A Daily Word for Boys E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 405

Beschreibung

How can a young person keep their life pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 NIRV   Living for God can be hard. You hear so many different messages about what is right and wrong, and that can be very confusing. God's Word is full of truth and light and life, and it can lead you into making good decisions every day.   Spending time with God helps you to be a boy who is full of courage, kindness, and joy. Each devotion in this book begins with one word for the day. Think about this word as you read the connected Bible verse, devotion, and question. Focus on the word as you go about your day and see if it changes the way you think about things.   Let Jesus bring light and peace to your heart as you listen to his wisdom. When other people see his light shining in you, they will want it too!

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Kids

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreet Kids is an imprint of BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC.

Broadstreetpublishing.com

A Daily Word for Boys

© 2023 by BroadStreet Publishing®

9781424565894

9781424565900 (eBook)

Devotional entries composed by Natasha Marcellus.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Scripture quotations marked nirv are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIrV” and “New International Reader’s Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked icb are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 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 ncv are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked tpt are taken from The Passion Translation® of the Holy Bible. Copyright © 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission of BroadStreet Publishing®. All rights reserved.

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How can a young person keep their life pure?

By living according to your word.

PSALM 119:9 NIRV

Contents

Introduction

January

January 1: Purpose

January 2: Decision

January 3: Respected

January 4: Brave

January 5: Stay

January 6: Appropriate

January 7: Faith

January 8: Character

January 9: Excited

January 10: Authority

January 11: Empathy

January 12: Empowered

January 13: Sure

January 14: Dependable

January 15: Content

January 16: Generous

January 17: Grace

January 18: Pride

January 19: Legacy

January 20: Leader

January 21: Thoughtful

January 22: Healthy

January 23: Pleasant

January 24: Motivated

January 25: Mindful

January 26: Moral

January 27: Positive

January 28: Mature

January 29: Patient

January 30: Meaningful

January 31: Mentor

February

February 1: Honest

February 2: Incredible

February 3: Rejoice

February 4: Answers

February 5: Real

February 6: Lively

February 7: Endure

February 8: Steady

February 9: Improve

February 10: Focus

February 11: Reward

February 12: Stable

February 13: Significant

February 14: Love

February 15: Reliable

February 16: Serious

February 17: Civil

February 18: Brilliant

February 19: Trustworthy

February 20: Unafraid

February 21: Steadfast

February 22: Enough

February 23: Unique

February 24: Charity

February 25: Helpful

February 26: Eager

February 27: Self-control

February 28: Considerate

March

March 1: Polite

March 2: Potential

March 3: Pure

March 4: Responsive

March 5: Quiet

March 6: Heir

March 7: Humble

March 8: Drift

March 9: Knowledge

March 10: Inspiration

March 11: Needed

March 12: Worthless

March 13: Permanent

March 14: Mercy

March 15: Attentive

March 16: Beauty

March 17: Celebrate

March 18: Logic

March 19: Same

March 20: Diligent

March 21: Delight

March 22: Renewed

March 23: Daring

March 24: Recognized

March 25: Brightness

March 26: Glory

March 27: Deliverance

March 28: Awesome

March 29: Authentic

March 30: Capable

March 31: Extra

April

April 1: Aware

April 2: Follow

April 3: Adoption

April 4: Abundant

April 5: Pleasing

April 6: Completion

April 7: Right

April 8: Effective

April 9: Acceptable

April 10: Convinced

April 11: Rational

April 12: Rich

April 13: Important

April 14: Servant

April 15: Saved

April 16: Satisfied

April 17: Redemption

April 18: Choices

April 19: Trust

April 20: Unshakable

April 21: Good

April 22: Unashamed

April 23: Teachable

April 24: Prayerful

April 25: Harmony

April 26: Promises

April 27: Holy

April 28: Bound

April 29: Honor

April 30: Represent

May

May 1: Friendly

May 2: Adore

May 3: Appreciate

May 4: Bold

May 5: Community

May 6: Shine

May 7: Refreshing

May 8: Able

May 9: Rest

May 10: Glad

May 11: Consistent

May 12: Decent

May 13: Energy

May 14: Determined

May 15: Equipped

May 16: Fearless

May 17: Gift

May 18: Hope

May 19: Identity

May 20: Kindness

May 21: Created

May 22: Life

