Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

The Price is Right

God will bless you when others hate you and won't have anything to do with you. God will bless you when people insult you and say cruel things about you, all because you are a follower of the Son of Man. Long ago your own people did these same things to the prophets. So when this happens to you, be happy and jump for joy! You will have a great reward in heaven.  Luke 6:22-23 (CEV)

There is a television game show called "The Price is Right" that has been on the air for fifty years.  Perhaps some of you have seen it. On the show, the contestants play various games in which they must guess the correct price of different items.  One of the games they play is the price matching game.  Here is how it is played:  There are several different items and price tags. The contestants have to match the correct price tag with each item.

I thought it might be fun to see how well you might do playing "The Price is Right," so I have brought several items and price tags.  We will see if you can match each item with the correct price tag.  (Allow some time for the children to match price tags with the items you have brought.)  That was fun, wasn't it?  As you can see, it isn't always easy to decide what the right price is.  You have to have a very good sense of the value of things.  That is not only true in playing "The Price Is Right," it is also true in real life.

Many people have some really mixed up values about what is important in life.  For example, some people might think that the most important thing in life is to be popular.  They will do anything to be popular and they will eventually discover that they have put too high a price tag on popularity.

There are other who people think that being rich is the most important thing in life. They are even willing to lie, cheat, and steal if that is what it takes to get rich. They will discover that if being rich is more important than being honest, then the price tag is way too high.

Jesus did not want us to be confused about what is important in life.  One day he taught a lesson to teach what is really important.  He taught that devoting your life to seeking wealth, happiness, and popularity would leave you empty.

Well then, what is the most important thing?  Jesus taught that the greatest reward comes by following Him and making him the Lord of your life.  But it has a price tag on it.  He warned that other people might not like you, they might exclude you from their circle of friends, they might talk about you behind your back.  But, don't worry, Jesus said you will have your reward in heaven.  That has the highest price tag of all, but Jesus paid the price!

Dear Jesus, there is no greater thing than knowing and following you. Thank you for paying the price so that those who do follow you will have their reward -- forgiveness for sin and eternal life in heaven.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Dirty Clothes . . . Again?

"Mom! Where are you?" called Hailey.

"Helping Ella with her bath," answered Mom. Hailey ran upstairs. "Actually, we're finished," added Mom. "Ella just needs to get dried off and dressed."

Four-year-old Ella peeped out from behind the shower curtain. "Mommy, I want my red pants and flowered shirt," she said.

"But honey, you were wearing that before your bath, and it's dirty," said Mom. "You can wear this nice, clean, yellow outfit."

"I want the red one!" protested Ella, pouting. "It's my bestest one!"

"Yeah, but you're clean now," Hailey told her little sister, "so you have to wear clean clothes."

"Exactly!" agreed Mom.

"Hey, that's kinda like what Mrs. Richards said in Bible Club today," said Hailey. "She talked about accepting Jesus and putting off our old self and putting on a new one. I didn't quite get it, but it's like Ella needing to change her dirty old clothes for clean ones, right?"

Mom nodded. "Before we receive Christ into our hearts, we're like Ella before her bath-and you know what that's like!" she said with a grin.

Hailey giggled as she pictured her chubby sister, clothes spattered with mud, face sticky and sweaty, arms and legs covered with dust and dirt. "I sure do," she said. "When we ask Jesus to come into our lives, it's like taking a bath and getting all cleaned up, right?"

Mom nodded. "Yes, and after that, we must put away our 'dirty clothes'-sinful practices like lying and greed and deceit, and attitudes such as feelings of envy and anger and pride. Sometimes we don't want to do that. We cling to those things, like Ella clings to her favorite red outfit. But our 'old clothes' . . . our old selves . . . are no longer fit to be part of our lives." Mom helped Ella slip into the yellow outfit. "We need to wear fresh, new 'clothes'-kindness, humility, patience, love, and other things that are appropriate for our new life in Christ."

