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Bedtime Devotions with Jesus
My Daily Devotional for Kids
By Tommy Nelson Thomas Nelson
Copyright © 2014 Tommy Nelson
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7180-3646-1
CHAPTER 1
WEEK 1 Monday
Forgive Like Jesus
"If your brother sins, tell him he is wrong. But if he is sorry and stops sinning, forgive him." Luke 17:3
Is it wrong to be hurt and even mad when someone lies or takes your things or says something ugly to you? Of course not! Jesus says it is okay to tell someone that what she did was wrong. But He also says we should forgive that person when she says she is sorry. Jesus always forgives us, and so we should forgive too.
Dear Lord, You always forgive. Make me be more like You.
I want to forgive and be more like Jesus.
WEEK 1 Tuesday
Forgive Again
"You must forgive him even if he does wrong to you 70 times 7." Matthew 18:22
Your little sister has messed up your room ... again. She feels really really bad and says that she is sorry But you are mad and do not really want to forgive her again. It is hard, but Jesus says no matter how many times someone does something wrong, when they say they are sorry, we should forgive them. Jesus has forgiven us for so much because He loves us. Ask Jesus to remind you of His forgiveness when you have done something wrong. Ask Him to help you forgive others as He forgave you.
Jesus, thank You for forgiving me when I do something wrong. Help me forgive others when they hurt me.
I am forgiven because Jesus forgives.
WEEK 1 Wednesday
Love Forgives
Love forgives all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
When someone hurts us, we have a decision to make: do we get mad at them or do we love them? What would Jesus want us to do? God is love, and He always chooses to love us. When we love Jesus, we can love others, even the people who are sometimes unlovable. Ask Jesus to help you love and forgive.
Jesus, thank You for loving me when I am good and when I am bad. Help me act more like You.
Jesus is love.
WEEK 1 Thursday
Choose Forgiveness
"Forgive other people, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37
When your little brother breaks your favorite toy, what do you do? You might want to break his favorite toy so that he knows how you feel. But that is not what Jesus would do. Jesus would forgive your brother, and that is what you need to do. Forgiving others helps us be more like Jesus. The next time someone does something that makes you angry, choose to forgive!
Jesus, please help me be more like You, so that I may love others the way You love me.
Love is a choice and so is forgiveness.
WEEK 1 Friday
Jesus Knows Us
Forgive the people and help them. Only you know what people are really thinking. 1 Kings 8:39
Jesus knows everything that you think and feel. You might be able to hide your feelings from your friends and family but you cannot hide them from Jesus. Jesus knows all about us. Each morning, ask Jesus to be with you and help you love Him. You can talk to Jesus about anything, and He will be with you.
Jesus, help me remember today that You know the secrets of my heart.
Jesus knows my heart.
WEEK 1 Weekend
Friends Forgive
Whoever forgives someone's sin makes a friend. Proverbs 17:9
It feels really good when a friend forgives us after we have done something bad. We can be friends again and have fun together. When your friend asks you to forgive him, remember how good it feels to be forgiven, and forgive your friend. Jesus is our best Friend, and He always forgives us when we do something wrong. Forgive your friends, and you will be more like Jesus.
Jesus, please help me be more like You and to forgive my friends.
Friends forgive each other.
WEEK 2 Monday
Love Jesus
"Love the Lord your God. Love him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength." Mark 12:30
Jesus wants us to love Him with our whole heart. He wants to be the most important thing in our lives. God has given us many wonderful things to enjoy. But the Bible tells us to love Jesus more than anything we have. Just like you can't have fun riding a bicycle if it only has one wheel, we can't love God the way He wants us to unless we love Him with all of our heart.
Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I want to love You more than anything You have given to me.
Jesus wants to be number one in my life.
WEEK 2 Tuesday
Live for Jesus
If we live, we are living for the Lord. Romans 14:8
It is not always easy to share. Sometimes we just do not want to. But that does not make Jesus happy. He wants us to do what is right and share what we have with others. As children of God, we should think of other people and not just think of ourselves. It makes Jesus happy when we are kind and loving. You are the most like Jesus when you are giving and sharing.
Jesus, thank You for teaching me to give to others. I want to make You happy by being kind and sharing what I have.
Sharing shows we love Jesus.
WEEK 2 Wednesday
Jesus Is Love
Lord, you are kind and forgiving. You kave great love for those who call to you.
Psalm 86:5
Have you ever done something you knew was wrong? Did you tell the person you hurt that you were sorry? Did they forgive you? We should also tell Jesus that we are sorry when we have said or done something unkind. He likes for us to talk to Him. The Bible says Jesus will forgive us because He loves us.
Jesus, thank You for letting me talk to You. Thank You for being kind and forgiving, when I do something wrong. Thank You for loving me.
