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ZOO

A Christian ministry to children and youth. Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to introduce you to ZOO. What is ZOO? Who are the leaders?
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ZOO is a program for children and youth. Each section of the weekly program will be designed to compliment the overall objectives of developing the whole child, mentally, physically, spiritually and socially, so they become confident, competent and productive individuals, who value, respect and contribute to each other, and to the world around them. This will be facilitated through fun and informa

tive activities, which provide opportunities for the children to be recognised and rewarded for effort and achievement. The program elements are founded on Christian teachings. Our leaders are committed members of various Christian churches. Each leader contributes their own unique experiences, skills, interests and training and meets our strict screening criteria required as leaders of children. All leaders must be approved in accordance with the Working With Children Check. Currently, our leaders have a variety of background experiences including; home duties, disability and aged care, nursing, teaching and special education, information technology, computer programming, horticulture and various other trades and professions. There is no cost involved! Our focus is to provide opportunities for children to:

- discover and develop values, morals, ethics, integrity, and self control

- discover and develop skills and talents

- develop confidence, optimism, high self esteem, respect for others, and personal excellence

- provide real life opportunities to empathise, understand, and care for those who have disabilities, are sick, elderly, and less fortunate or different from themselves

- develop skills and interests which can lead to creative use of leisure time

- develop skills, attitudes and values which respect and appreciate the authority and position of parents and others in authority

- develop skills, attitudes and values which are conducive to problem solving and conflict resolution

- discover that they are important and have a valuable contribution to make to their society

- develop an awareness and understanding of God and His plan for mankind

- have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ as their Saviour

Where and when do we meet? Location – Glenquarie Anglican Church, corner of Second Avenue and Edgar Street Macquarie Fields. We meet on Friday evenings during school terms. The program begins at 7.30pm and finishes at 9.00pm. Children who arrive 15 minutes early will be given a snack meal on arrival and a desert on meeting completion. Are Parents and Guardians allowed to attend? All parents and guardians are welcome to visit at any time and share a cup of coffee or tea with the leaders. From time to time there will be special interest groups and activities for parents and guardians.

11/09/2015

Make sure to be at ZOO tonight!
It is the last night for this term...
So... Invite a friend and have double the fun. :)

11/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Friday, 11th of Sep 2015

The Samaritan woman
John 4:1-14

Living water

When Jesus and His disciples left Judea and headed back to Galilee, they had to go through the countryside of Samaria. At midday, Jesus rested at a well while His disciples went off to buy food in the small town.

Just then, a woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

The woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her because He was a Jew, and she was a Samaritan (Samaritans were hated by Jews). “Why do you ask me for a drink?”

Jesus said, “If you knew about the gift of God and who can give you this gift, you would have asked Him and He would have given you Living Water.”

“Where would you get this Living Water?” she asked.

“Everyone who drinks of this water [from the well] will be thirsty again,” Jesus replied, “but everyone who drinks of the water I give him will never be thirsty again!”

Can one drink Living Water?

Have you ever been really thirsty — so thirsty that your tongue feels completely dry? God created each person with a spirit that is ‘thirsty’ to know Him and that longs to have a relationship with Him (see Psalm 42:1). Only Jesus can take away that thirst by giving us Living Water: the Holy Spirit who comes to live in us.

Some people, like the woman at the well, try to satisfy their thirst for God in ways that aren’t right, and so their spirits stay thirsty. When Jesus told the woman about the life-giving water He gives, she wondered whether this water was like the water she drew from the well every day. But the Living Water Jesus spoke of is not the water one pours into a glass; it is the unseen Spirit He pours into our lives (Acts 2:17).

Verse for today
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

09/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Thursday, 10th of Sep 2015

Nicodemus
John 3:9-21

The Saviour of the world

Nicodemus, a respected leader and teacher who should have known about spiritual things, could not understand the truths Jesus spoke about.

