JANUARY 18 - Guardrails for the Heart
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:24-27; Psalm 8; Matthew 15
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“Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” — Proverbs 4:27
“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” — Psalm 8:2
“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” — Matthew 15:8
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Ever seen a car drifting out of its lane because the driver was distracted? That’s what our lives can look like when we lose focus on what really matters. The world is loud, fast, and full of distractions that pull at our hearts, especially as teens figuring out identity, faith, and purpose. Proverbs 4 gives us wisdom that’s like a set of guardrails: don’t swerve. Stay steady. But here’s the challenge: it’s not just about what you do outwardly. In Matthew 15, Jesus calls out people who say all the right things but have hearts that are far from Him. Ouch. And in Psalm 8, we see something wild—God uses the weak and overlooked (like infants!) to show His strength. That means your voice, your words, and your heart matter more than you realize.
God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for surrendered hearts. And He’s inviting you to guard your path, speak His truth, and stay close to Him—even when everything around you pulls in the opposite direction.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Guard Your Direction: Are you swerving spiritually right now? What’s pulling you off course—friends, distractions, doubt? Proverbs 4:27 reminds you to check your steps.
2. Use Your Voice for Good: Psalm 8:2 shows that even the youngest have power through praise. How can you use your words—online and offline—to glorify God this week?
3. Check Your Heart, Not Just Your Habits: In Matthew 15:8, Jesus shows us that lip service isn’t enough. Does your heart match your words when you worship, pray, or talk about faith?
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BOTTOM LINE
A steady life starts with a surrendered heart.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I don’t want to just look good on the outside—I want my heart to be close to You. Help me stay on the right path, use my words to honor You, and keep my heart focused on what really matters. Strengthen me when I feel pulled in other directions, and remind me that even my small voice can make a big impact when it honors You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
