Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Hopefully, you’ve been having some fun this summer. From sporting events to spending some time in the sun, or at the pool, summer can be a fun time.

While you’re having fun, make sure you take some time this summer to develop your relationship with Jesus. Summer is a great time to do that. You have some more time while you’re not in your classes, and you can spend some of that extra time getting to know Jesus better.

It can be tempting to just enjoy a little more TV, or social media time, however, spending all our free time on those things can often keep you from spending time reading your Bible or in prayer.

Part of being a disciple of Jesus involves us denying ourselves by not watching that extra movie, and following Jesus by spending time in the Word. This summer, challenge yourself to not only relax and enjoy but to spend some time learning to become a disciple of Jesus and growing in your walk with God.

Today’s Truth: Choose to become a disciple this summer and challenge yourself to spend time in God’s Word.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded – 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)

It’s so easy to want to give up. Especially when things are taking longer than you expected. Maybe you thought that you’d be promoted at your job by now. Perhaps there’s a promise from God that hasn’t come to pass yet in your life. Whatever it is that you’re waiting on, today’s Bible verse is for you.

This verse encourages us to not give up. As we all know, patience is hard. No one likes waiting. Yet it’s in those times of waiting that we often have the chance to develop character. You might realize in those times that you need to work on improving our attitude. Possibly you realize that you’ve based your happiness on things other than God.

Often, it’s during difficulty that we begin to see what our hope really is in. If waiting has you down and discouraged, it might be an indicator that you’ve been placing your happiness in your circumstances rather than in Jesus.

So today, if you’re having difficulty being patient, don’t give up. Know that your work will be rewarded and that God sees it. Choose to put your happiness in Jesus and don’t let circumstances dictate your joy.

Today’s Truth: Don’t let circumstances determine your joy. Put your hope in Jesus.

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)

Have you noticed that you face battles in life? Life would be a lot easier if God just granted you all your wishes. Then, if you face something tough in life, you could just wish it away on God, and it would be gone. Unfortunately, our battles in life don’t go away by wishing. 

But it’s not all bad news. God furnishes you with the armor you need to fight your battle. Your job is to pick it up and use it when facing the battles of life.

Today’s Truth: God Has Given Us What We Need to Fight Our Battles

Those battles look different to each of us. Sometimes the battles of life are difficult circumstances. At other times you may battle fear and it causes you to not step out and do the thing God is calling you to do. Then at times, you fight against lust or things of the flesh and it can be hard to stop doing the things that are wrong.

However, the important thing to remember is that God has given you all the tools you need to fight. You just have to stand up and fight believing that you’re equipped and that God is on your side. Regardless of the battle, you can be encouraged, you’re not alone. You have the weapons you need to fight your battles each day.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ – Phil 3:8 (NIV)

As a teenager, you probably love the idea of being in charge. If you’re like most teens, you’re excited for the day when you’re an adult and you get to call all the shots in your life.

Even if you don’t get to call all the shots in your day-to-day life, in your relationship with God, you are in charge.

Today’s Truth: You are the only person who determines how well you know Jesus.

Your relationship with God isn’t based on your parent’s faith or relationship with God. Rather, you’ve got to choose to have a deep and meaningful relationship with Him.

And you’re in charge of that! You get to choose how well you know Jesus. The good news is that nothing is stopping you from getting to know Him more.

So don’t wait until you’re older. Instead, choose to follow Jesus today. Get into God’s word and learn how much He loves you and desires a relationship with you.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. – Psalm 37:8 (NLT)

Have you ever been around someone who was really angry? I remember a bully that rode my bus to school, and she was always picking on others and yelling at the other kids on the bus. Most of the time, if people haven’t learned to handle their emotions in healthy ways, those emotions can lead them into destructive habits.

Maybe unchecked emotions won’t lead you to bully kids on the bus, but it could affect other things in your life. It could keep you from getting a promotion at your future job. Or maybe it causes you to hurt friends and family that are close to you.

Today’s Truth: Unchecked Emotions Hurt You.

God always wants the best for you and your life. That’s why His word encourages us to stop being angry. Anger can lead you to do and say things that aren’t healthy for you or for others. God wants you to walk in the good things He’s planned for you, and anger can keep you from relationships and good things.

So today, if you’ve been guilty of letting anger boss you around, choose to do things differently. Determine that you won’t let anger be your first response. Go to God and get His creative ideas on how you can beat anger in your life.

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. – James 3:16 (NLT)

Jealousy and comparison are such easy habits to fall into. Maybe you see someone else promoted at their job and it makes you feel unnoticed at your job. Perhaps you see everyone around you in a relationship and you feel like you’ll never meet someone special to date.

You can’t compare yourself to others and be happy at the same time. Comparision is one of the quickest ways to bring unhappiness into your life. If you spend all your time thinking of all the ways your life doesn’t measure up to the lives of others, you’ll never be truly happy.

If you want to be happier, you’ve got to determine to not allow jealousy to rule you. Instead, find ways to be happy with who you are in Christ Jesus. Ask God to show you your strengths and choose to focus on using those strengths to help others. Contentment comes from focusing on who you are in Jesus