Every Day with Jesus: 365 Devotions for Kids
()
About this ebook
Help your children grow closer to the Lord with Every Day with Jesus, the first devotional for children from beloved pastor Dr. Charles Stanley.
In his first-ever devotional for children, Dr. Charles Stanley takes young readers his message to spend time each day with Jesus to develop a strong faith.
Every Day with Jesus is seamlessly coordinated with the devotional for adults, Every Day in His Presence, so adults and children read the same theme and Scripture each day. It is perfect for families to grow in their faith, individually and together. Every reading includes a devotional message, Scripture, prayer, and daily takeaway to help young believers develop an intimate and rich relationship with Jesus.
The children's devotional is adapted for reading comprehension, vocabulary, and issues relevant to children.
Every Day with Jesus:
- is based on the same themes as those in Dr. Stanley's bestselling devotional for adults, Every Day in His Presence.
- helps families grow together in their faith with coordinated readings.
- includes in each reading a devotional message, Scripture, prayer, and daily takeaway to help young believers develop an intimate and rich relationship with Jesus.
- is for kids, ages 6-10.
Dr. Stanley is a respected and trusted Christian teacher, and his beautiful devotional brings his life's message to a whole new generation.
Charles F. Stanley
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia, where he served more than fifty years. He was also a New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy books. Until his death in 2023, Dr. Stanley’s mission was to get the gospel to “as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.” This is a calling that In Touch Ministries continues to pursue by transmitting his teachings as widely and effectively as possible. Dr. Stanley’s messages can be heard daily on In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley broadcasts on television, radio, and satellite networks and stations around the world; on the internet at intouch.org and through In Touch+; and via the In Touch Messenger Lab. Excerpts from Dr. Stanley’s inspiring messages are also published in the award-winning In Touch devotional magazine.
Related to Every Day with Jesus
Related ebooks
Keys for Kids Devotional: April/May/June 2017 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hope for Each Day: 365 Devotions for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings365 Bible Answers for Curious Kids: An If I Could Ask God Anything Devotional Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus Listens: 365 Prayers for Kids: A Jesus Calling Prayer Book for Young Readers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsProverbs for Kids (And for Those Who Love Them): How God Teaches Wisdom Using Things Around the House Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Kid's Guide to the Armor of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Heroes of the Bible Devotional: 90 Devotions to Help You Become a Hero of God! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/53-Minute Devotions for Moms: Inspiring Devotions and Prayers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdventure Bible Book of Devotions, NIV: 365 Days of Adventure Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Believe Devotional for Kids: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus, Vol. 1: 90 Devotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDevotions for Super Average Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lost Sheep Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pink Ballerina Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories Jesus Told: Adventures through the Bible with Caravan Bear and friends Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCase for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Goliath Must Fall for Young Readers: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus Calling, 100 Devotions for Families to Enjoy Peace in His Presence, with Scripture references Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus Calling: The Story of Easter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Promises for Girls Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God Always Keeps His Promises: Unshakable Hope for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Royal Tea Party Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe One Year Be-Tween You and God: Devotions for Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKeys for Kids Devotional: Jan/Feb/Mar 2017 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStep into the Bible: 100 Family Devotions to Help Grow Your Child’s Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI'm a Christian--Now What?: 100 Devotions for Boys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Purple Ponies: Gigi, God's Little Princess Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Grit and Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIt All Matters to Jesus Devotional for Girls: Mean Girls, Manicures, and Mondays...He Cares about It All Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStreams in the Desert for Kids: 366 Devotions to Bring Comfort Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shine Your Light for Jesus: 52 Heart-to-Heart Devotions for Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Children's Religious For You
The Night Before Christmas Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Go First Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/55-Minute Bedtime Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's True Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It Will be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Children's Bible: Illustrated stories from the Old and New Testaments Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/550 Bedtime Bible Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Great Is Our God Educator's Guide: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Berenstain Bears' Bedtime Blessings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's All About Jesus Bible Storybook: 100 Bible Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sun Moon Star Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Black Beauty (Illustrated): Classic of World Literature Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Action Bible Easter Story Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We All Need Forgiveness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bronze Bow: A Newbery Award Winner Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Snug as a Bug Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Berenstain Bears Sister Bear and the Golden Rule: Level 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Case for Christ for Kids Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Deadly Curse Of Toco-Rey Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5First Virtues: 12 Stories for Toddlers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Rhyme Bible Storybook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAll About Helping Others Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMayday at Two Thousand Five Hundred Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids (Boys Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Every Day with Jesus
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Every Day with Jesus - Charles F. Stanley
© 2018 by Charles F. Stanley
Adapted by Tama Fortner from Every Day in His Presence © 2014 by Charles F. Stanley
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Tommy Nelson. Tommy Nelson is an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Tommy Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version®. © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV
and New International Version
are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-9854-4
Epub Edition November 2017 ISBN 9781400314157
18 19 20 21 22 DSC 6 5 4 3 2 1
Mfr: DSC / Shenzen, China / October 2017 / PO # 9457756
CONTENTS
January
January 1: A Great, Big Love
January 2: Just Because You’re You
January 3: Let Jesus Set You Free
January 4: Joy—No Matter What
January 5: Trust and Believe
January 6: Which Way Should I Go?
