, but you know this is still something you want to do. It’s natural to feel discouraged and sometimes even a sense of despair in this broken world we inhabit, but the good news is that God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us in our brokenness. His life, death, and resurrection have covered all our failures and shortcomings. Our relationship with Him doesn’t depend on our achievementsHe is constantly pursuing us with His inexhaustible love! And He wants to help us live a life that honors Him. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us as our helper, comforter, and advocate. His pace may be different from what we had in mind, but we can trust that God’s way is bEsther Whenever we have any worries, we can rest in His faithfulness and trust in the God who is our help. Hang in there, and keep drawing near to God. Cindy Lee Sometimes, God invites us to read long passages of Scripture to get a bird’s-eye view of what He’s doing. Other times, He invites us to dig deeply into a small portion of Scripture. How do you like to study the Bible? What benefits do you see in reading the Bible with other believers? And reading it by yourself? Have you ever been frustrated with yourself for failing your own expectations? As Christians, we can offer up these frustrations to God. He has compassion on us, and when we seek Him, He will guide us and give us the courage and patience to follow Him (Psalm 32:8-11). Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) Read Verses: John 14:25-27; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:17-23; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

White flowers in the meadow I pretend they are your grave Remembrance pulls me back in time To our younger days Wildflowers by the dozens Red and orange in the sun That race to fill our buckets full I don’t even know who won In my mind I hear your laughter Close my eyes and see your smile Thank God that we had you If only for a while When grief comes round the corner Though tears may ebb and flow I’ll cling tight to Your promise To the hope of heaven hold On that day I see You Every question will fade away Jesus, hold my grieving heart Until I see Your face Savannah Coleman Have you lost someone you love? Grieving is an important, ongoing part of healing. And God grieves with us. But because Jesus Christ died on the cross for us and rose again, we don’t have to grieve without hope. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have the hope that He will return to bring heaven to earth, resurrect us from the dead, and all His people will live with Him forever! there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain Revelation 21:4 (NLT) Read Verses: John 14; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

READ: DANIEL 3:1-30; JOHN 14:27; ROMANS 8:34-39; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-28 "Do you see this vase here?” she asked. “Could it be called by any other name than what it is?” “No,” her father replied. “Well, neither can I be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.” Perpetua, a devoted follower of Christ, uttered these words in the year 203 AD, mere days before she was asked to recant her faith. The faith she would eventually die for. When Perpetua was brought before the governor, she refused to deny Christ or offer the required sacrifice to the emperor. As a result, she was sentenced to death in the arena. While awaiting her punishment in her prison cell, she was allowed to nurse her infant. Her father, who did not know Jesus, begged her to renounce her faith for the sake of her child, but she would not. Only days later, Perpetua and a group of other brave Christians were led into the stadium and attacked by wild beasts in front of a roaring crowd. Though they didn’t die from their wounds, the faithful group was later killed by the sword. This account of Perpetua’s and her friends’ uncommon bravery inspired me. I can’t imagine the terror this young woman faced, and yet she stood firm in her faith, never backing down, though the consequence of such a decision was death. What gave Perpetua such courage? Where did her confidence come from? Perpetua was aware of and comforted by God’s presence. Though she was undoubtedly afraid, Perpetua stood on the promises of God. It wasn’t Perpetua’s determination or confidence in herself that carried her through her last days, but her confidence in her God. She knew that He is stronger even than death— Jesus defeated death by His own death and resurrection. Although death is a heartbreaking result of brokenness in the world, we don’t have to be afraid of it because we know that Jesus will return to resurrect us from the dead to live eternally with Him. If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, remember that Jesus is always with you, and His promises will always stand firm. • Eliana Canfield • Sharing the gospel begins with understanding that you need the gospel and then understanding that others do too. How can you lovingly share the gospel with those who don’t know Jesus? Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:34 (NLT)

Have you ever wondered what David’s older brothers did while he fought Goliath? While the Bible doesn’t tell us, can you imagine a conversation between two of them? Guess who volunteered to fight Goliath? Shammah ran up the hill to his older brother. Who would be that crazy? Did you see how big that guy is?” Eliab scoffed. Our little brother David, Shammah replied. What! All he knows how to do is take care of a few sheep. He doesn’t know anything about fighting or being a soldier. David killed a lion and a bear once when they were attacking Dad’s sheep, said Shammah. Eliab turned angry. That lion and bear didn’t have swords or armor. This is different. Well, Shammah said quietly, David does seem to be close to God This is real life! Eliab glared at his brother. Goliath is going to kill David, and we and our families are going to be enslaved by the Philistines. We have to talk David out of this. Too late, look! Shammah pointed into the valley. That’s David going out to fight. Oh no. Eliab froze. Shammah watched David closely. He does look brave, doesn’t he? Brave men die as quickly as cowards. And look, he only has his staff and his sling. Shammah ignored his older brother. Look, he’s picking up some stones from the creek. What are we going to tell Dad? Eliab moaned. Shh David and Goliath are talking. Shammah strained to hear. David’s young voice echoed over the valley. You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty Shammah exclaimed, Do you think our God could really be more powerful than all the Philistine gods? Then Goliath moved forward to attack, but David ran toward the battle line, slipped a stone into his sling, and let it fly Goliath jerked his head back, then fell to the ground, dead. Shammah jumped up and cheered, but Eliab was speechless. Doug Velting How might God rescuing Israel foreshadow Jesus rescuing His people (John 10:11-18)? All those gathered here will know that the battle is the Lord’s. 1 Samuel 17:47 (NIV) Read Verses: 1 Samuel 16:8-13; 1 Samuel 17:1-50; Psalms 27:1; 56:3-4

What are we here for? What is our purpose in life? In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, we find some answers to these questions. The first three chapters of Ephesians talk about who we are in Christ. God chose us to be His adopted children before He had even created the world. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are fully forgiven by His blood, and we get to bring praise to his glory (Ephesians 1:12). God has given us hope and a glorious inheritanceall because He loved us so deeply that He sent His Son to save us from death and make us alive! And God handcrafted us in Christ and prepared good work for us to do. We are no longer defined by our divisions, but by our unity in Jesus, who makes all Christians equally part of His family. Together, we can know His unfathomable love and look forward to His return, when we will live in perfect unity with Him and each other. The last three chapters of Ephesians give insight into how Christians are called to live like Christ. We are to be people of unity and speakers of the truth in love. No longer are we controlled by our old sinful self; we can choose to put on the new self and live like Christ. We get to act like the dearly loved children we are and follow God’s example. There should be no place in our lives for things like immorality and greed because Jesus has brought us from darkness to light. Instead of following our whims, Paul urges us to be full of thankfulness to God and submit to one another to honor Christ. But the enemy doesn’t want us to know who we are in Christ or follow Him. Cosmic forces of evil are against us, yet God doesn’t leave us defenseless. Since we belong to Jesus, we have His power to stand against the enemy’s schemes. As we put on God’s armor and pray, we will be equipped for the battles ahead. Savannah Coleman Why do you think Paul wrote first about who we are, before talking about how we’re called to live? As Christians, why is our identity inseparable from Christ (who He is and what He’s done)? Does a life following Jesus sound purposeful and satisfying to you? Why or why not? For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 (CSB) Read Verses: Ephesians 2:1-22

My sandals brush the street as I walk the familiar way to the tavern. I always walk a little faster when I pass by the open door of the King’s courtyard, keeping my gaze on my dusty toes. But today, something catches my eye. Blue fabric ripples like water in the sun. I look up and see the blue belongs to a woman’s sari, and she’s dancing in the courtyard. And I recognize her. I’ve seen her before where? Then I gasp. “That’s Mira,” I thought. What is she doing dancing for the King? Memories tumble inside my head of Mira dancing in the tavern, where the air is hot and close and dark. But the way Mira dances now is different. Not like she’s trying to prove anything. Not like she’s trying to forget anything. The way Mira dances now is captivating. Her graceful movements seem controlled but not restricted. Mira seems free. The blue fabric slows and softly settles, and Mira bows to the King. His smile is the happiest I’ve ever seen, like Mira is His own daughter, like He cherishes her more than anything in the world. Then the King looks at me. He says something to Mira, and she turns toward me. Then she skips, barefoot, across the courtyard to where I’m standing in the street. I think of the tavern and the relief waiting for me there, but I am entranced by this new Mira in blue, who shines like water in the sun. Mira greets me by name, Inaaya, it’s so good to see you. Her smile is genuine. The King would love to meet you. Would you like to meet Him? I look down at my dusty feet, memories of all the things I wanted to forget suddenly rushing and pressing in around me, crushing me, and I feel the pull stronger inside, tugging me toward the tavern. Why would the King want to see me? I didn’t mean to say it out loud. But when I look up, Mira’s eyes are so soft. She says again, He wants to meet you, Inaaya. He wanted to meet me too. And you know me; you saw me cheat and lie and take and the King already knew all of it. But Her eyes are shining with a brightness I’ve never known. He’s different from anyone I’ve ever met. He loves me, in a way that’s giving, not taking. Over Mira’s shoulder, I glance at the King, standing in the courtyard, waiting. It’s alright if you’re not ready today, Mira says, but He does want to meet you, Inaaya, and I would love to introduce you to Him. I feel my feet starting to move me away down the street, but then I look back, and I see the King is gazing at me like no one ever has before. With compassion. “Could it be true?,” I thought. I hold still. Mira stretches out her hand. “Could it really be true?” I breathe in. Place my hand in hers. Take a step into the courtyard. Hannah Howe Have you ever felt like Inaaya, like you needed to forget, or to escape? Why do you think Mira seemed free (Psalm 51)? How did Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, make a way for us to be free, clean, and full of joy? Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25b-27 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 149:1-4; John 4:1-42

