Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Surprise Dessert

Zach took a bite of his meatloaf. "We learned about heaven in Sunday school today," he said, "but there's something I don't understand." He frowned. "I know heaven is supposed to be wonderful, but it doesn't sound so great to me. Won't it be boring, just walking around on a golden street, singing hymns?"

"I'm sure we'll be doing more than that," Dad said with a smile.

"Yeah, well . . . that's what Mr. Davis said, too," admitted Zach. "The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about it, though, does it?"

"No," replied Dad, "but we do know that it's a wonderful, beautiful place. And the most wonderful part about heaven will be just being with Jesus."

"Right," agreed Mom. "At your age, it's hard to understand how great that will be. Maybe it would help if you think about how glad you are to see Grandpa and Grandma when they come or when we go to see them."

"I guess so." Zach shrugged as he ate the last bite of his mashed potatoes. "I wonder why God didn't tell us more about what heaven will be like."

"For one thing, it would be impossible for our minds to understand all the good things He has planned for us," said Dad. He looked over at four-year-old Bobby. "Finish your carrots, Bobby," he said. "We're almost ready for dessert."

"What is it?" Bobby asked as he took a forkful of carrots.

Mom just smiled. "It's a surprise," she said, "but I promise you'll like it."

"Can I have mine now, Mom?" asked Zach.

Mom shook her head. "Let's wait till Bobby's ready. It's his favorite. If he sees it, he'll get so excited that he won't want to finish his carrots," she replied in a low voice.

A short time later they were all enjoying strawberry shortcake. "I just thought of another reason God didn't tell us exactly what heaven will be like," Zach announced with a grin. "If we knew, we'd probably get so excited, we'd never be happy living on earth and doing the things God wants us to do now."

Dad and Mom smiled. "Like Bobby wouldn't have been happy eating carrots if he knew what dessert was coming," agreed Mom. "We need to simply obey God and do His will now and trust that His 'dessert' will be just right!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever wonder what heaven will be like? The Bible tells some things about it, but you won't really know what God has in store for you until you get there. Trust Him and believe that He knows best how to make you happy. In the meantime, keep busy doing God's will on earth and telling others about Jesus so they can choose to go to heaven, too!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Generous Jerry

You mean you really gave Matt Peters your last dollar?  Boy, are you dumb! Alan snapped at his younger brother.  "Last week you gave Amy your last fifty cents!  You're always giving money away or putting it in an offering!"

    "But, Matt didn't have any lunch money," Jerry defended himself.  "And Amy needed just that little bit more to buy the present she wanted for her mom's birthday."

    "So let somebody else help them!" scoffed Alan.  "At the rate you're going, you'll never have anything to show for your money.  I'll soon have enough to buy myself a new ball mitt!"

    One Saturday a couple of weeks later, Alan came bounding into the house.  "See my new mitt!"  He held it up proudly.  "Come play ball with me, Jerry.  You can use my old mitt."

    "Sorry, but I can't," Jerry answered as he put on his jacket.  "Why don't you call Scott or Rick?"

    "I did," replied Alan, "but they don't want to play.  Why can't you?"

    Jerry grinned.  "Matt Peters called.  His dad's company is having their picnic at Bell's Amusement Park today.  Matt can bring one guest, and he invited me.  The rides are free all day, and so is the food!"

    "What luck!"  Alan sighed as he threw his mitt on the couch.   

    "I remember you said I'd never have anything to show for my money," said Jerry, "but I guess some things are more important than new ball mitts or savings accounts -- things like friends.  I may not have much money, but I don't feel poor at all."  He hesitated, then his face brightened as he looked at Alan and said, "How about you and I playing catch tomorrow?

    "Okay," agreed Alan.  He watched as Jerry went out the door and ran down the steps.   "You can even use my new mitt," Alan called out.  Maybe his brother's way was okay after all.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Sometimes the person who seems to have the least has the most.  Do you keep everything you get for yourself, or do you share?  God wants His children to be generous.  The Bible teaches that the more we give, the more we get -- perhaps here, perhaps in heaven.  Sounds strange, doesn't it?  But it works.  Try it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Todd's Science Lesson

Getting out his science book, Todd sat down at the kitchen table to do some homework.  Wow! he thought to himself after reading a few pages.  This sure doesn't sound like what it says in the Bible.  He decided to ask his dad about it.  "Dad, my science book doesn't teach creation like the Bible does," said Todd when he found his dad, who was replacing some spark plugs in the car.  "According to my book, many scientists believe that the earth and people and everything just 'happened' to come into existence."

