Week of February 24th 2025

 

BIBLE VERSE "Lord, You have searched me and known me.”  (Psalms 139:1)

 

Devotion  To be who God designed you to be in a world full of temptation, your own sinful desires, and an enemy who seeks to kill and destroy you is nothing short of a work of God. We are made in the image of God and the Lord knows us. He knows us more than anyone else in the world! Because of that and that we are Christians, we find great joy, comfort and peace. True happiness. However, in our world today, you don’t have to look very far to find people that like to stir up trouble and try to take away our joy that Christ gives us. It’s on the news, in the halls of your school and especially in the comment section on social media…sometimes even in our families.  People lashing out at one another about every subject under the sun. But even though it might feel good to act like this for a few moments, these kinds of behaviors never actually bring any true contentment or joy.  They take it away. And that does not feel very good at all. Remember, joy is a fruit of the Spirit, so it’s related to all the other fruit of the Spirit, like kindness, love and peace. We are to spread joy. Jesus knows us. He really knows us. And because He does, that gives us such joy that we are to spread that around to others. 

 

Do Something  It might make you seem a little strange to others, but this week try to on purpose, be the one in your friend group or school or family setting that spreads joy.  Shine your light. Instead of joining in with gossiping about someone or looking the other way when someone is being bullied, stand up for them. Do something nice for someone. Every little act of kindness matters because it brings peace to those around us, but not only that... it also brings joy to our own hearts too.  It’s a win-win for everyone! And it makes Jesus sooooo happy. 

 

 

Week of March 3rd 2025

 

BIBLE VERSE “…The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”  (Psalm 19:8b NIV)

 

Devotion  This verse helps us understand how we should live. But, the important thing for us to realize about this verse is that the author isn’t focused on following rules because he wants to be “good.”  He knows and is acknowledging that the guidelines the Lord give us bring confidence in Jesus!  And gives light to our eyes!  He doesn’t want to follow them because he’s trying to stay out of trouble.  He’s following them because he knows they will bring him life and peace and Jesus happiness! That is one of the many reasons we are to be obedient.

 

We tend to think of God’s directions like He’s the Principal and we’re trying to stay out of trouble.  Instead of remembering that they are the loving guidance of a caring and kind Father who knows what’s best for us. He disciplines because He loves us. He wants what is best for us. There is so much freedom in obedience. It’s a small shift in mindset, but an extremely significant one!  Because once we are able to look at God’s precepts as David does in the Psalm, they will begin to shine bright to us as well.

 

Do Something  Do God’s commands feel like laws to you?  Or do you see them as the loving direction of your Heavenly Father?  Talk about it with someone. Maybe it was something you were taught when you were young.  Or maybe some of your own experience with earthly authority figures has crept over into your view of God.  Make sure to take some time to share your feelings with the Lord in prayer too.  Remember, He is always there to listen and help. All you have to do is ask!

 

 

Week of March 10th 2025

 

BIBLE VERSE “We love because He first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19 NIV)

 

Devotion Love. That is such a small word with such a big meaning. Holy Week is coming up next month that should remind us most of all of love. Some call Holy Week Easter or Resurrection Weekend. The main thing is that it is all about Jesus. This upcoming time of important remembrance, humbling holiness and victorious celebration helps us grow in our faith and confidence in the Lord. Can we ever even imagine the amount of love that Christ’s mercy of dying on the cross contrasting with each one of us in all our sinful ways? And yet still He loves us and saved us. From death as He traded His life for each one of us who believe and put our faith in Him. That kind of love is like no other. Therefore, we can love because He first loved us. He is our example. Let’s start preparing ourselves for Holy Week and really reflect on the Lord’s love for us and how we should love others.

 

Do Something Take a few minutes to think about how much Jesus loves us and how we can love others. What does that look like for you?  Do you love Jesus? Do you love others well? 

 

 

Week of March 17th 2025

 

BIBLE VERSE  “… for You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”  

(Psalm 63:7b ESV)

 

Devotion  Wow… our dance season has gone by so fast! We have treasured memories… don’t we? It is almost coming to an end. Just one more week. We can hold on to the memories of how God has come through for us before and has always been there for us. Remembering all the times that Jesus has helped us in the past will help us to have hope and confidence that He will do it again.  We can remember our happy times…the joys of our lives. The good times. And remind ourselves that God is good. All the time. 

 

Until our summer camps get here or our dance season starts again, there will be good times for sure. Praise the Lord for that. However, there will be tough times too. And we can praise the Lord in those times as well. The Bible tells us that when Jesus was out on the water with the disciples, there very much were plenty of wind and waves coming at them.  And, He didn’t tell them to pretend they weren’t there.  He just told them not to focus on them and to keep their eyes on Him instead.  And, the same goes for us.  There will be plenty of “waves” that try to come at us and knock us down.  But, by remaining close to Jesus, trusting the Holy Spirit for direction and standing on the truth of God’s word, we not only don’t have to be knocked off our feet by the waves, but we can have confidence to sing and dance for joy right there in the middle of them! 

 

Do Something  Take some time and make a list of all the times God has helped you in the past. Then, review the list anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed and remind yourself that just like all of those other times before, the Lord will come through for you again.  Because He will never leave you then and He’s not about to start now! Good is good, all the time. 

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Week of March 24th 2025

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BIBLE VERSE  “He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved”. (Psalm 62:6)

 

For this week’s devotion, take some time to share in your class what being confident in Christ means to you. How is the Lord YOUR rock? How do you depend on Him? How can you stay strong in this world as you live for Christ? Most importantly, have you given your life to Him? If not, why not right now? If so, how can you grow your relationship with Jesus?