Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: LUKE 23:32-43; ROMANS 10:9-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17 The first time I met Freddy, we were locked in a small concrete room with no windows, no chairs, and sticky floors. He started plainly telling me about the first of two men he had killed in his lifetime. He was only twelve when it happened. He had saved his mother’s life. Growing up without a father had had a profound effect on the man before me. His face, covered in obvious gang signs, told the stories of many hardships beyond his years. Later, as one of our services at the correctional facility concluded, Freddy stepped up and asked how he could be baptized while in jail. Freddy’s only religious background had taught him that baptism was essential for salvation. Baptism, however, is more like a uniform that we put on as Christians. Putting on a police uniform doesn’t make you a police officer, but if you are a police officer you will wear the uniform and it will have meaning. Once we explained these truths to Freddy, we read Romans 10:9-10 with him: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” The moment we were done reading, Freddy was on his knees. “Right now,” he said. “I want to pray right now.” The Bible is clear that Christ paid the price in full for our sins, and He paid it once and for all (Romans 6:10; Hebrews 10:10). A Christian baptism publicly identifies us with Christ, but it’s not required for salvation. I will never forget Freddy, and I know that the Lord will not either, even if he never gets an opportunity to be baptized. • Harry Brown • Why is baptism important? What does it show us about Jesus Christ and our relationship to Him? (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Colossians 2:12-14; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Peter 3:18-22.) • Christians do have different understandings about the timing, methods, and specifics of baptism, but we agree that Jesus is the one who saves. If you have questions about baptism, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to—such as a pastor, parent, or youth leader? For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 103:2-5, ROMANS 8:14-17, EPHESIANS 2:19 In the murky pre-dawn light, Linota led her dappled mare along the ocean’s shore. Her cloak was torn, and her bare feet blistered. A golden crown lay on her tangled hair. White foam curled around her ankles as she waded into the water. Hands shaking, she lifted the crown from her head and flung it into the ocean. Her heart felt like ice as she watched it sink beneath the waves. Closing her eyes, she remembered how the hooded figures had stolen into the castle, set fire to her home, and imprisoned her family. She had fled, galloping into the black night with only the clothes on her back—forced to leave everything she’d ever known. A princess without a kingdom is no princess at all, she thought bitterly. Her mare snorted and tugged on the reins in Linota’s hand. She opened her eyes. Golden beams of light burst from the horizon. Yet the light did not come from the sun, but from a figure walking on the waves toward her. Linota watched transfixed as the man reached into the ocean and pulled out her golden crown. He approached till he stood right before her, the crown in his right hand. “I can’t take it back,” she said, “I am not a princess anymore.” “A princess is not defined by what she does or does not have,” the man said, “She is a princess simply because of the blood running through her veins.” He knelt and placed the crown on her forehead. “And your veins, dear child, run with the blood of kings.” She felt something cold and hard inside her crack, like ice breaking off the surface of the river at spring thaw. She bowed deeply before the man. When she rose, he was gone. Her mare whinnied beside her. Waves crashed in the distance. A salty ocean breeze tugged at her hair. Linota felt the weight of the crown encircling her head, but this time she did not take it off. Instead, she lifted her head high and smiled into the rising sun. • Margaret Bellers • Today’s allegorical story echoes the story of David. After God said David would be king, people tried to kill him. David had to fleefor his life more than once. Yet, even when David was hiding out in the wilderness, he was still God’s chosen ruler—and God was always with him (Psalm 139). If we know Jesus, we have been adopted into His family. Because Jesus shed His blood on the cross for us and rose again, His royal blood now runs in our veins. Yet, we all have times when we feel like anything but royalty. As we wait for Jesus to return and give us our full inheritance, it can be easy to let things in our life determine how we see ourselves—such as what we do or don’t have, our circumstances, or what we’ve done. What are some things in your life that you have allowed to define you? Do these things line up with what God says about you in the Bible? • How might knowing that you are part of God’s royal family, created and loved by Him, forever forgiven and cleansed, change the way you view yourself? Like a crown, you can wear these truths proudly, knowing that who you are is dependent on God and His love for you, and not on anything else. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of your true identity? Do you have any favorite Bible passages that reveal who you are? Are there any trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of how God sees you? • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 3:3; 34:5; 37:1-40; Ezekiel 36:26-28; John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:5; 2:1-20; 1 Peter 1:1-9; 2:9-17; Revelation 21:1-6. All that is within me, praise his holy name!…who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103:1-4 (WEB)

READ: GENESIS 18:10-14; JEREMIAH 32:26-27, 36-41; LUKE 1:26-38 Sometimes, I need to hear things more than once before it “clicks.” Whether it’s a process at work or the day’s schedule or a recipe that I just keep forgetting (how long does it need to bake in the oven again?). I just need it explained one more time, because it didn’t sink in the first time. Because I still don’t get it. Thankfully, God is very aware of our limitations. He knows that sometimes we just don’t hear Him, or we forget, or we get distracted or confused about what He’s told us. Personally, I believe that’s why the Bible is written down—so we can reference it again when we just aren’t sure. God even repeats Himself throughout Scripture. Like a parent who tells their child every day, “I love you,” God is constantly reminding us of His love, His gifts, and His good ways. Recently, while I was reading my Bible, I noticed a few verses from very different places that all have the same message. Coincidence? I think not. Luke 1:37 has always been a favorite of mine. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus even though she was still a virgin, the angel said, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” Then in Genesis 18, I read about God’s prophecy that Abraham and his wife Sarah would have a son, and how Sarah laughed, knowing it wasn’t possible in her aging body. But the Lord responded, “Is anything impossible for the LORD?” (verse 14). Then there’s Jeremiah 32:27, which contains the exact same message, but this time for a people defeated and discouraged by the consequences of their sins. Even in their failure, God told them to be alert for the wonderful things He would do in their future. He is a God for whom nothing is impossible. No matter how much we fail. No matter how young or inexperienced or unqualified we feel. God is always capable of doing more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:20). • Abigail Aswegen • God knows that we need lots of reminders of His love and promises, and He patiently provides these for us. He also invites us to patiently repeat His message to people around us—as often as they need to hear it. How could you do this today? • Are there truths in the Word that you struggle with? Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you find other places in the Bible that communicate the same thing, but maybe from a different angle? How does the gospel help us understand the whole Bible? (See our "Know Jesus" page.) “Look, I am the LORD, the God over every creature. Is anything too difficult for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (CSB)

READ: GENESIS 1:11-31; 2:15-22; ROMANS 8:18-30; REVELATION 21:1-7 We often think that God made animals for us. It’s true, right? Because Adam named them, and God says that we have dominion over them? A problem with this way of thinking is that it can be used to justify the misuse of God’s creation. But actually, God created everything out of the overflow of His love. And when He created humans, He gave us the responsibility to care well for animals and all of creation. In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Some Bible translations say that God gave us “dominion over” all these creatures. If you notice, humans are made after the rest of creation, and then put in charge of the animals and plants. We are the stewards of creation. This means that we are called to take care of it for God, and we can enjoy it, but it doesn’t ultimately belong to us. Creation belongs to God. This really shows that God loves us—He invites us to enjoy His creation, cultivate it, and use it in countless creative ways. But because it’s His, we need to treat it with respect, and love. Sadly, our relationship with nature has been corrupted because of our sin. Ever since humans first rejected God and His good ways at the fall in Genesis 3, sin has been in the world, and this is the cause of all the death, sadness, and toil that we experience today. But, God has promised to make all things new. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, He defeated sin and death. And when Jesus comes back, He will restore the heavens and the earth—He will make a perfect creation with no more death and suffering. Then all the people who have put their trust in Jesus will rule over this new creation with perfect love. Until that day, He helps us learn to act as good stewards of all He created. • Elijah Walsh • How have you seen God’s love for you in His creation? • We live after the fall, so creation is not as it was meant to be. And the sinful choices of people continue to take a toll on plants, animals, and ecosystems. How have you seen the corrupting effects of sin on nature? Consider taking a moment to bring any concerns you have to God. He cares about His creation, including people, and He provides forgiveness and restoration through Jesus. You can also ask Him to help you notice practical ways you can care for His world. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…over all the creatures…” Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 32; 51; ISAIAH 1:16-18; 1 PETER 2:23-25 I don’t know about you, but I love wearing freshly washed clothes. Especially when it’s cold outside and the clothes are still warm right after they come out of the dryer! Having clean clothes just makes me feel more comfortable and confident. But imagine this: you wear your favorite shirt to a restaurant, and then you accidentally spill a bit of food on it. You should wash it as soon as you get home, right? But imagine that instead of doing that, you decide to pretend the spill isn’t there, and you put off washing it. Instead, you keep wearing it. Day after day goes by, and the shirt just keeps getting filthier and filthier. Before you know it, the shirt is a total mess! It can be the same way with sin. We all sin many times a day in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. We can either bring our sin to God, or we can try to cover it up or pretend it’s not there. If we ignore our sin day after day and keep making choices that go against God and His good ways, then before you know it, we’ve created quite a mess. I don’t know why we often feel the need to hide from God. He already knows our every thought, our every motive, and our every desire. And no matter how badly we mess up, He still loves us and cares for us. We don’t ever have to be afraid to admit our sins to God because He has already made the way for us to be forgiven. Confessing our sins is like letting God clean our clothes. Because Jesus took all our sin upon Himself on the cross, we can be clothed in His forgiveness. • Elizabeth Blanton • Have you ever tried to hide anything from God? In Psalm 32, David felt terrible when he kept silent about his sin. But when he confessed it to God, he experienced the joy of forgiveness. Have you ever experienced the joy of God’s forgiveness? What was that like? • When Jesus died on the cross, He took all our sin upon Himself. And when He rose from the grave, He defeated sin and death. So now, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are totally righteous and pure in God’s sight. And when Jesus returns, we won’t struggle with sin anymore. But until that day, God calls us to confess our sin to Him often. While it’s impossible to confess every single sin, it’s good to take time to remember Jesus’s sacrifice for us and the power He gives us to turn away from sin and back toward Him (Psalm 19:12-14). Consider taking a moment to confess any sins that come to mind and thank God for His grace. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 9:9-10; 27:8-14; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 10:10 Come to me. Come out of darkness. Don’t look at the shifting shadows. Don’t listen to the slithering snake. Look at the dawn, light breaking through. There is hope and joy. How I delight in you! You beat yourself all black and blue— it grieves My heart. Let Me lead and I will heal. I will show You things that will bring life. I am gentle and lowly, come and talk with Me, do not fight, My child. • Catherine Valentine • Can you think of a time you felt reluctant to speak to God? Maybe you’re feeling that way right now. It happens to all of us sometimes. Satan loves to feed us lies to try to keep us from interacting with God, convincing us that He doesn’t love us or He isn’t good or He doesn’t want to hear from us until we’ve cleaned up the messy parts of our lives. Do any of these lies resonate with you? Do other lies come to mind? Who is a trusted Christian in your life who could help you sort through the lies and bring them into the light of God’s wonderful truth and love? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. (James 1:17) • In the Bible, serpents are often associated with the lies of the enemy (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9). Satan wants to deceive us and tempt us to try to do things on our own—and then trap us in despair and self-hatred when we fail or when things don’t turn out like we expected. But Jesus is always breaking through with hope. He is infinitely more powerful than the enemy, and He came to set us free. How have you experienced Jesus’s hope in your life? In what ways has He brought you joy or shown you His love? [Jesus said,] “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:17; TITUS 2:1-8; HEBREWS 10:24-25 I’m so thankful for the people God has placed in my life. He has this incredible way of working everything out to give us just what we need. He knows when I need support from someone. He knows when I can’t do it on my own. He knows exactly who to put in my path and when to bring them into my life. There have been many times on my journey when God has brought godly people into my life—people who were older than me, farther along life’s journey than me. They could speak into the things I was going through with love, care, and truth. We are not meant to walk this life alone. There is so much wisdom to be gained from people who have gone before us. They can provide a listening ear and share how God has shown up in their lives so we can look for Him in similar ways. They can warn us of the ways we should avoid and tell us what happens when we walk down a bad path. And even when we mess up, they can remind us of Jesus’s faithful love and forgiveness, and they can help us get back on the path of following Him. I’m thankful for each one of these people who have mentored me. I also know that God has equipped me to mentor others—and He has equipped you too. Even as a teenager, you can be an example to someone who is younger than you. You may not realize it, but kids look up to you, and they’re already learning from watching you. You can pour into their lives by sharing experiences you’ve had and being someone they can turn to when things are difficult. God can, and will, work through you to be a blessing in the lives of people who are younger than you, and He will also provide older mentors who can walk with you as you navigate unfamiliar territory. • Tynea Lewis • As Christians, we know that Jesus is always with us, mentoring us. But how does it feel when you know there’s also someone else who will listen to you and help you when things are tough? • Do you have any Christian adults in your life you look up to as mentors? If not, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. • Who is someone you could intentionally pour into? Maybe it’s a younger teen from church, or a kid you babysit, or someone in your neighborhood? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person, and ask God to help you notice ways you could listen to them and encourage them. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

