Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Zack was visiting his grandparents in Florida.  It was fun being outdoors in the sunshine, especially when he thought about the cold and snow at home in Minnesota.  He especially liked the fact that Grandpa and Grandma lived close to the Atlantic Ocean--so close that they could walk to the beach from their house.

    One evening, Zack and his grandfather were out in the yard.  It was windy, and they could hear the waves beating against the rocks even though they were a couple of blocks away.  "I've never heard the waves sound so loud," said Zack.

    "They do get wild and noisy sometimes," replied Grandpa.  "Would you like to walk down and see them?"

    "Sure," said Zack, so he and his grandfather walked to the ocean.  "Wow!  Look at those waves!" Zack exclaimed.  "Cool!"  The water was crashing against the rocky shoreline, sending spray high into the air.

    "The waves are fascinating," agreed Grandpa, "but they're also quite destructive.  The water level is high this year, and it's washing away some of the soil from yards in the houses along here.  Some homes are built too close to the ocean, and the owners have had to build stronger breakwaters to try and stop the erosion."

    "And that probably costs a lot of money," said Zack.  "I guess they should have been more careful about where they built their houses."

    "Right."  Grandpa nodded.  He waved a hand out toward the ocean.  "Did you know you're looking at an object lesson out there?" he asked.

    "An object lesson!  What do you mean?" asked Zack.

    Grandpa smiled.  "The book of Jude uses waves to describe people who teach false doctrine," he explained.  "Jude says that those who twist and change what is written in the Bible are like raging waves of the sea.  They destroy the people who believe what they say."

    "Whew!" exclaimed Zack.  "That's really bad, isn't it!  So. . .it's a good idea to be careful about where you build your house so wild waves won't knock it down, but it's even more important to be careful to listen only to teachers who teach exactly what the Bible says, right?"

    "Good thinking," approved Grandpa.  "I couldn't have said it better myself!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever watched waves beat against the shore?  They're interesting to see, aren't they?  But they can do a lot of damage.  Remember, raging waves are a picture of false teachers who sometimes use the words that sound as if they come from the Bible.  They may be interesting, but they're preaching their own doctrine, not God's.  Learn what God's Word says so you will not be fooled by these "raging waves."

[Soldier4Christ]

Gary and Melissa watched from the window as lightning streaked across the sky.  An extra brilliant flash seemed to cut the sky in two.  This was followed by a loud crash of thunder.  Suddenly it was pitch dark in the house.  "What happened?" cried Gary, stumbling over a footstool in the dark.

    "Oh, it's so dark!" Melissa exclaimed.  Then she called, "Mom, where are you?  Please come here!"

    Mother came into the room with a lighted candle.  "The lightning must have knocked the electricity out," she said.  "We'll have to see by candlelight for a while--just like in years gone by."

    "It's lighter than I thought it would be," said Melissa a little later as they sat watching the flickering light in the otherwise dark room.

    Mother nodded.  "It's surprising how much light that one little flame gives," she agreed.

    Gary was quiet, then he suddenly blurted out, "Ye are the light of the world."  He grinned as he added, "My Sunday school verse just popped into my mind because of that candle!"

    "A verse I had to learn says we're supposed to let our lights shine before men," said Melissa.  "Our teacher says we do that when we do things that please God."

    "I always figured that the little bit I could do didn't amount to much," added Gary thoughtfully, "but look what a lot of difference one small light can make."

    "I'm glad you noticed that," said Mom.  "The things we can do may seem small to us, but everything we do for Jesus is important.  We never know who may see Jesus because of the light in our lives."

    Just then the house lights came back on.  "It's good to have electricity again, but I'm glad it went out for a while," said Mother.  "I think it reminded all of us of some important things!" 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel as though there's not much you can do to let your light shine for Jesus?  That isn't true!  Obeying parents and teachers, being kind, showing love, forgiving others, and being patient are just a few of the many ways to let your light shine.  Anything you are able to do for Jesus is worthwhile.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:14, 16)
16 Ye are the light of the world. . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

Courtney hurried to tie her sneakers.  It was a Saturday morning, and she was going to go with Mom on her morning walk.

    Mom smiled as Courtney skipped along beside her.  "I enjoy having you along when I go for a walk," said Mom.  "Why don't you come with me more often?"

