Daily Devotion and Bible Verse – John 14:3

Posted on November 4, 2024

If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. – John 14:3 (HCSB)

What’s going on in your life right now that is tough? Maybe your sister isn’t kind to you. Perhaps you are facing a big math test where you’re unsure if you’ll pass it or not. Often in life it’s easy to let the difficulties steal our joy.

However, when life gets tough, it’s beneficial if you can keep things in perspective. The fact is that because of Jesus, we are able to spend eternity in heaven with Him. Knowing this allows us to have peace in Him no matter what our circumstances are or what things look like around us.

The truth is difficult situations and circumstances will happen to you in life. The good news is that we have someone who cares about us and who has gone ahead of us. So as we live each day, we can realize that we’re not just living for today and today’s difficulties and circumstances. Rather, we’re living for eternity. One day we will see Jesus face to face. If we accept Jesus our eternity is secure!

Today, instead of thinking about the troubles you’re facing, think about the fact that Jesus said that He is going to come back for you and take you to be with Him in heaven some day. When you have this perspective, it makes all your problems seem small.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – October 31

Posted on October 31, 2024

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, – Psalm 91:9

Where do you go when you’re upset? Do you have a place you like? When I was a little kid, I loved going into my closet where it was dark to hide when I was upset. It helped me calm down and it was nice to just have a place where I felt no one could find me.

In this Bible verse, we are encouraged to think of God as a refuge. We are to think of Him as a safe place, where we can get away from our problems and find peace. Its interesting though how often we forget about God’s ability to be our shelter in tough times. We often turn to friends, our room, a TV show, or even over eat when we’re upset. The best place we can turn in tough times is to God.

God is willing to be your refuge from the troubles of life. Will you make Him your safe place? The next time you experience trouble, take a moment to think about God. Give Him a chance to be your safe place, your refuge from your trouble.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 103:12

Posted on October 30, 2024

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

Thank God that he has taken our transgressions from us. He’s removed them so far from us, it can’t be measured. God has a love for us that is greater than any human love we may face. This love caused God to act on our behalf. He sent His son Jesus to pay the price that our sin deserved.

Because of what Jesus did we can now come boldly to God with nothing left against us. We don’t have to be concerned that God is mad at us or holding our sin against us. We know that we now have access to God. We’re able to have a real relationship with God.

Pray: I thank you, Father, for taking my sins and transgressions from me. I’m so glad that I can come to you at any time and in any place. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 46:1

Posted on October 29, 2024
Teen Devotion on Help of God

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. – Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

What are you struggling with right now? Are the subjects at school difficult and you’re finding it’s hard to keep up without being distracted? What is it that you struggle with?

God wants to be the answer to every struggle you face. He wants to be your refuge when things are hard. Life is hard, but God wants to help you stay encouraged through life’s challenges.

So today, determine to spend some time in God’s word. Stop scrolling through endless videos and start spending some time in prayer. Talk to God about what you struggle with. Dare to ask Him to help when things are tough. He desires to be your help and refuge in every situation you face.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 1:1

Posted on October 28, 2024

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. – Psalm 1:1 (KJV)

I remember a time when it felt like all the students in my youth group were not serving God. That fact made me so mad. I had such a sense of injustice that they weren’t following after God and it felt like I was the only one who really wanted to serve God with my whole heart. And yet, it seemed like those students got all the recognition. The youth leaders kept talking about how great they were and the good things they did. All I could see was all the ways they were failing.

But here’s the truth. In today’s verse, we see that we are blessed when we follow after God. It doesn’t mean that our youth group leaders will notice us, and make us student of the month. What that word does mean is that we will be satisfied, that we will be at peace and content in every area of our lives.

The truth is when we follow after God, we are truly blessed. We are able to be happy in our relationship with God, and don’t need external things to keep us happy and satisfied. When we can come to that place, where we let our relationship with God become what we’re living for, we find that we are truly content.

So today, don’t be like me. Don’t look to getting recognition from others to find your contentment. Instead, look to God. Realize that when you seek Him, you find contentment in Him. The contentment you find in God isn’t something that fades out or goes away either. It’s long lasting and good. So seek to know God more today and every day, and find that you are truly blessed.

Daily Devotion and Daily Bible Verse – October 27

Posted on October 25, 2024

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

It is so easy to begin to worry. I can recall countless nights I stayed awake worried about the next day at school. I was concerned that I would forget the paper I wrote for English at home or my math book. I’d wake up, find my backpack, and rummage through my folders until I found the paper or book I was looking for. Once I was sure they were in my bag, I’d try to go back to sleep. I lost a lot of sleep worried about forgetting something the next day.

