Guided by Faith: Daily Christian Devotions and Advice for Teens and Young Adults

In Episode 525 of Guided by Faith, Jay takes a deeper look at what it means to be created in the image of God and why this truth matters for Christian identity. Drawing from Genesis 1:27, he explains that being an image bearer means reflecting aspects of God through our ability to reason, create, innovate, make moral and ethical decisions, steward creation, build relationships, and recognize the God given value of every human soul. Because every person bears God’s image, every individual has dignity and worth regardless of their wealth, achievements, reputation, abilities, or social status. Jay also reminds Christian teens and young adults that being an image bearer comes with responsibility because we are called to represent God faithfully in the world. Most importantly, the value of your soul is demonstrated by the priceless sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This episode encourages you to reject the lies that diminish your worth, believe the truth of Scripture, and live confidently as someone created in the image of God.

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[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 524 of Guided by Faith, Jay addresses the identity crisis facing many teens and young adults by pointing them back to the foundational truth of Genesis 1:26 to 27: human beings are created in the image of God. Your identity is not ultimately determined by your family background, achievements, appearance, popularity, failures, abilities, or the labels society places on you. As an image bearer of God, you have a unique dignity and value that comes directly from your Creator. Jay describes humanity as the apex of God’s creation, entrusted with stewardship over the world and uniquely made in God’s image, while also pointing to Jesus becoming human to redeem creation. This episode offers encouragement for anyone struggling with feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness and reminds you that nothing you accomplish can increase your value and nothing you fail at can erase the dignity God has given you. Learn how to live with humility, gratitude, joy, and purpose because your identity begins with the God who created you.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 523 of Guided by Faith, Jay continues exploring the question of identity by unpacking the truth that you were created for God’s pleasure. Based on Revelation 4:11, this episode expands the definition of worship beyond singing songs at church to include everything we do to please God. Prayer, reading Scripture, listening to the Holy Spirit, serving others, giving generously, developing your God given gifts, working hard, and caring for others can all become acts of worship when they are done for God. Jay also explains why following God is not an oppressive checklist but an invitation into a meaningful relationship with the Creator who made you for a purpose. Most importantly, he points teens and young adults to Jesus Christ as the ultimate way to come into relationship with God. Discover how your everyday choices can become worship and how pursuing God’s pleasure can lead to a life of purpose, joy, service, and spiritual growth.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 522 of Guided by Faith, Jay explores what creation reveals about the God who made it and challenges teens and young adults to look beyond Scripture to the “book of nature” as another way to recognize God’s creativity, power, joy, and wonder. From national parks and coral reefs to whales, mountains, and distant galaxies revealed through powerful telescopes, creation points to a God who delights in what He has made and invites us to share in that wonder. Drawing from Revelation 4:11, Jay reminds listeners that everything was created for God’s pleasure, including you. Your life has meaning and purpose because you were intentionally created by God, and recognizing His goodness in creation can reshape how you understand Him and yourself. This episode encourages young Christians to put down their phones, open their eyes to the world around them, and discover what creation teaches about their Creator and their own identity.

Listen and Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 521 of Guided by Faith, Jay explores the danger of building your identity around achievements, accomplishments, recognition, or the opinions of others. Whether you are known as the athlete, musician, academic, popular person, class clown, or even the person who is always left out, these labels are unstable foundations for your identity because accomplishments fade and circumstances change. Drawing from Luke 12:15 and Psalm 139, Jay challenges teens and young adults to ask a deeper question: What is the core thing that actually defines me? Instead of allowing grades, awards, talents, appearance, failures, or social status to determine your worth, this episode encourages you to examine the story you believe about yourself and ask God to reveal what is true and what is a lie. Discover why your identity should ultimately be grounded in what God says about you rather than what you achieve.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. 

