5gr.Devotions

Devotional Messages for 5th Graders

Flying Blind If you trust your senses to tell you what’s right and wrong, you’ll make bad choices and get into trouble Sitting in the copilot’s seat, Hannah held the control wheel of the Skyhawk. She loved flying with her dad, who sometimes let her steer the small plane. “Try keeping us straight and level without looking outside,” he challenged.   Closing her eyes, Hannah giggled. “Okay.”   Her sense of balance told her she was on course. But when her dad said, “Open your eyes,” she saw she was banking left and diving toward the ground !   As she leveled the plane, he said, “Now, watch the attitude indicator.   It shows the plane’s attitude, or position, in the sky.”   He tapped an instrument on the dashboard.   It had two short lines representing the airplane’s wings, and a longer line representing the horizon.   Hannah stared at it, making sure the “wings” didn't tip right or left or move up or down.  When she looked up, the plane was flying perfectly. ※ ※ ※ ※ Bible verse: This command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life. –  Proverbs 6:23 If you trust your senses to tell you what’s right and wrong, you’ll make bad choices and get into trouble. (See Proverbs 14:12)   God’s commands are like the attitude indicator. They keep you flying safe and headed in the right direction. Life in Bible Times: During the time of the judges, the Israelites did whatever seemed best to them. They kept getting off track, committing terrible sins. They were following their own feelings instead of obeying God’s commands. They did get punished, as a result. (See Judges 21:25.) Verses from the Holy Bible, for further study: Proverbs 14:12  (NIV) 12 There is a way that appears to be right,    but in the end it leads to death.   Judges 21:25 (NIV) 25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Today's reading is from the NIV Adventure Bible Book of Devotions: 365 Days of Adventure (Zondervan). © 2013 by Zondervan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Chasing the Wind

Danny and his mother walked into the sporting goods store to buy him some soccer cleats and shin guards.  “What’s that?” Danny asked.    Near the front window was a glass booth with paper money swirling inside! An employee said, “It’s our ‘Instant Rebate’ program.    If you spend over $50, you can go in the money booth for one minute.   You get to grab as many dollar bills as you can.”

Danny looked at his mom. “Can I do it?”

His mom laughed. “Sure, if we spend enough.”

After they checked out, the employee let Danny inside the booth. Grabbing here and there, he tried to snatch the bills out of the air. When the buzzer sounded, he stepped out. “I got eleven!”

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Bible Verse:   Whoever loves money never has enough. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

It would be fun to get into a money booth and try to grab as much cash as you could.   But don’t love money so much that you spend your life chasing it!    King Solomon called this meaningless, like chasing the wind.   He said that people who live this way are never satisfied.

Solomon knew the real purpose of life.   It’s to “fear God and keep his commandments”   (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  

People in Bible Times:    The King had just finished making a huge, sacrificial offering of animals, wine, and grain to God -- as an act of worship and thanksgiving. That night,  God told King Solomon to ask Him for whatever he wanted.    Solomon could’ve asked God for money, but instead he asked for wisdom.    God was pleased with this request.  So He gave Solomon great wisdom -- and God also gave him great riches.  

__________________________________ Today's reading is from the NIV Adventure Bible Book of Devotions: 365 Days of Adventure(Zondervan). © 2013 by Zondervan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.