    "Well, Son," responded Dad, "you might as well know right now that some books are wrong.  They have been written by man, and man can make mistakes.  The Bible, on the other hand, was written by God -- that's why we call it the Word of God.  He makes no errors.  The Bible says everything was created by God."

    "Yeah," agreed Todd.  "But those scientists sure have done a lot of studying, though."

    "Maybe so," said Dad, "but that doesn't make them right."  He paused, then pointed to the car he was working on.  "What would you say, Todd," he asked, "if someone told you this car 'just happened' -- that nobody put the engine, the body, the seats, the wheels, and all the other parts of this car together, but they just all came together by themselves?"

    Todd grinned.  "I'd say that was the craziest thing I ever heard," he said.

    "You'd be absolutely right," Dad replied.  "And the human body is far more complicated than this car.  We're not accidents -- we are part of God's plan and creation.  And so is every other part of creation.  The Bible makes a lot more sense than any science book."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard people talk about evolution as if it were fact?  Have you had to study books that say God is not the Creator.  Don't you believe those books!  The Bible says God made the whole world, and everything in it.  He made you, He loves you, and He has a wonderful plan and purpose for your life.  Believe what He says.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Driver

Watch it!  Oh!  Uncle Jack gasped.   "Slow down, Dawn!"

    In the back seat, Jill turned to Matt and grinned.  This was fun.  Uncle Jack had offered to let their sister drive his new car.  Dawn was a pretty good driver, even though she'd had her license for only a week.  But as she drove, Uncle Jack instructed her non-stop the whole time.

    "There's a stop sign up ahead.  It's a little hard to see, so I'm telling you ahead of time," Uncle Jack said.  He paused only a moment.  "I usually slow down when I pass this fire hydrant. . .Oh, and two lights down we'll turn to the right.  Be sure to hug the curb when you turn this way. . .and have you learned that the best way to pull into the parking places is. . . ."  Uncle Jack hardly stopped talking long enough to breathe!

    When they reached the store, Dawn handed the keys to Uncle Jack.  She smiled and winked at Jill.  "I think you should drive home, Uncle Jack," she said.  "You're more familiar with the car."

    "Well, dear, are you sure?" Uncle Jack asked as he took the keys.

    "Yes, I'm sure," Dawn answered.  Later she turned to Jill and Matt.  "It's usually a lot of fun to drive, but somehow, with Uncle Jack. . . ."  She rolled her eyes and they all laughed.

    That night, Mother smiled when they told her about the incident.  "You know, we're all a little like Uncle Jack sometimes," she said.  "We invite God to take over the driver's seat of our lives, and then we sit beside Him and tell Him exactly how to drive."

    Jill was thoughtful.  "You mean. . .like wanting to do things our own way?  And getting upset when things don't happen the way we want them to?"

    Mother nodded.  "If only we would remember that God knows how to drive -- how to manage our lives -- better than we do!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want things your own way?  We all do at times.  If you will give up your own way, and let God "drive," your life will honor Him.  He knows just how to get you where He wants you to go.  You don't know where the curves are, or what may be around the next corner, but God does.  Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 25:4  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

[Soldier4Christ]

 It Takes Practice

Shane groaned as he picked himself up from the snow.  His feet were in great big boots, and the boots were locked onto two long sticks of wood that wouldn't move properly.  You guessed it -- Shane was learning to ski.  He had saved his money and begged to go along with his big brother, Mike.   "Sure, you can come, but I'm warning you -- it isn't as easy as it looks," his brother had said with a smile.  Shane found out in a hurry that Mike was right.

    "I'm gonna quit.  I'll never learn how to ski," Shane said with a frown.  "I just fell for the umpteenth time."

    Mike grinned.  "Oh, don't give up," he said.  "Tell you what. . .your lift ticket includes lessons for beginners.  I think they're about ready to start the class.  Go join them and get some pointers.  It will make it much easier."

    The ski instructor gathered the beginning skiers around him and began to teach them some of the basic moves.  Then came the first few trips down the "Bunny Hill," as the easy hill was called.  The instructor used a long pole which he held in front of Shane, so he could hold on until he felt a bit steadier.  "Hey, this is fun," Shane yelled as Mike watched from the side lines.  "I think I'm ready for the big hill."  Just then he lost his balance and fell sideways into the snow.   Shane made a face.  "Oh, well, give me a few more lessons and I'll be ready for the big hill," he said with a sigh.

