Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

• Palm Trees and Cedars

  READ: PSALMS 1:1-3; 92:12-15; ROMANS 4 Arbor Day has come around again, prompting us to take notice of an important part of God’s creation—trees! It’s good to appreciate all the good things trees provide us with, like clean air, food, wood, beauty, and shade. On a trip I took to southern California, I noticed that even in the desert, palm trees can flourish. As their spindly trunks stretch upward, their green fronds soak up sun rays. And where I live, cedar trees are slow but steady growers, persevering through countless storms that come their way. In fact, Psalm 92 recognizes the strength of these trees, saying that righteous people will flourish and remain steadfast like palm trees and cedars. But what does it mean to be righteous? Righteousness simply means having a right relationship with God, and the Bible is clear about how this works. Romans 4:5 says, “People are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners” (NLT). How amazing is that? When we believe and put our trust in Jesus, who is God the Son, He puts the wrongdoings of our past behind us and welcomes us with open arms. Moreover, as we grow in our relationship with God the Father, our behaviors and actions change. To go back to the previous analogy, we become like trees rooted in God’s goodness. As a result, we begin to bear the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT). In this, the psalmist’s words are fulfilled: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him’” (Psalm 92:12-15, NIV). • Emma Schoessow • We are saved by faith in Jesus’s death and resurrection, not by works. But as we learn to walk with the Holy Spirit, God will lead us to do good works. As Jesus says, “A good tree produces good fruit” (Matthew 7:17, NLT). If we embrace our right relationship with God by spending time in prayer, reading His Word, seeking relationship with His people (the church), and being obedient to His Holy Spirit, we will display the fruit of righteousness through what we do. Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice the ways He is inviting you to pursue His righteousness in your life. (Matthew 6:33) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Psalm 92:12 (NIV) 

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• In Pursuit of Love

  READ: PSALM 18:1-2; MATTHEW 7:24-27; 1 JOHN 4:9-10 When my high school sweetheart broke up with me in college, my whole world turned upside down. He had been my everything: my best friend, my anchor, my fortress, my rock. And suddenly it was all gone. I was devastated, lost, and alone. I kept pursuing him in the hopes that we might get back together. I even followed him to a Christian organization on campus. But instead of getting my boyfriend back, I found someone so much better—Jesus. Little did I know that, as I had been pursuing my ex-boyfriend, Jesus had been pursuing me. Slowly but surely, I began rebuilding my life upon the true Rock, my Savior, Jesus Christ. As I grew in my relationship with Jesus, seeking Him more and more each day, He turned my world right side up again. And now, not only am I married to a man who is a much better match for me, but I can also look back in gratitude at the turn of events that led me to Christ. Therefore, I praise God for His pursuing love, and that He “set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2). Now I know that when my world turns upside down, I will never again be lost. I can cling to Jesus, my Rock. He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God the Father’s love—shown through His Son Jesus Christ and poured into us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5)— continues to pursue us through everything. • Tracy Mikula • God is always pursuing us with steadfast love. He wants to be our best friend, our anchor, our fortress, and our rock. That’s why Jesus came to die on the cross and rise again—to bring us near to God. Can you think of a time you realized God was pursuing you with love? What was that like? You can ask God to open your eyes to His pursuing presence anytime. • An idol is anything—or anyone—that is more important to us than our relationship with God. We all stray into idolatry throughout our lives, but God is eager to forgive and help us. What might be some idols in your life right now? Consider taking some time to talk with God about these. Remember, you can be totally honest with Him about all your questions, frustrations, fears, and doubts. And you can also ask Him for the strength and wisdom to pursue Him first and foremost (Matthew 6:33). This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 (NIV) 

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• Dark Times

  READ: PSALM 139:1-12; ROMANS 8:26-39; HEBREWS 13:5 My heart beats quickly in my chest, and I feel a bit nauseous. Everything feels out of my control again, and I don’t like it. Moments like this come and drag me to a dark place. I feel uncertain. I feel alone. But as my head starts to clear, as I slowly release the anxiety inside of me, I see that it’s all lies. I am not alone now, and in fact, I have never been. Even as I face a new challenge, I have not been abandoned. My God sees me, and He knows the struggles I am going through. He hurts for me when I hurt. He makes a way for me when I don’t see how one could be made. My struggles aren’t mine alone to carry. God will help me through them. He knows what I am starting to panic about, and He is already there to help me. God opens doors that I don’t know exist. He keeps me moving forward when my feet feel unsteady. No matter what I’m getting worked up about, God has my back every time. He sent Jesus to die and rise again to save me. Because I know Him, I am never alone. He always helps me through. God has never abandoned me, and I am so glad to know He will be there for me through all my future problems. Even when I start to go into a dark place, He is with me. • Bethany Acker • What kinds of things have made you feel anxious lately? Consider taking a moment to talk to God and ask Him to remind you of His presence with you and help you see how He is already working to help you. (Romans 8:38-39) • We all feel worried or anxious from time to time. When Jesus returns, He will put an end to everything that is worrisome! But as we wait for that glorious day, sometimes we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But God has so much compassion on us, and one of the ways He wants to help us is through other people. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by fear, stress, or worry, and you don’t know who to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. 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. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (CSB) 

