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PARENTS: This devotion is written especially for you to share with your tween as a tool to talk about God and His Word.
“Dylan? Dylan! Dylan Douglas!” Mrs. Abrams, Dylan’s English teacher, called out. But Dylan was deep in thought. It wasn’t until Dylan’s friend Bart punched his arm that Dylan came back from the world of gaming.
You see, Dylan had become very distracted ever since he had started playing video games at Bart’s house. Dylan was hooked. He couldn’t wait until school was over so he and Bart could play more games.
There are many things in a guy’s life that can distract his attention away from what is truly important. For Dylan, it was video games. They took his mind off his schoolwork—and everything else.
So what’s the problem? What’s wrong with video games? What’s so bad about having some fun? Well, nothing! Especially if it’s done after you’ve taken care of your responsibilities. And as long as it doesn’t get out of hand or go to extremes. But Dylan’s real problem was the focus of his heart. His was concerned with only one thing…Dylan! What he needed was a better understanding of where God wants His growing boys to focus their hearts.
Jesus told the people who wanted to follow Him, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). For Dylan, it’s pretty obvious that his “treasure”—the focus of his heart—was on playing video games. For other boys, the focus of their hearts may be sports.
That brings us to the biggest, most important question of all: Where is your treasure? Where’s your focus? Where’s your heart? A boy after God’s own heart wants to make sure his treasure is what God says it should be.
God wants you to love Him more than all other things. Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Love like this is a tall order, isn’t it? But it is possible. All you have to do is choose to put God first in your life and in your heart, one day at a time.
RESPOND
Dear Jesus, help me to love You more, to know You better, and to follow You with all my heart. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
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REFLECT
Where is your “treasure”?
Circle the word “all” in this verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”(Matthew 22:37).
REMEMBER
A boy after God’s own heart wants to make sure his treasure is what God says it should be.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.
