A Strong Foundation

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock.”

– Matthew 7:24 (EHV)

Devotion:

Imagine you’re building the most amazing sandcastle ever. It’s got towers, a moat, and even a seashell flag. But what happens when a big wave comes? That’s right—it all washes away. Jesus used this idea to teach us about having a strong foundation. He said that listening to His words and following them is like building on solid rock. Storms may come, but your “house” (or your life) will stand strong.

Sometimes life can feel like a big wave is crashing over us—hard days at school, fights with friends, or even being scared about the future. But when we trust Jesus and follow what He teaches, we can stand firm, knowing He’s holding us steady. So, next time you’re at the beach (or playing in the sandbox), think about what kind of foundation you’re building your life on. Hint: Jesus is the best “bedrock” there is!

Questions:

1. What happens to a house built on sand when a storm comes?

2. What did Jesus mean by building your life on “bedrock”?

3. How can we build our lives on Jesus this Advent season?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our strong foundation. Help us to hear Your words, trust in You, and live in a way that honors You. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Build a small tower out of blocks or Legos. Then test how strong it is by shaking the table or blowing on it. Talk about how Jesus helps keep our lives strong, even when “storms” come.

Full Bible Reference:

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock. The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not fall, because it was founded on bedrock. Everyone who hears these words of mine but does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—it was completely destroyed.”

– Matthew 7:24-27 (EHV)

God’s Light in the Darkness

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024

Bible Verse:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned.”

– Isaiah 9:2 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever tried walking in a dark room without turning on the lights? It’s not easy! You bump into chairs, step on toys, and might even bonk your nose on the wall. Life without God is like walking in the dark, but Isaiah reminds us that God doesn’t leave us to stumble around. He sent Jesus, the “great light,” to shine in the darkness and guide us safely home.

Jesus came to bring hope to people who felt like they were stuck in the shadows. When things feel dark and scary, Jesus’ love is like the flashlight that shows us the way forward. So next time you find yourself in the dark (literally or figuratively), remember that Jesus is always your guiding light.

Questions:

1. What does it mean that Jesus is the “great light”?

2. Why do people need light in the darkness?

3. How can we share Jesus’ light with others?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our light in the darkness. Help us to trust You when things feel scary and to share Your light with those around us. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Turn off the lights in a room and play a flashlight tag game with your family. Talk about how Jesus’ light helps guide us, just like the flashlight helped in the dark.

Full Bible Reference:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. You have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy. They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest time, like the celebration when people divide the plunder. For you have broken the yoke that burdened them, the bar on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.”

– Isaiah 9:2-4 (EHV)

Jump for Joy

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

Bible Verse:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will give thanks to him.”

– Psalm 28:7 (EHV)

Devotion:

Have you ever been so excited about something that you wanted to jump for joy? Maybe you got an awesome birthday present or nailed a tricky math problem. David, who wrote this psalm, felt that way about God! He knew that no matter what battles he faced (and boy, did he have some big ones), God was his strength and shield. God kept him safe and gave him a reason to sing for joy.

The good news is, that same God is your strength and shield, too! When life feels hard, you can trust God to protect and help you. And when things are going great, don’t forget to let your heart “leap for joy” like David’s. It’s the perfect time to say, “Thank You, God!”—maybe even with a silly dance.

Questions:

1. What does it mean for God to be our shield?

2. Why did David’s heart leap for joy?

3. How can we give thanks to God in joyful ways?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for protecting us and giving us reasons to jump for joy. Help us to trust You when things are hard and to thank You with joyful hearts when You help us. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Create a joyful dance to thank God! Pick your favorite song or make up your own and perform it for your family. Share one thing you’re thankful for before you start dancing.

Full Bible Reference:

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people. He is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people, and bless the people that belong to you. Shepherd them, and carry them forever.”

– Psalm 28:7-9 (EHV)

God’s Big Plans

Monday, Dec. 2, 2024

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 feel like your day is just a mess? Maybe your favorite shirt is in the laundry, your homework is extra hard, or you spilled juice all over the table (again). Sometimes life feels like it’s just one disaster after another! God’s people in Jeremiah’s time probably felt the same way. They were far from home and thought God had forgotten about them.

