What time is it?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Peter 3:3-13

TO CHEW ON: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8


How long is it from one Christmas to the next? From this summer holiday to next summer holiday? From your 10th birthday to your 11th? You know it’s only a year, yet it seems like a long time.

So when we read in the Bible that a thousand years is like one day to God, we realize that He’s in a different time zone than we are altogether. The idea of a 1000-year day makes the year which feels long to us only a few minutes to God!

The people in Bible times were a lot like we are. Forty years after Jesus had gone back to heaven and still hadn’t returned, people said, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?”

Now it’s 2000 years later and though Jesus has still not returned, we know that He will keep his promise. After all, in the way God looks at time, it hasn’t been that long at all – only two days and a few minutes!

He could return any time. Are you looking for His coming? Are you ready?

"Jesus returns" - Artist unknown

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to look forward to Your return, knowing You will keep Your promise. Amen.



MORE: Keeping Time
What are some ways people have measured and kept track of time over the centuries?


Can you think of more?

Choose one way and find out how it works.

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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.

Fiery Trial

TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Peter 1:3-9

TO CHEW ON: "These (trials) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.." I Peter 1:7

The year was 64 A.D. One night the sky above Rome glowed bright long after the sun had set. Soon the air was thick with smoke. The streets filled with panicky people crying, “Help! Fire! The city is burning!”

The burning of Rome - Artist unknown

But at the emperor’s palace Nero laughed at the dancing flames. Then legend tells us that he took his fiddle and began to play.

“Who set the fire?” the people asked later. Many thought Nero, who liked to build things, set it himself so he could build Rome over again. Nero blamed the Christians.

Immediately soldiers arrested many. They wrapped some in animal skins and threw them into the arena where they were torn by dogs or eaten by wild animals in front of cheering crowds. They tied some to poles in Nero’s garden, poured tar over them, and burned them alive. It was during this time that the Apostle Paul was killed.

"Parting of St.s Peter and Paul led to Martyrdom - Giovanni Serodine, 1625-26

Two years after the fire of Rome (66 A.D.), Jesus’ disciple Peter wrote the letter 1 Peter. He wrote this letter to scared Christians living outside Rome. They were being persecuted too. He didn’t tell these Christians they wouldn’t have trials or persecution.

Christians were thrown to wild animals in the arena - Artist unknown

Rather, Peter told his readers that their trials had a purpose. What was it (1 Peter 1:7)?

These trials have come so that your faith may be proved _______________ and may result in _____________, _______________ and _____________ when Jesus Christ is revealed.

It is the same for us today. We may not have an easy life. In some places, it is illegal to be a Christian. People are threatened, hurt, even killed for believing in Jesus. But people who endure persecution in this life will get praise, glory and honor when they meet Jesus.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray my faith would also be proved genuine (the real thing) through trials that come my way. Amen.



MORE: The Early Church
Look in books, encyclopedias, or on the internet to find out more about the early church.

1. Where did they meet?
2. What day did they meet together?
3. What things did they do when they got together?
4. What happened as a result of persecution?
5. What were catacombs? What part did they play in the early church?

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.

X-ray Book

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Hebrews 4:12,13

TO CHEW ON: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

You have just fallen off your skate board. But even after you cleaned up your scraped arm it keeps hurting. Then it begins to swell. What do you do?
- Take a pain pill to make the pain go away?
- Wrap it in a sling and keep it very still?
- Go to the doctor for an examination and an x-ray?


You may do the first two. But chances are if the pain doesn’t go away, you’ll do the last one too. Though a pill and keeping your arm still may help make the pain less for a little while, those things don’t tell you the reason for the pain so you can fix the cause.

An x-ray picture, on the other hand, will show the doctor what happened inside your arm. If it shows your arm is broken, the doctor can move the bone pieces back together (set it), and put your arm in a cast to protect it and help it heal straight.



The Bible is a lot like an x-ray machine for our hearts. As we read it, we discover what God is like and what pleases Him. And we also see what we are like and where our thoughts and attitudes are twisted, broken and displeasing to God. Then we can ask Him to help us change so that we will be healthy on the inside.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your word which shows me what I’m like. Please help me to change my thoughts, attitudes and actions to please You. Amen



MORE: X-plain X-ray

• What are x-rays?
• How do they work?
• Have you ever had an x-ray? Why? Did it hurt?
• Are x-rays used for other things besides looking inside our bodies?

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Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

BIG Love

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 3:14-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

2. The biggest sea animal:

3. The biggest bird:

4. The biggest insect:

5. The highest waterfall:

6.

7.

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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.

Unique Invention

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 2:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Think back through the last 24 hours. What things have you used in that time which someone once had to invent, design and make? For example did you ride a bike, wash with a bar of soap, use a computer, send a text message on a cell phone, load a dishwasher? Make a list.


