Author: Nathaniel Colt

Read about It

Read: Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:16 (Want to read the entire Bible story? It’s in Mark 10:46–52.)

Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to talk  to some people than others? Often, we find it easier to ask for big things from our family. But many of us would never even consider making the same request of a stranger. We can pray to God with boldness and confidence. We can ask Him to do big things because we know Him. The Bible says that God is close to those who follow Him. In our Bible story, Bartimaeus could ask boldly for healing because he knew that Jesus was near.

Bartimaeus was blind and he had never seen Jesus, but he had heard stories about Him. You also haven’t seen Jesus, but you may have heard stories about His miracles. You know that Jesus can heal. Jesus can always be reached when we pray. He is always listening and waiting for you to pray bold prayers. The Bible says that He is at the right hand of the Father—pleading for you! You can pray boldly with faith by praying confidently. Jesus is ready for you. You don’t have to be afraid to ask. Jesus loves for us to pray bold prayers!

Read about It

Read: Matthew 7:7–11

God has many wonderful characteristics. He can be your Best Friend. He is the Healer. He is the Comforter. He is also the best Father. What does a good father do? Good fathers do many things, and one thing that brings them joy is giving their children what they ask for. Good fathers delight in giving good gifts! They love to see the joy on their children’s faces when they receive a good gift. Good fathers love providing wonderful things for their children. Since God the Father is the very best Father of all, it brings Him great joy to give generously to His children when they ask.

God is the very definition of a good Father! He never lies, He never tricks, and He is always able to provide when you ask. No matter how much your earthly father has given to you, your Heavenly Father generously gives abundantly more! God is faithful to provide what we need. All we have to do is ask boldly. Don’t stop asking! The nature of God is to love you and give you what you need. You may not get what you ask for right away. Since God is our good Father, He knows the right time and what is best. The important thing is to never stop asking. Trust in Him and trust that He will do what is best for you.

Read about It

Read: Mark 10:48–52 (Want to read the entire Bible story? It’s in Mark 10:46–52.)

Because Bartimaeus kept calling out and asking Jesus to answer him, the moment came that he got to talk with Jesus. Jesus was ready to hear what Bartimaeus needed, and He is also listening for when we ask for what we need. Bartimaeus didn’t waste this opportunity. He threw off his coat and asked Jesus for what he wanted. He wanted to see! Instantly, Jesus healed him, Jesus told him, “Your faith has healed you.” Bartimaeus was healed and began to follow Jesus right away.

Your persistent, bold prayers capture Jesus’ attention. Let’s say you visit the principal of your school. You know that she has the power to do a lot of things. What if you got there and didn’t say anything? You wouldn’t get what you wanted. The principal has the power to answer many requests, but the principal only answers when someone asks. This is a lot like Jesus. He has all the power in the universe and can do all things. But He wants us to ask Him when we have needs. When you keep asking, this shows your trust in Him to do what He has promised. It’s not just that Jesus has the power to answer your prayer; it’s also the faith in asking that helps to bring the miracle!

Read about It

Read: Mark 10:46–48

Bartimaeus was desperate. He was blind and wanted to be able to see. When he heard that Jesus was near, he began to cry out to Jesus. Others told him to be silent; but, Bartimaeus was persistent. He kept asking and asking. He was loud! Bartimaeus had likely been begging others for money and food for a long time. Now, he had a chance to beg for his healing. Jesus was there! Bartimaeus knew that Jesus could help him, so he would not stop until he got Jesus’ attention.

Have you ever wanted something so much that you didn’t stop asking for it? For example, have you ever asked your parents over and over for candy or a new toy? You might want it so much that you can’t stop asking. Sometimes, your parents might give it to you, and other times, they don’t because they know what is best for you.

You can continue to ask God for what you need, too. Do you need healing? Do you need a miracle? Do you need an answer that only God can give? Then keep boldly asking! Keep praying bold prayers! When you don’t give up, you can be sure that God will provide exactly what you need. God knows what is best for you, and you can trust that He hears your prayers, and an answer is on its way.

Read about It

Read: 1 Peter 4:12–16

When have you been surprised by something really amazing? Now, think about a time you were surprised by something that maybe wasn’t so good, like stubbing your toe, a surprise test, or having a special trip canceled unexpectedly. Sometimes, it can be really fun to be surprised, and at other times, being surprised can be pretty bad.

In today’s verses, Peter told Christians not to be surprised when they go through challenges, or trials. Peter knew this very well! As one of Jesus’ closest followers during His time on earth, some people were very mean to Peter. So, he wanted other Christians to be ready if that happened to them. Some people think that being a follower of Jesus is always easy. It’s not! But even when we have trials, we can be glad. Those times of suffering bring us closer to Jesus, the One who suffered on the Cross for us. So, if people are mean to you for believing in Jesus, don’t be surprised. Instead, be prepared and praise God anyway.

Read about It

Read: Matthew 6:25–33

Have you ever been to a corn maze in the fall? In fields with corn that can be eight to ten feet high, you run back and forth through the twists and turns trying to find your way out. Sometimes, it can feel impossible when you hit dead ends, or you feel like you’re running in circles. You might start to wonder if you’ll ever find your way out.

Many times when we’re going through hard times in life, it can feel a lot like those tricky corn mazes. It can be easy to feel like getting through those times is impossible. The Bible says that we have no reason to worry about things in our everyday life. Jesus’ words in the verses we read are pretty clear. We can trust God to take care of us, provide for our needs, and help us through hard times. Our part is to live in a way that makes His will first in our life.

Read about It

Read: Mark 5:35–43

Jairus was facing an impossible situation and needed a miracle. The thing he was most concerned about actually happened. His daughter died from being so sick. Yet, Jesus wasn’t shocked, and He wasn’t in a hurry. On the way to Jairus’s house, Jesus even took time to stop and talk with a sick woman who had reached out to touch His robe and was healed! Jairus was probably wondering what was going on. But Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” Imagine how happy Jairus must have been that he didn’t give up trusting when he saw Jesus raise his daughter from the dead!

Sometimes our impossible situations feel like they’re going to last forever, or we think our prayers will take a long time to be answered. In hard times, it can be easy to wonder if our prayers will be answered at all. It’s important for us to remember that Jesus hears us, knows us, and loves us. He works in His timing and in His own perfect way. We should never doubt His plans or power to work in our life. We must hold tightly to what we know is true: that we can trust Jesus no matter what we’re facing.

Read about It

Read: Mark 5:21–24; Proverbs 3:5–6

Math can be a really hard subject for some people. Imagine trying to solve a math problem that you don’t understand. You may go to a friend, but your friend is just as confused as you are. You may go to a parent or brother or sister. Maybe it’s been too long since they’ve done that kind of math, and they can’t help you. Your parent may use the Internet to find out how to do the problem. But, your best source for help with your math question is probably your math teacher!

Jairus came to Jesus because he was so concerned about his very sick daughter, and he knew Jesus could perform miracles. Jairus could have gone to doctors or his neighbors or friends. Instead, he went to Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal his daughter. When we work to know Jesus more, or seek Him, He can show us what to do and help us through every situation. No one else has the power to work in our life like Jesus does.