Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

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) 

READ: MARK 10:13-14, 46-52; JOHN 1:4-5; 1 JOHN 1:7 You’ve probably heard little kids cry out, “Mama, Daddy! Help me!” And if they are in great need, they shout as loudly as they can! Children cry for what they need. They aren’t concerned about what other people think. They know who to go to, and so they shout out to the adults who love them. We could learn something from the little humans around us. Are they maybe onto something? In Mark 10, we find a man in crisis. Bartimaeus suffered blindness. Imagine not being able to see in a day and age when there were no seeing-eye dogs, no braille. Bartimaeus had to beg just to survive. But he was done with living in darkness. Bartimaeus wanted to see. So, when he heard that Jesus was passing by, just ahead, he cried out for the Savior. In fact, he shouted. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he cried. And the crowd, bothered by this display, tried to hush him. But Bartimaeus would not be hushed. He shouted even louder—insistent, desperate, needy. “Have mercy on me, Son of David!” Jesus, ever keen to hear those who call on His name, stopped. The Lord told the people to bring Bartimaeus to Him. And Jesus the merciful, had mercy. Jesus the powerful used His power. He stopped, He listened, and He healed Bartimaeus of his blindness, changing his life forever. We too have a desperate need for the Son of David. We too walk in blindness, until Jesus, the Light of the world, touches us with His redeeming power. Jesus the merciful is moved when He hears desperate cries. He is eager to touch us in our dark state, and He is able to turn us from blind beggars into children of the light, changing our lives forever. • Kristen Merrill • Jesus is called the Son of David because He is the promised King, descended from David, who came to establish God’s eternal kingdom here on earth. And if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we belong to that kingdom as God’s dear children! For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Even after we’ve admitted our need for the Son of David and become His beloved people, He still wants us to cry out to Him with our every need, fear, question, and longing. Consider taking a moment to cry out to Jesus, the merciful one, about whatever is on your heart. He waits, eager to listen, to draw us near, and to bring light into any darkness. (Psalm 9:10) Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (CSB) 

READ: LUKE 15:3-10; EPHESIANS 1:3-6; 1 JOHN 3:1-3 Our youngest son came to us by airplane, traveling over half a day to reach us in Seattle. I will never forget the moment my sweet baby was handed to me. Right away, he nestled into my arms. He laid his head down upon my shoulder, and fell into deep sleep almost immediately. It was a moment I will never forget. That’s one of the very best days of my life. The day my son came home. It’s like I can still feel his six-month-old self filling up my empty arms. If a human parent can get so much joy from the arrival or birth of their child, imagine how much joy God the Father experiences when we come to Him, into His arms, at last. We are adopted by God when we receive His invitation to become part of His family. He has chosen each and every one of His adopted children. He loves each of us as His own. Becoming sons and daughters of God is the greatest thing in this world, and in the next one too. In fact, it’s the whole point of life. It’s the reason God the Father sent His dearly beloved Son, Jesus. So that we could become part of His family, reconciled to Him. Now, as God’s children, we are free to live into all He has for us as His sons and daughters. Because of His love for us, we can love Him back, and we can walk in His good ways, overflowing His love to others. Of course, we won’t do this perfectly, yet Jesus’s forgiveness covers all our failures and shortcomings, and He promises to walk with us every step of the way. After all, when we were adopted by God the Father, we became brothers and sisters of Jesus Himself. Once you know Jesus, you are God’s dearly loved child. You can rest in your Father’s arms. You have been adopted! • Kristen Merrill • Have you ever thought about how God felt when He adopted us? Consider taking some time to ponder how today’s author felt when she got to hold her six-month-old son, and then imagine God holding you the same way. How does this image make you feel? • When Jesus, God the Son, died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, He made the way for us to be adopted. If you have questions about what it means to become part of God’s family, who are trusted Christians in your life you could ask? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 (NLT) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 2:1-10; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; HEBREWS 13:8 Have you ever prayed, Lord, what is your plan for my life? You’re not alone. Becoming an adult can be overwhelming, especially with all the unknowns ahead. A woman in the Bible named Hannah knew how it felt to face an unknown future. She didn’t know if God would give her a child. She prayed for years, until one day God spoke through the priest Eli and answered her with a yes—she would have a son (1 Samuel 1:17). Hannah was thrilled! But God’s plan for Hannah didn’t stop there. He worked through the details of her life in ways beyond what she imagined. As she thanked God for her son, her prayer showed a glimpse of a much bigger picture already set in motion: “There is no one holy like the Lord... there is no Rock like our God...‘He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed’” (1 Samuel 2:2, 10). Hannah’s prayer mentioned a king, but she couldn’t have known that one day her baby Samuel would grow up to anoint David to be king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13). Not only that, but many years later Jesus Christ would be born from the lineage of David (Matthew 1:17). Jesus is the promised King of kings, and He came to save us from sin and death. Even as far back as the Old Testament, we see pieces of God’s design for our salvation. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” As Christians, we don’t have to worry about the future—we can trust God with the details because He is working all things out according to His good kingdom purposes (Romans 8:28-29). So when you wonder what God’s plan is for you, be assured of this. In Christ, it’s more than you could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). • Kristine Brown • Can you think of a time you were unsure about your future? How can Hannah’s story encourage us as we face unknowns in our lives? • Hebrews 13:8 talks about Jesus being “the same yesterday and today and forever.” How can this truth give us hope for our future—both our eternal future when Jesus returns to make all things new, and every day till then? Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 6:11; JOHN 6:25-69 The other night as I sat down to another meal, I got to wondering. As I ate with my family, I wondered even more: What’s with all this eating? Why do we require so much food? Why do we have to eat every day—several times a day? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient if the good Lord had made our bodies in such a way that we could store our caloric needs just a little longer? I mean, He made camels that way, with humps for extra storage. How about eating every three days? We’d get so much more done without all this constant need for nourishment! And yet, we know that God made all things good. He likes the way He made us, dependent upon our daily supply. He planned it this way. I’m sure God has many reasons for this plan. One might be to keep us humble. We can’t be too puffed up, we humans, if we grow weak and frail from just a few missed meals! Maybe another reason is because God wants to give us a daily (sometimes hourly) illustration, right before our eyes—like the meals in front of us each day—that we are utterly and totally dependent, needy, starved without the presence of God. We see this in John 6, when Jesus explains He is “the true bread…that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (verses 32-33). Without Jesus, we’re all dead in our sins. But if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know we have “crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). He says, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry” (John 6:35), which means that believers have eternal life with Him! As we learn to follow Jesus in our everyday lives, we quickly discover we need the nourishment that time with Him brings. And often, the more we spend time with Him, the more we want to spend time with Him! How? He has provided us with His Word, the Bible. He provides His presence through the Holy Spirit (also called the Spirit of Christ), who lives inside every believer. And He provides the church, other believers who have the Holy Spirit too. He is that faithful. And He is that good. • Kristen Merrill • Our hunger points us to God, and we find that He desires to provide for us. For example, in Exodus 16, God provided manna—bread from heaven—when the Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years. How can physical hunger point us to our need for Jesus? • We’re all sometimes tempted to think that regular time in God’s Word, in prayer, and with His people isn’t that important. Why is this not true? (Psalm 119:105; Luke 5:16; Hebrews 10:25) Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 (NIV) 

