Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Genesis 1:1

Posted on June 13, 2022

It’s getting to be summertime, and we thought it might be fun to do a series over the next week and a half on some scriptures that are pretty foundational to our faith and our salvation. These scriptures outline our need for a savior, Jesus, and why sin is such a big problem without Jesus.

If you haven’t already, consider challenging yourself to memorize these scriptures. Memorizing them really does help you. That way, if you forget your Bible at home one day, or if you’re jogging at track practice, you can think about and recall some scripture to feed your faith.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

One of the first things you have to settle in your walk with God is that God is the creator. Why is that important? Because as creator, there is no higher power than God. That means that He has the right to call the shots in our world because He was the one who created it.

Today’s Challenge: Look to God as the Creator

Seeing God as your creator is foundational to your faith. If you believe that He created, then it makes sense why He has the right to judge sin. It makes sense why He loved us so much that He wanted to send a savior to the world to redeem us from that sin.

So if you haven’t thought about it much before, determine to begin to see God as the creator of our earth today. Realize that if He created, then He has authority and that instead of using that authority to make you as His creation feel bad for messing up, He decided to love you and extend His mercy to humankind all throughout history.

Genesis 1:1

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Isaiah 40:31

Posted on June 10, 2022

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

Can you remember a time when you stayed up all night? I recall one time after a mission trip I stayed up all night before heading home. I wanted to spend every minute I could with all my new friends before we said goodbye to each other. After being up all night I was exhausted. The next day, I consumed every type of caffeine I could find to stay awake.

Caffeinated drinks can help you stay awake when you’ve not gotten enough sleep. However, the problem with these drinks is that their effects don’t last. They wake you up for a while, but their effects eventually fade.

The same is true in life. Often there are situations that can make us weary. And in those situations, it’s easy to focus on our problems so much that we’re ready to give up. But is stopping when we’re weary and tired the best solution?

What if we placed our trust in God? What would happen then? I believe you’d find that the problems of life couldn’t keep you down. So today, choose to trust in God. When you do, you’ll find that you have the strength to face difficulties.

Today’s Truth: You can make it because you’ve got God on your side

 

you can make it with God on your side

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – John 1:12

Posted on June 9, 2022

At school, it always seemed like there were groups. You know, there were the kids that were good at band, or the students that did well at sports, or even the students that did well academically. And it always seemed that there were groups and labels at school. Like you were an athlete, or you were part of this group or that group. As a result, you were often judged and labeled based on who your friends were and what your interests were.

When you get out of high school and move into college, you’re often given a label there too. You’re labeled based on what you study, or as an adult on your career or relationship status.

But here’s the great thing about God, He doesn’t label us.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.- John 1:12 (NLT)

There are no groups or labels with God. If you believe in God, and accept Him into your heart, you’re a child of God. It doesn’t matter what you’ve been labeled in the past, with God, you’re simply His child.

And as His child, you’re loved, you’re accepted, and you have value. God sees past what people see and He looks at your heart, and He calls you His!

Today’s Truth: There are no labels with God.

We’d like to give a big thanks to Lucas Beron for creating the image for today’s devotion. If you like his designs, you can see more of his work by following him at @yosigonmd. He’s also written several devotions for us in the past: How to Live Fear-Free During Coronavirus and Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 4:8.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Hebrews 10:14

Posted on June 8, 2022

I’m not perfect. I mess up, daily, ok, let’s be honest, probably hourly. I lose my temper, I let unkind words slip out. There are times when I’m afraid to stand up for Jesus and hide in fear.

And it’s probably safe to say, you might be a little like me. You probably aren’t perfect. You make mistakes and daily fall short of perfection.

Here’s the good news. Perfection isn’t what God requires. In fact, He knew we couldn’t do it, so He sent Jesus to make us perfect through His resurrection.

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. – Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

God doesn’t require us to be perfect. He requires us to put our trust in Jesus. And when we do, our hearts are turned toward Him.

Today’s Truth: God wants our hearts, not our perfection.

We’d like to give a big thanks to Lucas Beron for creating the image for today’s devotion. If you like his designs, you can see more of his work by following him at @yosigonmd. He’s also written several devotions for us in the past: How to Live Fear-Free During Coronavirus and Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Psalm 4:8.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Proverbs 3:6

Posted on June 7, 2022

think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths – Proverbs 3:6 (Holman)

Many times we make following God and His plan for our lives really complicated. We try to know exactly what God wants us to do and sometimes don’t move forward on making decisions simply because we’re waiting to hear something from God. God does speak to us in big ways at times in our lives, but many times, following God can just seem ordinary.

This verse gives us some help with following God. It tells us to simply think about God in all our ways. So if you’re eating breakfast, take a minute to think about God. If you’re riding the bus to school, find a minute to think about God. If you’re in the bathroom between classes, take a minute to think about God. If you’ll just take time out of your day to think about God, this verse says that He will guide you.

Following God and hearing from God doesn’t have to be spectacular. It can often just be ordinary. It just takes you being quiet and spending a few minutes thinking about God each day. Just be willing to hear from Him and be sensitive to His leading in each thing you do during the day.

Today’s Truth: Hearing from God is simple, you’ve just got to take a moment out of your day to get quiet and hear from Him.

 

Proverbs 3:6

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Proverbs 10:28

Posted on June 3, 2022

We can live in a place of joy as Christians. And that doesn’t mean that everything is great. Things might not be going your way. Your friends might not be nice to you right now. The bully on your bus might always be picking on you. However, we can have joy that is independent of circumstances.

Our joy doesn’t come from whether or not everything is going perfectly in our lives. Instead, it comes from a deep relationship with Jesus. Knowing Jesus, and fellowship with Him is where we find joy.

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. – Proverbs 10:28 (NIV)

As people who have been made righteous by God, we can walk in joy. We can know that even on the toughest day, it’s in our relationship with Jesus we find worth, meaning, and true joy.

Today, don’t let circumstances steal your joy. Instead, realize that treasure you have in knowing Jesus. Then choose to let Jesus be your source of joy.

Today’s Truth: Jesus is our source of joy.

Jesus is our source of joy

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – John 16:33

Posted on June 2, 2022

Let’s be honest. None of us really like when life is difficult, do we? I know if I had my way, I’d avoid all tough times entirely. However, God never promised us a life free from trouble.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NLT)

Today’s Bible verse shows us that we will have trials in life. But the good news is that we can find peace in Jesus. As we grow and develop in our relationship with Jesus, we realize that no matter what, Jesus is there for us. We don’t have to worry about the future, we can be at peace knowing that Jesus is doing the heavy lifting in our lives.

So today, if you’ve been burdened with all the trials and troubles of life, be encouraged. Jesus is there with you, keeping you safe, providing for your needs, and helping you each step of the way. Don’t give up or be discouraged, storms will come, but you’ve got Jesus to help you stand strong.

Today’s Truth: With Jesus, I can stand strong in life’s storms.

Today's Truth: With Jesus, I can stand strong in life's storms.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – John 16:33

Posted on June 1, 2022

Does life seem stressful to you sometimes? I know it does for me. There are times when I have way more to do than I have time in a day. Or sometimes, a relationship not going well will stress me out.

The thing is, even when things are stressful, we can choose to be at peace internally. Being at peace doesn’t mean that our circumstances are good. Rather, peace is a heart position that is independent of what’s going on around you. There might be really bad things happening in your life, but you can choose to be at peace in the midst of them.

So even if you’re in the middle of a stressful situation. Even if it feels like you can’t make it through, know that God is good. He’s there helping you, leading you, and guiding you through the midst of whatever you’re facing.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NLT)

Today’s verse shows us that there are going to be times when life isn’t necessarily easy. However, Jesus is faithful. He will see you through to the other side.

Today’s Truth: I can be at peace even if my circumstances aren’t perfect.

Being at peace even if circumstances aren't perfect

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Ephesians 4:2

Posted on May 31, 2022

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  – Ephesians 4:2

Being patient with others is really hard. Other people sometimes just don’t do what you want them to do. They don’t say what you want them to say and treat you the way you wanted to be treated. Regardless of how others treat you, the Bible tells us that we are to give others a break.

We have the love of God in our hearts and we are to be loving others out of that love. It doesn’t matter what others do to us, what matters is our response to them. When faced with a person that doesn’t treat you right, you’ve got a choice to make. Will you respond to them out of anger or will you respond to them out of love?

The Bible tells us that love is always the right choice, but it isn’t always easy. So today, choose to love others. Realize that you’ve got the love of God inside you to do it. Even when they drive you crazy and make you mad, ask God to show you the good in the situation. Today, choose to practice patience with others.

 

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – Hebrews 4:18

Posted on May 30, 2022

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping–believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” – Romans 4:18 (NLT)

What do you do when the situation around you feels so helpless that you feel you don’t even have a reason to hope? Maybe your boyfriend dumped you, or you don’t have a date for the school dance. Perhaps a friend you love passed away or some other bad thing happened to you. Regardless of the details, we all face situations where things seem hopeless.

Abraham in the Bible was no different. He faced a situation that seemed hopeless. The Bible said he had no reason to hope. But Abraham did an awesome thing. Despite how hopeless his situation seemed, Abraham choose to hope in God. He chose to believe what God had said instead of what he saw around him.

Abraham hoped when he didn’t have any reason to. That’s good news for us. It tells us that no matter how hopeless our situation seems, we can still find hope. Our situation is never too far gone for God to turn it around. So take comfort today in the fact that your situation isn’t too hopeless for God!

 

Teen devotion