November 16, 2019

Be Persistent in Hard Times

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10, 13 “I give up!” Megan tossed Sparky’s leash onto the counter. Dad was sitting at the table drinking coffee. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I can’t teach Sparky anything. When I put him on the leash, he just tries to bite it.” Megan slumped into a chair. “He’s a silly… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:9

November 15, 2019

Deserving to Die

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-18 “Mom!” wailed Evie as she ran into the house followed by her brother. “Josiah has a big, icky bug, and he’s chasing me with it! Make him kill it, Mom!” Josiah was carrying a glass jar. Inside was a large horsefly. “Look, Evie!” he said, laughing. “This poor little horsefly is… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8

November 14, 2019

Temporary Treasure

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-21 “This is going to be worth a lot of money someday,” Noah declared proudly as he looked over his stamp collection. He was very careful in handling the stamps and didn’t want anyone else to touch them. One afternoon, a neighbor stopped by with her little boy. As she and Noah’s… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:20

November 13, 2019

Glowing Lanterns

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:14-16 Anong and Nin leaned against the Nawarat Bridge in Chiang Mai and stared up at the night sky. The normally dark sky was lit up with hundreds of glowing lanterns slowly floating upward like dancing stars. “I love the Loy Krathong festival,” said Anong. “It’s so beautiful!” “It really is amazing,”… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:16

November 12, 2019

The Warning

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:36-44 Dark, threatening clouds rolled overhead as the Martin family drove home from church. “In Sunday school we learned that Jesus is coming in the clouds,” five-year-old Dakota said as he intently watched the sky. “Do you think He’s coming today?” “He could,” Mom replied. “I’ve heard that all my life,” said… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 24:44

November 11, 2019

The Backpack

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 “What’s in here—bricks?” joked Uncle Brian, lifting Hayden’s backpack from the trunk of the car. Hayden shrugged. His mom had told him he was packing too much stuff for the camping and hiking trip with his uncle, but Hayden hadn’t listened. He lifted the pack and settled its weight onto his… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Psalm 55:22

November 10, 2019

Winning at Losing

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:29–5:2; Philippians 2:5-16 Sabrina placed her colorful game tile down on the table and scowled. “I still can’t add to my train!” she groaned. “How am I going to get rid of all these tiles? This is the worst game EVER. I want to quit!” Sabrina’s great-grandma, Gi-Gi, placed a tile down… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:14

November 9, 2019

Let It Heal

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-15 “Mommy, my finger’s bleedin’ again!” Bryce cried as he ran into the kitchen. Mom sighed and handed him a tissue. He wrapped it around his finger and watched, fascinated, as the red stain grew. “Bryce, you need to leave that cut alone,” Mom said. Just then the kitchen door slammed, and… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:32

November 8, 2019

The Lost Battle

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-4 “Why so quiet, Ashtyn?” Mom asked. “Is something bothering you?” Ashtyn sighed. “I’ve tried and tried to act like a Christian, and I just can’t seem to do it. I told a lie today, and last week I lost my temper. Christians don’t tell lies or lose their… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:12

November 7, 2019

Forgotten Schedules

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 “I’m sick of being ordered around!” said Lincoln when Dad reminded him to practice his trumpet. “Someone’s always telling me it’s time to get up, time to catch the bus, time to eat, time to do something! Just once I’d like to do what I want when I want to do… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:15-16