Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: JONAH 1–4 When you think of the prophet Jonah, what comes to mind? Getting swallowed by a huge fish? Running from God? A certain movie with talking vegetables? What you might not know is how the story of Jonah points us toward the gospel. Although Jonah is known for his reluctance to preach to the people in Nineveh, his story still shows God’s mercy and foreshadows the Messiah—the promised rescuer who was to come. And we now know that Messiah is Jesus. First, both Jesus and Jonah sacrificed themselves to save others. Jonah chose to be thrown off a ship in the midst of a storm to save the other sailors— because he knew that his sin had caused the storm. Jesus chose to sacrifice Himself on the cross—because He knew that He was without sin, so He could save us sinners (Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:15). Second, both Jonah and Jesus also found themselves in the depths for three days. For Jonah, this meant being in the belly of a big fish. Jesus spent three days in the tomb after His death on the cross. Then, both returned from the depths after three days. Jonah was vomited by the fish on to shore, and he went on to (reluctantly) share God’s message of repentance with the people of Ninevah, which ultimately led to Gentiles repenting and being saved. Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever and saving all who put their trust in Him—both Jews and Gentiles! These similarities and connections are no accident, and they’re just the beginning of the ways the book of Jonah points to the gospel. The whole book intentionally points toward Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. God the Father sent both Jonah and Jesus out of His great love for us. But Jesus is better than Jonah (Matthew 12:41). Jonah was only human, but Jesus is both fully human and fully God. While Jonah was a reluctant prophet who did not have much love for the people he preached to, God the Son willingly came and dwelled among us, sacrificing His own life on the cross so that we could be saved from sin and live with Him forever. • Naomi Zylstra • Did anything about today’s devotion surprise you? If so, what? • While reading the book of Jonah, did you notice any other connections between the story of Jonah and the story of Jesus? • For more about the gospel, the good news of Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. [Jesus said,] “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40 (NIV) 

READ: MARK 4:35-41; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-13 Life can feel like a storm—friendships changing, family struggles, church drama, schoolwork piling up, or just general uncertainty about the future can all send us reeling. Anxiety often sneaks in when we don’t know what’s coming next. But Jesus offers us something the world can’t: peace that goes beyond understanding. In Philippians 4, Paul reminds us that we can bring our worries to God in prayer. When we do, we find His peace guards our hearts. And Jesus Himself, on the night before He went to the cross, told His disciples, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). The peace of Jesus is like an anchor holding steady in rough waters. This doesn’t mean storms disappear. It means we don’t face them alone. Jesus’s presence steadies us, reminding us that He is in control. He died on the cross and rose from the grave to save us and secure our eternal future with Him. That means, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest—even when life feels uncertain. I’ve experienced moments when life felt overwhelming, like waves crashing over me. But when I turned to God in prayer, I found His peace calming my heart. He didn’t erase the situation, but He reminded me that He was with me, holding me steady. Hebrews 6:18-19 says, “We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” Jesus’s peace is not fragile—it’s strong enough to carry us through the hardest days. When we anchor ourselves in Him, we discover a security that no storm can shake. • Martha Karas • In Philippians 4:7, what do you think it means that Jesus’s peace transcends or surpasses understanding? • How can spending time in prayer and Scripture help us anchor our hearts in Jesus’s peace? (Hint: read Matthew 6:25-34.) • Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus, following Philippians 4:6 as a guide—thanking Him for ways you’ve seen His goodness and asking for His help with whatever is weighing on you. • God designed the church to comfort and encourage each other in difficult times. Who can you talk to about the storms in your life—maybe a parent, pastor, youth leader, friend, or counselor? Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 19 If you search “famous last words,” you’ll read the final thoughts of a variety of people throughout history— thoughts that range from sad to crass to funny to hopeful. Jesus has seven recorded statements from the cross, but His final statement summarizes His saving work: with His last breath, Jesus announces, “It is finished” (John 19:30). It’s a startling end to the life of the greatest person who ever trod the planet. And yet, on the surface, the three-word sentence seems rather basic. But picture Leonardo DaVinci painting the Mona Lisa. He has spent many years perfecting his painting. There’s the blend of colors, the smile, the eyes, the shading. Finally, after completing his masterpiece, I imagine DaVinci puts down his brush, sits back in his chair, and announces, “It is finished.” That’s the sense of Jesus’s words. He had come down from heaven, become a human, lived a perfect life to fulfill the requirements of the law. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He declared that there was nothing more for Him to do to make sinful people righteous before a holy Father. As Christians, we are His masterpiece—the work is already done (Ephesians 2:8-10). The implications of this are huge. There is nothing left to do, nothing left undone. Jesus completed the task—dying on the cross and then rising from the grave—so there is nothing left for us to earn. Jesus’s righteousness covers those who put their faith in Him (Romans 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Virtually every other religion offers salvation through works, but Christianity relies on Christ’s work to provide our salvation from sin and death. Jesus removed all doubt with His final words on the cross: “It is finished.” • Mike Hurley • When Jesus died and rose again, what work did He finish? • Why is Jesus the only one who can finish the work of salvation in us? (Philippians 1:6) • Because Jesus rose from the dead, His words on the cross weren’t really His last. And this is good news! Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. John 19:30 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 103:8-12; MICAH 7:18-19; ROMANS 8:1-4 When I was a freshman in high school, I messed up. I lied and misused my parents’ trust—and I got caught. The broken relationship with my parents (as well as losing my privileges) hurt, and I beat myself up about it for a long time. I had sleepless nights and bouts of sobbing because I couldn’t believe how stupid I’d been and how bad I was. I couldn’t forgive myself. Even though Jesus had forgiven my guilt, I still felt so guilty. It was a constant, unbearable weight. Satan wanted my shame to make me doubt Jesus’s forgiveness and lose my way. In time, though, I realized something incredible: I didn’t have to carry that burden. Because of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and mercy, I could give my shame to Jesus, over and over again, as many times as it took before I could let go. I kept taking it back and telling myself I still deserved the feelings of guilt even after Jesus forgave me. But, through the struggle, Jesus was patient with me, and I eventually gave my shame over this incident to Him for good. You may be struggling with guilt and shame too. But God’s Word tells us that all people are guilty of sin, yet He loves us even in our failures (Romans 3:23-24). It was because He loves us that Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment for all our sins—past, present, and future. Since Jesus rose from the grave, everyone who has put their trust in Him has already been declared innocent, permanently. So, when we sin, may the feelings of guilt drive us to Jesus, who understands our struggles and offers us boundless grace every time we fall. He picks us up, smothers us in His mercy and love, and bears our burdens so we don’t have to. If you know Jesus, everything you’ve ever done or ever will do has already been forgiven. So, instead of living in the past and beating yourself up, you can come to Jesus with all your guilt—He is eager to help you throw off the shackles of shame and bask in His love and forgiveness. • Martalisa Fischer • Can you think of a time you felt stuck in a cycle of guilt, but then God helped you get out of it? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (2 Corinthians 7:10) • Are you feeling burdened by guilt today? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about any sins that come to mind and thank Him for His sure forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:14-16) • Why is it sometimes difficult to forgive ourselves even when we know God has forgiven us? Who is a mature Christian in your life you can be honest with when that happens? Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NIV) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13; MATTHEW 7:1-5; COLOSSIANS 3:12 I was recently talking with my son about a person I didn’t know very well, so my son pulled up the person’s Instagram. I instantly had a thought I’m not proud of. Their clothes were a little messy. They looked a little wild and like they didn’t care. I was looking at their hair color and their family, and I’m not proud of some of my thoughts. Then it hit me—I was judging a version of myself. As a teen, I didn’t come from the best home. People made assumptions about me based on how I looked, how I dressed, who my family was, and what I didn’t have. I felt insecure, misunderstood, and like I didn’t belong. So why—years later—was I doing the same thing to someone else? In that moment, God reminded me of me. Who was I to judge anyone? Matthew 7:1 reminds us: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” That reminder isn’t just a command. In this verse, Jesus is calling us back to compassion and grace. The truth is, we never fully know someone’s story. That classmate who dresses differently might be expressing themselves the only way they can afford. That kid who smells like smoke might live in a house where no one opens a window. That “angry” person might be heartbroken. “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God sees the real us. And He calls us to see others with that same grace. This is possible because, once we know Jesus, His love begins to transform us from the inside out. When we remember that all our sins and vulnerabilities are covered by His mercy, we can be free to love others—and ourselves. As it says in Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Next time you’re tempted to judge, pause and ask yourself: “Am I seeing people through God’s eyes, or through my own ego? What if that was me?” Because maybe, just maybe, it was. • LaVerne Vest • When are you tempted to make assumptions and judgements about other people? • How can resting in Jesus’s love and understanding for us help us view others as He does? “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 23:1-6; 119:103-105 Looking back I see the good Every move There You stood Lessons learned Step by step Every day In Your love, I’m kept As I move Through life’s highs and lows You are there Tell me where to go I trust in You To lead me on You’ll do it well Until the very end • Bethany Acker • As you look back on your life, can you see any ways God has taken care of you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for these glimpses of His goodness. • Reflecting on God’s faithfulness to us in the past often makes it easier for us to trust Him to lead us in the future, and to provide for us every step of the way. It can also be helpful to remember that Jesus has promised to be our Good Shepherd (John 10:10-18, 27-30). We can trust Him to lead us well because He loves us so much that He died and rose again to save us and bring us into His flock. He is always with us, through all the highs and lows, keeping us in His love and covering our faults with His mercy. In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of Jesus’s presence today? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever comes to mind. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 (NLT) 

READ: JUDGES 17:1-6; PROVERBS 3:5-6; ISAIAH 5:13-21; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-13 Growing up in the country, I spent lots of time running around barefoot. So when we needed to rush one day to get to a soccer game for my family member, Eli, I jumped barefoot into our minivan. Once we arrived at the park where Eli played, I followed my family across several fields carrying my sandals. The lush grass of the fields, damp from morning dew, felt soothing on my feet. At first. Then I noticed a tingling sensation on the bottoms of my feet. As I watched the soccer match, the soles of my feet began burning and turning red. Too late, I realized I had walked through ant poison that had been sprinkled on the grass. For the rest of the day—after Eli’s game was over, after I put on shoes—all the skin that had encountered the grass (and, therefore, the poison) itched, ached, and swelled. What had appeared harmless, even inviting, at the start of the day had caused pain lasting most of the weekend. I couldn’t see the danger—didn’t consider any risk—and unknowingly ran right into it. In the Old Testament, we read about God’s people who ran right into spiritual danger, assuming that what appeared good to them—including idol worship— would bring satisfaction. “All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6), and that did not turn out well. But God desires something better for us. Jesus came to die for our sins and rise again so we could be in relationship with God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we no longer need to depend on our own ideas of what’s good. We’re not on our own—we have a Father who possesses all wisdom and generously wants to share it with us (James 1:5). He knows the dangers in what seems good, even when we can’t see it. He will lead us well. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of something that seemed good at first, but turned out to be harmful in the end? Some bad decisions are sinful, and some are just unwise. Thankfully God is always merciful and eager to help and guide us—both in making good decisions, and in the aftermath of bad ones. • Sometimes following Jesus doesn’t feel comfortable. It can be hard! Yet, if we know Jesus, the same Spirit who raised Him from the dead is now living in us, giving us power to walk in His good ways (Romans 8:11; 2 Timothy 1:7). And even when we do sin, Jesus still loves us, and He wants to forgive us and help us move forward in following Him. Where do you need wisdom or strength? Who are trusted Christians in your life who could pray and dig into the Bible with you? Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) 

