Trusting God’s Strength

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

Bible Verse:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

– Philippians 4:13 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever faced something that felt really hard? Maybe it was learning a new skill, finishing a tough chore, or standing up for what’s right. This verse reminds us that we don’t have to face hard things on our own—Jesus gives us the strength we need!

When we trust Jesus, He helps us through challenges, big and small. His strength is like a superpower that never runs out. So the next time something feels too hard, remember: With Jesus by your side, you’ve got this!

Questions:

1. What does it mean to do all things through Christ?

2. How does Jesus give us strength when things are hard?

3. What’s something you can trust Jesus to help you with today?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us strength when life feels tough. Help us to trust You and remember that with You, we can do all things. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of yourself doing something you want to trust Jesus to help you with. Write “Jesus gives me strength” on the picture and share it with your family.

Full Bible Reference:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you were kind to share my trouble. And you Philippians know that in the beginning of your experience with the gospel, when I left Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.”

– Philippians 4:13-15 (EHV)

The Greatest Commandment

Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

Bible Verse:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

– Matthew 22:37 (EHV)

Devotion:

If you were asked to pick the most important rule to follow, what would it be? When someone asked Jesus this question, He gave a simple but powerful answer: Love God with everything you’ve got!

Loving God means putting Him first, listening to His Word, and trusting Him completely. But it’s not just about rules—it’s about a relationship! When we love God, we’re saying, “You’re the most important part of my life.” So as we begin this year, let’s make loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds our number one goal.

Questions:

1. What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?

2. Why is loving God the greatest commandment?

3. How can you show your love for God today?

Prayer:

Dear God, help us to love You with all our hearts, souls, and minds. Teach us to put You first and trust You in everything we do. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Create a “Love God” heart craft. Write ways you can show love to God on paper hearts and display them as a reminder.

Full Bible Reference:

“Jesus said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.’”

– Matthew 22:37-40 (EHV)

God’s Plans for Us

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025

Bible Verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you peace, not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11 (EHV)

Devotion:

Do you ever make plans for your day, like deciding what games to play or what snacks to eat? Sometimes things go exactly how we plan, but other times, not so much. The amazing thing is, God has plans for us, and they’re always good!

God’s plans aren’t about making life perfect or easy, but about giving us hope and a future with Him. When we trust His plans, even when things don’t go as expected, we can feel safe knowing He’s in control. As we dive into a new year, let’s remember that God’s plans are always better than anything we could imagine.

Questions:

1. What kind of plans does God have for us?

2. Why can we trust God’s plans even when life doesn’t go as we expect?

3. How can you seek God’s plans in your life this year?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for having plans for us that are full of hope and peace. Help us to trust You and follow Your guidance every day. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw or write about a dream you have for the future and pray about it, asking God to guide you in His perfect plan.

Full Bible Reference:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you peace, not disaster, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you. When you seek me, you will find me, when you will seek me with all your heart.”

– Jeremiah 29:11-13 (EHV)

A New Beginning

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

Bible Verse:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come!”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (EHV)

Devotion:

Happy New Year! A new year is like a blank piece of paper, ready for all the exciting adventures, challenges, and blessings God has in store for us. But did you know that Jesus gives us the best new beginning of all? When we believe in Him, we become new creations.

This doesn’t mean we suddenly grow extra arms or learn to fly (though that would be cool). It means Jesus forgives our sins and gives us a fresh start every day. So as we start this new year, let’s thank God for His love and look forward to how we can grow as His children in the months ahead.

Questions:

1. What does it mean to be a “new creation” in Jesus?

2. Why is Jesus’ forgiveness like a fresh start?

3. How can you grow closer to God this year?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for making us new creations through Your love and forgiveness. Help us to grow closer to You this year and to live as Your children. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Write down one goal you have for your relationship with God this year, like praying more, reading the Bible, or helping others. Decorate it and keep it somewhere special.

Full Bible Reference:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come! And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (EHV)

A Fresh Start

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Because of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, for his compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

– Lamentations 3:22-23 (EHV)

Devotion:

As the year ends, it’s the perfect time to think about fresh starts. Maybe there are things you want to do differently next year, like being kinder, helping more, or spending extra time with God. The good news is, God gives us a fresh start every single day!

This verse reminds us that God’s mercy and love never run out. No matter what happened yesterday, today is a new chance to grow, love, and trust Him. So as we countdown to a new year, let’s thank God for His faithfulness and look forward to all the amazing things He has planned for us.

Questions:

1. What does it mean that God’s mercies are new every morning?

2. How can you use the new year as a fresh start to grow closer to God?

3. What are you most thankful for as the year ends?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for Your mercy and love that are new every morning. Help us to start the new year with hearts full of gratitude and a desire to grow closer to You. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Make a “New Year’s Blessing Jar.” Write down blessings or things you’re thankful for from this year and add them to the jar. Read them together as a family to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Full Bible Reference:

“Because of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, for his compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. My soul says, ‘The Lord is my portion. Therefore, I will hope in him.’”

– Lamentations 3:22-24 (EHV)

A Firm Foundation

Monday, Dec. 30, 2024

Bible Verse:

“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be greatly shaken.”