Worry is a bad thing. It keeps you from sometimes sleeping, eating, or even just enjoying life. That’s why the Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow. Because if we’re using up all our energy worrying about the next day, we’re not enjoying today. God doesn’t want us going through life bogged down with worry and cares. Instead, He wants us to trust Him, that He will take care of things.

Today’s Truth: God doesn’t want us going through life burdened with worry and cares.

So today, if you have a bad habit of worrying about things, decide to make a change for good. Decide to stop worrying about things that may or may not happen and enjoy the things God has provided for you today. As you break the habit of worry, you’ll find that you’ll begin enjoying life more each day!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Galatians 5:6

Posted on October 22, 2024

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.  – Galatians 5:6

Do you have someone in your life who really loves you? They’re the person you know will always be there for you. They’re the kind of person that you know no matter what happens, they have your best interests at heart. When someone really loves you, it’s easy to put your confidence and trust in them.

Trusting God is the same way. It is easy to have faith and confidence in God when you begin to focus on how much He loves you. The more you realize that God loves you, the easier it is to believe He will take care of you.

The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands – Martin Luther

With all the distractions that life brings, it’s so easy to forget how much God loves us. So let today’s Bible verse be a reminder of how important it is to remind yourself of God’s love. As you grow in love, you’ll grow in faith. Take some time today to think about how much God loves you!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Romans 5:8

Posted on October 21, 2024

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8 (NLT)

I was unnoticed in school. I was insecure and rather than saying the wrong thing and getting made fun of, I chose not to talk. Day after day, I hoped that someone would talk to me and want to be my friend. Day after day, I stressed out because again and again I’d have to sit at a lunch table with no one that wanted me to be there.

After awhile, I began to believe there was something wrong with me. No one talked to me. No one even acted like I existed. I began to think my life didn’t really matter.

And then one day, I began to realize my value to God. I realized that what others thought of me wasn’t the opinion that really mattered. What mattered was my value to God.

I was worth so much to God. He loved me and knew everything about me. I began to develop a deep relationship with God. I realized that my worth was found in Him, not in what others thought about me.

The same is true for you. You matter. Your life has purpose and value. Don’t be lied to that because of how your friends treat you, you’re not important. Friends can be fickle, but God is always faithful.

Reach out to God and spend time letting Him show you your true value and worth.

Daily Bible Verse and Daily Devotion – October 18

Posted on October 18, 2024

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No SLOPPY living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself” – 1 Corinthians 9:26 (Message)

I ran cross country when I was in middle school. I wasn’t that good of a runner, but a few of my friends went out for it, so I decided to go out too. During practice, I remember my coach always strategizing with us. One of the things he always stressed to us was finishing strong. He wanted us to run as fast as we could to the finish line.

This was hard for me. By the time the race was almost over, running harder and faster was the farthest thing from my mind. I just wanted to go slower, give up, or take a break.

Today’s Truth: Don’t Give Up, Finish Strong

In the same way, in life you should be finishing strong in every area of your life. Whether it’s doing chores at your house, working on homework, or in any other area.

Today’s Bible verse talks about finishing strong. In life, it takes character to finish strong. You may want to give up when things get hard, but today’s verse challenges us to do the opposite. Instead of quitting when things get tough, we are challenged to keep running hard. This is difficult to do when you’re tired, frustrated, and just want to give up. However, true character is pushing past what seems difficult. Its when you push past what is comfortable that you really see great results.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Romans 15:13

Posted on October 17, 2024

How do you feel right now? Are things at school overwhelming? Do you feel overloaded and upset? Maybe the pressures at home just feel too much. Here’s the truth, even though things might be hard right now, as Children of God, He doesn’t want us to live our lives discouraged and upset. Instead, God has come to give you hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NIV)

God wants you to have hope, and not just a little hope, but hope that is overflowing. Many times, it’s easier though to look at how wrong everything feels right now.

The truth is, if you look to Jesus, spend time in the Word, you’ll begin to get hope. To be filled with hope, you have to turn away from what you’re seeing in the world around you, and turn to Jesus.

Practically speaking, it might mean turning off your TV before bed and spending time reading your Bible and praying. It might mean saying no to chatting with friends that cause you to fear and be upset.

God wants you to be at peace, but you might have to make a few adjustments to get there. However, it’s worth it. Living a life at peace is always a good thing.

Pray: Jesus, I love you. I purpose today to walk in your hope and peace. I choose to set aside time to spend reading the Bible and get to know you better today. In your name, I pray, Amen.