April 13 - Stay Awake, Stay Ready

APRIL 13 - Stay Awake, Stay Ready3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:13–14; Mark 13//⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠//________________________________________“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.” — Proverbs 14:13–14 (ESV)“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” — Mark 13:32–33 (ESV)________________________________________Have you ever smiled on the outside while feeling totally different inside? Like laughing with friends while carrying secret stress or worry? Proverbs 14 reminds us that outward happiness doesn’t always match what’s going on in the heart. Meanwhile, in Mark 13, Jesus calls us to “stay awake,” not just physically, but spiritually—to live ready for whatever comes, because we don’t know the future.Life can feel unpredictable. One moment everything is fun and easy, the next moment it’s hard and confusing. Jesus wants us to stay alert, not anxious—focused on Him instead of distracted by the world. He calls us to live faithfully so that no matter when or what happens, our hearts are steady and ready.________________________________________THINK ABOUT IT1. Heart Check: Are you carrying things behind your smile that you need to bring to God? How can you let Him fill your heart with peace instead of pretending everything is okay?2. Live Ready: What does “keeping awake” (Mark 13:33) look like for you as a teen? How can you stay close to God in your everyday routine?3. Fruit That Lasts: Proverbs 14:14 says both good and bad choices bear fruit. What kind of fruit are your choices growing right now?________________________________________BOTTOM LINELiving ready for Jesus means keeping your heart real with God and faithful in the small things every day.________________________________________PRAYERHeavenly Father, help me stay spiritually awake and ready, trusting You with my future. Show me how to live faithfully and keep my heart honest before You. Fill me with peace and guide my choices so that my life bears good fruit for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.