Just think – not one of the things you listed came into being on its own. Someone had to think of, design and put together each of these things to do their special job..


The same is true about you. You are not only the physical child of your parents but also God’s unique invention. God thought of you, then designed and brought you into the world. You are here to do things no one else can do as well as you can.



Paul tells the Christians at Ephesus about this in his letter called Ephesians. He calls them “God’s workmanship.” He reminds them, and us, that after we invite Jesus into our lives, God has a special job for us. He will make us into the person who can do the good works God planned for us to do before we were ever born.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to do the good things I was created to do. Amen.


MORE: Inventions

1. Find out how some of these things came to be invented:

bicycle    skateboard     skates
computer       video games
compact disks (CDs)    television

2. Invent something of your own using your favorite kind of building toys (Lego™, Meccano™, K’NEX™ etc.).
- What can it do?

- How does it work?

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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.

Always Available

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 28:1-10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

• Find out about the common viper.

- from Wikipedia

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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.

Too Scared to Eat!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 27:27-44

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

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

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

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

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

"The Storm" by Johann C. Weigel, 1695

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

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

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

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

Before the boat got there, it hit a sandbar.

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

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

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

Everyone made it to land!)

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


SUPERSIZE IT: Boats

Find out about boats in Bible times:

• What were they made of?

• How were they powered?

• How did sailors find their way (navigate)?

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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.

Ephesus Riot

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 19:23-41

TO CHEW ON: "About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way." Acts 19:23

"Paul preaching before the Temple of Diana at Ephesus" - by Adolf Pirsch, 1885

It didn’t take long for the people in Ephesus to notice the enthusiastic Christians. Demetrius, a man who made and sold silver idols of the goddess Artemis, saw that if people kept believing in Jesus there would soon be no one left to buy his idols.

He called a meeting of other silversmiths and crafts people and complained about Paul and this new religion.

"Demetrius the silversmith stirs up a riot" by Edward H. Corbould, 1894

Quickly the crowd turned ugly. They rioted, shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” When Paul tried to go into the theater where they were having their meeting and talk to them, his friends held him back. They knew the crowd was so angry they could easily hurt or kill Paul.

"The riot at Ephesus" - Artist unknown

In case you think this kind of thing only happened in Bible times, look around the world. In Sudan, government officials have torn down more than ten Christian churches. In India, people demonstrated outside a police station against a Christian man who rescued teenage girls from abuse and gave them Bibles. Believing in “The Way” (to God through Jesus) still sparks riots and violence.

Let's pray for people who live in countries where talking about Jesus is a crime and where doing that gets them in big trouble. Let's pray for courage to live and speak boldly for Jesus wherever we live.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please help me to have the courage to follow You even if the crowds are against You. Amen.


MORE: Ephesus

• The ruins of the city of Ephesus where Paul preached are in modern-day Turkey. Go here to see a panorama of the Ephesus ruins.

• The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 

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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.

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. 

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. 

Two Births?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 3:1-8

TO CHEW ON: “Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again .' " - John 3:3

Nicodemus was no dummy. He had gone to school for many years to become a Pharisee. He was in government as a member of the ruling council, the Sanhedrin. Yet even though he knew a lot and was an important man, he really wanted to talk to Jesus. He went to see Jesus at night.

"Nicodemus" - Artist unknown

"You're obviously from God," Nicodemus said. "Otherwise how could you do the miracles you do?"

In reply Jesus didn't talk about where He was from. Instead He answered the question that was really on Nicodemus's mind - how to become part of God's kingdom.

1. What one thing did Nicodemus need to do? (John 3:3)

- Be a very good person.
- Study about God.
- Give money to the poor.
- Memorize lots of Scripture.
- Be born again.
- Keep the Sabbath day.
- Be careful not to break any of God’s laws.

2. Who would have to help Nicodemus to do this? God the ________ (John 3:8)

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to respond to Your Spirit. Amen.


SUPERSIZE IT: Windy Lesson
Jesus told Nicodemus that God the Spirit makes us want to be born again. His Spirit comes as mysteriously as the wind. What can you discover about the wind?

- Where does it come from?

- Where does it go?

- What kinds of winds blow in the area you live?

- How many words can you think of for ‘wind’?


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. 

Wedding Emergency

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 2:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" John 2:5

Have you been to a wedding? Which things would you find there?

beautiful clothes    celebration    sad music
smiling faces    coffin    camera    tears 
hearse    flowers    graduation cap & gown    
birthday cake    party    good food    decorations
happy music

Jesus, His disciples and His mother were invited to a wedding in Cana. I’m sure it was a joyful time like our weddings are today. But suddenly there was a wedding emergency. What embarrassing thing happened? (John 2:3) ________________

When Jesus’ mother found out there was no more wine, she told Jesus. Then she said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Even though Jesus had done no miracles up till then, His mother had faith He would know how to help.

