READ: PSALM 62:1-8; MARK 14:33-34; JOHN 11:32-44

Have you ever been in a really emotional place—one where you’ve never been before? I have. Those situations are hard to navigate. They can be overwhelming, lonely, and sometimes scary. When complex feelings come our way, it can be easy to believe the lie that we need to isolate ourselves until we “fix” the problem or “get over” our feelings. But real freedom is found in asking friends and family to come alongside us and listen to our struggles.

This isn’t always easy. We might worry that the situation will seem small or stupid because we “shouldn’t be feeling like this and just need to get over it.” Or maybe we don’t want to “burden” anyone else with our overwhelming feelings. These worries can make us feel even more lonely—maybe even worthless.

But let me encourage you in your struggle. Any emotion we have, whether someone says it’s “correct” or not, is real. Because—whether we’re misunderstanding a situation or the circumstances truly are that difficult—our emotions are telling us it’s time to take a step back and figure out what’s going on.

Believe it or not, no matter what we’re going through, God understands. He created us with emotions because He has emotions. Yet He knows that, for humans, processing emotions can be messy because we live in a world that has been broken by sin. Thankfully, God doesn’t just understand us—He empathizes with us. How? Because Jesus came and lived among us, fully God and fully human, He experienced all our brokenness firsthand, and every emotion that comes with it, even the deep pain of the cross. He wants us to come to Him with every single emotion we have so we can experience His mercy, His care, and His help (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 5:7). We find models of how to do this all throughout the book of Psalms. Many psalms were written by David—a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). David knew God loved him, so he repeatedly poured out his heart to God, no matter what he was feeling.

When we have unexpected emotions, we can do the same. We can take deep breaths, call out to God and others, and remember we’re not alone. • Abigail Rose

• What kinds of emotions have you been feeling lately? It could be this week, today, or right now. Consider taking some time to let out your emotions to God like David did in the psalms.

• We all have times when our emotions feel overwhelming, and this is nothing to be embarrassed about. Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can be honest with about what you’re feeling?

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

READ: EXODUS 34:6; 2 KINGS 5:1-16; EZEKIEL 36:26; LUKE 6:27-36

Aiyanna huddled behind a barrel as the raiders galloped into town. They were looking for slaves to take back to their tower cities. She had to get out of town—to the forest hut, the home of the prophet of Elohim.

Hands grabbed her from behind, and the world turned upside down as she was slung over a raider’s shoulder. Immediately, a sweet smell smothered her into darkness.

The next time her eyes opened, she screamed. She stared into cloud space.

“Turn her away from the window,” a woman commanded.

Rough hands pushed her onto her side, and she faced into a room where a woman stood.

“I will untie you. But first, rules. You will obey. You will not leave my residence or visit other tower city levels. You are a rank zero servant. If you cooperate, you live. If you cause trouble…” She waved toward the enormous windows. “The sky scavengers may have you.”

Aiyanna gulped. Elohim, protect me.

Her days fell into a pattern of cleaning, washing, and repairing for the Mistress and her husband—a captain raider.

Then one day, Mistress shrieked loud enough for citizens a tower city away to hear. Aiyanna found Mistress leaning over Captain. He raised one hand covered in green scales.

“Two weeks,” Captain moaned. “Two weeks until I will be covered in scales, and you must expel me to dwell with the crawlers.”

“No!” Mistress wailed. “Someone, help!”

Aiyanna shrank back. The forest hut flashed across her mind, and she thought of the prophet—the one from whom she’d just begun to learn. Well, now Captain would know what it was like to be dragged from home.

“Someone, help us!” Mistress wept.

Aiyanna clutched her knowledge close. A new prison hardened around her heart—the last stronghold of her freedom—and she could feel herself beginning to sink into shadow.

But then, another memory came to her, of the prophet telling an old story. He said when Elohim told us His name, He called Himself, “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Elohim, she prayed, is your love truly for these people too?

Aiyanna took a deep breath and stepped forward. “The prophet back home. He has a cure for the scales.”

Mistress and Captain stared at her, disbelief in their eyes. And wonder.

Aiyanna felt the threat of darkness flee from her heart. Because she belonged to Elohim, she would always be free. • Judith DeStefano

• Today’s allegorical story is based on 2 Kings 5:1-16. Consider taking some time to read this passage, and let the gravity of the situation sink in. How difficult do you think it was for this girl to offer help to Namaan? Why do you think she did it?

• When Jesus came and lived among us, He called us to love others, even our enemies. The truth is, apart from Jesus, we are all God’s enemies. And yet, God loved us so much that Jesus was willing to give up His life for us on the cross. Because Jesus died and rose again, our sins can be washed away and we can become God’s friends (Romans 5:6-11). Once we experience God’s love for ourselves, His love overflows from us to others through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:19). Consider taking some time just to rest in Jesus’s love for you and thank Him for His sacrifice for you.

• Is there someone in your life who feels like an enemy to you? God calls us to love and pray for our enemies, and He also helps us set up good boundaries (Luke 6:27-28). If someone has hurt you deeply, who is a trusted Christian adult who could help you discern how God might be calling you to love this pers...

READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:1-11, 32-51; EPHESIANS 2:1-10

Can you think of a time you tried to be someone you’re not? Maybe you were trying to act more talented than you really are, or you tried imitating someone you admire. Maybe you did it to impress your friends, or even to impress God.

In 1 Samuel 17, David fought Goliath, a nine-foot-tall Philistine champion who terrified the Israelites. And David—who was likely a teenager at the time— wasn’t even a warrior yet! He was a shepherd. But David knew God was with the Israelites and would protect them from anyone who sought to harm them. King Saul clothed David in armor in preparation for the battle. But David wasn’t used to wearing armor, and he decided to go without it. He knew he didn’t need this protection because God was his greatest protection. He didn’t even take a sword—he took a shepherd’s weapons: a staff, a sling, and five stones.

David went to battle as who he was. Not a warrior, but a shepherd. David faced the judgment of everyone on the battlefield when he went out with no armor. They probably considered him foolish. But David didn’t try to be or look like anyone other than who he was. Through God’s power, David defeated Goliath.

God doesn’t ask us to be anything more than we are. He doesn’t expect us to be someone else; He loves us just the way we are. Even though we were all covered with the dirt and grime of sin, He valued us—so much so that Jesus died and rose again to save us from sin and death. God invites us to come to Jesus and be washed clean, and He gifts believers with His Holy Spirit so we can be in close relationship with Him. Now, we are free to follow Jesus with our God-given personalities, gifts, and abilities. Whenever God calls us to do something, He calls us to do it as ourselves—not as someone else—because He loves and values us just as we are. • Elizabeth Cooper

• God doesn’t expect us to try to clean ourselves up or fix ourselves before we come to Him. How can knowing this give us greater confidence when we come to Him humbly in prayer?

• God created you on purpose as a unique individual, and you have infinite worth as a child of God. As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, God transforms us more and more to reflect the character of Jesus, and He equips us to do the good work He calls us to do in each season of our lives. How have you seen God work through you just being yourself?

[David said,] “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:47 (NLT)

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)