DAY 93, Matthew 24-25

Good Morning! Our names are Carissa and Anna and we were asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Matthew chapters 24 and 25.

KEY VERSE:  Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

KEY PASSAGE:  Matthew 24 and 25

REFLECTION:

Nobody knows when our Lord will return. It could be ten years from now, it could be tonight. If we knew that Jesus was coming tomorrow, wouldn't we make sure that we were on our best behavior???  Well, it could be; we should live everyday honoring Him.

APPLICATION:

Carissa:  To live every day as if it were the day that the Lord will return.  To do everything, even if it is just washing dishes, to the best of our ability, with a happy spirit about us and always for God's glory.  To live each day for the Lord, honoring Him.

Anna:  I'll make sure my room is clean every night, just in case He comes to play with me.

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!  

In Christ,

Carissa and Anna

Name:  Carissa

Favorite Bible Character:  Mary

Family:  Erich; Brandon, age 6; Anna, age 4

Occupation:  Wife, Mama, Teacher, Dreamer 

Favorite book in the Bible:  Luke

When you got saved:  Age 4

CHILDHOOD FAVORITES

Anna                                                   Carissa

Toy:                Baby Doll                                           Pot holder loom

Color:              Pink                                                   Pink

Cartoon:         Mary Poppins                                   Tom and Jerry

Food:               Chicken                                             Peanut butter candy

Teacher:         Miss Dana                                         Mr. Olsen

DAY 92, MATTHEW 22-23

Good Morning!  My name is Aaron Clark and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from Matthew 22-23.

KEY VERSES:  22:36-37

³⁶Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

³⁷Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

REFLECTIONS:

In this chapter an important question is asked of Jesus.  A man asked, what is the greatest commandment in the law?  Jesus then responded to him that is was to love God with all thy heart, soul, and mind.  What we can learn from Christ’s response is that God wants us to love Him with every part of our life.

APPLICATION:

When I was 11 years old I was responsible for several chores around the house.  Although I was doing what I was supposed to one evening by setting the table for dinner, my dad noticed that I did not have a good attitude.  When he asked me what was going on I simply replied, “Nothing; just doing what I have to do.”  My dad then told me that it was good that I was doing what I was supposed to, but that God is just as interested in our attitude as He is in our actions.  I was learning that God is not pleased by our outward actions if our hearts are not right.  He wants us to love Him, and then because of that, act in the way we should. 

Let’s remember to love the Lord with all our hearts and then act in the way we should by obeying our parents, not only on the outside, but with our attitudes as well.

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!

In Christ,

Aaron Clark

NAME:  Aaron M. Clark

WHEN YOU GOT SAVED:  October 1986

FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE:  Proverbs

FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER:  Peter

FAMILY:  Wife Julie Clark

HOBBIES:  Carpentry, Riding Snowmobiles, Guns, Being With the People of VBC!

AREA OF MINISTRY AT YOUR CHURCH:  Music Leader; Youth Leader; Greeter Team Leader; Mission Committee Member; Food-Tasting Team Leader

DAY 91, MATTHEW 20-21

Good morning!  Our names are Jack Stockman, age 8, and Grandpa Wallace, and we were asked to give a devotional thought from Matthew, chapters 20 and 21.

KEY VERSES:  Matthew 20:27-28

²⁷And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

²⁸Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

REFLECTIONS:  I asked Jack if he ever did anything that would be considered being a servant.  He said he didn’t think so.  After talking for a while I asked him if he was ever asked to take up the offering in junior church.  He said yes.  I also asked if he ever prayed in junior church, and he said yes.  I then explained to him that whenever we are asked to do something for God and we do it with a willing heart, that is being a servant.  It is not important to be the most important person but to be the most willing servant of God.

APPLICATION:  Jack and I talked about being a servant of God or being “the chief among you,” verse 27.

We both decided it is not important to be the most important person, but to be the most willing servant of God.

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!

In Christ,

(Grandpa) Pat Wallace and Jack Stockman

Jack Stockman

Favorite Bible character:  John

Family:  Dad Steve, Mom Kerri, brothers Kyle – 21, Chad – 16; sister Kate – 15 

Favorite book in the Bible:  Luke     

When you got saved:  Age 7

DAY 90, MARK 10-11

Good morning!  Our names are Mike and Sydney Cantrell, and we were asked to give a devotional thought from Mark, chapters 10-11.

KEY VERSE:  Mark 10:27

READ KEY PASSAGE:  Mark 10:23-27

REFLECTION:   In these verses Jesus is talking to the disciples and telling them how hard it is for a rich man to get saved.  Have you ever had a favorite toy or video game that your parents made you share with you brother, sister, or friend?  Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the things that we really enjoy, and that is kind of how it is with trusting Jesus to take us to heaven and to trust that He will take care of our needs. 

When we read the Bible we should always apply the lessons that we learn, to our lives.  Applying scripture is how God’s Word begins to change us!!

APPLICATION:

Sydney:                      It is easy to trust my parents, but we all must learn to trust Jesus.

Mike:                          Even though it can be hard to do, we need to trust God to take care of us, and we shouldn’t let the things of the world keep us away from Him.

 REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.                  What are a few things you should trust God with?

2.                  Is anything impossible with God on our side?

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!

In Christ,

Mike and Sydney

DAY 89, LUKE 16-17

Good morning! My name is Dana Sorrels, and I was asked to give a devotional thought from Luke, chapters 16 and 17.

KEY VERSE:  Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:  but now he is comforted, and thou are tormented.