"I like this yellow outfit," announced Ella suddenly. "It's pretty, and I want to wear it all the time!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and make you clean? Have you put away sinful ways that have been part of your old way of life? Perhaps you've frequently told lies, cheated, been unkind to a classmate, or been selfish. Put those sinful things away and put on a "new self." Be honest, do chores cheerfully, help little kids, run errands. In general, treat others the way you like to be treated. You can't change on your own power, but as you depend on God, He'll change you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Vital Signs

Kevin pushed open the door with "Dr. David Brown" stenciled on it.  As he entered the waiting room, the office nurse smiled at him.  "Hi, Kevin," she said.  "Your father's almost done for the day."

    Soon Kevin and his father were in their car, headed for home.  "Dad, when someone comes for a checkup, how do you tell whether they're sick or not?" Kevin asked.

    Dr. Brown grinned at his son.  "Well, when a patient comes in for an exam, I first ask if he has any complaints," he explained.  "I also check height and weight, blood pressure, and heartbeat.  I listen to the lungs, and I look at the ears, eyes, nose, and throat.  If I suspect any illness, I usually order some blood work or make some other tests.  But generally, if the vital signs are all okay, the patient is healthy."

    "That doesn't sound very complicated," said Kevin.  "Why is a checkup so important if that's all there is to it?"

    "If everyone would have an examination regularly," replied Dad, "I'm certain many illnesses could be detected and treated before they become serious."  As he pulled into the driveway, he added, "There's another kind of checkup that's even more important -- a spiritual one.  And that's one we can give ourselves."

    "How do we do that?" asked Kevin.

    "By examining the 'vital signs' of our Christian life," said Dad.  "Things like prayer and Scripture reading habits -- have they become irregular?  And then there's church attendance and our general attitude toward spiritual things.  If we have bad feelings towards anyone, we need to repair the relationship as soon as possible.  We need to ask God to reveal any areas of sin in our lives."

    "How about checking on whether we're witnessing to our friends or doing some kind of work for the Lord," suggested Kevin thoughtfully.

    Dad nodded.  "Good thinking," he said.  He grinned at Kevin.  "Let's both give ourselves a spiritual checkup today."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you gave yourself a spiritual checkup?  You'd be surprised at how often a simple lapse in Bible reading, prayer, or church attendance can lead to big problems.  God doesn't want your Christian life to be an unstable, unhappy experience.  Be sure to take regular "checkups "!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Lam 3:40  Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Good Fisherman

Chuck loved fishing.  He always took a long time getting ready.  He would check his tackle box to make sure all his lures and hooks were in order, and he would check his rod thoroughly.  He'd also dig a good supply of worms.  All his care paid off.  He nearly always came home with a string of fresh fish in his hand.  Sometimes his friend Kenny went with him.  They had great times together -- fishing, talking, and especially eating the picnic lunch they always carried.

    One evening, Chuck's mother noticed that he was unusually quiet at the supper table.  "Is something wrong?" she asked.

    "Well, when Kenny and I were eating the lunch you sent with us today, he asked me why I always bow my head and close my eyes for a few minutes before I eat," replied Chuck.  "I told him I was praying, and he asked what praying was and why I did it."

    "And what did you tell him?" asked Mother.

    "I told him that praying was talking to God, and I was thanking Him for the food.  Then he started asking me about church and God, and all sorts of questions, and I didn't know what to say!  I never thought about why we go to church, or how I know that God loves me.  I just know, that's all!" he finished in frustration.

    "Oh, I see."  Mother was thoughtful.  "Do you know what it means to be a 'fisher of men,' Chuck?"

    "Sure," answered Chuck.  "It means to try to bring others to Jesus.  We studied that in Sunday school."

    "Well," said Mother, "before you go fishing for fish, you're always very careful and thorough in getting ready.  You should be that way about fishing for men, too.  Let's think about the things Kenny asked you, so that when the chance comes, you'll be ready with an answer for him -- or for anyone who asks.  And you need to be familiar with God's Word, too, in order to be a successful fisher of men."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have your friends ever asked you questions you didn't know how to answer?  Praying, reading your Bible, and memorizing Scripture will help prepare you for unexpected questions.  Be familiar with your Bible and know where to locate passages about salvation.  Be an effective "fisher of men. "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

[Soldier4Christ]

 On The Right Track

Passenger trains no longer stopped at Centerville, but for the city's anniversary celebration, there was a train running on the old tracks once again.  Rides were free, and John begged his dad to go with him.  Dad agreed, and together they climbed aboard.  But it seemed as though the train would never start.  "Shouldn't we be going by now?" John asked.

