Believe God

Youth Devotional

January 3: Believe God

 

Reading:

Genesis 3:1–6 (NKJV) ¹ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” ⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Reflection:

In this passage of Scripture we learn that the first man and woman listened to the lie of Satan rather than the truth of God. Satan suggested that God had set up rules not to protect them from pain, but to keep them from pleasure. Eve convinced herself that there were some benefits in disobeying God. The food tasted good, the food looked good, and the food would help her gain knowledge that she did not have. All of that was true, but not completely true. Although sin can be pleasurable it is not completely pleasurable. The consequences of her decision would lead her to also receive the pain of the judgment of God for her sin, the pain of guilt for disobeying God, and the pain of the shame she would feel in not obeying God.

You cannot disobey God and expect to receive the blessings of God. Sin leads to pain that is greater than the temporary pleasure it yields. When someone disobeys God they also like Eve influence others to disobey God making things worse for everyone. Sin has a way of multiplying. Satan never tells the whole truth. God always tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

 

Response:

1.      How did Satan convince Eve to disobey God?

 

 

2.      Why should you always believe God?

True Devotion

Youth Devotional

January 2: True Devotion

 

Reading:

Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Reflection:

It is important to eat the right kinds of foods and drink plenty of fluids to stay physically healthy. You can eat “junk” food from time to time, but if you neglect a healthy diet including eating your fruits and vegetables your physical body will suffer.

There are four things that marked the spiritual health of the early church and are important for our spiritual growth. They were devoted to the Word of God, the Fellowship with other believers, Worship of God, and Prayer. These four commitments can help you grow spiritually as well. The apostle’s doctrine has now been written down for us in the Bible. Fellowship with other believers is available to us every week as we worship Christ together. The “breaking of bread” was a way they described receiving what we call the Lord’s Supper. This symbolic event is practiced by the church to remember all that Jesus has done for us in providing payment of our sin and providing a righteous life to earn our righteous standing before God. Reading and hearing God’s Word is listening to Him. Praying is simply our way to speak to God. Prayer is an important part of spiritual health both privately and publically.

 

 

Response:

1.      What are four essential things for your spiritual growth?

 

 

 

2.      What can you do to make sure you grow spiritually?

 

Youth Devotional:

Made in the Image of God

Reading:

 Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

 Reflection:

Mankind was created by God like every other creature and created thing, but he was not created in the same way and was not given the same purpose. All of mankind, both men and women, are made in God’s image. Being made in the image of God speaks of the fact that mankind has some characteristics that directly reflect the nature of God more than any other creature. For example, man intelligence, hope, mercy, love, kindness, and he knows right from wrong.

Since mankind was created in the image of God, then we also bear a responsibility greater than that of any other creature on earth. Our passage of Scripture explains that God gave man “dominion” over every other created animal. This dominion is includes the responsibility to care for other creatures, but also manage their use. God created the Earth to display His glory and He created mankind to show His glory in the care and control of these resources. So from the beginning we learn that we are stewards of God’s resources and should use them to glorify His name.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 Response:

1. What is the main way that humans are different than all other creatures?



2. What does it mean to be made in God’s image?