Death to Death!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Matthew 28:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "He is not here; he has risen just as he said ..." Matthew 28:6

Something mysterious happens when people die. The invisible but living part of a person – the moving, breathing, thinking, feeling, loving part – leaves the body. The body – the physical shell which did the breathing, talking, laughing and hugging – is still there. But it is empty - the real person is gone. We call them dead.

Physical death is final. Even the most clever doctor can’t capture the living part of a person and stuff it back into a dead body to make the person come alive again.

It was now three days after Jesus had died and been buried. Some of His women friends went to the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath.

When they got there, everything was different than they expected. The large stone that had stood in front of the cave tomb wasn’t there.

"The stone was rolled away" - Artist unknown

A shining angel greeted them. The angel said, “I know you’re looking for Jesus. He’s not here, He’s risen. Come and see where He was lying.”

"Women at the Grave of Jesus" by O. A. Stemler & Bess B. Cleaveland

When they stepped into the tomb it was true. The spot where Jesus had been lying was empty.

"Why seek ye the living among the dead?" Artist unknown

“Go and tell His disciples, Jesus has risen from the dead,” the angel told them.

"Go, tell His disciples, He is risen" Artist unknown

Jesus, God’s son, knew His death wouldn’t be final. For though people can’t make dead people come alive again, God can. Many times Jesus had told the disciples He would rise from the dead. But when the women told the disciples the wonderful news, they were shocked. Their surprise shows that either they didn’t hear Him, or they didn’t believe Him, or both.

Do we hear and believe the things God says to us:
- He loves and cares for us?
- He hears and answers prayer?
- Someday we too will have a new body?



PRAYER: Dear God, help me to hear and believe the things You say. Amen.

"Thomas feeling Jesus' wounds"
by O. A. Stemler & Bess B. Cleaveland

MORE: Jesus’ resurrection body was different from His body before death. Which statements about His new body are not true? Check the Scriptures below if you’re unsure.

1. Jesus’ new body glowed in the dark.

2. The resurrected Jesus could eat food.

3. The resurrected Jesus could appear and disappear miraculously.

4. After his resurrection, Jesus could only fly, not walk.

5. Jesus’ resurrection body was see-through or transparent.

6. Jesus’ resurrection body was solid - you could touch and feel it.

Scriptures to check:

• Matthew 28:9
• Luke 24:15
  
• Luke 24: 31-42
• John 20:26-27

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 Keepsake Meal

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 22: 14-20


TO CHEW ON: “...do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

Do you have a collection of special keepsakes? Suppose in your collection you have a teacup from your grandma, a baseball hat from when you were little, and a trophy.

Those keepsakes wouldn’t be special to someone else, but they are to you. Why? Because each one is a picture or symbol of someone or something important to you. The teacup might remind you of grandma and the interesting stories she told. The baseball hat could remind you of the friend you played with when you wore it. The trophy reminds you of your team and how hard you worked to win the tournament.

Jesus, during his last meal with His disciples, gave them just such a way to remember Him. He took a piece of bread, said grace over it, tore it apart, and handed the broken pieces to them. He told them to eat it and when they did, to remember Him and how His body would be nailed and pierced (broken) for them.

"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci - 1498

Then he took a cup of wine. Again he asked a blessing on it, handed it around and told them to take a drink. This was to remind them of how His blood would be poured out for them.

"The Last Supper" © 1993 by Darlene Slavuac (Used with the artist's permission)

We still celebrate this remembrance of Jesus. In some churches it’s called "Communion." Other churches call it the "Lord’s Supper.’"Still others call it "Holy Eucharist." Do you celebrate it in your church? What do you call it?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your broken body and poured out blood. Help me to think of You each time I take part in this meal. Amen.


MORE: Christian Symbols
Pictures of a goblet of wine and a loaf of bread remind us of the Lord’s Supper. Below are more Christian symbols. Match each symbol with the thing or event we remember when we see it:



A. Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. _____

B. The end of the flood and God's faithfulness. _____

C. The Ten Commandments. _____

D. A secret symbol used by early Christians. One person would draw an arc in the sand and the other would complete the sign to show they were both followers of Christ. _____

E. The Lord's Supper. _____

F. Jesus' death. _____

G. The soldiers mocking Jesus and His suffering before His death. _____

H. The Holy Spirit. _____

I. Christmas. _____


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.

