Read an Excerpt
Grace for Moment
365 Devotions for Kids
By Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson
Copyright © 2012 Max Lucado
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4003-2034-9
Chapter One
January The Lord is kind and shows mercy. He does not become angry quickly but is full of love. —PSALM 145:8
JANUARY 1
God Listens I pour out my problems to him. I tell him my troubles. —PSALM 142:2
You can talk to God because God listens. Always.
What you have to say matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you speak to God, He turns to hear your voice. No need to worry about being ignored. God never says, "Not right now."
Even if your words come out wrong ... even if what you have to say doesn't seem important to anyone else, it's important to God, and He listens.
He listens in the morning and in the night ... and even in math class. He listens to the joy of the ballplayer who makes the game-winning play ... and to the tears of the one who didn't. He listens to the sadness of someone who is sick ... and to the fears of someone facing the first day in a new school. When the lonely ask for a friend and the frightened ask for courage, God listens.
Very carefully.
Growing in Grace
Just as God listens to you, families and friends should listen to each other. When you take time to listen, you make others feel important. When someone wants to talk, don't say, "In a minute." Say, "I'm listening!"
JANUARY 2
God Chooses You You are chosen people. —1 PETER 2:9
Do you ever feel invisible? As if nobody even notices you? Maybe some new clothes will get me noticed, you think. And maybe they do. For a little while. But then the latest craze is yesterday's news, and you're back to ... invisible. Want a change that lasts? Learn to see yourself as God sees you—covered with the "clothes of salvation" and wrapped in "a coat of goodness" (Isaiah 61:10).
Do you ever feel like a nobody? When you do, remember what you are really worth. Remember what—or rather who—God gave to save you: "You were bought with the precious blood of the death of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb" (1 Peter 1:19).
If you ever start to feel invisible or left out, remember this: God chooses you to be His child. That can be hard to remember sometimes. So pray about it. Think about it. Let the way God sees you change the way you see yourself.
Growing in Grace
God chooses to see you as His wonderful creation. How do you choose to see your family and friends? They are each a wonderful creation of God. Your mom. Your dad. Even your sister and brother. Find something you love about each of your family members and friends—then tell them what it is.
JANUARY 3
Worry Doesn't Work I was young, and now I am old. But I have never seen the Lord leave good people helpless. —PSALM 37:25
Do you ever worry? We all do. Maybe you worry about things such as How will I do on the math test? Why is my best friend acting that way? Will my mom and dad be angry with me if I mess up?
Some worries can be fixed with a little studying or even a heart-to-hearttalk. But what about those worries that are too big for you—like thunderstorms, or sickness, or the terrible things you see on the news? You could spend your whole life worrying!
Honestly, do you think that's what God wants? God didn't send Jesus to save you just so you could worry. Jesus wasn't nailed to the cross just so He could ignore your prayers. Worrying can't fix anything, but God can. Trust Him with all those things you worry about. God has even "put his angels in charge of you" to "watch over you wherever you go" (Psalm 91:11).
Worry? I don't think so.
Growing in Grace
Got worries? Try this: Imagine putting your worries in a box. Wrap it up tight with string, and tie it with a big knot. Say a prayer and hand that box of worry over to God. Then relax—and trust God to take care of you!
JANUARY 4
God Lives Here You know the Father.... The word of God lives in you. —1 JOHN 2:14
Have you ever done any decorating in your room? Maybe you added a poster here. Put out a favorite collection there. Maybe you even got to pick the color for the walls. You added this and changed that until it looked like you lived there.
Well, God loves to decorate too. Actually, God has to decorate. Let Him live long enough in a heart, and that heart will begin to change. He'll move some forgiveness into that corner. He'll add some shelves and fill them up with His Word. It's not always pleasant though. You might feel a little uncomfortable when He knocks down that wall of jealousy or anger, but that new spirit of kindness He puts in will look and feel great. Then He'll paint your whole heart with love—love for Him and love for others.
God wants to give your heart a complete makeover. So He won't stop working until He's completely finished—until it looks just like He lives there.
Growing in Grace
Decorate your room with God's Word. Write favorite Bible verses on sticky notes. Then stick them by your light switch, above your pillow, or anywhere else you're sure to see them. God loves it when you make "room" for Him!
