A daily quiet time journey as we search the scriptures and tell our story.
by Mark & Debbi Witt
April 1: Honest Before God (Psalm 139:23–24)
God lovingly invites us to do something that is not always easy. He asks us to let Him search our hearts and reveal what needs to change.
Each winter, when the Teen Quest Ranch is quiet and students aren’t on the property, supervised groups of men from our local state prison come to help. They paint, clean, carry, build, and repair what they are allowed to do. Over the years, they have played a meaningful role in helping build the Ranch. Their work and effort could fill another story all on its own.
When they first began coming, we wanted to reward them with something simple, like pizza. But prison policy does not allow special treatment, since it can create conflict with other inmates. Even in that limitation, there was a quiet reminder. Freedom is precious, and restrictions shape every part of life behind bars.
As we talk with these men, we learn that many are close to being released. Some may even return to prison someday, but others have experienced a genuine heart of repentance through Christ.
Scripture reminds us that prison is not only a physical place. Many people walk freely each day, yet their hearts remain locked up. Sin, pride, bitterness, or unrepented habits can quietly imprison the soul. God already knows what is there. When He invites us to confess, that opens the door for Him to cleanse, restore, and lead us into living the Spirit-filled life.
When we allow God to search our hearts, we step into true freedom.
Prayer:
Lord, search my heart. Show me anything that displeases You and give me the grace to release it to You.
Challenge:
Take five quiet minutes today. Sit still before God and ask Him to reveal one attitude, thought, or habit that needs His cleansing and surrender.
April 2: God’s Unfailing Love (Psalm 136:1)
God’s steadfast love endures forever. Not just when we do well. Not when we succeed or get it right. His love is rooted in who He is, not in how we perform.
Several years ago we set up a paintball speedball field at the Teen Quest Ranch. The field is still there today, complete with paths and barriers where kids can hide. It has brought a lot of fun and excitement to campers of all ages.
At one point, I had what I thought was a great idea. I decided to set sixteen-foot poles into the ground and stretch a large net across them so paintballs would not hit the bystanders watching the game. It sounded smart and responsible at the time.
The problem was the work. Each hole had to be dug by hand, and we could only manage about three feet deep. It took a long time and a lot of effort to dig the holes, set the poles, and hang the net. Still, I thought it was worth it.
For about a week, everything worked perfectly. Then the first windstorm came. The wind caught the net like a sail, pulled the poles right out of the ground, and the whole thing collapsed. Standing there afterward, cleaning up the mess was humbling and embarrassing.
That moment reminds me of how often we mess up in life. We make poor choices. We think our plans are solid, only to watch them fall apart. We disappoint ourselves and sometimes even feel like we have disappointed the Lord. Yet, He does not walk away. He gently picks up the pieces. His love remains steady, patient, and unchanging. He loves us not because we succeed, but because He is love.
Have you given all your failures and sins to the Lord? On our worst days His steadfast love gives us the courage to begin again.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that Your love for me does not change, even when I fail.
Challenge:
When you feel discouraged or ashamed today, say this aloud:
“His love endures forever, even for me.”
April 3: The Lord Is Near (Psalm 145:18–19)
God is near to all who call on Him in truth. You never have to fight for His attention. He is ready to hear.
During the very first summer at the Teen Quest Ranch, we had no place for students to sleep overnight. So we purchased army tents and set them up in a large open field. It was simple and it worked . . . or so we thought. One afternoon, the sky suddenly turned dark. The wind began to pick up, growing stronger every few minutes. Before we could react, the storm intensified so quickly that we had no choice but to run for shelter inside a couple of nearby buildings.
I had never experienced a microburst before. The wind was fierce and unrelenting. Once we got the campers into the barn, the doors began to bow inward under the pressure of the wind. The howling noise made it sound as if the barn itself might be torn apart.
Inside that barn, with fear written on young faces, we gathered the kids into a circle and prayed. There was no time for fancy words or rehearsed prayers. We simply cried out to God. The storm suddenly stopped about ten minutes later.
When we stepped outside the damage was overwhelming. Tents were shredded. Mattresses had been blown onto neighboring properties. A large tree had been uprooted, narrowly missing the Ranch house and nearby vehicles. Yet not one camper was hurt. Everyone was safe. Cleanup took a long time, but our hearts were filled with gratitude. God had heard our prayer.
That day reminded me that coming honestly to God matters far more than coming impressively. He is not moved by polished words, but by sincere hearts. In moments of fear, uncertainty, or need, He is near, ready to listen, and ready to respond.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are near whenever I call on You.
