Browsing Tag

fear

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – October 5

Posted on October 6, 2017

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion on Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7

How many times have you been afraid to do something? Maybe you wanted to tell your friend about Jesus but you chickened out. Or maybe you wanted to step out and go to the college you felt God told you to go to, but are afraid because its far away from home.

Fear comes to us in many different ways, but its important when you’re faced with a scary situation to remember what today’s Bible verse says. It lets us know that fear isn’t from God. God hasn’t given us fear, so we don’t need to be afraid.

[Tweet “God hasn’t given us fear, so we have no reason to be afraid. – @studentdevos”]

Instead of fear God gave us power, love and self-discipline. So the next time you’re feeling afraid, remember what this verse says. Choose to not be afraid but to trust in God.

Daily Devotion and Bible Verse – John 14:27

Posted on August 7, 2017

Daily Devotion and Daily Bible Verse on Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
 – John 14:27 (NIV)

So much of the time its easy to get upset at what is going on in the world. There’s destruction, wars, famine and tons of other things that try to steal our peace. If we always focus on what’s going wrong in the world, we can easily become upset. However this Bible verse tells us to respond differently.

This Bible verse tells us to not let our hearts be troubled and to not be afraid. Yes, there are crazy things happening in the world, and yes those things can seem scary and overwhelming at times, but our response as Christians shouldn’t be fear.

[Tweet “You can choose each day to live in peace and not be afraid! – @studentdevos”]

Jesus promised us peace instead in this verse. We can choose to live in God’s peace and not to be afraid. So if the news and what is going on in the world leaves you scared and feeling afraid, take comfort. You’ve got Jesus on your side and He’s got peace for you when you experience torment and fear!

3 Practical Ways to Deal With Stress

Posted on July 24, 2017

3 Practical Ways Youth Devotion Teen Devotion on Stress

Stress isn’t just something that adults deal with. As a teenager, you face lots of stressful situations every day. You might be stressed out because of something going on at school or home. Perhaps you’re in a stressful relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend. No matter what the source of your stress is, this devotion is focused on helping you overcome stress in healthy ways.

1 – Don’t Deal With Stress Alone

The best thing to do about stress is realize one simple truth: You weren’t built to deal with stress alone. You aren’t expected to deal with hard situations on your own. God wants to help you deal with the stressful situations that you face.

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. – Jer. 10:23

This scripture describes it so perfectly. We aren’t built to do things on our own and in our own strength. We need God’s help to live our day-to-day lives. We need to trust that God has our back in every situation and circumstance that we face. When we get stressed out, we should go to God and ask for his help. He’s just waiting for us to ask for His help.

[Tweet “God wants to help you deal with the stressful situations you face – @studentdevos”]

2 – Look for the Cause of Your Stress

Look for the cause of your stress. Stress can come for a lot of reasons. For example, maybe you’ve committed yourself to too many things. You can’t realistically do soccer, volleyball, cheer, choir, band, yearbook and lead youth group Bible study. If you’re stressed out because you’ve overcommitted, then look for ways to get out of an activity or two. Even though being involved in a lot of things is fun, if it’s causing you too much stress, it isn’t worth it.

Perhaps you’re stressed out because of a bad relationship. If so, pray for wisdom to know how to deal with the person or situation.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 (NLT)

Do some searching to see if you can find out what is causing you to be stressed. Then determine if there’s a way to handle the situation differently to help you be less stressed.

3 – Ask Advice From Other People

If you’re really stressed out about a situation or another person, it can be helpful to ask advice from someone else. Find a person who you feel you can trust and ask them their thoughts about your situation.

Many times, a wise friend, youth pastor or mentor can help put your situation into perspective. People that have gone through similar stressful situations can help give you advice and the encouragement you need to make it through stressful situations.

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others. – Proverbs 12:15 (TLB)

Remember that no matter what it is that is stressing you out, you can know that God wants to help you. It might be through the advice of a trusted friend, or through a God inspired idea. All you need to do is ask Him and he will be happy to help you out.

Pray: God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I thank you that I don’t have to live my life in my own strength. I thank you that I can go to you when I get stressed out about things and you’re there to help me. I ask for your help today. Thanks. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this devotion about stress, feel free to download a PDF of discussion questions based on this devotion.

3 Interesting Facts About Fear

Posted on November 4, 2015

Teen and Youth Devotion on Fear

Halloween was just a few days ago and the season always gets me thinking about fear. Honestly, it’s hard not to think about fear when you’re constantly surrounded by so many scary images everywhere you look. If you turn on the TV many of the channels have some sort of scary movie on. If you walk into a store goblins and witches decorate the displays. It seems like everywhere you go this time of the year, you’re surrounded by scary images. All these things got me thinking about what fear is and what it does in our lives. So here are three facts about fear.