So Jesus explained it this way; “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert to bring healing to those who looked up at it, so God’s Son must be lifted up [on a cross] to bring healing to the world.

God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him will not die but have a new life that never ends. For God did not send His Son to earth to judge and to punish, but that every person can be saved through Him.”

Did Jesus come to save our planet?

God, who created the world and everything on it, carefully watches every tiny part of His creation and keeps things going. He wants us to do our bit too by looking after our little part of this huge planet. We should care for animals and birds and plants, and be careful not to litter or waste.

However, when it says that God loved the world and sent Jesus to save it (verse 16-17), it doesn’t mean that He sent Jesus to save this round planet we live on. The word “world” means all the people living on earth — the Eskimos, the Indians, the Africans, the Chinese, the Europeans, and everyone else living on the different continents of the world.

The Bible tells us that the world (the earth) will come to an end one day when God finally destroys it (2 Peter 3:10-12). God would not destroy something He loves, so we know that when we read, “God loved the world,” it means that God loves every single person in the world — including you!

Verse for today
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
2 Peter 3:13

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

09/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Wednesday, 9th of Sep 2015

Nicodemus
John 3:1-8

Born of the Spirit

There was a man whose name was Nicodemus. He belonged to a group called the Pharisees — religious leaders who often cared more about their own rules than they did about people. They did not believe the things Jesus taught and were jealous because many people had started to follow Him.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was afraid of being seen by the other Pharisees. “Master,” he said to Jesus, “we know that you are a teacher from God who does miracles.”

Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth: no one can become part of God’s Kingdom unless he is born again.”

“How can an old man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “Can his mother give birth to him a second time?”

Jesus replied, “No one can come to God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

Can I be born twice?

It is obvious that you have been born once. The proof is that you are alive. However, you can be born a second time — and this time the choice is up to you!
1. The first birth - When you were born into a family as a tiny baby, you became part of your family and took on the family name (your surname).
2. The second birth – When you become a child of God, you are born into His family and take on Christ’s name — you become a Christian (Christ’s one).

To be born again you must believe in Jesus, ask Him to save you, and trust Him to give you new life. The proof that you have become His child is that the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. You won’t feel Him inside you, but from that moment on, He will start changing your heart and help you to follow God’s ways (1 John 3:24).

Verse for today
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
1 John 5:18

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

08/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Tuesday, 8th of Sep 2015

Andrew
John 2:1-11

Jesus’ first miracle

While Jesus was in a town called Cana, He was invited to a wedding, together with Andrew and His other disciples.

During the celebrations the wine ran out, so Mary the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no more wine!”

Jesus replied, “Why are you telling me? My time has not yet come.” Later, Jesus told the servants to fill six big water jars with water. So the servants filled the jars to the brim. Then Jesus said, “Now scoop some out and take it to the master of the feast.”

The servants did as they were told, and when the master of the feast tasted the water, it had been turned to wine. And he said, “People usually serve the best wine first, but you have kept the best wine till now.”

Why did Jesus choose to turn water into wine?

A singer is always careful when choosing the opening song for a concert because it gets people to sit up and focus on what is to come.

We don’t know if Jesus had planned this miracle before the wedding, or whether the Spirit led Him while He was there. We do know that He wasn’t going to be rushed into something that wasn’t God’s will (verse 4).

We would think that His first miracle would somehow show that He, the Son of God, had come to save the world. Yet Jesus did a miracle that simply helped someone out of an embarrassing situation. Although Jesus had come to save the world, He had also come to live with people. Jesus wanted to show that everyone is important to Him, and that He is interested in every detail of our lives.

Jesus took water, used for everyday things like washing dirty feet, and used it to bless people. As we allow Jesus to take complete control of our lives, He takes our ordinary, everyday situations and uses them to bless us and others.

Verse for today
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

07/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Monday, 7th of Sep 2015

Andrew
Matthew 4:18-22

“Follow Me”

After Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. There, in the heat of the desert, Jesus fasted for forty days. Every time the devil tempted Him, Jesus used Scripture to make the right choice — He never sinned.

