READ: MATTHEW 28:18-20; 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-8; 1 PETER 3:15-16

Sharing our faith can be exciting, especially if someone is eager to listen. How can we do this well? Here are some tips:

First: Be prepared. The Bible tells us we should always be ready to explain our hope (1 Peter 3:15). If we want to bear witness to the good news of Jesus, it’s important to be investing in our relationship with God and continually deepening our understanding of our faith. Regularly reading God’s Word, talking with Him in prayer, and gathering with His people will help us be ready to share how the death and resurrection of Jesus saved us from our sins.

Second: Choose the right timing. For example, if a friend is going through something really difficult, we might think that telling them about Jesus is the best way to help. That might be true, but we might also need to just be a friend, letting them talk about what they’re going through and really listening to them. If we try to push our faith on others, or if we try to talk about spiritual things in the wrong timing, they may walk away feeling more alone than ever.

Third: Watch your language—and your attitude. If we grew up around Christians, we might be familiar with words and concepts that others won’t understand right away. We might also assume that everyone knows certain things about God. It can be helpful to use simple language when sharing our faith, at least in the beginning. Maybe we start by asking the person we’re talking with what they have heard about God or how they feel about Him. It’s important to be patient and kind too, speaking “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). This can be difficult sometimes, but as we rest in Jesus’s love for us, He will help us have the same loving attitude toward others that He has toward us (John 15:5; Philippians 2:5).

Finally: Follow God’s lead and direction. Above all, when we’re sharing our faith, we should pray often. We can ask God about how we can invite others to know Him. And we can listen when He calls us to talk with someone, and when He calls us to wait. Remember, timing matters, and we can trust that God’s timing is just right. • Emily Acker

• Have you ever talked about your faith with someone who didn’t know Jesus? What was that like?

• Do you feel prepared to tell others about Jesus and invite them to follow Him if you get the chance? What steps could you take to become more prepared?

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14 (NIV)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6-8; PSALM 23; MATTHEW 28:20; JOHN 8:12

My father wheeled me out of the outpatient infusion center where I had just received my first iron infusion. I watched the bare walls and bleached floor pass by in a watery blur. By the time my dad pushed me into the box-shaped hospital entryway, now empty of people, I was crying and holding my purse like a teddy bear.

Parking my wheelchair near the sliding doors, my dad paused. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t know what to say. Did he want me to explain how I had gone to bed the night before, afraid I wouldn’t wake up? Or should I say that I was terrified of facing a chronic health issue?

Honestly, I didn’t have an answer. I just nodded.

When my dad left to get the car, I felt the emptiness encircle me. The volunteers were gone, and chairs stacked away. The lights were off, but brilliant sunlight shone into the room, contrasting the shadows of the trees.

Why do I have to experience this, Lord?

Will I ever get better?

I have learned that Jesus is present in those empty moments, like the vacant room of a hospital where I sat alone in a wheelchair, sobbing with fear as the daylight streamed in.

No, not truly alone, for Jesus was there. The light and beauty testified to my Savior’s love and goodness. I just couldn’t see it at the time.

If I could go back to that day, as that girl sat waiting for her father, I would push her out into the world underneath the shifting shadows of the trees and say, “Our lives are like those shadows. They are punctured with light. All we must do is look for the Light. He is always there.”

“But what if I don’t get better?” she would ask, her face moist from weeping.

“No matter what, He will be there.” • Sophia Bricker

• Have you ever faced an illness or a situation in life that really scared you? Were there any ways you experienced Jesus’s nearness in that time?

• Walking through hardships is not something any of us want. Yet, how can knowing that the Lord is with us, by our side even in the darkest valleys, give us hope and strength?

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

READ: HABAKKUK 3; ROMANS 8:28-39; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

What are you most grateful for? It’s often easy to praise God for joyful blessings, but sometimes we forget we can also be thankful in suffering.

In the book of Habakkuk, God announced His severe judgment on the rebellious people of Judah. The prophet Habakkuk was devastated. God would send the dreaded Chaldeans, and the effect of their brutal attacks on Judah would be complete destruction, ruin, and captivity. The prophet lamented to God, and God answered him with three assurances: His grace would protect the righteous who live by faith, His glory would be revealed, and His sovereign rule would prevail.

After Habakkuk presented his complaints to God and listened for His answers, the prophet was left awestruck at the greatness, power, and majesty of God. He recounted God’s miraculous interventions and deliverance, His trustworthy character and mighty deeds throughout Israel’s history. Though trembling on the threshold of doom, Habakkuk’s focus was redirected from the impending disaster onto the holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness of God.