Challenge:
Instead of worrying silently about something today, pause and pray out loud, even if only for a moment.
April 4: God’s Word Is Sweet (Psalm 119:103–104)
The psalmist describes God’s Word as sweeter than honey and as the source of true understanding. That description is not poetic exaggeration. It is lived experience.
From the time I was a child, my parents read the Bible with my siblings and me and they prayed with us daily. God’s Word was part of the rhythm of our home. As I grew older, that habit became my own. Reading Scripture and praying each day was no longer something done for me. It became something I needed.
Before smartphones existed, I used to challenge both kids and adults to carry a small Bible in their pocket so they would always have the sword of the Spirit with them when they needed it. Today, we carry multiple translations, commentaries, and study tools right in our phones. God’s Word is more accessible than ever.
Over the years, I have memorized many passages of Scripture, and I have found that those verses often come alive in moments of need. When strength is required, when clarity is missing, or when fear creeps in, God’s Word rises to meet the moment.
We must stop listening to the world and start listening to God. When conflict arises or confusion sets in, we should form the habit of going first to Scripture for answers. With all the tools at our fingertips we truly have no excuse not to seek God’s wisdom and trust His Word for life’s questions.
Let us return to the Bible. Let us allow God’s Word to shape our thinking, guide our decisions, and anchor our hearts rather than allowing culture to lead us astray. Scripture is not just information. It is nourishment. It is wisdom. It is life.
Prayer:
Lord, help me delight in Your Word, not just read it out of duty.
Challenge:
Read one psalm slowly today. Notice one phrase that feels sweet to your soul and carry it with you throughout the day.
April 5: The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:3–5)
Jesus was despised, rejected, and pierced for our transgressions. Our peace was purchased at a great cost.
My granddaughter experienced deep rejection during her time at a very small Bible college in Florida with only eighty students. Her roommates were best friends with each other and often left her out of conversations and activities. When she accidentally slept in one morning, they did not wake her. Students from other dorms asked to borrow her car but did not want her to come along.
She even tried to build a relationship with her resident assistant, but was met with indifference. Though she kept up with her studies, the loneliness was overwhelming. The absence of friendship weighed heavily on her heart.
The only person who reached out with kindness was the dean of women. Still, the emotional damage had already been done. She asked to transfer to their larger Bible Institute in New York hoping for a fresh start, but the director would not allow it. In the end, she withdrew from the school feeling defeated.
Yet her story is not finished. As time has passed, she has begun to see that God has bigger plans for her future. What felt like an ending was actually a redirection.
Rejection is painful, especially for a teen. Jesus understands that pain deeply. He came to free us from sin and offer us hope in heaven, yet He was rejected by the very people He came to save. When you walk through rejection, remember that Christ walks with you. He knows the sting of being unwanted, and He stands on your side.
Remembering His suffering deepens our gratitude and anchors our hope.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for bearing my sin and my pain on the cross.
Challenge:
Take a few quiet minutes today to thank Christ specifically for what He suffered in your place.
April 6: By His Wounds (1 Peter 2:24)
Peter reminds us that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
I am reminded of the story of the hen and the pig who were asked to help provide food for a children’s home. The hen said, “I will donate eggs, and you can donate ham.” For the hen, it was a simple donation. For the pig, it was total commitment.
That picture helps us understand what Christ did for us. Jesus came from heaven to earth fully committed, giving His life to free us from sin and prepare us for eternity.
When I gave my life to Christ at age 12, and later made certain of that commitment at 18, I asked the Lord to forgive me of all my sins past, present, and future. As far as heaven and salvation are concerned, He has forgiven me completely. Yet over the many years since, I have still sinned and needed to confess those sins so that my walk with the Lord remains strong and unhindered.
I have learned that spending time in the Bible is one of the greatest keys to staying away from sin. I once heard a quote that said, “This book, the Bible, will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.” I have found that to be true.
The grace of God not only forgives us, it redirects our lives toward righteousness.
Prayer:
Lord, help me live as someone who has died to sin and now lives for You.
Challenge:
Identify one sinful habit and ask, “If I am dead to this in Christ, what new action should replace it today?”
April 7: The Power of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18)
To the world, the cross looks foolish. But to those who are being saved, it is the very power of God.
During my early college years, I attended a small so-called Christian university in Ohio. What surprised me most was not opposition from nonbelievers, but the lack of conviction among many who claimed to be Christians. Drinking and drug parties were common, and many blended right in with the crowd.
Once students in my dorm learned that I was a born-again Christian, the pressure began. Some mocked my faith openly. Others told me the Bible was full of errors and said that now we were in college, it was time to grow up and stop believing Bible fairy tales.
