Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Tom pounded the last nail into the bird trap he was building, then took it to the backyard to set it up.  He tilted the cage upward on its end and propped a stick under the raised end.  Next, he scattered bread crumbs, trailing them inside the cage.  Finally, he unraveled a string attached to the stick and hid behind a bush, string in hand.  "There!" he muttered quietly to himself.  "Hope a bird falls for my trap."

    Tom waited, almost motionless, for an unsuspecting, hungry bird.  This project had kept his mind off a big problem he was having.  But now, while waiting, he began to worry once more.  Swimming lessons again this afternoon, he thought.  All the other kids can already swim, but I just stiffen up.  What if I can't learn to swim?  Then Tom remembered something he'd heard on a children's radio program the day before.  "Trust God for help" had been the theme of the lesson.  Can God can really help me learn to swim? he wondered.

    Tom looked up and saw a little bird pecking at the bread crumbs, following the crumbs right into the trap.  Tom yanked on the string, and the cage crashed down, trapping the bird inside.  "I got one!" Tom yelled, running to get a closer look.  The frightened little bird fluttered its wings wildly, trying to get free.

    Tom gazed at the unhappy bird for a few minutes, then slowly lifted the cage while the bird hopped to freedom.  "Go, little bird," he said, as the bird soared into the sky.  "I'm bigger and more powerful than you are, so I can help you escape this cage."  A thought struck him.  God is bigger and more powerful than I am, so He can help me with my problems.  As he headed for the house, Tom prayed that God would help him relax in the water.  He knew things would be better at swimming lessons that afternoon. 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid of going to the doctor, the dentist, or a new school?  Do you worry about schoolwork, your parents, your friends?  Are your problems too hard for you to work out?  They're not too hard for God.  Don't spend needless time worrying about them.  Worrying won't help.  Praying and trusting God will.  Take your problems to Him.  He's waiting to help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 124:8  O)
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Science is really fascinating, said Karl, as he painted a model fish to use for his science fair project.  "Did you know that fish can live in deep water because the pressure inside their bodies is as strong as the pressure of all that water?"

    "That is incredible," Dad agreed.

    "My teacher calls it a wonder of nature," said Karl.

    Dad raised an eyebrow.  "It is a great part of nature," he said, "and it is a wonder, though not in the way your teacher probably meant it.  God, the creator of nature carefully planned it that way."  He paused.  "Maybe you can find a way to demonstrate that as part of your project."

    "How would I do that?" asked Karl

    Dad thought for a moment, then picked up a bucket of blocks from the floor and handed it to Karl.  "Here," he said, "dump these out."

    Karl looked at the blocks.   "Dump out Patsy's blocks?" he asked.  He shrugged.  "Well, okay."  Karl dumped them into a messy pile.

    Dad looked at the blocks of the floor.  "No good," he said, putting them back into the bucket.  "Do it again."

    Karl frowned, but he did it again. . .and again. . .and again.  Each time, Dad shook his head, picked them up, and told him to dump them again.  Karl started to laugh.  "How long are we going to do this?" he asked at last.

    Dad smiled.  "I want them to land in a perfect castle. . .with a working drawbridge in front," he said as he started to fill the bucket once more.

    "Dad!" protested Karl.  "Count me out on that project.  It's never gonna happen."

    "Why not?" Dad asked.

    "It just couldn't," said Karl.  "It's impossible.  Blocks in a castle would have to be carefully placed-- and even then, I don't think we could make a working drawbridge with these."

    Dad smiled.  "You're right, of course," he said.  "Now. . .since it would take careful planning to make even an imperfect object, just think how much planning must have gone into making the whole world. . .the stars. . .and the rivers. . .and the. . . ."

    ". . .and the oceans and the fish, right?" asked Karl with a grin.  He pushed his painted fish aside, "Can I take these blocks to school tomorrow?" he asked.  "I have a new idea for the science fair."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does your school teach things that don't match up with the Bible?  Do you have a teacher or friends who believe everything in nature just evolved?  There is a lot of evidence to contradict evolution.  Go to your church library or your pastor to find some, so that you can share the truth with others.   


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 1:20  F)
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.

[Soldier4Christ]

What's on your mind, Son? asked Adam's mother.  "You look so serious!"

    Adam sighed.  "My Bible club teacher says God is three persons in one," he answered.  "I don't get it."

    Mother nodded.  "It is hard to understand," she agreed.

    "Mrs. Carroll says there's God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and they're all one person," said Adam.  "How can that be?"

      "I know it seems impossible to us," said Mother, "but that is what the Bible teaches."  The ringing of the phone interrupted her, and she went to answer it.  "That was your father," she said as she hung up a few minutes later.  "He wants me to get his suit from the dry cleaners before they close."  As she spoke, the phone rang again.  This time Adam answered it.   

    After talking a few minutes, Adam handed the phone to Mother.  "It's Grandma," he told her.  "She wants to talk to you."

    Mother took the phone.  "Hi, Mom," she said.  She listened.  "Sure, I'll take you. . .Three-thirty?  Okay, I'll be there by three.  See you then."

    Adam grinned at his mother.  "Grandma wants you to help her, too, doesn't she?"

    Mother nodded.  "Yes.  She needs to go to the doctor.  I have to stop at Aunt Cindy's, too.  I promised to take the baby for her this afternoon.  I'm going to have a busy day."

    "Wow!  What do people think you are?" asked Adam.  "Triplets?"

    Mother laughed.  "Sometimes it seems that way, but I don't mind.  They all have a right to ask things of me.  I'm Dad's wife, so he asks me to do things for him.  I'm Grandma's daughter, so she has a right to ask me to help her.  And as Aunt Cindy's sister, she just asks me to be sisterly."

    Adam thought a while.  "A wife, a daughter, and a sister--yet you're only one person," he said.  "Maybe that's a little like God being more than one person."

    "Good observation, Adam," answered Mother, "though there's no perfect example of the Trinity.  We believe some things just because the Bible says they're true--not because we fully understand them.  That's faith."

    "Okay, Mom," agreed Adam, "but this still helps me understand just a little."   




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you doubt what the Bible teaches because it doesn't seem possible?  The Bible is the Word of God, and what it says is true.  You think with a human mind, but God is far greater than that.  Even if you can't understand something, you can believe it if God said it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 3:16  A)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sandy and Brett were taking lunch to their father, who was a gate guard at a factory in their town.  Dad saw them coming and greeted them as they approached.  "Sorry, but you can't get through here without a badge," he said sternly.

    Sandy giggled.  "Daddy, quit teasing," she protested.  "We brought your lunch."

    Dad smiled.  "I'll be off for lunch in five minutes," he said.  "Wait here, and I'll get you a badge so you can come in.  Then we can talk while I eat."

    At lunch time, they sat under a tree.  "Dad, does everyone need to have a badge before you'll let him inside the factory?"  Sandy asked as she munched on one of Dad's potato chips.

    Dad nodded.  "The badge shows that you belong here," he said.

    "Even if you know a person by name?" asked Brett.  "Like us?"

    "It makes no difference," Dad said.  "You still need a badge.  It's strict company policy."

    "Why?" asked Sandy.  "It doesn't seem fair."

    "Oh, it is," Dad replied.  "The badges are free to anyone who has business inside the factory.  It's for their own protection--and the company's, too.  It keeps outsiders from hindering our production or from getting hurt by wandering into the wrong place."

    "Does anybody ever try to sneak in without one?" asked Brett.

    Dad nodded.  "Once in a while," he said, "but that doesn't work."  Closing his lunch pail, he added, "This reminds me of the way some people try to get into heaven.  In a sense, we need a 'badge' to get into heaven, too--the badge of faith in Jesus Christ.  People will try to sneak in by doing good works, or they'll claim God knows them, but they won't get in.  Receiving Jesus is the only way into heaven."  Just then the factory whistle blew.  "I need to get back to work," said Dad.  "See you at supper."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to go to heaven?  You can't get there by your own good works.  You must trust Jesus as your personal Savior.  (See last page).  Trust Him today.  Tomorrow may be too late!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 4:5  B)
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brett and Sandy watched for a few minutes as their dad carefully eyed the workers going back into the factory.  They saw one man carrying a water jug, but Dad didn't allow him to take it in.  When a woman came along carrying several packages of cookies, Dad made her return them to her car.  The children wondered why.  They asked Dad about it as they ate dinner that evening. 

    "Why did you stop that man from bringing his water jug into the factory?" Brett wanted to know.

    "Because he didn't have water in the jug," Dad replied.  "He had beer.  Drinking on the job hinders production and causes accidents."

    "But what's wrong with cookies?" Sandy asked.  "Why did that lady have to take them back to her car?"

    "She intended to sell them on the job--on company time," answered Dad.  "That's against the rules.  She would be cheating the company out of work.  People often think a guard is mean because he stops certain items from entering the factory, but it's necessary for everyone's safety and to maintain a well-run, productive company."

    "It's sort of like guarding our hearts," said Mother.  "As Christians, we need to keep bad attitudes and actions out of our lives, or they'll hinder our testimony for Christ."  Brett and Sandy both knew what Mother was getting at.  Just that afternoon she had had to punish Sandy for using a swear word, and she had made Brett turn off a violent TV program.

    "Good thought," said Dad.  "In other words, I shouldn't be the only one in this family on guard duty every day."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you guarding your heart to keep out worldly ideas and wicked thoughts?  Are you refusing to allow things such as dirty pictures, swearing, or bad television shows to enter your life and influence your thinking? Guard your life from things that will keep you from living a victorious Christian life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:23  K)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brent cut doors and windows in an old refrigerator carton, put an old throw rug in it, and climbed inside.  His little brother scooted in, too, but before long, Mother heard little Joey crying.  "Mommie!" he sobbed.  "Brent won't let me play in his catsul anymore!"

    "He keeps messing up the rug and jumping around inside," complained Brent.  "I'm afraid he'll wreck it."  So Mother persuaded Joey to play with a new truck in his own room.

    Things were peaceful for a while, but then Mother again heard Joey crying.  When she went to investigate, she was surprised to see him crouched inside the big box in Brent's room, crying as he peered out the window.  "Brent won't let me out of the cage!" he sobbed.

    "Brent!" scolded Mother.  "Take that chair away from the door and let Joey out."  Brent sheepishly moved the chair, and his little brother scrambled out quickly.

    "He kept trying to get in, so I thought if I made him stay in there for a while, he'd get tired of it," explained Brent.

    Little Joey scowled.   "But he said I was a monkey in a cage," he protested.  "I don't wanna be a monkey."  Mother couldn't help smiling as she hugged Joey.

    "It's interesting," she said.  "An hour ago, Joey was crying to get into your 'catsul.'  Now he couldn't wait to get out!"

    Brent grinned.  "That's because I turned it into a cage," he said.  "But it's still the same box.  What a joke!"

    Mother looked thoughtfully at the castle-turned-cage.  "You know, this reminds me of the will of God," she said.  "Some people think it's a 'cage.'  They feel that if they obey God, they won't ever be happy because they won't get to do what they want to do.  But those who know the Lord well, consider His will to be the happiest 'castle' on earth.  They want to obey Him, because know being in His will is the best place to be.  It all depends on how you look at it!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you really enjoy serving the Lord and doing His will?  Or do you go to church, work in the nursery, sing in the choir, and witness to your friends halfheartedly, out of duty or habit?  The place God wants you to serve Him may seem like a "cage" or a "castle," depending on how you look at it.  Be happy where He puts you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 40:8  I)
I delight to do Thy will, O my God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ricky felt so heavy inside.  He sat slumped on the steps as he watched Uncle Bob and Mother carry the furniture from the house.  So much had happened lately.  His dad had moved out and filed for a divorce.  Now Ricky and his mother were moving to a smaller, cheaper house.  He had cried and begged and raged, but nothing had changed--except him.  He felt hard and bitter.  He didn't even try to pray anymore.  God doesn't care or He wouldn't have let this happen.  So why bother talking to Him?  Ricky told himself.   But he did feel terribly lonely.  Not only did he miss his father, he missed his heavenly Father, too.

    Mother patted Ricky's shoulder and smiled as she and Uncle Bob came up the stairs.  She can't be hurting like I am, or she couldn't smile, Ricky thought angrily.  Maybe it's her fault Dad left.  Maybe she asked him to leave.

    "Ricky," called Mother, "please come and help us with this heavy dresser."

    Scowling and grumbling, Ricky went to help.  As he stooped over to lift his end, Uncle Bob exclaimed, "No! No!  That's not the way to lift it, Ricky.  You'll hurt your back that way.  Watch me, and do it this way."  Uncle Bob bent his knees and lifted his end of the dresser and then put it back down.  "Lift your load with your knees, not your back."

    Mother sighed deeply.  "You know, that's just what I've been doing, Bob."

    "Good."  Uncle Bob nodded.  "You don't need a backache on top of your heartache."

    "I'm not talking about lifting the furniture," said Mother.  "I'm talking about my heavy heart.  I've been lifting it to God on my knees in prayer.  It's the only way I can keep going."

    "Good for you, Sis," approved Uncle Bob.

    "I've found it's not the load that can hurt you, it's how you carry it," continued Mother.  "I don't want to get bitter.  I want to keep smiling and trusting God."

    Uncle Bob turned to Ricky.  "How about you, Ricky?" he asked.  He put a hand on Ricky's shoulder.  "How have you been carrying your heartache?  You need to lift that load with your knees, too.  Let your heavenly Father help you carry it."

    Tears blinded Ricky, but he managed a smile.  "I will, Uncle Bob," he promised.  Then he bent his knees and lifted his end of the dresser.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you carrying a heavy load?  Does it seem you have more than your share of troubles?  Don't try to carry them alone.  Get on your knees and lift your load to the Lord in prayer.  He'll help you carry it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7  C)
Casting all your care upon Him (God); for He careth for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Robin sat in the old porch swing with her grandmother and watched the first stars appear in the sky. "I love spending the weekend with you," said Robin.

Grandma smile. "I'm so glad you do," she said. "In a little while we'll go in for hot cocoa and a Bible story."

Robin frowned. "I like the Bible stories you read. But I don't like memorizing Bible verses. Mom makes me say them for her every Wednesday afternoon before I got to Bible class. What's the point of learning so many verses?"

"Oh," said Grandma, "when you know verses, they often pop into your head and remind you of how you should think and live. If you don't know them, they won't do you any good."

After Grandma and Robin had hot cocoa and a story, Robin settled into bed. She thought about what her grandmother had said about Bible verses. <i>Maybe they're important to Grandma and Mom, but I don't see how they would do me any good,</i> she thought. She soon drifted off to sleep, but before long, she woke up again. Muffy, Grandmother's fluffy cat, was crying at the front door. <i>I guess Muffy wasn't around wen Grandma went to bed,</i> though Robin. <i>I'll go let him in.</i> Robin crept quietly out of bed and into the dark hall. She felt her way along the wall toward the front door and was nearly there when she stubbed her toe hard on the coat rack. "Ouch!" she exclaimed loudly.

Robin was still holding her toe when Grandma's door opened and Grandma turned on the light. "Why are you walking in the dark?" asked Grandma.

"Muffy's crying to come in and I didn't want to wake you," replied Robin.

"Thanks, honey, but next time turn on the light so you don't get hurt," said Grandma as she went to let Muffy inside.

After breakfast the next morning, Grandma picked up her Bible. "We're going to learn a verse today," she announced with a twinkle in her eye. "Your experience last night reminds me that Bible verses are like lights that help us along dark times in our lives -- times when we're upset or confused." She turned to Psalm 119. "Maybe you already know this verse, but it will be good to review it anyway."

Robin rubbed her sore toe. "Okay, Grandma," she agreed. She grinned. "From now on, I'll try hard to let my memory verses help light my way and show me what to do."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you memorize God's Word? Time spent doing that is never wasted. The verses you know will help you when temptation comes your way. They will comfort you through trouble. They will remind you of how you can please God in your daily life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105 Yo)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

Staci came home in tears.  "This is my third week at school, and I still don't have a friend," she wailed.  "I wish we had never moved here!"

    Her mother felt bad about that.  "I know you miss your old friends, honey," said Mother, "and I've been praying about this."

    "Everyone just stares at me and walks right on by," sobbed Staci.  "I'm so lonely."

    The door flew open, and Tim blew in like a whirlwind.  "Hey, Mom, is it all right if I go over to Paul's for a couple of hours?" he asked.  "He needs help with his science project."

    Mother nodded.  "Just be home by five-thirty," she said.  The door slammed behind Tim.  "Now, Staci, dry your tears, and then I want you to take this casserole to Mrs. Carson next door," said Mother.  "She just came home from the hospital today."

    Staci blew her nose loudly.  "How do you know that?" she asked.  "You seem to know everyone in this apartment building already.  Why aren't people friendly to me like they are to you and Tim?"

    Mother took a deep breath.  "Staci, you've been looking for someone to be a friend to you, and you haven't found anyone.  But Tim and I have found people everywhere who need a friend.  Stop looking for a friend, and start trying to be one instead."  Mother hugged Staci gently as she handed her the casserole.

    An hour later, Staci came skipping into the apartment.  "Guess what, Mom?"   She was beaming.  "I found someone who needs a friend.  Her name is Tara, and she's Mrs. Carson's granddaughter.  May I go over there after dinner and help her clean her grandma's apartment?" 




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you lonely?  Stop looking at yourself and look around you.  There are lonely people everywhere.  God's way for making a friend is to be one.  Try it, and you will have lots of friends.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Copycat

Clay picked up his fork, sorted the peas out of his mixed vegetables, and pushed them off to the side of his plate. Two-year-old Erin did the same thing. "Why aren't you eating your peas?" asked Mom.

"I don't like them," Clay answered.

"Don't like 'em," Erin mimicked.

"Yes, you do, Erin," said Mom, scooping some peas into Erin's spoon and holding them up to her mouth.

"Yum," Erin said. "More."

A little later, Clay picked up his glass of milk and blew bubbles in it. Wide-eyed, Erin watched him. Then she picked up her glass of milk and blew bubbles in it, spilling milk all over the table. "Clay! Get a towel and help clean up your sister's mess," scolded Mom.

Clay obediently got the towel. As he began wiping the table, Erin grabbed it. "Me, too," she said, trying to wipe the table.

"You little copycat," grumbled Clay. "Mom, make her stop copying me."

"She copies you because she wants to be just like you. That's quite a compliment," said Mom, but she frowned.

"You need to remember that no matter where you are, others are always watching you," Dad told him. "The problem is that not eating your peas and then blowing bubbles into your milk has made you a poor example this evening."

"Sorry," mumbled Clay.

"You never know when someone will copy you, so you should always try to be a good example," added Mom. "The best way to be a good example is to be a copycat yourself."

"It is?" Clay looked surprised. "Who should I copy?" he asked. "Dad?"

"That would be good," agreed Mom with a smile.

Dad laughed. "Thanks," he said, "but even better, copy Jesus. You kids used to wear bracelets with the letters 'WWJD.' Think about the meaning of those letters-'What Would Jesus Do?' Then follow the example He would set."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you copy what Jesus would do? What do you do when someone cuts in line in front of you? When someone teases or calls you names? Jesus wouldn't shove anyone out of line or call them names. What would He do if a new person came to class? Or if someone dropped pens and pencils all over the floor? WWJD bracelets are not worn so much anymore, but those are four good letters to think about. They're a reminder that a Christian should copy Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom never has time for me anymore, complained Ashley in a low voice as she and her brother, Jeremy, cleared the table.

    "Well, she's had to work long hours since Dad died," said Jeremy.

    "I know," admitted Ashley, "but it seems like she could spend a little more time with us."

     "Have you told her how you feel?" asked Jeremy.

    Ashley shook her head.  "It seems to me that if she really loved me, she'd know without my having to spell it out."  She scraped some leftover fish onto a plate and gave it to the cat.

    Later that evening, Ashley noticed her cat making choking sounds and frantically pawing at its face.  "Mom!" she called urgently.  "Mom, come quick!  Something's wrong with Oliver.  Can we take him to the vet?  Oh, please. . . ."  Her voice choked with tears.

    Mother hurried to investigate.  "Oh, my!  Of course we'll take him," she agreed.  Soon they were on their way.

    It was about an hour later when they arrived back home.  The veterinarian had discovered that Oliver was choking on a fish bone.  He was able to pull it out and said the cat would be fine.  But Ashley was still upset.  "It's my fault," she said.  "I gave him the fish bones."

    "It's okay, honey," comforted Mother.  "It would have been nice if Oliver had a way to tell you he was having a problem, but he didn't.  You had no way of knowing he had gotten a bone in his throat.  I'm sure he knows you didn't hurt him on purpose, though.  He knows you love him."  She looked at her watch.  "Now, I think you kids should get to bed," she added.  "It's late, and you have school tomorrow.  I'm going to work in the den for a while."

    At the door of his room, Jeremy hesitated.  "Ashley, remember how you said that if Mom really loved you, she'd know how you felt without you explaining it to her?" he asked.  "Well, you love Oliver and didn't mean to hurt him, but you couldn't tell how he felt without being told.  Why is Mom any different from you?"

    Ashley stood still.  "Maybe you're right," she said thoughtfully.  "Ollie couldn't tell me what was wrong, but since I can tell Mom about my problem, I should."  She turned toward the den.  "Goodnight, Jeremy," she said.  "I'm going to have a talk with Mom."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you upset with someone?  It's natural to get angry sometimes, and there are times when it may even be justified.  But the Bible says you shouldn't sin by letting the sun set while you're angry.  Don't hold a grudge -- grudges generally get worse and often turn to hate if you don't stop them.  Follow God's command by talking about the problem and settling it before you go to sleep.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:26  B)
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

[Soldier4Christ]

Hey, Paul! You forgot to pray for Carter, exclaimed Lizzy after Paul finished his prayer at the breakfast table.

    "I gave up praying for him," declared Paul.  "It wasn't working.  He's not interested in coming to Sunday school or Bible Club or anything."

    As Mom put bread into the toaster, Lizzy looked at her brother.  "You prayed for Carter for only three days," she said accusingly.

    "God could save him in three seconds if He wanted to," Paul answered smugly.  "Remember the story of Saul?  God came to him in a blinding light, and he repented right away!"  Mom leaned over and popped the bread out of the toaster.  "Is my toast done already?" Paul asked, glad to change the subject.

    Mom held out the piece of bread.  "It doesn't look like the toaster is working, does it?" she said.

    "But you left it in for only a few seconds," Paul complained.

    Lizzy smiled knowingly,  "Just like you prayed for Carter for only a few days," she reminded him.  "Right, Mom?"

    Mom nodded.  "You're right about one thing, Paul," she said.  "God can save Carter in a second, and He will, as soon as Carter responds to His invitation."  She held up the limp piece of bread.  "If this bread were thin, it would toast quickly.  If it were frozen, it would take quite a long time to toast.  We need to leave it in the toaster as long as it takes to make a perfect piece of toast.  If it doesn't get toasted the first time we put it down, we have to put it down again."  She paused.  "It reminds me of how we need to pray for people."

    "I guess you're saying that some people don't respond as quickly as others," murmured Paul.

    "That's right," said Mom.  "Our job is to pray and pray again and again if we don't see results right away."

    Lizzy sighed impatiently.  "Can we toast my bread now?"

    Mom laughed and put the bread back in the toaster.  Soon they were all eating warm, brown toast. . .and Paul again added Carter to his prayers.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you prayed for somebody who doesn't know God?  Does it sometimes seem like nothing is happening?  Keep praying anyway.  God hears every prayer, and He will be faithful to answer--when His time is right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:17  P)
Pray without ceasing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Adam was not in a very good mood.  His father had just come home with the news Adam dreaded most.  They were going to move again.  "Doesn't the Army know that we've moved often enough already?" he grumbled.

    "I know how you feel," said Mother.  "I used to take these moves in that same way."

    "And now you like moving?" asked Adam with a pout on his face.

    Mother shook her head.  "No, not really.  But Daddy and I decided long ago that each move meant a new mission field for us."

    "A mission field?" asked Adam.  "It seems to me that moving just means giving up my friends and trying to make new ones and going to a new school and church and things like that."

    Mother nodded.  "I know. . .it does mean those things.  But do you remember when we moved here and Mrs. Evans stopped by the very day we moved in?"  Adam remembered. . .mostly because she had brought a great big plateful of chocolate chip cookies.  "Through that visit, I was able to invite her to church and later lead her to the Lord."  Adam remembered that, too.  Mother was still talking.  "It seems that at every place we've been, God has had someone there for us to witness to and others for us to help.  Now He's evidently sending us to another field of work."  After a moment she added softly.  "I wonder who the Lord will send our way at the new place."

    As Adam thought about his mother's words, he remembered the day he had surrendered his life to God.  But somehow it had always seemed like that was for some future work God would have for him.  Now he sat back in his chair and thought about all the moves they had made through the years -- lots of them.    Maybe God is sending me from place to place to get me ready for work He has for me later, he thought.  I'd better start thinking about each move as a new mission field, too!  Maybe moving isn't so bad after all!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Maybe you aren't moving, but are you thinking about your school and your neighborhood as a mission field?  The people there need Jesus, too.  Let God use you wherever you are.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 1:8  Y)
Ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Here's ten dollars.  That should be enough, said Mother as she put money and a shopping list into Joey's hand.  "You may keep the change."

    Joey took the money and headed for the store.  He got the items for his mother and started home.  When he pulled the change from his pocket, he looked at it in surprise.  Wow! he thought.  Five dollars and twenty-seven cents instead of one dollar and twenty-seven cents!  Mrs. Clemens gave me the wrong amount.  Great!  I'll buy some candy and save the rest for Saturday when I go to the amusement park with Steve."  Joey headed for his favorite candy shop.   

    After Joey got home, he worked on his model car while his mother ironed and listened to her favorite radio preacher.  "I'd like to close my message today with a true story about integrity," said the speaker.  Then he told about a pastor who noticed that he'd been given too much change by a bus driver.  As the pastor rode along, he was tempted to put the extra money in his wallet without saying anything, but he knew that would be wrong.  As he left the bus, he returned the extra money to the driver.  "You made a mistake on my change," he said.

    "That was no mistake," replied the bus driver.  "That was a test.  You see, I visited your church last Sunday when you were preaching on honesty, and I wanted to see if you practice what you preach.  I think I'll come to hear you again."

    Wow, thought Joey, maybe God is giving me a test, too.  I'm going to take that extra money back to the store right now!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever had the idea that no one would know when you did something dishonest?  Be careful!  You never know who may be watching you--perhaps even testing you.  When you cheat, lie, neglect your work, or do other wrong things, you displease God, and you are a poor testimony for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 7:8  J)
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity (honesty) that is in me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rachel stumbled into her aunt's house and collapsed on the couch, sobbing.  Aunt Karen knelt beside her.  "What's the matter, honey?"

    "I'm so fat and ugly," wailed Rachel  "The kids call me Tootsie Roll."  She choked on the words.

    Aunt Karen ached for Rachel.  "I know exactly how you feel, honey," she said solemnly.  "The kids used to call me a tugboat."

    Rachel stared at her lovely, slender aunt.  "You?  But Aunt Karen! You're beautiful."

    Aunt Karen smiled.  "When I was your age, I was a great deal overweight, too," she said.  "Time and a well balanced diet have made a lot of changes.  But it didn't happen overnight."

    Rachel sat up as Aunt Karen continued.  "I often felt hurt when classmates teased me.  Then one day I realized it wasn't what was on the outside that mattered the most.  It was the inside that counted."

    "You sound like Mother," said Rachel.  "She always says, 'Pretty is as pretty does.'"

    "That's right."  Aunt Karen nodded.  "I decided I would do my best to become pretty on the outside, but even if I didn't succeed, I was going to be beautiful inside."

    "How did you do that?" Rachel asked.

    "I prayed about it a lot, and God helped me," answered Aunt Karen.  "He showed me that the ugliest thing inside me was selfishness.  So I determined to quit thinking so much about 'Karen.'  I decided to reach out to others with love and kindness.  I did, and one day a friend said to me, 'Karen, you're different.  You smile a lot more, and your eyes sparkle.  You're getting prettier all the time.'  I was so pleased."  Aunt Karen stood up.  "If you like, I'll help figure out a good diet and exercise program for you to follow.  I know your mom will help, too.  But if you want to be really beautiful, Rachel, you have to let Jesus' love shine through you.  That's true beauty."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you unhappy about your appearance?  Try to look your best, but then quit worrying about your weight or face.  Ask God to help you get rid of the ugliness inside and to fill you with His joy.  Think less about yourself and more about God and others.  Soon the beauty of Jesus will shine through you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 31:30)
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.