Dealing with Anxiety
April 29, 2020 • Bethany Acker • Philippians 4:6–7, Psalm 73:26
It seemed like every time Lauren got over one worry, another one quickly came to rest on her shoulders. She felt weighed down with fear. Some nights, she could hardly sleep because of it. And, some mornings, she didn’t want to get up to face them. . It was a constant struggle, but Lauren knew what it was: anxiety. She was a Christian and she knew she could trust God, but as much a she told herself that, it wasn’t always an instant fix. . “You just need to give your worries to God,” her friends would tell her. . “You shouldn’t be so down. You’re a Christian.” . “God tells us not to be anxious about anything.” . Lauren knew all of this, but it was a daily struggle. So, she and her parents made an appointment for her with a Christian counselor. . On the day of her first appointment, a friend tried to brush Lauren’s anxiety off as not relying on God. . Lauren talked about it with her counselor. “I trust God. I love God. But every day I still feel anxiety. Every day I look to God for strength to get through it. Every day I have to learn to trust Him all over again. Does that mean I’m not a Christian?” . “It doesn’t mean you’re not a Christian,” her counselor said. “You trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and He has you. Anxiety doesn’t change that.” . Her counselor continued. “We live in a broken world, and one way that shows up is through clinical anxiety, which is different from willfully worrying. Some people deal with clinical anxiety their whole lives. It’s a mental health issue. In the meantime, remember Jesus is always with you. When you’re feeling anxious, you can always come to Him, and you can always reach out for help from the people He has placed in your life.” . Lauren nodded. She really appreciated the support she received from her counselor, as well as her parents and her pastor. . “One last thing,” her counselor said. “Your anxiety isn’t the end of the story. As Christians, we look forward to the day when Jesus makes all things new. Clinical anxiety won’t be a part of that picture. Until then, know Jesus is with you every second of the day. Rest in who He is and what He has done and is doing in you. He loves you and empowers you by His Holy Spirit.” . Lauren nodded. She would continue to rely on God—and the people He had placed in her life—for strength and peace, knowing she was never alone. • Bethany Acker . • Do you struggle with anxiety? What helps you rest in God’s strength? . • Anxiety is a complicated and often lifelong issue that sometimes requires counseling, medication, or other treatment. If you’re struggling with anxiety, who are people in your life you can reach out to? . • Read Matthew 28:20, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, and Revelation 21:1-5. As Christians, what promises from these verses can we rest in? . • If you need someone to talk to, 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. . My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (CSB)
Patience: How Hard Could That Be?
April 15, 2020 • Abby Ciona • James 5:7–8, Romans 12:12, Psalm 33:20
To be honest, I’m not very good at patience. I struggle with waiting. I begin to think the worst has happened when my friends are ten minutes late for a party at my house. I can’t sleep when I’m waiting for an important announcement. I get frustrated when someone doesn’t respond to my email within forty-eight hours! . We all spend years of our lives waiting. Waiting for our orders at a restaurant. Waiting for answered prayers. Waiting for a true friend. Waiting for Jesus’ return. . This all goes to show how important it is to learn patience... because we are all waiting. . So then, what are we supposed to do? Lounge around in our basements, watching the clock and eating snacks? . Not at all! The type of waiting that honors God is purpose-driven and action- focused, and it’s so much more than sitting around. . Continue to talk to God about what you’re waiting for. Trust Him and root yourself in His Word and your church. Continue to point to Jesus, using the gifts and talents you’ve been given in service to His kingdom. Search for God’s countless blessings—they are there, even when you might not see them as clearly right now. . Patience in the waiting is difficult, but, in Christ, you aren’t alone (Matthew 28:20). Though we might wish a response would come sooner, God will answer in His perfect timing, completing the kingdom work He started in us (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). • Abby Ciona . • What things cause you to lose your patience? Why? . • Read Matthew 28:20, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. As Christians, what promises from God can we rest in while we wait? . Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
As Far as the East is from the West
April 14, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Micah 7:19, 1 John 1:9—2:1, Psalm 103:12