JANUARY 5
Don't Give Up Is anything too hard for the Lord? No! —GENESIS 18:14
Surprise! God does it again!
What did He do? He answered a prayer. That's what He does for those who believe in Him. But sometimes it's in the most surprising way! Look at what He did for these faithful folks....
Just when everyone said it was impossible, ninety-year-old Sarah had a baby (Genesis 17:17; 21:2). Just when no one else had the courage to even try, David took down a giant with just a stone (1 Samuel 17:50). And even though it didn't make sense, Joshua marched around Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down (Joshua 6).
What's the lesson for you? Just three words: Don't give up!
Do you think you've got a problem too big for God? A test too hard? A fear too scary? A friendship too broken? Keep praying! God is watching. And the God who surprised Sarah, David, and Joshua is already working on an answer to your prayers.
So don't give up. For if you do, you may miss the surprise!
Growing in Grace
To see God's surprising answers in your life, try this: Write your prayers on pieces of paper and tuck them in a special box. Every week or so, read over your prayers. Which ones has God already taken care of? Did any of His answers surprise you?
JANUARY 6
At Home with God "If anyone loves me, then he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." —JOHN 14:23
God wants to be your home. He doesn't just want to be the friend's house you visit or the clubhouse you hang out in sometimes. He doesn't want to be your vacation spot or even the place you hope to live someday when you're older.
He wants to be the place where you live all the time—starting right now. He wants to be the place that you come to for answers, for help, and for comfort. He wants to be your home.
For many people this is a new way of thinking. They only think of God as Someone to talk about or to pray to. He is just Someone they visit on Sundays or holidays. He is a miracle worker, not a place to live. But your Father wants to be much more. Your Father wants you to live with Him all the time (Acts 17:28). God wants to be the home that you carry with you wherever you go.
Growing in Grace
A snail takes his home with him wherever he goes. No matter where trouble strikes, he always has a safe house to climb inside. The next time you see a snail, think about how God wants to be the home that goes wherever you go. Be like the snail—just without the slime!
JANUARY 7
Be Brave! I will not remember their sins anymore. —HEBREWS 8:12
The Bible says that "those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty" (Romans 8:1). It also says that God will "make right any person who has faith in Jesus" (3:26).
That is great news for God's children! Because sometimes, even when you want to do right, you do wrong. We all do. That's why God's promises are so wonderful! If you believe in Jesus and obey Him, God promises that your sins will all be taken away and that they will be hidden by Jesus. So when God looks at you, He doesn't see your sin; He sees the One who saves you—Jesus.
That means that you don't have to worry about messing up. You've already won because Jesus saves you. Trusting in that promise gives you the courage to try to do the right thing—even when you know you might mess up. Trusting in that promise lets you be brave.
Growing in Grace
Grab some friends and play a game of hide-and-seek. As you hide, remember how Jesus hides your sins and mistakes. And as you seek, remember how God promises never to seek for your forgiven sins!
JANUARY 8
Washed Clean Then [Jesus] poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers' feet. —JOHN 13:5
In Bible times, the roads were often made of dirt, so people's feet were caked with mud and dirt. Washing those feet was the yuckiest job around. It was a servant's job. But at the Last Supper, Jesus became the servant. He washed His followers' feet, the dirtiest part of them. And He will wash the dirtiest part of you ... if you let Him.
Sin makes your heart even dirtier than those followers' feet. Jesus will wash away that dirt, but only if you confess—or tell Him—that you are dirty. Tell Him about that bad thought, that bad word, that thing you wish you hadn't done.
If you pretend your heart is clean—that you never mess up or sin—Jesus cannot wash you. You will never be clean until you first tell Him you are dirty. But if you just tell Him, He will wash all those sins away. He will wash you "whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:7).
Growing in Grace
The next time it rains, ask your parents if you can go outside and splash in the mud. Go ahead. Get dirty. Thank God for the rain that washes the earth. Then, as you clean off your feet to go inside, thank Him for Jesus, who washes away the dirt of sin.
JANUARY 9
Jesus Knows When [Jesus] lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. —HEBREWS 4:15
Some people might think, Jesus, it's easy for You up there. You're in heaven. You just don't know how hard it is down here. But those people would be wrong. The Bible says He "is able to understand" (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus knows. He knows because He Himself left heaven and came to earth. He didn't send an angel or a messenger. And He didn't come as God. He made Himself completely human.
