Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Thankfulness

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Have you ever heard of the song “You’re So Vain?”  Basically, it describes a person that thinks everything in the universe revolves around them.  The song really hits close to home for most teenagers…don’t we all think that we deserve what we get?  We deserve to get a cell phone from our parents, a car for our 16th birthdays, all the clothes that we could ever possibly want, and an unlimited supply of money for activities with our friends.

Honestly, isn’t that how society acts?  We are no longer thankful because we think everything we get is coming to us.  No longer does someone stop to tell their parents “thank you” or even to thank God for all of the miracles He has done. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in all things.  If you have a thankful heart, your outlook on life will become more positive.  You will no longer think about yourself, but others.  You will feel better about yourself because you will be helping someone else.  Today, I challenge you to be thankful in all things.  See what can happen because of your grateful attitude.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Nothing but the Lord

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; NOTHING WAS GAINED UNDER THE SUN. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

As humans, everyday we try to find things to do that make us happy. We go shopping and buy clothes that make us feel good. We try to get a ‘cool’ job to make money, and make people jealous. We buy the latest doo hicky out there to show off to all our friends. But at the end of the day does that really make you happy? I remember I saw this sweatshirt at American eagle. It was soo cool looking. So I spent what felt like a zillion dollars on it, but knew it would make me happy because I’d feel all cool in it and stuff (you’ve been there). I wore that thing every chance I got. Now I’ve had that thing for a few months now, and do you know what? Its sitting in my closest and hasn't been worn in I don’t know how long. It pretty much is meaningless to me. Now you're sitting there thinking, "what in the world is this girl getting at?" What I’m trying to show you is that things of this world , that we think we need to make us happy, are really meaningless and cheap. (That sweatshirt wasn’t cheap dollars wise) I’m talking about a different kind of cheap. Nothing can compare to the Lord, and what He does for us. He fills that empty hole in us that nothing we as humans try to fill.

Everything in this world, when it's all said and done, is meaningless, worthless, and valueless. We try to do things on our own, fill our empty lives with pleasures of the moment. But no matter what we try it doesn't work. Our bodies and souls crave Jesus. Thats what we want. We crave him so badly that no matter what we try to do, unless we turn to Him, our craving will not cease. Remember that once your 100 years old all the things you did and bought and earned are meaningless compared to the Lord. So make Him your sweatshirt, wear Him proudly, but don’t let Him fade out, don’t let him become boring to You. Spend time with your Lord and Savior, CREATOR OF THE WORLD, creator of YOU, be the center. Be the thing you value you the most.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A God Sized Assignment

Yet now, be strong Zerubbabel says the Lord; and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the Land and work; for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:4

Do you have an assignment so big that you know on your own you cannot possibly accomplish it?  Are you even second guessing yourself that this may not be for you?  Well, take courage, everything that God calls us to do is way too big for us to do on our own. 

Notice in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29... “For you see your calling brethren, that not may wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

These scriptures should take the pressure off of us.  God knows that we cannot do it on our own.  Or else  we wouldn’t need him.  He chose us because we know we really cannot do it without Him.  He wants us to  depend on Him to strengthen us and help us. 

Remember....If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.  So be strong....and work!

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are saved.  Proverbs 18:10

There may be times when we really need the Lord to solve a problem, fill a need or provide guidance to us.  Often, Christians fail to call upon him when those occasions arise.  As the above verse tells us, we should never be afraid to go to the Lord with problems, answers or comfort.

When the storms of life come crashing in on you, remember that there is someone that you run to and be assured that the outcome will be the one that is best for you. The Lord knows our every need and has the ultimate power to deliver it for us.

Another verse that comes to mind when I think of this one is Proverbs 3:5, which is: :Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, do not lean on your own understanding.  Again in this verse, we are being advised in this verse to not rely on our own strength.

Therefore I encourage you today. never forget to go to the Lord for everything and anything.  The one who is in control of the universe will assuredly take care of every need you have.

[Soldier4Christ]

  God's Interruption

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17

Interruption means to break in on an action or discourse. Jonah was told to go into the great city of Ninevah and preach. Instead of doing what the Lord had told him to do, he made the decision to run from the presence of the Lord and do his own thing. He failed to realize that God is the captain of the ship. Jonah also failed to acknowledge that God is in control and He runs this universe. Jonah couldn’t run or hide from God. God prepared a fish to swallow up Jonah. I believe this was Jonah’s interruption. God changed Jonah’s plans. When he came out of the belly of the fish, he ended up doing what the Lord had told him to do.

