15 November | Teens
«Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.» Philippians 4: 8
Imagine you are planning your dream vacation. You research incredible destinations, make detailed plans and every day the excitement for this trip grows. Why? Because you're investing time and planning it.
Now, think about your relationship with God. Have you spent quality time getting to know Him better, reading the Bible and praying? In today's verses, the apostle Paul shares a special secret that can make our lives more meaningful. He invites us to think about things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and praiseworthy. But how can this help us?
Sometimes we spend too many hours watching television or doing other activities, but only set aside a few minutes for God. How can we have pure thoughts if we fill our mind with things that aren't? Just as planning our dream vacation makes us want it to come soon, when we think about the things of God, we'll want to be closer to Him. So, remember to set aside a special time to read the Bible, pray and learn about God. In this way, our faith will grow, and so will our desire to be in Heaven (which will be much better than any vacation we've ever dreamed of), where we'll have the joy of being with God forever.
Take Action
This week, commit to spending quality time learning about God. Set aside time each day for Bible reading and prayer. Be intentional about thinking about the things that are true, noble and worthy of praise. Just as we plan an amazing vacation, plan to spend more time with God, strengthening your faith and drawing closer to Him.