No one is immune to fear.

There are lots of subjects that don’t always apply to everyone. Not everyone deals with suicidal thoughts. Not everyone deals with self-esteem problems. However, each of us deal with fear in our lives. We might be afraid of different things, but we all have fear. Some of us are afraid to speak in front of others. Other people fear death, flying, sleeping, or tons of other things. No matter the type of fear we have, the thing is we all have in common is that we deal with fear.

Fear Slows Us Down

Fear stops us in our tracks. If you’re afraid to fly, it stops you from getting on an airplane. Your fear of flying stops you from enjoying getting to somewhere quickly. It doesn’t matter what fear you face, fear stops you from living your life to it’s fullest.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10

This verse describes what fear does in our lives. It kills and destroys. It also shows us that fear is not something that God designed. God doesn’t want you to no longer enjoy living your life. God wants you to enjoy live and live it to the fullest!

Love takes away fear

When you really get to know God’s love for you, it removes fear from your life. When you see how much God cares about you and wants to take care of you, you begin to realize that you have nothing to fear.

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. – 1 John 4:18 (Message)

When you begin to get an understanding of God’s love for you, you realize you have no reason to fear. If you struggle with fear in your life, then spend some time reading your Bible. Begin to focus on God’s love for you, and you’ll realize that you have nothing to fear. God has taken care of everything you need.

[Tweet “If you could even begin to comprehend how God feels about you, it would change everything! – @studentdevos”]

If fear is something that you really struggle with, take some time to get open and honest before God. Realize that you can go to Him with your fears. Also, spend time reading your Bible. The more of God’s word you get into your heart, the more you realize there is nothing for you to fear. God has provided everything you need!

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this lesson, you can download a lesson outline and discussion questions to share with your youth group. 

 

3 Ways Fear Will Stop Your Dreams

Posted on January 22, 2015

devotion for teens on fearWe all want to accomplish the dreams and the goals God has placed on our heart to do. However, there is one thing that will always stop dreams from coming to pass, fear. Fear will always stop you from doing what God has called you to do. Let’s take a look at three things fear does to our lives.

  1. Fear Paralyzes Dreams – If fear is left unchecked in your life, it will paralyze you and keep you from accomplishing the things that God has placed in your heart to do.
    God will always call you to do something bigger than what you can accomplish by yourself. Its easy to feel fear when thinking about what God has put in your heart to do. The main thing to remember is to not let that fear stop you from accomplishing what God has told you to do.
  2. Fear Brings Unhappiness – You will always be unhappy if you’re living your life afraid. You know deep down inside you that you’re not doing the things God has placed in your heart to do. You won’t feel happy until you remove fear from your life.
  3. Fear Limits Your Relationship With God – Your relationship with God will be challenged if you leave fear in tact in your life. The best thing you can do for your relationship with God is to kick fear out of your life. Take a stand and don’t let fear keep you from doing anything God has asked you to do.

Experiencing feelings of fear isn’t wrong. The Bible has stories of many people who were used of God who experienced feelings of fear when God called them. Those who were used by God had to decide to not let fear stop God’s call. Even though they had feelings of fear, they learned to trust God and to not let fear hold them back from accomplishing God’s plan for their lives. Decide today to not let fear keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? – Psalm 118:6

6 Things To Add To Your New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on December 29, 2014

Its almost a new year! Time has really flown by. Since this is the time of year that everyone seems to think about starting over, or setting goals, let’s look at a few really great goals you can add to your list of New Years Resolutions.