READ: ROMANS 14; 1 CORINTHIANS 8:9-13; 13:4-7; GALATIANS 5:13 We live in a world that often says, “Do whatever makes you happy.” But in Romans 14:21, Paul says something else. He’s writing to Christians in Rome who were arguing about food, drink, and other personal choices. Some felt free to eat anything; others believed certain foods were wrong. Instead of saying, “Do what you want,” Paul instructs the believers to think about how their choices affect the people around them. If what we’re doing—even if it’s not wrong in itself—makes it harder for someone else to follow Jesus, then it’s worth giving up. Sometimes God calls us to lay down our freedom out of love. This isn’t just about food. As believers, it’s natural and good to desire freedom—to make our own choices, speak our minds, and live fully in the freedom we have in Christ. But that freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want—it’s about using our freedom to reflect Jesus and love others well (Galatians 5:13). It’s freedom with love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). And He didn’t just say it—He lived it. As God the Son, He gave up His rights, His comfort, and ultimately His life, to put our needs first and fulfill the will of the Father. That’s the kind of love Jesus has for us. And that’s the kind of love we’re called to walk in. Scripture reminds us that our actions affect others. You might be fine listening to certain music, joking a certain way, or watching specific content—but it’s worth asking ourselves: is this helping or hurting someone else’s walk with Jesus? And that’s where 1 Corinthians 13 comes in. Love isn’t about getting our way—“Love is patient, love is kind… It is not self-seeking” (verses 4-5). Sometimes love means we don’t do something—not because it’s sinful, but because it might cause someone else to stumble. Remember, we’re able to love others in this way when we rest in Jesus, who laid down His rights, His desires, and His very life out of love for us. • Stephanie Mathews • Sometimes, it can be hard to know if something we’re doing is making it difficult for those around us to follow Jesus. Thankfully, whenever we have questions about this, Jesus invites us to bring them to Him in prayer. In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians you can ask? • Who in your life might be impacted—positively or negatively—by your example? Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19 (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 3:19 Around me the scuff of thousands of feet scrapes over asphalt. A mob of the dead overtaking another city. Our leader is our hunger. Our need to make everything we encounter just like us. In my path is a dandelion that had been growing through a crack in the concrete. It lies flat and trampled by the hundreds who walk ahead of me. The flower is squished, the color is faded, and the whole thing is covered in dust. It’s as good as dead. I step on it and twist my foot anyway, crushing it even more. And it feels good. Once across the massive parking lot, the mob reaches the city limits. We break apart and go different ways. Some heading for businesses, some for homes, some for churches. A swarm of gray flowing into the streets. I follow the flow down Mainstreet. My body is numb, my limbs feel heavy, and my stomach commands more, more, more. Something touches my arm, and I halt. It’s warm. I’ve never felt warm before. I jerk my head around to see a man, clothed in the most vibrant colors I have ever seen. I look down at where he’s grasping my arm. His hand glows with the color of life. It’s a stark contrast to the lifeless gray of my arm—his strong healthy complexion against my papery, peeling skin. But wait, how am I feeling him? I’ve never felt anything before. At least, not like this. The warmth from his hand spreads throughout my arm, until it fills my whole body. The skin on my arm swells and colors until it looks just like his. Full of life. My eyes grow sharper, and his color becomes even more dazzling. I’m alive. I’ve never been alive before. Suddenly every craving I had a moment ago has shifted. I don’t want to destroy, I want to be with this man. His brown eyes are filled with more kindness than I can comprehend, even now that my mind feels sharper and more discerning. A laugh bubbles from within me, and I flinch. I’ve never made that sound before. The man is smiling now. Following behind him is a small crowd of people. They’re alive, just like me. When they see what the man has done for me, a cheer rings out among them, and they all run toward me with joy. • Emily Tenter • Today’s allegorical story is inspired by various Scriptures that show how desperately we need Jesus. Without Him, we are dead in our sins, ruled by our hunger for things that are not good. But even in our depravity, God loved us with an everlasting love, and He came to dwell with us in Jesus. Fully God and fully human, Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. But death could not master Him—He rose again, declaring that everyone who puts their trust in Him has new life! Have you ever thought about what it means that, before we knew Jesus, all of us were dead in our sins? Why is it so important that Jesus is alive—and He is the only one who can make us alive? (If you want to dig deeper, read Ezekiel 11:19-20; 37:1-14; Luke 15:1-7, 24; John 10:10-11; Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17.) • Once we know Jesus, our desires start to be transformed. As we grow in our relationship with God, learning to rest in His love and forgiveness and kindness for us, our inclinations will be directed more and more toward love, forgiveness, and kindness for others. Can you think of a time you noticed God’s transforming work in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:13-23; Philippians 1:6; 2:13) • When Jesus...

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:31-33; PSALM 59:16; ISAIAH 49:13 Today may be a day you woke up and looked out at the world around you and wanted no more of it. Life could feel crushing, unfair, as though it’s falling apart. You may think you’re completely alone. But take heart, you’re not alone. People may have failed you, or they may not know how to give you what you need, but God has given you a song. He has given all of His creation a song of hope, even the trees, the hills, and the mountains. In fact, the Bible uses the word sing over four hundred times—and God commands us to sing. Why? Because once you’re in Christ, then even in your darkest moments…deep, deep inside of you a song waits for you to give it life. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a good voice or if you don’t know what to sing. You can go to God’s Word and find truths to sing—the deep truths of the good news of Jesus. Run to Him, the one who is true, who gives freedom and restoration from sin and death. If your faith is in Him, He has given you a song of salvation that He sang over you first…and sings over you even now. So, like a crumbling dam, let the words break you open, fall from your mouth like a river, spill the emotions in a rush. Cry. Scream. But sing. As you do, you will find that joy goes hand-in-hand with the song of salvation. In Psalm 59:16, God is called a stronghold. Singing your song to God, you are surrounded with comfort, peace, and joy. He is your fortress (Psalm 91:2). Song reminds your soul that you belong to God—that you are loved, special, chosen (Psalms 42:5, 11; 103:1-2, 22). The only one who knows your heart better than you do, is God. He knows your pain, your fears, your hopelessness. He wants to carry it all for you. So raise your voice in song, child of God! He will give you the words to sing as He completes the work of restoration He has already begun in you (Philippians 1:6). • Sara DeBord • If God has given the trees, hills, and mountains a song, how much more will He provide us—His children—with a song to sing! Why is the song of God’s people (and of creation) rooted in salvation through Jesus? • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 65:13; 96:12; 98:7-8; 118:14; 147:1; Isaiah 55:12; Zephaniah 3:17; John 14:6; Acts 4:11-12; Romans 1:16; 8:18-30; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 John 4:19. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 (CSB) 

READ: EXODUS 12:17; 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26; REVELATION 19:6-9 Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist) is deeply meaningful for Christians. This simple act of eating bread and drinking wine or juice reminds us of how God loves us so much that He has worked over and over again to bring us to Himself. And in Communion, we anticipate how that work will ultimately be fulfilled when Jesus returns. Communion points us back to Passover (Exodus 12). During the first Passover thousands of years ago, God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, leading them out to the desert where they could worship Him. Through His miracles, He brought them to Himself, and He established Passover to be a yearly reminder of their freedom. Then, in the Gospels, the disciples were celebrating that freedom with Jesus during Passover when He established the first Communion on the night before He went to the cross (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:1-20). Much like Passover, Communion reminds us of the freedom we have in Jesus. It points us back to the day Jesus took our sins upon Himself, was crucified on the cross to take the Father’s just wrath against sin, and rose from the dead, securing our resurrection when He returns. He did all of this because God wanted to remove the barrier between us and Him—our sin. Communion reminds us that we are no longer defined by our sins—we are defined by Jesus, our Savior who has forgiven us. And because we are in Jesus, we get to dwell with God forever. As believers, we can know Jesus is with us, right now, through the Holy Spirit. At the same time, Jesus reigns on the throne in heaven, but His kingdom is not yet here in all its fullness. When we take Communion, we look forward to the day He will return to resurrect us from the dead. On that day, we will sit around the table with Him, feasting at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, fully enjoying the presence of God and all His forgiven people for all eternity. And that, my friends, is true communion. • Taylor Eising • Why do we need regular reminders about who Jesus is and what He has done for us? What happens when we forget these truths? And how does God show us mercy when we do forget? • Different churches practice Communion in different ways, and that’s okay! What questions do you have about how your church practices Communion and why? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk to about these questions? They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. Acts 2:46 (NLT)  

READ: PSALM 119:97-104; JOHN 1:1-5; 20:31; 1 PETER 2:2-3 I love milk. A tall, cold glass of milk when I’m thirsty…a bowl of cereal…ice cream, cheese, yogurt. I’m in love with all of it. So I thought I understood 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation.” I wanted to love God’s Word as much as I love milk. But recently I had a baby, and I realized I didn’t understand anything about loving milk. This girl longs for pure milk. It’s the only thing she consumes. It provides all the nutrients she needs, and she desires it very strongly. She drinks milk about six times a day, and when she starts to get hungry, everyone knows. Her cute little face scrunches up and she screams until she’s bright red. When she’s really hungry, there’s almost no way to stop her crying other than to give her milk. She needs it to live, and when she feels the pain of hunger, she knows she must have it! Once she starts drinking her milk, all of her focus is on that task. If I interrupt her for any reason, including to make dinner, she instantly cries out again. When she’s done drinking, she leans back, closes her eyes, and rests. She’s totally satisfied. God’s Word (a term used for the Bible and for Jesus Himself) gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Through the Bible we learn the story of Jesus! I know His Word is valuable, but watching my daughter I wonder, “Do I really desire God’s Word like a newborn baby? May we be as hungry for God’s Word as my daughter is for milk. And when we get it, may we find ourselves satisfied. • Amy Glendinning • What do you love about God’s Word? • Newborn babies are designed to cry out insistently for what they need from their parents. As God’s children, we are designed to cry out to Him for all our needs. He is always attentive to our cries, and He wants to give us satisfaction in His life-giving presence. How could remembering that God is a loving Father help us cry out to Him? What do you need today? (Matthew 7:9-11) Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2 (CSB) 

