Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: JOHN 15:1-17; GALATIANS 5:22-23

When I was growing up, my family always had a garden. I would help plant the tiny seeds, water them, and tear out the weeds that grew around them. I became so used to watching the little plants pop out of the ground year after year, and then grow until they were large enough to produce all kinds of delicious vegetables, that I became almost numb to it. What was the big deal?

But now when I think about how a tiny seed goes into the ground one day, and then just weeks later there’s a plant large enough to produce food for me to eat, it’s pretty amazing.

God’s creation is captivating. He created all the vegetables and fruits with their unique seeds, unique ways of growing, and unique flavors. Potatoes and carrots grow under the ground, tomatoes grow on vines, and cobs of corn grow on tall stalks. It’s fascinating to witness all these things come to be. God put so much care into each of them, just as He did you and me.

God never made any mistakes in His world. God made each plant unique. In a well-tended garden, these plants grow from tiny seeds to large, vegetable-producing plants. Isn’t it awesome that God put just as much care into you and me, and He wants to help us grow too? God created each of us to be unique, like all the many varieties of plants we find in a garden. He created us to grow and bear fruit, and He tends us like a careful gardener.

But, on our own, we can’t make ourselves grow spiritually. In John 15, Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (verse 5). Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, helping us mature in our faith and producing good fruit in our lives—the fruit of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

It was amazing to see the garden I had growing up, and it’s also amazing to see how God can help me and work in me. I am so grateful to Him for all He does for me and how He helps me grow. • Bethany Acker

• Have you ever taken time to marvel at how such small seeds grow into large plants that produce food for us? How could it be encouraging to remember that the same God who designed the plants to be unique and to grow and produce fruit is also the one who designed us, and He wants to patiently help us grow and bear the fruit of righteousness? (Philippians 1:11)

“I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 32; ROMANS 3:23-26; EPHESIANS 5:8-14

How do you fix a typo? Will ignoring it fix the problem? Of course not! Then they’d never get corrected. But when we take the necessary steps, they are quickly fixed. That’s kind of like confessing our sins. Ignoring sin, like ignoring typos, doesn’t fix the problem. Only Jesus can fix the problem. Sin is a much bigger deal than typos, but through His death and resurrection, Jesus made the way for us to come to Him and receive forgiveness for all our sins. So when we sin, we can confess it to God, knowing that Jesus has already paid the price for our forgiveness. And then, Jesus helps us move past our sin. He walks forward with us toward holiness and wholeness.

In addition to confessing our sin to God, we may need to confess to the person we wronged and do what we can to make things right. This can be awkward or downright painful, but the Holy Spirit will guide us through the whole process and help bring healing to what has been hurt.

We find a potent example of this in 2 Samuel 11-12, when David tried to ignore—and even hide—his sin. After using his position as king to have Bathsheba taken to his palace and have sex with her, David had her husband Uriah killed so no one would know that David was the father of Bathsheba’s baby. But God knew. God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about these terrible acts, and then David finally confessed his sin. In his repentance, he wept. There were still grave consequences for the evil he had done, yet David experienced God’s wondrous forgiveness. He even went on to teach others to repent so they too could experience forgiveness.

Are you ignoring a sin in your life? Don’t hold on to it. Instead, confess it to God. Jesus died and rose again to save you from sin, and God will forgive you so you can put sin behind you and do what’s right instead. You may need to apologize to someone else too. Why not do that right away? Admitting what we’ve done can be hard, but, as David writes in Psalm 32, there is a peace and a freedom that comes from bringing our sins out of the darkness and into the light. • A. W. Smith

• We all sin many times a day, and while it’s impossible to confess every single sin, we are called to confess the sins we are aware of (Psalm 19:12). What sins are weighing on your heart right now? Consider taking some time to pray and confess these to Jesus, resting in His grace and forgiveness and trusting Him to guide you forward to walk in His good ways.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) 

READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; 2 THESSALONIANS 3:16

Life can be hard. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Life can be very hard. We may find it pretty easy to love and worship God when things are going well and life is good. But what about when a loved one passes away? What about when you’re so stressed with work and school that it feels like you don’t have energy for anything else? What about when a friend lets you down? What about when you’re having financial struggles and you don’t know how you’ll get by?

Whatever you’re dealing with, there are probably days when your mind and heart are so clouded with emotion that you have trouble even opening that Bible or asking God for His help and guidance. I can relate. I can’t say that I know exactly what you’re going through because everyone has their own individual life and struggles. But I do know what it’s like to feel like you don’t have any choice but to put God last, when deep down you know He should be first.