    "I think I will," agreed Courtney.  "Maybe not every Saturday."  She grinned.  "I have to sleep in once in a while, you know.  But I do like to come with you, too.  I  like to look at all the flowers blooming in the yards and. . . ." Courtney broke off her sentence as two large dogs ran barking toward her across their fenced backyard.  She shrank against Mom.

    Mom smiled down at her.  "Don't worry.  That's a strong fence," said Mom.  "I walk this way every morning, and I've never seen those dogs get out."

    Courtney shuddered as she hurried past the dogs.  "I don't like dogs."

    "I know," said Mom, "but you canátrust the fence to hold them."

    That evening, Courtney's friend Sara called.  After hanging up the phone, Courtney talked with Mom.  "Sara wanted me to go with her to a movie that I knew I shouldn't see, but I said no," she reported.

    "Good," said Mom, giving her a hug.  "As you get older, honey, you'll face many temptations.  You need to build strong fences to keep from giving in to things you shouldn't do."

    Courtney looked puzzled, and Mom explained.  "There are several things we can do to build fences that hold back temptation," she said.  "Listening in church and Sunday school, reading the Bible and obeying it, talking to God in prayer, and spending time with Christian friends are all ways to help strengthen our fences of resistance.  Then, even though temptation can come at us like those dogs you saw today, all it can do is bark at the fence.  If you build a strong fence, it will be sure to hold."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
There are many temptations that are hard to resist.  Are you building "fences" against them?  You need to do that now so that you don't give in, even to the strongest temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 27:5 Fo)
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me.

[Soldier4Christ]

It's not fair! stormed Karen angrily.  "Kim lied, and Mrs. Edwards punished me!  She made me stay inside during recess, and all the kids laughed at me."  Karen spoke rapidly.  "I was humiliated!"

    "But what happened, Karen?" prodded Mother.

    "Kim told Mrs. Edwards that I was the one who scribbled on everyone's test papers.  It wasn't me, Mom," cried Karen.  "Kim did it because she thought she had failed."

    "How do you know Kim did it, honey?" asked Mother.

    "I saw her.  Mrs. Edwards was on duty on the playground, and I hadn't gone outside yet," Karen explained.  "But Mrs. Edwards believed Kim and not me!  Why should I be punished for her bad behavior?"

    Mother put an arm around Karen and handed her a tissue.  "I'm sorry about this, honey." Mother spoke softly.  After a moment she added, "When something like this happens to me, it makes me think of Jesus."

    "Jesus?"  Karen sounded surprised.  "Why?"

    "Jesus did nothing wrong His entire life," explained Mother, "yet He took the punishment for our sins.  How do you suppose He felt?"

    Thoughtfully, Karen responded, "A lot like me, maybe?"

    "Maybe," said Mother, "but even though He was humiliated and denied justice, He didn't complain.  And He forgave those who treated Him so badly."  Mother hugged Karen.  "I've found that when I go through even a little, tiny bit of the kind of treatment Jesus experienced, it helps me understand a little better what He went through.  It makes me feel closer to Him.  Can you understand what I'm saying?"

    Karen nodded and attempted a smile.  "I feel like getting even with Kim, but I won't," she said.  "I'll ask God to help me forgive her, because Jesus forgives me."   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever punished when it's not your fault?  Do you try to get even and make the guilty person pay?  Next time this happens, pause a moment and think about Jesus.  Try to behave the way He would. 


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:17a)
Recompense to no man evil for evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

With only three weeks left before his class trip to Funland, Brandon was worried.  He knew his parents didn't have money for the trip.  But when he came in from school one day, Mother met him with a smile.  "Mr. Walsh, next door, wants you to take care of his dogs," she said.  "He's going to the hospital for surgery."  She handed Brandon some money.  "He's paying in advance."  When Brandon counted the money, he let out a whoop of delight.  He was halfway to Funland!

    A week later, Brandon's family was sorry to hear that Mr. Walsh had died.  His son picked up the dogs and took them to his farm.

    Brandon tried to find another job to earn the rest of the money he needed for the class trip, but he was unable to do so.  Then, just a couple of days before they were to leave for Funland, a letter came for Brandon.  "Look, Mom!" he squealed as a check fell out of the envelope.  "It's from Mr. Walsh's son.  He says he's sorry he forgot to pay me when he picked up the dogs."

    "But Mr. Walsh had already paid you," Mother reminded him.

    "I guess his son didn't know that," Brandon replied.  "Now I've got my money for Funland."

    "Do you plan to keep that money?" Mother asked softly.

    Brandon looked at the floor.  "Well, I asked the Lord to give me the money so I could go," he said, "and here it is!"

    "Do you honestly think the Lord sent it to you, Brandon?" asked Mother.  "Don't you think it would be dishonest to keep Mr. Walsh's money?"

    Tears filled Brandon's eyes, and he nodded.  "I guess it would," he admitted.  "I'll have to give this back."

    Mother hugged him.  "I know it's hard, Son," she said.  "But you never lose by being honest."

    Brandon felt a little sad when he woke up on the morning his class left on their trip.  But as the day passed, he was surprised at the peace and contentment in his heart in spite of his disappointment.  There would be other trips to Funland, and then he could enjoy himself with a clear conscience.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes want to keep things that don't belong to you?  Little things can play an important role in your future.  One wrong choice, one lie, one instance of shoplifting can start you on the wrong road.  On the other hand, a right choice results in peace and satisfaction.  Always be honest--it's what God commands.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:17b  P)
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

[Soldier4Christ]

Cindy tried to slow her bike when one of the neighborhood kids turned right in front of her, but her front wheel skidded and she toppled onto the hard gravel.  After a moment of stunned fright, she stood up and inspected the damage.  Her bike was okay, but her right knee was a mess.  Small pieces of gravel had pierced her skin and were imbedded in the cut.  Slowly, she wheeled her bike home and parked it in the garage.

    She found her mother in the kitchen.  "Look at my knee, Mom," said Cindy.  "It hurts!  That Jason makes me so mad!  He cut right in front of me, and I fell."

    "I'm sure he didn't mean to make you fall," said Mom as she examined Cindy's knee.  "I'm afraid we'll have to do more than wash this.  We'll have to get all the bits of gravel out of the cut.  Otherwise it may fester, and the sore spot might get infected."

    Mom sterilized some tweezers and carefully dislodged each tiny piece of gravel.  Cindy winced and felt her eyes fill with tears, but she clenched her teeth and didn't complain.  She was glad when Mom finished and the cut was bandaged.

    "Your knee may be sore for a few days," said Mom, "but it should heal just fine."

    Cindy studied her bandaged knee.  "Well, I'm never going to play with Jason again," she declared.  "It's all his fault."

    "Whoa!" cautioned Mom.  "Be careful!  Don't let anger or bitterness fester in your heart.  They're like gravel."

    "Like gravel?  What do you mean?" asked Cindy.

    "Sins such as bitterness and anger--actually, any sin. . .even so-called little sins--are like the gravel in your cut," Mom told her.  "If we don't do anything about our sin, it can lead to more sin. . .like germs lead to an infection.  So when you sin, what should you  do about it?"

    "Ask Jesus for forgiveness," said Cindy promptly.  "We should also ask forgiveness of anyone who's been hurt by our sin."  She looked thoughtful.  "Last Saturday, I. . .ah. . .I said I felt sick because I didn't feel like helping Grandma wash windows," she confessed.  "I wasn't really sick, and it's bothered me all week."

    "How can you get rid of that 'gravel'?" Mom asked gently.

    "Well. . .I did tell God I was sorry, and I guess. . .oh, I know!  I'll call Grandma and tell her I'm sorry for not helping," said Cindy.  "And first thing Saturday morning, I'll go wash her windows."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you checked for sin in your life that needs attention?  It may be painful to examine your sin and ask for forgiveness, but if you ignore, it will be even more painful later.  Get rid of sin quickly before it causes an "infection. "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:133  O)
Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Lindy lay on her bed, her eyes filled with tears.  "Go away!" she snapped when her father tapped on her door.

    "Don't you want to go fishing with me?" asked Dad.

    Quickly, Lindy jumped to her feet and brushed at the tears with her fingers.  "Oh, I do!" she exclaimed.  "Wait for me!"

    Dad did wait, and soon they were sitting on the riverbank, hoping the fish would bite.  "Has something been bothering you, honey?" asked Dad.  "I've noticed that you spend a lot of time in your room lately. . . and frankly, you've been very touchy and grouchy, too."

    "Oh, Daddy," wailed Lindy, "nobody wants to be my friend any more.  When I ask any of the kids to play or to come over or something, they all make excuses and do something else."

    "I see," murmured Dad.  "Do you have any idea why?"

    "No!" snapped Lindy.  "They're all selfish and hateful!"

    "Everybody?"  Dad raised his eyebrows.

    "Yes, everybody!" Linda declared crossly.  "I. . .Oh!  Get away!  Get away!"  Lindy jumped to her feet and dropped her fishing pole.

    "What is it?"  Dad rushed to her side.  A few feet away a large turtle was glaring at Lindy and snapping furiously.  "Not a very friendly fellow, is he?" asked Dad with a smile.  "Leave him alone, Lindy, and he won't hurt you."

    Lindy shuddered.  "I'll be glad to leave him alone," she declared.  "I don't like snapping turtles.  Let's move.  The fish aren't biting here anyway."

    "Lindy," said Dad when they were settled in a new spot, "could it be that everyone is leaving you alone because you've been acting like a snapping turtle--glaring and snapping at anyone who dares to cross your path?"

    "But, Daddy," began Lindy, "I. . . ."

    "No, let me finish," Dad interrupted.  "When that big turtle started snapping at us, what did we do?"

    "We got out of his way," Lindy answered.

    "And that may be what your friends are doing--getting out of your way and leaving you alone," Dad replied.  "The Bible says that to have friends, you must be friendly.  That snapping turtle wasn't very friendly.  And you aren't very friendly, either, when you snap at anyone who speaks to you."

    The following week, Lindy greeted her father one evening with a big smile.  "You were right, Daddy," she said.  "When I stopped snapping at my friends, they stopped getting out of my way." 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have people been avoiding you?  Is it because you've been snapping at them?  God's Word is filled with practical wisdom, and one thing it teaches is that your tongue can cause you all kinds of trouble.  Check your attitude and your tongue.  Ask God to help you use it to make friends instead of driving people away.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 39:1  I)
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.

[Soldier4Christ]

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus; just to take Him at His Word. . . .  The words of the song floated up the stairs.  Danny yawned and peeked at the sunlight playing on his bed.  "Just to rest upon His promise. . . ."  The quavering voice rang out over banging pots and pans.  Danny grinned.  Grandma always sang in the morning.  In fact, she always sang.  Then he frowned.  How could she sing this morning?  After yesterday?  A sob caught in Danny's throat.  "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him. . . ."  Grandma's song continued as Danny got dressed.

    "Grannie, how can you sing this morning?" asked Danny as he ate breakfast. 

    Grandma smiled.  "Honey, a long time ago I learned to sing when I'm sad and when I'm glad.  Your grandfather loved to hear me sing."

    "But he died," Danny blurted out.  "We had his funeral yesterday."

    "I know," Grandma answered gently, "and I also know he wouldn't want me to stop singing now."

    Danny's mother nodded.  "And neither do I," she said.  She looked at her son.  "I've read that singing is good for you physically, Danny.  But even more importantly, it's good for you mentally.  It helps your attitude and makes you feel better."

    "That's right.  Singing hymns and choruses will ease your heart- aches," Grandma added knowingly.  "It will help you remember that God is truly good and that He is in control.  He does all things well."

    Dad joined the conversation.  "Singing is a form of spiritual exercise," he said.  "One thing some people do to keep fit physically is jog, and one thing we can do to keep fit spiritually is sing."

    As Danny sat on his grandfather's tractor in the field that afternoon, he sang.  "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. . . ."  And he realized Grandma was right.  Singing did help. 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you sad?  Worried?  Afraid?  Dis- contented?  Then sing!  Exercise your spirit.  Sing unto the Lord.  It will please Him, and you'll feel better, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 98:1)
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things.

[Soldier4Christ]

Blake, Tammy, and their parents strolled through the museum peering into each display case.  "Look at these old shoes," said Tammy.  "They look uncomfortable.  I'm glad we have sneakers today."

    "Me, too," agreed Blake.  "Hey. . .how would you like to plow a field with this?"  He pointed to an old horse-drawn plow.  "Here's a picture showing how it was used.  Look. . .the farmer had to walk behind it.  Did you use this kind of plow when you were on the farm, Dad?"

    Dad laughed.  "No, but my grandfather did," he said.   

    "Well, I guess it was easy to give up this kind of plow when the tractor was invented," observed Blake.   

    "I know my grandfather was glad to see it go," agreed Dad.

    They walked along, commenting on the things they saw.  Just before leaving, they stopped to look at things from the Revolutionary War period.

    "Check out this wig," said Blake.  "It reminds me of pictures I've seen of George Washington.  Do you think he wore a wig?"

    Mother nodded.  "At that time, men often wore wigs for special occasions," she said.

    "It looks silly," remarked Tammy.  "Oh, look!  Here's the Minuteman display!  We read all about them  in my history class.  They were called Minutemen because they would be ready to follow their leader into battle in a minute's notice."

    "It meant leaving all they had," said Mom.  "Families, businesses, and possessions were left for a cause they believed in.  When the word came, they had to be ready and willing to go."

    "That must have been hard," said Blake.  "I wonder if I could leave everything I owned in a moment's notice."  He shrugged his shoulders.  "Well there are no Minutemen today, so I guess I'll never know."

    "In a way, there are Minutemen," said Dad.  "When Jesus calls, we should be ready immediately to follow Him wherever He leads.  It may mean leaving everything we have and everyone we know."

    "Missionaries do that," observed Tammy.

    Dad nodded.  "They often do," he agreed.  "And I'm sure they'll tell you that the joy they receive far outweighs any sacrifice they make.  Possessions are so temporary anyway."  He smiled.  "Wherever God wants us is the place we'll find contentment and happiness as we commit our lives to Him and yield to His will."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you be willing to follow Jesus whenever and wherever He leads?  Is there something you know the Lord would like you to give up to follow Him?  It is hard.  Ask Him to give you the courage and strength to do so today.  You'll find it brings real joy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 12:26  I)
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be.

[Soldier4Christ]

When band practice was canceled on Saturday morning, Julie thought she would head to the pool to practice for next week's swim meet.  Instead, Mom insisted that she help Grandpa with the new vegetable garden he had planted.

    Julie wiped her hand across her brow as she followed Grandpa out to the garden.  It was a warm day, and she could smell the scent of roses and honeysuckle.   She remembered how she used to pick bouquets and give them to Grandpa.  But she'd been so busy lately, she hardly had time to see Grandpa anymore.  She felt bad about that.

    Julie looked up to see her grandfather watching her.  "Is something wrong?" he asked.

    "I just have so many things to do," said Julie with a sigh.  "There's school and band and Bible club and swimming and choir and the quiz team at church.  And now my friends want me to join a drama club.  Mom says I'm not spending enough time helping with chores around the house or seeing the people I care about.  And she's right!  I haven't even seen you very much lately!"

    Grandpa picked up the hoe.  "Do you think you should cut down on your activities?" he asked.  "Maybe give up a few of them?

    Julie shrugged.  "But they're all such good things!" she protested.  "I like them all."  She watched as Grandpa began to weed out the plants that were crowded together.  "Why are you throwing out those healthy little plants?" asked Julie.  "They look just as good as the others."

    "They are good.  But they're growing too close together," explained Grandpa.  "If I let them stay, none of the plants will grow well."  He smiled at Julie.  "Plants don't do well when they're crowded for space, and people don't do well when they're crowded for time," he said gently.

    Julie bit her lip.  "You mean. . .it's like my activities.  There's nothing wrong with any of them.  It's just that my life is so crowded I can't do any of them as well as I should, right?"

    Grandpa nodded. "God says we are to do everything to His glory," he reminded her.  "I'm afraid He doesn't get much glory from the things we don't do well."

    Julie sighed.  "I think I better 'weed out' some of my activities so I'll have time for the things that matter most, like school work and spending time with my family and friends," she decided.  She felt better already.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your life so crowded with activities that you don't have time for the things that really matter?  Even good activities can take too much time.  Check to see if you should do some "weeding" to make room for family, friends, school work, or responsibilities at home.  Ask God to help you know which things will bring the most glory to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 10:31  W)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Scott came into the living room, carrying his white kitten, Snowflake, who purred and snuggled comfortably in his arms.  "I'm so glad you let me keep this kitten, even though we already had two cats," he told his parents.  "Snowflake is the only one that will let me pick her up and carry her anywhere I go."  He sat down on the sofa, and Snowflake curled beside him.  "See, she'll just peacefully rest here beside me as long as I want her to."

    Mom smiled at them.  "Well, Scott, you've been so gentle with her ever since she was tiny," she said.

    "I know," answered Scott, "but I'm just the same with Jemimah, and she howls and cries the whole time I hold her.  She's so nervous and jittery.  She just waits for a chance to run off."

    Dad nodded.  "She's that way with all of us," he said.

    "Maybe that's because she had a deprived 'kittenhood' before we got her," suggested Mother.  "We've taken good care of her for all these years, and yet she's never learned to trust us completely."

    "And that Tangerine!" added Scott.  "I never even try to pick him up, because I don't want to be scratched!"

    Dad put his newspaper down.  "These three cats remind me of the ways people react to God's 'picking them up' and placing them where He wants them," he said slowly.  "Think about it--which one do you think you're like?"

    Scott looked at Snowflake, still lying peacefully beside him, and grinned.  "I hope I'm like Snowflake," he decided, "content to be wherever God puts me."

    Mother nodded.  "But I'm afraid that, once in a while, we're more like Jemimah--nervous about everything that happens, or like Tangerine--too full of our own plans."

    "We can all pray for grace to be content where God has placed us," said Dad with a smile.  "We're happy as we trust Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has God placed you in a difficult spot--such as a broken home, a new school, or a class you don't enjoy?  Don't be nervous and jittery about your circumstances, waiting for a chance to go a different way.  And don't be so full of your own plans that you can't trust God, content in His plan.  God loves you, and He knows best.  Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 30:15  F)
For thus saith the Lord God. . .in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason watched as his father made a stamp on several letters with an embosser.  "What are you doing, Dad?" he asked.

    "This is our company's seal, Jason.  It displays our trademark and our motto," explained Dad.  "The raised marks make it impossible for anyone to erase it."

    "What is your company motto?" asked Jason.

    "Old-fashioned service with new-fashioned materials," said Dad.

    "Do all companies have seals?" asked Jason.

    "No, but many do," answered Dad.  "So do the fifty states.  Our Wisconsin seal says, 'Forward.'  Our country has a seal, too.  It contains a Latin phrase that means 'Out of many, one.'"

    Jason grinned.  "Hey, that's neat," he said.

    "There's another important seal, too, Jason," said Dad.  "Take your Bible and look up 2 Timothy 2:19."

    Jason got his Bible and quickly turned to the New Testament.  He found the verse and read, "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His."

    "You see, Jason, the Bible says that when we became Christians, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit," said Dad, "and I guess we could say that the verse you read gives us the 'motto' of our seal--'The Lord knows those who are His.'"

    Jason thought about that.  "It's kinda like your company's seal, Dad," he decided.  "It's something that can't be erased, right?"

    "That's right," agreed Dad, "and here's something else to think about."  He picked up an envelope and pointed to the seal he had put on it.  "When my letters are sealed with this special mark, people know it's from my company, and when we're sealed with the Holy Spirit, people should be able to see that we belong to the Lord!"   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you seen a seal with a motto or a picture representing a country or a business?  If you're a Christian, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit when you accepted Christ.  You belong to the Lord, and nothing can change that.  But, remember, others should be able to see  by your life that you have His seal upon you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 1:13  I)
In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jared  sighed as he pushed the door open, pulled the key out, and put it in his pocket.  He swung the door shut and turned the lock.  "Tony's lucky--his mom is home baking cookies, but I have to peel potatoes and put meatloaf in the oven," he said out loud.  He talked to himself a lot when he was alone.  That way the apartment didn't seem so empty.  "I wish I had a pet."

    Jared continued to mumble as he did his chores.  Soon he heard his mother at the door.  "Hi, honey, how was school?" she asked as she entered the room.

    "Okay."  Jared didn't look up.

    "Thanks for putting the meatloaf in the oven.  It sure smells good."  Mom took off her coat and hung it up.  She looked at Jared closely.  "Is something wrong?" she asked.  Jared shook his head.  "Are you sure?" asked Mom.  She paused on her way toward the stove.  "I can tell something's bothering you.  Let's talk about it, okay?"  She put down a dish and hugged Jared.

    Soon Jared was telling Mom all his troubles--especially how he hated coming home to an empty house.  Mom sighed.  "We talked about this before, and you know I have to work," she said.  "I'd rather be home, but I have no choice.  I wish you could have a pet, but the landlord won't allow that."  Her shoulders slumped.  Then she sat up straight.  "Jared, you have something many of your friends don't have.  You have Jesus," she reminded him.  "That's more important than anything else in the world.  When we have to do without things we want, I think it helps to remind ourselves of what we do have."  Mom picked up a pen and paper.  "Let's make a list of good things we enjoy," she suggested.  "I'll start.  Let's see. . .we have a place to live."

    "And clothes," Jared added.

    Mom wrote it down.  "You can go to school, and I have a job," she said.  "What else?"

    "Friends."  Jared started to smile.

    "We have a church where we can worship God," added Mom.

    "We can go to the doctor when we're sick," suggested Jared.

    Mom nodded.  "And right now we're both healthy," she said.  "I'll write that down, too."

    Jared sniffed the air.  He grinned.  "We have meatloaf," he said.  "Let's set the table.  I'm hungry!" 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your friends have something you wish you had?  Instead of thinking of those things, make a list of what you have.  Learn to be content in your circumstances, and thank God for them.  Then you'll find that things don't seem quite so bad anymore.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:18  I)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sooki, the dog, yelped and whined to be let off her chain.  Dad  looked over at Todd.  "Why don't you bring Sooki in for the night?" he asked.

    So Todd brought Sooki in and sat down on the floor beside her.  "Silly dog," he said, patting her fondly.  "We have a nice fence around the yard so you can run all around and still not get hit by any nasty old cars, but do you appreciate it?  No, you dig out, so then we have to chain you even though you hate it.  It's your own fault, see?"

    "If Sooki could understand how much we love her and want her to be safe and happy, I bet she wouldn't try to get loose," observed Carrie.

    Mom nodded.  "She's a lot like us, isn't she?" said Mom.  Everyone turned and looked at her.  "God loves us so He has put up a 'fence' for us, too--He has set limits for us," she explained.  "He does this so we'll be safe and still have all the room we need for our activities.  But sometimes we think there must be something better outside the 'fence.'  We think God's laws limit and restrict us too much, though they actually give us freedom."

    "I bet the Ten Commandments are the 'fence' God has set for us, right?" asked Carrie.

    "Yes, the Ten Commandments along with all the principles for living found in God's Word," said Dad.  "They're a guideline for us, but when we realize God's goodness and love for us, we find that we want to live to please Him because we love Him.  Then the 'fence' God gave doesn't feel like something that hinders us in any way, but rather as something that keeps us safe."

   "Well," said Todd thoughtfully, "whenever I start to feel that God's laws are too strict, I'll think about Sooki and how fences keep dogs--and me--safe."      "Me, too."  Carrie nodded.  She gave the dog a squeeze.  "You're a good teacher, Sooki," she added.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that God has set up limits for you because He loves you?   Ask Him to help you stay within His laws--to trust that they are for your good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John  5:3  F)
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

[Soldier4Christ]

I get so tired of Joe Simons!  grumbled Noah one evening.  "He's supposed to be a Christian, but he sure doesn't act like one.  He never buys a lunch, so he's always begging stuff from me.  And he always borrows paper, pencils, pens--you name it--and I never get them back!"

    "Maybe you should just ask him for them instead of getting angry about it," suggested Dad.

    "Besides that," added Noah, "he's so rough when we're playing.  But if he gets bumped a little, he tattles.  My friends and I aren't going to hang around with him anymore."

    Dad's eyebrows furrowed in concern.  "I think you know that Joe's father is an alcoholic, don't you?" he asked.  Noah nodded, and Dad continued, "And I believe his mother has to work long hours.  Things must be pretty tough around his house."

    "And remember. . .Joe's a brand-new Christian," added Mother.

    The doorbell interrupted their discussion.  It was their neighbor, Mr. Crane.  "Hey, I'm sorry to bother you, but my car won't start," he said.  "The battery isn't dead, but it doesn't seem strong enough to start the engine.  Could you give me a jump?"

    Dad went to get his booster cables.  He drove his car next door, and Noah watched as his father first attached wires under the hood of his own car and then stretched them to reach under the hood of Mr. Crane's car.  Mr. Crane tried to start his car again, and they all cheered when the dead engine jumped to life.

    Dad and Noah returned home.  Dad put his hand on Noah's shoulder as they went into the house.  "Son, Joe is like Mr. Crane's battery," he said.  "He's a Christian, but he gets drained emotionally and spiritually by his home situation.  He needs someone stronger to give him a boost--he's too weak to function on his own.  Christians should help one another.  The Bible tells us to bear the burdens of the weak and to encourage them."

    Noah frowned.  "So. . .you're saying the other guys and I should try to think of some ways to help Joe, right?"   

    Dad nodded.  "It won't be as easy as jump-starting a car," he said, "but I'm sure you'll think of something to help Joe bear his burden."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you irritated by some Christians you know?  Maybe they need a helpful hand, a listening ear, or a friendly smile to help "jump-start" their spiritual "batteries."  Perhaps you can think of other ways to offer encouragement.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:2  B)
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.