Do you ever feel angry, scared, or left out? Jesus did. Did you know that Jesus was once your age? He had parents to obey and brothers and sisters to get along with. He fell down, and He fell asleep. He went to school and played with friends. He was laughed at, and He was hurt.
Jesus knows everything you're going through. It's one of the reasons He came to earth—so He would know what it feels like. And so He could help you get through it.
Growing in Grace
Jesus can help you because He's "been there and done that." Is there someone you can help because you've been there and done that? Teach a younger child to catch a ball. Walk with a frightened preschooler to Bible class. Help your brother or sister study for a test.
JANUARY 10
Made for Heaven "My kingdom is from another place." —JOHN 18:36
Being unhappy here on earth makes you wish for heaven. You see, God uses your unhappiness to get your attention, to help you remember that heaven is waiting for you. How sad it would be if you settled for earth when the joy of heaven is waiting.
You won't ever feel completely happy and at home here on earth. You're not supposed to. It is not your home. First Peter 2:11 says, "You are like visitors and strangers in this world."
You see, God didn't make you for earth. He made you for heaven. Oh yes, you will have some happy times on earth. You will have times of joy. You will catch glimpses of God's light. You will laugh and love and be loved. But those happy times are just a taste of what heaven will be like. For in heaven, you will finally be home.
Growing in Grace
The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up. High-five a friend who's having a bad day. Take out the trash for your tired teacher. Or just smile at the people you meet. They'll feel better and—before you know it—you will too.
JANUARY 11
God with You "The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them." —LUKE 19:10
Have you ever felt God with you? Because God is always with you. Oh, you won't be able to see Him standing right next to you in line or sitting behind you on the bus. But He is there—just in a different way.
God is there in the kindness of a stranger. In the beauty of the sunset. In the gentle word and the hug just when you need it. Do you see Him now?
God even gives us Himself. Through Jesus, He came to seek and to save you. Even when you choose your selfishness over His love, He still stays with you. He never forces you to believe in Him, but He also never leaves you. He goes with you wherever you go. And He will use all His power to help you see that He really is God, that He loves you, and that you can trust Him to lead you home to heaven.
Growing in Grace
God goes wherever you go. He shows Himself to you in both big ways and small ways. Be on the lookout for God today. Make a list of all the different ways you see Him in your world. And then thank Him for every one.
JANUARY 12
Serving Jesus Martha became angry because she had so much work to do.... But the Lord answered her, ... "Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will never be taken away from her." —LUKE 10:40–42
Martha was a dear friend of Jesus. But the Bible tells us about a time when she was worried. She was having Jesus over for dinner. She was really going to be serving God! She wanted everything to be just right for Jesus. But she made one very big mistake. She was working so hard for Jesus that she let her work become more important than her Lord.
You see, Martha wanted Jesus to praise her for all her work. She forgot that she was supposed to be praising Him with her work. She forgot that the meal was to honor Jesus. What began as a way to serve Jesus turned into a way to serve herself.
It is important to serve Jesus. But don't serve Him just so that others will see you. Don't serve Him so that others will be pleased with you or say nice things about you. Remember—you are the servant, and He is the One to be served.
Growing in Grace
Want to make sure you are serving Jesus and not yourself? Serve in secret. Find something you can do—take out the trash, feed the dog, water the plants—but don't let anyone know you did it. Secret servants make God smile.
JANUARY 13
God Thinks of You Pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. —PHILIPPIANS 4:6
In heaven, there is no difference between Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon.
God wants to speak to you on the playground just as much as He does in the church. He wants your praise in the lunch-room as well as in the Sunday-school room. He listens to you just as hard in math class as He does in Bible class. You may go days without thinking of Him, but there's never a moment when He's not thinking of you.
Paul's goal was to "capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Make that your goal too. Tell yourself what to think. Think about good things, about God and His gifts.
"Never stop praying" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and "let heaven fill your thoughts" (Colossians 3:2 TLB).
Growing in Grace
How can you worship God on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every day in between? Thank Him for the first thing you see each morning. Praise Him for the last thing you see each night. Sing praises in the car. Pray for each friend on the playground. Make God a habit every day.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Grace for Moment by Max Lucado Copyright © 2012 by Max Lucado. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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