Here’s what we need to remember: God is there when nobody else is. He is the peace in the chaos and the hope in the heartache. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He’s not just some other chore that we can maybe work into our schedules. He loves us. He died and rose again to be with us. He cares about what we’re going through, whether our problems are big or small, and He wants to help us.

Today, Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our burdens, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30). He will give us peace and comfort in our storms. He might not take away our pain immediately, but He will be there with us through it all. • Elizabeth Blanton

• When are you tempted to put God last? In other words, when does it feel like a chore to spend time praying, reading the Bible, and gathering with other Christians to worship God together? It’s easy to let these things fall to the wayside when life feels overwhelming, but when we view our time with God as spiritual nourishment, we realize how much we need it—especially in the overwhelming seasons. Spending intentional time with God may not always feel nourishing in the moment, but whenever we focus on His ever-abiding peace and presence within us, it’s always time well-spent.

“I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 73; EPHESIANS 2

"I know God is good, but why do they always seem to get the blessings and not me?” I asked as I sat with my Chinese takeout and tried valiantly not to dissolve into a teary mess. I was the one actually trying to do things God’s way and please Him, but in that moment, although I didn’t say it, the biggest thing I was feeling was bitter disappointment.

Ever been there? Asaph was. He was a Levite singer and a contemporary of King David. In Psalm 73 he recorded his struggle with feeling envious of those who were proud, arrogant, violent, and lived their lives the way they wanted to with no regard for God or His laws. Asaph was frustrated by how everything always seemed to go well for them but not for him. At one point he even contemplated if his efforts were all in vain (verse 13). Was it even worth it?

But Asaph’s perspective radically changed when he entered the place of God’s presence. Mine did too when I read his words. Asaph concludes, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…as for me, it is good to be near God” (verse 26, 28). The nearness of God is the greatest blessing we could ever receive. To be far from Him is the greatest lack we could ever experience. No matter how outwardly prosperous someone may seem, if they are far from God, they will never experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that only He can provide. Because God loves us, Jesus, God the Son, left the presence of His Father and came to us. For us and our salvation, He died and rose again that He might bring us near to God (Ephesians 2:13). He is our portion forever (Psalm 73:26). • Kayla Esguerra

• Can you think of a time you felt jealous of people who don’t follow Jesus? It’s easy to fall into this sin. Consider spending some time with God in prayer, confessing your jealousy and asking Him to help you see those who don’t know Him yet with love and humility.

• When Jesus returns, everyone who trusts in Him will enjoy an abundance of all good things on the new heavens and new earth. Until then, He comforts and strengthens us in His presence. Have you noticed anything in your life that affects your ability to daily sense and enjoy God’s nearness? What helps you be aware of His closeness? What distracts you from Him and makes you feel far away?

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:28 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 28:7; MATTHEW 14:13-21; JOHN 11:38-44

Do you still believe in miracles? I know the Bible mentions that Jesus fed over 5,000 people with only a handful of bread and fish (Matthew 14:13-21). Jesus also raised up Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the grave four days (John 11:38-44).

Several years ago, my mom was very sick. I remember visiting her in the hospital one day. There were so many tubes in her, and my heart sank when I saw her. When I got home, I cried my heart out. I was upset with God. I asked God why He allowed my mom to suffer. Does He care? Does He love us? I hoped and prayed that God would heal her.

The next day in school, as I was washing my hands in the bathroom, I heard a loud noise. It happened so fast that I couldn’t react in time. I looked down, and there were shattered pieces of glass on the floor all around me! I looked up and saw a broken ventilation window. I went to find out what happened. It turned out a group of boys was playing soccer and one of them had kicked the ball too high and broken the window. I went back to the bathroom to check again. The floor was full of pieces of glass, and yet not a single piece had landed on me just now. How could that be? Later, I reported the incident to a teacher. He came to check the bathroom. The first thing he said to me was, “It’s a miracle!”

Yes, indeed. It was God who shielded me from the pieces of glass. He is my strength and my shield (Psalm 28:7). He protected me. A few weeks later, my mom passed away. I was not angry with God. I know God loves my mom too, and I knew she would be in heaven with no more pain and suffering. • Kelly Choy

• Both miracles and acts of providence are powerful ways God shows His love and care for us. Some Bible scholars define miracles as God setting aside natural phenomena in favor of a supernatural intervention, whereas an act of providence is God acting on our behalf through natural means. Have you or somebody you know experienced a miracle or an act of providence from God? What happened? How did you feel about it?

• Because Jesus died on the cross for us, and then miraculously rose from the grave, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus has this sure hope: even in death, we are held safe in Jesus’s presence until the day He will raise us from our graves and renew heaven and earth. So when we or someone we love is dying, we can be honest with God about how upset we are, remembering death breaks His heart too, and He always loves and cares for us.

