Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens
Unlocked is a daily teen devotional centered on God's Word. Each day's devotion—whether fiction, poetry, or essay—asks how Jesus and what He did affect today's topic. With devotions read by hosts Natalie and Dylan, and questions designed to encourage discussion and a deeper walk with Christ, Unlocked invites teens to engage with the Bible and submit their own devotional pieces.
Episodes
Jesus, Take the Wheel
READ: PSALM 139:23-24; ROMANS 8:15, 28-39; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9; HEBREWS 13:5-6
Exactly one month after receiving my driver’s license, I got into a car accident. Though I was thankful to walk away without serious injuries, this event shook me. I had never been in such a dangerous situation before, especially one in which I was at fault. It took six mont
Getting Away with What?
READ: PSALM 139:1-4, 23-24; JEREMIAH 23:23-24; 31:3; HEBREWS 4:12-13
As she related her story, my eyes widened. Our friends laughed. And she congratulated herself. This girl, who I’ll call Kelly, had just told us about a trip to the mall. It sounded like she was describing an adventure as she explained how she tried on a swimsuit in the dressing room
Thankful, Together
READ: PSALMS 92:1-2; 150:1-6; EPHESIANS 5:18-20; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11
It’s easy to be thankful when we really like the gift. Maybe someone gave you just what you wanted, or maybe school is amazing this year—your friends are awesome, classes are great, and learning has been coming easily. In those times, it feels natural to be thankful. But when life
Sharing Your Friends with God
READ: 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-3, 11-12
Do you share your friends with God? You’re probably wondering what that means. You might even think it’s a typo and should read, “Do you share God with your friends?”
While it is important to share Jesus with our friends by telling them about Him, it’s just as important to share our friends with Jesus by praying
Staying the Course
READ: HEBREWS 11:1–12:3
You can’t catch your breath. You feel weak, and you just want to lie down and give up. If life is a race, you’re in last place and the finish line is miles away. Should you even try to keep going?
Many people who’ve gone before have felt the same way, and yet somehow they’ve persevered—not just waiting for time to pass, but
Running Away
READ: MARK 1:29-39; LUKE 5:1-16
I grabbed a yellow blanket and stormed out into the breezy summer day. I was nine years old and fed up. Fed up with our big family, our small house, and all the frustration with my little brother, who I’ll call Bradley. I’d decided right then to run away from home. The blanket was just an afterthought. As I stomped dow
Belonging to God
READ: PSALM 100:3; ISAIAH 43:1; ROMANS 8:14-17; 12:15
Recently, I participated in a day of service in my college community. There were many service projects to choose from, and I blindly signed up, not knowing where I’d be placed.
“Our group will be serving at a homeless shelter today,” the leader said. “We’re going to split into two groups. Half
The Blame Game
READ: GENESIS 3:1-13; EXODUS 32:19-24; 1 JOHN 1:8–2:1
During a holiday meal, five-year-old me carelessly set down a glass of milk, tipping it over. Immediately, I pointed to my great-grandpa sitting next to me and said, “Frank did it.”
I may be older now, but sometimes that urge to play the Blame Game is still there. It’s nothing new. The Blame Ga
Awkward in Algebra
READ: ISAIAH 44:6-24; 1 JOHN 5:20-21
In ninth grade, I struggled with algebra. As the “smart kid,” I placed a lot of importance on my grades—not just because I wanted to do my best, but because excellent grades gave me a ticket to self-worth. Without academic success, I couldn’t point to anything that made me feel valuable.
One day, Mrs. Russell r
Jesus Is Our Joy
READ: NEHEMIAH 8:1-12; PSALMS 1:1-6; 119:34; LUKE 24:13-35
Sometimes we rush through reading the Bible. We’re too distracted, or we don’t really listen, or we don’t stick with it long enough to understand.
In Nehemiah 8, we see how the people of God responded to hearing His words. God’s law had been lost after their forebears abandoned God—pursuin
Finding Rest
READ: EXODUS 20:8-11; LUKE 5:16; 10:38-42; HEBREWS 4:1-11
“I’m so stressed! I have volleyball practice for two hours after school, homework in every class, and I have to study for my test tomorrow. I won’t get to bed until after midnight!”
