Daniel Partner > Quotes

“The Woman at Jacob’s Well

Jesus traveled from Judea to Samaria. About noontime, Jesus rested by Jacob’s well, and His followers went to buy food.
A woman came to the well to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said.
“You’re a Jew,” she said. “I’m a Samaritan. Jews don’t share with Samaritans.”
“You don’t know who’s asking you for a drink. If you did, you’d ask me for a drink. Then I’d give you living water.”
“You don’t have a bucket, sir. How will you get that living water?”
“Whoever drinks water from this well,” Jesus said, “will get thirsty again. But when I give you water the well is inside of you. It bubbles up to give you eternal life.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “please give me this water. Then I’ll never thirst again. I won’t have to come to this well.”
“Go get your husband, and come back.”

The Samaritan woman said, “I see you’re a prophet. Tell me, which is right, to worship at this mountain or at Jerusalem?”
“Believe me,” Jesus answered. “The time has come when you won’t worship the Father in either place. The real worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is seeking people who will worship him this way. You see, God is Spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Then the woman said, “I know Christ is coming. When he does he’ll teach us everything.”
“I’m speaking to you. I’m Christ.”
Just then Jesus’ followers came back with the food. They were surprised that Jesus was talking with this Samaritan woman. She left her water jug at the well and hurried back to town. “Come and see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done! Could he be Christ?”
Many people in that town believed in Jesus because of the woman. Jesus stayed there two days. Many more believed because they heard his words.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“God’s Search for Sinners

Tax collectors and sinners gathered to hear Jesus. Pharisees and other religious people grumbled: “Jesus welcomes sinners and even eats with them.”
So Jesus told them this story: “Suppose you have a hundred sheep and lose one. Don’t you leave the ninety-nine to search for the lost sheep? When you find it you return with joy. You say to your friends, ‘Rejoice with me! I’ve found my lost sheep.’ So listen to me. There’s great joy in heaven when one sinner turns away from sin. Much more than ninety-nine lawkeepers like you.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Lord heard”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“We’re saved through grace”

The Antioch church rejoiced. God had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles!
But then some people came to Antioch from Judea. They said, “You Gentile Christians must keep Moses’ law.”
But Paul and Barnabas said, “God is happy that the Gentiles have believed in Jesus. They don’t have to do anything else to be saved.” So the apostles and leaders called a meeting in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas went there to discuss the important problem.
The first person to speak was Peter. “Brothers, God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit. I was at Cornelius’ house when it happened. So God must not see a difference between them and us. Anyway, no one has ever been able to keep Moses’ law. We’re saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. So are the Gentiles.”
Paul and Barnabas then told of the wonders God did among the Gentiles. James had the final word: “God wants to make the Gentiles into a people for his name. Let’s not trouble those who are turning to God.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Go to the king.” Queen Esther read Mordecai’s message. “Plead with him to save your people.”
Esther returned a message. “No one can go to the king’s rooms without an invitation or they’ll die.”
Mordecai told Esther: “You’ll be killed like all the other Jews. You may be silent, Esther, but God will rescue us another way. Who knows? Maybe you’ve become queen for just this time.”
“Go then, Mordecai,” wrote Esther. “Gather the Jews in Shushan. Pray for me three days. I’ll do the same. Then I’ll go to the king. If I die, I die.”
Esther, dressed in her royal robes, stood in the king’s court. The king, seeing her, held out the royal staff. This was his invitation. “What do you wish, Queen Esther? I’ll give you anything.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet because he wept for the peoples’ sins.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Later, when the man saw Jesus in the temple, he told the Pharisees and they harassed Jesus because of the sabbath healing.
"My Father works everyday, and so do I," Jesus replied.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“That night King Ahasuerus couldn’t sleep so he read the history of his empire. There he learned that Mordecai had saved his life. “I wonder how I can honor this man,” he thought.
“What’s the best way for me to honor a man, Haman?”
Haman thought the king wanted to honor him. “Give him your royal robes and your horse. Send a nobleman with him as he rides through the city. That man should shout, “This is the man the king honors.”
“Quickly, do this for the Jew Mordecai,” ordered the king. So Haman was the nobleman who shouted in Shushan: “Mordecai is the man the king honors.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Then he told another story. It’s for people who think they’re pure and look down on others:
“A Pharisee and a tax collector were praying. The Pharisee stood and prayed: “Thank you I’m not like that tax collector. I always perform my religious duty.’ Far away the tax collector wouldn’t even look up to heaven. In grief he prayed: “Have mercy on me. I’m a sinner.”
“Listen, God accepted him, not the Pharisee. Praise yourself and you’ll be humbled. Humble yourself and you’ll be honored.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Babbler Speaks of God

