Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Reason For Discipline

Robert watched as his dad pounded a post into the ground close to a young tree and then ripped old pieces of cloth into strips, getting ready to tie the tree to the post.  "Why do you have to do that?" Robert asked.

    "If I don't," Dad answered, "this tree will not be tall and straight when it grows up."  He put his hand on the small tree trunk.  "See how it's beginning to lean to the left?  If I don't correct that now, it will keep on leaning until it'll be too late to correct it."

    When Dad finished the job, Robert patted the tree, a grin on his face.  "Don't take it too hard, little tree," he said playfully.  "It might hurt now, but you'll be glad later."

    "Is that the way you feel when I have to straighten you out on certain things?" his father asked with a smile.

    "What do you mean?" asked Robert in surprise.

    "Well, when I see you doing things that aren't very Christ-like, it's my responsibility to correct you and help you change your ways," explained Dad.  "Are you glad I do that?"

    Robert didn't answer immediately.  He could remember several spankings he had received when he was younger.  He hadn't liked that, but he guessed they had worked.  Remembering the sting of the spankings had been enough to keep him from repeating his wrong-doings.  Now that he was older, he dreaded other types of punishment -- being grounded, not being allowed to watch TV, being assigned extra duties.  Those things still helped to keep him from doing wrong.  "I don't particularly like to discipline you," Dad was saying, "but if I'm going to be the kind of father you can be proud of, and if you're going to be the kind of son I can be proud of -- and the kind of person God wants you to be -- it's sometimes necessary."

    Robert  knew his dad was right.  "Yeah, I'm glad you correct me," he said with a grin.  "Just don't ask me how I feel about it when it's happening!"   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you feel when one of your parents must correct you for wrong-doing?  Do you get angry and resentful?  God says correction is necessary to make you what you ought to be.  After the "sting" of discipline is over, see if you can't be thankful for what happened.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Sometimes God Says No

Sammy watched his little brother crawling all over the living room.  Jimmy picked up a toy, chewed on it furiously, and then threw it down.  Next, he made his way to the television set and began pushing all of the buttons.  "No," Mom said as she gently picked Jimmy up.  "You're too little to do that."  Jimmy squirmed and fussed a little.

    Sammy smiled as his little brother crinkled up his nose.  "He sure is a busy baby!" he said.

    "Yes, he is,"  Mom agreed.

    Jimmy wriggled free from Mom's arms and threw himself onto the floor.  He crawled to the television set again.  "No, Jimmy!  Mommy said 'no,'" repeated Mom.  She picked Jimmy up and carried him toward his room.  "I think it's time for a nap.  You're a very tired little boy."

    When she returned, Sammy was seated on the floor looking out the window.  He didn't hear his mom quietly slip down beside him.  "Penny for your thoughts," Mom teased.

    Sammy grinned.  "Do you think God gets tired of telling us 'no' sometimes?" he asked.

    "Well, we know that God wants the best for us," Mom said as she hugged Sammy.  "He doesn't want us to be hurt by getting something that isn't good for us."

    Sammy thought for a moment.  "But sometimes we don't like the answers He gives us. . .like Jimmy," he said.

    Mom nodded.  "Yes, but as Jimmy grows older he'll learn to listen to what we say and accept our answers," she said.  "And as we grow and learn more about God, we should learn to accept His answers, too, even when they're not what we wanted."  She pulled Sammy close.  "Trust Him, Sammy," she added.  "Ask Him to help you want what He wants for your life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes ask God for something and then don't get the answer you want?  Do you think God didn't hear you?  He always hears when you talk to Him, and He knows what is the right answer for each situation.  Pray for His will to be done, and trust Him to give you what is best!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

[Soldier4Christ]

 A "Sometimes Christian"

When his mother called, John left his game reluctantly.  "What do you want?" he asked irritably.

    "Please take care of your books, and sweep up the cookie crumbs you left on the floor," said Mother.  "And don't eat any more cookies. I have just enough for the meeting at church."

    John scowled.  "Well, don't leave them out in the open if you don't want them eaten."

    "John!  That was rude!" exclaimed Mother.  "I expect an apology."

