Give US THIS DAY
Our Daily Bread for Families and Kids
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This Book Belongs To:
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WRITERS : Ruth Wan-Lau, except for pp. 44–45 by Chia Poh Fang; pp. 10–11, 40–41, 52–53, 54–55 by Leslie Koh; pp. 22–23, 24–25, 34–35, 48–49, 62–63 by Sim Kay Tee.
EDITORIAL : Asia Pacific Content Development Team
DESIGNERS : Grace Goh, Joshua Tan
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS :
“Finding Treasure” is excerpted and adapted from Our Daily Bread 5 June 2019 article, by James Banks
“Clear Communication” is excerpted and adapted from Our Daily Bread 14 June 2019 article, by Bill Crowder
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images used under licence from shutterstock.com
© 2019 Our Daily Bread Ministries®. All rights reserved.
These devotions are written specially for children and families. They can be read out loud during family devotional time. Children can also use these devotions for their personal time with the Lord. Through the use of stories and examples, these devotions aim to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable to children and families, and to challenge them to apply the Word of God to their daily lives.
Here are some tips on how to carry out family devotional time using these devotions:
• Set aside a specific time every day as family devotional time.
• Read the Bible passage out loud.
• Read the devotion out loud.
• Ask the children to summarise the devotion.
• Read the reflection questions out loud. Have a discussion about them.
• Summarise the key learning points for everyone.
• Pray, asking God to help everyone apply His Word to their lives.
As you use this book, we pray that you will enjoy meaningful moments with God and with one another!
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The Our Daily Bread team
The Prized Giraffe
Verse of the Day
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. —Philippians 3:8
READ
Philippians 3:7–14
“Kayla, could you help me feed your baby brother, please?” Mum asked.
“Sure!” Kayla replied. She picked up two-year-old Caleb and buckled him into the baby chair. Suddenly, Caleb started wailing.
“Mum! Why is Caleb crying?” Kayla felt anxious as Caleb’s wails grew louder. She offered the weeping toddler a rattle, a baby book, and a plastic fire truck. But he rejected them all.
“What’s going on?” Mum rushed in.
When C aleb saw Mum, he shouted, “GEE-RAFF! GEE-RAFF!”
“Ah! He wants his favorite toy!” Mum said. When she handed Caleb a plastic giraffe, he stopped crying immediately.
“Caleb really loves that toy!” Kayla exclaimed.
“He does!” Mum chuckled. “You know, Caleb’s behavior reminds me of what Paul said in Philippians 3:8: ‘I consider everything a loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ . . .’ Caleb considers his giraffe to be his most prized toy, and he’ll even reject other things in order to get it. In the same way, Paul is encouraging us to value Christ above everything else in our life. That means getting to know Christ through reading the Bible and talking with Him regularly in prayer as a first priority. It also means rejecting other things that keep us from Him.”
YouLord,IpraiseYoufor areofsurpassingworth.Teach me how to make You the firstpriorityinmylife.
“You really love this giraffe, don’t you?” Kayla said as she play fully tried to replace Caleb’s giraffe with a stuffed leopard.
“GEE-RAFF!” Caleb demanded.
Mum laughed as Kayla returned the giraffe hastily. “Let’s reflect on this verse more during family devotions at bedtime. Caleb may grow tired of loving his giraffe when he’s older, but we should never grow tired of loving our Lord Jesus and putting Him first in our lives.”
Kayl a nodded in agreement.
Reflection
How can you value Christ above everything else that’s going on this week? Do you spend time reading the Bible and praying regularly? What are some things you may need to reject in order to please Christ more?
Treat With Care
Verse
of the Day
God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
—Genesis 1:27
Read Genesis 1:26–31
“Whose comic book is this?” Mum asked.
“It’s Uncle Roy’s,” Ryan replied. “He showed me his comic book collection last week. This comic book is a collector’s item, so I must treat it very carefully!”
“Yes , you must,” Mum agreed. She had taken leave from work and was helping her son tidy up his room before they went out for dinner.
Just then, Sabina, the family’s domestic helper, walked in: “Your school uniforms are ironed. Can I put them in your cupboard now?”
“Get out of my room!” Ryan shouted. Snatching the clothes from Sabina, he added: “Don’t touch my things!” Mum was shocked. She was usually at work all day and seldom witnessed Ryan’s interactions with Sabina.
“Why are you being rude to Auntie Sabina?” Mum asked sternly.
“I don’t know,” Ryan grumbled. “Anyway, she’s not my friend and
she’s not part of our family. She’s just a helper. I don’t have to be polite to her!”
Mum replied in a firm tone: “You treat Uncle Roy’s comic book with care because it’s his precious item. Well, we have a bigger reason to treat all people with care—we are all God’s precious creation.
haveLord,forgivemeifI treated others unkindly.We all bearYourimageandshould treat each other with care.
Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are all created in God’s image. He made all of us.”
Mum continued: “When you look at Auntie Sabina, remember this: you and her have the same creator. You both bear God’s image. Shouldn’t we try our best to treat all of God’s creations with kindness?”
Ryan nodded, feeling ashamed. “I’ll apologize to Auntie Sabina before we go out.”
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Reflection
Do you treat your domestic helper with kindness? How do you regard the people who clear our rubbish, sweep our streets, and build our roads? How can you show kindness to them?
The Life Guide
Verse of the Day
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
—2 Timothy 3:16
Read 2 Timothy 3:16–17
“That was the best cafe ever!” Benjamin exclaimed as he entered the hotel room.
The family was holidaying in Bangkok and Dad had brought them to a cafe where all kinds of cats roamed free for customers to play with.
“The Siamese kittens were so cute!” Benjamin continued.
“I’m just glad we found the cat cafe,” Dad grinned. “It was in such a remote place, but thankfully I had my app to guide me.”
“That smartphone map app is fantastic,” Mum agreed. “Every time we made a wrong turn, it guided us back to the right path. It told us exactly what to do!”
“We would have been lost without this app for sure,” Dad said. “But, there’s another guide I trust even more than this app.”
“What is it, Dad?” Benjamin asked.
“It’s God’s Word,” Dad said. He took out his Bible and that was
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Prayer
the usual signal that family devotions were about to begin. “We need directions to get to places. Similarly, we need directions to get to heaven. God’s Word is our guide for that. It gives us accurate instructions on who God is, what He has done for us, who we are, and how we can live for Him every day. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, ‘All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ When we read the Bible, it tells us if we’ve gone the wrong way and how to get back onto the right path, which is the path that pleases God. The Bible coaches us on doing what is right in God’s eyes. It is our trustworthy guide for life!”
