Day 06: Over Her Head

Posted by: Nellie
There are so many stories like today's devo. The group of Christian friends who went to youth group and did everything together, suddenly falls apart, as some of the group decide to walk away from the 'Church-stuff'. The faith that was once so important, now is seemingly gone.

When your friends give up on following Jesus, what do you do? Do you do everything possible to keep your friends? Do you follow them? Surely God wouldn't want me to lose my friends over Him?

Actually, Jesus warned us that it might happen. We shouldn't want to lose our friends. That's not our goal. But Jesus calls us to follow Him, even when it costs us. I believe we should do everything we can to reach out to others. To love our friends. But when you start sacrificing your obedience to Jesus to keep friendships, you're putting your hope and trust in people instead of Jesus. 

Does it please Jesus to see friends separate? No. But does it please Jesus to see us choose to follow His way, the way of life, rather than begin conforming to others? I think so.

Always keep the doors open to your friends. Always love them, and as much as they allow you, keep in the their life. But don't take the easy path and sacrifice your journey with Jesus. The hard path is following Jesus even when it costs us, but it's the path that leads to true life. 

Day 05: No Place To Go

Posted by: Nellie

Today's devo scenario was incredibly difficult. Denise's home life is horrible. She's afraid of her stepfather who has made sexual advances toward her, and she doesn't want to tell her mom, or anyone, because she doesn't want another painful divorce. What does it look like for Denise to be a disciple of Jesus in this scenario?

1) It reminds me to be thankful for my family and my parents. I feel guilty for not appreciating my family, when I know there are students who face very similar scenarios to Denise. 

2) It reminds me that things are never as they seem. If you met Denise, she'd probably do such a good job covering things up, you'd never know anything was wrong. Someone like Denise is very reluctant to tell anyone anything. Am I the sort of person that would be there for Denise, and that she knows she could trust? 

3) Finally... what do I think it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus in this case? There's no easy answer. But what I do know for sure, is that it does not mean avoiding the problem and pretending that everything is ok. One of most important things in my faith journey has been being ok with admitting when things are wrong. It can be hard, maybe embarrassing, but we all need others, and most of all, we need Jesus. In the words of Simon Peter in today's Scripture, 'to who else would we go besides you?' (John 6:68). 

Like Denise's scenario, sometimes there are no easy answers. But instead of hiding from the problem and keeping it to ourselves, we need to begin wrestling with Jesus about the way to go.

Day 04: Fear at School

Posted by: Jessica Armstrong (rising 8th grader at BMS)

Today’s devo was about the fears we feel at school, which I’m sure we’ve all been through. Whether it’s fear of bullies, or violence, or even just tests sometimes it’s hard to be a disciple of Jesus. 

Today’s devo was also about a rebellious Jesus. At first they enjoyed what Jesus said but when he said one thing they didn’t like they were very angry. That is very similar to the way people act towards others at school. But Jesus handled it well and just walked away. Many times in these situations at school that is exactly what we’re supposed to do, walk away.

Today’s devo got me thinking that you don’t have to be perfect to be a disciple of Jesus, and that’s not the goal either. It can be scary at times to be a disciple but if you trust in Jesus it’s totally worth it!

Day 03: Cara and the Rain Man

Posted by: Jayna

Cara and Howard have been good friends since 2nd grade. Now that they're in high school, Cara has become an attractive young lady who gets a lot of attention. Her friendship with Howard hasn't changed, until he started to become possessive and jealous. Howard even called and asked her out, but Cara really doesn't see him as boyfriend material. So what does she do? Where is the discipleship in this scenario?

I believe the discipleship is in the friendship. It's the trust and respect that is already there. I believe that we cross each other's paths for a reason, even if we don't realize it for years. In every relationship we have, good or bad, there are things to be learned. People change and people make mistakes. How you respond to those mistakes is a test of your character as well as the persons who made them. 

