A daily quiet time journey as we search the scriptures and tell our story.
by Mark & Debbi Witt
September 1: God never changes (Malachi 3:6)
God never changes. Even as seasons and circumstances change, His unchanging nature makes us strong.
When I was a kid, my parents had a rule: whatever was put on your plate, you had to eat.
One day my mother served me a piece of pie covered with real whipped cream. The problem was that I hated whipped cream! But my dad’s rule didn’t change. I had to sit there until I ate it.
Years later, I began to like whipped cream and today I love it, especially the real stuff! What changed? My taste did.
Something similar happens when we trust Christ. Our spiritual tastes begin to change. The things we once desired begin to lose their appeal, and we begin to desire the things of God.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
My taste changed, but my dad’s standard didn’t.
In the same way, our Heavenly Father never changes. Our culture changes. Our circumstances change. Our feelings change. But God always hates sin, loves people, and remains faithful.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are the same in every season. Help me trust You and desire the things that please You.
Challenge: When temptation comes, surrender it to the unchanging God and ask Him to give you the strength to overcome.
September 2 : Teach Us Your Paths (Psalm 25: 8-9)
When I was a kid, there was one thing I really wanted for Christmas. I wanted a horse! We lived in the country, so I thought it was possible.
Christmas morning came, and I hurried downstairs. There was no horse. Instead, I got my very first bicycle. There was just one problem. I didn’t know how to ride it.
When spring finally came, my dad would come home each evening and take me outside. He would put me on that bicycle, hold tightly to the back of the seat, and run behind me as I pedaled down the road. It was a humbling experience night after night, Dad was there, holding on.
Then one evening he said, “Tonight, you’re going to ride by yourself.” I was scared to death. I started pedaling. Dad was running behind me, holding the seat. I felt safe because I knew he was there. Then, without me realizing it, Dad let go. I kept pedaling.
Finally, I looked back. Dad wasn’t holding the seat anymore. He was standing back there watching me. I was riding all by myself! Dad knew I was ready before I knew I was ready. But I had to listen to him. I had to trust him. I had to be teachable.
The same is true in our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father wants to teach us through His Word, guide our lives, and help us grow. But we must have a heart that is willing to listen, learn, and obey.
Sometimes God is preparing us for things we don’t think we can handle. We may be afraid, but He knows when we are ready.
Prayer: Lord, give me a teachable heart. Help me listen to Your Word, trust You when I’m afraid, and follow wherever You lead.
Challenge: Stay teachable. What God is teaching you today may be preparing you for something tomorrow that you never thought you could do.God instructs sinners in the way and leads the humble. The teachable heart is the guided heart
September 3: We are the light for the Nations (Isaiah 49:6)
God’s Servant was given as a light to the nations. Jesus fulfilled this calling, and today we are called to reflect His light to the world.
Every year Teen Quest hosts mission trips to Johnstown and to many parts of the world. Over the years, our teams have ministered in Germany, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, England, Guatemala, and China. Everywhere we have gone, we have found young people hungry for truth. When Christ is clearly presented, many surrender their lives to Him for salvation.
God calls all of us to be a light to the nations and to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. None of us will be able to reach every country or every person in our lifetime, but each of us can carry a burden for lost souls, pray for the nations, and be willing to go wherever God leads us.
Whether we are serving in our own community, in Pennsylvania, or traveling across the world, God wants each of us to be a light, giving people hope wherever we go. We must prepare ourselves to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15
The location is not what is most important. The message of Christ is wherever God places us. There are people who need the hope of Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, shine Your light through us today. Give us a burden for lost souls and help us faithfully share Your hope wherever You place us.
Challenge: Pray for one nation and one person who doesn’t know Christ.
September 4: The harvest is plentiful (Luke 10:2)
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
This summer we desperately needed volunteer help at the Teen Quest Ranch. We found a ministry called SOWERS whose mission is to help Christian ministries with building, repairs, and other projects. Many of their volunteers are retired people who travel in campers and motorhomes and stay for several weeks while they serve.
Since we already had a partially completed RV campground, we decided to finish it so these volunteers would have a place to stay. We worked hard to get everything ready before they arrived.
However, before the group could come, someone needed to inspect our campground. We were told the inspection would take place on a Thursday. I waited all morning, but no one showed up. When I called the headquarters, I learned that because of complications, the volunteers would not be able to come for a couple of months. After all the work we had done and with our need for help, it was very disappointing.
But God already knew what we needed. At the last minute, He provided two summer interns, Irene and Leroy, who came alongside us and helped carry the load through a very busy summer.
Sometimes we work hard making our plans and think we know exactly how God is going to meet a need. Then suddenly the door closes. But a closed door does not mean God has forgotten us. He may simply have another plan.
I am still learning not to get ahead of God. The harvest belongs to Him, the workers belong to Him, and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
Prayer: Lord, help us trust You when our plans do not work out. Give us willing hearts to serve wherever You need us.
Challenge: Ask God where He needs you to be a willing worker in His harvest today.