Sometimes we fail to understand that we don't control our lives, God does. Each and every one of us was created for a specific purpose and we are to do what God said we must do. We go about making our own plans and doing our own things but our lives are not our own. Some of us could testify of God changing our plans. Sometimes God has to allow certain things to happen in our lives to get our attention. He has to do something to wake us up. Sometimes it could be a break up or a death of a love one. God will do whatever is necessary to get your attention. What does God have to do to get your attention? What does God have to shake up in your life? A better question is: what were you created to do?

We must also realize that we don’t know when our lives will come to an end. We are here to do the Lord’s work and when we have completed our work, we will go home to be with the Lord. It doesn't matter what age you are because when your work here on earth is done, you will go home. Jesus is a good example. He finished his work at the age of 33 and he went home. That's why it is important that we pray and ask God to show us what we are to be doing now. I often wonder what if everyone here right now living was to do what God has created them to do. Will things in the world be different? Would our world be a better place? For some of us God will slow us down. God will cause us to stop for a moment to do some inventory of our lives. God has been sending signs and signals to us to wait or stop because we’re going too fast. You are making all these plans but you are not in charge.

Like I said before, Jesus only live for 33 years old. I wonder what if He had lived to see 100 years. Just think about this for a moment. God already knows the day, time and the hour when you’re going home to be with Him. Shouldn't we do everything in our power to make sure we complete our assignment here on earth? Don't let God have to interrupt your life to get your attention for you to do what you were sent here to do. God bless you all.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Past or Passion?

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV)

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life or wanted to straighten up something in your own life but then thought to yourself “I just can’t do it, I always mess it up.”  Or “I’ve been this way for a long time, I can’t change now.”  You are not alone.  The good news about this is that it’s not true.  These thoughts are an attack from the evil one himself.  The truth is that you can change, as a matter of fact the bible promises that change to us.

Being a person that has a rather “questionable” past, I am prone to thinking that I can never shake it or really make a difference.  I can go to church, or read the bible, or read an inspiring book, or see a “Hallmark” commercial (just kidding about the commercial) and get inspired to make a positive change.  When I get inspired like that, I think to myself “I want to do that, I want to make a difference.”  Then all of a sudden, the next thought that comes rushing in to my head is the memory of my past failures.  Since I’ve been a Christian for a while my past holds both successes and failures, but usually the failures are more predominant.  Why is that?  Because Satan knows that if he reminds me of them, I may listen to him and not make the change I want to make. 

Every time I get into a predicament like this I have a choice.  I can choose to let my past failures hold me down or I can let the passion for change spur me on to reach the goal.  Since God is the one who gave me the passion for the change in the first place what do you think He wants me to do?  The events that follow are determined by the choice I make.  If I choose to let my past hold me down then I have one more failure to add to my long list.  If I choose to follow my passion, no matter what Satan tells me, God blesses me.  If God asked me to do something and I do it, He WILL bless me.  He will do the same for you too.

God wants to bless us, Jesus said that He came so that we could have life and have it to the full.  Do you think God wants us laying around worried about our past?  Does that sound like “living life to the full” to you?  It doesn’t to me either. God is calling us to change and grow in Him each and every day. He wants us to make the decision to move in Him.  He gives us a passion to change for Him.  What did you do with the passion God gave you today?  What are you going to do with the passion He gives you tomorrow? Will you choose to let your past hold you down or your passion to spur you on?  I know what God is rooting for.  No matter what Satan tells you, God is rooting for you to press on.  If you are in Him, you will be blessed.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Little Faith

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20
Has everything ever seemed to go wrong all at once?  Maybe you failed you big algebra test, lost your soccer game, and discovered a major zit…all in one day!  Nothing went right all day, so why should you pray about tomorrow?

The other day I was reading the story of the Shunamite woman in II Kings.  This amazing lady was prophesied over by the prophet Elisha and she had a baby boy when she, or at least her husband, was old.  When her baby got older, one day he complained of a headache, and within hours, her little miracle had died.  If it were me, I probably would have sat down right then and cried for hours, but this brave woman prepared herself and went on a journey to see Elisha.  When he saw her coming, he had his servant run and ask her three questions: are you okay, is your husband okay, and is your son okay.  When everything looked terrible for the Shunamite, she was able to say, “It is well,” and because of her great faith, her son was brought back to life.
When nothing seems to be going right in your life, remember that God is still with you.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  Have faith that He will walk with you today.  With God on your side, all things will work together for good in the end.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Greatness in Serving

Yet it shall not be so among you: but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave- Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20: 26-28

How true this  scripture is  and how hard it can be to live up to at times. 

It helps me to  think about little children. Because Jesus said, “Unless you become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3.

Even the youngest of children are happy when they are allowed to help someone. 