False advertising is the worst: a click that leads to a blank page, a product that doesn’t perform as promised, or a heap of hype for something new that actually isn’t. But when something is the real thing, it needs no ad campaign. If a product proves itself to be amazing, no one needs to promote itword spreads and soon everyone wants one! The same is true about faith in Jesus. If you’ve experienced His love for you, received His saving grace that covers your sin, and are learning to trust and obey Him, you are living proof that He’s the real thing! Every time I’m made aware of my faults or flaws, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the Father’s compassion toward me. The more compassion I absorb from Him, the more I carry with me to hand out to others when I’m tempted to criticize them. Every time I feel regret for my sin, the Holy Spirit reminds me that He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Experiencing this grace inspires me to offer it to anyone, even to people I might be tempted to hold a grudge against because of their sins against me. Every time I look at the chaos of this world and want to cower in fear or lash out in anger, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the words Jesus said: My Father is always working, and so am I (John 5:17). My choice of peace over panic speaks volumes about the trustworthiness of the God I say I believe in. This peace doesn’t come from me; it’s God’s gift, and He offers it to anyone who puts their trust in Jesus. Jesus doesn’t need flashy graphics or clever commercials to make Him look appealing, His salty and shining followers are enough. He really is love, He offers real grace, and He truly can be trusted! Mandy Desilets Have you ever experienced God’s compassion toward you? What was it like? Have you experienced God’s grace covering your sin? (If you’re not sure, check out our “Know Jesus” page.) Who in your life could you show this same compassion and grace to? Have you experienced peace from God? Do you need peace now? (It’s okay to ask Him.) How could you share God’s peace with the people around you? In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 103:1-14; Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 5:16-21

What do you want to be when you grow up? I never liked that question because I never had a good answer. My sister wanted to be a Bible translator, my brother dreamed of becoming a missionary pilot, but me? All I could say was, A mom. That was part of what I wanted to be, but I felt there was more. Maybe a teacher? Maybe a police officer? I wasn’t sure, and I prayed that God would give me the answer. Then, through conversations with a few people, I started to sense that God might be showing me I was going about it the wrong way. As an organized person, I wanted to plan out my entire education and career, but that’s not really what I needed. Instead, as I submitted my plans to God out of love for Him, He helped me rest in knowing He is working in everything. I could trust God to take me one step at a time as I lived His plan for my life, right then. When I started praying that God would take me one step at a time, I felt like He began to show me my calling. I was fifteen years old, and over the summer, He did some amazing works in my life. I felt a clear calling to youth ministries, and I saw how this career path could be a great fit for my passions, gifts, and desires! I didn’t learn my lesson that easily though. As I start taking classes through our local community college’s dual enrollment program, I’m trying to plan colleges and degrees for after I graduate. Again, I’ve caught myself getting stressed about the future. Again, I’ve handed it over to God. My hope is in Him, not in my plan. And I can’t wait to see how God will lead me! As fellow teenagers, you’re probably facing some of the same questions and decisions I am. I challenge you to let go of your fight for answers and instead, let God take you one step at a time. He loves you deeply, He has a plan for you, and you can trust Him to lead you. Macy Lee Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in leading you through decisions in the past? How? What decisions are you facing now? What are some of your dreams for the future? Have you ever found yourself fighting for answers instead of resting in God? It can be hard to allow God to lead us one step at a time, but when we decide to go His way instead of our own way, He promises to help us through His Holy Spirit. You can ask Him for help anytime. We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) Read Verses: Proverbs 16:1-9; Matthew 6:25-34

Do you know what your name means? Recently, I looked up my name, Macy. I found out that “Macy” might come from a Hebrew word that means Gift of Yahweh. (Yahweh is one of God’s names, and it means I am). I also discovered that the Greek form of the word my name comes from is the same Greek word my brother’s name comes from. So, in a roundabout way, my brother and I have the same name! Cool, right? My family and friends aren’t the only ones who know my name. Jesus, my Savior, knows my name too, as we can see in today’s passages. During His ministry on earth, Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd who calls his own sheep by name (John 10:3). We are like the sheep in this parable, and when Jesus said that He loves His sheep so much that He lays down His life for them, He meant it. Jesus let Himself be put to death on a cross to take the punishment our sins deserve. But three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person He showed Himself to was Mary Magdalene (who was one of His followers). When she was weeping outside the empty tomb, Jesus called her by name. And then He told her to go and tell His other followers the good news! God wants all people to know Him and be saved from eternal death (1 Timothy 2:4). That’s why He sent Jesus! Everyone who acknowledges that Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised Him from the dead will have their name written in the Book of Life (Romans 10:9-13; Revelation 20:11-12). Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, believers can know with confidence that they are forgiven and will one day be resurrected to live with Him forever. The moment I put my trust in Jesus, His sacrificial blood washed away my sin and my name was inscribed in the Book of Life. There was a party in heaven as Macy was added to the long list of God’s children. And just as Jesus said, Mary, to the crying woman outside the tomb, He will one day say Macy with the same love. Macy Lee Read John 20:11-18. Can you imagine Jesus saying your name with love? Take a moment to ponder and talk to God about this. Jesus said to her, Mary. John 20:16a (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 15:10; John 10:1-18

God is so worthy of our praise. Have you ever let yourself really focus on some of the things God has done and then gotten carried away with how much you are in awe of Him? Have you ever looked at nature to see what God has created or thought about how He keeps life going and sustains the entire universe every single day? God made all things good, and even though the world has been broken by sin, we can still catch glimpses of what God is like through what He has made. When a new baby is born, we can marvel at how intricately God designed us. He is the One who sustains life, and He cares for us in our weakness and smallness. When we behold a beautiful sunset or a strong storm, that is just a hint of how powerful and worthy of our praise God is. There is so much here, on this wonderful-yet-broken earth, that shows us what God is like. Have you taken time recently to look up at a sky filled with stars? Or to look down at a patch of soil filled with living things? Have you taken time to just look at yourself in the mirrorflaws and alland think about how God put your face together and decided just how you should look? Even with the acne and scars that inevitably come in this broken world, we can still marvel at how God made uspurposefully, carefully, beautifully. He looks at us with love. God deeply wants us to know Him and enter His rEsther That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to reveal truths about God that we could never know from just looking at creation. And through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God made a way for us to be close to Him and know Him intimately. If we follow Jesus, we get to be part of His redemptive work as He heals brokenness in, among, and around us. And we get to look forward to the day when Jesus will return and make all things new and whole fully good as God intended. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us to see the wonderful things God does. He helps us ponder the greatness of God, who has done so many things to amaze us. Emily Acker God offers us so many awe-inspiring moments, like being in nature, holding a newborn baby, and singing with our church family. When do you feel the most in awe of God? What is one of your favorite things God has made? What does this reveal about Him? Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 95:1-5

When I’m barely hanging on I know that you’ve got me When there is so much to be done I know that you’ll help me When I don’t know what to believe I know that you have answers When I’m scared I know that you are there When life isn’t what I want it to be I know that you comfort me When I was dead in my sin I know that you saved me Emily Acker Do you ever feel like everything around you is too much for you to handle? /What is weighing heavily on you today? Take some time to bring these burdens to Jesus in prayer. He’s strongHe can handle it. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 37:24; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 5:7

Have you ever felt disgusted by all the suffering, corruption, and pure wickedness happening in our world? When I hear about twisted officials, abandoned children, and senseless violence, I either get really angry and queasy, or I try to shut it out and look somewhere else. But how should Christians respond to injustice? We start with the gospel. Because Jesus cares deeply about injustice, He came to die and rise again, taking all of God’s wrath for our sin on Himself and defeating sin and death. Only God’s Word and Jesus’ forgiveness produces the life, peace, and forgiveness that can ultimately eradicate injustice. As Jesus’ forgiven followers, we can 1. Pray. Sometimes prayer feels so empty, so small in comparison to the magnitude of wrongdoings, but we forget how great our God is. Prayer can go places where human aid cannot, and it reminds us that we don’t have to bear these burdens alone. 2. Love. Even when people mistreat us or others, we are still called to love them and treat them kindly. It’s hard, but this love comes from God’s strength, not ours. 3. Defend. While we are called to love our enemies, this does not mean we stand silent when evil threatens our world. Isaiah 1:17 says we are to correct oppression and bring justice to those who cannot stand up for themselves, knowing Jesus will return to establish perfect justice. 4. Trust. God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice. Romans 12:19 says Do not take revenge for it is written: ââ¬ËIt is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. God hears our prayers, and we can trust that He will not let evil go unpunished. It’s frustrating to live in a world full of wickedness, but don’t lose heart. As Christians, we are called to love sinners (ourselves included), to defend the weak, to trust in God’s character and timing, and to pray. God responds to our prayers and reaches places we could not; He lifts the weight off our shoulders. Righteous anger can be good (and God gets righteously angry too), but it is important to give that anger over to God and submit to His rule. Only the gospel can transform lives and fully fix injustice. Wait on the Lord. He will make things right. Deami O. Have you ever been frustrated by the condition of the world around you, but felt powerless to do anything about it? The Bible says we don’t have to worry about the wicked. God will bring them to justice, and we can simply continue to love, pray, and stand up for what is right. return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God Hosea 12:6 (NIV) Read Verses: Luke 18:1-8; Galatians 6:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-5,14-17

I had never seen someone braid with such calm fury. But there He was, the one some called the Messiah, methodically twisting three leather cords into a whip. “About time,” I thought. “These Romans have been oppressing us for years! And if He’s supposed to be some kind of king, surely He would have overthrown them by now. Oh well, better late than never.” Eager to watch this Messiah turn His weapon against the Romans, I sat near the temple gate where I could get a good view of the action. “Wow, it’s going to be great to see those jerks finally get what they deserve!” I thought. “Maybe I can get behind this king after all. The crowds certainly seem to love Him.” I thought back to yesterday, when He entered the city. I could hear Hosanna! from across town. “I’ll give the guy this much: He knows how to stir people up.” I watched Him, intrigued. His hands, calloused from hard work, danced swiftly, weaving the cords together with beauty and grace. It was mesmerizing. Then I glanced up to His eyes, and my heart dropped. Equal parts rage and sorrow filled His facea dangerous combination. A shiver ran down my spine. His eyes declared that something holy had been desecrated. Something beloved had been violated. But His glare wasn’t directed at the Romans patrolling the streets. His wrath was focused on those in the temple. I scrambled to my feet, suddenly desperate to leave. He looked up to fix His eyes on me, and I froze, held in place by the intensity of anger, sorrow, and love emanating from His face. This was the face of a king. And He was going to reclaim His kingdom. Taylor Eising Jesus is angry at sinwhich can actually be comforting! Sin hurts us and those around us, so knowing that Jesus is passionate about removing sin from the world and from our lives can bring us hope. After all, sin gets in the way of us living in union with God, who is the source of all good things. That’s why Jesus came to die and be raised from the deadto defeat sin, brokenness, and death on our behalf and restore us to true friendship with God. When we are hurt by our own sin or the sins of others, how is it comforting to know that Jesus will one day return to get rid of all sin? So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. John 2:15 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 21:7-16