Lord,thankYou for guidetheBiblethatismy tolife.Helpme to read it and follow itsinstructionsfaithfully.
Dad said the last sentence with such flourish that Benjamin cheered. And with that, everybody laughed and family devotions began.
Reflection
How often do you read the Bible? How can you make time to read God’s Word regularly? Write down the lessons you learn each time and pray about them regularly.
Godly Routines
Verse of the Day
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
—Ecclesiastes 2:24–25
Read Ecclesiastes 2:20–26
“Mum, I’m tired of doing this every month!” Anya exclaimed. She was helping her mother fold and pack clothes collected from fellow church members for an orphanage overseas. “Can’t we do something else?”
“Okay, dear,” replied Mum. “Let’s take a break and have some cake made by your favorite aunt.”
“I love Auntie Elsie’s mango cakes!” gushed Anya.
Mum opened the fridge and handed a slice of cake to Anya, who started on it instantly. “Just think,” Mum continued, “what would happen if Auntie Elsie got bored of making these cakes?”
Anya looked up, shocked. “She wouldn’t, would she? What would I do without Auntie Elsie’s mango cakes?”
Mum agreed. “And what would the children in the orphanage do without these clothes?”
Your sake.
Prayer
Anya went quiet, and Mum continued: “Our pastor mentioned during his Sunday sermon that the writer of Ecclesiastes lamented how doing the same things again and again seemed meaningless. But one of the conclusions he came to in Ecclesiastes 2:24 was that we can find satisfaction in our tasks, because enjoyment is a blessing from ‘the hand of God.’ Routine tasks like doing household chores or helping others can be enjoyable when we are doing them for His sake, don’t you think?”
joyLord,helpmetofind inmytasks,even the routine ones,and helpmetodothemfor
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Anya nodded. “After I finish eating, shall we get back to the clothes?”
“Sure,” Mum said with a smile. “And, you can have another slice when we finish!”
Reflection
What tasks do you find routine? List them down, then ask God to help you enjoy them as you do these things for Him.
Exam Anxiety
Verse of the Day
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. —Philippians 4:6
Read Philippians 4:6–7
Yin opened her diary and began to write:
Hi, it ’s me again. Today, Mrs. Tan gave us a pep talk, but it felt more like a pressure talk to me! To cut a long story short, she said that from this year on, our exam results will affect which class we get into the following year. And that will affect which secondary school we get into, which will affect which university we get into, which will affect our future careers! OK, I’m probably summarizing what she said a bit too much. But that’s basically what she said! STRESS.
Then , just now, it finally happened. I was revising for my exam, and when it hit me that I was only on page 7 of my notes, with 39 left to go, I had a meltdown. #embarrassing I’m pretty sure the whole family heard me wailing. Mum was so amazing, though. She picked me up off the floor and gave me the biggest hug ever. Then she wrote out a Bible passage for me:
Prayer
Philippians 4:6–7. We read it out loud together. At first, reading the verses made me cry even more, because it was like I was acknowledging my anxiety. Then, I felt relieved, because I realized that God understands how I feel and has given me a solution—Himself, whom I can reach through prayer, and His peace. Mum prayed for me, asking God to help me know that He is in control of everything.
Lord,Ipresentmy meanxietiestoYou.Help peaceexperienceYour asIrealizeYou are the God who is incontrolofeverything.
I’m of f to sleep now. Mum and I are going to pray every day before I start revising. I’m going to copy this Bible passage for my friends too. After meditating on it, I know that, guarded by His peace, I’ll be okay, no matter what happens. #feelingsomuchbetternow
Reflection
What are you stressed about this week? Tell God what you are going through and rest in His peace. Talk to your parents and ask them to pray with you too.
Let ’s Pray
Verse of the Day
Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. —Ephesians 6:18
Read Ephesians 6:16–20
“Dinner! Quick, let’s eat!” Jayden exclaimed.
“Bef ore we eat,” Dad spoke up, “shall we pray? Jayden, can you pray for us, and please thank God for our guests who’ve joined us for dinner.”
John and Sarah Montgomery smiled as Dad nodded at them. They were missionaries from Taipei and Dad had invited them over for a meal.
Jayden grew red in the face. “I prayed yesterday so I don’t want to pray now. Plus, I’m starving,” he grunted. In the end, Mum prayed and everybody enjoyed the home-cooked meal. When Mum saw Jayden sulking at bedtime, she asked why he was upset.
“Why did Dad single me out to pray?” Jayden whined. “It was so embarrassing.”
Mum replied: “I think you’re looking at prayer the wrong way. Remember when you were chosen to present a token of appreciation
to the school’s guest-of-honor last year?”
“Yes! He was an Olympic swimmer. I jumped at the chance to talk to him!” Jayden exclaimed.
Lord,thankYou for abletheprivilegeofbeing tospeakwithYou Helpanytimeandanywhere. melearntopray moreandmoreeachday.
“Well,” Mum continued, “speaking to that guest-of-honor was a privilege, but speaking to God is an even greater privilege. With Jesus as our Savior, we have the privilege of talking to God, anytime and anywhere. In Ephesians 6:18, Paul encourages us to keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. When Dad asked you to pray, he didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Rather, he was giving you the honor of speaking to God for all of us.”
“Since prayer is a privilege, I should be jumping at the chance to pray?” Jayden asked thoughtfully.
Mum smiled. “That’s right! Think about that the next time someone asks you to pray, okay?”
Reflection
Do you like praying out loud? Why or why not? Praying is a privilege, so let’s be excited to speak with God on behalf of all His people.
The Big Picture
Verse of the Day
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. —Isaiah 55:9
Read Isaiah 55:8–11
“How are you enjoying Shanghai so far, Rebecca?” Grandma asked.
Rebecca mumbled: “Shanghai’s okay. But I really miss my friends back home.” Rebecca and her family had just moved from Singapore to Shanghai as Dad had been posted there to work for two years.
Grandma could see that Rebecca was terribly homesick. She took out her smartphone and after a few swipes, she asked, “Rebecca, can you help me figure out what this photo is?”
“All I see is a blurry mess of pixels!” Rebecca replied. “Let me take a closer look.” She took the smartphone and placed two fingers on the screen. Pulling her fingers apart across the screen, she made the picture zoom out to reveal a face—her own!