May 23: Influence

May 24: Clean

May 25: Lovable

May 26: Growing

May 27: Alert

May 28: Peace

May 29: Share

May 30: Perfect

May 31: Nourishing

June

June 1: Eternity

June 2: Qualified

June 3: Ready

June 4: Example

June 5: Constant

June 6: Treasures

June 7: Only

June 8: Give

June 9: Changed

June 10: Sympathy

June 11: Suffer

June 12: Power

June 13: Sacrifice

June 14: Listen

June 15: Dance

June 16: Amazing

June 17: Watchful

June 18: Known

June 19: Persistent

June 20: Prize

June 21: Offering

June 22: Wise

June 23: Repent

June 24: Relevant

June 25: Friendship

June 26: Glorious

June 27: Obedient

June 28: Dependent

June 29: Judge

June 30: Inheritance

July

July 1: Justified

July 2: Faithful

July 3: Result

July 4: Freedom

July 5: Grit

July 6: Happy

July 7: Sing

July 8: Develop

July 9: Work

July 10: Teach

July 11: Ponder

July 12: True

July 13: Learn

July 14: Support

July 15: Royalty

July 16: Valuable

July 17: Welcome

July 18: Secret

July 19: Present

July 20: Fullness

July 21: Passion

July 22: Unity

July 23: Valued

July 24: Strong

July 25: Creative

July 26: Courteous

July 27: Loved

July 28: Careful

July 29: Compelling

July 30: Discerning

July 31: Cooperate

August

August 1: Enlightened

August 2: Flexible

August 3: Favor

August 4: Blessed

August 5: Riches

August 6: Receive

August 7: Loyal

August 8: All

August 9: Gain

August 10: Radiant

August 11: Complex

August 12: Restored

August 13: Smart

August 14: Restraint

August 15: Still

August 16: More

August 17: Vigilant

August 18: Talented

August 19: Understanding

August 20: Efficient

August 21: Accepted

August 22: Adapt

August 23: Action

August 24: Comfort

August 25: Discipline

August 26: Cover

August 27: Excellent

August 28: Responsible

August 29: Exceptional

August 30: Guidance

August 31: Serenity

September

September 1: Citizen

September 2: Relax

September 3: Success

September 4: Reasonable

September 5: Try

September 6: Virtue

September 7: Worth

September 8: Stunning

September 9: Reputation

September 10: Remember

September 11: Resilient

September 12: Sincere

September 13: Divine

September 14: Driven

September 15: Ethical

September 16: Conscientious

September 17: Surrounded

September 18: Certain

September 19: Cherished

September 20: Accountability

September 21: Ask

September 22: Respect

September 23: Alive

September 24: Filled

September 25: Acknowledged

September 26: Confirmed

September 27: Witness

September 28: Encourage

September 29: Active

September 30: Cheerful

October

October 1: Sharpen

October 2: Forgiveness

October 3: Tolerant

October 4: Innocent

October 5: Insightful

October 6: Approval

October 7: Justice

October 8: Hardworking

October 9: Engaging

October 10: Comprehensive

October 11: Approachable

October 12: Committed

October 13: Enthusiastic

October 14: Admire

October 15: Concern

October 16: Made

October 17: Praise

October 18: Refined

October 19: Contribute

October 20: Speak

October 21: Vital

October 22: Invited

October 23: Family

October 24: Affirmed

October 25: Gratitude

October 26: Conduct

October 27: Advice

October 28: Devotion

October 29: Unfailing

October 30: Firm

October 31: Integrity

November

November 1: Joy

November 2: Found

November 3: Pardoned

November 4: Prepared

November 5: Relief

November 6: Fair

November 7: Sensible

November 8: Shelter

November 9: Tender

November 10: Treasured

November 11: Resist

November 12: Priority

November 13: Provide

November 14: Safe

November 15: Awake

November 16: Confident

November 17: Ambitious

November 18: Unworried

November 19: Esteem

November 20: Willpower

November 21: Righteous

November 22: Journey

November 23: Fortress

November 24: Thankful

November 25: Reconcile

November 26: Credit

November 27: Helped

November 28: Victorious

November 29: Truthful

November 30: Unselfish

December

December 1: Wait

December 2: New

December 3: Favorite

December 4: Courage

December 5: Meek

December 6: Perseverance

December 7: Healing

December 8: Protection

December 9: Compassion

December 10: Dedicated

December 11: Assurance

December 12: Winning

December 13: Vulnerable

December 14: Unwavering

December 15: Connected

December 16: Benefit

December 17: Belief

December 18: Grant

December 19: Compare

December 20: Recall

December 21: Chosen

December 22: Goal

December 23: Calm

December 24: Simple

December 25: Wonderful

December 26: Breathtaking

December 27: Inside

December 28: Exalted

December 29: Fascinating

December 30: Model

December 31: Belong

Introduction

Living for God can be hard. You might have heard many different messages about what is right and wrong, and that can be very confusing. God’s Word is full of truth and life, and it can lead you into making good decisions every day.

