Fresh Start Bible Church

A Way Out. Devotional from Youverison

Life is full of difficulties and challenges.

Especially as Christians, our desire to follow God’s paths for our lives can sometimes go directly against what our culture tells us to do. Living according to God’s way can be particularly difficult because of various temptations that might cause us to get distracted.

1 Corinthians 10:13 casually acknowledges that we will all experience temptation. It also does not promise that all of our temptations will be easy to overcome.

But it also says that God promises to be faithful to help us through whatever temptations we face. God will provide a way for us to escape every temptation. God will strengthen us so we can endure through trials.

God has given us instructions and a pathway for right-living in His Word. Everything that we need in order to live a healthy, godly life is included in Scripture.

Paul, the author of the letters to the church in Corinth, cautions his readers not to be prideful in their spiritual life. When we are prideful, we can falsely believe that we’re immune to temptations. But when we’re prideful, we are actually most susceptible to fall into temptation.

So rather than being arrogant, we should be humble. We ought to depend on God’s power rather than our own. It is only through a growing relationship with Jesus that we truly find the strength to endure trials and temptations.

If you find yourself caught in temptations, draw near to God. Ask Him to give you His strength so that you can endure. Make it a priority to strengthen your relationship in Him through reading God’s Word and praying to Him.

Never forget that God always provides a way for you to escape temptation. He is always faithful and always with you.

Don’t Overthink It. Devotional from Youverison

How much time do you spend thinking about what to eat, or worrying about what to wear? Do you obsess over having—or being—enough?

While there’s nothing wrong with meal planning for the weeks ahead or creating a monthly budget, Jesus explains that worrying doesn’t help:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus never said not to think about your basic needs—He said not to worry about them.

God knows what you need before you do. God knows your prayers before you pray them.

Recognizing your physical needs can remind you of your spiritual needs—an invitation to trust your ultimate Provider.

Later in the same chapter, Jesus reminds His disciples that if God provides for the birds and the flowers, He will provide for His people that much more. Then He adds, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬)‬‬

Life is more than the food we eat, the drinks we consume, and the clothes we wear. In fact, Jesus is life. He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” to be exact. (John 14:6)

So, let’s seek Him first. Let’s do the work entrusted to us while trusting in Him for provision. And let’s not waste another second overthinking it.

Peace Beyond Anxiety. Devotional from Youverison

All around the world, there are rumors of war, or genuine threats to safety and security. We experience high levels of conflict and change across various cultures, and in our personal lives. We wonder about our safety, the security of our children, and what the future might look like.

If we’re not careful, our thoughts can easily lead us into anxiety. We can be swept into the spiral of over-thinking and worry. But God tells us something different. He tells us to submit everything to Him in prayer. To submit something to God in prayer is to recognize that He is the creator and director of history, and He alone has the power to protect us and direct our lives.

If we’re careful to guard our thoughts and submit them to God, God says that He will give us His peace. The peace of God surpasses all of our understanding because it transcends our anxious and changing world.

Having God’s peace doesn’t mean that we won’t have times where we feel anxious. But even in the most anxious of times, we can rest in the assurance that God is with us, and He is more powerful than our anxiety. When we offer God our thoughts and circumstances, we allow Him to step in. We allow Him to transform the ways we think and act. We allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds.

The truth is, we don’t have the power to change our thoughts or circumstances—only God does. When we try to take control, we often worsen the spiral of anxiety and worry. But we don’t have to stay in that place. We can bring our concerns to God, and allow Him to give us His peace in return. Over time, we will discover that His peace has empowered us to think and act differently.

Every time you find yourself anxious, take a moment to pause and pray. Be honest with God and tell Him exactly how you’re feeling and thinking in that moment. Remember that God is always in control, and always present with you.