In a world that gets crazier by the hour, you need encouragement every day. Here is a year’s worth of inspiring devotions.
Daily Encouragement for Teen Guys contains 365 readings, each based on the fresh-yet-familiar Barbour Simplified King James Version Bible. These readings cover a myriad of spiritual and practical aspects of life:
• joy
• giving
• prayer
• rest
• rejection
• speech
• faith
• sadness
• your value in Christ
• and much more
These powerful contemporary devotions are accompanied by brief prayers to jump-start a conversation with your heavenly Father. What could be more encouraging than that?
DAY 1
Rest Is Restoration
“You shall not do any kind of work. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be to you a Sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls.”
Leviticus 23:31–32
When you finish a project, you step back and admire a job well done. But you also know that you’re shifting roles from creator to manager—now you have to take care of the work you’ve done. That’s the idea behind the Sabbath—not stepping away from working as much as stepping into a new role.
God made humans to be stewards of His creation. By ordaining a day of rest from the week’s labors, He wasn’t telling us to check out but to enjoy Him. Rest isn’t relaxation in this sense but recommitment to knowing God. A sabbath is meant to help us manage our trust, to set aside daily labors and believe that God will hold things together.
It’s not a legalistic warning to avoid anything that might be construed as work. Resting in God—acknowledging His good care and provision—is part of how He restores us to His original plans in the garden. God wants fellowship with you, and the Sabbath is part of how He meant for that to happen.
Lord God, I thank You for all the ways You take care of me each day. Please help me to set aside time to enjoy You and all You’ve done.
DAY 2
Rejected!
The stone that the builders rejected has become the head cornerstone.
Psalm 118:22
When Jesus walked the earth, it wasn’t the common people who rejected Him—it was those who should have known better. The learned men of the day who had studied long and hard knew that the Messiah was to come, but they were unwilling to accept the carpenter’s son from Galilee as the Chosen One.
But even though they rejected Jesus and masterminded His death on a cross, God’s holy plan could not be thwarted. Christ was, is, and always will be the one true Son of God. Those who reject Him build their faith with faulty materials. Only Christ is the true cornerstone of faith. Only upon that stone can true faith be built.
Please provide the foundation for my faith, Lord God. Strengthen me to construct a fortress that will withstand any and all attacks.
DAY 3
Pray for Others
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.
1 Timothy 2:1
After Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, he called the Israelites together. Moses told the people, “I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to show you the word of the Lord, for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up into the mount” (Deuteronomy 5:5). Moses often was the intermediary between God and His people. He interceded on their behalf.
Intercessory prayer is a divine act of love and service. It requires persistence, patience, and faith in God. Christians should intercede for family and friends, their country and government leaders, their pastors, the church, the poor, the sick, their community, their enemies, and especially for the unsaved. Wherever there is a need, Christians should pray.
Intercessory prayer is just as important today as it was in Moses’ time. It draws believers nearer to God and provides them with a powerful way to help others. Whom will you pray for today?
Heavenly Father, guide me as I pray for others. Help me to pray for them faithfully, patiently, and persistently.
DAY 4
Give It All
Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.” And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:21–22
It wasn’t the response the rich young ruler wanted to hear. Things usually went his way. His position and prestige afforded him that. But these straightforward, piercing words, blended with the love in Jesus’ eyes, troubled the man’s soul. It was too much. He understood what was being asked of him—everything! The pain in his heart was reflected in his face and posture as he slumped away. The truth was that this ruler was not ready to relinquish his all for Jesus.
What has Christ asked you to let go of? What are you clinging to? Most of us don’t have great wealth (we might wish for that kind of “problem”), but are we willing to give up what we do have—including intangible things like an “underground” thought life or an angry attitude—to serve Him?
Today let’s face the truth of who we are and give up those things that prevent us from wholeheartedly serving Jesus.
Lord, show me what I must surrender to You. Help me to give my all to serve You freely and joyfully.