    "I'm sorry," John muttered as he got the broom.  His sister, Kara, came into the room while he was sweeping.  Surprised, she asked why he was doing that.  "Scram!" John growled.  "Who asked you to stick your nose in?"

    "Excuse me!" said Kara dramatically.  "I came to tell you something, but now I don't know if I will."  When John punched her in the shoulder, she ran behind the table.  "Mr. Williams, your coach, called today," she said.  "He wants to hire you to do some yard work.  Guess what?  He said to be sure to tell Mom he appreciates your respectful attitude at school!  What a laugh!"

    "What's so funny?" John asked.

    "You are," retorted Kara.  "I guess you got 'em all fooled.  I heard your Sunday school teacher carry on about you, too -- telling Dad all about what a fine Christian you are!  But you better not invite any of your teachers home!  If they saw how you act around here, they'd know what a phony you are."  Suddenly she snapped her finger.  "On second thought, why don't you bring someone home every day?  Then maybe you'd act as nice at home as you do at school."

    What's the big deal? John thought after Kara left.  But he couldn't forget what she had said.  He knew he needed change his behavior at home.  A good way to start would be to apologize to his mother and sister. 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you as kind to your brothers and sisters as you are to your friends?  Do you speak as respectfully to your parents as you do to your teachers?  If you were to be graded on your Christian life, would your family give you an "A"?  Sometimes you can fool people with nice words and a show of good deeds, but your family knows whether or not your life is really showing Christ's love.


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]

 Casting Nets

Wide-eyed, Jason and his sister Heather watched the fisherman on the long pier arrange his big, green net just so.  Then, with a sudden motion, the net glided away out of his hands and over the Gulf of Mexico.   

    "That's quite a skill you have there," Dad told the fisherman.

    The man chuckled as he pulled the dripping net back in.  "Would you kids care to try it?" he asked.  Eagerly, Jason and Heather nodded.  The man showed them how to place the net on the pier and then how to cast it out.  However, instead of landing smoothly out on the water, it bunched up close to the pier.  The man smiled.  "You held on a little too long, but not bad for a first try," he said.  "Casting a net takes some practice.  But the mullet fish I'm after taste so good, it's worth taking the trouble to learn."

 `   After watching a little longer, Jason, Heather, and Dad continued their walk along the sparkling Gulf.  They were enjoying their weekend vacation, but a cloud of sadness hung over Jason and Heather.  Their mother had not been well for some months and had stayed at the motel to rest.

    "I wish Mom could walk out here with us," said Jason.  "Dad, when will Mom get better?"   

    Dad put a strong arm around each of the children and held them close.  "I don't know -- the doctors don't, either," he said, "but I know what we have to do during this time."

    "Oh, what can we do?" asked Heather eagerly.  "We want to help."   

    "Remember how that fisherman cast his net out over the water?" asked Dad.  "It reminded me of a different kind of 'casting.'  Psalm 55:22 says, 'Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.'  That's what we have to do."

    "But, Dad, we already pray every day for Mom," said Jason.

    Dad nodded.  "We'll keep doing that, of course," he said, "but when we've finished praying, we also need to leave our worries with God.  Too often we cast out our worries much like the two of you cast that net; we keep hanging onto them even after praying about them.  But remember how the net sailed from the fisherman's hands, way out over the water?  That's the way we need to cast our worries -- far away from ourselves and onto God."

    Jason nodded thoughtfully.  "I guess we need practice in casting our cares on God -- just like the fisherman had to practice," he suggested.

    Dad nodded.  "I think you're right," he agreed.  "Don't be discouraged and give up.  Go to God as often as necessary and ask Him to help you learn to trust Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
After you pray about something, do you stop worrying about it?  If the worry comes back, take it to the Lord again.  Remember that He loves you and that He understands the problem and is able to take care of it.  He wants to sustain and keep you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 To Grandmother's House Part 1

Jamie's grandparents had called and offered to buy her a plane ticket so she could spend a couple of weeks with them.  She was excited at the thought of flying, but she was scared, too.  "Do you really think I should go?" she asked.  "I won't know what to do.  I might get lost by myself."

