READ: GENESIS 50:15-20; ROMANS 15:23-24; EPHESIANS 1:1-2; 6:19-20 Life as he knew it was over. His most precious possession was out of reach. Impossible to retrieve. He lay on the floor, nose touching the ground, limbs outspread in utter dejection. He was eighteen months old, and his red ball had rolled behind the sofa. She was eighteen years old, and the college she wanted to go to had accepted her. But her estranged father wouldn’t pay for a private school. Her hard-working mother couldn’t. She sat on the sofa, tears running down her cheeks. He was old. Near the end of his life. He had always wanted to go to Spain. Plant new churches. Tell the good news to people who had not yet heard. Yet here he was under house arrest in Rome. How could he accomplish his dreams when his movements were so limited? Paul picked up a pen. “To God’s holy people in Ephesus…” Perhaps a few people would read the letter he wrote. No matter your age, life can have its disappointments. If Paul had been free to do more traveling, he might have touched hundreds of lives. Because he couldn’t travel, he wrote letters, often with help from others. Letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, and Philemon. Instead of words that might be heard by hundreds in the first century A.D., he wrote words that would be read by millions or even billions over many centuries. Words that would change hearts and minds. Even today. Even in parts of the world unknown in Paul’s time. God, in His infinite wisdom, doesn’t always give us what we ask for. Has God said “no” to some of your requests? Maybe you didn’t make the team. Or get a part in the play. Or get accepted into the school you really wanted to attend. God always listens to our prayers. But sometimes He has a better plan. Be open to His leading. • Carol Raj • Can you think of a time when you didn’t get something you wanted, but later you were grateful for how things turned out? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • As Christians, we trust God with our eternal salvation, believing that Jesus’s death and resurrection has made the way for us to be forgiven and be with God forever. Yet, sometimes it feels so hard to trust Him with our desires. Remember, Jesus cares about our longings. He holds us and weeps with us in our pain. And when He returns, our every desire will be fulfilled. How could these truths help us draw near to Jesus in times of disappointment or suffering? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 23; 1 JOHN 1:1-5 Chester turned his face to the sun one last time before climbing into the truck. Though the sun hung low in the sky like always, not providing much warmth, Chester knew he would miss it almost as much as he would miss his family. He was leaving all light and warmth behind to work in the shadowside mines for three months. It paid well, and his family needed the money. As the truck ventured into the plains of the planet’s dark hemisphere, Chester craned his neck to see the last wisps of the sun’s glow fading behind them. Then he turned around and stared into the darkness ahead. There were no roads here, no people except for those carted out to work in the mines. Because Athebos was a tidally locked planet, which meant one side always faced the sun and the other was perpetually in darkness, cities were built on the perimeter of the two halves in what was called the twilight belt. Athebos was a mineral-rich world, and nearly all its interplanetary exports came from mining. Brightside mining operations were deep underground, safe from the sun’s intense heat and radiation, but solar panels on the surface kept the mining tunnels warm and well lit. Mining on the opposite side of the planet, however, was an entirely different experience. Far from the sun’s rays, the battery-powered shadowside tunnels were always dark and cold. When the day’s work was done, you could go up to the surface, but there was no warmth or light there either—only a solid blanket of stars in the eternal darkness of night. As the truck drove deeper into the darkness, Chester suddenly felt panic seize his heart. Thoughts whirled through his mind. What if something happens to my family? What if working out here still isn’t enough to provide for them? What if I never see the sun again? Chester closed his eyes and took deep breaths. One of his favorite psalms came to mind, and he repeated one of the verses over and over in his head. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. He opened his eyes and looked outside. The darkness was thick and unmoving as molasses, but a sense of peace began to loosen the grip of panic in his chest. He was going shadowside, but he wasn’t alone. Jesus, the One who defeated death itself, was here with him in the darkness. • Courtney Lasater • Have you faced a “valley of the shadow of death” in your own life? What was it? How did you make it through? • Jesus faced the valley of the shadow of death quite literally when He willingly left the glory of heaven, took on human flesh, and died on the cross for our sins. When He rose from the dead, He defeated sin and death so that we could enjoy the light of His presence for all eternity (1 John 1:1-5). If you know Him as your Savior, you can rest in His promise to be with you through every dark valley. Nothing can ever separate you from His love (Romans 8:35-39). If you want to know more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • Have you ever felt Jesus’s presence in the dark valleys of your life? What was that like? If you’ve never felt Jesus’s presence with you, you can ask God for this anytime; He delights in answering these prayers. • Spending time in the Word is one of the primary ways we can spend time with Jesus. If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about how Jesus is the Light in Matthew 4:16; John 1:1-5; 8:12; 12:46; Acts 26:9-18; 2 Corinthians 4:6; James 1:17. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no

READ: EXODUS 34:5-6; MALACHI 3:6; MATTHEW 7:24-29; 14:22-33 The world is constantly changing. There are always new technologies being developed and new ways of doing things. Each generation puts different emphases on different issues. It can be easy to feel like our parents and grandparents don’t understand what we’re facing today because certain things about life are just different. Yet, no matter which generation you’re from, growing up is a process everyone has to go through, including Jesus. He knows what it’s like to be a teenager in a changing world filled with lots of different opinions, and He knows what it’s like to be misunderstood (Luke 2:41-52). Even though everything around us feels like it’s changing faster than we can keep up with, one thing remains the same. God. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. His love, His trustworthy character, and His commitment to rescuing His people and restoring His creation can never be shaken. Having Jesus be the constant in our lives helps us find our bearing. It helps us to know where to look when everything else is uncertain. We never have to worry about God changing and becoming something different. We don’t have to worry that He’s not going to understand us. We don’t have to be afraid that He’s going to want something different from us. We know He’s going to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. • Tynea Lewis • How do you tend to handle change? Are you someone who enjoys change, or not so much? • What is one thing you’ve seen change in the last five years, either in the world or in your own life? Do you think people view this change differently depending on which generation they’re from? How might God be bringing good out of this change? (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28-29) • How could knowing that God doesn’t change, and yet He perfectly understands everything going on in our world and in our lives, bring us comfort through all the changes we experience? Consider taking some time to talk to God about the changes around you and about what you think and feel about them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 139; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 3:17; 16:7-14 I work in the office of our local fire department, and unfortunately sometimes part of the fire department’s job is locating the bodies of people who have drowned. This is a valuable service that can help bring some peace to the victim’s family. However, it can be difficult to locate people under water—especially in more harsh weather conditions. So, our fire department recently purchased a new tool to help them do this. Previously, the fire fighters had to walk through the water in a line, spread out every few feet to thoroughly search an area. But now, from what I understand, they have an underwater drone that will do most of the searching for them. All they have to do is use it. In a similar way, sometimes we have things that are hidden in us. Sins. Struggles. Frustrations. We might just look across the waters of our hearts and assume there’s nothing there. Or we might be in the water, wading aimlessly. Or we might be ruffling the waves, stirring up the silt and creating a difficult waterway. Or we might even be tying cement blocks to some of our struggles, hoping they’ll just sink, disappear. But there’s no need. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit to help us with the hidden things of our hearts (John 16:7-14). So, we can pray Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” If we ask the Lord to search us and help us process the things that may be hidden even from ourselves, He is more than willing to bring us into His rest. He is willing to get in the water with us, not just convicting us and leaving us to wallow in how wretched we feel, but encouraging us, and leading us through (John 3:17). • Natty Maelle • Have you ever asked the Lord to search you, like David did in Psalm 139? What was that like? • What stops you from asking the Lord to search you? The fear of being fully known can hold us back from being open with God, but He already knows everything about us, and He loves us completely. • Consider taking some time to ask God to search you, and then pause and listen. He may bring to mind a sin He wants you to confess, a hurt He wants to touch, or a lie He wants to free you from. He may invite you to make a change in your life. His correction always comes with hope. As you listen to God, who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern His voice? Remember, God never contradicts His Word, the Bible. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB) 

READ: ISAIAH 53:1-12; MATTHEW 26:27-28; 27:35-54; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19, 21 Early I come to behold Your face,Seeking still Your glorious grace,Christ who died…holy…divine,Love crucified. Blessed be the Lord my God,Blessed be, O, blessed be,Blessed be the Lord! In shame the sun did turn away,As darkness in the silence reigned,God in flesh afflicted then,Cursed for all our sin. Holy is the Lord my God,Holy is, O, holy is,Holy is the Lord! Hail the light of breaking dawn,Christ the King, the Risen One!Wounded God who intercedes,‘Tis Thy blood we plead. Blessed be the Lord my God,Blessed be, O, blessed be,Blessed be the Lord! As He bore in His body the curse for our sin, who can imagine the deep agony Jesus felt—hanging in the darkness those final hours? The cost of our sin to God is truly unfathomable, yet His love for us is greater still, for He gave Himself up to save us (John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25-27). As we reflect on both the glory and the sorrow of the cross, let’s pray for the courage to turn toward God when we feel forsaken, knowing that on the cross Jesus hung in that silent, empty space for us—so we never have to. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can be certain that through any silence—or any suffering—we are not alone. God is present, and He is also at work, in every joy and every pain, to draw us into Himself (Romans 8:28-29). The cross stands as stark proof that God will walk through death, darkness, and despair to bring us near (Psalm 23:4). May our praises never cease for Christ our Sin-Bearer—for “God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • G. Kam Congleton • Consider taking a moment to picture Jesus on the cross. It is good and right to turn to Him in praise, and also in lament, honestly crying out to Him about anything that is troubling you. He is worthy to receive it all. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. Galatians 3:13 (NLT)  

READ: ROMANS 2:9-16; 3:21-31; TITUS 3:3-8 It was a sweltering Sunday. We were a few days into the mission trip, and I decided this must be the usual climate in Costa Rica. The small church was filled with people. There was no air conditioning. We were on the third hymn when my vision began blurring. All I could think was, I need water. The last thing I remember before losing consciousness was gripping the back of the pew. Soon I felt my dad’s strong arms. He carried me from the stuffy sanctuary into the small church office. A few years after this experience, someone shared with me that he viewed God as a disappointed father, a father who would point his finger and judge you. Yes, Scripture says that God will judge all of our hearts (Romans 2:16). Yet, I reminded that person, the same God who is a righteous judge loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we could be forgiven. God saves us “because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Though it is in God’s character to judge our hearts justly, it is also in His character to pursue us with love (Luke 15:1-32; 19:10). That morning in Costa Rica reminds me of God’s grace. I had not heeded what my dad wisely advised me: to stay hydrated. So, I suffered from dehydration. However, my dad picked me up when I was too weak to walk and carried me to safety. This is what God does for us too. Yes, God always wants us to listen to Him and bring all our thoughts, words, and actions in line with His good ways. Yet the same God knows we fall short, and, through Jesus, He saves us from sin and death and offers us a life free from shame and condemnation (Psalm 34:5; Romans 8:1). A life lived in the fullness of God’s grace and love. He is our Advocate, Savior, and Father—He cannot be divided. He is all of His attributes at the same time and in complete fullness. Because He is the same merciful God. • Daevis McMurphy • When do you struggle to see God as a good Father? Why do you think this might be? Consider taking some time to tell God how you feel. You can bring Him all your questions, doubts, anger, fear, sorrow, and disappointment. And you can ask Him to show you His true character as a good Father, Savior, and Advocate, all in one. He will be faithful to do this. • We can be sure God is a good Father because He mercifully sent Jesus. Do you know someone who is struggling to see God as a good Father? Consider taking some time to pray for them. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; 1 PETER 4:10-11 When was the last time you hurt one of your fingers? It happens often— it’s so easy to accidently cut, bruise, break, or burn our fingers, and then we have to figure out how to do everyday things like eat or write or drive with a hurting or bandaged finger while we wait for it to heal. We don’t tend to think about our fingers much…until we can’t use them. Then we see how much we really need them. They’re way more important than we ever knew! And God says that’s exactly how it is with the believers who make up His church. All the people who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior are referred to as “the church,” or “the body of Christ,” and every single member is important—just like every part of our physical bodies is important. Each person has a job to do for the body to function properly. If we exclude members of the body of Christ because we think they have nothing to offer, it’s like we’re operating with a broken finger. But, if we stress that each person has a part to play in the church, more people will see how valuable and welcome they are. In the same way, if we believe that we have nothing to offer the church, then we are limiting what the church can do. Do you think you’re not really needed or maybe even able to serve Jesus? If so, you’re wrong. Things you can do may seem small to you, but each part of the body of Christ is needed. Because, if you know Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. God has equipped and empowered you to serve, and you are a valuable part of His body. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time someone showed you Jesus’s love? What was that like? • Throughout our lives, we may be able to build up the body of Christ in different ways. In this season of your life, what can you do to serve and show people Christ’s love? What are some of your natural abilities and spiritual gifts? If you’re not sure, who is a trusted Christian you know who could pray with you and help you discern how God has equipped you? Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 1:1-15; 8:12-18; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 Vacation time for my family when I was a kid usually involved tents and sleeping bags. We enjoyed the outdoors, and camping helped us stay close to nature—while also saving on hotel costs. As a little kid, I took notice of signs where we camped warning us of bears in the area. Although my parents reassured me that we’d be safe inside our tent, I asked to hold a flashlight when I bedded down for the night. Even though I realized a flashlight would offer little defense against a black bear, I found comfort in knowing I could flick on that light whenever I felt afraid in the dark. I still go camping, but I no longer grasp a flashlight as I fall asleep. Sometimes real life seems far scarier than a night at a wooded campsite, though, and now I need a different kind of light to fortify me during life’s uncertainties and unknowns. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In His holiness and love, Jesus dispelled the darkness of confusion and sin so that we might know God. He did this by laying down His life for us. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the grave to make the way for us to have a relationship with Him, Jesus shines His light into our hearts, so we never have to walk in darkness. In times of worry or questioning, Jesus gives Himself as the Light that pierces through the gloom of our fears. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you ever felt like you’re wandering around in the darkness without a light? How can we look to Jesus to quiet our hearts in unsettling seasons? • You may not have all the answers you want as you face uncertainty, and that’s okay. God is not afraid of our questions. You can bring your questions and confusion to Him anytime in prayer. And you can draw near to Him by reading His Word, the Bible. When you feel lost, who are some trusted Christians you can talk to, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 23; JOHN 10:1-30 Did you know that sheep can be easily distracted? If a shepherd is leading a flock, and a stranger gets in the way, the sheep can lose their focus on the shepherd and scatter. And when sheep scatter, they can get into trouble. They might get stuck in dangerous places, or they could be attacked by a hungry predator. Away from the protection and care of the shepherd, sheep are lost and vulnerable. That’s why they need to keep their eyes and ears trained on the shepherd. Throughout the Bible, God compares us to sheep. And when Jesus came, He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Sometimes we can be easily distracted and forget to stay focused on Jesus, which leads to problems. But Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to forgive us and save us from sin and death, and He promises to care for us and provide for all our needs. He’s the One we should always follow. But even when we do get distracted and wander away—when we’re captivated by people or possessions or ideas, chasing after them in hopes they’ll solve our problems or satisfy the deep longings of our hearts—our Good Shepherd chases after us. When we are lost and vulnerable, He has compassion on us. Every day, every moment, He helps us leave sin behind and follow Him. There’s nothing in this world that can give us the peace and joy that Jesus does. So, when we get distracted and start looking to created things to provide what only the Creator can give us, we can listen for our Good Shepherd’s gentle voice. He speaks to us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). We can rely on His love for us and trust Him to lead us well. And even when the temptations are strong, as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living within us, helping us turn away from sin and turn our eyes and ears upon Jesus once again. Instead of trying to solve our problems on our own, we can bring all our concerns to Him and trust Him to lead us where He wants us to go. • A. W. Smith • Do you know anyone who looks to Jesus to guide them in their daily life? What is it like to be around them? • Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus. You can ask for His help with tough situations and temptations, confess any sins that come to mind, and rest in His never-failing love for you. If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 40:11; 53:4-6; Zechariah 10:2; Mark 6:34; Luke 15:1-7. And if you want to know more about trusting Jesus to be your Shepherd, check out our "Know Jesus" page. For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 30:5; ACTS 17:1-15 I absolutely love reading about the Berean Jews in the Bible. They show up in Acts 17:11, and in truth, I think this is the only place that mentions them by name. But this one verse is packed with helpful insight on how to live life well. Paul and Silas were going from town to town preaching the good news of Jesus’s death and resurrection, and they made a quick stop in Berea after a harrowing visit to Thessalonica. Some of the Thessalonians did not respond well to the gospel and even caused riots because they didn’t want to hear Paul and Silas speak any more. But the Berean Jews responded very differently to the message Paul and Silas brought. First, the Berean Jews received the word Paul preached with eagerness. They were hungry to hear more about God and joyful that someone had brought the message about Jesus! When God’s truth is brought to us, we too can receive joyfully as we learn more about our faith and the God who loves us more than we could ever imagine. Second, the Bereans examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul and Silas taught them was accurate. This is a habit I hope we all can cultivate more, me especially! In a world where information and opinions are pouring out at us from all directions, we have one solid place we can go for truth: the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God, and it reveals the truth about who Jesus is and who we are. So, when we hear something new about our faith, it is necessary that we check the Word to see if what we are hearing lines up with God’s truth. When we understand how amazing the gospel is, we can be joyful when we hear it taught, and we can be careful to check new ideas against the truth in the Bible. • Abbi Bloem • When was the last time you felt eagerness and joy in learning about Jesus? • Can you think of a time when something felt good to hear, but didn’t line up with God’s truth? • Examining the Scriptures is a good way to know if what we are hearing lines up with God’s best for our lives. What steps could you take today to know God’s Word even better? • Some people in Thessalonica did receive the good news, and later Paul wrote affectionate letters to them. If you want to dig deeper, check out the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 7:7-8; PSALM 34; ROMANS 8 I twirled the marble beads on my bracelet, cool against my skin. Grey, grey, bright blue. The turquoise color had intricate swirls of sky blue, the result making the bead look like an ever-moving sky. These bracelets reminded us of the love of Ahavah, the love He daily shows us. Quickening my pace, I hurried to the meeting of the Loved Ones. Every week we met to share our stories, and this would be my first time to share. Laughter and soft conversation spilled from within the willow tree leaves as I parted the delicate branches. They sat in a semi-circle beneath the great willow, this group I had come to cherish. Aspen waved me over in excitement, her own beaded bracelets sliding up and down her slender wrists. “Welcome, Loved Ones!” Rowan’s brown eyes were warm as he addressed us individually. “Who would like to share their story of the week first?” Aspen placed her hand on my shoulder encouragingly. I stood and pointed to my blue bead. “As many of you know, I just recently joined the Loved Ones. I always felt like something was lacking in my life—there was this void in my heart I couldn’t fill no matter what, or who, I tried to fill it with.” I lifted my arm graced with the bracelet. “Here is my story of Ahavah’s love: I was feeling deep grief because, as you know, my sweet cat of many years passed away. When I opened the Word, I read Psalm 34:18, ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ I felt such overwhelming love in that moment, and I watched one of my grey beads transform into this blue. Now, I look to it as a reminder of that precious revelation of Ahavah’s tenderness toward me.” Heads nodded all around me and several eyes shone with tears as I took my seat. Aspen stood and shared one of her Loved moments, the colors on her many bracelets shining as she gestured excitedly. I breathed a silent prayer of gratitude to Ahavah for constantly showing His care to His Loved Ones. What color will you show me next, Ahavah? May I always be looking for the many ways that You love. • Savannah Coleman • Ahavah is a Hebrew word we find in the Bible, and it means love. In Deuteronomy 7:7-8, for example, God chose to save His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt because of His ahavah love for them, not because they earned or deserved His love in any way. Have you received God’s gift of love through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son Jesus for you (John 3:16-17)? Once we belong to Him, we can know that we are no longer condemned because, by the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven and set free from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Whatever we go through in life, we can be confident that God is for us because He already gave the ultimate for us—Jesus (verses 31-32). If you want to know more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. • Although circumstances may be heartbreaking, and people may abandon us or let us down, we can be confident that nothing and no one will ever be able to separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ (verse 39). Can you think of a time when you experienced God’s redeeming, unconditional love for you? Consider taking a moment to express your gratitude and praise to Jesus, and perhaps also share this story with others. As we ponder God’s immeasurable love, may it well up in our souls and overflow from our lips and in our actions (Psalm 34:1-3). • God never stops showing love to His children. Not only does He listen to us—He

READ: PSALM 23; PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13; HEBREWS 13:5 Growing up, I participated in a program at my church where I learned Bible stories and memorized Scripture. I remember memorizing Psalm 23 when I was in second grade. However, the words of this psalm didn’t mean nearly as much to me as a seven-year-old as they do now. Psalm 23 is an incredibly popular psalm. Verse 1 in particular is frequently quoted by pastors, speakers, and authors: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.” So, it’s probably not surprising that for most of my life, this psalm (especially verse 1) felt cliché and stale to me. It wasn’t until college that God used this verse to open my eyes to a hard truth I had been desperately needing to see—and accept—for so long. In short, I had spent several years hoping to date a particular guy who simply wasn’t interested in dating me. However, even though I knew he wasn’t interested, I still spent countless hours thinking (and daydreaming) about him and the possibility of having a relationship with him. To say that I was dissatisfied with my situation would be an understatement. All I wanted was him. God had clearly shown me this guy wasn’t meant for me, but I ignored Him. However, there was a moment during my college years when Psalm 23:1 seemed to come to life. God used it to gradually change my perspective on the guy I had been hoping to date. Some Bible translations say that we “lack nothing,” or that we won’t be “in want.” It felt like God was telling me, “You don’t need to want anything, Grace—including that guy—because I’ve given you everything you need.” I still struggled to accept the reality of my singleness, but I was encouraged by the comforting truth of Psalm 23:1. Jesus is our loving Shepherd, and when we know Him, we have everything we need. • Grace McCready • It’s not bad to desire things—including romantic relationships—but these desires can sometimes turn into idols. And idols will never fulfill us. Only through Jesus can we experience real contentment, regardless of our circumstances. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we’ll live with Him forever in restored creation. And even now, He is with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. And that’s what we truly need—God’s presence with us. If we got everything we ever wanted, but we didn’t have God with us, we would never experience true fulfillment. Consider spending some time with Jesus in prayer, asking Him to help you lay down any idols in your life and experience true contentment in Him. • When you have questions about dating, who is a trusted Christian adult in your life you could talk to? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. Psalm 23:1 (CSB) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:9-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7 Have you gone through something really hard lately? Maybe there’s been sickness or a death in your family. Maybe your parents are separating, or your best friend moved away, or your family is struggling financially. Even if you haven’t personally experienced suffering like this yet, chances are you know someone who has. As we go through life in a world that has been broken by sin, we might find ourselves asking, “Where is the hope in all this?” It may help to think about it this way. Have you ever seen a stained glass window? These works of art can be beautiful. But they look very different in the dark than they do in the light. When there’s no light shining through the window, all we can see are a bunch of little pieces of dark glass. But when the light shines through them, we see vibrant colors that reveal the patterns or pictures the designer crafted there. Life can feel that way too sometimes. From our point of view, life can seem dark and dull, especially when we’re going through hard times. But Jesus hasn’t left us to suffer alone in the dark. He came into our broken world and lived among us, and He said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12). Jesus can shine through any difficulties we face—He can make a beautiful picture of our lives (Romans 8:28-29). That doesn’t mean our lives will be easy. But Jesus will be with us through it all. He knows what it’s like to go through terrible hardship—He suffered and died to save us from sin. When we face hard times in our lives, He is close beside us, and He can use even the most difficult situations to help us grow in our relationship with Him and show others His love. He can shine through our suffering so we—and others—can see a clearer picture of who He is. • A. W. Smith • Jesus understands how we feel when we’re hurting—He faced terrible suffering and death to give us eternal life. But, when He returns, He will restore creation and raise all His people to live with Him forever; then suffering will be no more. And even now, He is with us. We can trust Him to make something beautiful out of our lives. What kinds of hard things have you experienced lately? Consider taking a moment to tell Him about whatever is weighing on you. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) 

READ: LAMENTATIONS 3:22-26; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; 1 JOHN 4:16 Ten or fifteen years ago, when I was a teenager and struggling through that often awkward and difficult phase of life, I wish I had known just how much God loved me. I knew of God’s love. I felt it in my life. But I didn’t realize just how great it is. As the years have gone by, I’ve learned to rely on God more and more. The more I rely on and lean into Him, the more I feel His love. Each day, I feel Him with me. Through the challenges I face, I know He is always there. Through any future challenges, I know He will not abandon me (Psalm 16:8; Matthew 1:23; 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). God has proven Himself to me over and over through the years. I feel loved by Him because of the way He takes care of me. I feel loved by Him because I know He has given me the gift of salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection, and I will one day live on the new heavens and new earth with Him when He returns. I wish, as a teenager, I could have grasped how big God’s love for me is. I wish I had allowed His love to wrap around me and give me peace. I have never faced anything alone because He has always been with me. God’s love never fails and never ends, and I am always okay because of it. And, just as God loves me, He loves you too. • Bethany Acker • Have you ever had a moment when you realized in a new way how much God loves you? What was that like? If not, you can ask God for this anytime. He is eager to answer these prayers. • We can have full access to God’s love because of Jesus. (If you want to know more, see our "Know Jesus" page.) In Ephesians 3:19, Paul prays for the Christians in Ephesus, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” God’s love is beyond our understanding, yet the Holy Spirit helps us grow in our awareness of His love throughout our lives. Do you have any favorite Bible verses about God’s love for you? Consider choosing a verse to read every day this week, and as you read it, ask God to help you experience His love more and more deeply. • All of the truths in today’s devotion are from Scripture. If you want to read more about God’s love, here are a few places to start: Psalms 13:5; 26:3; 94:18; Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:5-11; 8:35-39; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2:1-10; 1 John 4:10. 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: GENESIS 32:24-32; HOSEA 12:3-5; EPHESIANS 4:22-24 When I was an RA (resident assistant) in college, I had this resident who used to tell me she and God had been “wrestling” about something. She would spend entire days with the Lord, crying and repenting, and wrestling with Him about different behaviors and attitudes in her life. Now, I had been a Christian for a while at that point, but I didn’t understand what she meant by that. Why would God, as she would say, “knock her out” like that? But then tonight, nearly two years later, a friend and I were talking about a ministry role that she is in. She made a reference to how she and the Lord are “negotiating” how long she’s going to be there. And I realized that I think I finally know what my resident meant. I’ve had so many situations since those conversations with her when the Lord and I have wrestled. When we have negotiated. When I have wanted my way, and the Holy Spirit has convicted me otherwise. I’ve had cry sessions in the car when I’ve confessed to the Lord that I can’t do this. I don’t know how to do this right. And while we may metaphorically wrestle with God, in Genesis 32, a man named Jacob actually physically wrestled with God. Then, God gave Jacob a new name: Israel, which means “struggle (with or of) God.” I’ve learned so much from having these vulnerable moments with God—not that you’re necessarily changing God’s mind on something, but you’re engaging with Him, learning from Him, and redefining your heart to His purpose. Together. • Natty Maelle • Many Bible scholars think that Jacob actually wrestled with Jesus, who is God the Son. Jesus loves us, and He welcomes our wrestling matches. He knows we won’t always understand His plans, decisions, or commands. But when we don’t like what He has to say, He doesn’t want us to ignore Him or try to hide our thoughts and feelings. He wants us to be totally honest with Him! He wants us to tell Him about how we feel and wrestle with Him over it. That doesn’t mean He’s going to change His mind, but it will help us know—and trust—Him better. • Are you wrestling with something right now, but you’re afraid to give it to the Lord? Jesus has your best interests at heart. He loves you and wants to help you grow. Holding back from Him can only keep you from the goodness He offers. What do you need to wrestle with Him about today? So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) 

READ: PROVERBS 25:15; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-8; 1 PETER 3:15-16 Have you ever heard of ginseng? It’s a valuable plant used in a lot of health foods. And those who grow ginseng need to have a lot of patience. While many seeds will sprout within a week or two, when you plant ginseng seeds, they can take over a year to sprout! That’s a long time to wait for a plant, especially when you can’t see any activity above the surface of the soil. Planting something like ginseng can help us remember what it’s like to tell someone about Jesus. Every time we witness to someone—that is, tell someone about Jesus and what He’s done to save us—we’re planting the seed of God’s Word. We may not see the results right away, but that’s okay. Jesus is at work, even if we can’t see it. So, instead of getting discouraged, we can be patient. We can trust that God loves us, and He knows what He’s doing. And in the meantime, we can continue watering and tending to the seeds of the gospel by showing people Jesus’s love and goodness. As we patiently care for the seeds we’ve planted, we can show others how Jesus patiently cares for us (1 John 4:19). It may take a long time for a seed to grow. But when it does, it produces fruit that lasts forever. And that’s worth the wait. • A. W. Smith • God calls us to be part of His good work by planting and watering seeds of the gospel, remembering that He is the only One who can make those seeds grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Have you planted seeds of the gospel by telling someone about Jesus? Have you been discouraged because you haven’t seen any results? It can be hard to be patient, but as we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can keep showing people God’s love and praying for them, leaving the timing up to Him. Consider taking a moment now to pray for some of the people in your life who might not know Jesus yet, asking God for ideas of ways you could share His love with them. • It may be that we won’t ever see the results of the seeds we planted or watered, but God promises that His Word will accomplish His purpose. How might this truth free us to trust Him with the results, and keep planting and watering? • If you want to know more about the gospel and how to share it with others, check out our "Know Jesus" page. “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) 

READ: ACTS 2:40-47; GALATIANS 6:9-10; EPHESIANS 4:1-16 Have you ever heard Christians talk about “doing life together”? It can be hard to understand exactly what this looks like. But I got to experience it in a variety of ways this week. I have some friends in my church who, like me, are married with young kids: Sam and Kristi, Kongcheng and Haju, and Evan and Nicole. We were all struggling in various ways this week, and I was amazed at how we came alongside each other. Kristi and I dropped off two dinners at Nicole and Evan’s house. I also dropped off a dinner at Haju and Kongcheng’s house. Sam helped watch my kids so I could catch up on house cleaning—while he also helped with cleaning. And a few of us were able to go to one another’s houses to just spend time together. I had been reflecting this week on how, when I was little, my parents had lots of siblings in town who also had young children, and they got to raise their kids together. It was such a blessing for our families. Today, I don’t have any siblings in town who have young kids, and yet, God provides through His family, the church. I get to raise my kids with my siblings in Christ. Doing life together will probably look different at different life stages. During our teen years, it might look like studying for a quiz together, helping a friend practice their lay-up, or just sitting with someone and bringing them their favorite snack when they’ve had a bad day. It’s amazing that Jesus has made us, as individual believers, into one body, which is His church, through His death and resurrection. And when we remember this, we can work together as the body of Christ, loving and supporting one another and truly doing life together. To work together like this, we need to be honest with each other about our needs and struggles. And that’s difficult. It requires trust and vulnerability. But when we share our needs and struggles with trustworthy people, it leads to the most beautiful community imaginable, reflecting the beauty of our Creator and giving us a glimpse of His kingdom. • Taylor Eising • Are you part of a local church? According to today’s Bible passages, how is the early church similar to or different from your church? • If we know Jesus, we are united with other believers through the Holy Spirit, and we share a common goal of growing in our faith, caring for others, and telling people about Jesus. How does this enable us to do life together in a deeper way than we can with non-Christians? • How does doing life together reflect the love of Jesus and show others what God is like? And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Acts 2:44 (NLT) 

READ: EXODUS 14:14; 33:22; ISAIAH 42:13; ZEPHANIAH 3:17 "Go to the boulder!” He did not yell over the noise of the battle, but Rhyn heard, and without even having to look for the rock he had sent her to, she knew exactly where to go. So Rhyn ran to it. It wasn’t a very big rock, but if she crouched down, it would cover her on one side from the battle that was raging. Rhyn’s weapons and hope were long gone—she had lost them somewhere when the fight began, and now it was a full-blown war spread out before her. She had been running without much direction. This way from a sword, another way from a javelin, here from the pounding of horses’ hooves, and there from the clashing of shields against metal. Everywhere mud. Everywhere blood. Nowhere safe to run. But then, the king was there. Of course, he had always been there. She’d just forgotten to look for him and follow his voice above all the noise, and she’d become disoriented and lost her purpose on the battlefield. Rhyn could hardly believe he’d come for her, but he had. That’s when she caught sight of the ogre. It’s a mighty wonder how time slows in the moments before the worst thing can happen. And Rhyn saw it all move before her like dripping honey. The ogre approached, he lifted his ax, his eyes fixed on her. And then from above her, perched on the rock, one mighty warrior halted the ogre in his steps, his sword meeting the ax with a harrowing zing. The king took a step over her and, with one heavy thump, thrust his shield into the dirt, covering her completely from the battle. Now she could see nothing but the safe haven he had created around her, the rock and the shield, and amid the raging battle, she was safe. • Abbi Bloem • Often we view Jesus as merely a kind, gentle teacher. But the Bible tells us that Jesus is also our Rock and our Shield (Psalms 3:1-8; 18:2; 28:7). And He is the dreaded warrior we see glimpses of in the Old Testament. How could this image of Jesus as the Divine Warrior help us understand how He acts on our behalf? • As humans, we are helpless to save ourselves, but Jesus fought for us all the way to the cross. He defeated sin, death, and all the powers of evil and darkness by dying for us and rising from the grave. Because He has saved us, nothing can tear us away from His love (John 10:27-30; Romans 8:35-39). If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • When Jesus returns to restore creation and raise us from the dead, He will right every wrong, and every foe will be silenced. In the meantime, He wants to help us through everything we face, even when we forget to listen to Him, even when we fail to trust Him. How can these truths give us hope when we experience the battlefields of life? • Jesus calls us to listen to His voice and follow where He leads, and He empowers us to do so through the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we get to be part of His good and purposeful work—because He has extended grace and forgiveness to us, we can extend grace and forgiveness to others, bringing His light to dark places, fighting the lies of the enemy with the truth of the gospel, and extending loving kindness amidst the harshness of our broken world so that others may know the love of Jesus too (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 6:10-20; Philippians 2:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21). And, don’t forget, we also get to rest in the safety of God’s tender love for us (Psalms 18:19; 23:1-6). We can learn to rely on God and discern His voice by spending time with Him through praying and

READ: PSALM 46 I never thought I would have to let go and say, “It is well with my soul,” like the old hymn. I never thought I would have to learn to be okay with the storms in my life. I prayed for God to take them. I begged Him to change things and make my life better. Then I learned to accept the struggles. I realized that even in them, God was still good. Even if this life got difficult—and it has—my God has not failed me. If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know how desperate you can get for them to just get better. You may have begged God to heal them. But if He didn’t, what then? Many things happen that shake us and make us doubt God’s goodness. We might beg and beg and wonder why He doesn’t seem to hear us. But He does. He listens. He cares. The things that grieve us, grieve Him too. And He will be there for us always, even when He doesn’t calm the storm. My God remains good through all of life’s struggles. He never changes, despite all that changes in my life. In every difficult moment, He is there. He takes care of me. He holds my hand and gives me the strength I need, moment by moment. Good times come and go. Storms sometimes feel like they are lasting forever. But no matter what comes my way, I am choosing to trust God to help me through. • Bethany Acker • We don’t know why painful things happen in our lives, but we do know that Jesus weeps with us. Jesus is God in flesh, and He experienced suffering and hardship. Because He loves us, He died and rose again to make the way to be with us and to one day put an end to suffering, sin, and death forever when He returns. In the meantime, He has given His Holy Spirit to everyone who has put their trust in Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He is with us in the midst of our suffering, feeling our hurts with us and offering us comfort and strength. Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. • Have you ever been surprised by a storm in your life? Did you see any glimpses of God’s goodness in the midst of it? What was that like? • What might it look like to trust God in the middle of a storm? • Do you have any favorite Bible verses that remind you of how trustworthy God is? If not, consider asking a parent, pastor, youth leader, counselor, or friend to help you find some. In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Psalm 31:22 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 13:1-17; EPHESIANS 5:1-2 Have you ever seen a child imitating an adult? It can be so cute to watch a small child try to mix pretend food in empty pots, imitate a parent’s expression, or repeat a phrase they haven’t fully mastered yet. That’s how kids learn. They imitate the people they see. The Bible says something similar in Ephesians 5:1: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” But we weren’t always God’s children. In fact, at one time we were all separated from God because of our sin. But God loves us so much that Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross to save us, and He rose from the dead to make the way for us to be with Him always. Once we put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we have been adopted into His family and we belong to Him forever. And, just as kids imitate the people they spend the most time with, God calls His children to imitate Jesus. So how can we imitate Jesus? Well, we can start by looking at what He said and did in the Bible. As we read and study God’s Word, we see how much He loves us. Especially in the accounts of Jesus’s ministry on earth, it’s captivating to see how Jesus responded to people. No matter if they treated Him with honor or contempt, Jesus wanted them to know His love (Matthew 9:36; 23:37; Luke 23:34). We can also learn about His relationship with God the Father. Jesus is God the Son, and He loved and trusted the Father through everything. And in all kinds of situations, Jesus’s character was revealed by His actions. As we study Jesus’s life and trust Him to help us follow His example in our own lives, we will act more and more like Him. Of course, none of this is possible in our own strength, but as Christians we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, transforming us into Jesus’s image. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can learn how to “live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:2). • A. W. Smith • Everyone imitates other people—from little kids to elderly adults. Can you think of anyone you imitate, whether intentionally or unintentionally? Why do you think that might be? • In John 13:1-17, what do you notice about how Jesus acts and how He treats people? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you learn how you can imitate Jesus in your life. If you want to dig deeper, you could start reading through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NLT) 

READ: EXODUS 20:8-11; MARK 1:21-22, 32-38; EPHESIANS 2:4-10 Imagine this: Cars zoom by as you sit on the side of the road. You hope no one you know sees you stranded, your car out of gas. You can’t believe you forgot to fill up the tank! Your brother even reminded you this morning. In humility, you wait for him to come to your rescue. And now you’ll be late for soccer practice. With school, sports, friends, family, clubs, social media, jobs, youth group, volunteering, college applications, and so…much...more, there is A LOT to do. It’s no wonder we turn to stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, and screens to feel more alert and keep up with life. But these things can’t sustain us, and eventually we crash. They mask the real need: rest. Regular rest refuels our bodies, enabling us to do more than we otherwise could. Ironically, we can actually do more in less time when we rest. And here’s the secret: one of the benefits of resting in God’s presence is that it allows Him to refuel us and refresh our souls (Psalm 23:1-3), thereby giving us the energy—and the wisdom—to do the good work He has for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). This type of spiritually rejuvenating rest is called a Sabbath, which God demonstrated for us when He rested after the work of creating the universe (Exodus 20:11). Jesus is God the Son, and He is also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). During His ministry, Jesus regularly spent time in the Father’s presence to rest and refuel for the work before Him. For example, in Mark 1:35, “Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray,” making time to meet with God the Father after a very busy day of healing and preaching. We too can spend time resting in God’s presence, being refueled for the work He has given us to do. And even when we overdo it and end up drained, He has so much compassion on us. As we seek Him, He will help us learn to live in the rhythms of work and rest. • Tracy Mikula • Have you ever taken a Sabbath rest, pausing from work and busyness, even if all the tasks or to-do lists aren’t finished? What was it like? Taking regular times of intentional rest can help us remember that Jesus has already done the work of saving us. Because Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave, we don’t ever need to strive to do enough or be enough. Rest is not something we earn—Jesus gives us rest in Himself (Matthew 11:28-30). Consider taking some time to think about what you spend your time on, and ask God if there is anything He is inviting you to drop from your schedule, at least temporarily, to take the rest your body and soul need. “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 103:1-5; REVELATION 21:1-6 When was the last time you had a cold? Maybe you have one right now. They can be so annoying, but the process of healing from a cold can point us to an amazing truth about Jesus. Even though sickness invaded God’s good world when humans chose sin, God created us in a wonderful way so that when our bodies get hurt or sick, we’re usually able to heal and fight off germs and infections. Our ability to heal is such evidence of God’s loving care for us in our very own bodies, and it can also point us to the day Jesus will return, raise us from the dead, and permanently heal us of every hurt and sickness. But, as we wait for that day, sometimes our bodies can get really sick and not be able to get better on their own. In those cases, God might use doctors or medicine or even a miracle to heal us. But even if He chooses not to heal us right away, we can still trust Him, remembering that Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He truly empathizes with us in our suffering. Isaiah calls Jesus, “a man of suffering who knew what sickness was…he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains…he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds” (Isaiah 53:3-5). Jesus willingly entered into all the pains and sorrows of human life, and He went to the cross to take the punishment all our sins deserved. Because He was whipped and beaten, because His flesh was torn and bruised, because He died on that cross for us…we can be forgiven and made whole. So, even when our bodies are slow to heal, we can cling to Jesus’s promises to be with us in every moment, and to restore all of creation, including our bodies. As we experience the sicknesses and injuries that will inevitably come, we can thank God for giving us wonderful bodies that can heal. We can thank Him for the doctors and medicine He often uses to help us, remembering that God alone has the power to heal. And, once we know Jesus as our Savior, we can thank Him for healing us from the disease of sin, and we can rest in His promises to be with us and to fully heal our bodies one day too. • A. W. Smith • How can the experience of healing from an illness or an injury point us to the ultimate restoration Jesus will bring when He returns? While some sicknesses and injuries may never fully go away until Jesus returns, we can bring our pain and frustration and anger and sorrow to Him in prayer anytime. We can be honest with Him and ask for healing, and we can also find rest in His comfort and strength, even in the midst of our pain. My soul, bless the Lord…he heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3 (CSB) 

READ: MATTHEW 1:23; 28:20; MARK 6:45-54; EPHESIANS 4:2 As I stood at the lake’s edge, I was observing a genuine SOS moment. A young family member—I’ll call him Ford—had just received a kayak for his tenth birthday. He loved to be on the water, so a kayak seemed a fitting gift for him. Since our party took place near a small lake, the family gathered to watch Ford test out his new watercraft. As we admired Ford’s skills, he glided toward the bank, laid his paddle in the kayak, and leaped from the boat to the grass. His forward motion sent the kayak backwards, moving out of reach while he stood watching it drift away. We ran to Ford to find out what had happened. He’d gotten scared, overwhelmed at being on the water alone, and decided to abandon ship. But Ford had failed to recognize this act would leave his birthday present on the lake with no one controlling it. We watched his bright blue kayak float farther and farther away. Then two fishermen approached offering to help. After a few expert casts, one of them hooked Ford’s kayak and pulled it to shore. Fear had led Ford to make a drastic decision. And, though we may not all kayak, we have all been struck with fear and made choices we’ve later regretted. That day at the lake, Ford had gazed at the vastness of water all around him and felt overpowered. He believed he faced the challenge of managing the kayak all on his own. Yet, he didn’t paddle alone that day. Ford had trusted in Christ to forgive his sins and bring him into a relationship with God, so Jesus was present with Ford. And when we trust in Jesus—believing that His death and resurrection has provided payment for our sins to make us pure in God’s sight—He is with us too. Whenever we feel like we’re in over our heads, we don’t even need to ask Jesus to climb into the boat with us; He’s already there—every time, on every lake, no matter how far from shore we drift. • Allison Wilson Lee • Can you think of a time you made a bad decision out of fear? We all have moments when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances, but Jesus doesn’t expect us to handle life alone. How could remembering that Jesus is “in the boat” with us help us when we feel overwhelmed? • Even when we do make bad decisions, Jesus has so much compassion on us. He is eager to help us, and oftentimes the way God helps His people, is through His people—like those fishermen helped retrieve Ford’s kayak. Has someone ever helped you when you messed up? How? Immediately he [Jesus] spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Mark 6:50 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 116; LUKE 17:11-19; REVELATION 4:6-11 Have you ever considered how much difference the words “thank you” can make? The Samaritan healed of leprosy in Luke 17 seemed to know the power of these words. While on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus met a group of ten men who were social outcasts because of the leprosy that had deformed their bodies. Jesus told the diseased men to show themselves to the priest, and they were healed! After this astonishing miracle, only one of the ten took the time to come back to Jesus and say thank you. Where were the others? Had they already forgotten who healed them? In our lives today, it can be easy to take things for granted, like the nine men did. When our prayers are answered, how often do we retrace our steps like the Samaritan and thank God? Jesus completely changed the lives of the ten lepers, and He has changed our lives too! By dying on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and rising from the dead, Jesus has given us the best gift of all: a personal relationship with Him and salvation from sin and death. When we remember this amazing gift, it can move us to thank Jesus for His great love and for all He has given us, just as the healed Samaritan did. Simply saying “thank you” to God can be a natural way for us to praise Him. In the Bible, a great example of this kind of praise is demonstrated by the psalmists. Psalm 118 begins by declaring, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” The rest of this joyous psalm recounts how God provided for the psalmist’s life. Similarly, in Psalm 116, “death wrapped its ropes around” and “the terrors of the grave overtook” the writer of this psalm, but God saved them (verses 3, 8). So the psalmist glorified God’s name by giving thanks. Besides exalting God’s name, saying “thank you” can also open our eyes to the beauty around us. The more we thank God, the more we will naturally notice the ways He is at work in our lives. When we stop and take time to appreciate the things around us, our perspective changes to one focused on God’s goodness. • Emma Schoessow • On the day Jesus returns to resurrect us from the dead, we will be completely healed and whole. Then, we will get to praise and thank Him for all eternity as we live together with Him on the new heavens and new earth! In the meantime, as we see glimpses of His goodness and healing now, we can thank and praise Him each day. Where have you seen God’s goodness and healing in and around you? Consider taking some time to thank God like the psalmists and the Samaritan. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 (NLT) 

READ: LUKE 5:27-32; 18:9-17; ROMANS 5:6-11; 1 JOHN 2:1 The small chapel was an inconspicuous building tucked along a side street off of Main. The leaders on the mission trip hadn’t mentioned the little church, but they had told the students it was okay to explore the area in the evening after dinner as long as they stayed in pairs and didn’t go too far. The chapel itself had worn pews with only a few people scattered across several dozen rows. Xavier’s friend Liam had protested that it “wouldn’t be fun” and “there wasn’t much time,” but Xavier had responded, “There’s nothing better we could do than pray.” So, Liam begrudgingly took a seat near the front with his friend. Xavier stole a glance around the room and thanked God that he wasn’t like Liam, who wanted “fun” instead of wanting to pray. Then he thanked God that he wasn’t like the drunk, staring blankly a few pews over, barely aware of the world. Hearing a noise, he turned and glanced at someone slinking into a back pew, with a shirt that literally blazed, “I am the enemy” in flaming letters. Xavier thanked God that he knew better than to enter a church dressed like that. The man in the t-shirt didn’t lift up his face. He just hoarsely whispered, “God, I need another chance, because I am the problem in my life.” • Gideon Eising • Today’s story is an allegory of a parable Jesus told in Luke 18. Which character do you relate to most today—Xavier, Liam, the person in the middle pew, or the man in the back pew? Why? • Jesus was telling this parable “to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness” and looked down on everybody else (Luke 18:9). When are you tempted to look down on others? Are you sometimes tempted to think of yourself as “less of a sinner” than the people around you? • Is God too harsh in forgiving only the humble? Can our pride get in the way of grace? Read Luke 18:16-17. Jesus died and rose so all who put their trust in Him—relying on His perfect righteousness, not any imperfect righteousness of our own—can be forgiven (more on our "Know Jesus" page). Yet, even Christians can forget we need Jesus just as much as anybody. But, through the Holy Spirit, God helps us walk in humility and resist sins like pride. And even though we sin daily, we can come to Him with repentant hearts, knowing His love and forgiveness are sure. Because Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the person you’re tempted to look down on, and for you. “I [Jesus] have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 139; PROVERBS 3:1-6 When you feel like you don’t have a place in this world because you don’t think you’re as talented as others or you aren’t sure what to do with your life, remember that God made you. God doesn’t make mistakes. When He created you, He knew what He was doing. He knew just who you would be. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you have a place in this world when you remember that God is the Creator of the world, and He is also the Creator of you, and He wants you here. Maybe you don’t feel as talented as the other people around you. Maybe you aren’t sure what to do with your life. It’s okay to have some doubts. It’s okay to take your time to figure out who you are, what you enjoy, and what you’re good at. Let God guide you. Let Him lead you. Remember that He knows you better than anyone else. He crafted you intentionally. He has given you the abilities you have, and if you know Jesus, He has also given you spiritual gifts. You can ask Him to show you how to follow His leading in your life, one step at a time. You have a place in this world for a reason. God wants you to be here. Your talents are your own, and God will work through you as you seek Him. He will take care of you and guide you and help you find a deep sense of purpose in living your life with Him. • Bethany Acker • Do you ever wonder about your place in this world? We all feel this way from time to time, and it can be helpful to remember who our Creator is. He made us just as we are, and He has given purpose to our lives. The truth is, Jesus rejoiced to save you through His death and resurrection, and He doesn’t need you to do anything. He delights in having you with Him, and He invites you to share in the joy of His good work—pointing others to Jesus and partnering with Him to bring restoration to the brokenness around you. In times when you’re feeling particularly discouraged or frustrated, who is a trusted Christian in your life who can lovingly remind you of the truth and help you receive God’s help and encouragement? (If you want to dig deeper, read Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 25:23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Hebrews 12:2-3.) • When we feel pressure to figure out “what to do with our lives,” how could it be freeing to remember that God knows us, He loves us, and He calls us to follow Him one step at a time? Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalm 119:73 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 14:12-21; 15:1-17 Let me understand when it’s You, God Telling me to go Speak loudly to me, God So that I can know Let me feel You with me, God As I simply live Knowing You are right beside me, God Help me to give Let them understand when it’s You, God Helping me to stand Show them You’re supporting me, God And I’m following Your command Let them know You move in me, God You’re a part of all I do Show them You are helping me, God I am nothing without You • Emily Acker   • When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are given the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Spirit of Christ. As we seek to abide in Jesus, we may often find there are things we do in life that we know we would never be able to do without God’s power working through us—such as forgiving others, loving our enemies, speaking the truth in love, acting with self-control, giving generously, or enduring hardships. Yet, we cannot take credit for any of this—for, as Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” If you know Jesus, how have you seen Him working in you? How has the Spirit been transforming you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this, and ask Him to point people to Himself through your life. Remember, as we rest in Jesus’s great love for us, His love naturally overflows from us to others. • John the Baptist made it very clear he was not the Messiah and consistently pointed to Jesus. What might it look like for us to follow his example? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 1:15-39; 3:22-36.) “I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 37:1-9; 1 PETER 2:19-25; 3:8-18 Have you ever seen someone do something wrong and, instead of getting in trouble, they end up reaping a reward for it? You may have heard the saying, “Crime doesn’t pay.” But unfortunately, in this broken world we regularly encounter people who seem to benefit from being dishonest or breaking promises. It can be hard to watch someone gain wealth with ease by deceiving or exploiting people. But the Bible tells us not to envy those who seem to be rewarded for doing evil. God sees what’s happening, and the day will come when He’ll reward those who serve and obey Him. Yet, none of us can serve and obey God perfectly. We may be tempted to think of ourselves as better than “those evil people,” but the truth is, we all fall short (Romans 3:23-25). We all end up deceiving others and breaking promises for our own selfish gain. That’s why Jesus came to live the perfectly honest, perfectly just life that we could never live. As God the Son, Jesus always served and obeyed God the Father—and He did so out of love for the Father, and for us. Ultimately, Jesus died on the cross, taking all our sin upon Himself, and then He rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. This was the only way for God to save us. Through Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and we have the assurance of living with Him forever when He returns. Until that glorious day, it can help to remember that God is not okay with injustice. All sin must be accounted for. But Jesus endured the cross to pay for our sins for us. One day, those who have been forgiven by Jesus will receive their reward—eternal life with Him. Though it may sometimes seem like doing wrong pays off, it doesn’t. God promises to right every wrong at Jesus’s return. And even now, He lives in us through His Holy Spirit, empowering us to live with honesty and justice, to serve and obey God because of His great love for us. • A. W. Smith • How have you seen others benefitting from doing what is wrong? This can be so discouraging. When you see this happen, you can bring it to God in prayer and ask Him if there is some way you can bring honesty and justice into the situation. • We all do wrong, and often we seem to get away with it. When are you tempted to be dishonest or pull yourself up by pushing others down? Jesus understands temptation, and He is full of mercy. When you notice temptation, you can turn to Him and be reminded of His perfect love and truth. You can also confess any sin to Him and ask for His help to move forward in love. Trust in the Lord and do good. Psalm 37:3 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 3:5-6; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:5; EPHESIANS 2:8; 1 PETER 5:6-7 "UPDATE FAILED. VIRUS DETECTED.” Siren stared at the vile green letters on her monitor. There was one last thing she could try. She drew the small drive out of her pocket. The Willpower Program (or WPP) was rumored to be strong enough to revive any device that had been affected by The Virus. And Siren’s computer had been infected for a long time now. She had tried everything—flying to planets all over the solar system, asking experts, even rebuilding her operating system. Finally, she had built her own copy of WPP from the coding she’d seen at programing stations around the galaxy. She inserted the drive. “This has to work.” You could always try the blue button, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. “No, I won’t.” It’s the only option. Siren shook her head. Everyone knew the button was left over from long ago. If pressed, it sent a signal back to the manufacturer. And everyone knew the manufacturer was not to be trusted. A monster that could wipe out her entire system if she gave it access to her computer. She couldn’t risk compromising her hard drive. The thought was interrupted as her screen flickered—fuzzy, then checkered, emitting a gentle hum. Siren’s heart pounded as the computer monitor simmered out, leaving silence. WPP had failed. She fell to her knees in front of the machine and cried. Everything was on there. Her life, her memories, pictures of her colony. You could always—“Fine!” Siren jabbed the round blue button in the center of the computer. She squeezed her eyes shut. There was a gentle hum. She opened her eyes. Her apartment was cast in a beautiful blue light. “Is that it? Did that fix it? All that searching, and all I needed to do was press the blue button?” Relief settled over Siren as she skimmed through the files. All safe. But others out there were still battling The Virus. She needed to tell them. • Natty Maelle • Do you find yourself in need of a reset, but scared you’re too far gone? You are never too far gone. Jesus came to earth to live the sinless life that we can’t, and He died on the cross to pay for our sins. He came back from the dead three days later, defeating death and sin. For you. So, if you think you can’t be saved, don’t worry. Just reach out to Him. (See our "Know Jesus" page.) Even as Christians, we need to be reminded again and again that Jesus saved us, and is still saving us, and will save us in the end. What He started—that is, salvation— He will complete (Philippians 1:6). Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV) 

READ: 1 PETER 5:6-11 Each small worry can quickly become a big worry. It expands from the place inside of me where a little thought pops up. I start to think about it more and more. I consider all the scenarios and things that could happen. I start to worry about how I’m going to stop things from getting worse. I wonder how tomorrow will be. I worry about other things too, as the fears really begin to take over. But before any of that happens, I can give it to God. It’s so good to know that, when a small worry starts in my mind, I can immediately hand it over to God. The Bible says we don’t need to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6), and it doesn’t help to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34). It isn’t up to us to try to control things by worrying. Instead, we can go to our heavenly Father in prayer and give it all to Him. He invites us to tell Him about everything that worries us. He has so much compassion on us, and He wants to help us. Because He loves us dearly, Jesus died and rose again so everyone who trusts in Him could be brought near to God. And when Jesus returns, He will put an end to everything that is worrisome. It isn’t easy to stop worrying, but it is possible with God. I try to hand Him my worries each time they pop up, and instead focus on something I’m grateful for (Philippians 4:8). This doesn’t always work, but when it does, I’m glad I did it. Anytime I hand my worries to God, I’m grateful to know that He will take care of things for me. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of worries do you struggle with? Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus about these. • Sometimes, we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But God wants to help us in lots of ways, including through other people such as medical and mental health professionals who can help us figure out if what we are experiencing is worry, anxiety, or something else. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried a lot of the time, or if your thoughts keep going to dark places or “what if” scenarios and you can’t seem to stop, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 4:8; JOHN 14:25-29; 16:33 As a younger teenager, I was so interested in reading fiction. It provided entertainment, romance, adventure, comedy, and interesting plots. Not to mention, it also provided an escape from the real world, thrusting me into an author’s made-up fantasy. During stressful or anxious times in my life, I strolled through the young adult shelves at my local library seeking reprieve. The desire to shrink out of reality became a struggle, as I felt more desperate after each book. At the time, I felt like the only thing that could give me peace was books, or something to constantly read. Then one day, I lost my library card. I spent months without reading. Fortunately, that gave me time to dive into my dust-collecting Bible. Diving into the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), I did not leave my room for the next hour. I was stuck on a specific chapter—John 14. In verse 27, I was stunned to read what Jesus told His disciples. Here, He gives them a specific gift. Peace! He specifically stated that He would give them “peace of mind and heart.” That changed my life. Furthermore, Jesus said that His peace wasn’t like the peace that created things could give. As followers of Christ, we have access to the eternal peace that transcends what any other person or thing can give! Today, I still love reading. And I’m still a teenager who loves romance, adventure, comedy, and interesting plots. But my heart was what changed. Now, I look for my peace in the One who I can always rely on. • Evelyn Cardriche • One of Jesus’s names is “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Because Jesus died and rose again to forgive us and save us from sin and death, everyone who trusts in Him can have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1). That means our sin no longer makes us enemies of God—instead, we get to “rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (verse 11). And it’s because of this relationship that we can bring God all of our worries and, as Philippians 4:7 says, “experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” When Jesus returns to restore creation, all His people will feel perfectly at peace all the time. And until that day, He invites us to draw near to Him whenever we feel unpeaceful, resting in His great love for us and bringing Him all of our concerns, desires, and needs. Through the Holy Spirit, He will help us experience His peace more and more throughout our lives. Can you remember a time in your life when you experienced God’s peace? What was that like? “I [Jesus] am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 3:16; 14:1-3; REVELATION 21:1-6 Time passes so quickly. We go from being children to adults. We see ourselves in the mirror and notice changes happening right before our eyes. Technology advances, new political leaders take control. Life moves at a fast pace, and sometimes we long for it to slow down…But what will eternity feel like? As we grow up, we learn that things in this life don’t last. Job opportunities come and go. Relationships fall apart. Death happens. We get used to dealing with losses and endings. But eternity contains none of that. God has given us the chance to live forever. Because He loves us, Jesus died and rose again so we could have eternal life. We have the opportunity to experience something beyond what we have ever experienced before. We are used to thinking in terms of everything having a start and an end, but when Jesus returns, the new heavens and new earth will have no end. Our future with God is an eternal one. We will not lose it. We will not want to leave it. No one can take it away from us (John 10:28-30; 16:22). There is a peace that comes from knowing that something is going to last. Eternal life can be our future. If we know Jesus, we have something immeasurably wonderful to look forward to. Time passes quickly, but when we know what the future holds for us and that our time with God will have no end, we don’t have to be afraid. • Emily Acker • Have you ever tried thinking about this present life as just a small part of your whole life—with eternity waiting for you? How could this change our point of view? • Thinking about eternity can be overwhelming. It’s too big for us to wrap our minds around. And nobody knows exactly what it will be like. But we do know that we will get to be with God and all His people forever, filled with His love and joy, free from sin and all the brokenness it causes. To learn more about God’s promise of eternity for those who put their trust in Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 13:1-6; 37:23-24; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 Are you going through a really difficult time? Do you wonder if there’s a way out? Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with grief, anger, or frustration. When we’re in the middle of painful situations, it can seem like they’re never-ending. Will the hurt ever pass? Is this it? Am I trapped like this forever? We may ask ourselves, Who can help me? Why doesn’t anyone understand? These questions are totally natural when we’re going through an intense season. Everyone has what I call the “dark chapters” in their lives. Some last hours, days, weeks, or even years. They can be excruciating. But all is not lost. The world we live in has been broken by sin, and with it comes imperfection, failures, and trials…but we don’t suffer alone. We have a heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, more than anyone can comprehend (Ephesians 3:19). He sent His Son, Jesus, to be God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus lived as a human, and He personally understands all the hurts and sorrows of life. Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins and rose again, so everyone who trusts in Him can become God’s child. In every dark chapter, we can know that Jesus is with us, and we can look forward to the day He will return and make all things new and whole. Even when we think God is far away, He is with us, guiding us. And He can bring good even out of terrible situations (Romans 8:28). Just look at the Bible—so many people went through incredible personal challenges. But in the midst of the dark chapters of our lives, God invites us to cry out to Him and honestly lament our pain—this is why we have so many amazing lament psalms written by people like King David. Time and time again, God meets His people with His compassionate love and brings hope, even to situations that seem hopeless. So, if you are currently struggling, remember that these moments will not last forever. They are episodes, chapters, life segments…but not the whole picture. • Cindy Lee • What kinds of difficult things have you gone through? How have you seen God bring hope? • Are you in a “dark chapter” right now? In addition to talking to God, who can you be honest with about what you’re experiencing? If you are in danger, tell a trusted adult right away. • Do you know anyone who is going through a difficult chapter in their life right now? How could you come alongside them today, perhaps through prayer, listening, or helping them? Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 (NLT) 

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15; 3:14-17 Do you ever find the Bible confusing and frustrating? That’s totally understandable! The books of the Bible were written thousands of years ago in different languages and in different times and places in history. It’s going to be difficult to understand at times. And it’s normal to read a passage for the first time and feel like you just don’t get it. Learning to understand the Bible better is kind of like learning to ski. It takes practice. If you decided to take on the biggest hill you could find your very first time skiing, you’d probably tumble your way down to the bottom, and end up with a few new injuries. And if you try to tackle a difficult Bible passage without any help or training, you’ll probably end up confused and frustrated. But the more you work at skiing, the better you can do it. And the more you read and study the Bible—at church, with others, and on your own—the more you’ll understand it. If you wanted to learn to ski, you would probably seek out a ski instructor. And a Bible instructor is a good idea too. In a way, the Holy Spirit is like our Bible instructor. When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, His Holy Spirit lives inside us. And He helps us understand what God is saying to us and apply it to our lives. We can also ask other Christians for help when we don’t understand something—like our pastors, youth leaders, family members, or friends. God doesn’t leave us to figure everything out on our own. He gives us community and His very own presence! Just remember, anything worthwhile takes time and effort. So don’t give up when reading the Bible gets hard. Keep practicing. • A. W. Smith • The whole Bible points to Jesus (Luke 24:27; John 5:39; 20:31; Acts 8:26-40). And if we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit living in us. So, as we read the Bible on our own and with others, He will help us understand what it says. How has Jesus helped you understand His Word so far? • Have you come across a Bible passage that’s particularly difficult to understand? That’s okay—even Peter said Paul’s writings were sometimes hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16)! And there are some things we may never fully grasp until Jesus returns. Who is a trusted Christian in your life who could look at this passage with you and help you find scholarly resources that could help you understand it better—like study Bibles, commentaries, websites, or videos? The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 5:1-11; 15:13; HEBREWS 11 Hope is a four-letter word. Yet, between those four letters is a tremendous range of nuance. People can use hope to convey an innocent wish. “I hope it doesn’t rain on the picnic.” Or hope can be used to reveal an unrivaled desire. “I hope my grandma lives through Christmas.” Our hope often conveys what we want to happen, but it doesn’t change what will happen. We have no control over the weather, people’s lifespans, or much else. So why is such a persnickety and ultimately powerless word plastered across churches? Because biblical hope is more than a mere desire. It carries a very special subtext. Anticipation. Hope can be frail because it often shatters when the desire is unfulfilled. But what if you knew that what you hoped for was going to happen? Romans 5:5 says, “Hope does not put us to shame.” Why? Because the hope this verse is talking about is a hope placed in God Himself, and God always keeps His promises. This verse is talking about the hope that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection has cleansed us of our sins. The hope that Jesus will come back again. The hope that we will live with Him in the new heavens and new earth one day. The hope that we will see our fellow believers again, and sorrow and pain will be gone forever. These are all things God promises to those who accept His gift of salvation by putting their faith in Jesus. Hebrews 11 starts by saying, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This chapter goes on to describe many people who were able to act in faith because they put their hope in something certain— God. So hope becomes the anticipation of something assured, not just a four-letter word. • Abigail Scibiur • How can hoping for something assured change our outlook on life or even the way we act? (Hint: read 2 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 4:13-14; Hebrews 10:22-25.) • What are some specific promises God has made that we can put our hope in? Consider starting your own list of Scriptures about those promises to look at whenever you feel discouraged. • Remember, our hope is ultimately in Jesus Himself (Ephesians 1:12). Because of His death and resurrection, we can rest in His promises, and we can also be honest with Him about what we want and need. There is power in expressing our desires to God in prayer because He has the power to change things. Consider taking some time to express your desires to Jesus. He is listening. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 (NIV) 

READ: ACTS 2:1-14; ROMANS 12:4-21; GALATIANS 5:22-23 When people first hear that Christians all receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), there can be a sense of excitement as they anticipate a life-changing, empowering moment. In the Bible, we find the account of the day of Pentecost. Jesus’s followers are all sitting together, because after Jesus died and rose again, but before He ascended into heaven, He’d told them to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Then, the Holy Spirit comes in a very visible and dramatic way—including flames and wind! The Bible goes on to show the instantaneous transformation in the apostles—they went from fearful to courageous, and they shared the good news boldly. But what happens if your experience of the Holy Spirit isn’t quite like you expected? You may ask yourself, Why don’t I feel different? Where is my Holy Spirit zeal? Is something wrong with me? Do not panic. It’s okay if your experience is different from what happened to the first disciples. The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to all believers (1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10-11). We are called to use our different gifts to share the good news and the gift of salvation, and also to serve one another in a variety of ways. For example, some Christians receive a gift of teaching or wisdom that they can share with others through speaking or writing as they listen and offer support to those in need. The Holy Spirit also strengthens us to battle through difficulties and overcome obstacles, empowering us to resist temptation and love others, even our enemies. God the Holy Spirit always glorifies God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) and never contradicts the Bible, but each believer’s experience of the Spirit is unique and personal to them. If you wonder if the Holy Spirit is doing anything in your life, remember that God works in many different ways. Although you can’t always recognize what is happening on the inside, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The Spirit’s work is sometimes a gradual process—like in nature when seeds are planted and it takes time to witness the results. Other people may begin to notice positive changes in you, such as becoming more self-controlled and showing more joy and love, which are fruits of the Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7). So, embrace your journey with the Holy Spirit. Remember, it’s a lifelong process. You can trust God’s timing as you seek His direction and rely on Him in faith. • Cindy Lee • What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit? Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you dig into Scripture and discern what the Spirit might be doing in and through you? Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 58:6-12; JOHN 4:14; 7:38-39; GALATIANS 5:13-23 "Look over there, Jett—under those tall weeds!” Kyra jumped over a stream as she and her brother explored the area behind their new home. When they had lived by the sea, their family made their living as fishermen, but when the dragon wars encroached on their tiny coastal town, they had to flee inland. They hoped to make a fresh start in this new village in the Amplio valley. Kyra pushed aside some of the rough grass to get a better look. “Are those trata fruit?” “Looks like trata fruit to me,” confirmed Jett. “Let’s pull up these weeds so we can see the plants better.” They began pulling the grass and thistles that had grown more than waist-high. Sure enough, they found other fruits and vegetables too. Kyra said, “Somebody must’ve planted this garden long ago. I’m surprised the trata plants survived in the middle of all these weeds.” “Let’s work this garden instead of planting a new one,” Jett said, remembering their old garden back home. Its produce had helped them through many a tough time. “We’ll need to bring water from the stream—and the weeds will come back if we let them.” Kyra paused thoughtfully. “You know something? I came across a verse in Isaiah this morning—‘You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.’ I’ve heard it said that Isaiah points to our need for Jesus. Remember how everyone who believes in Jesus has living water flowing inside us, and how He produces good fruit in our lives? As His people, I guess we’re His garden. I like thinking about how He’s the One watering that garden.” Jett rubbed a trata leaf. “I want to be like that—producing fruit instead of thistles. I don’t want to cause harm, like the wars do. I want to bring good into the world. But every day, I keep finding more sin in my life—like how we’ll keep finding weeds in this garden. I know Jesus has already made us holy through His death and resurrection, but I can’t wait till He comes back and we won’t struggle with sin anymore.” Kyra nodded. “Me too, but I’m also thankful the Spirit tends our hearts every day, rooting out the thorns of violence and greed so we can be people of mercy and kindness.” • A. W. Smith • When we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us and works to produce good fruit in our hearts. What does this fruit look like? (Hint: read Galatians 5:22-23.) • The Holy Spirit also makes us more aware of the sin in our lives. Consider taking some time in prayer, confessing any sin that comes to mind and resting in Jesus’s sure forgiveness. “You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 139; ROMANS 8:28-29, 38-39; PHILIPPIANS 1:6 At times, growing up is hard. Change is exciting, but at the same time such a difficult thing to go through. Feeling your body change. Seeing things around you shift. Knowing that your mind is growing and your perspective on things will not always be the same. Change feels strange, but as we experience it in ourselves and in the world around us, we don’t have to be afraid. There are some things that are never going to change. When life feels different than it used to, we may feel unsteady and disoriented, but it can help to remember that God will not change. His love is always constant. The promise of eternity will never fade. The gospel is always true. Jesus died and rose again for us, and if we’ve put our trust in Him, we can know with certainty that He is with us—forever. He will never leave us. Throughout our lives, we will continue to grow and change. We will find new things to be passionate about and new ways to enjoy life. We will find new purposes for our lives, and we’ll get excited about what is to come. As we go through all those changes, both the good and the bad, the struggle and the joy, we can remember that God is there with us. When we need something to ground us, we can pray to Him. When we need something to remind us that, even as we are drastically changing, some things in our lives will always be the same, we can think of His unchanging love. • Bethany Acker • As we grow in our walk with Jesus, He will continue to reveal Himself to us in various ways, and He will keep forming us to become more and more like Him. This means our perspectives on different things will likely shift throughout our lifetimes. And that’s okay! As we pursue Jesus and study His Word, He will help us bring all the areas of our lives into alignment with Him. And this is a lifelong process. Who are some people in your life who can walk through this process with you—such as parents, pastors, counselors, youth leaders, and friends? Consider taking some time to ask a trusted Christian adult how their perspective has changed over the years. • When the world around us changes, how could remembering that Jesus never changes help us come to Him in prayer? Do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you of this truth? Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (CSB) 

READ: ISAIAH 53:4-12; COLOSSIANS 1:22; HEBREWS 9:11-28; REVELATION 5:12 You gave up Your life, You are the Perfect Sacrifice— God’s precious Son, The Holy, Just, and Righteous One. Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray, Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day! You alone are good, Teach us, Lord, to live as You would— Holy and pure, By faith, Your blood the costly cure. Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray, Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day! Risen from the dead, You are Life, the Living Bread— Lamb that was slain, Bearing the curse, took up our pain. Speak to us softly, O Lord, we pray, Speak to us clearly, O Lord, this day… Speak to us, Lord, that we might obey. Sometimes, when I try to describe the sacrifice of Jesus I am stilled into silence. Trying to put the most profound mystery in the universe into everyday words is sort of like visiting the Grand Canyon and bringing home a single snapshot. The photo is accurate, but it’s simply incapable of capturing the grandeur you see and feel— gazing across a chasm so vast that the bottom is a hazy blur. Only by hiking down inside can you begin to experience the canyon’s true depth and beauty. That’s sort of what it’s like when we think about the matchless glory of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. It simply cannot be experienced from afar—it is something we must enter into. Christ’s blood was shed on the cross, for us. He not only bore our sin, but He took up our suffering and pain (Isaiah 53). Come, and gaze with me there. • G. Kam Congleton • Throughout the Bible, Christ’s sacrifice is portrayed in many ways. For example, we find similar descriptions in Isaiah 53:12 and in Hebrews 9:28. What do you notice is included in Hebrews that is not mentioned in Isaiah? Why do you think this is? • The life-changing truth of the gospel is deeper than any words can convey, that because of the sacrifice of Jesus’s shed blood, God Himself can dwell with us—and in us—making us one with God. (More on our "Know Jesus" page.) Which description of Jesus’s sacrifice resonates with you most today? God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood— to be received by faith. Romans 3:25 (NIV)  

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALM 35:27; PROVERBS 3:11-12; ISAIAH 62:4 If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard over and over that God loves you. And He does! But did you know that He also likes you? This is a truth I’ve struggled to accept. It’s easy for me to believe that God loves me, because that’s His job! It’s just who He is. But I can fall into the false belief that it’s only a duty-bound love. That He loves me only because He has to, not because He truly enjoys who I actually am. Make no mistake, God does love us because of who He is. His character is unchanging, and so is His love for us. Nothing can shake that. But I think it’s important to also remember that God likes us. He enjoys our presence with Him. He delights in us—and even rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He created us and gifted us with our unique personalities and abilities—and He likes what He made! It may seem trivial or self-centered to wonder if God likes us, but it really does matter. It affects the way we interact with Him. We may believe that, because we are fallen and sinful, we are unlikeable. And when we believe that we are unlikeable, all we can focus on is our own smallness and unworthiness before the Lord, instead of focusing on His goodness and majesty and love. But as the Holy Spirit helps us grow more secure in our belief that God legitimately enjoys our presence and wants to spend time with us, it frees us from that insecure self-focus on our own unworthiness and allows us to truly enjoy God’s presence like He enjoys ours. Jesus died and rose again to make the way to be with us forever. Let’s take a moment and think about that. He died because He wanted to be with you. He most definitely likes you. • Taylor Eising • Do you find it easier to believe that God loves you or that God likes you? Why? How does this affect the way you view God and the way you approach Him in prayer? The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

READ: EXODUS 34:6; PSALM 86; 1 JOHN 3:1 I stepped off the school bus and headed down the sidewalk toward my third-grade class. Sticking my hands in my pockets, I felt for the envelope with that day’s lunch money. I expected to find it there, but I wanted to reassure myself. However, I didn’t locate the envelope of coins in my pockets, or in my backpack. The payment for my lunch that day must have fallen onto my seat on the bus, but I had already watched the school bus pull away from the building. I knew I could charge that day’s lunch and bring payment for it the next day. But I dreaded explaining to my parents that I’d lost the money. I feared getting in trouble for being irresponsible. Later, at dinner that night, I somberly told my parents about the missing money. Although I anticipated a scolding, my dad responded differently. “That’s okay. Don’t worry; we have more money to cover it,” he replied. My whole body slumped with relief. Instead of showing frustration with me for my mistake, my dad showed me mercy. That day, my earthly father gave me a glimpse of our heavenly Father. No parent is perfect (mine included), but our parents do influence how we believe God sees us. In this instance, even though losing my lunch money was a mistake and not a sin, my dad’s response helped me trust God’s heart for me. For those who put their trust in Jesus, resting in the work He did on the cross to pay for our sins and give us His righteousness, we receive God’s mercy. No longer are we charged with guilt because of our sin; instead, we belong to a Father who shows us His goodness with abounding grace and compassion. His mercy is bigger than any sin we could commit or any mistake we could make. As His children, we can revel in the truth that God responds to us, even in our messes, not with great anger—but with great love. • Allison Wilson Lee • Has someone ever shown you God’s heart toward you? What was that like? • Do you struggle to believe that God is compassionate toward you in your mistakes? If so, why do you think that is? We all feel this way from time to time. Who are trusted Christians you could talk to about this, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 1:1-9; 8:12 Have you ever been outside during a cloudy night when you couldn’t see the moon or even the stars? The darkness can feel all-consuming. And trying to find your way through that darkness can lead to some serious scrapes and bruises! Sometimes, going through life can feel the same way. The darkness of sin and brokenness feels all-consuming. It’s easy to get lost. Thankfully, wherever we go, we always have light with us. The apostle John starts his Gospel by declaring that Jesus is “the true light that gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). Later in this book, John recounts how Jesus 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). Apart from God, all people are lost in the darkness of sin, but Jesus gives His light to everyone who trusts in Him. And we really do need light, even when we think we don’t. Just like trying to find our way home in a pitch-dark night, going through life without the light of Jesus will leave us lost and hurt. But Jesus saves us from the darkness of sin through His death and resurrection, and He leads us safely home. As John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We can always rely on Him, even in the darkest nights. • A. W. Smith • If we know Jesus, we know the Light of the World. Sometimes we don’t feel like we need Him, but making our way through life without Him is like walking in darkness. Jesus wants to light our way. To learn more about the good news of Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • As Christians, we’re looking forward to the day Jesus will restore creation and rid the world of darkness forever. In the meantime, we know He is always with us. In what ways have you experienced the darkness of our broken world lately? What has left you feeling hurt and lost? Jesus knows all our pain and confusion, and He longs to comfort us in His love. Consider taking a moment to come to Him in prayer, telling Him about your hurts and receiving His compassion. • When you feel overwhelmed by the darkness, who is a trusted Christian in your life who can help remind you of the reality of Jesus’s all-powerful light? “I [Jesus] 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: ROMANS 5:8-11; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21; EPHESIANS 6:19-20 Would you like to be an ambassador to a foreign country and work in an embassy? You’d live in that foreign country and be able to speak for your country’s leader, because you would be their official representative. Did you know that the land the embassies are on is actually considered a really small part of their home country? So, say, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico is actually a tiny piece of the United States of America, right smack dab in the middle of Mexico City. Turns out that if you name Jesus as your King, then you actually are an ambassador for Christ! The church is kind of like an embassy, right here on earth. Christians are given this awesome opportunity to speak for God as we share our faith and His love with the world around us. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul is appealing with his whole heart to the lost ones in Corinth. He shares how the heart of his King, the God of the universe, longs for the world that has turned its back on Him to be reconciled to Him. Paul writes, “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’” God’s embassy is still on earth, even when we turn our back to Him. His church, the ambassadors, are still here. God doesn’t want anyone to live outside of His territory. He wants the whole world to be reconciled, to come to Him, and to live as residents of His kingdom. So He sends His ambassadors—you and me—to the people around us. We ambassadors for Christ can pray for our friends, share our stories, and explain God’s wonderful plan to those around us. • Kristen Merrill • One day, Jesus will return to reign as King over all creation. He will renew the heavens and the earth, and He will resurrect His people from the dead to live with Him in His eternal kingdom. Until then, the church can offer a glimpse of that kingdom. What are some ways the church can point to Jesus as King? How can we show people what Jesus and His kingdom are like? • It’s because God loves us and longs for us to be reconciled to Him that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. To learn more about how we can be reconciled to God through Jesus, and how to share this good news with others, check out our "Know Jesus" page. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)

READ: PROVERBS 12:15; 15:22; 19:20; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27 I like to do things on my own. I never enjoyed group projects in school because it seemed like I was the one to be the most focused or the one who cared the most about grades, so then I ended up putting pressure on myself to pick up the slack from everyone else. Plus, I know what it is that I want to do, and working in a group is difficult because people have lots of different opinions about what should be done or how it should be done. As I grew into adulthood, that dislike for working on group projects continued in the form of just generally wanting to do my own thing. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to listen to the advice of others because I know what it is I want to accomplish, and I know how I want to accomplish it. But the times I have sought advice and truly listened to what others had to say about different circumstances I was facing, I was able to make a better decision about how to move forward. When God saves us, He places us in community for a reason. He says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). We’re often tempted to think that we don’t need other people, that life would be simpler if we just did things ourselves, but we are meant to lean on one another. We are not meant to do this life alone. There is so much freedom and confidence that comes from turning to other people and truly listening to what they have to say. • Tynea Lewis • Do you like group projects? Why or why not? Can you think of a time when having multiple people’s perspectives and abilities resulted in a better outcome than one person could have produced on their own? • What is one area of your life that you could benefit from listening to the advice of others? • Who is a trusted person in your life who could provide wise and godly counsel when you are facing difficult situations or decisions—someone who embodies the wisdom described in James 3:12-18? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. Proverbs 19:20 (NLT)  

READ: ROMANS 8; 1 PETER 2:9-10 My hands shook with my effort not to take The List out of my pocket. You can’t control me, I whispered through gritted teeth. I just wanted to walk into this building full of, I imagined, lovely people and be okay. Two steps from the door, my fingers curled around The List. I tried to squeeze my eyes shut as I felt myself unfold the paper. There, scrawled across the top was the word condemned. I jammed the paper into my pocket, turned around, and walked away. The following day, I was looking forward to the moment that could change the trajectory of my future. I had prepared myself and worked hard. I sat in a chair, waiting for them to call my name. Instead, I felt the call of The List. I gripped the seat tight, willing myself not to listen. Once again, I opened it to see the next word penned below the first: rejected. I made my way down the hall, away from possibility, not even turning back when I heard them call my name. Looking in the mirror that night, I thought I glimpsed a spark of new. Was it in my eyes? Could I be the person I wanted to be? Did the corners of my mouth turn up slightly more than usual? I felt a strange twitch on my lips, a desire to smile. But the desire fled when I watched my hand draw out The List once more. I don’t know why I had this compulsion to read it when I already knew by heart what I would see: stagnant. I sank to the floor, overcome by defeat and sorrow. The List lay beside me, mocking—wait! The words that I had read so many times were crossed out with bold, red slashes. I gripped The List and felt my heart leap as I read new words written over the old. Instead of condemned I read approved, in place of rejected was chosen, over stagnant was alive. Finally, I understood. The List would no longer control me with its lies. I could live in the freedom of who I was always meant to be, and no one could take it away. • Savannah Coleman • Like The List in today’s allegorical story, we all have voices in our heads, but what God says about us should trump anything our minds or other people say. When you become a follower of Christ, you are given a new identity. He takes all the sin and shame. By the blood of Jesus shed for you, you are no longer condemned, but forgiven (Romans 8:1; 1 John 2:12). You are no longer rejected, but a chosen, fully loved child of God (Romans 8:15; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 3:1). What are some practical ways you could spend time listening to what God says about you this week? Remember, we hear God’s voice through His Word, His people, and His Spirit. (If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus and want to know more, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • Satan likes to try to remind us of who we were before we met Jesus. He accuses and causes worries, fears, and anxiety to fill our minds. And even if Satan is not directly responsible for the voices in our heads, he is a primary source of them. The other source is the law, or God’s commands, which God gave us to show us our need for Jesus. Yet, Satan uses the law to accuse us. The law’s accusatory nature should lead us to Christ, but it often becomes the means by which we are continually enslaved by fear and anxiety. But the truth is this: in Christ, we are new creations—everything that was old has been transformed (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). Although we will still struggle with sin and negative thoughts, we now have the power of God to choose righteousness and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:

READ: 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17; HEBREWS 4:12 When you do the same thing over and over again, it’s easy to get tired of it. This can even be true of reading the Bible. If you’ve ever had your Bible reading routine feel like something you’re just trying to get through and you’ve longed for it to be something more—longed to learn more and get more out of it—you can find a way to make things different. You can try new things so that your Bible reading routine helps you feel more connected to God and helps you grow in your faith. First, you can start by asking God for direction. Spend time with Him in prayer, asking what He wants your Bible reading routine to look like right now. Ask Him where He wants you to be reading. Ask Him how He wants you to be studying. Ask Him to remind you of how He is with you as you read. Remember, the time you spend reading the Bible can be something you do together with Him, deeply in-tuned to Him. As you pray, you may not get any specific answers about where and how to do your reading, and that’s okay—the point is to spend intentional time seeking God as you read His Word. He may be guiding you in ways you don’t even realize yet. If you’ve been studying your Bible alone, you could find someone to read it with you—maybe a friend, mentor, church member, or small group. You might even see if a sibling is interested in sitting down with you each day and letting you read to them. Then, discuss what you’re reading with the person or people you choose to study with. If you’ve never tried journaling about what you’re reading in the Bible before, why not get out a paper and pen and give it a try? Write about what you’re learning, what questions you have, connections to your life, prayers, and whatever else God lays on your heart. The Bible is worth studying because it’s God’s Word—and it tells us the truth about Jesus’s death and resurrection. It reveals His great love for us. So, if you feel that something in your Bible routine is lacking, ask God to help you find a way to change things up. • Emily Acker • Have you tried out any Bible-reading routines? What did you like or dislike about them? • Which of the suggestions above are you curious about? Do any other ideas come to mind? • God delights in helping us find ways to spend time with Him and grow in our relationship with Him. How could you set aside time this week to be in His Word? But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 13:1-6 How long, God? Why is it taking forever for things to get better? Why can’t my life turn around and be all that I hoped for? Why do you feel so far from me? How long, God, is it going to feel like this? How long can I survive like this? You may have had thoughts like these at times, and they are similar to the thoughts of David when he wrote Psalm 13. In this psalm, David asks God if He will forget him forever. That’s the way he’s feeling as he writes—forgotten and abandoned. He is sorrowful and wrestling with difficult thoughts. That might be just the way you feel sometimes. You might feel alone. You might worry about a hundred things at once. Your life might feel messy, and you might feel like God is far from you. But the truth is, God is so very near. He loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again to make the way for us to be with Him always. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that, even in our worst moments, Jesus is right there with us. He weeps with us and offers hope, comfort, and strength. And one day, He will make all wrongs right. When we rest in these truths, it can help us remember that God is trustworthy. He loves us, and He never leaves us. That’s what David does in Psalm 13. In the end, he remembers that God has been good to him. He might have felt abandoned for a time, but he knows that God is always good. David even says that he will sing praise to the Lord. When we struggle, we can cry out and ask God how long we’re going to feel that way. We can tell Him how abandoned and forgotten we feel. We can process all our messy feelings with Him. As we do this, the Holy Spirit helps us remember how good God is and rest in the truth that He is with us. He has always loved us, and always will. • Bethany Acker • When we read lament psalms like Psalm 13, it can be tempting to skip right down to the “good part” in verses 5-6. We might want to skip over our feelings of hurt, sorrow, and frustration. But that’s not what God wants for us. He is not afraid of our feelings. Instead of skipping these uncomfortable emotions, He invites us to process them with Him, even if that means telling Him how angry we are at Him. Are there any uncomfortable feelings you need to process with God right now? He invites us to come to Him in prayer and be honest with Him so He can bring healing to our hearts. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 28:15; DEUTERONOMY 31:1-13; PROVERBS 3:26 Have you ever read Deuteronomy 31:8? It says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” The book of Deuteronomy consists of messages that Moses gave the Israelites about the future. At the time, God had already parted the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and now they were wandering in the wilderness, waiting for God to bring them into the Promised Land. Moses wanted to encourage the people to trust God, and he also instructed them in how to act righteously—how to live according to God’s good ways. When Moses was nearing the end of his life, he spoke the words of Deuteronomy 31:8 to Joshua, right before Joshua would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses wanted to offer his successor the peace of knowing that God was preparing the way ahead of him, that God would be with him, and that he didn’t need to fear any evil. For me, reading this verse reminds me that my Father has my future in His hands, and I don’t need to be afraid of what is to come. I don’t need to try to take control or plan things out by myself—He already sits upon the throne. Though this world may crumble around us, we don’t need to get discouraged, because God is good and His promise is secure. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He went before us, living the righteous life we never could, making the way for us to be saved from the wilderness of sin and enter the abundance of God’s kingdom. He died, was buried, rose from the grave, and is coming back again to raise all His people from the dead to live with Him forever in restored creation. And even now, He promises to be with us, always (Matthew 28:20). When I first read Deuteronomy 31:8, I immediately felt at peace. The promise that God will never leave us and that He will always be with us is such a comfort. It teaches me to quiet any worries I have and to never lose hope. Our God goes before us. • Molly McTernan • What kinds of things have made you feel afraid or discouraged lately? It’s not wrong to feel this way, and in fact, God invites us to be totally honest about this. How could remembering that God is with us and goes before us make it easier to bring all our concerns to Him in prayer? • In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians you can talk to when you feel worried? “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)  

READ: PSALMS 19:1-4; 148:1-14; ISAIAH 55:12 A silver moon, a single star, shining in the morning dark. Waves are gently rolling in, riding on the restless wind. Sleek and smooth, sands lie fresh, washed by the ocean’s salty breath. Daybreak beams soft and bright, rejoicing in the coming light! So may we, with hope revived— praise Him with the morning tide. Today’s poem was inspired by a moment when I sensed creation joyously reflecting God’s glory and beauty. The Bible shows us that all creation praises God as Creator. Psalm 148 says this includes the heavenly host, things on earth, in the ocean—even the sun, wind, and rain. And, last but not least, it includes people. • G. Kam Congleton • Can you think of a time when you experienced a moment of wonder at God’s creation? As you read today’s Scriptures, consider taking some time to ponder the ways God may be revealing Himself to you— whether it be through creation, His Word, or specific people or circumstances. Then, maybe sing a favorite song of praise, or write down a simple prayer or poem to help you celebrate that moment in praise to Jesus. (Luke 19:37-40; Colossians 1:15-23) Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Psalm 148:3 (NIV) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20, 35-38, 42-44, 54-57 Have you ever read verses in the Bible that talk about how we’ll be raised from the dead like Jesus was? It’s one thing to picture Jesus being raised from the dead after only three days, but it can be harder to imagine how bodies that have been dead a long time could ever be alive again. But maybe a metaphor for resurrection would help. Have you ever seen marigold seeds? They are thin, long, dry seeds that are white on one end and black on the other. They look nothing like a marigold flower. But, when we bury the seeds in the ground, eventually these tiny, unremarkable seeds grow into vibrant flowers bursting with orange and yellow petals. God can take those shriveled seeds and bring them to life. And He promises to do the same for Christians. In fact, the Bible actually compares our coming resurrection to what happens when seeds grow into plants. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes, “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength” (verses 42-43). Even though our bodies die, death is no match for Jesus—He conquered sin and death by giving up His own life for us on the cross. He will resurrect our bodies one day, and when He does, our bodies will be even better than before. No matter what happens to us on earth, we have the hope of resurrection. So, next time you see a pot full of magnificent flowers, think of the dry, shriveled little seeds they came from. Our amazing God made those flowers grow, and He promises to do the same for us. • A. W. Smith • Raising dead bodies is no greater problem for God than turning seeds into plants. In other words, it’s no problem for Him at all. Jesus rose from the dead, and He’ll raise believers too. He’ll give His children bodies that are even more wonderful than those we had before. It’s amazing to think about! How could knowing that Jesus has power even over death affect the way we view death? (Romans 8:38-39) Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NLT) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17; 2 TIMOTHY 1:9-10 Dear Mother, Grandfather’s stories are true. The giant smells. Now his stories feel like mine. But I suppose that’s the purpose of a story. To let you know you’re not alone. It might be the giant’s breath or body, but we could smell it from a mile away. Like rotten meat. Like that time when a mouse died in the wall and we couldn’t reach it. The smell of the army masks it, but not much. I can smell the blood on the shields. The body odor from days of warfare. The dirt, churned to mud by our advance. It almost made me forget the giant. Then he would laugh. Guffaw. He’d grab his bouncing stomach and laugh with all his might as we hacked at his toes and ankles. Or when others were crushed beneath his naked feet. The Prophecy of the Scroll is our only hope. I pray it’s true, because the army is useless. We leave scratches as he laughs. We are fully incapable of defeating him. We’ve used all manner of weapons to no avail. Siege Engines and Catapults. Fire and Poison. Nothing stops him. And so, slowing him from reaching our village is our goal. We’ve lost a third of the army so far, but holding him here on the Plains of Ardak-Drun, even for a few days, should be enough time for you and my sisters to escape to the mountains. Even if I die, knowing you are safe is worth it. Should the Scrolls prove true, and the chosen one arrive, I will send word. Should his sword be sharp and the stones of his sling fly true, should he stand on his own strength and not that of an army, should the one foretold by those of old lay his sandals upon the sands of Ardak-Drun, I am confident that the uselessness of the army will be but kindling to fuel his glory. Embrace my sisters, tell them the stories of old. Love, your son. • Jacob Marchitell • In 1 Samuel 17, when a nine-foot-tall warrior named Goliath terrorized the Israelite army, David killed him with just a stone and sling. This points to the future promise of the Chosen One. All our efforts are useless against the death that awaits us. But God didn’t leave us to die alone, weak and afraid of the power of death. He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to fight the battle on our behalf. He defeated death by giving up His own life for us on the cross, and then rising from the grave, so we could one day be raised to life just as He was. So now, whenever we are afraid, we can look to our King. Not a king who stays hidden in his palace, but a King who “gave up his divine privileges,” stood on the front line of the war, and defeated death by Himself (Romans 5:1-11; Philippians 2:5-11). In hard times, how can looking to Jesus give us hope? Christ Jesus, our Savior…broke the power of death. 2 Timothy 1:10 (NLT) 

READ: ROMANS 8:31-39; 1 PETER 5:6-11 I have many tactics that I use to try to deal with anxiety, and it seems like I am always trying something new. Recently, I was thinking about how I tend to try to push aside the worst-case scenarios that come into my head and stress me out, and I wondered if there might be a better solution. What if, instead of trying to push aside the worst-case scenarios and stop thinking about them, I thought about how God would be with me even if any one of them were to come into being? Because the truth is, if we know Jesus, He is always with us. When we go through difficult times, He is right there beside us, loving us and caring for us. So, if I am worried about a health issue that might come up, instead of trying to push that thought away, I can think about how God would be with me in that situation. What strength and comfort could He provide? How could He work through His people—the church—to help with this issue? Similarly, if I am worried about money or relationships, I can think about how God would be right there with me to provide wisdom and support. As we remember that Jesus has been through the hurt and suffering of human life too, and He has promised to always be there for us, we can be sure He will help us in any battle we face. As worries mount, we can accept that, yes, bad things might happen, but we serve a God who is bigger than anything we will face—and He will be right there with us. • Emily Acker • Do your thoughts ever jump to worst-case scenarios? This happens to all of us from time to time. In these moments, how could it be helpful to remember that God would be with us in these situations and then consider all the ways He might provide for us? • Can you think of a time God helped you through a difficulty? What was that like? • Jesus promises to always be with His people—He died and rose again to make the way for us to be with God forever. He is always eager to help us, and He often helps us through each other. If you’re experiencing anxiety that won’t go away, who is a trusted adult you could talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. “And remember, I [Jesus] am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (CSB) 

READ: MATTHEW 5:43-47; JOHN 16:29-33 My brother was selected to participate in his middle school’s play, so my family gladly showed up to watch the performance. While we sat in the audience, some unknown person crept into the parking lot and broke into our minivan. Although the would-be thief found nothing to steal, this individual did leave a mound of broken glass and a shattered window in our vehicle. I felt violated. More so, I felt angry. This person had no right to do this! I also felt annoyed that this meant I couldn’t drive our van to my own school while we waited to have it repaired. Instead, my parents taped plastic over the busted-out window and dropped me off on campus. Because my mom needed to drive to work afterward, I arrived so early that the school hadn’t opened its doors yet. As I sat waiting to enter, I fumed about the inconvenience a stranger had caused because they wanted what wasn’t theirs. The person who damaged our van didn’t have any right to harm our family’s property. Feeling anger about this situation was natural. Over time, though, I realized I believed I had a right to avoid the problems other people face in this broken, sinful world. I assumed I deserved exemption from troubles because I trusted God. Scripture tells us something different, though. Those who put their trust in Jesus still experience pain. Entering a relationship with God through His Son doesn’t promise a blissful life. After all, Jesus Himself experienced rejection and injustice. And that means He understands our struggles. He also says we can expect to face trouble. But, when we have Him in our lives, we can be encouraged knowing He loves us, and He has overcome the brokenness of this world. • Allison Wilson Lee • When we’re afraid we’re unsafe, anger is a natural response, because as humans we are worthy of safety. Can you think of a time you experienced trouble that wasn’t your fault, that may even have been caused by someone else? Since the world has been broken by sin, we all experience injustice. And, in fact, we all cause injustice. That’s why Jesus came to save us. He took all the sin and injustice of the world on Himself and defeated it through His own death on the cross. Then He resurrected from the dead, defeating death itself. One day He will return to resurrect His people and flood the world with His perfect justice. In the meantime, He invites us to participate in His kingdom of love and justice, resisting the temptation to take revenge and instead relying on His Holy Spirit within us to provide guidance and wisdom in how to love others, even our enemies. When we face injustice and trouble, how can we respond according to these truths? “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) 

READ: MARK 14:66-72; LUKE 19:1-10; ACTS 3:18-22; ROMANS 2:4 What do you do after you sin? That probably wasn’t the question you were expecting. We all know that we sin, but do we like to think about that? I certainly don’t. After we sin, sometimes we think we can just forget about it, pretend it never happened. “Deny and it shall disappear.” For example, after King David had Bathsheba taken to his palace so he could have sex with her, she became pregnant, and David tried to hide his sin by having her husband Uriah killed while he was away at war (2 Samuel 11-12). But God sees and knows everything we do. Sometimes we feel ashamed when we sin. Peter denied Jesus, not once but three times, all after insisting he would stay true to Jesus even to death. When Peter realized what he’d done, he broke down and wept. He was ashamed and likely wished he could take back what he just did. Sometimes we may not think we are doing anything wrong when we sin. Saul was a hater of Christians. He unabashedly hurt and killed many who followed Jesus. In fact, Saul believed this was what God wanted him to do. He was known to search for Christians with the sole purpose of harming them. Saul didn’t even see his sin as doing anything wrong. There is one more response to sin, and my favorite example of that is Zacchaeus’s. See, Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and he frequently cheated people out of money. He was short (like me), so he climbed up a tree to be able to see Jesus as He passed by. Then Jesus looked right up at him. He told Zacchaeus that He would be staying at his home. Zacchaeus’s response? He welcomed Jesus joyfully. Then he admitted that his sin was wrong and repented, not only paying back the people he stole from, but giving them four times as much as he had taken. David, Peter, and Saul (also known as Paul) eventually had encounters with God and repented of their sins too (2 Samuel 12; John 21:15-24; Acts 9). Similarly, Jesus invites us to repent of our sins often. Because, even as Christians, we’ll still struggle with sin until Jesus returns. There are many responses to the sins we commit, but the only real way forward is confessing our sins to God and receiving His forgiveness (1 John 1:8-9). • Kimberly Brokish • Sin is a big deal to God because it causes harm to His good creation and to our relationship with Him, but He wants so much to forgive and restore us that Jesus became human and died on the cross for us, then rose from the grave (more on our "Know Jesus" page). Consider taking some time to confess any sins that come to mind to God and thank Him for His sure forgiveness through Jesus. “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.” Acts 3:19 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 15:12-17; ROMANS 5:10-11 When you look around at school or at church, how can you tell which people are friends with each other? It’s pretty easy, right? They hang out together. They choose to sit near each other, they talk and laugh and update each other on their lives. They might do things together like play games or sports or work on projects. After a while, they probably start acting like each other too. Friendship really is a great gift from God. He designed us for community with other people…and with Himself. And even though humanity turned away from God, rejecting Him and becoming His enemies, the Bible tells us Jesus has made us friends with God through His death and resurrection. In Jesus, God made the way to forgive our sins and draw us close. So, how can you tell if someone is friends with God? If they spend time with Him. After all, that’s how friendships grow—by spending time together. We became God’s friends when we put our trust in Jesus. Now we can grow in that relationship by hanging out with Him. And Jesus showed us what kind of friendship He wants to have with us when He came and lived among us. The God of the Universe did life with people. Jesus ate, traveled, sailed, fished, went to parties, went to synagogue, and sang hymns with His followers. He taught them, healed them, and He also listened to them. Being friends with Jesus is pretty amazing when you think about it. Today, even though we’re waiting for Jesus to return to earth the same way He ascended into heaven, we can still do life with Him because His Holy Spirit lives inside Christians. We can talk to Him, and listen to Him talk to us, as we pray and read and study His Word—the Bible—both by ourselves and with other Christians. And the more we get to know Jesus, the easier it will be to discern His voice, kind of like how you can recognize your friends’ voices even in a crowded room. No matter what we’re doing or where we are, we can choose to interact with Jesus. He is always eager to listen to us, help us, and share our joys and sorrows with us. Friendship with God is the most wonderful friendship we’ll ever experience. And as our relationship with Him grows, we’ll treat other people in a more loving way because we’ve experienced God’s love for us. More and more, our decisions will reflect His love. • A. W. Smith • In what ways do you want to grow in your friendship with Jesus? Has spending time with Him already affected the things you value and the ways you treat others? How so? (1 John 4:19) So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 107:1, 23-32; MATTHEW 8:23-27 My life lately has been more like a ship tossed around on a stormy sea than a little canoe making its way across a peaceful pond. Relationship issues have come up and I have dealt with loss. As much as I want peace, it is hard to find. Nothing has come easy for me. I identify with the merchants mentioned in Psalm 107. Out on the sea, they experienced waves and scary conditions. The waves took them up high and then dropped them down low. They moved around without knowing what to do, trying to figure out a way through the storm, trying to make it on their own. They could not figure out a way to travel safely. Then, they did something that I have been doing a lot of lately. They cried out to God. The noisy storm was stilled. Everything calmed down. God was right there with the merchants, with all who were on the ship and afraid. Can God do the same for us? When I have reached out to Him in the storms of life that I have faced, I have definitely felt His presence. I have found Him waiting to move into action. I have found that I am never alone. We are never alone. • Emily Acker • What kinds of storms have you been facing lately? When we are afraid and life is chaotic, God is right there with us. He doesn’t expect us to figure things out by ourselves. He alone has the power to calm the storms. And He loves us so much that Jesus, God in flesh, died and rose again to make the way to be with us. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always at our side. By defeating sin, death, and the devil, He has already saved us from the storm of being lost forever. So now the storms of life, as bad as they are, pale in comparison. As Christians, we can be sure that Jesus is always moving into action on our behalf, whether it be in the storms of our unbelief and sin, or the storms of other areas of our lives. And one day, He will return to calm every storm and get rid of all fear and chaos for good. • Jesus is always with us through His Holy Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church), giving us peace even in the midst of the storm. Can you think of a time you’ve felt God’s presence and peace in the midst of a storm? If so, what was it like? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you know His peace and presence. He delights in answering these prayers. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 61:1-3; LAMENTATIONS 3:22-26; LUKE 4:14-21 Picture this. You’re standing barefoot on the shores of a beautiful ocean. As you walk along the water’s edge, breathing in the salty air and feeling the cool spray of the sea, you stop. You’ve seen something that catches your eye: a little orange starfish just offshore. You get closer, and your heart sinks when you see that two of its arms are broken off. But then you notice…two of its feet are moving. It’s alive. And that means it will live, because starfish can regenerate, growing new arms to replace the old ones. That’s how God created them. He made it so that a wounded starfish can begin a new life. Did you know that God also makes the way for us to begin again? When we go through times of transition in our lives, it can feel like part of us has been broken off, kind of like that starfish. Life changes can come in many forms, whether it be moving to a new place, changing schools or churches, losing a friendship, going through family upheaval like divorce, receiving a diagnosis that will change your life or the life of someone you care about, or experiencing the death of a loved one. But even when we’re hurting, there is hope. God sees all our hurts, and He hasn’t left us alone in our pain. Because of His great love for us, Jesus died and rose again for us so that our lives can be regenerated. As Christians, we began a new life when we trusted Jesus as our Savior, and He promises to be with us in every new beginning. It can be scary to begin again, but with Jesus’s help, we can start a new chapter of our life even in the ashes of disappointment and grief. We may have doubts that things could ever be as good as they were before. But in every change we go through, Jesus goes with us. In times of uncertainty, when things feel unsettling and frightening and frustrating, we can trust Him to help us adjust and find new ways to live and heal and grow. If a starfish can begin again, we can too. • A. W. Smith • Have you gone through a major life change recently? How might God be inviting you to begin again? Who are trusted people in your life you can talk with about this change—such as parents, counselors, friends, teachers, etc.? • When you have faced disappointment in the past, were there any ways you noticed God’s presence with you? How did His love help you begin again? Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 22:35-40; JOHN 6:27-29; 1 JOHN 4:7-19 There’s so much pressure on me…I can’t do everything my parents want me to do. I can’t please all of my teachers. I can’t be someone others look up to. I can’t do it all. What does God require of me? How am I going to do that—how am I going to please Him, on top of everything else? Have you ever had thoughts like these? You’re not alone. Life gets busy, and it gets hard. In these times—and everyday—what is it that God requires of us? His command for us is a simple one: believe and love. The apostle John writes, “Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us” (1 John 3:23). First, we are to believe that God has saved us. We are to believe in the cross, the sacrifice, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are to rely on what He has done—not on anything we do or don’t do. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always there for us and that we will have everlasting life with Him (Romans 10:9-13). Isn’t that wonderful news? Second, we are to love. Because God first loved us, we are able to love Him and others (1 John 4:19). Once we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit living in us, so we are able to love like Jesus does. Love our families. Love our friends. Love our enemies. See the world with His loving eyes, looking for those who are hurting and showing them His love. So, when we start to feel overwhelmed by the expectations others have put on us—or maybe the expectations we’ve put on ourselves—we can remember that Jesus has freed us from all this condemnation and fear (Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:18). God has kept things simple for us. He simply calls us to abide in Jesus (John 15:1-17), to live a life of believing in Him and loving Him and those around us. • Emily Acker • Do you ever feel like there is so much required of you that you are overwhelmed and you just want to give up? Who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of how much God loves you, what He truly expects of you, and how eager He is to help you? Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23 (CSB) 

READ: MARK 13:11; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-9; 1 PETER 2:12; 3:13-18 Have you ever eaten sprouts—like bean sprouts with rice noodles or broccoli sprouts with salad? They’re crunchy, delicious, and nutrient-dense. And they’re pretty easy to grow! Recently, I started growing my own sprouts. I took a seed mix, sprinkled it onto a sprouting tray, put water in the tray, and drained and rinsed the seeds three times a day for about five days. The first time I grew sprouts was a pretty messy process! After I rinsed and refilled the tray each time, little seeds and sprouts fell out of the tray, littering my sink and counter. Rogue seedlings escaped every time. And when I harvested the sprouts—pulling them out of the tray by handfuls, drying them in a kitchen towel, and laying them on a drying rack on the dining room table—sprouts were EVERYWHERE. My kitchen towels and dining room table were covered in escaped sprouts. I scooped them up to feed to the chickens, who were very appreciative. This whole experience reminded me of sharing the gospel. Often, we have a set idea of what it looks like to share the gospel with someone. We think, “I have to approach this person in this way and use these exact words, and then they’ll come to know Jesus!” But the truth is, the seeds of the gospel are not so easily contained. When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, His Holy Spirit lives in us, creating new growth in us and carefully tending to the seedlings of our faith. And, much like my first time growing sprouts, those seedlings and sprouts that grow in us spill out even when we don’t plan on it. The gospel permeates every aspect of our lives, so spreading the gospel isn’t a single, containable part of following Jesus. It’s wild and unrestrained, tumbling out of us in ways we may not have expected. Whenever we follow God’s good ways, we are showing others what the gospel looks like. How amazing is that? God uses every part of our lives to show His goodness. Only He knows all the seedlings you’ve unintentionally planted. And He will faithfully tend them. • Taylor Eising • God may put us in unique situations to show someone who He is—or use a small interaction with someone to spread the gospel in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Have you ever seen God use an unexpected situation or interaction to show people who He is? What was that like? “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 23; ISAIAH 49:16; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 As far as I can remember, the first Bible verse I learned was Psalm 23:6, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” I was probably about ten years old. At that time, my parents were not Christian, so we didn’t have any Bibles at home. So where did I learn the verse Psalm 23:6? It was from an obituary! I grew up in Singapore, and obituaries in newspapers could cover the entire page, and they usually included a Bible verse if the deceased person was a Christian. Psalm 23:6 hits a chord in me. It is a beautiful promise and assurance from God! I was young at that time and thought the word Psalm was printed wrongly and was supposed to be Palm. I also thought the number 23:6 was probably a house number. I still find it funny when I think about it now. Later in my life, my parents and I became Christians. I found out that the word psalm is, in fact, spelled correctly. But still, I hoped it had something to do with “palm.” When I first read Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands,” I was delighted to see the word palm. But more importantly, I got to know that God loves me very much! Since first reading Psalm 23:6, I’ve observed that Psalm 23 is often used in funerals. When my grandma passed away, the pastor preached on this passage, reminding us that God is with us during our bad times, good times, and even boring times. For someone like Grandma, who stayed at home most of the time, life can be boring. It reminds me of the pandemic time when we were stuck at home. It was a challenging time. But Psalm 23 encourages us to trust in Jesus as He is our shepherd (John 10:11). He died and rose again so we could always be with Him, and He speaks to us through His Word, revealing how much He loves us. • Kelly Choy • Do you remember the first Bible verse you ever learned? Do you have a favorite Bible verse? • Although Psalm 23:6 isn’t referring to a house number, we can have the assurance of living in God’s house forever by putting our trust in Jesus! Find out more about this good news on our "Know Jesus" page. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 11:28-36, HEBREWS 4:14-16 Composed of just two little words, John 11:35 is recognized as the shortest verse in the entire Bible; John simply wrote, “Jesus wept.” Because of how short it is, this verse is quite well known among Christians, but have you ever given much thought to its implications? The verses surrounding John 11:35 tell us that Jesus’s friend, Lazarus, had died. Now, if you’re familiar with this story, you know that Lazarus didn’t stay dead. Jesus knew this too. But still, the Bible tells us that “Jesus wept.” In this moment, we see that both His compassion for the people around Him and the tenderness of His humanity brought Jesus Himself, the Savior of the world, to tears. Besides making for a touching scene, why does this verse matter? Another passage, Hebrews 4:14-15, tells us about a Great High Priest, the Son of God Himself, who can empathize with our weaknesses. Jesus came to earth to save sinners, being both fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9). Jesus knows what it’s like to be human. He knows what it’s like to be tempted (although, unlike us, He never once gave in). He knows what it’s like to experience pain. He knows what it’s like to cry. And this same Jesus is now our Great High Priest, the One who intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). Jesus is sinless, but because God loves us, He took all our sins upon Himself on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He died for us, and then He rose again, making the way for us to be forgiven and brought near to God. Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, we can “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We don’t have to be ashamed to ask Jesus for help and admit our weakness because He understands. In fact, we can approach Him confidently! Whenever we find ourselves on our knees before God, pleading for grace, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus can truly empathize with our weakness. He, too, wept. • Katherine Billingsley • We can come to Jesus with all our sins and all our struggles because, being human, He fully understands our pain, and being God, He is the only one who can do something about it. What might God be inviting you to bring to His throne of grace today? How could the truth that Jesus empathizes with you give you boldness to approach Him? Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (CSB)  

READ: GENESIS 1:1-3; JOHN 1:1-18; COLOSSIANS 1:15-20; HEBREWS 1:8-12 Have you ever dreamed of being a paleontologist? There’s something awe-inspiring about fossils, whether you find a rock with an imprint of a leaf or a marine creature on it, or go to a museum where entire skeletons are constructed. It’s amazing what we can discover about the past through what we find in the ground. Do you know how fossils are formed? When a living thing, like a plant or an animal, is buried in mud or clay for years and years, the material around it gets very hard as time goes by. Eventually, the plant or animal dissolves away, leaving openings in the hardened material. Those openings are exactly the shape of the plant or animal that has disappeared. When this process happens with animals, the flesh and hair and feathers wear away first, but the bones, teeth, and horns take longer to decompose. Over time, water finds its way into the cavity in the ground, and the minerals in the water gradually replace the bones and such until there is a complete replica of the original skeleton. This whole process takes quite a while. You might say fossils are “as old as the hills,” to quote an old saying. The ironic thing is, we aren’t even sure exactly how old the hills are. But God knows. He existed long before the earth or anything in it. God is eternal, with no beginning or end. And we’re not just talking about God the Father. Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father have always existed. God is one God in three persons—that’s why we sometimes refer to God as the Trinity. Together, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made the earth and everything in it. And that makes it even more awe-inspiring to realize that God came and lived among us as a human. Jesus is God incarnate, and He experienced all the same things we do, even death. But death could not keep its hold on Him—after three days in the grave, Jesus rose (Acts 2:24). As finite human beings, we can’t totally wrap our minds around these truths—even Bible scholars and pastors can’t quite explain the mysteries of God. Yes, throughout our lives we’ll learn more and more about God, but there will be many things we won’t fully understand until we see Jesus face-to-face, and that’s okay. As we look forward to that glorious day, we can marvel, wonder, and rest in the truth of God’s greatness and eternal love for us. • A. W. Smith • What are some of the mysteries about God that you have trouble wrapping your mind around? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk with about these mysteries? All things were created through him [Jesus]… John 1:3a (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 95:1-6 The ocean…the powerful water coming up to the beach and splashing against it. The beautiful color. The sparkling. The place for people to gather on the sand and spend hours swimming and just enjoying life. Who owns all of that? Who made it? I love the ocean and everything to do with it. I love the Great Lakes. I love small lakes, rushing rivers, and trickling creeks. When I hear the “sea” mentioned in the Bible, I pay attention. Psalm 95 says it is God who has made the water and who is the true Owner of it. It is His because He is the One who has created it. Where would we be without water, without Him sharing it with us? How can we look at the water and not see the power of our God and the greatness of all that He has created and done? As I think about the ocean and the fact that it was formed by God, that it is His, I can’t help but feel awe. My God is amazing. The things that He has accomplished are amazing. How special it is for us to know this God and be saved by Him—the Creator and Owner of things like the ocean and each river and lake. • Emily Acker • Which part of nature amazes you the most? Consider taking a moment to think about how God is the Creator, not just of the whole world, but of that one thing in particular, and praise Him for it. • Have you ever thought of Jesus as the Maker of the sea? Colossians 1:16 says, “everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth.” When Jesus spoke to the wind and waves during a fierce storm, everything became completely calm in an instant, and His disciples said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:41). Have you ever stopped to think about how the God who has created all things is the same God who has such a great love for you that He was willing to humble Himself and die for you (Philippians 2:5-12)? And He is the same God who is therefor you each day. You can know the Maker of the sea, personally, intimately. If you want to know more, see our "Know Jesus" page. Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 91; JOHN 15:1-5; ACTS 16:22-25; COLOSSIANS 3:15-17 Today, while I was getting the hose and sprinkler sorted, I stood in the sunshine. It was nice, for a bit. But eventually the blaring sun was just too much. So, I moved my operation into the shade. Wow, was that better! Standing in the shadow of the house, I could keep on working and ultimately fix the problem with the hose. In life, we can usually handle some discomfort; but we can’t bear up under blazing heat at high noon for long. Our bodies weren’t designed for it. God has made us lovers of shade. As part of God’s great care and provision for His people, He provides the shelter we need in every kind of suffering. He provides Himself. He Himself is the One standing so close by that His shadow is our hiding place (Psalm 32:7). Even better than a house! God’s comfort is always available as we abide in Jesus. “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5). From the comfort of His shade, we respond like the psalmist did, with great thanksgiving: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:2). Come and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty today. Allow His presence to be your comfort, to shield you from the harshness of the hot sun. How? When we pray, sing to Him, and read His Word, we choose to abide in the shadow of the Almighty. We can also talk with trusted friends and mentors who can pray with us and lead us into a deeper relationship with Christ. Have you endured blazing trials, and found your shelter in God’s shade? Perhaps you are the loving presence that offers a cool refreshing cup of water to the weary one in your life (Matthew 10:42). May God equip you to lead your friend into the shade. • Kristen Merrill • Have you experienced blazing hot sun and searched for any bit of shade to provide relief? Have you experienced the relief the love of God brings to us in our suffering? What was that like? • How could you offer that shade to someone you know? (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) • If you want to dig deeper: In John 4, Jesus sat down by a well in the heat of the day and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. Then Jesus said, “the water I give…will become…a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (see John 4:1-42; 7:37-39). To find out more about Jesus being our shade, read Psalms 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 121:5; Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 23; 46; MATTHEW 10:29-31; EPHESIANS 1:3 Though I walk through darkest valleys In the shadows of my fear I can hold my head up high because I know You’re here The sparrows do not worry They’re not afraid, they do not stress Because the Lord cares for them So, His children are certainly blessed When mountains fall and earth gives way We can have peace of mind We have a fortress and refuge As strong as any can find We don’t need to wander Our Shepherd won’t let us fall We are secure, we have a home His arms open to us all • Elizabeth Blanton • Because the world has been broken by sin, we all feel afraid and anxious sometimes. Jesus Himself experienced deep distress before going to the cross (Matthew 26:36-46). But Jesus died and rose again to defeat sin and all its effects—including fear, worry, and anxiety. He will return one day to restore creation and raise us from the dead, establishing His rule and reign of perfect peace. In the meantime, He promises to always be with us, feeling our hurts with us and giving us His peace and strength even in the midst of difficulty (Matthew 1:23; 28:20). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are never alone, because He is the God who’s here. • When you feel worried or afraid, who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of Jesus’s presence with you? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 119:105; PROVERBS 3:5-6; ROMANS 12:1-21 Umar and Krish waited in anticipation. Today was the day they would go through the Maze, an important final test in their training. After this, they and all the others in their year would disperse to their various apprenticeships. As they gathered at the entrance to the Maze, their Guide showed them the map, carved onto an elaborate but weathered sign. “Now, when you get inside the Maze, it can be easy to lose your way. But you can always find the tower there in the middle, climb up, and see where you are and where you need to go,” the Guide explained, pointing to the wooden tower in the middle of the Maze. Umar and Krish nodded, and when the Guide gave the signal to begin, they dashed side by side into the Maze. But as the two friends got further into the journey, they got more and more confused. As the sun began to set, Krish groaned. “We should be able to make a turn here, but we can’t. We should be near the end, but I don’t see it.” Umar looked up. “Well then, to the tower it is!” Once they climbed the wooden structure, they immediately saw where they had started making wrong turns. They could also see the end of the Maze and which way they could take to get there. When they finally made it out, the Guide and the others cheered. “Well done!” the Guide intoned. “But, you know, many of you waited a long time to go to the tower. What you learned in the Maze today is a good lesson to remember in all of life. When we try to make it through life on our own, we’ll only end up getting lost and confused. We need the perspective of the Creator. He is eager to help us, and He invites us to come to Him for wisdom in every situation. He doesn’t expect us to know the way without Him. As you journey into your lives as young apprentices, may you never think that you walk alone.” • A. W. Smith • When have you felt lost and confused in life? When we know Jesus as our Savior, He promises to always be with us and guide us in His good ways. Through His Spirit, His Word, and His people, He helps us see things from His perspective, and He empowers us to make decisions that are rooted in love for God and our neighbors. We’re never lost with Him by our side. • Are there any Christians in your life who love spending time in the Bible and prayer and who you trust for wisdom and perspective? How could you be intentional about spending time with them? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 (WEB) 

READ: PSALMS 32:6-11; 91:15; 94:17-19; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-5 Help! Someone help! You’re falling and there is nothing to grab onto to catch yourself. You awake with a start, your heart pumping hard. It was only a dream. You try to catch your breath. The dreams where we are falling, where something gives out from under us and we have no way of saving ourselves, can be really scary. When things happen in our real lives that make us feel that same way, like there is nothing to grab onto and no way we can save ourselves, it can be even scarier. Bad stuff happens in our lives. People harm us. We mess up. We find ourselves in situations we never wanted to get into. Through it all, God is just a call away. When we are slipping, He can catch us. When we are falling and we have nothing to grab onto, He will be there for us. As life gets difficult, anxiety eats at us. We start to worry about the future and how we are going to make it. We wonder what we are going to do, who we can trust, how we are going to continue on with our lives. But God offers comfort when we are anxious. He is there to ease our fears. When you are falling in a dream, you have no one to reach out to, no one to help you. But when you start to slip in real life, you’re not alone. Seek out God, and find rest in the help He so generously gives. He is close beside you, eager to be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13; Acts 17:27). Know that He will respond to your cries and give you comfort. • Emily Acker • What scares you the most in life? What causes you to feel like you are falling and no one is going to catch you? Remember, Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). He came to save us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave, so now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is brought near to God. He invites us to turn to Him with everything that’s troubling us, big or small. He has such compassion on us, and He longs to soothe our fears with His love. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever is on your mind. • Jesus reminds us of His presence with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). When you feel that sinking feeling of dread or unease, who is a trusted Christian in your life you can reach out to? How could you pray with each other and remind each other of the hope Jesus has given us, pointing each other to His Word? If I say, “My foot is slipping,” your faithful love will support me, Lord. Psalm 94:18 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 115:1-13; MATTHEW 6:7-8, 19-34; 1 CORINTHIANS 8:4-6 There is no one like God. There is nothing that could replace Him. Yet, all throughout history, people have been trying to make other gods. Even the Israelites, God’s chosen people, made idols for themselves to worship. We have tried to replace God. But nothing we make could ever compare to Him. In Psalm 115, we read that idols can’t talk or hear or see. Other gods are fake and worthless. They don’t offer any help or guidance. They are not worthy of worship. Many of us already know that about false gods. And we tend to think we could never get tricked into worshipping one, that we know who God is and would never abandon Him. Yet, it’s easy to forget that idols come in many forms. Yes, some idols are statues made of wood or metal. But in Matthew 6, Jesus warns us about having money as our god. He says, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be…No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (verse 21, 24). As we go through life, there are times we might feel dependent on money. We might fall in love with it because of all it can do for us. How easy it is to make money our god. But there is no one like the one true God. In Matthew 6, Jesus says that He takes care of us. He loves us. He guides us. He is there all the time. He hears every prayer and listens to every thought. He knows us better than anyone and can anticipate what we need before we even ask. There are countless false gods we could fall for, but there is only one real God. There is only one worthy of our love. • Bethany Acker • Whenever we find ourselves chasing after an idol—whether it be money or any other created thing “instead of the Creator himself” (Romans 1:25)—God calls us to repent. We can confess our idolatry to Him, and we can rest in His sure forgiveness, because Jesus already took all our sins upon Himself on the cross, and His Spirit empowers us to turn away from sin. Because of His great love for us, we can love Him instead of loving money (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 4:19). • In our broken world, dealing with money is not easy. How does God call us to view money? How does His love free us from the love of money? (1 Timothy 6:5-19; Hebrews 13:5) There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6b (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 16:9-11; 94:17-19; JOHN 15:1-12 Rejoice, delight, jubilation, glee, ebullience, exhilaration…all of these words mean to have joy. Not only are there lists of words about joy, but there are also hundreds of Bible verses about joy. Yet, so often we overlook or even avoid the joy of the Lord. Instead, we should be asking, how can we receive this joy? How can we live in the blessing of joy? In Romans 5, Paul tells us the reason for our joy. He says, “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (verse 10-11, emphasis added). As Christians, we have received freedom in Jesus Christ. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, He set us free from sin! If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has set us free, why shouldn’t we praise Him? Why should we isolate ourselves from freedom and joy? Psalm 47:1 says, “Shout to God with joyful praise!” It literally says to shout with joy! The Lord has given us this gift: to live in never-ending joy. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” If you don’t know how to receive joy, I have one word to help you receive the fullness of God’s beautiful gift of joy: prayer. In Romans 12:12, Paul says, “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Pray for joy; pray that the Lord will overwhelm you with His joy! The Lord Jesus is faithful to guide us into His gift of joy, help us live in His joy, and teach us that even in the valley, He will be there to overwhelm us with the joy of His loving presence. • Ana Johnson • God Himself is joyful, and He invites us to share in His joy (Matthew 25:23; Hebrews 12:1-2). In fact, joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, which means the Holy Spirit produces it in us (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, as Christians we can always choose to rejoice, remembering the Lord’s goodness even in the hardest circumstances (Acts 16:22-25; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Philippians 4:4-13). Have you ever experienced the joy of the Lord? What was it like? “I [Jesus] have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 43:1-7; MATTHEW 10:29-31; JOHN 10:1-18; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 Have you ever felt invisible? Like no one knew who you were? Sometimes it seems like other people have really great relationships and a bunch of people to hang out with. There are some people who fit into groups with ease, and there are others who find themselves watching from a distance more than they’d like. It’s lonely. It’s isolating. It’s discouraging. Trying to find your place in this world can be hard. It can take more time than we’d like. It can feel defeating. But God knows your name. He knows who you are. And He loves you. He doesn’t care whether or not you’re in the in-crowd. He doesn’t care if you have the best ability when it comes to sports or music. None of that makes Him love you any more or any less. He created you for a purpose, and you matter more to Him than you could ever know. He sees you, He knows you, and He values who you are. • Tynea Lewis • When have you felt left out? In times like these, Jesus invites us to come to Him. Remember, He befriended all kinds of people, but He especially sought out those who weren’t part of thein-crowd, people like ordinary fishermen, hated tax collectors, and zealots with questionable reputations, not to mention He was friends with women, who were generally looked down upon in society, and He touched people who were considered “unclean” outcasts and healed them. (If you want to dig deeper, just start reading one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.) • Jesus sees each one of us, even when no one else does. Because God cares about us so much, Jesus died and rose again so everyone who trusts in Him can become part of God’s family. How could it be comforting to know that, even when we don’t feel like we have a place we fit in the world, Jesus says we belong to Him and we have an important place in His kingdom and family? • How can resting in the assurance of being known and loved by God help us reach out to others who may be feeling lonely or unseen? (Romans 15:7) • What is the purpose God created us for? One way Christians have answered this question is in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalm 86; Isaiah 60:21; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31; Revelation 4:11 and Psalms 16:5-11; 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4; Revelation 21:3-4.) “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1b (NLT) 

READ: ROMANS 8:1; HEBREWS 4:14-16; 1 JOHN 1:8–2:2 I’d just arrived in a new-to-me country on the other side of the world. I had left a sweltering summer in Florida, where I lived…and landed in a blustery New Zealand winter to begin a year of ministry. A missionary couple offered their home for my first few days there. When I trudged into their house, I wanted nothing more than a cup of hot tea. After getting my tea just right, I spotted what I assumed to be a tiny sugar bowl near the stove. I spooned some sugar into my cup and took the first delightful sip. Only my tea wasn’t delightful; it was dismal. I’d mistakenly added salt, not sugar. It was a mistake I never made again at this family’s house. Some errors are harder to leave behind, though. There are days when I’ve found myself doing the same wrong things over and over, such as doubting God’s goodness or acting out of fear instead of faith. It can lead me to wonder in disappointment—when will I learn? Sometimes our sins surprise us, like a mouthful of salty tea, but God isn’t ever surprised by our sin. He knows everything we do, think, or say, and He knows that we’ll all struggle with sin until Jesus returns. So, until that day, God’s instructions to His people are not to hide our sins, but rather to acknowledge those wrongdoings to Him. We don’t need to be afraid to come to God with our sins, because being God’s people means we have received forgiveness from sin and entered a relationship with Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, when we confess our sins to God, we experience reminders of His lovingkindness: that Christ took the penalty for our sin on Himself, and we don’t face that any longer (1 Peter 2:24). That evening in New Zealand, I could have chosen to try to hide my mistake and drink salty tea. Instead, I poured it out and started fresh. God gives us fresh starts, too. In Jesus, we’re free from condemnation. Through faith in what Jesus has done for us, we are freely accepted by Him, and free to take new steps of obedience even after we fail. • Allison Wilson Lee • When do you find it difficult to confess your sin to God? How could it be encouraging to remember that God is never surprised by our sin? He calls us to confess our sins to Him often. Even though we’re not even aware of all our sins (Psalm 19:12-14), it’s so good to come to Jesus in our weakness and rest in His forgiveness and in the Spirit’s power to help us move forward in love (Galatians 5:13-16). Consider taking a moment to confess any sins that come to mind. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 6; 42; JOHN 11:1-44 When was the last time you had a good cry? I’m not talking about letting a few tears go and moving on with your day, but an all-out, feels like your heart is breaking, flooding your couch with tears kind of cry. I recently allowed myself to weep like this, and afterward, it occurred to me that it had been months since I had such a cleansing cry. Before the deluge, I felt an aching emptiness. After crying, I felt a great sense of comfort and peace. David knew all about the healing power of tears. He wasn’t afraid to use the emotions God gave him to maximum capacity. When we read the psalms of David or other Bible passages about his life, we find many times when he wept, whether it be over his friendship with Johnathan, the sickness of his baby, his enemies having the upper hand, or his sorrow over the death of his adult son Absalom (1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 12:16-23; 18:33; Psalm 6). In Psalm 56, David wrote that God kept track of all his sorrows, collecting his tears in a bottle and recording each one in His book (verse 8). The knowledge that God cares enough about our sorrows to keep track of them is such a comforting thought. Our emotions and tears are extraordinarily important to the One who created us. Jesus Himself wept over the death of His friend Lazarus, deeply moved by the grief of others who also loved him (John 11:32-44). Jesus is God, and He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead, yet in His humanity He took the time to weep and share in the sorrows of those around Him. And, when His own death was drawing near, Jesus said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” even though He knew that He would rise again three days later (Matthew 26:37-38; Mark 14:32-34). If you know Jesus, you have a promise that one day He will raise you from the dead too, and wipe away all your tears (Revelation 21:4). While weeping may remain for much of life here on earth, God promises that joy will come (Psalm 30:5). When circumstances feel hopeless, you can cling to His promises and rest in the One who cares so much for you that He records your every tear. • Savannah Coleman • When was the last time you allowed yourself space to process your feelings with tears, whether tears of anger, sorrow, or joy? Consider setting aside some time for this, and ask God to give you the courage to follow His example and utilize the good gift He has given you in tears. You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 34:18; ISAIAH 41:10; MATTHEW 5:4; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 Editor’s note: Today’s devotional reading discusses sexual abuse. As an eleven-year-old, I was shy and awkward. My father moved out that year. Everything felt embarrassing. One day, my father came to school unannounced. He took me on a weekend trip and molested me. Then he told me it was my fault. I felt damaged, dirty, and destroyed. I was brokenhearted and crushed. Has something horribly unfair or evil happened to you? It seems like life should be fair. When it isn’t, we can feel devastated. The sorrow can be crushing when another person harms part of our life. Jesus came to earth for our good. Yet He was crucified by the very people He came to save. Jesus understands unfairness. He was bullied and tortured. He wept and bled for us so we could have friendship with God. When He rose from the dead, He promised that He would bring an end to sin, death, and suffering permanently on the day He returns. And until that day, He is able to comfort us through our troubles. The Lord is the only way I survived my pain. He was near to me and consoled me. When I remembered that He is close to us in all our troubles, I could feel Him next to me, leading me, guiding me, and holding me beside Him when I was afraid. At the right time, God provided a Christian counselor to help me grow past the pain. I learned that it was not my fault and that I was valued by God. I learned that although someone sinned against me, I could find comfort in Jesus. Holding onto hurt ultimately hurts us more. Leaning into the love and hope of Christ brings peace. • Mary Schilling • Has something shattered your life? Jesus can relate to your suffering. He cares about your every hurt, and He weeps with you (John 11:33-36; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). You can talk to Him about your hurts anytime. • As you process your hurts with Jesus, who are trusted people in your life you can reach out to? Remember, we need community. We are made to walk alongside other people, especially as Christians (Genesis 2:18; Galatians 6:1-10). • We live in a world that has been broken by sin. But Jesus came into our broken world to save and restore. He was willing to endure the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we could be brought near to God (Isaiah 53; Hebrews 12:2). Then He rose from the dead, defeating sin and all the brokenness sin causes, including terrible things like abuse. He promises to return one day, righting every wrong and making all things new. On that glorious day, He will raise His people to new life. “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). And even now, He is present with us, helping us escape harmful situations and bringing healing through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). As Christians, we have this unshakeable hope through all the suffering and sorrow we experience. We can rest in the truth that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). In light of these wonderful truths, what are some ways we can pray for people who have been abused and also for people who have abused others? • If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, and especially if your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or g

