BIG Love

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 3:14-21

TO CHEW ON: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17b,18

• The highest mountain on earth is 29,0781 feet above sea level. What is its name?

a) Mt. McKinley
b) Mt. Everest
c) Mt. K2

• The deepest ocean trench is over 36,0002 feet under the sea. What is its name?

a) Mariana Trench
b) Japan Trench
c) Aleutian Trench

• The largest ocean covers 64.23 million square miles. It is the

a) Atlantic Ocean
b) Arctic Ocean
c) Pacific Ocean

Does something in your life seem too big for you to handle? Remember, God cares about you and your problems. His love is bigger than any love you will ever know.

• It is higher than the highest mountain (Mount Everest - 5½ miles high)
• It is deeper than the deepest ocean valley (Mariana Trench - 6½ miles deep)
• It is wider and longer than the largest ocean (Pacific Ocean - 64.2 million square miles).

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please help me to know and trust Your high, deep, wide and long love for me. Amen.


MORE: big, BIGGER, BIGGEST
How many more biggest things can you find?
1. The biggest land animal:

2. The biggest sea animal:

3. The biggest bird:

4. The biggest insect:

5. The highest waterfall:

6.

7.

**************
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jailed

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 28:11-16; 30-31

TO CHEW ON: "Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 28:31

Three months after the shipwreck Paul, his guards and companions set sail again. Soon they arrived in Rome. When they got there, the soldiers took Paul to a house.

"Arrival at Rome" by Johann C. Weigel, 1695

For two years he had to stay in that house with someone guarding him all the time.

"Paul preaches at Rome under guard" - Artist unknown

Even though he was a prisoner, Paul didn’t whine, sulk or feel sorry for himself. What did he do? (Find the words for the blanks in the word bank below - Acts 28:31)

He __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ and __ __ __ __ __ __ about __ __ __ __ __

God   Jesus

preached   kingdom

taught

You are probably not in a physical prison. But some things can make you feel as trapped as if you were. Things like being sick, being bullied, and failing at school can have you hoping and praying to be set free.

What is your prison? Pray that God will be with you, that you will feel Him beside you and that you will be set free!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please be with me even when I’m in a place where I’d rather not be. Amen.

"And they pulled me up out of the well"
Illustrationsby Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.

MORE: Bible Jailbirds
Paul was not the first person from the Bible to spend time in jail. Unscramble the names of these Bible characters and match them with their crime.

A. Caught and jailed after his hair was cut. __ __ __ __ __ __

B. Put in prison to silence them from talking about Jesus. __ __ __ __ __ & __ __ __ __

C. Jailed because his master’s wife lied about him. __ __ __ __ __ __

D. Accused of being a deserter and put in a dungeon. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

E. Jailed because he condemned King Herod for living with his brother’s wife. __ __ __ __


NOJH the Baptist (Matthew 14:3-4)
HEOJSP (Genesis 39:17-20)
HMRIEJEA (Jeremiah 37:11-16)
NSMOAS (Judges 16:20-21)
REEPT & HOJN (Acts 4:1-3)


ANSWERS

**************
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Always Available

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 28:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured." (Acts 28:8,9)

Paul had just come through a two-week storm and a hair-raising shipwreck. The sailors and passengers had landed on the Island of Malta. You’d think he would be asking for a holiday. But not Paul!

"Paul sails for Rome" - Artist unknown (after Gustave Dore)

First he helped collect firewood. When a viper (a poisonous reptile) fastened itself to his hand, the superstitious islanders thought this was a sign Paul was a murderer. They watched closely to see him fall over dead. When Paul didn’t die they thought he was a god.

"Paul shakes off the viper and feels no harm" - A Blois & A. Hourbraken, 1728

We know he wasn’t a god. But he did have the power of the God of heaven working in him. A few days later he healed the father of Publius, the Island’s chief official.

"Paul heals Publius's father" by Christoff J. Weigel, 1695

When the islanders saw that, they began bringing their sick friends and relatives to Paul. He cured them all. Paul was always on call for God to use him any time, anywhere.

"Paul heals the sick" by Christoff J. Weigel, 1695

What about us? Do we have the attitude that God can have a little bit of our time – like Sunday, but the rest of the week is our time, to use as we please? Or are we ready to do any job God gives us, any day of the week?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to be available to be used by You at any time and in any place. Amen



MORE: Vipers
Paul had a close encounter with a viper.

