Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

God is sovereign. The word sovereign simply means that He is the Supreme Ruler, the One who has ultimate power. God has the final say in everything! Wow! I never liked that idea! That is, until I learned that the Bible says God is not only in charge but is also the very definition of love (1 John 4:8). That’s really good news: God can only do loving things! Because God is sovereign and we are not, He often does things that don’t make sense to us. That is what Isaiah 55:9 means when it says, my ways are higher than your ways. God is such a great and awesome God that the reasons behind His actionswhile always goodwill often be unsearchable to us as created beings (Romans 11:33). When the Bible says God’s thoughts are higher than ours, it means His thoughts are much wiser than ours. He thinks differently and knows things we can’t possibly know. And you know what? That is okay! We can know for sure that God is love and that everything God does is done in love. God became a human to show His love for us and so that we might have a relationship with Him through faith (John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-3). Because of His love, we can choose to trust Him even when we don’t understand what He is doing. Even when the world is falling apart, God tells us to stand on the truth: God is both loving and sovereign, and when He rules, He rules in love! Sharon J. Morris How do you feel about God being sovereign? How can remembering God’s love help us trust Him as the Supreme Ruler? In Christ, why can we talk to the Supreme Ruler about anything (Hebrews 4:14-16)? Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 (CSB) Read Verses: Isaiah 55:8-11; 1 John 4:7-10, 16-18

Are you praying desperately for loved ones and wondering if they’ll ever come to know Jesus? You are not alone. This is the battle that St. Monica had all the way back in the fourth century AD. Monica was a devout Christian. She was in an arranged marriage with Patricius, a man who did not share her faith but surprisingly allowed her to practice hers. Life was far from easy for herPatricius was abusive and unfaithful, and his difficult mother-in-law came to live with them. Monica must have been frustrated at times, desiring them both to turn to God. Monica prayed constantly for her family, refusing to give up on them and remaining faithful, even when it must have seemed impossible. Finally, after many years of crying out to God, both her mother-in-law and her husband converted to Christianity, shortly before Patricius’ death. While part of her prayers had been answered, Monica had another prayer request regarding her son, who would eventually become known as St. Augustine. Young Augustine was a disobedient and rebellious person, but Monica never gave up on him, remaining fervent in prayer for his conversion. It appeared he would never change his ways, but several months before Monica died, something miraculous happened. With the influence of Ambrose, a gifted speaker and Christian bishop, Augustine converted to Christianity and became a changed person. Monica’s life serves as a reminder that God is still at work, even when all seems lost. We can trust Him and pray persistently, knowing He is the One who saves. Monica’s sacrificial love toward her family members demonstrated the love Jesus showed to herand uson the cross. Cindy Lee Who are people you are praying for right now? Does it comfort you to know you aren’t in control of saving other people? How can you love others in your life like Jesus has loved you? Read 2 Timothy 1:1-5. Lois and Eunice were the grandmother and mother of Timothy, who was a young leader in the early church. How did their faith impact how they raised Timothy? How was Monica’s influence on Augustine similar to the influence Lois and Eunice had on Timothy? We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19 (NLT) Read Verses: Luke 18:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:24-26

St. Augustine was a famous theologian born in AD 354 in present-day Algeria. He wrote on big ideas in Christianity, such as the importance of the church and salvation by grace. He also devoted time to answering questions about Christianity in general. Because of what Augustine contributed to the church, you might think, “Wow, this guy must have had a pretty clean track record when it comes to sin,” and that is simply untrue. Like all of us, Augustine was an imperfect human and a sinner. In his early years, he searched for meaning and answers to life’s big questions, eventually devoting himself to some pretty messed-up ideologies in the process. Augustine also struggled with sexual immorality for years, and he was wracked with guilt. But he didn’t convert to Christianity until he was 31. One day, when he was feeling particularly grieved by his sin, he heard a childlike voice calling him to pick up the Bible and read. He did and found himself reading Romans 13:13-14, which led him to put his trust in Jesus as his Savior from sin and death. After his conversion, Augustine went on to become the bishop of Hippo. During his lifetime, he wrote Confessions, City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and more. His writings are still held in high regard by many in the church today. Augustine comments on our relationship with God and sums up his discovery of Christianity in his quote from Confessions, saying, Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee. Augustine’s restless heart found rest in Jesus’ gracethe only place for any restless heart. Naomi Zylstra How do you feel knowing Augustine struggled with sins such as lust? Does it surprise you that Jesus used a broken person like Augustine to further His church? Why or why not? Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:14 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 13:11-14

