Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Do you hear that bird?" asked Mike as he and Steve were walking through the park.  Mike motioned with his hands as he spoke.
 
Steve looked at his friend.  "I don't hear any bird," he said in sign language, "and you don't either.  You're deaf."
 
Mike grinned.  "He's in those trees."  Mike pointed to a group of pine trees.  "I saw him a minute ago.  He's called an oven bird, and people who study birds say his song sounds like someone saying 'teacher.'"
 
Steve looked at Mike in amazement.  "I don't understand how you know so much about birds!  You're deaf and have to read my lips and watch me sign words in order to know what I'm saying, yet you can tell me about bird songs!  Where did you learn all that?"
 
"Well, I've always liked birds, so I read books about them and study their pictures," Mike explained.  "I memorize their colors and shapes and their flight characteristics."
 
"Wow!  You sure know a lot more about birds than I do.  I'm impressed!" exclaimed Steve.
 
Mike smiled.  "Mom says I've made up for the fact that I can't hear by studying.  She calls it compensation.  But you know what?  You're the one who's really deaf."
 
"What do you mean by that?" Steve wanted to know.
 
"Well, it's true that I can't hear anything with my physical ears, but it's not true that I can't hear anything," answered Mike.  "I can hear spiritually.  The Lord says that hearing comes 'by the Word of God,' and I can read the Bible as well as anyone.  But you--you've never seemed to care about God's Word, so I think that must mean you're spiritually deaf.  That's worse than being deaf like me."
 
Steve thought about Mike's words.  "Maybe you're right," he admitted slowly.  "Okay.  Tell me more.  I'll listen."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you spiritually deaf--simply ignoring what God is saying to you?  You can change all that.  Turn right now to the last page in this booklet and see what God says you must do to be saved.  Then accept Jesus as your Savior and ask Him to help you "listen" to His Word.  (See last page for more help.)  Pay attention to everything He says in the Bible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 10:17)
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess what?"  Lisa bounded into the room, followed by Amy.  "Amy and I volunteered to give a demonstration at the next 4-H Club meeting."
 
"Great," said Mother.  "What will you demonstrate?"
 
Both girls looked at her with a blank stare, and then burst into peals of laughter.  "We hadn't thought about that."  All was quiet for a moment.  Then Amy snapped her fingers.  "I know.  Let's give a demonstration on flower arranging.  Mom has a book that shows how.  I'm sure she'll let us use it.  And we have lots of flowers in our garden."
 
All afternoon the girls studied and practiced arranging flowers.  Finally, they returned to Lisa's home to show her mother the bouquet they had made.  "Beautiful!" Mother exclaimed.  "That's really lovely."
 
"We're still working on our speech," said Lisa.  "We have three weeks to practice."  She held up the bouquet.  "May I go with Amy to her Aunt Clara's house tomorrow morning?" she asked.  "We want to give this arrangement to her.  She's crippled and can't even get out of bed now."  Mother nodded her approval, and the next morning the girls took the flowers to the elderly lady and spent an hour talking with her.
 
"How did your demonstration go?" Mother asked when Lisa returned home.
 
"That's not for a few weeks yet," Lisa replied.  She was surprised that Mother had forgotten.
 
Mother smiled.  "I'm talking about the demonstration you performed this morning," she said.  "The flowers you arranged are beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as the love you girls showed by taking the flowers to Amy's aunt and spending time with her.  I'm sure it meant a lot to her.  You girls are demonstrating something far more important than flower arranging."
 
Lisa raised her eyebrows.  "We are?"
 
Mother smiled.  "Yes," she said.  "A lot of people talk about God's love, but you're demonstrating it by your thoughtfulness."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you show the world the love of God by your actions?  Are you kind and thoughtful?  Do you help whenever you can?  Demonstrate God's love to someone today.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! thought Shelly.  Her Sunday school teacher had just suggested that they let their brothers and sisters know they loved them. "And don't just tell them," said Mrs. Johnson.  "Show them, too."
 
Well, thought Shelly, Mrs. Johnson obviously doesn't know my brother.  Todd's a pain!  Even Mom and Dad are mad at him half the time.
 
When Shelly got home, her dog, Moppet, looked up from his basket.  "Hi, Baby," crooned Shelly.  As she sat down to pet him, Todd walked through the kitchen.  Moppet promptly jumped from his basket and followed Todd outside.  Shelly glared after him.  "Hey," she complained, "you belong to me, you know.  How come you always prefer to be with my brother?"  But the dog didn't answer, and Shelly went to her room to change her clothes.
 
Later that evening, Shelly saw her brother sitting in the living room, watching TV.  She could tell that he wasn't very interested in the program.  She hadn't thought about it before, but Todd didn't have many friends.  And he didn't spend much time talking to her parents--neither of them did, because Mom and Dad were always too busy.  Shelly never talked to Todd much, either, except to fight with him.  She always kept busy with her own friends.
 
As Shelly thought about it, she remembered how she felt when Moppet so often chose to follow Todd instead of her.  It annoyed her, but it made her feel kind of sad, too.  Is that how Todd feels? she wondered.  Sad, and maybe lonely because all of us seem to prefer to be with somebody else?  She thought of Mrs. Johnson's words.  Actually, she did love Todd, even though she didn't always get along with him.  She often prayed that he, and her folks, too, would accept Jesus.
 
Shelly went to the kitchen and got a glass of soda.  She took it to the living room and handed it to her brother.  He looked up in surprise.  "What's that for?"  he asked.
 
"I. . .I just want you to know that I. . .I care about you," stammered Shelly.  Todd looked even more surprised as he accepted the drink, and Shelly thought he seemed glad to have her there.  It wasn't much, but it was a start.  Lord, prayed Shelly silently, help me show Todd that You care, too.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your brothers and sisters know you care about them?  Sometimes it's harder to get along with family members than with anyone else, but it's important that you do so.  Ask the Lord to help you be a good testimony to your family.                               


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Jn 4:21  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

[Soldier4Christ]

The day finally arrived for Jodi and James to go to their uncle's farm to pick out a puppy.  "Mom, I want the little white puppy with the black nose," said Jodi as she zipped her jacket.

"Not me!" said James.  "l want the black puppy."
 
When they arrived at the farm, the kids rushed to the barn where the puppies were.  "Oh, they're all so cute!" exclaimed Jodi.  "I was sure I wanted this white puppy, but that black one has a cute little white spot right by his nose.  The brown one is cute, too."
 
"Yeah," agreed James.  "I'm not sure anymore which one I want, either!"
 
Jodi and James took turns holding first one puppy, then another.  "Let's get the white one," said Jodi at last.  "I already decided on a name for her--Crystal."
 
"Okay," agreed James.  "Works for me."  So after thanking their uncle for the puppy, they headed home.
 
A few days later, James reminded Mom of his upcoming birthday party.  "I'm not forgetting," Mom assured him.  "You said you have a new boy at school--Brandon.  Did you invite him?"
 
"No."  James hesitated.  "I'm not sure I should.  He's not like us.  He's a different color than we are.
 
Mom raised her brows as she looked at the puppy snuggled in James' arms.  "James," she said, "do you think you could love the black puppy, or even the brown one, as well as this white one?'
 
"Sure," said James.  "They're all cute.  Why?"
 
"Well," said Mom, "if the color of a puppy's fur doesn't matter to you, why does the color of a person's skin matter?  Couldn't someone be as good a friend and just as much fun no matter what color his skin is?"
 
James nodded.  "That's true," he agreed.  "I'll invite Brandon to my party as soon as I get to school tomorrow."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you shy away from people with skin a different color than yours?  Do other kids avoid you because your skin color is different from most of theirs?  Have you made an effort to be their friend?  Skin color is not important to God, and it shouldn't be to you, either.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, guess what?  Carl's got chicken pox!" called Luke as he ran into the house.  Luke had been the first in his class to get chicken pox, and now others were coming down with it.  Mother held up her hand and continued her phone conversation.  Luke listened.  "Mom," he said when she hung up, "the Burks are going to move to Texas, aren't they?"
 
"Yes," Mother acknowledged, "but I don't want you to tell anyone about this.  Mr.  Burk's boss is on vacation, so Mr. Burk hasn't had a chance to tell him yet.  Now, who did you say has the chicken pox?" Luke repeated his news about Carl.
 
Luke didn't tell anyone about the Burks--until Sunday morning, that is.  Then it just sort of slipped out when he told his friend, Eric, that they would soon have a new Sunday school teacher.  "But don't tell anyone," added Luke.  And Eric didn't--at least not for a few hours.  Then he told his older sister, Leslie, who told her best friend, Karen.
 
By the end of the week, several more children in Luke's class had the chicken pox.  And by the end of the week, several more people knew that the Burks were moving.  Karen didn't know it was a secret, so she passed the news on to her parents, and they mentioned it at a committee meeting.  After someone told the Burks they would be missed when they moved to Texas, Mrs. Burk told Luke's mother that the "news was out."
 
"Luke," said Mother that afternoon, "I didn't tell anyone the Burks were moving.  Did you?
 
"Well. . .just Eric--but I told him not to tell," said Luke.
 
"Mr. Burk wants to tell his boss himself, before he hears it from someone else, but now the news is all over town," said Mother.  "News spreads fast."
 
"Like the chicken pox?" asked Luke.
 
"Something like that," agreed Mother.  "Once you exposed your friends to the chicken pox, there was nothing you could do to stop it.  And when you tell a 'secret' to even one person, the story is sure to spread."
 
Luke knew he had been wrong.  "I. . .I'm sorry," he said.
 
You need to apologize to the Burks, too," said Mother.  "And how about to God?"  Luke nodded.  He was determined to never again tell something he shouldn't.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a good friend?  A good friend knows how to keep a secret.  That means not telling even one person.  When you're taken into someone's confidence, talk about it only to the Lord.  Today's Scripture warns about the proper and improper use of the tongue.  Pay attention to what God says!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 12:23  A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

[Soldier4Christ]

The students in Mrs. Green's fifth grade class were planning a party for their teacher's birthday.  They wanted to surprise her with cake and ice cream.  "But who will make the cake?" Nick asked his friends.  "One of our mothers will have to do it."
 
"Count my mom out."  Ricky spoke up.  "She hates to cook!  We eat hot dogs and beans all the time!"
 
"My mom can't do it, either," said Jessica.  "She works.  The last time I asked her if she could make cookies for something, she was really annoyed!  She said she hardly even had time to go and buy cookies!"
 
"Well, I guess it's up to my mom, then," said Nick when no one else offered a cake.  His mom worked as secretary in the family business and was busy, too.  She wouldn't have time to make a fancy masterpiece, but Nick thought she'd probably be willing to make a cake from a mix.
 
Nick was right.  Even though his mother was in the midst of organizing tax records, she said she'd make a cake for the class.  In return, Nick agreed to do the dishes and to help in any way he could.  "You're special, Mom," said Nick.  He gave her a hug.  "The other kids all said their mothers wouldn't want to bake for us."
 
"Well, don't be too critical. . .you don't know all the circumstances," said Mom.  "Sometimes parents are too busy to take on an added responsibility.  And don't forget--not all children have a mom."  She paused and then continued.  "Not all children are as helpful as you are, either, or as appreciative.  Maybe that makes a difference."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you thanked your mom, your grandma, or whoever takes care of you for doing something special for you?  When was the last time you said how much you liked your supper?  And did you thank God for that person?  You're very special, but sometimes it takes a great deal of effort to be a mom--or grandma or dad.  Let those who care for you--and God--know how much you appreciate them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Pro 31:28  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jenny huddled under the ragged sheet on her bed.  She didn't like being left home alone while her mother went out at night.  And she was hungry as well as lonely.  For her supper, she'd had to "shift for herself," and she couldn't find much to eat.  But at least she had gotten Ruffles, her teddy bear, back.  Ruffles was very old and worn, and Mother had tossed him into the trash.  Just in time, Jenny had seen him there, and she had rescued him.
 
A street light beamed into the room through a hole in the window shade.  The friendly light helped Jenny forget her loneliness and hunger, for it reminded her of the one bright time in the whole week.  That was when Mr. and Mrs. Adams came to the community center after school and taught a children's Bible club.  Each Wednesday they were there with a new Bible story and friendly smiles.
 
Jenny loved to hear about Jesus because He cared about children.  In the short time she had been going to Bible club, she had learned that Jesus cared about her, and she had asked Him to be her Savior.
 
This week, the Bible story had been about Jesus healing some lepers.  "Leprosy was a terrible disease.  It often disfigured people--that is, it made them look ugly.  Their disease was contagious, but Jesus didn't run away from them.  He loved them and helped them," Mrs. Adams had said.  "Jesus loves you, too, and He will be with you even through unpleasant times in your life.  He cares for you and will help you, just as He helped those lepers."
 
As Jenny remembered those words, she thought about Ruffles, and it helped her understand what Mrs. Adams meant.  Jenny loved Ruffles, even though he was old and ragged and some of his stuffing had leaked out.  If a girl could love an old teddy bear so much, she knew that Jesus, Who was God, would love a girl even more!  Jenny's lips curved up in a smile as she hugged Ruffles closer to her.  She sighed a big sigh of relief, pulled the thin blanket up around her shoulders, and fell asleep.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there things in your life that make you unhappy?  Do you feel alone, and that no one cares about you?  Jesus cares.  He's with you no matter where you are or what happens to you.  He loves boys and girls.  He loves you!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Mar 10:14  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

For the second time, Greg fumbled for the snooze button on the alarm clock.  As soon as the ringing stopped, he burrowed deeper into his blanket.  It seemed to be only a minute later when the jangling sound of the alarm again roused him.  Once more he hit the snooze button and nestled back in his bed.  Before the alarm could sound again, Mother was at his door.  "Get up at once, Greg," she ordered.  "You'll have to hurry or you'll miss your bus."
 
"Oh!" Greg sat up quickly, then stumbled from his bed.  "I'll hurry." He did, and he was ready for school just in time to catch the bus.
 
"My alarm didn't go off this morning," Greg complained at the dinner table that evening.  "I almost missed my bus."
 
Mother laughed.  "It went off all right," she assured him.  "I heard it.  But you just kept hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep.  So I went and called you myself."
 
"That sounds like some Christians I know," said Dad.  He grinned at Greg's puzzled look and reached for his Bible.  "Let's read tonight from the thirteenth chapter of Romans.  It tells us that Christians need to 'wake up.'  Why don't you read for us, Greg?"
 
When Greg finished reading, Dad nodded.  "In a way, God is sounding an 'alarm' here," he said.  "He says we'd better wake up and live as we should, because our time on earth is getting shorter and shorter.  Soon it will be too late to win people to Jesus, or to do other things we know God wants us to do.  But so often we hit the 'snooze button' and ignore the warning.  We often don't even realize what's happening.  We need to wake up and live for the Lord."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you hit the "snooze button" in your Christian life?  Do you go about day by day pleasing yourself?  Time is passing quickly.  It's time to wake up and start pleasing the Lord.  Read today's Scripture once again and see how many practical commands God gives in this short passage.  Ask Him to help you obey each one.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"New and improved," read Sandi's mother as she picked up a package of laundry detergent in the supermarket.  She grinned at Sandi.  "I heard this advertised on TV the other day, too.  It's supposed to be better than ever before.  According to the 'satisfied customer' on the commercial, it removes the most difficult stains.  If you can believe everything you hear, it has never been known to fail."
 
"Oh, could we try it on my yellow dress?  Please?" begged Sandi.  "It's got that spot on the sleeve.  I try to turn it to the inside a little so it won't show so much, but it doesn't stay in place very well.  Maybe this stuff would take it out."
 
"Well, it's a lot more expensive than the kind I usually use," said Mother, "but I guess you can try it if you want to.  Don't get your hopes up too much, though."
 
	They took the detergent home, and Sandi washed out her dress, following the package directions very carefully.  She was disappointed with the results.  "I can't believe it!" she exclaimed.  "They can send men to the moon, but they can't find a way to get out this little spot."
 
Mother laughed.  "That's true," she said.  She looked thoughtfully at the dress.  "This reminds me of another area where everyone's best efforts fail.  Everybody is born a sinner--it's as though the stain of sin is on a person's 'garment of life.'  People often try to hide it by being good, and sometimes they can even keep it out of the sight of others.  But it's still there.  Nothing man can do is able to remove it."
 
"There's something that can wash sin away, though," said Sandi.  "It's the blood of Jesus, and we don't have to pay a thing for it."
 
"That's right," said Mother.  "Jesus paid it all.  God offers salvation freely to all who will admit their need and accept Jesus as Savior.  He alone can cleanse a person's soul."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you still trying to cover up your sins or get rid of them through your own efforts?  Or have they been washed away by Jesus' blood?  If not, won't you admit your failure today and allow Jesus to cleanse your heart and life?  (See the last page for more help.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ann was a little nervous about baby-sitting, but Mrs. King greeted her with a smile.  She showed Ann a list of emergency numbers on a bulletin board.  "As they say, help is as close as the telephone, and it's right there."  Mrs. King pointed to the portable phone.  Then with a wave and a smile, Mr. and Mrs. King were gone.
 
Ann and the two children in her charge got along very well.  Before sending them to bed, Ann fixed some toast and jelly as Mrs. King had instructed her to do.  One slice burned, but she quickly fixed a new one.  She was buttering the last piece when they were all startled by the loud buzzing of the smoke alarm located in the hall.  Ann gasped.  Lord, please show me what to do, she prayed silently.  Grasping each child by a hand, she hurried to the door and sent them to wait for her on the far side of the yard.  She watched them go, then ran to pick up the phone.  She dialed the fire department as she hurried out to join the children.
 
Soon the firemen came and hurried into the King's house.  Before long, they came back out, grinning.  "It's all right," they said.  "We've checked everything.  There's no fire, but smoke from a piece of bread caught in the toaster apparently tripped the smoke alarm." Ann was relieved, but she was also embarrassed because of having called the fire department over burned toast.  "You did exactly the right thing," the firemen told Ann.  "Never take a chance when there could be a fire."
 
"Know what?" Ann said later that night, after telling her mother about the excitement.  "Mrs.  King said help was as close as the phone, but it still took the firemen a little time to get there.  I found out help was even closer than that.  I asked the Lord to show me what to do, and He did.  Right away He helped me remember what to do in case of fire."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you discovered that prayer is even better than a telephone?  It takes time for people to come after you call them on the phone.  God, on the other hand, is with you right now.  Isn't it amazing that the Almighty God who made all things wants you to call on Him when you feel the need for help?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jessica hung up the phone.  "I wish Amy wouldn't make me feel guilty because I never feel like doing our Sunday school projects," she complained.  "She acts like I'm not a even a Christian."  Jessica sighed.  "What's the big deal?" she continued.  "After all, we're not saved because of good works."
 
"That's true."  Mom bent down to pick up the baby's toy phone and handed it to Jessica.  "Why don't you call Amy back and tell her that?"
 
"Mom!"  Jessica chuckled.  "This is a toy."
 
"It looks like a phone," said Mom.  "Push the buttons and they beep like a phone.  It even rings.  And the box it came in said it was a phone."
 
"A toy phone, not a real phone," said Jessica.  "A real phone makes real calls."
 
"And a phone that won't do what a phone is supposed to do is not much use, is it?" asked Mom.  "Do you suppose that's true about Christians, too?   That they're not much use if they don't do what they're meant to do?"
 
Jessica was startled.  "What do you mean?" she asked.
 
Mom sat down beside Jessica.  "You were right when you said that works don't save us," said Mom.  "But works do set us apart as 'real' Christians, and they're an act of obedience to God.  In fact, the Bible says that we are 'created in Christ Jesus to do good works.'  It sounds to me like they're pretty important."
 
Jessica thought about her mother's words.  "Wow!  I guess I should help with the class project after all," she decided.  "I better call Amy and tell her I'll come."
 
Mom smiled and nodded. "Let me get you the real phone," she said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Can people tell that you're a Christian by what you do?  Are you working toward building God's kingdom?  You are saved by grace and not by works, but if you truly want to follow God, good works should be a result of your faith.  What will you do today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joe's parents agreed that he could have either a bird or a guinea pig if he'd care for it properly.  In a way he wanted a bird.  It would be neat to have a pet that sings, he thought, but I could hold and pet a guinea pig.  Finally, he decided on the guinea pig and named it Rascal.
 
Each day, Joe checked Rascal's food and water and spent time petting him.  Soon Rascal scrambled to him whenever he set him on the floor.  Rascal liked little nooks and would crawl under Joe's leg if he held it up a bit.
 
One morning Joe rushed into the kitchen.  "Mom!  Come to my room," he exclaimed.  "There's something you've got to see!"  Setting the frying pan to one side, Mom followed Joe to his room.  "Listen!" said Joe as Rascal began making chirping and whistling sounds.  "He's singing!  I wanted a parakeet because it would sing, and now Rascal is singing!  What do you think of that?"
 
"I didn't know guinea pigs could sing!" Mom declared.  "What a sweet sound!"  She smiled at  Joe.  "Why do you think Rascal sings?"
 
"I don't know."  Joe shrugged.  "I guess he's happy!"
 
"He sounds happy to me," Mom agreed, "and I noticed that he began singing when you stepped into the room.  Do you think he's singing to thank you for your care and to express affection in his own way?"
 
Joe's eyes lit up with the thought.  "Yeah, I guess," he replied, pleased with the idea.
 
"It makes you feel pretty good, doesn't it, to think you're taking care of all his needs, and he's happy and content and showing his gratitude?" Joe nodded.  "I believe God is pleased when we sing praises to Him, too," continued Mom.  "David did that with God, and God calls David a man after His own heart."  Joe smiled and nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you appreciate--or even notice--all the care God gives you?  Do you thank Him for what He's provided--food, clothes, toys, family, friends, protection?  Even more important, do you thank Him for forgiveness, new life, a sure future in heaven?  Sing a song to God in the morning, even right out loud!  Love Him.  He loves you, and likes to hear you sing His praises.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 59:16  But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mark watched as Mother unlocked the home safe in Uncle Frank's house and took a stack of yellowed papers from it.  Quickly, she sorted through them.  "This is the paper the hospital needs for Uncle Frank's records," she said.  She put the others back in the safe and locked it.
 
While Mother took care of business in the hospital office, Mark went down the hall to Uncle Frank's room.  "Hi, Uncle Frank," he said.
 
The elderly gentleman raised his head from the pillow and wrinkled his brow.  "Uh-h-h. . .who are you?"  He peered closely at Mark.  "Why, it's little Jimmy."
 
Mark shook his head.  "No, I'm Mark," he said.  "Jimmy's my dad.  He's grown up now."
 
"Heh?  Don't mumble, Jimmy," Uncle Frank ordered.
 
Mark was astonished.  "I'm Mark," he repeated loudly.  "I've brought you the church bulletin."
 
Uncle Frank held the bulletin close to his face.  "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High. . . ."  He read slowly, then put the paper down and closed his eyes.  ". . .shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. . . ."  When Mother came into the room several minutes later, Uncle Frank had just finished quoting Psalm ninety-one. 
 
"Uncle Frank didn't know me!  He thought I was Dad," said Mark on the way home.  "Then he quoted a whole chapter from the Bible!  How could he remember that when he didn't even remember me?"
 
"Old age often robs people of memory, but I've known several elderly people who could recall hymns and Scripture long after they had forgotten almost everything else," explained Mother.  "That's why it's important to learn those things while you're young.  When you memorize God's Word, it's as though you store it in the 'safe' of your heart, and it's available when you need it."
 
"Like Uncle Frank's papers were stored in the safe he has in his house?" asked Mark.
 
Mother smiled.  "Something like that," she said, "only better.  That safe could be broken into, but the treasures hidden in your heart can never be stolen away."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you storing treasure in your heart?  Picture each Bible verse you learn as a valuable treasure hidden in your heart.  You can store up great riches by memorizing God's Word.  Old folks can often remember and receive comfort and help from the Bible verses they have hidden in their hearts.  You, too, may need this source of strength some day.  Store up the following "treasure" of God's Word right now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, how come Christians have such different ideas about right and wrong?" asked Joanie one day.  "You and Daddy won't let me go to movies, but Stacey's parents think it's okay.  And Pastor Griffin doesn't believe in playing cards, but the Wilsons go to our church, and they play bridge sometimes.  You see what I mean?  Why can't Christians agree on what's right or wrong?"
 
Mother was silent for a while.  "That's not an easy question to answer," she replied.  "Let's see. . .we're having Uncle Phil and Aunt Sue over for dinner tonight, right?"
 
Joanie nodded.  "Yeah, but what does that have to do with it?"
 
"Well," said Mother, "we'll all eat quite differently.  Aunt Sue has diabetes and can't have food with sugar in it.  Uncle Phil is on a low-cholesterol diet for his heart, so I'm cooking the chicken without the skin.  That way he can enjoy it, too."
 
"And Daddy needs to lose weight."  Joanie giggled.  "I guess he'll eat a big salad and not too much of the other stuff."  She laughed.  "I'm glad I'm healthy and can eat anything!"
 
"But do you see what I'm getting at, honey?" asked Mother.  "People have different physical conditions, so they have different dietary needs.  And Christians have different backgrounds and different levels of maturity, so they have different 'spiritual dietary' needs."
 
"Well, then. . .you mean, what's right for one person may not be right for another?" she asked.
 
"In a way that's true," agreed Mother.  "God may convict one believer about a certain activity because it would cause those around him to stumble in their Christian walk.  Or someone may have a tender conscience about a particular activity because he's had a bad experience relating to it or because of the way he was brought up.  In that case, it would be wrong for him to take part in that activity."
 
Joanie was thoughtful.  "Then it's just up to each person to decide what he may and may not do?" she asked.
 
"Well," said Mother, "some things are spelled out so clearly in the Bible that there's no room for argument.  And even those things that aren't specifically forbidden may not always be the best choice for a Christian.  We must avoid anything that would hurt God's cause or harm others.  We need to follow the principles God has established and ask Him to teach us what is right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God to show you what things you should or should not do?  Don't be critical of others regarding issues not specifically spelled out in the Bible.  On the other hand, don't do something you have doubts about, even if other Christians are doing it.  You may have a "special need" in that area.  Be willing to accept your parents' guidance while you form your own convictions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

[Soldier4Christ]

"C'mon--let's play catch with my new softball," suggested Joanie's brother Rick one Sunday afternoon.
 
After the children had thrown the ball back and forth for just a few moments, they heard a voice from next door.  "I'm surprised at you Taylor children--playing ball on Sunday!" said their neighbor, Mrs. White.  "And you people call yourselves Christians!"  With that, she turned on her heel and stalked off into her house.
 
Joanie and Rick  looked at each other in dismay and then hurried to ask their parents what they should do.  "Can you believe that?" grumbled Rick, as he told the story.  "Some people sure are picky!"
 
Mother sighed.  "Don't be disrespectful, Son," she said.  "I'm sure Mrs. White means well.  You see, she was brought up to believe any kind of exercise or outdoor recreation is wrong on Sunday."
 
Joanie scowled.  "Wow!  I'm glad you and Dad don't feel that way," she said.  Then she added, "That reminds me of what you told me about 'special diets,' Mom -- that what's wrong for one person may be right for someone else."
 
"Yes, but it's important to respect the 'special diets,' or convictions, of others," Mother reminded her.
 
Dad nodded.  "Since Mrs. White feels that rough and loud playing on Sunday is wrong, I think you should tone it down -- maybe even confine your ball playing to other days of the week."
 
"Aw, Dad!  Why should we have to change what we do, just because of what she believes?" grumbled Rick.
 
"I can think of one good reason," Dad replied.  "Although the Bible doesn't say, 'Don't play ball on Sunday,' it does say, 'Let not your good be evil spoken of.'  So even though you may think it's good to play ball, you may have to stop doing that if it offends Mrs. White.  Always remember that the convictions of other people are important, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you respect the convictions of others?  You don't have to agree with what everyone else believes, but you can modify your actions whenever possible, so that you don't offend people unnecessarily.  You may feel free to participate in some "fun" activity, but if it hinders your testimony to others, it's just not worth it.  Remember how much Christ gave up for you!