Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Substitute Teacher

Hannah walked into the house with a big grin on her face.  "Mom," she called, "we had the best time in school today!" 

    "What did you do that was so much fun?" asked Mom with a smile.

    "Oh, we had a substitute teacher today.  It was so funny!"  Hannah laughed.  "Todd, Mike, and John all switched seats.  So all day long she was calling them the wrong names.  Then some of the kids told her that our teacher always lets us out for recess early, so we got out five minutes before everyone else!  What a dummy!"

    Mom frowned.  "How was your substitute supposed to know who the kids were?"  she asked.   

    Hannah shrugged.  "I suppose our teacher left a seating chart."

    "Well, then, how would she know if the boys were in the right seats or not?" asked Mom.  "And how would she know you weren't supposed to be let out early?  Has she taught your class before?"

    "No," answered Hannah.  "I guess she couldn't have known, could she?"

    "I doubt it," said Mom.  "It really wasn't very nice, or funny, to fool her and laugh at her!"

    "Oh, well.  She's just a sub," said Hannah with a shrug.  "It doesn't matter."

    "Oh, yes, it does matter!" exclaimed Mom.  "You should never be that rude to anyone.  As for her being a substitute teacher, you are under her authority while she's in your class, and you must respect and obey her.  It's not only common courtesy; it's a command from God!"

    Hannah's eyes widened.  "It is?" she asked in surprise.  "I thought the Bible just said to obey your parents."

    "It also tells us to obey anyone who is in authority over us," said Mom, "and that includes substitute teachers."

    "I. . .I didn't think about that," said Hannah.  "I'll remember next time we have a sub.  I promise."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you or any of your classmates ever had a little "fun" with a substitute teacher?  Have you played tricks and in general, given the substitute a bad day?  Did you think it was funny?  God didn't.  He says you must not only obey your parents, but you must also respect and obey anyone who has authority over you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Polishing Process

Jeremy sighed as he perched on the edge of his dad's chair.  "Is something wrong, Jeremy?" asked Dad glancing up from his newspaper.   

    "I'm tired of trying to be nice to Aaron," replied Jeremy.  He's always bugging me.  Today in Sunday school he kept poking my arm."

    "Is Aaron the boy who accepted the Lord at Bible camp last summer?" Dad asked.

    Jeremy nodded.  "I'm sick of the way he acts.  Why can't he grow up?" he grumbled just as his younger brother, Blake, dashed into the room.

    "Hey, Dad!  Can we go and look at my rocks now?" Blake wanted to know.  "It's been a whole week since I put them in my rock tumbler!"

    "Blake, the directions say it takes five or six weeks to polish stones," Jeremy reminded him.  "If you take them out now, they won't look much different than they did when you put them in."

    "That's right," agreed Dad.  "We'll change the grinding agent, but you can't hurry the results.  The rocks have to tumble day and night for several weeks before they'll be smooth and shiny."

    Blake's smile faded away.  "That's a long time," he complained.   

    "Be patient," Jeremy encouraged his brother.  "You'll think it was worth the wait when you see how pretty they are after they're finished."

    Blake sighed.  "Okay," he murmured as he left the room.

    Dad thought a moment.  "I guess Aaron isn't polished yet," he said.

    Jeremy's head shot up.  "What do you mean?" he asked.

    "He's a new Christian, remember?  It takes a lot of polishing to make us sinful human beings like Jesus," explained Dad.  "We won't be perfected until we reach heaven.  In the meantime, we're all in different stages of our spiritual growth.  Those of us who have learned some lessons about how to behave need to have patience with new Christians who haven't developed that far yet."   

    "So you're saying that I need to be more patient with Aaron, right?" asked Jeremy.

    Dad nodded.  "Perhaps God is using him to help you grow in love and understanding," he said.  "Just like the grinding agent works to make the rocks smooth, God sometimes uses our faults and short- comings to polish each other.  So next time he starts poking you, ask him politely to stop.  Try to get to know him better -- that might help."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tend to lose patience with Christians who don't behave the way you'd like them to?  Remember, none of us is perfect yet.  Ask God to help you to be forgiving and kind to others and to love them the way Jesus tells you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

[Soldier4Christ]

 When Parents Say "No"

Is your dad going to let you go to Jenny's all-night party? asked Leslie as she and her friend Sara walked home from the park.

