Surprising Appearance

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 8:26-39

TO CHEW ON: "Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus." Acts 8:35

Imagine you are an African government official. You are living shortly after Jesus died. You believe in God. In fact your boss, Queen Candace of Ethiopia, has just given you time off to worship Him in Jerusalem. Now you are on your way home. You’re reading more about God from a scroll (a Bible-time book of Scriptures) called Isaiah. The trouble is, it doesn’t make sense.

Suddenly a man appears beside your chariot. (But you’re on a desert road from Israel to North Africa. Where did he come from?)

"The Ethiopian Converted" - by O.A. Stemler & B.B. Cleaveland, 1925

He asks you what you’re reading. When you tell him you don’t understand it, he joins you in the chariot and explains it all as you ride along. He tells you the good news about Jesus. He even shows you that Jesus was the one you were reading about in the scroll.

He explains about getting baptized, and how it is a sign to you and others that you really believe in Jesus. When you pass by a desert oasis there is water and he baptizes you.

"Ethiopian Eunuch" by Johann C. Weigel, 1695

And then the stranger is gone – as mysteriously as he came.

This story shows us some pretty neat things about God. It shows:
1. God saw the Ethiopian man’s seeking heart and heard his questions.
2. God cared enough about him to send Philip to answer them.
3. God can break the laws of nature if He needs to.

The wonderful thing is we worship the same God. He still answers questioning hearts, sometimes in miraculous ways. Do you have questions about God, life and what’s happening to you? Ask Him to help you understand.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that You see and answer the questions of seeking hearts. Amen.

MORE: SUPER-NaturalSometimes God breaks the laws of nature - of space, time and gravity (like He did when He took Philip to the desert and then transported him away from it). Match these SUPER-natural events, below, with the people involved:

" ______ and a Blind Man" - Artist unknown

1. The sun’s shadow moved backward (2 Kings 20:10,11)
2. A man with leprosy was healed by bathing in a river (2 Kings 5:14)
3. Someone healed blind eyes with mud (John 9:1-7)
4. A walking stick turned into a snake (Exodus 7:8-10)
5. An iron axe head floated on water (2 Kings 6:1-6)
6. Sea water piled up to form a wall (Exodus 14:22)

A. Israelites
B. Aaron
C. Elisha
D. Hezekiah
E. Naaman
F. Jesus


ANSWERS


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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.

A Deathbed Prayer

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Kings 20:1-11

TO CHEW ON: “'Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says: "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life . . ."’” 2 Kings 20:5,6a

Hezekiah was very ill. The doctors expected him to die. Even the prophet Isaiah said, “Put your affairs in order, because you’re going to die.”


But Hezekiah didn’t want to die. As Isaiah left the room, he turned his face to the wall and began to cry. As he wept, he prayed, “God, I’ve tried to please you. I’ve served you wholeheartedly...”

Isaiah wasn’t even out of the palace when God spoke to him again. “Go back inside and tell Hezekiah, ‘I’ve heard your prayer. I’ve seen your tears. In three days you will get better.’” And that’s exactly what happened.


What is the first thing you think of doing when you or someone in your family is sick? Take a pill? Go to the doctor? Do you pray too?

Because Hezekiah prayed, God healed him and lengthened his life. That’s not to say we don’t go to doctors and follow their instructions. Isaiah told the servants to put a poultice (medicine) on the boil that was making Hezekiah sick. But when we’re sick, let’s not forget to pray – to go first to the One who created us and knows more about curing our sicknesses than any doctor.

PRAYER: Dear God, please heal ________ (name of person) from ______ (name of sickness). I thank You! Amen.

MORE: Does God Heal Today?
Some people think that God only healed people from physical sickness in instant and supernatural ways in Bible times. But the Bible tells us to take all our problems, including physical and mental sickness, to God. These words from James remind us that God invites prayers specifically for healing from sickness. You might want to memorize it.

