Ready to Lead

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

TO CHEW ON: "Those who cleanse themselves ... will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

Are you a leader? Before you quickly answer “no,” think about it. Do you have younger brothers and sister to whom you teach things? Have you ever been asked by your school teacher to show a new kid around? Perhaps you’ve been chosen by your friends to lead the project or to captain the team. You are probably much more of a leader than you know.

Though you’re young, it’s not too soon to learn how to lead well. God often calls great leaders when they’re young. Timothy was a young leader when Paul wrote him some leader instructions.

"Paul teaches Timothy" - Artist unknown

Can you find five things Paul told Timothy a leader should do and three a leader should not do? (2 Timothy 2: 22 - 25)
Should do:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Shouldn't do:
1.
2.
3.

These instructions are still excellent advice for leaders today - young and old.

PRAYER: Dear God, please prepare me to be the leader You want me to be, now and in the future. Amen.

MORE: Prepared - Then and Now
Paul told Timothy that as a Christian worker he should “Flee the evil desires of youth.”

• If Timothy lived now and were your age or a bit older, what things do you think Paul would mean for him (and you) to stay away from?

Paul also told Timothy to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace...”

• If Timothy lived now, what things do you think he (and you) could do to follow Paul’s advice?

ANSWERS

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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.

God's Workman

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, 15

TO CHEW ON: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Would it be possible to be a bank teller without knowing how to do math and use a computer? Could you be a gardener without knowing about plants. What about being a doctor without knowing about the human body, diseases, and medicines?
To do a job well, you have to learn about your job or business.


Once someone is trained to do a job, they have to be willing to do the hard things in their job.

• If a person is an athlete, she has to keep her body fit and play by the rules of the sport.
• If a person is a nurse, he has to be prepared to work with sick people, give needles, and sometimes work the night shift.
  
• Someone who is a teacher has to be willing to prepare lessons and mark homework.

Being a worker for Jesus means training and hard work too. And no matter what other jobs we do, if we are Jesus’ followers, we are His workers as well. Which things below might be training for this job? Can you think of more?

1. Memorize Bible verses.
2. Spend a lot of time shopping at the mall.
3. Help out in Sunday School.
4. Work on the committee of your youth group.
5. Watch TV every chance you get.
6. Have a time every day when you read your Bible and pray.
7. Learn how to introduce someone to Jesus.
8.
9.



PRAYER: Dear God, please help me be a good worker for You, so when I see You, I will not be ashamed. Amen.

MORE: Your Dream Job
- What job would you like to do someday?

- What training do you need for this job?

- What would a day of work be like for a person in this job? (If you don’t know, how could you find out?)


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.

Your Best

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ephesians 6:6-9

TO CHEW ON:"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does." Ephesians 6:7,9

“No TV until your room is clean,” Mom announces one Saturday morning.


Your room is a total mess. After you spend a few minutes trying to tidy it, you know it’s hopeless. So you take everything that’s cluttering up your floor and desk, and either slip it under the bed or pile it in the closet. Once you’ve closed the closet door and made your bed, your room looks great. Everyone is impressed - until Mom inspects it. In no time you’re back in your room and hard at work!

Though we may sometimes get away with doing a half-hearted job for people, we can never fool God. He sees our attitude and knows if we’ve really done our best.

When we do our best, we may not get compliments and thanks from people. But God sees and someday He’ll reward us for jobs well done. Knowing He is watching is the best reason to do our best in everything.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to do everything for Your praise and to hear Your “Thank you”. Amen.



MORE: Hidden Jobs
There are many jobs which aren’t public and which don’t get people’s public thanks or praise. Match behind-the-scenes workers with the people or group of people they will help.



WORKERS
1. Person stocking shelves ____
2. Air traffic controller ____
3. Janitor ____
4. Cook ____
5. Factory seamstress ____
6. 9-1-1 Dispatcher ____

WHO THEY HELP
a. people going out to eat at a restaurant or cafeteria
b. shoppers
c. ambulance and police drivers, people in an accident
d. school students, office workers, hospital patients
e. pilots and people who need to fly somewhere
f. people who buy clothes

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.

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.

Tentmakers

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 18:1-4

TO CHEW ON: "And because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.” Acts 18:3

What do you want to be when you grow up – a musician? a pilot? a cook? an artist? a road builder? Could you do these things – and be a missionary too?