READ: MATTHEW 6:9-13; 28:19-20; ROMANS 12:2; 1 JOHN 2:17 Rat race. Hamster wheel. Grind. Eat, sleep, work, Repeat. This is on my mind. Lost in the mundane. Stuck in the chaos. A purpose will I find? Empty. Hollow. In frustration, I sigh. Your light. Your leading. Into the daily, it shines. Your will, Your way, My life, forever entwined. It’s easy to get caught up in the relentlessness of the grind. In everyday life, all the stress and minutia can make us lose sight of a more eternal purpose. “Soccer practice! Homework! Mom’s yelling! Should I go to college?! Why are my friends acting weird?!” In the midst of all this, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). As God the Son, He came into our broken world—experiencing the same difficult, mundane, painful things we do—so we could “have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus empathizes with our struggles, and He died and rose again so we could be in relationship with the God of the universe, which is what we were made for! Once we know Jesus, God our Father invites us to be part of His good kingdom work (Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:9; 2:10; Philippians 2:13). As we walk with Him through the everyday, we can rest in His love and hold on to His eternal purpose, continuing to pray in the words of our Savior, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10; 26:39). • Dominique E. Miller • In what ways has your life felt hollow? How does Jesus free us from chasing after the things the world prioritizes? What are we free to pursue instead? (Matthew 6:25-34; 11:28-30) [Jesus said,] “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 5:1-11; ACTS 5:29 “Stop. You can’t do that.” “Don’t do that, you’re embarrassing yourself.” “Come on, it’ll be fine.” We’ve all heard messages like these at some point. The people around us often have an idea of how they think we should be living. So who should we listen to? In John 5, Jesus takes the time to heal a man who was unable to walk. After giving the man the ability to get up, Jesus tells him to take his mat and go. The man stands up with his mat but is immediately met by those who accuse him of doing wrong. They tell him that he shouldn’t be carrying his mat on the Sabbath. What does the man do? Does he drop his mat and apologize? The man responds to his accusers by letting them know that he is going to listen to the one who healed him, rather than to them. God has done so much for us. Will we listen to Him or those around us? Will we listen to the one who healed us, who died for us, who has promised us eternal life? Or will we listen to those who tell us we need to act a certain way, do what the crowd is doing, or live a life free of embarrassment? May we all live like the man with the mat, listening first and foremost to the one who can heal, the one who has saved us. • Emily Acker • When someone tells you that you should be living a certain way—whether it’s a person you know, a speaker, an author, or someone online—how does it make you feel? • When we’re feeling pressured to do things we know aren’t good—whether that pressure is coming from Christians or non-Christians—Jesus invites us to come to Him for help. How might remembering that He loves us, more than anyone else ever could, help us follow Him? • Jesus calls us to listen to Him first and foremost, and yet one of the ways He often guides us and helps us grow is through advice from trustworthy people. In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christian friends and mentors you could talk to—people who can listen with compassion, offer wisdom and encouragement and prayer, and potentially help you get out of tricky situations? • If you want to dig deeper, read Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 12:15; 15:31; Matthew 11:25–12:28; 17:1-9; Acts 3–5; James 1:19-27; 3:13-18. But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” John 5:11 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 18:24; JOHN 15:9-17 Sometimes, when we walk through dark valleys, we can more fully grasp just how faithful a friend the Son of God is to frail humanity. Joseph Scriven left his mark on the church after tragedy had left its mark on his life. Born in Ireland in 1819, Joseph loved the Lord and was full of aspiration. He was engaged to a young lady he’d grown up with, and soon their long-awaited wedding ceremony was only a day away. But their dreams together were suddenly dashed when his fiancée was thrown from her horse and drowned in the River Bann. Overcome with sorrow, Joseph became a wanderer, eventually making his home in Canada. He quickly became a well-respected tutor and unexpectedly fell in love again around age twenty-five. But tragedy struck again, and pneumonia stole his fiancée from him shortly before their wedding. Utterly broken-hearted, Joseph sold everything and dedicated his life to helping the financially destitute and physically disabled. Later in life, a friend visited Joseph during a short illness and discovered a poem lying on the nightstand. Joseph admitted to being the author, having written the poem for his lonely mother in the hope of providing her some spiritual comfort. This poem has since become the well-beloved hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” It goes like this: “What a friend we have in Jesus / all our sins and griefs to bear! / What a privilege to carry / everything to God in prayer! / O what peace we often forfeit, / O what needless pain we bear, / all because we do not carry / everything to God in prayer!” The many tragic sorrows Joseph Scriven experienced in his life seemed to drive him closer to his dearest friend, the Lord Jesus. May we too draw nearer to our friend Jesus during our trials and temptations, seeking His peace during our pain. • Jaela Deming • Jesus cares about our pain, and He faced the deep pain of the cross to make the way for us to be with Him forever. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know He is always so very near to us. And He promises that when He returns, all our pain will be over. Can you think of a time you experienced the closeness, comfort, and peace of Jesus in the midst of a painful situation? • Consider taking a moment to look up all the lyrics to “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” or find a recording of the song. Which lines stick out to you today? One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 94:16-19; MATTHEW 11:28-30; ROMANS 8:38-39; 1 PETER 5:7 What makes you worry? Some people fear being in crowds—afraid that something bad will happen to them when they’re in a large group of people. It’s understandable. A lot of horrible things happen in our broken world. But is there a peace we can find even when we’re in situations that make us nervous? Other people have faced health scares in their families. They’ve seen how bad things can get, so now they worry about every little sickness. It’s understandable for them to be nervous about health stuff because they’ve dealt with such serious issues in their lives before. What peace can we rest in— no matter what happens health-wise? This world is a scary place because it’s been broken by sin and its effects. In our lives, so many things can cause our hearts to beat fast. So what hope can we cling to? Because Jesus has come to save us, we can know that God is right here with us. When we’re worried, God invites us to tell Him our concerns. When we’re on edge, God stands with us. No matter what happens—good or bad—we have Jesus with us. We are never alone. • Emily Acker • We all feel worried or anxious from time to time, but God has so much compassion on us, and He wants to help us. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about any worries on your mind. • How could it be comforting to know that—because Jesus died and rose again for us—we can rely on His promises: to one day get rid of everything that is worrisome, and to be with us every day until then? (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 21:1-5) • Sometimes we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. Thankfully, one of the ways God wants to help us is through other people, such as friends, parents, pastors, and medical and mental health professionals. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried a lot of the time, or if you’re finding it difficult to rest, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? • If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. [Jesus said,] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)  

READ: GALATIANS 6:1-10; EPHESIANS 4:1-16; HEBREWS 10:23-25 When I was just starting high school, it was tough. I wasn’t getting the grades I wanted to get, there was so much more work than in middle school, and I didn’t fit in very quickly. It was such a hard transition, and I was just so confused. Why is this so much harder? I wondered. And then I started to compare myself to others. Why isn’t it this hard for everyone else? My sister is doing so much better than me, and she seems fine with the workload. So why am I struggling so much? It’s the same way in our walk with Jesus. When we struggle with sin, doubt, or hard passages of the Bible, we sometimes start to compare ourselves to other Christians. We can even start to believe everyone else’s faith is, well, perfect! But that’s not true. We all struggle with following Jesus, and different aspects of our walk with Him may be easier or harder at different times in our lives. The good news is, God calls us to community with other Christians—not comparison. Remember, we all need Jesus. He loves us so much that He died and rose again to save us, and we all need to be reminded of that gospel truth every day. Growing in Him is a process, and it’s a process we do in community as we preach the gospel to ourselves and to each other. Our struggles are easier when we share them with people close to us— whether that be our friends, our parents, our siblings, a pastor, a Bible study group, or someone else. When we share our struggles with other believers, we find that everyone is struggling with something. That honesty allows us to encourage each other as we all grow in the Lord! • Kaelyn Hartman • What’s one area of your faith you’ve been struggling with lately? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about your struggles—people who will listen with empathy and remind you of Jesus’s love, compassion, forgiveness, and help? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) • Why is community such an important part of following Jesus? (Hint: reread today’s Bible passages.) But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part. Ephesians 4:15-16 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 119:103-105; LUKE 1:1-4; 2 PETER 1:16-21 Have you ever heard someone say that the Bible is full of errors? Biblical teachings can be tough, which is one reason a lot of people believe the Bible isn’t true. While some biblical claims are genuinely difficult to understand, other supposed errors are easily explained. Many of these kinds of objections fall into the pattern I call “The Corroboration Problem.” These arguments often go something like this: “The Bible refers to people/places/events that didn’t exist. If they existed, we’d have some record of it.” But lack of corroborating sources isn’t evidence of an error. Outside of the Bible, we may not find other sources showing that something did exist, but we also can’t say it didn’t. It’s just that biblical texts are the only historical record we have of some people, places, and events. Two points are worth noting here. First, the Bible itself is a record. There are plenty of other things we only know about the ancient world because they’re mentioned in a single, non-biblical text. So, if we’re willing to believe other ancient histories and stories, why not the Bible? Second, it’s possible that other records do exist, but we just haven’t found them yet. For example, some people used to say the Hittites never existed, but then we found their royal archive. Similarly, the book of Luke was criticized for using the title tetrarch, but then other writings were found confirming Luke’s accuracy. Another variation of “The Corroboration Problem” goes, “The Bible refers to a person/place/event by a name that wasn’t used until many years later.” But consider a similar scenario: If I said, “The Chippewa people historically lived around Lake Superior,” we wouldn’t say I made an error just because the lake wasn’t called Lake Superior yet. Similarly, the authors of the Bible used the common names their readers understood, even when telling old stories. The takeaway? Let’s not be too quick to believe accusations of biblical errors. It’s a stunningly accurate book, which God gave us because He loves us and wants us to know Him through Jesus. • Christiana Albrecht • God loves us so much that, over thousands of years and through dozens of authors, He gave us the Bible so we could know Him. It shows how the Father sent the Son, Jesus, to die and rise again to save us from sin and death. What questions do you have about the Bible? Who are trusted Christians you could talk to about these questions, such as pastors, parents, or youth leaders? So that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed. Luke 1:4 (CSB)  