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. James 5:14,15

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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 Letter and a Prayer

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 32:6-15 & 20,21

TO CHEW ON: “'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.' And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said." 2 Chronicles 32:7,8

Sennarcherib the fierce king of Assyria had already defeated Israel. Now he had his eye on Judah. He invaded the country with his powerful army. When soldiers surrounded the walled cities near Jerusalem, Hezekiah knew that he would soon be there.

Hezekiah did all he could to get ready. He cut off the water supply to the outside the walls of Jerusalem. He made the walls stronger. But most of all, he encouraged the people. “Don’t look at Sennarcherib’s strong army,” he said to them. “Instead, look at our big God.”

One day a messenger arrived with a letter. It was from Sennarcherib. “What are you trusting in?” the letter asked. “If Hezekiah is telling you that God will save you – he’s lying. Which god of any nation has ever been able to save them from me? None! Your God is no stronger.”

After reading the letter, Hezekiah tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. He told one of his servants to get the prophet Isaiah. Then he and Isaiah went to the temple. Together they cried out to God for help.


Soon a report came to Hezekiah. Three things had happened in the Assyrian war camp. What were they? 2 Chronicles 32:20-21:

1. Sennarcherib was seen writing more letters.
2. God had sent an angel.
3. The angel had annihilated (killed) the soldiers, officers and leaders of Sennarcherib’s army.
4. Sennarcherib’s army conquered Jerusalem.
5. Sennarcherib and what was left of his army went back home.




Have you ever faced an impossible situation like this? Perhaps someone you love is deathly ill and no doctor can help. Or maybe the school bully has turned everyone against you and no one will be your friend. Or your mom has lost her job and there’s not enough money for rent. Whatever your big problem is, be like Hezekiah and take it to God. He is bigger than any problem ever could be. He can help.

PRAYER: Dear God please help me to be quick to take my problems to you. Amen.

MORE: Impossible Rescues
There are many stories of God rescuing people out of impossible situations. Read one of these today to remind you of what an awesome God He is.

1. The Big Chase - Exodus 14:5-31.

2. The Spy who Wasn’t - 2 Kings 6:8-22.

3. Fighting with Trumpets, Torches and Jugs - Judges 7:7-23.

ANSWERS

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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. 

Scapegoat

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 53:2-8


TO CHEW ON: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

It was the most important day of the year, the Day of Atonement. Everyone came to the holy gathering bathed and in clean clothes. Men, women, girls and boys had watched the High Priest make the offerings. Now it was time for the last event.

A hush came over the crowd as one of the priests led a goat to the High Priest. The High Priest laid his hands on the goat’s head. Then he confessed the peoples’ sins: “We have been selfish. We have been proud. We have not honored our parents. We have been jealous. We have lied. We have stolen...” On and and on he went. As he named the sins, his hands on the goat's head were a picture of laying all those sins on the goat. This goat was called a scapegoat.


When the priest was finally finished, he gave the goat to a servant. The servant took it to the desert and there released it to die. After the goat was gone, there was a party. Everyone felt happy. Their sins had been paid for for another year.


When Isaiah said, in today’s reading, “...the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all,” he was thinking about that scapegoat. Only this time the “him” was not a goat but a person. This part of Isaiah was another prediction about what would happen in the future. He was telling about a time a person would bear all our sins just like that goat did. Did it come true? Yes. Jesus was the scapegoat Isaiah was talking about.

The wonderful thing is that Jesus took the sins not only of the people living at His time. He carried the sins of everyone, past, present and future. When He died on the cross, He was carrying my sins, and yours too!

"Christ on the Cross
Eugene Delacroix, 1798-1863

There is only one thing we must do now to have our sins forgiven and to be a friend of God’s. We must accept that what Jesus did was for us! Have you done this? If you haven’t you can, right now. If you have, then why not celebrate, like the Israelites did at the end of the Day of Atonement?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for taking all my sins on You. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Taking your place
Has anyone else ever taken a punishment or penalty you deserved?

Who was it?

What had you done?

How did this make you feel?

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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. 