    Mother gave her a hug.  "You won't be alone," she said.  "The flight attendant on the plane will look after you.  And when you get off the plane, she'll stay right with you until you meet Grandma and Grandpa.  It will be fun."

    At dinner that night, Jamie eagerly told Dad all about the plan.  "You're sure the flight attendant will take care of me?" she asked, still a bit uncertain.

    Dad smiled.  "I'm sure she will," he assured her as he reached for the family Bible.  "Time for devotions," he added, and he read several verses about the Holy Spirit.  "Your trip to your grandparents will be a little like Christians on their way to heaven to see Jesus," said Dad.  "Sometimes we don't know just what to do.  We feel uncertain and kind of alone.  But we're never alone.  The flight attendant will help you on your trip, and the Holy Spirit helps us each day.  He lives within us.  He will keep us and guide us until we get safely to heaven."  Dad looked at Jamie.   "He'll be there with you on that plane, too."

    Jamie listened thoughtfully, then grinned.  "Okay.  With two guides to help me, it would be silly to be afraid," she decided.  "When do I leave?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes feel alone and uncertain about what you should do?  Do you feel like you don't know how to pray or witness?  If you're a Christian, God has given you the Holy Spirit to teach you.  He will speak to you through God's Word.  He will help you pray, witness, perform an act of kindness, or do any number of other things pleasing to God.  When you feel Him prompting you to do those things, don't hold back.  Yield to God's Spirit and do them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:26  B)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

[Soldier4Christ]

 To Grandmother's House Part 2

Jamie fastened her seat belt.  She was glad she was sitting near the window.  This was her first plane trip, and she didn't want to miss a thing!

    Soon the plane was roaring down the runway.  Oh!  This is fun!  thought Jamie.  When they were airborne, she looked down.  The rivers and highways wound through the countryside like yards of ribbon.  Everything looks so tiny from up here! she thought.  The fluffy, white clouds looked so soft and warm, and they flew right through some of them!  Jamie wondered what it would be like to sit on a cloud and softly float along.

    Jamie enjoyed every minute of her trip.  She was almost sorry when it ended, but she was glad to see her grandparents, who were waiting for her.  Soon she was hugging them tightly.  After thanking the flight attendant for her kindness, they were on their way home.  "How was the trip?" Grandpa asked.

    Jamie's eyes sparkled.  "It was super, Grandpa!  Everything looked so tiny and pretty.  I wish I could have reached out and touched a cloud.  They looked  so fluffy."

    "Someday you just might do that," Grandpa said.

    Jamie was puzzled.  "How, Grandpa?" she asked.

    "Someday Jesus is coming back to earth to take the Christians with Him to heaven," Grandpa explained.  "The Bible tells us that Christians who have died will rise from the graves first.  Then Christians who are alive will be caught up with them 'in the clouds' where we'll meet the Lord in the air.  Maybe you can check out the clouds then."

    Grandma chuckled.  "I think we'll have more important things to think about then," she said.  "I know I will."

    Jamie laughed out loud.  "Yeah," she agreed.  "That will be even more exciting than this trip.  Mom and Dad couldn't afford to come along with me this time, but they'll be there when Jesus takes us all to heaven."

    "That's right," Grandma replied.  "We'll all be together forever!  We'll never have to say good-bye again!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you on your way to heaven?  You can't buy a ticket to get there.  Neither money nor good works will get you to heaven.  There's only one way to go. Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins.  You must confess your need to Him and accept Jesus as your personal Savior to receive the gift of salvation.  If you do that, you can look forward to the day when Jesus will take you to heaven to live with Him forever.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 4:17  W)
We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

 To Grandmother's House Part 3

Jamie was excited to be with her grandparents again.  One morning they packed a lunch and set off for a trip through the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Jamie was enjoying the beautiful scenery when Grandpa slowed the car and said, "Look ahead, Jamie.  What do you see?"

    Jamie blinked her eyes.  Carved into the sides of the mountain were four human faces.  "Mount Rushmore!" she exclaimed.  "We learned about that in school.  One of the men is George Washington and another is Abraham Lincoln.  Who are the other two?"