September 5: Loving God with All Your Heart (Mark 12:30)
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
God doesn’t want the leftovers of our lives. He wants our whole heart.
Debbi and I have been married for more than 50 years. When we began our life together, we decided to put Christ at the center of our marriage. We began praying together every day, a commitment that has continued throughout our marriage. We also each spend personal time with God in His Word and prayer.
Some might think that because we have spent our lives in ministry, keeping Christ first comes easily. But it can actually be easy to confuse working for God with walking with God. We can become so busy doing the Lord’s work that we neglect the Lord Himself.
That is why time with God is so important. When I open His Word and pray, He searches my heart, convicts me when I am wrong, and reminds me of what matters most.
None of us gets this right all the time. Responsibilities and problems can quickly consume our attention, and before we realize it, we are giving God whatever is left.
But Jesus calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As believers, we are going to spend eternity with Him. Why not learn to know Him, love Him, and enjoy His presence now?
God gave us His very best when He gave us Jesus. He deserves more than our leftovers. He deserves our whole heart.
Prayer: Lord, capture my whole heart. Help me to put You first and love You with all that I am.
Challenge: Give God the first part of your day today. Open His Word, pray, and give Him your full attention.
September 6: Love Your Neighbor (Mark 12:31)
Loving our neighbor as ourselves is the second great commandment. Real love looks beyond ourselves and asks, “How would I want to be treated?”
Debbi and I live not far from the Teen Quest Ranch in a small HOA community with certain rules and restrictions. I never really wanted to live in this kind of community, but because our home is so convenient to the Ranch, we felt it was the right place for us.
Several years ago, we wanted to put a shed at the top of our property. We asked our neighbors for permission, and to our surprise, they turned us down. We were disappointed and felt there was no good reason for their decision.
We had a choice. Would we become bitter, or would we become better?
As Christians, we knew we were called to show love even when we felt we had been treated unfairly. Years later, those same neighbors wanted to build a structure on their property. We could have opposed them, but we didn’t. Instead, we encouraged them.
By the way, they eventually approved our shed in a different location!
When dealing with people, I try to ask myself, “How would I want to be treated?” Jesus knew exactly what He was talking about when He told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Love isn’t just how we treat people who treat us well. Christlike love is revealed in how we treat people when they don’t.
My dad used to say when dealing with difficult people, “Love your enemies; It will drive them crazy!” There may be some humor in that, but there is also truth. Sometimes the best response to opposition is simply to keep loving.
Prayer: Jesus, help me see my neighbors as You see them. When I am hurt or disappointed, help me respond with grace instead of bitterness and love them as You have loved me.
Challenge: Think of someone who has disappointed or opposed you. Find one way to show that person unexpected kindness today.
September 7: The Servant of All (Mark 9:35)
This past summer, we held mission trips in some of the poorest areas of Johnstown. Many of the children in these communities have very little.
Our teams of teens went into the neighborhoods to help people paint, repair, clean, and fix things around their homes. In the evenings, we gathered children in local parks and presented programs that shared the message of Christ. At the end of the week, we invited them to attend Kids Camp or Teen Camp at the Teen Quest Ranch.
Most of these children could never afford camp on their own. Because of faithful Camp Boosters who give to provide sponsorships, we were able to give many of them an opportunity to come.
During camp, we began to realize just how difficult life was for some of these kids. Some didn’t even have a bed to sleep in at home or enough good food to eat.
When Christian friends heard about the need, they loaded their car with food and drove to Johnstown to deliver it. When they arrived, they discovered the situation was even worse than they had expected.
Their willingness to quietly step in and meet a need really spoke to me.
Every Christian is called to serve. It can be easy to volunteer when the work is enjoyable or convenient. But real servanthood often takes us into uncomfortable places, costs us something, and asks us to help when no one is watching.
I want to be that kind of Christian. I want to see a need and be willing to serve, even when it is inconvenient. What about you?
Prayer: Lord, give me the heart of a servant. Open my eyes to the needs around me and show me where I can serve.
Challenge: Serve someone today in a quiet, practical way, expecting nothing in return.
September 8: Bearing One Another’s Burdens (Galatians 6:2)
As I have grown older and gained more experience in life, I have friends who call me when they are going through difficult times. Sometimes they need advice, sometimes they need prayer, and sometimes they simply need someone who will listen.
I have learned that helping carry someone’s burden often begins by saying very little. We need to be a listening ear more than a talking mouth. People need to know that someone genuinely cares about what they are going through.
When friends come to me, I try to do several things. First, I listen carefully. Second, I ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” Our answers should come from God’s Word, not simply from someone’s opinion or persuasion.
Then I put that person on my prayer list and continue praying for them. I also try to follow up, asking how they are doing and how God is answering prayer. Even when my schedule is full, I want them to know they have not been forgotten.
Through the years, I have discovered that many hurting people aren’t looking for someone to fix everything. They simply need someone who will listen, pray, care, and walk beside them.
That is what bearing one another’s burdens looks like. We may not be able to remove someone’s burden, but we can make sure they don’t have to carry it alone.
