Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

Every Promise

READ: MATTHEW 1:22-23; ROMANS 15:4; HEBREWS 13:5-6; 2 PETER 1:3-4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATTHEW%201%3A22-23%3B%20ROMANS%2015%3A4%3B%20HEBREWS%2013%3A5-6%3B%202%20PETER%201%3A3-4&version=NLT] Growing up, I was surrounded by God’s promises. In church, with friends, and at home, I heard people say things like “God will never leave you,” or “God has good plans for you.” I could even find these promises in the Bible, but I was still a bit skeptical. After all, God’s promises—especially in the Old Testament, like the ones mentioned above—were given to specific people in specific situations, so how could I be certain they applied to me? I had seen people take Scripture out of context or twist its meaning, and I didn’t want to make the same mistake. So when I heard God’s promises, I often felt anxious instead of comforted, wondering…did He really mean me too? I began seeking answers, and slowly realized that, because God’s promises are all fulfilled in Christ, they are indeed still relevant to me and you. Romans 15:4 states that everything written in the past was written to teach and encourage us today, and in Hebrews 13:5-6, the author quotes two Old Testament promises to reassure the early church. Both of these passages reveal that God’s Word applies to His people now just as much as when it was first given. The verse that finally convinced me, though, was 2 Corinthians 1:20, in which Paul tells us that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ. This means that not only do God’s promises extend to followers of Jesus, but they are actually fulfilled through Jesus: as Immanuel (God with us), He will never leave us; through the Holy Spirit, He gives us strength and hope; and since we belong to Him, He uses everything for our good and gives us a bright future with Him forever. Therefore, as a child of God who has put my faith in Jesus for salvation, I can know God’s promises are for me—and so can you. • Faith Lewis • What questions do you have about God’s promises and how they apply to you? Consider taking some time to talk to God about this today. Additionally, is there a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about your questions—such as a friend, parent, or pastor? • Jesus completely fulfills all of the meaning and intent of the promises we find in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus is the end goal and the point of the entire Old Testament, as well as the entire New Testament. How can this truth affect the way we read the Bible? For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

A Country of Their Own

READ: LUKE 23:43; HEBREWS 3:3-6; 11:13-16 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=LUKE%2023%3A43%3B%20HEBREWS%203%3A3-6%3B%2011%3A13-16&version=NIV] Home, sweet home, The volatile, the vile memories Of tears, and shrieks, and all the while The place meant to be safe is anything but, And the place meant to bring warmth… Freezing, we are exiles. Exiles battered by the pounding rain of Bruises and divorce, of foreclosures And, of course, the silence that wraps us In a home sweet homely hug. Home, sweet home, How sweet the sound of Thy kingdom come and heavenly bound. No tears, no screams…just light beams, Reflecting off the golden streets. This country I seek, The here but not yet here. When it comes, shining as the sun, I’ll crumple to my knees, sighing. “Home at last. Home at last.” • Hope Bolinger • What does home mean to you? • In Jesus, God took on flesh and bones to dwell with us and, ultimately, to be a home for us (John 1:1-3, 14; 14:23). Because He loves us so much, Jesus died and rose again so we can be with God. What will home look like for those who’ve put their trust in Jesus after He returns and raises us from the dead? (Hint: read Isaiah 11:6-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 7:9-17; 21:1-5, 21; 22:1-5) • Jesus is making all things new, and even though the world is still broken and full of sin right now, He is still with us. He has so much compassion on us, and He provides rest and stability in the midst of our struggles. Can you think of a time you were reminded of God’s love and care for you in a difficult time? What was that like? Were there any particular ways you noticed God providing for you? • If you or someone you know is experiencing home or family instability, who is a trusted adult you could talk to, such as a pastor, parent, teacher, coach, counselor, or youth leader? • If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, and especially if your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away. If you need help doing this, who is a trusted person you can reach out to? • If you are not in immediate danger but need someone to talk to about hurts you have experienced or are currently experiencing, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. Hebrews 11:14 (NIV)

The Path to Friendship

READ: MATTHEW 20:25-27; LUKE 10:1-9; PHILIPPIANS 2:3-8 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATTHEW%2020%3A25-27%3B%20LUKE%2010%3A1-9%3B%20PHILIPPIANS%202%3A3-8&version=NIV] Have you ever tried to be impressive to gain friends? Sometimes we operate under the mistaken belief that being stronger, smarter, or funnier than those around us will draw others to us. In reality, positioning ourselves above others often creates space between us and them—Jesus cautions His disciples against doing this. After all, healthy relationships are foundational to the kingdom He is building. Faith comes from hearing the message, and no one wants to listen to someone who is constantly signaling I’m better than you through their attitudes and actions. Often the opposite is the true path to friendship: vulnerability. When we know someone else makes mistakes and struggles just like we do, we can relax about our own flaws and relate to them more fully. Vulnerability isn’t self-deprecation or unloading all our negative experiences and feelings onto others, but it does mean letting people see us as we really are—and sometimes, this includes sharing the dark or difficult areas of our lives. It also means accepting help rather than pretending to have it all together. Jesus doesn’t have flaws or transgressions like we do—He’s sinless—yet He can truly empathize with all our hurts and temptations (Hebrews 4:14-16). And Jesus modeled healthy, relatable vulnerability throughout the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John): when He was tired, He fell asleep; when He was grieved, He wept; when He was distressed, He asked His close friends to keep watch and pray with Him; when He was hungry, He ate; and when He ministered, He accepted financial support. Jesus even sent His disciples out to meet people without taking supplies or resources that would make them self-sufficient. He told them to stay in people’s homes and eat the food they were offered, giving them time to get to know their hosts as they shared their faith and their own need for Jesus. We can do the same, walking in humility and kindness toward the people we meet, opening our true lives and selves to one another as we point toward God’s unflinching love for us. • Amber Vanderhoof • Can you think of a time when you were vulnerable with someone who made you feel loved and welcomed? What did they say or do that made you feel this way? • Can you think of a time when a friend challenged you to grow in your walk with Jesus, and you accepted that challenge? What about your relationship with that person made you willing to accept their advice and guidance? In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