“Grandma! This is the picture you took of me yesterday!” Rebecca exclaimed.
Grandma smiled: “Oh, silly me! The picture was zoomed in so much, I couldn’t tell what it was! You know, this reminds me of what God said in Isaiah 55:9: ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
Lord,when I don’tunderstandwhy certainthingshave happened,helpmeto trustturntoYouinprayerand Youtoguideme.
Sometimes we may not understand God’s plan for us. It’s as if we’re staring at a blurry mess of pixels and we can’t make any sense out of it.”
Grandma gave Rebecca a warm hug. “But, God assures us that He can see the big picture. He always has the ‘zoomed out’ view. He is in control, He is wise and loving, and we can trust Him to guide us, always. Do you want me to pray for you to trust Him more?”
Rebecca held onto Grandma, and nodded through her tears.
Reflection
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Do you wonder why God allows certain things to happen in your life? Talk to Him about it. And remember, we may not understand God’s plan for us at times, but we can always trust Him to guide us.
Finding Treasure
Verse of the Day
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
—John 3:16
Read
John 3:16–20
John and Mary were walking their dog when they stumbled upon a rusty can. Opening it, they discovered a cache of gold coins over a century old! The couple went on to locate seven more cans containing 1,427 coins in all.
Valued at US$10 million, this cache of coins is called the Saddle Ridge Hoard, the largest find of its kind in America. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” Jesus tells of a treasure we can all have, a treasure that will last forever—salvation.
In order to receive this treasure, we must confess our sins. Sins are the wrong things we do, say, or think that separate us from God. Then, we have to accept God’s plan to save us—God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to take away our sins. Accepting God’s plan means accepting Jesus’ gift of taking away our sins. Finally, 1111
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we have to accept Jesus as Lord of our lives, meaning we have to live in a way that pleases Him. Jesus explains salvation in John 3:16, telling us how we can have this relationship with God: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Lord,I am sorryfor mysins.I accept Jesus’gift of taking my sins awaythrough His death on the cross.Help me to live in a waythat pleasesYou.
When we receive God’s treasure of salvation, we become His sons and daughters (John 1:12). What an amazing treasure! New life as His children in His kingdom, new purpose on earth, and the new joy of eternity with Him. Are you ready to receive this treasure?
Reflection
Have you accepted God’s treasure of salvation? If not, discuss this with an adult who is a Christian and say the prayer above to become a child of God.
Created By Design
Verse of the Day
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
—Psalm 139:13–14
Read Psalm 139:13–16
Lucas looked up from the book he was reading and frowned.
“Why are you frowning?” Dad asked.
“It’s this jumbo fact book I borrowed from the library. It says that all life was created through random chemical and physical forces. But that’s not what the Bible says. So who’s right? The Bible or this book?”
Dad looked concerned. “Come and take a look at my smartphone,” he said. Dad opened up the back of his phone, took out a few parts, then asked, “If I took my smartphone apart, then threw all the parts in the air a million times, do you think it would randomly form back into a smartphone?”
Lucas shook his head.
“How about if I did it a billion times?” Dad asked.
“Don’t be silly, Dad. It doesn’t matter how many times you do it. A smartphone can’t assemble itself!” Lucas exclaimed.
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“Exactly! A smartphone can’t form by random action. Someone had to design this phone, create its parts, and put them together. Similarly, life can’t have formed through random trial and error. God designed and created the world, and us too. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:1 that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And Psalm 139:13–14 tells us that God created our inmost being and knit us together in our mother’s womb. The world wasn’t formed randomly, and neither were we!”
Lord,thankYou forandcreatingthisworld includingallthepeopleinit, me.
Lucas shut the book and smiled. “I guess the Bible is right and the book is wrong. Thanks, Dad!”
Dad nodded. “Let’s just say we can agree to disagree with this book. Shall we read up more on this topic together? Let’s do a search using my smartphone—after I put it back together, of course!”
Reflection
Have you read or heard things that contradict what the Bible says? Don’t hesitate to ask your parents or a Christian adult about them.
Healthy Food
Verse of the Day
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. —1 Peter 2:2
Read 1 Peter 1:25—2:3
Four-year-old Tim refused to be pacified. He was hungry and Grandma had just driven past his favorite fast food restaurant.
“I want nuggets, fries, and ice cream!” Tim demanded, in between tears.
In a firm tone, Grandma asked, “Do you want to be strong and healthy?”
“Yes , Grandma,” Tim replied.
“Then you need to eat more nutritious food—food that is good for you, that will satisfy you fully, and that won’t make you sick.”
The apostle Peter had the same concern for the Christians under his care. He wanted them to be spiritually strong and healthy. So, in 1 Peter 2:2, he encouraged Christians to be like newborn babies who crave pure spiritual milk. Peter was using milk to represent the Bible. Just as a newborn won’t stop demanding milk until he’s fed,
Lord,helpmeto WordhungerafterYourandavoidthings thatweakenmydesirefor Your Word.
we are to hunger after God’s Word, for it is good for us, will satisfy us fully, and will keep us spiritually healthy. In contrast, feasting on the “junk food” of the world—including spending too much time playing video games, watching entertainment channels, or scrolling through social media feeds—can weaken our desire for God’s Word. When we snack on too much junk food, we may no longer be hungry for our main meal—the nutritious food of God’s Word. So, let’s watch our spiritual diet carefully. What are you “eating” today?
Reflection
Why is it important to have a good appetite for God’s Word? What can you do to ensure you read the Bible regularly and pay attention to what it says? What can you do to avoid eating too much “junk food”?
True Friends
Verse of the Day
A friend loves at all times.
—Proverbs 17:17
Read
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Tabitha couldn’t wait to get home and start reading her birthday present. Auntie Lydia had just bought her a storybook about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh and his group of good friends: Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Eeyore. This group of close friends had many fun and challenging adventures together. Winnie the Pooh even said: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
In Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, King Solomon tells us why it is better to have a friend than to do things alone. His reasons? Friends share the work and encourage you to do well. Friends help you when you are in trouble and keep you company when you’re lonely or afraid. They protect you when you’re in danger. A friend is there for you whether you are happy or sad. With a friend by your side, you can face the worst.
King Solomon also said, “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).
Talking about true friendship, Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT). Jesus proved that He is a true friend when He willingly died on the cross for our sins. In Jesus, we have an amazing friend.
