Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about standing in confidence as children of Christ. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. -1 John 5:19 NLT
Remember, stand firm in the One True God that has you, and don’t let yourself be moved by what someone of this world may say about you.
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about practicing humility. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Remember, choose love, patience, and gentleness over choosing to be right and starting a fight.
Esma and her cousin, Morley, recently signed up for a summer softball training program. They are super excited about what they’ll learn and the friendships they may make. When they arrive at the training field, they realize the leader is a coach from a rival team. Although he tells everyone during orientation that they will all be treated equally, Esma and Morley have their doubts.
During practice, the coach gives his team breaks while he forces the other teams to continue running laps and drills. When everyone else finally gets a break, they collectively voice their frustration about how the coach is treating them. Morley and a couple other players tell Esma she should talk to the coach because he works at her dad’s law firm. Maybe he will listen to her, they say, trying to convince her.
With a whisper, Esma says a prayer to Jesus for courage and wisdom. She remembers her youth group pastor telling her God will always give wisdom to those who ask. With a gulp, Esma begins walking slowly towards the coach. She then asks him if she could speak with him for a moment.
Esma nervously tells the coach how the other kids are feeling. She says all the kids came to learn, play, and have fun. She further states that only his team looks like they’re having any fun. The coach admits he wasn’t aware of these issues and apologizes to her, then to all of the players. Next, Xavior makes the decision to mix up all of the players into two teams. They end up playing the best game of softball anyone has ever played before and it turns out to be a summer none of the players want to forget.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -James 1:5 NIV
Note to Nibble: Seek God’s wisdom in all circumstances.
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about managing anger in order to do what God wants us to do: love others. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. -James 1:19-20 NIV
Be slow to anger. If you forget, or are already past that point? Stop for a moment, take some deep breaths, and speak life, so you have no regrets.
Mr. Ezra’s 6th-grade class is on a field trip to the local zoo. Dante, Colton, and Mateo wander off from the class, toward the African exhibit. “I want to check out the lions,” Colton exclaims, and the boys run to the habitat. Four mighty lions pace their large enclosure before lying in the sun with a collective stretch and yawn. Dante quickly pulls his phone from his back pocket, “I’m going to get a selfie,” he says with one hand on the rail as if he’s getting ready to jump over it. “I dare you,” says Colton. “Don’t even think about it, Dante. That would be your biggest and last mistake!” Mateo warns him before his eyes start darting around the zoo searching for an adult.
Dante taunts his classmates by leaping in the air with one hand still on the rail. He takes a final leap when Colton shoves him hard, sending him flying over the bar and landing about thirty feet from the now-sleeping lions. Fear catches Dante’s scream in his throat, not wanting to wake the lions. Instead, he finds himself curled in a ball crying softly and praying hard. Mateo quickly runs to get help as Colton stands idle with his eyes wide and his mouth gaping open.
A zookeeper appears almost from nowhere with a bucket of raw meat. He opens the feeding doors and the lions quickly get up, lick their lips, and make their way towards the bloody meat. Once inside the feeding rooms, the zookeeper closes the doors to the habitat, securing Dante at last. The zookeeper lets Dante out as his teacher and Mateo arrive at the scene. “Thank God you’re ok,” Mateo cries, “I prayed for your safety the entire time”. “You and me both,” Dante adds. “For some reason, I was calmer than I thought I would be. But still not calm enough to get that selfie.”
Weekly Bible Verse: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. -Psalm 116:1-2 NIV
Note to Nibble: Never stop praying, for God hears our prayers.
Today’s “Bite-Sized Bible Bit” is about managing your time in order to help God’s Kingdom blossom. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. -Hebrews 6:10-12 NIV
Set aside time for God, by setting aside the screens. The time is now—to build God’s Kingdom.
One day at school, brother and sister, Blaine and Sabel, were in their home economics class. Their teacher, Mrs. Fryberry, announced they would have a baking contest and the winner would receive a $50 gift card to Lobby Hobby.
Sabel was super excited about the baking contest because she was a huge fan of the Kids Baking Tournament on the food channel. She always dreamed of competing on the show. Sabel asked her mom for some money and went to Whole Foods to buy the freshest ingredients for her cake.
Blaine didn’t really think too much about the contest and decided to go play video games at his friend’s house after school. On the way home, he stopped at the discount grocery store to pick up a pre-made pie. Blaine found a cherry pie that was marked down to $5. It didn’t really look like something he would choose to eat, but it would be good enough for the baking contest at school.
The next day at school, Mrs. Fryberry was judging the kids’ desserts. Blaine noticed a discount sticker still stuck to the side of his pie, but it was too late to remove it. His teacher was standing in front of his pie with a clipboard and a frown. His heart sank as he gulped hard. Mrs. Fryberry announced that Blaine was disqualified for entering a pre-made pie. His face turned redder than that old cherry pie he brought to the contest.