READ: EPHESIANS 1:4-14; 2:4-10; 1 PETER 2:4-10 “You have NO idea how much pressure that is,” Maura said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Along with over forty other students, we’d just gathered for a state scholarship competition. Maura (not her real name) had explained how a previous national winner attended her school. She was expected to uphold that legacy, and she seemed up for the challenge. I looked from Maura to the other participants. She acted so confident, so assured of success. I measured myself against her and found myself lacking. The other students—with stellar scores on college entrance exams—also ranked higher than me in ability and potential; at least, in my opinion. The judging hadn’t even begun, yet I’d already concluded that I’d failed. I didn’t think I could compare to the others, and although I’d earned my spot, I believed I didn’t belong. I just wasn’t good enough. That week of the competition, I lacked confidence and believed lies about my worth. I compared myself to others and assumed I wasn’t valuable just for being me. Later, I started asking, Where do I get my self-esteem? Achievements, awards, approval? I couldn’t depend on things that didn’t last for a lasting sense of self-worth. So, what’s my source of self-acceptance? Jesus told us how much we’re worth when He went to the cross for us. God’s love for us is so great that He paid the ultimate price—Jesus, God the Son, died and rose again to provide us with forgiveness of sins and new life. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest knowing that we’ve been adopted into God’s family, and we are forever free from sin’s punishment. We are the Father’s much-loved children—the ones He sent His own Son to save. The question of our value has been settled. No successes or failures of ours can alter God’s welcome for His children. I didn’t advance past that round of the competition, and Maura certainly outperformed me. Years later, though, I’m learning to see myself through a different lens: the one my loving Father sees me through. • Allison Wilson Lee • What are some of the ways the world tends to measure our worthiness? Can you think of a few things you’ve done because you felt you had to earn love or acceptance? • What hinders you from believing you’re valuable to God? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever comes to mind. 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: PSALM 91; JOHN 1:35-39, 43-46; 4:28-30 Would you give the key to your home to just anyone? Probably not! Usually we guard those spare keys, securing them in hiding places to avoid detection. My spare house key is so cleverly disguised, I’d challenge you to find it. Yet, there are a few people on this planet who know the secret. I can trust them with the key to a place that holds everything I own in the world. One of these trusted people is my dog-sitter. I let her in on my clever secret because I got to know her. I interviewed her, checked out her references, and watched her interacting with my dog. Over time, I’ve come to know her better and better, each encounter deepening my trust in her ability to be true to her word, to take care of my puppy, and to do what she says. In fact, my interactions with her only deepen my conviction that we’re super blessed to have her in our lives! In Psalm 91, the psalmist declares they will trust God. What a great way to live! It’s like they’re giving God the keys to their home. But how do we get to a place where we can say, like Psalm 91:2, the Lord is “my God, in whom I trust”? How can we be ready to give Him access to everything we own in the world? How can we have the assurance that He really is trustworthy? We learn to trust God the same way we learn to trust anybody. We get to know Him. Kind of like how I spent time intentionally getting to know my dog-sitter. By spending time with God in prayer, in Scripture, and with other believers, we get to know Him better and better. The Bible is the best way to know Him, since He wrote it. It’s all about Him, His love for us, and His extraordinary plan to bring us into relationship with Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We often find that, over time, we discover more and more about His trustworthiness as we read the Bible. And our trust has opportunities to build naturally with every encounter with God. We see that He is always true to His word and that He genuinely cares for us. Eventually, we may even give Him the keys to our home. • Kristen Merrill • Building trust takes time, and God is so patient with us. Can you think of a way you’ve seen God’s trustworthiness, either in Scripture, in your own life, or in the life of someone else? • Even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus for salvation, trusting Him with the day-to-day details of our lives is often a process. What is one area of your life God might be inviting you to trust Him with today? I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 16:24-26; 28:16-20; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11; PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26 Somewhere along the way, I got the idea that Christians should always run toward danger and never be concerned with their own safety. But is that really what the Bible says? I read Matthew 2 recently, and I was struck by how God called Joseph to respond to a very dangerous situation, not by facing it head-on, but by running away. God appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him of Herod’s plot to kill the young Jesus and telling Joseph to escape to Egypt with the child and His mother Mary. So Joseph got up, and under cover of night the three of them snuck away (verses 13-15). Through Joseph’s obedience, Jesus was protected—and an Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah was fulfilled (Hosea 11:1). After Jesus grew up and began His ministry, there were plenty of times when people wanted to kill Him. So what did Jesus do? Once, when an angry mob tried to throw Him off a cliff, Jesus “walked right through the crowd and went on his way” (Luke 4:28-30). Another time, when some Jewish leaders were plotting to take his life, Jesus delayed going to the festival where He knew they would be looking for him. And when He did go, He went in secret (John 7:1-10). Jesus knew that He was eventually going to die a sacrificial death at the hands of these same leaders, but He was waiting for the Father’s appointed time. When Jesus did let Himself be put to death on the cross, He rose from the grave three days later, just as He said He would! After Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers often faced great danger. Many times, God provided ways of escape, yet many Christians also lost their lives for Jesus’s sake. But even in their suffering, they were comforted by Jesus’s constant presence with them and by the hope of eternal life (Romans 8:35-39). What does all this mean for us? It means that God works in lots of ways—sometimes by calling us to run away from danger, and other times by inviting us to trust Him as we step toward a potentially dangerous situation. Whenever we face danger, we can look to Jesus for direction, relying on His love and trusting that no matter what happens, He will be with us. • Hannah Howe • What questions do you have about facing danger? Who are trusted Christians you can ask? • For examples of times when God provided escape for His people and times when He called them into dangerous situations, read Acts 9:20-25; 12:1-19; 21:10-27; 27:1–28:31; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 9:10; 56:3; ACTS 16:22-36; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, 12-13 Jesus, help me, Rowan cried inwardly as he heard the clang of a heavy door close behind him. Arrested for distributing Christian books and Scriptures, my Australian co-worker Rowan was now locked in a Tunisian prison cell in North Africa. He had not been allowed any phone calls, and no one knew where he was. During the next few days, Rowan tried to share Jesus with his Arab and African cellmates—wanting them to know God’s great love for them. He kept trying until some of them surrounded him, intent on forcing the foreigner to become Muslim. He was gripped with fear and uncertainty. What were they going to do to him? “Looking into the eyes of those men, I did not see love,” he remembered. “I did not see God. I had never felt so alone.” By the third evening, he had sunken into depression. He didn’t feel like singing—as Paul and Silas did in their prison in Acts 16—nor did he experience an earthquake or an angel miraculously setting him free. As his eyes idly scanned the graffiti covering the dirty wall beside him, however, his attention was suddenly riveted. Some words had been roughly scrawled in English: Trust in the Lord Jesus and He will surely do it for you. It was as if the words were a message for him alone. Rowan’s heart lifted with joy as he realized that God was with him—and working on his behalf. The next day, the police escorted Rowan to a ship in a nearby port, ordering him to leave the country. “I learned something through all this,” Rowan later reflected. “God is there in our darkest times, even when we don’t feel Him. He is able to bring us through any situation.” • Deborah Meroff • Jesus loves you, and He died and rose again to make the way for you to be with Him forever. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that He is always with you, even in your darkest moments (Psalm 23:4; 139:7-12). Have you ever seen God’s work in surprising ways when you were in a dark time? What happened? Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 19:1-6, 14; 103:12 I feel it in the warmth of the sun on my face, A gentle reminder of Your love and Your grace. I hear it in the whipping wind, Your removal and forgiveness of my sin. The air around me that is fresh and new, It reminds me I can be washed clean of my wrongs too. The chirping birds, the buzzing bee, Remind me You always take care of me. The grass that is bright and green, Reminds me I am always seen. The majestic eagle, the strong deer, Show me Your power and remind me that You are here. Keep me thinking about You each day, Remind me of all You have to say. Let my eyes be open to all that points to You, And let me honor You with all that I do. • Emily Acker • Today’s poem is written in the style of a psalm. Can you think of a time nature drew your thoughts to God? Perhaps a beautiful sunset reminded you of His power, or a fluttering bird reminded you that He takes care of you. Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • Where are you right now? If you’re inside, can you see out a window, or look closely at an indoor plant, or take a few minutes to step outside? What can you see around you that reminds you of our Creator and how good He is? • All things were created through Jesus. He is fully God, and He came and lived among us, fully human, to die and rise again to save us from sin and restore His creation from sin’s effects (John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15-22; Revelation 21:1-5). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always with us. And reminders of His goodness are everywhere! This week, consider writing down times when you notice something in nature that reminds you of God. As you do, praise and thank Him for these reminders of His goodness! Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 8:18-25, 38-39; REVELATION 1:13-16 Yuna spent her lonely days peering through her lens, gazing upon the planet that was no longer her home. The shuttle that she now considered home orbited the planet ceaselessly. Since she was stationed there, she’d been capturing images of the planet’s surface through the tele lens. With each orbit, she dutifully documented the horrors below. Green once blanketed the equator, but now the land was stripped bare and plundered for resources. Yuna often compared the shrinking ice sheets to older images and noted how little of the tundra remained. Wildfires were even more terrifying to spot. Massive plumes of orange and gray moved across the land leaving nothing in their wake, as if giants had marched through with torches. Yuna imagined the planet living and breathing, only to suffocate on its own polluted air. As deeply as she cared for the planet and the animals and plants that inhabited it, she recalled a phrase she’d been taught. Imago Dei. She thought now of the people her God created. She thought of them as the shuttle crossed over lands that made her mourn. She knew the region well. Old images showcased vibrant roofs and fields during the day. At night, the cities lit up and resembled webs of neurons. But the region looked like this no more. Yuna braced herself for what she might see and choked back a sob when she focused the camera. Everything was gray. Buildings were flattened, streets were bare, and as the sun fell behind the planet, Yuna realized that the city was as dark as the endless space surrounding her. Yuna turned and wept. Tears blurred her sight completely, but then she looked out the window and saw something, someone, clearly. A constellation of stars flew into a new place, creating the shape of a person. He had white hair and eyes that burned like twin suns, making her tremble. Bronze feet stood steadfast in the bedrock of the galaxy way below. But in His right hand, He held the planet—and all those in it—like one might swaddle a child. He reached out a hand and placed it gently upon her. • Zoe Sherman • Today’s allegorical story echoes the old children’s song, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Because of sin, God’s good creation has been permeated by a brokenness that is beyond natural repair, and humanity’s very own relationship with God has been fractured. How have you experienced brokenness, pain, or sorrow in this world? Consider taking a moment to tell God about this. He longs to listen to you and wrap you in His tender compassion. • This brokenness was not God’s design, and it’s not the end. God still loves us, and He still wants to be with us. Throughout the Old Testament prophecies, God promised that He would send a Savior who would restore our relationship with Him and bring peace to this broken world. That Savior is Jesus. Fully God and fully human, Jesus took all our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross, and when He rose from the grave, He defeated death! Jesus’s promise for today is that He will be with us always, and His promise for the future is that He will make all things new. How can these promises give us hope? • In Revelation 1, the author John depicts Jesus, in all His glory, holding seven stars in His hand. In John’s vision, each star represents one of the seven churches that receive letters, and the number seven symbolizes completion in the Bible. Therefore, this is also an image of God holding all of His church in His hands. Everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is part of the church, together with all believers everywhere and throughout history. For more about the good news of Jesus, and what it means to belong to Him, see our "K...

READ: PSALMS 16:11; 63:1-8; JEREMIAH 2:5-13; JOHN 10:10 Growing up, I admired my mom’s ability to sew everything from Christmas decorations to Easter dresses. I wanted to develop those skills too. One aspect of sewing I learned the hard way was that I needed to tie a knot at the end of my thread before I made the first stitch—and ensure the knot was large enough. I couldn’t begin my project unless the knot filled the needle hole and held my thread securely in place. If I pulled the needle through the fabric and the knot at the end of the thread slipped right through without stopping, I hadn’t created a big enough knot. Then I’d need to create a larger one. I could only continue stitching fabric together or sewing on a button if the knot was bigger than the puncture. The success of my entire project depended on the knot. When God formed humans in the Garden of Eden, humanity was whole and complete. Our lives (and relationships with God) hadn’t yet been broken by sin. But then sin entered the world. Now we each start life with shattered spirits and holes in our hearts. Blaise Pascal, a 17th century mathematician and philosopher, described this hole as an “infinite abyss [that] can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” Like the needle leaving a hole in the fabric, our rebellion against God leaves us with a vacuum—an emptiness in our souls that only God can fill. Yet how often have I used created things to try to fill the void in my soul? Success, academics, music, others’ approval…I’ve sought out what might give me a sense of worth, significance, or acceptance. All those pursuits, though, turned out to be too-small knots, unable to fill the void. Never providing lasting wholeness. Only by knowing God through Jesus, who loves us and gave His life so we could be forgiven and experience a relationship with Him, can the God-shaped vacuum be filled. Only Jesus can make us whole. • Allison Wilson Lee • We all try to fill the void with created things instead of turning to the Creator (Romans 1:25). What have you turned to as a way of filling the void? How have those things let you down? • Only a relationship with God can provide lasting fulfillment. God longs for this relationship with us, and He made the way for us to be with Him through Jesus. Consider spending some time talking with Him in prayer, asking Him to help you notice His love and His invitations to more. You [God] satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5 (CSB) 

