Thursday, December 21, 2023

Jesus Taught Us Not To Worry

 Jesus Taught Us Not To Worry


Jesus taught us that we are not to worry because we are the children of our Heavenly Father.  He told His disciples not to worry about  food, drink and clothing in our daily lives.

He said that there are things in life that  are more important than food, clothes and drink.




Jesus talked about how God takes care of the birds of the air


Jesus pointed out the birds of the air.  






He explained that they do not  work. They do not plant seeds or reap any harvest. 





They do not work to store food away in barns, Jesus said.





They don't plant seeds.

They don't reap any crops.

They don't store food away in barns

Yet Your heavenly Father feeds them, Jesus exclaimed.

He continued with a question, "aren't you not much more valuable than they?’ 




So why do you worry about clothes! Jesus exclaimed.




Jesus talked next about how God takes care of the flowers


Jesus pointed out the flowers.  He said to His disciples, "see how the flowers of the field grow? They do not labour or spin."




To the disciples' amazement, The Lord then compared the flowers to King Solomon. King Solomon was the third ruler of Israel. He was very rich and famous, and wore glamorous clothing.

The disciples' eyes must have popped open when Jesus said that although King Solomon dressed with great splendour, he was not more glamorous than the flowers.




Jesus must have smiled as He continued with a very important  truth:

‘If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" 




Jesus concluded by commanding His disciples not to worry

Jesus commanded His disciples, including us, not to worry about food, drink or clothing. He said that we must not  pursue these things as critical because our Father knows we need them. 


"So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and Your heavenly Father knows that you need them."





In fact, many people do anything possible to get food, drink and clothes.  They do so without caring that they displease God to get these them.

Instead, Jesus said, we must:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.





Jesus taught His disciples not to worry bible verses: Matthew 6: 25 - 34

25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 

27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 

29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 

30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.


Jesus taught His disciples not to worry video












Thursday, December 14, 2023

The Girl Who Lived Twice

 The girl who lived twice introduction

The girl who lived twice is a story about a twelve-year-old child who Jesus raised from the dead. 

One day, terrible trouble came to Jairus, the little girl's father. His beloved daughter, only twelve years old, got sick. 

It seemed nobody could help her. The little girl was very sick. Jairus knew that his daughter was dying.






Jarius went to ask Jesus for help

Jairus set out to find Jesus and bring Him back to his house. Jairus probably knew his religious friends did not approve of Jesus.  

Jairus didn't care. He had to get help quickly before his daughter  died.



Jarius got to Jesus


Jesus was surrounded by people. Jarius kneeled at Jesus' feet and sobbed:
  
"My little daughter lies at the point of death," the desperate  
man begged.  "Come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed, and she will live." 

Jesus went with Jairus.  But they could not move quickly because of the huge crowd. 


A lady interrupted Jesus and Jarius


One lady had been very sick for twelve long years.  She had gone to all the doctors (and had spent all her money) without getting help. She desperately wanted to see Jesus!

The lady wondered what to do? 

"If only I could touch His clothes, I shall be made well," the lady muttered. 

She inched her way toward Jesus. Then, stretching out  her hand, she touched Jesus' robe. 

A miracle! A MIRACLE!  The lady was healed immediately and completely!  She knew she was well and strong and whole. 


Jesus asked who had touched Him


A voice spoke. 

"Who touched Me?" Jesus asked.  

Crowds had touched Him, but the lady who was healed knew He wanted her to tell Him about it. Timidly, she told Him her whole story.

Meantime, Jarius got sad news

People from Jarius' home came to meet him. Their faces probably told the sad story before they spoke.

"Your daughter is dead!" they told Jairus.

Dead! It was too late. Perhaps, if that lady hadn't delayed them, things would have been different!  

Dead! Jairus’ precious little girl was gone. 

When Jesus heard it, He answered, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 

It must have been difficult for Jairus to really believe Jesus. His 
daughter was dead. 



Jesus took the little girl by the hand

At the house, everybody wept and mourned for the girl.

"She is not dead, but sleeping," Jesus told them. They laughed at Him because they knew the girl was dead. Jesus put them all out, took the girl by the hand and said, "Little girl, arise."

Jairus was there. His wife was there. Three of Jesus' disciples were there. They all heard Jesus' words. Would the little dead girl  
hear them, too?

The little girl obeyed Jesus' command

The little girl heard Jesus' command! Her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.  Jesus had raised her from the dead.