When you find an area in your life that needs change, do you seek to try harder and do betterbut find it just gets worse? As Christians, this is often how we look at the gospel. How have we taken something so simple and turned it into a to-do list? Into Jesus plus this? Into I don’t see how God can really forgive me and love me when I keep doing _______? In Isaiah 30, God’s children were rushing about without consulting God (verse 2). They were making plans to ask for Egypt’s protection in crisis instead of turning to God and crying out for help. In verse 15, the Lord reminded them: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. The children of Israel were doing what we so often do: trying to worship God by following rules and saying the right things instead of through true repentance and rest in Him alone (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus confronted this same faulty thinking in Matthew 15:1-20. The Pharisees were upset that Jesus’ disciples weren’t following the traditions of the elders and washing their hands before eating (verse 2). Jesus showed them their hypocrisy by reminding them of what Isaiah said: merely following rules is not a mark of true repentance (verses 7-9). True repentance is turning to Jesus, the One who wipes out sin by His blood and gives the only true rest (Matthew 11:28; Acts 3:19). Savannah Coleman Why do we sometimes think of the Bible as do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that (Isaiah 28:12-13)? When you notice you’re trusting more in your good works than the blood of Jesus, how can you remind yourself His work on the cross finished it completely for you (Ephesians 2:8-9)? How does it make you feel to know salvation is free from a set of rules and regulations but instead involves a simple turning to and trusting in Jesus? How will you live in this freedom today? To learn more about what it means to trust Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 (NIV) Read Verses: Isaiah 30:1-22; 1 John 1:1-2:2

Have you ever questioned whether being a Christian was worth the effort? Have you ever looked at people who don’t know God and thought, “Their lives are so easy, but my life is boring and hard”? Sometimes we see people who don’t know God succeeding, and we wonder if the sacrifices of the Christian walk are really worth the effort. This was the exact dilemma of Asaph in Psalm 73. He says he was envious of wicked people because their lives looked easy and satisfying. He wonders, Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? (verse 13). Asaph knows the struggle of our hearts when we are jealous of others and discontent with our own lives. But, after talking with God, Asaph changes the tone in the second half of the psalm. He talks about how God is justthe wicked will not prosper forever. Then, Asaph begins to praise God, remembering that our longings find their ultimate fulfillment in Him. God is good, and His desire is for us to turn to Him in those moments of temptation and struggle (Hebrews 4:14-16). Like Asaph says, God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever (Psalm 73:26). Our hearts were made to desire satisfaction. When you see people who disregard God but seem to be thriving, let your desire to be satisfied push you to Jesus, your Creator and Savior. Rest in His love for you and His presence with you no matter what circumstances you face. Phil Cox Read Hebrews 4:14-16. In Christ, why can we go to God at any time with any struggle we are facing? Asaph didn’t find peace until he went to God’s sanctuary (Psalm 73:16-17). How do you think looking to Godboth individually and with other Christians at churchcan help you as you struggle with tough times and hard questions? My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 73

Kellen crossed his arms and shook his head as smoke engulfed his one-man transport. He turned away and stepped off the tracks that connected the two largest cities in the world. The railway cut through a thick forEsther Kellen marveled at some of the trees before he reached for his phone. As he slipped his hand into his pocket, something caught his eye. A sliver of blue glistened through an opening in the trees. He pulled back some branches and stepped into the forEsther Kellen gasped as he was suddenly standing in a new world. The brilliant blue was coming from a rushing waterfall. Beyond the cascade was an endless golden field. A gust of wind swept over the meadow and stirred up a flock of colorful birds that piloted over the waterfall and down to a cluster of luscious green branches. Kellen’s soul was breathlessly satisfied. He compared the feeling to his immense riches, and the steel utopia he had built for himself, but neither of them compared to the peace that he felt now. For the first time, Kellen felt like he was at home. It can all be yours, said a soft voice. Kellen turned to see a delicate, old man holding a staff twice his height. It is of more value than anything you can ever achieve, said the man. Kellen nodded and looked over the paradise one more time. As he turned and stepped back through the treeline, he repositioned some branches to hide his newly discovered treasure. . . . Kellen had sold everything he had and returned to the field. He stepped off the transport and pulled back the branches like he had the day before. He stepped through the brush and into the paradise. Welcome home, said the man. Rafe Emerson Bellers Today’s story echoes Matthew 13:44, which is one of several parables Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven, also called the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19). If we have put our trust in Jesus to save us from sin through His death and resurrection, He promises we are a part of that kingdom (Mark 1:14-15; Colossians 1:3-14). To learn more about becoming a part of Jesus’ kingdom, check out our “Know Jesus” page. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it so important that none of our achievements can get us into the kingdom of heaven? If we are a part of the kingdom of heaven, we have an inheritance in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-9). Read Matthew 11:28-30 and 28:20, Romans 8, Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Peter 2:9-10, and Revelation 21:1-5. What are some of the promises we have if we are a part of Jesus’ kingdom? The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 13:44; Philippians 3:20-21