READ: JOB 19:5-27; 38:1-15; LUKE 13:34; ROMANS 8:18-29, 38-39 Wow, I am so small. The thought was involuntary. And irrefutable. It wasn’t good or bad. It was just true. I was walking through a tropical conservatory, and it was like being transported to another world. Shielded from the elements by the glass panes of a giant greenhouse, the trees in this mini-rainforest towered above me. Leaves two or three times taller than me hung down like great curtains. Other branches stretched up, reaching toward the ceiling fifty feet above my head. Surrounded by such foliage, I felt a bit like Job. Before entering the conservatory, I had been pouring out my complaints against God. Much like Job, I had told God how unfair I thought He was being, how angry I was, how much He had hurt me, and how I wondered if I could even trust Him. Everything was too much—too much to bear, too much to carry. Too much was being asked of me. Now, faced with these mighty trees, I felt my own smallness. And yet, I didn’t feel afraid or unimportant. I was in awe of the trees—and the one who made them. Their leaves felt like a protective canopy, like the wings of a mother hen gathering in her chicks. God answered Job’s accusations by showing him what He had made—the heights of the heavens, the depths of the seas, and the might of amazing creatures. Job must have felt so small. Perhaps that’s what led him to say, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). God hasn’t given me answers to my questions, and I may never fully understand what He’s doing in this lifetime. But maybe I don’t have to. Maybe it’s enough to know that God is on the throne, and He is working all things together for His purposes. He stretches His wings over me like a mother hen gathering in her chicks. I might have more accusations to hurl at God tomorrow. But if He’s big enough to make the mighty trees of the rainforest, then I can trust that He’s big enough to work all of the mess in my life into something worthwhile. • Taylor Eising • Job pours out all his complaints, even accusing God of wronging him (Job 19:6). But in the end Job concludes, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3). Have you ever poured out your complaints against God? God invites us to bring Him the good, the bad, and the ugly. He loves us, and He wants to bring healing to our hearts. In fact, Jesus died and rose from the dead to make that healing possible. But we usually can’t receive healing without first acknowledging our hurts. What hurts do you have to bring before Him today? “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 (NIV)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:3-7; 1 JOHN 4:16 Maybe you’re like me, and you’ve found yourself struggling with same-sex attraction. Or maybe you haven’t personally experienced this, but some of your friends have come out as LGBTQ+. You may wrestle with knowing how to respond. Should you still be friends with them? How much do you agree with your friends, and how much don’t you? What does “love” mean in this scenario? Although this could be (and should be) a much longer conversation, let’s dive into how to love our friends when they come out to us by using three characteristics listed in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is…kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). I am giving you permission to be kind to your friends—no matter how they identify. It is God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Additionally, our friends who identify as attracted to people of the same sex may not need repentance from it. They are simply telling us how they are tempted sexually. Temptation of any variety is not a sin (Hebrews 4:15). “Love…rejoices whenever the truth wins out” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). I have watched people change their theology of marriage overnight when a friend comes out. They see their friend genuinely in pain over what they reveal (or happy for the first time in a long time), and they conclude, “We must have gotten marriage wrong.” The church has unquestionably gotten loving people in the midst of any type of wrestling wrong, but the Bible isn’t wrong when it comes to marriage and sexuality. Loving your friend well means loving them toward daily surrender of any type of sin struggle. “Love never gives up” (1 Corinthians 13:7). If your friend rejects you, don’t reject them. If they wander from the faith, you stay connected. As one friend said to me, “You are so annoying in your pursuit of me—and so like Jesus!” Be annoying like Jesus—just like He is in His pursuit of you—as you love your equally broken friends. Never give up on them. Truly loving someone is not easy—it is costly. But it is the only way I know how to demonstrate the heart of the one whose name is Love. • Laurie Krieg • Whenever we read 1 Corinthians 13, it’s vital to remember that this is the way Jesus loves us. Consider taking some time to read this passage slowly, and just rest in Jesus’s love for you. • Throughout the Bible, God blesses marriage between one man and one woman. He makes it clear that the relationship between a husband and wife should reflect the loving and faithful relationship between Christ and the church, and that sex is a good gift to be shared and enjoyed by a husband and wife within marriage. While being attracted to someone of the same sex is not a sin, acting on those attractions by pursuing a sexual encounter is sin. In the same way, pursuing a sexual encounter with someone of the opposite sex who is not our spouse is also a sin. And lusting after anyone is a sin as well. But, thanks be to God, He extends forgiveness to us through Jesus’s death and resurrection. The truth is, we are all equally broken with sin and in need of Jesus. And even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus to save us, He calls us to live in a daily rhythm of confession, repentance, and thankfulness as we rest in His forgiveness. How should these truths affect the way we interact with people who struggle with different temptations than we do? • Read Hebrews 4:14-16. Why is it important to know that Jesus Himself was tempted yet was without sin? • Who do you know who is wrestling with their sexuality right now? Have you responded to them in love? Consider taking some time to pray for this person, asking God to bless them and to help you love them well. • How c...

READ: ROMANS 7:18–8:2; EPHESIANS 3:14-21 My eyes snapped awake, and I searched inside of myself: Do I still feel the attraction? One second of introspection revealed the dreaded answer: Yes. I’m still attracted to her. I felt like this shouldn’t be. I was a pastor’s daughter. I led worship and small groups at my church. I loved Jesus as much as I knew how, and here I was: a Jesus-loving-and-fearing woman who was attracted to other women. I had been in a secret same-sex relationship for months, but I didn’t even call her my girlfriend. We were simply two Christian best friends who loved each other deeply…and yet…there was this sexual aspect to it. I both hated and loved it. I felt a lot like Paul in Romans 7: “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind…Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (verse 22-24). I knew the answer Paul stated in the next verse. I did not like it: “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” But how? I questioned God. I love You, but here I am, wrestling with what most Christians do not even call a “sin struggle.” I feel I am automatically categorized as the worst type of human until it is gone. But I couldn’t stop. I could not pray the attractions out of me. I wish present-day me could go back into that moment, cup my face in my hands, and say some words of hope: Dear one, it’s okay. Everyone has broken sexuality. This is simply your version. Find someone you can talk to about this, who will love you as you are and who will teach you not only to know Jesus’s love but also how to experience it. Then you will be empowered to daily surrender all your brokenness to Him (Ephesians 3:19). Those words would come to me soon, but I offer them to you today: You are not the worst. You’re simply broken—like everyone else. • Laurie Krieg • Can you think of a time you felt like today’s author felt, and like Paul felt in Romans 7? • Do you view people who wrestle with same-sex attractions differently than you view those who struggle with heterosexual lust? Why? • Why is it important to know that we are all broken and struggling with sin—that we are all desperately in need of Jesus and the forgiveness He extends to us through His death and resurrection? (Daniel 9:9; Romans 3:23-24; 10:9-13) If you want to know more about Jesus and why we all need Him, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Do you wrestle with shame or self-hatred because of your sexuality? God loves you right now—right here in the midst of your struggles—and He wants to help you. How can you take the next right step to reach out to a trusted Christian who can help you not only know God’s love for you but experience it? • God created sexual intimacy as a good gift to be shared and enjoyed between a husband and wife within marriage. Though we may experience attraction to people who are not our spouse, we don’t need to act on these attractions, either by pursuing a sexual encounter or by lusting. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us follow God’s good ways, regardless of the temptations we face. What a relief! Through the Holy Spirit, we have the power to live godly lives because of His life in us (2 Peter 1:3). Instead of focusing on temptation, He calls us to set our minds on His Spirit in us and His good desires for us (Romans 8:5). When we are facing temptation, it can be helpful to remember that, as Christians, God has already given us the power to say “no” to any sin. And even when we do sin, the Holy Spirit helps us to repent by reminding us of...

READ: LUKE 22:54-62; JOHN 21:15-25; ROMANS 3:23-24 Will I go to hell for how I am? This question invaded my mind on too many occasions for me to count, especially after observing other people’s Christian walks. Usually, they appeared to be extremely holy people who had their righteous lives intact. Nothing fazed them, they committed no wrongdoings—at least, not in public—and they referred to their prayer lives often. Reading the Bible and speaking to God through prayer seemed like second nature to them. It didn’t for me. I struggled for years to pray and read my Bible daily. But it wasn’t that I lived my life separately from what I heard on Sundays or that I didn’t even think about God throughout the week. I just had a difficult time setting up good habits. During that time, I kept wondering about God’s tolerance of my lackluster performance. Especially, I thought, in comparison to my clearly better-suited fellow humans. They seemed much holier than I was. Cue teenage me discovering John 21. It’s uncoincidentally located right after Jesus reinstates Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times before Jesus’s death on the cross. But now, in this passage, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” And each time, when Peter says yes, Jesus responds, “Feed my lambs… Shepherd my sheep… Feed my sheep.” This echoes the three times Peter denied Him, showing that Jesus is reinstating Peter as a disciple. Jesus goes on to tell Peter the kind of death he will die to glorify God, and then He says to Peter, “Follow me.” But Peter notices another disciple, John, is following them. Peter asks Jesus, “What about him?” That’s when Jesus said one of the most liberating things I’ve ever heard: What’s it to you? The last thing Jesus wants us to do is selfishly worry about others’ relationships with Him—that’s not our concern. The truth is, we all fall short of God’s holiness, but Jesus has given each of us grace, and that is the grace we are to be concerned with. You are free to focus on your relationship with Him, not the apparent relationships of others with Him. • Carson D. Jacobs • In what ways might you be focusing on others’ relationships with Jesus instead of your own? • How do you think you can develop healthy Bible-reading and prayer habits? Don’t worry about doing it just like someone else—find out what works for you! For example, how do you usually prefer to talk on the phone? Pacing? Sitting down? Figure out which way is most comfortable for you and try mimicking that while praying. “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” John 21:22 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 10:1-30 Every time I get a voicemail from my mom, I smile. I’ve heard her voice almost every day of my life. So if I know anyone’s voice, it’s hers. What always makes me smile is the fact that she still feels the need to tell me that it’s her leaving the voicemail. It’s not just my mom’s voice that I hear and instantly know. I have some close friends and family members I talk with all the time. They can leave a voicemail without a name, and I know who they are. But, if someone I didn’t know very well left me a message without a name, I would have no clue who they were. Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we become His sheep. He is our good shepherd (John 10:11). So, as Christians, we spend time listening to His voice so we can know it and follow Him. We can do this by absorbing the truth of the gospel—meditating on who Jesus is and what He has done in the pages of God’s Word, the Bible. Throughout the Bible, God reveals His unending love and steadfast character, ultimately making Himself known to us through Jesus (John 1:18). As we press into relationship with Jesus through spending time in His Word, in prayer, and with His people, it will become easier and easier for us to discern His voice. • Melissa Yeagle • How have you heard people talk about listening to God’s voice? • Have you ever tried to listen to God’s voice? What was that like? • The primary way God speaks to us is through His Word, the Bible. And the gospel (good news) is the lens through which we understand His Word, because the whole Bible points to Jesus and hinges on His death and resurrection. If you want to know more about the gospel, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Learning to listen to God’s voice takes time, and we’ll keep learning until the day Jesus returns— then we won’t need to discern anymore because we’ll see Jesus face to face! But in the meantime, if we know Jesus His Holy Spirit lives in us, reminding us of everything Jesus has said and helping us discern His voice. We can also talk to trusted Christians and help each other answer questions like: Does this agree with the Bible? Does this glorify God the Father and God the Son? Does this bring the fruit of the Spirit and hope, or condemnation and fear? Remember, God will never ask us to sin, and He will never break His promises. If you want to dig deeper, read John 3:17; 14:26; 16:12-15; Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:22-23. [Jesus said,] “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (CSB)