Then Jesus began preaching to the people, telling them that the kingdom of heaven is near. As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew. Jesus said to them, “Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they followed Him.

Later, Jesus saw two other fishermen, James and John, and called them too. Immediately, they left their boat and also followed Him.

Did the disciples know what it would cost to follow Jesus?

When people join a team or a club, they usually want to know what’s in it for them. If they put effort or money into something, they usually expect something back, whether it is having fun, being honoured, or getting a reward.

When the time came for Jesus to begin His ministry, He started choosing a team of helpers. These first disciples had no idea what lay ahead — and they didn’t ask. Jesus simply said, “Follow Me,” and they followed. They didn’t know for how long, where they would sleep, or what they were expected to do. Even though they hadn’t known Jesus for long, they saw something in Him that helped them trust Him. They trusted Jesus enough to leave everything behind and follow Him — empty handed.

When Jesus calls you to follow Him — trust Him! Then you will also become a ‘fisher of men’ by bringing people to Him.

Verse for today
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Luke 9:58

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Sunday, 6th of Sep 2015

John the Baptist
Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus is baptised

While John was preaching, and baptising people in the Jordan River, Jesus came from His hometown of Nazareth to be baptised as well. But John said, “You should baptise me, yet You are wanting me to baptise You?”

Jesus replied, “Do what I have asked, for I must do everything that is right.” Then John baptised Jesus. As Jesus came up out of the water, heaven was opened, and the Spirit of God came down on Jesus like a dove. And a voice said from heaven, “This is my Son whom I love and with whom I am very pleased.”

Why did Jesus ask to be baptised?

By being baptised, people show that they have asked God to forgive their sins and have decided to live a life that is pleasing to God. John baptised the people by dipping them under the water (in this case, in the Jordan River).

It is easy to see why John thought it wasn’t right for him, an ordinary man, to baptise Jesus, who is sinless. Because Jesus had never sinned, He didn’t need to repent for His sin and be baptised.

Yet, this was the start of Jesus’ ministry and He wanted to obey the Law of God in every way — even if it meant doing what was expected of sinners.

Three years later, on the cross, Jesus took our sin on Himself. Although He was perfect, He died in our place as if He had done wrong.

From then on, the Law (the written rules of God) that condemned us as sinners was fulfilled (kept) by Jesus; and because His Spirit now lives in us, it is as if we have kept every part of the Law as well (Romans 8:1-4).

Jesus kept the Law for our part; that is why God sees us as perfect (Hebrews 10:12, 14).

Verse for today
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.”
Matthew 5:17

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Saturday, 5th of Sep 2015

John the Baptist
Mark 1:1-8

A preacher with camelhair clothes?

When the time came for Jesus to start His ministry, the Holy Spirit led His cousin John to the desert where he lived on locusts and wild honey, and he wore clothing made of camels’ hair.

Crowds went out to the desert to hear the word of the Lord. John told the people to turn from their sins so they would be forgiven. Those who owned up to their sin and asked for forgiveness, he baptised in the Jordan River.

He said to them, “There is someone coming after me who is more powerful than I am — someone whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

Why did John go live in the desert?

You may have heard people say that they can see and feel God by getting close to nature.

The peaceful mood of the beautiful countryside can help us feel close to God. However, this is not because God lives in the things He created, but rather, because the wonders of nature can help us to see how awesome God is.

Although a desert (or wilderness) may not be your idea of a beautiful surrounding, at least it is quiet out there. You would be excused for thinking that the desert is a strange place to preach to people, but here are possible reasons why John went there:
1. He preached in the desert because that’s the way God said it would be (Isaiah 40:3-5).
2. John wanted to get away from the noise and busyness of the city to hear God’s voice clearly in his heart and mind.
3. It was a good place for the people to hear John’s message. Because they had walked so far to get there, they weren’t likely to leave the moment John said something they didn’t agree with.

