Building Faith Muscles

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Jude 17 - 25

TO CHEW ON: "In the last time there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires...But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." Jude 18b, 20

Have you ever met a scoffer? That’s someone who mocks or jeers you for who you are, what you are doing, or what you believe in. How many of these Bible scoffers can you name? (Need help? See the names of Bible scoffers and references below.)


1. “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks...Come here and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” ____________

2. “He saved others but he cannot safe himself. He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross and we’ll believe in him.” _______________

3. “What they are building – if even a fox climbed upon it, he would break down their wall of stones.” _________________

4. “What is this babbler trying to say?” ________________


Bible scoffers:
- Chief priests and teachers (Matthew 27:41,42)
- Goliath (1 Samuel 17:43,44)
- Philosophers of Athens (Acts 17:16-18)
- Tobiah (Nehemiah 4:3).

How did these people reply to those who scoffed at them?

David and Paul spoke words of faith in God. Jesus was silent. Nehemiah prayed.

Jude 18 and 20 tells us another thing we can do to help us stand strong: ____________ ____________ _____ in your most holy _____________.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to have a strong faith that can stand under scoffing. Amen.


MORE: Faith Gym
Which things, below, would help you build up your faith?
1. Read stories from the Bible of people who overcame scoffers.

2. Watch TV shows and movies which make fun of Christians.

3. Memorize Bible verses which give an answer to scoffers.

4. Read books which try to convince you God doesn’t exist.

5. When you’re with mockers, pretend you don’t believe in God so they won’t pick on you.

6. Read biographies of strong Christians which tell stories of God’s reality and power.

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.

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.

From Bad to Good

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 8:1-8

TO CHEW ON: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts 8:4.

Have you ever had to move because it wasn’t safe for you to live in your old home any more? That’s what happened to the followers of Jesus after Stephen’s death. Everyone, from people in government to neighbors, was out to get them. They were threatened, arrested, and many more were killed.

So they moved to other places in Judea and Samaria. Now there were no more big gatherings in the Jerusalem temple court. The large praise meetings stopped. There was hardly anyone left to go to the prayer gatherings and potluck dinners. Because of persecution the Christians left Jerusalem and were scattered all around.

"Conversions of the Samaritans" - Matthias Scheits, 1972

But they didn’t stop talking about Jesus. Everywhere they went, they spread the good news. Jesus had died for sins. People could be friends with God again. Everyone could live in Holy Spirit power. People could look forward to heaven when they died.

"Philip at Samaria" - Artist unknown, 1573

Many heard, and accepted Jesus. In a Samaritan city where Philip went , he explained about God’s power and people were healed. It brought joy to the whole city. Because of a bad thing – persecution – a good thing happened – more people heard about Jesus and accepted Him.

God can still bring good things out of bad. Your sickness and time spent in hospital may mean you get to tell your roommate about Jesus.

A flood in your city might help you meet people in a shelter who become lifelong friends.

Ask God to help you see even bad things as good gifts from Him.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You can bring good things out of bad. Help me to trust You for this in my life. Amen.

MORE: Your Bad to Good
- Name some bad things that have happened to you.

- What good things came out of the bad?

- What bad things are you facing now?

- Will you trust God to bring something good out of those bad things?

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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 First Martyr

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 7:51-60

TO CHEW ON: "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:60

Stephen was known for his wisdom. He was full of the Holy Spirit. He did many signs and miracles. But even such a special man had enemies.

Some important people argued with him about Jesus, and lost the argument. They decided to silence him. So they got people to tell lies about him. Then they arrested him and put him on trial. Stephen used his trial to talk about Jesus even more.

"Stephen before he is martyred" - Artist unknown

When he told the High Priest (his judge) and the crowd, they were enemies of God because they had killed Jesus, it was too much for them. In anger they dragged him outside the city and threw stones at him.

"The stoning of Stephen" - Artist unknown

But even then Stephen honored Jesus. He asked God to forgive the people who were hurting him. Then he died.

"The stoning of Stephen" by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1851-60

Would we have had such forgiving hearts?

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me the courage to stay true to You and love my enemies no matter what happens. Amen.


MORE: Modern Martyrs
Have you ever been teased for being a Christian? Have you been threatened or hurt? That is persecution.

What is the difference between being persecuted and being a martyr?

- Check out Kids of Courage for some modern-day stories of people who are being persecuted.