Prayer
Lord,thankYoufor friend.beingmyamazingHelpmetodowhatYoucommand, friendandhelpmetobeatrue to those around me.
But Jesus also said, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). What kind of a friend are you to Jesus?
Reflection
Think of your friends. Who among them would qualify as true friends? What makes them true friends? In what ways is Jesus your best true friend?
Let ’s Get Connected
Verse of the Day
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
—Colossians 4:2
Read Colossians 4:2–6
“See you next week!” Mrs. Fernando, the Sunday School teacher, said as she gave high-fives to all the children.
As Arthur passed Mrs. Fernando, who was busy packing up the electronic keyboard, she called out cheerfully, “Don’t forget to invite your friends to the evangelistic event next month!”
When A rthur heard this, he buried his face in his hands.
“Did I say something wrong, Arthur?” Mrs. Fernando asked gently.
“No,” Arthur replied. “I really want to invite my best friend, Ian, to the evangelistic event. But, he’s not interested in church.”
Mrs. Fernando could tell Arthur was feeling discouraged. She thought for a moment, then said, “Arthur, do you know why there’s no sound when I press the keys on this keyboard?”
Arthur looked at the keyboard carefully. “This keyboard is not ‘on.’ It’s not connected to the wall socket.”
“That’s right. This keyboard needs to be connected to a power source before it can make beautiful music. In the same way, we need to be connected to God, our power source, before we can do what He made us to do—shine for Him! One way to connect with God is through prayer. Spend time asking God to give you the right words to say to Ian. Ask Him for courage. The more you pray, the more you’ll rely on God, not your own strength. Even if Ian says ‘no,’ don’t give up. God is using you to encourage your friend to think about Him, and that pleases Him.”
Lord,helpmetopray aboutallthings.Youare my power source andIwanttoconstantly connect with You so that ImayshineforYou.
Arthur smiled. “I definitely need to pray before inviting Ian to church next month. Will you pray with me too?”
Mrs. Fernando gave Arthur a hug. “Definitely!”
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Reflection
Make a list of things you’d like to pray for. Do you have friends you could invite to church? Include them in the list and ask God for help to invite them.
The Distracted Dog
Verse of the Day
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. —Psalm 27:4
Read Psalm 27:1–5
“Shawn, have you taken the dog for his morning walk?” Dad asked.
“Yes ,” Shawn replied. “But Cookie was very distracted today. Mum and I brought him to the nearby dog park as usual, but first, Cookie chased a young girl on her scooter. Then, he almost destroyed all the flowers in some bushes along the path. By the time we reached the dog park, we only had five minutes left for him to play!”
Just then, Mum entered the room: “Tim, we’re leaving for church soon.”
Shaw n groaned. “Mum, I want to play some computer games! Can’t we skip church?”
“Shawn,” Dad asked, “Do you think it benefitted Cookie to be so distracted during his walk?”
“Of course not! He was so distracted, he missed out on enjoying
the beautiful dog park!” Shawn replied.
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likeLord,helpmetobe enjoythepsalmist,to spendingtime YourwithYou,learningfrom Word and Yourpeopleatchurch.
“Well, might you be acting like Cookie right now?” Dad said. “You are so distracted by computer games, you could lose out on spending beautiful time praising God, learning from His Word, and enjoying His people at church. Last week, at our Bible study group, Mum and I reflected on Psalm 27, where the psalmist yearned to spend focused time with God in His temple. He called God his light, salvation, and stronghold; when we have a God who guides, saves, and protects us, it would be silly to prefer playing computer games over spending time with Him, don’t you think?”
Shawn glanced at Cookie, who was looking rather silly with flower petals all over his furry body.
“I guess I wouldn’t want to be like Cookie!” Shawn said. “I’ll play my computer games after spending time with God.”
Reflection
What things bring you closer to God? What things distract you from God? Do you yearn to spend time with God by reading His Word and praying? Why or why not?
Clear Communication
Verse of the Day
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. —Romans 8:26
Read Romans 8:18–27
“Can you help me?” Dad asked. The young man at the computer repair shop smiled, but he spoke only Khmer, the language spoken in Cambodia. Dad pointed wildly at his laptop screen: “See? The black screen of death? Please help!”
Janice watched as Dad tried to explain what he needed. They were in Cambodia for a short-term mission trip, but his laptop had crashed. Dad needed it for his gospel presentation the next day, but the shop assistant didn’t understand English and Dad didn’t understand Khmer.
“Wait! I’ve got an idea!” Janice said. Asking Dad for his smartphone, she quickly opened its translation app. Dad typed out what he wanted to say in English, and the app translated it into Khmer. The app even provided an audio version for the shop assistant to listen to. In no time at all, Dad was able to communicate
the problem he was having with his laptop, and even exchanged a joke or two with the young man!
pray.
Prayer
Lord,helpmeto SpiritdependonYourHoly whenIdon’t know how or what to
Does this scene remind you of how we pray? At times, I feel like I’m unable to communicate and express my heart properly when praying to my heavenly Father. I’m sure many of us struggle with this too. But the apostle Paul wrote, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).
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How amazing is the gift of the Holy Spirit! Better than any translation app, He clearly communicates our thoughts and desires in harmony with the Father’s purposes. The work of the Spirit makes prayer work!
Reflection
Is there something you’d like to pray for, but can’t seem to find the proper words to express it? Ask God to help you put it into words.
Little Hands
Verse of the Day
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. —Micah 6:8
Read Micah 6:6–8
Have you baked cookies with your Mum before? How about baking cookies with your Mum for charity?
That ’s what Abigail, Benson, and Charis did for a few weeks in 2018. It all started when Erin, their mother, got together with three other parents for breakfast. Erin shared: “What started off as an idea became Little Hands, a parent-and-child bake-sale initiative to raise money in support of the Autism Resource Centre in Singapore.”
Erin and her kids, together with 20 other families, baked chocolate chip cookies, packed them, wrote and stuck labels on the packages, and delivered them, raising $600 in the process. Equally important were the spiritual lessons the children involved learnt. “I felt happy because I was able to help people. And I know God would be pleased because we were helping people who need it,” Naomi, Eileen Tan’s daughter, said.
The efforts of Little Hands is a sweet reflection of the generous character of our God. In Micah 6:8, the prophet Micah reminds us that God wants us to love mercy. This involves helping those who are in need, even if it requires time and effort that we are typically unwilling to spare.