READ: ISAIAH 53:1-5; MATTHEW 2:13-18; JOHN 13:2-5 Son of Man You chose to get Your hands dirty, to get knee deep in human suffering. To cry with us and bear our pain. You refused to turn away when we shouted with angry voices. Clashing swords while You were being born. You chose humility, while we searched for mighty kings. You ripped apart the fabric of our reality when You decided to come and live in the midst of humanity’s broken dream. • Catherine Valentine • We live in a world that has been broken by sin, and we all experience hardships, like sickness, injuries, the pain of loss, and the suffering of loneliness. What kinds of suffering and pain have you experienced lately? • Sometimes, it’s easy to think that God is far removed from us and our lives. But that’s not true! In Jesus, God came to be with us. In fact, one of the names for Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). It can be hard to picture the almighty, perfectly holy God being present here, in the midst of our messy lives. But the truth is, God is not afraid of our mess. He loves us so much that Jesus came and died and rose again to be with us—mess and all. He paid the price for our sins with His life, then He ascended into heaven so that His Holy Spirit could live in us. That means, once we know Jesus, we never have to go through the mess of life alone. And Jesus promises to return one day to get rid of all the mess, sin, and brokenness forever. Hallelujah! Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to remind you of how He is with you right here, right now, in the middle of your mess. 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 tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 (NLT)

READ: 2 CHRONICLES 34; 1 TIMOTHY 4:1 Six teenagers recently decided to run for governor of Kansas. With no age limit on gubernatorial candidates in that state, these teens debated and did interviews. They had opinions about abortion, health insurance, and education. But they weren’t the first young people involved in government leadership. In 2 Chronicles 34, eight-year-old Josiah was crowned king of Judah. At age 16, “Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David” (verse 3). And he soon rid the country of the previous evil regime. He tore down the places where people worshiped idols, and he repaired the temple of God. Because of this young king’s leadership, the people of Judah followed the Lord as long as Josiah lived. Even at 16, he was a good leader because he sought after God, who was the source of his wisdom and strength. And yet, even Josiah could not cleanse the people of their sins. His reign only looked forward to the coming kingdom of Jesus. You probably won’t be king any time soon (and you probably won’t be governor of Kansas either because the state Legislature quickly set a minimum age requirement of 25 for gubernatorial candidates). But you can be a leader. You might be thinking, “Not at this point in my life. Other people are leading me. My parents, my teachers, my boss, and even my youth pastor.” True. But think about it—even adults are under the authority of others. Yet you can be a leader among your friends, in your school, in your family, and even in your church. How? By following 16-year-old Josiah’s example of seeking God and earnestly doing what He says is right and good. And even when you fail, you can rely on the love and forgiveness of Jesus, pointing others to the only one who could ever follow God’s law perfectly, the only one who could cleanse us of sin. • Linda Weddle • If you had the opportunity to be a government leader, what is the first thing you would do? • Jesus is God—the King of kings—yet He humbled Himself, becoming human and living among us (Philippians 2:1-18). He is the only person who never sinned, so He was able to take all our sin upon Himself on the cross. Then He rose from the dead, making the way for all who trust in Him to live with Him forever! What does Jesus’s ministry show us about leadership in God’s kingdom? • Consider taking a moment to pray and ask God to help you notice where you have opportunities to lead others, and also ask Him for wisdom in these situations. • If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 21–23; 2 Chronicles 35. He did what was right in the LORD’s sight and walked in the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn aside to the right or the left. 2 Chronicles 34:2 (CSB)

READ: ISAIAH 30:20-21; 61:1-3; ROMANS 8:18, 38-39 Throughout my life, God has been faithful to provide me with wonderful women to disciple me in my walk with Christ. One of these women was Kathryn, a wife and mom in her thirties who championed the communications ministry at my home church. Kathryn was a spiritual firecracker. She shared the hope of the gospel wherever she went, prayed fervently for those who did not yet know Jesus, and poured herself out for Christ and His church. And she intentionally poured into me from the time I was in middle school. Several months ago, Kathryn was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. The news rocked my world, along with those of Kathryn’s husband, children, and others at our church. Yet, it was no surprise to see the tremendous strength Kathryn displayed through the journey as she shared the gospel with medics and continued to faithfully testify of God’s goodness to her. Within two months, the cancer took Kathryn’s bodily life. When this unexpected period of suffering came about, I clung to the sovereignty of our God, but I wondered how He would bring beauty out of this circumstance. Though I knew Kathryn was with Jesus, it was the most painful loss I had ever experienced. A few days after Kathryn’s death, I was evangelizing on the streets of New York City, and I encountered a number of people that day who were wrestling with deaths in their own lives. God used the hardship I was going through to directly share His message of hope with others who were grappling with grief. He used the physical death of one of His children to birth spiritual life in people who had not yet believed in Him. Friends, I encourage you: our God redeems the darkest circumstances and uses them for His glory. If you are suffering right now, ask Him to show you His heart, and watch Him bring beauty out of your pain. • Chelsea Leigh • In Luke 4:16-21, Jesus said He had come to fulfill the words of Isaiah 61. He promises to trade our ashes of despair for beautiful joy. Through dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He made the way for us to be with God—and when He returns, all His people will live together in renewed creation, free of suffering forever! Until that day, He grieves our pain with us and reminds us that He is always at work. How can we draw near to God in times of suffering? And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 3:5-6; MATTHEW 6:25-34; EPHESIANS 2:10 During our teen years, it can feel like the pressure is on. Whether it’s making a career decision, choosing a college, or getting ready to stand on your own two feet, the approaching adult life can be terrifying. There is so much to think about and so many people telling us we need to decide. I’ve struggled with all three of those decisions and more. Here’s the secret though—God knows exactly what He has planned for me, and He’s going to guide my feet along paths that will lead to my good and His glory (Psalm 23:1-3; Romans 8:28-29). Every moment I spend overthinking the future is wasted, because ultimately, I want to be where God wants me to be— both in the future and the present. Jesus made it pretty clear that we don’t need to worry about what tomorrow will bring—much less years down the road. Instead, we are called to live in the moment. We’re called to make the most of where God has placed us by pressing in to relationship with Jesus and ministering to those around us (Ephesians 5:15-20). Contentment won’t come in the far-off future, when everything is perfect and settled. Spoiler alert—it never will be. Instead, we have the perfect opportunity to learn contentment in the present, because Jesus is with us right here, right now (Philippians 4:11-13). Worrying about the future distracts us from the good things God has for us in this stage of life. The future is important, but it isn’t ours to worry about— God will guide our feet and light our paths as we seek Him (Psalm 119:105). Let’s entrust our futures to God’s care, and let’s walk in the good deeds He has for us to do right here, right now. • Hannah Ruth Johnson • Are there any future decisions that feel particularly daunting to you right now? Consider taking a moment to pray, entrusting these to the Lord and asking Him to help you know what to do in His perfect timing. • It’s not wrong to make plans for the future, but we get into trouble when we’re so focused on the future that we forget to pay attention to what God is doing in our lives today. How might God be inviting you to do His kingdom work right here, right now? In what ways might He be giving you opportunities to shine His light in your everyday life? (Matthew 5:14-16) You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:11-15; 15:58; GALATIANS 6:9-10 The Cave of Echoes looked like any other cave, but people in the town nearby knew it was special. Like all caves, it was mysterious and beautiful, with dark, twisty corners whispering promises of secrets to those who dared to enter. But those familiar with its echoes ventured into its depths not for thrill or adventure, but something more. Those who were new in town often scoffed at the stories they heard. Tall tales, they’d think, stories that have been circulating so long they mess with people’s minds. Some of those entering the cave for the first time would come out shaking their heads, their faces wielding satisfied smirks. “Didn’t hear a thing,” they’d say with a shrug. But others would come out with wonder dancing in their eyes. They’d look around at the people sitting on the beach or loading cars in the parking lot as though they were gazing at immortals wrapped in light from another world. “Everything matters,” they’d say. “It really matters.” Then their eyes would narrow and they’d hurry over to help an overloaded mother heap beach toys into the back of her van. What was it they heard in the cave, you wonder? Their own voices—echoes of the past. Prayers prayed; songs sung in worship; words of kindness, encouragement, and forgiveness spoken to others. Only their good moments reverberated off the cave’s walls, because the wrongs of those covered in the Blood had been silenced forever. But words and deeds rooted in love and faith would echo for all eternity. • Courtney Lasater • Do you ever wonder if what you do in life really matters? It does. Today’s allegorical story illustrates how God does not remember the sins of those who trust in Jesus (Hebrews 10:17), but He won’t forget the good we do out of love for Him (Hebrews 6:10). If you’re a Christian, it’s the good things you do by the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that will be remembered for eternity, not your mistakes and failures. How might knowing that God remembers the good and forgets the bad give you comfort and hope, and maybe even change your perspective on the struggles you’re dealing with now? • Though our sins are forgiven and forgotten by God, they can still produce negative effects in our lives now. Is there a sin in your life that you need to confess and let go of so you can replace it with something that will have lasting eternal value? 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: 2 CORINTHIANS 9 I blinked at my phone screen and swallowed the lump in my throat. How could this have happened? I had donated $65 to a Christian charity the month before, back when I was employed, and now I had just received a receipt claiming I had donated another $65 this morning. $65 pulled straight out of my savings rather than my “extras” stash. I discovered that, either by clerical error or my own mistake, I had been signed up to donate $65 monthly rather than as a one-time gift. I emailed the charity asking them to switch my gift to one-time, but I didn’t ask for my gift back. That just felt wrong. As this drama ensued, I was on the way to see a visiting relative. When we first arrived, I struggled to maintain focus, but I felt God nudging me to be fully present. There was nothing that could be done about the $65 now. I just had to trust Him. At the end of the visit, my relative handed me a red packet. These are traditionally given in Chinese culture during the Lunar New Year festivities, but that had passed months ago. “Since I haven’t seen you in so long,” he explained with a smile. When I opened it later, I found $100 inside! Nearly double what I had accidentally donated. And I knew, with both conviction and hope, that God was providing for me. Even though my generosity had been unintentional this time, He blessed it. Whenever I wonder about whether to give, I remember God’s provision. Everything I have belongs to God, and He will always take care of my needs. When I give, I am boldly acting on my faith. Of course, we shouldn’t give expecting to receive more money in return, but we can certainly expect the blessing of increased trust in our loving Father. • Hannah Chung • God loves you, and He knows about all your needs. Just as He takes care of every living creature, He provides for you (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:10-20). Have you ever experienced God providing for your needs through the generosity of others? What was that like? • Generosity is an act of praise to God for what He’s already given us: Jesus. By sending Jesus to die for our sins and rise again, the Father gave us everything we need to spend eternity with Him. Consider taking some time to remember Jesus’s sacrifice and thank Him. You can also ask Him how He might be inviting you to be generous to others this week. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 100:1-5; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 We’re called to give thanks to God at all times. But how? When I was thirteen, I had to wrestle with that question. Things weren’t going well for me, and I was depressed. My parents were divorced. My mom got remarried to a man I had trouble getting along with. Then, when my mom lost her job, we lost our house and car. We ended up having to move to a cheap apartment in another town, so I had to leave my hometown and all my friends behind. And, with no car, we had to walk everywhere we went. All I could think about was how bad my life was. One Sunday, a member from our former church came and picked us up for church so we could visit the people we had to leave behind when we moved. It was a treat to see my church friends! During the worship service, we sang a song about giving thanks. I remember grumbling in my head, I don’t have anything to give thanks about. Then I looked down at the floor. When I did, I saw my shoes. That got me thinking: I could be thankful because God had provided the shoes on my feet. So I began by thanking God for them, and then I began thinking of more and more things I could thank Him for. That moment, my focus changed from thinking about how bad my life was to how much I had to be thankful for. My life situation didn’t immediately improve, but my perspective did. Even when we suffer, we can always remember the promises of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus came here, experienced our suffering, died for our sins, and beat death’s power by rising again. We can go to Him with our hurts, and He will remind us of all we have in Him. • Melissa Yeagle • What are some hard situations in your life right now? • What can you thank God for, even now? • Consider taking a moment to pray, telling God about the hard things you’ve been going through and also thanking Him for the ways He has been providing for you. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 6:8; 28:20; HEBREWS 4:14-16; 1 PETER 5:7 What number do you call in an emergency? In the United States, people call 911. In Hong Kong and Kenya, the number is 999. In Denmark, it’s 112. In many countries, there are different emergency numbers depending on whether you need an ambulance, the police, or a team of fire fighters. When you call an emergency number, you are immediately in contact with a trained person who can get you the help you need, and they usually stay on the line with you until the professionals arrive. Do you ever wonder why they stay on the line? They do it for a couple of reasons. First, they want you to know you’re not alone. This will help you stay calm so you can face your situation with as clear of a mind as possible. Second, they want to make sure help arrives. If first responders don’t arrive, they find out why and ensure you get the help you need. As Christians, we are never alone. God is always with us. While He never promised us we would live a problem-free life, He did promise we would not face our problems alone (John 16:33). Through prayer, we can talk to Him any time we want. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that, because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” No matter what problems we face, we don’t have to be afraid because we know that our trustworthy God will be with us. • Melissa Yeagle • How is talking to God through prayer similar to calling an emergency number like 911? How is it different? • Are any problems too small for God to care about? We often think so, but the truth is God wants us to talk to Him about everything. Even the small things are important to Him—because He loves us! And even though He already knows all our needs before we ask Him, He will never “hang up” on us. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about whatever is on your mind. In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Psalm 120:1 (CSB)

