Grace Cat (Part 2)
December 7, 2019 • Emily Tenter • Romans 3:20–24, Ephesians 2:8–10, Isaiah 64:6
Being adopted by my family wasn’t the only way my cat Oliver demonstrated a lesson of grace to me. You see, it’s common for cats to leave little presents for their humans. And, when I say “little presents,” I mean dead mice that we’d find just outside the front door. Cats leave dead animals to show loyalty to the humans that take care of them. How cute is that?! . As you can probably imagine, my family had no use for dead mice. But I can’t tell you how excited I was when Oliver began to demonstrate to my family that he loved us back! . That’s how God’s grace works in our lives. He pours out His grace to us. He’s the One who gives us every single blessing we have. And what do we have to give Him in return? Dead mice! Isaiah 64:6 says that all our good deeds “are nothing but filthy rags.” That means that the best we could ever give to God is still trash. Like dead mice. . But you know what? I still smiled when I saw those mice because they meant that my cat—the cat I adopted and named and loved—loved me back! . God offers us salvation from sin and death with no strings attached. I didn’t adopt Oliver because of anything he could give me in return. And even if he never gave me a dead mouse, I still would have adopted him. Our God treats us the same way. We don’t have to do anything to earn His grace, but, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin to respond in love at the heaps of grace God has dumped on us. . Going to church, obeying your parents, telling a friend about Jesus, working hard without complaining—those are all dead mice. They will never earn you eternal life; your relationship with God is secure because of what Jesus did. . Even though God doesn’t need our offerings, He still delights in them because they are gifts from His beloved children in Christ. And He is able to transform and use our dead mice in amazing ways for His kingdom! • Emily Tenter . • What are some examples of the “dead mice” you offer God? Do you ever compare your “dead mice” to those of other people? Why is that wrong? . • Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 2:10, and Philippians 2:13. If the best gifts we can give God are still worth so little, does it matter if we give them at all? How does God empower and use our efforts in His kingdom? . We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
Grace Cat (Part 1)
December 6, 2019 • Emily Tenter • Romans 1:1–5, Ephesians 4:7, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:8–9
I’ve learned a lot about God’s grace from my cat. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out! . When I was in high school, I looked out the window and saw a fluffy gray cat striding through our backyard. After talking with all the neighbors, we concluded that he had no home. So, I made it my mission to give him one! . I began leaving small bowls of food out on the porch for him. I was delighted to see him creep up the steps one day to eat. He came back every day for food, slowly becoming more comfortable with my family. It wasn’t long before he allowed us to pet him. . A few days after that, my mom was cooking dinner in the kitchen, and, when she turned around, he was sitting on the floor staring up at her. He just sneaked right inside the house! I named him Oliver, and he became a permanent resident in our home. . We gave Oliver a home, an identity, and even medication for a nasty ear infection. We embraced our new furry buddy with open arms. What exactly did this homeless cat do to deserve any of it? Absolutely nothing. Does that sound like grace to you? Because it sure does to me! . I was reminded of how God adopts us, giving us a new identity. Without Him, we’re all broken in sin and death. So, He offers us healing from that brokenness (Psalm 147:3; Romans 5:8). In fact, the entire Bible is one enormous story of grace. God showed grace to the nation of Israel, even when they messed up time and time again. Jesus showed us all grace when He came to Earth to die on a cross and rise from the grave to offer us the free gift of salvation! . There is nothing we have done or ever could do to earn such an enormous gift, but Jesus gave Himself for us anyway. And He did it so we could have a family, an identity, and love forever... just like Oliver. Only better! • Emily Tenter . • In what areas can you relate to Oliver the cat? . • What are some examples of ways God has shown grace to you? (To learn more about God’s gift of grace, check out our "Know Jesus" page). . • Without that grace, how do you think your life would be different? . 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)
In Defense of Video Games
December 5, 2019 • Taylor Eising • Genesis 1:26–31, Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31