READ: PROVERBS 18:21; EPHESIANS 4:14-32; JAMES 3:1-18 I grew up wearing lots of hand-me-downs from my aunts, a few friends, and an older cousin. Once, I got a second-hand dress that I felt great wearing. The following Sunday, I showed up at church in it feeling polished and put together. Then came the comment—from someone I’ll call Bonnie. Bonnie complimented my dress, remarking that it looked pretty. I thanked her enthusiastically, pointing out how I liked its belt. Bonnie followed up with, “I mean, it’s not the latest style, but it looks nice.” I swallowed hard and thanked her once more— less exuberantly this time. My confidence wavered, and I questioned whether I actually felt attractive in my new-to-me dress. Bonnie’s words held power. First they uplifted me. Then they deflated me. I don’t know her reason for announcing that my hand-me-down clothing had gone out of style, but I wonder if she considered the impact of her speech before she spoke. In the New Testament book of James, the younger brother of Jesus writes to Christians encouraging them to “tame the tongue” (3:8). When we place our faith in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and a renewed relationship with God, we start a journey as followers of Jesus. His words are always full of truth and love, and He died so our sinful words could be forgiven. Following Jesus involves learning to honor Him in all parts of life, including how we speak to others. James warns his readers about the damage the tongue can do, reminding these believers we should not use our mouths to speak words of both praise and cursing. Controlling what we say presents many challenges, especially during disagreements or in the heat of anger. Yet, because we have the power of Jesus at work in us through His Holy Spirit, we can grow in keeping our tongues in check—using our words to bless instead of curse. • Allison Wilson Lee • What struggles do you have in controlling your words? Do conversations with certain people tend toward gossip, inappropriate talk, or harsh criticism of others? • Can you think of a time you were hurt by someone’s careless (or even cruel) words? Jesus grieves with us and offers comfort. How can it be helpful to remember what He says about us? • Can you think of a time you spoke carelessly and hurt someone else? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this. He invites us to confess any sin, rest in His sure forgiveness, and rely on Him to help us move forward in His love, kindness, and wisdom. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 27:41-45; 32:3-6; 33:1-11; ROMANS 5:6-11 The story of Jacob and Esau is a roller coaster. These twin brothers started fighting before they were even born (Genesis 25:21-23). Jacob’s name can be translated “trickster,” and he lived up to it. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright (the unique privileges Esau had as the firstborn) and later tricked their dying father into giving him Esau’s special blessing (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-45). No wonder Esau wanted to kill his brother! Jacob had stolen Esau’s inherited property, power, and prestige. Because of Jacob’s wrongdoing and Esau’s anger, their relationship was broken, and Jacob feared it would never be fixed. But, twenty years after Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, God did something amazing: He brought Jacob and Esau back together—and He reconciled them. Upon hearing Esau was on his way, Jacob was terrified to meet with his brother, thinking he might kill him. But on the night before the brothers met, God appeared to Jacob. Jacob wrestled with God all night. Later, Jacob said, “I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared” (Genesis 32:30). Then, when the brothers saw each other the next day, Esau ran to Jacob, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. They even wept together. Jacob told Esau, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God” (Genesis 33:10). This doesn’t mean Esau looked like God. It means Jacob recognized how deeply he had wronged his brother and how little he deserved Esau’s forgiveness. So, when Esau forgave Jacob, it was a reminder of God’s undeserved forgiveness. Our God is a reconciler. We, like Jacob, have committed wrongs against God that we can never hope to make right. But God loves us, and He wants to be with us. So, from the time Adam and Eve first sinned, God has been reconciling His people to Himself, first through the law, priests, and prophets—and ultimately through Jesus’s death and resurrection. And one day, Jesus will return, resurrecting us from the dead so we can enjoy being with Him for all eternity! Every time we reconcile with someone, we get a glimpse of that ultimate reconciliation. And if God reconciled Jacob and Esau, He can reconcile anyone. • Taylor Eising • Why does God care about our broken relationships with other people? • Reconciliation doesn’t always happen overnight. It took twenty years for Jacob and Esau! When we’re waiting on reconciliation, how can the hope we have in Jesus give us comfort? And through him [Jesus] to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20 (NIV)  

READ: PSALM 119:97-104 I used to read my Bible because I felt like it was something I was supposed to do. I thought I had to read a chapter a day, minimum, and that’s usually what I did. I read one chapter at the end of the day and left it at that. In recent years, though, I’ve completed a number of different Bible reading plans using an app on my phone. These plans always require multiple chapters each day. And somewhere along the way, I went from feeling like I have to read my Bible every day to wanting to read it. Now, I look forward to reading both at the start of my day and at the end of it—and sometimes in between too, if I have free time or I simply want to spend some extra time with God. What once would have made me tired—and maybe even bored—is something I now love! Sometimes we have to sort of force a habit in order to get used to doing something regularly. But, when we do, we often find we start to love what we’re doing. The Bible offers so much—it’s the amazing story of God’s relentless love for us, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (John 20:31). And the more we read it and meditate on its truth, the more we come to love what’s inside its pages. The Holy Spirit uses the truth of Scripture to transform us from the inside out, helping us know God more deeply. In fact, we often find that the more time we spend in Scripture, the closer He feels. What a tremendous gift from God! • Emily Acker • Have you ever had a strong desire to read and understand the Bible? There is so much richness in God’s Word, and we have a whole lifetime to dig into it. It’s normal to go through seasons when we’re hungry for the Bible, as well as seasons when reading the Bible feels boring, difficult, or annoying. Thankfully, in every season Jesus is with us. He never gives up on us, and He always invites us to spend time with Him in His Word, both by ourselves and with other believers. This could look like reading long passages, or listening to just a few verses and meditating on them, etc. How could you spend time in the Word this week? I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. Psalm 119:48 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 3:1-8; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JAMES 1:5 When I try to figure my life out, that’s when it tends to feel the most overwhelming and confusing. When I entrust it to God, that’s when I have peace. When I try to think too far into the future, I feel uncertain. When I look to God to lead me step by step, I feel much better. God is a great planner. He is a great leader. In fact, He’s the best. And He invites us to seek Him and rely on Him through every situation and decision. We don’t have to be worried or afraid. When I have decisions to make in life, I like to carefully weigh my options. I like to take my time and consider every possible scenario. But even when I do all that, I can still be left feeling stressed. It’s easy to forget that I can trust God with the situation. I don’t have to be obsessed with it. Sure, I still need to make decisions and work toward things, but I can do this more peacefully when I remember that He loves me, He wants to guide me, and He will help with all the details. There’s no need to worry because Jesus is there with me through it all. God cares about us and where our lives are going. Whenever we’re overwhelmed or confused, He has compassion on us. He invites us to entrust all our worries to Him and seek His wisdom and guidance. He will make the next step clear to us in His good timing. • Bethany Acker • Can you think of a time God helped you feel peace about a future situation or decision? Or a time something turned out better than expected? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • Especially when we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to forget that God wants to help us! Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern His guidance—people who love spending time in God’s Word and in prayer, and whose lives display the godly wisdom described in James 3:13-18? Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (CSB) 

READ: ISAIAH 55:9; ROMANS 8:28-39; 11:33-36 “I’m not going to make you take out any stinky potatoes this time.” My grandma laughed as my sisters and I entered her house to help with some chores. I smiled. I was okay with the smelly task we’d done before—and all the jokes that had come from it. Growing up, I would join my siblings in helping my grandparents care for their home. One time, that required me and my sister to take some potatoes that had gone bad out to the garbage. Those potatoes smelled, and my grandma was pretty embarrassed about it. The task wasn’t a fun one, but we got it done. For weeks afterward, my grandma would joke when we arrived— she knew nothing we did after that would be quite as disgusting. The potatoes might have been stinky, and they might have gone bad, but they gave me many good memories. The task of taking them out and cleaning up after them wasn’t fun, but some of my best memories of my grandma have to do with her laughing over them. As I was thinking about this the other day, I realized that sometimes God gives us gifts that don’t seem like gifts at first. Sometimes we face something difficult—or have to deal with something gross—and it isn’t until later that we see how God blessed us as He brought us through it. The potatoes might be a silly example, but I know that God works in ways we don’t always understand. Sometimes we end up on a funny path, and that’s how He shapes us. Remember, we never walk those paths alone. Jesus is always with us, even when we deal with difficult or gross things. And in the end, we might be surprised when we end up being blessed with good memories. • Emily Acker • Can you think of a time you went through something difficult or gross, and then in hindsight you saw how God brought blessing out of it—maybe even through community or humor? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! • What are some of the rotten potatoes in your life right now? Are there any ways you’ve seen God bring good out of these situations, or are you still waiting? (Remember, sometimes we won’t see the good until Jesus returns, but we can know that God is always at work.) 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: PSALM 27:1; JOHN 1:1-5; 8:12; 16:33; COLOSSIANS 1:11-22 How do you detect a fake? The best way to spot counterfeits is to be intimately familiar with the real thing. Based on this idea, the United States government offers an online currency education program so the public can study the security features of various bills. The better acquainted a person is with the real currency, the less likely they will be deceived by fakes. Studying original currency allows us to detect counterfeits. In the same way, when we grow in our relationship with Jesus by studying the truth of the Bible, God’s Word, we learn to detect Satan’s lies. In a world rife with terror, oppression, deception, and injustice, it can be so easy to fall into believing lies—counterfeit truths that say darkness and evil have overcome. Yet, the opening verses of the book of John remind us that Jesus, the Word, was present at the beginning of the world, and He is with us still: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). The better acquainted we are with Jesus, the Light, the more we understand His power over sin and evil. As we pray and read the Bible—both individually and with other believers—the Holy Spirit deepens our understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. With this understanding, we are less likely to be deceived by the appearance of evil’s dominance. Jesus has already defeated sin, death, and the devil through His own death and resurrection! Whatever darkness we encounter, the Light of the world shines through. He will always overcome it. • Remi Oyedele • Have you ever spotted a counterfeit? The devil is the father of lies, and he uses counterfeits all the time (John 8:44). He tries to trick us into believing that darkness is winning because he wants us to fall into despair. And these lies can be so sneaky, often we don’t even realize we’re believing them. Thankfully, God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to help us. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of the gospel (the good news of Jesus) and help you identify lies you might be believing? (For more about the gospel, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • The best way to guard ourselves against the enemy’s counterfeits isn’t by studying the lies—it’s by spending time with Jesus and resting in His love. How could you set aside time for this today? The light [Jesus] shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 46; MATTHEW 11:28-30 Holding, grasping tightly, Hands clenched, Heart clenched, Tightly. Out of fear, mistrust. Must not lose what I worked to get. Earned? Or received? Too tight, can hardly breathe, I need to exhale, need to breathe. Need. Stuffed up, stopped up, Losing it all anyway. So, I pry my fingers away, One by one, loosening up. Opening up. Heart unclenched, Hands unclenched, Exhaling, breathing. Release, relief. Surrender. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you felt like today’s poem? What circumstances in life have been causing you to feel restless or anxious lately? Jesus knows what that feels like. He lived among us in this broken world, and He faced the terrible anxiety and anguish of the cross, all to make the way for us to be with Him forever. We can always turn to Him in our moments of restlessness and anxiety. He loves us, and He invites us to surrender our cares into His hands and find rest in His peaceful presence (Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 9:6). Consider taking some time to accept His invitation to be still and sit with Him in prayer, surrendering anything that comes to mind. • God wants to help us in lots of ways—through prayer and Scripture, and also through the care and expertise of other people. When you find yourself feeling worried or anxious, who is a trusted person you could talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). [Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 28:18-20; LUKE 12:11-12; 1 PETER 3:15-18 Recently, I volunteered to help teach at my church’s weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS). I was super excited to have an opportunity to tell these kids about Jesus, but I was also terrified I’d say the wrong thing. So I prayed as I practiced my lessons every day before I taught. Even though I was scared, God was at work. I enjoyed teaching the kids, and—most importantly—they seemed to be learning more about Jesus. By the last night, I was sad the week was over, but I was glad I had persevered and listened to God instead of my fears. While I didn’t get to see anyone profess faith in Jesus that week, I did get to glimpse a little girl’s awe as she heard for the first time how God made the whole world. I also got to witness a fifth grader’s face as she realized how much pain Jesus went through on the cross. God used VBS to show me that sharing the gospel whenever you have the opportunity is worth it, even if it’s scary (Ephesians 5:16). You never know how He will work through you to share the good news—that God loves us, and through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He offers rescue from sin and death to everyone who puts their trust in Jesus. • Rachel Nissing • Are there any fears that have held you back from sharing the gospel—the good news of Jesus? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about whatever comes to mind. • What are some promises from God and truths about Jesus that could help us when we’re afraid? (Hint: reread today’s Scripture.) • How might God be inviting you to share the gospel in your own life? (For more about the gospel, and how to share it with others, see our "Know Jesus" page.) Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15-16; 1 JOHN 1:5-7 Every night, after darkness falls, my sister and I don headlamps and head outside to close up our family’s chicken coop for the night. It’s a mundane daily task…but it turns out God loves speaking profound truth through our everyday routines. As we were going out one day, I pushed the button on my headlamp, and it didn’t work. I wasn’t shocked—batteries do die, after all—so I plugged it in. The next day, I put it back on my head, pressed the button, stepped outside, and suddenly…I could see. I saw things in vivid color, and things that were thirty feet away. I was shocked, because I hadn’t had a clue that my flashlight had grown dim—so dim as to be nearly useless. Why did the flashlight have to die for me to realize it had hardly been fulfilling its purpose? When I stepped back into the house and laid my headlamp in its place, it hit me—that light was exactly like we can be as Christians. We often start off bright—on fire for the Lord and feeling very close to Him. But, as time goes on, we may get distracted or discouraged. We may not notice His presence with us as much. Our light fades, and we don’t even notice the difference. It’s often not until I hit the very end of myself that I realize how weak my awareness of God has been. Why do we settle for dim lights when we could be walking in the fullness of what Jesus has for us? He is the light of the world, and He promises we don’t have to walk in darkness. Brothers and sisters, may we choose to pursue the abundant light of His loving presence rather than accepting a dim status quo. • Hannah Ruth Johnson • Jesus loves us so much that He came to give us light through His death and resurrection. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always with us—both in our dim moments and our brightly-lit moments. But our awareness of Him and our enthusiasm toward the gospel may wax and wane throughout our lives. Can you remember a dim season in your life? What was that like? What brought you out of it? • What could you do this week to intentionally pursue Jesus and the light of His presence, remembering that He is already pursuing you? Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NLT) 