- Pick out one country where Christians are being persecuted and martyred. Begin to pray for that country and the Christians who live there.

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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.

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. 

Toxic Tabernacle

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Samuel 2:12-26

TO CHEW ON: "Meanwhile the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord....And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people." 1 Samuel 2:21, 26

Do you think it’s possible to live as a Christian in a neighborhood where you have no friends who love Jesus? What about in a school where people tease you if they find out you read the Bible, or in a family where you’re the only one who trusts in God and prays?

You would expect for little Samuel, the tabernacle, where people came to worship God, would be the easiest place in the world to get to know God. But it wasn’t. Instead, it was a place full of rebellion, disobedience and sin.

The trouble was not with Eli, the old priest, but with his sons. They had no respect for God and pretty much did as they pleased. They demanded offering meat before it was ready and had sex with the servant girls who worked near the Tabernacle. Even after Eli scolded them, they didn’t change.


Meanwhile Samuel was growing up. Every year he got stronger and taller. Every year his parents came to Shiloh with a set of bigger clothes for him.


But he never got to go home with them. Instead he stayed in that toxic tabernacle with Eli and his sons. No doubt he learned about God from Eli. But he also saw the bad things Eli’s boys were doing. Who knows, they may even have teased him when he didn’t join them in their sin. But he didn’t.

How did Samuel keep from following their example and becoming just like them? God was with him. He helped him resist temptation and stay sensitive and pure. He can do the same for you as the only Christian in your home, school or neighborhood.

PRAYER: Dear God, You know how alone I feel as a Christian in my home / school / neighborhood. Please help me always stay close to You. Amen

MORE: Lonely Christians
Do you feel lonely as a Christian? Here are some things you can do to help. Can you think of more?

1. Read your Bible and talk to God every day. He is the best friend a kid could ever have.

2. Pray for a Christian friend.

3. Find Christians friends online through Christian websites (but only with your parents’ permission and supervision).

4. Attend a church, Sunday School or kids’ club in your neighborhood.

5. If kids from your church don’t live in your neighborhood, invite one or two to your home for sleepovers, parties or to accompany your family on special outings.

6. If there is a Christian club at your school, join it.

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. 

Testing, testing

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Genesis 42:1-17

TO CHEW ON: “Joseph said to them, ‘It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.’” (Genesis 42: 14,15)

Joseph was made a ruler in Egypt

The dream Joseph explained to Pharaoh came true. After seven years of good crops the rains stopped and crops were poor. Everyone was hungry. When the people came to Pharaoh for food, he sent them to Joseph.

Joseph had collected food in storehouses during the good years. Now he sold the storehouse food to the hungry people. Soon people from countries all around were coming to Joseph for food too.

One day ten foreign travelers came to Joseph. They looked familiar. Suddenly he knew why. They were his brothers! What thoughts do you think went through Joseph’s mind as he saw his brothers again after all those years?

Joseph’s brothers didn’t recognize him. And he didn’t tell them who he was. “Where are you from?” he asked them roughly. When they told him, he said, “You’re lying. You’re spies.”

“No!” they said. “We’re all sons of one father. Only our youngest brother is with our father in Canaan.”

“You’re spies,” Joseph insisted. He put them in prison. After three few days he let them out and sent them home with food. But he kept one in prison. “He’ll stay here till you come back with your youngest brother.”

In the past these brothers tried to kill Joseph. Now he was testing them. Were they still selfish and mean? Or had they changed?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to treat others with kindness now, so they won’t have a reason to get even or test me later. Amen.

MORE: All Kinds of Tests

Joseph tested his brothers’ characters by the way he treated them. Our teachers in school test what we know (our knowledge) by giving quizzes and exams. Here is a fun way to test the physical makeup of some things around your house. This test tells you whether a substance is ACID, BASE or NEUTRAL. (Make sure you get adult supervision when you use the stove.)

What you do:

1. Grate the cabbage and measure 2 cups

2. Place cabbage in the saucepan and cover with water.

3. Simmer for 15 minutes and let cool.

4. Strain out the cabbage, saving the liquid.

5. Pour a little of the liquid in each of the six glasses.

6. Stir one of the things to test into each of the glasses and watch the color change.

7. Cabbage soup tester key:
- If the cabbage soup liquid turns PINK - the test material is ACID
- If the cabbage soup liquid turns BLUE - the test material is BASE
- If the cabbage soup liquid stays SAME - the test material is NEUTRAL