April 2020
2020
Day 11 - As Far as the East is from the West
April 14, 2020 • Naomi Zylstra • Micah 7:19, 1 John 1:9—2:1
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)
Day 10 - Dead
April 6, 2020 • Emily Tenter • Ephesians 2:1–10
My skin is cold. Though I can’t know for sure how cold—since corpses can’t feel anything. They can’t do anything at all, really. . If I had the ability to touch, I’d feel the icy, rough dirt that holds my stiff body in place. I’d feel the maggots wriggling their muculent bodies around the tips of my fingers, inside my ears, around my mouth, at the corners of my eyes. . If my sense of smell were working, I’d smell the aroma of rotting things decomposing beneath the earth’s surface. . If my tear ducts worked, I might wail as I thought on the fact that I am among them, my body food for the creatures that never see sunlight. . But I can do none of those things. . Because I am dead. . And when a person is dead, that is all they can do. Nothing. . This is my fate. To do nothing. To be nothing. To know nothing. To love nothing. . Until the moment that it isn’t my fate anymore. . Suddenly, the dirt is being pushed away from my body. Gentle hands are brushing the soil from my face, and I feel the warmth of them as they grasp my hands. . I feel them. As I have never been able to feel anything before! . These warm hands that send a blaze of warmth and life flowing up my arms and throughout my body now pull me upward until I’m above the ground. . I squint in the sunlight with eyes that can see! . When my eyes finally adjust to the bright light, I look into the face of the One who pulled me out. The One who has breathed life into my dead body and saved me from a fate of death and nothing. . The Man who smiles back at me wears white robes, free of blemish or spot. On His head is a crown made of the finest metals and precious stones. . This Man is the King. He cares for me. And He has made me alive. • Emily Tenter . • Reread today’s Bible verses. Why is dead the word used to describe us before we know Jesus? . • Our sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). Read Romans 8:10-11 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. How does Jesus’s death and resurrection guarantee that He will bring eternal life to those who have put their trust in Him? . • Have you experienced being made alive by God? Find out more about what this means on our "Know Jesus" page. . But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Ephesians 2:4-5 (CSB)
Day 9 - The Guard
April 12, 2020 • Kevin Zeller • Matthew 28:1–10
"This is ridiculous,” I said, adjusting my helmet while keeping my spear crooked in my arm. “Why do we need all of these soldiers here. The man is dead, isn’t he?” . The guard next to me shrugged. “They say he made lots of noise about rising from the dead. So they are worried about his disciples coming back and stealing the body.” . “Well,” I said, glancing back at the crowd of soldiers gathered outside the small garden tomb, “Good luck to them. It’s all sealed up, and they would have to get through all that.” . I shifted on my feet, wishing for my cot. “Nice morning anyway.” . He grunted, signaling the end of the conversation. . Resentful, I stepped a few paces away. I looked up into the night sky, seeing a few stars remaining, even as the sky was brightening. Strange, one of the stars was moving... . A roar filled the garden, and the earth shook with an impact. I was thrown to the ground, my spear clattering on some stones. It took me a moment to regain my breath, and, when I did, I shrank back against a tree. . A bright figure, completely clad in what looked like glowing robes, was stalking toward the tomb. His footprints left the ground smoking. . The other guards were shrieking, stumbling over each other to get away even as he raised his bright hand, placed it on the stone, and pushed. . The last thing I remember before fainting was the sound of stone ripping. • Kevin Zeller . • How would you have reacted if you had been one of the guards at the tomb? . • Read Romans 8:11-24, 2 Corinthians 5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Revelation 21:1-5. How did Jesus’s resurrection begin the new creation breaking into our world? . He [Jesus] said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” Mark 9:31 (NLT)
Day 8 - Worst Saturday
April 11, 2020 • Kevin Zeller • Luke 24:1–8
It was the worst Saturday ever. . The sun had come up, and the birds were still singing just like any other day. But to Jesus’s disciples, the whole world had been destroyed. Jesus had died on a cross. . The disciples were alive, but their hope was gone. . Of course, their people had felt this sorrow before. Several hundred years earlier, a savage empire had invaded Jerusalem, sacking the city, taking the people captive, and destroying the temple. That day, too, was like the end of the world. . But the prophets had said there would be a restoration. They had said God had promised to save His people from sin and death and restore them to the land. The disciples had thought—had known—that Jesus was the promised King who would restore the kingdom. . All the signs were there. He had performed miracles, spoken and taught with authority, and even raised the dead. . Now He couldn’t do any of those things. What is more, they had lost a friend and the only One who would teach them. Had they misread the signs? Was God angry with them for having followed a false teacher? Or did God even remember His people and His promises? . They didn’t know that the next morning, the story wouldn’t just be continued, but ended. That Jesus would win so unexpectedly and decisively. That He would fulfill all the promises made to His people. That He would do what was literally impossible... and rise from the dead. • Kevin Zeller . • Have you ever felt like your whole world was destroyed? . • What sorts of resurrection promises can you find in the Old Testament of the Bible? . • Read John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15, and 1 Peter 1:3-5. Because of Jesus’s resurrection, what hope do we have as Christians? . For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man [Jesus] will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. Matthew 12:40 (CSB)
Day 7 - Where Is Jesus?