In the end, Habakkuk’s primary concern was no longer personal safety or deliverance for the people of Judah, but the work of God and the glory of God. Once he’d experienced a vision of God’s goodness and sovereignty, his priorities changed: he desired that God should accomplish whatever He wanted to do and receive the due glory for His work. If that involved pain and suffering, so be it. If judgment and discipline were necessary to achieve His divine agenda, so be it. Habakkuk’s outlook echoes the prayer Jesus would later teach His disciples: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Habakkuk teaches us that, as we draw near to God, He guides us to a point where His work and His glory become more important to us than our comfort and safety. God loves us, and when our desires are subordinated and yielded to His higher kingdom plans and purposes, we can be truly praiseful and thankful in any circumstance, even trial and suffering. • L.C. Nuttall

• Habakkuk got to hear exactly how God was going to work through the suffering and pain in his life. We, on the other hand, may never know how God was at work in our suffering until we see Jesus face to face. Yet, we do know that He is always with us, providing comfort and strength. And He invites us to bring all of our pain, anger, and complaints to Him. How can resting in God’s love and presence with us lead us to praise and gratitude even in painful times?

[Jesus said,] “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 14:6; 1 JOHN 5:19-20

They blare in our headphones, they shine out from our devices: defining voices of this world. They come subtly, yet suddenly. They echo as a whisper, yet in our minds they resound as a shout. They avert our gaze off of where it should be, redirecting our focus onto worthless lies. The voices of this world try to define who we are.

We get distracted by these voices that try to tell us who we should be, so much so that we start to believe that their lies aren’t lies at all, but reality. And when we try to follow these voices, it’s exhausting. They tell us we should look a certain way, act a certain way, and be a certain way. They distract us from the Way, which is the only way that really matters.

It is vital to redirect our eyes onto Jesus. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The reality is, the things of this world don’t have to define us. Ephesians 5:8 says that all of us were once darkness, but those who know Jesus have become children of light. We are chosen and dearly loved by the True King. He laid down His life for us, dying on the cross and rising from the grave so that our sins could be forgiven and we could become part of His eternal family. Once we belong to Jesus, He is the only one who can define us.

That’s why it’s so important for us to slow down and take time to dwell on the truth that Jesus is God, the King of the world, and He loves us with an unshakable love (Romans 8:38-39; 1 Timothy 1:16-17). When we spend time with Him—by talking with Him in prayer, reading His book, the Bible, and gathering with His people, the church—we have the opportunity to remember again and again that, indeed, He is God and we are His children. And because we no longer belong to the darkness, we are no longer defined by the voices of this world. • Emma Pamer

• What things in your life divert your eyes from Jesus? Can you think of a time Jesus redirected your eyes back onto Himself? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this.

• Lies are from the devil, but sometimes people—even people in the church—repeat his lies, either on purpose or unknowingly. That’s why it’s so important for us to study God’s Word for ourselves and not be afraid to ask hard questions. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you weigh the messages you’re receiving—from people you know, from books, online, and even at church—against the Bible? (If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about who we are in Jesus in Romans 8:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 1–2; 1 Peter 2:9.)

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 18:19; ISAIAH 43:4; ZEPHANIAH 3:17; 1 JOHN 4:9-10

If you’ve ever had a pet you loved, or saw your favorite animal at the zoo, or had the opportunity to hold a beloved baby in your arms, think about what it felt like when you looked at them.

When we truly delight in an animal or a baby, we don’t need anything from them. We don’t expect anything from them, except to just be themselves. Even though they can’t do anything for us, we love them anyway, and we enjoy the time spent together.

And this is similar to how God sees us. Sometimes, when we think about God, we can be tempted to believe the lie that He is distant and cold, just waiting for us to slip up. But that’s just not true. We are His creation made in His image, and when He looks at us, He sees that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:14).

God adores you so much more than you could ever imagine. He delights in you. And not because He needs anything from you (Psalm 50:9-11; Acts 17:25). He chose you because He loves you, and He wants to spend eternity with you (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:4-8).

I don’t know what you’ve been told about God or what kind of experiences you’ve had in church, but no matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like, or what you’ve done, Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross and rose from the grave so that you would have the opportunity to walk alongside Him for all eternity. • Elizabeth Blanton

• Do you have a family member, a friend, or an animal you delight in? God cherishes you even more than that. He even knows how many hairs are on your head! (Luke 12:6-7)

• Can you think of a time you felt like God was distant and cold, just waiting for you to slip up? We all fall into believing this lie from time to time, even after we’ve put our trust in Jesus, but God always looks at us with love, He always wants to be with us—and He knows we need reminders. Can you think of a time God reminded you of His love? What was that like?

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)

READ: HEBREWS 2:17-18; 4:14-16, 1 PETER 5:7-10

God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. Think about that. God tells us to spill out all our wants, needs, emotions, dreams, troubles, joys, and thoughts to Him. We might be tempted to think God only wants us to confess our sins, ask for direction, and thank Him for our blessings when we pray to Him. But that’s not the case. God offers Himself as a safe outlet where we can vent, cry, and be fully ourselves.