If she did not act, they would all perish. Esther’s heart pounded in her chest, the whisper of her silk dress taunting her with its queenly beauty as she paced the palace halls, every step bringing her closer to the king’s throne room. “You are uninvited,” she thought. The threat tormented her, stealing her breath and nearly her confidence with it. “To go before the king uninvited is a death sentence.” Esther reached the ornate doors of the throne room and stopped. One more step would bring her before her husband, the king of Persia, and if he did not welcome her in with a wave of his scepter, she would die. Why me? she breathed. She was a young Jewish woman, not a queen. Yet the sparkling crown on her head said otherwise. “Why did the king choose me?” The words of her cousin, Mordecai, the man who had raised Esther from childhood, now rang in her mind: “Perhaps it is for such a time as this that you have been chosen.” Such a time as this. The king, deceived by his evil second-in-command, had sealed a proclamation to eradicate every Jew in Persia on the charge of treason. Did the king know he had just sentenced his own queen to death? Esther stared at the doors that separated her from her people’s last hope. Someone must unveil the lies that had born an impending massacre. “You will die if you go,” her mind taunted. Esther tilted her chin in defiance. “I will die if I stay,” she thought. Even now, the king’s men waited to be unleashed on the kingdom and not one living Jew would be left in their wake. Esther was all that stood in their way. The young queen straightened her shoulders and nodded to the guards. The massive doors swung open. Lord, give me courage, she pleaded. Her eyes met the king’s across the royal throne room. “If I perish, I perish.” Anita Seavey Check out Esther 78. How did God intervene in Esther’s situation? As Christians, when we are afraid, who can we turn to (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7)? No matter what we face, what are some promises we have in Christ (Romans 8)? And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14b (NIV) Read Verses: Esther 2:5-4:17

Do you have a theme song? Do you ever wake up with a song in your head? Do you memorize song after song? Psalms, which is actually a book of songs, is the longest book in the Bible. But, even though it is long, it’s a great book to start reading because it’s already broken up into small, individual pieces. It consists of 150 psalms (or songs), and many worship songs in the church today take lyrics right out of the psalms. Some psalms are structured more like hymns. Some psalms are written more like wise sayings, such as Psalm 1. Some psalms read like a psalmist’s prayer journal, crying out to God for comfort, rescue, or forgiveness. You can find psalms that praise God for who He is (Psalm 145), look in wonder at His works and creation (Psalm 19), and thank Him for victories and blessings (Psalm 46). The psalms cover every aspect of lifethe good and the badand acknowledge God as the hope in all of it. One amazing thing about the psalms is that they were written hundreds of years before Jesus’ earthly ministry but foreshadow Jesus (for example, Psalm 22). So, today, open up your Bible and flip to the psalms. Read one, and fill yourself with the lyrics. Make it your theme song today. Abby Ciona Do you have any songs memorized or stuck in your head? How can you fill yourself with God’s Word, the Bible? Read one of the psalms mentioned in today’s reading. What is the psalmist saying about God? How might this psalm point to the hope we have in Jesus, who is God? You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 46

The devil likes to make us think we are worthlessthat God can’t use us in His kingdom. He makes us think regular people like us don’t have anything to contribute to the church, the body of Christ. This is a lie. We all have something to contribute. When we put our trust in Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit blesses us with spiritual gifts. We were also born with certain abilities and attributes. From the beginning of our lives, God prepares us as His people for special purposes in His service. Take a look at Romans 12:6-8. In this passage, Paul lists some of the spiritual gifts God has given us. Every gift is important and needed, and we can use these gifts in many ways in the church. If your gift is teaching, maybe you can serve in a children’s class at church. If you have an outgoing personality and a merciful heart, you could welcome people to the churchleading them to their classrooms and helping them plug into the church. Maybe you could lead the church food drive or help plan a children’s event. Or you might try mentoring and praying with people who are going through a rough time. There are many, many ways you can serve your local church. You don’t have to be a certain age, and you don’t need a genius IQ. All you need is a willing spirit. Ask God for direction about where He would have you serve. Then, talk to your pastor or youth leader about ways you can help your local church. God will lead you to the right spot for you to serve. Sharon Rene What prevents you from serving in your church? Fear, lack of confidence, or something else? What do you like to do? What are you good at? Make a list of your talents. How can these talents be put to use in your local church? For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Romans 12:6-8