Verse for today
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.”
Malachi 3:1a

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

06/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Friday, 4th of Sep 2015

Mary
Luke 2:41-50

Jesus was a child

When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast, as they had done every year.

When the feast was over, his parents returned home with a group of relatives and friends. They had traveled for a whole day before they realised that Jesus was not with the other children, as they thought.

So Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem and found Jesus sitting with the teachers in the Temple, listening to them and asking them questions.

Did Jesus need to learn about God and the Scriptures?

This is a mystery we cannot understand; that while Jesus was on earth, He was completely human and completely God. From the time He was born until He went back to His Father in heaven, He was the only person to live a completely sinless life.

Jesus grew from a tiny baby to a young boy, and from a teenager to a young man. He had to learn things just as you do. As a toddler, He learned to walk; as a boy, He learned to play with the other kids; as a teenager He learned to help His dad. He learned to read and write and get along with those who were mean. Nothing was easier for Jesus just because He is the Son of God.

Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about the childhood of Jesus, we know that at the age of twelve, He knew enough about the Scriptures to be able to talk to the leaders in the Temple about the things of God. Even though by this time, Jesus knew that He was the Son of God (verse 49), it would seem that He didn’t know everything, because He listened carefully to the teachers and asked them many questions.

Never think that you are too young to understand things about God. If you are not quite sure about something or you would like to find out more, ask questions like Jesus did.

Verse for today
And Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and men.
Luke 2:51

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

03/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Thursday, 3rd of Sep 2015

Mary
Matthew 2:13-23

Escape to Egypt

When the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord warned Joseph in a dream to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt.

So Joseph and Mary left the town of Bethlehem during the night and headed for Egypt with Jesus.

When Herod realised that he had been tricked by the wise men — who didn’t come back to tell him where the baby was — he was furious and ordered his soldiers to kill all the boys under two years of age in and around Bethlehem.

Meanwhile, Joseph and Mary stayed in Egypt where they lived in safety until Herod died. Then they returned to Judah, to the town of Nazareth where Jesus grew up.

Why was King Herod so afraid of a baby?

The wise men went to King Herod to find out about a newborn king, thinking that he was the most likely to know about the birth of a Jewish king. Meanwhile, Herod must have wondered if he had missed something. How had these wise men from the east found out about this baby while he knew nothing about Him? Why hadn’t anyone told him?

Herod had not been chosen by the Jews to be their king. The Romans who had conquered their country put him in charge. When he heard that a Jewish king had been born, he became jealous and he was afraid. Herod’s selfish attitude took away his peace. He became so afraid that someone would take his throne that he had many innocent babies killed.

How different Herod’s attitude was to that of the wise men: they left with hearts full of peace and joy; Herod’s heart was full of anger and fear. But Jesus had not come to take Herod’s throne; Jesus wanted his heart.

Verse for today
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
John 18:36

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

02/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Wednesday, 2nd of Sep 2015

Mary
Matthew 2:9-12

Gifts for the King

After the wise men had gone to King Herod to find out about the newborn king, the star they had first seen in the east went on ahead of them. The wise men’s discouragement turned to great joy when they saw the star leading them to Bethlehem and stop over the place where Jesus was.

They came to the house and found the small child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and gave Him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

Later, God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod to tell him about the child. So they returned to their country by another way.

Why did the Magi give Jesus such strange gifts?

If you were looking for a suitable gift for a toddler, you would probably go to a toy store or perhaps the kiddies section of a clothing store. Because you can’t really ask a baby what it would like, you would have to choose something you thought was suitable.

Let’s see why the wise men’s gifts were probably the best gifts they could have given Jesus.
• Gold is a fitting gift for a king. Gold reminds us that Jesus is the King of kings.
• Incense was used in the Temple. The sweet smell of incense reminds us that our prayers and worship are like a sweet smell to the Lord.
• Myrrh is a spice that was used when someone died. This might seem like the strangest gift of all, but it reminds us that Jesus came to earth to die for our sins (see John 3:16 and John 19:39-40).