Spending time with God helps you to be a boy who is full of courage, kindness, and joy. Each devotion in this book begins with one word for the day. Think about this word as you read the connected Bible verse, devotion, and question. Remember the word as you go about your day and see if it changes the way you think about things.

Let Jesus bring light and peace to your heart as you listen to his wisdom. When other people see his light shining in you, they will want it too!

JANUARY

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help

in times of trouble.

PSALM 46:1 NLT

JANUARY 1

Purpose

In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already chosen us to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And God is the One who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants. We are the first people who hoped in Christ. And we were chosen so that we would bring praise to God’s glory.

EPHESIANS 1:11-12 ICB

Alex liked to dream. As he rode his bike along his driveway, he liked to imagine who he would be when he grew up. He imagined running into burning buildings as a firefighter or solving problems as an engineer. He imagined walking his dog and traveling to cool places. He liked to think about all the exciting things he would do with his life.

It is great to imagine what kind of life you will live. God has given you great dreams! But no matter what you do in your life, your most important purpose is to glorify God. You might grow up to be a father, a husband, a teacher, a pilot, or a business owner. No matter how you spend your time or what job you do, you are first and foremost a chosen son of God.

What are some ways you can honor God every day?

JANUARY 2

Decision

“If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve.

But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.”

JOSHUA 24:15 NLT

Cameron knew his friends weren’t making good choices. His heart told him that he shouldn’t follow along when they were being unkind to others or disobeying the rules. He knew he should stand up for what is right, but he was nervous and he didn’t want to be alone or different from his friends.

Every day you are faced with choices. Even though doing the right thing can be scary, you are the only one who can control your actions. No matter what anyone else does, the choice to do the right thing is one hundred percent up to you. When you are nervous, ask God for strength and he will give you the courage to serve him in all you do.

When those around you do something you know is wrong, how can you honor God with your choices?

JANUARY 3

Respected

An overseer must be so good that people cannot rightly criticize him. He must have only one wife. He must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by other people and must be ready to help people by accepting them into his home. He must be a good teacher. He must not drink too much wine, and he must not be a man who likes to fight. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not love money.

1 TIMOTHY 3:2-3 ICB

Simon sat in church with his parents. He didn’t feel like going to Sunday school that morning and so he was listening to the sermon instead. The pastor was talking about leadership and Simon thought that it was boring. Isn’t leadership basically just telling people what to do? As the pastor talked more about it, Simon started to realize that maybe it’s more complicated than that.

Leadership is a serious job. There are many areas in life where you can be a leader, but the Bible specifically talks about what it means to be a leader in the church. If that is something you want to do, you can look to the Word to see how you will need to live. God loves his children so much that he wants the people who teach them to be kind, qualified, and self-controlled. He doesn’t want people to be hurt by harsh, proud leaders.

How does good leadership help the people being led?

JANUARY 4

Brave

“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all:

Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord.

Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.

Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!”

PSALM 27:14 TPT

Eric opened the door to the room where youth group was being held. As he stepped inside, he looked around and didn’t recognize a single face. His family had recently moved to a new town and his mom thought it was important for him to make friends at church. They had prayed before she dropped him off, that he would be brave and courageous. His mom knew big groups made him nervous. As he looked across the room, he saw another boy wearing his favorite team’s jersey. He took a deep breath and went to ask him about it.

God is on your side. He is with you all of the time and he knows exactly what you need. He doesn’t command you to be brave and then leave you alone to figure it out. He says to be brave and courageous because he is always there to help. He will encourage you and strengthen you when you need it most.

Can you think of a time when God has encouraged you and helped you when you needed it?

JANUARY 5

Stay

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.

No branch can produce fruit alone.

It must remain in the vine.

It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone.

You must remain in me.”

JOHN 15:4 ICB

Jake didn’t understand his homework. He hadn’t paid attention during the instructions, and he didn’t want to take the time to ask for help. Instead, he scribbled something down even though he knew it was wrong. The next day when they were going over the assignment, he wished he had taken the time to ask for help. It was simple and would have only taken him a few minutes.

You will always be better off when you ask for help. You aren’t meant to live your life alone. This is true every day and with God. Stay close to him and he will take care of you. Spend time with him and you will produce good fruit. If you try to get through your life without him, it is like cutting yourself off from the best help you could ever be given.