READ: ACTS 2:42-47; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:9-11; HEBREWS 10:23-25 What do you picture when you hear the word church? Perhaps you feel a rush of excitement as you imagine worshipping alongside hundreds of other believers. Or maybe you’re envisioning a quiet sanctuary where a pastor is teaching from God’s Word. Many churches today look very different now than churches did in the book of Acts. Back then, believers often met in homes and took care of each other’s needs. If someone didn’t have enough food, the rest of the church would feed them. If someone was being persecuted for their faith, everyone would come together and pray for them. There’s beauty in large gatherings of believers, but there’s also something valuable about meeting in smaller groups. Often, smaller groups of Christians gather to study the Bible and pray for each other. Participants in a small group or Bible study have the opportunity to care for each other in practical and personal ways. In high school, I started a Bible study when my youth group disbanded. I was longing for godly community, and God provided. Over the years, He has blessed us with deep conversations, wisdom in understanding Scripture, and lasting friendships that continue outside of our meetings. In fact, my closest friendships were born out of these impactful moments of fellowship. How is this kind of community possible? Because Jesus has bound us to Himself and to each other with an everlasting bond. As Christians, we are united in His love for us. Romans 12:15 tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” In my Bible study, when one person shares that they’re struggling with anxiety, the rest of us will comfort them and pray for peace. If another person is celebrating an exciting new opportunity, we will praise God together. Participating in close-knit fellowship with other believers not only strengthens our faith, but it also allows us to experience God’s love in deep and tangible ways. • Hannah Chung • Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are part of His church. His Holy Spirit lives in us, uniting us with other believers because we all have the same Holy Spirit. Together, we get to participate in His Kingdom as parts of His body, living in His love and sharing the truth of the gospel—the good news of Jesus. What are some ways you’ve seen God at work in and through the church? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 15; ACTS 3:25; HEBREWS 13:20-21 Have you ever worried about losing your relationship with God? I used to worry God would give up on me if I wasn’t good enough—and, of course, I was never “good enough.” Then I learned about covenant. A covenant is a binding, sacred agreement, and it’s one way God relates to humankind. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, the rainbow provides a beautiful picture of covenant (chapters 6–9). Humankind was so steeped in wickedness that God, in His justice, flooded the earth and destroyed almost all life. Noah and his family, who were spared through their trust in God, built an ark and lived in it for about 370 days, surrounded by all different types of animals. When the flood was over, God sent the rainbow as a sign of His covenant: that He would never flood the world again. But God didn’t stop there. Years later, He made a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and leading him from his home to an unknown country and an unseen future, so the whole world would one day be blessed through the birth of Jesus (Genesis 15; Galatians 3:6-14, 29). Here’s some great news: God’s covenant with His people can’t be broken— because He is the one keeping the covenant, and He knows people are incapable of keeping it (Psalm 89:34). And God loves us so much that He has a covenant with you and me—and with everyone who puts their trust in Jesus—to rescue us from sin and death so we can live with Him forever. Covenant brings me comfort. It dispels any doubts about God’s love, forgiveness, and trustworthiness. Hebrews 13:20 tells us that Jesus is our great shepherd and we are His sheep through “an eternal covenant [ratified] with his blood.” God is the one who established the covenant through His blood, and God is the one who keeps His covenant. • Sharon Rene • Throughout our lives, we may experience fears that God might abandon us. Thankfully, God invites us to bring these worries to Him in prayer anytime. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about this, people who can pray with you and point you to Scriptures that remind us of God’s faithful love? • Why do you think we humans try to be perfect to earn God’s love? How can remembering God’s covenants and the symbol of the rainbow help us rest in His faithful love, instead of working to earn His favor? “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 7:1; PROVERBS 18:10; HEBREWS 13:6Oh Lord, are Your ears stone? From times of old I have cried out for aid, but no answer have I received. To the left, fear plots for my life; affliction laughs at my right hand. Trouble is near me. But You, O God, O Lord of might and justice, You alone are my hope. Even when all hope seems lost, You keep me secure.Tears washed my bed, and a troubled sleep took me, but I awoke in joy, for Your steadfast love encompassed me.I call to You only for aid, and You alone I seek; I cannot save myself.Your sword alone can crush my enemies, and You alone can lay my foes at my feet.From my lips, Your praise builds its peak; higher than the mountaintops, To the depths of the sea and to the farthest star Your song reaches.For You are the Deliverer, the Faithful, and the Giver of blessings. I will praise You alone, for You are good. • Bonny Garlets• Today’s poem is written in the style of a lament psalm. Lament psalms are a mix of complaint, trust, and assurance. When our foundations are crumbling, we can talk to God with raw honesty, like the psalmists did, and we can trust Him to hold us safely even in the midst of suffering. Because Jesus suffered the cross for us, crying out in the words of Psalm 22, we can come to Him in any suffering. We can know that He feels our hurts with us, and He promises to save us and to one day make all things new. What kinds of hardships or trouble have you been experiencing lately? Consider taking some time to pour out your own lament to God. • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 3:8; 6:6; 7:9; 16:9; 28:1-2; 30:5; 32:10; 33:5; 36:5; 45:4; 56:4; 71:5; 108:12; 146:3-5. LoORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. Psalm 3:1-3 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 27:10; ROMANS 8:28-29, 38-39; HEBREWS 13:5 I don’t remember how my parents told me the news. I don’t remember what words they used or even where I was standing when they told me. But I remember what happened next. My world was torn apart when my parents announced their divorce. It was like all my dreams of a happy, close family were shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. I felt betrayed and forsaken. During that incredibly difficult time in my life, I decided to cling to the truths of God’s Word. That’s when I found Psalm 27:10: “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.” You may have already learned this in your life, but people will fail you. As humans, we’re all born sinners (Psalm 51:5). And every time we choose sin, it doesn’t just affect us, it affects everyone around us. Sin destroys. It can wound and scar us. It hurts. But in the Bible, we find an amazing truth—yes, sin is bad, but God’s love is greater. Our perfect Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent Jesus. God the Son lived among us. He died on the cross and rose from the grave to defeat sin and death and make the way for us to be with Him forever. People may hurt you, and you may hurt other people, but God has the power to restore and forgive. He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. Our hope is found in Him. • Jessica McFarland • Have you ever felt betrayed or deeply disappointed by someone close to you? In these moments, we can look to Jesus, who was willing to endure betrayal and rejection out of His great love for us. He has so much compassion for you, and He invites you to find healing and restoration in Him. Consider taking some time to bring any hurts or betrayals to Jesus in prayer. • Can you think of a time you betrayed somebody you love—whether intentionally or accidentally? God’s mercy and forgiveness are so abundant. Consider taking a moment to confess any sins that come to mind and rest in God’s sure forgiveness. Can you think of any ways you could make things right with the person you hurt? • If your family is experiencing divorce, who is a trusted Christian you can be open with about what you’re going through—someone who will listen with compassion, pray, and remind you of God’s nearness? For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) 

READ: JEREMIAH 29:12-13; JAMES 5:13-16 As a teen, I learned about the practice of prayer: simply communicating with God—both talking to Him and listening to Him. One warm afternoon, I decided to embrace the privilege of prayer. I walked down our family’s dirt driveway and ducked into a cluster of trees and vines. Away from my large, bustling family, I’d found a quiet spot to fellowship with Jesus. Decades later, I recall the intimacy of that time with the Lord, when I prayed for any requests that came to mind—family members, sick people at church, doctors and nurses caring for the ill. With childlike faith, I trusted that God heard me and cared, that my simple prayers connected with the Creator. When I pushed past tree branches and emerged from my little hideaway, I knew I’d spent meaningful time communing with Christ. I also wanted more of it. In Colossians 4:2, Paul reminds believers, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Jesus exhorted His disciples to “pray and not give up” in Luke 18:1. I wanted this devotion to prayer, the heartfelt prayer life we read about in James 5—prayer in times of happiness and trouble, sickness and confession. As a new believer in Jesus, I delved into “the prayer offered in faith” that day among leaves and limbs (James 5:15). Throughout my life, God has drawn me into prayer, even when I’ve expressed anger at Him or questioned His love for me. Whenever God’s love seems uncertain, we can look to Jesus. God came and lived among us. He died on the cross and rose from the grave to forgive us and make us holy, all because He wants to save us and welcome us into a relationship with Himself. As we pray, believing He listens to our prayers with love for His children, our faith in God will be stretched. Yet through our prayers, God grows our faith, and our growing faith results in a rich prayer life. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you had a desire to talk to God? What was that like? • Have you been angry with God for not answering prayers in a certain way? Feel free to pour that out to the Lord. He already knows how we feel, yet He invites us to be totally honest as we open our hearts to Him. Remember, He can truly empathize with all our pains and struggles because Jesus experienced life in this broken world alongside us. He sees, He understands, and He cares about our every hurt and sorrow—He even weeps with us. And He promises to wipe away our every tear, and right every wrong, at His return. How could remembering Jesus’s empathy and love for us make it easier for us to be open with Him in prayer? Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV) 

READ: ACTS 20:22-24; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27; HEBREWS 12:1-3 Tau entered his coordinates into the dashboard computer, and his location popped up on the screen. He did some calculations and plotted the last leg of his flight. Only 1,312,569 more miles and he’d be home. He could see Earth in the distance, a miniature cobalt crescent. He yawned and rubbed his tired eyes, then programmed in a new series of coordinates, and engaged autopilot. The Perseverance had been a reliable ship for his first Steel Bones Space Marathon, a biennial, interplanetary race. The craft was well-named, as the ever-changing route always encompassed at least five planets. He’d spent the last eight weeks alone in this tiny pressurized cabin. A cheeseburger and a hot shower had never sounded so good. At fifteen, Tau was this year’s youngest contestant. He couldn’t hope to win against the field of more experienced flyers, but he had trained hard, preparing his mind and body for the rigors of the race. He hoped to finish within the qualifying time for membership in the prestigious Zenith Academy, where he could study space exploration. That prize had kept him well focused. And Jesus’s steady, loving presence had sustained him. As he neared home, Earth’s beautiful blues and greens filled his windshield. He throttled down and adjusted his angle to reenter the atmosphere. As he did, the ban on communications lifted. His sister Jedda filled his screen. “Tau, you did it!” she exclaimed. “You’re within five hours of the deadline!” Tau grinned. The camera shifted and his parents appeared. “Tau, we’re so proud of you!” Mom shouted. Dad beamed his agreement, too choked up to speak. Australia loomed large. Sydney came into view, and then the finish runway. The Perseverance’s wheels touched down. Tau taxied toward the terminal and disembarked into a huge crush of spectators. He gasped, recognizing friends, neighbors, and schoolmates. They were all shouting! Congratulating him! Welcoming him home! With a wide grin, he embraced his family. The hard work and long weeks were suddenly forgotten. The sacrifices had all been worth it. • Michelle Isenhoff • Today’s allegorical story is inspired by Bible passages that compare the Christian walk to a race. Hebrews 12:1-3 says we can persevere in this race—resisting sin, seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and “looking to Jesus”—because He has already persevered for us, on our behalf. Verse 3 says, “For the joy that was set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” On the cross, Jesus was looking forward to what His death and resurrection would accomplish. He was looking forward to the joy of restoring us, His people, to Himself and restoring His creation! Why do you think Jesus calls us to keep our eyes on Him as we wait for His return? (Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:31-39; Revelation 21:1-5) • In what areas of your life do you need perseverance and endurance today? Maybe your patience is wearing thin, or your struggle against a certain temptation is feeling more and more difficult, or you haven’t felt like reading the Bible or talking to God lately. Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about whatever comes to mind. You can be totally honest with Him—He already knows it all, and He is eager to show you His love and His help. • In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to—people who will listen to you, pray with you, support you, and remind you of God’s steadfast love and forgiveness? Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangle...