    "Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt," answered Grandpa.  "They were all United States Presidents.  The man who started dynamiting the rock to form the faces died before it was finished, and then his son took over the job.  It wasn't an easy task.  But look how beautiful it is today!"

    "I like it here," Jamie said after they had parked the car and gotten out for a closer look.  "I wish we lived nearer to you.  Then Mom and Dad could see this, too, and we could see you more often."

    Grandma hugged Jamie.  "We'd like that, too," she said, "but we must remember that God knows our needs.  He carves into our lives the experiences that make us grow to be more like Jesus."

    "It's like this rock formation," added Grandpa.  "If you got up really close, you would see just parts of the rocks.  You need to be at a distance to see all the men's faces -- the whole group together.  And right now, we're too close to the events of our lives to see how they fit.  But God sees the entire picture of our lives from the distance of eternity, and He fashions a work of lasting beauty as we yield to His touch."

    Jamie nodded.  "I need a picture of this," she said, lifting up her camera.

    "It can be a reminder to you," suggested Grandpa.  "It can help you remember that God sees your whole life and is carving it out just right."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you upset about a difficult circumstance in your life?  Does it seem that what is happening to you is just all wrong?  Be patient and trust God to work things out for your future good.  He won't fail you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 64:8 Bu)
But now, O Lord, Thou art our father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Finally Thirteen

Reaching her thirteenth birthday had seemed like the most important thing in Roxanne's life.  "Why do you want to be thirteen?" asked her little sister, Julie.

    "Because now that I'm thirteen, people will think of me as grown up -- or almost," Roxanne replied.

    Julie still didn't understand.  "You mean that last night when you were twelve, you were just a kid, and now, today, you're a grownup?" she asked.

    Before Roxanne could answer, Mother came into the room.  "Roxanne, your father just called from Boston," she said.  "He's been delayed, and he's not going to get home in time for your birthday party.  That means we won't have a car to pick up the cake we ordered at the bakery.  Maybe we. . . ."

    But something inside of Roxanne snapped, and before she knew what she was doing, she yelled at her mother about people not caring how important this day was to her and spoiling it for her.  Without giving Mother a chance to make any suggestion for getting the cake, Roxanne blurted out angry things she didn't really mean.

    Julie looked at her.  "Are you being thirteen or twelve?" she asked innocently.

    The words struck like a barb in Roxanne's heart.  She sighed.  "I'm thirteen in numbers, but only twelve in my actions, I guess.  I'm sorry," she apologized, turning toward her mother.  "I've still got a lot to learn about being grown up."

    Mother smiled at her.  "Why don't you and Julie take the wagon and walk to town and get that cake?" she suggested.  "It isn't far.  You could take your bike, but I don't know how you'd carry the cake on that."

    "But I'm too old to run errands with a wagon," Roxanne began.  Suddenly she stopped and whispered a prayer for help.  Dear Lord, she said sincerely, I think You're going to have to help me be thirteen.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you eager to be older?  Do you think being "grown up" happens automatically at a certain age?  It doesn't.  It's a gradual process.  And just as growing physically and emotionally takes time, growing in the Lord takes time, too.  To do that, you need to spend time in God's Word, listen to His messengers, and talk to Him.  You need to pray for help to become more mature every day -- more like your Savior.  Don't wait to reach a certain age.  Start now!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:18 Bu)
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Bride To Be

Brian!  Look!  Julie pointed to their older sister, Kay.  Brian looked up and watched as Kay picked up an empty dish from the table and put it in the refrigerator.  "That's the second time she did that," whispered Julie.  Brian raised his eyebrows, and they both burst out laughing.

    "Mom," Julie said later, "have you noticed Kay lately?  All she thinks about is Chad coming next week!  She can't concentrate on anything!"

    Mom smiled.  "That's pretty normal for a girl with only a few weeks left till her wedding."

    Julie sighed.  "But all she talks about is Chad."

    Mom laughed.  "I think we should all be more like Kay," she said.  "The Bible calls Christians the 'Bride of Christ,' you know, so we're also waiting for our 'bridegroom' to come.  When Jesus comes back, He'll take us -- His bride -- to heaven.  We should be eagerly looking forward to that time."