Is there a problem in your life that you have tried to tackle on your own?

JANUARY 6

Appropriate

Everyone enjoys giving great advice.

But how delightful it is to say the right thing at the right time!

PROVERBS 15:23 TPT

Jason was talking with a group of his friends. He was trying to explain why Aaron, his brother who had Down’s syndrome, spoke the way he did. He sounded different and his friends didn’t understand. One boy made a rude comment while another talked about how much fun Aaron was to be around. He was joyful and observed things in a unique way. Later that day, Jason thought about his two friends and how their words were so opposite. One had taken the time to say something meaningful while the other had just spewed out what was on the tip of his tongue. Jason didn’t want to spend time with someone who spoke so rudely.

What you say matters. Your words can either encourage or discourage someone and you are the only one who can control what comes out of your mouth. Try to be the kind of person who speaks carefully and says things that will lift others up. When you are careless with your words, you can tear people down and create lasting damage. Instead, bring life with what you say.

How can you practice controlling what you say?

Who can you lift up with your words today?

JANUARY 7

Faith

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.

HEBREWS 11:1 ICB

Trent knew God was real. He had learned about him his whole life but on some days, he just felt really far away. He was busy with school, sports, activities, and friends. Sometimes days went by when he didn’t even think about God. He wasn’t sure if he was doing a very good job at following Jesus.

Have you ever felt discouraged by your faith? It can be hard to think about God when he isn’t right in front of you. This doesn’t make you a bad Christian. God knew we would struggle. That’s why he sent the Holy Spirit to guide us when he can’t be directly with us. The more you walk with him, the stronger your faith will get. Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Faith is like a muscle; when you use it even a little bit each day, it will become stronger. God is so proud of your desire to follow him!

How can you strengthen your faith a little bit today?

JANUARY 8

Character

God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. And they remain faithful to Jesus.

REVELATION 14:12 NIRV

Orlando was having a difficult day. As he sat with his mom before bedtime he listened closely as she encouraged him. She shared that one day, everything would be perfect. She said when Jesus returns he will make all things right and we just need to wait patiently for him to come back. Orlando couldn’t even really understand what “perfect” meant but it sounded great. He was excited about a day when he wouldn’t fight with his friends, or struggle to grasp a concept at school. His mom’s words lifted his spirits and he fell asleep dreaming about what a perfect world would look like.

One day, Jesus will come back again. He will make all things right and will wipe every tear from your eyes. As you wait for him, let God help build your character. He can help you to be patient and kind even when life is hard. Waiting is hard but your patience will be rewarded one day.

How can you build your character as you look forward to Jesus’ return?

JANUARY 9

Excited

I’m asking the LORD for only one thing.

Here is what I want.

I want to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.

PSALM 27:4 NIRV

Ryan’s thoughts were occupied with beach days, lazy mornings, video games, and ice cream. He was barely halfway through the school year but all he could do was dream about summer. He couldn’t wait for school to be out so he could enjoy summer vacation. With each week that went by, Ryan became more and more excited. He kept a list in his room of all of the things he wanted to do and when he got discouraged at school, he would think about all of the fun that was to come.

Have you ever wanted something so badly it’s all you can think about? Maybe you were really excited about a vacation or someone you love was coming to visit. It’s all you can think about, and it keeps you awake at night because you’re so excited. Maybe you count down the days or you daydream about how great it will be. You tell everyone you know about it, and you can’t help talking about it whenever you get a chance. This is how we are supposed to view God. We should be excited to be worship him and spend time with him.

When you think about God and all he has done, do you feel excited?

JANUARY 10

Authority

You will know that God’s power is very great for us who believe. That power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from death and put him at his right side in heaven. God made Christ more important than all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings. Christ is more important than anything in this world or in the next world.

EPHESIANS 1:19-21 ICB

In history class Micah was learning about different governments around the world. They had been talking about the upcoming presidential election as well and Micah had a lot of questions. It seemed like everyone had a different opinion about how a country should be run. After dinner he asked his dad what he thought. He looked at Micah and explained that the leading of countries was in the hands of God. He explained that Jesus is the true King and he is more important than any government.

A lot will change in your lifetime. You will see leaders rise and fall. You will see countries at war, and you will see times of peace. No matter what happens or who is in charge, remember that Jesus is your true king. He is the real authority. Look to him for leadership and guidance. His power is greater than anyone else’s no matter how powerful they may seem.