If you would like to give Jesus the very best gift, let Him have all of you — just as you are.

Verse for today
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4:11

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

02/09/2015

Daily Devotion for Tuesday, 1st of Sep 2015

Mary
Matthew 2:1-12

Wise men from afar

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men (Magi) from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

When King Herod — who ruled Judea — heard this, he became worried. He quickly called together the chief priests and teachers of the Law and asked them where their King was to be born.

“In Bethlehem,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet wrote; ‘Out of you, Bethlehem, will come a ruler who will be a Shepherd for My people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the wise men to a secret meeting and asked them when exactly they had first seen the star.

What made the Magi follow the bright star?

What do you think made this group of wise men leave their homes and travel for weeks and months in the hope of finding a baby? And even if they did find a baby boy, how could they be sure that he was the one who would become a great king?

God had put a seed of expectation in their hearts — a hope that a mighty ruler would be born in their lifetime. Then one night, while looking at the stars, they saw it — a light, brighter than any star they had ever seen. They realised that this was the sign they had been waiting for; the sign of the Mighty King. Then the star started to move across the sky, and by faith they followed it, trusting that it would lead them to the newborn King.

Jesus, the bright morning star, is our sign of hope as He leads us to God. We can only find true joy when we, like the wise men, decide to follow Jesus the Light of the world.

Verse for today
And we have the word of the prophets … and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

31/08/2015

Daily Devotion for Monday, 31st of Aug 2015

Mary
Luke 2:21-32

Jesus is dedicated

A week after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. He was to be dedicated and given the name Jesus — the name the angel had given Him.

Joseph and Mary did this to obey God’s Law given by Moses, which said that every first born son was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also offered a sacrifice as the Law said they should.

While they were at the Temple, a godly man named Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit to go to the Temple. The Spirit of God had told him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s promise of a Saviour.

When he saw Mary’s baby, he took Jesus in his arms and gave thanks to God, saying, “Lord, You have kept Your promise. Now I can die in peace, for I have seen Your Salvation with my own eyes.”

What does the name “Jesus” mean?

After the angel had told Mary that she was going to have a baby, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him what would happen to Mary. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins" Matthew 1:21.

The name Jesus comes from the name “Joshua”, which means “God is our Salvation”. God saves us through Jesus. Jesus became our Salvation when He died for our sins and saved us from death — eternal death.
When we ask Jesus to save us, He takes away our sin and gives us eternal life. And that means, when we die, we go to live with Jesus in heaven forever!

Verse for today
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

31/08/2015

Daily Devotion for Sunday, 30th of Aug 2015

Mary
Luke 2:8-20

Shepherds in the field

At last the promised Saviour had come. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophets had said (see Isaiah 7:14 - Matthew 1:22-23, Micah 5:2).

There were shepherds spending the night in the fields nearby, taking care of their flocks. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone all around. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you. You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Then other angels appeared all around, singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When the shepherds saw Him, they told everyone what had happened.

Why did the angels appear only to the shepherds?

Do you think the angels appeared to the shepherds because they were the only ones still awake, or was it because the angels didn’t want to cause a disturbance in the peaceful town?

We can’t say for sure why the shepherds were chosen to hear the good news about Jesus; but it may have something to do with the fact that they were shepherds.

Jesus came to earth to be a Shepherd; to save His sheep from the prowling lion (the devil), and to lead us in green pastures of peace and goodness. He came as the Chief shepherd — the Shepherd of all shepherds, and the One who would give His life for His sheep.