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 520 of Guided by Faith, Jay concludes the week by examining one final question about the trustworthiness of the Bible: Were the biblical authors simply trying to gain power, influence, or wealth? Jay argues that the lives of the early Christian leaders point in the opposite direction. Instead of receiving power and comfort, many of Jesus’ disciples faced persecution, imprisonment, suffering, and death because of their belief in Christ. Jay discusses the sacrifices of early Christian leaders including Peter, Paul, James, and Thomas and explains why their willingness to suffer for their testimony is significant when evaluating the truth of the resurrection. He brings together the week’s key evidence, including the abundance of early biblical manuscripts, archaeological discoveries, the embarrassing honesty of the biblical authors, and the suffering endured by the early followers of Jesus. For Christian teens and young adults asking whether the Bible is true and whether their faith can withstand difficult questions, this episode challenges listeners to move beyond simply saying they believe in Scripture and to ask an even more important question: Am I living my life like I believe the Bible is true?

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 519 of Guided by Faith, Jay explores another compelling reason to trust the Bible: the biblical authors were remarkably honest about their own failures. As part of the journey of discovering whether Scripture is true, Jay examines the weaknesses and mistakes recorded about people such as Peter, John, Paul, Moses, and David. Rather than presenting the heroes of faith as flawless people, the Bible openly records their failures, sins, doubts, weaknesses, and embarrassing moments. Jay explains why this honesty is significant when considering whether the biblical accounts were invented to make Christianity look impressive. He also points to the important role of women as witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, despite the cultural attitudes toward women’s testimony at the time. For Christian teens and young adults wrestling with questions about Bible reliability, this episode shows how the Bible’s honest portrayal of human failure ultimately points to Jesus as the only perfect hero of Scripture. The message is clear: people fail, but God remains faithful.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 518 of Guided by Faith, Jay continues exploring the evidence for the reliability of the Bible by examining archaeology. He explains why Christianity depends on historical truth and how archaeological discoveries can help confirm the historical settings, people, places, and events described in Scripture. From ancient Jerusalem and Jericho to Hezekiah’s Tunnel and other discoveries connected to biblical history, Jay highlights examples of archaeological evidence that reinforce the Bible’s credibility. He also discusses the difference between claims that can be historically investigated and stories that lack supporting archaeological evidence. For Christian teens and young adults who have wondered whether the Bible is simply a collection of myths or fairy tales, this episode encourages them to explore biblical archaeology and discover how archaeology can strengthen their confidence in Scripture. Jay reminds listeners that asking difficult questions is an important part of growing into a mature, personal faith in Jesus.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 517 of Guided by Faith, Jay tackles a common question about Christianity: Has the Bible been changed or corrupted over time? Using 2 Timothy 3:16 and the historical evidence surrounding the New Testament manuscripts, Jay explains why Christians can have confidence that the Bible we read today faithfully represents the original writings. He addresses the misconception that the Bible was repeatedly translated from one language into another until its original meaning was lost, explaining instead how modern Bible translations are based on ancient Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts. Jay compares the manuscript evidence for the New Testament with other well known ancient works and explains why the abundance and early dating of New Testament manuscripts provide powerful evidence for its reliability. For Christian teens and young adults who have questions about Bible accuracy, biblical manuscripts, or whether Scripture can be trusted, this episode provides encouragement to investigate the evidence and build a faith grounded in truth.

Listen and Subscribe:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In Episode 516 of Guided by Faith, Jay begins a new discipleship journey by asking one of the most important questions a Christian teen or young adult can wrestle with: Do I believe that the Bible is true? Rather than simply accepting answers handed down from parents, pastors, or teachers, Jay encourages young Christians to ask honest questions and develop a faith they personally own. He explores what the Bible actually is, explaining how its 66 books were written by more than 40 authors over approximately 1,000 years while telling one unified story of creation, humanity’s fall, redemption, restoration, and recreation. 

Jay also explains why Christianity depends so heavily on historical truth, particularly the real life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ words in John 17:17 and Luke’s careful approach to recording eyewitness testimony, this episode challenges teens and young adults to investigate Scripture, ask difficult questions, and discover why they can trust the Bible as both God’s inspired Word and a historical account.

Listen and Subscribe:

[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.guidedbyfaith.net
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedbyFaithPodcast
• Instagram: @guidedbyfaith_podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with friends who might benefit from this message.

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl

Guided By Faith is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. 

For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org