    As they were heading home at the end of the fun-filled day, Shane leaned against the car seat.  "I was just getting good," he said.  "Wish we could skip our Bible Club tonight and just keep on skiing all evening, but I know Mom and Dad won't let us."

    Mike shook his head.  "No," he agreed, "and I guess that's good.  I remember hearing you complain the other day that you weren't getting much out of doing the Bible lessons, but you know what?  Learning to ski well is a little like learning how to understand the Bible better.   The more you work at it, the better you get.  The more you read your Bible, the more you'll understand it.  So work at it, okay?"  He grinned at his little brother.  "But remember," he added, "don't expect miracles right away.  Anything worth while takes time -- and effort."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you gotten discouraged in your Bible reading because you don't seem to understand it the way others do?  Maybe they've "practiced" longer than you have!  Also, don't start out on the "biggest hills."  Read the Gospels and the Epistles before you tackle the books of prophecy.  Spend time with a few verses of the Bible every day, and you'll find that the more you read, the better you'll understand.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Jana's Passport

Ted and Jana were going to spend the summer in England with their older sister.  "Did you forget anything?" Dad asked when they were on their way to the airport.  "If so, now is the time to remember before we get too far from home."

    "Have you got the tickets and passports?" asked Mother.

    "Right here."  Jana patted her purse.  "I sure hate to show my passport to anyone, though.  My picture is terrible."

    "Let me see it again."  Ted held out his hand.

    "No way!"  Jana held her purse tightly.  "You'd just laugh some more.  But yours isn't so great, either!"

    "Well, give me my ticket and passport," Ted insisted.  "I'd feel better carrying my own."

    Jana opened her purse and took them out.  "Oh, no!"

    Dad took his foot off the accelerator.  "What's wrong?"

    "I have Mother's passport instead of mine," wailed Jana.  "They were in the same drawer, and I picked up the wrong one."

    "It's a good thing you discovered it now!"  Dad looked for a place to turn around.  "Mother's passport wouldn't get you into England."

    Mother looked thoughtful.  "Hmmmm," she mused.  "I'm going to have to tell Mrs. Lewis about this experience.  I've had a couple of opportunities to witness to her, and whenever I ask if she has accepted Christ, she tells me about the wonderful Christian parents she has.  She seems to think that makes her a Christian, too."

    "I see what Mother's getting at," said Dad as he completed a turn and headed back home.  "Maybe when Mrs. Lewis hears about this, she'll see that just as Mother's passport won't get Jana into England, the salvation of her parents won't get her into heaven.  The decision to accept Christ is a decision everyone has to make for himself."  He grinned.  "Much as I hate to back track, it will be worth it if it helps Mrs. Lewis see her need."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have your "passport" to heaven?  If your parents are Christians, you are blessed, but don't depend on that to get you to heaven.  Your own righteousness -- your fine family, your Christian parents, your own good works -- none of these will get you to heaven.  You must receive God's righteousness by accepting His Son, Jesus, as your Savior.  It's a decision you must make for yourself.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

[Soldier4Christ]

 Does It Taste Good

Aaron sighed and poked at his half-eaten piece of pie.  "I don't know why nothin' tastes good today," he said to his grandfather.  "I wish my tongue would quit feeling so funny."  Aaron had been to the dentist, and one side of his mouth had been numbed so it wouldn't hurt when the dentist drilled on his teeth.  When he got home, he felt hungry. . .but somehow his lunch didn't taste very good.

    Grandpa chuckled.  "Give it a little more time," he advised.  "You know there are lots of taste buds on your tongue, and when the dentist numbed your mouth, maybe it numbed those taste buds, too.  Why don't you save the pie till later?"  Aaron nodded.  As he got up to put the pie in the refrigerator, Grandpa reached for his Bible.  "Would you like to share a Bible lesson?" invited Grandpa.

    Aaron shrugged.  "I'm goin' out to play with the guys," he answered, taking his jacket from the closet.

    "Spiritual taste buds numbed, too?" asked Grandpa.

    Aaron stopped, one arm in his coat sleeve, and looked at his grandfather.  "Huh?" he asked.  "What do you mean, Grandpa?"