Get Out of Jail Free

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 61:1-3

TO CHEW ON: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners," Isaiah 61:1


If you’ve ever played Monopoly, you’ll know that if you get sent to “Jail” there are consequences. You must miss your turn. You don’t get to move around the game board like the other players. By the time you’re free again, all the best properties may be bought by others. Unless you have a “Get out of jail free” card. Then you get to go free!

The way Isaiah described the deliverer or Messiah who would come someday sounds a lot like a “Get out of jail free” card. As well as bringing good news to the poor and comfort to the brokenhearted, the promise was that He would free captives and release prisoners.

Hundreds of years later, Jesus was about to give His first sermon. In front of the gathered listeners He started by opening the scroll of Isaiah and reading these exact words (Isaiah 61:1). And then He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21)


By that he meant, “I am the one who Isaiah was talking about. I can and will do all these things.”

And he did! He hung around with poor people and let them know God loved them very much. He gave a brokenhearted mother her son back from the dead. He brought light to people of all kinds – from blind Bartimeus to the spiritually blind tax collector and cheater Zacchaeus. And He freed people from many things like sickness and demons and lifetimes of doing bad things.


The good news is, Jesus is still our Get out of Jail Free card! What is your jail? Is it a problem with getting angry at every little thing? Is it the need to be liked by everyone? Is it the habit of eating too much? Is it fear or swearing or being sneaky? Whatever it is, Jesus can set you free. Why don’t you ask Him today?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, my prison is ______ Please set me free. Amen.


MORE: Prison Break
The verse about freedom, below, has some large, bold letters. What word do those letters spell?

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

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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. 
ANSWERS

Power of Words

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 55:8-13

TO CHEW ON: "As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10,11

Words are funny little things. As marks on paper or a screen they can make us laugh or cry, tell us good news or bad, prove little things like we’ve passed the test or big things like we’re the citizens of a certain country.

Spoken words have a lot of power too. I’m sure you’ve heard the playground rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Do you believe it? I don’t! Because spoken words have the power to do a lot of things, including hurt us.

If we think human words have power, how much more God’s words. These are the thoughts and ideas that come from the creator of the universe Himself – God. They are found as words in the Bible. They tell us about creation, people and God. They give us the good news that even though we deserve to die because we have sinned, Jesus died in our place. They tell us we can be friends with God. They explain how He wants to be the loving boss of our lives. They describe how we can live so that He will be pleased.



Are you familiar with God’s words? Do you read the Bible? Do you memorize it? Do you do what it says? Make God’s powerful word a part of your life. That may mean that your life isn’t always easy - but it will be full of joy and peace.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to read, understand and obey Your word. Amen.

MORE: God’s Word Search
Bible writers describe God’s word in many ways. Here are some of their descriptions. Can you find each word in the word search?

ACTIVE  FIRE  FOREVER  GOD-BREATHED
HAMMER   HONEY  LAMP   LIGHT
LIVING   MILK   POWER   RADIANT
RIGHT    SHARP   SWEET    USEFUL

Created with Puzzlemaker on DiscoveryEducation.com
To print this puzzle, click anywhere on the puzzle. It will open in another browser. Print that page.

ANSWERS

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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. 

Come Thirsty

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 55:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat!" Isaiah 55:1

Have you ever been very, very thirsty? What did you want more than anything?

Thirst is our body’s way of telling us we need water. In fact we would eventually die if we didn’t get the water we needed.

In today’s reading, though, when Isaiah invites thirsty people to come to water, he isn’t talking about physical thirst. He’s talking about a thirst in our hearts. Perhaps you have felt such a thirst. It might come as a fear in the night - wondering what would happen to you if you died. It might come as a need for love, praise, popularity or excitement. It might come as a desire to do something big and important in your life.


When that thirst comes, you could try to satisfy it with a variety of drinks. You could work hard at school to get the best marks so that people will praise you. You could dress in the latest clothes so that you will fit in with the cool crowd and be popular. You could work at sports or take up skateboarding or mountain bike racing to satisfy your thirst for excitement. But none of those things will satisfy you for long.