Minas and More

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 19:11-27

TO CHEW ON: "He replied: 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.'” Luke 19:26

One day Jesus told the story of a king. Before the king went on a trip, he gave ten servants one mina* each. He told them to put the money to work for him.

When the king got back, he asked the servants for a report. Servant One had made ten minas with his one mina. Servant Two had made five. But Servant Three only had the original mina.

This made the king angry. He took the mina away from Servant Three and gave it to Servant One.

"Servants reporting to the king" - Artist unknown

This parable teaches us:
1. Life isn’t fair.
2. It pays to be greedy and get all we can.
3. If we don’t use the things we’ve been given, we’ll lose even those things.

I think it’s number 3 - don’t you?

Jesus' stories are not only interesting but they teach us about God and what is important to Him. In this story we learn about how God wants us to use what we have.

The king in the story gave his servants money. You may not have money, but you have other things. Some of them could be health, energy, special abilities, an education, a friendly nature. Can you think of more?

God gave you these things to use not just for yourself but for Him. You could use your health and energy to help a neighbor or play with a younger brother or sister. If you’re smart in school you could use your intelligence to tutor a friend who has a hard time. If you’re good at writing, drawing or singing you might want to take lessons and learn more so that you can bless others with your talents.

Someday we’ll all report back to God about how we used the things He gave us. Let’s not neglect them or use them selfishly. Instead let’s use them well, so we can look forward to report day.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to use all You’ve given me so I will welcome the day I report back to You. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Use Your Gifts:
How can you use these gifts you’ve been given:

- Your talents and special abilities?




- Your education?

- Your experiences?

- Your money and possessions?



* 1 mina = about three months’ wages.


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. 

Dinner With a Sinner

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 19:1-9


TO CHEW ON: "Jesus ... said to him, 'Zacchaeus...I must stay at your house today'...All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.'” Luke 19:5,7

What are taxes? You probably know they are amounts of money people in cities, provinces, states and countries must pay. Government workers collect this money. They use it to pay for things used by everyone - like roads, schools, firefighters and the police.

In Jesus’ time, the Roman rulers charged taxes. They got people in each neighborhood, to work for them. These people were called tax collectors. They usually charged the people more than the Romans asked. They kept the extra money for themselves. Everybody thought of them as traitors, cheats, sinners, and hated them. Zacchaeus was a tax collector.

One day Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming to town. He wanted to see Him. But Zacchaeus was too short to see above the crowd. Besides, he didn't much like being in crowds because he was so unpopular. So he climbed into a tree and watched as Jesus and the crowd walked by.

Jesus didn’t care how the crowds felt about Zaccheus. When He came to the tree where Zacchaeus was sitting, He stopped. He called up to Zaccheaeus and persuaded him to come down. Jesus said He wanted to have a meal with Zacchaeus. Then what happened? Which three statements are UNTRUE? (Luke 19:5-9)

1. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus to his home.
2. Zacchaeus denied that he had done anything wrong.
3. Zacchaeus offered to give a quarter of his possessions to the poor.
4. Zacchaeus offered to pay back four times the amount he’d cheated from people.
5. Jesus condemned Zacchaeus and said there was no hope for him.
6. Jesus said salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ home.

"Zacchaeus" - Artist unknown

Do you know people who have a reputation as bad as Zacchaeus's? Maybe they’re known for being mean or stuck-up or stingy. Perhaps everyone avoids them. But you can be different. You can follow Jesus’ example and be kind. You never know, God may be preparing them to meet Jesus just like he prepared Zacchaeus. God may use you to introduce them to Him.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to show kindness to unpopular people, like Jesus did. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Tax Facts
- What kinds of taxes do you and your family pay?

- How are taxes collected where you live?

- What are some things for which your tax money is used?

- What attitude should Christians have toward the people in government and the taxes they collect?

Some places the Bible talks about government and paying taxes:

• Matthew 17:24-26

• Matthew 22:15-22

• Romans 13:1-3

• 1 Peter 2:17

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. 

Lost and Found

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 15: 1-7


TO CHEW ON: "...Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep." Luke 15:6

When you lose a favorite toy, do you:
- say, “Oh well, I still have lots of other toys,” then find something else to play with?
- look for that toy for a while, then give up and play with something else?
- look for your favorite toy until you find it?

