Read: Psalm 5:1-3

“Your science project is looking good,” Grandpa said as he looked over Sophia’s shoulder.

“Thanks,” said Sophia. “I’m calling it ‘Means of Communication.’ It’s about how the ways people communicate with each other over long distances have developed over time.” She pointed to pictures on her display board showing handwritten letters, telegraphs, telephones, radios, TVs, and computers. “Hundreds of years ago, the only way you could communicate with someone far away was to send them a letter, which could take weeks or even months to get to them. Over time, we invented new ways to communicate that got better and better. Now, with computers, smartphones, and the internet, we can communicate instantly—with just one person or with a million!”

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Grandpa studied Sophia’s work for a few moments. “But there’s an even more amazing form of communication that’s not on here.”

Sophia was startled. “There is? What’s that?”

“Communication with God,” Grandpa answered.

“I never thought of that,” said Sophia. “In Bible times, God sometimes talked to people through dreams, didn’t He?”

“That’s right, and at other times He spoke to people directly,” Grandpa said. “But He has another way of speaking to us now.”

“I know,” said Sophia. “He speaks to us through the Bible, right?”

Grandpa smiled and nodded. “He uses His Word to shape the thoughts and desires of His children’s minds and hearts. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus came to earth, the Holy Spirit only communicated with some people in specific circumstances. But when Jesus died for our sin and saved us, the long distance between us and God was closed up. The Holy Spirit is now with all Christians, all the time!”

“And He tells us how to live, right?” Sophia asked.

Grandpa nodded. “He guides us and shapes us to be more like Jesus. And because He lives in our hearts, we can communicate with God anytime through prayer. He always hears the prayers of His children.”

Sophia looked at the chart she had made and smiled. “I’m so glad God lives in my heart and I can communicate with Him anytime!”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Did you know that if you trust in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit inside you? There’s no distance between you and God—He is with you every single moment! He speaks to you when you read the Bible and shapes your thoughts and desires to make you more like Jesus. And because He’s always with you, you can communicate with Him anytime through prayer. Talk with God each day and listen as He speaks to you.

Today's Key Verse: O God, You are my God; early will I seek You. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Communicate with God

Read: Acts 16:22-26

Gabby’s grandpa was in a lot of pain. His hands were nearly crippled, and he sat in a wheelchair when he was able to get out of bed. Gabby thought she would be miserable if she were in his place, but every time she visited him, he seemed to have a smile on his face.

“How are you so happy all the time?” Gabby asked as she sat in his living room with him one afternoon.

“God has been good to me,” Grandpa said, humming softly.

Gabby’s brows knit. How could he say that when he was in pain?

“What are you humming?” Gabby asked.

“It’s a song about God being good all the time,” Grandpa said. “We need to trust Him no matter what we face. We need to remember that He is good and has given us eternal life through His Son, Jesus.”

“I wish I had faith like you,” Gabby said.

Grandpa patted her hand with his gnarly one. “Did you ever read about Paul being put in prison?”

“I’m not sure,” said Gabby.

“Well, when he was beaten and put in prison, he still sang and praised God. Everyone who heard him was shocked.” Grandpa smiled. “I want to be like that.”

“And I want to be like you,” Gabby said.

Grandpa went back to humming, and Gabby leaned into his shoulder. She felt bad for him because of his pain, but he was one of the happiest and most content people she knew. She wanted to be like him when she was older rather than a lot of the grown-ups she knew who weren’t nearly as happy or friendly.

“God can get us through all kinds of terrible times and the pain we face,” Grandpa said softly. “Because Jesus died and rose again to save us, we can be joyful and praise Him no matter what. We just need to trust Him and know that He’s with us.” Grandpa smiled at Gabby. “Maybe I could teach you the words to the song I’ve been humming?”

“Sure,” Gabby said. She was eager to learn as much as she could from her faith-filled grandpa.

–Bethany Acker

How about you? Do you know someone who is happy even when life isn’t easy? We all go through hard, painful times in life, but we can still be joyful and praise God because of what He’s done for us. If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has given you eternal life and promises to be with you through every difficulty you face. Trust Him and praise Him no matter what life brings.

Today's Key Verse: In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:21 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Trust and praise God always

Read: John 14:1-6

Cadence and Izabel listened intently as Dad read the story of Finn, a very poor boy who lived long ago in a faraway country. “Everyone said the king was very kind,” Dad read, “so Finn decided to go see him and ask for help.

“When Finn arrived at the palace, he was stopped at the gate. He explained that he wanted to see the king, but he was refused admission. Now what can I do? he wondered. I know! I’ll climb over the wall. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then found a part of the wall surrounded by trees and climbed to the top. Hey! That was easy! he thought, but at that very moment, several fierce-looking dogs in the palace yard rushed up. Finn dropped back to the ground. This won’t work after all, he thought. The only way in is through the gate. Discouraged, he walked back to the gate and sat down at the side of the road.

“Soon a carriage drove up, and a young man stepped out. ‘What’s the matter?’ the man asked. Finn explained that he desperately needed help and wanted to see the king. ‘Come with me,’ the young man said. Then he spoke to the gatekeeper, and the gates were opened. They went inside, and Finn could see the dogs out of the corner of his eye. He cringed when he heard them barking. But again the young man gave orders, and the dogs were restrained.

“Finn looked at the man wide-eyed. ‘Why does everyone obey you?’ he asked in wonder.

“The young man smiled. ‘Because I’m the prince,’ he replied. ‘And now we’ll go see my father—the king.’”

Dad stopped reading and closed the book. “Do you know who Finn reminds me of?”

“Who?” asked Izabel.

“Us,” said Dad. “We all need the King of kings—God—but none of us can reach Him on our own. That’s why He sent His Son to us.”

“Jesus!” Cadence and Izabel said together.

Smiling, Dad nodded. “We can only be saved through Jesus,” he said. “We can only have eternal life with the King of kings by knowing Him.”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Have you ever heard that it’s not what you know but who you know that matters? That’s often true! It’s certainly true when it comes to entering the kingdom of heaven. You need to know the Son of God—Jesus—as your Savior to be saved from sin and have eternal life. Do you know Him? (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: You need to know Jesus