If you have ever looked up to someone, only to have them mess up and fail, you’ve probably felt a deep sense of disappointment. Maybe you felt betrayed or even foolish for looking up to them. If you have longed to be like someone and then watched that person make a mistake that you never want to make, you might have been left wondering who you can look up to, who you can trust. It’s important to remember that all humans are going to mess upsome in more obvious ways than others. Because we live in a world broken by sin, all of us do wrong and end up hurting each other, whether intentionally or unintentionally. God created humans to be good, but we’ve all rebelled against His good ways. Since the first humans sinned, it became impossible for any human to live without sinning. Until God became human. Jesus, the Son of God, came to live among us, and He lived in perfect love, never sinning. Jesus is fully worthy of our trust in a way no other human could ever be. His ultimate act of love was sacrificing His own life for us on the cross, so that we could be forgiven from all the wrong we’ve ever done (and ever will do). Jesus rose from the dead, defeating all evil and inviting everyone to put their trust in Him. Now we can be reunited with our good Creator through Jesus. No one on this earth is perfect in the way God is. He is the very definition of what is right and good, and we can depend on Him to act according to His holiness and unfailing love. People are not nearly as dependable. But one day, when Jesus returns, everyone who knows Him will be restored to the way God made us to be. In the meantime, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to be in all Christians and help us to become more like Christ. God designed humans to live in community, but it’s important that we don’t look to other humans to be our savior or source of lifeonly God can fulfill that role. But we can still find people to mentor us and to be Christ-like influences in our lives, keeping in mind that those people are only human, just like us. And we can ask God for help to discern when to follow people and when to learn from their mistakes. As people disappoint us and fail us, God remains holy and perfect. We can trust that He will never let us down. Emily Acker Have you ever looked up to someone who later messed up in a big way? God has compassion on us and wants to comfort and heal us. How might knowing God is trustworthy give you hope? Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. Psalm 146:3 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 146:2-6

I stood at the end of a long, long driveway. It was pretty, with pine trees neatly lining it and a shimmering pond on the other side, but it was so long. I was working door-to-door book sales that summer, and it was a tough Job I’d worked all morning and sold just three books. And I didn’t want to walk down that driveway. I could picture the scenario in my head already. I’d make it all the way up the driveway, someone would come out, kick me off their property, and say they weren’t interested. Hadn’t that already happened seventeen million times that day? “Faithfulness in little things,” I muttered. Alright God, I said. I’m going. When I finally reached the end of the driveway, an older woman came out of the house and met me. “Great,” I thought. “She’s going to bid me adieu before I even have a chance.” But she didn’t. In fact, she wanted a book, but she didn’t have money for it. Discouraged, I thanked her for her time and left. As I neared the end of her driveway, I heard her car behind me. I turned and waved, all friendly. The woman rolled down her window and blurted, Do you take check? I nodded, a bit surprised. Yeah, I do. I gave her the information, and she casually mentioned that she had written a check for one hundred dollars. I almost dropped my books. Ma’am, I stuttered, for that much you can have all my books. Shaking, I piled books onto her lap. She ripped up the check when she saw the rEsther I’m giving you two hundred, she said. I love these. And so, I gave her the books and, almost crying, thanked her. She smiled at me and said, God told me you needed this. After she left, I cried in thankfulness to God at the end of that long driveway. Judy Klein Have you ever experienced an extravagant gift like the one in today’s story? When we see God providing for His people (often through His people), it offers a glimpse into God’s character: He is the giver of all good gifts. The greatest gift God has given us is sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us His love and die in our place so that we could be forgiven. And Jesus rose from the dead, declaring that this is only the beginning (John 15:9-17; Acts 1:8)! What do you need today? What might you be able to give today? Every good gift and every perfect gift is from the Father of lights. James 1:17a (WEB) Read Verses: Matthew 25:14-29; Luke 16:1-15

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, went from town to town, place to place telling people about Jesus and helping to strengthen some of the first churches. Did you notice he seldom went alone? Paul almost always traveled with other Christians, such as John Mark, Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy. Ever wonder why Paul might have done this? When Jesus started His ministry on earth, it wasn’t long before He chose twelve followers to go with Him as He taught people, healed many, cast out demons, and performed miracles. After they had been with Him for quite some time, Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs (Mark 6:7). After Jesus died, rose again, and ascended, His followers continued to follow the model He’d given them. Almost every time an apostle went to preach and teach about Jesus’ great gift of salvation, someone went with them. Occasionally a disciple would go out alone, like when God sent Phillip to meet an Ethiopian official searching for God’s truth (Acts 8). But usually, when God called Christians to go somewhere, they went in pairs or groups. In Paul’s letters to churches, he often expressed what an encouragement his traveling companions were. And Christians throughout history have valued community, even observing that we are more vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks when we are isolated from each other. Perhaps this is one of the reasons God instructs us to spend time with other believers, learning God’s words and worshipping Him together. Having fellow Christians alongside you, people who feel about Jesus the same way you do, is a huge help and encouragement. God designed us for community, and He knows we need each other, to strengthen and comfort one another, especially when the going gets tough. Because each believer has the Holy Spirit living in them, God can work through fellow Christians to speak to and uplift us. God is always with us, and one of the ways He is with us is through other Christians. That’s why it is always best to have believers beside you who will walk this long road with you. Anna M. Gregory Who are fellow Christians in your life? What might it look like for you to encourage each other as you seek to follow Jesus? If you’d like to read more about how the first Christians followed God together, check out the book of Acts in the Bible. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (CSB) Read Verses: Luke 10:1; Acts 15:40; Galatians 2:1

Skin color. Nationality. Language. Gender. Health. Economic status. Social status. Political views. Opinions We experience so many divisions in this broken world. We can feel blocked off from others, as if we’re living in a different world than they are. Our experiences in life can be vastly different based on the families we were born into and the ways we grew up. But as Christians, we have some essential things in common that far outweigh any differences. We are all human, created by God in His image (Genesis 1:27). God loves variety, and He made people to be different on purpose. His good design was for us all to live in harmony with each other and enjoy our distinctions. But, starting with the very first humans, we have all gone away from God, forsaking His good ways, and we are left broken by sin (Romans 3:23). More than anything else, we need to be rescued from sin and death (Romans 6:23). So, into our sinful, broken, divided world stepped Jesus. He broke down the barriers created by sin. He hung out with the outcasts of society: the notorious sinners, the greedy tax collectors, the gamblers, and the drunkards. He healed the people others shunned. He asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water at a time when Jews refused to eat from a dish a Samaritan had touched. Jesus taught women during a time when only men and boys were allowed to be students. And Jesus died for them all. After He rose back to life, ascended, and sent His Holy Spirit, He revealed that the gospel is for all people, from every nation and people group. Today, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is part of the same family: God’s family. Categorizations of people should hold no power in the church because we’re all equal: equally sinners and equally forgiven. We are all centered around the same gospel, and we are all united by the same Holy Spirit living in each of us. And God’s love breaks down barriers through us. When we face divisions in our society, we need to remember that we are all broken people, but God has offered us all His redemption. God calls us as Christians to reach out to everyone and make disciples of all nations, inviting people of all backgrounds to become part of the family, no matter who they are or what they’ve done (Matthew 28:19). God is waiting with open arms for anyone who will turn to Him. His love breaks down all barriers. Abby Ciona Have you felt separated or distant from others? How does Jesus’ love reach across barriers? There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 3:11-15

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables about God’s enormous joy when one person who was going their own way turns around to be reunited with God. In the third parable, a son demands his inheritance before his father dies, and then he goes and lives foolishly until he has nothing left. He gets a job feeding pigs and is so hungry he wishes he could eat the pigs’ food. When the prodigal son comes to his senses, he longs to return home to his father, where even the hired servants have plenty to eat. Yet he thinks, “I am no longer worthy to be called his son. Maybe I can beg him to treat me like a servant.” But when the son returns home, his father is watching and waiting for him. The father runs to his son, embraces him, and even treats him with honor. The father doesn’t scold or resent him but instead fully accepts him as his son. God is like the good father in this parable. Today, if you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are part of God’s family. You are a child of God, and no one can change that. Even when you fail, you remain His child. God’s love for you never changes, and He always longs for you to be with Him. He always waits for you to draw near to Him. The truth is, none of us can do what is right and good in our own strength. It’s been this way since the first humans rebelled against God. But when we were God’s enemies, totally helpless to save ourselves, God loved us so much that He gave His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us and raise to life. Jesus defeated sin and death, and now He invites everyone to put their trust in Him and come home to God. Even as God’s forgiven children, though, we all failagain and againto honor and obey God. But because Jesus has already made us right with God, we can know that He doesn’t just love us when we are good, He loves us every moment. Through Jesus, you are God’s child despite your flaws and shortcomings. God still welcomes you, and He will guide and support you if you seek Him. Nothing you do (or don’t do) will ever change that you are His. Jesus said no one can snatch you from God’s hand. He will always be your Father, and you will be His child no matter what happens. Golda Dilema If you know Jesus, you are permanently Hisforeverand there’s nothing you can do to change that (John 10:27-30). How does this truth comfort you? How does it challenge you? To learn more about what it means to know Jesus and become His, check out our “Know Jesus” page. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children 1 John 3:1 (NLT) Read Verses: John 1:12; Romans 8:16; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:1-2