Do you still feel guilty about it? That thing you did. Maybe it happened yesterday, maybe it happened eight years ago. . No matter what it was, you may be holding on to unnecessary guilt. . Guilt does have a purpose. It leads us to repentance and encourages us not to do evil again... but that purpose can be twisted by Satan. . God wants us to feel sorry for our sins, repent, and ask forgiveness. But, once these sins are forgiven, they’re gone. Poof! In Christ, God has removed them from us. If we put our trust in Him, we carry these old sins no more. The Bible even says that God separates us from our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). . God does not want His people to sit in their guilt and pour over sins already forgiven. Jesus took on our punishment for us. He died and was forsaken for our sins, taking on God’s wrath for us so that we don’t have to feel shame for our wrongdoings. . Besides guilt, another problem Christians face is shame. Shame is similar to guilt, but instead of seeing wrong in your sins, you see wrong in yourself. Shame changes “I did something bad” into “I’m a bad person.” . As Christians, we were once defined by our sins. But, when we put our trust in Jesus, He gives us a new identity. We are now children of God, wrapped in Christ’s righteousness (or sinlessness). God wants us to rejoice in Him and not feel shameful. . If you feel guilt or shame, repent of the sins you’re thinking of and ask forgiveness. If you still feel guilt and shame after that, take some time today to thank Jesus for the grace and forgiveness He has already given you. You are no longer captive to the power of guilt and shame. You are held in the love of Christ. • Naomi Zylstra . • Have you put your trust in Jesus to save you from sin? If not, what questions do you have? To learn more about what it means to know Jesus, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . • If you’re a Christian, are you still holding on to guilt for certain sins? Have you confessed them to God? What can you do today to celebrate God’s grace and forgiveness? . As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NIV)
A Confusing Book
April 5, 2020 • Abby Ciona • Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:14–17, Psalm 119:18
The Bible can be hard to read—seemingly old-fashioned religious practices, strange cultural rituals, and impossible-to-pronounce names! So how are Bible scholars, let alone teenagers, supposed to make sense of it all? I certainly felt this way in my tenth grade Bible class. By the end of the first month, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever read the Bible correctly. . Maybe you’ve felt this way too. The good news? If you’re a Christian, the Holy Spirit is with you and will help you understand what you’re reading (1 Corinthians 2:4-16). One way He does this is by providing people and resources to help you better understand God’s Word. Below are some places to start: . • First, pray, asking for understanding so you might hear God through His Word. We hear God in the Bible because the whole book points to Jesus—who is God. It is the true story of how He has reached out to rescue humanity. He is the only One who can save us from sin and death and restore us to a right relationship with God and others. When you read a confusing part of the Bible, ask, “How does this passage point to Jesus and what He has done?” . • Second, read verses in context to help you better understand what God is saying through the verses. For example, if a verse starts with therefore, skim back a chapter to see what information the writer is pointing back to. . • Third, check out other resources, such as study Bibles, that include notes to help you understand more difficult chapters of the Bible and explain the significance of stories. Daily devotionals like Unlocked can help you apply God’s Word to your own life as well. . • Fourth, ask for help. Speak with a trusted Christian in your life, like a pastor, camp counselor, or youth leader. Remember, everyone has trouble understanding God’s Word sometimes (2 Peter 3:15-18). As believers, it’s important that we study the Word together as a group regularly (1 Timothy 4:13). We are not meant to study alone. We can know God will faithfully deepen our understanding of His good news in Jesus (Philippians 1:6). • Abby Ciona . • Read Romans 12:1-3. What is this passage saying about what it means to walk with Jesus? . • Now read Romans 11, going straight into Romans 12:1-3. How does this background information make the start of Romans 12 more meaningful? . Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)
Slumber Party
March 25, 2020 • Jennifer A. Sun • Psalm 121