The time: World War II. The place: a printing shop in a village in the Netherlands. Several men, including my grandfather, were busy working for the resistance, printing pamphlets against Hitler and the Nazis. They had been sending these pamphlets through the Underground for a long time to build support for the resistance. Suddenly, the thing they had long feared came to pass! There was a banging on the door and a great deal of yelling as the German SS entered. Everyone in the shop was arrested and jailed. They all pleaded innocent to working in the resistancebut, of course, they were guilty. Some of the men were killed immediately, and the rest were interrogated. The SS wanted names of other resistance workers, so they beat the men to try to get that information. One man, we’ll call him Willem, returned from an interrogation session very badly wounded. Expecting not to survive the next day’s questioning, Willem spoke with my grandfather and gave him his wedding ring. Willem wanted his wife to have it should he die, so he asked my grandfather to take it to her, if my grandfather survived and was released. Fortunately for my grandfather, no one mentioned his name as a resistance worker. The Germans accepted his claim to innocencethat he just happened to be there at the time of the raidand they let him go. One of the first things he did was bring Willem’s ring to his widow. Romans 5:7 says it’s rare that someone will die for someone else, but Willem did. By refusing to give the names of co-conspirators in the resistance, he saved several lives, including my grandfather’s, and condemned himself to death. The Bible also says Jesus gave his life for us, but not because we were friends or partners. Romans 5:8 tells us, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Sinners! Those who disobey God’s perfect law. We were enemies, even (Romans 5:10)! But, because of His great love for us, Jesus gave His life for ours! Rosanne Eising Can you think of a time when someone gave up something for you or when you gave up something for someone else? To learn more about what Jesus’ sacrifice means for you, check out our “Know Jesus” page. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (CSB) Read Verses: Romans 5:6-10

A heart wrapped up in worry, A fearful mind wondering, “What next? Why? When?” Pressure, exams, relationships, Friendshere, then gone, Anxieties tattooing a lasting impression. Hold on. In the uncertainty, take His hand. Reach out to God. When you fall, cling on tightly. In troubled times, He will never forsake you. He will carry you in His arms. Hold on. Cindy Lee Are you facing some challenging issues in your life? Write them down and then offer them up to God, who loves you. Do you know anyone who is struggling? How can you offer a hand of friendship or steer them in the direction of a trusted adult who can help them? Who are trusted adults you can reach out to in tough timessuch as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers? Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19 (NLT) Read Verses: Psalm 68:17-20; John 16:33

You didn’t make the team. That singing part you were trying out for? The girl who always gets the main part got it again. No one invited you to that party. Your parents are disappointed with your grades yet again. Life is full of pressure to perform and be enough. And, as much as you try to drown out the voice that whispers, You are not enough, it still seeps through at times. As Christians, how do we combat this voice that lies to us? We go to the truththe Word of God. What does God say about our worth? He says we are His chosen people (1 Peter 2:9). He chose us before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The same God who intricately knit us together in our mother’s womb still knows the number of hairs on our heads (Psalm 139:13; Matthew 10:29-31). Since we have put our trust in Jesus Christ, we are children of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). We were created in the image of God, and we are being conformed to the image of his Son (Genesis 1:27; Romans 8:29). We are more than enough because we are God’s creations; we are His treasures. In Christ, we don’t need to perform because we are loved and saved by Him, secure by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (Romans 8:9-11, 38-39; Ephesians 2:8-10). So, when that voice whispers, You’re just not enough, shout back, In Christ, I’m MORE than enough! Savannah Coleman When doubts about your worth fill your mind, where do you turn? Do you dwell on these thoughts until you feel like you are drowning in self-pity? Do you sweep them under the rug and use a distraction so you don’t have to face your thoughts? Turn to Jesus. He alone can uncover the lies and reveal where your true worth is found. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 (NIV) Read Verses: Ephesians 1:1-14; 1 Peter 2:4-10

Has prayer ever been confusing or boring to you? Prayer is how we talk with God, and, in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can talk with God about anythingbecause we are resting on the promises of His Word, the Bible (Matthew 11:28-29; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). As Christians, we can pray on our own or in a group of other Christians. When we pray, we are having a conversation with God. Jesus wants us to connect with Himto share our worries, our brokenness, our needs, our praise, and our dreams. But like all conversations, there are times when we have to listen. After we have shared our hearts, we reflect on the truths of God’s Word and think about how God could be speaking to us. To listen, we might ask, How does the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection affect the situation we’re praying about? How is the Holy Spirit calling us to live in light of these truths? God made each of us different, so there are lots of different ways we can pray. To reignite your prayer time, try linking prayer to the talents and interests God has blessed you with. If you are musical, then you could try prayer through singing and create a new song or instrumental piece of work. If you are an avid reader, try meditating on Bible versesperhaps also including quotations from inspiring Christians throughout church history. If you are a writer, you might decide to write poetry in a journal or create a list of thanksgiving and requests to share with God. Those who need structure might prefer traditional prayers, such as the Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, or even prayers from historical prayer books, hymnals, or confessions of different Christian denominations. Some days, prayer will be easier than others. But don’t give up. Sometimes the words won’t come or you will feel empty. But rest assured: Jesus always listens, and time spent talking with Him is never, ever wasted. Cindy Lee What are your hobbies? How can these passions be used as forms of prayer? When is the best time for you to pray? The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in tRuth Psalm 145:18 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 6:9-13; Psalm 145:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How many times have you misread a text or an email? Now, let’s flip it: how many times have you had a message misinterpreted? Maybe you took your friend’s sarcasm literally, orin a hurry to get the message outyou typed the wrong date in an important text. As Christians, we’re called to represent God and His love in every part of our lives, even day-to-day communication. The Bible is full of wisdom about our words and our communication with each other. The first wise step in good communication: slow down! Time after time in the Bible, we read that a quick remark, comment, or decision made without thinking often leads to regret. Putting this advice into practice might mean reading over that text before you press send or thinking about the effect of a small comment. Second: listen. Listen to the whole story or request before doing anything else. Make sure you aren’t missing any information and that you understand the message before sending off a reply. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions for clarity. Third: think about the tone of your message. Is it respectful and polite, building others up, or does it tear them down? And, if the communication is digital, think about if you would be comfortable saying the same thing to them in person. Even in our fast-paced world, talking face-to-face is often the best, clearest way to communicate, because we hear voice tone cues and see facial expressions. Whether you’re communicating digitally or in person, remember God made us to live in community with others, honoring Him and each other by loving others through our communication. Abby Ciona When have you had a message misinterpreted or misinterpreted someone else’s words? How can slowing down and focusing on connecting at a personal level help you avoid miscommunication? My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19 (CSB) Read Verses: Proverbs 18:13; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29