She was meowing somewhere in the house. I kept calling her name, Belle, where are you? I heard a weak answering meow. I went upstairs trying to follow the sound. I checked under the beds and in the bathroom shower stall. Then she went quiet. I called again, Belle! as I came back downstairs. I listened hard for her voice again and heard a sound near the front door. Had she slipped outside without my noticing? I checked the front porch. Nothing. Where in the world was my poor little kitten? We’d only had her a few months, and she was just getting used to us and our big house. I continued calling, and she kept answering with her frightened meow. Finally, I followed the sound once more and stopped over the air vent near the front door where I’d heard her before. Could she possibly be in the basement? I always kept that door shut, but I ran through the kitchen, pulled open the basement door, and flicked on the light. I called down the stairs, Belle, are you down there, baby? She came around a dark corner and bounded up the stairs like a rocket, following the light. I snuggled her in my arms, and she responded with a deep purr. What a relief! Later my husband told me he’d been up and down the basement stairs. He had no idea she’d followed him down. Sometimes, we can be like my lost kitten. Jesus is our source of light, and apart from Him, life is like a dark and confusing basement. When we go our own way, against God, our thoughts and actions are selfish, stubborn, restless and we end up confused and afraid, unable to escape the darkness. Without Jesus, all of us are trapped in sin and brokenness. But our Lord is so good, and every time we cry out to Him, He answers. In fact, He never stops calling for each of His lost kittens. Susan Sundwall In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables, one after another, about how God pursues us when we are lost and rejoices when we are reunited with Him! The first parable is about a shepherd who looked for his one lost sheep until he found it. Second, a woman searched her entire house for her lost coin until she found it. Third, a father watched and waited for his rebellious son until he came home. How might it be comforting to know that no matter what we have done, God doesn’t give up on us, and He longs for us to cry out and be reunited with Him? If you could cry out to God knowing He’d hear you, what would your cry sound like? O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness. 2 Samuel 22:29 (NLT) Read Verses: 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 145:18; Luke 15:1-32

When I was asked to give a devotional message to a group of high school students, I started my presentation by reading from the Bible about light and darkness. Then, I held up a large, empty cardboard box and said, There is nothing in this box, but there is something. What is it? After a long silence, I repeated the question. One student said, Air. Another said, God. I affirmed that air is everywhere, and God is everywhere, but there was another answer. One student finally yelled out, Darkness! That was the answer I was looking for. I said I would open the box and we would all watch where that cube of darkness would go. Would it float up to the ceiling, or sink down and bounce off the floor? Maybe it would overpower the room, engulfing us all! I slowly opened the box. What did we see? Nothingthe darkness disappeared. The light overcame it. By definition, darkness is merely the absence of light. If someone brings a light into a dark room, the darkness doesn’t overpower the light. Rather, the whole room becomes lighter. Throughout the Bible, God is associated with light. In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, he starts by unveiling Jesus’ identity as the Word through whom all things were made. Then John says, The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:4-5). Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). God sent Him to live among us, to show us what God is like, and to let Himself be put to death in our place. But Jesus could not be overcome by death or sin or any kind of evil. After three days in a tomb, Jesus rose from the dead and returned to His followers! What they didn’t realize yet was that Jesus had made a way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to be forgiven. Jesus, who is the Light, defeated the darkness. And through Him, God has rescued us from darkness and brought us into His kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12-14). Darkness’ days are numbered because Jesus will get rid of all darkness when He returns. In the meantime, He sits with us and gives us hope in the darkness. God always wins over evil. Light always wins over darkness. Daniel Dore Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the darkness in your life? How might it give you hope to know that Jesus is far more powerful than any darkness? Is there an area of your life where you’d like God to dispel darkness? God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 1 John 1:5b (NLT) Read Verses: John 1:1-18; Ephesians 5:8-9; 1 John 1:5-9

Lord, I’m so tired. I spend my day moving between grief and anger and apathy and frustration and fear, and I just end up exhausted. I want to scream and cry and sleep and hide from the world, all at the same time. Why is this happening? Everywhere I turn, people are hurting. My heart breaks for them every day, and I feel like I can’t do anything about it. My heart breaks for me too. I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss my church. I miss going about my day without the weight of the pandemic crushing me. I miss the days when I could have a conversation that didn’t turn into a heated political debate within five minutes. I miss my innocence, back before I knew the pain and injustice that happen daily. This knowledge hurts. But I guess it’s a good hurt, since it’s a hurt You feel too. This stinks. Nothing about this is right. All of thissickness, death, injustice, divisionnone of it is supposed to be here! What is it doing here, in Your good world? You created this place to be good, and it’s so, so broken. Fix it, Lord! I guess You will. And you’ve done it before. You’ve faithfully carried Your people through plagues, exile, famine, war, and persecution. And you’ve carried me through heartache, depression, upheaval, and many other trials. Help me to remember that, Lord. Help me to cling to the gospelthat Jesus died for the pain, the brokenness, the hurt and He rose to bring healing. Don’t let me forget the sure hope that You will return to set all things right. Once in a while, I catch glimpses of that healingpeople recovering from sickness, small changes toward justice, and reconciling conversations. Let me see more of those. Let me make more of those. In the midst of this pain, let Your healing, reconciling presence dwell in me and flow out of me. Or let me just rest in Your strength. I don’t have any left. Taylor Eising Lamentthe practice of honestly bringing your hurts before Godis a vital part of the Christian life. God knows our hurts, and, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can freely bring them to Him in prayer. Lamenting reminds us that Jesus cares about our pain, and He’s going to do something about iteither now or when He returns to make all things new. Try writing your own lament. For more examples, check out Psalm 13, 38, 42, 43, 88, or 130. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 13; Revelation 21:3-7

When I was a teen, I wish I would’ve learned God doesn’t look down on me because of my anxiety. At that time, I didn’t even realize I was fighting anxiety. I just knew I was fighting fearand feeling like I was never safeeven though I knew it was completely irrational. I was afraid of failing, and I couldn’t figure out why. I felt like I couldn’t tell anyone, including God. I knew I wanted healing but didn’t know how to ask Him for it. When I was in college, the pressure to excel only became more intense. I worked myself to the bone trying to succeed. It was only after I graduated that I got much-needed help with my anxiety. It turns out I wasn’t alonemany people struggle with anxiety, and there are people who can help me and support me. I started to be open with God about my feelings, and I was reminded that He is always with me. And God is so compassionate and tender-hearted. He helped me to see myself not as a failure but as a conqueror through Him. My value doesn’t come from my accomplishmentsit comes from Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection. My doctor also put me on a low dose of anxiety medication that has helped me immensely. I am able to get more done every day without the fear of failure looming over me. I wish I had known I could get help sooner. God has helped me overcome anxiety and has given me more confidence in who He has made me to be. It’s all by His grace. God doesn’t look down on me because of my anxiety. Instead, He has compassion on me and helps me. Alexis Wohler Have you ever felt like this author? Sometimes, it can help just to talk with someone who understands. 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. What do you feel like you can’t talk to God about? Through Christ, God doesn’t condemn you, and His love for you is secure (Romans 8:1; 31-39). How might this truth give you hope? Are you facing something that you don’t understand? Who is a trusted Christian you can share your struggles with, such as a counselor, pastor, parent, teacher, coach, or friend? Who then will condemn us? No onefor Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:34 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalms 46:1; 55:22; Romans 8:31-39; Philippians 4:6-7

Welcome to the newly established eternal kingdom of Yahweh, Almighty God and Creator of Heaven and Earth. He has restored His creation and made all things well. Today, He commands the immediate removal of any items that have been rendered useless and obsolete. All items listed below should be turned in to the nearest Pruning Hook facility for recycling. These are not needed anymore. The risen King has set you free. PROFESSIONAL Items or equipment related to one or more of the following professional fields: Health care Counseling and mental health services Special needs instruction and care Nursing home and hospice care Law enforcement and jurisdiction Prison administration Military training and operations Banking and financial services Humanitarian relief Missions/evangelism PERSONAL Items owned by individuals for purposes that are now defunct, such as: Eyeglasses/contact lenses Hearing aids Medication/prescriptions Face masks/personal protective equipment Braces Prosthetic limbs Walkers/wheelchairs Insect repellant Sunscreen Lamps/flashlights/lighting equipment Locks/keys Addiction recovery aids Weapons of war Coffins NOTE: Lists are not exhaustive; any item not listed that serves no purpose in the new world should also be recycled immediately. Welcome to life without brokenness. Individuals who previously served in a professional field that has now been dismantled will be reassigned. Well done, good and faithful servants. Courtney Lasater Read through the items and professional categories listed above again. Did any of them resonate with you in some way? Why? What else can you think of that will be rendered useless and obsolete in God’s eternal kingdom? Even though God gives us tools to help us in the midst of brokenness, how might knowing that these tools are temporary affect the way you view or interact with them now? Jesus came to heal all types of brokenness, to restore God’s good creation, and to reunite God’s people with Himselfand each other! Jesus’ death and resurrection guarantee this promise. How might it give you hope to know that, while God grieves our suffering with us, He also promises to remove all suffering one day? Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:3b-4 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 2:1-5; 60:18-22; Luke 4:18-21; Revelation 21:1-4

If you have ever been to a school graduation ceremony, you likely sat through at least one speech. Most graduation speeches have two components. The first reflects back on shared years at the school: significant events, fun times, hard times, and what we learned. The second looks forward to the years to come, including advice as we start the next chapters of our lives. The book of Deuteronomy in the Bible is kind of like a graduation speech given by Moses to the Israelites. Forty years earlier, God had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt and made Moses their leader to bring them to the land God promised. But Israel rebelled against God, and so they were unable to enter the land for forty years. At the end of that forty-year chapter, Moses addresses the people as they prepare to move into the Promised Land. Moses’ speech starts by remembering all that had happened since God brought them out of Egypt. The people had disobeyed God again and again, yet God had been faithful through it all. He delivered them from their enemies. He provided for their every need. He continued leading His people and had a plan through it all. God kept His promises. Moses then looks forward. As the Israelites enter the Promised Land, he reads God’s law aloud and reminds everyone that when they trust and obey God, His blessings follow. But Israel fell short again and again. Yet God is full of mercy, and He was even then working out a plan to save not just Israel but people from all nations. Hundreds of years after Moses, God sent Jesus to fulfill His good law and save the Israelites (and us) through His life, death, and resurrection. No matter where we are in our lives, if we trust and obey God, we don’t have to fear what the next chapter of our lives might bring. Jesus has promised to be with us. He gave us hope and eternal life, and He has already written our future. Abby Ciona How have you seen God working in your life in the past? As you think about the future, what are you looking forward to? What are you concerned about? In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus encourages His followers and tells them that they don’t need to worry about the future. How is this possible? (Hint: read verse 33.) The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Deuteronomy 8:1-18; 10:12-13; Lamentations 3:19-25; Matthew 6:25-34