When the news of what’s happening in the world seems overwhelming, how can you trust in the true King?

JANUARY 11

Empathy

Be joyful with those who are joyful.

Be sad with those who are sad.

ROMANS 12:15 NIRV

Elijah walked to the park from his house. When he got there, he saw a group of his friends playing basketball. He also noticed one of his friends, Finlay, sitting on the swings with a troubled look on his face. Elijah had done all of his homework and cleaned his room extra early so he could play basketball that afternoon. He really wanted to join the game. Instead, he walked over to the swings and asked Finlay how he was doing.

It’s easy to ignore people who are hurting. It’s easy to keep going about your day, pretending you didn’t notice someone having a hard time. You can tell yourself you don’t have time or it’s not your business. This is not what the Bible tells us to do. God says to be sad with those who are sad. Even when you don’t feel like it, it is important to reach out and to be supportive of someone who is going through something difficult.

Ask God to open your eyes to see those who are hurting. How can you reach out and support someone who is going through a hard time?

JANUARY 12

Empowered

“Thomas, now that you’ve seen me, you believe.

But there are those who have never seen me with their eyes but have believed in me with their hearts, and they will be blessed even more!”

JOHN 20:29 TPT

Ethan sometimes imagined what it would be like to have Jesus alive right now. It would be so great if he could be here right now, performing miracles and teaching us how to love God. He could fix so many problems! It would be so much easier to be a Christian if he could just sit face-to-face with Jesus.

It does seem tempting to think about how lucky the disciples who walked with Jesus were. They could hear his voice, ask him questions, and see his face when he spoke. But did you know that because you have not seen Jesus, you will be even more blessed? The Bible says that because you have followed him with just the faith in your heart, you will be rewarded even more. You have been empowered to follow Jesus by the grace of God. God knows how hard it is to have faith in something you cannot see, and he is very proud of you.

Even though you can’t see Jesus, what can you do to strengthen your faith today?

JANUARY 13

Sure

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if they die. And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

JOHN 11:25-26 NIRV

Hudson grew up going to church every week. He was part of the youth group and most of his friends believed in God. Even though he was surrounded by godly people, he sometimes felt like maybe he wasn’t a good enough Christian. He felt unsure of his relationship with God and thought maybe he wasn’t doing a good enough job.

It is normal to sometimes doubt your relationship with God. When this happens, turn to what the Bible says. It is clear in the book of John that those who believe in Jesus, the Son of God, who was raised from the dead, will never die. You can find security in that truth. Nothing else matters. All of your doubts can be answered by Jesus assuring you that he is the reason you are saved, not because of anything you have done.

When you doubt your relationship with God, how can you remember the truth of what Jesus said?

JANUARY 14

Dependable

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

PROVERBS 17:17 NLT

Johan was having a rough day. His parents were stressed out about something, and he was struggling with his math homework. He put his head down on his desk and sighed. Just then Brandon, who sat next to him, reached over and passed him a note. Johan opened it and laughed at the funny drawing Brandon had done. He looked at his friend and smiled. He was thankful to have Brandon in his life.

There is nothing better than a good friend. When you are feeling down, a kind friend makes all the difference. The Bible says that a friend is always loyal, and a brother helps in times of need. This is the kind of friend you should strive to be. Pay attention to those around you and take notice when there are opportunities to help others.

How can you practice being a good friend today?

JANUARY 15

Content

I know how to live when I am poor. And I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I have learned to be happy when I have all that I need and when I do not have the things I need.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12 ICB

Oliver sat on the bus quietly. He listened to the other kids talking about what they were going to do over summer vacation. One friend was going to California to visit their grandparents. Someone else was taking a family vacation to Florida while another classmate had a season pass to the water park. Everyone seemed to have something really exciting planned. Oliver thought about hanging out in his backyard with his brother and he felt disappointed. It was hard to be happy about summer break when it looked like it would be so boring.

When you start comparing yourself to others, you can quickly feel like your life isn’t good enough. There will always be someone who is doing something more exciting or has something you want. Finding contentment means being satisfied with what you have already been given. When you are content, jealousy has no way of creeping in. Focus on the good things you have instead of all you think you are missing.

How can you practice being content?

JANUARY 16

Generous

Anyone who is kind to poor people lends to the LORD.

God will reward them for what they have done.

