Bible Drive-Thru

Discouraged

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sun, 27 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 19:1-9a

TO CHEW ON: "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. . . . he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. 'I have had enough Lord,' he said. 'Take my life.'” 1 Kings 19:3,4

No sooner did Ahab get home and tell Queen Jezebel that Elijah had killed her Baal prophets than Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life. “By this time tomorrow, you’ll be dead like them,” she told him by messenger.

If Elijah expected Jezebel to believe in God after the contest on the mountain, he saw now that wasn’t going to happen. Her message terrified him. He and his servant took off, running as fast and as far as they could. When they got to Beersheba, Elijah let his servant rest while he traveled another day, far into the desert.

As he ran and walked and ran some more, he probably thought of what had just happened. It seemed that Ahab hadn’t learned anything from the three years of no rain and the contest on the mountain. Even though he, Elijah, had done his best, nothing had worked out the way he hoped. He was just a big failure.

Finally too tired and discouraged to go on any further, he sat down in the shade of a broom tree and prayed, “God, I want to die.” Then he fell asleep.

He woke up when something touched him. Someone – an angel – was beside him!

“Get up and eat,” the angel said. In front of him was fresh-baked bread and water.

Elijah ate, then fell back asleep. Some hours later he awoke to the angel’s touch again. Again there was food and water waiting for him.

After that Elijah had the strength and will to go on. He traveled forty more days till he came to Mount Horeb, far away from Jezebel’s threat. The God who could send fire to burn an offering also knew how to encourage His tired and hungry prophet.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for encouraging us when we feel like giving up. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Prescription for Discouragement
When you think about what had happened to Elijah, you'll agree it's no wonder he was discouraged.
1. He’d just been through a very exciting time of seeing God defeat Baal and sending rain.
2. He had just spent days running and was super tired.
3. He hadn’t had much to eat.

Next time you’re discouraged, ask yourself if some of the things that discouraged Elijah may also be affecting you. Then take the prescription for discouragement.

1. Has something very exciting happened to you lately? Sometimes a return to normal living makes us feel blah after the excitement we’ve just experienced.

Give yourself time to get used to everyday life again.

2. Are you tired? When you don’t get enough sleep, discouragement easily takes hold.

Take a nap. Go to bed early, get up late. Catch up on sleep and get rested.

3. Are you hungry? Not eating properly helps feed discouragement.

Have a good meal. Eat healthy foods (including fruits and vegetables) and drink lots of water.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Keep On Praying

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 18:41-46

TO CHEW ON: "Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 'Go and look toward the sea,' he told his servant. And he went up and looked. 'There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, 'Go back.'" 1 Kings 18: 42,43

God sent the fire to burn Elijah’s sacrifice. Elijah killed all the Baal prophets. But there was more to come. For God told Elijah He would send rain on dry, dusty Israel. Even though the sun was still blazing from the cloudless sky, Elijah was sure that God would keep His promise. “Rain is coming,” he told Ahab.

Then Elijah went to the top of Carmel, got on his knees and began praying for rain. After he had prayed for a while, he sent his servant to check the distant horizon.

“Nothing,” the servant told Elijah when he got back.

Elijah prayed some more. Then he sent the servant to look again.

Again the servant saw nothing – no clouds, no sign of rain.

Five more times Elijah prayed and sent his servant to check the horizon.

- How do you think Elijah felt as he prayed and prayed but still there was no sign of rain?
- What do you think kept him praying even though his prayer wasn’t answered right away?

Finally, the seventh time, the servant came back shouting, “There’s a small cloud, rising from the sea.”

Elijah got up from his knees. “Go tell Ahab to get off this mountain before he gets caught in the rain,” he commanded.

In no time the wind had picked up, the sky was black and big drops of rain were pounding the dust. People rushed off the mountain toward home, but not fast enough to avoid getting drenched in the welcome rain.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to keep praying even when You don’t answer right away. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Prayer and Answer Journal
We don’t know why God answers some prayers immediately, others after a short while and still others only after a long time. But we do know that when God has put a desire in us to pray for something, and a promise that He will answer, we need to keep praying until that answer comes.

To help you look for and recognize the times God answers your prayers, start a “Prayer and Answer Journal.”

What you need:
- a lined school notebook, a ruler, black or blue pen or pencil and a red pen or pencil.

What to do:
1. Draw a line down the middle of each page to divide it into two columns.

2. Label the left columns “Prayers” (using black or blue pen/pencil) and the right columns “Answers” (using red pen/pencil)

3. Write (and date) the things you are praying for (in black or blue) under “Prayers” on the left.

4. When God answers your prayers, enter the answers in the right column (in red). Date them too.

When you are watching for answers to your prayers, you won’t miss them as easily. All the answers you write down will encourage your faith and help you to keep praying.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Fire Power

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 18:25-39

TO CHEW ON: “Answer me, O Lord, answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:37

“You go first,” Elijah told the Baal prophets. “Prepare your sacrifice. Put it on the wood. But don’t light a fire under it. Instead, pray to Baal to send the fire.”

The four hundred prophets of Baal did as Elijah said. It was morning when they began to pray. “Oh Baal, answer us!” they shouted, over and over, louder and louder. When nothing happened, they shouted even louder and began dancing around.

When it was noon and still nothing had happened, Elijah began to tease then. “Maybe your god is meditating. He is a god, after all. Or maybe he’s busy, or traveling or sleeping.”

So the prophets yelled at the top of their voices and danced around and even cut themselves. Soon there was chaos, screaming and blood everywhere – but still no fire.

Finally Elijah said to the people watching, “Come here.”

