Our Daily Bread for Teens 20 September 2021 Devotional for Day 263 Message By Our Daily Bread
Click Here To Read Previous Our Daily Bread Teens Edition
TOPIC: Out of Our Minds
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 5:20-31
KEY VERSE: “Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence?” Jeremiah 5:22
MESSAGE: Why would a prisoner escape from prison the day before he was going to be released anyway? That’s what one prison guard wondered as he answered questions from reporters. He said, “For the life of me, I don’t know what made him leave with only one day of his sentence left.” Once found, the escaped prisoner would be then held on charges that could land him back in prison for up to twenty years!
Most of us would probably find the prisoner’s escape a bit weird. And definitely short-sighted! But we’re often just as short-sighted in our own lives. What about the times we do things or say things we know are hurtful or selfish? What about when we ignore what our friends want so we can do what we want? We often enjoy a few moments of getting our own way, even though it then leads to feeling guilty for a long time.
Jeremiah reminds us that we should live for God, not ourselves (v.22), knowing that short-term gain can bring long-term pain (vv.28-29). Our selfishness never looks ahead to the results (v.31). So we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, not ourselves.
PRAYER: Father, forgive us for being so selfish and blind. Thank You for Jesus who makes us new. We know that without Jesus we would have no hope. Help us to live only for You—for today, and for tomorrow.
REFLECT: GOOD CHOICES ARE MADE BY FOLLOWING JESUS, NOT OURSELVES.
Our Daily Bread for Teens 20 September 2021 Devotional was written By Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB). Our Daily Bread Teens Edition a reading plan with bite-sized devotions and relatable stories that help teenagers connect the timeless wisdom of God’s Word to their daily life.