MONDAY
READ: Matthew 11:1-3

THINK:  Why do you follow Jesus?

Doubting is not a bad thing if it leads you to seek truth.  For most people, deep soul searching comes when their faith is challenged by unexpected circumstances.  John the Baptist was chosen to “prepare the way” for Jesus.  He knew Jesus and publicly proclaimed Him to be the Messiah.  Now he doubted.  Why?  John had been put in prison for preaching and feared for his life.  John’s thinking was: “If I’m going to lose my life over this, I want to be sure it’s true.”  Makes sense, doesn’t it?  So, John asked point-blank: “Are you the One…or should I look elsewhere?”

Are your heart and mind settled that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to God but through Him?  Why or why not?

PRAY: Talk to God today about why you really follow Him.

DO: If you have questions or doubts, talk to your youth minister or an adult that is close to the Lord.  They can help you work things out better than you could on your own.

WEDNESDAY
READ: Mark 8:27-28

THINK: Who is Jesus to you?

Everybody seems to have an idea of who Jesus is.  Most of these ideas are not based on knowledge or personal study; they are based on feelings or what they have heard.  Deciding who you think Jesus is will be the most important issue in your life.  The writers of the Gospels called Jesus the “Christ.”  The word Christ means “Anointed One, Deliverer, Messiah.”  In other words, Jesus is the One anointed by God to be the Messiah-to deliver the people from the consequences of sin (a life and ultimately an eternity without a relationship with God).  Some call Jesus a prophet, a good teacher, a famous figure from the past, a guru, a myth, or a curse word.  The Bible calls Jesus the Christ!  Who is He to You?

PRAY: Ask Jesus to reveal His true nature to you throughout the day.  Ask Him to remind you that He is the Christ.

DO: Look at this list of the Names of God.  Which one sticks out to you?  Is there a Name of God that you relate to?  Use that Name in your prayers.

EL – The Mighty One
EL ROI – God Who Sees
EL-SHADDAI – The Almighty, All-Sufficient Lord
ABBA – Father
ARCHEGOS – The Author
JEHOVAH JIREH – The Lord Will Provide
JEHOVAH RAPHA – The Lord Will Heal

FRIDAY
READ: John 2:1-4

THINK:  What are your needs?

Weddings were a big event in first century Palestine.  The feast could go on for days.  If wine ran out, it was a huge embarrassment to the wedding host.  Jesus’ mother, understanding the situation, asked Jesus to intervene.  Even though His time had not yet come to fully reveal who He was, He honored His mother and met the needs of the wedding host.  You would think Jesus would choose an amazing act for His first public miracle – like raising a dead person.  But, instead, it was simple: meeting the need of a wedding host who is not even named in Scripture.  His actions show us that God is aware of our little needs and is concerned enough to get involved in them.  Feel confident is taking your needs to the Father. 

PRAY: God cares about your life and all that’s going on with you.  Talk to Him about what’s happening in your life right now.  Thank Him that He’s concerned about the details in your life.

DO: Share your needs with others.  Ask your friends what they need and how you can help.  God meets our needs in many ways, often through the actions of everyday people.

###

If you are a youth minister and are interested in joining the RSL.com devotional team, please email creative@studentlife.net for more info.

Sign up for the weekly devotional email, sent straight to your inbox! Click here!

Did you miss something? Check out the Devo Archives!

Please remember that Student Life is not responsible for any information found outside of our website. Links are provided for a fuller understanding of the subject matter.