Remember when you were  in elementary school and you were  so excited when it was your turn to be the helper for the day or the week?.  You got to do tasks of a servant like cleaning the dry erase board, handing out papers, or picking up the trash  at the end of the day.  Do you remember how special it made you feel?  Why?  Because your teachers  knew that being served is not nearly as rewarding as serving.  Think about it..... Did you get excited when it was another class mate’s turn and they were serving you?.....Me either.

Jesus tells us to serve, there is greatness in serving.  It really is rewarding.  And to hear  Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

So I ask you.....  Are you looking to be served or to serve?

[Soldier4Christ]

  Running Out of Gas

But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength come quickly to help me. Psalm 22:19

If you have a car then you understand what I mean when I say how much of a pain it is when it runs low on gas. Your out running errands, picking up friends, and making your 3rd stop at starbucks for the day. When you look down you see that mocking little gas light pop on. And of course your no where near a gas station. So unless you don’t want to make it home, you better stop. You go out of your way , hit up the gas station , pay 1,000 $ on gas, then head back on home. Have you ever thought about how great it is, that we don’t have to do that every time we go to drive. The next day when your ready to drive again, the gas you put in there the day before is still in there , ready for another day of odd trips.

Do you ever feel like your running out of gas? I know I have. Trials and stresses start to mount up and you wish you could just pull yourself over and fizz out. Life is not easy, I’m sure you can understand that. Maybe you feel like your running out of gas right now. I know the perfect station to stop at. The Lord is the one who is there when we run out of gas in life. He is ready to energize us and give us the strength to wake up everyday and have enough gas for what lies ahead. He doesn’t expect us to live our lives on our own, we weren’t created to either. He is our life source. He will never let us go through more than what we can bear, He is standing right there waiting for you to fill up. Fill up on the Lord, and you will have miles and miles to go.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Wisdom Anyone?

If anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

I learned something new this year when I took a group of youth from my church to summer camp. Now understand, I always learn something at camp but this time I'm still feeling it almost a week later!

You see, things happen when there is a group of teens and time to spare. Somehow, some way, new games are created and usually someone has to test them out to see if they are fun and worth repeating. Well, I can't say I was the first one to volunteer but I forgot my age and thought this new thing looked hilarious....ok, enough excuses! We had mattress wars! Two people are on opposite sides of the room holding a twin size mattress straight up in front of them. When someone yells, "Go!", they run head on into each other like a couple of banchees! It literally felt like I'd been in a car wreck! You know the crazy thing about it all - I didn't stop after the first time! It took me 5 times to finally have enough. Talk about hitting your head against a brick wall!

When I think back on it now, I know it was a stupid decision to participate. I knew I was going to suffer for it physically but I just had to try it. Sounds like a lot of other decisions I've made in my life that have gotten me into trouble. The tempation is so subtle sometimes that you aren't even aware it's pulling you in the wrong direction. I think to myself, "What could possibly go wrong?" HA! Man oh man, if I only had the wisdom of God at those times, I wouldn't be hobbling around right now! If I had only asked God, like the scripture above says, He would have given me the wisdom I needed and I wouldn't be feeling it so much today. If only.....

Got any stupid decisions you've made? It's not too late to learn from them and make better choices tomorrow. Better yet, choose to ask God next time - He gives free advise to those to ask, and amazingly it's always what's best for us!

[Soldier4Christ]

  I Will Let You Come Through If You Let Me

…I will work, and who shall let it?  Isaiah 43:13

My parents and I share a bathroom, so sometimes it gets a little crowded when we are trying to get ready.  That happened the other day as my mom was trying to fix her hair and my dad was trying to get out of her way.  He uttered one sentence that, though not meant to be profound, really stuck with me.  He said, “I will come through if you will let me.”

How many times do we try to do things are own way while God is standing there waiting to come through?  He isn’t pushy and is not going to make us stop what we are doing so that he can move.  He patiently waits until we can no longer do anything else, and then when we step back, he stands up.  God will always come through for us when we let him take control.

Is there a situation in your life that you simply are unable to control?  Today, challenge yourself to give it up into God’s capable hands.   When He takes control, everything else will fall into place.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Of Honor or Dishonor

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 2 Timothy 2:20

This summer my family and I  got to go and visit The Historic Tryon Palace near our hometown.  It was breathtakingly beautiful.  As our guide took us on a tour through each room, I could barely take it all in.  In some rooms my eyes immediately were drawn to the most beautiful, expensive looking things there. Some things were not as noticeable or as eye catching, and so I am sure I missed seeing them or overlooked them to see the  grandeur  things.

As believers we are part of the great house of God.  And as in any house there are vessels that are valuable and some that are not so valuable.

I too(like the beautiful things in that palace), want to be valuable to God, useful for His honor.  What about you? Do you want to be valuable, to be used by God for His honor? 