Surrounded by friends, family members, and acquaintances, you plaster a smile on your face to cover up the sadness. A conversation is going on, but you’re not listening. You begin to wonder who you really are. Emotions well up; anxiety builds. You’re friendly, polite, appear happy and content, but inside you’re drowning. Have you ever felt like this? So did many people in the Bible. Particularly in the Psalms, writers such as King David poured out their emotions, anxieties, and desires to God. Their inner struggles leap up off the page, begging God to help them, and in the same breath thanking Him for what He has done and praising Him for who He is. Jesus also poured out His emotions to God. On the night He would be betrayed and abandoned by His closest friends, Jesus was overwhelmed (Matthew 26:36-46). He knew He was about to face a brutal death that He didn’t deserve, alone. While He was praying, Jesus was in so much agony that His sweat became like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). He begged the Father, if it was possible to save people another way, that He wouldn’t have to go through this terrible ordeal. Jesus didn’t try to put on a brave face. With His disciples nearby, Jesus cried out to God in anguish, holding nothing back. But God’s love is greater even than death. Though Jesus was executed and buried, death couldn’t have the last word. Jesus rose from the dead, making a way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to live with God forever! What kind of God gives His own life for ours? What kind of God never grows tired of us asking for help? The God who created us. He understands us. He knows who we are. He understands our fears. We don’t need to pretend with Him, neither do we need to hide. He invites us to pour out our hearts to Him. To be truthful, even when the truth is hard. To be angry. To be heartbroken. To laugh, to sing, but most of all to be honEsther When we take time to seek Him, He unravels the lies. He gives us hope. If you know Jesus, His Holy Spirit is in you, healing you and helping you pour out your heart to God so you can celebrate being who He made you to be. Cindy Lee Do you ever feel like you have to keep all your hurts hidden inside? Many of us have felt this way. Who is a trusted Christian in your life who you could talk to about this? Let out your emotions. Write them down, speak them aloud, and rejoice that God hears. Jesus wept. John 11:35 (WEB) Read Verses: Psalm 86; Romans 8:23-28

Don’t be afraid, I tell myself. Don’t have those irrational fears. Don’t be scared of bugs, heights, crowds; eliminate those phobias. When I was feeling happy, hopeful, surrounded by friends, Do not be afraid sounded so simple and easy. But beyond the phobias is a fear deep inside I don’t understand. The fear that keeps me up at night. Fear of the dark and of the evil of the world. Of rejection, death, the future, and being alone. How can I tell myself not to fear when I can’t take the fear away? Do not be afraid, Jesus tells me, and reminds me why. He is the light of the world. He defeated sin and death, and He will be with me, No matter what the day or the night brings. He doesn’t just tell me, Don’t be afraid, He tells me I don’t have to because He has overcome. He did not just tell me not to fear the storm, He calmed the storm in front of me. Abby Ciona What has Jesus’ love done to fear (Hebrews 2:14-15)? Even King David experienced fear (Psalm 56:3). What did David do when he was afraid? Do you have fears you can’t seem to shake? Many of us do, and God didn’t intend for us to walk alone through our struggles. Who is a trusted Christian you can talk to about feeling afraid? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by fear or troubling thoughts, and you aren’t sure who 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. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4a (NIV) Read Verses: Psalms 46:1-11; 27:1-14; Matthew 8:23-27

I’m fifty-four years old, and one thing I wish I’d known about God when I was a teenager is that He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. As a teen, I attempted over and over again to do what God said in the Bible. But no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing. I knew God loved me, but I felt so bad when I sinned or made mistakes. I felt like I was disappointing Him. When I read Matthew 5:48, Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect, I didn’t see how I could live up to that seemingly impossible standard. The truth was, I couldn’t. And God didn’t expect me to. Looking at the context of this verse reveals that Jesus was teaching a large crowd, and He was building a case that no one could live without doing wrong. No one, except Him. After the very first humans went their own way instead of trusting God, humanity was separated from God and doomed to death. Since then, no matter what we do, people can’t live according to God’s good ways on our own. But God didn’t abandon us. Instead, He provided a way for us to be forgiven and made perfectcomplete, mature, whole. Jesus, the Son of God, came to give His life for ours. Jesus lived in total obedience to God; He let Himself be killed, then came back to life to make it possible for us to be perfectly at peace with God. We can’t live sinless lives in our own strength, but we can be made perfect if we’ve put our trust in Jesus. In my own life, I still make plenty of mistakes, and I fall into sin way too often, but I enjoy a relationship with God that is so much more peaceful now. The Holy Spirit keeps teaching me how to live more and more like Christ, but I know I don’t have to be perfect. Jesus has already made me perfect in God’s sight and forgiven my sins. I wish I’d understood that better when I was a teenager, but I’m glad God showed me this truth now. Young or old, we can all experience peace now as we rest in what Jesus has done for us and accept that we don’t have to be perfect. Robyn Mulder Do you sometimes feel pressure to be perfect? How might it be freeing to know that Jesus is the only One who can be perfect? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 (CSB) Read Verses: Romans 5:1-11; Titus 3:3-7

One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:38-39 because it says we are inseparable from the love of God. That’s a powerful statement. Few things in this shattered, divided world are inseparable. Friends lose touch with each other, separated by time or distance or disagreement. Families drift apart. Human love isn’t always strong enough to power through the brokenness of our imperfect lives. But the author of Romans, Paul, reminds us that there is one love without limits: the love of God. Paul faced a lot of hardships in his life. At various times, he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, pelted with stones, sleep-deprived, hungry, and the list goes on (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). If anyone had reason to feel separated from God’s love, it was Paul. But instead, Paul proclaimed God’s love as a force of freedom and goodness. A love more powerful than death. God showed the full extent of His love when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. Because our sin separated us from God, He gave up His own life to pay for all humanity’s wrongdoing. After three days, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death once and for all. So now, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is forgiven and will live forever with Him. What are some hard things you’re facing right now? Some hardships might just be inconvenient, while others might threaten our lives, safety, and relationships. Can any of these things separate us from God’s love? No! Because of what Jesus has done, nothing can separate us from God’s love. So take heart: no matter what happens, we are loved by the Creator of the universe. Becca Wierwille When was a time you felt separated from God’s love? How might today’s verse give you hope? What questions do you have? (You can read more about what Jesus has done on our “Know Jesus” page.) Since we can know that God loves us with an inseparable love, how might resting in this sure hope free us to love others in our daily lives? (Read 1 John 4:7-21.) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrownot even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth belowindeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 8:1-39

Caymen opened his sack and rummaged through the contents. I have everything I need. He breathed deep of the green pasture where he’d spent the night. The melodious water of the creek beckoned again, and he drank, refreshed. Caymen saw the morning sun break over the horizon and continued his journey. Hours later, Caymen slowed his steps as he saw the path before him forking in two different directions. Which one to take? He pulled the worn book out of his sack and took time to immerse himself in reading. Lips moving silently, he pleaded with the Great One for wisdom and understanding. The unfolding of these words, they turned on a light in the darkest recesses of Caymen’s soul. The voice he was beginning to recognize and trust above all others whispered to his heart: This is the way; walk in it. Hope renewed, he stepped toward the path that led into a deep woods. As night fell, darkness descended like a heavy cloak, choking out even the smallest shred of light. Though in his heart he felt the looming claws of death itself, Caymen smiled, for he knew he was not alone. The Great One continued to remind him he need fear no evil. He knew the truth: because he belonged to the Great One, no one and nothing could snatch him out of His hands. Like a sheep following its trusted shepherd, Caymen followed the Great One through the dark valley. Comforted by His presence, Caymen journeyed directly through enemies that would otherwise be too strong for him. Goodness from the hands of the Great One broke through the darkness, dispelling the shadows. Love followed as surely as the gentle wind at Caymen’s back, ushering him on. Onward he strode toward his final destination: the house of the Great One, where he could dwell forever. Savannah Coleman Have you ever experienced God refreshing your soul as you spend time in His Word? What was it like? The way Isaiah wrote about is the good news of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have everything you need for the journey (2 Peter 1:3). What do you need today? As we grow closer to God, we can learn to distinguish between His voice and the voices of imposters. What are some ways Jesus is different from imposters (John 10:1-30)? All of us face dark valleys in our lives. Jesus actually said that we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33), but in Him we can have peace, even in the midst of the trouble. What trouble or darkness are you facing today? Take a moment to ask God to help you feel His peace and recognize His guidance. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it. Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 23; 119:129-152; John 10:1-30

Many of us are familiar with Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, telling us to go and make disciples of all nations. I love these Bible verses, and so does the church as a whole. We’ve emblazoned them on laptop stickers and bracelets. Serving others is a trendy thing to do. But sometimes we forget to look at the big picture, at the words that come right before go and make disciples. Before Jesus sent His friends out into the world, He reminded them that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. Jesus is God in the flesh, both fully God and fully human. Matthew shares the story of how God came down to earth, humbled Himself, and became human to take the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross. Jesus is the face of mercy and love. But Jesus’ humility does not make Him weak (Philippians 2:6-11). He claimed victory over the grave when He endured the cross and rose from the dead (Hebrews 12:2-3). In His last recorded words to His disciples, who He’d forgiven and redeemed, Jesus declared ownership of all authority, in heaven and on earth. This doesn’t mean Jesus will eliminate all the bad things in this world immediately. We are all experiencing life in a fallen world, and even people who love God endure difficult situations. However, it does mean Jesus has the final word (John 16:33). Jesus is the ultimate authority. Jesus is the King of Kings, and He is coming back to restore creation, to establish a new heaven and a new earth. He also sent His Holy Spirit to be in us here and now. So when we go into the world and share the love of God, we don’t do it to make ourselves seem holy. We don’t do it because social justice is cool or looks good on a T-shirt. We go into the world and make disciples because Jesus died to become our authority, and He shares that authority with us. His love, His mercy, His justice is all that matters. And we don’t want anyone to live without it. Becca Wierwille As we recognize our daily need for the gospel, how might sharing the good news with others flow naturally from a place of humility and love? How are the gospel and social justice related? Make a list of people in your life who might not know the love of Jesus. How could you go about sharing the good news of His mercy with them? Take a moment to ask God for ideas. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples Matthew 28:18-19a (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 1:21-28; Luke 10:17-24