• Find out about the common viper.

- from Wikipedia

**********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Too Scared to Eat!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 27:27-44

TO CHEW ON: "Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” (Acts 27:34)

Have you ever been seriously scared or nervous? Perhaps it was the time your team had to play the championship game, or you had to perform a solo in a piano recital, or you were driving through a snowstorm and the car started sliding all over the road.

Our bodies respond to fear in a physical way. How does your body feel when you are nervous or afraid?

- You can’t eat.
- You get sick to your stomach.
- You feel shaky.
- You get a headache.
- Your hands get cold and clammy.
- Your face gets red.
- You bite your nails.

The 275 passengers with Paul had been in the storm for 14 days. They were terrified the whole time. Many of them hadn’t eaten anything and were growing weak.

"The Storm" by Johann C. Weigel, 1695

But Paul had heard from God. Now Paul told everyone on board to let go of the fear that upset their stomachs and to eat, for God had promised him no one would be hurt in any way.

God has promised to be with us in our storms as well. When we’re in the middle of them we too have a choice. We can choose to stay fearful, or to trust God and relax. And that means relax so completely that even our bodies will tell the difference.

(And did God’s word to Paul come true? It sure did!

The next morning someone saw land in the distance. Though the wind was still blowing strong, the sailors cut the anchors loose, hoisted the sail, and headed for the beach.

Before the boat got there, it hit a sandbar.

"But the ship hit a sandbar" - Illustration by Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.

As the pounding waves broke the boat into pieces, the centurion guarding Paul ordered everyone to swim for shore. Many grabbed onto planks or parts of the ship and paddled for their lives.

"Paul shipwrecked in a storm" by F. T. Lix

Everyone made it to land!)

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to relax in Your care for me. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Boats

Find out about boats in Bible times:

• What were they made of?

• How were they powered?

• How did sailors find their way (navigate)?

***************
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Storm

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 27:13-26

TO CHEW ON: "Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called a 'Northeaster,' swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.” Acts 27:14,15

At last Paul was getting his wish. He was on his way to Rome to appear before Caesar. Perhaps he was hopeful Caesar would rule that all the accusations the Jewish leaders had made against him were false.

"Paul heads to Rome" - Johann C. Weigel, 1695

Much of the trip had to be made by ship. The first part of Paul's voyage was smooth.

"Sailing the Mediterranean by ship" - Artist unknown (from H. D. Northrop's Treasures of the Bible - 1894).

But after the ship left Crete a storm came up. Quickly the sea became so fierce there was nothing the captain and crew could do. They were at the mercy of the wind and waves

Everyone was terrified. Everyone, that is, except Paul. Why was Paul not afraid? Acts 27:23-24 (Choose one):

1. An angel had told him they would all be saved.
2. He had a good eye for weather and could see the storm was breaking up.
3. God had told him he would be swallowed by a fish.

Sometimes we find ourselves in storms. They might be literal storms - a snowstorm, tornado or flood. Or they might be a bad thing that feels like a storm - an accident, sickness or death. God does not keep storms away from us. But like God was with Paul, he will be with us in our storms.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to trust You in every kind of storm. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Your Storms
1. What is the worst storm you’ve ever been in?
Describe it. How did you feel? What happened?

2. A “Storm Psalm” - Next time you are in a storm, read Psalm 91 to remind you that God can protect and save you.


ANSWERS



*********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Never Too Young

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 23:12-22

TO CHEW ON: “Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.’” Acts 23:17

Have you ever thought you have to be grown up to be used by God? Perhaps Paul’s nephew felt that way. Then came the day he overheard a secret plan.

He heard forty Jewish men promising each other they wouldn’t eat or drink until they’d killed Paul. They would ask the Roman commander to bring Paul to a special place. They would hide along the road Paul would take. When Paul and the soldiers came by, they would pounce on Paul and kill him.

The boy went straight to Paul with news of this plot.

"Paul's nephew" - By Johann C. Weigel, 1695

Paul sent the boy to the commander, to tell him what he’d heard. As a result Paul was never sent to the meeting that day. Because his nephew did what he could, Paul’s life was saved.

Have you ever thought you were too young for God to use? You aren’t you know. God uses people of all ages. The main thing is be obedient and do the things He tells you.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You that You can use people of any age. Please use me today. Amen.


MORE: Bible Kids "Who Am I?"