“Therefor if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

God tells us in 2 Timothy 2: 22-26 just how to become a vessel for honor.

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

I challenge you today, to pursue....that means to go after...righteousness, faith, love and peace.  Stop arguing, avoid foolish disputes, they only cause harm.

Be gentle,  able to teach, and patient, and not with pride or arrogance, but with humility, correcting those who are in opposition, so they may know the truth.

God will equip us for every good work!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Mine

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)

Living the life God intended for us to live means that we put the wants and needs of others ahead of our own.  This is not an easy concept to grasp and it’s even more difficult to live out.  God calls us to empty ourselves for others.  And we need to be doing that very thing.

A couple of days ago I was at my niece’s birthday party to celebrate her turning 4 years old.  It was a Dora the Explorer themed party.  There were Dora plates and napkins, Dora decorations, a Dora cake and Dora wrapping paper.  My niece was busy opening up her presents when an excited kid came to help her and tried to open one of the presents for her.  The following moments were intense, as the air grew thick with hostility.  My niece nudged the other kid away with her elbow and said in a loud voice “MINE”.  There was no questioning to whom those presents belonged. 

It’s in our nature to be selfish and not share our things.  We want to be first, we want to be the best and we want to make sure we are the one to die with the most toys.  We are like the seagulls in the movie “Finding Nemo” whose only sentence is “mine, mine.”  Selfishness seems to be at the root of our nature and is one of the major character defects God begins working on as we begin our journey with Him. 

Selfishness and love are at odds with each other and cannot coexist within a person. As our personality grows more like that of Jesus, our selfishness gives way to love.  This is one of those situations where feelings follow actions.  Once we accomplish the action, the feeling will follow.  We must first make the decision we are going to put the needs and wants of others before our own.  If we make the decision before we get into the situation it won’t be hard to do the right thing in the moment of truth.  Today pray that God will reveal to you the areas of your life that are selfish and ask Him to help you grow out of them.  Make the decision to change them and walk in the footsteps of Christ.  You will find that your true rewards don’t come in the presents that you get, but in the presents that you give up.

[Soldier4Christ]

  No One Around

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:18-19

Do you have issues in life? It would be a lie if you answered that question with a no. Everybody has issues with life. Work, friends, family , school, marriages, whatever it may be I know that you know that you have issues! I know I do. Family and friends are awesome when we go through hard times. They are there to listen and give support. But when issues arise that are within our family and friends, who do we turn to?

God is the only way to find resolve and comfort when problems arise. He has created us and is there when trials come up. I know that when I try to lean on people in my life to see me through my trials, they sometimes let me down. Humans will always let you down, because we’re not perfect. No one on this earth is perfect and no one will ever be. Jesus was only perfect human being to walk this earth. He went through temptations and trials just like we did. He came down to us to know what its like to be human. So when problems arise in our own lives , we cant blame God by saying, "God has never gone what I’ve gone through." Yes He has. And He is there for you to help you. People in this life with say and do things that will hurt you. We need to run to the Lords arms, He will give us comfort and strength to make it through whatever our trial is.

So when your down and out, and feel like no one is around who can help you. Run to the Lord, He is always there to scoop you up and give you joy beyond belief no matter what your going through. HE IS THERE.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Living the Life

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2 8-9

Some of you may remember a song that Steven Curtis Chapman wrote many years ago called "Live the Life."   It was an upbeat song that was a painful reminder that we need to live in such a way that non-Christians would take notice of us.  Allow me to ask you a question.  How does your Christian life look to others?  And when I say this I don't just mean your Christian friends, but especially those who are still a part of the "world".

Christians are to be 'in the world, but not of it' as 1 John 2:15 tells us "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  This verse helps us to truly see that God means business when He tells us to live a pure and righteous Christian life, being separated from the lusts and temptations out there in the world.  It also is a test that is a good indicator of our true position with Christ.

Consider this: if we just behave like everyone else out there, what's different about us?  If this is a lifestyle that you have adopted, perhaps it is time to take a long look in the mirror and see who it really is in there looking back.  When we accepted Christ into our hearts, the Holy Spirit came along for the ride.  The Holy Spirit is the helper indwelling in us that keeps us on the right path.  The Holy Spirit is sort of a "GPS" navigation system for us, similar to those in new automobiles.  He gives us direction to keep our Christian life going in the right place: eternal life.

If you find yourself stepping off the path, or worse, on the wrong one all together, it is time to get some help from the Holy Spirit to redirect you onto the right path again.  My encouragement for you today is this: don't be a slacker Christian.  Live in a way that clearly shows the world at large, who your heart truly belongs to and how important that is for your life.  It might make an eternal difference for just one of your worldly friends.