Isaiah told the people where to go for a drink that really satisfied. He told them to seek the Lord. If Isaiah were here today, he would tell us the same thing. God is still the only One who can satisfy the thirsts of our heart in a lasting way.

What is your heart thirsty for? Come to God thirsty and see how He fills you up.

PRAYER: Dear God, I come to You with my life. You see my thirst for _______. Please satisfy it in the way You choose. Amen.


MORE: Thirsty for a Friend (A true story)
Helen had no friends. She had come to Canada from Europe as a refugee. She dressed differently and spoke with an accent. When the kids chose partners in gym class, she was always the last one picked. When she went home on the school bus, no one talked to her.

One afternoon after another lonely day in school Helen came home, lay on her bed and began to sob.

Then she sat up. Someone was in her room. Not a person but a Presence so real and loving, she felt hugged. And though she never heard a word, she felt like smiling eyes were looking at her and a voice was saying, “You are my special friend.” Bible words of Jesus came to her mind, “I have chosen you. I will never leave you or forsake you.”


Every day for three months Helen felt the presence of her Unseen Friend. With Him beside her she began to relax and be friendly to the kids in her class. Soon she had other friends too.

Then one day, the Presence was gone. Had she done something bad? Helen confessed every bad thing she could think of. Yet the feeling that her Friend was beside her was gone.

And then she remembered the words she had heard that first day: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” And she knew that God’s presence would be with her always, whether she felt Him or not.

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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. 

Give Your Problems to God

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 40: 27-31


TO CHEW ON: "Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall; 
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30,31

Isaiah continued to remind the people of Judah what God is like. It’s as if he has heard someone complain and say, “God doesn’t see me and my problems. He doesn’t know me or care about me. He’s ignoring me.”

To that Isaiah replied with some facts about God. Complete the things Isaiah told the people, using words from the word bank below: (Isaiah 40:28,29)
1. God is _________
2. He is the __________
3. He doesn’t get _______ or ________
4. Nobody can fathom his ___________
5. Instead of getting weary, he gives ___ and ____

Word Bank
******
power   tired   weary
everlasting   creator
strength   understanding

But they may have asked – and you might too – How does God give us these things? Verse 31 has the answer. God’s strength comes to us when we hope in the Lord.

Hoping in the Lord means that we stop trying to figure out how to solve our problems ourselves. Instead, we tell Him our problems and leave them with Him.

Picture it this way. All your problems are in one heavy backpack. Doesn’t carrying it around make you tired?


Now imagine yourself coming to Jesus with that backpack. Take it off your shoulders. Unzip it. Now as you unpack it, hand each problem to Jesus to take care of (that’s what you do when you pray). Can he fix them? He sure can!

Of course it would be silly to pack up all those problems again and put that heavy pack back on your shoulders. But that’s what you’re doing if you keep worrying. So don’t do that. Instead, zip up that empty pack. Isn’t it light? Why, now you can walk, and run, and practically fly!



PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I want to hope in You. Right now I give you the problem of _____ (name your specific problem). I leave it with you. I won’t worry about it any more. Thank You for helping me. Amen.


MORE: Help!!
Whenever you are tempted to pick up that backpack of problems and start carrying it around again is a good time to remind yourself of God’s many promises to help you. Below are three Bible references with such promises:

Isaiah 41:10

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 4:6,7

1. Look them up.

2. Choose a favorite.

3. Write or print it large on an 8½ x 11" paper.

4. Tack the paper up in a place where you will see it often.



ANSWERS

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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 of Comfort

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 40:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: 
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; 
he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

Which of these things would bring you comfort?


I’m sure you’ll agree that teasing schoolmates, a growling dog, a car accident and feeling sick are not comforting. When we’re under attack, in danger or ill we’re not comfortable. Instead, we’d welcome some comfort.

In today’s reading, Isaiah reminds the people of Judah, how God, who is allowing bad things to happen to them, really feels about them. He would love to speak tenderly to them. He would like to cuddle them close to His heart like a shepherd carries a baby lamb. He would like to be gentle with them, like a shepherd gently leads the ewes who have babies.