    "I remember when you first asked Jesus to be your Savior," answered Grandpa.  "You were really excited about it.  You used to often sit with me, and we'd read together from God's Word and learn what God expected from us as His children.  We'd have some 'spiritual food' together -- remember?"

    Aaron nodded.  He had enjoyed those times.  But so many other things demanded his attention lately that reading the Bible seemed less interesting.  Maybe Grandpa was right.  Maybe his spiritual taste buds were numbed.  Slowly he hung his coat back in the closet.

    Grandpa smiled as Aaron came and sat beside him,  "Good," he approved.  "The numbness in your mouth will soon go away by itself.  But we have to work at getting over spiritual numbness.  A good way to start is to get back into God's Word."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you less interested in the Bible than you once were?  Have your spiritual taste buds been numbed by such things as TV programs, too many parties, personal hobbies, or homework?  Don't allow that to happen.  Make up your mind to get rid of spiritual numbness.  Pray.  Read your Bible.  Say with the Psalmist, "Oh, how I love Thy Law!"  Act as if that were true, and you may be surprised at how soon it really will be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 119:103  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

[Soldier4Christ]

 Idol Worship

Will we ever get to Uncle Fred's? Kristen whined.

    Mom looked at her watch.  "In about another hour," she said.  "If you're bored, Kristen, why don't you study the Ten Commandments?  You need to learn them for your Sunday school class, so I brought the list along."  She handed Kristen a piece of paper.

    "Okay.  I guess I might as well," Kristen agreed, looking at the first one on the list.  "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," she read.  "Our teacher says that even in America people often worship false gods, but I never knew anybody who did that."

    "Don't be so sure," answered Dad.  "A job, clothes, popularity, money -- almost anything can become a god if we place it before the true God.  Sometimes it's even another person."

    "Seems odd to me," said Kristen as she continued to study.   

    Almost before she knew it, they reached their destination.  Uncle Fred and Aunt Jolene came to meet them, followed by Kristen's cousin, Haley.  Kristen's mouth fell open as she saw her cousin coming toward her.  Haley looked so different from the way she had looked before!

    Kristen soon discovered the reason for the difference.  Haley was doing her best to be just like a new rock star called Vixen.  Haley tried to walk like her, she talked like her, and she tried to sing like her.  She fixed her hair like Vixen's, dressed like her, and even used the same toothpaste.  Haley's room was plastered with posters of the rock star, and she listened constantly to her tapes.

    By the time Mom and Dad had said their good-byes the next day, Kristen was ready to leave, too.  "I am so sick and tired of hearing about Vixen -- the wonderful, the beautiful, the marvelous!"  Kristen exploded as soon as they pulled out of the driveway.  "Why, Haley worships that rock star!  That's all she thinks about.  She's Haley's idol!"  She paused for a moment, then added, "I think I understand now what the first commandment means!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What controls your thoughts, actions, and plans?  Whom do you want to be like?  It's normal to have someone you admire and look up to, but be careful to pick someone who is following Jesus.  And remember -- that person is only human.  Don't make a "god" of him or her.  Make sure Jesus is your ultimate pattern and guide.  If there are "other gods" in your life, now is the time to get rid of them.  Remember, idolatry is sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Exo 20:3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Jack's Bug Collection Part 1

It was Jack's turn to lead in prayer at supper one night.  "Thank you for this food, and for Mom and Dad who work so hard," he prayed.  "And please, God, help Nick to do better at school.  Amen."

    Mom passed the spaghetti to Jack.  "I'm glad you prayed for Nick.  How is he doing?" she asked.

    "About the same," Jack replied.  He laughed.  "He's so weird, and nobody likes him."  Jack shook his head and went on to criticize Nick and list his faults.  "And you know what else?" he asked.  "We're supposed to have our bug collections completed by next Monday, and Nick is barely started.  I think he's just lazy!"

    "How many bugs do you have?" asked Allie, Jack's little sister.

    "Lots," said Jack.  "I even have a praying mantis.  We learned that they'll eat almost any kind of insect, including their own kind."

    "Does your praying mantis really pray?" Allie wanted to know.

    "Of course not!  It's called that because of the way it puts its front feet together," said Jack.  He laughed.  "Did you think it said a prayer for one of its friends and then ate it?"

    Dad looked at Jack thoughtfully.  "Some people do that," he said.  "They say a prayer for someone and then they eat that person."

    Jack looked puzzled.  "People don't eat each other," he protested.  "Not in civilized countries."