As Christians, we need each other. Today someone may need you to help carry their burden. Tomorrow, you may need them to help carry yours.
Prayer: Father, open my eyes to the people around me. Show me whose burden I can help carry, and give me a heart that listens, cares, and prays.
Challenge: Reach out to someone who is struggling today. Listen to them, pray for them, and offer specific help.
September 9: Do Good to All (Galatians 6:9- 10)
People who give to their local church often get to see and experience the results of their giving. Their gifts help provide a pastor, improve facilities, support ministries, and build a church family they personally enjoy.
But when people give or serve at Teen Quest, the reward is often different. They may never personally benefit from what they have given. The same is true for those who faithfully support missionaries they may rarely, if ever, see.
For years we have trained cabin leaders who give up a week of their lives to stay in a cabin with campers, some of whom can be challenging. They trade their comfortable bed for a camp cot. They stay up late listening to a hurting student. They run with kids all day, encourage them, pray with them, and pour themselves into their lives. And many times, they never even hear a thank you.
So why do they do it?
Because they love the Lord and they love people. They believe reaching a young person for Christ matters. Whether they give, pray, or serve, they are investing in lives for eternity, even when they may never see the results themselves.
There will be times when doing good becomes tiring. There will be times when you wonder if your giving, praying, or serving is really making a difference. God says, “Do not lose heart.” There is a harvest coming, even if you cannot see it yet.
If you are doing good simply to be noticed or appreciated, you will eventually become discouraged. But if you are doing it because you love the Lord and His people, keep going. God sees what others may never see, and He never forgets faithful service.
Prayer: Lord, strengthen me when I grow tired of doing good. Help me serve faithfully, even when no one notices or says thank you.
Challenge: Intentionally bless someone who cannot repay you.
September 10: Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:2–3)
Any time you bring a group of Christians together, there will be differences. We come from different backgrounds, generations, and experiences. Research from the Hartford Institute found that about seven in ten congregations reported some level of conflict.
Sadly, when some people do not get their way, they leave and look for another church only to discover that church is filled with imperfect people too.
I would never encourage a believer to compromise biblical truth or overlook a moral issue. But there is a difference between biblical conviction and personal preference. Many church conflicts are not about doctrine at all, but about traditions, personalities, control, or simply wanting things our way.
Years ago, my cousin was building a new church and asked the congregation to help choose the carpet color. At the time, I didn’t understand why. Later, I realized he knew that even little things can cause division. He was simply trying to protect the unity of his church.
There are things I would do differently in my own church if I had my way. But for the sake of unity, sometimes I simply have to let it go. If it is biblical truth or a moral issue, stand firm. But if it is only my preference, perhaps I need to yield.
Not every hill is a hill worth dying on. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 (NKJV)
Unity is so precious and must be guarded as much as possible. Sometimes that means having the humility to say, “I don’t have to have my way.”
Prayer: God, help me be a peacemaker in my church. Give me wisdom to know when to stand firm and humility to know when to let something go.
Challenge: Refuse to participate in gossip. Instead, speak well of another believer.
September 11: Speaking the Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15)
Truth without love can wound a person, but love without truth can mislead a person and Christ calls us to do both.
Many pastors today hesitate to address sin because they fear offending people, losing members, or even losing financial support. But biblical love cannot ignore what God clearly calls sin.
I recently heard a pastor tell his congregation, “If our church leaders know that a professing Christian is knowingly living contrary to Scripture, we will lovingly meet with that person, counsel them, and call them to repentance. If they refuse to repent and continue in that lifestyle, we will ask them to leave the fellowship.”
That sounds harsh. But the more I studied Scripture, the more I realized that God takes willful, unrepentant sin seriously. Jesus Himself gave instructions for confronting a believer who refuses to repent (Matthew 18:15-17).
The same principle applies personally. If a close friend or family member professes to follow Christ but is knowingly living contrary to God’s Word, simply remaining silent is not always love. If we truly care, we will pray for them, stand beside them, and when necessary lovingly challenge them with biblical truth.
The key is why and how we do it. We don’t confront someone to condemn them, prove ourselves right, or make ourselves feel more spiritual. We do it because we love them and desire to see them restored to fellowship with Christ.
“Speak the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15
Prayer: Lord, teach me to speak truth with a loving heart. Give me courage to stand for Your Word and grace in the way I do it.
Challenge: If you need to address a difficult issue with someone, pray first. Ask God to give you the right words and a gentle heart as you speak.
September 12: Equipped for Service (Ephesians 4:11-12)
God sets leaders in place to equip His people for ministry. Every believer is called to serve, not just watch.
My wife and I are well past 62, the traditional retirement age, and we are still serving the Lord full time, often putting in 10 to 12 hour days. Why?
Because kids still need the Lord and our work at Teen Quest is not finished.
I sometimes hear retired Christians say they are no longer serving in their church or helping with ministry because they are retired. But show me in the Bible where Christians retire from serving God. You can’t find it. We may retire from our jobs, but we never retire from ministry.