PROVERBS 19:17 NIRV

Jude sat in the car at the gas station. His dad was outside pumping gas and Jude was anxiously waiting for them to get going. His first soccer game of the season was tonight, and he didn’t want to be late. While he watched his dad, eager for him to get in the car, he saw him walk back inside. He came out with a bag of snacks and headed to the side of the building. Jude watched curiously as his dad handed the bag and a twenty-dollar bill to a man sitting against the side of the building. When he got back in the car, he explained there is always time to be kind, especially when you have more than you need.

There is always room to be generous. A couple of dollars might not be important to you but for someone else, it could show them they are seen and loved. When you are generous with what you have, whether it’s a little or a lot, you show other people how God feels about them.

How can you be generous and kind to those around you in need? Do you have to have money to be generous?

JANUARY 17

Grace

God continues to give us more grace. That’s why Scripture says, “God opposes those who are proud.

But he gives grace to those who are humble.”

JAMES 4:6 NIRV

Josh stomped around the house. He was running out of time before they needed to leave, and he couldn’t find any socks. He stomped down the stairs to the laundry room, he stomped back up to his room, and he stomped over to the bathroom hoping to find some laying around. He looked under his bed, and he looked behind the closet door, all the while exclaiming how frustrated he was. When he finally asked his mom for help, she handed him a pair of socks. “I did the laundry last night; your socks are all in your drawer. Next time, just ask.”

Missing socks might seem like a silly example, but the truth is there are lots of times in life when we would be better off by just asking for help. When you ask for help, you are admitting you cannot do it alone. This is called humility. God promises to always help those who are humble. He cannot help someone who is prideful because they don’t even realize they need help.

Is there an area of your life you have been struggling through on your own?

In what ways can you ask for help?

JANUARY 18

Pride

“Don’t continue bragging.

Don’t speak proud words.

The Lord is a God who knows everything.

He judges what people do.”

1 SAMUEL 2:3 NIV

Wyatt got an A on his math test. He was so proud of himself. He raced home to tell his family all about it. When he got there, his sister was crying. She was sitting at the kitchen table with their mom, explaining how her science presentation didn’t go well and how upset she was because she’d worked so hard on it. Wyatt folded up his math test and put it into his backpack. He walked over to his sister and tried to encourage her instead. Her sadness seemed more important than his victory at the moment. Later, when he showed his mom his test, she smiled at him. She knew how happy he was about his test, and she was proud of him for thinking of his sister’s feelings. Wyatt didn’t let pride get in the way of loving others.

There is no need to brag or speak proudly at the expense of others. God knows all you have done, and he will be faithful to reward you. You don’t have to seek after your own rewards because he is a good Father who sees all you do.

Have you been elevating yourself above others?

How can you turn proud words into humble words?

JANUARY 19

Legacy

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.

PSALM 78:4 NLT

Crosby sat at a picnic table at his grandparents’ farm. His family was gathered there for their big annual family reunion. He even had a great-grandma who was still able to come. At ninety-five, she was the oldest person there. His cousin was only a few weeks old and was being passed around by doting aunts and uncles. His great grandma was telling stories about her childhood and Crosby couldn’t believe how different the world was now from how it was when she was growing up. He looked around and thought about how so many people in his family followed Jesus. They were taught by their parents, who learned from their parents.

God loves families. He loves it when parents teach their children about who he is. Maybe you didn’t learn about God from your mom or dad but whoever gave you this book was passing down truth to you because they love you. They declared to you that God is good, and you can do the same for the next generation. As we share God’s love his kingdom grows.

What have you learned about God from someone older than you? What can you teach to someone else?

JANUARY 20

Leader

Choose some capable men from among the people. Choose men who respect God and who can be trusted. They will not change their decisions for money. Make these men officers over groups of 1,000, 100, 50 and 10 people.

EXODUS 18:21 ICB

Kai sat in class as the teacher sorted everyone into groups for a science project. He really wanted to be the leader in his group. He didn’t like being told what to do and so he figured leading the group would take care of that. By the end of the project, he wasn’t so sure his plan had worked. He had gotten frustrated with all of the questions, felt like he needed to fix everyone’s problems, and ended up doing more of the work than seemed fair. Being a leader was a lot harder than he imagined.

The Bible is full of descriptions of good and bad leaders. Being in front of other people, teaching them and guiding them, is something God takes seriously. He calls leaders to be honest, upright, and capable. He says they should respect God and not be tempted by power or money.

It is good to aspire to leadership, but it should be taken seriously. How can God prepare your heart to be a leader who is responsible, trustworthy, and kind?

JANUARY 21

Thoughtful

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself.