– Psalm 62:2 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever stood on something wobbly, like a swing or a shaky bridge? It can feel scary, like you might fall at any moment. But standing on something solid, like a big rock, feels safe and steady. That’s how trusting in God feels—like standing on a firm foundation.

This verse reminds us that God is our rock and fortress, keeping us steady even when life feels wobbly. As we get ready for a new year, let’s remember to put our trust in Him, knowing that He’s always there to hold us steady.

Questions:

1. What does it mean that God is our rock and fortress?

2. When have you felt like God was keeping you steady?

3. How can you trust God as you start a new year?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for being our rock and fortress. Help us to trust You when life feels shaky and to stand firm in Your love and promises. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Find a small rock and decorate it with paint or markers. Write “God is my rock” on it and keep it as a reminder of His steady love.

Full Bible Reference:

“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man? Would you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? Surely they plan to push him down from his lofty place.”

– Psalm 62:2-4 (EHV)

God’s Unchanging Love

Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

– Hebrews 13:8 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever had something change when you didn’t expect it? Maybe a favorite store closed, a friend moved away, or even your schedule got mixed up. Change can be tough, but there’s one thing that never changes: Jesus.

This verse reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His love, promises, and presence never waver. That means no matter what’s happening around us, we can trust Him to always be there. As the year wraps up, let’s thank Jesus for being our constant, unchanging Savior!

Questions:

1. What does it mean that Jesus is the same “yesterday, today, and forever”?

2. Why is it comforting to know Jesus never changes?

3. What are some ways you’ve seen Jesus’ unchanging love this year?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help us to trust Your unchanging love, no matter what changes happen in our lives. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Make a “never-changing” craft by drawing a heart and writing “Jesus’ Love Never Changes” in the middle. Decorate it with your favorite colors and display it as a reminder.

Full Bible Reference:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. For it is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.”

– Hebrews 13:8-9 (EHV)

All Things New

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come!”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever had something old that was made new again? Maybe it was a favorite toy that got fixed, or a messy room that became clean and fresh. That’s what happens when we’re in Jesus—He makes us brand new!

This verse reminds us that because of Jesus, our mistakes and sins don’t define us. He forgives us and gives us a fresh start. As the year comes to an end, let’s celebrate the new life we have in Jesus and look forward to the amazing plans He has for us.

Questions:

1. What does it mean to be a “new creation” in Jesus?

2. How does Jesus give us a fresh start?

3. What’s something you’re excited about for the new year?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for making us new creations in You. Help us to leave behind our mistakes and trust You as we move forward. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw or write down a “new” goal for the coming year, like being kinder, helping others, or spending more time with God. Decorate it and hang it where you’ll see it every day.

Full Bible Reference:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. The new has come! And all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (EHV)

A Heart of Gratitude

Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever.”

– Psalm 136:1 (EHV)

Devotion:

What’s something you’re really thankful for today? Maybe it’s the presents you opened, the time you spent with family, or even a warm blanket on a cold morning. Psalm 136 reminds us to thank God for everything, because He is good and His mercy never ends!

Sometimes it’s easy to forget to say “thank you,” especially when we’re busy or excited. But gratitude is like a little seed that grows into joy. When we take time to thank God for His blessings, we remember just how much He loves us. So let’s make today a day of gratitude, starting with a big “thank you” to God!

Questions:

1. Why should we give thanks to God?

2. What are some things you’re thankful for right now?

3. How can you show gratitude to God and others?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for all the blessings You’ve given us. Help us to have hearts full of gratitude and to share our thankfulness with others. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Create a “gratitude jar.” Write down things you’re thankful for on slips of paper and add them to the jar. At the end of the week, read them together as a family.

Full Bible Reference:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His mercy endures forever.”

– Psalm 136:1-3 (EHV)

A Promise Kept

Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024

Bible Verse:

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they have always been ‘Yes’ in him. For that reason, we also say ‘Amen’ through him to the glory of God.”

– 2 Corinthians 1:20 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever made a promise to someone? Maybe you promised to share your favorite toy or to help clean up after dinner. Keeping promises is important, but sometimes it’s hard. The good news is that God always keeps His promises—every single one!

When Jesus was born, it was proof that God’s promise to send a Savior was fulfilled. Every promise God makes is a big “Yes!” in Jesus. That means we can trust Him completely, no matter what. So as we keep celebrating Christmas, let’s remember how faithful God is and thank Him for keeping His promise to us.

Questions:

1. What promise did God keep when Jesus was born?

2. Why can we trust God to keep all His promises?

3. How can you show trust in God’s promises this week?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises. Help us to trust You and remember that Your plans are always good for us. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Write down a promise you want to keep this week, like helping someone or sharing. Tape it somewhere you’ll see it to remind you to follow through, just like God keeps His promises.

Full Bible Reference:

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they have always been ‘Yes’ in him. For that reason, we also say ‘Amen’ through him to the glory of God. God is the one who makes both us and you to be strong in Christ. He anointed us, placed his seal on us, and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.”

– 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (EHV)