The girl's parents were astonished. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 

How happy they must have felt! The must have felt very grateful to Jesus. His wonderful love and power brought their daughter back from death.

How to receive eternal life and live forever


This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who  made us and who wants us to know Him. God knows we were born in sins and that we have done bad things, which He calls sin.  

The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins. Then Jesus came back to life and  went home to Heaven! 

If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will live with Him forever.  

It is important to turn from your sins in order to live forever.  Say this to God: 

Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and now lives again. Please come into my life and forgive my sins.  Please give me eternal life now,  and help me  to live for You as Your child. Amen. 

Now that you are a child of God, please read the Bible and talk with God every day! 





ATTRIBUTION

Written by: Edward Hughes. 
Illustrated by: Janie Forest Adapted by: Ruth Klassen and Alastair Paterson.  
Produced by: Bible for Children www.M1914.org. 
©2020 Bible for Children, Inc. 
License: You have the right to copy or print this story, as long as you do not sell it.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Rich Man Poor Man


Rich man, poor man introduction

Rich man, poor man is a story that Jesus told about two men. One was rich and one was poor. The story highlights the importance of obeying God and doing what is right while we live in the earth.

Jesus knew many of the religious leaders loved money more than they loved God.

He told what happened to these two men, and why it is useless to have riches without God. Riches cannot buy life with God in Heaven.

Read on to learn more.




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The rich man


There was a certain rich man who had beautiful clothes which cost lots of money. He dressed like a king.

The rich man also ate very well. Every meal was like a great feast. He had so much money he could buy anything he wanted to eat for breakfast, lunch, supper - or for in-between snacks.









The poor man was named Lazarus


At the gate of the rich man's house there lay a poor, sick, starving beggar. His name was Lazarus.

Poor Lazarus was full of sores. He may have had a disease. He may have had cuts and bruises from others being mean to him.

Maybe he had sores because he did not have good food like milk, vegetables or meat. Lazarus longed for food. He would have been happy with the crumbs from the rich man's table.

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Bible for Children 

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Dogs were Lazarus' friends


Stray dogs sometimes padded over to the poor helpless beggar. They sniffed around him and licked his wounds. It seems nobody cared that Lazarus was starving.



Lazarus died and went to Heaven


One morning, Lazarus did not wake up. The poor starving, friendless beggar had left this life. Lazarus was dead.


Joy began for Lazarus the moment he died. Jesus said angels carried him to be with Abraham. Lazarus was comforted by God.




The rich man also died

The rich man also died. All his money could not save his life. When death came, nobody could stop it.

The rich man was buried. Perhaps it was a large funeral. Perhaps people praised the rich man for being clever and successful. 

Their praises did not help him. The rich man was in Hell.

The rich man discovered that he was in hell


In Hell, the rich man cried, "Father Abraham, send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

"In life you had everything and Lazarus had nothing," Abraham reminded the rich man. "Now Lazarus is comforted and you are tormented. No one can cross the great gulf between you and us."






The rich man asked Abraham to warn his siblings


"Send Lazarus to warn my five brothers," the rich man pleaded. "I don't want them to end up in this place of torment."

"Your brothers have God's Word," Abraham replied. If the five brothers would not believe the Bible, they would not believe if Lazarus came back from the dead.

When Jesus finished the story of the rich man and Lazarus, perhaps the religious leaders asked themselves, "Do I love riches more than I love God?"

Now they knew what would happen if they did not heed God's Word.


Message from the bible story rich man, poor man


This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who made us and who wants us to know Him.

God knows we have done bad things, which He calls sin.  The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so  much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins.

Then Jesus came back to life and went home to Heaven! If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will receive eternal life.  


Prayer for salvation from sins


If you want to turn from your sins, say this to God: 

Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and  now lives again.  Please forgive my sins, so that I can have new life now, and one day go to be with You forever. 

You are now my only God and I will love you alone. Help me to live for You as Your child. 

I turn away from all the bad things I used to do, and trust you to make me righteous as you are, in Jesus' name. Amen. 




 


Rich man, poor man bible verses  - Luke 16: 19 - 31.



19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 

20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 

21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 

23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 

28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 

29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 

31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”









ATTRIBUTION - RICH MAN, POOR MAN


Written by: E. Duncan Hughes 

Illustrated by: Alastair Paterson and M. Maillot  and Lazarus.    

Adapted by: M. Maillot and Sarah S. Produced by: Bible for Children - www.M1914.org 


©2020 Bible for Children, Inc. 
License: You have the right to copy or print this story,  as long as you do not sell it.





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