REFLECTION:  Have you ever seen something that someone else had and thought, "Wow!  If I had that I would be sooooo happy!"  Or maybe you have gotten jealous of something that someone else got for their birthday, or maybe they just got something you really, REALLY wanted?  I know I have!  When I start to feel this way I just think about how I have a gift worth more than the most expensive birthday gift!  I have Jesus in my heart!  When I go to heaven it doesn't matter if I have the fanciest house, fastest car, or diamond rings.  None of those things really matter.

APPLICATION:  Let's try to be thankful for what we have, and don't worry about what we don't have.  And most importantly, let's share this AWESOME gift with everyone we know.  That Jesus can wash away all of our sins, and take us to live with Him in heaven some day!  And the best thing is.....IT'S FREE!

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!

In Christ,

Dana

NAME: Dana Sorrels

FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: ISAIAH 41:10- Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

FAVORITE BOOKS IN THE BIBLE: Ephesians and Philippians

HOBBIES: Reading

OCCUPATION: Mom, and babysitter for 3 kids.

Childhood favorites:

Toy:  Kitchen set

Cartoon:  The Jetsons

Food:  Watermelon

Game :  Hungry, Hungry Hippo

Teacher:  Mrs. Billings

DAY 88, LUKE 14-15

Good Morning? My name is Bill Barrick and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Luke, chapters 14 and 15.

KEY VERSES:

Luke 15:24b ...he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.

REFLECTIONS:

Did you ever have a pet that ran away or was lost?  Even though our pets love us they sometimes wander off and go their own way.  Jesus told a story about a man and his discontented son.  The son asked for his share of the family money and left home.  He went astray like your lost pet, and spent all his money on foolishness.  He got so hungry he had to beg for the same food that the pigs ate.  He was hungry, lost and alone, just like your pet.

When the son finally realized the mistake he had made he cried out, "I have sinned against heaven and my father."  He admitted his mistake and was ashamed.  He decided he would asked his father to let him come back home.

Remember how glad you were when your pet was found and finally safe at home?  Even though your pet ran away you were still happy to see him.

The son's father was so happy when the boy came home again, he invited all the friends and relatives to their house for a big party.  Then the father joyously exclaimed, "This son of mine was dead (spiritually) and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

You may have been upset with your pet but you still forgave him and welcomed him back home because you loved him so much.  In Jesus' story, that's how the father felt about his son when he changed his foolish ways and came back home.

APPLICATION:

God loves us more than the father in the story and more than we love our pets.  He wants us to stay in His care. If you are ever far away from God, if you are ever lost because you've disobeyed God, He will always welcome you back home if you admit your mistake and ask for forgiveness.  When you return to the family of God there will be a celebration in heaven! 

Thanks for being part of the 100 day challenge.  Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Your friend in Christ,

Bill Barrick

Bill Barrick

SAVED:  September, 1971
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER:  Noah
FAMILY:  Wife, Jane; Sons, Wilbur, Hank, Matt, Steve (in Heaven)
OCCUPATION:  Graphic Artist and Teacher
HOBBIES:  Piano, Travel, Keeping our roof repaired
AREA OF MINISTRY:  Encouraging
FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE:  Genesis

DAY 87, Luke 12-13

Good Morning! Our names are Miss Quita and Jamie and we were asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Luke chapters 12 and 13.

KEY VERSE: Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”

KEY PASSAGE: Luke 12:16-34

REFLECTION:  Luke 12:16-21  A rich fool (not a wise farmer) stored up food for himself and did not rely on God to give him what he needed.  God said fool, you have kept the food for yourself.  This is an example of laying up treasures (things) for yourself instead of relying on God to provide your every need.

APPLICATION: A treasure is something people do not want to do without or something you value.  God wants us to rely on Him instead of things.

(Jamie)  I love to play games on my Wii and on my Ipod Touch but I do not love it more than God.  I read my Bible, help others, and go to teen group because I love to worship God and learn more about Him.

(Quita)  When I grew up my dad was not a Christian.  My dad’s friends were not Christians either.  He drove nice cars, made a lot of money, and his focus was on himself.  My Grandma’s pastor, Bro. Hunter, talked to my dad and showed him in the Bible how to accept, trust, and follow God’s Words.  My dad’s actions then spoke louder than his words.  His best friend Henry was a deacon; they spent many hours fishing and praising (thanking) God together.  He gave money to the church.  My dad’s friend was Jesus.  When he died there was no U-haul truck to move him to Heaven.  He had all his treasures, relied and focused on God.  I have always loved my dad and miss him, but now I will see him in Heaven one day.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1)       What would God say if we always played video games instead of reading His Word?

2)       Does God like you to share your treasures?

3)       Is having a home in heaven important to you?

4)       Will God supply ALL your needs?

Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge.  Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!  

In Christ,

Miss Quita and Jamie

Name:  Quita Jones

Favorite Bible Character:  Paul

Family:  Husband Steve, son Josh/Anjale, daughter Jamie (13), and granddaughter Aubrey (1)

Occupation:  Hairstylist 

Favorite book in the Bible:  Psalms

When you got saved:  September 1991

What part of Children’s Ministry do you work in?  Where ever the Lord leads me

CHILDHOOD FAVORITES

Jamie                                                  Quita

Toy:                Ipod Touch                                        Barbies

Color:             Hot pink and lime green                    Green

Cartoon:         Tom & Jerry                                      Roadrunner

Food:              Fettuccini Alfredo                               Chicken

Game:             Dodge ball                                          Sorry

Teacher:          Mrs. Krieger and Mrs. Russell            Mrs. Sanders