Even the Levites, who stopped their regular work at age fifty, continued helping their brothers in ministry (Numbers 8:25-26). Our role may change as we grow older, but our calling to serve does not.
Debbi and I have decided to do everything we can to see that our six grandchildren attend Bible school for at least a year. We want them equipped to serve Christ before they go on to college or start a career.
Between the ages of 18 and 30 young people make some of life’s biggest decisions: their career, whom they will marry, and most importantly, the God they will serve. That is why equipping kids this age is so important.
Are you equipped to serve? Are you helping equip your children and grandchildren to serve? God has given each of us something to contribute to His work. There is no retirement from serving Christ.
“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.” Ephesians 4:12
Prayer: Father, show me the importance of being equipped for Your service. Help me also to equip others for the sake of Christ.
Challenge: Make sure you are being equipped to serve, then ask a leader where you can use your gifts to serve in your church or ministry.
September 13: Building Each Other Up (Ephesians 4:29)
Our words should build people up and give grace, not tear them down. Our speech can be a daily ministry.
When I was in first grade, my teacher noticed that I had some artistic ability. She took a roll of wallpaper, turned it over, and covered a bulletin board with it. Then she said, “I want you to draw a city on this wallpaper.” I did exactly what she asked, and she loved my drawings.
That teacher’s encouragement stayed with me. Years later, I drew portraits for people and eventually majored in art at my first college. A few encouraging words from a first-grade teacher helped shape part of my life.
Unfortunately, hurtful words can stay with us too. Once when my granddaughter was visiting, she asked for some ice cream. Joking around, I said something like, “This ice cream is going to make you fat.” I meant it as a joke, but she heard it as Granddad saying she was fat. That joke didn’t go over very well! It reminded me that words we consider harmless may hurt someone more than we realize.
There is something good we can find and encourage in almost everyone. People thrive on genuine encouragement and respect. I am not talking about flattery, which says something we don’t really mean. I am talking about noticing something good in another person and telling them.
Here’s another challenge: Think of someone you don’t particularly like and find something genuinely good you can say to them. You may be surprised. It might not only change their day, it may begin changing the way you see them.
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, let my words be tools for building people up, not weapons that tear them down.
Challenge: Go out of your way to genuinely encourage at least two people today.
September 14: Walk in the Light (Ephesians 5:8- 10)
We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Our lives should reflect what is good, right, and true.
We have an eight-acre ‘Get Lost" Corn Maze at the Teen Quest Ranch. I often tell kids the maze is much more fun at night because, without light, finding your way becomes a real challenge.
A few years ago, a city girl visiting the Ranch decided to go through the maze with her friends without a good flashlight. If you get off the path, you quickly find yourself surrounded by tall stalks of corn with no idea which direction to go.
After wandering around for more than an hour, she couldn’t find her way out, so she called 911 and asked them to rescue her! After several calls, they finally told her to stop calling. One of our staff members did walk through the maze, found her, and led her out.
Without good light, it is easy to lose your way. The same is true spiritually.
In the Bible, light represents God, truth, holiness, and Christ. Darkness represents sin, evil, spiritual blindness, and separation from God.
So how do we walk in the light? We follow God’s Word and obey it. When we sin, we confess it (1 John 1:9). We turn away from what we know is wrong and live in such a way that others can see Christ in us.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)
Don’t try to find your way through life in the dark. Stay close to Christ, follow the light of His Word, and let His light shine through you.
Prayer: Jesus, help me live as a child of light. Keep me close to You and Your truth.
Challenge: Examine one habit in your life today and ask yourself, “Does this belong in the light?”
September 15: Redeeming the Time (Ephesians 5:15-16)
We are to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity. Time is precious, and it is limited.
This past summer, a group of kids from a church near Gettysburg was traveling to the Teen Quest Ranch for a week of camp. When their bus reached Somerset, it broke down and had to be pulled off the main street.
A police officer arrived and told the youth pastor he had five minutes to find a tow truck or the officer would call one. Five minutes wasn’t enough time to find a towing company, so the officer made the call. The church ended up paying $800 to have the bus towed a short distance.
Five minutes made a big difference that day. Sometimes a little more time is worth a great deal.
The older I get, the more precious time becomes to me. The years seem to go faster, and there is still so much I want to accomplish for God’s Kingdom before He takes me home.
The Bible tells us to live wisely, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Redeeming the time means making the most of the opportunities God gives us.
Many Christians look back and realize they wasted years on things that really didn’t matter. Now they want to make up for that lost time by serving the Lord with everything they have. We cannot get yesterday back, but we can decide how we will use today.
God has given each of us a limited amount of time. Don’t just manage your time. Invest it in things that matter for eternity.
Prayer: God, help me use today wisely for You. Show me the opportunities You have placed before me and help me not waste them.
Challenge: Replace one trivial activity today with something that has eternal value.
