Student Devotion Week 4: Loving The Unlovable

Key Verses: John 17:26, "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Before the book is closed on the idea of loving those who persecute you, you have a little more work to do.

You've already thought about the concept of an enemy. Now, you have to figure out exactly what it means to love them.

Keep in mind that this whole conversation started because of what Jesus said in Luke 6:27: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." The important thing is to figure out just what Jesus wants us to do about dealing with those who definitely do not love us. After all, He said we were to love them, right?

You’re probably aware that there are a few different Greek words for love in the New Testament. The word Jesus used here for love comes from the Greek word, agape (pronounced, uh-GAH-pay). The New Testament writers used agape to describe the perfect love of God for His Son (John 17:26). Agape was also used to describe the sacrificial love Jesus had for us, demonstrated by His death on the cross. Agape is the type of love that comes from God, a love that loves in spite of wrongdoings and a love that sacrifices everything for another person.

Sorry to break this to you, but this is the kinds of love you are supposed to have for those who are against you. You are supposed to love your enemies sacrificially, in the perfect love of Christ. Ouch…This is not going to be easy, is it?

Honestly, this type of love for your enemies doesn’t happen overnight. And it can’t happen without prayer, commitment, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It might take a while, but if you stick with it, you can develop the kind of heart that seeks to show the love of Christ to those who are opposed to you.

Spend some time in prayer. Visualize the people who seem set against you. Now, say a prayer for those people. Pray that God will meet their needs. Finally, pray that your heart would be softened toward them. Pray that you would begin to love them in the spirit of God’s love for you.

Trust the Lord to begin to change your heart. He will help you begin to show love to those who might seem unlovable. And through it all, you will bring honor and glory to God.

Student Devotion Week 3: Going on the Defense

Key Verses: Ephesians 6:10-18, "¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

The Apostle Paul understood conflict with the world. Paul had been stoned and left for dead, whipped, beaten, and run out of various cities, all because he willingly gave his life to serve Christ.

One of the most well-known passages of the New Testament is Paul's description of the spiritual armor of God. In describing it, Paul helps us see that not only is our battle a real one against evil, but that God has equipped us to be victorious. Let's take a closer look.

Open your Bible to Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul did a cool job of providing perspective on nature of conflict.  What did Paul say in verse 12 that speaks to who the real enemy is? Paul said the real enemy is not other people ("flesh and blood"), but the evil spiritual forces at work in this world. How might this shift in perspective help you deal with people who seem to be your enemies? In verse 11, the Greek word Paul used for "full armor," is the term used for the full equipment, both defensive and offensive, of the heavily armed Roman foot soldier. Some scholars have even guessed that Paul was writing this letter while looking at a Roman soldier. (Remember, Paul was in jail at the time). So, when Paul talking about going into battle, he wasn't joking.

Read Ephesians 6:14. Roman soldiers would fasten their clothing securely around their waist with a belt. This made quick movements easier and was crucial to their ability to fight in combat. How does knowing the truth of God's word help your ability to respond quickly to trials? The Roman soldier's breastplate was a metal piece that protected the chest, lungs, and heart. How does living a good (righteous) life protect you from those who want to bring you down?

Read Ephesians 6:15. When going into battle, soldiers need footwear that will allow them to move quickly and cover long distances. What is it about the Gospel that makes you want to go quickly out in the world?

Read Ephesians 6:16. Roman soldiers had a large, oblong shield made of two large pieces of wood. This shield was used to defensive purposes, oftentimes for defense from the enemy's flaming arrows. In what ways does your faith help defend you from Satan's arrows of temptation?

Read Ephesians 6:17. The Roman soldier's helmet served the same purpose helmets serve today: it protected the soldier's head. How does your salvation in Christ protect you from the doubts, fears, and impure thoughts that sometimes enter your mind?

The Greek word Paul used for sword was the short, sharp sword crucial for Roman soldiers fighting in close combat. The sword is the only offensive weapon Paul mentioned. How can you depend on God's word to help you make it through tough situations?