"The Parable of the Lost Sheep" by Alfred Usher Soord

Jesus told a story of a shepherd with 100 sheep. One day one of his sheep got lost. He left the 99 sheep and looked for the lost one until he found it.

"The Parable of the Lost Sheep" Illustrator of Abbott Illustrated New Testament, 1878

This kind of story is called a parable. It uses ordinary things to teach a spiritual lesson. In this parable about a shepherd and sheep we learn something about God (the shepherd) and people (sheep). What three things does the story teach us?

1. God loves each person.

2. God quickly gives up looking for us.

3. God loves people who do bad things as well as people who try to be good.

4. God is happy when sinners repent (are sorry for sin and turn away from it).

We can be glad God loves everyone, even people who do bad things. He is as happy when sinners repent as the shepherd was when he found his lost sheep.

"The Parable of the Lost Sheep" Illustrator of Abbott Illustrated New Testament, 1878

Has God found you? If not, remember God loves you just as much as the shepherd loved his one lost sheep. Will you let Him find you? There will be a party in heaven when you do!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that You care about me as much as the shepherd cared about the one lost sheep. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Finding Lost Things
There are many ways of looking for things. How would you look for:

- a finger ring lost in sand?

- approaching weather systems?

- a lost pet?

- a broken bone in your body?

- a stolen car?

- a lost piece of clothing?


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. 

He's My Neighbor?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 10:29-37

TO CHEW ON: "...so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'” Luke 10:29

One day when Jesus was teaching in the province of Judea Mr. Scripture Expert came to Him with a question. He looked proud of himself as he asked, “What do I do to get eternal life?”

“What’s written in the law (Bible)?” Jesus asked.

“Love the Lord with all your heart ...and love your neighbor as yourself,” Mr. Expert replied.

“Do this and you’ll get that life,” Jesus told him.

“And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus answered that question by telling a story (today’s “Read”). In it bandits robbed and beat up a Jewish man. As he lay unconscious beside the road a priest came along. He saw the beat up traveler and crossed to the other side of the road. A Levite did the same thing. Then along came a Samaritan.

Samaritans were people the Jews hated and avoided. Samaritans hated and avoided the Jews too. But this Samaritan stopped. He saw what bad shape the man was in and he took care of his wounds.

"The Good Samaritan" - Artist unknown

Then the Samaritan loaded the wounded traveler on his donkey and carried him into town.

"The Good Samaritan" by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890

In town the Samaritan checked the traveler into an inn and paid the innkeeper to look after him.

Then Jesus asked Mr. Expert, “Who was a neighbor to the man?”

“The one who had mercy on him,” he replied.

Jesus finished, “You love your neighbor in the same way.”

Why do you think the good Samaritan was called a neighbor to the robbed traveler
a] because he lived next door to the man?
b] because he knew the man?
c] because he was the same race as the man?
d] because he saw the man was in need and helped him?

I’d say it’s d]. And if you think of it, that definition of “neighbor” means we may have many more neighbors than we thought! Who is your neighbor? In what way can you help him or her?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to recognize my neighbor and to be willing to help whenever I can. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Being Neighborly
How could you be a neighbor (help out someone who is in need) when:

- Your next-door neighbor is ill and can’t walk her dog

- Your mom is late getting dinner, everyone is hungry and the baby is crying.

- Your friend is still sick after already missing three days of school.

- You see some of your classmates being mean to a little kid on the playground.


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 Solid House

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 6:46-49

TO CHEW ON: "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock." Luke 6:47-48a

Which part of a house is built first:

- the walls?
- the roof?
- the rooms?
- the front porch?
- the foundation?
- the basement?

You probably know that the foundation of a house is the very first thing a builder makes. He usually starts building that foundation by digging a hole. If he can dig down to bedrock and fasten the house’s foundation onto rock, the house will be almost immovable. But if a house’s foundation rests on earth or sand, it can be swept away by floods, toppled by earthquakes and smashed by storms.

One day Jesus told a story of one man who built his house on a rock. Another man built his house on sand. When the storm came, which house stayed standing?

