Insults = Blessings?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Peter 4:12-19

TO CHEW ON: "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." I Peter 4:14

Which of these things has happened to you because you are a Christian?
- called names
- left out
- teased
- made fun of

It’s not fun going through things like that. But it shouldn’t surprise us. People in the past were insulted and persecuted because they trusted in God:

"Goliath" - Artist unknown

"David" - Artist Unknown

• David’s older brother made fun of him when David came to the battlefield and started asking questions about why no one was challenging Goliath when he insulted God. (1 Samuel 17:28)

• Nehemiah was teased by Sanballat and Tobiah when he began rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. They made fun of his work, joking, “..if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones.” (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:3).

• Jesus said that his followers would be arrested, persecuted, even killed (John 15:20).

Which statements below are True? Which are False (if you’re not sure, read Luke 21:12-16 and Revelation 2:10)

1. ____ Jesus’ followers will be arrested and in this way have a chance to tell kings and governors about Jesus.

2. ____ Christians should worry about and plan what to say when questioned by those who arrest them.

3. ____ Christians will be betrayed only by strangers, never by family, friends or relatives.

4. ____ Jesus will give a crown of life to those who are faithful to Him through persecution.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to stay Your loyal friend no matter what. Amen

MORE: Have You Been Persecuted?
Write about a time you or someone else was treated badly for believing in 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.

Nesting Thoughts

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Philippians 4:4-9

TO CHEW ON: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

You’ve probably heard the proverb, “You can’t stop a bird from landing on your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair.”


Our thoughts are a lot like that bird. The first time a thought occurs to us is like the bird sitting on our head. We can’t help that it landed there but we can choose what happens after that. We can choose to invite the thought to stay by thinking about it more, or shoo it away by replacing it with a better thought.

For example, suppose you stop by your best friend Jessica’s house to walk her to school. Her Mom tells you that she’s already left with Danielle. Immediately you have the thought: “Danielle’s trying to steal my friend.”

Now you have a choice. Do you encourage that jealous thought by telling yourself things like:

• I never could trust Jessica.
  
• Next time I see Jessica and Danielle I'll give them a piece of my mind.

Or do you replace it by thinking things like:

• I don’t know everything about the situation (truth thoughts).
• I can have more than one good friend (right thoughts).
  
• I don’t own Jessica - she needs to be free to walk to school with anyone she likes (noble thoughts).

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to recognize thoughts that don’t please You. Then help me to replace them with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Amen.



MORE: Thought-provoking
We can do something about the thoughts that come to us. Which activities below may lead to good thoughts? Which do you believe would lead to bad thoughts?



1. Go on chat rooms where people post put-downs.

2. Memorize Bible advice about your thoughts.

3. Read Christian fiction and stories of famous people who loved God (biographies).

4. Watch every new movie that comes out.

5. Listen to music with God-honoring lyrics.

6. Hang around with kids who swear.

7. Play violent video games.

8. Spend time online at Christian web sites for kids your age.

9. Go to church, Sunday School and club.


You might want to memorize today's TO CHEW ON verse. It's a good way to remind yourself about the thoughts to encourage and the ones to shoo away.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

- Philippians 4:8

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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.

Yoked Together

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18


TO CHEW ON: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

In Bible times, teams of oxen were used to do farm work, like pull a plow. A heavy wooden yoke was placed on the necks two oxen. The yoke was attached with leather straps to the plow.


Together the oxen pulled the plow, while the plowman walked behind them working the plow parts and breaking the ground. This yoke kept the oxen moving and pulling in the same direction.


But suppose one of the oxen refused to go forward or started pulling in a different direction? The obedient ox and the plowman would have a problem, and the work wouldn’t get done.

In the same way, it’s hard for people to work closely with others who want to go in a different direction than they do. If we want to obey and please God, it may be hard for us to work beside someone who is only wanting to be popular, rich, famous, or to have a good time. In fact, God warns us against such ties.

On the other hand, we love our family members and friends who don’t know Jesus. God does not ask us to separate outselves from them - but to keep on loving them. We may be the ones who someday introduce them to Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please help me to be wise in my friendships with people who don’t know and love You. Amen.


MORE: Many Yokes
People can be “yoked together” in many ways. What advice would you give to people in the situations below? Explain why you think as you do.

