Prayer for August 16 #t4jym #TEENS4JESUS #T4J #dailyprayer #prayerwarrior #prayers #neverstoppraying #prayalways #christianyouth #christianteens #Christianlife #christiangrowth

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. This is a great verse. It is very empowering and encouraging for believers. It is a widely used verse and a popular one at that. I know of a few people who have it tattooed on their body and others who quote it any time someone has troubles. But don’t take this verse as a declaration that you can do anything you want. This verse is not a free for all guarantee. It is referring to how we respond to hardship, or in our case this month, anxiety. It is our ability to overcome those struggles and life challenges. Take note of the wording. In this devotion the translation is NIV, but nearly every version is similar in word choice. Stop and take a look at who the verse is about. It isn’t about us. We are able to overcome, but only because God gives us strength. We can do all things through Him, because of Him, and with Him. He is the central theme and ultimate focus. Trust me. I have tried on my own and it doesn’t work. I end up more frustrated in the long run because it is taking too long, it is too hard, it just isn’t working out as planned or how I think it should go… Take the “I” out of the equation. Give it to God and let HIM do it. If it is His will, He will make a way. We are not able to do it ourselves and shouldn’t need to. Yes, we have our share of responsibility, but that responsibility begins and ends with Him leading us. We need to turn to God and trust that He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11) and we need to listen and follow Him (John 10:27; Proverbs 8:32). Are you listening? You can do all things, including letting go of the worries and stress that is causing anxiety, if you seek Him and listen to His guidance. Let Him work in you and through you today. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #DailyBibleVerse

Prayer for August 15 #t4jym #TEENS4JESUS #T4J #dailyprayer #prayerwarrior #prayers #neverstoppraying #prayalways #christianyouth #christianteens #Christianlife #christiangrowth

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. There is nothing more comforting in times of high anxiety than knowing God is with me. Knowing He cares and is there to bring me through the times of uncertainty is encouraging. Though I still tend to worry, I know that He is there and has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). The Israelites had been wandering in the desert for forty years. The entire generation that had been brought out of Egypt had passed and were not entering the Promised Land. Those who would be crossing into this new land had all been born in the wilderness and had never known anything but a life of desert living and wandering. And finally they were being instructed to move forward with the plan God had for them. It had to be frightening for them, especially knowing they were going to have to take the land from established people who inhabited it already. And that meant war. It is no wonder they needed encouragement like that of verse 1:9. Though this verse was a promise from God to Joshua and the Israelites that was meant to encourage them, this promise can also encourage us today. God has a message for us that is as timely today as it was in those early days of conquest. He wants us to be strong and courageous in our walks and He doesn’t want us to be fearful or anxious. The Apostle Paul makes that clear to us in his words to Timothy. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid…” (2 Timothy 1:7). We can take comfort in knowing that both Joshua 1:9 and 2 Timothy 1:7, both Old and New Testament passages, encourage us to be strong and courageous, free from fear and anxiety. In addition, we have the same promise in both the Old and New Testament that God is with us always. We do not walk alone. He walks with us, sustaining us and encouraging us, and sometimes carrying us when we can’t do it ourselves. Matthew 28:20 echoes what Joshua 1:9 says - God is with us always. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let go of the anxiety that is holding you back. Reach out your hand and let God lead you forward to the destiny prepared in advance for you. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #DailyBibleVerse

Prayer for August 14 #t4jym #TEENS4JESUS #T4J #dailyprayer #prayerwarrior #prayers #neverstoppraying #prayalways #christianyouth #christianteens #Christianlife #christiangrowth

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. A truer statement has never been said. Anxiety indeed weighs us down. Anyone who has ever felt anxiety (which is everyone) has felt the weight it puts on you. Anyone who consistently struggles with anxiety can tell you the weight of it can be near crippling at times. One of the ways I have dealt with anxiety in my own life is through words of affirmation. When I feel the weight of anxiety pulling me down I try to turn to things that are positive, words that are true, and words that can bring me joy. They may be words others have said to me or words I am saying to myself, but more often than not, they are words from God’s Word. I find His Word is far better than any words I can come up with myself. In addition to speaking kind words to yourself, you should consider sharing it with others. It is hard to be anxious or down hearted when you take the focus off of your own worries, stress, and anxieties by focusing on another. You may not realize just how uplifting it can be to them or how much it really matters. Not only should you give words of encouragement and kindness, but some Scripture references, too. We have gone over some already this month, among them Philippians 4:6. Today I challenge you to focus on someone else. Offer them the kind word they may need to hear to help them with the weight of anxiety. Not only will you be offering kindness to them, but you will feel the joy that comes from speaking positivity to another person. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #DailyBibleVerse

Prayer for August 13 #t4jym #TEENS4JESUS #T4J #dailyprayer #prayerwarrior #prayers #neverstoppraying #prayalways #christianyouth #christianteens #Christianlife #christiangrowth

John 14:27 Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jesus knew that once He was gone it was not going to be easy going for His followers. He even warned them numerous times that it was going to be rough (John 16:33). But was His statement on peace in John 14:27 one of a farewell sayings common in greetings and partings in Eastern cultures or was it more? If you take only the first half of the verse at face value you would conclude it was a farewell message for His followers. But we have more to the verse than just a statement on peace. He continues and says, “I do not give to you as the world gives.“ The world can only give a routine rendering of words. It may or may not actually give the recipient peace. And even if it does, that peace is temporary. Not so the peace we are given by Jesus. His peace is spiritual and it is permanent. The New Living Translation says it this way: “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” This translation shows us that His peace is more than a greeting. It is a gift. The peace we get from God is one that reflects who he is - the Great Comforter, the Prince of Peace… Knowing this, we should not be as affected by fear and anxiety. Of course, as we have learned in previous days, we are not immune to anxiety once we become believers and followers of Christ, but we can address it with His help. Let your hearts not be troubled, friends. Be filled with His gift of peace. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #DailyBibleVerse

Prayer for August 12 #t4jym #TEENS4JESUS #T4J #dailyprayer #prayerwarrior #prayers #neverstoppraying #prayalways #christianyouth #christianteens #Christianlife #christiangrowth

Romans 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yesterday this verse was referenced when we were looking at the fact that we belong to Him and nothing can separate us. He loves us and redeemed us, called us by name. And nothing,can separate us from that love, absolutely nothing. Today’s verse is only half of the list. It begins with “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers…” (Romans 8:38) before verse 39 picks up the remainder of the list. The very last item on the list is “nor anything else in all creation.” Nothing in ALL creation leaves room for no doubt in your life. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. These verses should give you great peace knowing that you are loved and always will be. The items on the list are all things people tend to fear, things that cause anxiety. They are things that we would assume could drive a wedge between us and God, but not a single one does or can. We belong to Him and His love will never allow that to happen. One of the debated beliefs is over the loss of salvation. The debate is over what has been referred to as “once saved, always saved.” This verse is usually used by the always saved crowd because it reassures us that NOTHING separates us from His love. He will always love you and nothing will ever change that. Nothing in our world can separate us from that love. Even if death comes to claim you, God still loves you and you are still His child. (While I am not inviting open debate, you can always message or email me to discuss whether salvation can be lost or not. I am of the belief it cannot, as outlined in all of Romans 8, which is a great read.) As believers we shouldn’t fear the things in Paul’s list nor anything else in all creation. We can rest in the promise that we are safe in His love. Embrace that freedom today. Thank God for always and eternally loving and holding you. Anxiety has no place in your story. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #dailybibleverse