Rachelle Gill 4/15/23 Rachelle Gill 4/15/23

Carry On Devotions | Philippians 2:8

Stop

Take a deep breath, say He is Risen, then a deep breath out and say He is risen indeed.

Read

Philippians 2:8…. he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.

Reflect

Jesus chose to put us first. When you follow Jesus, you can put His love into action. You can treat everyone around you like Jesus treated people in His life.

Because Jesus listened when people were hurting, you should listen well.

Because Jesus showed compassion to the people around him, you should show compassion.

Because Jesus taught others about God, you should tell others about Him.

Because Jesus consistently gave up what he wanted to put others first, you should put others first too.

Think of someone who you can put first. On a piece of paper, write one way you could put that person first sometime this week. Be specific.

Pray

Dear God, help us follow through on our thoughts and put others first just like Jesus put us first. Keep us strong as we carry out your work. Amen

Carry On

Ask God to help you follow through on what you’ve written so you can put others first just as Jesus put you first.

Rachelle Gill 4/13/23 Rachelle Gill 4/13/23

Carry On Devotions | Philippians 2:7

Stop

Take a deep breath, say He is Risen, then a deep breath out and say He is risen indeed.

Read Philippians 2:7 …but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form,

Reflect

Paul talks about how Jesus chose to come to earth and live a poor life instead of entering the world as a rightful king or powerful ruler. Jesus came to serve, to love others, to help, and most importantly to SAVE. Because of His obedience to live this way and to die on the cross for us, we can have a relationship with God forever. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of humility by choosing to put us first.

Take out a piece of paper and write the word “JESUS” in large block letters in the center of the page. All around the page, write out words that describe how you could become more like Jesus. Here are a few examples to get you started: loving, listening, serving, helping.

Pray

Loving God, give us humility by putting others first. Help us to serve, love and help others every day of our lives. Amen

Carry On

Ask God to help you follow him by putting others first this week.

Rachelle Gill 4/11/23 Rachelle Gill 4/11/23

Carry On Devotions | John 20:18

Stop

Take a deep breath, say He is Risen, then a deep breath out and say He is risen indeed.

Read John 20:18

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples,”I have seen the Lord” and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Reflect

On the Sunday morning after Jesus died, Mary went to the tomb. We can imagine that she felt sad and hopeless. Jesus, her teacher and friend, had died. And when she saw that empty tomb, she must have been so confused. Where had they taken Jesus’ body? But then Jesus appeared to her – ALIVE! His death wasn’t the end. Her sadness was replaced with joy.

We celebrate Easter because Jesus rose again! Did you catch the very last part of today’s verse? Mary told the disciples what she had seen and heard.

Pray

He is Risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! God, help us tell others about Jesus. He is alive and he is alive in us. We feel the joy of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Carry On

Celebrate by telling others about what Jesus has done for you!

Rachelle Gill 1/14/23 Rachelle Gill 1/14/23

Learning Something New 3

Stop, take a deep breath and whisper “ help me grow”

Read Psalm 25:4

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

When it comes to growing in knowledge, we have to have an attitude that’s open to learning and growing. The same is true when it comes to following God! We must be willing to learn, to add to what we know and to practice our faith by living the way God wants us to live. Why? Because God made us and loves us. On top of that, God’s way is always best.

Footsteps of Faith

Write the two sentences from today’s verse on two scraps of paper that will fit inside the soles of your shoes. Place them inside and cover with tape to hold in place. As you put on your shoes each day, read these words as a prayer before you head out the door for school.

Let’s pray, Hey God, I love you. Help me form a new faith habit this year. Help me to walk only with you. Amen

Rachelle Gill 1/12/23 Rachelle Gill 1/12/23

Learning Something New 2

Stop, take a deep breath and whisper “ help me grow”

Read Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

If you wanted to learn to bake a cake, would you rather…

* Read the recipe in a cookbook?

* Watch a step-by-step YouTube video?