They crowded around as he repaired the ruined altar of God that was on the mountain. Then he dug a deep trench around it. He put wood on top of the altar and the sacrifice on top of the wood. “Now bring water,” he told the people. So they brought four large jars of precious water. Elijah had them pour the water over the sacrifice. Two more times he told them to get more water. Finally the sacrifice and wood were drenched and even the trench around the altar was full.

Then Elijah prayed: “Answer me, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, so the people will know that You are God.”

1. What happened? (I Kings 18:38) ____________

2. Then what did the people do? (1 Kings 18:39) _____________

PRAYER: Dear God, I worship You, the only God Who has the power to answer. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Power Signs
The Bible has many stories of God proving His existence with supernatural happenings. Can you name two?

What do you think – does God still use such signs in our times to prove to people that He is real? Explain why you think as you do.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Decision Time

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 18:16-24

TO CHEW ON: "Elijah went before the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people said nothing." 1 Kings 18:21

Obadiah found Ahab and told him that Elijah had turned up.

“Is it really you, you troublemaker?” Ahab asked when he saw Elijah.

“I’m no troublemaker,” Elijah replied. “You’re the one who is making trouble by ignoring God’s commands and following Baal instead. But it’s time for a showdown. Get all the Baal prophets and gather the people on Mount Carmel.”

When everyone had gathered, Elijah addressed the people. “How long will you go back and forth?” he asked. “It’s time to decide who you’re going to follow. So we’ll have a contest. We’ll prepare two sacrifices. The Baal prophets will put together a sacrifice for Baal and I’ll prepare one for God. Then we’ll each pray to our god. The one that answers by sending fire to burn his sacrifice is the real God. He is the one we should worship."

The people agreed this was a good plan.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to know that You are the real God, and to worship You alone. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: God or Baal?
Suppose you were one of the people on Mount Carmel.

1. What would you need to see to convince you that Baal was real?

2. What would you need to see to convince you that God was real?

3. Suppose Baal doesn’t answer with fire, but God does. Then you will need to make a decision. Will you go from worshiping Baal to God – or not?
a] What are some advantages to worshiping God instead of Baal?
b] What are some disadvantages to worshiping God instead of Baal?

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Yes Lord!

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 18:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.' So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab." 1 Kings 18:1,2

Obadiah had a tough job and an evil boss. His job was to be in charge of the palace in Samaria, where Ahab and Jezebel ruled. What made this especially hard was the fact that Obadiah loved and obeyed God. His boss, Ahab, didn’t.

Because Obadiah loved God, he did a dangerous thing. When Queen Jezebel was killing all the prophets of God, he sneaked one hundred of them away and hid them so they were safe.

The last while had been hard for King Ahab. Three years passed from when Elijah came to him and said there would be no rain. By now the land was completely scorched, the grass yellow, the plants brown and shriveled. This day Ahab sent Obadiah out to look for any patches of grass left where animals could graze.

As he walked along the road who should he meet but Elijah! Obadiah recognized him, bowed down and said “Is it really you?”

“Yes,” Elijah replied. For it happened that at that very same time, God had said to Elijah, “Now it’s time to go back to Ahab. I will send rain.”

“Go tell Ahab that I’m here,” Elijah said to Obadiah.

“You’d better not disappear again!” Obadiah said. “If I tell Ahab you’re here, and you disappear again, I’m dead!”

“Don’t worry,” Elijah told Obadiah. “I’m not going anywhere. God has told me to come before Ahab now, and I will.”

Obadiah and Elijah had very different jobs. But both of them loved the same God. When God asked them to do something, their answer was “Yes Lord!” even if it put them in danger. As a result, God could use them in important ways.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to willingly and quickly do whatever You ask me to do. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: “Yes” People
One of the ways God does what He has planned to do on earth is through people who say ‘Yes’ to what He asks. Obadiah and Elijah were people like that. There were many other Bible characters who acted in the same way. Match the person, below, with the thing God asked them to do.

1. Mary (Luke 1:31,38) _____

2. Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10) _____

3. Noah (Genesis 6:14) _____

4. Moses (Exodus 3:10) _____

*****************

A. Listen to God’s message for Eli the priest.
B. Build a big boat (ark) on dry ground.
C. Become the mother of Jesus.
D. Lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Each of these people answered “Yes” to what God asked. They became important characters in God’s story.

Do you want to be a player in God’s story? Decide today that you will answer “yes” to anything and everything God asks you to do.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Amazing Flour and Oil

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 17:7-16

TO CHEW ON: "Elijah said to her, 'Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: "The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land."’” 1 Kings 17:13,14

After Elijah had lived by the brook for a while, he noticed a change. The hot sun was drying it up. It no longer flowed fast. Soon it was only a trickle. One day there was no water left in the brook at all.

That day God spoke to Elijah again. “Go at once to Zarephath in Sidon. A widow there will feed you.”

So Elijah walked to Zarephath. It was a hundred mile trip through scorching dessert, over rugged hills and through mountain passes. When he finally got to the Zarephath gate he was covered with dust, famished and very thirsty. “Could you please give me a drink of water?” he asked a woman who was gathering sticks. As she left to get the water, Elijah called after her, “And could you get me some bread too.”

“I don’t have any bread,” she replied. “I was just now gathering sticks to bake the last bread I can make with the flour and oil I have left.”

“Don’t worry,” Elijah told her. “You do that. But first, bring me a little bread. Because God has told me your flour and oil won’t be used up until He sends rain again.”