READ: ROMANS 13:13-14; COLOSSIANS 2:1-14 The early church went through many periods of persecution after Jesus’s ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9). Yet, the church grew quickly. By the 300s AD, large portions of the Roman Empire had converted to Christianity, including a man named Augustine of Hippo. Born in the year 354 in present-day Algeria, Augustine was one of the greatest thinkers in Christian history. But, like all of us, he wasn’t always a Christian. In his book Confessions, he shares that, early in his life, he really had no interest in Christianity whatsoever. He searched through all the other world religions and philosophies of the time, but none of them cured the restlessness in him. During his time of searching, his mother prayed fervently that her son’s eyes would be opened to the gospel. Despite his resistance and sinful lifestyle, Augustine eventually came to know Jesus. Augustine says that one day he was weeping under a fig tree, deeply torn about whether or not he should leave his life of sin, but he heard a child from a neighboring house saying in a sing-song voice, “take up and read.” The child wasn’t talking to him, but Augustine thought God was using this child’s words to prompt him to read the Bible. He read Romans 13:13-14, and was instantly convicted of his sin and gave his life to Christ. From there, he went on to write some very influential books. He also became a bishop and teacher of the Christian faith. His impact on Christianity is still felt to this day, as many who came after him have benefited from his contributions. His books can be tough to read—he did write them 1600 years ago, after all—but I encourage you to try reading Confessions someday! One of the most famous lines reads, “Our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” Augustine’s life is a great reminder that the grace of God extends to all people, no matter how much we may resist. God is patient with us. Even when we stubbornly go our own way against God, and end up experiencing the fruitlessness of life apart from Him, He still loves us. And He is always working to draw us near to Himself, and give us rest. • Steven Wierenga • Consider taking some time to reread Colossians 2:1-14. What are some of the “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense” you see in the world today? We all fall into believing these at one time or another, often without even realizing it. Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to show you any false teachings that have taken root in your heart, and to replace those lies with the truth of the gospel. That truth is so much better than any lie. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 28:16-20; ACTS 1:1-11; 10:34-48; 1 PETER 3:15-18 I have a confession. For a long time, I was scared to witness to others about Jesus. I knew Jesus told His disciples that, through the Holy Spirit’s power, they would witness about Him “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Yet I was afraid to witness to people because I didn’t think I had a very good argument. I thought it was up to me to be the judge of my friends. I was so, so wrong. You see, in a courtroom setting a witness is not the judge or jury. The witness doesn’t get to make the decisions or judgments regarding the one on trial. And the witness isn’t there to argue for or against whoever is on trial either. A witness’s job is to tell their story. It’s as simple as that. When I realized this, my perspective on witnessing completely changed. I wasn’t scared anymore, because I realized all I had to do was tell my story— the story of how God loved me before I was even born, and how He sent His Son to die on the cross and be raised from the dead, freeing me from sin, shame, and condemnation. The story of how I have struggled with self-worth, but when I met Jesus I realized I was wonderfully created by God (Psalm 139:13-14). The story of how I have struggled with anxiety, but I have hope knowing that God did not give me “a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). You and I are not called to cast judgment. We are called to witness “to the ends of the earth,” telling our story of the goodness of God. • Daevis McMurphy • Can you think of a time someone shared their own story of God’s goodness with you? How did it impact you? • Can you think of a time you experienced God’s goodness? What was that like? Consider taking some time to thank God for this, and ask Him if this story is one He’s inviting you to share. • What questions do you have about witnessing to others about Jesus? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about what it means to be a witness of God’s love? [Jesus said,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)

READ: PROVERBS 4; GALATIANS 5:13-26; EPHESIANS 4:17–5:20 Guard your heart Guard your heart Everything you do Flows from it through you From your lips Past fingertips Where your feet may go Every thought God knows Self-improve Won’t help you Let the Spirit lead God knows what you need So guard your heart • Savannah Coleman • Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What do you think it means to guard your heart? • It’s tempting to try to do better and think better by relying on our own strength. This may seem to work at first, but the truth is, we all struggle with sin and none of us can live a perfect life. Thankfully, Jesus lived a perfect life on our behalf, then He died on the cross and rose from the grave so we could be forgiven and brought near to God. And 2 Peter 1:3 tells believers that Jesus’s “divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” God’s wisdom, spoken of in Proverbs 4, reminds us to rely on His strength, not our own, for transformation. The more we get to know Him, the more we’ll grow like Him. How could these truths free us to follow God, not out of fear, but out of love? • Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Part of guarding our hearts includes thoughtfully discerning if the things and relationships we allow into our lives help us walk in step with Him. What we view with our eyes will affect our hearts, so will what we listen to, and where we go. This doesn’t mean we should avoid being friends with non-Christians or never watch non-Christian movies or listen to non-Christian music, because each person is different and each situation is unique. Instead, God invites us to talk to Him about all these things. He will help us discern how He is calling us to follow Him through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern what to allow into your life, and when, and how? Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 34:17-18; ROMANS 6:6-8; EPHESIANS 4:26-32 Harper hid her head under the pillow. She couldn’t take another shouting match. Her parents were just warming up, and lately the fights had lasted late into the night before freezing into a contest of “whoever-talks-first-loses.” Something was different. Usually about this time of evening, cabinet doors would slam before Dad made some quiet remark that made Mom explode. Not tonight. Suddenly the house was still. Harper ventured into the hallway just in time to see the front door slam. The car fired up and roared out of the driveway. Before Harper knew to stop her, Mom was gone. Just like that. Her nightstand was empty, and so was her closet. Harper didn’t see her mom a lot after that. She tried to let it go—this ache and anger toward her mom that sometimes threatened to sweep her away. When she had to spend time with Mom for some unavoidable reason, Harper found herself unable to carry on a conversation without exploding in anger or freezing in stone-cold silence. Finally, after an argument over hairspray that ended in the hottest words she’d ever shot at her mom, Harper locked herself in the bathroom. She was glaring at her reflection when the thought hit her: “I’m turning into Mom.” The realization sent her to the floor. Kneeling, she trembled as she prayed, “God, take this anger from me. It’s killing me. Remind me that I belong to You.” Something melted around her heart, and she knew what she had to do. “Jesus, help me to forgive Mom. Thanks for showing me how she feels when she explodes.” Harper paused and then continued, “Give me Your love for her in the meantime...Because I can’t talk to her right now.” Sitting there on the bathroom floor, hugging her knees, she felt peace flood her. “Jesus, thank You for being with me even when I’m angry.” That truth gave her hope. • Rebekah Love Dorris • What are some of the things your family struggles with? What are some of your sin struggles? • Jesus invites us to bring all these sin struggles to Him. He is eager to help us through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus now. And if you want to dig deeper, read Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Galatians 5:13-26. • Anger is not a sin in itself, but sometimes we give in to temptation more easily when we’re angry. If your family struggles with anger, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about it? The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 19; JOHN 1:1-14 Psalm 19 is a psalm of praise and a wonderful description of God’s magnificence. It opens with a declaration of the glory of God’s creation, which speaks a language that is universal to all. The heavens and the earth proclaim God’s majesty and creative power. Looking at creation gives us a tangible glimpse of the majesty and glory of God. The psalm then switches gears and talks about delighting in the “law of the LORD” (verse 7). The writer, David, expresses how perfect God’s ways are, what wisdom can be found in following God, and what joy it can bring us. The law of the Lord is a guide for our lives, helping us and teaching us that God and His ways are more valuable than all earthly riches and pleasures. Psalm 19 concludes with a response from David. He reflects on his own shortcomings and his need for forgiveness and God’s help. We all need God’s grace and help, both in avoiding unintentional sins and in resisting temptations to sin willfully. David’s concluding prayer expresses his desire that his words and the thoughts of his heart be pleasing to God, our Creator and Redeemer. Psalm 19 reminds me of the opening verses in the gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word is Jesus Christ. He was there at the beginning, and the heavens declare His glory. John goes on to say that “through him all things were made…In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (verse 3-4). Christ is God’s Word made flesh, the only one to follow the law of the Lord perfectly, and the only one who can provide the forgiveness we all need through His death and resurrection. If we know Christ, we have been redeemed. We are a part of God’s wonderful creation, and like “the heavens declare the glory of God; [and] the skies proclaim the work of his hands,” we get to point to Christ and shine His light in the darkness. • Stephanie Mathews • Have you ever seen something beautiful in creation that led you to praise God? What was that like? • How is the way we point to God similar to how nature points to God? How is it different? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 73:23-26; LUKE 5:1-11; HEBREWS 10:24; 12:1-3 It was the first and last time I played the piano at school. Halfway through the song, everyone was laughing. I fought back tears while my teacher studied the piano and identified the problem. Someone had placed clear tape across the keys. When I pressed one key, four more went with it. It sounded terrible! Worse yet, I was too afraid to try again. Have you ever failed at something and then let fear keep you from giving it another go? It could be waterskiing, auditioning for the play, starting a Bible study with your soccer team, or raising your hand in class—because after your last answer, the upperclassmen gave you the worst nickname ever, and it stuck. Trying again is risky. You might fail again. Peter gets it. In Luke 5, Peter and his friends fished all night and failed to catch anything. When Jesus told him to try again, Peter said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets” (Luke 5:5). Peter looked to Jesus and tried again. This time, they caught so many fish the nets started to break, and two boats nearly sank. But Peter’s story isn’t a promise that you’ll be successful. There’s no guarantee that if you give it another go, you’ll be a pro on water skis or secure the starring role in the play. Nope. Because Peter’s story isn’t about Peter. It’s about Jesus and what He can do. When we are afraid to try again, we can talk to Jesus about it. He knows what it’s like to be humiliated, so He can empathize with us. If our failure includes sin, Jesus reminds us that, once we’ve put our trust in Him, He has already secured our forgiveness by dying and rising again. We can rely on Him for comfort, and also for courage to try again. He is for us, and He will help us do whatever He calls us to. If we know Jesus, then even when we mess up or fall short, failure doesn’t define us—Jesus does. As we rely on His love, we can take a deep breath and try again. • Lenae Bulthuis • What are you afraid to try again? Why? What might you miss out on if you never try again? • Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds us that to keep running the race of life, we need Jesus and His people. Who are trusted Christians who can help you get up again when you fall? Consider talking to them about your fears and asking for their encouragement, prayers, and help. • If you want to dig deeper, read about more of Peter’s failures and Jesus’s responses in Matthew 14:22-33; 16:21-23; 26:31-35; Luke 22:49-51, 54-62; John 18:10-11; 21:1-25; Galatians 2:11-21. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3 (CSB)