January 7: What Having Faith
Means
January 8: The Most Amazing Gift
January 9: The Devil Loves to Lie
January 10: God Already Knows
January 11: Give Your Everything to God
January 12: Decisions, Decisions
January 13: God Creates Goodness
January 14: Living Close to God
January 15: What’s Best for You
January 16: Time for Faith
January 17: You Can’t Figure Out God
January 18: What Are You Worth?
January 19: What to Believe
January 20: You Can’t Earn God’s Love
January 21: Time for God
January 22: When Someone Lets You Down
January 23: Sit Quietly with Him
January 24: You Choose
January 25: Your Anchor
January 26: What Is God Like?
January 27: Believe God!
January 28: You’re Never Alone
January 29: It Just Doesn’t Make Sense!
January 30: Trust God with Your Troubles
January 31: Your Holy Helper
February
February 1: Hearing God
February 2: It’s Sweeter to Forgive
February 3: When You’re Afraid
February 4: Jesus Heals
February 5: Tell God
February 6: Big Enough and Strong Enough
February 7: When God Speaks
February 8: The Greatest Gardener
February 9: More Like Jesus
February 10: God at Work
February 11: A Little Bit at a Time
February 12: Not One Single Thing
February 13: Let God Rescue You
February 14: A Perfect Love
February 15: Nothing to Fear
February 16: While You Wait
February 17: When You Don’t Know What to Do
February 18: Getting to Know God
February 19: Waiting
February 20: Praise Him
February 21: Go Ahead and Ask
February 22: Say Yes
February 23: God Will Help
February 24: Learning to Trust
February 25: When Everything Goes Wrong
February 26: A Holy Helper
February 27: Don’t Give Up
February 28: God Is Bigger
March
March 1: Watch and See
March 2: You Don’t Have to Worry
March 3: The Devils Tricks
March 4: Talk to God First
March 5: No
March 6: This Way or That Way?
March 7: I’m Sorry, God
March 8: Who Is God?
March 9: About You
March 10: Before the Battle Begins
March 11: A Reason for Your Troubles
March 12: God Will Answer
March 13: God Wants to Listen
March 14: Your Heavenly Father
March 15: You Need God
March 16: One Step at a Time
March 17: Forget the What-Ifs
March 18: What Do You Believe?
March 19: The Most Important Words
March 20: Let Him Have Control
March 21: God’s Word
March 22: Be Still
March 23: When You’re Surrounded
March 24: It’s Not Fair!
March 25: 24 Hours
March 26: Your Protector and Defender
March 27: More Than Okay
March 28: Do!
March 29: Jesus Understands
March 30: From Jesus
March 31: He Chose to Go
April
April 1: Never Alone
April 2: Jesus’ Great Love
April 3: Tear Down the Wall
April 4: God Keeps His Promises
April 5: Nothing’s Too Big for God
April 6: Believing Without Seeing
April 7: The Best Way
April 8: Out of the Pig Pen
April 9: God Will Rescue You
April 10: Perfectly Kept Promises
April 11: Wait for an Answer
April 12: God Will Catch You
April 13: The One to Turn To
April 14: Perfectly Amazing
April 15: Is God Your God?
April 16: Praise God Today
April 17: God Works Through You
April 18: Planting Seeds
April 19: God’s Point of View
April 20: Anything and Everything
April 21: When God Feels Far Away
April 22: It’s Already Done
April 23: Do You Need to Change?
April 24: A Powerful Prayer Person
April 25: Jesus Prays for You
April 26: Go Ahead and Shine
April 27: Greater Than You Can Imagine
April 28: Get Ready to Be Blessed
April 29: Fight Temptation
April 30: All Figured Out
May
May 1: Pray Without Worry
May 2: Know God
May 3: Seeing Through God’s Eyes
May 4: Do What God Says
May 5: Always with You
May 6: Things Will Change
May 7: No Storm Will Sink You
May 8: Deal with It
May 9: A Walking, Talking Billboard
May 10: When Praise Seems Impossible
May 11: God . . . Your Defender
May 12: Forgive
May 13: Be Patient
May 14: Put God First
May 15: A Huge Success
May 16: Stuck in the Middle
May 17: A God Who Loves
May 18: Safe Through Every Storm
May 19: Wait for God
May 20: Seeds of Time
May 21: Lesson Learned
May 22: One Hundred Percent
May 23: The Way You Live
May 24: Give Your Day to God
May 25: How Can You Be Sure?