April 13, 2020 • Janise Anderson • John 20:1–18
Where is He? Where is Jesus of Nazareth? Where is our crucified King? We’ve come to mourn Him, to weep and wail. On Friday, we watched Him die. This world bullied Him, beat Him, broke Him. Man drove cruel nails through His hands and feet, Raising Him on a cross of splintered wood. Our Lord could’ve saved Himself— Thousands of angels waited at His command. But He didn’t call them down. Where is our Jesus? Where is our Teacher and Friend— The One we saw die a horrible death? Have you carried Him away from this tomb? Tell me where His body lays—that I may go to Him. He is not here? He is risen? Our King is risen? Jesus Christ lives! Joy and fear overcome me. I tremble at the thought—our Lord vanquished death. He alone is our hope and salvation. Our King is not here. He is risen! • Janise Anderson . • What does the resurrection mean for you personally? . • Why didn’t Jesus save Himself while on the cross? . • How can you share this story of hope with those around you? . He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. Matthew 28:6 (WEB)
Day 5 - The Other Criminal
April 10, 2020 • Mike Hurley • Luke 23:39–43
I’m a people watcher who loves hanging out at restaurants, observing the crowd around me. As people pass by, I wonder who they are and sometimes try to guess their story. I do the same with Bible characters—so many of their stories seem far too incomplete. . There were two criminals crucified at the same time as Jesus, and Luke records their brief interaction. The one who interests me isn’t the one who was promised paradise with Jesus; it’s the other guy. Luke reveals the man was yelling insults at Jesus, quoting the man saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39). . Those were bold words coming from a man on the cusp of death. Clearly, he had heard of Jesus and the rumor of Him being the Messiah. But why hurl insults? His angry comments were so offensive the criminal was rebuked not by Jesus... but by the other criminal. . There is so much we don’t know. The man’s name, crime, background, age, and family are all left unspoken. We assume both criminals died at some point, and most assume one criminal will see Jesus in paradise and the other won’t. . I hold out hope for the angry criminal—hope that he watched the man who received the promise of eternal life in Jesus and had a last-moment change of heart. It could have happened. Such is the nature of salvation. We are saved not by good works but by belief in the work of Christ on the cross. • Mike Hurley . • Is salvation really so simple as trusting in the work of Christ? (Check out our "Know Jesus" page for more information.) . • Why do you think Luke didn’t record any other details about the two criminals? . • Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it important that salvation from sin and death isn’t based on what we do? . For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Day 4 - Crowns
April 8, 2020 • Melissa Yeagle • Matthew 27:29–37
You’ve probably seen costume crowns made of plastic or cheap metal. But a true king’s crown is usually made of the finest metal and jewels. When it’s not on the king’s head, it is locked up under the highest security. Only the king is allowed to wear it. And kings only become kings by birth or by conquest. . Jesus is God’s only Son. God is the King of Kings, and so His Son should be His rightful heir. Yet, even though He is the rightful King of the universe, Jesus came to this earth as a humble baby, never demanding the riches or wealth He deserved. . Jesus was given a crown while He was here on earth... but it was not fancy at all. As Jesus approached His death on the cross, the authorities mocked Him. They had heard that He claimed to be a king, so they gave Him a crown of thorns. When they pressed it into His head, it caused Him to bleed. . A crown is meant to give a king honor, but this crown was meant to mock the King of the universe. They even made a crude sign that said, “King of the Jews” and put it above His head while He died on the cross to take the punishment for sin. . Yet, even as people mocked Him, King Jesus still sacrificed Himself to provide rescue to a world filled with evil and brokenness. . And here’s the amazing part. The humble King who died to beat sin? He came back to life to beat death. As the risen King, He will return someday to live with His people forever. • Melissa Yeagle . • Jesus could have come to earth and demanded to have a crown, palace, and riches right then. Why do you think He didn’t? . • Read Colossians 2:9-15. How is Jesus King by both birth and conquest? . They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his [Jesus’s] head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29 (CSB)