Paul would say “yes.” He was a missionary, but when he needed money for rent and food he also had a job. He made tents. When the church in Corinth was small and there weren’t enough people to pay the salary of a full-time missionary pastor, Paul worked with his friends Priscilla and Aquilla at tent-making during the day. In his time off he worked for the church.

"Paul worked as a tentmaker" Illustration by Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.

We still use the word “tentmaker” to describe people who do a second job to support themselves while they work for God. These modern tentmakers don’t literally make tents. They do many jobs, from teaching English to nursing to engineering. They can often get into countries where pastors and missionaries aren’t allowed. Sometimes they work in places where the local people can’t afford to pay full-time workers.

No matter what our job is, we can also be a missionary and tell people about Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to be a missionary no matter what job I do. Amen

MORE: Bible Jobs.
Do you know what jobs these Bible characters did? Match each Bible character with the job they did.


1. Lydia (Acts 16:14) __________
2. Simon (Peter) (Mark 1:16) __________
3. Joseph (Genesis 41:39-40) __________
4. Luke (Colossians 4:14) __________
5. Matthew (Matthew 9:9) __________
6. David (1 Samuel 16:11-13) __________
7. Deborah (Judges 4:4,5) __________
8. Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:11) __________



A. Doctor
B. Drink server (cup-bearer)
C. Administrator (the one in charge)
D. Tax collector
E. Fisherman
F. Cloth dealer
G. Shepherd
H. Prophet and Judge

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.

Last Words

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 1:3-8


TO CHEW ON: “'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'” Acts 1:8

We pay close attention to a person’s last words. When we know we are seeing someone for the last time, we’re careful to listen to the things they say.

The words above are the last words written in the Bible that Jesus said to His disciples before He went into heaven. He told His followers two important things.

"Jesus before His return to heaven" - Artist unknown

Complete Jesus’ instructions by filling in the blanks using Acts 1:8 and the words below:

1. Jesus had a job for them to do:
You will be ______ ________ in __________, ___________, __________ and to the ends of the earth.

2. He would help them do that job:
You will _________ _________ when the ________ ______ comes on you.

Samaria,   Jerusalem,

receive,   my,   power,

Spirit,   Judea,

Holy,    witnesses

After Jesus said these things, He left His disciples and returned to heaven.

"The Ascension" - Artist unknown

The job Jesus gave His disciples just before He went back to heaven is still our job today. Are we doing it?

PRAYER: Dear Holy Spirit, please give me power to be a witness for Jesus in my world. Amen.

MORE: Your Assignment
Jesus gave this job assignment to people:
- whose home city was Jerusalem
- whose home province or state was Judea
- whose neighboring province or state was Samaria.

Fill out Jesus’ job assignment for you:


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.

Finishing Well

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Nehemiah 6:1-16


TO CHEW ON: "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." Nehemiah 6:15,16

The wall was nearly done. There were no more broken gaps and only the gates were missing. But instead of the opposition getting less, it got worse. One day Nehemiah got another message from Sanballat and Geshem. “Come to a meeting in a nearby village,” it said.

Nehemiah smelled trouble. He was sure these men were planning to harm him. He sent back word, “I’m busy on a big project.”

They didn’t give up easily. Three more times they called him to a meeting. Finally on the fifth try, the messenger showed Nehemiah another letter from Sanballat. It said, “We know that you and the Jews are plotting a revolution. You’re planning to become king. If you don’t want this reported back to Artaxerxes, you’d better meet with us.”


Still Nehemiah refused to be distracted. “These are all lies,” he wrote back. “You’re making this up out of your head.”

But now even some people inside the city tried to get him away from the job. “Rebuilding the wall isn’t what God wants,” said some of the prophets.

Another man said,“You should go into the temple and hide from the people who are trying to kill you.”

Through all this Nehemiah stayed on the job. When things looked bad, he prayed and kept right on working. It took fifty-two days in all to finish rebuilding the wall. When the nations around saw that Jerusalem was again behind a wall, and that the wall had come up in such a short time, they were frightened. For they knew this could have happened only with God’s help.

We can learn a lot about finishing well from Nehemiah. He planned the work and then didn’t let himself get pulled away from the job by teasing, threats, discouragement or danger. Instead, he prayed about these problems and then kept right on working.