So the widow did as Elijah asked. She made bread that day and gave some to Elijah and her family. And she made bread for Elijah and her family the next day, and the next and the next. It was wonderful and strange. Even though it looked like there was just enough flour and oil for one more baking, it never got used up. Because she believed the promise that Elijah gave her and was generous to share all that she had, God supplied all her needs.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to be generous with the things I have, and to trust You for the things I need. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Zarephath Bread
The bread the Zarephath widow made Elijah was different than the food we know as bread. It was probably more like flatbread or crackers. Try the recipe below and get a taste of Zarephath bread:

What you need:

1 cup flour
1 tablespoon oil
1 large egg
⅓ teaspoon salt
2 ⅔ tablespoons water (or milk)

What you do:
Combine flour and salt. Combine egg and oil. Beat. Then add egg mixture to flour. Add water and beat for 2-3 minutes. Pour the batter into an 8 inch greased pan. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Special Delivery

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 17:1-6

TO CHEW ON: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” 1 Kings 17:3,4

After Jeroboam died his son was king for two years. Then, like the prophet had predicted, Jeroboam’s family was completely wiped out and another man, Baasha, took the throne. In the forty years that followed, Baasha and three more kings ruled, each one more wicked than the last. Finally Ahab became king. He not only copied the evil of past kings but he also married a very evil woman, Jezebel. She brought with her a whole new set of Baal idols.

At this time God gave a prophet named Elijah a message for Ahab. So Elijah went to the palace, got an appointment with the king and told him, “This is what the God of Israel, whom I serve, told me to tell you. There will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years, except at my word.” Then he left.

True to what Elijah said, all dew and rain stopped. It got drier and drier. Soon the situation was grim. “Find that man!” Ahab told his servants. “We’ll force him to make it rain again!”

The servants fanned out across the countryside. They looked in cities, towns, villages and out-of-the-way buildings. But Elijah was no where to be found.

This is because God was taking care of him. Soon after Elijah had talked to Ahab, God told him to go and live in Kerith ravine, beside a brook. The brook supplied him with water while ravens brought him meat and bread morning and night.

God knew that he would be in danger after talking to Ahab. So God told him where to hide and made sure that he had the water and food to live.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that You take care of us when we do what You ask. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Ravens
Find out about ravens through books or the internet.

- What do they look like?

- What do they eat?

- How do they behave?

- How was their bringing food to Elijah normal raven behavior? How was it abnormal?

- What can we learn about God’s power over nature through this story?

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

A Plan of His Own

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 12:25-33

TO CHEW ON: "The king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'" 1 Kings 12:28

Jeroboam went to live in Schechem and ruled Israel from there. The prophet had told him he would be a successful king if he obeyed God. Even so, Jeroboam began to be afraid. His people would go back to Jerusalem to worship. What if traveling back to Jerusalem would make them want Rehoboam as their king again?

So Jeroboam made a plan to keep that from happening. Instead of encouraging the people to worship God in the temple in Jerusalem he set up calf idols nearby – one in Dan and another in Bethel. He told the people, "Here are the gods who brought you out of Egypt." Then he chose people who weren’t in the Levi tribe to be the priests. They offered sacrifices to the golden calves.

Jeroboam also invented new festivals. At festival time, the people now went to Dan or Bethel instead of Jerusalem. In no time the people who had chosen Jeroboam as their king had forgotten all about God and were up to their necks in idol worship.

Everything went along fine until Jeroboam’s son got sick. Jeroboam feared he would die. He got his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet Ahijah – the one who, years earlier, had predicted he would be king.

By now Ahijah was an old man. But God still talked to him. Before Jeroboam’s wife arrived, God told Ahijah who was coming and what to say to her. When Jeroboam’s wife got there Ahijah greeted her by name. Then he gave her a message for Jeroboam, “God raised you up to be king,” he said. “But you haven’t followed His ways. Now know that as soon as your wife steps into your home, your son will die. And God will raise up another king in Israel to take the place of you and your family.”

How differently the story could have turned out if only Jeroboam had trusted God and done things His way, instead of worrying and making plans of his own.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to trust You and follows Your ways, instead of making up my own way to do things. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Straight paths
Are you ever tempted to do things your way instead of trusting that God’s way is best. Here is a verse to remind you to trust in God for everything. Write or print it out and put it up where you will see it often. It would be a good verse to memorize.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

A Young King's Advisers

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 12:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." 1 Kings 12:8

After being king in Israel for forty years, Solomon died. When Jeroboam, who was still in Egypt, heard this, he rushed back to Israel. Then he led the people of Israel when they came before Solomon’s son Rehoboam, who was the new king. They wanted to ask something of him.

“Solomon your father forced us to work very hard,” they said. “We will serve you as king if you are easier on us.”

“I’ll give you my decision in three days,” Rehoboam told them. During those days, Rehoboam went to some people for advice. First he went to the elders, those men who had advised his father and had experience working with people and in government.

Then Rehoboam went to his friends, the young men he’d grown up with. “What do you think?” he asked them. “Should I do what the people ask?”

“No way!” they said to him. “You’re the king. Make sure they know it. Tell them, if you think my father was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet!”

1. Which advice to you think was wiseset? ____________

2. Which advice did Rehoboam listen to? (1 Kings 12:14)._____________

Three days later the people gathered again to hear Rehoboam’s answer. What did he say? Complete each statement (1 Kings 12:14):

3. “My father made your yoke heavy. I will ___________

4. “My father scourged you with whips. I will _____________

Because of Rehoboam’s harsh answer, the people of ten Israel tribes decided they no longer wanted Rehoboam to be their king. Instead they chose Jeroboam to lead them, just as the prophet had predicted. Because Rehoboam listened to foolish advice, the kingdom was split.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to know wise advice and to follow it. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Finding Wise Advisers
Do you ever ask for advice? Asking for advice is a wise thing to do – if you choose to ask the right people. Who would you ask for advice about the following situations? Choose from the list of possible advice-givers at the bottom, or fill in your own choice.