    "No," said Sara.  "He didn't really say why not. . .just that he didn't want me to go."

    "My parents said no at first, too," replied Leslie, "but I told them how unfair that was and that they never trust me!  They gave in and said I could go.  Why don't you tell your Dad how unfair he's being?  Maybe he'll change his mind too!"

    Sara shook her head.  "You know, Leslie, I really trust my dad," she said.  "I guess since my mom left, I've realized how hard he's trying to make the right decisions for me.  I know he has to say no sometimes.  Maybe you should trust your parents more.  Did you ever think that when they tell you no it's because that's what's best for you?"

    Leslie frowned.  "Oh, that's what they always say!  But I don't believe it.  I think it's mean to boss kids around."

    By now, the girls were on the sidewalk across from Leslie's house.  As they turned to cross the street, her dog, Lady, came running out to meet them.  "Stop, Lady!  NO!" Leslie called out.  Lady stopped right away.  "Good dog!" approved Leslie when she reached her pet.

    "You're sure mean to Lady!" said Sara.  "She just wanted to come meet you."

    "Mean?" asked Leslie in surprise.  "I'm not mean.  If I just let her run across the street, she might get hurt."

    "So saying no was really for her good?" asked Sara with a smile.      "Of course it. . . ."  Leslie stopped.  "Okay. . .okay.  I see your point," she said.  "Parents sometimes have to say no, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry or upset when your parents say no?  God has given them the responsibility of making decisions regarding you.  Even though you don't understand their reasons, trust them and obey.  It's what God says you must do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Fess Up

Todd gasped and choked.  Quickly, he turned so Alex couldn't see his face.  He knew he shouldn't be smoking, but his friend Alex had encouraged him to try it, and he didn't want Alex to laugh at him.  Todd took another short puff.  This time he managed not to cough.

    "How'd ya like it?" Alex spoke to Todd's back.

    "Great," Todd lied.  "Just great."  He glanced at his watch.  "Hey -- I gotta run.  See you tomorrow."  He walked quickly out of the alley and into the sunlight.  Guilt tugged at his heart as he hurried toward home.

    When Todd entered the house, he heard his little sister's voice.  "But, Mommy, I didn't do it!  I didn't."

    "Tiffany," Mother said, "I know you did."

    As Todd looked into his parents' room, the smell of perfume almost choked him.  He saw that the carpet was sprinkled with powder, and tiny footprints led from the vanity to the door.  "You'd better 'fess up, little sister," teased Todd.  "You're caught for sure this time."

    "I. . .I. . . ." sobbed Tiffany, "I didn't. . .mean to.  I was only going to make me s-s-smell pretty for D-D-Daddy."

    Mother tried to hide her smile.  "Well, you certainly did that!  The whole house is going to 'smell pretty for Daddy.'  Go sit in your room while I clean up this mess."  She turned toward Todd.  "And what have you been up to?" she asked.

    Todd gulped.  "I. . .I. . .n-n-nothing," he stuttered, a guilty look on his face.

    Mother looked at him in surprise.  She had been teasing, but now she realized Todd really had been up to something.  "Better 'fess up, Son."  She repeated the words he had used with his sister.

    Todd looked at the floor.  "Well, I just. . .I. . .I. . .Alex offered me a cigarette, and I tried smoking it," he confessed.  "I mean, I took a few puffs.  I didn't smoke the whole thing."

    "Oh, Todd!" exclaimed Mother.  "I'm sorry to hear that you gave in to that temptation."  She shook her head.  "And how did you like it?"

    "It was terrible," admitted Todd, "and I think I've learned my lesson."  He took a deep breath.  "I'm glad I confessed, too," he added.  "I feel so much better, and I think it will help me to say 'no' to Alex next time."

    "I'm sure that's true," agreed Mother, "and don't forget to tell God about this and ask Him to help you."  As Todd nodded, Mother continued, "I hope this is a lesson you'll never forget, Todd -- especially when it comes to confessing sin to God."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there something bothering your conscience?  Do you need to 'fess up?  If so, right now tell God and also your parents -- or whoever is involved.  A clean conscience is a priceless possession.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Do It Now

Tim picked up something from his closet floor and waved it at Allan.  "Remember the game piece we lost when we played 'Spider' last time you were here?" he asked.

    Allan nodded.  "Did you find it?" he asked eagerly.