    "Well, they don't actually eat each other," acknowledged Dad.  "But criticizing, gossiping, and finding fault with others is called backbiting in the Bible.  And the word backbiting suggests eating, doesn't it?  So even though we don't literally eat them, when we talk unkindly about people behind their backs, it's a little like eating them, isn't it?"

    "Jack did that," piped up Allie.  "He said Nick. . . ."  But Mom quickly stopped the little girl from saying any more.

    Jack hung his head.  He knew it was true.  In a way, he had "eaten" Nick for supper that night.

    "If we really want God to help somebody, we've got to quit 'eating' him, and find ways to help," added Dad.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there someone who needs your help?  Do you pray for that person?  Do you try to find ways to help him?  You should do both.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Jack's Bug Collection Part 2

Jack was excitedly telling his parents about what had happened at school that day.  "I asked Nick if he'd like to work with me during study period," he reported.  "Boy, was he surprised!  Nobody ever wants to work with him.  But he said, 'Sure.'  We got all of our homework finished.  I think he really liked it that somebody helped him.  He's not so bad when you get to know him."

    "That was very nice of you, Jack.  I'm proud of you."  Mother was smiling.

    "I asked Nick how his bug collection was coming along," continued Jack.  "He said he hasn't caught many yet and that he doesn't know where to find more.  So I offered to help him.  I told him you were going to help me catch some fireflies tonight, Dad, and that I'd try to get one for him, too."

    "Good," approved Dad.  "I bet he appreciated it."

    "And you know what else?"  Jack was still bubbling with excitement.  "I invited him to go to church with us on Sunday.  He said he'd like that.  He's really quite a nice guy."

    After supper, Jack and Dad went out to the backyard to catch fireflies.  After they had several in a jar, they sat on the porch watching them flicker.  "I'm glad to see that instead of acting like a praying mantis, you acted like a firefly today," said Dad.

    "I acted like a firefly?" asked Jack.  "What does that mean?"

    "Well," said Dad, "what do fireflies do?  They let their lights shine, right?  And you let your light shine for Jesus by the way you treated Nick."

    Jack grinned.  "You know something, Dad?" he said.  "It feels a whole lot better being a firefly than a praying mantis."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you let your light shine for Jesus?  What can you do to show an unsaved friend what Jesus means to you?  Perhaps you could help with schoolwork.  Perhaps you could include that person in a game (even if he's not so good at it).  Or maybe you could just be a friend.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

 True Freedom

Christina wanted to go to the slumber party at Sarah's house, but her mother wouldn't let her go.  "The girls are much older than you are and rather wild," Mother had said.  "I'm afraid that. . . ."

    But Christina wouldn't listen.  "You never give me any freedom," she stormed.  "I don't think you even want me to have any fun!"  Then she ran into her bedroom and slammed the door.  She flopped on her bed and sobbed.  How unreasonable can Mother be! she thought.  She doesn't understand at all!

    Christina was still sniffling when she heard a sound at her window.  Looking up, she saw a bird beating its wings against the glass. . .over and over again.  It seemed to be trying to get inside.  As she watched, Mother knocked on the door.  "I have some clean laundry, Christina.  May I come in?"  Reluctantly Christina opened the door.

    As Mother set the clothes on the dresser, she saw the bird still beating at the glass.  "Christina," Mother said softly, "open the window and let the poor bird in.  It's cruel to keep him out when he desperately wants to get in."

    Christina gave her mother a puzzled look.  She knew a wild bird would be out of place in a house!  "Mother, you've got to be kidding!" she said.  "He wouldn't know what to do once he got inside.  He'd be trapped and frightened and wouldn't know how to get out again!  He might get hurt."

    "But, Christina, don't you want him to have his freedom?" asked Mother.

    "He's got more space and freedom outside," Christina said grumpily.

    Mother smiled and nodded.  "So by saying 'no,' you're really giving him freedom and protecting him," she said.  "I know it doesn't make a lot of sense to you right now that I said 'no' to the party, but God gave me the responsibility of protecting you.  Just as you don't want the bird to be caught in a bad situation, I don't want you to get caught in a situation where you might get hurt."