Prayer
thoseLord,Iwanttohelp around me. theHelpmetounderstand needs around me—myinmyfamily,among community.friends,andinmy
“We faced quite a few challenges during the cookie production process. But the kids’ enthusiasm kept us going. They understood why we were doing this, and when we saw how they refrained from eating the cookies, that encouraged us to go on!” Erin said.
How about you? Is there anything you can do to help those in need around you? God can multiply any efforts we offer, if we are willing to please Him.
Reflection
To show mercy involves helping those who are in need. Who are the people in need around you? What kind of help can you offer them?
Jesus Knows My Name
Verse of the Day
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. —Isaiah 43:1
Read Luke 16:19–31
After telling a Bible story, the teacher asked his Sunday School class, “What’s the name of the beggar?” Calvin confidently shouted, “Lazarus!” The teacher then asked another question: “What’s the name of the other man in this story?” Another student shouted, “Rich man!”
In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus told the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had a very big house, many servants to serve him, and plenty of food to eat. In contrast, Lazarus the beggar lived on the streets, was always hungry, and had no friends, except for the stray dogs that roamed the streets.
But there’s one thing this beggar had which the rich man didn’t—a name! In fact, Lazarus is the only character named in all of Jesus’ parables. Jesus gave the beggar the name “Lazarus” to tell us that God cared for him, as Lazarus means “he whom God helps”. Because God knew Lazarus by name, He took care of him even
though he had a difficult life, and gave him a place by His side in heaven. In contrast, even though the rich man lived a comfortable life, God didn’t know him and didn’t welcome him into heaven. What a tragedy!
God knows those who belong to Him. Does God know your name?
Lord,I want to be part ofYour family. I confess mysins and turn awayfromthem.Thank You for forgiving me.
If you’d like to belong to God’s family, tell Him! The Bible says that if we confess our sins—the wrong things we do that displease God—He will forgive us. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins on the cross. As we turn away from sin and towards God, we’ll become part of His family. Won’t you talk to God today?
Reflection
Is it better to be Lazarus or the rich man? What does it mean for you to turn away from sin and be part of God’s family?
Words That Wound
Verse
of the Day
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
—Psalm 27:13
Read Psalm 27:12–14
“Is everyone ready for our holiday?” Dad exclaimed. The family had just arrived at the airport with their luggage. Mum replied with an enthusiastic “Yes!”, but noticed Huiting was dragging her feet.
“What’s wrong, dear?” Mum asked. “Are you still thinking about what happened in school?” Huiting was a school prefect, and had recently reported a few troublemakers to the teachers. To get back at her, they had digitally altered some photographs to make her look like a clown, and passed them around using instant messaging for everybody to laugh at. Although the troublemakers were caught, Huiting was still feeling low.
Mum continued: “Huiting, you love to snorkel, right? Do you remember the first rule of snorkeling?”
“Alw ays wear a life jacket,” Huiting said. “That way, no matter what happens, you’ll stay afloat.”
“That’s right!” Mum said, “Did you know we also have to wear a life jacket when we are ‘swimming’ in the difficult situations life throws at us? Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes, when we do what’s right, we end up making enemies.
Lord,helpmeto facedependonYouwhenI difficult situationsinmylife.Youaremy protector,comfort,and strength.
In Psalm 27:12–14, the psalmist was falsely accused by his enemies. But he fixed his eyes on God. He asked God to protect him, and God comforted and strengthened him.”
Mum continued: “You can be like the psalmist. Remember that God is with you. He will protect, comfort, and strengthen you when you call out to Him. As you depend on Him, like a life jacket, God will enable you to float through these difficult waters.”
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Reflection
Name a few difficult situations that you are facing at the moment. Pray, asking God to protect, comfort, and strengthen you as you go through the situation.
Boasting
Verse of the Day
Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? —1 Corinthians 5:6
Read 1 Corinthians 5:6–8
“How was the sports competition?” Mum asked as Gavin entered the kitchen.
“Fantastic! Our school beat the other school!” Gavin did a dance to celebrate.
Mum laughed as she measured out some ingredients. “Come help me with this new no-knead bread recipe I’m trying out.”
“We are the champions! The other school are losers!” Gavin bellowed. “When I see the boys from the other school at the bus stop tomorrow, I’ll make monkey faces at them and . . . ”
Mum interrupted firmly: “All we have to do is mix the ingredients gently, then leave the mixture in a bowl overnight, and wait.”
“What are we waiting for?” Gavin asked.
“For the yeast to do its work,” Mum said mysteriously.
The next morning, Mum revealed that the dough had expanded to thrice its original size.
“A little yeast made the dough grow so big!” Gavin exclaimed.
Mum nodded. “That reminds me of a Bible verse I looked up last night. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:6 that boasting is not good. He likened pride to yeast, reminding the Corinthians that the pride of a single member can cause sin to spread to the whole church. The principle is: A little pride may seem harmless, but, like yeast, pride can grow and affect us all deeply.”
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Lord,thankYou fortheblessings butYouhaveprovided, preventmefrom themtakingsomuchpridein thatmywordsandactionsdispleaseYou.
Mum continued: “It’s fine to feel happy that your school won, but if we’re not careful about our words and actions, our school pride can develop into thoughtless school rivalry, and even create trouble for us!”
Gavin nodded. “Our coach said something similar yesterday, but it’s cool to know that the Bible said it first! Thanks for the reminder, Mum. I’ll make sure my school pride doesn’t get out of hand.”
Reflection
Should we take pride in our sinful actions? Why not?
Should we take pride in our blessings? How can we prevent pride from leading to words or actions that displease God?
Hiding From God
Verse of the Day
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
—Genesis 3:9
Read
Genesis 3:1–10
“Where’s Timbre? He usually comes out to play when I’m home,” Adeline said.
Dad sighed. “Timbre’s hiding. That silly dog bit a hole in our sofa and he knows he’ll be punished.”
Adeline knew exactly what punishment the dog would get: an hour in his playpen. She looked at the clock. “Oh, no, it’s past Timbre’s mealtime! He’ll be hungry!”
“Yes , I’ve been looking for him,” replied Dad. “Though he’s been bad, I still want to feed him.”
“Silly Timbre,” mumbled Adeline. “He’s so afraid of punishment that he doesn’t realize you want him to come out for his own good!” Adeline paused, then added: “Sounds a bit like Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden of Eden. Were they behaving like Timbre?”
Dad laughed. “Yes, dear. In a way, we all behave like Timbre sometimes. We try to hide our sins from God because we’re afraid.
But even if we hide, He knows our sins already, because He knows everything. When God called out to Adam and Eve, ‘Where are you?’, He already knew what they had done. He was actually saying, ‘Come out of hiding, and come back to Me.’”
“God wants us even when we’ve done something wrong?” Adeline asked.
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Prayer
Lord,You everythingknowaboutme, doneincludingwhatI’ve Thankwrong.I’msosorry. Youforalways andbeingreadytoforgiveme, forlovingme.
“Yes ,” replied Dad. “God punished Adam and Eve for their wrongdoing, but He also took care of them. Kind of like how we will punish Timbre, but we still love him. When we’ve done something wrong, if we’re sorry, God is always ready to forgive us.”
“So we don’t ever need to hide from Him,” said Adeline. “Let’s see if I can explain that to Timbre. Timbre! Where are you?”
Reflection
Have you done something wrong and are hiding it from your parents and from God? Instead of hiding, reflect on what you’ve done, then tell your parents and God, and apologize. They will forgive you.
The Trial
Verse of the Day
Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. —Jonah 2:8
Read
Jonah 2:8–9
The prosecutor stood up to deliver his final remarks against the defendant, Mr. Screen, who had been accused by the people of Modern Town of leading their children astray.
“In conclusion, Your Honor,” the prosecutor said, “I would like to summarize my three arguments against Mr. Screen. Firstly, Mr. Screen may claim that he does good by providing children with access to a vast array of knowledge, but actually, many may be exposed to knowledge that is inappropriate for their age.
“Secondly, Mr. Screen provides such addictive entertainment, like video games, that our children often neglect the people around them and the tasks at hand. Instead, they spend too much time staring at Mr. Screen, and do not rest properly, enjoy the outdoors, bond with the family, or do their homework.
“Thirdly, Mr. Screen has become something children can’t seem to live without. Some children check their phones every moment
they are free, and when their parents ask them to put Mr. Screen away, they refuse. Some children can’t part with Mr. Screen when they go to church, which means they miss the chance to focus on God and praise Him wholeheartedly.”
Lord,searchmyheart.Show me if I love screen time more than I love You.Enable me toYouloveYoumoreandput firstinmylife.
When the prosecutor mentioned that Mr. Screen was interfering with children focusing on God, the judge looked at Mr. Screen sternly. “Is it your view that Mr. Screen has become an idol in children’s lives? Something more important to them than God?” the judge asked the prosecutor.
The prosecutor nodded solemnly. “Yes, Your Honor, in some children. Slowly but surely, without any of us even realizing it.”
With that, the judge rose to his feet and announced: “In that case, I have reached my verdict. And it is . . .”
Reflection
What do you think are some of the benefits and dangers of using screens? What can you do to spend less time on your screen, and more time with God this week?
I Have Peace
Verse of the Day
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
—John 14:27
Read
John 14:25–31
“Ican’t do this,” Mingli mumbled to herself. She wrung her hands anxiously as she waited to be called into the music room for her piano exam to begin. This was the first time Mum couldn’t accompany her for a piano exam. Grandpa was undergoing a major operation and Mum was with him at the hospital.
Mingli looked through her piano scores one last time. As she flipped the pages, a bookmark dropped out. Mum had given the bookmark to her that morning and she had scribbled this encouragement:
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” —John 14:27
Mum’s words came flooding back into Mingli’s mind as she recalled their conversation: “Mingli, Mum can’t be with you today, but Jesus is. He promises to give us peace. And do you know how
He does that? He gives us His Spirit, so that whatever we are going though, regardless of how scary or difficult it is, He is with us—to guide, strengthen, comfort, and lead us. We are not alone as we face life’s challenges, because God is not only with us, He is also within us.”
Lord,thankYou for ofYourwonderfulgift peace.Icanhavepeaceinthemidst ofscaryanddifficult situations,forYou are alwayswithmetoguide, leadstrengthen,comfort,and me.
Mingli picked up the bookmark from the floor. A smile spread across her face as she said to herself, “I can do this. I am not alone. God is with me and in me.”
Just then, she heard her name called. Mingli marched towards the piano, took her seat, and placed her fingers on the piano keys.
Reflection
What are some things you need to trust in God’s gift of peace for? Let Him calm your fears as you talk to Him about your homework, exams, sports activities, friends, and family.
Where ’s Daniel?
Verse of the Day
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22–23
Read Galatians 5:22–26
“In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!” James ended his prayer, then added with gusto, “Now, let’s eat!”
The family dug into their favorite dish—mac and cheese.
“Where’s Daniel?” Grandma asked. James rolled his eyes.
“Daniel’s at school,” Dad replied.
“How come you’re not at school, James?” Grandma asked.
James took a deep breath. “Daniel is in secondary school. It ends later than my school, which is a primary school.”
Grandma nodded. Three minutes later, she asked again: “Where’s Daniel?” James slapped his forehead in frustration.
“Daniel’s at school,” Mum replied. “His secondary school ends very late.”
“How come you’re not at school, James?” Grandma asked. James hunched over his macaroni sulkily as Dad replied on his behalf. James could barely contain his frustration when Grandma asked
where Daniel was several more times.
“Does Grandma have to stay with us, Mum? Why does she always repeat herself?” James asked when dinner was over.
patientLord,helpmetobe withpeople whoseemfrustrating.
“Grandma has an illness called Alzheimer’s disease,” Mum replied. “She needs us to care for her. Although her short-term memory is weak, her long-term memory is strong.
Remember when she folded origami animals for you, without referring to a set of instructions?”
James nodded. “That was cool. Grandma patiently folded origami animals for my friends too.”
Mum smiled. “Let’s ask God to give us patience when we talk to Grandma. Patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and the source of this fruit is our relationship with Jesus. I know it isn’t easy having to repeat ourselves to Grandma all the time, but as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, He will grant us patience for others.”
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Reflection
Do you know an elderly person who needs to be treated with patience? Are you patient with him or her? If you saw this person through God’s eyes, what would you see?
Cut It Off
Verse of the Day
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.
—Matthew 18:8
Read
Matthew 18:7–9
Natalie rushed over to hug Mum.
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Mum asked. In between sobs, Natalie said, “Mum, I did something wrong. I took a pen that belongs to my classmate. And I just read in my Bible that Jesus said if my hand causes me to sin, I must cut it off, and if my eye causes me to sin, I must gouge it out and throw it away.”