1. You have had a pain in your stomach for weeks. ________

2. When you try to read the computer screen, the words are blurry. __________

3. You know that a group of kids in school is stealing money from lockers and backpacks. _______

4. You’re wondering what job to do when you grow up._________

5. You don’t know what subject to pick for your science fair project._________

6. You’re wondering what to get your mom for her birthday. ____________

MOM     DAD    TEACHERS    FRIENDS
MEDICAL DOCTOR    EYE DOCTOR
SCHOOL COUNSELOR    BROTHERS & SISTERS

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

The Beginning of Solomon's End

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 11:26-40

TO CHEW ON: "Then he said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God if Israel, says: "See I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hands and give you ten tribes."’” 1 Kings 11:31

Solomon ruled for many years. Though God had told him that the kingdom would be taken away from his family because they worshiped idols, everything went on as usual. Perhaps Solomon thought God had forgotten what He had said and wouldn’t do it after all.

After Solomon built the temple and his palace, he built many other things. One of his best workmen was Jeroboam. When Solomon saw how well Jeroboam did his job, he made him a boss over many people.

One day when Jeroboam was on his way home, he met Ahijah the prophet. When Ahijah saw Jeroboam he did a strange thing. He took off his new cloak and tore it into twelve pieces. “Take ten of these pieces for yourself,” he said to Jeroboam. “God told me to tell you, ‘I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. I’m doing this because Solomon and his family worship idols. Only make sure that when you get to be king, you worship Me.’”

Soon word got back to Solomon that Ahijah had told Jeroboam he would be the next king. Solomon wondered, was God’s prediction about to happen? He would make sure it didn’t.

“Kill Jeroboam!” he commanded his soldiers. But before the soldiers found him, Jeroboam ran away to hide in Egypt.

PRAYER: Dear God, Your promises always come true. Help me to remember that, Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Prophetic Pictures Who Am I?
God told Ahijah the prophet to tear his new robe into twelve pieces. This was a picture or object lesson of what God would do with Solomon’s kingdom.

God told other prophets to do picture-like things as well. Which prophet did God tell to do these things?

A. I was asked to give my baby a name that predicted the country would soon go to war. Who am I? _________

B. God told me to buy a clay jar and break it as a picture of how God would soon smash the country. Who am I? __________

C. God asked me to take back my wife, even though she cheated on me, to show that God loved idol-worshiping Israel. Who am I? ________________

D. God commanded I shave off my hair and beard to show that Israel would soon be punished and humbled. Who am I? _____________

1. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 19:1,10)     
2. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 5:1)  
3. Hosea (Hosea 3:1)               
4. Isaiah (Isaiah 8:2)

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Too Late?

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'” Ecclesiastes 12:1

How sad it is to be too late.
- You come to dinner hungry and find the food has all been eaten.

- You come to the garden wanting to harvest a crop and find all the vegetables and fruits are over-ripe and rotting.

- You come to a concert and find you are just in time for the last song.

It’s just as sad to come too God late. In today’s reading, we find out when is the best time to come to God.

1. When? (Ecclesiastes 12:1) ___________

In the last verse of our reading, Solomon tells us if we do come when we are no longer young, we must be sure to come “before. . .” Then he lists a whole lot of things: “before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring...etc.”

2. What is he really talking about in all these word pictures:
a] birth?
b] death?
c] wrecked stuff?

In this way Solomon reminds us that the most important thing not to be late for is finding, knowing and living for God. We only have this life to do that. We must be sure we do it before we die.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to remember You for my whole life. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Remember God – NOW!
Have you “remembered” God? Have you asked Him to be in your life? If you haven’t, do it now, when you are young. Don’t say you have your whole life to make this decision and that you’ll make it when you’re old, after living your whole life without God. You don’t know if you’ll ever live to be an old person. You don’t know if you’ll even live to see tomorrow.

Find the ABCs of how to ask God to be in your life here.

(If you make that decision, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!)

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Life's Opposites

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

From earliest times, thinking people have asked hard questions. Questions like:
- Why is this world and the universe here?
- Why am I here?
- Is this life all there is?

Ecclesiastes is a book that explores such things. Though the author of Ecclesiastes isn’t named, many people think Solomon wrote it when he was an old man. In Ecclesiastes the writer describes what he has seen in his life. Then he tells us lessons we can learn.

In today’s reading the writer talks about the opposites he sees all around him. Can you add five more things to the list (Ecclesiastes 3:3-8)?
- Birth and death
- Planting and uprooting
- Killing and healing.
1. ______and ______
2. ______and ______
3. ______and ______
4. ______and ______
5. ______and ______

Some of these things are good – like planting, healing, laughing, dancing and loving. Others we try to avoid – like killing, weeping, mourning and war. The trouble is, in real life good and bad things come to everyone. So the writer tells us two ways to think of the opposites of life. He tells us that “Everything is beautiful in its time,” and “God has set eternity in the hearts of men.”

When the wise man says “Everything is beautiful in its time” he’s telling us that life’s variety can be a good thing. There is even good in unpleasant things. Through them we can learn valuable lessons like how to be patient, brave and strong.

When he says “God has set eternity in the hearts of men,” he tells us that inside each one of us is a knowing that there is more. We sense there is something beyond our life on earth. It will be a place where our questions will be answered. God has put eternity in our hearts.

Where do you think a person could find out about the “eternity” we feel inside?
A. From the wisest people on earth?
B. From the Bible, getting to know God and prayer?
C. From psychics?
D. From science books?

PRAYER: Dear God please help me to find answers to life’s questions in You. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: My Opposites
- Choose a set of opposites from the list above, or from Ecclesiastes 3:3-8.

- Draw pictures of a time you lived those opposites.
(For example, if you choose birth and death, you might think of the time your baby sister was born as the birth part, and the time your pet died as the death part.)