The term slumber party has always amused me. You all get into your pajamas, go to your friend’s house, and spend the night eating, watching a movie, and sharing stories with each other. You do everything except sleep! It’s more like a party without slumber. . As we grow older, these slumber parties are replaced by all-nighters as we prepare for exams and other academic requirements. We have our friends come over to stay up all night with us—not to share fun conversations but to work on papers due the next day. We gulp down cups and cups of coffee just so we don’t doze off and miss the deadline. . When life goes beyond slumber parties and thesis deadlines, it’s still not uncommon to lose sleep. A sick parent, an unresolved relationship conflict, waiting for a job offer, and anxiety about the future often rob us of sleep and quality rest. For an overthinker and worrier like me, sleep sometimes becomes a luxury. . In times when getting shut-eye seems unheard of—and the uncertainty of the next minute jolts us awake—we can choose to lift our eyes to our Lord and Savior. Jesus watches over us. . When situations are beyond our control, staying awake through the night won’t be of any help. Instead, we can rest because Jesus promises to ultimately keep us from all harm; we are held in His love and presence as He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Psalm 121:7; Romans 8:28, 38-39). . God never sleeps, so we can sleep soundly in His embrace. • Jennifer A. Sun . • Why can the Lord be trusted to take care of His people even when we are facing big problems (Psalm 121:2; 145:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 21:1-5)? . • God calls us to rest because we’re human (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). We can’t keep going and going because we’re not God. Resting also reminds us that nothing we can do will earn God’s favor; that’s a gift He gives through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 4:9-10). How do these truths affect your perspective on resting? . He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4 (NLT)
Being a Light
March 20, 2020 • Natalie Gilkinson • Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13, Matthew 5:14–16, Proverbs 22:2
Bullying. It’s painful to experience. But here’s the thing: I don’t know bullying’s pain because I’ve been bullied. I know its pain because I have been the bully. . I’ve made fun of people. I’ve gossiped about people I didn’t like. I’ve secretly judged the so-called “losers.” But, because I was a Christian, I thought I was different from bullies. I wasn’t one of those people, right? But I was one of those people. I was a bully. . It took a long week—full of conviction, tears, and prayer—for Jesus to help me see that reality, changing my life and outlook. I realized I wasn’t just hurting the people I was mocking, teasing, gossiping about, and hating. I was hurting Jesus, the One who died for my sins, including bullying. I was not acting like I belonged to Him. I was taking God’s creations, made after His own image, and raising myself above them. Like I was better than them. . But I’m not. I’m a sinner, and I need Jesus’ grace—just like everyone else. Bullying is a sin because it forgets that every person was created in God’s image. Basically, making fun of other people is hating on God and His good creation. . As I sought to turn away from the sin of bullying, Jesus was with me—working in me to make me more like Himself. I apologized to the people I hurt. God was humbling me so I saw myself not as better than others but as equal to them in God’s eyes. I started to see people as wonderful, interesting creations of God Himself, even becoming friends with people who were still being hated on by others. . No matter how badly we’ve messed up, Jesus can restore us and use us to become a light to others who are struggling. He redeems us from our brokenness and gives us the opportunity to share His love and truth with others. • Natalie Gilkinson . • Why is it important that (1) God created all people in His image (Genesis 1:27) and (2) we are all sinners in need of Jesus (Romans 3:11-12, 23; 6:23)? How do these truths affect the way we see those around us? . • If you are a bully, are being bullied, or are seeing bullying happen, who is a trusted adult you can talk with about it? . • If you have questions about sin and how it affects all of us, check out our "Know Jesus" page. . Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2 (NIV)
God's Masterpiece
March 5, 2020 • Erin Downs • Psalm 19:1–6
Jeff stepped out of his car into the crisp, cold air. It had been in the teens during the night, and the weather felt as cold as the relationships in his home. Things had gotten tense between his parents, and he needed time to think. . Jeff pulled on his gloves and zipped up his coat as he headed for the muddy hiking trail. Ever since his dad had taken him on these trails when he was young, Jeff had always processed hard things by hiking. . Drifts of snow mixed with melting runoff on the trail made hiking slow. But Jeff wasn’t in a hurry. He embraced the challenge and pushed through the remnants of winter to climb the hill. . Working his way toward the top, Jeff’s muscles relaxed. The familiar climb brought rest to his mind. With every step, he was reminded that Jesus was with him through this. The quiet helped him remember. . As he rounded the second bend, he glanced out and saw the bluish-white valley stretching out to the amber horizon. The majesty of the landscape motivated him to continue. God is in control, he thought. . Within thirty minutes, Jeff was standing at the top of the hill. Shorter hills encircled this side of the hill, and Jeff gazed out as the sun climbed higher, reflecting on the snowy mounds. . Suddenly, the hills were studded with brightly shining diamonds. Bright golden light jumped and danced off the crystalline snow. The brilliance was stunning. . Jeff breathed deeply and basked in God’s morning masterpiece. • Erin Downs . • Creation reminds us of God’s goodness and power. What part of God’s creation are you thankful for today? . • Have you ever read the Bible and prayed while outside? Was it something you would do again? Why or why not? . The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1 (NLT)
