By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. – Hebrews 11:3 (NLT)

When God created the world, there was nothing. No fish, no animals, no people, no sun, and the list could go on. Yet in the middle of the nothing, God saw something. God spoke and created our world.

That takes boldness. God had to see something that didn’t exist, believe it, and then boldly speak it into reality.

The truth about faith is that it’s bold. Faith is certain that when God speaks something it will come to pass.

Today’s Truth: Faith Is Bold

In the Bible, we have promises from God. So we know that God has spoken promises to us. Our challenge is whether we will be bold and choose to believe them.

Today you might struggle with peace with everything going on in the world. God promises peace. Will you believe Him? Do you boldly believe the promises of God? Will you live free from fear, knowing that God has promised to see us through the issues we’re facing in the world around us?

[Tweet “God has promised to see us through even in the middle of difficulty – @studentdevos”]

Faith is bold. So challenge yourself to boldly believe the Bible. Stand up, be bold and see God come through for whatever you’re facing!

If you’re struggling with fear in these difficult times, check out our 5-day e-devotion on fear. It will challenge you to live a life free from fear!

May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace. – Numbers 6:26 (NLT)

It’s so easy to lose your peace. Maybe you just found out school was canceled until the end of the year. Perhaps you aren’t able to work your job right now and you’re running short on money.

When things like that happen, it’s easy to lose your peace.

In the Bible, we see time and time again that God comes to bring us peace. When the disciples were fearful in the boat, Jesus brought peace to the storm. (Matthew 8) Jesus is known as the prince of peace (Isa 9:6). God doesn’t bring chaos, He brings peace.

So even if your circumstances are less than ideal, take comfort in the thought that Jesus came into the world to bring peace.

Whatever you’re going through right now, Jesus is the answer. He’s the peace you long for. Choose to look to Him. Tune out the voices of fear and look to the one who came to bring you peace!

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.  – Romans 12:2 (MSG)

God loves us. He’s given us so much and His love helps bring out the best in each one of us. When we realize how much God loves us, it enables us to be loving to those around us.

Even though this is a time of crisis, let this be a time where you get better. Make a difference in the world around you. Look for someone hurt and help them. Look for a need and meet it. God is calling us to rise up as Christians and make a difference in the world around us.

You might not be able to go on a missions trip right now, but what can you do?

How can you make a difference today?

Can you encourage a health-care worker or send them a gift card to buy them lunch? Could you be a bigger help to your parents at home?

Ask God to show you how you can let God’s love shine through you.

Share God’s love with others today and see what a big difference you can make in the world around you.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither– whatever they do prospers. – Psalm 1:3 (NIV)

The season of life we’re in right now is trying. Each of us struggles with different things. Some face fear, others hate the isolation. How are you dealing with the trials you’re facing right now?

Have you let them upset you to where you question the goodness of God? Or have you done what today’s verse says? Have you planted yourself in your relationship with God?

Today’s Truth: A Life Planted in God Prospers

When your foundation in life is in God and His word, then no matter what things you go through, you prosper.

Don’t forget, God has good things in store for you. He will see you through this trying time. He loves you and if you stay close to Him, you’ll come out on the other side better.

Be encouraged, even though times are hard, we serve a good God. God will always see you through. Stay close to Him by reading your Bible. As you keep yourself planted in Him and His Word, you’ll come through this better than before!

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. – Psalm 1:2 (NIV)

Right now, we’re in one of the biggest storms our world has faced. If we’re not careful, we can easily get upset and discouraged.

The news, our friends, parents, and many other sources are constantly sending us messages of fear and terror. How do you combat all the negative emotions and fear?

Today’s Bible verse gives us some insight. If you are to remain planted in Jesus, you’ve got to pay attention to the things you think. If you’re constantly thinking about how you might die and how hard it is to be in your house, you’re going to be afraid and unhappy.

Today’s Truth: Swap fears for faith by thinking about what God says.

Instead, you should challenge yourself to pay attention to your thoughts. Instead of filling up on news and bad reports, consider listening to God’s Word instead.

Read your Bible, find a devotion that feeds you, and listen to worship music. As you focus your thoughts on God’s word instead of fear, everything will seem better.

You won’t suddenly come out of isolation or anything, but it will help your attitude and outlook during this time. So if you’ve been guilty of thinking negative thoughts determine to spend more time in God’s word. Replace fear with faith by thinking about what God says.

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)

Life is crazy. It’s chaotic. From social distancing to school cancelations, there’s no doubt things are far from normal.

Today’s Truth: We Have Hope.

As Christians, we have hope in the middle of the storm we’re going through right now. That hope is in Jesus. That means we don’t have to respond the same way the world does.

We can put our hope and trust in Jesus. Instead of fear, we have hope. In this season, we can use that hope to help encourage others.

Be on the lookout for ways to encourage others. Maybe you can put a funny video on TikTok to make someone laugh. Perhaps you can write a note and send it to a friend with a scripture on it and tell them you’re thinking of them.

Ask God to show you how you can bless others and share the hope you have in Jesus. People all around you are hungry to know Him. Don’t be afraid to bless, encourage and share your hope in Jesus with others during this season.

God wants to use you to reach others for Him. Be bold, be brave and step out and do what God is calling you to do!

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, – Psalm 1:1 (NIV)

I remember a time in my life when my faith was really shaken. My grandma passed away when I was 14 and it felt like my world was crashing down around me. I began to question God and wonder if everything the Bible taught was even true.

It’s easy when something big and bad happens in your life to begin to question your faith. For most of us, COVID-19 has been one of those times in our lives. It’s big and it’s bad and it might be causing you to question your faith.

Here’s the truth. Bad things will happen. COVID-19 is no exception. But where do you turn when bad things come your way?

If you want to be blessed and content in life, like today’s verse, describes, you’ve got to choose to follow God’s word. You can’t let what seems good, feels good or what other people say determine your contentment. Instead, you’ve got to look to God to be your source of peace in these times.

If you’re going to stay steady in your faith, you’ve got to be so planted in your relationship with God that nothing sways you.

So today, take a quick check. Have you allowed your circumstances to dictate your happiness? Have you allowed the voices of other people to become louder than God’s voice in your life? If so, determine to change. Choose to follow after God. Let Him and His word be your contentment and peace.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4 (NIV)

The last few weeks and even months have felt like a trial for most of us. Many of us have had our lives uprooted due to COVID-19, fears of sickness, or fears of not enough. It’s times like these that really test our faith.

It’s the trial that reveals what we truly believe.

Tests are important. They are indicators of your development. At your school, they often administer tests. Those tests show your teachers how you’re doing and what you’ve learned so far. They also help you know about any areas you need to study more.

The trials in life are no different. They’re simply tests, showing us what we believe and where we’ve put our trust.

Today’s Challenge: Will you remain planted in God in the midst of trials?

The trials we’re facing look different for each of us. Some fear sickness, others missing school, still, others struggle with all this family time.

The thing is, the trial is a test. It shows you the areas you’re weak and areas you need to study God’s word more. So today ask yourself: where is your foundation? Is it in yourself? Is it in others? Or do you find your foundation in God?

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. – Psalm 37:25 (NLT)

Times like these can really cause you to question your faith. You might feel mad at God because you aren’t able to see your friends. Perhaps you see everyone fighting to get groceries and feel like everything is not right in the world.

When we go through difficult seasons in our lives, it can easily cause us to question the goodness of God. With people being scared, sick and dying, those feelings are understandable.

Here’s the truth: God is good. Even in the midst of a storm, the goodness of God is there.

God has always protected and provided for His children. You’re not an exception. God will provide for you.

God is good. He loves you and He will help you get through these tough times. Stay close to Him. Read your Bible and pray. Use these times to draw close to God and get to know Him more. As you do, you’ll realize how great it is to serve such a good God.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Eph 4:32 (NIV)

If you’re stuck at home right now due to the Coronavirus, you’re probably getting a little sick of your siblings. Maybe your mom is driving you crazy and you honestly don’t know if you can take another day of it.

We get it! Dealing with family all under one roof for a long time can be a lot to deal with.

Today’s Bible verse tells us to be kind and compassionate and to forgive. That means forgiving your brother who just ate the last of the chips. That means being kind to your mom even when you want to yell at her.

Family relationships aren’t always easy. But Jesus challenges us to treat others with love and kindness.

So today, look for ways to help your family. Maybe you can help your mom by throwing in a load of laundry without being asked. Perhaps you can talk to your brother and find out if he’s scared about Coronavirus and you can share a Bible verse to help encourage him.

Ask God for His help too. He might show you a way you can help your family. Your kindness will go a long way to helping your family get through this scary time together!