I grew up around gamers. I remember spending hours of my childhood curled up on the couch watching my older brothers, Tony and AJ, play "Legend of Zelda." I admired their skill and problem-solving abilities, and I often wished I could play as well as they did. . Being created in God’s image gives us several good desires that can be used for God-glorifying purposes, and two of those desires are the desire to create and the desire to solve problems. As strange as it may sound, we can use video games to hone and train those good desires. . We are created to create because we are created in the Creator’s image (say that five times fast). This gift allows us to make incredible works of art using all kinds of different mediums. Since the beginning of time, we have been painting, sculpting, writing, singing, and directing plays. And now that artistic expression can be found in developing video games. Playing certain video games taps into our God-given creativity and helps us explore it more fully. . Video games also help us problem-solve, often with other people. Many games present the player with some difficult situation that they must resolve using strategic planning skills. These strategic planning skills—including resource management, cooperation, and persistence—are vital to the kingdom of God. In fact, God is glorified anytime we use those skills, so long as we aren’t using them for something sinful. . This is great news! Even though our world is broken by sin, Christ died so that, in Him, we could be free to serve and glorify Him in our daily endeavors. As the Creator, God loves beautiful art, and He loves a problem well-solved. He is overjoyed when we use the skills He has given to us. . So, as Christians, we have to think carefully about any art form we create or consume, including video games. Follow the rules in your household about video games and thank God for the skills and abilities He has given you. • Taylor Eising . • Who are some people in your life you can talk to about which video games are helpful, and which are not? . • What are some ways you can apply the skills you use in video games to real life? . So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
He Can Relate
December 4, 2019 • Sarah Elizabeth Child • John 1:1–4, John 1:9–14, 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, Hebrews 4:14–16
Have you been rejected by your family? Jesus’ brothers didn’t believe in Him (John 7:5). . Have you been rejected by your friends? One of Jesus’ best friends denied that he knew Him three times (John 18:13-27). . Do you feel alone in your hometown? Jesus was driven out of His (Luke 4:14-30). . Have you been kind to someone who showed no gratitude in return? Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, and only one came back to thank Him (Luke 17:11-19). . Have you been criticized for doing the right thing? Jesus was constantly chastised by the Pharisees for healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-14) and for hanging out with “sinners” (Luke 5:27-31). . Have you been bullied? Jesus was mocked by His own people (Matthew 27:41-42), brutally tortured by the Romans (John 19:1-6), and taunted and tempted by the devil himself (Matthew 4:1-11). . Have you lost someone close to you? Jesus wept when His friend Lazarus died (John 11:1-44). . Just because Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world does not mean He cannot relate to you. He is also a human. He faced a full range of human emotions and experiences in His lifetime—even experiencing the deepest of suffering by dying on the cross for our sins—which gave Him a profound understanding of human rejection, sadness, suffering, and pain. That means He can fully empathize with you in whatever you are facing right now. He is with you and will never leave you (Hebrews 13:8). . What’s more, He is also fully God. That means He can comfort you in a way no one else can. Turn to Him for comfort today. • Sarah Elizabeth Child . • Which one of Jesus’ experiences can you relate to the most? . • Does it comfort you to know that Jesus has experienced hurts just like ours? . • When you see others struggling, how can you comfort them with the comfort Jesus has given you? . Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (WEB)
Does God Care about My Body?
December 3, 2019 • Alissa Griffin • Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 3:7–10, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
"I’m fat." "My skin is broken out." "My nose is too big." "I’m ugly." . Thoughts like these have haunted me most of my life, particularly during my teenage years. I often wondered what was wrong with me. "Why couldn’t I look different?" Sometimes just looking in a mirror made me want to cry. . My weight bothered me most, so I tried anything to reduce it. I refused my body nourishment, exercised too much, adopted specific and irrational eating rituals, and spiraled into binge-eating. All of this was an attempt to quiet the sadness inside. I thought if I could control my weight tightly enough, I would be happy. . What I couldn’t see back then was that I was believing a lie. I hated my body for how it looked and thought it was worthless. I didn’t think God cared or had anything to say about it. It took me many years and much wise Christian counsel to realize that nothing could be further from the truth. . God created all of us in His image, the crown jewels of His originally good creation. It was only after humanity’s fall into sin that we began misusing our bodies and considering them shameful. But even in our broken state, Jesus came to die on our behalf and make us right with God again, no matter what we look like (Romans 5:6-8). . Now, God doesn’t make His home in a physical building anymore: He lives in us. That’s right, He chose to make the body that I hated and mistreated for so long into His temple. Scripture tells us that we are not our own, we were bought at a very high price: the blood of Jesus. Therefore, we are called to glorify Him with our bodies. . So, if you are ever tempted to view your body as I did, please remember that you are worth much more than you think. The staggering reality is that we, bodies included, are immeasurably valuable because God created us, loves us, died for us, and lives in us. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. • Alissa Griffin . • What does it mean to bear the image of God? What does this say about how valuable our bodies are to God? . • What does it mean to glorify God with our bodies? . Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB)