When I tried to explain why I had committed my life to Christ, they labeled me a fanatic. They talked down to me, ridiculed my beliefs, and repeatedly tried to push me into joining their parties. When I refused, the harassment continued.
Yet even in that hostile environment, God was at work. One student in my dorm quietly began asking questions. He wanted to know what the Bible really said and what it meant to follow Christ. We spent many hours talking, reading Scripture, and discussing faith. Over the summer, he gave his life to Christ as his Savior and Lord. Our friendship and fellowship continued until he later transferred to a Bible college to prepare for ministry as a pastor.
After graduation, I attended Liberty University, which further shaped my faith and direction. I will share more of that journey later.
Through those experiences, I learned an essential truth. I cannot live for Christ in my own strength. I can only live for Him through His power.
God’s wisdom turns the world’s values upside down.
Prayer:
Father, keep me anchored to the message of the cross, Your power to save.
Challenge:
This week, share with one person what the cross of Christ personally means to you.
April 8: Finished Work (John 19:30)
Jesus said, “It is finished,” declaring His work of atonement complete.
A few months ago, the well pump at the Teen Quest Ranch failed. It had been in the ground for 25 years and had never given trouble. The well company had to pull the old pump and install a new one.
There was no choice but to cover the cost of the pump and service. The other day, a $1,700 bill surfaced in a folder waiting to be paid. With limited funds available, I was concerned how this large bill would be handled, and plans were being made to call the company and work out a payment plan.
To my great surprise, when the call was made, the well company explained that the bill had already been paid and nothing was owed. That moment brought me great relief after unnecessary stress.
What a powerful reminder of what Christ has done for us. He paid the debt on the cross, and nothing more is owed. Trust in Him as Savior brings freedom from the eternal debt of sin.
If Christ has been trusted as Savior, take time today to thank Him for the debt He paid for all of us.
We don’t add to His finished work. We rest in it and live from it.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that my salvation is finished by Your work, not mine.
Challenge:
When you catch yourself trying to “earn” God’s love, remind yourself: “It is finished.”
April 9: Buried with Christ (Romans 6:3–4)
Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Our old self has been crucified with Him, and we are raised to walk in newness of life.
This truth is beautifully lived out through the ministry of Teen Quest. Many weekends throughout the year, and especially during the summer, we welcome kids from all over to our Teen Quest Ranch for rallies filled with worship, teaching, and the life-changing message of the gospel.
God has blessed us with an incredible team of young men who lead these youth rallies with passion and joy. What’s so amazing is that each one of these men once sat in the audience themselves. They grew up in this ministry, came to know Christ here, and were transformed by His power.
Now, they stand on stage leading others to the same Savior who changed their lives. They know deeply that Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for them to be set free, and out of that freedom, they’re now helping younger generations discover the same hope.
The angel’s words, “He is not here; He has risen,” change everything. Jesus’ resurrection proves His victory over sin, death, and hell.
Prayer:
Lord, help me live like someone truly made new in You.
Challenge:
Write a short sentence beginning with, “Because I am new in Christ, I will…” then step out and live it today.
April 10: The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:5–6)
For many years we faithfully held youth rallies on the second Saturday night of every month. It became a standing commitment. In fact, just before our first son was born, I jokingly told my wife Debbi, “Just don’t have the baby on the second Saturday night of the month.” We never wanted to cancel.
One cold winter night, a blizzard swept through. The snow was heavy, the roads were slick, and we quietly wondered if anyone would come. Still, Debbi, our youth speaker, and I piled into the car and drove to the high school auditorium where the rally was to be held.
We waited. And waited. Not a single person showed up. Were we discouraged? Maybe a little. But deep down we knew God still had a plan.
That moment reminds me of Mary Magdalene on that early morning when she came to the tomb of Jesus. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. She ran to tell Peter and John, and they ran to see for themselves. At first there was confusion, fear, and disappointment. Mary even thought someone had stolen the Lord’s body.
But the empty tomb was not a sign of defeat. It was the greatest victory in history. Sometimes in ministry and in life, we experience “empty room” moments. Prayers seem unanswered. Efforts appear unnoticed. Faithfulness feels lonely. But the empty tomb reminds us of a powerful truth: God is still alive today. He is working even when we do not see results. He walks with us through trials, disappointments, and quiet seasons when it feels like nothing is happening.
Your faithfulness is never wasted in God’s hands.
Prayer:
Lord, help me remain faithful even when I cannot see the results. Remind me that You are alive and working in every situation. Strengthen my heart in seasons of disappointment. Amen.
