Kids Bible Devotional for June 4, 2024
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Focus Verse
1 John 4:20-21 “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (NKJV)
Jump Start
“What does a stone and love have in common? Well, that is what we’re about to find out."
Have you ever tossed a stone into still water? If so, you’ve no doubt seen the ripples it makes. The energy created by the stone on the calm waters is spread out, resulting in little peaks and troughs we call ripples.
Thomas Fuller, a 17th century British clergyman and historian said, “Charity begins at home, but should not stay there.” In other words, the love felt in the home should ripple out into the world – to our extended family, our church family, friends, neighbors, and to every individual we come into contact with. When God’s love makes a splash in our hearts, it is not meant to be contained. It is meant to spread.
Today's Devotion
“Get lost, Brody! Ugh! I hate you!” Jasmine’s voice bellowed throughout the house.
Mom scurried toward the commotion. Just as she turned into the hallway, Jasmine slammed her bedroom door in her brother’s face.
Brody pounded on the door. “I hate you, too!”
Mom turned him around. “What’s going on with you two?”
Jasmine’s bedroom door flew open. Red-faced and scowling, she barked, “Mom, tell Brody to stay out of my room! I caught him going through my stuff.”
“I was looking for my Superman pen,” he retorted. “I know you took it.”
Mom sliced the air with her hand. This brought the disturbance to an abrupt halt. “That’s enough. Family meeting in the living room. Now!”
“Now look what you’ve done,” Brody muttered under his breath to Jasmine.
“No talking,” Mom scolded.
In the living room she motioned them to the couch. “I can settle this if I want to. Believe me, I can point out what each of you has done wrong and how you should have handled this situation. Or, I could just cut to the chase and punish you both. But I’m not going to do either of those things. You know why? Because I’m going to let you two sort it out.”
“How can we do that?” Jasmine asked. “We can’t stand each other.”
She pointed to the three wall hangings above the sofa. “Read those please.”
“Love, peace, and joy,” Brody responded.
“The Bible says to let brotherly love continue. Would you call this brotherly love?” Mom asked.
“Brotherly love is talking about people in the church. I have no issues with anybody there. It’s my real brother I have a problem with,” Jasmine said.
“Not true, Jasmine.” Mom said. “You felt violated when you found Brody in your room, right? And, Brody, your trust was harmed when you thought your sister took something that belongs to you, right? My question is, how will you handle it when you feel betrayed by someone who is supposed to be like Jesus, like a brother or sister in Christ?”
“Rotten I guess,” Jasmine said. “But again that’s with people in the church, not little brothers.”
“You practice brotherly love at home with your natural brothers and sisters.” She pointed again at the wall hangings. “Without love in the home, there will be no peace in the home. Without peace, there’s no joy. You follow me?”
“How can there be peace when Brody invades my space?”
“Yes, Brody should have asked for permission before going into your room,” Mom said. “But could there have been a more loving way you could have handled it?”
“I guess could have just asked why he was in my room,” Jasmine replied.
“And I could have just asked about the pen,” Brody looked over at Jasmine. “I’m sorry I just barged in like that. I promise not to do it again.”
“I’m sorry for saying I hate you. I don’t really hate you, little brother,” Jasmine said.
“And, just like that, with simple acts of love, peace and joy are restored,” said Mom.
Wrap Up
Love is the tie that binds the family in cords of peace and joy. This applies not only to the church family, but also to our natural families. It can apply to our relationships with friends, teachers, schoolmates, and people we meet along life’s road. Even if they don’t know the love of Jesus, they can experience it through you with kindness, calmness, and generosity.
Charity begins at home, but don’t keep it behind closed doors. Spread God’s love. Wouldn’t you agree that what this world needs more of is love?
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