Were they both happy? Was one happy and one sad? Were both sad? What did you learn from each of them?

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Steps Downward

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 11:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. So the Lord said to Solomon, 'Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.'” 1 Kings 11:10,11

Solomon was known as the wisest man who ever lived. God came into the temple Solomon built. He talked to Solomon. He promised to make him wise and to keep his family the ruling family. But in order for that to happen, Solomon was to worship only God.

As Solomon’s power and fame grew, he began doing what many kings did and marrying many wives. He married over seven hundred princesses from other countries to help him get along with the nations around him. He married three hundred more women because they were beautiful and he liked them

His wives worshiped many gods. When they came to live in the palace, Solomon didn’t make them destroy their idols and worship the true God. Instead he let them keep their idols. To please his wives he put up idols, shrines and altars to Ashtoreth, Molech and Chemosh. After a while he got interested in their gods himself. Finally he started praying to them.

Each time Solomon gave in to his idol-worshiping wives, he took another step away from God. Finally he was doing exactly what God had told him not to do. There would be a consequence. What would happen as a result of Solomon turning away from God to worship idols: (1 Kings 11:11)

1. There would be a plague on the country.
2. Enemy armies would destroy Jerusalem.
3. God would take the kingdom away from Solomon and give it to one of his servants.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to recognize the things I do that take me away from you. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Compromise
A word that describes what Solomon did is “compromise.” It means to give in to someone, even just a little bit. Sometimes compromise is a good thing. But when we give in to go against what God has said, it’s a bad thing.

Do you recognize compromise? Put a C by each statement that shows a compromise.
1. You know your friends are planning to steal candy at the corner store.
___ A. You don’t go with them.
___ B. You go with them but wait outside instead of going into the store.

2. Your friend sees a palm reader booth at the fair and wants to go in and have her palm read.
___ A. You go inside with her, even though you’re not planning to have your palm read.
___ B. You tell her you’ll wait outside.

3. Your mom has asked you not to read a certain book.
___ A. Your friend has a copy and you read little bits of it at her house.
___ B. You don’t read the book.

Compromise starts small with small steps. But if you continue down that road you will someday find yourself in a place far away from God.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

The Way Back

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

TO CHEW ON: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

After Solomon had finished the temple, he built a luxurious palace for himself. One night when both those projects were done, God appeared to him again.

“I heard your prayer and chose your temple,” He said. Then God gave Solomon some advice. “Keep my laws like David your father did. Worship only me. If you do this, kings will always come from your family.

“But if you turn away from me and start worshiping idols, bad things will happen.”

1. Pick out the three bad things God named in 2 Chronicles 7:20:

A. I will send Israel back to Egypt to be slaves.
B. I will uproot Israel from my land.
C. I will reject this temple.
D. I will burn your palace.
E. I will make this temple an object of ridicule.

Then God told Solomon if he and the people went away from God, there was a way back.
2. Unscramble the words, below, that tell how Solomon, the Israelites and us how to come back to God if we stray (2 Chronicles 7:14):

A. lebmuh evlesshmte : __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

B. ypar: __ __ __ __

C. ekes my ecfa: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

D. nrtu mfro icwkde aswy: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Do you feel far away from God? Do the four things God told Solomon long ago. They are still the way back to Him.

PRAYER: Dear God, the wrong things in my life make me feel far away from you. Help me to admit I’m wrong, to pray, to find out what pleases You, and to stop sinning. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Repent
When we follow God’s advice to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we repent.

1. Look up the word “repent” in a dictionary. What does it mean?

2. Using a Bible concordance or the internet, find three Bible verses with the word “repent” in them. Write out your favorite on a paper and put it up where you can see it and read it often.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Thank-you Glory Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Today is Mother's Day in some parts of the world. If you haven't done it already, tell your mom how special she is and that you love her. Thank God for your mom or step-mom -- or whoever is the mother in your life!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God." 2 Chronicles 5: 13b, 14

At last the temple was finished. It was time to move the gold furniture and ark into their places. It was time to begin worshiping God in the temple. Solomon had kept his promise to his father. He had made the temple exactly like his dad had said. Now he wondered, would God be pleased with what he had done?

Solomon announced a holiday festival to dedicate the temple. People came from all over the country to celebrate. Priests and Levites got themselves ready to move the furniture. On the big day crowds lined the street and watched as the Levites carried the ark and the gold altar, lamp stands, basins, and all the other furniture from the tent David had made, to the temple.

When they arrived at the temple, they placed the ark in the gold-lined Holy Place.

Then they put all the other furniture where it belonged. As the carrying Levites left the temple the musical Levites played trumpets and cymbals while the choir sang: “He is Good. His love endures forever.”

Suddenly a cloud filled the temple. It was a glorious, awesome, frightening cloud of God’s presence. Solomon prayed a dedication prayer.

As he ended, “Now arise, O Lord God, and come to Your resting place...” fire came down from heaven. It burnt the sacrifices that were on the altar. God’s presence was so powerful the priests couldn’t even go back into the temple.

Now Solomon knew that God was pleased with the temple he had built. His obedience was rewarded with God’s presence in a thank-you glory cloud.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to obey You so that Your glory can shine through my life. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Faith Steps
When we obey God and do the things He asks of us, even if we don’t have any idea how they will turn out, we act in faith.

1. What did Solomon do in faith? ____________

2. How did God reward Solomon’s faith? _________________

3. What special thing is God asking you to do? ________________

Will you do it? As you obey, watch for God to send His glory and favor on your life.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

A House For God

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Kings 5:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God as the Lord told my father, David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my name.'” 1 Kings 5:5

When Solomon had been king for four years, he decided it was time to keep the promise he’d made to his dad and build a house for God.