    Dad looked around.  The car was not very full.  "Maybe they're waiting for more people,"  he suggested.

    Just then a conductor stepped into the car.  "Guess you folks didn't read the sign," he said.  "This car's not going anywhere."

    John looked at the few people on the train and then at the conductor.  "How come?" he asked, looking bewildered.   

    The man laughed.  "Because this car's not hooked up to the engine," he said.  "It's on a second track.  The train on the track we're using will be back soon, and then you can have a ride."

    John and his father and the others got off the train to wait.  "We had good intentions of taking that ride," Dad said, putting his hand on John's shoulder.  "But good intentions didn't get us there."

    "That sounds like a good sermon topic," John said, looking down the track to see if there was a train coming.

    Dad agreed.  "You're right.  Some people think they're headed for heaven just because they attend church.  But being in a church doesn't necessarily mean you're in Christ."

    "Guess we could say you have to be hooked up to the engine," John added.  "If you haven't come to Christ, and confessed your sin and asked Him to be your Savior, you're just not on the right track."

    When the train returned, John and his father were careful to board one of the cars right behind the engine.  "I know we're going somewhere this time," John said as they sat waiting for the train to start.  "I checked to see if this car is hooked up, and it is."   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Some people don't check to see what the Bible says about the way to heaven.  They think that whatever their church teaches must be right.  God's Word says there is only one way to heaven, and Jesus is that way.  Have you accepted Him as the way?  Get on the right track -- trust in Jesus if you want to go to heaven.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Most Dangerous Animal

Jason and his parents were visiting the zoo, and Jason especially enjoyed seeing the lions, bears, and other wild animals.  "Wow!  Look at that bear yawn!" he exclaimed at one cage.  "See all those teeth?  I bet he could really do some damage if he came after you!"  A short time later, he was equally impressed with a large tiger who scowled warily at them.  Jason shivered.  "Imagine something like that sneaking up on you in the jungle!"  he exclaimed.  When they started for home, he asked, "Dad, which of the animals do you think is the most dangerous?"

    "That's a good question, but I guess I'll vote for the lion," replied Dad.  As they drove away he added, "There's something even more dangerous to people, though.  Look out the window -- what do you see?"

    "Well, we're right in the middle of the city!" replied Jason.  "There are some old bars and theaters.  Over there, a cop is talking to someone who's drunk -- and it looks like there's an accident up ahead, next to that burned-out building with the broken windows."

    "This surely has become a poor section of town," murmured Mother.  "It would be nice if we could avoid it, but it's the shortest route to the highway."

    "But there aren't any animals here, Dad."  Jason wanted to get back to the subject.

    "Literally speaking, you're right," admitted Dad.  "But this street shows the effects of sin in the heart of man, and it's all the work of Satan.  More people die and more hearts and homes are broken because of man's sin, than from all the animals put together.  We wouldn't want to get too close to dangerous animals like the ones we saw in the zoo, but we need to be far more cautious about getting close to sin.  Sin in the heart of a man, woman, or child is the most dangerous 'animal' -- the most dangerous thing -- there is!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you be frightened if a lion or bear crossed your path?  You should be much more frightened of that dirty book or movie, the beer or pot your friend wants you to try, or even that "little white" lie that seems so harmless.  These are things Satan uses to destroy you, and others as well.  Be smart -- stay away from sin!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

[Soldier4Christ]

 They're People Too

It's not fair! Shelly complained as she and her mother walked into the supermarket.  "It's just not fair!  When Mr. Benson said we could have free time to study, I opened my history book, and my pencil fell off my desk.  I couldn't reach it from where I was sitting, so I stood up to get it, and he yelled at me!  Didn't ask why I was standing up or anything -- just told me I had to write 'I will not stand up in class' fifty times!  It's ridic. . . ." Shelly's voice stopped in the middle of the word as she spotted Mr. Benson himself at the produce counter.

