Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

Ever since I learned to walk, I have had a tendency to look everywhere—except where I am going. And this has caused a lot of bumping into things and other mishaps. It’s no wonder that as I was grow…

Moses, David, and Paul. When you read these names, do you think of them as great biblical leaders? How about as misfits? The amazing truth is, they were both. While they accomplished incredible thing…

Some rules are made to be broken. Even reading the Ten Commandments sends a shiver of intimidation down our necks, mixed, perhaps, with something darker. The laws God gave to Moses on the mountain a…

I want to be closer to You. I want to feel You when I breathe— Feel You in all that I do, Know that You’ll never leave. I want my life to be about You— Put Your wants over mine, Always do as You wo…

You know those days when you are overloaded with homework, you get bad news, and you feel rejected by others? It’s so easy in those moments to rely on doubts to shape our mindset rather than faith.…

God loves you. If you’ve grown up in church, you’ve probably heard that a thousand times (I hope!), but it is always worth repeating. So what does it mean that God loves us? To get the most accurate…

Over and over again, Scripture condemns the worship of idols. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, struggled with idolatry. Even though they repeatedly witnessed God’s power and saw Him work mightily…

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? Afte…

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 d…

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…