DAY 5
A New Day
O Lord, be gracious to us. We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
Isaiah 33:2
Some days start off wrong and finish worse. On these days we feel out of sorts, like an off-balanced tire, clumsy and inefficient. We say things we shouldn’t, using a voice that’s too angry or loud. Some days are full of failure and tinged by sin. Wouldn’t it be great to redo them?
While we can’t redo what’s done, we can start over. It’s called tomorrow. Lamentations 3:22–23 tells us that God’s mercy gives us a fresh canvas every twenty-four hours. Anger, grudges, irritation, and pain don’t have to carry over. No matter how stormy yesterday was, each new day starts fresh. And even if things begin to go wrong again, God is there for us first thing in the morning and every step of the way.
With God, every day is a new beginning, a new chance to enjoy our lives. So let’s focus on the things that matter most: worshipping Him, listening to Him, and being in His presence. No matter what happened the day before, today is an opportunity to enjoy a deeper relationship with Him. A clean slate, every time the sun comes up!
Before I get out of bed each morning, let me wholeheartedly say these words: “This is the day that the L ord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” (see Psalm 118:24).
DAY 6 When Bad Things Happen
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see; His eyelids test the children of men.
Psalm 11:3–4
What does daily life look like when an earthquake rocks a third-world country, killing hundreds of thousands and leaving an already desolate nation in ruins? When a tsunami sweeps away entire villages? When a hurricane flattens everything within a hundred-mile radius of the shore? When natural disasters strike, the struggle for basic survival eclipses all else. But all too often, governments are unable to meet the needs of their citizens during these times. Where is God when it hurts? Where is God in the midst of injustice? Does God care? These are timeless questions. The entire book of Job wrestles with these issues. The author of Psalm 11 did too, but he responded simply that God is still on the throne.
We may never understand why bad things happen or why God seems to be silent. But we can know that even when things appear to be spiraling into chaos, our loving God is still in control. How will you trust Him today?
Heavenly Father, I am always increasing my trust in You. When tragedy strikes, I learn to trust You without understanding. It is enough to know that You are in control.
DAY 7
Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
The apostle Paul wrote these words from prison. Considering his circumstances, it doesn’t seem like he had much reason to rejoice. Yet he remembered what many of us forget: When we have the Lord on our side, that’s the only reason we need.
Paul didn’t say, “Rejoice in your circumstances.” He told us to rejoice in the Lord. When we’re feeling depressed, anxious, or hopeless, we can think of our Lord. We can remind ourselves how unique and beloved we are to God. In His heart, each of us is irreplaceable.
Perhaps the reason we lose our joy sometimes is because we’ve entrusted it to the wrong things. If our joy is in what we own, what we do, or who we know, what happens when those things fall through? Our joy disappears.
But when God is the source of our joy, we will never lose it. Circumstances may frustrate us and break our hearts, but God is able to supply everything we need. Through it all, we can rejoice, knowing that we are God’s and that He loves us.
Dear Father, thank You for loving me. Help me to make You the source of my joy.
DAY 8
Staying Close
And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, then he took Him up in his arms and blessed God.
Luke 2:27–28
Simeon had been waiting a lifetime for the Messiah to come. God had promised him this would happen before he died, but as the years wore on, doubts probably began to seep in. But one day, the Holy Spirit told him to travel to the temple. Without questioning, Simeon went. Talk about dedication!
Simeon’s commitment paid off. God made sure that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to that particular place on that particular day so the old man could see Him, hold Him, and declare His presence to all who would listen.
If we want to catch God in the middle of His most exciting acts, we must stay close to the place He’s working. In Simeon’s day, that place was the temple; today, it might be church or a ministry project. On the flip side, when we put our own schedules first and disregard God’s work, we miss out on His most thrilling exploits. So will you stay close?
Dear Father, show me where You are working, and help me to stay close to You.
DAY 9
Speak Light
O send out Your light and Your truth. Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacles.
Psalm 43:3
The tiny lighthouse sat out on the rocky shore, piercing the night with its steady beam. Its bellowing horn echoed over the sea, warning ships of the rocky perils ahead. Countless boats strayed off course in dense fog, only to be steered from danger by that tiny lighthouse.