READ: PSALM 118:9, PROVERBS 29:2; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 Where I live in the United States, the 4th of July tends to be a holiday dominated by fireworks, parades, patriotic renditions of songs like “God Bless America,” and family picnics. It’s a time to commemorate our nation’s independence. However, it can also be a time when the divisiveness of politics is on display, splitting families and friendships between polarizing opinions and harsh interactions with each other. No matter which side of the political aisle you support, if any, 1 Timothy 2 gives us specific instructions about how we should view and interact with government: prayer. Paul instructs us to pray for “all who are in authority” and says we should “ask God to help them” (verses 1-2). But help with what? And why? We are to pray for all of these authority figures to put their trust in Jesus and experience Him personally. We can pray for them to be drawn to God’s Word and rely on Him to guide them, to be convicted by the Holy Spirit and repent where needed, and to walk humbly before God. We can pray that God gives them a heart to serve the greater good of those under their authority—not just their own good. We should ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, and insight, so they can know what is right and have the courage to act on it. We should pray for these things, in part, because wise leaders will allow us to live in safety and peace, letting us share Christ freely with our neighbors in whatever creative ways He has called us to. But we should primarily pray for our leaders because God wants everyone, even our politicians, to be saved and understand the truth of the gospel—the good news of Jesus. No matter how difficult it feels to pray for politicians and people of authority that you don’t agree with, like, or respect, this is what God calls us to do, and He will empower us to do it. And we can know that, ultimately, we get to submit to the perfect Authority, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life out of love for us. And one day, He will return to destroy every earthly kingdom, and we will flourish as we live under His perfect Kingship. • Abigail Aswegen • Sometimes it can be hard to pray for our government leaders, especially when they make decisions we think are wrong. In these moments, it can be helpful to remember how we all fall short and we all need Jesus. Consider taking some time to bring all of this to Jesus in prayer. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 37:17-28; 50:15-21; PSALM 23:4-6 Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They sold him! I have younger siblings. And I admit there have been times I’ve thought this sounded like a good idea. But these guys actually did it! Can you imagine the betrayal Joseph must have felt? The outrage? The terror? Overnight, Joseph became a slave. Sometimes our lives take a turn for the worse too—disappointments, illnesses, tragedies, or any number of other unwelcome surprises. In those moments, we often forget God is still with us, and He is still sovereign. When that happens, we can be well served to look at Joseph’s life. Joseph’s next thirteen years were an amazing story of hard knocks, unfair treatment, and prison. Yet, “the LORD was with him and…gave him success in everything he did” (Genesis 39:3). Eventually, God raised Joseph to a place of power and worked through him to save countless lives from famine, including his own family. Yet his brothers were still terrified Joseph would exact his revenge. But look how Joseph responded to them—with forgiveness: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:19-20). Joseph understood God had a plan all along. From our historical vantage point, we can also see God was doing much more than just saving Joseph’s family. He was preserving the line through which He would one day redeem the world—the line that would lead to the birth of Jesus. Jesus faced hard knocks and unfair treatment—even death on a cross—because He loves us and wants to forgive us. And when Jesus was raised again, He accomplished the saving of many lives! When we end up in one of life’s dark valleys, we can remember Joseph, and how his story points to Jesus. We can trust God is so good, and He loves us so much, that He promises to work through even the worst of situations for the good of His people—and to be with us every step of the way (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28, 38-39). • Michelle Isenhoff • Can you think of any examples, in your own life or in the lives of others, when God worked through a bad situation and brought good? Whenever we suffer, God has so much compassion on us. He can truly empathize with us because Jesus stepped into our suffering with us, and even now He grieves our hurts alongside us. How could it be comforting to know that God grieves suffering, and He also promises to bring something good out of it? [Joseph said to his brothers,] “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 15:1-7; 1 PETER 2:22-24 Our need for love and appreciation is written deeply into our nature. We want to be seen and accepted by those around us. But, in this broken world, humans are selfish, and human attention is fickle. Popularity can tease those who don’t find it...and wreck those who do. Jesus knows about popularity. He understands people. Humans were created through Him—and He came and lived among us, fully God yet also fully human. He knows firsthand that people can crown you one day and crucify you the next. So, during His ministry on earth, how did Jesus deal with that oh-so-human desire for attention and acceptance? How did He deal with popularity? John 2:23-25 says, “Many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” Instead, Jesus often spent time alone with the Father, and He “entrusted himself to him who judges justly,” even in suffering (Luke 5:16; 1 Peter 2:23). Yet Jesus was not detached. He cared. He loved. He had a mission to accomplish for our sake. He made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up His life on the cross, because He so loved us (John 3:16-17). And when He rose again, Jesus declared that all who belong to Him are fully and completely accepted. So now, we are free to love others instead of comparing ourselves to them. Consider taking a moment to talk to God, perhaps using this prayer as a guide: Lord, thank You that, because of Jesus, I can entrust my heart to You, loving others with abandon as I follow Your leading. Remind me I am secure in Your great love, and may that love overflow from me to each one You bring into my life today. • Trent D. Schrock • God created us to be in community (Genesis 2:18). But sin has broken our relationships with God and others (Genesis 3). How has Jesus made the way for our broken relationships to be reconciled? As we wait for full reconciliation at Jesus’s return, how can we see glimpses of it today? How does Jesus’s love for us make it possible for us to love others? (If you want to dig deeper, read Romans 5; 2 Corinthians 5; Colossians 1; 1 John 4:19.) • What might it look like for you to set aside time in your day to be alone with God in His Word and in prayer so you can be refreshed, reminded of His love for you, and strengthened to overflow it to others? Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 15:1-7; 1 PETER 2:22-24 Our need for love and appreciation is written deeply into our nature. We want to be seen and accepted by those around us. But, in this broken world, humans are selfish, and human attention is fickle. Popularity can tease those who don’t find it...and wreck those who do. Jesus knows about popularity. He understands people. Humans were created through Him—and He came and lived among us, fully God yet also fully human. He knows firsthand that people can crown you one day and crucify you the next. So, during His ministry on earth, how did Jesus deal with that oh-so-human desire for attention and acceptance? How did He deal with popularity? John 2:23-25 says, “Many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” Instead, Jesus often spent time alone with the Father, and He “entrusted himself to him who judges justly,” even in suffering (Luke 5:16; 1 Peter 2:23). Yet Jesus was not detached. He cared. He loved. He had a mission to accomplish for our sake. He made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up His life on the cross, because He so loved us (John 3:16-17). And when He rose again, Jesus declared that all who belong to Him are fully and completely accepted. So now, we are free to love others instead of comparing ourselves to them. Consider taking a moment to talk to God, perhaps using this prayer as a guide: Lord, thank You that, because of Jesus, I can entrust my heart to You, loving others with abandon as I follow Your leading. Remind me I am secure in Your great love, and may that love overflow from me to each one You bring into my life today. • Trent D. Schrock • God created us to be in community (Genesis 2:18). But sin has broken our relationships with God and others (Genesis 3). How has Jesus made the way for our broken relationships to be reconciled? As we wait for full reconciliation at Jesus’s return, how can we see glimpses of it today? How does Jesus’s love for us make it possible for us to love others? (If you want to dig deeper, read Romans 5; 2 Corinthians 5; Colossians 1; 1 John 4:19.) • What might it look like for you to set aside time in your day to be alone with God in His Word and in prayer so you can be refreshed, reminded of His love for you, and strengthened to overflow it to others? Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 14:1-6; PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21; REVELATION 21:1-5 Too often, Christians have a vague understanding of heaven as a cloudy, indistinct place where we’ll wear white bathrobes and strum on harps. No wonder so many people don’t want to go there! If we take a good look at what the Bible actually says about heaven, we’ll find that it sounds pretty good. Heaven will ultimately be on earth (Revelation 21:1-5). I remember being so relieved when I first understood this. It’s a familiar, concrete idea I can wrap my mind around. God created the Earth uniquely for habitation, with the intention that people live on it. That objective won’t change, but the earth will be made better—healed from sin and all the brokenness it caused. The Bible tells us the first earth will pass away and be made new—minus the sin, hunger, sickness, death, and war we’re all too accustomed to on the current one. We will have physical bodies (Philippians 3:20-21). Another relief, isn’t it? We’re accustomed to our five senses, to the pressure of air in our lungs and dirt under our feet. God intended us to be physical as well as spiritual beings. When Jesus rose from the dead, he had His physical body that bore scars and could consume food. Since Christ set the pattern we will follow, we can expect physical bodies too. His resurrection secures ours (1 Corinthians 15). God will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3). We were created for fellowship with God such as Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden. Sin broke that relationship, but Jesus conquered sin. One day, His work on the cross will come to full realization, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will once again enjoy the presence of the Creator of the universe in this way. Scripture tells us we are sojourners on this present earth, and our true citizenship is in heaven because that’s where Jesus is. We can rejoice knowing that we will dwell with Him and His people forever—and that He will exceed our expectations in every way. • Michelle Isenhoff • How have you imagined heaven, both when you were a kid and more recently? • After reading today’s Bible passages, what questions do you have about heaven? • Jesus is in heaven, and at the same time, He is also with us! What questions do you have about this? (Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:19; 1 Peter 1:8; 3:22) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 103:12; ROMANS 3:21-26; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:10; EPHESIANS 2:8-10 Regret: everyone experiences it at some point. I recently sold my truck, before I really needed to, at a price that was too low. And, afterward, I was full of regret. I had no plan for what I was going to buy to replace it, which led me to spiral into fearful desperation. I knew I had just made one bad decision. How could I make another major decision—what car to buy and how much to spend? My situation isn’t new or unusual. In Genesis 1–3, the story of the first people, Adam and Eve, is characterized by regret. They sinned against God, rejecting His love and doing what He’d explicitly told them not to do. They were guilty, and, therefore, they experienced the regret of sin. The Bible is littered with similar stories. Consider David’s lust and murder, Esau’s birthright sale, Jonah’s bitterness, Thomas’s unbelief, Peter’s pride, Judas’s betrayal…the list goes on and on. Some of those individuals experienced repentance and healing for their regret; some didn’t. The difference in whether someone found healing or not is simple: grace. We often live under the delusion that personal perfection is a possibility. But over and over, as sinful and guilty people in need of a Savior, we are confronted with our failures and flaws. No amount of education or training will rid us of these qualities. Thankfully, there is hope. Romans 5:20 tells us, “Where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more.” That is good news indeed for flawed people. The grace of Christ gives us hope. His sacrificial death took God’s just wrath for our sin. So, the moment we were united to Jesus by faith through His grace, our sins were nailed to the cross and we received Jesus’s perfect righteousness. Our sins are washed away in the flood of Christ’s forgiveness. They are gone forever and have lost their hold on us. No regret can separate us from God’s love. • Mike Hurley • What kinds of regrets have you been carrying? Are they regrets over sins, like hatred, or merely unwise decisions, like selling something before you thought through all the factors? • We’ve all done things we later regretted. Yet God is so merciful to us that even when we mess up, He extends help. This is the hope of the gospel—when we were dead in our sin, helpless to save ourselves, Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to save us (for more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page). And even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus, He continues to show us mercy when we mess up. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about any regrets that come to mind. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more. Romans 5:20 (CSB) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13; 2 THESSALONIANS 3:3; 2 TIMOTHY 1:7; TITUS 2:12-14 During my senior year, my best friend invited me to her birthday party. Our entire circle of friends showed up, and the day seemed innocent enough. A few hours later, things took an unexpected turn. Out of nowhere, my high school best friend pulled out her parents’ bottle of vodka and asked if anyone wanted to take shots with her. Immediately, I felt a knot in the pit of my stomach as everyone, except me, enthusiastically agreed. I knew this was wrong. She looked to me, waiting on an answer. I felt the pressures to fit in and say, “Yes.” Suddenly, I remembered what my youth pastor had preached earlier that week, that God would show me a way out when I was tempted so that I could endure it and not give in (1 Corinthians 10:13). I knew what I had to do. I said, “No. I have to go home.” While the temptation to fit in was strong, God faithfully gave me a way out. I don’t know what temptations you’re facing, but I do know this: you’re not alone. The temptations and struggles you’re dealing with are no different than what everyone else has experienced. Since the beginning of time, starting with Adam and Eve, we’ve all been tempted. While, yes, there are temptations and struggles, there is great news in our moments of weakness. God is faithful, and His Word promises we will not be tempted more than we can stand. He promises to show us a way out so we can endure. It is sometimes difficult, but once we know Jesus, we can always pray prayers like this: Lord, show me the way of escape You’re providing from this temptation. Thank You for giving me the strength to choose Your way and not sin. Remember, Jesus is with us, and He is faithful to help us resist sin—and to forgive us even when we fall. As we rely on His love, we become willing to choose His way out. • Brandi Prather • In times of temptation, Jesus invites us to come to Him, to be reminded of His goodness, and to better see the way of escape He’s offering. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever temptations you’ve been facing lately. Why is it that we don’t have to be afraid of being totally honest with Jesus about our temptations and sins? (Psalm 139; Romans 3:23-24; Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9) • What questions do you have about drinking alcohol? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about these questions? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Isaiah 5:11; Amos 9:14; Luke 7:33-34; John 2:1-11; Romans 13:13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 5:23. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 14:26; 20:31; 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12 How well do you know the streets around your home? As you drive by, you probably know by heart that there’s a gas station on the right and, up ahead, there’s an old blue van that’s been parked in the same spot since the beginning of time. But have you ever noticed something new on that familiar route? Maybe a neighbor painted their shutters a wild shade of avocado green, a coffee shop just took over that abandoned building, or—Wait! Did I just see a giant flamingo statue in that backyard? If we grew up in church, learning Bible stories and verses week after week, it can be hard to find the motivation to read God’s Word. When we open to a familiar passage, we may think, I already know this story. Why should I read it again? This may be true about other books, but the Bible is different. God’s words are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). If you’re in Christ, you’re in a living and active relationship with the God who wrote the words. That means you’re a part of the story you’re reading—God’s story of rescuing His people and restoring His creation. The climax of this story is the cross, and everything else revolves around it. All throughout the Bible, God is revealing the gospel (or good news) of Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit, God helps us see new aspects of the gospel every time we read. But, practically, how can we train our eyes to see these? The secret to seeing the new things God is waiting to show you from His Word is to start asking questions. Here are a few to try: “God, will You open up my eyes to understand what Your Word says?” “Is there anything about this passage that doesn’t make sense to me?” “What do these verses say about the big picture of the gospel and what Jesus has done?” As you ask these questions, remember you are never alone. In Christ, you have the Holy Spirit to guide you as you seek to deepen your understanding of God’s Word. • Mandy Desilets • When do you struggle to find the motivation to read the Bible? What do you think is the biggest reason behind that struggle? • When we ask questions, we often end up with more questions. Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could go to with your questions about the Bible as they come up? For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (WEB) 

