Each day in November, the Everyday Truth blog is looking at a different name for God and providing a family devotional for you to use with your kids. The goal is to keep our hearts focused on giving thanks to God during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Did you know the Bible tells us that God is our banner? That's kind of a weird name for God, don't you think? What does that even mean?
This is actually one of my favorite names for God, but it's tough for us to understand because most of us aren't familiar with how armies fought during the time of Moses. When an army would go into war, they would carry the banner (or flag) of whomever they were fighting for. They would follow the banner into war. As long as the banner was flying, the army would know that they're side was still fighting.
A battlefield was a messy, dust-filled place. The soldiers might not be able to see what was going on around them, but because the banner flew high on a pole, they could see it and follow it. If it ever became necessary to retreat, the soldiers would find the banner and follow it, so they would know where to go.
In Exodus 17, we find the account of the Israelites fighting the Amelakites. During this battle, as long as Moses kept his arms raised, the Israelites won. When he lowered his arms, the Israelites lost. God was using Moses' arms as the banner for the Israelite army. When the battle was over, Exodus 17:15 tells us "Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner." He recognized that God was there with them during the fight.
God is our banner, too. No matter how confusing or upsetting a situation gets, God is there leading the way and providing a place to which we can retreat. He covers us with His love and protection. When we don't know which way to go or what to do, all we have to do is look for God because He is there. We may not be able to see Him, but we know that He is there with us and will provide us with strength and wisdom and will show us the way to deal with any situation. He is our banner.
To remind yourself of this, take a piece of paper and draw something on it that will remind you of God. You can use what you have learned about God in the past three weeks to create your banner. Post your banner in your room somewhere, so that when you see it, you'll be reminded of the fact that God goes before you into every situation, and He is waiting for you to run to Him when things get tough.
On your thanksgiving leaves, today, write down situations in which you are thankful that God is your banner. It could be a tough choice you need to make, a tough situation at school or even difficulties with a subject at school.
Pray together, and thank God for being your banner -- for going before you no matter where you go.
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving; names of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving; names of God. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
God of Wisdom
Each day in November, the Everyday Truth blog is looking at a different name for God and providing a family devotional for you to use with your kids. The goal is to keep our hearts focused on giving thanks to God during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
When you don't know the answer to a question, what do you do? You might ask your parent or a teacher for the answer. You can look up the answer in a book or search for the answer on a reliable site on the Internet. If you really want to find out the answer, you will look for it.
Sometimes, though, we face tough things in our lives, where there don't seem to be any answers. Maybe your mom or dad has lost their job or someone in your family has died. Maybe you're having trouble with another child at school. Maybe you have a tough choice to make, and both choices seem good. No amount of searching the Internet or asking an adult is going to provide the best wisdom on those subjects. The one who can offer the best guidance in these types of situations is God.
God is called the God of wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is good counsel based on God's principles and experience. God is the source of all wisdom, and He freely offers it to us. Job 12:13 says "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." God is the best one to ask for advice on any subject. And He's always ready to give us His wisdom. James 1:5 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
God cares even about the small decisions that you make in your life. He's ready and willing to offer you wisdom in any situation. When you're trying to decide whether to stand up for the kid in your class who is being picked on, God is there to offer counsel. When you're nervous before a test, God is there with His wisdom. When you're mad at your parents, God can show you the best way to deal with your anger. God wants to share His wisdom with you. All you have to do is ask.
Have everyone in your family practice asking God for wisdom today. Whenever you're faced with a situation where you don't know what to do today, stop and ask God for wisdom. Over dinner this evening, share with each other how God provided wisdom to you today.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down situations in which you are thankful for God's wisdom.
Pray together, thanking God for being a God of wisdom. Thank Him for providing us with wisdom when we need it.
When you don't know the answer to a question, what do you do? You might ask your parent or a teacher for the answer. You can look up the answer in a book or search for the answer on a reliable site on the Internet. If you really want to find out the answer, you will look for it.
Sometimes, though, we face tough things in our lives, where there don't seem to be any answers. Maybe your mom or dad has lost their job or someone in your family has died. Maybe you're having trouble with another child at school. Maybe you have a tough choice to make, and both choices seem good. No amount of searching the Internet or asking an adult is going to provide the best wisdom on those subjects. The one who can offer the best guidance in these types of situations is God.