We live in a fast-paced world, and we’re asked to make a lot of decisions in the few short years of our teen
When God Provides
READ: EXODUS 16:11-31; JOHN 6:25-40, 58
Have you ever seen worms wriggling around in old food—maybe in a trash can or compost pile? It’s pretty gross! The book of Exodus tells us about a time when people disobeyed God and food grew worms overnight.
Back when the people of Israel were wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they needed food. T
Not Alone
READ: PSALM 139:1-10; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21
Out of habit, her eyes swept the crowded cafeteria, but not one familiar face registered from the blur of morning classes. Starting over was always this way.
Two girls, hovered in a private conversation, ignored Nora as she approached their table.
She dropped her backpack and sighed. She hated moving,
I Carry His Fragrance
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20; 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-17
I never liked my name. The meaning of Sourabhi is sweet fragrance. There were innumerable reasons for not liking my name, but the major ones were: (1) No one could ever pronounce it properly. Every time it was called out, I wished I could disappear. And (2) I constantly ran out of space when writing
You Are There
READ: PSALM 139:7-12; JEREMIAH 29:8-14; ROMANS 8:18-39
Even in the darkest nights When the sun is nowhere to be seen
Even in the hardest fights When hope feels like a distant dream
When I’m struggling to smile Because all I want is to scream
O Lord, You are there And You will comfort me.
Even if my friends and family And church leaders turn away
And eve
Broken to Beautiful
READ: ISAIAH 64:8; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7; 4:5-18; 12:9-10
Another crack! I peered at the inside of my arm, horrified. It began years ago, these fissures that looked like my skin split and was leaking gold. Most of the time, it didn’t hurt, but I was ashamed of how I looked. I tugged my long kimono sleeve down to hide the new imperfection, glancing arou
Perseverance in Prayer
READ: PSALMS 68:5; 145:8-9; LUKE 18:1-8
Have you ever felt like you have lost the heart to pray? It could be for any number of reasons. Jesus knows there are times we may be discouraged from praying, and so He tells a parable in Luke 18 meant to encourage His people to not give up praying.
The first character in this story is a judge. Right away,
Reaching for Heaven: Simeon Stylites & Asceticism
READ: COLOSSIANS 1:13-14, 21-22; 2:2-8, 16-23; 3:5-17; 4:2-6
We’re all faced with the temptation to try to look godly to those around us. We might go to church, volunteer to pray, pray before every meal, refuse to use certain words, and the list could go on. But does a list of actions truly reflect how close we are to God?
Fairly early on in Chris
Hospitality from the Heart
READ: ROMANS 12:9-21; 1 PETER 4:7-11
After a long week of boring classes and demanding homework assignments, I was very excited when the weekend arrived. I was free to enjoy myself, at least for a few hours. I didn’t have any big plans—one of my new college friends was coming over, and we were going to watch an episode of a TV show together.
When
Amazing Earth
READ: GENESIS 1:1-19; PSALM 19:1; COLOSSIANS 1:15-22
Have you ever put together an aquarium? If not, you may be surprised how many requirements have to be met to create an ideal habitat for fish. Some species require fresh water, others salt. Some thrive with companions; others prefer to live alone. Temperature must be adjusted, a bubbler installed,
Tears in the Night
READ: JOSHUA 23:3; PSALM 61:2-4; ISAIAH 54:17
I clutched the blankets over my face to muffle my sobs. I didn’t want my family to hear me crying. We had a good day together, and right now everyone was healthy in our family. But when the lights were out and I lay in bed, my heart was aching, burdened. So I let the tears flow until my body trembled with
A Season for Everything
READ: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-15
I love winter. There’s something about the chill in the air, the freshness I feel when I step outside, and the way everything feels still for a moment. But right now, we’re just starting to enter fall and honestly this past summer felt like it would never end. It was long, hot, and it just kept going.