"The house upon the rock and the house upon the sand" by William James Webb

Jesus explained the story. He said those houses on their different foundations are like our lives. When we hear His words and put them into practice, we are building the house of our life on the foundation of solid bedrock. When we hear His words but don’t do them, we’re building our life’s house on sand.

Here are some foundations on which you could build your life. Which one will you choose?

- What other people think.
- Money
- Happiness
- Comfort
- Obeying Jesus’ words.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to hear, understand and obey Your words. Amen


SUPERSIZE IT: Houses In Many Places
Find out about houses in different places.

- How would you build a house’s foundation in the arctic, where the ground is either frozen solid or thaws to become a bog?

- Why are houses sometimes built on stilts?

- What kinds of houses are built in the dessert?


- What kinds of houses are built in the jungle?


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. 

Fish!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 5: 1-11

TO CHEW ON: "He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat." Luke 5:3

Would you lend it?

~ Your friend asks to borrow your bike to deliver papers.
~ Your sister needs to use your markers to finish her homework.
~ Your mom needs to borrow change from you for the parking meter.

Would you lend these things? Your answer will probably show if you’re the kind of person who easily shares your things or likes to keep them for yourself.

Simon must have been a sharer. One day Jesus got into Simon’s boat, asked him to row it a way from the shore and then used it as a platform for teaching the people. Never once did Simon say: “Why should I let you use my boat?”

"Jesus teaching from a boat" - James Tissot

Later, after the people went home, Jesus thanked Simon in an amazing way. Though Simon and his partners hadn’t caught any fish the night before, Jesus told Simon to try fishing again. What happened when they let down their nets now? (Luke 5:6) ________________

"The calling of the first disciples" - Artist unknown

Simon, James and John were shocked at the number of fish they caught when Jesus was with them. Now they had proof Jesus was no ordinary person. They decided to stop being fishermen for a while. They left their boats to be with Him.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to let You use me and my things as You like. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Fishing
What’s your favorite kind of fish to eat?

How many ways can you think of to catch fish? List them.

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. 

What Would Jesus Do?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 5:27-31

TO CHEW ON: "Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'” Luke 5:31,32

One day Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi (also called Matthew) sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him. So Levi left his tax booth and went with Jesus.

"The Calling of Levi" - James Tissot, 1886 - 1896

Levi liked Jesus so much he wanted others to meet this new friend. He prepared a banquet and invited all his tax collector friends and Jesus.

Not everybody would have been comfortable at Levi's dinner. Most people hated tax collectors. One reason was they collected taxes for the Roman rulers. The Jews hated the Romans ruling over them.

Even worse, tax collectors usually asked for more than the Romans charged. Then they kept the extra to get rich themselves. People called them thieves and thought of them as sinners.

When the Pharisees and religious teachers saw Jesus at Levi’s party, they criticized Him. If He was such a wise teacher, how could He not know these men were sinners?

"Jesus dines with sinner" (detail) - by Paolo Veronese 1702

But Jesus didn’t care about their criticism. He knew that everyone – even people who did wrong things – mattered to God. Just because Jesus ate with these tax collectors didn’t mean He approved of their stealing and dishonesty. In fact, He called them “the sick.” When He became their friend He talked to them about God. He explained how God could heal their sick hearts so they could change their sinful actions.

Are there people that you’d rather not be seen with?

It’s sad that we tend to think of some people as worse than us, some about the same and some above us. We make these judgments by looking at the clothes people wear, the color of their skin, how much money they have, the way they talk, what they’re good at, whether or not they have a disability, what job they do. We treat people differently. We try to be friends with some and ignore or are mean to others.

Jesus wasn’t like that. He knew everyone was special and had value. He said that God loved everyone. But He didn’t only say it. He lived God’s love by spending time with unpopular people.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me see people the way You see them. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Jesus and Your Friends

"Jesus and the Children" - Artist unknown

- Think of someone who is unpopular.

- Imagine you are with that person, and Jesus is with you. How does Jesus treat that person?

- Ask God to help you do what Jesus would do next time you meet that unpopular person.


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. 

I'm Not Allowed

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 4: 1-13

TO CHEW ON: "Jesus answered, 'It is written ...' ... Jesus answered, 'It is written ...' ... Jesus answered, 'It says ...'” Luke 4: 4, 8, 12

Has this ever happened to you? Your friends are getting involved in an illegal or dangerous activity. Your parents have forbidden you to join in. One day your friends really put big pressure on you to join them. But you don’t want to. What is the best thing for you to do?
- Discuss and argue with your friends about why it’s not a good activity?
- Simply tell them, “ My parents say I’m not allowed”?

