A New Beginning

If anyone belongs to Christ, then he is made new.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 ICB

Max looked at his new baby sister. She was so cute! Her little fingers grabbed onto his finger, and her mouth opened and closed as she looked up at him. He wondered when she would start talking and walking.

Babies are a good example of something new. When you ask Jesus into your heart, he takes away all the bad things you have done, and he makes you new like a baby. You can start new with Jesus today.

Jesus, I believe in you. Please forgive my sin and make me new. Amen.

Have you given your heart to Jesus?

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

PSALM 46:10 NIRV

When you feel very upset, it can be hard to choose not to scream or get mad. Instead of letting big feelings explode, you can walk away or talk to a parent or teacher.

God can help you. When you walk away from an argument, or if everything around you feels crazy, you are not alone. God is with you!

Dear Jesus, help me when I feel upset. You are bigger than my problems. Amen.

How can you be calm when you feel upset?

Pray About It

Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ICB

God cares about the things you care about. When someone hurts your feelings, he cares. When you feel excited, he cares about that too. When you are afraid, he takes care of you.

Praying is as simple as telling God what you are feeling and thinking. It’s like talking to your mom, dad, or a friend. You can tell him anything!

Dear God, I will tell you about the things I am thinking and feeling because you care about me. Amen.

What do you want to tell God today?

God Is Strong

God is strong and can help you not to fall.

JUDE 1:24 ICB

Johnny tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. Before he fell, his dad reached out and caught him. Just like Johnny’s dad, God is ready to catch you when you fall.

Everyone makes mistakes. God can help you when you do. He stays right by your side even if you go too fast or aren’t careful about what you say or do. God is a good father.

Dear God, help me to choose the right things. Amen.

What do you need God’s help with?

Share with Others

Don’t forget to share with others. God is pleased with those kinds of offerings.

HEBREWS 13:16 NIRV

It was Eli’s birthday. His mom made a cake, and he got presents after dinner. It was so awesome! Eli had an idea of what could make it even better. He could share his happiness with friends.

Eli shared his cake with the neighbor and felt so good when he saw the smile on his face. Sharing can make others happy, and it can make you happy too. God likes it when you share.

Dear Jesus, show me what I can share with others. Amen.

What is something you can share with others today?

Good Thoughts

Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 NCV

Your mind will not always want to think about good things. When you are angry, jealous, or sad, your feelings can take over your thoughts. It’s okay if this happens. The trick is to not let it stay that way all day.

Think about what you’re thankful for. The more good things you notice in your life, the easier it is to think about what is good.

Dear Jesus, help me to keep my mind focused on what is good. Amen.

What are you thankful for right now?

Peace of Jesus

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking.

COLOSSIANS 3:15 ICB

Peace is a wonderful thing. It is calm like a still pond with no waves or ripples on it. You can feel that kind of peace in your heart when you trust Jesus.

In the Bible, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. He promises to help everyone who asks him for help. If you are worried, you can talk to Jesus. His peace is a safe place.

Dear Jesus, please let me feel your peace like a hug around my heart. Amen.

Who makes you feel safe and peaceful?

Made Like God

People have been created to be like God.

JAMES 3:9 NIRV

You were created in the image of God. This means that you were made to be like God. Each part of you is special. Your joy, your caring heart, and your kindness are just a few things that God put in you.

It is the same way for other people, too. Every person that you see is created by God just like you. No matter how different someone is from you, they are God’s good creation.

Dear God, help me to love people who are different than me. Amen.

What differences do you see between you and your friends?

So Proud

In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.

EPHESIANS 2:10 NCV

James had to do a project for school. He worked very hard on it. When he got an A, he was very proud of himself, and his parents were proud of him too.

You are God’s creation, and he is very proud of you. He is happy with how he made you, and he loves you so much. When you feel like you aren’t important, remember that God made you for a special purpose.

Dear God, help me to know that you are proud of me. Amen.

Do you know that God is proud of you just because he made you?

More to Learn

God, your thoughts are precious to me. They are so many! If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand.

PSALM 139:17-18 ICB

Bobby went to the beach with his family. He built sandcastles and jumped in the waves. He loved digging in the sand.

There is more sand in the world than you can count. God’s thoughts are like each grain of sand. There are too many to count! There is always something more to learn about God.

Dear Jesus, I want to learn more about you every day. Amen.

What is something new you have learned about God?

Ask for Help

He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.

ISAIAH 40:29 NIRV

When you are tired, it is good to ask for help. Just like your family helps you, God loves to help you. He is so good at taking care of you.

God created the whole world and everything in it including you. He knows what you need. You don’t have to be afraid to ask him for anything. He will give you strength when you are tired and power when you are weak. Just ask him!

Dear Jesus, please help me when I am tired. Give me strength. Amen.

What can you ask God for help with?

The Best Teacher

Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the LORD and refuse to do wrong.

PROVERBS 3:7 NCV

Even when you try to do something the right way, you might still make mistakes. It’s good to admit when you do something wrong. Nobody is perfect except for God.

God always knows what is best. Ask him to help you when you make mistakes and ask for forgiveness when you need to. God loves to help you whenever you need it.

Dear God, thank you for showing me what is right. Amen.

What can you do after you make a mistake?

Be Kind

The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food. People take them all in.

PROVERBS 18:8 ICB

Gossip is saying bad things about people when they aren’t there. It can be mean or even untrue. If someone said bad things about you when you were gone, how would it make you feel?

Part of being a good person is using kind words. Words can make people feel good or bad. Use your words to encourage others. When you use kind words, you please God.

Dear God, help me to speak kindly about others even when they aren’t around. Amen.

What should you do if someone wants to gossip with you?

Choosing Friends

Godly people are careful about the friends they choose. But the way of sinners leads them down the wrong path.

PROVERBS 12:26 NIRV

There once was a baby goat who lost her mother. She became friends with a dog, and as she grew, she acted more and more like a dog. She never learned how to be a goat.

You become like the people you spend time with, so it’s important to choose your friends carefully. Spend time with people who are kind, good, and who help you be more like God.

Dear God, help me to choose my friends carefully. Amen.

Do you have friends who make good choices?

Forgive

Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up...