How cool is it that you have all the available tools to help you withstand the persecution of the world? God has given you the ability to stay strong. He wants you to stay in the fight. Next time the world seems like it is against you, remember these verses and stand tall. With God by your side, you can do it!

Student Devotion Week 2: The Enemy Within

Key Verses: Romans 7:14-8:2, "¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."


Do you know people who look as if they have it all together? You can see how close they are to God and how awesome their lives seem. You say to yourself, "I wish I were just like them." Here's a little secret: Even the most spiritually mature Christ-followers sin...all the time. And while you should have people in your life who are spiritual mentors, it's important to realize that no one is good enough in him or herself to live a sin-free life.


Why? Because all people have what's called a "sin nature." This is the part of us that seeks to look out for ourselves first. This is the part of ourselves that we do battle with. Our sin nature is where temptation becomes reality. No one is immune to it. Not even the strongest Christ-followers you know. Not even the Apostle Paul.


Paul wrote an awesome passage about this in his letter to the Romans. You can read the entire passage in Romans 7:14-8:2. But here's a paraphrase of a part of it from The Message paraphrase. In this section, Paul was talking about the internal battle with his sin nature. See if you can relate to his struggle:


“But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.” Romans 7:17-23


Can you relate to Paul? Have you ever felt like there were times when no matter how hard you try, you just could not control your sin nature? What can you do in these times to keep from falling over and over again? Thankfully, Paul gives us some advice:

“I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.” Romans 7:24-25


Jesus has set you free from the power of sin. While you will always battle with your sin nature, take comfort in the fact that Christ has ultimately defeated the power of sin over the world. He has given you the strength to fight when you think you cannot fight anymore. Next time you find yourself in the struggle, stop and thank Jesus for providing you with a way out.

Student Devotion Week 1: The Real Enemy

Key Verses: John 15:18-25; 16:33 (18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ 33 “I 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.”)

History is full of examples of undeserved persecution.

During the Russian Civil War nearly 500,000 Cossacks were killed or deported by the Bolsheviks.

At one time in the history of both South Africa and the United States, having black skin meant an individual was a second-class citizen.

In World War II, the Nazis sought to exterminate the Jews simply due to their ethnic origin.

The U.S. Government decimated the Native American population in the 19th century in an effort to take over their land.

In each of these cases, and in the numerous other instances of persecution, the parties being persecuted did nothing to deserve the treatment they experienced. The persecution was unjust, unexpected, and completely unfounded.

There is a different kind of persecution going on all over the world today. This persecution is ages old. And it was predicted thousands of years ago. Yet, it goes on today...still. The interesting thing is that you might have even experienced it.

What is persecution? It is the persecution Christ-followers experience because of the name of Jesus. Maybe you've had conflict in your life because you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus. If you have ever stood up for your faith, and someone made fun of or marginalized you because of it, then you know what it means to feel rejected because of Christ.

But this should come as no surprise to you. In fact, Jesus predicted it long ago. Read John 15:18-25 and John 16:33. People hated Jesus simply because He was God's son. Jesus knew this. And He knew that people would hate you because you follow God's son. While it might not seem fair or logical, it is part of the truth of being a disciple of Jesus.


So how should you respond? Pray for those who persecute you. Live a life of obedience and commitment to God regardless of what happens. And take confidence in Jesus' words recorded in John chapter 16: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!"

Student Devotion Week 6: Barnabas: Supporting As We Go

Key Verses:  Acts 4:36-37, “36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
Acts 11:19-30, “19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

What do Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) and Jennifer Hudson as Effie in Dream Girls (2006) have in common? Nothing at first glance, they couldn’t be more opposite. But as unique as these characters seem in their movies, each won the Academy Award for best supporting role. Neither of the stories would be the same without their contributions. In fact, though neither of these actors played their respective plots’ main character, this is quite possibly the person who comes to mind as making the film truly great.

Similarly, it would be hard to argue against a guy named Barnabas being the obvious frontrunner if such an award existed in the New Testament. Although, if he were given a little gold statue, he would probably sell it and give the money away! (Read Acts 4:36-37 to see why.)