Can you identify these Bible kids that God used? Use the names and references at the bottom to help you.

1. I talked to an Egyptian princess, offering to get a nurse for her baby brother.

2. I gave Jesus my lunch of loaves and fishes.

3. I killed a giant with a sling and stones.

4. I heard God speak and later told God’s message to Eli, the priest.

5. I told my mistress God’s prophet could heal her master Naaman of leprosy.



A. A Hebrew slave girl (2 Kings 5:1-14)
B. David (1 Samuel 17:48-50)
C. A boy in a crowd (John 6:9-13)
D. Miriam – a big sister (Exodus 2:7 & 15:20)
E. Samuel (1 Samuel 3)


ANSWERS



**************
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Kids Rule!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Mark 10:13-16

TO CHEW ON: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” - Mark 10:14

Circle what you think Jesus was like: kind? gruff? liked kids? impatient? funny? mean? happy?

At different times Jesus reacted in different ways. But we know He loved kids.

"The Little Children and Jesus" - Artist unknown

When He found out the disciples were scolding people for bringing children to get His blessing, He was not pleased.

"Jesus receives children" - Artist unknown

Jesus said adults need to be childlike in the way they welcome God into their lives. What things could adults learn from children?

The Growing-Up ABCs (You might want to print this page to do this activity.)

In front of the following statements, write A if it would be true of an Adult; B if it would be true of a Baby and C if it would be true of a Child (some may have more than one letter).

1. ____ Needs to be fed and carried.
2. ____ Loves to run and play.
3. ____ Learns to read.
4. ____ Goes to work to support a family.
5. ____ A ball or a rattle makes him smile or laugh.
6. ____ Likes to jump into a parent’s arms.
7. ____ Gets up at night when a child cries.
8. ____ Goes shopping for groceries.
9. ____ Attends school.
10. ____ Waits for someone to prepare food.
11. ____ Makes meals.
12. ____ Drives a car.
13. ____ Worries about losing a job.
14. ____ Wears a diaper.


Cross out all the statements that have only an A in front of them.
Of the statements you marked with a B and/or a C :

• Underline in RED the ones that show babies and children are TRUSTING.

• Underline in BLUE the ones that show babies and children are DEPENDENT.

• Underline in GREEN the ones that show babies and children are PLAYFUL.

• Underline in ORANGE the ones that show babies and children are LEARNING.

(some may have two or more lines)

Jesus loves children. We are all like children to Him. No matter what our age, He wants us to keep coming to Him like trusting, dependent, playful and learning children.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me always to trust You, depend on You, enjoy You and learn about You. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Favorite Place


Draw a picture of your favorite kid-type place to go.

ANSWERS


Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Water please

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 4:4-15


TO CHEW ON: "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'” John 4:10


Which of these statements is true?

~ Water is the single most important substance on earth.

~ Our bodies are made up of 70% - 75% water.

~ Our bodies lose water when we sweat and go to the bathroom.

~ We can die from lack of water.

Yes, they’re all true.

Jesus was hot, tired and thirsty on His walk from Judea to Galilee. So it’s no shock He asked for a drink when he stopped at the Sychar well. But what is surprising is that he asked a woman, and a Samaritan woman at that (Jews hated Samaritans).

"The Woman from Samaria" - Artist unknown

Jesus quickly turned the conversation from physical water to spiritual water. He offered this woman water that would be in her and would never run dry. Did Jesus mean that she’d never need a drink of water again? What did Jesus mean?

When we accept Jesus and are born again, like Nicodemus was, God the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. He is our teacher, comforter and constant companion. He helps us understand the Bible and reminds us in many ways that God loves us and is with us. His presence in our lives is living water to our spirits.

PRAYER: Dear God, I accept Your living water. Help me to always be satisfied by it. Amen.



SUPERSIZE IT: Spirit Water
Can you think of some ways God reminds you that He loves you and is with you? Make a list.
1.
2.
3.
4.


Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Led by a Star

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 2:1-15

TO CHEW ON: “’Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:2

Every night the wise men studied the stars. They wrote down when they rose and set. They gazed at their colors and brightness. They drew them and looked for shapes formed by their positions in the sky. Most of all they tried to figure out what the stars meant.

One day a new bright star came out. Such a star could mean only one thing: a new king had been born.

