Conversations with Jesus, Updated and Revised Edition: Talk That Really Matters

by Youth For Christ

Overview

The Bible is a great resource for stories about Jesus and his words to the people around him. But have you ever wondered what Jesus might say to you today? In Conversations with Jesus, Revised and Expanded Edition, you will be able to read Jesus’ responses on topics like loneliness, relationships, and living for him in today’s complicated world. This sixty-day devotional from Youth for Christ will not only give you insight into who Jesus is and what he wants to say, but could help you start a conversation with him that really matters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310730040
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	01/28/2012
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	13 - 16 Years

About the Author

Youth for Christ/USA is a national youth ministry organization that is part of a worldwide movement (YFC/International) active in 105 countries. For over 65 years, our specialty has been reaching unchurched young people through evangelism and discipleship-evangelism.

Read an Excerpt

Conversations with Jesus

Talk That Really Matters

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ZONDERVAN

Copyright © 2012 Youth For Christ
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-73004-0

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Chapter One

Devotional 1

you are never alone

TOPIC: Loneliness

MAIN SCRIPTURE: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

OTHER SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 31:6–8; Psalm 23:4; Mark 15:33–39; John 14:16–19; John 16:4–15; Colossians 1:27

WHAT JESUS MIGHT SAY TO YOU: I understand your feelings of loneliness. Your cries in the night, when you feel like no one understands and no one cares, have not gone unheard ... and I do care.

I've known loneliness. While hanging on the cross, I felt the pain of abandonment. In my final moments, I cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Although he dearly loved me, my Father in heaven couldn't comfort me in my darkest hour, because I was carrying the sins of the world—your sin—on my shoulders, and he couldn't look at the sin. No one before me and no one after me has experienced abandonment and loneliness as deep and painful as that. I understand.

I carried your sin and faced the abandonment of my Father so I could free you from loneliness. Even if you can't see me now, I'm always with you because I live in you. I will never, never leave you nor forsake you. When others fail you or abandon you, I am with you—always.

In moments of desperation, allow your loneliness to drive you closer to me. Don't fill your emptiness with things that can't satisfy. Lean into me—I'm as close as the air you breathe. Cry out to me in pain and remember that I cry out in pain with you.

You mean more than the world to me, so take this opportunity to remove yourself from the cares of this world and draw closer to the one who will always be with you.

Your faithful friend,

Jesus

HOW JESUS'S WORDS AFFECT MY STORY:

HOW I COULD AFFECT THEIR STORIES:

Devotional 2

give it up

TOPIC: Guilt and Shame

MAIN SCRIPTURES: "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit." (Romans 8:1–4, NLT)

"Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance ... Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Corinthians 7:9–10)

OTHER SCRIPTURES: Psalm 103:12; Acts 13:38–39; Romans 4:7–8; Romans 5:16–19; Romans 8:33–39; Jude v. 24

WHAT JESUS MIGHT SAY TO YOU: I have something really important to tell you: you don't ever have to feel shame or guilt for the wrong things you've done. Though I want you to recognize your sin and repent from it, I never want it to hold you back. Guilt and shame do not come from me; they work against what I've done for you.

I set you free from sin. Guilt and shame will make you feel unworthy of my love and make you feel as though you have to make up for all the wrong you have done or will ever do again. But let's get something straight; you would never be able to make up for sin. I am too holy; my standards are perfect.

When you sin, my Spirit will convict you about it. You'll know when you've done something wrong. Confess it to me (and to others, especially those who've been affected by your behavior). But then leave it with me, and remember that my sacrifice wipes the slate clean. If you need to make a situation right with another person—through an apology, returning something, or repayment—then do that as soon as possible. But don't dwell on the poor choice, the hurtful behavior, the moral wrong; don't beat yourself up over it. Feeling ongoing guilt or shame is like punishing yourself for the error of your ways, as if punishment could make the wrong go away or cancel it. But I already took the beating for sin. You don't have to. Live freely and forgiven; that's what I want for you.

Not counting sin against you,

Jesus

HOW JESUS'S WORDS AFFECT MY STORY:

HOW I COULD AFFECT THEIR STORIES:

Devotional 3

note to self

TOPIC: Identity

MAIN SCRIPTURE: "Though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done ... I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith." (Philippians 3:4–9, NLT)

OTHER SCRIPTURES: Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:14; 1 John 5:20

WHAT JESUS MIGHT SAY TO YOU: Take note, at your deepest place, at the core of who you are: You are not a son or a daughter. You are not a sister or a brother. You are not a student or a dropout. You are not smart or not-so-smart. You are not needed or unnecessary. You are not cool or uncool. You are not an original or a slave to fashion. You are not funny or lame. You are not an artist or uncreative. You are not outgoing or shy. You are not popular or a loner. You are not a role model or a rebel.

These are the masks you may try to hide behind, the places you may run to for shelter, the idols you may bow before. But your identity can't be found in any of these things. You can't become more valuable by building up any of these things. You can't become less valuable by lacking any of these things. You can't be completely fulfilled by relying on or investing in these things.