READ: EPHESIANS 4:11-32; JAMES 3:2-10 Picture this. You’re on your favorite social media app, and you come across someone saying blatantly untrue things. You’re understandably frustrated. How could someone have this much disregard for the truth? You feel anger and fear. And just like that, it feels like a tornado has taken over your thumbs. You deposit a slew of harsh words and not-so-kind names into the comment box. You press send, and you hope you’ve shown them what’s what. But let’s take a step back. Let’s think about tornadoes for a second. When a tornado hits a town, it can destroy all sorts of things as it sweeps through. Once the storm passes, the people who live there are left wandering around their ruined yards and houses and overturned cars. Their belongings are flung everywhere. The people are stunned, at a loss for what to do. All that damage was done in just a few minutes. But the rebuilding may take years. Thinking about tornadoes can help us reflect on how the words we say can cause a lot of hurt and damage and keep us from showing others the love of Jesus. Much like tornadoes, harsh and hasty words on social media can not only hurt us but also the people we might actually be trying to help. As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). After all, Jesus came to live among us, full of both love and truth (John 1:14). Though we were all trapped in sin, showing disregard for the truth and for one another, He had compassion on us. He died and rose again to forgive us and save us from sin. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His forgiveness frees us to love others and to realize that we are all sinners—both us and the people we’re tempted to tear down on social media. So, as forgiven people, we can build others up instead of tearing them down (Ephesians 4:29). Even when we do decide to comment online, it’s important to make sure the way we say something doesn’t cause more damage than if we hadn’t spoken at all. Next time you feel the tornado thumbs coming on, take a deep breath, pause, and talk to Jesus. You can trust Him to help you deal with the situation in an honest yet loving way. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time you saw harsh words on social media cause harm? What were the effects? What might have been a more loving way to communicate the intended message? • Before posting or messaging, what questions could you ask yourself that might slow you down? Who are trusted adults in your life who could help you set up good boundaries for communicating lovingly and safely online—such as parents, teachers, counselors, pastors, etc.? Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 46:1-11; LUKE 19:10; JOHN 8:12; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11 Feeling so down Laying on the ground Tears fall from my eyes Then I get a surprise A hand on my back Comforting, not an attack Someone to dry my tears Be with me in my fears Help me get up again Walk where I’ve never been Jesus, there for me In ways I never knew He could be When I was ready to give up He showed me His love was enough Brought me back to the light Told me I would be alright • Bethany Acker • Have you ever been surprised by Jesus’s comfort? Has His nearness ever brought you peace in a hard time? If so, consider taking a moment to thank God for this. If not, you can ask God for this anytime; He loves to answer these prayers. • Sometimes, life in our broken world can be overwhelming. But Jesus does not stand far off—He is so very near, ready to help and comfort us. Have you ever imagined Jesus being physically present with you? After all, Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:14). He is fully human, even as He is also fully God. When He came and lived among us, people could talk with Him, eat with Him, lean against Him, even beat Him and bruise Him. He fully entered into all the joys and sorrows of human life. Ultimately, He gave up His life for us. He walked where we never could—He lived a sinless life and took our sins upon Himself, dying a terrible death on a cross, so that we could be forgiven and brought near to God. But the evils of death could not hold our wondrous Lord—He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death once and for all and declaring that, when He returns, pain and sorrow will be no more. On that day, He will be physically present with us again, and all who trust in Him will live with Him forever. In the meantime, He is still very much with us—through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). He is intimately involved in our lives. Every moment of every day, He is there for us. Consider taking a moment to picture Jesus right beside you, and talk to Him about whatever comes to mind. • If you’re feeling overwhelmed, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about what you’re going through, such as a friend, parent, counselor, teacher, coach, or pastor? God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 53; ROMANS 12:15; HEBREWS 4:14-16 Have you ever met someone who just gets what you’re going through? It can be so comforting. I experience this often with my friends who are parents. I have two young kids, and I really appreciate my friends who do have kids, as well as my friends who don’t. They both bring richness to my life. It takes some extra work for my non-parent friends to understand what my life is like, and I love that they are willing to do that work to empathize with me. But, my friends who have kids of their own don’t have to do nearly as much work to empathize with me. All I have to do is say the word “teething,” and they instantly know that means sleepless nights, hours of tears, and a deep sense of helplessness. They know, not just intellectually, but from their own shared experiences, what it’s like to attempt to soothe a crying child an endless number of times throughout the day and night. Not only can they imagine what it’s like—they’ve actually lived it. They’ve felt the exhaustion, frustration, and feelings of powerlessness that seep into your bones. They get it. And knowing that brings me so much comfort and alleviates some of my loneliness. The Bible tells us that, whatever we’re going through, Jesus gets it. He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God who created the whole universe, became human, and walked the earth. He experienced heartache, loneliness, disappointment. He was tempted. He was betrayed. He even experienced death. But, He rose again, declaring that He will one day restore all things. As we wait for that day, if we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, feeling our hurts with us. Not only can He imagine what it’s like—He’s actually lived it. He gets it. God has entered into our suffering. And while that doesn’t always take away our pain and heartache, His empathy can make us feel a bit less lonely in the midst of it. And sometimes, that’s enough. • Taylor Eising • As Christians, we can know that, whatever we go through, we are never alone. Jesus is with us, feeling our hurts as His own. And, He is able and eager to help us. Consider taking a moment to tell God about the hard things you’ve experienced lately, resting in His comfort and empathy. • Because we have received Jesus’s empathy, we can also extend empathy to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Who have you been able to empathize with lately? What was it like? For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses… Hebrews 4:15a (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 6:25-33; EPHESIANS 3:14-21; 1 PETER 5:7 Have you ever been walking or driving along and noticed a cluster of colorful flowers just off the road? No one planted them there, but they’re just as beautiful as any of the flowers planted on purpose. Wildflowers come up in the most random places, even between the cracks in the pavement. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors, and they’re a bright spot in some otherwise drab areas. Do you ever stop to think about how God created all the flowers in the world, including the wildflowers? In Matthew 6, Jesus says, if God cares for the flowers that are here for such a short time and then fade away and die, shouldn’t we know that He cares much more about us? It’s so easy to forget that God treasures us, that He watches over us, and that He is mindful of our every need. But when we look at the wildflowers, or any flowers for that matter, they can be reminders of God’s love for us. He cares about us much more than the flowers—and just think about how beautifully and intricately He made them. God’s love for you is deep and wide, and He will never stop caring for you. All the flowers you see can be reminders of His love and kindness, because the same God who shaped each petal also made you, and He loves you more than you can imagine. • Bethany Acker • According to Matthew 6, how can flowers remind us of God’s love? What other reminders do you see day to day? Why do you think God calls us to take time to ponder His love? • In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we would realize just how deep and wide and high Jesus’s love for us is. Because Jesus died and rose again for us, we can rest in the hope of His constant presence with us and His promise to one day return and welcome us into the new heavens and the new earth, where we will enjoy an abundance of all good things. Until then, He promises to be with us and give us strength to endure as we struggle with pain and lack, looking forward to the day He will clothe us even more splendidly than a field covered in flowers. Consider taking a moment to bring your needs and concerns to God in prayer (Philippians 4:4-13).And if you’d like, you can also pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 for yourself or someone you know. “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13; 2 TIMOTHY 2:22; JAMES 1:12-15; 4:7 What sins do you struggle with the most? In other words, in what situations do you find it’s harder to love God and your neighbors through your words, thoughts, and actions? In Matthew 22:37-40, we see that the life Jesus invites us into is one of love. But sin distorts love, so we end up loving the wrong things—or loving the right things in the wrong way. And the result of sin is always death, decay, and brokenness. Yet, so often sin seems so appealing. Do certain sins seem to tempt you more than they tempt other people? That can be such a discouraging experience. But the good news is, it’s also normal. Every person has different weaknesses and different strengths. And Jesus “understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Isn’t that a comforting truth? And it gets even better. Because Jesus was sinless, He was able to pay for all our sins when He died on the cross—He took the whole of our sin upon His own body (1 Peter 2:24). This was the ultimate act of love. He went through all that undeserved pain and sorrow and ridicule…because He loves us. He wants more than anything for us to be with Him. He invites us to come to Him with all our failures, weaknesses, and shortcomings…to come and receive His free gift of salvation. Instead of being trapped in guilt and fear, we can rest knowing that we are held in His love, because He has secured our forgiveness by dying and rising again for us. And since He loves us, we can love Him and others. So, when we feel tempted to do something unloving against God or our neighbors, we can remember that we don’t have to give in to any sin because Jesus has already freed us from sin’s power. We can trust Him to help us resist every temptation we face—no exceptions. And when we find ourselves believing lies that make it easy for us to act in ways that are unloving toward God and our neighbors, we can turn to Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, He will help us reject those lies and instead rest in His great love for us—a love that is far more powerful than sin. The next time you’re tempted, remember that God knows your weaknesses, and He can help you be strong when you feel yourself wanting to give in. Once you know Jesus, sin holds no power over you. You don’t have to give in, even when something is especially tempting, because God gives His people the ability to resist every temptation. But when you’re tempted, don’t try to resist on your own—instead, depend on God. Since you belong to Jesus, you have been freed to flee temptation and run to Him. In His arms, you will find the strength to love God and your neighbors—no matter what. • A. W. Smith • Jesus came to save us from sin. Why is sin something we need to be saved from? (If you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) • When is it hardest for you to love God and your neighbors well? Consider taking some time to talk with God about this in the space below. Remember, even Jesus was tempted, but He never sinned. Yet, He understands all our weaknesses and He empathizes with us. So, once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can approach Him with anything, knowing that you are held securely in His love. (Hebrews 4:14-16) • We live in a broken world where we are constantly bombarded by lies that make it easy to act in ways that are unloving toward God and our neighbors. Here are just a few examples of lies we might believe: God doe

READ: ROMANS 12:1-13; JAMES 4:6-10 I genuinely wanted to figure this out on my own. But I couldn’t. It was time to ask for help. I’d been in Romania just a few weeks. Wanting to acclimate to my new city, I took a tram to shop for groceries one afternoon. I needed to return for a meeting with my ministry team later that night. As I left the store, I walked to the tram stop that looked familiar. Only I boarded the tram going in the wrong direction. When I realized my mistake, I quickly exited. Now I stood waiting in an area that felt completely foreign. I didn’t want to be late to meet my team, but I could think of no solutions. At least, not on my own. I approached a group of school children and asked if they spoke English. After my request for directions, one boy held up his hand and indicated I should go five stops and then switch trams. I followed those instructions and returned in the nick of time. Even though I—a young woman—wanted to feel independent and capable, I had to humble myself so I could receive the help God wanted to give. In my pride, I might have chosen to continue sorting out my problem alone— probably growing more lost and desperate. As humans, we all have a sin problem. And the result of sin is death. God’s plan to solve that problem was fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Out of His great love for us, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming human and submitting to death on a cross. Then, He was lifted up to life on the third day. When we trust in Jesus for forgiveness and new life, we begin a relationship with God by His grace. But we don’t stop needing His grace. As we grow, we learn to acknowledge that we can’t meet all our needs on our own. And as we humble ourselves, we get to experience His grace in our lives. That evening in Romania, God’s grace showed up in a group of generous school kids. • Allison Wilson Lee • While the desire to be independent can be good and healthy at times, how could this desire get in the way of asking for and receiving help when we need it? (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 21) • When do you hesitate to ask God for help? And, when do you hesitate to ask other people for help? Why do you think that might be? Consider spending some time in prayer, asking Jesus to help you let go of any pride in your heart and instead rest and rely on Him. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 10:29-31; ROMANS 8:28-29; 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9; HEBREWS 13:5 Are you going through a stressful time? Is life really hard? In every hard time, we are seen. We are known, and we are loved. And the One doing all of this caring is God Himself. Jesus understands suffering. He suffered and died for you. In Matthew 10, Jesus says that God has His eye on every sparrow that falls from its branch. The bird’s whole life is noticed by its Maker: from hatchling, to bird-in-flight, to nest-builder and worm-eater and tender-of-its-young, on to old age. Throughout our lives, we will encounter suffering. Yet, our heavenly Father sees all we go through. He has compassion on us and comforts us, and He has planned for all believers a glorious life ahead that we cannot even imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5). So, in every struggle He says, “Be encouraged,” or as some Bible translations put it, “Let your heart take courage” (Psalm 31:24). How do we do this? We can take ahold of the courage God offers by trusting in Him. Instead of focusing on all the hard stuff, as believers we can choose to focus on Jesus because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us. The Holy Spirit gives us faith and reminds us of who God is and how much He cares for us. One practical way we can choose to trust Him is to live in the “even though’s,” believing God’s truths, even though the circumstances are tough. Here are some examples: Even though…I miss the person who died, yet I will take courage, knowing that God sees me in my suffering, and He is right here with me. He said He would never leave me, nor forsake me. Ever. Even though…I am suffering through this illness, yet I will take courage, knowing that God sees me in my suffering, and He promises to use this difficulty for good. I can trust Him. Always. Rest assured today, His eye is upon you, right now, even in the stressful experience you may be facing. He loves you, and you can trust Him for what lies ahead. • Kristen Merrill • The One who made you understands and cares about everything that is going on in your life, right now. His loving eye is always on you (Psalm 32:8). What are some of the stressful things you’ve experienced lately? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about these things—you can be totally honest about your hurts, sorrows, frustrations, and fears. As you talk to Him, consider trying out the phrase “even though,” using the truths from today’s Bible passages. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh. Psalm 31:24 (WEB) 

READ: GENESIS 16:1-13; PSALM 139; HEBREWS 13:5 If there was a list of all the people in the Bible who had a reason to feel invisible, Hagar would no doubt be near the top. As Sarai’s Egyptian slave, Hagar likely had no choice but to cooperate when she was suddenly thrown into the middle of a messy plot for Abram to produce offspring through her. You see, God had promised that Abram and Sarai would have many descendants, but after years of waiting, the childless couple got impatient. So, Sarai told Abram to sleep with Hagar, her slave, so they could have a child through her. Even though this was a common practice at the time, God was certainly not okay with it. And, like most plans we make apart from God, things began to go badly. Hagar was mistreated to the point she ran away, leaving Abram, Sarai, and their twisted plan behind. Except, she was already pregnant. But as she came to a spring in the middle of the wilderness, Hagar was met by the angel of the Lord. The angel instructed her to return, promising that God would greatly multiply her descendants and saying, “the Lord has heard your cry of affliction” (Genesis 16:10-11). Hagar called the God who spoke to her El Roi, which means: the God who sees me. Hagar’s mistreatment and grief wasn’t over yet. But in the middle of it all, when she no doubt felt invisible in her suffering, God saw her. Not all of us have been used and mistreated like Hagar was, but at some point we will all reach a wilderness of our own. Living in a sinful world and carrying heavy burdens, it’s easy to feel unseen and forgotten in this life. But we are not unseen. Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). And in Psalm 139, David writes about how God sees each of us and searches the innermost places of our hearts. How wonderful to know that the One who knows us from the inside out, the One who knitted each of us together in the womb, is the same One who walks with us every step of our lives. In the middle of whatever you’re going through, you are not invisible or alone. The same God who saw Hagar sees you, and He will never forsake you. • Katherine Billingsley • Have there been times in your life when you’ve felt invisible? How could it be comforting to know that the same God who saw Hagar is the One who sees each of us? • Throughout Scripture, God sees and cares for those who would normally be looked down upon or outcast. How could you show those around you that they are seen and heard by God? Lord, you have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 13:31-38; 15:1-17; 1 JOHN 3:16-18; 4:19 Have you ever heard the expression, “They talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk”? It’s a way of saying that people’s actions don’t match their words. For example, if somebody talks all about how important recycling is but constantly throws their plastic water bottles into the trash, they are acting like a hypocrite: they talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. They might say recycling is important, but when it comes to actually taking action, they don’t follow through. Sadly, we are all guilty of hypocrisy in one way or another. We might not even realize our actions aren’t matching our words until someone points it out, and this can be disheartening. After all, the Bible shows us that Christians are supposed to “walk the walk” AND “talk the talk.” For example, the apostle John says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). As Christians, we are called to be people who love in word AND deed. Because Jesus loves us so much, we are called to love others. Many of us know it’s important to love others, but how well do we show it? If we say we love our friends or family but act selfishly and treat them unkindly, our claim to love them isn’t really good for much. It’s a good thing to tell people we love them, but we need to act like it too. Jesus did not merely say that He loved us—He went and actually did something about it, saving us from sin by dying for us on the cross. He took our sin, our shame, and died the death we deserved. That is true love. And then, Jesus rose from the grave, declaring that everyone who trusts in Him can be forgiven and become God’s child. God’s love is so great that nothing can separate His children from Him—even sins like hypocrisy. The fact is, He knows that we are unable to truly love Him or other people on our own. Thankfully, He has poured out HIS love “into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). So, as Christians, we can love others in word and deed by relying on God’s love. We can treat our friends, our family, and even our enemies the way Jesus would: by caring for them, helping them, and providing for their needs. As Jesus’s followers, we are empowered to talk the talk and walk the walk. • Jacob Bier • Consider taking some time to ask God to help you see ways that you might “talk the talk but not walk the walk.” We can confess our sin and ask God to help us follow Him wholeheartedly. • What are some practical ways you could show love to people in your life today? What resources has God given you that you could use to show love to others? We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-27; JOHN 3:16-17; REVELATION 5:9; 7:9-10 Have you ever watched a florist arrange different flowers into a bouquet? It’s fascinating to see all those blooms come together into a unified composition. And a florist’s creativity points to our Creator God, who designed the stunning variety of flowers we find all around the world. God is glorified by the vast array of floral colors—for starters, just think about white and yellow daisies, red and pink dahlias, blue and purple hydrangeas, and snapdragons and petunias and lilies that come in all sorts of colors! And it’s not just the colors that are different. The petals are too. Lilies are shaped like trumpets, daisy petals look like teardrops, baby’s breath is like little stars, and gladiola petals are all ruffly. It’s amazing to think God made people like that too. Just as we see beautiful variations in flowers, we also see beautiful variations in humans. God made people with different colors of skin and hair and eyes. And their hair might be straight, wavy, or curly. Even body shapes are different—people come in all different heights and proportions. Our differences make our world more interesting than if we were all alike, and this diversity brings glory to God. When we see a variety of flowers gathered in a bouquet, we can remember how the Bible says God will gather believers from every nation, tribe, people group, and language to worship Jesus. How wonderful it will be to praise the Lord with believers from all over the world—joined together like a beautiful bouquet, unified by Jesus’s blood and forgiveness. When Jesus returns and establishes the new heavens and new earth, we will rejoice in our God together for eternity. But we don’t have to wait until then to appreciate people who are different from us. All people are created in God’s image and are deeply loved by Him. We can enjoy His beauty in the huge variety of people He has made, remembering that God created each of us in His own image, and Jesus died for us all. Together we reflect the beauty of His love and grace. • A. W. Smith • God created humans in His image—and no two humans are exactly alike! Can you think of a time when the differences of others helped you better understand God? How so? • How can looking ahead to the new heaven sand new earth, when all Christians will worship Jesus together in harmony, give us hope to pursue that kind of fellowship here and now? …I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb [Jesus]. Revelation 7:9b (NLT) 

READ: ROMANS 5:1-5; 12:15 BOOM! A clap of thunder shook the rounded windows of Habitation Enclosure 150 in the Tuuli province of the planet Terra. “That sounded awfully close,” said Lillah with a shiver. “I hate storms.” “I know,” said Phlox, Lillah’s roommate and the area botanist. “It feels safer when we don’t have to see the lightning.” “I wish it could just rain without all that thunder and lightning.” Lillah sighed. “Well,” said Phlox, “did you know that when lightning hits the ground, it breaks down nutrients in the soil so plants can use them?” Lillah smiled. “I think I’ve heard something about that, but it’s been years…And I know I’m not going to stop your inevitable botany lecture.” Phlox laughed. “Well, I’ll spare you most of it. But, basically, lightning is important because it plays a part in helping plants grow.” Lillah nodded. “Only the Creator could bring so much order out of so much chaos.” “I agree,” said Phlox. “I’m glad the Creator is with us and we’re never alone. In actual storms or when things get chaotic in our own lives.” Phlox’s eyes sparkled with the beginnings of tears. Lillah hugged her friend. “I know this year hasn’t been easy for you. Moving to Tuuli to watch over an underfunded community garden…after your dream job at the National Art Garden lost funding. That’s a big loss to grieve.” A flash of lightning caused them both to wince. “Thank you for grieving it with me.” Phlox wiped at the tears on her cheeks. “May the Creator use my life storm to give me the nutrients I need to grow in love.” Lillah nodded. “And may He remind us that, even in chaos, His love holds us steady.” • A. W. Smith • What are some life storms you or your friends are going through? Maybe you or someone you love is struggling with illness, or you feel like you’ve lost all your friends. Remember, because Jesus died and rose again for us, we’re never alone, no matter what storm comes our way. He’s right there with us, inviting us to talk to Him about all our problems and helping us grow. We can rest in His embrace as we look forward to the day He’ll return and make everything new. …we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) 

READ: EXODUS 14:14; PSALMS 23:1-3; 127:2; MATTHEW 11:25-30 Are you, like me, constantly asking God to move and work and make your life different? There are things I’ve prayed about over and over again, asking God to step in and bring about change. I’ve begged Him to make things better. As I pray to Him, I feel anxious. I want to see something happen. I try to fix things. I ask God to fix things. I work hard to heal. I ask God to heal me. I feel like something has to be constantly happening, constantly changing. I want to be made better. I want my life to improve. I was praying for change the other day, and suddenly it hit me. What if instead of asking for change, I just rest in the hands of the One who holds this world? What if instead of asking for healing, I just rest in the hands of the One who has the power to heal? What if I let things be as they are and I simply take time to rest, trusting the hands of the powerful One to protect me? Yes, there are times when action is required. But there are also times when we need a break, and we can simply be still in the hands of God and let Him look out for us. • Emily Acker • Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that you are forever held in His love and your eternal future is secure. So, even if the things you’ve been asking God for don’t come to fruition, you can still have confident hope that He is with you and He is working in your life (Philippians 1:6; 4:6-7, 12-13). If you want to know more about trusting Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. • While God certainly does invite us to ask Him for the things we need and want, He also beckons us to simply come to Him and find rest in His presence. How might it befreeing to take a break from asking God for things? Have you ever felt the peace that comes from simply resting in Him and knowing that He will take care of everything and that you will be okay? Consider taking a moment now to come to Him in prayer, not asking for anything, but just resting in Him. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (WEB) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9; LUKE 11:1-13 In the churches I’ve grown up in, prayers were almost always made up on the spot. And these prayers are great! But lately, I’ve also been appreciating pre-written prayers. And I’m not the only one! In the early church, it wasn’t uncommon for Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4) three times a day. And before that, the Israelites would regularly recite a prayer called the Shema (based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and the Ten Commandments (found in Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) as part of their prayers. While spontaneous prayer is certainly important, I think these pre-written prayers offer a lot of value as well. They can remind us of the unchanging truth of the gospel, center us (the church) around our mission, and keep us focused on God’s goodness. Plus, sometimes when I’m praying, I don’t have the words to say. These pre-written prayers can give me a place to start, and they can be a jumping-off point—something in these prayers will often remind me of something else I want to talk to God about, thank Him for, or ask Him for. And, by reciting these prayers, we are joining in with a tradition thousands of years old. We can pray prayers that have been prayed by hundreds of generations of people following God. And they’ll be prayed for years and generations to come. Not only that; we’re also uniting with believers around the world. These prayers have been spoken in thousands of languages by people from hundreds of different cultures. How amazing is that? By trusting in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are united with our loving God and with each other. Reciting these prayers alongside our spontaneous prayers, especially with other believers, can be a powerful way to remember these truths. • Taylor Eising • Consider taking a moment to reread Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Luke 11:1-13. What can these passages tell us about who God is? What can they tell us about who we are? • As we read prayers from the Bible, we may end up memorizing them, and we can also use them as models for our own spontaneous prayers. Remember, pre-written prayers are great, but we shouldn’t stop making up our own prayers, too! Consider writing down some ideas of ways you could incorporate a prayer from the Bible (there are lots to choose from) into your life. Perhaps you could pray it before a meal, when you wake up, when you go to bed, with friends or family, etc. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 20:18 Do you have people in your life who want to give you advice, like parents, teachers, pastors, counselors, or coaches? They want us to listen to what they have to say, and often we can be tempted to shrug them off, but there may be a lot we can learn from them. Someone who has been through different seasons of life can offer a lot of wisdom, and not in the “I-told-you-so” kind of way. There are people who genuinely care and want to help. And the Bible tells us how wonderful this kind of advice can be: “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense” (Proverbs 27:9). When we seek the advice of others, we can be given more direction. Fellow Christians can point us to Christ and help us discern what He wants for our lives. Because the truth is, God doesn’t expect us to be able to figure everything out on our own. He provides loving wisdom and guidance through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus—believing in His life, death, and resurrection—He gives us the Holy Spirit, who gives all wisdom. And He gives us the church—people who follow Jesus and also have the Holy Spirit inside of them. Through the church, we can surround ourselves with people who can offer biblical advice so we can do what Proverbs 19:20 says: “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” When we talk to mature Christians, they can help us align our plans with God’s good ways. So often, it’s easy to see the way we want things to go, but when we turn to different advisors, we can see if we are on the right track or completely off base. It’s a blessing to have these people in our lives. Sometimes, it feels like other people want to criticize what we’re doing, but when we humbly seek the advice of others and truly listen to their wisdom, it can have a profound impact on our lives. • Tynea Lewis • Have you ever been hesitant to ask for advice because you were afraid of being criticized, demeaned, or teased? This is not how God treats us, and it’s not how He calls us to treat each other. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about your hurts and the ways people have looked down on you, receiving His compassion and healing. • What is one thing you’re facing that you could use advice on? Who are mature Christians in your life you can go to for advice, people who display the kind of wisdom described in James 3:13-18? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; GALATIANS 1:10; COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 Have you ever felt pressure to get straight As or be the best athlete on the field? There are so many things in this world telling us to be the best at this or that. When we feel this pressure on our shoulders, it can start to crush us. The truth is, it can be good to use the skills and abilities God has given us as we work hard for things and do our best—this can be an act of worship, honoring to God. But once we allow ourselves to be controlled by achieving the highest standing because we want to be well-liked, accepted, or feel valuable, then we know we’ve crossed a line. This can be a sign that we’re starting to forget that we are perfectly loved, accepted, and valued in Christ. And when we forget this truth, we start allowing ourselves to do things for the approval of other people, turning away from what God wants for us. Instead of walking in God’s good ways because His unshakeable love has transformed our hearts, we begin to do things to get people to like us or accept us. But, when we return to the truth of the gospel and we start to turn our focus on God, His Spirit works in us to align our thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes with His good ways. In the gospel, we see how Jesus died and rose again to make the way for us to be with Him, free from sin and death. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always with us. He loves us, He will never leave us, and we never have to earn His approval. This truth changes everything. When we rest in God’s love, we begin to do things out of our love for Him instead of to earn the approval of people. • Tynea Lewis • When are you most tempted to idolize the approval of the people around you? Consider spending some time in prayer, asking Jesus to show you where you’re chasing after human approval, and to help you rest in His perfect love instead. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 14:13-23; MARK 5:21-43 One of my biggest pet peeves is slow walkers. I remember in high school I would inwardly scream when I was caught behind someone dillydallying. And now, when I go to the grocery store, I weave my cart in and out of families on busy afternoon shopping trips. I drive over the speed limit. It never seems to matter that I get up hours before I need to leave for work or class—I’m always rushing out the door with my shoes untied and coffee spilling out of my mug. But then I think, and I wonder: Was Jesus a slow walker? If I were lucky enough to be one of the disciples who lived with Jesus for three years, what would I learn about the pace of His life? Everywhere Jesus went, He taught and healed and saved. Although His days were packed with action, Jesus allotted time for interruptions to His rhythms and routines. In Mark 5, a father named Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus agreed to go with him. Now just consider Jairus’s panic and desperation, but also hope, as they made their way through town. This man was in a rush to get home. But then, Jesus just stopped, and said, “Who touched my clothes?” I imagine Jairus thinking, What does He mean ‘who touched me’? The crowd is all around Him! In the middle of Jairus’s darkest hour, Jesus stopped for a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Then, Jairus found out that his daughter had died during Jesus’s short delay. The messengers said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” (verse 35). But Jesus knew it wasn’t too late. He knew there was enough time for both the woman who was bleeding and for Jairus’s daughter. On that day, He healed them both. Jesus was present. He was keenly aware of His surroundings, and He had compassion on those around Him. Jesus paused to listen to others’ needs and love them well. In the same way, Jesus is attentive to us, and He invites us to live and love like He does. When we slow down, we can begin to notice the Holy Spirit moving within and around us. Rather than always focusing on “the next thing,” we are invited to come and see what He is doing in the present moment. So yes, I think Jesus was a slow walker…and I want to be one, too. • Zoe Brickner • Do you know anyone who lives their life at a slower pace, making an effort to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and to the people around them? What is it like to be with them? • Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you be more aware of His constant presence with you, and more responsive to His invitations to rest in Him and to love and serve those around you. “For my [Jesus’s] yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 23:5-6; 34:8; HABAKKUK 3:17-19; JAMES 1:17 In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice! He has given Life to me— His sinless sacrifice set me free. In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice! In the grave His body lay— Sin’s ransom fully paid. In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice! On the third day Hell did weep— Death’s final, dark defeat! In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice! May His grace be ever praised, Oh, the glory of His ways! In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice! In the goodness of the Lord I will rejoice!What comes to mind when you hear the words: “God’s goodness”? If I’m honest, I think of the times that God helps me out when I’m in trouble. Especially if the problem was brought on by...uh, dubious choices of my own! Don’t get me wrong— thanking God for His help in times of trouble is good. But in the Scriptures that inspired this poem, I noticed that God’s Word portrays His goodness as far more than His kindness or help in trouble—though it is that! God’s goodness is a part of His very nature (Exodus 33:19; Psalm 34:8). It is evidence of His unceasing, divine work on our behalf—recrafting and redeeming all things for our ultimate deliverance from sin and all its effects. His goodness is His presence experienced in the midst of pain—or His restraint when we desire vengeance. It is His relentless, pure, and undying love—which is displayed on the cross: God in flesh, dying to conquer sin and rising again to restore all that was broken, shamed, or lost. God’s goodness is the glory of this redemption. And glimpses of His goodness lie in every beautiful thing we experience—made not only to draw us to Him, but to delight in through all eternity. Therefore, let us say with the psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 118:1). • G. Kam Congleton • As you read today’s Scriptures, what are some ways you notice God’s goodness portrayed? Consider taking a moment to praise God for His goodness to you personally, and ask Him to help you recognize the ways His goodness is made real to you. You could even write a letter, poem, or song to God, thanking Him for some of the ways you see His goodness in your life. “…may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness.” 2 Chronicles 6:41b (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 23; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-7 Once again, intense pain had brought me to the emergency room where I waited to be admitted to an upstairs room. Beyond discouraged, I asked the Lord, “Do You still love me?” My depression deepened as one nurse after another poked me with needles and questioned me. The paramedics had been concerned and caring. At the hospital, the staff seemed determined to add to my suffering. How I longed for someone gentle to care for me. Someone like Annie. Annie was the friend who had introduced me to my boyfriend. A few days earlier, she had begun her first nursing job in this same hospital. “Lord Jesus, please fix it that Annie is my nurse.” It was a crazy prayer. The hospital was large, and I had no idea what department or shift my friend was working. Still, I repeated my prayer until the shots did their work and I fell asleep. Before I knew it, I was at an upstairs nursing station. A familiar voice nudged me awake. Opening my eyes, I looked into the face of my admitting nurse. It was Annie. • Kathy Irey • Have you ever felt like God had stopped listening to your prayers? Was there a way He showed you He still cared? If not, you can ask God for this anytime. The Lord may not always take away our pain, but He’ll let us know, He has not abandoned us. (If you want to dig deeper, read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 12:7-10.) • When we feel like no one understands our suffering, Jesus does. He suffered for us so that we could befree from the bondage of sin (Isaiah 53). When Jesus returns, He will make all things new; then sin and all its effects will be gone for good, so terrible things like pain and depression will be no more (Revelation 21:1-5). Until that day, He stays with us through everything. Even when it feels like He’s distant, He is always so very present with us—through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Are there any Bible passages that have resonated with you in times of sorrow and pain? Are there any people in your life who have embodied the kindness of Jesus to you, like Titus did to Paul, and the Corinthian Christians did to Titus, in 2 Corinthians 7:5-7? How might you be able to share the comfort He has given you with others? “I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV) 

READ: MARK 2:13-17; JOHN 6:37 It’s common sense that showers are for the dirty, hospitals are for the sick, and life preservers are for the drowning. So why is it so hard for some of us to accept that we don’t have to fix up our lives before coming to the very One who promises to clean us, heal us, and save us? We may resist coming to God for help because we think we’re too far gone. We are correct in seeing that our sin separates us from a Holy God; we were all once totally lost in spiritual darkness (Ephesians 2:1-10). But God didn’t leave us there! Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead paid for all of our sins and made the way for us to be with Him forever (Colossians 1:12-14). If we think we’ve sinned too much to be forgiven, we are severely underestimating the power of God’s grace and perhaps even missing the point of the gospel. Sometimes those of us who know we’re forgiven still struggle to come to God because we feel like we’ve wandered too far. We think that since we’ve been straying into different sins, or haven’t been keeping up with our devotions, or haven’t been praying enough…that God doesn’t want anything to do with us. But God always wants us to draw near to Him! I think it makes God sad when His children try to live apart from Him. He has called us to live in pursuit of Him, and once we have been redeemed by Christ, we can do so with the Holy Spirit’s help. But God’s love doesn’t require our obedience in order to reach us (Romans 5:8). God’s love has no strings attached. Whether you’ve never asked God for forgiveness before, or you’ve recently wandered, don’t wait to come to Him. There is true forgiveness for all of us in Christ’s work on the cross, and Christ promises to never cast you out (John 6:37). • Katherine Billingsley • Have you ever felt too far gone? If you know Jesus, all your sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. When God looks at you, He sees His Son’s perfect righteousness. And He loves you more than you could ever imagine. You can come to Him in prayer anytime, asking Him to help you draw near to Him once again. If you’ve never come to Jesus, find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. • In John 6:37, Jesus promises that He will never cast out those who come to Him. How can this truth comfort us when we have doubts about our salvation? When Jesus heard this, he told them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 (CSB) 

READ: JEREMIAH 42:1–43:7; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 “Rhode, tell us what to do. We will die here on the planet Yavorah! The Kuvil Regime took the rest of our people to their planet, and they won’t let us live here peacefully. It’s been years since Juro’s old dynasty held us in slavery— maybe if we go back, their new rulers will help us.” The desperate shouts and worried exclamations filled their meeting space, a hollowed-out tree trunk aglow with jars of lightening bugs. Rhode closed his eyes for just a moment, resting in Yahweh’s presence despite the contentious atmosphere. After generations of sin and idolatry, Yahweh’s judgment had come to pass. Kuvil had conquered Rhode’s people, the Yavorians. Now, only a remnant was left on their home planet under the Kuvil Regime. Their ships swarmed the sky, as numerous as the bugs, blocking the two Yavorian suns, slowly killing the planet’s lush greenery. Soon, their livelihoods would be upended, and they’d starve. Bora, the Yavorian army captain, stepped closer and shook Rhode’s shoulders. “Go, ask Yahweh for mercy. Ask Him to show us the way, and we swear we will follow it— whether that means we stay here as captives of Kuvil or we return to Juro for refuge.” Rhode was appalled at the idea of returning to the very planet Yahweh had delivered them from. He wanted to be compassionate and hopeful, but he could only be suspicious of Bora’s plea. Of course now they wanted to hear from Yahweh, after generations of ignoring Yahweh’s commands. Were they merely desperate to avoid destruction, or were they sincere in their desire for repentance? “I will pray,” Rhode decided. “Whatever Yahweh says, I will tell you.” The moment Rhode was alone, he collapsed with exhaustion. A few glimmers of light shown in the sky through the dense canopy. As Rhode stared up at them, he wondered if they were stars or impending spaceships. Sighing, he prayed, “Help me be faithful. Please, reveal Your will to me.” For ten days, Rhode remained silent before Yahweh, until He spoke. Rhode called the commanders together, but the cold and determined look on Captain Bora’s face made him hesitate. Gathering himself, Rhode said, “If we remain on this planet, the one Yahweh promised to us, and trust in His protection, He will be gracious and we will prosper. We can trust that He will be merciful to us.” Everyone was silent, but Bora’s eyes were ablaze with anger. “You lie! Your words are treasonous! If we stay, Kuvil will destroy us all.” “But Yahweh promises He will preserve a remnant of our people,” Rhode said. The leaders began filing out of the tree, casting dirty glares and muttering “traitor” in his direction. Rhode hollered after them, “Fleeing to Juro would just be another idolatrous response. Yahweh is giving us another opportunity to put our trust in Him!” No one listened. Before the suns had even set, Rhode was corralled onto a shuttle with a hoard of other Yavorians. They slipped through Kuvil’s blockade with a cloaking device. Rhode pressed his face against the window and watched as the green planet’s surface grew dim. Yavorah was a gift from Yahweh, a place for prosperity after slavery. And now, instead of leaning into His mercies, Rhode was taken with the rest of his people back to Juro. But Yavorah was his home, their home. “I am with you, and I still give my mercy to my people,” Yahweh said to Rhode as Yavorah faded from sight. “One day, I will bring you home. I am making all things new, and I will dwell with you forever.” • Zoe Brickner • Today’s story is an allegory of Jeremiah 42–43. Israel sought Egypt’s help when Babylon attacked them, desp

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALMS 119:73; 139:14; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 Who am I? This question is one we wrestle with throughout our lives. And it’s an important question to ask, because much of what we do flows from who we believe we are. Here’s the thing though—we can’t answer this question without God. And thankfully, He provides the answer in His Word. Take a look. God created human beings, and He did so out of love. Genesis 1:26-31 says that God made us in His image, and He entrusted us with the important job of caring for His creation. Furthermore, if we are in Christ, Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s masterpiece—we are created anew in Christ Jesus, and God has given us good and purposeful work to do. Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s masterpiece? How amazing to think that God created each of us, purposefully crafting us to be unique and wonderful (Psalms 119:73; 139:14). Yet, oftentimes we don’t realize how valuable we truly are. As we go through life in a world broken by sin, we are bombarded with lies about ourselves, lies that say we’re not worthwhile, not capable, not lovable. As we’re confronted with our own sins and shortcomings, we may even start to believe our very existence is a mistake. But God knows the truth about us. He made us, and so He’s the only one qualified to tell us who we are and what we’re worth. The fact is, we are so precious to God that He came to be with us. The second person of the Trinity, the Father’s only begotten Son, became human and lived among us. It was worth it to Him to pay the ultimate price to save us from sin—Jesus was willing to lay down His life so that we could be forgiven, brought near to God, and made new. And God the Father is glorified in all of this (John 17:1-3; Galatians 1:3-5; Philippians 2:11). So now, as people who’ve put our faith in Jesus, we can rest in God’s love for us. And, because the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5), we can rejoice in the ways He has made us, using both the natural abilities and the spiritual gifts He has given us to express our love for God and for the people around us. And whenever we find ourselves struggling with lies about who we are and what we’re worth, we can turn to Jesus. He will remind us that we are His priceless work of art. God doesn’t make mistakes, He makes masterpieces! • Hannah Howe • When you struggle to see yourself as God sees you, who are trusted Christians who can remind you of what God says about you in His Word? How could you be this kind of friend to others? For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 

READ: NUMBERS 13–14 Numbers—funny name for a book, don’t you think? Five of its thirty-six chapters contain lists of people. But most of this book records the story of a people on the move. The best part of Numbers? We find God’s loving intervention in the lives of His people, over and over again. Numbers not only includes records of people and lists of ceremonial regulations, it also contains stories. Have you ever heard the story of a flashing sword, a shining angel, and a talking donkey? It’s in chapters 22-25, and it involves blessings and curses, bribes and greed. In this passage, and throughout the whole book of Numbers, we discover the underlying theme of God’s unceasing goodness, His personal interaction, and His abiding care for His people. He plans good things for them, even when they are ungrateful, stubborn, and faithless. God’s plan for His people, the Israelites, was to give them a home—the Promised Land. And this was crucial. For from this nation would arise His Son—the Savior, Jesus. And Jesus would be the perfect Israel that the Israelites could never be— faithful, loving, and sinless. God’s strategy all along was ultimately to provide the way of salvation for His people through Jesus’s death and resurrection. And the book of Numbers is part of His rescue plan. It’s in Numbers that we get the inside story of how God’s people responded to Him in defiance, faithlessness, and fear right on the borders of their Promised Land. We learn how that broke God’s heart, and then we see how He directed His people back into the desert to wander for forty years, until that faithless generation had died out. Then, we learn about how Joshua and Caleb finally led the people into the Promised Land, and we see God’s undying faithfulness through it all. We learn how trustworthy God is, and how important it is for us to trust Him. His ways are good, and trusting and following Him is the best thing we can do. Today, if we know Jesus, He lives inside us through the Holy Spirit, helping us to faithfully follow our loving God. This treasure of a book has much to offer the student of the Word. May He reveal Himself to you as you read it! • Kristen Merrill • Which of the stories mentioned above sounds the most interesting to you? What questions do you have about them? • How could remembering the ways God has been faithful in the past (either in our own lives or in the lives of people in the Bible) help us trust Him to be faithful in the future? “Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid… the Lord is with us!” Numbers 14:9 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 104:10-28; MATTHEW 6:19-34; 10:29-31 There is a lot of nature outside my window. I hear birds singing their morning songs and talking to each other all day long. Occasionally I see rabbits and even a few deer. I hear coyotes howl at night, and I’ve seen turkeys strut across the yard. All of these animals have a home out there. They know how to survive in the forest and get what they need to make it through each day. And God is the One who made all of them. He gave them the ability to make a home in the wild and survive. When I think about all the animals and what God has given them, I know that He will take care of me. After all, Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26). Humans are God’s most precious creation. We are the ones He came to seek and to save (Luke 19:10). It was for our sins that Jesus died on the cross. And just as He rose from the grave, He promises to raise us when He returns. We are the ones He loves. God cares so much for us, even more than He does for all the animals in the wild (Matthew 10:29-31). When I am afraid or wonder about what to do with my life, I can remember that. I can know that God will help me and show me what to do. He takes care of all the animals, and He will do even more for me. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of animals can you see where you live? Consider taking some time this week to pause and watch them and be reminded of how God is taking care of them and you. • Because our world has been broken by sin, sometimes animals hurt each other and compete for what they need to survive, and humans do too. But one day, Jesus promises to return and make all things new. Then “the wolf will live with the lamb...and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy” (Isaiah 11:6-9). How can the hope of the new creation Jesus is bringing free us to trust Him, and to love others the way He calls us to, instead of hurting other people for fear that we won’t have enough? (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:13-14) “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 107:21-24, 31; COLOSSIANS 1:16; REVELATION 4:11 Have you been to an art gallery or installation recently? It’s amazing to see the way artists create memorable and beautiful works of art using paint, pencils, clay, stone, fabric, metal, wood, glass…the possibilities are nearly infinite! And just think about how our ability to create art reflects the Creator who made us—He is the greatest artist. Have you ever thought of God as an artist? Have you noticed how creative He is? Both the cold winter snow and the warm summer sunshine were His idea. He made oceans, and He also made deserts. He made plants and animals, some that live in oceans, others that live in deserts, each perfectly suited to their environment. He made stars and galaxies, atoms and photons…And He wasn’t content to make everything in grayscale—He painted the universe in more colors than we can count! God created everything there is as an expression of love. And that includes us. God didn’t create the universe because He was lonely or bored or because He needed anything. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have always existed in perfect love and joy. No, He created because it delighted Him to do so! God has boundless creativity. He has made so many wondrous things, each one just the right color, just the right shape, and just the right size. And even though sin brought brokenness into God’s good creation, He has promised to redeem it. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He is making all things new. And if we put our trust in Jesus, we get to take part in His wonderful work. Because Christians have the Holy Spirit living in us, we can use the creativity He has given us to glorify Him and bless others, both today and in the age to come. And, as we behold God’s beautiful creation, we can remember how awesome He is and how much He loves us. He’s the greatest artist, and He invites us to enjoy His creation with Him! • A. W. Smith • What is one of your favorite things in all of nature? Why? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this and tell Him what you like about it! • In what ways do you like to be creative? How do you like to take what God has made an arrange it in a purposeful way—such as through painting, sculpting, building, designing, cooking, etc.? Is there something new you’d like to try but haven’t yet? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 6:11-14; EPHESIANS 5:1-20; 1 JOHN 1:7-9 Have you ever finished cleaning a room…only to notice the sun shining on a dusty spot you missed? In our Christian lives, the same thing happens in our hearts. Often, we don’t even notice our own sin. But, through God’s Word, through our prayer times, through our times at church, or through something else, Jesus continues to show us forgotten places in our hearts where we are struggling to love God and our neighbors well. Think about it this way—Jesus is the Light, and in His mercy He shines on us, showing us sin in our lives that He wants to clean away. It can be unsettling to realize we have sin in our lives that we weren’t even aware of, but we can trust that whenever God brings an area of sin to light, it’s because He wants to help us and bring renewal to that messy place. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Like a dust rag cleans dust off a forgotten table, Jesus cleans away our sin. And this good news is multi-faceted. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He frees us from both the result of sin—which is death—and also from the power of sin. That means, once we put our trust in Jesus, we can know that all our sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. And, because the Holy Spirit is living inside us, we don’t have to give in to the temptation to sin anymore. The Holy Spirit empowers us to say “no” to sin and live in God’s good ways instead. And even though we’ll never do this perfectly until Jesus returns, His forgiveness remains sure. Has something you’ve done that’s wrong been made visible to you by Jesus recently? We all sin every day, and that’s why He invites us to confess our sins to Him often, resting in His sure forgiveness. Then, we can live by the light of His Spirit, trusting Him to help us do what’s right. We can live in love toward God and our neighbors because of Jesus. • A. W. Smith • Where in your life do you struggle to truly love God and your neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40)? Jesus invites us to talk to Him about this—we can be totally honest with Him because He knows what temptation is like and He empathizes with us, but He Himself never sinned, so He can help us (Hebrews 4:14-16). He reminds us how much He loves us, and He often reveals underlying lies we’re believing that might be causing a struggle to continue—lies about God, ourselves, or others. Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about whatever comes to mind. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 18:20; ROMANS 12:9-18; EPHESIANS 3:14-21 "Is it enough?” The question rolled around in my brain as I drove home. A family in our church was experiencing a number of medical problems, so a few of us went to their house to pray with them, bring a meal for us to eat together, and share communion. “Is what we did enough?” I asked myself on my drive home. Suddenly, the answer sprang to life in my mind, bringing a smile to my lips and easing the tension in my shoulders. Of course it wasn’t enough. I laughed at myself. Because of course, it was never meant to be enough. Nothing we do as the church is ever meant to be enough. Instead, we point to the One who is enough. I can’t solve all the problems in the world. I can’t remove all the suffering. And that’s not my job. It’s not your job either. But it is my job, through my presence, my words, and my actions, to point people to Jesus and His love for them. And it’s also my job to let myself be pointed to Jesus by the presence, words, and actions of my siblings in Christ—the church. And this is only possible because Jesus has already done enough. Jesus—God in human flesh—lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again from the dead to save us from sin and death. If we’ve put our trust in Him, He lives in us through the Holy Spirit. And one day, He will return to resurrect us from the dead and destroy all sin, suffering, hurt, and death forever. There’s nothing I can do to add to what He has already done. And resting in that truth frees me to let go of my arrogant, “I-can-fix-all-your-problems” attitude and instead enter into the lives of others with humility, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice. Together, we can throw ourselves into Jesus’s loving arms, trusting Him to care for us. And that’s enough. • Taylor Eising • Can you remember a time when others pointed you to Jesus through their presence, words, or actions when you were going through a hard time? What was it like? • Is anyone in your life struggling right now? If you’re ready, you can spend some time in prayer, asking Jesus to show you how to show them His love. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 42:1–43:5; 46:1-5; MATTHEW 26:37-38 Sometimes, you cry tears They fall as hard as the rain It feels just like a storm This life, full of pain   But just as quickly, the sun appears A smile comes to your face Joy in your life again It’s a beautiful time and place   God is with you through these moments The ups and downs of days He gives light to the darkness Has a listening ear when you pray   Pain and joy are a part of life Both times will come, you know Tears and smiles until the end Our God will hold you and not let go • Bethany Acker   • How could it be comforting to know that Jesus personally experienced all the joys and sorrows of being human, and He promises to be with us through all the ups and downs of life? • Even when we experience deep sadness, it can be helpful to remember that these feelings won’t last forever. We will feel happy again, maybe in a few minutes, maybe in a few days. However, if it’s been more than a couple weeks since you’ve felt happy, you may be experiencing a form of depression. This is nothing to be ashamed of—depression can be the result of several factors, and many people will experience depression at least once in their life. God does not stand far off when we are depressed. Jesus grieves our hurts alongside us and wants to help us heal, not only through His Word and through prayer, but also through community with fellow Christians and the expertise of professionals like counselors, therapists, and doctors. If you think you might be experiencing depression, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about it? • If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. “And be sure of this: I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 139:1-3; ISAIAH 53; HEBREWS 4:14-16 I know someone who lost part of his leg due to health issues. Now he has a prosthetic and is able to get around just fine. Seeing him in long pants, you would never guess he has anything going on with his leg. You would have no idea of the struggles he’s faced or the fact that he still has to deal with things now that a person with two good legs would never think about. You might have an illness that most people don’t know about. This may cause you to act differently at times, and you may feel judged because of it. You might have a mental illness that affects the way you feel but is hidden to those around you. Maybe no one knows the pain you are in or how much you’re struggling to look “normal.” The world around us thinks they know us based on what they see when spending limited time with us, but they don’t know our background or what is going on inside. The average person would never guess that the man I mentioned has something going on with his leg, and there may be things you’re dealing with that the average person would never know either. God knows it all, though, and He understands. Your pain is not hidden from Him. God created you and loves you, and He feels your pain with you. Others might not see or understand, but you can know that He does. He will hold you even when others have no idea what is going on. • Emily Acker • Do you have a painful situation in your life or in your past that nobody knows about? God does not want us to suffer alone. He is with us, holding us in our hurts and offering comfort, strength, and healing. And He also gives us His people, the church. Who are trusted people you could talk to about the difficult situations in your life, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? • Because of God’s great love and compassion for us, Jesus came to save us. He lived among us as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3), and He befriended and healed those who were isolated in their suffering. Even when most of the world doesn’t know about your pain, how could it be comforting to know that Jesus sees you and He cares? • Jesus suffered and died for us, and He rose again so we could be with Him. One day, Jesus will return to restore creation and resurrect His people from the dead, free of injury, illness, and suffering. In the meantime, He is with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). How could these truths remind us that we are never alone in our suffering? You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 63:1-5; JOHN 4:1-14; 7:37-39; PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 Imagine how good it feels to take that first sip of cold water after a long, hot run. Imagine how good it tastes to take that first bite of your favorite meal after you’ve been smelling it cooking all day long. Water and food sustain us. We need them to survive, and it can feel so good to consume them, especially in more desperate times. Now, think about how God is our living water. Jesus said to a woman He met at a well that if she believed in Him, she would never thirst again. That doesn’t mean physically. We will always need food and drink to survive on earth. But think about how much food and water mean to us. If God says we will never thirst again with Him, that’s a big deal. God is everything we need. He gives us life. He gives us purpose and meaning. God helps us through the hard times and gives us joy. He is our living water. He is enough for us. Jesus is God the Son, sent by the Father to die for us and rise again. Before He went to the cross, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). And during the last supper, Jesus broke bread and gave it to His disciples, saying, “‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it’” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). In communion, the bread is broken, and we remember how Jesus’s body was sacrificed for us. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, He promises that everyone who trusts in Him will have His presence with us always—and the sure hope of eternal life to come. When we know Jesus, He not only sustains us, He satisfies us (Psalm 63:5) and fills us with “a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:8). • Bethany Acker • Jesus is the bread of life, and He gives us living water, which is the Holy Spirit (John 4:14; 6:35; 7:39). Why do you think God describes Himself as bread and water? How might this help us understand Him better? (If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about communion in Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) “But those who drink the water I [Jesus] give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14 (NLT) 

READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:7-21; 4:10-13 Do you ever feel like there’s something you need to have in order to be happy? In our world of uncertainty, it can be tempting to think that something— some piece of technology or clothing or jewelry, some rental property or car or brand name—can bring us the satisfaction we crave or solve all our problems. Sometimes, we can get so focused on getting that thing, that we lose sight of our neighbors and our Creator. We end up choosing greed and violence instead of following the way of Jesus. We get lost in chasing after created things rather than walking in the love and service of our Savior. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Because the reality is, in Christ, we already have true riches. We have the promise that God loves us, that He is with us every moment of every day, and that He is making all things new through Jesus’s death and resurrection—He is freeing all of creation from sin and its effects. Yet, as we wait in eager anticipation for Jesus’s return, we live in the already-not-yet tension of God’s kingdom. We see glimpses of His restoration, but we also long for the day all things will be made fully right and whole (Revelation 21:1-5). So, as we live in this tension, we can count our blessings. And that’s not as cliché as it sounds. Because as we spend time pondering all the good things God has done for us, we find ourselves becoming more joyful, more peaceful, and more able to say “no” to the greed and violence and other temptations of our broken world. And counting our blessings can be as simple as making a list. We can list the promises we find in the Bible. We can list things in nature that remind us of our Creator’s love and goodness. We can list all the ways He has been providing for our physical needs through things like food, clothes, and shelter. We can list things that delight us, like our favorite flavors and colors. And we can list the relationships in our lives that remind us of Jesus’s love—whether we see that in friends, family, teachers, pastors, church family, or other loved ones. All these good gifts come from God! And as we rest in God’s abundant love for us, we start to crave possessions less and less. Things we own don’t last that long, but knowing Jesus lasts forever. In Him, we find true riches—love that satisfies our deepest longings and purpose beyond ourselves. • A. W. Smith • Consider making a list of blessings—where do you see God’s love in your life? Then, put your list in a safe spot so that, when you need encouragement, it’s readily available to you. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 36:5-9; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-13 "Made it. I’m free!” Sultan yelled, jumping on the train as the doors bleeped shut behind him. Where is everyone? He thought, sitting in the empty carriage, a knot of dread weaving itself inside him. Is this the right train? “Tickets,” the guard’s rasping voice called. With trembling hands, Sultan handed over the ticket, watching in horror as the destination letters changed to Nowhere. Staring out of his dark, empty eyes the ticket collector grinned. “You’re on the right track, to Nowhere” he laughed, handing the ticket back before striding away. Wiping the prickling sweat from his forehead, sadness physically dragged Sultan down. Past mistakes flashed before his eyes. “You’re wasting your life. They aren’t your true friends.” Mom’s words haunted him. “I wish your grandpa was still here. He’d know what to say.” Pushing himself up with his last remaining dregs of strength, Sultan stumbled along the carriages as the train hurtled along. Nothing. The ticket collector had vanished. If only you were alive Grandpa, Sultan thought. I miss you, your faith, your Bible stories and adventures. When you died, it felt like I lost my trust in God. I don’t know if I even believe anymore. Sliding to the floor, Sultan shuddered, recalling how he’d flung Grandpa’s well-worn Bible in his closet. He felt an ache in his stomach. Is it too late? “Help!” His plea was a strangled whisper. “Father, Jesus. My grandpa loved you. Please help me trust You again. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” Tears poured down his face. His eyes stung and every bone ached. A glimmer of light appeared, glowing brighter and brighter until it dazzled. A loving voice cried out, “Sultan, weep no more. You are my precious, beloved child, and my Son Jesus died for you so you could be cleansed of sin and brought into relationship with us. We have not forgotten you. We have not abandoned you. We see your sorrow, your pain. We will help you trust in us, and we will heal you.” Sultan nodded, choking on the words. “I-I believe,” he cried out. The heaviness lifted. He could feel peace beginning to heal his brokenness. Sultan stood up. The train was buzzing with the chatter of people. Glancing at his ticket, his destination had changed to Hope. • Cindy Lee • Have you ever felt like Sultan in this story? Sometimes, when we experience a tragedy or life-changing event, it can make us question our beliefs or make us angry with God. But the truth is, once you become a Christian, nothing can ever separate you from Jesus’s love (Romans 8:38-39). We live in an imperfect world, but Jesus has restored our broken relationship with God through His death and resurrection. And one day, Jesus will return and restore the heavens and the earth—then death and sorrow and pain will be gone forever (Revelation 21:1-5). As we wait for this glorious day, Christians don’t need to be afraid of losing our faith. Faith is a gift from God, one He gives generously (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Peter 1:1; Philippians 1:29; Acts 3:16). No matter what, you can share all your worries, your anger, your hurt, and your fears with Jesus, the One who died for you and loves you dearly. Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about whatever is on your mind. • If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus and you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be open and honest with about your struggles? How could you encou

READ: 1 SAMUEL 3:1-10; 2 KINGS 5:1-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27; GALATIANS 5:13-14 Do you ever feel too young to do anything important for Jesus? Sometimes, when we hear stories of people traveling overseas as missionaries, or becoming foster parents, or starting a career they sensed God guiding them into…we can be left wondering, What about me? Though we may love Jesus and want to follow Him with our lives, it can feel like all we’re able to do during our teen years is wait and prepare to be an adult. But that’s not how God sees us. Just look at the Bible—there are teenagers and even kids who served God. For example, in 2 Kings 5 we find an Israelite girl who was taken captive by raiders from Aram, and she became a servant to Naaman’s wife. But when Naaman had leprosy, this girl said the prophet Elisha could cure him. Because of her compassion and her courage to speak up, Naaman journeyed to Israel, found Elisha, and was cleansed from the deadly skin disease. Then Naaman became a worshipper of the one true God (verse 15). And in 1 Samuel 3, we see that Samuel was only a boy when he “served the Lord by assisting Eli [the priest]” (verse 1). One night while he was sleeping in the Tabernacle, young Samuel heard God call to him! Samuel listened and shared the message God gave him. As he grew up, he continued to be attentive to how God was calling him to serve in his community. No matter how old we are, as Christians, we’re a part of God’s kingdom and family. Since we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we all have the same Holy Spirit. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” The Holy Spirit equips us to share Jesus’s love in our words and actions wherever we are. Maybe you could pray for a friend, encourage a church leader, rake a neighbor’s leaves, help a sibling with something they’re struggling with, or look for ways to help members of your community who are experiencing homelessness. All of these loving acts of service can reflect how Jesus first loved us (1 John 4:19)—and none of them have to wait until you’re older. • A. W. Smith • What are some practical ways you could show Jesus’s love to others by serving them? Consider taking a moment to pray and ask God to help you notice opportunities to serve the people in your community, church, or home…and write down anything that comes to mind. And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 55:22; MATTHEW 11:28-30; 1 PETER 5:6-9 It’s natural to worry. We humans just do it, pure and simple. And the Lord, knowing how distracting chronic worry can be, lovingly offers His children a remedy because He wants to set us free from the cares that clutter up our minds and petrify our hearts. In 1 Peter 5:6-9, we see how Jesus provides that remedy. We read in verse 7 that we can cast our “cares on him.” Maybe you’ve tried this already! But sometimes, after casting our cares upon His loving Self, we take them back again, and get back to our job of fretting. We can get into a repetitive cycle that doesn’t help at all: give it to God, take it back, give it to God, take it back. Has this ever happened to you? It can be exhausting. But we find an answer to this dilemma by taking a deeper dive into the original language of 1 Peter 5:6-9. The ancient Greek word for “casting” is in the aorist tense (meaning a “one-time event, back in the past” verb tense). So, it might be helpful to think of Peter saying: “since you have already cast your cares upon Him, live that way.” Past tense—one and done! We recall that we are not the ones in charge, because we gave our lives and everything concerning us to our great and loving Shepherd, Jesus. This is why, before Peter talks about worry, he says, “Humble yourselves” (verse 6). We humble ourselves under God’s authority and governance. We recall that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we are His, not our own. We were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). And, when we became His, we gave up worrying over what is happening to us now, or what will happen to us next. We don’t need to. Why? Because He has it. He has you. Peter goes on to tell us that “he cares about you” (verse 7). Indeed, He does! He is with you always, no matter what worries and cares you have. And He promises to return someday to put an end to everything that is worrisome. If you’ve given your life to Jesus, you have accepted His Lordship over your life. So, you can rejoice that He has you—worries and all—today, and tomorrow, and forever. • Kristen Merrill • Can you remember a time when you shared your worries with Jesus? What was it like? • When you feel overwhelmed with worry, who is somebody that can help you and remind you of Jesus’s peace and loving care, such as a parent, pastor, counselor, youth leader, or friend? …casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (CSB) 

READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1; JAMES 5:15-17 Are you familiar with the most famous of all missionaries? His name was Paul. He preached the gospel to numerous people soon after Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and he wrote much of the New Testament. During Paul’s missionary journeys, he and his companions would start a church, then journey on. He’d spend time getting to know each unique culture, and then explain the gospel to them—the good news of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Paul went back and forth, founding new churches and visiting the established ones, until he was finally arrested, imprisoned, and made to stand before the emperor of Rome: Nero. Paul was thrown in jail many times. He was whipped, ship-wrecked, and stoned, but even then, he would not stop spreading the good news. He couldn’t stop sharing the gospel. And yet there came a time when this man, who had spent years of his life giving speeches, asked for prayers for how to speak! This is the great missionary, Paul! He knows how to speak! And here we see his example of humility. Weary after so many years of diligent service, Paul asks his friends for help, as he has done many times before. Pray for me, he says, that I might speak as I ought. Why? Was it because he was about to stand before the notoriously evil Nero? We can’t be certain. And yet, it’s good to remember that no matter what great accomplishments we achieve, there will always be those times when this particular problem or that future event just feels too hard. And when we’re in the habit of asking for prayer for the little things, it’s easier to ask for prayer in the big things, too. When the task before us seems too big, it’s easy to be hard on ourselves. We’re tempted to beat ourselves up for not being “stronger” or “braver” or “trusting in God more.” Instead, let’s follow Paul’s example. When we are afraid, let’s ask for prayer like he did. Let’s lift one another up in prayer, trusting our loving God to give us what we need. • Kristen Merrill • When do you find it difficult to ask people to pray for you? How could it be encouraging to know that people are praying for you in the midst of a difficult situation? (If you want to dig deeper, read about other times Paul asked for prayer: Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:10-11; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2; Philemon 1:22.) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 27:7-10; JOHN 14:18-20; ROMANS 8:31-39 It can feel terrible to feel all alone in the world. Whether you’re going through a time when you don’t have a lot of friends in your life or you feel like you can’t connect with others when you’re around them, loneliness can hit you hard and upset your life. When you feel like no one cares about you, know that God is always there. He always loves you—in a way that goes beyond anything you can imagine (Ephesians 3:17-21). When I’m feeling lonely or when I feel like I’m all alone in a stressful situation, I like to imagine God holding me. I like to imagine myself securely in His hands. I know that He is there. I know that He will not abandon me. I know that He is holding me. He is there with you, too. No matter what you’re facing or how lonely you feel, God sees you, He is with you, He holds you. How can we know this is true? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we not only receive salvation, we receive connection with God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are never really alone. No matter what you go through in life and how many—or few—people you have supporting you, may you always feel God right there with you. • Emily Acker • Can you think of a time you felt lonely and like you didn’t really have anyone you could rely on? Do you feel that way today? How could it be comforting to know that God—the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth who died for you and then defeated death itself—is with you? • Have you had times in your life when it felt like God was the only one who was supporting you and holding you and keeping you going? Consider taking a moment to thank God for the ways He has helped you through these tough times. • God reminds us of His presence with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible),and His people (the church). Who is someone in your life who might be feeling alone right now? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person, and ask God for ideas of ways you could show His love to them; then write down anything that comes to mind. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 20:16; MARK 9:33-37; GALATIANS 5:13-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 Have you ever been picked on? Or have you made fun of others for being different? In our broken world, this is an all-too-prevalent reality. But here’s the thing. When we pick on others, we’re acting like chickens. Think about it—chickens have a pecking order. The bigger, stronger chickens have the most power and access to food. Any chicken who’s different or appears weaker is at the bottom…and is mercilessly pecked and denied food to show them their assigned place in the system. If a chicken is injured, even if it’s just a small red spot on its neck, when a big chicken sees that hurt, they jab the sore, making it even larger. This should not be. Here’s the good news: Jesus turned the pecking order upside down. Jesus is God the Son, and He was willing to give up His place at the top because He loves all of us at the bottom. Philippians 2:6-7 says, “Though he was God…he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus lived among us because God wanted to save us from sin and heal all the brokenness sin causes. He was picked on mercilessly, but He was willing to endure all this pain and sorrow and rejection and injustice—for us. Ultimately, He let Himself be killed on a cross, and then He rose again, triumphant over sin and death, all because He loves all of us—people He created to be different from one another. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to follow the pecking order anymore. Chickens fight because they think they need to prove their strength and survive. Similarly, humans act out of selfishness and fear, taking others down to try to push ourselves up. But since Jesus humbled Himself to flip the pecking order, we can trust Him with all our needs and fears, and we are free to love our neighbors as ourselves. We can work together and take care of each other. With our differences, we can glorify our good Creator. We can listen to one another and work to set up systems in our communities that reflect the beauty of the differences we have as people who bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27). And we can look forward to the day Jesus, our just God, will return and restore His creation, abolishing the pecking order for good. • A. W. Smith • How have others picked on you? How have you picked on others? Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our hurts and sins. He forgives our wrongdoing, touches our hurting places with His love, reminds us of what is true about us, and guides us in how to move forward in love. (If you or someone you know is being bullied, who are trusted adults you could reach out to for help?) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 (NLT) 

READ: EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 3:14-21; 6:10-18 Ephesians is a short book—only six chapters. Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, but everything in it is for us as well! This small letter contains some large truths. In fact, if you want a brief overview of the good news of salvation, along with your standing in Christ as a believer, and instructions for godly living, you’ve come to the right book. The book is divided in two. In the first three chapters, Paul teaches us about God’s plan of salvation for the world. The last three chapters tell us how to live as children of God. And maybe this book is organized that way because it’s important for us to know who we are in Christ before we try to live out His good ways. I didn’t use to know that. I would try really hard to obey all of the things in the Bible. But then I finally figured out that, until I understood who I was in Christ, trying to be good in my own strength just wouldn’t work. We need to rely on God to transform our hearts and help us walk in His good ways (Ezekiel 36:26; Philippians 2:13). Ephesians is famous for spelling out how it was God’s plan to rescue sinners from their sins—something that nobody can do for themselves. None of us can cleanse ourselves from our sinfulness. But, because of God’s grace—His un-earned, un-deserved love—we can become children of God, and co-heirs with Christ. • Kristen Merrill • According to Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-10, who are we in Christ? (If you want to know more about becoming a child of God and co-heir with Christ, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) • Why do you think it’s necessary to know who God has made us to be…before we try to figure out what He wants us to do? May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 (NLT) 

READ: PROVERBS 17:17; 27:17; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10; JOHN 15:12-15 Do you ever meet someone and think something like, “I hope your weirdness matches my weirdness, so we can be friends”? I do! The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). The longer I walk with God, the more I realize what a gift those friends who sharpen me really are. I have a friend who sharpens her favorite knife each time she uses it. This seems like a hassle to me, but it really is an awesome knife! And I don’t think it would be the same if she hadn’t been so diligent in its care. In the same way, making deep friendships can feel like more of a hassle than it’s worth. It can be intimidating enough to let GOD into the vulnerable parts of our hearts, and He already knows us completely and loves us fully—Jesus even died and rose again so we could be friends with Him! Opening up to another person can be risky, but it also means your friend can have a rare opportunity to know the real and totally quirky you. It gives them a chance to step back and appreciate who YOU actually are! Another benefit (or risk) of making true friends: it results in a smoothing of our rough edges. The filing away of the parts of us that were bent by hurtful circumstances, experiences, or even other people, and the strengthening of our character… which all helps us love God and our neighbors better. This makes going through the process of making deep friendships well worth it. Iron is the best tool for sharpening iron, and making true friends who will be honest with you is one of the best ways to grow into more of the person God created you to be (Proverbs 27:6, 9). If we set out to try to change each other, it will never work, but through love, acceptance, encouragement, and even appreciation of each other’s “weirdness”…that’s when the good stuff happens. That’s when we feel safe to be ourselves. That’s when we don’t have to put up our guard to protect our hearts from being hurt. That’s when we shine our brightest, and yet it’s also when some of the not-so-shiny parts of our hearts can show up as well. It’s through these safe interactions that we are sharpened…if we trust Jesus to help us be sharpenable. • Sarah Andruszko • It can be scary to be honest about your thoughts and feelings with someone because they might criticize or even reject you. This fear can also keep us from going deeper in our relationship with God, but He never criticizes or rejects us when we open up to Him. He welcomes us with grace, healing, and gentle guidance. And He calls us to do the same (Romans 15:7). Have you ever opened up to someone and been welcomed by grace, healing, and gentle guidance? What was it like? Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)

READ: LUKE 15:1-7; ROMANS 7:15–8:4, 38-39; 2 PETER 1:3-4 When kittens are rescued and placed in a new family, they have a lot to learn—which usually includes learning not to scratch the furniture! Still, their rescuers are patient and help them learn how to live in their new family. This is kind of like our story as Christians. We were lost before God rescued us, like an orphaned kitten caught in a thunderstorm, cold and wet and trembling. When we trusted Jesus as our Savior, God forgave our sins and gave us a brand-new life. He took us home and lovingly placed us in His family. But, we still do wrong things sometimes. As humans, we have a tendency to sin, a bent toward hating God and our neighbors. Just like rescued kittens give in to their instincts to sharpen their claws on the couch, we often give in to our old sinful nature. But when kittens become part of a family, the family teaches them not to be destructive. And God teaches us as Christians how to act like members of His family, too. He gives us His Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a godly life. Jesus takes sin seriously and calls us to commit our whole selves to living in His good ways. He also knows we’ll still do wrong things sometimes, but even when we do, He will always forgive us. And when Jesus returns, He will make everything new, and we won’t struggle with our old sinful nature anymore. Are you learning how to be a member of God’s family? We all still sin sometimes, but if we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit is teaching us to change our ways. Whenever we get discouraged at our own tendency to sin, we can come to Jesus and find rest in His unshakeable love and forgiveness. The reality is, as Christians we are part of God’s family forever, and nothing can separate us from His love. We can thank Him for the Holy Spirit’s power over sin and trust Him to guide us in turning away from sin and instead doing what’s right. • A. W. Smith • Learning to love God and our neighbors can be hard! When have you seen God work in your life to help you learn how to love well? What is an area where that struggle is still ongoing? Progress isn’t always linear, so it may be two steps forward, one step back. But you can know that Jesus is always with you and will complete the work He started in you (Philippians 1:6). • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your struggles? How could you set aside time to pray for each other and help point each other to God’s Word this week? His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

READ: 1 CHRONICLES 29:10-14; PSALM 62:5-8; EPHESIANS 2:4-10 Emil hadn’t dreamt about dinosaurs since he was eight. Yet here he was with a full-sized Tyrannosaurus rex, in a top hat no less, right in front of him. “If you’re going to eat me, do it quickly, I have other things I’d rather be dreaming about,” Emil said, surprised by his lucidity. Usually, he couldn’t control what he said or did in his dreams, but this one seemed different. Emil scrunched his eyes shut and concentrated. He opened them to see his determination had paid off—he was floating above the ground! With sheer joy, he flew up several more feet, twirling in the air with a happy yell before floating right in front of the perturbed looking T. rex. Then it spoke, “If you’re done lollygagging, we haven’t much time, so listen closely.” Emil was taken aback by the dinosaur’s voice. “Gra-Grandma?” “Don’t be absurd. I’m a talking dream dinosaur. I’m just using your grandma’s voice to tell you a valuable lesson,” the T. rex stated matter-of-factly. “Okay…what’d you want to talk about?” Emil floated around the dino’s head, his impatience and curiosity growing. He was startled when the T. rex began speaking telepathically. “Power and success have become familiar to you. You’re a whiz in your classes, a social butterfly, and, let’s face it, your volleyball team wouldn’t have made it to state without you.” Emil smiled. Whatever this dino had to say, he could handle it. In here he felt like he could handle anything. Still floating, he did a double-front flip. The Tyrannosaur voiced like his grandma continued. “I said listen. There are things bigger than you and me. What you’ve done and what you have are not really yours. You need to recognize a higher force at play.” Emil was about to try a backflip, but he hesitated at her remark. “I wanted to prove I could do it. That I could be someone others were proud of…someone they would love.” Emil was shaken by his honesty. He’d never said these anxieties out loud before. He could feel a lump forming in his throat as he thought of how overwhelming it really was to live “the life” that seemed perfect, fooling even himself. He knew that the high school achievements he’d craved so desperately meant he had missed out on other stuff he loved to do. Hanging out with his family, doing a Bible study with his two best friends…and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken out the dinosaur books and figurines he kept in his room where no one could find them. The Tyrannosaur softened her eyes. “Your family and friends are proud of you and love you no matter what you do, Emil. More importantly, someone greater than us all treasures you. He loves you with an intense and deep passion, and there is nothing you can do to earn His overwhelming grace in your life. He sees all your shortcomings, all your failures, all your hidden sins…yet His love for you is not changed. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He made the way to forgive you. There is no score, or medal, or certificate required. Jesus has already fulfilled the requirement. He died for you. He wants you just as you are. And He invites you into the freedom of enjoying relationship with Him, following where He leads, and glorifying Him in everything you do.” The T. rex began to grow foggier, and Emil realized he was waking up. Once back in his bedroom, Emil felt strangely empowered, just like in his dream. Not by any power from his own efforts, but by the work of the One who loved him. • Peter J. McDonough • Society and culture tell us that, in order to have value or be honored, w

READ: EXODUS 15:13; PSALM 36:7; ISAIAH 54:10 Unfailing love of Jesus, unending mercy renewed,   Unfailing strength in my weakness— for your name is Faithful and True.   Unceasing comfort in sorrow, untold delight in my heart,   Unceasing hope for tomorrow— for your mercy I see from afar.   Jesus, my Savior, I praise You, Jesus, the One I adore,   Jesus, the face of the Father— my God, my King evermore.   This poem grew out of a season when I found myself turning to the psalms to find comfort in God’s presence. In the book of Psalms—and some of the prophets—I noticed the phrase “unfailing love” turned up repeatedly. The more I saw it, the more I thought that this is the perfect phrase for God’s loving pursuit of us. His unfailing love gets put on display in a variety of circumstances: when He helps His people through troubles (Psalms 44:26; 94:18), when He comforts people with His presence or His promise (Psalms 21:7; 90:14; 119:76), and when He extends forgiveness after failure (Psalms 51:1; 130:7; Lamentations 3:32). As I studied these Scriptures in different Bible versions, I learned that unfailing love may also be translated as: loving-kindness, faithful love, mercy, steadfast love, constant love, loyal love, and gracious love. Wow! I like thinking about God’s love in all those ways—His love is so much deeper and richer than any other! Thus, I find it fitting that we simply can’t describe His love with a single phrase. But we can join with the apostle Paul in praying that God Himself will help us “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19). • G. Kam Congleton • Which of the phrases for “unfailing love” speaks most to your heart today? Why? • Many of the psalms look forward to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the One who came in flesh as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) to reveal His unfailing love. Check out our "Know Jesus" page to learn more about God’s great love, which has come to us in Christ Jesus. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love… Psalm 143:8a (NIV)  

READ: ISAIAH 61:1-3; JOHN 16:16-33; REVELATION 21:1-5 Every seven weeks, I watch an IV drip two hours’ worth of liquid medication into my arm. That’s the reality of a chronic illness— it’s never-ending. It’s most likely not going away. Not before Jesus returns anyway. Living with Crohn’s disease feels like a part-time job. I have to watch what I eat (goodbye, hot dogs), go to doctor’s appointments, get pricked by needles that sometimes find a vein easily and sometimes don’t. The medical upkeep is exhausting and painful. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world. But we know it’s only temporary. An example of this occurs in John 16, when Jesus warns His disciples that He is about to leave. They will grieve and weep after His departure, but their mourning will turn to joy. Jesus was about to die on the cross for the sins of all humanity. Three days after His crucifixion, He was raised from the dead, and forty days later He ascended into heaven. And He promised that all who believe in Him would have eternal life. When the time comes for Jesus to return, the book of Revelation tells us He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more sorrow or pain. Getting IV infusions for the rest of my earthly life seems like a long time, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the time I’ll spend in eternity with Jesus. Until then, I’ll live with my IV drips and sensitive stomach, knowing my story doesn’t end here. My pain will disintegrate, and my grief will turn to joy. And maybe, there will even be a hot dog waiting for me in heaven. • Jenna Brooke Carlson • Are you or someone you know struggling with chronic illness? How can the hope of our future with Jesus encourage us in our present? (Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-21; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18) • When Christians die, we enter into Jesus’s presence and escape the world’s burdens, physical and otherwise. And when Jesus returns to establish the new heavens and new earth, He will put an end to pain and death and sorrow, and He will raise us from the dead to liveforever in renewed creation! Yet, Jesus not only promises to end our pain and sorrow in the future, He also promises to be with us now, grieving our hurts alongside us, holding us close, and giving us hope. What is troubling you today? Whether it’s something physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual, you can bring it to Jesus in prayer, knowing that He feels your pain as His own. “I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 24:1-49 After Jesus was raised from the dead, the women who went to the tomb were surprised to find it empty. Then angels appeared and told them Jesus had risen! So the women rushed back to tell the apostles and all the others what they had seen, but they didn’t believe the women because what they said seemed to be nonsense. Later that same day, as two of Jesus’s followers were walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to them! But God kept them from realizing it was Him. They walked with Him and talked with Him during their journey, and they still didn’t know it was Jesus. But when He sat down to eat with them and broke the bread, “suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:31). Sometimes we live our lives like we’re on the Emmaus Road. We can be quick to forget that God moves in mighty ways, and many times they aren’t the ways we expect. When we’re facing something difficult, we want God to show up, but often we have our own idea of what that would look like. We think about how our prayers should be answered, but sometimes God has different plans. Sometimes we miss seeing God because we’re not expecting Him to show up in a certain way. These two travelers didn’t expect to see Jesus walking with them, and yet there He was. Even when it doesn’t feel like God is with us, right by our side is where He’ll always be (Matthew 1:23; 28:20). We just need to open our eyes and our hearts to His presence. • Tynea Lewis • Can you think of a time when you had a specific idea of how you wanted God to show up in your life or answer your prayers? Did God surprise you by working in a different way? • Have you ever experienced God’s presence in unexpected ways? How did that experience deepen your faith or change your perspective? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you see how He is working in and around you today. Remember, He is eager to reveal Himself, and even when we don’t “get it” at first, He is patient with us—He never stops pursuing us. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. Luke 24:15-16 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 13:1-9; JOHN 15:1-17; 19:41–20:18 John 20 contains one of my favorite scenes in all of Scripture. On Easter Sunday, Jesus’s disciples discovered His tomb was empty, but they had not yet seen the risen Lord. They were probably confused and concerned, suspicious that something terrible had happened. In the midst of all this confusion, Mary Magdalene began to weep, unable to leave the empty tomb. After all the agony and heartbreak of Jesus’s crucifixion, the disappearance of His body must have felt like adding insult to injury. When Mary finally turned to leave, she nearly bumped right into Jesus. Overwhelmed by grief, she didn’t even recognize Him but mistook Him for the gardener! In His characteristically gentle way, Jesus revealed Himself to her and sent her to tell the other disciples what she had seen. As it turns out, Mary’s mistake is rich in biblical imagery that tells us more about who Jesus really is. Scripture is full of references to gardening, going way back to Eden. When God created the heavens and the earth, He planted the garden of Eden and placed people in it “to tend and watch over it” (Genesis 2:8-23). Many of Jesus’s parables depict God’s kingdom as a garden or field. Jesus Himself is the farmer who plants good seed that yields a great harvest, He is the true vine, and He is the first fruits of the harvest of the resurrection. Even now, He is like a gardener tending over His crop, producing in us the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-25). Given all this biblical imagery, maybe Mary’s mistake wasn’t so silly after all. The image of Jesus as gardener is a powerful symbol that reveals more about who Jesus is and what He wants to do in our lives. Because of His death and resurrection, we can grow and flourish in the way God intended. • Jacob Bier • How do you think Mary felt when she realized that the “gardener” was really Jesus? • How does the Bible use garden imagery to speak about spiritual things? How does Jesus act like a gardener today? Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages and write down what sticks out to you. (If you want to dig deeper, you can also read Matthew 13; Romans 7:4-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. John 20:15a (NLT) 

READ: MARK 16:5-7; LUKE 24:1-53 You might have grown up hearing the “Easter story” and the gospel message over and over again. Maybe you understand that Jesus died, that He rose…that He was dead and then alive again. What was it like, though, for those who experienced all of this firsthand? For the people who knew Jesus and interacted with Him while He was on earth, it had to be incredibly difficult when He was killed. I cannot imagine having a friend and knowing that they had gone through the most painful and gruesome death. While Jesus’s friends were in the midst of their mourning, they found out that He was no longer dead. His body was gone from the tomb where He had been laid. They were told that He had risen—that He was alive. Many of us have heard about the resurrection enough times to believe it and to have the ability to imagine it happening. But for those who first heard the news, it had to be hard to believe. In fact, the Bible tells us that many of them doubted, and that’s easy to understand. Even though Jesus had hinted at what was to come, they still didn’t comprehend it when they saw it all playing out. They were utterly amazed when they saw Jesus alive and walking around after seeing His beaten and bruised body hanging lifeless on the cross. But Jesus, in His great love and mercy, spent time with His doubting followers. He showed them where the nails were driven into His hands and where the spear was plunged into His side. He explained how His death and resurrection were foretold throughout the Scriptures. And He ate with them, showing them that He wasn’t a ghost or a figment of their imagination. What an amazing God we serve. He came and lived among us, and He died and rose again so we could be with Him forever. What an amazing thing it must have been to witness His death and then His resurrection. And how amazing it will be when He returns to earth and raises us from the dead; then we, too, will see Him face to face. • Emily Acker • Why is it important for us to dwell on the astonishing miracle that is Jesus’s resurrection? (If you want to know more about what His resurrection means for us today, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • It can be hard to wrap our minds around who Jesus is and what He’s done. Thankfully, He is eager to help us understand. When Jesus appeared to His followers, “he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). If you want to dig deeper, you can read all four accounts of Jesus’s resurrection in Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20. For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:9 (WEB) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15 One day, unless Jesus returns first, I will die. And honestly, that’s a scary thought for me. I’ve known Jesus as my Savior for as long as I can remember, and I trust that He will hold me even in death. But sometimes I think I use the promise of the resurrection—that Jesus will raise us from the dead at His return—as an excuse to avoid my fear of death instead of actually facing it. In these moments, when the reality of death grips me in fear, I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Himself experienced death. It’s an easy fact to gloss over—we often jump straight from the cross to Easter Sunday, missing the tomb entirely. But Jesus didn’t skip the tomb. Jesus didn’t just die—He spent time being dead. Jesus lived a sinless life, then died on the cross. Jesus was laid in a tomb—a cold, barren place of darkness and death and despair. His limbs were still. His lungs didn’t move. His heart didn’t beat. And then, it did. His heart began to pump blood through His veins, and His lungs pulled air into His body. His cold hands became warm with life. He walked out of the tomb healthy, whole, and alive. And, when we put our trust in Him, that is what He promises to do for us when He returns. In fact, He promises to make all of creation new—healthy, whole, and alive. And this truth gives me great hope. Because one day, my body will lie in a grave—a cold, barren place of darkness and death and despair. My limbs will be still. My lungs won’t move. My heart won’t beat. And then, one day, it will. • Taylor Eising • Have you ever been afraid of death? How could the promise of the resurrection be comforting in these times? • Death is the ultimate result of sin. No wonder death is strange to us—God didn’t intend for us to die. And thankfully, He has made the way for us to have eternal life. Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25).As Christians, if we die before Jesus returns, our spirits will be with Him, away from our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:1-15). In perfect joy, we will await the day Jesus will return to earth and raise our bodies from the dead; then we will live with Him forever in renewed creation! So, we don’t need to be afraid of dying, because our Savior died for us, and now nothing—not even death itself—can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). If you want to know more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 3:14-21; JOHN 19:1-22 As an author, I love being able to write full circle endings—when all the loose ends are tied up and the reader is satisfied by the end. There are a lot of full circle moments in the Bible that are so easily skipped over because we don’t always understand their significance. One of those moments is when a crown of thorns is placed on Jesus’s head. You may have read this before. It’s part of the Easter story, just before Jesus is put onto the cross. It was a crown meant to make fun of Jesus, to mock Him for being the “King of the Jews.” To understand this full circle moment, we have to go back to Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve rejected God and disobeyed His good ways, the world was subjected to the curse of sin, death, and suffering. Part of that curse, mentioned in verse 18, is that the ground produced thorns and thistles. Here’s the full circle part— thorns remind us of the curse of sin and death. They remind us of the pain and brokenness sin causes. When the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and pressed it onto Jesus’s head, it was like the curse of sin was being placed on Him. He took that curse away from us, along with all our sins, when He died on that cross. And then, He rose from the dead in victory, promising to one day return and put an end to sin and death, destroying the curse forever. How amazing is it that we have a God who loves us so much that He willingly wore the curse of sin as He died to save us? • Kimberly Brokish • Consider taking a moment to picture Jesus as the crown of thorns is pressed into His head…the blood flowing down His temples, the soldiers beating and spitting on His torn flesh, the crowds shouting for His crucifixion. “While we were still sinners,” Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He freed us from the ugliness of our sin— because He loves us. Yes, we will struggle with sin until Jesus returns, but His forgiveness is sure. (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20.) • Throughout the entire Bible, God points us again and again to the promise of Jesus’s return, when He will put an end to sin and make all things new. Then everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him in renewed creation, forever free of the curse (Revelation 21:1-5).As we live in a world that is still full of sin and its effects, how could we encourage each other with the hope of Jesus, that His sacrifice gives us freedom? (Romans 8:18-25) The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. John 19:2-3 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 23:4; MATTHEW 26:69-75; JOHN 21:15-19 Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed? Maybe you’ve had a family member or a friend violate your trust or turn their back on you when you really needed them. Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He knows the pain of being rejected by someone you love. In God’s Word, we can see that Jesus felt hurt and betrayed by those He was closest to. On the night before Jesus went to the cross, one of His chosen disciples, Judas, betrayed Him into the hands of the religious leaders who had been plotting to kill Him. Then, all His other disciples ran away, leaving Jesus alone to be brutally beaten and face an unjust trial. Then, right before Jesus’s crucifixion, Peter denied that he ever knew Jesus or had anything to do with Him—not just once, but three times. Talk about being hurt and betrayed! Whenever we are hurt by someone, our initial reaction may be a desire to get revenge or punish them, but this is not the reaction we see from Jesus. In John 21, after Jesus rose from the dead, we see that Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Three times, Peter says he does, and each time the Lord tells him, “Feed my lambs…Take care of my sheep…Feed my sheep” (verse 15-17). In this way, Jesus restores Peter, and Peter goes on to continue to glorify the Lord and tend to other believers. This encounter reveals that Jesus had mercy on Peter and still loved him. In the same way, Jesus has mercy on us and continues to love us when we sin against Him—after all, every sin we commit is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4). Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, He forgives all our sins. So, whenever we are tempted to hate someone for their betrayal or wrongdoing, let us remember Christ’s continuing love and grace for us and also for this person, and may this love and grace overflow from us to them. And when we experience the unfairness and pain of betrayal, we can rest knowing that Jesus can relate to us better than anyone else. He hears our cries, and He comforts us in the pain. • Lydia Lancie • What is usually your first reaction when someone wrongs you? How might God be inviting you to, instead, come to Him with your pain, rest in His love, and extend that love to others? • Jesus is close to us in our distress. When someone has wronged us, forgiving them does not necessarily mean being in close relationship with them. If you have experienced a deep hurt, who is a trusted adult you could talk to about how to pursue healing and set up loving boundaries? The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 43:1; 49:13-16; 53:5-6; JOHN 20:24-27 Have you ever had something with your name on it—like a keychain, a necklace, a bag, or a jersey? Do you have a hard time finding things with your name on it? Do people sometimes forget your name or pronounce or spell it wrong? Our names are important to us. We’re alert to the sound of our own names. Have you ever heard a stranger say your name in a crowd, or even just something that sounds like your name? It catches our attention immediately! And names don’t just serve the practical purpose of helping us communicate with others; they can also tell us something about our history. Whether that be what our name means, where it came from, or how we got it. Names are important to God, too. In Isaiah 43:1, God says, “I have called you by your name. You are mine.” And in John 10, Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name (verse 3, 11). The fact that God knows each of us by name shows how much He loves and cares for us. In Isaiah 49:16, He even says our names are engraved on the palms of His hands. That’s a striking image! Have you ever written something on your hand so you would remember it? When God said our names were engraved on His hands, He meant it literally. When Jesus went to the cross, He let them drive nails through His hands. And when Jesus rose from the dead, He still bore the scars on His hands. Those scars will be there for all eternity as a reminder of His great love for us. He was willing to go to the cross, to take all our sins upon Himself, so that we could be with God forever. We are that precious to Him. First Peter 2:24 says it this way, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.” God knows you by name, and He loves you so much. In Christ, we can always remember that our names are written on the palms of His hands, now and forever. • A. W. Smith • Do you know the meaning or story behind your name? What do you like or dislike about it? • Even if people forget your name or pronounce it wrong, God will always remember your name, and He always says it perfectly. How could this truth bring us comfort when we feel unseen or forgotten? “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (WEB) 

READ: 1 PETER 1:1-5, 18-23; ROMANS 3:25-26; REVELATION 1:4-6 Even though I’m in my twenties now, my family still dyes eggs every Easter. It’s a tradition we’ve kept since I was little. In fact, I can’t remember not dying eggs on Easter. And this is just one of the many fun, color-filled traditions I associate with the holiday. We often have egg hunts using bright plastic eggs with colorfully wrapped candy inside. We display pastel-colored décor in our homes and on our lawns, and we even wear colorful clothes on Easter Sunday. As I think about the colors I typically associate with Easter—light blues, greens, yellows, pinks, and purples—one color I don’t normally associate with Easter is red. It stands in contrast to the pastel colors that we see on eggs, candy wrappers, décor, and clothing. But the color red is vital to the Easter story. Because without the red blood Jesus shed on the cross for our sins, there would be no reason to celebrate Easter. We can’t truly grasp the significance of what He has given us without remembering what it cost. And so, it’s important to reflect on His sacrifice, to think about the pain He experienced and the blood He lost on the cross. He was willing to go through all of this—for us. Because of His sacrifice, we can be free from the entrapment of sin; and because of His resurrection, we can be free from the fear of death. The red blood of Christ is the source of our freedom. Because of Jesus’s costly sacrifice, we have the joyful hope of living with Him forever. • Grace McCready • If Jesus hadn’t given up His life for us on Good Friday, there would be no Resurrection Sunday. How can remembering the price Jesus paid for our sin help us more fully celebrate our forgiveness and new life in Christ? (Find out more about the good news of Jesus on our "Know Jesus" page.) • Jesus’s blood is hugely important, and it’s talked about time and again in Scripture. If you want to dig deeper, read Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:14; 9:7–10:29; 12:24; 13:11-12, 20-21; 1 John 1:7; 5:6-8; Revelation 5:9; 7:14; 12:11; 19:13. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 37:18-28; 50:19-21; ROMANS 8:28 When Joseph was seventeen years old, his brothers wanted to kill him. So they threw him into a pit, then sat down and ate lunch. After lunch, they pulled him out of the pit and sold him into slavery instead. Then, later, the wife of Joseph’s new Egyptian slave owner tried to have sex with Joseph, and he refused. Her vengeance landed him in prison where he remained for years. But eventually, Joseph became an important leader of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Because God was blessing Joseph, he was able to save nations from starvation during a huge famine. Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment led to countless lives being saved, including his own family. He was even reunited with his brothers, and he forgave their wrongdoing against him. In a similar way, Jesus Christ came to earth as a human to love and forgive us. Though He is God the Son, He willingly took the position of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11). He healed people who were blind and deaf, made those who were lame walk, and fed the crowds. Yet He was beaten, mocked, and crucified. Jesus suffered horrible circumstances, ultimately enduring the cross to die for our sins. Jesus willingly paid that price so that we could be freed from our sin and receive His forgiveness. By His death and resurrection, countless people are being saved. God’s love overcomes evil. Joseph endured great pain through the wrongdoing of his brothers, yet God used bad circumstances for good. Perhaps God used the trouble in Joseph’s life to mature him into a man who could forgive his brothers. Forgiveness is possible because God has extended His forgiveness to each of us through Jesus. Even on the cross, Jesus asked God the Father to pardon those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). We too can receive this amazing and complete freedom in Christ. Perhaps you are in a painful position because others have wronged you. The middle of a difficult place can sometimes be where God helps us learn, mature, and grow. Hardships can open opportunities for God to do great things. His forgiveness heals us all. • Mary Schilling • God can use any situation to help us grow—both good situations and bad ones. What are some ways you have seen God use situations in your life to help you grow? • If you know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in you, empowering you to forgive people who have sinned against you. Consider spending sometime in prayer, asking God to help you notice any unforgiveness lingering in your heart and to lay it down at His feet. “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: MATTHEW 21:1-11; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 The governor was coming into town. Moriah had been waiting weeks to catch even a glimpse of the man. He was supposed to stay for the festival week and bring his entourage of soldiers and even a jester. Moriah had even heard the governor’s war horse would be the biggest she’d ever seen. The wide gates were heaved open by two men. At the front entry, an announcer shouted, “You are honored with the presence of the esteemed Governor Pontius Pilate.” “All hail Caesar!” the crowd echoed back. The first group of soldiers marched in, stoic faces in perfect rows. Soon—I’ll get to see the governor soon, she thought. Then, from the other side of the city, she heard a commotion. A few people looked over and some even fell away from the parade to wander to the eastern gate. Why would people go over there? she wondered. But as more and more people broke off from the crowd, curiosity got the better of her and she abandoned the parade as well. I’m sure I can get back in time to catch a glimpse of the governor; I just want to see what everyone’s gawking at. As she approached the street and peeked over the crowd, Moriah got her answer. That’s just some guy on a donkey. A disappointed frown crept over her face. She plucked up the courage to ask a woman next to her. “Excuse me.” She pulled on the woman’s sleeve. “Who is that?” “That’s Jesus—He’s a prophet and the Son of David. He’s going to save us all and overthrow Rome. He’s bringing a new kingdom. I’ve heard Him talk of it and seen Him do things only a prophet could do!” Wow, I’d hoped to see a governor, and now I get to see a prophet! Moriah took off her shawl and laid it on the ground. When the prophet passed by, He met her gaze, and something in His eyes made her wonder if He was more than just a prophet. • Naomi Zylstra • This fictional story imagines Jesus’s humble triumphal entry into Jerusalem, contrasted with the pomp and circumstance of a governor’s traditional entry into a city. Since the days of Solomon, Israel’s kings rode donkeys to their coronations. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey because He is the promised King, and He is riding to His death as a ransom for many. How does the humility of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem reveal who He is and how He saves us? “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:10 (NIV) 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:18; 1 PETER 1:3-8 "AH-CHOO!” That sound is not usually good news. It could mean someone is coming down with a cold. Sneezes and other symptoms show us the effects of germs on our bodies. Even though we can’t see germs without the help of a microscope, they have a significant impact on our lives. When you think about it, there are lots of things that affect us that we can’t see—we only see evidence that they exist—things like wind, electricity, radio waves, Wi-Fi signals, etc. This is kind of similar to how we don’t see God, but we see evidence of His existence all around us. Theologians use the term “general revelation” to describe how God reveals Himself to us through His creation. As we explore and study science, there are so many things we can know about God by observing how He designed the universe in ways that are beautiful and logical. Theologians also use the term “special revelation” to describe how God reveals Himself to us through His Word, and specifically through His Son: Jesus. Like a microscope allows us to know things about germs we’d never be able to see with our eyes alone, the Bible reveals things about who God is and what He’s done that we’d never be able to know just by looking at the natural world. And the whole Bible points to Jesus—He is God in human flesh, the “image of the invisible God,” and He shows us the Father (John 1:1-18; 14:8-9; Colossians 1:15-20). Throughout Scripture, God reveals His love for us, shows us how we can have a relationship with Him through Jesus, and describes how one day Jesus will return and everyone will finally see Him. We see evidence for the existence of invisible things like wind, electricity, radio waves, Wi-Fi signals, and more—and we rely on these things to be there when we need them. Similarly, we can see evidence of God’s existence all around us in the world He created, and we can search out the deep mysteries of God in the Bible. Through faith, we can know that God exists and He loves us. Because of what Jesus has done and promises to do, we can have confidence that God’s love is real—and it’s far more reliable than electricity and Wi-Fi and all these other things we can’t see. As 1 Peter 1:8 says, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” • A. W. Smith • What questions do you have about God? Who are trusted Christians you could talk with about these questions? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal someone in the future. You can also learn more about the whole story of the Bible, and what it tells us about God, on our "Know Jesus" page. …we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 42; JOHN 14:25-27 I am prone to forgetting. I’m not talking about the usual things like my cell phone, car keys, or sunglasses—wait, they’re on my head. I’m referring to the more profound things. When I am downcast and my soul is disturbed, sometimes I forget to put my hope in God. Sometimes I forget to praise Him. But, as it says in Psalm 42, God is worthy of my praise. He is my Savior, and my God. I forget that I need Him more than water to quench my thirst—I need Him for surviving and thriving. And I’m learning that remembrance is a choice, a practice. When my soul is aching and tears keep falling, I can choose to grasp the one little word that is so powerful: yet. “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (verses 5, 11). I will remember Him. I will remember His character, His goodness, and His faithfulness from the past. There are days when it feels like He’s forgotten me, but here’s the reality: “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me” (verse 8). As the deer knows it needs water to survive, my soul knows I need the living God (verses 1-2). Yes, we are prone to forget, but Jesus promises to remind us of who He is. When we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us His Spirit to dwell inside of us, help us, and remind us of our Savior’s words (John 14:26). And so, by His grace I will remember my Rock (Psalm 42:9). I will remember to meet with my God, the source of my strength. In times of sorrow, I will remember the “yet.” I will remember to praise. I will remember His love for me, constant and unfailing. I will remember His songs in the night. I will remember He is my hope. • Savannah Coleman • God knows we’re forgetful people. The Bible is full of people forgetting God’s care for them. From the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in victory to whining for food in the desert, from the courage Peter had to get out of the boat and walk on water with Jesus to the moment he noticed the waves (Exodus 14; 16; Matthew 14:22-33). Thankfully, God gives us His Word so we can look back on the ways He’s been faithful. What are some ways you could practice remembrance in your everyday life? Maybe you could write prayers in a journal and then highlight the ones God has answered, or display works of art in your space that remind you of God’s character, or choose or compose a song that helps you remember what God has done for you personally… Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 (NIV) 

READ: EXODUS 16:4; MATTHEW 6:9-11, 31-34; JOHN 6:25-51 Father, we come, we kneel, we pray. As You have commanded we ask bread for today.   Bread for today and today alone— Your grace we need for tomorrow’s unknown.   Tomorrow’s unknown looms ahead— We fear it, Lord! We confess our dread.   Ah, dark dread—may you forever be forbidden and crushed by His wounds on the Tree.   His wounds run deep with healing strength, His sinless blood makes darkness shrink—   ‘Till darkness fades and fear gives way to glorious hope— Resurrection Day!   Father, we come, we stand, we sing! You are the Bread, Everlasting King, To You alone All praise we bring.   I love the metaphors Jesus uses in Scripture—like calling Himself the “bread of God,” “bread of life,” and the “living bread” (John 6:33, 35, 51). By using a metaphor about something we can touch, taste, and smell—something as life-giving as bread—Jesus communicates crucial things about Himself that ordinary descriptions simply fail to do. • G. Kam Congleton • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Scripture passages. Why do you think Jesus tells us to ask for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11)? • And in John 6, why would Jesus compare Himself to bread? What point is Jesus making to His listeners that is hard for some of them to swallow? (Okay, pun intended!) “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:33 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; 2:7, 15; JOHN 1:1-5 God created everything in the world, including us. We were created in His own image. How incredible is that? Nothing else in this world has that same stamp from the Creator. Think about all the incredible things God has designed and made. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the flowers growing from season to season, the high peaks of mountains, the waves crashing on the beach. The list goes on and on. The world around us shows His creativity in many ways. Because we were made in His image, we also have that creativity within us. We have the ability to make new and beautiful things. We have the ability to add beauty to the lives of the people around us through what we make, and we can also admire and appreciate the beauty other people have created. Each of us has been gifted differently, but we all have the ability to create. We might enjoy writing stories or music. Maybe we’re talented at coding a video game or baking a delectable cake. Perhaps we can decorate a room or craft something out of wood. Or maybe we have a passion for gardening, sewing, organizing a space, making a new tool, or a thousand other things. When we lean into the creative side of ourselves, we can grow in our relationship with God and reveal to others how God works in us. If we know Jesus—having put our trust in Him and believed in His life, death, and resurrection—He is always with us. Because His Holy Spirit lives inside believers, we can rely on Him to lovingly guide our creative process. As we work with Him, we can embrace the way we were designed to create. • Tynea Lewis • Can you think of a time when seeing somebody’s creativity reminded you of God’s creativity? What was that like? • What is your favorite way to create? There are endless ways to be creative, and you will probably encounter more and more areas of creativity throughout your life. How do you think God feels when you engage in something creative? • If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 28:3-4; 31:1-6; 35:30–6:1. So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NLT)  

READ: ROMANS 6:1-11 Sometimes I watch the seasons progress with awe. Everything looks dead in winter, and then suddenly one day in the spring, daffodils start popping up, and soon after the trees blossom and turn green. God has a pattern of bringing new life. In the beginning, God created everything, including people. Adam was nothing more than dust before God gathered up that dust, formed it, and breathed life into Adam. He gave Adam and Eve the calling to rule over the creatures of the Earth, giving dignity and purpose to what was once nothing but dust (Genesis 1:26-30). Similarly, God blessed Sarah’s 90-plus-year-old womb and gave her and Abraham a baby: Isaac. In this way God fulfilled His promise, and through Isaac He brought forth the whole nation of Israel (Genesis 17:15-19; 21:1-7). Generations later, Jesus called His followers to a new life. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, two ordinary fishermen, He said, “‘Come, follow me…and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20). When Jesus called Levi, a tax collector who would’ve been considered a traitor to His own people, Jesus simply said, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14), and Levi got up from his tax collector’s booth and followed. These disciples left everything behind because Jesus called them to a new life. They went on to be leaders of the early church and served a great purpose as Christianity was just starting out. They became willing to endure terrible suffering and hardship because of Jesus. And Jesus Himself rose from the dead to new life. Jesus’s miraculous resurrection aligns so well with the character of God. Of course Jesus was resurrected into new life, and of course God invites us into that new life. That’s what He does! We see it all throughout God’s story, we see it in the beautiful world He has created, and we see it in our own lives. • Naomi Zylstra • Where have you seen God breathing new life in and around you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to help you see how He has been working. • Do you have a favorite story from the Bible where God gave new life and purpose to something or someone that was dead (either literally deceased or otherwise hopeless)? • When Jesus returns, He will raise us to new life, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever! If you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 7:1-5; GALATIANS 6:1-10 "What are they doing?” I grumbled to myself, watching a bright orange pickup truck in my rearview mirror weave in and out of traffic behind me. The driver apparently wanted to go faster than the cars in front of them, and kept tailgating the other cars and zooming over to the next lane to try to get ahead. This orange truck was far enough behind me that I didn’t feel unsafe, but I kept watching scornfully in my rearview mirror. Suddenly, I realized it had been several seconds since I actually looked at the road ahead of me. I had been so preoccupied with the orange truck that I wasn’t paying attention to my own driving. Thankfully, the road was calm and nobody had slammed on their brakes ahead of me, otherwise I could have gotten into an accident. I felt a prick of guilt thinking about my kids sitting in the back seat and how they could have been hurt because I wasn’t paying attention. Sometimes, we do the same thing in our spiritual lives. We see somebody do something outrageous and obviously evil, and we get so wrapped up watching them and judging them that we fail to notice our own sin. And sin always causes hurt. The truth is, I have no control over how other people act. When somebody does something terrible—especially somebody I don’t know personally—I can mourn their sin and pray for God’s restoration, and that’s about it. Everything else is just gawking. But when I see sin creeping its way into my own heart, I can actually do something about it. I can look to Jesus, who died and rose again for me—and for the driver of the orange truck—and ask Him to take this sin away from me. I can lean on His strength, forgiveness, and healing, and seek His wisdom in how to move on. And I can look forward to the day when He will return to resurrect us from the dead and rid the world of all sin—including mine—permanently. And that does a lot more good than gawking. • Taylor Eising • Why do you think it’s easier to focus on other people’s sin than our own sin? In what areas of your life are you tempted to do this? • God already knows all our sin, and He has secured our forgiveness through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Consider taking a moment to confess any of your own sins that come to mind. You can ask for His restoration and guidance in your own life, and also in other people’s lives. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-9 Have you ever wondered what pastors do when they’re not preaching, visiting people in hospitals, or doing other pastoral things? Some people seem to think pastors study and read the Bible all the time. While pastors do study more than most people because they teach God’s Word at church, they’re really just like anybody else. Jesus continues to work in the lives of pastors and help them get to know Him better, just like He does with other Christians. It’s easy to be awed by someone who holds a church leadership position, and we might even start to assume they’re some kind of superhuman Christian. But this isn’t the case. Pastors need Jesus just as much as we all do! Even though church leaders have what the Bible calls “an honorable position” teaching God’s Word, they are regular people (1 Timothy 3:1). They have likes, dislikes, hobbies, trials, joys, families, and friends. They have temptations, they sin, and they need forgiveness— just like the rest of us. Simply put, pastors are people too. So, get to know your pastors if you can, and pray for them. Remember that pastors have physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational needs just like we all do. They have their own questions and doubts and temptations and times when they don’t feel connected to God. They need time to rest, and they need support and guidance and accountability from people they trust. Even though pastors are leaders in the church, they are still part of the church. And we all need each other. So, as you pray for the pastors in your life, you can ask God to provide for their needs and help them share His love with others—including you. And you can also ask God to show you ways your whole church community, including pastors, can serve and bless each other. In this way, we get to reflect the same love Christ has shown all of us. • A. W. Smith • What pastors do you know? What assumptions have you made about their lives? • What are some ways you can pray for and show Jesus’s love to your pastor(s)and your whole church community? Consider taking some time to pray and write down whatever comes to mind. • Pastors are part of the church, which the Bible sometimes calls “the body of Christ.” Each of us is a vital part of the body, and as we abide in Jesus we learn to love each other well. If you want to dig deeper, read John 15:1-17;Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:25–13:13; 1 Peter 4:8-11. “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT) 

READ: EZEKIEL 1; REVELATION 1 When you start reading the Bible, it doesn’t take long to realize there is some strange stuff in prophetic books like Revelation and Ezekiel, especially the visions about crazy creatures and symbols that seem bizarre in our contemporary context. Why are those things in the Bible if they’re hard to understand and interpret? Well, since everything in the Bible is there for a reason and inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), I’ve begun to realize the value of having confusing things in the Bible. These passages aren’t always written literally; they use a lot of figurative language. Often, visions use the word “like,” meaning this is the writer’s way of describing something unfamiliar to us by comparing it to something familiar. For example, in Revelation 1:16, John writes that his vision of Christ was “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” These visions are so beyond our imaginations that we as humans can only begin to describe them by comparing them to something simpler. I’m still often confused after reading passages in the Bible that are full of wild imagery and symbolism, but they remind me of something important: God is beyond our understanding. His thoughts and plans are way beyond what we can fully grasp (Isaiah 55:8-9). Reading passages in the Bible that confuse me fills me with a sense of awe and wonder at God’s hugeness and power. And it’s amazing to think that this huge, powerful God became human and lived among us. In fact, the whole Bible points toward Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of His ministry and His coming kingdom (Luke 24:27; John 5:39; 20:31; Acts 8:26-40). He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and was resurrected from the dead on our behalf. The Bible reveals that God loves us so much, and He made the way for us to know Him and be with Him forever in Christ. It’s humbling to remember how little I know and understand, but comforting to know that in the vastness of the universe, the King and Creator of it all knows me, loves me, and cares about the little details of my life. • Abby Ciona • What are some of the Bible passages that confuse you? Who could you talk to about these passages, such as pastors, teachers, parents, or church elders? One helpful way to move forward is to use a study Bible (either a physical Bible, an app, or a website with notes from reputable Bible scholars). What resources can you find to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)  

READ: PROVERBS 19:11; 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13 Frigid air made my eyes water as I pulled my cloak tighter around me. I watched my breath come out in little puffs of white, an ode to the snow that most certainly lingered on the horizon. Night would soon be upon me, and I needed to make camp and a fire, but my cloak called to me. Opening the folds of my leather cloak, I pulled out one of the gems from one of the many pockets: an egg-sized ruby. Shimmering in its crimson depths was a tale from my past, this one not fifty days old. “We are sorry, but you’re just not who we need.” My fingers gripped the ruby harder as the memory washed over me. “This other warrior is more qualified to complete the task...” My cheeks burned with shame and anger as I placed the gem back in its pocket. As the sun broke over the mountains, I stretched my stiff back. I had lost more time than I thought caught up in reminiscing over that ruby, so when I finally fell asleep, my bedding of hard ground had to suffice. Tonight I would take the time to craft an appropriate bed. My stomach protested in hunger, reminding me that I needed sustenance for the journey ahead. But, the cloak called to me. Deep in a pocket near my heart, I reached for an emerald as large as my fist. The glistening green of the gem blurred as tears clouded my vision. I watched a scene I knew well despite the years that had passed. “The way you handled that was wrong...I can’t believe how much time I’ve wasted being with you.” This memory hurt more than others, for the person speaking was dear to my heart. Hours passed of reliving the hurt before I remembered I must continue my journey. At midday, I could feel my steps growing heavier, my energy waning. How would I ever make it to my destination? Suddenly, there was a brilliant flash of light—and a man materialized beside me. Stunned into silence, I gaped at Him while He smiled at me. This smile was the most genuine, kind smile I had ever seen. He spoke no words but simply placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “I can’t make the journey; it’s too much for me.” I don’t know why I shared this, but something in me told me I could place my trust in Him. He gestured to my cloak, and I noticed deep scars on His hands. “This cloak? Oh, I need it.” He looked straight into my eyes, and I saw the depth of His love for me. He held out His scarred hands and waited. Somehow I knew, without Him saying a word, that He would wait all day, all my life even. I knew that He would be here whenever I was ready. I pulled my cloak tighter around me and attempted another step, staggering under the weight. Tears shone in His eyes, brighter than any gem. In His eyes, I saw my past, present, and future. I saw every mistake I had ever made and how I broke His heart time and again. In spite of all the times I had offended Him, I saw the end result: He died for me. Those nail scars on His hands were because of me. Weeping, I fell to my knees and handed Him the heavy cloak. If He loves me enough to give His life for me and forgive all my offenses, the least I could do was give Him my life. “I don’t have much,” I whispered, “but I choose to give You my cloak of offenses. Help me fix my eyes on Your love instead." He pulled me to my feet and kept my hand in His. Together, we took a step. The air was still cold without my cloak, but His presence kept me warm. I was finally free. • Savannah Coleman  • Many things can burden us. Our own sin can weigh us down and make moving forward seem impossible. We may feel like we don’t

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16; GALATIANS 5:16-26; EPHESIANS 5:1-20 I’ve always had a sweet tooth. On one special occasion, this served as a great qualification for a unique job. My family and I had joined with others in our community for a fun-filled summer day, complete with a barbecue, picnic, games, and a dessert contest. I had been asked to arrive early and help judge the desserts. My mouth watered at the idea! Over one hundred people were there, and multiple people in each family submitted a dessert to be judged. I ate just a small amount of each sweet treat entered in the competition. But after dozens and dozens of cakes, cookies, and pies, I was too full for the barbecue. I skipped the meal because I’d eaten so many bites of dessert that I couldn’t hold anything else. That day, fulfilling my role as judge, I filled up on sweets and had no room for more nutritious food. In our spiritual lives, we’re invited to be filled as well—but with something more than sweets. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul writes, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.” When we put our trust in Jesus—believing in His life, death, and resurrection—our sins are forgiven, we become God’s children, and He sends His Spirit, who is God, to live in us. Isn’t that amazing? The Holy Spirit indwells all believers, comforting us and helping us understand God’s Word, know His love, follow His leading, and pray according to God’s will. Not only does God the Holy Spirit dwell inside followers of Jesus, He wants to fill us. Whatever fills us sets the direction for our choices and actions and leaves room for nothing else. When we have a relationship with God in His Son, we can choose to live filled with His Spirit. • Allison Wilson Lee • If we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us, or indwells us. Consider taking a moment to thank God for this amazing gift! (If you want to dig deeper, read more about the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-27; 15:26; Romans 5:5; 8:1-39;Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:7.) • We are called to pursue God first and foremost. When we do, all our other desires and pursuits find their right place in our hearts and in our lives. What are you tempted to pursue over God? • When we are yielding to the Spirit, we are empowered to follow God’s good ways, we can confess and turn away from sin, and we see the fruit the Spirit produces in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). What does a Spirit-filled life look like? (Hint: reread today’s Bible passages.) …be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) 

READ: NEHEMIAH 8:8-12; PSALMS 16:9-11; 68:3-6 Some of us have grown up thinking that Christians are meant to be serious all of the time. It’s like we see a group of people having fun and laughing loudly and we think, “No, that’s not for us.” Some people are even hesitant to become Christians because they’re worried about all they would have to give up. They might wonder whether or not they would ever be allowed to be happy again. But the Bible doesn’t say Christians aren’t supposed to be happy. Instead, the Bible talks about joy and even happiness coming to those who follow God! For example, Psalm 68:3 says, “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Who are the righteous? Well, apart from God, none of us are righteous, or sinless. But Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave so we could be counted righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, why shouldn’t we be happy? We have a God who loves us, who delights in us, and who is watching over us. As Christians, we have been saved from sin and death, and nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. And we have hope that one day Jesus will return to renew heaven and earth. We are going to live with Him forever in the most beautiful and perfect place. Hard times will come, and we will have days when we feel down about all that we are facing, but we don’t have to stay that way. When we start to feel happy again, we can lean into that. We can rejoice. We can have a good time! We don’t have to live our days acting completely serious and somber. Our faith is not a burden that is weighing us down. It’s a wonderful gift! When we know Jesus, we “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). • Emily Acker • Do you ever feel like God doesn’t want you to be happy? Why do you think that is? • God delights in His creation, and He invites us to delight with Him in all He has made! What are some of the things that make you happy—like your favorite foods, favorite music, favorite places, etc.? Consider taking a moment to thank God for these things! • If you feel like God may be calling you to give up something because it’s getting in the way of the abundant life He has for you (John 10:10), who is a trusted Christian mentor you could talk to about it? But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3 (NIV)  

READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; PHILIPPIANS 2:12-16; 1 PETER 3:15-16 As Christians, we’re called to share the good news of Jesus with others. And this is a wonderful thing—it’s an honor to be entrusted with such a task. But have you ever been around somebody telling others about Jesus in a way that just doesn’t seem all that great? It might feel like this person is bragging because they know Jesus and others don’t. While it’s commendable to have the courage to speak up about Jesus, we should be careful to consider the way we witness to others. If people don’t even like to be around us, maybe our approach needs to change. In Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 14-16). A person’s witness—the way they share Jesus with others—can be like a floodlight shining in someone’s eyes, blinding them. On the other hand, a witness with a kind, gentle spirit is like a scented candle (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). As Christians, sometimes we’re tempted to be a floodlight in situations when a candle is needed. Think about it this way—imagine you walk into your friend’s home, and you’re greeted by the warm, calming scent of coconut. Even though the smell is coming from a candle, it makes you hungry for your favorite dessert: coconut cake. Just as a scented candle can make us hungry for the real thing, a gentle witness can make people hungry to know Jesus. When we consistently treat others the way Jesus would and gently tell them what He means to us, they can see the difference He’s made in our lives. Then they may decide they want to know Him too. So, how will you witness? Will you be like a floodlight, trying to shine God’s truth on people all at once? Or will you be like a scented candle, gently yet consistently pointing to Him in your words and actions? While there are times when a direct conversation with someone about Jesus is necessary, we should never do it with a know-it-all attitude. Instead, we can remember that we need Jesus just as much as anybody, and we can let our lives be filled with the aroma of His love and kindness so others will be hungry to know Him too. • A. W. Smith • Think about how you came to know Jesus. Were there any people who were like scented candles in your life? What did they do or say that was helpful? • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages and write down what sticks out to you about how we’re called to share the good news. (More about this good news on our "Know Jesus" page.) “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV) 

READ: LAMENTATIONS 3:19-22; ROMANS 12:15 Have you ever heard of lament? In Christianity, lament is the practice of telling God about your hurts, anger, and disappointments—and asking Him to do something about it. Sometimes we find it hard to lament something we have lost. We tend to prefer laughter to crying, joy to anxiety, celebration to nostalgia, and happiness to mourning. Anxiety, sadness, anger, and nostalgia are part of the spectrum of human experiences and therefore normal to every human. They must be embraced, not avoided. I don’t know why we have the idea that following the God who gives joy means that we cannot experience sadness, anger, or anxiety. Sometimes, we feel pressured to be happy all the time even when the Bible teaches that weeping, lamenting, and mourning are regular experiences for those who follow Jesus. In fact, Paul encourages us to “weep with those who weep,” not to command them to feel well (Romans 12:15). Instead of shunning uncomfortable emotions, we can normalize saying things like “I’m angry,” “I’m hurt,” “I need time to process,” or “I’d like to talk to someone.” God enables us to embrace uncomfortable emotions. Jesus Himself experienced uncomfortable emotions like anxiety, grief, and sadness (Luke 22:44; John 11:33-35). He invites us to process all our feelings with Him, trusting in His unfailing love. And even when we don’t have words, He laments for us, on our behalf. In the midst of grief, sadness, and anxiety, the first step to regaining hope is to allow ourselves to recognize these emotions. Some other things we can do to help process difficult emotions are: • Talk to someone. Friends, family, and health professionals can be of great help. • Recognize and accept that you are going to have bad days. The faster you recognize it, the more comfortable you’ll feel with it. It’s okay to not be okay. • Don’t try to move on to the next thing. Listen to your emotions; they’re trying to talk to you and give you important information about how you’re doing. As you do these things, bring your feelings to Jesus in lament. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but tell Him how angry, sad, disappointed, or hurt you are. God is not afraid or ashamed of your feelings, and you don’t have to be either. Let’s embrace lament, it’s normal. • Samir Eljagh • What do you need to lament right now? If you’re ready, you can write your own lament. For some ideas about where to start, you can read Psalm 13, Psalm 88, and Psalm 102. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 51; REVELATION 21:1-5 God can make all things new. That’s what the Bible tells us. It’s easy to believe, too, when it’s spring and everything is changing in the world around us. But it can be harder to see in fall and winter, when trees start to lose their leaves. The whole world becomes a bit barren. Everything looks gloomy and gray. But then the weather starts to warm a bit; little signs of spring and life appear. Buds pop up on the trees. Flowers push up from the ground. The grass starts to brighten. Spring comes, and suddenly the world is beautiful again. Everything is new. That’s what God can do in our lives. He can make us fresh and bright and new. He can take us from any dark and wintery place and help us see spring again. God can renew our lives, even though we have all sinned and made mistakes. One example is in Psalm 51. David wrote this psalm after he repented of his sin—using his position as king of Israel to have sex with Bathsheba and then have her husband killed. David had been in a season of darkness and despair, lost in his sin, but after the prophet Nathan confronted him, David trusted God to cleanse him of his sin and make him new again (2 Samuel 11-12). We can also see God’s renewal in the life of Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament. Before Paul knew Jesus, he killed and persecuted Christians. Then one day, God met him on the road with a bright light and transformed him and made him new by the power of Jesus’s death and resurrection (Acts 9:1-31). God loves us, and He can take anything and make it new. When you feel in need of spring in your life, you can ask Him to help you find it. • Bethany Acker • Where do you need renewal in your life? A painful situation, a persistent sin, a broken relationship? You can bring all of these to Jesus in prayer, asking for new life. He loves you, and He is listening. • Because of Jesus, any sin can be forgiven, and any life can be made new. And when Jesus returns, He will establish the new heavens and the new earth—then sin and death and suffering will be no more, and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever! How can observing the spring season help us remember Jesus’s bountiful forgiveness and look forward to His glorious return? He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:5a (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:20-31; ISAIAH 11:6-9; ROMANS 8:18-25 How do you feel about spiders? Many people have strong opinions about these web-making creatures. They often inspire fear or disgust. But the reality is, although some spiders’ venom can cause pain or illness to humans, most spiders are harmless to large beings like us. In fact, there are a lot of things we can appreciate about spiders. They construct beautiful webs of silvery strands connected to make a lacy pattern, which sparkle with dew drops in the morning sun. They also do some important pest control because their diet includes insects. We can be thankful that the presence of spiders means there will be fewer bugs that can sting or bite us, or eat the plants we rely on for food, or carry diseases that could be spread to humans or animals. Spiders have a purpose, just like all the other animals, plants, etc. we find in our world. God made everything good. But when sin came into the world, it changed things. All that God made good was bound to death and decay (Romans 8:21). That’s why now there are bugs that can bite or sting us and diseases that make us sick. But it will not always be this way, because Jesus came into our broken world, and He faced death head on—for us. He died for our sins, and then He rose from the grave, declaring victory over sin and all its effects, including death and decay. One day, Jesus will return and make all things new, and everything that has been warped by sin will be made right again. Then spiders won’t be scary to us anymore, and “there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). On that glorious day, “the baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy” (Isaiah 11:8-9). So, think about the creatures you’re unsure of. How might they play an important part in God’s world? When we take the time to notice how everything is good for something, it can help us marvel at the greatness of God and all He has made. We can rest in God’s role as Creator and in His promise to one day restore all His creation to the way He intended it to be. • A. W. Smith • What is your favorite creature? What about your least favorite? What good might these creatures bring to the world? Consider taking a moment to thank God for that good work and for His promise to one day make all things new, free from sin and death. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31a (NLT) 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-17 A child and a spoil of war. Forced to live with the enemy, far from home. Then, as a young woman, a war prize again, forced to serve the nation’s most powerful leader. Finally, exiled to an island for her Christian faith. This was the life of Julia Ota, who lived over four hundred years ago. Japanese warriors invaded her Korean home and swept her back to Japan, an unjust and tragic event, especially for a child. But Julia also grew up experiencing God’s blessing, goodness, and transforming love. In Japan, an influential Christian general and his wife raised her as their own. She was baptized and named Julia. Life changed again for Julia, however, when Tokugawa Ieyasu won a decisive battle, became Shogun, and executed the Christian general. Julia became the Shogun’s lady-in-waiting. When she was faced with an ultimatum, Julia refused to deny Christ, who loved her and had sacrificed Himself and been raised for her. So, the Shogun exiled her to the Izu Islands. On the islands, she cared for those who were weak, sick, or in need of encouragement. Like a beautiful flower, Julia’s love for Christ spread a healing fragrance of joy and hope everywhere she went. Her charity and evangelism are still remembered in Japan and Korea today with various memorials and even an annual festival! How amazing is it that Jesus is at work even in the worst of circumstances? • Sonja Anderson • As Christians, when we go through terrible circumstances in our lives, we can know that Jesus Christ holds us through it all and He is working for our good (Romans 8:28-29, 35-39). How might this truth embolden us to share His goodness with others, even in the midst of hardship? • Has anyone in your life shared Jesus’s joy, hope, and healing with you? What was it like? • Is there anyone in your life who might need the fragrance of Jesus’s joy, hope, and healing in their life? Consider spending sometime in prayer, asking God how you might spread the love and knowledge of Christ to that person. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALM 139:12-16; ISAIAH 64:8 When you look at yourself in a mirror, what do you think? Maybe you like who you are, or maybe you’re critical of yourself. Either way, God shows us the right way of seeing ourselves in His Word. In Psalm 139:13-14, King David pondered how the Lord created us. He said: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” The Lord created YOU! When He made you, He thought of you and created you as a marvelous work. Isn’t it amazing to think that you are “wonderfully made”? You’re not just an okay work, but a marvelous work. And, because God is everywhere, He was present even when you were still in your mother’s womb, and He will continue to be present throughout the rest of your life. Not only did God create you, He longs to be with you. That’s why Jesus—God in human flesh—died and rose again to make the way for you to be in close relationship with Him. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). You can take comfort in the fact that this all-loving God is the same One who created you as a wonderful and beautiful being. The next time you look in the mirror and are tempted to criticize yourself, you can remember that the Lord lovingly formed every bit of you and created you as a marvelous work. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of all things, and you are the work of His hands. • Lydia Lancie • Isn’t it amazing to think that God made each of us as a marvelous work? Yet, it’s easy to forget this truth as we go about our daily lives. One way you could remind yourself is by writing down a verse about how God created you and sticking it on your mirror, your locker, or somewhere else you’ll see it often. Does one of today’s verses resonate with you in particular? • When you create something you’re proud of, how do you feel? How do you think God feels about making you? I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 46; MARK 4:35-41 Have you ever heard the meteorological term supercell? It’s an unusually large storm cell, and its clouds form the shape of a huge anvil. This kind of weather system has separate updrafts and downdrafts, and it produces severe wind and thunderstorms, large hail, and even tornadoes. A supercell can be a good analogy for what it feels like to have a panic attack. It begins as a gentle breeze in the corner of your mind. “What if…?” Soon, though, it picks up velocity and force and begins to spin out of control, growing larger with each worse-case scenario imagined. The panic takes your breath away and causes your heart to pound as it rips through your mind, leaving you torn and broken, your peace and hope in shambles. A panic attack is just as real and scary to the person having it as a tornado is to those in its path. Although the damage isn’t always visible, it can be as devastating as a violent storm. If you’ve experienced debilitating anxiety or a panic attack, you know that it feels like the world is spinning out of control. Fear can be coupled with physical symptoms like heart palpitations, dizziness, or even chest pain. But aren’t Christians supposed to be protected from such things? Doesn’t the Bible say over and over, “Don’t be afraid”? True, God does give us His protection, His comfort, and His presence, but that doesn’t mean Christians are immune to the brokenness in the world, including anxiety and panic attacks. So how can we find shelter from the winds of worry and fear? The God who made the world and saw that it was good is the same God who came to live among us after that world was broken by sin (Genesis 1:31; John 1:14). He is the same God who was with His disciples in the storm-tossed boat. He stilled the winds, and He says, “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). He died and rose again for us, and He promises to return one day and make all things new—free from sin and its effects, including anxiety and panic attacks. In the meantime, He offers healing in Himself but also by the gifts He has given through medicine and counseling. If anxiety and panic are blowing your calm to bits, know that you are not alone. This doesn’t make you a “bad Christian,” and it doesn’t mean you don’t have true faith. God is with you, even in the middle of your storm. • Mary Rozendal • Have you experienced anxiety or panic attacks? Sadly, in our world that is broken by sin, many people experience these things at some point in their lives, and this is nothing to be ashamed of. Instead of hiding our pain, God invites us to be honest with Him and with people we trust so we can experience healing.* • The American Psychological Association describes panic attacks this way: “a sudden onset of intense apprehension and fearfulness in the absence of actual danger, accompanied by the presence of such physical symptoms as heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, sweating, and dizziness. The attack occurs in a discrete period of time and often involves fears of going crazy, losing control, or dying” (dictionary.apa.org/panic-attack). A panic attack might follow troubling thoughts or begin during a stressful situation, or it might happen unexpectedly. And panic attacks are not necessarily caused by anxiety; sometimes they are a result of treatable medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism. While having or witnessing a panic attack can be frightening, God is right there with us, grieving our hurts alongside us and holding us securely in His love (Romans 8:3

READ: GENESIS 2:1-3; MATTHEW 11:28–12:13; LUKE 5:16 Are you running on empty? Are you overburdened with clubs, hobbies, schoolwork, sports, church activities, part-time jobs, or other commitments? In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to say “yes” to too many things and fill our lives so full, there’s no room left for rest. The following might be signs you need to take a step back and take some time to be refreshed. Irritability: When we’re overloaded, we often feel tired, frustrated, and impatient. The smallest things become hugely annoying, like an offhanded remark, a person’s mannerisms or quirks, a chatty friend or sibling when you want to concentrate, etc. So, if you find yourself losing your temper over things that normally wouldn’t bother you, this might be an indicator you’re running on empty. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted: Are the hobbies, social events, work, and other things you normally enjoy starting to lose their excitement, instead sparking a sense of dread as you wonder how you can possibly manage your time? Do you find your mood changes rapidly and you are more sensitive than usual? Do you need to rely on adrenaline to motivate you? The problem with living this way is, when we do stop and take a break, we find ourselves needing lots of rest because we have burned ourselves out. Physical aches and pains: When we are swamped with a hectic schedule, it can take a toll on our bodies. Headaches, fatigue, and being more susceptible to colds and other bugs can be indicators that we are rundown. What can you do? Remember, even Jesus needed time to rest (John 4:6). He preached to crowds and healed countless people, but at times He needed a solitary place to recuperate. God the Son would make time to be alone with His Father. In the same way, we need moments when we can relax and hand over our burdens to Jesus, whether that looks like taking a walk outdoors, sitting quietly and meditating on Scripture, or even just taking some deep breaths. Remember, you are important to God. When we take time to rest, it can be an opportunity to remember that Jesus has already done the work of saving us, and there’s nothing we need to do to earn His love. • Cindy Lee • How could you prioritize rest? Is there anything in your schedule that needs to change? Who is a trusted Christian who could help you discern God’s guidance in how to use your time wisely? Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 15:1-17; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-11; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13 If you’ve been part of a church, you’ve probably been told that, as Christians, we are called to serve others, help the hurting, and bring about justice (Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:35-40). That’s part of how we participate in the kingdom of God. And we also know that Jesus will return to right every wrong, make all things new, and get rid of sin and death forever. So, if we know that Jesus is going to come fix everything, why do we bother to do anything? This is a question I’ve bumped into in my walk with Jesus. It’s true that if I did nothing but sit twiddling my thumbs all day, Jesus’s plan to return and restore all of creation would not be thwarted in the slightest. But I think this mindset misses the point of the gospel. When we put our trust in Jesus, His Spirit dwells within us and transforms our hearts in ways that compel us to serve (Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 5:5; Philippians 2:13). When God shows us how deeply He loves us, we can’t help but love others. When He shows us how utterly good He is, we want others to experience that goodness. When He shows us the things that break His heart, our hearts break, too. When we realize how He has served us, we are drawn to serve others. When we’ve experienced the power of the gospel—that Jesus, out of His great love for us, died on the cross and rose again from the dead, and that He desires for His people and His creation to be made whole—that power takes root in us. It shapes our desires into God’s desires. And that desire moves us to action. So, through the power of the gospel, we can serve others out of love, hope, and peace. Not out of anxiety that things won’t get done, or fear that we’d better serve or we’ll get in trouble, or shame for not living up to certain expectations, but out of an overflowing of God’s love and a deep desire to see His goodness on display. Until the day we die or Jesus returns, we can serve because, from the very core of our being, we want to. Because Jesus and the wholeness He brings is just too good to keep to ourselves. • Taylor Eising • When have you felt a desire to serve others? What was that like? • How can knowing Jesus’s love for us compel us to share that love with others? We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:19 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; ROMANS 3:23-24; 5:6-11; COLOSSIANS 1:12-14 I’ve decided to begin looking for a house. Prices are coming down a little, and I have a good chunk of money in savings. It just feels like the right time. My parents explained the best next step would be to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. This will let me know how much I can spend. So, I called the bank down the road to start the process. They directed me to fill out an online application, and I immediately began working on it. It was extensive. There were so many tabs and little boxes to complete. The final section was likely the scariest—my employment history. It reminded me of filing my taxes. And, just like filing my taxes, I was terrified of making mistakes. Would the bank disqualify me? Would I be good enough? Did I make enough? Suddenly every coffee, every bag of chocolate-covered peanuts, every pack of fake nails I’ve ever bought played in my head. Had I even saved enough? That fear made me reluctant to even finish the application. As I considered this, I thought of how people often don’t come to Christ because they feel like they have to get themselves together first. They think they have to get back on the right track and get everything right before God will even accept them. But this isn’t true. Unlike my loan that I have to “qualify” for, there is no qualifying for God. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While we are still sinners, guys! Jesus Christ meets us where we are. He paid our debt. We don’t have to tally it all up for Him. We don’t have to hurry and walk old ladies across the street or serve in fifteen countries before God will be willing to “consider our application.” The only thing we need to do is come to Him. • Natty Maelle • Do you ever feel like you have to “get yourself together” before you can go to God? Why do you think that is? (For more about how to have a relationship with God, see our "Know Jesus" page.) • When was the last time you talked through your heart with Jesus? Consider taking sometime today to tell Him everything. Your hurts. Your sins. Your anger. And allow the Holy Spirit to speak into that moment. • Have you heard this message before but still just don’t believe it? That’s okay. You can do a few things from here. First, you can reach out to trusted believers in your life and talk to them. But also, just take sometime and talk to God about it. He wants us to question and grow. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 12:34-37; ROMANS 5:1-11; 1 JOHN 4:16-19 We all know the feeling. We’re going about our day and something happens—a difficult conversation, a snag at school or work, a major food spill on our clothes, forgetting our lunch, etc. When something happens to mess up our plans or efforts, it’s like a bump that pushes us off course. When things don’t go our way, often a bit of what’s in our hearts spills out. If our hearts are filled with patience and kindness, gentle words spill out. But if we’re still working through hatred or fear, harsh words sometimes spill out instead. What comes out when you get bumped—when things don’t go right for you? When we realize we’ve acted in a harsh way toward someone, we can confess it to Jesus and to those we were harsh toward. We can rest assured that when we come to Jesus there is always forgiveness—no matter what we’ve said or done. He has already paid for all our sins through His death and resurrection, and He’ll help us remember that He has filled our hearts with His love through the Holy Spirit. So, no matter what happens to bump our plans off course, His love can spill over onto others through our words and actions. But what about when cruel words keep spilling out of us and we can’t seem to stop? Jesus wants to help us with this too. Even when we mess up, out of Jesus’s mouth flows grace, forgiveness, love, and promises for us—because that’s what’s in His heart for us. Through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church), He’ll help us untangle any lies or false assumptions that get in the way of resting in the truth of His love for us and others. Remember that the kind of love He has for each of us is full of patience, kindness, and understanding…and that’s the same love He’s filled our hearts with. So, when we get bumped, we can trust Him to help us rest in His love and let others see that love overflowing from within us. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time someone spilled unkind words on you? How did it feel? What might have been going on in their world when that happened? Even though unkindness is not excusable, understanding where people are coming from can help us have compassion on them. • Can you think of a time you’ve been harsh when you’ve gotten bumped? How can resting in the truth of Jesus’s love help us communicate with love and clarity, even when we get bumped? • When you experience big emotions that you’re not sure how to process, who are safe people in your life you can talk with—such as counselors, parents, pastors, etc.? “…the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” Matthew 12:34b (CSB) 

READ: PSALMS 136:1-26; 139:7-12; 1 JOHN 4:7-21 I was driving my usual route in town when I noticed something out of the ordinary—a mystic cloud of steam puffed from the streets’ vents alongside my car. It looked majestic, floating there in the broad daylight of the winter day. I kept driving and noticed the street was lined with other billowing vents, large cotton-ball puffs floating next to me while I drove. I’d been living in that town for months but never noticed the vents before. Yet they were always there, releasing their steam into the world. Only when the temperature got cooler could I notice the white floating clouds. In a way, God’s love is like a street vent. God is always there, releasing His love into the world, surrounding us with it. As we move forward, His love lines the road alongside us. On a warm spring day when life is sunny and bright, we might not notice it. Our hearts are full, and we might not feel like we need to search for His love. Then winter comes. Cold, hard times settle in. We’re still moving, driving down our paths, but now we might search out God’s billowing love. It was always there, though, on the warm days and the cold ones. God’s love was perfectly displayed in Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. No matter where we are, that same love is always, always with us. I want to remember the street vents are there on those warm spring days. When things are going well, I want to remember God’s love. I want to remember it’s surrounding me and others too. My spring season might be someone else’s winter. They could be moving through the cold, unaware of God’s love surrounding them on all sides. I want to help them feel the love, show them that even though it’s cold, God’s goodness is still billowing, still surrounding them during the journey. • Jenna Brooke Carlson • Happier seasons in life can point us to God’s goodness, while more difficult times can remind us of our dependence on Him. What season of life do you find yourself in right now? Where do you see God’s love present? Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 119:105-112; PROVERBS 3:3-6; ROMANS 8:35-39; HEBREWS 12:1-3 We face unknowns day by day. We don’t know what life will be like next year or even next week. There are constant twists and turns. Some things happen so suddenly and so out of the blue that, left to our own resources, we could be left paralyzed. Sometimes the unknowns, and the fears that come with them, can be overwhelming. But through all the change and uncertainty, one thing remains steady. God never changes. He loves us with a never-ending love. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on Him. And He always wants to help us. God’s never-changing goodness was put on full display when He became human and lived among us. Jesus, God in flesh, gave up His life for us on the cross so we could live with Him forever. And then He rose from the dead, totally victorious over sin and death. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He is always with us. And when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can keep walking forward. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” We are never stuck in darkness with Him at our side. Through the Holy Spirit, God helps us to trust Him. To believe He is who He says He is. To rest in Him and His promises. And to follow His gentle leadership. We are never going to be sure or certain about the things that will happen in our lives. Oftentimes, even the things we plan for don’t turn out exactly how we expect. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We can’t plan ahead and know that it will be exactly how we want it to be. But we can trust God no matter what. He will be with us through it all. And as we follow His trustworthy guidance, the unknowns become a lot less scary. • Bethany Acker • The unknowns of life can be overwhelming at times. But God generously provides comfort and guidance through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Do you have any favorite Bible passages that have helped you through difficult times? Which one(s)? • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your struggles? How could you be intentional about encouraging and comforting each other this week? • None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. How might it be freeing to rely on Jesus and commit ourselves to following Him in everything, instead of trying to figure out what to do in our own strength and wisdom? (John 10:27-30; James 4:13-17) “I the Lord do not change. So you…are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 32:1-5; ROMANS 6:12-14; 8:1-4; 1 JOHN 1:9 Do you ever feel down and defeated by things you’ve done that were wrong? Do you find yourself asking God for forgiveness several times before you really feel forgiven? If so, you’re not alone; we all feel this way sometimes. But there is good news. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God has already forgiven all our sins—past, present, and future—because of Jesus’s death and resurrection. As we walk through life with Jesus, we will continue to struggle with sin until He makes all things new. But even when we stumble and fall, Jesus doesn’t leave us. He is right there with us, inviting us to confess what we’ve done wrong and rest in His sure forgiveness. Then we are free to leave our sin in the past, get back on our feet, and keep walking with Him. No matter how many times we fail, God forgives us and continues working in our lives to make us more like Jesus. We don’t need to let ourselves feel defeated by sin, because Jesus has already defeated sin for us! When He died on the cross for us, His last words were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). God Himself paid the full penalty for our sin with His own life. There is no debt left to repay. And after three days in a tomb, Jesus rose from the grave—declaring His joyous victory over sin and death! Our God is so much more powerful than any sin we could ever commit. And His love for us is far greater than any guilty feelings that might creep into our lives. So, whenever we’ve done something wrong, we can confess it to Jesus, knowing with absolute certainty that He promises to forgive us. We don’t have to keep dwelling on what we’ve done in the past. Instead, leaving the sins we’ve confessed behind, we can go forward in our walk with Him. He loves us, and He will never leave us. • A. W. Smith • How can resting in Jesus’s victory over sin and death empower us to “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:1-2), to freely love God and people as we go through life, instead of being weighed down by guilt and shame? • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your struggles? How can you comfort and encourage each other when you’re facing a particularly tempting sin pattern? Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (CSB) 