He contacted King Hiram of Tyre to get permission to cut down huge cedar and pine trees. He called up thousands of men to work. Some felled trees.

Others worked in quarries cutting boulders into square building stones. Many moved the wood and stone blocks to Jerusalem. Still others worked in Jerusalem, putting the temple together.

After the gigantic stones were in place, workmen covered the walls with wood. They made floors, so that the temple was three stories high. They made the sanctuary – the room where the ark would sit – extra special, covering all the walls and ceiling with gold. Workmen carved beautiful decorations of fruits and flowers for the temple and made fifteen-foot high angel statues to decorate the sanctuary.

After seven years the temple was finished. Solomon built God’s house exactly like his father David’s plans. It was as beautiful as he could make it.

We no longer worship God in only one place, like the temple Solomon built. Though we may go to church, the building where we worship God is not the important thing. For when we ask Jesus to forgive our sin, He comes and lives inside of us. Paul wrote this to the Christians in Corinth. He said: “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

Are you a pure and beautiful place for God to live?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to make myself a beautiful home for You. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Promise keepers and breakers.
Do you make promises? Do you keep them?

Solomon promised his dad he would make the temple. He kept his promise, even though his dad was no longer alive to see.

Many Bible characters made promises. Some kept their promises while others didn’t. Mark the statements below with ✔ if the promise was kept, an X if it was broken. (Look up the references if you’re not sure.)

1. ___ After the plague of hail Pharaoh promised the Israelites they could leave Egypt. (Exodus 9:28, 35)

2. ___ The Jericho spies promised Rahab they would rescue her family and her family. (Joshua 6:25)

3. ___ The Israelites promised the Gibeonites they wouldn’t fight against them.(Joshua 9:26,27)

4. ___ Laban promised Jacob he could marry Rachel after working seven years for her. (Genesis 29:21-24)

5. ___ Hannah promised God to give her son Samuel to Him.(1 Samuel 1:28)

6. Who keeps all His promises? _________ (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

S** - It's a Good Thing

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Song of Songs 2:8-13.

TO CHEW ON: "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Song of Songs 2:11,12

Have you ever had a crush on someone? Though you are too young to fall in love and get married, the attraction of boys to girls and girls to boys is how God made you. The two sexes, male and female, need to come together to make babies so human life will continue.

Though having sex has become a dirty idea to many, it isn’t a bad thing. Sex was invented by God so that people could have companionship and make new families. It is a very good thing – with the right person and in the right time. (Genesis 2:24)

Q: Who is the right person?
A: Your husband or wife.

Q: What is the right time?
A: After you are married.

The Song of Songs is a poem written by Solomon about love between a man and a woman. It is full of joy, hope, new life and celebration. It shows us that God knows all about sex and has made it a good thing.

PRAYER: Dear God, please prepare and keep me for the person I will someday marry. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Hope Chest
Do you hope to get married someday?
- What character traits do you imagine your future wife or husband will have?

- What things do you think you will enjoy doing together?

- What do you imagine your family will be like?

Do you realize that your future husband or wife is probably alive somewhere right now? You could pray for that person. Pray:
- That God will bless them.
- That God will prepare them for you.
- That God will keep both of you pure for each other.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Lazy

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 24:30-34

TO CHEW ON: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24:33,34

What does it mean to be lazy? Read what a dictionary says.

Below are some ways people might act. Which of these actions could you mark with an L to show the person might be lazy?

1. ___ Begins work on the assignment right away, even though it’s not due for a week.
2. ___ Shoves things under the bed and in the closet when cleaning his room.
3. ___ Spends all day in front of the TV.
4. ___ Keeps her garden plot free of weeds.
5. ___ Never folds or hangs up her clothes.
6. ___ Does all his jobs as soon as he gets home from school.
7. ___ Hides half of his papers in the park so he won’t have to deliver them.

A. We can often tell a person is lazy by the look of his possessions. What does the lazy person’s field look like? (Proverbs 24:31) ______ What might his bedroom look like? His school locker?

B. We can tell a person is lazy by how he spends his time. What does a lazy person like to do? (Proverbs 24:33) _________ What might a lazy kid like to do?

C. How the lazy person’s life turns out. What will be the result of living a life of laziness? (Proverbs 24:34) _________

A workaholic is someone who is opposite of lazy. He likes to work all the time. Working all the time isn’t wise either. God has made us to need rest.

But we can rest too much. If all we do is spend all our time resting and avoiding work we are lazy. This isn’t wise either.

Are you lazy? Ask God to show you. Then ask Him to give you the desire and energy to work.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to get over my laziness and discover the blessing of work. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Slothful
Another word for lazy is “slothful.” It’s a word that comes from the name an animal – the sloth.

1. Find out about the sloth from books or the internet.

2. Why do you think this animal was chosen to describe laziness or a lazy person?

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Parent Problems

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 23:19-25

TO CHEW ON: "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22

Have you ever had thoughts like this:

- My parents are too serious. They just want me to work and not have any fun.

- My parents are old fashioned. They don’t understand me and my friends.

- My parents don’t let me do anything. All my friends are allowed to do it, why can’t I?

Kids getting along with parents, and parents getting along with kids has been a big deal since kids and parents were invented. In our Bible reading today, Solomon gives advice to kids on how to handle all the do's and don’t's that parents give.