READ: JUDGES 6:36-40; LUKE 12:6-7; JAMES 1:5 Some of my favorite childhood memories involve books. I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be a writer. After college I started selling a few articles here, a few stories there. But I was far away from the best seller status of my childhood dreams. Was I on the wrong track? Maybe my job as a library assistant was all I would ever be. I grew increasingly discouraged. One summer vacation I put out a Gideon’s fleece. In the Bible, God told a man named Gideon to deliver Israel from their enemies, the Midianites. But Gideon wanted to be sure of what the Lord was asking him to do, so he asked God for a sign. He put out a fleece and asked God to make the fleece wet with dew but leave the ground dry in the morning. And God did it! The next day, Gideon asked God to do the opposite: make the ground wet with dew but leave the fleece dry. And God did it! So, like Gideon, I asked for a sign. I said, “Lord, if You want me to keep writing, let me sell a piece before I go back to work in the fall.” An easy sign for God to fulfill? No way! I made sure He would be forced to answer “no.” I had nothing out for consideration. Not one story. Not one article. I had made God’s answer an impossibility. Or so I thought. As the summer days passed, I grew increasingly relieved. Then, two days before I was scheduled to go back to work, a contract came in the mail from a magazine I had sold several stories to. They would pay $140 to republish one of my stories. My jaw dropped. I had never seen a story reprinted in that magazine. I was awed by God’s perfect timing. Overwhelmed that He was listening to me. Not only listening, but responding. To me! Someone who’d had such grandiose plans yet accomplished so little. Thank You, God, for reminding me that You, who oversee all things, are willing to address the smallest concerns of those who love You. • Carol Raj • When our dreams seem to be failing to materialize, God invites us to bring our questions and requests to Him. He loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again so we could be with Him forever. He cares about you and your plans and dreams. Perhaps God has a different dream for you, or a different timetable. Consider taking some time to ask Him about your dreams. • Who do you turn to for advice about your plans and dreams for the future? In addition to talking to God about your plans, consider discussing these ideas with trusted Christian adults. You could even ask them to share their own experiences with you. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:5 (NLT)

READ: MARK 2:1-12; ROMANS 5:6-8; 1 JOHN 4:19 Two teenagers in Tennessee risked their lives to save an unaccompanied toddler who ran toward a busy highway. With an oncoming truck barreling toward them, the teens snatched up the toddler just in time. On another occasion, two other teens came to the rescue of a capsized boat in the Florida Keys, saving six people—including a four-year-old, and a three-month-old baby. What do these stories have in common? Each time, the teens saw something and believed they could help, so they acted on that belief. They’re not the only ones who have acted on what they believed. Back in Jesus’s day, four men had a friend who had a tremendous need. They heard Jesus was in town and knew He was the one who could help their friend. So, they carried their friend—who was paralyzed—to Jesus because they believed He could make the difference in his life. When they arrived at the home where Jesus was preaching, there was no more room. Not even at the door to stand and listen. So, they went up to the roof. After digging a hole, they lowered their friend using the mat he was lying on. These men acted on their belief that Jesus could heal him. Mark 2:5 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Jesus went on to tell him to get up, carry his mat, and walk home— which he did! “This amazed everyone and they praised God” (Mark 2:12)! Maybe someday you will jump in and save someone like the teens in those news stories. But even today, there are probably people around you who need an encounter with Jesus. Could you be like the four friends whose faith compelled them to bring their friend to the only one who could truly help him? Maybe you could pray for them, or even talk to them about Jesus or invite them to come to a church event with you. Or maybe you could show them kindness by helping with a need they have or just showing that you care. Trust Jesus to work through you, and watch what happens. • Deborah del Villar • Like the man who was paralyzed, we are all in desperate need of Jesus every moment of our lives. That’s why He came to die on the cross and rise again to save us from sin and death—because He loves us and wants to help us! What are some practical ways you could step out in faith and show others, both those who know Jesus already and those who don’t know Him yet, the same love that Jesus showed you? (Galatians 6:10; 1 John 4:19) When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 23; JOHN 10:1-18 Anxiety has me tossing and turning until I hear someone whispering my name from outside. I crawl out of my tent and see a man. The sun is just starting to rise, and I can make out a staff in his hand. Is this a shepherd? As if reading my thoughts, he says, “I am the good shepherd. Your shepherd.” I follow as he motions me forward. We walk until we come to a beautiful, lush hillside. “You’re tired.” The shepherd grabs a blanket that had been draped over his shoulder. “Rest.” I stretch out on the soft blanket. The air is fresh, the sky turning blue. I close my eyes and immediately fall asleep. I don’t know how long I sleep, but I feel refreshed when I wake up. The shepherd is waiting. He motions for me to follow and leads me to a peaceful river where I can drink. As we walk along the water, I feel my insides beginning to heal. My fears, my sorrows…are soothed. We start into a valley, and I hear a growl. Suddenly, the sky seems darker. Then I see them—a pack of beasts coming toward us, teeth bared and hackles raised. The shepherd holds up his staff and stretches it out in front of him. I watch the beasts turn away. As we continue through the valley, I am no longer afraid. Soon, we come to an open place again. The sun shines brightly. “Sit.” The shepherd motions to a table set up in a beautiful garden. I breathe in the scent of sweet flowers as I obey. He brings me food. As I start to eat, I see the beasts watching me. They eye me but don’t come close; they seem to be stuck in the valley. The food is delicious, and my drink…not only is it more enjoyable than anything I have had before, but no matter how much I sip, the glass stays full. I close my eyes, soaking in what it feels like to be cared for by this good shepherd. Never before have I experienced this feeling—this peace, this rest. • Emily Acker • Today’s allegorical story was inspired by Psalm 23, which begins with the words, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Consider taking some time to reread Psalm 23 slowly. What sticks out to you? • In John 10, Jesus says He is “the good shepherd.” If you know Jesus, He promises to be with you each day of your life, even when times are hard. He laid down His life for you so you could be saved from sin, death, and the devil. Because He rose again, you can know that He will bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18). For more about what it means to know Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Can you think of a time Jesus led you through a dark valley? Were there any ways He reminded you that He’s with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. [Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (NIV)

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:11; PSALM 23; LUKE 5:15-16 When I was in college, I distinctly remember being overwhelmed by various assignments. It felt like there was never going to be enough time to finish everything on my to-do list. I was exhausted and irritated. I felt like there was no relief in sight. I knew I needed to keep up with my devotions, because I knew that was important, but how could I give up time to do that when all the assignments had deadlines that were quickly approaching? The priority of the tasks that needed my immediate attention continued to outweigh spending time with God. But I continued to feel more and more exhausted. I felt like I was still drowning, like I would never finish everything on time. I had put it off long enough. I decided to put my assignments to the side and spend time with God. And you know what? I felt so much more refreshed. I felt like I could accomplish my tasks in a better way and faster than ever before. Too often we are quick to look at the things we need to do in this world and put them above our relationship with God. We think that spending time in His presence is going to slow us down and keep us from getting things done. But He wants to refresh and renew us. He wants to remind us of His unconditional love, a love that has nothing to do with our performance. And He wants to give us the strength we need to keep going—or redirect us if we’re going the wrong way. In those moments when we’re busiest, what we actually need most is to slow down and spend time with God. • Tynea Lewis • Can you think of a time when you were extremely busy and you felt your stress level growing? In times like these, it might seem irresponsible to put your to-do list to the side and spend time with God. But the truth is, even though God cares about the things you have to do, He cares way more about you. He invites you to lay your worries at His feet and rest in His love, remembering that Jesus has already done all that was needed to save you when He died and rose again. And Jesus is with you every step of the way, ready to help you do the good things He has called you to do. • What are some ways you like to spend time with God? We all need to be in His Word, but maybe you also like to journal, sing worship songs, talk to and praise Him through art, or go for walks and enjoy His creation with Him. How could you do at least one of these things today? But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)

READ: JAMES 1:2-5; ROMANS 8:28-39 BOOM! Thunder crashes. Lightning illuminates the house as the walls shake and dishes rattle in the cupboards, followed by an even louder thunderclap. I grew up in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. Most of the year, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. But during monsoon season, the rain came with a vengeance. Streets flooded, dry washes became roaring rivers, trees were ripped up, yards washed out, and cars were stranded in floodwaters. It might sound terrifying. But I’ve never seen it that way. As a kid, I loved to go out after it rained, jump in the puddles, and throw leaves in the streams running down the street. As I got older, I loved the smell of creosote that always came before the rain. Even now, I love the awe of the power of the storm. But I don’t just appreciate monsoons. I also understand why we need them. Though the Sonoran Desert is indeed a desert, it’s filled with beautiful cacti, flowers, and creatures who need rain to survive. The raindrops pelt the dust, cooling the scorching ground and creating streams from which to drink. The storm seems scary, but the desert is far more beautiful after it. Many people compare trials in the Christian life to storms. They talk about weathering the storm and making it to the other side. But I think sometimes we forget that God is working through the storm. If everything was always sunny, we would never grow, just like the desert plants. Storms are hard. Things get pelted, uprooted, destroyed. But if we weather the storms from inside the safety of God’s love, remembering that Jesus endured the unsafety of the cross because He cares so deeply for us, we can begin to appreciate the storms’ beauty. And after they pass, we can praise Him for the life and growth they bring. • Alyssa Roat • What storms have you gone through? What growth has God produced in you through them? • What storms are you going through right now? We can have hope in every storm because Jesus was willing to die on the cross for us, and then He rose from the grave. Our hope is twofold: (1) our suffering will not last forever because Jesus will return and make all things new,and (2) even when we suffer, He is with us—He loves us, and He truly understands what we’re going through because He suffered for us. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about the storms in your life. (If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 53; Philippians 1:19; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 21:1-5.) The LORD is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