Have you ever been punished by a parent and soon after, the same person who punished you, comforted you by taking you in their arms, hugging you and telling you how much you are loved? That’s what God is like here. He’s like a parent who, after punishing wayward Judah, wants them to know He loves them still – and very much too.

Next time your life is uncomfortable and the people you’re close to aren’t there to give you love and comfort, remember this picture of God. Even the bad things He allows into your life are for your good, to make you a better, stronger person. Despite what it looks like, God still loves you. He wants to be your God of comfort too.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your comfort and love. Amen.



MORE: A Tender Shepherd
Isaiah talks about God being like a shepherd.

- Using books or the internet, find out about shepherds and herding sheep in Bible times.

- Isaiah 40:11 talks about a shepherd carrying the lambs in his arms and gently leading the mothers with babies. Those are two ways a shepherd comforted his sheep. Can you find more?

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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. 

Leaping, Bursting, Shouting Joy!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 35:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for
joy." Isaiah 35:5,6

What things make you joyful - finishing homework, seeing an old friend, being greeted by your dog, getting help with a hard job?


Even the greatest joy we feel now will be small compared to the joy Isaiah talks about in today’s reading. It will be the joy people feel when God comes to reign on earth. All of creation – plants, animals and people will know joy at that time.


Why will there be so much joy? Because of who God is. He is a God who makes wrong things right. He is a God who heals – makes the weak strong, the sick well, the blind see, the dumb shout, the lame walk. His power over nature makes even deserts become gardens and wild animals tame as pets.

When will this happen? Though Jesus’ coming to earth was part of it coming true, there is more. For this is a prophecy about what is still ahead for us. It talks about a time when God comes back to reign on earth.


But we don’t have to wait for some future time to know the joy that He brings. When we put the load of our sins on Him, accept that He paid the penalty (death) that we deserved to pay, and then let Him be the boss of our lives, this kind of joy can start in our lives now.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing joy. Thank You for being joy. Amen.


MORE: Showing JoyWhen we’re full of joy, it’s hard to keep those feelings inside.
1. Read through Isaiah 35:1-10 again. Find all the words that speak of joy or show joyful actions. Make a list.

2. Add your own JOY words to the list.


ANSWERS

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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. 

Is God a Nag?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 30:1-5

TO CHEW ON: “'Woe to the obstinate children,' declares the Lord, 'to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin.'” Isaiah 30:1

What does it mean to nag (click on the verb 'nag') someone? Have you ever done this to someone else? Has anyone ever done this to you? Do you like being nagged?

The people in Judah may have felt that God was nagging them. Prophet after prophet came with messages from Him, telling them to change. In today’s reading Isaiah comes with another warning.


“You are like stubborn children,” he said to the leaders. “Again you are doing things on your own instead of asking for My (God’s) help. You are getting together with Egypt to make your army strong. But you are forgetting to talk to Me about it. As a result things won’t work out.”

God wanted the Israelites to be completely His. He wanted them to pray to Him in trouble. Instead the people had joined their army with the army of Egypt. They did this all on their own. Unscramble the words that tell the things that Isaiah predicts will come to Judah now that they have put their trust in Egypt instead of God - Isaiah 30:5

1. mahse ___________
2. scagidre _____________

"But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame,
Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace." Isaiah 30:3

When God warns again and again, it’s not nagging. His repeated warnings show His patience and love. Like a good parent, He names the things that grieve Him, tells us there will be consequences and sometimes even tells us what those will be before He punishes us.

When someone tells us something over and over, it’s easy to stop listening and tune them out. Let’s not be that way with God. When He warns, let’s pay attention – before the day of warnings is over and the day of consequences arrives.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the ways you warn us in the Bible. Amen.


MORE: Nag, nag nag
What are the things about which your parents or teachers talk to you again and again?

- Is there a reason for their nagging?

- Is there something you should or could do to get them to stop?



ANSWERS

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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. 