Which things he does not say Proverbs 23:19-25 :

1. Don’t join those who overeat and drink a lot of wine.

2. As long as there’s an adult to supervise, you can go.

3. Be disciplined.

4. Make a project out of becoming wise and getting understanding.

5. You become like the people with whom you hang out.

6. It isn’t a big deal to your parents whether or not you obey them.

7. When you show yourself a wise, good person, you’ll make your parents proud and happy.

Though it may be natural for kids and their parents to have some clashes, it’s important to remember a few things about your parents before you ignore what they say:

1. They know you very well. They have taken care of you for years and have lived with you in good times and bad.

2. They love you very much. Your parents work hard to provide food, clothes and a house for you and want only your best.

3. They have more experience than you have. They may have made some of the same mistakes they see you making. By giving you advice, they may be trying to save you from trouble.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to value, respect, obey and love my parents. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: My parents

Appreciate the parents you have.

1. Write five things you like/love about your mother.

2. Write five things you like/love about your dad.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Speech Problems

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 10:18-21, 31-32

TO CHEW ON: The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. Proverbs 10:32

Solomon wrote many proverbs about speech. He knew that no matter how beautiful a person was, or how much money they had, or what kind of home they lived in, their speech showed what they were really like. It showed whether they were good or bad, righteous or evil, wise or foolish.

All these years later, things haven’t changed. Our speech still shows what is in our hearts and minds. It tells the world around us whether we are wise (have good sense, good judgment and understanding) or foolish (lack good sense, good judgment and understanding).

Below (1-6) are some of Solomon’s proverbs about speech from Proverbs 10. Pick the way you’d say each proverb in today’s language (A to F).

For example, Number 1 (Whoever spreads slander is a fool) would match with C (Hurting someone with lies and gossip is foolish).

1. Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

2. When words are many, sin is not absent.

3. He who holds his tongue is wise.

4. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.

5. The lips of the righteous nourish many.

6. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting.

****

A. The words of a good person have value.

B. A good person knows the right thing to say.

C. Hurting someone with lies and gossip is foolish.

D. Good words feed your spirit.

E. It’s easy to sin when you talk a lot.

F. It’s wise to keep your mouth shut.

What’s your speech like? Is it helpful and worth listening to? Is it positive and encouraging? Or is it dirty and unhelpful, full of lies and gossip. Do you know when to stop talking or remain silent altogether? Ask God to make you a person of wise speech.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me use my tongue with wisdom. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Wise Speech Banner

Make a banner about wise speech.

What you need:

-Mural paper cut into a strip 12 x 36 inches, or 3 - 4 sheets of 8½ x 11 inch paper taped together to make one long sheet.

- pencils, crayons, markers, paints

What you do:

1. Choose your favorite proverb about speech. Use the proverbs above or find one among these:

Proverbs 12:18, or 12:22 or 15:1 or 16:24 or 26:20

2. Write the proverb you picked on the banner and decorate it with crayons, markers or paints.

3. Display the banner in your room, or somewhere where you’ll see and read it often.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Wisdom Search

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Mon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 2:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

In the Bible book of Proverbs we have many of Solomon’s wise sayings. They help us learn the wise thing to do in all kinds of times and places. Many proverbs are about speech. Others tell us how to treat people. Still others give advice on how to handle money and possessions.

Today’s reading in Proverbs 2 talks us about wisdom itself and explains where true wisdom is found. Where? Choose one (Proverbs 2:6)

University    Science    the Lord

Our parents    Life experience

If we accept that true wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from God (the Lord) we might have another question - Where do we find that wisdom?

Jesus told a story about where to find God’s wisdom and how to make it part of our lives. He had just given a long talk where He had taught many things (Matthew 5,6,7). Then He told this story:

Everyone who hears the things I have taught and does them is like a man who builds his house on a rock. When the storms come, it stands solid because it has a good foundation. But everyone who hears the things I have taught but doesn’t do them is like a man who builds his house on sand. When the storm comes, because his house has no foundation, it is flattened.

Jesus is saying that a wise life is built on His words and teachings. Of course we can’t hear Jesus’ words with our ears. But we can read them and many other things about God and what pleases Him in our Bibles. When we read and do what He says, it’s like building our house (or our life) on the rock of true wisdom.

But if we read and then don’t obey, it’s like building our life on the sand of foolishness. Our lives may stand up just fine when everything is going well. But when trouble comes, they will be wrecked.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to live a wise life by hearing and following Your words. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Where wisdom starts
The world around us is full of voices telling us what to believe and how to live. Some of the things we hear are lies. Some of the things we hear are half-truths. And some things we hear are true.

But there is one place we can go where everything is wise and true. This place is God and His words, the Bible. Here is a verse that talks about this place. You might want to memorize it to remind you of the place where wisdom begins.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Made Things and the Maker

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sun, 06 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 4:29-34

TO CHEW ON: "He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish." 1 Kings 4:33

We can learn things about people in many ways. One of them is by looking at what they’ve made. Suppose you saw a display of birdhouses. On the left side is a description of five of those houses. On the right side are things you might learn about the person who made them. Match the things that go together.

Solomon prayed for wisdom. God answered his prayer. He was known as the wisest man of his time. As well as making up thousands of wise sayings (called proverbs) and composing over one thousand songs, Solomon studied nature. In a time before binoculars, microscopes and dive expeditions, Solomon knew much about plants, animals, birds, reptiles and fish.

We may ask why would such a wise man study these things? Perhaps it was just because he was curious. Maybe he studied plants and animals to see if they had anything to teach people. Another reason Solomon enjoyed studying nature was probably to learn more about the One who made all these things – God. For just as we can learn about people from the things they make, we can learn about God from the things He has made in creation.

PRAYER: Dear God, please open my eyes to see You in the world around me. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Learn About God from a Reptile?

1. Choose a reptile that interests you.

2. Find and list five interesting facts about the creature you picked (from books or the internet).

3. What things can you learn about God from your study?

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Wise Wish

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Sat, 05 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 3:5-15

TO CHEW ON: "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this." 1 Kings 3:10

Suppose one day God came to you and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask for?