"Wise Men Follow a Star" by A. O. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland

The star seemed to be moving, so the wise men followed it. For weeks and months they rode, probably on camels, and always at night so they could see the star’s light. It led them west toward Judea. The star must be telling of a new Jewish king.

"Journey of the Magi" - James Tissot

When they got to Jerusalem, they went to see King Herod. Surely he’d know if a new king had been born.

King Herod was troubled when he heard about a new-born king. After all he was the king. He asked the Jewish scholars where a Jewish king should be born. They studied their scrolls and found the answer in Micah 5:2. Bethlehem was the place.

“When you find the child, make sure you come back here and tell me. I want to worship him too,” Herod told the wise men.

They were excited when the star appeared again.

"Journey of the Magi" - Artist unknown

It led them to Bethlehem and stopped over a certain house. Inside they found Joseph, Mary and the young Jesus. The star had led them to the king they had been seeking! They fell down and worshiped Him, then gave Him the gifts they had brought – gold, frankincense and myrrh.

"Adoration of the Magi" - Artist unknown

God brings people to Jesus in many ways. The wise men found Him by following a star. Some people meet Him when missionaries come to their country to tell about Jesus. Others find Him by reading the Bible. Still others are introduced to Jesus by their family members or friends.

Have you met Jesus? If you have, you can be like the star and light the way for others to find Him too.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to lead others to You. Amen.

"The Story of a Journey" - Artist unknown


SUPERSIZE IT: Avoiding Herod’s Trap
Did the wise men go back to Herod? Did Herod find Jesus? Read Matthew 2:12-15, then put the scrambled story in the right order.

1. At night the family made a secret getaway.

2. That night the wise men were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod.

3. The family lived in Egypt until Herod died.

4. After the wise men left Joseph had a dream. “Get up,” an angel said to him. “Escape with your family to Egypt. Herod is planning to kill Jesus.”

5. The wise men went back to their country another way.


ANSWERS

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Bad Timing

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 2:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born." Luke 2:6

After the angel’s visit, Mary got pregnant. God, the Holy Spirit, was the baby’s father.

Joseph, the man she was planning to marry, thought she had cheated on him. He was all set to break their engagement. But an angel came to him in a dream. He told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and to be an earthly father to the baby she would have.

Now it was months later. The baby was due to be born any day. That's when Caesar Augustus passed a law about registering for a census. So Joseph and Mary had to take the long trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Joseph needed to register. Talk about bad timing!

"The Journey to Bethlehem" by Unknown Artist

They didn’t have planes, cars or buses for the trip. Instead they had to walk the 46 to 50 kilometers (or 28 to 31 miles) from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Maybe Mary rode on a donkey. Not only was the trip uncomfortable, but when they got to Bethlehem, the inns were full!

"The Arrival at Bethlehem" by Luc-Olivier Merson - 1897

But all this was no surprise to God. In fact, it was important that Jesus be born in Bethlehem. Do you know why?* And God had picked out just the right spot for that.

Unknown Illustrator of Hartwell James's The Boys of the Bible 1905 & 1916

That night, Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a stable. Something that seemed all wrong turned out just right.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to trust You when things seem to be happening at the wrong time. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: The Wrong Time
Has something like this ever happened to you?
- you sprain your ankle the day before the big game.
- a few days before the play, where you have the main part, you get a cold and lose your voice.
- your family plans a trip, and then your dad’s boss asks him to work

Make a list of things that have happened to you at the “wrong time.” How did each turn out?


*Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He was the Savior or Messiah that God had promised to send. Micah the prophet predicted that this “ruler over Israel” would come out of Bethlehem.

***********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Stealing From God

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Malachi 3:6-12

TO CHEW ON: “'You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'” Malachi 3:9,10

“You are robbing God!” Malachi’s words got the peoples’ attention. But how could he say that? They weren’t stealing from the temple.

“You are stealing from God by keeping the tithe for yourselves instead of giving it to Him,” Malachi explained.



A tithe is one tenth. Years earlier God had commanded the people to give one tenth of what they earned and grew (their harvest and their herds of animals) to God. They were to do this whether they were rich or poor and whether times were good or bad. Giving to God in this way showed that they trusted God to supply what they needed. It was also a way of saying thank you for all He had given them. And when they did this, miraculously they always had enough.



Now instead of giving God His tenth, they were spending it on themselves. This was the reason they were having problems with crop failures and pests, Malachi explained. But if they would again give God a tenth, He would bless them with plenty.