Day 3 - Rooster Crow
April 7, 2020 • Deborah del Villar • Mark 14:66–72
A rooster crowed at the moment of the apostle Peter’s biggest failure. . Let’s back up to a few hours before that awful choice. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus warned His disciples that they would scatter when He was taken from them. . That’s when Peter spoke up: no matter what the others would do, he would not deny Jesus! But Jesus had sad news for Peter. That very night, he would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. . Sure enough, as we read in today’s Bible passage, Peter denied knowing Jesus. But upon hearing the rooster crow and realizing what he had done, Peter wept because he loved Jesus and wanted to be faithful. . Have you had any rooster-crow moments? Times when you were sure you would follow what God’s Word said? Times when a quick decision had to be made, and you made the wrong one? Times when you chose sin over Jesus? Then, when you realized what you had done, you stopped and wept. You mourned a choice that couldn’t be unmade. The rooster was crowing in the background. . But here’s the good news. Jesus loves us and knows our struggles against sin. He has not left us alone. When we trust Him as our Savior and Lord, He wraps us in His righteousness (or sinlessness) (2 Corinthians 5:21). It’s like we have never done anything wrong. God has given us His Word and His Spirit to teach us the way and to empower us to walk in it. . When we are tempted to sin, we can listen to the Holy Spirit, rejecting sin and remembering who we are in Christ (Titus 2:11-14). And when we do sin, we can run to Jesus because we are held in His love and forgiveness—even in our rooster-crow moments (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:9–2:1). • Deborah del Villar . • Read John 21:15-19. After Peter failed, was Jesus done with him? . • Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Hebrews 4:14-16. When we sin or are tempted to sin, who should we run to? . My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. 1 John 2:1 (CSB)
Day 1 - Why Did Jesus Weep?
April 1, 2020 • Susan Grant • John 11:1–44
When I was little, I would talk with God, praying, “God, if you’re really up there, please show me a sign!” . I think my prayer is one that, at one point or another, we all pray. We want to know if God is there. But we also want to know, “Is He here? Does He care about my thoughts and situations?” . In John 11, Jesus’s close friends, Mary and Martha, sent a message asking Jesus to come to their house: their brother, Lazarus, was dying. They sought Jesus’s help and comfort during this difficult time, but Jesus delayed coming. . When Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus was dead, and the sisters asked Jesus why He didn’t prevent this. They wanted to know: “Do you care about us and what happens to us?” . Jesus went to Lazarus’s tomb and wept. He knew He was the Resurrection and the Life, and that, in a few minutes, He would raise Lazarus from the dead. So why did He weep? . The simple answer is Jesus grieves over sin and the hurt it causes—including death. He grieves over the fact that the people He made often reject Him, the only One who can rescue them from all that is broken. When we are hurt by the sin and brokenness in the world, it’s as if Jesus goes to the “tombs” in our lives and weeps along with us. . Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Be encouraged because God has become one of us. God became a human to end sin and the brokenness it causes (John 1:1-14). When our trust is in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, God is here with us even now. He cares deeply about all the details of our lives. And He promises that His people—those who know Him through faith in Christ—will one day dwell with Him forever, free from tears (Revelation 21:1-5). • Susan Grant . • What specific things in your life have you wondered if God really cares about? . • If you knew Jesus weeps over sin and the brokenness it causes, how would this make a difference in your life? . Jesus wept. John 11:35 (CSB)