And I think we can a
How to Handle Temptation
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13; HEBREWS 4:14-16; JAMES 1:12-18
Do you ever just feel overwhelmed by temptation? Our world is packed with opportunities to sin. Temptation seems to be around every corner. Each day, when we look at our phones or go to school or even just spend time alone with our thoughts, we can be faced with jealousy, greed, lust, and so m
The Bible's Songbook
READ: PSALM 46; EPHESIANS 5:19
Music is one of the best parts of life. People have been making music since all the way back in Genesis, and every culture since then has created new rhythms and melodies. We memorize our favorite lyrics, get songs stuck in our heads, and sometimes even make playlists to be the soundtracks of our lives.
The book of P
Still with Me?
READ: MATTHEW 6:6-13, 25-34; ROMANS 8:18-39
I have recently experienced the joy of having prayer after prayer answered with a “yes.” It feels wonderful to know God is listening as I cry out to Him—and He cares enough to give me the things I ask for. But what about those times when we pray and pray and never get the response we’re hoping for?
When
Second Chances
READ: JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 8:1-17, 32-39; HEBREWS 4:14-16
I attend a Bible study with women who are older (and wiser) than I am. Sometimes their stories surprise me. One of these women, who I’ll call Larissa, recently shared a memory from years ago. While at university, she needed a white dress to wear for a ceremony. Since she didn’t have one, she d
Discernment and Courage
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-8; PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11
After months of training, I was ready to run my first 5K. I invited someone I’ll call Flora to race too. She liked to run and agreed to join me. I looked forward to challenging myself and spending time with Flora. Back then, I mentored young women in their faith in Christ. Flora had joined my Bible study
What About Romantic Relationships? (Part 2)
READ: EPHESIANS 5
Did you know that God-honoring romantic relationships can be a great place to learn more about God’s love? In my own life, God has used my relationship with my fiancé to teach me more about my relationship with Him.
First, when I consider how much my fiancé and I love each other, I’m reminded of how much more God loves both of us
What About Singleness? (Part 1)
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:7-9, 25-40
Some of you need to hear this. It’s okay to be single. No really. You do not need to be dating or married to be whole. Wholeness is found in Christ Jesus alone—not through a romantic partner. Our relationship with God is where we find fullness of life and meaning (John 10:10).
Yet, in our broken world, many people
From Scrolling to Thanking
READ: JEREMIAH 29:8-14; JOHN 21:20-22; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:12; GALATIANS 6:4
Ever been online scrolling, watching your friends and other people you follow as they share their vacations, adventures, accomplishments, funny stories…and you just ended up feeling like your own life was on hold? Let me tell you something: you’re not alone! Comparison steals y
I'd Like Some Faith with a Side of Certainty!
READ: ROMANS 10:11-17; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
I was born legally blind. Usually I can see enough to get by, but if I have to find a classroom where the room number is posted above the door, I can’t see it. When the church puts the words to the chorus on the big screen up front, I can’t see it. If I’m in a restaurant where the menu is hanging behind the co
The Treasure
READ: MATTHEW 13:44-46; JOHN 10:10; PHILIPPIANS 3:7-9, 19-21
Kellen crossed his arms and shook his head as smoke engulfed his one-man transport. He turned away and stepped off the tracks that connected the two largest cities in the world. This delay would cost him. Negotiators were expecting him in the northern city within the hour.
The railway cu
Tandem Life
READ: JOHN 10:27-30; 14:16-17, 26; 15:4-10; 1 CORINTHIANS 6:17
Have you ever wanted to go skydiving? The thrill! The exhilaration! The absolute terror?!
If you’re not quite daring enough to jump from a plane with nothing but a parachute, you could try tandem skydiving instead. This much safer option means you’re connected to a harness, which is at
Jesus Wept
READ: JOHN 11:1-44; 14:16-18; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-5
Do you know the shortest verse in the Bible? It’s John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” It has only two words, and yet it’s so profound.
A few years ago, my brother died suddenly. It was a big blow to me and my family. I asked God many questions. Why did He not save my brother? Why did He allow it to happen? D
Wonderful or Disgusting?