Next time you’re in the middle of a big project and feel like quitting, remember Nehemiah. Say a prayer to God for help, and then keep working till the job is done.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to finish projects well. Amen.

MORE: Working on Projects
When projects are big and take a long time, it’s easy to feel like giving up before they’re done. Here are some hints about tackling projects. Try them on your next one whether it’s making a science fair exhibit, sewing an outfit or whatever.



1. Beginning
a] Get your idea.
b] Gather your materials.
c] Decide on the order or steps of the project.
d] Start on step one.

2. Middle
a] Divide the project steps into small tasks
b] Do a little bit of your project every day.
c] Take a break when you get tired.
d] Pray when there is opposition or you get discouraged

3. End
a] Complete everything, even to the last detail.
b] Clean up after you’re done
c] Celebrate!

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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. 

Teamwork

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Nehemiah 4:16-23

TO CHEW ON: "From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officials posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall." Nehemiah 4:16

The threats against the workers were real. But still Nehemiah didn’t stop work on the wall. “Now we really need to work together,” he told the people.

He organized workers in shifts. While one half worked on construction, the other half stood guard. Because everyone was spread out on the wall, he made an alarm system. When people heard a trumpet blast, they should all go to where the trumpet was.



The way Nehemiah organized the people to stay safe while they worked is a great example of teamwork. We too can get more done when we work as a team. If you are part of a sports team, you know how important it is for each person to play their position and do their part. The same is true in the things we do for God.

Perhaps you’re part of a your church’s youth group. Your goal is to invite your friends to hang out and hear about Jesus. Your group needs to do many jobs to make this happen. If you’re good at making friends, you could be the one to invite kids to come. Maybe you’re a super game organizer. You could volunteer to do that part of the job. Or maybe you’re quiet and shy, but know how to make really great snacks. Then you could be the one to bring the food. When we work as a team, with each one doing a part, we can get big jobs done.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to play my position on Your team. Amen.

MORE: Part of the Team
1. What is your favorite team sport?


2. What are some positions in this sport (for example, in baseball, positions would be pitcher, catcher, first baseman etc.)?

3. If you play this sport, what position do you play? What makes you good at it?

4. Why does your team need a player in every position to help you win?

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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. 

Sure Success

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Nehemiah 2:11-20

TO CHEW ON:“The God of heaven will give us success . . .” Nehemiah 2:20a

When Nehemiah got to Jerusalem he took a few days to rest. Then he gathered some men and went to look at the wall. As they circled the city, Nehemiah saw that it was every bit as bad as Hanani had described.


What had once been sturdy walls were now piles of boulders and bricks. Where thick wooden gates had once protected the city, there were now only charred posts and empty spaces. He realized this would be a huge project. But he came back from exploring more determined than ever. With God’s help he would rebuild the wall!


The next day he met with the city leaders. He told them who he was. He explained how he had heard about the broken walls and had prayed to God about them. Then he told how King Artaxerxes had given him permission to come and rebuild the Jerusalem walls.

The men listened closely. As Nehemiah talked they became more and more hopeful. “We’re with you,” they said, when he had explained everything. “Let’s start rebuilding.”



But not everyone was happy about this. Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem were leaders of the tribes nearby. They didn’t want Jerusalem to be a strong city again. When they saw Hezekiah’s men getting to work on the walls they mocked and threatened them.

But Hezekiah was not scared. “Jerusalem is not your property,” he said. “God in heaven is helping us with this project.” Nehemiah knew that the tribes around would respect God when Jerusalem's walls were strong again. Because this project was for God’s glory, Nehemiah was sure God would give them success.

We need to ask ourselves why our dreams are important to us? Is it because they will bring us fame, attention, money or beautiful things? Or will they bring glory to God. It is for those dreams that God promises success.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to understand why my dreams are important to me. Help me to want Your honor above everything else. Amen.



MORE Jerusalem Before
Nehemiah 2:13-15 describes what Nehemiah saw when he got back to Jerusalem. Draw a picture of what you think Jerusalem looked like before the wall was repaired.

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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. 

