Kids Bible Devotional for January 18, 2024
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I Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
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Okay, for Christmas I want a go-cart, and a Mac Book, and a pair of skates, and a new pool, and a puppy, and...
Have you ever made a list for your mom and dad of all the gifts you wanted to find under the tree Christmas morning? I’m sure we all have.
Whether you’ve gotten all that you wanted from your list or not, you can agree that lists help us remember important things. Your parents may make lists too, such as what groceries to buy or jobs to complete around the house.
Today's Devotion
Dad groaned as he shoved the oversized duffle bag into the back of their SUV.
Mom stood to the side, clipboard and pencil in hand, and called out the items squeezed into the bulging storage compartment. “Cooler. Check. Duffle bag. Check. All that’s left is Scott’s stuff.”
She leaned inside the house. “Come on, Scott. We’re waiting!”
Scott ambled around the corner pushing his earbuds into his ears, his backpack slung loosely across his thin shoulders. “I’m coming,” he mumbled.
Mom eyed Scott as he walked past. “Did you get everything?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said.
“Are you sure? Did you make a checklist like I asked you to?”
“Come on, Mom,” he whined. “You’re way too organized. I don’t need a list. I got it all up here.” He tapped the temple of his head with his finger.
“Okay,” Mom said suspiciously. “Get it loaded. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us to the campsite. Your dad wants to get there in time to set up before dark.”
Scott tossed his backpack onto the back seat and plopped down beside it. Soon, the motion of the automobile and the tunes echoing in his ears caused him to drift off to sleep. He awoke as his Dad slowed to turn onto a weathered dirt road. Scott peered out the window and took in the snow-capped mountains and towering pine trees that dotted the landscape.
Mom sighed. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It sure is, but it’s supposed to get a little nippy tonight.” Dad turned and looked at Scott. “I sure hope you brought your thermal socks and long johns like I told you to, Sport. Hate for you to get frost bite on your first night.” He brought the truck to a stop and grabbed the door handle. “Well, we better get a move on if we’re going to set up camp. Sun’s goin’ down fast.” He and Mom charged out of the truck and headed to the back to unload the supplies.
The blood drained from Scott’s face. He realized he forgot to pack the thermals like his dad asked. When dad opened the hatch, the cold wind blew into the vehicle, cutting Scott to the bone.
Mom reached for a white plastic bag and tossed it to Scott. He stared in amazement into the bag stuffed with the clothes he forgot to pack.
“Looks like checklist lady comes through again,” Mom joked.
Wrap Up
Before Paul ended I Thessalonians, he listed out what he wanted the church to remember (see I Thess. 5:12-28). We are to have respect for one another and for the works of the Spirit and to always be joyful, prayerful, and thankful.
What do you do to help you remember important stuff?
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