The discipleship is also in the way that each person involved responds to one another and the situation. Cara could easily write Howard off, and go gossip about him to her other friends, making him the laughing stock of the school. She could say yes, just to be nice, and end up miserable. She could say yes, just to be nice, and end up happily ever after. She could say no, let him down easy and remain friends. He could flip out, and never talk to her again. He could be sad, but not want to lose a friendship. He could apologize for being rude, and ask forgiveness. So many different scenarios could be played out. 

Sometimes people change for the better. Sometimes for the worse. As disciples, we still need to forgive them, to let go of their wrongs, and realize we're in need of forgiveness as much as they are. And, as hard as it may be, sometimes those people are branches that need to be pruned out of our lives. If we let them stay, they can become poison to our roots and make us wither into someone God never created us to be. 

Our roots need to be planted in God, through Him we can grow and become the beautiful things we are meant to be. 

How would you respond? Would you be able to forgive and forget? Would you be able to let go of a poisonous relationship?

John 15: 5-8
⁵ “I 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. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Day 02: Mark and the locker gorillas

Posted by: Nellie
Mark sees 2 guys stealing bikes from school. The next day they are at his locker and threaten him so that he won't tell. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus in this scenario from today's devo? The youth minister in me says the answer is obvious: tell an adult.

But I know that isn't what I would have done. Honestly, I'm not sure it's what I would do. I've never liked confrontation. I'm more likely to try and show them forgiveness (even though they haven't asked for it). I think one of the most courageous things would be to simply say to them that what they did was totally wrong. 

Whatever action you take, how do you now look at these 2 guys? Do you write them off as thieves and jerks? Is there another way? How could I show forgiveness and friendship to these guys, who probably don't deserve it? How could I be an example to them?

It's never easy to respond to evil with good. It's never easy to respond to hate with love. It's important to speak out against wrong. We also need to show love to those doing the wrong. 

It helps to remember that God showed us grace and love, even before we asked for it. Even while we were still jerks (Romans 5:8). 

Day 01: Parent Problems

Posted by: Nellie
One of the hardest places to be a disciple of Jesus is at home. 

You'll have been on an awesome retreat, gotten excited by worshipping God and challenged by the speaker. You've responded during the prayer time, you've maybe even told your friends about it. Truly you are all pumped up about living your life for Jesus. 

If you're anything like me, you've hardly slept on the retreat. You were too busy having fun trying to escape the watch of your leaders, and jacked up on Monster drinks. 

So by the time you've made the journey home, you're worn out and exhausted. Instead of the a pumped up, whole-hearted Jesus following disciple, my parents get a cranky, short-tempered mess. 

Home is usually where we are usually most comfortable. We take off our filters. Our parents and siblings get to experience us at our worst. We say rash things. We do selfish things. We are unthoughtful. 

Let's be real. Parents are always right. They aren't perfect. But that's not the point. I wonder if one of the truest signs of a disciple might be how they treat their family? 

I've still got some work to do...

Prep Devo: Getting ready to follow

Posted by: Nellie

"The idea may seem strange, but maybe Jesus needs to be ruin your life"
Jesus could ruin my life? That's kinda scary. 

That's what one of our 7th graders said to me today. I get it. Why would Jesus want to ruin my life? That kinda seems like a... an un-Jesusy kinda thing to do. Isn't ruining something for someone like a sin or something?

I think when I was like 10, Jesus was someone who showed me good morals and good behavior. Good kids were supposed to be like Jesus. They didn't steal stuff from other kids. They did what their parents told them. And they went to church.

When I was 12, I realised that Jesus didn't just do "nice" stuff. I was on a Summer camp in France, and the guy was talking about when Jesus was crucified, He was giving His life for us. Jesus died. For us. That isn't nice. That's a ridiculous love. A selfless love.

It was in the months after that camp that I realised that being a disciple of Jesus didn't just mean being nice. It meant taking up an adventure. Learning how to live differently. It meant following Jesus.  

Are you ready?