Challenge:
Stay faithful in the small and unseen moments this week. God is working even when the room feels empty.
April 11: Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3–4)
Scripture: “We have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ… and an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” — 1 Peter 1:3–4
Recently, while ministering in a supporting church in Mountain Lake Park, Western Maryland, I heard a story that stirred my heart.
Across the street once stood the Mountain Lake Park Chautauqua (1881 to about 1940). In its day, thousands arrived by train to hear the Word of God, including the bold evangelist Billy Sunday. It was a place set apart to spread the gospel with high moral standards and a passion for revival.
As I reflected on that sacred history, something deeply personal came to mind. I discovered that my grandfather from western Pennsylvania and Debbi’s grandfather from Kansas both trusted Christ during Billy Sunday meetings when they were young men.
Seeds planted in one generation… still bearing fruit in another.
Because of their decisions decades ago, Debbi and I walk today in a spiritual legacy that was faithfully passed down.
Friend, this is the power of our living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It does not fade. It does not expire. The same risen Savior who stirred hearts then is still transforming lives today.
We are deeply grateful for the hope passed to us, and by God’s grace, we are committed to passing it on to the next generation.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the living hope we have through Jesus. Help me faithfully pass this legacy of faith to the next generation. Amen.
Challenge:
Invest in someone younger in the faith this week. Your obedience today may shape a life for eternity.
April 12: Resurrection Power in Our Weakness (Ephesians 1:19–20)
Scripture: The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in believers. — Romans 8:11
Back in January, we received a troubling letter from the county. They were asking us and other camps in the area to pay a 5 percent hotel tax for every student and leader who had stayed at the Ranch over the past five years. Even more alarming, they demanded the information within just two weeks. Humanly speaking, it felt overwhelming.
Immediately, I sent texts to several prayer partners asking them to intercede. We also gathered with other youth leaders in the area, and together we encouraged one another and prayed earnestly about the situation. Because in our weakness, God is our strength.
About a week later, the County Treasurer called all the camp leaders to a meeting. I arrived a little late. But the moment I walked into the room, the treasurer looked at me and said, “Everything is off the table. You will not have to pay the hotel tax.”
Just like that. God changed a heart. God moved the situation. God did what we could not do.
It was a powerful reminder that the Christian life is not about self-improvement. It is about resurrection power flowing through weak, dependent people.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is still at work today in those who trust Him.
Prayer:
Lord, let Your resurrection power work in my weakness today. Amen.
Challenge:
In the area where you feel weakest right now, specifically ask God for resurrection power and step forward in faith.
April 13: New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
It is always a joy to watch young people grow up in our ministry. I truly wish every child who comes to camp would surrender their life to Christ, but we know that is not always the case. Still, when we do see God change a life, it is incredibly exciting.
Christian first came to Teen Quest Ranch as a young boy. At an early age, he made the decision to surrender his life to Christ. Year after year we had the privilege of watching him grow in his faith.
He learned Scripture, developed a daily quiet time, and learned how to share his faith. The change in his life became very clear over time.
Today, Christian is in seminary preparing for pastoral ministry. He now speaks to youth during our Summer Camps and Winter Snow Camps, and students love hearing from him. Many have shared how God is using Christian’s testimony and teaching to strengthen their own walk with Christ.
And Christian is not alone. Several members of our leadership team actually grew up in this ministry and now have vibrant testimonies of how God transformed their lives.
There is something deeply encouraging about watching God work in the lives of students and then seeing those same young people grow up to serve Him.
It reminds us of a powerful truth: Your history does not define you. Jesus does.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that in Christ I am truly new.
Challenge:
Refuse to label yourself only by your past. Speak a “new creation” truth over yourself today.
April 14: Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20–21)
We are Christ’s ambassadors, pleading with people to be reconciled to God.
Several weeks ago, while visiting a church, a woman turned around in the pew and thanked me for a sermon I had preached there many years earlier. She told me that was the day she dedicated her life to the Lord. Curious, I asked how her walk with Christ was going. With a smile she said, “When I surrendered my life to Christ, everything changed.”
She explained that at the time she was not living for the Lord at all. But through the preaching of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit deeply convicted her heart. That day she fully surrendered her life to Jesus.
Today she is faithfully serving in the choir, attending church regularly, and intentionally putting Christ first in her life. Even more encouraging, her decision to follow Christ has influenced members of her own family.
I have to be honest, I do not remember the sermon I preached that day. I do not even remember her decision in the moment. But what a powerful reminder. God often uses our obedience in ways we never see… and in moments we may never remember.
You never know how something you say, or the way you live may impact another person for eternity.