When you have an example to follow, it’s so much easier isn’t it? Being able to watch what someone does makes it clear what we should do. Paul tells us to follow his example. How? By thinking about what is true, right, and pure. By focusing on what’s lovely and worthy of respect. If we focus on good things, pure things, right things, we will live right.

Think About Your Thoughts

For the next 24 hours, pay attention to what you’re thinking about! Is that thought true, helpful, right, or pure? If not, ask God to help you focus on thinking about the good things. Because when you learn something new – when you change that negative thought to a positive one – it can change you!

Let’s pray, Hey God, I love you. Help me learn something new so I can be a better person. Amen

Rachelle Gill 1/10/23 Rachelle Gill 1/10/23

Learning Something New 1

Stop, take a deep breath and whisper “ help me grow”

Read Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Name someone you trust to give you good advice. It’s always a good idea to identify people in our lives who love us, who follow God and can help us.

But what do you do when you need some advice and the person you trust isn’t available?

There is someone always available and ready to help. God is never too busy for you. God will give you help. God will care for you. God will keep promises. What is the promise at the end of today’s verse?

Sky Views

God loves you. God wants to help you grow in knowledge, to discover new things about this amazing world. This week, as you look up at the sky, think about God watching over you with love. Thank God for being so loving.

Let’s pray, Hey God, I love you. Thank you for watching over me this new year. Help me discover new things to discover about you and about others. Amen

Rachelle Gill 12/17/22 Rachelle Gill 12/17/22

God’s Greatest Gift Colossians 1:21-23

JAM Curriculum for December

Stop: Take a deep breath – whisper – Anything is possible with God.

Read Colossians 1:21-23

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— 23 provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

God made the whole world, including people like you and me. We are made in God’s image! From the beginning God had a special plan for people, but over and over again, people decided to do what they want wanted to do instead of following God’s best for their life. This separated us from God, but God still chose to love us. Jesus came to show us just how much God loves us. We celebrate Jesus’

birth in a big way because Jesus came to save us!

The good news of Jesus isn’t just for you and me. It’s for everyone! Because of Jesus, everyone who believes can be with God forever. Isn’t that amazing? Only God could do that! Because anything is possible with God.

An Invitation

Can you think of a friend who needs to know that God loves them? Sit down with your family and talk about who you could invite to church with you this Christmas season. Create a special invite

and make a plan to attend church together.

Dear God, we know that anything is possible with You. Please help us to love, help, and forgive people the way You would—even if it feels impossible. We love You, and we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rachelle Gill 12/15/22 Rachelle Gill 12/15/22

God’s Greatest Gift Luke 1:18

JAM Curriculum for December

Stop: Take a deep breath – whisper – Anything is possible with God.

Read Luke 1:18-20

Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

Zechariah was a faithful priest who loved and served God. But when the angel appeared to tell him his wife would soon have a baby, he was so confused.

Basically, Zechariah said to the angel, “Do you know how old I am? And that my wife’s really old too?” Because of his doubt, the angel said he’d be unable to speak until after the baby’s birth.

Zechariah and his wife did have a baby and they named him John. John would grow up to tell everyone about his famous cousin, Jesus! John would be the one to say, “Look! The Lamb of God.

He takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I’ve been talking about!”

Keeping Quiet

Think of something that happened today that you really want to tell someone about. Write down what happened, fold it up and stick it under your mattress in your bedroom. See if you can wait a whole 24 hours before you tell someone! Then think about Zechariah and his doubt. Ask God to help you trust and believe with all your heart that anything is possible with God.

Dear God, Help me to trust and believe in you with all my heart. Help me remember how You did something that seemed impossible by sending Your Son to be our Savior. It’s in Your name we pray, amen.

Rachelle Gill 12/13/22 Rachelle Gill 12/13/22

God’s Greatest Gift Luke 1:46

JAM Curriculum for December

Stop: Take a deep breath – whisper – Anything is possible with God.