READ: GENESIS 12:1-4; 21:1-5 One thing I’ve always had to keep practicing is patience. I’m more patient now than when I was younger, but having to wait for things still irritates me more than I would like. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to wait longer for the things that are important to me. When I was in school, I was surrounded by change, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time. Every year I was in a new grade, with new teachers and new materials to learn. But now, a few years after I’ve graduated from college, things have slowed down. I’ve been at the same job for some time and moved into a house with my husband. Life has slowed down, and now I’m in a waiting and resting period. Waiting is a huge part of God’s story. I don’t always see the full effect of waiting in the Bible because for me, I can turn the page and time has already passed in the story. For instance, in Genesis 12:1-4, God promised Abraham he would have many descendants. But then it was twenty-five years before Abraham and Sarah had their son Isaac (Genesis 21:1-5). This delay between God’s promises and their fulfillment happens throughout the Bible. For example, David was a teenager when he was anointed to be king, but he didn’t start his reign till he was thirty (1 Samuel 16:10-13; 2 Samuel 5:4). The Israelites also had to wait hundreds of years for the Messiah, the Rescuer God promised them. And when Jesus the Messiah was born, He was not what the Israelites expected Him to be, but He was exactly what was promised. Even now, we are waiting for Jesus to return to make all things new. God has always included waiting in His story, but God has also always delivered on His promises. So, the next time we’re waiting on God for an answer or a sign, let’s look around and see what unexpected things we already have, and remember that our loving God’s timing is often different from our own. • Naomi Zylstra • Is there something you’ve prayed for that you’re still waiting for an answer on? Even in the midst of our waiting, Jesus is with us. He is always at work behind the scenes. How could it be comforting to know that God’s people have always experienced periods of waiting, and God has always fulfilled His promises? Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (CSB)

READ: OBADIAH 1:1-21 I hadn’t read the book of Obadiah until about two years ago. It’s the shortest book in the Old Testament (it’s only one chapter), and it can be confusing. The book mostly centers on poems that cast judgement on the people of Edom, who were related to the Israelites through Abraham’s family and who lived on the opposite side of the Dead Sea from the Israelites. These two people groups had a rocky history that went all the way back to the twin sons of Isaac: Jacob (who would be renamed Israel) and Esau (who would also be called Edom). These twins fought and had a falling out (Genesis 25-28), and even though they had a moment of reconciliation (Genesis 33), their descendants would continue to have conflict throughout the years (Numbers 20:14-21). This conflict culminates in Edom raiding Israelite cities after Babylon takes Israel into captivity (Obadiah 1:10-14). The first half of the book of Obadiah is about God holding this Israelite neighbor accountable for their raiding and their pridefulness as a nation. But then the author shifts their focus in verse 15 to talk about how the day of the Lord is coming for all nations. The author shows how all nations that are prideful like Edom will fall. The nation of Edom is a symbol for all the nations that will be repaid for their evil deeds when God’s judgement comes. But there is hope. God is full of love and mercy, so the book ends in a promise of restoration. God will bring justice, and He will do this through Jesus. Jesus is God the Son, and He is also a descendent of Jacob. First, by Jesus’s death and resurrection He will defeat sin and death and forgive all who trust in Him, making us part of His new, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). And when Jesus returns and ushers in the new creation, He promises to bring full restoration and peace. The fall of Edom points to the day Jesus will rid the world of all evils so there can be a new and glorious creation where all God’s people live together in harmony. • Naomi Zylstra • What is a pain or hurt that you’re looking forward to God’s justice correcting? • How can knowing that God’s perfect justice and restoration will come some day give us hope and strength to pursue justice and restoration as we follow Jesus here and now? But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. Obadiah 1:17 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 77:10-15 Have you ever made a scrapbook? Whether in digital form or with paper pages, scrapbooks can be a creative way to remind us of the people we love and the things we learn as we go through life. Thinking about scrapbooks can help us understand an important part of our relationship with God. It’s good to take time to remember all the ways God has blessed us, whether by helping us with problems, giving us family, friends, and experiences, or any number of ways we’ve seen His presence in our lives. In the psalms, we find songs and poems that people created to praise and thank God for all He has done. And people in the Old Testament sometimes set up stones as physical reminders of the times God had shown His presence and faithfulness to them (Genesis 28:18-19; Joshua 4:1-9; 1 Samuel 7:12). If you wanted to have a tangible way to remember God’s presence and faithfulness in your life, you could write a song or set up a stone or some other kind of reminder, or you could even make a scrapbook with pictures and words detailing the ways God has blessed you and revealed His goodness. But in a way, a book like this already exists. The Bible—sometimes called the Good Book—is full of God’s goodness throughout history. It tells us how He answers prayer and cares for people—and most importantly, how Jesus came to defeat sin and death and make us His children. Reflecting on all the things God has done for us in the past helps us remember that we can trust Him with our present and our future. Because He loves us so deeply, God calls us to take time to look back and see how He has blessed us and helped us through all kinds of difficulties. He is eager to remind us just how trustworthy He is, and He invites us to rely on Him more and more. As we read about how He helped people in the Bible and how Jesus died and rose again to beat sin and death, we can know that the same God who helped His people generations ago still helps us today. He has not changed. We can always trust Him to help us and take care of us. • A. W. Smith • Are there any Bible passages that have been particularly meaningful to you? What moments in your life would you like to hold on to as reminders of God’s trustworthiness? Is there some tangible way you could remind yourself of some of these good things God has done for you? I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 124:6-8; LUKE 12:22-31 As Valeria and Galena sat in the courtyard, working away at some handicrafts to sell at the market in the next town over, Galena watched the setting sun and pondered their situation. The famine continued with no signs of letting up. Their parents had died several months ago, and the two sisters had to care for each other in their small, impoverished village. “Galena!” Valeria called suddenly. “Can you help me with something?” Galena set down her work, shook away her thoughts, and came over to where Valeria was leaning over a tiny green hummingbird as it flopped around, struggling with a string tangled around its spindly legs. The bird’s needle-like bill tore at the strand, but the string wound around tighter and tighter. “Valeria, run and get me a soft rag,” said Galena. When Valeria returned with the clean cloth, Galena draped it over her hand and gently picked up the colorful little bird. The humming sound grew louder as he flapped his long, narrow wings. “Be still, little one.” Galena’s voice was so quiet Valeria could hardly hear her. One twist, two twists. The humming sound quieted, and the stubby body relaxed. Valeria let out a big breath of air when Galena handed her the string and carefully placed the bird on the ground. After resting for a few moments, he took flight. “Do you remember that story Mama told us,” Valeria asked, “something about how the Creator cared for birds and would do the same and more for humans?” Galena leaned back against the cool stone wall. “Ah yes. The birds, they store no food and gather no crops. Yet the Creator feeds them. And today, we helped that tiny hummingbird because we cared for it. That’s a good reminder. We don’t need to worry because the Creator loves us and takes care of us.” Valeria twirled the string around her finger. “Did you realize? We freed the bird’s legs from the string, and the Creator came to free us from sin and death!” A smile spread across Galena’s face. “You’re right! We’re not trapped in sin any longer, and we can look forward to eternity with Him, where there will be no more famines, no more sadness. Until then, even when the troubles of life come, we can trust Him to be with us and help us through them.” • A. W. Smith • When you go through difficult times, do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you how much God loves you—so much that He became human to die and rise again to beat sin and death so you could be with Him forever? Even when you go through difficult times, He will be with you. You can always talk to Jesus about your worries and rely on Him to take care of you. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 41:8-14; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-20 I gulped. A flat tire? What now? I’d recently joined a ministry to share the good news of Jesus with others. To take on this role, I needed to raise money for expenses. I talked with lots of people in my hometown about supporting me financially, hoping they would partner with me through their donations and prayers. That evening, I’d set up an appointment to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Peters about my ministry plans. I didn’t know them well, but the conversation at their kitchen table went smoothly. But as they walked me out, I spotted a problem. Although I did have my driver’s license, I didn’t own a car. I’d borrowed my grandfather’s old vehicle to travel to the meeting. Then, right there in the Peters’ driveway, one of the tires had gone flat. Help, Lord! I thought, swimming in embarrassment. I’d just asked them to contribute money, and now would I be asking for even more help? Mrs. Peters quickly offered a can of foam tire inflator that would re-inflate the tire enough for me to drive home. Mr. Peters fetched the canister and even took care of applying it to the leaky tire. After thanking them profusely, I drove safely home. When I noticed the problematic tire that evening, I could think of no solution. But when I couldn’t imagine a way through, God made a way. God cares for His creation, and He assures us we don’t have to give in to fear, because He helps us (Psalm 145:8-21). He invites us to rely on Him for everything, instead of trying to do things in our own strength and wisdom. Since He provided the way for our sins to be forgiven—when we could never accomplish that ourselves—we can trust Him to help us whenever we feel stuck. The same God who died for us and rose from the grave is with us now. He strengthens us. He upholds us—through flat tires, fundraising, and much more. • Allison Wilson Lee • Are you facing a problem that feels like it has no answer? Consider taking a moment to come to God in prayer and ask for His help. • One of the primary ways God helps His people, is through His people! Yet sometimes, we feel embarrassed for needing help. Other times, we can easily fall into pride if we think we don’t need to rely on anyone else. How could we remind each other that it’s okay to need help, and in fact it’s good to rely on each other? For I am the Lord your God…Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 7:24-27; 1 PETER 2:4-10 Not long ago, we were scattered like pebbles across the ground. Unwanted, forgotten, far from found. That was, until the day He came. Bare feet scudding across the sand, bending down to gently pick us up and place us in His hands. Rejected by others, chosen by Him. He told us that He had been rejected too. Despised, beaten, spit upon, and ultimately killed. After that time of darkness and mourning, His Father raised Him to life, rolling the stone away. Chosen by His Father, precious to Him. For years, we waited for someone we could trust, someone who would speak what is true, about everything, about us. The world said He was a liar, a heretic, an imposter. The Father said He was the Cornerstone, chosen before the creation of the world, imperishable (1 Peter 1:18-20), one with the Father Himself (John 10:30). The world says we are worthless, He says we are chosen (1 Peter 2:9). Once we were covered in rags, but Cornerstone clothed us with His royal robes. We were created by Him, made to sing His praise. Cornerstone takes us, one by one, and builds, not on the sand, but on Himself. Each stone is unique and alive, every one precious. Some He sands down, others He chisels. These stones are being formed into a beautiful house with the only foundation that will remain. Though storms will come and waters rise, this truth endures: “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6). • Savannah Coleman • The prophet Isaiah wrote that the Lord would lay a precious and tested cornerstone for us, one that would give us a sure foundation, and those who rely on Him will not be “stricken with panic” (Isaiah 28:16). Later, the Bible tells us that Jesus is that Cornerstone. Trusting in Jesus, believing He died on the cross for us, receiving His mercy, and building our lives on Him…is so much better than building our lives on piles of sand. Consider taking a moment to read Matthew 7:24-27. How might Jesus be inviting you to build your life on Him today? • How could it be comforting to know that Jesus was rejected by humans, just as we are from time to time, yet He was still chosen by the Father and precious to Him? God says we are chosen and precious to Him too. What else does He say about us? (Ephesians 1:4; 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5, 9) The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:22-24 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 16:7-11; 139:1-12; ISAIAH 41:10; 1 JOHN 1:5 I lay to rest, where do my thoughts go? To dangers, to darkness, to fears   Though there’s no light around me I can see the light of my great God   My heart pushes me to find my God To seek Him with prayers as I try to sleep   I set my eyes on the One who saved me Fears can do nothing to shake me   Securely, I rest in the hands of God Knowing my Father holds me with love   When thoughts turn back to darkness I put a stop to them, staying in light   The joy of my God fills my whole being Joy that pushes out the fear and doubt   I know who holds me and loves me I rest because I’m securely held by Him • Emily Acker   • Sleep is an important part of our physical, mental, 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? • Do your thoughts ever keep you awake at night? We all experience this from time to time, and God has so much compassion on us. As Christians, we can know that God is always with us, holding us securely. Jesus our Savior is the Light of the world, and darkness can never overcome Him (John 1:5; 8:12). Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39). And His Holy Spirit lives in us, reminding us of His promises and empowering us to give our worries to Jesus and turn our thoughts toward the hope He gives us (Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Peter 5:6-11). Do you have any favorite Bible verses that give you comfort and help you turn your thoughts to Jesus when you’re feeling unsettled? • Sometimes, we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But God wants to help us in lots of ways, including through other people such as medical and mental health professionals who can help us figure out if what we are experiencing is worry, anxiety, or something else. It’s important to remember that we all need help from others, and it’s okay to be honest about our struggles. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried a lot of the time, or if your thoughts keep going to dark places or “what if” scenarios and you can’t seem to stop, who is a trusted adult you could talk to, such as a parent, pastor, teacher, or counselor? • If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7 (WEB)

READ: JOSHUA 1:1-9; EPHESIANS 2:8-10 Joshua was given a monumental task. He was told to lead his people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River to their new home, the Promised Land. This happened directly after the death of Moses, the one who had led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the desert for forty years to the brink of the Promised Land. God told Joshua to be “strong and courageous” in Joshua 1:6, again in verse 7, and once more in verse 9. The Promised Land was agriculturally rich and highly desirable, which is why there were already tribes of people there. Joshua’s task was formidable: lead a massive group of people with no military training into a hostile land. But God’s command to Joshua to be “strong and courageous” is not a mere platitude. It’s based in something solid and unmovable. You see, before God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, He told Joshua what He Himself had already done: “I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads” (Joshua 1:3). Because God had done His part, Joshua could be strong and courageous as he followed God’s command to lead the people into the Promised Land. Joshua understood the difference between what he was commanded to do and what the Lord had already done. This truth is also the basis of the gospel. We, too, can learn to understand the difference between what God commands us to do and what God has already done. While God does command us to follow in His good ways, our very best works, full of good intentions for others, will do nothing to save us. Kind words, strong morals, helping little old ladies across a street—these are all good things, but none of them will save us from sin and death. It is only the finished work of Christ that can accomplish that. Jesus’s perfect sacrifice, made out of His unending love for us, paves the way. It is His death and resurrection that makes the way for us to be saved. Let’s never confuse what God wants us to do with what He has already done. • Mike Hurley • God does not command us to save ourselves. Rather, He made the way to save us through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. (You can find out more about this good news on our "Know Jesus" page.) Those who know Jesus are forgiven and made right with God, and we are also empowered by the Holy Spirit, who helps us follow God in every area of our lives. How could resting in what God has done for us help us be “strong and courageous” as we follow in His good ways? “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (CSB) 

READ: ROMANS 6:1-23; 8:12-21 At times, the Christian life can feel a bit restrictive. Following God’s good ways means certain things are off limits because sin hurts us and those around us. Yet sometimes, saying no to sin doesn’t make us feel very free. It might feel like we’re missing out. But Romans 6 in the Bible has something else to chip in. It calls our life in Christ one of freedom, and it tells us to submit no longer to the slavery of sin. Slavery? Sin is bad, you might say, but is it really like slavery? Paul, the person who wrote much of the New Testament, says that yes, it is. When we were under the control of sin, we had no options. Sin was our default impulse, and we defaulted to it often. We could not have willingly obeyed Christ if we’d tried. But God made the way to save us from our slavery to sin. Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, came and lived among us. He depended completely on God the Father as He walked perfectly in God’s good ways—something we never could have done. Then He died on the cross and rose from the dead, defeating sin and death on our behalf. Now, if we know Jesus, He freely gives us His perfect righteousness (or sinlessness) because He loves us so much. In Christ, we’re free from slavery to sin. While we will still struggle with sin until He returns, the Holy Spirit helps us obey Christ out of love, not out of force. We can obey Him as we would someone who has our best interests at heart, because that’s exactly who He is. It’s by doing God’s will that we are truly free, and liberty is always better than slavery, if you ask me. • Ethan Terry • Read Romans 8:12-17. How would you describe our relationship with God because of what Jesus has done for us? • Read Romans 8:18-21. What else will God set free someday? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4 (NLT) 

READ: 3 JOHN 1:5-8; ROMANS 15:7; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6; EPHESIANS 4:1-6 In God’s family, we will encounter people who have different backgrounds, experiences, personalities, likes, and dislikes than ours. And this is a beautiful thing! But it can be challenging as we seek to learn from and be kind to each other through the differences. As fellow Christians, there’s good news. Even if we don’t have much in common with some of our siblings in Christ, we’re still siblings because we both know Jesus as our Savior. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus unites us with all Christians and makes us part of His family, called the church. He is with us through the Holy Spirit, and that same Holy Spirit is in every believer. And He loves all of us. That’s why we need to be kind and welcoming to each other, no matter where someone is from or how different from us they may be. Jesus’s love for us is what binds us together—and it’s what enables us to love each other. When you are kind and welcoming to people who are different from you, you may be surprised to find they’re not so different from you after all! But no matter how similar or different they may be, Jesus calls us to show kindness to others— especially if they know Him as their Savior too. Instead of drawing back from each other because of our differences, we can lean in and learn from each other as siblings in Christ. And who knows—maybe we’ll get to know God a little bit better in the process! • A. W. Smith • Is there someone you’ve found difficult to love? Consider taking some time in prayer, asking God to help you see as He sees and love as He loves in this situation. • Who are trusted people in your life who can help you love difficult people well, including setting boundaries where necessary—such as therapists, parents, teachers, pastors, etc.? • Can you think of a time you were pleasantly surprised when you encountered someone different from you? What was it like? Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone— especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10 (NLT) 

READ: JOSHUA 23:14; 1 PETER 1:3-9; 2 PETER 1:2-4; 3:9 Imagine this. You’ve just arrived at the best theme park in the state. You’re ecstatic to finally have enough money to be here—and you wouldn’t even be going if you hadn’t found a coupon for half-price tickets. But when the woman at the ticket booth looks at your coupon, she shakes her head. “I’m sorry,” she says, “but this coupon has expired. I have to charge you the full amount.” But you can’t pay the full amount…so you can’t get into the park. Can you feel the pain of this disappointment, even though it’s imaginary? This story can help us understand something really important about the gospel, or good news. God has made many promises to us, and they will never expire. He promises to forgive everyone who puts their trust in Jesus and to rescue us from sin and death. He promises to hear us whenever we pray, to give us joy, and to supply all our needs. Jesus promises to return one day to right every wrong and make all things new, and to resurrect our bodies so we can live with Him forever in restored creation. We can find these and more of His promises in His Word—the Bible. And all His promises will last forever! In short, God’s promises are way better than any coupon offer. His promises will never expire—He keeps every single one. So, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest knowing that God will never leave us, and we get to look forward to eternal life with Him. Now that’s good news! • A. W. Smith • Do you have a favorite promise from God? What is it? If you want to learn more about Jesus’s promises, check out our "Know Jesus" page. And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 1 John 2:25 (NIV) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13; MATTHEW 23:23-39; COLOSSIANS 3:1-17 Appearances aren’t everything. We probably know this in our heads, yet how often do we find ourselves getting worried about what others will think of us based on how we look or what we do? Maybe you really care about your clothes, the image you portray to your friends, how you perform in school or sports, or having the latest technology. While caring about these things is not bad, it becomes a problem when we elevate anything to a place in our hearts above God. There’s a story in 1 Samuel 16 that shows us God’s heart on the matter of appearances. The prophet Samuel went to see Jesse’s family because God told him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king and replace Saul. When Samuel saw Jesse’s sons, he thought the oldest must be the chosen one based on what he saw on the surface, but God told him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height… The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7). Our culture is, in general, obsessed with appearances. From our bodies to our homes to our reputations, the world system wants us to be concerned with the outer and superficial. And this is nothing new! In Matthew 23, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for being so concerned about their appearance on the surface. They dressed impressively, they loved being honored and respected by others, and they followed strict, human-made rules, but they neglected the most important things: “justice, mercy and faithfulness” (verse 23). They looked good on the outside, but inside they were “full of greed and self-indulgence…hypocrisy and wickedness” (verses 25-28). Jesus told them what was of first importance was attending to the inside, their hearts. We live in a broken world where appearances too often take priority. But the good news is, there is freedom in Jesus. God loves us so much that He was willing to die for us, taking the penalty for all our sins so we could be forgiven. We don’t need to try to impress Him or anyone else. Once we put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again, we are children of God, and He empowers us to set our minds and hearts on the things that really matter (Colossians 3:1-2). As God’s chosen and dearly loved people, we are called to clothe ourselves with things like compassion, gentleness, and forgiveness (verses 12-17). We can grow to become less concerned with appearances as we rest in the love of God, the One who transforms our hearts. • Savannah Coleman • How can resting in God’s love for us free us to care less about appearances? “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 8:18-39; REVELATION 21:1-7 Some days, I end up not eating breakfast. I’m not saying this is something everyone should do, but sometimes it’s what happens to me. I may not eat anything till noon. All morning, my stomach groans and grumbles, communicating its annoyance. And when I finally do eat, I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in my food. My stomach is finally content. Lately, this experience has reminded me of a truth found in Scripture. In Romans 8, Paul (the author of Romans) says that all of creation groans in anticipation of Jesus returning to earth and making all things new. It (and we) long to be free of sin, death, and suffering. There is a holy groaning and grumbling that communicates all is not right. We see how broken the world is, and how broken we are. Alongside creation, we lament and cry out to God, telling Him how desperately His healing is needed. And someday, Jesus will return. He will right every wrong, destroying sin, brokenness, and death permanently. Everything will be made whole again. There will be immense joy and satisfaction, and all of creation will finally be content. We will get to dwell with Jesus forever, living in His perfect love and peace. So, during those days when my stomach remains empty till lunchtime, I let the grumbles and groans turn my attention to the brokenness of creation and my desperate need for Jesus. I let myself feel the hurt. Then, when lunchtime comes around, I let myself feel the joy. I smile, remembering the sure hope of Jesus’s return and the peace and contentment He will bring. I remember that, while there will be temporary suffering now, eternal joy is coming. Our holy hunger will be satisfied. We will feast with Jesus and each other. And I can’t think of anything better than that. • Taylor Eising • Where do you see brokenness in the world around you? This breaks God’s heart, and someday Jesus will return to bring healing to the brokenness. How could this truth provide comfort? • As we wait for Jesus to return, He invites us into the healing work He is doing. Consider taking some time to pray, asking Jesus to show you ways you can participate in His good work. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 27:10; ISAIAH 49:15; 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-13; 1 JOHN 4:7-21 People don’t always love each other the way they should. Our world has been broken by sin, and we experience this brokenness in so many ways. You might see divorces happen and witness the heart-wrenching sorrow of two people separating after promising to be joined to one another for life. You might see parents abandon their children. Maybe you suffered a big hurt when someone in your life walked away from you. We don’t always love each other as we should. We mess up and hurt each other, whether intentionally or unintentionally. But God’s love for you is always there. He will never take it from you. When you don’t feel loved by your family in the way you should, you can remember that you have a God and Father who always loves you. Psalm 27:10 says, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” When you don’t feel loved by your friends, you can remember that Jesus calls His followers His friends (John 15:15). He so much wants to be with you that He went to the cross to die for you—and then He rose again, defeating sin and death so you could be with Him forever. When you worry that you are not loved, you can remember that the One who created the whole world created you. He made you in your mother’s womb, and He knows you (Psalm 139:1-17). He knows exactly who you are and loves you. God always cares about you and wants you as His child. Through Jesus, He made the way for you to be forgiven and brought into His family, where He helps us grow in love. Even when others don’t love you as they should, you are still worthy of love, and God will always give His love to you. • Bethany Acker • When we fail to love each other, God sees all the ways we hurt each other and all the pain we go through, and He weeps. But He doesn’t stop there. He came to deliver us. Jesus, God in flesh, died and rose again so we could be forgiven and brought near to God. He also gives believers His Holy Spirit, who empowers us to love others the way He loves us. When Jesus returns, He will restore all things, and everyone who’s put their trust in Him will live together in perfect love and harmony, with every hurt healed and every wrong made right. Until that glorious day, why is it so important for us to take time to meditate on the truth of God’s love for us in His Word? • What kinds of hurts have you experienced? In addition to talking to Jesus about this, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to, such as parents, friends, pastors, or counselors? We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4:16a (NLT) 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17; HEBREWS 12:1-3; 1 PETER 1:3 Growing up, I would eagerly await Easter. After long stretches of cold winter, I couldn’t wait for warmer months. The Easter season promised planting new flower seeds, hiding Easter eggs, and more time basking in the spring sun. During the six and a half weeks leading up to Easter, some Christians practice Lent, preparing for Easter by giving up certain things, reflecting on Jesus Christ’s suffering, and examining their lives and hearts for sin that needs to be surrendered to Jesus. Where I live, Lent begins while we are still under the snowy veils of winter. I begin Lent in the shadows, reflecting on Christ’s suffering and on my own sacrifices as I think about how to let go of whatever isn’t helping me grow in my relationship with Jesus. As the weeks go on, the days lengthen, with the light lingering ever more. Sunshine lifts my spirits. As I get to know the loving spirit of Christ more deeply, what I’ve given up leaves space for the light to enter. By the time Easter arrives, the sun has cleared away the slush to reveal where flowers have bloomed. I feel the light brightening my heart too. I can have hope for the future, keeping room for even more of God’s love to pour into my soul like the water from Christ’s pierced side, bringing forth blossoms from the hardened ground. In this season of Lent, I search, and prepare. I ready myself to open the tomb, discovering that Christ has risen. Seeds of faith planted grow as Easter Day arrives. In this time, let’s keep ourselves open to new possibilities, to finding Christ in the light that reaches us every day, even as we wait for winter to recede into the past. Every day we have hope in Jesus, and we can open ourselves to new surprises, new sources of joy—like a hidden egg found. • Kathryn Sadakierski • Waiting for Easter, and for all good things to come in our lives, can be difficult, but as we wait, what graces are there to be found? How has God helped you grow in seasons of waiting? • Have you ever found yourself surprised by joy? What was that like? By his power God raised the Lord [Jesus Christ] from the dead, and he will raise us also. 1 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV) 

READ: NAHUM 1:1-7; 2:1-10; 3:1-4, 18-19; ACTS 17:24-31 Sometimes I see all the bad in the world and I start to feel hopeless. With things like war and cancer in the world, does God even care? Well, the short book of Nahum in the Bible is a collection of poems that shows how God does address evil and does care about the bad things happening in the world. In it, the prophet Nahum tells about the coming downfall of one of Israel’s enemy nations: Assyria. The Assyrians captured and ransacked Israel in 721 B.C. Eventually, the nation of Babylon would topple the Assyrians, including their capital city of Nineveh. The imagery of the fall of Nineveh in the book of Nahum is vivid and gruesome. The book talks about the city being cut down with the sword and people stumbling over the corpses. God’s righteous judgement is coming down because the city and empire itself was built on the blood of the innocent. The book then contrasts the evil empire, and the judgment they will face, with the mercy God will show to His faithful remnant in Israel. Nahum 1:6 talks about how God’s wrath is pouring out like fire against the evil nation, and in Nahum 1:7, the very next verse, it talks about how God is a refuge to His faithful people who have humbled themselves before God. For the prophet Nahum, the fall of the Assyrians alludes to how God will someday bring justice to all evil empires of the world. We are familiar with evil and oppression in today’s world—we see it all the time. The book of Nahum shows that God does not ignore this evil; He grieves it. And He promises to bring judgement and restoration to the whole world one day. We have already seen this restoration in part through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but we also look forward to the day Jesus will return to earth, and our loving God will destroy all injustice and restore creation under His perfectly just reign. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the evil and suffering in the world? You can bring these feelings to Jesus in prayer anytime, and you can ask Him to show you how you can participate in the good work of His perfectly just kingdom here and now. (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Mark 12:29-31) • Have you seen a piece of restoration and justice that previews the restoration to come? What was it like? If not, you can ask Jesus to help you catch glimpses of the good work He is doing anytime. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (NIV) 

READ: REVELATION 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 17:14; 22:1-5 Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the great I am.   He was slain in my stead, Bruised and buried, He rose from the dead.   Ruling now in majesty, Day and night He pleads for me.   Clothed in robes of purest light, The Lamb returns, dispels the night.   King of kings upon His throne, High and holy is the Saving One.   Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, Worthy is the great I am.   This poem was inspired by passages in the book of Revelation that show Jesus as the triumphant Lamb of God. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah said the Messiah would be “led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). And this is how Jesus let Himself be led to the cross. Yet, the Lamb we see in Revelation is no longer meek and submissive, but is now a ruling, warrior Lamb. This is because, when Jesus returns, the time will finally come for justice to reign! The Lamb arises as the only One worthy—worthy to enact justice. Why? With His own blood, the great I am (Exodus 3:14), paid the debt for every wrong. Because Jesus Christ the Lamb died on the cross for us and rose from the grave, only He can intervene with power to cleanse all who repent—and power to destroy evil forever. Christ the Lamb is “the faithful and true witness,” the final “Amen,” who always judges “with justice” (Revelation 3:14; 19:11). May we join in the joyous chorus of heavenly praise, singing, “Worthy is the Lamb!” • G. Kam Congleton • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages, asking God to reveal Jesus the Lamb of God to you in a new way. What words are used to describe this Lamb of God? How can what Jesus has done—and what He will do—make a difference in our lives? (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) • Do you have any favorite Bible passages that fill you with awe at who God is? Consider taking a moment to praise Him using some of these words from Scripture. You could even create your own poem or song of praise. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 (NIV) 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-17; EPHESIANS 4:20-32; COLOSSIANS 3:5-17 Closet clean-outs can be so satisfying. Getting rid of clothes that no longer fit can help make space for the things we really need—and like—in our closets. Instead of a cluttered and chaotic closet bursting at the seams with clothes that don’t really suit us, we see a space well-ordered with things that are functional and beautiful to us. Getting rid of old things to make room for new things is a lot like how our walk with Jesus goes. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” Once we put our trust in Jesus, we become new creations! And some of our old ways of life don’t fit us anymore once we become Christians. So, it’s kind of like Jesus takes us shopping. He gives us new attitudes, new habits, and new desires to clothe ourselves in—and these new ways of life suit us much better. Are you putting on the things Jesus has given you for your new Christian life— things like kindness and self-control? Or are there some old habits and attitudes that you’re still hanging on to? Jesus wants to replace old habits and attitudes with something far better. Those old, selfish desires don’t fit you anymore. Instead, since you are already “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12), look to Jesus to fill your life with His love, peace, and joy. • A. W. Smith • Why is it important to remember that Jesus is the One who makes us new—not anything we do or don’t do? (Ephesians 2:8-10) • According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are some of the fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in our lives once we know Jesus? • How have you seen Jesus bring about change in yourself and in other Christians? Consider taking a moment to celebrate this work by thanking God in the space below! Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (WEB) 

READ: JOHN 3:16-18; COLOSSIANS 4:3-6; 1 PETER 3:15-16 My niece got me thinking recently. She wrote me a letter asking what I would tell her about Jesus if she didn’t know about Him. She said she wanted to know so that she would know what to share with others. I was surprised when I didn’t have an immediate answer for her. As I spent time thinking, I considered the fact that you really need to know what someone has heard about God and Jesus before you can start sharing with them in a helpful way. You need to know what their beliefs are and how they feel about things. You need to listen to them. I told my niece some of that, and then I told her I would want her to know that God loves her. I would want her to know that she can be forgiven and that there is grace out there big enough to forgive us over and over again. As I thought about what I would share with someone if they didn’t know Jesus, I thought about how I would explain that they were carefully crafted by God. Rather than just jumping into Jesus’s death and resurrection, I would want to start with a bit of a backstory. I’m thankful that my ten-year-old niece got me thinking about all of this, and I’m in awe of how she wants to go out and share about Jesus with others. It can be so helpful for us to think about what we would say to someone who doesn’t know Jesus—and to consider how different people will need to hear His message of hope in different ways. • Emily Acker • Have you had opportunities to tell others about God’s perfect love and justice, and how He made the way for us to be saved through Jesus? What was it like? • Has someone ever shared the gospel (good news) with you? Did their explanation make sense to you, or did it confuse you? If you want to know more about the gospel, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • God invites us to be part of His good work of sharing the hope of Jesus with others, and He knows that everyone is different. Through His Holy Spirit, He’ll help us tell people about Jesus in ways that will resonate with them. The first step in telling others about Jesus is listening to them. You can ask questions like, “Who do you think Jesus was?” or “What do you think God is like?” or “What have your experiences with Christians been like?” I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 40:10 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 64:6; ROMANS 3:10, 23-24; PHILIPPIANS 3:3-11 Arlyn stood in a long line of travelers, each waiting for their turn at the weighing station. She watched the distance between her and the balance scale grow smaller. Her basket of jewels rattled as she tried to control her trembling. When she had gathered them in the dark depths of the mine, the jewels had appeared flawless. Now, against the backdrop of the splendid palace towering over her, she saw cracks marring the stones. She desperately hoped they would be enough. When it was Arlyn’s turn to step forward, she looked over at the curtained doorway beyond the giant scale. People whispered that the king presided over each weighing, though no one ever saw him. She placed her basket on the scale and glanced fearfully at the enormous rock on the other side of the balance. It was hopeless. There was no way her jewels, which seemed more like pebbles now, would ever outweigh the impossible weight of the boulder. But that was the only way to purchase entry into the kingdom. “Not enough,” a soldier declared, confirming Arlyn’s worst fear. Exhausted, she sank to her knees. It wasn’t enough. How could it not be enough? She had given everything she had. “Wait.” A voice called from the shadows. A figure stepped out from the curtain. It was the king’s son himself. He gestured to Arlyn. “Will you take your jewels off the scale?” “But…I can’t!” Arlyn whispered hoarsely. She had worked for years to gather the jewels—were they really worthless? “Do you trust me?” the prince asked, surprising Arlyn with his gentleness. This time, Arlyn nodded. The jewels turned to dust in her hands as soon as she picked them up. She turned her eyes to the prince. With scarred hands, he lifted the great boulder from the scale and hefted it onto his own shoulder. Then, he placed himself on the balance. The scale crumbled beneath his weight. Arlyn watched in wonder as the curtain separating her from the king ripped straight down the middle, from top to bottom. “Follow me.” The prince held out his hand kindly. “My father wants you to come and be part of his kingdom, part of our family.” As Arlyn took his hand and stepped into the kingdom, a peace settled over her. A weight she hadn’t known she was carrying disappeared from her shoulders. Her jewels hadn’t been enough. But the prince himself had saved her. • Katherine Billingsley • In today’s allegorical story, Arlyn struggles to let go of the jewels she worked so hard to collect. As humans we could never do enough good to outweigh our sin (anything we do, think, or say that goes against God); we could never make ourselves righteous. Yet, we often struggle to let go of our own good works. Arlyn finds peace when she realizes the prince alone can help her. We can feel a similar weight lifted from us when we recognize that we can’t save ourselves and instead put our trust in Jesus. He offers us rest because He has already done the work of saving us by living a sinless life, dying in our place, and rising from the grave. He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Have you experienced the freedom of trusting in Jesus? If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • Even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we all fall into striving to be good enough, instead of resting in what Jesus has already done for us. In what ways do you find yourself trying to be “enough” for God, for other people, for yourself…? Consider taking a moment to talk to

READ: MATTHEW 18:21-35 Many of us love a good revenge story. In movies, books, and TV shows, we love the story of someone who takes matters into their own hands and gets back at the bad guy—we want to see the bad guys get what they deserve. Many of us have been on the receiving end of bullying or mistreatment, and we know what it’s like to want revenge. But what happens when we’re the ones doing the bullying or mistreating? Well then we may be tempted to think it wasn’t a big deal. We may come up with all sorts of excuses and reasons to explain away what we did: "I was just joking. I was tired. You’re overreacting." Or maybe we try to justify what we did: "Well, I wouldn’t have hurt them if they hadn’t hurt me first!" We may want revenge when we’re the ones who have been hurt, but when we hurt somebody else, we might try to explain it away. Do you see the problem here? We’re all hypocrites! In our sinfulness and brokenness, we have one standard that we apply to others, but we fail to live by our own standard. How often do we insist on punishment for others’ sin but excuse our own sin? In Christ, we’ve been forgiven a tremendous debt. Jesus has wiped away our debt of sin through His death and resurrection, and He calls us to show that forgiveness to others. We see this in Matthew 18:21-35, when Jesus tells a parable where one servant had been forgiven of a HUGE debt—millions of dollars. But he still refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller debt. When we refuse to forgive others, we are acting like that first servant. If you know Jesus, you’ve been forgiven, and His Holy Spirit lives in you, empowering you to forgive. Jesus knows that forgiving others isn’t easy. It’s normal to want revenge. But He showed us a better way. Even when He was being nailed to the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). That is amazing love. • Jacob Bier • Forgiving someone doesn’t mean saying that what they did is okay or even being in close relationship with them. When people sin, they need healing, and forgiving someone means you desire healing and wholeness for that person. How does Jesus, the ultimate Healer, enable us to desire healing for those who hurt us? Peter…asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 25:3; ROMANS 8:31-39; HEBREWS 10:19-23 Have you ever followed a celebrity who ended up in trouble? It can make us feel embarrassed that we were ever supporters of this person as their wrongdoings are exposed. We may regret ever spending time following them. It can be so disappointing. People disappoint us in other ways, too. Maybe you’ve looked up to a parent or other adult in your life, and then they left. Maybe you spent so much time trying to impress them, trying to win their love, but they simply left without a glance back. But even when people let us down, we have this hope: following God is not like following a person. When we know Jesus Christ, He stays a part of our lives. We can read His Word, we can pray to Him, we can gather with His people, and we can grow in our relationship with Him each day. We don’t have to be afraid that He will abandon us or turn out to be untrustworthy—His love never fails (Psalm 13:5). Out of love, Jesus died and rose again because God wants to be with us so badly. And one day, He will return to dwell with us forever in renewed creation. In the meantime, He is always with us, and He never leaves us. Nothing can ever come between us and God. Our relationship with Him is unlike any other. Throughout our lives, people will disappoint us. They will let us down and hurt us, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. But God never forsakes us, and He never changes. God doesn’t mess up or get in trouble. He is always good, always kind, and always the same. “No one who hopes in…[God] will ever be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3). • Emily Acker • Can you think of a time you felt disappointed by someone you looked up to, such as a parent, teacher, pastor, or celebrity? We all sin, and we’re all broken, so it’s not surprising that the people we look up to will fall short. Jesus is with us in these times of disappointment, weeping with us and inviting us to rely on His faithfulness, grace, and mercy. • While we may feel disappointed with God sometimes, He will never fail to keep His promises. He’ll never leave us, no matter what. How could this bring us comfort when we feel abandoned? • Community is a good thing. God designed it! He wants us to listen to wise people who love Him, so don’t be afraid to draw near to others and learn from them. Yet, our ultimate hope is found in Jesus and no one else. Who has helped and encouraged you in your walk with Jesus? Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 90:1-4; 136:1; 2 PETER 3:8-9 We humans were made to be curious creatures. God made us to learn and to always be full of questions about Him and the world He made. One deep question we very quickly reach is: “Who or what made God? If every effect has a cause, what caused God to exist?” The answer is, nobody made God; nothing caused God to exist. He didn’t come from anywhere—He just always was. Our minds are finite and limited, and there are some things we can’t fully understand as humans. It’s hard to wrap our minds around the fact that God is eternal, which means having no beginning and no end. God always existed and always will exist. Perhaps the closest image we have is a circle. Where does it begin or end? Technically, nowhere. And that’s kind of like God. He is the Eternal One. He never had a beginning, and He has no ending. We think of our lives in minutes and days and weeks and years, but with God, it isn’t like that. Second Peter 3:8 says, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” And because God has no beginning and no end, His love is like that too. We see God’s never-ending, unconditional love on display when Jesus, God the Son, willingly became human and died on the cross for us. But the Eternal One couldn’t be held by death. After three days in a tomb, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin and death once and for all so that we could live with Him—forever. No matter what, His love for us will never end. • A. W. Smith • God’s eternal nature is a mystery to our brains. What are some other mysteries about God that you wonder about? Who are trusted people in your life you could talk with about these wonderful mysteries? • How can God’s eternal, unchanging, unconditional love for us give us comfort in tough times? Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1 Lord, how I long to turn your creation into art. How I long to paint the light, Where there once was dark How I long to sing of the waters, Where there once was nothing   How I long to write of the flowers, Where once no land was found How I long to sketch the stars, Where once the sky was empty   How I long to play a melody the birds would sing, Where the fish will splash along How I long to photograph the animals, Where once nothing trotted   How I long to act as the people before me, Where once no people were alive How I long to be an artist, Where you were the original Artist   Lord, how I long to turn your creation into art. • Kimberly Brokish • What is your favorite art form? Painting, singing, writing, drawing, sculpting, playing an instrument, photography, theater, etc.? God created everything out of nothing—and He specifically made humans in His image. He invites us to use whatever talents, abilities, and resources He has given us to create things that are beautiful, thought-provoking, or useful out of what He has already made. And, if we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps guide our creative process. How might God be inviting you to use your creativity today? In the beginning God created… Genesis 1:1a (CSB) 

READ: MALACHI 3:6; HEBREWS 13:1-8; JAMES 1:17 We live in a world where things are constantly changing. Music, friendships, clothing styles, circumstances—they all change. Some changes are good; some are not so good. But even in the midst of all this change, we can rest knowing that Jesus will always stay the same. He will always love us and always keep His promises. And once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can be sure that He will never leave us and that we’ll live with Him forever. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And Romans 8:35-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from His love. In fact, part of God’s greatness is that He’s always the same. He’s the one unchanging factor in an ever-changing world. So, no matter what changes we face in our lives, we can rely on Jesus. He is who He says He is, and He keeps all His promises. Jesus went to the cross, giving up His very life for us, and rose from the grave to beat sin and death. And He will return one day and make all things new—free from sin and death forever. In the meantime, God is working all things together “for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This hope we have is real and unchanging: we belong to Jesus, and no matter what kinds of changes we experience in this broken world, we can know that His love never changes. • A. W. Smith • What kinds of changes are going on in your life right now? What about the world in general? How do you feel about these changes? Consider taking some time to talk with Jesus about these changes and how you feel about them. • Why is it important to remember that Jesus is unchanging? How could this truth help us rest in His love, and better love our neighbors? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 145:1-3; ACTS 16:22-25; ROMANS 12:10-18 When you think about snow days, what comes to mind? Maybe sleeping in, then going sledding in all that fresh snow, then drinking hot chocolate to warm up? Snow days can bring unexpected fun and rest, but they can also bring disappointment sometimes. Have your plans ever been derailed by a snow day? While it’s fun to get the day off from school, snow days also mean you probably don’t get to see your friends or do other things you may have been looking forward to because all that snow can make traveling questionable or even impossible. Throughout our lives, we’ll have many days when things don’t go like we expect. But Jesus wants to walk with us through all these disappointments, and He gives us unexpected gifts along the way. No matter what happens, we have an opportunity to rest in Jesus and enjoy being in relationship with Him—every day of our lives. Each day is a gift from Jesus, and He wants to help us rejoice in the days He gives us. We can use them to bask in His love for us, and to show that love to others—whether it’s a school day or not, whether it’s a sunny day or a snow day. We can find something to enjoy every day, even when things don’t go according to plan. So, how can you be attentive to God’s presence on this day He has given you? What unexpected gifts could He be setting in front of you? May today be a day where you find joy and hope in God’s abiding presence and His unchanging love. • A. W. Smith • What things have not gone according to plan today? Consider using the space below to talk to God about your feelings about what’s happened. • What are you thankful for today? Where have you seen glimpses of Jesus’s presence and love? • How would you like to use the remainder of your day? • On days when the disappointments just keep piling up, it can be helpful to remember that Jesus knows firsthand what it’s like to experience the pains of human life, and He longs to comfort us in all our troubles and give us hope. His love for us holds steady even on the hardest days, and He is always worthy of our praise. (Romans 5:5; 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Hebrews 4:14-16) This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (CSB) 

READ: JOHN 10:11-18, 27-30; GALATIANS 1:1-4; 1 PETER 3:13-18 I’ve heard many an argument about who raised Jesus from the dead. The truth of the matter is that God raised Him from the dead. Something important to know about God is that He is one God, and He is also three persons—that’s why we sometimes refer to God as the Trinity (from the Latin word for triple or three at a time). Scripture tells us that all three persons of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit—raised Jesus from the dead! In Galatians 1:1, Paul says that “God the Father...raised him [Jesus] from the dead.” In John 10:18, Jesus, who is God the Son, takes responsibility for raising Himself from the dead when He declares, “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” And in 1 Peter 3:18, Peter writes that Jesus was made alive by the Holy Spirit: “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit work in perfect unity with each other. That’s why Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own” (John 5:30). He totally relied on His Father in what to say and how to say it (John 12:49-50), and also in what to do. On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He said, “So that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me” (John 14:31). In the same passage, Jesus shows the triune God working together in unity when He promises the Spirit: “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26). And remember that Jesus only said what God the Father told Him to say. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. They all love us deeply, and they all work together in our lives, for they work together in perfect harmony. • Sharon Morris • As humans, we can’t totally wrap our minds around who God is, and that’s okay! He invites us to learn about Him, enjoy relationship with Him (which He made possible through Jesus’s death and resurrection), and continue to ask questions and wrestle with Him throughout our lives. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to as you ponder the wonderful mysteries of God? If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (CSB) 

READ: ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; ROMANS 12:15; HEBREWS 10:23-25 When my closest cousin, Jeanna, was barely a young woman, she lost her fight with cancer. I mourned her death with daily tears longer than I expected to. Then I learned of a way to honor Jeanna and others who were battling a cancer diagnosis. I signed up for a walk-a-thon to raise funds for cancer research. Most people taking part in this event had joined teams—from churches, families, or workplaces—and they took turns walking laps along the designated path. I had no team, though. I never thought of asking anybody to share in this effort with me. I just knew I wanted to recognize Jeanna’s life and find an outlet for my grief. Doing this alone did not deter me. But as the walk-a-thon wore on, I traveled lap after lap on my own. I had nobody to cheer for me or hand me water. I had no team member sharing in the goal of walking in memory of Jeanna, and I had nobody to relieve me when I needed to rest. By the end, I felt weary in more ways than one. That night at the cancer fundraiser, having the support of others with the same purpose would have made such a difference for me. God knows we need each other. He created us for a relationship with Him and for relationships with others. When we trust in Jesus—His work on the cross and His resurrection—we begin a relationship with God. He never intended for us to journey through life alone; He is present with us, and He also gives us each other. He calls us to encourage and seek fellowship with other Christians as we experience all the joys and sorrows of life. And as we grow in loving Christ, we not only learn to build each other up. We also grow to understand how we need support and strength from other Christians, too. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you experienced a loss recently? Jesus has so much compassion on you and grieves your hurts alongside you. Who are trusted Christians in your life you could share your grief with, too? • One way God is present with us is through each other. As His love for us spills over into our love for each other, we find hope, love, comfort, and strength that we never could have found on our own. Do you find it easier to boost others up or to recognize your own need for support? Consider taking some time in prayer, asking God to help you grow in these areas. Additionally, who are trusted Christians you could talk to, such as parents, pastors, youth leaders, or friends? But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:34-36; PSALM 23:1-6; EZEKIEL 34:11-12, 22 One of Jesus’s names is the Good Shepherd. Throughout the Bible, we find glimpses of what this means, and in John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” I’ve heard teachers illustrate what Jesus does for us by explaining how shepherds care for their sheep by feeding them and making sure they don’t get carried away by a raging river. That’s all true, yet there’s another aspect of being a shepherd that we sometimes forget. We don’t often think of a shepherd as a courageous hero. Think about sheep for a second. They do dumb stuff. And predators, like lions and bears, think sheep are a great snack. Whenever they get the chance, they snatch an unsuspecting sheep and trot off to enjoy their food. What does the shepherd do? Watch the bleating animal being carried away and think, “How sad. But at least I won’t have to deal with that pest anymore”? No. He grabs whatever weapons are available and takes off to take care of business. He kills that predator and takes the sheep home. He tends to their wounds and places them back with the flock, away from danger. In the same way our Good Shepherd looks after us. He first rescued us from sin by coming to sacrifice His life on the cross and then rise from the dead. In doing so, He defeated Satan and the grave once and for all. And now, He continually protects His people, because even when we’re Christians we still mess up—we sin, we make mistakes, and we get into trouble. When our circumstances and our own failures seem to carry us away and eat us, Jesus breaks in. He shows us the foes are beatable, because He is with us and He is Lord over all. The Good Shepherd is there whenever we call for Him. And when the world, its obligations, and all kinds of trials batter us around, He’s always there to care for us. • Morgan Mitchell • Jesus rescues us from sin and death, but He doesn’t stop there. He continues to rescue and care for us as we go through the struggles of this life. And when He returns to restore creation and right every wrong, we will live with Him forever, free from dangers and difficulties. How might picturing Jesus as the courageous Hero-Shepherd, and ourselves as helpless sheep, make it easier for us to call on Jesus when we’re in trouble? Why is crying out to Jesus better than trying to figure things out on our own? “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.” Ezekiel 34:11 (NIV)  

READ: MICAH 4:1-7; JOHN 10:11-18; REVELATION 21:1-5 In the book of the Bible called Micah, the prophet Micah speaks of God’s coming judgment against the nation of Israel: the impending invasion from the nation of Assyria. The book begins with an image of God coming down and bringing judgement. The vivid imagery describes mountains melting like wax (Micah 1:4). All of this because Israel had continued to rebel against God. The prophet Micah even goes through the names of different towns that have turned away from God, and he describes how he is in distress over this rebellion (1:9-16). So, what sort of rebellion deserved all this wrath and judgement? Micah calls out the leaders of Israel for their greed, saying they have wrongly become wealthy through theft (2:1-2). The leaders have also participated in bribery and bent the rules to favor the rich (3:9-11). Micah also blames the false prophets of Israel who gave sweet words of reassurance for the right price (3:5). But this book isn’t only about judgement. God shows His merciful character by bringing a message of hope. Micah describes how God will act like a shepherd and gather the remnant of His people back to Himself (2:12-13). The book also contains a message of hope about how God will restore all things after His judgement (4:1-7). Micah says that, after the Jerusalem the Israelites know is destroyed, God will bring about a new and restored Jerusalem. And the people of this new Jerusalem will be a blessing to the rest of the world. Micah also prophesies about the new king from the line of David who will rule over this new city (5:1-6). Today, we know that King is Jesus! Through His death and resurrection, Jesus forgives and saves His people from judgement, and one day He will return to make all things new. Jesus will reign over all creation as the long-awaited Shepherd-King. Even as the book of Micah shares the message of God’s judgment against injustice and greed, it’s also full of the hope of future restoration. It gives us a picture of the loving, merciful character of God. • Naomi Zylstra • Where do you see greed and injustice in the world around you? How could it be comforting to know that Jesus weeps over these things and will one day destroy all greed and injustice forever? • We all fall short of God’s justice, and we all fall into greed sometimes. Consider asking Jesus to help you identify greed in your life so you can confess it and rest in His forgiveness and restoration. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 1:7-9; 2:1-10; 3:14-21 When I was young, I didn’t realize the extent of God’s grace. As a child, I prayed over and over asking God to forgive me for my sins. I thought maybe it took a special kind of prayer to be saved from sin and death, and I wanted to make sure I said it. I knew that God loved me, but I just didn’t realize how big His love was. Now I can see God’s love much better, even though it’s still hard to fathom. God knew that I needed to be saved from my sins, so He sent His Son Jesus to live among us and ultimately die on the cross. And then, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever. God knew I couldn’t be perfect and wouldn’t make it on my own, so He made the way through Jesus Christ, His perfect Son. Jesus is the way and the only way. I can’t get there on my own. No prayer I say is good enough to earn a place in God’s eternal kingdom. Nothing I could do could get me there. It’s only through His grace that I am saved. Once I have confessed my sin and, by faith in Jesus, accepted the gift He offered in His death on the cross, I am free from my sins. I am a new creation. The old me is gone, and the new me is washed in His blood and covered with His grace. When I was young, I worried that my prayer would somehow wear off or that God would no longer forgive me if I did this or that. Now I know that His love is so much greater than I imagined then, and His grace is big enough to cover me. • Bethany Acker • Have you ever worried that your prayers are not enough? Have you ever begged God over and over to save you? You may have heard that works can’t save us, but have you ever thought of prayer (or saying “the right prayer”) as a work? Anytime we find ourselves relying on something we do instead of something God does, He invites us to turn back to Him and rely on His grace. We can rest in His steadfast love, knowing that Jesus has already done the work of saving us. • Grace is sometimes defined as “unmerited favor” or “getting what we don’t deserve.” God’s grace is amazing—He freely gives us eternal life even though we could do nothing to earn it. If you want to know more about this grace and what it means to be saved through Jesus, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) • If you want to dig deeper, read John 3:16; 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 7:14. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 62; MATTHEW 7:24-29; JOHN 16:31-33 Perhaps you know how it feels to seek shelter from the storms of life. I know I do. We often look for safety and security in anything we can, like sailors trying to cast an anchor. But it soon becomes clear that “everything is futile,” or empty—like vapor that’s here one moment and gone the next (Ecclesiastes 1:2). No matter how hard we try to find the shelter we so desperately desire, when we put our confidence in the world’s unkept promises, we come up empty-handed. Because of sin, the world is often a dark place. Sometimes it’s hard to find light. But God doesn’t leave us alone in the storms. Look at how David begins the 62nd psalm by penning a testimony of God’s faithfulness. He writes, “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.” In a world of uncertainty, God offers us shelter and rest. He made this world good, and though our sin brought brokenness, Jesus stepped into this brokenness to save us. He is the Light of the world who rescues us from darkness through His own death and resurrection. He is the solid rock that will not be shaken. And when He returns, He will make all things new and whole. But as we wait for this glorious day, life in the midst of brokenness can sometimes seem like an insurmountable challenge. We are often surrounded by difficulties, and we may even feel as if we’re completely alone. If God promises us that we will not be shaken, shouldn’t He protect us from the trials that roll our way? In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples, “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Jesus does not promise a life free from trials. In fact, He guarantees that we will suffer. But He promises to be our stronghold who brings us hope above all else, a Savior to cling to despite the trials, and a God who loves His precious children. And so, while we can be certain that we will have trials, we can trust God completely when He tells us that those who have faith in Jesus will “never be shaken.” • Katherine Billingsley • What things, ideas, or people are you tempted to find security and identity in? How have these let you down? Jesus sees our pain and grieves our hurts with us. He comforts us in our troubles and invites us to take part in bringing wholeness to broken places. (2 Corinthians 1:3-11) • What are some of God’s attributes and promises we can count on as a firm foundation, no matter what? (Matthew 11:28-30; 28:20; John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:4-6; Revelation 21:1-5) He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2 (CSB)  

READ: ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; JOHN 15:9-17 I used to own a rock tumbler, a machine that takes ordinary rocks and transforms them into polished, gemlike stones. The process would last for days, and the tumbler was so loud I had to keep it in the garage! After I put rocks and grit into the barrel with some water, the machine would spin everything around so the rocks scraped against each other, slowly grinding away the edges. After all the grinding and polishing, I was left with smooth, shiny, colorful stones. Tumbling rocks takes grit and perseverance, and it isn’t a process that can be rushed, but it’s worth it—a lot like friendship. Building friendships is hard work for me. I’m an introvert, and talking to new people doesn’t come naturally to me. For all of us, it takes time and effort to get to know someone well, and it can be hard to trust new people. But friendship also offers opportunities to love and support others, find fun and encouragement, and, especially, learn from each other. Like how the rocks in the rock tumbler scrape against each other and become polished in the process, friends can strengthen each other by pointing out each other’s struggles and helping them grow. Proverbs 27:17 says it this way: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Even if you struggle to make friends, know that you have a friend in Jesus. He is the King and Creator of the universe, but He knows and cares for us on a deeply personal level. He is a faithful friend who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). When Jesus came and lived among us, He showed us what it truly means to be a loving friend (1 John 4:11). He loves us so much that even when we were living in sin and rebellion against Him, He gave up His life for us (Romans 5:8). Then He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death so we could be forgiven and become friends of God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Spirit lives in us, helping us grow in our relationship with God—and in our relationships with each other. Friendship can be difficult, but it is a beautiful treasure. • Abby Ciona • Good friendships involve conflict all the way through, not just at the beginning. We are different people, and we’ll disagree about things until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Do you know anyone who loves others well, even in times of disagreement and conflict? • As we seek to love others well, how could it be helpful to remember the way Jesus loves us, even when we get frustrated with Him and don’t listen to Him? As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)  

READ: MATTHEW 11:25–12:14; 18:1-17; JAMES 3:1-2 I’m a big rule-follower, but I was more so when I was younger. I really didn’t want to make waves or question anyone who was in charge. It’s something I’m still not really comfortable with to this day. But sometimes the rules we’re asked to follow do not align with our beliefs. And this is where life can get complicated. The same thing happened to Jesus. A group of religious leaders called the Pharisees tried to enforce rules about what people could and couldn’t do on the Sabbath. God commanded His people to rest on the Sabbath, which is the seventh day of the week (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:15), but the Pharisees extended God’s command to include more rules. When Jesus broke these additional rules by healing on the Sabbath and by letting His disciples pick grain, and then declared that He is Lord of the Sabbath, the Pharisees were upset and eventually plotted to kill Jesus. But Jesus corrected the Pharisees’ ideas about the Sabbath and explained not only the meaning behind God’s law, but also how He came to give us rest in Himself. The rules the Pharisees were following, and telling everyone else to follow, did not necessarily align with what God’s Word was actually teaching, so Jesus called these people out. Calling out figures of authority isn’t an easy role to play. For many people in the Bible, speaking out against authority led to harm or even death. Remember, the Pharisees were primarily the ones who were plotting to have Jesus crucified. But when people misrepresent the good news of Jesus, preaching injustice or evil, we are not supposed to stay silent in the face of oppression. We can speak out with courage and humility, knowing that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11). Standing up to injustice will look different for everyone. It may not be as dramatic as yelling or flipping tables (Matthew 21:12-17), but it could mean sending an email about a concern you’ve noticed. And as we do this, we can rest in the good news of Jesus—the One who died and rose again to free us from trying to keep the law in our own strength—and we can invite others into this rest, too. • Naomi Zylstra • Sometimes, those in authority teach things that do not align with God’s Word or help their hearers rest in Jesus. If they’re seeking to follow Jesus, they will want to be corrected so they can repent and grow. If you had a concern about someone’s leadership, how would you bring it up? Who is a trusted adult you could talk to if you experienced something unsettling? “Come to me…and I [Jesus] will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

READ: 1 JOHN 2:1-29 Recently, I was buying some pizzas, and when I handed the cashier my money she did something that made me freeze: she held up the dollar bills to the light, examining them closely. She was trying to see if they were authentic. At that moment, I thought to myself, Oh great. Did I get stuck with a counterfeit bill? Fortunately they were not counterfeits, and I got my pizza and went on my way. But counterfeit money is a real problem for businesses, and so cashiers are often trained to recognize fake money. Do you know how they do it? They don’t study fake money. Instead, they learn all about real money. When the Federal Reserve prints dollar bills, they add all kinds of markings that authenticate the true value. That way, no matter how a counterfeit bill is made, a cashier can tell what’s real and what’s not. When you know what to look for, you can spot a fake a mile away. In 1 John 2:18-25, John is warning us about spiritual scammers who pass on counterfeit gospel messages. They use spiritual language and sound very religious, but if you listen closely, what they’re preaching is a false gospel—such as a gospel of getting lots of money, or treating our neighbors in a fearful and hate-filled way, or trying to follow God’s commands legalistically rather than relying on grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). But the real gospel, which John often calls “the truth,” is purely the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. So how do we avoid getting tricked by counterfeit gospels and falling for their lies? John says the best defense is to “remain in fellowship with Christ” (1 John 2:27). We could never study every single lie—there are too many of them! Instead, Jesus calls us to abide in Him (John 15:1-17). By faith, we can rest in the good news of Jesus’s death and resurrection, even as we seek to understand the truth of God’s Word. Throughout our lives, He will guide us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people, helping us discern what is true and what is false. When we understand the true gospel, we can better defend ourselves against false gospels. As we abide in Jesus, we will be prepared to face whatever messages are thrown at us. • Jacob Bier • How can looking at the true gospel help us recognize fakes? (More on the gospel on our "Know Jesus" page.) But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 63; JOHN 14:1-6; PHILIPPIANS 3:7-9 A lot of people think money is what makes you rich, but let’s take a closer look at the concept of riches. No matter how much money a person has, it never feels like enough. Just ask any wealthy person! Money won’t bring true satisfaction—and it doesn’t last. We can’t take wealth or status with us when we die. The reality is, what makes us rich—is love. The true and unending love of God. Humans were created to be in relationship with God, but humanity rejected Him to go our own way, and so we’re left searching for something to fill the deep longing that only God can fill. Yet, the good news is that God extends His love to us, even though we could never earn it, even though we’re all greedy and self-centered and, well, sinful. He loves us so much that Jesus—God in flesh— died and rose again to beat sin and death so that we could be with Him. Now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven and welcomed into rich and satisfying relationship with God. And as Christians we also get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and we will live forever with Him and His people on the new heavens and new earth. Then we will enjoy the lavish abundance of everything we could ever desire, and nothing will be tainted by the suffering and confusion caused by sin. And even as we wait for this day, Jesus fills our hearts with His love through the Holy Spirit. He also places us in His family and blesses us with the love of our brothers and sisters who also know Jesus. And He transforms even our suffering into hope because He is just that good (Romans 5:1-8). Yes, in Christ, we are very rich indeed. So, when we find ourselves craving earthly riches like money or success, let’s run to Jesus instead. He’s eager to remind us that these riches aren’t the things that really count. A relationship with Jesus is more valuable than any treasure this world has to offer. • A. W. Smith • Earthly wealth doesn’t offer true satisfaction, and it can often cloud our vision so that we love money or status more than God or our neighbors. As Christians, how does Jesus help us view the things we have on earth in light of the greater riches we have as members of Jesus’s family? • To learn more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:26 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 33:5-6; MATTHEW 6:19-34; 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 Kellen knew that asteroid mining was a risky business. There were hazardous pockets of gas and metals too tough for the drill. For Kellen, though, the money to be made was worth the work. The material in this asteroid alone would fuel his entire home planet for a year. His share would be enough to buy his own mining gear, then he could really start making some cash. Lost in thought, Kellen was startled by the blinking warning light on his monitor, indicating someone had hit a gas pocket. With enough pressure, the entire asteroid could potentially explode—with them on it. Kellen heard his boss shout through the commlink, “We need to evacuate now! This is an emergency. All personnel proceed to your designated areas and secure yourself for an emergency departure!” Kellen pressed a button and his entire drill, with him inside, detached from the asteroid, rocket thrusters launching him back to the main shuttle where he could see dozens of other drill ships also loading up for a speedy getaway. A moment later Kellen felt bits of asteroid rattle his small compartment rather undramatically. As the main carrier raced away, Kellen took a glance on his monitor to see the asteroid, worth trillions, explode in a flash of light and space dust. All of his dreams, gone in an instant. Kellen tried to relax as the boss started roll call. But when they got to Freya’s ID number, the commlink was silent. Kellen felt his stomach drop. Freya was a good pilot, she had to have made it off the asteroid in time. But there was a chance… Kellen held his breath as he heard the boss call out her number a second, then a third time. No response. Then, there was a crackling sound, and a patchy voice said, “Docked…com damaged…I’m alright.” Kellen exhaled with a shudder. As he looked back at the field of debris, he realized Freya’s life was worth more than that—worth more than all the asteroids in the galaxy combined. He remembered something his mother had said, back on his home planet on the Illyrian system. How God treasured and desired and loved him…far more than anyone could desire an asteroid. How God’s love compelled Him to take on human flesh and die—for him. And then, to rise again with a promise to put an end to death and evil, all that’s wrong with the world. Thank you God, he whispered. Help me see as You see. Loving You, and the people you’ve made, is worth more than anything that could be bought. Help me lean on You and remember what’s truly worthwhile. • Peter J. McDonough • In today’s allegorical story, Kellen realizes that true wealth comes from God, not the world’s sin-broken system. In what ways have you seen how pursuing things—like money, success, possessions, or experiences—can get in the way of pursuing the true riches of loving God and the people He has made? (Matthew 22:36-40) • Human life is sacred because we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). God showed how much we are worth to Him—how much He treasures and desires and loves us—when Jesus, God the Son, willingly gave up His life for ours on the cross. Then He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death so we could be forgiven and live with Him forever. How can looking at Jesus, and remembering what He has done for us, help us discern what is truly valuable in life? (Hebrews 12:1-3) • Proverbs 10:2 says, “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” Jesus is our righteousness, and He is the only One who can deliver us from death (1 Corinthians 1:30). But, even as Christians, sometimes we forget tha

READ: GENESIS 1:27; PSALM 139:13-18 I’m one of those people who likes to make a big deal out of birthdays. Whenever it’s someone else’s birthday, I try to at least send a happy birthday text, or get a gift, or even throw a party. When it comes to my own birthday, I always try to have a fun day planned. I never understood why people would hide or brush off their birthdays. Your birthday is the day that God knew you would take your first breaths! God watched over you as you grew in your mom’s womb. God knew what color eyes you would have, how tall you would be, and what your first word would be. Psalm 139 says that God knit us together. I love thinking about that image. I think of God hunched over, focused on pulling together the threads of your life to form all the different aspects of who you are. God loved you before you were born, and He still loves the person you are today. His love for you is so great that He sent Jesus to sacrifice His life for you and become your Redeemer so you could be adopted into God’s family. And even though Jesus’s sacrifice and miraculous resurrection happened long before you were born, it was still a sacrifice meant for you. And that’s why I like to make a big deal out of birthdays. Because each person is so unique and there’s no one just like them. Each person is loved so deeply by God, and each life is worth being celebrated. • Naomi Zylstra • Do you like your birthday? Why or why not? • What’s one thing you like about yourself? Consider taking a moment to imagine God creating this aspect of you carefully and purposefully, and thank Him for making you this way! • What are some ways we can show honor and value to the people we come in contact with, whether it’s their birthday or not? For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13 (WEB) 

READ: MATTHEW 5:14-16; ROMANS 8:35-39 Picture this. The room is dark, and you blink as your eyes adjust to the light created by the glowing candles on top of a birthday cake. “Okay, make a wish and blow the candles out,” your friend says. You nod, close your eyes, and blow out the candles. But when you reach for the cake knife, you notice something strange. Every candle on your cake has started burning again. So, you take a deep breath and try a second time. Once again, all the flames disappear, but one by one the candles spark, and soon they’re burning again. What’s going on? You look at your friend, who’s grinning from ear to ear. You roll your eyes as you realize your friends put trick candles on your cake! These special candles are made to relight themselves, no matter how many times you blow them out. In a way, Christians are kind of like these everlasting candles. When we know Jesus as our Savior, His light glows within us. No matter how hard our broken world tries to blow out our lights, Jesus never lets the powers of darkness succeed. Because Jesus has defeated death and sin and evil by dying on the cross and rising from the grave, everyone who believes in Him has the Holy Spirit living inside us, and God’s presence can never be removed from us (Acts 2:1-24). Even death cannot separate us from God’s love! As we encounter challenges in our broken world, Jesus is right there with us, helping us trust in Him and show others His love. No matter how dark things may get, He empowers us to shine brightly for Him. So today, may we let the light of Jesus shine in our lives. We’re free to show His love in our words and actions, knowing that Jesus won’t let anything separate us from His love. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time you saw Jesus’s light shining through others? What was that like? • What are some ways you could show Jesus’s love to the people around you today? • How can we know that we’re secure in Jesus’s love? (Hint: look at Romans 8.) Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:15b (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 4:1-42 When God amazes us, sharing our story with others can make a real difference. In John 4, we see how Jesus spent time with a Samaritan woman at the well near Samaria. He talked to her about God and also about her life, her husbands, the choices she had made…and about who He was. This woman was surprised at all Jesus knew about her, and when He said He was the Messiah they’d all been waiting for, she went out and told others about Him, saying “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” (verse 29). Because of what she shared, many people met Jesus and believed in Him; they said, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world” (verses 41-42). This woman was someone who probably didn’t have the best standing in her community. Because of the rejection she would’ve faced, she probably hadn’t spoken out or shared stories from her life before. When she told others about Jesus, though, people who heard her story wanted to meet Jesus for themselves. When we share about the ways we’ve seen God work, we can encourage both fellow believers and those who don’t know Jesus yet. Our stories can help lead people to Jesus and invite those who already know Him to go deeper in their relationship with Him. If there’s something God has done in your life that has left you in awe, why not tell others about it? Who knows if your story might encourage those around you to go and meet Jesus for themselves. • Emily Acker • Can you think of any ways God has worked in your life—any ways He has revealed how good He is or how much He cares about you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to help you notice what He’s been doing in and around you. He delights in answering these prayers. • What could others gain through hearing about the ways you’ve seen God working in your life? And what could you gain by listening to others? • The biggest way God has worked in any of our lives is by saving us through Jesus’s death and resurrection—and this amazing story is always worth telling! If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. Psalm 66:16 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 139 Have you ever had a moment when you realized that someone really knows you? I had a moment like this with my housemate recently, and it made me feel so loved. I had been feeling overwhelmed and depressed for a few days. My husband took our kids to run some errands so I could get some time to finish up my work for the week and do something restful. I sat on my bed, trying to figure out how best to plan my day. Should I make breakfast and eat it here, or go to a coffee shop to get breakfast while I work? I tried to get my sluggish, exhausted brain to think through the options. I don’t make decisions quickly in the best of times, and I operate even more slowly when I’m not feeling great. My housemate, Jenn, knocked on the bedroom door and told me she was going to pick up some breakfast at a nearby fast-food restaurant and asked if I wanted any. This very kind offer meant that I now had a third option to consider. I mumbled something about not being sure, and she quickly said, “I’ll give you a minute to think about it,” and walked away. I smiled internally and thought, She knows me. Jenn has been my friend for over a decade, and she knew that I needed a moment by myself to think things through. A minute or two later I walked out and accepted her offer. Little moments like these remind me of how God knows us. He knows the very hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:29-30). He knows how we operate. He knows our good days and our bad days. He knows exactly what we need. And He loves us. Being known can be a scary thing. But not with God. Because He won’t ever use that knowledge to hurt us. Instead, He draws us ever closer to Himself. Jesus died and rose again to make the way for us to be with Him. And to be known by a God like that is the best thing I can imagine. • Taylor Eising • Can you think of a time when you’ve felt known? What was it like? • How could it be comforting to know that God knows you and loves you? O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. Psalm 139:1 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 27:7-14; 33:20-22 I keep calling out, God Even though I am tired Even though I don’t see You working yet Even though this life seems to be killing me   I keep calling out, God Because You are my only hope Because You can bring me peace Because You can move into action at any time   I keep calling out, God And my body is tired And my throat doesn’t want to call out And I feel ready to just give up   I keep calling out, God Please answer me Please give me peace Please reach down and rescue me • Emily Acker • Today’s poem is written in the style of a lament psalm. Have you ever felt like you just kept crying out to God without experiencing any comfort? We all go through times like these, but God does not abandon us. His presence with us gives us hope we can cling to no matter what. Can you remember what (or who) God provided to help you through that difficult time in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • Does today’s poem express how you’re feeling right now? God is right there with you. He knows your hurts, and He doesn’t condemn you (Romans 8:1). He feels your pain and He weeps with you. Consider taking some time to bring your pain to God, like the author does. If you feel like you can’t even pray right now, who is a trusted Christian in your life who can help you bring your pain to God? By leaning on God’s grace and the people He has placed around you, you can begin to heal. These feelings won’t last forever, but Jesus’s love will. And one day, He will return to make all things new. Because Jesus died and rose from the grave, everyone who trusts in Him can look forward to the day He will put an end to death and sin and brokenness permanently. Jesus is the ultimate source of our hope, a hope that endures even in the most difficult times. • This poem mentions feeling ready to give up. If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, tell a trusted adult right away.* One important way God brings healing is through medical and mental health professionals and biblical counseling. The path to healing can be long and sometimes painful, but Jesus will walk every step with you. If you feel like you can’t reach out to others because you are a burden, know that this is a lie from the pit of hell. The enemy wants to isolate us from community, but God’s truth is so much more powerful than the enemy’s lies. The truth is this: you are made in God’s glorious image, and for that reason you are beloved and incomparably valuable, and there is nothing you can do to change that. You are worth people’s time, attention, and care—even when the people around you don’t act like it. You can know that you are so precious to God because He sent Jesus to give you new life so that you could live in loving relationship with Him. Jesus did this by dying and rising again. You are an important part of His kingdom, and nothing, nothing, NOTHING can ever separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:39). • *You can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also talk with someone via web chat (988lifeline.org/chat). If your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away. • *If you need someone to talk to but are not in need of immediate help, you ca

READ: ISAIAH 41:10-14; 49:14-16; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11 I saw a young child get off a school bus today— and go right into the waiting embrace of his mom. As she straightened up, he wrapped his arms around her neck, resting his head against her shoulder. I wondered if something had happened at school today, or if maybe he was just tired from being gone from home for several hours. It made me think of how God invites us to go to Him whenever we feel like that little boy, whenever we need someone’s arms to rest in. This broken world we live in can be a scary place. When the darkness around us makes us long for an escape, we can always go to the arms of God and receive comfort. He is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God sees everything we’re going through, and He longs for us to be with Him. That’s why Jesus came—He died for us and rose from the grave so that He could be with us forever. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can know that, no matter what, God will hold you. You don’t have to face anything alone. God is waiting, ready to be there for you. When life in this broken world just makes you tired, when you can’t go on in your own strength any longer, you can go to God. He is your compassionate Father who will carry you. Like the little boy going from the bus to the arms of his mom, you can go from a busy and tiring day to the arms of God—and rest secure in His embrace. • Emily Acker • Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have full access to God, and nothing can separate you from His love (John 10:11, 27-30; Romans 8:35-39; Hebrews 4:14-16). If you want to know more about what it means to put your trust in Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • What kinds of things in our broken world make you feel worn out or long for an escape? How could it be helpful to remember that God is with us in the midst of the brokenness, and that Jesus will one day return to raise us from the dead and make all things new—free from sin and death and evil and pain? (Revelation 21:1-5) “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) 

READ: ISAIAH 61:8; JEREMIAH 22:3; MATTHEW 23:23 It’s discouraging to see so much evil in the world. Evil and sin have been a part of the world for a long time, but as I get older, I notice it more than when I was a kid. I hear news about corruption, poverty, or health crises...and it can really get me down. It can be easy to see all this evil and either choose not to believe there’s a God, or to think that God doesn’t care—just look at how bad the world is. But Scripture tells me that God does care. He hates evil. It breaks His heart to see His creation suffering, and one day He’s going to get rid of all evil permanently. I’ve spent a little time in some of the minor prophet books of the Bible recently, and those books frequently show how vehemently opposed God is to evil. God despises evil and promises to bring down these ancient empires that were built on greed and oppression (Nahum 2). Through the prophets, God foretells the justice He will bring and the restoration that will come after. Part of this restoration has already happened through Jesus Christ. After Jesus defeated sin and death and evil through His own death and resurrection, our relationship with God was righted. Our sin was paid for, and we were able to be accepted into God’s family. And one day, God’s justice will come in full, and He will right all wrongs and rid the world of all evil, and our struggle with sin will finally be over. So, it’s not a question of “Does God care?” anymore. With the knowledge of Scripture, now it’s a question of “When will God’s justice come in full?” And even as we wait for the day Jesus will come again, we can participate in God’s kingdom here and now, acting in love and justice with confident hope for the future. • Naomi Zylstra • Can you think of a time you felt discouraged when you saw evil in the world—either on the news, in your community, or in your own life? Jesus weeps with you. You can bring these feelings to Him in prayer anytime. • What opportunities and skills has God given you to pursue justice right where you are, at this time of your life? Who are trusted Christians you can talk to about this? The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:25-30; MARK 12:29-31; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58; GALATIANS 6:9 I walked with determination down the hallway. Maybe this time will be different, I thought, knocking on the classroom door. At the beginning of the year, I’d volunteered to mentor a second grader through a program helping youth with behavioral concerns. Once a week, I arrived at the school during my lunch break to spend time with “Justin” (not his real name) and show him some undivided, positive attention. I embraced this opportunity as a chance to connect with a child needing love. Justin, however, did not embrace this opportunity. Each time I entered his class, he rolled his eyes and slumped to the little room where we sat to play games. For nine months, I met with Justin weekly, and his walls never came down. I understood he needed unconditional love; I just believed he didn’t want it from me. When we experience Jesus’s unconditional love for us, we naturally want to share it with others. God’s never-ending, always-pursuing, never-giving-up love was put on full display at Jesus’s death and resurrection. When we wanted nothing to do with God, He made the way for us to be in relationship with Him by giving up His own life for ours (Romans 5:10). His love changes us and transforms us so that we can love God and others. Yet, as followers of Jesus seeking to obey His command to love our neighbors as ourselves, sometimes we wonder, “Does this matter? Does all my work count for anything?” Not only does Jesus invite us to step out in faith and trust Him with the results, He also gives us encouragement when our faith feels weak. Jesus invites us to bring our weariness and burdens to Him, our great burden-bearer (Psalm 68:19). He understands we’ll face discouragement in doing good work (whether it’s mentoring a struggling eight-year-old or working our hardest at school), and He assures us that He is with us and He is at work even when we don’t see it. We may not see the outcomes we expected to, but we can trust God with our obedience. After all, He promises us that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you ever felt worn out while trying to love your neighbor? Jesus understands, and He is with you. Remember, the results of your work aren’t up to you. They are not on your shoulders. Jesus is the One who brings about change in people’s hearts. He is at work in you, and He is at work through you. Consider taking a moment now to pray for a neighbor you’re trying to love. • Some days, we’re like the author of this story—giving love and help. Other days, we’re like Justin—the one receiving the love and help. We’re all in need of love, and we’re all in need of help, even when we don’t want it. So, God gave us community in His family, the church. Through the church, we can give and receive God’s love, uplifting each other and being uplifted. What are some ways you’ve seen this play out in your life? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to help you notice ways He is inviting you to give and receive love and help as you live life alongside fellow Christians. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:27; 1 JOHN 4:7-19 You probably already know that snowflakes are remarkably unique from one another. And the reason each snowflake has a one-of-a-kind crystal structure is because every developing flake experiences slightly different atmospheric conditions as it falls from the sky to the ground. But have you ever thought about what they have in common? Even with all their differences, each snowflake is made of frozen water and has six points. It’s like that with people too. No two people are exactly the same or have the same experiences, but we often forget that we’re also alike in many ways. People from different parts of the world have their own languages and customs, but deep down we all have the same feelings and desires. We all want to feel loved and accepted and valued. Another thing all people have in common? We’re all created in God’s image, and He loves us all so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to live among us, die for us, and rise again from the dead so that everyone who trusts in Him could live with God forever. And one day, Jesus will return to make all things new, free from sin and death. As Christians, we are now God’s children, we are forgiven and clean as fresh snow (Isaiah 1:18), and we “are being transformed into his [Jesus’s] image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). God calls us to share His love with others—even those who seem different—because we all have the same need for Him. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to love others as God loves us, accept others as God accepts us, and value others as God values us (Matthew 10:29-31; John 13:34; Romans 15:7; 1 John 4:19). So, as we look at snowflakes, we can remember that Jesus made each snowflake, and He made each of us. He calls us to enjoy our beautiful differences. And as we rest in His great love for us, we can show that same love to everyone we encounter. • A. W. Smith • Humans are remarkably diverse and yet have so much in common. What are some differences between you and your friends and family? What are some similarities? Consider taking some time to thank God for creating such an amazing world with so many different types of people! • Today, how could you show Jesus’s love to someone who is different from you? How could remembering what we have in common with all people help us walk in love toward one another? Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 4:8; MATTHEW 11:28-30; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 The sound of white noise as we lay down to sleep can give us comfort and cover up distracting sounds that might keep us awake. A fan going while we rest can help us feel comfortable and breathe easier. Some of us have a particular pillow we need to sleep, and some of us can only sleep in our own beds. There are things we gather and routines we go through to get to sleep…and intentional time with God can also be part of those routines. If we know Jesus, God is always present with us through the Holy Spirit, and getting ready for bed can be a great time to focus on His presence. He loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again to be with us. So, before we go to bed we can spend time telling our incredible, loving God about our day, thanking Him for the blessings He gave us, bringing Him any requests we have, and sharing any hurts we experienced with Him and receiving His compassion. We can cry out to God when we’re laying down to sleep and we’re feeling anxious, and we can also talk to Him when we’re feeling peaceful. We can get in the routine of talking to Him each night and sharing our problems with Him before we sleep. And if we wake up in the night terrified because of a nightmare, we can turn to Him for comfort. God goes with us during the day, and He’s also right there with us as we start to prepare for bed and as we lay down and close our eyes. Let Him be involved in your nighttime routine, and rest in His presence as you drift off to sleep. • Emily Acker • What routines do you follow before you go to sleep at night? There are lots of different ways we can incorporate intentional time focusing on God’s presence into our routines. Some people like to put a note with a Bible verse on their bathroom mirror so they see it when they’re brushing their teeth. Some people like to kneel by their bed to pray, and some like to write down things they’re thankful for from that day. You can also look back through your day and ask God to show you His presence with you during it. If you’re not sure what routines you’d like to try incorporating into your bedtime routine, who are trusted Christians you could talk to about it? • Sleep is an important part of our physical, mental, 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? I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 145:8-16; MATTHEW 6:25-33; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-20 One year as summer approached, I needed to buy some shorts. With my budget in mind, I browsed at a second-hand shop and found two pairs in the right size. Including a discount, I could pay for the clothes using a gift card I’d received. It would cover the entire cost…except for eleven cents. But I only had one penny in my wallet. So, what did I do? Did I leave the store empty-handed? Nope. Near the cash register, I noticed lots of loose change in a “leave a penny, take a penny” bucket. Right on top of the pile of coins, I found a dime and then finished paying for the clothes I’d picked out. Even before I needed to use that dime, it was there. Some generous stranger had dropped it in the coin container before I arrived at the shop, not realizing how helpful it would be at just the right time. The kind person who tossed the dime into the canister for another shopper didn’t know I would be the one to need those few cents, but God, the all-knowing Lord, always knows what we need. Before we ask, before we even recognize our own needs, He is working to provide for us. And He has already provided for the greatest need any of us have: to be rescued from sin and death. Because Jesus came, we can have a relationship with God through trusting in Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. Then, not only do we have the sure hope of being raise from the dead to live with Him forever, but we can also approach God anytime to ask for His help and provision—just as a trusting child approaches a caring father. We can lean on God for all we need because He loves us. What an amazing invitation to come to the Father who knows all our needs and cares about each one. • Allison Wilson Lee • One of the primary ways God provides for His people, is through His people! Can you think of a time someone helped meet your tangible needs? What was it like? • God cares about all our needs, but He doesn’t promise we’ll never experience hardship. Jesus said we will have trouble, but He also promised to be with us through it all, and to return one day and make all things new; then lack will be replaced with abundance (John 16:33; Matthew 28:20; Revelation 21:1-5). As we wait for this day, He comforts us with His presence and strengthens us to endure in times of plenty and times of lack. How could these promises give us hope? 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

READ: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12-22; 1 PETER 5:6-11 We are faced with countless decisions every day. What do I want for dinner? Should I read or play video games after work? Where do I go to college? Should I even go to college? Some life decisions are bigger than others, and they require more thought too. I can usually decide what I want for dinner by the end of the night, but larger decisions take more time. So how do I make the big decisions in life? One of the things I do (or try to do) early on is pray about the decision. Throughout the Bible, God invites us to bring our concerns to Him because He cares about what we’re going through (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus Himself would often take time alone to pray. Jesus is God the Son, and He lives in close relationship with God the Father. And because Jesus died and rose for us, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus can be in close relationship with God. When I’m making decisions in my life, I can pray and ask God for His guidance on this decision. If I don’t get any sort of clarity (which unfortunately happens often) I can also consult with the trusted Christian friends and family in my life, especially if they’ve lived through the decision I’m going to make. And whenever I make a decision, I can trust that I serve an infinite God who can draw good out of any bad situation (Romans 8:28). One of the most comforting things is that God wants the best for me, and He cares about all my problems and all the decisions I face. Even the ones as small as what to have for dinner. • Naomi Zylstra • When we have a decision to make, how could it be comforting to know that we can bring all our concerns to the One who loves us so much He was willing to give up His own life for us? • Jesus will return one day and make all things new, and in the meantime He promises to be with us no matter what. God’s will for us is part of His great plan to renew heaven and earth at Jesus’s return. Day by day, He guides us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Who are trusted Christians you can talk to when you’re facing a tough decision? Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) 

READ: ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 There are times in life when our need for others becomes clear. If you try to take on a big project, you may quickly realize that you need to ask for help. When trying to learn something new, you probably know that you need to ask an expert for advice if you want to do it right. We can think about following Jesus in a similar way. Like accomplishing a big project or learning a new skill, learning more about the gospel, the Bible, who God is, and how to walk in obedience to Him can feel overwhelming. None of us can do everything ourselves, and God knows this! He invites us to ask for help. We don’t have to be ashamed to ask for help or advice. As Christians, we’re meant to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Sometimes the best thing any of us can do is seek advice from someone else. It’s good to get a trusted Christian’s opinion and learn from them. The Bible talks about this frequently in the book of Proverbs. For example, Proverbs 19:20 says “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” And Proverbs 12:15 says it even more strongly: “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” In addition to asking for advice, we can also ask for help doing the task before us. Like it says in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” God has given all of us different gifts and abilities, and working together with someone who has different gifts from you can make the task easier— and the result better. God graciously provides us with the help we need, often through other people. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, He has made you part of His people, the church. We can rely on one another and seek God together. We can pray and ask our loving God to guide us and help us know what to do and to give us the help we need. So let’s remember, it’s great to get together with other Christians. We can learn a lot from each other as we encourage each other in our walks with Jesus. • Bethany Acker • Who is a Christian in your life you’ve learned a lot from? Consider thanking this person and letting them know what they mean to you. If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. • Have you been able to encourage someone in their walk with Jesus? What was it like? “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I [Jesus] am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 (NLT) 

READ: EZEKIEL 40:1-19; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:16-17 Chapters 40-42 of the book of Ezekiel may not seem very interesting at first glance. All three chapters are a tour of a future temple. An angel led Ezekiel through this temple in a vision. There are many, many specific measurements included—enough that you may get bored. There is a measurement for everything in the temple, each room and each doorway. There are also specific details mentioned, like carvings of palm trees, cherubim, a lion’s face, and a human face. So, if they aren’t very interesting chapters, why am I telling you about them? Well, because of a sentence in 2 Corinthians 6:16: “For we are the temple of the living God.” There are other verses that say the same thing—that we are God’s temple. Isn’t that amazing? In the Old Testament, the temple was where God’s presence dwelt with His people, and then His presence came fully when Jesus, God the Son, came and lived among us. In fact, Jesus even called Himself a temple when He predicted His own death and resurrection (John 2:19-22). Now, if we know Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, so our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Not only that, but the Spirit unites us with other believers, building us together into His temple, the church (1 Peter 2:5). And someday Jesus will return to make the whole earth His temple—His dwelling place with His people (Revelation 21:1-5). God loves us so much that Jesus came to die on the cross for us and rise from the dead so He could dwell with us and we could spend eternity with Him. And if He took the time to talk about the specific measurements of each room and doorway of the temple, how much more does He care about the details in our lives? Matthew 10:30 tells us that God knows how many hairs are on our heads! That sounds like a pretty specific detail for God to care about. He wants you to know that no detail about your life is too little for Him to care about. He wants you to know you can go to Him about every little detail of your life, and the big moments too. • Kimberly Brokish • How does it make you feel to know that God cares about all the details of your life? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about any part of your life that comes to mind, big or small, good or bad…even though He already knows it all, He loves listening to everything you have to say. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV

READ: HEBREWS 13:5-8; 1 JOHN 4:15 This world changes, But You, my Lord, never change The Lord who created the world The Lord who told Noah to build an ark You are the same Lord who lives in me today The Lord who led the Israelites out of slavery The Lord who gave us the commandments You are the same Lord who lives in me today The Lord who cares for the poor The Lord who healed thousands You are the same Lord who lives in me today The Lord who died for my sins The Lord who rose again You are the same Lord who lives in me today This world changes, But You, my Lord, never change • Kimberly Brokish • Do you have a favorite story in the Bible? Just think about how the same God who breathed those words, who was present in that story, is the same God who is alive today! • Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus—believing He died and rose again for you—God lives in you. As 1 John 4:15 says, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” If you want to know more about putting your trust in Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

READ: JOHN 10:11, 27-30; HEBREWS 11:1-6; 1 PETER 1:8-13 Did you know kittens are born blind? They have to rely on their mother to care for them since they can’t do anything on their own, but how do they know she’ll be there for them if they can’t see her? They use their other senses. Specifically, kittens rely on their sense of smell to let them know their mother is near. As Christians, we live in a similar way. Like helpless newborn kittens, we rely on God to take care of us and be with us through everything we face. Even though we can’t see God, we know He’s there. In a way, we know this because of our other senses. Specifically, we can hear God because He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible (Romans 10:17). All throughout His Word, He tells us how much He loves us and He promises to be with us no matter what. Ultimately, the Bible is the story of God’s love for us, and the climax is when He reveals Himself in Jesus. He came and lived among us, fully God and fully human. He died for us and then rose again to beat sin and death. And He is returning one day to make all things new. As we wait for that glorious day when we will finally see Jesus face-to-face, we can rest knowing that we are held by God, even though we can’t see Him. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminds us of His promises and helps us rest in His love (John 14:26). Through the Holy Spirit, we can have faith in God, even when we can’t see Him. Just like kittens know their mother is with them, even though they can’t see her yet. • A. W. Smith • Consider taking a moment to read Matthew 28:20 and Romans 8:33-39. How could the promises in these passages remind us of God’s love and presence when we go through difficult things? Do you have any favorite Bible passages that have helped you in tough times? Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) 

READ: JEREMIAH 17:14; 30:16-18; PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11 I’d been eating the cashews for several days before I stopped to ask why they seemed so small. Then I noticed the label on the canister: halves and pieces. I thought I’d bought the same kind of cashews I usually did—roasted and sprinkled with sea salt—but I hadn’t paid attention to the entire label. Cashews are one of my favorite snacks, and I liked them no matter their size. The halves and pieces offered the same flavor as the whole ones. They were just as filling, just as savory, just as satisfying. Though they were broken, they had just as much goodness to offer. Sometimes I’ve felt like those cashews—crushed to pieces. Difficult circumstances have a way of doing that. Trying our best but being turned down anyway, loving a person who doesn’t love us in return, being passed over for an honor we believe we deserved…those situations can leave us feeling rejected, wondering, “What’s wrong with ME?” Perhaps you feel split in half because your parents are divorced, and you live divided between two different homes. Or perhaps you feel like a piece of you is missing because you’re adopted, and even though you’ve become part of a loving family, maybe you wish you knew more about who your birth family is and why they couldn’t care for you. These kinds of circumstances can make us question our value, our love-ability. We might feel less than whole. Jesus knows we all have broken places, and He has declared that we are immeasurably valuable. God’s love for us is so great that Jesus gave up His life for us on the cross and then rose from the grave so we could enter a relationship with Him. He came to heal us of our wounds and restore us to God our Creator. When we put our faith in Jesus, He forgives our sins and begins a good work in us. He saves us from sin and death completely. And when He returns to make all things new, He will heal us completely, too. Until that day, even though we still experience brokenness, we can rest knowing that God loves us just as we are, and He invites us to be part of the good work of restoration He is doing in and around us. • Allison Wilson Lee • What kinds of circumstances in life have made you feel less than whole? • In what ways have you seen glimpses of God’s healing work in and around you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God for this anytime. He loves to answer these prayers. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 22:37-40; LUKE 6:43-45 What comes out when you squeeze a ketchup bottle? Ketchup, of course. And what comes out if you squeeze a mustard bottle? Mustard! Whatever is inside comes out. And it’s the same with us. How we react in a situation says a lot about what’s going on in our hearts. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says, “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” What we say—and how we say it—shows what’s inside our hearts. When we’re coming from a place of resting in God’s love, what comes out of us will be good and wholesome, like patience and kindness. But when we’re coming from a place of unhealed wounds and self-reliance, what comes out of us will be harsh and bitter. The stresses of life have a way of squeezing reactions out of us. What comes out of your mouth if you’re squeezed by something you don’t like? What you say shows a little bit of what’s in your heart. God calls us to use our words carefully to build each other up, not to tear down (Ephesians 4:29). So when we find ourselves saying things that hurt others, it’s an important indicator that our hearts need some attention. God has compassion on us, and He is eager to fill our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5). But when our hearts start overflowing, not with love but with unhealed hurt or harsh words, it’s time to talk to Jesus about it. He can handle any emotion we’re facing. He empathizes with us, and He always wants to help us. One of the primary ways He does this is by providing people in our lives—like therapists, friends, teachers, parents, pastors, etc.—who can help us when we’re especially stuck, when bitter reactions keep coming out of us when we’re under pressure. The journey of healing and growing with Jesus is long and not always straightforward, but we can know that Jesus has promised to be with us every step of the way, gently healing our wounds and helping us grow to become more like Him. We can trust Him and rest in His love, no matter what. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time you were facing a tough situation but you were able to rest in Jesus’s love through it? What about a time when it wasn’t so easy to rest in His love? • When you’re feeling stuck in your reactions to tough situations, who are trusted people God has put in your life you could talk with—such as therapists, friends, teachers, parents, pastors, etc.? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” Matthew 12:34b (CSB) 

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; EPHESIANS 2:1-22 “How does God see my generation?” It’s a good question, and one we don’t often think to ask. We hear a lot of talk about the different generations: what they’re like, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how they’re different from other generations, and on and on. The concept of generations is interesting. In our time, people generally separate us into different social categories based on which set of fifteen years we were born in, and therefore which significant events we’ve experienced in our lifetimes. Those of us who are currently teenagers or young adults are often considered “Generation Z.” In my experience, being part of Gen Z is hard. I often hear people from older generations talking about us as if we’re a conundrum or a nuisance. But on the other hand, I’m also tempted to find fault with their generations. Sadly, as humans we have a tendency to put down people who are different from us, often as a way to try to make ourselves feel better. But this is not just unproductive, it’s also unkind. Thankfully, there’s a way out of this judging and finger-pointing. The most helpful thing I’ve heard about my generation came from a woman at my church who was praying for me a few Sundays ago. She’s part of Gen X, and she said, “Do you know how God sees Gen Z? As people made in His image.” That declaration startled me. As her words sank into my heart, I began to feel relieved, calm, and hopeful. We are not a conundrum to God. We are not a nuisance. He made us on purpose, and He understands us completely—even when we don’t understand ourselves. And He loves us, just as much as He loves every single generation that came before us, and every single generation that will come after us. His love is so great that He was willing to die for us so that we could be restored to relationship with Him. And He is working in our generation, drawing us close to Himself and empowering us to be part of the good work of His kingdom. While thinking about people in terms of generations can sometimes be helpful as we look for ways to understand ourselves and those around us, I don’t think that what generation we’re part of is the most important thing about us. We need Jesus to save us just as desperately as the other generations do. And when Jesus returns and makes all things new, everyone who has put their trust in Him will be raised from their graves like He was, and we will live forever with Him in restored creation. Then, we will be in perfect community with God and with all our brothers and sisters in Christ, including those who were born thousands of years before us! We will finally understand each other and be able to enjoy one another freely—without shame or fear getting in the way. Even as we look forward to this glorious day, we can catch glimpses of the restoration Jesus is bringing in our hearts and in our relationships here and now. As we rest in His love and kindness to us, we can see ourselves and everyone around us the way God sees us: as people made in His image, people He loves. • Hannah Howe • How have you heard people talking about your generation? What things have been helpful, and what things have been unhelpful? • Why do you think we’re often tempted to be resentful or overly critical of other generations? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this, confessing any sins that come to mind and asking for His help to see others as He sees them—and love them as He loves them. (It might be helpful to read Matthew 9:36.) • Sometimes, we can feel like our very identity is defined by what generation we were born into, but that’s not how God sees us. He is the One w

READ: JEREMIAH 18:1-6; EZEKIEL 36:26; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 Tamora’s orange eyes were wide with excitement. Today, Grandmother would teach her how to weave a sala basket, a rite of passage in her village on a planet in the Cloudina Galaxy. Tamora watched Grandmother’s wrinkled purple hands lift a bucket filled with water and colorful qasab reeds out of the wash basin. “Watch carefully now,” said Grandmother. She demonstrated how to bend the reeds and explained the ancient weaving pattern, more intricate than any Tamora had learned before. Soon Tamora was ready to begin her own basket. “That’s the way,” Grandmother said after Tamora had completed several rows. Tamora beamed and then returned to weaving, stopping only now and then to ask Grandmother for help. After a while, Tamora said, “This reed is not bending well.” She was holding the last one from the pile Grandmother had made when they began. “Let me see.” Grandmother inspected the blue reed. “This reed is too dry. You need to put it back in the water and get a different one. It’s important to keep your reeds wet.” After switching reeds, Tamora began weaving easily again. Grandmother smiled and leaned back. “When I weave with qasab reeds, I’m often reminded of what the Maker does for us.” Tamora raised her eyebrows as Grandmother took a reed from the basin. With a twinkle in her eye, she continued, “We can all be like that dry, unbendable reed, stubbornly insisting on our own way instead of trusting our Maker to guide and shape us. But just like a basket weaver wets unbendable reeds to work with them, the Maker’s Spirit softens our hearts in the waters of His love and sacrifice for us, making us humble and pliable. Then, He can form us into people who love well.” “The Maker sounds like a potter,” said Tamora. “My friend Gamal was telling me that dry, hard clay can be made soft and moldable again by soaking it in water. Then the potter can shape it into something beautiful and purposeful.” “Indeed,” said Grandmother. “Every time you look at your basket, you can remember the Maker’s presence and love in your life. Because you and I belong to Him, let us be like damp reeds or soft clay, trusting Him to shape us.” • A. W. Smith • If you know Jesus, how have you seen Him change and mold you? In what ways do you love God and other people more than when you began your journey with God? (Matthew 22:36-40) …O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 14:23; JOHN 15:5-9 I love God and value my relationship with Him, but I have periods in my life when I struggle to make time to focus on being with Him. I do really well when I have a lot of structure surrounding my own faith. This was great when I was in college and I had built-in daily chapels, church on Sunday, and a weekly Bible study with my dorm floor. After I graduated I lost some of that built-in structure, and now I find it more difficult to make time to focus on God’s presence. It can be helpful to think about my relationship with God like other relationships in my life. I love my friends, family, and husband, but spending quality time with them doesn’t happen automatically. It takes intentional planning and time. It’s similar with my relationship with God. We see this truth in Scripture. Many times in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus sought out quiet time to pray and speak to God the Father because He loves Him. Sometimes this involved getting up early in the morning or walking away from a crowd to climb up a mountain. Jesus also went to the temple to be with God’s people and hear Scripture being read aloud. Even when Jesus was hanging on the cross, He cried out to the Father multiple times, communicating until the very end. And when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, God the Father sent us the Holy Spirit so He can be with us all the time, whether we’re intentionally focusing on His presence or not. He loves us so much that He never leaves our side. The way Jesus prioritized His relationship with the Father is a great reminder to me of the importance of spending time giving God my intentional focus. This time could be used in prayer, serving others, learning, spending time with God’s people, tending to creation, or lots of other ways. But I know myself, and if I’m not purposefully setting aside time to focus on God’s presence with me, that time gets gobbled up by something else in my life. Just like my other relationships, my relationship with God flourishes with intentional time, energy, and planning. Remember, Jesus loves us, and He made the way to be with us always. He enables us to spend time focusing on His loving presence. And that’s always time well spent. • Naomi Zylstra • If we know Jesus, He is always with us through the Holy Spirit. So, in every moment of our lives, we can be sensitive to His presence. Additionally, there are many ways we can set aside time to focus on His presence with us, including prayer, church, communion, music, time in nature, Bible studies, etc. What are some ways you like to focus on Jesus’s presence? [Jesus] went up into the hills by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23b (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 1:14-19; PSALM 33:6; ISAIAH 40:26 BOOM! POW! BANG! The thunderous echoes of a fireworks display ring out. The noise isn’t always great, but fireworks sure are beautiful when they light up the night sky. Gasps of “ohh” and “ahh” can be heard as rockets whistle through the air and burst into umbrellas of brilliant, jewel-like sparks. The sky fills with many brightly colored lights, making the dark almost as light as day. And though fireworks shoot up high into the atmosphere, they don’t hold a candle (pun intended) to the shining stars above. When God sees our fireworks, maybe He smiles and says, “Quite impressive, folks, but have you considered the lights I put in the sky? They can be seen all over the earth. And they don’t die out in a matter of seconds.” When we look up at the heavens, we get a glimpse of just how huge and vast the universe is. What an awesome reminder of how great and powerful God is— and how much He loves us. He created the sun and moon and countless stars for His glory and pleasure, and also for us. He provided great spheres of fire and reflection so we could have lights in our sky, not just on festive days when fireworks illuminate the night, but every day. The sun, moon, and stars—and everything else God created—remind us of the love of our Creator God. It’s hard to fathom that the all-powerful Maker, who made the “starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6), is the same God who became human and lived among us. His great love for us compelled Him to conquer sin and death so we could live with Him forever. And the only way to do this was by laying down His own life. Jesus, the Light of the world, was laid in the darkness of the grave—for us. But after three days, He rose again. And now Jesus sits enthroned over all creation. He directs the sun and moon and stars, and He is intimately involved in the details of our lives. He beckons us to put our trust in Him and experience “the inexpressible and glorious joy” of knowing the One who formed the stars—and formed us (1 Peter 1:8). So today, let’s take a moment to behold Jesus’s beautiful universe and be reminded of His immense love for us and for all of creation. • A. W. Smith • Even though the universe is broken by sin and its effects, we can still see glimpses of God’s goodness in what He has made, and we can also look forward to the day Jesus will return and make all things new. According to Romans 8:18-25, how does God’s love impact creation? (If you want to dig deeper, read Psalms 119:73; 139:1-12; John 1:1-5; 8:12; Colossians 1:15-20.) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 6:25-34; PHILIPPIANS 3:7-21 Lots of things in life can feel important in the moment. You might worry about your grades. You might think you need the most fashionable clothes. Maybe you feel pressure to be the best athlete on your team. Maybe you want to learn to drive and get your license and a car as soon as you can…but what happens when things don’t turn out like you’d hoped? When your grades slip, when you don’t have the money for all the things you want, when you don’t perform well in your sport, when you don’t have the independence you thought you’d have…you might start to worry. You might feel like you’re not good enough. When our circumstances leave us feeling disappointed and frustrated with life, what can we do? We can turn to Jesus. He sees our disappointments, and He grieves our losses with us. And He also reminds us that life is about so much more than all of that. You don’t have to have the nicest clothes to try to fit in. After all, true friends should accept you for who you are, not based on what you wear. And although it’s good to do well in school, you don’t have to get the best grades. Sports can be great, but winning isn’t the most important thing either. Milestones like driving sometimes come with pressure, but you don’t have to do everything in the timeframe anyone else thinks is right—you can go at your own pace. God has given you life, and He invites you to live it with Him. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, you can know the God who made the entire universe, and who made you specifically, and you can be part of the good work of His kingdom. There is so much more to this life than all the little things we find ourselves concerned with moment by moment. Things like grades and clothes are temporary, but God’s kingdom is eternal. You can trust your life to Him and know it will be more meaningful and purposeful than you could have imagined. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of things have made you feel disappointed or frustrated lately? Consider taking a moment to talk to God about it. He feels your hurts and grieves your losses alongside you. • Especially when things don’t seem to be going right, how could it be freeing to rely on God to give purpose and meaning to your life and to provide for all your needs? What might it look like for you to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”? (Matthew 6:33; 22:36-40) “Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25b (CSB) 

READ: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11; JAMES 1:19-20 I had just entered my first summer in Romania as a missionary, and one morning I discovered a stranger at my apartment door spouting words I didn’t understand. To give some background information, the city had recently turned off the hot water to our apartment buildings, and this lasted for a month over that season. Lack of hot water created a challenge when it came to taking showers. So, instead of using the shower, my roommate and I decided to run cold water from the faucet into the bathtub, and then pour in hot water we boiled on the stove to create a comfortable temperature for baths. It seemed to work—until my downstairs neighbor appeared banging angrily on our door. I couldn’t understand much of what he said except “water” and “down.” Then I realized the water that was draining from our bathtub had been leaking from the pipes into his apartment below. Before, the shower must not have had the same effect since the slow stream of water dripped down the drain gradually. But a full bathtub being un-stoppered, sending gallons of water out all at once? I grasped how this might cause a problem. So, during the rest of that month, I would drain the tub throughout an entire day, pulling the plug out and then plunging it right back in over and over. It must have worked; the downstairs neighbor never returned. To solve the problem of the leaky bathtub, I needed to take on a posture of humble listening. Jesus Himself listened to questions from His disciples, challenges from Pharisees, and cries from those longing to be healed—and He still listens to us today. When we trust in Jesus and all He’s done to bring us into a relationship with God, He also empowers us to take on His humility. Even though Jesus had all the answers (He is God, after all) He still took time to listen and respond to people’s needs. He humbled Himself even to the point of dying on the cross for us so He could meet our greatest need: to be rescued from sin and death. When we consider others’ needs—as Jesus considers ours—we can show the loving humility of Christ. • Allison Wilson Lee • How is a listening posture also a Christlike posture? How could remembering that Jesus listens to us make it easier for us to listen to others? • If what we’re doing hurts others, God calls us to stop, listen, and carefully consider how to change what we’ve been doing. Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you discern God’s guidance as you navigate situations like these? In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 6:4-11; COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 Do you have a favorite book or movie that you like to read or watch over and over? Do you ever find yourself wishing you were part of the story? It can be fun to get wrapped up in a good story and imagine ourselves in it. And let’s not forget the epic story we’re already part of—the story of how Jesus saved the world from sin and death and how He will one day make everything right. That story is real, and it’s the greatest story of all. To understand where we are in this massive story, it can help to think about it in four main parts: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. In the beginning, God created all things good—including us. But at the fall, when humanity rejected God to go our own way, sin and brokenness came into the world and fractured God’s creation in deep ways. God was heartbroken, yet His love for us and for the rest of His creation was undaunted. He was determined to bring about redemption so His people could be near Him, and all creation could be made whole once again. The way He brought this redemption is the climax of the story: Jesus, who is God the Son, came and lived among us. When Jesus willingly died on the cross, He conquered sin. And when He rose from the dead, He vanquished death, so everyone who trusts in Him could have eternal life. Now, we live as forgiven people in this in-between space after Jesus has come the first time, before He comes again. We’re looking forward to the final restoration Jesus will bring when He returns, raises us from the dead, rights every wrong, and heals every brokenness. And as we wait, we have purposeful work to do. God invites us to join with Him in sharing the good news of His great story, all the while bringing restoration to the areas of brokenness we find around us. It’s amazing that we are part of God’s story, and that it’s all true. It’s not a story about made-up characters—Jesus is real, and His story is our story. When things are looking bleak, we can remember how the story ends: with Jesus getting rid of sin forever and making the whole world new. In a way, every story connects to this great one, echoing themes like betrayal, rescue, self-sacrifice, true love, and beautiful restoration. As we face the ups and downs of life in a broken world, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s story has the best ending of all. • A. W. Smith • Have you ever thought of your life as part of God’s epic story? How could this truth give us comfort and purpose through good times and bad? (For more about God’s story, see our "Know Jesus" page.) Since we have been united with him [Jesus] in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. Romans 6:5 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 34:15-18; 139:7-12; HEBREWS 13:5 When it all slips away When I am left alone The darkness surrounds me I feel like hiding When it all gets too heavy When life is hard to bear The world is too much for me I remember I’m not alone My Savior is with me He knows my pain My God does not forsake me No matter how hard life gets God loves me and heals me He helps me when I’m weak God is always near me I don’t need to be afraid • Bethany Acker • Even when we feel alone and overwhelmed, God is always there. He will never forsake us in our pain. He is always eager to help us. Can you think of a time you were comforted by God’s presence with you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. If nothing comes to mind, you can ask Him for this anytime. He loves to answer these prayers. • Jesus invites us to tell Him about all the things that are weighing on us. He sits beside us in our pain and weeps with us. Consider taking a moment to bring Him any burdens that come to mind. • In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to, people who will listen to you and help shoulder your heavy burdens and bring them to Jesus? (Galatians 6:2) If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (CSB) 

READ: MATTHEW 25:35-40; LUKE 2:15-20 Do you ever get that bored, depressed, or letdown feeling after Christmas ends? When all the fun and festivities come to a close and we wait for the new year to begin, it can be a bit, well, boring. But boredom can be a really cool opportunity to show Jesus’s love. Think about your community. Other people may be feeling bored, depressed, or let down too, especially people who can’t get around easily, like those who are sick and can’t leave their home, whether that be an apartment, a house, an assisted living residence, or a hospital. Sometimes, these people in our communities get lots of attention before Christmas—carolers, visitors, programs, and so on. But when Christmas is over, they may be extra lonely. If you have some extra time, one option could be doing some research and finding out the best ways to serve these people at a time when they may be especially forgotten. In a way, getting out in our communities and showing Jesus’s love has some similarities to what the shepherds did when Jesus was born. After seeing the baby Jesus—after the very first Christmas—they went and told others about Him, declaring His love for the world. So during this year’s after-Christmas lull, consider how you might show Jesus’s amazing love to your neighbors! Christmas may be over, but we still have the opportunity to remember how Jesus came to save us, and we can keep sharing His love with others. • A. W. Smith • What people in your community (groups or individuals) might be feeling especially lonely during the after-Christmas lull? Are you feeling especially lonely this year? Consider taking a moment to ask God for ideas of ways to share Jesus’s love with the neighbors around you. • If you’d like to help people in your community, do you know of any organizations that are already helping? How could you find out more about them and learn from the work that’s already being done? After doing some research or talking to people from an organization, if you decide this is a place you’d like to serve, follow the steps for volunteering that they’ve set out. In this very tangible way, you can show the love of Jesus in your community! After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. Luke 2:17 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 2:1-12; 2 CORINTHIANS 9:15; JAMES 1:17 Galumph, galumph. The magi had been traveling for weeks. Nothing but sand under their feet and stars in the sky above. Though the heavens were scattered with twinkling stars, one stood out amongst them all. The star. The one leading them to the King of the Jews. It would be unthinkable to come empty-handed. So, before setting out, they had contemplated what gifts would befit this king. “Gold, of course,” confirmed one. “Frankincense would honor his purity,” suggested another. A third observed, “Great power brings great responsibility—and suffering. It is troublesome to be a ruler. Myrrh would sweeten his reign.” So, it was settled. The magi were on their way, pursuing the mysterious star that had appeared many months before. By now the sky had darkened, and the guiding star directed them. Slowly they advanced, until they reached a humble abode on the outskirts of Bethlehem town. Cautiously, they alighted from their saddles, and taking their costly cargo, made their way to the entrance. The carpenter Joseph invited them inside. The Child, asleep in His mother’s arms, soon awakened and with a wide-eyed expression watched the magi humbly bow before Him. They presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For a few minutes, the room was filled with an unmistakable radiance. Slowly, the magi rose from their knees and, filled with wonder, stepped quietly out the door and into the night. • Jarm Del Boccio • Today’s story is how one author imagines the events described in Matthew 2:1-12. Consider taking some time to read this passage for yourself and imagine what it might have been like for the magi to search for and find Jesus (probably months or years after his birth). What do you notice? What questions do you have? • While the Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about the magi, some believe they were a priestly tribe of an ancient people called the Medes, in the part of the world where Iran and Iraq are now. The magi were very well educated in astronomy and mathematics and very powerful politically. One of the main jobs of the magi was to crown kings. So, by causing a star to rise, God led these ancient magi to proclaim Jesus as King, and their gifts reflect this. Why is it important for us to know that Jesus is the true King? • How is Jesus different from other kings? (Hint: Read all of Matthew 2 and look at King Herod.) • Have you ever wondered why the magi chose to bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? While the Bible doesn’t tell us specifically, we can find some interesting connections throughout Scripture (Exodus 30:6-9, 34-38; 30:22-33; 1 Kings 7:48-51). For example, the only other place in the Bible where we find the combination of myrrh and frankincense is in Song of Songs 4:6, 14 in the context of the king and his bride. Jesus is the King of Kings, and the church (all Christians everywhere) is His bride. Jesus came to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) so that we could be forgiven and united with Him as His bride, and so that His good reign could extend over all creation. If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 4:2-5; EXODUS 3:1-4; 1 SAMUEL 16:11-13; LUKE 2:8-20 Shepherds couldn’t even testify in a court of law. That’s how much people looked down on us. They assumed we were liars. I hated that. Not to mention we were too dirty and “unclean” to enter the temple because we cared for animals, dealing with their manure and blood. But even worse was how people avoided me. They seemed to forget everyone needed lambs for the temple sacrifices. And sheep need to be led and protected. They sometimes do incredibly stupid things. Whenever I complained, my older brother reminded me of our ancestors. “Remember Abel and Moses? They kept sheep. So did Jacob. And David was a shepherd before he was king.” Try telling that to the townspeople who held their noses when I passed by! Then one night, everything changed. We were out in the fields tending our flocks when suddenly a bright light split open the night sky. I froze. Some of the other shepherds fell to the ground in fear. My brother trembled as he drew me close. “An angel,” he whispered. Then the angel spoke: “Don’t be afraid!” How was that even possible? My knees couldn’t stop shaking. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” All people? Even shepherds? Even me? Suddenly, a whole multitude of angels appeared. They were singing, “Glory to God in highest heaven.” Then the angels disappeared as quickly as they’d come. But they’d given us instructions. Where to go. What to look for. “Hurry!” my brother took hold of my arm. “We’ve got to go to Bethlehem.” I protested, “But what about the sheep? Won’t they be in danger?” He shook his head. “If God tells us to go, we need to go. He can protect our sheep until we get back. The Messiah is here!” • Carol Raj • This story is how one author imagines what it might’ve been like for the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20. Jesus, the Savior of the world and bringer of peace, came for all people—including those society casts out. What can this Bible passage reveal about who God is and how He sees us? • Like the shepherds might’ve worried about leaving the sheep, we can often fall into believing our responsibilities matter more than resting in the good news of Jesus’s love and forgiveness that He’s given us through His death and resurrection. God gives us opportunities to experience His vast love for us, but we’re often tempted to prioritize other things. What might those things be for you? Consider taking a moment to pray about whatever comes to mind. You can rely on the Holy Spirit to help you surrender all these things to God and receive what He has for you. “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14 (NLT) 

READ: LUKE 15:11-32; ROMANS 5:6-8; 15:7; 1 JOHN 4:9 As a kid, the one thing I wanted for Christmas—every Christmas—was a puppy. Sometimes a collie, sometimes a German shepherd, sometimes a cocker spaniel. But always a puppy. Every year I got what was second on my list. One year it was the doll I wanted. One year it was a wristwatch. But never my puppy. Looking back on those days, it’s obvious to me that it wasn’t a puppy I wanted at all. It was love. Someone to happily greet me—no matter what mischief I had been into that morning. Someone to follow me everywhere—even when my best friend wasn’t speaking to me. Love. It wasn’t until years later that I learned every Christmas is a reminder of love. Real love. Love that will never die. Love that accepts me with all my faults. Love that will never let go. The love of Jesus. God took on human flesh and lived among us. He humbled Himself to be born where the animals were kept. Imagine! Livestock bleating and pooping and chewing their cuds. It was probably noisy and smelly, but He came with one purpose in mind: to die on the cross. An excruciating death. For me! For you! For people who did not deserve to even untie the straps of His sandals (Luke 3:16). He would lay down His life. But that wouldn’t be the end. After three days in a tomb, He would rise from the grave, defeating sin and death so everyone who trusts in Him could live with God forever. That love remains. The love of Jesus for this world He created and bodily inhabited—and will return to one day. His love for you. His love for me. Much greater than the love any puppy or any person could give. A love that will never die. A love we can never lose. • Carol Raj • Can you remember a time you felt truly loved and accepted? What was it like? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • We all want love. We want to know we are loved. We want to be told we are loved. We need to believe we are loved. The good news is, that’s who Jesus is for us. He assures us of God’s love. God longs to accept us into His family, and He made this possible through Jesus’s death and resurrection. His desire is for everyone to know His unending love through trusting in Jesus (Psalm 136:1; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). If you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) 

READ: MICAH 5:1-4; MATTHEW 2:1-6; LUKE 2:1-15 Are you a detail-oriented person? Some people are, some people aren’t, and some people—like me—can be if it’s something they care about. Did you know God cares about the details? All the way back in the writings of the prophet Micah, He left us specific details about a ruler who would be coming. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This ruler of Israel is Jesus. Even though this verse was written hundreds of years before Jesus came, Micah says the promised ruler would be born in Bethlehem… and that’s exactly where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1). Even more specific than that, Micah outlines that He would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah. There were two different cities called Bethlehem—one in the north, near Nazareth, and one in the south, near Jerusalem. Bethlehem Ephrathah is the one near Jerusalem, and it had special significance as the town of David (Luke 2:4). Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, was a descendent of David, and that’s why Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem when Caesar decreed that everyone must be registered in a census. Isn’t it amazing how God works through all the details to unfold His great story? Micah described a ruler who would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah and “shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord” (Micah 5:4). Approximately 700 years later, Jesus revealed that He is the Good Shepherd, who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Since Jesus died for us and rose from the grave, everyone who puts their trust in Him gets to look forward to the day our great Ruler-Shepherd will return, and we “will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth” (Micah 5:4). And even now, we can rest knowing that God cares about every detail—in the Bible and in our lives. • Kimberly Brokish • How can looking at Old Testament promises help us understand who Jesus is and what His life, death, and resurrection mean for us? (If you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV) 

READ: 2 KINGS 6:8-23; PSALM 135:5-6 Wars, earthquakes, crime—all kinds of awful things are going on in the world. Sometimes it seems like there’s only bad news. But when things look bleak in our broken world, we can have hope as we remember that Jesus is coming back one day, and when He does, He’s going to destroy sin and death forever, and the world will no longer be a scary place. Instead, Jesus will make everything new and beautiful. Even now, He is working all things “for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” and all along the way, He is transforming us to be more and more like Him (Romans 8:28-29). Yes, the sin and death we see in our world are powerful forces. But they are not nearly as powerful as God. That’s something Elisha’s servant witnessed firsthand in 2 Kings 6. A strong force of soldiers with horses and chariots were about to attack Elisha, and his servant was terrified—until God opened his eyes so he could see the large number of angels God had sent to guard them. In a similar way, when we see all the chaos and evil things happening around us, it can seem like the world is beyond repair, like there’s no hope. But the One who is in us is greater than all the powers of evil (1 John 4:4). When things look dark, the Holy Spirit reminds us that Jesus will never abandon us, and He will make everything right one day. Because He is always with us, we don’t need to be afraid. We can trust Him no matter what happens. While we shouldn’t close our eyes to the problems in the world, we can also open our eyes to the power and promises of Jesus. He won’t ever leave us alone in this dark world. He will comfort us and strengthen us to take part in the good work He is doing, even in the places that seem broken beyond repair. Jesus is working all things for His good purposes, and because He died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can know that His victory is certain. • A. W. Smith • What things scare you the most about our world? Who are trusted people you could talk to about those things—such as friends, parents, pastors, therapists, teachers, etc.? • What are some tangible ways you’d like to show the love of Jesus in the midst of the brokenness of our world? …the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4b (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 2:4-7; JOHN 1:1-18 Christmas tends to get a lot of hype as far as holidays go. I love the holiday personally. It’s a time when I get to celebrate with my family, share presents, and eat good food. It’s also a time I get to remember the story about how God became a human. After living through 25 Christmases, I’ve noticed the same themes tend to pop up. I hear stories about Mary and Joseph and how difficult their journey was. I hear about shepherds, magi, or angels. Of course, Jesus is the star of it all—well, not the literal star the magi followed, but still. Baby Jesus is the center of our attention in the manger. As the song “Away in a Manger” goes, “The cattle are lowing / the Baby awakes / but little Lord Jesus / no crying He makes.” But that’s not true. Jesus did cry. He probably cried a lot during the first few years of His life. Because He was fully human. That’s the amazing part of the Christmas story! God becoming a human being and living among other humans. He cried, was hungry, felt sad, got tired…all the same experiences we have. To me, this is what makes Christmas so miraculous. Yes, Jesus’s conception was miraculous too—He was conceived through the Holy Spirit, not by a human father (Matthew 1:20, 25; Luke 1:34-35). But the fact that God came down to earth to be with humankind and live a human life amazes me. God the Father sending God the Son to earth, as a human, shows how much love and compassion our God has. And Jesus wanted to come, not just to live among us, but ultimately to die on the cross in our place—and then rise from the grave—so that everyone who trusts in Him can live with God forever. He loves us that much. Other gods of the day would demand human sacrifices, but we have a God who became the sacrifice Himself, on our behalf. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you ever thought about what it means that Jesus became human? Why is Jesus being fully human and fully God central to the meaning of Christmas? • What is something Jesus did in Scripture that humanizes Him to you? The Bible tells us Jesus experienced crying, hunger, sadness, tiredness…He did not withhold Himself from any part of human life. (If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 53:2-3; Matthew 26:36-39; Mark 11:12; 14:32-36; Luke 4:1-2; 19:41; 22:39-44; John 4:6; 11:35; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7.) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 62:5-12; MATTHEW 2:1-11; LUKE 2:1-7 From the time we’re young, Christmas can leave us feeling disappointed. As a little kid, you might have longed for a certain gift and gone without it. You might have hoped a family member would be around to celebrate the holiday season with you and found that they were too busy with work or they weren’t able to travel because of weather or sickness. Maybe you hoped Christmas would be more magical than it was, and you ended up feeling disappointed and hurt. As we get older, Christmas can still disappoint us. After all the special foods are eaten, the favorite stories are shared, and the presents get unwrapped, we might be left with a hollow feeling, like “That’s it?” It seems like Christmas should continue on and be something more. When we look closely at the Christmas story, we find that the birth of Jesus was a disappointment from many perspectives. People expected the Messiah—God’s promised Rescuer—to be a great and mighty king. No one expected Him to be born into a poor, unremarkable family and laid in a manger. It’s not surprising then that God works through disappointments. So, when we feel let down during the holiday season, we can take comfort in God’s presence with us—His humble and unexpected presence. After all, Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). When the people in our lives fail to show up in the ways we hope they will, and when traditions fail to be enough, we can lean in to Jesus. He will always be there for us, surprising us with all that He does for us. When gifts leave us disappointed, we can look to the perfect gift He gave us—Himself. Because Jesus came and lived among us, ultimately dying on the cross for us and rising from the grave, we can know that God will always be there for us, in the busy holiday season and all throughout the year. God loves us, and no matter what disappointments we experience, we can celebrate Him this Christmas. • Emily Acker • What are some disappointments you’ve experienced around Christmas time, either this year or in the past? Consider taking a moment to lament, sharing these disappointments with Jesus. • Maybe this Christmas isn’t like you expected or hoped it would be, but it can still be good. God helps us be present and enjoy what there is to be enjoyed, and He often surprises us with good gifts. What good gifts might God be inviting you to enjoy this holiday season? (James 1:17) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 1:26-56; 2:1-35; 1 TIMOTHY 4:12 In Luke 1, when the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Mary was probably no more than sixteen. As if the angel wasn’t terrifying enough, he also brought distressing news: she—still a virgin and engaged to be married—would soon become pregnant with the Son of the Most High God. Talk about rocking your world! Things were different then, and Mary would not have been considered too young to become a mother, as Jewish women often became engaged in their teens. Yet Mary was understandably “confused and disturbed” (Luke 1:29). Just imagine being in her shoes…what would you say? To Joseph? To your parents? To anyone? I mean, angels only spoke to prominent people, right? Yet Mary’s response to Gabriel revealed a remarkable faith and a humble heart: “I am the Lord’s servant,” she replied, “May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke 1:38). To understand how astonishing Mary’s faith was, let’s take a moment to contrast her response with the responses of others (adults, no less) who God also called to do frightening tasks. For example, Moses and Gideon reacted with protests and excuses when God called them to lead His people and deliver them from their oppressors (Exodus 3–4; Judges 6–7). On the other hand, when God offered Mary the opportunity to participate in His story of deliverance, she not only responded to God willingly, she also offered Him her heartfelt praise. Listen as Mary breaks out in song while visiting her cousin Elizabeth: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!…For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me” (Luke 1:46-49). The next time we’re faced with frightening circumstances, let’s turn to God in faith as Mary did, relying on God’s power instead of looking at our own limits, and join in her joyful song. • G. Kam Congleton • When God invites us to be part of His good work of deliverance and restoration, it can often be frightening. Yet, through the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to do everything He calls us to do. There is great joy in saying “yes” to His invitations! How could Mary’s story, and the way God did seemingly impossible things in her life, give us courage when we face frightening situations? Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38a (NLT) 

READ: GALATIANS 4:4-5; REVELATION 21:1-5 When He came the first time The world was in dire need Arriving as a newborn baby Not atop a gallant steed This might come to some’s surprise The way He came to us But, Jesus comes with power and love Not with pompous fuss When He came the first time He changed the world forever Now those who trust in Him are His And His love for us He will not sever But, do you know something? He’s coming back again! Just imagine how the world will change Then • Molly McTernan • The word advent means “important arrival.” In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many Christians observe the season of Advent as a time to remember how Jesus came to earth the first time as a baby, and how He will come a second time to make all things new and dwell with His people forever. Even if the Christmas story is familiar to you, consider taking some time to think about how Jesus came the first time(Matthew 1:18–2:15; Luke 2:1-7). In what ways was His arrival surprising? Why do you think God the Father decided to send God the Son in such a humble way? • What changed after Jesus came and lived among us, ultimately dying on the cross for us and rising from the grave? And how will the world change even more when Jesus returns? (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (CSB) 

READ: ISAIAH 9:1-7; MATTHEW 1:18-23 God with us. Closer than our very breath, YH-WH, “I am,” here (Exodus 3:14). From the seeking of humanity in the Garden of Eden, when we first sinned and God called to us, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). To the seeking in the desert, when the Lord spoke to Hagar and she said: “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:8-13). To the pivotal moment of Love come down in the manger. “Immanuel…‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23). All the way to the cross, where Immanuel gave up His life and said, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). The whole of history is this beautiful chase. God creating, bending, heart-rending. God reaching, earth crying, hearts breaking, long waiting until the promise was fulfilled: God with us here, now, always. You can trace the line of promises kept from the Garden to the Flood, from the Manger to the Cross, from the Resurrection to the Ascension. And then, a mighty, rushing wind; tongues of holy flame settling on and always in—the Holy Spirit with us (Acts 2:2-4). Our Advocate, Helper, Teacher, Comforter—God in us (John 14:16-17, 26). God with us wherever we go, God in our midst, God dwelling in us, God among us. All we need, always, even as we wait until He comes again. Lord, thank you for coming to us in our need and brokenness. You came from glory and perfection to mire and destruction. You came as the Light in the darkness to set the captives free and to dwell among us—and in us. You are Immanuel. We are not forsaken. We are not alone. There is no need for striving, for working to attain—in Jesus, it’s already done. Risen from the dead, coming back again. The greatest gift is God with us: You came for love. Today, may we rest and believe that You are more than enough. • Savannah Coleman • At Christmas, we remember how Jesus came and lived among us. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). How can looking at God’s pursuit of us throughout the Bible help us more fully understand the significance of Jesus’s coming? How has Jesus revealed God’s never-ending love for us? (Find out more about why Jesus came on our "Know Jesus" page.) • If you want to dig deeper, read Joshua 1:9; Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 28:20; John 1:5, 14. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 39:4-7; 90:1-17 When I was young, my family would visit my grandmother 750 miles away, and at night, she would sit with me on her lap and read from her Bible and tell stories of her life. She often said, “It wasn’t long ago I was your age.” I would look at her gray hair and wrinkles, in disbelief that she could think that. She was in her fifties. For me, a lifetime passed just waiting for Christmas. Fast forward to my senior year in high school. I was driving home from a school activity, thinking about my future and what I might want to do in college. I had always wanted to take ballet, but my parents never would pay for lessons. Should I take ballet in college? Then it occurred to me: I was 17, too old to start a career in ballet. Already, the chance to seize some of life’s opportunities had passed. In that sobering moment, I realized time gets spent whether or not we know how we want to spend it. As our time passes, opportunities come and go. But I know I get to spend eternity with God, who loves me so much He sent Jesus to die and rise again to make the way for me to dwell with Him forever. If we know Jesus, we have a confident hope that He will return to resurrect us from the dead so we can live with Him forever in restored creation. Because of that hope, we can participate in God’s kingdom here and now with joy instead of fear. After I realized how quickly time passes, I began thinking about how to best use the skills and interests God gave me to further His work and make the most of my time. The work God is doing is wonderful, and it’s a blessing to get to be part of it. We don’t know how long this life will be or when Jesus will return, but we do know that God is at work in every moment of our lives, and He invites and equips us to participate in that good work. • Ronica Stromberg • It can be disappointing to miss out on opportunities. But God is with us in these times, and our disappointments matter to Him. Have you been disappointed by a missed opportunity lately? Consider taking a moment to bring this to God in prayer. • God has given all of us skills, talents, and abilities that we can use as we participate in His kingdom. What skills, talents, and abilities has He given you? If you’re not sure, who is a trusted Christian who could help you find out—such as a pastor, parent, youth leader, or counselor? Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 2:25-35 Long ago, God promised Simeon that before he died, he would see the Messiah. And so, Simeon waited. I imagine that, as he grew in years and felt his physical strength lessen, Simeon became weary of anticipating and expecting. The Bible tells us that Simeon looked forward to “Israel’s consolation” (Luke 2:25). No doubt Simeon saw the trials of the nation around him and wondered when God would finally fulfill His promise—when the Messiah would finally come and crush the enemy to the ground (Genesis 3:15). But still, Simeon waited. At some point in our lives, we all wait for something. Sometimes it’s a new job, a relationship, acceptance into college, physical healing, or new friends. Or maybe it’s simply waiting for God to reveal the next step in our lives. But because God is good, gracious, and sovereign, we can trust that He will be with us in the waiting. As we read through the stories in the Bible we see that, time and time again, whether it’s a covenant to an entire nation or a promise to a single person, our God tells the truth and keeps His word. We know that people don’t always keep their promises, and sometimes we have a hard time trusting because others have broken that trust in the past. But because of who God is and all that He has done, we can count on His words completely and fully. God didn’t leave Simeon in a time of expectation forever. In Luke 2:28 we see that one day Simeon finally held the newborn Messiah in his very own arms. As he looked into the face of Jesus Himself, Simeon lifted up praise to God, the Promise Keeper. • Katherine Billingsley • Can you think of a time you had to wait for something that was important to you? Are you in a time of waiting right now? Consider taking a moment to tell God about what you’re longing for. Even in the waiting, we can rest in His abiding love and constant presence with us. • It can be helpful to remember that, even if the things we long for don’t happen, we can rely on Jesus’s promise to return and make all things new. Then all our longings will be fulfilled in His wonderful presence (Revelation 21:1-5). How can we find comfort in the fact that God never breaks a promise? “…and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you.” Joshua 23:14b (CSB)  

READ: EPHESIANS 6:10-20 If you live in a part of the world where the winters get cold and snowy, you’re probably used to putting on layers of warm clothes before venturing outside. Hats, mittens, coats, and boots protect us from the cold and wind, and they can also help us understand today’s Bible passage. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul urges the Christians in Ephesus to “put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (verse 11). Paul goes on to describe each piece of God’s armor, echoing the words of Isaiah 59:17, when the Lord “put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.” This Old Testament passage ends with a promise: the Redeemer—who we now know is Jesus—would come to save everyone who turns from their sins, and God’s Spirit would never leave them. So, why do we need God’s armor if He has already come to redeem us and defeat sin and death for us? Well, until Jesus returns to fully restore our broken world, life can get pretty cold and harsh. But God doesn’t abandon us to shiver and get frost-bitten. He gives us His armor. In fact, Jesus gifts us Himself as our armor, inviting us to depend on who He is and what He’s done for us. Just like we need plenty of clothing for protection against winter weather, Christians have the armor of God to protect us from the lies of the enemy. Just like your hat protects your head and your gloves keep your hands warm, each piece of God’s armor protects us in a different way against the lies we might be tempted to believe. God’s armor reminds us we belong to Jesus and we don’t have to give in to any temptation we might face. Instead, we can rely on God’s power to live in a way that reflects our love for God and our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40). So today, whether it’s cold where you live or not, consider taking some time to reread Ephesians 6:10-20. As you do, think about each part of the armor. Notice how God compares truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—which are all given to us in the gospel—to various pieces of armor soldiers needed. And remember, you can rest knowing that, in Jesus, you have all the protection you need against the lies you might hear. • A. W. Smith • What questions do you have about the armor of God? What piece sticks out to you most today? • What lies do you tend to believe about yourself? How can God’s armor remind us of who we are in Jesus— how beloved and how empowered we truly are? (Ephesians 1:3-23) Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 25:16-18; 1 PETER 1:3-13 Lonely, sad, life isn’t what I hoped Desperate, scared, I feel alone No one is for me, I stand by myself Many are against me, I can’t face them I need mercy, need someone to help I need strength, need to be held I cannot go forward on my own I turn now to cry to You, my God When troubles are big, my heart sad I know You notice and You care When anxiety is great, fears large I know that You offer me peace Going forward, I need You with me Give me peace, show me mercy I need You here, my great God Do not leave me to handle all alone • Emily Acker • Today’s poem is written in the style of a lament psalm. Lament is the practice of honestly bringing our hurts to God, and it’s a vital part of the Christian life. God knows our hurts, and because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can freely bring them to Him in prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16). Lamenting reminds us that Jesus cares about our pain, and He’s going to do something about it—either now or when He returns to make all things new. Consider taking some time to write your own lament, telling God about the things that have left you feeling hurt, disappointed, frustrated, afraid, or demoralized lately. For more examples of lament psalms, check out Psalms 13, 38, 42, 43, 88, or 130. • We all go through times when our problems feel overwhelming and God feels far away. But as Christians, we can know that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). We can rest in this sure hope: that because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we belong to God and He is always with us. Do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you of God’s nearness, love, and power in difficult times? • Have you ever felt depressed? Depression causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. God created the world good, but when humans went their own way against God, the result was death and decay and sickness—including depression. But God has not left us alone in our struggles. He has compassion on us, and He came to live among us and, ultimately, to heal the world of all brokenness. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have the sure hope that Jesus will return to restore His creation—and, as His forgiven followers, we will get to live with Him forever. Then we will finally be free from sin, death, and every kind of brokenness. As we wait for that glorious day, Jesus is with us. He identifies with us in our struggles, feels our sorrows as His own, and weeps alongside us. • God does not want us to face depression—or any other kind of brokenness—alone. Christians can bring each other hope and comfort in hard times, pointing each other to Jesus. When you are struggling, who can you reach out to? If you know someone who is hurting, how could you come alongside them? • If you have been feeling depressed, who is a trusted adult you can talk to, such as a therapist, parent, pastor, or teacher? If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his gre

