Day’s Journey Children’s Ministry
Memory Verse:
“Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
— Romans 10:11
One warm afternoon, Joppa the Ostrich was walking with Millo, the little bird, near the edge of the clean lake.
The sun sparkled on the water, and the trees moved gently in the breeze.
But near the lily pads, Hippii the Hippo sat very still.
His big head was lowered.
His ears drooped.
And his eyes looked sad.
Joppa tilted her head. “Hippii, what’s wrong?”
Millo fluttered down and landed on Joppa’s shoulder. “You look like your heart is heavy.”
Hippii sighed a very deep hippo sigh.
“I started wondering if Jesus really loves me,” Hippii said softly. “Then I started thinking maybe I am not good enough. Then other thoughts came in too. They were mean thoughts. Scary thoughts. Thoughts that made me feel far away from God.”
Joppa stepped closer.
“Oh, Hippii,” she said gently. “Those thoughts sound like uninvited guests.”
“Uninvited guests?” Hippii asked.
Millo nodded. “Yes! Not every thought should be allowed to come inside your heart and make itself comfortable.”
Hippii blinked. “But what can I do when the thoughts knock?”
Joppa lifted her head and spoke with her brave voice.
“You can close the door.”
Hippii’s ears perked up. “Close the door?”
“Yes,” said Joppa. “The Holy Spirit helps us know what is from God and what is not from God. If a thought brings Love, truth, peace, and correction that helps us follow Jesus, we can listen. But if a thought brings fear, shame, confusion, or tries to pull us away from Jesus, we do not have to let it stay.”
Millo chirped, “That means we guard our hearts!”
Hippii looked down at the water. “But what if my faith feels small?”
Joppa smiled softly.
“Faith can feel small sometimes,” she said. “But Jesus is never small. He is strong enough to hold us, even when we feel weak.”
Millo hopped closer to Hippii.
“Romans 10 says anyone who believes in Jesus will never be put to shame,” Millo said. “That means our hope is safe in Him.”
Hippii’s eyes grew gentle.
“So when doubt knocks on my heart,” Hippii said, “I can say, ‘I believe in Jesus. I belong to Jesus. Jesus loves me and keeps me.’”
“That’s right,” said Joppa.
Just then, the Lion came walking near the lake. His steps were strong, but His eyes were kind.
Hippii looked up.
“Lion,” Hippii whispered, “I had scary thoughts Today.”
The Lion came close and rested beside him.
“I know,” said the Lion gently. “But scary thoughts do not get to decide who you are. I do.”
Hippii’s heart grew quiet.
The Lion continued, “You are loved. You are not forgotten. You are not put to shame. Keep your heart close to Me.”
Hippii took a deep breath.
Then he smiled.
“I believe in You,” Hippii said. “I belong to You.”
Joppa smiled.
Millo chirped happily.
And the lake seemed to sparkle even brighter.
Together, they remembered:
Not every voice belongs in the heart.
Not every thought tells the truth.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
And His sheep know His voice.
Little Lesson
When scary thoughts or doubts come, you can talk to Jesus.
You can say:
“Jesus, help me know Your voice. Help me close the door to fear and open my heart to Your truth.”
Reflection Question
What is one thought you need to give to Jesus Today?
Prayer of Repentance and Trust
Dear Jesus,
I am sorry for listening to thoughts that make me afraid, ashamed, or confused. Please forgive me for believing things that are not true about You or about me.
Help me guard my heart. Help me know Your voice. Help me close the door to anything that pulls me away from Your Love.
Thank You for saving me.
Thank You for loving me.
Thank You for keeping me close to You.
I believe in You, Jesus.
I belong to You.
Amen.