  1. Know God.  This year, challenge yourself to make knowing God a priority. Really put some effort into knowing God. The best way to get to know God is by reading the Bible. Don’t make excuses like the Bible is outdated, boring or hard to read. There are tons of versions of the Bible that can make reading it easier. You can listen to several versions of the Bible online at bible.com. You can also find a great podcast or check out some of our devotions on reading the Bible. Don’t make excuses, spend time in the Bible by finding a way to read it that works for you.
    “All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. ” – Phil 3:10 a (ERV)
  2. Open up. Life is really busy. It can be easy to get caught up in your group of friends and what is going on in their lives that you forget to pay attention to those around you. Your school’s hallways are filled with people that need Christ. All around you, there are tons of opportunities to love others. All you have to do is be open to being used by God. Ask God to show you people around you that are hungry for God. Invite them into your life. Hear what they have to say, and see how God would have you minister to their needs. Its not hard, here’s a devo with some encouragement on how much God wants to use you.
  3. Invite someone to church or youth group. One of the easiest ways to lead someone to Christ is to ask them to church or youth group. You might feel a little silly doing it, but challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and ask someone in your life to church with you. Believe God that their heart will be touched, and that they will come to know Christ as a result.
    You never know what your invitation might mean to the person. A teenager I know asked one of her friends to a youth group event. Her friend came and asked Jesus into her heart that night. What this teenager didn’t know was that her friend had planned to commit suicide that night. That teen’s simple invitation to church literally saved her friend’s life. You don’t know what something as simple as asking someone to church might do for someone else. You might be the only chance your friends have of hearing the gospel. Find more devotions on sharing your faith.
  4. Read. With all the history books you have to read for school, the idea of more reading can seem really lame. No matter how lame it sounds, challenge yourself to read some personal growth books this year. You could pick up a book on leadership, or how to make lasting friendships. It doesn’t really matter what the topic is about. Simply find a self-help topic that interests you and challenge yourself to grow as a person in the next year.
  5. Grow. Its easy to get lazy in life. Most likely, you’ve gotten comfortable in your routine, in your friends and with your classes. When things are going good, its pretty easy to slip into lazy mode. However, challenge yourself to not just stay where you’re at right now. Challenge yourself to grow in the next year. Step out of your comfort zone and do something that you wouldn’t normally do.
    You might decide to sign up for a missions trip to Brazil with your youth group. Maybe you decide to help clear out your neighbor’s garage. Or perhaps its talking to that guy at lunch that always sits by himself at the back table. Whatever it is, challenge yourself to grow this year. Don’t let the year slip away without doing something extraordinary.
  6. Give. Don’t let this year be a year that you forget to give. Push past selfishness and give more this year. Choose to hold off buying that video game, and give a little extra to your friend’s missions trip.
    Decide that on Sunday nights instead of hanging out with your friends to go visit your grandma who can’t get out and about anymore. Whatever makes sense to you, whether is giving time, money, or something else, choose to give more this year. No matter how much or how little you have, you can always find room to give something to someone else this year.
    “Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” – Luke 6:38 (ERV)

These are just a few suggestions on things to add to your new years goals. What are some other goals that you’ve set for yourself in the upcoming year?

Are You a Halloweenie? – A Devo on Fear – Take Three

Posted on October 20, 2014

Devotion for Teenagers on Fear

Fear. Its something we all deal with at different times in our lives and in different ways. For one person, fear might come in the form of math tests. Another might fear speaking in front of large groups of people. Whatever it is that scares you, its good to know that fear is something that you can overcome.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Its really easy to fall into the trap of fear. Fear can creep into your life without you knowing it. It can come into your life by watching the news. Perhaps you hear all the talk of ebola on TV and are afraid that you might get it. Maybe you watch scary movies on TV for Halloween and you’re now not able to sleep. If you’re not on guard against fear, it will creep into your life before you even realize it.

Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. – Isaiah 41:10 (ERV)

The good news is that you don’t have to be afraid of anything. God has the answer to everything you face that scares you. If you’re afraid of disease, God says in Psalm 91 that he will protect you. Whatever it is that you’re afraid of, God has the answer to that fear. Its just up to you to get into God’s word and find that answer. Dig into the word and find out what God has to say about being afraid.

God’s word is one of the best ways to combat fear. By getting into His word, by thinking about it, by speaking it out over your life, you’ll find that fear will leave. What once was a huge fear in your life will become small once you see it in the light of the Bible.

So challenge yourself this Halloween to not be a Halloweenie. Challenge yourself to find out what God’s word says about your fear. Find a great scripture that deals with what you’re afraid of. Speak it and think about it. You’ll find that when you do, fear will leave your life!

Here’s a great resource to combat fear in your life!

Straight Talk on Fear: Overcoming Emotional Battles with the Power of God’s Word!
Awesome book to help you win the battle over fear in your life!

 

Similar Teen Devotions

Are You A Halloweenie? – A Devo on Fear – Take Two

Posted on October 15, 2014

Devotion for Teenagers on FearHalloween season is in full swing this year. The stores are packed with costumes and decorations. If you flip on the TV, you see lots of movies and TV shows that focus on haunted houses, ghosts, and lots of super creepy things. So with all the scary stuff on TV it can be really easy to become afraid.