    "Take a look," said Tim, offering the item to Allan.

    Allan held out his hand and took the object Tim had found.  "Hey!  You did find it!" he exclaimed.  He looked at Tim's closet.  "It's a wonder you ever found it in there," he said.  "What a mess!"

    Tim set up the game board.  "Let's have a game," he said.

    "Don't you want to pick up this stuff first?" asked Allan.

    "Naw.  I'll do it later," replied Tim.

    Allan grinned.  "You're a great one for putting things off," he said.  "Remember the mess we made in the back yard a while ago?  I had to rush home, but you said you'd pick it all up.  Only you didn't."

    "I remember," said Tim.  "Wow!  Was my dad upset!  We couldn't play together for a whole week."  He grinned at Allan.  "When we play at your house, you pick things up right away, don't you?"

    Allan nodded.  "I don't like to leave a mess like that."

    Tim jumped up.  "Okay," he said.  "Let's clean this up right now before my dad gets home.  This time I'll surprise him."

    Together they put games in place and sorted out sneakers, shoes, magazines, and even some dirty socks.  "There," said Tim.  "I took care of what I usually put off.  Now how about taking care of what you keep putting off?"

    Allan looked puzzled.  "What would that be?" he asked.

    "Receiving Jesus as Savior," replied Tim promptly.  He had been witnessing to Allan and taking him along to church for some time.  "I know you said before that you weren't ready, but why not?" he asked.  "You know you're a sinner and that you need Jesus.  You like things to be taken care of right away, and this is the most important thing you need to take care of.  So don't put it off any longer.  Take care of it right now!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you put off receiving Jesus as Savior?  Nothing is more important than that.  If you haven't done so before, won't you trust Him today?  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Ecc 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

[Soldier4Christ]

 Right But Wrong

Angie glanced around the Sunday school room.  "Nicole brought one visitor today," she whispered to Jenna, "but that makes only five for her, and I brought six.  I won!"

    "You brought Maria, didn't you?" asked Jenna looking at the lone figure sitting in the back row.  "I'm surprised to see her here.  Wouldn't she feel more comfortable in the class for special children?"

    Angie shrugged.  "Maybe, but then she wouldn't count for me.  Remember we have to bring visitors to our class."

    "Well, aren't you going to sit with Maria?" asked Jenna.

    Angie raised her eyebrows.  "Are you kidding?"

    Just then Renee joined them.  "Oh, Angie, you look darling in my sweater," she gushed.  "I only wore it once 'cuz it never did fit me right.  But you really should wear the brown skirt I gave you, too.  It's a set, you know."

    At that moment the bell rang.  As Angie took a front seat, her face felt like it was on fire.  She was so humiliated!  She wondered how many of the kids had heard Renee's announcement that she was wearing "hand-me-down" clothes.  I wish she'd never given me this stupid sweater!  Angie fumed inwardly.  I'll certainly never wear it again!  Her angry thoughts ran on and on.

    ". . .possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason."  Miss Judy's words finally broke into Angie's consciousness.  "If we pray so others will think we're great Christians, our motive is wrong.  If we give so others will praise us, it is wrong."

    I hope Renee's listening! thought Angie.  She just gave me her old clothes so she could act like Miss High-and-Mighty and put me down!

    ". . .and if we invite others only so we can win a contest, we should be ashamed."  Miss Judy's voice broke into Angie's thoughts again.

    With a start, Angie remembered Maria in the back row.  She gulped as she realized she was no different from Renee.  I'm sorry, Lord, she prayed silently.  Starting now I'm going to do the right thing for the right reason.  She got up quietly and went to join Maria and ask if she would like to go to the special class or just come and sit with her.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Why do you give?  Pray?  Go to church?  Witness?  Do you do it so others will say nice things about you, or because you love the Lord?  Do the right things for the right reasons, and you will be blessed.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

[Soldier4Christ]

 Too Much Salt

Brett looked up from his plate as he and his family were eating supper.  "You know what?" he asked.  "Keith sure is stupid.  He won't even believe the facts!  Since Pastor Hughes talked about witnessing and being the salt of the earth, I decided to witness to Keith.  I saw him cheat on a test today.  So after school, I told him that he was a sinner going to hell, and that he should repent."

    "Sounds like you came on a little strong," said Dad.  "What else did you tell him?"

