Check out the “Weekly Memory Munchie” with free printable scripture note cards below to cut out and memorize. Click the download button, print, and post on your mirror, fridge, around your house, or add to lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for next week’s “Weekly Memory Munchie” that we will be posting each Sunday .
It is Jovian’s 14th birthday weekend and his Dad takes Jovian, and his sister Nina, fishing at their favorite lake. Jovian is so excited to fish that his legs won’t stop bouncing up and down while his dad backs the truck and boat down the boat launch. He wants to jump in the boat the minute his dad gets in the water. His dad tells him to be patient; there is a lot to do before they can motor out.
While Jovian is loading the poles in the boat, his little sister says she needs to go to the bathroom. Dad says he is going to take Nina to the outhouse and then grab a snack for her, and life jackets from the truck. Jovian, now very upset and impatient, said, “I wish Nina never came, she’s wasting all my fishing time!”. His dad tells him that was a very hurtful thing to say and tells him to apologize, which he reluctantly does before running down the path from the parking lot to the lake. “Keep an eye on the boat but don’t touch it until I get back,” his dad hollers at his back.
Jovian looks around before he unties the boat from the dock, jumps in, and speeds off in anger. He rounds a corner in the lake where he won’t be seen. With the wind in his hair, Jovian smiles thinking about his freedom. By the time his dad and sister reach the lake, Jovian and the boat are nowhere to be found. He decides to go further, but the lake has other plans. Jovian’s boat bottoms out on a sandbar throwing him from the skiff. He realizes he didn’t wait for his dad to bring the life jackets as he flails around in the water, his foot nearly tangling in long algae.
Jovian panics as he climbs in the boat. The cell phone that was in his back pocket is gone. It’s probably at the bottom of the lake, he thought. The fishing poles are gone and he is unable to restart the motor. Jovian sits on the cold metal skiff seat drenched with lake water and remorse. With his head in his hands, Jovian prays for safety and forgiveness.
Three hours pass before he sees another boat round the corner of the lake. It’s a Fish and Wildlife boat! The Ranger climbs aboard the skiff as Jovian cries with relief. While the Ranger gets the motor running, Jovian tells him that he was praying for hours that someone would save him and it was his faith that kept his hope alive. The Ranger says, “at least you didn’t find yourself trapped in the belly of a giant fish. Next time, listen to your Father and obey his words.”
“I will, I promise I will!” Jovian promised.
Bible Verse-You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. -Psalms 86:5 NIV
Note to Nibble: Practice patience and obedience so you don’t end up in a pickle.
Spring is soon arriving! After a long, brutally cold winter, we are much looking forward to the sunshine kissing our skin and flowers popping up. Spring, with all its blossoming, and new life abounding, makes us think of Hope and the life we have in Jesus. Just like with Jesus, spring is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. So for this week’s “tangible takeout”, we have a hope-filled verse to hold onto with our “his and hers” phone screen wallpapers.
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about how to keep your head up when your down on your faith. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Keep your mind off of your circumstances and on the One who is the Perfecter of your faith. Then, with your eyes on Jesus, look for ways you can help others.
Check out the “Weekly Memory Munchie” with free printable scripture note cards below to cut out and memorize. Click the download button, print, and post on your mirror, fridge, around your house, or add to lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for next week’s “Weekly Memory Munchie” that we will be posting each Sunday .
The screeching of school bus brakes slowly come to a stop making way for the hissing of giant air-locked doors. Kids pour out of the bus, running home for after school snacks and homework. “Don’t forget we have that history test tomorrow, Blake,” Sawyer reminds his best friend who luckily lives next door.
“Yeah, I’ll study tonight after dinner. I want to shoot some hoops right now. Do you want to play?” Blake asks.
“I would love to but after my last history test, I feel like I need to put a bit more into my studying this time around.” Sawyer says back.
“I sit next to nerdy-Norman, so I always ace my history tests,” Blake admits with a laugh. You should move up to sit on the other side of him. He never covers his paper.” Blake shoots his ball into the air, catches it, and shoots again as if someone is coming to steal the ball.
“I’m too scared to get caught, Blake. Plus, it’s a sin to cheat and be dishonest. I’m going to do this the right way,” Sawyer says humbly. “Don’t you remember what they said at youth group last week? ‘The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.’”
“You’re right Soysauce, I’ll study after dinner,” Blake jokes. He gives everyone nick-names and Sawyer is never offended by it. “See you later man.”
The next day, the boys both look confident when their teacher sits the tests face-down on their desks. Sawyer knows he is ready because he spent two hours the night before, studying. Their teacher tells them to flip the tests over and begin. About half-way through the test, Sawyer looks up at the clock to see how he is doing for time. He can hardly believe his eyes when he witnesses Blake copying Norman’s answers to his test! Sawyer feels sad for Blake, and hurt, because his friend lied to him about planning to study after dinner. Blake looks like he’s not even trying to come up with his own answers.
And Sawyer isn’t the only one who notices. Their history teacher, Mrs. Hurley, is standing in the back of the room watching Blake copy off of Norman. When everyone turns in their tests, Mrs. Hurley asks Blake to take his test to the principal’s office. He walks past Sawyer with his head down, Sawyer notices a big red “F” written on his paper with the words “CHEAT” in capital letters.
After school, Sawyer and Blake exit the school bus. “Are you ok, Blake?” Sawyer asks.
“No, I got suspended and have to retake the test on Monday in detention,” Blake answers, sounding very ashamed and embarrassed. “My parents are going to be furious. I’m really feeling like my inner light was snuffed out for choosing to not take the righteous path, like you did.”
“Let me know if you want to study later,” Sawyer offers.
“I’ll take you up on that this time,” Blake says with a smile.
Weekly Bible Verse: The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. -Proverbs 13:9 NIV
Note to Nibble: Snuff out sin and shine brightly by making wise choices.
Stuck inside on a gloomy winter’s day? Or maybe where you’re at, it’s scorching hot? Either way, gather your family and friends this weekend and have a blast playing “Walk in Wisdom Bingo” with our super fun, free printable game below! Included, are six different Bingo cards, a sheet of cover up squares, and the Bingo words of wisdom to be called out. Just click download, print, and play!
How can we lift you up? By clicking here, you will find our “Prayer Pop” page. Just leave a comment below on that page and we will pray for you. You can also join us in praying for others! Prayer a is powerful thing. Let’s be prayer warriors together!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2 NIV
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. -James 5:16 NIV
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about the who, when, and how of prayer. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. -Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Don’t forget to connect with God throughout your day, be deliberate, and keep on keepin’ on with your prayer.
Check out the “Weekly Memory Munchie” with free printable scripture note cards below to cut out and memorize. Click the download button, print, and post on your mirror, fridge, around your house, or add to lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for next week’s “Weekly Memory Munchie” that we will be posting each Sunday .
PhillFamily Ministries 