“Dear, are you sorry for taking your friend’s pen?” Mum asked.
“Yes , Mum, I’m sorry,” Natalie said. “I will return the pen to her tomorrow.”
After praying with Natalie to ask God to forgive her sin, Mum explained what Jesus meant. “Sweetheart, Jesus does not want you to cut off your hand or gouge out your eye. He is deliberately using exaggeration, or hyperbole, to teach us how dangerous sin is. What Jesus wants is for you to take quick and decisive action to stop.”
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Prayer
Mum continued: “Removing your hand or your eye will not stop you from committing sin, because sin comes from deep within your heart. A blind man can still think sinful thoughts, and a man without a hand can still steal. Jesus wants us to control what our eyes see, what our hands do, and where our feet go. Jesus wants us to know that no matter how enjoyable a sin is, it’s not worth doing, because it displeases Him.”
Lord,helpmeto remember how medangeroussinis.Help tosay“nomore!”to sin.WithYourhelp,Icando it!
“So I don’t have to cut off my hand or gouge out my eyes?”
Nat alie asked.
Mum smiled. “Yes, you don’t have to. But what you have to do is this: the next time you commit a sin, stop for a moment and pray. Ask Jesus for forgiveness and the self-control to say ‘no more!’ to sin. He will help you!”
Reflection
What are the sins you need to ask God for forgiveness for? What can you do to say “no more!” to sin? Think of a few things you can do differently this week.
Clothes Of Righteousness
Verse of the Day
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness. —Isaiah 61:10
Read Isaiah 61:10–11
“How was the playdate with Audrey?” Mum asked.
“It was great!” Caroline replied. “We played dress-up.
Audrey had a strawberry outfit and a Korean hanbok from her kindergarten concerts in the past. We could still fit into them.”
“You have some beautiful concert outfits too—remember the time your class did a jazz dance?” Mum said.
“That shiny jazz outfit was my favorite!” Caroline exclaimed as she performed a jazzy dance around the room.
“Mos t kindergarten concerts have such dazzling costumes,” Mum said. “That reminds me of another wonderful ‘outfit’ we’re to wear, and it’s much more important and long-lasting.”
“What outfit is that?” Caroline asked.
“It’s our robes of righteousness. In Isaiah 61:10, the prophet Isaiah rejoiced because God clothed him with garments of salvation. When we put on these clothes, it means we’ve been saved by God
and are part of His family. God made these robes for us, because He knew that on our own, we are not righteous; we are sinners. The robes of righteousness are actually the righteousness of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. His righteousness covers us, just like a robe would cover our bodies. So, when God sees us, He sees the righteousness of Christ. This makes us acceptable to Him.”
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Prayer
Lord,thankYou for offeringmerobesof own,righteousness.Onmy I am sinful.But Christ’swhenIamcoveredby righteousness,IamacceptabletoYou.
“Sounds like these robes are very valuable,” Caroline said. “Yes ,” Mum replied. “They are our most treasured outfits, ones that will never fade or spoil. God offers us these precious robes for free. I’m so thankful that Dad and myself have decided to wear them. How about you, Caroline? Do you want these robes too?”
Reflection
Have you accepted God’s robes of righteousness? To do so, talk to God, telling Him you are sorry for your sin and thanking Him for Christ, who was punished in your place.
God ’s Plan For You
Verse of the Day
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. —Matthew 28:19
Read Matthew 28:18–20
Did you know God wants you to tell people about Jesus?
Sophia Blackmore, a young woman from Australia, knew this. When she was a little girl, she met a missionary who inspired and challenged her to be a witness for Jesus. So, years later, when asked if she would like to be a missionary in India, Sophia immediately said yes.
But a shock was waiting for her in India: there was no job for her!
“May be I’m too young and inexperienced,” she thought. “Or, maybe I’m just not good enough.”
Sophia was discouraged. But she continued to trust that God would show her His plan. She just had to wait.
A few days later, a pastor told her, “I need someone to teach in Singapore. Would you come?”
Singapore? Sophia wasn’t even sure where that was! “Will I be able to do God’s work in Singapore?” she wondered.
Again, she trusted God—and said yes.
As it turned out, God did have wonderful plans for Sophia in Singapore. She stayed for 40 years, during which she helped to set up two schools, a church, and a girls’ home, teaching many children about Jesus.
seeLord,openmyeyesto shareopportunitiesto Jesus with otherstoday,andeveryday.
Today, the two schools—Methodist Girls’ School and Fairfield Methodist School—are a living legacy of Sophia’s determination to obey Jesus’ commission to share the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20). It is amazing how God multiplied one woman’s efforts to share Jesus with others!
Whom will you share Jesus with today?
Reflection
Whom can you share the gospel with today? How do you think God can use you to share His love?
The Generous Boy
Verse of the Day
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
—Proverbs 11:25
Read
Proverbs 11:23–31
“Idon’t want to share!”
Jeremy held on tightly to his ice cream sandwich: two huge scoops of homemade chocolate ice cream, stuffed between crispy wafer biscuits. It was his treat for doing well in school, but now Mum wanted him to share it with his younger brother, Gabriel.
“What did Gabriel do to deserve a treat?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Mum admitted. “But he’s your brother. Don’t you think brothers should share?”
Jeremy glanced at Gabriel, who was looking longingly at the ice cream sandwich. “Okay . . . ” Jeremy said finally.
To Mum’s surprise, he broke off more than half the sandwich and passed it to Gabriel, who grabbed it gratefully.
“That was generous of you!” Mum exclaimed.
“Well, I could see that Jeremy was hungry, plus he looked so sad,” Jeremy replied.
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Mum smiled. “You can have another ice cream sandwich when you finish. I’m so proud of you.”
Now it w as Jeremy’s turn to look surprised, so Mum explained: “The Bible says in Proverbs 11:25: ‘A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.’”
“What does that mean?” Jeremy asked.
Prayer
Lord,You sharedYourSon,Jesus,with me.Givemeagenerousheart to share with others too.
“It means when we give generously, we will receive. Our God is a generous God, and the most generous thing He did was to send His Son Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. When we act generously towards others, we are imitating God’s generous nature, and that pleases Him. And when we please God, He will surely bless us, according to His will, with things that are good for us!”
Jeremy nodded. “Just like how I blessed Gabriel with ice cream, and then you gave me more!”