So let us walk like Jesus. Let us speak like Jesus. Let us live in a way that points others to Him. Because in Christ, lives truly are made new.
God makes His appeal through us, ordinary people with a powerful message.
Prayer:
Lord, use me as Your ambassador today.
Challenge:
Ask God for one open door today to point someone toward Him, even in a small way.
April 15: God’s Good Work in Trials (Romans 8:28–29)
God works all things together for good by conforming us to Christ.
Have you ever had a bad day? What about a very bad week? Sometimes it feels like troubles do not come one at a time but all at once.
It seemed like everything that could go wrong at the Ranch did go wrong.
Suddenly our water plant stopped producing water, and we had to replace the pump in the well. Just a few days later the pipes in the plant froze, leaving us with no water again.
Then the oil company failed to deliver our scheduled oil and we ran out of heat in the Ranch House. Then the kitchen sink drain clogged.
During our second Snow Camp weekend in January, the drain pipe in our upper lodge clogged and water leaked into a downstairs bedroom.
Moments like these can feel overwhelming. Yet as Christians, we know that trials and testings are not wasted. God uses them to strengthen our faith and to teach us to rely on Him rather than ourselves.
When believers face trials, our response must be surrender, not discouragement. We place our trust in the promise of Scripture that says, “All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The good God is working is not always comfort or ease. Often, the good is that we are being shaped, refined, and made more like Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, use my trials to shape me into the likeness of Your Son. Help me trust You when life feels overwhelming.
Challenge:
Look at one difficult situation you are facing and ask, “How might God be using this to make me more like Christ?”
April 16: Nothing Can Separate (Romans 8:38–39)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not trouble. Not confessed sin. Not failure. Not fear.
Many years ago, when our kids were still small, our family took a long train ride all the way to California to visit some friends. It was a very long trip, but it was also a beautiful ride as we watched the countryside roll by outside the windows.
We did not have much money in those days, so instead of getting a sleeper car, we simply tried to rest in our seats. After a while, my back was sore and I was tired of trying to sleep sitting up, so I quietly walked to the observation car and stretched out on the floor to get some real sleep. Before long, I was sound asleep.
Suddenly, the conductor came through and told everyone to return to their seats because the train was about to disconnect and join another train. At the very last minute, Debbi began looking for me, but she could not find me anywhere. You can imagine the panic she felt.
She quickly told the conductor, and he began searching the train. Thankfully, he found me fast asleep in the observation car. If he had not found me in time, I would have been headed to a completely different city.
Here is the truth we must never forget. In this world, we can be separated from people we love. Distance, problems, and even death can separate us from one another for a time. But when it comes to God’s love for His children, nothing can separate us from Him.
So when the enemy whispers fear or condemnation into your heart, speak the truth of God’s Word out loud: “Nothing can separate me from God’s love in Christ.”
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that Your love for me is unshakable and secure.
Challenge:
When you feel discouraged or condemned this week, stop and say out loud, “Nothing can separate me from God’s love in Christ.”
April 17: Present Your Bodies (Romans 12:1)
Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. That means worship is not just something we do with our voices on Sunday. True worship is giving our whole life to the Lord every single day.
Cassie was one of our wonderful trail guides at the Teen Quest Ranch. She loved horses and she loved working with kids, even though she was still a teen herself. Cassie was a committed Christian believer who gave her all to serve her Lord. You could see it in the way she worked, the way she cared for the kids, and the joy she brought to the Ranch.
Cassie lived in Johnstown, only about thirty minutes from our Ranch. One day she and her grandfather were driving to get some ice cream. It should have been a simple, happy trip.
But on a very narrow road, a group of boys in a truck were headed toward them. The boys were fooling around and texting, not paying attention to the road. In a terrible moment they crossed the line and hit Cassie and her grandfather head-on.
Our hearts were broken. When I get to heaven one day, I want to see Cassie and thank her for living a life that was pleasing to God.
Worship is not just singing songs in church. Worship is daily surrender. It is choosing to live for Jesus in the small things and the big things. It is offering our time, our actions, our attitudes, and our bodies to the Lord.
Every ordinary task can become an offering when it is done for Him.
Prayer:
Lord, I present myself to You today. Use me for Your purposes.
Challenge:
Today, choose one normal task, even a small one, and consciously offer it to God as an act of worship.
April 18: Renewed Mind (Romans 12:2)
God never called you to blend in with the world. He called you to be transformed by renewing your mind.