ROMANS 15:1-3 NLT

Caleb loved playing board games with his family. One afternoon he was playing a game with his sister. He was off to a strong start and could feel a whole string of competitive jabs on the tip of his tongue. His sister wasn’t doing well, and he knew if he played his cards right, he would quickly win. Just as he was about to start talking about his victory, he noticed her face. She looked frustrated and upset. She couldn’t figure out what to do next. Instead of gloating, he changed his approach and asked her if she needed help. She smiled and he thought about how different her reaction would have been if he’d joked around like he was planning.

Sometimes you’ll find yourself in situations like Caleb’s. There is nothing wrong with some competitive joking but if you know it will hurt someone else, then you should instead do whatever will lift them up. Sometimes the right thing is simply what is best for someone else.

How can you practice thinking about others before yourself?

JANUARY 22

Healthy

Training the body has some value.

But being godly has value in every way.

It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.

1 TIMOTHY 4:8 NIRV

One Sunday at church, Maddox’s teacher mentioned spiritual strength. Maddox listened carefully because he had never heard that phrase before. He knew it was important to keep his mind healthy. That’s why he loved reading and learning new things. He knew it was important to keep his body healthy. That’s why he loved playing sports and running around outside. But he had never heard that he needed to be spiritually healthy. He wasn’t even really sure what that meant.

Being spiritually healthy is a lot like keeping your mind and body healthy. You can exercise godliness and become stronger. When you practice walking in godliness it will benefit every area of your life. You can read the Bible, talk to God in prayer, or even write down what you know about God.

How can you become spiritually stronger today than you were yesterday?

JANUARY 23

Pleasant

The LORD is all I need.

He takes care of me.

My share in life has been pleasant;

my part has been beautiful.

PSALM 16:5-6 NCV

Jonas sat on the couch on a Thursday evening. He looked around and observed his family for a minute. His sister was finishing her homework at the dining room table. His dad was outside grilling dinner. His mom was on her way home from work and his grandma would be there soon to join them for dinner. He knew he was blessed to have a loving family and a safe, warm home. They drove him nuts a lot of the time, but they really were his favorite people in the whole world.

If you take a moment to think about it, you’ll be able to see the ways God has blessed you. He has placed people, things, and memories in your life to bring you joy. He takes good care of his children. He knows what you need, and he is happy to provide you with it. Every good gift you have, big or small, is from him.

What has God given you today that has made your life more pleasant or beautiful?

JANUARY 24

Motivated

Everything a person does might seem pure to them.

But the LORD knows why they do what they do.

PROVERBS 16:2 NIRV

Aiden was arguing with his sister. They were fighting over whether or not she meant to run into him in the kitchen. She had knocked his drink out of his hand and cleaning up the mess made him angry. “You meant to do that!” he shouted. Back and forth they went, each accusing the other and getting more frustrated with each word. Once the mess was cleaned up and they had both calmed down, Aiden apologized to her. “I’m sorry I accused you of hurting me on purpose.”

It’s really easy to make judgements about why other people act the way they do. It’s easy to think you have the answers to every situation or you are the only one who sees it clearly. The truth is only God can see into the hearts of people. He is the only one who knows our motives and our truest thoughts. When you make assumptions, you take the other person’s voice away from them. Instead, try asking questions. Ask God to help you see others the way he sees them.

When you let God be the one to look at someone’s heart, how does that change how you feel in a difficult situation?

JANUARY 25

Mindful

Why is man important to you?

Why do you take care of human beings?

PSALM 8:4 ICB

Jesse walked through the park and quickly stopped when he heard a tiny squeak. He looked down and there at his feet was a baby bird. He had almost stepped on it. He looked up and saw a nest on a nearby branch. It must have fallen or was still learning to fly. He placed it carefully by the trunk of the tree where he knew it wouldn’t get stepped on. Even though he was much bigger than the bird, and he could have ignored it, he did his best to keep it safe.

If Jesse noticed a tiny little bird and was willing to move it to safety, can you imagine how God feels about you? He is mindful of you. This means he thinks about you. You are always on his mind. He created you and he is the one who cares for you. As you turn to him, he will protect you and lead you.

How does knowing that God is mindful of you change how you go about your day?

JANUARY 26

Moral

People shouted at him and made fun of him. But he didn’t do the same thing back to them. When he suffered, he didn’t say he would make them suffer. Instead, he trusted in the God who judges fairly.

