In this episode of Family Mornings with Jesus, we focus on the importance of gratitude and how giving thanks can fill our hearts with joy. Through a story, reflection, and engaging discussion questions, families are encouraged to see God’s blessings all around them, big and small. Guided by 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Psalm 107:1, we discover how a thankful heart draws us closer to God and brings light into each day. Join us as we explore the joy of gratitude and recognize God’s goodness in every moment.

In today’s episode of Family Mornings with Jesus, we explore the power of forgiveness and how choosing to forgive brings peace to our hearts. With a story, reflection, and discussion questions, this devotional helps families understand why Jesus calls us to forgive and how it can strengthen our relationships. Join us as we learn to let go of hurt and embrace God’s love through forgiveness.

Good morning, and welcome to Family Mornings with Jesus! We’re so happy you’re joining us to start your day together in faith, love, and reflection. Whether you’re on your way to school, heading to work, or enjoying this moment as a family, let’s take some time to connect with Jesus and prepare our hearts for the day ahead.

Take a deep breath, relax, and let’s begin our morning with Jesus!

Opening Prayer:

“Dear Lord, our Eternal Light and Loving Father, we praise You this morning! Thank You for filling each day with Your beauty and for guiding us in Your ways. Open our hearts as we listen to Your Word, and help us to shine Your love and kindness to everyone we meet today. In Jesus’ holy and precious name, Amen.”

Morning Devotional: Being a Light to Others

Theme: Shining God’s Light Through Our Actions

Bible Verse:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

— Matthew 5:14

Story:

Think about a boy named Jacob who moved to a new school. He didn’t know anyone and felt nervous about fitting in. But every day, he remembered his mom’s words: “Just be kind, and let others see God’s light through you.” Jacob made it a point to smile, be friendly, and help others when he could. When he noticed a classmate struggling with their homework, he offered to help. When he saw someone sitting alone at lunch, he invited them to join him.

Soon, people started to notice Jacob’s kindness. They felt comfortable around him because he was warm, caring, and never left anyone out. Jacob wasn’t just making friends—he was shining God’s light, showing others the love that Jesus taught us.

Reflection:

Jesus calls us to be “the light of the world,” which means we can bring His love and kindness into the lives of others. This light shines through our actions—when we are kind, encouraging, and compassionate, others can feel God’s love through us.

Think about how a light brightens a dark room. When we choose to be kind, helpful, and loving, we can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they are loved by God. Being a light doesn’t mean we need to do big, important things—it’s often the small, thoughtful actions that make the biggest difference.

Discussion Questions:

As we go through these questions, feel free to pause after each one and talk about your thoughts. Let’s enjoy this moment to reflect together as a family.

• Can you think of someone in your life who has been a “light” for you? What did they do that made you feel loved or encouraged?

• What are some small ways you can be a light to others at school, home, or wherever you go?

• How does it feel to know that God can use your kindness to make a difference in someone else’s life?

Challenge for the Day:

Today, look for a small way to be a light for someone else. Maybe it’s a smile, a kind word, or offering to help. Remember that even little actions can brighten someone’s day!

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we praise You as the Light of the World, our Savior and Guide. Thank You for the love You pour into our hearts. Help us to shine Your light through kindness, compassion, and love. Give us the courage to show others Your goodness and to be a reflection of Your love in everything we do. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen.”

Thank you for joining us on Family Mornings with Jesus. May God’s light shine through you and fill your day with joy. Have a wonderful, blessed day, and remember—you are loved!

Good morning, and welcome back to Family Mornings with Jesus! We’re so glad you’re here to start your day together in faith and reflection. Whether you’re on your way to school, heading to work, or simply enjoying this time together, this is your special moment to connect with Jesus and prepare your heart for the day.

Take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s begin our morning with Jesus!

Opening Prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, our Creator and Sustainer, we come before You with grateful hearts, praising You for Your goodness and unfailing love. Thank You for filling each day with Your light and guiding us with Your wisdom. Open our hearts as we listen to Your Word this morning, and give us the strength to live in a way that honors You. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”

Morning Devotional: Finding Strength in God

Theme: Strength and Courage through Faith

Bible Verse:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

— Philippians 4:13

Story:

Imagine a girl named Hannah. She loved running and was preparing for a big race at school. She practiced every day, pushing herself to get faster and stronger. But on the day of the race, she felt nervous and even a bit afraid. What if she didn’t win? What if she tripped or couldn’t finish?

