JESUS ALWAYS 365 DEVOTIONS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 3
5/25/17 1:56 PM
Introduction
J
esus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids is a book about Joy—how you can find Joy in Jesus no matter what is happening in your life. If you already belong to Jesus, you know that the story of your life has the happiest ending you could ever imagine: a home in heaven with Him forever! Just knowing this can fill your life here on earth with Joy—in good times and in hard times. If you don’t yet belong to Jesus, please know I’m praying that you’ll ask Jesus to forgive all your sins and be your Savior. Also, that you’ll try to follow Him and do what is pleasing to Him. Then you too will know the amazing Joy of having Jesus as your very best Friend—and having an awesome forever-after home in heaven. I’m convinced that being thankful for all Jesus does is one of the most important ways to have a joyful heart. To help me start my day with a thankful attitude, I like to sing this little song soon after I wake up: This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it. These words help me remember that each day is a precious gift from God. Another way I invite the Joy of Jesus into my life is by looking for the little treasures He sends to brighten my day: a cardinal flying by, a friend’s hug, some “good luck” that I know is
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 9
9
5/25/17 1:56 PM
really God working in my life. When I find these blessings, I try to hold on to them and write them down in my “Thanks Book” later. On days when life is extra tough, it seems harder to find things to thank God for. But if I take time to look closely, I find plenty of good things. I hope you’ll start your own “Thanks Book” so you can remember the little treasures in your life. They are always there, even on your hardest days. I want you to remember that the Bible is our greatest treasure. It is the only inspired Word of God—it never changes, and there’s not a single mistake in it. That’s why I try my best to make what I write consistent with the teachings in the Bible. Each devotion in Jesus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids includes a Bible verse for you to read, along with others for you to look up on your own. I hope you will look up those verses and read them carefully. They are God’s words of Life. Jesus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids is written as if Jesus is talking right to you. So when you see the words “I,” “Me,” “My,” or “Mine,” they mean Jesus. And the words “you” and “your” mean . . . well . . . you. I pray that you will grow closer to God as you read this book and your Bible—and that He will fill you with His Joy. Also, I hope you’ll remember these things: Jesus is with you always. Jesus always hears your prayers. And Jesus always loves you! With love, prayers, and blessings,
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 10
5/25/17 1:56 PM
JANUARY Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. —Psalm 119:105 nlt
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 11
5/25/17 1:56 PM
January 1
The Gift of Today This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24 esv
D
on’t waste today worrying about things that happened yesterday. Today is a new day, and I am doing new things for you in it. As this new year begins, remember that I’m always with you and always working in your life. Don’t let mistakes or failures take away your Joy—your mistakes do not decide who you are! This is the time to make a fresh start. I am an endlessly creative God—just look at this world I’ve made. Expect Me to do surprising and even amazing things in your life this year. Today is My gift to you—because it is in today that I come to meet you, My child. Look for Me in this day that I have made. Search for all the wonderful details I’ve carefully prepared just for you. I want you to be filled with My Joy and to be glad today. I have placed signs of My loving Presence all throughout your day—sometimes in surprising places. Do you see them? The smile of a friend, the gift of a small flower blooming in a sidewalk crack, a hug from someone who loves you. Thank Me for every gift you see. Your thankfulness will keep you close to Me and help you find Joy in each day.
Read on Your Own
READ ON YOUR OWN Isaiah 43:18–19; Psalm 16:11
12
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 12
5/25/17 1:56 PM
January 2
I Am Your Joy! Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. —Philippians 4:4 icb
I
am your Joy! Let those four words light up your life. Because I am always with you, the Joy that comes from being in My Presence is always available to you. All you have to do is love Me and trust Me. Try saying these words out loud: “Jesus, You are my Joy.” As you learn to trust Me more and more, the Light of My Joy will shine down on you and inside you—it will light up your heart and soul. Think about all I have done for you and all I have given you. Remembering your blessings this way will help you through hard times. When you decided to follow Me, I gave you My Spirit to live inside you. He is your Holy Helper, and He has unlimited Power. He can help you find Joy even on your worst day. I have promised that I am preparing a place in heaven just for you. And one day I will come back and take you to be with Me in heaven. Whenever your day is looking dark, fill it with light by thinking about Me. Take a deep breath and relax as you hear Me whisper, “I love you, and I am your Joy!”
Read on Your Own
READ ON YOUR OWN Psalm 21:6; John 14:3
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 13
13
5/25/17 1:56 PM
January 3
Be Still with Me “Be still and know that I am God. I will be praised in all the nations. I will be praised throughout the earth.” —Psalm 46:10 icb
B
e still and know that I am God. You may have heard those words before, but do you understand them? They simply mean that I want you to take time to sit—still and quiet—with Me. I want you to think about Me. As you do, My Presence grows in your life, while all your troubles shrink and seem less and less important. When you spend time with Me, My blessings flow into your life like streams of living water. So take time, make time, to be with Me. Your thoughts can get all tangled up like knots, but when you spend time with Me, I untangle those knots and help you see things as I see them. Remember, My Word is a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path. My words in the Bible will show you the way to go. It’s so very important to know that I am God, and that I made you and you are Mine. You are like a sheep in My pasture. Sheep don’t always understand what their shepherd is doing for them, but they follow him anyway. In the same way, because you are one of My “sheep,” I want you to trust Me and follow wherever I lead you.
Read on Your Own
READ ON YOUR OWN John 7:38; Psalm 119:105 nlt; Psalm 100:3
14
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 14
5/25/17 1:56 PM
January 4
The Joy of the Lord Don’t be sad. The joy of the Lord will make you strong. —Nehemiah 8:10 icb
F
ind Joy in Me, because I make you strong. You will need My Joy in your life, especially when you are faced with troubles. Whenever you are struggling through hard times, guard your thoughts and be extra careful of what you say. If you think too much about all the things that are going wrong, you’ll only become more upset and discouraged—and you’ll feel weaker. As soon as you realize that’s happening, stop whatever you are doing. Turn to Me and ask Me to help you. Take time to praise Me—yes, even when everything seems to be going wrong. Sing songs. Read Bible verses that tell you about My goodness and My Joy. Remember that your problems are temporary—they will not last. I am eternal, and so is your relationship with Me. As you find Joy in Me and in My Love that never fails, you will get stronger. For the Joy of the Lord will make you strong—now and forever!
Read on Your Own
READ ON YOUR OWN Psalm 66:1–3; Psalm 143:8
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 15
15
5/25/17 1:56 PM
January 5
Pour Out Your Heart Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. —Psalm 62:8
W
hen worry bubbles up inside you, let Me comfort you. Let Me bring Joy to your soul. Come and sit with Me. Pour out your heart to Me and tell Me all your troubles. Then sit quietly with Me while I comfort you. I will help you see things as I see them. I will remind you that you are Mine and that I have a wonderful plan for you. Remember that you are on your way to heaven. When you pour out your heart to Me, I will pour My Joy and Peace into your heart, mind, and soul. Being joyful changes the way you see the world around you. Even though you’ll still notice bad things happening, you will also see My goodness shining through—in the way My children love and help each other. The Joy of seeing My goodness will help you face the problems in your own life. And you’ll even be able to help others face their problems. You’ll be able to comfort them with the same kind of comfort that I give you. Your Joy will spread, “infecting” everyone around you with Joy in their souls!
Read on Your Own
READ ON YOUR OWN Psalm 94:19; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4
16
JESUS ALWAYS FOR KIDS
JesusAlwaysKids_INT.indd 16
5/25/17 1:56 PM