Verse for today
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Peter 5:4

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

29/08/2015

Daily Devotion for Saturday, 29th of Aug 2015

Mary
Luke 1:57-64, 2:1-7

“Sorry, no room”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. When Elizabeth had her baby, everyone thought he would be given the name of someone in the family, but Zechariah wrote his name for everyone to see. As he wrote the name “John”, Zechariah suddenly began to speak again.

At that time, Emperor Augustus ordered everyone to be registered in the town of their family tribe.

So Mary and Joseph, who were engaged to be married, left their hometown of Nazareth and went to register in Bethlehem — the birthplace of King David.

When Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, the small town was overcrowded because of the many people that had come to register there. The time had come for Mary to have her baby, but there was no room for them to stay in the inn. Eventually, Mary and Joseph found a place for the baby to be born; and Mary wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger.

Why was Jesus not born in a palace?

Jesus came to earth as a humble servant to show us that God cares for everyone — even the least and lowliest people on earth. Jesus made Himself nothing, and took on the humble position of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He, the King of kings, willingly came to serve — not to be served. Jesus was laid in a feeding-trough for animals to show that God sent Jesus to earth with nothing.

What would you have done if you were the innkeeper the night Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay? Would you have cleared out your room and let them move in? What about now? Some people’s hearts are so jam-packed with their selfish lifestyle that they have no room for Jesus. Have you invited Jesus in and let Him make Himself at home in your heart?

Verse for today
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

28/08/2015

Daily Devotion for Friday, 28th of Aug 2015

Mary
Luke 1:39-56

Mary’s song of praise

After the angel had visited Mary and told her that she was going to have a son, she went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who had also been promised a son — one who would make the hearts of the people ready to follow Jesus.

When Mary came to the house of Elizabeth and greeted her, the baby inside Elizabeth moved. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to Mary, “You are blessed more than any other woman, for when I heard your greeting, the baby inside me jumped with gladness.”

Then Mary started singing a beautiful praise song to God:
“My heart praises the Lord;
My spirit is glad because of God my Saviour,
For He has remembered His humble servant.
And from now everyone will call me blessed
Because of the great things God has done for me.
Holy is His name.”

How could I praise God with a song from my heart?

Do you like singing praise and worship songs? Have you ever thought of putting your own words of praise to a tune you know? You could even make up your own tune by first humming it until it sounds right. That is how many wonderful praise songs were written. David wrote in one of the Psalms: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” Psalm 40:3. New songs keep coming from hearts that are filled with praise. How about putting some themes from Mary’s song into your own words. Think of:
• God’s power and might (verse 52)
• something to praise God for (verse 46-47)
• something He has done for you (verse 49)
• how He chose you and has a plan for your life (verse 48)
• the promises He has kept (verse 54).

Verse for today
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

27/08/2015

Daily Devotion for Thursday, 27th of Aug 2015

Mary
Luke 1:26-38

A heavenly visitor

During the time that Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was expecting her child, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, a young woman engaged to Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David.

Gabriel said to Mary, “Peace be on you. The Lord is with you and has chosen to bless you.” Mary was troubled by the angel’s words and wondered what he meant.

“Do not be afraid, Mary,” the angel said. “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”

“But how can this be?” Mary asked. “I am not even married yet.”

“The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of God will be over you like a shadow,” Gabriel replied.

“I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be as you have said,” Mary answered.

Could Jesus have come to earth at any other time in history?

God chose a specific time in history to send Jesus to earth. There are many reasons why that time was the best time for Jesus to be born on earth. The Bible says; “When the time was right, God sent His Son…” (Galatians 4:4).

All who put their faith in Jesus have eternal life because Jesus took their guilt and punishment on Himself when He died on the cross.

Those who lived in Old Testament times (before Jesus came to earth) had to offer an animal sacrifice for their sins. Although that sacrifice could not take away their sin, it was an act of faith in the perfect Sacrifice — Jesus, who was to come. In this way, even the Old Testament people were saved by their faith (in Jesus).

Verse for today
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
1 Peter 1:20

Thanks to www.truthforkids.com

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