Guided by Faith: Daily Christian Devotions and Advice for Teens and Young Adults

In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay unpacks Romans 8:18 and offers a hope-filled perspective for teens and young adults walking through hardship. Using vivid analogies—from tiny seeds growing into massive trees to unimaginable future realities—Jay explains how present suffering, though real and painful, is producing an eternal glory far beyond what we can currently see or imagine. This episode...

In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay continues the study of Romans 8, focusing on Paul’s reminder that all creation is groaning under the weight of sin and brokenness as it waits for redemption. Jay explains how natural disasters, disease, famine, and everyday suffering are signs that the world is not as God originally designed it—and not how it will remain forever. Rather than becoming overwhe...

In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay addresses one of the most universal and difficult realities of life—suffering—through the lens of Romans 8:18, reminding teens and young adults that present pain is not worth comparing to the glory God has promised. Jay explains the two primary types of suffering found in Scripture: suffering because of sin, which affects all humanity in a broken world, and...

In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay begins a powerful new week-long study in Romans 8:16–25, one of the most hope-filled passages in all of Scripture. Jay reminds listeners that suffering is not a sign that God has abandoned them. Instead, the Apostle Paul shows us that suffering is part of life in a broken world—and part of the Christian journey—but it is never the end of the story.  This epi...

How do we actually live out our faith when life gets hard? In this concluding episode of the Romans 8:12–17 series, Ryan Woods brings everything together by reminding teens and young adults that real transformation happens by the power of the Holy Spirit—not our own effort. This episode recaps our identity as sons and children of God, co-heirs with Christ, and explains why suffering is a normal pa...

What does it mean to be a child of God—and why does that matter for how we live today? In this episode, Ryan Woods continues unpacking Romans 8:12–17, focusing on verse 16 and the powerful truth that believers are not only sons of God, but also children and heirs of God. Ryan explains the difference between sonship (our relational closeness to the Father) and being children of God (our future inhe...

What does it really mean to be called a son of God? In this episode, Ryan Woods continues walking through Romans 8:12–17, focusing on verse 14 and the powerful truth that believers are sons of God through the Spirit. Ryan explains how “sonship” is not about gender, but about an intimate relational status—one that allows us to cry out “Abba, Father” with confidence and security. Using personal stor...

What does it actually mean when the Bible says the Holy Spirit lives in you? In this episode, Ryan Woods continues through Romans 8:12–17 and helps teens and young adults understand what it means to live with the Spirit dwelling within them. Building on the idea of a new identity in Christ, Ryan explains how the Holy Spirit—God Himself—comes to live in believers as a guide, comforter, and interpre...

What if Christianity was never meant to be just a list of rules to follow? In this episode, Ryan Woods continues through Romans 8:12–17 and challenges us to rethink the true purpose of the Christian life. Instead of focusing on simply “not sinning,” Ryan unpacks how the gospel invites us into a new identity as children of God—led by the Spirit, adopted into God’s family, and free from fear. Using...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay wraps up a powerful week studying Romans 8 by exploring how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together in our salvation. While Jesus frees us from the penalty of sin and the Holy Spirit gives us power to resist sin, the Father promises the ult...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, we continue unpacking Romans 8 by asking a simple but deeply challenging question: How do you please God? Jay explains that Scripture gives a clear answer—love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself—but l...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, we continue exploring Romans 8 and what it truly means to be freed from the power of sin. Jay breaks down Paul’s teaching that “to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace,” and makes it practical for eve...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, we continue our walk through Romans chapter 8, moving from freedom from sin’s penalty to freedom from sin’s power. Building on Romans 7’s picture of the exhausting inner struggle with sin, Jay explains why Romans 8 is one of the most victorious chapte...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, we begin a powerful multi-week journey through Romans chapter 8, often called the pinnacle of the book of Romans. Jay unpacks the incredible truth found right at the start of this chapter: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in C...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay wraps up the week-long series on building a resilient faith by focusing on one of the most powerful ways we love God—through our relationships. Speaking to teens and young adults, Jay explains that loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and s...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay continues the series on building a resilient faith by addressing one of the most powerful parts of who we are—our emotions. Speaking to teens and young adults, Jay explains that emotions are a gift from God, but they were never meant to take contr...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay continues the series on building a resilient faith by tackling one of the biggest challenges facing teens and young adults today: distraction. Rooted in Jesus’ call to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, this episode explores w...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay continues the series on building a resilient, unshakable faith by focusing on an often-overlooked part of loving God: caring for your body. Jay explains that loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength includes how you treat the physi...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl As a new year begins, this episode of Guided by Faith challenges us to build a resilient, “anti-fragile” faith by prioritizing time with God. Drawing from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 and the Greatest Commandment in Matthew 22, Jay explains that storms are inevitable—but a life rooted i...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this powerful and honest episode of Guided by Faith, Jay closes out the week by addressing fear, anxiety, and suffering through the lens of Psalm 23:4. Speaking directly to teens and young adults who may feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, loss, or anxiety about the future, Jay shares p...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this New Year’s Day episode of Guided by Faith, Jay invites us to begin the year with joy, reflection, and intentional gratitude. Centered on Psalm 118:24, this short devotional introduces a simple but powerful daily practice: reflecting on your highs, lows, and “buffaloes”—the unexp...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this New Year’s Eve episode of Guided by Faith, Jay encourages us to rest in the unchanging faithfulness of God as one year ends and a new one begins. Using Psalm 37 and his devotional Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal, Jay explores how God provides stability and secur...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this encouraging episode of Guided by Faith, Jay reminds teens and young adults of a powerful truth as the year comes to a close: God is not finished with you yet. Rooted in Philippians 1:6, this devotional challenges listeners to recognize the areas of their lives where God is still...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this episode of Guided by Faith, Jay invites us to reflect on God’s incredible patience as we close one year and step into a new one. Drawing from an A.W. Tozer quote and his devotional “Renewed: 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal”, Jay explores what it means that God never rushes—a...

***Pick up a copy of Jay’s new Journal: Renewed: The 365-Day Christian Gratitude Journal https://amzn.to/3MLWavl In this day-after-Christmas episode of Guided by Faith, Jay helps listeners refocus their hearts on the true source of every blessing. Reading from Day 12 of his new 365-day Christian gratitude journal, Renewed, he reflects on James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from...