To Those Affected by Abuse
February 22, 2020 • Taylor Eising • Psalm 9:7–10, Jeremiah 17:14, Romans 8:37–39, Psalm 103:6
Editor’s Note: Today’s devotional reading discusses abuse. . In this sinful, fallen world, abuse happens everywhere; we see it on the news, at our schools, and even in our churches. When we hear about it or experience it, it leaves us reeling, grasping for answers. . Abuse whispers in its victims’ ears, saying, “You’re worthless. You’re broken. Nobody could ever love you. You are never safe.” Dear friends, these are lies. . Abuse is never your fault. It is the result of sin—which affects us all—taking hold in someone’s heart and making them forget that both they and their victim are made in God’s image and are therefore worthy of love and full of inherent dignity. . Abuse isolates people and tries to convince them that Jesus is not with them. But that is a lie straight from the pit of hell. . Jesus is with you in the midst of your pain. His heart breaks for you. He cries with you. He is holding your hand, walking with you through the muck and bringing you safely to the other side. . If you or someone you know is being abused, report it immediately to somebody you can trust. One way Jesus reaches into the worst of situations is by putting people around you who can help—whether they are friends, police officers, counselors, social workers, teachers, or other trustworthy people (Romans 13:3-4). Pray for God’s guidance and His restoration. . By the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can have secure hope that, someday, Jesus will come back to fully defeat all evil, sin, and death and restore all of creation to Himself. Until that day, if we know Him, He lives inside us through His Holy Spirit, experiencing our hurts with us and encouraging us. . Bring your pain to Him and rest in His secure love and in the promise of His justice. • Taylor Eising . • God is just, so no wrongdoing will go unpunished (Psalm 103:6; Revelation 20:11-15 and 21:1-8). Why is this so important? . • How is abuse a violation of the fact that we are made in God’s image? . • Who is a trusted person in your life you can talk to about abuse—whether the abuse is happening to you or you suspect it is happening to someone else? . • What are some ways you can pray for abusers and the abused? . • If you are in danger, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area). . • If you need someone to talk to about your current situation or past abuse, 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. . The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6 (CSB)
What Do You Worship?
February 13, 2020 • Cara Campbell • Psalm 135:5–7, Psalm 135:15–18, 1 John 5:21, Exodus 32:1–8
Over and over again, Scripture condemns the worship of idols. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, struggled with idolatry. Even though they repeatedly witnessed God’s power and saw Him work mightily on their behalf, they still turned to man-made images and worshiped them. They turned to statues and other false gods for protection, provision, or sometimes just a little extra “insurance” while they pretended to fully trust in God. It can sometimes seem silly to us as we read through the Bible. How could they put their trust in an object that has nothing to offer them? No personal relationship. No power. Nothing. . The truth is, God created us for worship. We have a yearning, a hunger, a deep desire within us to worship. And if we don’t give our full worship to Him, we will find ourselves worshiping something else. The idols we bow down to are the things we cling to or value more than Jesus. They can set up shop in our hearts and distract us from our need for Him and the life He gives us. . While we might think bowing before a golden calf or wood-carved statue seems silly, what might the Israelites say about how much time and affection we give our smartphones? Or the time and energy we spend trying to attain popularity, a prominent position on the team, or the starring role in a play? While it’s not necessarily bad to spend time doing these things, the problem occurs when we give them our total devotion and turn to them first for our worth and comfort—when they become our identity rather than our relationship with Jesus. . So ask Him to show you the idols of your heart. Where is your attention and affection going? What is the central reason behind every decision you make? Who or what do you turn to when life feels uncertain or hard? Jesus delights in you and wants you to find your identity in Him. He is worthy of ALL your worship. • Cara Campbell . • Is there an idol in your life that you’re turning to instead of God? . • What kind of trust are you putting in that idol? What are you hoping it will do for you? . • How does Jesus provide for the things you think your idol will give you? Why is He worthy of your total trust and devotion? . Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21 (NLT)