Read: Luke 1:46-49

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

When the angel appeared to Mary with a very important message, she did what we would probably do. She asked, “How can this be?” Immediately, her mind went to all the reasons why this seemed impossible. But then the angel made a statement to stop all that confusion.

Check out Luke 1:37 and fill in the blanks below.

“…what God says will ___________. ___________ ___________.” Luke 1:37

When God promises something, it’s as good as done. God made a promise to send a Savior and that promise was about to be fulfilled! So Mary said, “May it happen just as you have said.” Then she worshipped God.

A Christmas Carol: Say a prayer or create a song using Mary’s words below. Feel free to add your own words too. “I praise the Lord. I delight in God my Savior. He noticed me when no one else thought I was important. The Mighty One has done great things for me. Because He is Holy.”

Dear God, Thank You for all the things that You have done in our lives that seemed impossible at the time. You are our Mighty God, and You can do anything! Thank you for loving ME! Help us to remember that. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rachelle Gill 10/29/22 Rachelle Gill 10/29/22

Let Me Go

Read Exodus 14:13-14

13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”

Imagine you’re an Israelite. One day, Moses shows up and (after a lot of back and forth) finally convinces Pharaoh to let you go free. You gather up your family and you leave Egypt. Then suddenly, Pharaoh changes his mind and leads his powerful army to chase you down. Now you’re standing with the Red Sea in front of you and Pharaoh’s army coming up fast behind. You’re trapped.

The Israelites did what we often do when things seem out of control. They complained, saying, “Why didn’t you let us stay back in Egypt?” But Moses knew God was in control. Moses didn’t tell them to fight or run or even panic. He told them to be still and trust.

Sometimes when things are out of control, we want to take matters into our own hands. But really, the best thing we can do is just stop and ask God for help, because God knows what’s best. We can trust God and hold on with grit because God is in control.

Be Still

Grab a marker and write “Be Still” on your hand or on an index card to keep as a reminder to stop and pray. Trust God to help you keep going with grit.

Prayer: God, I can hold on because you are in control. Help me be still and trust you so I can boldly walk with you every day of my life. Amen.

Rachelle Gill 10/27/22 Rachelle Gill 10/27/22

Faithful

Read Lamentations 3:22-23

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

What does the word “faithful” mean? Write your answer on a piece of paper.

A person who is faithful is someone who does what they say they will do. God is faithful. If God makes a promise, God keeps that promise. God never says, “Oh, I’m sorry! I’ve been so busy running the entire universe I completely forgot about that!”

That means you can put all your trust in God! God loves you and will help you keep doing the right thing even when everything around you seems to be out of control. God can help you grow grit so you can keep going even when the going gets tough. God’s love never fails.

Every Morning

Write today’s verse on a card and put it by your bed. Every morning this week, read the verse out loud as a reminder that God loves you, is faithful, and is in control.

Prayer: God, help me be faithful….all the time! I trust that you will always walk beside me in good and in bad. Thank you for every new morning. Amen

Rachelle Gill 10/25/22 Rachelle Gill 10/25/22

Grit

Read Isaiah 45:5-6

I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, 6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.

Who causes the sun to rise and set? Who put the sun in the sky in the first place? God did that! We can trust in a great big God who does great big things because there is no one else like God. Our human minds can’t even understand just how amazing God is. No matter what happens, God is in control.

Take a moment to walk outside and look up at the sky. Think about sun and the stars, the clouds and even rain – not to mention eyes to see all these wonderful things. God did all of that! God is big enough to handle anything we face in life.

When things seem out of control, stop and look up at the sky. The same God who takes care of the world also takes care of you. You can keep going with grit, you can hold on because God is in control.

Prayer: Thank you God for taking care of us. Keep giving me the GRIT to refuse to give up when life gets hard. Amen

Rachelle Gill 10/8/22 Rachelle Gill 10/8/22

Psalm 94:19

(In September JAM kids learned about Grit - Refusing to give up when life gets hard. with Orange)

Read Psalm 94:19

19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Do you ever worry? Do you worry about school, about friends, about your soccer game on Saturday? The problem with worry is that it doesn’t change anything. In fact, worry usually just makes things worse, because worry focuses on “what if’s” that are totally beyond our control.