    "I invited him to come to church," replied Brett, "but he said he already went.  Then I told him his church must be a pretty stupid one if he wasn't a Christian yet, and he'd better hurry up and get saved before it was too late."

    "Why, Brett!" exclaimed Dad.  "If you insult the person you're talking to, he'll probably just get angry and become completely turned off to the Lord."

    "I don't see that I did anything wrong," replied Brett.  "If Keith won't listen to reason, then that's his own fault."  Brett picked up the salt shaker and started to sprinkle salt onto his food.  After just a few shakes, the top fell off, and all the salt came pouring out onto his plate.  Brett looked in dismay at the food on his plate.

    "Oh, no!" cried Mother.  "I must not have put the top on tight when I filled the shaker this afternoon!"   

    "You know, Brett," said Dad, "I'm wondering if you gave Keith 'too much salt' today, too.  All that salt on your food has spoiled it.  And when you hit Keith with all that talk today, you may have given him too much too fast and spoiled his interest in spiritual things."

    Brett got up to get a new plate.  "Do you think so?" he asked.

    "I'm afraid so," replied Dad.  "Why not apologize to him tomorrow?  Don't stop witnessing, but next time try to be kind and tactful.  Be sensitive to the other person's feelings."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you witness to your friends?  It's important that you do so; you may be the only Christian they know.  It's also important to be careful as to how you go about it.  Show love and concern, trying not to offend people.  They have feelings just like you do.  Pray about it, and then trust the Lord to give you the right words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Big Or Small

Have you finished cleaning your room already? asked Mom as Jeff joined her on the front porch.  Jeff nodded, but he avoided his mother's eyes as he seated himself on the porch swing.  He actually had not cleaned his room at all, but he intended to be sure to get it done before she checked later that afternoon.

    "You know, Mom," he said, "I'm glad I'm not as bad as Rick."  He waved at the neighbor boy.

    "Oh?"  Mom gave Jeff a questioning glance.

    "Rick does such bad things all the time," explained Jeff.  "He cheats sometimes when we play games, and he can tell the biggest lies!  I've heard him swear, too."

    "I'm glad to hear that you don't do those things," replied Mom, "but I assume you do sin sometimes.  Right?"

    "Oh. . .well. . .sure."  Jeff remembered the lie he had just told his mother -- but it was such a "little" one.

    "Well, don't think that your sins are less important in God's eyes than Rick's are," Mom continued.  "Besides, God doesn't compare you with Rick.  You are either guilty or not guilty."

    "What do you mean?" asked Jeff.  "I don't get it."

    "I mean that God looks at sin and sees it for what it is.  There are no big sins or small sins from God's point of view," explained Mom.  "He says that if we break just one small part of the law, we are as guilty as we would be if we broke every part of it.  It's all just plain sin to Him."

    "Does that mean I might as well do the things Rick does because it's all the same to God anyway?" asked Jeff.

    "Of course not," replied Mom.  "It means that when people do things like that, we shouldn't think we're so much better than they are.  We commit sin, too, so instead of pointing a finger at others, we should confess our own sin to God and determine, with His help, to do better."

    Jeff was quiet for a moment.  Suddenly he jumped up.  "I didn't really clean my room," he confessed as he headed for the door.  "I'm sorry.  I'm going to do it now."  He stopped and turned back.  "And I'll think twice before I start saying that I'm better than somebody else!" he added.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know somebody who cheats, lies, steals, or does other things you wouldn't think of doing?  Don't have a "holier than thou" attitude.  Remember that you do wrong things, too -- and to God, sin is sin, no matter how large or small you think it is.  He can't stand sin of any kind.  Ask God's forgiveness, and ask Him to help you be less critical of others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Nick's Prayers

Nick came running into the house as fast as he could.  "Mom! It worked!" he shouted.  "Pastor Dunn said we should pray for our enemies, so all week I've been praying for Todd."

    "Isn't he the boy who knocked you off the swing at school a few weeks ago?" asked Mom.

    Nick nodded.  "He's always mean.  Nobody likes him.  Anyway, I've been praying, and God answered my prayers.  Today Todd had to go to the hospital to have his appendix out, and he won't be back in school for quite a while!"

    "What has that got to do with your prayers?" asked Mom in surprise.