All I Ever Did
April 30, 2020 • Andrew Stevens
There was something about His eyes, the way He looked at her. It was unsettling. She thought she knew all about men, understood how they thought. But this was different. “Go call your husband,” He said. She hesitated, eyes lowered. “I have no husband.” He nodded. “True. You’ve had five—and the man you live with isn’t one of them.” Her body tensed defiantly. “Since you know so much, prophet, tell me this. Is God’s chosen place of worship here, among my people, or in Jerusalem, where the Jews worship?” Her eyes flashed up to meet His, ready for the judgment and rejection surely waiting. What she saw took her breath away. An intense passion in His eyes matched by words washing over her in love. He said, “The Father is seeking worshipers in spirit and truth.” She heard, “The Father is seeking you.” Her battered heart leapt for joy. It didn’t matter—it never had! What she’d done, where she’d been—her fruitless search for God’s hiding place. He’d been there all along, pursuing her, waiting for her to see Him. Her water pot forgotten, she ran into the city. The words burst out, a testimony that wouldn’t be held back. “Come and see a Man who told me all I ever did!” He knew her past, and He still wanted to give her a future. Jesus gave Himself to save us. There is no greater love, no greater offering to be made. He went to the cross so we could have life with Him. This love, freely given, cannot be earned. But it must be accepted. Jesus knows all you’ve ever done... http://everything...and He loves you and wants you anyway. He loves you just as you are. • Remi Oyedele • Do you believe Jesus loves you just as you are? How did Jesus show His love for us (Romans 5:8)? • Is there anything preventing you from accepting His love? • To learn more about Jesus’ love for you, check out our "Know Jesus" page. Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah? John 4:29 (CSB)
Dealing with Anxiety
April 29, 2020 • Emily Tenter
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)
Nature Time
March 28, 2020 • Andrew Stevens
When I am really stressed out or confused by something happening in my life, I like to be by the water. I will often go somewhere by myself with my Bible and sit on the shore. I like to hear the splish-splash of the waves—the sound relaxes me. I also enjoy watching driftwood ride on the waves toward the shore. By the water is a good place for me to pray and sort out my problems. It helps me to redirect my focus onto Jesus. I feel closer to Him when I admire His creation. It also reminds me that He is in control. Others enjoy talking with God in the middle of the woods. The woods are filled with the sounds of nature—whether it be the sound of rustling trees in the wind, birds singing, or other animals scurrying about. I always count it a blessing when I get to see an animal I rarely see in nature. One time, I was blessed to cross paths with a fox, another time a bald eagle. When I see these special glimpses of God’s creation, it reminds me that God loves me and that He is present and in control. In Christ, I am never alone. He is with me through whatever problem I am facing (Matthew 28:20). • Melissa Yeagle • Read Matthew 6:25-34. God was powerful enough to create the world, and He cares about even the small details of our lives. As Christians, how can remembering these truths help us when we face tough times? How can knowing that Jesus is with us give us comfort? • Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 John 4:9-10. How has Jesus made it possible for us to come to Him with any problems we are facing? Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” 1 Chronicles 16:31 (NKJV)
How Do I Know if I'm Saved?