Have you ever invited a friend to church, or tried to tell them about your faith, only to have them turn you down? Facing rejection can be discouraging, and it’s one reason we hesitate to share our faith with others. In 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, Paul points to an important and encouraging truth we should remember as we share the good news of Jesus. First, notice how Paul refers to himselfas a servant of God (verse 5). Paul considered it his responsibility to serve God. How did Paul serve God? By planting and watering spiritual seeds (verse 6). Paul’s farming illustration describes how God uses different people at different times and in different ways to help people get saved and grow in their faith. Just like it takes planting and watering for a plant to grow, it takes sharing the gospel, invitations to church, Bible studies, and much more for a person to get saved and then to grow! Second, don’t miss the important point Paul makes in verses 6 and 7. While Paul planted the seed and Apollos watered the seed, notice who grew the seed. It’s God! Sometimes it can be discouraging to share the gospel with someone or invite them to church or youth group, only to be rejected. We might wonder, Am I doing something wrong? Should I stop making myself vulnerable by seeking to share my faith? Most of the time, these discouraging thoughts are a direct result of confusing responsibilities. We are not responsible for whether or not someone chooses to put their trust in Jesus; we are only responsible for sharing the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who uses our labor to work in the hearts of unbelievers. Be encouraged knowing you are being a faithful worker just by sharing the gospel, and trust that God is the One who gives the growth! Jonathon Fuller Why is it encouraging to know God is the One who gives the growth when it comes to sharing the gospel? Who is one person you would like to share the good news of Jesus with? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (CSB) Read Verses: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Ever been wide awake at night? Maybe you’re afraid of the unknown. Maybe you’re overwhelmed with a never-ending to-do list. Maybe you’re heartbroken by injustice and brokenness in the world. When I can’t sleepwhich happens to me a lotI often end up reading the Psalms. They are like a prayer journal: the psalmists praise God in times of celebration and cry out to Him in their darkest nights. In Psalm 77, the psalmist is in a dark place, and he starts by talking to God honestly about how he is feeling: Will the Lord reject forever and never again show favor? Has his faithful love ceased forever? Is his promise at an end for all generations? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? (verses 7-9). Then, the mood of the psalm changes when the psalmist turns from his worries and pain and remembers all God has done for him in the past (verses 11 and 12). God has been faithful, saving the psalmist and his people from their enemies, leading them every step of the way (verses 15-20). No matter our circumstances, God is constant and faithful (Hebrews 13:8). If you are a Christian, your future is secure in Jesus. Remember God’s never-ending love for you. Remember Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Remember the promises you have in Christ (see for example, Romans 8). Think about how Jesus has been with you through similar times in the past (Matthew 28:20). In Christ, you have unshakeable hope no matter what the day ahead may bring. Abby Ciona Read Psalm 77 and Romans 8. What are some truths about and promises from God you can remember when you are facing sleepless nights? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can reach out to during tough times, such as pastors, parents, teachers, or counselors? If you need someone to talk to about something keeping you up at night, 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. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:8 (CSB) Read Verses: Psalm 77

