Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Heavy Burden

"Mom, I wish Dad still lived here," said Kyle as he finished getting ready for school. He sighed deeply. "I . . . I wish I had behaved better. Then maybe he wouldn't have left."

"Honey, Dad's leaving had nothing to do with you. He loves you as much as ever," Mom said patiently, putting an arm around Kyle.

"You're sure?" asked Kyle. Mom nodded, but Kyle sighed again. Both his mom and dad had said that many times. He wanted to believe them, but there was an ache in his heart that wouldn't go away. He was sure if he hadn't whined so much, or if he had obeyed more quickly, Dad wouldn't have moved out.

At school, thoughts of his dad often popped up between the sentences Kyle was reading. He finally got his mind off his problems when his teacher showed the class an interesting book. "May I take it home today and show my mom?" Kyle asked timidly. He was thrilled when Mrs. Groves agreed.

Kyle took the heavy book and began walking home. As he walked, it seemed to grow heavier and heavier. "Look what I've got," he said when his mother met him at the back door. "This book is so cool-but it makes my arm ache."

Mom nodded. "That book is awfully big," she said. "It's a burden too heavy for you to carry." She reached down and took the book. "It reminds me of what we talked about this morning-how you keep thinking it's your fault that Dad left." Mom spoke quietly as she carried the book to the table. "Feelings can also be a heavy burden," added Mom, placing an arm around Kyle's shoulder. "The feeling that Dad's leaving is your fault is a burden too heavy for you to carry."

"I sure wish I didn't have that feeling," Kyle said. "It hurts worse than my arm."

"I know," said Mom gently rubbing his aching arm. "Jesus invites us to give our burdens to Him. He promises to give us rest and strength. Wouldn't you like Him to carry that burden for you?" Kyle nodded. "Let's talk to Him about it," suggested Mom, so they bowed their heads and prayed together. "Now," said Mom, "any time you feel like Dad's leaving is your fault, go to Jesus again, and remember that He'll carry the burden for you. Will you do that?"

Kyle nodded. His arm still hurt, but the ache in his heart felt much better.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a burden that's too heavy for you? If your parents are separated, do you wonder if it's your fault? Do you worry about someone who has a drug or alcohol problem? Do worries about school or friends often fill your mind? Talk about your heavy burdens to an adult-someone who can help you turn them over to Jesus. He loves you and wants to carry them for you. When they seem to return to you, give them right back to Jesus-and learn to leave them there.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. Psalm 55:22

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Best Hamburger

Dad sure looks tired lately, Jenny told her brother, Steve.  It was Saturday morning and the two children were playing in the front yard.  Just a few minutes earlier, they had watched their dad slowly walk down the road to the bus stop.  Even though it was the weekend, he had to go to the office.

    "Dad's tired because of that big report he's getting ready for the convention next month," Steve explained.  "I heard him talking about it on the phone last night."

    "Mom's been awful busy directing Vacation Bible School and getting the house ready for company," said Jenny.  "Wish we could help."

    "Well, we helped Mom with the cleaning," said Steve, "but there are some jobs kids just can't do!"

    Thoughtfully, Steve and Jenny threw a ball back and forth.  "Steve," said Jenny excitedly, "how much money do you have?"

    Steve grinned.  "I'm rich!" he said.  "All last week I helped Mr. Parker clean out the back room at his grocery store, remember?  And he said he could use me later, too.  Why?"

    "I've got quite a bit of baby-sitting money saved up," said Jenny, "and I thought maybe we could take Dad and Mom out for dinner.  We don't have to go to the most expensive place in town, but it would let them know how much we love and appreciate them."

    "Hey!  Good idea!" agreed Steve.  And that's just what Jenny and Steve did!  Their parents were very surprised.

    "You know," said Dad as they were eating, "this is the best hamburger I've ever tasted!  The Psalmist sure knew what he was talking about when he said, 'Children are a heritage of the Lord.'"

