The Wow of the Word
The BackdropDavid was having a moment in Psalms 19. You can feel it in the opening of the psalm. He was overwhelmed with wow on how the beauty of nature points to the glory and the work of God. Those wow moment...
Faith in Adversity
Daniel then said to the king, 'My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me' (Dan. 6:21-22, NRSV).The story of Daniel and the Lions' Den is one of the most memorable children'...
Small Things
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much (Luke 16:10, NIV).One summer during my college years, I worked f...
Housekeepers
As for me and my household...we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)There are many ways we demonstrate faithfulness to God, but not all of these actions are related to our ministries. Yes, it is important to...
Youth Group Devo: Understanding Your Spiritual Gifts
The BackdropThink about your favorite movie scene that probably plays out this way: Two things are joined together, and something magical happens. Maybe it's two halves of a coin, a key and a lock, or a carved ...
Fire Walkers
And the three men fell down, bound, into the blazing fire (Dan. 3:23, NRSV).Bring a group of youth leaders together and they will often describe ministry as "in the trenches," "spiritual warfare" or as "the fie...
10 Minutes in God’s Word: Comfort Amid Brokenness
Fill in the blank: In this world you will have ____________.I suspect you know the word: Trouble (or tribulation, depending on the translation in your head). I also suspect you know who spoke those words: Jesus...
The Company of Friends
"I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:15-16).Those who enter ministry often are surprised at the fee...
Youth Culture Devo: Doing a Special Dose of Good
The BackdropDivide and conquer. It's a strategy used from military and political campaigns. You'll hear the phrase applied jokingly when parents overwhelmed with their children's needs and sinisterly when a com...
The Encouraging Word for Youth Workers
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:...