Worthy
December 1, 2019 • Cara Campbell • Ephesians 2:8–10, 1 Corinthians 1:26–31
My worth is not found in how many friends I have or how many likes I get; . My worth is not found in my weight or how I look; . My worth is not found in my successes, achievements, grades, or awards; . My worth is not found in my GPA or in how many hard classes I can pack into my schedule; . My worth is not found in being the star athlete, star musician, or star student; . My worth is not found in doing more or being more; . My worth is not found in what the world deems successful... . My worth is found in Jesus... in being chosen, loved, and made new. I am worthy because He made me worthy. Because of His death on the cross—because of the incredible grace, mercy, and forgiveness He lavishes on me—He sees me as worthy. Worthy of His love, worthy of forgiveness, worthy of an intimate relationship with Him, worthy of being His. His work did it all! I don’t need to earn it, try harder, be more, do more. He’s done it all. . He doesn’t need my efforts and striving for more; He wants my heart. Every part. Rather than trying to prove your worth or strive toward more, give Him what weighs you down and let Him carry you. Give Him your efforts as an offering of love and worship to Him, not as a payment. And find your true worth in the only One who determines our true worthiness. • Cara Campbell . • Do you ever feel like your worth is dependent on what you do? What things do you place your identity and worth in? . • Reread today’s Bible verses. Why is it important that our true worth is found not in what we do but in what Jesus has done for us? . Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (CSB)
Waiting Actively
November 29, 2019 • Sarah Rexford • Acts 17:16–20, Ecclesiastes 3:1
Waiting is the worst. Or maybe I’m just the worst at waiting. Especially in the high school years, “real” life seems far away and dreams look distant. It’s easy to think about what we want to do for God in the future; it’s way harder to live that out now. . A few years ago, I saw a need at my school and decided that no matter how small my platform, I’d let God work through me to meet that need. It was amazing to see God work as I stood on a literal stage (the smallest stage on campus!) and used the talents He had given me to point my peers to Jesus. I’d never felt more humbled to be used by the Creator. . Paul found himself in a similar situation in Acts 17. He’d reached Athens and was waiting for his friends (Acts 17:16). In other words, even Paul, one of the most famous men of the New Testament, knew what it was like to wait! . But, rather than just sit around, the chapter says Paul used the marketplace to tell people about Jesus. He was waiting actively. . Yeah, sometimes waiting is hard. But even in the waiting, God is working. Waiting actively means living for Jesus no matter where we are or what season we’re in—trusting that He is working even when we don’t see it. . No matter what you’re waiting on, you can serve Jesus right where you are. You can use the crumbly floor of your cafeteria, the gravely road as you wait for the bus, and even the carpet of your living room. . Whatever season God has you in, wait actively. Know that you can serve God right now. In Jesus’ kingdom, you never know what He’ll do through you! • Sarah Rexford . • What are you waiting on in this season? How is your view of God shown in how you wait? . • How would this season change if you actually lived like you believed Jesus is working during the waiting? . • It’s easy for anxiety to creep up as we wait. Read Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:4-7, and 1 Peter 5:7. What do these verses show about Jesus and His faithfulness? . For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
Thankful
November 28, 2019 • Cara Campbell • 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
For as long as I can remember, my grandma has had a little hand-stitched sign in her home that reads: “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” As a child, I loved that sign, and, as I grew into adulthood, I began to understand just how meaningful it was. . My grandparents lived out true gratitude. Their lives were not easy, and yet, in the middle of trials and times of having little, they were so thankful. Why? Because they knew whatever happened—no matter how difficult or uncertain things were—they had it all... because they had Jesus. . They knew that no matter what, they were loved, forgiven, rescued, saved. They knew that no matter what, Jesus was there to walk beside them. They knew that no matter what, their identity in Him could never be touched. Their life with Him, both now and forever, was sure. And because they knew they belonged to Him, they could view life differently from the way the world does. They could be thankful in all circumstances... the