May 26: Rock Bottom
May 27: A Shining Light
May 28: You Haven’t Been Forgotten
May 29: Thinking About God
May 30: Be Thankful!
May 31: Soaring Like an Eagle
June
June 1: Working for God
June 2: Stop, Look, and Listen
June 3: Mountain Climbing
June 4: Your Home in Heaven
June 5: A Job to Do
June 6: With All Your Heart
June 7: God Speaks
June 8: Say That Again
June 9: Sacrifice and Blessing
June 10: Knowing Jesus
June 11: Who You Really Are
June 12: Are You Really Listening?
June 13: Real Peace
June 14: Just Do It
June 15: When You Can’t Sleep
June 16: Listen
June 17: A Lot to Learn
June 18: Accept God’s Answers
June 19: Invite God
June 20: God Uses the Unusual
June 21: When You Fail
June 22: What You Need Most
June 23: When You’re Sick
June 24: Is That God Talking?
June 25: Good Ground
June 26: God’s Not Afraid of Anything
June 27: Be Satisfied
June 28: Give It to God
June 29: Spotting the Phony
June 30: You’re Rich!
July
July 1: God’s Wonderful Things
July 2: The Battle with Sin
July 3: Just Ask God
July 4: Pray for Your Country
July 5: You’re Important to God
July 6: A Cure for the Blahs
July 7: Peace in a Prison
July 8: You Are What You Think
July 9: You Always Have Hope
July 10: Stepping on Your Toes
July 11: Be Changed
July 12: Choose God
July 13: Don’t Do All the Talking
July 14: Are You Ready to Change?
July 15: Just Be His
July 16: This is a Test
July 17: What God Really Wants from You
July 18: Live It Out
July 19: Can I Ask for Anything?
July 20: Don’t Miss Out
July 21: Go to God
July 22: Love and Forgive
July 23: Don’t Hide
July 24: A Price to Pay
July 25: God First
July 26: What Does God Want?
July 27: You Matter to Him
July 28: God Will
July 29: When You’re Thirsty
July 30: Fixing Your Faith
July 31: What God Does for You
August
August 1: Jesus Helps
August 2: Don’t Rush
August 3: Right with God
August 4: You Are Loved
August 5: Roots
August 6: Pray Big
August 7: A Friend in Him
August 8: Gifts for You
August 9: Why Church?
August 10: Drawing Near to God
August 11: Don’t Be Stubborn
August 12: A God You Can Count On
August 13: Listen Up!
August 14: A Perfect Fit
August 15: Do It His Way
August 16: No Shortcuts
August 17: Praise Him Now!
August 18: Choose to Follow Him
August 19: Do Not Be Shaken
August 20: Let God Guide You
August 21: In Training
August 22: The Right Reasons
August 23: No Regrets
August 24: Cling to Him
August 25: Search for Him
August 26: Simply Be with God
August 27: A Little Bit of Heaven
August 28: None Like Him
August 29: At a Crossroads
August 30: Decide Now
August 31: Love Through Forgiveness
September
September 1: Let It Go!
September 2: When God Says No
September 3: Don’t Worry
September 4: God Will Show You
September 5: Obey Anyway
September 6: Decide to Obey
September 7: Don’t Just Jump In
September 8: His Peace
September 9: What Meditation
Means
September 10: Live in Peace
September 11: Don’t Strike Back!
September 12: Because You’re Forgiven
September 13: Fear of the Lord
September 14: Are You Listening?
September 15: A Healthy Body
September 16: Win Against the World
September 17: Failing for a Reason
September 18: The Blame Game
September 19: Forgive Like Jesus
September 20: Perfect Perfection
September 21: Listen for His Voice
September 22: God Never Breaks a Promise
September 23: Impossible Things
September 24: Sweet Peace
September 25: He’ll Teach You the Way
September 26: A Job for You
September 27: A Good Loser
September 28: The Justice Part
September 29: Knocking Down Walls
September 30: Facts, Not Feelings
October
October 1: Have You Been with Jesus?