God is called the God of wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is? Wisdom is good counsel based on God's principles and experience. God is the source of all wisdom, and He freely offers it to us. Job 12:13 says "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." God is the best one to ask for advice on any subject. And He's always ready to give us His wisdom. James 1:5 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
God cares even about the small decisions that you make in your life. He's ready and willing to offer you wisdom in any situation. When you're trying to decide whether to stand up for the kid in your class who is being picked on, God is there to offer counsel. When you're nervous before a test, God is there with His wisdom. When you're mad at your parents, God can show you the best way to deal with your anger. God wants to share His wisdom with you. All you have to do is ask.
Have everyone in your family practice asking God for wisdom today. Whenever you're faced with a situation where you don't know what to do today, stop and ask God for wisdom. Over dinner this evening, share with each other how God provided wisdom to you today.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down situations in which you are thankful for God's wisdom.
Pray together, thanking God for being a God of wisdom. Thank Him for providing us with wisdom when we need it.
Monday, November 22, 2010
God Who Sees (Memory Monday)
Each day in November, the Everyday Truth blog is looking at a different name for God and providing a family devotional for you to use with your kids. The goal is to keep our hearts focused on giving thanks to God during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be blind? You would never know what anyone looked like. You wouldn't be able to see with your eyes the beauty of the world God created. You would have to rely on other people to be your eyes for you.
Sometimes we act like God is blind. But He isn't. The Bible tells us in Genesis 16:13 that God is the God who sees. A woman named Hagar was running away from her problems. She was ready to die in the desert, but God spoke to her. When He was done speaking, Hagar said "'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'"
Sometimes when we do something that we know is wrong, we try to hide it -- from our parents, our teachers and even God. When you stop and think about, that's silly. God sees everything. We're not hiding anything from Him. All we're doing is not allowing God the opportunity to forgive us for the wrong things we've done.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9 that "When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So, even though God can see everything, He waits for us to show Him our sins, so that He can wipe them away. Memorize this verse this week to remind you that God is waiting for you to confess your sins to Him, so He can take them away.
Grab a white board and a dry erase marker. Write down something that you have done wrong recently. Now, take the eraser and wipe it away. That's what God does when we confess our sins to Him. He wipes the white board clean. Psalm 103:12 tells us that God separates us from our sin "as far as the East is from the West." That's about as far away as you can get.
But God doesn't just see our sin. He sees us as the wonderful creation that He made. He knows the number of hairs on your head. Sometimes we pretend to be different than we are so we can fit in with a certain group of people, but God sees us for who we really are. And, you know what? He loves you for exactly who you are. He doesn't want you to be anyone other than the person He made you to be.
Be thankful today that God can see the real you. On your thankfulness leaves today, write down things that you are thankful that God can see about you. Are you thankful that He knows the number of hairs on your head? Maybe you're thankful that He knows about the trouble that you're having with a friend at school.
Pray together and thank God for being a God who sees. Thank Him that He is willing to wipe the white board clean of our sins. Thank Him for seeing you for the wonderful creation that you are.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be blind? You would never know what anyone looked like. You wouldn't be able to see with your eyes the beauty of the world God created. You would have to rely on other people to be your eyes for you.
Sometimes we act like God is blind. But He isn't. The Bible tells us in Genesis 16:13 that God is the God who sees. A woman named Hagar was running away from her problems. She was ready to die in the desert, but God spoke to her. When He was done speaking, Hagar said "'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'"
Sometimes when we do something that we know is wrong, we try to hide it -- from our parents, our teachers and even God. When you stop and think about, that's silly. God sees everything. We're not hiding anything from Him. All we're doing is not allowing God the opportunity to forgive us for the wrong things we've done.
The Bible tells us in 1 John 1:9 that "When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So, even though God can see everything, He waits for us to show Him our sins, so that He can wipe them away. Memorize this verse this week to remind you that God is waiting for you to confess your sins to Him, so He can take them away.