READ: ACTS 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:25-26 For a few years, my family and I lived near enough to our church’s meeting location that we could bike to church services. The youngest ones, too little to bike any distance, could ride in a bike trailer behind a grown-up’s bicycle. I was too big for the trailer, but I didn’t have a bike of my own. Sometimes I would try to keep up with my family on a scooter. That was hard work, though, and I couldn’t scooter fast enough to stay with the rest of the family for long. However, a couple at our church—Ted and Kim—noticed our dilemma and decided to help. They owned a bike that would suit my size, and they weren’t using it at the time. Ted and Kim didn’t ask my family to pay for the bike; they simply gave it to me. And thanks to that gift, my family enjoyed many hours of outdoor time, including biking to church together. In the book of Acts, we see people during the time of the early church who were radically changed by the forgiveness and new life they were experiencing in Jesus, and they shared what they had with one another—just like how Ted and Kim gave that bike to me. The Christ followers described in Acts gave generously to one another, sharing in one another’s needs by helping to meet those needs. This kind of love for others is a gift from God, the natural overflow of His enormous love for us (1 John 4:19). As we consider how to live out our faith in Jesus, the One who rescued us from the punishment our sins deserve and brought us into a relationship with God, we can look to the early believers as an example—and then look for people in our lives who might need the exact thing we can share—all the while looking to Jesus, the One who is so generous to us. • Allison Wilson Lee • When Jesus came and lived among us, He not only showed that God cares about our needs, but He also identified with our needs. God humbled Himself to experience pain and lack firsthand, ultimately dying on the cross for us, so that we could be with Him forever and share in the abundance of the new heavens and earth with Him. As we wait in hope for Jesus’s return, we can catch glimpses of the restoration He is bringing when we see people who have been changed by His love and the power of His resurrection who are giving generously to one another. Can you think of a time someone stepped in to help when you had a need? What was that like? • Consider taking a moment to pray, thanking God for His generous love and asking Him for ideas of how you could share with someone who could benefit from what you have to offer. All the believers…shared everything they had. Acts 4:32 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 53; LUKE 2:1-21 Listen. Can you hear it? That whisper of hope on the horizon? The echoes of an infant King born in a manger. The culmination of hundreds of years of prophecy born in a tiny babe in Bethlehem— Immanuel, God with us. The rush of the season, the crush of life— expectations from within and without. How will we hear if we don’t choose to be still and listen? Advent is about hoping, waiting, rejoicing. Being present to the One who presented His One and Only Son as the one-time atonement for our sins. Being present to the One who is after only one thing: your heart. Colorful lights wink on an evergreen tree. Let it be a reminder of the Light of the World, who gave up His life for you on a tree fashioned into a cross. But that thrill of hope? It’s not an illusion. The Light of the world is still shining—Jesus is alive! Love was born The veil was torn Death was defeated! Listen to the promise: He’s coming again. It may be hard right now. Your mind and body may be weary. Wait in hope! The One who came as a baby will, in the twinkling of an eye, come back to make all things new, to raise us from the dead, to make His home among His people. Then, we will be with Him forever. • Savannah Coleman • As we wait for Christmas day during the season of Advent (which means “important arrival”), we have an opportunity to turn our hearts to the coming of a baby in a manger, the Savior of the world. Beyond the birth of our King, Advent is also a time of preparation for His second coming, when He will return to earth and make all things new. Even as we wait for that glorious day, He calls us to be attentive to His presence with us, here and now. When Jesus took His final breath on the cross, at that very moment the veil in the temple (that separated the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence was, from the rest of the temple) was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). Jesus came because God wanted to be with us, so much so that He was willing to die for us! Then He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever. Now nothing can separate us from His love. How can you prepare your heart to focus on the presence of God today? • If you want to dig deeper, read Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:22-23; John 8:12; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NIV)  

READ: JOHN 14:6; TITUS 2:10-14 Have you ever helped decorate a Christmas tree? In many families, this is a yearly tradition, especially in the United States of America. Some families even like to add new ornaments every year! In some cases, each person will make their own ornament, or the family will go to a store together and have each family member pick out one new ornament. Then, they’ll put all the ornaments on the family Christmas tree. What really makes a tradition like this fun is the way the unique personality of each family member comes out in the ornaments each person makes or chooses—in how each person helps decorate the tree. In a way, Christians are kind of like Christmas tree ornaments. In Titus 2:10, Paul says that God’s people “adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.” To adorn basically means to decorate. Just like each Christmas tree ornament is different but decorates the same tree, each Christian has different talents, interests, and life circumstances, but we all represent the same truth—that Jesus loves us, and He died and rose again to save us from sin and death. God’s truth is already beautiful on its own, similar to how an evergreen tree is beautiful even without any ornaments. And yet, God calls us each to decorate His truth to help others see just how beautiful it is. In fact, God says we are part of the beauty of His gospel, or good news. The gospel isn’t just words on a page—the gospel is demonstrated in our lives. When we share what Jesus has done for us and use our gifts, personalities, and the various things we do to express our love for Him and others, we put the beauty of His love and grace on display for all to see. In Titus 2, Paul writes about all kinds of Christians, each with unique circumstances and abilities. If you know Jesus, you can show others His love wherever you are by using the gifts He has given you. So the next time you see a Christmas tree, think about how you can “adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things” (Titus 2:10) and point others to the beauty of Jesus. • A. W. Smith • Throughout the Bible, we see how God both calls and empowers His people to do good works (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14). It’s fun to notice how God made every person unique, and so the ways we do these good works will also be unique! What are some of your talents, gifts, and interests? How could those things in your life be like ornaments that decorate God’s message of hope in Jesus? …they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. Titus 2:10b (WEB) 

READ: MATTHEW 7:1-5; JAMES 4:11-12 It’s such an easy temptation. How quick we as humans are to make judgments by pointing a finger at someone else instead of looking at the problems in our own lives. It can be so easy to criticize the way other people live. When was the last time you found yourself judging others for the things they do that are different from what you think is right? It’s easier to point out other people’s shortcomings instead of our own, isn’t it? But that’s not how Jesus calls us to live. He died on the cross and rose from the grave for all sin—including yours—and He’s the only One who can judge. He calls us to focus on living our own lives and leave the judgment to Him. But what if we see somebody do something wrong? you might ask. We have to make judgments sometimes, don’t we? Yes, there are times when we need to confront others about wrongdoing or tell someone in authority so they can help—especially if a person’s actions will hurt themselves or someone else. But that doesn’t give us a right to put ourselves above someone else, to think of ourselves as better than other people because the sins they struggle with might be different from the sins we struggle with. The fact is, we all desperately need Jesus—He’s the only perfect person who’s ever lived. He’s the only One who never sinned, and His death and resurrection is the only way we can be forgiven and restored to relationship with God. Let’s not lose sight of this good news by pointing fingers at each other. Instead, let’s remember that God desires to bring us close to Himself, to heal our lives from sin, and to make us new. We need to leave the judging up to Him…because He is the only just Judge. • A. W. Smith • Are there sins you find easier to judge? Why do you think that is? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this. • How can knowing that Jesus is a just Judge give us comfort when we see things go so wrong in our broken world? • How can knowing that Jesus will right every wrong when He returns help us love our neighbors like Jesus loves us? (1 John 4:19) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you— who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 1:26-56 At the time of Jesus’s birth, most Jews would have known the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, including a young virgin from the town of Nazareth named Mary. Then one day, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that God was going to bring the Messiah into the world…through her. He said, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Through the Holy Spirit, a virgin would become pregnant. I wonder what happened after Gabriel left. Perhaps Mary sat down to think about what just happened. Maybe she needed a moment to process all this. Was she really chosen to give birth to the Messiah—the same Rescuer that had been promised generations before? Scripture doesn’t tell us what came flooding into her mind at that moment. Was she overwhelmed with excitement or filled with a calm sense of peace? What we do know is that the next thing Mary did was go to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She found Elizabeth pregnant, just as the angel had said, “Your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month” (verse 36). The two women rejoiced together! But after three months, Mary returned home to some very difficult situations. Here’s the problem: Mary was engaged to Joseph, and in ancient Jewish culture they would have been considered legally married even before living together and having sex. Within a few weeks of her return to Nazareth, people would have begun to realize that Mary was pregnant. In a Jewish culture following the law of Moses, she could have been stoned to death for sexual immorality. At the very least, she would’ve been an outcast. This also put Joseph’s reputation at risk because if he went ahead with the wedding, people would think he had violated God’s law of celibacy by having sex with Mary during the engagement period. Today, we can read the Bible and see how God provided for Mary, but in the moment, there was no way she could have known what would happen to her, and she probably experienced any number of doubts and fears. Still, Mary trusted God to see her through these difficult times. And God was faithful to take care of her and fulfill His promises. • Doug Velting • Imagine yourself in Mary’s place. What would you be thinking coming back to Nazareth? • Can you think of a time you were in a difficult situation and God helped you through it? Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!... For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.” Luke 1:46-49 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 2:2-3; EXODUS 10:8-10; DEUTERONOMY 5:12-15; HEBREWS 4:9-11 Have you ever felt guilty for resting? I know I have. When my body tells me I need to take a break and slow down, I always try to fight it. This world is fast-paced, and I always feel like I can’t keep up—rest isn’t going to help that, right? Our society values hustle and non-stop work. We’ve all but forgotten rest. But God hasn’t. The Bible talks about rest—and how important it is—many times. One of the first times is in Genesis 2:2-3, when God took the seventh day to rest after creating the world. What if we all took off one day a week to rest? A while ago, I would have said, “How am I supposed to get ahead if I spend an entire day resting? There are only so many hours in a day, and school takes a lot of them.” But then I realized something important: I wasn’t relying on God. I was doubting Him, going against what He said about rest, and doing my own thing. If God told me to rest, wouldn’t He provide for me using the other six days of the week? I still feel guilty when I rest, but I try to remind myself that God rested and He told us to rest. Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, He has already made the way to save us from sin and death, including the sin of self-reliance and overwork. And He is always with us through the Holy Spirit, reminding us of His gentle, loving care for us. He will provide for us, and as we rest in that truth, we can be good stewards of everything He has given us, including our bodies, our health, and our time. • Kimberly Brokish • In Deuteronomy 5:15, God says to His people, “Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.” In this way, God is reminding them that they are no longer slaves, and He is not like the slave-driving Pharaoh. Instead of piling harsh commands and tasks onto His people, He invites them into His rest. What are some ways you could incorporate this kind of rest into your weekly routines? Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) 

READ: NUMBERS 24:17, 19; ISAIAH 42:1-4; MICAH 5:2 The world-famous superhero, the Black Panther, was played by Chadwick Boseman. Every day while filming was in progress, I imagine he would get up, eat breakfast, suit up, and step in front of a camera to thrill us as an action hero. Gal Gadot did the same thing as Wonder Woman. And decades before, Christopher Reeve did likewise before he stepped up to save the world as Superman. Why did they do it? I think there are two reasons. We love a hero, and we long to be rescued. As small children we often see ourselves as the hero—perhaps rescuing a pet, a sibling, or even a toy. As we enter our teen years we may look to various influencers for direction and validation. But as we mature, the need grows greater for real answers to life’s troubles, and those answers don’t come from play acting. In times of great stress, we need something real. Threaded throughout the Old Testament we find God’s promise of a great hero. And for generations, God worked through people like Moses, David, and Deborah. Many kings, prophets, military leaders, and almost all types of heroes are woven into the fabric of our salvation tapestry. But in one way or another they all failed to deliver. The relief they brought was only temporary. We were not rescued from the ultimate enemy: sin. So the longing went on. Then, under the darkened skies and among the lonely hills near a small town called Bethlehem, the hero of the ages was born. With astonishment and awe, a chosen few gathered to worship Him. They could not have fathomed the great ministry and miracles to come, how He would rescue them, not by force, but by laying down His own life—and taking it up again (John 10:18). There is much we don’t know about this hero, and yet He changed the whole world. Imaginary heroes fill a void for many. But those who know Jesus find the true hope we all long for. The Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and Superman are all eclipsed by the real hero. Jesus was, is, and always will be the Hero of Eternity. • Susan Sundwall • What heroes have you looked up to, whether in your life, movies, history, current events, the Bible, etc.? How have they fallen short? Jesus, the greatest Hero, was willing to die for us. Let that sink in. It was because He loves us that the all-powerful One laid down His life. And then He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death once and for all. (Find out more about this epic rescue on our "Know Jesus" page.) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah…out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25; 28:16-20 Recently, I was looking up verses about Jesus being with us, and I noticed something really cool. In Matthew’s Gospel—his account of Jesus’s life— Matthew includes two pointed statements about how Jesus is with us, and he places one of these right at the beginning of his account and the other right at the end. It seems like Matthew did this on purpose to sort of bookend the story of Jesus with a key statement about who He is and what this means for us. The book of Matthew starts with a genealogy, showing Jesus’s lineage all the way from Abraham to Joseph. Matthew writes that Joseph was “the husband of Mary…the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah” (Matthew 1:16). Matthew then explains that Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married, but while Mary was still a virgin, “she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit” (verse 18). Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained all this, telling him to go forward with his wedding to Mary and to name the baby Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (verse 21). Next, Matthew explains that all this fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy: “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (verse 23). Jesus is the promised Immanuel. Just take a second and try to let that sink in. Not only is Jesus human—He is God, and He is with us. Now let’s jump ahead, all the way to the end of Matthew’s Gospel. After Jesus does many wonderful things, culminating in His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, He speaks to His disciples on a mountain. Matthew records Jesus’s words: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:18-20). And those are the final words of Matthew’s Gospel. Even though Jesus was about to ascend into heaven (as the other Gospel writers tell us), He made sure His followers knew that He was still Immanuel. The deep desire of God’s heart is to be with His people. This is why He came and lived among us, why He died for us, why He rose again, and why He will one day return to fully restore His creation. Jesus is God, and He is with us…always. • Hannah Howe • Jesus came because God wants to be with us, now and forever. Why do you think this truth was so important to Matthew that he began and ended his Gospel account with it? “And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 14:15-31; GALATIANS 5:22-26; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 Advent takes place during the four weeks before Christmas, and it’s a time when some Christians prepare to celebrate Jesus’s first coming and look forward to His return. During Advent, many Christians reflect on different themes each week, and one theme is God’s peace. Peace isn’t something we earn. It’s not something we can work to receive on our own. Peace is a gift Jesus freely gives. We see this truth in John 14, when Jesus comforts His disciples as the time of His death draws closer. He promises them the Holy Spirit, and another thing too—peace. “Peace I leave with you,” Jesus tells His disciples in verse 27. “My peace I give you.” Paul also references the peace Jesus gives us in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace is not something God dangles way out in front of us as a reward for our future successes. He offers it to us now. In fact, when we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the coming of the Prince of Peace to this earth. And He came bearing these gifts we celebrate during Advent: hope, faith, peace, joy, and love. As we go through this Advent season and prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, let us accept His gift. Let us allow His peace—perfect peace that is beyond our understanding—to saturate every part of our lives. Receiving this gift doesn’t mean we are going to feel at peace all the time—that won’t be possible until Jesus returns. But it does mean we can know that the Prince of Peace is with us all the time, even when life feels incredibly unpeaceful. And maybe when others notice this transcendent peace in our lives, they’ll want to experience it as well. • Becca Wierwille • The Hebrew word translated “peace” in the Bible is shalom. It’s a rich word that means everything is complete and whole and all things are operating in right relationship to each other. While we will never fully experience this type of peace until Jesus returns, He gives us glimpses of it through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). How have you seen glimpses of shalom in your life? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God for this anytime. “Peace I [Jesus] 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: ROMANS 8:12-17; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11; COLOSSIANS 1:15-20 Do you have any siblings? And if so, are you the oldest, youngest, or somewhere in the middle? In biblical times, birth order mattered a lot. If you were a firstborn son (sorry daughters) you would inherit the birthright from your father. This could be anything from sheep and property to a kingdom if your father was a king. But even though this was the standard in the ancient world, giving a birthright to the oldest sibling was not God’s standard. In fact, God often elevated a younger sibling above the oldest. Even with the first siblings, we hear that Abel’s offering pleased God, while his older brother Cain’s offering did not. We also see this theme when Joseph was elevated to a position of power over his ten older brothers and over all of Egypt. Not to mention Joseph’s father Jacob was the younger twin, yet Jacob was chosen to be a patriarch of the nation of Israel. In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is called “the firstborn over all creation.” As God the Son, Jesus is God the Father’s “one and only Son” (John 3:16), and therefore He is considered the firstborn. So, according to Israelite standards, this would put Him in place to inherit the Father’s power and authority. Jesus certainly does have all power and authority—He said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). But, similar to some of the Old Testament stories, Jesus subverted this narrative as well. Jesus is God, and He is King over all, but He also became a servant. He taught, “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16), totally opposite of what people would expect. Jesus even humbled Himself to a death and punishment fit for the worst kind of criminal. The King of kings, who deserves to be served and sacrificed to, loves us so much that He became the sacrifice for us. And then, Jesus flipped the narrative again by not staying dead. With His resurrection, Jesus overcame what people expected to be the end, and He became “the firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). Now, He invites us to become coheirs with Him, to share in His sufferings as we lay down our lives for each other, and to share in His glory when He returns to raise us from the dead and make all things new (Romans 8:17). • Naomi Zylstra • Why do you think God often works in unexpected, counter-cultural ways? • If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 4:1-5; 25:19-26; 45:4-8; Revelation 17:14; 19:16. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (CSB)  

READ: PSALM 86; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9 Have you had a very bad day recently? The kind of day when you’re late to school or work, forgot your lunch at home, and realized you didn’t turn in an important assignment? Or worse, the kind of day when you get really bad news, and all the sudden your world is turned upside down? Sadly, very bad days are so very common in our broken world. But God sees all the struggle and pain we go through, and He doesn’t sit idly by. He shares our pain and weeps with us. He invites us to draw near to Him and receive His compassion and comfort. And He provides trusted people who can help shoulder our heavy burdens (Galatians 6:2). The truth is, God made us for community. We can share our problems, and the accompanying feelings we have about them, with trusted people in our lives—people like friends, parents, therapists, pastors, and others. We can also share our problems with Jesus. Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He knows what it’s like to have a bad day. He experienced the worst day of all when He died on the cross, defeating sin in a very public and painful execution. But He was willing to endure all this pain, ridicule, and betrayal so that everyone who trusts in Him could be with Him and one day be free of bad days once and for all...because He rose again three days later to defeat death too. So, even on our worst days, we can take great comfort in the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done and promises to do. Whatever you’re going through today, Jesus wants to walk with you through it. He loves you, and He truly cares about what you’re going through. He already knows all about what’s bothering you, and He invites you to tell Him about it. You can talk to Him anytime, and He’ll listen. He will be with you and remind you how much He loves you, no matter what. • A. W. Smith • What has your week been like? What are some of the tough things that happened? Consider taking a moment to talk with Jesus about these things and how they’ve made you feel. • In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted people in your life you can talk to about these things—such as friends, therapists, parents, pastors, etc.? I call on you in the day of my distress, for you will answer me. Psalm 86:7 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 1:1-3; JEREMIAH 17:7-8; JOHN 7:37-39; 15:4-17 Minutes before sunset was my favorite time of day. I sat on an outcropping of rock, dangling my bare feet above a crystalline spring of water. My home, this floating island in the sky, was level with the setting sun precisely at this time. Golden light skimmed the surface of the water as I splashed my feet in, smiling. Overhead, the wind rustled the leaves of the silvery bark tree I sat beneath. The roots of the tree stretched out like fingers, thirsty for the life-giving stream water. It was like this all over the island, roots running to the streams, streams spilling over the rocks, water cascading off the island into the sky. Before my people trusted Yahweh, our home was devoid of all this life. Try as we might, the roots of our trees were withering, and there was no fruit to fill our families’ aching hunger. When Yahweh came, He taught us a better way. No longer did we place our trust in ourselves, but we listened to the One who gave us life. Yahweh showed us how to plant our trees by the streams so the roots could reach deep into the water. Day after day, we experienced growth—and, finally, fruit. I pulled a golden fruit from the tree I lounged under and took a bite. I sighed as I tasted its ripe juices, sweet and nourishing. Yahweh, help me trust You each day, I prayed as the leaves above me rustled in the evening breeze. I want to delight myself in You and meditate on You. Sometimes my heart quakes when hard times come, but I know I don’t need to fear. Your love is constant as a stream that flows and never runs dry. May my roots be deep in Your life-giving water. • Savannah Coleman • In today’s allegorical story, we see that when we are apart from God, we are devoid of life. But when we are with God, we have life to the full (John 10:10). Though we have all been separated from God because of sin, He made the way for us to be near Him through Jesus: Because of His great love for us, God the Son came and lived among us. Yahweh, the great “I AM,” took on human flesh, and gave up His life for us so that our sins could be forgiven. And the God of life could not be held by death—three days later He rose from the grave. Now Jesus gives eternal life to everyone who puts their trust in Him. If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He taught His followers, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:5, 9). What do you think it means to remain in Jesus’s love? • Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to Him, and He promises them living water—this living water is the Holy Spirit (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit begins to transform us, helping us grow to become more like Jesus and bear fruit. According to Galatians 5:22-23, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Have you ever tried to produce these fruits in your own strength? How did that work out? • Our lives bear fruit when we are living in reliance on God, resting in His love and following His lead. He invites us to trust Him and rely on Him for everything. Even when hard times come, He will never fail us. In what areas of your life do you find

READ: EXODUS 29:38-45; MATTHEW 27:45-53; JOHN 19:30 When I’d hear the bell go off in school, I knew that class was done. Because we heard the bell every day, we were conditioned to react to this particular sound. Something similar happened in ancient Israel. Twice a day, a priest would kill a one-year-old lamb. Some scholars say this sacrifice was marked by the blowing of a ram’s horn, or shofar. The ram’s horn harkened back to the ram that God provided in place of Abraham’s son Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-18). When the Israelites would hear the ram’s horn being blown, they would know that a priest was sacrificing a lamb, and they would have an opportunity to remember the mercy their loving God had given them. God provided for this lamb to take their place, giving its life so they could be made holy and enter into God’s presence in the temple. This shofar blowing and sacrifice was a daily part of the Israelites’ routine and happened at the same time each day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. But there was another sacrificial lamb that aligned with the blowing of the shofar. When Jesus was put on the cross in the morning (Mark 15:25), it may have aligned with the first shofar blow and the first sacrifice of the lamb. People across the city would have heard the shofar, looked up, and known the first lamb of the day had been sacrificed. Around noon, darkness fell across the land. Later in the afternoon, people heard the shofar blow a second time and looked up. This time, the darkness was lifted, the curtain in front of the Holy of Holies in the temple was torn in two, and people were raised up from their graves. And those who were near Jesus on the cross would not only hear the shofar being blown for the second lamb, they would also hear Jesus say, “It is finished.” • Naomi Zylstra • Jesus is the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice that covers all our sins, not just for a few hours but for eternity. And because Jesus rose from the grave, everyone who believes in Him will one day be raised from the dead to live with Him forever. Consider taking a moment right now to remember Jesus’s sacrifice and thank Him. • Do you have anything that reminds you daily of God’s mercy? Some people like to pray at particular times of the day, or wear a piece of jewelry to remind them of who Jesus is, or set an alarm on their phone as a reminder to pray and reflect on the gospel… John saw Jesus…and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (CSB) 

READ: PSALMS 32:6-8; 86:1-7; 120:1 Lifeguards are pretty amazing. Even when they’re stationed at a crowded beach or a noisy pool, their eyes and ears are trained to see people in trouble. Before anyone can work as a lifeguard, they have to take a lifesaving course where they learn how to rescue struggling swimmers from the water and perform critical first aid like CPR. When lifeguards are on duty, they continually watch for anyone who might be in trouble and need help. But, while even the most highly trained lifeguards might not hear a call for help, there is someone who never, ever misses one. Someone who always hears His children when they need Him. God is constantly watching over you, attentive to your every prayer. He loves you and wants you to turn to Him whenever you’re facing a tough situation, whenever you feel alone or confused or in danger. Rest assured, Jesus hears our prayers. Jesus is God, and—like a lifeguard—Jesus is our Rescuer. God’s promise to hear and answer and rescue is all grounded in Jesus’s ultimate rescue: He saved us from sin and death through His own death and resurrection. Throughout the Bible, God reminds His people He is listening to us, and He is always present. In Jeremiah 33:3, God says, “Call to me, and I will answer you.” In Psalm 86:7, David declares, “In the day of my trouble I will call on you [God], for you will answer me.” In Matthew 6, Jesus shows His disciples how to pray for God’s kingdom to come as they pray for the minute-by-minute needs they have. In 1 Peter 5:7, Peter reminds us that we can bring our every concern to God, who cares for us. Those are just a few of the verses that tell us God hears when we call to Him, and they only scratch the surface of God’s ability to hear and answer our prayers. Even though God has lots of people to listen to—way more than a lifeguard—He still hears us all, and each one of our voices is important to Him. • A. W. Smith • Consider taking some time to reread today’s Bible passages: Psalm 32:6-8; 86:1-7; 120:1; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Peter 5:7. Which verse(s) stick out to you? • Do you ever feel like God doesn’t hear you or isn’t mindful of you? We all feel like this from time to time. God has compassion on us, and He wants us to tell Him about all this. He invites us to spend time in His Word and with fellow Christians, being reminded of His deep love and care for us. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to when you feel unnoticed by God? “Call to me, and I will answer you...” Jeremiah 33:3a (WEB) 

READ: PSALM 116:1-7; MATTHEW 11:28-30 Lord, I need Your help Come I don’t know where else to go Come to me I’m so tired All who are weary This burden is more than I can handle All who are burdened Can You help me? And I will give you rest I want to believe You can I will give you rest I trust You now, take this burden from me I will give you rest I lean on You, my Savior I will give you rest. • Eliana Canfield • Today’s poem is based on Jesus’s words in Matthew 11:28. Jesus has made the way for us to enter God’s rest by dying on the cross and rising from the grave for us. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest in God’s love and be free from striving. We also have the Holy Spirit as our Helper, who reminds us of Jesus’s words and helps us rest in Him (John 14:26). How might it be comforting to know that, whenever we need help and rest, God is pleased to give us these things? • In what ways do you need help and rest today? Consider taking a moment to ponder Jesus’s invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, and then talk to Him about anything that’s weighing on you. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 19:1-6; JOHN 1:1-14; COLOSSIANS 1:15-20 Have you ever gone to an art gallery? For a graphic design class I took this year, I went on a field trip to a large art gallery, and it got me thinking. Art can be difficult to understand at times, especially abstract art! However, as I learned more about art, I began to recognize the works of different artists. It wasn’t just from their names on the wall or their signatures; their styles, mediums, subjects, and themes became distinct and recognizable to me. We can learn a lot about an artist from what they create: their values, passions, quirks, and personalities. Often, artists’ work reflects aspects of who they are. Do you ever think of God as an artist? Out of nothing, He created everything—from the farthest star to the deepest cave. God’s signature is on all creation, and through His work, we can learn more about Him. The ravens teach us about God’s provision and care for the smallest details in our lives (Luke 12:24). The resilience of wild animals shows God’s concern about every part of creation, even that which no human sees (Job 39). The powerful oceans remind us of God’s awesomeness, that He is in control even in the wildest storms (Psalm 89:8-9). The complexity of the human body points to God’s intentional design: we are not here by accident but are wonderfully created in God’s image with a purpose (Genesis 1; Psalm 139:13-16). Though our sin brought brokenness into the good world God made, His loving care is still written all through creation. And, all creation ultimately points to Jesus. He is fully God and fully human, the Creator who came to live among us. Jesus, the same Artist who crafted everything from nothing, came to save us from sin and death and to make our mess and brokenness into a masterpiece. We can’t do anything to deserve this: it’s God’s beautiful gift of grace, a work of art that we get to share with the world! • Abby Ciona • What is your favorite part of God’s creation? What could this reveal about its Artist? For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made… Romans 1:20a (NIV) 

READ: EXODUS 16:4-16; JOHN 6:1-15, 25-59 Where I live, making homemade bread was more of a trend during the earlier days of the pandemic, but I’m a little late to the trend. I’ve started making my own bread more recently, and even though I’m new to the hobby I’m growing to love it more each time I do it. Now, it’s difficult to find store-bought bread I like better than homemade. Sometimes as I make bread I think about how frequently bread is mentioned in the Bible. God used it as the subject of multiple miracles, from feeding a poor widow in 1 Kings 17:7-16, to feeding over 5,000 people in the Gospels. Not to mention, He fed all the Israelites with manna in Exodus 16. Even such a simple food can be a powerful reminder of God’s presence. In my house, bread is one of our food staples. We’ve always had it around, even before I started baking it at home. If we ran out of bread, we would make a trip to the store. In the Bible, Jesus refers to Himself as bread in multiple ways. After Jesus miraculously multiplied five small barley loaves to feed over 5,000 people, He told them, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48). Jesus explained that God gave His people manna from heaven to keep them alive in the wilderness. Similarly, Jesus is the One who gives eternal life to all who trust in Him. He is our life-giver. This symbol of a basic food that many of us eat regularly shows how Jesus will not abandon us. He is like the household staple we all need. But, unlike bread, He will not run out, and He has the ability to sustain us forever. On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He broke bread and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Here again, God uses bread to show us that Jesus gave up His life for us by dying on the cross. And just as Jesus rose from the grave, He will also raise us and give us eternal life. So, as I slice into my fresh loaf of bread, I’ll be excited to eat, but I’ll also be thinking about how Jesus sustains me and gives me life like a hearty slice of homemade bread. • Naomi Zylstra • Why do you think bread comes up so often in the Bible? What do you think it means that Jesus is the Bread of Life? (If you want to dig deeper, you can read about Jesus miraculously feeding thousands of people in Matthew 14:13-21; 15:29-39; Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-8; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15…and about communion in Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26 (CSB)

READ: MATTHEW 6:19-34; 22:36-40 What’s your greatest treasure on earth? Maybe it’s a prized collection of vintage postcards, or a beautiful and rare electric guitar, or maybe it’s a sizable bank account. None of these things are wrong or bad—things like these can help us enjoy life and take care of ourselves and our loved ones, which are good pursuits. However, it is wrong to make any earthly treasure so important to us that it comes before loving God or loving our neighbors. Since humans first sinned and brought brokenness into the good world God made, it’s really easy for us to get possessive and even violent about keeping our stuff, so much so that we often begin to block out God and other people, instead of loving them like we’re called to do. The good news? There is real treasure in Jesus. He died and rose again to save us from sin and death, and He is making all things new, including our hearts. His promises are stored in heaven where they will never be damaged, unlike earthly possessions (1 Peter 1:4). If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have treasure in heaven. As we look forward to Jesus’s return, we can enjoy and thank God for all the good things He has given us here on earth, but Jesus frees us from getting too attached to any of these things. They’re all temporary. What matters most is having a relationship with Jesus and the neighbors He’s put in our lives. When we rest in His love instead of our possessions, we usually find it’s much easier to love our neighbors more than our stuff—and we will store up treasure in heaven where it will last forever. • A. W. Smith • Have you seen any stories in the news lately about people valuing earthly treasure over God and their neighbors? When have you been tempted to do the same? Consider taking a moment to talk to God about this, confessing any sins that come to mind, thanking Him for securing our forgiveness through Jesus’s death and resurrection, and talking to Him about the earthly treasures in your life. • How might the promises of Jesus help us avoid the temptation to become possessive and to choose stuff over loving God and loving our neighbors? (1 Timothy 6:17-19; 1 Peter 1:3-9) Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 104; COLOSSIANS 1:15-23 I love seeing the fall colors as the trees turn in autumn, the white snow that falls to the ground in winter, the new sprouts and flowers that come in spring, and how beautiful the lakes look in summer. All the seasons make it easy to see God’s amazingness in creation. But what about our other senses? We can admire His creation through more than just what we see! I enjoy laying down in my hammock every once in a while, closing my eyes, and just listening to the sounds of nature. The birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the mosquitos buzzing—those mosquitos are also the reason I usually end my time in the hammock. I imagine you use your sense of touch to enjoy God’s creation without realizing it. Do you have a dog or cat you pet? Their fur is God’s creation. We also touch various foods that He is responsible for—like strawberries, carrots, and oranges. Every food has a unique texture and shape that God gave it. We can use our sense of smell to thank God for the flowers and herbs He created. And taste might be my favorite—God gave us so many foods to taste and enjoy. He could have made food tasteless, but instead He gave everything a unique flavor to enjoy and mix with other flavors to make delicious meals. God created and gave us so many things to be thankful for. And He gave us all our senses that we can use to enjoy this world even more. Don’t we have an amazing Creator? • Kimberly Brokish • God delights in what He has made, and He invites us to share in His joy by being mindful of the world around us and thanking Him for what delights us. What can you see…hear…feel…smell…and maybe even taste right now? Consider taking a moment to thank God for making so many good things for us to experience. • Even though our world has been broken by sin, and sometimes the things we see, smell, taste, touch, and hear cause us pain or sorrow, God has promised to restore His creation. Because Jesus died and rose again, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus gets to look forward to the day He will return and make all things new—free from sin, death, and decay. If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. For in him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth... Colossians 1:16a (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 102:25-28; HEBREWS 13:5-8 It can be comforting to have something in your life that always stays the same. You might have dinner with your grandparents every weekend, or you might have a pet who meets you at the door every day when you get home from school. No matter what goes on in your life or what causes you stress, knowing that one part of your life is going to be the same no matter what can be comforting. During 2020, when the world seemed to be falling apart, I remember being comforted by the sound of a train. I live close to train tracks, and while some people would find that annoying, I find it comforting. Every evening, I hear at least one train. I hear the trains now, and I heard them all through the time when the world seemed to shut down and many were staying home from work. Hearing the trains every evening also reminds me that God does not change. His love for us does not change. No matter what goes on in our lives and how scary things might get, He stays the same. Like the trains that kept going all through 2020, 2021, 2022, and now 2023, God keeps being there for us and helping us. Nothing can shake Him or stop Him. We can trust Him to stay the same. • Emily Acker • Especially when our lives feel out of control, how can it be comforting to know that God does not change? God is so generous, and He reveals His unchanging love for us in so many ways. But the ultimate revelation of His never-failing love is in Jesus’s death and resurrection. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest knowing that we are close to God, always. And because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), we can depend on Him each and every day. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about anything in your life that feels unsettled. You can find rest in His sure love for you. The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 30:1-10; JEREMIAH 29:4-19; MATTHEW 28:18-20 Imagine being exiled from your home where you’ve lived all your life and forced to move to a faraway land…for seventy years. Would you panic? Complain? Would you keep your bags packed just in case you’re allowed to go home earlier? In the Bible, God warned His people, the Israelites, that if they turned away from Him by putting their hope in false gods, oppressing the poor, and doing violence, they would be punished and lose their land. And it all happened just as God said. When Israel was taken into captivity by Babylon, a powerful enemy nation that worshiped idols, the Israelites thought it was the end—that God had abandoned them for good. Then some false prophets started saying God would rescue them from captivity very soon (Jeremiah 28). The Israelites were probably happy to hear that, wanting to get out of captivity as soon as possible and return to normal life. And if they wouldn’t be exiled forever, why bother to unpack and settle down among their enemies? But then God told the exiled Israelites they would be in exile for seventy years. And, while they were there, He told them to do something surprising: to seek the good of the city—to seek the good of Babylon, their enemies—and not live like they are going to leave the next day. He told them to make homes, build families, and plant gardens. God wanted His people to invest long-term in the places they lived so He could bless their new home through them. Sometimes, the Christian life can feel like an exile too: lonely, isolated, and discouraging. God’s good world has been broken by sin, and while we wait for Jesus to return and restore creation, sometimes this place can feel hopeless. But God makes desert plants thrive in the most desolate, dry places of the world, and He can do the same in your life, even when situations are not ideal. He has you where you are in your school, workplace, neighborhood, or country on purpose, and He is with you. He loves you, and He has equipped you to bring life and make the most of unique opportunities to share the good news of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection through words and actions. God works in beautiful ways, even in the midst of exile. • Abby Ciona • Have you ever felt like you were stuck in exile? Did you see any glimpses of God’s goodness? • What are some ways God has equipped you to share His goodness and love right where you are? If you’re not sure, you can ask God about it anytime, and you can also reach out to trusted Christians in your life to ask for their insight. “And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV) 

READ: PSALMS 13:1-6; 23:4 Feeling sad is the worst. It makes me feel helpless, small, and weak. So I try to avoid it. I distract myself, tell myself everything is fine, find something to be angry about instead, or simply ignore it. But one way or another, sadness always comes back—usually stronger than before. So how do we avoid avoiding our sadness? As they say, “The only way out is through.” We can’t skip over feeling sadness; we have to go through it. But we don’t have to do it alone. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus—believing He died and rose from the grave for us—He is with us through the Holy Spirit. He feels our sadness, and not in a distant way. Jesus knows firsthand what it’s like to be sad. Isaiah 53:3 describes Him as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” This verse brings me great comfort. It reminds me that when I tell Jesus about my sadness, He can sincerely say, “I know what that’s like.” It makes me feel less alone. Similarly, the lament psalms also make me feel less alone. These are specific songs or poems in the book of Psalms where people bring their sadness, anger, and complaints to God. In Psalm 13:1-2, for example, David accuses God of forgetting him, saying, “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” These raw, honest words remind me that everyone experiences deep sadness, even people following God thousands of years before me. The lament psalms remind me that I can tell God about my feelings with complete honesty, trusting Him to love me. Remember when I mentioned “the only way out is through”? If we keep reading Psalm 13, we see this truth play out. Instead of shrinking away from his sadness, David brings it to God and lays it all out. He walks through the sadness with God. And at the end, we see that he does get through it. Verses 5-6 say, “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” How beautiful is that? This is what God wants—to walk with us through the painful sadness so He can bring healing to our hearts. When I run away from feeling my sadness, I’m also running away from that healing. The only way out is through. But praise God; He goes through it with me. • Taylor Eising • Consider taking a look at a few lament psalms, such as Psalm 13, 25, 86, and 88. Then consider writing your own lament psalm, pouring out your sadness to God. Remember, Jesus came—and died and rose again—to be with us in our sadness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 11:1-44; 15:15 As a child, John 11 was one of my favorite Bible passages. I loved listening to the story of Lazarus. Part of it may have been because the town where Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary lived shared my name: Bethany. But the more I heard this story, the more I loved it for other reasons as well. I loved hearing how Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the grave. I loved how Jesus had such a close friendship with these three siblings, and how both sisters believed that if Jesus had been there sooner, their brother would not have died. One verse that always stood out to me was the shortest verse. John 11:35 says, “Jesus wept.” He was overcome with emotion and cried. He cared so much for His friend that He shed tears for him. But that wasn’t how the story ended. I liked listening when Jesus told Lazarus to come out of the grave. Lazarus had been in the tomb—dead—for four days, and when he walked out he was still wrapped in burial cloths, so Jesus told the people to unwind them. Lazarus came to life again by the hand of Jesus. This story reminds me of how Jesus will raise us to life again too. If we’ve put our trust in Him, we get to look forward to the day He will return and raise us from our graves, no matter how long we’ve been dead, and we will live with Him in renewed creation forever. Jesus has guaranteed our future by dying on the cross for us and rising from His own grave. He is the God who defeated death, the God who calls us His friends. • Bethany Acker • Do you have a favorite Bible story you like to revisit over and over again? What about it captivates you? The amazing thing about the Bible is that God speaks to us through it, and the Holy Spirit helps us notice and understand more and more throughout our lives. So the Bible passages we’re drawn to when we’re young can continue to come alive to us as we grow older. • Consider taking some time to read John 11:1-44 slowly. What sticks out to you today? What makes you wonder? Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25 (NIV) 

READ: HEBREWS 10:14-18; JAMES 1:2-7; 1 PETER 1:13-16 Sometimes, we feel like we should be perfect, having no faults and never doing anything wrong. We might read James 1:4, which says, “For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing,” and then throw up our hands in frustration and say, “But I’ve tried lots of times before, and I just can’t do it. I give up—I’ll never be perfect!” Perfection is a tricky concept. Try thinking about it this way: When a baby arrives, people often say, “She’s perfect,” as they cuddle and coo over the new addition to their community. But why? Babies can’t do what adults can do, yet people describe them as “perfect.” But if a baby were to stay like a newborn for six months and not grow at all, people would be worried. So, when we talk about babies being perfect, we often mean they’re just right for their age. Let’s look at James 1:4 again. It uses the word “perfect” in a similar way. It’s not saying Christians never do anything wrong. The fact is, only Jesus meets God’s standard for perfection, which is why we need to put our trust in Him to have a relationship with God. Even though we’ll keep struggling with sin until the day Jesus returns and makes all things new, verses like James 1:4 give us hope, saying that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we mature spiritually. So, to be a “perfect” Christian doesn’t mean we never mess up; it means we grow and learn from our failures, and we patiently trust God to continue shaping us to be more like Jesus. If we’re perfect in that sense, it doesn’t mean we’ll never sin, maybe by losing our temper for example, but it does mean we’ll learn to say we’re sorry when we do. It means we’ll learn to depend on God to help us be self-controlled when we feel upset. As we grow spiritually, we can remember that Jesus is walking with us every step of the way. And we can remember the hope He gives us in Philippians 1:6, “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” • A. W. Smith • Have you ever wondered how you could possibly be perfect or holy as God is (Matthew 5:48)? In one sense, you are already perfect if you know Jesus as your Savior because He has given you His perfection and forgiven your sins! But God also says you are “being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14). We become more like Jesus as we grow in our relationship with Him. What might it look like for us to be patient with ourselves and other Christians as we learn and grow together? He forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14b (NLT) 

READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13; LUKE 10:25-37 Just above the sea’s drop off into the cold depths lay the city of Aquis. Turrets of shell and pearl sparkled under the liquid bubble that encased the city, allowing its inhabitants protection and breathable air. Most of the Colo colony had come from above the sea, before the war and fires had burned and destroyed everything they once held dear. The Colo were a proud people, fiercely loyal to their own, and determined to never again be forced from their home. Cor wiped sweat off his face as he completed his morning strengthening routine. His golden skin glistened as waves from a passing pod of dolphins rippled the surface of the bubble. He jumped as Viva popped out suddenly from behind a fofo plant, its puffy pink petals raining down. “Have you heard the latest?” Viva blurted as she pushed her long, plaited braids off her shoulders. “What’s the latest?” Cor asked. “With you, it could be anything.” She lowered her voice. “There’s been a disturbance in the dark side of the sea.” Cor’s coal black eyes turned grave. “Gigas?” Viva nodded. The great creature lived in the depths, rarely surfacing. Yet when it showed its spiny face and thrashed its powerful body, devastation was left in its wake. Suddenly, a deafening roar shook the sand beneath their feet. Cor and Viva watched through the bubble in horror as creatures of the deep clawed, swam, and fought their way out of the drop off. Among them were the Nura people. The Nuras weren’t enemies of the Colos, nor were they friends. They simply stayed in the depths, occasionally speeding up to the surface to do no-one-knew-what. Most of the Colos assumed they were up to no good. As unsightly as the Nuras were, something inside Viva’s heart broke as she watched them struggle to escape from the Gigas’s claws, some holding the hands of small children or clutching babies in their arms. “We have to help them! Open the gates!” Cor sprinted toward the gates where he was blocked by several Colos. “What are you doing?” Viva shrieked in anger. “Can’t you see they’re being slaughtered out there?” The tallest of the Colo shook his head. “Most unfortunate. However, we must protect the Colo. We know nothing about these Nura creatures.” A Colo woman in the group wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Just look at them! Grey, spikes and spines, not a sheen of color—not to mention they are land and water creatures! Who knows what havoc they might wreak in Aquis!” Viva glanced back and forth between the Colo blocking them and the chaos that reigned outside the bubble’s surface. “Cor, we need to do something!” Her voice quivered with emotion. “How can we get through to our people? What would the Author do?” Viva watched indecision war on Cor’s face until a calm determination settled in her friend’s gaze. Cor broke free from the group and climbed a turret while Viva blew the Conch Shell of Gathering. “Colo friends,” Cor’s voice rang out clear and strong. “When we founded the city of Aquis, we did so under the guidance of the Book of Wisdom. The Author commands that we be people of the Sacred Heart. Because He loves us all, we are to love the Author with all our hearts, and then to love our neighbors as ourselves.” Viva joined her voice with Cor’s. “The Author wrote that others look at the surface, but He looks at the heart. Let us be people of the Sacred Heart, who view all hearts as sacred, who value our neighbors as the Author values us all. With His very life, He wrote that we are worth dying for.” Silence descended over Aquis as the spoken words settled like fine sand onto the Colos’ hearts. Hearts that, Viva prayed, would be receptive and embold

READ: PSALM 139:1-6; ROMANS 8:26-28 Have you ever had to interpret for a toddler? As little ones learn their words, it can be hard for them to get the pronunciations right. Water might become “wawa.” Dog might become “dah.” Potato might become “bay-yo.” And yellow balloon might become “wahyo boon.” Often, a little one needs an interpreter from their household to explain what they’re saying to any visitors who aren’t used to this toddler’s own personal dialect. In a way, we’re all a little like toddlers. Just like these little ones need help communicating, all Christians need that kind of help sometimes when we pray. We don’t always know what to say or even what to ask God for, but Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit makes our requests clear and right before God. Romans 8:26-27 says, “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” Do you ever feel like you don’t know how to pray? Is it sometimes hard for you to tell God what you need or how you feel? This happens to all of us! When we have trouble finding the right words, the Holy Spirit takes our prayers and makes them just right. So we don’t need to worry when we find it difficult to pray—God hears our prayers and will give us exactly what we need. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time when you didn’t know what or how to pray? How might it be comforting to know that God still understands us and knows what we need? • Sometimes we don’t have words at all. When we pray, we can use the words in the Bible to help us too. Almost the entire book of Psalms is prayer in song form, and in Matthew 6, Jesus lays out what’s known as the Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father, a simple prayer that shows us how to pray for God’s kingdom to come as we talk to God about our daily needs—even when our words fail. Are there any prayers from Scripture that have resonated with you? Which ones? But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26b (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 33:12-22; 78:1-8 You may know that the Wright Brothers invented the first functional airplane, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and Louis Pasteur developed a process that makes milk safe to drink. A lot of people also know Pasteur developed a vaccine for rabies in humans. But few people know that modern physical therapy was introduced by Sister Elizabeth Kenny, a nurse in Australia. It was part of her Kenny Method to treat polio. And regrettably, most people have never heard of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. Dr. Semmelweis developed an antiseptic method of child delivery. Despite overwhelming proof his antiseptic method greatly reduced the deaths of new mothers, most physicians refused to adopt it until years after his death. Each of these people left a legacy that will continue to benefit humanity for years to come. Some are widely remembered. Some are not. It’s the same in the Bible. We may be aware of Moses and the forty years he devoted to leading the Israelites to the promised land. We might remember Peter and Paul’s incredible missionary work, Queen Esther’s courage, and Mary’s quiet obedience. But, do we remember Shiphrah and Puah? The king of Egypt ordered these two midwives to kill all Hebrew baby boys at birth. Instead, the midwives let the baby boys live (Exodus 1:15-22). Do we remember Lois and Eunice, Timothy’s grandmother and mother who raised him in the faith (2 Timothy 1:5)? Or Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who were secretly disciples of Jesus? They were the ones who prepared Jesus’s dead body for burial and placed Him in a tomb—the same tomb Jesus would rise from three days later (John 19:38-42). As believers in Jesus, we can know that He is with us, empowering us to follow Him and take part in His good work. Much of what we do out of love for God will go unnoticed by others or someday be forgotten. But even when we forget, our loving God sees and remembers the contributions of everyone. • Kathy Irey • Have you ever felt like nobody notices what you do? Even when other people don’t recognize or remember our contributions, what we do matters. The things we do out of love for God and our neighbors, big and small, have eternal significance. And God honors all these things. What are some ways we can celebrate with others and encourage them when they accomplish something? (Romans 12:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:10-13) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 94:17-19; MATTHEW 6:25-34; 11:28-30 There are a lot of anxious and worried people in the world today, but that’s nothing new. People have been worrying for a long time, otherwise the Bible wouldn’t address worry like it does. We’re not the first people to have days when we feel anxious or nights when we lose sleep because we’re worried about what the future might hold. Moses worried that he wouldn’t know how to speak when God sent him to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3-4). The proverbs talk about how a person can get weighed down with anxiety (Proverbs 12:25). The psalms are filled with verses that were written by people experiencing worry and anxiety. For example, Psalm 13 begins with the words, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” Throughout the Bible, we see over and over again how God responds to all our worries, and how He meets us with compassion in times of anxiety. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He took time to talk about worrying—and even more than that, He experienced anxiety firsthand. On the night before He went to the cross, Jesus went to a quiet place to pray. He was “deeply distressed and troubled,” and He told His disciples, “‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death’” (Mark 14:33-34). Jesus was “in anguish,” and as He prayed earnestly, “his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Jesus was willing to go through all this distress and sorrow and hurt…because He loves us. In Jesus, we see how God bore our weaknesses and took our pain, ultimately dying on the cross, so that we could be free (Isaiah 53). Anxiety, worry, and fear are nothing new. God understands what we’re feeling and how our thoughts can be so unsettling. Jesus is fully God and fully human, so He can truly empathize with our struggles, and He wants to help us (Hebrews 4:14-16). We don’t have to be ashamed when we experience anxiety. We are never alone in our worrying. Life in our broken world is full of challenges, but one day Jesus will return and put an end to worry and anxiety for good. Until that day, Jesus holds us in our distress, and He never lets us go (John 10:27-30). • Emily Acker • Do you sometimes find yourself thinking that life would have been simpler if you had been born in the past, that you wouldn’t worry so much if you didn’t have to live in this modern world? Ultimately, it’s the fear of death and loss that are at the root of most worries, and these fears are timeless. Similarly, there are lots of things in this broken world that can signal to our bodies that we are in danger and we need to be ready to take action or hide…so while it’s good that our hearts can beat faster and our muscles can get tighter when we need them to, it’s not very helpful when our bodies feel like we’re in danger when we’re actually not. As humans, we all have times when we feel anxious or worried, not just in our teen years but throughout our lives. How might it be comforting to know that God is not surprised by our worries and anxieties—and He doesn’t expect us to be able to handle all the stresses of life on our own? • What kinds of things make you feel worried or anxious? Consider taking a moment to bring these things to God in prayer. He loves you, and He longs to listen to your hurts and remind you that you are held safe in His arms. You’re not a burden when you’re anxious—you are valuable beyond measure, and you are worth caring for. (1 Peter 5:7) • When Jesus rose from the dead, He

READ: PSALMS 32:5; 103:8-14; EPHESIANS 6:10-18; 1 PETER 5:6-11 Are you ever reminded of something bad you did, and just the memory of it makes you feel like you just did it again seconds ago? Sometimes all I remember is the bad stuff. It pops into my mind and hangs out there. I’ve asked God’s forgiveness, and I know I’ve been forgiven, yet I can’t get this stuff out of my mind. I’m reminded of how mean, stupid, or unforgiving I’ve been. At times I’ve failed to tell someone about Jesus’s great love. As I remember my failures, I feel like I’ve failed all over again. In moments like these, the words of 1 Peter 5:7-9 can help us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” When we feel like useless failures who cannot do anything for God, we can bring all these worries and cares to God. He frees us from guilt and shame, replacing regrets with peace and joy. Because Jesus died for us and rose from the grave, we can know that our forgiveness is secure. And we can continue to confess our sins to God regularly, as He calls us to do. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us, reminding us of God’s great love and helping us lay our heavy burdens at Jesus’s feet—and leave them there. The Holy Spirit reminds us we’ve been forgiven. And God gives us His strength to “stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). My heart desires to go forward with my Lord. Daily, I’m learning to place the past in His hands and trust all these memories and unforgiveness feelings to Him. As we lean into our relationship with Jesus, He will lead, guide, and direct us in the right path. As we lay our burdens at Jesus’s feet and listen for His voice, He will help us continue forward with Him. Even when we hear accusations that we are no good, not capable, or not a child of the King, Jesus will lift us up with joy, peace, and hope. As He fills us with His love, He reminds us we are forgiven, blessed children of the King who will live with Him forever (Romans 5:5; 10:9-11; Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 2:12). • Anna Gregory • We can learn to discern Jesus’s voice as we listen carefully to His Word. Understanding who Jesus is and pondering His story helps us see that the accusations against us are not nearly as strong as God’s love for us. According to today’s Bible passages, how does Jesus see you? Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 119:14; PROVERBS 2:1-5; JAMES 1:5-11 Have you ever cleaned out an attic in search of treasure? Like an old baseball card that could be worth a lot of money, found in a dusty old box. Or maybe a precious painting worth millions of dollars under a cobwebby tarp. Or maybe a sentimental letter from a long-gone relative tucked away in a faded envelope. You never know what treasures you might find right under your nose. But while dusty, valuable treasure is fun to find, all wealth eventually fades. Money and accomplishments are incredibly fleeting and can often puff us up with pride. By contrast, the riches of God’s Word are worth far more than money. They contain the greatest treasure—right under our noses. And what is that treasure? The love of God. The hope of Jesus—and all He’s done and promises to do. The seduction of greed and power pales in comparison to life with Jesus. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, everyone who puts their trust in Him is restored to relationship with God. And we have the promise of forever life on the new heavens and earth, where we will be free to love God and others as He intended us to. Even as we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, we find true community in Jesus’s family and true purpose in following Him and having meaningful work to do here and now. The good news of Jesus is true riches—riches that will never fade and can never be taken away, even in an uncertain and ever-changing world. And God is pleased to give this treasure to us (Luke 12:32). So what are you waiting for? Go on a treasure hunt for Jesus’s promises today! • A. W. Smith • What would be your dream treasure to find in a dusty old attic? • What are some of your most treasured promises from Jesus? How can remembering these treasures help us avoid the seduction of greed and power? • Paul often wrote about the riches of the mystery of Jesus. If you want to dig deeper, read: Romans 11:33; 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 15:51; Ephesians 1:9; 3:2-9; 6:19; Colossians 1:24-29; 2:2; 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:16. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:26-27 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 46:1-7; MATTHEW 8:23-27 What’s the scariest storm you’ve ever been through? When you’re in the middle of a storm, you never know what could happen. As the wind picks up, trees start blowing wildly. Branches come crashing down. The wind hurtles at the windows and makes a loud shriek. The house feels like it’s shaking—or worse, if you’re driving it feels like the wind might pull your car off the road or into oncoming traffic. When the rain starts pelting down, the sound can be deafening. You wonder if it will let up soon, or if the storm will just worsen. Rain might turn to hail, and hail is terrifying. Chunks of ice are literally falling from the sky. And then there are tornados and floods and hurricanes. The aftermath of these storms can be devastating. We never know what can happen during a storm, just like we don’t know what’s going to happen during the storms in our lives. When things start to go wrong, we might want to hide away like we would hide from a bad storm. But just like during the storms outside, during any storm that’s happening in your life, God is there. He is with you. He will help you through. God promises that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He knows what’s happening during all the storms in our lives, and He wants to help us. Just look at Matthew 8. When Jesus was in a boat with His disciples, “suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat” (verse 24). But Jesus got up and spoke to the very wind and waves that were threatening to capsize them. And then, “it was completely calm” (verse 26). Just as Jesus calmed that storm, He can calm the storms in our lives. Jesus reveals that God loves us deeply, and when we suffer, He hurts with us and extends His mighty arm to help us. We can turn to Him during the storm and know that He will provide shelter. The wind and rain might not immediately stop, but we can have peace in our hearts despite the storm when we trust in Him. • Bethany Acker • Our ultimate hope in any storm is that Jesus has promised to return and make all things new. On that day, He will raise us from the dead, and everyone who has put their trust in Him will live with God forever in restored creation. In the meantime, we can rest knowing we are secure in His arms, and nothing can snatch us away from Him (John 10:27-30). What kinds of storms have you been through? Have you ever experienced God’s power and love in the midst of a storm? “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4; JAMES 5:13-16 One day, I heard a beautician chatting to her colleague as I was selecting a nail polish. She said, “I’m trying to stay strong, but when I’m alone, my husband’s illness overwhelms me.” My heart lurched. Sadness welled up inside, and immediately I knew I needed to pray for both this woman and her husband. Not long after, I overheard a snippet of conversation on the train, from a commuter whose daughter was terminally ill. Again, the thought stirred inside, "I need to pray." Does this happen to you? I often find myself feeling called to pray for someone’s needs. I know that some Christians excel at assisting people in practical ways, but my role tends to be different. Maybe, like me, you are quiet and wonder how you can reach out to people. Becoming a prayer warrior is an amazing way of doing this. You don’t need to shout about it; no one ever needs to know but you and God (Matthew 6:5-6). It makes a difference even if you never find out the results of your requests. And it may not be in the way you expect. Every day there are people who are facing challenges, who feel helpless, and who, for whatever reason, can’t pray. Either they haven’t received the precious gift of faith, or they are too exhausted or ill. As Christians, when we encounter people who are hurting, we have the opportunity to do something without even saying a word. The world we live in is broken, but Jesus has come to heal and save. Whenever I hear about a tragic situation, I’m reminded how much God loves us all. He loves us so much that even when people are suffering, and have neither the strength nor the faith to pray, He sends believers to hear their pleas and intercede on their behalf. God sees us when we’re hurting, He cares, and He responds. • Cindy Lee • Psalm 145:9 says, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” God wants all people to know Him through trusting in Jesus, and He invites us to bring Him all our concerns and requests (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 5:7). Once we know Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit, who guides us and helps us pray. When we notice an opportunity to intercede—or pray for—a person or situation, it’s okay if we’re not sure what exactly to pray for. We can simply ask God to help, or we can pray a prayer from the Bible, such as Numbers 6:24-26 or Ephesians 3:14-21. Who could you pray for today? Consider taking a moment to pray for them now. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 8 It can be hard to answer people who question us about our beliefs, especially if they speak aggressively and make us nervous. Studying the Bible can help us have answers in our heads, but getting those answers out can still be an issue. In John 8, Jesus was questioned by some Pharisees, a group of Jewish religious leaders who wanted to trap Him and accuse Him (verse 6). Jesus had an answer for everything they threw His way. He would say one thing, and they would question Him about it, and His answer would lead to more questions from them. He stayed calm and kept responding, knowing just what to say each time. He was able to share so much with them; He was ready with an answer for each question they had. Isn’t it encouraging to know that God is never stumped by our questions? He can handle anything we throw His way. In fact, He invites our questions! And He is eager to reveal Himself to everyone who seeks Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Luke 11:9-13). So, as we try to figure out how to respond to the questions people throw at us, we can look to Jesus. He remained calm even when people openly accused Him of being an imposter. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit inside us, giving us peace and empowering us to love people even in stressful situations. Reading through John 8 left me feeling more in awe of Jesus than ever; it left me with more respect for Him. I’m happy we’ve been saved by someone who knows everything and has an answer for each question that comes His way. • Emily Acker • Has someone ever asked you a question about God that you struggled to answer? Do you have questions that other people haven’t been able to answer? Throughout our lives, we’ll continue to have questions, and God invites us to ask every single one. Discovering the answers may be a long process, and there are some things we won’t fully understand until Jesus returns and makes all things new. But even when we have unanswered questions, we can rest in God’s sure love for us. Jesus, who is God in flesh, was willing to go to the cross for the same people who wanted to kill Him on it. And He rose from the grave, so everyone who trusts in Him will live with God forever. God’s answer to every question is deeply connected to His immeasurable love for us. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 11:32-36; ROMANS 12:15; HEBREWS 4:14-16 There are a lot of lies in our world, and one of them is that real men don’t cry. But what about Jesus? God became human, and it was well-documented that Jesus cried, including when His friend Lazarus died. In John 11:35, Jesus was crying with grief at His friend’s death. We live in a world where terrible things like death are the norm. This is because humanity’s sin resulted in God’s good creation being broken. So where is God in all this brokenness and sorrow? He’s right here. Jesus is God with us—and He weeps with us. As Christians, we don’t need to be ashamed to show we have feelings. It shows we care about the people and world God made. Jesus knows the fullness of human experience and emotions, and He is the picture of what it means to be a human without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Have you ever thought you needed to act tough or prove that you’re strong? Have you ever felt like you should hide your feelings when something hurts you or causes you sorrow? Jesus didn’t do that. He wept and shared the grief of Mary and Martha when their brother—His friend—died. When you share in the sorrow others are experiencing, you’re showing them His love. Jesus is both loving and strong. These are not mutually exclusive. He died on the cross and rose from the grave three days later—beating sin and death to save us. That’s real strength and love. If you’re looking for what it means to be a man— or a human in general—look no further than Jesus. He is the Creator who became human, the King who became a servant, the Savior who wept. • A. W. Smith • What emotions seem to be unwelcome in your culture? Based on the truths about Jesus from today’s Bible passages, how might Jesus be inviting you to approach these emotions differently? • In John 11, Jesus wept at Lazarus’s death, and then He raised Lazarus from the grave. In the same way, Jesus shares our sorrows with us now, and when He returns to restore His creation, He will raise His people from the grave to live with Him forever—and there will be no more need for tears. If you want to know more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 2:11-22 The village of Koselig had begun building ships. For too long the Blodugur clan had pillaged their tiny coastal town (and they, in turn, had done the same to them) and now the village of Koselig had made plans to leave before more bloodshed. But they are too late. A horn bellows, alerting Koselig to gather. Blodugur approaches, and they must prepare for battle. The people exchange worried glances, drawing their swords. The clan leader runs out in front of them. They stand poised for a rousing speech from their Chief. “People of Koselig!” he shouts. “There, battle awaits.” He points to the Southern Forest where Blodugurian warriors slink along the tree line. “Remember now that when we gather, then our God will fight for us! Trust in Him!” The Chief pauses as the Elder of Koselig approaches and whispers into his ear. When he shouts again to the people, his posture has shifted. “This time though, drop your weapons and your shields. Do it quickly.” Confused, the people begin to lower their weapons to the ground. "How do you fight an army with no weapons?" They murmur. Knowing the people’s unease, their leader continues, “We are going to send a diplomat urging them to join us instead of creating more bloodshed for us all. Pray for her, pray that God will speak through her.” The people watch a woman ride toward the enemy alone. Some recognize the rider: her name is Laioma. At the tree line she stops and speaks. After the sun has gone to kiss the North Sea, the rider hurries back, the Blodugurian warriors trailing behind. “Praise be to God today, people of Koselig!” she calls hoarsely. “He has heard our cries and gifted us with a new ally, not an enemy.” Most of Koselig replies with joyous shouts. But some clench their fists; others pull their children closer. Laioma continues, “Yes, much blood has been shed because of the violence between our two clans. And we grieve these losses with deep sorrow, as God does. But let us also remember the One He sent, who shed His own blood for us all. Because His love is greater than death, today the Blodugur clan joins us as members of the same body. We are fellow citizens who will search for new lands together, led by the One who brought peace, the One who is making us into the new humanity.” The Elder brings the ceremonial goblet to Laioma, and she raises it for the newcomers to drink. The celebration proceeds into the night and into the day. While some are suspicious of one another, in the coming weeks meals are shared, trust is built, and among the people spreads the joy of the unity made possible by something beyond themselves. The forgiveness of the One has made the way for them to live in peace with one another. • Peter J. McDonough • Today’s allegorical story shows how God has made unity possible through Jesus. We find the theme of unity throughout the Bible. For example, in Ephesians 2 Paul tells the Christians living in Ephesus that both Jewish Christians and Gentile (or non-Jewish) Christians “have access to the Father by one Spirit” (verse 18). They are all “fellow citizens” of God’s kingdom and also “members of his household” (verse 19). Jesus is the only One who could make this unity possible. Through His death and resurrection, He forgives all who trust in Him, uniting them with God…and uniting them with other believers. We cannot live in unity or love each other well apart from Jesus—the fact is, unity is a gift from God, and He empowers us to love one another through the Holy Spirit (John 15:1-17; 17:20-26). Can you think of any examples of ways you have seen God’s people living in unity with each other and loving each other well? What was that like? • As the Koseli

READ: PSALM 66:16-20; JAMES 1:19-27; 3:13-18 Sometimes our orchestra would split into ensembles. In these smaller groups, we’d sit down with our sheet music, then all start at the same speed, or tempo. But sometimes, it didn’t stay that way for long. Soon the cello had sped up, the violin had slowed down, the bass was too loud, and the viola was ready to quit from sheer exasperation. The song did not sound like music. So, how did we get the song to sound…like a song? We had to learn to listen to each other. Our director taught us to know our sheet music so well that we could look up at each other while playing. She trained us to tune our ears to the music. When we focused on listening to the instruments around us, our fingers and arms would naturally adjust. When we started to feel like we were off, we’d make eye contact, and pretty soon we’d be playing together again. Of course, this didn’t always work. After all, we were still learning! Sometimes we’d get lost, and we’d have to stop, laugh it off, and talk about what went wrong. After listening to one another’s explanations so we could understand how all our parts fit together, we’d try again. This reminds me of living as a Christian…with other Christians. Throughout the Bible, God calls us to listen to each other. Because, even if we know Bible verses like the back of our hand, if we aren’t open to hearing and learning from others’ perspectives, and if we aren’t sensitive to each other’s needs, how can we obey God’s second-greatest command: to love each other (Matthew 22:36-40)? But we can also fall to the opposite extreme. We might be listening to others, but if we aren’t spending time in God’s Word for ourselves, learning what He says and wrestling with the sections that don’t come easily to us, how can we play the songs of God together? It would be like trying to play in an ensemble without ever learning the sheet music. Thankfully, God hasn’t left us to figure things out alone. After Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came to live inside us, His followers. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible and empowers us to care about others and humbly listen to their thoughts, sensibilities, and needs. Instead of trying to follow God in our own strength and wisdom, God invites us to lean on Him and support each other. Together, we can make beautiful music. • Hannah Howe • Can you think of a time when listening to others helped you understand God’s Word and/or follow His good ways? What happened? Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. Psalm 66:16 (NLT) 

READ: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-14 Do you ever feel like you’ve been stuck in the age you are forever? Maybe you have big dreams for the future, but you just don’t have the resources or experience or age to do the things you want to do yet. The teenage season of life has its own challenges and joys. And, just like in every season of life, there will be individual variations on how each person experiences these years between childhood and adulthood. But just like crops won’t grow if they’re planted in the wrong season, it will be difficult for us to grow if we try to live in the wrong season. Think about how the different seasons follow one another: at the end of winter the days will get warmer, then the bare trees will be covered in leaves, then the crops will be ripe and ready for harvest, and then the world will grow cold again as it takes a winter rest before the next spring. Seasons—in life and in weather—won’t last forever, and that is a great comfort. But the greatest comfort of all is that Jesus is with us throughout all the seasons of our lives. This gives us the freedom to feel what we need to feel and grow how we need to grow…right in the season we’re in. Are you finding space to enjoy and experience the time of life you’re in right now? Remember that Jesus walks with us through all the various seasons in our lifetime, and He uses each one to teach us new things and help us grow. Instead of trying to skip ahead, we can look around right now. We can find things to thank God for in all of life’s seasons, talk to God about how we’re feeling, and trust Him to be with us through every season. • A. W. Smith • What is going on in your season of life right now? • What things might God be inviting you to set aside for a future season? • What beautiful things might God be inviting you to notice and enjoy in your current season? • The seasons of our lives are leading to the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus’s return, when He will make all things new. How can the promises in the Bible help us weather the stormy parts of every season? (One passage that’s full of these promises is Romans 8.) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) 

READ: EPHESIANS 5:1-2; COLOSSIANS 3:8-10 When you hear an accent different from yours, do you find yourself slipping into the new accent? For example, maybe you say y’all around your grandparents or brilliant around your British friend. Whatever it looks like, switching accents is a pretty common and often funny phenomenon. Thinking about accents can actually help us understand a truth we find in the Bible. After Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to be in Jesus’s followers. Soon after this, Acts 4:13 says that when the Jewish religious leaders interacted with two of Jesus’s disciples, Peter and John, they recognized that they “had been with Jesus.” As we get to know Jesus better, our speech and actions begin to reflect Him. Like Peter and John, all Christians have the opportunity to spend time with Jesus, talking to Him and listening to Him any time, because we have the Holy Spirit in us. Even though we won’t see Jesus face-to-face until He returns, we can still experience the “inexpressible joy” of knowing Him through faith (1 Peter 1:8). As we pray, read His Word (both individually and with fellow Christians), and interact with the Holy Spirit as we go through our daily lives, we get to know Jesus better and better… and His love overflows from us to others. If we trust in Jesus, He will help us grow to become more like Him—more kind, patient, loving, and forgiving—so our words and actions will show others that we know Him. And as we spend time with Jesus, we can grow to understand His love for everyone and pick up His accent in the way we talk to and treat others. • A. W. Smith • Have you ever been encouraged by seeing a Christian friend copying Jesus’s accent? What were they doing or saying? • Why do you think spending time with Jesus often leads to acting more like Him? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 15:1-17 and Galatians 5:22-23.) Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 9:20-22; MARK 5:25-34; LUKE 8:43-48 Drained, the blood flows, Labelled, “unclean” and “lost” Doctors fail, trying everything I don’t care about the cost. “The healer is here, Jesus,” An echo of Your name Sings in my ears. Can He heal my shame? In pain, I scrabble on my hands Battling through loud crowds. Desperately needing You Humbled, by the proud, Crawling in faith, Jesus, I trust in You, Touching Your cloak, trembling, Power surges through, “Daughter,” our eyes connect, No longer unclean, nor outcast, “Your faith has made you well,” You smile, I am free at last. • Cindy Lee • Today’s poem imagines what it was like for the woman who Jesus healed from chronic bleeding. Her condition labeled her as unclean and made her an outcast—but Jesus healed her, forgave her, and enfolded her into His family. Have you ever felt desperate for Jesus? The reality is, without Jesus, we are all unclean outcasts, trapped in the sickness of sin that leads only to death. We all desperately need Jesus to heal us of sin and brokenness. The good news is, Jesus longs to heal us. He so much longs to restore us to wholeness and to relationship with God and His people that He went to the cross for us. He gave up His life for us—unclean outcasts that we are—and then, He rose from the grave. So now, everyone who trusts in Jesus is made clean and enfolded into God’s family. And when Jesus returns, we will be fully healed (Revelation 21:1-5). Until that day, Jesus promises to always be with us, responding to our pain in love. • Are you or anyone you know struggling with illness? Jesus has so much compassion on us, and He wants us to come to Him. Sometimes He gives us physical healing, and sometimes He gives us other good gifts. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about anything that’s been weighing on you. You can present all your needs to Jesus, who loves you dearly. “Daughter,” he [Jesus] said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 1:9-31; PSALM 119:73 I’ve always loved going on road trips for various reasons, one being that I get to see so much of God’s creation along the way. Traveling gives us an idea of how beautiful and large the world is. Just the United States of America alone is so big that when I road-tripped from Wisconsin to California, it took over thirty hours to get there. The scenery we passed through on our way was amazing. The landscape changes time and time again. God made His world so beautiful. The nature that surrounds us is awesome. God created this stunning, big world that we live in, and He created us too. He made us with just as much care as the mountains out west and the deep oceans. He made us with just as much care as tall waterfalls and gorgeous sunsets. In fact, you might say He made us with even more care because He crafted us in His own image. Nature shows us how excellent God’s work is and how much care He puts into His creations, even though they are large and many. And God loves us even more than He loves the other works He has made. How great does it feel to realize that? Even if you aren’t able to travel far, it’s great to look at nature wherever you are and admire God’s work. He put so much care into it, and He put so much care into creating you and giving you life. • Bethany Acker • What are some of your favorite things in nature? Have you ever been surprised by the beauty that surrounds you? How does it feel to know God made all of it and made you too? • Colossians 1:16-17 says, “Everything was created through him [Jesus] and for him…he holds all creation together.” How might knowing that we are created through Jesus and for Jesus affect the way we view ourselves, and the rest of creation? So God created human beings in his own image. Genesis 1:27a (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 116 When I was fifteen, my grandma passed away. I had never dealt with a loss like that before, at least not one I remembered well (I had been much younger when my grandpa passed away). I was devastated. It was a hard time, and I couldn’t imagine her being gone. I wanted more time with her. In the midst of my sadness and grief, I was reading in the book of Psalms and came across Psalm 116. It might not seem like the most significant psalm to everyone who reads it, but at the time, it was just what I needed. I sort of claimed it as my psalm after that. I would read it over and over again. That psalm helped me through some of the hardest days of my teen years. It still has a special place in my heart over a decade later. I love reading Psalm 116 because I remember how much it comforted me then, and because it still reminds me of God’s comfort and goodness. Have you ever come across passages in the Bible that really speak to you? It can be so meaningful to claim books or chapters or verses as your own and memorize them or read them over and over again. The Bible is such a rich gift that God has given us. He has so much to offer us in His Word. He longs to comfort us in times of grief, and He is eager to reveal who He is and how much He cares about us. And the entire Bible points to Jesus. God became human and lived among us, ultimately dying on the cross for us and rising from the grave, so that everyone who trusts in Him can live with God forever. We can find hope in this good news all throughout the Bible, at any time in our lives. • Bethany Acker • Have you ever come across a Bible verse or passage that God used to speak to you in a special way? What was it? • Have you ever tried to memorize Scripture or read the same chapters or books in the Bible over and over? How could these practices help us understand the Bible, and the God who gave it to us, in deeper ways? I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1 (NIV) 

READ: JOSHUA 1:9; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; ISAIAH 43:1-3; MATTHEW 28:20 Einar pushed open the portal door of his new habitat and started down the desert path. He’d only lived on the planet Themisto for a few weeks, and he still wasn’t used to its dry climate—or its moonless nights. Even in the afternoon sun, he shivered at the thought of the nocturnal creatures that came out after sunset. This place was nothing like the frigid moon he had been stationed on most of his life. He was going to visit Leif, his nearest neighbor and newfound friend. They worked together at the research base, and today Leif was going to teach Einar how to grow native vegetables in a shade garden. In the light, Einar loved the desert with its prickly plants, shining rocks, and glittering sand. But at night, arid breezes whistled eerily through the brush. It was easy to imagine bumping into the hard cactus spines, stumbling over a blue neidr snake, or feeling the fuzzy legs of a pry copyn (which was similar to a tarantula, but bigger). The coyote-like creatures, called blaidds, prowled at night here too. Needless to say, Einar always made sure to be home before dark. As he walked down the dusty path, he remembered the Scripture that had helped him on the long journey to this new world: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He whispered a prayer to the Almighty, double-checked that his anti-venom kit was attached to his utility belt, and gripped his stun-spear tighter. Still, he didn’t feel very courageous. When Einar reached Leif’s habitat, Leif and his roommate Colborn were already outside gathering cacti. Soon Einar was working and laughing alongside them. He was so fascinated with the shade garden that he forgot about the time. But when he saw where Themisto’s sun was in the sky, his jaw dropped. “I need to get home,” he said. “It’s getting dark already.” Leif stood up and brushed the dirt off his hands. “No worries. We’ll walk home with you. It will make the journey safer.” Einar was about to say no, he was used to traveling alone. But then Colborn spoke up, “After all, two people are better off than one…and three are even better!” Einar recognized the Scripture, and a smile spread across his face. He nodded, grateful, and soon they were on their way. When Einar arrived home, he breathed a sigh of relief. The walk over had been filled with laughter, not fear. They’d even shared some of their favorite Scriptures as they walked. As Leif and Colborn headed back, Einar waved. “Don’t trip over a neidr snake!” They laughed, and before his friends were out of earshot, Einar called, “Thanks… for coming back with me.” Einar couldn’t see them anymore, but he heard Leif’s voice through the dark. “The Almighty is with you, and we will be too.” • A. W. Smith • Consider taking a moment to read the Bible passages quoted in today’s story, Joshua 1:9 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Have you ever had a Bible verse help you in a difficult time? What was it? • Can you think of a time you were faced with a new or scary situation? Did you feel like you were supposed to handle it alone? As Christians, we don’t have to face anything alone. Jesus is always with us, and that’s why we can be courageous. Not only is He present with us through His Spirit and His Word, but also through His people. He is the One providing people for us, people to be His hands and feet in the lonely moments. • Presence is a big deal to God. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He came so that He would always be with us. Jesus so much wants to be with us that He died and rose for us…and then placed us in His community. Everyone who trusts in Jesus will live with God—and the rest of His people—forever. Jesus promises His followers, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). And He calls us to be present with each other as He is pres

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:42-49; 1 JOHN 3:2 Have you ever been involved in renovating a house? It’s usually pretty chaotic. Maybe there’s a constant dripping in the bathroom sink, the walls are covered with holes, the carpet is old and worn out—plus a long list of other things that need fixing! In the midst of the chaos, we hold onto the hope of how nice it’ll be once our home has had all the renovations it needs. Soon everything will be like new, all in working order as it should be. That’s a good way for Christians to think too. In our world broken by sin, we see many tragic things that seem to have no end. This can be especially disheartening when it’s our own health that’s suffering—whether it’s our physical, mental, or emotional health. Do you have a health problem that has you feeling discouraged? Perhaps you have a condition there’s no cure for here on earth. Jesus sees us in all our pain, and He weeps with us. In His great compassion, He comforts us, and He promises to make us new. Because Jesus stepped into our broken world and experienced pain and suffering in His own body, we can know that He empathizes with us. And because He died on the cross and rose from the dead for us, we can rest in Him, knowing that health problems are just a temporary situation. If our trust is in Jesus, we know that we will have perfect bodies someday when He returns and makes everything new. Whenever you feel discouraged, you can come to Jesus. He cares about you so deeply, and He promises to return and make everything in this world free from sin and death—including our bodies! Then we’ll never have to deal with sickness or death ever again. We’ll be healed and whole in His wonderful presence. • A. W. Smith • What things in our broken world have been weighing on you lately? How might those things change when Jesus returns? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about them. Remember that He doesn’t pass over our pain; He grieves our hurts with us. • When you need encouragement and support, who are trusted people you can reach out to, such as counselors, therapists, teachers, pastors, parents, etc.? But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2b (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 8:38-39; 1 JOHN 4:7-11 One thing I wish I could go back and tell my younger self over and over is “God loves you.” It’s something I wish every young person could grasp and believe. Life can be tough, especially when you’re a teenager. You’re trying to learn about yourself. You discover your style, your likes and dislikes, and how you differ from your friends and family. It can be a hard journey, and at times you might not feel good enough. You might feel unsure of yourself or wish you had more confidence. But if I could remind younger me and any younger person of anything, it would be that God loves them. You don’t have to try to impress anyone. You don’t have to worry about all the little things. God cares so much for you, and nothing can shake His love for you. Five or ten years from now, you might dress differently or listen to different music. Life could look very different, but God will still love you. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you will still be able to rest in the truth that He is with you and cares about you. God loves you so much, and you are good enough for Him. He showed how much you’re worth to Him when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for you. You don’t have to earn His love. You don’t have to impress anyone. Instead, you can lean into His love and know that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, you are good enough in His eyes. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of things make you wonder if God really loves you? Things people say, expectations you put on yourself, lies you’ve heard, ways you’ve been mistreated, etc.? The enemy always wants us to doubt God’s love for us, but because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can be confident that “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). • When you begin to doubt God’s love for you, who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of His love, such as friends, parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors? If you can’t think of anyone right now, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. • Consider taking some time to pray, and just thank God for His incredible love for you. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son [Jesus] as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 12:33-37; ROMANS 12:2; EPHESIANS 4:22-24, 29-32 Take a moment to remember a compliment that has stuck with you. For example, I remember a friend telling me I was very intentional, and I really appreciated that. Now, think of something someone said that was harsh. Maybe it was a biting remark, a lie, or a put-down. Unfortunately, those can come to mind much easier, and the negative things said to us can stick around longer than we want them to. The Bible has so much to say about our words and their power. Our words can calm people down or rile them up; they can encourage or discourage the people around us—whether in person or online (Proverbs 12:18, 25; 15:1; 16:24). Our words can even show others our true intent. We see this when Jesus was confronting the Pharisees in Matthew 12. He explained how their words reflected the evil in their hearts. What was inside their hearts became the words they put into the world. Their words were more than just talk; they were a reflection of their hearts. And that’s true for all of us. Our speech reflects who we are. Sadly, without Jesus, all of our hearts are corrupt. We need Jesus to heal our hearts of sin before our speech can be truly wholesome. The good news is, as Christians, our hearts were cleansed the very moment we believed in Jesus (Acts 15:8-9). Now, as we rely on Jesus’s love for us, His death and resurrection, and His Holy Spirit’s power in us, God is continually transforming us more and more into the image of Jesus…and our speech reflects that transformation. We are forgiven, beloved people—so we can forgive and love those around us. We’ve been given the amazing gift of communication, and this gift can help us live into the kingdom of God. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to save and restore us, our words can bring life instead of death, healing instead of hurt, and encouragement instead of destruction. Of course, we won’t do this perfectly until Jesus returns, but as we are being transformed by our loving God, our words will follow (Philippians 2:13). • Naomi Zylstra • Can you think of someone whose words often reflect who Jesus is? Consider taking a moment to thank God for that person, and maybe even find a way to encourage them today. If nobody comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal someone in the future. • One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit transforms us is through Scripture. How could meditating on God’s words in the Bible help our words reflect Jesus? Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 32:1-5; ROMANS 3:23-24; 1 JOHN 1:8-9 Have you ever buttoned your shirt wrong? One button off can cause a shirt to hang longer at the bottom on one side than the other…or cause a sagging of extra fabric in the middle. Usually, the only way to fix this problem is to unbutton the entire shirt, start with the top button, and work your way down. No one likes to do a task all over again, but this is often the only way to correct things. It gives you a fresh start. That’s true with shirts and with life. The Bible says we all do wrong (we all sin) and it makes a mess of things. We need a fresh start. On our own, this isn’t possible, but if we trust Jesus and confess the wrong things we do, Jesus will forgive us and cleanse us. We can put our sins behind us and start all over again. All of us have done things that are wrong. Are you thinking of something right now that you’re sorry you did? Do you wish you could undo it and start over again? You can’t undo what’s been done, but you can have a fresh start. You can confess your sin to the Lord—and to others who have been affected by it. This may seem daunting, but remember that Jesus loves you, so much so that He died and rose again for you so you could be forgiven. And He’s ready to help you begin again, fresh and clean. • A. W. Smith • Sometimes, even as Christians, we get so tangled up in doing things in a way that doesn’t love God or our neighbors that we need to start over. Repenting of our sin and the systems we may have built in the process isn’t easy, but Jesus is with us and is ready to help us turn away from these harmful things so we can turn to Him and start over again. We will need fresh starts moment by moment, but all along the way Jesus will remind us that we can rest in Him. He will never run out of love and forgiveness for us (Matthew 18:21-22). He calls us to confess our sins often, so consider taking a moment now to pray and confess any sins that come to mind. If you’re a Christian, you can know that Jesus has already secured your forgiveness through His death and resurrection, and He is already empowering you to live in His good ways through the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t put your trust in Jesus and you want to know more, check out our "Know Jesus" page. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt…And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 39:7; 119:49; LAMENTATIONS 3:13-26 In the Bible, we see over and over again how the Israelites (God’s people) turned away from God, abandoning His good ways and embracing sin. But God still had a great love for His people, even though they sinned and no longer followed His commands. He often sent prophets, people He spoke through supernaturally to remind the Israelites of His love and His good ways. One of those prophets was Jeremiah, who spoke God’s instructions to the people. Yet Jeremiah grew disheartened and full of despair because of the people’s disobedience. He lost hope. His strength grew weak. Overcome by all the sin and wrong, sorrow filled his heart. But in this moment, he remembered God’s unshakeable faithfulness. We see this in Jeremiah’s writings in Lamentations 3. Jeremiah remembered God’s forgiveness and great love. He says in verses 22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” When Jeremiah was surrounded by faithless people, he found hope in God’s faithfulness. It gave him strength to continue following God, and to call the rest of God’s people to do the same. When we are overwhelmed by the sin and brokenness in the world around us and in our hearts, we can remember that God is still there. He has not given up on us. Like Jeremiah, we can tell others about God’s love, forgiveness, and His good ways. We can rest in Jesus, the just King Jeremiah foretold in his writings. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can know that He will someday return to bring about wholeness. And we can share this hope with others. God will be with us no matter how difficult things get. No matter what others do, we can lean on our loving God and follow His good ways. And, like Jeremiah, we can pray fervently that everyone will see God’s goodness and put their trust in Him. • Anna Gregory • Have you ever felt like Jeremiah? We all need lots of reminders of God’s faithfulness. Those reminders could come in the form of Bible verses or Bible stories, or from people around you, or memories of times you’ve seen God’s faithfulness in your own life or in the lives of others. Or it could be something else, like a song or something in nature. Consider making a list of things that remind you of God’s faithfulness, then take some time to thank Him for these things. • When you see someone you love walking away from God’s good ways, how could you show them God’s love? The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 1 PETER 4:10-11 Do you know what I hate? Limits. I hate that I’m a finite being and I can’t do everything. I hate that I can’t have all the skills, all the energy, and all the knowledge. I can’t do all the things, and I can’t be all the things. And I hate that. But I’m learning not to hate it anymore. I used to think it was valiant to hate limits. I’ve always been told that I can do anything, be anything. And limits keep me from doing everything I want to do and being everything I want to be. So I have to hate them and overcome them, right? Well, sometimes. Some limits do need to be overcome. But not all of them. Because, do you know who gave me these limits? God. And do you know the only one who doesn’t have limits? God. So when I try to push past every limit and when I start expecting myself to be able to do everything, I’m trying to do God’s job. I’m trying to be God. And I am definitely not God. God has given me gifts and abilities and energy, and I’m so grateful for them. They are valuable and wonderful and useful. But there are some gifts and abilities that I don’t have, and my energy is not endless. And that’s okay. I’m learning to accept that. Because my worth is not found in my abilities. My worth is found in Jesus, who took on our limits by becoming human. He died and rose again to make the way for me to be with Him forever. He put me in community with other believers who have other gifts and abilities, so we can lean on each other instead of trying to do everything ourselves. When I rest in that truth, my limits become less scary. So when I bump into my limits, I don’t have to be ashamed or afraid. I can say, “Well, I can’t do that right now. And that’s okay.” I am securely loved by our limitless God. I can trust Him to care for me and do the things I can’t do. And that fills me with limitless peace. • Taylor Eising • What kinds of limits have you experienced? Are there things you wish you could do that you just can’t do? Consider taking a moment to talk to God about these things. He invites us to be totally honest with Him about all our frustrations, fears, hopes, dreams, and hurts. • God comforts us in our struggles, and He promises to make all things new when Jesus returns. Then we will have limitless energy, and we will get to enjoy doing wonderful things we can’t even imagine yet! Consider taking a moment to read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. Why do you think God allows us to experience limits? How does He help us in the midst of our struggles? “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (CSB) 

READ: GENESIS 16:13; PSALM 34:17-22; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). He knows about every one of your heartbreaks, both big and small. God knows when you’ve been having a tough day or year. It’s not always easy to see God during those times, but He sees you. He sees you during a breakup, and He wants to help you through it. He sees you when you lose a loved one, and He is ready to comfort you. God is close when things go wrong. When humanity’s sin brought brokenness to creation, God was heartbroken. Yet He was determined to restore what had been lost and unite us to Himself again. That’s why Jesus came. He is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He was born into this messy world where so many things are wrong, because He loves us. He died and rose again to defeat sin and death. When He returns He will finally heal every brokenness, and right now He sits beside us in our sorrows, weeping with us, comforting us, and strengthening us. If you know Jesus, His presence is always with you. He reminds you that you will be alright because He is holding you. It might still take time. Your heart might be slow to heal from the loss of a loved one or something horrible you experienced, but you will have His comfort through it all. Remember Psalm 34:18 says God is close to you when you’re brokenhearted; He saves you when your spirit is crushed. If you’re going through any kind of heartache now, remember that God is near. He is ready to give you comfort and peace. You can rest knowing that He is with you, and He will help you through this time. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of heartbreaking things have you experienced lately? How might God be inviting you to receive His comfort? • One of the primary ways God helps His people is through His people. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by loss, or experiencing sadness that won’t go away, who are trusted adults in your life you can talk to, such as parents, pastors, counselors, or teachers? If you’re not sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) 

READ: LUKE 5:17-26; 23:32-43; EPHESIANS 2:1-10 Icy iron chains bind my hands behind me, weighing me down more and more with every step as I’m led toward the throne room. My heart pounds in my chest and sweat slides down my temple. Why did I have to be so foolish?! Why did I think it would be a good idea to steal from the King’s table? What was I thinking! The groan of the great, gold doors of the throne room opening snaps me from my thoughts, and I gulp. Up ahead is the King, full of majesty and glory. With slow, halting steps I make my way toward the foot of the throne. I barely notice the murmurs of the court as I curl into myself. I should have listened to my mother. She told me my thievery would get me killed someday. I fall to my knees before the throne, my whole body shaking with fright at what I’m sure will be a death sentence. After everything I’ve done, I’d deserve it. Stealing isn’t even the worst crime I’ve committed. I keep my eyes on the floor. For a moment silence reigns in the room; then a gentle voice speaks. “Why are you frightened young man?” the voice asks. “Because I’ve done wrong against the King and the people of this kingdom,” I say, my voice shaking. Then a hand gently lifts my chin to reveal the King smiling kindly at me. He moved from his throne—he came down to be near me, a criminal. Awe washes over me and I stare, not understanding why the King of all people would be smiling at me. “Be at peace young man,” he says kindly, “you are forgiven, and your name is cleared. Be free.” At those last two words my chains fall, broken, to the ground, and I stare in awe as tears fill my eyes. “Why?” I rasp, and the King smiles. “Because I choose to.” • Caelin Allred • What stuck out to you in today’s allegorical story? Jesus is King of the universe. He humbled Himself by coming to earth, fully God and fully human, and living among us. He was on a rescue mission to forgive us, knowing full well all the wrong things we do that separate us from Him. For everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, He has secured our forgiveness through dying on the cross and rising from the grave. If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" Page. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 10:27-30; HEBREWS 4:14-16; 12:1-3 Click-click-click-click. Drumsticks rose and fell in unison. As drumline leader in our marching band, it was my job to ensure the drummers played tightly together, with sticks all rising up to the same height and hitting the drums with the same intensity. To do this, I had to watch the drum major, who marched ahead of us and kept time. While playing with the whole marching band under the drum major’s lead, I had to make sure that our hits exactly shadowed the drum major’s direction so we didn’t sound as random as a popcorn machine. Otherwise, the entire band might fall apart. The competition field provided plenty of distractions: black-jacketed judges critiqued us as we marched on fields that were often slippery with ice or mud. Depending on the season, the summer heat made us sweat or the winter chill made our fingers numb. And rowdy spectators (most of them our slightly embarrassing parents) cheered and tooted plastic horns from the stands. These distractions caused me to lose focus at times, which then made the drumline sound like popcorn. And with popcorn, the song began to crumble. But the drum majors were there to hold it all together, to provide a steady pulse and direction for the entire band. No matter where I was on the marching field, my eyes must be fixed on the drum major. And if I lost focus for a moment, I immediately refocused on them. Much like my focus can wander because of the distractions of the marching field, my focus can also wander from God. Then I feel more chaotic, with less peace and less patience. When I fix my eyes on Jesus, it doesn’t take away the difficulties or distractions of life, but He provides peace and hope through every difficult circumstance. With each pulse of life, we can remember that Jesus lived through difficulties just like us. He provides hope as the One who beat sin and death on the cross so we could live forever with the God who loves us unconditionally. God knows the pulse of life, and as we fix our eyes on Him, we find peace and hope that always hold steady. • Amanda Gott • We all lose focus on Jesus sometimes. When that happens, we can rest secure in the knowledge that He never loses focus on us. We are always in His care, and He is always with us. How could this sure hope help us refocus on Jesus in the midst of chaos and distraction? And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus… Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 148 I love getting out in nature and exploring all that God has made. And I’ve always enjoyed traveling and getting to see places and things that are new to me. Over the years, I’ve been able to go to several national parks and see a wide variety of God’s stunning creations. From views of the Atlantic Ocean framed by colorful trees at Acadia National Park in Maine, to gorgeous sunrises over the desert of Death Valley National Park in California, I was amazed by God’s work. God made this world so varied, each different landscape beautiful in its own way. Just think about the variety of trees alone—from palm trees that grow in desert oases to maple trees that change their colors in the fall. As we behold trees, mountains, and oceans, it’s amazing that we can know the God who made all of it. God created a stunning world, and we get to live in it. I am so grateful to Him for that. There are many reasons to praise God every day, and one of those reasons is that He made everything—from the deserts to the oceans—and He invites us to delight in His creation with Him! When we get outside and experience all kinds of beautiful things, we can praise the God who crafted them. It’s amazing to see the care He put into making the world, and it’s amazing that we get to enjoy it with Him. • Bethany Acker • Have you ever had an experience in nature where you were more aware of God? What was it like? • The Creator of everything wants to be in relationship with us (Acts 17:22-31). That’s why Jesus came—He died and rose again so that we could know the One who made the deserts, the oceans, the trees…and us. When we know God personally through Jesus, our experience of nature is even more meaningful. If you have questions about what it means to know Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created. Psalm 148:5 (NIV) 

READ: MARK 2:1-12; LUKE 5:17-26; JOHN 15:12-15 I was reading through Mark 2 last night, and I was struck by all that a group of friends chose to do in order to bring one man to see Jesus. Mark 2:3-4 says four men carried a paralyzed man to Jesus. “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.” The Bible doesn’t tell us very much about these five men, but they seem like a group of friends, and it’s clear that one of them was unable to walk on his own. We don’t know how this man came to be paralyzed. Maybe the friends had been doing something together that they shouldn’t have been doing, and the one friend got hurt. We don’t know. What we do know is that the four who were able to walk chose to carry their friend and bring him to the place where Jesus was. But the house was so crowded, they couldn’t get in. The friend group could have turned around and left. The four could have taken their paralyzed friend back home. Instead, they somehow got him up on the roof. That had to be a lot of work. Then, they made a way to fit him down through the roof and lower him to the floor of the house so that he could be seen by Jesus. The friend group in Mark 2 was caring. They didn’t abandon their friend because he was unable to move like them and do everything they could do. And these friends had faith. Because of their faith, the one who couldn’t walk got to meet Jesus. Jesus not only forgave him, but He healed him too. The man who had been paralyzed was able to stand up and walk—and the book of Luke tells us that he “went home praising God” (Luke 5:25). Jesus cares deeply about us; He will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:7). Once we know Jesus, He calls us His friends, and He also transforms our friendships to reflect His love. Like the friend group in Mark 2, we can help others come to Jesus. When life gets tough, we can remind each other that Jesus brought us close to Himself through His death and resurrection. And as we see and respond to each other’s needs, we remind each other that we are seen by God. • Emily Acker • Do you have any friends who care about your needs and who want you to be close to Jesus? If so, how could you be intentional about spending time with them? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify people in your life you could become good friends with. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

READ: GENESIS 22:1-18; EXODUS 12:12-13, 21-23; 1 JOHN 2:1-2 The story of Abraham taking his son Isaac up to the mountain Moriah to be sacrificed has always been a difficult one for me to read. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? And then why does God instead provide a different sacrifice to take Isaac’s place? Even Isaac himself is confused by the ordeal. He sees the firewood but asks his dad, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). Abraham tells his son that God will provide the lamb. And yet, look at Genesis 22:13. Did you catch the type of animal God provides for the sacrifice? It’s a ram, not a lamb. The Israelites who read this story were probably left with the same question we are: Where is the lamb? In Exodus 11-13, the Israelites got their first answer. While they were enslaved in Egypt, God instructed them to sacrifice a lamb and spread the blood on their door posts. This sacrificial lamb would save their firstborn sons from the final plague that passed over Egypt. This sacrificial lamb mirrors the events with Abraham and Isaac—God provided an alternative sacrifice to save a firstborn son. Later, God the Father would again send a sacrifice to save, but this time it was His only Son, Jesus. Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He is the lamb God the Father provided as a sacrifice, except His sacrifice took the place of more than just a firstborn son. Jesus’s loving sacrifice on the cross took the place of all of us. And when Jesus rose again from the grave, He defeated sin and death so that all who trust in Him will one day rise with Him. Not only were our sins paid for by His sacrifice, but we also get to participate in God’s kingdom as coheirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17). This is something only the perfect lamb could achieve. And, after years and years, we can look back at Genesis 22:13 and get the answer to our question: Where is the lamb? The Lamb is Jesus. • Naomi Zylstra • Often, we can understand Bible passages more fully when we look at the Bible as a whole. This is because the entire Bible points to Jesus (John 1:45; 20:31; Acts 10:43), and we can only know God through Jesus (more about this on our "Know Jesus" page). As Christians, when we read the Bible we are reading words written by and about someone we have a personal relationship with. And He helps us grow in our understanding of His Word through the help of the Holy Spirit and fellow Christians. Which Bible passages are difficult for you to read? Who could you ask about this? John saw Jesus…and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (CSB) 

READ: JOHN 10:27-30; ROMANS 8:31-39 My favorite baseball team made it to the playoffs one fall, and I was excited to watch the first playoff game with my brother and sister. We were preparing food ahead of time so we wouldn’t have to worry about it during the game, but as I was working in the kitchen my finger slipped—and before I knew it I had a bad cut. I went from excitedly preparing food to crying on the floor, a towel wrapped around my finger. I thought I would have to go to the emergency room. I didn’t know if I would even make it back in time for the game. Just like that, the thing that had been my main focus—the baseball game—wasn’t a big deal to me. I was only concerned about my finger. Have you ever had something happen that changed your focus in an instant? Maybe someone died suddenly. Maybe you lost your home. Maybe you got injured or heard bad news out of the blue. When things like this happen, we are no longer able to focus on whatever else was on our minds. But even when our heads are spinning and our hearts are racing, God holds us. No matter what comes our way, He will be with us. When things here on earth feel so uncertain, it’s good to remember what Jesus said about those who know Him: “I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). As Jesus’s followers, we can rest knowing that He holds us. And we get to look forward to Jesus’s return, when He will renew His creation and raise us from the dead to live with Him forever. In the meantime, we can cling to Him, knowing that He will be with us no matter what happens in our lives. I think of how life can change in a moment, and I realize just how important it is to know that God holds me, now and forever. • Emily Acker • Have you had an experience where suddenly your life was changed and your priorities were different? God is strong enough to hold us through the worst that life throws at us. Consider taking a moment to remember a time you felt overwhelmed, and imagine God holding you through it. What does that feel like? “I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (WEB) 

READ: MATTHEW 28:1-10; LUKE 24:1-12; JOHN 20:1-18 Elena didn’t have time to walk all the way around the quarry. She had dinner plans with friends. Ever since Rosa had said the mines would re-open, the town had been chaos. Finally, after weeks of debating whether Rosa had actually found the gold nugget, then a few more weeks of arguing if she had actually heard a voice, the mayor finally decided to re-open the mines after thirty years to do some exploratory mining. So the main trail was closed, and Elena had to walk all the way around. Elena had never known life with the mines open. Her grandfather had worked in the mountain’s mines, and her father had too, right before they closed. Elena was lost in thought when suddenly the rocks to her left shifted. She had to jump to dodge a few smaller rocks that rolled onto the path. Her heart racing, she looked over and saw a crack had appeared in the mountainside. “Come and see.” Elena heard a voice in her mind. “This is the restoration I promised.” Still a little wary of the rocks above, Elena walked over and peered through the crack. Veins of gold shone on every wall. Elena gasped at the beauty of it. “Now go and tell the good news,” the voice spoke to her. Elena remembered Rosa mentioning a voice and wondered if it was the same one. She ran to the town and almost ran into her friends at the well. “Gold! I found the gold—this side of the quarry! It’s just like Rosa said would happen!” Elena panted as she told her friends Arturo and Nicolás. “No way! I gotta see this!” Arturo ran off. Nicolás shrugged and followed, leaving Elena alone to catch her breath and tell the others. A while later they returned. Arturo said, “You were right. So much gold!” “Why would I lie?” Elena laughed, but she was hurt her friends didn’t believe her word. “It really is a miracle,” said Nicolás. Elena gave a small smile; she had to find Rosa and tell her the news. “This is going to change everything.” • Naomi Zylstra • Consider taking some time to read the Bible passages that today’s allegorical story is inspired by. On more than one occasion, God first gave big news to women, including the news that Jesus had risen from the dead! Why do you think God chose to do it this way even though, in that society, a woman’s testimony was not considered as trustworthy as a man’s? • Why is knowing Jesus the most valuable treasure? (Matthew 13:44-46; Philippians 3:8) The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. Matthew 28:8 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 1:18-25; LUKE 1:26-38 As Rosa walked toward town to meet up with her fiancé Antonio, she was passing by the old mines when something shiny caught her eye amidst the rocks and tumbleweeds. She was leaning down to look when suddenly a voice from above rumbled, “Go and take this gold. It is a gift for you and a promise of more to come. I will restore this town and bring it out of poverty.” Shaking with surprise, Rosa said, “Who’s there? Who are you?” “I am the One who watches over you. And I will restore this town, starting with you. Go and tell the people of my promise.” So Rosa picked up the shining object, excitement coursing through her veins. It was a perfect gold nugget. Rosa ran into town, looking for anyone to share the good news with. The first person she ran into was the banker. “Look what I found! The old mines are going to open again—this whole town can be restored!” She shoved the nugget into the banker’s hands, and he gave it, and her, an appraising look. “Well, it looks like a perfect gold nugget—too perfect to be real. Besides, there’s no way this could have come from the mines. They’ve been closed for decades. Now, who did you flirt with to get this?” “Flirt with?” The sheriff overheard their conversation and stepped in. “How do you know she didn’t steal it? Let me see that!” The sheriff grabbed the nugget in one hand and Rosa’s arm in the other. “I think we should have a little talk at the station.” Rosa struggled. “I’m no thief! I found the gold, and a voice told me that more would come!” “No, she’s right.” Antonio pushed his way through a gathering crowd of onlookers. “I had a strange dream last night that the mines re-opened and there was more gold than we could imagine.” “Thank you,” Rosa mouthed as the sheriff grumbled some excuse and let go of her arm. Antonio smiled at her. “I didn’t know what the dream meant until you found the gold—this is great news!” Rosa smiled back and whispered, “It’s going to be a miracle.” • Naomi Zylstra • Consider taking some time to read the Bible passages today’s allegorical story is based on. God chose a humble teenager, Mary, to give birth to the Savior. Why do you think God chose to save the world this way? Imagine yourself in the banker’s or sheriff’s shoes, hearing Rosa’s story. What must it have been like for Mary to be doubted and scandalized? “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” Luke 1:30 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 5:13-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:13; COLOSSIANS 4:2-6 You’re groggy this morning, and you walk barefoot to the kitchen in that foggy, sleepy state. Once you arrive in the kitchen, you mindlessly and wordlessly prepare your oatmeal. Soon you sit down at the table and have the first taste of your handiwork. Ugh. So bland. You add more sugar and try again. Still frown-worthy. You add still more sugar. Blech. You’re about to add even more sugar, when your mind clears and you realize, This needs salt, not sugar! You try a pinch of salt…and the oatmeal finally tastes good. As Christians, it’s good to be reminded of how salt enhances the flavor of things. After all, we’re salt too! In Matthew 5:13, Jesus told His disciples they were “the salt of the earth.” What does that mean? Jesus went on to say they were also “the light of the world,” and then He said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (verses 14-16). This applies to all Christians. We have a calling to season people’s lives with the flavor of God’s love. His love compels Him to help us, even to the point of dying on the cross for us. The way we treat others can help them get a glimpse of Jesus’s enormous love for them (Matthew 25:34-40). How? By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can be attentive to the needs of people around us. Do you know someone who’s sick? Is there someone who feels left out at your school or church? Is one of your classmates or siblings struggling with schoolwork? As we encourage others and offer to help with what we can, we get to share the joy Jesus has brought into our lives, and invite them to experience His joy too. Without Jesus, life can be pretty bland and discouraging. So let’s shake some salt into someone’s life today! • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time someone seasoned your day with the salt of Jesus’s love? What did they do? • Why is it important to remember that we love others because Jesus loved us first? That He loved us before we could do any good deeds? (Romans 5:6-8; Galatians 2:20-21; 1 John 4:19) “You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13a (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 18:24; ISAIAH 43:1-2; JOHN 15:15 Do you have a younger sibling? Do they sometimes follow you everywhere and mimic your every move? This can get pretty annoying, but did you know Jesus is kind of like that? He doesn’t annoy you or mimic you, but He is with you wherever you go. Proverbs 18:24 says, “there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” When Jesus came and lived among us, existing as fully God and fully human, He called us His friends. When things get tough, Jesus wants you to lean on Him. He will see you through each and every storm, trial, and struggle you face. He won’t leave you alone, because He loves you. Joshua 1:9 says, “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Wherever doesn’t just mean when you’re having a great day, but also when you mess up…and mess up some more…over and over again. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus, every sin you’ve committed in the past—and will commit in the future—is forgiven because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for you, paying the price for your sin. Even now, Jesus is interceding for you, keeping you close to Himself (Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2). And whenever you fall down, He’ll help you get up and continue walking with Him. No matter what you do, Jesus is always with you. He wants to be your friend. You can trust Him with your life. You can lean on Him through the good and the bad. Jesus loves you like a brother, and He will never leave you. • Josefine Engle • Have you ever thought of Jesus being “a friend who stays closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)? Everyone goes through hard things in life, but as Christians we can know that Jesus is right there with us, and He is not going anywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). What trials or storms have you been facing? How might Jesus be inviting you to lean on Him through these storms? • If you want to know more about trusting Jesus and becoming His friend, check out our "Know Jesus" page. I will never leave you or abandon you. Hebrews 13:5b (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 139; ISAIAH 41:10, 13 My life has taken me Down twisting and turning paths Like a pretzel I have never had it easy My path has never been a straight line Through every question and every fear Through every change in my course I have felt You with me I have leaned on Your guidance I have known I am not alone My life has made me wonder And question where I’m going The rocky paths They’ve made me think I need to turn around But I have kept going You have held me through it all You have helped me find my way • Emily Acker • Have you had times in your life when everything feels confusing and every decision feels wrong? When we don’t know what to do, how could it be freeing to know that God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers, and He invites us to rely on Him? • God sees us, in all our questions and uncertainties, and He has compassion on us. He doesn’t always give us answers to every question, yet He does promise to be with us and help us. Though the journey of our lives may seem twisting and turning, He is working out His good purposes through every bend in the road and every setback, and He is transforming us more and more into the image of our loving Savior, Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). How might knowing that God understands every detail about our lives, even when we don’t, give us hope in times of uncertainty? Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (CSB) 

READ: LUKE 11:1-13; HEBREWS 4:14-16; JAMES 5:13-16 Have you ever wanted to help someone who was struggling, but you didn’t know what to do? There is always something you can do, even when you feel like you have nothing to give. When you have nothing else, you can still do the most important thing, and that is to pray. When a friend or family member is going through a difficult situation and you aren’t sure how you can offer to help, you can pray for them. When you see someone struggling financially and you don’t have much money to offer, or when they need some other kind of help that you can’t give them, you can pray for them. Throughout the Bible, God calls us to lift each other up in prayer. He hears our prayers and is ready to help. Sometimes, we feel like we’re doing nothing when all we can do is pray, but James 5:16 says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power.” Who is a righteous person? Well, none of us can be righteous (or sinless) on our own, but God loves us so much that He gives us His righteousness and forgives all our sins when we put our trust in Jesus (Romans 3:10, 22). So, even though we will continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns and makes all things new, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Whenever you encounter a difficult situation, whether in your own life or someone else’s, you can take it to God. Prayer is powerful because God is the all-powerful One. He loves you deeply, and He wants to help you with whatever you’re facing. • Bethany Acker • Christians throughout history have prayed to God when they needed help, and God has answered their prayers. Sometimes God responds in the way we expect, or He might respond in a different way. When we pray, God not only changes situations, but He also changes us. As we come to Him with our struggles and concerns, we grow in our faith. We get to know God better, we come to trust Him more, and we start seeing things the way He does. Can you think of anyone who’s struggling right now? Are you struggling? Consider taking a moment to pray about anything that comes to mind. If you’re not sure what to pray, you can follow a prayer from the Bible, like Numbers 6:24-26, Luke 11:1-4, Ephesians 3:14-21, or Philippians 1:9-11. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 1 John 5:14 (NLT) 

READ: JOSHUA 1:9; PSALM 96:11-12; ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 What’s your favorite season? I don’t know if I have one; I always have trouble answering that question. There are things to love—and not love—about every season. In winter I love the snow, the beauty of the world just being covered with a blanket of white. The cold certainly isn’t my favorite thing though. In spring watching the plants sprout and the earth come back alive is rejuvenating. In summer the heat makes it fun to swim and kayak. In autumn watching the trees change color before the leaves begin to fall is beautiful. With every season, I’m reminded of God’s wisdom in creation. He is the One who crafted the seasons with beauty; He is there in every season. This is true not only for the seasons of the earth, but also for the seasons of our lives. He is there, and He adds beauty—things to be thankful for—in every season. I’ve been going through a season of health issues and unemployment, and this is a season that definitely has struggles. But through all of it I’ve felt God’s presence, and He has shown me beauty many times over. I’ve found out how many people care about me in my church and are praying for me. I’ve also had more time to pursue my writing. Whatever season you’re going through right now, no matter if it’s a great one or a not so great one, God is with you. He loves you, and He is making this season beautiful. • Kimberly Brokish • Isn’t it amazing that the God who created the earth, with all its beautiful seasons, wants to be in relationship with us, His creation? Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and because He died and rose again, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus gets to be with God forever. When Jesus returns, He will put an end to all pain, sorrow, sickness, and evil (Revelation 21:1-5). And in the meantime, Jesus promises to be with us, moment by moment. He brings beauty to our lives, often when we least expect it. What beauty can you find in your current season? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. • What season of your life have you felt God’s presence most in? If you’ve never felt close to God, that’s okay. You can ask God for this anytime—He loves answering these prayers. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9; PSALM 1:1-2; MATTHEW 22:36-40 I recently accepted a job working in the office of my local fire department. This was something I never expected to do. I had very little knowledge about how fire departments even worked. But the fire chief knew this when he proposed the plan for me to take over some of his responsibilities. He knew it would be a long journey, but he offered to take the time to teach me. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with my position. I spend hours working with the chief to learn what he does. I have a picture of the firefighters to memorize names and faces. I put military time on my phone to understand how their 24-hour shifts are recorded. I made a study guide that I add to daily as I learn new information. I’ve read up on topics like mental health in firefighters, consolidating fire and police forces into public safety officers, cancer in firefighters, and how to support them. I ask a million questions: "How do you name fire engines? What do fire investigators do? How do you become a captain or lieutenant?" All that I’m learning consumes my thoughts, day and night. I see fire trucks and stations everywhere I go. And this made me wonder, maybe I can pursue knowing God, His Word, and my role as a Christian like I am learning to be an assistant in the fire department. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, God calls His people to learn Scripture and think about His Word every day, all throughout the day. As we read the Bible, we get to know more about Jesus and how to live in relationship with Him. The more time we spend in God’s Word, the more we’ll be reminded of Scripture and God’s promises everywhere we go. Dedicating ourselves to learning Scripture could include using the tools we have available to us, like putting verses as our screen backgrounds or researching Bible study resources like scholarly books, articles, videos, and podcasts. The fire chief wanted me to work there even though he knew I would be learning from scratch and there would be lots of failures ahead. When I’m struggling to get something, he is patient and forgiving. In the same way, God knows we won’t be perfect, and He has covered all our imperfections through Jesus’s death and resurrection (Romans 3:23-24). We could never uphold God’s law perfectly, but Jesus did. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are His forever, and God helps us grow in loving Him and loving others as He loves us. • Natty Maelle • What are some practical ways you could take time to ponder God’s Word this week? “I [Jesus] did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” Matthew 5:17b (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 2:1-3; EXODUS 20:8-11; MATTHEW 11:28–12:13; MARK 6:27-32 The other day, I heard someone say, “Rest is productive,” and I flinched a little. That can’t be, can it? Resting is the opposite of being productive, right? Sometimes I struggle with feeling guilty when I rest or take a break. Or I’ll remember how productive I was in the past and think I’ll never compare to that now with all the rest I’m taking. But God teaches us that not only do we need rest, but it’s also an important and productive part of becoming more like Christ. God created the Sabbath with the purpose of resting in mind. In the book of Exodus, He commanded His people not to do any work on the Sabbath, the last day of every week, inviting them to trust Him to provide for their needs. And in Genesis, God even gave us an example of rest right at the beginning: God finished His work of creation, and then He rested. When we rest, we can quiet our minds and listen to what God may be trying to tell us. Or we can simply enjoy and be present in the gifts of creation God has given us. Jesus often went off alone to pray, and in Mark 6:31, Jesus called His disciples to come away with Him to rest and take a break after they had just come back from their missionary journeys and heard the news of John the Baptist’s death. Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He shows us that rest is an important and integral part of our daily lives. Not only that, but Jesus also said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). God wants us to rest, and He provides that rest in Jesus. • Naomi Zylstra • As Christians, we don’t practice the Sabbath the same way God prescribed in the Old Testament. These laws were just a foretaste of the ultimate rest God was preparing to give His people in Jesus. But God still calls us to take times of intentional rest, and to do this often. (And one way we can rest is by gathering with other Christians and listening to His Word together.) When was the last time you took an intentional break? How did you feel during your break? • Jesus is the One who provides rest. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died on the cross and rose from the dead for us, we get to enter God’s rest. We can be free from striving because Jesus has already done the work of saving us, making us whole, and restoring us to relationship with Himself. So, when we take time to pause from our work and from what seems productive to us, we get to express our trust in God and enjoy His good gifts. What makes you feel well-rested? How could you incorporate at least one of these things into your life this week? “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (WEB)

READ: PSALM 139:6-12; EPHESIANS 3:14-21 We try to comprehend a lot of things in life. And the fact is, God created us with the ability to learn. Knowledge and discovery are gifts from Him. He invites us to explore this vast universe He has made, and He calls us to dig deep into Scripture so that we can understand more and more about who Jesus is and what it means to live in relationship with Him. But can we ever really understand just how much God loves us? Can we ever really know just how much He cares about us? Can we ever wrap our minds around the fact that He never stops loving us, no matter what we do? Ephesians 3:19 says that God’s love “surpasses knowledge.” And yet, throughout the Bible God gives us glimpses of how amazing His love is. God created us and was happy with His work. From the beginning, He loved us. He loved the first humans. He loved humankind. Even though humans rejected God, His love for us did not change. In the Old Testament, we see how God led generations of individuals, caring for each group and helping them through struggles. He loved them even when they continued to reject Him and go against His good ways. In the New Testament, we see how God came and lived among us. Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He revealed the depths of God’s love by giving His own life to save us. Jesus went to the cross and let Himself be killed…but then He rose from the dead, because nothing—not even death—can stop God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Jesus defeated sin and death once and for all, so now everyone who puts their trust in Him is forgiven and restored to relationship with God, and they will live with Him forever. God’s love is eternal. We deal with humans every day who love and then stop loving. God is not like that. We will always be loved by Him. There is nothing we can do that will take us so far away from Him that His love won’t reach us. We will always have a place with Him if we just turn back. He will welcome us home with open arms (Luke 15:11-32). • Emily Acker • Consider taking some time to reread Ephesians 3:14-21. What do you think it means to “know this love that surpasses knowledge” (verse 19)? • If you want to come home to God’s love, you can, right now. You can find out more on our "Know Jesus" page. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8 (NIV) 

READ: ROMANS 12:1-11; EPHESIANS 2:8-10; 1 JOHN 4:19 Have you ever found yourself playing the comparison game? When we look around us and see what everyone else can do, it’s easy to try to figure out if we’re better or worse at certain things than others. Maybe your friend Blake is better at soccer than you are, so you might try to make yourself feel better by comparing yourself to Skye, who is a weaker player than both of you. But comparison is a never-ending game, and it leaves us feeling stressed, not satisfied. We all struggle with comparison from time to time, but thankfully we don’t have to keep playing the comparison game. Instead, Jesus frees us to embrace the gifts God has given us. He created each of us with different talents and abilities—He didn’t leave anyone out. And once we put our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts too. God calls all of us to share His love with others, but every person does this in their own unique way. So, when we try to measure ourselves against other people, it doesn’t really work. But when we focus on using our own gifts to serve the Lord, we find joy in discovering how He made us. All our abilities come from God, and He’ll help us use them for His glory and to point others to Jesus. Playing the comparison game is a waste of time. But in Jesus, you’re free to be who God created you to be—yourself! You have an important purpose in His kingdom. When you feel like others are more valuable than you because they can do different things, remember: you belong to Jesus. He made you and delights in you just as you are. You are eternally valuable because God made you. And you are infinitely loved by Him, no matter what you do. • A. W. Smith • We live in a broken world where comparison is all around us. From social media to athletics to academics and more…we’re constantly given ways to measure ourselves against other people. But, as we find our identity in Jesus, we find freedom from the comparison game. As Christians, we are forgiven children of God who have meaningful work to do in His kingdom. Instead of trying to figure out if we are better or worse than others, we can thank God for how He created each of us wonderfully unique. Consider taking a moment to thank God for a few of the people you might be tempted to compare yourself to, and also thank Him for the abilities He’s given you. • Do you know what some of your talents or spiritual gifts are? Who are trusted Christians in your life who could help you discern what your abilities are and how to use them well? God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 3:14-18; 14:5-10; ROMANS 3:21-27 I jumped when the solid oak door slammed behind me, its banging echoing through the empty chamber. The dust from the floor blew up into my nose, and I coughed, the nervous pit in my stomach growing even tighter. Just one shot…one shot… I repeated to myself as I looked up to see the fabled target, glaring down at me from its perch on the wall. One day every year, the king allowed new prisoners the chance to walk free if we could do one thing: shoot an arrow into the very center of this target with only one shot. Each prisoner got to try once. It was either make this shot and rejoin the kingdom with a clean slate, or miss and spend the rest of my life in the dungeons. Our kingdom was famous for its archers. Our nobles were some of the most accurate and skilled—I’m even excellent according to some. But better archers than me had missed this shot. And now it was my turn. Trembling, I reached back into my quiver and pulled out the one arrow I was allowed, anchoring it on my bowstring. Breathe… breathe… I lifted my bow, aiming the tip of my arrow for the target’s bright red center. My fingers clenched, threatening never to loose the arrow. And then I saw him. The prince. Like a ghost, he had appeared in the doorway out of the dungeons. Of all the king’s archers, he was the best. He never missed. I looked at the target, then back at him. Suddenly, I knew. He was the only one who could make this shot. His kind eyes met my terror-filled gaze, and without another thought, I barely whispered, “I’m sorry… Help me… please.” He approached me and said, “Don’t be afraid. My Father sent me.” He took the bow from my hands, and I felt the weight of the task lift from my shoulders. He anchored, aimed, and… The arrow hit—dead center. I’m free. • Raven Merz For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24 (NLT) • Today’s story is an allegory. Did you know the Greek word "hamartia" is often translated as “sin” in the Bible, but it’s also an ancient archery term that could be translated as “missing the mark”? How could it be helpful to think about sin this way? • We’ve all missed the mark of loving God and each other (Matthew 22:37-40), and that means we’ve all sinned. The consequence of sin is death. There’s no way we could undo our sin or escape death…but God wants to save us. Because God loves us and wants to be with us, Jesus came and lived among us as a human. Jesus is God the Son, and He is the only human who never sinned, never missed the mark, and so He was able to save us by living a righteous life of obedience to God the Father, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising from the grave to defeat death. He hit the mark on our behalf. So now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus can stand before God as though they never sinned. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you can rest in God’s unbreakable forgiveness and never-ending love for you. And you can look forward to the day when Jesus will return and raise you from the dead to live with Him forever in a world free from sin and death! (If you want to know more, go to our "Know Jesus" page.) • According to Hebrews 4:14-16, we can boldly approach God’s throne because of Jesus. Even though we will all continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns,

READ: ISAIAH 61:1-3; 64:6-8; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-10 Have you ever heard of the Japanese artform called Kintsugi? The word means “golden joinery” or “golden repair.” The art is created when a treasured ceramic, like a clay bowl, is broken. Instead of throwing away the old pieces and making a new ceramic altogether, the artist takes the broken pieces and mends them together by mixing lacquer with powdered metal such as gold. The effect is the same shape as the original beloved ceramic, but with all the cracks now filled in with gold, the cracks become the focus of the clay pot. Repairing the damage in this way creates a stronger and more beautiful object than what existed before. The artform of Kintsugi can remind us to embrace the beauty found in our flaws and develop resilience through the hard parts of our lives. Greater still, the art of Kintsugi can help us see God’s great love for His own Creation. The prophet Isaiah describes human beings as clay in God’s hands (Isaiah 64:8). In His love, God not only gave us life, but sculpted something He thought was beautiful and “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Sadly, sin brought brokenness throughout creation, and in our brokenness we tend to forget how great our beauty is in the eyes of our Lord. I often focus on my imperfections, giving me a low view of myself. It’s hard not to look at our bodies and notice where we’re broken or what we think our flaws are. But this is not how God views His children or how He wants us to view ourselves. He wants to restore brokenness. He invites us to acknowledge our pain and receive His compassion and forgiveness. But we don’t stop there. By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God is redeeming us, making us stronger and even more glorious than before. Second Corinthians 12:9-10 even says we can delight in our weaknesses because Jesus’s power “is made perfect in weakness.” Remember, when Jesus rose from the dead, He still displayed His wounds from His crucifixion. Jesus’s body was and is broken for us. His wounds reveal how deeply He loves us and our bodies. Because of His love, we can love every part of our bodies, looking forward to the day Jesus will raise us from the dead and all our broken places will be fully healed and glorified. As the artwork of our Creator, let us use our bodies to bring glory to our great Artist. • Peter J. McDonough • Can you think of a time you viewed an imperfection in your body in a way that made you feel bad about yourself? God takes the same exact moment and says you are beautiful, His Creation He is redeeming. How might God be inviting you to view this imperfection in light of His grace? We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8b (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 119:34; PROVERBS 1:1-7; ACTS 17:10-12; EPHESIANS 1:15-23 As we grow in our faith, it’s good to ask questions. Questions help us dive deeper into the Bible and learn more about God and how He reveals Himself in Jesus. God loves it when we bring our questions to Him. And it’s rewarding to pursue answers that help us live out our faith with wisdom and share the gospel (or good news) with others. The Bible is full of wisdom, mysteries, truth, and life. It tells the story of Jesus: God in flesh coming to live with His people, die on the cross, and be raised from the dead to make the way for us to be with God forever. There are so many things you might be curious about when it comes to the Bible and your faith. Maybe you wonder about the people who came before you, who walked with God thousands of years ago. You can study the Bible to learn more about them. And what you find may leave you with even more questions! It’s so good to take the time to ask all the questions you have. Jesus gives us community with other believers through the Holy Spirit, so you can talk to those who share your faith and bring your questions to them. You can learn from those who’ve been following Jesus and studying their Bibles a lot longer than you have. You can seek out trusted mentors and friends who will get into deep conversations, listen to your questions with patience and understanding, and pursue answers with you. You can also look for good books and other scholarly resources that will teach you some of the things you want to learn. When you have questions to ask, ask them. Find answers. And when you don’t find answers, ask more questions. Dive deep into the Word and learn more about the God who loves you more than you could ever imagine. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of questions do you have about God, the Bible, and your faith? Do you have someone in your life who can help you pursue answers, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors? If not, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. • God wants us to live according to His wisdom because He loves us and He knows that His ways lead to true life. He generously reveals His wisdom in Scripture and gives us understanding through the Holy Spirit. What are some ways we can study the Bible, either alone or with others? I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18 (NLT) 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:18-22; GALATIANS 6:2-5; HEBREWS 10:19-25 On the way home from a road trip, I peered out the window of our minivan and noticed a slogan that said, “Helping the World Keep Promises.” This bold statement emblazoned on the side of a truck advertised the company’s reliability.* I assumed they wanted customers to know they would deliver their cargo on time, every time. We DO need help keeping our promises, I mused. Maybe we need reminders, to-do lists, or a date circled and highlighted on the calendar. Maybe we need to have accountability, a friend or mentor who will check in with us to be sure we’re following through on our commitments and goals. Keeping promises can present challenges for us, even when we long to keep our word and fulfill what we’ve committed to do. But something else came to mind. We may need assistance in keeping our promises, but God never does. Righteous and holy, God will never fail to keep His word. He will always remain faithful to His character. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that His promises are for us, too. We can pour out our hearts to the Lord. He listens to our cries, He hears the stories of our brokenness, and He gives us rest in Himself. We can have confidence that He delivers on His promises on time, every time. • Allison Wilson Lee • When do you need help keeping your promises? God knows that we all need support to follow through on our commitments, and He invites us to lean on Him and trusted people in our lives to help us. But sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew, and we need to apologize and tell others we won’t be able to do what we said. God wants to help us in these times too. Who are trusted people in your life who can help you set good boundaries around your commitments? • When is it hard for you to trust that God will keep His promises? We all experience this from time to time, and it can be helpful to remember examples of His faithfulness…Jesus promised to rise from the dead, and He did! Jesus also promised the Holy Spirit would come after He ascended, and that’s exactly what happened. Now, we’re waiting for Jesus to fulfill another huge promise: to return and make all things new, free from sin and death, so that everyone who trusts in Him can live with Him forever. Then, there will be no more broken promises, and all will be well. *Old Dominion Freight Line Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 8:2-18; PSALM 13; MATTHEW 11:28-30 What are deserts? Many people think of places like the Sahara—rolling dunes of hot sand with no signs of life. Some consider parts of the Arctic to be a desert. It makes sense—rolling dunes of snow with no signs of life. In either case, deserts are big, empty, and hostile. Do you ever feel like you’re living in a desert? I do. Sometimes the season of life we’re living in feels extreme, difficult to bear, and void. We may think: "How could God possibly be working in my life right now? I’m doing nothing but surviving—barely. My life isn’t like the heroes of the Bible. My life is empty." However, nearly all the people in the Bible had what I call “desert years.” One of the most obvious examples is the Israelites’ forty years of desert wanderings (Numbers 32:13). But there are also Moses’s years as a shepherd in the desert before God called him back to Egypt (Exodus 2:15–3:10), David’s years of hiding in desert caves before God fulfilled His promise to make him king (1 Samuel 23:25), and Abraham and Sarah’s years of nomadic desert life before God gave them a child (Genesis 12–20). And Jesus didn’t skip the desert experience when He came as a human to die for our sins and bring us new life through His resurrection. He spent forty days in a desert before He began His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). For some of these people, not much is written about their desert years. But that doesn’t mean God was absent or that these years were meaningless. Think of the Israelites wandering aimlessly in the desert. In that time, God showed His loving, fatherly faithfulness. Their shoes never wore out and God provided them with food and water (Exodus 16–17; Deuteronomy 29:5). God showed that in the absence of all other things in life, He was present. How is God working in your desert years? I don’t know. But I know His life-giving presence is there. • Abigail Scibiur • Have you gone through a season of your life that felt like a desert? Do you feel like you’re going through desert years right now? Are there any Bible passages, memories of past experiences with God, or trusted Christians you can draw near to for comfort during this time? • When we’re in our desert years, it doesn’t always feel like God is present. But if we know Jesus, He lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We can bring these feelings of loneliness and distance to God in prayer and ask Him to remind us of His nearness anytime. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 17 How amazing is it to think that Jesus took time to pray for His followers, including us? In John 17, we read Jesus’s prayer—a conversation between Jesus, who is God the Son, and His Father in heaven. Jesus knew that He was going to the cross in a matter of hours, that He would die, rise again, and then ascend into heaven while His followers stayed on earth. He knew they would have struggles. He had seen the darkness this broken world holds, the darkness He came to save us from. And though Jesus promised to be with us always through the Holy Spirit, and to one day come again and make all things new, He knew there would be hardships before He returned. So, Jesus asked His Father to look out for His followers and protect them after He ascended. Jesus went on to pray not only for the followers who were with Him at the time, but also for us…for those who would someday hear and believe the message His first followers would share. This chapter hit me differently when I read it recently. I don’t remember knowing that Jesus took the time to pour out His heart regarding us and that He asked for help for us. John 17 shows how much Jesus cares about us. It can encourage us and remind us of how much He loves us. Jesus knew how difficult life could be (Hebrews 4:14-16). He knew that trouble and persecution would come for those who follow Him. He reached out to the Father to ask for help for those people. For us. • Emily Acker • Have you ever had someone tell you they were praying for you, such as a friend or family member? How did it make you feel? How similar or different does it feel to know that Jesus prayed for you? (In fact, Jesus continues to pray for you. See Hebrews 7:25 and 1 John 2:1.) • Consider taking some time to read John 17:11-26 slowly and imagine Jesus’s voice praying these words for you. What sticks out to you? “I [Jesus] am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” John 17:20 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 34:1-8; JOHN 1:35-51 John 1 is one of my favorite chapters of the Bible. Twice in this single passage, we hear the words, "Come and see." First, the words are spoken by Jesus Himself. John the Baptist is with two of his disciples, and when Jesus passes by, John can't keep the excitement to himself. "Look!" he tells them. "There is the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36). The two disciples immediately follow Jesus. He asks them what they want, and when they ask him where He's staying, Jesus replies, "Come and see" (verse 39). And so, they do. They stay with Him the rest of the day. One of these disciples is Andrew, and he goes to get his brother Simon (also known as Peter). Andrew says, "We have found the Messiah" (verse 41). They can't keep this news to themselves. The next day, Jesus calls another disciple, Philip, saying "Come, follow me" (verse 43). Then, Philip goes to Nathanael and shares the news with him: "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth" (verse 45). Nathanael is skeptical and says, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (verse 46). Philip responds with the same words Jesus said earlier: "Come and see." This short statement contains two verbs: come and see. A movement toward Jesus, and then a reminder to open our eyes. It's simple and yet so profound. An invitation to join Jesus's family and see how much He loves us. Like Andrew and Philip, we have the power to share the love of Jesus and the good news of His kingdom. We can invite those around us to come and see. We might get questions along the way, but Jesus will help provide the answers. Why should we want to follow Jesus? Come and see. Is He really as good as the Bible makes Him sound? Come and see. Come and see, friends. Experience the joy and goodness of His presence, then welcome others to experience it as well. " • Becca Wierwille. • What might it look like in your life to come and see Jesus today? • What is one way you could invite a friend to come and see the love of Jesus? Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 (NLT)

READ: MATTHEW 5:38-42; MARK 15:33-37; PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 I was reading about different ways Christians have prayed throughout history, and I came across something that struck me. Christians in the early church used several different poses to pray, and each pose was connected to a different type of prayer: lying face-down on the ground was often connected with repentance, standing was associated with praise, etc. But one pose caught my attention. Sometimes, early Christians would pray standing with their arms stretched out to the sides and their heads turned up toward the sky. And while poses like these have been used in different traditions and religions throughout history, early Christians connected this last pose to Jesus's body on the cross. And Jesus wasn't the only one who was crucified. During the time period when Christians in the Roman Empire were praying like this, they themselves were in danger of being crucified. Reflecting on this, an early church leader named Tertullian said, "Let crosses hang us, fires light us, swords cut our throats, beasts attack; the actual stance of the praying Christian is ready for any kind of punishment." These Christians knew what it was like to live a life of self-sacrifice. They knew they were in danger. They knew they were vulnerable. But they could face that vulnerability because they followed a vulnerable Savior. Jesus laid down His own life for us because He loves us. He let Himself be killed, willingly assuming the same pose His followers would later use for prayer—a pose some of them would be killed in. Then, He rose from the dead, making the way for all His followers, including those who were killed by Rome, to be raised when He returns. I'm blown away by the humility and vulnerability demonstrated in this form of prayer. It's a pose of peace and nonviolence—one that accepts pain instead of returning it. It communicates total praise and total self-sacrifice. It's the pose of Jesus. And I pray that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He will help me embody this praise and self-sacrifice. • Taylor Eising • Have you ever prayed in different poses—standing, kneeling, laying down, hands folded, palms open, arms out, head up, head down, etc.? How could using different poses help us focus on different types of prayer? • How has Jesus's self-sacrifice on the cross made it possible for us to live self-sacrificially? And being found in appearance as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 13:44-45; PHILIPPIANS 3:7-21 The luxury car went first. Then the jeep. Then the convertible was sold too. Neighbors scratched their heads, and whispers started running through the neighborhood. Lawsuits? Debts? Drugs? No one knew. All the designer clothes went next. And the shoes. Instead of high-end heels, she was seen walking around town in dirty old sneakers, and her shirts and jeans looked worn and outdated. The whispers intensified. Maybe her company was sued and her day in court didn't go well. Maybe drugs were messing with her head. When the house went up for sale, the neighbors were shocked. It had been in her family for generations. She must be desperate, they whispered to one another. The day the new owners were scheduled to move in, she gathered her few remaining items and put them in a plastic bag. She left the house key under the doormat and threw the bag in the trash can on the curb. Eager to begin her journey, she didn't even turn to give the house one last look before crossing the street. She started walking. She didn't have enough money left to catch a bus. Mile after mile she walked, her muscles aching more with each passing hour. When rain began pouring from the sky, she pulled the frayed hood of her sweatshirt over her head and kept walking. When she got to the edge of her new property, her steps grew lighter. Burrs stuck to her sneakers and thorns poked at the thin threads of her clothing as she started running through the brambles. It didn't matter. She would have new clothes soon enough. Clothes that would never wear out. Soon she came to a large boulder in the middle of the field. She gently touched the side of the stone, and it began to roll, revealing a hole just big enough for a person to fit through. When she looked down into it, she felt a pure, golden warmth swathe her face. Without a backward glance, she dropped down into the kingdom of eternal light. • Courtney Lasater • Today's story, like the Bible verse it's based on, is a parable—a symbolic story meant to teach a deeper biblical truth. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus isn't telling us it's bad to have money or that we have to give up all we own in order to be part of God's kingdom. Instead, He shows us that being part of His kingdom is so much more valuable than anything this world has to offer. • Take a closer look at Philippians 3:7-11, 17-21. Why is knowing Jesus and being part of His kingdom so valuable? • Is the way you view your money and possessions in line with Matthew 13:44? If not, why do you think that is? • Whenever we realize we're guilty of sin, such as greed, God invites us to come to Him. Through Jesus's death and resurrection, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is fully forgiven. And, through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to follow Jesus in every aspect of our lives, including how we view—and use—our money and possessions. Yet, Christians will still struggle with sin until Jesus returns, and so He calls us to confess our sins often, resting in His forgiveness and relying on His power to turn away from sin. Consider taking a moment now to pray, confessing any sins that come to mind, thanking God for His forgiveness, and asking for wisdom in how to move forward in the joy and rest of His kingdom. (Matthew 6:24-30; 11:28-30; 1 Timothy 1:12-17) "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

READ: JOB 2:11-13; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7; 1 PETER 1:3-9 Have you ever tried to cheer someone up, only to accidentally make them more upset? I’ve had times when I wanted to help someone who wasn’t doing well mentally or physically, but when I tried to say something, I felt like I only made the situation worse. Proverbs 27:14 says, “If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” It’s a funny proverb, but it reminds us that our good intentions can be taken the wrong way when we speak up in the wrong situation. It can be hard to know how to help someone who is hurting. Job’s story in the Bible is a great example of how NOT to help a friend. Job went through tons of hard times: he lost his family, health, and wealth. For a while, his friends sat with him in silence. But when they spoke up, their bad advice and false accusations hurt Job even more. So how can we love and support others when we have no idea what to say? (1) Be present. As the saying goes, “Actions can speak louder than words.” In the hardest times, just sitting with someone and listening to them reminds them they’re not alone. Jesus sits with us in our sorrow, and our presence with others can remind them of Jesus’s presence with them. (2) Mourn with them. Don’t try to compare the situation or make it seem better than it is. In John 11, Jesus wept at the death of a friend, Lazarus, moments before He raised that friend back to life. Jesus didn’t skip over the sadness or mourning. Sadness and hardship are part of living in a world broken by sin (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), and we don’t have to be afraid or ashamed of feeling that sadness and hardship. (3) Pray for them, and offer to pray with them. This can be a powerful reminder of God’s loving care toward us, especially when we are hurting, as well as an opportunity to process our feelings with God. We live in a broken world, but through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God gives us hope and strength through hard times (John 16:33). He is with us in our suffering, and He will return to end all suffering and heal all brokenness forever. We can rest in this sure hope…and share it with others. • Abby Ciona • Has anyone ever come alongside you during a hard time? What was it like? • Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God who you could come alongside today. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV)

