READ: PSALM 119:105; ROMANS 3:20-24; 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17; HEBREWS 4:12

You’ve probably heard it in youth group or Sunday School: “It’s very important to have daily devotions.” But for many of us, we just can’t seem to make it happen. We have to do homework and study at night. We don’t have time in the morning before school. Sports practice, youth group, robotics club, orchestra concerts, volunteering, family activities, or all of the above fill up our time. It seems impossible to open our Bibles every day. We might even have a couple weeks go by before we find a few minutes to do devotions. It’s normal to wonder, If Bible reading is so important, why can’t I seem to do it every day?

The Bible is important, of course! Why? Because it tells us the good news about Jesus—and that news affects every area of our lives. In His Word, Jesus teaches us how to live and gives us wonderful promises, not just for our eternal futures, but also for today.

But we get stuck in legalism when we say that anyone should adhere to certain practices or habits to prove they know God or to somehow earn God’s favor. That’s what the Pharisees did in Jesus’s day, and Jesus was pretty clear the Pharisees did not understand the God they claimed to serve (Matthew 23). Instead of legalism, we can live in the grace Jesus has given us, going to the Bible regularly because we love Him and want to know Him better.

Your best friend doesn’t chew you out when you don’t spend time with them for a few days, do they? Well, God doesn’t either. He wants us to spend time with Him, but He’s never legalistic about it (Colossians 2:6-18). He wants a relationship with us—not a performance. He loves it whenever we draw near to Him through reading His Word and talking to Him, even if it isn’t every single day. • Robyn Mulder

• When you read or listen to the Bible and pray, how do you feel? Do you feel peaceful, anxious, hopeful, guilty, frustrated, fascinated, bored…a combination, or something else?

• How often would you like to do devotions? What might make it easier for you to set aside this time? For example, what time of day tends to work well for you? Are there certain days of the week when you have more time or less time? Is there a place you can focus easier?

• What is the difference between a legalistic habit and a grace-based habit? Why is it so important that our relationship with God is based on what Jesus did, not on what we do?

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)

READ: JOSHUA 1:9; JOHN 3:16; PHILIPPIANS 4:6

Have you ever been through a hard season in your life? I most certainly have. But just because we go through rough patches doesn’t mean we’re alone or that nobody loves us. God is with us every second of the day. He is there in our struggles and in our pain. God never leaves your side no matter how hard life gets.

When I was 14 years old, I went through a heart wrenching time when I found out my great-grandpa had cancer. I believe it was stage 4, so it was pretty bad. I just remember praying to God and asking Him to heal my grandpa, but even though I was talking to God, I felt very alone. I felt like I was going through all these emotions that I couldn’t control.

My grandpa passed away in March of that year, and it was like the whole world went dark. I had never felt so alone in my life, but I prayed to God, asking Him to help me through. And you know what? He did. He put two Bible verses on my heart that helped me through. The first one is Deuteronomy 31:8, which says, “The LORD is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” The second verse is John 16:33, in which Jesus says, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” This really gave me a sense of peace and comfort and helped me not feel alone. Another verse, 2 Timothy 1:7, says that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

It’s okay to feel alone sometimes. I did. Just know that you are not alone. You have family, friends, and above all, God. He always loves you, cares for you, and sticks by you.

Lord, I want to pray for the person reading this. I don’t know what they’re going through or the plans you have for them, but I know you do, so I just pray that you would guide them through their struggles and pain, Lord. That you would show your love to them and help them know they are not alone. That when the enemy tries to tear them down, they’ll know they have a loving God by their side. Lord, I pray you will bless this person and their family and help them have an abundance of joy and peace. In Jesus’s name, amen. • Eliana St. Cyr

• Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23). Can you think of a time Jesus reminded you that He is with you? We can ask Him for these reminders any time.

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

READ: JOHN 4:1-14; 7:37-39; ACTS 1:8; ROMANS 8:11

As long as we’re breathing, our bodies need a constant input of water; we must remember to drink, or we’ll perish. When Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well, He said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life,” and Jesus called this spring “living water” (John 4:10-14).

When I read this, I used to think “never thirst” meant I would never need again or feel pain again or hurt again. So I had a disconnect between what I read in the Gospels and what I experienced. But it doesn’t mean that at all. “Never thirst” means living water never needs to be replenished. I don’t need to constantly remember to input another dose hour after hour, day after day.

Since Jesus came, we no longer have to perform daily, monthly, or yearly rituals to have a relationship with the God of the universe. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, He is with us always, and His Holy Spirit is in us. God loves us, and He constantly works in us and through us to give us power—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Now that’s pretty awesome power! If I need something or I feel pain, as I abide in Him, He gives me all the strength I require to experience His peace in the process.