READ: MARK 9:14-29; LUKE 24:36-53 Doubt. The very word conjures up images of wrinkled foreheads and turned-down mouth corners. Contrary to how we may feel about it, doubt can actually benefit our spiritual growth. And remember, Jesus Himself was patient and loving to those who wrestled with doubts. In Mark 9, a desperate father brought his son to Jesus for healing. The boy had been possessed by a spirit from childhood, one that continually tried to harm and kill him. “If you can do anything…” was this father’s cry of desperation (verse 22). Imagine how this man might have felt as Jesus responded: “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes” (verse 23). Without hesitation, the father cried out something so raw and beautiful: “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (verse 24). Jesus didn’t rebuke this father for his unbelief. Jesus heard his honest cry, and He healed the boy completely. Similarly, in Luke 24, when Jesus’s disciples doubted His resurrection, Jesus patiently assured them He was not a ghost. He invited them to look at His wounds and touch Him. He went even further by eating fish in front of them. Without a doubt, pun intended, Satan wants to use our doubts to make us feel far away from God. But in our times of doubt, we can practice the three Rs: (1) Remember: Recall how patient and assuring Jesus was with those who doubted. He will do the same for us. (2) Relay: Talk to God about your doubts. He already knows our every thought, but He invites our honesty. Oftentimes, just getting our concerns out in the open brings relief. (3) Read: Continually be in Scripture. Times of doubt might make us want to turn away from God and close our Bibles, but it is in these times—when we seek God in the midst of doubt—that we will learn more about the consistent character of God. The pain of doubt can pave the way for us to experience the presence of God as never before. When in doubt, ask God how He will use this for your good and growth. • Savannah Coleman • Everyone, at some point, will experience doubt. What is one time you remember struggling with doubt? Jesus loves you so much that He died and rose again to give you faith. Consider spending some time in prayer, perhaps echoing Mark 9:24, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” • Do you know someone who is experiencing doubt today? God calls us to respond by listening and validating others’ feelings. He listens to us without shaming us, and we can do the same for each other. Jude 1:22 says, “Have mercy on those who waver.” As we rest in Jesus’s love and remember the mercy He gives us daily, we can extend His love and mercy to those around us. Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 103:1-13; MATTHEW 10:29-30; ROMANS 8:14-16; 1 JOHN 4:14-19 Today my dad gave me a hug I felt safe and warm inside It made me think of how You love me And are holding me so tight. Today my dad encouraged me “You’re my child, and I’m proud of you.” And I thought of all the ways You tell me that too. Today my dad was busy He missed a really big day But I remembered You’re always here for me And You care about what I have to say. Today my dad lied to me And then got mad and yelled I’m thankful You keep your promises And never shut me out. Sometimes a dad can show God’s love Sometimes pain abounds But even then, I have a Perfect Father Who will never let me down. • Faith Lewis • What are some ways that the people around you point you toward God’s love for you? Perhaps you have a parent who makes you laugh, and that reminds you of how God delights in blessing you. Or maybe there’s a friend who is always willing to listen to you, and that makes you think of how God is there for you no matter what. • God created fatherhood as a gift to show His love, but because we live in a world that has been broken by sin, it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes, a dad may not be around for some reason, and all parents have times when they sin and hurt us. If they know Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help them repent, but these situations can still be so hard. Thankfully, Jesus promises to be with us in them. Don’t be afraid to cry out to God—He cares about your pain, and He alone is a perfect Father. What fears or doubts might be keeping you from resting in that truth today? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about this, such as pastors, parents, teachers, or counselors? • Are there any dads or father figures in your life who’ve shown God’s love to you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too! “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 68:4-6; JOHN 1:9-14; 3:16-17; EPHESIANS 1:5 When Father’s Day comes around, how do you feel? Maybe you have a great relationship with your dad and you’re excited to celebrate him. Praise God for that! Or maybe you wish that it was any day but this one. Maybe you decide you’ll treat it like just a normal day. But that’s not so easy to do…You go to church and the message is all about fathers. Your friends can’t hang out with you because they’re spending time with their dads. It’s pretty much impossible to avoid thinking about what’s missing in your life. If Father’s Day is difficult for you, you’re not alone. There are others who feel the same way, and they’re feeling the sting of this day along with you. But you also have an amazing God by your side, one who wants more than anything to be your Father. If you ever wonder how much God cares for you, what lengths He would go to for you, look at the cross. God the Father sent Jesus, who is God the Son, to live among us and reveal the Father’s love to us. Ultimately, Jesus suffered and died on the cross so that we could become God’s children. It was worth it to Him to give up everything so He could be with us. No matter what your situation is with your earthly father—whether you never met him, you lost him, things aren’t as good as you’d like them to be, or things are great—you have something to celebrate on Father’s Day. God made you. He chose to make you. He chose to be your Father. He is there for you at any hour. When you cry out in fear or pain, He hears you. Because He loves you, He will always choose you, always be there for you, never give up on you. God is greater than any other father we celebrate on this day—and if you know Jesus, He is your Father. • Emily Acker • How do you feel about Father’s Day? • If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again to save you, then you are God’s child forever. He is your Father, and He delights in you! Consider taking some time to tell Him about whatever is on your mind. You can be honest about any pain or loss you’re experiencing. He longs to wrap you in His arms, minister to your hurts, and remind you of His compassionate love. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

READ: COLOSSIANS 1:15-23 Think for a minute about everything you see around you every day—the sky, your home, your shoes, your food…Within each of those visible objects are invisible objects that are working together to create something tangible. Your shoes are made of molecules, which are made of atoms, which are made of electrons and protons and neutrons, which are made of quarks. Inside the sun are myriad electrons exploding around each other and bare protons fusing together, creating something powerful enough to heat the entire earth. The sun’s heat creates temperature differences (and therefore pressure differences) in the earth’s atmosphere, and this creates wind. You can’t see the heat, and you can’t see the wind. Yet around you every day the wind is causing sailboats to float calmly down a river or crash headlong into cliffs. And that’s just on earth. In heaven, the Lord is sitting on His throne, directing the events of human history and sending out His angels to do His work. Meanwhile on earth, all the rulers and authorities in every dominion sit on their thrones—but each of them sits under Jesus Christ. Colossians 1 tells us that every person in power (and not in power) is subject to Him alone. God created all things, and it’s vital for us to understand that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” and all things were created “through him and for him” (verse 15-16, emphasis added). Everything we see, as well as everything we can’t see, is working under His authority. Let’s take you for example. Everything on the outside—your hands, your legs, your face—as well as everything you can’t see on the inside—your heart, your lungs, your brain—was created by God and is working together for Him. Your heart keeps pumping, your blood keeps flowing, all because the Lord loves you, and He has a reason for you to be here today. God is sovereign; He is in control. Nothing happens without His divine oversight. We have to start there. God is above all and in all (Ephesians 4:6). He is working behind the scenes in every situation for our good because He loves us (Romans 8:28). So no matter what happens, you can rely on Jesus, knowing that He is working in you for His good purposes on this earth. • Merrick Potter • Especially when life feels out of control, how could it be helpful to remember that Jesus is with us, and He is holding everything together—including us? (Matthew 28:20; Colossians 1:17) For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (CSB)

READ: JONAH 4; MATTHEW 12:38-42; ROMANS 10:9-13 Out of all the biblical prophets, Jonah is probably the most infamous. The book focuses on a prophet who didn’t want to go to the city of Nineveh when God told him to. It’s not hard to see why. Nineveh was a brutal and cruel place, where they removed the noses and ears of some of their prisoners, practiced witchcraft, and worshiped idols. Nineveh wasn’t a happy place. When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to urge them to repent and warn them of God’s coming judgment, Jonah ran in the opposite direction because he didn’t want the Ninevites to experience God’s grace (Jonah 4:2). He got on a ship to Tarshish, which was about 3,000 miles away from Ninevah, but a storm came up and threatened to destroy the ship and the crew. Jonah confessed his sin and convinced them to throw him overboard. He was then swallowed by a huge fish and spent three days in its belly. There he repented, and God caused it to vomit him on land. Finally, Jonah travelled to Nineveh and preached to the people. After hearing his words, all the people repented by fasting and praying. The book ends with Jonah complaining about their repentance, but God rebuked him, saying, “Should I not have concern for…Nineveh?” We’ve all sinned. And, like Jonah thought the Ninevites shouldn’t have been forgiven, we may think that our own sins are too egregious or that we’re unforgivable. But God is King of forgiving everything we think can’t be forgiven. Even though others may think we’re beyond forgiveness, God never will. Just as God sent Jonah to give the people of Nineveh hope, He sent Jesus to us so that, through faith in Him, we can be saved. Like Jonah spent three days in a giant fish, Jesus spent three days in the grave. Because Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose again to give us new life, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven. Unlike Jonah, Jesus doesn’t run in the opposite direction when we need help. He comes running to us, no matter what. • Morgan A. Mitchell • Do you struggle to believe you’re forgiven? Satan wants you to believe the lie that you’re unforgiveable, but if you know Jesus, all your sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. You can ask God to remind you of this truth anytime. Who else can remind you of God’s forgiveness? • As Christians, we live in a constant rhythm of repentance as the Holy Spirit reveals our sin. Consider taking some time to confess any sins that come to mind and rest in God’s sure forgiveness. He [Jonah] said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” Jonah 2:2 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 23:1-3; 116:7; MATTHEW 11:28-30 Let me take you several thousand feet above sea level. It’s a warm, summery day, and the sun shines hot on your head. Sweat runs down your back. You’ve just climbed from the bottom of Yosemite to the top of a mountain. Green trees fill the park as far as you can see. Mountains surround you. The normal response would be to sit down and enjoy the view, right? I was a really busy high schooler. Between classes, being part of a college orchestra, musicals, a leadership team, band, homework, and friends, I felt like I was always busy. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Jesus is in control, and that means we don’t have to work all the time. Just like resting was appropriate after I climbed that mountain, it’s good to rest after working hard. Jesus is working even while we rest. Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” I’ve read that Psalm so many times, but recently someone pointed out that Jesus makes us lie down in those green pastures. As our good shepherd, He knows we need rest because we still live under the exhausting curse of sin. Resting is worship because it’s a physical way to show our trust in what Jesus can do, not in what we can do. That’s a bold step, especially when the culture we live in seems to define success by how busy we are. But true success is resting in the power of Jesus. It’s following Him through every season—the busy and the slow. That’s called trusting—and that, my friends, brings glory to Jesus! Sometimes, we forget that God is always with us. But through the Holy Spirit, we can enjoy being with Him. We can love Him more than our busy agendas. As we learn to rely on Him in the quiet moments, we will grow in our ability to rely on Him in the chaos. It’s in the quiet moments of rest that our hearts are changed by God’s love, and when a changed heart meets the busy world, we get the privilege of impacting it with Him! • Sarah Rexford • What keeps you from resting? • We can rest because Jesus loves us, He has already defeated the curse of sin by dying on the cross and rising from the grave, and He’s coming back to free us completely from that curse. Rest doesn’t just mean “not doing” something. Rest can be doing something you enjoy that helps you feel refreshed. What are some activities you can find rest in? How could you rest today and show you trust Jesus’s timing more than your own abilities to get things done? The LORD is my shepherd…he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 64:1-10; 116:10; 142:1-7 Have you ever greeted someone you haven’t seen in a while with a friendly, “Hi, how have you been?” and they responded with a shrug and said, “I can’t complain”? I never know how to interpret that. I end up translating it in my head to mean, “I’m not quite content, but there’s nothing glaringly wrong with my life.” Often, I end up wondering if they would like to “complain,” but they don’t think they’re allowed to, or maybe they just don’t want to let me in. I’ve heard some Christians say that complaining is a sin. They talk about passages like Numbers 11:1, which says, “Now the people [of Israel] complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused.” Apparently, when we complain, it makes God angry. So we should avoid complaining at all costs. Right? Well, it might not be that simple. Look at Psalm 64, where David begins by saying, “Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint.” And in Psalm 142:1-2, David says, “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LoORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” David outright said he was complaining to God. Was David sinning? Numbers 14:27 says the Israelites were grumbling against God. But David was bringing His concerns to God. He was lamenting. We see examples of lament throughout the Bible, especially in the psalms, and we know that God calls His people to lament. Even Jesus lamented. Instead of stuffing all our pain and questions and longings inside, letting them fester and inevitably turn to bitterness, God wants us to be honest with Him. He wants us to talk to Him—unfiltered—about all the hard things in our lives and all the ways it seems like He isn’t good or loving or trustworthy. And, the surprising thing is, when we talk to God like this we are actually showing that we do trust Him. We trust Him enough to tell Him how we really feel. We’re coming to Him with our hurt and anger and sorrow and fear because we believe He can do something about it. And as we do, we’re opening ourselves up to receive His comfort, His hope, and assurance of His steadfast love. • Hannah Howe • What do you think is the difference between grumbling against God and lamenting to God? • Consider taking some time to pour out your own complaint before God, telling Him about some of the hard things you’ve experienced lately and how you’ve felt about them. • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 13; 88; Matthew 27:46; Mark 14:32-36; Luke 19:41-44; John 11:35. Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint. Psalm 64:1 (NIV)