Every time Barnabas is mentioned in Scripture, he is encouraging someone else, supporting God’s bigger story, and enabling others to play their parts. He is not fighting for the spotlight; he is simply fulfilling his role in the mission. Now turn over and read Acts 11:19-30.

Barnabas had a reputation for being trustworthy, generous, and supportive. He did whatever was needed at the time and many lives were changed as a result.

What about your role in God’s mission? How are you known? If you are a Christ-follower, then you are part of His story now. Are you willing to play whatever part is necessary, following the Spirit’s direction? There are people in your life that need to be encouraged. They need to not only hear about God’s grace, but to also experience it through your generosity. Your life is not about you. Jesus is the Hero. You play a supporting role in the greatest adventure of love and mystery ever known. Give everything you’ve got to make the story of Christ famous TODAY.

Student Devotion Week 5: Philip: Anytime, Anywhere

Key Verse: Acts 8:26-40, " 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian [a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

33 Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea."

"Be Prepared." This has been the Scout motto for 100 years. Millions of young people around the world have been raised to be ready for any opportunity that may present itself...at least in theory. (Trying and untying knots may not be quite as essential a skill as it was back in the day). From Hank Aaron to Steven Spielberg, Martha Stewart to Bill Gates, people from all kinds of backgrounds grew up with this simple idea echoing in their minds. But maybe Scouts was never your thing. Sure, the cookies may be great but badges and uniforms had zero appeal. Regardless of how comfortable you feel in shorts and tall socks, the concept of being prepared is one we all need to embrace.

Read Acts 8:26-40. Philip was prepared to obey God immediately, going to a desert road and then running up to a man traveling home. When Philip approached the Ethiopian eunuch, he stepped right into a situation to share the story of Jesus. He was prepare to answer the man’s question about Scripture. When the royal official responded to the gospel in faith, Philip was prepared to baptize the new believer. Then, he was on his way again, ready to go anywhere God led him and to talk with anyone who crossed his path.

Are your prepared? If God provided the opportunities would you be able to step in and respond with faith and obedience? With Philip, God provided the direction, the opportunity, and the perfect timing. (They just happened to be passing water in the desert deep enough for both of them to go down into for baptism!) Are you listening to the Spirit, looking for God to open doors, and running through them when He does? When opportunity knocks, are you prepared to share the good news of Jesus Christ anytime, anywhere, with anyone?

Student Devotional Week 4: Nehemiah: Rising to the Challenge

Key Verse: Nehemiah 4:1-3, "When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble —burned as they are?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” 

The checkout line is littered with them...gossip magazines and bizarre tabloids. Cheap photo tricks, made up news, shocking headlines, and heartless jabs. These magazines aren't concerned with journalistic integrity to say the least; they're out for blood and money. It doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process, as long as you buy into the hype. The paparazzi are like snipers, poaching celebrity privacy in hunt for some juicy scandal or dirty little secret. If they can't dig one up, they'll create one. Relations, body image, steroids-whatever. The worse, the better. If a public figure is going to survive today' media-saturated climate, he or she needs to learn how to tune out the noise. (It also helps to actually stay out of trouble!)

First read Nehemiah 4:1-3. God's people endured some real critics. The harshness of the ridicule may get lost in translation, but the Jews were seriously harassed. Sanballat led the charge, rallying support form the wealthy and influential establishment. But Nehemiah was not discouraged. Now read Nehemiah 6:5-9. When mockery didn't prove to be a sufficient deterrent, Sanballat began writing lies. Again, Nehemiah ignored the lies, dismissing the false accusations as existing only in his enemies' mind. Instead of giving up, Nehemiah rose to meet the challenge, praying for God's strength. The result: He saw the impossible made possible.

Whether you like it or not, whether you think it's fair or unfair, people are watching you. If you start taking this "God thing" seriously, people aren't  going to be cool with it. But when insults and rumors begin spreading about your radical lifestyle and impossibly idealistic perspective, what will you do? Will you cave, crumbling under the pressure like the rubble of an old wall, or will you pray for God's strength to complete the mission He has given you?