Living water is not like well water. Living water is with us always and forever. Sure, we’ll feel pain. Jesus felt pain! But the Holy Spirit will always be with us, giving us power, comfort, and strength—reminding us that God is working all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28-29). • Andrea Bowden

• As Christians, we have living water flowing from within us because we have the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). Yet, until Jesus returns, we will still experience difficult things like pain, discouragement, disappointment, and anxiety. These things are normal, and experiencing them doesn’t mean you have less of the Holy Spirit in you at any given moment. God is with us always, and He tenderly invites us to pour out our hearts to Him in prayer, expressing all of our grief, anger, confusion, and everything in between. Because we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have access to God’s peace, comfort, and joy—even if we don’t feel it for a while. Can you think of a time when God’s power has sustained you through a difficult time? What was that like?

• If you want to dig deeper, read John 4:15-42; 14:16-27; Ephesians 3:18; Philippians 2:13.

Jesus answered, “...whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

READ: LUKE 15:1-3, 11-31

Abidan stretched, looking toward the sun. It was setting, so he left the field and approached the house. He stopped, listening. That sounds like a party, he thought, waving over Baanah the servant. “What’s going on tonight?” Abidan asked.

“Your brother has returned!” Baanah said, “your father has served the feasting calf to celebrate!”

“Jabin’s back?” Abidan’s tone was angry.

Baanah nodded. “Shall I get your father?” Abidan only threw up his hands in frustration.

When Abidan saw his father coming, he turned away. “What do you want?”

“I want you to join the party. Please come see your brother. It’s been thirteen months.”

“I know.” Abidan’s voice was strained. “And I have been here. Working hard every day. Respecting you, always doing exactly what you’ve asked. I’ve given you everything, never once getting a goat to eat with my friends! Jabin runs off and wastes his inheritance. Upon his return, you restore him like he’s been a victim, and I don’t even get told to leave the field early? Isn’t what I do enough to please you? The disobedient son gets all your love?”

“My son, you are welcome to a goat—and all I have!” said his father. “Abidan, you have not entrusted to me what I long for: your brokenness. You keep me at arm’s length all the time. You desire to be loved, but ‘doing enough’ cannot earn what you want.”

His father continued. “Both my sons have been wrong in their perception of my love. One thought he could enjoy it by what he got from me, the other by what he could give to me. I celebrate Jabin’s return because he has come to discover what I will do with the truth about him, however ugly it might be. This is what I long for with you, Abidan. Will you come to the party, that I might celebrate the return of both my sons?” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is based on Luke 15. What was Jesus contrasting in this parable of two brothers? Who was listening?

• Why doesn’t Jesus want us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him? (Hint: read John 15:3-4) Why is it impossible for anything we do (or don’t do) to sustain our relationship with God? How does God sustain His relationship with us? (Romans 3:22-28; 5:1-11; Ephesians 2:1-10)

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:31-32 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 1:26-27; ROMANS 8:28-29; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17–4:6

Have you ever heard someone talk about how people are “made in the image of God?” What does that mean?

Essentially, it means we are God’s representatives here on earth and He created us with some of the same qualities He has: creativity, love, intelligence, a sense of justice, wisdom, kindness, and mercy—just to name a few. Whenever people express these qualities, whether they are Christians or not, they are doing it because they were made in the image of God. And when we see that happen, we can praise God for it!

Being made in God’s image gives each person immeasurable value—not because of anything we do, but because of who God is. Our Creator is perfect and holy and good, so anyone created in His likeness—including you, your best friend, and your worst enemy—is worth more than we can possibly imagine. And while we can’t reflect God’s image perfectly because sin has broken our image-bearing ability, each human life still points to the one who made it.

As people made in the image of God, our primary identity is “people loved by God.” That is at the core of who we are. God made us in His image to love us.

And we have an amazing job description: to do His will here on earth. That’s a very weighty (and sometimes confusing) job, but it all boils down to loving God, loving each other, and caring for creation (Genesis 1:28; Matthew 22:37-40). How do we do that in our broken state? We look to Jesus! He is the One who made it possible for us, as broken-by-sin-image-bearers, to resemble our Creator once more. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus Christ, believing in His death and resurrection, we can know that His Holy Spirit is now living in us, conforming us to the image of Christ. By leaning on the Holy Spirit, we can learn to see the ways God has made us—and others—in His glorious image. And that is a wonderful sight to behold. • Taylor Eising

• Where do you see God’s image reflected in yourself? Where do you see it reflected in others?

• When your friends are struggling with their identities or self-worth, what are some ways you could encourage them about who they are as image-bearers of God?

And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust [Adam], we will also bear the image of the man of heaven [Jesus]. 1 Corinthians 15:49 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 145:14-19; HEBREWS 4:14-16

Today’s poem is written in the style of a rap.

I’m here every night; too tired to fight. Just trying to make it, not fake it. It’s hard…to be a PK, knowing you want me to say, “It’s okay. I still believe.” Though in my heart I still grieve.

But I see a world that’s gone bad. And it started when Dad Headed out of the door, said he wanted no more.

Preacher dad who told me of God— what a facade. Now our family’s a mess, and each day’s got stress.