September 16: Pray at All Times (Ephesians 6:18)
Does it sometimes seem like prayer is a one-way conversation? You talk to God day after day, but you never seem to hear from Him. Maybe we aren’t listening closely enough to recognize His answers.
When I entered college just after high school, I really didn’t know how to write. My high school hadn’t motivated me to develop that skill, although I know I should have taken more initiative myself.
As I started college, I prayed for God to help me make it through. One of the first friends I met was Doug Winn. Doug was smart, had a great personality, and quickly became a good friend. I helped Doug spiritually, encouraging him to know and trust Christ. At the same time, Doug helped me learn how to write well enough to make it through college.
Then it hit me: Doug was part of God’s answer to my prayer. While God was using me in Doug’s life, He was using Doug in mine.
Since those early days, I have made it a habit to talk with God throughout my day. I pray while I’m walking, driving my truck, and even lying in bed at night. The challenge isn’t only to pray, but also to watch for God’s response. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait.
And sometimes His answer comes through a person or circumstance we never expected.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
Are you in the habit of talking with God throughout your day? There is real power in prayer. Don’t just pray. Watch for His answers.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, remind me to pray throughout my day and help me recognize Your answers.
Challenge: Set a reminder to stop and pray briefly three times today. Then begin recording your prayers and watch in the days ahead for how God answers them.
September 17: When Christ Becomes Our Life (Colossians 3:3- 4)
When we become believers in Christ, we die to self and begin living for Him. God wants us to be heavenly minded, but He also expects us to walk with wisdom, humility, and self-control.
Several years ago, we had a young woman serving as a counselor who also helped lead worship at camp. Throughout the week she seemed to be doing a good job. But on the final night, everything changed.
While leading worship, she began calling people out publicly and confronting individuals from the platform. She then attempted to turn the service into a healing meeting. Instead of bringing people together, it created confusion and division throughout the camp.
That experience reminded me of an important truth: Being spiritual does not give us permission to be disorderly. Scripture tells us, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
When we die to self and walk in the Spirit, we don’t make everything about ourselves. We treat others with respect, submit to proper authority, exercise self-control, and put the needs of others before our own. We seek to love people as Christ has loved us.
Paul wrote, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:3 (NKJV). Our identity is no longer centered on ourselves. Christ becomes our life.
Dying to self doesn’t mean we lose our personality or gifts. It means those gifts are surrendered to Christ and used for His glory rather than our own.
Prayer: Jesus, be my life, not just part of my life. Help me surrender my desires and gifts to You.
Challenge: When you are tempted to make something about yourself, stop and say, “My life is hidden with Christ.”
September 18: Do Everything in Love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Leroy spent much of his young life in foster care. A local church would pick up Leroy and his brother every Wednesday and take them to Bible study on the church bus.
The boys didn’t always make it easy. At times, they would cause a ruckus on the bus, and one day the bus monitor had finally had enough. She wanted to remove Leroy and his brother from the bus and no longer allow them to come. But the bus driver stepped in.
He saw beyond their behavior and saw two boys who needed Jesus. He overruled the decision and gave them another chance to keep coming.
That simple act of love mattered more than anyone could have known at the time.
Leroy continued coming to church and eventually gave his life to Christ. He was later adopted by a godly family. This past summer, he served as an intern at Teen Quest, and today he is attending Word of Life Bible Institute, where he continues to grow in his faith and prepare for whatever God has for his future.
All because someone chose to respond to a difficult child with love instead of rejection.
The bus driver could not have known what God would eventually do in Leroy’s life. He simply loved a child enough to give him another chance.
Sometimes love means being patient when it would be easier to give up. Sometimes it means looking beyond a person’s behavior and seeing who they might become through the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me see people the way You see them. Saturate my actions with Your love, especially when loving someone is difficult. Help me remember that one act of grace may have an impact far beyond what I can see today.
Challenge: Before you respond to a difficult person or situation today, stop and ask, “How can I do this in love?
September 19:God’s Comfort in Affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Soon after Debbi and I were married, we found out that my aunt was dying of cancer in the hospital. As a young preacher and her nephew, I knew I needed to visit her, but my heart was heavy. What do you say to someone you love when you know their time on earth may be short?
I didn’t have all the right words. I simply wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. I made sure she had trusted Christ as her Savior, and she assured me she had. I told her how much Debbi and I loved her and reminded her of the beautiful hope we have in Jesus, that this goodbye would not be forever. I shared Scripture with her, held that sacred moment close, and prayed with her.
The next day, my aunt went home to be with the Lord. I was so thankful I had gone to see her. I couldn’t take away her suffering, but I could sit beside her, love her, pray with her, and remind her of God’s promises.
There are times when people around us are hurting deeply, and we may feel inadequate because we don’t know what to say. But often, they don’t need perfect words. They need someone who cares enough to show up and minister to them.
A gentle word, a listening ear, a prayer, or a comforting passage of Scripture can remind a hurting person that they are loved and that God has not forgotten them.
God comforts us so that we can comfort others. Even the painful places in our own lives can become channels through which His compassion flows.
