Children’s Devotional Short Story – January 1st

In Shape

“I don’t know whose idea it was to have a mini-band camp during Christmas vacation!” exclaimed Drew when he got back home. 

“I vote to keep it in summer as usual after this. I am so-o-o tired! We had to get up early every morning for a march before breakfast–and after breakfast, we marched again! And one day, I played my trumpet so long and hard that I split my lip.” 

“Didn’t you have any fun?” asked Drew’s little sister. Drew grinned. 

“Sure, Kadie. One night we had a huge pillow fight,” he said. 

“We did a few other fun things, too, but we sure worked hard most of the time.” After his first week back at school, Drew decided all those hours of practice had done some good. 

“A lot of kids complain about all the marching we do, practicing for the big Start-of-the-Year parade the town always has”, he said, “but it doesn’t bother me. I can hold high notes much longer now, too.” 

The following week, Drew twisted his ankle in gym class, and the school nurse said to stay off it for several days.

 “Poor Drew!” sympathized Kadie. Drew shrugged. 

“I kinda hate to miss band,” he said, “but at least I’ll miss only a couple of days.” 

However, just before Drew was ready to go back to school, he came down with the flu. That worried him a little. 

“Missing a few days of practice is one thing, but I want to march in that parade!” he said. 

“I hope nothing else bad happens.” To Drew’s relief, nothing did, and he returned to school on the day of the parade. 

“Are you sure you’re in shape for marching?” Mr. Artez, the band director, asked him. 

“No problem! I can do it,” insisted Drew. And when they began marching, he started briskly. But he couldn’t believe how tired it made him! I am out of shape, he thought, and he was very glad to reach the end of the parade route. At church that week, Drew found Pastor Stowe’s message interesting. 

“We don’t have to do anything to get out of shape,” said the pastor, “but we must exercise regularly to stay in shape.” 

After what happened in band, I sure can relate to that, Drew thought. 

“And,” continued Pastor Stowe, “our spiritual lives and our physical lives are alike in that way. Daily physical exercise is important, but let’s be especially mindful that spiritual exercise is needed, too.” 

How About You? Are you in shape physically? To stay in shape you need enough exercise to build your muscles. So . . . in this new year, take part in some physical activity–perhaps run, lift weights, or play outdoor games. More importantly, be sure to stay in shape spiritually. Do all you can to build your faith through exercising spiritually. Read your Bible and pray daily, listen to your pastor and Sunday school teachers, and discuss God’s Word with parents and friends. 

Today’s Key Verse: Exercise yourself toward godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7) 

Today’s Key Thought: Exercise spiritually

Family Daily Devotional – January 1st

The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)”

God wants us to know His grace. He wants us to learn about it, and then experience it at work in our lives. Grace has rightly been described as “unmerited favor.” The acronym, “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense” catches more of its majesty. Grace is God freely providing for us (as we trust in the work of His Son) all that we will ever need, all that we will ever yearn for, all that He has commanded us to walk in and become—realities that we could never produce on our own, could never earn, and could never deserve. Grace offers what every human desperately needs, but what God alone can provide.

This grace is found only in a person, the Lord Jesus. It is the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thus, it is accessible only through an ongoing personal relationship with Him.

Grace was made available to us by Jesus’ willingness to take our spiritual bankruptcy upon Himself, that we might partake of His spiritual richness. Before coming to earth below, Jesus enjoyed heavenly riches above (“that though He was rich“). He knew the infinitely rich fellowship of the Father and the Spirit. He received the rich worship of angelic beings. He enjoyed the limitless rights and privileges of deity.

Then, for our benefit, Jesus voluntarily became poor (“for your sakes He became poor“). He humbled Himself to walk as a man among sinful humanity. He who was adored above became despised below. He who shined forth in glorious divinity in heaven was clothed in humble humanity on earth. He who created all things was slain by those He created. He who existed in eternity past died in time. He who was holy took our sin upon Himself.

Through these workings of His grace, all who believed in Him would become spiritually rich (“that you through His poverty might become rich”). Now, we whose “righteousnesses were as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) have become “the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We “who once were not a people…are now the people of God” (1 Peter 2:10). Now, we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Lord, I thank You and praise You for Your great grace toward me and my family. 

May I increasingly know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ through a growing relationship with Him. 

May I become an instrument of Your grace in the lives of others, all for Your glory and honour, in Jesus’ name, Amen.