Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

Why God Wants You to Ask for Help

READ: PROVERBS 27:9; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; 1 JOHN 4:19 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PROVERBS%2027%3A9%3B%20ECCLESIASTES%204%3A9-12%3B%201%20JOHN%204%3A19&version=NLT] Sometimes it’s hard to share the thoughts and feelings weighing most heavily on our hearts. Maybe we’re struggling with depression, bullying, a parent’s divorce, the death or illness of a loved one, or the sins we are most often tempted by. We might feel embarrassed or ashamed that we feel the way we do. We might worry how others might react. We might even feel like we’re a burden to them when we tell them how we’re feeling. But God doesn’t want us to suffer alone! He gave us friends, family, teachers, and our church families to help us—in good times and in bad. Aaron supported his brother Moses’s arm when he was too tired to hold up his staff (Exodus 17:10-13). Jonathan protected his friend David from King Saul, who wanted to kill David (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:1-42). As Christians, we are meant to support, challenge, and encourage each other no matter what we’re going through—loving each other as Jesus has loved us (Matthew 28:20; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19). Maybe at church, you feel like you don’t belong. “Nobody knows or understands what I’m going through. I’d better just stay quiet.” But Christians aren’t a bunch of perfect people: they’re a bunch of people who are all in different places on their journeys to become more like Christ. Some might be at a high point in their lives, others at a low point, but everyone will face their own unique struggles sooner or later. You don’t have to be ashamed to have them. In fact, being open about them may encourage someone else to share their burdens too! We bless others when we let them help us. Purpose and special blessing are found in demonstrating the love of Christ as we “share each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Please don’t deny that privilege to those who care about you and want to help you! When we are refreshed and encouraged by the body of Christ, we find new strength to give the same gift of encouragement to others. • Jessica Kleeberger • What kinds of struggles or burdens have you been dealing with lately? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could share them with—such as a parent or other family member, pastor, friend, or youth leader? • What are some ways we can help friends who are going through hard times, even if they might be reluctant to ask for help? How can this show Jesus’s love? Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

A Thief at Any Time

READ: PSALM 23; JOHN 10:10-18 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALM%2023%3B%20JOHN%2010%3A10-18&version=CSB] In college, I shared an apartment with a buddy. We lived in complete poverty: we owned a couch, a desk, a chair, and an old TV. Late one afternoon, I fell asleep on the floor. I heard some noise and assumed it was my roommate rummaging around. It wasn’t. A guy had broken in by slicing a hole through our bedroom screen. Even though I heard him, I pretended to sleep, which is a good thing since he carried a knife. I can’t imagine a more disappointed thief as he wandered through our sparse apartment, ultimately leaving empty-handed. Jesus describes a different thief—followed by a stark contrast—in John 10:10, saying, “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Those are powerful words. Stealing. Killing. Destroying. The thief cares not about you or me. A thief will take what isn’t theirs and may harm others in the process. Satan, the greatest thief of all, wants your joy, peace, and even your very life. He hates God and the people He has created. But here’s the contrast. In verse 11, Jesus goes on to say that He is the Good Shepherd, and He is willing to lay down His life to protect the sheep. The sheep are His people—everyone who puts their trust in Him. He not only protects the sheep, but He has “come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (verse 10). Sheep are very vulnerable to predators, but the Good Shepherd provides both safety and abundant life, safeguarding them from thieves who want their death. Jesus accomplished all this by laying down His life for His sheep, providing the ultimate sacrifice at the cross. He gave His life so the thief would not take ours. A hired hand might run, but a real shepherd will safeguard his sheep, even to the point of death. And because Jesus rose from the dead, we can rest in the promise of the Good Shepherd: that He will not lose a single sheep (John 6:39; 10:28-30). • Mike Hurley • Jesus isn’t the only one who talks about sheep and a shepherd as a metaphor for people and God—we see this comparison throughout the Old Testament as well. In fact, all these passages point forward to Jesus. Why do you think God describes our relationship to Him this way? • Jesus offers us lifeand peacethrough His death and resurrection—whilesin and Satan only offer us death. To learn more about how Jesus saves us from sin and death, check out our "Know Jesus" page. [Jesus said,] “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10 (CSB)