hard ones, the good ones, the uncertain ones, the joy-filled ones. . A thankful heart radiates deep-rooted contentment and joy that are only found in Jesus. What if we viewed life in light of the sacrifice Jesus made for us when He died on the cross and in light of the gift He gave us when He rose back to life? What if we recognized that what He’s given us is more than we could ever deserve and better than we could even imagine? . So rather than looking at what we don’t have, we can remember that we have life and unshakable hope in Jesus. We can give thanks in the hard things because we know He is faithful and He is near. And we can give thanks in the good because we see how incredibly blessed beyond measure we are and how every gift comes from Him (James 1:17). In Christ, there is always something to be thankful for. • Cara Campbell . • Reread today’s verses. What are some of the hope-filled promises we have in Jesus? How does remembering these promises help us thank God no matter what? . • What are other things you are thankful for? . Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
The Bread of Life
November 27, 2019 • Cheryl Elton • Deuteronomy 8:1–3, Matthew 4:1–4, John 6:47–48
When your stomach growls, nothing satisfies like good food. But what about spiritual hunger? Jesus said if we go to Him, we would not go hungry, for He is the “bread of life” (John 6:35). . It’s easy to feel spiritually full after a great church retreat, an awesome Christian concert, or an exciting time of helping others. But often, when we feel spiritually empty, our default is to go shopping, go to the gym, or eat some chocolate. While these things all have merit on their own, none can replace our daily need for Jesus, the true Bread of Life. . In the Old Testament, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years on their way to the Promised Land. During that time, God was teaching them to humble themselves, to trust Him, and to hear His voice. Each day He rained down manna (bread) from heaven to feed them. If they tried to save bread for the next day, it would go bad. This was so they could learn to rely on God’s provision one day at a time. . This true story of the Israelites points to Jesus, who was tempted in the wilderness for forty days. During this time, He too trusted God, quoting from Deuteronomy: “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). . Just as the Israelites and the Son of God trusted God for daily sustenance, we trust God to provide our spiritual nourishment, like the manna, every day. It’s important that we daily feast on Jesus by studying and dwelling on the truths found in His Word, the Bible—both individually and with other believers at church. . Whenever we find ourselves spiritually malnourished, we need only call upon Jesus. He is the Bread we need, and in His presence, we will never go hungry. • Cheryl Elton . • When you feel spiritually depleted, what do you usually do? . • How is Jesus the bread we need (John 6:4-15, 25-40)? Why is it important to make Jesus—and all He has done—central to our lives? . • What are ways you can feast on Jesus by digging into God’s Word regularly? . “Truly I [Jesus] tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” John 6:47-48 (CSB)
Back to Life
November 26, 2019 • Deb Gardner Allard • 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, Romans 10:9, Matthew 27:45–54
"Look at all the zombies coming out of the ground!” said Spencer, tossing a handful of popcorn in his mouth while watching the final minutes of his new favorite show, "Living Zombies." . He tossed a pillow at his sixteen-year-old sister who sat curled up with a book on the sofa. “Man, this show is fantastic, Izzy. You should watch it. There’s this Gleaner who can bring zombies back to life.” . “He might raise zombies, but I know someone who will raise us from the dead.” . As you probably guessed, Izzy meant Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. Three days later, He came back to life again, proving He’s God. Five hundred people saw Him after He rose from the grave. He told His followers He was going to heaven to prepare a place for us so that we’ll be with Him there when we die (John 14:1-3). And, one day, when He returns to make all things new, He will raise us back to life. . But how can we get this forever (or eternal) life? . Eternal life comes from God, the source of life. Death is caused by sin because sin separates us from God—and we all sin (Isaiah 59:2; John 14:6; Romans 3:23). The Bible, God’s Word, tells us that we must trust Jesus alone as our Savior from sin and death. He offers salvation as a gift to us by the power of His resurrection (Romans 10:9; Acts 17:30-31). Many times, when we’re given something, we have to give something back in return, but this gift of life is free (Romans 6:23). . So, the good news is this: if we trust Jesus, He will always be with us, and when we die, it won’t be permanent. We will live with Him forever with resurrected bodies made new by Him. • Deb Gardner Allard . • Because of Jesus, death isn’t permanent. How does this truth affect your view of the future? . • What questions do you have about today’s reading? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could bring those questions to? . • Have more questions about eternal life? Learn more on our "Know Jesus" page. . If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (CSB)
Anyone Out There?