READ: PSALM 145:19; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-13; 1 JOHN 3:1; 5:14 My sister calls me every day around three o’clock. Sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later. Sometimes a lot later. Could she be shopping? By four o’clock I start to worry. Perhaps she was in a car accident. Maybe she got hurt. I like to know she’s okay—especially since she lives alone. But there are also times when I’m busy and can’t answer the phone. Then she leaves a message. We never have to leave a message with God. Unlike with me and my sister, He already knows all the things going on in our lives, but He wants us to tell Him about them anyway—just like a little child tells their parents about the friend who shared a cookie, or comforted them after another child betrayed them. Sharing draws the parent and child closer together. Sharing can draw us closer to God too. God wants to hear the things that worry us. The things that annoy us. The things that make us sing for joy. We can talk to God any time. Anywhere. In any language. Even in no language at all—just a longing of our hearts. Or a sorrow too deep for words. Sometimes we pray because it’s the time we have allotted. Sometimes we pray because someone asks us to. And sometimes we are down on our knees, pouring out our hearts—and our tears—over circumstances beyond our control. God never tells us to call back later. He never lets our prayers go to voice mail. Not only can we share things with God, we can also ask Him for things. Sometimes we don’t see immediate results from our prayers. Sometimes we never see results. That doesn’t mean God is not at work. He is, after all, God. Whether His answer is yes or no or wait, He is acting out of His unimaginable love for us. How foolish we can be when we choose other activities over communion with the Lord of the universe. • Carol Raj • When you hear the word prayer, how does it make you feel? Peaceful, annoyed, guilty, frustrated, confused, bored, eager, hopeful…? • God wants to be in relationship with us because He loves us—even more than a parent loves their child. He made the way for that relationship through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Once we know Jesus, we are brought close to God. And one of the ways we enjoy our new relationship with God is through talking with Him in prayer. If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 62:8; 139:1-24; Matthew 6:5-13; Romans 8:26-39; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Hebrews 4:14-16. Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 139; ROMANS 8:26-39; HEBREWS 11:1 I know what to do. I know how to act, how to look, how to speak. I can recite His words from memory. I know how to find Bible verses in thirty seconds flat. I go to church every week, and I take sermon notes. I can show everyone that I follow Him. I know what to do. I know what I should do. I know I should read the Bible every day. I can talk to Him whenever I want, and I should do it every day. I know He loves me, and I should praise Him for it. I know I should tell everyone I meet about Him. I should feel confident because I know the Good News. I know what I should do. I don’t know what to do. I don’t always feel His presence. I don’t feel peaceful or strong; I feel anxious. I don’t know whether I am serving Him or only my own pride. I don’t feel full of love and hope; I feel like a decorated empty shell. I don’t feel like His child; I feel like an imposter. I don’t know what to do. He knows me. He knows my every fault and failure. He understands my joy and pain, my strongest desires, and my deepest regrets. He calls me to His side, even when I am too self-focused to hear. He claimed me as His own before I took my first breath. He tells me nothing in this or any world can stop His love for me. He knows me, and that’s all I need to know. • Andi Potter • Can you think of a time you felt like the narrator in today’s poem? As Christians, we’ll all have times when we feel distant from Jesus, when we feel lost and confused, when we might even wonder if we really belong to Him. Thankfully, Jesus’s love for us is unending, His forgiveness is unshakable—and He knows we need reminders of this! • Because God loves us so dearly, Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and rose from the grave to give us new life. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are forever secure in His love. How could it be freeing to remember that God knows us—including how desperately we need Him? (For more about what it means to be in Christ, check out our "Know Jesus" page). • In Psalm 139:7-12, what does David say about how far Jesus is willing to pursue us? (If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 15; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-10; Romans 8:38-39.) • Jesus always invites us to talk to Him about all our struggles, and He also provides fellow Christians we can talk to. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can share your struggles with—people who will listen to you, pray with you and for you, and remind you of Jesus’s love and forgiveness? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

READ: PROVERBS 24:29; ROMANS 8:28-39; 12:9-21 My family prioritized attending college after high school. So as my sister, who I’ll call Monique, prepared for college, she entered a scholarship competition. During the finale, I watched as other participants received cash awards to help pay for college. But Monique left with none. Later, Monique confided in me that one of the winners had cheated. Monique’s friend, who I’ll call Heidi, had received an award for the best essay. But Heidi told some friends that her boyfriend Austin wrote it for her. Heidi didn’t expect to win. But Austin’s willingness to “help” resulted in a victory Heidi didn’t earn—and stole opportunities from others. I got angry on Monique’s behalf. I called the situation, “Unfair! Unjust! Wrong!” Heidi’s cheating was all that. But the competition had ended. Out-of-town judges had gone home. It seemed nothing could be done. Monique accepted the situation, choosing not to address it. But I wanted better for my sister. I wanted to make somebody pay. Sometimes it’s harder to forgive someone who’s hurt a person we love than it is to forgive someone who’s hurt us. But I know God calls me to forgive. I’ve put my trust in Jesus to pay for my sins by dying in my place, securing my forgiveness and my relationship with God. If He could forgive me every wrong thought, attitude, action, and word, I could choose to forgive Heidi (and Austin). I could choose—by the power of Christ’s Spirit in me—to support Monique and not hold a grudge. I could choose to release Heidi and Austin from my desire to get back at them. After graduation, my sister pursued higher education. She even earned a position playing soccer at a community college, which paid for two years of tuition. I learned from Monique to forgive and leave the results to God—and then watch Him provide in His way. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time somebody mistreated or betrayed you, but God still worked for your good? • In life, there are times to speak up against wrongs, and there are also times when God gives us grace to accept an unfair outcome. We can always pray for justice, asking God to give us wisdom and boldness if we’re in a position to seek justice, and asking Him to give us peace even if we won’t see full justice until Jesus returns. Who are trusted Christians who can help you discern when to speak up, and when not to? When we address an injustice, but still nothing changes, why can we still trust God to work out His best? (Matthew 27:12; Acts 22:24–23:11) Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you. Proverbs 20:22 (CSB) 

READ: EPHESIANS 4:20-32; 5:25-27; JAMES 1:16-27 Have you ever gotten a severe cut? I remember falling off my bike going down a steep hill too quickly. I got a deep gash in my knee, with blood soaking through the hole in my jeans. Right away, I hobbled on home to get it cleaned up and bandaged. Over the next few days, we washed rocks and debris out again and again. It was a slow, painful process, but it was necessary. If I left any dirt, rocks, or debris behind, infection could set in, causing a bigger problem. A festering wound can be pretty gross, smelly, and ugly. I wanted that gash dealt with quickly and completely so full healing could take place. Tending to that wound reminds me of how we need to tend to our anger. Ephesians 4:31 tells us to get rid of our selfish anger because it can fester into a much bigger problem, like wrath or bitterness. These are even harder to treat, and they can cause painful rifts in our relationships. When our anger hurts someone, those harsh words or actions, like the debris in my wound, need to be washed away with the water of the Word (who is Jesus) and with forgiveness. Once anger is washed away, add the healing balm of kindness and tenderheartedness (Ephesians 4:32). Go back and repeat the same steps as many times as necessary, just as I did with my gash. This whole process is only possible through Jesus. He has made the way for us to be forgiven through His death and resurrection. Because of God’s great love for us, He has cleansed us of our sins, healing our broken relationship with Himself and making the way for our relationships with other people to be healed too. • Deborah del Villar • What’s the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger? To know what’s righteous, we look to God. The Old Testament tells us God is “slow to anger” and “his anger lasts only a moment” (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 30:5). The New Testament tells us Jesus is God, and once we know Him, His Spirit lives in us. Since we have been forgiven through Jesus’s death and resurrection, and since we have the Holy Spirit, we are called to be “slow to get angry,” to be humble, and to love and forgive others as Jesus loves and forgives us (Ephesians 4:32; James 1:19-21; 1 John 4:19). Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about any anger in your heart. It’s okay if you don’t know how much of your anger is righteous and how much is unrighteous—you can be totally honest with Him as you rely on His grace and help. In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you process your anger? Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger...Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