Prayer: Father, give me a tender heart for those who are hurting. Give me the courage to show up, the wisdom to know when to speak, and the compassion to simply be present. Use my life to help someone feel Your love today.
Challenge: Think of someone walking through a difficult season. Reach out to them today—not because you have all the answers, but simply to remind them they are loved and they are not alone.
September 20: Treasure in Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7)
During my first years of college, I majored in art. One of the projects we worked on was clay sculpture. I would take a raw piece of clay and begin shaping it into something… let’s say a jar.
Every time I thought I had made the perfect jar, I would notice something that wasn’t quite right. So I would smack it back down on the table and begin molding and shaping it again. I would do this time after time until it finally looked the way I wanted it to look.
Even after the jar was finished, it was still fragile. If I dropped it, it could easily break because it was made of clay.
The Bible says that we are like jars of clay. We are fragile and frail, but we are in the hands of the Potter. The power in our lives does not come from our own strength. It comes from Almighty God.
God continues to mold us and shape us according to His will. We will never be perfect in this life, but God is patiently working in us, making us more like Christ. He does not make junk. Even with all our weaknesses and imperfections, He can use us for His glory.
The jars of clay represent Christians who are completely dependent upon the Potter, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The treasure is not the jar. The treasure is Christ living in us.
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Prayer: Lord, show Your power through my weakness.
Challenge: Admit one weakness to God and ask Him to use you anyway.
September 21: Fix Eyes on the Unseen (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
One day while driving my truck to town, the windshield suddenly seemed blurry. At first, I thought it was dirty or maybe something was wrong with my glasses. After about a day, it became clear that the problem wasn’t the windshield or my glasses. Something had happened to my eye.
A specialist explained that macular degeneration, caused by a blood vessel affecting the eye had damaged my vision. There is still sight in my left eye, but reading has become more difficult. When something as precious as eyesight begins to change, it is a reminder of just how fragile these earthly bodies really are.
Our bodies were never meant to last forever. Eyes grow dim, strength fades, and eventually our earthly bodies wear down. But for those who know Christ, that is not the end of the story. One day there will be new eyes that see perfectly, a new body untouched by sickness or age, and best of all, the opportunity to see our Savior face to face!
Somerset County is gorgeous on a clear, sunny summer day. The green mountains, rolling fields, and countryside display the beauty of God’s creation. Yet even the most beautiful scene on earth cannot begin to compare with what God has prepared for us in heaven.
Paul reminds us that while the outward person is wasting away, the inward person is being renewed day by day. The troubles and weaknesses of this life are temporary, but the glory awaiting us is eternal.
What wonderful hope! Our bodies may grow weaker, but for the Christian, the future only grows brighter. The best is still ahead!
“For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Prayer: God, help me see my troubles through an eternal lens and keep my eyes fixed on the glory to come.
Challenge: When discouraged, say, “This is only temporary because God is in control.
September 22: His Love Compels Us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
Someone once asked me, “What is the one thing we can do here on earth that we cannot do in heaven?”
In heaven we can worship God. We can talk with Him. We can sing His praises, enjoy fellowship with other believers, and rejoice in His truth. But there is one thing we will never be able to do in heaven: share Christ with someone who is lost. There will be no lost people in heaven to reach.
When I was 18 years old, I made sure of my own salvation, and God placed a burden in my heart to tell others about Christ. In 1968, while traveling by train to New Mexico for a college work-study program, I began sharing the love of Christ with fellow students traveling with me. Something began in my heart during that journey that has never left me.
From that time on, I have carried a burden, especially for young people, to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. That calling has remained through all these years. People need Jesus, and we have only this lifetime to tell them.
When we trust Christ as our Lord and Savior, life is no longer simply about ourselves, our plans, or our comfort. Christ has given us a greater purpose. His love compels us to live for Him and to reach those who do not yet know Him.
“For the love of Christ compels us… that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
If you have trusted Christ, ask God to give you a heart for those who have not. There is someone around you who needs to hear the good news of Jesus. We can worship Him forever in heaven, but we can only reach the lost while we are here.
Prayer: Jesus, let Your love compel me to see others come to know You. Give me courage and compassion to share Your love while I have the opportunity.
Challenge: Think of one person who needs Christ. Pray for that person today, and look for an opportunity to share Jesus with them.
September 23: Sowing Generously (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
My front yard needs some work, and I know it. There are bare spots and plenty of weeds, and I really need to plant more grass. But grass seed is expensive, and then there is the added cost of fertilizer. Because of that, I have found myself carefully spreading just a little seed here and there, hoping to make it stretch.
The problem is, when I sow sparingly, the results are usually patchy. There simply isn’t enough new grass to fill in the bare places and crowd out the weeds. If I would bite the bullet and spread plenty of good seed over the entire lawn, I believe the results would be much different. A thick, healthy lawn would begin to take over.
The same principle applies to our giving. When we hold tightly to what God has given us and are reluctant to support our church, missionaries, and ministries, we can miss the joy and blessing that comes through generosity. But when we give our best from a heart of love, God can take what we give and use it far beyond what we could ever accomplish ourselves.
