Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 What's Inside

When the phone rang, Jody was quick to answer it.  But when she heard who it was, she made a face.  "Ah. . .no.  I. . .ah. . .I have some plans for Saturday," she stammered.  "Maybe another time."  As she hung up the phone, she noticed Mother looking at her questioningly "Erica wanted me to come over on Saturday," explained Jody, "but I have other things I want to do."

    "Well, that's a surprise," said Mother.  "I thought you always spent as much time with Erica as possible.  I thought you were best friends."

    "We were, but. . .well. . .there's a new girl at school--her name's Nora," said Jody.  "I really want to be her friend, but she doesn't like Erica much.  I don't want her to see me at Erica's house."

    "And why doesn't she like Erica?" asked Mother.

    "Well. . .Erica's family doesn't have much money, you know.  They drive an old car and she doesn't dress very well."  Jody felt ashamed as she answered.

    Mom frowned.  "I didn't think that bothered you."

    "It does now."  Hoping her mother would drop the subject, Jody quickly opened her favorite book and settled on the couch to read. 

    Mother looked at the book Jody held.  "You're still reading that old thing?" asked Mother.  "It's about worn out.  The cover is a mess!  Why don't you find something new?  That old book is all beat up."

    Jody frowned.  "I don't care.  It's still my favorite story," she said.  "What it looks like on the outside isn't so important."

    Mother raised her brows.  "Do you suppose that's true of people, too?" she asked.  Jody felt her face flush.  She knew Mother was thinking of Erica.  Erica was a nice person, and that's really what counted.

    "I'll call Erica and tell her I can come on Saturday after all," Jody said after a moment.   

    "Good!" approved Mother.  "Nora may not like it, but God will."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you judge others by their appearance?  If you choose your friends because they dress well, live in a nice house, or have new cars, you may be overlooking many good friends.  What a person is like on the inside is what matters to God.  Let that be what matters to you, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7  M)
Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Mighty Egg

What are we having for breakfast today? asked Julie as she and her brother John came to the table one Sunday morning.  "Oh, good!  I like eggs!"   After thanking God for the food, they began to eat.

    "I wonder what our new pastor will speak about today," said Julie.

    "Whatever it is, I'm sure Mrs. Grady won't like it," said John.  "She's always complaining that the sermon is too long or too short or that it isn't as good as our old pastor's."

    "You should hear the kids in my Sunday school class talk about our teacher when she's not in the room," said Julie.  "People sure like to criticize others, don't they?"

    Mother nodded.  "I'm afraid they do, and that's a shame," she said, "especially among Christians.  As members of Christ's Church, we should have a special love for one another.  We get enough criticism from the world without picking on each other!"

    Dad held up an egg and gazed at it thoughtfully.  "What you've been talking about reminds me of something I read about eggs," he said.  "The shell of an egg is strong enough so that the hen can sit on it without breaking it.  It protects the chick from many dangers.  Because of the rounded shape of the shell, it's quite strong when struck from the outside.  But do you know how the small, helpless chick is able to hatch out?"

    "It pecks its way out, doesn't it?" asked John.

    Dad nodded.  "That's right.  Although the shell resists pressure well from the outside, it cracks easily when pecked from within.  In the same way, a church can resist outside pressure and persecution as long as Christians unite together in love.  But when they start picking on one another, their fellowship is easily destroyed."

    "That's a good lesson for all of us to remember whenever we're tempted to be critical," said Mother, "especially when we're tempted to criticize another Christian."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in the habit of criticizing your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, or others in your church family?  You should be especially careful about criticizing Christians.  Satan himself is called "the accuser of our brethren" in Revelation 12:10.  Don't do his work for him.  Remember "the mighty egg "!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 13:35  B)
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Hospital Visit

You didn't invite Joy Blackburn to go to Sunday school with us tomorrow, did you? asked Jana, but she already knew the answer before Mother nodded.  "Oohh, Mother!" she wailed.  "Joy is dirty, and she talks loud and is so crude.  She's everything you tell me not to be, then you turn around and invite her to come to Sunday school with us.  I'm surprised you would want me to be friends with her."  Jana picked up a knife and began to help her mother peel potatoes for dinner.