Sabel’s cake, on the other hand, took first place and she received $50 for Lobby Hobby. She was so excited, but also felt a huge sense of accomplishment because of all the hard work she put into making her cake. On the way home, Sabel told Blaine all the fun things she planned on buying with her gift card. Blaine boiled inside with envy and rage.
After dinner, Blaine saw the gift card on the mantle of the fireplace. He picked it up and stared at it with the flickering flames dancing in his eyes. Blaine tossed the gift card into the fire. He turned around to find his father watching him in shame and disbelief. Blaine apologized, and his dad called a family meeting to discuss what happened. Blaine and Sabel’s parents decide that Blaine needs to work off the $50 by doing both his and Sabel’s chores for a month.
A month passes since the incident and Blaine still feels bad for his behavior. Every time he sees his sister, shame wells up inside. That night at dinner, Blaine tells Sabel again how sorry he is and offers to do her chores for her for another month. Instead, Sabel forgives him and asks if he would like to go with her to Lobby Hobby.
Weekly Bible Verse: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
-1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
Note to Nibble: Instead of being angry and envious of what others achieve, put your energy into walking in integrity.
Today’s “Bite-Sized Bible Bit” is about finding peace in the One who can give it. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. -Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Prince of Peace and One True Giver!
Welcome to this week’s “Story Snack.” Our “Story Snacks” will be posted weekly on Saturdays, in time to read together as a family each Sunday. Be sure to subscribe below with your email so you don’t miss out on our other many offerings throughout the week. Our free “Weekly Memory Munchie” printables, coincide with the “Story Snack” and will be posted every Sunday.
“I’m open, Lucas, pass the ball!” Justice cried out as they both ran toward their opponent’s goal. Lucas and Justice had played soccer together since the 5th grade. Although he was his best friend, Lucas had always been a ball hog and a hot head. Lucas ran the ball to the weakly guarded net and scored easily. He threw his arms into the air and ran around shouting, “I am the best player on this team! Why should I pass the ball?”
Their coach and parents stood on the sidelines shaking their heads in near unison. Only Lucas’ dad cheered him on, “you’re the best, Lucas!” he shouted as his wife turned to him with her jaw slowly dropping in disbelief. The father’s encouragement of such a lack of sportsmanship surprised her. Lucas’ eyes met his father’s, and Lucas beamed with satisfaction and validation.
The team’s coach blew his whistle and called the team in for a huddle. “Great job making that goal, Lucas, but let’s not forget that we’re a team. Teams work together for a common goal. That means passing the ball and running the plays we’ve worked so hard to learn together,” the coach said. There was genuine concern in his eyes—concern for Lucas’s character and concern for the feelings of the left out team members. He watched as Lucas’s smile shrunk and melted into an angry scowl. His face turned bright red with embarrassment. “I told you to pass,” Justice chimed in. With that, Lucas focused his anger in his best friend’s direction and stormed off from the huddle before the team could throw their hands in the middle and shout, “Go Tigers!”
The next weekend, the team gathered at their school’s soccer field for the first game of the district soccer tournament. The coach spotted Lucas and reminded him of what it means to be a team player. Lucas agreed to stick to the plays they practiced all week, but when the two teams took to the field, it was a different story. Right off the drop, Lucas snatched the ball and began running it to the goal. He ignored the first play and went down hard just before attempting to make the first goal of the game. He picked himself up with the echoes of laughter coming from the opposing team. “That’s what happens when you’re a team of one,” they said through their chuckles. Justice ran to his friend and gave him a hand up. “Pass the ball,” Justice reminded him. Lucas pushed his friend aside and ran back into the action on the field.
Lucas tried again to run the ball in the second half of the game, ignoring his coach and teammates’ cries. The game ended 0 – 3 and the Tigers were out of regionals before it really began. In the locker room, Lucas stood on a bench and asked for the attention of his fellow players. They were filled with disappointment; it was difficult to raise their heavy heads to meet Lucas’ eyes. “I blew it,” Lucas said with a shaky voice, “I blew the entire game and took us out of District. I don’t know how to say how sorry and embarrassed I am.”
“You can say you’re sorry by showing up to practice and running the plays. Actions speak louder than words, Lucas. You need to trust the abilities of the team and pass the ball,” Justice said. “We worked really hard to get here and your haughty attitude and pride cost us a chance at another trophy.”
“You’re right, Justice. And not only that, but I was not a good friend to you. I won’t let my pride get in the way of our team or our friendship again.”
Note to Nibble: Put away pride and be a good team player—both on and off the field.
Weekly Bible Verse: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. -Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Today’s “Bite-Sized Bible Bit” is about finding comfort in our crazy world. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. -Exodus 14:21-22 NIV
You’ll find the whole story of Moses parting the Red Sea in Exodus 14.
And remember, God can part the stormy seas in your life too!
PhillFamily Ministries 