    The teacher nodded to Shelly and her mother and then looked awkwardly at his cart.   "I'm not used to planning meals and doing the grocery shopping," he said, "but my wife is in the hospital for some surgery.  Actually, the biggest challenge each day is getting two of my children to the day care center, and the third to kindergarten."  He sighed.  "Teaching, parenting, and trying to spend as much time as possible with my wife is not easy!"  He turned back to the produce counter.

    "I think now you know why Mr. Benson scolded you unfairly today," Shelly's mom said as they drove home.  "He looked very tired and worn out."

    "I never thought about a teacher having problems before," said Shelly.  "I guess teachers are people, too!"

    "I've had the same experience you've had," Mother told her gently.  "I've felt that someone acted unfairly toward me, only to discover later that a serious personal problem was hurting him.  As Christians, we should be patient and accept other people.  We should be kind and help them with their difficulties instead of becoming angry."

    "I'll ask the Lord to help me be nice to Mr. Benson," Shelly said thoughtfully.  "I'm not mad at him anymore."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do people sometimes treat you unfairly?  It's easy to get angry in such a situation, isn't it?  Remember that the Lord tells you to have patience with others and to be forgiving.  Perhaps they have a problem that you do not know about.  Your friendly attitude could help them feel better.


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]

 The Right Diet

When Susan got home from school, Mother was taking chocolate chip cookies from the oven while Susan's little brother, Joey, watched.  "Those smell so good," said Joey.

    Mother smiled.  "You can each have a glass of milk and two cookies for a snack," she said.

    Joey got his milk and eagerly took two cookies, but Susan shook her head.  "I'm getting ready to run an important track race, so I'm going to have only healthy snacks for the next week," she declared.  Susan chose a banana and took it into the living room, where she turned on the television and settled down to relax.

    After a few minutes, Mother came into the room.  "What are you watching?" she asked.

    Susan blushed.  "It's just an afternoon talk show.  I'm going to turn it off and start on my homework as soon as I finish my banana."

    Mother frowned as she watched the program for a moment.  "You know we don't allow you to watch most of these shows," she said.  "They are not the kind of thing you should be feeding your mind."

    "I'm watching it for only a few minutes," protested Susan.  "I don't think it's going to hurt me."

    "You were so careful to choose a healthy snack today, and that was smart," said Mother.  "You shouldn't feed your body a diet that is not healthy.  And you shouldn't feed your mind a diet -- even a snack -- that is not healthy, either.  The things you feed your mind are even more important than the things you feed your body.  The Bible says that the things you listen to and think about will determine what you become."

    Susan sighed.  "Well. . .I don't want to become like the people on this program," she agreed.  She turned off the television.  "From now on, I'll try to be more careful about what I watch."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about what you feed your mind?  It's good to take care of your body and keep it healthy.  It's important to take care of your mind, too.  The television programs and music that you "feed" your mind can change the way you live and think.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Advice

Tami's little brother spied a glittering piece of broken glass on the ground.  He picked it up and was about to put it into his mouth when Tami stopped him.  Immediately little Troy let out a loud scream that brought Mother out to see what was happening.  "I just took this piece of glass away from him," Tami explained.

    Mother picked up the little boy.  "I'm glad you were watching him," she said to Tami.  "You probably saved him from being cut very badly."

    Tami shrugged her shoulders.  "Yeah, but Troy sure didn't appreciate it.  He thought I was being mean."

    "That's because he's just a baby," said Mother, "and babies don't always understand that you're helping them."

    Later, Tami talked to her mother about a friend.  "Karry is mad at me," she said.  "At first she was mad because her mom wouldn't let her watch some of the TV shows they used to watch before they were Christians.  I agreed with her mom, so now Karry's mad at me, too."

    "That's too bad," sympathized Mother.  "Try to be patient with her.  She's only a baby Christian, you know, and sometimes baby Christians react exactly as Troy did when you took the broken glass away.  When someone tries to help them and protect them from dangerous things, they may resist and become angry because they feel they're not being allowed to live the way they want to.  They often argue and resent guidance from older Christians." 