    Christina looked at the foolish bird.  Then she ran over and hugged her mother.  "I'm sorry for what I said," she whispered.  "I love you, Mom, and I know you really want what's best for me."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel that your parents are restricting your freedom by giving you rules and expecting you to obey?  Because they love you, they are actually protecting you from situations or things that could harm you.  Trust their judgment and obey their decisions.  True freedom includes living within bounds set up by God.  He knew what He was doing when He established the parent-child relationship.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

[Soldier4Christ]

 On Thin Ice

I don't see why I can't go -- it seems like a fair exchange, Tara told her mother.  "Since Crystal is willing to come to church tomorrow if I go with her this afternoon, I think I should go with her."

    Mother shook her head.  "She wants you to go to two places that I do not approve of.  I've explained before why I don't think either of those are places Christians should go.  Going to them is not the way to win your friend to the Lord."

    "But, Mother!" protested Tara.  "If it will get Crystal to come. . . ."

    "I said 'no,' Tara," Mother stated firmly.

    With an angry look, Tara marched off to her room.

    Later, with Mother's permission, Tara spent the afternoon ice skating with some friends.  When she returned home, she was bursting with excitement.  "You know Jack Wolter?  He almost drowned!" she exclaimed.  "He zipped right past the danger sign toward the middle of the lake.  But the ice didn't hold him -- one leg went right through into freezing water.  I screamed for help!"

    "Oh, my!"  Mother was concerned.  "Is he all right?"

    Tara nodded.  "He was hanging onto the ice, half in and half out of the water.  He's just lucky the men on duty got there on time!"

    "Oh, good!" said Mother.  After Tara finished telling about the exciting rescue, Mother looked at her thoughtfully.  "But, Tara, why didn't you skate out and rescue him yourself?" she asked.  "You took that life-saving swim class last summer."

    Tara looked at her mother in disbelief.  "You've gotta be kidding!" she exclaimed.  "The men used boards and ropes and stuff to crawl out and reach Jack.  If anybody had skated out there, it would have broken more of the ice and made it worse.  Besides, when someone falls through the ice into freezing water, you don't rescue him by going in after him.  You'd probably both get trapped under the ice!"

    Mother nodded.  "I'm glad you had the good sense to know that," she said.  "Now think about this -- when you see someone in sin, you don't rescue him by joining him, either.  If you do, you might both get trapped in sin."  As Tara heard Mother's words, she remembered their conversation that morning.  She nodded.  She would have to find some other way to help Crystal.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
In order to win a friend to Jesus, are you sometimes tempted to go someplace you should not go, or to do something you know is wrong?  If you yield to that temptation, you're just fooling yourself -- you're not winning your friend.  You're "skating on thin ice" and endangering both of you.  The way to win others to Jesus is through living a pure life before them.  Pray for them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Ti 5:22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Grandfather's Will

Mr. Dutton, the lawyer, opened a folder and cleared his throat.  "The last will and testament of Andrew Philip Blackburn," he read.  "I, Andrew Philip Blackburn, being of sound mind. . . ."

    What a strange thing for Grandpa to say, Andrea thought.  She glanced around the lawyer's office.  She missed her grandfather so much!  Everyone looked very solemn.  Knowing the seriousness of the occasion, even the children were quiet.

    ". . .to each of my grandchildren I leave $5,000 to be used for their education," read the lawyer, and Andrea's eyes widened.  Wow!  Five thousand dollars for me?  She could hardly believe it.  Mr. Dutton was still reading.  "To my grandson, Andrew, I leave. . . ."

    And so it went.  Grandfather had remembered everyone -- and all the children had received something special to help them remember their grandfather.

    "May we go to the farm, Dad?" Andrea asked as they got into the car.  "I want to see Princess!"  Grandfather had left his horse to her.

    Dad nodded.  "We'll do that," he agreed.  "I want to pick up Dad's Bible.  I'm glad he left that for me."

    When they were home later, Andrea leafed carefully through the pages of the old Bible.  "The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," she read aloud.  She looked up.  "That's almost the same as what the lawyer said this morning," she told her mother.  "He called Grandfather's will a 'testament,' didn't he?"

    Mother nodded.  "That's right.  The will is an important document telling what your grandfather left to each of his heirs when he died.  The New Testament is an important document, too.  From it we learn that, because Jesus died for us, there's a valuable inheritance -- everlasting life in heaven -- available to everyone.  But not everyone will receive it because a condition must be met.  To receive it, it's necessary to accept Jesus as Savior."

