Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

Today’s Bible passage is one of my favorite parts of Scripture, and, if I’m being honest, one that I struggle with the most. In this passage, most of Israel had just been taken captive by the Babylon…

Sin eats a hole in our hearts when we carry it around with us. It turns us into shame-filled, secret-laden people holding on to things Jesus died to save us from. We feel unworthy, unloved, and utter…

How can I serve in God’s kingdom? Often, we as teenagers shy away from this question. We say things like, Well, I’m too young or I’m just not strong enough. But do these excuses hold up? After all,…

We fight battles every day. And not just in the Twittersphere. Perhaps your parents are going through a divorce. Or someone at school is bullying you. Maybe you are worried about getting into colle…

I looked up at the enormous shimmering gates guarding a city of wonders: streets lined with mansions, rivers of crystal water, and a peaceful people ruled by a just and powerful king. But no person …

You’re halfway through the story, and the heroes are stuck. Nothing is working, and the enemies are closing in. You don’t see any way of escape. But, somehow, things turn out okay. Maybe a sudden tur…

What’s your favorite fruit? How about a juicy Georgia peach, a cluster of green grapes, or some fresh-picked strawberries? (I like my strawberries dipped in chocolate, thank you!) Think about where…

When I was thirteen, my parents divorced. My mom had to work two jobs to provide for us, so our time together was special, but limited. Eventually, we had to move so Mom could find a better Job When…

Do you have cousins? I have several cousins on my mom’s side, and they are all about the same age as me. I didn’t see them much as I grew up because I didn’t live near any of them. By contrast, some …

Whoever said, Time heals all wounds must not have been referring to grief. Grief ebbs and flows like the tide, ever changing and yet constant. Grief remains as the months and years pass by. Some days…

Ask any athlete at any level, and he or she can discuss the value of homefield advantage. Cheering, screaming, clapping, frenzied fans make a difference to athletes. Yankee Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium…

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? We talk about it all the time, but why does it even matter? It matters because being made in the image of God defines three things about us: who we a…

The fleet of war machines hurtled through the air toward the city. The leader smiled fiercely, hands on the controls of his ship. This is the greatest military power in the history of humanity, he sa…

Did you grow up playing I Spy? It’s a great game to play on long car rides. Because the hardest part of long car rides is the waiting till you get there. Waiting is never fun. As Christians, we have …

Have mercy on me, O God. For I have sinned against You. Will you rip up the rage Within my heart of dirt, And plant in its place love, The nutrient of ruined earth? Against You, against Your image-be…

When you know someone well, you generally know how they will act: your dog is going to eat any food that hits the floor, your teacher will stand in front of the class to teach, etc. But what if your …

Did you know that all birds do not eat the same kind of bird food? Some birds don’t even eat birdseed! Woodpeckers prefer to eat suet cakes as opposed to plain birdseed. Finches don’t like plain bird…

Abidan stretched, looking toward the sun. It was setting, so he left the field and approached the house. He stopped, listening. That sounds like a party, he thought, waving over Baanah the servant. W…

Have you ever felt like you had to work to get people to like you? School, church, homeschool co-op, workanywhere you go there are expectations to act a certain way, to say certain things, to not do …

People are more important than things. It sounds so obvious, and yet we often forget this important tRuth This is where hospitality comes in. Hospitality, essentially, is acting as though the people …