Devotional Day 22: Letting Others Love You

• Romans 12:9-10 : "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
• 1 Peter 4:8 : "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
• Life shouldn't just be about loving others and loving God, but allowing other people to love you.

     I love how in Romans 12:9-10 it speaks of letting love be genuine. So many times in life we put on a facade of love. We act out what love should be like without really understanding what it means. Sometimes we're just plain afraid of love! We get caught up in this fear of pain so much that we never truly allow people to love us or love them back. The Bible constantly speaks of  a true, pure, honest love. Love is an essential to life! As humans we crave love whether it's from parents or a significant other or your children. When that love is somehow betrayed, we feel like no matter when we love we will be let down. Love is about taking risks though and understanding that there will be disappointing moments, but that doesn't mean that love isn't strong. If someone loves you, let them love you and don't be afraid to love them back.

     In 1 Peter 4:8 it speaks again of an honest love. Don't pretend to love someone just because they tell you they love you. You have to really mean it and feel it inside. A pure love is one like what you feel for God, unconditional. Sometimes it takes getting past our own barriers we've put up inside to feel love rather than fear it. When you do feel love, never run from it. Love is something to be cherished. It's something you appreciate day by day not live through it waiting for something bad to happen. If you always anticipate the bad you'll never appreciate the good until you've lost it. Love wholeheartedly because it's worth it. Let others love you because they're willing to take that risk. Kids, sometimes that means even letting your mom kiss you in front of all your friends or telling her you love her when she drops you off for school!

                                                                       Questions/Application

• What does love mean to you?
• How do you show others love?
• How do you let others love you? 
• If you have a hard time with love, what barriers do you feel you need to overcome? 

Devotional Day 21: Fearing Failure

• Galatians 6:1-2 : "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

• Psalms 73:26 : "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
• Proverbs 24:16 : "Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that's the end of them."
• Failure is inevitable! Sometimes we feel defeated by are failure. What we have to realize is with failure comes strength.

     We all sin at some point! None of us are perfect or guiltless of sin. I like how in Galatians it says if someone fails, if they give in to the sin, then help and encourage them to dig themselves out! It's important that we are there to council people in there times of need. Perhaps you are the one that needs the help! Another thing we have to keep in mind is that failure isn't the end! It may temporarily paralyze us, but it's never the end. Failure is our greatest teacher! It teaches us what not to do and allows us to learn from what mistakes we made in our failure.

     As humans, unfortunately we are highly susceptible to the circumstances in our lives. This especially happens when we feel like we have to handle everything on our own. We fall, we fail, and we have to understand that it's with God's help that we get back up. Failure isn't permanent! Some days we will give in to our human wants and needs. It's those weakest days and moments in which we should lean on Him the most. He wants to be there for you, for everything you go through, and help you through the struggle of failure. God is the one that will open your eyes to the things you must do differently. Just like it says in Proverbs above, even the good fall. It doesn't matter who you are! But you can always get back up, dust yourself off, and move forward. It's those that don't understand the meaning of their failure that are held captive to it. It's those that seek no lessons and no aid from God that will become a prisoner to their failures. We can't fear our failure, only understand and learn from it. Use your failure to better who you are and strengthen that relationship with God.

                                                                     Question/Application

• When was a time that you failed? What did you learn from that failure?
• How can you better rely on God when you fall?
• How did it make you feel when you failed, but overcame it?

Devotional Day 20: Being Equally Yoked

• 2 Corinthians 6:14 : "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
• 2 Timothy 3:5 : "Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
• Proverbs 16:9 : "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
• It's inevitable that we will deal with all kinds of relationships in life. What's important is that we surround ourselves with people that have to same understanding and morals or ideals that we do.

     In 2 Corinthians 6:14 it speaks of not involving yourself with nonbelievers. I think this needs to be explained. In life, it is our Christian duty to witness to those who do not take the opportunity to build a relationship with God. Its important that we reach out to those people. What is also important to realize is that some people do not want to be helped. Someone people are content with their life how it is and have no desire to move forward in Godliness. These are the people 2 Corinthians 6:14 speaks of, in my opinion. It's not those that haven't been helped, it's those that have been shown the opportunity they have and contently turn it down. Those are the type of people that can drag you down in your spiritual walk and your fight for Godliness. No matter how strong of a Christian you are, we all have weak days. Don't intentionally hold yourself down with someone who has no desire to understand what you believe through faith. The best thing you can do for them is pray.

