Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 78:4

Have you ever thought about your part in spreading the gospel? What would happen if you don’t tell anyone about Jesus? If you stay silent, will the next generation of people know the Lord?

That’s kind of a sobering thought, isn’t it? And it’s not to make you feel guilty or bad or anything like that. However, it’s important to realize that you have an important plan in the kingdom of God. If you don’t do the things that God has placed on your heart, if you’re not open to being used by Him and willing to tell others of His goodness, who will?

It’s important to make sure that you take time to speak of the things God has done in your life. Your friends should know that Jesus is a part of your life and why He is. When you have kids one day, you should tell them about the difference Jesus has made in your life.

We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done. – Psalm 78:4 (NIV)

Today’s verse challenges us to do just that. To tell others that Jesus has made an impact in your life. If you don’t know where to start, you could ask God. Tell Him that you want to tell others of His goodness but aren’t sure how. Ask Him to show you how you can make a difference for Him in your world.

Then step out and boldly show others that Jesus is real and is a part of your life. Don’t be afraid to let others know of His goodness to you.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Thessalonians 2:2

not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. – 2 Thessalonians 2:2 (NIV)

It’s easy to get alarmed and unsettled in the day we’re living in. Flipping on the TV and seeing the news can lead you to be in a constant state of fear and panic. But today’s verse tells us to not be unsettled or alarmed.

Yes, in the days we’re living in, many scary things are happening. It’s true that many people are saying things. But here’s the truth. The truth is that God doesn’t want you bound by fear.

It’s easy to hear the things going on in the world and be in a constant state of fear and worry. So pay attention in these last days to what you’re listening to. If something is causing you lots of fear, turn it off. If you’ve become bound by fear and bad news, take some time to spend reading your Bible. Remind yourself that God is good and that He always takes care of His people.

Yes things will get crazy and things are crazy in our world around us, but that doesn’t mean we have to live in fear. Instead, we can put our trust in God. We can realize that He promises to not leave us without help or hope. We can know that no matter what happens, we can find hope in Him and what He has in store for us.

Today’s Truth: You haven’t been left without hope in this world.

You haven't been left without hope in this world.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

I remember one time I had to leave my computer in my car. My concern was that someone might try to take it, so I made sure my car was locked and my computer was well hidden under a pile of junk. I did everything I could think of to keep my computer safe. When something is important, you’ve got to watch over it carefully and keep it locked up.

We know that guarding our possessions is important, but what about our words? Today’s Bible verse talks about guarding our mouth. If words aren’t important to God, why would David ask for God’s help to guard his mouth? It seems like the words that we speak are important.

We know that when something is important, we guard it. Our words are important. They can determine how we see ourselves. Words can be used to hurt others. The words we speak are powerful and it’s up to us how we use them.

So today, choose to put a guard on your words. Be a person that speaks life over yourself and others. Determine to only let good words come out of your mouth.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Job 28:28

And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.” – Job 28:28 (NIV)

Lots of people have many ideas on what it means to be wise. Some would say that it’s all about making good decisions. Others would argue that being wealthy or having a good education makes a person wise.

Today’s Bible verse gives us a different idea of what wisdom and understanding mean to God. It tells us that fearing God is wisdom. The idea of fear here isn’t being scared of God. Instead it’s reverence toward God. It gives us the idea of the whole worship of God.

When we revere and respect God, we treat the things He says are important with respect. When we worship God, we treat His words, and His people with a greater importance than other things.

When we treat God’s word and His desires with respect, we’re fearing Him. And when we do that, we’re becoming wise.

There is human wisdom, which is often incorrect and often changes based on opinion or fads. However, lasting wisdom is based in God and His word. It’s when we seek after those things that we become truly wise.

So if you want to be regarded as wise, it’s not all about what college you go to or what books you’ve studied. Instead, wisdom according to God is to follow God. It’s doing what He says, following His word, and worshipping Him above all else. When you do that, you’ll become truly wise.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Luke 6:38

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 6:38

It can be really easy to get caught in the trap of getting. You might be saving for new shoes, a new phone, or for a new car. Getting things can seem really important at times, however, the Bible encourages us to not make getting the main priority in your life.

Instead, the Bible encourages us to be givers. And the awesome part about being a giver is that God rewards those who give. So when you give, you’re not throwing away your time or money. Everything you give to God is always given back to you in many ways. God wants to reward you for your giving.

So decide today to make giving a habit in your life. Choose to begin to give and see how God will provide and reward you for your faithfulness to give.

Today’s Truth: Making Giving a Part of Your Life

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Proverbs 3:7

Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. – Proverbs 3:7

Can you imagine being in a part of your town that you’ve never been before? Since you haven’t been there, you have no idea where to go or what to do. So you do what a lot of people do when they don’t know where they’re going. You pull out your phone and find out Google maps has to say about where to go.