But there is someone who knows what will happen at school, with your friends, and on the soccer field on Saturday. God knows what you’re worried about and wants to take the worry and replace it with joy. God doesn’t want you to spend one more minute thinking about all the things that could happen. Instead, God can help you hold on with grit because He is in control.

Joy Not Worry

Write the word WORRY in large block outline letters on a piece of paper. Write down all your worries inside the letters. Stop and remember that God is in control. Then flip the page over and write the word JOY in large block letters on the back. Write the words of today’s verse inside the letters and decorate it any way you choose. Hang it up as a reminder to turn your worries over to God and replace them with joy!

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for knowing us so well and always knowing what we’re going through, especially when we’re going through stuff that’s hard to tell others. Please help kids all over the world feel Your presence and know that You are with them. Remind each of us to show Your love to everyone we meet and help others know that You can help them push through whatever hard thing they’re going through. We love You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Rachelle Gill 10/6/22 Rachelle Gill 10/6/22

Exodus 14:13-14

(In September JAM kids learned about Grit - Refusing to give up when life gets hard. with Orange)

Read Exodus 14:13-14

Be Still

Grab a marker and write “Be Still” on your hand or on an index card to keep as a reminder to stop and pray. Trust God to help you keep going with grit.

Dear God, thank You that You love us SO MUCH. Thank You that You are ALWAYS with us. When we don’t know what to do next, help us HOLD ON and follow Jesus. Help us HOLD ON and love You. Help us HOLD ON and love others. We love You SO MUCH, God. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Rachelle Gill 10/4/22 Rachelle Gill 10/4/22

Isaiah 45:5-6

(In September JAM kids learned about Grit - Refusing to give up when life gets hard.  with Orange)

Read Isaiah 45:5-6

5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, 6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.

When things seem out of control, stop and look up at the sky. The same God who takes care of the world also takes care of you. You can keep going with grit, you can hold on because God is in control.

Dear God, thank You for your Word and how it teaches us that we can hold on because you are in control. Help us to always remember that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rachelle Gill 7/30/22 Rachelle Gill 7/30/22

Make Waves Ephesians 4:2

VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)

Read Ephesians 4:2

When you hear the word payback, what do you think about? Maybe you think about money or stuff. If you borrow someone’s pencil and accidentally lose it, you should pay them back by giving them a new pencil. If you borrow money to buy popcorn at the ball field, you should pay them back by buying their popcorn at the next game.

Sometimes, we are tempted to pay back a wrong for a wrong. When someone breaks something of ours, we feel like breaking something of theirs. Or when someone says something that hurts our feelings, we want to say something mean right back. But God tells us there’s a better way.

What does it mean to “put up with one another?”

Write your answer here:

_______________________________________________

Guess what? You are not perfect. You’ll say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing sometimes. And the same is true for every person you meet. They’re going to mess up too. Instead of looking for ways to pay someone back, God wants us to choose gentleness. After all, wouldn’t you want someone to be gentle with you, to “put up with” you when you mess up?

Dear God, I am not perfect. Help me come to you when I mess up. Forgive me, renew me in your spirit. Amen

Rachelle Gill 7/28/22 Rachelle Gill 7/28/22

Make Waves Titus 3:2

VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)

Read Titus 3:2

When you hear the word “weakness” what do you think about? Does this equation come to mind?

Gentleness = Weakness

Choosing to be gentle towards someone else isn’t a sign of weakness. Choosing to be gentle, to put others first, requires strength! It’s not easy to live humbly but when you do, you’re showing everyone around you just how strong you really are.

That’s why the following equation is more accurate . . .

Gentleness = Strength

Every time you are careful with your words and actions, you are showing gentleness. Every time you remain calm instead of blowing up when something frustrates you, you are being gentle with others. Gentleness is the biggest strength test ever.