     In 2 Timothy 3:5, I believe it speaks of people that, for lack of a better term, are fake. We're human. We can be fooled and a lot of times we like to give people the benefit of a doubt. In all actuality, sometimes we just have to step back and realize something for what it's really worth. Many times it's the people that are good actors that get to us the most. The feed in to what we hold close to us through our spirituality and relationship to Christ for their own beneficial needs. It's hard to recognize at times. A relationship has to be built on an understanding of one another. Make sure you truly understand someone before you assume all they say is true. Don't be too quick to be infatuated (like me and I'm sure every other teenage girl out there does) with what you see on the outside and what you've been convinced of up front. As harsh as the word "fake" may sound, sadly enough it's true.

     The most important thing to remember is that God has to be part of your relationship in order for it to be successful. You decide what path you take in life, and like the verse says above in Proverbs, "the Lord establishes the steps." God is going to be your main foundation! Your relationship has to be one of understanding and respect. If you are two spiritual leaders through Christ, what can harm you? You have each other there for daily support and to remind you of who your foundation is. Have a relationship based on both of you progressing towards Christ likeness. Have a relationship based on prayer.

                                                                           Questions/Application

• How do you think you can defend yourself against the "fakes"?
• What do you feel most puts God in the center of your relationship?
• How can you and the person your with include God even more in your day to day life?
• What is the best thing you can do for someone that doesn't seem to want help?

Devotional Day 19: Having A Happy Heart

• Proverbs 15: 13 : "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."
• Proverbs 15:30 : "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."
• Job 8:21 : "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting."
• We've all heard that laughter is the best medicine! In a way it is. Having a happy heart helps you make it through tough times and contributes to a healthy Christian life.

     In Proverbs 15:13 it speaks of a happy heart shows, but when you have a heavy heart because of sadness and things like that, it crushes your spirit. It makes you feel weak and hopeless. Sometimes, in our darkest moments, we just want to be sad. That's okay! Sadness isn't a bad thing. There's a time to grieve and times for sadness, but it shouldn't last forever. When we don't want to be sad anymore, when we need something to take our mind off of what's causing the pain, we can turn to laughter! Focus on things in life that make you happy. For example, when I'm having a bad day all I have to do is talk to my mom and brother. They give me the serious talk I need to help sort through my problems, not avoid them. Then they bring me comic relief from the stress I feel. God wants you to be happy and laugh. In His Word it even states that God loves a cheerful giver. 

     Sometimes just looking happy can help other people! Laughter and smiles are contagious! If you feel happy then show it. Your happiness may help others find their own joy. You never know when just smiling at someone when they pass you in the grocery store can change their entire day. That's why i like Proverbs 15:30 so much. It simply states the obvious. When you feel good and show it, it raises spirits, not only yours, but others as well!

     God wants to do things that make you happy! He wants to bless your life with things and surprise you with miracles just to see you smile and fill your heart with warmth. I think that is clearly explained in Job 8:21! He wants to fill your mouth with laughter! He wants to take away your stress and your pain. You just have to let Him do His part, and recognize the hands He puts out for you to take! Blessings don't have to necessarily be supernatural. It can come in the form of financial help or someone new being brought into  your life. God feels joy when we are happy. He loves us and wants us to have a healthy, happy heart.

                                                                        Questions/Application

• What has God given you that makes you happy?
• What has God blessed you with recently that was unexpected?
• Who in your life do you feel is a blessing? Someone that makes you laugh? Makes you happy?

Devotional Day 18: Worship Through Talents

• 1 Peter 4:10 : "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
• Romans 12:6 : "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.."
• Each of us is blessed with our own special talents! God gave us these gifts, so we should honor Him by using them to worship Him.

     In 1 Peter 4:10 it talks about using our gifts to serve one another. Part of worshiping God is trying to be more Christ like which includes compassion and helping each other! We need to use our specific talents to their best capacity to be servants of God. Use your talents to witness and to aid. Like I've stated before, you never know how you can change someone's life. Different things speak to different people! Your talent may speak to someone in ways that other people can't whether it's writing, singing, dancing, and many other things. Recognize your gift and be thankful for it! Appreciate the tools God has given to you to help yourself on your spiritual walk with Christ.

    In Romans 12:6 it simply says that we all have different talents. We should find those talents and use them to the best of our abilities. Understand the depth of what you have been gifted with! You could be a witness, a leader, or an inspiration to someone else without even knowing it. God gave you the gift He knew you could use the best. Show your thankfulness by utilizing that gift!(: For example, I think God has given me the gift to simplify and explain things, the gift of council. I try to use that gift as much as possible for good and show that I appreciate it.

                                                                     Questions/Application

• What gift has God given you?
• How can you use your gift to witness to others?
• Who's gift do you appreciate that you feel speaks to you the most? (Basically, who is an inspiration to you)

Devotional Day 17: Willingness To Die Everyday

• 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 : "And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• Matthew 16:24-25 : "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
• In order to follow Christ down a strong spiritual path we have to die to ourselves everyday. The sinful worldly part of us has to die to be more like Him.

     I like in the verse from Corinthians above how it speaks of dying everyday. It's a bit morbid the way it's said, but still valid none the less. Each day we walk out our doors we take a risk. We take a risk of uncertainty of what will happen in the world around us. We endanger our lives, so why can't we take a risk with our spiritual self? Faith and sacrifice is part of a Christ like walk. We have to sacrifice the things our worldly body thinks we need. Our sinful nature and human wants have to die in order for us to take the spiritual risk in Christ through faith.

     This same message is displayed in Matthew 16:24-25. Jesus tells His disciples to deny themselves if they wish to follow Him. If you sacrifice your spiritual walk with Christ for worldly pleasures then surely your life, your soul, will be lost. Yet, He also says those who would sacrifice the life they live on this earth for Him, just as He did us, shall find their true life through Christ Himself. It's all about taking leaps of faith and sacrificing your contentment for something more. We have to understand that the things we have here, material things, superficial things, and so on, are not eternal. As much as we think we need certain things, we truly don't. As children of God it's important for us to realize our priorities in our needs. The spiritual walk we have with Christ and the faith we hold on to needs to be at the top of the list. 

                                                         Questions/Application

• What material sacrifices do you think you can give in order to strengthen your time with God? (For example: less TV in exchange for quiet time with Him)
• What do you think your response would be if you were asked to sacrifice your life for Christ?

Devotional Day 16: Understanding An Opportunity When It's Given

• Colossians 4:5 : "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
• Galatians 6:10 : "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
• Life is full of opportunities. Some of them are simple. Some of them can alter the path of your entire life. Seize an opportunity when it's given! It may never be there again.

     In Colossians 4:5 it states to be wise in the way you act towards others. This is so true! Everyday you meet, see, and talk to different people. Some of them are complete strangers. Some of them are people you already know pretty well! Each time you talk to someone you have an opportunity to witness or to set an example for a Christ like character. You may have to opportunity to have to biggest impact on someone you just met! Maybe it's something as simple as stopping someone if they look like they are having a bad day or helping someone out with taking their groceries to the car. All of those little opportunities God hands out to you are opportunities to witness and to shine His light. Even the smallest thing can brighten someone's day. Go with what God impresses on your heart to say and do. He knows what's best and will speak through you to help those in need if you let Him.

     Doing good to others not only helps them, but heightens respect you receive from others. They see and know you as a beacon of God's light. They will come to you for guidance, for help, and at that time you can truly speak what God intends for you to. It's all about taking to opportunity when it comes. Don't let something pass you by if you feel the urge to do speak up. Sometimes taking God's opportunities can put us a little outside of our comfort zone! You have to remember that life isn't about just being content. Life is about striving for something more, something deeper, something powerful. Take those opportunities and run with them. You never know where they'll take you or who's life you may change.

                                                                       Questions/Application

• What opportunities has God given you to witness?
• Has anyone every come to you seizing an opportunity for something God impressed on them?
• How do you think you can better strive for more rather than contentment?