But God sent them a message through Jeremiah: “I’ve got big plans for you!” He wasn’t talking about easy plans or quick fixes, but plans that gave them something incredible—hope and a future. God has plans for you, too! When life gets messy, remember that God sees the bigger picture. Like a puzzle piece that doesn’t make sense until it fits just right, God’s plans come together perfectly in the end. And guess what? You’re part of His masterpiece.

Questions:

1. What plans did God promise to His people in Jeremiah’s time?

2. How can we trust God’s plans when life feels messy?

3. What does hope in God’s plans look like for you?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for having amazing plans for us, even when life feels messy or confusing. Help us to trust You and remember that Your plans are always full of hope. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a puzzle! On one side of a paper, write “God’s Plans” and on the other, write “My Hope.” Color and cut out the puzzle pieces. Share how each piece connects to hope in your life.

Full Bible Reference:

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years have completed for Babylon, I will come for you and fulfill my gracious word to bring you back to this place. 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. I will let you find me, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from your exile.’”

– Jeremiah 29:10-14 (EHV)

The Candle of Hope

Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024

Bible Verse:

“But a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.”

– Isaiah 11:1 (EHV)

Devotion:

Imagine you’re walking through the woods, and you spot a tree stump. It looks dead, like its tree days are long gone. But wait! Out of the middle, there’s a little green sprout poking up, like it’s saying, “Hey, I’m not done yet!” That’s what Isaiah was talking about when he shared this verse. He wasn’t just talking about trees—he was talking about hope.

God’s people were feeling like a bunch of stumps. They’d messed up big time—turning away from God, making bad choices, and losing sight of His promises. Things looked pretty bleak, but God had a surprise plan. From the “stump” of Jesse’s family (King David’s great-great-grandpa), a Savior would come. That Savior is Jesus! He’s the green sprout growing up to bring new life, hope, and joy to everyone. So next time you feel like a tree stump (maybe you’ve had a rough day or made a mistake), remember: God’s not done with you. Just like the little green shoot, hope is always growing when Jesus is in the picture.

Questions:

1. Who is Jesse, and why is his family important?

2. What does the green shoot from the stump remind us about God’s promises?

3. How does Jesus give us hope when we’re having a hard time?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our hope, even when life feels tough. Help us to remember that You always keep Your promises. Show us how to share Your hope with others during this Advent season. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Make your own “stump of Jesse”! Draw or craft a tree stump out of paper or cardboard. Then cut out a green shoot (or a small branch from a real tree) to tape or glue to the stump. Talk with your family about how Jesus is our hope that keeps growing!

Full Bible Reference:

“A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will be delighted with the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, nor will he render decisions based on what he hears with his ears, but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and he will render fair decisions in favor of the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his hips. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together, and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze together, and their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the cattle. The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand into a viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. This is what will happen on that day: The peoples will seek the Root of Jesse, who will be standing like a banner for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious.”

– Isaiah 11:1-10 (EHV)

Zacchaeus: Jesus Came to Save the Lost

Saturday, November 30th: Luke 19:1-10

Bible Verse:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

— Luke 19:10 (EHV)

Devotion:

In this story, Jesus meets Zacchaeus, a man who had made a lot of bad choices in his life. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who had cheated people, and most people didn’t like him. But Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in a tree, and He called him by name. Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus, and that changed Zacchaeus’s life.

Zacchaeus was so happy to meet Jesus that he promised to make things right. Jesus came to seek and save people who were lost, just like Zacchaeus. No matter what we’ve done, Jesus wants to be with us, and He offers us forgiveness and love. When we meet Jesus, it changes our lives, just like it changed Zacchaeus’s.

Questions to think about:

1. Why did Jesus want to spend time with Zacchaeus, even though he had made bad choices?

2. How does it feel to know that Jesus loves you, no matter what you’ve done?

3. What can you do to show Jesus that you love Him too?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, even when I make mistakes. Help me to follow You and to show others Your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of Zacchaeus in the tree, looking down at Jesus, who is calling his name.

Full Bible Reference:

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”

— Luke 19:1-10 (EHV)

Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above

Friday, November 29th: James 1:16-18

Bible Verse:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

— James 1:17 (EHV)

Devotion:

James reminds us that everything good in our lives comes from God. He is the one who gives us every good and perfect gift. Sometimes we forget that the things we have—our family, our friends, our food, and our homes—are all gifts from God. But this verse helps us remember that we should always thank God for His blessings.