October 2: Don’t
October 3: Liar, Liar
October 4: He’s Always There
October 5: Peace in Times of Trouble
October 6: Your Teacher
October 7: Share His Love
October 8: Share His Blessings
October 9: Under Attack
October 10: Change Your Ingredients
October 11: A Season and a Reason
October 12: Imagining the Worst
October 13: God Will
October 14: No Limits
October 15: Enjoy Being You!
October 16: Designed to Need God
October 17: Jesus Saves
October 18: Disappointments
October 19: Getting Rid of Guilt
October 20: God’s Messenger
October 21: Never Alone
October 22: Poor
October 23: Listen to the Holy Spirit
October 24: Your Time with Him
October 25: Everything You Need
October 26: Light Chases Away Darkness
October 27: No Better Road Map
October 28: Transformed
October 29: Every Need of Your Heart
October 30: What God Is Really Like
October 31: The Arms of God
November
November 1: Do You Need to Forgive?
November 2: God Has Plans for You
November 3: Okay to Be Angry?
November 4: Give Mercy Anyway
November 5: In Control
November 6: Always Willing
November 7: The Price Is Paid
November 8: Facing Mountains
November 9: Set Yourself Free
November 10: Impossible Possible
November 11: Freeze
November 12: God’s Word
November 13: Be the Best You
November 14: Put Back Together Again
November 15: Jesus Is Your Friend
November 16: Stuck on Repeat
November 17: He’ll Come Through
November 18: Safe and Secure
November 19: When Friends Disappear
November 20: Choose God
November 21: Because He Gives
November 22: Worship Him
November 23: A Spirit of Praise
November 24: Look. Search. And Find.
November 25: Praise Him
November 26: Give Thanks Anyway
November 27: The Perfect Attitude
November 28: Power in Praise
November 29: The Good Stuff
November 30: With Love and Gentleness
December
December 1: All Cluttered Up
December 2: All to Himself
December 3: Give Everything to Him
December 4: One of God’s Greatest Tools
December 5: The Father Knows Best
December 6: You Can’t Change Yourself
December 7: Heart Check
December 8: Okay to Say No?
December 9: How God Sees Troubles
December 10: Love the Unlovable
December 11: Turn to Him
December 12: Think About Him
December 13: Believe He Forgives
December 14: A Light for Your Life
December 15: Facing the Storms
December 16: Stay Away from Sin
December 17: Surprise!
December 18: Believe the Truth
December 19: Love Your Enemies
December 20: Trust and Obey
December 21: Light of Your World
December 22: Jesus, Your High Priest
December 23: A Better Plan
December 24: Your Prince of Peace
December 25: His Gift
December 26: The Blessing of Friends
December 27: No Worries
December 28: Always Welcome
December 29: When the Odds Are Against You
December 30: Expect Him to Help
December 31: Always King
About the Author
JanuaryJANUARY 1
A GREAT, BIG LOVE
God created human beings in his image.
GENESIS 1:27
Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? You could spend your whole life thinking about it and still never understand how huge God’s love for you is.
For starters, God made you in His own image! Just think about that: God wanted you to look like Him—maybe not on the outside, but in your heart and soul. Then think about how God created every treasure in the universe, but He says you’re worth more than any of them. In fact, you’re so special to God that He wants to talk to you and to be part of every single moment of your life. He wants to fill you up with His love so full that when other people look at you, they see His love (Matthew 5:16).
So if you ever wonder what you’re worth, remember this: God created you, He loves you, and He says you belong to Him (Isaiah 43:1).
Lord, thank You for loving me with such a great, big love, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU.
JANUARY 2
JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE YOU
God, you are my God. I want to follow you. . . . Your love is better than life.
PSALM 63:1, 3
Do you ever pretend to be someone you’re not and do things you’d rather not do—just so people will like you? Do you ever wish that people knew the real you? That they loved you just because you’re . . . you?
Of course, lots of people know and love you. But there’s only One who will ever perfectly know and love you, and that’s God. He knows everything you’ve ever thought or done or said, and everything you will ever think or do or say. The good stuff and not-so-good stuff. And He still loves you.
When you mess up—when you sin—you might be tempted to think God doesn’t love you or want you around anymore. Don’t believe that for a second! God created you to be with Him, and He never stops wanting you to be with Him. There’s nothing you can do or think or say that will ever make Him stop loving you. Not ever.
Father, thank You for knowing me and loving me, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE YOU.
JANUARY 3
LET JESUS SET YOU FREE
If the Son makes you free, then you will be truly free.
JOHN 8:36
Have you ever seen a donkey carry a heavy load on its back? Have you ever noticed the donkey can’t get that load off its back all by itself? It simply can’t reach it. A donkey needs someone else to take away its heavy load.