    "I asked God to make something bad happen to Todd -- to get him back for all the mean things he's done to me," explained Nick impatiently.  "And God did it!  Just think!  Todd will be way behind in his school work now.  Maybe he'll get so far behind that he'll flunk this year and have to stay back!  And. . . ."

    "Hold on!" exclaimed Mom.  "You prayed for something bad to happen to Todd?"

    "Sure."  Nick shrugged.  "You didn't think I was gonna pray for nice things to happen, did you?"

    "Nick," said Mom, "when the Bible talks about praying for your enemy, it means you should ask God to help you be nice to that person and not hate him.  You should also ask God to help you set a good Christian example for him, and pray that he'll be saved, too."

    "Really?  I guess I've been doing it all wrong," said Nick thought- fully.  "Oh, no!" he exclaimed suddenly, and he ran for the door.

    "What is it?" called Mom.

    "I just remembered," shouted Nick through the screen door.  "All my friends decided to pray for their enemies, too.  I've got to stop them before something terrible happens!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who doesn't like you, or who isn't very nice to anybody?  Pray for that person, not against him.  The Bible also says you should love such a person.  It may not be easy at first, but after a while you may find that someone you thought was an enemy really isn't so bad after all.  Try it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Best Pattern

Let's go pick out the material for your new dress, Heather, said Mother.  "It will do you good to get out."  Heather sat up and blew her nose.  She had just learned that her father was being transferred to a different city and she would have to say good-bye to her friends.  Mother continued, "If this is the will of the Lord for our family, it's what we want because it's best for us.  We have put our lives in God's hands, and now we must trust Him."  Mother pulled Heather to her feet.  "Come on.  Let's go shopping."

    When they entered the fabric shop, Heather almost immediately spied some material she liked.  "Oh, Mom!" she exclaimed.  "Can we get this material?  It's so pretty!"

    Mother nodded.  "It's your color," she agreed, "and the price is right,  too.  Let's find a pattern."

    Seated at the counter, they flipped through the large pattern books.  "Here's the pattern I want," Heather said after a bit.  "All the girls are wearing this style."

    Mother leaned over to see the pattern Heather had chosen.  She shook her head.  "That pattern isn't right for the fabric you've chosen," she said.  "I don't think you'd be happy with the finished product."

    Heather gritted her teeth and sighed loudly.  "Then you'll have to choose the pattern!" she said.  Mother suggested several other patterns, but Heather just shrugged.  "I don't care which one you get," she grumbled.

    Late one afternoon of the next week Mother called, "Heather, your dress is finished.  Come and try it on."

    Heather hated to admit that Mother's choice of a pattern was a good one, but she did like it.  As she was modeling it, Dad came home.  He whistled.  "My, what a beautiful young lady I see."  Heather beamed.  But before she could reply, Dad continued, "I've got good news for you.  We aren't the only ones being transferred to Houston.  The Farleys are, too."

    "The Farleys!" Heather squealed.  "My best friend, Dawn, is going to live in Houston, too?"

    Dad nodded.  "It certainly is more than coincidence that we are all being transferred at the same time."

    Mother smiled.  "See, Heather, the pattern God has for our lives isn't always the one we want, but if we simply trust Him, everything turns out beautifully in the end.  I must admit, we're not always able to see it so quickly.  In fact, sometimes He doesn't allow us to see it at all in this life.  But we need to trust Him.  He does know what's best for us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you having trouble understanding some things that are happening to you?  Remember, God is cutting and piecing your life together.  Trust Him.  He always uses the pattern that is best for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 145:9  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Hurt Finger

Troy grimaced as he struggled to unscrew the lid of a small bottle of paint.  Dad had left to run an errand, and Troy wished he would hurry and return.  He and Dad were going to use the paint to decorate the model airplane in the kit that Troy had gotten for his birthday.

    Troy's face turned red as he tried with all his might to turn the lid.  When he failed, he grew angry and impatient.  He took the bottle out to the garage, picked up one of Dad's screwdrivers, and tried to pry off the lid.  The screwdriver slipped and jabbed his finger.  "Ouch!" Troy cried as he watched a tiny trickle of blood run from the cut.  He put the bottle down and went in for a bandage.

    When he returned to the garage, he met Dad just returning home.  "What did you do to your finger?" Dad asked, looking at the bandage on Troy's hand.  Troy explained about the lid.  "Did you read the directions on the bottle?" asked Dad.