Flying Chariots
January 31, 2020 • Kevin Zeller • Psalm 20:7, Romans 8:22–28
The fleet of war machines hurtled through the air toward the city. . The leader smiled fiercely, hands on the controls of his ship. “This is the greatest military power in the history of humanity,” he said to his officers, not caring if it was true. . The leader’s ship went into a dive, and the fleet followed. The city darkened as the sun was blocked. Emergency sirens wailed, and fearful people ran from the streets. . “It is high time this city fell,” the leader shouted, “laid waste like all the others! We will build a great empire, and nothing can stop us now! Nothing can stop this fleet!” . The girl stood on the wall of the city, watching the approaching fleet. It filled the sky from east to west, and the noise of thundering rumbled her feet. . Then silence. Great, whooshing silence. . The girl gasped. The machines were plummeting from the sky, all at once in a great wave of wood and metal. . The first struck the ground not far from the city wall, scraping up great piles of earth as the ships disintegrated with bright explosions. . Soon the entire fleet lay in ruins, smoke rising up and up to the heavens. • Kevin Zeller . • What kinds of things do you put your hope in? . • What kinds of technology or other manmade things do people place their hope in? . • Reread Romans 8:22-28. As Christians, where is our hope? . Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
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Psalm 51: Confession of Rage
January 28, 2020 • Aurora Scriver • Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God. For I have sinned against You. . Will you rip up the rage Within my heart of dirt, And plant in its place love, The nutrient of ruined earth? . Against You, against Your image-bearers, I have injected venom, Poisoning another’s heart-soil In casting seeds of seething words, Reaping anything but Your truth. . Purge me of rage, Clean me with forgiveness, Clothe me in Your love. Don’t leave me an orphan, Naked with sin festering in my blood. . For only when the poison, a trail of infectious rage, Is replaced by the cleansing antidote of love Can I proclaim Your truth, Scattering seeds of Your life-giving words. • Aurora Scriver . • Why is it important to confess our sins to God? . • Why do you think Jesus wants us to be honest with Him about our hurts and struggles? . • What sin or struggle are you wrestling with? Have you been honest with Jesus about your sins and shortcomings? . My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 1 John 2:1 (NLT)
Always There
January 18, 2020 • Elena Dee • Romans 8:14–39, Psalm 23:4
When the night is dark, Your light dissolves the shadows. . When sadness spills from my heart, Your mercy dries my tears. . When fear extends its grip, Your protection shields me. . When my weaknesses announce defeat, Your strength supports me. . When my worries reign, Your peace rescues me. . When the road is confusing, Your wisdom guides me. . When the future looks dim, Your promises ignite my hope. . When I remember, I am still, Safe, in the palm of Your hand. • Elena Dee . • When things are not going your way, what steps can you take to remember Jesus is always with you? . • Reread today’s Scripture passage. Why are we safe in Christ even though we face harm and pain while living in a broken world? . Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (CSB)
Lament (Part 2)
January 15, 2020 • Taylor Eising • Psalm 13, Luke 22:41–44, Isaiah 41:10
Have you ever read a psalm and thought, Wow, that person was really mad at God. Are you even allowed to say that to Him? The short answer: yes, and it’s called lament. . In fact, about a third of the psalms in the Bible are lament psalms or complaint psalms. A lament is when you bring your honest, unfiltered frustrations, angers, griefs, and disappointments to God in prayer. It says, “God, I’m not okay. This stinks. I hate it. I feel like You’ve forgotten me. Why did You let this happen?!” . That doesn’t sound encouraging, does it? But lament is so important that, throughout the Bible, the prophets, the leaders of Israel, and even Jesus Himself lamented. So if lament is so normal in the Bible, why don’t we see it as much now? . As Christians, we avoid lament for two reasons. . First, we sometimes falsely think lament comes from a lack of faith. But lament is as much an act of faith as gratitude is. It shows that (1) we trust God with our deepest, most uncomfortable feelings and (2) we trust Him to do something about those hurts—now or when He returns (Revelation 21:1-5). Therefore, lament is a faithful response to the pain and brokenness sin causes in the world. The lament psalms of the Bible show us what this looks like. Almost all of these psalms end by praising God for how good and faithful He is—but not before the psalmists have expressed their hurts to God. . Second, we avoid lament because, when something bad