“Something like that,” Mum said. “It’s a blessing to be generous, and we are blessed when we are generous!”
Reflection
Being generous starts with being aware of others’ needs. This week, think of what those around you may need. What can you share with your parents, siblings, and friends?
Let ’s Expand Our Love
Verse of the Day
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
—1 Thessalonians 3:12
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6–13
“How’s your day, Caleb?” Mum asked. Caleb looked stressed. “Joel asked me for help with his math homework.”
“Joel’s your good friend. You should help him,” Mum said.
“I agreed to help him, but I just remembered this is the weekend I’m helping my Sunday School teacher play songs on the piano! So, I need to finish my homework, help Joel with his homework, and rehearse for Sunday—there goes my relaxing weekend!” Caleb complained.
Mum placed a tea bag in her mug and poured boiling water over it. It was time for her afternoon tea.
“I jus t love hot tea!” she exclaimed. “Did you know that you can’t use cold water to make tea? The flavor of the tea only comes out when you use hot water!”
Mum continued: “That reminds me of what Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica. They were facing great difficulties, but Paul didn’t pray for the difficulties to go away. Instead, he prayed for the Lord to increase their love. During difficult times, we often choose to complain. But a better way is to ask God to expand His love in our hearts and help us take advantage of the opportunities that come our way to love others.”
Lord,helpmetosee difficulties as opportunitiestoloveothers.
Caleb thought for a moment, then nodded. “The hotter the water, the more flavorful the tea. Mum, will you pray with me that even though this weekend will be difficult, God will expand my capacity to love?”
Mum sipped her tea and smiled, “Sure! But can I finish my tea first?”
Caleb laughed. “Sure, Mum!”
Reflection
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Do you complain when you face difficulties in school, with friends, or with family? Next time, ask God to turn a difficulty into an opportunity to show His love to others.
Cool Stuff
Verse of the Day
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. —James 2:1
Read
James 2:1–4
“Whom are you inviting to your birthday party, Emma?” Mum asked.
“I definitely want to invite Alyssa!” Emma said. “She’s new to our Sunday school class, and she always has cool stuff! Last week, she brought a new bag, pencil box, and wallet to church— everything had the characters from the latest animated movie on it. Ooh . . . maybe she’ll buy me some movie merchandise as a present!”
“You should also invite Hannah from Sunday school. Isn’t she new to the class, like Alyssa?” Mum asked.
“Han nah’s new, but she’s not like Alyssa. She’s . . . well, kind of . . . plain . . .” Emma’s voice trailed off.
Mum looked at Emma and decided to challenge her thinking: “Emma, can you show me where in the Bible Jesus said, ‘I’m dying only for those who have cool things’?”
The thought of Jesus saying that was so silly, it made Emma giggle. “That’s not in the Bible, Mum!” she exclaimed.
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Lord,helpmenottoshow favoritism to theasrich.Helpmetolove You loved.
Mum nodded. “You’re right. Jesus died for all those who would believe in Him as Lord. Since that’s the case, do you think Jesus would want us to prefer one friend over another, just because the person can afford more things? James, the brother of Jesus, reminded the early Christians not to show favoritism to the rich. So, let’s ask ourselves: what would Jesus want us to do?”
Emma thought for a moment. “I guess Jesus would want me to invite both Alyssa and Hannah.”
Mum nodded: “Let’s not choose our friends based on what they have or what they can give us for presents. After all, if Jesus chose His friends that way, none of us would qualify.”
Reflection
Do you pay less attention to people who don’t have cool items? Think about those you know who seem to have less—how can you love them with God’s love?
Seeing God ’s Creation
Verse of the Day
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. —Psalm 19:1
Read
Psalm 19:1–4
Isn’t it so fun to look through the photos and videos from the latest family holiday and recall the great times you just had? “Oh, the beach was so nice!” “Remember that beautiful sunset?” “Can we do that hike again?” Poring through the photos is sure to put a smile on all our faces!
While family holidays are about relaxing or having fun in a new place, they can also be about celebrating God’s beautiful creation too. How about giving your family this challenge: try to point out God’s creation in every single photo of your latest family holiday!
For example, you could say: “I thank God for creating the food that we ate at the hotel’s yummy buffet breakfast!” “I thank God for creating the people that built the curvy slides at the water park!” “I thank God for creating the rules of science so that we could have a science museum to go to!”
If you think hard enough, you can link everything in your family holiday back to God and His creation—even your suitcase and your beach slippers!
It may seem silly to thank God for everything, but then again, why not? Psalm 19:1 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of his hands. If we stop to think, we’d realize that we can thank God for everything, because everything around us, whether on holiday or at home, in school or at the playground, can be linked back to His creation.
Lord,I thankYou haveforeverythingYou created.Help me to see Your hand ofcreationineverythingaround me,and to thank You for it.
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Here’s a challenge for you today: find the link to God’s creation in everything you see, and thank Him for it. Are you ready?
Reflection
As you travel to school and back, as you do your homework, or play with your friends, take a moment to thank God for His creation in everything that you see around you.
Quiet Time
Verse of the Day
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
—Luke 5:16
Read
Mark 1:32–39
“Wakey, wakey!” Mum peered into Rissa’s bedroom. “It’s already 9 o’clock! You need to get up or you’ll miss family prayer time.”
Half-asleep, Rissa pleaded, “Mum, I’m very tired. I slept very late yesterday because I was trying to finish my project work. Please let me sleep some more.”
In Mar k 1, we read that when Jesus visited the town of Capernaum, the townsfolk followed Him wherever He went, bringing many sick people for Him to heal. Jesus was so busy helping people that He had no time to rest.
On one occasion, Jesus had to work until very late at night. I’m sure He was very tired. Instead of trying to catch up on sleep, however, Mark 1:35 tells us that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place” to pray.
Jesus lived a hectic and busy life. But He made it a habit to purposefully set aside time to talk with God (Luke 5:16, 6:12). Jesus wanted to spend time with God because He depended on God to help and strengthen Him.
When we skip our time with God, we’re telling Him that we don’t need His help at all. No matter how tired or busy you are with school or other commitments, let’s set aside a time, find a quiet place, and talk with our heavenly Father.
Lord,I want to spendtimewithYou becauseIdepend onYoutohelpand strengthenme.Helpme mytomaketalkingwithYou firstpriority,evenwhenI’mbusyandtired.
Reflection
When is the best time in the day for you to spend time with God? Set aside the time and don’t miss your daily date with God!
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