The last way is a bit like what Jesus did.

After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert. There He stayed by Himself for days, fasting (not eating).

"Christ in the Wilderness" by Ivan Kramskoy - 1873

But He wasn’t alone. For Satan was with Him, tempting Him to sin. After forty days, when Jesus was famished with hunger, Satan’s temptation was especially strong. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread,” he said.

Command these stones to be made bread - Artist unknown

Jesus answered:

1. "__ __ ________: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'” (Luke 4:4)

Then Satan led Jesus to a high place and showed Him all of earth’s kingdoms. “All this can be yours if you worship me,” he said.


Jesus answered:

2. "__ __ _______: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'” (Luke 4:8)

Finally Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple and challenged Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself from the temple, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you ….’”

'The Tempter" - Artist unknown

Jesus answered:

3. "___ ________: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Luke 4:12)

When the devil tempted Jesus, He didn’t get into a discussion with the devil about why the thing the devil wanted Him to do was bad. Instead He said: “It is written...” and then He quoted God’s words from the Bible. That is like saying ‘God, My Father, says...’

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to learn to face temptation with Bible words. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Facing Temptation Head-On
What Bible words or verses could you read or quote if you faced the temptation:

- to tell a lie?

- to steal?

- to swear?

- to disobey your parents?

- to badly want something your friend has?

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. 

Wise Child

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 2: 39-52


TO CHEW ON: "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on him." Luke 2:40

Jesus’ family spent a few years in Egypt. One night God told Joseph in a dream that it was now safe to go back home. So Joseph, Mary and Jesus traveled back to live in Nazareth where Joseph and Mary had lived before Jesus was born.

Every year, Jesus’ family went to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The year Jesus was 12, his parents were already on their way home when they realized Jesus wasn’t with them or their friends. When they went back to Jerusalem, they found Him in the temple.
4. He was __________ (gnitlsnei) and 5. ___________ ( isgkan) questions. (Luke 2:46)

“Why did you look for me?” he asked his anxious parents. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Of course, they didn’t understand that the Father He was talking about was God.

"Jesus Found in the Temple" (Standard Bible Story Readers Book One)

After this, though He knew He had a special job to do on earth, He went home and obeyed His earthly parents until it was time for Him to start His work. Unscramble the words that tell about Jesus as a child and young man: (Luke 2:40)

1. He ________ (wrge)
2. He became _________ (rsngto)
3. He was filled with ___________ (mwoids)

"Jesus Grew"
(Standard Bible Story Reader Book One)

Can children still be known for their wisdom? What do you think a wise child looks like nowadays?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to grow in body and mind, to become strong and to be filled with wisdom. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Wise or Foolish?
Below are some things you might or might not do.

Put a W beside each thing a wise child would do.
Put an F beside each thing a foolish child would do.

1.____ Eat only sweets.
2.____ Get involved in a sport like soccer, hockey, swimming or track.
3.____ Cycle, skateboard or rollerblade without protective gear.
4.____ Read the Bible regularly
5.____ Sit around watching TV or playing video games all day.
6.____ Ask questions when you don’t understand things.
7.____ Pray any time.
8.____ Don’t bother washing your hands before eating.
9.____ Believe everything everyone tells you.
10.____ Listen a lot.
11.____ Obey your parents.
12.____ Always say the first thing that comes into your head.

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. 

God's Friends

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 2: 21-38

TO CHEW ON: "It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah ....She (Anna) never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying." Luke 2: 26 & 37



When Jesus was still a tiny baby (40 days, about six weeks old) Joseph and Mary brought him to the temple in Jerusalem and gave him to the Lord. They also had to bring a sacrifice - doves or pigeons. They were obeying a command God gave Moses hundreds of years earlier.

There were probably many people in the temple the day Joseph and Mary took Jesus there. Perhaps some stopped Mary to take a look at her new baby and say how cute He was. The temple workers (Levites) probably saw Jesus when they helped Joseph and Mary with their sacrifice. But only two people recognized that Jesus was not just an ordinary baby.