Your friends are the loveliest people you know: kindhearted, considerate, and nonjudgmental and they’re atheists. So, what happens when you’re the only Christian in your circle of friends? There are typically a few ways this can play out: 1. You don’t tell them you’re a Christian. There are moments when it seems awkward or even impossible to bring up your faith. You pray for your friends and hope they’ll notice a positive difference about you and be intrigued to know why (Matthew 5:16). 2. They know, but it’s something you don’t talk about. In this scenario, your friends know you’re a Christian, but you kind of agree to disagree about it and don’t really discuss faith. But one day, a life event or even a crisis might provide an opportunity for them to ask you those deep, unanswered questions about your beliefs. 3. They know about your faith, but you drift away from each other. When you become a Christian, your lifestyle choices may change (Romans 12:1-2). Saying no to certain activities can separate you from friends who don’t share your point of view, and you may find you’re drifting apart. This can be painful and confusing. Draw near to God in these moments to receive His comfort and guidance (Psalm 32:8; 34:18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). As a Christian, it’s important to remember your own daily need of Jesus’ forgiveness and to spend time with God and fellow Christians as you listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. There are times when being quiet may slowly lead friends toward God, whereas bombarding them with information might push them away. Sometimes, God gives opportunites for good conversations. Whatever situation you find yourself in, strive to live like Jesus. Remain strong and faithful. You never know whose life you might see transformed. Cindy Lee Do you have friends who are atheists or who have spiritual beliefs that are different from biblical Christianity? What do you like about them? What do you enjoy doing together? Some people reject Christianity because of a bad experience or hypocrisy in a faith community. How can you accurately represent Jesus and show His compassion through your actions? Are you struggling to discern how to walk in wisdom and glorify God in certain friendships? Who is a trusted Christian you can talk to about this? worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT) Read Verses: Colossians 4:2-6

Have you ever walked in your sleep? I have. My one and only time sleepwalking was at summer camp when my camp counselor led my cabin on a hike and overnight campout. My cabinmates and I hiked uphill through on-again, off-again drizzly rain for what felt like hours before we reached our camping spot. Around midnight, I dreamed that one of the girls woke us up and announced we were going on a midnight hike, so I got up and started walking. Except I was sleepwalking. When I woke up, I was in the middle of unfamiliar woods and had no idea where I was! The sound of rushing water filled my ears, and I realized I was only a few feet away from a waterfall drop-off. What did I do? Well, first, I freaked out for a minute. Then I prayed and started calling out my camp counselor’s name. She heard me from a distance and called back to me. I followed her voice until I reached the campsite safely. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had another Counselor with me when I was lost in those woods. Did you know that after Jesus died and rose again to redeem us, He gave His followers His Holy Spiritthe Counselor? If you know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you as your Counselor. He is always with us and never leaves us or abandons us (Hebrews 13:5). The next time you’re in a situation where you feel lost or don’t know what to do, pray and ask the best Counselor to guide you and give you wisdom. Call on Him through Jesus, and then listen for His voice. He’ll get you safely where you need to be. Kelly Hope When was a time you felt lost? Have you ever tried to listen to God’s voice? How did it go? In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (us). He also says His sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice (verses 3-5, 16, 27). If you want to learn to discern God’s guidance, try asking yourself: “Does this agree with the Bible?” The more we become familiar with God’s words in the Bible, the easier it will be to discern what’s from Him. “Does this glorify God the Father and God the Son (John 16:12-15)? Does this bring the fruit of the Spirit and hope (Galatians 5:22-23; John 10:10) or condemnation and fear (John 3:17; Romans 8:1)?” Who are trusted Christian mentors or peers you could talk to about this? But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 139:1-12; 143:10; John 14:16-17

We often think of the Old Testament as dull and dry. Some parts are filled with stories that are familiar to some of us, like Noah’s ark. But the rest of the Old Testament eh, not so much. A lot of us don’t like to read the books of the prophets because many of them seem so full of gloom and doom. But let’s take a closer look at a small portion of a large prophecy book. Isaiah is considered the earliest of Israel’s prophecy books. Isaiah wrote between 760-673 BC, and at this point the Israelites were a divided nation: two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judah (where Jerusalem is) to the south. The book of Isaiah is called one of the major prophets because of its length (the minor prophets are not less important, just shorter). Isaiah’s writings are full of warnings of God’s judgment coming on the nation, but his book is also full of God’s hope, grace, and restoration that will be fulfilled in the Messiah. When God gives prophecies, they can be for the immediate future, or they can be for a time much farther in the future (and often it’s both). From when a prophecy is first spoken or written, it could be a day, a month, or thousands of years until that prophecy is fulfilled. Isaiah 61:1-3 talks about power to restore, to lift burdens, to set prisoners free, and to heal grief and broken hearts. In this passage of Scripture, Isaiah was speaking of the coming Messiah, the One God promised to send to save His people, the One the Israelites had been waiting for, for generations. Isaiah’s words tell people what to expect from this Messiah. The beauty of this passage is that we find it repeated in the New Testament by Jesus Himself. In Jewish synagogues, there are daily readings, first from the Torah (which we know as the first five books of the Bible), and also from the prophets. Each day has a specific passage to read from the scrolls. One day, Jesus went to Synagogue in Nazareth and read this passage from Isaiah, and He said, The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day! (Luke 4:21). So, while no one in Isaiah’s time saw the fruition of this message, those in Jesus’ time did, and many believed He was the Messiah! Today, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His death for our sins and resurrection, we can experience the freedom only He can give. Carol Graft How did Jesus fulfill this Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 61:1-3)? While God first gave these prophecies to the Israelites, the Messiah is good news for everyone! How can you pray for friends going through tough times in light of Isaiah 61:1-3? wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17b (NLT) Read Verses: Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:16-21; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

READ: MATTHEW 8:5-13; LUKE 5:1-11; JOHN 2:1-11 Coming from Egypt, my family found it tough to live in Canada. We weren’t used to the weather, the system, the people, anything! We didn’t have much money, and my parents were trying to find jobs. Life wasn’t easy. Our main source of transportation was a local bus. We lived in a rented basement, and my mother was pregnant with my little sister. One day, we went shopping. At night. We had no car, and we were preparing for the baby’s arrival. We bought a stroller and a car seat and many other baby essentials. Unfortunately for us, we weren’t allowed to take the shopping cart near the bus stop. We didn’t think it wouldn’t be allowed, but come on! We were new to the country! So there we were, in the middle of the night, alone and with no way out. We stood in the center of the parking lot, praying. We prayed for a way out. Something. Anything. During our prayer, a woman walked up to us and said, “I have a car. My daughter is in there, but we have three spots. Would you like a lift home? I can put your things in my trunk.” Wow. Without hesitation that she had been sent by God, we loaded our items into the trunk, hopped into the car, and the lady drove us home. I was only seven at the time, so I had no idea what was happening. As I look back on the experience, I know that it was a miracle. In the book of Matthew, Jesus said, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). My family and I had faith that night. We trusted God enough to ask Him for help, and we received what we really needed that night. God cares about what you need too. Just ask Him. Believe in God through Jesus (John 14:1). Have faith. • Rachel Hanna • How have you seen God provide? What does it show you about God when you see that He cares about people’s needs? • Have you ever encountered a miracle? Or a seeming coincidence that might’ve been from God? • Do you think it’s important to believe in miracles? Why or why not? • The greatest miracle God has done is raising Jesus from the dead. Why is the resurrection crucial to the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)? “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26b (WEB)

I know that God hears me every time I pray, but does He answer me in the way I want or expect? Not always, but I know He hears me just the same. I am comforted when I remember God knows what’s best for me. He hears my prayers. He knows what’s on my heart (Psalm 139:1-4). He sees everything that’s going on in my life. He helps me because He loves me, and I am His creation. God is the potter, and I am the clay that He can shape into anything He wants (Isaiah 29:16). I want Him to do what’s best with my life. I realize that I don’t always know what’s best for me, but He always does. I can trust my Creator with my life. When I seek to follow Him, He will help me make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-17). God is not deaf to my prayers, and He hears me every time I call to Him. He is always with me, and He provides comfort and strength (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Ephesians 3:16-21). He helps me every time I call to Him, even in ways I don’t see. God knows what’s best for me, and I call to Him when I’m in need because I know my Creator loves me. Bethany Acker Do you pray when you’re in need? Do you forget it’s an option? Do you sometimes not want to pray? What do you like or dislike about the mental picture of God as the potter and us as the clay? Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us and molds us to become more and more like Jesusstrong, loving, compassionate, wise, etc. (Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22-25). How does it make you feel to know that God is the One working in us (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Philippians 1:6)? And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 66:16-20; Romans 8:26-28; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Have you heard the story of the bleeding woman? It’s moving, powerfulfull of courage, faith, and compassion. This important moment is recorded in three of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. To set the scene, Jesus has started His ministry. Going from town to town, He has selected twelve followers and is preaching and performing miracles. Large crowds press around Him as He’s on His way to a dying girl, but a desperately sick woman sees Him. Doctors had failed her; nobody could heal her (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43). She has been hemorrhaging for twelve long years. Her medical condition and gender would have marginalized her in first century society. But hearing about Jesus, she recognizes her once-in-a-lifetime chance. She thinks, If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed (Matthew 9:21; Mark 5:28). Through the tight crowd, she gets close, touches Jesus’ clothes, and feels that she is healed! Then Jesus stops, because He also felt it. He waits for her to come forward, and He personally responds to her faith. Jesus speaks with compassion and intimacy to this marginalized woman by calling her daughter. This encounter indicates the amazing news of Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus, both fully human and fully God, has the power to connect with human suffering. He lived as a man on earth, and as God He alleviated this woman’s pain instantly. In our modern world today, no matter where we’re from or what we’ve done, Jesus cares about our needs. He loves us. When we reach out to Jesus, He is there, ready with open arms to help us. He can and does heal every kind of brokenness: physical, mental, relational, spiritual God can restore us. When He heals today, it’s a glimpse into the final and complete healing we’ll see when Jesus returns at the resurrection. Imagine the joy this woman must have felt at being cured and affirmed by Jesus. She became a living example of Jesus’ love for us. Cindy Lee What is something in your life you want Jesus to touch? Would you like to ask Him about it? Have you experienced people being excluded or pushed aside in your community? How so? In Jesus’ kingdom, no one is excluded. He is compassionate and merciful. He breaks down barriers and prejudice. How can you embrace this truth in your relationship with Him and others? Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over. Mark 5:34b (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:24-34; Luke 8:42-48

