God Takes Care of Me (First Steps Devotions) by Paul J. Loth Read Free Book Online

ever gotten in trouble for helping you? Why? How
did you feel then?
The Listening Step
    It was the Sabbath. The Sabbath was the Lord’s Day. Jesus
went into the synagogue. He taught the people about God.
    Jesus saw a man in the synagogue who was hurt. His right
hand was crippled. Some people did not think Jesus should help the man on the
Sabbath. They thought the Sabbath should be used only for worshiping God.
    “If you had a sheep that fell into a ditch on the Sabbath,”
Jesus asked them, “wouldn’t you lift it out? People are worth much more than
sheep, and so it is right to do good on the Sabbath.”
    Then Jesus turned to the man who was hurt. “Hold out your
hand,” Jesus said to him. The man stretched out his hand. When he did, it was
healed.
The Talking Step
    Would there ever be a time that God could not help you? Why?
Why not?
    Do you think God wants to help you? Why? Why not?
The Praying Step
    Dear God, thank You for always helping me. Thank You for
never being too busy for me, I need Your help.
The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble.
Psalm 121:3
Jesus Healed the Army Officer’s Servant
from a Distance
Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

The Thinking Step
    Do you know someone who tells other people what to do?
    Do they do what he or she tells them? Why? Why not?
The Listening Step
    Jesus had just entered Capernaum. An army officer, a Roman
soldier, ran up to Him. “My servant is at home in such terrible pain that he
can’t even move,” he told Jesus. “I will go and heal him,” Jesus said.
    But the officer did not want Jesus to come to his house.
“I’m not good enough for you to come into my house,” he told Jesus. “Just give
the order, and my servant will get well.”
    The officer was very important in the Roman army. He had
many people under his command. When he gave orders, people obeyed them. He knew
Jesus was important, too. If Jesus said that his servant would be healed, he
knew he would be healed.
    Jesus was amazed: “I’ve never found anyone with this much
faith!” Then Jesus turned to the officer. “You may go home now,” He said. “Your
faith has made it happen.” When the officer got home, his servant was well.
The Talking Step
    Can God do anything He wants?
    Is He in control of everything that happens?
    How does this make you feel? Why?
The Praying Step
    Dear God, I know You can do whatever You want. Thank You for
always taking care of me. Help me to trust You more.
Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.
Psalm 46:10
Jesus Stopped the Funeral of the Widow’s
Son
Luke 7:11-17

The Thinking Step
    What is the saddest thing you have ever seen?
    Did you try to help? Why? Why not?
The Listening Step
    Everywhere Jesus went He attracted a crowd. One day Jesus
entered the city of Nain. His disciples were with Him. So were many other
people.
    A funeral procession was leaving the city. A young man had
just died. He was the only son in his family. His father was already dead.
    Jesus took one look at the mother. She had no one left. She
was all alone. He felt sorry for her. “Don’t cry,” Jesus said to her.
    Then Jesus walked over to the dead young man who was being
carried out of the city to be buried. The men carrying him stopped. Jesus
looked at the man lying there. “Young man,” Jesus said, “get up!” The man sat
up and started talking. Jesus gave him back to his mother.
The Talking Step
    Do you think God is ever sad? Why?
    What do you think He does about it?
The Praying Step
    Dear God, thank You that You understand when I am sad. Thank
You for helping me be happy.
He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death,
suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
Revelation 21:4
Jesus Encouraged John’s Disciples
Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 7:18-23

The Thinking Step
    When was the last time you were discouraged?
    What happened? What did you do about it?
The Listening Step
    John the