One Step at a Time

READ: PSALMS 37:23; 119:105, 133; MATTHEW 28:16-20; ACTS 18:1-4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=PSALMS%2037%3A23%3B%20119%3A105%2C%20133%3B%20MATTHEW%2028%3A16-20%3B%20ACTS%2018%3A1-4&version=NIV] “What are you going to do when you grow up?” While this question can be fun to ask a small child, it becomes more stressful as you inch closer to graduation. Everyone seems to expect you to have an answer—as though there is only one “right answer.” Perhaps you find yourself exhausted with all the questions, feeling a mounting anxiety about “getting it right.” Perhaps you have thoughts, but you aren’t feeling “called” to a specific career. Maybe you’ve known since you were nine what you want to be. Maybe you have no idea or too many ideas! Take a breath. It’s okay. Sometimes, a career is just a job—funding and fueling the passions God will give you in your personal time. Always, it is a mission field, to reach people with the love of Jesus who may not know Him yet. But a career is not always static. You may start in one field or one position, and branch into one or more different areas as time goes on. Even Jesus wasn’t pigeonholed into one job. Fully God and fully human, He probably worked as a carpenter first; then as His public ministry began, He did the work of a teacher, healer, and exorcist, to name just a few of His roles. The apostle Paul was a teacher, a writer, and a tent maker! Personally, I worked as a criminologist and a social worker before becoming a stay-at-home parent and freelance creative. My path has not been what I expected, but it’s been filled with the presence and empowerment of God, growing and stretching me continuously. You don’t have to know what you’re going to do “for the rest of your life.” You’re free to focus on the next step. You can trust the Holy Spirit to direct you—to whisper behind you, “This way!” every time you’re faced with a crossroads—and to help you be open to change (Isaiah 30:21). Remember, Jesus will walk with you every step. • Abigail Aswegen • Consider taking some time this week to talk to a few trusted Christian adults about what they planned to do when they were your age. You can ask if their plans turned out the way they expected, and how they saw God show up in the midst of it. • If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, our most important identity is “beloved child of God.” Any jobs we do can never take that place. How does this identity free us to pursue whatever path God calls us to? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Friends with God

READ: EXODUS 33:11; JOHN 15:13-15 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EXODUS%2033%3A11%3B%20JOHN%2015%3A13-15&version=WEB] Most of our friendships begin by meeting someone new and getting acquainted with that person. A stranger remains a stranger until we start to get to know them. This can happen through conversations, shared activities, or interacting in group settings. As we grow closer to someone, we may refer to them as an acquaintance and eventually a friend. As love and trust are developed, it becomes easier to rely on each other. Like how we need to acquaint ourselves with people to become friends, we must acquaint ourselves with God to feel close to Him. It’s easy to know a lot of things about God—such as His sovereignty, love, mercy, and grace—but just because we know a lot of things about Him doesn’t mean we know Him. We can possess a lot of information about the Lord without having much of a personal relationship with Him. So how do we get to know God? We can start with reading the Bible—the words He wrote for us. Another way is by prayer—either pouring out our hearts to Him or simply being still and silent in His presence. Jesus communicated intimately with His Father when He was on earth, often going away to pray alone. As God the Son, He and God the Father remained close even though they were not in heaven together. Jesus set the example of what a relationship with God should look like for us. And He made the way for that relationship to be possible! Before, sin separated us from God’s presence. Now, because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we can have friendship with God. He draws near to us, and He longs for us to draw near to Him. What an amazing gift! • Morgan A. Mitchell • How is getting acquainted with God similar to getting acquainted with a person? How is it different? • Can you remember a time when you felt like you were really getting to know God? What was that like? • In what ways do you feel like you know God well? In what ways do you feel confused or distant? Consider taking some time to talk to Him about whatever comes to mind. • What questions do you have about getting to know God? Who could you talk to about this? “Acquaint yourself with him now, and be at peace. By it, good will come to you.” Job 22:21 (WEB)

God Our Protector

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6; PSALM 46:1; ISAIAH 41:10 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=DEUTERONOMY%2031%3A6%3B%20PSALM%2046%3A1%3B%20ISAIAH%2041%3A10&version=NIV] When I was little, I was terrified of dogs. Going to family or friends’ homes was always a nightmare when I knew they had a dog. However, one thing that comforted me was knowing that my parents or older siblings would be there with me. I wasn’t alone. I had experienced that if I went to them for protection, they would pick me up, away from the “danger,” or stand in front of me and shield me from my fear, or ask the owners to put the dog outside. No matter what, I was confident in their protection, and I knew they didn’t mind doing it! Their love and care always made being in those situations less stressful. I realize God is just like that. Just as my family was there for me when I was afraid, He is there for us in intimidating and uncertain situations. He lovingly waits for us to come and ask Him for help, and He loves when we have the confidence to trust Him to protect us. He doesn’t get tired of us or get annoyed when we keep coming to Him. He opens His loving arms and becomes our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble. • Ellie Stephens • Can you think of a time someone protected you—maybe when you were a little kid, or maybe more recently? What happened? • Can you think of a time you experienced God’s protection? What was that like? • God loves us so much that when we were helpless to save ourselves from sin and death, He rescued us through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Once we put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to the day He will return and put an end to all the evil and brokenness in our world—then there will be nothing left to fear (Revelation 21:1-5). As we wait for that day, we can rest knowing that we are held safely in God’s arms (Romans 8:35-39). Whenever we’re afraid, God wants us to call to Him. It doesn’t even matter if the danger is real or perceived—He is always happy to reassure us of His love and care (Psalm 34:4). Does it feel like you can count on God’s protection? Why or why not? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)