Because Jesus loved us first, let us fill our lives with love and not hatred. By the power of His Spirit, let us love even those who want to hurt usthose who could very easily be our enemies. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, let us love those who wrong us, who want to see us fail. What does it mean to show the amazing love God has shown us? Love can get confusing, especially when we don’t know how much to let someone into our lives or when we need to separate ourselves from those who are doing us harm. But the basic principle is this: Instead of reacting out of hatred or trying to give someone back what we feel they deserve, we put our trust in our God and Savior to bring ultimate justice and to give us the power to forgive (Romans 12:9-21). Why? Because He forgave us and gives us His Spirit and a community of other people in our lives to figure out the best ways to show love to each person we encounterenemy or not (Ephesians 4). God is love, and He made us to love one another (1 John 4:7-12). In fact, Jesus even said the whole Bible can be summed up in two simple commands: love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40). And here’s the good news: in Christ, we can be filled with the love He showed us. Bethany Acker Read Romans 5:8 and 1 Peter 2:20-25. How does knowing how God loved us first change the way we see others? Have we ever considered that we ourselves are difficult to love? Why is it important that we’re no more (or less) deserving of love than other people? Who are difficult-to-love people in your life? What questions do you have about showing love to them? Read Galatians 6:1-10. We are not made to live out our faith alone, especially in dangerous situations. As you pray for wisdom about how to best show love to those around you, who are trusted people in your life you can reach out tosuch as pastors, parents, counselors, or other authority figures? We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV) Read Verses: Matthew 5:43-48; 22:36-40; 1 John 4:19

God is very good, and He wants us to know Him. He showsor revealswho He is to us in two ways. First, He created the universe and filled it with good things. Even though our world is broken by the effects of sin, everything in creation was created good and that goodness remains and points to God, bringing Him glory (Genesis 1:1, 31; Psalm 24:1; Romans 8:19-23). When creation points to God, it is called “general revelation.” Second, God gave us His Word, the Bible, so we could get to know Him and have a relationship with Jesus (Acts 10:43; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). When God shows Himself through the Bible, it is called “special revelation,” a type of revelation that is more specific. In other words, creation suggests to us that God exists and is a powerful Creator and encourages us to seek Him out (Isaiah 40:25-31; Romans 1:18-20). Then, God’s Word shows us the restthe specificsof what we need to know about Him. All of this means that it’s important to base our ideas about God on His Word because the Bible is the only place where God reveals Himself fully as He wants to be knownthrough Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-3). God is the One who wrote the Bible, and He is good and does not lie (Psalm 34:8; John 17:17; Titus 1:2). What He says lasts forever (Isaiah 40:6-8). What God says also affects the way we view forever: God loves us and has made a way for those who put their trust in Him to live forever with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 2 Peter 3:9-13; Revelation 21:1-8, 27). At that time, creation will no longer be broken by sin and everything will glorify God in an even clearer way because we will see Jesus as He is (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Aurora Scriver Reread Psalm 19. What does this passage say about creation? What does it say about God’s Word (or the things God says)? What’s your favorite part of creation? How does it remind you of who God is? What’s your favorite part of the Bible? Why? What does it show you about God? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands . The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:1, 7 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 19

Kids under ten tend to be blunt. While listening to the book of Leviticus, the blue-eyed, freckled-faced girl with a knack for honesty commented, I feel like the God of the Old Testament is so different from the New Testament. He’s sitting on a couch saying, ââ¬ËBring me more grapes! Do this! Don’t do that, or you will be punished!’ While her comments were shocking to hear, this nine-year-old made sense. When reading the Old Testament, we find many stories of God punishing sin and disobedienceby death, fire, plagues, and the like. Where is the God of mercy who died to save us? Did God eventually soften up over the years? What was the point of the law anyway? From the beginning of creation until now, God remains the same (Hebrews 13:8). Like a diamond, there are many facets to God. Not only is He completely loving and merciful, but He is also fully holy and just (Leviticus 22:31-33; Deuteronomy 32:4; Daniel 9:9; 1 John 4:16). God in His goodness and holiness cannot be a part of sin, which breaks and destroys. And we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Thankfully, God’s plan all along was to send His Son as the sacrifice that atones for our sins (1 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 2:2). The law is useful because it shows our inability to carry it outall good deeds will always be nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We need a Saviorthe Son of God Himself who did no wrong. Only His sacrifice for us could make us truly right with God the Father. The law kills, but in Christ, we are given grace and life (2 Corinthians 3). Savannah Coleman Consider the mercy of God in the Old Testament: saving Noah and his family from the flood (Genesis 6-9), rescuing Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-29), or turning from the destruction of Nineveh because of their repentance, even though the city had been wicked to the core (Jonah 3:1-10). Contemplate the justice of God in the New Testament: Ananias and Sapphira’s consequence for lying to God (Acts 5:1-11); the parable Jesus told of the widow and her adversary and how that relates to God’s justice on behalf of His children (Luke 18:1-8); and the defeat of Satan at the end of time (Revelation 19:11-21; 20:10). But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes. Romans 7:13 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 7:1-22; Galatians 3