But what if you never got help from Google maps? What if you didn’t trust it’s directions? What if you decided you know more than the map and decide to go your own way? Well, unless you’re really lucky, you’d probably get lost without help and direction.

That’s a lot like what this Bible verse is saying. It’s telling us to not think that we’re wise. We shouldn’t think that we can make decisions independently of God. Yet many times that’s what we do. We don’t get God’s help on our decision making. We don’t include God in our lives. We don’t run after Him and turn away from the things that keep us from Him.

So challenge yourself today to turn away from things that keep you from God. Turn away from things that are bad and decide instead to run after God. Get His input and direction for your life. Choose to make Him your priority in life.

Today’s Truth: Seek God’s Wisdom for your life.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Corinthians 2:14

But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Have you ever come into your house when something really tasty is baking? In my opinion, there’s nothing better than the smell of cookies baking. Your mouth waters just thinking about eating one of those tasty cookies. You can’t wait until they finish baking and you can sink your teeth into one of those warm cookies.

That’s a lot like what today’s Bible verse is telling us. God leads us to victory in every situation we face. We know that we’re always going to come out on the other side a victor because of who lives on the inside of us.

This constant victory is like baking cookies. It makes us smell good to those around us. As Christians who know their place in Christ, we give off an awesome scent that makes others hungry for Jesus. Our lives show God’s goodness to those around us.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Hebrews 1:2

How do you like to communicate with your friends? Do you like hanging out in person? Perhaps you talk while you’re playing video games, or text them to talk. Communication with friends is an important part of your relationship. Without communication, you’d miss what was going on in their lives.

Similar to how you communicate with friends, God has chosen to communicate with us. That’s awesome news! One of the ways He has communicated with us is through His son Jesus. Check out today’s verse below.

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. – Hebrews 1:2 (NIV)

Jesus was one way God showed us who He was. When we see Jesus in the gospels doing good, healing, and helping people, we can know that is how God is also. What we see Jesus doing and saying, are things we would expect God to do and say too.

The great thing about Jesus is that He showed us the father. And through Him we can know the father. We don’t have to be isolated and far off from our creator. Instead, we can enjoy time with Him.

So today, realize that Jesus did something amazing for us. He showed us what God was like. So today, thank God for sending us Jesus. Know that we are blessed to be able to see Him speak through His son, Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Peter 1:12

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. – 2 Peter 1:12 (NIV)

Today’s Bible verse talks about being firmly established. That’s an interesting idea, isn’t it? It’s easy to be swayed by things. You might hear a good argument from a teacher at your school, or a friend and it changes your opinion about something. Maybe you read a book, and it helps you see things in a new light. When things like that happen, you have been swayed in what you believe.

Being swayed is okay for things that aren’t moral or things of faith. If your friend presents a good argument about why you should buy a certain brand of shoes for instance, that isn’t something that really matters in the light of eternity if your opinion is swayed.

But let’s say that a friend argues with you and sways your opinion about something the Bible speaks about? What then? Who do you believe and who do you go with? Well, the best thing to go with is what God’s word says.

Today’s verse talks about being established. And that means you might have to do some work. Maybe you don’t know what God’s word says about an issue or topic. That might mean that you’ve got to study a little, and find out what God’s word says. As you do this, you become more firmly established about what you believe.

The more you learn about what the Bible says, the more strong your foundation in God’s word will become. It’s knowing God’s word and getting it into your heart that will help you stand strong and be firmly established in truth. So today, decide to spend some time studying God’s word. Know what you believe and why you believe it so that you can be firmly established.

Today’s Truth: Know what you believe so you can stand firm.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Colossians 3:16

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. – Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Each day that you don’t put God’s word in you, you’re trying to live life on your own. That isn’t the way you were created to live. God created you to live in fellowship with Him.

As you already know, life can be difficult. School isn’t easy. There are subjects that don’t make sense to you. At school there are people who aren’t kind and that you don’t agree with. And you have to deal with them each day. So how do you do it?

How do you live your life for Jesus when you’re tired, frustrated, and sometimes don’t understand? You do it by getting closer to Him. Each day, you should be striving to get in His presence. Maybe it’s listening to some worship music and thanking Him for what He’s done. It could be praying or spending time in the Bible. But it’s all about it dwelling richly in you.

It’s foolish for you to think you can live your life in your own strength with all the problems going on. Instead, you should be going to Jesus. In His presence is where you’ll find the answers you need. In Him, you can get the wisdom you need to live your life each day.

Don’t forget to go to Him. Don’t get too busy and too consumed with the problems of life that you try to live life on your own. Instead spend time each day being refreshed in Him.