November 25, 2019 • Kevin Zeller • John 1:1–14, Colossians 1:15–20
Even if aliens existed, it wouldn’t matter. . God, the Creator of the entire universe, took on the flesh and nature of a homo sapiens male. He retains this flesh and nature still today, even as He rules all things. . God is one of us. Where does this leave any potential intelligent alien species? Certainly not at the center of attention. Jesus is the focus, along with His people whom He will live with forever (Revelation 21:1-5). He will reign from the earth, the home of our species. That is the message of the gospel, and aliens have no significant part in it. . This way of thinking is foreign to modern people. We know space is vast beyond our comprehension and Earth is a tiny speck swimming in the universe. We are used to thinking of Earth as insignificant. . But cosmic scale does not determine significance. Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, the King of everything. His people on Earth are the center of His focus, His joy, and His love. • Kevin Zeller . • Have you ever thought about the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life? . • How does Jesus’ incarnation (becoming human) affect the way we think about our species? . • How does Christ’s love for us change the way we think about our place in the universe? . So the Word [Jesus] became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14 (NLT)
Fear Not
November 24, 2019 • Abigail Rose • Isaiah 41:8–10, Isaiah 43:1–3, 1 Peter 5:7
What’s your biggest fear? Heights? Spiders? Snakes? Death? Those are the common ones, but there are other fears that are a little too close for comfort. For example, teens (and adults) tend to get bombarded with a lot of social fears. There is so much pressure to have the perfect body, the perfect performance, the perfect “stuff”—or at the very least to look like your life is perfectly put together. There just doesn’t seem to be room for being human. . Society feeds into those fears because the world’s focus is not on pleasing God but on trying to make yourself or others happy. But guess what? Each person has a different idea of what makes them happy, so, ultimately, we’re all struggling with how elusive happiness is—but everyone is too afraid to admit it. And so, out of that fear, we as humans become so focused on superficial happiness that we become afraid of being open and honest with others about the deepest aspects of ourselves (including our fears). . As Christians, we don’t have to be wrapped up in and motivated by fear. God has made us in His image, and He has called us His children (Genesis 1:27; John 1:12). When we put our faith in Jesus, He gives us a new identity: His righteousness (Romans 3:21-22). In that identity, there is no fear—only true satisfaction and joy in knowing our Creator, even when our circumstances are less than happy. . I once read somewhere that the Bible says “do not fear” 365 times. Even if that number isn’t exact, it shows how much God cares about our fears. He knows our deepest thoughts, even before we know how to express them (Romans 8:26-27). He knows why we fear what we fear, and yet the Bible says He “has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). • Abigail Rose . • What are some fears you have, based on society’s pressures? . • What do you think God has to say about those specific fears? . • If you know Jesus, how can you live bravely knowing that God is always with you, even when you are fearful (Matthew 28:20)? . Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
The True Director
November 22, 2019 • Hope Bolinger • John 10:1–16, John 10:27–30, Psalm 86:11
As a shy stage manager for our high school’s production of "Tarzan," I did as I was told. And our assistant director told us to tape the side doors that opened into the aisles so the actors could sneak into the walkways during one scene. Apparently, the monkey costumes made clicking open a door just about impossible. . When I asked the assistant director how to tape the door, she shoved a roll of black electric tape into my hands and said, “Just do it so the actors can open the door without having to click the door handle.” . So, a fellow stage manager and I started taping down the door handle to the knob to make sure it stayed down. Sure, the door opened on its own like it was supposed to, but when the director found us mid-tape, his face harshened to a dark pink. . “What on earth are you doing?” His yell carried in the echoing backstage walls. . “T-taping down the door.” My tongue tripped on a quiver. . “Who told you to do that?” . By now, tears had started to brim. “The assistant director.” . He grabbed the tape out of my hands and jerked his hand to the door. “You’re not supposed to put this tape on metal. The door handle and knob may be stuck together permanently. I was planning to show you the right way to do this tomorrow.” He sighed. “From now on, listen to me, the director, before you make any major decisions.” . Later, it hit me. I often listen to “assistant directors” more than the Director of my life: Jesus. Just like the director in the play knew the right timing and placement of that tape, Jesus knows everything. Even if an assistant director tells me that a lie is the truth, I need to consult and trust the true Director and His Word, the Bible. • Hope Bolinger . • What are some assistant directors in your life that you tend to listen to instead of the Director? How does what they say they line up with what God says in His Word, the Bible? . • The director in today’s reading shared some important truth—but not in a loving way. How is God’s response different when we ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5)? . Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (NKJV)