READ: PSALM 103:12; EPHESIANS 2:8-10; 1 JOHN 1:8–2:1; 3:1-2
Sometimes I hate myself. I look at the people around me and wonder how they look so put together, so beautiful, so confident. My jeans don’t fit right, and my jacket is warm instead of trendy. I feel unremarkable and worthless. I want to disappear into the wall.
But sometimes I love mysel
Uninvited
READ: ESTHER 2:5–4:17
If she did not act, they would all perish. You are uninvited. The threat tormented her, stealing her breath—and her confidence with it. To go before the king uninvited is a death sentence.
Esther reached the ornate doors of the throne room and stopped. One more step would bring her before her husband, the king of Persia, and
Why Am I Angry?
READ: EPHESIANS 4:20-32
We deal with anger for a number of different reasons. We get angry at ourselves when we fail. We get angry when we see others being treated in an unjust way. We get angry when the people in our lives hurt us.
The Bible doesn’t call the feeling of anger a sin, but it does say we shouldn’t sin because of our anger (Ephesians
Worthwhile Work
READ: GENESIS 1:26–2:15; 3:17-19; EPHESIANS 2:10; 4:28
In a certain season of my life, I felt bored. I had mundane chores to perform each day. But simply being “busy” didn’t feel satisfying. I wanted something significant.
I shared my longings with my mom; then she shared her idea. Over the years, our family had saved up multiple boxes of photogra
Does Anyone Understand?
READ: PSALM 139
Have you ever wondered why your life has taken the twists and turns it has? Sometimes our circumstances and disappointments leave us feeling frustrated, and it can feel like the people around us don’t really get what we’re going through.
Feeling misunderstood, lost, and alone are all terrible parts of living in a broken world—but,
Blessed?
READ: EPHESIANS 1:3-14
We see the word blessed thrown around on the internet and t-shirts, but what does it really mean to be blessed?
By definition, bless is a verb. It’s an action someone takes to give something to someone else. I could just brag about my awesome family, my best friends, or my new shoes, but saying I’m “blessed” implies that som
Love Your Enemies?
READ: MATTHEW 5:43-48; LUKE 6:27-28; ROMANS 12:9-21
Ordinary students—like me—kept to themselves in order to avoid fists or knives. Paralyzed by fear, teachers ignored bullying because it was dangerous to interfere. Only blood and severe violence forced school administrators to act.
Why was I singled out? I didn’t know. For some reason, the gang l
God's Guidance
READ: PSALM 32:8; PROVERBS 3:5-6; ISAIAH 30:21
Life is full of choices—big and small. Sometimes we feel confident about what to do, but other times we’re unsure which path to take. Thankfully, God invites us to trust Him for guidance. All throughout the Bible, we find His invitations. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us
From Jonah to Jesus
READ: JONAH 1–4
When you think of the prophet Jonah, what comes to mind? Getting swallowed by a huge fish? Running from God? A certain movie with talking vegetables? What you might not know is how the story of Jonah points us toward the gospel. Although Jonah is known for his reluctance to preach to the people in Nineveh, his story still shows God’s
Anchored in the Storm
READ: MARK 4:35-41; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-13
Life can feel like a storm—friendships changing, family struggles, church drama, schoolwork piling up, or just general uncertainty about the future can all send us reeling. Anxiety often sneaks in when we don’t know what’s coming next. But Jesus offers us something the world can’t: peace that goes beyond underst
Last Words
READ: JOHN 19
If you search “famous last words,” you’ll read the final thoughts of a variety of people throughout history— thoughts that range from sad to crass to funny to hopeful.