You thought someone was going to be part of your life forever, and then suddenly they’re just gone. They left you. They moved on. Now, you’re left wondering about others in your life and trying to figure out if they are going to abandon you too. Human abandonment is one of the most difficult things you will ever deal with (Psalm 55:12-14). Having someone purposefully leave you behind hurts and can cause you to rethink a lot of things in your life. What do you do when you’re faced with that pain? First, remember Jesus is always with you. He will never abandon you (Matthew 28:20; John 14:18). He promises to lead and guide you, to always be by your side (Psalm 139:7-10). Second, pray for the one who has left you and the issues they’re facing (Matthew 5:44; 1 Timothy 2:1). Ask God to make a way to restore the relationship if that is what He wants. Third, cling to those you love and trust. Don’t push away people who’ve always been there for you just because you’ve been hurt (Galatians 6:2; Colossians 3:13; Hebrews 10:24-25). There are times when someone in your life makes you question everything. When you have been abandoned, turn to God and know that He is still with you and in control. The truth is, God never wants to be separated from us. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to live with us as a human. And at just the right time, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:6-8) and then He came back to life and returned to His followers! All to make a way for us to have a personal relationship with God, to no longer be His enemies but His friends. And after Jesus returned to heaven, He sent His Spirit to be with us. So now, all of us who have put our trust in Jesus can know Him personally, even as we look forward to being fully reunited with God when Jesus returns. As members of His family, the church, we wait together for His return, looking forward to the day when we will get to live forever in perfect relationship with Jesus and each other. Emily Acker Have you felt abandoned by someone in your life? Maybe a friend, parent, significant other, pastor, family member, mentor These rejections hurt. It’s ok to feel sad and angry. Bring this to God. The pain you’re facing hurts His heart too. He wants to comfort you, but He will never rush you or force you to come to Him.But He is always ready, waiting with open arms.(Read more on our “Know Jesus” page.) The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) Read Verses: Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Psalm 27:10; 38:11; Isaiah 49:15

Have you ever thought you were communicating one thing, but the way you acted actually communicated another thing? The Corinthians found themselves in a similar problem because of the way they practiced communion. The early church often ate communion alongside a common meal. And while that’s perfectly fine, a problem was arising where some of the poor in the church were leaving these meals hungry, while the rich were gorging themselves on their own foodeven getting drunk (1 Corinthians 11:21). Talk about a mess! I don’t know how you would address this, but Paul started by letting the Corinthians know it doesn’t matter what you call it, this is not the Lord’s Supper if its communicating a message contrary to what Jesus had intended (verse 20). Paul wrote, Do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? (verse 22). Communion was supposed to remind the church of Christ’s sacrificial death (verse 24), but the rich Christians in Corinth were serving themselves instead of following Christ’s example. This meal, that was supposed to signify Christ gathering the church together in the new covenant (verse 25), was doing the opposite: it was driving a wedge between them. Instead, Paul called these Christians to practice communion in a way that builds unityby recognizing the needs of the church. Communion is important, but God won’t have us waste our time with it if we aren’t treating our family in Christ in a way that displays the truths of communion. Paul said, Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord (verse 27). If we are proclaiming Christ’s death every time we practice communion (verse 26), let us proclaim His deathand its significance for us as the churchaccurately. James Driedger What does communion have to say about church unity (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)? Ask yourself: Am I involved in anything that brings disunity to my church family? Ask God to bring to mind any areas where He may be calling you to repent. How did Jesus show His love on the night He gave communion to His disciples (John 13)? For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 1 John 3:16-18

How do you picture God? Maybe you picture Him as an old man, sitting on a throne up in the clouds somewhere. Or maybe you picture some kind of enormous cosmic vortex. No matter what comes to mind, there are a couple things we need to realize. One, God the Father is spirit. He doesn’t have a physical body like you or me or Jesus (who is God the Son). Two, God’s attributes (His qualities and characteristics) are much more important than anything we may imagine Him to look like. So what are some of God’s attributes? First off, God is our King. As today’s Bible reading says, God is King of the whole earth and is seated on His holy throne. God created the heavens and the earth, and therefore He is Lord over all. Because God is almighty, holy, and righteous, it is right for us to think of Him and approach Him with all the honor and reverence He deserves. However, God is also our Fatherand this sets Christianity apart from most other religions. God loves us so much more than we will ever know, so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins. Psalm 103:13 says, As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. God is infinitely loving, compassionate, and merciful. If we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus, believing that His sacrifice on the cross is enough, we can, as the writer of Hebrews put it, 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). Chandler Sims Do you tend to think of God more as a father or more as a king? Is one more difficult for you to accept or understand than the other? Why is it important that we think of God both as our Father and as the King? In what ways does God reveal himself as a king? As a father? Are there any human fathers in your life who show you what God is like (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13)? How might you honor and encourage the fathers in your life? A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5 (NIV) Read Verses: Genesis 1:1; Psalms 47:1-9; 68:4-6

How can a person have wisdom? Wisdom comes from God. He makes it freely available to anyone who seeks Him. Here are simple ways to get wisdom. First, pray and ask God to give you wisdom. He is the giver of all wisdom, and He wants you to earnestly desire and seek after His wisdom. Second, open the Bible daily and read. Reflect and meditate on the Word of God. You could read in the morning or before you go to sleep at night or really any time that works well for you. You could read by yourself or with a group of people. There is so much wisdom you can gain from reading the Word of God. The life-changing truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection transforms the whole worldincluding us! Learn from the ways and life of Jesus. He knew when to speak and when to be silent. He said the right words at the right time. He has these qualities of being wise: He is loving, peaceful, gentle, understanding, merciful, compassionate, and true. He is the perfect embodiment of wisdom. And, if you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He lives in you through the Holy Spirit, giving you a constant source of wisdom and guidance. Third, spend time listening to wise people. This could include your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and many others. Spend time being with them, observing them and learning from their way of living and from their mistakes. Fourth, seek out media that is filled with wisdomgood books, edifying movies and shows, and powerful music. Engaging with art like this can help you hone your skills of discernment. Wisdom is a gift from God. Look to Jesus, the source of all wisdom, and trust Him to guide you toward His wisdom. Golda Dilema Do you sometimes feel like you could never be wise? How does it make you feel to know that, if you know Jesus, the source of wisdom lives in you? Who are some wise people in your life? How can you learn from their wisdom? What are some nuggets of wisdom you’ve learned from Scripture? But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17 (NLT) Read Verses: Proverbs 3:13-26

I’m hoping for a good explanation of what happened out there today, Kali. Captain Vesper crossed his arms as I joined him on the bridge of the Goshawk, the largest ship in the Maldi exploration fleet. Because from what I’ve heard, you abandoned your squad down on Maldi to find the missing explorer. I shrugged, gazing out the window into space and the glowing orb of the planet below us. As the youngest squad leader in the fleet, I had trouble fitting in with any of the team and, admittedly, I had a hard time not doing things myself. I’m a faster pilot alone than with the rest of them. BesidesI rescued the explorer before anything bad could happen. That was my mission, right? It wasn’t just your mission. He frowned. You shouldn’t have left them. You could have gotten into just as much trouble as the explorer you rescued. I work best alone, okay? I snapped. Why can’t I be doing solo supply runs down to Maldi? I was good at that! I didn’t have to worry about other people slowing me down. Captain Vesper sighed, looking out at the planet as starships drifted by, delivering supplies to the outpost. You’re a brilliant, talented pilot Kali, and you might be right about that. You probably didn’t need a team with you for that mission. But your team needs you. They’re waiting on your every word, Kali. They take it all to heart. I glanced over to him. He smiled. If you learn to lead in the small things, you’re going to be a great captain someday. My wrist communicator flashed red with a high-pitched beep of an emergency alert. I looked down to read: STORM INTERRUPTING SIGNAL. LOST ALL CONNECTION WITH MALDI EXPLORATION TEAM. Go. The captain nodded at me, and I pressed a button on the communicator. Squad, this is Kali, I spoke into the device. Let’s regroup in the repair bay. I have new objectives from the captain and a plan for us to go overtogether. Abby Ciona Would you rather work alone or with a team? Jesus died for those of us with an independent streak too. And when our lives are centered on Him, He helps us see that leaning on others to build His kingdom together is exactly what we are designed for. How are we to work as a team? Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) Read Verses: Proverbs 27:23-24; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 25:23; 1 Peter 5:2-6

When you think about memorizing Scripture, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Maybe you think about an elementary Sunday school class where you memorized a verse for a piece of candy. Perhaps you’ve never tried to memorize a Bible verse. Scripture memory is a powerful tool for better understanding the Bible, speaking truth into other people’s lives, and fighting the enemy’s attacks. When we’re filled with truth, it will overflow out of us. There’s something amazing about having Bible verses memorized. In my personal experience, there have been numerous times when someone I know needed to be encouraged with truth, and I was able to speak Scripture over them because it was already in my head. And when I’m feeling worried or attacked by the devil, I remember passages I’ve memorized, and I speak them aloud or rehearse them mentally over my own heart and soul. God’s active Word is a weapon we can use to bring radical revival to ourselves and those around us. How do you become diligent in this spiritual discipline? It looks different for everyone, but here are some tips that have helped me: First, start with one verse. Once you’re confident saying that verse from memory, start the second verse. I memorize one verse per day, so every day I review what I have already memorized and add a new verse. Don’t worry if you need more than one day for each verse. Second, don’t be legalistic about it. The point of memorizing God’s Word isn’t to check off a box. The goal here is to understand what you’re memorizing and fill up your quiver of arrows that will overcome the devil’s attacks. My prayer for you is that storing up truth in your heart will lead to growth and action, both in your life and in the lives of those around you. Chelsea Leigh Why is memorizing Scripture powerful? How can you start memorizing the Word today? Who could you share it with? Do you know someone who might like to memorize Scripture together? For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 119:9-16; Ephesians 6:10-17