READ: LUKE 15:11-32; ROMANS 3:10-18, 23-26; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 Jarrod clung to his steed, spurring it faster. Dust thrown by thundering hooves swarmed behind him. His pursuers closed in. Hair on the back of Jarrod’s neck stood on end. He breathed frantic gasps, gagged on raw fear. “Bravo!” Jarrod said, pulling off the virtual reality headset and then carefully removing the fiber-optic gloves. “It’s perfect,” he said to the vendor, Reuben. “You were pleased with the Remington?” “I was. Does it work on all the paintings in the gallery?” Reuben nodded. “It allows the viewer to experience the very heart of the creation.” With greedy eyes, Jarrod studied the masterpiece. It now seemed strangely dull and lifeless. But paired with this new technology…Introducing it to museums would make him the envy of the art world. “Imagine delighting in Mona Lisa’s smile, indulging in the tranquility of Monet,” Reuben said, “or exploring Picasso…” “I’ll pass on Picasso, thank you,” Jarrod said with a chuckle. “Too surreal.” “Quite so,” Reuben agreed. “Shall we finish viewing the Western collection?” In response, Jarrod pulled the equipment back on. It felt disorienting at first, but he soon became accustomed to the swirl of color and sound. Familiar masterpieces blossomed to life as he strolled, one heart-pounding image bleeding into the next. And then… The stench of rotting flesh slammed Jarrod. A horror of a man dressed in filthy rags swallowed his vision. Malice bore into Jarrod’s mind like a thousand stinging maggots. Terror knocked him to his knees. Screaming, he ripped the headset off his head, yanking away the horror in a flash. Reuben crouched beside him. “Sir, are you alright?” Bile rose in Jarrod’s throat. “That artwork…it must be removed.” The room grew painfully quiet. Finally, Reuben said, “I’m afraid you are confused. There is no portrait on this wall.” “What?” Jarrod asked. Legs trembling, he stood. An arrogantly handsome face stared back at him. Reuben was correct. No artwork adorned the wall. Only a mirror. Jarrod stammered out a farewell to Reuben, then hurried away to another exhibit. Finding a bench, he sunk down, his head in his hands. When he finally looked up, he was startled at the artwork before him. A man was on his knees, dressed in filthy rags. Though it was only a sketch, Jarrod couldn’t tear his gaze away. For this man wasn’t alone—he was wrapped in a tender embrace. Who would touch such a disgusting man? Who would love him? Jarrod looked for the placard. It was a Rembrandt, and it was entitled: The Return of the Prodigal Son. • Lori Z. Scott • What stuck out to you in today’s allegorical story? When Jarrod looked in the mirror, he saw the state of his soul. The truth is, we’re all like Jarrod. We’re dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1), and all “our righteous deeds…are nothing but filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:3-8). We are desperately in need of God’s mercy. But the good news is, God has already extended His mercy to us. • In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, who rejected his father’s love and chose sin instead. When the son finally came to his senses and returned home as a beggar, how did his father respond? How does this show us how God responds to us whenever we turn to Him? • In Jesus, God has made the way for us to come home to Him, with all our sin and need, and be made new. Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, and He rose from the dead to give us new life. How does Ephesians 2:1-10 describe us before we know Jesus—and how does it describe us once we are in Christ? (If you want to know more about the good news of Jesus, see...

READ: JOHN 1:1-3; COLOSSIANS 1:15-20; HEBREWS 1:1-4 Every generation has catchphrases. There was a popular saying in the early church that went something like this, “There was a time when He was not.” In fact, it was so popular that people would go around chanting it in the streets! What did the phrase mean? A pastor at the time by the name of Arius had started to circulate some unique ideas about Jesus, and one of those ideas was that Jesus was a lesser being than God the Father. To argue this point, Arius claimed that Jesus was created by God (hence the catchphrase). Does this view hold water when compared to the rest of Scripture? First, take a look at John 1. In this passage, John uses the title of “the Word” to describe Jesus. Not only was Jesus “with God in the beginning” (verse 2), He Himself “was God” (verse 1). This teaches us that Jesus existed in eternity past with God the Father. Notice John also writes, “All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created” (verse 3). If Jesus created all things, then how could He have been created? What about Colossians 1:15? In this verse, Paul refers to Jesus as “the firstborn over all creation.” Does that mean Jesus was created, or born from God? No! In Bible times, to be the firstborn was considered an honor. In this passage, Paul uses the term as a title indicating that Jesus deserves to be honored above all creation. In the following verse, Paul writes that everything that exists has been created by Jesus, just like John wrote in John 1. At the Council of Nicea in AD 325, Arius’s belief that Jesus was a created being and less than God was rightly rejected. We would say that Jesus and the Father are separate persons, but both fully and equally God. Therefore, we can be sure that there was NOT a time when He was not. • Jonathon Fuller • Why do you think believing Jesus is God is such an important part of being a Christian? How does it make you feel when you think about God Himself dying on the cross for us? • The word Trinity is how we describe that God is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What questions do you have about the Trinity? Who could you ask about it? • The controversy with Arius eventually resulted in the Nicene Creed, a brief summary of the gospel that unites Christians from around the world and throughout history. This creed is still read regularly in many churches today. If you’ve never read this creed, check it out! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 68:5-6; MATTHEW 7:9-11; LUKE 15:11-32; JOHN 10:27-30 What is a good father like? One who loves his children—not for what they do (or don’t do) but simply because they’re his. Who takes the time to simply be there to listen to his children, share in their dreams, and build them up with words of encouragement. Who is a safe place and a shelter from harm. But in this broken world, not all fathers are good fathers, and no father is perfect. If you had no positive father influences in your life, the concept of a good father might seem as distant as the far side of the sea. Even if you have a father figure who is an amazing example of what a father should be, he’ll still let you down sometimes because we’re all sinners in need of a Savior. Whatever we’ve personally experienced when it comes to fathers, we have this common thread of hope: once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, God is our Father. He is THE Father—here before the world was formed, speaking all creation into existence. He made each one of us, and He delights in us! He loves us so deeply that He gave His own life for us, even when we wanted nothing to do with Him. Like in Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, God is always waiting for us with open arms when we return from our wandering. There are no limits to His love, no sin too appalling. He always searches for the one who is lost. He gives good gifts to His children. He listens every time we call to Him. He teaches us and helps us become more like Jesus. He rejoices over us with singing! Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God has made the way for us to confidently approach His throne of grace, to find mercy and help in our time of need. He is our safe place, our refuge. He is the Rock we can stand on and the fortress we can hide in. He rescues us from sin and temptation…even from the grave! He strengthens us, protects us, encourages us. When we belong to our Father God, no one can snatch us out of His hands. • Savannah Coleman • What are some of the ways God has shown us He is a good Father? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 18:2; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:1-10; 19:10; John 1:1-14; 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:5; James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 5:7) • When you hear the word father, what comes to mind? If you’ve been abandoned or mistreated by your earthly father, know this: God wants so badly to be your Father that He suffered the cross for you. He will never abandon you. Consider taking some time to talk to God, letting your wounded heart be held and healed by the one who loves you unconditionally. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 1:3-14; HEBREWS 13:5; 1 PETER 1:3-9; 5:7 Whoa…I want to live in a house like that. Whoa…I want a life like that. I want a family like that. I want to look like that. I want… Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s? I know I spend a lot of time on social media, just dreaming of what life would be like if I could switch places with one person I follow. She seems to have it all together, and she seems to be content. But is she content because of everything she has…or because of her faith in God and the contentment He offers? Is she even content, or does she just look that way on social media? We compare ourselves to others all the time, and we quickly notice that we have less than some people do. We might start to feel like we haven’t been blessed like they have. We can easily find ourselves wanting more out of our lives—simply because we’ve seen others who seem to have things we don’t. This is called coveting. And God wants so much more for us than comparison and coveting. Jesus has come to give us life in abundance—and through His death and resurrection He has already poured out every blessing on us! So, what can we do when we realize we’re envious of someone else? We can turn to Jesus, remembering that He doesn’t play favorites, and He isn’t holding out on us. We can stop coveting as we rest in Jesus, thanking Him for what He’s given us. In this broken world, we won’t have perfect lives. But, no matter what, we are blessed because Jesus has made us part of His kingdom and given us an inheritance that will never be shaken. • Emily Acker • In what ways do you tend to compare yourself to other people? • What are some of the good things God has given you? What are some ways He has met your needs or brought you enjoyment? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (James 1:17) • God cares about all our needs, and one of the ways He provides for His people, is through His people. If you or someone you know doesn’t have what you need, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about this today? • If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 20:17; Psalm 131:2; Matthew 6:25-34; 28:20; John 10:10; Romans 2:11; 8:32; 12:13; Philippians 4:4-19; 1 Timothy 6:5-21; Hebrews 12:28. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) 