1. A Christian boy wants to marry his girlfriend who thinks God doesn’t exist.

2. A non-Christian woman has asked your Christian aunt to be her business partner.

3. Your friend is the only Christian on his baseball team.

4. Your brother’s best friend doesn’t believe in God or Jesus.

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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.

Centurion Summons Simon

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 10:1-8

TO CHEW ON: "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion...” Acts 10:1

Cornelius was not a Jew but a Gentile. It wasn’t only his race that made the Jewish people want to avoid him. His job was a problem too. He was a centurion (centurion = captain) in the Roman army. Roman soldiers often mistreated the Jews. Jewish people were suspicious and afraid of Cornelius.

But Cornelius had some surprising beliefs for a Roman soldier. Unscramble the words below that tell about him (Acts 10:2):
He (dreefa)________ (dgo)________.
He (vgae)___________ to those in need.
He (yrdepa) __________ to God regularly.

One afternoon an angel talked to him in a vision. The angel told him God had noticed his prayers and gifts. He was to send someone to Joppa, find Simon Peter and bring him to his house in Caesarea. God looked past Cornelius’s race and job, into his heart. He knew Cornelius wanted to know Him better. Peter (who was a Jew) would help with that – or would he?

"Cornelius is confronted by the angel" by Caspar Luiken, 1672-1708

Do you ever jump to conclusions about what a person is like because of their skin color, the fact that they are poorer or richer than you, or because you don’t agree on some things? It's natural to feel more comfortable with people who are like us than those who aren’t. But God loves everyone. Let’s make a habit of looking past people’s accents, the color of their skin or the style of their clothes. Let’s look at everyone through eyes of love, like God does.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to accept and love everyone, like You do. Amen.

"Roman Soldier" from Wikipedia

MORE: Roman Soldiers
Find out about the Roman soldiers.

• How many soldiers did a centurion command?

• What did a Roman centurion wear?

• What weapons did the Roman army use?

• Most Roman soldiers didn’t worship the God of the Bible. Who or what did they worship?

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.

The Sharing Church

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 4:32-36

TO CHEW ON: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." Acts 4:32

It was only weeks after Jesus had returned to heaven. But the people who believed in Jesus lived with Holy Spirit power and amazing things happened. The Apostles - Peter, John and others - preached boldly. Signs and miracles happened everywhere. As a result thousands believed in Jesus.

These new followers of Jesus spent a lot of time together - meeting in the temple courts, praising God and boasting about what He had done. They even ate their meals together.

"The Apostles preaching" - Artist unknown

Another thing they did was share – everything they had. In fact, people were so generous, they sold their things and brought the money to the leaders to help pay for the needs of those who didn’t have enough. Not one of those early Christians needed to beg, use food stamps or go to the food bank.

"They shared what they had" - Artist unknown

How do you feel about sharing? Is it hard for you to let others use, borrow or have your stuff? Has anyone ever shared with you? Which do you find easier, to share your things with someone or to take when someone shares with you?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to willingly share my possessions. Amen.

MORE: Share Your Stuff- Go through your closets, drawers and shelves.

- Collect, in a bag, all the things you no longer need.

- Deliver it to the Salvation Army, your downtown mission or any place that helps people in need.

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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.

Betrayed!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 13:18-30


TO CHEW ON: “'Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.'” - Jesus, John 13:21

• Your brother promises to wait for you after school, but then walks home without you.

• You tell your best friend a secret and ask her not to tell anyone. But the next day you find that five people in your class know your secret.

• Your baseball team has its own signals. One day you play a team that knows exactly what each of your signals means.

You have been betrayed! Whether betrayal comes from someone disappointing you, telling your secrets or helping your enemy, being betrayed is not fun.

"My Betrayer Is Here" - Artist unknown

Jesus was betrayed too. His betrayer came to the garden where He was praying. He came with soldiers who were planning to arrest Jesus.

1. Who was the traitor? (John 18:1-6)
a)____ John
b)____ Peter
c)____ Judas.

2. How did he betray Jesus: (Mark 14:43-46)
a)____ He spread bad stories about Jesus all around town.
b)____ He lost the money bag he was in charge of.
c)____ He kissed Jesus to show the soldiers which person to arrest.

"Betrayed with a Kiss" - Artist unknown

3.What was the purpose of Judas’ betrayal? (John 13:18)
a)____ to fulfill the Scripture
b)____ to help Judas get more money.
c)____ to show that Satan was more powerful than God.