1 PETER 2:23 NIRV

Thomas read 1 Peter 2:23 in his Bible. When he read it, he felt sad because he knew he hadn’t followed Jesus’ example. When he was upset, he really wanted other people to be upset. In the past, when someone said something, he didn’t like he would think really hard and throw back the worst insult he could think of. When reading his Bible, he realized that’s not how Jesus lived. If Jesus could trust in God during the worst time of his life, then Thomas could try to as well.

Jesus is sometimes called the Suffering Servant. He loved others completely even when they were horrible to him. This is the example we are supposed to follow. It’s not easy, but with God’s help, you can love others in that way. You can be a peacemaker; you can be full of kindness even when other people aren’t.

Is there someone in particular you fight with most often, maybe a sibling or someone at school you don’t get along with? How can you show them kindness instead?

JANUARY 27

Positive

A cheerful heart makes you healthy.

But a broken spirit dries you up.

PROVERBS 17:22 NIRV

Josiah walked through the kitchen and grabbed a snack off the counter. As he walked away, he read the sign above the kitchen sink. It was Proverbs 17:22 written in pretty cursive letters. His mom loved that verse, and he could see how it was true in her life. Things weren’t always easy for his family but his mom had joy and strived to make their home a cheerful place. She was loving and kind and even when something difficult happened, she trusted that God’s guidance was better than being anxious. Josiah was thankful for an example of how to lean on the Lord in good times and in bad times.

God doesn’t ask you to be happy and smiley all of the time. He knows life can be hard and some days it is more difficult to be joyful. He is with you on those days he and he will comfort you when life is hard. He is the one who can fix your broken spirit. He is the one who can make your heart cheerful. This doesn’t mean you will always feel happy, but it does mean when hard things happen, you will have the perseverance to get through them.

God is the only one who can turn your sadness into joy. When you’re having a bad day, where do you turn?

JANUARY 28

Mature

We will speak the truth with love. We will grow up in every way to be like Christ, who is the head. The whole body depends on Christ. And all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part of the body does its own work. And this makes the whole body grow and be strong with love.

EPHESIANS 4:15-16 ICB

David couldn’t wait to be older. He was so tired of being told what to do. Having some freedom just seemed like the best thing he could imagine. He couldn’t wait to be on his own, making his own decisions. He didn’t think he needed anyone else to help him.

As you get older, you might think you will grow more and more independent. You might long for a time when you can do things on your own and have some freedom. The truth is, we all need each other. As your responsibility grows, you’ll actually need the people around you even more. We are supposed to support each other and teach each other with love and kindness no matter how old you get. The ability to do what you’ve been created to do while supporting and loving those around you is a mark of true maturity. You are part of the body of Christ and are greatly needed.

How can you support part of the body of Christ today?

Who can you encourage?

JANUARY 29

Patient

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will.

Then you will receive all that he has promised.

HEBREWS 10:36 NLT

Daniel was excited about high school, he was excited about driving his own car, and he was excited about seeing what it would be like to be an adult. He felt like those days couldn’t come fast enough. He didn’t want to be a kid anymore. He wished he could just skip some steps and get to the fun stuff.

In life, as well as in your relationship with God, skipping the steps you don’t like might seem tempting. It’s easy to think another season or time will be better than where you are right now. The truth is, God knows all of your days. He knows exactly what your life will look like and exactly what you need. Building patient endurance is better than rushing. If you try to rush through your life, you will miss some of what God has for you right now.

How can you be patient with where you are right now instead of wishing for the next big thing?

JANUARY 30

Meaningful

Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness.

PSALM 119:111 TPT

Hunter’s family was on vacation. They were spending a week at the beach, and he was loving it. He sat on his towel reading a comic book his dad had bought him for the trip. As he looked up, he saw his little brother racing through the sand. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and dug his hands into ground. He smiled joyously and scooped up a treasure to add to his bucket. He was so delighted by each shell he found that Hunter couldn’t help but smile along with him.

The Word of God is a lot like those seashells on the beach and we can be just like Hunter’s brother. Every single thing God has said to you is meaningful and valuable. You can search God’s Word with joyous anticipation just like a child searching for treasures on the beach. His Word is precious and full of goodness. If you ask him, the Holy Spirit will show you wonderful things in the Word of God.

How can you find meaning in God’s Word today?

JANUARY 31

Mentor

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 ICB

Jackson sat in a circle of kids on the floor at church. It was Wednesday night, and they were in the middle of discussion time at youth group. They usually talked about the Scripture that was read, asked a few questions, and then spent some time praying for each other. Jackson really wanted to follow Jesus well and he was thankful for a place where he could learn how to do that. It was really helpful to be surrounded by people who wanted the same things he did.