Before the race started, Hannah took a quiet moment to pray. She remembered that God was with her, no matter what happened, and that He was her strength. She asked Him to help her do her best, and she decided to trust that whatever happened, God would help her through. She didn’t just focus on winning—she focused on doing her best with God’s strength. And as she ran, she felt a new sense of peace and confidence, knowing that God was with her.

Reflection:

We all have things that can make us feel nervous, like a test at school, a sports game, or even speaking in front of the class. It’s normal to feel this way! But like Hannah, we can remember that we don’t face these challenges alone. God promises to be with us, to give us strength, and to help us do our best.

When we trust God, He can take our worries and replace them with courage and peace. We don’t have to be the strongest or the fastest—our strength comes from knowing that God is on our side and cheering us on every step of the way.

Discussion Questions:

As we go through these questions, feel free to pause after each one and talk about your thoughts. Let’s enjoy this moment to reflect together as a family.

• Can you think of a time when you felt nervous or afraid? What helped you feel better?

• How does it make you feel to know that God is with you, ready to give you strength and courage?

• What’s one thing coming up that you can ask God to help you with?

Challenge for the Day:

Today, when you feel unsure or nervous, take a moment to pray and remember that God is with you. Say to yourself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and walk forward with courage.

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we praise You as our Mighty Fortress and our unshakable Rock. Thank You for being with us, for lifting us up, and for filling our hearts with strength and courage. Teach us to rely on You in all we do, and to face our challenges with faith, knowing You will guide us through. Help us today to trust You more, and let our actions reflect Your goodness and love. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise. Amen.”

Thank you for joining us on Family Mornings with Jesus. We pray that God’s love and strength stay with you all day long. Have a wonderful, blessed day, and remember—you are never alone!

Welcome to Family Mornings with Jesus!

Good morning, and welcome to Family Mornings with Jesus! We’re here to spend a few peaceful moments together as a family, centering our day on God’s love, wisdom, and guidance. Whether we’re on the way to school, running errands, or just enjoying this time together, let’s invite Jesus into our morning and listen to what He has to say to each of us.

So, take a deep breath, relax, and let’s start our morning with Jesus!

Opening Prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of all that is good and beautiful, we praise You this morning! You are our shelter, our strength, and our guide. Thank You for Your unending love and mercy that greets us each day. Open our hearts and minds to hear Your Word, and help us walk in Your light today. May we bring glory to Your name in all that we do. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

Morning Devotional: Loving Others Like Jesus

Theme: Showing Kindness and Compassion

Bible Verse:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

— Ephesians 4:32

Story:

Let’s think about Jesus and how He showed kindness everywhere He went. One day, He was surrounded by a crowd of people who wanted to hear Him teach. In the middle of it all, a blind man named Bartimaeus started shouting, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” Many people tried to quiet him down, thinking he wasn’t important enough for Jesus to notice.

But Jesus stopped. He looked right at Bartimaeus and called him over. Jesus didn’t just talk to him; He healed him and changed his life forever. Jesus showed that no one is too small or unimportant for His love.

Reflection:

Jesus’ love is the kind that stops, listens, and cares for each person. Just like Bartimaeus, there are people around us who might feel overlooked or left out. They could be someone sitting alone at lunch, someone who seems upset, or someone who just needs a friend. By showing kindness, listening, or simply being there for someone, we can share the love of Jesus with them.

Let’s try to see others the way Jesus sees us—all deeply loved, valuable, and worthy of kindness. When we choose compassion, even in small ways, we’re shining God’s light into the world.

Discussion Questions:

• Can you think of someone who might need a friend or a kind word today?

• What are some ways we can be more like Jesus and show kindness to others?

• How does it feel when someone is kind or compassionate to you?

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we praise You as the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace. Thank You for loving us so deeply and for seeing the worth in each one of us. Help us today to be more like You, to see others with eyes of compassion and kindness. Teach us to stop, to listen, and to care, just as You do for us. May our words and actions reflect Your love, and may we bring honor to Your holy name. Amen.”