A long time ago, Debbi and I decided that we wanted to support a number of missionaries. We may not always be able to give a large amount to each one, but we want to invest in their ministries and faithfully pray for them. It has been our privilege and joy to have a small part in what God is doing through them.
The Bible says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
God is not simply interested in the amount we give. He looks at our hearts. He loves a cheerful giver. When we give generously and joyfully, we reflect the generous heart of our Heavenly Father.
Don’t be afraid to sow generously. You never know what God may grow from the seed you are willing to give.
Prayer: Lord, make me a joyful and generous giver. Help me hold loosely to what You have given me and use it to bless others and further Your work.
Challenge: Give something today, whether it is your time, money, or encouragement, and give it cheerfully.
September 24: God’s Power in Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I am reminded of a lady I met at the eye doctor’s office. After having her eyes dilated, she asked where the bathroom was. A few moments later, she came out upset and said, “The lights in the bathroom don’t work!”
The receptionist smiled and replied, “The lights work fine. Your eyes are dilated, and you just can’t see.”
Sometimes we respond to God the same way. We think something is wrong because we cannot see what He is doing. The problem is not that God has stopped working. We simply cannot see what He sees.
Every fall we have a large corn maze at the Teen Quest Ranch. Kids go through it at night and learn quickly to stay close to their leader. If they take off on their own, they can easily become lost.
Our lives are much the same. When we say, “I can handle this myself,” we discover how limited our strength really is. But when we admit our weakness and recognize that God is in control, we experience His strength.
The beloved children’s chorus -Jesus Love Me : “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong , they are weak, but He is strong.”
God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Have you given every area of your life to Christ: your plans, possessions, family, future, and weaknesses? You may not see the way ahead, but God can. Follow Him. Trust Him. Let His strength take over where yours ends.
Prayer: Lord, let Your power rest on my weaknesses. Help me trust You when I cannot see what You are doing.
Challenge: Instead of complaining about a limitation today, give it to God and trust His strength.
September 25: Armor of God (Romans 13:12–14)
A number of years ago, a teenage boy visiting the Ranch shared something with me that I have never forgotten. His mother had passed away when he was only seven years old. But while he was still very young, she had exposed him to pornography and encouraged him to look at things no child should ever see.
Those images and temptations followed him for years. But something changed when he gave his life to Christ. He made a decision that his past would not control his future. He wanted to walk with the Lord rather than continually give in to the desires of his flesh.
The Bible tells us to “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). In other words, don’t deliberately put yourself in places where you know you will be tempted.
If your smartphone continually leads you to websites you know are wrong, find a way to make yourself accountable. If certain games, movies, or entertainment continually expose you to darkness and pull your heart away from God, make the decision to stay away from them. Sometimes overcoming temptation means removing the opportunity before the temptation ever comes.
When Christ comes into our lives, we are no longer fighting the battle alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit to convict us, guide us, and strengthen us. He has also given us spiritual armor for the battle.
Every day we make choices about what we allow into our minds and hearts. Scripture tells us to put aside the deeds of darkness and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).
Before you walk out the door each morning, make sure you are spiritually dressed for the day. Put on the full armor of God and determine that, with His strength, you will stand.
Prayer: Jesus, clothe me with Yourself today. Give me strength to turn away from temptation and courage to stand firmly on Your Word.
Challenge: As you begin your day, picture yourself putting on each piece of the armor of God and ask Him to help you live for Christ today.
September 26: Rejoice & Weep with Others (Romans 12:15)
In my many years of ministry, I have sat with many people who were going through a crisis. Sometimes there really isn’t much you can say. All you can do is sit and listen, pray, and offer a few words of encouragement. But sometimes just being there means more than anything you could ever say.
One of my best friends was in the hospital dying from a blood disease. I went to see him and simply sat with him for a while. I couldn’t change what he was facing. I couldn’t take away his sickness. But I could be there and show him that I cared about him. That time together meant the world to him, and it meant a great deal to me as well.
Many of our Teen Quest supporters send prayer requests to our ministry. Fathers and mothers tell us about a wayward son or daughter and ask us to pray for them. Our staff and Board of Directors make it a habit to bring these requests before the Lord in prayer. Often, I will personally contact someone with a note or phone call just to let them know we are praying and that they are not alone.
God calls us to enter into the joys and sorrows of others. When someone is celebrating, celebrate with them. When someone is hurting, hurt with them. You may not have the answers, but you can listen. You can pray. You can encourage. You can simply be there.
Take time today to encourage someone, even someone you may not naturally feel close to. A few minutes of your time may seem small to you, but God can use those moments as a spiritual investment in someone’s life.
Prayer: Lord, help me genuinely care about the joys and pains of others. Give me a compassionate heart and help me recognize those who need encouragement today.
Challenge: Show someone you care today by offering words of encouragement to a friend, family member, or someone who may simply need to know they are not alone.