    When Tami thought about it, she knew she was sometimes like that herself.  She had often thought she knew how to live the Christian life without interference from others -- especially from her parents.  She hoped she wasn't acting that way so much anymore!  She determined in her heart to be more patient with Karry and that she, herself, would not resist or resent the help that older Christians offered to her.   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you accept the advice and help that is offered to you by your parents?  Your pastor?  Your Sunday school teacher?  They are more experienced in life and know more than you do about the dangers and tricks of Satan.  Be open to their guidance.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Blessed And Blessing

As Janet walked into the nursing home with her mother, she wrinkled her nose.  "What's that awful smell?" she asked, disgust in her voice.  She had not really wanted to come here in the first place, and the smell of medication and illness didn't do anything to change her mind!

    "These people are old and sick," Mother replied, "and a sickroom often has an unpleasant odor.  But I think you'll be glad you came after you've visited Grandma Harper and some of the other people here.  They're always such a blessing to me."

    Janet could not imagine getting a blessing from being around these people.  But she had promised to give her Sunday school class a report on her nursing home visit, so she just sighed and followed her mother down the hall.

    They had hardly entered the first room they were visiting when Grandma Harper called out cheerily, "Oh, you brought your precious daughter!"   Then she turned to Janet.  "Honey, you'll have to forgive that outburst, but around here we seldom see beautiful young girls.  Most of us have so many wrinkles we've forgotten what it was like to be young."  She laughed pleasantly as she spoke, and Janet began to smile, too.  Before long, she was telling the elderly woman about her school activities, her Sunday school class, and even about her birthday party.  By that time there were several other people in the room, and at their urging, she sang a song for them.  When they asked for another, Mother suggested that she sing an old, familiar one.  Janet did, and soon several quavering, old voices joined the clear, young one in some well-loved hymns.

    When they were ready to leave, Janet promised to bring other members of her class with her the next time.  "You should hear them sing," she said with a smile.

    Back in the car, Janet turned to her mother.  "You were right, Mom," she said.  "I'm the one who got the blessing."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there elderly people in your hometown who would enjoy a visit from a group of young people?  Many of the sick and elderly are not able to go to church.  Will you visit them and share some of God's blessings with them?  Remember, you, too, will be blessed.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Never Alone

Brad threw his school books on the floor.  "I hate school," he cried.  "Why did we have to move here anyway?  I miss all my old friends!"

    Mom turned from the sink, where she was peeling potatoes.  "I know it's hard," she replied sympathetically, "but you know the reason we moved, Brad."

    Brad sighed.  "Yeah," he admitted.  "Dad's got a better job here."

    "Things will be better after you get acquainted," Mom assured him.

    Brad gathered up his books and went to his room.  He plopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.  No one understands how terrible it is to go to a new school, he thought.  I feel so alone.

    Brad dreaded going to a new church, too.  When he was directed to his Sunday school class on the following Sunday, he slipped into the room and sat down in the back row.  He listened half-heartedly to the teacher telling a story about Elijah.  "Elijah really felt sorry for himself," the teacher said.  "He felt alone and forgot to trust God."

    Brad sat up straight.  Like me, he thought guiltily.

    "But Elijah wasn't alone," the teacher continued.  "God was with him.  And God told him that there were several thousand people in Israel who did not turn away from God.  He told Elijah that he would be given a helper, Elisha, to train for God's service."

    Brad was so deep in thought after class that he was startled when someone spoke to him.  "Hi!" said a voice.  "Remember me?  I'm Tim." Brad looked up and saw a curly-haired, husky boy who sat near him in school.  "I didn't know you'd be coming to church here," continued Tim.  "Hey -- maybe you can go with me to the Bible club we have after school on Tuesdays.  Some others from our class go, too.  They go to a different church.  I'll introduce you to them tomorrow, okay?"

    "Sure."  Brad grinned.  "I'd like that."  As he followed Tim into the church auditorium, he thought, I was feeling sorry for myself -- just like Elijah.  And, all the time God had some new friends just waiting for me.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in a new school or church and feel you are all alone?  Ask God to help you find a Christian friend, who will then help you make other friends.  And, remember, you are not really alone.  God is always with you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Invitation Needed

Wendy eagerly answered the door as her friends began to arrive for her slumber party.  "I'm so glad you could come," she greeted the girls.  "Help yourselves to the snacks."