READ: MARK 3:13-19; LUKE 6:12-16; JOHN 6:66-71 Have you ever considered the twelve disciples? No, not the pale, scholarly figures from the picture books, but the real people described in the Bible. Some of them were fishermen—sunburned and wind-leathered—with loud laughter and rough manners. Peter (also called Simon and Cephas) was one of these, ever the one to stand tall and speak up (Matthew 14:22-33). His brother Andrew probably wished he’d keep quiet at times. James and John, sons of a man named Zebedee, were also fisherman and were known as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Matthew must have felt a little out of place, a former tax collector who would’ve been considered a traitor to his own people (Matthew 9:9). Then, there was Philip—curious and eager to follow Jesus (John 1:43-46). Of Bartholomew little is known. Thomas is often remembered for his moment of doubt (John 20:24-28). James, son of Alphaeus, is sometimes called “James, the Younger” to distinguish him from John’s brother. Next is Judas, often called Thaddeus to keep him from being confused with Judas Iscariot (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). Simon the Zealot was the revolutionary, a Jewish patriot looking for the glory of Israel (Luke 6:15). Finally, Judas Iscariot was a thief fighting with himself (John 12:4-6). He saw the goodness of Christ, yet he betrayed Him into the murderous hands of the religious leaders. The Twelve must have been a sight to behold as they followed Jesus all over the countryside. How did this rabble stay together, even after Christ’s resurrection and ascension? With Jesus—the risen Savior—uniting them in His love, and by His Spirit poured out on them at Pentecost, they became a close-knit community. Together, they saw God turn the world upside down by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the disciples, God worked to change the course of history. Not because of who they were, but because of who they followed. • Cheyenne Craven • Which of the disciples do you relate to the most? Why? • The Twelve came from a variety of different backgrounds. How can we learn to look past, and even appreciate, differences in other Christians and see what we have in common in Christ? Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 73; ROMANS 8:35-39 Throughout our lives, we all go through times when we feel depressed and discouraged. When we’re in pain, we may forget that we can talk with God, even if it’s just to be angry. Remember: nearly half of the psalms are complaints—also known as laments. Psalm 73 is my favorite gripe. Asaph is angry and deeply discouraged. He concludes that following God is a waste of time. He describes himself as “a brute beast before” God (verse 22). I’ve identified with that many times. I’ve met God in my failure, my frustration, my falling into sin. You too may meet Him in those ways—or in illness, a broken relationship, loss, or a lifelong burden. While it can be so easy to believe that God is distant or separated from us, in truth, Jesus is right there with us in the darkness (Psalm 139:7-12). In the midst of his misery, Asaph prays, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (verse 23). He connects with God in the midst of his struggle. And God is already there. He has been all along. We could say that Asaph invites God into his pain. Here’s the good part: When we go to Jesus, our situations may not change, but we do. Our Lord always points us somewhere—upward. Asaph continues, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (verses 24-25). So we can always have hope—no matter what—because we have a Savior in heaven. A Savior who has promised to return and put an end to sin, death, and suffering. A Savior who is with us through it all—who feels our hurts as His own. We can meet Jesus in our pain. • Peter Lundell • Can you think of a time you were in pain, but you could see how God was there with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and invite Him into any pain you’re in now. • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 28:20; Philippians 3:20-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 21:1-5. • If you’re wrestling with depression or other deep pain, who is someone you could share openly with about what you’re experiencing? 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). My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 119:12-16; JOHN 20:31; 1 CORINTHIANS 2 It can be difficult to make time to read the Bible, and it can also be tough to understand some of the things the Bible has to say. But the good news is, God has not left us alone in studying His Word. Once we know Jesus, He provides us with the Holy Spirit to help deepen our understanding of the gospel as we dig into the Bible (John 14:26; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). As you seek to learn through studying the Bible, here are some tips to get you started: First, read Bible passages slowly. We don’t need to feel like we have to rush through what we’re reading. Instead, we can take our time. There’s no rule about the amount of chapters or verses we need to read in a day. Instead of trying to read a lot, sometimes it’s better to try to get a lot out of what we read. Even if we only get through a couple verses, going slowly can help us learn more than we would if we sped through. Second, do some research. If we’re not sure what a certain passage is trying to say, it’s wise to do some searching. We can look for other Bible versions of the same passage and compare how each one is worded. We can also read commentaries on the passage that’s confusing to us. It’s important to look into a variety of sources and see what they have to say about what we’re reading—and, of course, to always be discerning about what or who we trust in our research. Third, don’t do it alone! It’s vital to be part of a local church body that loves Jesus and preaches His Word. And, especially when we’re stuck on a certain passage, it can be helpful to talk to trusted Christians in our lives, asking them to read the passage with us and talk together about what it means. As we study the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand more and more deeply God’s message of good news, and what He has done for us in Jesus. He is eager to reveal His boundless love for us (Ephesians 3:14-21), and to help us “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). • Emily Acker • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages. Why is it so important that the whole Bible points to Jesus? (For more about the gospel, the good news of Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • What questions do you have about the Bible? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can bring these questions to? Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT) 

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 1:1-4; 4:14-16 Wouldn’t it be great to have God speak to you today as He did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19? Sometimes, when I have a particularly pressing concern, I just want God to speak audibly to me so I can know exactly what He wants me to do. A gigantic, neon sign—instead of earthquakes or fire—would suffice. Although God may not speak to me in the dramatic ways I would like Him to, He does still speak. In fact, God wants so much to speak to His people that He came to earth and lived among us. When Jesus spoke to us, He taught us that God created us for relationship with Himself, but then our sin separated us from God. Jesus came so we could be close to God again. He was willing to suffer and die on a gruesome cross so we could be with Him forever. But what about after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven? Jesus explained in John 14, “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (verses 24-26). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, we can know that we have access to God Himself, always. The Spirit of Christ lives in us! Hebrews 1:1-3 really gets to the heart of the matter: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son [Jesus]…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” How incredible that we can listen to the God of the Universe through His Word, the Bible, and that we can talk with Him any time through prayer! In the Old Testament, God spoke to the prophets and His people in various ways. When God the Father sent God the Son to us, He spoke in the most powerful way of all: showering upon us His mercy, grace, and unfailing love. In Christ, God speaks. • Savannah Coleman • The same God who created the world and spoke with Adam and Eve wants to speak to us too. Even before sin entered the world, God had a plan to bring us back to Himself. Through Jesus, God made the way for us to have fellowship with Him and receive the forgiveness we desperately needed. How could you set aside time to listen to God in His Word and in prayer? The Son [Jesus] is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) 

READ: 1 KINGS 19:1-18 Fear gripped Elijah’s heart as he made his way toward the mouth of the cave. Forty days of traveling to the mountain of God. Forty days ago, he had prayed to God that he might die. Forty days ago, Elijah had fled to the wilderness because King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were hunting him down to end his life, just as they had done with the other prophets of God. Elijah was fleeing because of the events on Mount Carmel. On that mountain, Elijah and all the people had seen God’s power over Baal, the favored false god of the time. Only the One True God could prevail in sending fire from heaven and burning up the sacrifice—not to mention the stones, the dirt, and even the water that had drenched everything (1 Kings 18:17-46). But, after that victorious yet intense confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Elijah fell into despair, fleeing from the King and Queen’s certain wrath and begging for death. But even then, God was with Elijah, sending an angel to strengthen and refresh him. Now, Elijah rested in a cave on Mount Horeb, known as the mountain of God. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” the Lord asked (1 Kings 19:9). Elijah proceeded to pour out his heart as he curled up on the floor of the cave. God responded, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the LORD’s presence” (verse 11). Suddenly, a mighty wind began to tear the mountain apart. But God was not in the wind. Then, an earthquake came. Then, fire—fierce and sudden. But God was not in these two either. Abrupt and intense as the fire had come, silence fell over the mountain. There was only a gentle whisper—light and musical as a bubbling brook. Elijah knew this was the Lord. His God had chosen a whisper to speak to His servant. • Savannah Coleman • Today’s story is how one author imagines 1 Kings 19. Instead of reprimanding Elijah, God met him right where he was in his fear, giving him rest. God meets His people in the same way. While we were still sinners, Jesus—God in flesh—died and rose again so that everyone who puts their trust in Him could rest in His finished work, knowing we are secure in His love and forgiveness. What questions do you have about 1 Kings 19? What can this passage reveal to us about what God is like and how He interacts with us, His people? (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 11:28-30; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:14-16) “Though the mountains move and the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says your compassionate Lord. Isaiah 54:10 (CSB) 

READ: NUMBERS 21:4-9; JOHN 3:13-18; ROMANS 3:25-28; EPHESIANS 2:4-8 On the surface, the Old Testament passage about the bronze snake might seem like an odd story. While the Israelites were in the wilderness, they complained about the lack of bread and meat. They complained A LOT. They were grumbling against the Lord instead of bringing their concerns to Him. And they were forgetting how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt and how He was leading them to a Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. In response, the Lord sent dangerous snakes that killed many of the people. Then the people repented and asked Moses to intercede for them. And God is so rich in mercy and He loved them so much that He answered their prayer by providing a remedy. Under direction from the Lord, Moses made a bronze snake replica, mounted it on a pole, and held it up before the people. All who had been bitten and looked on it were healed! But why a bronze snake on a pole? Think about it. It’s not that the pole or the snake had magic powers. It was about an act of faith. The snake mounted on a pole likely resembled a cross. Looking forward to Jesus’s death at Calvary, God lovingly told His people to look at the cross-shaped image. All who looked up in faith were saved. And saved from what? From the harm of the serpents who bit the people. This hearkens back to the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were deceived by the deadly serpent, Satan—and where God promised to crush that serpent through Jesus, the Savior descended from Eve (Genesis 3:15). Whatever ills the serpent can inflict from the Garden of Eden until today, there is one who has overcome. The whole of the Old Testament points to the work of Jesus on the cross. When Jesus took our sin upon Himself and died the death we deserved, He made the way to forgive all our sins and rescue us from all the death and brokenness sin causes. It’s not some sort of magic made by humans like Moses. It’s the sacrificial work of God the Son to provide a remedy for our sin. Just as the Israelites were saved in the wilderness when they looked up in faith, so too will we be saved when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. • Mike Hurley • Can you think of a time God helped you, even after you complained against Him? • For more about what it means to put your trust in Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. [Jesus said,] “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” John 3:14 (NLT) 

READ: 2 SAMUEL 12:19-20; PSALMS 51:4; 142:1-5; HEBREWS 13:8 David’s identity changed a lot over his lifetime—from shepherd to outlaw to king. Through it all, we see his heart in the psalms he wrote. Even when he hid from King Saul in a cave, even when remorse overwhelmed him after murdering Uriah, even as he grieved the death of his son, he could focus his heart on worshiping God because of God’s unchanging identity. What’s significant about David’s lifestyle is that he didn’t reserve his worship for the good seasons. He didn’t worship only when playing his harp for Saul or when writing songs alone in the fields with the sheep. He worshiped even in life-threatening situations. When we look at David’s life, we see a very freeing truth—worshiping God is a lifestyle choice. There’s a story in 2 Samuel 23 when David craved water from a certain well. His strongest men broke through the Philistine camp, got the water, and brought it to David. Overwhelmed, David offered it to God by pouring it out on the ground (verses 13-17). His actions echo Lamentations 2:19: “Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.” There’s a difference between half-heartedly singing songs on a Sunday—and pouring out our hearts to God, choosing to remember His character even when we feel defeated. Worshiping through songs is a wonderful and important part of our walk with Jesus. But singing is only part of worship. Choosing a lifestyle of worship means focusing on God’s character even when others are against us, even when we’ve sinned against God and need to repent, even when our world is falling apart. It means coming to Jesus and pouring out our hearts—in good times and bad—relying on His steadfast love and forgiveness (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). As we do, we are buoyed with hope in our Savior. Worship as a lifestyle means our worship isn’t based on our feelings but on God’s character. This can encourage us: though our feelings will come and go, His character stays the same. He is always worthy of worship! • Sarah Rexford • When you hear the word worship, what comes to mind? How does it make you feel? • God wants us to come to Him just as we are, with all our messy thoughts and feelings, and to behold His great goodness, mercy, and love. He invites us to open our hearts to Him, and to praise and thank Him for who He is and what He’s done for us. How could you worship today? Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:3-4 (NIV)  