Jesus has seven recorded statements from the cross, but His final statement summarizes His saving work: with His last breath, Jesus announces, “It is finished” (John 1
Throw off the Chains of Guilt
READ: PSALM 103:8-12; MICAH 7:18-19; ROMANS 8:1-4
When I was a freshman in high school, I messed up. I lied and misused my parents’ trust—and I got caught. The broken relationship with my parents (as well as losing my privileges) hurt, and I beat myself up about it for a long time. I had sleepless nights and bouts of sobbing because I couldn’t believ
I Judged Them—Then I Remembered Me
READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13; MATTHEW 7:1-5; COLOSSIANS 3:12
I was recently talking with my son about a person I didn’t know very well, so my son pulled up the person’s Instagram. I instantly had a thought I’m not proud of. Their clothes were a little messy. They looked a little wild and like they didn’t care. I was looking at their hair color and their fa
There You Stood
READ: PSALMS 23:1-6; 119:103-105
Looking back I see the good Every move There You stood
Lessons learned Step by step Every day In Your love, I’m kept
As I move Through life’s highs and lows You are there Tell me where to go
I trust in You To lead me on You’ll do it well Until the very end • Bethany Acker
• As you look back on your life, can you see any
Burned
READ: JUDGES 17:1-6; PROVERBS 3:5-6; ISAIAH 5:13-21; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-13
Growing up in the country, I spent lots of time running around barefoot. So when we needed to rush one day to get to a soccer game for my family member, Eli, I jumped barefoot into our minivan. Once we arrived at the park where Eli played, I followed my family across several fi
Not Living for Ourselves Alone
READ: ROMANS 14; 1 CORINTHIANS 8:9-13; 13:4-7; GALATIANS 5:13
We live in a world that often says, “Do whatever makes you happy.” But in Romans 14:21, Paul says something else.
He’s writing to Christians in Rome who were arguing about food, drink, and other personal choices. Some felt free to eat anything; others believed certain foods were wrong.
Dead No Longer
READ: EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 3:19
Around me the scuff of thousands of feet scrapes over asphalt. A mob of the dead overtaking another city. Our leader is our hunger. Our need to make everything we encounter just like us.
In my path is a dandelion that had been growing through a crack in the concrete. It lies flat and trampled by the hundreds who walk a
A Song in Your Heart
READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:31-33; PSALM 59:16; ISAIAH 49:13
Today may be a day you woke up and looked out at the world around you and wanted no more of it. Life could feel crushing, unfair, as though it’s falling apart. You may think you’re completely alone. But take heart, you’re not alone.
People may have failed you, or they may not know how to give
What Is Communion?
READ: EXODUS 12:17; 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26; REVELATION 19:6-9
Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist) is deeply meaningful for Christians. This simple act of eating bread and drinking wine or juice reminds us of how God loves us so much that He has worked over and over again to bring us to Himself. And in Communion, we anticipate h
Pure Milk
READ: PSALM 119:97-104; JOHN 1:1-5; 20:31; 1 PETER 2:2-3
I love milk. A tall, cold glass of milk when I’m thirsty…a bowl of cereal…ice cream, cheese, yogurt. I’m in love with all of it.
So I thought I understood 1 Peter 2:2: “Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation.” I wanted to lov
Hamster Wheel Grind
READ: MATTHEW 6:9-13; 28:19-20; ROMANS 12:2; 1 JOHN 2:17
Rat race. Hamster wheel. Grind.
Eat, sleep, work, Repeat. This is on my mind.
Lost in the mundane. Stuck in the chaos. A purpose will I find?
Empty. Hollow. In frustration, I sigh.
Your light. Your leading. Into the daily, it shines.
Your will, Your way, My life, forever entwined.
It’s easy to get
Following the One Who Heals
READ: JOHN 5:1-11; ACTS 5:29
“Stop. You can’t do that.” “Don’t do that, you’re embarrassing yourself.” “Come on, it’ll be fine.” We’ve all heard messages like these at some point. The people around us often have an idea of how they think we should be living. So who should we listen to?
In John 5, Jesus takes the time to heal a man who was unable t
Joseph Scriven: What a Friend
READ: PROVERBS 18:24; JOHN 15:9-17
Sometimes, when we walk through dark valleys, we can more fully grasp just how faithful a friend the Son of God is to frail humanity. Joseph Scriven left his mark on the church after tragedy had left its mark on his life.