God never changes, and His love for us never changes either. Just like the sun shines down on us, God’s love is always shining in our lives. When we remember that every good thing comes from Him, it helps us be thankful and to praise Him for all He has done.

Questions to think about:

1. What are some of the “good and perfect” gifts God has given you?

2. How can you remember to thank God for His blessings every day?

3. Why is it important to remember that God never changes?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for every good and perfect gift You give me. Help me to always remember Your love and to be thankful for everything You provide. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of some of the good gifts God has given you, like family, friends, and food.

Full Bible Reference:

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

— James 1:16-18 (EHV)

God’s Promise: Seedtime and Harvest Forever

Thursday, November 28th (Thanksgiving): Genesis 8:18-22

Bible Verse:

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

— Genesis 8:22 (EHV)

Devotion:

After the flood, Noah and his family left the ark, and God made a promise. He said that as long as the earth remains, the seasons will continue—seedtime and harvest, summer and winter. This was God’s way of saying that He would always take care of the world and provide for us. We can trust God’s promise that He will never leave us and will always provide for our needs.

On Thanksgiving, we remember all the ways God takes care of us. He gives us food, family, friends, and so much more. Just like He promised Noah, God promises to keep providing for us every day. We can be thankful for all the blessings He gives us, and we can trust Him to keep His promises.

Questions to think about:

1. What are some things you are thankful for today?

2. How does it feel to know that God promises to take care of you?

3. What can you do to show your thankfulness to God for all He provides?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for taking care of me and giving me so many blessings. Help me to always remember Your promise and to be thankful every day. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of something you are thankful for, like family, friends, or food.

Full Bible Reference:

“So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another. Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.’”

— Genesis 8:18-22 (EHV)

Trust in the Lord: His Return is Near

Wednesday, November 27th: Revelation 22:6-13

Bible Verse:

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

— Revelation 22:12 (EHV)

Devotion:

Jesus promises that He is coming soon, and when He comes, He will bring rewards for those who have trusted in Him. This verse reminds us that we need to be ready for Jesus’ return. We don’t know exactly when He will come back, but we can live each day following His ways and trusting His promises.

It’s exciting to think about Jesus returning! While we wait, we can live in a way that pleases Him by loving others, helping those in need, and telling people about Jesus. When He comes back, we will be with Him forever in heaven, and He will give us the greatest reward—eternal life with Him.

Questions to think about:

1. How can you live in a way that shows you are ready for Jesus to come back?

2. What are some ways you can help others while you wait for Jesus’ return?

3. Why is it important to remember that Jesus will come back one day?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for the promise that You will come back soon. Help me to live in a way that pleases You while I wait for Your return. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of Jesus coming back, bringing rewards for those who believe in Him.

Full Bible Reference:

“The angel said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.’ ‘Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.’ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!’ Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.’ ‘Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.’”

— Revelation 22:6-13 (EHV)

The Thief on the Cross: A Promise of Paradise

Tuesday, November 26th: Luke 23:35-43

Bible Verse:

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

— Luke 23:43 (EHV)

Devotion:

As Jesus was on the cross, He showed love and forgiveness to a man who had done many wrong things. This man believed in Jesus and asked Him to remember him. Jesus promised the man that he would be with Him in paradise. Even though this man had made mistakes, Jesus forgave him because of his faith.

This story reminds us that no matter what we’ve done, Jesus will always forgive us if we come to Him and ask for forgiveness. He loves us and wants to be with us forever. When we believe in Jesus, He promises that we will be with Him in heaven, just like the man on the cross. What an amazing promise!

Questions to think about:

1. How does it feel to know that Jesus forgives you, no matter what?

2. What can you do to show that you believe in Jesus and trust in His forgiveness?

3. Why is it important to ask Jesus for forgiveness when we make mistakes?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for forgiving me and loving me, no matter what I’ve done. Help me to always trust in You and believe Your promise of heaven. Amen.

Activity Idea:

Draw a picture of Jesus on the cross, showing His love and forgiveness to the man who believed in Him.

Full Bible Reference:

“The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

— Luke 23:35-43 (EHV)