Temple Cleaning

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 29:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "He brought in the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side and said, 'Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.'” 2 Chronicles 29:4,5

What are you most likely to do when your room gets messy?
- clean it up
- nothing

When Hezekiah, Uzziah’s great-grandson became Judah’s king, one of the first things he did was a clean-up job, even though the mess wasn’t in his room and it was a mess he hadn’t made. In the first month of his reign King Hezekiah called together the priests and Levites and told them to clean up the temple.



The reasons for cleaning it up were more than that Hezekiah was a neat-freak. After thirty two years of being ruled by evil kings (his father Ahaz and his grandfather Jotham), Hezekiah knew there was a connection between worshiping God and having His blessing. He wanted God’s blessing more than anything. And so he told the priests and Levites to take everything that didn’t belong in the temple out so that they could again worship God there.

We could compare what Hezekiah did in the temple with the house cleaning that sometimes needs to be done in our hearts. If you don’t feel close to God and you’d rather not talk to Him every day, maybe it’s because there’s a mess in your heart. And how would you clean up such a mess?

You could take a pretend walk with God through every ‘room’ in your heart. As you go through each room – the home room, the school room, the friends room, the TV room, the computer room – ask Him to show you if there is anything that needs cleaning up. If there is, ask Him what you need to do to clean it up.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to clean up the messes in my heart. Amen.



MORE: A Clean Room
What is the state of your bedroom right now? Does it need a cleaning? Here are some hints to help you get and keep a tidy room.


30-Minute bedroom clean-up
1. 10 minutes: Straighten your bed. Now put everything that is out of place on your bed.
2. 10 minutes: Set an oven timer for 10 minutes and see if you can beat the clock at putting everything away.
3. 10 minutes: Dust flat surfaces with a feather duster. Vacuum the floor (or get it ready for an adult to vacuum).

Keep it tidy
1. Keep a laundry hamper in your room and throw dirty laundry in it instead of on the floor.
2. Hang up all clothes once a day.
3. Return dirty dishes, pop cans and juice boxes to the kitchen every day.
4. Organize your shelves and desk so there is a place for each thing. Return everything to its spot once a day.

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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. 

Back to Work

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 19:9-18


TO CHEW ON: "Then the Lord said to him, 'Go back the way you came. . . .'” 1 Kings 19:15

When Elijah came to Mount Horeb, he found a cave in which to sleep. That night God spoke to him. “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

“I’ve done my best for You,” Elijah replied. “But the Israelites have turned their backs on You. They’ve broken your altars and killed your prophets. I’m the only one left. Now they’re trying to kill me too.”

“Come outside,” God told him. “I want to show you something.”

As Elijah stood outside the cave, a powerful wind came up, shaking the trees and loosening rocks so they came tumbling down. But Elijah didn’t hear God in the wind. Suddenly the earth underneath him began shaking. But Elijah didn’t hear God in the earthquake. Then he saw fires burning around him. But God wasn’t in the fires either.


Finally Elijah heard a quiet voice. He recognized it. It was God. Again God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Again Elijah explained how hard he’d worked for God, but how it hadn’t done any good.



Then God answered him. What did He say? Which one thing, below, did God NOT tell Elijah (1 Kings 19:15-18):
1. God told him to go back the way he came.
2. God gave Elijah some new jobs to do.
3. God explained why things had turned out the way they had.
4. God gave Elijah some facts about how many of God’s people were really left in Israel.

Though Elijah felt like a failure, God, Who saw the whole picture, knew that he wasn’t. After showing Elijah his power in the wind, earthquake and fire, God showed Elijah He still trusted him and had more things for him to do. He gave Elijah some new jobs and sent him back to work.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank You for using people to accomplish what You want to do. Please use me. Amen.

MORE: Hearing God
Though God showed His power in the wind, earthquake and fire, Elijah heard God speak in a quiet voice.

1. Has God ever spoken to you?

2. Where did you hear Him?
____ through Bible words?
____ through the words of a song?
____ through the words of a friend?
____ through the words of a pastor or teacher?
____ through a book?
____ through nature?
____ through a parent?
_________________ other ways?

3. What did He say?

Make a habit of listening to God. He may tell you that He loves you. He may tell you that He understands you. He may give you ideas on how to handle your problems. He may remind you to pray for a friend in trouble.

If God tells you to do something, be as quick as Elijah to obey His words.


