Devotions

Message from Cindy McKoy

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew poses the question, “…can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” Worry is a dominant force in the age in which we live. Do we gain anything from worry? We worry about things that are likely and even things that are unlikely to occur. As a mother and former teacher, there is great concern when we hear our young, elementary-aged children sharing their fears and worries with us. Are we modeling the right behavior to our children? Are we putting our faith and trust in God? Worry can distract us from all the many things God can accomplish through us.

In Philippians 4:6, God instructs us to bring “everything” to God in prayer. What a comfort those words are. We often question whether our requests are small or insignificant in God’s eyes. In all situations, we must bring everything to God in prayer. Our faith and trust should reside in him. Prayer gives us an opportunity not only to lay our worries at his feet, but to thank him for his prevenient grace and the many blessings he continues to bestow upon us. When we bring our requests to God, the result is peace. The peace of God that passes all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

I am the Light of the World

Let’s explore the theme of light as we have “celebrated” daylight savings and have darker mornings.  We are thinking about actual light and the symbolism of light.

We have lots of different light sources… flashlights, ceiling lights, candles, light houses, headlights, camera flashes… can you think of more?  Which light makes you think of Jesus?  A candle has a soft, gentle flame.  A camera flash can show us details in pictures.  Headlights can guide us when we travel.  A light house keeps ships safe. 

 Activities

• Make a Greeting Card! Cut paper into the shape of a candle or a light bulb, or just fold paper in half.  Help your child write “May the light of Jesus shine in you!”  Decorate and mail to a loved one.  Ask your kids: Who would you like to brighten their day with some mail? 
• Paper Lanterns: Take a colored sheet of paper and fold it in half lengthwise.  Leaving about a two-inch margin on each side, cut even slits over the fold line approximately a half-inch apart without cutting to the edge.  Unfold the paper and bring the narrow ends together to form a tube.  Glue or tape the narrow ends together to hold it in place.  Add a paper handle over the top.  Ask your kids:  What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “I am the light of the world?”  Here is a website with images to help with this one.
• Create glittery stars and hang them with your lanterns! If you have glitter, or tin foil, shiny ribbon, anything fun can embellish these.  Decorate cardboard stars (or paper) and punch a hold through them.  Hang them to remember that Jesus is our light. Talk about stars being like light that can move. Light waves travel across the universe, explaining that we see a star here on earth years after the light actually sets out from that star.

Source: Messy Church