Does God still expect us to tithe today? We don’t follow the other laws God gave the Israelites, so why should we tithe?

Though it’s true we no longer keep the Old Testament laws, giving one tenth of all we get to God is still an excellent thing to do.

To whom do we give it? Many Bible teachers agree that we should give our tithe to the place we get our spiritual food – the church we attend. We give the tithe because God promises to bless us if we do. But we also give it because it is a physical way to show that we trust God and are thankful for all He gives us.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to make it a habit to give You a tenth of all I get. Amen.


MORE: Tithe math
How much is one tenth? Calculating the tithe is easy. It simply means dividing the amount of money you’ve received by 10, or moving the decimal point one place to the left.

Suppose you earned an allowance of $5.00 and you want to tithe it. How much would you give?
$5.00 ÷ 10 = $.50 (or 50¢)
What is the tithe of:
1. $6.60

2. $10.98

3.$78.00

4. $150.00


ANSWERS

***********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Travel Protection

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ezra 8:21-32

TO CHEW ON: "There by Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children and all our possessions." Ezra 8:21

Ezra hugged the king’s letter to himself. He could hardly believe it – permission to go back home! He opened the letter and read it again. Yes, there it was. Not only could he gather the people for the trip back to Jerusalem, but the king was also sending gold and silver to replace the temple furniture.

About sixty years had passed since the first exiles had returned to Jerusalem. King Xerxes and Esther were now dead and a new king, Artaxerxes, ruled in Babylon. Ezra, a man who had spent his whole life studying God’s laws, was the leader of the exiles.


Quickly Ezra spread the word that they could go home to Jerusalem. People packed their belongings and gathered at Ahava Canal from where they would set out. Soon the crowd had swelled to 1700 people. Everyone was eager to get going.

But Ezra was worried. The trip would be long. With all the gold and silver they were carrying, they would be a target for bandits. The king had offered to send some soldiers along to protect them. But after telling the king how powerful his God was, Ezra felt stupid accepting the king’s protection.

So now Ezra called everyone together. “Before we leave,” he told them, “we’re going to fast and pray for God’s protection on our trip.” And that’s what they did before they set out.

The 900-mile trip took four months. Though I’m sure everyone got tired and sore from walking all that way, every person and all their possessions arrived in Jerusalem safely. God answered their prayer.



Do you ever pray for God’s protection for everyday things like travel? God is able to protect us on our travels just like he protected Ezra and the exiles. Next time you set out on a trip – long or short – remember to pray for God’s travel protection.

PRAYER: Dear God, please protect me in all my travels today. Amen.

MORE: Travel
Travel was not common in Ezra’s time – before cars buses, trains and planes. The 900-mile trip between Babylon to Jerusalem may have been the first trip some of these people had taken. Chances are you’ve traveled much farther than that already in your life. Tell about some of your travels.


1. What is the longest trip you’ve ever taken?

2. Circle how you got there: car/van/truck boat bus plane train other ________

3. Name some other places to which you have traveled.

4. What is your favorite travel memory?

***********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

A Special People

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Obadiah 1-10

TO CHEW ON: "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever." Obadiah 1:10

Do you have brothers and/or sisters with whom you quarrel? Arguments and quarrels between siblings are common. Bible brothers and sisters had their differences too.

Take Jacob and Esau. Though they were twins, they were always competing against each other. Jacob tricked Esau into giving him the birthright (the inheritance that belonged to Esau as the oldest). Then he tricked Isaac, their father, into blessing him instead of Esau. This made Esau so angry, he threatened to kill Jacob. So Jacob left home.

"Isaac and Esau" Fresco painting by Raphael (1518-1519)

Over the years the descendants of Esau became the nation of Edom. Jacob’s descendants became Israel. But there was no more love between the nations of Edom and Israel than there had been between their great-great-great-... grandfathers.

"Obadiah" painted by
James Tissot


When Nebuchaednezzar destroyed and looted Judah, he was joined by soldiers from Edom. They took stuff from Judah for themselves and turned the Israelite people who tried to escape over to Nebuchadnezzar.

It was at this time that the prophet Obadiah lived. The book he wrote is short (one chapter). It was a message condemning Edom for their treatment of the Jews. Obadiah scolded them for their pride. He told Edom that though they thought their strong cities couldn’t be conquered, because they had mistreated the Jews, they would be defeated and disappear as a nation. And this happened. After 70 A.D. there is no more mention of Edom anywhere in history.