True light, sent out through the clouds and darkness, can save lives. A voice speaking the truth of Christ has real power behind it—the power of salvation. Be proud of who you are and everything Christ has done for you. It doesn’t matter how big, strong, smart, or powerful you are. What matters is that you have the truth of Christ to share. . .and there is no greater force in all creation.
May my light drive out all the darkness around me. Let me reflect Your divine light, Lord, clearing away the fog and leading others into the safety of Your love.
DAY 10
How
to Surprise Jesus
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this man, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Matthew 8:8–9
Have you ever been pleasantly surprised? We can assume that most people enjoy it when things go better than expected. Even Jesus experienced that in dealing with a Roman centurion who had requested healing for his paralyzed servant. In response to the soldier’s words above, Jesus “marveled” (verse 10); in other words, He was amazed, surprised. Then He made the man’s faith a teaching opportunity for others and spoke the healing word. Exactly how the infinite, all-knowing God could be amazed by anything is a debate for scholars, though certainly, as a man, Jesus temporarily put aside many of His divine powers. Whatever the case may be, wouldn’t you like to amaze Jesus with your faith? Simply believing that He has the power and the passion to help is a great place to begin. This faith grows as we study God’s Word, spend time with Him in prayer, and commit ourselves to living our lives on His terms.
Even if I can’t surprise You, Jesus, I’d like my faith to please You. Live Your life through me today.
DAY 11
Encouraging Words
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This old saying just isn’t true! Words can hurt. Ask anyone who has been bullied. Discouraging, shaming words stay with a person for a long, long time.
As we spend less time talking and more time texting and posting, let’s also be aware that whatever we “say” online stays online—for good. (We can delete things, but others may have captured screenshots or printed out our words.) That rant about a friend or teacher? It’s out there. That post belittling a teammate? It’s out there. That nasty, angry comment on a blog? It’s out there.
As Ephesians 4:29 says, the words we choose are important. . .especially as the world becomes increasingly uninterested in the things of God. The way we talk, both online and off, either attracts people to Jesus or turns them away. Today, think about the language and tone you use while speaking. Are your word choices helpful? Are your phrases kind? Is your tone sarcastic? Cynical? Bitter? Ask God to help you think before you speak (or post!).
Father, may everything I say be helpful, kind, and encouraging to others. Thank You for forgiving me when I mess up, Lord.
DAY 12
Knowing Who You Are in Christ
The righteousness of God that is by faith of Jesus Christ, to all and on all those who believe.
Romans 3:22
Sometimes, we measure our value by the grades we get or the talents we have. But this should never be. Who you are is more than a name. More than a face. More than an achievement. You are uniquely created, a true one of a kind. You are God’s son. His loved, cherished, and blessed child.
The Bible says you are a new creation. A royal priesthood. A holy nation. The righteousness of God. A holy temple. A member of the body. A citizen of heaven. Saved by faith. Raised up by Him. The aroma of Christ. Filled with heavenly gifts. Delivered from the domain of darkness. Capable of doing all things through Him. On and on the descriptions go.
Wow! When you read all of those things, you begin to see yourself as God sees you. You’re not just another person. You’re a son of the one true King, and He delights in you! Today, take a close look in the mirror. Don’t just aimlessly stare at your reflection—look with God’s perspective. Start seeing yourself with His eyes today.
Lord, please remind me that I’m everything You say I am. Most importantly, I’m Yours! Give me Your eyes to see myself the way You see me.
DAY 13
Unlock the Door
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:18
Math is a language all its own. Unfortunately, many students struggle to learn that language. Sometimes, they never truly understand it but retain just enough to make it through required courses. For many of us, it takes a person fluent in math to help us break past the language barrier.