And so do you. But I’m not carrying any heavy loads on my back,
you say. You’re right—your load is inside you. It’s your bad feelings, like anger, jealousy, sadness, and pain. Those feelings can get buried deep down inside, where you can’t reach them. They get heavier and heavier, dragging you down. You need someone to take away your heavy load. You need Jesus. He’s the only One who can do it.
Jesus will set you free from your heavy load. He’ll comfort you and help you forgive and be joyful. All you have to do is ask—and Jesus will set you free.
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to set me free.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . LET HIM TAKE AWAY YOUR HEAVY LOAD.
JANUARY 4
JOY—NO MATTER WHAT
I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!
JOHN 16:33
Do you have joy, no matter what’s happening in your life? It’s possible to have that kind of joy with Jesus.
That doesn’t mean that if you follow Jesus you’ll never have another problem. But it does mean that Jesus will always stay right by your side. When you’re sad, He’ll comfort you. When you’re afraid, He’ll help you be brave. And when you have troubles—and there will always be troubles in this world—Jesus will guide you and help you. He’ll even use your troubles to help you trust Him more, and He’ll bless you with the joy of simply being with Him.
Jesus will never leave you on your own, not in happy times and especially not in troubled times. So the next time you’re going through a tough time, don’t give up. Instead, thank Jesus for the help and the joy He’s already sending your way (Psalm 126:6).
Lord, I’m so glad You’re always right beside me. Thank You for helping me, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . LOOK FOR HIS JOY, NO MATTER WHAT’S HAPPENING.
JANUARY 5
TRUST AND BELIEVE
Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you. I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
ISAIAH 41:10
Some people say they believe in God and trust Him, but their lives are filled with fear, worry, and doubt. That’s not how God wants His people to live.
You can trust God, and you can believe every one of His promises. God wants only the very best for you. When you follow Him and try to obey His Word, He won’t let you miss out on all the very best things He has planned for you (Hebrews 11:6). But remember, what God knows is best for you might be different from what you think is best for you. Trust God—He knows what your soul needs.
Is there something you’re afraid of? Or worried about? Talk to God. Ask Him to take away those worries and fears. Trust Him to help you. And don’t forget: God is always good. So if He doesn’t give you what you want, it’s because He has something even better planned for you.
Lord, I trust You, and I believe You want only the very best for me, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . BELIEVE GOD IS DOING GOOD THINGS FOR YOU.
JANUARY 6
WHICH WAY SHOULD I GO?
When a man’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways.
PSALM 37:23
When you’ve had to make a choice, did you ever wish God would just shout from heaven and tell you what to do or where to go? God promises to guide you and help you, but sometimes it may not feel like He is. Don’t worry. God really is working in your life, guiding and helping you, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
God hears you when you pray. He knows everything that’s happening, He knows when you aren’t sure what to do, and He knows just what you need. He won’t hide His plans from you (Jeremiah 29:11–13)—but He probably won’t show them all to you at once, either.
God is teaching you to trust Him. While He won’t show you the end of this road you’re walking, He will show you the next step to take—and He’ll always be right there beside you.
Lord, it’s hard sometimes, but I trust You to show me the next step to take, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . TRUST HIM TO SHOW YOU WHICH WAY TO GO.
JANUARY 7
WHAT HAVING FAITH
MEANS
Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.
HEBREWS 11:6
What do you really want? Not stuff, like a bike—but bigger things, like your parents to stop fighting or someone you love to stop being sick. Did you tell God about it? Do you believe He’ll help?
Believing God—what some people call having faith—doesn’t mean you know exactly how things will turn out. Instead, it means knowing who God is: that He’s always loving and good. Having faith is believing God means what He says, and He will do what He promises (Isaiah 55:10–11).
But I’ve been waiting so long, and God still hasn’t fixed my problem,
you say. Yes, sometimes God will ask you to wait for His answer (Isaiah 64:4). The important thing is to keep believing while you wait—and trusting that He wants only the best for you. You don’t have to beg God to keep His promises, because He always will, in His own perfect way.
God, I do have faith. But please help my faith to be stronger when I have to wait, amen.
TODAY WITH JESUS . . . CHOOSE TO BELIEVE—CHOOSE TO HAVE FAITH.
JANUARY 8
THE MOST AMAZING GIFT
The Lord has set his throne in heaven. And his kingdom rules over everything.
PSALM 103:19
You have been given the most amazing gift ever. What is it? It’s the gift of knowing God. You get to talk to God, the Creator of everything, any time you want. What an amazing gift!
God knows you too. And guess what? He knows you even better than you know yourself! He knows your past, present, and future.