Today, there was a time change. In many parts of the world, lots of people turned their clocks back an hour and sighed at the prospect of one more blissful hour of sleep. I don’t know about you, but I definitely counted that as a blessing. But turning our clocks back is an anomaly. Getting an extra hour of sleep is something we don’t normally experience, which is why it occurred to me to be thankful for it. How many blessings do I experience on a daily basis that I just miss? Jeremiah 17:7 says, blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. This verse convicts me to remember that, in Christ’s love, I am so deeply blessed. I trust in Him for salvation, and His Spirit empowers me to live in thankfulness for that blessing and so many other blessings in my life (Ephesians 5:18-20). I have a roof over my head and a loving family and an adorable dog. But since I see these things every day, I forget to count them as blessings and to thank God for them and for everything He has done for me. Literally everything we have, we have because of God (James 1:17). We wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for His love for us, and that’s a whole lot to be thankful for. So the next time you hear a beautiful song or notice a growing flower, think of them as blessings. You’ll be a lot happier and develop a deeper relationship with the One who gave you all those things. Sapphyre Smith What are some small blessings you’ve noticed in your life lately? Read Ephesians 1. What are some of the other blessings we have in Christ? And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 100:4; Jeremiah 17:7-8

Can you name five types of apples? There’s the Granny Smith, McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Galajust to name a few of the 7,500 varieties! Each variety of apple has a distinctly different taste. Some are sweet, others are tart, and some are both. Even though they have different tastes, they have one thing in common: they are all apples. That’s similar to how the body of Christ works. The churchwhich is made up of believers in Jesus from around the world and throughout history–includes lots of different Christians. Every Christian has different talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts to serve the church (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 1213; 1 Peter 4:8-11). Some local Christian churches are large, and others are small. Also, different churches have different styles of worship services, or ministries they emphasize or focus on, or convictions about gray areas in Scripture (Romans 14). But, just like all apples have similar traits, all true Christians are united around faith in the gospel: the good news that Jesus Christfully God and fully human died and rose again as the only Savior from sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). All Christians are a part of the kingdom of God and are called to love God and others (Mark 12:30-31). How we love is what makes us us: we loved because Jesus first loved us (John 13:35; 1 John 4:19). Melissa Yeagle What are differences between you and other Christians you know? Despite those differences, what unites you? To learn more about the truths that unite all Christians, check out our “Know Jesus” page. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 22:35-40; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Ephesians 4:1-16

Have you ever asked for something for your birthday and not gotten what you asked for? Maybe the gift you asked for was too expensive, or maybe your parents knew the gift you asked for wasn’t what was best for you. In 1 John 5:14, John writes that, when you go before God in prayer, you can have confidence God hears you. And not only that! In verse 15, John even says God will give you what you ask for. Now hold on just a minute, you might be thinking. “There are times when I have asked God for something and didn’t receive it.” You may wonder, “Is God even listening to me?” Notice, however, the can’t-miss phrase in verse 14: according to his will. The real reason you may not receive what you ask for from God might be because you aren’t asking for something that aligns with God’s good and perfect will (Romans 12:2). It may be your will for Michigan to win the national championship, or to get a new Lamborghini, or for Chris from biology class to ask you out on a date. But just because you ask God for these things does not mean they are what God wants. As believers, we should regularly ask, “Since God is good, is what I’m asking for something that aligns with His will?” Seek to include prayer requests you know are according to God’s will based on His Word, the Bible. As your will becomes more and more like God’s will, you can have confidence God hears you and will give you what you ask for (Psalm 37:4). Jonathon Fuller The book of Psalms in the Bible is full of prayers from God’s people. What are some things the psalmists prayed about? How did they pray according to God’s will? Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 5:7. In Christ, is there anything you can’t bring before God in prayer? How could you use the model of the Psalms and the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 to pray for these things? This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 (CSB) Read Verses: 1 John 5:14-15

The betrayal of a close friend, a sickness, a crime against us, the death of a family member, natural disasters, family difficulties, financial woes so many things can put us in the middle of a whirlwind of emotions. Whether we’re feeling overwhelming sadness over a loss, anger as to why it happened, anxiety about what the future holdsor a combination of all threewhere can we turn? In Christ, we can cling to and rest in some amazing promises as we go through the storms that come in a world broken by sin and death. And here’s the great news: God will never break His promises to us. Promise #1: Jesus is always with youeven during hard times. Promise #2: Nothing can happen to you that will separate you from God’s love. Promise #3: The suffering we face does not have the last word. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. He is the Victor over sin and death. Our faith is in the promise that the same King who died for sin and rose from the grave will one day return to make all things newfree from sin, death, and suffering. God’s people in Christ will live forever with Him, and suffering will be no more. Because of the good news of these promises, we can resteven as we grieve the tragic things we facebecause our Savior is with us now and will dwell with us forever. Melissa Yeagle Why do God’s promises give us hope even in the darkest of times? Read Hebrews 4:14-16. Does Jesus understand our suffering? If Jesus understands our suffering, is there any emotion we can’t bring to Him? If you’re going through a hard time right now, who are trusted adults you can talk withsuch as pastors, youth leaders, parents, or counselors? Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35 (CSB) Read Verses: Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:35-39; Revelation 21:1-5

