Set Apart ~ Part 2 (The Promises) Teen Devotion

Even though we know what God expects of us, our attitudes and actions, how are we supposed to measure up? I mean, sometimes it’s hard to even find something to praise God about, much less trust him when faced with really hard times or confrontation about what we believe.

So how do we? Know we can trust him that is? How do we know that we will be able to do it?

Once again, all of this week’s devotion is taken directly from scripture.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
~Philippians 4:8

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
~James 4:7

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
~Hebrews 7:25

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

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of
anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you
the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent
place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you
free, you will be free indeed.
~John 8:31-36

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come
to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.
Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my
Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys
them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I too will love him and show myself to him."
~John 14:15-24

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
~2 Timothy 2:22

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him.
~John 3:16-17

There is a common theme among all of the preceding verses. Each one is an indication of God’s amazing love for us.

How?

They speak of the power he gives us, the weapons and armor, instructions on how to find him when our thoughts are clouded, the knowledge that the power of God’s presence in our lives will be enough to send the devil running, God’s spirit to help us know and understand scripture and apply it to our lives(both as discipline and as encouragement), the fruits of the spirit that are ours from the moment we commit our lives to Christ, and the assurance that as long as we are pursuing God with a pure heart we can know that God is ready and willing to meet us in our struggle or pain.

The most important thing that we can remember is that God wants us to succeed in our calling. What is that calling? To love him, to worship him and to take the story of what he has done in our lives into the world, so that others can know that there is a hope and future.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
~ 2 Corinthians 9:8