READ: JOSHUA 1:9; ISAIAH 41:10; JOHN 14:16-20; ROMANS 8:35-39 “Bye!” I called to my parents. As they walked down the hall to leave, I ducked into the college dorm room where I would live for the next five days. At the end of seventh grade, I tried out for drum major of my middle school marching band. After our band director chose me for the position, I received a brochure in the mail. It advertised a weeklong summer band camp at a nearby university. I begged my parents for permission to go, and they agreed. Even though I would be the only student from my school at this camp, I didn’t feel nervous about being on my own. I knew I could count on having a roommate. But when I arrived, I discovered the roommate assigned to me hadn’t shown up. I’ll be alone all week! I thought. As I sat in the bare-walled room, I wondered, If the Lord made me brave enough to come to this camp by myself, would He really abandon me to get through it all alone? Later, I walked to the lobby, hoping to find another girl who needed a friend. Then I spotted somebody I knew—the drum major for the high school in my town. Laurie had coached me for my tryouts earlier that spring. She introduced me to some girls with her, and they became my band camp friends. I never ate one meal alone that week. God provided for me that summer. And this experience is one of the things that helped me learn that, if God loved me so much He would die and rise again so I could have life, I could trust Him to always meet my needs (Philippians 4:10-20). And if I hadn’t found those girls in the lobby that day? God still would have been with me. Because of Jesus, I am never alone (Matthew 28:20). •Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you felt alone, but then you realized God was providing for you? Did He bring you a friend—or did you simply rest in His presence? • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Scripture slowly. How could remembering that Jesus—God in human flesh—came to die in our place help us trust that He’ll meet all our needs? • Is there an area of your life where God might be inviting you to step out in courage, even if you don’t know how He is going to provide for you yet? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 55:17; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; COLOSSIANS 4:2 Have you ever chosen not to pray about something because it felt too small, too unimportant to talk to the God of the universe about? You’re not alone. We all have. Yet, the Bible tells us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). What does that look like? Well, think about it this way. If I spend a day with my kids, I guarantee they will ask me for things continually. “Can you add this to the grocery list?” “Do you know where my phone is?” “Can you help with my homework?” Likewise, I will ask them for things too. “Can you pick that up for me?” “Would you let the dog out?” “Can you turn that video down?” And in a perfect world, neither of us is going to be annoyed by these requests. It’s simply the rhythm of doing life together. Plus, if we’re together constantly, we won’t only be asking for things. We’ll be filling in the gaps with conversation—sharing details of our lives, laughing, thanking each other, or talking through hard situations. In a similar way, we can spend our days in constant communication with God because, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is with us all the time. So we can ask Him for help—when we can’t find our keys, when we’re trying to remember what we studied, or when we’re having trouble falling asleep. We can also practice listening for the things He will ask of us—to help someone, to give, to pray, or to turn down the volume on opinions and entertainment that aren’t healthy for us. The more we practice these “small asks,” the easier it will become to talk to God about anything and everything else. It will open the door for us to discover His sense of humor, to thank Him for all the small blessings He pours out on us, and to simply unburden our hearts to Him when life is heavy. As we do, we find that He is always there for us, always ready to show us His incredible love, mercy, and kindness. • Abigail Aswegen • What kinds of things do you tend to talk to God about the most? • What kinds of things would you like to talk to God about more often? Consider taking a moment just to tell Him whatever is on your mind right now. Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 10:1-4; EPHESIANS 2:8-10; PHILIPPIANS 3:8-9; HEBREWS 9:14-15 Imagine you’re in a superstore full of what the Bible calls “good works”—all the things you’ve been told you need to be as a Christian. Kind…helpful…loving…always willing to bring potato salad to the church potluck. You’ve been hearing how you need to be these things all your life—from your parents, teachers, pastors—so you decide it’s time to get on it. You’ve got some shopping to do. First, the grocery section. The Christian life displays the fruit of the Spirit— patience, kindness, self-control, and all the rest. Easy peasy, they’re all right there—and since they’re always in season, they’re also on sale! You throw them in the cart. (Better toss some stuff to make potato salad in there too while you’re at it.) Next, home improvement. A welcoming attitude and encouraging words that build people up. A loving heart that’s not prone to anger but instead responds with a soft, gentle answer (even in conversations with that family member). Oh, and a cute wooden plaque with a verse on it to hang inside your front door. Score! Last stop—apparel. The Bible says to clothe ourselves with humility and compassion. And a pair of apostle-like strappy sandals adds a nice touch! Your cart is overflowing with goodness, so it’s time to hit the checkout lane. You scan your items, and the payment amount flashes across the screen. You swipe your card. Denied. You try your card again, but the payment won’t go through. You glance at the people in line behind you, then turn back to the screen. That’s when you see a sign in big red letters: Only payment cards registered to Jesus Christ accepted. You look down at your payment card, your face growing hot. It has your name on it. Not His. An attendant appears out of nowhere and whisks your items from their bags. You look longingly at all that goodness as it’s piled onto a restocking cart. Then you try to avoid the stares boring into you as you walk to the door empty-handed. • Courtney Lasater • Today’s story is an allegory. Can you think of a time you tried to be a “good Christian” all on your own? What kinds of things did you try to do? How long did that last? • In what situations do you tend to be more concerned about others seeing you as a Christian than about actually having a relationship with Jesus? We all fall into this trap from time to time, and Jesus knows it! Thankfully, He invites us to come to Him with all our messy sin and be reminded of His great love. It’s only because He died and rose again for us that we can be forgiven and brought near to God. Consider taking a moment to confess any sins that come to mind and rest in His grace. • We can try to do good in our own power, and sometimes we’ll succeed in looking good to ourselves and others. Yet the Bible tells us that even our best good works fall immeasurably short of His true goodness. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The truth is, what Jesus wants most is relationship with us. And He knows that when we experience His love for us, that love overflows from us to others, and this brings Him joy! In your own life, what might it look like to pursue relationship with Jesus first and foremost? Who are trusted Christians you can talk to about this, maybe even asking them how this looks in their lives? • If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 64:6; John 15:1-17; Romans 3:12, 23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:16.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the g...

READ: JOHN 11:1-45 John 11:35 is famous for being the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” We can so easily overlook just how powerful those two words are! Throughout our lives, we all face times when we don’t understand. Times when sorrow crushes us, and injustice seems to reign. Times when we ask, “Why, God?” and maybe wonder if He’s even there. Mary and Martha were asking those same questions as they mourned the death of their brother Lazarus. They wept and wailed, and both sisters recognized that if Jesus had only been there, He could have saved their brother. But He hadn’t been there. Jesus knew the reason. He knew the end of the story too—He knew that Lazarus wouldn’t stay in that grave. In verse 11, as Jesus and His disciples set out for Bethany, He foretold that Lazarus would come back to life. And He knew that Lazarus’s resurrection was a foreshadowing of His own death and resurrection— and the resurrection of all His people when He returns. But still, even seeing the big picture, He felt Mary and Martha’s grief—and His own. He wept. We have a God who loves us. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, and even as He sees the good purposes He has for the pain in our lives, He has empathy for us. Even though Jesus knows that He will return to right every wrong and put an end to death, His heart breaks with our hearts. He works all things for our good, but He doesn’t merely look on as we mourn. Jesus didn’t chuckle to Himself knowing their grief was in vain. He came alongside them and wept. What a gift to know that our God feels our pain with us while offering hope and light in the darkness! • Hannah Ruth Johnson • Why do you think Jesus wept, even though He knew Lazarus would come back to life? • Can you think of a time you felt God’s presence and comfort in the midst of grief? What was that like? Consider taking a moment to bring Him any grief you’re feeling today, and imagine Jesus sitting next to you, weeping. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 5:17-19; LUKE 24:27, 44-45; JOHN 3:16-17; 5:39-47; 20:31 Have you ever heard that “everything in the Bible points to Jesus”? That seems kind of weird, doesn’t it? How can it be all about someone who isn’t even named until the last quarter of the book? True, the Old Testament is sprinkled with prophecies about the Messiah: it’s easy enough to link those to Jesus Christ. But there’s still a lot that seems irrelevant. Chapters and chapters are filled with the story of the nation of Israel. What does that have to do with Jesus? When we start into the New Testament, Matthew summarizes Jesus’s ancestry. Right off, we see several of the “big names” from the Old Testament—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ruth, Jesse, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, etc. And that’s our first link! But then, after the Christmas story recounts the events of Jesus’s birth, we get into the life of Christ, with His escape to Egypt, return to Israel, baptism, and temptation in the desert. It looks like we’ve left the Old Testament far behind. But wait! Where have we seen Egypt before? Way back in Genesis, the Israelites escaped to Egypt when there was a famine. Later, in Exodus, God led them out of Egypt through Moses. And then what? They spent forty years in the desert as their children grew up. But even as God sustained His people, they gave in to temptation, rejecting Him and worshiping other gods. And Jesus? After escaping to Egypt from the murderous King Herod, He returns, grows up, and spends forty days in the desert. Coincidence? Maybe not. When the devil tempts Him, every answer Jesus gives comes straight from the book of Deuteronomy. These two Egypt stories link with an Old Testament prophet’s words: “I called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1). Israel was chosen by God to be His representative on Earth, to bless all the people of the world (Genesis 12:1-3). Though Israel fell far short, God didn’t give up. At just the right time, Jesus came. Fully God and fully human, He is the only one who could be God’s flawless representative. Jesus succeeded where Israel had failed, and He gave up His own life so that all who trust in Him could be forgiven and become part of God’s eternal family. It’s one story, culminating in Christ’s resurrection, of God revealing His love to all the world! • Christiana Albrecht • The Bible was written by lots of different people, in lots of different times and places. How does looking through the lens of the gospel—the good news about Jesus—help us see how it all fits together? Can you think of any other times Jesus mirrored or fulfilled the Old Testament? [Jesus said,] “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 (NLT)  