READ: JOHN 8:12; EPHESIANS 2:12-13; COLOSSIANS 1:12-14 I was stuck in the darkness Didn’t know there was light Yet a flame in the darkness Was burning so bright But I was blind to the fire Couldn’t see the bright flames Till a voice from the fire Called out my name I didn’t want to believe it Or raise up false hope But the voice drew me closer And it gave me a home Now I live in the light In a bright, hopeful home I thank God for His voice And for the flames of His hope • Gracie Brooke • We were born to the darkness, born to sin and despair. But God doesn’t want us to live in the darkness without any hope. His love reaches out to us, beckons us to come and live with Him, to be enfolded in His love, light, and hope. Jesus is the Light of the world, and He faced the deep darkness of the grave so that we could have a home with Him in His kingdom of light. For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. • As we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, darkness is still prevalent. Yet we can know that we belong to Jesus, the Light. We have His constant presence with us—guiding us, protecting us, blessing us, and empowering us to shine His light as we reach out to others in His love. What kind of darkness have you experienced lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about this. You can be honest about how the darkness feels—and you can ask Him to help you see how He is bringing light, and how He might be inviting you to be part of His good work. • If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 139:11-12; Matthew 4:16; John 1:1-18; 3:16-21; 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:5–2:1; Revelation 21:1-5; 23-24; 22:5. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 73:23-26; 1 PETER 5:7 I struggle with anxiety every day. It’s not because I don’t know that God loves me and that He’ll take care of me—I do know this—but it’s simply something that I deal with. Maybe you struggle with anxiety too. There are some daily habits I’ve taken on that seem to help me live with a little more peace. These are not a cure, but they help me feel calmer and more easily able to trust God. I pray and read my Bible at the start of every day. This helps me get my focus where it should be, and it allows me time to cast my anxiety on God (Colossians 3:1-2; 1 Peter 5:7). I move my body in some way in the morning. Sometimes I follow videos that I find online to slowly stretch and breathe, and lately I’ve started playing worship music while doing heel raises and squats too. I try to go for a daily walk. This gives me a chance to move my body again, be in nature, and enjoy being alone with God. I usually feel the least anxious while walking. I know that not getting enough sleep affects my mind and how I feel, so I take time to rest when I can—especially if I’m feeling extra tired or extra anxious. God loves us, and He will take care of us. He has us in His hand. I’ve found it’s easiest for me to believe all that when I’m taking care of my body and getting the rest I need. May you find relief in the midst of your anxiety, maybe even by taking on some of the habits that I have. And may you experience the love of Jesus, who is always with you. • Emily Acker • Have you discovered any habits that help you feel peaceful? We live in a world that’s full of stressors and anxiety. Thankfully, Jesus understands how we feel, and He promises that anxiety will be gone forever when He returns. And in the meantime, He promises to always be with us. How could it be helpful to remember that, whenever we feel anxious, Jesus is right here with us? • God wants to help us in lots of ways, including prayer and Scripture—and the care and expertise of other people. When you find yourself feeling worried or anxious, 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). [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: PSALM 139:1-12; MATTHEW 6:9-13; ROMANS 8:26-39 “What’s wrong with me?” I said to myself as unwelcome thoughts invaded my prayer time. Guilt consumed me. My desire to pray was spoiled by toxic thoughts. This was my special time with God, and I felt like I’d failed. “How can I call myself a Christian? I’ll have to quit praying.” Has this happened to you too? If so, you’re not alone. I discovered there were strategies that helped me, and hopefully they’ll help you too. 1. Remember the world is dysfunctional. Trying to live a holy, God-filled life in a broken world is difficult because humanity is scarred from the effects of original sin (Genesis 3). Thankfully, Jesus knows we’re imperfect, and He wants to walk with us in our brokenness. Dwelling on the ways we think we’ve failed does not help, but bringing them to Jesus will. 2. Acknowledge the struggle and keep praying. One day at church, I felt like the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask someone if they’d ever suffered terrible thoughts while praying. This believer had, in fact, experienced a similar problem! “Pray more” was the helpful advice given. When we pray, we encounter Jesus, which is why our prayers are powerful. That’s why the enemy wants to disrupt us before we begin. When we’re tempted to think, “What’s the use of praying if I keep getting distracted?” we can remember that Jesus knows our hearts. He is with us in our struggle. We can hand it over to Him. This can be as simple as saying, Lord, you know these thoughts aren’t mine. I don’t want them. Help me focus on you (see Romans 6:11-12). 3. Remember that God is loving. He adores us more than we could ever imagine. He understands us and sees our daily struggle. Nothing can separate us from His love, because He came to repair our broken relationship with Himself through dying on the cross and rising from the grave (Romans 8:38-39). Even when our minds are distracted, He knows our desire to spend time with Him. Meditating on these truths by reading Scripture or praying aloud can be helpful ways to concentrate. We can say things like, “Father, you know me, you understand my struggle. You are loving and merciful. Thank you for being with me right now.” • Cindy Lee • Have you struggled with troublesome thoughts while praying? Jesus has so much compassion for you, and He wants to help. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? You can ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to people who’ve experienced what you’re going through. There is freedom in being open with trusted believers who can listen, provide advice, or simply pray with us. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (WEB) 

READ: ACTS 2:41-47; 6:1-7; ROMANS 12:1-21; EPHESIANS 5:19 The lights flickered off, and a voice wavered over the intercom as rain began pelting the glass dome above my head. “The Atmospheric Observation Center has upgraded the oncoming macro to a category five. Please make your way to a designated safety location.” The Center always rated the storms that raged across the tundra against the likelihood that they would knock out our electrical plant. When that happened, it could take several days for our techs to repair the damage. A category five meant only our most vital, life-sustaining systems would remain activated until the macro passed. All other systems would be shut down, conserving energy just in case. By the faint glow of the floor lights, I made my way from the food plots to the underground amphitheater where members of our pod would gather to wait out the storm. Everyone congregated there—mechanics, food service, medical, daycare workers. It took people of many skills and abilities working together to maintain life on a hostile planet. By the time I arrived, many of my neighbors were already clustered around battery-powered lamps carrying blankets, food packets, and cups of hot chocolate. There was no telling how long the macro might last. It could be a day. It could be a week. People were settling in, preparing for a long haul. “Micah, come join us!” a man called to me. I recognized Manuel, one of our systems technicians. He carried a guitar and gestured to a group gathered around a board game. I waved in acknowledgement and entered the queue forming to check out survival kits. Rather than fearing these storms, we chose to think of them as an opportunity to gather with friends, to encourage each other, to laugh, to share, to sing, and sometimes to cry. As frightening as macros could be, the hardships they brought served to remind us we were all in this thing together—and our God was with us too. • Michelle Isenhoff • What stuck out to you in today’s allegorical story? As Christians, we’re all part of God’s family, and He calls us to live life together and care for each other, reminding one another of Jesus’s love, promises, forgiveness, and presence with us. Can you think of a time you weathered a storm with some of your siblings in Christ? What was that like? How can the example of the early church teach us how to live in community today? Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 (CSB) 

READ: JOHN 10:10-18, 27-28; 1 PETER 2:24-25 “The sheep are too close to the road!” I said to my husband. We were on our daily walk, which took us past a field where we frequently saw sheep grazing. But today, the green grass near the road enticed them into dangerous territory: the yard between the shepherd’s house and a busy road. We alerted the shepherd, and he confirmed the sheep were in an off-limits area. When he called to them, they immediately turned from the lush grass and followed him to the safe pasture. This scene reminded me of Jesus’s words in John 10: “I am the good shepherd…My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” (verses 11, 27). What are the blessings of following the Good Shepherd? Jesus gave His life for us when He died on the cross because He loves us (verse 11). Jesus protects us (verses 12-13). Through Jesus, we know God the Father (verses 14-15). Jesus gives us eternal life through His own resurrection from the grave (verses 17-18, 28). As Christians, what is our response to the Good Shepherd’s voice? We know Him (verses 14). We recognize His voice and follow Him (verses 27-28). Many voices demand our attention, so how do we learn to listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice? As we read the Bible and pray, both individually and with fellow Christians, the Holy Spirit allows us to hear Jesus’s voice, shows us how to follow Him, and empowers us to do so. By responding to the Shepherd’s voice, we receive more than just safe pasture. We follow the one who loves us so much that He took our sins to the cross and made us right before God. Our eternal destiny is with Jesus, the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20). • Debbie Ewald • How does it make you feel to think of yourself as a sheep and Jesus as your shepherd? • Like sheep can be enticed by grass growing in dangerous places, sometimes we’re enticed by the allures of sin, believing, as the old saying goes, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” But the truth is, sin is just one of the ways the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy—while Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wants to give us life in abundance (Psalm 37:3-4; John 10:10). We often forget that God’s ways are best, and that every good gift comes from Him, but He continues to pursue us through His Word, His Spirit, and His people (Luke 15:1-7; James 1:12-18). Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you notice when you’re straying into sin, remind you of Jesus’s goodness, and help you grow in discerning His voice? [Jesus said,] “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 34:1-8 I wish I had known sooner that the more time I spend with God, the closer He actually feels. As an adult—and especially over the course of the past few years—I have felt closer to God than I ever did before. I feel Him here with me. I have conversations with Him all throughout my day. I know that He’s there, and I trust Him. I believe all this happened because I started spending more time praying and more time reading my Bible. As soon as I leaned into God, I felt a growing sense of closeness. When I was younger, I believed in Jesus, but I didn’t necessarily feel Him with me in the way that I do now. I wish I had known, on days when I felt lonely or scared, that He was there with me. He was right beside me. He was always inviting me to spend time getting to know Him and just being with Him. God is there for you too. Psalm 145:18 tells us, “The LORD is near to all who call on him.” And James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” I encourage you to spend time with God, reading your Bible and praying, so that you may know Him better and feel closer to Him. Reach out to Him, focus on Him, and let Him be there for you. • Emily Acker • Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Because Jesus died and rose again for us, everyone who has put their trust in Him has been brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13). Yet so often, we as Christians don’t take time to enjoy that nearness. How might God be inviting you to enjoy His nearness today? • For more about what it means to know Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 8:38-39; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-57; HEBREWS 2:14-15 What cause of death are you most afraid of? For me, it’s definitely getting eaten by a great white shark. (Yeah, and all those episodes of Shark Week have not helped me overcome my greatest fear!) We can think of all kinds of terrifying ways to die, but the truth is many people find death itself equally terrifying. This leads us to an interesting question: should Christians be afraid of death? According to Hebrews 2:14-15, Jesus came to earth for the very purpose of dying. We may be tempted to believe that, because Jesus died on the cross, He must have somehow failed His mission to earth. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Jesus’s death on the cross accomplished two momentous victories! The first victory is the defeat of the devil (Hebrews 2:14). It’s true that the devil still exists and is active today; however, he is completely powerless over believers. There is nothing he can do to force you to obey him in any way. In fact, James 4:7 says, “ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The second victory is deliverance from the “fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15). One of the devil’s greatest weapons is his ability to enslave people to this fear. By dying on the cross, Jesus made this weapon powerless. How is that possible? Through His death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin that each of us owes. And through His resurrection, He overcame the power of death. Once we’ve personally trusted in Jesus as our Savior from sin and death, we no longer need to be afraid of facing God’s wrath when we die (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27-28). Instead, we can rest in the sure hope of Jesus. He promises that all His people “will live, even though they die,” and they will enjoy the presence of God forever (John 11:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 21:1-5). Because of Jesus’s love, we no longer need to be scared to death of death. • Jonathon Fuller • What are a few reasons someone might be afraid of death? Take a moment to write these down. • Reread today’s Bible passages. Why would the above reasons to be afraid of death no longer apply to someone who belongs to Jesus? • Sometimes, even if we know there’s no reason to fear, we still feel afraid. And God has so much compassion on us! If you’re struggling with fears of death, consider taking some time to talk to Him about it. In addition to talking to God, who is a trusted Christian adult you could talk to? “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 58:10; MATTHEW 25:31-40; 1 JOHN 4:19 In college, I worked part-time in a children’s ministry program. My tasks ranged from organizing outreach events to teaching elementary schoolers about Jesus. Though some moments were more glamorous than others (ahem, cleaning acrylic paint off a child’s sneakers), everything felt important. This was what serving God feels like. Or so I thought. After that role ended, God called me to take a break from children’s ministry. I prayed about how He wanted me to serve during this season. What God provided wasn’t at all what I was expecting. A single mom was in need of someone to help her daughter get ready for school and drive her there every morning. This wasn’t teaching biblical truths. This wasn’t planning a community event. And it didn’t result in a thank you card. It was simply showing up with God’s love at an hour when most people would rather be sleeping. Including me. After wrestling with God, I agreed. The first few times were tough, especially when it was difficult to find conversation topics. But I kept coming, day after day, until something clicked. We found things in common. She began waking up early so that we could spend more time together, and I looked forward to seeing her. I finally realized God had given me a precious gift. The gift of being able to love Him through my interactions with His daughter. Serving God looks different in each season of life. Right now, it might be teaching Sunday school or playing in the worship band. But it could also mean helping an elderly neighbor carry her groceries or sitting next to a shy kid at lunch. The size of our service isn’t important. What matters is that we’re serving others out of our love for God and one another. How can we do this? By remembering how much God loves us—so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own life on the cross for our sins, and then rise from the dead so we could experience His love forever! As you rest in Jesus, keep your eyes open to how God might be prompting you to show His love today. • Hannah Chung • Can you think of a time someone helped you and you experienced God’s love through them? What did they say or do? Sometimes we worry that our acts of service aren’t enough to make a difference, but God’s standards aren’t the same as human standards. God has the power to work through us to make an impact that’s far greater than anything we can do on our own. (John 6:1-14) [Jesus said,] “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (NIV) 

READ: HEBREWS 4:14-16; JAMES 1:1-8, 16-25; 3:13-18 Where do you turn when you need advice? On our phones, we carry around more information in our pockets than most people throughout history have ever had access to. But here’s the thing: our lives aren’t filled with identical, cookie-cutter problems. No quick video can fix our every relationship issue. And even if we use search engines or AI to gather information and suggestions on the exact struggles we face day in and day out, we have no guarantee these tools will steer us in a good direction. James offers a solution in the beginning of his letter to the church. He starts out by saying we all face hard times in this broken world. But he also tells us where to turn when we don’t know what to do. When we need wisdom in our lives, James gives us real hope and clarity by reminding us that God has the wisdom we need, and He gives it freely—without holding back or holding it against us. Jesus isn’t stingy with His help; He wants us to have what we need. To take hold of this wisdom, James explains that, as Christians, we simply need to go to Jesus and ask for it in faith. We can be proactive in seeking wisdom because we have confidence God will follow through. Because Jesus is faithful, we can trust Him to provide what we need as we spend time in His Word, in prayer, and with His people. When we seek God’s wisdom, we can seek it confidently. God has given us everything we need to live godly lives in the knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). And He fully equips us for life through His Word, the Bible, where He shows us the good news of Jesus and how it affects every facet of our lives (2 Timothy 3:14-17). • Phil Cox • When you need advice, where is the first place you tend to go? Why do you think God wants us to go to Him for wisdom first and foremost? • God provides wisdom and guidance through His Word and His Holy Spirit, and also through His people, the church. What are some of the benefits of seeking wisdom from real people we know in real life? • According to James 3:13-18, how can we recognize godly wisdom? What sets it apart from false wisdom? (If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 41 and James 1–5.) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 (NIV) 

READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 “What’s next?” It’s the ever-present question. It comes up every time you change schools, pick classes, or consider options for what to do after high school. When I’m asked this question, I sometimes think it means I’m not good enough. Have you ever had similar thoughts? I haven’t “arrived” at where they think I should be. I don’t know “what’s next”! I was enjoying high school, but now I’m fixated on what comes after this. I find myself becoming discontent, no longer happy where I am. I start comparing myself to other people: They have so many things I don’t have. A nice car. A significant other. A cat. A dog. A plan! As I reflect on what others are doing, I can get so focused on things I might do in the future that I lose sight of what God is doing in me right now. When the Apostle Paul was in prison, I’m sure he would sometimes look around and think of all the other things he could be doing rather than sitting in a cell. But after having been in chains for quite some time, he says he has “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). That doesn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about what could happen if he were released from prison, but it didn’t consume him. Paul was excited about the possibilities, but he was also content where he was. Notice Paul says he had to learn contentment (verses 11-12). It wasn’t like he flipped a switch and everything was suddenly sunshine and roses. No, learning contentment was a process. The Holy Spirit was working in Paul all along. Because he knew Jesus, Paul was able to rest in peace and joy, equipped to do the work God put before him…and even to dream about where God would call Him next. • Kristi Dennis • How do you feel when you hear questions like, “What’s next?” • Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5. God invites us to dream about the future, holding our plans with open hands and relying on Him for wisdom and guidance all along the way. How could it encourage us to know that God wants to help us, and He is the one who can direct our steps? I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 78:1-4; JOHN 1:1-14 Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and been completely blown away? A story with characters who face the same struggles as you, a hero you can cheer for, and a rescue story that grips you from start to finish? Sometimes we find it hard to see the Bible the way we see any other story. We lose sight of the fact that it has all the elements of the stories we love: action, romance, poetry, stirring speeches, and words that inspire us. But here’s the amazing part: the Bible is one, real story—all about Jesus. The Bible starts its true story at the very beginning, setting up the scene. Creation: a perfect world. But then conflict arises. We rebel against God, and the story takes a bad turn. But the moment this tragedy happens, a hero is promised. God has an incredible rescue plan from the start—a plan He continues to fulfill across generations, never giving up. Jesus is that perfect hero. He comes and lives among us, fully God and yet also fully human. In the climax, He faces evil by dying on the cross, and, when we think our hope is lost, He has ultimate victory against all odds by rising from the grave, ascending into heaven as the true King, and promising to continue the work He started…and to finish it when He returns. But, even though we are still living in unresolved conflict today—still struggling with sin and the brokenness it causes—we are living in the “declining action.” In plot terms, that means the end is written. It means we know who comes out victorious in the end: Jesus is returning to execute justice and make all things new (John 5:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 21:1-5). The best part: the Bible is a true story, and in Christ, we’re an important part of it. If your trust is in Jesus, you are a part of God’s final, eternal victory too. So when life seems boring, pointless, or difficult, you can trust God is writing something beautiful. And He invites you to be part of the good things He is doing! Remember, He has promised to work His good kingdom purposes through everything—and to always stay by your side (Romans 8:28-38). • Abby Ciona • What is one of your favorite stories? What do you love about it? • Have you ever thought of the Bible as an amazing, unified story? If you want to learn more about the true story of the Bible—and how you can be part of it—check out our "Know Jesus" page. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 139; LUKE 12:6-7; ROMANS 5:6-11 Recently, a friend told me I walk really loudly. My other friends heartily agreed: they could always tell when it was me walking because my steps were so loud. To be honest, I was caught off guard and a little embarrassed. I’d gone twenty-two years of my life without knowing about my noisy walk. Even though I thought I knew myself well, here was a fact I was totally oblivious to. The whole thing got me thinking though. However much my friends know about me, God knows so much more. God knows the things I know about myself—like how much I enjoy chocolate or that I love dogs (even though I’m allergic). But God also knows the things about me that I don’t know. He even knows things about me that only He—as my Creator and Savior—knows. He knows my victories and my failures better than myself or anyone else (Psalm 19:12; Romans 8:26-27). This knowing makes Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross all the more extraordinary. It wasn’t a sacrifice for a stranger. Jesus’s death and resurrection was for someone fully known. In His love, He died for me, even when I was still a sinner (Romans 5:8). Because I’ve put my trust in Him, I can rest in the truth that I am fully known and deeply loved. • Naomi Zylstra • How well do you think your friends and family know you? • When was the last time you learned something new about yourself? Did it change anything? • How might remembering that God knows us completely help us rest in the truth that He loves us completely? [Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep.” John 10:14 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 5:2-11; EPHESIANS 1:1-23; 3:14-21; 2 PETER 1:3 Once again, I was enjoying one of the several state parks near me. I had been coming here for the past ten years, and I always stopped at the front because the channel was so beautiful, the beach was gorgeous, people were paddle boarding on the lake…what more could you want? I didn’t realize until today, when I took the road deeper in, that the park is so much bigger, so much more than I could have ever imagined. This whole time, the park was just waiting for me to explore more, but I had been satisfied with the limited space I knew. I began to think about how similar this is to our relationship with God. In Christ, we have been given all His riches, all the fullness of His glory in Christ Jesus. In Paul’s letter to God’s faithful people in Ephesus, he begins by reminding them, along with all of us who know Jesus, of the blessings we have as children of God. We are lovingly chosen and adopted by God (Ephesians 1:4-6, 11). We have redemption through the blood of Jesus and forgiveness for our sins, according to the riches of His grace (verse 7). We have wisdom and understanding about the will of God in Christ (verse 8). We were created for the praise of His glory (verse 12, 14). We have the Holy Spirit as our helper and counselor as we wait for Christ’s return, reminding us that we belong to God (verse 13-14). This is what we have as children of God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again to save us, a whole new world is open to us! But how often are we, how often am I, satisfied with just a taste of life with Him? I could go so much deeper in my walk with God! I could experience His presence on infinitely deeper levels than I am now. Let’s dive into the depths of God and explore all these riches we have in Him, instead of being satisfied with just a glimpse. • Savannah Coleman • Can you think of a time you took a step deeper into your relationship with God? What was that like? • In what ways would you like to go even deeper in your walk with Jesus? Maybe you’d like to read the Bible more often, or understand more of its context, or pray more intimately, or serve more courageously. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can come alongside you on the journey? I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)