    "I agree."  Mom smiled.  "It's terrific to know that our children care about us!"  Jenny and Steve grinned at each other.  They were glad they had given their parents a special treat! 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you did something special for your dad and mom or told them how much you appreciated the hard work they do?  Dads and moms sometimes become very busy, and then they get very tired.  Read First Corinthians 13, a chapter in which the Apostle Paul talks about love.  Then show that kind of love to your parents.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:2  H)
Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Footsteps

Chad had spent the whole month of August with his Uncle Robert and Aunt Kate at their log cabin on Pine Mountain.  "We'll go up to the freshwater spring today," said Uncle Robert as they took an early morning walk on Chad's last day in the mountains.  But as they started up the steep path, Chad had trouble walking.  The rain had made the path slippery, and his feet kept sliding.  "Follow in my steps," suggested Uncle Robert.  Chad placed his feet into the big footprints Uncle Robert made in the soft earth, and he found he could walk without slipping back.

    Soon they neared the spring where a mother deer and her fawns were drinking from the water.  They watched quietly.  "Wow!" exclaimed Chad after the deer had gone.  "I could stay here forever.  As a matter of fact, I'd much rather stay here than go to junior high!"

    Uncle Robert leaned over to pick some wild flowers.  "I thought you were excited about going to junior high."

    "I am. . .sort of," Chad replied weakly.  "But I've heard that math in junior high is really hard.  And the older kids laugh at you.  They think they're so much bigger."

    "Do you remember King David in the Bible?" asked Uncle Robert.  "He, too, faced situations that were much bigger than he could handle.  But God gave David success even when the enemy seemed really tough.  David said it was as if God had gone before him, and made big footprints for him to walk in."

    "Like I walked in your footsteps on the way up here," remembered Chad.

    "Right!" said Uncle Robert.  "Don't forget that God will be with you through junior high just like He was with David through his hard times."  Uncle Robert smiled as he got up to head back to the cabin.  "Come on.  Let's go see what Aunt Kate has fixed for breakfast."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worry about situations that seem too big to handle alone?  God doesn't want you to face them alone--He's with you and He understands just what you're going through.  Ask Him for wisdom and courage for any situation and trust Him to help..


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 18:36  T)
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

[Soldier4Christ]

 I Can't See It

I'll believe it when I see it! muttered Kurt as he reached for his favorite cereal.

    "Oh, Kurt!" exclaimed Lisa, "I really did see a squirrel without a tail!  You never believe anything!"

    Mother, who was buttering toast, spoke thoughtfully.  "Actually we all believe quite a few things we can't see.  If we didn't, none of us would have become Christians."  She put a plate of toast on the table, and they all waited while Dad offered a prayer of thanks to God.

    "Pastor Baker told me that Jeff Pratt accepted Christ last Sunday," said Dad as he passed the toast.

    "I'll believe that when I see it."  Kurt spoke the phrase automatically, a doubtful look on his face.

    "See what?" Lisa asked.  "What do you expect to see?"

    Kurt was caught off guard.  "Well, when I see. . . ."  His voice trailed off.

    "Kurt," said Dad, "as Mother pointed out, many important things in life can't be seen.  Take love for instance.  We see evidence, or results, of love, but we can't see the love itself."

    "Or friendship," Lisa added.  "You can't tell by looking at a photograph that someone is your best friend."

    "And honesty," said Mother.  "You can't know if a person is honest just by looking at him.  All these things we've mentioned are seen only by knowing the person."

    "And what about believing in God?" asked Lisa.  "You can't actually see Him."

    Dad nodded.  "Do you remember Thomas in the Bible?" he asked.  "He insisted that he had to see Jesus before he could believe in the resurrection.  He was allowed to do that, but Jesus said those who believe without seeing Him are blessed.  That includes Christians today.  We believe through faith, and God blesses that."

    "And you just wait, Kurt," added Lisa.  "You'll see the evidence of Christ in Jeff Pratt, too.  You just wait!"

    Kurt was silent--thinking.  Suddenly he grinned.  "I guess my new phrase from now on should be 'I'll see it when I believe it'!" he said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you believe only in what you can see?  You believe in air, electricity, and fun, don't you?  These are all things which can't be seen--you only see the evidence of them.  It's true--you can't see Jesus today, but you can see the evidence of His life in the lives of Christians.  Put away your doubts and put your faith in Him--He's real.  Accept Him as your Savior.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:8  W)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Good-Bye And Hello

Tuffy is barking!  yelled Brian as he raced with his dog to the front door.  "Maybe James is home!"  Scooping the feisty terrier into his arms, Brian peered through the peephole, then shook his head in disappointment.  "It's just the mailman."

    "Your brother will be here soon," Mother called from the kitchen, where she was putting finishing touches on a chocolate cake.  "Would you please go and get the mail?"

    After Brian left, his sister Jennie set the last two plates on the dining room table.  "Mom," she said with a sigh, "I feel kind of strange.  I'm excited about seeing James, but I'm sad because the reason he's coming home from college is to go to Grandma's funeral."

    Mother came to put her arm around Jennie.  Fresh tears glistened in her eyes.  "I understand, honey," she said.  "I loved her and will miss her so much!  But I love James, too, and I'm so eager to see him walk through that door and say hello."

    "'Hello' is a much happier word than 'good-bye', isn't it," said Jennie.

    Mother nodded.  "Just think, Jennie, while we are saying good-bye to Grandma, she's saying hello to Jesus in heaven because she has put her trust in Him for salvation.  And she's saying hello to loved ones who've gone before her."  She paused and wiped her eyes.  "Whenever I'm missing Grandma terribly, I like to picture her in heaven celebrating with Jesus."   

    Jennie's face broke into a smile as she thought about that.

    "Hey, Mom!"  Brian burst through the door.  "I didn't have to get the mail.  James got it!"  His grinning brother stepped into the room as Mother and Jennie rushed to envelop James with a big hug.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
It's sad for you when those you love die.  But try to remember that, if they belong to Jesus, He will be welcoming them in heaven.  You will miss them, but you can be happy for them, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 116:15  P)
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Bird Named "Witness"

Joel watched as his mother took a bag of birdseed out to the patio and emptied the contents onto the feeder.  When she came back into the house, she stood by the glass doors for several minutes, all the time staring at the bird feeder.

    "Are you looking for all the birds to show up?" Joel asked, leaving his chair and joining his mother at the door.

    "Well, yes, in a way," replied Mother.  "Actually, I'm just looking for one bird right now."

    Joel laughed.  "One bird?  For all that food?"  He cupped his hands over his eyes and looked out.   

    Oh, no," answered Mother quickly.  "I'm hoping for lots of birds.  But right now, I'm just watching for my little witness to arrive."

    "Witness?" asked Joel.  "A sparrow named 'Witness'?  What a funny name!"

    His mother laughed.  "That's just what I call him," she said.  "The last few days, I've noticed that only one bird shows up when I first fill the feeder.  He eats a little and then flies away.  In just a short time, a whole flock of birds shows up.  So I let my imagination work, and I see this little witness going back to his family and telling them there is food at our house."

    "That's why you named him 'Witness!'" Joel said knowingly.

    Mother nodded.  "This little bird reminds me that I should be a witness, too.  We have the good news of the Bread of Life, Joel, and we should share that news with others."

    "How do you know it's the same bird every day?" Joel wanted to know.

    Mother laughed.  "Oh dear!  I don't, but I never thought of that," she said.  "I don't know one sparrow from another, so there actually could be several little bird-witnesses."

    "Just like us," Joel added.  "Lots of us have had our sins forgiven, so lots of us should be witnesses."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
If birds can share the good news of food with other birds, shouldn't you be willing to share the good news of eternal life with those around you?  Be God's witness today by telling others about Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 1:8  Y)
Ye shall be witnesses unto me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Gift Or Giver

The Carter family was looking forward to a day at the beach.  "Oh, I can hardly wait to get there!" exclaimed Tamara as they sat down for breakfast.  When Dad asked her to lead in prayer, she nodded.  "Dear Jesus," Tamara prayed, "bless this food.  Give us good weather, and a good time.  Give us safety.  Keep Jeremy from fussing.  Amen."  Dad looked thoughtful when she finished, but said nothing.

    After a quick breakfast, the family piled into the car for the trip.  Soon they were enjoying the sun and sand.  The children had just gotten into the water when a loud squawk interrupted their activities.  A little way down the beach, several sea gulls were fighting over some food they had found on the ground.  Each one clamored to get as much as he could for himself.  "The birds are hungry," Tamara said.  "I wish I had something to feed them."

    Mother reached into the picnic basket.  "Here, Tamara," she said.  "You can give them some of these crackers."

    Tamara crumbled the crackers as she walked down the beach.  When she threw them to the sea gulls, she was immediately surrounded by the screeching birds.  They quickly gobbled up the pieces and squealed for more.  They edged closer to Tamara, practically grabbing the crackers out of her fingers.  "I think they like me," Tamara shouted happily.  However, when the crackers were gone, the birds were gone, too, looking for another handout.

    "Oh, Daddy, it wasn't me the sea gulls liked!"  Tamara exclaimed sadly.  "They just wanted my crackers!  They're selfish!  When they got what they wanted, they left!"

    Dad nodded.  "I'm afraid we act somewhat like those sea gulls," he said.  He smiled at her puzzled look and went on to explain.  "Our prayers often express more 'give me's' than gratitude.  We should be more thankful for Jesus and all He has already done for us.  We should seek Jesus, Himself, and not just the blessings or gifts that He gives us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever prayed a prayer of thanksgiving without asking for anything?  Have you ever simply said, "Jesus, I love You"?  Jesus wants to hear your requests, but sometimes you should just give Him your praise.  He deserves it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 4:2  C)
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Are You Listening?

As Todd headed for the door after dinner, Dad reminded him that he had to finish cleaning the garage before bedtime.  "You were supposed to move things when you swept it last Saturday, but I think you forgot," Dad said, "so you'll have to do it tonight."

    "I didn't hear you tell me I should move things," complained Todd.  "I was busy watching TV, and I just didn't hear you."

    "You should have listened when I spoke to you," Dad told him.  "Anyway, you hear me now, so you can do it now."

    The next day Todd got a "D" on his history test.  "Why, Todd!  History is one of your best subjects!" exclaimed Mother when she heard about it.  "What happened?"

    "I didn't hear Miss Mikels say we were having the test," Todd explained.  "I'll do better next time."

    Later, Mom told Todd he could have an apple before going to bed.  But Todd didn't hear her--he was too busy playing with his cars.  Soon Mom told him to get ready for bed--without his snack.  "I didn't hear you tell me to get it," whined Todd.  "It isn't fair."

    "This is fair," Mom insisted.  "What isn't fair is when you waste people's time by not listening when they speak."

    "From now on," said Dad, "when someone speaks to you, I want you to put down what you're doing and listen--listen carefully."  He continued thoughtfully, "You know, sometimes I also wonder how much we really listen to God."

    Todd looked at him.  "What do you mean?" he asked.

    "I'm afraid I'm sometimes guilty of letting my mind wander, too--for example, on Sundays when our pastor is preaching," he said.

    "And even when we have personal devotions, we often want to hurry up and get done so we can go on to other activities," added Mom.

    Dad nodded.  "I think all of us need to listen better, both to others and to God."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How well do you listen to others?  How well do you listen to God?  It's important to listen carefully so you can really learn what God wants you to learn.  Only then can you truly obey Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 85:8  I)
I will hear what God the Lord will speak.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Keep The Fire Burning

Dad, we're having so much fun camping! exclaimed Brad as he roasted a marshmallow over the campfire.  "I'm glad you're not making us go back home early to go to church.  I don't see why it's so important to go every week anyway."

    "Hmmm," murmured Dad, "let's see if I can show you."  Brad watched as Dad took a long stick and pushed a burning coal away from the crackling fire.  "Keep an eye on that coal for a while,"  Dad advised.

    A little later, Brad noticed that the coal was no longer burning.  He pointed it out to his dad.  Dad nodded.  "When you remove a coal from a fire, it loses its glow and its warmth," he explained.  "The same thing can happen to a Christian who doesn't meet with other believers."

    "But lots of people are sick and can't go to church," said Brad.  "Do they lose their glow and warmth?"

    Dad smiled.  "That's a good question," he said.  "Always remember that there's a great difference between being unable to attend church and choosing not to go.  I think the Lord provides other ways to keep the 'embers glowing' for those who can't go.  Can you think of some?"

    "Well, I guess by hearing sermons on television or radio, or by reading the Bible," suggested Brad.

    "Right."  Dad nodded.  "It also helps to talk with other Christians and to read Christian magazines or books."

    Brad looked thoughtfully at the ember.  "What happens if you put it back in the fire?" he asked.

    "Let's find out."  Dad pushed the ember back into the fire, and soon it was glowing brightly.  Dad smiled.  "The real danger in skipping church is that it's easy to make a habit of it," he said.  "I decided that since I don't have to be back to work till Thursday, we would have our own services this week. That should keep our embers burning.  But do you understand the importance of church and of being there regularly?"  Solemnly, Brad nodded 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is going to church and Sunday school important to you?  It should be.  It's part of God's plan for your growth in spiritual things.  Whenever possible, be there.  When you must miss, listen to God's Word on the radio if you can, and spend extra time studying it for yourself.  Don't just skip church.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 10:25  N)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Cantaloupe Episode Part 1

Jack and his friend, Tom, crept up to Mr. Brown's garden.  Jack grabbed a big, ripe cantaloupe, stuffed it under his shirt and ran in a bent-over position to the path leading to the road.  Tom was right behind him, also keeping low.  When they reached the road, they ducked into some bushes near Jack's house.  Tom handed his pocketknife to Jack, who cut through the juicy cantaloupe.

    "We must have gotten the best melon out of Mr. Brown's whole garden," Jack said as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

    After dinner that evening, Dad asked Jack to help him clear out a patch of poison ivy.  They got shovels and put on gloves and shirts with long sleeves.  "We need to be careful not to touch any of the poison ivy," said Dad.  Then, to Jack's surprise, Dad headed straight for the bushes where the boys had eaten the melon!  "Look!"  Dad pointed "Someone's been eating cantaloupe here!"

    Just then Mr. Brown came up.  "Someone stole my best cantaloupe this afternoon," he said.  His eyes grew wide when he saw the rinds and seeds on the ground.

    "I'm terribly sorry to hear that," Jack's father replied.  "It looks like the remains of your cantaloupe right here."

    "That burns me up!" exclaimed Mr. Brown.  "If anyone had asked me, I'd have been glad to give away a different cantaloupe.  But I was going to enter that big one in the fair tomorrow.  I'm sure it would have won a prize."

    Jack's heart was pounding as he began to help clear out the poison ivy.  I just meant to have some fun, he thought to himself, but taking that cantaloupe was really stealing.  Somehow, he was quite sure the cantaloupe episode wasn't over yet.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else, just to tease that person or just to see if you could get away with it?  It may seem like you're only having a little fun, especially when you're with someone else.  But it's never fun for the person from whom you steal.  It isn't "fun" in God's sight, either.  He doesn't say, "Thou shalt not steal big things," or "Thou shalt not steal, except for fun."  He says, "Thou shalt not steal."  Honor Him by obeying His command.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 20:15  T)
Thou shalt not steal.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Cantaloupe Episode Part 2

Jack tossed and turned in bed. He just couldn't get to sleep. Oh, if only
I hadn't taken Mr. Brown's prize cantaloupe! he thought. How he wished he could
give it back! His mind felt tortured with guilt. He knew that taking the melon
was not just "having a little fun." It was stealing. He needed help, and he
wanted to talk with Dad about it. Even being punished will be better than
feeling like this! he decided.
 

    Jack got out of bed and knocked on his parents' bedroom door.  "Dad. . .Mom. . .may I talk to you?" he asked.  Soon he was telling them all about what he had done.

    "Son, I'm sorry you took Mr. Brown's melon," said Dad, "but I'm very glad you've admitted it.  Now you need to tell God you're sorry.  And tomorrow you'll have to tell Mr. Brown you're sorry, too--and ask if you may help him in his garden or yard to pay for the melon."

    "Okay, Dad," agreed Jack as the three got on their knees.  After Jack prayed, his parents gave him a hug.  Jack squirmed.  "Ouch!" he said.  "My skin feels like it's on fire.  It itches somethin' awful."

    They took a closer look.  "It's poison ivy!" exclaimed Mother, and she hurried away to get some soothing medication.

    "You see, Jack, sin can have two results," said Dad.  "It hurts your conscience, making you feel apart from God.  You can remedy that by confessing your sin and receiving God's forgiveness.  But sometimes sin can hurt you in other ways, too.  In this case, you'll have to suffer with poison ivy."

    Jack nodded.  "I gotta admit I'm getting just what I deserve," he said sadly.  "I think I'll remember this lesson a long time!"






HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you suffering as a result of sin in your life?  Sin must be confessed to God and to those you've wronged.  It's the only way to forgiveness and peace of mind.  But you may still have to suffer as a result of your sin--perhaps physically, perhaps through the loss of something.  If that's the case, accept it and learn from it.  With God's help, never repeat that sin again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:7  F)
For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

[Soldier4Christ]

 I Mean It

Something kind of funny happened in Nature Club today, Katy told her mother as she set the table for supper.  "I sat down in my usual seat, and Sue Brown hurried over to me like we were best friends!  I hardly know her at all.  Anyhow, she told me how nice I looked in my green shirt and asked if it was new."

    "Really?" asked Mother.  "That's odd.  You've had that shirt a long time, and you wear it almost every week."

    "I know."  Katy nodded.  "Then Sue went on to say how much she admired my math grades.  I thought that was funny, too, but I got really suspicious when she told me how she loved to spend time with me!"

    "She must have been in a good mood today," said Mother.

    "Well, after she got done telling me all those things, she went over to another girl and gave her the same treatment!" said Katy.

    "Hmmm."  Mother looked thoughtful.  "Maybe she's trying to make some new friends."

    "Yeah. . .right."  Katy laughed.   "She wanted new friends, and she wanted them in a hurry.  I figured it out after the club meeting started.  We were electing officers, and Sue was one of the three nominated for president.  She thought she could get our votes by giving us compliments.  I had already decided Greg would be the best president, and I guess most of the other kids agreed, because Greg won.  After club, I said good-bye to Sue, but she just ignored me."

    "I'm glad you weren't taken in by her compliments," Mother said.  "It's sad when someone tries to control others through flattery.  Even the Bible says that flattering lips are wrong.  It's just not honest to give an insincere compliment!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you really mean it when you give someone a compliment?  Insincere compliments are called "flattery," but actually, they are lies.  God's Word refers to flattery a number of times, but never favorably.  It's nice to give a compliment when you really mean it, but don't compliment a person because you want him to do something for you.  It's wrong to give a compliment just to make someone like you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 29:5  A)
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Dark Place

As Cammie sat in Mrs. Steiner's living room and listened to the cheerful voices singing choruses at Bible club, she wished she could stay there forever.  It was there that she had heard about Jesus and trusted Him as her Savior.

    After Bible club, Cammie lingered to help Mrs. Steiner straighten the room.  "Thanks, Cammie," said Mrs. Steiner as they finished.  "Now, how about a nice dish of peaches before you go?  Would you like to call your parents and make sure it's all right with them?"

    "It'll be okay," Cammie answered.  "Mom works late, and Dad will be passed out.  I mean. . .sleeping on the couch."

    "Well, then, would you get a jar of my home-canned peaches from the basement?" Mrs. Steiner asked.  She told Cammie where to find the fruit.

    Cammie was limping when she returned with the peaches.  "What happened?" Mrs. Steiner asked.

    "The light didn't go on in the fruit cellar," Cammie explained, "so I couldn't see very well.  I ran into a ladder, but I'm fine."

    "Oh, dear, the bulb must have burned out," Mrs. Steiner said.  "I'm sorry.  I'm surprised you were able to find the peaches.  A light is needed in a dark place like that."  She opened the jar and dished up the golden fruit.  "How are things going at home?"  Cammie sighed and told how her mom worked late hours and her dad was an alcoholic.  "It must be hard for you, Cammie," sympathized Mrs. Steiner, "but Jesus needs you there in your home.  Just like the basement really needed a light so you could find the peaches more easily, you need to be a light in your home to help your parents find Christ as Savior."  She put an arm around Cammie's shoulder.  "Be a good light in a dark place, honey," she said.  "I'll be praying for you--and for them."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you the only Christian in your home or in your classroom?  It's difficult to stand alone, but it's in the dark that a light is needed the most.  Jesus needs you to let your light shine for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16  L)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dead Or Alive

Wow!  Look at all the shoes, Carrie exclaimed.  "How am I ever going to choose one pair?"

    "How about clogs?" asked her sister, Glenna   

    "These canvas shoes would be good for school," suggested Mom.

    Carrie tried on several different kinds of shoes and finally decided on the denim clogs.

    After dinner that night, Dad read some verses about the Holy Spirit.  "I really don't understand much about the Holy Spirit," said Glenna.

    "Carrie's feet are like the Holy Spirit," Mom replied.

    "Huh?" exclaimed Glenna and Carrie in unison.

    Mom grinned.  "Remember all those shoes at the store today?" she asked.  "Did you see them skipping around or jumping from one display to another?"

    "Of course not," said Carrie  "That's silly."

    "Yes, it is," agreed Mom.  "They don't have any life in them.  They are dead." She smiled.  "That's just the way people are without God the Holy Spirit living in them.  They're dead to spiritual things.  They can't understand them.  And they won't be able to live in heaven with God."

    "Aha!" exclaimed Dad.  "I see what you're getting at.  Mom's right.  We all were dead in sin, but when Christ came to dwell in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, He made us alive spiritually--just like when Carrie put on her clogs, the clogs began to move around.  Carrie's feet put life inside of them."

    "And just as there are many different colors and styles of shoes, there are many different colors and types of people," added Mom.  "But no shoe will jump and play without someone's feet living in them.  And no person will have new life without God's Holy Spirit living in him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have God's Holy Spirit living within you?  When you ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to be your Savior, He gives you new life through His Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit helps you to learn how to live pleasing to God.  He comforts you when you're sad.  He helps you to know when you do wrong.  God's Holy Spirit will work in you until the day that Jesus returns and takes all those who have accepted Him to heaven.   Don't miss this wonderful blessing.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:11  B)
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Holy Spirit Feet

Clip clop!  Clip clop!  "These new clogs take some getting used to," said Carrie, stumbling for the third time while walking to school.

    "There's Mrs. Clark peeking through her curtains," said Glenna as the girls passed the Clark's house.  "She's so nosy!  Whenever something happens, she's the first one there.  She says she wants to help, but what she's really doing is trying to find some juicy gossip she can spread."   

    "Look at her trashy yard," added Carrie.  "She should spend time taking care of it instead of putting her nose in other people's business."

    "Candy Clark is as bad as her mother," replied Glenna.  "Look at her up ahead with Marcia and Alex.  Did you see how she came flying out her front door, half ready for school, just so she could walk with them?"

    Carrie laughed.  "Her hair's a mess, and she always wears a ripped jacket.  And I bet her shoes are untied, too. . .OUCH!"  Carrie stumbled over some crumbling concrete in the walk.  "My toe!"  She took off one clog and found a bloodied, throbbing toe.  She limped a few steps, tears creeping down her cheeks.  "Oh, it hurts really bad.  I'm going home to let Mom fix it up."

    "Okay," said Glenna.  "I'll see you later.

    Carrie limped home, wincing painfully with every step on her left foot.  "What happened?" Mom asked, seeing Carrie's agonizing limp.

    "Glenna and I were just talking about Candy Clark and I was looking at her when I tripped and hurt my toe," Carrie explained.

    "You weren't running down the Clark's, were you?" Mom asked, knowingly, as she opened the medicine cabinet.

    "Uh. . .kind of," confessed Carrie.

    Mom shook her head.  "Remember your 'Holy Spirit feet'?" she asked.  "You hurt your toe when you weren't careful about walking, and you can hurt the Holy Spirit when you're not careful about your talking.  Saying bad things about others is not pleasing to God."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there times you have made God the Holy Spirit sad by the mean things you have said about others?  Or the unkind ways you have acted?  Grabbing the biggest cookies, yelling at sisters and brothers, talking back to parents, or gossiping are not pleasing to the Lord.  If you've done such things, ask God's forgiveness.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:30  A)
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.