I’m sure this betrayal by a friend hurt Jesus as much as being betrayed by our friends hurts us. But even this bad thing worked out to be good – for Jesus, and for us. It was one of the steps that led toward Jesus being killed. But that death and what happened later makes it possible for you and me to be friends with God now.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for taking this betrayal for me. Help me not to be a person who betrays others. Amen

MORE: Traitors

• Have you ever betrayed someone? Who? What did you do?

• Has someone every betrayed you? Who was the traitor? What did they do?

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Fake Friendship

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25

TO CHEW ON: "After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols." 2 Chronicles 24:17,18

Though Joel warned King Joash that bad things would happen if he didn’t return to God, he refused to change his ways. When Jehoiada’s son Zechariah warned him too, he killed Zechariah. After that things quickly fell apart.


Soon a small enemy army from Aram easily defeated Joash’s large army. In the end, Joash’s own servants murdered him in revenge for murdering Zechariah. Though Joash started out well, he ended badly.

The change in Joash came after Priest Jehoiada died. This man who saved his life had been just like a father to him. He encouraged Joash and helped him to follow God. But it seems Joash didn’t know God himself. For as soon as Jehoiada was gone, Joash turned away from God.

We can learn an important lesson from Joash. For though it’s wonderful to have people in our lives who point us to God, in the end we need to know God ourselves. If you’re following God because of the example of your parents, or a teacher, or a friend, that’s great! But God wants to be your friend too. Be sure you get to know Him yourself.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to know You as a friend. Amen.


MORE: Being Friends with God
How do we get to be friends with God (or Jesus, who was God in a human body)? Below is a list of some things you can do. Can you think of more?

1. A good start is to be friends with God’s friends (other people who love Him like your parents, grandparents, teachers and friends).

2. Read the Bible. The books that tell the stories of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament – are interesting. They will help you know what God is like.

3. Pray. Simply talk to Jesus. Tell Him all about your life, your problems, the things you worry about, the things that make you happy. He is interested in everything about you.

4. Ask Him questions. He’ll answer. You may be surprised at the way those answers come – through something you read in the Bible, through something someone says, through a voice in your mind....

5. Sing songs to Him.

6.

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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. 

Best Friends

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 20:32-42

TO CHEW ON: "Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord saying, "The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever."'” 1 Samuel 20:42


King Saul’s jealousy meant that the palace was no longer a safe place for David. Saul even told his servants and his son Jonathan to kill David if they got the chance. So David left to live somewhere else. This made Jonathan sad. He liked David a lot. In fact, you could say they were best friends.

One day Prince Jonathan asked his father, “Why are you trying to kill David? He doesn’t mean you any harm.”

“You’re probably right,” King Saul answered. He promised to stop trying to kill David. Then Jonathan convinced David to come back and live in the palace again. But no sooner had he moved back when again Saul tried to kill him and David had to run for his life.

Again Jonathan tried to get him to come back. “My Dad and I are very close,” he said. “He hasn’t said anything to me about killing you.”

But David refused to come back. Instead, he and Jonathan made a plan to test Saul’s real feelings. In a few days Saul’s family would gather to celebrate a festival. Though David was expected to come, he would stay away. Jonathan would watch Saul’s reaction. If Saul didn’t care that David was missing, everything was probably alright. But if he got angry, they would know that Saul really was planning to kill David.

The first day of the festival, Saul said nothing about David’s empty place. But on the second day, Saul asked Jonathan where David was.

“His brothers asked that he spend time with his own family,” Jonathan said.

Then Saul’s temper flared – this time at Jonathan. “Don’t you know that David has his eye on being king?” he asked. “If he doesn’t die, you’ll never get to be king yourself.” And then in a rage, Saul hurled his spear at his own son.

Jonathan knew now what Saul’s true intentions were. The next day Jonathan went to the place where he and David had agreed to meet. Even though it was dangerous for him to even be seen with David, he again risked his life for his friend to tell him the sad truth. Before they parted, they promised each other that whatever happened they would always be friends and would always treat each other’s families with kindness.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to be a good friend, like Jonathan was to David. Amen.



MORE: Friendship
1. What are some ways Jonathan and David were good friends to each other?

2. Who is your best friend?

3. What do you like about being friends with that person?

4. What can you and your friends learn about friendship from David and Jonathan?













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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. 