At your deepest place, at the core of who you are: You are loved by me. You are simply a naked spirit clothed by my grace. You are my child. You are completely known. You are forgiven. You are brand new. You are precious in my sight. You are held close. You are treasured, and I will never let you go. You are secure, and I will never let you down. You have been chosen to be my friend and coworker. Your heart is my home. You are my beloved. I want you, not the things you hide behind.

Remember who you really are. Let me be your source of joy, the foundation of your identity, your life.

Your anchor,

Jesus

HOW JESUS'S WORDS AFFECT MY STORY:

HOW I COULD AFFECT THEIR STORIES:

Devotional 4

happiness is overrated

TOPIC: Wholeness

MAIN SCRIPTURES: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

"'I've obeyed all these commandments,' the young man replied. 'What else must I do?' Jesus told him, 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:20–21, NLT)

OTHER SCRIPTURES: John 10:10; Philippians 3:8–10; Hebrews 2:10; James 1:4

WHAT JESUS MIGHT SAY TO YOU: How will your life change as a result of knowing me?

Think about the world you live in. It's full of self-consumed people, driven by success and what they think will benefit them. It makes me sad to see how this thinking has corrupted the message of my love. People even try to say that following me will guarantee a happy, easy, problem-free life.

My child, this is not what I have in mind for you. My plan is much bigger. My desires for you are far deeper!

In my letters to you (the Bible) I often use the word teleios. In English, this Greek word means "complete, full-grown, becoming the person I created you to be." This is my desire for you: wholeness. I want to heal your heart and enable you to experience the full life I have promised.

Warning: The road to wholeness isn't easy. It's a process. Wholeness doesn't mean problems disappear; it means that because you know me, you lack nothing and are able to weather all of life's storms. In the hard and confusing times remember this: I love you. My heart is unfailing. I'm holding you tight.

Don't ever settle for less than my absolute best for you. The world will try to convince you to take the safe, easy route. Don't cave. I love you far more than you could ever imagine, and I'm preparing you for great things. Trust my love for you. Trust me. I'm worth it.

Holding your heart,

Jesus

HOW JESUS'S WORDS AFFECT MY STORY:

HOW I COULD AFFECT THEIR STORIES:

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Conversations with Jesus Copyright © 2012 by Youth For Christ. Excerpted by permission of ZONDERVAN. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction....................7
Conversation Guide....................8
Acknowledgments....................11
Devotional 1: You Are Never Alone....................12
Devotional 2: Give It Up....................14
Devotional 3: Note to Self....................16
Devotional 4: Happiness Is Overrated....................18
Devotional 5: In This Together....................20
Devotional 6: What's the Worry?....................22
Devotional 7: Risk the Relationship....................24
Devotional 8: The Next Big Thing....................26
Devotional 9: You Can Do This....................28
Devotional 10: You Are Not Alone....................30
Devotional 11: The Coldness of Despair....................32
Devotional 12: Be Who You Are....................34
Devotional 13: One Big Happy Family....................36
Devotional 14: Loved from the Start....................38
Devotional 15: Someone in Heaven Loves You....................40
Devotional 16: Under His Cover....................42
Devotional 17: No Junk....................44
Devotional 18: More, More, More?....................46
Devotional 19: Live Freely....................48
Devotional 20: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?....................50
Devotional 21: Unlikely Heroes....................52
Devotional 22: The Greatest Power....................54
Devotional 23: God Speaks Through You....................56
Devotional 24: After Life Here Ends....................58
Devotional 25: Afraid of Nothing....................60
Devotional 26: This Is Not Your Home....................62
Devotional 27: Overcoming the Beast Within....................64
Devotional 28: Talking Is Overrated....................66
Devotional 29: Bending the Rules....................68
Devotional 30: Your Reservations Are Confirmed....................70
Devotional 31: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone....................72
Devotional 32: Does the Pain Go Away?....................74
Devotional 33: The Opposition....................76
Devotional 34: Jesus Chose You....................78
Devotional 35: Embracing the Mess....................80
Devotional 36: Don't Fake Out....................82
Devotional 37: Love Doesn't Come Easily....................84
Devotional 38: Safe Heart, Safe Mind....................86
Devotional 39: Tuning In....................88
Devotional 40: Stumping the World....................90
Devotional 41: Get It Straight....................92
Devotional 42: Making the Grade....................94
Devotional 43: Pass the Peace, Please....................96
Devotional 44: Protection from Temptation....................98
Devotional 45: It's All About Him....................100
Devotional 46: Your Only Weapon....................102
Devotional 47: Lean on Me....................104
Devotional 48: Talking to God 24/7....................106
Devotional 49: Make Peace with Your Past....................108
Devotional 50: Be the Friend You'd Want to Have....................110
Devotional 51: Too Soon to Quit....................112
Devotional 52: Cleaned Up....................114
Devotional 53: Songs That Rock the Charts....................116
Devotional 54: The Rumor of Jesus....................118
Devotional 55: Whining for More....................120
Devotional 56: The Jealousy Trap....................122
Devotional 57: Rescue from Darkness....................124
Devotional 58: Failure Puts You in Good Company....................126
Devotional 59: Safe Sex....................128
Devotional 60: What's the Proof?....................130
Keep the Conversation Going....................133
How 3Story Will Help You Share Your Faith....................135
Where Do I Find It?....................137