Imitate Me

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31–11:2; EPHESIANS 5:1-2; PHILIPPIANS 3:17; 4:9 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20CORINTHIANS%2010%3A31%E2%80%9311%3A2%3B%20EPHESIANS%205%3A1-2%3B%20PHILIPPIANS%203%3A17%3B%204%3A9&version=CSB] I recently had the opportunity to play cello with my old high school orchestra as an alumni. Before the concert, our director held multiple alumni rehearsals, and I went to all of them. But an old cellist friend of mine was only able to come to one, and on that day we shared a music stand. As we started the first song, something in my brain told me to follow what he was playing. But as I did, my own playing became more messy and hesitating. We laughed about how he should probably be the one following me, since I’d been to more rehearsals, and by the day of the concert we were both playing more confidently. Reflecting on this later, I was reminded of something I’d read in the Bible that kind of bugged me. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” And I thought, That sounds a little presumptuous. Paul seems pretty confident he knows what he’s doing. But this example from orchestra helped me make sense of what Paul was saying. When I’m practicing cello by myself, it’s definitely helpful to be alone so that I can work on the parts of the music that aren’t coming easily to me. And then at rehearsal, it’s great to have the conductor telling me how fast to go, how loud to play, and which places to really emphasize. But there’s also this other element of listening to the people playing next to you that just really helps. Plus, playing the same music together with other people is part of the joy of an orchestra! I wonder if this is what Paul was getting at, that reading the Bible and talking to God by ourselves is super important. But sometimes, as we try to work out what it means to live out our faith in our everyday lives, it really helps to see some examples, especially from people we know personally. The older I get, the more grateful I am that God has set up His community this way, that He has given us each other so we can learn from one another and walk together as we follow Jesus. Because He loves us with an un-ending, death-defying love, He went all the way to the cross for us, sacrificing Himself so that we could live. And when He rose from the grave, He told us to teach and remind each other of the good news, and help each other follow Him. So now when I read this verse, I see God’s tenderness. As I long for the day I’ll see Jesus in the flesh, it comforts me to know that I have brothers and sisters here in the flesh with me, showing me imperfect yet powerful glimpses of the love and goodness of Jesus. • Hannah Howe • Is there a Christian in your life you admire? What about their walk with Jesus would you like to imitate? Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB)

What Are You Thinking?

READ: 1 KINGS 3:5-12; ROMANS 12:2 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20KINGS%203%3A5-12%3B%20ROMANS%2012%3A2&version=NLT] God did an amazing job when He created humans. Our brains alone are made up of about 86 to 100 billion nerves that communicate in 100 trillion connections, controlling all of the systems in our bodies and allowing us to communicate, think, and reason. But, because our world has been broken by sin, sometimes our brains give us the farthest thing from wisdom. Especially when we get overwhelmed, our thoughts run wild, often telling us things that simply aren’t true—about who we are, who God is, and what’s going on around us. And these thoughts influence our feelings and actions. For example, let’s say you enter a room. Everyone looks at you, then goes back to what they were doing. Wild thoughts might sound like this: “They all just looked at me. Nobody came over to talk to me. They probably hate me. I should just go home.” Then you might go stand in the corner because you think you don’t belong. But if you can capture those negative thoughts, you might be able to see the situation differently: “They all looked at me, but nobody talked to me. They might be just as nervous as I am. But Jesus loves me, and He loves everyone in this room. That table only has two people. I’ll see if I can join them.” Instead of standing in the corner, you choose to engage by showing Jesus’s love to others. So how can we change our wild thoughts? We can’t. Not on our own. We need God’s strength and wisdom, found only in knowing Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:2-3). In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked the Lord to give him wisdom, and God was pleased. He’s pleased to give us wisdom too (James 1:5). God will greatly increase our wisdom when we read His Word, the Bible, because it shows us who we are in relationship to Him, our Creator. It tells us the good news of how Jesus came to free us from sin and death—and how that wonderful truth affects every area of our lives. Capturing your thoughts to obey Christ can help you over and over as you go through life. Instead of letting your wild thoughts push you around, you can rely on Jesus—the one who died and rose again for you—and tell yourself the truth from God’s Word. • Robyn Mulder • Step 1: Take out a piece of paper and try writing all of your thoughts down for five minutes or so. Read over them and see which ones line up with God’s Word and which ones are just wild, untrue thoughts. • Step 2: In the space below, take each wild thought and rewrite it as a Christ-captured thought. For example, the wild thought, “No one could ever love me” would become, “God loves me more than I can imagine, and He proved that I am lovable when Jesus died on the cross for me.” • Step 3: Find Bible verses that back up each Christ-captured thought (and debunk the wild thoughts). If you get stuck, who is a trusted Christian in your life who could help you? We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)