    "Well, I hope you don't mean we should put dirty dishes in the refrigerator like Kay did!" said Brian as he came into the room.

    Mom smiled.  "No, but maybe we should talk about Jesus more.  Chad is constantly on Kay's mind because she loves him so much.  That's why she thinks about him and talks about him all the time."

    Julie was quiet.  "I don't think about Jesus all the time.  Does that mean I don't love Him?" she asked.

    "No," Mom said reassuringly, "but if your love for Him doesn't grow, that would be a cause for concern.  Keep following Jesus and think about all He's done for you.  Don't hesitate to talk about Him, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think about Jesus a lot?  Did you know that He thinks about you all the time?  And He loves you even more than people love one another.  Think about how much He suffered so that you may spend eternity in heaven with Him rather than in hell.  And each day, think about the many blessings He provides for you.  As you do that, your love for Him will grow.  As you tell others about Him, it will become more and more natural to talk about Him often.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 3:20  F)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Read And Obey

Joanna slipped quietly through the kitchen, hoping to avoid her mother.  She hung her jacket in the closet and tried to sneak to her bedroom, but Mother appeared in the doorway.  "Hi, honey," Mother greeted her cheerfully.  "I didn't hear you come in.  Did you have a good day?"

    "It was okay." Joanna tried to sound unconcerned.

    "How did you do on that math test?" Mother asked.

    Joanna gulped.  "Not too well," she answered.  "I studied so hard, and then. . . ."  She choked on her words.  Taking the test from her notebook, she handed it to her mother.

    "And then you didn't follow directions," Mother finished for her.  "Joanna, when are you going to learn to read the directions first?"

    "I don't know," Joanna mumbled.

    "Yesterday you tried to make cupcakes.  You didn't follow the directions in the recipe, and what happened?"  Mother asked.

    "I blew it," admitted Joanna, head down.

    "And what about the time you helped me do the laundry?" Mother reminded.  "I told you exactly what to do, but you didn't follow directions."

    Joanna giggled this time.  "Yeah, and Dad ended up with pink underwear."

    Mother smiled, too, but only briefly.  "You know, Joanna," she said, "learning to follow directions is extremely important.  Failure to follow directions could harm you -- both physically and spiritually."

    "What do you mean?" asked Joanna.

    "God's Word is full of instructions.  Often we neglect to follow those instructions, and we cause ourselves a lot of grief," explained Mother.

    "Or sometimes we don't even bother to read the instructions at all," Joanna added thoughtfully.  She hoped Mother wouldn't ask when she had last read the Bible or had devotions.

    "Right," agreed Mother, "and unless you read the directions, you can't possibly obey them -- on math tests or in life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you read God's Word?  The Bible contains many specific directions and many principles which you should follow in your daily life.  Read it and follow the instructions God gives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 3:16  A)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Family Parrot

When Dad finished giving thanks at supper time, two-year-old Joey called out, "Yay-men!"

    Cindy laughed.  "Joey's learning new words," she said as Mother lifted the cover from the casserole dish.  "Yuck!" added Cindy.  "Creamed cabbage.  I hate that!"

    "Yuck!" came the echo from the high chair.  "Hate dat."

    Cindy clapped her hand over her mouth.  "Sorry, Mom!  I shouldn't have said that."

    Mother nodded as she put some of the food on Joey's plate.  "That's right.  But you did say it, and now Joey has heard it, and he may add it to his memory."

    Dad spoke.  "Would you pass the cabbage, please?"

    "Pwease!" Joey shouted.  "Pwease!"  He began to eat heartily, a big smile on his face.  "Yuck!" he said as he took another bite.

    Cindy laughed.  "He doesn't even know what he's saying!"

    "That's true," agreed Mother.  "Joey is like a parrot.  If he hears a word often enough, he learns to say it."

    "I don't think he's the only one in the family like that," observed Dad.  "I've noticed a few bad expressions creeping into your speech, Cindy -- words you've probably never made an effort to learn.  You've just heard them and let them seep into your mind.  And frankly, I doubt that you know what they mean."

    Cindy blushed as she remembered several times her parents had corrected her language lately.  "That's true," she admitted.  "Sometimes I'm surprised myself when I hear the things I say.  Kids at school say that stuff all the time.  It gets in my mind and then just slips out when I talk.  I guess, as a Christian, I ought to be careful."

    Dad nodded.  "We have a big responsibility to spread good words to those around us.  And we have a responsibility to ourselves to allow only good words to become part of our thoughts and hearts."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful to use only words that you would not be embarrassed to have repeated?  Do you think carefully about the meaning of the popular expressions your friends use before you repeat them?  Are you embarrassed to have your parents or your pastor hear you using them?  God hears them.  You are responsible to Him for the words you use.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 12:36  E)
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Linda Looks Back

Linda had never been so miserable in all her life.  She was so home- sick!  Lately it seemed all she could think about was her life "before."  When Dad had been pastor of a church, they'd lived in a lovely big parsonage.  They had visited Grandma and Grandpa nearly every week, and she often was permitted to stay all night.  What fun times they had had!  But all that was "before" -- before they had felt that God wanted them to be missionaries.  Now here she was, half way around the world, far from life as she knew and loved it.  She had to stay at this boarding school for missionary kids while Mom and Dad were off in some jungle for six months at a time!       That evening, Linda's "house father" led the junior age girls in their bedtime devotions.  He read the story of Lot's wife and how she turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back at the cities of sin.  (Genesis 19:17-26)  "This story has a good lesson for Christians," he said.  "Although it's good to look back to see the way God has led us, we shouldn't look back at what 'used to be' and allow it to spoil us for service right now.  We should look back to remember what great things God has done for us, not to see what we're missing from the way things once were."  After a few more comments, he led in prayer, asking God to help all the missionary kids to keep looking ahead.

    Long after the other children were asleep, Linda lay thinking of how God had led her family.  She remembered the missionary conference a few years before when all of them (Mom, Dad, and yes, Linda, too!) had been so burdened for the tribes of people who'd never heard of Jesus.  She remembered how the Lord had called them to go, and how He had helped Mom and Dad finish their training.  She remembered the "commissioning" service when the three of them had knelt as men of God laid hands on them and prayed God's blessing on their work.  She had been eager to serve the Lord then.

    Linda knew she was guilty of looking back.  I'm sorry, Lord, she prayed right there in her bed.  Please forgive me for grumbling and wishing we were back in the States.  I really do want to serve You -- please use me and show me what You want me to do with my life. 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you guilty of looking back to the way things used to be -- and making yourself miserable by doing so?  Perhaps you've moved, and you won't allow yourself to like the new place because you long for the old.  Or maybe there was a time when your family had more money than they do now.  Don't be guilty of looking back and longing for a former way of life.  Serve the Lord in the place He has put you now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 9:62  A)
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Vacation Lessons Part 1

Karen had looked forward to spending part of her summer vacation with her aunt in Colorado.  Not only was Aunt Dee her very favorite aunt, but she owned a jewelry store where Karen loved to roam around, looking at all the beautiful gems.  "Is this a ruby?" Karen asked the first day she visited the store.  "It looks like the one you gave Mom for her birthday."

    "It's not exactly the same," Aunt Dee replied.  "Your mother's is the real thing; this one is synthetic."

    Taking the ring, Karen looked at it carefully.  "Synthetic?" she asked.  "What's synthetic?"

    Aunt Dee laughed.  "Well, I guess you could call it a fake; it's simply not a real ruby -- it's manmade.  It looks very much like a ruby, and probably most people can't tell the difference.  But a trained eye can tell right away that it's not the real thing."

    "Lots of people could be fooled," commented Karen, as she put the ring back.

    Aunt Dee nodded.  "That's the idea," she said.  After a moment she asked, "Did you know that there are even synthetic Christians?"

    "Synthetic Christians?" Karen repeated.  "What do you mean?"

    "The Bible tells us that some people pretend to be Christians but they aren't really born again," explained Aunt Dee.  "To us they look like Christians, but there hasn't been a change inside.  They are fakes -- synthetics.  But God knows who's real and who's faking it."