    Soon the family room was filled with sleeping bags and girls in pajamas.   Wendy glanced around.  "I wonder why Julie isn't here," she said.  "I'm sure she was planning to come.  I'm going to call and see if she's sick."  Wendy went to the phone and dialed Julie's number.  She was surprised when Julie herself answered the phone.  "Hi, Julie," said Wendy.  "You didn't forget about my party, did you?  I thought you'd be here long ago!  Aren't you coming?"

    "Well. . .uh. . .I'm not sure," stammered Julie.  "I mean. . .I didn't get an invitation or anything, so I wasn't sure if I was supposed to come."

    Wendy's heart sank!  "Of course I want you to come!  I've talked to you about this party so much that I thought you knew automatically that you were invited.  Please come!"

    "Okay!" Julie exclaimed eagerly.  "Dad will bring me right over!"

    Later that evening, Wendy's mom was giving devotions.   "I think we can all learn something from the little mix-up that took place here this evening," she began.  "Julie knew about the party, and she knew Wendy liked her, but she had not actually been invited.  She didn't come until she received that invitation -- and we're so glad she's here now."  She smiled at Julie, then continued her lesson.  "Just as Julie didn't come to the party uninvited, so Jesus doesn't come into our lives uninvited," she said.    Mother talked a few more minutes -- telling the girls how Jesus died so they could have eternal life in heaven.  As she ended her talk, she said, "If any of you would like to invite Jesus into your life tonight, come and talk to me after we pray."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you asked Jesus to come into your life?  The Bible tells us to turn away from sin and trust in Jesus to be saved.  You invite Him in by believing on Him, accepting what He has done for you.  Until you do that, He'll still be waiting.  Once you do invite Him in, He promises to stay forever!  Why not do it today?  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 No Rejects

"Mom, you should see the new kid in our class at school," said Tom as he reached for a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. "He's weird!" Mom frowned and pulled another batch of cookies from the oven. "Nobody likes him," continued Tom.

Mom raised her eyebrows. "You don't even know him yet," she protested.

"No, but he's really strange!" insisted Tom. "For one thing, he talks funny." Tom laughed as he remembered. "I don't know what country he came from, but he sure doesn't know English very well!"

"I'm sure he'll learn it when he's been here longer," suggested Mom. "By the way, how many languages can you speak?"

Tom shrugged. "The way he talks isn't all that's weird about him," he said. "His clothes are different from ours, too, and . . ." Tom bit into his cookie. "Well, they are," he insisted when he saw his mother frown. "And he . . ." Tom stopped short as Mom began sorting through the cookies she had just baked. She inspected each one and then separated them onto two different plates. "What are you doing?" asked Tom.

Mom picked up the fullest plate and walked toward the trash can. "Some of the cookies didn't turn out quite right," she said. "These are the rejects. I might as well dump them." She lifted the lid.

"Mom! Don't throw them away!" exclaimed Tom.

"But they're not perfect, Tom. Look . . . these didn't brown evenly," explained Mom, "and they're not nice and round, either."

"They're still good though," protested Tom. "Cookies are never exactly alike, but that doesn't matter. They . . ."

"So we should expect them to be different?" interrupted Mom. "Like people?"

Tom hesitated and then said quietly, "Like the new kid, huh?"

Mom nodded. "Like the new kid," she agreed, "and like all kids and all men and women. God made them all different and special. He loves each one, and He wants us to show them His love, too." She held out the plate of "rejects" toward her son. "Would you like a cookie, Tom?"

Tom took one. "No rejects," he said, and he took a big bite.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble accepting people who dress or talk differently from you and your friends? Or who are different in other ways? How do you treat them? Each time you eat a chocolate chip cookie-or any kind of cookie-remember that it doesn't matter that cookies are not all alike, and it doesn't matter that kids are not all alike, either. Every person is "fearfully and wonderfully made" by God. He loves and accepts each one, and you should accept them, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Roots

Louise and her brother were helping their dad pull stumps in an area behind their house.  It was such hard work!  Louise leaned on her shovel and looked at the hole she was digging around the stump.  "Is this stump ready to pull yet?" she asked, sighing.