Its a lot like someone who forgets to log out of their Twitter or Facebook account. The person gets up from a public computer, but totally forgets about logging out. Then the next person who sits down can see all of their stuff and if they wanted post things as them. You’ve probably seen the nicer posts when a friend or brother finds the computer logged in to Facebook and posts, “My brother is the greatest person I know”. Leaving a computer but forgetting to log out of your Facebook can be bad. When you do that, you are leaving the door wide open for anyone to come in and post whatever they want on you Facebook and read any private messages or conversations you had.

Forgetting to log out of Facebook is a lot like what can happen with fear during the Halloween season. There are lots of movies on TV that will try to freak the living snot out of you. If you spend lots of time watching them and thinking about them, its like you’re leaving the door wide open for fear to come and post whatever it wants in your life.

By thinking about scary things all the time, it makes them more real to you. It could make you be afraid to go to bed at night. Or make you afraid to go into dark places alone. Fear can really begin to torment you, if you let it.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

So this Halloween, challenge yourself to not leave the door open to fear. Don’t spent lots of time watching scary movies, going to cemeteries, or haunted houses. While those things can be fun, if you spend too much time thinking about them, it can leave the door open to fear in your life. Choose to not let fear rule in your life this Halloween. Choose to think good thoughts and not be a Halloweenie this Halloween.

Similar Youth Devotions

How To Handle Life Changes

Posted on May 21, 2014

Devotion for Teens Life Changes
Sometimes, life brings lots of changes. Whether it’s a move to a new city, maybe a graduation from school, a new job, a divorce, you name it, those changes can be really stressful. So what are some good ways you can deal with the stress of a life change? Here’s a couple things to help make life change easier.

  1. Draw close to God
    Major life changes can really mess with your relationship with God if you’ll let them. When life changes happen, you’re faced with a choice. Will you let those changes draw you closer to God, or will you push Him away?
    Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)
  2. Don’t be afraid
     It’s really easy to fall into the trap of fear when life changes come. You know things aren’t going to be the same as before and many times the fear of the unknown or fear of the changes can become very real.  Be sure to watch out for fear in your life and if you see it creeping in be sure to tell it no. Don’t allow fear to become something that holds you back.
    Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand. (Isaiah 41:10 CEB)
  3. Get Help
    Don’t avoid asking for help if you need it. Your youth pastor or pastor has great life advice they can give you to help you through life change. Be willing to ask for their advice or help if you need it. God has placed these people in your life. They can be an encouragement when you need it the most.

Changes in life happen to us all. Sometimes, they’re harder to handle than others. The good thing to remember is that no matter how hard times get, you’re not alone. Find a pastor or youth pastor you can talk to or draw close to God and get his help and advice. God will encourage you like no one else can. Get close to God and see how awesome he really is!

Similar Devotions For Teens

The Truth About David and Goliath

Posted on April 30, 2014

Youth Devotion on David and Goliath

Remember the story of David and Goliath? David was a young man who had learned how to conquer scary things like lions and bears and giants. He wasn’t a body builder or skilled soldier. What he knew was God and His Word and how to conquer his own fears. How did he do it?

He may have felt “Wow, Goliath, you are so big and strong, I could never kill you. Everybody is afraid of you and so am I.”  But he didn’t allow those thoughts to stay in his mind and he definitely didn’t speak them out. Instead:
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]
1Sa 17:45  And David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1Sa 17:46  Jehovah will deliver you into my hand today, and I will strike you and take your head from you and give the bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air today, and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1Sa 17:47  And all this multitude shall know that Jehovah does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is Jehovah’s, and He will give you into our hands.”[/quote]

The first thing we can see from this is that David had a relationship with God and trusted what God said He would do for him. Then he looked at the situation from the perspective that he represented God’s kingdom and all that kingdom had was at his disposal. Then he activated that kingdom by speaking what he wanted to have happen. That gave him the courage to step out and conquer.

What do you need to conquer today? Do you see that  “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world”? Do you realize you have been given the name of Jesus and His blood and Word as spiritual weapons that you activate with your mouth? Then take the next step- say what you want to see happen- that is faith!

If you will say “it is written……and that’s the way it’s going to be” that’s the way the outcome will be

Prayer: Dear God, thank you that you gave me spiritual weapons. I believe and say It’s going to be a great day. I say that I am a blessing. I say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I say I am more than a conqueror.

Courage can be developed. David developed his courage by encouraging himself in the Lord. That means he didn’t wait for somebody else to encourage him- he talked to himself the right way and just did the right thing afraid. In spite of some thoughts that may have come, he didn’t allow those thoughts to stop his progress.