Yahweh is my strength and my shield. Psalm 28:7 (WEB) 

READ: MARK 15:37-38; HEBREWS 6:19-20; 10:19-22

"Quick! This way!” Rhys yelled, motioning with his arm for the large group of people to turn down yet another oak-paneled corridor. Everyone followed, all suddenly getting a hopeful feeling that their endless wandering through this wooden labyrinth was finally coming to an end. So, with a new light in their eyes and energy in their step, the group rounded the corner after Rhys…

…and stopped short.

For there, between two walls of a cathedral-sized room, stretched an enormous, imposing curtain. Its scarlet fabric hung ominously still, draping down from the ceiling like a frozen, fabric waterfall.

“Wh-what is that?” A girl named Kaelyria voiced the question in everyone’s mind.

“I—I’m not sure…” Rhys replied quietly. He unsheathed his iron sword, and cautiously approached the eerily still curtain. Rhys put out his hand and pushed, but instead of yielding to his touch and moving back, the curtain stayed perfectly still. “It’s solid!” he yelled in surprise. He hefted his sword and lunged at the curtain, but his blade didn’t make a scratch.

The people murmured amongst themselves, and someone called out, “So, is this a dead end?”

“We can’t turn back now!” cried another.

“There has to be a way through!” Kaelyria said, notching an arrow and taking aim at the curtain.

“There is.”

Immediately, the room became silent.

“Who said that?” Rhys asked, his eyes searching the crowd.

“I did.”

Suddenly the crowd parted, revealing a man clad in a simple tunic and trousers. The man walked forward toward Rhys and Kaelyria, stopping just feet from the scarlet fabric. “One way. One person can open this curtain and open a way through. Only one is worthy.”

The people watched breathlessly as he drew from a sheath at his side, a glowing, white sword. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. And I opened the way—by dying.” He lifted his tunic and revealed an enormous scar. No one could survive such a wound. “But,” he said, “I have come back to life.” And with that, he raised the magnificent sword…

…and cut the curtain in two. • Anna Tuckfield

• Putting our trust in Jesus is the only way for us to enter relationship with God, who made us and loves us more than we could imagine. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple was literally torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:37-38; Luke 23:44-46). It’s important to know a few things about this curtain. When God instructed His people in how to build the Tabernacle and later the Temple, He said, “Make a special curtain…with skillfully embroidered cherubim” (Exodus 26:31). This curtain separated the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelt, from the rest of the temple. And the woven cherubim remind us of the cherubim and flaming sword in Genesis 3:24, who blocked the way to thetree of life in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve rejected God and rebelled against Him. That tree of life only became accessible to us again when Jesus walked through the swords to open the way. By letting Himself be put to death, Jesus tore the curtain. All because God loves us, and He doesn’t want us to be separated from Him. If you want to know more about what it means to put your trust in Jesus and enter a relationship with God, see our "Know Jesus" page. And if you want to dig deeper, read John 14:5-6; 20:24-29.

• Jesus is the only one whose death could open the curtain because He is both fully God and fully human, and He never sinned, so He could take the punishment for all our sins. Why is it so important to remember that Jesus is the only one who could rescue us from sin and death and make the way for us to know God and be with Him forever? Consider taking some time to thank Jesus for this wonderful gift He has given us.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NLT)

Hey, this is Dylan here from Unlocked. And as you probably noticed, we have some new theme music, so I hope you like it.

But the reason we had to change it is actually because of complicated legal agreement type things. We were using an old production music service and then we had to switch to a new production music service. So then that means we couldn't use the old music up until a certain time, and now we've passed that time, and now we have to use the new theme music. So it's a little bit complicated, it's kind of a behind-the-scenes kind of a thing.

But we're going to go with this music for now and maybe think about updating it in the future. And if you have an opinion on this music, or if you have something that you'd like to see different about it, then let us know. Send us your feedback when you email [email protected], that goes straight to me. I'll see it, and I'll share it with the Unlocked team.

So thanks!

READ: EPHESIANS 5:1-2; COLOSSIANS 3:1-4, 22-24

Over the years, I’ve done a variety of tasks to earn money. One job I found online was trying beauty products at home and then writing reviews about them.

The first (and only) item I tested was a hair growth solution. I dutifully sprayed it on my scalp a couple times a day, realizing it would require weeks of use to see any difference. The instructions on the bottle said so. Then, just three days after I’d begun, the coordinator of this job asked if I had my review ready to submit. If not, they would pass me over, I wouldn’t get paid, and I wouldn’t be eligible for future product testing.