"Wedding at Cana" - Artist unknown

At first Jesus hesitated. “My time to do miracles hasn’t come yet,” He said. But then He told the servants to fill the six large jugs that were nearby with water.

"Jesus changes water to wine" - Artist unknown

After they were full He said, “Now take a little out and bring it to the banquet master to taste.” When they did, the banquet master was surprised. It was the best wine of the whole day – of the whole feast.

"The Marriage at Cana" by Paolo Veronese - 1560

Jesus can help us with our emergencies too. When we have problems, we can bring them to Him. Then we must be sure to follow Mary’s wise advice: “Do whatever he tells you.”

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to remember to bring my problems to You, and then to follow the advice You give. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Weddings Around the World


~ What are some wedding customs where you live?

~ Choose a country that interests you and find out about weddings in that country.

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. 

Surprise!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 1:1-25


TO CHEW ON: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him ... When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear." Luke 1:11, 12

What do you want the very most in the world - a pet, a skateboard, a brother or sister, a friend?

Zechariah and Elizabeth wanted a baby - a son. But they were old and no son had been born to them. They had given up hope. But God had other ideas.

God was planning to answer their prayer.
1. What surprise did He send to Zechariah in the temple? (Luke 1:11) _________

"The Vision of Zechariah" by James Tissot 1886-1896

2. What did the angel tell Zechariah? (Luke 1:13) ____________

3. Zechariah found out some surprising things about the baby which would be born. Which statements are NOT true? (Luke 1:14-17)
a. They were to name him John
b. He was to drink only wine and fermented drink.
c. He would be sickly.
d. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.
f. He would preach but people wouldn’t listen.
g. He would prepare people for the Lord.

But Zechariah doubted the angel’s words. “How do I know this will happen?” he asked.

Because he doubted, the angel gave him a sign. Zechariah became dumb (unable to talk).

In time the baby was born, just as the angel said. Zechariah and Elizabeth were overjoyed. God’s promise had come true!

"The Birth of John the Baptist" Artist Unknown

PRAYER: God, thank You that You know what I want the most and will answer at just the right time. Amen.

"The Naming of John the Baptist" by Rembrandt

SUPERSIZE IT: Names
After the baby was born, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s family and friends wanted to call him Zechariah. But the angel had said he was to be named John. When Elizabeth insisted the baby must be called John, everyone looked to Zechariah. He took a tablet and to everyone’s surprise wrote ______________________________ (Luke 1:63). And then he could talk again! Read the first words he said in Luke 1:67-79.

In Bible times, the meanings of names were important. What does John mean?

What does your name mean?

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. 

Trouble

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Nehemiah 4:1-15


TO CHEW ON: "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.' ” Nehemiah 4:14

The people eagerly set to work rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Each family was responsible to fix the section closest to their home. Everyone helped.

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

But as the piles of rubbish became a strong, thick wall again, there were rumors of trouble. Rulers from the neighboring Samaria and Ammon didn’t want Jerusalem to be strong. They were angry about Nehemiah’s project and made fun of it.


“These feeble Jews think they can bring life back into rubbish,” said Sanballat from Samaria.

“That wall is so weak it would break if even a fox walked on top of it,” said Tobiah from Ammon.

When Nehemiah heard these things, he prayed about them and then kept right on working. Soon the wall was half as high as it had been before.

Then Sanballat and Tobiah began to worry. Secretly they made a plot to come to Jerusalem with an army. News of the plot leaked out to Nehemiah. Again he prayed and then he stationed guards at intervals on top of the wall.


Still more rumors kept coming to Nehemiah. The Jewish people who lived on the borders of Samaria and Ammon came to warn Nehemiah.“They say that wherever we turn, they will attack and kill us unless we stop building.”

But even threats of death didn’t discourage Nehemiah. Instead he made sure that each low section of the wall was guarded especially well. Then he encouraged the workers: “Don’t be afraid of them. Instead think of how great our God is.”

It’s not unusual to get opposition when we’re doing things God has asked us to do. What has God asked you to do – start a Christian club in your school, invite your friends to church, be friends with someone who is unpopular? Whatever it is, don’t be surprised if you get teased, challenged and opposed. Satan doesn’t like it when we take a stand for Jesus. Be like Nehemiah and refuse to be intimidated by mocking, teasing, rumors and threats. Remember that your God is a very big God!

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to trust You and be brave when opposition comes. Amen.


MORE: City Walls
Find out about city walls in Bible times. Using books and the internet, discover:

1. What were city walls made of?

2. How high were they?

3. How wide?

4. What were some tools used in building these walls?

5. How did Bible time builders move materials like rocks, beams and bricks to the tops of these walls without cranes and elevators?

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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.