happens, we want to skip all of the terrible feelings and rush to the healing. My friends, that isn’t healthy. True healing happens only by walking through the pain and hurt, relying on Jesus as He walks through it with you. . Jesus loves us unconditionally. He lived, died, and rose again here on earth— He knows our pain. He even laments on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). Therefore, we can bring our pain to Him because of what He has done, is doing, and will do for us (Hebrews 4:14-16). . Lay your laments at His feet, as loudly as you need to. God is big. He can handle it. You can know, by the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, suffering’s days are numbered (2 Peter 3:1-13). . • What pains in your life do you need to lament right now? You can lament something in your past or present, something happening to a loved one, or a general evil in the world (human trafficking, poverty, racism, etc.). Bring these hurts to God. If you’re not sure where to start, use a lament psalm as a blueprint for your prayer. Try Psalm 44, 55, 77, 79, 90, or 142. . • Do you have a tendency to rush through processing your pain with God? Why is that? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk to about it? . Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)
Snowflakes
January 11, 2020 • Christine Collier • Psalm 139:13–14
Many people love snow. Others not so much! Some people love sledding, ice skating, tubing, snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and more. Others dread the trouble snow often causes—dangerous road conditions, canceled travel plans, power outages, etc. . But snowflakes are as varied and unique as people’s opinions of them. And it’s the same with us. No two snowflakes or humans are exactly alike. God has created each person to be unique and original. We are created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Everyone has their own personality and talents. While we do live in a broken world, being made in God’s image means—so long as we are not accepting sin—we can celebrate people’s unique personality traits, talents, and quirks. . So, the next time you see a snowflake, picture what it looks like under a microscope: multi-sided and made of as many as two hundred ice crystals. It may look like every other snowflake from a distance, but it is completely different, a miracle of God’s creation. And you are too. • Christine Collier . • What unique physical characteristics has God created you with? What talents do you have? . • How do these traits give glory to God as the Creator? . • Read Psalm 104. How do other parts of creation glorify God? . I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)
Jesus Always Heals
January 6, 2020 • Taylor Eising • 1 Kings 19:3–8, Matthew 9:20–22, Revelation 21:4, Psalm 41:3
Pain and illness are terrible results of the fall, which is when sin and death entered the world. Whenever we or someone we know is affected by an illness, God wants us to pray for healing in faith that He will heal all believers in one of three ways: natural healing, supernatural healing, or ultimate healing when Jesus comes back. Jesus, who is God, is at work in all three types of healing, and we see examples of each type in the Bible. . In today’s first Bible passage, Elijah is suffering from utter exhaustion to the point of having suicidal thoughts. In this case, God uses natural means to solve his ailment: sleep and food. Unfortunately, not all illnesses can be cured by a snack and a nap (but they certainly never hurt!). God also uses doctors, counselors, and modern medicine to bring about incredible healing using natural means. When you pray for natural healing, thank God for the gifts He has given to the people administering treatment and pray for wisdom in forming a treatment plan. . Jesus uses supernatural healing in today’s second passage; He heals the woman with no medical intervention. God uses this supernatural healing several times throughout the Bible with the end goal of guiding someone to trust in Him. He heals in this way to deepen our faith—to show He is undeniably in control. When you pray for supernatural healing, do so with bold faith, knowing God is certainly capable of healing in inexplicable ways and He is at work whether supernaturally healing that person is His plan or not. . Lastly, Jesus will heal all believers when He returns to make all things new and resurrects us from the dead. As Christians, we might not experience full healing now, but we will someday have perfectly healthy bodies, minds, and souls through the power and promise of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Until that day, never stop bringing your pains and illnesses to Him in prayer. He knows your suffering and will destroy sin and the brokenness it causes (Romans 8:19-24; Hebrews 4:14-16). • Taylor Eising . • Have you ever seen natural or supernatural healing? What was that like for you or the person being healed? . • Why does Jesus care about our health? . • Why can we always have hope in Jesus, even when we are surrounded by pain and illness? . • The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. Psalm 41:3 (NLT)