Paul became known in Athens as a babbler. He constantly talked about Jesus Christ. Some people there did nothing but talk about new ideas. “We’d like to know what these strange notions mean,” they told Paul.
“I found an interesting altar in your city,” he began. “On it was written: To An Unknown God. I declare this God, who made the world and everything in it to be the Lord of heaven and earth. He has no need of these shrines or anything humans can give. Instead, he gives us life and breath and all things.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“God Calls Samuel

One night, Samuel lay resting in the tabernacle. The Lord called to him, “Samuel, Samuel.”
“Here I am!” said Samuel, and ran to Eli’s room. “Did you call me?”
“No,” Eli answered, “go back to bed, my son.”
The same thing happened a second time. Samuel didn’t know God then, or God’s words. Then Samuel was called a third time. At last, Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. Eli then told Samuel how to answer.
The Lord came and stood there calling as before. Samuel answered, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Atop a hill in Athens Paul declared the true God: “From one ancestor God made all the different races. He decided when and where on earth they would live. Why? So they would search for the Lord, reach out and find him. He is not far from each of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. Your poets have said this very thing. They wrote: “For we too are his children.”
Paul continued, “Since we’re God’s children, how can God be a stone image shaped by human imagination? Now he commands all people to change their minds. A day has been set when the world will be judged. God has selected a man to be the judge. He’s brought him back from death.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“day. On the second day, God spoke and made”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Pharisees were in charge of the Jewish religion. But the Romans ruled the land. Some Pharisees and Romans wanted to trick Jesus. “Teacher, we know you teach God’s way. Tell us, should we pay taxes to the Roman emperor?”
“Why are you testing me?” asked Jesus. “You’re phonies. Show me a coin that you’d use to pay taxes.” They brought him a Roman coin. “Whose picture and title are on this coin?” Jesus asked.
“The emperor’s picture,” they answered.
“Right. So give the emperor what belongs to him. And give God what belongs to God.” They heard this and were amazed. All they could do was leave him alone.
Later Jesus taught his disciples more about giving to God. They were sitting near a room called the treasury. Here people brought gifts of money for the temple. Many rich people brought lots of money. A poor widow came with two pennies. Jesus said, “I’ll tell you the truth. This widow has given more than all the others put together. They have plenty to give. She has nothing and has given everything she has.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Faith of a Centurion

In Capernaum lived an officer of the Roman army. He was called a centurion because he led 100 men. As a Roman he was a foreigner in Israel. The Jews called foreigners and non-Jews ‘gentiles.” So this centurion was a gentile. He had a favorite servant who was nearly dying. The centurion sent for Jesus: “Ask him to come and heal my slave,” he said.
“This centurion deserves your help,” they told Jesus. “He loves our people and paid for the building of our synagogue.”
Not far from the man’s house, friends of the centurion met Jesus. “The centurion sent this message:” they said. “‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself. I don’t deserve to have you in my house. If you simply speak the words, my servant will be healed. I’m like you Lord, someone else tells me what to do. Then I give orders to my soldiers and servants.’”
Jesus was amazed that the centurion said this. He spoke to the crowd, “I haven’t found this kind of faith in all of Israel.”
When the centurion’s friends returned, the servant was healed.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“I wonder if he's Christ?" Everyone wondered about John the Baptist.
"I baptize you with water," he answered. "The one who's coming is greater than I am. He'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John was speaking of Jesus.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Everyone was amazed and puzzled. They each heard their own language! “What does this mean?” some asked. Others sneered, “They’re drunk on new wine.”
Then Peter stood up. “People from Judea and all who live in Jerusalem. We’re not drunk. It’s only nine in the morning.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Suffering of Job
A man named Job lived east of Canaan. He was very rich, and also very good.
Once the angels were standing in front of God. Satan was there with them.
“Have you seen my servant Job?” God asked. “There’s no one like him. He’s blameless and right and rejects evil.”
“Take away all he has. He’ll curse you,” Satan said.
“All right, Satan,” God said. “Do what you want with him.”
Soon trouble came to Job. His animals were driven away or killed with Job’s shepherd. Then all his sons and daughters were killed. Their house fell in on them. All this happened in one day.
Job said, "I came into this world with nothing. I'll leave with nothing, too. The Lord gave me everything; he can take it away. The Lord's name is blessed."
God again said to Satan, “Have you seen Job? He’s blameless and right.”
“Give me power to make him sick. Then we’ll see how good he is.”
“All right, Satan,” God said, “just don’t kill him.”