I was days away from graduating college. Having just completed my final exam, I walked to the front of the room to turn it in. The professor stopped me. I’d like to see you in my office later. We have things to discuss. My stomach sank to my knees. Is something wrong? Yes. Immediately, I knew what this was about. I had screwed up. I had plagiarized my last paper for his class. I had a long list of excuses for why I did it, but the fact remained: I had cheated by plagiarizing a paper, and I was about to get busted for it. Later, as I sat in my professor’s office, crying and apologizing, realization hit me: He could kick me out of school. Fail me. My mind was racing. “I’m a couple of days away from graduating, and because of my stupid decision, I might lose everything,” I thought. And I completely deserved it. Then, an amazing thing happened. Instead of tearing my world apart and giving me exactly what I deserved, he forgave me. This is exactly what Christ does for us. We screw up. We commit giant mistakes. But instead of giving us exactly what we deserve, when we turn to Him sobbing in repentance, He opens His arms and utters these words: I forgive you. I didn’t deserve my professor’s forgiveness, but he gave it anyway. We don’t deserve Christ’s forgiveness, but because He loves us, He gives it anyway. Freely, mercifully, and eternally. He washes us clean in His blood and removes the stains of all our sin. My huge sincheatinghas been removed forever. If your faith is in Christ, your huge sins have been wiped clean too; you are forgiven. Cathryn Free To learn more about what it means to be forgiven in Christ, check out our “Know Jesus” page. Reread today’s Bible passages. As Christians, how can we rest in the promise of His forgiveness, even when we mess up? As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NIV) Read Verses: Psalm 103:10-14; Ephesians 1:6-8; 1 John 1:9-2:1

How well do you think you would be able to communicate with other people if you weren’t allowed to talk or text for a day? It would probably be pretty hard because the spoken and written word are such big parts of human communication! In John 1:14, Jesus is given a title called the Word. The reason John refers to Jesus this way is because Jesus is the ultimate means by which God has chosen to communicate to you and to me. Jesus took on flesh, meaning Jesus became a human like you and me. Notice what John 1:14 says Jesus did after He became a man: He made his dwelling among us. The Greek verb there literally means to pitch a tent. In ancient times, many people lived in tents, so this word became synonymous with living among people. Why did Jesus take on flesh and live among us? John tells us in verse 18. Jesus took on flesh so we could know God. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and eventual return make it possible for us to be reconciled to God and live forever with Him free from the sin that separates us from Him and twists everything. By placing our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, we can have a relationship with the God of the universe. We who were once enemies can now become children of God and have a growing and thriving relationship with Him, all because Jesus is God made known. Jonathon Fuller The entire Bible tells the story of how God has sought to dwell with His people, even though they rejected Him and chose sin, harming themselves and each other. Read Revelation 21:1-5. As Christians, what hope can we have, knowing we will dwell with God forever? Read Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 4:14-16. What are some promises we have while we wait for Jesus’ bodily return? To learn more about putting your faith in JesusGod made knowncheck out our “Know Jesus” page. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18 (NIV) Read Verses: John 1:14-18; Philippians 2:5-11

Music filled the air as the church celebrated Palm Sunday. Everyone was joyfulexcept me. As I sat in my pew, I realized I doubted the Bible. What should have been a joyous day became dark. My doubts scared mewhat if I went to hell because of them? I entered a period of struggle and doubt, facing uncertainties about my relationship with God. Today, I look back and see how Jesus used my struggles to lead me to study and learn for myself what the Bible said about Him. This led me to rest so much more deeply in the truths that Jesus had died for my sins and that His death and resurrection were my salvation. I gained a stronger faith in God and a new understanding of the gospel. It’s normal to face doubts and other kinds of trials as a Christian. These trials can be scary. It’s easy to worry you aren’t saved or God will stop loving you because of your questions. But God is with you, even when you face trials. And He can use even your deepest struggles and questions for good. In Christ, you are secure no matter what you face. Trials force us to ask questions we’ve never asked. The answers to these questions grow our understanding of who God is and what He does for us. Because of the Holy Spirit, my doubts and questions lead me to understand the gospel better and better. Your spiritual struggles may not be the same as mine, but, regardless of what your trials are, remember they don’t define you. In Christ, these trials are a chance to grow. If you’re facing doubts or other spiritual struggles today, pray about them. God loves you and won’t leave you to face them alone. While it isn’t easy now, God is using whatever trials we face for His good kingdom purposesto help us grow into mature Christians as we better understand who Jesus is. Nichole Cochran What trials are you facing right now? Read Hebrews 4:14-16. Why can we bring any struggle we are facing to Jesus? What things has God taught you through past trials? Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 (NLT) Read Verses: Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 1:3-7