    "I don't want you to be friends with her in the sense that you do what she does," said Mother, "but I want you to be kind to her."

    "Ooh-h-h!"  Jana gasped.  "My knife slipped and I cut my hand!"  Blood ran down her arm.

    Mother grabbed a clean cloth and pressed it tightly against the cut.  But the wound was deep and kept on bleeding.  "Come along," said Mother, picking up her car keys.  "We're going to get that checked out at the hospital emergency clinic."

    After a doctor examined Jana's hand, he stitched and bandaged it.  Soon they were ready to go back home.   

    That evening Jana showed her father her bandaged hand.  "The doctors and the nurses were so nice," she told him.  "They took really good care of my hand."

    Dad smiled.  "That's what hospitals are for, honey, to take care of the sick and hurting," he said.

    "Something like church," mused Mother.  "The church is a good place for sin-sick, hurting people who need Jesus."  She looked at her daughter.  "Jana, what if hospitals only allowed clean, well people in their emergency rooms?"

    Jana sighed.  "You're thinking about Joy, I know.  And you're right, Mom.  I'm glad she's going to Sunday school with us, and I'll be just as nice to her as the doctor and nurse were to me!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you invite only nice, neat kids to go to church with you?  Do you shut the church door in the face of those who are sin-sick?  This week, look for kids with special needs, and invite them to church with you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 5:32  I)
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Settling Differences

Jacob picked up the phone and dialed a number.  "Hi, Trevor," he said.  "Do you know what I'm gonna do tomorrow about Tyler?"  He paused.  "Nope," he said.  "If he doesn't give our soccer ball back tomorrow, I'm going to punch him!  I'm tired of that bully."  Jacob leaned against the dining room doorway.  He was surprised to see his grandfather reading at the table.  Jacob lowered his voice.  "I've got to go now.  'Bye."  He hung up the phone.  I hope Gramps didn't hear what I said, he thought.  He knew how his grandfather felt about fighting. 

    Jacob walked into the dining room.  His eyes locked with Gramps'.  "Who was on the phone?" Gramps asked.

    Jacob shrugged.  "No one important," he said.  "It was just about some stuff at school."  He needed to change the subject.  "What are you reading?"

    "My Bible."  Gramps patted the cover.

 `   "Going over a study lesson?" asked Jacob.

    "I started to, then I ran across an interesting passage," said Gramps.  "Jesus was being arrested, and even then He taught His followers that physical fighting is not the way to settle their differences.  Jesus said, 'He who takes up the sword, will die by the sword.'"

    Jacob sighed.  "You heard what I said on the phone."

    "Yes, I did," said Gramps.  "It disappoints me to hear you say that you want to fight."

    "Gramps, I don't want to fight," protested Jacob, "but every day this kid waits at the soccer field.  If we kick a stray ball, he takes it and won't give it back until it's time for everyone to go home." 

    "So you think punching him is the answer?"

    "I guess not," admitted Jacob, "but what is the answer?"

    Gramps stood, walked over to Jacob and put an arm around his shoulder.  "Think about how Jesus would want you to handle this problem," he suggested.  "Even when Jesus knew He was going to die, He taught us to love--not hate."  Gramps paused.  There may be another reason why this boy hangs around the soccer field," he added.  "Think about it."

    Later that evening, Jacob found Gramps sitting in the porch swing.  He sat down beside him.  "I thought about what you said.  I'm not going to fight," Jacob told him.  "I'm going to do something else--something I should've done before."

    "What's that?" Gramps asked.

    "I'm going to ask him if he'd like to play!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you do when someone "bullies" you?  Shout?  Throw punches?  Or do you remember what Jesus taught?  Love is your best weapon.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1  John 3:18  M)
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Why?

Mother, make Shawn leave me alone!  Bridgette exclaimed as she pushed her little brother into the kitchen.  "He follows me everywhere!"

    Shawn's eyes clouded with tears.  "I didn't do nothin'."

    Mother hugged her son and turned to her daughter.  "What's the problem?"

    "He asks 'why' over and over and over," complained Bridgette.  "I get so tired of it."

    Mother smiled.  "I guess you don't remember all the questions you used to ask, do you?"

    "What questions?" asked Bridgette in surprise.

    "Oh, there were a lot of them," Mother told her.  "Like, 'Why are puppies cute?'  'Why do birds sing?'  'Why do your fingers have nails?' 'Why does Grandpa walk so slow?'  'Why are trees tall?'  Now Shawn is learning by asking questions just like you did."

    Bridgette laughed.  "Well, in that case I guess I better try to be a little more patient," she decided.  "But I hope he learns fast.  It does get tiresome."

    "I realize that," sympathized Mother.  "You know, it just occurred to me that when Jesus was a boy, He asked questions, too.  Get my Bible from the table."  After Bridgette brought the Bible, Mother turned several pages.  Then she asked Bridgette to read a verse.

    "And it came to pass, that after three days," read Bridgette, "they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions."

    Mother took the Bible and closed it.  "I've heard some preachers say that Jesus was teaching, but others have suggested that He was also learning," she said.  "In any case, maybe it will help us have more patience if we remember that even Jesus asked a lot of questions."

    Bridgette nodded and held out her hand to her little brother.  "Come on, Shawn.  Let's go back outside."

    Shawn went along happily.  Mother smiled when, just before the door closed, she heard Shawn's voice begin, "Bridgette, why. . . ." 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you become impatient with someone who asks a lot of questions?  Do you ask a lot of questions yourself?  God does not condemn honest questions, and neither should we.  It's a natural way of learning.  Ask the Lord to help you to be patient and to be a good teacher when questions are asked of you.  When you don't know answers, be sure to ask questions yourself, and learn from those teachers God has provided for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:5  A)
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Feeding The Fire

Tami was talking on the phone when Mother came into the room.  "That's what Maria said, Staci.  She said that you're stupid!" reported Tami.  "But don't tell her that I told you, okay?  See you tomorrow." 

    When Tami hung up the phone, Mother asked, "Why did you tell Staci that Maria said she was stupid?"

    "Because she did," Tami replied quickly.  "Staci and Maria are always quarreling."

    Mother raised her eyebrows.  "And you add fuel to the fire?" she asked.

    "What do you mean?" asked Tami.

    "Come with me," said Mother.  She led the way to the fireplace in the family room and pointed at the smoldering fire.  "What would happen if I added a log to the fire, Tami?"

    "The fire would get bigger," Tami replied.

    "What if I didn't add any wood to it?" Mother asked.

    "It would die out pretty soon," Tami answered.

    "Right!  And it's often like that when there's a quarrel between two people.  It usually dies out if there isn't anyone to stir it up and keep it going.  God hates talebearing, Tami.  And usually it's the talebearer who gets hurt.  You. . . ."  The ring of the telephone interrupted Mother.

    "I'll get it," said Tami quickly.  "It's probably Maria.  She was going to call me."  Tami was glad to end the conversation.

    When Mother called the family to dinner, Tami came to the table with red, puffy eyes.  "What's the matter, Tami?" asked Dad.

    "Maria and Staci are going to the riding stables tomorrow."  Tami choked back a sob.  "Maria can't invite both of us, because her mother says we quarrel too much when we're all together.  So she asked Staci because she's mad at me for telling Staci what she said about her."

    "I'm not surprised," said Mother.  "Didn't I warn you that it's usually the talebearer who gets hurt?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you tempted to "carry tales"?  It's dangerous.  Not only will it hurt others, but it will hurt you.  God suggests a better way--He says, "Blessed are the peacemakers."  If you know two people who don't get along well, do what you can to keep peace between them.  Be a peacemaker, not a talebearer.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 26:20  W)
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Surprises

Kyle looked out the car window at the houses, trees, and fence posts they were passing.  A vacant lot where scrubby, frost-tipped branches poked out of the brown grass looked familiar.  "Mom," he said, pointing out the window, "isn't that the field where we picked blackberries this summer?"

    Mom glanced over.  "Sure enough," she said.

    "You know what else?" said Kyle.  "Driving home from picking berries that day was the last time I rode in the blue car."

    "The day before the accident," Mom said thoughtfully.

    Kyle remembered the day of the accident.  The phone had rung as he was eating breakfast.  After answering it, Mom had looked stunned.  "Dad's been in an accident," she had said.  "Thank God he's not badly hurt.  He says the car looks like a crushed tin can!"

    Now Kyle looked from the field back to Mom.  "That day we drove home from picking berries," he said, "I never thought that the next day Dad would be in an accident and the car would be smashed."

    "None of us did," said Mom.  "The book of James reminds us that we never know what will happen tomorrow."  She smiled at Kyle.  "It reminds me, too, that when Jesus comes again it will be an ordinary day--we'll just be doing ordinary, everyday things, expecting life to go on as it always has, and suddenly. . . ."  she snapped her fingers, ". . . Jesus will come back to take us to heaven with Him.  Just like the car accident was a surprise to us, Jesus' return to earth will be a surprise.  But it will be a good surprise, if we're ready."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
If Jesus came back today, would you be ready?  The bad things you have done separate you from Him.  But He has taken the punishment for all those bad things, your sins.  If you're truly sorry for your sins, confess that to God and accept His forgiveness.  (See last page.)  Let Him be the boss of your life.  Then you can look forward to the wonderful surprise of His return.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 24:44  T)
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Fishing Is Fine

Though the days were getting chilly, Johnny sat on the front steps singing a song.  Johnny liked to sing, and he sang a chorus he had often sung in Sunday school.  "I will make you fishers of men. . .if you follow Me."

    Just as he finished the song, his mother came outside with a cup of hot chocolate.  "Here, Johnny," she said, "I thought you might like this to warm you up.  What was the song I heard you singing just now?"

    "Thanks for the chocolate, Mom!" exclaimed Johnny.  "I was singing 'Fishers of Men.'  Want to hear it?"

    "I'd love to," said Mom.  After Johnny had sung it again, Mom asked, "Do you know what that means?"   

    "Sure," Johnny answered, but he looked a bit startled.  After Mom went back inside, he sipped the steaming hot chocolate and thought about her question.  Long ago his Sunday school teacher had explained that instead of fishing for fish, Jesus wants Christians to go fishing for people--to help others come to know Him.

    Suddenly Johnny jumped off the step.  "Mom, can I go over to Jeremy's house?" he called.  Mom agreed, and away Johnny ran.  "Hi, Jeremy," he said.  "Want to go to Bible Club with me next Thursday?"

    "Bible Club?  What do you do there?" Jeremy asked.

    "Oh, it's neat," answered Johnny.  "We play games, sing songs, and learn things from the Bible.  How about going with me?"  Johnny was pleased when Jeremy agreed to go.  "Great!" he said.  "Hey, let's go and ask Zack if he wants to go, too!"  They did, and Zack agreed to join them.

    As Johnny was getting ready for bed that night, he told his mother about his "fishing trip" that afternoon.  "Well, Johnny, I see you really did learn the meaning of that song," said Mom with a smile.  "I hope you'll be a 'fisherman' for Jesus as long as you live." 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tell your friends about Jesus?  You should be doing this by both your actions and words.  Lots of kids get excited about fishing for fish.  Get excited about "fishing for people," too!   


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 4:19  A)
And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Careless Words

(This story may be inappropriate for young children.)

  The students at Lakeview Christian Academy looked at each other in wide-eyed disbelief.  They had just learned that one of the students had attempted to commit suicide the night before!  As school began, their teacher allowed them to talk about it.

    "I didn't think Christian kids ever got that depressed," was Susan's reaction.  "I mean, Eric knows God loves him.  What made him do a thing like that?"

    "It's not that simple," responded Kevin.  "You have nice clothes and lots of friends.  He doesn't."  Kevin looked down at his desk as he continued, "I remember times when we made fun of Eric in gym class.  I never thought he took it seriously."

    "We did laugh at him when he wasn't very coordinated," admitted Brad, "but I didn't think it hurt him that much.  Besides, he's so smart!  Doesn't he know that we all wish we could be as smart as he is?"

    "We don't always seem to recognize our good qualities," pointed out Mrs. Kelley.  "Sometimes our weaknesses seem to get all of the attention."  She picked up her Bible.  "As Christians, we have the wonderful assurance of knowing that God loves us and accepts us just the way we are," she continued.  "We also have the responsibility to love others the way God loves us.  Listen to Ephesians 4:29.  'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'"

    Kevin looked up soberly.  "I sure can't say that all of the things I said to Eric were intended to build him up.  I'd like the chance again to really be his friend."

    Mrs. Kelley smiled.  "Hopefully, you'll get that chance," she said.  "Now. . .I think it's good to check up on ourselves and see if we're pleasing God in our treatment of others, but I want to emphasize that no one here should blame himself for what happened.  Let's pray for God's healing in Eric's life, and let's also try to build each other up in our conversations."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about the things you say to others?  Sometimes careless words may seem harmless or funny--yet they may really be hurting someone inside.  God wants your life to reflect His love to others.  Accept people as they are.  Show them God's love through your kind words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:29  L)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Not Available

Oh, no! Tyler exclaimed.  "I left my coat at Uncle Don's house.  I wore it when we went fishing Saturday.  Then it got hot, so I took it off and put it in Uncle Don's truck."

    "Well, Tyler," said Dad, "I guess I can't scold you.  I left something over there myself--some research books I took along to study during our visit.  I knew I should put them in the car as soon as I was done with them!  Good thing Aunt Jane and Uncle Don are planning on visiting us in a couple of weeks.  They can bring the coat and books then."

    "We'd better write them a letter and remind them, though," suggested Tyler.

    Just then Mother walked into the room, laughing.  "I overheard all that," she told them.  "I have an idea.  Just send them a postcard with the message 'Second Timothy 4:13.'"

    Tyler looked puzzled.  "What do you mean by that, Mom?"

    "Look it up and see!"  Mother smiled as she handed him a Bible.

    Tyler found the verse and read it aloud.  "Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the books, especially the parchments."  Tyler grinned.  "I wonder if Uncle Don would catch on."

    "Probably," said Mother.  "I always liked that verse.  Sometimes we think the people in the Bible were different from us--that they weren't quite human with human needs and problems.  To me, this passage shows us the human side of Paul.  He's writing about things that are happening, much as we would.  He needed his coat and his books just like you need your coat and Dad needs his books.  Paul was just an ordinary man, but God used him in an extraordinary way.  God can use you, too, Tyler."

    Tyler thought about what his mother had said as he went to find a postcard and a pen. 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes think that people in the Bible were very different from you?  Maybe you think Bible characters had unique personalities or abilities so God could use them in a special way.  The people in the Bible were just ordinary men and women (and boys and girls) who were willing to let the Lord work in their lives.  You can be that kind of person, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 6:
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Julie's Cake

I don't know how I'm going to get everything done today, said Mother one morning.  "I have so many errands to run, and somehow I have to find time to bake a birthday cake for Tommy."

    "I can make Tommy's cake!" said Julie.  "You've told me before that it's easy.  Besides, Tommy's only three, and he'll eat anything!"

    "Do you think you can do it?" asked Mother.  "That would really help!"

    "Sure, I can," said Julie confidently.  "I've helped you lots of times.  Besides, the directions are right on the box, aren't they?"

    "Yes, they are--be sure to read them," said Mother.  "The mix is in the cupboard.  There's a can of frosting in the cupboard, too."

    Julie started the cake soon after Mother left.  She read the directions and was about to pour the mix from the box into the bowl when the phone rang.  It was her friend, Stephanie.  After chatting a while, Julie hung up the phone and went back to making her cake.  Nothing to this, she thought a little later as she popped the cake into the oven.  But when the cake was done, it didn't look quite right to Julie.  However, after it cooled, she frosted it carefully and was pleased with the results.

    For dessert that night, Mother let Julie cut the cake.  Julie was surprised to see how dry it looked when she put a piece on a plate.  Tommy, who was known to eat many strange things, eagerly ate the frosting, but he didn't seem to care for the cake itself.  The rest of the family tried it, but no one finished his piece.  Julie was disappointed in the way it turned out.  "What did I do wrong?" she asked.

    "Did you follow the directions?" asked Mother.   

    "I. . .I think so.  I read them, but then Stephanie called, and I didn't look at them again," explained Julie.  "I wonder if I didn't put enough water in the batter."

    "Well," said Dad, "I guess most of us shouldn't really eat that rich cake anyway, so let's have our family devotions."  He reached for the Bible.  "And let's be sure we don't treat God's Word the way you treated the directions on that cakebox," he added with a smile. Seeing the puzzled look on Julie's face, he explained.  "Let's not think we know all we need to know just because we read God's Word occasionally.  God gives directions, so let's be sure we don't ignore them.  Paying attention to directions is an important principle to learn."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ignore the directions the Lord gives in His Word, or do you follow what He says?  Do you check up often to see if you are living the way you should and to see if God has further things for you to learn?  It's important to spend time with God's Word and then to follow His directions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:16  I)
I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy word.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Family Reunion

The Johnsons were on their way home from a family reunion.  "Oh-h-h," groaned Heather as she sank back in the seat, "I think I ate too much of Aunt Margie's chocolate cake.  It sure was good, though!"

    "And I think I played too much ball."  Dad laughed.  "I'm getting too old to be running around the bases!"

    "You know what I liked?" Katie asked.  "I liked seeing Mom's Uncle Harold and some of the other old people.  They have such interesting stories to tell."

    "Yeah," said Heather.  "I've heard Mom talk about some of those things, but it's even more interesting to hear stories from the people they actually happened to."

    Mother smiled.  "That's exactly what family reunions are for, girls," she said, "to give you an opportunity to learn about your heritage."

    "Our family is sure getting big," observed Katie.  "There must have been a hundred people there today."

    "I think so," agreed Dad.  A little later he added, "But I know an even bigger reunion we'll be attending."

    Heather gave her dad a puzzled look, but then she smiled.  "I know what you're talking about!" she exclaimed.  "You're talking about the reunion we'll have with our Christian family in heaven, right?"

    "Right."  Dad grinned and nodded.  "There we can meet members of our spiritual family--people like the Apostle Paul. . .or Moses."

    "We should hear some really good stories then--maybe we can ask Noah what it was like living on an ark with all those animals," suggested Katie.

    "Yeah!" exclaimed Heather.  "And I'd like to ask Jonah how it felt to be inside a fish!"

    Mother grinned at the two girls.  "Now that will be a special reunion!" she agreed.     




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask your grandparents what it was like when they were young?  It's interesting to hear about life long ago, isn't it?  Just think about the Christian's spiritual family reunion in heaven!  Perhaps you're having such a good time here on earth that you're not very eager for heaven.  That's natural, but think about it--people you've read about in the Bible and all Christians throughout history will be there.  Best of all you'll meet your Savior!  It will be a wonderful time!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 4:17  T)
Then 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]

 Criticism Versus Love

As the family car swung from the curb, little Annie waved to Mrs. Shrively who was climbing her porch steps.  Sarah leaned forward and rested her arms on the back of the front seat.  "Whew!  I'm glad Mrs. Shrively's gone," she said.  "She was about to drive me crazy.  Her laugh is the pits."

    Her brother Rob agreed.  "That old lady sure looks funny."

    "And her dresses. . . ."  Sarah giggled.  "They're worse than bags.  They're tents!"

    "Kids!" Mother's voice showed her disapproval.  "I'm ashamed of you.  You both know you're not to talk like that!  Mrs. Shrively is a wonderful Christian woman."

    "But she bosses me around all the time," said Rob, "and then she quotes Scripture to back it up.  I wish she'd just leave me alone."

    "She embarrasses me in front of my friends," complained Sarah.  "She acts like I'm her special friend."

    Dad joined the conversation.  "Did you know Jesus died for her?"

    "Of course," answered Sarah.  "Jesus died for everybody."

    Dad nodded.  "And Jesus would have died for Mrs. Shrively if she'd been the only person in the world.  God loves her so much that He gave the very best heaven had to offer--His only Son."  Sarah and Rob were silent.  They knew what Dad was saying.

    "So if God loves her that much, we'd better not criticize her anymore," admitted Sarah finally.

    "I guess that's true," said Rob, "but it sure will be hard."

    "I'm sure God will help you," said Mother.

    "Let's all ask God to help us," suggested Dad.  "If we hold up one another in prayer, God will give us victory over that bad habit." 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you depend upon God to help you treat everyone nicely?  Maybe there's someone you really have trouble liking--someone who dresses differently or acts strangely or just "bugs you."  Don't join the kids at school if they pick on one of your classmates.  Whenever you're tempted to be critical or unkind, remember that God made the person you're criticizing, and God loves him just as much as He loves you.  If you keep that in mind, you should have no trouble knowing how you should behave toward him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 5:8  B)
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Brand Names

Erin and her friend Leslie ran to the window display of a clothing store in the mall.  "Mom, hurry!" Erin pleaded impatiently.  "Look at that neat outfit!  Could I have that for my birthday?"

    "I don't know," Mother answered doubtfully.  "I'm afraid it's a bit expensive.  And really, Erin, I think it's quite sloppy looking."

    "I love it!" Erin exclaimed.  "It's the latest fashion.  Everyone's wearing shirts like that."

    "The jeans are so neat, too," Leslie added.

    "Yeah," agreed Erin.  "All the kids wear that brand.  Oh, please, Mom!"  She looked hopefully at her mother.

    Mother frowned.  "I've seen jeans at the discount store that look just as nice."

    "Oh, Mom," wailed Erin, "I don't want to wear those.  Everyone would know they were the cheap kind."

    "Well," said Mother wearily, "the stores are closing, so we won't be getting any jeans today."  Reluctantly  the girls nodded, and they all went out to the car.  "You know, girls," said Mother as they drove home, "brand names seem so important to you.  Yet you wear a name much more important than any name on jeans."

    Erin and Leslie looked puzzled.  "What do you mean, Mom?" asked Erin.

    "Since you trusted in Christ, you wear Christ's name--the name 'Christian,'" explained Mother.  "Brand names are really advertise- ments, and our lives should 'advertise' for Jesus.  I wonder, girls, can your friends tell that you wear Christ's name?"

    Erin frowned.  "I. . .I don't know," she mumbled.  "I never thought about it in that way before."

    "Me neither," agreed Leslie.   

    "I must admit that I don't think of it often myself," said Mother, "but it's something we all should remember.  Just think--we wear the most important name of all!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?  If so, you  belong to Him and bear His name.  Let others see by your words and actions that you belong to God.  Let your life be a pleasing "advertisement" for Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 5:25  I)
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Fire Is Hot

The twins, Paul and Pam, were spending the weekend with their grandparents.  As they sat before the fire, popping corn with an old-fashioned, long-handled basket, Pam told her grandparents what they had discussed in school that day.  "You know our teacher is a Christian," said Pam, "and she says that a person needs faith to live in this world as well as to become a Christian.  She says that almost everything we do takes faith."

    Paul nodded.  "Yeah," he said, "but then the bell rang, and she didn't have time to explain it.  Sounds kind of silly to me."  He took the corn popper and moved nearer the fireplace.  Holding it over the hot coals, he shook it vigorously.  Soon the kernels were turning into white puffballs, dancing merrily in the pan.  As they finished popping, he pulled the basket from the fire.  "Where's the pot holder?" he asked.

    "What makes you think you need that?" asked Grandpa.

    Paul looked at him in surprise.  "Without it, I'd burn my hand on the basket," he said.  "Fire is hot, you know, and so is the basket."

    "Perhaps so," said Grandpa.  "At least fire always has been hot.  Now. . .if you don't have faith that what was true in the past is still true, you might as well grab hold of that basket and open it up.  Of course, if you do have faith, maybe you'd like this pot holder."

    Paul laughed.  "I have faith," he declared, taking the pot holder.  "I guess Miss Wilson's right.  We do use faith for lots of things we do."

    Grandpa nodded his head.  "Seeing that we exercise faith in the ordinary things we do should help us to see what it means to have faith in God.  It's simply believing that what He says is true--even though we may not understand it."  He took a bowl of popcorn.  "Don't doubt that Jesus can save you because you have to accept it by faith." 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have faith?  Do you ride in a bus, or a plane, or even a car without checking out the driver?  That takes faith--a belief that those people will get you where you want to go.  You'll find that you have faith in many other people, too.  Then certainly you can have faith in God.  Others can make errors, but not God.  Believe what He says in the Bible--first of all for salvation, (see last page) and also for all the promises He has given.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 11:6  B)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God).