Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

What are some characteristics of a good father? One who loves his children—not for what they do (or don’t do) but simply because they are his. One who takes the time to listen to and encourage his ch…

As I volunteer at the soup kitchen, I examine their dirty hands. When they each extend their bowls, I wonder, Am I better than those I am serving? No. A voice resonates through my head. “You are both…

Have you ever worried about losing your relationship with God? I used to worry God would give up on me if I wasn’t good enough, and, of course, I was never “good enough.” Then I learned about covena…

Our need for love and appreciation is written deeply into our nature. We want to be seen and accepted by those around us. But, in this broken world, humans are selfish, and human attention is fickle.…

If there’s one thing we can be certain of, it’s that nothing stays the same forever. Moving. Changing schools. Leaving school forever. New friends. New teachers. New challenges. Changes within our …

Jarrod clung to his steed, spurring it faster. Dust thrown by thundering hooves swarmed behind him. His pursuers closed in. Hair on the back of Jarrod’s neck stood on end. He breathed frantic gasps, …

God made a promise to Jacob (also called Israel) to turn his descendants into a great nation and give them a vast land. It was a repeat of the covenant made with his grandfather Abraham, which also i…

How do you react when you meet someone with a disability? People with disabilities are often excluded from activities. People make assumptions about them and avoid them. Even in our Christian circles…

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 kids about Jesus, but I was also terrified I’d say the wr…

The lights flickered off, and a voice wavered over the intercom as rain began pelting the glass dome above my head. “The Atmospheric Observation Center has upgraded the oncoming macro to a category f…

There He was, surrounded by hundreds of people. The crowd was thick, but she knew she had to get to Him. Day after day, for twelve years, her pain and bleeding had continued with no relief. But then…

Everyone has ups and downs in life. My ups have been traveling to Thailand to serve as a short-term missionary and starting a new business. Most recently, my downs have included losing my mother, hav…

“The sheep are too close to the road!” I said to my husband while on our daily walk, which took us past a field where we frequently saw sheep grazing. However, on this day, the green grass near the …

Oh, Lord, My words are jumbled. Prayer is a struggle. Crying out to You— My heart is troubled. Oh, Lord, Am I speaking alone? Are my words lacking sense? Burdened, weighed down— My anxiety is im…

As God’s people in Christ, we are called to bless and serve others through our actions. Why? Because God has been gracious to us. He has given us His love and salvation. As we are empowered by His H…

On the surface, this might seem like an odd story. While in the wilderness, the Israelites complained about the lack of bread and meat. They complained a lot, forgetting how the Lord rescued them fro…

He’s human too— Large birthmark on his face. She’s human too— Legs unable to move. They’re human too— Skin a different color than mine. They’re human too— Language not understandable to me. He’s h…

(Today’s story is an allegory for Proverbs 3:1-6 and 6:20-23) On the morning that I was to set out into the world and seek a trade, my mother gave me a special gift. “This was given to me by my mot…

Have you ever considered the twelve disciples? No, not the pale, scholarly figures from the picture books, but the real men described in the Bible. Some of them were fishermen—sunburned and wind-le…

Have you ever asked God, “Lord, what is your plan for my life?” You’re not alone. Becoming a young adult can be overwhelming, especially with all the unknowns ahead. A woman in the Bible named Hanna…