The same is true for your spiritual life. God’s ways are not the ways of this world. Often, His ways resemble a new language. Prayer can unlock the door to understanding the Bible, God’s Word. As you spend time with God praying for understanding of His Word, His truth will speak to you in a brand-new way. The Holy Spirit will help you unlock the secrets of His purpose and plan for your life.
Discovering God’s plan can be exciting. Be willing to open the door to a new adventure with Him.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible. Help me to read it with understanding and come to know You in a whole new way.
DAY 14
One Big Family
But He answered and said to him who told Him, “Who is My mother? And who are My brothers?”
Matthew 12:48
Jesus’ family had heard of the crowds of people looking for healings, so they came to check on Him. But when someone announced their arrival, Jesus seemed to deny them with His words. Harsh! Was He having a bad day?
Part of the importance we place on family comes from our fear of strangers, but each “stranger” is beloved by God. Jesus wasn’t excluding His mother and brothers. He was expanding the definition of family. He went on to say, “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother” (verse 50). That’s a pretty wide net to cast—but it goes further. Even those who haven’t done the will of the Father can join the family if they repent.
The idea of a universal family in which we are all God’s children may seem lovey-dovey, but is like G. K. Chesterton’s description of Christianity. It “has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” A true family of Christ is possible. It begins when we lay aside fear and extend a hand.
I am honored to be a member of Your family, God. Allow me to see beyond my own family and to reach out in love to all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
DAY 15
Foolproof
Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4–5
Skeptics love to point out supposed contradictions in the Bible. Well, if ever one existed, here it is. A closer reading, however, reveals that there’s no contradiction after all. Solomon gave these two contrasting pieces of advice, deliberately stating one right after the other, to make it clear that we are to respond differently in different circumstances. Solomon later pointed out, “There is a season for everything,” and, “A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment” (Ecclesiastes 3:1; 8:5).
The type of answer you give a fool (the word here means a “self-confident person”) depends on how absorbed in his ego he is, what the circumstances are, and who might be listening. God may lead you to give him a serious answer (in contrast to his proud chatter) or a humorous, foolish answer (to show him how foolishly he’s talking).
For a full-blown fool, however, it’s best to bite your tongue and not say anything at all (Proverbs 23:9). No matter what you say, it won’t persuade him.
Dear God, when I don’t know how to respond to a foolish opinion, either give me the proper answer or lead me to keep still.
DAY 16
Choose Life
“The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
Too often, it seems as if the negatives of life outweigh the positives. Your homework is piling up. Your parents won’t leave you alone. Neither will your coach. You’re exhausted and can’t think straight. Life begins to cave in around you. It’s just too much! God’s Word, though, exposes the lie (and the liar) behind these defeating thoughts. We have an enemy who delights in our believing such negative things. He wants only destruction for our souls. But Jesus came to give us life! We only have to choose it—an act of the will blended with faith.
God is always a gentleman—He’s not going to force His life on us. But when we rely on Him alone, He’ll enable us to not only survive but thrive in our daily routine.
Each day, make a conscious decision to take hold of what Christ offers—life, to the fullest.
Lord, help me to daily choose You and the life You want to give me. Give me eyes of faith to trust that You will enable me to thrive.
DAY 17
Shining Light
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14
Jesus’ disciples knew all about darkness. Centuries before electricity was harnessed to provide light, people made do with fires and oil lamps. When the sun went down, darkness ruled. So when Jesus compared His followers to the light of the world, the image was crystal clear: light that overtakes the darkness—light to illuminate the way to the Savior. What a concept! Today, Jesus tells us to be light too, boldly and unashamedly flooding the darkness that surrounds us. How? First, by living the life God calls us to—not sinless, just forgiven. Second, by speaking about our faith in ordinary conversations. Did something good happen? Share your story with others and give God the credit. When someone asks about the peace you have even when things are going wrong, share the joy of Jesus.
Shining as a light in the world doesn’t mean being a Bible thumper or bashing others over the head with religion. It’s about living out a genuine faith that allows Christ’s light to break through our everyday lives. With that goal in mind, shine!
Jesus, please shine Your light through me as I seek to follow You.