Back in the early 1980s, we started a Young Preachers Club for teen guys who believed God might be calling them into full-time ministry. These were ordinary young men who wanted their lives to count for Christ. Our motto was intense but unforgettable: Preach, Pray, Sing, or Die at a moment’s notice, teaching them to be ready for whatever God called them to do.
We had about twelve young men in that club, and God used it powerfully. Today, some of those same guys are still faithfully serving the Lord in ministry.
Two things have wrecked more young preachers and Christian leaders than almost anything else: the wrong use of money and promiscuous sexual living.
Here is the truth. When believers fall in love with the world, they lose their spiritual power. You cannot live like the world all week and expect to impact the world for Christ.
Just like we challenged our Teen Quest young preachers, you can fully surrender your life to the Lord by claiming Romans 12:1 and 2. When you surrender to God, He begins to reshape how you think, what you want, and how you live.
God is not looking for halfway Christians. He is looking for young people who are all in.
Prayer:
God, renew my mind with Your truth instead of the world’s messages.
Challenge:
What is one lie the world has fed you? Replace it today with what God’s Word says is true.
April 19: Spiritual Gifts for the Body (1 Peter 4:10–11)
Each believer has received a gift to serve others so that God may be glorified.
Years ago our camps at the Teen Quest Ranch were growing fast and we urgently needed a cook. While speaking at a men’s breakfast in Maryland, I asked the group to pray that God would send one.
In the crowd sat a retired school principal. He said nothing that morning.
But a few days later he called and said, “Your prayers are answered. I am your new cook.” And he was.
For several years he faithfully served our ministry with excellence, helping feed hundreds of young people. God used him in a powerful way.
God’s truth is that He uses people in many different ways. Not everyone stands on a stage. Sometimes God uses someone in a kitchen to help change lives for Christ.
Your gift is not about you being in the spotlight. It is about giving God the glory and serving others in the name of Christ.
So what is your gift? Are you using it?
Prayer:
Lord, show me how to use my gifts to serve Your people.
Challenge:
Choose one practical way to serve in your church or community this week and do it.
April 20: Clothed with Humility (1 Peter 5:5–6)
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
We once invited an evangelist to come to our church to preach a youth revival. He was a bit cocky, but he was a very good speaker. Debbi and I were young at the time and honestly a little intimidated by him.
During the week we invited him over for dinner. To our surprise he said to my wife, “I am not going to eat this slop,” and pressured me to take him out to eat. Like a dummy, I did.
On the last night of the revival, I was sitting on the front row while he was preaching. I noticed his zipper was down and wide open. Trying to be discreet, I held a note from the front row to help him out.
Instead of quietly reading it, he tried to embarrass me by telling the crowd, “Mark has something to tell me.” But when he finally read the note, the embarrassment shifted quickly.
He immediately said, “Every head bowed and every eye closed,” as if giving the invitation, and he used the moment to zip up his pants.
Here is the lesson. When pride creeps in, God has a way of humbling us . . . every time.
Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. It is seeing yourself honestly and willingly submitting to God.
Prayer:
Father, clothe me with humility before You and others.
Challenge:
Choose to listen more than you speak in a conversation where you usually try to be right.
April 21: Cast Your Anxiety (1 Peter 5:7)
We are invited to cast all our anxiety on God because He cares for us.
My son Jason and his family live in the Ranch House at Teen Quest Ranch. Like many families, they have a dog. Every once in a while the dog gets out and runs beyond our 140 acres.
One day an unfriendly neighbor found the dog on his property and sued my son, claiming the dog had killed his pet deer that was fenced in on his property.
You can imagine the anxiety. Jason and his wife were called before a judge to defend a dog that supposedly killed the neighbor’s deer. The neighbor even showed photos of the dead deer, and the judge ruled against my son’s insurance company and they had to pay out thousands of dollars.
About a month later, I ran into the neighbor’s son-in-law. He quietly told me his father-in-law had lied about Jason’s dog and filed the lawsuit just to collect insurance money. Unfortunately, this is the new way of the world.
Life is full of unfairness and we experience stressful moments. But here is the truth. We have a God who cares deeply about what we are going through each and every day.
When we face anxiety, we must choose to rely on God’s Word and trust Him in the middle of the stress.
Prayer:
Lord, I cast my worries onto You. Carry what I cannot.
Challenge:
Write down your biggest worry today. Pray about it, then symbolically hand that paper over to God.
April 22: Be Still (Psalm 46:10)
“Be still and know that I am God” is an invitation to stop striving and remember who is really in control.
I learned to drive a stick shift when I was young, so we found a great deal on a used Honda Fit with a manual transmission. But in the spring of 2024, I started feeling something wrong in my leg and lower back from using that clutch over and over.