How could I give a truthful response about how well the solution worked after only a few days? I decided I’d give the product three out of five stars—even though I knew the coordinator wanted five-star reviews. I also indicated I liked the smell and would look forward to observing how the product worked. My review was honest, since I didn’t rave about the spray’s hair growth potential, but I honestly had no idea if the product grew hair. I sent in my response, received my payment, and never sought another product testing opportunity.

I learned something from this short-term job though. The way we do our work matters to God. Contrary to what I assumed as a kid, this involves more than simply working hard. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in the work He did on the cross to provide forgiveness for our sins, we enter a relationship with God as our Father. As we rest in His love for us, we begin to want to do our work in a way that reflects Jesus. He is the only one who could live a pure, righteous life—and because of this He was able to pay the penalty for our sins. But once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we have His Spirit living within us, transforming our attitudes and priorities so that we begin to pursue His holiness and righteousness in every area of our lives, including our work—no matter who sends the paycheck. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Have you ever felt pressured to do something dishonest in your work, whether it be at school, a job, etc.? When you find yourself in situations like these, what could you do? Who are trusted Christians you could go to for prayer, advice, and help?

…with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:22-23 (NIV)

READ: LEVITICUS 23:40; 1 CHRONICLES 16:33; PSALM 96:11-13

Leaves are tumbling,

twisting,

turning…

Limbs are blowing,

bending,

bowing…

Trees are bursting,

billowing,

blooming…

As the woods

commence their praising,

joyously parading…

Bright yellows,

Deep reds,

Burnt oranges—

I praise Him

for this taste of Joy

whenever

Fall comes singing.

I’ve always found fall to be joyous, but when I discovered Scriptures that exhort trees, mountains, and hills to join in praise to the Creator—I began to love this season even more! To me, beauty is like a giant footprint in the universe, pointing to a Creator who revels in joy. This joy is so foundational that even when we experience the dire cost of sin—to us and to all of creation (Romans 8:18-23)— this undercurrent of joy remains tangible. It surfaces in the delight we have in something as simple as seeing a sunset or hearing a beautiful song. And this joy gives rise to something we all crave: Hope. I believe that’s what beauty ultimately points to—because although the world has been broken by sin, God sent His beautiful and holy Son Jesus to set everything right. Jesus is our surest Hope and the highest Beauty we desire. • G. Kam Congleton

• Why do you think beauty exists? When you see something beautiful in nature, what is one way you could take a moment to rejoice in this beauty and offer praise back to God?

• Some Bible passages name specific reasons for creation to rejoice in God. For example, Psalm 96:12-13 says one reason is that Jesus will someday return as the Righteous Judge of the earth. Ultimately, creation rejoices in Christ’s redemption of all things on the cross. If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 44:23; 49:13; 55:10-13.

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. Isaiah 44:23 (NIV) 

READ: DANIEL 1:8-15; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-10

Have you ever used a pressure canner? It looks like a large pot with a lid that clamps on securely. When you can food at home, you put the beans or corn or whatever you’re trying to preserve into glass jars, then place the jars in the pressure canner along with some water. As the canner is heated up, the heat causes pressure to build up inside, which cooks and preserves the food in the jars, and it also seals the jars. When they’re done, the canned food can be stored for a year or more, and it won’t spoil. But sometimes, while the canner is still building up pressure, you might hear a loud CRACK! If one of the glass jars had a weak spot, the pressure inside the canner could cause it to break. It couldn’t handle the pressure.

Do you ever feel like a jar that can’t handle the pressure? There’s pressure everywhere! People might try to get us to do things we know are wrong, and if we don’t, they might make us feel like we’re the one who’s wrong. Being under that kind of pressure is exhausting.

But pressure can work two ways, like in the pressure cooker. It cooks the food and keeps it from spoiling, but sometimes it makes a jar crack. Pressure in our lives can work that way too. God often uses pressure to preserve us by reminding us we belong to Jesus and He is with us, helping us. But sometimes when we’re under pressure, we crack and give in to temptation.

The truth is, we all have weak spots that are prone to cracking, but once we know Jesus, we also have the power of God’s Spirit to help us. He’ll give us strength even when we’re tempted to do things that we know go against God’s good ways. When we feel that pressure, God welcomes us to come to Him and tell Him about it. We can ask for His help, and He will sustain us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s truth and gives us the strength we need to do what’s right—and even if we do give in under pressure, God will forgive us so we can start over. It can be hard not to give in to the pressure to go along with what everyone else seems to be doing. But in every temptation, He is with us, ready to help us stand firm so we don’t crack. • A. W. Smith

• When do you feel the most pressured? In times like these, how could it be helpful to remember that we belong to Jesus and we have His Spirit in us? Remember, we can always talk to God, and we can also share our struggles with trusted Christians. What are some ways we can help each other resist temptation, and also remind each other of Jesus’s love and forgiveness when we fail?

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)