Welcome!

If this is your first time to visit this site, please click here for an introduction.

Please click here for the Daily Bible Readings.

Please see the top of the page or the sidebar to the right for other choices.

Serving Others

Reading: Matthew 25:31-40

“The Best Fun” is from the book Tiger & Tom and Other Stories for Boys.  Published in 1910, the book can be read freely online.

THE BEST FUN

“Now, boys, I’ll tell you how we can have some fun,” said Fred Blake to his companions, who had assembled on a beautiful, moonlight evening for sliding, snowballing, and fun generally.

“How?” “Where?” “What is it?” asked several eager voices together.

“I heard Widow More tell a man a little while ago,” replied Fred, “that she would go to sit up with a sick child to-night. She said she would be there about eight o’clock. Now, as soon as she is gone, let’s make a big snow man on her doorstep so that when she comes home, she cannot get in without first knocking him down.”

On Sacrifice

Reading: John 12:24-28

Jesus says we have to be willing to “hate” our lives for Him.  He is talking about giving up the things we love.  He is talking about sacrifice.  He wants us to love Him and to love others more than ourselves.

Jesus did not just sacrifice when He died on the cross.  He sacrificed every day when He taught, visited, encouraged, prayed for, and forgave others.  We can do those things too.

If we want to follow Christ, we will have to let our selfishness “die” by giving to others.  But Jesus said He has some gifts for us too:

• we will “bear much fruit” – good things will happen because of our good works, we will feel good about ourselves, and we will be an example to others;
• we will have eternal life in Heaven;
• He will live with us;
• the Father will honor us.

Think about these things the next time you are asked to put someone else’s needs before your own.  Giving may seem hard, but in the end it will be a great blessing for you and them.

“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  (Acts 20:3)

The following is an excerpt from the story “The Wonderful Pocket.”  This tale can be found in the book, The Wonderful Pocket and Other Stories which was written in 1869 by Chauncey Giles.  Now out of print, the book can be read freely online.

THE WONDERFUL POCKET

One cold Christmas Eve, Charles Lee was sitting by the fire, looking earnestly at the coals as they burned cheerfully in the grate, sometimes sending out great volumes of smoke, and then bursting into flame, and lighting up the little room in which he was sitting, and making its naked walls look quite ruddy and cheerful. But none of its pleasant light entered Charles’ mind. He looked gloomy and sullen, and occasionally muttered something to himself as if he were angry at everybody.

Prayer Memory Verses

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Take Up Your Cross

Reading: Luke 9:23-26

Jesus said that we must take up a cross if we want to save our soul.  Sometimes our “crosses” – our duties and responsibilities – feel very heavy.  Jesus’ certainly did.  But what does this tell us about the value of our souls?  Was Jesus ashamed to carry a cross for us?

Do you ever wish it wasn’t so hard to be good?  Do you ever wish that you didn’t have duties and difficulties, but could just do what you want?  What would happen, do you think, if we didn’t have to work hard to get to heaven?  Do you think we would appreciate Heaven if our lives here on earth were filled with nothing but pleasure?

Am I ready to be a Christian?

Having a person ask you if they’re ready to be a Christian is like having someone ask you if they’re really in love.  Because, if you were really in love, would you have to ask?  It’s hard to hear that, though, and of course, the Bible must be our authority in asking if one is ready.

Readiness

Sept. 25                       Day 268                  Luke 12:35-40

The following story is an excerpt from “Stand by the Ship.”  This story can be found in the book, Tiger and Tom and other stories for boys which was published in 1910.  Now out of print, the book can be read freely online.

STAND BY THE SHIP

“Do, grandmother, tell us about the little drummer boy whose motto was, ‘Stand by the ship.’”

“Grandmother is not used to telling children stories; but, if you will be quiet, she will try.” And this is the story she told us:–

During one of the fiercest battles of the civil war, the colonel of a Michigan regiment noticed a very small boy, acting as drummer.

The great coolness and self-possession of the boy, as displayed during the engagement; his habitual reserve, so singular in one of his years; his orderly conduct, and his fond devotion to his drum (his only companion, except a few well-worn books),–all these things unusual in one so young had attracted notice, both from the officers and the men. Colonel B.’s curiosity was aroused, and he desired to know more of him.  So he ordered that the boy should be sent to his tent.