Tomorrow's News -- Written Years Ago

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 11:1-9

TO CHEW ON: "The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:8,9


“And a Little Child Shall Lead Them” Original oil painting © 2007 by Darlene Slavujac (Used with the artist’s permission).

Would you let your baby sister play near the hole of a poisonous snake? Of course not! That would be almost certain death. Yet in this prophecy, Isaiah tells about a time when people and animals will get along without fear of each other. Match the creatures who will live together without fear (Isaiah 11:6-7)


Has this prophecy come true? No. The time it will happen is still in the future. It will be a time that Jesus rules as king on earth. He will destroy all bad things. Then even nature will change. Instead of animals hunting each other, they will live together in peace.

No fights. No wars. No suicide bombers. It’s hard to imagine such a time. Yet God predicted it so we can be sure it will happen.

PRAYER: Dear God, please bring this wonderful time of peace soon. Amen.

MORE: Picturing Peace
Choose one or several of the animal pairs that Isaiah describes as getting along (Isaiah 11:6-8). Draw a picture of their new friendship.


ANSWERS

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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. 

Isaiah Predicts Jesus' Birth

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 9:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Have you ever been in pitch black darkness? If you’ve turned on a flashlight to find your way at night, or lit a candle when the electricity went out, you know how even a tiny light pushes the dark aside. Isaiah’s prediction about a wonderful child who would be born was such a ray of light in a dark time.

This child would bring light. His names would be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. He would be from David’s family. And His kingdom would last forever.

Has this prediction come true? Yes – in the birth of Jesus.
- Jesus is the light: John 8:12
- the Spirit of Jesus is called Counselor: John 14:16
- Jesus is God: Hebrews 1:3
- Jesus and the Father are one: John 14:7-10
- Jesus is from David’s family: Matthew 1:1
- Jesus’ kingdom will never end: Luke 1:32,33

In this engraving from the 1800s, artist Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld illustrated some of the things mentioned in Isaiah 6 and 9. Can you see the angel coming to Isaiah with the coal? 
The virgin and child? A king? What else does the artist show?


Isn’t it wonderful that hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, a prophet like Isaiah could predict that He would come? Prophecies that came true show us the words Isaiah and other prophets wrote were from God. They show us that the Bible really is a special book.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus, just like You promised. Amen.

MORE: Jesus’ Names
The names of Jesus help us see how He can help us. If we need wise advice, He can be a Counselor to us. If we need a miracle, He is Mighty God. If we need loving care, He is our Everlasting Father. If we need peace, He is the Prince of Peace.

Pick one of these four names, below, and write your prayer for God’s advice, help, love or peace.

Wonderful Counselor, I need advice about _____________________

Mighty God, I need help with _____________________

Everlasting Father, I need love because _____________________

Prince of Peace I need peace in _______________________

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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. 

The Call

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 6:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me.'” Isaiah 6:8

God sat on a high throne. The train of his majestic robe was more glorious than any bride’s. It filled the temple. Angels were all around. Some flew back and forth calling “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is filled with his glory.” At the sound, the temple pillars shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

These are things Isaiah saw in a vision. He would never forget what happened next. As he saw God’s glory and heard the angels, Isaiah suddenly felt like he wasn’t good enough to be there. “Woe is me,” he said, “for my mouth is dirty with bad words.”


Then one of the angels came to him. He had a coal from the altar, and touched that coal to Isaiah’s lips. “God has taken away your guilt and sin,” he said.

Then Isaiah heard God’s voice: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Without knowing what God would ask him to do, Isaiah replied, “Here am I, send me.”


God called Isaiah to be a prophet that day. He would spend more than forty years speaking God’s words to the people of Judah.

Has God called you to do something for Him? If He hasn’t yet, someday he may. He may not call you in a vision like He did Isaiah. But however He calls, make sure your answer is the same as Isaiah’s.

PRAYER: Dear God, when You call, I want to answer, “Here am I, send me.” Amen.

MORE: Unique Calls
God calls people in many different ways. Using the books and/or the internet, find out how God called:

William Cameron Townsend - founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators.



Billy Graham - evangelist.


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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.