As we read through the Gospels, the focus of these last 30 devotionals is on children. Every day there will be a “kid-friendly” devotional that you may choose to use with your family,and some days something extra for adults, too.We think that our readers of every age will appreciate the simple Biblical truths of these daily devotionals. |
Key Verse: Matthew 4:19 Follow Me (Jesus) and I will make you fishers of men.
Read Key Passage: Matthew 4:18-22
Reflection: Have you ever told someone to follow you? Sometimes it is fun to play Follow the Leader, or Simon Says. One day Jesus was walking along this big lake called the Sea of Galilee. He stopped and he said this to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew (they were fishermen): “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men”. What Jesus was asking them to do was give up their jobs as fishermen and follow him. Peter and Andrew understood something that all of us if we are wise need to understand: that all that is truly important on this earth is SOULS and THE WORD (Jesus) John 1:1
What would you have done? Well, Peter and Andrew left their nets and immediately followed Christ! Boy, I’m glad they did because they were two men that God used in a big way to spread the gospel message after Jesus died and rose from the grave.
Application: When we read the Bible we should always apply (apply means to put on) the lessons that we learn, to our lives. Applying scripture is how God’s Word begins to change us!! That is the goal of the Christian life: to change to be like our example—Jesus.
Chloe: Fishers of Men are people who share the gospel. (Good news of Jesus) Even though we are kids, we can still talk about Jesus. One time I asked my friend if she died where would she go? She said “to the cemetery.” A lot of our friends don’t understand and we need to tell them! Paul: Jesus is still calling us today! Let’s be like Peter and Andrew and listen and obey his voice! Let’s pray that God gives us a burden for the souls of our friends. ~he who wins souls is wise~ Proverbs 11:30
Review Questions:
1. After reading this passage about Peter and Andrew, what am I going to do differently?
2. What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus found them?
3. Who were the other two disciples who were called in this passage?
4. What does God want us to do?
FAVORITES Toy: Chloe: I-pod Mr. Paul: Transformers Color: Chloe: Blue Mr. Paul: Red Cartoon: Chloe: Bugs Bunny Mr. Paul: Duck Tales Food: Chloe: Pizza Mr. Paul: Pizza Game: Chloe: Clue Mr. Paul: Settlers Teacher: Chloe: Mrs. Weidman  |
Name: Paul Herrold
Favorite Bible character: JosephFamily: Wife Sarah, Kids Chloe (10), Caleb (7), Carter (5)
Occupation: Christian Farmer
Favorite book in the Bible: James
When you got saved: 1983
What part of Children’s Ministry do you work in? Disciple Town
KEY VERSES: Matthew 3:13-17
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[c] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
REFLECTIONS:
One night as Sarah and I slept, Sarah thought that a lamp in our room was a person in our room. Consequently she screamed. It wasn’t just a scream; it was more like the cry of death. As my heart raced 100 miles an hour I assuredly and emphatically told her there was absolutely no one in our room and she should go back to sleep. She immediately closed her eyes and lay back down. After she had shut her eyes I poked my head up out of the covers and scanned the room (just in case she was right). I was “sure” there was no one in our room, but not sure enough to not take a look around. My faith was being conquered by my fear!
In this passage we get to spend time getting to know the greatest man that ever lived (apart from Jesus). John the Baptist’s purpose on earth was to prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah. He knew it. John said and witnessed the following:
1. When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John’s reply was, I should be baptized by you!
2. John was an eyewitness to the Holy Spirit ascending on Jesus like a dove.
3. John heard the voice from heaven that said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!
4. In John 1:35, he looked at Jesus and said, Behold the Lamb of God!
5. John said, He must increase, but I must decrease!
It is very clear that John knew without a doubt that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but something happened to John that caused him to question his calling, his message, his very faith in the Son of God. John was put in prison, and spent the year before his death virtually alone. As the days passed John started to question what he knew to be true, until his faith was so shaken that he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus this question: “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)
Jesus answered as He often answered questions, indirectly. He replied to John’s disciples, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. You’d think since the poor guy was suffering in a prison cell that Jesus would just say, “Yes, Yes, I am.” Instead Jesus pointed John to the Scripture (Isaiah 29:18; 35:4-6; 61:1). John no doubt knew these prophecies from the book of Isaiah, and that was all he needed to rejuvenate his faith in the Son of God.
APPLICATION:
What I’m about to say is terrible I know, but it makes me feel so good when great men of God in the Bible, or other Christians I respect, struggle with doubt or sin. In a twisted way it gives me great hope. Many of the stories in the Bible bring these larger-than-life characters down to earth, by giving us the good, bad and ugly. Christians’ battles are not just fought on mountains calling fire down from heaven (Elijah), on hills slaying giants (David), preaching on the day of Pentecost (Peter), or the day you baptize Jesus (John). Some of the most important battles are waged in caves fighting depression and despair (Elijah), on rooftops fighting lust (David), around the fire denying Christ (Peter), or the day you find yourself in prison fighting loneliness and doubt (John the Baptist). We all have different faith struggles which are unique and important to all of us. What I struggle with you may not, but the common denominator among us Christ-followers is that we all struggle. The hope, the answer, the cure, and the truth are found in a miracle of a Book – the Bible. Read it – Live it – Share it!
Thank you for being a part of the 100-Day Challenge. Thanks for reading, and you have a blessed day!
In Christ, Paul