READ: JOB 8:8-10; ROMANS 3:21-26; 15:4; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:6-12 When I visited Gettysburg for the first time, my imagination whirred to life. I wanted to know the people who fought there. I wanted to hear their stories, to comprehend their politics, to peek in at their way of life. Because the events that happened on that field directly impact the world I live in now. By understanding the past, I can better understand today. The same can be said of the many events recorded in the Bible. God’s Word isn’t a collection of disjointed stories. It’s composed around a framework of history. So, by looking at biblical chronology (what happened when in the Bible), we are able to place those stories in context, gain a logical understanding of sequence, and better see the full scope of God’s loving plan. Here are some broad historical markers and dates to help you begin lashing individual stories into a sequential history. Not just the narratives, but also the prophets, books of poetry, books of law, and epistles all hang within this outline: • Creation, the Flood, and earliest history: Genesis • Patriarchs of the Israelite people (2000–1550 BC): Genesis • Formation of the Israelite nation (1550–1380 BC): Exodus–Joshua • Leaders of Israel up to the Exile (1380–539 BC): Judges–2 Chronicles • Return from the Exile (539–474 BC): Ezra–Esther • 400 years of silence • Birth of Christ and the early church (AD 5–90): New Testament When we use this framework as a general guide, we’ll notice right away that the Israelite people figure prominently within the story He tells. That’s because He used that particular family line to reach the climax of the Bible (and of history)—the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus, people from every tribe and language and nation can know God (Revelation 7:9)! The next time you read from a particular book of the Bible, consider finding out who wrote it and when. Then fit it into this rough history. You’ll soon find random stories fitting together in a comprehensive whole—one redemption story centered on Jesus, the one who came to save us from sin and death and who promises to make all things new. • Michelle Isenhoff • Why can we view Jesus as the focal point of history? (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) “All the prophets testify about him [Jesus] that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” Acts 10:43 (CSB) 

READ: PROVERBS 15:32; 27:17; EPHESIANS 4:1-6, 15-16 Imagine a confrontation between two guy friends from the perspective of the one being confronted. Josh comes up to me and says the dreaded words, “We need to talk.” My stomach turns sour. He tells me I’ve been letting bitterness get in the way of our friendship—and my faith. Guilt starts to seep in. He has a point. At first, I was just angry because he started dating a girl I liked—even though I told him I was fine with them dating. But after a while, my anger became resentment. I hated seeing them as a couple, so I cut them out. The problem is, Josh was the friend who took me to church on Sundays. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve prayed too. Josh’s words are so gentle. He doesn’t seem angry. In fact, it still seems like he cares a lot about me. When he’s done talking, I take a deep breath and say, “I’m sorry. Forgive me?” It’s difficult to admit we’ve been wrong, especially when someone confronts us with the truth. The important thing to realize is that confrontation is often done from a place of love. True friends care about us and our spiritual wellbeing. When we’re tempted to get defensive about our sin, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to restore a posture of humility and repentance in us. Even if a friend doesn’t approach the topic as well as they should, we can remind ourselves that their intentions are probably good—and that we’re all broken people who need Jesus. When we remember that Jesus has made the way for us to be unified through His death and resurrection, we can have true peace—even during hard conversations (Philippians 4:1-9). • Naomi Zylstra • How would you want to react if a friend confronted you about a sin they noticed in your life? • Whenever we realize we’re struggling with a particular sin, Jesus wants us to come to Him. He is eager to remind us that He has already secured our forgiveness on the cross, and that He loves us with an unchanging love. And, through the Holy Spirit, He helps us repent of sin and grow in righteousness. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about any sins that come to mind. (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9–2:1) As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 18:15-17; GALATIANS 5:13–6:2 So now that you’ve decided to confront your Christian friend about their sin, how do you do it well? According to the Bible, one important part of confrontation is gentleness. In Galatians 6:1, Paul uses the Greek word katartizō to talk about setting a person right, and that same word can also be used to describe setting a joint. This gentle process hurts, but ultimately it moves the person toward correction and healing. Therefore, when it’s time to confront someone, approach them with Spirit-filled gentleness motivated by love (Galatians 5:22-23). In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus lays out steps for the confrontation. First, you should talk to your friend alone. This prevents shaming or embarrassing them in front of others. Plus, it can be easier to talk about tough topics with only two of you there. If the person doesn’t listen the first time, bring another friend. This can help show the person it’s not just you who thinks their behavior is an issue. If the problem persists after that, it’s time to call in church leadership. It’s okay to take things to a higher authority and admit something is too much for you to handle. Hopefully the person will come to their senses and repent, and you can pray for this all throughout the process. Remember, as believers, we belong to the family of God. Jesus Christ has freed us from the power of sin and death, so we no longer have to say yes to sin (Titus 2:11-14). Therefore, we have the privilege and joy of helping each other along in the journey of becoming more like Christ (Hebrews 10:19-25; James 5:16-20). • Naomi Zylstra • Can you think of a time someone showed you gentleness? What did they say or do, and how did they say or do it? • What would be difficult for you about confronting a brother or sister in Christ? • As Christians, why is it important for us to support each other on the journey of following Jesus? Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. Galatians 6:1 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 7:1-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 5:9-13 The lifelong question: When do I confront someone about a sin I’ve noticed in their life? As Christians, the gospel of Jesus should always carry our conversations when we confront others about sin, allowing us to extend the same grace and forgiveness we have been given. In light of this, here are some truths to keep in mind when weighing the situation. First, remember final judgment is God’s and God’s alone. Because of this, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 5 that we have no business judging those outside the church. But we are called to confront our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in unrepentant sin. Second, ask, “What is my relationship to this person?” If you feel you need to confront a believer about sin patterns in their life, consider your relationship with them. It’s often best to reserve confrontations for Christians you know well. Otherwise, you may be missing important information about what’s going on. Third, ask, “Is anyone in immediate danger?” Seeing your friend being disrespectful to their parents has a different urgency than hearing that same friend giving death threats to others. There’s a time for a heart-to-heart about sin, and there’s a time to call the police or other relevant authorities or agencies. Finally, think about your own motivations. In Matthew 7, Jesus is clear: As Christians, we should not confront people out of pride, assuming their sin is worse than ours. Instead, we remember God has extended His grace to us, forgiving our sins through Jesus. When confronting others about their sins, we keep this grace in mind, extending unmerited favor to others, as God has to us (Ephesians 4:32). • Naomi Zylstra • Have you ever confronted someone about a sinful behavior? How did it go? • Have you noticed a habitual sin in a friend’s life? Do you think you’re the right person to speak to them about it? If you’re struggling with whether or not to confront someone, who is a trusted Christian adult you could bring your questions and concerns to—such as a pastor, parent, youth leader, or counselor? [Jesus said,] “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.” Matthew 18:15 (NLT) 

READ: EXODUS 34:6; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; LUKE 15:1-7; EPHESIANS 4:2 I recently adopted a rescued cat from my local animal shelter. She had been at the shelter for a long time because most people looking for a pet choose one that is more outgoing than the scared, cowering cat I met. In fact, our first meeting left me bleeding from some scratches. But when I looked into her eyes, I saw that she was merely terrified, not mean. And so, I brought her home, named her Pumpkin, and began to love on her. Our first days together were interesting. She shivered and cowered in her homemade cardboard box bed. She refused to leave its safety. And when she met our other cat, she hissed and growled as if her life depended on scaring him away. But each time I would gently pet her soft fur, she purred louder than any cat I’d ever heard. With time, she learned to trust again, and it was a delight to watch her blossom and show her spunky personality. I don’t know what trauma she experienced to make her so scared of people and other animals. All I know is that she desperately needed consistent love and patience for her to recover. Anytime I’m around Pumpkin, I think about how we as humans often do the same thing. Sometimes we get hurt and we stop trusting. Sometimes we even find our own ways to “hiss” and “growl” at those around us for fear that letting them too close will only lead to more hurt. Whether we’ve experienced betrayal, gossip, abuse, broken promises, rejection, bullying, or something else, it can be so hard to seek new relationships with others. But just like Pumpkin, we can learn to trust again by building healthy relationships with safe people—especially fellow Christians. Healthy church families, filled with people being renewed by Jesus, are so important to healing. Jesus takes our trauma seriously—that’s why we can share our hurts with Him. By the power of His Holy Spirit, we can find healing. It might be scary, but I encourage you to reach out and find safe people who will love you, help you put a stop to anything currently hurting you, and patiently walk with you as you bring every hurt to Jesus so He can begin to heal you. Jesus, the Great Healer and the one who knows your every hurt, will be with you through it all (Matthew 28:20). • Rebecca Morgan • What kinds of hurts have you experienced in the past? Jesus cares about your every hurt, and He can truly empathize with you because He knows firsthand what it’s like to live in our broken world (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). Consider taking some time to talk to Him about your hurts. Remember, you can be totally honest and tell Him, unfiltered, about what you’ve been through and how it has affected you. You can even tell Him about accusations that rise up in your heart against Him. He can take it. You can never exhaust His love for you. • We all need community. We are made to walk alongside other people, especially as Christians (Genesis 2:18; Galatians 6:1-10). As you process your hurts, who are trusted people in your life you can talk openly with? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) • Do you know anyone who needs extra love and patience in this season as they work through their hurts? How can you love them like Jesus does? (Remember, sometimes loving well looks like setting up healthy boundaries. Who are trusted adults who can help you do this?) • If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, and especially if the situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away. If you need help doing this, who are safe people you can reach out to—such as parents, counselors, yout...