September 27: Share in Suffering (Philippians 3:10)
Suffering is not always a bad thing. Sometimes trials can actually make us stronger in our faith. The younger we are when we learn to trust God through difficulties, the sooner we begin to grow in our walk with Him.
Over the years, I have experienced physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual trials. None were easy, but God has used them to strengthen my faith and teach me to depend upon Him.
The other day, I went through a series of tests at the hospital and doctors’ offices. Those tests are no fun, but experiences like these remind me that God is in control. Every day He gives me is a gift, and I am thankful for another day to live for Him.
Paul also experienced suffering. He had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” When he asked God to remove it, God said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
You may think you don’t need God, but there may come a day when you realize just how much you need Him. When we recognize our weakness, God can reveal His strength.
Don’t waste your trials and tribulations. Give them over to Jesus and allow Him to use them to strengthen your faith.
Prayer: Lord, help me in my sufferings and trials and help me to depend on you.
Challenge: When facing something painful or going through trials, give it over to Jesus and trust Him as he gives you strength in the midst of trials.
September 28: Pressing Toward the Goal (Philippians 3:13-14)
When we were building the sewage treatment plant at the Teen Quest Ranch, we dug a huge hole to place several large concrete tanks in the ground. We had everything ready, but there was one big problem. A major rainstorm was on its way.
If we didn’t get those tanks into the ground before the rain came, we were going to have a huge muddy mess on our hands. The equipment a friend had prepared for us wasn’t going to work, and we were running out of time.
We couldn’t look back. The hole was already dug, the tanks needed to go in, and the rain was coming. We had no choice but to move forward.
Within a couple of hours, we found and rented a large crane. Fortunately, we were able to lower those massive tanks into the ground before the rain arrived. Today, that sewage plant is still working effectively.
In a completely different circumstance, that experience reminds me of the words of Paul: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Late in his ministry, Paul pictured himself as a runner in a race. He wasn’t looking backward. His eyes were on the finish line. Paul had failures and regrets in his past, but he refused to allow them to keep him from moving forward with Christ.
You may have things in your past that you deeply regret. But Christ came to forgive you and give you a new life. You cannot change yesterday, but you can choose where you are looking today.
We can’t run forward while constantly staring backward. Forget what lies behind, keep your eyes on Christ, and press toward the goal God has placed before you.
Prayer: God, help me release the past and keep my eyes on You. Give me the strength to press forward and follow Your calling.
Challenge: Write down one regret from your past. Cross it out, and thank God that your past does not have to control your future.
September 29: Stop Hiding (Proverbs 28:13)
I knew my parents would be upset when they saw my bad grades in school. Back then, report cards had to be signed by a parent.
I was ashamed and determined they would never know how poorly I had done. So, using another sheet of paper and carbon paper, I tricked my mother into signing my report card without knowing what she was signing.
The real problem wasn’t just my grades. It was my pride. Instead of admitting I had failed, I covered it up.
Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (NKJV)
Years later, I learned that lesson again. For years at Teen Quest, we had an adult stand behind the seat of our pontoon boat to watch the kids tubing and keep the rope from getting tangled in the motor. We believed we were keeping the kids on the tubes safe.
Then a marine patrol officer stopped me and gave me a citation. A new law had been passed, and what we had done for years was no longer permitted.
I wanted to defend myself. But we’ve always done it this way! We’re trying to keep the kids safe! Yet according to the law, I was wrong. I had to admit it and face the consequences.
We often do the same thing with God. We defend our actions, make excuses, and try to hide our sin. But God already knows the truth. There is freedom when we finally say, “Lord, I was wrong. Forgive me.”
Stop hiding. God isn’t waiting to condemn a repentant heart. He is ready to show mercy when we go to him for forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, break down my pride and help me honestly confess my sin. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness.
Challenge: Is there something you have been hiding or excusing? Confess it to God today and experience His mercy.
September 30: Grateful Living (Colossians 3:17)
Colossians tells us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. That includes my actions, activities, personal life, possessions, and money. It all belongs to God.
The other day, a Prime delivery driver approached me and asked if I could sell him a pair of shoes. While working, the sole of his shoe had fallen apart, and he had taped it together so he could keep making deliveries.
There was no way I was going to sell him a pair of shoes. The man needed shoes! Before I could do anything, my son immediately said, “Follow me to my house. I’ll give you a pair of mine.”
That touched me because I learned a long time ago that God owns everything. I am simply a steward of what He has placed in my hands.
When God has blessed me with something that can meet another person’s genuine need, why would I hold tightly to it?
Romans 12:1 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. When we give ourselves to Him, everything connected to our lives belongs to Him too, our homes, clothes, food, money, time, and possessions.
The Christ-centered life isn’t just about what we say on Sunday. Whatever we do, we do in Jesus’ name. And we do it with thankful hearts, remembering that everything we have came from Him in the first place.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for all You have done for me. Everything I have belongs to You. Help me use what You have given me to bless others.
Challenge: End your day by writing down five specific blessings God has given you, and thank Him for each one.
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Quest For The Journey - August Devotions