I pray, but don’t know what to say. Can I be real? There’s nothing I feel except empty inside. See, last time I cried and said, “God, take it away— this pain, lift it I pray”—

God, You left it there. And continued to tear my family apart. So, don’t start with me, people in pews, giving your views of what I should do.

My best friend Kat—she’s got my back She has what I lack: Faith—faith to still pray, And wants me to be the same way.

Though I wish God really cared And wasn’t just there, up in the air. • Linda Washington

• Have you ever felt like Shenice? You might be a PK (pastor’s kid) whose dad walked out, or your pain might be totally different. Who, if anyone, did you talk to about what you went through?

• How would you want to respond if Shenice was your friend?

• What do you believe is true about the God who Shenice labels “just there up in the air”? Why?

• When Jesus, the God of the Universe, came and lived among us, He experienced our suffering firsthand. He went all the way to the cross for us—to the grave and back—because He loves us, and He never wants to be apart from us. Jesus is never too far away to hear you when you call. There is nothing you can say or do to Him that will make Him stop loving you or hearing you when you pray. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about whatever hurts you’ve been carrying (Matthew 11:28-30). You don’t need to filter your thoughts before you say them to Jesus.

• When we go through hard times, it’s normal to wonder if God has stopped caring about us. The pain of betrayal is especially deep. Healing from that kind of hurt can be a long, slow process. But God is faithful to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, and even to bring us joy again (Psalms 30:5; 147:3). God does His patient work of healing through His Word, through His Spirit, and also through His people. He calls us to pray for one another, to speak the truth—but never without love—and to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15; Ephesians 4:15-16; 6:18). Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk freely with when you’re hurting? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.)

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NLT)

READ: ROMANS 8:31-39; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9; 1 PETER 4:12-13

Have you ever heard of The Pilgrim’s Progress? This book, written in the late 1600s by a pastor named John Bunyan, is the most famous Christian allegory still in print. For centuries, it has encouraged believers to continue following Christ…despite the difficulties.

At one point in the book, the main character, a man named Christian, is shown around a house by the Interpreter. The Interpreter shows Christian a fireplace with a tiny, trembling flame. Satan is standing near the fire, dumping water mercilessly on the flame to try and put it out.

The Interpreter then takes Christian around the side of the fireplace where Christian sees a man pouring oil on the flame. The Interpreter explains that most of our lives, we only see the devil pouring water on the little flame of our faith. What we don’t see is Christ strengthening us with the oil.

Christ warns us that struggles will come if we follow Him, and that our faith will be tested in many ways (John 16:33; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12). During struggles, it may feel like Satan will put out the flame of our faith, but we can look to Christ as the one who will never let us go. We can rely on Christ’s strength, trusting that nothing will ever separate us from His love (Romans 8:39), and that He will help us withstand all the devil’s temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:13). • Chloe Ann

• Have you ever felt as if every hardship and struggle in life was trying to put out the flame of faith you have? Are you feeling that way right now? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus, asking Him to help you see the ways He is strengthening you in the midst of your trials.

• Can you think of a time you realized God was strengthening you when you were in the middle of a trial? What was that like?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

READ: AMOS 5:24; MICAH 6:8; LUKE 18:7-8; REVELATION 21:4

A girl stands in front of a judge and jury, retelling her traumatic assault, and her assaulter walks free at the end of the trial. A family breaks into tears after learning there was not enough evidence to convict their son’s murderer. You tell your teacher you’re being bullied, and they say they can’t do anything unless they see it.

Our world is riddled with injustices big and small, and they sting. We say, “That’s not fair!” and someone responds, “Life’s not fair.” But there is hope in the midst of these injustices.

The book of Amos says that God’s justice will pour outward like a river. And in the book of Revelation, the apostle John says Jesus will enact justice at His return, even removing our death, crying, grief, and pain. John paints a picture of God wiping away our tears as He takes away our suffering. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Part of God’s plan is to bring His justice.

And Jesus revealed God’s justice. When Jesus died on the cross, He took on the sins of the world—and God’s just punishment for them—so that all of us who put our trust in Jesus won’t receive the punishment we deserve. God longs for people to turn to Jesus so they can be made right with Him. But those who reject Jesus will face His just wrath at Judgment Day, when He promises to bring justice for every wrong. So, whether through the cross or at Judgment Day, all injustice will be made right (John 3:15-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Peter 3:9-13).

In the meantime, we can rest knowing that God hears us whenever we cry out against injustice, and He promises to bring an end to every wrong and heal our every hurt. Not only that, but God also calls His people to act justly here and now as we wait for His upcoming justice. When we look to Jesus, we see that He acted against injustice on our behalf—for example, He flipped over tables in the temple and stopped the money changers who were taking advantage of people who had come to worship God (Mark 11:15-17).

This means one way we can show Jesus’s love to others is through seeking after justice. While we wait for our Savior to return and bring ultimate justice, we can rely on Him to help us shine His light on any injustice we encounter. • Naomi Zylstra

• Where do you see injustice in the world today? Consider taking some time to pray about an injustice, asking God to help you notice any ways you could bring His love and justice there.

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24 (NIV)