April 27, 2020 • Emily Tenter
"How can I be sure that I’m saved?” It’s a very common question for Christians of all ages. We pray for God to save us, and we try to do what’s right, but somehow we’re still afraid. What if I died tonight? How do I know I’d go to heaven? What if I went to hell? It’s a scary question but also a really important one—we don’t want to make any mistakes in answering it! God knows we ask it, though, and so He gave us answers: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved ” (Acts 16:31). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). What does it mean to believe in Jesus and call on the name of the Lord? It’s simple to understand. Do you believe Jesus died and rose again? Have you asked Him to take your sin and save you from it? Have you acknowledged that He is Lord of all—including you? If your faith is in Christ alone, you can know you are saved from sin and death (Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:12). Not quite reassured? Here’s one more thing to realize. Jesus died a horrible death so that you could be saved (John 3:16). If someone trusts Him to save them but isn’t saved, then Christ died in vain. He’s not looking for a reason to reject you. God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus has promised to save His people, and we can be assured in that promise (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). God doesn’t want us to live in doubt of our salvation, still afraid of His judgment (Romans 8:1). No, He came to free us from that fear, so that we could live life to the full: seeking Him, following Him, and growing ever closer to Him, knowing that ultimately we’ll live forever with Him and His people (1 John 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). • Christiana Cudworth • Do you think there’s a difference between believing facts about Jesus and believing in Jesus? How do you know which describes you? • What does it mean to know Jesus? (To learn more, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NLT)
Why God Wants You to Ask for Help
April 26, 2020 • Andrew Stevens
Sometimes, it’s hard to share the thoughts and feelings weighing most heavily on our hearts. Maybe we’re struggling with depression, bullying, a parent’s divorce, the death or illness of a loved one, or the sins we are most often tempted by. We might feel embarrassed or ashamed that we feel the way we do. We might worry how others might react. We might even feel like we’re a burden to them when we tell them how we’re feeling. However, God doesn’t want us to suffer alone! He gave us friends, family, teachers, and our church families to help us—in good times and in bad. Aaron supported his brother Moses’ arm when he was too tired to hold his staff up (Exodus 17:10-13). Jonathan protected his friend David from King Saul, who wanted to kill David (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:1-42). As Christians, we are meant to support, challenge, and encourage each other no matter what we face— imitating the Savior we serve (Matthew 28:20; 1 John 4:19). Maybe at church, you feel like you don’t belong. “Nobody knows or understands what I’m going through. I’d better just stay quiet.” But Christians aren’t a bunch of perfect people; they’re a bunch of people who are all in different places in their journeys to be more like Christ. Some might be at a high point in their lives, others at a low point, but everyone will face their own unique struggles sooner or later. You don’t have to be ashamed. In fact, being open about them may encourage someone else to share their burdens too! We bless others when we let them help us. Purpose and special blessing are found in demonstrating the love of Christ as we “share each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Please don’t deny that privilege to those who care about you and want to help you! When we are refreshed and encouraged by the body of Christ, we find new strength to give the same gift of encouragement to others. • Jessica Kleeberger • Do you have any burdens on your heart? If so, list someone you could share them with (a parent or other family member, youth pastor, camp counselor, etc.). • How can you help friends who are going through hard times but are reluctant to ask for help? Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
The Truth Shall Set You Free
April 25, 2020 • Emily Tenter
Have you ever been deceived? Confused, lied to, twisted around, and pulled into a pit of despair? We all have. Deception is one of the enemy’s favorite tactics. The devil is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). He tells us we aren’t good enough—that God couldn’t possibly love us. He uses the world’s voices to shout lies: “Make straight As at school, join every club that will have you, and dress like a model—then you’ll be worth something.” We start to believe these lies and pursue popularity, good grades, and trophies above all else. We forget that true value comes from Jesus, our Creator and the One who has already done everything needed for us to be in relationship with Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). The good news? God’s truth protects us from the devil’s lies. In Ephesians, the apostle Paul uses armor to describe the way that truth protects us: it reminds us of all we have in Jesus. As Christians, we are called to wear “truth like a belt” (Ephesians 6:14). Just like no Roman soldier would go to battle half-dressed, we can’t fight the devil’s lies if we aren’t clothed in God’s truth. The truth of the good news of Jesus is our protection, our shield, and our sword in the midst of any struggle. When we know Jesus, no lie can separate us from God’s immense love for us (Romans 8:38-39). If you know Jesus, talk with Him about lies you’re dealing with. Ask Him to replace the lies with His truth. Trust His Holy Spirit to show you what lies you are believing and to lead you to the truth of God’s Word. Jesus is the One who can drown out the enemy’s lies. • Sharon Rene • What lies do you believe about yourself? Write them down and give them to God. • Can you think of truths from the Bible that refute these lies? • If you can’t find a Bible passage to refute a lie you’re believing, who is a trusted Christian in your life—such as a camp counselor or pastor—who can help you find some verses? You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 (CSB)