    Karen thought about that.  She was glad she could say she was really a Christian and not just a synthetic -- a fake.  She knew that when she confessed that she was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive her sin and make her His child, He did, and she became the real thing!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're a Christian because your parents are Christians?  Or because you live a "good" life and do all the things you see other Christians do -- attend church, read your Bible, pray, give?  That won't do it.  You have to be born again (John 3:3), and that's a personal commitment.  Have you ever made that decision?  If not, do so today!  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:21 No)
Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Vacation Lessons Part 2

We're going to have company tonight, Aunt Dee called to Karen, "so take out the good silver and set the table, will you, please?"

    Karen went to the closet, where she knew her aunt kept the good silverware tray, and took it out carefully.  A look of surprise came over her face when she opened the box.  "Aunt Dee," she called in concern, "it's all black and ugly-looking."

    Aunt Dee came into the dining room and looked at the silverware.  "Oops!" she said with a grin.  "I have several tarnish-proof chests at the store -- you'd think I'd remember to bring one home.  We'll have to clean that flatware before we can use it.  I'll help you."

    Karen and her aunt began to polish the tarnished silverware.  "If silver is such a precious metal, how come it turns black like this?" Karen asked.

    "I don't know exactly why it does that," answered Aunt Dee, "but I do know that the longer it sits around in a box or drawer without being used, the more likely it is to tarnish.  Fortunately, it can be polished again, or we wouldn't care to use it anymore."

    "Sort of like Christians," Karen said softly.  She recalled a sermon she had heard about how a Christian's life should be kept clean and shining, ready for the Lord to use.  She mentioned the illustration to her aunt.

    "That's exactly right," Aunt Dee agreed.  "When we allow sinful things to stain our lives and make us unclean, we can hardly expect God to use us in His service.  We should be careful to keep ourselves from becoming soiled by the things of this world.  And we should go daily to the Lord, confessing our sin and asking Him to help us keep from becoming tarnished."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you fit for the Master's use?  Don't allow sin to come into your life and stay there.  Confess your sin and receive God's cleansing.  You must not go back to that sin, but rather turn from it.  Then you're ready to witness to a friend, to sing in the choir, to help in the nursery, or to be used in whatever task God has for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 2:19 Le)
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (sin).

[Soldier4Christ]

 Vacation Lessons Part 3

Karen continued to spend a lot of time in her aunt's jewelry store, and she read several books about gems and jewels.  "Did you read this book?" her aunt asked one evening.  "I think it's my favorite."

    Karen shook her head.  "What's it about?"

    Aunt Dee began to turn the pages of the book.  "It's sort of a history of gems," she explained.  "For instance, in this chapter it tells how gems became so important in ancient days."  That didn't seem especially interesting to Karen, so she didn't ask any questions about it.  But Aunt Dee went on to tell her more anyway.  "It tells how carvings and inscriptions were made in the harder stones -- those that would not chip or break easily.  That made them very valuable.   But then something terrible happened."

    Karen had only been listening half-heartedly, but now she gave it her full attention.  "What terrible thing happened?" she asked.

    "People started using these gems in their worship," Aunt Dee explained.  "In fact, they began to worship the gems themselves, rather than worshipping God."

    "That is terrible!" agreed Karen.  "I can't imagine ever doing that."

    Aunt Dee nodded.  "I know," she said, "but sometimes Christians still worship things instead of God."

    "Christians do?" Karen asked.  She could hardly believe that.  "I wouldn't put anything before the Lord, would you?"

    Her aunt shook her head.  "I don't mean to," she said, "but I must admit that sometimes 'things' become so important to me that I get my priorities mixed up.  Often the things themselves are not evil, but sometimes I let work or television or clothes or some other thing become so important to me, that I forget Whose I am and to Whom I should give my allegiance."

    That was a new thought to Karen.  She decided she had better examine her own life to see if she was really putting God first.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
It's unlikely that you would ever make an idol and actually worship it in the way the Israelites did.  (See today's Scripture reading.)  And you probably won't choose any objects to bow down to, either.  But do "things" in your life become so important that you forget God?  If you let friends, fads, styles, or other things become too important, there is a danger of neglecting God.  Check yourself!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 2:17  T)
The world passeth away and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.