Purity Problems
November 21, 2019 • Robyn Mulder • 1 Corinthians 6:12–20
Have you ever heard a speaker talk about how important it is to be sexually pure? Maybe they said, “God has someone special in mind for you, so save yourself for that person. You can unwrap the gift of sex with that person on your wedding night, and it will be worth the wait.” . Those ideas are helpful for many teens, keeping them from sinning sexually. But shared without the good news of Jesus, these ideas can be damaging. If someone has sinned sexually, they can experience so much shame from a talk like this that it can be traumatic. They figure, "I’m already damaged, so why even try? Does God even still love me?" . While sexual purity is important, sexual sin is not the ultimate sin. All sin makes us guilty before God, but, through faith in Christ, we can be forgiven of any sin—free from condemnation, loved by God, and covered by Christ’s purity and obedience (Isaiah 61:10; Romans 8:1, 38-39). . In Christ, you are no longer defined by your sins, because they are nailed to the cross; you are a loved child of God (Romans 6:6; 8:12-17). Through the power His Holy Spirit, you can begin to seek to honor Christ in all areas of your life, including through sex (Ezekiel 36:26-27). . And what does that look like? Sex within marriage is God’s plan (Hebrews 13:4). In that context, sex is good and glorifies God. But it’s important that you understand that sex is not what you see in the media. The first time two people are sexually intimate is not the perfect time depicted in movies or books. It’s worth the wait, but getting to know a spouse intimately doesn’t magically happen as soon as someone gets married. Intimacy takes years of work, love, and trust. This is a way that spouses show the love of God to each other (1 Corinthians 13). . Talk to Jesus about all aspects of your future. If it’s His will that you get married, He’ll guide you to the person you’ll grow to love with your heart, mind, soul, and even body. • Robyn Mulder . • Why is it important to remember the good news of Jesus whenever we talk about sex (or any other tough issue)? . • Why can we talk to Jesus about any sin we have committed or have been tempted to commit (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9; 2:1)? . For we know that our old self was crucified with him [Jesus] so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6 (CSB)
Power and Pain
November 20, 2019 • Savannah Coleman • 2 Corinthians 6:3–10
"God won’t give you more than you can handle,” many well-meaning people have said. However when you’re going through that dark night of the soul—such as the death of a loved one, an unexpected diagnosis, or other deep pain—this saying does not ring true. We may start to think, "Why does God allow these hard things we don’t, and may never, understand? Is He even still good?" . Whenever I read the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6, I feel comforted. He endured so many hard things for the sake of Christ, including beatings, prison time, and hunger. Instead of making light of his trials, he acknowledged them for what they were: painful! . But what gave Paul the endurance and the ability to stand up under his troubles? The answer is in verse 7: “The power of God.” He relied on God to give him strength. . As children of God, we belong to Jesus, so we have His power, allowing us to demolish the lies we believe during the hard times: we have the Holy Spirit’s help to take our every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Even though Satan would like to keep us in our place of pain, sorrow, and discouragement, he doesn’t have the final word—because Jesus Christ has defeated sin, suffering, and death through His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-26; 1 Peter 2:22-25). . Perhaps you feel like Paul felt many times, beaten and broken. Be encouraged, for you are not alone. If you know Jesus, He has given you His power and He is with you! • Savannah Coleman . • You or someone you love may be in a place of deep pain and sorrow right now. We live in a broken, sin-filled world. God never promised an easy life, but He did promise that He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20). How does knowing that the God of the universe will never leave or abandon you bring you comfort (Deuteronomy 31:8)? . • Do you ever feel like God doesn’t want to hear about your troubles and your pain? God loves you and wants you to share the good and the ugly, your joys, and even your cries of anger (1 Peter 5:7). What are some things weighing on you that you would like to share with God? . By the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left. 2 Corinthians 6:7 (CSB)