    Dad came over and checked her stump.  "Not quite ready," he said.  "Keep digging."  Louise groaned as she threw another shovelful of dirt.

    "I've got a root for you, Dad!" called Tim.

    Dad grabbed the ax and went to Tim's stump.  Chips flew as he chopped the root.  "This one looks ready to pull," said Dad when he finished chopping.  He hooked a heavy chain to the stump.  Then he hooked the chain to the truck.  Tim and Louise cheered as the stump pulled out easily.

    Louise kept digging around her stump.  Soon Dad came over and chopped the roots she had uncovered.  Finally he decided it was ready to pull, too.  He hooked it up to the truck.  This time, the tires spun, and Louise groaned.  But eventually the stump came out.

    After supper that night,  Dad reached for his Bible.  He turned to Ephesians and read several verses emphasizing one phrase. . ."being rooted and grounded in love."  Dad looked up.  "Does this verse remind you of anything?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

    Louise and Tim groaned and rubbed their backs.  "It reminds me of all those roots we had to dig up and chop out," said Louise.  "They were 'rooted and grounded' in the back yard."

    Dad smiled.  "Digging them out was such hard work because the roots were strong and went deep into the ground," he said.  "Now. . .this verse is talking about having strong roots in love.  God is love, so we need to have strong roots in Him.  How do we do that?"

    "By reading the Bible."  Tim and Louise spoke together.

    Dad nodded.  "And by obeying it," he added.  "That's one way to get strong roots in Christ.  What's another?"

    "Ah. . .by praying?" suggested Tim.

    "And by witnessing to our friends?" asked Louise.

    Mom nodded.  "Those are all good," she said.  "And how about by going to Sunday school and church?"

    "Good," said Dad.  "When we develop strong roots, it's hard for Satan to pull us out of fellowship with God by getting us to sin -- just like it was hard to pull the stumps because they had strong roots."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you growing strong roots in Christ?  Do you have devotions regularly?  Do you pray often and attend church faithfully?  Work on developing your "root system," so you can stand strong when Satan tempts you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

[Soldier4Christ]

 Just Like Dorcas

What are you making, Mom? asked Jody as she watched her mother's knitting needles move in and out. 

    "I'm making a baby sweater for one of the ladies at church," answered Mom.  "Mrs. Pauley is having a baby next month."

    "How come you do so many things like that for other people?" Jody wanted to know.

    "I enjoy making things, and I enjoy giving them away," said Mother with a smile.  "When you make something special at school you enjoy bringing it home to me, don't you?"

    Jody nodded.  "Sure, but that seems a little different," she said.  "I mean. . .you're my mom!  But you do a lot of things for people you hardly know."

    "Not as much as Dorcas did," Mother answered.

    "Dorcas?" asked Jody.  "Who's she?"

    "The book of Acts tells about a lady named Dorcas," explained Mother.  "She was a Christian, and she was probably one of the first women who was inspired by Christ to be active in works of love.  She knew how to sew, and she devoted much of her energy and time to making clothes for the widows and poor people.  I imagine she was also their friend and listened to them."

    "Oh, I think I remember hearing about her in Sunday school," Jody said thoughtfully.

    Mother smiled.  "I wouldn't be surprised," she said.  "When Dorcas died, everyone was very sad.  Do you remember what happened then?"

    Jody thought for a moment, then her face brightened.   "Was she raised from the dead?"

    "That's right."  Mother nodded.  "The Apostle Peter was in town at the time, and when he was told about it, he prayed, and God used him to raise her back to life."

    "When I get older I'm going to do things for other people, too -- like Dorcas and you," Jody decided.

    "You don't have to wait that long," said Mom.  "Let's think of something you can do for others right now."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What can you do for someone?  Can you draw a picture, or make a small gift, and give it to your grandparents?  Can you help them by dusting or cleaning?  Help your mother make cookies for someone who is ill?  Make a card for a shut-in?  Mow the lawn or shovel snow for an elderly neighbor?  There are many possibilities.  When you help others, you please the Lord, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 31:20  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.