Number 1 Friend

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ruth 1:1-18

TO CHEW ON: "But Ruth replied, 'Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.' " Ruth 1:16,17

Naomi was sad. As she trudged down the road toward Israel she thought of the last time she had been on this road. Then she had been with her husband and her two sons. Then, even though they were hungry because of a famine, they were together.

They had found plenty to eat in their new home in the country of Moab. But something terribly sad had happened too. Naomi’s husband and both her sons had died there.

Now she was on her way back to Israel – alone. Well, not exactly. Because beside her walked Orpah and Ruth. They were her daughters-in-law. These women her sons had married were now widows too. But she was sure they didn’t really want to come back to Israel with her. It was time to say goodbye.

“Go back to your families,” she said to them. “Find new husbands and have children.”

Both of the girls said, no, they would stay with her. But Naomi insisted. And so Orpah kissed and hugged her a final time and turned around. But Ruth wouldn’t leave. “I want to go where you go,” she said, “and stay where you stay. I want your people to be my people and I want your God to be my God.”

Ruth stays with Naomi - Artist unknown

How do you think Naomi felt when she heard this?

Now Naomi knew that in Ruth she had a true and loyal friend. She still felt sad and missed her husband and her boys. But because of Ruth’s friendship, she wasn’t alone.

PRAYER: Dear God, show me how to be a true friend like Ruth was to Naomi. Amen

MORE: A good friend is...
What makes a good friend? What qualities, below, would you want your friend to have?



Can you think of 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. 

Warning Words

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Joshua 23:1-16

TO CHEW ON: “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” Joshua 23:12,13

Joshua speaks to the people - Artist unknown

Years passed. Joshua led the people in many battles. They won most of them and were now living in their new homes in Canaan. When Joshua was an old man he gathered the leaders to hear his final words. Here are some of the things he told them. Cross out the one thing he did not say:

1. Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses.

2. Associate with the survivors of these nations; pray to their gods and swear by them.

3. One person can beat a thousand because God fights for you.

4. If you are good friends with and marry the survivors of the nations you beat, they will snare, trap, whip and defeat you.

Joshua’s message was clear. The Israelites had been successful because God had helped them. God would help them win more wars only if they stayed loyal Him. This meant they needed to keep obeying His laws and worshiping only Him - not idols. One way they could stay loyal to God was to never be close friends with or marry people around them who worshiped idols.

What happens to a box of good oranges with one moldy orange in it?
a] Nothing.
b] The good oranges take the mold out of the spoiled orange.
c] The mold eventually spreads to all the oranges.
(Of course it’s c] )

Just like being with only one moldy orange is dangerous to the health of all the oranges in the box, so being close friends with someone who doesn’t love God is dangerous to the spiritual health of you – and your friends.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me choose my friends wisely. Amen.



MORE: Friendship Puzzlers
Here are some questions about friendship to think about and discuss with family and friends.

1. If you are friends with only other Christians, how will unsaved neighbors and school buddies learn about Jesus?



2. Is it possible for you to be a friend with someone who doesn’t believe in God and not be influenced to change your beliefs and become like her/him? How?



3. Is it ever right to be best friends with someone who doesn’t love and follow Jesus? Is it ever right to be the business partner of such a person? Is it ever right to marry such a person?

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. 

Why? Why?? Why???

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Read Job 2:1-13

Job and his friends - Artist unknown

TO CHEW ON: "When Job’s three friends Eliphaz... Bildad... and Zophar... heard about all the troubles that had come upon him they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him." Job 2:11

At the next heavenly council meeting, Satan suggested that God should take His protection away from Job’s body. If he got sick, Satan was sure Job would curse God.

God gave permission. Soon Job was so ill his friends who came to comfort him hardly recognized him.

Job’s friends thought it was his fault he was sick. When Job insisted he hadn’t done anything wrong, they argued, “God always punishes sin. This sickness is your punishment for something bad you did. Confess your sin and you’ll get better.”

Finally a young friend, Elihu, spoke. He said maybe Job’s sickness wasn’t because of something bad he did. Maybe God was just trying to teach Job a lesson.

Of course none of this talk made Job feel any better. But he kept on trusting God anyway. Job said, “But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to trust You even when things in my life don’t make sense. Amen.
 

SECOND HELPING: No Answers
1. Tell about a time you suffered because you did something bad.
2. Tell about a time you suffered and you didn’t have a clue why.

Sometimes we just don’t have answers. In those times, we can keep on coming to God with our mixed up feelings and questions, just like Job did.

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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.