Challenge for the Day:

Today, look for one person who might need a little kindness—maybe a smile, a friendly hello, or someone to talk to. Remember that even small acts of love can make a big difference!

Thank you for joining us on Family Mornings with Jesus. Have a blessed day, filled with kindness and compassion. Remember—God’s love is with you always!

Welcome to Family Mornings with Jesus!

Good morning, and welcome to Family Mornings with Jesus—a podcast designed to bring your family together, even if it’s just for a few moments, to start the day with God’s love and guidance. Whether you’re on your way to school, running errands, or simply enjoying some time together, this is a space to pause, reflect, and grow as a family in faith.

Each morning, we’ll dive into a short devotional, listen to God’s Word, and discover ways to make our day a little brighter by following Jesus. We’ll share stories, pray together, and chat about how we can live out God’s love in the small moments, big challenges, and everything in between.

So, buckle up, take a deep breath, and let’s start our morning with Jesus!

Opening Prayer:

“Dear Lord, thank You for this new day and the chance to grow together as a family. Open our hearts to hear Your Word this morning. Help us to learn from it and carry it with us through whatever the day brings. We invite You to be with us, guide us, and show us Your love in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”

Morning Devotional: Trusting God in Our Day

Theme: Trust and Courage in New Situations

Bible Verse:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6

Story:

Imagine a young boy named David. He was the youngest in his family, often overlooked because he was “just a shepherd.” But David had a big heart and trusted God deeply. One day, David’s people were terrified of a giant named Goliath. Everyone was too afraid to fight him—he was enormous and powerful! But David wasn’t afraid. Why? Because he trusted God to help him, even though it seemed impossible. With just a sling and a few stones, David defeated Goliath, not because he was the strongest, but because he trusted God with his whole heart.

Reflection:

Each of us faces our own “Goliaths” in life—new situations that feel scary, people who may be unkind, or times when we don’t feel strong or confident. For some, this might be a big test or a new school. For others, it might be making new friends or handling the expectations we feel at school. Like David, we don’t have to be the biggest, the smartest, or the best at everything. God promises that when we trust Him, He will guide us and help us. He cares about everything we face, whether big or small, and He’s always with us.

Let’s remember that God’s strength is our strength. We might not know how things will go, and we might even feel afraid, but God is ready to walk with us through anything.

Discussion Questions:

• What are some “Goliaths” you’re facing today or this week?

• Can you think of a time when you felt God helped you through something difficult?

• How can we remember to trust God when we’re feeling nervous or unsure?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, thank You for loving us and always being with us. Just like David trusted You with the big, scary things in his life, help us to trust You with everything we face today. Remind us that we’re never alone because You’re always by our side. Help us to show kindness and courage today, and let our actions bring glory to You. Amen.”

Challenge for the Day:

Today, when you feel nervous or unsure, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “God is with me.” Try it out and see how it makes you feel braver and stronger!

Thank you for joining us on Family Mornings with Jesus. Have a wonderful, blessed day, and remember—God is always with you!

Welcome to the family mornings with Jesus Podcast!

We’re so glad you’re here with us today. This podcast is a place of encouragement, wisdom, and faith, a space where we grow together in God’s love. Whether today is a busy day or a quiet one, let’s take a moment to center our hearts on God and start this morning filled with His peace.

Today’s Devotional: Walking in God’s Light

Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Reflection:

As we begin today, let’s remember that we’re never alone. God is with us, guiding each step we take. Imagine His Word as a warm light, leading us down a path, like a gentle lamp helping us find our way.

Today, we might face new lessons, make friends, or even tackle a challenge. No matter what comes, God’s love and light are always with us, bringing comfort and courage. And as we move through the day, let’s keep an eye out for moments where we feel His love—maybe in a kind word from a friend, a smile from a teacher, or a peaceful feeling in our hearts.

Family Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for this beautiful new day. Thank You for watching over us and for being with us as we head to school and work. Guide our hearts, and help us to see others the way You do—with kindness, patience, and love.

Lord, just as Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Let Your Word light up our path today. Show us how to make good choices, to be brave, and to spread joy wherever we go.

We pray for Your peace to fill our hearts, for Your wisdom to guide our steps, and for Your love to shine through us. Thank You for the gift of this day, for our family, and for every blessing You’ve given us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.