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  4:29
• Heavenly Skies

  READ: PSALM 19:1-6; MATTHEW 27:45-54 The sky is one of the most varied and beautiful parts of God’s creation. In the morning you can see soft pinks and yellows amid golden sunlight as the sun rises up. In the afternoon you can see fluffy white clouds sailing. In the first part of the evening there are bold reds, oranges, purples, pinks, and blues while the sun is going down. After the sun has set you can see the moon suspended against a dark blue backdrop, sprinkled with twinkling stars. Incredible, isn’t it? Psalm 19:1 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The word proclaim means to declare publicly, make plain, or affirm. The sky is just one of the many things in creation that show us there is a God. When we look at the sky, we can see that there is a Creator. And when we read His Word, we discover this same Creator is still in control and actively working in our lives. He even became one of us and died for us! He loves us completely, eternally. The sky helped convince people that Jesus was the Son of God on the day He was crucified for our sins. The Gospel writers record the sky turning dark in the middle of the day (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44). Then, when Jesus breathed His last, the earth quaked, the rocks split, and even the tombs broke open! When the Roman centurion and the soldiers who were guarding Jesus’s cross saw all this, they exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). So the next time you see a sunset, a sunrise, or a sky full of stars, think of our Creator. Because that’s who they’re trying to tell you about. • Morgan A. Mitchell • What is your favorite kind of sky? Have you ever thought about the fact that the same God who created the sky also created you—and He loves you so much that He was willing to die a horrible death on the cross for you? Consider taking a moment to ponder this and praise Him for His unfathomable power, beauty, and mercy. • Jesus is both fully human and fully God—all things were made through Him, and when He walked on earth, creation recognized Him as the Creator. He rose from the dead, and He promised to return one day and renew the heavens and the earth. Hallelujah! If you want to dig deeper, read Luke 8:22-25; 19:40; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Revelation 21:1-5. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) 

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  4:23
• Dealing with Doubt

  READ: MATTHEW 28:16-20; JOHN 20:19-31; 1 PETER 1:5-9 Doubt can be so sneaky. It could be that our whole lives we feel like we’ve had rock solid faith, and then one day we find ourselves asking, “Is God real?” For anyone experiencing doubt today, this week, or even years from now, I have some great news. God is big enough for you to explore your doubts and questions. If He wasn’t, He wouldn’t be God. You don’t need to shy away from your doubts, you can bring them to God. Go ahead and ask Him all the questions you’re wondering and all the doubts you’re having: “God, why does the church hurt people sometimes? God, why do people claim to be Christians, yet disregard the people who you created and love? God, why can’t I see, hear, or feel you when other people say they do?” These are all questions I’ve brought to God. And if you’re having any similar questions, there are many ways to bring these to God. One way to explore doubts is to bring them to a pastor or trusted Christian advisor. Someone who is deeply familiar with Scripture may be able to help answer your questions. You can also dive into Scripture for yourself. When the disciple Thomas had doubts about Jesus’s resurrection, Jesus invited him to come and see that He was for real. What happened was, after Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb, “the disciples were meeting behind locked doors” (John 20:19). Suddenly, Jesus came and stood among them, showing them that He had risen from the dead! But Thomas wasn’t there. So, when the other disciples told Thomas they’d seen Jesus, Thomas didn’t believe it. But then, Jesus appeared again and said to Thomas, “Look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side” (verse 27). Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28). When Thomas questioned if Jesus had really come back to life, Jesus didn’t shy away from his questions. Instead, Jesus invited Thomas to come close, to see and feel with his own eyes and hands that Jesus had risen bodily from the grave. In the same way, God is big enough to handle our doubts and questions. He invites us to come close to receive answers—and to experience His goodness for ourselves. • Naomi Zylstra • Have you experienced doubts in your faith recently? What have they been about? Consider taking some time to bring these to Jesus. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can be honest with about your questions, frustrations, and fears? “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NLT)

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