When we pour out our hearts to God, we don’t need to worry about Him telling others our dirty secrets or rolling His eyes because of our immaturity. He knows we’re fragile humans who struggle with life and don’t know how to act sometimes. And that doesn’t scare Him off. He wants to approach us for that very reason. He invites us to be totally honest about our struggles—this is one of the ways we can cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

As we pour out our hearts to God, we often find it gets easier to settle our minds and hear His voice. It isn’t good to bottle things up because the noise in our hearts becomes too much for us. But letting go of those things and telling them all to God not only brings relief, it opens the door of our hearts so we can more effectively listen to Him.

As we talk to God, it helps to remember that He knows what it’s like to be human. Jesus is both fully God and fully human, and He faced more than His fair share of hardships here on earth. And every time, He went straight to God the Father in prayer. Even while Jesus was dying on the cross for our sins, He continued to speak to the Father from the depths of His heart.

Whenever we start to feel the weight of the world, or we think we can never get through something, it’s time to take a step back and pour out our hearts to God. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• When you pray, what kinds of things do you tend to hold back? What do you avoid saying to God? Why do you think that might be?

• How do you think God feels when you share what’s on your heart with Him? Do you imagine He’s angry, annoyed, or disappointed—or do you picture Him responding with compassion, patience, and wisdom? Consider taking a moment to ask God to show you how He truly feels about you.

Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 51; MATTHEW 18:21-35; EPHESIANS 4:32

I witnessed my father and mother fighting at a very young age. As the years went by, I learned that my father was not only a gambler but was also unfaithful to my mother over and over again.

As I grew up, my hatred for my father grew. He was not sorry for his faults. He was self-centered and insensitive, which made me abhor him all the more, even though I was his favorite child. And though I was studying in a Christian school where forgiveness was being taught, I did not forgive my father for his transgressions. I did not find any valid reason to forgive him, because he did not even ask for forgiveness. I only forgave my father many years later when the Holy Spirit prompted me to forgive him.

Jesus was hurt and offended by the people who crucified Him, yet He forgave them despite experiencing humiliation, severe pain, and suffering on the cross. Because of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, if we’ve put our trust in Him, we can know that we have been forgiven completely. And the Holy Spirit empowers us to forgive those who have offended us and caused us pain, knowing that Jesus has forgiven us for the pain we cause Him and others.

Jesus loves us, and He wants us to forgive others because we have been forgiven. Further, He knows that forgiveness can help us move toward peace, joy, and better relationships. Jesus even forgave people who did not ask for forgiveness (Luke 23:34). He forgave and continues to forgive us in spite of knowing that we sin repeatedly. As we rest in His love for us, Jesus will lead us to forgive the way He has forgiven us. • Golda Dilema

• As Christians, we live our lives in a constant rhythm of repentance and forgiveness. And Jesus’s forgiveness will never run out! Consider taking a moment to thank Jesus for His amazing gift of forgiveness. And if any sins come to mind, you can always confess these as well.

• Is there someone you’re struggling to forgive right now? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about this. He invites you to share all your questions and struggles. He loves listening to you, and He is always eager to help you.

• Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to be in a close relationship with them. If you’re struggling to forgive someone who consistently makes you feel unsafe, who is a trusted adult you can talk to about setting good boundaries?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NIV)

READ: MATTHEW 6:19-33; COLOSSIANS 3:2-4; 1 TIMOTHY 4:8

I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve had a six-pack (abs, not sodas) on and off for about twenty years. Exercise has become part of my lifestyle. But something I realized about ten years ago was that my weight training had become an obsession. It slowly moved from low priority, to medium priority, to high priority, and finally to, “Life, get out of the way, because I’m working out no matter what!”

This is called an obsession. Even if you don’t work out, obsessions come in many forms.

My obsession may have been about health, but it wasn’t healthy. You see, an obsession is when something takes God’s place as the decision-maker for all other areas of your life—rather than Jesus being at the center of all your decisions. Obsessions can be about anything: appearances, video games, sports, clothes, relationships, etc. Schoolwork can even become an obsession.

The bottom line is this: If you place your identity in anything other than your relationship with Jesus, then your life is built on unsteady sand (Matthew 7:24-29).

Sure, an obsession may not be about an evil thing, but the way we pursue that thing can become evil when we let it take the place of God in our hearts. So what do we do when we realize something in our lives has become an obsession? We turn to Jesus. He loves us more than any other, and He has come to set us free. • David Shorts

• God created us out of love, to be loved by Him and to love Him back. It’s because of God’s love that Jesus died for us and rose again. Any obsession we may have will leave us empty. But Jesus invites us to fulness of life with Him (John 10:10). In your own life, what things have become obsessions, decision-makers, or idols—either in the past, or in the present?

• What might it look like to love God and honor Him through the activities you enjoy, without placing your identity in them? This is a question we need to ask ourselves throughout our lives, but God is so patient with us, and He is eager to help us. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about these things. In addition to talking to God, who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to?

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (WEB)