Grab a white board and a dry erase marker. Write down something that you have done wrong recently. Now, take the eraser and wipe it away. That's what God does when we confess our sins to Him. He wipes the white board clean. Psalm 103:12 tells us that God separates us from our sin "as far as the East is from the West." That's about as far away as you can get.
But God doesn't just see our sin. He sees us as the wonderful creation that He made. He knows the number of hairs on your head. Sometimes we pretend to be different than we are so we can fit in with a certain group of people, but God sees us for who we really are. And, you know what? He loves you for exactly who you are. He doesn't want you to be anyone other than the person He made you to be.
Be thankful today that God can see the real you. On your thankfulness leaves today, write down things that you are thankful that God can see about you. Are you thankful that He knows the number of hairs on your head? Maybe you're thankful that He knows about the trouble that you're having with a friend at school.
Pray together and thank God for being a God who sees. Thank Him that He is willing to wipe the white board clean of our sins. Thank Him for seeing you for the wonderful creation that you are.
Friday, November 19, 2010
God of Mercy
Each day in November, the Everyday Truth blog is looking at a different name for God and providing a family devotional for you to use with your kids. The goal is to keep our hearts focused on giving thanks to God during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
If you do something wrong and your parents find out, what happens? You probably receive some type of punishment, right? What would you think if your parents didn't punish you when you did something wrong? Would you think there was something wrong with them?
Usually when we do something wrong, there are consequences. If you didn't do your chores, you might lose your allowance. If you hit your sibling, you might get sent to time out or lose video-game playing privileges for a while. If you break the neighbor's window, you might have to pay for it.
The Bible tells us that the consequence for sin is death. It's not talking about being struck dead on the spot when we sin (there would be no one left in the world). The death that the Bible is talking about is an eternal death that keeps us separated from God forever.
But, God is a God of mercy. In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul says "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." God doesn't make us pay the price for our sin. He sent Jesus to do that for us.
Jesus took our place on the cross, so that we could have a relationship with God. He showed us mercy so that we would not have to pay the debt that we owed because of our sin.
Think of a time in your life when someone showed you mercy -- a time when you didn't get what you deserved. How did it make you feel? Did you feel thankful?
God's great mercy should be a reason for us to feel joyful and thankful. Who do you know that would sacrifice their son so that they can show you mercy? That's what God did. Jesus' sacrifice should give us a sense of peace, joy and thanksgiving.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down how knowing God is a God of mercy -- that He doesn't give us what we deserve -- makes you feel. Write down the reasons you are thankful for God's mercy.
Pray together and thank God for being a God of mercy. As you go throughout your day, look for ways you can model your behavior after God's and how you can show mercy to others.
If you do something wrong and your parents find out, what happens? You probably receive some type of punishment, right? What would you think if your parents didn't punish you when you did something wrong? Would you think there was something wrong with them?
Usually when we do something wrong, there are consequences. If you didn't do your chores, you might lose your allowance. If you hit your sibling, you might get sent to time out or lose video-game playing privileges for a while. If you break the neighbor's window, you might have to pay for it.
The Bible tells us that the consequence for sin is death. It's not talking about being struck dead on the spot when we sin (there would be no one left in the world). The death that the Bible is talking about is an eternal death that keeps us separated from God forever.
But, God is a God of mercy. In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul says "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." God doesn't make us pay the price for our sin. He sent Jesus to do that for us.
Jesus took our place on the cross, so that we could have a relationship with God. He showed us mercy so that we would not have to pay the debt that we owed because of our sin.
Think of a time in your life when someone showed you mercy -- a time when you didn't get what you deserved. How did it make you feel? Did you feel thankful?
God's great mercy should be a reason for us to feel joyful and thankful. Who do you know that would sacrifice their son so that they can show you mercy? That's what God did. Jesus' sacrifice should give us a sense of peace, joy and thanksgiving.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down how knowing God is a God of mercy -- that He doesn't give us what we deserve -- makes you feel. Write down the reasons you are thankful for God's mercy.
