Christian

Children’s Ministry is More Important Than You Think

3-minute devotion for Sunday, 12/28/25

“Whoever receives and welcomes one child such as this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives not [only] Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:37 AMP

There may be children in your church who will accept Jesus as their Savior because they went to Sunday School and had a teacher who told them about Jesus. Many times, I have taught children in Sunday School whose parents did not attend church.

It takes a lot of caring Christians to properly support the children who come to your church. I’ve been praying for God to send more Sunday School teachers and nursery workers. There never seems to be enough. Do you find this to be true in your local church?

When I consider the words of Jesus, I am amazed that we don’t have enough workers. After all, it is a privilege to serve the Lord in this way, and it honors God. To welcome a little child is to welcome Jesus and the Father.

There is another reason Children’s Ministry is so important. Consider this,

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15 (emphasis mine)

Children are important to God. We must take care of them and teach them about our Lord.

There is almost always an opportunity to serve in Children’s Ministry.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

I met Jesus when I was only 6 years old. I am so grateful for the Sunday School teachers who taught me about Him. And I am thankful for those who serve our Lord in this way today.

Is God calling you to serve in this vitally important ministry?

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Holiday Blues?

2-minute devotion for Thursday, 12/25/25

Do the holidays trigger thoughts about what should have been instead of what is? Are you feeling lonely? The strange thing about depression is that it seems to take your mind captive. You may think you can’t stop the downward spiral.

The next thing you know, you’re driving to the grocery store to buy food for the holidays, and tears begin to well up in your eyes. You hate it. You don’t want to be sad!

I know all about it because I experienced this one day.

I prayed. I asked the Lord to help me.

Just a few minutes later, my daughter called. (You should know, she loves to cook. I mean really cook, like they do on TV Cooking Shows. I, on the other hand, look for the easiest and quickest recipe possible.)

Christina: “Mom, would you get me a butternut squash while you’re at the store?”

Me: “Do you mean like a real vegetable butternut squash?” (I’m thinking, does that come in a package?)

Christina: (starts laughing hilariously) “Yes! A real vegetable butternut squash!!”

We both cracked up and had a good belly laugh! It felt so good to laugh!

Guess what? My mood completely changed right then

I learned a valuable yet simple lesson about holiday blues.

  1. Always go to the Lord in prayer.
  2. Find a way to laugh!

A book could be written on this subject, and I know that, but this is what happened to me. Sometimes a person needs a word of encouragement, not the whole book.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . . Psalm 25:1-2

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Find a way to laugh a little today!

(I hesitated to post this message again because I have posted it several times in the past, but every time it has been posted, many readers say, “I needed this today.” Christmas can be hard for many reasons. Let us pray for and encourage one another.)

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Spread the Good News

1-minute devotion for Friday, 12/19/25

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?”

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:3-4a and 3:8-9 NLT Read full chapter

My thoughts: Now is the time to spread the Good News, while Jesus tarries.

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

Keep Planting Those Seeds!

1-minute devotion for Monday, 12/15/25

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV (emphasis mine)

My Thoughts: Keep planting seeds because it is God who will make them grow. If you know very worldly people, figuring out how to share the Gospel can be overwhelming. Maybe they are neighbors or co-workers you care about. May this verse encourage you to keep planting seeds! Pray that the Lord will make them grow!

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

Embracing Gratitude

1-minute devotion for Thursday, November 27, 2025

“Rejoice always,  pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My thoughts: Mourning for what we have lost will not bring joy, but being thankful every day for all that we do have will bring us joy!

Have a happy and joyful Thanksgiving!

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

“Precious in the Sight of God”

Quote of the Week for 11/12/25

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”

A.W. Tozer, Pastor (1897—1963)

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

The Importance of Truth

1-minute devotion for Friday, 11/7/25

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 NLT Read full chapter

My thoughts: Have you ever noticed how often the Bible emphasizes the importance of truth? (In case you’re wondering, it’s over 380 times depending on the translation!)

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Photo by Jeff Arnold on Unsplash – Beautiful Kentucky!

Christian

Choose Whom You Will Serve

1-minute devotion for Monday, 11/3/25

“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

These stirring words are from Joshua’s last sermon to the people before he died at age 110. May this be the cry of our hearts as well.

“as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

Christian

The Joy of Cheerful Giving

1-minute devotion for Sunday, 11/2/25

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT

When we give, we participate in the ministry we are supporting. May God guide us and give us discernment in giving.

In His Love, Cindy

Christian

Reflecting on God’s Creation

1-minute devotion for 10/26/25

“When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4

Facts you may not know:  

  1. Every star you see in the night sky is bigger and brighter than our sun! (according to NASA)
  2. Astronomers estimate that the universe could contain up to one septillion stars – that’s a one followed by 24 zeros.

How great is our God!

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.