READ: EXODUS 16:8-31, 35; NUMBERS 14:8; PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20 Sometimes God only gives us what we need for the moment. Can you relate? Maybe God is only providing enough money for your family to get by each month, or maybe He sent you a temporary friend instead of a longer lasting friendship. You fill in the blank. In the book of Exodus, when the Israelites ran out of food in the wilderness, they began to grumble. They complained to God. Still our merciful God made food for them. He placed a bread-like substance called manna around the camp in the morning and quail in the evening. God commanded the Israelites to take enough manna for each person in their families, and to keep no leftovers to eat later. However, some of the people did not trust God enough to believe that He would supply food for the following day. So, they kept some extra. But the next morning, the leftover manna was full of worms. Even after all the complaints and distrust of the people, God still fed the Israelites. Eventually, He led this nation to the land He’d promised them—the land flowing with milk and honey. God may provide for our needs a little every day, but sooner or later, God will bring us to the land of milk and honey. Because Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, we can have hope in His promise to come back one day and make all things new. Then we’ll have everything we could ever need and more. Until that day, God gives us glimpses of our future by providing for our needs right now. What a generous God we serve! • Alia Grace Murray • Can you remember a time when you felt like you had just barely enough? What are some ways you saw God provide for you, maybe through opportunities, or the generosity of others, or even things that were seemingly random? • Sometimes God provides way more than we need. Have you ever seen God do this, whether in your life or the life of somebody else? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for that! • Are you going through a tough time? God doesn’t leave us to walk through difficulties alone. If we know Jesus, He is with us through the Holy Spirit, offering His strength and comfort. And He works through fellow Christians to encourage and help us as well. Who is a trusted Christian you could talk to if you or someone you know doesn’t have what you need? And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 8; MATTHEW 5:1-16; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6; PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18 It was midnight. I put my paddleboard into the saltwater of the Puget Sound, then pushed off the shore and hopped aboard, surrounded by darkness. I dipped my paddle into the water, gently swirling it around, and gasped—the water sparkled! It looked as if the stars had fallen into the ocean. In utter disbelief, I did it again and again, marveling at the beauty of the bioluminescence, enchanted by the spectacle before me. I squealed with delight like a little kid in a candy store. The phenomenon of bioluminescence occurs when algae in the water are disturbed by movement, causing them to produce a light. It happens most often during the warm summer months, in dark places with little to no light pollution. It’s a wondrous sight to see, and it makes me praise our God who created the amazing world we live in, a world filled with stars and fireflies and glowworms and bioluminescence. “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth!” (2 Chronicles 2:12). Like the bioluminescence in the ocean water or the stars in the night sky, God also made us to shine. But we can’t do it on our own. We need God to illuminate us from within. Ephesians 5:8 says that without God, we are darkness—but, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are “light in the Lord.” Jesus is the light of the world, and He died on the cross and rose from the grave to save us and bring us near to God. If we know Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, so we can reflect the light of His glory in a dark world. We can shine “like stars in the sky” as we “hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16). Like bioluminescence, we can give off light so that others might marvel at the God who illuminates us. To Him be the glory forever! • Tracy Mikula • Consider taking some time this summer to pause from the busyness of life and explore the natural world around you. As you do, you can praise God who created it all and invites us to share in His pleasure and delight! What is one way you could spend time outside this week? • The Holy Spirit helps us shine God’s light by resting in Jesus’s love for us and then letting that love overflow to others as we live according to His Word (Ephesians 5:1-20). What is a good time of day for you to read or listen to God’s Word (the Bible) and talk with Him in prayer? As you do, consider asking yourself: How is God revealing His light and love to me today? Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:15-16 (NIV)

READ: GALATIANS 6:1-10; EPHESIANS 4:11-16 Do you know what a symbiotic relationship is? It’s when two beings interact, live near each other, and have a relationship that benefits both of them. The animal kingdom is filled with these kinds of relationships. The clown fish lives in an anemone, and it scares away the butterfly fish, one of the anemone’s enemies. The anemone has sting cells that will attack anything that tries to attack the clown fish. A crocodile gets its teeth cleaned by the Egyptian plover, a bird who gets its food from the crocodile’s teeth. A zebra hears if an enemy is coming and warns the ostrich, who can’t hear well. An ostrich sees if an enemy is coming and warns the nearsighted zebra. A shark lets a remora fish attach to it and ride along, allowing the fish to eat the shark’s leftover food. The remora fish also eats all the parasites that attack the shark, keeping it clean and healthy. Did you know we can have symbiotic relationships with those around us? If we know Jesus, God has placed us in community with other Christians. Together, we are the church, the body of Christ. And while church can be messy and sometimes painful, we all need each other. God has given each of us different gifts and abilities, and He calls us to help each other in our walks with Jesus by reading His Word together, keeping each other accountable in our struggles against sin, praying for each other, encouraging each other through the good and bad times of life, and providing for each other’s practical needs. We’ll definitely fail to do this perfectly and make many wrong choices along the way, but in these moments we can rely on the grace of Jesus to bring hope and healing. The reason we can show each other love is because Jesus “first loved us” (1 John 4:19) and, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us. So we can work together to share Jesus’s love with each other—and with the rest of the world. • Melissa Yeagle • Can you think of a time when a friend helped you in your walk with Jesus? What did they say or do? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this—and maybe thank the person too! • What are some specific ways you could encourage fellow Christians in your life? • If you want to dig deeper, read Romans 12:3-21; 1 Corinthians 12; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-24. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 11:1-44; HEBREWS 4:14-16; REVELATION 21:1-5 I closed the book and pondered what I had just read. Jesus weeps for me? The novel I was reading explained it in such a way that I just had to stop for a moment and think. The book said Jesus is there with us in our suffering. His heart breaks over human pain, and He mourns with us. But He doesn’t mourn because all is lost. Christ will come back and restore everything that has been broken by sin, and everyone who has put their trust in Him will be saved and restored. The reason Jesus mourns is because He loves us and hates to see us suffer. I realize God could stop all this sin and suffering right now, but His plan is to wait for just the right time to do so (2 Peter 3:9-13). In the beginning, He gave us a choice to trust Him or not. We humans chose to go our own way and reject God, and now we are suffering, not just from the consequences of our own sin, but also from the effects of all humanity’s sin. I will suffer, but I won’t do it alone. I have a High Priest—Jesus Christ, the Son of God—who weeps for me because He has been where I’ve been, and He knows how terrible it is to be alone. He was despised by His own brothers, and one of His closest friends denied Him. He felt the sorrow of losing a loved one, and He knows the pain of utter humiliation. His heavenly Father, with whom He had a perfect relationship, poured out all of His just wrath against our sin on Jesus when He hung on the cross. Jesus was willing to go through all of this, because He loves me. He knows how I feel, and more. He is my Comforter, my Healer, and my Friend. Next time I’m suffering, I’ll know that God hasn’t abandoned me in my time of trouble. Instead, He has provided a way for me to be rescued out of this mess by stepping into it Himself. He’ll be weeping with me, comforting me, and redirecting my focus onto eternity, reminding me that—because Jesus has conquered the grave—there will come a day when He and I won’t weep anymore. • Emma Pamer • How does it make you feel to know that Jesus has been through everything you might be going through, and more? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus weeps with and for you? • Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about a couple ways you have been experiencing suffering— whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually—and imagine Him sitting beside you and weeping over these things. Jesus wept. John 11:35 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 19:7-11; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17; HEBREWS 4:12 Martin Frobisher, an English explorer, once discovered a huge hoard of gold on Baffin Island in Canada. He sent three ships, carrying 160 tons of gold-containing ore, back to Queen Elizabeth I in England. Unfortunately, the ore contained nothing more than a pile of yellow mica or iron pyrite—otherwise known as fool’s gold. Fool’s gold looks exactly like the real thing. But it’s completely worthless. So how on earth can you tell the difference? Fool’s gold sometimes has sharp edges which glisten when caught by sunlight, so it glitters when you turn it in your hand. This explains why it’s often mistaken for treasure. But real gold doesn’t need to be at just the right angle to shine. Gold is a soft metal. It is malleable and will bend when a small amount of force is applied to it. Fool’s gold is generally hard and brittle. It will shatter if you pound it. Real gold rarely shatters. If you drop a piece of real gold into some nitric acid, it will remain completely unaffected. Fool’s gold will dissolve. But perhaps the best way to learn how to distinguish the genuine from the counterfeit is to get your hands on the real thing. Once you’ve handled real gold, you’re much less likely to be fooled. The same principle applies with money: bankers are trained to spot fake currency by consistently handling real currency. If you consistently handle God’s Word—pressing in to relationship with Jesus, the one the Bible is all about—you’re far less likely to fall for the devil’s lies. As you become more and more familiar with the truth, you’ll get better and better at sniffing out the counterfeit. All the glittering lies and false equations we encounter are worthless. They’re no match for the power, beauty, and goodness of the truth. And, thanks be to God, He graciously reveals the truth to us in His Word. • Angela Jelf • The whole Bible is about Jesus, the one who died and rose again to save us from sin and death. Why is it important to read the Bible through the lens of the gospel? (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) • If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we know God personally and His Holy Spirit lives in us. The Spirit teaches us, helping us understand God’s Word in ways we couldn’t otherwise (John 14:23-31; 16:12-14; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 2:20-27). And He does this for every believer! As we study the Bible, why is it important to talk to God and trusted Christians about what we read? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 5:6-11 Jesus Christ died for your sins. Does this sentence amaze you every time you read it? For many of us (especially those of us who have grown up going to church), this amazing statement has become so normal in our lives that we often glance over it. But that’s just what this truth is—amazing. Something that inspires awe, admiration, or wonder. Jesus’s death on the cross was amazing because it accomplished something so surprising and important that it echoed into all eternity: God in flesh laid down His life for people who were His enemies. Many of us have at least one friend or relative we would be willing to die for. But imagine dying for a criminal. A murderer. Someone who killed people you love—and was bent on killing you too. Now multiply that by millions—and you’ve got what Jesus did for us. Out of love He laid down His life for people who sinned against Him, people who deserved death. That’s all of us (Psalm 51:4; Matthew 5:21-22; Romans 3:23-24; James 2:10). But don’t forget the next part... Jesus Christ died for your sins and resurrected from the dead. So now, if you’ve put your trust in Him, you have been saved from death and forgiven from sin—and you get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and resurrect you to live with Him forever. This is the gospel, and it is truly amazing, no matter how many times we hear it. • Merrick Potter • What parts of the gospel amaze or surprise you the most? (If you want to know more about the gospel and what it means to put your trust in Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • Do you have any favorite Bible verses or passages about the amazing things Jesus has done for us? Consider taking some time to read one of these slowly, praising God for what He has done for you. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 139; LUKE 12:6-7 Any other “middle kids” out there? I’m a middle child. Not the exact middle, but I’m number three out of four kids. My older two siblings were very outgoing when we were young, and my little brother was the baby of the family, so all three of them received a lot of attention. And then there was me, somewhere in the middle. I was a really quiet kid, and it wasn’t uncommon for my parents to “lose track of me.” I can’t count the number of times they drove away from church on a Sunday afternoon without me in the vehicle. The worst “Where’s Emily?” moment we experienced was when they left me at a soccer field after one of my little brother’s junior soccer matches. My mom thought I was in my dad’s car, my dad thought I was in my mom’s car, and I watched in horror as both cars drove away without me. I was probably eight years old at the time, and I had to ask a stranger to borrow their phone to call my parents and tell them they’d left me behind! And the kicker? My family got all the way home, unloaded the cars and went inside the house, and still didn’t notice I wasn’t there! My family loves me. I don’t want you to think otherwise. And I have a wonderful relationship with my parents and all of my siblings. But being forgotten by the people who are supposed to take care of you—well, it stings! Something I realized at the ripe age of eight was that my family is not perfect. My parents, even though they loved the socks off of me, made mistakes. They messed up, and I felt hurt in the process. I felt like they didn’t know me, and therefore didn’t care. It affected the way I viewed my worth as a person. That’s why, when I got older and found Psalm 139, it felt like fresh new air was being pumped into my lungs. God knows me, and He loves me perfectly. Every moment of my life, every tiny insignificant detail, God knows it all. My thoughts, the hairs on my head, when I sit or stand, God knows and cares! And every day of my life He has been with me. Even on that awkward ride home in a strange family’s minivan after my brother’s soccer game (it wasn’t as sketchy as it sounds to ride home with a stranger, I promise!) God was with me. And He has that same perfect, capable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy love for you too. • Emily Tenter • When we feel unseen, how could it be helpful to remember how God sees us? You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. Psalm 139:1 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 16:3-9; ROMANS 8:28-29; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 When I was seventeen, my second choice for a summer activity rose to become my first. Early in the year, I auditioned for the all-state marching band, which would travel and perform during the summer. However, I didn’t get selected for that honor, so I set my sights on something different. I decided to work with a group called the Youth Conservation Corps, helping maintain national parks and wildlife areas. I relished time in nature and thought I’d fit in well. First, however, I needed to apply. I diligently completed the application. I asked my favorite teacher to write a recommendation for me. Then I waited. In the spring, I finally received word—I had not been hired for the job. Now both my goals for the summer had been squashed. Back then, I viewed this as a failure. Over time, though, I’ve learned to examine these circumstances through the eyes of faith. It’s true I didn’t make the cut for the marching band or the environmental protection work I envisioned doing. But I didn’t need to despair. I didn’t need to wonder if the loss of these dreams would derail my life from moving forward. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are God’s children, and we can rely on our good Father. We can also rely on what He tells us in His Word. We can set goals and make plans toward them, all the while trusting that God establishes our steps (Proverbs 16:9). He secures a way for us, even when our own plans fall apart. As followers of Christ, we can rest in God’s unshakable peace because, although we may feel like our lives have gotten off course, God’s plans are always bigger—and better—than ours. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you pursued a goal, only to find you didn’t reach it? Did it cause you to question whether you were headed in the right direction? • When things don’t turn out like we hoped, it’s normal to be disappointed. God has compassion on us in these times, and He wants to comfort us. Consider taking some time to talk to God about any disappointments that come to mind. • How might it be freeing to commit our plans to the Lord and trust Him with the outcomes? According to Romans 8:28-29, what is God ultimately working toward? In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

