My Time with God (preview)

my time with God

31 bedtime stories and prayers 1st edition, 1st print Copyright Š Scandinavia Publishing House 2014 Drejervej 15, 3. DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark info@sph.as www.sph.as Text: Cecilie Fodor Illustrations: Gustavo Mazali Prayers: Cecilie Fodor Editor: Cecilie Fodor Graphic Design: Isabelle Gao & Hanyu Gao Printed in China ISBN:

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

my time with

GOD

31 bedtime stories and prayers Stories retold by Cecilie Fodor Prayers by Cecilie Fodor Illustrations by Gustavo Mazali

Contents The Old Testament Creation Noah Abraham and Sarah Joseph Moses Joshua Samson Ruth David Solomon Elijah Esther Daniel Jonah

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

The New Testament The Newborn King At the Temple The Man Who Couldn’t Walk Caught in a Storm

34 36 38 40

The Girl Who Was Asleep Walking on Water Shine a Light Who Is Most important?

When Heaven Celebrates Good and Bad Fish Much out of Little Just Like a Child Catching a Glimpse The Last Supper Love Wins A Great Surprise Heaven

42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66

The Old Testament

story 1 4

Creation Genesis 1:1-31

A very long time ago there was nothing. No sun, no trees, no people.

But God had a plan. He made the light and the sky. He made the seas, jungle, and forest. He filled the sky with birds and the seas with fish. Soon there were other animals, too. And at last He created Adam and Eve. God was very happy with all He had made.

Dear God, Thank You for making the world so beautiful and for creating me, too. Amen.

5

story 2

Noah Genesis 6:9-9:1

One day, God told Noah to build a really big boat. People had become very wicked, so God wanted to clean the earth from all the bad things.

God said, “Take two of all kinds of animals with you inside the boat.�

Noah did what God said. Safely inside, God made it rain. And it rained and rained and rained until the water covered even the highest mountains. After a very long time, the water sunk back into the ground.

Outside of the boat, a clean and new earth awaited them.

6

Dear God, Thank You that You love me always and never forget about me. Amen.

7

story 3 8

Abraham and Sarah Genesis 15:1-6

One night God told Abraham to look at the stars. “Count the stars if you can, Abraham,” said God. Abraham started, “One, two, three . . . “ No! There were so many stars he could not count them all. “I promise you,” said God, “that one day your family will be as many as these stars.” Abraham still did not have a single child, but he believed God’s promise.”

Dear God, Thank You that You always keep what You promise. Amen.

9

story 4 10

Joseph Genesis 41:1-57

King Pharaoh had a strange dream; he did not understand what it meant. But God told Joseph, “The dream means there will be seven years with plenty of food for everyone. Then for seven years, there will be no food at all.” Joseph told this to the king. “Oh no!” King Pharaoh said, “what shall we do?” Joseph was wise and he told the king what to do so everyone in Egypt would have enough food.

Dear God, Thank You that no matter what happens, You are always with me. Amen.

11

story 5 12

Moses Exodus 1:4-14; 3:1-10; 12:31-50

When Moses was a baby, his mother hid him from the wicked king.

She put him in a basket and let him float down the river. Then a princess found Moses and she took good care of him. Who would have thought that this little boy was part of God’s big plan? One day God would make Moses lead the people of Israel out of Egypt— away from slavery and into their very own land.

Dear God, Thank You that You always want what is best for me. Amen.

13

story 6 14

Joshua Joshua 6:1-20

Jericho had both a king and strong fighting men. It had a huge wall around it, too. But God told Joshua, “I will give you the city and help you get in there. March around the city and then blow the trumpets and give a huge cry.� And so they did. The walls around Jericho came tumbling down. And they all entered the city, just like God had promised them.

Dear God, Thank You that nothing is too difficult for You. Amen.

15

story 7 16

Samson Judges 13:1-15:20

Already when Samson was born he was very special. He grew up and was bright and very, very strong. No one in Israel was stronger than him. God was with Samson, so when other people bullied the Israelites, Samson helped them get rid of the bullies.

Dear God, Thank You that You have great plans for me, too. Amen.

17