Character Connections

Animals are part of God's beautiful creation, but the Egyptians worshiped them as idols. The bugs and insects obeyed God's commands, but Pharaoh hardened his heart. In Jesus, God has made you a new creation and gives you a new heart!

God told Moses to share his command with Pharaoh. Pharaoh refused to listen and blocked the way to freedom, but God wasn't done yet! When life is hard, it may seem like there is no way out—but nothing can stop God from taking care of his children!  

A phone call can bring good news or not-so-good news; sometimes it depends on who is calling. When God's people cried out for help, he heard them. He called Moses to be their leader and speak his words to them. God hears our prayers today and calls us to serve in ways that we might never have expected.

God worked through the self-sacrifice of an enslaved woman and her young daughter to protect the baby that would someday deliver his people from slavery. God uses the people who the world considers weak to accomplish big things. Ultimately, it was through the weakness of death that God showed his glory in Jesus and brought us eternal life!

Joseph's brothers didn't think it was possible to receive forgiveness after what they did, but God can do impossible things! He worked the miracle of forgiveness in Joseph's heart and God has that same forgiveness for you!

There are painful situations in life that are out of our control. It's not our fault, but we're stuck in it. Joseph experienced it and so did Jesus. God is with us through the struggle; he won't let evil win.

Jacob deceived his family and damaged relationships with those he loved. When he took the risk of asking for forgiveness, he showed his faith by clinging to God. Sometimes what feels like wrestling is actually just holding on.

God asked Abraham to give up his son, yet God stopped him. Instead, God gave his only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. In Jesus, we see God's love for us!

God promised a childless man and his 65-year-old wife that they would have more descendants than stars in the sky. 25 years later, their first child was born. God always keeps his promises, even when it seems impossible!

Flood waters covered the earth, but God protected his people. Noah and his family were given a fresh start. God does the same for us. In his grace, God sent Jesus to wash away our sin and give us a new start each day.

In the beginning the world was beautiful! God, Adam, and Eve were a loving family. Selfishness and lies broke it all. In the midst of that death and sadness, God promised to send a savior who would restore it all. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus!  

The very first classroom was the Garden of Eden. God created the universe and showed Adam and Eve their identity; he created them to be his children. As their loving father, he gave them an amazing world to live in and take care of!

Each day Daniel set aside time to pray. He wouldn't change the structures of his daily walk of faith, even if it meant death. Which activities form the structure of your daily walk of faith?

How has God has worked in your life? Sharing true-life stories of God's love is a good way to describe your relationship with the Lord. The love of Jesus changed the apostle Paul's life in a big way. Paul had the opportunity to share that story with a king! What's your story?

Paul knew that following God's call would mean giving up things that were precious to him, even his life. His motivation to share the love of Christ drove him forward. Through the Holy Spirit we are still being blessed by the way that Paul preached and wrote about God's love for us!

When someone you love moves away or leaves after a visit, it's hard to see them go. When Paul said goodbye to his friends, they cried together and prayed together. We can do the same! Through faith in Christ, we know that God's people will be together again when God raises us to new life.

Independence Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo…What is your favorite festival? While God's people traveled to Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost, Jesus' disciples hid in fear. Suddenly the Holy Spirit filled them with courage to boldly share the news of Jesus with all those gathered in the city. They had a reason to celebrate!

Jesus showed his disciples that he is alive and that he will come back again. As we look forward to that day, we have the chance to spread the news. Jesus sent us out to share his love to the ends of the earth. Love, forgiveness, and life is found in Jesus, let's tell everyone!

After Jesus rose from the dead he continued to take care of his disciples. He came to them while they were fishing, made their breakfast, and showed them what forgiveness means. He knows what his people need and he supplies it; he did it then and he still does it today!

It's natural to look for proof before trusting a new idea. When Thomas heard the news that his dead teacher was back from the dead, it seemed impossible. Jesus knew his doubts and reached out in love. He does the same for us!

Our sins are removed because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. His death brought us life. Through faith in him we are forgiven for all time. It's done!

Jesus was put on trial for his life, facing a Gentile governor who could not find the truth. Yet, when we face judgment on the last day, our truth is Jesus Christ, who took our punishment. In Him, we are declared not guilty!

How would you feel if God came to you and started cleaning your messy room? When Jesus knelt on the ground to wash the disciple's feet, they were shocked. His example of selflessness motivates us to show love to those who can't pay us back. That's the kind of love he gives to us!

When Lazarus died, Jesus cried with the dead man's family. Jesus knows the pain of losing a loved one, but he doesn't stop there. He called Lazarus out of the tomb and gave him life! Through faith in Christ, he will call your name and call you out of the grave too. Jesus defeated death!

Jesus taught his followers that he is the bread of the life, sent from heaven. Just as God sent manna to feed his starving people in the wilderness, he sent his son to give us life. His disciples had trouble understanding what he meant. What should we do when we don't get it either?