Pray together and thank God for being a God of mercy. As you go throughout your day, look for ways you can model your behavior after God's and how you can show mercy to others.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
God Who Saves
Each day in November, the Everyday Truth blog is looking at a different name for God and providing a family devotional for you to use with your kids. The goal is to keep our hearts focused on giving thanks to God during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
One day, my daughters were at the pool with some friends and their Granddaddy. One of the girls' friends couldn't swim and was in water over her head. Granddaddy was holding her up, but the lifeguard couldn't see it. The girl took a faceful of water and came up spluttering. Immediately, the lifeguard jumped in to pull her out of the water. Although the girl didn't need saving because Granddaddy was holding her, the lifeguard was ready to jump in the water to save her.
Unlike my daughter's friend, we're all in need of saving, and God has already thrown us a life preserver -- Jesus. You see, sin (the things we don't follow God's plan) keeps us from having a relationship with God. God wants us to have a relationship with Him because He loves us, so He sent Jesus. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death," which means that sin will separate us from God forever. But, God sent Jesus to die in our place, and three days later He rose again. Jesus' death and resurrection mean that we can have a relationship with God. He has saved us from spending eternity without knowing Him.
God is the lifeguard, and the life preserver He has thrown us is Jesus. Psalm 68:19-20 says "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death." Because Jesus died and rose again, we can take all of our worries and problems to God. Our lives can be filled with joy because we know that God loves us.
The thing is, though, that for God to save you, you have to grab onto the life preserver. If you're in the water and someone throws you a life preserver, you have to reach out and hold onto it for it to work. The same is true with Jesus. You have to believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you, and you have to let God be in charge of your life to experience God's saving power. You can do that by simply praying and telling God that you believe Jesus died for you and you want Him to be in charge of your life.
Give everyone a notecard or a small piece of paper. On your notecard, draw a life preserver. In the center of that life preserver, write the word "Jesus." Have everyone stick the notecard somewhere that they will see it every day. Every time you see the notecard, stop and thank God for sending Jesus to save us.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down why you are thankful that God sent Jesus. It might be because it lets us have a relationship with God or you might write down that you are thankful that you can spend eternity with Jesus. Think of situations in which God has saved you from doing the wrong thing and provided a way out of the situation. Write those on your leaves.
Pray together and thank God for sending Jesus to save you.
One day, my daughters were at the pool with some friends and their Granddaddy. One of the girls' friends couldn't swim and was in water over her head. Granddaddy was holding her up, but the lifeguard couldn't see it. The girl took a faceful of water and came up spluttering. Immediately, the lifeguard jumped in to pull her out of the water. Although the girl didn't need saving because Granddaddy was holding her, the lifeguard was ready to jump in the water to save her.
Unlike my daughter's friend, we're all in need of saving, and God has already thrown us a life preserver -- Jesus. You see, sin (the things we don't follow God's plan) keeps us from having a relationship with God. God wants us to have a relationship with Him because He loves us, so He sent Jesus. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death," which means that sin will separate us from God forever. But, God sent Jesus to die in our place, and three days later He rose again. Jesus' death and resurrection mean that we can have a relationship with God. He has saved us from spending eternity without knowing Him.
God is the lifeguard, and the life preserver He has thrown us is Jesus. Psalm 68:19-20 says "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death." Because Jesus died and rose again, we can take all of our worries and problems to God. Our lives can be filled with joy because we know that God loves us.
The thing is, though, that for God to save you, you have to grab onto the life preserver. If you're in the water and someone throws you a life preserver, you have to reach out and hold onto it for it to work. The same is true with Jesus. You have to believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you, and you have to let God be in charge of your life to experience God's saving power. You can do that by simply praying and telling God that you believe Jesus died for you and you want Him to be in charge of your life.
Give everyone a notecard or a small piece of paper. On your notecard, draw a life preserver. In the center of that life preserver, write the word "Jesus." Have everyone stick the notecard somewhere that they will see it every day. Every time you see the notecard, stop and thank God for sending Jesus to save us.
On your thankfulness leaves today, write down why you are thankful that God sent Jesus. It might be because it lets us have a relationship with God or you might write down that you are thankful that you can spend eternity with Jesus. Think of situations in which God has saved you from doing the wrong thing and provided a way out of the situation. Write those on your leaves.
Pray together and thank God for sending Jesus to save you.
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