Born in Ireland in 1819, Joseph loved the Lord and was full of aspiration. He was engaged to
God Is with You When You Fear
READ: PSALM 94:16-19; MATTHEW 11:28-30; ROMANS 8:38-39; 1 PETER 5:7
What makes you worry? Some people fear being in crowds—afraid that something bad will happen to them when they’re in a large group of people. It’s understandable. A lot of horrible things happen in our broken world. But is there a peace we can find even when we’re in situations that
Growing in the Lord
READ: GALATIANS 6:1-10; EPHESIANS 4:1-16; HEBREWS 10:23-25
When I was just starting high school, it was tough. I wasn’t getting the grades I wanted to get, there was so much more work than in middle school, and I didn’t fit in very quickly. It was such a hard transition, and I was just so confused.
Why is this so much harder? I wondered. And then
Biblical Errors?
READ: PSALM 119:103-105; LUKE 1:1-4; 2 PETER 1:16-21
Have you ever heard someone say that the Bible is full of errors? Biblical teachings can be tough, which is one reason a lot of people believe the Bible isn’t true. While some biblical claims are genuinely difficult to understand, other supposed errors are easily explained.
Many of these kinds o
Measuring Up
READ: EPHESIANS 1:4-14; 2:4-10; 1 PETER 2:4-10
“You have NO idea how much pressure that is,” Maura said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Along with over forty other students, we’d just gathered for a state scholarship competition. Maura (not her real name) had explained how a previous national winner attended her school. She was expected to uphol
Hidden Keys
READ: PSALM 91; JOHN 1:35-39, 43-46; 4:28-30
Would you give the key to your home to just anyone? Probably not! Usually we guard those spare keys, securing them in hiding places to avoid detection. My spare house key is so cleverly disguised, I’d challenge you to find it. Yet, there are a few people on this planet who know the secret. I can trust them
Dangerous
READ: MATTHEW 16:24-26; 28:16-20; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-11; PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26
Somewhere along the way, I got the idea that Christians should always run toward danger and never be concerned with their own safety. But is that really what the Bible says?
I read Matthew 2 recently, and I was struck by how God called Joseph to respond to a very dangerous
The Writing on the Wall
READ: PSALMS 9:10; 56:3; ACTS 16:22-36; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, 12-13
Jesus, help me, Rowan cried inwardly as he heard the clang of a heavy door close behind him. Arrested for distributing Christian books and Scriptures, my Australian co-worker Rowan was now locked in a Tunisian prison cell in North Africa. He had not been allowed any phone calls, and no
It All Points to You
READ: PSALMS 19:1-6, 14; 103:12
I feel it in the warmth of the sun on my face, A gentle reminder of Your love and Your grace. I hear it in the whipping wind, Your removal and forgiveness of my sin. The air around me that is fresh and new, It reminds me I can be washed clean of my wrongs too. The chirping birds, the buzzing bee, Remind me You always take
The Whole World in His Hands
READ: ROMANS 8:18-25, 38-39; REVELATION 1:13-16
Yuna spent her lonely days peering through her lens, gazing upon the planet that was no longer her home. The shuttle that she now considered home orbited the planet ceaselessly. Since she was stationed there, she’d been capturing images of the planet’s surface through the tele lens. With each orbit, she
Knot Enough
READ: PSALMS 16:11; 63:1-8; JEREMIAH 2:5-13; JOHN 10:10
Growing up, I admired my mom’s ability to sew everything from Christmas decorations to Easter dresses. I wanted to develop those skills too. One aspect of sewing I learned the hard way was that I needed to tie a knot at the end of my thread before I made the first stitch—and ensure the knot was
Out of Style
READ: PROVERBS 18:21; EPHESIANS 4:14-32; JAMES 3:1-18
I grew up wearing lots of hand-me-downs from my aunts, a few friends, and an older cousin. Once, I got a second-hand dress that I felt great wearing. The following Sunday, I showed up at church in it feeling polished and put together. Then came the comment—from someone I’ll call Bonnie. Bonnie com
Seeing the Face of God
READ: GENESIS 27:41-45; 32:3-6; 33:1-11; ROMANS 5:6-11
The story of Jacob and Esau is a roller coaster. These twin brothers started fighting before they were even born (Genesis 25:21-23). Jacob’s name can be translated “trickster,” and he lived up to it. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright (the unique privileges Esau had as the firstborn) and later tricked
Grow the Habit and Come to Love It
READ: PSALM 119:97-104
I used to read my Bible because I felt like it was something I was supposed to do. I thought I had to read a chapter a day, minimum, and that’s usually what I did. I read one chapter at the end of the day and left it at that.