Jesus is kind, forgiving, and loving.
WEEK 2 Thursday
Jesus Is Our Helper
Praise the Lord, day by day. God our Savior helps us. Psalm 68:19
Praising the Lord means telling Him how wonderful we think He is. We should praise Jesus and thank Him every day because He is always there for us. When we are scared, He is there. When we feel alone, He is there. When we feel sad, He is there. He never, ever leaves us. Sing a song to Jesus, and thank Him for being your helper whenever you need Him.
Jesus, thank You for always being there for me and for helping me when I need You most.
Sing songs of praise to Jesus, our helper.
WEEK 2 Friday
Jesus Leads the Way
God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36
Have you ever played "Follow the Leader"? One person is in charge, and whatever he does, you do it, too. Jesus is our leader. We should learn about Jesus and do what He does. The best way to know Jesus is to read God's Word, the Bible. Then you will know how to follow Him. The more you know about Jesus, the more you can be like Him.
Lord, help me read my Bible to know and do what is right so I can follow You.
Jesus will lead, and I will follow.
WEEK 2 Weekend
Do You Believe?
If you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from death, then you will be saved. Romans 10:9
When Jesus died on the cross, people thought He would never come back. But then a wonderful miracle happened! After lying dead for three days, Jesus got up and was alive again! All of Jesus' friends were so happy to see Him. Jesus is special because He is God's own Son. When you believe this in your heart, you can become part of God's family and live with Him in heaven some day.
Dear God, thank You for the miracle of Jesus being raised from the dead. Thank You that He is alive and can be a friend to us today.
Jesus is alive!
WEEK 3 Monday
Masterpiece
You believers are like a building that God owns. ... Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. Ephesians 2:20
Do you like to build things? It is fun to see how tall you can make something with blocks or Legos. It is best to start building with the strongest and biggest pieces on the bottom. If you do not, your masterpiece will probably fall! The Bible tells us we should build our lives the same way. Make Jesus the most important part of your life. When Jesus comes first, everything you do will be better!
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me, and help me always keep You as the most important part of my life.
Jesus should always be first in you heart.
WEEK 3 Tuesday
The Maker of All
[Christ] is the head of the body. (The body is the church.) Everything comes from him.
Colossians 1:18
You cannot see inside your head, but your brain is working all the time. The brain is very important and controls your body. We cannot see God, but He controls the entire universe! God created the world and every living thing. God is the ruler over all. We should thank God every day for making us and the world we live in.
Dear God, I love the world You created. Thank You for making me. Help me follow You.
God is in charge of the whole world.
WEEK 3 Wednesday
Be a Helper
I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do that helps you. Colossians 1:25
Have you thought about what you want to be when you grow up? Maybe you will be a police officer or a school teacher. You may even become a pastor or a missionary in a country far away. No matter what you decide to be, God has a special job for you. He wants you to tell others about Jesus and how much He loves them. Even now, you can help others and share Jesus' love with your friends and family.
Dear Jesus, thank You for my family and friends. Help me show Your love every clay.
I can tell others about Jesus.
WEEK 3 Thursday
Praise the Lord
To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:21
Have you ever had to go to a different school or move to a new house? Change is hard, and sometimes it is kind of scary. But one thing never changes: Jesus. He is always with us, and He will never leave us. Anytime of the day and anywhere we are, we can talk to God. We can pray to thank God for always being there, for taking care of us, and for loving us. We can sing songs that bring glory and praise to Jesus!
Dear Jesus, I love You. Thank You for loving me. I never want to forget to praise You.
Jesus will never stop loving you.
WEEK 3 Friday
Grow Strong
No person ever hates his own body, but feeds and takes care of it. And that is what Christ does for the church. Ephesians 5:29
Food is good for you. And it can taste very yummy! We need food to help our bodies grow and stay healthy. We need Jesus the same way. The Bible teaches us about Jesus and tells us how we should live. Learning about God's Word will make you wise and help you grow strong in Jesus.
Dear Jesus, thank You for the Bible. Help me grow big and strong and love You more every day.
Jesus takes care of you.
WEEK 3 Weekend
Show Gratitude
Now, brothers, we ask you to respect those people who work hard with you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. 1 Thessalonians 5:12
Do you have a favorite teacher? Can you think of someone who helps you and is always kind? It might be a person at school, church, in your neighborhood, or in your family. Think of a way you can tell them or show them how thankful you are for them. Jesus puts special people in our lives to take care of us and teach us how to make good choices. Thank those special people for showing you God's love.
Dear Jesus, thank You for the special people You have put in my life who love me. Thank You for my family and friends. Help me follow You.
Jesus will show you how to follow Him.