    Troy shook his head.  "Directions?" he asked.  "To open a bottle?  I didn't know there were any."

    Dad picked up the paint and pointed to the writing on the top of the lid.  "It says to push down and then turn."

    Troy followed the directions and the lid came off easily.  "Guess I should have paid attention," he said.  "I didn't even see those directions before."

    Dad looked thoughtful.  "Remember our discussion last week when you asked why you should read the Bible and memorize your verses?"

    Troy nodded.  "You said the Bible gives us directions for life," he replied, "and that without those directions, we may do things that are wrong and then we're sure to get hurt.  Like I hurt my finger when I ignored the directions on the bottle of paint, right?"

    "Right," said Dad, "only you can get hurt a lot worse when you don't follow God's directions on how to live a Christian life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read the Bible to learn God's directions for your life, or do you attempt to do things your own way?  Not following God's directions can result in getting hurt.  Read the Bible and do what God says.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Look At The Heart

Wow, Mom!  I never knew all this stuff before.  Keith was sitting on the floor, looking through an encyclopedia.  "I'm doing a report on the heart for school.  It's amazing how complicated we're made!"

    Mother nodded.  "What did you learn?" she asked.

    "Well, it says here that in just twenty-four hours, the heart pumps over 5,000 quarts of blood and makes it circulate through our bodies over a thousand times.  And listen to this!  If all our blood vessels were laid end to end, they would stretch almost 100,000 miles!  And, the most amazing thing is that the heart is only about as big as a fist -- yet it can do all that stuff."  Keith paused as he wrote the facts on his paper.

    "The Bible talks about the heart, too, Keith -- but in the Bible the word 'heart' represents our thoughts, attitudes, values, and emotions instead of the actual organ in our bodies.  In Jeremiah we read that the heart is deceitful and wicked."

    "Yeah," said Keith.  He had memorized that verse for Sunday school.

    "We're all born with a sin nature," continued Mother, "but God loves us so much that He gave His Son to take the punishment for our sins.  When we trust in Christ as Savior, God gives us a new, clean heart."

    Keith nodded.  He had heard about the need for a new heart as long as he could remember, and a few years before, he had accepted Jesus as his Savior.  "Mom, do you know what I'm going to do?" he said.  "I'm going to put all that in my report.  After all, our teacher says we're supposed to put down everything we can find about our subject."

    "Good idea!" approved Mom.  "What a great chance to tell him about the Lord!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a new heart?  In Jeremiah you can read about the sinfulness of the heart.  That sinfulness can be taken care of only by believing in Christ as Savior.  If you have never taken care of your sinful heart, why not do so today?  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Aunt Sue's Gift

Kevin waved the brown package excitedly.  "Look what came in the mail!" he exclaimed.  "I think it's a birthday present from Aunt Sue!"  He eagerly ripped the paper off the package.  Taking out a book, he frowned.  "Missionary stories," he said unhappily.  Kevin didn't do much reading, and when he did, it was usually a mystery or sports story.  Tossing the book on the table, he reached for a sports magazine.

    A couple of months later, Kevin's family provided housing for Dr. Jackson, who was at their church for a missionary conference.  Kevin found the meetings very interesting, and he especially enjoyed talking with Mr. Jackson at home.  He listened attentively when Mr. Jackson told a story about a leopard that had once stalked his trail.  "Several Indians and I were on our way to preach in one of the villages," said Mr. Jackson.  "All day, we were aware of the leopard following us, and we expected it to attack any moment."

    "So what happened?"  Kevin's eyes were wide with fear.

    "Well," said Mr. Jackson, "surprisingly, the leopard never did attack.  It finally just quit following us and left us alone.  I find that exciting, because I know God was answering the prayers of many of His people back home."

    All too soon, Mr. Jackson was gone, and Kevin missed him.  "Sure wish I could talk to him again and get to know him better," he said a few days later.  Taking a book from the bookcase, he idly turned the first few pages -- then suddenly sat up straight.  "Mom!  This book from Aunt Sue is written by Mr. Jackson!"  Soon he was eagerly reading, unaware of the world around him.  When bedtime came, he could hardly put the book down.  "I feel like Mr. Jackson is a good friend," he said.