In recent years, though, I’ve completed a number of different Bible reading plans using an app on my
Entrust It to God
READ: PROVERBS 3:1-8; MATTHEW 11:28-30; JAMES 1:5
When I try to figure my life out, that’s when it tends to feel the most overwhelming and confusing. When I entrust it to God, that’s when I have peace.
When I try to think too far into the future, I feel uncertain. When I look to God to lead me step by step, I feel much better.
God is a great pl
Old Potatoes
READ: ISAIAH 55:9; ROMANS 8:28-39; 11:33-36
“I’m not going to make you take out any stinky potatoes this time.” My grandma laughed as my sisters and I entered her house to help with some chores. I smiled. I was okay with the smelly task we’d done before—and all the jokes that had come from it.
Growing up, I would join my siblings in helping my gra
Shining in the Darkness
READ: PSALM 27:1; JOHN 1:1-5; 8:12; 16:33; COLOSSIANS 1:11-22
How do you detect a fake? The best way to spot counterfeits is to be intimately familiar with the real thing. Based on this idea, the United States government offers an online currency education program so the public can study the security features of various bills. The better acquainted a
Surrender
READ: PSALM 46; MATTHEW 11:28-30
Holding, grasping tightly, Hands clenched, Heart clenched, Tightly.
Out of fear, mistrust. Must not lose what I worked to get. Earned? Or received?
Too tight, can hardly breathe, I need to exhale, need to breathe. Need.
Stuffed up, stopped up, Losing it all anyway. So, I pry my fingers away, One by one, loosening up. Ope
Scared but Willing
READ: MATTHEW 28:18-20; LUKE 12:11-12; 1 PETER 3:15-18
Recently, I volunteered to help teach at my church’s weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS). I was super excited to have an opportunity to tell these kids about Jesus, but I was also terrified I’d say the wrong thing.
So I prayed as I practiced my lessons every day before I taught.
Even thoug
Walking in Darkness?
READ: MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15-16; 1 JOHN 1:5-7
Every night, after darkness falls, my sister and I don headlamps and head outside to close up our family’s chicken coop for the night. It’s a mundane daily task…but it turns out God loves speaking profound truth through our everyday routines.
As we were going out one day, I pushed the button
Never Alone
READ: JOSHUA 1:9; ISAIAH 41:10; JOHN 14:16-20; ROMANS 8:35-39
“Bye!” I called to my parents. As they walked down the hall to leave, I ducked into the college dorm room where I would live for the next five days.
At the end of seventh grade, I tried out for drum major of my middle school marching band. After our band director chose me for the positi
Small Asks
READ: PSALM 55:17; PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; COLOSSIANS 4:2
Have you ever chosen not to pray about something because it felt too small, too unimportant to talk to the God of the universe about? You’re not alone. We all have.
Yet, the Bible tells us to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). What does that look like? Well, think about it this way. If I
Christians R Us
READ: ROMANS 10:1-4; EPHESIANS 2:8-10; PHILIPPIANS 3:8-9; HEBREWS 9:14-15
Imagine you’re in a superstore full of what the Bible calls “good works”—all the things you’ve been told you need to be as a Christian. Kind…helpful…loving…always willing to bring potato salad to the church potluck. You’ve been hearing how you need to be these things all your l
The God Who Cries
READ: JOHN 11:1-45
John 11:35 is famous for being the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” We can so easily overlook just how powerful those two words are!
Throughout our lives, we all face times when we don’t understand. Times when sorrow crushes us, and injustice seems to reign. Times when we ask, “Why, God?” and maybe wonder if He’s even