WEEK 4 Monday
Head, Heart, and Hands
Serve only the Lord your God. Respect him. Keep his commands and obey him. Serve him and be loyal to him. Deuteronomy 13:4
God made every part of you! Look at your hands. What nice thing can you do for someone today? God gave you a brain to think. Who can you pray for today? God made your heart. Who can you show God's love to today? God gave you all of these parts to serve Him. Imagine all the things you can do with God and for God.
Dear Jesus, thank You for making me. Show me fun ways to serve you with my head, heart, and hands.
Serve God with your head, heart, and hands today!
WEEK 4 Tuesday
Better Than Any "Thing"
"You cannot serve God and money at the same time." Matthew 6:24
What is your favorite toy? Are you careful so you don't break it? Do you keep it in a safe place? You probably take great care of it because you love it! Do you remember who gave you your special toy? Sometimes we let our things become more important than the one who gave them to us. God loves to give to us, but let's remember to love Him more than our things.
Thank You, Jesus, for giving me everything I need. Please help me not make anything more important than You.
Make God your favorite, and thank Him for every "thing" you have been given!
WEEK 4 Wednesday
Love Jesus
That law is to love the Lord your God and obey his commands. Continue to follow him and serve him the very best you can. Joshua 22:5
Have you ever disobeyed your parents? Your parents love you very much, and they want you to do what they say because they know what is best for you. Jesus wants us to obey Him too. He loves you more than you can imagine, and He always knows the right thing to do. We should obey Jesus and love Him because of His super-great love for us.
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. Please help me obey my parents and obey what the Bible teaches me.
Obeying my parents is one way I can show my love for God.
WEEK 4 Thursday
Happy Heart
Serve the Lord with joy. Come before him with singing. Psalm 100:2
Do you like to sing? It is fun to sing songs that tell Jesus how much we love Him. He loves it when we share our happy heart with Him. So the next time you have a happy heart, sing a song and thank Jesus! That is serving God with joy. You can serve God with joy every day!
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me and making my heart happy.
It makes Jesus happy when we sing a song of praise to Him.
WEEK 4 Friday
God Never Changes
Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. Colossians 3:24
God keeps His promises, and He promises that He will always love you. No matter what you do, His love for you will never change. Isn't that awesome! Today, thank God for always loving you, and think of some ways that you can show God how much you love Him too!
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. I love You.
I get to love God because He loves me!
WEEK 4 Weekend
All the Pieces
Serve the Lord with all your heart. 1 Samuel 12:20
What if someone gave you a puzzle but it didn't have all the pieces? You wouldn't be able to put the whole picture together. Sometimes we let other things be more important than God. But God wants us to love Him with all of our heart. He wants to be the most important person in our life. Pray to God today and ask Him to help you always put Him first.
Dear Jesus, please help me love You with all of my heart today.
Love God with all your heart.
WEEK 5 Monday
The Greatest Gift
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much that He gave you a very important gift. God sent His Son to die for your sins on the cross. He is willing to forgive every bad thing you do if you will believe in Him. Thank God for the best gift you will ever get, and love God with all your heart.
Jesus, thank You for sending Your Son to earth to show me how much You love me. I believe in You and will live my life for You.
There is no greater gift than Jesus.
WEEK 5 Tuesday
When You Make Mistakes
But Christ died for us while we were still sinners. In this way God shows his great love for us. Romans 5:8
The Bible calls the bad things we do, like disobeying our parents, telling a lie, or saying mean things, sins. The good news is that God loves us even when we make bad choices. Nothing you do, no matter how bad, will ever change how much Jesus loves you. He died on the cross for your sins and wants to forgive you.
Jesus, thank You for loving me even when I misbehave. Please forgive me for disobeying You. I love You.
Jesus loves me so much that He died for me.
WEEK 5 Wednesday
God's Special Promise for You
I love those who love me. Those who want me find me. Proverbs 8:17
What is wisdom and why do you need it? Wisdom is understanding the world the way God wants you to. When you look for God and want His wisdom, He promises to give it to you. That is why reading your Bible, going to church, and learning about God from others is so important. God loves when people want to know Him and what He says. If you ask God to help you learn more about Him each day, He promises to answer.
Jesus, I want to be wise. Help me love You enough to learn all I need to know.
God promises to teach me how to live.
WEEK 5 Thursday
Showing God's Love to Others
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him. 1 John 4:16
Do you want to be like God? Do you want people to know that you love Him? If you do, becoming a person who loves others is very important. God is so loving that the Bible says He is love. Loving others shows them what God is like. It also shows that God is with us and that we belong to Him. What are some things you can do to love people the way God does?
Jesus, help me love others the way You want me to. Help others feel Your love because of the way I treat them.
God loves people through me.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Bedtime Devotions with Jesus by Tommy Nelson. Copyright © 2014 Tommy Nelson. 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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