When we get down, we want a hand to help us up. We want someone to be kind to us. We want people to understand what we are going through and give us grace. That’s not always what happens, though. Sometimes when we really need a person to be kind to us, they aren’t. But Jesus always extends His kindess to us. There is never a day when He doesn’t feel like being kind. Just like we need kindness on bad days, so does everyone around us. We never know what someone else is going through. It’s so important to be kind and compassionate to people no matter what. As followers of Jesus, we ought to treat others how we want to be treated, all the time (Matthew 7:12). When we live like Jesus, when we show others loveeven when they are not kind to uswe might be just the light they needed in their lives (Matthew 5:14-16). We might bring them a bit of hope or joy when they are feeling ready to call it quits. We might inspire someone to keep trying when they are feeling desperate and alone. The reason we as Christians are able to love others is because God loves us. We have His love in us, and He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to love even when we don’t feel like it. And when we are kind and compassionate to everyone we meet, despite how they treat us, we can make a big impact. Living kindly and giving grace to others is a great way to show people what Jesus is like. As we lean on the Holy Spirit, remembering the incredible kindness Jesus showed us on the cross, God empowers us to extend His grace to anyone we encounter, even on the worst days. Bethany Acker When has someone given you grace when you were in a bad place? Ask God to help you notice opportunities to show His kindness and compassion. If you’re having a bad day (or a lot of bad days) and you need someone to listen with kindness but you aren’t sure who 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. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) Read Verses: Ephesians 4:1-32

READ: PSALM 116:1-9; LAMENTATIONS 3:21-23; ROMANS 12:9-15; GALATIANS 6:1-2 Editor’s Note: Today’s story discusses abortion. “Please help me.” My best friend Emma looks panicked. My heartbeat races as I catch a glimpse of her tearstained face. “I’m having an abortion tomorrow. I need your support.” Shock and anger boil inside me. No! I think. This is against everything I believe in—a life is being destroyed. How could she! Can I get her to change her mind? What do I do? But then, something stirs inside my heart that extinguishes the anger. My friend is desperate. I look up to see her cringing away from me, and I can imagine what my face must have looked like. I take a deep breath. God, help. I pray silently. I’m reminded of how Jesus showed God’s unconditional love to everybody He encountered, and to us. And I begin to feel His compassion for Emma. “Oh Emma, I’m so sorry.” I try to choose my words carefully. “You’re my closest friend. I can see you’re overwhelmed. Could we maybe talk about this? How about over hot chocolate?” Later, with our warm cups in our hands, I ask her how she’s feeling. A million thoughts are buzzing in my head, but I try my best to listen, really listen. Then I ask how far along she is and if we can look up pictures together to see what her baby looks like at this point in the pregnancy. She says yes, and I marvel at the small, intricate people. The thought of Emma’s appointment tomorrow makes me shiver. “You don’t have to do this. I could drive you to get an ultrasound instead,” I say quietly. “I know of a great pregnancy center we can go to. And my church and I can help you with anything else you need. You’re not alone. You have time to decide.” Emma just shakes her head, and I can see her eyes are becoming wet. I reach over and hold her hand. She squeezes mine tight, but she just keeps shaking her head. Now I’m crying too. We just sit there together for several minutes. Then I tell her how precious her little baby is. I say God made her baby on purpose, and even though the circumstances aren’t ideal, He is with her and His help is always available to her. I remind her of the power of the cross—that because Jesus died and rose again, He has forgiven all her sins (past and future), and He lives in her through the Holy Spirit, empowering her to follow Jesus, to not have an abortion. I tell her she can bring her pain to Him because He knows all her hurts and fears, and He loves her so deeply. He wants the best for her and her baby, and so do I. We talk for a long time. Finally, I ask Emma if I can pray with her. That night, I text Emma the phone number for a pregnancy hotline. I add that I love her and I’m praying for her. She doesn’t respond. I pray and pray and pray. I can’t sleep. As soon as the sun’s up, I go to Emma’s place, but she’s not there. Oh God, no. I text her again, and wait, and pray. When she finally comes back, she doesn’t meet my eyes. Her arms are wrapped around her middle. “It’s gone” is all she can say. I feel like I’m going to vomit. Oh God, help, I pray silently. Then I step forward, and hug her. I hold her as she starts to cry, to sob. And my tears mingle with hers. After several minutes, she pulls away and wipes her eyes with her sleeve. I pull out a tissue. “Do you want to tell me about it?” She can only get a few syllables out before shaking her head. “Not yet.” Her voice is quieter than I’ve ever heard it. “Can—can I pray for you? Please?” Emma nods, and I begin to ask God for His help. For Him to show Emma how much He loves her. For Him to show her the forgiveness He offers. I thank Him for His mercies that are new e...

Have you ever seen someone get shamed in public? Scornfully pointing out people’s faults or putting down their differences is a sad part of our broken world. Whether on the news, on the Internet, or at school, we’ve all seen someone be shamed. It may be for their beliefs, or a perceived wrong choice, or even just because they seem different. But shaming others effectively denies the cross, because shaming forgets that we are all equally in need of God’s forgiveness. Paul knew the damage shaming could do. He was guilty of shaming others to the point of persecutioneven deathfor believing in Christ. This was before Paul came to know Jesus through a miraculous encounter with Him. When Paul began sharing the gospel, he knew from experience that Jewish people held so tightly to their rules, they might miss the gift of salvation God offered through His Son. Many of them didn’t believe God’s offer of salvation was for all people (not just the Jews). So Paul encouraged them to accept the inclusivity of the gospel. Paul even went so far as to say this: Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For ââ¬ËEveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Romans 10:12-13). In Christ, we are all equal and equally beloved by God, so why would we shame each other? Jesus went through the worst humiliation possible on the cross so that shame would be erased from our lives for good. He took that shame willingly, then resurrected from the dead so everyone who believes in Him would have the greatest gift of alleternal life with Him. So the next time we have a front-row seat to shaming, let’s remember we are all equally sinners. Because Christ died for the ugly sin in our lives, we can identify with the one being shamed, turn away from shaming, and share Jesus’ love instead. Kristine Brown Hebrews 12:2 and Psalm 34:5 remind us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. How can this help us when we see shaming happening in our world today and when we ourselves feel shamed? Christians are called to lovingly and gently remind fellow Christians how Jesus calls us to act, walking beside each other as we live into the new, forgiven identity Christ gives us (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1-3). How is this different from shaming? We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 10:1-13; Galatians 3:26-29; Hebrews 12:1-3

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Hebrews 1. The words have been taught before, in earlier books, but in Hebrews they are drawn together in order to form a clear picture of Jesus: He is the exact representation of God, He makes a way for us as sinners to have a relationship with God, and He is both human and divine. This passage makes a point of explaining how Jesus is superior to angels, drawing together proofs from God’s spoken word in earlier times. This would have been especially helpful to the original audience, who were Jewish and going through terrible trials in Rome because of their faith. The book of Hebrews tells them, in no uncertain terms, that Jesus is superior to everythingthere is nothing better or more powerful than Him. For these Jewish Christianswho were facing persecution, suffering, and even deathabandoning the gospel and returning to their old faith was a very tempting option. Hearing that Jesus was the final Word who fulfills and completes the Old Testament (in ways angels never could) would have been crucial for these Jewish Christiansand it’s important for us today as well. Thanks to this passage, we can be reminded that Jesus is greater than anyone or anything. He also cares deeply about our hurts, no matter how small. Someone so powerful and so loving can carry us through whatever we’re facing, whether it’s painful persecution like the original audience of this passage or simply a stressful day. Whatever trials you’re facing, take heart and know Jesus is greater than all of them. He came to live among us, to show us the Father, to die the death we deserved, and to resurrect from the dead so now He offers us eternal life, forgiveness, grace, rest, and peace. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He is always with you through His Holy Spirit and His Word. And because Jesus is greater than anything, one day He will return to defeat all suffering, sin, and death permanently, and we can live forever with Him, the greatest King of all. Sapphyre Smith Why is Jesus superior to angels? What trials are you facing today? How might the gospel bring hope in these situations? The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) Read Verses: Hebrews 1

A lot of us love the warm glow of helping someoneand the recognition it brings. Hearing praise and gratitude can make us feel our lives are meaningful and can even give us energy to do more good. But is it possible to crave adulation almost as if it were an addiction? As broken humans, it’s easy to crave attention, because when someone builds us up, it makes us feel good about ourselves. Helping others is what Christians are called to do. Jesus was constantly reaching out to people who were hurting, rejected, sick, and lost. We are called to follow His example (John 13:15; Ephesians 5:1-2), and when people see us emulating Christ, they might be inspired to do so as well. But seeking attention for helping others can easily become like an addiction if we need people to constantly fuss over us each time. It can lead to being easily offended if we don’t receive the praise we think we deserve. Some people are naturally generous, and this is wonderful, but now and then it’s good to commit an act of kindness in secret. Jesus taught His followers about the impact of helping others without an audience (Matthew 6:3). For example, if you are saving up to donate to a charity close to your heart, do you really have to tell everyone about it? It would be tempting to inform people of your plans and bask in praise, but Jesus reminds us there is glory in keeping quiet because God blesses you when He sees you doing something kind in secret. Sound harsh? It isn’t meant to. When we show off, the pleasure and satisfaction is momentary. God wants the best for us. He sent His Son to show His love to the utmost. He gave Himself up for us so that everyone who trusts in Him could be saved from death and receive His grace. When we follow Jesus’ teaching and God’s direction with a willing heart, then we are rewarded eternally. Cindy Lee Where do you like to serve? How would you feel if you did the task without anyone knowing? In the Bible, Jesus is often moved with compassion right before He helps people (Matthew 20:34; Mark 6:34). If you know Him, His compassion lives in you through the Holy Spirit! Ask God to help you sense and respond to the ways He nudges you to show compassion to others. Reflect and ask God for an idea of an act of kindness you could do without anyone knowing. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Matthew 6:3 (NLT) Read Verses: Matthew 6:1-8