The Prayer of Job
Satan made sores come onto Job’s body. This was very painful. But Job wouldn’t speak against God.
“You should curse God and die,” his wife said.
“Should we take the good from the Lord and not the bad?” he answered.
Job’s friends thought God had made the bad things happen. “Maybe Job has done evil,” they said, “and this is punishment.” Job didn’t believe this. He knew God’s goodness.
“You don’t speak the truth about me,” God told them. “But Job does.”
So Job prayed for his friends. God returned to Job twice as much as he’d lost.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Paul’s Farewell

The leaders of the church in Ephesus came to Miletus. “You know how I live my life,” Paul began. “I humbly serve the Lord with tears. I suffer the plots against my life. If there’s any way to help, I do it. I brought God’s message to your city and your houses. I told everyone about turning to God and faith in Jesus.
“And now the Spirit is leading me to Jerusalem. Prison and hardship are waiting for me there. But I don’t prize my life for my own sake. I just want to finish my work. This is the important thing: to declare the good news of God’s grace.
“Now, I know that none of you will ever see my face again. I wasn’t afraid to tell you God’s whole purpose. So the rest is up to you. I hand you over to God and the message of his grace.
“Remember that I never asked for money. Instead I worked with these two hands for myself and my friends. Remember the Lord’s words: “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.’” They knelt together in prayer. The men from Ephesus wept. They’d never see Paul again.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Peter’s Vision in Joppa

In Caesarea lived a Roman soldier named Cornelius. So Cornelius wasn’t a Jew. He was a Gentile. Yet he was true to God and gave to the poor. He always prayed. One afternoon this man had a vision. An angel came and said, “Cornelius?”
“What is it, Lord?” Cornelius stared at the angel in terror.
“Send men to Joppa and find Peter at Simon’s house.” Quickly, Cornelius sent for Peter.
About noon the next day Peter went to Simon’s roof to pray. While he waited, Peter fell into a trance. He saw a large sheet coming from heaven. In it were all kinds of animals. A voice spoke, “Peter get up and eat these animals.” But the animals in the sheet were banned by Jewish law. So, to Peter, the meat wasn’t clean.
“No, Lord,” said Peter. “I’ve never eaten any unclean meat.”
“God has made this meat clean. Don’t call it unclean again.” Peter was puzzled about this. Just then the men came from Cornelius. The next day, Peter went with them to Cornelius’s house in Caesarea.

The Spirit and the Gentiles

Cornelius’ relatives and close friends were all gathered. Finally, Peter arrived. Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet to worship him. “Get up,” Peter said, “I’m only a mortal man.”
In the house, Peter said, “You know that I’m a Jew. It’s against our law to visit a Gentile. But God told me not to call anyone unclean.” This was the meaning of Peter’s vision two days before. “So I had no problem coming here. What do you want?”
Cornelius replied, “Four days ago a man in dazzling clothes came to me. ‘Cornelius,’ he said, ‘God has heard your prayers. Send to Joppa and find Peter.’ I did this and you’re kind enough to come. We’re here in the presence of God to listen to you.”
So Peter began to tell them the good news about Jesus Christ. He mentioned forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name but had to stop. The Holy Spirit had fallen on everyone listening. The Jewish believers with Peter were astounded. The Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured on the Gentiles! “Let’s baptize these people in the name of Jesus Christ,” said Peter. And they stayed there for several days.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Good Samaritan

The lawyer wanted to trick Jesus. He asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus answered with a story: “A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was robbed and beaten by bandits. As he lay on the road, a priest walked right by. So did a Levite. But a Samaritan had pity. He washed and bandaged the traveler’s wounds and carried him to a nearby inn. This Samaritan paid the innkeeper to care for the man.
“Which of these three were the wounded man’s neighbor?”
“The man who had pity.”
“Right,” said Jesus. “Go and do the same.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Devil Tempts Jesus

The Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness. There he was tempted by the devil. When he was hungry, the devil came. “If you’re God’s Son, make these stones into bread.”
“One doesn’t only live on bread. God’s words are food as well.”
The devil took him to the temple roof. “The angels won’t let you get hurt,” he tempted. “So jump to the ground.”
“It’s written, ‘Don’t put God to the test.’”
“I’ll give you all of earth’s kingdoms; worship me!” commanded Satan.
“Get away Satan! The Bible says, ‘Worship and serve only God.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“A Little Plant and a Great City

