Daily Bible Verse & Devotion – Eph 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: – Ephesians 1:4

This verse shows us how important we are to God. In this scripture, we see that God chose us. When you get to pick your piece of cake at a birthday party, you don’t pick the sad, small piece. No, you pick the best and the biggest. God is no different. He picked you. That means He wanted to know you.  When you realize how much God loves you that can give you a new sense of self-worth.

Today’s Truth: When you realize how much God loves you it gives you a new sense of self-worth. 

Ephesians 1:4 teen devotionThe end of the verse tells us that not only did God chose us, but it shows us how He sees us. When God looks at us in the light of what Jesus did on the cross He sees someone who is holy and without blame. He doesn’t see all the areas where you’ve fallen short or messed up. He sees you and He likes what He sees. To Him you’re great. To Him, you matter.

So when you start to get down on yourself or experience a day when you feel like no one cares, remember that God does. He chose you before the foundation of the world. Also, remember that to God you are Holy and blameless. There is nothing that God is holding against you. Jesus’ blood was enough to pay the price for sin and we are now free to live an abundant life in God.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Joshua 24:15

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

Every day you make lots of choices. You choose what to wear, what to eat, and lots of other things. In all the choices we make each day, sometimes not a lot of thought is put into who we are serving.

Today’s Bible verse tells us to choose today who we will serve. If you’re not actively choosing God, then who or what are you choosing?

Today’s Truth: Choose to serve God, it’s the best decision you can make.

Ultimately, you are responsible for where you are in life and your relationship with God. You have to make the choice to choose God and to go after Him wholeheartedly. So make the decision today to run after God. Choose to serve Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. That’s the most important decision you can make.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 1 Timothy 4:15

Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress – 1 Timothy 4:15 (NLT)

God has given you a purpose. You are vital to God’s plan on the earth. However, often it’s easy to let the opinions of others stop you from believing your value to God. For example, the harsh words of a student in your math class can sink in and make you doubt your importance.

One good way to overcome the doubts is to begin to throw yourself into God. When you become focused on what God says about you, it becomes more important than the opinions of others. So when possible, throw yourself into things that God has for you. Focus on making yourself better and getting to know God more.

Today’s Truth: When you become focused on what God says about you, it becomes more important than the opinion of others.]

Focus on what God says about you

You’ll be surprised at how much you grow when you do this. It might not feel like you’re making big strides, but over time, you’ll see good results. So today, choose to spend time focusing on God. Focus on what He says about you and what He’s called you to do. As you do that and develop your gifts, you’ll be amazed at the progress you make!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 119:11

Teen Devotion

I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. – Psalm 119:11

Lots of times in the craziness of life, we don’t take time to treasure God’s word. We think that if we aren’t too tired before bed we will read the Bible. Or if life gets less busy we will read the Bible. What we’re actually in essence saying is that we don’t treasure the Bible. We don’t make it really important in our lives.

When you treasure something you act like its important or valuable. In many cases, that’s not how we treat our Bibles. We often overlook the value that is at our fingertips if we would just open the book. The solutions to our problems are there. The answer to our questions is there. The peace that we are searching for is there. It’s all there, it’s just up to us to do like this daily Bible verse encourages us to do and treasure it.

When we treasure something we make time for it, and it is important to us. Today, don’t forget to set aside some time to read the treasure God gave to us, the Bible.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 42:2

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When will I come and appear before God? – Psalm 42:2 (MEV)

Can you remember who your best friend was your first year of school? If you can remember, do you still talk to them? Are they still one of your closest friends? For some, the answer might be yes, you still talk to that friend. But for others, like myself, my friend has moved away.

I no longer have any communication with that friend. As a result, we’re not really good friends any more. This is not due to any kind of fallout, or us no longer liking each other. Instead, we simply aren’t around each other, and as a result, we don’t talk that often.

Our relationship with God can be the same way. It’s up to us to determine our closeness to God. God is always near, but if we never reach out to talk to Him, we will never know Him. God has made Himself knowable to us, but we have to want to know Him in return.

As we spend time in reading our Bibles, prayer, worship, and thinking about Him, our nearness and desire for Him grows. In today’s verse, we see that David was thirsting for time with God. He loved God, and knew Him and as a result desired more time and fellowship with God.

We can have the same connection with God. God isn’t far off or hard to know. But He needs you to want to know Him. As you desire Him, He shows Himself more and more real to you. As a result, your knowledge and relationship with Him grows.

So today, realize that God wants to make Himself known to you. Determine to spend some time getting to know Him and see that your desire for Him grow.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – Ephesians 3:20 (Holman)

Can you remember a time when your grandma asked you what you wanted for your birthday? Secretly, you really wanted a new phone, but you knew that was very expensive and there was no way you’d get it. So instead of telling her what you really wanted, you said you wanted a new hat or a shirt or something that cost less. Sometimes there’s a gap between what you ask for and what you think.

When it comes to presents, we ask for a shirt or a hat, but we want a new phone. We don’t want to offend the person asking us what we want, or maybe we know they can’t afford it, so we ask for something less than what we think we actually want.

It’s easy to fall into this trap with God too. Maybe you want to see some things changed in your life or to pray for really big things, but we treat God like we do with our grandma. We’re afraid to ask him and pray for big things. Today’s verse says that God wants to do more than we ask or think in our lives. So don’t be afraid to step out and see God move in big ways in your life.

Today’s Truth: God is able to do more in our lives than we can ask or think!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 1 Peter 3:10

For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. – 1 Peter 3:10 (NLT)

How many times do we talk badly about other people? How many times do we lie? Maybe not even a full-blown lie, just a little one. One of those where you just stretch the truth of what happened a little bit. It’s so easy to fall into the habit of speaking bad things.

Today’s Bible verse is a challenge to us. It challenges us to keep our tongue from speaking evil and our lips from telling lies. That might seem really hard when you think about it.

The good news about God is that He doesn’t give us a challenge like this without knowing that we can do it. It might take a little work or self-control on our part, but we can do it. We can determine to speak good things about others. We can choose to tell the truth.

We aren’t alone either when it comes to changing these habits. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our helper. He will help us to do it. The Holy Spirit will give us the ability to make these changes. So today, if you’ve made a habit out of speaking badly of others or telling lies, ask God for help. Ask Him to help you change your habits so you can begin to speak well.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Deuteronomy 8:3

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. – Deut 8:3 (NLT)

How often do we let what people say affect our idea of who God is? Maybe we listen to preaching on YouTube, or listen to our pastor at church preach. And those people have great insights into God and His character. But if we let our knowledge about God simply be based on the experiences of others, we will be selling our relationship with God short.

We should love God and get to know Him through His word. Not through the ideas and words of others. Because there is power in getting to know God through reading the Bible. When we read the Bible, we allow it to speak into our hearts and lives.

Getting to know God for ourselves through the Bible is powerful. That’s when we will really understand who God is for ourselves. So if you haven’t, take some time to read your Bible. Find a version of the Bible online and read and get to know God through His word. When you do, you’ll realize how good He is and the awesome things He has in store for you!

Reading your bible

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Galatians 6:9

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion - Don't give upAnd don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!  – Galatians 6:9 (TPT)

When things are going good, it’s so easy to be happy. However, when things are hard, sometimes being happy and content is really hard. One good way to keep yourself encouraged is by thinking about the stories of others who kept going when things were tough.

For example, Joseph in the Bible was in prison for a long time. He didn’t deserve to be there, but he didn’t give up. After a long time, he was delivered from prison and promoted. Joseph kept himself encouraged when it didn’t look like anything was going to change.

The hard part about being in a place that you don’t like is that it always feels like it’s taking too long. I’m sure Joseph felt that way being in prison year after year. He might have even wondered if God had forgotten him.

Today’s Truth: God hasn’t forgotten you. Stay faithful and don’t give up!

The good news is that God didn’t forget him. As Joseph stayed faithful, his season of waiting was over. His promotion came, it just took time. The same is true for you. You might feel like you’re waiting for what God has promised you. The good news is, God always comes through on his promises. Be encouraged, God hasn’t forgotten you. He will reward you if you stay faithful and don’t give up!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Chronicles 15:2

The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. – 2 Chronicles 15:2b (NIV)

I was always a shy child in the classroom. I never drew any attention to myself. I didn’t speak up at all. I simply sat in my seat, did my work, and when the day was over, I left the room. My teacher was near to me all day long. Often she was only a few feet away from me. She was there all the time, yet I never spoke to her unless it was absolutely necessary.

Being close in proximity to someone doesn’t mean that you’re close in nearness. You can be close in proximity all day long to someone and never speak to them or get to know them.

Knowing God is the same way. God is all around. He isn’t far from us. He’s always close, ready to speak to us. However, we have to boldly speak up and get to know Him.

Today’s Truth: God is not far off. He wants to know and be known by you.

Knowing God takes faith. We have to believe that He is, and also as Hebrews says a rewarder of those who seek Him. We can go throughout our lives, with Him close by, but never get to know Him. God wants to call us into a deeper relationship with Him, if we will choose to believe it and pursue it. He wants to speak to us, show us truth, and help us live a life full of purpose and meaning. However, we have to speak up, we have to talk to Him and draw near to Him.

So today, challenge yourself to come near to God. Know that He wants to make Himself known to you. Believe that fact, and begin to step out and know Him more today.