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. 

Lazy

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 24:30-34

TO CHEW ON: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24:33,34

What does it mean to be lazy? Read what a dictionary says.

Below are some ways people might act. Which of these actions could you mark with an L to show the person might be lazy?

1. ___ Begins work on the assignment right away, even though it’s not due for a week.
2. ___ Shoves things under the bed and in the closet when cleaning his room.
3. ___ Spends all day in front of the TV.
4. ___ Keeps her garden plot free of weeds.
5. ___ Never folds or hangs up her clothes.
6. ___ Does all his jobs as soon as he gets home from school.
7. ___ Hides half of his papers in the park so he won’t have to deliver them.


A. We can often tell a person is lazy by the look of his possessions. What does the lazy person’s field look like? (Proverbs 24:31) ______ What might his bedroom look like? His school locker?

B. We can tell a person is lazy by how he spends his time. What does a lazy person like to do? (Proverbs 24:33) _________ What might a lazy kid like to do?


C. How the lazy person’s life turns out. What will be the result of living a life of laziness? (Proverbs 24:34) _________

A workaholic is someone who is opposite of lazy. He likes to work all the time. Working all the time isn’t wise either. God has made us to need rest.

But we can rest too much. If all we do is spend all our time resting and avoiding work we are lazy. This isn’t wise either.

Are you lazy? Ask God to show you. Then ask Him to give you the desire and energy to work.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to get over my laziness and discover the blessing of work. Amen.


MORE: Slothful
Another word for lazy is “slothful.” It’s a word that comes from the name an animal – the sloth.

1. Find out about the sloth from books or the internet.

2. Why do you think this animal was chosen to describe laziness or a lazy 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. 

God Save the (New) King

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Chronicles 11:1-9

TO CHEW ON: "And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him." 1 Chronicles 11:9

Now that Saul was dead, the people of Israel needed a new king. They gathered in the city of Hebron where David was staying. David had proved himself a natural leader and a fearless warrior. They knew that God had already chosen him to be king. Now they wanted to make it official and crown him king. They did this at Hebron.



Then the Israelites went with David to the city of Jerusalem. David wanted Jerusalem to be the place from which he ruled.

Rebels who didn’t like David lived there. “You’ll never get in here!” the people of Jerusalem shouted at David from behind thick walls.



But David had many brave soldiers in his army. One of them, Joab, led the attack. In no time, David’s army had won the city.

David moved into the castle. He and Joab began city improvement projects.



They made their capital city, Jerusalem, safe, strong and beautiful. God’s presence with David made him powerful and successful in everything that he did.

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me the gift of Your presence and Your blessing. Amen.

MORE: Capitals
Jerusalem was the city from which David ruled. It was like our capital cities.

1. What is the capital city of your country?

2. What is the capital city of your province or state (or whatever the smaller parts of your country are called)?

3. Have you ever visited a capital city? Write about what you saw, or draw a picture.

4. Look for pictures, in books or on the internet, of buildings and monuments found in your country’s and state’s or province’s capital city.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

God, I need help!

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Genesis 24:12-20, 57-61

TO CHEW ON: "Then he prayed, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.'" Genesis 24:12

Abraham sent his servant on an errand. He was to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s relatives far away. This was a hard job. As the servant traveled he wondered how would he ever find Abraham’s family, let alone know which was the right girl.

When he got to the faraway land, he still didn’t know what to do. He found a well and sat there to rest. As he rested he prayed, "God please help me find the right girl. May it be the girl that when I ask her for a drink, she'll offer to water my camels too. If that happens, I'll take it as a sign that she's the right girl."

Before he finished praying beautiful Rebekah came to the well.

Unscramble the words to find out what the servant said and how the girl answered him (Genesis 24:17-19)


Could this be the right girl?

It turned out Rebekah was also one of Abraham’s relatives. When the servant explained his errand to Rebekah’s family they asked her, “Will you go?” and she answered, "I will go."

You too can ask God for help with your work. Do it today. The answer may take a while to come, or it may appear before you finish your prayer!

PRAYER: Dear God, today please help me with _________________________ (name a job you must do today). Amen


MORE: Memorize this!

Here is a Bible promise about prayer. You may want to memorize it to remind you to ask for God’s help with anything and everything!

"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

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.