Soon I was dealing with severe sciatica. I had never experienced pain like it. I could not walk normally. I could not drive. I could not sleep.
So I went to the hospital, but they couldn’t help me.
For more than three weeks I suffered and asked the Lord to take the pain away. It felt like my prayer was not being answered.
I asked a chiropractor friend to show me some exercises, and then something changed as God gave me a peace that I cannot fully explain. Little by little the healing began.
Here is what I learned. I had to totally surrender to God, exercise, and know God is in control of my body. When we quiet our hearts, we remember He is God and we are not.
Prayer:
God, quiet my heart so I can know You more clearly.
Challenge:
Take a 5 to 10 minute stillness break today. No devices. Just breathe, pray, and focus on God’s greatness.
April 23: God Our Refuge (Psalm 46:1–2)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
At the Teen Quest Ranch we have about 60 acres of grass to cut, so it’s a big job. Every once in a while they let me take the mower down by the lake to cut trails. The problem is, some of those areas are steep and tricky. If you get stuck down there, help is not always easy to reach.
More than once I have had close calls, but one time really stood out. My mower slipped off the trail and ended up hanging sideways on a steep bank. I was dangerously close to flipping the mower on top of myself.
After a time of prayer, I called for help and we were able to use an ATV and a chain to pull the mower and me back to safety.
That moment reminded me of something important. We are nothing without the strength of the Lord. When we get stuck in life’s dangerous places, He is the One who rescues us.
Because of His grace, we know He truly cares.
When trouble comes, stand on the Word of God and ask Him for strength in your time of need. Refuge does not mean trouble disappears, but God gives us peace in the midst of the storm.
Prayer:
Lord, be my refuge and strength in every situation today.
Challenge:
When you feel overwhelmed today, pause and whisper, “You are my refuge.”
April 24: Teach Us to Number Our Days (Psalm 90:12)
We are taught to number our days so we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Debbi and I have been working with teens for more than 50 years, longer than most youth leaders anywhere. People sometimes ask me, “When are you going to retire?” But what is retirement when you love and are passionate about what you do?
I may not run like I used to or play football much anymore, but my love for young people and my passion to see them come to Christ is stronger than ever for both Debbi and me.
Someone asked me recently what keeps me going. My quick answer was this: seeing the adults who came through our ministry still walking with the Lord. That is fuel for the fire.
We know our days are numbered. I want to leave this world having made a real impact for Christ. There are still teens to reach and train. The mission is not finished.
In fact, the older I get, the greater my passion becomes to reach the lost. Life is brief. Wisdom means living today in light of eternity.
Prayer:
Lord, help me live this day wisely and intentionally.
Challenge:
Look at your schedule today and ask, “Does this reflect eternal priorities?” Adjust one thing.
April 25: Delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:3–4)
We are called to trust in the Lord and delight in Him, and He will give us the desires of our heart.
When I was young, I was taught to choose a life verse, one Scripture that would shape my direction. I found mine in Psalm 37:4, and it has guided me ever since.
What amazed me even more was that when I met Debbi, she had chosen the very same verse before we ever met. That was clearly a God thing.
For more than 50 years we have leaned on that promise when challenges came and when big decisions had to be made.
So what does it mean to delight in the Lord? It means finding deep joy and close fellowship with Him. That kind of pleasure grows when we spend real time in God’s Word and in prayer.
And how does He give us the desires of our heart? As we walk in the Spirit, God begins to reshape our desires so that we want what He wants. Our heart starts lining up with His will.
There is no greater joy for a Christian than to delight in the Lord and follow Him daily.
Prayer:
Help me, Lord, to delight in You more than in temporary things.
Challenge:
Spend a few minutes today simply praising God for who He is without asking for anything.
April 26: Commit Your Way (Psalm 37:5–6)
We commit our way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He acts.
I had big plans for the Teen Quest Ranch early on. I remember the day we prayed, committing the Teen Quest Ranch to the Lord.
But I wanted to build the Ranch fast and had little patience when things were going slow. The first several years we had to operate out of the Ranch House because the other buildings were not finished or remodeled.
We had little space and not the proper equipment needed to feed kids from the House kitchen. When it was time to make pancakes for 30 kids, my friend Roger brought in a large grill from his church. Since it was winter we had to place the grill inside an enclosed trailer.
A few years later we started using another remodeled building to serve food but had to carry the dishes from that building to the Ranch House to wash them because we didn’t have water in that building yet.
Those early days were rough, but God taught me how important it is to wait on Him. It took a lot of volunteers, money, and time to build the infrastructure of the Teen Quest Ranch these last 25 years.