“Jonah, get up and go to Nineveh,” God said. “Speak the message I give you.”
This time, Jonah went. He walked all day into the city. There he cried out, “In forty days, Nineveh will be torn down.”
The people of Nineveh believed God and turned from their sins. Nineveh’s king declared, “No one may eat or drink. All must pray to God. Who knows? God may change his mind so we don’t die.” When God saw this, he did change his mind. He didn’t slaughter Nineveh.
Jonah was angry. “This is why I ran away in the first place,” he prayed. “I knew you’re a God of love. You’re always ready to change your mind about punishing people. Take my life, it’s better that I die.”
East of the city, Jonah built a hut. There he sat watching. What would happen to Nineveh? God made a plant grow there to give cool shade. This made Jonah happy. Then the plant died, and Jonah suffered in the heat. He was sorry the plant died.
“You were sorry a little plant died,” God said. “What about this great city? Shouldn’t I have pity on its little children?”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“I knew you're a God of love. You're always ready to change your mind about punishing people.”
-Jonah”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Job said, "I came into this world with nothing. I'll leave with nothing, too. The Lord gave me everything; he can take it away. The Lord's name is blessed.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Now every time there is a rainbow, people remember God’s promise to Noah.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“The Seeds of God's Words

A great crowd gathered, and Jesus taught them with a story: “A farmer was planting seeds. As he spread the seeds, some fell on the path. Birds ate these seeds. Some seeds fell in with rocks. They died because there wasn’t enough water. Seeds fell into the weeds and couldn’t grow. Others fell into good soil. These seeds grew and gave the farmer a good crop.”
Later, Jesus told his disciples, “The seeds are God’s word. The ones that fell on the path mean this: Some people hear God’s word. Then the devil takes it from their heart. So they can’t believe and be saved.
“The seeds in the rocks are the people who happily believe for a little while. But in hard times, they forget God’s word.
“The seeds in the weeds mean this: Some people hear God’s word and go on their way. The word can’t grow because their heart is full of other things.
“Then there are the seeds in good soil. These show God’s word in a good heart. That person’s life is changed forever.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Sins and Love

A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to supper. There, a woman came with a beautiful little jar of perfume. She was weeping at Jesus’ feet. This was a well-known, sinful woman who lived in town. Jesus’ feet were bathed in her tears. Then the woman dried them with her hair. As this sinful woman kissed Jesus’ feet, she anointed them with perfume.
“I don’t think this man’s a prophet,” Simon said to himself. “If he were, he’d know who’s touching him. She’s a sinner.”

Jesus spoke up. “Simon, I want to tell you a story.”
“Two people owed another man money. The first owed 500 dollars. The other owed 50 dollars. Neither of them could pay. So he told them both they didn’t need to pay him back. Which one loved him more?”
Simon the Pharisee answered, “I suppose the one who owed the most money.”
Jesus said to him, “You’re right. I came to your house. Did you give me water to wash my feet? No. Do you see this woman, Simon? She bathed my feet in tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss. But since I came she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet. You didn’t anoint my head with oil. But she has anointed my feet. I tell you, her many sins are forgiven. But the one who’s done little to forgive, loves little.”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The people around the table murmured. “Who’s this who forgives sins?”
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“Forgive others from your heart”

Peter asked, “How often should I forgive someone? Seven times?”
Jesus answered, “Not seven times, I tell you: seventy-seven times.”
“Once a king’s servant owed him ten million dollars. He couldn’t pay. The king ordered, ‘Sell this man and his family into slavery to pay his debt.’
“The servant begged, ‘Be patient. I’ll pay you everything.’ Pitying him, he said, ‘You don’t have to pay.’
“Later, a man owed him 100 dollars. ‘Pay me what you owe,’ he demanded. The man pleaded, ‘Have patience. I’ll pay you!’ But the servant put him in jail until he could pay.
“Other servants saw this and told the king. The king said to the servant, ‘You wicked servant. I forgave you your debt because you begged me to. I had mercy on you. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on that man?’ The king sent him to prison until he’d paid his debt.
“Peter, the lesson is this: My Father is like the king in this story. You are like a servant. So always forgive others from your heart.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

“At a grand banquet, Esther was made Queen of Persia. When the king wanted to see Esther, he sent for her. No one could go to the king’s rooms without an invitation. Not even the queen.”
― Daniel Partner, 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories