1. Monday
Psalm 9:9-12
You wake up and realize your alarm didn’t go off. You rush to the
bathroom to get ready and the door is locked. After pounding on the
door for five minutes, your sister comes out and half-heartedly
apologizes for using all the hot water. You jump into the frigid
shower, do a quick rinse, hop out of the shower, dry off, and discover
a humongous zit on your forehead. With no time to pop this red
mountain on your face, you scramble to find a clean pair of
underwear and throw on the first clothes you find.
On the drive to school, you get a flat tire, your windshield cracks, and
you get a ticket. You’re late to school and the rest of the day is more
awfulness: You flunked your history test, they’re serving mystery meat
for lunch, and your best friend is mad at you.
Have you ever had a day like this, where nothing seemed to go your
way? The Psalms give us the solution to bad days: God. Talk to God
about your day. Allow Him to be your refuge, your resting place. The
Lord asks us to seek Him, and He promises never to leave us. It may
not solve the mystery meat problem or fix your pimple situation, but
God’s promises will give you comfort when those bad days come
around.
Bottom Line: Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?
God knows. God sees. God cares.
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Bottom Line
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2. Tuesday
Psalm 9:13-20
Quiz time. A bully makes fun of a younger student at your school.
What do you do?
a. Laugh. The kid really does look like a duck.
b. Walk away because you want to get a back-row seat.
c. Calmly tell the bully to stop and leave the student alone.
Hopefully the answer is c. Sometimes you need to stick up for people.
Do you want the world to win? Don’t let the small people of this
world get walked on. People need help. Will you be willing to
encourage and lend a hand?
Bottom Line: People need the Lord,
and you need to help people find Him.
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Jeff Beckley
31

3. Wednesday
Psalm 10:1-15
Did you ever play hide-and-seek as a kid when the seeker quit on
you? You just felt so alone waiting for someone to find you, and
nobody ever came. Now, do you ever feel like you’re hiding and God
is never coming to get you?
David felt like this at the beginning of Psalm 10. But when David
called out to God, God came to his rescue. God heard David’s cries,
and took away that feeling of being invisible. You may feel this way
right now, like no one cares to ask how you are doing or feeling. It
may seem like everyone just walks by you like they can’t see you.
Call out to God. He sees you, He will listen to you, and He cares
about you. God will be right next to you when you feel like you’re
hidden from the world.
Bottom Line: When playing hide-and-seek, seek God first.
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Bottom Line
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4. Thursday
Psalm 10:16-18
What type of movie do you like to watch? Is it the classic romantic
comedy, otherwise known as a rom-com or chick flick? Or do you
like to be scared out of your mind by a good horror movie? Maybe
you love the action movies, which are full of suspense and leave you
on the edge of your seat.
One of my biggest pet peeves is spoilers. Even while I’m watching the
movie, my ears are closed to people that want to make predictions.
The best movies are the ones that keep the suspense going right to the
end. However, with your spiritual life, there should be no suspense.
Spoiler alert: God wins. It’s worth it to stay strong through the tough
times.
How would you describe your life right now? Is it a comedy, where
your struggles are funny the next day? Is your life suspenseful right
now, full of stress and busy-ness? Or is it more like a horror movie,
where you’re scared of where your life may be headed? Let God be at
the end of your story. Trust Him with your life, and no matter what
happens it will be a happy ending.
Bottom Line: No matter what movie your life is like,
it’s always best to let God be the director.
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Jeff Beckley
33

5. Friday
Psalm 11
Do you want the good news first, or the bad news? I’ll start with the
good news: God is always watching over us. And now the bad news:
When you are doing something not so good, and no one is around,
God is still watching.
True, God is watching over you like a good shepherd. But a good
shepherd also wants his sheep to stay away from danger. God warns
us of the dangers sin can bring in your life. What are you struggling
with now that you think no one sees? Are you struggling with looking
at bad images on your computer or phone? Do you swear under your
breath when you stub your toe? Is there jealousy in your heart that
makes you envy others? There are many sins that you think you’re
getting away with, but God sees. Today can be the day you get things
right with God, ask forgiveness, and begin to dig out your hidden sins.
Bottom Line: God is watching, when you want Him to…
and when you don’t!
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Bottom Line
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6. Saturday
Psalm 12:1-4
Take a look at your life. What kind of music are you listening to? What
kind of TV programs are you watching? Take five of your favorite songs
and count the swear words or sexual references in the space below.
Does this number make it into the double digits or even more? What
about movies? Do the same thing – take five movies you like and
count the cuss words and sexual references. I imagine you’ll be
surprised. Do you ever get upset at how often you hear horrible things
coming out of your mouth? Maybe it has to do with what your mind is
soaking up. TV, movies, music, and even what your friends are saying
can all influence your mind. Keep a close watch on what you see and
hear.
Bottom Line: Be careful, little eyes, what you see and be careful,
little ears, what you hear…or your mouth won’t always
be careful what it says.
How does this passage apply to your life?
How are you going to achieve this bottom line?
Five Songs: Total swear words or sexual references:
Five Movies: Total swear words or sexual references:
Jeff Beckley
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