Now looking back I can see how His plan was a better plan than my plan. I would have made the buildings smaller because of time and money, but God had bigger plans.
My impatience on the infrastructure would have hindered the overall capacity the facility could hold.
God invites us to roll our plans onto Him and rest in His action, not ours.
Prayer:
Lord, I commit my plans and paths to You. Act according to Your wisdom.
Challenge:
Choose one decision you’re wrestling with and formally commit it to God in prayer.
April 27: God’s Faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)
The God who calls us is faithful; He will do it.
For more than 50 years, Debbi and I have faithfully shared with others that Christ offers abundant and eternal life. Whether sharing with a vendor in our home or striking up a conversation with a total stranger, I try to weave into that moment what Christ has done in my life and how He has set us free.
Several weeks ago, I was invited to share our ministry at a church. Before I spoke, a lady sat in front of me and said that back in 1991 I had preached from that very same pulpit. At the end of that message, she came forward and dedicated her life to Christ. She was deeply grateful that I had given that message so many years ago. Hearing her story was such a blessing and a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Over the years, I have seen many ministry leaders come and go. But long ago, God impressed on my heart the importance of simply being faithful to His calling. Results are in His hands. Our responsibility is obedience.
When you are faithful, God will use you in mighty ways for His glory.
Our security is not in our grip on God, but in His grip on us.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that Your faithfulness holds me when I am weak.
Challenge:
Remember a time when God proved faithful in your life and thank Him for it today.
April 28: Rejoice Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
We are told to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
Debbi and I traveled to Costa Rica several years ago to set up our Teen Quest summer mission trip. We boarded a plane and headed to San José, expecting to be met by missionaries serving in that country.
But when we arrived at the airport, no one was there.
We couldn’t call them, text them, or reach them in any way. We waited for more than an hour, but still no missionaries came. Finally, we found someone willing to take us to a compound surrounded by high walls and guards. Staying there was a little intimidating, but we had no other place to go.
I am not sure how much sleep we got that night. It was one of those challenging missionary adventures you never forget.
We were so relieved and thankful the next day, when the missionaries finally arrived to pick us up.
When serving in ministry, we never know what God has in store. But we do know this: God is in control, and He calls us to give thanks even in uncertain moments.
This isn’t denial of pain. It is choosing to see God’s hand even in hardship.
Prayer:
God, teach me to rejoice and give thanks in everything.
Challenge:
Write down three things you are thankful for in a current difficulty.
April 29: Do Not Quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19–22)
We are warned not to quench the Spirit but to test everything and hold fast to what is good.
After finishing Liberty University in Virginia, I accepted a position at a local church in Pittsburgh. My girlfriend (now my wife) was still attending Liberty, so during one of my days off I made a trip to visit her.
On the return trip to Pittsburgh, it became clear there was a Bible study for me to lead that evening. Wanting to arrive on time, I pushed the speed far too much. At times the car was traveling over 100 miles an hour.
Upon reaching the Pittsburgh area, I was relieved at having avoided a speeding ticket. With only a few miles left before the Bible study, there was no longer any rush. However, a back-road sign showing 35 miles per hour went unnoticed. Traveling at 45 miles per hour resulted in being pulled over by a police officer and given a ticket.
God used that moment to teach an important lesson: it is never right to do wrong in order to do right.
When we go against those in authority, the Holy Spirit can be quenched and God’s blessing forfeited in that moment. Subtle compromise can quietly dampen the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, keep my heart sensitive and responsive to You.
Challenge:
Ask God to show you one compromise you have been tolerating and turn from it.
April 30: The God of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
The Lord of peace Himself can give us peace at all times and in every way.
After Debbi and I were married, we felt called to leave our position at a local church and begin a youth ministry to reach students for Christ.
From the very beginning there was a deep peace about launching what is now called Teen Quest. That peace was more than emotion. It was the clear sense that God Himself was leading. During the very first month the Lord provided the needed support and opened the door for the first evangelistic youth rally in Pittsburgh.
Starting a ministry from scratch was not easy. Each step required trust in the Lord. There were setbacks along the way, yet even today there remains confidence that God is faithfully leading.
When genuine, godly peace fills the heart, a deeper rest settles in even when circumstances are difficult. True inward peace comes from resting on God’s promises and allowing Him full control of life.
True peace is not about circumstances lining up. It is about His presence ruling within us.
Prayer:
Lord of peace, let Your peace rule in my heart today.
Challenge:
When anxiety rises, breathe deeply and pray, “Lord, be my peace right now.”
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Quest For The Journey — March 2026
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