    "You met Mr. Jackson and then got to know him through his book," said Mother, smiling.  She looked thoughtful.  "You know, Kevin, that's something like God and  the Bible.  Some don't want to read God's book because they've never met Him.  But those of us who have can get to know Him like a friend as we read His book -- the Bible."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes wish you knew God better -- like your Sunday school teacher or your pastor does?  Are you willing to do your part to know Him?  Be sure to do your Sunday school lessons.  And listen to your pastor, even though you may not fully understand his sermons.  There's a book to help you, too -- the Bible.  Read it regularly.  It will help you get to know God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Hard Job For Mike

Mike didn't take part in the Sunday school discussion about different ways they could witness to their friends.  However, when class was over, he waited until the others had left so that he could talk to Mrs. Winfield privately.  "What is it, Mike?" she asked gently.  "You were very quiet today."

    "It's my family," Mike told her.  "I come to church with my neighbors.  My parents don't mind that I come, but I'm the only one who believes in Jesus.  So they're the ones I really want most to witness to.  But my dad is always telling me that church is crazy, and my mother laughs when I try to tell her about God or the Bible."  Mike sighed as he added, "The other kids in the class all come from Christian homes.  They don't know how good they have it!"

    "It is hard to be the only Christian in the family," agreed Mrs. Winfield.  "I know, because I started attending church with a friend, too, and it was at church that I accepted the Lord.  I prayed for my parents daily, yet they seemed to grow more and more uninterested in what I was learning."

    "What did you do?" Mike asked.

    "What I did was talk to my Sunday school teacher, and she reminded me that the Lord understood my situation, and the problems I was having in a non-Christian home.  Then she showed me a verse I hadn't seen before."  Mrs. Winfield opened her Bible.  "Did you know, Mike, that the Lord's own brothers didn't believe in Him?  Look -- right here in verse five of John chapter seven we read about them."

    "I never knew that before," Mike said thoughtfully.  "The Lord does understand my problem, doesn't He?"

    "He sure does, Mike," agreed the teacher.  "Remember that truth as you pray for your parents, and live each day so that they can see Christ in you."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you the only Christian in your family?  Do your parents or brothers and sisters think it's silly to believe the Bible?  The Lord does understand.  He knows you're in a tough situation.  There was a time when His own brothers did not believe in Him, either.  Talk to the Lord about your feelings -- He will help you.  And don't give up.  Keep witnessing to your family.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

[Soldier4Christ]

 Instant Everything

Can I fix supper tonight? asked Chris.  "It'll be fun."

    "Sure," said Mom, "but it will just be you and Doug and me.  Dad has a business dinner tonight."

    "Oh, let's have TV dinners then, okay?" asked Chris.  "I know how to do them.  And can I fix some instant pudding for dessert?"

    "If you like," agreed Mother.  "I've already made a  salad -- it's in the refrigerator.  You can fix some brown-'n-serve rolls, too.  Think you can handle that?"

    "No problem," said Chris, and she went to work.  Soon the meal was ready, and even Doug admitted that it was pretty good!

    The next day when Chris got home from school, she was very upset with one of her friends.  "You know what happened today, Mom!" she exclaimed.  "Instead of collecting our homework, our teacher just asked us if we all had it done.  Sandy told me this morning that she hadn't finished hers, but when Miss Derks asked her, Sandy said she had it done!  She calls herself a Christian, but she lied!"  Chris finished in disgust.

    "That's too bad, but do keep in mind, Chris, that Sandy's been saved for only a little while," responded Mom.

    "But, Mom," protested Chris, "she lied!  You make it sound like it doesn't even matter!"

    "It does matter, and I'm not excusing what Sandy did," answered Mom.  "I'm just suggesting that you shouldn't be too hard on her.  You do wrong things too, you know."

    "But, Mom," protested Chris, "she. . . ."

    "Hold on a minute," said Mom.  "I'm afraid that in this day and age we get the idea that everything should be 'instant' -- like the meal you made last night.  The things you fixed were very easy and quick to make because they were all instant foods.  But spiritual maturity doesn't come that way.  It's more like the salad I made -- that took quite a bit of time.  It takes a lot of time to become a mature Christian, too.  You may be expecting too much from Sandy too soon."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are any of your friends new Christians?  Remember, when you accept Jesus as your Savior, you are instantly saved -- but you aren't instantly mature.  Be patient with your friends, and make sure you set a good example for them to follow.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.