And the best part is, you don’t have to do this on your own. God will help you. His strength and power are unlimited! Pray and ask God to help you have the strength to be gentle to everyone you meet this week.

Dear God, Give me strength to be gentle. Keep me calm when life gets tough. Help me show your love to others. Amen

Rachelle Gill 7/26/22 Rachelle Gill 7/26/22

Make Waves with Gentleness

VBS this week is learning to Make Waves (with orange/parent cue)

Read Philippians 4:5

When others look at you, what do they see?

Maybe your freckles or your dimples, or your long legs. There are things about our physical appearance that are obvious and allow others to recognize us.

What if the qualities we’ve been talking about, the things that God wants to do in us to change the world us, were as obvious as the freckles across your nose? In other words, what if your kindness, or patience or gentleness, was the first thing someone noticed about you?

Did you know that you are a representation of God? God made you in His image, and that means you can show the world what God looks like! You can “make waves” by living out the purpose God gave you—to show His light and love to everyone around you.

Just like no two people would create the same representation or picture of creation, each person can “make waves” in a different way. God may have given you a skill like drawing, painting, singing, or acting. Or maybe you’re really good at being a friend and listening to other people’s problems. Perhaps you tell amazing jokes. Whatever gift God has given you, use it to make waves and show others who God is!

Jesus was gentle. He used gentle words when He spoke. He was gentle in the way He treated His friends, the disciples, even when they didn’t understand what He was trying to do.

Sometimes being gentle is the strongest choice you can make. So here’s a question to think about: how can you be gentle in an obvious way this week?

Dear God, Help me say gentle words to others. Help me be patient and kind. Give me the strength not to cause harm like a tidal wave but be gentle like a small ripple through the water. Amen

Rachelle Gill 5/21/22 Rachelle Gill 5/21/22

Hebrews 12:1-3

thanks to Parent Cue!

this month’s theme is BOUNCE BACK God gives us strength we need to get back up again. God is strong and faithful.

Stop: Clear out a space in your room or head to an empty hallway. Make sure nothing is on the floor or in your way. Begin jogging slowly, and as you move, read Hebrews 12:1-3 out loud. When you’re done, sit down and read it again.

Read Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.

Did you find it easier to focus on what you were reading when you were jogging, or when you were sitting still? There’s no right or wrong answer—we’re all wired differently. But the point is, it’s important to make choices that can help you focus on Jesus and what He did for you. That will help you keep going!

Jesus paved the way for us. Even when we’re tired and mess up—we know we can get back up and keep going because we’re loved and forgiven no matter what. Following Jesus can be like running an obstacle course. The goal is to obey God, to love God and to love other people. You’ll mess up along the way. You’ll break the rules. You’ll say and do things that aren’t loving. But you can’t let your mess ups stop you from trying again. Remember, Jesus has already paid the price for all of our sins, all our mess ups, when He died on the cross. He did that for you, because that’s how much He loves you.

Prayer: God, help us keep focusing on Jesus. He is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Amen.

Rachelle Gill 5/19/22 Rachelle Gill 5/19/22

Philippians 4:19

thanks to Parent Cue!

this month’s theme is BOUNCE BACK God gives us strength we need to get back up again. God is strong and faithful.

Stop: Put your hands together like you are praying, push your hands together. Keep pushing as you read the Bible verse.

Listen: Philippians 4:19 “ My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

Reflect: Read the list of needs below. Match up each need on the left to one way that need can be met on the right.

Tired a friend

Hungry a hug

Cold a comfy bed

Sad food

Lonely a warm blanket

God promises to meet all of our needs. And God always keeps promises. When you put your faith in Jesus, you have access to all of those same riches. When it’s hard to keep going, when you want to quit, when it seems like no one else is making the wise choice, remember that God will give you what you need. So remember, you can keep going because of what Jesus did for you.

Pray: Loving God, thank you for walking beside me. You meet every need I have. I am a Child of God! Amen.