Elderly Simeon and Anna (who weren’t together) both came to Mary and Joseph, one after the other. They wanted to see this baby. They wanted to tell Jesus’ parents and everyone around that Jesus was special. How did they know?


It seems both Simeon and Anna had a special friendship with God. Simeon was waiting for Messiah, and the Holy Spirit had given him a promise: He would not 1)________ before he saw the 2)________ 3)_________ . When God told him to go to the temple that morning, he obeyed. (Luke 2:26)

Anna never left the temple. In fact, she 4) __________ 5) ___________ and 6)_________ ,7) ________ and 8) ___________ . (Luke 2:37)

Because they loved God so much and spent so much time with Him, God told them things He didn't tell anyone else.

What do you think - do you have to be old or live in church to have a special friendship with God?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to be a close friend of Yours, like Simeon and Anna were. Amen


SUPERSIZE IT: Given to God

Though we no longer make sacrifices of birds or animals, many churches still have special services where parents can present their children to God.

In some churches a minister prays for and dedicates the baby to God. In others a minister or priest sprinkles the baby with water to christen or baptize it. If you had such a time when you were a baby, ask your parents to tell you about it.

Do you think dedicating a child to God when it is a baby makes a difference in its life? Why or why not.

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. 

First to Hear

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 2: 8-20

TO CHEW ON: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby...An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them..." Luke 2:8,9

Some shepherds were in the fields outside Bethlehem looking after their flocks. It was night. Some of them were asleep. Others were sitting close to the cozy fire talking and trying to stay awake.

"Shepherds Watching Flocks" by O. A. Stemler & Bess Bruce Cleaveland, illustrators Standard Bible Story Readers by Lillie A. Faris

Suddenly a dazzling light shone around them. They were terrified. A shining white being said, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone on earth. Today in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

"The Shepherds and the Angels" - Unknown Artist

The sign that you have found the right baby is that you’ll find Him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”

Then a whole choir of angels appeared. They were praising God, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Gradually the light faded. The glorious sound went still.

Then the shepherds did just what the angels said. When they got to Bethlehem, they found Mary, Joseph and the baby. He was in a manger, wrapped in cloths, just as the angels had told them.

"Adoration of the Shepherds" by Unknown Artist

In Bible times, being a shepherd was not a status job. Many people thought you couldn’t trust shepherds. A shepherd’s testimony didn’t hold up in court. The very religious people thought shepherds were unclean. So why did God send the angels to tell shepherds first?

- Because people would know if God pays attention to shepherds, He’ll pay attention to anyone?
- Because Jesus came as a Savior to all people, even those who are humble and unimportant, like shepherds?
- Because God knew the shepherds were simple and trusting enough to believe and act on what the angels said?

The Bible doesn’t tell us, but I think it may have been for all these reasons. What do you think?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for coming to earth for simple, unimportant, ordinary people like shepherds. Thank You for coming to earth for me. Amen.



SUPERSIZE IT: Jobs
A “shepherd” has the job of looking after sheep. What’s your dad’s job? Your mom’s? How many jobs can you name? Can you think of a job starting with each letter of the alphabet?

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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. 

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.

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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. 

Special Assignment

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 1:26-38


TO CHEW ON: "The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'” Luke 1:28

Has anyone ever told you that you’re special? Perhaps your teacher singled you out as the person who did a great job of the project. Maybe your parents were surprised at how thoroughly you cleaned your room. Your friends may say things like, “I love being with you, because you make me laugh.”

Imagine getting such a message from God! That’s what happened to Mary. He sent an angel to her. The angel told her she was highly favored. Then the angel told her about an assignment that God had just for her.

"The Annunciation" by James Tissot - 1886 - 1896

She would have a special baby. She was to name Him Jesus. He would be called the Son of the Most High because God would be the baby’s father. He would be a king of the family of David. He would reign forever.

Mary was puzzled. She wasn’t even married. “How will this happen?” she asked.

“God’s power will bring it about,” the angel told her.

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

God has a special job for your life too. You probably won’t find out what it is through an angel. But God will show you, at the right time, how He wants to use you. Decide today to be as quick to let God work His plan through you as Mary was.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to listen and be obedient to You today and always. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: God’s Words to You
The angel said to Mary, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

If an angel came to you with a message from God, what things might he say to you?

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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.