Still today the Jews have a special place in God’s heart (Deuteronomy 26:18,19). They are the people through whom God chose to bring His Son Jesus to earth. God has promised to raise them up as a strong nation again (Deuteronomy 30:3). God promises to bless those that bless and help the Jews (Genesis 12:3).

Though we may not understand or agree with everything that modern Israel does, God’s feelings about Israel haven’t changed. This nation is still His treasured possession. It is a nation Christians everywhere love and pray for.


PRAYER: Dear God, please bless the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. Amen.

MORE: Jews in the News
1. Since Israel became a nation again in 1946, there has been a lot of conflict in the Middle East between the Jewish people and their neighbors.

- Using newspapers and/or the internet, find out what is presently happening in Israel.

2. Pray for Israel’s peace (Psalm 122:6).

***************
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

God Our Shepherd

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ezekiel 34:11-16

TO CHEW ON:  I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, ...” Ezekiel 34:15,16

If you were compared to an animal, you would probably not want someone to say you were like a sheep. Sheep are easily led astray. When they get lost, they are not smart enough to find their way back home. They are not agile and quick but clumsy and slow. Their heavy coats of wool slow them down even more, making them an easy catch for wolves or mountain lions. In order for sheep to survive, they need someone to look after them.


But the Bible often compares people to sheep. That’s what God said the Israelites were like when they were far from home in Babylon. God promised to be a shepherd to them, even though their problems came from their headstrong, sheep-like ways. He would search for the lost ones, rescue the ones that were trapped or caught, bandage the hurt ones and make the weak ones strong.

Someday He would bring them back to their home. Again they would eat on its lush green hillsides. When they felt full they would lie down without fear because He would be watching out for danger.

Illustration by Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.

This message that God gave Ezekiel for the people shows how much God loved them. Though today’s reading was first a promise that God would someday bring the Israelites back to their land, it is also a picture of the way God is a shepherd to us. We are like sheep just as those Israelites. God will be our shepherd too.

Are we lost? God can find us. Are we hurt? God can make us better. Are we hungry? God can feed us. Are we weak? God can make us strong.

How will God do these things? He may use the people we know or strangers. He may use things that look like ordinary happenings or miracles. However He does it, we can trust Him to be our shepherd.

PRAYER: Dear God, please be a shepherd to me like You were to the Israelites. Amen.


MORE: Shepherds
Through books and the internet find out more about shepherds.
1. What was a shepherd’s life like in Bible times?

2. Are there still people who work as shepherds today? What do they do?

3. How is the life of a shepherd today different from a shepherd in Bible times? How are they alike?

Sheep grazing on a field in Saskatchewan, Canada

***********

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
 

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

God's Lullabies

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Zephaniah 3:11-17

TO CHEW ON: "The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Again Judah was in a mess. When King Manasseh died, his idol-worshiping son Amon became king. Amon was king for just two years when officials murdered him and crowned his eight-year-old son Josiah to be king instead.

God gave another prophet named Zephaniah, messages for King Josiah. Most were not popular. “God’s judgment day is coming,” he said one day. “If Judah doesn’t return to God, it will be destroyed, just the like nations around it. Jerusalem will be destroyed too. Only a few people from it will be saved.”

Then Zephaniah ended his stern message with the beautiful picture of a God who can also be gentle. He is a God who loves and cares for those who stay true to Him.



Have you ever seen a mother or father quiet a crying baby? How do they do it?

In our reading today, God is that parent. He quiets His restless children with love. He sings over them – lullabies perhaps or story songs that remind them of the things He has done for them.



Next time God seems mean and strict and far away to you, remember this picture of God. He is near you even when you don’t feel Him. He can save you from any problem you are in. He delights in you and sings over you. Let Him love you.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to know Your parent-love for me. Amen.

MORE: Pictures of God.
God is pictured in the Bible in many ways. These pictures help us understand what He is like. Match the references with the way God is pictured in each verse (one verse has two descriptions).

A. Psalm 121:4      B. Psalm 91:4
C. Isaiah 25:4      D. 2 Timothy 4:18

1. ______ Shelter from the storm.
2. ______ Rescuer.
3. ______ Bird who shelters us under His wings.
4. ______ Watchman who never sleeps.
5. ______ Shade from the heat.


ANSWERS

**********
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.