    Andrea raised her eyebrows.  "I'm excited about the inheritance Grandfather left me," she said, "but the inheritance God has for me is even more important, isn't it?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you met the condition that makes you a child of God and assures you of an inheritance?  Just think -- you can be an heir of God!  It's hard to even imagine what all that can mean!  If you haven't done so before, admit right now that you are a sinner and do not deserve to go to heaven.  Believe in your heart that Jesus died for you.  Ask Him to forgive your sins, and give your life to Him to control.  Then He will make you His child, and you will share the glories of heaven some day.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Her Own Decision

Come on, Brie, called Erika.  "It's time for choir.  If we don't hurry, we'll be late."

    Brie slowly put her books in her locker and shut the door.  "I decided not to go, Erika.  It's such a nuisance having to stay after school twice a week."

    "But, Brie, we planned on it!"  Erika glanced at her watch.  The girls were supposed to be in the music room in five minutes.

    "Oh, come on!  Let's forget choir this year," urged Brie.  "Let's go to my house and play my new video game instead."

    Erika hesitated.  She wanted to stay, but she didn't want to go to choir alone.  She knew Brie wouldn't change her mind, either.  "Well, okay," she agreed slowly.

    That night, Erika's mom asked about choir practice.  "Brie wasn't going, so I decided not to join this year, either," Erika explained.

    "Was that really your choice or Brie's?" Mother asked.  Erika shrugged.  "You have a lovely voice, Erika, and the training you get at school will help you develop your talent.  Besides, you had a lot of fun singing at the concerts last year, and I know you were looking forward to singing again.  The only person you're hurting by not joining is yourself."

    Erika thought about her mother's words.  This wasn't the first time Brie had discouraged her from doing something she wanted to do.  In fact, by listening to Brie, she was becoming a very uninvolved, lazy person.  She knew that was wrong.  "I. . .I guess I do let Brie talk me out of things sometimes," she admitted.  "Maybe I can still join the choir next week."

    Mom nodded.  "Good," she said.  "Talk to the Lord about it, and then make your own decisions with His help."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you let others tell you what you should or shouldn't do?  Sometimes friends can sound pretty convincing, and if you're not careful, they'll make your decisions for you.  Ask the Lord to help you stick to your principles and do your best for Him.  Don't let your friends sway you with persuasive words.  Do what you know the Lord would want you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Fast Sunday

This is 'fast Sunday' at our church, said Aunt Louise as she set orange juice and cereal on the table.

    "Fast Sunday?" Alex repeated.  "Oh. . .I remember my mom saying something about that.  What is it you do?"

    His cousin, Vic, laughed.  "It's what we don't do," he said.  "To 'fast' means to go without food, and this is the Sunday we don't eat at noon.  You picked the wrong weekend to come visiting."

    Alex's eyes widened.  "You don't eat lunch?  Why not?"

    "On the first Sunday of every month, people in our church take the money they would normally spend for lunch and give it to buy food for those who are starving in other lands," explained Vic.  "We get a little hungry, but not nearly as hungry as those who have only small portions of rice twice a day.  You've probably seen pictures of kids with bloated stomachs and skinny arms and legs, haven't you?"

    "Sure."  Alex took a sip of orange juice.  "But there's not much I can do about it.  I can't send them my peas and green beans -- although lots of times I'd like to."  He grinned.

    Vic laughed again.  "You're gonna do something about it today," he said.  "The money saved from the meal you miss will be put into a special church fund to buy food."

    "It may not seem like much, but it would be if everyone would do it," said Aunt Louise.  "Now, let's hurry or we'll be late for Sunday school."

    As the boys played games that afternoon, Alex rubbed his stomach.  "Did you hear my stomach growling?" he asked.

    Vic grinned and shook his head.  "Nope.  Can't hear yours 'cuz mine's making so much noise."

    "It would be awful to be hungry every day, wouldn't it?" said Alex thoughtfully.

    Vic nodded.  "My dad says some people never know what it is to have enough to eat -- not in their entire lifetime!  And we have so much!  We waste so much!"

    That evening when Aunt Louise fixed a light snack, the boys came promptly to the table.  "How did it go, Alex?" asked Aunt Louise.

    "It wasn't so bad," Alex answered slowly, surprised at himself.  "My stomach may be empty, but I feel good!  I feel more thankful for the food I get every day -- even the peas and green beans!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Could your family miss a meal to help the starving?  Would you be willing to do without pop or candy and give the money to missions?  God is pleased when you share and help others in need, and He will bless you for it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Luk 3:11  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.