READ: ACTS 9:1-31; COLOSSIANS 1:9-14 That person will never change. I just know they won’t. Have you ever had this thought? Sometimes, there are certain people in our lives who seem unchangeable, like they’ve just always been the way they are. They might be angry, mean, or just apathetic. We may long for them to be different, but it can be hard to believe that there’s actually any chance they’ll change. But we can have hope. God has the power to change anyone. Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, God has made the way for anyone to come to Him— all because He loves us. And, when we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live lives that reflect Him. The Holy Spirit never gives up helping us become more like Jesus (Philippians 1:6), so we never have to give up hoping—and praying—that someone will change. Let’s look at Paul for example. In Acts 9, we see that Paul (also called Saul) was doing truly evil things, and nobody expected him to change. He was hurting and killing followers of Jesus, but when Jesus reached out and touched his life, Paul became someone entirely different. He not only stopped persecuting Christians, but he started spreading the good news of Jesus, even risking his life to tell others about Him. If God had the power to change Paul—someone who was living a terrible life of violence—He can also change the people we know who are acting in harmful ways. His love can transform our angry family member, lying classmate, and cruel neighbor. Through the Holy Spirit, we can pray for these people, believing God has the power to change them. And we can remember how God has changed us—removing stubborn patterns of sin in our lives to help us love Him, love our neighbors, and even love our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14). • Emily Acker • Is there anyone in your life who seems like they will never change? How can stories like Paul’s give us hope to keep praying for these people? • What are some ways you’ve seen God work in your life to help you live more like Jesus? If you can’t think of any, you can ask God to show you how He is, and has been, working in your life. • If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and 2:1-7 (written by Paul). So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 9:7-10; 33:4-5; MICAH 6:8 He almost made it. My friend Cliff had almost sat all the way down in his desk when the tardy bell rang. But still, our ninth-grade civics teacher counted my friend late, and this carried a punishment: a 1000-word essay due the next day. Like most of us in the class, Cliff had arrived well before the late bell rang. He’d sat in his desk and pulled out his books—just like the rest of us. I had wanted to borrow a pen from my friend Melissa, who sat in front of Cliff. He’d offered to pass the pen from Melissa to me. This required him to get up from his desk, and as he returned to his seat he’d gotten caught by the bell. I approached the teacher to explain how Cliff had only been helping me; it was actually my fault Cliff was counted late. But the teacher wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t persuade him to reconsider or assign the punishment to me. I knew it wasn’t fair that Cliff would suffer for something that wasn’t his fault. Yet I couldn’t do anything about it. This moment of unfairness in my civics class troubled me, but it soon passed. Cliff penned the essay and harbored no anger toward me; we moved on. But our world teems with injustice much deeper than this. And God takes note of it all. Our loving Lord cares about justice. In fact, He is enthroned as the Righteous Judge of all creation. And through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can be counted as righteous before Him, and we can find hope knowing that Jesus will return to get rid of all injustice, permanently. In the meantime, God charges us to care about justice as He does. God has called us, His people, to be His agents for justice and righteousness on the earth—for one classmate in civics class or for people around the globe. As we do this, we can rest in His sure love and in the hope of Jesus’s return. • Allison Wilson Lee • Are there problems in the world that frustrate or grieve you? What are some of them? Consider bringing these things to Jesus in prayer. He cares too—even more than we do. • The big issues in the world can feel overwhelming, but what are some ways—big or small—that you could speak up for justice right where you are? • If you want to learn more about how God defines justice, check out Isaiah 1:17, Zechariah 7:9, Proverbs 29:7, and Leviticus 19:15. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14 (NIV) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-9; 2 PETER 3:9; 1 JOHN 4:19 Have you ever worked behind the scenes in a theater production? Much of the work that goes into making a show great—designing the set, moving set pieces during the performance, timing special effects, running the sound systems, doing cast members’ makeup and hair, etc.—is not seen or noticed by the audience. All the audience sees is the successful show, not what goes on behind the closed curtains. God often does a lot of behind-the-scenes work too. Have you ever been praying for someone and felt discouraged when you didn’t see any change in that person? Have you done your best to tell someone about Jesus, but it hasn’t seemed to make any difference? Be encouraged! You don’t know what God has been doing in that person’s heart. It could take a very long time for them to come to Jesus, but keep sharing God’s love with them and keep praying. As Christians, we can trust God with the results, knowing He “is patient…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God is working, so keep praying (John 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-6). We can trust Him to bring about His good purposes. He has promised that all things will be made new, free from sin and death, and that everyone who puts their trust in Jesus will dwell forever with Him and His people in the new heavens and the new earth (Romans 8:20-29; Revelation 21:1-5). Even now, He is continuing to work behind the scenes, drawing people to Himself. • A. W. Smith • If you know Jesus, who were the different people God worked through to show you more about Him? Consider taking a moment to thank God for them—and maybe thank the people too! • What are some ways we can show God’s love to those who don’t know Jesus yet? As we pray for these people, we can ask God to give us ideas and opportunities to share His love. I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 8:22; PSALM 46:1-7; 104:19; HEBREWS 13:5-8 Today is an equinox! On two different days every year, day and night are the same length. All around the world, the day lasts twelve hours and so does the night. We call those days equinoxes. There are two different types of equinoxes: vernal and autumnal—one for spring and one for fall. But which one is which depends on what part of the world you’re in because the seasons are flipped in the northern and southern hemispheres of the world. So, because I’m writing from the northern hemisphere of the earth, today is the autumnal equinox for me, marking the beginning of the fall season. Equinoxes are two days that we use to help us determine when the seasons change. But they’re only the tip of the iceberg. I haven’t even gotten into solstices, which are the two longest and shortest days of the year that usher in winter and summer. But, once again, which season each solstice brings in also depends on what part of the world you live in. Complicated as they are, equinoxes and solstices remind me of Jesus’s faithfulness. God made the whole universe and knew about the seasons long before humans figured out how they worked. He made the seasons follow predictable patterns, so even though there’s change, there’s still order. And here’s the most amazing part: Jesus Himself doesn’t change, even though our seasons do. That’s really good news. No matter what we face as Christians, no matter what changes we experience—good or bad—we can know that Jesus is with us and His presence and promises will never change. Simply put, Jesus has promised to be with His people through everything we face, and He also promises to work everything for His good purpose—to make all things new, free from sin and death (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28-29; Revelation 21:1-5). No matter the season or circumstance, these promises will never be shaken. Regardless of the changes we see, we can know that Jesus’s love for us will never change. This hope will endure through every solstice and every equinox. • Kandi Zeller • What part of the world do you live in? Which season is being ushered in where you live? • Take a moment to reread today’s Bible passages. How can the truths in these verses bring us comfort and encourage us to come to Jesus with all our concerns when we face changes in the world and in our own lives? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) 

READ: JOHN 1:12; GALATIANS 4:4-7; COLOSSIANS 1:9-14 Imagine you were royalty…and didn’t know it. Here’s the scene: you were kidnapped as a baby. Then, after years and years, your family finds you! But even after they do, you’re not sure how to live like royalty. You’re offered a place to live in the palace, but you’re afraid of the change, so you opt to keep on living in an old shack. Your parents, the king and queen, even bring you beautiful new clothes, but you decide not to wear them and choose to keep wearing your dirty, raggedy clothing. Wouldn’t this be strange? Yet, as Christians, we sometimes live out a story like this. When we enter a relationship with Jesus, we become royalty. We are adopted into God’s family as His beloved children. Our Father is a King—and not just any king, but the King of kings (1 Timothy 6:15-16). But sometimes, we forget that we’ve joined Jesus’s glorious kingdom of light and justice. We’re tempted to go back to our old, sinful ways of living—to move away from the love God has for us and believe old lies, even if we now know those lies aren’t true. Sometimes, we fall into believing we are worthless, insignificant, unlovable, or just plain bad. We’re tempted to run away from the rest God freely gives us and the royalty Jesus bestows on us, instead choosing things that reflect the world’s sin-broken system: things like greed, power-grabbing, hatred…the list goes on. Simply put, sometimes we forget to embrace the new life Jesus has given us. We act as if we don’t know we’re children of the King. But, when we run to those old lies and dress ourselves in them like dirty rags, let us remember our true identity: we are children of God, His beloved heirs. We can know that we are infinitely valuable to God because Jesus died and rose again to save us and bring us near to Him. Whenever we stray from the goodness He has for us, Jesus pursues us and guides us home (Luke 15:1-7). What He says about us is true, and His Holy Spirit empowers us to receive these truths and live more and more like Jesus—reflecting our beloved and royal identity as children of God. • A. W. Smith • In what areas of your life do you struggle to embrace your new life in Jesus? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this. (Romans 13:12-14; Colossians 3:1-17) • Read Luke 15:20-24. We all struggle with sin and stray from God’s good ways. When we confess and turn away from our wrongdoing and come to God, how does God receive us? Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And…his heir. Galatians 4:7 (NLT) 

READ: MATTHEW 3:1-17; 4:12-17; JOHN 4:13-14; ACTS 3:19-21 I thought this would quench my thirst I’ve felt so empty And this promised to fulfill But something is wrong I’m so caught up I barely hear the whisper “Repent,” You say I stop in my tracks Realize what I’m doing hurts others Hurts You I feel a pull inside myself An urge to right what is wrong My heart turns toward You My body moves with it My mind knows the truth And now I face the other way And step toward my Savior • Naomi Zylstra • Did you know the word repent means to turn? When we repent, we confess and turn away from our sin, and turn to God. Repentance is a gift from God. Sin is harmful, and God the Holy Spirit moves in us, helping us recognize our sin, and empowering us to turn away from it and receive His forgiveness. What might it look like for you to turn away from sin in your life with your heart, mind, and body? (Psalm 119:36-37; Matthew 22:37-40; Acts 14:15) • In Matthew 3, many people were coming to John the Baptist and repenting, but the religious leaders were clinging to their power and influence. What are some of the barriers to repentance in your life? Jesus invites us to bring all these things to Him and behold His goodness. He died on the cross and rose from the dead for us. Knowing Him is far better than anything else we crave. In Him we find forgiveness, newness of life, and love that fills all our deepest longings. Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17b (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:27, 31; EPHESIANS 1:2-10; 3:14-19 You might not believe you are good enough, but to the God who created the universe and every human on earth, you are enough. You might find it difficult to believe you are capable or attractive or talented or special, but the God who made every colorful flower, every sweeping cloud, every gorgeous beach, and every towering mountain is the One who created you too. When you start to doubt your worth, think about who it is who created you. God made everything and everyone in this world. He made it all good, and He made you (Genesis 1:31). And, as a human you are even more important than the flowers, the clouds, the beaches, and the mountains…because you are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). God knows who you are. He made you on purpose. He loves you just for being you. You don’t have to try to be anything special to earn His love. The reality is, you could never do enough to earn it—He gives His love as a gift. Before God created the world, He already knew you and loved you. He even knew that you would sin and reject Him, and He still loved you. That’s why Jesus came…because even though all humans sin and fall short again and again, God doesn’t give up on us. He died on the cross for us and rose from the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Jesus can be forgiven and live with Him forever. As we grow deeper in our relationship with God, we grow more confident in who we are. Because our identity is in Jesus, He has declared that we are enough. We are fully loved by the Creator of the universe. We are completely forgiven through Jesus. We are called to be part of His kingdom work, and we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow wherever God leads us. So, when you start to doubt your worth, think about who it is who created you. Think about how He was willing to suffer and die for you. Think about the way He invites you to a life of purpose. That’s how much you’re worth to God. No matter what you do, God sees you as worthy of the love that He so generously gives. • Bethany Acker • In what ways have you felt like you’re not enough? • How can remembering the good news about Jesus help us understand our worth and rest in God’s love for us, instead of striving to be enough? …how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:18 (NIV) 

READ: GENESIS 1:27; LUKE 8:1-3; MATTHEW 27:45-56 Sometimes, when I look at our broken world and I see more and more ways that women have been treated as less than men, I just get overwhelmed. Sometimes I wonder, does God see women as less than men? Are we less? One day, I was sitting alone in my car and praying, and this question was once again pressing on my heart. And I was reminded of how Jesus interacted with women. Their stories began to soothe the ache in my core. Jesus is God in human flesh. He reveals the way God sees women. (1) The arrival of the Son of God was announced first to a woman. Her name was Mary, and she lived in Nazareth. The angel Gabriel called Mary “highly favored” and told her that Jesus—who is Immanuel, God with us—would grow in her womb. The Son of God would take His first breath when she gave birth to Him. (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:26-38) (2) Jesus revealed His identity as the Messiah to a woman. She lived in Samaria, and she was coming to a well to draw water when no one else was there—except Jesus. He asked her for a drink and had a conversation with her, even though, in that society, men weren’t supposed to talk to women, and Jews certainly weren’t supposed to drink from a Samaritan’s water jar. But Jesus treated her with dignity and listened to her questions with respect. When He told her that He is the Messiah, the Savior who God had promised, she ran to tell everyone! And many believed in Jesus because of what she said. (John 4:1-42) (3) Jesus commended a woman for sitting under His teaching. Her name was Mary, and she lived in Bethany. In a society where girls didn’t receive schooling from rabbis, this woman took the posture of a disciple, and Jesus honored her for it. (Luke 10:38-42) (4) After Jesus rose from the dead, the first person He appeared to was a woman. Her name was Mary, and she was from Magdala. Then, Jesus sent her to tell others that He was alive! In a society where a woman’s testimony in court wasn’t considered as valuable as a man’s, Jesus entrusted the most important news, first, to a woman. She became the first person to proclaim His resurrection. (John 20:1-18) These examples and many more from the Bible kindle hope in my heart, because even though our world has been broken by sin and we see injustice in so many ways, when I look at Jesus, I see that God honors women. He made women on purpose, not as an afterthought. He made both women and men in His image. And He loves all of us. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be part of His eternal kingdom. I follow Jesus, like many women who came before me. • Hannah Howe Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he [Jesus] had said these things to her. John 20:18 (NIV) • In what ways have you seen people being treated as less than others? How can knowing that we are all created in God’s image help us see ourselves and each other as God sees us? (Genesis 1:27) • Have you ever felt less than? You can bring these thoughts and feelings to Jesus anytime. As Christians, we can rest in our true value in Christ. In God’s eyes, we are His masterpiece—all of us. And He equips each of us to be part of the good work of His kingdom. (Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:10) • Can you think of any examples of women being treated as less than men, either throughout history or in your own life? God invites us to process these things with Him. He grieves alongside us, and He gives us hope. One day, Jesus will return and right every wrong (Revelation 21:1-5). In the meantime, He has promised to be with us through everything we face (Matthew 28:20). How can these truths comfort us when we encounter unfair situations? • How can looking at the ways Jesus interacted with women affect the way we view women? <p

READ: PSALM 77:11-12; ROMANS 15:4; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 Do you find parts of the Bible boring to read? You’re not alone. The Bible was written by lots of people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and these different people lived over a long period of time. The Bible is made up of all kinds of different genres, and it includes complicated historical details and complex spiritual ideas. Sometimes, when we’re reading a part of the Bible that goes into a lot of these details—like ancestry or building instructions or accounts of different battles and political changes—it can be a challenge to find these details interesting. We might struggle to see how things that happened thousands of years ago could apply to our lives at all. The good news is that the Bible, complete with all its details, is one unified story. It tells us about how humanity fell into sin, how we were separated from God and each other…and the story continues with God stepping in to reconcile us to Himself. Through Jesus, God is calling people to know Him personally, and He is rescuing all of creation from sin and its effects. So, when you’re reading a part of the Bible that seems pretty dry and uninteresting, remember that the story of the people in those pages is our story too. When we read about people in the Bible, we hear how God helped them and kept His promises to them—even when they sinned—which reminds us that Jesus will do the same for us. Hearing these stories helps us know how great God is and reminds us that we can trust Jesus in every situation. After all, we sin just like the people in the Bible did, but Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so we could all be brought near to our Creator who loves us dearly. As we read the Bible, let’s take time to think about each story and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us understand His Word in a deeper way, asking questions like, “How does this passage invite us to think and live as a child of God?” “How does it show us who Jesus is and what He is doing throughout all of history?” As we ponder and question, we can rest in the love of our God, the One who is weaving our lives into His great story. • A. W. Smith • What are your favorite parts of the Bible? Why? What are your least favorite parts of the Bible? Do you find things that annoy you or make you confused or angry? These feelings are normal, and they can be a sign that you are really trying to work through and understand what the Bible says. You can bring these thoughts and feelings to God in prayer anytime. Additionally, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk 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 15:4b (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: ACTS 2:42-47; EPHESIANS 2:13-22; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 When God created Adam, He said that people shouldn’t be alone. And so, God created Eve. From the beginning, God created people for community. God designed Adam and Eve to thrive in fellowship—in companionship and intimacy with one another (Genesis 1-2). But then, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Adam blamed Eve, and she blamed the serpent. No one wanted to take responsibility. Trust was broken. God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and He warned them that life would be different. And it was. Humanity was trapped in sin (Genesis 3). Years later, Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4). After the Fall (when people first sinned), how can we trust each other? Do we even want to live in companionship and intimacy in this broken world? Isn’t it easier to fend for ourselves without depending on others? Maybe it is easier. Bad things continue to happen in relationships. We’ve all experienced this. Friends betray each other. People abandon their families. We feel hurt by those we love. But easier is not always better. We are created to thrive in fellowship, just like Adam and Eve. When Jesus came to earth, He emphasized the importance of community. “For where two or three gather in my name,” He said, “there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). After Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit, His followers acted out this model of fellowship: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46-47). Because of this, more people came to know Jesus. Jesus brings us redemption, so we can live in fellowship. While this world is still broken, and there may be places where we need to put up loving boundaries, that doesn’t mean we need to live our lives in isolation. Jesus makes us part of His family, and He makes it possible for us to live in fellowship with each other. He saves us through His death and resurrection, places us in community, unites us by His Holy Spirit, and holds us together in His love. So let’s live in companionship and intimacy with our fellow believers in Jesus. And, in our fellowship, let’s draw others into the love of our Savior. • Becca Wierwille • Why do you think God cares so deeply about fellowship? Do you carry hurts from trusting others in the past? Who are safe people in your life that you can talk to about these hurts, such as pastors, counselors, parents, or youth leaders? Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11a (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: PSALM 13:1-6; MATTHEW 11:28-30; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11; HEBREWS 4:14-16 I am tired, so ready to give in I am weak, I cannot stand on my own I need rest, some way to take a break I need peace, a chance to put away my thoughts I am anxious, so much to get done I am frozen, no way to move forward I need help, some way to push on I need strength, direction to go forward I need to sleep I need to rest I need to know that You are holding me I need Your love I need Your peace I need to know that You will care for me I am tired, so ready to give in Reach down, remind me of your love Let me see the peace and strength You’ve given me • Emily Acker • Have you ever felt like the narrator of this poem? We all go through times when we feel exhausted, anxious, and weak. In these times, God does not scold us—He has such compassion for us. He reaches out, and in tenderness He comforts us. God wants us to come to Him for help in every struggle we face. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that Jesus empathizes with you and you can talk to Him about it. In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? • One of the primary ways God helps His people is through His people. If you’re experiencing things like anxiety or insomnia and you’re not sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: ROMANS 12:15; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14, 25-27; GALATIANS 6:2 Have you ever had a really bad ear infection? For such a small part of the body, the ear really makes a big difference! If your ear is infected, your entire body feels bad. In addition to your ear hurting, you might have trouble sleeping—not to mention hearing—and you could also experience headaches, difficulty balancing, or a loss of appetite. Thinking about ear infections can actually help us understand a truth we see in the Bible. As Christians, we are all part of the body of Christ. We need each other, and, like different body parts have different functions, we are each equipped with different spiritual gifts so that we can build one another up and share the good news about Jesus. As people bound together by Jesus’s love for us, we make up a single body. When one member has something to rejoice about, we get to rejoice with them! And when one part of the body of Christ is hurting, we have the opportunity and privilege to grieve with them. Now think back to ear infections. When you have one, your whole body suffers, and you do whatever you can to make your ear feel better, right? It’s similar in the church. When someone who is part of the body of Christ is hurting, we do what we can to help that person feel better too. This is one of the ways we share each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). As we care for one another’s physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational needs, we remember that our Savior is present with us through His Holy Spirit. And even when the hurts are slow to heal, we get to be present with one another and rest together in the love of Jesus. • A. W. Smith •How could you ease someone’s burden today? • When you are burdened, who are trusted Christians you can reach out to? • How does caring for one another help us share the good news about Jesus—that God became human, dwelled among us, died for our sins, rose from the grave to beat death, and is returning one day to make all things new, free from sin and its effects? (You can read more about the good news on our "Know Jesus" page.) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: PSALM 139:13-16; PROVERBS 14:30; JOHN 10:7-11 “If only I could be like Carter,” I wished for the millionth time. “Just naturally confident.” Trudging through the crowds on my way home, I thought about all the popular college students. Unlike me. Everyone in front of me seemed to stride with purpose, while a heaviness dragged me down. Without warning, thunder rumbled. Lightening flashed as if ripping the darkening sky in two. Long needles of rain bounced on the ground, but I wasn’t soaked. I was dry. I turned to call out, wondering how I could still be dry in a downpour, but I was alone. Something’s terribly wrong. I shuddered. Where’ve they all gone? “Hello,” I cried out, my throat burning. Silence. The storm stopped. The scenery had changed. Vivid colors from trees and blossoming flowers. A mixture of their perfumes surrounded me. I wanted to stay here in this peaceful beauty forever, but my body was propelled toward a sign: "Comparison Road." Looking back, everything was dazzling. But as I moved onward, out of control, the road started to crack. Flowers were bleached of vibrancy. Trees were bare. Further on, other trees had withered, and some drooping shoots looked as if they had given up and refused even to grow. The grass changed to earth and dust. Sadness swirled inside of me at the decaying environment. At the end of Comparison Road was a large gate, ajar. “Go through,” a Fatherly voice instructed. As I stepped through the gate, I felt immediate relief. Then the same voice said, “Comparison Road is a dangerous place. Many people try to travel it, but everything of beauty and growth withers there. When you are tempted to take its path, remember that I created you. You are my beloved child. I love you. I made the greatest sacrifice for you. So, when you are tempted toward comparison, come to me. Chasing after someone else’s dream or lifestyle is a waste of precious time. But when you choose my way, listening to what I say about you and following where I lead, you will find a life of true fulfilment.” His powerful love welled up inside of me. Falling down to my knees, I praised God and repented of my comparison, surrendering myself anew to the One who made me and called me. Words tumbled out until I was back home. This time, peace filled my heart. • Cindy Lee I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14a (WEB) • In what ways are you tempted to compare yourself to other people? • Why do you think comparison causes decay? How have you seen the damaging effects of comparison, either in the world around you or in your own life? • We live in a broken world where comparison is all around us. Whether it be social media popularity, academic accomplishments, athletic abilities, material possessions, or what we do in our free time…we’re constantly given ways to measure ourselves against other people. Where can we go when we’re surrounded by all this comparison? We can come to Jesus. As we find our identity in Him, we find freedom from comparison. If we belong to Jesus, we are children of God, we are fully forgiven, and we are called to a life of freedom and purpose in following the One who died on the cross and rose from the grave for us. Consider taking a moment to come to Jesus now. You can tell Him about what you’re thinking and feeling, bring your hurts to Him, confess any sins that come to mind, ask for His help, and rest in His unwavering love for you. • Our loving God created us as diverse individuals, each of us beautifully designed to make a difference in the world. So, when we find things to admire about other people, we don’t have to try to figure out if we are better or worse than they are. This leads to death and decay, not life and peace (James 3:13-18). Instead, we can thank God for creating these people, and we can also thank Him for creating us

READ: MATTHEW 5:13-16; COLOSSIANS 4:2-6 In Matthew 5:13-16 and Colossians 4:2-6, we read that Christians are like salt. But what does that mean? What does salt do in practical terms? And how does this apply to our everyday lives? First, salt adds flavor. As Christians, we can add flavor to the lives of the people around us by sharing the love of Jesus. When we add salt to other people’s lives, they get a taste of what Jesus is like (Psalm 34:8). Second, salt makes you thirsty, letting your body know you need water. And like salt, Christians can help people around us become aware of their need for Jesus. When people see what knowing Jesus truly means to us and hear about what He’s done for us, they might become interested in knowing more about Him for themselves (John 7:37). Third, in the days before modern medicine, salt was often used to disinfect a wound. In a similar way, Christians have the good news of Jesus. He has provided the antidote for sin and all the brokenness it causes through dying on the cross and rising from the grave for us. Because we know Jesus, we get to look forward to the day He will return and fully restore His creation, and in the meantime, we get to see glimpses of His healing in our own lives—whether it be physically, spiritually, emotionally, or relationally. Sharing the story of Jesus in a loving way reminds us of the healing work Jesus has done in us and introduces others to the healing He can do in their lives. So today, as Christians, let us consider how we might share the salt of God’s healing love with our community, and let us rest in that same salty story where we found—and continue to find—our healing. • A. W. Smith • Which of the three characteristics of salt listed above stuck out to you the most? Why? • What questions do you have about how to share the gospel in a loving way? Consider taking some time to pray, asking God about this in the space below. • Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk with about loving ways to share the good news of Jesus? Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: ISAIAH 26:19; EZEKIEL 37:1-14; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-20, 51-52 Earth will give birth to you. Your body, as it decomposes, will scatter particles back into the biosphere of our planet. This has happened to all members of the human race, the highborn and the lowly. But this isn’t permanent. A day is coming when Jesus will raise the bodies of the dead, putting all the little pieces back together. Earth will give birth to our bodies again, after absorbing them, like it first gave birth to humanity at the Creator’s touch (Genesis 2:7; 3:19). Our planet is a giant recycling system. Things that die go back into the mix, and more life is created. It seems impossible that, once we die, we could be taken back out of the earth and reassembled. That is, however, the sure hope that God promised through His prophets and will accomplish in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself was dead, and for three days in the tomb, His broken body began to return to the biosphere. But He could not be held by death and decay. God the Father raised God the Son from the dead, putting His body back together and reversing the natural process. When Jesus returns, we will also be raised from the dead, and all who have put their trust in Jesus will live with Him forever in restored creation. Then, our bodies will be in better shape than they ever were before, but make no mistake, the bodies we have now are the same bodies we will have after the resurrection. Humans were never meant to be recycled. God made us to live on the earth with Him, glorifying Him always. We fell into sin and death, but He will retrieve us. That is our sure hope. • Kevin Zeller • Our bodies matter to God. How might the resurrection affect the way we view our bodies now? • When Jesus returns, He will make everything new. Then “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). What pains and sorrows have you experienced in your body lately? Jesus cares about all these things; He empathizes with us, and He grieves with us. But there will come a day when our bodies will no longer get hurt or sick or sore. Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus about the hurts you, or people you know, are experiencing, and ask for His healing. Even if we don’t experience healing today, as Christians we have the sure hope of complete healing when Jesus returns. But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise—let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy… the earth will give birth to her dead. Isaiah 26:19 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: MATTHEW 5:43-47; LUKE 21:9-11; JOHN 14:1; 1 JOHN 4:19 War. Terrorism. Violence of all kinds. In a world that’s broken by sin where these terrible events are the reality—and in an age of unending information in which we constantly hear about them—what are we as Christians to do? First, let’s remember why these terrible things happen. Since humanity fell into sin, grasping for power and rejecting God (Genesis 3), people and nations want to be powerful, and many will do anything to gain that power. That’s the reason we see rampant violence in our world today. So where is the hope? What do we do now? As Christians, we know Jesus. He is the loving God who saw our sin—our power-grabbing, our violence, and our disregard for God and neighbor—and He stepped into our world, becoming human to dwell among us. Then, He died and rose again to beat sin and death. Jesus is the One who weeps with us at the sin that wreaks havoc on the world He made. He is the One who will return one day to make all things new, free from the brokenness sin brings. And, as the just judge, He is the One who will make all wrongs right. In light of these truths, we can know that we are loved by God and that He is at work in the world—taking even the bad things that happen and working them for His good purpose: to bring us back to Himself and to restore all the good in creation that we, in our sin, have destroyed (Romans 8:18-39). So today, we can rest in God’s love for us. As we receive His comfort and peace, we can love and care for our neighbors (and even our enemies) in a world that’s full of violence and hatred. Because Jesus first loved us, we can walk into our broken world, transformed by His love and radiating that love toward everyone we encounter. We can trust Jesus with every situation, knowing that He cares deeply for His creation. Things won’t be like this forever because Jesus will one day put an end to sin and death in this world once and for all. • A. W. Smith • How can resting in Jesus’s love and the hope of His return, when He will rule with perfect justice, help us work for love and justice when our communities experience violence and hatred? • What tragedies of violence are on your mind right now? Consider taking some time to cry out to God and lament these things in the space below. And remember that Jesus weeps with you. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me [Jesus].” John 14:1 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: PSALMS 34:1-22; 61:1-2; 121:1-8; 139:1-5 When I whisper Answer me, God When I scream Be the One who hears When I can’t speak Hear my thoughts When I break Put all of my pieces together When I’m lost Bring me home, God When I’m scared Calm my fears When I fail Show me the way When I praise you Accept my praise • Emily Acker • Today’s poem is written in the style of a psalm. Did one of the phrases in this poem stick out to you in particular? Which one? • We can pour out our hearts to God at all times (Psalm 62:8). He is always eager to listen to us and help us. What does your heart long to say to God today? • Throughout the book of Psalms, we can find echoes of the gospel. For example, in Psalm 34:20 we find a prophecy that none of Jesus’s bones would be broken (John 19:30-37). Whenever we cry out to God, we can rest knowing that our rescue is in Jesus. He came so that we could be close to God. He is the healer of our brokenness, the One who seeks us when we’re lost and brings us home, the One who delivers us from fear and gives us His peace. He died for us while we were still sinners and rose from the grave so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven and made righteous. He is the Way, and He is worthy of all our praise. How can remembering who Jesus is give us hope to cry out to Him in every struggle we face? (If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 53:5; Luke 4:17-21; 15:1-7; John 14:6, 27) I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: PSALMS 34:1-22; 61:1-2; 121:1-8; 139:1-5 When I whisper Answer me, God When I scream Be the One who hears When I can’t speak Hear my thoughts When I break Put all of my pieces together When I’m lost Bring me home, God When I’m scared Calm my fears When I fail Show me the way When I praise you Accept my praise • Emily Acker • Today’s poem is written in the style of a psalm. Did one of the phrases in this poem stick out to you in particular? Which one? • We can pour out our hearts to God at all times (Psalm 62:8). He is always eager to listen to us and help us. What does your heart long to say to God today? • Throughout the book of Psalms, we can find echoes of the gospel. For example, in Psalm 34:20 we find a prophecy that none of Jesus’s bones would be broken (John 19:30-37). Whenever we cry out to God, we can rest knowing that our rescue is in Jesus. He came so that we could be close to God. He is the healer of our brokenness, the One who seeks us when we’re lost and brings us home, the One who delivers us from fear and gives us His peace. He died for us while we were still sinners and rose from the grave so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven and made righteous. He is the Way, and He is worthy of all our praise. How can remembering who Jesus is give us hope to cry out to Him in every struggle we face? (If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 53:5; Luke 4:17-21; 15:1-7; John 14:6, 27) I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: LUKE 15:1-24 I adored the cowboy boots Papa bought me at the feed store. But running in them for gym class had gotten difficult. I just had to find my missing purple sneakers; they were my only other shoes appropriate for school. Now, if I could only remember where I’d left them. For almost two weeks, I searched our house. I looked in our truck, around my grandparents’ home, everywhere I imagined the shoes might be. Then, one day at the end of dance class, I gathered my belongings to go home. Suddenly, I spotted a flash of lavender under my classmate’s coat. Could it be? There, in the corner of the drafty old building where I met weekly for dance class, I located my missing sneakers. My long-absent and much-loved shoes had been found! Happy and relieved, I tossed them into my dance bag, eager to tell my mother the good news. I had a story to tell about shoes that had been lost and then found. In the Bible, Jesus uses “lost and found” stories to teach us truths about His commitment to rescuing us. In three parables—about a lost sheep, a missing coin, and a son who abandoned his family—Jesus makes it clear that He cares, not just about the many, but the one. As a good shepherd, Jesus values each of His sheep, and He will search for us intently (John 10:11). God rejoices when we are found, when we—like a runaway kid who finally returns to the family— come home to our loving Father. Through all these “lost and found” parables, we see how Jesus pursues us, searches for us. And when we turn to Him as our Savior and Lord, we receive forgiveness and eternal life, and our heavenly Father celebrates that we have returned to Him and His love. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you ever searched for something that was lost, and then when you found it, you were so happy you wanted to tell people? • Have you ever stopped to think about how God celebrates when just one person returns to Him and begins a relationship with Him through Jesus? What can this truth reveal about God’s love for us? (Psalm 18:19) “‘…let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:23-24 (CSB)&nbsp;

READ: EXODUS 34:5-7; MATTHEW 18:23-35; ROMANS 2:4 Patience is a virtue we all need. It took me many years to realize my need for this virtue. This realization came to me when I had a misunderstanding with someone I was helping. She was not willing to take a step I thought was right for her, and so I became impatient with her. My friends tried to advise me on how to handle the issue patiently, but I just felt I could not do so. I even started thinking of withdrawing the little help I was giving her. But then one day as I was reading the Word of God, the truth dawned on me that God is patient with us all. I thought of the many times I have not done what God wanted me to do, and yet He has been patient with me and forgiven me, like it says in Romans 2:4, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” As I had seen God’s kindness and patience lead me to repentance, I also decided to treat this person the way God has treated me, believing that God is patient with her too and that His kindness and patience would lead her to repentance. And so our relationship was restored. God calls us to be patient with one another, and through His Holy Spirit, who lives inside Christians, God empowers us to extend the same loving patience to others that He extends to us. • Enid Adah Nyinomujuni • Can you think of a time you struggled to be patient with someone? How could resting in God’s patience toward us make it a bit easier to be patient with others? • Do you ever struggle to be patient with yourself? God is incredibly patient with you, and He loves you more than you can imagine. Scripture is full of stories of God’s people refusing to obey Him, getting themselves in trouble, and then being rescued by God anyway. He never stops pursuing us with love and mercy—which is why Jesus, God in flesh, came to die and rise from the grave to make the way for us to be with God. And if we know Jesus by faith, His Holy Spirit lives in us, helping us extend His loving patience to others. So let us sit in awe of God’s amazing patience with us, even as we ask Him to help us be patient with others. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: JOHN 5:17; ROMANS 8:18-28, 38-39; REVELATION 21:1-5 Have you ever stopped to really look at a piece of wood? Straight lines, intermingled with lots of circles and twists—that’s the diverse beauty you’ll see in wood grain. And those circles and twists, called burls or knots, tell a story. Burls are found where a branch went out from the tree trunk. They can also be caused by a problem in the life of the tree—like when insects invaded a certain section, or when the tree had a disease. Isn’t it interesting that, even though trees experience problems, their Creator brings beauty out of those difficult times? Jesus, who is our Creator God, does the same for us as humans. He sees the brokenness our sin causes in our world, and He weeps with us. Because He is such a good God and is free from sin, He does not sit idly by, doing nothing about suffering. He is at work. He stepped into our world, sinless and full of compassion and mercy. Jesus met us in our suffering with love, and He suffered for us. He died on the cross for our sins; then He rose again to defeat death, ascended to the throne of heaven, and is with us now—through His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Jesus will one day return to make all things new, completely free from the effects of sin. In the meantime, we get to see glimpses of the healing and wholeness He is bringing to our hearts and to all of creation. Simply put, He is taking even the worst things and making them work out for His good purposes. It hurts when we experience difficult things, but we can trust that Jesus will be with us through every hurt and sorrow, and He will work all things for good. One day, all the hurt will only exist as a beautiful burl in the grain of the story of humanity. One day, everyone who trusts in Jesus will dwell together with Him in the new heavens and earth, forever free from sin and the suffering it brings. So, no matter what burls and knots we encounter in our lives, we can rest in Jesus’s love for us—a love so strong it can bring beauty even out of suffering. • A. W. Smith • What have been some of the burls and knots in your life? How might Jesus be bringing beauty out of this suffering? How did Jesus bring beauty out of His own suffering? (John 20:24-28) In moments when it’s hard to see Jesus’s presence in the midst of pain, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk with, such as friends, parents, therapists, pastors, etc.? The creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8:21 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: COLOSSIANS 4:2-6; TITUS 3:1-9 I love Jesus, and I love talking to people about Jesus. I always have. But I’ve definitely made some mistakes in how I tell non-Christians about Him. So, I’m going to confess some of these mistakes—and what God has taught me through them. Often, I would spend a lot of time and energy trying to get people to believe in particular theological stances rather than the gospel. I would try to argue people into believing in a literal six-day creation (a position not all Christians agree on) instead of telling them about Jesus’s incredible love for them, and the miracle of His death and resurrection. I would try to convince them of the benefits and importance of waiting to have sex until marriage instead of talking about Jesus’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I would try to correct a person’s behavior instead of introducing them to the One who could heal their hearts. And perhaps worst of all, I would push for political stances instead of welcoming people into the good news of the kingdom of God. Friends, this didn’t work. At all. I pray that the Holy Spirit used these conversations, in spite of my mistakes, to draw people to Himself. But let’s not waste our energy expecting non-Christians to think and act like Christians. Conversations about creation, sex, and politics have an important place in our lives—especially when we listen well and seek to understand different perspectives—but let’s not confuse these conversations with the gospel. For me, learning this truth meant letting go of control and accepting that I cannot fix people, and I cannot change hearts. Only Jesus can do that. And when I try to change people myself, I’m trying to take over for the Holy Spirit and do God’s job myself. Only God can bring people to faith. I had to repent of my desire for control and accept my limits as a human being. As I’m learning to accept this truth, I’m growing in my ability to talk about Jesus in a way that flows from the joy and peace I’ve found in Him, rather than from a fear-filled, self-righteous desire to control people. Jesus is amazing. The gospel is incredible. When we let the truth of God’s love for us and the hope of Jesus’s resurrection permeate our lives and our hearts, we can show people what the gospel looks like. And that is more powerful than any argument. • Taylor Eising • How has the hope of the gospel affected your life? What are some ways you could share this? Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: LUKE 10:25-37; 2 TIMOTHY 2:23-24 Jesus puts a high emphasis on loving God and loving our neighbors. But sometimes, a person we’re trying to show the love of Christ to has an opinion that we completely disagree with. Maybe they’re even part of an entirely different religion. Are they still our neighbor? In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made it clear that everyone is our neighbor, not just people we share a lot of opinions with. It can be easy for us to get along with people who think like we do and agree with us on life’s big topics. But when Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan, He showed that God calls us to love everyone—even people we deeply disagree with. The Samaritans and the Jews hated each other, and they disagreed about where and how to worship God. So when Jesus told the parable of a Samaritan taking care of an injured Jew, it would have been shocking to His audience. That kind of love was radical. Jesus Himself demonstrated this radical love by asking tax collectors—who were considered traitors—to follow Him. He often visited and healed people who would have been on the outskirts of society, such as lepers, women, prostitutes, and people with disabilities. And, in His greatest act of radical love, Jesus died for us and rose again, defeating death and sin so we can live with Him forever when He returns. As we wait for that glorious day, sometimes extending radical love means not engaging in an argument that would only make both people upset. Sometimes showing love to our neighbors means not jumping up to correct them, or not endlessly debating an issue that you don’t see eye-to-eye on. It’s not our job to convince people to share all of our views. God is the One who works change in people’s hearts. And because His Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering and equipping us, we can show everyone Christ’s transforming love. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you gotten into an argument or debate recently? Did anyone change their minds? What happened after the argument? • Who is someone in your life who has a different view on something that’s important to you? What are some ways you might be able to show love to this person? • What might it look like to talk with someone lovingly about a topic you disagree on? Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: JOHN 21:1-14 Cooking is an important part of the kingdom of God. Don’t believe me? Jesus Himself used cooking in His ministry. After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He appeared several times to His followers. But one particular appearance involved a fishy breakfast. The night before it happened, some of Jesus’s disciples went fishing but caught nothing all night. Then, as morning broke, Jesus called from the shore and told them to throw out their nets on the other side of the boat. When they did, the net became so full of fish they couldn’t pull it into the boat—Jesus had done a miracle! And when the tired, hungry Jesus-followers reached shore, Jesus cooked a delicious breakfast of fish for them over an open fire. But why do you think Jesus bothered to cook? Why didn’t He just do another miracle and make cooked food suddenly appear? It might have been because He wanted them to see that He had risen from the dead. Eating is an essential part of living, and He cooked and ate a meal with His disciples to show them who He is and that He cared for them. So, when we think about all the times Jesus commands us to love others as He loves us (John 13:12-15, 34; 15:10-13), we can remember how He cooked breakfast for His disciples. As Christians, we can share God’s love with others by taking care of them—even in small ways. Cooking is just one of the tangible ways we can show the love of Jesus, remembering that “we love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:19). • A. W. Smith • Can you think of any small ways other Christians have shown Jesus’s love to you? • Can you think of any small ways you could help someone and care for their tangible needs today? Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice opportunities to share His love as you go about your day. “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said…Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. John 21:12-13 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: ROMANS 15:7; COLOSSIANS 2:12-13; 3:9-14; 1 PETER 5:6 If we were real with God, that deep well of frustration, discontentment, or fear could be emptied one putrid bucket at a time and filled with His unfailing love, faithfulness, and grace. Without recognition and an honest emptying of the ugly, how can we make room for the beauty so we can be filled with healing? If we were real with ourselves, allowing the truth of the gospel to seep into the depths of our soul, it would illuminate that which needs change Uncomfortable, exposed, but necessary. Once we let go of the facade, the real work begins Truth, acceptance, change. If we were real with others, perceptions could be past Strongholds would be smashed. Looking into each other’s eyes, we would see the reality and breathe deep, knowing we are not alone. The struggle is real. The reality? Everyone struggles. Yet, because of Jesus, we can embrace the real, because really, who wants to live a lie? Make way for the awkward, hard, embarrassing, in-your-face truth Make way for real. • Savannah Coleman • In what ways do you feel like you can’t be authentic? How does Jesus’s forgiveness free us? Don’t lie to each other…Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you…Colossians 3:9, 13 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-32; COLOSSIANS 3:1-17 There are certain people in our lives who test our patience. When we’re around them, we might find ourselves acting in ways we don’t normally act. For example, we might struggle to spend time with little children, or we might find it difficult to relate to older people. Or there could be certain personality types we have a hard time interacting with, regardless of the person’s age. But when we come across people in our lives who frustrate us and make us feel impatient, we don’t have to respond negatively. Because God is patient and loving toward us, we can be patient and loving toward others. Because Jesus is gentle and humble, and Christians have His Holy Spirit living in us, we can be gentle and humble too (Matthew 11:29). When we’re struggling to get along with someone, we can reach out to God. He empowers us to respond to people in the way He calls us to. If we can’t keep our anger and frustration in check on our own, we can take a step back and rest in the calm of God’s presence. As we recenter our attention on Him, we may find ourselves seeing things from His perspective. God calls us to be an example of His love, and He knows that we need Him in order to do this. As Christians, we can rely on the Holy Spirit, who is forming us in love and understanding. As we grow in our relationship with God, our lives bear the fruits of the Spirit—including patience (Galatians 5:22-23). And even when we get impatient with others, even when we mess up and lash out, God is still patient and gentle and loving as He interacts with us. Through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, God has sealed our forgiveness and made us part of His family. So, whether we feel frustrated or not, whether we are with someone we usually get along with or not, we can rely on the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with God’s love, to treat that person kindly (Romans 5:5). Emily Acker • Have you noticed that it’s more difficult for you to interact with certain people or groups of people than others? God invites us to talk to Him about all this, and He helps us examine the reasons behind our hesitancy to interact with, or even our disgust toward, other people. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians you can talk to about these things? • When we feel impatient with others, how could it be helpful to remember God is patient with us? • Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: ROMANS 8:1-2, 15-18, 26-39; 10:9-13 I shouldn’t have done that, you think to yourself after you’ve sinned. I’m a Christian now—or at least I thought I was. Maybe I’m not really saved after all. This is a common worry among Christians, but take heart. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus to rescue you from sin and death, you belong to God’s family. He has adopted you. You’re His child forever. That’s worth repeating: you are His child forever. It’s like being born or adopted into your earthly family. Your parents don’t disown you every time you do something wrong, do they? Hopefully not! Well, our heavenly Father is better than any earthly parent could ever be (Psalm 27:10; Matthew 7:9-11), and He isn’t going to disown us every time we sin either. If He did that, none of us would be His children. We all sin, repeatedly, even Christians. Whenever we do something wrong, we can confess it to Jesus right away. He already knows what we’ve done, and He has already secured our forgiveness. As we come to Him, He reminds us of His faithful love, and through the Holy Spirit, He helps us grow to become more and more like Him. Christians aren’t perfect, but Jesus didn’t die for us and rise again only to disown us when we do something wrong. He went to the cross and conquered sin and death so we could be part of His family and have eternal life with Him. When you trust in Jesus, you’re part of His family—forever. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time you felt unsure of your salvation? Was there something that helped comfort you? • Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passages. What promises from Jesus can we rest in when we feel worried about whether or not we’re saved? Consider taking a moment to thank Jesus for His promises and talk to Him about any worries that come to mind. • Who are trusted Christians in your life who can encourage you and pray with you when you experience doubt and fear? How could you be this kind of friend to others? Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39b (NLT).

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; MICAH 6:8; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 I love food. It’s a wonderful way God sustains us, as well as a source of joy, and it often provides opportunities for community. But sometimes I get bogged down wondering about my food. I’ll pull a bell pepper out of its plastic bag, put the bag in the recycling, and wonder if that bag will end up floating around in the ocean for decades. I’ll start cutting up the pepper, and I’ll wonder if it was grown in a way that nourished God’s precious earth, or in a way that robbed the earth of its resources. As I munch on a slice, I’ll wonder if the people who worked to plant, grow, harvest, package, ship, and stock this bell pepper—people made in God’s image—were treated well and paid fairly for their labor, or if they toiled under unjust employers like the Israelites toiled under an unjust Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. Would these people be able to afford to buy the food they’re growing and transporting? I’ll hand a piece of pepper to my three-year-old daughter, and I’ll wonder what the world will be like when she grows up. Some might say I shouldn’t worry about these things. After all, it’s just a bell pepper. But I don’t think God sees it that way. God cares deeply about the way we treat each other and how well we steward the earth He made. He loves justice, mercy, and compassion…and all of us—including me—fall short of His justice. But I can find rest, even in the midst of this messy world, because God forgives me through Jesus, and He cares about injustice even more deeply than I do. And He is way more powerful. When I’m overwhelmed by the injustice in this world and in my own heart, I can look to Jesus, who took all that sin and brokenness on Himself as He hung on the cross, then rose from the dead to defeat it. And I can trust that, one day, He will return to resurrect us from the dead and rule over the earth with perfect love and justice. In the meantime, I can weep with Him, knowing that He feels the hurt even more deeply than I do. And I can listen to the direction of His Holy Spirit to see how I can participate in His kingdom of love and justice, bringing healing to broken places because He is bringing healing to my heart. • Taylor Eising • How might knowing that God redeems us—even when we feel unredeemable—help us find rest in His goodness and mercy? In the midst of our broken world, how does He give us hope? Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Psalm 89:14 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: GENESIS 1:26-28; ROMANS 8:22-25; COLOSSIANS 1:15-23; 1 PETER 1:3-5 Humans have made a mess of this world. It’s time for them not to be in charge.” I backed away after the android said this, clicking its long metal fingers together. A product of the recent technological singularity, this artificial intelligence was trying to take over the planet. “I hope you will all listen to me,” it said, “and do what I say. We are going to make another world, a better one. But for those who stand in the way…” Its fingers formed into a fist. I had to stall the vile machine, since my friends were furiously cooking up something that might be able to stop it. I cleared my throat nervously. “You can’t make the world better, even if we are the ones who messed it up. Besides, I don’t think you are in charge.” Red eyes fixed themselves upon me. “Really.” “In fact,” I said, still backing away, “humans will always be in charge. A human being is ruling the entire universe right now. His name is Jesus. And even though we’ve made a mess of things because of our sin, Jesus is sinless. And He loves us. He is the One who’s going to make a better world when He returns. So even if you take over the whole world, you aren’t really in charge.” The thing came after me, metal feet clanking on the floor. The stalling was done, it seemed. I dove under a table as it lunged. The lights went out, and for a second I thought I had been knocked unconscious. Then the lab flickered with candlelight, and I gasped as I saw the motionless android hovering above me, arm raised with clawed fingers ready to strike. My friends pulled me away. “We used its own weapon!” they said, holding up a pocket-sized EMP device that delivered an electromagnetic pulse and disrupted electrical systems. “Took out the electricity for half a mile. If we hurry, we can reach the main backup computer before the intelligence finds a way to reboot.” I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. • Kevin Zeller • Do you ever feel like humans are messing up the whole world? How does God respond? (John 3:16-17) How might knowing that Jesus rules everything affect our view of all creation? • The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to follow all God’s commands, such as Genesis 1:26-28 and Matthew 22:37-40. What are some ways we can show Christ’s renewal in the world today? Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: MATTHEW 1:22-23; JOHN 8:1-11; ROMANS 8:1 The music blasted, and we sang so loud that dogs started barking. My car full of friends bounced as we moved to the thumping bass. Then—CRUNCH! That wasn’t part of the song. Did I hit a mound of icy snow? I wondered. I opened my door and looked back. I had backed out into the driver’s side door of a pickup truck parked on the other side of the road. The fun video scavenger hunt we were on was officially over, and it was my fault. I sat frozen for a couple minutes, unsure what to do. I had never been in an accident before. My friend suggested we go to the closest house and see whose truck it was. I was scared, and I think I would’ve sat there numb if it weren’t for my friend sitting with me and suggesting some next steps. We knocked on the door and explained the situation. My friend stayed with me and helped me with communicating when I couldn’t get the words out. Although it was a difficult situation, it helped having someone there with me. I love how there are so many moments in God’s Word when Jesus simply sat with people, ate with people, sailed with people, stood with people—even when they had messed up in some big ways. One example of this is in John 8:1-11, when a group of religious leaders were about to put a woman to death by throwing stones at her because she was caught in adultery. They humiliated her, but Jesus stayed near her until all the threatening religious leaders left, one by one. Jesus didn’t condemn her—He wanted to forgive and restore her. In Matthew 1:23, we see that Jesus has another name: “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” And He is. He is with us when we feel lonely, when we mess up, when we are frozen and don’t know what to do next. God is with us. • Amanda Gott • Can you think of a time when someone stayed with you during a difficult situation? • Jesus came to live among us—fully God and fully human. Because of God’s great love for us, He made the way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to be with God, no longer condemned but fully forgiven. He did this by dying on the cross for us and rising from the grave. If you want to know more about this, who are trusted Christians you can talk to? (Also check out our "Know Jesus" page.) • If you’ve already put your trust in Jesus, can you think of a time(maybe a difficult situation) when you were reminded that God is right there with you? How did it feel? “...and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

READ: MARK 4:35-41 We rocked violently against the waves and wind. The men I had grown to know and love over the last several months huddled together near the mast, what was left of the sail covering over them like a massive cloak. They held it tightly, but still the vicious weather fought to tear it from their backs. “Is all hope lost?” Thomas shouted over the storm. Despite the despair that was plain upon his face, he stayed at my side to help steady the rudder. I wondered if he did so as a kindness to me, or rather if, like myself, he simply could not forfeit the illusion of maintaining control as the wet gale slammed against us and the black sky flashed angrily above. I pushed the wet hair from my face and looked at him. We trembled together and through the fear in my gut, I was selfishly glad that I would not have to die alone. “Should we not wake the Rabbi?” Levi shouted, having made his way aft by holding tightly to the gunnel. “How does he sleep through this?” Thomas shouted back in hopeless frustration. “If only we all could sleep,” I yelled back. “It would be a mercy to die peacefully.” “We wake him,” Thomas decided and made his way to the stern where the teacher rested, Levi in unsteady pursuit. I could not hear what was said, and I could barely see the exchange, but I watched as Jesus sat up, listening to our alarm. He nodded, then stood and faced the storm with arms outstretched. I heard his words clearly over the wind’s terrible howl. “Quiet! Be still!” As the waters calmed and the clouds immediately fled, the stars emerged and not even a breeze remained of the storm. How can this be? In terror, I watched the master as if seeing him for the first time. He not only commands spirits and illnesses. He commands nature itself! “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” he said quietly. There was neither accusation nor disappointment in his words, only gracious instruction. • James Long • Today’s story is how one author imagines Mark 4:35-41. By calming the storm and rescuing His disciples, how did Jesus reveal His trustworthiness, His identity, and His love for us? (If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 1:1-10; Exodus 14:15-16, 21-22; Psalm 46:10; Colossians 1:15-22.) “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-11; 8:1-3; PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11 I was just reading an article about sheep, and I learned about something called sheep bloat. Sometimes a farmer goes out one morning, and there’s this dead sheep laying on its back, feet up in the air. Its belly is swollen tight. And sheep bloat has slain another one. What causes sheep bloat? It happens when a sheep eats too much lush, delectable, protein-rich pasture. The sheep can’t handle the richness, and the gases fill its belly until—pop. It’s dead. What does that have to do with us? God calls us His sheep, and He is our Good Shepherd. And, much like sheep, we have the potential to bloat. Paul tells us that “knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Too much rich knowledge without love can actually hinder our spiritual life. If we haven’t been built up and strengthened by love, we can’t sustain all that richness, so we too could bloat up with pride and noxious fumes until we’re knocked flat—like the sheep that fall victim to sheep bloat. But dwelling in Jesus’s love builds us up. When we rest in the gospel—the truth of Jesus’s love for us embodied in His death and resurrection—His love equips us to take in all kinds of good knowledge without bloating. How can we tell if we’re being puffed up or built up? Here’s a good test: Does new information make us excited to show other people how smart we are, or does it give us a burning desire to help others enjoy it too? Do we follow knowledge-rich podcasts to make ourselves more useful to others, or to make others think we’re bigger than they are? We won’t be helpful to others if we’re paralyzed by our own bloatedness (Ephesians 4:29). Nobody likes knowledge gas. But because of Jesus, we can be built up by God’s love, extend that love to those around us, and then acquire some vital knowledge that will bless all of us—not just impress people with our hot air. • Rebekah Dorris • Jesus calls us to love Him and to love others (Matthew 22:37-40). How can pursuing knowledge help us love God and each other better? • What can happen when we pursue knowledge without love? But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1b (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: ACTS 10:34-36; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27; GALATIANS 3:28; JAMES 2:1-10 Equal, not just a term that’s used in math Let me see others as equal, God, the way You see them Help me see the celebrity and know they are just another human Help me see the poor and know they have a story Equal, let me look to those struggling in class Let me see them as equal, God, and just as valued as the prodigies Help me see the leaders at my school and know they are like the rest of us Help me see the bullied and the bullies and know they have value, too Equal, something that is hard to grasp Let me see everyone as equal, God, not all perched on different levels Help me see everyone as loved Help me not judge those around me, even when I feel judged Equal, it’s how You see the world Let me see as You see, God Help me understand that You value all people the same Help me treat others equally, since we are all made in Your image • Emily Acker • All people are incredibly and equally valuable to God. We can know this is true because God made humans in His image (Genesis 1:27) and because Jesus, God in flesh, came to die for us on the cross and rise from the grave so that ANYONE who puts their trust in Him will be saved and become part of His kingdom (John 3:16; Romans 10:11-13). When do you struggle to see people—others or yourself—as all equal in value and worth? In what ways are you tempted to put people on different levels? Consider taking a moment to talk to God about these things. You can be totally honest with Him—He wants to help and forgive you, not condemn you. • Every person we meet is someone God has made, someone Jesus was willing to die for. How might remembering the gospel help us see all people as equally loved and valuable? For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 (NLT) 

READ: PSALM 1; JOHN 1:1-14; ROMANS 15:4 Trying to understand the Bible can be…overwhelming. The more I learn about it, the more I realize I don’t know. And I find myself wondering if I’ll ever truly know the Bible—and the God it reveals. If you’ve ever felt this way too, take heart. The Lord is with you. And He doesn’t expect you to get it all—especially your first time reading it. The Bible is meant to be read and listened to over and over. God designed it for us to discuss at length with others, learning from each other and encouraging one another in our walk with Jesus. Learning Scripture takes a lifetime, and even then, we won’t have everything right. And in this lifelong endeavor to know Scripture, we are not alone. Generations of Christians have studied Scripture, and we can learn from their insights. Books, commentaries, study Bibles, websites, and videos contain immense riches of knowledge to help us know the Bible better. If you’re not sure where to start, try asking a pastor, youth leader, teacher, or parent. They will probably be thrilled to help you. You can also search out Bible study groups and classes to dig into Scripture with other people. Plug into your church and seek out wise people who are following Jesus. Ask lots of questions. Don’t try to go on this journey alone. Along the way, we’ll bump into Scripture’s many mysteries. There are things we’ll never fully understand until we see Jesus face to face. But as we sit with these mysteries and dig deep into the message of Scripture, the Spirit is at work. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and even when we aren’t sure what a passage means, He is helping us know God better. The whole of Scripture tells the incredible story of our loving God rescuing His people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And while interpreting Scripture may take some work, that is a story worth knowing. It’s worth studying and mulling over and wrestling with until the story seeps deep into our bones. Because this story reveals the heart of God, and as we draw nearer, we see that His heart beats for us. • Taylor Eising • What questions do you have about the Bible? Who can you talk to about these questions? Can you think of any resources that could help you understand the world of the Bible more, such as study Bibles, commentaries, websites, podcasts, etc.? So the Word became human and made his home among us. He [Jesus] was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory. John 1:14a (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 7:13-14; MATTHEW 1:18-23 Another tool that can help us understand Scripture is genre. The Bible has lots of different genres, like historical narratives, parables, poetry, letters, wisdom literature, apocalyptic literature, and more. Today, we’re just going to take a look at one genre: ancient biographies. Specifically, we’ll look at the book of Matthew. Like the rest of the four Gospels, Matthew is an ancient biography about Jesus. And while modern biographies attempt to cover all the facts of a person’s life in chronological order, ancient biographies only cover certain events about a person’s life, and they aren’t necessarily in chronological order. Instead, the author chooses different events and facts about the person and arranges them in a certain order to make a point. For example, Matthew (who was one of Jesus’s disciples) makes the point that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures. To do this, Matthew tells the story of Jesus in a way that embodies the story of Israel. Jesus is called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23) like God called Israel out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 13:17-22). Jesus’s baptism in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17) parallels Israel’s journey through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-31). Immediately after this, Jesus wanders in the desert for forty days (Matthew 4:1-11), similar to how the Israelites wandered the desert for forty years (Numbers 32:13). Finally, He climbs up a mountain to teach His followers (Matthew 5:1-2), like Moses climbed Mount Sinai to receive the law from God (Exodus 19-20). Matthew also arranges Jesus’s sermons into five long segments (chapters 5-7; 10; 13; 18-20; 23-25) to parallel the five books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This makes the point that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Torah, and He is the perfect, sinless Israel that the Israelites could never be. Understanding the genre the book of Matthew was written in helps us grasp its message: Jesus is the One the Israelites had been waiting for. And, because we know that ancient biographies are arranged to make a point, we can understand why the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) look slightly different: they’re making slightly different points about who Jesus is! When we look at all of them together, we get a fuller picture of Jesus—who loves us so much that He died and resurrected from the dead to save us from sin and death. • Taylor Eising • Why does genre matter in the Bible? How does Jesus’s fulfillment of promises show God’s love? All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said…Matthew 1:22a (NIV) 

READ: JEREMIAH 29:4-14 Another important piece to consider when interpreting a verse is the literary context. In other words, what’s going on in the Bible before and after this verse? To do this, we have to zoom all the way out to consider where the verse fits into the larger story of the Bible, then zoom in to see where it fits into its book of the Bible, and then where it fits into the surrounding verses. For example, let’s look at Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” First, let’s zoom all the way out. God created everything good, but people sinned and brought brokenness to all of creation. So God promised a future Rescuer who would come through Abraham and His descendants, the Israelites. But the Israelites kept on rebelling against God, so He sent people called prophets to warn them to turn back to Him. But they refused and were captured by their enemy, Babylon. It’s around this time that we find our verse, but let’s keep going. Later, Israel was delivered out of Babylon and, even later, God sent Jesus to rescue us through His death and resurrection. And someday Jesus will return to make all things new. Now, let’s zoom in to the book of Jeremiah. In the first half, Jeremiah (a prophet) accused Israel of sinning against God—oppressing the poor, doing violence, and worshiping idols. He warned them about God’s judgement. Around Jeremiah 29:11, Israel was conquered by Babylon and many were taken into exile. God’s judgment came through Babylon, but He reminded His people of a coming Rescuer. The book then shows God’s judgement against other nations, including Babylon, and it ends with a glimpse of hope: that the Rescuer would come. Now, let’s look closer at the passages around Jeremiah 29:11. Israel had been captured by Babylon, and false prophets were saying that God would save them soon. We see God’s response in Jeremiah 29:4-14. God, through Jeremiah, told His people to settle down in Babylon, because they would be there for seventy years. But Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God will rescue them. One day Israel will return to their home, and one day, much later, the Rescuer will come. Looking at the broader context of Jeremiah 29:11, we see God was telling Israel that, while the people He was talking to would die in captivity, His ultimate plan to redeem the world would not be thwarted. And in that plan we find hope. • Taylor Eising • How can looking at a verse in its literary context help us understand the Bible, and God, better? “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT) 

READ: GENESIS 1-2 One of the most important parts of interpreting the Bible is understanding the historical-cultural context of the text. In other words, asking questions like, “How would the original audience have understood this text? What was the world like for the original audience?” Finding answers to these questions often involves looking at historical texts other than the Bible. The Bible itself rarely includes historical-cultural details because the original audience already knew what it was like to live in their time and place, so they didn’t write it all down. So now we have to figure it out. And when we do, it gives so much more depth and meaning to the text. Let’s look at Genesis 1 and 2 for example. There were many other stories about creation that the original audience would have known. Many of these stories were very violent. In some cases, one god would defeat a lesser god and create the universe out of the defeated god’s corpse. Some said that humanity was made out of the blood of the defeated god mixed with mud or clay. And humans were created as slaves to the gods—to meet the needs of the gods, tend to them, appease them, and do the menial labor the gods themselves didn’t want to do. Imagine growing up being told that your very existence is the result of violence and death, and that you were created to serve a violent, needy god. How different is the God of Genesis 1 and 2? Here, we see a God who has no needs. A God who made creation out of nothing, and made it teem with life. Who crafted humanity from the earth and His own breath, making them in His own image as His representatives. Humanity is given a dignified job: tending to creation and creating more life (Genesis 1:27-28). He gives them a beautiful garden, community, and His own presence. This God is vastly different from any other god the original audience would have heard of. And, through Jesus, He would sacrifice Himself for His creation. Historical-cultural context can be tricky, but it’s well worth the effort. By learning more about the historical-cultural context of Scripture, we can know our loving God more deeply. And we can sit in awe of the beauty of the gospel—God’s love for His people and His resolve to rescue us through Jesus—which shines through every page. • Taylor Eising • Have you ever wondered what life was like for the people living during the different time periods of the Bible? What questions do you have about this? Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over…all the wild animals on the earth…” Genesis 1:26 (NLT)&nbsp;

READ: PSALM 119:89-96; LUKE 24:13-27; JOHN 20:30-31; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20 Did you know that you are a biblical interpreter? Whether we know it or not, all of us interpret the Bible when we read or listen to it. We bring our own experiences, assumptions, opinions, and perspectives to the text, and all of that forms how we understand Scripture. So if someone asks why it’s necessary for us to interpret the Bible, I tell them it’s because we’re already doing it. We just may not realize it. The Bible is God’s holy Word, given to us to reveal who Jesus is. It was written over thousands of years by many different authors who were directed by the Holy Spirit. And all these authors are telling the same overarching story—the story of God’s good creation being broken by sin, and God’s work to reconcile His people to Himself, culminating in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. It explains how, because He did this for us, we can dwell with Him forever in renewed creation when He returns. The Bible is “God-breathed” and authoritative (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It’s His Word for His people. So, why can’t we assume everything in the Bible should be read at face value—that it always means exactly what it says? Well, the Bible is written for us, but it’s not written to us. It’s written to an ancient culture in an ancient language to people in a drastically different context. To understand Scripture more deeply, we have to understand that context. For example, how should we understand what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:12: “Greet one another with a holy kiss”? Is this a command for everyone to follow, or was it only for the time and place that Paul was writing to? Is it even a command, or just a warm greeting? I haven’t met anyone in my cultural context who follows the literal command to kiss each other at church. But one of the beautiful things about Scripture is that, even though it was written to people living in a radically different context, it reveals truth that applies to us. We find that, thousands of years later, we face the same struggles with sin, and we find the same grace in Jesus. We see God’s goodness again and again, in every time and place and culture. The message that people needed thousands of years ago is the same message we need today: the message that our loving God will never stop pursuing us. • Taylor Eising • What questions do you have about the Bible? Who could you talk to about these questions? But these are written 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 (NIV)&nbsp;

READ: JOHN 6:37-40; EPHESIANS 1:3-14; COLOSSIANS 1:9-14 Four months after Marmalade came out of the darkness of his stair home, he found his forever home with me. Last night, as he lay on top of me, loud purr rumbling, I thought about how we are all very much like Marmalade. When we live apart from Jesus, we don’t know there is a better way to live. At first, we are content to live in the darkness, alone in the dirt of our sin. The first step toward life is realizing that we are in need of rescue (Romans 3:23-24). When Marmalade came out from his hiding place and allowed me and my friend to rescue him, he didn’t make us wait while he attempted to clean himself up. He came just as he was: fleas, ticks, matted fur and all. This is the same way God wants us to come to Him. It can be tempting to think, “If I just take care of this issue first…” But in John 6:37, Jesus said He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him. God sees us in all our ugly, messy sin, and He loves us. Out of love, Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He went to the cross. When we come to Jesus as we are, though our sins are like scarlet, He will wash us white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Like Marmalade is adopted into my family, God adopts us into His family the moment we put our trust in His Son, Jesus, the One who shed His blood to save us and rose from the grave to give us life. Once we belong to Him, we are His sons and daughters. Our spirits will testify that we are His forever (Romans 8:14-17; 10:9-13). • Savannah Coleman • Have you ever felt like, if you could just take care of an issue or sin in your life first, then you could come to God? Lots of us have felt this way, but the good news is we could never make ourselves right in God’s sight, yet He loves us. And He has made the way for us to come to Him through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. If you have questions about what it means to be rescued by Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (Also visit our "Know Jesus" page.) • When you are a child of the Most High God, nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). You are chosen, your identity is found in Him, your eternity is set. You are for the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:11-14). Through Jesus, you have been totally forgiven and brought near to live with God forever. And His Holy Spirit lives in you, transforming you into Jesus’s image and empowering you to live in His good ways. How might it be freeing to know that God rescues us because He delights in us? (Psalm 18:19) He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 91; 1 PETER 2:9-10, 24-25 Sunlight cascaded through green leaves as I descended the stairs at one of my favorite parks off the shores of Lake Michigan. Suddenly, a furry flash of orange and white darted underneath the steps in front of me. Getting on my hands and knees, I peered into the darkness of the stairs to find a pair of large, green eyes staring back at me. From the looks of it, this cat had been living under these stairs for a long time. Fur was everywhere, and there seemed to be a permanent indentation in the dirt where he slept. My heart broke for this cat who looked like a miniature lion, his eyes full of fear. Over the month to come, I made phone calls to people who might be able to help, attempted to cultivate a relationship with the cat, and brought him food and water. Because of the park’s rules, I couldn’t bring in a live trap, and no one I talked to was compelled to help. One day, after pouring my heart and frustrations out to a close friend, she offered to help me try to rescue him. As we hiked out to him, loaded up with tuna, a blanket, and a cage, we prayed that God would help us and that this sweet cat would come out of the darkness of his lonely home and into the light. Reaching our destination, we were delighted to find him sitting on the stairs waiting for us! This was the first time I had seen him out of his hiding place since the day I found him. Instead of hiding or claws, the cat I originally thought was feral allowed us to put him in the cage with very little struggle. When I brought him to the local no-kill shelter the following day, the staff at the shelter kindly kept the name I had been calling him. In the following weeks, Marmalade was vaccinated, fixed, and estimated to be around seven years old. No one had claimed him even though we had posted his picture on various sites, but I continued to pray for a loving home for him where he would thrive. • Savannah Coleman • Have you ever been part of a rescue, either for a person or an animal? Perhaps you were the one who was rescued out of a traumatic situation. Psalm 91 is about God being our shelter and fortress (verse 1-2). It paints a beautiful picture of God covering us with His feathers—we find the refuge we seek beneath His wings (verse 3-4). When we call on Jesus, He will answer us. Deliverance may not always come in the way we expect, but He is always with us and for us (verse 14-16). Just as Marmalade came out of the darkness into the light, God calls us out of darkness into His wonderful light. We are chosen, called, and fully loved by our merciful God (1 Peter 2:9-10). [God] called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9b (NLT) 

READ: PSALMS 19:1-4; 139:14; ISAIAH 40:26 There have been so many moments in my life as a Christian when I’ve doubted the existence of God. Praying just seems silly—like talking to the air. But I have moments when God reveals to me just how plausible His existence is. One especially vivid time happened about a year ago. I was just starting high school and taking an evening walk outside to look at the stars. I lived in the country, so the night sky looked incredible on clear nights like this one. God’s handiwork was on full display for me. Walking in the crisp breeze, all I could do was look up and thank God for the wonder He had put before me. And suddenly, nothing felt ridiculous about this. I was just a creation talking to my Creator. I was instantly so small in the vast universe, and that was okay because I was cared for and loved by the most important person in all of creation. Also in that moment, it seemed so out there to think all this fascination and artistry could be made by anything other than the skillful hands of an artist. It just didn’t make sense how some people couldn’t see everything this clearly. I felt so loved, and I began to feel so upset because others didn’t feel this loved, they didn’t feel this safe, because they didn’t know God. So I stood there and cried for those people and prayed for them. I didn’t know them by name, or what they looked like, but I prayed that God would reveal Himself to them as He has revealed Himself to me. And even though I may continue to have doubts, God will always turn my gaze back to Himself and tell me, “I love you, and I AM here.” I tell this story because it’s okay to have doubts, everyone does—whether they’ve been a Christ follower for years, or came to know Him later on. Throughout your life, you are going to have doubts, but keep your eyes open! God won’t let Himself and His truth go unnoticed in your life. • Sophia Augustine • When we have doubts about God, He is patient with us, and He promises that those who seek Him will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Jude 1:22).Even when Jesus rose from the dead, many of His followers doubted. Yet He mercifully helps us—through His Spirit, His Word, and His people—to trust Him. When you have doubts, who are trusted Christians in your life who you can be open and honest with, and who will encourage and pray with you? Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) 

READ: JOHN 20:26-29; 1 PETER 3:8-17 As we navigate life, we often hear persuasive voices, each one bringing its own opinions and biases. And sometimes those voices deny the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, believers in Jesus are called to be prepared to hear and respond to these voices, but how do we prepare to have conversations with people who don’t believe the gospel? First, and most importantly, we remember to enter these conversations with a heart of love and not a heart of defensiveness. God is capable of defending Himself; He doesn’t need us to do it for Him. Instead, out of love for God and neighbor, let’s seek to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). This preparation doesn’t just automatically materialize though. We learn to trust God when we seek Him out. And one way we can seek Him is by bringing our questions and doubts to Him. He is not put off by questions. He invites our questions and delights in answering them. And we can also ask fellow Christians— people who are probably asking the same things. We can also prepare by looking for evidence of Jesus’s death and resurrection. And some of the strongest pieces of evidence we have for Jesus’s resurrection are the life events of the people closest to Him. Several of the brutal deaths the apostles faced for their belief in Jesus are actually confirmed by contemporary writers of that time. In fact, Jesus’s own half-brother, James, was stoned to death for his belief in Christ, and that event is confirmed by historical records from a non-Christian source! Jesus’s apostles and other early disciples were real people who willingly faced death because they believed so fervently in Jesus’s divinity. There is much evidence of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, and we can seek it out, knowing that the foundation of our faith—Jesus Christ Himself—is a firm place to stand (Isaiah 26:4; 1 Corinthians 3:11). And as we rest in Jesus’s love and the hope of the gospel, we can learn how to better share that love and hope with everyone around us. • James Long • How does the gospel give you hope? • What questions and doubts to you have about God, Jesus, the gospel...? Questions and doubts are normal, and we can talk to God about them anytime. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about these as well—such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors? Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15b (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 133:1; EPHESIANS 4:1-6; 1 JOHN 4:19 I got the part; now I needed the costume. At age eleven, I tried out for the role of mascot for my school. The judges picked me, and I prepared to entertain the crowd at football games alongside the cheerleaders. The school didn’t provide a uniform, so my mom sewed me an outfit for my role as The Panther. At games, I would twirl my black cat tail and encourage the audience to roar for the football players. I would jump around, turn cartwheels, and cheer. I also got made fun of—a lot. Football players snickered, made meowing noises, and some guys called me “rat.” Only these weren’t members of the opposing team or students from the rival school. The ones laughing at me were kids from my own school. I expected teasing or trash talk from the competition, but to hear this from my own team surprised me. Honestly, it brought me to tears. I had thought we were all in this together. Sadly, Christians often treat each other this way too. When we enter a relationship with God by trusting in Jesus for forgiveness and new life, we join His family—one family of God, one body of Christ with one Father and one Lord. As believers in Jesus, we are to be unified in Him. When we live with love for one another, people can see that we belong to God (John 13:35). But when we hurl insults at each other, attacking each other hatefully instead of disagreeing with love and respect, it’s like we’re shooting down our own teammates. Apart from God, we aren’t capable of loving each other. But once we belong to God, His Holy Spirit transforms us to become more and more like Jesus, our loving Savior. In His power, we can make every effort to keep loving each other as brothers and sisters. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you been mistreated by peers or others? Who is a trusted adult you can tell right away? • How can Christians disagree with each other and still show unity, even when it comes to divisive topics, such as politics? Have you seen any Christians model this well? • We are all guilty of acting in unloving ways toward our fellow human beings. God sees our sin, and He calls us to repent—to confess our sin, turn away from it, and turn toward Him. Consider taking a moment to repent of any sins that come to mind, thanking God for His sure forgiveness through Jesus. You can also ask Him to help you move forward in love, maybe by apologizing to the people you’ve wronged. Because He loves you, you can love others (1 John 4:19). Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Hebrews 13:1 (NIV) 

READ: DEUTERONOMY 11:10-25; 31:8 What kinds of changes have happened in your life so far? Maybe they’ve been small changes, like transitioning to a different school building when you reached a certain grade. Maybe you’ve gone through large changes, like your family moving or someone close to you getting a divorce. In the Bible, the people of Israel went through a lot of changes. They moved to Egypt because of a famine, and later a ruthless Pharoah made them slaves. After generations of slavery in Egypt, God delivered His people and led them to the Promised Land. This was a wonderful thing, but it was also a big change for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 11, Moses told them that this land was going to be nothing like they knew. The terrain would be very different from Egypt’s, and their farming methods would have to change. Similarly, there are often lots of unknowns in our own lives. Even though some of the changes we experience are smaller, and we still have familiar things around us, many of the things we once knew have to change, kind of like the Israelites’ farming methods. This can be hard sometimes, but look at what Moses says next: “It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end” (Deuteronomy 11:12). That’s awesome! God had already been taking care of this land for His people, and He would continue to be there with them. When changes happen in our lives, God already knows what they are, and He has been preparing for us. And no matter what kind of change it is—no matter how small or how big—God will continue to be with us. In every change you face, you can rest knowing that God loves you and He will never leave you. • Kimberly Brokish • What kinds of changes have happened in your life? Can you think of a time God cared for your needs (physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual) in the midst of a change? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • In times of change, do you have any favorite Bible verses that remind you of God’s love? For example, take a look at Deuteronomy 31:8. If you want to dig deeper, check out how Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23) and has promised never to leave us (Matthew 28:20). “It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” Deuteronomy 11:12 (NIV) 

READ: MATTHEW 23:1-12; LUKE 22:25-26; JOHN 13:1-17, 34-35 Wyran, kitchen servant in the palace of Ardh, studied the king’s table, ensuring that not a single grape was out of place. King Terrian had insisted that everything be perfect for his guest. For months, the territory had echoed with praises for the ruler of the distant kingdom of Beulah and his seemingly supernatural abilities. King Elam. “A formidable foe in war and a valuable ally in peace,” King Terrian had called him. Still, Wyran was sure the stories were mostly fictitious—after all, a king who could control the weather and raise the dead? Just part of some intimidation plot, no doubt. Wyran expected to be run ragged during the foreign king’s entire visit, fetching and retrieving anything this royal desired. In Wyran’s experience, the more powerful a leader was, the more pitiful he made those beneath him feel. When King Terrian and his guest swept into the hall moments later, servants flew into action, pulling out chairs, adjusting robes, and producing glimmering basins to wash the feet of both kings. But to Wyran’s shock, the visiting king waved the servants away with a gentle sweep of his hand and, instead, carried one of the basins to Wyran. He gestured to his own seat at the king’s table, indicating that Wyran should take his place. Wyran stood paralyzed. Surely the famous King Elam was not going to clean a servant’s feet! To even sit in a royal’s chair could mean execution. Unless this visitor was using Wyran to show off his supernatural abilities—if he truly could restore life, who knew what limits his terrible power had. But in the following moments, there were no supernatural tricks or transformations—only the gentle swishing of water as the king cleansed Wyran’s feet and wiped them dry with his own robe. King Terrian, who had been watching in shocked silence, finally spluttered, “Stop! I cannot have it known that the great King Elam washed my servant’s feet!” King Elam, still kneeling, smiled gently and replied, “Better had it been known you had done so yourself.” • Valerie Principe “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 (CSB) • Today’s allegorical story is based on John 13:1-17 when Jesus, the King of the universe, washed His disciples’ feet. Most earthly leaders see ruling as a right to be served, but Jesus ruled by serving others. When people saw Jesus commanding nature and raising people from the dead, they were amazed by His power and authority. And when they saw how Jesus interacted with those who were considered the least of society, some were amazed by His love and humility—and some were offended. Consider taking a moment to reread John 13:1-17, and then imagine Jesus washing your feet. What do you notice? How do you feel? • Washing His disciples’ feet wasn’t the only way Jesus served His people. When Jesus died on the cross, carrying the shame of our sins, He was performing the greatest act of service the world would ever know. Though all people are wicked and sinful, deserving of death, the King of the entire universe loves us so much, He willingly suffered the punishment of a criminal so that we could become members of His royal family forever. He conquered death and sin when He rose from the grave, and now He invites us to put our trust in Him. King Jesus waits with outstretched arms for anyone who will receive His gift and believe in Him. If you have questions about what it means to put your trust in Jesus and become part of His royal family, who are trusted Christians you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) • When are you tempted to try to impress those around you? In these times, we can look to Jesus.

READ: PSALM 139:7-12; ISAIAH 41:9-13 When we’re little, all kinds of things scare us. Maybe we’re afraid of the dark and we need the comfort of a nightlight. Maybe we don’t want to get on the rides at the fair without a parent or older sibling beside us. When we’re young and afraid, we gladly accept help to get through the scary times. But when we get to be a bit older, we start thinking we have to go through things alone. We start believing that if the darkness scares us, we just need to put up with it. But that’s not true. We always have someone beside us, no matter what age we are. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Because of His life, death, and resurrection, we don’t ever have to be alone. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are in fellowship with God. So whenever we’re afraid, we can turn to God for help, comfort, and courage. Maybe the same things don’t scare us now that did when we were young, but whatever we’re afraid of now, we can ask God to help us with it. God is always there for us, even when we feel alone. Throughout our lives, we’ll face many scary and uncertain moments, but He will be there through them all. We can trust Him and feel secure with Him by our side, like a child feels when their parent or another loved one sits with them and helps them through life’s scary moments. • Bethany Acker • What scared you when you were little? Now that you’re older, are you afraid of similar things, different things, or maybe some of both? • Throughout the book of Psalms, we read poems and songs by David, a shepherd who became the king of Israel and a great warrior. David often felt afraid, and he freely acknowledged this to God and to the people listening to his psalms (Psalm 56:3). Yet, as David turned to God, he was delivered from his fears again and again (Psalm 34:4). David was comforted and strengthened, not by theological knowledge alone, but by God’s presence with him (Psalm 23:4). Consider taking a moment to tell God about your fears and ask Him to help you know His presence with you more and more. He has compassion on you, and He delights in answering these prayers. “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 148; LUKE 19:36-40 The towering oaks, And every blade of grass, Have all spoken. The clouds in the sky, And the birds in the trees, All reply— “Great is He!” Great is the One who made us, Great is the God of gods, Great is the One who loves, And has determined the path we’ve trod. The fox’s tail swishes, Sunset’s colors change, Water teems with splashing fishes. The breeze in the trees, The flowers on the ground— How great is He! Make a joyful sound! • Josefine Engle • What is your favorite part of God’s creation? Have you ever thought about this part of creation praising God? • When we praise Jesus, we join with creation! How do you like to praise Him? Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Psalm 148:3 (CSB) 

READ: PSALM 119:9-16, 97-105; MATTHEW 11:28-12:8 Have you ever been in such a rush that you gulped down a meal too quickly to really enjoy it? We live in a fast-paced world that doesn’t prioritize taking time to care for ourselves and others. As Christians, sometimes this problem shows up when we spend time reading the Bible. All sixty-six books of the Bible make up a rich, multi-genre love letter from God to His people. It tells us the story of Jesus and unfolds what the good news of His death and resurrection means for us. But, in our busyness, we often feel like we need to rush through reading Scripture. The good news is—even when we feel pressured to get the maximum productivity out of every moment—Jesus gives us rest from all that hurry. What’s one of the ways we can remember the rest He gives us? By taking time to really chew on the passages we read in the Bible. Moving more slowly through our Bible reading helps us in several ways. First, it allows us to remember that God is not in a hurry. We are secure in Him and His love. Second, it lets us meditate (a word that means “to chew”) on what God has said as we go about our days. This allows us to understand all the more fully how central Jesus is to our lives. Third, it gives us time to figure out what questions we have about the passages we’re reading, which in turn allows us to reach out to trusted Christian people and resources to help us better understand the context of what we read. Next time you read the Bible, remember that you have time to chew on it. You don’t need to rush. God’s love for you holds steady, and in the Bible, we find the true story of how Jesus embodies this love through His death and resurrection. That’s a story worth meditating on. • A. W. Smith • Reading Scripture is one of the ways God invites us to interact with Him. Everyone’s life circumstances, gifts, and learning styles are different. When are good times of the day or week for you to take time to chew on the Bible? Do you prefer to read it silently, read it aloud, or have it read to you? • Who are trusted Christians you could reach out to when you have questions about the Bible—such as pastors, counselors, parents, teachers, etc.? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you find some people who can walk with you through your questions, including helping you find reputable and scholarly Christian resources for studying the Bible well. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15 (NIV) 

READ: HEBREWS 4:14-16 Anger. Sadness. Fear. These and other emotions can be tough to regulate, and it can make us wonder: are emotions even good? God made us with emotions, and they are good. They help us process hard things we face in our world that’s been broken by sin. And emotions can even help motivate us to find ways to take care of ourselves and others. But, like with all good things in our broken world, there are unsafe and safe ways to express emotions—ways that can hurt us or others, and ways that can help us feel and grow and learn. Through it all, Jesus is always a safe person to talk to about our emotions— remember, He knows firsthand what it’s like to have big feelings. Especially in the Gospels, we see Jesus experiencing lots of emotions. He empathizes with us, and He can also direct us to other safe people—such as parents, therapists, teachers, friends, etc.—and He can guide us in safe ways to work through those feelings. What helps people process emotions differs from person to person. The good news is, our loving God provides a wide variety of healthy ways for us to process our emotions. Some people like to go for a brisk walk or go to an open space and throw a ball as hard as they can. Others like to journal or make art. Others like to work with dough. Still others like to sing or play a musical instrument. Because of these differences, it’s valuable to take time to pray, think, and talk with our safe people about various ways to process the good emotions Jesus made us with. So, when we experience big or intense feelings, we don’t have to be afraid. God can handle them, and so can the other safe people in our lives. Jesus Himself has experienced the full range of human emotion, so we can come to Him with anything we’re feeling—no matter what. • Kandi Zeller • What might be examples of unsafe and safe ways to process emotions? • Who are safe people in your life you can process emotions with—such as therapists, parents, friends, pastors, etc.? [Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)

Have you ever been really homesick? When we’re traveling someplace far away from loved ones—even if we’re traveling for good reasons—it’s totally understandable that we miss our friends and family. God created us with a need for community with Him and other people. That’s why Jesus said the two most important things He wants us to do are to love Him and other people (Matthew 22:36-40). But in our broken world, sometimes loving others means we feel the pain of being apart from them. In a way, all Christians are homesick…because our home is with Jesus. Even though He is always with us—and He is present in our lives here and now through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church)—we can’t see Him face-to-face. But one day we will, either when we die or when He returns and restores all of creation. On that day, everyone who knows Jesus will get to live with Him together, and we will never be homesick again. As we continue to live in our world that’s broken by sin, we long to be with God— and His people—the way He intended, without all the effects of our sin wreaking havoc. Separation is one of the effects of sin. Even if we don’t have to physically travel away from the people we love, we will eventually be separated from them, either when we die or when they do. Death is the ultimate effect of sin, but Jesus defeated death when He let Himself be put to death on the cross…and then rose from the grave. Without Jesus, we are all separated from God. But if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we’ve been brought near to God and become part of His family. Whenever we experience hard things like homesickness and death, Jesus comforts us. He knows firsthand what it’s like to be separated from the people you love. And He reminds us that we get to look forward to the day we will finally be home with Him and God’s whole family forever. That’s real hope we can cling to even in our most homesick moments. • A. W. Smith • Have you ever felt homesick for Jesus? As Christians, it’s hard to understand the mystery of how we can be with Jesus here and now, and yet still long for the day we’ll see Him face-to-face. Can you think of a time you felt Jesus’s nearness and love? If you’ve never experienced this, you can ask God to reveal His nearness and love to you anytime—He delights in answering these prayers. • What are you most looking forward to about Jesus coming back? What questions do you have? I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people!” Revelation 21:3a (NLT) READ: JOHN 14:18; REVELATION 21:1-5

Two thousand degrees Fahrenheit. That’s how hot glass has to be heated in order for it to be molded. When professional glassblowers have a glob of this molten material on the end of a tool called a blowpipe, they blow into it to create the shape they want. These artists can form glass into masterpieces. But they only have a limited time to do this. After the glass cools down, it can’t be molded or shaped anymore unless it’s reheated. As Christians, we are kind of like works of blown glass. Before we knew Jesus, our hearts were cold and hard (Ezekiel 36:26). We were dead in sin and immovable in our selfish ways. But when we trusted in Jesus, He made our hearts warm so the Holy Spirit could mold us to become more and more like Him—more kind, more loving, more patient, more courageous… the list goes on (Galatians 5:22-23). Like a glassblower fills their work of art with the breath of their lungs and shapes it for its intended purpose, our Lord fills our hearts with love and shapes our lives so we can glorify Him and show others who He is. We are His masterpieces, beautiful vessels pointing others to Jesus’s love. Today, let’s thank Him for breathing life into us and trust Him to mold us into the people He wants us to be—people who are, together, being shaped by His love. • A. W. Smith • As Christians, we are Jesus’s masterpiece-in-progress. If you know Jesus, how has the Holy Spirit already shaped you to become more like Jesus? (Galatians 5:22-23) • Growing in Christ can be a challenging process, just like the art of glassblowing. Why is it important to remember that we are fully loved by Jesus no matter how well this process seems to be going, and that He will never give up on us? (Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:6) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) READ: EPHESIANS 2:8-10; 4:17-24; 5:2

A vivid sunset reached over the aqua waters of my home on Zakynthos Island. I slid my hand down my pteranodon’s sleek, yet powerful neck as he lifted his wings, carrying me higher into the color-splashed sky. Apostolos had been my constant companion since the night he landed next to me on the beach when I was a child. I was curled up next to the giant rock that resembled a resting brachiosaurus. Sweet Apostolos had seen me weeping, laid his crested head on my lap, and stayed with me until my tears subsided. Reminiscing ceased as Apostolos landed lightly on the shores of the white-sand beach. The limestone caves glinted gold in the light of the setting sun. I settled on the sand with a sigh as Apostolos stretched his magnificent wings beside me. Even in this beautiful place, my mind wandered to memories of my failures. “I keep messing up, Olo. I know what I should do because I have the Book of Life, but I don’t always follow it. Again, I find myself wishing I could turn back time and make the right choice.” Apostolos blinked sympathetically. I tried to understand why I kept doing wrong. Once, I was headed for death and destruction, but I had encountered the Eternal One who changed my soul and brought me from darkness into the light. I loved Him and sought to put His Book of Life into practice daily, but I still fell short. “Why do I have so much guilt?” I said aloud. Apostolos glanced up at the sky. “Don’t roll your eyes at me.” I chuckled. “You’re right, I am forgetting the truth. The Eternal One says I belong to Him forever and I’m no longer condemned. He has already taken all my guilt on Himself, freeing me from shame through His own dying and rising. It’s good to remember. Because I’ve put my trust in Him, I’ll never be put to shame.” I whispered a prayer: “Here I am again, broken and in need. I don’t always do what I should do, what I want to do. You know the wrong that I have done and how I wish I could undo it. I need Your help to resist next time I am tempted, and to heal the hurts I’ve already caused. I know You forgive me, and I must release this to You. Remind me, Eternal One, that Your mercies are new every morning.” Opening my hands, palms raised to the sky, I released the guilt and shame, accepting the Eternal One’s immeasurable forgiveness and unfailing love. • Savannah Coleman The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) • Have you ever felt like the character in today’s sci-fi/fantasy story? Frustrated with yourself for doing wrong even though you know what’s right? In Romans 7, the apostle Paul wrestled with his propensity to sin, even though he belonged to Christ. If we’re honest, we’ve all echoed Paul’s words: “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (verse 19). Thankfully, there is hope and rescue through Jesus Christ (verses 24-25). If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you’ve already been brought from death to life (John 5:24). Because Jesus died on the cross for you and rose from the grave, you are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). The Bible says anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame (Romans 10:9-11). Now that’s good news! If you have questions about what it means to put your trust in Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • As followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit in us to remind us of Jesus’s words (John 14:26). When God’s Spirit in us reveals a sin or prompts us to change, this is a beautiful sign that we belong to Jesus and He is working in us to make us more like Him (Philippians 1:6). God knows we will continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns and makes all things new. When God corrects us, He is specific and gives us hope. Consider taking a moment to pray,

"I don’t think I can go any higher.” I glanced down at my friends, saw how far away the floor was, and gripped the handholds more tightly. I was regretting my decision to go rock climbing. “Okay,” my friend Natalie called, “then just push off.” Push off? I doublechecked the clip on my harness and glanced at the ceiling. Could I really count on the automatic belay to hold me when I launched off the rock wall? Natalie had promised that I could trust it. But I wasn’t so sure. Slowly, carefully, I began climbing back down. It was tedious, but surely it was better than letting go of the wall. That was my mind’s one security. As I inched my way down the course, my face flushed with embarrassment. I knew it was foolish to try to climb down. My friends were waiting on me. The best thing to do would be to trust the rope and push off the wall. I hesitated, clinging to the handholds. I knew I could trust the rope, but I didn’t feel secure away from the wall. Finally, with a little shriek, I grabbed the rope and launched off, heart leaping to my throat. And, just like Natalie had said, the automatic belay gently lowered me to the ground. There had been nothing to fear. Sometimes in life, I find myself in situations where I need to let go of my fears and trust God’s promises. Although I know that God is trustworthy, there are times when I lean on my own understanding to handle life’s uncertainties. In these times, God gently reminds me that He is with me, and He gives me the faith to fall. I may not always feel secure, but I can always trust the One who is holding me. • Siera Weber • How is it different to take someone’s word for it that something is trustworthy, and to actually experience for ourselves that we can trust it? • Have you ever had an experience that helped you know/feel that God is trustworthy? • Sometimes, we might feel ashamed when it’s difficult to trust God. But God doesn’t condemn us, He has compassion on us and helps us. What are some of God’s promises that we can lean on through life’s difficulties? (Hint: Matthew 28:20; Romans 10:9-11;Ephesians 2:4-10; Hebrews 13:5; Revelation 21:1-5) How can we gently remind each other of God’s trustworthiness? Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: PSALM 37:5; PROVERBS 3:5; ISAIAH 26:3-4; 1 PETER 5:6-7

Even though I couldn’t understand the words erupting around me, I sensed we were going to be thrown off the tram. I had arrived in Romania to serve for a year in ministry. Earlier that evening, my teammates and I had purchased tickets and boarded a tram to travel from our neighborhood to the city center. I knew just a few words in this language and had much to learn about my new community (and its transportation system). That soon became abundantly clear. As we stepped aboard and the tram began rumbling along its tracks, I slid my thin paper ticket into the ticket puncher on a pole in the middle of the tram. My three teammates did the same. Glancing at my ticket, I realized I hadn’t aligned it exactly correctly in the puncher. I decided to punch it a second time to be sure I canceled out the right spaces on the ticket. We passed a few stops; then a ticket monitor boarded the tram. He asked to check the passengers’ tickets. One at a time, we handed ours over. Then he noticed mine had been punched twice, making it appear as if I had attempted to reuse a ticket without paying for my ride. Fierce arguing followed. My Romanian teammate tried to explain my innocent mistake. No matter. The ticket monitor ordered us off at the next stop. My efforts to fix a problem of my own making resulted in a bigger, messier conflict. While this incident was just a misunderstanding, it reminded me of something we try to do spiritually. We all miss the mark of following God’s good ways—we all sin. When we try to fix it, it doesn’t work. We can’t undo our sin. No amount of good things we do could ever cancel out the bad. Thankfully, our loving God is not like a harsh ticket monitor. Jesus, God in flesh, came so we could be redeemed. When we trust in Jesus—the One who never sinned but took the punishment for our sin by dying on the cross and rising from the grave—we receive forgiveness. He exchanges our sinfulness for His righteousness. In God’s sight, it’s as if we never missed the mark. And, through the Holy Spirit, God empowers Christians to be able to live according to His good ways. But even when we mess up, we can rest knowing that our forgiveness is complete. Though none of us can undo the wrong things we’ve done, when we put our trust in Jesus, we begin a new life in Him, and He lives in us. No ticket necessary. • Allison Wilson Lee • In light of the good news of Jesus, how could it be freeing to know we can never undo our sin? “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:21 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: ISAIAH 64:6; ROMANS 3:23-24; GALATIANS 2:15-21

"Where is God when there are wars and sicknesses? Where is God when my friends are hurting?" If you’ve asked these questions, you’re not alone. People have been wondering for thousands of years. One person who responded to these questions was Ezekiel, a messenger to God’s people, the Israelites. Ezekiel preached truths about God and the world, messages of warning and of hope that are written in the book of Ezekiel in the Bible. This book opens with a dramatic vision of God’s holiness. He is the Perfect Creator and Ruler of the universe, far greater than our understanding. And since God is perfect, He cannot ignore sin and evil. Sin goes against God’s good ways and separates us from His goodness. Ezekiel reminds the people that God warned them of the danger of sin. Still, they refused to listen. So, as a consequence, God punished them and let the people go into exile far from home. But there was hope. When everything was going wrong—in the midst of hurt, wars, and exile—God promised to be with His people, and one day, to bring them back home. And He promised a new Spirit that would help them live in His ways (Ezekiel 11:19). Those are a lot of big promises, but they were fulfilled over five hundred years later in Jesus, who is God in flesh. He is called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). When everything goes wrong and we wonder where God is, He is right there with us. Jesus lived a perfect life and died to forgive our sins. Then He rose again from death to rescue us so we can be with our loving God forever. Finally, after Jesus ascended, God sent His Holy Spirit to be in us. The Holy Spirit gives us comfort and hope, guiding us and helping us live in God’s good ways as we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new (John 14:26). The end of Ezekiel has a beautiful picture of God’s people returning to the land He promised to give them, where He will dwell with them forever. And we have hope of the renewed creation, when we will live with Jesus forever in God’s perfect kingdom! • Abby Ciona • Do you ever feel like God is far away? We all have these feelings, and we can tell God about them anytime. To remind us of God’s constant presence, we can read verses like John 14:25-31 and Matthew 28:20. Who is a trusted Christian in your life who you could talk with about these things? If nobody comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” Ezekiel 37:14a (NIV) READ: EZEKIEL 11:15-21; 39:21-29

Have you ever seen a patchwork quilt project? When leftover fabric is too small to make something on its own, it can be combined with other leftover fabrics in a patchwork design to create something unique, beautiful…and eco-friendly! Patchwork projects are incredibly versatile—you can make quilts, bags, clothes, and so much more. And each project is so incredibly unique because it’s made of a stunning hodgepodge of colorful and diverse fabrics. And you know what? God is working on a patchwork project too. He is fabricating His family: the church. It’s made up of Christians—people who have put their trust in Jesus to save them from sin and death—who are all different from each other. In God’s patchwork church, some are young and some are old, some are rich and some are poor, some can sing…and some can’t! We all have different abilities and come from different walks of life, but God sews us together as “the body of Christ”—His church (1 Corinthians 12:27). It’s so important for us to remember that we need each other. As we live in community with our siblings in Christ, learning about Jesus together and working alongside each other, He is making us into a beautiful work of art. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So, as Christians, when our broken world makes us feel like small, insignificant scraps, we can remember that we are each an important part of God’s beautiful patchwork family. • A. W. Smith • What are some of the unique ways you have seen God sew you and other Christians together? • What are your favorite things about some of your siblings in Christ? What things make you similar and different from each other? Consider taking a moment to thank Jesus for these people and for the ways He is working at weaving all our beautiful differences together. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:20-27; EPHESIANS 2:10

In the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah was foretold by several prophets. Many Israelites thought the Messiah—the One who would save God’s people—would be a political leader who would restore their freedom and save them from their oppressor, Rome. But when Jesus came as the Messiah, He came to demonstrate God’s unconditional love for sinners, not to give His people political power. Some of the teachers of the Jewish law, called Pharisees, were hostile toward sinners. Rather than extending unconditional love, they were unfriendly to sinners and saw themselves as saints—even when they lived hypocritically. When Jesus talked to the Pharisees, He often used parables to explain key truths. One time He used a parable about a prodigal son to explain the extent of God’s unconditional love. In this parable, there were two sons who had a very influential father. The younger son asked his father for his inheritance early. His father agreed, and after getting it, the younger son went to a distant land where he squandered everything. Then a famine hit. In desperation he began to beg, and he longed to eat scraps given to the pigs. After giving it some thought, he returned back home to his father, ready to beg for forgiveness and ask his father if he could stay with him as a servant. But his father warmly accepted him back as his son, not his servant, then threw an extravagant party to celebrate his son’s return. The older son, however, was bitter and angry about the younger brother’s return and felt that his father was being unfair by extending unconditional love to the rebellious younger son. Jesus told this parable so the Pharisees would understand the level of God’s unconditional love toward all of us who have strayed. God is ready to forgive and welcome anyone who puts their trust in Jesus—any time, any day. No one is outside of Jesus’s reach. When someone who we see as unworthy comes to Jesus, instead of being bitter and angry like the older brother in the parable, we can rejoice that a sinner turned to Christ. We can continue to pray for people within our reach, and outside our reach, to come to know the unconditional love of Jesus. And we can praise God for extending His unconditional love to sinners like us. • Shadrach Goni • Take a moment to read Luke 15:11-32. Do you feel more like the older son or the younger son in this parable? Why do both of these brothers need the unconditional love of Jesus? “For the Son of Man [Jesus] has come to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (CSB)&nbsp; READ: LUKE 15:11-32; JOHN 3:16-17

Have you ever gotten discouraged about living the Christian life? If so, you’re not alone. In our broken world, we face many discouraging things, like temptation, loss, broken relationships, disaster, and tragedies of all kinds. Sometimes we as Christians can get a little weary on the journey of faith. There are times when we need encouragement and help to move us along in our walk with God. When we need help and encouragement, we can always turn to Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30). He has promised to be with us—always. He may use a Bible passage or work through another Christian to encourage us. Whenever we’re feeling down, we can trust Him to be with us and give us the help we need in that moment. Put another way, walking with Jesus is not a solo activity. God is present with us, and He also brings other Christians alongside us to help us when we struggle against the currents of temptation and difficult circumstances. Together, we can run to Jesus Himself, the ultimate source of help. He saved us, and we are learning to depend on Him in every circumstance. Whatever we are facing, He’s always there to encourage and strengthen us. • A. W. Smith • Can you think of a time you felt discouraged in your walk with Jesus? Was there anything that helped encourage you during this time? • Are there any Bible passages that have encouraged you in difficult times? Which one(s)? Do you know anyone who might be encouraged by this too? • Who are trusted people in your life—such as friends, pastors, parents, counselors, etc.—who you could talk with when you’re feeling discouraged? So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: PSALM 121; ISAIAH 41:10

Jesus Christ had a lot to say about hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, He confronted a group of religious leaders, repeating the phrase, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” not once, but six times. Jesus called out their self-righteousness. When we think of hypocrites we imagine people trying to appear better than they are. They make a show of being spiritual. Jesus said these religious leaders were like white-washed tombs filled with bones of the dead (verse 27). They look good outwardly, but inside they are full of death and yuck! We fall into the same trap. We cover our sin and guilt with showy goodness. Our good deeds and Bible studies make it on social media, while the sin in our lives goes unshared. The word "hypocrite" comes from the Greek word for actor, one who is playing a part. It’s someone pretending to be what they’re not. But I think it’s also possible to be a “reverse hypocrite.” Let me give an example. I was with my friends once, and they were bragging about the times they got in trouble. One guy took his parents’ car for a drive. One guy got drunk. Then there’s me. I got nothing. I took some cookies from the cookie jar once when my mom said not to. So, I made up some stuff. I tried to sound edgy. I’m not edgy. I like to go home and read books. Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever exaggerated something about yourself to sound cool? Have you attempted to make yourself seem like more of a rebel than you actually are? Ever been a reverse hypocrite? Lots of us have done this. Why? Usually because we want to be accepted by other people—and this is a good desire, but when we try to find acceptance by being dishonest, that’s not good. Yet Jesus offers us, hypocrites that we are, full acceptance in His family, no matter if our sins are obvious to others or hidden in the shadows. He loves us, and He invites us to come to Him and be made new, be forgiven, and be our authentic selves. Who you are before the Lord is the most important thing, and He sees right through all forms of hypocrisy. You can’t fool Him, and you don’t need to (2 Corinthians 5:10, 21). When you find yourself fearing people, you can come to Jesus. Through His Holy Spirit, He will remind you of His unconditional love and help you live in truth before the Lord. • Jeff Weddle • What kinds of hypocrisy are you tempted toward? We’re all guilty of hypocrisy. Yet Jesus sees us as we truly are and loves us. How can resting in Jesus’s acceptance help us accept ourselves and others? Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you… Romans 15:7 (NIV) READ: MATTHEW 23:11-36; ROMANS 15:7; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-21

I will write a letter to You, Lord A letter to say I thank You, for the people You provided me, for the opportunities You allowed me, I thank You, Lord. I will write You a letter, Lord A letter to say I praise You, when life is calm, when life is crazy, I praise You, Lord. I will write a letter to You, Lord A letter to say I need You, for the days my body is hurting, for the days my mind is stressed, I need You, Lord. I will write a letter to You, Lord A letter to say I thank You, for your death on the cross, for taking my sins with you, I thank you, Lord. • Kimberly Brokish • Some people like to pray by writing down their words to God. Have you ever tried writing your prayers in the form of a letter? Are there other ways you like to pray? • If you wrote a letter to the Lord, what would it say? Consider taking a moment now to talk, or write, to God about whatever is on your mind. Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:8 (CSB)&nbsp; READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:8-27

As someone who is married, I think the image of Jesus as a Bridegroom to the church is a beautiful comparison. The love, companionship, and union of marriage is designed to mirror the relationship of Jesus and His church. That’s why one name for Jesus in the Bible is the Bridegroom, and we—the church—are His bride. Jesus deeply loves us, He laid down His life for us, and He continues to take care of us. We see this in His Word, the Bible. Jesus, God the Son, took on human flesh to live among us on earth, and He died and rose again to save us. Then He ascended to heaven, promising to return. Yet He is still with us through His Holy Spirit living in us, and even now, He is taking care of us—providing for our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical needs. His self-sacrificial love and service to the church is mind-blowing. In a marriage, there is also supposed to be self-sacrificing love and service to each other. On most days, this kind of love shows up on a smaller scale. For example, a spouse might give up some of their time to spend on something their spouse is excited about, or help their spouse manage tasks when they are overwhelmed. But sometimes it can mean bigger acts of love, like choosing to raise children, or caring for a spouse who is terminally ill. The deep love and connection that comes in marriage serves as a reminder of the love Jesus has for us. I think about how much I love my husband and how much he loves me, and then I marvel at the fact that Jesus loves me even more. • Naomi Zylstra • If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you are part of the church, the bride of Christ. Have you ever thought of yourself in this way? What do you like or dislike about this comparison? • Whenever you see a husband and wife live out self-sacrificial love in marriage, you can be reminded of the self-sacrificial love Jesus has for you. Have you seen this kind of love in any married couples you know? As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5b (NIV)&nbsp; READ: ISAIAH 62:5; HOSEA 2:19; JOHN 3:28-31; EPHESIANS 5:25-29

God loves being in close relationship with us. That’s why He invites us to be in communication with Him and enjoy the closeness and unity we have with Him. The Trinity is the perfect example of unity. God is one, and God is also three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Trinity is characterized by love, and from that love God created the whole universe—especially making humans in God’s own image to be in relationship with Him. While Jesus was living among us on earth, He often spoke with the Father. He would take time to be alone and pray, continuing to lean into His relationship with the Father. Praying isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone, but the Holy Spirit helps us and Jesus gives us instructions on how to pray, showing us that prayer is relational. When Jesus begins His prayers with the word “Father,” this is a reminder of the close connection they have. As Christians, we also get to address God as Father when we pray because we have been adopted into God’s family by putting our trust in Jesus. We are set to inherit God’s kingdom as His children. God even wants us to call Him “Abba Father” which is a less formal address that shows the closeness of our relationship with Him (Romans 8:15). This close relationship makes sense when we think about the love God has poured out for us. When Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross, that was an outpouring of love. And that kind of love is a sign of a deep relational connection. God wants a relationship with us and has already made the way for this relationship to be possible through Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. God invites us to know Him, interact with Him, and continue to grow in our relationship with Him throughout our lives. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you ever thought about prayer being relational? We don’t have to be “good” at it, whatever that means. Prayer is simply drawing near to God, sometimes without even using words. When do you feel close to God? If you’ve never felt close to God, that’s okay. God invites us to ask Him for this, and He delights in answering these prayers. …you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: LUKE 11:1-13; ROMANS 8:15-17, 26-30

As a young child, I dreamed of many variations of my future: a ballerina (which I was told I could never accomplish), or a nurse who flies in helicopters to help with medical emergencies, or an environmentalist who protects God’s creation. I also fantasized about opening a shop that sold used books, bouquets of flowers, and had a café. I had a vivid imagination. None of these aspirations have come true. As time went by, I changed my mind about what I would pursue for my future. I studied environmental biology, but I never established a career in that field. I also dreamed of being a missionary—something God did give me opportunities to do. I served for twenty-two years in a mission organization, sharing the gospel as I lived on three different continents. Something I didn’t imagine doing with my life though? Becoming a writer. Now, my writing has been published in a number of different magazines. When we follow Jesus, our lives often—or, honestly, almost always—turn out differently than we expect. When we give our hearts to Jesus, trusting in His death and resurrection to pay for our sins and provide eternal life, we begin a relationship with God our Father. We also start a journey on His path, running the race God has marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1-3). As we live in Christ, His Spirit lives in us, teaching us and leading us in God’s ways. So, as we continue to dream and set goals, we can trust those hopes and desires to our wise Lord who has mighty plans for us, whose good purposes will prevail. • Allison Wilson Lee • What are some of your hopes, dreams, or plans for the future? Do you feel like you can trust God with these important things? Why or why not? • Have you ever had your dreams put down by other people? This is a painful thing, and Jesus feels these hurts with us. He is kind and trustworthy, and He invites us to open our hearts to receive His healing. Consider taking a moment to bring Him any hurts that come to mind. • Have you ever felt like you needed to know exactly what you wanted your adult life to be like? That’s a pressure a lot of us have felt, but God doesn’t expect us to be able to plan out our future. Instead, He promises to be with us through everything, and He invites us to rely on Him as we face one decision at a time. How might this be a freer way to live life? Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: PSALM 37:1-7; PROVERBS 16:1-9; 19:20-22

Do you ever feel like you’re failing in your relationships? I do. I often find myself asking God to help me be a better friend, daughter, wife, mother, church member, coworker, and so on. And while these prayers have good intentions, I would often spend more time berating myself for my failures and thinking about human solutions than asking God to change my heart. Because the root of the problem isn’t my behavior—it’s my heart. My actions and words flow from my heart, so simply modifying those actions and words doesn’t fix the problem (Luke 6:45). My heart is still inclined toward selfishness, grumpiness, and impatience. To fix the problem, I need Jesus to change my heart. So, I’ve recently started changing the way I pray in these situations. First, I process my feelings with God. I bring Him my feelings of anger, frustration, grumpiness, and irritation. He cares about these feelings, and He wants to bring healing. Relationships are complicated, and sometimes I need to acknowledge the ways someone has failed to love me, as well as the ways I’ve failed to love that person. Then, instead of praying, “Lord, help me be a better friend,” I say, “Lord, incline my heart toward _____.” Because if my heart is inclined toward that person, my words and actions will flow from that posture of love. And sometimes, this prayer applies to my relationship with God too—I’ve often prayed that God will incline my heart toward Him and His good ways. And this is only possible because God’s heart is inclined toward me—toward us (1 John 4:19). Jesus proved this through His death and resurrection. He longs to be with us, to make us whole. And His love is unshakeable. His heart will never be inclined toward selfishness, grumpiness, or impatience. He is always seeking our good and the good of His Kingdom. And when I rest in this truth, I find myself much more inclined to love my neighbor as myself. • Taylor Eising • What do you do when you feel like you’re failing in a relationship? How could remembering Jesus’s unshakeable love for us bring us encouragement during these times? • If you’re ready, you can take some time right now to pray, asking God to incline your heart toward Himself and/or specific people in your life. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: EXODUS 34:5-6; MATTHEW 22:35-40; EPHESIANS 4:31-5:2

Elle’s dragon, Thon, had run away many times. But never before had he been missing for more than one rotation of the two moons. Elle had hand fed him from his hatching, taught him to fly, nursed him through dragon pox. Loved him. Elle sat up on her bed. The annual dragon market was today at the junkyard for old time machines. Perhaps Thon would be there. She must hurry. At the auction, she saw him almost at once. Shoulders slumped. A tear in one eye. Her telepathic device was only fourth generation, but it sensed Thon’s despair. “Thon!” she called. He turned his mighty head. If only she could explain her circumstances to the auctioneer before he started the bidding! But she was too late. She was only halfway up the aisle when the first bid rang out. More than she could possibly earn in a lifetime. She shouted out a higher number anyway. Outbid again. Still, she went higher. “450,000 drachs!” An astronomical sum. The other bidder stayed silent. “Sold!” The auctioneer pointed toward Elle. She made her way to the platform, then whispered, “I don’t have the money, but I had to stop the bidding. That’s my dragon. I raised him from his hatching. Ask him.” The auctioneer sneered. “This is an auction, not a reunion site. Soldiers, take her away.” Thon bellowed. An agonizing sound. Elle shouted, “Auction me then. I am worth 450,000 drachs.” The auctioneer bent down. “Why would you do that? Nobody has ever given themselves for the purchase of another. Not in the history of the world.” “Maybe not in the history of this age,” Elle said softly. “But I have read about another time when a being—the God man—gave His life so others might live. He is called Messiah.” “Do you love this dragon so much then?” the auctioneer asked. Elle nodded, and something in his countenance changed. “It is not the custom to withdraw dragons once they are entered in the auction. But I believe he must be yours.” He banged his gavel. “Go in peace.” • Carol Raj • Today’s allegorical story gives us a glimpse of God’s sacrificial love for us. We all run away from God, but He paid the highest price to restore us to Himself. The Messiah, Jesus, willingly went to the cross to die because it was the only way to save us. And then He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever. How can these truths give us hope? “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: LUKE 15; JOHN 15:13; ROMANS 5:5-11

What do you think of when you hear the word "worship"? For me, I tend to think of worship music, my personal devotional time, or maybe a worship service at church. However, worship as the Bible describes it is much bigger than a song or something we participate in a few moments each week. As Paul writes to the church in Rome, as we consider the mercies of God, offering our bodies and our lives as a living sacrifice, that is our true worship (Romans 12:1). Then Paul says that God calls us not to conform to the world around us, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does it look like to have our minds renewed? We get some clues in the following verses, where Paul describes the kind of life God calls us to live, urging us to love others—even our enemies. In another letter Paul wrote, this time to the Colossians, he highlights some more specific characteristics and qualities that would describe someone who is living a sacrificial lifestyle of true worship: “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,” and above all loving one another (Colossians 3:12-14). All of those things are characteristics of Jesus, and of someone who is living a lifestyle of worship, holy and pleasing to God. Paul ends this portion of his letter to the Colossians with an incredible challenge: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (verse 17). Throughout our lives, God calls us to grow in these characteristics, relying on His presence within us through the Holy Spirit to give us the help we need. God is a faithful God—faithful to forgive, faithful to redeem, and faithful to restore. The best part is He WANTS to help us grow in Him! Through Jesus, God has already provided forgiveness, and through the Holy Spirit, He is already transforming Christians (2 Corinthians 3:18). He loves it when we worship Him, and His help is always available to us. • Hunter Taylor • Consider spending some time today asking God to reveal some ways you can grow in your lifestyle of worship and ask for His help in making those changes. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? • What are some ways we can remember God’s mercy? How might this help us live a lifestyle of worship? Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Romans 12:1 (CSB)&nbsp; READ: ROMANS 12:1-2; PHILIPPIANS 2:13; COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

On the night before Jesus went to the cross, He told His followers, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Have you ever had the opportunity to share your faith because people noticed Jesus’s love shining through you? Sometimes, before we say anything about how we belong to God’s family, people can see there’s something different about us. Why? Think about it this way: when you’re part of an earthly family, you take on family traits. If you were born into your family, you may have the same build or hair color as your relatives. And whether you were adopted or born into a family, you may also have other family traits—like facial expressions, mannerisms, sense of humor, work ethic, a knack for helping others, etc. When we’re part of an earthly family, it’s often easy to see we belong to our family because we share these traits. Being part of God’s family is like that too. The Holy Spirit develops traits in us that reflect Jesus— like love, patience, and kindness. That’s often how people can tell we’re Christians. But sometimes we don’t act like Christians. Treating others badly can make it more difficult for people to see we belong to God’s family. When our actions keep us from looking like Jesus, He calls us to confess our sin to Him and trust Him to help us grow in His love for others. Even when we struggle, we can have hope because the Holy Spirit is continuing to work in our lives to give us traits like kindness, patience, and self-control as we are transformed to become more like Jesus. And we also have hope that God is continuing to work in people’s hearts to draw them to Himself, even when we mess up. Through it all, we can rest assured that we are secure in the love of God, who is always kind and patient with us. • A. W. Smith • Earthly families are made up of imperfect people, so family traits aren’t always positive. Even when our earthly family struggles, we can rest knowing that we belong to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is working in our hearts to bring out the traits of God’s family. What are some of the negative and positive traits in your family? What godly traits do you see the Holy Spirit bringing out in you? (Galatians 5:22-23) • As the Holy Spirit works in you and helps you notice the negative and positive traits you see in yourself and your family, who are trusted people you can talk with—such as counselors, therapists, pastors, parents, etc.? “By this everyone will know that you are my [Jesus’s] disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: JOHN 13:34-35; GALATIANS 5:22-23; EPHESIANS 4:24-32

Imagine for a moment you were caring for a newborn baby, and then, the day after their birth, you just expected them to be able to walk. That would be ridiculous, right? Babies can’t do everything right away when they’re born. They grow up gradually, learning a little at a time. It’s the same way with Christians. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in our faith throughout our whole lives. As we go to church, read the Bible, pray, and spend time with other Christians, we learn more about Jesus and how to live the way He calls us to. And one of the ways Jesus calls us to follow Him is by being patient with others, not giving up on people but encouraging them. Sometimes, we as the body of Christ are less than kind to baby Christians— siblings in Christ who have only recently put their trust in Jesus and been “born again” into God’s family (John 3:1-17). If we’ve grown up in the church and trusted Jesus since we were little, we sometimes expect new Christians to immediately act as though they’ve been walking with the Lord for many years. And, when we see them struggling with sin, sometimes we slightly-older siblings fall for a certain temptation: criticizing our younger siblings rather than encouraging them and praying with and for them. So today, if we feel we should point out to someone that they’re not acting in a way that fits with who they are in Jesus, let’s do it in a loving way. After all, none of us are perfect! We all struggle with sin, and we all need the grace of Jesus. As we remember the love Jesus has shown both to us and to our siblings, we can build each other up as He helps all of us grow. • A. W. Smith • Who are some people that have helped you grow in your walk with Jesus? What were some of the things they said or did—or didn’t say or do—that were especially valuable to you? • As Christians, we and our fellow siblings in Christ all struggle with sin, and we are all beloved by God, no matter how long we’ve been Christians. How can resting in this truth help us treat each other with kindness? Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14b (NLT)&nbsp; READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-16; PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6, 9-11

Your love is so great I can’t stop talking about it I want to sing it loud I want to share the news I want others to see what You have done Your love has touched the world I want those living everywhere to hear about it I want everyone to know they can receive it I want to share it with all You made the heavens and Your love goes higher than them It is bigger than the world It is greater than the sea It is more amazing than anything You made You sit over all May you be praised May you be lifted high May we see Your love and worship You • Emily Acker • God revealed His enormous love for us when He came to live among us. Jesus is fully God and fully human, and He gave His life for ours, dying on the cross. Then He rose from the dead so we could be saved from sin and death. God loves us so much that He made the way for us to live with Him forever. And He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:6-10). When we think about the gospel—the good news of Jesus—why is God’s love central to this good news? If you want to know more about the gospel and how you can know God, check out our "Know Jesus" page. • When we experience God’s love for ourselves, we naturally want to share it (1 John 4:19). Can you remember a time you felt loved by God? If not, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime. He delights in answering these prayers. For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108:4 (WEB)&nbsp; READ: PSALM 108:1-5; JOHN 3:16-17

When I worked in Japan as a young international schoolteacher, I often spent weekends exploring Tokyo’s neighborhoods or other parts of Japan. Sometimes, I’d get lost and have to ask strangers the way in my simple Japanese: “Migi? Hidari? Massugu?” (Right? Left? Straight?) Their rapid, fluent answers often left me confused. Do you ever get lost or confused when trying to follow Jesus? He called Himself “the way” (John 14:6), and early Christians were called people “who belonged to the Way” (Acts 9:2). Yet, for thousands of years, people have wondered: How can I discover God’s will for my life? After three years of teaching in Japan, I prayerfully tried to discern if I should move back to the United States. I was feeling confused and unsure, but this verse comforted me: in Acts 9:11, the risen Jesus literally gives Ananias a street address: “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street”! Then the Lord continued, “and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.” Ananias had plenty of reasons to be scared of going there to meet Saul, a man who had been persecuting and imprisoning followers of Jesus, but at least he had clear directions! I didn’t expect Jesus to be that specific for me, but as I read this verse I asked God to help me trust Him with my future. I had already learned that Jesus loved me and was with me. Now I learned to trust that He could lead me. And if I didn’t hear clear directions like Ananias? No matter where I chose to live, I could continue to follow His directions from Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… [and] love your neighbor as yourself.” • Sonja Anderson • Have you ever asked God for guidance? What happened? • What does it mean when it seems like God is silent? Sometimes, we start to worry that He can’t hear us or doesn’t care, but that’s not true. God guides us in all sorts of ways, not only through visions and dreams but also through circumstances and advice from mature Christians. And God’s guidance always: agrees with His Word (the Bible), glorifies God the Father and God the Son (John 16:12-15), brings the fruit of the Spirit and hope (Galatians 5:22-23; John 10:10), and does not come with condemnation or fear (John 3:17; Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:18). Who are trusted Christian mentors in your life you could talk to about these things? The Lord told him [Ananias], “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.” Acts 9:11 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: MATTHEW 22:34-40; ACTS 9:1-20

There are times when I get on my knees to pray, and I don’t feel like praying. There are times when I talk to God, and it doesn’t feel like He’s listening. There are times when I’m in a tough spot, and I feel like screaming, “God! Don’t You even care?” One thing I love about God is that He can handle my feelings, no matter how unruly they may be. Especially when we feel overwhelmed and alone, it’s easy to withdraw into ourselves and avoid talking to God, but that’s not what God wants. He invites us to be totally honest with Him about what we’re experiencing. Lots of psalms show us how to do this—for example, Psalm 13 begins with the words, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (verse 1). Don’t hesitate to express your frustration to God… but don’t stop there! As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, so we can choose to turn our hearts, our minds, and our actions toward the Lord no matter what we’re going through. He invites us to come to Him, to experience the freedom of worshipping Him and entrusting all our worries to His care. Here are some practices that can be helpful as we press into relationship with God: Choose to trust. Psalm 13 begins with frustration, but later the author says, “I trust in your unfailing love” (verse 5). When life gets tough, we can rely on God’s love and remember His promises to us: He promised to send a Messiah to save us, and He did! Jesus Christ died and rose again so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be with God forever. And Jesus promises to return one day and make all things new, free from sorrow and pain (Revelation 21:1-5). These promises are still true, regardless of our circumstances. We may go through times when we feel forgotten by God, but we can cling to the truth that Jesus is with us—always (Matthew 1:23; 28:20). Choose to praise. Psalm 13 says, “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” (verse 6). Praise is a choice that’s hard to make in frustrating times. But this action expresses, “My God is worthy of praise, no matter what.” And as we continue to acknowledge God’s goodness, we often find relief from our frustration. Choose to give thanks. Even when we can’t think of anything to be thankful for, we can echo the words of Psalm 13: “my heart rejoices in your salvation” (verse 5). Christ’s sacrifice for us hasn’t been nullified when we don’t feel God’s presence. We can always thank Him for saving us. And we can also be thankful that He is still working in the midst of our frustrations, even when we can’t see it (John 5:17; Romans 8:28). Choose to pray, even when you don’t see the point. In the middle of Psalm 13 is a desperate prayer, “Look on me and answer, Lord my God… ” (verse 3). The action of asking God for help communicates, “Even though I don’t understand, I know You listen to me and care about me.” And prayer is more than that. When we pray, we are communicating with the living God. We can come into God’s presence, because God has come into our presence… Jesus came to bring heaven to earth! As we come to God in prayer, He opens our eyes to the reality of how much He loves us. When we bring our sorrows to God, we can reap a harvest of joy (Psalm 126:5-6)! When we choose to follow God in the midst of our frustrations, our perspective shifts from “God, where are You?” to “God, I trust You.” By choosing to interact with God, we experience an even stronger faith in Him, knowing that His love can’t be shaken, even in the hardest struggles. • Lily Walsh But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV) • Have you ever tried to express your frustrations to God? What was it like? • How could it be freeing to know that God can handle our feelings, and He wants us to be totally honest with Him? • Consider taking a moment

Do you know anyone who has been on a jury in the United States of America? In the USA, a person accused of a crime has the right to a trial by jury. That means other American citizens are randomly selected to hear the evidence and decide whether or not the person accused of a crime is guilty. Their final decision is to be based solely on the evidence given in court. For that reason, jury members are not allowed to talk about the case with anyone outside of the jury. Since people who are not jurors haven’t heard all the evidence, they might offer information they think is true, but this information may not be correct or relevant to the case. Then someone else’s opinion might sway a jury member’s thinking, and their decision could be based on wrong information. While everyone on the jury may want to be fair and make the right decision, it can often take quite a while before all the jurors are able to agree on the issues in a case. And sometimes, even with the best intentions, juries make the wrong call. As a result, people can be wrongly convicted of crimes they didn’t commit—or deemed innocent when they are actually guilty. This sober reality can make us appreciate God in a deeper way. No matter how fair we try to be, we’re still human, and we’re all broken by sin. Only God is all-wise and completely fair, and He is the Judge of all the earth. Each of us will have to stand before Him someday, and we’re all guilty of sin and deserve to face its consequence: death without hope of resurrection. But God, our just Judge, is merciful, and He has intervened on our behalf. Because He loves us, He became human and took all our sin upon Himself when He went to the cross. Jesus faced an unjust trial, and though He was not guilty of any wrongdoing, He let Himself be put to death. He laid down His life for us, and then He rose from the grave to defeat sin and death. Now, whoever puts their trust in Jesus receives God’s mercy and is declared not guilty! As God’s forgiven people, we can learn to walk with God in His ways of justice and mercy (Micah 6:8). The Holy Spirit empowers us to love God and neighbor as we wait for Jesus to return and finally right every wrong. • A. W. Smith • Think about court cases you’ve read about or seen in the news. What aspects of the world’s justice systems seem to align with God’s justice? What aspects don’t seem to align? • As Christians, when we encounter situations that don’t align with God’s justice, how should we respond? “Won’t the Judge of the whole earth do what is just?” Genesis 18:25 (CSB)&nbsp; READ: GENESIS 18:25; JOHN 3:16-18; ROMANS 8:1-11; 14:11-12

How do you deal with conflict? I may have an unpopular approach, but I tend to address conflict head on, right away. I don’t like using the silent treatment or leaving passive aggressive notes. But I think my approach can be a little intense sometimes, so I’m learning to give others time to process disagreement and conflict. When I’m practicing better conflict management, I try to remember how Jesus dealt with conflict. He stepped into conflict, but His purpose was to bring shalom. "Shalom" is a Hebrew word that can sometimes be translated as "peace," but a more comprehensive translation would be closer to reconciliation, making all things as they should be, or making broken things whole. Jesus is a maker of this kind of peace—not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness without fear or anxiety. And when Jesus returns, He will bring all things into shalom, making everything whole so all things work together the way they were designed to. To make things whole again, sometimes we do need to step into conflict. Jesus often did this with the Pharisees (a group of Jewish religious leaders), rebuking them for their hypocrisy and for caring more about rules than about people. For example, one time Jesus’s disciples were hungry on the Sabbath (a Jewish day of rest) so they picked a few heads of grain from a field. This went against a Pharisaic law that stated a person shouldn’t pick heads of grain on the Sabbath. When the Pharisees confronted Jesus about this, He rebuked them. He told them He is Lord over the Sabbath, and it wasn’t right for them to condemn people for breaking human-made rules. Those rules brought division and self-righteousness, not shalom. They blinded the Pharisees to the bigger picture—that Jesus was God in human flesh, and He had come in love to bring about shalom. Soon after this, when the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus into breaking the Sabbath, Jesus healed a man’s hand—He restored what was broken and made his hand whole. In this way, Jesus stepped into conflict to reconcile what was wrong and bring about shalom. So when we see division and brokenness, we can look to Jesus, the One who brought wholeness to our broken relationship with God, and seek to follow in His footsteps. We can step into conflict with Jesus right beside us, aiming to bring wholeness to broken places. • Naomi Zylstra • How do you tend to deal with conflict? Learning when and how to step into conflict is difficult. Consider spending some time talking to God about this, asking for His guidance and direction. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (WEB)&nbsp; READ: MATTHEW 12:1-14

Not all Christians are potatoes. Let me explain. Let’s say you have a vegetable garden filled with carrots, potatoes, beans… and then you combine all those colorful and delicious veggies into a great vegetable soup. .But what if the scenario changed? What if all you had in your garden were potatoes? In this new scenario, you couldn’t make that flavorful, colorful, nutritious meal. .We can think of the church (all Christians everywhere) like this: as a vibrant, diverse vegetable soup. But as Christians, sometimes we forget we’re not all meant to be potatoes. Just as God gives each vegetable a different taste, He gives each of His children different spiritual gifts to build up the church. Another way to think about this is to remember that God calls us the body of Christ and says we are each a different part, but we all belong to the same body. In the family of God, we are all different, but we are united through faith in Jesus. .So, instead of comparing ourselves to others and wondering if we should be more like them—or if they should be more like us—we have the opportunity to use the gifts God has given us to share His love with others and build up His church. .Today, we can ask God to show us the spiritual gifts He has given us, and we can ask Him to guide us in how we can use these gifts in our church and our community. We can enjoy our beautiful differences, and together we can more fully reflect the goodness of God and put His glory on display. Because no matter what gifts we have, we are each an important part of God’s family, and we get to bring flavor and nourishment to the world—together. • A. W. Smith .• What are some of your talents? Are you good at art, music, math, mechanics, athletics, teaching, caring for people who are sick or in crisis…? .• If you know Jesus, you’ve been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. Do you have an idea what some of your spiritual gifts might be? (Today’s Bible passages include a couple of the Bible’s lists on this topic.) Consider taking some time to pray about this, asking God for wisdom about how you might use your gifts to share His love with the people you come in contact with. .• Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk with about your talents and spiritual gifts and how you might use them? .We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6a (NIV) 

Not all Christians are potatoes. Let me explain. Let’s say you have a vegetable garden filled with carrots, potatoes, beans… and then you combine all those colorful and delicious veggies into a great vegetable soup. But what if the scenario changed? What if all you had in your garden were potatoes? In this new scenario, you couldn’t make that flavorful, colorful, nutritious meal. We can think of the church (all Christians everywhere) like this: as a vibrant, diverse vegetable soup. But as Christians, sometimes we forget we’re not all meant to be potatoes. Just as God gives each vegetable a different taste, He gives each of His children different spiritual gifts to build up the church. Another way to think about this is to remember that God calls us the body of Christ and says we are each a different part, but we all belong to the same body. In the family of God, we are all different, but we are united through faith in Jesus. So, instead of comparing ourselves to others and wondering if we should be more like them—or if they should be more like us—we have the opportunity to use the gifts God has given us to share His love with others and build up His church. Today, we can ask God to show us the spiritual gifts He has given us, and we can ask Him to guide us in how we can use these gifts in our church and our community. We can enjoy our beautiful differences, and together we can more fully reflect the goodness of God and put His glory on display. Because no matter what gifts we have, we are each an important part of God’s family, and we get to bring flavor and nourishment to the world—together. • A. W. Smith • What are some of your talents? Are you good at art, music, math, mechanics, athletics, teaching, caring for people who are sick or in crisis…? • If you know Jesus, you’ve been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. Do you have an idea what some of your spiritual gifts might be? (Today’s Bible passages include a couple of the Bible’s lists on this topic.) Consider taking some time to pray about this, asking God for wisdom about how you might use your gifts to share His love with the people you come in contact with. • Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk with about your talents and spiritual gifts and how you might use them? We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6a (NIV)&nbsp; READ: ROMANS 12:4-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-27; 1 PETER 4:8-11

I have always prayed before bed; it’s something my parents started doing with me when I was little, and it stuck. But there’s one problem with this: I’ve lost count of the number of times when, by the time I go to bed, my brain is so scrambled that all the words I have left seem like utter nonsense. .I feel guilty for this sometimes because I want to be able to talk to God, to coherently thank Him for my day and ask for His advice and His help. But I have to remind myself there’s no need to feel guilty, because even when I speak utter nonsense, God knows exactly what I mean. He wants to hear from me—and from all His people—no matter what we have to say or how coherently we are able to say it. .In Jeremiah 33:2-3, God reminds His people that He is the One who made the earth. Right after that He says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (verse 3). The Creator of the earth—of the entire universe—asks His people to call on Him. God doesn’t just tolerate our prayers; He desires them. And He promises to respond—though He may not respond how we expect Him to. .Hebrews 4:14-16 reminds us that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can approach our loving God with confidence, knowing He hears our prayers. How amazing is that? No matter if the prayer—or call—we make to Him is utter nonsense; He wants to hear from us. And what may seem like utter nonsense to me and you makes perfect sense to Him. • Kimberly Brokish .• Have you ever felt like you were praying utter nonsense? Bible passages like Psalm 139:1-4 and Romans 8:26-27 remind us that God knows what’s in our hearts and what we want to tell Him, and the Holy Spirit helps makes sense of our utter nonsense..• How does it make you feel to know that the Creator of the universe wants to hear from you? What would you like to tell Him right now? .“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) 

I have always prayed before bed; it’s something my parents started doing with me when I was little, and it stuck. But there’s one problem with this: I’ve lost count of the number of times when, by the time I go to bed, my brain is so scrambled that all the words I have left seem like utter nonsense. I feel guilty for this sometimes because I want to be able to talk to God, to coherently thank Him for my day and ask for His advice and His help. But I have to remind myself there’s no need to feel guilty, because even when I speak utter nonsense, God knows exactly what I mean. He wants to hear from me—and from all His people—no matter what we have to say or how coherently we are able to say it. In Jeremiah 33:2-3, God reminds His people that He is the One who made the earth. Right after that He says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (verse 3). The Creator of the earth—of the entire universe—asks His people to call on Him. God doesn’t just tolerate our prayers; He desires them. And He promises to respond—though He may not respond how we expect Him to. Hebrews 4:14-16 reminds us that, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can approach our loving God with confidence, knowing He hears our prayers. How amazing is that? No matter if the prayer—or call—we make to Him is utter nonsense; He wants to hear from us. And what may seem like utter nonsense to me and you makes perfect sense to Him. • Kimberly Brokish • Have you ever felt like you were praying utter nonsense? Bible passages like Psalm 139:1-4 and Romans 8:26-27 remind us that God knows what’s in our hearts and what we want to tell Him, and the Holy Spirit helps makes sense of our utter nonsense. • How does it make you feel to know that the Creator of the universe wants to hear from you? What would you like to tell Him right now? “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: JEREMIAH 29:11-13, 33:2-3; ROMANS 8:26-27

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus was born. God became human and lived on earth with other humans. Stop for a moment and think about that. Isn’t that amazing? The One who was present at the beginning of time—the One who created all things, including humans—came down to His creation and experienced it as a human… because He loves us..Jesus grew up with the people around Him. He went through puberty, had younger siblings, and even experienced betrayal. How amazing is that? Out of His great love for us, our God experienced a human life like us. But let’s not forget Jesus is also fully God, and He had a special purpose in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection here on earth..Jesus came to rescue the world from sin and death, because when the first humans rejected God and sinned against Him, we became separated from our loving Creator. But God wants us to be with Him again. Though sin is like a chasm between us and God, Jesus became the bridge between humankind and God so that there would be no separation between the two..And Jesus is the only One who could close that gap because He is both fully God and fully human. Jesus never sinned, and He didn’t deserve any of the punishment for sin, but He took it all upon Himself… because He loves us. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He made the atoning sacrifice for our sin so that He could restore us to relationship with Himself. Now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is brought near to God. As Christians, we can know that God is with us here and now, and we also get to look forward to the day Jesus will return bodily to earth. Then sin and death will be no more, and we will live with God in restored creation!.One of Jesus’s names is Immanuel, which means “God with us,” and that’s exactly who Jesus is. He is God, and He is also human like us. And because Jesus came to be with us, now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus gets to be with God— forever. • Naomi Zylstra.• When you think about Jesus being both fully human and fully God, which one is harder for you to wrap your mind around? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this. While there are some things we may never fully understand, God invites us to question and wrestle with Him..• When you have questions about who Jesus is or about being brought near to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.).“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew 1:23 (NIV) 

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus was born. God became human and lived on earth with other humans. Stop for a moment and think about that. Isn’t that amazing? The One who was present at the beginning of time—the One who created all things, including humans—came down to His creation and experienced it as a human… because He loves us. Jesus grew up with the people around Him. He went through puberty, had younger siblings, and even experienced betrayal. How amazing is that? Out of His great love for us, our God experienced a human life like us. But let’s not forget Jesus is also fully God, and He had a special purpose in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection here on earth. Jesus came to rescue the world from sin and death, because when the first humans rejected God and sinned against Him, we became separated from our loving Creator. But God wants us to be with Him again. Though sin is like a chasm between us and God, Jesus became the bridge between humankind and God so that there would be no separation between the two. And Jesus is the only One who could close that gap because He is both fully God and fully human. Jesus never sinned, and He didn’t deserve any of the punishment for sin, but He took it all upon Himself… because He loves us. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, He made the atoning sacrifice for our sin so that He could restore us to relationship with Himself. Now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is brought near to God. As Christians, we can know that God is with us here and now, and we also get to look forward to the day Jesus will return bodily to earth. Then sin and death will be no more, and we will live with God in restored creation! One of Jesus’s names is Immanuel, which means “God with us,” and that’s exactly who Jesus is. He is God, and He is also human like us. And because Jesus came to be with us, now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus gets to be with God— forever. • Naomi Zylstra • When you think about Jesus being both fully human and fully God, which one is harder for you to wrap your mind around? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this. While there are some things we may never fully understand, God invites us to question and wrestle with Him. • When you have questions about who Jesus is or about being brought near to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus'' page.) “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew 1:23 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: MATTHEW 1:23; JOHN 1:1-18; ROMANS 5:6-11

A scorching sun beats down from a red sky, hot sand making my throat and nose raw. I cough wheezily, my chest tight and vision blurry. Hours have passed since I got separated from the caravan, and I am all but spent. My vision spins and I fall to my knees, panting. Slowly, I regain my balance only to stare in surprise at what’s in front of me. A man in a white robe and sandals stands there, smiling gently as he holds out a hand for me to take. With shaking fingers I grasp his hand, standing. “Who are you?” I ask in surprise. .The man merely smiles. “I AM,” he replies, and I blink. .“What? That—” I stutter, completely confused. .“Come,” says the man, and I follow with wobbly legs. After a few minutes there’s a gust of wind, blowing up a wave of sand, and he disappears from my sight. .“Wait!” I cry, my voice cracking. “Don’t leave!” Just as panic begins to overtake me, the sand settles, and the man reappears. .“I’m right here,” he says kindly. “I’m not leaving.” I watch him nervously, not entirely sure he’s being truthful. He beckons me forward, hand reaching out. “Come.” .We begin walking again and make it a ways before I fall to my knees, exhausted. The man stops, watching me with compassion etched on his face. My vision blurs so I shake my head to clear it, only to nearly fall over sideways because my body is so weak. “Help,” I rasp to the man, “I can’t go any farther.” No sooner do I say it than a pair of arms wrap around me, picking me up. .“Rest,” he says with a kindly smile, “I will carry you.” .My eyes droop tiredly and I yawn. “Who are you?” I murmur. .“I AM.” .Oh… I get it. Peace washes over me as my eyes close, and I smile. I AM. Jesus. • Caelin Allred .• What stuck out to you in this allegorical story? In Exodus 3:14, God says His name is “I AM,” which is translated Yahweh or Lord. Jesus revealed that He is I AM, God in human flesh, the promised Messiah-Rescuer (John 4:26). He saves us from sin and death, and He helps us in our weakness. .• Can you think of a time you felt lost? Do you feel lost now? How could it give us hope to know there is always someone out there searching for us? (Luke 15:1-7; John 10:11-18) .“I myself will search for my sheep and look after them…I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NIV) 

A scorching sun beats down from a red sky, hot sand making my throat and nose raw. I cough wheezily, my chest tight and vision blurry. Hours have passed since I got separated from the caravan, and I am all but spent. My vision spins and I fall to my knees, panting. Slowly, I regain my balance only to stare in surprise at what’s in front of me. A man in a white robe and sandals stands there, smiling gently as he holds out a hand for me to take. With shaking fingers I grasp his hand, standing. “Who are you?” I ask in surprise. The man merely smiles. “I AM,” he replies, and I blink. “What? That—” I stutter, completely confused. “Come,” says the man, and I follow with wobbly legs. After a few minutes there’s a gust of wind, blowing up a wave of sand, and he disappears from my sight. “Wait!” I cry, my voice cracking. “Don’t leave!” Just as panic begins to overtake me, the sand settles, and the man reappears. “I’m right here,” he says kindly. “I’m not leaving.” I watch him nervously, not entirely sure he’s being truthful. He beckons me forward, hand reaching out. “Come.” We begin walking again and make it a ways before I fall to my knees, exhausted. The man stops, watching me with compassion etched on his face. My vision blurs so I shake my head to clear it, only to nearly fall over sideways because my body is so weak. “Help,” I rasp to the man, “I can’t go any farther.” No sooner do I say it than a pair of arms wrap around me, picking me up. “Rest,” he says with a kindly smile, “I will carry you.” My eyes droop tiredly and I yawn. “Who are you?” I murmur. “I AM.” Oh…I get it. Peace washes over me as my eyes close, and I smile. I AM. Jesus. • Caelin Allred • What stuck out to you in this allegorical story? In Exodus 3:14, God says His name is “I AM,” which is translated Yahweh or Lord. Jesus revealed that He is I AM, God in human flesh, the promised Messiah-Rescuer (John 4:26). He saves us from sin and death, and He helps us in our weakness. • Can you think of a time you felt lost? Do you feel lost now? How could it give us hope to know there is always someone out there searching for us? (Luke 15:1-7; John 10:11-18) “I myself will search for my sheep and look after them…I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NIV) READ: DEUTERONOMY 1:31; PSALM 28:9; ISAIAH 40:11; EZEKIEL 34:11-12

The ball was out, right? It all happened so fast that I couldn’t tell. Did it touch the line? I tried to replay it in my head, but the decision wasn’t becoming any clearer. .This was the biggest tennis game of the season. If we won, we would advance, but if we lost, the season would be over. Worse yet, I was playing doubles—which meant I had a teammate. My partner was staring at me. I looked back down at the line, wanting so badly to call it “out,” which would mean the other team wouldn’t get the winning point. I could feel the pressure from my partner, the anticipation from our opponents, and the sweat streaming down my temples. During one of our early season practices our coach had told us, “If it’s too close to call, then it’s in.” She said this was “proper tennis etiquette.” At that moment I despised her words. Why couldn’t it have been clear! I didn’t even care if the ball was in or out at this point! I just wanted it to be clear, but it wasn’t..Only a couple seconds had passed while I processed all this. I clenched my racket with my right hand, and with my left, I pointed toward the ground, calling it “in.” The other team erupted with joy, and my partner extended a low five. Our season was over..Sometimes in our spiritual walk, we find ourselves in situations where there is no clear answer. Following Jesus is full of right and wrong decisions, sure, but what do we do when we are unsure about the best course of action in a particular situation? .Scripture can help us in these uncertain moments. James 1:5 instructs us to ask God for wisdom and He will give it. Likewise, the book of Proverbs is full of short phrases that provide some guidelines for us to live by. And if we spend time reflecting on the Bible’s proverbs, we might find their wisdom is more relatable and applicable than we expect! But sometimes, following Proverbs doesn’t always work out the way we want it to—just look at the book of Job. Job lived a righteous life, and he still lost everything. Yet even then, we can trust Jesus, who is God’s perfect wisdom made flesh, to walk with us through the ambiguity, sustaining us with His love and covering our faults with His mercy. • Dathan Tenter .• Have you ever been in a high-pressure situation where you weren’t sure what the right answer was? .• Who are wise people in your life? How could they help you learn to walk in God’s wisdom?.If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT) 

The ball was out, right? It all happened so fast that I couldn’t tell. Did it touch the line? I tried to replay it in my head, but the decision wasn’t becoming any clearer. This was the biggest tennis game of the season. If we won, we would advance, but if we lost, the season would be over. Worse yet, I was playing doubles—which meant I had a teammate. My partner was staring at me. I looked back down at the line, wanting so badly to call it “out,” which would mean the other team wouldn’t get the winning point. I could feel the pressure from my partner, the anticipation from our opponents, and the sweat streaming down my temples. During one of our early season practices our coach had told us, “If it’s too close to call, then it’s in.” She said this was “proper tennis etiquette.” At that moment I despised her words. Why couldn’t it have been clear! I didn’t even care if the ball was in or out at this point! I just wanted it to be clear, but it wasn’t. Only a couple seconds had passed while I processed all this. I clenched my racket with my right hand, and with my left, I pointed toward the ground, calling it “in.” The other team erupted with joy, and my partner extended a low five. Our season was over. Sometimes in our spiritual walk, we find ourselves in situations where there is no clear answer. Following Jesus is full of right and wrong decisions, sure, but what do we do when we are unsure about the best course of action in a particular situation? Scripture can help us in these uncertain moments. James 1:5 instructs us to ask God for wisdom and He will give it. Likewise, the book of Proverbs is full of short phrases that provide some guidelines for us to live by. And if we spend time reflecting on the Bible’s proverbs, we might find their wisdom is more relatable and applicable than we expect! But sometimes, following Proverbs doesn’t always work out the way we want it to—just look at the book of Job. Job lived a righteous life, and he still lost everything. Yet even then, we can trust Jesus, who is God’s perfect wisdom made flesh, to walk with us through the ambiguity, sustaining us with His love and covering our faults with His mercy. • Dathan Tenter • Have you ever been in a high-pressure situation where you weren’t sure what the right answer was? • Who are wise people in your life? How could they help you learn to walk in God’s wisdom? If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: PROVERBS 1:1-7; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30; JAMES 1:5-8; 3:13-18

SMASH! TWANG! I picked up my tennis racket off the sidewalk and moped toward the bus. Surprisingly, throwing my racket to the ground hadn’t broken it. I had lost another match. My mind raced. “How could I miss that backhand? It should’ve been so easy!” I reviewed every mistake over and over, thinking about how much better I should be by this point in the season..Coach came and sat beside me and said, “You played well today!” I screamed in my head, paused, then muttered, “How could you say that? I made so many mistakes.”.“But look at how far you’ve come,” said Coach. “You only started playing a month ago!” “But I just keep making mistakes!” I fired back..Looking at me intently, Coach said, “You can’t expect to be perfect right away—or ever. Getting better at tennis requires hard work over time.” My frustration began to subside as Coach’s words sunk in. The next thing I had to do was apologize to the team..This experience reminds me of sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus—being set apart from sin for God’s purposes. Once we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are sinless in God’s eyes and adopted into His family, but we still have to learn how to follow Him. In the same way, when I was starting out in tennis, I was immediately part of the team. I was equipped with a racket, and I started receiving lots of help from the coach and my team. But I still had to practice what I was learning..When we put our trust in Jesus, we are immediately adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:16) and we are given “everything we need for living a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3). This includes receiving the Holy Spirit and other believers to help us (Acts 2:38, Galatians 6:2). However, we still need to practice obedience to what we learn through God’s Word. We will make mistakes along the way, but we don’t need to be discouraged. We can bring our sins and failures to Jesus, trusting in our loving Savior to forgive us and continue walking with us. • Dathan Tenter.• Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23. Can you think of some ways Jesus displayed these characteristics or fruits? Which one of these would you like to see more of in your own life?.• Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to guide you and help you learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading as you seek to obey Him. (Philippians 2:13).Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 (NLT) 

SMASH! TWANG! I picked up my tennis racket off the sidewalk and moped toward the bus. Surprisingly, throwing my racket to the ground hadn’t broken it. I had lost another match. My mind raced. “How could I miss that backhand? It should’ve been so easy!” I reviewed every mistake over and over, thinking about how much better I should be by this point in the season. Coach came and sat beside me and said, “You played well today!” I screamed in my head, paused, then muttered, “How could you say that? I made so many mistakes.” “But look at how far you’ve come,” said Coach. “You only started playing a month ago!” “But I just keep making mistakes!” I fired back. Looking at me intently, Coach said, “You can’t expect to be perfect right away—or ever. Getting better at tennis requires hard work over time.” My frustration began to subside as Coach’s words sunk in. The next thing I had to do was apologize to the team. This experience reminds me of sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus—being set apart from sin for God’s purposes. Once we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are sinless in God’s eyes and adopted into His family, but we still have to learn how to follow Him. In the same way, when I was starting out in tennis, I was immediately part of the team. I was equipped with a racket, and I started receiving lots of help from the coach and my team. But I still had to practice what I was learning. When we put our trust in Jesus, we are immediately adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:16) and we are given “everything we need for living a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3). This includes receiving the Holy Spirit and other believers to help us (Acts 2:38, Galatians 6:2). However, we still need to practice obedience to what we learn through God’s Word. We will make mistakes along the way, but we don’t need to be discouraged. We can bring our sins and failures to Jesus, trusting in our loving Savior to forgive us and continue walking with us. • Dathan Tenter • Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23. Can you think of some ways Jesus displayed these characteristics or fruits? Which one of these would you like to see more of in your own life? • Consider spending some time in prayer, asking God to guide you and help you learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading as you seek to obey Him. (Philippians 2:13) Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: GALATIANS 5:16-26

The tennis team needed help. A lot of help. They desperately needed more players, and that’s why they asked me to join. I had never even held a tennis racquet before my first practice! Some of the rules of the game came pretty easy. Possessing what I would call an average amount of hand-eye coordination, I was able to pick up the general game play. I understood “hit the ball over the net” and “keep the ball within the lines.” But some things about tennis just didn’t make sense to me. The first day of practice my friend yelled from across the net, “Love, love!” Before I could say, “Love you too, bro,” he smacked the ball and it screamed past me! What just happened? He explained that “love” means zero, so “love, love” (zero, zero) was the score. That’s weird, I thought to myself as I nodded. He yelled, “Fifteen, love,” and fired another shot! Pretty confused, I asked how he had fifteen points already. Walking up to the net he said, “One point equals fifteen, two points equals thirty, three points equals forty, and four points equals game!” He continued, “Six games win a set, and two or three sets wins a match. Got it?” Still confused, I stuttered, “I think so?” As he rambled on with some other terms and concepts about the game I didn’t understand, my attention shifted to staring at my uneven shoelaces. This was going to be a little harder than I realized. Learning to play tennis reminds me of starting our journey with Jesus. Believing in the gospel and putting our trust in Jesus is filled with excitement and newfound hope! But sometimes discouragement can creep in when we encounter terms we don’t understand or new biblical truths that seem difficult to live out. But Jesus said in John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” Even better than a friend explaining the game of tennis, we have the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, guiding us and helping us understand God’s love and how to live in relationship with God and others (Ephesians 3:18-19). And God has also given us His people, the church, to walk alongside us. We are not alone on this journey. • Dathan Tenter • As we seek to understand the gospel and how it affects every part of our lives, God welcomes our questions. What questions do you have about the Bible, church, or following Jesus? • No matter how long we’ve been walking with Jesus, we will always have questions. And that’s a good thing! We can bring these questions to God in prayer anytime. In addition to talking to God, who is someone in your life who can help you with these questions? We ask God…to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: JOHN 16:5-15; COLOSSIANS 1:3-14

The tennis team needed help. A lot of help. They desperately needed more players, and that’s why they asked me to join. I had never even held a tennis racquet before my first practice! Some of the rules of the game came pretty easy. Possessing what I would call an average amount of hand-eye coordination, I was able to pick up the general game play. I understood “hit the ball over the net” and “keep the ball within the lines.” .But some things about tennis just didn’t make sense to me. The first day of practice my friend yelled from across the net, “Love, love!” Before I could say, “Love you too, bro,” he smacked the ball and it screamed past me! What just happened? He explained that “love” means zero, so “love, love” (zero, zero) was the score. That’s weird, I thought to myself as I nodded. .He yelled, “Fifteen, love,” and fired another shot! Pretty confused, I asked how he had fifteen points already. Walking up to the net he said, “One point equals fifteen, two points equals thirty, three points equals forty, and four points equals game!” He continued, “Six games win a set, and two or three sets wins a match. Got it?” Still confused, I stuttered, “I think so?” As he rambled on with some other terms and concepts about the game I didn’t understand, my attention shifted to staring at my uneven shoelaces. This was going to be a little harder than I realized. .Learning to play tennis reminds me of starting our journey with Jesus. Believing in the gospel and putting our trust in Jesus is filled with excitement and newfound hope! But sometimes discouragement can creep in when we encounter terms we don’t understand or new biblical truths that seem difficult to live out. But Jesus said in John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” Even better than a friend explaining the game of tennis, we have the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, guiding us and helping us understand God’s love and how to live in relationship with God and others (Ephesians 3:18-19). And God has also given us His people, the church, to walk alongside us. We are not alone on this journey. • Dathan Tenter .• As we seek to understand the gospel and how it affects every part of our lives, God welcomes our questions. What questions do you have about the Bible, church, or following Jesus? .• No matter how long we’ve been walking with Jesus, we will always have questions. And that’s a good thing! We can bring these questions to God in prayer anytime. In addition to talking to God, who is someone in your life who can help you with these questions? .We ask God…to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 (NLT) 

God hears when I talk to Him His ears are always open No matter what I have to say He hears .God hears me when it is late at night When I can’t sleep No matter what is on my mind He listens .God hears me in the early hours When no one is awake No matter if I talk out loud or silent He hears .God hears what is going on He always cares for me No matter what I need He listens and helps me • Bethany Acker.• Do you ever wonder if God hears you when you pray? This is totally normal. Thankfully, God knows we need reminders that He is listening, and He provides many throughout His Word. Consider taking a moment to re-read today’s Bible verses, and maybe even choose a favorite..• The Bible often says God listens to “the righteous” (Psalm 34:15). The good news is, while none of us can be righteous on our own, God makes us righteous in His sight as soon as we put our trust in Jesus. God wants us to be in relationship with Him, and He invites us to talk to Him about anything and everything. What’s on your mind right now? Do you feel like you can talk to God about it? According to Hebrews 4:14-16, why are we free to talk to God? .In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6 (NIV

God hears when I talk to Him His ears are always open No matter what I have to say He hears God hears me when it is late at night When I can’t sleep No matter what is on my mind He listens God hears me in the early hours When no one is awake No matter if I talk out loud or silent He hears God hears what is going on He always cares for me No matter what I need He listens and helps me • Bethany Acker • Do you ever wonder if God hears you when you pray? This is totally normal. Thankfully, God knows we need reminders that He is listening, and He provides many throughout His Word. Consider taking a moment to re-read today’s Bible verses, and maybe even choose a favorite. • The Bible often says God listens to “the righteous” (Psalm 34:15). The good news is, while none of us can be righteous on our own, God makes us righteous in His sight as soon as we put our trust in Jesus. God wants us to be in relationship with Him, and He invites us to talk to Him about anything and everything. What’s on your mind right now? Do you feel like you can talk to God about it? According to Hebrews 4:14-16, why are we free to talk to God? In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalm 18:6 (NIV) READ: PSALMS 34:15-19; 139:1-12; 1 PETER 5:6-7

We all want to be strong and able to get through the tough things in life without falling apart. You might be someone who prides yourself in your strength, or you might be someone who often feels weak. You might enjoy the challenge of doing hard things, or you might be afraid to face hard things because of how much it tires you out. No matter how strong or weak we are on our own, we serve a God who is able to make us strong. .God is all-powerful (or omnipotent), and throughout the Bible, God “gives strength to his people” (Psalm 29:11). When we are not strong enough on our own, we only have to reach out to God, and He will come beside us and help us do whatever He is calling us to do. .I can’t do everything on my own, and neither can you. We all need God’s strength. It’s usually easiest to see this when we go through difficult times. And in those times when we become aware of our own weaknesses and limitations, we don’t need to be ashamed. God knows we need Him, and He wants us to rely on Him. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, empowering us to follow Jesus in everything. .When you’re in the midst of a struggle, you can reach out to God. Remember that God helps us by His “incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:18-21). As Christians, we belong to Jesus, the all-powerful Ruler of everything, and He invites us to rely on His help and His strength, knowing that He will give us what we need (Hebrews 4:14-16). Today, let’s thank Him for making us stronger than we could ever be on our own. • Emily Acker .• In times when we feel strong and in times when we feel weak, God calls us to rely on His strength, not our own. In what ways do you need strength today? .• According to Ephesians 3:14-21; 6:10-12 and 1 Peter 4:8-11, what does God strengthen us for? (If you want to dig even deeper, read 2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Philippians 4:12-13; Colossians 1:9-14; and 2 Timothy 2:1-10.) .I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) 

We all want to be strong and able to get through the tough things in life without falling apart. You might be someone who prides yourself in your strength, or you might be someone who often feels weak. You might enjoy the challenge of doing hard things, or you might be afraid to face hard things because of how much it tires you out. No matter how strong or weak we are on our own, we serve a God who is able to make us strong. God is all-powerful (or omnipotent), and throughout the Bible, God “gives strength to his people” (Psalm 29:11). When we are not strong enough on our own, we only have to reach out to God, and He will come beside us and help us do whatever He is calling us to do. I can’t do everything on my own, and neither can you. We all need God’s strength. It’s usually easiest to see this when we go through difficult times. And in those times when we become aware of our own weaknesses and limitations, we don’t need to be ashamed. God knows we need Him, and He wants us to rely on Him. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, empowering us to follow Jesus in everything. When you’re in the midst of a struggle, you can reach out to God. Remember that God helps us by His “incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Ephesians 1:18-21). As Christians, we belong to Jesus, the all-powerful Ruler of everything, and He invites us to rely on His help and His strength, knowing that He will give us what we need (Hebrews 4:14-16). Today, let’s thank Him for making us stronger than we could ever be on our own. • Emily Acker&nbsp; • In times when we feel strong and in times when we feel weak, God calls us to rely on His strength, not our own. In what ways do you need strength today? • According to Ephesians 3:14-21; 6:10-12 and 1 Peter 4:8-11, what does God strengthen us for? (If you want to dig even deeper, read 2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Philippians 4:12-13; Colossians 1:9-14; and 2 Timothy 2:1-10.) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: ISAIAH 40:28-31; 41:9-14

One of my family’s favorite summer activities is going boating. The water sport we do most often is wake surfing, which is like surfing on the ocean, only behind a boat. The smoother the water, the easier it is. .On a trip we took to the lake one day, the water was extremely choppy, making it incredibly difficult to stay on my board behind the boat. It took all my concentration to hold my position and stay in that pocket (the part of the wave that pushes the surfer forward). .I began to notice that when my focus was on the boat in front of me, the unfailing source that kept me moving, I was able to maintain my balance. But the moment I looked at the waves around me, I was distracted and lost my balance. I would start falling out of position, and I could only find the pocket again when I returned my focus to the steady boat ahead of me. Looking at the huge waves would alarm me, but if I just focused on the boat, which remained the same, I would relax and stay upright. .In the same way, throughout our lives we are going to experience waves—trials that toss us up and down. Sometimes we panic because of the waves and easily lose our balance. We are unable to hold ourselves up. But when we turn our eyes to Jesus, the One who always remains the same, we can relax and stay above the waves, steadied by our hope in Him. .In the Bible, when Jesus was miraculously walking on the water, He invited Peter to join Him, and Peter walked on water too! But then, Peter literally began to sink when he focused on the wind and the waves around him rather than on Jesus. But Jesus didn’t let Peter drown. “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him” (Matthew 14:31). In our own lives, whenever we get overwhelmed by the chaos around us, Jesus reminds us to turn to Him. And even when we forget, He is still our unfailing Savior who reaches out to rescue us. • Ella Hoy .• What hope do we have in Jesus? How can looking to Jesus and remembering His promises help steady us in a world that’s constantly shifting? (Matthew 28:20; Romans 10:9-11; Revelation 21:1-5) .• As Christians, it’s normal for us to have doubts. Our loving God invites us to talk to Him about all these things, being totally honest about what we’re thinking and feeling. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to when you’re experiencing doubts? .Let the oceans roar and foam… The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:3, 7 (NLT)

One of my family’s favorite summer activities is going boating. The water sport we do most often is wake surfing, which is like surfing on the ocean, only behind a boat. The smoother the water, the easier it is. On a trip we took to the lake one day, the water was extremely choppy, making it incredibly difficult to stay on my board behind the boat. It took all my concentration to hold my position and stay in that pocket (the part of the wave that pushes the surfer forward). I began to notice that when my focus was on the boat in front of me, the unfailing source that kept me moving, I was able to maintain my balance. But the moment I looked at the waves around me, I was distracted and lost my balance. I would start falling out of position, and I could only find the pocket again when I returned my focus to the steady boat ahead of me. Looking at the huge waves would alarm me, but if I just focused on the boat, which remained the same, I would relax and stay upright. In the same way, throughout our lives we are going to experience waves—trials that toss us up and down. Sometimes we panic because of the waves and easily lose our balance. We are unable to hold ourselves up. But when we turn our eyes to Jesus, the One who always remains the same, we can relax and stay above the waves, steadied by our hope in Him. In the Bible, when Jesus was miraculously walking on the water, He invited Peter to join Him, and Peter walked on water too! But then, Peter literally began to sink when he focused on the wind and the waves around him rather than on Jesus. But Jesus didn’t let Peter drown. “Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him” (Matthew 14:31). In our own lives, whenever we get overwhelmed by the chaos around us, Jesus reminds us to turn to Him. And even when we forget, He is still our unfailing Savior who reaches out to rescue us. • Ella Hoy • What hope do we have in Jesus? How can looking to Jesus and remembering His promises help steady us in a world that’s constantly shifting? (Matthew 28:20; Romans 10:9-11; Revelation 21:1-5) • As Christians, it’s normal for us to have doubts. Our loving God invites us to talk to Him about all these things, being totally honest about what we’re thinking and feeling. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to when you’re experiencing doubts? Let the oceans roar and foam… The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:3, 7 (NLT) READ: PSALM 46; MATTHEW 14:22-33; HEBREWS 13:8

Jesus has a habit of taking something ordinary and making it incredible. Take bread and wine, for example. During Jesus’s life on earth, bread and wine were normal, everyday foods. They would be present at virtually every meal, and people of virtually any income level could afford them. And when Jesus was about to die, He took these ordinary things and did something amazing with them. He gave them to His disciples to communicate the sacrifice He was about to make. And we still practice this today. We take bread and wine (or juice), share it with the people of God, and together we remember Christ’s loving sacrifice. We call this communion or the Lord’s Supper. .Isn’t it just like Jesus to use something so simple, so accessible, to communicate His love and presence? He doesn’t require us to seek out something rare or expensive. He meets us where we are, with whatever we have, and uses it to make something wonderful. Through something as ordinary as bread and wine or juice, He reminds us that the all-powerful, all-knowing, infinite God of the entire universe loves us and wants to be with us. He wants to be with us so badly that God the Son, Jesus, took on flesh to live among us, die, and rise from the dead for us. .At my church, when we pass the bread from one person to the next, we say, “The body of Christ, given for you.” And when we pass the juice, we say, “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” For the early church, eating and drinking together and remembering Christ’s sacrifice was a daily practice. And while I know they probably didn’t say the same words that we say at my church, I have to wonder if bread and wine—these ordinary things—became constant, ever-present reminders of Jesus. Every time they were hungry and ate a bite of bread, did it remind them of Jesus’s body, given for them? Every time they were thirsty and took a sip of wine, did it remind them of Jesus’s blood, shed for them? .Maybe that’s why Jesus used such ordinary things, to remind us He is present with us in every moment of our lives, including the incredibly ordinary ones. • Taylor Eising .• How does your church practice communion? How can the Lord’s supper remind us of Jesus and what He has done for us? .• Why do you think Jesus chose to use things that everyone could afford? .They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… Acts 2:46 (NLT) 

Jesus has a habit of taking something ordinary and making it incredible. Take bread and wine, for example. During Jesus’s life on earth, bread and wine were normal, everyday foods. They would be present at virtually every meal, and people of virtually any income level could afford them. And when Jesus was about to die, He took these ordinary things and did something amazing with them. He gave them to His disciples to communicate the sacrifice He was about to make. And we still practice this today. We take bread and wine (or juice), share it with the people of God, and together we remember Christ’s loving sacrifice. We call this communion or the Lord’s Supper. Isn’t it just like Jesus to use something so simple, so accessible, to communicate His love and presence? He doesn’t require us to seek out something rare or expensive. He meets us where we are, with whatever we have, and uses it to make something wonderful. Through something as ordinary as bread and wine or juice, He reminds us that the all-powerful, all-knowing, infinite God of the entire universe loves us and wants to be with us. He wants to be with us so badly that God the Son, Jesus, took on flesh to live among us, die, and rise from the dead for us. At my church, when we pass the bread from one person to the next, we say, “The body of Christ, given for you.” And when we pass the juice, we say, “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” For the early church, eating and drinking together and remembering Christ’s sacrifice was a daily practice. And while I know they probably didn’t say the same words that we say at my church, I have to wonder if bread and wine—these ordinary things—became constant, ever-present reminders of Jesus. Every time they were hungry and ate a bite of bread, did it remind them of Jesus’s body, given for them? Every time they were thirsty and took a sip of wine, did it remind them of Jesus’s blood, shed for them? Maybe that’s why Jesus used such ordinary things, to remind us He is present with us in every moment of our lives, including the incredibly ordinary ones. • Taylor Eising • How does your church practice communion? How can the Lord’s supper remind us of Jesus and what He has done for us? • Why do you think Jesus chose to use things that everyone could afford? They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity… Acts 2:46 (NLT)&nbsp; READ: LUKE 22:19-20; ACTS 2:42-47; 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26

"We’ve got churches of Christians. I’d like to see a church of all sinners!” my coworker joked. I stopped and looked at him. He and another coworker laughed. .“But… but that’s what a church is,” I tried to say. “That’s… that’s the point.” Neither man is a church go-er. But they both grew up in church and stopped attending as they reached adulthood. Had they both missed this essential part of Christianity? That we are ALL sinners, including those in the church? .Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Every church is packed with sinners. None of us are perfect (Romans 3:10). The Bible isn’t full of perfect people. Rahab was a prostitute. David used his power as king to have sex with Bathsheba, then have her husband killed. Paul hunted down and killed Christians. And God welcomed them into the church. We are the church. Only Jesus’s death and resurrection can make us forgiven and new. Jesus came to save the lost and restore the sinners, and He does this for us every day, constantly healing us of our sin (Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17). .It broke my heart to see people who’ve attended church and still don’t know the truth about Jesus. What are we doing wrong? Are we not sharing the gospel? Are we not telling the rough parts of our testimonies? Are we afraid of sin, afraid of sharing our lives honestly? Jesus isn’t afraid of our sin. He knows it all, and He loves us and rescues us. .Because of Jesus, we are free to be real. Does this mean we embrace or glorify sin? No. Our desire is to become more like Christ by relying on the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). But let’s also be honest about the messy sin in our lives, the sin Jesus rescues us from. • Natty Maelle .• Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in church? Why? It’s okay to be honest. Jesus doesn’t reject you; He cares deeply for you. You can talk to Him about these feelings and hurts anytime.. •Who can you be honest with about your sin struggles—people who will listen, not condemning you but encouraging you in your walk with Christ? (You can ask God for relationships like this.).•If you go to church, do you think new Christians or hesitant attendees feel like outsiders there? Or do you think they feel welcomed, loved, and seen? (Romans 8:1; 15:7).For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) 

"We’ve got churches of Christians. I’d like to see a church of all sinners!” my coworker joked. I stopped and looked at him. He and another coworker laughed. “But… but that’s what a church is,” I tried to say. “That’s… that’s the point.” Neither man is a church go-er. But they both grew up in church and stopped attending as they reached adulthood. Had they both missed this essential part of Christianity? That we are ALL sinners, including those in the church? Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Every church is packed with sinners. None of us are perfect (Romans 3:10). The Bible isn’t full of perfect people. Rahab was a prostitute. David used his power as king to have sex with Bathsheba, then have her husband killed. Paul hunted down and killed Christians. And God welcomed them into the church. We are the church. Only Jesus’s death and resurrection can make us forgiven and new. Jesus came to save the lost and restore the sinners, and He does this for us every day, constantly healing us of our sin (Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17). It broke my heart to see people who’ve attended church and still don’t know the truth about Jesus. What are we doing wrong? Are we not sharing the gospel? Are we not telling the rough parts of our testimonies? Are we afraid of sin, afraid of sharing our lives honestly? Jesus isn’t afraid of our sin. He knows it all, and He loves us and rescues us. Because of Jesus, we are free to be real. Does this mean we embrace or glorify sin? No. Our desire is to become more like Christ by relying on the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). But let’s also be honest about the messy sin in our lives, the sin Jesus rescues us from. • Natty Maelle • Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in church? Why? It’s okay to be honest. Jesus doesn’t reject you; He cares deeply for you. You can talk to Him about these feelings and hurts anytime. •Who can you be honest with about your sin struggles—people who will listen, not condemning you but encouraging you in your walk with Christ? (You can ask God for relationships like this.) •If you go to church, do you think new Christians or hesitant attendees feel like outsiders there? Or do you think they feel welcomed, loved, and seen? (Romans 8:1; 15:7) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: MARK 2:13-17; LUKE 19:1-10; ROMANS 3:9-26

The story of Samson’s life is really fascinating, and it contains many parallels to the story of Jesus’s life. Let’s take a closer look. .In Judges 13, we see God visiting Manoah’s wife through His angel to proclaim to her that she would have a child! The angel also told her what her child’s purpose would be. In this way, Samson’s birth was similar to that of Jesus; before His birth the angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her she would have a child, and he told her what the child’s purpose would be. Manoah’s wife was barren, and Mary was a virgin, so the conception of both these babies was miraculous. Samson grew and was blessed by the Lord (Judges 13:24), similar to how Jesus grew in the Lord’s favor (Luke 2:52). Both Samson and Jesus were sent to deliver Israel from their enemy; Samson, through his sacrificial death, delivered Israel from the Philistines, and Jesus came to deliver Israel and the whole world from sin and death, also through sacrificing His own life. .However, unlike Jesus, Samson allowed himself to be overshadowed by the power he thought he had, and that made him crumble. He gave in to temptation and misused the strength the Lord gave him. He also mistreated women, and all of this led to his downfall, when he died with his enemies. Jesus was also tempted by the devil, but He resisted every temptation (Luke 4:1-13). Instead of grasping at power, Jesus laid down His life. But when He died, He defeated death and resurrected back to life. .Humans—even strong, talented humans—will fail us. We’ve all been broken by sin, and we all give in to temptation. But Jesus is worthy of our trust. Fully God and fully human, He is the One who has the power to save us from our own brokenness, and His love for us will never fail. Instead of relying on faulty human strength, we can rest in Him. • Shadrach Goni .• When we are tempted to put our trust in powerful humans or in our own strength, how can remembering Jesus’s love for us help us turn back to Him? .Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3-5 (NIV) 

The story of Samson’s life is really fascinating, and it contains many parallels to the story of Jesus’s life. Let’s take a closer look. In Judges 13, we see God visiting Manoah’s wife through His angel to proclaim to her that she would have a child! The angel also told her what her child’s purpose would be. In this way, Samson’s birth was similar to that of Jesus; before His birth the angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her she would have a child, and he told her what the child’s purpose would be. Manoah’s wife was barren, and Mary was a virgin, so the conception of both these babies was miraculous. Samson grew and was blessed by the Lord (Judges 13:24), similar to how Jesus grew in the Lord’s favor (Luke 2:52). Both Samson and Jesus were sent to deliver Israel from their enemy; Samson, through his sacrificial death, delivered Israel from the Philistines, and Jesus came to deliver Israel and the whole world from sin and death, also through sacrificing His own life. However, unlike Jesus, Samson allowed himself to be overshadowed by the power he thought he had, and that made him crumble. He gave in to temptation and misused the strength the Lord gave him. He also mistreated women, and all of this led to his downfall, when he died with his enemies. Jesus was also tempted by the devil, but He resisted every temptation (Luke 4:1-13). Instead of grasping at power, Jesus laid down His life. But when He died, He defeated death and resurrected back to life. Humans—even strong, talented humans—will fail us. We’ve all been broken by sin, and we all give in to temptation. But Jesus is worthy of our trust. Fully God and fully human, He is the One who has the power to save us from our own brokenness, and His love for us will never fail. Instead of relying on faulty human strength, we can rest in Him. • Shadrach Goni • When we are tempted to put our trust in powerful humans or in our own strength, how can remembering Jesus’s love for us help us turn back to Him? Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3-5 (NIV)&nbsp; READ: JUDGES 13:2-5, 16:26-30; LUKE 1:26-33; PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

My twelfth-grade English teacher taught me to love Haiku, a form of poetry that originated in Japan. These short, three-line poems are traditionally drawn from nature, and they’re only seventeen syllables long. He described Haiku as transforming a visual image into a “word snapshot.” For example, after reading Psalm 42, I wrote this Haiku poem: ."Beneath the fearsome waves I wait, breathless and still… then, Your light breaks through." .In Scripture, I think there are snapshot glimpses into God’s nature. For example, the writers of Psalm 42 feel forgotten and earnestly voice their complaint to God, yet they console themselves with images of God’s faithful love: “I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your…surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs…” (verse 7-8). .Other passages show us vibrant images of God’s love, like Zephaniah 3:17, where God declares He will “take delight in you with gladness…[and] rejoice over you with joyful songs.” And Isaiah describes God delighting in His people “as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride” (Isaiah 62:5)—anticipating the heavenly celebration of the wedding feast of the Lamb, when all God’s people will rejoice with Him at Jesus’s return (Revelation 19:6-9). .Now those are images to treasure! God rejoicing—and all heaven celebrating— with such joy that Revelation says the sound will be like “the shout of a vast crowd… or the crash of loud thunder” (19:6) all because of our wonderful Lord Jesus, who cherishes us—His bride. Just as Haiku captures the sensation of a moment, these Scriptures capture the beauty of God delighting in those He loves! Are we worth all that? Jesus says “Yes!” He gave His life because of such delight, such love for us. As Hebrews 12:2 puts it, “Because of the joy awaiting him…[Jesus] endured the cross.” How amazing to know we are part of the joy Jesus anticipated, even as He gave His life, longing to greet us at the great wedding feast to come. • G. Kam Congleton .• Which of today’s Scripture passages is your favorite? Consider taking a moment to read this passage again and ponder the fact that God is passionate about us—He truly delights in us! .• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward with joy to the day we will be raised from the dead, as Jesus was, and see Him face to face! If you want to know more, see see our "Know Jesus" page. .“He will take delight in you with gladness.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) 

My twelfth-grade English teacher taught me to love Haiku, a form of poetry that originated in Japan. These short, three-line poems are traditionally drawn from nature, and they’re only seventeen syllables long. He described Haiku as transforming a visual image into a “word snapshot.” For example, after reading Psalm 42, I wrote this Haiku poem: Beneath the fearsome waves I wait, breathless and still… then, Your light breaks through. In Scripture, I think there are snapshot glimpses into God’s nature. For example, the writers of Psalm 42 feel forgotten and earnestly voice their complaint to God, yet they console themselves with images of God’s faithful love: “I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your…surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs…” (verse 7-8). Other passages show us vibrant images of God’s love, like Zephaniah 3:17, where God declares He will “take delight in you with gladness…[and] rejoice over you with joyful songs.” And Isaiah describes God delighting in His people “as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride” (Isaiah 62:5)—anticipating the heavenly celebration of the wedding feast of the Lamb, when all God’s people will rejoice with Him at Jesus’s return (Revelation 19:6-9). Now those are images to treasure! God rejoicing—and all heaven celebrating— with such joy that Revelation says the sound will be like “the shout of a vast crowd… or the crash of loud thunder” (19:6) all because of our wonderful Lord Jesus, who cherishes us—His bride. Just as Haiku captures the sensation of a moment, these Scriptures capture the beauty of God delighting in those He loves! Are we worth all that? Jesus says “Yes!” He gave His life because of such delight, such love for us. As Hebrews 12:2 puts it, “Because of the joy awaiting him…[Jesus] endured the cross.” How amazing to know we are part of the joy Jesus anticipated, even as He gave His life, longing to greet us at the great wedding feast to come. • G. Kam Congleton • Which of today’s Scripture passages is your favorite? Consider taking a moment to read this passage again and ponder the fact that God is passionate about us—He truly delights in us! • Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward with joy to the day we will be raised from the dead, as Jesus was, and see Him face to face! If you want to know more, see see our "Know Jesus" page. “He will take delight in you with gladness.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) READ: PSALM 42; ZEPHANIAH 3:17; HEBREWS 12:2; REVELATION 19:6-9

Why are you reading this devotional? I remember being told that if I didn’t do my devotions I would have a bad day. “So, if you want a good day, do your devotions.” I gotta be honest; there were many days I didn’t do my devotions and that day was just fine. There were other days when I did my devotions and the day was terrible. .Should we be taking time to interact with God’s Word every day? Absolutely. But if our motivation is to have a better day, we’re going to be disappointed. I’ve met Christians who do “Christian stuff” because they think that then God will do what they want. This way of thinking is sometimes called the Health and Wealth Gospel or the Prosperity Gospel. Here’s a very simple example of this kind of logic: "Obey God so your knee feels better and you get richer." .But this is not the true gospel. The word "gospel" means good news, and the idea that we could get God to do what we want when we do religious activities—and that He won’t help us if we don’t do those activities—would not be good news. After all, we could never do enough to earn His favor. The true gospel is all about God rescuing His people even though we don’t deserve it. God came to live among us—stubborn, rebellious people that we are—because He loves us. Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be in relationship with God. And this relationship is what will truly satisfy us… no amount of health or wealth could ever do that. .When we read or listen to the Bible, we have an opportunity to interact with the God of the universe who loves us more than we could ever understand. The reason God calls us to be in His Word is because He wants us to know Him. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). We can be free to follow Jesus, instead of chasing after health and wealth, because we know that God cares about all our needs and He provides for His people. .Jesus invites us to live a life of purpose with Him, but He doesn’t guarantee health or wealth. When we obey God’s Word, some things may go better for us and we might avoid certain kinds of troubles. But we might also experience trouble because we are obeying God—after all, many people in the Bible were imprisoned or killed for following Jesus. So if we’re trying to do devotions to get stuff, that’s not going to work out. Besides, all the stuff we could gather in this life can only last as long as we do! But trusting in Jesus—and having a new identity as His forgiven people—is better than anything, and our relationship with Him will last forever. • Jeff Weddle .• Why do you think God invites us to spend time with Him through reading or listening to His Word, the Bible? .• God wants us to ask Him for healing and for the material things we need or want. Sometimes His answer is “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “not yet,” but we can trust that He cares for us and He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28). Consider taking a moment to ask God for whatever you need or want today. .• How is asking God for what we need or want different from trying to appease God so He will reward us with what we need or want? According to Hebrews 4:14-16, why can we “approach the throne of grace with boldness”?.• Because of what Jesus has done, we get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and restore His creation—then everyone who has put their trust in Him will have new bodies that never get sick or injured, and we will have an abundance of everything we could ever desire! But until that day, we will all experience pain and lack. Yet God is with us, inviting us to rely on Him and receive the peace and endurance we need (Philippians 4:7, 12-13). When we experience pain and lack, how could it be comforting to look forward to our eternal future with Jesus? .• God calls us to be part of the good work of His kingdom, and He empowers us to share His love through caring for people He has made, as well as the rest of His creation. So, even as we look forward to Jesus’s return, how might it be encouraging to know that we have purposeful work to do with Him here and now? .Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29 (CSB) 

Why are you reading this devotional? I remember being told that if I didn’t do my devotions I would have a bad day. “So, if you want a good day, do your devotions.” I gotta be honest; there were many days I didn’t do my devotions and that day was just fine. There were other days when I did my devotions and the day was terrible. Should we be taking time to interact with God’s Word every day? Absolutely. But if our motivation is to have a better day, we’re going to be disappointed. I’ve met Christians who do “Christian stuff” because they think that then God will do what they want. This way of thinking is sometimes called the Health and Wealth Gospel or the Prosperity Gospel. Here’s a very simple example of this kind of logic: Obey God so your knee feels better and you get richer. But this is not the true gospel. The word gospel means good news, and the idea that we could get God to do what we want when we do religious activities—and that He won’t help us if we don’t do those activities—would not be good news. After all, we could never do enough to earn His favor. The true gospel is all about God rescuing His people even though we don’t deserve it. God came to live among us—stubborn, rebellious people that we are—because He loves us. Jesus died on the cross for us and rose from the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be in relationship with God. And this relationship is what will truly satisfy us…no amount of health or wealth could ever do that. When we read or listen to the Bible, we have an opportunity to interact with the God of the universe who loves us more than we could ever understand. The reason God calls us to be in His Word is because He wants us to know Him. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). We can be free to follow Jesus, instead of chasing after health and wealth, because we know that God cares about all our needs and He provides for His people. Jesus invites us to live a life of purpose with Him, but He doesn’t guarantee health or wealth. When we obey God’s Word, some things may go better for us and we might avoid certain kinds of troubles. But we might also experience trouble because we are obeying God—after all, many people in the Bible were imprisoned or killed for following Jesus. So if we’re trying to do devotions to get stuff, that’s not going to work out. Besides, all the stuff we could gather in this life can only last as long as we do! But trusting in Jesus—and having a new identity as His forgiven people—is better than anything, and our relationship with Him will last forever. • Jeff Weddle Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29 (CSB) • Why do you think God invites us to spend time with Him through reading or listening to His Word, the Bible? • God wants us to ask Him for healing and for the material things we need or want. Sometimes His answer is “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “not yet,” but we can trust that He cares for us and He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28). Consider taking a moment to ask God for whatever you need or want today. • How is asking God for what we need or want different from trying to appease God so He will reward us with what we need or want? According to Hebrews 4:14-16, why can we “approach the throne of grace with boldness”? • Because of what Jesus has done, we get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and restore His creation—then everyone who has put their trust in Him will have new bodies that never get sick or injured, and we will have an abundance of everything we could ever desire! But until that day, we will all experience pain and lack. Yet God is with u

So… where is He? .It’s been 2,000 years since Jesus ascended into heaven, promising to return the same way He ascended and to set the world to rights. The church has grown since then, spreading all across the globe, but there has been no sign of Christ. .Some say He isn’t coming back, that we misunderstood. “The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom,” they say, “living inside our hearts. When we die, our souls will be with God, but He isn’t coming back into this world.” .The early Christians struggled to believe that Christ would return and bring heaven to earth. The resurrection of the body was hard to accept, and the “spiritual kingdom” solution seemed like an easy way out. Today many feel the same way. .But the truth can be found in the words of Peter. In his second epistle (or letter) to the church, he denounces those who scoff at the bodily return of Jesus. He points out that the God who created the world will certainly come again to make it new. Peter even tells us why Jesus is taking so long. He wants more people to turn to Him! After all, if He had returned sooner, how could we be part of His kingdom?.So, as Christians we can wait with hope and anticipation, knowing that Christ will truly return bodily to earth. Then He will raise our dead bodies from the grave, and we will live with Him in the new heavens and new earth. And He will reign forever. • Kevin Zeller .• Do you ever wonder why Christ has waited so long to come back? How does 2 Peter address this concern? .• Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave just as He said He would, we can have confidence that He is going to return bodily to earth and restore His creation, and in the meantime He is present with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions do you have about Jesus’s return? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about these questions? .The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) 

So…where is He? It’s been 2,000 years since Jesus ascended into heaven, promising to return the same way He ascended and to set the world to rights. The church has grown since then, spreading all across the globe, but there has been no sign of Christ. Some say He isn’t coming back, that we misunderstood. “The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom,” they say, “living inside our hearts. When we die, our souls will be with God, but He isn’t coming back into this world.” The early Christians struggled to believe that Christ would return and bring heaven to earth. The resurrection of the body was hard to accept, and the “spiritual kingdom” solution seemed like an easy way out. Today many feel the same way. But the truth can be found in the words of Peter. In his second epistle (or letter) to the church, he denounces those who scoff at the bodily return of Jesus. He points out that the God who created the world will certainly come again to make it new. Peter even tells us why Jesus is taking so long. He wants more people to turn to Him! After all, if He had returned sooner, how could we be part of His kingdom? So, as Christians we can wait with hope and anticipation, knowing that Christ will truly return bodily to earth. Then He will raise our dead bodies from the grave, and we will live with Him in the new heavens and new earth. And He will reign forever. • Kevin Zeller • Do you ever wonder why Christ has waited so long to come back? How does 2 Peter address this concern? • Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave just as He said He would, we can have confidence that He is going to return bodily to earth and restore His creation, and in the meantime He is present with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions do you have about Jesus’s return? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about these questions? The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) READ: ACTS 1:7-11; 2 PETER 3:1-13

Hebrews 12:1-2 holds some of my favorite words in the Bible: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”.I’ve always loved this idea of fixing our eyes on Jesus. But in our everyday lives, we probably don’t think too much about where we direct our focus. Maybe we should start paying more attention. Because where we fix our eyes changes our entire perspective..When we go through our lives without thinking about where we’re setting our sights, we’ll spend most of our time looking at what’s right in front of us. We might orient ourselves around our work, our commitments, our adventures, our friends, our families... and those aren’t bad things—in fact, they’re good gifts from God. But they can’t ultimately give our lives purpose or fulfillment. All created things will eventually let us down..What changes when we fix our eyes intentionally on Jesus? Hebrews 12:2-3 goes on to say, “For the joy set before him he [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”.When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we remember how He was willing to die on the cross for us. And when we remember the sacrifice He made and all He endured,we’ll be less likely to lose heart in our day-to-day lives. Because Jesus knew that His suffering, even His death, was not the end. He knew the joy that was coming. After three days in a tomb, Jesus rose from the grave, and now everyone who puts their trust in Him gets to live with Him forever! As we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, we can persevere because of the life God has given us in Jesus—and because of the joy set before us as His children..So, let’s be intentional about where we look. Let’s watch how God is working. And when it gets hard to keep going, let us look to Jesus and say: “Our eyes are on you.” • Becca Wierwille.• In your everyday life, what are your eyes naturally drawn to? .• What do you think it means to fix our eyes on Jesus? How could this help us persevere?.• Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus now, thanking Him for enduring the cross for you and telling Him about the things in your life that matter to you, knowing they matter to Him too..And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1-2 holds some of my favorite words in the Bible: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” I’ve always loved this idea of fixing our eyes on Jesus. But in our everyday lives, we probably don’t think too much about where we direct our focus. Maybe we should start paying more attention. Because where we fix our eyes changes our entire perspective. When we go through our lives without thinking about where we’re setting our sights, we’ll spend most of our time looking at what’s right in front of us. We might orient ourselves around our work, our commitments, our adventures, our friends, our families…and those aren’t bad things—in fact, they’re good gifts from God. But they can’t ultimately give our lives purpose or fulfillment. All created things will eventually let us down. What changes when we fix our eyes intentionally on Jesus? Hebrews 12:2-3 goes on to say, “For the joy set before him he [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we remember how He was willing to die on the cross for us. And when we remember the sacrifice He made and all He endured, we’ll be less likely to lose heart in our day-to-day lives. Because Jesus knew that His suffering, even His death, was not the end. He knew the joy that was coming. After three days in a tomb, Jesus rose from the grave, and now everyone who puts their trust in Him gets to live with Him forever! As we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, we can persevere because of the life God has given us in Jesus—and because of the joy set before us as His children. So, let’s be intentional about where we look. Let’s watch how God is working. And when it gets hard to keep going, let us look to Jesus and say: “Our eyes are on you.” • Becca Wierwille • In your everyday life, what are your eyes naturally drawn to? • What do you think it means to fix our eyes on Jesus? How could this help us persevere? • Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus now, thanking Him for enduring the cross for you and telling Him about the things in your life that matter to you, knowing they matter to Him too. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NIV) READ: PSALM 119:25-40; EPHESIANS 1:18-23; HEBREWS 12:1-3

Why do we worry when we know that God loves us? Why do we let our hearts become troubled when we know that Jesus warns us against that very thing? I wish I could say I never have a troubled heart. I wish I could say I easily and naturally surrender my worries to God. But I do worry—many of us do. Why do we deal with worry, fear, and other struggles? Shouldn’t we be able to leave these behind when we follow Jesus?.The reality is, we still live in a broken world. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The good news is that Jesus is with us, even in the midst of struggles, and He wants to help us. I wonder what would happen if we got into the habit of seeking the Lord at the very first sign of a troubled heart..In Psalm 34:1, David writes, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Always. We can choose to praise God always, in the good times and the bad, in our moments of joy and in our moments of worry. We are designed to live and breathe in worship to our Creator. Worship is a safe place to go when we feel worried..A few verses later, David goes on to say, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). It’s interesting that David doesn’t say he never had fears. But when he was experiencing worry, he sought the Lord, and he was delivered. Not delivered from the danger, necessarily—but delivered from the fear..Like David, we can rush to God as soon as we start to feel worried or afraid. We can go to our knees in prayer whenever our hearts feel troubled. We can praise God at all times. As we remember who He is and how much He loves us, we often find that our worries can’t cling as tightly. And we can rest in the sure hope that Jesus Christ died and rose again so that we might live fearlessly. He is going to return one day and fix our broken world, taking away things like worry and fear forever. And even now, Jesus is in the business of healing troubled hearts. • Becca Wierwille.• When do you tend to feel worried or afraid? Why do you think God invites us to worship Him at all times, especially when our hearts are troubled? .• If you find yourself struggling with worries or fears that won’t go away, you’re not alone. The Lord has compassion on you, and He wants to help you. Who are trusted people in your life you could talk to about what you’re experiencing, such as pastors, parents, or counselors?.“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me [Jesus].” John 14:1 (NIV)

Why do we worry when we know that God loves us? Why do we let our hearts become troubled when we know that Jesus warns us against that very thing? I wish I could say I never have a troubled heart. I wish I could say I easily and naturally surrender my worries to God. But I do worry—many of us do. Why do we deal with worry, fear, and other struggles? Shouldn’t we be able to leave these behind when we follow Jesus? The reality is, we still live in a broken world. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The good news is that Jesus is with us, even in the midst of struggles, and He wants to help us. I wonder what would happen if we got into the habit of seeking the Lord at the very first sign of a troubled heart. In Psalm 34:1, David writes, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Always. We can choose to praise God always, in the good times and the bad, in our moments of joy and in our moments of worry. We are designed to live and breathe in worship to our Creator. Worship is a safe place to go when we feel worried. A few verses later, David goes on to say, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). It’s interesting that David doesn’t say he never had fears. But when he was experiencing worry, he sought the Lord, and he was delivered. Not delivered from the danger, necessarily—but delivered from the fear. Like David, we can rush to God as soon as we start to feel worried or afraid. We can go to our knees in prayer whenever our hearts feel troubled. We can praise God at all times. As we remember who He is and how much He loves us, we often find that our worries can’t cling as tightly. And we can rest in the sure hope that Jesus Christ died and rose again so that we might live fearlessly. He is going to return one day and fix our broken world, taking away things like worry and fear forever. And even now, Jesus is in the business of healing troubled hearts. • Becca Wierwille • When do you tend to feel worried or afraid? Why do you think God invites us to worship Him at all times, especially when our hearts are troubled? • If you find yourself struggling with worries or fears that won’t go away, you’re not alone. The Lord has compassion on you, and He wants to help you. Who are trusted people in your life you could talk to about what you’re experiencing, such as pastors, parents, or counselors? “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me [Jesus].” John 14:1 (NIV) READ: PSALM 34:1-8; MATTHEW 6:25-34; JOHN 14:1-7; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9

Maybe you know someone who claimed to love God but hurt you or someone you care about. Maybe you watched in the news as a pastor got arrested for hurting someone or pulling off some big scheme. Maybe you know people who make Christians look really bad..Humans are fallen and sinful, and we don’t always represent God well. And when we see people who claim to know God acting in sinful ways, this can cause us to get some false ideas about what God is like. But one of the best ways to avoid getting a warped image of God from those who misrepresent Him is to really know who God is and what He is all about..When we learn from the Bible about how much God loves, we can see that those who are unloving are not following God’s way (1 John 4:7-8). When we learn how God is honest and good and righteous, we can spot those who are misrepresenting Him when we see their lies and greed and selfishness (Exodus 34:6). Scripture tells us how wonderful God is..While we can never fully understand everything about God, we see who God is in Jesus, God in flesh. God is most fully revealed in Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. To know the God we worship, we look to the cross. His self-sacrificial love is central to His character, and if someone isn’t displaying that love, they aren’t representing God well..We all fall short of representing who God is. But we don’t have to let that failure control how we think of God. No matter how deeply someone who claims to be a Christian has failed, God is different. God is holy and good and right. God loves you, and He is with you. And He will never change. • Emily Acker.• What are some of the ways you’ve seen God misrepresented? Where can we find truth about who God really is? .• While all of us fall short of representing God in one way or another, who are some people in your life who represent Him and His love very well? If you can’t think of anyone, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. .This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NIV)

Maybe you know someone who claimed to love God but hurt you or someone you care about. Maybe you watched in the news as a pastor got arrested for hurting someone or pulling off some big scheme. Maybe you know people who make Christians look really bad. Humans are fallen and sinful, and we don’t always represent God well. And when we see people who claim to know God acting in sinful ways, this can cause us to get some false ideas about what God is like. But one of the best ways to avoid getting a warped image of God from those who misrepresent Him is to really know who God is and what He is all about. When we learn from the Bible about how much God loves, we can see that those who are unloving are not following God’s way (1 John 4:7-8). When we learn how God is honest and good and righteous, we can spot those who are misrepresenting Him when we see their lies and greed and selfishness (Exodus 34:6). Scripture tells us how wonderful God is. While we can never fully understand everything about God, we see who God is in Jesus, God in flesh. God is most fully revealed in Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. To know the God we worship, we look to the cross. His self-sacrificial love is central to His character, and if someone isn’t displaying that love, they aren’t representing God well. We all fall short of representing who God is. But we don’t have to let that failure control how we think of God. No matter how deeply someone who claims to be a Christian has failed, God is different. God is holy and good and right. God loves you, and He is with you. And He will never change. • Emily Acker • What are some of the ways you’ve seen God misrepresented? Where can we find truth about who God really is? • While all of us fall short of representing God in one way or another, who are some people in your life who represent Him and His love very well? If you can’t think of anyone, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NIV) READ: 1 JOHN 4:7-12

"I just keep sinning even though I know Jesus—I’ll never get it!".Have you ever been frustrated with yourself for sinning? Have you felt like you should be able to get it right, but you just can’t? Lots of us feel this way. Here’s the good news: as Christians, we don’t have to “get” anything. Jesus already did. He got everything right—He never sinned. He is the only One, and He died for our sins so that we could be totally cleansed from sin. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we will continue to struggle with sin—but our sins cannot define us anymore. Because we are in Christ Jesus, we are forever forgiven. God sees us as His blameless children, and He has compassion on us when we stumble..It may be helpful at this point to think of a toddler who is just learning to walk. At first, they fall all the time. Actually, at first they can’t even stand! But when they lose their balance and fall flat on the ground, everyone who loves them will run to help and cheer them on toward their first step... and the many more steps that will follow. It’s a one-step-at-a-time process that we have to go through in order to learn how to walk..Knowing Jesus is a walk too—one where we fall down a lot. But He’ll always forgive us and help us get back up. None of us will be able to walk perfectly, at least, not until we see Him face-to-face someday. But, little by little, He’s helping us learn to say no to sin and walk more closely with Him..So we walk forward in hope, knowing that Jesus is walking right beside us, helping us grow to become more and more like Him. We can trust Him, one step at a time, looking forward to the day when He’ll finish the work He’s started in all of us, and our struggle with sin will finally be over. • A. W. Smith.• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He’ll always be at our side, ready to forgive us and help us up when we fall. Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about any sins that come to mind, confessing them and thanking Him for His forgiveness. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When you’re struggling with sin, who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with? How could you support each other through prayer, encouragement, and reminding each other of God’s great love, unending forgiveness, and steady power inside us through His Spirit? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I just keep sinning even though I know Jesus—I’ll never get it! Have you ever been frustrated with yourself for sinning? Have you felt like you should be able to get it right, but you just can’t? Lots of us feel this way. Here’s the good news: as Christians, we don’t have to “get” anything. Jesus already did. He got everything right—He never sinned. He is the only One, and He died for our sins so that we could be totally cleansed from sin. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we will continue to struggle with sin—but our sins cannot define us anymore. Because we are in Christ Jesus, we are forever forgiven. God sees us as His blameless children, and He has compassion on us when we stumble. It may be helpful at this point to think of a toddler who is just learning to walk. At first, they fall all the time. Actually, at first they can’t even stand! But when they lose their balance and fall flat on the ground, everyone who loves them will run to help and cheer them on toward their first step…and the many more steps that will follow. It’s a one-step-at-a-time process that we have to go through in order to learn how to walk. Knowing Jesus is a walk too—one where we fall down a lot. But He’ll always forgive us and help us get back up. None of us will be able to walk perfectly, at least, not until we see Him face-to-face someday. But, little by little, He’s helping us learn to say no to sin and walk more closely with Him. So we walk forward in hope, knowing that Jesus is walking right beside us, helping us grow to become more and more like Him. We can trust Him, one step at a time, looking forward to the day when He’ll finish the work He’s started in all of us, and our struggle with sin will finally be over. • A. W. Smith • Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He’ll always be at our side, ready to forgive us and help us up when we fall. Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about any sins that come to mind, confessing them and thanking Him for His forgiveness. • When you’re struggling with sin, who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with? How could you support each other through prayer, encouragement, and reminding each other of God’s great love, unending forgiveness, and steady power inside us through His Spirit? Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) READ: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14

Do you ever wonder what you were like when you were a baby? In addition to photos stored on computers, phones, and in albums, some families keep a remembrance book where they keep special details about their children, along with mementos from their growing-up years. A footprint from when they were a month old. A piece of their first baby blanket. A note of when they first walked and talked. The list goes on..In a way, God has a book of remembrance too. When we put our trust in Jesus, we become a member of God’s family. And God, our good Father, remembers all His children by name. Because when we put our trust in Jesus, He writes each of our names in His book and deletes the record of our wrongdoing—all our sins are forgiven. As Christians, we are totally blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4)..Of course, sin does have consequences, and when we do something wrong, Jesus calls us to admit we’ve sinned and repent by turning away from sin and turning toward Him. But that sin will never show up in God’s remembrance book because Jesus took all our sins on Himself when He went to the cross. So instead of dwelling on our failures, He wants us to turn away from sin and rest in the work He has done for us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead to forgive us. We can joyfully walk with Jesus, knowing that we are God’s forgiven children. • A. W. Smith.• As Christians, we can know that God doesn’t keep a record of our sins because Jesus has already paid the price for all our wrongdoing. When we’re tempted to dwell on our failures, we can run to Jesus. Whenever we do something wrong, we can confess it to Him. He promises to always forgive us—and give us strength to move forward in our walk with Him. Consider taking a moment to ask God to bring to mind any sins you could confess to Him. As you repent from these sins, picture how Jesus erased them from God’s book of remembrance forever..• When you sin, who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of God’s love and forgiveness? How could you also remind others of these truths? .A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. Malachi 3:16b (NIV)

Do you ever wonder what you were like when you were a baby? In addition to photos stored on computers, phones, and in albums, some families keep a remembrance book where they keep special details about their children, along with mementos from their growing-up years. A footprint from when they were a month old. A piece of their first baby blanket. A note of when they first walked and talked. The list goes on. In a way, God has a book of remembrance too. When we put our trust in Jesus, we become a member of God’s family. And God, our good Father, remembers all His children by name. Because when we put our trust in Jesus, He writes each of our names in His book and deletes the record of our wrongdoing—all our sins are forgiven. As Christians, we are totally blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4). Of course, sin does have consequences, and when we do something wrong, Jesus calls us to admit we’ve sinned and repent by turning away from sin and turning toward Him. But that sin will never show up in God’s remembrance book because Jesus took all our sins on Himself when He went to the cross. So instead of dwelling on our failures, He wants us to turn away from sin and rest in the work He has done for us by dying on the cross and rising from the dead to forgive us. We can joyfully walk with Jesus, knowing that we are God’s forgiven children. • A. W. Smith • As Christians, we can know that God doesn’t keep a record of our sins because Jesus has already paid the price for all our wrongdoing. When we’re tempted to dwell on our failures, we can run to Jesus. Whenever we do something wrong, we can confess it to Him. He promises to always forgive us—and give us strength to move forward in our walk with Him. Consider taking a moment to ask God to bring to mind any sins you could confess to Him. As you repent from these sins, picture how Jesus erased them from God’s book of remembrance forever. • When you sin, who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of God’s love and forgiveness? How could you also remind others of these truths? A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. Malachi 3:16b (NIV) READ: PSALM 103:11-12; ISAIAH 43:25; MALACHI 3:16-17

If I were thereWould I just stareAs they bound my Savior?.If I lived during that time Would I denyThat I ever knew Him?.If I witnessed all they did to Him Would I have offered to take it on me The carrying of the cross?.If I watched Him dieWould I have criedAnd been too heartbroken to carry on?.If I had heard Him sayHe’d rise again in three days Would I believe He’d do just that?.If I saw the empty graveAnd saw Him alive againHow would I have felt? • Bethany Acker.• Have you ever imagined what it would have felt like to live during Jesus’s time on earth? As we hear the stories of people who interacted with Jesus face-to-face, how could it be helpful to imagine ourselves in these people’s places? .• When Jesus told His followers that He would be put to death but then rise from the grave three days later, they didn’t understand. When Jesus was arrested, all His followers abandoned Him and ran away. Yet Jesus still died on the cross for them... and for us. He came to save us from sin and death, to make the way for us to become part of His family, because He loves us. How could it be comforting to know that none of us could earn what Jesus did for us? (Romans 5:6-11).• If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 26:47-56, Luke 22:54-62, and John 20:1-18..“And after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.” Luke 18:33 (CSB)

If I were there Would I just stare As they bound my Savior? If I lived during that time Would I deny That I ever knew Him? If I witnessed all they did to Him Would I have offered to take it on me The carrying of the cross? If I watched Him die Would I have cried And been too heartbroken to carry on? If I had heard Him say He’d rise again in three days Would I believe He’d do just that? If I saw the empty grave And saw Him alive again How would I have felt? • Bethany Acker • Have you ever imagined what it would have felt like to live during Jesus’s time on earth? As we hear the stories of people who interacted with Jesus face-to-face, how could it be helpful to imagine ourselves in these people’s places? • When Jesus told His followers that He would be put to death but then rise from the grave three days later, they didn’t understand. When Jesus was arrested, all His followers abandoned Him and ran away. Yet Jesus still died on the cross for them…and for us. He came to save us from sin and death, to make the way for us to become part of His family, because He loves us. How could it be comforting to know that none of us could earn what Jesus did for us? (Romans 5:6-11) • If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 26:47-56, Luke 22:54-62, and John 20:1-18. “And after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.” Luke 18:33 (CSB) READ: LUKE 18:31-34; 23:26-49; MARK 16:1-8

I was out of ideas for where to look. Finally, I pulled out my journal, grabbed a pen, and wrote, “Lord, please help me find my grammar textbook.”.About a week before, I’d misplaced a schoolbook. I had already been reprimanded about not having the textbook for English class and had borrowed a friend’s book once. I couldn’t keep that up indefinitely. What was I to do?.I searched everywhere I could envision the book might be hiding—under my bed, in my locker, in our family’s minivan. I just couldn’t locate it. However, within a day or so of asking God to help me find it, the book appeared—right there on a shelf in the school’s band hall. Relieved, I thanked God for leading me to the missing book..But what if I hadn’t been able to locate it? What if I’d had to pay the school for the lost textbook? Would I still have thanked the Lord? Would I still have considered God to be good?.Often, I notice statements from people on social media, sharing about some happy news in their lives and then declaring that God is good. But the Bible tells us God is always good, no matter our circumstances..When we trust in Jesus as the One who saves us from sin and promises to free us from death, we begin a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through Jesus, God gives us the gift of becoming His child, and, as a perfect father, He is always good to His children..And when our situations cause us to question God’s goodness? Then we have a choice to make about how we view God’s heart and His actions. Since God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, then raised Jesus from the grave, making the way for us to be with Him forever, we can trust Him to be good always, even when life is difficult. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Have you noticed people saying “God is good” when things in their life seem to be going well? While it’s great to celebrate and thank God for what He has done, why is it also important for us to remember God’s goodness in the hard times? .• How does the gospel (the good news about Jesus) reveal God’s unchanging goodness? .• Whenever we’re struggling, God wants us to be honest with Him and ask for His help. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about any difficult circumstances you’re facing today, remembering that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). .For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (CSB)

I was out of ideas for where to look. Finally, I pulled out my journal, grabbed a pen, and wrote, “Lord, please help me find my grammar textbook.” About a week before, I’d misplaced a schoolbook. I had already been reprimanded about not having the textbook for English class and had borrowed a friend’s book once. I couldn’t keep that up indefinitely. What was I to do? I searched everywhere I could envision the book might be hiding—under my bed, in my locker, in our family’s minivan. I just couldn’t locate it. However, within a day or so of asking God to help me find it, the book appeared—right there on a shelf in the school’s band hall. Relieved, I thanked God for leading me to the missing book. But what if I hadn’t been able to locate it? What if I’d had to pay the school for the lost textbook? Would I still have thanked the Lord? Would I still have considered God to be good? Often, I notice statements from people on social media, sharing about some happy news in their lives and then declaring that God is good. But the Bible tells us God is always good, no matter our circumstances. When we trust in Jesus as the One who saves us from sin and promises to free us from death, we begin a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Through Jesus, God gives us the gift of becoming His child, and, as a perfect father, He is always good to His children. And when our situations cause us to question God’s goodness? Then we have a choice to make about how we view God’s heart and His actions. Since God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, then raised Jesus from the grave, making the way for us to be with Him forever, we can trust Him to be good always, even when life is difficult. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you noticed people saying “God is good” when things in their life seem to be going well? While it’s great to celebrate and thank God for what He has done, why is it also important for us to remember God’s goodness in the hard times? • How does the gospel (the good news about Jesus) reveal God’s unchanging goodness? • Whenever we’re struggling, God wants us to be honest with Him and ask for His help. Consider taking a moment to talk to God about any difficult circumstances you’re facing today, remembering that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (CSB) READ: PSALM 107:1; ROMANS 8:31-39; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the beauty of the sky? Whether it’s the rolling clouds on a summer day, a golden sunset, or the twinkling stars at night, the skies above our heads are beautiful. Artists and painters try to imitate the beauty of the sky, but even their artwork isn’t as awesome as the real thing..God is a master Artist. He has made the world a beautiful place, and it all reflects His greatness. Today’s verses tell us that the heavens and the skies “declare” God’s glory. Not everyone will read the Bible, but everyone can see the sky. Even though we don’t often realize it, the sky is telling us about God. Without words, the sky tells us how great our God is. The heavens are a beautiful reflection of God’s creativity, power, and wisdom..How often do we actually look at the sky? It’s easy to get busy down here on earth, going to school, working, and just moving about our lives. But in these verses, God is calling us to look up—up to the skies, where we see His glory on display. Did you know....• Every second, the sun releases an amount of energy equal to 10 billion hydrogen bombs—that’s a lot of power! But our God is even more powerful than that (Colossians1:15-20)..• Although clouds look like light, puffy pieces of cotton candy, they can contain millions of pounds of water. And just wait until it rains! Lightning and rainstorms—not to mention snow, hail, and everything in between—are awesome displays of God’s power (Psalm 135:7)..• Every star that you can see in the sky is actually much bigger and brighter than our sun. They only look smaller because they are farther away from us than thesun is. Scientists think there are at least 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone. And yet God knows each one of them by name (Psalm 147:4)..Today, consider taking a moment to look up at the sky. Ponder its beauty and majesty. Remember that the God who made the sky is the same God who made you and loves you. Our God is awesome! • Jacob Bier.• What is your favorite kind of sky? Sunrise, sunset, starry, stormy, clear, cloudy with cumuli, strati, cirri...?.• Why do you think God calls us to take time and space in our lives to behold His creation? .The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the beauty of the sky? Whether it’s the rolling clouds on a summer day, a golden sunset, or the twinkling stars at night, the skies above our heads are beautiful. Artists and painters try to imitate the beauty of the sky, but even their artwork isn’t as awesome as the real thing. God is a master Artist. He has made the world a beautiful place, and it all reflects His greatness. Today’s verses tell us that the heavens and the skies “declare” God’s glory. Not everyone will read the Bible, but everyone can see the sky. Even though we don’t often realize it, the sky is telling us about God. Without words, the sky tells us how great our God is. The heavens are a beautiful reflection of God’s creativity, power, and wisdom. How often do we actually look at the sky? It’s easy to get busy down here on earth, going to school, working, and just moving about our lives. But in these verses, God is calling us to look up—up to the skies, where we see His glory on display. Did you know… Every second, the sun releases an amount of energy equal to 10 billion hydrogen bombs—that’s a lot of power! But our God is even more powerful than that (Colossians1:15-20). Although clouds look like light, puffy pieces of cotton candy, they can contain millions of pounds of water. And just wait until it rains! Lightning and rainstorms—not to mention snow, hail, and everything in between—are awesome displays of God’s power (Psalm 135:7). Every star that you can see in the sky is actually much bigger and brighter than our sun. They only look smaller because they are farther away from us than the sun is. Scientists think there are at least 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone. And yet God knows each one of them by name (Psalm 147:4). Today, consider taking a moment to look up at the sky. Ponder its beauty and majesty. Remember that the God who made the sky is the same God who made you and loves you. Our God is awesome! • Jacob Bier • What is your favorite kind of sky? Sunrise, sunset, starry, stormy, clear, cloudy with cumuli, strati, cirri…? • Why do you think God calls us to take time and space in our lives to behold His creation? The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) READ: GENESIS 1:6-10, 14-19; PSALM 19:1-2

Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This verse is beautiful and important, but what does it mean? How was Jesus made to “be sin for us”—especially since we know that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15)? It might help to consider an illustration. Imagine for a minute that you encountered a person who had a deadly disease. And what if, in this scenario, in order to really help this person, you had to get sick? What if you had the power to allow all their sickness to flow into your body, and let all your strength and health flow into theirs? Would you do that? Here’s the thing: that’s what Jesus did for us. When we were sick with sin, God became human to dwell among us (John 1:14). Jesus never sinned, but He was willing to take all our sin upon Himself and die on the cross to take our punishment. And that wasn’t all. After He died, Jesus defeated sin and death by rising again three days later. Now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus has their sins forgiven because Jesus took our sins and gave us His righteousness. As Christians, we also have the promise and hope of living with Jesus forever: Jesus will return to make all things new, and then we will be totally free from sin and death (Revelation 21:1-5). What good news! Even though we’re all born with the sickness of sin, that’s not the end of the story. Jesus has come to make us well. • A. W. Smith • Have you ever thought about sin being like sickness? How could this illustration help us understand the gospel (the good news about Jesus) in a deeper way? To learn more about what it means to be healed from the sickness of sin, check out our "Know Jesus" page. God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) READ: ISAIAH 53:4-11; ROMANS 5:6-11; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21

Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This verse is beautiful and important, but what does it mean? How was Jesus made to “be sin for us”— especially since we know that Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15)?.It might help to consider an illustration. Imagine for a minute that you encountered a person who had a deadly disease. And what if, in this scenario, in order to really help this person, you had to get sick? What if you had the power to allow all their sickness to flow into your body, and let all your strength and health flow into theirs?.Would you do that?.Here’s the thing: that’s what Jesus did for us. When we were sick with sin, God became human to dwell among us (John 1:14). Jesus never sinned, but He was willing to take all our sin upon Himself and die on the cross to take our punishment. And that wasn’t all. After He died, Jesus defeated sin and death by rising again three days later..Now, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus has their sins forgiven because Jesus took our sins and gave us His righteousness. As Christians, we also have the promise and hope of living with Jesus forever: Jesus will return to make all things new, and then we will be totally free from sin and death (Revelation 21:1-5). What good news! Even though we’re all born with the sickness of sin, that’s not the end of the story. Jesus has come to make us well. • A. W. Smith.• Have you ever thought about sin being like sickness? How could this illustration help us understand the gospel (the good news about Jesus) in a deeper way? . • To learn more about what it means to be healed from the sickness of sin, check out our "Know Jesus" page..God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

The ocean makes me nervous. I really don’t like movies where people are lost at sea—especially if they’re stuck on some sort of tiny raft and no one knows how to find them. How awful would that be? The sky, huge above you, could release a storm at any moment. The waves stretch out in every direction, with no end in sight. And you know the water goes down, down, down for miles, and there are thousands of creatures you can’t see or even imagine—some of which might like to eat you. Did I mention the ocean makes me nervous?.But there’s a Bible passage, that I really like, that actually reminds me of the ocean. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he says, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19)..When I think about trying to grasp how high and long and wide and deep God’s love is, I think about the ocean. God’s love reaches higher than the skies. It stretches farther than the farthest shore. It descends deeper than any ocean crevice. And it’s okay that we can’t fathom it. How could we? It’s so amazing. It’s so wonderful. God’s love is incredible—and His love is for us. He loves us with that unending, unimaginable, unfathomable love..How do we know for sure that God loves us this much? Because of Jesus. God came in human flesh and lived among us. He was willing to die a death He didn’tdeserve because it was the only way for our broken relationship with Him to be restored. Because even though our sin separated us from God, even though we rebelled against Him on purpose, even though humanity wanted nothing to dowith God, His love for us didn’t shrink back. He wanted to rescue us from our own selfishness. He came, He died...and He rose again, defeating sin and death once and for all. That’s the love that’s bigger than oceans. The love that reaches out to us, no matter how far we go. The love that comes for us, no matter how low we sink. The love that promises to raise us up in glory with our Lord, the Creator of the sky and the sea. • Hannah Howe.• If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know we are surrounded by His incredible love (Psalm 32:10). Can you think of a time you felt sure that God loved you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime—He delights in answering these prayers!....how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

The ocean makes me nervous. I really don’t like movies where people are lost at sea—especially if they’re stuck on some sort of tiny raft and no one knows how&nbsp;to find them. How awful would that be? The sky, huge above you, could release a&nbsp;storm at any moment. The waves stretch out in every direction, with no end in sight. And you know the water goes down, down, down for&nbsp;miles, and there are thousands of creatures you can’t see or even imagine—some of which might like to eat you. Did I mention the ocean makes me nervous? But there’s a Bible passage, that I really like, that actually reminds me of the ocean. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he says, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to&nbsp;know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of&nbsp;all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19). When I think about trying to grasp how high and long and wide and deep God’s love is, I think about the ocean. God’s love reaches higher than the skies. It stretches farther than the farthest shore. It descends deeper than any ocean crevice. And it’s okay that we can’t fathom it. How could we? It’s so amazing. It’s so wonderful.&nbsp;God’s love is incredible—and His love is for&nbsp;us. He loves&nbsp;us&nbsp;with that unending, unimaginable, unfathomable love. How do we know for sure that God loves us this much? Because of Jesus. God&nbsp;came in human flesh and lived among us. He was willing to die a death He didn’t deserve because it was the only way for our broken relationship with Him to be restored. Because even though our sin separated us from God, even though we rebelled against Him on purpose, even though humanity wanted nothing to do with God, His love for us didn’t shrink back. He wanted to rescue us from our own&nbsp;selfishness. He came, He died...and He rose again, defeating sin and death once and&nbsp;for all. That’s the love that’s bigger than oceans. The love that reaches out to us, no matter how far we go. The love that comes for us, no matter how low we sink. The love that promises to raise us up in glory with our Lord, the Creator of the sky and the sea.&nbsp;• Hannah Howe • If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know we are surrounded by His incredible love (Psalm 32:10). Can you think of a time you felt sure that God loved you? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime—He delights in answering these prayers! "...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:18 (NIV) Read Psalm 148:7, Ephesians 3:14-21, and Psalm 36:5

As Ronan neared the end of his journey, he entered the Valley of the Shadow. It was so dark he could barely make out the path. The moon hid behind the clouds, casting weird shadows on the waving grass. Empty moans emanated from the trees that covered the cliffs and encroached on the valley’s winding path. Ronan’s heart thumped, and his knees felt weak. "Shadows can’t hurt anyone," he told himself. "Shadows can’t hurt anyone.".“Ronan?” a voice called from the darkness. For a second, Ronan’s heart almost stopped, but then he recognized the familiar voice..“Teacher!” Ronan said, his voice shaking. “It’s so good to see You—or at least, it’s good to hear You. It’s so dark, I can hardly see anything.”.“I know. I’ve been walking with you the whole time,” the Teacher said, His words surrounding Ronan like an embrace. “I will be with you as you walk through this darkest of valleys.”.With the Teacher beside him, Ronan’s fears began to quiet. At times, he even felt like the shadows were friendly, and the sounds no longer made him quake. Even though Ronan couldn’t see Him, he could feel the Teacher’s presence. He knew that no matter what happened on his journey across the Valley of the Shadow, the Teacher would be with him. • A. W. Smith.• This story is an allegory. In Psalm 23, David writes about “the valley of the shadow of death” (verse 4). Do you know someone who is dying? Do you ever feel afraid of dying yourself? .• Read Matthew 28:20 and then Psalm 23. For a Christian, death is like a shadow. As Psalm 23 says, we don’t have to fear death because Jesus is with us. He is the Teacher and the Good Shepherd (Matthew 23:8; John 10:11). He has already faced death for us—and He defeated death by rising from the grave. If you know Jesus, you will be raised from the dead too. In fact, the last verse of Psalm 23 tells us what will happen to those who trust in Jesus: we will dwell with God forever. We will spend eternity with Jesus and with our siblings in Christ! How could these truths comfort us when we feel that death is near?.• If you have questions about what it means to know Jesus, who is a trusted Christian you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.).Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4a (WEB)

As Ronan neared the end of his journey, he entered the Valley of the Shadow. It was so dark he could barely make out the path. The moon hid behind the clouds, casting weird shadows on the waving grass. Empty moans emanated from the trees that covered the cliffs and encroached on the valley’s winding path. Ronan’s heart thumped, and his knees felt weak. &#8220;Shadows can’t hurt anyone,&#8221; he told himself. &#8220;Shadows can’t hurt anyone.&#8221; “Ronan?” a voice called from the darkness. For a second, Ronan’s heart almost stopped, but then he recognized the familiar voice. “Teacher!” Ronan said, his voice shaking. “It’s so good to see You—or at least, it’s good to hear You. It’s so dark, I can hardly see anything.” “I know. I’ve been walking with you the whole time,” the Teacher said, His words surrounding Ronan like an embrace. “I will be with you as you walk through this darkest of valleys.” With the Teacher beside him, Ronan’s fears began to quiet. At times, he even felt like the shadows were friendly, and the sounds no longer made him quake. Even though Ronan couldn’t see Him, he could feel the Teacher’s presence. He knew that no matter what happened on his journey across the Valley of the Shadow, the Teacher would be with him. • A. W. Smith • This story is an allegory. In Psalm 23, David writes about “the valley of the shadow of death” (verse 4). Do you know someone who is dying? Do you ever feel afraid of dying yourself? • Read Matthew 28:20 and then Psalm 23. For a Christian, death is like a shadow. As Psalm 23 says, we don’t have to fear death because Jesus is with us. He is the Teacher and the Good Shepherd (Matthew 23:8; John 10:11). He has already faced death for us—and He defeated death by rising from the grave. If you know Jesus, you will be raised from the dead too. In fact, the last verse of Psalm 23 tells us what will happen to those who trust in Jesus: we will dwell with God forever. We will spend eternity with Jesus and with our siblings in Christ! How could these truths comfort us when we feel that death is near? • If you have questions about what it means to know Jesus, who is a trusted Christian you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page.) &#8220;Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.&#8221; Psalm 23:4a (WEB)

Life can be so hard sometimes. Maybe you&#8217;re facing a challenging situation at school, or your parents are getting a divorce, or you got a scary medical diagnosis..In our world that&#8217;s broken by sin, we can quickly get discouraged because of all/the messed-up stuff we face. But the good news is, as Christians, we have hope: Whatever we&#8217;re facing, Jesus is always with us. Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing can get in the way of Him accomplishing His good purposes. Nothing can shake His promise to be present with us and to make all things new one day (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8; Revelation 21:1-5)..In short, we can take comfort in the fact that God loves us, and He cares for us like a mother bird cares for her chicks. Now, comparing God to a mother bird may seem odd when we think about how awesome and infinitely powerful God is, but in/the Bible He really does compare Himself to a mother bird—more than once..Throughout the Psalms, God invites us to take refuge in the shadow of His wings.* And when Jesus was approaching His death, He said that He longs to gather us like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34-33)..The reason we can draw near to God and dwell with Him is because of what Jesus has done. Our sin separated us from God, but God loves us so much that He came to live among us. Because He died and rose from the grave for us, paying the price for our sins, we can be in restored relationship with Him..Therefore, as Christians we can take refuge in the shadow of God&#8217;s wings,/bringing Him our worries about whatever we&#8217;re experiencing and resting in His promise to use everything for His good purposes—even the things that don&#8217;t go the way we hoped they would. We can trust Him to take care of us, including guiding us in reaching out to trusted people around us for support. Like a mother bird cares for her chicks, God will provide everything we need./• A. W. Smith.• Why do you think God compares Himself to a mother bird in the Bible? What do you like or dislike about this mental picture? (*Psalms 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4) .• What kinds of hard things have you been facing lately? Consider taking a moment to talk with Jesus about these things. .How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.36.7|Matt.6.25-Matt.6.34|Matt.23.37

Life can be so hard sometimes. Maybe you’re facing a challenging situation at school, or your parents are getting a divorce, or you got a scary medical diagnosis..In our world that’s broken by sin, we can quickly get discouraged because of all the messed-up stuff we face. But the good news is, as Christians, we have hope: Whatever we’re facing, Jesus is always with us. Nothing can separate us from His love. Nothing can get in the way of Him accomplishing His good purposes. Nothing can shake His promise to be present with us and to make all things new one day (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8; Revelation 21:1-5)..In short, we can take comfort in the fact that God loves us, and He cares for us like a mother bird cares for her chicks. Now, comparing God to a mother bird may seem odd when we think about how awesome and infinitely powerful God is, but in the Bible He really does compare Himself to a mother bird—more than once..Throughout the Psalms, God invites us to take refuge in the shadow of His wings.* And when Jesus was approaching His death, He said that He longs to gather us like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34-33)..The reason we can draw near to God and dwell with Him is because of what Jesus has done. Our sin separated us from God, but God loves us so much that He came to live among us. Because He died and rose from the grave for us, paying the price for our sins, we can be in restored relationship with Him..Therefore, as Christians we can take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings, bringing Him our worries about whatever we’re experiencing and resting in His promise to use everything for His good purposes—even the things that don’t go the way we hoped they would. We can trust Him to take care of us, including guiding us in reaching out to trusted people around us for support. Like a mother bird cares for her chicks, God will provide everything we need. • A. W. Smith.• Why do you think God compares Himself to a mother bird in the Bible? What do you like or dislike about this mental picture? (*Psalms 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4) .• What kinds of hard things have you been facing lately? Consider taking a moment to talk with Jesus about these things. .How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (NIV)

Recently, as I was sitting on the porch enjoying the sunshine, I watched my dad start walking down the driveway. I instantly thought of running to catch up with him and join him as he walked. When I walk with my dad, I get to spend time talking with him and just enjoying his presence..In that moment, a thought hit me—this is what a believer&#8217;s relationship with God is like! Once we&#8217;ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to walk with our heavenly Father on/the journey of life. I find it so beautiful that having a close relationship with God is/described as walking with God (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5-6). But when Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God as He came walking in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sin destroyed the beautiful walk with God we were created to have./But, because of Jesus&#8217;s sacrifice on the cross, God has made the way for us to be/adopted as His children (Romans 8:15-16). Our opportunity to walk with God has been restored!.This simple picture is powerful—we don&#8217;t walk alone. Our God walks with us! We can talk to Him about anything at any time. Like little kids, we can grab God&#8217;s hand for comfort when things get tough. I am so grateful for the fellowship and special moments I get to spend with my earthly father when I walk with him. And I am more grateful still that he has taught me what it means to walk with my heavenly Father—I know I&#8217;ll never have to walk alone./• Lily Walsh.• Have you ever imagined God walking with us like a father walks with his child? What do you like or dislike about the idea of God walking with us? .• When Jesus returns, all His people will get to be with God face-to-face and walk with Him in renewed creation (Revelation 21:1-5). How can looking forward to Jesus&#8217;s return help us understand the kind of relationship God wants to have with us now? .• Are there any dads or father figures in your life who&#8217;ve shown God&#8217;s love to you? Consider taking a moment to/thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too! .He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the/Lord/require of you?/To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Mic.6.8|Gen.3.1-Gen.3.9|Rom.8.14-Rom.8.17|2Cor.6.16-2Cor.6.18

Recently, as I was sitting on the porch enjoying the sunshine, I watched my dad start walking down the driveway. I instantly thought of running to catch up with him and join him as he walked. When I walk with my dad, I get to spend time talking with him and just enjoying his presence..In that moment, a thought hit me—this is what a believer’s relationship with God is like! Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to walk with our heavenly Father on the journey of life. I find it so beautiful that having a close relationship with God is described as walking with God (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5-6). But when Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God as He came walking in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sin destroyed the beautiful walk with God we were created to have. But, because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, God has made the way for us to be adopted as His children (Romans 8:15-16). Our opportunity to walk with God has been restored!.This simple picture is powerful—we don’t walk alone. Our God walks with us! We can talk to Him about anything at any time. Like little kids, we can grab God’s hand for comfort when things get tough. I am so grateful for the fellowship and special moments I get to spend with my earthly father when I walk with him. And I am more grateful still that he has taught me what it means to walk with my heavenly Father—I know I’ll never have to walk alone. • Lily Walsh.• Have you ever imagined God walking with us like a father walks with his child? What do you like or dislike about the idea of God walking with us? .• When Jesus returns, all His people will get to be with God face-to-face and walk with Him in renewed creation (Revelation 21:1-5). How can looking forward to Jesus’s return help us understand the kind of relationship God wants to have with us now? .• Are there any dads or father figures in your life who’ve shown God’s love to you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too! .He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)

One thing I&#8217;ve learned is that the people who are in our lives at one point in time may not be around later on. As we go through life, we lose some of the people who mean the most to us. We also meet new people and let them into our lives. Sometimes, we bond with friends or family members or mentors who eventually leave our lives or even abandon us. Other times our loved ones pass away, and our hearts are left aching as we long to be with them again..The relationships we have are constantly changing, and we&#8217;re going to lose some of the people who mean a lot to us. But, as Christians, the relationship we have with God will remain. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is God&#8217;s child and His friend, forever. We will never be abandoned by God. He is never going to pass away. We will have God&#8217;s presence with us no matter what we go through (Matthew 1:23)..I know what it&#8217;s like to be close to someone and then have that relationship destroyed, and I know what it&#8217;s like to lose family members. Through everything I&#8217;ve faced, God has only drawn closer to me, not fallen further away. He has been my constant. He will be the constant in your life too, even through all the/changes you experience in your human relationships./• Emily Acker.• Has there ever been a relationship in your life that you thought would last forever but eventually fell apart? Have you ever had someone close to you pass away? Consider taking a moment to bring these hurts to Jesus..• God sees all our hurts, and He cares. In His great compassion, He comforts us in every loss and grieves alongside us through every heartache. And when Jesus returns, all God&#8217;s people will live in perfect harmony with Him and with each other, and our hearts will never be broken again (Revelation 21:1-5). How could these truths give us hope when we experience the loss of a human relationship?.“And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.27.10|Ps.139.1-Ps.139.10|Heb.13.5|Heb.13.8|Matt.28.20

One thing I’ve learned is that the people who are in our lives at one point in time may not be around later on. As we go through life, we lose some of the people who mean the most to us. We also meet new people and let them into our lives. Sometimes, we bond with friends or family members or mentors who eventually leave our lives or even abandon us. Other times our loved ones pass away, and our hearts are left aching as we long to be with them again..The relationships we have are constantly changing, and we’re going to lose some of the people who mean a lot to us. But, as Christians, the relationship we have with God will remain. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is God’s child and His friend, forever. We will never be abandoned by God. He is never going to pass away. We will have God’s presence with us no matter what we go through (Matthew 1:23)..I know what it’s like to be close to someone and then have that relationship destroyed, and I know what it’s like to lose family members. Through everything I’ve faced, God has only drawn closer to me, not fallen further away. He has been my constant. He will be the constant in your life too, even through all the changes you experience in your human relationships. • Emily Acker.• Has there ever been a relationship in your life that you thought would last forever but eventually fell apart? Have you ever had someone close to you pass away? Consider taking a moment to bring these hurts to Jesus..• God sees all our hurts, and He cares. In His great compassion, He comforts us in every loss and grieves alongside us through every heartache. And when Jesus returns, all God’s people will live in perfect harmony with Him and with each other, and our hearts will never be broken again (Revelation 21:1-5). How could these truths give us hope when we experience the loss of a human relationship?.“And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

When Jesus comes back, He’s going to make all sin go away. But you might ask, “How is He going to do that exactly? If doing wrong things is the problem and Jesus fixes it, what if someone sins again after that? I mean, I still sin even though I’m a Christian.”.If you’ve ever thought about these questions, you’re not alone. All Christians do things that are wrong. We’ll struggle with sin as long as we’re still living in a sinful world, but even so, we can live knowing that Jesus has saved us and He has promised us something better..But how can we be sure that God will complete the work He started in us? Funny as it might sound, wedding dresses can actually help us understand this. The Bible uses the image of wedding outfits to show how God saves us from sin by clothing those who trust Jesus as their Savior with His righteousness, or sinlessness. That means even though we still do wrong things, God sees us as righteous because Jesus already lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins..This idea of wedding clothing also points to God’s promise that one day, when Jesus returns and makes everything new, He’ll give us new bodies so we’ll never sin again! Kind of like how, on the day of the wedding, a bride puts on her wedding dress in the morning, even before the vows have been said. The wedding dress signals that something is about to happen that will change her life forever..In a similar way, as we wait for Jesus to return, we are dressed in our spiritual wedding clothes of righteousness. We can go to Him whenever we do something wrong and confess it, knowing He’ll forgive us because we’re already wearing His righteousness. He has already paid the price for our sins by sacrificing His own life for us on the cross. He loves us that much. So together, as people who are dressed in perfect righteousness, let’s look forward to Jesus’s return. On that day, all of creation will celebrate! • Kandi Zeller.• When you sin, do you sometimes worry that you’re not saved or that Jesus will stop loving you? If you know Jesus, you don’t have to worry because He has clothed you in His righteousness. He promises to forgive you when you do something wrong, and one day, when He returns, He’ll make you completely new so you’ll never sin again! Who are trusted Christians who could remind you of these truths when you sin? How could you remind others of Jesus’s love when they sin? .For he [God] has... draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)

When Jesus comes back, He&#8217;s going to make all sin go away. But you might/ask, “How is He going to do that exactly? If doing wrong things is the problem and Jesus fixes it, what if someone sins again after that? I mean, I still sin/even though I&#8217;m a Christian.”.If you&#8217;ve ever thought about these questions, you&#8217;re not alone. All Christians do things that are wrong. We&#8217;ll struggle with sin as long as we&#8217;re still living in a sinful world, but even so, we can live knowing that Jesus has saved us and He has promised us something better..But how can we be sure that God will complete the work He started in us? Funny as it might sound, wedding dresses can actually help us understand this. The Bible/uses the image of wedding outfits to show how God saves us from sin by clothing/those who trust Jesus as their Savior with His righteousness, or sinlessness. That means even though we still do wrong things, God sees us as righteous because Jesus already lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins..This idea of wedding clothing also points to God&#8217;s promise that one day, when Jesus returns and makes everything new, He&#8217;ll give us new bodies so we&#8217;ll never sin again! Kind of like how, on the day of the wedding, a bride puts on her wedding dress in the morning, even before the vows have been said. The wedding dress signals that something is about to happen that will change her life forever..In a similar way, as we wait for Jesus to return, we are dressed in our spiritual wedding clothes of righteousness. We can go to Him whenever we do something wrong and confess it, knowing He&#8217;ll forgive us because we&#8217;re already wearing His/righteousness. He has already paid the price for our sins by sacrificing His own life/for us on the cross. He loves us that much. So together, as people who are dressed in perfect righteousness, let&#8217;s look forward to Jesus&#8217;s return. On that day, all of creation will celebrate!/• Kandi Zeller.• When you sin, do you sometimes worry that you&#8217;re not saved or that Jesus will stop loving you? If you know Jesus, you don&#8217;t have to worry because He has clothed you in His righteousness. He promises to forgive you when you do something wrong, and one day, when He returns, He&#8217;ll make you completely new so you&#8217;ll never sin again! Who are trusted Christians who could remind you of these truths when you sin? How could you remind others of Jesus&#8217;s love when they sin? .For he [God] has&#8230; draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Isa.61.10|1Cor.13.8-1Cor.13.12|Phil.1.6

Have you ever been to a wedding, and when the ceremony was over and it was time for the reception, you had to wait a long time to eat? At the weddings I’ve been to, it’s often the custom to wait to serve the reception meal until the bride and groom arrive, and this can mean a long wait for guests because the bride and groom usually have to take pictures between the ceremony and the reception..Sometimes, all you can do is keep your hunger at bay with mints, reminding yourself that better food is coming even as your stomach growls loudly! This wedding waiting—complete with a groaning stomach—always reminds me of Romans 8:22, which mentions that creation is “groaning” until Jesus comes back. This verse is referring to how the whole world is waiting for Jesus to return..But how is creation groaning? It’s not like we hear trees crying when we go for a hike. While it’s true that we don’t typically hear creation groaning, we do see lots of things in the world that cause us to groan or cry—things like pain, death, and brokenness. Those things exist because of sin. Sin destroys everything it touches because it goes against the loving and good Creator..So, similarly to when we wait for the bride and groom to come back so we can eat and satisfy our hunger at a wedding reception, we’re waiting for Jesus to come back too. Until He does, we still have to deal with the effects of sin, so things are broken and hard—kind of like the often-questionable mints served at wedding receptions..But when Jesus returns, He’ll get rid of all the sin in the world and make everything new. One day all of creation will be made as wonderful as the delicious wedding food our stomachs groan for. The Bible says that when Jesus returns to earth, all Christians will join Him at a great feast called the wedding feast of the Lamb, because one of Jesus’s names is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). We can rejoice as we look forward to the day we will celebrate together at the wedding feast of our Lord (Revelation 19:7). • Kandi Zeller.• When Jesus returns, He’ll right every wrong and get rid of sin and all its effects. He’ll make everything new, and those who trust in Him will receive new bodies and live with Him forever in a world free from sin and death! What makes you groan as you wait for this day? What are you looking forward to most about Jesus’s return?.• We know that all creation has been groaning... for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. Romans 8:22-23 (NLT)

Have you ever been to a wedding, and when the ceremony was over and it was time for the reception, you had to wait a long time to eat? At the weddings I&#8217;ve been to, it&#8217;s often the custom to wait to serve the reception meal until the bride and groom arrive, and this can mean a long wait for guests because the bride and groom usually have to take pictures between the ceremony and the reception..Sometimes, all you can do is keep your hunger at bay with mints, reminding yourself that better food is coming even as your stomach growls loudly! This wedding waiting—complete with a groaning stomach—always reminds me of Romans 8:22, which mentions that creation is “groaning” until Jesus comes back. This verse is referring to how the whole world is waiting for Jesus to return..But how is creation groaning? It&#8217;s not like we hear trees crying when we go for a hike. While it&#8217;s true that we don&#8217;t typically hear creation groaning, we do see lots of things in the world that cause us to groan or cry—things like pain, death, and/brokenness. Those things exist because of sin. Sin destroys everything it touches because it goes against the loving and good Creator..So, similarly to when we wait for the bride and groom to come back so we can eat and satisfy our hunger at a wedding reception, we&#8217;re waiting for Jesus to come back/too. Until He does, we still have to deal with the effects of sin, so things are broken/and hard—kind of like the often-questionable mints served at wedding receptions..But when Jesus returns, He&#8217;ll get rid of all the sin in the world and make everything new. One day all of creation will be made as wonderful as the delicious wedding food our stomachs groan for. The Bible says that when Jesus returns to earth, all Christians will join Him at a great feast called the wedding feast of the Lamb, because one of Jesus&#8217;s names is “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). We can rejoice as we look forward to the day we will celebrate together at the wedding feast of our Lord (Revelation 19:7)./• Kandi Zeller.• When Jesus returns, He&#8217;ll right every wrong and get rid of sin and all its effects. He&#8217;ll make everything new,/and those who trust in Him will receive new bodies and live with Him forever in a world free from sin and death! What makes you groan as you wait for this day? What are you looking forward to most about Jesus&#8217;s return?.• We know that all creation has been groaning&#8230; for we long for our bodies to be/released from sin and suffering. Romans 8:22-23 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Rom.8.19-Rom.8.25

I was born into a family of Chinese-Singaporeans who immigrated to the United States. Throughout my life, I was exposed to different cultures and customs. My parents wanted me to know my heritage, while at school I was taught values that were more American. For example, in Chinese culture, it’s considered rude to open a gift in front of the giver, while in American culture, this is done quite often. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure how to act or how to perceive things. I didn’t know what my ultimate identity was. Should I follow the Eastern or Western way of doing things?.When I came to know Jesus, I learned that He accepts anybody as His child no matter what background they are from. There are Christians around the world speaking different languages, yet in the end, they are all children of God. So, while I can step into both familiar and unfamiliar cultures, I identify first and foremost as a Christian. I don’t have to decide between human-made cultures and borders because I know that, in the end, I am a child of God..Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, I realized that the ethics that matter most are the ones our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught. Jesus’s teachings are how I live my life today. If you are struggling with your identity right now, know that Jesus sees you, and He wants to help you. You can trust in the Lord Jesus and know that your identity will forever be with Him. • Isaac Ong.• As Christians, our identity is secure in Jesus. What can today’s Bible passages tell us about who we are in Him? Why could it be helpful to take time to remember what God says about us? .• Think about the customs you were taught by your school, guardians, and others. While it can be difficult to navigate different customs, as Christians, we get to follow Jesus first and foremost. God created diversity, so we can appreciate and enjoy our beautiful differences. Through His Word, His Spirit, and His people, He helps us discern how to interact with those around us. In differing cultural situations, such as the way we exchange gifts, neither option is sinful. And Jesus’s ministry models how we should serve the people around us, being considerate of others’ needs, traditions, and cultural contexts (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern how to follow Jesus in your own particular context?.So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

I was born into a family of Chinese-Singaporeans who immigrated to the United/States. Throughout my life, I was exposed to different cultures and customs./My parents wanted me to know my heritage, while at school I was taught values that were more American. For example, in Chinese culture, it&#8217;s considered rude/to open a gift in front of the giver, while in American culture, this is done quite often. Sometimes, I wasn&#8217;t sure how to act or how to perceive things. I didn&#8217;t know what my ultimate identity was. Should I follow the Eastern or Western way of doing things?.When I came to know Jesus, I learned that He accepts anybody as His child no matter what background they are from. There are Christians around the world speaking different languages, yet in the end, they are all children of God. So, while I can step into both familiar and unfamiliar cultures, I identify first and foremost/as a Christian. I don&#8217;t have to decide between human-made cultures and borders because I know that, in the end, I am a child of God..Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”/Therefore, I realized that the ethics that matter most are the ones our Lord and/Savior Jesus Christ taught. Jesus&#8217;s teachings are how I live my life today. If you are struggling with your identity right now, know that Jesus sees you, and He wants to help you. You can trust in the Lord Jesus and know that your identity will forever be with Him./• Isaac Ong.• As Christians, our identity is secure in Jesus. What can today&#8217;s Bible passages tell us about who we are in Him? Why could it be helpful to take time to remember what God says about us? .• Think about the customs you were taught by your school, guardians, and others. While it can be difficult to navigate different customs, as Christians, we get to follow Jesus first and foremost. God created diversity, so we can appreciate and enjoy our beautiful differences. Through His Word, His Spirit, and His people, He helps us discern how to interact with those around us. In differing cultural situations, such as the way we/exchange gifts, neither option is sinful. And Jesus&#8217;s ministry models how we should serve the people around us, being considerate of others&#8217; needs, traditions, and cultural contexts (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you discern how to follow Jesus in your own particular context?.So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:26 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.2.19-Eph.2.22|1Thess.5.5-1Thess.5.11|Gen.1.27|Gal.3.23-Gal.3.29

Here I am, LordFalling into the darknessWaiting for someone to hear my cryHere I am, wandering and brokenDealing with the pains of my past.I want to see a comebackI want to feel Your songMy soul needs to hear a note of hope.Here I am, calling to the LightFeeling Your life reachingTo my broken and healing soulFighting for a fresh, new start.Just because I’m brokenDoesn’t mean I can’t be fixedMy past is goneThere’s a brand new futureI know there’s hopeDarkness can’t stayYou’ve given me this brand new day • Corinna Kahrs.• Have you ever felt like you were stuck in darkness, longing for a new day to start? Even in those dark places, Jesus—the Light of the world—is walking with you. He loves you, and someday He will return and His light will fill the whole earth, destroying darkness forever. How could these truths bring us hope and comfort in difficult times? .• Jesus doesn’t want us to walk through difficulty alone. When you are going through a hard time, who can you talk to, such as parents, youth leaders, pastors, counselors, or friends?.For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 56:13 (CSB)

Here I am, LordFalling into the darknessWaiting for someone to hear my cryHere I am, wandering and broken Dealing with the pains of my past.I want to see a comebackI want to feel Your songMy soul needs to hear a note of hope.Here I am, calling to the Light Feeling Your life reachingTo my broken and healing soul Fighting for a fresh, new start.Just because I&#8217;m brokenDoesn&#8217;t mean I can&#8217;t be fixedMy past is goneThere&#8217;s a brand new futureI know there&#8217;s hopeDarkness can&#8217;t stayYou&#8217;ve given me this brand new day• Corinna Kahrs.• Have you ever felt like you were stuck in darkness, longing for a new day to start? Even in those dark places, Jesus—the Light of the world—is walking with you. He loves you, and someday He will return and His light/will fill the whole earth, destroying darkness forever. How could these truths bring us hope and comfort in difficult times?/.• Jesus doesn&#8217;t want us to walk through difficulty alone. When you are going through a hard time, who can you/talk to, such as parents, youth leaders, pastors, counselors, or friends? .For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 56:13 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.56|Lam.3.22-Lam.3.23|John.8.12

Several years ago, I came down with the flu. Throughout the day I could feel all the classic symptoms coming on—fever, body aches, headache, cough—but I sure didn’t want to believe it. I commanded my body, “Thou shalt not be sick!” And after work I decided to climb a mountain (a small one) to sweat that sickness right out of my system. I forced my body up the trail with a heavy backpack and even ankle weights strapped on. Sweat poured off me, my head pounded, and I finally collapsed against a boulder with my vision swimming. I could not make it to the top of that mountain, and I could not pretend that I wasn’t sick. Somehow, by God’s grace, I made it back down to the trailhead and drove home, where I staggered into bed and promptly fell asleep. I wasn’t fit to go out again for a week!.This experience reminds me of the apostle Paul in the Bible. The harder Paul tried to prove he was a good and worthy person by keeping the strict religious laws, the more obvious his failures became. His insecurity and jealousy grew, turning into judgment and even murder of others. But when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul realized that all his pretending would never make him perfect in the eyes of God. He was “sick” with sin, just like everyone else, and he couldn’t cure himself. To be well, he needed to receive the grace of Jesus..When we see our own shortcomings, we might be tempted to try to power through and make ourselves better. But our failures are symptoms of the underlying problem, which is disconnection from God. Jesus came to reconnect us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Instead of trying to make ourselves worthy of God’s love, we can rest in the truth that He already loves us, and through Jesus He made the way for us to be healed from our sin sickness. When Jesus returns and makes all things new, we won’t struggle with sin anymore. In the meantime, He has given Christians His Holy Spirit, who helps us recognize sin, turn away from it, and rely on His grace to live according to God’s good ways. And even when we fail, we can know that Jesus has already forgiven us and made us blameless in God’s sight (Colossians 1:22). • Andrew and Lydia Huntress.• Have you ever tried to pretend you were okay when you really weren’t? How might it be freeing to rest in what Jesus has done for us, instead of striving to make ourselves perfect?.“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do... I [Jesus] have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT)

Several years ago, I came down with the flu. Throughout the day I could feel all/the classic symptoms coming on—fever, body aches, headache, cough—but I sure didn&#8217;t want to believe it. I commanded my body, “Thou shalt not be sick!” And after work I decided to climb a mountain (a small one) to sweat that sickness right out of my system. I forced my body up the trail with a heavy backpack and evenankle weights strapped on. Sweat poured off me, my head pounded, and I finally/collapsed against a boulder with my vision swimming. I could not make it to the top of that mountain, and I could not pretend that I wasn&#8217;t sick. Somehow, by God&#8217;s grace, I made it back down to the trailhead and drove home, where I staggered into/bed and promptly fell asleep. I wasn&#8217;t fit to go out again for a week!.This experience reminds me of the apostle Paul in the Bible. The harder Paul tried/to prove he was a good and worthy person by keeping the strict religious laws, the more obvious his failures became. His insecurity and jealousy grew, turning into judgment and even murder of others. But when he encountered Jesus on the road/to Damascus, Paul realized that all his pretending would never make him perfect in/the eyes of God. He was “sick” with sin, just like everyone else, and he couldn&#8217;t cure himself. To be well, he needed to receive the grace of Jesus..When we see our own shortcomings, we might be tempted to try to power through and make ourselves better. But our failures are symptoms of the underlying problem, which is disconnection from God. Jesus came to reconnect us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Instead of trying to make ourselves worthy of God&#8217;s love, we can rest in the truth that He already loves us, and through Jesus He made the way for us to be healed from our sin sickness. When Jesus returns and makes all things new, we won&#8217;t struggle with sin anymore./In the meantime, He has given Christians His Holy Spirit, who helps us recognize/sin, turn away from it, and rely on His grace to live according to God&#8217;s good ways. And even when we fail, we can know that Jesus has already forgiven us and made us blameless in God&#8217;s sight (Colossians 1:22)./• Andrew and Lydia Huntress.• Have you ever tried to pretend you were okay when you really weren&#8217;t? How might it be freeing to rest in what Jesus has done for us, instead of striving to make ourselves perfect?.“Healthy people don&#8217;t need a doctor—sick people do&#8230; I [Jesus] have come to call/not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.9.10-Matt.9.13|Rom.7.21-Rom.8.14

How often do you think about words? Words are tools for describing reality, and sometimes, the reality is so deep and important, whole books of words hardly scratch the surface of the idea’s fullness. In that case, we sometimes try to come up with a single word to wrap all the parts of an idea in a tidy package..One of these big words is "atonement." This one word holds the fullness of God’s plan for your own life—and everything else in all creation. Every time we come across the word atonement, we get to remember the good news about Jesus. Something should fire in our minds about the deeper meaning of this word, our eyes open to a world where Jesus is the atonement..The English word "atone" comes from the two words: "at one." So, in my opinion, it shouldn’t be pronounced “ah-tone-ment.” Instead, we should say “at-one-ment” because atonement is reconciliation with God and being “at one” with Him. It reminds us of how Jesus’s death and resurrection turn back the clock on the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), inviting us to re-enter Eden in perfect fellowship with God. Jesus’s work of atonement completely reverses our rebellion against God’s love, majesty, and authority. His Holy Spirit moves us to agree with Him so we, too, desire that His will be done on earth and in our own lives. Through this one-ness with Him, He compels us to turn away from sin and toward loving relationship with Him..And this one-ness doesn’t just apply to our individual relationships with God—it applies to all of creation. Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, God has made the way for heaven and earth to be one, as they were in the Garden of Eden. At Jesus’s return, all will be made new. We can celebrate that in Him is found all glory and honor and power forever (Revelation 7:12)..There are many pages and books devoted to the full significance of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, but if you can remember this one little pronunciation tip, you can remember instantly that through Jesus, we can be AT ONE with God—and that is the heart of atonement. • Andrew and Lydia Huntress.• God is the source of all goodness and life, which is why being “at one” with Him is the best place to be. And through Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can live in this one-ness without having to earn or achieve it— Jesus already did the work. How could resting in this truth affect the way we interact with God and others?.He [Jesus Christ] himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 John 1:2 (NLT)

How often do you think about words? Words are tools for describing reality, and sometimes, the reality is so deep and important, whole books of words hardly scratch the surface of the idea&#8217;s fullness. In that case, we sometimes try to come up with a single word to wrap all the parts of an idea in a tidy package..One of these big words is/&#8221;atonement.&#8221; This one word holds the fullness of God&#8217;s plan for your own life—and everything else in all creation. Every time we come across the word atonement, we get to remember the good news about Jesus. Something should fire in our minds about the deeper meaning of this word, our/eyes open to a world where Jesus is/the/atonement..The English word/&#8221;atone&#8221;/comes from the two words:/&#8221;at one.&#8221; So, in my opinion, it shouldn&#8217;t be pronounced “ah-tone-ment.” Instead, we should say “at-one-ment” because atonement is reconciliation with God and being “at one” with Him. It reminds us of how Jesus&#8217;s death and resurrection turn back the clock on the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), inviting us to re-enter Eden in perfect fellowship with God. Jesus&#8217;s work of atonement completely reverses our rebellion against God&#8217;s love, majesty, and authority. His Holy Spirit moves us to agree with Him so we, too, desire that His will be done on earth and in our own lives. Through this one-ness with Him, He compels us to turn away from sin and toward loving relationship with Him..And this one-ness doesn&#8217;t just apply to our individual relationships with God—it applies to all of creation. Through Jesus&#8217;s death and resurrection, God has made the way for heaven and earth to be one, as they were in the Garden of Eden. At Jesus&#8217;s return, all will be made new. We can celebrate that in Him is found all glory and honor and power forever (Revelation 7:12)..There are many pages and books devoted to the full significance of Jesus&#8217;s atoning sacrifice on the cross, but if you can remember this one little pronunciation tip, you/can remember instantly that through Jesus, we can be AT ONE with God—and that is the heart of atonement./• Andrew and Lydia Huntress.• God is the source of all goodness and life, which is why being “at one” with Him is the best place to be. And through Jesus&#8217;s death and resurrection, we can live in this one-ness without having to earn or achieve it—/Jesus already did the work. How could resting in this truth affect the way we interact with God and others?.He [Jesus Christ] himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins/but the sins of all the world. 1 John 1:2 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1John.2.1-1John.2.2|Rom.5.8-Rom.5.19

I watched as a droplet of shimmery liquid slipped to the floor. Regrettably, I realized too late that I shouldn’t have painted my nails while sitting on the carpet. What would my landlord say about this mistake? The carpet had looked new when I moved into the apartment. Would he charge me extra for marring the property?.I tried to blot the nail polish with a tissue but then made a happy discovery. The pattern of grays, tans, and browns in the carpet seemed to welcome the cinnamon-brown polish. That one little drop fit right in, and, once it dried, it was impossible to notice the stain—for anybody except me, of course. The carpet had hidden my blunder..It’s natural to want to hide the evidence of our failings, especially if we fear punishment. But if we’ve trusted in Jesus Christ, He doesn’t just cover our sin... He completely removes the punishment of our sin and its power over us (Psalm 103:12). So now, we can live differently. We don’t have to be afraid of God’s punishment, so we don’t have to hide our failings. Once we put our faith in Jesus, who died to pay the penalty for our sins, we begin a relationship with God. So, how should we interact with our loving Father when we do wrong in His eyes?.God calls us to admit our sins to Him, to acknowledge them and not conceal them. While we might be able to hide our failures from other people, at least for a while, it’s impossible to hide things from God. He does know everything, after all. When we approach God honestly, we can experience freedom: the freedom of knowing how loved and accepted we are in Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16). Our secure identity as God’s children means we can be real with Him about our faults and flaws, and we never need to hide. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Because of Jesus, we don’t have to hide any of our failures, whether they be mistakes (like spilling nail polish on carpet) or sins (anything we do, think, or say that goes against God’s good ways, see Matthew 22:36-40). Are there any sins you feel tempted to cover up? Consider taking a moment now to confess these sins to God, thanking Him for His forgiveness through Jesus. .People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

I/watched as a droplet of shimmery liquid slipped/to the floor. Regrettably, I realized too late that/I shouldn&#8217;t have painted my nails while sitting on the carpet. What would my landlord say about this mistake? The carpet had looked new when I moved into the apartment. Would he charge me/extra for marring the property?.I tried to blot the nail polish with a tissue but then made a happy discovery. The pattern of grays, tans, and browns in the carpet seemed to welcome the cinnamon-brown polish. That one little drop fit right in, and, once it dried, it was impossible to notice the stain—for anybody except me, of course. The carpet had hidden my blunder..It&#8217;s natural to want to hide the evidence of our failings, especially if we fear punishment. But if we&#8217;ve trusted in Jesus Christ, He doesn&#8217;t just cover our sin&#8230; He completely removes the punishment of our sin and its power over us (Psalm/103:12). So now, we can live differently. We don&#8217;t have to be afraid of God&#8217;s punishment, so we don&#8217;t have to hide our failings. Once we put our faith in Jesus, who died to pay the penalty for our sins, we begin a relationship with God. So, how should we interact with our loving Father when we do wrong in His eyes?.God calls us to admit our sins to Him, to acknowledge them and not conceal them. While we might be able to hide our failures from other people, at least for a while, it&#8217;s impossible to hide things from God. He does know everything, after/all. When we approach God honestly, we can experience freedom: the freedom of knowing how loved and accepted we are in Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16). Our secure identity as God&#8217;s children means we can be real with Him about our faults and flaws, and we never need to hide./• Allison Wilson Lee.• Because of Jesus, we don&#8217;t have to hide any of our failures, whether they be mistakes (like spilling nail polish on carpet) or sins (anything we do, think, or say that goes against God&#8217;s good ways, see Matthew 22:36-40). Are there any sins you feel tempted to cover up? Consider taking a moment now to confess these sins to God, thanking Him for His forgiveness through Jesus. .People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.32.1-Ps.32.5|1John.1.7-1John.1.9|1John.4.18|Prov.28.13

Have you ever visited a bulk food store for groceries? More and more of these environmentally-conscious shops are popping up as a way to help reduce waste and save money. There are lots of items you can buy in bulk from big bins and dispensers, instead of buying these same items in small, disposable packages. In many cases, when people go to a bulk food store they bring their own glass jars or other reusable containers so they can get exactly how much they need and no more..The other advantage of these kinds of shops? They also make grocery shopping really beautiful. Rows of big bins full of rice, beans, and pasta. Colorful crates overflowing with fruits and veggies. Walls lined with dispensers filled with golden honey, crunchy cereals, and dried fruit. Shelves with dispensers of things you can’t eat but still need—like liquid shampoo and dish soap. And finally, a cart full of glass jars as colorful as the store..Whenever I go bulk shopping, I’m reminded of 2 Corinthians 4. In this Bible passage, Christians are compared to jars. Like a jar, none of us are complete unlesswe’re filled. On our own, we’re empty. We don’t love God and others, and we’re not able to save ourselves from sin and its consequences (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 3:23-24; 6:23). For us to be complete, we need Jesus to fill us. Jesus is the only One who can save us from sin and death, and there’s nothing we can do on our own to fill ourselves with His love and salvation. It’s a free gift..So, whenever I look at the jars I buy at a bulk store, I can see all the good things they’ve been filled with, and I remember all the ways Jesus has filled us with His goodness and love by the power of the Holy Spirit. • Kandi Zeller.• Read 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 and John 8:12. Even though we are “like fragile clay jars” (2 Corinthians 4:7), as Christians, how can it be comforting to know that Jesus is at work in us? .• When we put our trust in Jesus, He fills us with His goodness. We couldn’t do anything to earn the free gift of His love and salvation—that’s why He died and rose again so that we could be rescued from sin and death. His Holy Spirit lives in Christians, guaranteeing we will live forever with Jesus (Ephesians 1:14). According to 1 Timothy 1:14, what are some of the ways God fills us with His goodness? (If you want to dig deeper, read Romans 5:5-11 and Galatians 5:22-23.).We ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT)

Have you ever visited a bulk food store for groceries? More and more of these environmentally-conscious shops are popping up as a way to help reduce waste and save money. There are lots of items you can buy in bulk from big bins and dispensers, instead of buying these same items in small, disposable packages. In many cases, when people go to a bulk food store they bring their own glass jars or other reusable containers so they can get exactly how much they need and no more..The other advantage of these kinds of shops? They also make grocery shopping really beautiful. Rows of big bins full of rice, beans, and pasta. Colorful crates overflowing with fruits and veggies. Walls lined with dispensers filled with golden/honey, crunchy cereals, and dried fruit. Shelves with dispensers of things you can&#8217;t/eat but still need—like liquid shampoo and dish soap. And finally, a cart full of glass/jars as colorful as the store..Whenever I go bulk shopping, I&#8217;m reminded of 2 Corinthians 4. In this Bible passage, Christians are compared to jars. Like a jar, none of us are complete unlesswe&#8217;re filled. On our own, we&#8217;re empty. We don&#8217;t love God and others, and we&#8217;re not/able to save ourselves from sin and its consequences (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans/3:23-24; 6:23). For us to be complete, we need Jesus to fill us. Jesus is the only One/who can save us from sin and death, and there&#8217;s nothing we can do on our own to/fill ourselves with His love and salvation. It&#8217;s a free gift..So, whenever I look at the jars I buy at a bulk store, I can see all the good things/they&#8217;ve been filled with, and I remember all the ways Jesus has filled us with His goodness and love by the power of the Holy Spirit./• Kandi Zeller.• Read 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 and John 8:12. Even though we are “like fragile clay jars” (2 Corinthians 4:7), as Christians, how can it be comforting to know that Jesus is at work in us? .• When we put our trust in Jesus, He fills us with His goodness. We couldn&#8217;t do anything to earn the free gift of/His love and salvation—that&#8217;s why He died and rose again so that we could be rescued from sin and death. His Holy Spirit lives in Christians, guaranteeing we will live forever with Jesus (Ephesians 1:14). According to/1 Timothy 1:14, what are some of the ways God fills us with His goodness? (If you want to dig deeper, read/Romans 5:5-11 and Galatians 5:22-23.).We ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 2Cor.4.6-2Cor.4.7

Have you ever had an ache or pain that wouldn’t go away? It can be utterly exhausting—physically, mentally, and emotionally..I experienced this when I was pregnant with my son. Especially in the last few months of pregnancy, my belly was HUGE. It was so big that people wouldn’t believe me when I told them I still had a couple months until my due date, and they would often ask if I was having twins. When my son was born weighing just shy of ten pounds, nobody was surprised..Those last few months of pregnancy were miserable. Pain constantly shot through my back and legs from supporting the weight of my gigantic belly. No matter how I stood or sat or laid down, I was always uncomfortable. And I was tired of it..One day, in the midst of this pain and exhaustion, my husband and I went on a mini-getaway and decided to go swimming in the pool. The water was cold, but I gave it a try anyway..And as I slowly stepped down into the pool, I felt relief seep through my body for the first time in months. The water lifted the weight of my belly, and the pressure on my back eased. I took a step, and no pain ran through my leg. Standing in the cold water, I nearly cried with relief..For about an hour, I paced back and forth in that small pool, the weight of my belly finally lifted. And I felt Jesus walking alongside me, carrying my burden of pain and exhaustion. I felt His arms around me, holding the weight I had been carrying for so long. He reminded me that I can trust Him with any burden. He knew my pain (in fact, I had told Him about it several times over the past few months, often quite loudly). And He wanted me to give Him my burdens..I’ve known for a long time that I can give my burdens to Jesus. But when I walked in the pool, I felt that truth in my very body. He was with me in my pain, offering hope and comfort and strength. I needed to be reminded of that, and Jesus graciously met my need..No matter what burden you are carrying, He is with you. He died and rose again to be with you. And He is strong enough to carry the heaviest of burdens. • Taylor Eising.• What burdens are you carrying right now? Consider taking a moment to give these to Jesus in prayer. You can ask Him to remind you of the strength, hope, and comfort you have in Him..All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)

Have you ever had an ache or pain that wouldn&#8217;t go away? It can be utterly/exhausting—physically, mentally, and emotionally..I experienced this when I was pregnant with my son. Especially in the last few months of pregnancy, my belly was HUGE. It was so big that people wouldn&#8217;t believe me when I told them I still had a couple months until my due date, and they would often ask if I was having twins. When my son was born weighing just shy of ten pounds, nobody was surprised..Those last few months of pregnancy were miserable. Pain constantly shot through my back and legs from supporting the weight of my gigantic belly. No matter how I stood or sat or laid down, I was always uncomfortable. And I was tired of it..One day, in the midst of this pain and exhaustion, my husband and I went on a/mini-getaway and decided to go swimming in the pool. The water was cold, but I gave it a try anyway..And as I slowly stepped down into the pool, I felt relief seep through my body for/the first time in months. The water lifted the weight of my belly, and the pressure/on my back eased. I took a step, and no pain ran through my leg. Standing in the cold water, I nearly cried with relief..For about an hour, I paced back and forth in that small pool, the weight of my/belly finally lifted. And I felt Jesus walking alongside me, carrying my burden of pain and exhaustion. I felt His arms around me, holding the weight I had been carrying/for so long. He reminded me that I can trust Him with any burden. He knew my pain (in fact, I had told Him about it several times over the past few months, often quite loudly). And He wanted me to give Him my burdens..I&#8217;ve known for a long time that I can give my burdens to Jesus. But when I walked/in the pool, I felt that truth in my very body. He was with me in my pain, offering/hope and comfort and strength. I needed to be reminded of that, and Jesus graciously met my need..No matter what burden you are carrying, He is with you. He died and rose again to be with you. And He is strong enough to carry the heaviest of burdens./• Taylor Eising.• What burdens are you carrying right now? Consider taking a moment to give these to Jesus in prayer. You can ask Him to remind you of the strength, hope, and comfort you have in Him..All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Pet.5.7|2Cor.1.3|Ps.55.22|Matt.11.28-Matt.11.30

Have you ever wondered how to go about sharing your faith with friends and family? It can be scary and a bit confusing, but God isready to help us..Sharing Jesus with others involves more than talking. It involves the ways our whole lives—both our words and our actions—show the good news of Jesus. In very practical terms, it’s important that while we share our faith we don’t try to change people. Instead, we let our actions show them how Jesus is changing us. As we do this, we can rest in God’s love. Our lives can impact those around us, not because we make anything happen inside them, but because God is the One doing the work in each of us (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)..Sharing our faith isn’t about being perfect either. In fact, because we still have our sinful natures until Jesus returns, we will absolutely mess up—in both what we say and what we do. But the good news is, when we fail to love God and others well, all we need to do is talk to Jesus, apologize to those we’ve hurt, and rely on Jesus to help us turn away from sinful behavior. We can move forward in faith because we know that our sins are forgiven through Jesus’s death and resurrection..So today, sharing our faith starts with resting in God’s love for us. As we lean into relationship with Jesus, we grow to become more and more like Him... more kind, more compassionate, more trustworthy. And this is a lifelong process. So, when we share God’s love with others, it’s because God loved us first (1 John 4:19). We get to invite people to know the One who loves them unconditionally and wants to have a close relationship with them forever. • A. W. Smith.• Who would you like to share your faith with? Consider taking a moment to pray for them and ask God: "What might a conversation about faith look like with this particular person? How could my actions communicate Your love to them?" Then, write down anything that comes to mind. .• Who are trusted, mature Christians in your life you could talk with about good ways to share Jesus’s love through your words and actions?.Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

Have you ever wondered how to go about sharing your faith with friends and family? It can be scary and a bit confusing, but God isready to help us..Sharing Jesus with others involves more than talking. It involves the ways our whole lives—both our words and our actions—show the good news of Jesus. In very practical terms, it&#8217;s important that while we share our faith we don&#8217;t try to change people. Instead, we let our actions show them how Jesus is changing/us. As we do this, we can rest in God&#8217;s love. Our lives can impact those around us, not because we make anything happen inside them, but because God is the One doing the work in each of us (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)..Sharing our faith isn&#8217;t about being perfect either. In fact, because we still have our sinful natures until Jesus returns, we will absolutely mess up—in both what we say and what we do. But the good news is, when we fail to love God and others well, all we need to do is talk to Jesus, apologize to those we&#8217;ve hurt, and rely on Jesus to/help us turn away from sinful behavior. We can move forward in faith because we know that our sins are forgiven through Jesus&#8217;s death and resurrection..So today, sharing our faith starts with resting in God&#8217;s love for us. As we lean into relationship with Jesus, we grow to become more and more like Him&#8230; more kind, more compassionate, more trustworthy. And this is a lifelong process. So, when we/share God&#8217;s love with others, it&#8217;s because God loved us first (1 John 4:19). We get to/invite people to know the One who loves them unconditionally and wants to have a close relationship with them forever./• A. W. Smith.• Who would you like to share your faith with? Consider taking a moment to pray for them and ask God:/&#8221;What might a conversation about faith look like with this particular person? How could my actions communicate Your love to them?&#8221;/Then, write down anything that comes to mind. .• Who are trusted, mature Christians in your life you could talk with about good ways to share Jesus&#8217;s love through your words and actions?.Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Col.3.12-Col.3.17|1Pet.3.15|Col.4.5

Have you ever wondered why there is always a war going on somewhere? War causes so much death, so much destruction. It ravages the land, destroying plants, animals, and towns... but the greatest tragedy of war is the loss of human life. From powerful leaders to low-ranking soldiers to defenseless civilians—including the elderly, small children, and even infants—so many people are killed in the chaos of the fighting. And even the survivors are left with scars, both visible and invisible. God sees all this suffering, and He weeps..War might be described as a sickness caused by sin. Sin infected our world when humans first rejected God. Now, hatred and violence and greed are wreaking havoc everywhere. And yet, God has not abandoned His creation. He still loves us, and He wants to make us well and forgive all our wrongdoing. That’s why God became human and lived among us. Jesus came into our sin-sick world, and when His followers realized He was the Messiah, the Rescuer who God had promised, they thought Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman empire and free Israel from the nation that had conquered them. But Jesus didn’t do that. Instead, He let Himself be put to death on a Roman cross. And in doing so, He did something far greater than overthrowing an empire..When Jesus gave up His life on that cross, He gave us the cure for sin. When Jesus died, He beat sin, and when He rose from the grave, He beat sin’s consequence, which is death. Now, He invites all of us to come to Him and be free of our sin sickness. We can trust and follow Him as our Savior by putting our faith in His death and resurrection (Romans 10:9)..Without Jesus, we are all sick with the sin that’s in our hearts, and the whole world is sick too. But Jesus promises to cure the whole world of sin. When He returns, He will make everything new. Then war—and everything else caused by sin—will be gone for good (Revelation 21:1-5)..In the meantime, when we put our trust in Jesus, He rescues us from sin and death, makes us new, and begins the healing work of putting His love and peace in our hearts, moving us toward wholeness. Whenever we encounter the pain and destruction of terrible things like war, we can come to Jesus. He weeps with us, grieving all the suffering caused by sin and holding us close (Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 15:20; John 11:35)..As Jesus’s people, we can share His love and peace with others, taking part in God’s good work of bringing wholeness and reconciliation to all of creation. We can care for our neighbors and love them well, even when the world is in turmoil. And even though we will do things imperfectly, we can take great comfort in the fact that God is so good that He is working all things to draw people to Himself and transform us to become more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). One day, war will be no more, for the universe is ruled by Jesus, the Healer of our sin sickness and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 2:1-5; 9:6). • A. W. Smith.• To learn more about the cure for the sickness of sin, check out our "Know Jesus" page..• Where have you seen the devastating effects of war? Consider taking a moment to come to Jesus in prayer, bringing Him all the pain, frustration, and confusion... and imagine Him weeping with you over all the things that are wrong. .• When we wonder how God could allow such terrible things to happen, how could the gospel (the good news about Jesus) reveal God’s great love and tender compassion for His creation? .• As you encounter the effects of sin in our broken world, remember that God doesn’t dismiss our questions and doubts; rather, He invites us to wrestle with Him. Who are trusted Christians you feel comfortable talking to about these things? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future..• Since Christians follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, how can we treat our neighbors and communities in ways that show His love and care, even in the midst of the conflict of our world?.“Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; my peace I give you.” John 14:27a (NIV)

Have you ever wondered why there is always a war going on somewhere? War causes so much death, so much destruction. It ravages the land, destroying plants, animals, and towns&#8230; but the greatest tragedy of war is the loss of human life. From powerful leaders to low-ranking soldiers to defenseless civilians—including the elderly, small children, and even infants—so many people are killed in the chaos of the fighting. And even the survivors are left with scars, both visible and invisible. God sees all this suffering, and He weeps..War might be described as a sickness caused by sin. Sin infected our world when/humans first rejected God. Now, hatred and violence and greed are wreaking havoc/everywhere. And yet, God has not abandoned His creation. He still loves us, and He wants to make us well and forgive all our wrongdoing. That&#8217;s why God became human and lived among us. Jesus came into our sin-sick world, and when His followers realized He was the Messiah, the Rescuer who God had promised, they/thought Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman empire and free Israel from the nation that had conquered them. But Jesus didn&#8217;t do that. Instead, He let Himself be put to death on a Roman cross. And in doing so, He did something far greater than overthrowing an empire..When Jesus gave up His life on that cross, He gave us the cure for sin. When Jesus died, He beat sin, and when He rose from the grave, He beat sin&#8217;s consequence, which is death. Now, He invites all of us to come to Him and be free of our sin sickness. We can trust and follow Him as our Savior by putting our faith in His death and resurrection (Romans 10:9)..Without Jesus, we are all sick with the sin that&#8217;s in our hearts, and the whole world is sick too. But Jesus promises to cure the whole world of sin. When He returns, He will make everything new. Then war—and everything else caused by sin—will be gone for good (Revelation 21:1-5)..In the meantime, when we put our trust in Jesus, He rescues us from sin and death, makes us new, and begins the healing work of putting His love and peace in our hearts, moving us toward wholeness. Whenever we encounter the pain and destruction of terrible things like war, we can come to Jesus. He weeps with us, grieving all the suffering caused by sin and holding us close (Matthew 11:28-30;/Luke 15:20; John 11:35)..As Jesus&#8217;s people, we can share His love and peace with others, taking part in God&#8217;s good work of bringing wholeness and reconciliation to all of creation. We can care for our neighbors and love them well, even when the world is in turmoil. And even though we will do things imperfectly, we can take great comfort in the/fact that God is so good that He is working all things to draw people to Himself and transform us to become more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). One day, war will be no more, for the universe is ruled by Jesus, the Healer of our sin sickness and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 2:1-5; 9:6)./• A. W. Smith.• To learn more about the cure for the sickness of sin, check out our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page..• Where have you seen the devastating effects of war? Consider taking a moment to come to Jesus in prayer, bringing Him all the pain, frustration, and confusion&#8230; and imagine Him weeping with you over all the things/that are wrong. .• When we wonder how God could allow such terrible things to happen, how could the gospel (the good news about Jesus) reveal God&#8217;s great love and tender compassion for His creation? .• As you encounter the effects of sin in our broken world, remember that God doesn&#8217;t dismiss our questions/and doubts; rather, He invites us to wrestle with Him. Who are trusted Christians you feel comfortable talking to about these things? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future..• Since Christians follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, how can we treat our neighbors and communities in ways/that show His love

Standing on the peak of the mountain outcropping, Shalish scanned the battlefield. The noonday sun glinted off armor as the battle raged on in the valley below. Lord Nissi, the great voice who had led them through both sea and desert, had trained Shalish and several of her friends for years. But the throes of their first combat were more taxing than they had imagined..Yet Shalish was positioned above the battlefield for a reason. Lord Nissi had given her a gold cord to wear around her wrist, saying, “My presence goes with you. Remember me.” Now, when Shalish kept her cord raised above her head, their victory seemed sure. But her right hand had long since fallen asleep, and her muscles spasmed as she struggled to keep her wrist high above her head. She trembled at the thought that keeping her gold cord raised would be the difference between victory and defeat..When she had momentarily lowered her hand an hour ago, it had almost cost Ezrah his life. Shalish could only watch in horror as the enemy’s sword slashed just below the gap in his armor, Ezrah’s crimson blood flowing..Ezrah and Merea were two of her closest friends. Shalish scanned the battlefield for Merea’s fiery red curls, concerned that she had not seen her friend in a while. But then another spasm shot through her arm, and in despair she cried out, “Lord Nissi, my strength has run dry—please, help your people!”.A gentle footfall caused Shalish to whirl around, her right hand still raised, her sword at the ready in her left. “Shay, you need help.” Merea’s brown eyes reflected concern..“But Merea, you’re needed on the battlefield!”.“I’m needed right here.” Merea reached up and intertwined her bronze cord with Shalish’s gold one, supporting the weight of her friend’s arm. Shalish felt immediate relief, and she let out a sigh as she leaned on her friend..Sunset was quickly approaching, and the task of keeping the cords held high over the battle was once more becoming too difficult. But then, Ezrah wordlessly joined them on the mountain, tying his silver cord to theirs. Shalish couldn’t even lift her head, and Merea laughed in delirious relief. Supported by her friends, Shalish felt Lord Nissi’s presence around them..As the setting sun splashed vivid pinks, golds, and dark hues of purple across the sky, a cry of victory rang out. Ezrah smiled at his friends, joy etched on his glistening face. Then he reminded them of Lord Nissi’s words: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." • Savannah Coleman.• Today’s allegorical story is based on Exodus 17, when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites. God had just delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. When they came to the Red Sea, God told Moses to raise his staff, and God parted the waters so the people could pass through. Yet, not long after this, the people asked, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (verse 7). So, when the Amalekites attacked, Moses stood over the battle on the top of the hill with the staff of God raised in his hands (verse 9). Whenever Moses’s hands lowered, the Israelites started losing the fight (verse 11), and he inevitably grew tired. Thankfully, Moses had two friends, Aaron and Hur, to help hold his hands up as he held the staff until the battle was won (verses 12-13). Then Moses built an altar and called it “Yahweh Nissi” which means “The Lord is my banner” (verse 15). (The Hebrew word for "banner" is very similar to the word for "staff.") God had saved His people once again and confirmed that He was indeed with them. Can you think of a time you were reminded of God’s presence with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. .• In Exodus 17, we catch a glimpse of the gospel, God’s plan to deliver His people from sin and death. Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). When He went to the cross for us, His hands were stretched out—kind of like Moses’s hands were stretched out when he held up his staff. So, whenever we start to wonder, “Is God with us or not?” we can look to Jesus. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, defeating sin and death so that God’s people can live with Him forever. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are part of God’s people! How can we remind each other that Jesus is with us, especially when life gets really hard? .• Who are trusted Christians in your life who can remind you of the good news about Jesus, support you in following His good ways, and help shoulder your burdens? Who can you support in this way? (Galatians 6:1-10; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:10-12).Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

Standing on the peak of the mountain outcropping, Shalish scanned the/battlefield. The noonday sun glinted off armor as the battle raged on in the valley/below. Lord Nissi, the great voice who had led them through both sea and desert, had trained Shalish and several of her friends for years. But the throes of their first combat were more taxing than they had imagined..Yet Shalish was positioned above the battlefield for a reason. Lord Nissi had/given her a gold cord to wear around her wrist, saying, “My presence goes with you. Remember me.” Now, when Shalish kept her cord raised above her head, their victory seemed sure. But her right hand had long since fallen asleep, and her muscles spasmed as she struggled to keep her wrist high above her head. She/trembled at the thought that keeping her gold cord raised would be the difference between victory and defeat..When she had momentarily lowered her hand an hour ago, it had almost cost/Ezrah his life. Shalish could only watch in horror as the enemy&#8217;s sword slashed just below the gap in his armor, Ezrah&#8217;s crimson blood flowing..Ezrah and Merea were two of her closest friends. Shalish scanned the battlefield for Merea&#8217;s fiery red curls, concerned that she had not seen her friend in a while. But then another spasm shot through her arm, and in despair she cried out, “Lord Nissi, my strength has run dry—please, help your people!”.A gentle footfall caused Shalish to whirl around, her right hand still raised, her sword/at the ready in her left. “Shay, you need help.” Merea&#8217;s brown eyes reflected concern..“But Merea, you&#8217;re needed on the battlefield!”.“I&#8217;m needed right here.” Merea reached up and intertwined her bronze cord with/Shalish&#8217;s gold one, supporting the weight of her friend&#8217;s arm. Shalish felt immediate relief, and she let out a sigh as she leaned on her friend..Sunset was quickly approaching, and the task of keeping the cords held high over/the battle was once more becoming too difficult. But then, Ezrah wordlessly joined/them on the mountain, tying his silver cord to theirs. Shalish couldn&#8217;t even lift her head, and Merea laughed in delirious relief. Supported by her friends, Shalish felt Lord Nissi&#8217;s presence around them..As the setting sun splashed vivid pinks, golds, and dark hues of purple across the/sky, a cry of victory rang out. Ezrah smiled at his friends, joy etched on his glistening/face. Then he reminded them of Lord Nissi&#8217;s words: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.&#8221; • Savannah Coleman.• Today&#8217;s allegorical story is based on Exodus 17, when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites. God had just delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. When they came to the Red Sea, God told Moses to raise his/staff, and God parted the waters so the people could pass through. Yet, not long after this, the people/asked, “Is the/Lord/among us or not?” (verse 7). So, when the Amalekites attacked, Moses stood over the/battle on the top of the hill with the staff of God raised in his hands (verse 9). Whenever Moses&#8217;s hands lowered, the Israelites started losing the fight (verse 11), and he inevitably grew tired. Thankfully, Moses had two friends, Aaron and Hur, to help hold his hands up as he held the staff until the battle was won (verses/12-13). Then Moses built an altar and called it “Yahweh Nissi” which means “The/Lord/is my banner” (verse 15). (The Hebrew word for/&#8221;banner&#8221;/is very similar to the word for/&#8221;staff.&#8221;) God had saved His people once again/and confirmed that He was indeed with them. Can you think of a time you were reminded of God&#8217;s presence/with you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. .• In Exodus 17, we catch a glimpse of the gospel, God&#8217;s plan to deliver His people from sin and death. Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). When He went to the cross for us

Shepherds were not held in high regard in ancient Israel. They spent most of their time outdoors, the sheep didn’t smell great, and the job could be pretty dull... until it wasn’t. One part of a shepherd’s job was to defend the flock against wild animals looking for a meal. Shepherds had to protect the sheep and guide them to safe pastures..In the Old Testament, David was a shepherd before he was Israel’s king. When God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, David had to be called in from the field because he was watching the sheep. As the youngest son, he wasn’t even around when Samuel first arrived to see Jesse’s family and anoint the future king. After all, someone had to watch and defend the sheep, and that job fell to the youngest son, David..In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently called a shepherd. Hefulfilled Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would shepherd God’s people, including a poem/song written by David: Psalm 23. Like David guided sheep, Jesus guides us. In fact, Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. While every human leader fails, Jesus is the perfect and trustworthy leader. He shows us what it looks like to walk in “paths of righteousness” in our lives, and He walks with us (Psalm 23:3-4)..Like David protected his sheep—even fending off a lion and a bear—Jesus protects His people. Jesus performed the ultimate act of sacrifice a shepherd could do. When we were trapped in the jaws of sin, Jesus laid down His life for us. But even death couldn’t stop the Good Shepherd. He rose from the dead, and then He shared the victory over death with His flock in the resurrection so that we can be with our Shepherd in the new creation forever. • Naomi Zylstra.• In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd? .• Jesus often associates with outcasts. In Luke 2:8-20, why do you think God chose to announce Jesus’s birth to a group of shepherds? .• If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 17:34-36; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15, 22; Mark 6:34..“I [Jesus] am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (WEB)

Shepherds were not held in high regard in ancient Israel. They spent most of their time outdoors, the sheep didn&#8217;t smell great, and the job could be pretty dull&#8230; until it wasn&#8217;t. One part of a shepherd&#8217;s job was to defend the flock against wild animals looking for a meal. Shepherds/had to protect the sheep and guide them to safe pastures..In the Old Testament, David was a shepherd before he was Israel&#8217;s king. When God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint one of Jesse&#8217;s sons,/David had to be called in from the field because he was watching the/sheep. As the youngest son, he wasn&#8217;t even around when Samuel first arrived to see Jesse&#8217;s family and anoint the future king. After all,/someone had to watch and defend the sheep, and that job fell to the youngest son, David..In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently called a shepherd. Hefulfilled Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would shepherd God&#8217;s people, including a poem/song written by David: Psalm 23. Like David guided sheep, Jesus guides us. In fact, Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. While every human leader fails, Jesus is the perfect and trustworthy leader. He shows us what it looks like to walk in “paths of righteousness” in our lives, and He walks with us (Psalm 23:3-4)..Like David protected his sheep—even fending off a lion and a bear—Jesus protects His people. Jesus performed the ultimate act of sacrifice a shepherd could/do. When we were trapped in the jaws of sin, Jesus laid down His life for us. But even death couldn&#8217;t stop the Good Shepherd. He rose from the dead, and then He shared the victory over death with His flock in the resurrection so that we can be/with our Shepherd in the new creation forever./• Naomi Zylstra.• In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd? .• Jesus often associates with outcasts. In Luke 2:8-20, why do you think God chose to announce Jesus&#8217;s birth to a group of shepherds? .• If you want to dig deeper, read 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 17:34-36; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15, 22; Mark 6:34..“I [Jesus] am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”/John 10:11 (WEB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.23|John.10.10-John.10.16

"Does God really love me?” If we’re honest, this is a question we ask often. And the answer is a resounding yes! God loves us very much! But what do we do when it doesn’t feel like God loves us? One thing we can do is remember the evidence of God’s love for us. After all, He knows we need reminders, and He doesn’t scold us for needing to hear it again and again. In fact, God loves to remind us of His love..1. God made us. And that’s just one of the reasons why we can know that He loves us and we matter to Him. He created each of us on purpose, and He was delighted to do it..2. God’s love for us is unstoppable. God didn’t stop loving us when humanity rejected Him. Just the opposite. His great love for the world compelled Him to give Jesus, His very own Son, to die on the cross to save us from sin. Nothing, not even death, could stop His love. We know this because after three days, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever!.3. God has made us His own. As Christians, we belong to Him. When we put our trust in Jesus, He makes us new people and gives us important work to do in His kingdom. In fact, the book of Ephesians in the Bible calls us God’s handiwork—His masterpiece or artwork..4. God cares about what happens to us. When we suffer, He weeps. And He promises to work all things for the good of His people. Jesus will return one day to make everything new, free from sin and healed from all the brokenness sin causes..5. God is with us now. As we wait for Jesus to return bodily to earth, He is still present with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people..It’s easy to forget God’s love for us, especially when we hear the cruel words of others or when we experience heartbreaking situations. But, as Christians, we can rest in God’s love for us by remembering how God made us because it pleased Him to do so, and how God became human to dwell among us. He (Jesus) was willing to die on the cross for us. Then He rose again three days later to beat death, and He promises to return to be with us forever. Even now, His loving presence is always with us. No matter what, we can know that we are each an important part of God’s kingdom and family—we have a purpose and place because we belong to Jesus. And, as we rest in God’s unshakable love for us, we get to be part of sharing His love with others. • A. W. Smith.• Which of the five evidences of God’s love listed above resonates with you most today? Why? .For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10a (NIV)

&#8220;Does God really love me?” If we&#8217;re honest, this is a question we ask often. And the answer is a resounding yes! God loves us very much! But what do we do when it doesn&#8217;t feel like God loves us? One thing we can do is remember the evidence of God&#8217;s love for us. After all, He knows we need reminders, and He doesn&#8217;t scold us for needing to hear it again and again. In fact, God loves to remind us of His love..1. God made us./And that&#8217;s just one of the reasons why we can know that He loves us and we matter to Him. He created each of us on purpose, and He was delighted to do it..2. God&#8217;s love for us is unstoppable./God didn&#8217;t stop loving us when humanity rejected Him. Just the opposite. His great love for the world compelled Him to give Jesus, His very own Son, to die on the cross to save us from sin. Nothing, not even death, could stop His love. We know this because after three days, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever!.3. God has made us His own./As Christians, we belong to Him. When we put our trust in Jesus, He makes us new people and gives us important work to do in His kingdom. In fact, the book of Ephesians in the Bible calls us God&#8217;s handiwork—His masterpiece or artwork..4. God cares about what happens to us./When we suffer, He weeps. And He/promises to work all things for the good of His people. Jesus will return one day to make everything new, free from sin and healed from all the brokenness sin causes..5. God is with us now./As we wait for Jesus to return bodily to earth, He is still present with us through His Spirit, His Word, and His people..It&#8217;s easy to forget God&#8217;s love for us, especially when we hear the cruel words of/others or when we experience heartbreaking situations. But, as Christians, we can rest in God&#8217;s love for us by remembering how God made us because it pleased Him to do so, and how God became human to dwell among us. He (Jesus) was willing to die on the cross for us. Then He rose again three days later to beat death, and He promises to return to be with us forever. Even now, His loving presence is always with us. No matter what, we can know that we are each an important part of God&#8217;s kingdom and family—we have a purpose and place because we belong to Jesus. And, as we rest in God&#8217;s unshakable love for us, we get to be part of sharing His love with others./• A. W. Smith.• Which of the five evidences of God&#8217;s love listed above resonates with you most today? Why?/.For we are God&#8217;s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10a (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Zeph.3.17|John.3.16|Eph.2.8-Eph.2.10

I am a full-fledged adult, and I still don’t feel like I know what to do when I let people down. Of course, I understand that we live in a world that’s been broken by sin so we all hurt others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. That’s just part of life until Jesus returns. But letting others down still gets to me. As a Christian, I know that I’m supposed to be reflecting Jesus, but when I let the people around me down, I feel like I’m failing both them and Jesus..Sometimes, we just mess things up entirely. Sin gets in the way, and we let down the people we love. What then? We can apologize and seek forgiveness, but what if we still feel gross? Then we can look again to Jesus and be reminded of the value He sees in us. In fact, looking toward Jesus should be the first thing we do when we fail.Jesus died on the cross for us, knowing that we all mess up again and again. That didn’t stop Jesus from sacrificing His life and inviting us to join in His resurrection. God knows that we sin, and He readily offers forgiveness..Whenever we fall, Jesus wants to pick us back up and help us turn away from our sin. We don’t have to live under the crushing weight of guilt and shame, because Jesus has set us free (Psalms 32:1-5; 34:5)..It helps me to remember that God sees the value in me, even when I don’t see it in myself. He made me on purpose, and despite any mistakes I make or anything I do wrong, I still bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27). • Naomi Zylstra.• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are totally forgiven from all our sins—past, present, and future. Even so, when we mess up and let others down—either by sinning or just by making a mistake—we often feel gross. How could it be helpful to turn to Jesus in these times and remember how He sees us? (Ephesians 1:4-14; 2:4-10).• Sometimes, we let others down even when we don’t do anything wrong. They might have expectations or desires that we cannot meet, and this can be difficult to navigate. Even Jesus experienced people being disappointed in Him, so He can empathize with us. He grieves our hurts with us, holding us close and reassuring us of His unconditional love. If you’re struggling with letting people down, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about this?.Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

I am a full-fledged adult, and I still don&#8217;t feel like I/know what to do when I let people down. Of course, I understand that we live in a world that&#8217;s been broken by sin so we all hurt others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. That&#8217;s just part of life until Jesus returns. But letting others down still gets to me. As a Christian, I know that I&#8217;m supposed to be reflecting Jesus, but when I let the people around/me down, I feel like I&#8217;m failing both them and Jesus..Sometimes, we just mess things up entirely. Sin gets in the way, and we let down the people we love. What then? We can apologize and/seek forgiveness, but what if we still feel gross? Then we can look again to Jesus and be reminded of the value He sees in us. In fact, looking toward Jesus should/be the first thing we do when we fail.Jesus died on the cross for us, knowing that we all mess up again and again. That/didn&#8217;t stop Jesus from sacrificing His life and inviting us to join in His resurrection. God knows that we sin, and He readily offers forgiveness..Whenever we fall, Jesus wants to pick us back up and help us turn away from our sin. We don&#8217;t have to live under the crushing weight of guilt and shame, because Jesus has set us free (Psalms 32:1-5; 34:5)..It helps me to remember that God sees the value in me, even when I don&#8217;t see it in myself. He made me on purpose, and despite any mistakes I make or anything I do wrong, I still bear God&#8217;s image (Genesis 1:27)./• Naomi Zylstra.• Once we&#8217;ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that we are totally forgiven from all our sins—past, present, and future. Even so, when we mess up and let others down—either by sinning or just by making a mistake— we often feel gross. How could it be helpful to turn to Jesus in these times and remember how He sees us? (Ephesians 1:4-14; 2:4-10) .• Sometimes, we let others down even when we don&#8217;t do anything wrong. They might have expectations or/desires that we cannot meet, and this can be difficult to navigate. Even Jesus experienced people being/disappointed in Him, so He can empathize with us. He grieves our hurts with us, holding us close and reassuring us of His unconditional love. If you&#8217;re struggling with letting people down, who are trusted Christians in your life you could talk to about this? .Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.4.32|Eph.1.4-Eph.1.14|Eph.2.4-Eph.2.10|Eph.4.21-Eph.4.25

The human body is amazing! Did you know that the human heart, which is only about as big as a clenched fist, pumps over 4,000 gallons of blood a day? Or that human eyes are protected by seven interlocking bones? Or that the palms of your hands are sort of skid-proof so you can get a grip on things? God created the human body in His image with the ability to do amazing things..His great handiwork is nothing to laugh about. But sometimes, we as humans say things that aren’t respectful about the human body, even mocking others whose bodies look different from ours..That’s not how God wants us to treat the people He created. He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to live among us as a human, physical body and all. Out of love, Jesus died for us. When we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us new hearts—not physical hearts that pump blood, but hearts that are cleansed from sin, no longer hard and stubborn but tender and responsive, eager to follow God’s good ways (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 22:36-40)..And one day, God is also going to give us new physical bodies. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, all God’s people will be raised to life when Jesus returns, and our new bodies will be free from sin, sickness, and death..Because God created us with care and provided us with such amazing bodies, we need to treat our bodies—and everyone else’s—with respect. Our human bodies remind us how much God loves us and all He’s done for us... and what He promises to do for us in the future. • A. W. Smith.• What amazes you the most about the human body? Consider taking a moment to thank God for creating us this way. .• Read Hebrews 4:14-16. God became human, so Jesus knows what it’s like to be human in a world that’s broken by sin and its effects. And He promises that those who know Him as their Savior will be raised bodily when He makes all things new. How might these truths affect the way we view ourselves and others, including our bodies? .• Have you ever been tempted to make fun of other people’s bodies or your own body? You can ask Jesus to forgive you for the times you didn’t treat people He loves, and their bodies, with respect, and you can rest in the assurance that His death and resurrection have already paid the price for your sin. .God created human beings in his own image. Genesis 1:27a (NLT)

The human body is amazing! Did you know that the human heart, which is only about as big as a clenched fist, pumps over 4,000 gallons of blood a day? Or that human eyes are protected by seven interlocking bones? Or that the palms of your hands are sort of skid-proof so you can get a grip on things? God created the human body in His image with the ability to do amazing things..His great handiwork is nothing to laugh about. But sometimes, we as humans say things that aren&#8217;t respectful about the human body, even mocking others whose bodies look different from ours..That&#8217;s not how God wants us to treat the people He created. He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to live among us as a human, physical body and all. Out of love, Jesus died for us. When we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us new hearts—not physical hearts that pump blood, but hearts that are cleansed from sin, no longer hard and stubborn but tender and responsive, eager to follow God&#8217;s good ways/(Ezekiel 36:25-27; Matthew 22:36-40)..And one day, God is also going to give us new physical bodies. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, all God&#8217;s people will be raised to life when Jesus returns, and our new bodies will be free from sin, sickness, and death..Because God created us with care and provided us with such amazing bodies, we/need to treat our bodies—and everyone else&#8217;s—with respect. Our human bodies remind us how much God loves us and all He&#8217;s done for us&#8230; and what He promises to do for us in the future./• A. W. Smith.• What amazes you the most about the human body? Consider taking a moment to thank God for creating us this way. .• Read Hebrews 4:14-16. God became human, so Jesus knows what it&#8217;s like to be human in a world that&#8217;s/broken by sin and its effects. And He promises that those who know Him as their Savior will be raised bodily when He makes all things new. How might these truths affect the way we view ourselves and others, including our bodies? .• Have you ever been tempted to make fun of other people&#8217;s bodies or your own body? You can ask Jesus to forgive you for the times you didn&#8217;t treat people He loves, and their bodies, with respect, and you can rest in the assurance that His death and resurrection have already paid the price for your sin. .God created human beings in his own image. Genesis 1:27a (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Gen.1.27|Ps.139.13-Ps.139.16|Eph.5.1-Eph.5.4

Have you ever dealt with an ant infestation? If you start noticing a couple ants creeping in the cracks, it might not seem like a big deal. But if you ignore the problem, it will only get worse. Soon you’ll have ants all over—in your bathroom, in your bedroom, in your kitchen, even in your food! An ant infestation is a big problem; it can even make people sick. So, what can you do to handle an infestation? One way is to set a certain kind of trap that has poison inside. The ants think the poison is food, so they bring it home for all the other ants to eat, and it kills them..Bitterness is a lot like an ant infestation. Bitterness can creep in when we face a difficult or hurtful situation and we’re not able to process it. If we try not to feel the pain of a hard situation, it doesn’t work. That’s like trying to kill ants one by one—they keep coming back!.Instead, when we experience the beginnings of bitterness, we can go directly to whatever its source may be. How? By coming to Jesus. He invites us to share our hurts and all our difficult feelings with Him. Because Jesus is both fully human and fully God, He knows firsthand what it feels like to suffer in a world broken by sin, and so we can bring everything we’re feeling to Him (Hebrews 4:14-16). He will weep with us and remind us that He never leaves us..As we share our hurts with Jesus, we can also ask Him to remind us of His goodness. When we look to Jesus and remember how He saved us through dying on the cross and rising from the dead, the gospel can give us hope, opening the door for bitterness to turn to thankfulness..As we work through our bitterness with Jesus, we may still feel sad—or have any number of strong emotions about the difficult or heartbreaking situations we’ve experienced. But even in these times, we can rest in Jesus’s love for us, remembering His promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and to one day make all things new—free from the suffering and death that are in our world because of sin (Revelation 21:1-5). It’s also important for us to reach out to trusted people in our lives (such as therapists, parents, pastors, etc.) to help us process difficult emotions and address any situations that need to change..So, when bitterness starts to creep into our lives, we don’t have to be afraid to go to whatever its source may be. We can face hard things with Jesus, the One who heals our hurts and sets us free. • A. W. Smith.• Who are trusted people you can reach out to when you’re facing difficult situations and having trouble processing them?.[Jesus] understands our weaknesses... So let us come boldly to... God. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)

Have you ever dealt with an ant infestation? If you start noticing a couple ants creeping in the cracks, it might not seem like a big deal. But if you ignore the problem, it will only get worse. Soon you&#8217;ll have ants all over—in your bathroom, in your bedroom, in your kitchen, even in your food! An ant infestation is a big problem; it can even make people sick. So, what can you do to handle an infestation? One way is to set a certain kind of trap that has poison inside. The ants think the poison is food, so they bring it home for all the other ants to eat, and it kills them..Bitterness is a lot like an ant infestation. Bitterness can creep in when we face a/difficult or hurtful situation and we&#8217;re not able to process it. If we try not to feel the/pain of a hard situation, it doesn&#8217;t work. That&#8217;s like trying to kill ants one by one—they keep coming back!.Instead, when we experience the beginnings of bitterness, we can go directly to/whatever its source may be. How? By coming to Jesus. He invites us to share ourhurts and all our difficult feelings with Him. Because Jesus is both fully human and fully God, He knows firsthand what it feels like to suffer in a world broken by sin, and/so we can bring everything we&#8217;re feeling to Him (Hebrews 4:14-16). He will weep with us and remind us that He never leaves us..As we share our hurts with Jesus, we can also ask Him to remind us of His goodness. When we look to Jesus and remember how He saved us through dying on the cross and rising from the dead, the gospel can give us hope, opening the door for bitterness to turn to thankfulness..As we work through our bitterness with Jesus, we may still feel sad—or have any/number of strong emotions about the difficult or heartbreaking situations we&#8217;ve experienced. But even in these times, we can rest in Jesus&#8217;s love for us, remembering/His promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and to one day make all things/new—free from the suffering and death that are in our world because of sin/(Revelation 21:1-5). It&#8217;s also important for us to reach out to trusted people in our/lives (such as therapists, parents, pastors, etc.) to help us process difficult emotions/and address any situations that need to change..So, when bitterness starts to creep into our lives, we don&#8217;t have to be afraid to go to whatever its source may be. We can face hard things with Jesus, the One who heals our hurts and sets us free./• A. W. Smith.• Who are trusted people you can reach out to when you&#8217;re facing difficult situations and having trouble/processing them?.[Jesus] understands our weaknesses&#8230; So let us come boldly to&#8230; God. Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.11.28-Matt.11.30|Heb.4.14-Heb.4.16|Heb.12.15

Did you know that work is part of God’s loving plan for us? Work is a good thing. The first thing God did after He created Adam and Eve was give them work to do. It was only after humans sinned that work became difficult—and sometimes frustrating—but that doesn’t mean we can’t find joy and satisfaction in our work. God Himself works, and since He created us in His image, work is one of the things we’re wired for (John 5:17). Our work isn’t futile, because God uses the work of those who love Him for His good purposes. Even everyday tasks that don’t seem very important are valuable in His kingdom..Work done well and with justice also points to the new reality of God’s kingdom, His loving reign over His people and His restored relationship with them. Jesus (who is God) announced that the kingdom of heaven has come near. Because He wants us to be part of His kingdom, Jesus died and rose again, defeating sin and death, and He will return someday to make all things new, free from the effects of sin. Then work won’t be toilsome any longer, and everyone who knows Jesus will live together with Him on the new heavens and new earth, doing work that is fulfilling and God-honoring..But while we’re still living in a world that’s broken by sin, things don’t always go justly in the places where we work. Sometimes, employers treat their employees unfairly, and sometimes, people experience illness or injury or other hard circumstances that make it so they cannot work in the ways they were expected to, or even work at all..But even if we find ourselves unable to work, as Christians, we can still find joy in another person’s work—and that’s the work of Jesus. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, Jesus beat sin and death. No matter what we go through, we can find rest and joy in Him, knowing that He finished the work of our salvation, and even now He is working in our hearts to make us more like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we wait for Jesus’s return, He calls us to do our work to help others and bring Him glory, remembering that our ultimate joy and hope doesn’t come from what we do, but from who we are—God’s children. • A. W. Smith.• Can you think of a time you enjoyed work? What do you remember about it?.• Imagine how it would feel to not be able to do any work. If you or someone you know is experiencing a hard situation like this, how could today’s Bible passages be a source of comfort?.The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 (CSB)

Did you know that work is part of God&#8217;s loving plan for us? Work is a good thing./The first thing God did after He created Adam and Eve was give them work to do. It was only after humans sinned that work became difficult—and sometimes frustrating—but that doesn&#8217;t mean we can&#8217;t find joy and satisfaction in our work./God Himself works, and since He created us in His image, work is one of the things we&#8217;re wired for (John 5:17). Our work isn&#8217;t futile, because God uses the work of those who love Him for His good purposes. Even everyday tasks that don&#8217;t seem very important are valuable in His kingdom..Work done well and with justice also points to the new reality of God&#8217;s kingdom, His loving reign over His people and His restored relationship with them. Jesus (who is God) announced that the kingdom of heaven has come near. Because He wants us to be part of His kingdom, Jesus died and rose again, defeating sin anddeath, and He will return someday to make all things new, free from the effects/of sin. Then work won&#8217;t be toilsome any longer, and everyone who knows Jesus will live together with Him on the new heavens and new earth, doing work that is/fulfilling and God-honoring..But while we&#8217;re still living in a world that&#8217;s broken by sin, things don&#8217;t always go justly in the places where we work. Sometimes, employers treat their employees unfairly, and sometimes, people experience illness or injury or other hard circumstances that make it so they cannot work in the ways they were expected to,/or even work at all..But even if we find ourselves unable to work, as Christians, we can still find joy in another person&#8217;s work—and that&#8217;s the work of Jesus. By dying on the cross and rising from the grave, Jesus beat sin and death. No matter what we go through, we/can find rest and joy in Him, knowing that He finished the work of our salvation,/and even now He is working in our hearts to make us more like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we wait for Jesus&#8217;s return, He calls us to do our work to help others and bring Him glory, remembering that our ultimate joy and hope doesn&#8217;t come from what we do, but from who we are—God&#8217;s children./• A. W. Smith.• Can you think of a time you enjoyed work? What do you remember about it?.• Imagine how it would feel to not be able to do any work. If you or someone you know is experiencing a hard situation like this, how could today&#8217;s Bible passages be a source of comfort? .The/Lord/God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. Genesis 2:15 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Gen.1.26-Gen.1.27|Gen.2.15|John.6.25-John.6.29|Col.3.23

The tomb was not Jesus’s final resting place. When He was killed on the cross, that was not the end..Three days later, Jesus rose to life again. The stone that had been placed in front of the tomb was rolled away, and His body wasn’t there anymore. Jesus lived..The disciples were amazed when they found out about this—even though Jesus had told them He would rise again on the third day. It was hard to believe that it could be true..When you hear the story of Jesus’s death on the cross and how He came back to life three days later, does it fill you with hope?.God invites us to remember this good news, to tell it to each other over and over again, to behold how amazing and powerful Jesus is. The story of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross is one that should fill us with awe. He loves us so much that He died for us, to take away our sins..Jesus died once for all so that we don’t have to perish. God wants us to live forever with Him in the new heavens and the new earth, and He has made this possible through Jesus. When Jesus returns, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain (Revelation 21:1-5). On that day, all of God’s people will be raised to life, just as Jesus was..The tomb was not Jesus’s final resting place. Because of His grace for us, the grave won’t be yours, either. If you’ve put your trust in Him, your sins are forgiven and you will live again. How amazing is that? • Bethany Acker.• As Christians, how can the hope of the resurrection fill us with peace, even as we experience death—both the deaths of our loved ones and, someday, our own death?.• Jesus died to take away your sins so that you could live with Him forever. If you have questions about putting your trust in Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.).“[Jesus] isn’t here [in the tomb]! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” Matthew 28:6 (NLT)

The tomb was not Jesus&#8217;s final resting place. When He/was killed on the cross, that was not the end..Three days later, Jesus rose to life again. The stone that had been placed in front of the tomb was rolled away, and His body wasn&#8217;t there anymore. Jesus lived..The disciples were amazed when they found out about this—even though Jesus had told them He would rise again on the third day. It was hard to believe that it could be true..When you hear the story of Jesus&#8217;s death on the cross and how He came back to life three days later, does it fill you with hope?.God invites us to remember this good news, to tell it to each other over and over/again, to behold how amazing and powerful Jesus is. The story of Jesus&#8217;s sacrifice on the cross is one that should fill us with awe. He loves us so much that He died/for us, to take away our sins..Jesus died once for all so that we don&#8217;t have to perish. God wants us to live forever with Him in the new heavens and the new earth, and He has made this possible through Jesus. When Jesus returns, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain (Revelation 21:1-5). On that day, all of God&#8217;s people will be raised to life, just as Jesus was..The tomb was not Jesus&#8217;s final resting place. Because of His grace for us, the/grave won&#8217;t be yours, either. If you&#8217;ve put your trust in Him, your sins are forgivenand you will live again. How amazing is that?/• Bethany Acker.• As Christians, how can the hope of the resurrection fill us with peace, even as we experience death—both/the deaths of our loved ones and, someday, our own death? .• Jesus died to take away your sins so that you could live with Him forever. If you have questions about/putting your trust in Jesus, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to? (You can also find out/more on our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page.).“[Jesus] isn&#8217;t here [in the tomb]! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” Matthew 28:6 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: John.3.16|1Cor.15.12-1Cor.15.22|Matt.28.6

Merrick lifted the candle as he clutched his tunic. He felt the sand underfoot as shadows danced on the cave walls. “Beautiful, yes?” Father’s voice comforted him and pushed him to ignore the darkness. Yes, it was breathtaking—like a hidden world. “All this time,” Merrick said, fixing his eyes on the glittering ceiling, “the cave went farther than we imagined.”.“How about going farther now?” Father asked. Merrick took a deep breath and continued forward. Now was not the time to fear. The candle was near, as was Father. Besides, exploring was fun. He kept the candle outstretched and stepped after Father’s form. Suddenly, the flame flickered and with a whoosh, the candle went out. “Father!”.“I’m here, son. Stay calm.” He heard Father’s voice but could feel the panic seeping inside and eating his breath. Merrick reached Father and threw himself against him..“Are we to die in here?” With the ink of night polluting his vision?.Father wrapped his arm around Merrick. “Tell me, what blew your candle out?” .“What?” Merrick’s breathing slowed..“Listen, wind is whistling around us.” Yes, Merrick could hear the whisper. Then he could feel it. “And if you train your ears, you may hear a crashing.” Merrick lifted his head from Father’s tunic. Could it be the ocean? “I suppose if we move toward that sound we shall find light and escape this darkness. Place your hand on the wall and trace the rock as we walk.” Eager to see light, Merrick obeyed, his heart still shaking. Together they let the wind guide them. Soon, a faint light erupted into their line of sight..“The darkness never lasts. Remember who our Light is.” Father’s words lit Merrick’s heart with courage. Now, he could see blue etched around the white haze..Darkness would not last..Merrick ran into the first wave that lapped into the cave and let it soak his shoes. He lifted his face to the sky, which shone a vibrant hue that melded with a gathering gray. He turned to see Father splashing behind him and laughed with relief. “The darkness is gone.” • Payton Tilley.• Today’s story is an allegory. Even when life feels dark and confusing, Jesus is the Light of the world. One day, Jesus will return to get rid of all fear and darkness, and in the meantime, He lovingly guides us through everything we face. What are some ways we can we encourage each other with the hope we have in Jesus?.“I [Jesus] am the light of the world.” John 9:5b (CSB)

Merrick lifted the candle as he clutched his tunic. He felt the sand underfoot as shadows danced on the cave walls. “Beautiful, yes?” Father&#8217;s voice comforted him and pushed him to ignore the darkness. Yes, it was breathtaking—like a hidden world. “All this time,” Merrick said, fixing his eyes on the glittering ceiling, “the cave/went farther than we imagined.”.“How about going farther now?” Father asked. Merrick took a deep breath and continued forward. Now was not the time to fear. The candle was near, as was Father. Besides, exploring was fun. He kept the candle outstretched and stepped after Father&#8217;s form. Suddenly, the flame flickered and with a whoosh, the candle went out. “Father!”.“I&#8217;m here, son. Stay calm.” He heard Father&#8217;s voice but could feel the panic seeping inside and eating his breath. Merrick reached Father and threw himself against him..“Are we to die in here?” With the ink of night polluting his vision?.Father wrapped his arm around Merrick. “Tell me, what blew your candle out?” .“What?” Merrick&#8217;s breathing slowed..“Listen, wind is whistling around us.” Yes, Merrick could hear the whisper. Then he could feel it. “And if you train your ears, you may hear a crashing.” Merrick lifted his head from Father&#8217;s tunic. Could it be the ocean? “I suppose if we move toward that/sound we shall find light and escape this darkness. Place your hand on the wall and/trace the rock as we walk.” Eager to see light, Merrick obeyed, his heart still shaking. Together they let the wind guide them. Soon, a faint light erupted into their line of sight..“The darkness never lasts. Remember who our Light is.” Father&#8217;s words lit Merrick&#8217;s/heart with courage. Now, he could see blue etched around the white haze..Darkness would not last..Merrick ran into the first wave that lapped into the cave and let it soak his shoes./He lifted his face to the sky, which shone a vibrant hue that melded with a gathering gray. He turned to see Father splashing behind him and laughed with relief. “The darkness is gone.”/• Payton Tilley.• Today&#8217;s story is an allegory. Even when life feels dark and confusing, Jesus is the Light of the world. One day, Jesus will return to get rid of all fear and darkness, and in the meantime, He lovingly guides us through everything we face. What are some ways we can we encourage each other with the hope we have in Jesus?.“I [Jesus] am the light of the world.” John 9:5b (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: John.9.5|Ps.32.7-Ps.32.8|Isa.42.16|Luke.1.78-Luke.1.79|John.1.1-John.1.12

There is no greater way to show love than to be willing to give up everything for someone else. That’s what Jesus did for us. He loved us so much that He gave up everything, including His life, for us..Romans 5:7 says it’s rare for someone to give up their life for a deserving person, but it’s even more rare for someone to give up their life for a person who doesn’t deserve it in any way. Jesus gave His life for us even though we were undeserving..The next verse goes on to say that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. He didn’t wait for us to do anything before He sacrificed it all. He knew that we are helpless to save ourselves, and He loves us so much that He was willing to go through death for us, even when we were living in sin..Jesus showed the utmost love for us when He willingly died on the cross. His death and resurrection was the most important event in the cosmos because He saved us—and His entire creation—from sin and decay and death. Now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the grave, is totally forgiven from all their sins. As Christians, we get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and we will live in restored creation with the One who loves us more than any other!.When we consider how Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, we can know that He did it all because He loves us. We can remember that we have a Savior who gave up everything for us. • Bethany Acker.• Why is it important that none of us could ever earn what Jesus did for us? .• According to Romans 5:6-8, how has Jesus revealed God’s love for the world? .When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 (NLT)

There is no greater way to show love than to be willing to give up everything for someone else. That&#8217;s what Jesus did for us. He loved us so much that He gave up everything, including His life, for us..Romans 5:7 says it&#8217;s rare for someone to give up their life for a deserving person, but it&#8217;s even more rare for someone to give up their life for a person who doesn&#8217;t deserve it in any way. Jesus gave His life for us even though we were undeserving..The next verse goes on to say that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. He didn&#8217;t wait for us to do anything before He sacrificed it all. He knew that we are helpless to save ourselves, and He loves us so much that He was willing to go through death for us, even when we were living in sin..Jesus showed the utmost love for us when He willingly died on the cross. His death and resurrection was the most important event in the cosmos because He saved us—and His entire creation—from sin and decay and death. Now everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the grave, is totally forgiven from all their sins. As Christians, we get to look forward to the day Jesus will return and we will live in restored creation with the One who loves us more than any other!.When we consider how Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, we can know that He did it all because He loves us. We can remember that we have a Savior who gave up everything for us. • Bethany Acker.• Why is it important that none of us could ever earn what Jesus did for us? .• According to Romans 5:6-8, how has Jesus revealed God&#8217;s love for the world? .When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Rom.5.6-Rom.5.8

"Just be a little more patient with me... all I’m asking is that you let me figure things out, let me grow, let me work on myself a little and become better at this...".Have you ever been in a place where it felt like everyone was pushing you and no one had any patience when it came to your growth? Have you ever felt like you needed to do something great, and quick, or else everyone was going to cut you out?.When it feels like people are pushing you and refusing to be patient with you, know that God has a patience that goes beyond anything we could imagine. The Bible tells us that God desires for everyone to be saved. He wants all of us to put our trust in Jesus. He wants to transform us through the power of the Holy Spirit and guide us in doing the good works of His kingdom (Ephesians 2:10). He wants to work in our lives and help us become all we are meant to be. Yet, He is patient as He waits for us to grow..God is not going to push you to move quicker than you can. He is not going to give up on you when your growth is slow. Instead, He has compassion on you. He invites you to rest in His peace and trust His gentle leadership as you grow at the pace that’s right for you. Sometimes, it might seem like you’re growing too slowly, while other times you might feel like God is leading you to grow faster than you expected, but just know that God created you, and He knows what you need. Through every milestone and every setback, He walks alongside you, and His love for you remains constant. He is patient—always. • Emily Acker.• Have you ever felt pressured to move at a pace that didn’t work for you? What was it like?.• Read Matthew 11:28-30. What kind of leader is Jesus? How might remembering that He is patient with us help us be patient with ourselves, and with those around us?.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

&#8220;Just be a little more patient with me&#8230; all I&#8217;m asking is that you let me figure things out, let me grow, let me/work on myself a little and become better at this&#8230;&#8221;.Have you ever been in a place where it felt like everyone was pushing you and no one had any patience when it came to your growth? Have you ever felt like you needed to do something great, and quick, or else everyone was going to cut you out?.When it feels like people are pushing you and refusing to be patient with you, know that God has a patience that goes beyond anything we could imagine. The Bible tells us that God desires for everyone to be saved. He wants all of us to put our trust in Jesus. He wants to transform us through the power of the Holy Spirit and guide us in doing the good works of His kingdom (Ephesians 2:10). He wants to work in our lives and help us become all we are meant to be. Yet, He is patient as He waits for us to grow..God is not going to push you to move quicker than you can. He is not going to give up on you when your growth is slow. Instead, He has compassion on you. He invites you to rest in His peace and trust His gentle leadership as you grow at the pace that&#8217;s right for you. Sometimes, it might seem like you&#8217;re growing too slowly, while other times you might feel like God is leading you to grow faster than you/expected, but just know that God created you, and He knows what you need./Through every milestone and every setback, He walks alongside you, and His love for you remains constant. He is patient—always./• Emily Acker.• Have you ever felt pressured to move at a pace that didn&#8217;t work for you? What was it like?.• Read Matthew 11:28-30. What kind of leader is Jesus? How might remembering that He is patient with us help us be patient with ourselves, and with those around us?.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead/he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.11.28-Matt.11.30|1Tim.1.12-1Tim.1.16|2Pet.3.8-2Pet.3.18

Weighed downBy a wrong I should not have done Trying to hide itHoping no one will ever knowGuilt eating meGuilt over secrets on top of the wrong.Can’t go on like thisSpending my life lying is no way to live I let You inGod, I’ll share my secret with YouThis is what I’ve doneI’m sorry and I want to move on.Released from the shameI feel free to go forward with life nowFreedom from guiltI have my sins forgiven and I am alive • Emily Acker.• Keeping our sins a secret and hiding the wrong things we’ve done can be hard on us. In Psalm 32, how did David feel when he tried to hide his sin? How did he feel after confessing it? .• Through Jesus, God has made the way for us to be forgiven. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is totally forgiven from all their sins—past, present, and future! Yet, as Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Whenever we sin, God wants us to come to Him and confess what we’ve done. He will reassure us of His love, help us turn away from sin, and help us move forward in loving Him and those around us— this might include confessing our sins to others and making amends. Consider taking a moment to pray, confessing any sins that come to mind, thanking Jesus for His forgiveness, and asking for His guidance in how to move forward. .If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Weighed downBy a wrong I should not have done Trying to hide itHoping no one will ever knowGuilt eating meGuilt over secrets on top of the wrong.Can&#8217;t go on like thisSpending my life lying is no way to live I let You inGod, I&#8217;ll share my secret with YouThis is what I&#8217;ve doneI&#8217;m sorry and I want to move on.Released from the shameI feel free to go forward with life nowFreedom from guiltI have my sins forgiven and I am alive/• Emily Acker.• Keeping our sins a secret and hiding the wrong things we&#8217;ve done can be hard on us. In Psalm 32, how did David feel when he tried to hide his sin? How did he feel after confessing it? .• Through Jesus, God has made the way for us to be forgiven. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is totally forgiven from all their sins—past, present, and future! Yet, as Christians, we will continue to struggle with sin until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Whenever we sin, God wants us to come to Him and confess what we&#8217;ve done. He will reassure us of His love, help us turn away from sin, and help us move forward in loving Him and those around us— this might include confessing our sins to others and making amends. Consider taking a moment to pray, confessing any sins that come to mind, thanking Jesus for His forgiveness, and asking for His guidance in how to move forward. .If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.32|1John.1.8-1John.2.2

Today we’re looking at a book in the Old Testament called Song of Songs. Many readers are confused when they find this love poem in the Bible. It talks about the passionate love between this husband and wife, written in a way that no one speaks today. But the poem honestly shows love and sexual desire without embarrassment or shame..Some scholars made a connection between the love between this husband and wife and the love we experience with Jesus, who is God. In Scripture, we see God pursuing His people with an unceasing love, culminating in Jesus’s death and resurrection. He did this to unite us to Himself, and this unity will be completed when Christ returns to bring heaven to earth and live forever with His people. So we can think of Jesus’s love for us when the bride in Song of Songs says, “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame” (8:6). Jesus’s love for us is like a blazing glory and unquenchable fire. Nothing can break that love..When people fall deeply in love, they are changed by the joy they experience. Likewise, when we are captivated by the all-consuming, never-ending love of God, it shines in us. We can be free of shame in the love we feel for the One who created us, forgives us from our sins, and restores us to wholeness..So whenever we dive into the Song of Songs or other types of love poetry, as we see the love between two people, we can also see the love Christ has for the church. And through all of our relationships—both romantic and non-romantic—we can spread His love without embarrassment. God created human love, and with that love, we point back to Him. • Corinna Kahrs.• In what ways have you personally experienced the love of God? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime—He delights to answer these prayers. .• What are some ways we can glorify God and show His love in our relationships? .• God created romantic love and sexual desire as good gifts to be enjoyed by a husband and wife, so we don’t need to be embarrassed about these things. When you have questions about romance, sex, and marriage, who are trusted Christians you feel comfortable talking to? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future..Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love. Song of Songs 2:4 (NIV)

Today we&#8217;re looking at a book in the Old Testament called Song of Songs. Many/readers are confused when they find this love poem in the Bible. It talks about the passionate love between this husband and wife, written in a way that no one speaks today. But the poem honestly shows love and sexual desire without/embarrassment or shame..Some scholars made a connection between the love between this husband and wife and the love we experience with Jesus, who is God. In Scripture, we see/God pursuing His people with an unceasing love, culminating in Jesus&#8217;s death and resurrection. He did this to unite us to Himself, and this unity will be completed when Christ returns to bring heaven to earth and live forever with His people. So we can think of Jesus&#8217;s love for us when the bride in Song of Songs says, “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death,/its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame” (8:6). Jesus&#8217;s love for us is like a blazing glory and unquenchable fire. Nothing can/break that love..When people fall deeply in love, they are changed by the joy they experience./Likewise, when we are captivated by the all-consuming, never-ending love of God, it shines in us. We can be free of shame in the love we feel for the One who created us, forgives us from our sins, and restores us to wholeness..So whenever we dive into the Song of Songs or other types of love poetry, as we see the love between two people, we can also see the love Christ has for the church. And through all of our relationships—both romantic and non-romantic—we can spread His love without embarrassment. God created human love, and with that love, we point back to Him./• Corinna Kahrs.• In what ways have you personally experienced the love of God? If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime—He delights to answer these prayers. .• What are some ways we can glorify God and show His love in our relationships? .• God created romantic love and sexual desire as good gifts to be enjoyed by a husband and wife, so we don&#8217;t need to be embarrassed about these things. When you have questions about romance, sex, and marriage, who are trusted Christians you feel comfortable talking to? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future..Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love./Song of Songs 2:4 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Song.2|Song.8.6-Song.8.7|Eph.5.25-Eph.5.32

Have you ever canned food? Throughout much of history, people have canned and preserved food—often in glass jars. This has been an important way for people to get nutrition, even in less-than-ideal times like winter or natural disasters..In a way, memorizing Scripture is like “canning” truth from God’s Word to store in our hearts so that we always have it with us. Memorizing words from the Bible is a spiritual practice that Christians have done for centuries. It provides us with the opportunity to feast on God’s Word, even when we don’t have easy or convenient access to a Bible, or when we just want to meditate on Scripture without using a screen..The reason the Bible is so important to us as Christians is because every single verse is “God-breathed,” and it’s a gift from God to us (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible tells us all about Jesus: He is our Savior, God, and King—and He is also our Shepherd, Advocate, and Friend. When we learn Bible passages, these can provide help, encouragement, wisdom, and comfort when we need it most. On top of that, the very process of trying to memorize a passage can help us chew on it, giving us a chance to grow in our understanding of the good news about Jesus..Today, consider what Bible verse or passage you might like to try to memorize. Don’t feel like you have to set a goal of memorizing a long passage. That can get overwhelming! Instead, start with a single verse or a short passage that reminds you of Jesus’s love for you..Want to know a simple way to commit a verse or passage to memory? Read or listen to it every day for a month. Even if you don’t have it perfectly memorized bythe end of the month, you will have spent around thirty days dwelling on those words from the Bible and considering how they declare the good news of Jesus. And that “canning” time is always time well-spent. • A. W. Smith.Want other ideas for how to memorize Scripture? Consider trying one of these:.• On a whiteboard, write out the Bible verse or passage you want to learn. Then read it aloud. Then erase one word and read the passage again. Repeat this process until no words are left..• Think of a song you like to sing. See if you can put the verse or passage to that music, and then practice your verse or passage by singing it at a set time each day..• Break the verse or passage into phrases, then create motions to go along with each phrase to help you remember the words..All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Have you ever canned food? Throughout much of history, people have canned and preserved food—often in glass jars. This has been an important way for people to get nutrition, even in less-than-ideal times like winter or natural disasters..In a way, memorizing Scripture is like “canning” truth from God&#8217;s Word to store in our hearts so that we always have it with us. Memorizing words from the/Bible is a spiritual practice that Christians have done for centuries. It provides us with the opportunity to feast on God&#8217;s Word, even when we don&#8217;t have easy or convenient access to a Bible, or when we just want to meditate on Scripture without using a screen..The reason the Bible is so important to us as Christians is because every single verse is “God-breathed,” and it&#8217;s a gift from God to us (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible tells us all about Jesus: He is our Savior, God, and King—and He is also our Shepherd, Advocate, and Friend. When we learn Bible passages, these can provide help, encouragement, wisdom, and comfort when we need it most. On top of that,/the very process of trying to memorize a passage can help us chew on it, giving us a/chance to grow in our understanding of the good news about Jesus..Today, consider what Bible verse or passage you might like to try to memorize. Don&#8217;t feel like you have to set a goal of memorizing a long passage. That can get overwhelming! Instead, start with a single verse or a short passage that reminds you of Jesus&#8217;s love for you..Want to know a simple way to commit a verse or passage to memory? Read or/listen to it every day for a month. Even if you don&#8217;t have it perfectly memorized bythe end of the month, you will have spent around thirty days dwelling on those words from the Bible and considering how they declare the good news of Jesus. And that “canning” time is always time well-spent./• A. W. Smith.Want other ideas for how to memorize Scripture? Consider trying one of these:.• On a whiteboard, write out the Bible verse or passage you want to learn. Then read it aloud. Then erase one word and read the passage again. Repeat this process until no words are left..• Think of a song you like to sing. See if you can put the verse or passage to that music, and then practice your verse or passage by singing it at a set time each day..• Break the verse or passage into phrases, then create motions to go along with each phrase to help you remember the words..All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.1.2|Ps.119.103-Ps.119.105|2Tim.3.14-2Tim.3.17

Do you know what your name means? Across cultures, names have meanings, and when we give names to babies, those meanings can be a beautiful way to communicate love and care for the newest members of our families..Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” But here’s the thing: we don’t choose our own names. We receive them when we’re born into our families..Similarly, there is another name we can receive, separate from the one given to us at birth. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we become part of His family and receive His name: we are called "Christian," which means “little Christ.” This name means that He has made us new people and we belong to Him. God has poured out His great love on us through Jesus’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Now, He invites us to imitate Him as dearly loved children imitate their parents, by loving others as He loves us (Ephesians 5:1-2)..Sometimes, when God called people to follow Him in the Bible, He literally renamed them. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, and Simon became Peter (Genesis 17:5, 15-16; 32:28; John 1:42). Their new names were a sign to others that God had made them new people and they were now part of His family..Today, God does the same with us as Christians. When we put our trust in Jesus, He makes us new and adopts us into His family (John 1:12; Colossians 1:13-14). As we rest in His great love, He is shaping all of us to become more and more like Him so we can point others toward His good name. • A. W. Smith.• Do you know what your name means or why your family chose it for you? Do you like your name? .• The name Christian means that you belong to Jesus’s family. As Christians, how can this truth comfort us when we feel unloved or rejected? .• To learn more about what it means to have a new name in Jesus—to become God’s child—check out our "Know Jesus" page..See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a (NIV)

Do you know what your name means? Across cultures, names have meanings, and when we give names to babies, those meanings can be a beautiful way to communicate love and care for the newest members of our families..Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.” But here&#8217;s the thing: we don&#8217;t choose our own names. We receive them when we&#8217;re born into our families..Similarly, there is another name we can receive, separate from the one given to us at birth. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we become part of His family and receive His name: we are called/&#8221;Christian,&#8221; which means “little Christ.” This name means that He has made us new people and we belong to Him. God has poured out His great love on us through Jesus&#8217;s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Now, He invites us to imitate Him as dearly loved children imitate their parents, by loving others as He loves us (Ephesians 5:1-2)..Sometimes, when God called people to follow Him in the Bible, He literally renamed them. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, and Simon became Peter (Genesis 17:5, 15-16; 32:28; John 1:42). Their new names were a sign to others that God had made them new people and they were now part of His family..Today, God does the same with us as Christians. When we put our trust in Jesus, He makes us new and adopts us into His family (John 1:12; Colossians 1:13-14). As we rest in His great love, He is shaping all of us to become more and more like Him so we can point others toward His good name./• A. W. Smith.• Do you know what your name means or why your family chose it for you? Do you like your name? .• The name/Christian/means that you belong to Jesus&#8217;s family. As Christians, how can this truth comfort us when we feel unloved or rejected? .• To learn more about what it means to have a new name in Jesus—to become God&#8217;s child—check out our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page..See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of/God! 1 John 3:1a (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1John.3.1|Isa.56.5|Acts.11.26|1Pet.4.16

Unfailing love....We sin and sin again. We mess up and try to put the blame on someone or something other than ourselves. We fail to help the hurting. We fail to take our eyes off our own needs and see the needs around us. We don’t do what God calls us to do, but....Unfailing love....Our sin separated us from God, but He wanted to draw us near. Our God gave His Son for us. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself by dying on the cross and risingfrom the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be forgiven and adopted into God’s family. Our God wants us to feel loved; He wants us to know that His love is always there. Our God knows that we’ve sinned and that we will sin again, but He loves us anyway. There is no way for us to earn His love; He gives it to us freely..Unfailing love....Human love is a gift from God, but only God’s love is unfailing. People will let us down, and those closest to us might even stop loving us. Though we can try ourbest to love others well, we still fail in one way or another. Human love cannot fill our deepest longings, but God’s love can. He holds us close in His arms and never lets us go (Psalm 27:10; John 10:27-30)..I thank God for His unfailing love. • Emily Acker.• How is God’s love different from human love?.• Can you think of a time you felt loved by God? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime..• When we feel like God doesn’t love us, or like we don’t deserve God’s love, how could it be helpful to remember the good news about Jesus? (See our "Know Jesus" page for more about this good news.) What are some ways we could remind each other of God’s unfailing love for us?.Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love. Psalm 44:26 (NIV)

Unfailing love&#8230;.We sin and sin again. We mess up and try to put the blame on someone or something other than ourselves. We fail to help the hurting. We fail to take our eyes off our own needs and see the needs around us. We don&#8217;t do what God calls us to/do, but&#8230;.Unfailing love&#8230;.Our sin separated us from God, but He wanted to draw us near. Our God gave/His Son for us. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself by dying on the cross and risingfrom the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be forgiven and adopted into God&#8217;s family. Our God wants us to feel loved; He wants us to know that His love is always there. Our God knows that we&#8217;ve sinned and that we will sin again, but He loves us anyway. There is no way for us to earn His love; He gives it to us freely..Unfailing love&#8230;.Human love is a gift from God, but only God&#8217;s love is unfailing. People will let us down, and those closest to us might even stop loving us. Though we can try ourbest to love others well, we still fail in one way or another. Human love cannot fill/our deepest longings, but God&#8217;s love can. He holds us close in His arms and never lets us go (Psalm 27:10; John 10:27-30)..I thank God for His unfailing love./• Emily Acker.• How is God&#8217;s love different from human love?.• Can you think of a time you felt loved by God? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! If nothing comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal His love to you anytime..• When we feel like God doesn&#8217;t love us, or like we don&#8217;t deserve God&#8217;s love, how could it be helpful to remember the good news about Jesus? (See our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page for more about this good news.) What are some ways we could remind each other of God&#8217;s unfailing love for us?.Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love. Psalm 44:26 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.94.18|Ps.143.8-Ps.143.12|Isa.54.10|Ps.44.26|Ps.36.7

How can we resist temptation?.As Christians, when we encounter something we know Jesus wouldn’t want us to do, we have a choice. Will we give in to the temptation? Or will we trust Jesus to empower us to do the right thing?.Sometimes, trusting Jesus is easier said than done. But it can help to remember why Jesus can be trusted. Jesus is fully God, and when He became human, He didn’t withhold Himself from any kind of human hardship. He personally faced temptations to sin when He was on earth, and yet, He resisted every time. Jesus never sinned. He can empathize with us because He knows firsthand what temptation is like..Whenever we’re tempted, we can cry out to Jesus with confidence because we know that He understands what we’re facing. But even more than that, He has power over sin. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit is inside us, so we can depend on Him to help us not give in to temptation. And even when we do give in, He’ll always forgive us. We can know that God’s forgiveness is sure because Jesus took all our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross—and then He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death once and for all..When Jesus returns, we won’t struggle with sin anymore. But until then, no matter what temptations we experience, Jesus is always with us. We can trust Him to give us the wisdom and courage we need to follow Him in every part of our lives: His call is to love God and those around us. To love as we have been loved by God (1 John 4:19)..Next time you face temptation, run to Jesus. You can always go to Him, even in the times you give in to sin. Regardless of how successful we are at resisting temptation, we can know that Jesus holds us in love, and His forgiveness is unshaken. • A. W. Smith.• What kinds of temptations are hardest for you to resist? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this. You can be totally honest. He won’t be surprised, and He won’t reject you..• God wants to help us resist and/or run away from temptation. One of the ways God helps us is through community with other Christians. When you’re struggling, who are trusted Christians in your life you’d be comfortable talking to and asking to pray for you? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. .[Jesus] has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

How can we resist temptation?.As Christians, when we encounter something we know Jesus wouldn&#8217;t want us to do, we have a choice. Will we give in to the temptation? Or will we trust Jesus to empower us to do the right thing?.Sometimes, trusting Jesus is easier said than done. But it can help to remember why Jesus can be trusted. Jesus is fully God, and when He became human, He didn&#8217;t withhold Himself from any kind of human hardship. He personally faced temptations to sin when He was on earth, and yet, He resisted every time. Jesus never sinned. He/can empathize with us because He knows firsthand what temptation is like..Whenever we&#8217;re tempted, we can cry out to Jesus with confidence because we/know that He understands what we&#8217;re facing. But even more than that, He has power over sin. If we&#8217;ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit is inside us, so we can depend on Him to help us not give in to temptation. And even when we do give in, He&#8217;ll always forgive us. We can know that God&#8217;s forgiveness is sure because Jesus took all our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross—and then He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death once and for all..When Jesus returns, we won&#8217;t struggle with sin anymore. But until then, no/matter what temptations we experience, Jesus is always with us. We can trust Him/to give us the wisdom and courage we need to follow Him in every part of our lives: His call is to love God and those around us. To love as we have been loved by God (1 John 4:19)..Next time you face temptation, run to Jesus. You can always go to Him, even in the/times you give in to sin. Regardless of how successful we are at resisting temptation, we can know that Jesus holds us in love, and His forgiveness is unshaken./• A. W. Smith.• What kinds of temptations are hardest for you to resist? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this. You can be totally honest. He won&#8217;t be surprised, and He won&#8217;t reject you..• God wants to help us resist and/or run away from temptation. One of the ways God helps us is through community with other Christians. When you&#8217;re struggling, who are trusted Christians in your life you&#8217;d be comfortable talking to and asking to pray for you? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future. .[Jesus] has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.4.1-Matt.4.11|1Cor.10.13|Heb.4.14-Heb.4.16

It might seem odd, but I often think of kittens when I consider a very hard question: “Where is God with all the hurt going on?”.It’s a question I ask a lot, especially since my husband is a news reporter, so I often get a front-row seat to the heartbreaking and scary things happening in the world..But that’s where kittens come in. When they’re brand new, they can’t even open their eyes. They’re helpless. All they know is that their mom is with them. They can’t see her, but they know she’s present and she cares for them..I don’t have an answer for why bad things happen. All I know is that our world is broken because of sin, but Jesus is with us, and He’s working to fix all this. I’m like a kitten who just has to trust that I’m loved, that I’m not alone, and that my suffering won’t last forever. I recall how Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”.While we can’t see everything clearly right now because we live in a world that is broken by sin, we can know that Jesus is with us, even now, and He knows how much it hurts. One day, we’ll finally see Him face-to-face and He’ll make everything new. All His people will be healed and whole. Until that day, we are like little kittens. Though we can’t see very much yet, we can rest knowing that we are loved. • Kandi Zeller.• Have you seen anything in the news lately that makes you feel unsettled? How can talking with Jesus and people we trust help us process things like this? .• No matter what happens in this broken world, you are not alone. Jesus loves you so very much, and He will never leave your side. He is stronger than anything we might face, and He promises to make all things new when He returns. In the meantime, He will be with His people every step of the way. How could these truths give us hope when we experience hard things? .Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

It might seem odd, but I often think of kittens when I consider a very hard question: “Where is God with all the hurt going on?”.It&#8217;s a question I ask a lot, especially since my husband is a news reporter, so I often get a front-row seat to the heartbreaking and scary things happening in the world..But that&#8217;s where kittens come in. When they&#8217;re brand new, they can&#8217;t even open their eyes. They&#8217;re helpless. All they know is that their mom is with them. They can&#8217;t see her, but they know she&#8217;s present and she cares for them..I don&#8217;t have an answer for why bad things happen. All I know is that our world is/broken because of sin, but Jesus is with us, and He&#8217;s working to fix all this. I&#8217;m like a kitten who just has to trust that I&#8217;m loved, that I&#8217;m not alone, and that my suffering/won&#8217;t last forever. I recall how Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now we see things/imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything/with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”.While we can&#8217;t see everything clearly right now because we live in a world that is broken by sin, we can know that Jesus is with us, even now, and He knows how/much it hurts. One day, we&#8217;ll finally see Him face-to-face and He&#8217;ll make everything/new. All His people will be healed and whole. Until that day, we are like little kittens. Though we can&#8217;t see very much yet, we can rest knowing that we are loved. • Kandi Zeller.• Have you seen anything in the news lately that makes you feel unsettled? How can talking with Jesus and people we trust help us process things like this? .• No matter what happens in this broken world, you are not alone. Jesus loves you so very much, and He will never leave your side. He is stronger than anything we might face, and He promises to make all things new when He returns. In the meantime, He will be with His people every step of the way. How could these truths give us hope when we experience hard things? .Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Rom.8.28|1Cor.13.12|Rev.21.1-Rev.21.5

I think being a professional kitten rescuer might be one of the cutest jobs in existence. But the practical realities of the job are anything but cute. .When a rescuer receives foster kittens into their home, these tiny rescue kittens need lots of attention, and the care they need is often pretty gross, including special flea baths. Even after the fleas are gone, the kittens still need round-the-clock care, like special feedings and medicine from the vet. Not to mention cleaning up their messes if they feel sick and need to throw up or have diarrhea. But it’s all worth it. If everything goes well, the kittens begin to grow, becoming healthier, stronger, and cuter by the day..When you see kittens who have passed this threshold—happily exploring, climbing, and cuddling—it’s amazing to consider how well they are doing compared to the bad shape they were in when they arrived. It’s sobering to realize that these now-healthy kittens would have died if people hadn’t rescued them..And the thing is, these kittens remind me of us. Without Jesus, we were helpless too. We were sick with sin and doomed to die because of it. But Jesus stepped in and rescued us by dying for our sins on the cross and rising from the grave..He loves us so much. Even when our sin sickness was grosser than fleas, Jesus wasn’t afraid to come to this earth and live with us so that we could be rescued. • Kandi Zeller.• God loves us so much that He was willing to do the difficult work of saving us. If you have questions about what it means to be rescued by Jesus, who is a trusted Christian you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) .• When we realize how gross our sin is, it might leave us feeling pretty bad about ourselves. But God already knows how gross our sin is, and His love for us does not change. Whenever we sin, we can repent, turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus. Consider taking a moment to come to Him in prayer, confessing any sins that come to mind and resting in His great love and care for you. .For he [God] has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son [Jesus]. Colossians 1:13 (NLT)

I think being a professional kitten rescuer might be one of the cutest jobs in/existence. But the practical realities of the job are anything but cute./.When a rescuer receives foster kittens into their home, these tiny rescue kittens need lots of attention, and the care they need is often pretty gross,/including special flea baths. Even after the fleas are gone, the kittens still need/round-the-clock care, like special feedings and medicine from the vet. Not to mention cleaning up their messes if they feel sick and need to throw up or have diarrhea. But it&#8217;s all worth it. If everything goes well, the kittens begin to grow, becoming healthier, stronger, and cuter by the day..When you see kittens who have passed this threshold—happily exploring, climbing, and cuddling—it&#8217;s amazing to consider how well they are doing compared to the bad shape they were in when they arrived. It&#8217;s sobering to realize that these/now-healthy kittens would have died if people hadn&#8217;t rescued them..And the thing is, these kittens remind me of us. Without Jesus, we were helpless too. We were sick with sin and doomed to die because of it. But Jesus stepped in and rescued us by dying for our sins on the cross and rising from the grave..He loves us so much. Even when our sin sickness was grosser than fleas, Jesus/wasn&#8217;t afraid to come to this earth and live with us so that we could be rescued. • Kandi Zeller.• God loves us so much that He was willing to do the difficult work of saving us. If you have questions about what it means to be rescued by Jesus, who is a trusted Christian you could talk to? (You can also find out more/on our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page.) .• When we realize how gross our sin is, it might leave us feeling pretty bad about ourselves. But God already knows how gross our sin is, and His love for us does not change. Whenever we sin, we can repent, turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus. Consider taking a moment to come to Him in prayer, confessing any sins that come to mind and resting in His great love and care for you. .For he [God] has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son [Jesus]. Colossians 1:13 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Col.1.12-Col.1.14|John.1.14|John.3.16-John.3.17

We don’t always fully agree with everyone who shares our faith in Jesus Christ. Some people might judge us, and we might fall into judging them too. The decisions that we make don’t always line up with what others think is right, and we are going to see other Christians doing things that we would never do. However, no matter what our differences are, our belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus unites us. And He loves all of us..We come from different places in life, raised either in a comfortable, happy home environment or in a struggling, tense one—or maybe somewhere in between. We have gone through things that others can’t imagine, and others have gone through things that we can never fully understand. But Jesus has saved all of us—rich and poor, people dealing with issues from the past and people who are fully happy with the way they were raised. Jesus unites us..When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead, He did that for all kinds of people. Anyone who calls on Him will be saved (Romans 10:9-13). His blood unites us with everyone who has seen what He has done and put their trust in Him. • Emily Acker.• When we disagree with other Christians, how could it be helpful to remember that we are all united by Christ? .• One way we can love our brothers and sisters in Christ is by trying to empathize with them and understand them when we disagree. What are some ways you could try to understand the people you disagree with? If you aren’t sure, who are some people who could help you, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or friends? .• As Christians, we can demonstrate our unity in Christ through communion, or the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In communion, we remember the blood and body of Jesus given for us. We remember that we are united to Him and to each other. How can communion help us feel connected even when we disagree? .“For this is my [Jesus’s] blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 (CSB)

We don&#8217;t always fully agree with everyone who shares our faith in Jesus Christ. Some people might judge us, and we might fall into judging them too. The decisions that we make don&#8217;t always line up with what others think is right, and we are going to see other Christians doing things that we would never do. However, no matter what our differences are, our belief in the/death and resurrection of Jesus unites us. And He loves all of us..We come from different places in life, raised either in a comfortable, happy home environment or in a struggling, tense one—or maybe somewhere in between. We have gone through things that others can&#8217;t imagine, and others have gone through things that we can never fully understand. But Jesus has saved all of us—rich and poor, people dealing with issues from the past and people who are fully happy with the way they were raised. Jesus unites us..When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead, He did that for all kinds of people. Anyone who calls on Him will be saved (Romans 10:9-13). His blood unites us with everyone who has seen what He has done and put their trust in Him./• Emily Acker.• When we disagree with other Christians, how could it be helpful to remember that we are all united by Christ? .• One way we can love our brothers and sisters in Christ is by trying to empathize with them and understand them when we disagree. What are some ways you could try to understand the people you disagree with? If you aren&#8217;t sure, who are some people who could help you, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or friends? .• As Christians, we can demonstrate our unity in Christ through communion, or the Lord&#8217;s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In communion, we remember the blood and body of Jesus given for us. We remember that we are united to Him and to each other. How can communion help us feel connected even when we disagree? .“For this is my [Jesus&#8217;s] blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.1.3-Eph.1.14|Matt.26.28

I sat down at a table lavishly spread with traditional Romanian foods. And that was the day I began eating meat again..Years ago, at age sixteen, my best friend and I ordered steak sandwiches while on a school trip. Our meals arrived undercooked. Even though the staff remedied the problem, we decided afterwards to try being vegetarians for a week. We lasted a year on this plan together. Then my buddy chose to return to eating meat while I continued down the vegetarian path..Over six years later, I was preparing for a year of ministry with college students in Romania. During our two-week briefing in Hungary, I sensed the Lord nudge me to abandon my vegetarian ways. As a visitor, I wanted to enjoy meals with Romanians, to eat what they ate and what they served us. By the time I entered Romania, I’d decided to give up being a vegetarian..About a week later, a Romanian family invited me and my three ministry teammates to an extravagant lunch at their apartment. One of the dishes they served included pork. I dug in, ate some of everything, and thanked them for hosting..To connect with people from Romania, I made a decision about my diet, wanting to exalt Jesus instead of my own preference. Our Savior renounced more than a simple lifestyle choice so He could minister to people on earth. Even though He is fully God, Jesus humbled Himself, laid down His rights, and took on the weakness of being human. When we begin a relationship with Jesus Christ by trusting in Him, believing that He died and rose again to provide forgiveness and eternal life, we’re called to live as He did. And He walks alongside us every step of the way. Through the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to take on the Christlike nature of a servant so we can point others to Him. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Have you ever laid down your own preferences to connect with another person or group of people? What was it like? How could an experience like that point you and others to Jesus?.• Sometimes, people choose to eat vegetarian because of certain values, which can be a beautiful thing. And some people have health needs that require a special diet, such as avoiding gluten or dairy. As Christians, how can we be respectful of each other’s eating choices and needs?.• If you feel like God may be leading you to change the way you eat, who are trusted Christian adults in your life who can help you discern His guidance, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors?.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

I sat down at a table lavishly spread with traditional Romanian foods. And that was the day I began eating meat again..Years ago, at age sixteen, my best friend and I ordered steak sandwiches while on a school trip. Our meals arrived undercooked. Even though the staff remedied/the problem, we decided afterwards to try being vegetarians for a week. We lasted a year on this plan together. Then my buddy chose to return to eating meat while I continued down the vegetarian path..Over six years later, I was preparing for a year of ministry with college students in Romania. During our two-week briefing in Hungary, I sensed the Lord nudge me to/abandon my vegetarian ways. As a visitor, I wanted to enjoy meals with Romanians, to eat what they ate and what they served us. By the time I entered Romania, I&#8217;d decided to give up being a vegetarian..About a week later, a Romanian family invited me and my three ministry/teammates to an extravagant lunch at their apartment. One of the dishes they/served included pork. I dug in, ate some of everything, and thanked them for hosting..To connect with people from Romania, I made a decision about my diet, wanting/to exalt Jesus instead of my own preference. Our Savior renounced more than a simple lifestyle choice so He could minister to people on earth. Even though He is fully God, Jesus humbled Himself, laid down His rights, and took on the weakness of being human. When we begin a relationship with Jesus Christ by trusting in Him, believing that He died and rose again to provide forgiveness and eternal life, we&#8217;re called to live as He did. And He walks alongside us every step of the way. Through the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to take on the Christlike nature of a servant so we can point others to Him./• Allison Wilson Lee.• Have you ever laid down your own preferences to connect with another person or group of people? What was it like? How could an experience like that point you and others to Jesus?.• Sometimes, people choose to eat vegetarian because of certain values, which can be a beautiful thing. And some people have health needs that require a special diet, such as avoiding gluten or dairy. As Christians, how can we be respectful of each other&#8217;s eating choices and needs?.• If you feel like God may be leading you to change the way you eat, who are trusted Christian adults in your life who can help you discern His guidance, such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors?.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus&#8230; Philippians 2:5 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Cor.9.19-1Cor.9.23|Phil.2.5-Phil.2.8

When I search for You You’re not hard to find When I need a friendYou are always kind.When I ask for helpYou are always there Whenever I’m in a mess You still show me You care.When others do me harm You hold and comfort me In the times I feel alone By my side, You’ll be.When I need my SaviorI simply call to YouYou always come to me And help me with all I do • Bethany Acker.• Have you ever felt God’s nearness, like a close friend? What was it like? If you haven’t experienced this, you can ask God to show you His love and nearness anytime. .• God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, but sometimes, it can be hard to ask God for help when we need it. If you struggle to be vulnerable with God like this, who are some trusted Christians you can talk to about it, such as parents, counselors, pastors, or friends?.• This poem mentions that sometimes others harm us. If you’ve experienced harm and want someone to talk to, you can speak to a counselor anytime by setting up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate..Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

When I search for You/You&#8217;re not hard to find/When I need a friend/You are always kind.When I ask for helpYou are always there Whenever I&#8217;m in a mess You still show me You care.When others do me harm You hold and comfort me In the times I feel alone By my side, You&#8217;ll be.When I need my SaviorI simply call to YouYou always come to me And help me with all I do • Bethany Acker.• Have you ever felt God&#8217;s nearness, like a close friend? What was it like? If you haven&#8217;t experienced this, you can ask God to show you His love and nearness anytime. .• God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, but sometimes, it can be hard to ask God for help when we need it. If you struggle to be vulnerable with God like this, who are some trusted Christians you can talk to about it, such as parents, counselors, pastors, or friends?.• This poem mentions that sometimes others harm us. If you&#8217;ve experienced harm and want someone to talk to, you can speak to a counselor anytime by setting up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m./(Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate..Those who know your name trust in you, for you,/Lord, have never forsaken those/who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.63.1-Ps.63.8|Acts.17.27|Ps.9.10

One semester, while my friend was taking a seminary class on Tuesday mornings, I’d watch her two-year-old daughter. These mornings were typically filled with coloring, reading books, eating snacks, and other fun things my friend’s daughter and I enjoyed doing together..One morning though, this dear little toddler was really missing her mom. As we played all her usual favorite games, she would occasionally get very quiet and say, “Mama home soon.” When this happened, I would say, “That’s right. Mama will be home soon. She loves you so much and can’t wait to come back to see you.” Sure enough, her mom did arrive soon, and both mother and daughter were so happy to see each other..This interaction with my friend’s daughter kind of reminded me of what it’s like waiting for Jesus to come back, and how excited I’ll be when I finally see Him face-to-face! But right now, we live in a world that’s broken by sin and its effects. We see all that brokenness and sadness and hurt—which is only amplified by the information overload we’re experiencing at this time in history. Yet, we can rest in Jesus’s love. He longs to be with us, and He has promised that He will return to make everything new, free from the brokenness we see right now. In the meantime, He is present with us through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people (the church)..When my friend’s daughter would say, “Mama home soon,” it made me think about how the Bible records that the early church was eagerly waiting for Jesus to come back, and they would often say "Maranatha" in Aramaic, which in English means, “Come soon, Jesus!”.That’s my prayer too. I long for the day Jesus will return—it will be a day of celebration! Our loving King will make all things new, and we will be together forever—with Him and with all our siblings in Christ, all who put their trust in Jesus. Like my friend and her daughter were so happy to see each other after being apart, when we meet Jesus face-to-face, we will be filled with such incredible joy—a joy that will never end (John 16:22). • Kandi Zeller.• What are you most looking forward to about Jesus’s return? What questions do you have? .• What can Matthew 28:20, Luke 13:34, and John 14:18 reveal about Jesus’s love for us?.• Are there any moms or mother figures in your life who’ve shown God’s love to you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too!.He [Jesus] who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20-21 (NLT)

One semester, while my friend was taking a seminary class on Tuesday mornings,/I&#8217;d watch her two-year-old daughter. These mornings were typically filled with/coloring, reading books, eating snacks, and other fun things my friend&#8217;s daughter and I enjoyed doing together..One morning though, this dear little toddler was really missing her mom. As we played all her usual favorite games, she would occasionally get very quiet and say, “Mama home soon.” When this happened, I would say, “That&#8217;s right. Mama will be home soon. She loves you so much and can&#8217;t wait to come back to see you.” Sure enough, her mom did arrive soon, and both mother and daughter were so happy to see each other..This interaction with my friend&#8217;s daughter kind of reminded me of what it&#8217;s like waiting for Jesus to come back, and how excited I&#8217;ll be when I finally see Him face-to-face! But right now, we live in a world that&#8217;s broken by sin and its effects. We see all that brokenness and sadness and hurt—which is only amplified by the information overload we&#8217;re experiencing at this time in history. Yet, we can rest in/Jesus&#8217;s love. He longs to be with us, and He has promised that He will return to make everything new, free from the brokenness we see right now. In the meantime, He is present with us through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people (the church)..When my friend&#8217;s daughter would say, “Mama home soon,” it made me think about how the Bible records that the early church was eagerly waiting for Jesus to come back, and they would often say/&#8221;Maranatha&#8221;/in Aramaic, which in English means, “Come soon, Jesus!”.That&#8217;s my prayer too. I long for the day Jesus will return—it will be a day of celebration! Our loving King will make all things new, and we will be together forever—with Him and with all our siblings in Christ, all who put their trust in Jesus. Like my friend and her daughter were so happy to see each other after being apart,/when we meet Jesus face-to-face, we will be filled with such incredible joy—a joy that/will never end (John 16:22)./• Kandi Zeller.• What are you most looking forward to about Jesus&#8217;s return? What questions do you have? .• What can Matthew 28:20, Luke 13:34, and John 14:18 reveal about Jesus&#8217;s love for us?.• Are there any moms or mother figures in your life who&#8217;ve shown God&#8217;s love to you? Consider taking a moment to/thank God for them, and maybe thank the person/people too!.He [Jesus] who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20-21 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: John.14.18|Rev.21.1-Rev.21.5|Rev.22.20-Rev.22.21

Veena had to hold herself back from running to the fruit stand. She’d finished her first week on the job—pulling weeds from the pine-melon fields—and now after a long week, she’d saved enough money to buy one of her own. The deep green melons shone in the morning sun, each one perfectly ripe. It would make the perfect breakfast..Veena carefully looked over the melons and picked out the best one. She handed her large silver coins to the vendor and awaited her change. Something was wrong. The vendor scowled at the coins and then turned that scowl to Veena..“Where’ja get these?” He held up her wages..“I just got paid this morning. I-I work on the pine-melon farm,” Veena stuttered, panic creeping into her voice..“These...” The vendor clinked the coins on the counter for emphasis. “Are fakes. How’d you even get your hands on these? And what kind of establishment do ya think I’m running here that I wouldn’t recognize fake coin?” Now he was shouting at Veena. Tears started to well up in her eyes..“I didn’t know! I promise I didn’t know! This is my first job. I just thought—”.Someone interrupted Veena, stepping between her and the vendor. “Excuse me, kind sir. I’ll pay for the pine-melons. One for me and one for the young lady.” This stranger gave Veena a glance, noting her shrunken frame and shaky hands. “Actually, make that five for the lady and one for me.” The man dropped two golden coins on the table and picked out his melons, handing the five to Veena. The vendor grumbled but collected the money on the counter..“Th-thank you!” Veena blurted out. She didn’t even know this man, yet he’d bought her not one but five melons..“You said you worked at one of the pine-melon farms? Well, if they’re giving you fake coin as wages, why don’t you come and work for me instead? I have plenty of room for new workers in my field, and I promise the wages will be more than fair.”.Veena looked up at him in astonishment. Then a smile spread across her face. With her arms full of pine-melons, she nodded and followed the generous stranger. • Naomi Zylstra.• Today’s story is an allegory based on a parable Jesus told in Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus said, “So the last will be first, and the first last” (verse 16). How does this parable reveal God’s generosity? .• Jesus invites us to follow Him, to entrust ourselves to His leadership. Read John 10:10-11. How has Jesus shown Himself to be worthy of our trust? (If you want to know more about trusting Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page.).• Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. As Christians, we follow our generous Lord, who calls us to be generous to others. What are some practical ways you could show generosity today?.And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (WEB)

Veena had to hold herself back from running to the fruit stand. She&#8217;d finished her first week on the job—pulling weeds from the pine-melon fields—and now after a long week, she&#8217;d saved enough money to buy one of her own. The deep green melons shone in the morning sun, each one perfectly ripe. It would make the perfect breakfast..Veena carefully looked over the melons and picked out the best one. She handed her large silver coins to the vendor and awaited her change. Something was wrong. The vendor scowled at the coins and then turned that scowl to Veena..“Where&#8217;ja get these?” He held up her wages..“I just got paid this morning. I-I work on the pine-melon farm,” Veena stuttered, panic creeping into her voice..“These&#8230;” The vendor clinked the coins on the counter for emphasis. “Are fakes. How&#8217;d you even get your hands on these? And what kind of establishment do ya think I&#8217;m running here that I wouldn&#8217;t recognize fake coin?” Now he was shouting at/Veena. Tears started to well up in her eyes..“I didn&#8217;t know! I promise I didn&#8217;t know! This is my first job. I just thought—”.Someone interrupted Veena, stepping between her and the vendor. “Excuse me, kind sir. I&#8217;ll pay for the pine-melons. One for me and one for the young lady.” This stranger gave Veena a glance, noting her shrunken frame and shaky hands. “Actually, make that five for the lady and one for me.” The man dropped two golden coins on the table and picked out his melons, handing the five to Veena. The vendor grumbled but collected the money on the counter..“Th-thank you!” Veena blurted out. She didn&#8217;t even know this man, yet he&#8217;d/bought her not one but five melons..“You said you worked at one of the pine-melon farms? Well, if they&#8217;re giving you fake coin as wages, why don&#8217;t you come and work for me instead? I have plenty of/room for new workers in my field, and I promise the wages will be more than fair.”.Veena looked up at him in astonishment. Then a smile spread across her face. With her arms full of pine-melons, she nodded and followed the generous stranger./• Naomi Zylstra.• Today&#8217;s story is an allegory based on a parable Jesus told in Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus said, “So the last will be/first, and the first last” (verse 16). How does this parable reveal God&#8217;s generosity?/.• Jesus invites us to follow Him, to entrust ourselves to His leadership. Read John 10:10-11. How has Jesus shown Himself to be worthy of our trust? (If you want to know more about trusting Jesus, check out our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page.).• Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. As Christians, we follow our generous Lord, who calls us to be generous to others. What are some practical ways you could show generosity today?.And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all/sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (WEB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.20.1-Matt.20.16|2Cor.9.6-2Cor.9.15

Do you have a favorite place to think or pray? I do. Most mornings I grab my coffee and head to the back porch. There, I meet with God in prayer, asking to be led by His Spirit and asking for grace to face the day. This is one way He brings me comfort. Along with prayer, Scripture reveals other ways we can know Christ’s comfort..First, we have God’s people. Scripture teaches believers that we “belong to each other” (Romans 12:5) and make up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Thus, we can say that God is present, comforting believers through one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)..Second, we find comfort in God’s Word. John 1 teaches that Christ is the Word made flesh who has “revealed God to us” (verse 18). What an unfathomable comfort. And Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word is “sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword... It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Because of this, we can take comfort in being fully known and completely loved by Christ—He is the Word of God who has come to us..Third, we have God’s promises. His final word on suffering declares two things. One, evil and pain will be hijacked (transformed and remade) into good (Romans 8:17-39). And two, every wrong will be made right: “‘I will pay them back,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). So, we can give all our desire for vengeance to God, who will ensure justice prevails at Jesus’s return. When this happens, all will be made new. “There will be no more death or sorrow... or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:3-4). When Jesus returns, we will celebrate with joy as we are made whole by the presence of God. And we will enjoy the unceasing comfort of Christ forever. • G. Kam Congleton.• Although Scripture doesn’t explain why evil and suffering exist, we know suffering entered our world when sin entered it (Genesis 3). And we know that in the end, God’s goodness and justice will triumph. In the meantime, when we experience pain, we can ultimately trust in God’s love, demonstrated visibly in the person of Jesus, as Romans 8:39 says, “indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you want to dig deeper into the topic of suffering, consider reading through one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), and ask God to help you see His love made visible in the life and sacrifice of Jesus.....God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5b (NLT)

Do you have a favorite place to think or pray? I do. Most mornings I grab my/coffee and head to the back porch. There, I meet with God in prayer, asking/to be led by His Spirit and asking for grace to face the day. This is one way He brings me comfort. Along with prayer, Scripture reveals other ways we can know Christ&#8217;s comfort..First, we have God&#8217;s people./Scripture teaches believers that we “belong to each other” (Romans 12:5) and make up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Thus, we can say that God is present, comforting believers through one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)..Second, we find comfort in God&#8217;s Word./John 1 teaches that Christ is the/Word made flesh who has “revealed God to us” (verse 18). What an unfathomable comfort. And Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word is “sharper than the sharpest/two-edged sword&#8230; It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Because of this, we can take comfort in being fully known and completely loved by Christ—He is the Word of God who has come to us..Third, we have God&#8217;s promises./His final word on suffering declares two/things. One, evil and pain will be hijacked (transformed and remade) into good (Romans 8:17-39). And two, every wrong will be made right: “‘I will pay them back,&#8217; says the/Lord” (Romans 12:19). So, we can give all our desire for vengeance to God, who will ensure justice prevails at Jesus&#8217;s return. When this happens, all will be made new. “There will be no more death or sorrow&#8230; or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:3-4). When Jesus returns, we will celebrate with joy as we are made whole by the presence of God. And we will enjoy the unceasing comfort of Christ forever./• G. Kam Congleton.• Although Scripture doesn&#8217;t explain why evil and suffering exist, we know suffering entered our world when/sin entered it (Genesis 3). And we know that in the end, God&#8217;s goodness and justice will triumph. In the meantime, when we experience pain, we can ultimately trust in God&#8217;s love, demonstrated visibly in the person of Jesus, as Romans 8:39 says, “indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from/the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you want to dig deeper into the topic of suffering,/consider reading through one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), and ask God to help you see His love made visible in the life and sacrifice of Jesus&#8230;..God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5b (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: John.1.18|Rom.12.19|Rev.21.3-Rev.21.4|2Cor.1.5

I once saw a bowling team that called themselves, "It’s All Good." Wouldn’t it be awesome if the saying "it’s all good" were true? Sadly, troubles abound on earth. But even as we acknowledge these troubles, let’s also explore a promise that offers real hope for truly good endings..In Romans 8:28, Paul plainly states that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God.” And, because Paul’s readers were suffering persecution, he also poses the hard question: “Does it mean he [God] no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity...?” (verse 35). Earnestly, Paul replies, “No, despite all these things [i.e., pain and persecution], overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (verse 37)..I wonder if what God calls “good” in Romans 8:28 doesn’t always match our idea of good? My idea of good might mean all my problems are gone immediately. But what does God mean by good? Romans 8:29 provides a clue. It hinges on the phrase “become like his Son.”.The whole of Scripture teaches that becoming like Jesus will involve suffering. (Now, more suffering doesn’t always equal more Christlikeness—Christlikeness comes from the Holy Spirit’s work in us through the Word, not our circumstances.) But following Christ also means experiencing the good that God promises. Far more than fixing a temporary pain or problem, this good includes a glorious hijacking of evil. Today’s key verse expresses this perfectly: in Genesis 50:20, Joseph says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it... for good.”.Peter expresses this idea too, expounding on the most profound reversal of evil ever: “[God’s] prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed... you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip” (Acts 2:23-24). In Christ’s resurrection, the most tragic ending is transformed into the best of new beginnings. Because Jesus rose from the dead, all God’s people will be resurrected when He returns. Jesus will make everything new, and all our problems and pain will be gone forever. Now, even in the midst of all the bad, we can say with certainty: it’s all good. • G. Kam Congleton.• Can you think of a time when something bad happened in your life, and looking back, you saw God’s goodness in the midst of it? Let’s pray that God will help us recognize the lasting goodness He is working in our lives. .“You intended to harm me, but God intended it... for good.” Genesis 50:20a (NLT)

I once saw a bowling team that called themselves,/&#8221;It&#8217;s All Good.&#8221;/Wouldn&#8217;t it be awesome if the saying/&#8221;it&#8217;s all good&#8221;/were true? Sadly, troubles abound on earth. But even as we acknowledge these troubles, let&#8217;s also explore a promise that offers real hope for truly good endings..In Romans 8:28, Paul plainly states that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God.” And, because Paul&#8217;s readers were suffering/persecution, he also poses the hard question: “Does it mean he [God] no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity&#8230;?” (verse 35). Earnestly, Paul replies, “No, despite all these things [i.e., pain and persecution], overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (verse 37)..I wonder if what God calls “good” in Romans 8:28 doesn&#8217;t always match our idea of good? My idea of good might mean all my problems are gone immediately. But what does God mean by good? Romans 8:29 provides a clue. It hinges on the phrase “become like his Son.”.The whole of Scripture teaches that becoming like Jesus will involve suffering. (Now, more suffering doesn&#8217;t always equal more Christlikeness—Christlikeness comes from the Holy Spirit&#8217;s work in us through the Word, not our circumstances.)/But following Christ also means experiencing the good that God promises. Far more than fixing a temporary pain or problem, this good includes a glorious/hijacking/of evil. Today&#8217;s key verse expresses this perfectly: in Genesis 50:20, Joseph says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it&#8230; for good.”.Peter expresses this idea too, expounding on the most profound reversal of evil ever: “[God&#8217;s] prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed&#8230; you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip” (Acts 2:23-24). In Christ&#8217;s resurrection, the most tragic ending is transformed into the best of new beginnings. Because Jesus rose from the dead, all God&#8217;s people will be resurrected when He returns. Jesus will make everything new, and all our problems and pain will be gone forever. Now, even in the midst of all the bad, we can say with certainty: it&#8217;s all good./• G. Kam Congleton.• Can you think of a time when something bad happened in your life, and looking back, you saw God&#8217;s goodness in the midst of it? Let&#8217;s pray that God will help us recognize the lasting goodness He is working in our lives. .“You intended to harm me, but God intended it&#8230; for good.” Genesis 50:20a (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: John.16.33|Rom.8.17-Rom.8.39|1Pet.1.6-1Pet.1.7|Gen.50.20

Let’s continue our study on suffering. Suffering exists because God’s good world has been broken by sin. Today, we’ll talk about how, for believers, suffering has significance—or meaning—for our lives, both in the present and for eternity. Scripture reveals this in a couple of ways. First, the apostles (people who walked with Jesus while He was on earth) taught that believers are called to share both in Christ’s comfort and in His sufferings (1 Peter 2:21). Because we follow a suffering Savior, we can expect to suffer as well. These authors also pointed out that when believers suffer, it’s intimately connected to Christ’s own suffering, using phrases like “share his suffering” (Romans 8:17). So, we can remind ourselves that our suffering as the body of Christ has unique significance because it’s connected to the suffering of Jesus. In our suffering, we can look to Jesus—who suffered the cross on our behalf, then resurrected from the dead—and find comfort in His presence. We are never alone in our pain..Second, God can use affliction to draw us near to Himself—which is the best place to be (Psalm 73:28). One psalmist says: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). Through the Holy Spirit, God is always at work to lovingly form us more and more into the likeness of Jesus because He knows it’s the only way for us to be truly whole. The author of Hebrews echoes this, stating God disciplines His children—and that His discipline is “always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). While not all suffering is necessarily discipline, these and other passages still give us a lot to think about (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3; Colossians 1:24)..As a teen, most of the Bible studies I used tiptoed around the topic of suffering. Yet, if we don’t dig into scriptural truth about suffering, how can we withstand difficulties—including persecution—without losing hope in God’s love and goodness? But if we know we will face great trials, we can be a bit more ready for their inevitable arrival. However, as Peter joyfully reminds us in 1 Peter 1:6, our troubles are but “for a little while,” and our hope and comfort in Jesus will last forever. Amen! • G. Kam Congleton.• God can draw us nearer to Himself at any time (including good times) and through any circumstance. How might God use suffering to help us grow closer to Him? .He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

Let&#8217;s continue our study on suffering. Suffering exists because God&#8217;s good world has been broken by sin. Today, we&#8217;ll talk about how, for believers, suffering has significance—or meaning—for our lives, both in the present and for eternity. Scripture reveals this in a couple of ways. First, the apostles (people who walked with Jesus while He was on earth) taught that believers are called to share both in Christ&#8217;s comfort and in His sufferings (1 Peter 2:21). Because we follow a suffering Savior, we can expect to suffer as well. These authors also pointed out that when believers suffer, it&#8217;s intimately connected to Christ&#8217;s own suffering, using phrases like “share his suffering” (Romans 8:17). So, we can remind ourselves that our suffering as the body of Christ has unique significance because it&#8217;s connected to the suffering of Jesus. In our suffering, we can look to Jesus—who suffered the cross on our behalf, then resurrected from the dead—and find comfort in His presence. We/are never alone in our pain..Second, God can use affliction to draw us near to Himself—which is the best place to be (Psalm 73:28). One psalmist says: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). Through the Holy Spirit, God is always at work to lovingly form us more and more into the likeness of Jesus because He knows it&#8217;s the only way for us to be truly whole. The author of Hebrews echoes this, stating God disciplines His children—and that His discipline is “always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). While/not all suffering is necessarily discipline, these and other passages still give us a lot/to think about (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3; Colossians 1:24)..As a teen, most of the Bible studies I used tiptoed around the topic of suffering. Yet, if we don&#8217;t dig into scriptural truth about suffering, how can we withstand difficulties—including persecution—without losing hope in God&#8217;s love and/goodness? But if we know we will face great trials, we can be a bit more ready for their inevitable arrival. However, as Peter joyfully reminds us in 1 Peter 1:6, our troubles are but “for a little while,” and our hope and comfort in Jesus will last forever. Amen!/• G. Kam Congleton.• God can draw us nearer to Himself at any time (including good times) and through any circumstance. How/might God use suffering to help us grow closer to Him?/.He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.73.28|Ps.119.67-Ps.119.71|2Cor.1.4-2Cor.1.7|Heb.12.5-Heb.12.12

When I was thirteen, I attended my first church camp. I experienced life-changing things, like when I encountered 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I’d never noticed this verse before, but that week 1 Peter 5:7 sank into my soul. Because, like most teens, I had worries and cares! Problem was—exactly HOW do you give them to God?.Well, over time I learned that giving our cares to God isn’t an event—it’s a process..First, I remember who I am coming to: Jesus—God in flesh—who also suffered. In fact, Hebrews 5:8 tells us that Jesus “learned obedience from the things he suffered.” Hmmm... that’s mind-boggling. Even though Jesus’s suffering and obedience are different from ours, it’s incredible to ponder Jesus learning obedience from His suffering..Then, I think about why Jesus suffered on the cross and rose again—out of His great love for me, He chose to personally redeem me, both from sin and (when He returns) from suffering (Revelation 21:3-4)..Lastly, I remember even Jesus agonized over His suffering. In Luke 22, we see Jesus face the cross, fervently praying for deliverance from His “cup of suffering” (verses 42-44). Since Jesus truly empathizes with us in our weaknesses, we know we can boldly come to Him..And so... how do we boldly come to Jesus? Simple—we follow the instructions in Philippians 4:6-8. In this passage, we see what to pray about: everything! And we see how to pray: “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (verse 6). And that’s it! We are giving our cares to Jesus. And, as we continue to bring our requests to God (notice the word "continue"), we can experience God’s peace (verse 7). In this way, we can come to Christ whenever we are weary—and find true rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). • G. Kam Congleton.• In the book of Psalms, we see God’s people giving their cares to Him—often with strong words, even accusing God of being distant, hurtful, and uncaring (Psalms 6, 10, 88). In times of pain and suffering, God invites us to come to Him honestly, telling Him just how hurt, angry, or sad we feel. He isn’t afraid or ashamed of our emotions, even if we are. And it’s only in being honest with God that we can truly experience His comfort. We can tell God what we actually want from Him, not just what we think He wants to hear. How could this truth affect the way you give your cares to God? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about these things now. .Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

When I was thirteen, I attended my first church camp. I experienced/life-changing things, like when I encountered 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I&#8217;d never noticed this verse before, but that week 1 Peter 5:7 sank into my soul. Because, like most teens, I had/worries and cares! Problem was—exactly HOW do you give them to God?.Well, over time I learned that giving our cares to God isn&#8217;t an event—it&#8217;s a process..First, I remember who I am coming to:/Jesus—God in flesh—who also suffered. In fact, Hebrews 5:8 tells us that Jesus “learned obedience from the things he suffered.” Hmmm&#8230; that&#8217;s mind-boggling. Even though Jesus&#8217;s suffering and obedience are different from ours, it&#8217;s incredible to ponder Jesus learning obedience from His suffering..Then, I think about why Jesus suffered/on the cross and rose again—out of His great love for me, He chose to personally redeem/me, both from sin and (when He returns) from suffering (Revelation 21:3-4)..Lastly, I remember even Jesus agonized over His suffering./In Luke 22, we see Jesus face the cross, fervently praying for deliverance from His “cup of suffering” (verses 42-44). Since Jesus truly empathizes with us in our weaknesses,/we know we can boldly come to Him..And so&#8230; how/do we boldly come to Jesus? Simple—we follow the instructions in Philippians 4:6-8. In this passage, we see/what/to pray about: everything! And we see/how/to pray: “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (verse 6). And that&#8217;s it! We are giving our cares to Jesus. And, as we continue to bring our requests to God (notice the word/&#8221;continue&#8221;), we can experience God&#8217;s peace (verse 7). In this way, we can come to Christ whenever we are weary—and find true rest in/Him (Matthew 11:28-30)./• G. Kam Congleton.• In the book of Psalms, we see God&#8217;s people giving their cares to Him—often with strong words, even/accusing God of being distant, hurtful, and uncaring (Psalms 6, 10, 88). In times of pain and suffering, God/invites us to come to Him honestly, telling Him just how hurt, angry, or sad we feel. He isn&#8217;t afraid or ashamed of our emotions, even if we are. And it&#8217;s only in being honest with God that we can truly experience His comfort. We can tell God what we actually want from Him, not just what we think He wants to hear. How/could this truth affect the way you give your cares to God? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about/these things now. .Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and/I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Heb.4.14-Heb.4.16|1Pet.5.7|Matt.11.28|Phil.4.6-Phil.4.8

At age seventeen, Joni Eareckson Tada awoke after a diving accident—paralyzed from the shoulders down. Thus began her new life—from a wheelchair. Over time, Joni became known for her contagious joy and her compassionate ministry to others..As a teen, Joni’s story made me think hard about suffering. Should tragedy strike, how would I react? Where is Jesus in all of this? And so began a lifelong look at suffering in Scripture. We know that sin and suffering invaded God’s good world after humans chose to rebel against God, but what else does Scripture say? Eventually, I noticed some intriguing themes. Today we’ll introduce three themes, and over the next few days we’ll explore each one more deeply. Then we’ll wrap up with a glimpse at the comfort Christ promises. So, let’s dive in!.Theme one: God does not explain suffering, but He never ignores it. Indeed, through Jesus, He invites us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Through the cross, Jesus joins us in our pain and offers Himself as our “ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1) and our ultimate Deliverer..Theme two: Suffering has significance. First, as the body of Christ, we are called to share both in Christ’s sufferings and in His loving comfort. This is not only for our benefit, but also for each other’s benefit (2 Corinthians 1:4-7). Second, God can use our affliction to get our attention and correct any areas where we are straying from His good ways, ultimately drawing us nearer to Himself (Hebrews 12:5-12)..Theme three: Through the Holy Spirit, God is with us in our suffering, granting us grace and often hijacking hardship for our good (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).This truth helps explain why the apostles encourage believers to rejoice when facing trials (Romans 5:3-5)..Ultimately, when we encounter suffering, we can remember that Jesus defeated sin and death through His own death and resurrection, and He will heal all suffering at His return. As we rest in this sure hope, we can face whatever suffering lies ahead of us, held by our Savior who suffers with us. • G. Kam Congleton.• What questions do you have about suffering—your own suffering or the suffering of others? .• To dig deeper into the topic of suffering, you can read Psalm 119:65-72 and James 1:2-4..For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV)

At age seventeen, Joni Eareckson Tada awoke after a diving accident—paralyzed/from the shoulders down. Thus began her new life—from a wheelchair. Over time, Joni became known for her contagious joy and her compassionate ministry to others..As a teen, Joni&#8217;s story made me think hard about suffering. Should tragedy strike, how would I react? Where is Jesus in all of this? And so began a lifelong look at suffering in Scripture. We know that sin and suffering invaded God&#8217;s good/world after humans chose to rebel against God, but what else does Scripture say? Eventually, I noticed some intriguing themes. Today we&#8217;ll introduce three themes,/and over the next few days we&#8217;ll explore each one more deeply. Then we&#8217;ll wrap up/with a glimpse at the comfort Christ promises. So, let&#8217;s dive in!.Theme one: God does not explain suffering, but He never ignores it./Indeed,/through Jesus, He invites us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Through the cross, Jesus joins us in our pain and offers Himself/as our “ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1) and our ultimate Deliverer..Theme two: Suffering has significance./First, as the body of Christ, we are called/to share both in Christ&#8217;s sufferings and in His loving comfort. This is not only for our benefit, but also for each other&#8217;s benefit (2 Corinthians 1:4-7). Second, God can use our affliction to get our attention and correct any areas where we are straying from/His good ways, ultimately drawing us nearer to Himself (Hebrews 12:5-12)..Theme three: Through the Holy Spirit, God is with us/in our suffering,/granting us grace and often hijacking hardship for our good (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).This truth helps explain why the apostles encourage believers to rejoice when/facing trials (Romans 5:3-5)..Ultimately, when we encounter suffering, we can remember that Jesus defeated/sin and death through His own death and resurrection, and He will heal all suffering at His return. As we rest in this sure hope, we can face whatever suffering lies ahead of us, held by our Savior who suffers with us./• G. Kam Congleton.• What questions do you have about suffering—your own suffering or the suffering of others?/.• To dig deeper into the topic of suffering, you can read Psalm 119:65-72 and James 1:2-4..For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Isa.53.2-Isa.53.6|Rom.8.17-Rom.8.39|Rev.21.3-Rev.21.4|2Cor.1.5

Why do we do kind things for other people? If we really examine our motives, is it so we’ll win points with them and make them like us? Or do we think doing good deeds will win us points with God?.In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, and he says: no matter how much good we do, if we don’t have love in our hearts, our good deeds just sound like an annoying, ever-clanging cymbal (verse 1). In other words, doing good things doesn’t mean much if these actions aren’t done out of genuine love—the kind of love God has for us..But here’s the great news. Love is not something we muster up inside ourselves. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” If God didn’t love us first, none of us could love Him or each other. But Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Love is a gift straight from God..God’s love for us and others is so great, and we can trust Him to fill our hearts with His love and let it overflow to others! We can depend on Him to help us do things for others out of genuine love, the kind of love that compels us to lay down our life for others (John 15:13-14)..And when we’re not sure how to love, we can rest in the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Though He is fully God, He came to live among us. He died on the cross and rose again three days later so we could be restored to relationship with Him. His incredible love is always with us through the Holy Spirit, and the riches of His love are also revealed in His promise to one day make all things new—free from sin and death (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 21:1-5). So by all means, do good things! But first, rest in the good news of Jesus. Then, love others because you know that you are loved by God. • A. W. Smith.• In 1 Corinthians 13, how does Paul describe genuine love? What sticks out to you the most in these verses? .• Can you think of a time God showed His love for you through the people around you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and maybe thank those people too! .• Every day, we can both rest in God’s love and show it to others. We can look around us and find little ways to show God’s great love, knowing in our deepest being that we are loved by Jesus. Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice ways you could show love today..“My [Jesus’s] command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 (NIV)

Why do we do kind things for other people? If we really examine our motives,/is it so we&#8217;ll win points with them and make them like us? Or do we think doing good deeds will win us points with God?.In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, and he says: no matter how much good we do, if we don&#8217;t have love in our hearts, our good deeds just sound like an annoying, ever-clanging cymbal (verse 1). In other words, doing good things doesn&#8217;t mean much if these actions aren&#8217;t done out of genuine love—the kind of love God has for us..But here&#8217;s the great news. Love is not something we muster up inside ourselves./1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” If God didn&#8217;t love us first, none/of us could love Him or each other. But Romans 5:5 says, “God&#8217;s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Love is a gift straight from God..God&#8217;s love for us and others is so great, and we can trust Him to fill our hearts with His love and let it overflow to others! We can depend on Him to help us do things for others out of genuine love, the kind of love that compels us to lay down our life for others (John 15:13-14)..And when we&#8217;re not sure how to love, we can rest in the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Though He is fully God, He came to live among us. He died on the cross and rose again three days later so we could be restored to relationship with Him. His incredible love is always with us through the Holy Spirit, and the riches of His love are also revealed in His promise to one day make all things new—free from sin and death (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 21:1-5). So by all/means, do good things! But first, rest in the good news of Jesus. Then, love others/because you know that you are loved by God./• A. W. Smith.• In 1 Corinthians 13, how does Paul describe genuine love? What sticks out to you the most in these verses? .• Can you think of a time God showed His love for you through the people around you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and maybe thank those people too! .• Every day, we can both rest in God&#8217;s love and show it to others. We can look around us and find little ways to/show God&#8217;s great love, knowing in our deepest being that we are loved by Jesus. Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice ways you could show love today..“My [Jesus&#8217;s] command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Rom.5.5|1Cor.13|1John.4.19|John.15.12

When you start worrying about things happening in your life or in the world around you, look at the stars..If it isn’t dark out and you can’t see the stars, then look at the wildflowers..If it’s too cold for wildflowers, then look at the snowflakes that fall from the sky..There are endless stars in the sky, too many to count. The wildflowers are so vibrant and vast; you could never pick them all. So many snowflakes fall that they make large piles of snow and cover entire mountains. But God made each one of them..God created each star in the massive universe, and He also created you. In Matthew 6, Jesus says we don’t need to worry about anything, reminding us that God made each wildflower beautiful even though it so quickly dies. He cares about every little problem and difficult situation you face. God decides when the snow falls, and He made each snowflake unique and stunning to look at. Similarly, He made you on purpose, and you are precious to Him..Ultimately, God revealed His enormous care for His creation when Jesus came to earth—fully God and fully human. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can look forward to the day He will return and restore every brokenness, in our own lives and in all of creation..If God cares about the stars and the wildflowers and the snowflakes, we can know that He cares about us too. We don’t have to worry about anything. Instead, we can trust Him to take care of us and all the problems in the world around us. • Bethany Acker.• How can looking at creation remind us of God’s trustworthy love?.• If you find yourself worrying a lot, you’re not alone. Jesus empathizes with you, and He wants to help. One of the primary ways God helps His people is through His people. Who are trusted adults in your life you can talk to about worry, such as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers? If you’re not sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate..God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. Genesis 1:16 (NLT)

When you start worrying about things happening in your life or in the world around you, look at the stars..If it isn&#8217;t dark out and you can&#8217;t see the stars,/then look at the wildflowers..If it&#8217;s too cold for wildflowers, then look at the snowflakes that fall from the sky..There are endless stars in the sky, too many to count. The wildflowers are so vibrant and vast; you could never pick them all. So many snowflakes fall that they make large piles of snow and cover entire mountains. But God made each one of them..God created each star in the massive universe, and He also created you. In Matthew 6, Jesus says we don&#8217;t need to worry about anything, reminding us that/God made each wildflower beautiful even though it so quickly dies. He cares about every little problem and difficult situation you face. God decides when the snow falls, and He made each snowflake unique and stunning to look at. Similarly, He/made you on purpose, and you are precious to Him..Ultimately, God revealed His enormous care for His creation when Jesus came to earth—fully God and fully human. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can look forward to the day He will return and restore every brokenness, in our own lives and in all of creation..If God cares about the stars and the wildflowers and the snowflakes, we can/know that He cares about us too. We don&#8217;t have to worry about anything. Instead, we can trust Him to take care of us and all the problems in the world around us. •/Bethany Acker.• How can looking at creation remind us of God&#8217;s trustworthy love?.• If you find yourself worrying a lot, you&#8217;re not alone. Jesus empathizes with you, and He wants to help. One of/the primary ways God helps His people is through His people. Who are trusted adults in your life you can talk to about worry, such as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers? If you&#8217;re not sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling/1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate..God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. Genesis 1:16 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.6.25-Matt.6.34|Gen.1.16

When you were little, did you ever dress up as royalty—making paper crowns, walking around in old fancy clothes from a dress-upbin, or sitting on imaginary thrones and bossing around the people of your pretend kingdom?.While the imaginary kingdoms of our youth weren’t real, as Christians, we can know that we belong to God’s very real kingdom. When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, we can know that God is our Father, and He is the King of the universe. And so, because we are the children of the King, we are royalty..As God’s royal children, we have the privilege of inviting others into the kingdom of God by sharing the good news: that Jesus, our God and King, became human, lived among us, died on the cross and rose from the grave to beat sin and death... and is returning one day to make all things new. In His kingdom, love and righteousness rule instead of sin. We have the honor of sharing this true story— through our words and our actions—with everyone around us..In God’s kingdom, everything is better than we could imagine. Instead of paper crowns that wear out and get ripped, we have God’s promise of eternal life with Him (1 Peter 5:4)..Instead of fancy old clothes from a dress-up bin, we are clothed in Jesus’s goodness instead of our sinfulness (Isaiah 61:10; Galatians 3:27)..Instead of imaginary thrones and bossy leadership, we are called to love others the way Jesus, our just King, loves us (John 13:34; 1 John 4:19)..That is a kingdom worth being excited about! Now, as royal children of the King, let us share the good news of our Father’s kingdom. • A. W. Smith.• If you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you are God’s child and you’re part of His kingdom. How could remembering that our heavenly Father is the Ruler of the universe give us hope when we experience bossy or unjust leadership here on earth?.• As a child of the King, how could you show others who Jesus is by the way you treat them?.• To learn more about what it means to be God’s child, check out our "Know Jesus" page..“He [Jesus] is Lord of lords and King of kings.” Revelation 17:14 (NIV)

When you were little, did you ever dress up as royalty—making paper crowns, walking around in old fancy clothes from a dress-upbin, or sitting on imaginary thrones and bossing around the people of your pretend kingdom?.While the imaginary kingdoms of our youth weren&#8217;t real, as Christians, we can know that we belong to God&#8217;s very real kingdom. When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, we can know that God is our Father, and He is the King of the universe. And so, because we are the children of the King, we are royalty..As God&#8217;s royal children, we have the privilege of inviting others into the kingdom of God by sharing the good news: that Jesus, our God and King, became human, lived among us, died on the cross and rose from the grave to beat sin and death&#8230; and is returning one day to make all things new. In His kingdom, love and righteousness rule instead of sin. We have the honor of sharing this true story— through our words and our actions—with everyone around us..In God&#8217;s kingdom, everything is better than we could imagine. Instead of paper crowns that wear out and get ripped, we have God&#8217;s promise of eternal life with Him (1 Peter 5:4)..Instead of fancy old clothes from a dress-up bin, we are clothed in Jesus&#8217;s goodness instead of our sinfulness (Isaiah 61:10; Galatians 3:27)..Instead of imaginary thrones and bossy leadership, we are called to love others the way Jesus, our just King, loves us (John 13:34; 1 John 4:19)..That is a kingdom worth being excited about! Now, as royal children of the King,/let us share the good news of our Father&#8217;s kingdom./• A. W. Smith.• If you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you are God&#8217;s child and you&#8217;re part of His kingdom. How could remembering that our heavenly Father is the Ruler of the universe give us hope when we experience bossy or unjust leadership here on earth?.• As a child of the King, how could you show others who Jesus is by the way you treat them?.• To learn more about what it means to be God&#8217;s child, check out our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page..“He [Jesus] is Lord of lords and King of kings.” Revelation 17:14 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.24|Eph.5.1-Eph.5.2|Col.1.12-Col.1.14|1John.3.1-1John.3.3|Rev.17.14

Wind colder than the day before swarmed into the shallow mountain cavern and bit at the exposed skin on the back of Mior’s neck that she hadn’t been able to cover with her cloak. She shivered, readjusted the cloak, then clasped her hands together to finish her prayer..Footsteps scratched the rock at the entrance. The stench of a Karith swelled into the cavern. Mior froze, cold sweat dripping down her back..A girl her age stepped into view, sword gripped tightly in her hand. The scent of the Karith invaders clung to her clothes, and blood stained her shoulder and sword arm, though it was too dark for Mior to tell if it was red or purple..Mior relaxed and gave a nod to the girl as she entered. “Zeela. Find anything?”.“Corpses. Empty orchards. Karith—got ambushed by one inside town.” Zeela sheathed the blade and grabbed a withered apple from their pitiful mound of food. She narrowed her eyes at Mior. “What were you doing? Praying to your precious Lord again?”.Mior realized her hands were still clasped. “We need His help.”.Zeela scoffed. “You think He’ll come? You’ve been asking for months now. He cares nothing for us.”.“He died for us. Of course He cares!”.“Then where is He?”,Mior dropped her gaze..“Whatever. I’m going back out.” Zeela took a bite of the apple, spun on her heel, and slipped out of the cave..Mior drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders. “You’re still there, aren’t You?” she whispered into the empty darkness. Howling wind and the distant, awful scream of a Karith was the only response. Then someone else screamed—a villager—only to be abruptly cut off. A moment later, the Karith screamed again, this time in the voice of its recent kill..Mior sank her head onto her knees and shivered. “I don’t know if You’re listening. But I’ll keep asking anyway. Please come.” • Linnae Conkel.• Today’s story is an allegory. Sometimes, it seems like God has gone silent and is ignoring our prayers. Can you think of a time you felt this way? Are you in a time of waiting right now? .• Reread Psalm 13. How did David, the author of this psalm, respond when it seemed like God was silent? .• Although it may not make sense to us, God still loves us despite times when He seems to be silent. How can remembering the overwhelming love He has for us—a love so great that He came to live among us, die for us, and rise from the grave... all so that we could live with Him forever—help us cling to hope during the wait? (Hebrews 10:23) .• Even as we wait for Jesus to return bodily to earth and make all things new, we can rest in His promise, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We can be confident that He will keep His promise because He sealed it through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. Even if He seems silent, we can know that Jesus sits beside us and weeps with us over our hurts and over the brokenness of His creation. How can remembering Jesus’s compassion give us comfort in times of fear and pain? How can we help remind each other of Jesus’s compassion and presence? .But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

Wind colder than the day before swarmed into the shallow mountain cavern/and bit at the exposed skin on the back of Mior&#8217;s neck that she hadn&#8217;t been/able to cover with her cloak. She shivered, readjusted the cloak, then clasped her/hands together to finish her prayer..Footsteps scratched the rock at the entrance. The stench of a Karith swelled into/the cavern. Mior froze, cold sweat dripping down her back..A girl her age stepped into view, sword gripped tightly in her hand. The scent of the Karith invaders clung to her clothes, and blood stained her shoulder and sword arm, though it was too dark for Mior to tell if it was red or purple..Mior relaxed and gave a nod to the girl as she entered. “Zeela. Find anything?”.“Corpses. Empty orchards. Karith—got ambushed by one inside town.” Zeela/sheathed the blade and grabbed a withered apple from their pitiful mound of food. She narrowed her eyes at Mior. “What were you doing? Praying to your precious Lord again?”.Mior realized her hands were still clasped. “We need His help.”.Zeela scoffed. “You think He&#8217;ll come? You&#8217;ve been asking for months now. He/cares nothing for us.”.“He/died/for us. Of course He cares!”.“Then where is He?”,Mior dropped her gaze..“Whatever. I&#8217;m going back out.” Zeela took a bite of the apple, spun on her heel, and slipped out of the cave..Mior drew the cloak tighter around her shoulders. “You&#8217;re still there, aren&#8217;t You?” she whispered into the empty darkness. Howling wind and the distant, awful scream of a Karith was the only response. Then someone else screamed—a villager—only to be abruptly cut off. A moment later, the Karith screamed again,/this time in the voice of its recent kill..Mior sank her head onto her knees and shivered. “I don&#8217;t know if You&#8217;re listening. But I&#8217;ll keep asking anyway. Please come.”/• Linnae Conkel.• Today&#8217;s story is an allegory. Sometimes, it seems like God has gone silent and is ignoring our prayers. Can you think of a time you felt this way? Are you in a time of waiting right now? .• Reread Psalm 13. How did David, the author of this psalm, respond when it seemed like God was silent? .• Although it may not make sense to us, God still loves us despite times when He seems to be silent. How can remembering the overwhelming love He has for us—a love so great that He came to live among us, die for/us, and rise from the grave&#8230; all so that we could live with Him forever—help us cling to hope during the wait?/(Hebrews 10:23) .• Even as we wait for Jesus to return bodily to earth and make all things new, we can rest in His promise,/“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). We can be confident that He will/keep His promise because He sealed it through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. Even if He seems silent, we can know that Jesus sits beside us and weeps with us over our hurts and over the brokenness of His creation. How can remembering Jesus&#8217;s compassion give us comfort in times of fear and pain? How can we help remind each other of Jesus&#8217;s compassion and presence?/.But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.13|Ps.34.15|Rom.5.5

Do you know the story of Paul? He was not a good guy when he was young, and he went by the name Saul. He had Christians arrested. In Acts 7:54–8:2, we see how Saul stood by in support while Stephen was being stoned to death. Saul had plans to do all kinds of bad things to the Christian people of his day. But God had other plans for him..When Saul was on the road to Damascus, a bright light shone all around and blinded him. Jesus talked directly to him and changed the course of his life..When you start to think that it’s too late for you to change after you’ve done something wrong, or that God could never forgive you, remember Saul/Paul. When you see someone else doing bad things and you start to judge them and think that God could never forgive them, remember Saul/Paul. While we certainly don’t have to approve of the wrong things people are doing, God calls us to see everyone as someone He loves, someone Jesus was willing to die for..It’s not too late for any of us, no matter what we’ve done. God can take some pretty messed-up people and do amazing things through them. He can work through anyone to help further His kingdom..Saul was not a good guy, but Jesus loved him. And His love transformed Saul into a new person. Paul became a good guy. He started serving God and even went to prison because of his faith. He wrote quite a bit of the New Testament and proclaimed the gospel to countless people, telling them about how Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so that everyone who puts their trust in Him can be saved. Paul was honest about his past sins and his present shortcomings, and he saw God do many great things in his life. More than anything, Paul was filled with gratitude to Jesus for forgiving him and giving him a second chance. • Bethany Acker.• Acts 13:9 tells us that Saul was “also known as Paul.” Some scholars think this is because Paul is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Saul, and Paul ministered primarily to Greek people. Why do you think God chose Paul to share the good news of Jesus with so many people, both in person and through his writings? (Hint: read 1 Timothy 1:12-17) .• When we feel like God can’t work through us, how could the story of Saul/Paul encourage us? .Jesus...told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NLT)

Do you know the story of Paul? He was not a good guy when he was young, and he went by the name Saul. He had Christians arrested. In Acts 7:54–8:2, we see how Saul stood by in support while Stephen was being stoned to death. Saul had plans to do all kinds of bad things to the Christian people of his day. But God had other plans for him..When Saul was on the road to Damascus, a bright light shone all around and blinded him. Jesus talked directly to him and changed the course of his life..When you start to think that it&#8217;s too late for you to change after you&#8217;ve done something wrong, or that God could never forgive you, remember Saul/Paul. When you see someone else doing bad things and you start to judge them and think that God could never forgive them, remember Saul/Paul. While we certainly don&#8217;t have to approve of the wrong things people are doing, God calls us to see everyone as someone He loves, someone Jesus was willing to die for..It&#8217;s not too late for any of us, no matter what we&#8217;ve done. God can take some/pretty messed-up people and do amazing things through them. He can work/through anyone to help further His kingdom..Saul was not a good guy, but Jesus loved him. And His love transformed Saul into a new person. Paul became a good guy. He started serving God and even went to prison because of his faith. He wrote quite a bit of the New Testament and proclaimed the gospel to countless people, telling them about how Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so that/everyone/who puts their trust in Him can be saved. Paul was honest about his past sins and his present shortcomings, and/he saw God do many great things in his life. More than anything, Paul was filled/with gratitude to Jesus for forgiving him and giving him a second chance. • Bethany Acker.• Acts 13:9 tells us that Saul was “also known as Paul.” Some scholars think this is because/Paul/is the Greek version of the Hebrew name/Saul, and Paul ministered primarily to Greek people. Why do you think God chose Paul to share the good news of Jesus with so many people, both in person and through his writings? (Hint: read 1 Timothy 1:12-17) .• When we feel like God can&#8217;t work through us, how could the story of Saul/Paul encourage us? .Jesus&#8230;told them, “Healthy people don&#8217;t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come/to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Mark.2.17|Acts.9.1-Acts.9.19|1Tim.1.12-1Tim.1.17

One of my favorite parts of our family vacations at the beach was boogieboarding. My sister and I picked out boogieboards with colorful designs at the store, packing them into the car loaded with our luggage. Every summer, we looked forward to bringing those boards with us on our ocean getaways, the promise of another exciting adventure on the horizon..Upon arriving at the beach, however, the tall waves cresting in the distance could be intimidating. Waiting on my board, I watched as the waves curled ever closer. It seemed like every wave was more enormous than the last. What if one rolled right over me, leaving me spluttering, salt burning my eyes? Just how far from the shore should I go—should I inch even further into the ocean, or stay closer to the sand where the waves petered out?.Ultimately, I decided to hang on, keeping my balance, remaining at the ready, then coasting with each of the waves, letting them carry me back to the shore. I discovered that timing was everything. Instead of turning around and giving up, it was exhilarating to catch the perfect wave, cruising straight through. At the end of the day, I was relieved that I hadn’t gone back to shore right away, that I’d chosen to wait and ride the waves..Sometimes, life can feel a lot like boogieboarding. But we’re not alone—if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is always with us, no matter how big the waves might get. As we follow Jesus, trusting in God’s perfect timing, He will carry us through, helping us move past fear. As we take each wave at a time, we come to see that even the tall waves that may intimidate us are just small ripples to God. Looking back at what once scared us, we realize there was no need to have feared. God doesn’t let go of us, leaving us stranded in the middle of the sea. He walks across to us, meeting us where we are, bringing us to where we are meant to be. • Kathryn Sadakierski.• Can you think of a time God helped you in the midst of a scary situation? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this..• Often, our lives can feel confusing, and we don’t know what to do. Yet God is with us through everything we face, and He won’t abandon us to figure things out on our own. He invites us to come to Him with all the questions, frustrations, and fears that weigh on us (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to?.Mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4 (NIV)

One of my favorite parts of our family vacations at the beach was boogieboarding. My sister and I picked out boogieboards with colorful designs at the store, packing them into the car loaded with our luggage. Every summer, we looked forward to bringing those boards with us on our ocean getaways, the promise of another exciting adventure on the horizon..Upon arriving at the beach, however, the tall waves cresting in the distance could be intimidating. Waiting on my board, I watched as the waves curled ever closer. It seemed like every wave was more enormous than the last. What if one rolled right over me, leaving me spluttering, salt burning my eyes? Just how far from the shore should I go—should I inch even further into the ocean, or stay closer to the sand where the waves petered out?.Ultimately, I decided to hang on, keeping my balance, remaining at the ready, then coasting with each of the waves, letting them carry me back to the shore. I discovered that timing was everything. Instead of turning around and giving up, it was exhilarating to catch the perfect wave, cruising straight through. At the end of the day, I was relieved that I hadn’t gone back to shore right away, that I’d chosen to wait and ride the waves..Sometimes, life can feel a lot like boogieboarding. But we’re not alone—if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that God is always with us, no matter how big the waves might get. As we follow Jesus, trusting in God’s perfect timing, He will carry us through, helping us move past fear. As we take each wave at a time, we come to see that even the tall waves that may intimidate us are just small ripples to God. Looking back at what once scared us, we realize there was no need to have feared. God doesn’t let go of us, leaving us stranded in the middle of the sea. He walks across to us, meeting us where we are, bringing us to where we are meant to be. • Kathryn Sadakierski.• Can you think of a time God helped you in the midst of a scary situation? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this..• Often, our lives can feel confusing, and we don’t know what to do. Yet God is with us through everything we face, and He won’t abandon us to figure things out on our own. He invites us to come to Him with all the questions, frustrations, and fears that weigh on us (Matthew 11:28-30). In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to?.Mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.107.28-Ps.107.31|Matt.14.22-Matt.14.33|Ps.93.4|Ps.46.1-Ps.46.5

I struggle with making decisions. I have some perfectionistic tendencies, so I spend too much time thinking about choices that don’t matter much in the long run. And in the past, I’ve let myself sit in these decisions for far too long, going back and forth and seeking out every expert, trying to pick the absolute right thing. .But one thing God has been teaching me lately is that when we make the best choice of all, the other parts of our lives tend to fall into place. And even if they don’t, it’s okay. Because after we make the best choice, we can know that we are never alone..When someone becomes a Christian, they begin a relationship with God through Jesus. God is showing me that when I choose to trust Him, He gives me peace. When I surrender my control to Him, He gives me freedom. And friends, those gifts of peace and freedom change everything. As we lean into relationship with Jesus, He releases us from the burden of perfectionism. He helps us see that we don’t even have the ability to make perfect decisions on our own. When we come to Jesus, He lifts a weight we weren’t ever meant to carry (Matthew 11:28-30)..I love the words of Psalm 118:8-9: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” I can’t rely on my own ability to choose. And while advice from others can be valuable, it’s still not the most important thing. What’s most important is to take refuge in the Lord..Let’s seek Him as our refuge today, and may all the other choices just fall into place. • Becca Wierwille.• Because life is complex, there is often more than one good choice in any situation. In Deuteronomy 30:15-20, what does God tell the Israelites to do? In Matthew 22:36-40, what does Jesus say about God’s commands? While none of us can keep God’s commands perfectly—after all, that’s why we need Jesus—how could these verses help us make good decisions? .• As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding us and empowering us to follow the Lord in everything we do. God has also given us His Word (the Bible) and community with fellow Christians who can help us discern His guidance. What kinds of decisions are you facing today? What might it look like for you to take refuge in the Lord in these situations? .It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Psalm 118:8 (NIV)

I struggle with making decisions. I have some perfectionistic tendencies, so I spend too much time thinking about choices that don’t matter much in the long run. And in the past, I’ve let myself sit in these decisions for far too long, going back and forth and seeking out every expert, trying to pick the absolute right thing. .But one thing God has been teaching me lately is that when we make the best choice of all, the other parts of our lives tend to fall into place. And even if they don’t, it’s okay. Because after we make the best choice, we can know that we are never alone..When someone becomes a Christian, they begin a relationship with God through Jesus. God is showing me that when I choose to trust Him, He gives me peace. When I surrender my control to Him, He gives me freedom. And friends, those gifts of peace and freedom change everything. As we lean into relationship with Jesus, He releases us from the burden of perfectionism. He helps us see that we don’t even have the ability to make perfect decisions on our own. When we come to Jesus, He lifts a weight we weren’t ever meant to carry (Matthew 11:28-30)..I love the words of Psalm 118:8-9: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” I can’t rely on my own ability to choose. And while advice from others can be valuable, it’s still not the most important thing. What’s most important is to take refuge in the Lord..Let’s seek Him as our refuge today, and may all the other choices just fall into place. • Becca Wierwille.• Because life is complex, there is often more than one good choice in any situation. In Deuteronomy 30:15-20, what does God tell the Israelites to do? In Matthew 22:36-40, what does Jesus say about God’s commands? While none of us can keep God’s commands perfectly—after all, that’s why we need Jesus—how could these verses help us make good decisions? .• As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding us and empowering us to follow the Lord in everything we do. God has also given us His Word (the Bible) and community with fellow Christians who can help us discern His guidance. What kinds of decisions are you facing today? What might it look like for you to take refuge in the Lord in these situations? .It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Psalm 118:8 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.118.1-Ps.118.9|Prov.3.5-Prov.3.6|John.15.1-John.15.17

Let my life, here, nowBe about You, let me follow.Let my future, each step, decision Be about You, not my own opinion.Let the air I breathe, filling me Be air from You, fresh and free.Let my heart, my plansBe about You, in Your hands.Let my goals, my dreams, my reason Be what You want for this season.Let my hurt, my misery, my pain Be healed by You as You sustain.Let my contacts, my family, my friendsBe in good standing, let me make amends.Let my trust, my beliefs, my coreBe always deeper, pressing into You more • Emily Acker.• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the dead, we can know that God is always with us through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people. He shapes every moment of our lives. How could this truth affect the way we live day-to-day?• Consider taking a moment to read this poem again, and then pray your own prayer to God. .Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Let my life, here, nowBe about You, let me follow.Let my future, each step, decision Be about You, not my own opinion.Let the air I breathe, filling me Be air from You, fresh and free.Let my heart, my plansBe about You, in Your hands.Let my goals, my dreams, my reason Be what You want for this season.Let my hurt, my misery, my pain Be healed by You as You sustain.Let my contacts, my family, my friendsBe in good standing, let me make amends.Let my trust, my beliefs, my coreBe always deeper, pressing into You more • Emily Acker.• Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the dead, we can know that God is always with us through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and His people. He shapes every moment of our lives. How could this truth affect the way we live day-to-day?• Consider taking a moment to read this poem again, and then pray your own prayer to God. .Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.19.14|John.12.23-John.12.26|Rom.12.1

We’ve all been hurt by others. Sometimes, it’s a family member or a friend. Sometimes, it’s a stranger. When we are hurt, it can be hard to know how to react. As we deal with our pain, there are some things that can be helpful to do and some that can cause more harm..Avoid lashing out in response. Try not to do something in anger that you will regret later. It’s normal to want to repay someone by treating them the same way they treated you, but that will only cause more hurt..Instead, ask God for help and healing. Express your anger to Him, letting Him know how mad and hurt you are. When you are in deep pain because of what was done to you, you can turn to our loving God and ask Him to hold you. He loves you, and He will never leave you..Avoid isolation. You may be tempted to believe the lie that you are all alone. It’s normal to want to pull away from others when you’ve been hurt, but isolation will only make the pain worse. You might think that no one has been where you are, but that’s not true..Instead, reach out to someone you trust and talk with them. Share what’s going on and seek their advice. And talk to Jesus; He is right there with you, grieving your hurt alongside you..Avoid using the hurt you’ve experienced to justify hurting others. When you’re struggling because someone mistreated you, you might be impatient with people in your life or feel justified brushing them off or hurting them. These feelings are normal, but remember that the people around you don’t deserve mistreatment any more than you do..Instead, remember how Jesus Himself was mistreated. Remember that because of His great love, poured out for us on the cross, His forgiveness and justice cover you and those who hurt you. We can pursue wholeness as we rest in His love. • Emily Acker.• When we’ve been hurt, our first response is often to hurt others. In our pain and anger and confusion, we tend to lash out or withdraw entirely. But that is not the place where healing is found. Healing is found in the compassionate arms of Jesus and His people, the church. What are some ways we can remind each other of these truths when we experience hurt? .• In some cases of deep hurt, the best thing we can do is set up loving boundaries. Who are some trusted Christians you could talk to about this, such as parents, pastors, or counselors? .Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

We’ve all been hurt by others. Sometimes, it’s a family member or a friend. Sometimes, it’s a stranger. When we are hurt, it can be hard to know how to react. As we deal with our pain, there are some things that can be helpful to do and some that can cause more harm. . Avoid lashing out in response. Try not to do something in anger that you will regret later. It’s normal to want to repay someone by treating them the same way they treated you, but that will only cause more hurt. . Instead, ask God for help and healing. Express your anger to Him, letting Him know how mad and hurt you are. When you are in deep pain because of what was done to you, you can turn to our loving God and ask Him to hold you. He loves you, and He will never leave you. . Avoid isolation. You may be tempted to believe the lie that you are all alone. It’s normal to want to pull away from others when you’ve been hurt, but isolation will only make the pain worse. You might think that no one has been where you are, but that’s not true. . Instead, reach out to someone you trust and talk with them. Share what’s going on and seek their advice. And talk to Jesus; He is right there with you, grieving your hurt alongside you. . Avoid using the hurt you’ve experienced to justify hurting others. When you’re struggling because someone mistreated you, you might be impatient with people in your life or feel justified brushing them off or hurting them. These feelings are normal, but remember that the people around you don’t deserve mistreatment any more than you do. . Instead, remember how Jesus Himself was mistreated. Remember that because of His great love, poured out for us on the cross, His forgiveness and justice cover you and those who hurt you. We can pursue wholeness as we rest in His love. • Emily Acker . • When we’ve been hurt, our first response is often to hurt others. In our pain and anger and confusion, we tend to lash out or withdraw entirely. But that is not the place where healing is found. Healing is found in the compassionate arms of Jesus and His people, the church. What are some ways we can remind each other of these truths when we experience hurt? . • In some cases of deep hurt, the best thing we can do is set up loving boundaries. Who are some trusted Christians you could talk to about this, such as parents, pastors, or counselors? . Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.4.30-Eph.4.32|Rom.12.17-Rom.12.21

I am writing this from La Presa, a small town in Atenas, Costa Rica. There are mangos, star fruits, and bananas scattered across the lawn. Toucans are perched in the trees, and iguanas are sunbathing on the roof. It rains every day—a beautiful, cooling rain. We’re surrounded by mountains and tropical rainforests. There’s no air-conditioning and no hot water, but somehow everything feels incredibly fresh..While I’m here, I spend my weekdays studying ecology and ecosystem conservation at the School for Field Studies, and in doing so, I’ve been exposed to an incredible amount of literature on environmentalism. To be honest, environmentalism had never really interested me before. But as I read and learn about all sorts of methods of sustainability and conservation, I can’t help but wonder about the relationship between environmentalism and Christianity..God’s charge regarding our relationship with nature actually begins in Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. God tells us that Adam’s duty in the Garden of Eden was to “work it and take care of it” (2:15). And God blessed Adam and Eve to fill the earth and care for every creature in it (1:26-28). Think about that. The universe is nothing less than God’s masterpiece, a testament of His love, glory, and beauty. And He has entrusted it to us—His people, His children!.We are stewards of God’s creation. The entire universe—including our planet—is the wonderful creation of a perfect God, and the only appropriate response for Christians is to embrace our calling as stewards of the natural environment. In everything we do, we need to remember that the world is so much more than our playground. It’s a beautiful gift to us, and it’s where Jesus Christ will one day return. Then heaven will meet earth, and He will renew and restore all things. Now, Jesus calls us to be part of His life-giving work, even as we are filled by the sure hope of His return. So let’s do everything we can to preserve the earth God has given us. • Christian Davis.• What is one of your favorite parts of creation? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. .• What are some ways we can be faithful stewards of creation in our everyday lives? .• How can we enjoy the natural environment and its benefits in ways that are honoring to God? .The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15 (NIV)

I am writing this from La Presa, a small town in Atenas, Costa Rica. There are mangos, star fruits, and bananas scattered across the lawn. Toucans are perched in the trees, and iguanas are sunbathing on the roof. It rains every day—a beautiful, cooling rain. We’re surrounded by mountains and tropical rainforests. There’s no air-conditioning and no hot water, but somehow everything feels incredibly fresh. . While I’m here, I spend my weekdays studying ecology and ecosystem conservation at the School for Field Studies, and in doing so, I’ve been exposed to an incredible amount of literature on environmentalism. To be honest, environmentalism had never really interested me before. But as I read and learn about all sorts of methods of sustainability and conservation, I can’t help but wonder about the relationship between environmentalism and Christianity. . God’s charge regarding our relationship with nature actually begins in Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. God tells us that Adam’s duty in the Garden of Eden was to “work it and take care of it” (2:15). And God blessed Adam and Eve to fill the earth and care for every creature in it (1:26-28). Think about that. The universe is nothing less than God’s masterpiece, a testament of His love, glory, and beauty. And He has entrusted it to us—His people, His children! . We are stewards of God’s creation. The entire universe—including our planet—is the wonderful creation of a perfect God, and the only appropriate response for Christians is to embrace our calling as stewards of the natural environment. In everything we do, we need to remember that the world is so much more than our playground. It’s a beautiful gift to us, and it’s where Jesus Christ will one day return. Then heaven will meet earth, and He will renew and restore all things. Now, Jesus calls us to be part of His life-giving work, even as we are filled by the sure hope of His return. So let’s do everything we can to preserve the earth God has given us. • Christian Davis . • What is one of your favorite parts of creation? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this. . • What are some ways we can be faithful stewards of creation in our everyday lives? . • How can we enjoy the natural environment and its benefits in ways that are honoring to God? . The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Gen.1.26-Gen.1.31|Gen.2.15|Ps.8

What school subject do you like the least? Even though I love to write, I always loathed English class—especially grammar. Diagraming sentences, parts of speech, verb tenses... it wasn’t my thing. So imagine my surprise when I realized that what I had learned about grammar could help me study the Bible..Take Ephesians 5:18 for example: “...be filled with the Holy Spirit.” This verse is telling us to submit our lives to God and let Him fill us with His Holy Spirit..The grammar lesson here is in the words “be filled.” First, the object of this command is plural. This means that these words apply not only to a single reader or listener of this verse, but to everyone who believes! After all, Paul (the author of Ephesians) was writing this letter to the whole church in Ephesus, not just one person. So, not only does God fill each of us with the Holy Spirit individually, but He also fills the church as a whole with the Holy Spirit..Second, these words are written in the present tense. Paul didn’t say “was filled” or “could be filled.” He said, “be filled.” It is a present action—every day we can choose to submit to God and be filled with His love and joy, “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts” (verse 19)..Third, this phrase uses a passive verb. It doesn’t say, “fill yourself.” It says “be filled.” All we have to do is ask God, and He will fill us. We don’t fill ourselves. God is doing the work; all we have to do is submit to Him..He gave everything—including His Son—for us. Jesus died on the cross and resurrected from the dead so we could be filled with His presence through the Holy Spirit. When we put our trust in Him, He fills us up and helps us follow His good ways, overflowing His love and joy in everything we do. • Kimberly Brokish.• What does it look like to live a life filled by the Spirit? (Hint: check out today’s Bible passages.) .• How can the things we learn about the world (such as languages, history, culture, science, etc.) help us better understand Scripture? ....be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18b (NLT)

What school subject do you like the least? Even though I love to write, I always loathed English class—especially grammar. Diagraming sentences, parts of speech, verb tenses&#8230; it wasn’t my thing. So imagine my surprise when I realized that what I had learned about grammar could help me study the Bible. . Take Ephesians 5:18 for example: “&#8230;be filled with the Holy Spirit.” This verse is telling us to submit our lives to God and let Him fill us with His Holy Spirit. . The grammar lesson here is in the words “be filled.” First, the object of this command is plural. This means that these words apply not only to a single reader or listener of this verse, but to everyone who believes! After all, Paul (the author of Ephesians) was writing this letter to the whole church in Ephesus, not just one person. So, not only does God fill each of us with the Holy Spirit individually, but He also fills the church as a whole with the Holy Spirit. . Second, these words are written in the present tense. Paul didn’t say “was filled” or “could be filled.” He said, “be filled.” It is a present action—every day we can choose to submit to God and be filled with His love and joy, “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts” (verse 19). . Third, this phrase uses a passive verb. It doesn’t say, “fill yourself.” It says “be filled.” All we have to do is ask God, and He will fill us. We don’t fill ourselves. God is doing the work; all we have to do is submit to Him. . He gave everything—including His Son—for us. Jesus died on the cross and resurrected from the dead so we could be filled with His presence through the Holy Spirit. When we put our trust in Him, He fills us up and helps us follow His good ways, overflowing His love and joy in everything we do. • Kimberly Brokish . • What does it look like to live a life filled by the Spirit? (Hint: check out today’s Bible passages.) . • How can the things we learn about the world (such as languages, history, culture, science, etc.) help us better understand Scripture? . &#8230;be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18b (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.5.15-Eph.5.20|Col.1.9-Col.1.14

I lived in a city of mirrors. As I attempted to amble surreptitiously down the street to my destination, I nervously adjusted my mirrored glasses. Everyone wore them in the city. In fact, removing your glasses bordered on appalling..Figuring a mocha might jump-start my day, I squeezed in line at a local cafe. The girl in front of me turned, and our mirrored eyes met. The person I saw reflected back at me was anxious, fidgeting, trying to untangle a knot of hair. Too much frizz. Was that leftover breakfast in my teeth? I sighed. Who would want to hang out with me anyways? I turned my head in defeat and the girl turned away.."Everyone must see exactly what I see—a disaster!" I thought. Blinking back tears, I hurried down the street. "If only I didn’t have to look in one more mirror..." Suddenly, I saw a pair of sandaled feet blocking my path. I stopped short and slowly raised my head... I gasped. His eyes, kindness radiating from them, and smile lines that crinkled pleasantly around the edges. This man looked at me with mirrorless, glasses-free eyes!.There was no other way to explain it, but I felt as though he had known me my whole life. Then, he spoke my name, soft as a whisper. “Jayden, you see yourself through your own eyes, but you are so much more to me. People look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.” I shook my head. “But how do you look at someone’s heart? How can I see differently?”.He threw back his head and laughed—a pure, musical sound. “Up until now you’ve only seen reflections, but soon you will see face-to-face. I’ve come to tell you that you are fully known and completely loved... by me and by my Father.” Hearing his words, I felt joy filling my soul and splashing over, like a dry fountain come back to life. I blurted out, “Show me. I want to see!” He reached out his hands, and lifted the glasses from my eyes. • Savannah Coleman.• Today’s story is an allegory. We live in a world that places a huge emphasis on outward appearances. This is nothing new—just look at 1 Samuel 16! But God sees everything about us, including our hearts. He loves us, and He invites us into the freedom of knowing Him through Jesus. God showed how much we are worth to Him when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us. We find our true identity in Jesus. How can knowing Him affect the way we see ourselves... and others? .For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

I lived in a city of mirrors. As I attempted to amble surreptitiously down the street to my destination, I nervously adjusted my mirrored glasses. Everyone wore them in the city. In fact, removing your glasses bordered on appalling. . Figuring a mocha might jump-start my day, I squeezed in line at a local cafe. The girl in front of me turned, and our mirrored eyes met. The person I saw reflected back at me was anxious, fidgeting, trying to untangle a knot of hair. Too much frizz. Was that leftover breakfast in my teeth? I sighed. Who would want to hang out with me anyways? I turned my head in defeat and the girl turned away. . &#8220;Everyone must see exactly what I see—a disaster!&#8221; I thought. Blinking back tears, I hurried down the street. &#8220;If only I didn’t have to look in one more mirror&#8230;&#8221; Suddenly, I saw a pair of sandaled feet blocking my path. I stopped short and slowly raised my head&#8230; I gasped. His eyes, kindness radiating from them, and smile lines that crinkled pleasantly around the edges. This man looked at me with mirrorless, glasses-free eyes! . There was no other way to explain it, but I felt as though he had known me my whole life. Then, he spoke my name, soft as a whisper. “Jayden, you see yourself through your own eyes, but you are so much more to me. People look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.” I shook my head. “But how do you look at someone’s heart? How can I see differently?” . He threw back his head and laughed—a pure, musical sound. “Up until now you’ve only seen reflections, but soon you will see face-to-face. I’ve come to tell you that you are fully known and completely loved&#8230; by me and by my Father.” Hearing his words, I felt joy filling my soul and splashing over, like a dry fountain come back to life. I blurted out, “Show me. I want to see!” He reached out his hands, and lifted the glasses from my eyes. • Savannah Coleman . • Today’s story is an allegory. We live in a world that places a huge emphasis on outward appearances. This is nothing new—just look at 1 Samuel 16! But God sees everything about us, including our hearts. He loves us, and He invites us into the freedom of knowing Him through Jesus. God showed how much we are worth to Him when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us. We find our true identity in Jesus. How can knowing Him affect the way we see ourselves&#8230; and others? . For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Sam.16.1-1Sam.16.13|1Cor.13

Sometimes, it’s easy to become intimidated or even jealous of other Christians. "Alondra is so good at teaching—would I be a better Christian if I could teach like she can? Blake always knows how to show mercy to people—why is that so hard for me? Is it bad that I can’t lead people in worship like Jade?".God has equipped His people in so many different ways, and that’s a good thing. We don’t need to compare ourselves to other Christiansbecause we belong to the same God. It’s not a competition—we’re all on the same team. As 1 Corinthians 12 puts it, we are all part of the body of Christ. Even though different body parts have different functions, they all work together as a whole..Similarly, Christians are equipped with different spiritual gifts, but these gifts “are the work of one and the same Spirit” (verse 11). God doesn’t leave anyone out. All of us are important in the body of Christ, each of us tremendously and equally loved by God. He demonstrated His great love for us in Jesus—He came to serve, giving His very life for us so that we could be with Him (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). The reason we serve now, in whatever capacity that may be, is because we love Jesus and want to share His love with others..As members of the same team and family, we have the freedom to explore the gifts God has given us. Some Christians will have gifts that are similar to ours, others will have very different gifts. But we can trust Jesus to guide us in how to serve Him as we listen to His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can serve Him faithfully as one of the many unique members of His church, knowing that we are loved no matter how we serve. • A. W. Smith.• Consider taking some time to reread 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:11-16. The Holy Spirit gives different spiritual gifts to all Christians. What questions do you have about spiritual gifts?.• Who are trusted Christians in your life—such as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers—who could help you discern your spiritual gifts and talk through questions you might have about the gifts you have, and the gifts others have?.Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Sometimes, it’s easy to become intimidated or even jealous of other Christians. &#8220;Alondra is so good at teaching—would I be a better Christian if I could teach like she can? Blake always knows how to show mercy to people—why is that so hard for me? Is it bad that I can’t lead people in worship like Jade?&#8221; . God has equipped His people in so many different ways, and that’s a good thing. We don’t need to compare ourselves to other Christians because we belong to the same God. It’s not a competition—we’re all on the same team. As 1 Corinthians 12 puts it, we are all part of the body of Christ. Even though different body parts have different functions, they all work together as a whole. . Similarly, Christians are equipped with different spiritual gifts, but these gifts “are the work of one and the same Spirit” (verse 11). God doesn’t leave anyone out. All of us are important in the body of Christ, each of us tremendously and equally loved by God. He demonstrated His great love for us in Jesus—He came to serve, giving His very life for us so that we could be with Him (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). The reason we serve now, in whatever capacity that may be, is because we love Jesus and want to share His love with others. . As members of the same team and family, we have the freedom to explore the gifts God has given us. Some Christians will have gifts that are similar to ours, others will have very different gifts. But we can trust Jesus to guide us in how to serve Him as we listen to His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can serve Him faithfully as one of the many unique members of His church, knowing that we are loved no matter how we serve. • A. W. Smith . • Consider taking some time to reread 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:11-16. The Holy Spirit gives different spiritual gifts to all Christians. What questions do you have about spiritual gifts? . • Who are trusted Christians in your life—such as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers—who could help you discern your spiritual gifts and talk through questions you might have about the gifts you have, and the gifts others have? . Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Pet.4.10|1Cor.12|Eph.4.11-Eph.4.16

Until recently, I didn’t realize how often Paul had help writing his letters to the churches in the New Testament. I knew that God inspired and directed Paul to write these letters, but it never occurred to me that he had human help too. And Scripture spells it out clearly for us!.Skim through the first verses in 1 & 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. In each of these letters, Paul names people who helped him write: Sosthenes, Timothy, and Silas. More than half of Paul’s letters were collaborative efforts..That blew my mind! But the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. God has designed us to lean on each other and work together..I see this every day in my job. I work here at Keys for Kids Ministries, editing and writing devotional content for "Unlocked." And while my name is listed at the end of this devotion, I didn’t write it alone. Even as I write this first draft, the ideas and thoughts I write about have been shaped by pastors, teachers, parents, authors, and friends. By the time it’s published, this devotion will have been touched by a team of editors, theological reviewers, proofreaders, and graphic designers. Every devotion you read in this publication is a collaborative effort. And that’s without even mentioning the donors, data processors, administrators, audio producers, radio staff, and more..Jesus doesn’t want us to do life alone. As God the Son, He Himself lives in perfect community with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus died and rose again so He could live in union with us, His people. Jesus is wild about community..It’s easy for us to believe that we have to do everything ourselves. After all, that’s what everyone else does, right? But the thing is, that’s not true. Nobody does anything by themselves. We’ve all had people guide us, shape us, and come alongside us. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s good! It’s the way God designed it!.Leaning on others is a strength, not a weakness. And as we embrace this truth, we learn how to better embrace Jesus. • Taylor Eising.• Who are trusted Christians in your life you can lean on? And who can lean on you? If nobody comes to mind, you can ask Jesus to help you identify people in the future..All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)

Until recently, I didn’t realize how often Paul had help writing his letters to the churches in the New Testament. I knew that God inspired and directed Paul to write these letters, but it never occurred to me that he had human help too. And Scripture spells it out clearly for us! . Skim through the first verses in 1 &#038; 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 &#038; 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. In each of these letters, Paul names people who helped him write: Sosthenes, Timothy, and Silas. More than half of Paul’s letters were collaborative efforts. . That blew my mind! But the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. God has designed us to lean on each other and work together. . I see this every day in my job. I work here at Keys for Kids Ministries, editing and writing devotional content for &#8220;Unlocked.&#8221; And while my name is listed at the end of this devotion, I didn’t write it alone. Even as I write this first draft, the ideas and thoughts I write about have been shaped by pastors, teachers, parents, authors, and friends. By the time it’s published, this devotion will have been touched by a team of editors, theological reviewers, proofreaders, and graphic designers. Every devotion you read in this publication is a collaborative effort. And that’s without even mentioning the donors, data processors, administrators, audio producers, radio staff, and more. . Jesus doesn’t want us to do life alone. As God the Son, He Himself lives in perfect community with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus died and rose again so He could live in union with us, His people. Jesus is wild about community. . It’s easy for us to believe that we have to do everything ourselves. After all, that’s what everyone else does, right? But the thing is, that’s not true. Nobody does anything by themselves. We’ve all had people guide us, shape us, and come alongside us. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s good! It’s the way God designed it! . Leaning on others is a strength, not a weakness. And as we embrace this truth, we learn how to better embrace Jesus. • Taylor Eising . • Who are trusted Christians in your life you can lean on? And who can lean on you? If nobody comes to mind, you can ask Jesus to help you identify people in the future. . All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Cor.12.12-1Cor.12.27

Have you ever had to help a toddler learn a basic task, like putting on shoes or using a fork? While the process can be cute, it can also be long and frustrating. But no matter how challenging the journey might get, when we love little ones, we know that the time spent helping them learn and grow is worth it—even if the process takeslots of twists and turns..In the Bible, Christians are often called children of God. Even as adults, we are God’s kids, and our spiritual growth and learning can be just as twisting and turning as the average toddler’s quest to grow up..As Christians, we can rest in the truth that Jesus knows we have a lot to learn. He loves us, and He won’t give up on us. We can trust Him to be patient with us and give us strength as we learn to love others the way He has loved us (1 John 4:19)..Simply put, God is always patient and loving with His children. We can know this is true because He demonstrated His love for us by dying to save us (John 3:16-17). What a promise to rest in: that we are secure in the work of our Savior, Jesus, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. He’s never going to give up on us. He WILL complete the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6). So even as we learn and grow, we can look forward to the day when Jesus will return and we will reach full maturity. And in the meantime, our patient God will keep helping us through all the twists and turns. • A. W. Smith.• Do you sometimes get impatient with your own spiritual growth, getting frustrated when you find it difficult to show love to people or resist doing things that you know are wrong? Consider taking a moment to talk with Jesus about these struggles (Hebrews 4:14-16). .• Until Jesus returns, we all continue to struggle with sin. How could the truths from today’s Bible passages encourage us when we’re struggling? What are some practical ways we could remind each other of God’s love, forgiveness, and patience?.And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Have you ever had to help a toddler learn a basic task, like putting on shoes or using a fork? While the process can be cute, it can also be long and frustrating. But no matter how challenging the journey might get, when we love little ones, we know that the time spent helping them learn and grow is worth it—even if the process takes lots of twists and turns. . In the Bible, Christians are often called children of God. Even as adults, we are God’s kids, and our spiritual growth and learning can be just as twisting and turning as the average toddler’s quest to grow up. . As Christians, we can rest in the truth that Jesus knows we have a lot to learn. He loves us, and He won’t give up on us. We can trust Him to be patient with us and give us strength as we learn to love others the way He has loved us (1 John 4:19). . Simply put, God is always patient and loving with His children. We can know this is true because He demonstrated His love for us by dying to save us (John 3:16-17). What a promise to rest in: that we are secure in the work of our Savior, Jesus, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. He’s never going to give up on us. He WILL complete the work He started in us (Philippians 1:6). So even as we learn and grow, we can look forward to the day when Jesus will return and we will reach full maturity. And in the meantime, our patient God will keep helping us through all the twists and turns. • A. W. Smith . • Do you sometimes get impatient with your own spiritual growth, getting frustrated when you find it difficult to show love to people or resist doing things that you know are wrong? Consider taking a moment to talk with Jesus about these struggles (Hebrews 4:14-16). . • Until Jesus returns, we all continue to struggle with sin. How could the truths from today’s Bible passages encourage us when we’re struggling? What are some practical ways we could remind each other of God’s love, forgiveness, and patience? . And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Eph.5.1-Eph.5.2|2Thess.3.3-2Thess.3.5|Phil.1.6|1John.3.1|1John.4.19

"Ninety-eight, ninety-nine... and that makes one hundred,” I counted aloud while another volunteer added the total to the app on my phone. My family and I had volunteered to pick up trash surrounding a lake in our community. One of our tasks involved tracking the number of various kinds of items we collected in our clean-up efforts. Even before the end of our shift, my team and I had retrieved over 100 used, stubbed-out cigarettes from the ground near the lake. We knew this place needed some attention, but until we joined the clean-up crew, we hadn’t realized how carelessly it had been treated..Many of us may have noticed signs instructing us not to litter. But for those who seek to follow Jesus, our motive for caring for God’s creation goes deeper than simply following human rules..When we put our trust in Jesus, we begin a relationship with God as our loving Heavenly Father. Our lives take on a new direction; the Holy Spirit works in us so our actions and choices can honor God as we love and obey Him in decisions big and small..So, how should a child of God interact with the natural world? By first remembering that God created the world; that the earth—and everything in it—belongs to Him. And by reflecting on the reality that God called His creation “good” (Genesis 1). As God’s love fills our hearts, it overflows in acts of love for the people and the environment around us. Our Lord invites us to care for His creation, compelled by the sure hope of Jesus’s return, when heaven will meet earth and He will renew and restore all of creation. As we keep in mind that God takes pleasure in the world He has made, we can uncover a deeper meaning behind choosing not to litter—and a deeper purpose in cleaning up the litter we find around us. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Jesus loves His creation (John 1:2-3; Colossians 1:15-23). How could this truth affect the way we view the earth?.• What are some practical ways we can care for the physical world that God has made?.The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1 (NIV)

&#8220;Ninety-eight, ninety-nine&#8230; and that makes one hundred,” I counted aloud while another volunteer added the total to the app on my phone. My family and I had volunteered to pick up trash surrounding a lake in our community. One of our tasks involved tracking the number of various kinds of items we collected in our clean-up efforts. Even before the end of our shift, my team and I had retrieved over 100 used, stubbed-out cigarettes from the ground near the lake. We knew this place needed some attention, but until we joined the clean-up crew, we hadn’t realized how carelessly it had been treated. . Many of us may have noticed signs instructing us not to litter. But for those who seek to follow Jesus, our motive for caring for God’s creation goes deeper than simply following human rules. . When we put our trust in Jesus, we begin a relationship with God as our loving Heavenly Father. Our lives take on a new direction; the Holy Spirit works in us so our actions and choices can honor God as we love and obey Him in decisions big and small. . So, how should a child of God interact with the natural world? By first remembering that God created the world; that the earth—and everything in it—belongs to Him. And by reflecting on the reality that God called His creation “good” (Genesis 1). As God’s love fills our hearts, it overflows in acts of love for the people and the environment around us. Our Lord invites us to care for His creation, compelled by the sure hope of Jesus’s return, when heaven will meet earth and He will renew and restore all of creation. As we keep in mind that God takes pleasure in the world He has made, we can uncover a deeper meaning behind choosing not to litter—and a deeper purpose in cleaning up the litter we find around us. • Allison Wilson Lee . • Jesus loves His creation (John 1:2-3; Colossians 1:15-23). How could this truth affect the way we view the earth? . • What are some practical ways we can care for the physical world that God has made? . The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Gen.1.1-Gen.1.10|Ps.24.1-Ps.24.2

What are worms good for? Well, they help the earth breathe. As worms burrow through the ground, they let fresh air through the soil. The more they eat and digest the soil, the better it is for growing things. In little details like these, we can see glimpses of how amazing God is. The Creator has intricately woven His creation to work together, all of it bringing honor to Him..Take the sun as another example that shows us God’s goodness. It’s just the right distance away from planet Earth so we can live. If we were just a little closer, animals and plants couldn’t survive the heat. But if we were a little farther away, we couldn’t survive the cold. And that’s not all—as the Earth moves around the sun in an elliptical orbit, the seasons follow one another in splendorous order. Only God could have fashioned everything so well..The beauty and complexity of nature points to our loving God, the One who made everything and makes it all work together. And, even though sin fractured creation in deep ways, we can still catch glimpses of the goodness of God in everything He has made..As we stand in awe of creation, we can also marvel at how God became human and came to earth to live among us. He died on the cross to defeat sin, He rose from the grave to defeat death, and one day He will return and make all creation new—so it’s no longer affected by sin, no longer held captive by death. Until that day, Jesus is holding all things together. Because of Him, all of creation—down to the smallest earthworm—has a purpose in God’s universe. A. W. Smith.• What is one of your favorite parts of creation? How could this remind you of God’s goodness?.• How could you find a way to spend time in nature today and marvel at some of the things God has made? As you notice what catches your attention, consider spending some time thanking God for what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. .For in him [Jesus] all things were created... all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

What are worms good for? Well, they help the earth breathe. As worms burrow through the ground, they let fresh air through the soil. The more they eat and digest the soil, the better it is for growing things. In little details like these, we can see glimpses of how amazing God is. The Creator has intricately woven His creation to work together, all of it bringing honor to Him. . Take the sun as another example that shows us God’s goodness. It’s just the right distance away from planet Earth so we can live. If we were just a little closer, animals and plants couldn’t survive the heat. But if we were a little farther away, we couldn’t survive the cold. And that’s not all—as the Earth moves around the sun in an elliptical orbit, the seasons follow one another in splendorous order. Only God could have fashioned everything so well. . The beauty and complexity of nature points to our loving God, the One who made everything and makes it all work together. And, even though sin fractured creation in deep ways, we can still catch glimpses of the goodness of God in everything He has made. . As we stand in awe of creation, we can also marvel at how God became human and came to earth to live among us. He died on the cross to defeat sin, He rose from the grave to defeat death, and one day He will return and make all creation new—so it’s no longer affected by sin, no longer held captive by death. Until that day, Jesus is holding all things together. Because of Him, all of creation—down to the smallest earthworm—has a purpose in God’s universe. A. W. Smith . • What is one of your favorite parts of creation? How could this remind you of God’s goodness? . • How could you find a way to spend time in nature today and marvel at some of the things God has made? As you notice what catches your attention, consider spending some time thanking God for what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. . For in him [Jesus] all things were created&#8230; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Gen.1.1|Rom.8.20-Rom.8.22|Col.1.15-Col.1.19|Rev.21.1-Rev.21.5

In those Dark Ages before smartphones, streaming, and DVDs, there was VHS, which is what I grew up with. Whenever I wanted to watch my favorite movies, I would pop the VHS (video home system) tape into the VCR (video cassette recorder). .While I may be nostalgic about VHS now, I would always dread when the tape would start to skip and the movie would blur into staticky incoherence. When that happened, it was my signal to clean the VCR. This whole process reminds me of spending time with Jesus in prayer..Prayer helps to clear our minds. When there’s a sense of spiritual blurriness or fuzziness surfacing inside, and we’re unsure of how to go forward, it’s time to pray. Much like how I would clean my VCR to see my movies more clearly, prayer can clear our minds so we can focus on what God is telling us. If the static of life is deafening, we can hone in on the quiet sanctuary of prayer within, listening to what God wants us to know about His love in this present moment..Then, once our minds have cleared and the static has been wiped away, we can start seeing the bigger picture instead of just focusing on what is stressing us in the current moment. Prayer helps us clear out the static so we can see the story of Christ—and our place in that story—kind of like a movie. We can watch the progression from His birth to His death, and then the high point of His resurrection. And we can realize that there is no ending to Jesus’s story—the story continues as Jesus lives in each of us through the Holy Spirit. By remembering this big story and our place in it, we can see how Jesus is at work even in the midst of our stresses and worries..There is more to this part of life we find ourselves in than what we see at first. Prayer helps us see that more clearly, allowing us to shine Christ’s love into this fuzzy, staticky world. • Kathryn Sadakierski.• How could seeing our place in the big picture of God’s story help us understand the details of our lives more clearly? .• In many psalms (which are prayers or songs to God), the psalmists remind themselves and each other of the great things God has done and the bigger story they are a part of (Psalms 71, 81, 105). How might it be helpful to follow the model of these psalms in our own prayers? .Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (CSB)

In those Dark Ages before smartphones, streaming, and DVDs, there was VHS, which is what I grew up with. Whenever I wanted to watch my favorite movies, I would pop the VHS (video home system) tape into the VCR (video cassette recorder). . While I may be nostalgic about VHS now, I would always dread when the tape would start to skip and the movie would blur into staticky incoherence. When that happened, it was my signal to clean the VCR. This whole process reminds me of spending time with Jesus in prayer. . Prayer helps to clear our minds. When there’s a sense of spiritual blurriness or fuzziness surfacing inside, and we’re unsure of how to go forward, it’s time to pray. Much like how I would clean my VCR to see my movies more clearly, prayer can clear our minds so we can focus on what God is telling us. If the static of life is deafening, we can hone in on the quiet sanctuary of prayer within, listening to what God wants us to know about His love in this present moment. . Then, once our minds have cleared and the static has been wiped away, we can start seeing the bigger picture instead of just focusing on what is stressing us in the current moment. Prayer helps us clear out the static so we can see the story of Christ—and our place in that story—kind of like a movie. We can watch the progression from His birth to His death, and then the high point of His resurrection. And we can realize that there is no ending to Jesus’s story—the story continues as Jesus lives in each of us through the Holy Spirit. By remembering this big story and our place in it, we can see how Jesus is at work even in the midst of our stresses and worries. . There is more to this part of life we find ourselves in than what we see at first. Prayer helps us see that more clearly, allowing us to shine Christ’s love into this fuzzy, staticky world. • Kathryn Sadakierski . • How could seeing our place in the big picture of God’s story help us understand the details of our lives more clearly? . • In many psalms (which are prayers or songs to God), the psalmists remind themselves and each other of the great things God has done and the bigger story they are a part of (Psalms 71, 81, 105). How might it be helpful to follow the model of these psalms in our own prayers? . Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Phil.4.4-Phil.4.9|Col.4.2|Ps.32.6-Ps.32.11|Ps.46

Have you ever prayed and prayed for something to happen, something that you know is good and right, something that—by all logic—seems like it should happen... and it doesn’t? What then? Well, John the Baptist was in a similar situation. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, John was the one who baptized Jesus and saw the Spirit descend on Him like a dove (Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-36). But John still sent messengers to Jesus, asking if Jesus was truly the Messiah. Why would he do that? Did John, of all people, have doubts?.John was in prison at the time he sent the messengers, and he had been imprisoned by Herod the tetrarch for quite some time at this point (Luke 3:19-20). And Jesus knew that John was in prison. I can see how some doubt about Jesus’s identity would creep in. I can just imagine John murmuring to himself in jail, “I know Jesus is Lord, but how could He just leave me here?”.So, what’s Jesus’s answer? He quotes parts of the Old Testament, saying He is there to make the blind see and preach good news to the poor, but He leaves out one specific part. Freeing the captives. In essence, it’s like Jesus is saying, “Yes, I am the Messiah, I am who you think I am, but this isn’t something I am meant to do for you.”.We don’t get much explanation beyond that except another passage where Jesus states that He is not going to fulfill all the expectations that people had for Him (Matthew 11:16-19). Jesus is the perfect Messiah, but He is going to do things in His own way and His own time..John the Baptist was beheaded in the same prison that he sent those messengers from (Mark 6:17-29). But even though John remained a prisoner, Jesus was no less of a Savior. And someday, Jesus will free all prisoners and justice will come. When Jesus returns, He will raise all His people from the dead—including John the Baptist—and together we will see the glory of the Messiah on full display. • Naomi Zylstra.• Can you think of a time your prayers were not answered in the way you were expecting? Have you ever felt like God wasn’t “doing His job”?.• Jesus does rescue John, but not from the prison cell. John’s rescue is from death itself. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns! How can remembering Jesus’s promises give us hope in the midst of hardship and confusion? (Matthew 28:20; John 16:33; Romans 8:31-39).Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see...” Matthew 11:4 (CSB)

Have you ever prayed and prayed for something to happen, something that you know is good and right, something that—by all logic—seems like it should happen&#8230; and it doesn’t? What then? Well, John the Baptist was in a similar situation. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, John was the one who baptized Jesus and saw the Spirit descend on Him like a dove (Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-36). But John still sent messengers to Jesus, asking if Jesus was truly the Messiah. Why would he do that? Did John, of all people, have doubts? . John was in prison at the time he sent the messengers, and he had been imprisoned by Herod the tetrarch for quite some time at this point (Luke 3:19-20). And Jesus knew that John was in prison. I can see how some doubt about Jesus’s identity would creep in. I can just imagine John murmuring to himself in jail, “I know Jesus is Lord, but how could He just leave me here?” . So, what’s Jesus’s answer? He quotes parts of the Old Testament, saying He is there to make the blind see and preach good news to the poor, but He leaves out one specific part. Freeing the captives. In essence, it’s like Jesus is saying, “Yes, I am the Messiah, I am who you think I am, but this isn’t something I am meant to do for you.” . We don’t get much explanation beyond that except another passage where Jesus states that He is not going to fulfill all the expectations that people had for Him (Matthew 11:16-19). Jesus is the perfect Messiah, but He is going to do things in His own way and His own time. . John the Baptist was beheaded in the same prison that he sent those messengers from (Mark 6:17-29). But even though John remained a prisoner, Jesus was no less of a Savior. And someday, Jesus will free all prisoners and justice will come. When Jesus returns, He will raise all His people from the dead—including John the Baptist—and together we will see the glory of the Messiah on full display. • Naomi Zylstra . • Can you think of a time your prayers were not answered in the way you were expecting? Have you ever felt like God wasn’t “doing His job”? . • Jesus does rescue John, but not from the prison cell. John’s rescue is from death itself. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns! How can remembering Jesus’s promises give us hope in the midst of hardship and confusion? (Matthew 28:20; John 16:33; Romans 8:31-39) . Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see&#8230;” Matthew 11:4 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Isa.35.4-Isa.35.6|Isa.61.1|Luke.7.18-Luke.7.23|Matt.11.4

When we see injustice in the world, what should motivate us to act?As Christians, we believe God loves every person. God revealed His love for us on the cross—the place where Jesus gave up His life. Jesus suffered more injustice than anyone, and His self-sacrificing love is what motivates us to show that same love to others. We love because we have been loved first by Jesus..This is what motivated Corrie ten Boom. As a Christian woman living during World War II, she was a part of the Dutch resistance, and she helped many Jewish people escape during the Holocaust. While earning her living as a watchmaker in the Netherlands, Corrie worked in secret with other members of the Dutch resistance to create a hiding place for Jewish refugees inside her family’s home and watch shop. Their efforts saved many people from death, but one day Corrie—and members of her family—were caught and arrested by the Nazis. Corrie was eventually released, but several of her family members died while they were imprisoned..Throughout the rest of her days, Corrie wrote about God’s work in her life, and she continued to seek out ways to help Holocaust survivors. It was her relationship with Jesus that helped her process all that had happened to her and around her, and it was Jesus’s love that motivated her to continue helping others until the end of her life..As Christians, we serve the God of justice. The same Jesus who died and rose again for us will one day return to set everything right (Romans 8; Revelation 21:1-5). We are part of His family and His eternal kingdom, so we have the joy and privilege of pointing people to our Savior through words and actions—including acts of courage and love toward our neighbors, even in the face of injustice. • Kandi Zeller.• What sticks out to you the most about Corrie ten Boom’s story? • We live in a world that’s broken by sin and its effects. As Christians, how can resting in God’s love equip us to love our neighbors in this broken world?.• Corrie ten Boom was able to help save lives because she was part of a community that was united around God’s love for the people He has made. How can working for justice—as a community—help us better serve our neighbors? .We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

When we see injustice in the world, what should motivate us to act? As Christians, we believe God loves every person. God revealed His love for us on the cross—the place where Jesus gave up His life. Jesus suffered more injustice than anyone, and His self-sacrificing love is what motivates us to show that same love to others. We love because we have been loved first by Jesus. . This is what motivated Corrie ten Boom. As a Christian woman living during World War II, she was a part of the Dutch resistance, and she helped many Jewish people escape during the Holocaust. While earning her living as a watchmaker in the Netherlands, Corrie worked in secret with other members of the Dutch resistance to create a hiding place for Jewish refugees inside her family’s home and watch shop. Their efforts saved many people from death, but one day Corrie—and members of her family—were caught and arrested by the Nazis. Corrie was eventually released, but several of her family members died while they were imprisoned. . Throughout the rest of her days, Corrie wrote about God’s work in her life, and she continued to seek out ways to help Holocaust survivors. It was her relationship with Jesus that helped her process all that had happened to her and around her, and it was Jesus’s love that motivated her to continue helping others until the end of her life. . As Christians, we serve the God of justice. The same Jesus who died and rose again for us will one day return to set everything right (Romans 8; Revelation 21:1-5). We are part of His family and His eternal kingdom, so we have the joy and privilege of pointing people to our Savior through words and actions—including acts of courage and love toward our neighbors, even in the face of injustice. • Kandi Zeller . • What sticks out to you the most about Corrie ten Boom’s story? • We live in a world that’s broken by sin and its effects. As Christians, how can resting in God’s love equip us to love our neighbors in this broken world? . • Corrie ten Boom was able to help save lives because she was part of a community that was united around God’s love for the people He has made. How can working for justice—as a community—help us better serve our neighbors? . We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1John.4.19|John.3.16-John.3.17|John.13.34-John.13.35

What does treasure mean to you? Is it money you save up? Is it valuables you hide in the rooms and closets of your home... or put on display for others to admire? Is it good grades, or likes on a screen? There are lots of things we can treasure. But in Matthew 6:20, Jesus invites us to a different way. He says, “Store your treasures in heaven.” But what does that mean?.Jesus explains, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth” (verse 19) where everything falls apart or gets stolen. Instead of being devoted to earthly treasure, our loving God wants our hearts to be devoted to Him (verse 24). He is our true treasure. Knowing Him is the only thing that will fill our deepest longings—He treasures us, and we don’t need to do anything to earn His love..If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are God’s people, and now everything we do out of love and service to Him builds on the treasure we already have in knowing Him and being part of His eternal kingdom (Ephesians 1:3-8; 3:8; Colossians 2:3). Basically, as Christians, it’s not what we do that stores treasure in heaven, but who we do it for. As we follow Jesus with our lives, He helps us store up heavenly riches that will last forever. Through His Holy Spirit living in us, Jesus is making us more like Him and empowering us to show others His amazing love..Things like money, success, and popularity come and go, and they can only last as long as our lives on earth—or even shorter. But the treasure found in Jesus lasts for all eternity. In other words, anything we build can be torn down, but the kingdom of God cannot be torn down. As Christians, our hope isn’t in our possessions or our status in society or our accomplishments. Instead, our hope rests in the work of Jesus: how He died on the cross and rose from the grave... and how He promises to return and make all things new and dwell with us forever..Maybe right now you don’t have much earthly treasure, or maybe you have a lot. Just know that all of that earthly treasure is temporary, and it won’t satisfy you anyway. Jesus is the true treasure. He is inviting you to come to Him and live a life that is truly meaningful by loving God and loving the people around you (Matthew 11:28-30; 22:34-40). • A. W. Smith.• What things in your life do you consider to be treasure? Why are these things important to you? .• How could the good desires associated with these things (desires for safety, strength, relational closeness, knowledge, wisdom, beauty, etc.) point us to Jesus, the One who ultimately satisfies these desires through His kingdom and His family? .“Store your treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20 (NLT)

What does treasure mean to you? Is it money you save up? Is it valuables you hide in the rooms and closets of your home&#8230; or put on display for others to admire? Is it good grades, or likes on a screen? There are lots of things we can treasure. But in Matthew 6:20, Jesus invites us to a different way. He says, “Store your treasures in heaven.” But what does that mean? . Jesus explains, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth” (verse 19) where everything falls apart or gets stolen. Instead of being devoted to earthly treasure, our loving God wants our hearts to be devoted to Him (verse 24). He is our true treasure. Knowing Him is the only thing that will fill our deepest longings—He treasures us, and we don’t need to do anything to earn His love. . If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are God’s people, and now everything we do out of love and service to Him builds on the treasure we already have in knowing Him and being part of His eternal kingdom (Ephesians 1:3-8; 3:8; Colossians 2:3). Basically, as Christians, it’s not what we do that stores treasure in heaven, but who we do it for. As we follow Jesus with our lives, He helps us store up heavenly riches that will last forever. Through His Holy Spirit living in us, Jesus is making us more like Him and empowering us to show others His amazing love. . Things like money, success, and popularity come and go, and they can only last as long as our lives on earth—or even shorter. But the treasure found in Jesus lasts for all eternity. In other words, anything we build can be torn down, but the kingdom of God cannot be torn down. As Christians, our hope isn’t in our possessions or our status in society or our accomplishments. Instead, our hope rests in the work of Jesus: how He died on the cross and rose from the grave&#8230; and how He promises to return and make all things new and dwell with us forever. . Maybe right now you don’t have much earthly treasure, or maybe you have a lot. Just know that all of that earthly treasure is temporary, and it won’t satisfy you anyway. Jesus is the true treasure. He is inviting you to come to Him and live a life that is truly meaningful by loving God and loving the people around you (Matthew 11:28-30; 22:34-40). • A. W. Smith . • What things in your life do you consider to be treasure? Why are these things important to you? . • How could the good desires associated with these things (desires for safety, strength, relational closeness, knowledge, wisdom, beauty, etc.) point us to Jesus, the One who ultimately satisfies these desires through His kingdom and His family? . “Store your treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.6.19-Matt.6.34|Matt.13.44-Matt.13.46|Matt.19.21

Prayer has never been easy for me. It’s not that I don’t know how to pray, but it takes a lot of discipline for me to stick to praying even when I don’t feel like it. I’ve heard stories of people in the Bible and missionaries who had ground-shaking prayer lives... but that’s never happened for me. However, as I pushed through my insecurity about prayer and just started doing it, I found out that I don’t need to have all the answers. My life became so much more peace-filled when I interacted with God regularly in prayer..For me, one of the best things about praying is that I can do it anytime, anywhere. More than that, I can choose to have a constant conversation with God. This has been such a beautiful part of my walk with Him. When I’d have to make a split-second decision, I’d whisper “God, help me,” and then, often, I would have clarity. When I saw something beautiful, like a waving flower or a singing bird, I’d smile and pray, “Thank You, God.” These simple prayers became more and more natural. I wondered if this was what Paul meant when he said to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I started calling these short, one-sentence prayers “breathing prayers” because I started doing them without thinking, kind of like breathing..As I interacted with God more and more through these simple, child-like prayers, my relationship with Him deepened. He opened my eyes to things I hadn’t seen. It was like I was holding His hand throughout the day. The truth is, you don’t have to be a missionary to have a rich prayer life. Every child of God—every person who has put their trust in Jesus—can enjoy constant communication with Him. God is listening, He loves you, and He loves hearing from you! Through prayer, He invites us to lean into His strength as He equips us for everything we face. As we communicate with God, we get to experience the closeness we have with the One who loves us so dearly. • Lily Walsh.• God invites us to be in relationship with Him. Even though our sin separated us from God, He made the way for us to be close to Him through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Now, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is brought near to God! Yet, we can still choose how much we interact with Him. Why do you think God calls us to communicate with Him continually?.• We all feel hesitant to pray sometimes. How could this author’s personal experience with prayer give us hope to reach out to God even when we feel resistance?.Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

Prayer has never been easy for me. It’s not that I don’t know how to pray, but it takes a lot of discipline for me to stick to praying even when I don’t feel like it. I’ve heard stories of people in the Bible and missionaries who had ground-shaking prayer lives&#8230; but that’s never happened for me. However, as I pushed through my insecurity about prayer and just started doing it, I found out that I don’t need to have all the answers. My life became so much more peace-filled when I interacted with God regularly in prayer. . For me, one of the best things about praying is that I can do it anytime, anywhere. More than that, I can choose to have a constant conversation with God. This has been such a beautiful part of my walk with Him. When I’d have to make a split-second decision, I’d whisper “God, help me,” and then, often, I would have clarity. When I saw something beautiful, like a waving flower or a singing bird, I’d smile and pray, “Thank You, God.” These simple prayers became more and more natural. I wondered if this was what Paul meant when he said to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I started calling these short, one-sentence prayers “breathing prayers” because I started doing them without thinking, kind of like breathing. . As I interacted with God more and more through these simple, child-like prayers, my relationship with Him deepened. He opened my eyes to things I hadn’t seen. It was like I was holding His hand throughout the day. The truth is, you don’t have to be a missionary to have a rich prayer life. Every child of God—every person who has put their trust in Jesus—can enjoy constant communication with Him. God is listening, He loves you, and He loves hearing from you! Through prayer, He invites us to lean into His strength as He equips us for everything we face. As we communicate with God, we get to experience the closeness we have with the One who loves us so dearly. • Lily Walsh . • God invites us to be in relationship with Him. Even though our sin separated us from God, He made the way for us to be close to Him through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Now, everyone who has put their trust in Jesus is brought near to God! Yet, we can still choose how much we interact with Him. Why do you think God calls us to communicate with Him continually? . • We all feel hesitant to pray sometimes. How could this author’s personal experience with prayer give us hope to reach out to God even when we feel resistance? . Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Jer.33.3|Luke.18.1|1Thess.5.16-1Thess.5.18|Jas.5.13-Jas.5.18

"She must really want this job,” I told my roommate. All throughout our dorm, posters promoted a candidate for dorm treasurer who I’ll call “Millie.” Each time we entered or exited the building we spotted these well-made campaign signs..Other people were competing for positions on the leadership board of our dormitory, but nobody had plastered as many notices as Millie. I assumed she would serve well in the position because she seemed serious about taking on this role. When it came time to vote for dorm leaders, a majority of residents voted for Millie as treasurer..We paid our dues to help support fun dormitory activities, and it was the treasurer’s responsibility to maintain these funds. We hoped this money would cover an extravagant end-of-year party in May. The first semester ended in December without any special celebrations..When we returned after Christmas, we discovered that Millie had not come back to campus. She also didn’t return to class. She had simply disappeared—and the dorm treasury had disappeared with her. Did something bad happen to Millie? Or did she purposefully take the money we had trusted her to manage?.Unlike our loving Heavenly Father—who is always faithful and true—people let us down. Sometimes, they make promises they fail to fulfill; sometimes, they betray our trust. Kings, presidents, parents—and dorm treasurers—are flawed and fallible human beings. Only God is worthy of our complete confidence. He keeps all His promises. He promised to rescue His people from sin and death, and that promise was fulfilled in Jesus’s death and resurrection. He also promises to someday return to destroy sin, brokenness, and death forever. Our God is trustworthy. We can trust the Lord to redeem us from our sin, and we can trust Him—and Him alone—with our whole hearts. • Allison Wilson Lee.• Have you ever been let down by someone you trusted? What was it like? .• How is putting confidence in God different from putting confidence in people? .• Trusting God is hard sometimes. When it feels difficult to trust Jesus, we can tell Him that. He wants us to be honest with Him, and He has compassion on us. When is it hardest for you to trust God? Who are Christians in your life you would feel comfortable talking to about this? .It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9 (WEB)

&#8220;She must really want this job,” I told my roommate. All throughout our dorm, posters promoted a candidate for dorm treasurer who I’ll call “Millie.” Each time we entered or exited the building we spotted these well-made campaign signs. . Other people were competing for positions on the leadership board of our dormitory, but nobody had plastered as many notices as Millie. I assumed she would serve well in the position because she seemed serious about taking on this role. When it came time to vote for dorm leaders, a majority of residents voted for Millie as treasurer. . We paid our dues to help support fun dormitory activities, and it was the treasurer’s responsibility to maintain these funds. We hoped this money would cover an extravagant end-of-year party in May. The first semester ended in December without any special celebrations. . When we returned after Christmas, we discovered that Millie had not come back to campus. She also didn’t return to class. She had simply disappeared—and the dorm treasury had disappeared with her. Did something bad happen to Millie? Or did she purposefully take the money we had trusted her to manage? . Unlike our loving Heavenly Father—who is always faithful and true—people let us down. Sometimes, they make promises they fail to fulfill; sometimes, they betray our trust. Kings, presidents, parents—and dorm treasurers—are flawed and fallible human beings. Only God is worthy of our complete confidence. He keeps all His promises. He promised to rescue His people from sin and death, and that promise was fulfilled in Jesus’s death and resurrection. He also promises to someday return to destroy sin, brokenness, and death forever. Our God is trustworthy. We can trust the Lord to redeem us from our sin, and we can trust Him—and Him alone—with our whole hearts. • Allison Wilson Lee . • Have you ever been let down by someone you trusted? What was it like? . • How is putting confidence in God different from putting confidence in people? . • Trusting God is hard sometimes. When it feels difficult to trust Jesus, we can tell Him that. He wants us to be honest with Him, and He has compassion on us. When is it hardest for you to trust God? Who are Christians in your life you would feel comfortable talking to about this? . It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9 (WEB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.118.8-Ps.118.9|Ps.146.1-Ps.146.6|Prov.3.5-Prov.3.6

How could He just storm the gates like that?” “Do we have a plan?” “Is the war over?” Hundreds of questions attacked from all sides as we stared at the broken gate. “This was a fortress—no one should have been able to break through.” “Today we were supposed to revel in our victory!” “Didn’t we all hear the Savior cry out for the last time? Didn’t we see Him take His last breath? He was dead.” “So, how could He have broken through the gate and stolen the key?” “Not only that, but He stared us in the face and declared victory—over death itself!”.“ENOUGH! Not another word,” the Great Darkness ordered. Then the voice dropped dangerously quiet. The Great Darkness was not in the mood for questions. “Today, the Chosen One from above thinks He has won, but we will wreak havoc on all His land until the end. If we cannot defeat Him personally, we will attack that which is most precious to Him... His people.”.As we prepare for war, we can’t help but shudder. The gates were breached, and the so-called Savior took the keys. The Great Darkness declared there are more battles to fight. Yet today, there is another who is more worthy of our fear. This Chosen One who defeated death and darkness certainly isn’t afraid of us..Yes, there may be more battles to fight, but the war is over. The Savior has stolen the victory. Nothing we do now could ever change that. And the Great Darkness knows it. • Kayla Miller.• Today’s story is an allegory, showing Jesus’s victory over sin, death, and all the forces of evil and darkness. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to celebrate that our Savior holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). Now, even though we will experience suffering as the forces of darkness wage war on God’s people, we can know that nothing will ever “be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). How could pondering these truths help us rest in Jesus’s undefeatable love for us?.• As Christians, we don’t need to be afraid of death or evil. Instead, God calls us to come to Him with all our worries, and He empowers us to resist the enemy and stand firm in His true grace, which He has given us in Jesus (1 Peter 5:6-12). When you’re facing hard things, who are trusted Christians in your life who can pray with you and help you follow our Lord? How can you be this kind of friend to others? .“I [Jesus] am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 (NIV)

How could He just storm the gates like that?” “Do we have a plan?” “Is the war over?” Hundreds of questions attacked from all sides as we stared at the broken gate. “This was a fortress—no one should have been able to break through.” “Today we were supposed to revel in our victory!” “Didn’t we all hear the Savior cry out for the last time? Didn’t we see Him take His last breath? He was dead.” “So, how could He have broken through the gate and stolen the key?” “Not only that, but He stared us in the face and declared victory—over death itself!” . “ENOUGH! Not another word,” the Great Darkness ordered. Then the voice dropped dangerously quiet. The Great Darkness was not in the mood for questions. “Today, the Chosen One from above thinks He has won, but we will wreak havoc on all His land until the end. If we cannot defeat Him personally, we will attack that which is most precious to Him&#8230; His people.” . As we prepare for war, we can’t help but shudder. The gates were breached, and the so-called Savior took the keys. The Great Darkness declared there are more battles to fight. Yet today, there is another who is more worthy of our fear. This Chosen One who defeated death and darkness certainly isn’t afraid of us. . Yes, there may be more battles to fight, but the war is over. The Savior has stolen the victory. Nothing we do now could ever change that. And the Great Darkness knows it. • Kayla Miller . • Today’s story is an allegory, showing Jesus’s victory over sin, death, and all the forces of evil and darkness. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we get to celebrate that our Savior holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). Now, even though we will experience suffering as the forces of darkness wage war on God’s people, we can know that nothing will ever “be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). How could pondering these truths help us rest in Jesus’s undefeatable love for us? . • As Christians, we don’t need to be afraid of death or evil. Instead, God calls us to come to Him with all our worries, and He empowers us to resist the enemy and stand firm in His true grace, which He has given us in Jesus (1 Peter 5:6-12). When you’re facing hard things, who are trusted Christians in your life who can pray with you and help you follow our Lord? How can you be this kind of friend to others? . “I [Jesus] am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Deut.3.22|Rev.1.4-Rev.1.18

"So, let me get this straight.” Petronius glared at the two Roman soldiers sitting across from him. “There was a bright light, and you were knocked to the ground, and when you got up, the seal was broken, the two-ton stone was rolled away, and the body was gone?”.“There was also a roaring sound,” Justin added. He glanced over at Lucius, who was staring at the table in silence, still in shock..“A roaring sound,” their commanding officer repeated. “Like a lion?”.“No, like scraping—” Justin stopped to think. “But yes, also like a lion.”.Petronius threw his reed pen down in frustration. “A scraping sound that roared like a lion. Do you know how crazy that sounds? Honestly, if it weren’t for the other soldiers on guard last night with similar nonsensical stories, you two would be on your way to the execution block for sleeping on the job, because this all sounds like a crazy dream!”.Justin saw Lucius cringe. “I know how it sounds,” said Justin. “That’s also how it felt. Crazy. Impossible.”.Petronius dismissed them so he could converse with the other officers. “Don’t go far,” he warned them. “You’re being watched until we get this sorted out.”.Justin led Lucius to the courtyard. “I’ll get us something to eat,” he said as he sat his friend beneath an olive tree. Lucius nodded and slumped against the tree trunk..Justin walked to a nearby booth selling pomegranates. As he handed his coins over, he wondered if this would be his last meal. What had the dead man—whose tomb they had been guarding—eaten for his last meal? Justin shuddered as he thought about the crucifixion he had witnessed just a few days before. He’d seen many executions, but this one was different. He’d gotten the distinct sense that this man in no way deserved the abuses heaped upon him as his death sentence wascarried out. Now, Justin wondered if he, too, might be executed..As he walked back toward the courtyard, a shadow fell across his path. “Move, please,” Justin said, his voice lacking the hard Roman edge it normally had. “Let me pass.”.The man took a step closer. Justin looked up, and the pomegranates he was holding fell to the ground. “It’s you,” he whispered. The eyes were the same as when they beat him and nailed him to that cross, but he didn’t look weak and helpless anymore. He looked healthy and whole..The man gave him a kind smile. “Go get your friend,” he said, nodding toward the courtyard. “Then follow me.” • Courtney Lasater.• After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to many people before He ascended into heaven. Today’s fictional story imagines Jesus appearing to some of the Roman soldiers who were present at His tomb and His crucifixion. While we don’t know if something like this happened or not, we do know that Jesus called many gentile (or non-Jewish) people, including Romans, to follow Him, both before His death and after His ascension. What does this reveal about God’s compassion and mercy? (If you want to dig deeper, check out Matthew 8:5-13; 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 7:1-10; Acts 10:1-48; 16:23-34; 27:1-44.) .• Jesus is God in human flesh, and He came to die a terrible death on the cross for people who were His enemies. The reality is, without Jesus, we are all God’s enemies. But because Jesus died and rose again for us, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God by putting our trust in Jesus (Romans 5:10). Have you ever felt like you were somehow disqualified from following Jesus? How might today’s Bible passages speak into this?.• Jesus seeks out the lost, He meets us with immeasurable kindness, and He beckons us to follow Him. Have you made the decision to follow Jesus? What questions do you have? You can bring every question and every doubt to Jesus in prayer. He won’t condemn you or dismiss you. Instead, He will listen and draw you close. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians you could talk to? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.) .Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (CSB)

&#8220;So, let me get this straight.” Petronius glared at the two Roman soldiers sitting across from him. “There was a bright light, and you were knocked to the ground, and when you got up, the seal was broken, the two-ton stone was rolled away, and the body was gone?” . “There was also a roaring sound,” Justin added. He glanced over at Lucius, who was staring at the table in silence, still in shock. . “A roaring sound,” their commanding officer repeated. “Like a lion?” . “No, like scraping—” Justin stopped to think. “But yes, also like a lion.” . Petronius threw his reed pen down in frustration. “A scraping sound that roared like a lion. Do you know how crazy that sounds? Honestly, if it weren’t for the other soldiers on guard last night with similar nonsensical stories, you two would be on your way to the execution block for sleeping on the job, because this all sounds like a crazy dream!” . Justin saw Lucius cringe. “I know how it sounds,” said Justin. “That’s also how it felt. Crazy. Impossible.” . Petronius dismissed them so he could converse with the other officers. “Don’t go far,” he warned them. “You’re being watched until we get this sorted out.” . Justin led Lucius to the courtyard. “I’ll get us something to eat,” he said as he sat his friend beneath an olive tree. Lucius nodded and slumped against the tree trunk. . Justin walked to a nearby booth selling pomegranates. As he handed his coins over, he wondered if this would be his last meal. What had the dead man—whose tomb they had been guarding—eaten for his last meal? Justin shuddered as he thought about the crucifixion he had witnessed just a few days before. He’d seen many executions, but this one was different. He’d gotten the distinct sense that this man in no way deserved the abuses heaped upon him as his death sentence wascarried out. Now, Justin wondered if he, too, might be executed. . As he walked back toward the courtyard, a shadow fell across his path. “Move, please,” Justin said, his voice lacking the hard Roman edge it normally had. “Let me pass.” . The man took a step closer. Justin looked up, and the pomegranates he was holding fell to the ground. “It’s you,” he whispered. The eyes were the same as when they beat him and nailed him to that cross, but he didn’t look weak and helpless anymore. He looked healthy and whole. . The man gave him a kind smile. “Go get your friend,” he said, nodding toward the courtyard. “Then follow me.” • Courtney Lasater . • After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to many people before He ascended into heaven. Today’s fictional story imagines Jesus appearing to some of the Roman soldiers who were present at His tomb and His crucifixion. While we don’t know if something like this happened or not, we do know that Jesus called many gentile (or non-Jewish) people, including Romans, to follow Him, both before His death and after His ascension. What does this reveal about God’s compassion and mercy? (If you want to dig deeper, check out Matthew 8:5-13; 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 7:1-10; Acts 10:1-48; 16:23-34; 27:1-44.) . • Jesus is God in human flesh, and He came to die a terrible death on the cross for people who were His enemies. The reality is, without Jesus, we are all God’s enemies. But because Jesus died and rose again for us, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God by putting our trust in Jesus (Romans 5:10). Have you ever felt like you were somehow disqualified from following Jesus? How might today’s Bible passages speak into this? . • Jesus seeks out the lost, He meets us with immeasurable

"Glad that business is over,” Lucius said as he tapped the base of his spear against the huge stone in front of the tomb..Justin nodded in agreement. “I just hope it doesn’t cause a revolt or something,” he said quietly so the other guards stationed nearby wouldn’t overhear..“Nah,” Lucius replied. “Did you see how many Jews were at the crucifixion? Yet only a handful of them wept. Most were screaming, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ I don’t think the Jews are going to cause any trouble over this. Their leaders were the ones who brought him to Pontius Pilate to be crucified, after all.”.“Then why are we here?” asked Justin. “Why have this many soldiers guarding the sealed tomb of a man crucified as a criminal by his own people? It makes no sense.” .Lucius shrugged. “Some of the Jewish leaders are afraid his followers will try to steal the body—something about a prophecy he made about rising from the dead. But trust me, no one’s getting through this.” Lucius patted the heavy stone, then nodded toward the other soldiers. “Or us. Anyway, they say his followers scattered when he was arrested. Why would they risk it all now for someone who’s already dead?”.Justin let out a breath. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. Even though standing guard outside a tomb still required his full attention—every Roman soldier knew that failing to fulfill his duty meant pain of death—he could still think of it as a break. No breaking up fights in the street or kicking beggars out of sight so prominent Romans didn’t have to look at them as they passed by. He could breathe the fresh air and listen to the breeze whispering through the trees—.Justin’s thoughts were interrupted as heat and light seared through every part of him. A scraping roar filled his ears, and he was knocked to his knees as the earth shook. He could hear the faint screams of the soldiers around him but couldn’t open his eyes in the blinding light. All he could do was throw his arms over his head until it was over..Finally, Justin felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Lucius. “What happened?” Justin asked..“I don’t know,” said Lucius. He pointed toward the tomb. “But we’ve got a situation.”.Justin turned and gasped. The huge stone had been rolled away from the tomb’s entrance. They walked inside and stopped dead. Justin saw Lucius’s face pale to the color of ash. “He’s gone.” Justin’s voice trembled as they both stared at the empty tomb. • Courtney Lasater.• Today’s fictional story is based on the true events of Easter morning. Read Matthew 27:57-66 and 28:1-6. What do you think it would have been like to be one of the Roman soldiers standing guard outside of the tomb when the angel rolled the stone away?.• What sticks out to you most, either in today’s story or in the Bible passages it’s based on?.• Why is it important that Jesus literally rose from the dead? How might knowing the precautions taken by the Roman government, so that no one could steal Jesus’s body, give us confidence that Jesus’s resurrection really did happen?.“He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 (CSB)

&#8220;Glad that business is over,” Lucius said as he tapped the base of his spear against the huge stone in front of the tomb. . Justin nodded in agreement. “I just hope it doesn’t cause a revolt or something,” he said quietly so the other guards stationed nearby wouldn’t overhear. . “Nah,” Lucius replied. “Did you see how many Jews were at the crucifixion? Yet only a handful of them wept. Most were screaming, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ I don’t think the Jews are going to cause any trouble over this. Their leaders were the ones who brought him to Pontius Pilate to be crucified, after all.” . “Then why are we here?” asked Justin. “Why have this many soldiers guarding the sealed tomb of a man crucified as a criminal by his own people? It makes no sense.” . Lucius shrugged. “Some of the Jewish leaders are afraid his followers will try to steal the body—something about a prophecy he made about rising from the dead. But trust me, no one’s getting through this.” Lucius patted the heavy stone, then nodded toward the other soldiers. “Or us. Anyway, they say his followers scattered when he was arrested. Why would they risk it all now for someone who’s already dead?” . Justin let out a breath. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. Even though standing guard outside a tomb still required his full attention—every Roman soldier knew that failing to fulfill his duty meant pain of death—he could still think of it as a break. No breaking up fights in the street or kicking beggars out of sight so prominent Romans didn’t have to look at them as they passed by. He could breathe the fresh air and listen to the breeze whispering through the trees— . Justin’s thoughts were interrupted as heat and light seared through every part of him. A scraping roar filled his ears, and he was knocked to his knees as the earth shook. He could hear the faint screams of the soldiers around him but couldn’t open his eyes in the blinding light. All he could do was throw his arms over his head until it was over. . Finally, Justin felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Lucius. “What happened?” Justin asked. . “I don’t know,” said Lucius. He pointed toward the tomb. “But we’ve got a situation.” . Justin turned and gasped. The huge stone had been rolled away from the tomb’s entrance. They walked inside and stopped dead. Justin saw Lucius’s face pale to the color of ash. “He’s gone.” Justin’s voice trembled as they both stared at the empty tomb. • Courtney Lasater . • Today’s fictional story is based on the true events of Easter morning. Read Matthew 27:57-66 and 28:1-6. What do you think it would have been like to be one of the Roman soldiers standing guard outside of the tomb when the angel rolled the stone away? . • What sticks out to you most, either in today’s story or in the Bible passages it’s based on? . • Why is it important that Jesus literally rose from the dead? How might knowing the precautions taken by the Roman government, so that no one could steal Jesus’s body, give us confidence that Jesus’s resurrection really did happen? . “He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.17.22-Matt.17.23|Matt.27.57-Matt.27.66|Matt.28.1-Matt.28.6

Christianity is based on faith in Jesus and the factual, historical events of His life, death, and resurrection. Because of eyewitness reports, we can know these things really happened in time and space. Without the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity would be nothing but fairy tales. It would be nothing more than humanity’s attempt to explain reality..When Jesus died on the cross, the Pharisees and the High Priest knew of Jesus’s claim that He would rise from the dead. They were afraid His disciples would steal the body and tell people that Jesus had resurrected. If that happened, everyone would follow Jesus instead of their teachings. So the Pharisees asked Pilate to secure Jesus’s tomb. Pilate gave them a Roman guard unit—soldiers from the best trained military force in the world at that time. If any of these guards fell asleep at their post, they would be executed. The Roman officials also put a seal on Jesus’s tomb. If this seal was broken, the penalty was death. Nobody would dare break a Roman seal..So, when Jesus did rise from the dead, this was a problem for the Pharisees. They worried that His followers would tell everyone about it. So they came up with a plan: they would say the disciples stole Jesus’s body..Yes, they would tell people that the disciples came and overpowered the best trained military force in the world, broke the Roman seal—risking the penalty of death—and stole Jesus’s body. People from that area knew how foolish this story was. Besides, when Jesus died, His disciples thought their Messiah had failed and got Himself killed. They didn’t understand that He would rise from the dead, even though Jesus had told them about it beforehand. All hope in Jesus died when they saw Him on the cross. Why would they steal a dead body?.The truth of the resurrection was apparent to the thousands of people who became Christians soon after this event (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Now we, too, can trust in the factual, historical account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And because of His resurrection, we can trust that He will raise us from the dead at His return, and all His people will live forever in His loving presence in renewed creation. • Doug Velting.• What questions do you have about Jesus’s resurrection? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could bring these questions to? .But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NLT)

Christianity is based on faith in Jesus and the factual, historical events of His life, death, and resurrection. Because of eyewitness reports, we can know these things really happened in time and space. Without the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity would be nothing but fairy tales. It would be nothing more than humanity’s attempt to explain reality. . When Jesus died on the cross, the Pharisees and the High Priest knew of Jesus’s claim that He would rise from the dead. They were afraid His disciples would steal the body and tell people that Jesus had resurrected. If that happened, everyone would follow Jesus instead of their teachings. So the Pharisees asked Pilate to secure Jesus’s tomb. Pilate gave them a Roman guard unit—soldiers from the best trained military force in the world at that time. If any of these guards fell asleep at their post, they would be executed. The Roman officials also put a seal on Jesus’s tomb. If this seal was broken, the penalty was death. Nobody would dare break a Roman seal. . So, when Jesus did rise from the dead, this was a problem for the Pharisees. They worried that His followers would tell everyone about it. So they came up with a plan: they would say the disciples stole Jesus’s body. . Yes, they would tell people that the disciples came and overpowered the best trained military force in the world, broke the Roman seal—risking the penalty of death—and stole Jesus’s body. People from that area knew how foolish this story was. Besides, when Jesus died, His disciples thought their Messiah had failed and got Himself killed. They didn’t understand that He would rise from the dead, even though Jesus had told them about it beforehand. All hope in Jesus died when they saw Him on the cross. Why would they steal a dead body? . The truth of the resurrection was apparent to the thousands of people who became Christians soon after this event (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Now we, too, can trust in the factual, historical account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And because of His resurrection, we can trust that He will raise us from the dead at His return, and all His people will live forever in His loving presence in renewed creation. • Doug Velting . • What questions do you have about Jesus’s resurrection? Who are trusted Christians in your life you could bring these questions to? . But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Cor.15|Matt.27.62-Matt.27.66|Matt.28.2-Matt.28.4|Matt.28.11-Matt.28.14

On Good Friday, many Christians remember how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then on Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection—how He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever! On Monday, lots of people resume everyday life—going back to school, friends, homework, part-time jobs, sports—but Easter is not the end of the story..When Jesus died on the cross, His followers were not only saddened, but very confused. Then He rose from the dead and showed Himself to His followers, opening their minds to understand that the Messiah had to suffer on the cross and rise from the dead so that our sins could be forgiven and we could live with God forever (Luke 24:44-47). Then they finally understood and were overjoyed!.But that’s not the end of the story either. The ascension of Jesus Christ—when He was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father—finishes up the most important series of events in the universe: the Son of God died for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended to heaven. This end of the story is often overlooked, but it’s very important because it answers the question, “What ever happened to Jesus after He rose from the dead? Is He still wandering around earth somewhere? Did He die again?” It’s also important because after Jesus ascended, those who believed in Him were given the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. The Holy Spirit helpsus understand Scripture, gives us guidance and courage in proclaiming the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, and distributes spiritual gifts. This wondrous power of the Holy Spirit was given only after Jesus’s ascension..Jesus ascended to heaven, but one day He will return to earth and finally restore all of creation to perfect relationship with God (Revelation 21:1-5). Sometimes, we forget the importance of Jesus’s ascension, focusing only on the cross and the empty tomb. But the ascension finishes the story of how the holy and loving God came to rescue us from our sins so that we could be with Him forever. • Doug Velting.• Read John 14:15-31 and John 16:5-22. Why is it a good thing that Jesus ascended?.• As we wait for Jesus’s return, we can rest in His love and His promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is present with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions do you have about this? Who are trusted Christians you could ask?.Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)

On Good Friday, many Christians remember how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then on Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection—how He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death forever! On Monday, lots of people resume everyday life—going back to school, friends, homework, part-time jobs, sports—but Easter is not the end of the story. . When Jesus died on the cross, His followers were not only saddened, but very confused. Then He rose from the dead and showed Himself to His followers, opening their minds to understand that the Messiah had to suffer on the cross and rise from the dead so that our sins could be forgiven and we could live with God forever (Luke 24:44-47). Then they finally understood and were overjoyed! . But that’s not the end of the story either. The ascension of Jesus Christ—when He was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father—finishes up the most important series of events in the universe: the Son of God died for our sins, rose on the third day, and ascended to heaven. This end of the story is often overlooked, but it’s very important because it answers the question, “What ever happened to Jesus after He rose from the dead? Is He still wandering around earth somewhere? Did He die again?” It’s also important because after Jesus ascended, those who believed in Him were given the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. The Holy Spirit helps us understand Scripture, gives us guidance and courage in proclaiming the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, and distributes spiritual gifts. This wondrous power of the Holy Spirit was given only after Jesus’s ascension. . Jesus ascended to heaven, but one day He will return to earth and finally restore all of creation to perfect relationship with God (Revelation 21:1-5). Sometimes, we forget the importance of Jesus’s ascension, focusing only on the cross and the empty tomb. But the ascension finishes the story of how the holy and loving God came to rescue us from our sins so that we could be with Him forever. • Doug Velting . • Read John 14:15-31 and John 16:5-22. Why is it a good thing that Jesus ascended? . • As we wait for Jesus’s return, we can rest in His love and His promise to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He is present with us through His Spirit, His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). What questions do you have about this? Who are trusted Christians you could ask? . Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Acts.1.3-Acts.1.11|Acts.2.32-Acts.2.33|Heb.4.14|Luke.24.44-Luke.24.53

Mary Magdalene pressed a hand against her aching heart. "How do I still have tears left in me?" She had been mourning for three days, along with others who were Jesus’s friends, followers, and family, but the realization was still sinking in: he was actually gone. It was dawn on the third day, and Mary couldn’t wrap her mind around it—her heart was empty, and so was the tomb. She couldn’t even anoint his body for burial; someone had taken it away.."I don’t understand," Mary wept, "You were strong enough to cast the seven demons out of me—you set me free. Why did you have to die? Why didn’t you put a stop to that crucifixion? Where are you now?" Mary clutched at the cold stone of the tomb to steady her shaking knees. She bent to peer into its emptiness once more..Mary gasped. The tomb wasn’t empty! Two angels dressed in brilliant white were sitting where Jesus’s body had been, one of them perched by the cloth that had been wrapped around her Lord’s head. This angel was swinging his feet and smiling, the other was gazing at Mary with compassion. His voice carried over to her, soft and musical. “Why are you crying?”.“They have taken my Lord!” A sob stuck in Mary’s throat. “I don’t know where he is...” The unspoken words echoed in her heart, "Everything is empty without Him.".Exhausted with grief, she turned back to the tomb’s opening to take a deep breath, and there was a man standing before her. His eyes radiated warmth and kindness, which only made Mary cry harder. Then he asked, “Who are you looking for?”."This must be the gardener," Mary thought. "Maybe he knows where my Jesus is!" “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where, and I will get him!”.“Mary.” That one word—her name—spoken soft as a spring rain falling on hard ground... Mary knew only one voice could speak her name in such a way. She looked up at him. “Teacher!”.Sorrow fled from her soul like the breaking of dawn—her Lord, her Jesus, was alive! He had driven the seven demons out of her tortured body, and now He had conquered death itself. All that once ached empty inside her was now full—full to overflowing. • Savannah Coleman.• This story is how one author imagined what it was like for Mary Magdalene on Easter morning. Read John 20:1-18. What sticks out to you about Mary’s encounter with Jesus? .• Today, Christians around the world are celebrating Jesus’s resurrection from the dead! Why can remembering the empty tomb fill us with joy? .Jesus willingly died for us so that we could be God’s people and have life “to the full” (John 10:10)—a life of freedom and forgiveness. Jesus shed His own blood on the cross for us, covering our sins and making the way for us to have a restored relationship with the living God (Romans 10:9-10). This is what makes our story different from every other religion: we serve a God who gave up His own life for ours, and He is alive! If you’ve already put your trust in Jesus, who is someone you could share this good news with? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person now, asking God to help them know the truth of His love for them. If you’re not sure about trusting in Jesus, that’s okay—God doesn’t rush us, and He invites us to ask questions and wrestle with Him. What questions do you have about Jesus? Who is a trusted Christian you’d feel comfortable bringing these questions to? (You can also read more about Jesus on our "Know Jesus" page.).“I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10b-11 (NIV)

Mary Magdalene pressed a hand against her aching heart. &#8220;How do I still have tears left in me?&#8221; She had been mourning for three days, along with others who were Jesus’s friends, followers, and family, but the realization was still sinking in: he was actually gone. It was dawn on the third day, and Mary couldn’t wrap her mind around it—her heart was empty, and so was the tomb. She couldn’t even anoint his body for burial; someone had taken it away. . &#8220;I don’t understand,&#8221; Mary wept, &#8220;You were strong enough to cast the seven demons out of me—you set me free. Why did you have to die? Why didn’t you put a stop to that crucifixion? Where are you now?&#8221; Mary clutched at the cold stone of the tomb to steady her shaking knees. She bent to peer into its emptiness once more. . Mary gasped. The tomb wasn’t empty! Two angels dressed in brilliant white were sitting where Jesus’s body had been, one of them perched by the cloth that had been wrapped around her Lord’s head. This angel was swinging his feet and smiling, the other was gazing at Mary with compassion. His voice carried over to her, soft and musical. “Why are you crying?” . “They have taken my Lord!” A sob stuck in Mary’s throat. “I don’t know where he is&#8230;” The unspoken words echoed in her heart, &#8220;Everything is empty without Him.&#8221; . Exhausted with grief, she turned back to the tomb’s opening to take a deep breath, and there was a man standing before her. His eyes radiated warmth and kindness, which only made Mary cry harder. Then he asked, “Who are you looking for?” . &#8220;This must be the gardener,&#8221; Mary thought. &#8220;Maybe he knows where my Jesus is!&#8221; “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where, and I will get him!” . “Mary.” That one word—her name—spoken soft as a spring rain falling on hard ground&#8230; Mary knew only one voice could speak her name in such a way. She looked up at him. “Teacher!” . Sorrow fled from her soul like the breaking of dawn—her Lord, her Jesus, was alive! He had driven the seven demons out of her tortured body, and now He had conquered death itself. All that once ached empty inside her was now full—full to overflowing. • Savannah Coleman . • This story is how one author imagined what it was like for Mary Magdalene on Easter morning. Read John 20:1-18. What sticks out to you about Mary’s encounter with Jesus? . • Today, Christians around the world are celebrating Jesus’s resurrection from the dead! Why can remembering the empty tomb fill us with joy? . Jesus willingly died for us so that we could be God’s people and have life “to the full” (John 10:10)—a life of freedom and forgiveness. Jesus shed His own blood on the cross for us, covering our sins and making the way for us to have a restored relationship with the living God (Romans 10:9-10). This is what makes our story different from every other religion: we serve a God who gave up His own life for ours, and He is alive! If you’ve already put your trust in Jesus, who is someone you could share this good news with? Consider taking a moment to pray for this person now, asking God to help them know the truth of His love for them. If you’re not sure about trusting in Jesus, that’s okay—God doesn’t rush us, and He invites us to ask questions and wrestle with Him. What questions do you have about Jesus? Who is a trusted Christian you’d feel comfortable bringing these questions to? (You can also read more about Jesus on our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page.) . “I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am th

Oh, day of awful darkness when I cried unending tears, the very thing I dreaded mostnow haunted all my fears..Where could my lovely child be,my Savior and my Son?Who sought to wrench His life away; what foul thing had He done?.With Peter, James, and brother John, I hid myself away;as all around a cosmic roardefined the wretched day..I did not know where He had gone;my world was torn apart.Perhaps I’ll only have Him nowin the cradle of my heart. • Susan Sundwall.• Today’s poem is how one author imagines what it may have been like for Mary, the mother of Jesus, when He was put to death on the cross. We don’t know if Mary knew that Jesus would rise from the dead, but we do know that Mary had been with Jesus from the beginning of His life on earth. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be pregnant through the Holy Spirit (even though she was a virgin at the time). When she gave birth to Jesus, she cradled Him close to her, yet she knew that He was the Messiah: the Savior who God had promised. What do you think was going through Mary’s mind during the days after Jesus died, before He rose from the grave? .• In times when we don’t understand what God is doing, how could it be comforting to know that Jesus’s followers also felt this way? .Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23 (NLT)

Oh, day of awful darkness when I cried unending tears, the very thing I dreaded most now haunted all my fears. . Where could my lovely child be, my Savior and my Son? Who sought to wrench His life away; what foul thing had He done? . With Peter, James, and brother John, I hid myself away; as all around a cosmic roar defined the wretched day. . I did not know where He had gone; my world was torn apart. Perhaps I’ll only have Him now in the cradle of my heart. • Susan Sundwall . • Today’s poem is how one author imagines what it may have been like for Mary, the mother of Jesus, when He was put to death on the cross. We don’t know if Mary knew that Jesus would rise from the dead, but we do know that Mary had been with Jesus from the beginning of His life on earth. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be pregnant through the Holy Spirit (even though she was a virgin at the time). When she gave birth to Jesus, she cradled Him close to her, yet she knew that He was the Messiah: the Savior who God had promised. What do you think was going through Mary’s mind during the days after Jesus died, before He rose from the grave? . • In times when we don’t understand what God is doing, how could it be comforting to know that Jesus’s followers also felt this way? . Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Matthew 17:22-23 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Luke.2.8-Luke.2.19|Mark.15.12-Mark.15.14|John.19.25-John.19.30|Matt.17.22-Matt.17.23

Jesus suffered for us. His death on the cross wasn’t a quick death. He wasn’t alive and healthy and happy one moment and then dead the next. Jesus went through pain. Before He was arrested, He knew what was coming, and He had the power to stop it. But He chose to move forward anyway. In order to save us, He had to struggle. He did it all for us..Some of us might have had someone in our life sacrifice something to help us. Maybe a parent gave up a good job so we could stay in the school we were used to, or maybe they went without some of the things they wanted so they could buy us new clothing. Yet, none of the sacrifices humans make for us can even begin to compare to the sacrifice Jesus made for us..Jesus was arrested in the middle of the night, and He didn’t die until about 3:00 PM. All of His followers abandoned Him. The religious leaders spit in His face and beat Him with their fists. The guards blindfolded Him and struck Him. He was flogged severely, and the whip was probably studded with broken glass and nails and shards of bone, ripping His skin to shreds. Then the soldiers stripped off His clothes and pressed a crown of thorns into His head. They took a staff and struck Him on the head over and over again. When Jesus was finally brought to Golgotha, they drove two enormous nails through His wrists and one through both of His feet. He had to push Himself up by those nails just to breathe, all while people hurled insults at Him. Finally, He cried out in a loud voice, and breathed His last..Jesus gave His all, and He did it out of love. We mean so much to Him that He wanted to deal with sin once and for all, to save us from death and bring us near to live with Him forever. His blood was given so that we could live. When we think about what He has done, may we fall to our knees in gratitude. The suffering He faced was a gift to us. His blood was a gift. We can be saved because of Him. • Emily Acker.• Have you ever stopped to think about just how much Jesus suffered in order to save us? How does His suffering and all He gave for us reveal God’s love? .• Jesus’s death was not the end. He rose from the grave, so now everyone who puts their trust in Him can be saved! If you want to know more about this good news, check out our "Know Jesus" page. (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 26–27; Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; John 18–20.).For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Jesus suffered for us. His death on the cross wasn’t a quick death. He wasn’t alive and healthy and happy one moment and then dead the next. Jesus went through pain. Before He was arrested, He knew what was coming, and He had the power to stop it. But He chose to move forward anyway. In order to save us, He had to struggle. He did it all for us. . Some of us might have had someone in our life sacrifice something to help us. Maybe a parent gave up a good job so we could stay in the school we were used to, or maybe they went without some of the things they wanted so they could buy us new clothing. Yet, none of the sacrifices humans make for us can even begin to compare to the sacrifice Jesus made for us. . Jesus was arrested in the middle of the night, and He didn’t die until about 3:00 PM. All of His followers abandoned Him. The religious leaders spit in His face and beat Him with their fists. The guards blindfolded Him and struck Him. He was flogged severely, and the whip was probably studded with broken glass and nails and shards of bone, ripping His skin to shreds. Then the soldiers stripped off His clothes and pressed a crown of thorns into His head. They took a staff and struck Him on the head over and over again. When Jesus was finally brought to Golgotha, they drove two enormous nails through His wrists and one through both of His feet. He had to push Himself up by those nails just to breathe, all while people hurled insults at Him. Finally, He cried out in a loud voice, and breathed His last. . Jesus gave His all, and He did it out of love. We mean so much to Him that He wanted to deal with sin once and for all, to save us from death and bring us near to live with Him forever. His blood was given so that we could live. When we think about what He has done, may we fall to our knees in gratitude. The suffering He faced was a gift to us. His blood was a gift. We can be saved because of Him. • Emily Acker . • Have you ever stopped to think about just how much Jesus suffered in order to save us? How does His suffering and all He gave for us reveal God’s love? . • Jesus’s death was not the end. He rose from the grave, so now everyone who puts their trust in Him can be saved! If you want to know more about this good news, check out our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page. (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 26–27; Mark 14–16; Luke 22–24; John 18–20.) . For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Isa.52.14|Isa.53.4-Isa.53.11|Matt.26.47-Matt.26.56|John.19.1-John.19.30|1Pet.3.18

When was the last time you were afraid? Maybe you’re afraid of bugs, heights, or needles. Maybe you have emotional fears, such as being afraid of loss, pain, or rejection. Everybody is afraid of something. Personally, I have a big fear of needles—I can’t even look at one without getting chills down my spine. Not only am I afraid of needles, but I also have other fears, like losing my family or friends..God understands all our fears. When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, the Bible says Jesus felt “deeply distressed and troubled... overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:33-34). Jesus was in anguish. Even after an angel strengthened Him, “his sweat was like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Can you imagine being so anxious that you sweat blood?.Jesus is fully God, and He is also fully human and experienced human emotion. This is one reason we know that He can relate to us. Jesus sweat blood in the garden because He knew the excruciating pain He would soon experience on the cross, and it caused Him anxiety and anguish. However, Jesus ended His prayer by accepting God the Father’s will over His own. Jesus, God the Son, surrendered everything over to God the Father and trusted the Father to provide and take care of Him..Even though Jesus trusted the Father to raise Him from the dead after three days in the grave, going to the cross was still incredibly hard and painful. Whenever we are afraid, we can remember that Jesus knows just how we feel, and we can trust Him with everything. Because Jesus faced the terrors of death for us when He died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can now be in relationship with God. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can come to God with everything we experience—including fear. He understands, and He longs to draw us near in His arms and empower us to follow Him, even in the face of fear. • Lydia Lancie.• According to Hebrews 12:2, why was Jesus willing to endure the cross? .• What kinds of things make you afraid? How could it be comforting to know that Jesus doesn’t just know how we feel, He also empathizes with us? (Hebrews 4:14-16) .• Consider taking a moment to thank Jesus for what He’s done for us, and talk to Him about any fears that come to mind..And being in anguish, he [Jesus] prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44 (NIV)

When was the last time you were afraid? Maybe you’re afraid of bugs, heights, or needles. Maybe you have emotional fears, such as being afraid of loss, pain, or rejection. Everybody is afraid of something. Personally, I have a big fear of needles—I can’t even look at one without getting chills down my spine. Not only am I afraid of needles, but I also have other fears, like losing my family or friends. . God understands all our fears. When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, the Bible says Jesus felt “deeply distressed and troubled&#8230; overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:33-34). Jesus was in anguish. Even after an angel strengthened Him, “his sweat was like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Can you imagine being so anxious that you sweat blood? . Jesus is fully God, and He is also fully human and experienced human emotion. This is one reason we know that He can relate to us. Jesus sweat blood in the garden because He knew the excruciating pain He would soon experience on the cross, and it caused Him anxiety and anguish. However, Jesus ended His prayer by accepting God the Father’s will over His own. Jesus, God the Son, surrendered everything over to God the Father and trusted the Father to provide and take care of Him. . Even though Jesus trusted the Father to raise Him from the dead after three days in the grave, going to the cross was still incredibly hard and painful. Whenever we are afraid, we can remember that Jesus knows just how we feel, and we can trust Him with everything. Because Jesus faced the terrors of death for us when He died on the cross and rose from the grave, we can now be in relationship with God. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can come to God with everything we experience—including fear. He understands, and He longs to draw us near in His arms and empower us to follow Him, even in the face of fear. • Lydia Lancie . • According to Hebrews 12:2, why was Jesus willing to endure the cross? . • What kinds of things make you afraid? How could it be comforting to know that Jesus doesn’t just know how we feel, He also empathizes with us? (Hebrews 4:14-16) . • Consider taking a moment to thank Jesus for what He’s done for us, and talk to Him about any fears that come to mind. . And being in anguish, he [Jesus] prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Luke.22.39-Luke.22.53|Heb.12.2|Ps.34.4-Ps.34.5

Rising prices can be frightening. They make life feel uncertain, like we’re not sure what’s going to happen next..Maybe your family can’t go on vacation like you always did. Maybe you’re not getting the car you always thought you would have or you’re not sure if you can afford to attend college. Maybe you don’t know if your family will be able to buy groceries or medication this month..With all the rising prices, it can be difficult to afford everything we want and need. It can be scary to think about the future because we don’t know how it will go..But one thing to remember even when things are going crazy is that God is with us. He is still watching over us just as much today as He was yesterday and last week and last year. God knows about the issues we’re facing. He knows when we’re struggling, and He can help us. God can give us peace during difficult times. He can guide us and get us through the toughest circumstances. Nothing is too big for Him to deal with, and nothing comes as a surprise to Him..So when we get stressed out about rising costs or anything else going wrong in the world, we can turn to God and trust Him to take care of us. His care can come in many different forms, and one way is through His people, the church. In times of economic hardship, we can work together to take care of each other and share His love (Romans 12:13). When we demonstrate His love by giving and receiving help, we get to show that God’s love is living and active—that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead also lives in us (Romans 8:11; 1 John 3:17-24). The truth of His love remains rock solid even in the most unsteady times. • Bethany Acker.• When we’re anxious about the future, Jesus feels our pain. He loves us and walks with us. How could this truth bring us comfort and help us feel secure when life feels unsteady? .• Has anyone ever helped you when you were struggling financially? Have you ever helped someone else? What was it like? .Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (CSB)

Rising prices can be frightening. They make life feel uncertain, like we’re not sure what’s going to happen next. . Maybe your family can’t go on vacation like you always did. Maybe you’re not getting the car you always thought you would have or you’re not sure if you can afford to attend college. Maybe you don’t know if your family will be able to buy groceries or medication this month. . With all the rising prices, it can be difficult to afford everything we want and need. It can be scary to think about the future because we don’t know how it will go. . But one thing to remember even when things are going crazy is that God is with us. He is still watching over us just as much today as He was yesterday and last week and last year. God knows about the issues we’re facing. He knows when we’re struggling, and He can help us. God can give us peace during difficult times. He can guide us and get us through the toughest circumstances. Nothing is too big for Him to deal with, and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. . So when we get stressed out about rising costs or anything else going wrong in the world, we can turn to God and trust Him to take care of us. His care can come in many different forms, and one way is through His people, the church. In times of economic hardship, we can work together to take care of each other and share His love (Romans 12:13). When we demonstrate His love by giving and receiving help, we get to show that God’s love is living and active—that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead also lives in us (Romans 8:11; 1 John 3:17-24). The truth of His love remains rock solid even in the most unsteady times. • Bethany Acker . • When we’re anxious about the future, Jesus feels our pain. He loves us and walks with us. How could this truth bring us comfort and help us feel secure when life feels unsteady? . • Has anyone ever helped you when you were struggling financially? Have you ever helped someone else? What was it like? . Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.6.25-Matt.6.34|Heb.13.8

Daffodils lifted their creamy yellow faces toward the sun, the birds sang in the branches of the flowering magnolia tree, a breeze sent ripples cascading across the otherwise still pond. My friend and I were experiencing year three at our annual retreat, and this place reminded us to direct our focus back on God and be still before Him (Psalm 23:2)..On our second day at the retreat, my friend announced she was going to walk the labyrinth by herself. (This labyrinth was different from a maze, because there were no choices or dead ends, just one path—edged with daffodils—that meandered back and forth until it reached the center of the circular labyrinth.) There was something God had been prompting her to let go of, and she needed some concentrated time of releasing it to Him. “I’ll be praying for you,” I encouraged her as she headed out the door. I imagined her winding her way through the mown paths of the daffodil-filled labyrinth, tears glistening in her eyes as she gave the burden to Jesus..When we met back up over an hour later, my friend’s load seemed visibly lighter. She shared with me the lessons God taught her while walking through the labyrinth: “At first I was so fixated on the path, all the twists and turns, that I almost forgot to take inventory of all the beauty around me.” She then chose to slow, examining the daffodils, touching the petals, enjoying the journey. “It’s like life,” she mused. “Sometimes, we are just rushing around the corners, and we forget to slow and enjoy the beauty God has placed all around us.”.In the center of the labyrinth was a large rock. When she reached the end, my friend rested on the rock, giving God the thing that had been weighing her down. “I wonder if they put the rock there at the end on purpose—so it’s like you’re resting on Jesus, our Rock.” I shared how that morning I had been meditating on Psalm 62, in which David mentioned three times that God was his Rock..Whether or not we have a chance to get away on a retreat, we can choose to listen and be still before God wherever we are. We can say with David, “My soul finds rest in God... he is my mighty rock” (Psalm 62:1, 7). Jesus is worthy of all our trust; He is the One who saves us and gives us salvation and rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). • Savannah Coleman.• Psalm 62 points to the only One who can save us: Jesus, the Rock (verses 1, 2, 6). Because of Jesus’s death on the cross for us and the power of His resurrection, we don’t have to wander through life in an endless maze, unsure of our ending. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest assured that God’s love will always follow us, and one day, when Jesus returns bodily to earth, we will be with Him forever (Psalm 23:6). Even as we walk through darkness and difficulties in life, we don’t have to be afraid, because God is with us (Psalm 23:4). He wants us to bring all our heavy burdens—our questions, frustrations, and fears—to Him. Is there something weighing on you today? Consider taking some time to bring this to God in prayer. .• One of God’s gifts to us is community. How can sharing life with fellow Christians help us follow Jesus? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk with about your relationship with God? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) .• Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to rest in Him, and He provides this rest through Jesus (Matthew 11:28–12:8). What are some practical ways you could take time to slow down and enjoy the beauty God has placed all around you today? .Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV)

Daffodils lifted their creamy yellow faces toward the sun, the birds sang in the branches of the flowering magnolia tree, a breeze sent ripples cascading across the otherwise still pond. My friend and I were experiencing year three at our annual retreat, and this place reminded us to direct our focus back on God and be still before Him (Psalm 23:2). . On our second day at the retreat, my friend announced she was going to walk the labyrinth by herself. (This labyrinth was different from a maze, because there were no choices or dead ends, just one path—edged with daffodils—that meandered back and forth until it reached the center of the circular labyrinth.) There was something God had been prompting her to let go of, and she needed some concentrated time of releasing it to Him. “I’ll be praying for you,” I encouraged her as she headed out the door. I imagined her winding her way through the mown paths of the daffodil-filled labyrinth, tears glistening in her eyes as she gave the burden to Jesus. . When we met back up over an hour later, my friend’s load seemed visibly lighter. She shared with me the lessons God taught her while walking through the labyrinth: “At first I was so fixated on the path, all the twists and turns, that I almost forgot to take inventory of all the beauty around me.” She then chose to slow, examining the daffodils, touching the petals, enjoying the journey. “It’s like life,” she mused. “Sometimes, we are just rushing around the corners, and we forget to slow and enjoy the beauty God has placed all around us.” . In the center of the labyrinth was a large rock. When she reached the end, my friend rested on the rock, giving God the thing that had been weighing her down. “I wonder if they put the rock there at the end on purpose—so it’s like you’re resting on Jesus, our Rock.” I shared how that morning I had been meditating on Psalm 62, in which David mentioned three times that God was his Rock. . Whether or not we have a chance to get away on a retreat, we can choose to listen and be still before God wherever we are. We can say with David, “My soul finds rest in God&#8230; he is my mighty rock” (Psalm 62:1, 7). Jesus is worthy of all our trust; He is the One who saves us and gives us salvation and rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). • Savannah Coleman . • Psalm 62 points to the only One who can save us: Jesus, the Rock (verses 1, 2, 6). Because of Jesus’s death on the cross for us and the power of His resurrection, we don’t have to wander through life in an endless maze, unsure of our ending. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest assured that God’s love will always follow us, and one day, when Jesus returns bodily to earth, we will be with Him forever (Psalm 23:6). Even as we walk through darkness and difficulties in life, we don’t have to be afraid, because God is with us (Psalm 23:4). He wants us to bring all our heavy burdens—our questions, frustrations, and fears—to Him. Is there something weighing on you today? Consider taking some time to bring this to God in prayer. . • One of God’s gifts to us is community. How can sharing life with fellow Christians help us follow Jesus? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk with about your relationship with God? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) . • Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to rest in Him, and He provides this rest through Jesus (Matthew 11:28–12:8). What are some practical ways you could take time to slow down and enjoy the beauty God has placed all around you today? . Truly my soul finds rest

I was saved at the age of sixteen by Jesus’s death and resurrection, but I remained un-discipled for a few years until I attended a Bible college. My faith grew immensely due to the solid Bible teaching and professors who loved Jesus. However, I felt out of place on campus. Other students would gushingly share stories of how they were saved at the young age of five or seven. I couldn’t relate to their experiences at summer Bible camps or youth group excursions. Because of this, I thought that somehow, I didn’t belong..Even when I found a local church, I continued to feel out of place because I hadn’t grown up in church. From the hymns, to the structure of services, to the overall “church culture,” it all seemed foreign to me. But even worse than feeling like I didn’t belong was the idea that God couldn’t impact others through my life because I was unfamiliar with the established culture of the church..I wish I’d known sooner that God does not show favoritism. Throughout the Bible, the Lord worked through people of various backgrounds and ages to spread the good news of His kingdom. From young Timothy, who was raised by his Christian mom and grandma but may have felt unqualified for church leadership because of his youth... to elderly Moses, who was raised by people who worshipped idols but was called by the Lord to lead Israel out of Egypt at the age of eighty, God does not have favorites..Throughout the Bible, God called shepherds, tentmakers, a doctor, people who had been demon-possessed, prostitutes, and even someone who had formerly persecuted Christians to tell the world of His grace through Jesus.* Today, He calls believers of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, experiences, and ages to be part of His good work. A person’s ability to bring glory to the Lord is not based on when they were saved, but on the One who saved them. • Sophia Bricker.• Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in a group of Christians? Sadly, this happens to a lot of us. In times like these, how could it be helpful to remember how God sees us? .• What are some ways we can be hospitable to people who have a variety of life experiences? .• Have you ever felt unqualified to serve God because of your age or experiences? How could the stories of people in the Bible give you hope? (*If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 2:8-20; 8:1-3; John 20:11-18; Acts 18:2-3; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Hebrews 11.).For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 (NLT)

I was saved at the age of sixteen by Jesus’s death and resurrection, but I remained un-discipled for a few years until I attended a Bible college. My faith grew immensely due to the solid Bible teaching and professors who loved Jesus. However, I felt out of place on campus. Other students would gushingly share stories of how they were saved at the young age of five or seven. I couldn’t relate to their experiences at summer Bible camps or youth group excursions. Because of this, I thought that somehow, I didn’t belong. . Even when I found a local church, I continued to feel out of place because I hadn’t grown up in church. From the hymns, to the structure of services, to the overall “church culture,” it all seemed foreign to me. But even worse than feeling like I didn’t belong was the idea that God couldn’t impact others through my life because I was unfamiliar with the established culture of the church. . I wish I’d known sooner that God does not show favoritism. Throughout the Bible, the Lord worked through people of various backgrounds and ages to spread the good news of His kingdom. From young Timothy, who was raised by his Christian mom and grandma but may have felt unqualified for church leadership because of his youth&#8230; to elderly Moses, who was raised by people who worshipped idols but was called by the Lord to lead Israel out of Egypt at the age of eighty, God does not have favorites. . Throughout the Bible, God called shepherds, tentmakers, a doctor, people who had been demon-possessed, prostitutes, and even someone who had formerly persecuted Christians to tell the world of His grace through Jesus.* Today, He calls believers of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, experiences, and ages to be part of His good work. A person’s ability to bring glory to the Lord is not based on when they were saved, but on the One who saved them. • Sophia Bricker . • Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in a group of Christians? Sadly, this happens to a lot of us. In times like these, how could it be helpful to remember how God sees us? . • What are some ways we can be hospitable to people who have a variety of life experiences? . • Have you ever felt unqualified to serve God because of your age or experiences? How could the stories of people in the Bible give you hope? (*If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 2:8-20; 8:1-3; John 20:11-18; Acts 18:2-3; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Hebrews 11.) . For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:11 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Exod.7.1-Exod.7.7|Acts.10.27-Acts.10.36|1Tim.4.12-1Tim.4.16|Rom.2.11

Jesus came to this messed-up earth to save us. He wasn’t born to rich people or given a great beginning here on earth. When He was born, He was laid in a manger—where the animals eat—for a bed (Luke 2:7-16)..When Jesus was grown-up and started preaching and telling others all kinds of things about the kingdom of God and about who He was, some people respected Him and listened to Him in awe, while others became angry and jealous..Many of the religious leaders were not happy with Jesus, especially because He openly criticized their hypocrisy and sin. They didn’t want Him to have so many followers, and they began to plot, trying to find a way to kill Him..When they finally arrested Jesus, they treated Him horribly even though they didn’t have any proof that He had done anything wrong. They beat Him and mocked Him and called for Him to be killed on a cross..Jesus’s life on earth wasn’t easy. On the night before He went to the cross, He even prayed to God the Father, saying that if the death He was about to die could be avoided somehow, He would rather have it happen that way. But Jesus did it all for you and me. He did it because He loves us and wants to take away our sins, to fully unify heaven and earth, and to restore our broken relationship with God..Jesus was willing to die for us, but that wasn’t the end of His story. Jesus knew that three days after His death on the cross, He would be raised to life again. Now, He is enthroned as King over all, the Savior of the world (John 4:42). • Bethany Acker.• Jesus—God the Son—was willing to come to earth and suffer for us. He wants all people to be saved through knowing Him, even the people who hate Him (1 Timothy 2:4). How does Jesus reveal the depths of God’s compassion? .Because of the joy awaiting him, he [Jesus] endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

Jesus came to this messed-up earth to save us. He wasn’t born to rich people or given a great beginning here on earth. When He was born, He was laid in a manger—where the animals eat—for a bed (Luke 2:7-16). . When Jesus was grown-up and started preaching and telling others all kinds of things about the kingdom of God and about who He was, some people respected Him and listened to Him in awe, while others became angry and jealous. . Many of the religious leaders were not happy with Jesus, especially because He openly criticized their hypocrisy and sin. They didn’t want Him to have so many followers, and they began to plot, trying to find a way to kill Him. . When they finally arrested Jesus, they treated Him horribly even though they didn’t have any proof that He had done anything wrong. They beat Him and mocked Him and called for Him to be killed on a cross. . Jesus’s life on earth wasn’t easy. On the night before He went to the cross, He even prayed to God the Father, saying that if the death He was about to die could be avoided somehow, He would rather have it happen that way. But Jesus did it all for you and me. He did it because He loves us and wants to take away our sins, to fully unify heaven and earth, and to restore our broken relationship with God. . Jesus was willing to die for us, but that wasn’t the end of His story. Jesus knew that three days after His death on the cross, He would be raised to life again. Now, He is enthroned as King over all, the Savior of the world (John 4:42). • Bethany Acker . • Jesus—God the Son—was willing to come to earth and suffer for us. He wants all people to be saved through knowing Him, even the people who hate Him (1 Timothy 2:4). How does Jesus reveal the depths of God’s compassion? . Because of the joy awaiting him, he [Jesus] endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Luke.19.28-Luke.19.48|Luke.22.39-Luke.22.53|Heb.12.2

On many a Sunday morning, I find myself getting ready for church. I gaze at my closet, filled with casual clothes for school, but nothing seems right forchurch. I quickly grab a simple blouse and hurry downstairs. At church, everyone seems well-dressed, happy, and eager to greet us at the door. Somehow, I don’t feel comforted by their greetings. Instead, I feel like they’re trying to deceive us with their perfect looks. All around me, everyone’s life seems so perfect with their cookie-cutter nuclear families..I find myself falling victim to the same plot I’ve fallen for many times. Everyone is hidden behind an imaginary mask. We’re all tempted to focus more on the outside of the people we’re around. We see they have more money, married parents, and a smile on their lips. But we so often neglect to see the whole picture—because the truth is, everybody is struggling. It’s more important to prepare our hearts for the message of God than it is to dress our bodies for a weekly meeting. But man, it’s easier to slap on a pretty shirt than to open your broken heart..God sees our scars deep within. He calls our hearts to be open to His message. And He also calls us to see the broken beauty of others too. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent” (Luke 5:31-32). Jesus came to heal the sick, forgive the sinners, and fix the brokenness of this world that is all a result of sin. He came to save us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave for us. So, when we come to Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid to show Him who we really are, without a mask. The Lord looks at our hearts, and He sees that we all need Him to heal us from the inside. So He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)..When you find yourself wishing for someone else’s perfect life, remember this: they have struggles too. And God is inviting all of us to come to Him with open hearts, to just come as we are. • Corinna Kahrs.• In what ways are you tempted to compare yourself to others? How does comparison distract us from the gospel (or good news) about Jesus and loving each other as He loves us? (John 15:12) .• Who is a trusted Christian in your life that you feel safe being yourself around, without a mask? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal someone in the future.) .“People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

On many a Sunday morning, I find myself getting ready for church. I gaze at my closet, filled with casual clothes for school, but nothing seems right forchurch. I quickly grab a simple blouse and hurry downstairs. At church, everyone seems well-dressed, happy, and eager to greet us at the door. Somehow, I don’t feel comforted by their greetings. Instead, I feel like they’re trying to deceive us with their perfect looks. All around me, everyone’s life seems so perfect with their cookie-cutter nuclear families. . I find myself falling victim to the same plot I’ve fallen for many times. Everyone is hidden behind an imaginary mask. We’re all tempted to focus more on the outside of the people we’re around. We see they have more money, married parents, and a smile on their lips. But we so often neglect to see the whole picture—because the truth is, everybody is struggling. It’s more important to prepare our hearts for the message of God than it is to dress our bodies for a weekly meeting. But man, it’s easier to slap on a pretty shirt than to open your broken heart. . God sees our scars deep within. He calls our hearts to be open to His message. And He also calls us to see the broken beauty of others too. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent” (Luke 5:31-32). Jesus came to heal the sick, forgive the sinners, and fix the brokenness of this world that is all a result of sin. He came to save us by dying on the cross and rising from the grave for us. So, when we come to Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid to show Him who we really are, without a mask. The Lord looks at our hearts, and He sees that we all need Him to heal us from the inside. So He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). . When you find yourself wishing for someone else’s perfect life, remember this: they have struggles too. And God is inviting all of us to come to Him with open hearts, to just come as we are. • Corinna Kahrs . • In what ways are you tempted to compare yourself to others? How does comparison distract us from the gospel (or good news) about Jesus and loving each other as He loves us? (John 15:12) . • Who is a trusted Christian in your life that you feel safe being yourself around, without a mask? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to reveal someone in the future.) . “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Sam.16.1-1Sam.16.13|Luke.5.27-Luke.5.32|Rom.15.7

I should’ve stayed with my unit. Bright flashes of color told me the oxygen in my suit was running low, not that it would’ve mattered. My cracked ribs kept me from inhaling too deeply, even though I knew I should. Short, staccato breaths were all I could manage as I glanced for the thousandth time at the flashing light on my communicator. I didn’t answer it..This was my own fault. The Commander ordered us not to engage the enemy while we scouted, but I thought that one had been alone. I remembered how one grey insectoid had hunched over its kill and ripped into it with serrated mandibles. I’d thought I had a clear shot from behind my tree, not knowing that on this alien world, the invasive parasites liked to climb..Luckily for me, one of the insectoids above me was just as impulsive as I was and attacked alone. Somehow, I managed to escape that brief scuffle before the swarm could coordinate..Now, I lay curled up in the forest, camouflaged by a net of vines that nearly blocked out the scarlet sky. My wrist comm blinked the same red color underneath the vines, demanding attention. I jammed a button with my gloved finger and gasped out, “Yes, Sir?”.“Where are you, Lieutenant?” The Commander’s voice was a mixture of concern and relief..“Deep in enemy territory, Sir. They’re everywhere. I just wanted to say... This is it for me. I’m sorry. I should’ve listened.”.“Send me your coordinates.”.Did he think he could rescue me? A voice cut through the fog of my brain to remind me that he had the rest of the unit to think of and I wasn’t worth it. Finally I said, “I don’t think you heard me... ”.“No, you didn’t hear me. You need to trust me.”.He was right. I sent the coordinates just before my eyes fluttered shut. They didn’t open again until I lay in our ship’s medical bay with the Commander’s hand on my shoulder. He looked at me with love in his eyes and said, “You are worth it.” • Andrea Hargrove.• In Matthew 18:12-14, Jesus likens us to lost sheep. Can you think of a time when you disobeyed God so badly or so often that you felt He shouldn’t forgive you? What does this Bible passage reveal about God’s forgiveness? (If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 15.) .• Has anyone else ever done something so bad that you felt they shouldn’t be forgiven? What does the Bible have to say about this? (Read Romans 8:33-34.) .• God’s love for you is so deep, there is nothing you could do to make Him stop loving you. He was willing to die on the cross so that you could be forgiven and live with Him forever. How does this make Him a trustworthy commander?.Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. Psalm 40:11-13 (NIV)

I should’ve stayed with my unit. Bright flashes of color told me the oxygen in my suit was running low, not that it would’ve mattered. My cracked ribs kept me from inhaling too deeply, even though I knew I should. Short, staccato breaths were all I could manage as I glanced for the thousandth time at the flashing light on my communicator. I didn’t answer it. . This was my own fault. The Commander ordered us not to engage the enemy while we scouted, but I thought that one had been alone. I remembered how one grey insectoid had hunched over its kill and ripped into it with serrated mandibles. I’d thought I had a clear shot from behind my tree, not knowing that on this alien world, the invasive parasites liked to climb. . Luckily for me, one of the insectoids above me was just as impulsive as I was and attacked alone. Somehow, I managed to escape that brief scuffle before the swarm could coordinate. . Now, I lay curled up in the forest, camouflaged by a net of vines that nearly blocked out the scarlet sky. My wrist comm blinked the same red color underneath the vines, demanding attention. I jammed a button with my gloved finger and gasped out, “Yes, Sir?” . “Where are you, Lieutenant?” The Commander’s voice was a mixture of concern and relief. . “Deep in enemy territory, Sir. They’re everywhere. I just wanted to say&#8230; This is it for me. I’m sorry. I should’ve listened.” . “Send me your coordinates.” . Did he think he could rescue me? A voice cut through the fog of my brain to remind me that he had the rest of the unit to think of and I wasn’t worth it. Finally I said, “I don’t think you heard me&#8230; ” . “No, you didn’t hear me. You need to trust me.” . He was right. I sent the coordinates just before my eyes fluttered shut. They didn’t open again until I lay in our ship’s medical bay with the Commander’s hand on my shoulder. He looked at me with love in his eyes and said, “You are worth it.” • Andrea Hargrove . • In Matthew 18:12-14, Jesus likens us to lost sheep. Can you think of a time when you disobeyed God so badly or so often that you felt He shouldn’t forgive you? What does this Bible passage reveal about God’s forgiveness? (If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 15.) . • Has anyone else ever done something so bad that you felt they shouldn’t be forgiven? What does the Bible have to say about this? (Read Romans 8:33-34.) . • God’s love for you is so deep, there is nothing you could do to make Him stop loving you. He was willing to die on the cross so that you could be forgiven and live with Him forever. How does this make Him a trustworthy commander? . Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, Lord, to help me. Psalm 40:11-13 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.18.12-Matt.18.14|Ps.40.11-Ps.40.13|Prov.3.5-Prov.3.6

Have you ever been told that you were too young to do something? That your heart was in the right place, but you were too young to do what you felt God had called you to do? The truth is, God invites all of us to follow Him, no matter what age we are..Mary was likely a young teenager, maybe only fourteen years old, when she gave birth to the Son of God, which resulted in many people glorifying and praising God (Luke 1:26-38; 2:5-7, 16-21)..David was just a teenager when he killed Goliath—a giant the whole Israelite army was scared to fight. When everyone saw this, they knew that the Lord saves His people (1 Samuel 17:41-50)..A young Israelite girl was taken captive, and she showed concern for her foreign master, Naaman, who suffered from leprosy. Naaman listened to her when she told him about the prophet Elisha, so he went to Israel to see him and was miraculously cured! Then Naaman knew that the Lord was the only true God (2 Kings 5:1-15)..A boy gave all the food he had to Jesus, and Jesus miraculously turned those two fish and five loaves of bread into a meal large enough to feed five thousand men, plus women and children. Then the people said that Jesus must be the One they had been waiting for (John 6:1-14)..You might not think you can do what God has called you to do. Sometimes I find myself thinking that when I am just a few years older, then I can do what God has called me to do. Well, that’s not true. God can and does use people of all ages to do amazing things. He worked through people of all ages in the Bible, and they did those things because of God, not in their own ability. He can work through you too, just where you are, right now in your life. • Bailey Norman.• Which of these four people’s stories stuck out to you the most? How did God work through this person’s life? Consider taking some time to read the Bible passage that tells their story..Have you ever felt like you were too young to follow God? According to Jesus, what does it look like to follow God? (Read Matthew 22:36-40 and John 6:29.).Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (CSB)

Have you ever been told that you were too young to do something? That your heart was in the right place, but you were too young to do what you felt God had called you to do? The truth is, God invites all of us to follow Him, no matter what age we are. . Mary was likely a young teenager, maybe only fourteen years old, when she gave birth to the Son of God, which resulted in many people glorifying and praising God (Luke 1:26-38; 2:5-7, 16-21). . David was just a teenager when he killed Goliath—a giant the whole Israelite army was scared to fight. When everyone saw this, they knew that the Lord saves His people (1 Samuel 17:41-50). . A young Israelite girl was taken captive, and she showed concern for her foreign master, Naaman, who suffered from leprosy. Naaman listened to her when she told him about the prophet Elisha, so he went to Israel to see him and was miraculously cured! Then Naaman knew that the Lord was the only true God (2 Kings 5:1-15). . A boy gave all the food he had to Jesus, and Jesus miraculously turned those two fish and five loaves of bread into a meal large enough to feed five thousand men, plus women and children. Then the people said that Jesus must be the One they had been waiting for (John 6:1-14). . You might not think you can do what God has called you to do. Sometimes I find myself thinking that when I am just a few years older, then I can do what God has called me to do. Well, that’s not true. God can and does use people of all ages to do amazing things. He worked through people of all ages in the Bible, and they did those things because of God, not in their own ability. He can work through you too, just where you are, right now in your life. • Bailey Norman . • Which of these four people’s stories stuck out to you the most? How did God work through this person’s life? Consider taking some time to read the Bible passage that tells their story. . Have you ever felt like you were too young to follow God? According to Jesus, what does it look like to follow God? (Read Matthew 22:36-40 and John 6:29.) . Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Tim.4.12|2Tim.1.6-2Tim.1.14

First Thessalonians 4:13-18 is my favorite passage in the Bible because it gives me hope beyond the grave. It reminds me that my loved ones who have died and were believers in Jesus Christ are not lost. We will be reunited one day—I will meet them after death or at Jesus’s return when He will make all things new, free from sin and death..In Acts 17, after preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul had to flee due to persecution. Separated from these new Thessalonian believers, Paul wrote a letter to address certain questions that arose among them during his absence. (We know this letter as 1 Thessalonians.).Some members in the church were worried about believers who had died. Paul wrote to assure them that the dead believers were not lost but were with Jesus and would not be left out of His glorious return. Paul also urged the Thessalonians to continue working so as to have their needs met as they awaited Jesus’s return, and to live godly lives pointing to the good news of Jesus as the one true king of the universe who has defeated sin and death through His death and resurrection..To the Thessalonians, this passage meant their suffering and persecution were not in vain because, at the end of it all, they would have the joy of meeting and living forever with the One for whose sake they endured. They even had the promise of reunion with loved ones who had died in Christ!.This passage teaches me the same thing: that the living believers in Jesus Christ and those believers who are dead are separated only for a period of time. We will be reunited—we will all meet Jesus at His return and live with Him forever. • Charity Kiregyera.• How can the hope of Jesus’s resurrection comfort us as we grieve? Read Mathew 28:20, John 11:35, and Hebrews 4:14-16. How can Jesus’s presence and empathy help us? .• If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, who are trusted people you can talk with—such as counselors, pastors, parents, teachers, or friends? .For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NLT)

First Thessalonians 4:13-18 is my favorite passage in the Bible because it gives me hope beyond the grave. It reminds me that my loved ones who have died and were believers in Jesus Christ are not lost. We will be reunited one day—I will meet them after death or at Jesus’s return when He will make all things new, free from sin and death. . In Acts 17, after preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul had to flee due to persecution. Separated from these new Thessalonian believers, Paul wrote a letter to address certain questions that arose among them during his absence. (We know this letter as 1 Thessalonians.) . Some members in the church were worried about believers who had died. Paul wrote to assure them that the dead believers were not lost but were with Jesus and would not be left out of His glorious return. Paul also urged the Thessalonians to continue working so as to have their needs met as they awaited Jesus’s return, and to live godly lives pointing to the good news of Jesus as the one true king of the universe who has defeated sin and death through His death and resurrection. . To the Thessalonians, this passage meant their suffering and persecution were not in vain because, at the end of it all, they would have the joy of meeting and living forever with the One for whose sake they endured. They even had the promise of reunion with loved ones who had died in Christ! . This passage teaches me the same thing: that the living believers in Jesus Christ and those believers who are dead are separated only for a period of time. We will be reunited—we will all meet Jesus at His return and live with Him forever. • Charity Kiregyera . • How can the hope of Jesus’s resurrection comfort us as we grieve? Read Mathew 28:20, John 11:35, and Hebrews 4:14-16. How can Jesus’s presence and empathy help us? . • If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, who are trusted people you can talk with—such as counselors, pastors, parents, teachers, or friends? . For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Thess.4.13-1Thess.4.18

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was a Christian painter and the founder of the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His work is a testament to God’s sacred touch in nature..When I paint the sky, I make it blue with a yellow sun..When Thomas Cole painted the sky, he made it endless with breezy clouds melting in the distanceand dancing, sparkling, playful sun raysstreaking and warming the balmy air..When I paint the ground, I make it green with flowers here and there..When Thomas Cole painted the ground, he tickled it with brambling grassthat had giggles of earthy colorson land that dipped and soared..When I paint a mountain, I make it brown in a triangular shape..When Thomas Cole painted mountains, he made them mighty with shadows and cracks,tangled weeds and rich shades of stone and rock..When I paint water, I make it blue with wavy edges..When Thomas Cole painted water, he made it shine, glowing and shimmering, lit from within..When I paint a tree, I make a brown trunk with a puffy green top..When Thomas Cole painted trees, he made them gracefulwith sweeping branches, strong and solid mixed with dainty and twiggy. They streeeeetch toward the skyor cradle meadows and pastures..After seeing how Thomas Cole painted nature in his art, I still paint the same as I always do..But, now I see art in nature. I see God’s sacred touch..I see leaves falling and sprouts rising, sacrifice and new life..I see possibilities, growth, light, and infinite love.And I feel grateful for this wonderful world. • Kelly Bakshi.• Close your eyes and listen. Can you hear the air moving or birds singing? Can you feel the sunshine... or a breeze on your skin? Deeply breathe in, then exhale. What else do you notice about the creation around you? How do those created things point to the One who made them?.• Thomas Cole used his gift to rejoice in and honor God’s power. How could you use your gifts to honor Jesus, the King and Creator of the universe? (Colossians 1:15-23) .In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV)

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was a Christian painter and the founder of the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His work is a testament to God’s sacred touch in nature. . When I paint the sky, I make it blue with a yellow sun. . When Thomas Cole painted the sky, he made it endless with breezy clouds melting in the distance and dancing, sparkling, playful sun rays streaking and warming the balmy air. . When I paint the ground, I make it green with flowers here and there. . When Thomas Cole painted the ground, he tickled it with brambling grass that had giggles of earthy colors on land that dipped and soared. . When I paint a mountain, I make it brown in a triangular shape. . When Thomas Cole painted mountains, he made them mighty with shadows and cracks, tangled weeds and rich shades of stone and rock. . When I paint water, I make it blue with wavy edges. . When Thomas Cole painted water, he made it shine, glowing and shimmering, lit from within. . When I paint a tree, I make a brown trunk with a puffy green top. . When Thomas Cole painted trees, he made them graceful with sweeping branches, strong and solid mixed with dainty and twiggy. They streeeeetch toward the sky or cradle meadows and pastures. . After seeing how Thomas Cole painted nature in his art, I still paint the same as I always do. . But, now I see art in nature. I see God’s sacred touch. . I see leaves falling and sprouts rising, sacrifice and new life. . I see possibilities, growth, light, and infinite love. And I feel grateful for this wonderful world. • Kelly Bakshi . • Close your eyes and listen. Can you hear the air moving or birds singing? Can you feel the sunshine&#8230; or a breeze on your skin? Deeply breathe in, then exhale. What else do you notice about the creation around you? How do those created things point to the One who made them? . • Thomas Cole used his gift to rejoice in and honor God’s power. How could you use your gifts to honor Jesus, the King and Creator of the universe? (Colossians 1:15-23) . In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.96.11-Ps.96.12|Job.37.14-Job.37.16|Ps.95.4-Ps.95.5

God’s grace is amazing. He gives us favor even though none of us deserve it. God’s love is beautiful. None of us are worthy of His great love, but He loves you so much that He became human to live and die for you..God is the Creator of the universe and all the things in it (Psalm 24:1). He made the stars and moon in the sky. He created each planet and everything on this Earth. He made animals and plants, sky and water, and He made you..Whenever you begin to doubt yourself and your worth, remember that God created you. He wanted you..When you feel lonely or unloved, remember that God loves you so much that He was willing to die on the cross for you. He wanted to save you so you could live with Him forever..God has amazing grace and an equally amazing love for you. He created the world and decided to create you too. You can feel confident in who you are and all you are meant to be when you realize that God made you, He wants you, and He loves you. • Bethany Acker.• What is one of your favorite things God has made? Have you ever thought about how the same God who made this also made you?.• When you feel unloved, how could looking at creation help you remember that God loves you? .I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14 (CSB)

God’s grace is amazing. He gives us favor even though none of us deserve it. God’s love is beautiful. None of us are worthy of His great love, but He loves you so much that He became human to live and die for you. . God is the Creator of the universe and all the things in it (Psalm 24:1). He made the stars and moon in the sky. He created each planet and everything on this Earth. He made animals and plants, sky and water, and He made you. . Whenever you begin to doubt yourself and your worth, remember that God created you. He wanted you. . When you feel lonely or unloved, remember that God loves you so much that He was willing to die on the cross for you. He wanted to save you so you could live with Him forever. . God has amazing grace and an equally amazing love for you. He created the world and decided to create you too. You can feel confident in who you are and all you are meant to be when you realize that God made you, He wants you, and He loves you. • Bethany Acker . • What is one of your favorite things God has made? Have you ever thought about how the same God who made this also made you? . • When you feel unloved, how could looking at creation help you remember that God loves you? . I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: Neh.9.6|Ps.139.13-Ps.139.17

Have you had times in your life when things were so difficult that it felt like you were going into a battle each day? Are you going through something that feels like that right now? If so, did you know that God is ready to go to battle for you? You don’t have to face anything in your life on your own. Even if you feel unprepared for what is to come, you don’t have to be afraid. God wants to be there for you..Throughout the Bible, we find images of God going into battle for His people. He is strong and powerful. He can face the difficult stuff in our lives head on. When we feel weak, He is ready to be strong for us (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). When we are scared, He invites us to come to Him and rest in His love. When we see so much brokenness in the world, we can know that God is fighting to heal the world from sin and its effects. Because Jesus died and rose from the dead for us, we can look forward to the day He will return bodily to earth and put an end to all evil and pain and sorrow once and for all. And in the meantime, we get to be part of His healing work, relying on Him for courage and wisdom all along the way..Whatever you are dealing with—whether it be a tough home situation, a bully at school, struggles at work, or something else—God is there for you. You are never alone. You never have to face anything by yourself. You always have someone who is ready to fight for you. Jesus will stay by your side through it all. • Emily Acker.• What kinds of hard things have you been experiencing lately? How could it be comforting to know that God is with you and wants to go to battle for you in these situations? .• One of the biggest ways God helps His people is through His people. If you have felt unsafe (at home, at school, at work, etc.) who is a trusted adult you can tell right away? .Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8 (NIV)

Have you had times in your life when things were so difficult that it felt like you were going into a battle each day? Are you going through something that feels like that right now? If so, did you know that God is ready to go to battle for you? You don’t have to face anything in your life on your own. Even if you feel unprepared for what is to come, you don’t have to be afraid. God wants to be there for you. . Throughout the Bible, we find images of God going into battle for His people. He is strong and powerful. He can face the difficult stuff in our lives head on. When we feel weak, He is ready to be strong for us (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). When we are scared, He invites us to come to Him and rest in His love. When we see so much brokenness in the world, we can know that God is fighting to heal the world from sin and its effects. Because Jesus died and rose from the dead for us, we can look forward to the day He will return bodily to earth and put an end to all evil and pain and sorrow once and for all. And in the meantime, we get to be part of His healing work, relying on Him for courage and wisdom all along the way. . Whatever you are dealing with—whether it be a tough home situation, a bully at school, struggles at work, or something else—God is there for you. You are never alone. You never have to face anything by yourself. You always have someone who is ready to fight for you. Jesus will stay by your side through it all. • Emily Acker . • What kinds of hard things have you been experiencing lately? How could it be comforting to know that God is with you and wants to go to battle for you in these situations? . • One of the biggest ways God helps His people is through His people. If you have felt unsafe (at home, at school, at work, etc.) who is a trusted adult you can tell right away? . Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Exod.14.14|2Chr.20.15-2Chr.20.17|Zeph.3.17|Ps.24.8

What will give us peace and satisfaction? We might think relationships will, a good job will, a good home, family, marriage, children, work, skill, talent, gifts, etc. All these things and many more might make us feel contented and satisfied, but only temporarily..There is no one who can satisfy, nothing that can give us peace, other than Jesus Christ. Dear beloved children of God, Jesus is giving an invitation for each one of us to identify with Him as our Lord and Savior. The invitation is not biased. It’s not for a certain sect or region or nation but for all who put their trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the dead for us..In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus was—and still is—calling on us to come to Him. He calls those who are in the depths of sin, those who are weak, abandoned, rejected, dejected, maltreated, victimized, sidelined, marginalized, disrespected, destructively criticized, those who have felt hopeless in life, those who are weary, those about to give up... to come unto Him..There’s rest in Jesus, so much peace in Christ. He forgives our sin, and He comforts us in our troubles. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)..Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit living in us, who helps us understand God’s Word and empowers us to follow His good ways. This not only gives us clarity, guidance, direction, etc. but also comfort, because we can rest in the work Jesus has done to translate us into the kingdom of His Father. Beloved, there’s no sin beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness. We can find eternal peace and satisfaction when we come unto Jesus. • Shadrach Goni.• Why do you think Jesus wants us to come to Him? If you have never come to Jesus, you can, right now. If you have questions about this, see our "Know Jesus" page. .• Even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we don’t have to feel bad for calling out to Him many times, He won’t get tired. Maybe you did something wrong today; you will probably fail tomorrow too. Don’t worry, just come to Him. He is inviting you to be with Him. His mercies endure forever. How could these truths give us hope and confidence to come to Jesus? .Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

hat will give us peace and satisfaction? We might think relationships will, a good job will, a good home, family, marriage, children, work, skill, talent, gifts, etc. All these things and many more might make us feel contented and satisfied, but only temporarily. . There is no one who can satisfy, nothing that can give us peace, other than Jesus Christ. Dear beloved children of God, Jesus is giving an invitation for each one of us to identify with Him as our Lord and Savior. The invitation is not biased. It’s not for a certain sect or region or nation but for all who put their trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose from the dead for us. . In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus was—and still is—calling on us to come to Him. He calls those who are in the depths of sin, those who are weak, abandoned, rejected, dejected, maltreated, victimized, sidelined, marginalized, disrespected, destructively criticized, those who have felt hopeless in life, those who are weary, those about to give up&#8230; to come unto Him. . There’s rest in Jesus, so much peace in Christ. He forgives our sin, and He comforts us in our troubles. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). . Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit living in us, who helps us understand God’s Word and empowers us to follow His good ways. This not only gives us clarity, guidance, direction, etc. but also comfort, because we can rest in the work Jesus has done to translate us into the kingdom of His Father. Beloved, there’s no sin beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness. We can find eternal peace and satisfaction when we come unto Jesus. • Shadrach Goni . • Why do you think Jesus wants us to come to Him? If you have never come to Jesus, you can, right now. If you have questions about this, see our &#8220;Know Jesus&#8221; page. . • Even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we don’t have to feel bad for calling out to Him many times, He won’t get tired. Maybe you did something wrong today; you will probably fail tomorrow too. Don’t worry, just come to Him. He is inviting you to be with Him. His mercies endure forever. How could these truths give us hope and confidence to come to Jesus? . Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.11.28-Matt.11.30|Col.1.13-Col.1.14

Heavy footsteps sounded from behind Skyla, and she turned to see Captain Solenar approaching. He gave her a nod, his jaw set in a grim line..“All of our work... ” Skyla’s voice cracked as she looked out over the landscape in front of her. It had taken the group of extraterrestrial experts years to develop the beautiful Crimson Iris, but even before that, the captain had spent decades researching. It was his life’s work, and it had taken the team much planning and sacrifice to safely transplant the delicate flower onto the Kyrgythinian planet. Finally, they had planted a great crop of irises. But now, no flowers could be seen under the Bushvine Thistle Plant that was sweeping across the planet. Skyla knew that Dr. Nocscale had to be the one who had wreaked havoc. As the universe’s most notorious botanical terrorist, he made it his quest to destroy every beautiful creation Captain Solenar had made..Skyla reached down to tear a thistle plant out of the lush ground and winced as thorns tore her skin. “It will take years to weed all this out... ” She grimaced. “And even if we try, we have no guarantee that we will eradicate all the invasive thistle seeds from the planet.”Captain Solenar gently motioned toward the thistle that was still in her hand. She held it up, and was surprised to see a young Crimson Iris that had been uprooted with the thistle. “We can’t weed out these noxious plants,” he said, “or it will destroy all of our work forever.”.“Then there is no hope.” Skyla felt tears of frustration well in her lavender-colored eyes..“Look,” the captain’s deep voice directed. He pointed to the roots of the iris, and Skyla noticed the flower’s roots were long and strong, while the weed’s roots remained shallow. “If the flowers reach toward the water beneath the ground, they will survive. Then, when harvest season comes, we will gather all the plants together. We will harvest the seeds of the Iris, and burn the thistle.”.“That’s a lot of work,” Skyla reminded him..“If we can save just one iris...” Captain Solenar cradled the uprooted flower in his hand. “Then it will be worth the effort.” • Lily Walsh.• Today’s story is based on a parable Jesus told in Matthew 13. Why do you think it’s significant that the good crop and the weeds had to grow together? .“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.” Matthew 13:24b (NLT)

Heavy footsteps sounded from behind Skyla, and she turned to see Captain Solenar approaching. He gave her a nod, his jaw set in a grim line. . “All of our work&#8230; ” Skyla’s voice cracked as she looked out over the landscape in front of her. It had taken the group of extraterrestrial experts years to develop the beautiful Crimson Iris, but even before that, the captain had spent decades researching. It was his life’s work, and it had taken the team much planning and sacrifice to safely transplant the delicate flower onto the Kyrgythinian planet. Finally, they had planted a great crop of irises. But now, no flowers could be seen under the Bushvine Thistle Plant that was sweeping across the planet. Skyla knew that Dr. Nocscale had to be the one who had wreaked havoc. As the universe’s most notorious botanical terrorist, he made it his quest to destroy every beautiful creation Captain Solenar had made. . Skyla reached down to tear a thistle plant out of the lush ground and winced as thorns tore her skin. “It will take years to weed all this out&#8230; ” She grimaced. “And even if we try, we have no guarantee that we will eradicate all the invasive thistle seeds from the planet.” Captain Solenar gently motioned toward the thistle that was still in her hand. She held it up, and was surprised to see a young Crimson Iris that had been uprooted with the thistle. “We can’t weed out these noxious plants,” he said, “or it will destroy all of our work forever.” . “Then there is no hope.” Skyla felt tears of frustration well in her lavender-colored eyes. . “Look,” the captain’s deep voice directed. He pointed to the roots of the iris, and Skyla noticed the flower’s roots were long and strong, while the weed’s roots remained shallow. “If the flowers reach toward the water beneath the ground, they will survive. Then, when harvest season comes, we will gather all the plants together. We will harvest the seeds of the Iris, and burn the thistle.” . “That’s a lot of work,” Skyla reminded him. . “If we can save just one iris&#8230;” Captain Solenar cradled the uprooted flower in his hand. “Then it will be worth the effort.” • Lily Walsh . • Today’s story is based on a parable Jesus told in Matthew 13. Why do you think it’s significant that the good crop and the weeds had to grow together? . “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.” Matthew 13:24b (NLT) &nbsp; Read Verses: Matt.13.24-Matt.13.30|Matt.13.36-Matt.13.43

Practically every year, when spring weather rolls around I feel a burst of energy. Living in an area that gets long, cold winters for more than half the year, I always feel a sense of happiness when spring comes. And almost every spring, I love to enjoy the beautiful fresh air and new life by going jogging outside. After a couple times of running, however, I tend to have the same problem every year... sore ankles. I vividly remember having to apply ice packs to my legs for several days to help the swelling after last year’s jogging spree. Once I experience my annual sore ankles, I usually don’t want to go jogging again—that is, until spring rolls around once more—forming a cycle that has yet to be broken..The writer of Hebrews was familiar with this problem, not just physically, but spiritually. Every Christian is running a race in this life to fulfill our God-given purpose to love God and others. But after a while, we tend to develop aches and pains—weaknesses in our spiritual lives that have surfaced. These aches are different for every person; while I may struggle with discernment, maybe you struggle with patience, kindness, or something else. When we fall short in our areas of weakness, it’s so tempting to give up and stop running all together, just like I did with jogging. But don’t give up! All Christians have the encouragement of knowing godly discipline can only make us stronger through the power of the Holy Spirit..My mom has shown me some leg-strengthening exercises I can do to discipline my body and make it stronger. Spiritual discipline is very similar. First, acknowledge your weaknesses “so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead” (Hebrews 12:13). Don’t try to tough it out by continuing to go on—stop and get some help. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to help us, as well as our family of other believers in Jesus. In God’s community, our “weak muscles” are strengthened through prayer, God’s Word, and the help of godly mentors. And when you feel like giving up, look to Jesus. He will give you the strength you need to keep running. • Lily Walsh.• What weakness are you struggling with right now? Who are trusted Christians in your life—such as counselors, pastors, parents, or teachers—who can help you in your struggle?.Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us... Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 (CSB)

Practically every year, when spring weather rolls around I feel a burst of energy. Living in an area that gets long, cold winters for more than half the year, I always feel a sense of happiness when spring comes. And almost every spring, I love to enjoy the beautiful fresh air and new life by going jogging outside. After a couple times of running, however, I tend to have the same problem every year&#8230; sore ankles. I vividly remember having to apply ice packs to my legs for several days to help the swelling after last year’s jogging spree. Once I experience my annual sore ankles, I usually don’t want to go jogging again—that is, until spring rolls around once more—forming a cycle that has yet to be broken. . The writer of Hebrews was familiar with this problem, not just physically, but spiritually. Every Christian is running a race in this life to fulfill our God-given purpose to love God and others. But after a while, we tend to develop aches and pains—weaknesses in our spiritual lives that have surfaced. These aches are different for every person; while I may struggle with discernment, maybe you struggle with patience, kindness, or something else. When we fall short in our areas of weakness, it’s so tempting to give up and stop running all together, just like I did with jogging. But don’t give up! All Christians have the encouragement of knowing godly discipline can only make us stronger through the power of the Holy Spirit. . My mom has shown me some leg-strengthening exercises I can do to discipline my body and make it stronger. Spiritual discipline is very similar. First, acknowledge your weaknesses “so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead” (Hebrews 12:13). Don’t try to tough it out by continuing to go on—stop and get some help. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to help us, as well as our family of other believers in Jesus. In God’s community, our “weak muscles” are strengthened through prayer, God’s Word, and the help of godly mentors. And when you feel like giving up, look to Jesus. He will give you the strength you need to keep running. • Lily Walsh . • What weakness are you struggling with right now? Who are trusted Christians in your life—such as counselors, pastors, parents, or teachers—who can help you in your struggle? . Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us&#8230; Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 (CSB) &nbsp; Read Verses: 1Cor.9.24-1Cor.9.27|2Cor.12.1-2Cor.12.10|Heb.12.1-Heb.12.13

When I became a mental health counselor, I had no idea what to expect. What unfolded was difficult to accept... but forever changed the way I viewed others. I learned firsthand that some people who might appear “happy” in their everyday life are actually experiencing mistreatment from those they trust most..From the outside, we might never dream that others in our lives are undergoing such strife. I say this only to acknowledge that enduring a harmful situation anywhere—at home, on a sports team, or even at church—is sometimes a reality. If this reality has crept into your world, or a friend’s, please seek help! Reach out to a favorite teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult. There IS a way out, and you don’t need to go it alone. Yes, it’s hard to bring dark things into the light—and more than one try is sometimes required—but remember: God knows the truth. “Even the darkness will not be dark to you [God]... for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:12)..Life can be unfair, unjust, and painful. However, hope and healing and restoration are also real. So, for whoever may be suffering, do not bear this heaviness alone. Jesus always calls us to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)..Moreover, Jesus knows unjust suffering too—thrust on Him by others’ wrongdoing (Isaiah 53). He truly understands our pain. And though our situation may remain unexplained, God, the Eternal One, “knows the way that [we] take,” and He extends His “everlasting arms” to us (Job 23:10; Deuteronomy 33:27), creating hope where once there was none, promising us His presence, and promisingthat the world will one day be made right through His death and resurrection (Revelation 21:1-5). • G. Kam Congleton.• Read Psalm 72:14, Proverbs 11:9, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. God is not okay with injustice and mistreatment. If you are experiencing mistreatment—whether it be verbal, physical, sexual, or neglectful in nature—please reach out for help. In addition to telling a trusted adult, and if you don’t already have a therapist, one option is to use the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, call 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. .Even the darkness will not be dark to you... for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12 (NIV)

When I became a mental health counselor, I had no idea what to expect. What unfolded was difficult to accept&#8230; but forever changed the way I viewed others. I learned firsthand that some people who might appear “happy” in their everyday life are actually experiencing mistreatment from those they trust most. . From the outside, we might never dream that others in our lives are undergoing such strife. I say this only to acknowledge that enduring a harmful situation anywhere—at home, on a sports team, or even at church—is sometimes a reality. If this reality has crept into your world, or a friend’s, please seek help! Reach out to a favorite teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult. There IS a way out, and you don’t need to go it alone. Yes, it’s hard to bring dark things into the light—and more than one try is sometimes required—but remember: God knows the truth. “Even the darkness will not be dark to you [God]&#8230; for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:12). . Life can be unfair, unjust, and painful. However, hope and healing and restoration are also real. So, for whoever may be suffering, do not bear this heaviness alone. Jesus always calls us to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). . Moreover, Jesus knows unjust suffering too—thrust on Him by others’ wrongdoing (Isaiah 53). He truly understands our pain. And though our situation may remain unexplained, God, the Eternal One, “knows the way that [we] take,” and He extends His “everlasting arms” to us (Job 23:10; Deuteronomy 33:27), creating hope where once there was none, promising us His presence, and promising that the world will one day be made right through His death and resurrection (Revelation 21:1-5). • G. Kam Congleton . • Read Psalm 72:14, Proverbs 11:9, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-6. God is not okay with injustice and mistreatment. If you are experiencing mistreatment—whether it be verbal, physical, sexual, or neglectful in nature—please reach out for help. In addition to telling a trusted adult, and if you don’t already have a therapist, one option is to use the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, call 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. . Even the darkness will not be dark to you&#8230; for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12 (NIV) &nbsp; Read Verses: Ps.18.28|Ps.34.18|Mic.7.7-Mic.7.8|Ps.139.12