READ: GALATIANS 1:6-12; 2:14–3:6; 5:1, 16-26 Imagine you’re standing in a burning building. Everything is on fire. Smoke fills the air, and it’s hard to see or breathe. But you, quick thinker that you are, hold your breath. You get down low. You bob and weave between burning furniture and crumbling walls. You dodge the pieces of ceiling that crash to the floor around you. You tuck and roll out the front door and run down the porch steps, gasping for air as you finally arrive to safety! You look up to see Jesus standing in front of you. He’s so happy you’re safe. He loves you! You give Jesus a thumbs up. You did it. You saved yourself from the fire. He gives you a thumbs up too. Then He gives you one last hug and runs into the burning house, sacrificing His life for yours. The logic of this scenario makes no sense to us. It didn’t make any sense to Paul either. In his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul calls them out for trying to combine the gospel of Jesus with the old requirements of the law. He says, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1). It’s a very serious matter when we try to add requirements to salvation— believing we need to receive Jesus’s free gift of salvation AND follow a set of rules. Because the truth is, we can’t save ourselves through doing good works. It’s impossible! Paul even says so: “For if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (2:21). Here’s the truth. If you could earn forgiveness and eternal life by just being a good person, then Jesus didn’t need to come at all. You could just do it without Him. But Paul wanted the Galatians to know there was something better. He says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (5:1). Freedom. Freedom from guilt, and shame, and legalism. Because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, God forgives everyone who puts their trust in Jesus. Paul goes on to talk about the fruit of the Spirit and doing good works. But those good works are a response to the gospel, not a prerequisite for it. This is the good news. Christ has set us free! • Emily Tenter • It’s a lie that we need to earn salvation or God’s love. Yet, we often fall into believing this sneaky lie in so many ways. Thankfully, God helps us see the truth through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions do you have about faith and good works? A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 1:26–2:3; MATTHEW 11:28-30; LUKE 10:38-42 Alistair hefted his saw and adjusted his vision screen over his eyes. As he made the final cut, the virtual gift box opened in the corner of his vision screen and a few digitized fireworks exploded. Though he knew the praise was only automatic, it still felt good. A banner floated across the screen: “Congratulations! You have earned one Silver Coin.” The screen changed, leaving only a large button saying: “Choose your next task.” Alistair had completed fifty laborious tasks that day. His work was mostly centered around the district’s pomapple orchard, where he harvested hybrid fruit and worked the land. Even though he was tired, he clicked the button. He prided himself on being a hard worker. He felt anxious when he didn’t have things to do. About an hour later, he completed his next task of harvesting all the ripe fruit from a tree. He waited for the gift box in the corner of his vision screen, but there was nothing. No “congratulations” message and no silver coin. And no next task. For the first time in weeks, Alistair turned off his vision screen. He looked around the orchard at his coworkers, all of whom were still working diligently even as darkness fell and the cool night air wrapped its chilly hands around them. Well, all except one. He saw that Theodora was not working on her next task. Instead, she was wandering through the orchard, running her hands down the tree bark, smelling the flowers that grew along the path, and occasionally eating the fruit from the branches. “Is your vision screen not functioning either?” he asked. “It’s functioning. But I turned it off to walk around the orchard.” “But you don’t get any coin.” Alistair was baffled. But Theodora seemed perfectly content. Joyful even. With a smile, she said, “When I look at the trees, I see the Creator’s hand. He has crafted this fruit and this land so beautifully for us. That is why we take care of it, because it is His.” Alistair thought a moment. Then, taking the fruit he had harvested in his hand for the first time, Alistair took a bite. His eyes widened in delight. • Emily McDonough • Have you ever felt like Alistair in today’s allegorical story? Do you feel like you always need to have something to do or work on? Why do you think that is? • Work is not inherently a bad thing. In fact, work can be a wonderful way to live into our God-given gifts and express our love for God and for the people around us. But work can easily become an idol when we look to it for our sense of identity and purpose. The truth is, God loves us no matter what we do or how productive we are. And He invites us to enjoy His good creation, knowing we could never earn all His wonderful gifts, yet He delights to give them to us—gifts like food, beauty, and friendship. We can enjoy these good things freely when we rest in Jesus. He already did all the work that was needed to save us when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. We don’t need to strive to be “worthy” of His good gifts, because He has already given them to us through the cross. In your daily life, where do you find joy, peace, and rest in the world God has created? How could you take a break from the busyness this week in order to enjoy His good gifts as you rest in Jesus? Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

READ: ROMANS 8:18, 23-25; REVELATION 21 If you were a character in a book, it would be nice to know that your story has a happy ending. When we’re the ones reading a book, usually we try to avoid spoilers, but sometimes we can’t help ourselves. As a kid, I can remember the suspense surrounding the fate of favorite characters. Unable to take the tension any longer, I would peek a few chapters ahead and try to find their name. If I could just see their name, I knew that all would be well. In the Bible, God invites us to take a peek at the end of the story—it’s not cheating. One day, Jesus will come back to put an end to sin and bring about a new heaven and a new earth. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and all those who have put their trust in Him will dwell with Him forever. We can’t even imagine all the good things God has in store for us (1 Corinthians 2:9)! It’s meant to be a tremendous comfort to us that we know how God’s story ends. This story can be our own if we know Jesus. We can have hope because God has told us that His people will enjoy eternal life with Him and with all our fellow believers in renewed creation. And, not only does Scripture reveal to us the end of the story, it also introduces us to the author of the story. Hope is only as good as what it’s based on; a promise is only as good as the person making it. If you know and trust the person, you can have hope that they will fulfill their promises. Our hope in God’s promises is certain. God proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will keep His word when God the Father sent Jesus, who is God the Son, to die on the cross and then be raised from the dead. He has defeated sin and death to save us, and nothing can shake His promises. His great love gives us hope! • Jacob Bier • What is something you’re hoping for right now? How is our hope in God and His promises different from other hopes? (2 Corinthians 1:7; Hebrews 6:19) • How can knowing God’s good plan for the future affect the way we live in the present? (2 Corinthians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 1:3-9) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

READ: MARK 16:19-20; LUKE 24:50-53; ACTS 1:4-11; REVELATION 1:7 Recently I noticed Ascension Day on the calendar of a religious publication. In my faith tradition, little attention is given to this monumental event. However, the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven is vital to our understanding of His birth, death, and resurrection. Scripture reveals that Christ ascended into heaven forty days after He rose from the dead. Luke 24:50-51 says, “When he had led them [his disciples] out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” What a remarkable sight—imagine Jesus being taken up into heaven right in front of your eyes! The Scriptures sparked my enthusiasm about the ascension. I rediscovered fantastic truths surrounding this historic event: • Jesus told us to share His message of love and hope just before He ascended into heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). • Jesus promised believers the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comforts us, counsels us, and equips us to share the good news and serve in His kingdom—and if Jesus hadn’t left, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t have come (Luke 24:49; John 14:15-31; 16:7; Acts 1:5). • Jesus will return the same way that He left. Can you picture the disciples as they witnessed their teacher’s departure from this earth? While they were focused on the sky, two angels showed up with the declaration that Jesus “will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). And Revelation 1:7 says, “‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him.’” How should the ascension impact our lives? This clear sign does not mean that we should spend every day leisurely cloud watching as we wait for Jesus to return. Jesus commands us to look around us to those who need to hear the good news of His sacrificial love for all people. As we ponder Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, we are encouraged to share the hope we have in Him—that everyone who puts their trust in Jesus has a restored relationship with God, and that someday Jesus will return and restore this broken world and we will finally see His righteous kingdom come in all its fullness. • Debbie Ewald • Why is it important that we know how Jesus will return? And how can His ascension impact the way we understand the gospel? “This same Jesus…will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 (NIV)