This very thing happened to young Solomon. It was in the beginning of his reign. He was about twenty years old and he didn’t have much experience. Every day he realized more what a big job it was to be king. One night he had a dream. In that dream God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Think of all of the things for which Solomon could have asked. Can you list some?

1. What did Solomon ask for? Pick out the things: (I Kings 3:9)

Wealth     A long life

A discerning heart

Honor among kings

Death of his enemies

Ability to tell right from wrong

2. God was pleased with Solomon’s answer. He was so pleased, in fact, He said He would give Solomon what he had requested and more. Pick out the things, above, God said he would also give him. (I Kings 3:12-14)

Then Solomon woke up. It had all been a dream. He didn’t feel any wiser than he had before. Had God actually spoken to him? Had anything really happened?

A few days later when Solomon was judging the people, two women came to him. They were quarreling over a baby boy. Both of them claimed to be his mother. They wanted Solomon to decide who should get him.

“Cut the baby in two and each of you take half,” King Solomon said.

The first woman cried, “No, don’t do that! Give it to the other woman. Please don’t kill it.”

But the second woman said, “Neither of us will have him then. That’s a good idea!”

On hearing that Solomon knew what his verdict should be. “Give the living baby to the first woman,” he said. “Do not kill him. She is his mother.”

How did he know?

When the people in Israel heard how Solomon had handled this case, they were amazed. “He has wisdom from God,” they said.

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me a wise heart. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: A Prayer Test
Though God might never come to us in a dream and invite us to tell Him our wishes, we can ask things of Him every day in prayer. But is God pleased with our requests? Will He answer them? Here are some things this story teaches us about prayers that God likes.

1. Solomon’s request was humble. He knew he wasn’t wise enough to be a good king on his own and he asked for help. God is pleased with prayers that admit we need His help.

2. Solomon wasn’t selfish. Solomon could have asked for things for himself, but he didn’t. God is pleased with prayers that aren’t selfish.

3. Solomon was concerned with others. He asked God for wisdom so he could be a better king for Israel. God is pleased when we pray for things that will help others.

As you pray, ask God to help you pray these kinds of prayers.

Answers

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Recipe for Success

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Chronicles 28:4-12

TO CHEW ON: “And you my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

David was an old man. He had been king for forty years, but he knew he would soon die. One day he crowned his young son Solomon to rule after him. Then he called the people together to introduce them to their new king.

In front of everyone he challenged Solomon to be a good king and serve God for his whole life. His speech told Solomon how to do that. It went something like this:

“Solomon, be sure you search out all of God’s commands and obey them. Get to know God. Worship Him with a clean heart. Serve Him with a willing mind. Don’t think you can fool Him with pretending. Not only can He see what you do, He also knows your thoughts. Search for Him and He will show Himself to you.

“But if you don’t do these things and instead ignore God and forget Him, He will cast you aside.”

Then David gave Solomon a very precious parcel – the blueprints and plans for the temple. It was time to replace the Tabernacle tent with a building. David had wanted to do it but God had said no. Now David gave Solomon the job of building God’s house.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to seek You, find You and know You. Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT:
Can David’s recipe for success still be used by us today?
How do you think a kid today would:

1. Search for God?

2. Get to know God?

3. Worship God with a clean heart?

4. Serve God with a willing mind?

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.

Caught

noreply@blogger.com (violet) — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Samuel 18:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair while the mule he was riding kept on going." 2 Samuel 18:9

David was on the run from his son Absalom. David thought of all the things Absalom had on his side – the army, many of the people, even the wisest counselor Ahithophel. “God, please spoil Ahithophel’s advice,” David prayed.

Down the road David met his friend Hushai. He was also known as a wise man. “I’m coming with you,” Hushai told David.

But seeing Hushai gave David an idea. “Why don’t you help me another way?” he said. “I’d really like it if you went to Absalom and pretended you were going to be on his side. Then when Ahithophel tells Absalom what to do, you can suggest something that isn’t as wise.”

Hushai did as David asked. When Ahithophel told Absalom he should go after David right away, Hushai said, “No, that’s not a good idea.” Then he suggested they wait till his army gathered.

When Absalom decided to follow Hushai’s advice, Hushai sent spies to David to tell him what was going on.

The delay helped David and his men get organized. Even so, Absalom’s army was soon nearby. The two sides met in a thick forest. Did they have any chance against Absalom’s army, David wondered.

Absalom rode his kingly mule into battle. When he met David’s men, his mule took off with him on it. As they passed under a tree, Absalom’s long hair got caught in the branches of an oak, while the mule ran away.

There he was, hanging from the tree by his hair!

Soon someone found him. They recognized him as Absalom and called Captain Joab, who put him to death.

Absalom’s plan to become king seemed foolproof. He had plotted and schemed to make it happen. He had won people over to his side and had an army with wise advisors. But his plan was not God’s plan. God wasn’t with him and in the end, everything fell apart.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to keep trusting You even when things look impossible Amen.

SUPERSIZE IT: Wise Man Who Am I?
In Bible times kings relied on the advice of wise men like Ahithophel and Hushai. The Bible has stories of other wise men. Can you guess the name of each wise man by his clue? Use the Bible references if you like.

1.I was a believer in Jesus who won debates against the religious teachers of my time because I was wise. Who am I? (Acts 6:8-10)

2. I and my friends were the wisest of all the king’s servants-in-training after living on only vegetables and water. Who am I? (Daniel 1:19-20)

3. The Bible called me the wisest man who ever lived. Who am I? (1 Kings 4:29-31)

4. After I told the king the meaning of his dream, he put me in charge of the land of Egypt. Who am I? (Genesis 41:39-40)

Answers