READ: PSALM 19; MATTHEW 22:37-39; PHILIPPIANS 1:9 The author C. S. Lewis is considered one of the most influential Christian apologists of his time. He taught at Oxford and wrote several great books related to apologetics and Christianity, including Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia. Yet, like all of us, C. S. Lewis wasn’t always a Christian. He grew up in a Christian home. Sadly, his mother died of cancer when he was a boy. In his grief, Lewis understandably became angry that God had not healed her. He also fought in World War I and suffered from depression after seeing the horrors of trench warfare and losing friends in battle. His mother’s tragic death and his experiences of war were some of the reasons that eventually led Lewis to become an atheist. But God still loved Lewis, and He was still at work in his life. Through the help of the writings of authors like George MacDonald, as well as through friends like J. R. R. Tolkien, Lewis returned to Christianity and found that it was, in fact, logical. Lewis himself said that his conversion was not easy. In his memoir, Surprised by Joy, he even described himself as “kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape.” But after putting his trust in Jesus, Lewis went on to write about the wonderful love of God, including through apologetics and refuting popular claims against Christianity. To this day, his words carry hope and meaning, especially because he experienced atheism personally. He was familiar with popular objections to Christianity because he’d had them himself. None of Lewis’s novels, apologetics, or life story would have been possible without Jesus. Not only does Lewis’s work argue for Christianity, but his own reluctance to accept the truth of the gospel is an argument in itself. Lewis was an intelligent scholar, and he would’ve remained an atheist if God hadn’t intervened in his life. And God is still using Lewis’s writings to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection today. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you ever felt like Christianity is illogical? What questions do you have about it? God invented our minds, and He calls us to use them. Who are trusted Christians in your life—such as pastors, parents, counselors, or youth leaders—who could help you explore your questions? • Can you think of a time you were angry at God? God invites us to bring our anger to Him, honestly telling Him about all the accusations that rise up in our hearts against Him. He is always better than we could hope, and He is eager to reveal His trustworthy love to us. Now the Berean Jews...received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 10:29-31; ROMANS 8:35-39; 1 PETER 5:7 Sometimes it feels like no one really sees us. But that’s not true. God notices us. God cares about us. God looks out for us. Can I get a little gross for a minute and talk about hair? I have long hair, and it doesn’t always stay on my head. I find hair everywhere—on my clothes, on the floor, stuck in my hairbrush. The amount of hair I lose can be frustrating, yet I still have a lot on my head too. In Matthew 10, Jesus tells us that the hairs on our heads are all numbered. Does God really know how many hairs I have—and does He keep a running count because I’m constantly losing another strand? God is the one who designed us, the one who made our bodies (Psalms 119:73; 139:13-16). He chose our hair color and decided how much hair we would have. He notices our hair, and because He knows everything about us, He knows how many strands we have. He also notices when we’re hungry, when we’re anxious, and when we really need to be reminded of His closeness. In other words, God loves us. In this same passage, Jesus says that He notices and cares about each sparrow that falls to the ground, and then Jesus goes on to say that we are much more valuable to Him than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31). Jesus showed how much we’re worth when He came and lived among us, ultimately giving up His life for us. He died on the cross, and then He rose from the grave so we could be saved from sin and death—and enjoy newness of life with Him. So we can rest assured that we are seen. We have worth. We can trust God to be there, no matter what. Our hair can remind us that we don’t have to be afraid, and that even when we feel lonely we are never alone, because we have a God who truly sees us and cares about us. • Emily Acker • When you think about God knowing the exact number of hairs on your head right now, how does it make you feel? How could it be comforting to remember that He cares about even this tiny detail of our lives? [Jesus said,] “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 55 Smiles, charm, Perfect friends Watching you. Your back is turned, Whispering begins. Nasty remarks, A chuckle heard. Comments, jibes Grind you down. Burning tears. Thumping heartbeat. Subtle rejections. Trust splintered. When friends badmouth you, the hurt can be so deep that trusting again is challenging. David had the same problem. The first part of Psalm 55 shows how he is deeply troubled, and in verses 13 and 14, he shares the disappointment of his friend’s betrayal. In the midst of this desperation, he goes to God, the one who is always trustworthy. When your trust has been splintered, Jesus invites you to come to Him. He loves you deeply, and He feels your pain as His own. He can truly empathize with what you’re going through because He endured the pain of betrayal, rejection, and humiliation on the cross. Why? Because He was determined to bring forgiveness for sin—including gossip and backstabbing—and to provide healing for the harm sin causes. Jesus is trustworthy even when people are not. Through it all, He will never leave your side. • Cindy Lee • Can you think of a time someone broke your trust? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this and receive His tender compassion. • Because we live in a broken world, not everyone can be trusted, and it’s okay to set healthy boundaries, especially with people who have shown themselves to be untrustworthy in the past. At the same time, it’s important to remember that one of the ways God extends His love and healing to us is through community. If you’re not sure who you can trust right now, you can ask God to help you identify people who will treat you with respect and care, like He does. • Have you ever gone behind someone’s back? It’s easy to get drawn into a conversation when everyone is badmouthing someone. How can you remove yourself from situations like these? (1 Corinthians 10:13) • If you’re in the midst of a toxic situation, who are trusted adults you can reach out to? But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. Psalm 55:16 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 2:1-3; 1 KINGS 19:1-9; MATTHEW 11:28-30 I couldn’t sleep. My irritating cough kept me awake in the middle of the night. “Don’t go into work if you’re feeling poorly,” my parents advised. But I ignored them, afraid of letting anyone down. I must be resilient and keep going, I thought. I can’t give in and miss a day of work. So I soldiered on until my exhaustion eventually caught up with me. The illness didn’t go away, and refusing to rest made it substantially worse. I ended up spending a week (during my vacation) in bed. I hadn’t listened to my body or to good advice, and so I was forced to stop everything. As I lay in bed, feeling sorry for myself, I had no one to blame but myself. I recalled how, when my friends or family were ill, I would rush around buying throat lozenges, fruit, or whatever I thought might help them—but then I neglected my own body. I realized how easy it is to nurture and help other people but forget ourselves. In the Bible, God teaches us that it’s important to rest and recharge. Resting doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It might look like relaxing, enjoying a hobby, or doing something that allows your mind to rest. It could also mean making sure you’re getting enough sleep or listening to your body when you’ve overexerted—or when you’re feeling poorly and just need to take a break. Whenever we start to feel overwhelmed, we can listen to God. He cares for us more than we know, and He wants to give us rest. Even when we overdo it and wind up exhausted, God has so much compassion on us, and He is ready to help us. If you, like me, find it easier to care for other people than for yourself, remember that taking care of our bodies is necessary if we want to keep helping others. When you’re feeling poorly, you can rest and give yourself a dose of tender loving care in the same way you would a close friend or relative (Matthew 22:36-40). You don’t have to keep pushing yourself—you can rely on Jesus, the one who has already done everything that was needed to save us through dying and rising again, the one who gives us true rest. • Cindy Lee • Do you sometimes throw yourself into things and then forget to take time out to rest? Have you ever found it difficult to give yourself permission to take a break? Why do you think that is? • Sleep is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Sometimes we need help in order to give our bodies the sleep we need, and that’s okay. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, who is a trusted adult you can talk to, such as a parent, counselor, or doctor? In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:2 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 8:12; 1 JOHN 1:5–2:2 This is Captain Rodriguez, leaving another message. It’s been about ten Earth days since the accident. It’s difficult to tell time here…wherever here is. I’m slowly running out of food and water. After that, it’s over. I’m still alone, but I’m hoping someone is getting these messages, although I don’t know if the crash damaged the comms beacon. I’ve been thinking about my old church lately. (Thinking is the only thing I can really do now, besides sending these messages.) I never really liked going to church. Growing up, my parents made me. They said, “A healthy Christian is always in community.” All I really wanted was to be by myself, which is why I chose this job. But even here I had a small community, up until ten days ago. Everybody’s gone now. I’m all alone. I feel like I’m in a dark, empty room, and no matter how long I search the walls, there’s no light switch. I’ve always called myself a Christian, but I never really wanted to have community with anyone, even God. I’m realizing that I used to think I was better than those people at church, always pretending they were fine and denying their brokenness. But, turns out, I was doing the same thing. What a numskull I was. Blast! I wish I wasn’t in charge of controls that day! But that’s part of my job, so it is what it is. Now all I have left is seeking community with my God. I hope it’s okay to talk about these things here. I don’t even know if anyone is receiving these messages anyway—so, if you’re listening, deal with it I guess. The truth is, while I’ve been stranded here, Jesus has shown me His grace. He’s giving me a second chance to return to His light. To allow Him to be the light in this dark and empty room. I’ve been reading the Bible, and I believe what it says—that because Jesus died and rose again to bring me close to God, the community I have in Him will be more than enough now, even if I never get to be rescued. And if I am rescued, being reunited with the community of God’s people will be the sweetest part of all. Nonetheless, I know that Jesus is my deliverance. That’s all for today. Captain Rodriguez signing off. • Andres López • Today’s science fiction story explores how God designed all of us to be in relationship with Him and with each other. Can you think of a time you really appreciated some of the relationships in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank God for the people He has placed around you who show you His love and kindness. • It’s not good when we try to isolate ourselves from the world or from our church community. Yet, throughout our lives, we all fall into this trap. The good news is, Jesus is eager to help us. How might He be calling you into community with others and with Himself today? • Why is it so important that Christian community be characterized by authenticity and vulnerability? How does Jesus’s death and resurrection make it possible for us to be ourselves and not try to pretend we have it all together? (Romans 12:1-13; Galatians 6:1-2) • According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Revelation 21:1-5, why is it so important that our Christian community will last for eternity? (For more about what it means to have eternal community with God and His people, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) • We all have times when we just want to be alone, and it’s healthy for everyone to spend regular time away from other people—even Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (Luke 5:16). But we also have times when we feel lonely and we long for connection. In both cases, how could it be comforting to remember that God always wants to be with us and that, through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He has promised never to leave us? (He...

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7; HEBREWS 12:1-3; JAMES 1:2-4, 12 Sometimes God uses everyday things to show us deep truths. I recently had to take apart a drawer in our refrigerator and replace it. Doesn’t sound very spiritual or complicated, right? But it was hard. And somewhere between the stuck rails and the confusing mechanics, I almost gave up. What I thought would take about twenty minutes ended up taking hours. I didn’t know what I was doing but figured it couldn’t be that complicated. But with the complex design, hidden levers, and no tutorial that matched my fridge, I got frustrated and annoyed. Something so simple revealed how quick I am to doubt myself—and how easily I can get discouraged. I kept repeating to myself: “You’ve got this. You can do hard things.” I had to give myself permission to take my time. And when I finally got the new drawer installed, I felt strong and accomplished. Not just because the job was done, but because I didn’t quit. Sometimes the hard things in life aren’t big and dramatic; they’re the everyday frustrations that test your mindset, your confidence, and your willingness to keep going. But in every hard situation, God invites us to rely on Him. He isn’t only with us in the big miracles. He’s also present in the moments when we’re tempted to quit. And whether we choose to dig in and persevere, or fall into believing the lie that we are incapable, He never leaves our side. We can be confident that God is with us because Jesus, God the Son, persevered in doing hard things for us—He became human, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again from the grave. He was tempted to quit, but He kept going because He loves us. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He is with us through the Holy Spirit, giving us strength and courage to persevere through every hard thing He has called us to do (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:3). I’m reminded of Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The drawer wasn’t just a drawer—it was an opportunity to persevere. Every hard moment is a chance to practice perseverance and trust God’s steady presence through it all. Resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about not quitting when the struggle comes. • LaVerne Vest • Can you think of a time God helped you persevere through a hard thing? Consider taking a moment to praise Him for this! Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV)