Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"The chimpanzee was really funny," said Peggy with a little giggle when the circus show had ended.
 
"Yeah, and the acrobats were fantastic!" said Brian.
 
"I like the clown best because he made me laugh," said six-year-old Timothy.  "He was always happy and smiling."
 
They filed out of the "Big Top"--the huge gray tent that housed the circus ring and the crowds who came to see the circus.  On their way out, Timothy suddenly clutched his father's arm.  "Daddy, look!  There's the clown."  They stopped to watch.  "He's taking his face off!" screamed Timothy in terror.
 
Brian hooted with laughter.  "Timmy!  It's not his face--that's just a mask," he  said.
 
The clown mopped his brow with a big white handkerchief.  He didn't look young and energetic any more.  He looked old and tired.  There were tiny, wrinkled worry lines around his eyes, and his mouth wasn't smiling any longer.
 
"He looks sad," commented Peggy.
 
"My clown was happy and smiling," said Timmy.  "He doesn't look like my clown.  Why is that, Mommy?"
 
"He wasn't really smiling.  The mask just had a big smile painted on it," explained Mother. 
 
"You know, Timmy, we all wear masks sometimes," said his father.
 
"I don't," said Timmy.  "I don't have a mask."  Peggy and Brian looked surprised, too.
 
"Not the type of mask the clown wears," said Dad.  "But when we pretend to be something we're not--like pretending to be honest, when we're really telling or acting out a lie--it's like we're wearing a mask. Or when we try to impress people by making them think we're being good, when really we're not, that's another kind of mask."
 
"We need to remove our masks, like the clown did," said Mother, "and be honest with ourselves and God."
 
"Yes," agreed Dad.  "Remember, God knows our hearts; He knows what we're really like.  We may fool other people, but we can't ever fool God with our masks."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pretend to be something you're not?  Do you pretend to be honest and sincere when you are really being deceitful or lying?  Do you pretend to be kind and loving when all the while you're nursing anger or hatred?  Remember, God knows your heart.  He knows all there is to know about you.  Masks can't fool Him.  Confess any sin, and ask Him to help you be an honest, genuine person, living in a way that pleases Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Alec," said Nathan to the new boy in his class, "I go to a neat Bible club on Tuesdays after school.  How about coming with me tomorrow?"
 
"No. . .I don't think so," Alec replied as he hurried out the door for recess.  Nathan was disappointed.  The week before, his Bible club teacher had talked about the importance of being a witness for the Lord.
 
The next Sunday, Nathan listened eagerly to a missionary speaker at his church.  "When we first went to Africa," said Mrs. James, "the people in our village didn't want to hear the Gospel.  But, as you know, we established a hospital.  This has been a wonderful bridge to the Gospel.  After several people were treated, they and their families were ready to hear about Jesus."  A light seemed to go on in Nathan's head.  Ideas began to form.  Maybe I need to make friends with Alec before I can witness to him, he thought.  Maybe I  could get him involved in a game during recess.  Alec didn't know many of the kids yet, and usually went off by himself to dig in the dirt or fiddle with the branches of a bush.  Maybe I should try to get to know Alec away from school, too.  Maybe he could go camping with us.  Nathan could hardly wait to discuss his idea with Dad.
 
When Dad heard Nathan's plan, he nodded.  "I think that's a great idea," he said.  So the next day at recess, Nathan caught Alec before he rushed out the door.  "Alec, I'd really like to get to know you," he said.  "My Dad and I are going camping Friday night and we'd like you to come along.  We'll go fishing and cook our dinner and have lots of fun."
 
Alec seemed surprised.  After a moment he nodded.  "I'll ask my mom," he said.
 
"Great!" exclaimed Nathan.  "Come on.  Let's go play kickball."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do people resist your efforts to tell them about Jesus?  Can you think of a way to build a bridge to the Gospel?  Perhaps you could take a gift to someone who is sick.  Or help someone with homework.  Maybe you know someone who just needs a friend.  Do something this week to "build a bridge."  And when it's built, "cross it" by witnessing for the Lord.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Co 9:22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

[Soldier4Christ]

Noah walked home alone, kicking a pebble along the road.  It was his first week in a new school and most of the kids there had known each other since kindergarten.  So far, he hadn't found where he fit in.
 
When Noah got home, he opened the back door and set his books on the kitchen table.  Mom looked up with a smile.  "How was school?"
 
Noah frowned.  "We moved here because Dad felt God was calling him to be the minister of the new church, right?" he said.
 
"That's right," agreed Mom.
 
"You and Dad said this calling was a gift from God," said Noah, "but I don't think it was a gift for me.  I don't like the new school, and nobody likes me."
 
Mom set aside the vegetables she was peeling and studied Noah.  "Do you remember when you were younger and had trouble learning your addition facts?" she asked.  Noah nodded.  "I bought you a set of flash cards," continued Mom.  "You didn't think that was much of a gift at the time, especially since I made you study them every day.  But later you thanked me because it helped you become good at math."
 
"I remember," said Noah.  He grinned.  "I'm still good at math."
 
Mom smiled.  "Perhaps moving here is a little like that gift," she suggested.  "You don't see the value now, but maybe you should give it a little time."
 
Noah sighed.  "I'll try," he promised.
 
The next week, he came home from school one day with a grin on his face.  "Guess what?" he said eagerly.
 
Mom set a plate of cookies on the table.  "You had a good day?" she asked.
 
"I sure did," said Noah.  "I've always wanted to get good enough to play basketball in high school and maybe in college, but there was never a coach at my old school so we never had a team.  Today some of the guys told me this school has a coach and a team.  I'm going to try out."
 
Mom smiled and offered Noah a cookie.  "How wonderful of God to turn disappointment into a marvelous opportunity," she said.
 
Noah grinned and nodded.  "I can see now that moving here was a gift from God to me after all," he said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel as though God has let you down?  You may even feel hurt and angry at times.  Maybe you expect God's gifts to make you comfortable or happy immediately.  However, His gifts may not always seem good at the time you receive them.  When you look back, you can often see that they are meant for your greatest good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

[Soldier4Christ]

Ken awoke to the sound of rain beating against his window.  "Oh, no!" he exclaimed.  "If this rain keeps up, Dan and I won't be able to go to Fun Island this afternoon."
 
After breakfast, Ken's little brother Timmy, tugged at his hand.  "Play with me," he begged.
 
At the same time Ken's sister, Taryn, approached him with a book in hand.  "Oh, please, Ken," she said, "you promised to help me with my math sometime, remember?  This is a perfect time to do it."
 
"I can't please you both," said Ken, "but Taryn does need help.  I'll play with you later, Timmy."
 
Just then there was a knock on the door.  It was Dan.  "Isn't this rain awful?" Ken greeted him.
 
"We need the rain, though," replied Dan.  "We've been praying for it for weeks.  It's been so dry that the farmers' crops were drying up.  Dad hopes it'll rain all day."
 
"But then it would ruin our day, and you don't even sound sorry," complained Ken.  "I'm praying that it'll stop so we can still go.  The rain can just as well wait till tomorrow."
 
"It will spoil somebody's fun no matter what day it rains," Dan reminded Ken patiently.  Ken just scowled.
 
"Ken's praying that it will stop, and you're praying that it won't.  So whose prayer will God answer?" asked Timmy, who had been listening.  "He can't give you both what you want, can He?"
 
Ken looked at his little brother.  Suddenly he remembered that a few minutes earlier, he'd had to decide whether to do what Timmy wanted or what Taryn wanted. Now he thought about his prayer and about Dan's.  Somehow, he thought it wouldn't be hard for God to decide what to do.  He didn't understand all about prayer, but he knew he hadn't prayed with the right attitude.
 
"I guess I hope He answers Dan's," he said slowly.  "God will give us another sunny day to go to Fun Island."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want things to go your way no matter what hardships it brings to others?  You cannot expect God to give you what you want when you pray with that attitude.  God has given guidelines for prayer, and one of those is that we should not pray selfishly.  Another is that we should pray according to God's will.  Learn to pray unselfishly, asking God to send you what He knows is best.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

[Soldier4Christ]

Chase nudged Josh and pointed toward a lady coming down the walk.  She had a lovely face, but she was wearing dark glasses and was accompanied by a large dog in a special harness.  "Did you ever, in all your life, see such an ugly mutt?" Chase hissed.
 
But Josh, who loved dogs, just shrugged.  He realized that the lady was blind, and he knew this must be a seeing eye dog.  He had heard about them but had never actually seen one in action.  "I think he's neat," Josh said.  "He takes that lady wherever she wants to go."
 
To the boys' surprise, the lady stopped and spoke to them.  "I heard you discussing my dog," she said.  "This is Shawnee, and he's been taking me places for six years now.  He's saved my life twice that I know of, and probably more times that I don't know about.  He's always there when I need him, and he's a good listener, too."
 
"Wow," murmured Josh, "I'd like a dog like that."
 
The lady smiled.  "I've been told that Shawnee is not a pretty dog," she said, "but even if he's the ugliest thing in the world to look at, he's still beautiful to me."
 
"I can see why you think that," agreed Chase.
 
"Yes," murmured the lady.  "I'm very blessed."
 
"Blessed!" Chase blurted out.  "But you're blind!"
 
The lady nodded.  "Yes, but the accident that took away my physical sight gave me a different kind of sight.  I no longer judge animals, or people, on what they look like--I'm blind to all that.  Instead, I 'look' at what they're like on the inside.  That's what counts."
 
After chatting a few minutes longer, the boys headed home.  "That lady sure was nice," said Josh, "and so was her dog.  I'm going to try to never make fun of another person's looks again."
 
"Me, too," agreed Chase.  He grinned and added, "I won't even make fun of a dog's looks."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever laugh at people because they don't look as nice as you do?  Do you look down on them because of scars or other physical handicaps?  In a sense, God is "blind" to outward appearances.  He cares about what's on the inside.  That should be your concern, too.  Never laugh at the way anyone looks--he may be more beautiful than you on the inside!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bill sighed as he dropped his backpack on the floor.  "What's the matter, Bill," asked his mother.
 
"Aw, I wanted to get on the softball team this year, but I can never quite make it."  Bill flopped on the sofa.  "I wish I were better at sports."
 
"I know you've always wanted to make the team," said Mother as she filled a shoe box with items to be taken to the attic, "but perhaps there are some other talents you should be developing."  Bill grunted and headed toward the kitchen.  "Look in the drawer by the stove and find a rubber band to fit around this box so it can be stored in the attic," Mother called after him.
 
Bill reluctantly found the rubber bands and came back with several sizes.  He tried a narrow band, but it snapped before he got it around the box.  He tried another.  It looked big enough, but it was too stiff.  Mother watched his efforts.  He finally found a sturdy band that reached comfortably around the shoe box.
 
"Bill, it occurs to me that the manufacturer of the rubber bands created each one to meet certain expectations, and that reminds me of you," said Mother.  "A small band is not made to handle large jobs.  Nor is a large band to be used where its potential is not being reached.  Right?"
 
Bill looked at her.  "Sure," he said, "but what does that have to do with me?"
 
"Well, you were created with certain potential, too," said Mother.  "God gave you talents to use. . .maybe not in the area of sports, but maybe in art or music.  Or maybe God wants you to develop your talent for writing."
 
"Are you saying I should give up sports then?" asked Bill.
 
Mother shook her head.  "No.  I think it's fine for you to develop whatever ability you have in that area," she encouraged him.  "But don't fret if the sports area doesn't 'fit you' perfectly.  Try to determine just which 'rubberband'--just which talent--does perfectly suit you.  Then use that talent for the Lord."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know which talents God has given you?  It's fine to try out many different things, but don't be discouraged when some of them don't seem to work out.  Look for the areas in which God has given you special ability.  Maybe it's in art or music.  Maybe it's in the area of class leadership.  Or maybe you have a special talent for seeing ways to help others.  Ask God to help you discover your talents.  Then develop them and use them to serve others and Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom," called Adam, "may I walk with Mrs. Emmet to the store?  She says I can help carry her groceries home."  Mrs. Emmet was an elderly neighbor and frequently asked Adam to help her with things.
 
Mother smiled as she gave her approval.  "It's nice you're so eager to do that," she teased.  She knew that on such excursions, Mrs. Emmet treated Adam to an ice cream cone.
 
As Adam walked beside Mrs. Emmet on their way home, he chatted about the various things he hoped to do during the summer.  "It sounds like you have a very busy summer planned," observed Mrs. Emmet.  "I hope you won't be too busy for Bible club."  She smiled at her young friend.  "Tell me, Adam, are you a Christian?" she asked.
 
Adam shrugged.  "I sure hope so," he said.  "I guess I am."
 
They turned in at the ice cream shop.  As Adam took the first lick of his double dip chocolate fudge ice cream cone, his friend Ryan came in.  "Hi, Adam," greeted Ryan.  "You got an ice cream cone?"
 
To Adam's surprise, Mrs. Emmet answered for him.  "He sure hopes so," she said.  Both boys looked at her rather strangely as she added, "He guesses so, at any rate."  The boys chatted for a few minutes, and then Adam and Mrs. Emmet went on their way.
 
"Why did you say I hoped I had an ice cream cone?" Adam asked as they walked along.  "I do have one--no hoping or guessing about it." He took a big lick.  "Um-m-m.  Good!"
 
Mrs. Emmet laughed.  "That was rather silly of me, wasn't it?" she agreed.  "Almost as silly as your saying you 'hoped' and 'guessed' you were a Christian." She paused while Adam thought about that.  "You see, Adam," she added, "when you have something--either an ice cream cone, or salvation--you don't need to hope you have it.  You don't need to guess about it.  You can know for sure.  The question is, do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?  Have you trusted Him to forgive your sins?"
 
Slowly Adam nodded.  "Last summer I asked Him to forgive me and to save me." he said.  "I really meant it, too, but sometimes I feel like maybe I should do something more."
 
"There's nothing more you can do," Mrs. Emmet assured him.  "The Bible says that if you believe in Jesus, you have eternal life--you're a Christian.  There's no doubt about it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian?  You don't have to hope so or guess so.  You can know.  Jesus paid the price for your sin.  Accept what He has done for you.  Trust Him as your Savior.  When you do that, you have eternal life.  (For more help, see the last page in this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did someone pack the flashlight?" asked Dad.  The family was all set to leave for a week-long camping trip.
 
"I did," said Keith.  "I took the one with rechargeable batteries.  Is that okay?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Okay.  Let's go," he said, and they were off! 
 
They found a camping spot at the lake and were soon having a great time, swimming, hiking, fishing, playing ball and riding bikes.  Evenings were cool, and they generally huddled beside the cozy fire and enjoyed hot chocolate.  Then Keith and his little brother Corey would take the flashlight and walk off into the darkness to the washroom.
 
One particularly cool night, Keith didn't feel like leaving the warm fire.  But Mother insisted that he go with Corey, so he stomped into the tent to get the flashlight.  On the way to the washroom, the flashlight's beam got dimmer and dimmer.  It flickered out just as they got there.
 
When they were ready to go back to the campsite in the dark, Corey hesitated.  "I'm scared," he whimpered.
 
"Don't be a baby," said Keith, pulling on Corey's hand.
 
"I'm not a baby."  Corey started to cry and Keith stalked off.  "Wait for me!"  Corey's wails filled the night.  Keith went back, grabbed Corey's hand, and together they made their way back to the campsite.
 
"The flashlight gave out," said Keith, answering the questioning look in Mother's eyes.  "And Corey's such a wimp."
 
"I guess it's too long since the batteries have been recharged," said Dad.  "They obviously need renewed power."  He frowned.  "But that flashlight's not the only thing that gave out," he added.  "Your patience also gave out.   Be sure to look to your power source for renewed power when you need it."
 
"My power source?" asked Keith.  "What's that?"
 
"The Lord Jesus," replied Dad.  "He gives power to overcome sin and to display the qualities He wants to see in us.  Spending time with God is one way to renew our spiritual energy.  And then as we live our daily lives, we need to obey the things He has taught us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your Bible and learn about God?  Do you ask Him for strength to do the things that please Him?  God is the one who can help you have right attitudes and actions throughout the day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm sure hungry for a candy bar, and I know where we can get the money.  Come on!"  Todd looked up as Mike, his neighbor and friend, spoke.
 
"Really?" asked Todd.  "Will your mom give you money?"
 
Mike grinned.  "Naw," he said.  "Come on. . .just follow me."  Mike led the way to his big brother's room, reached under the bed, and pulled out a shoe box filled with coins.  "Adam will never notice if we each take a little," said Mike.
 
Todd knew it was wrong to steal, but he wanted some candy so badly that he took some of the coins.  The next day, the boys again took money for candy bars.  Todd again felt guilty, but it was a little easier this time.  After that, they helped themselves several times to Adam's money, and soon it didn't bother Todd nearly so much anymore.
 
One day, the boys quietly crept into the bedroom.  They opened the box, as usual, but then a loud voice roared, "So you're the thieves!"  It was Adam, who had hidden in order to catch whoever had been robbing him.
 
Todd's parents were shocked and disappointed in him, and Mike's parents were angry, too.  Both boys were punished.  How Todd wished he had never taken that first quarter.  He felt so ashamed!
 
A few days later, Todd left to spend a month with his grandparents.  He had a great time, but when he returned home, he stared in disbelief at the empty lot next door.  Todd had always kept it mowed so that he and his friends could play baseball there, but while he had been gone, the weeds had grown thick and high.  "We can't play ball with all those weeds there," he moaned.
 
"No, I guess not."  Dad shook his head.  "Let weeds go, and they'll take right over.  I guess that's where the expression 'growing like a weed' comes from," he said. 
 
"Those weeds never got this high before, because I kept them mowed
 
down," said Todd.  He sat down under a tree and stared at the tall, straggly weeds that were choking the empty lot.
 
"In a way, this is what sometimes happens in our lives," said Dad.  "If we say 'no' when temptation first comes our way, sin doesn't have a chance to take over.  But if we give in to temptation, it becomes easier and easier to do wrong.  It's as though sin--like these weeds--grows."
 
Todd remembered what had happened when he and Mike took money that wasn't theirs.  He sighed.  "From now on, I'm going to mow down weeds of temptation right away!" he declared.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you say no to temptation as soon as something wrong is suggested?  That's how God wants you to fight sin.  Mow "weeds of sin" down before they get so big that they take over your life.  Don't give them a chance to grow.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"This has been one of the best birthdays I've ever had," said Joel as he looked at his gifts.  There was a computer game, a magazine subscription, a sweat shirt, some money, a new jacket, and a bike.  "Thanks so much, everybody!"
 
"Here's one more gift for you."  Mother smiled as she handed him a small box.
 
"Another one?" Joel was surprised.  "I thought I had opened them all." Quickly, he ripped the paper off.  "What is this?  A box of stationery?  For me?"  He scowled.  "This looks like a gift for a girl."
 
"It's a box of thank-you notes, complete with stamps," said Mother.  "Before you do another thing, sit down here and write thank-you notes to Grandma and Grandpa Jackson for the money they sent, and to Grandma Peters for the sweatshirt.  You need to send a thank-you note to your Sunday school teacher, too, for the book she gave you."
 
"Oh, okay, Mom, but I don't have time right now," argued Joel.  "I'll do it later.  I want to ride my bike and play with my computer game."
 
Mother shook her head.  "Everyone who bought you a gift spent time and money on you--time and money they could well have used somewhere else.  Certainly you have time to sit down and write a short note of thanks."
 
Joel grumbled a bit, but he obeyed.  Thirty minutes later the notes were written, and Joel spent the rest of the evening enjoying his gifts.
 
At bedtime, the family gathered for prayer.  "Joel got some very nice gifts, today," said Dad, "and he found that it really doesn't take very long to thank the people who gave them--even when you need to do it in writing.  Every day the Lord gives us gifts, too, but so often we're in such a hurry to enjoy them that we neglect to tell Him thank you."
 
"Yeah." said Joel.  He nodded.  "Know what I'm going to start doing?" he asked.  "I'm going to start with 'thank-you prayers' before I ask God for anything.  And I'm going to start right now!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take time to say thank-you to those who do something nice for you?  Do you owe someone a thank-you note right now?  How about the Lord?  Do you owe Him a "thank-you prayer"?  Take time to offer your thanks now.  You'll be glad you did.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Psa 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" called Brett as he came running into the house.  "Miss Robbins says we're going to have a visitor next week!  An alien!"
 
"From outer space?" asked sister Vicky, her eyes wide as saucers.  "Little green men with antennas?"
 
Mom laughed.  "Aliens are everywhere.  In fact," she whispered, looking around cautiously, "I'm an alien.  And you are, too!"
 
"No we're not!" protested Brett and Vicky together.
 
"What do you think an alien is?" asked Mom.
 
"Someone who doesn't belong here," Vicky answered.
 
"Someone who looks and acts different than we do," Brett added.
 
"And talks funny," said Vicky.  "Someone from another country."
 
"Like Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida?" asked Mom.  "Mr. Yoshida is here studying, but Mrs. Yoshida is very homesick for her family and their home in Japan."
 
"Yeah, like that," agreed Vicky.  "But we're not aliens!"
 
"Think about this," Mom answered.  "Is this earth our real home?"
 
"Ah. . .well. . .no," replied Brett.  "When we accept Jesus as Savior, we have a home in heaven, right?"
 
"Right.  And this isn't the real you," said Mom, playfully pinching Vicky's arm.  "When we die these bodies will be buried, but if we've trusted in Jesus, the real you and me living inside these bodies will go to heaven to live with Him."
 
"I get it!' Brett said, excitedly.  "We're aliens on earth because our real home is in heaven."
 
"Well, then are we are supposed to look and act different than people who aren't Christians?" asked Vicky.
 
"Sure we are," said Brett.  "We're supposed to live like Jesus would--like be kind and helpful to others and treat them nice even if they're mean to us and not be selfish and love everybody. . .stuff like that."
 
"And we're not to get attached to the things of this world because we don't belong here," added Mom.  "We are to look forward to Christ's return when we'll go 'home.'"
 
Brett nodded.  "Yep, we're aliens all right," he said, "and that explains it."
 
"That explains what?" asked Vicky.
 
"Why you're so peculiar," teased Brett, laughing as he ran out of the room before Vicky could catch him.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Can your friends tell that there's something "different" about you because you don't say or do the unkind things they do?  Are you truthful when others lie?  Are you cheerful even when things go wrong?  Do you obey your parents?  Do your enjoy helping others?  Do you dress in ways that will not offend?  Do you look forward to heaven?  All of these things are "alien" or foreign to this world.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kyleah gulped down her dinner, asked to be excused, then jumped up from the dinner table.  "Where are you going in such a hurry?" Dad asked.
 
"To get Misty ready for the Fourth of July Parade," Kyleah replied.  "It's coming up fast, and I registered her in the riding contest.  Remember?"
 
"But you have choir practice tonight!" Mother reminded her.
 
"I know, but I can't go, Mom," mumbled Kyleah.  "I still have lots to do to get Misty ready if I want to win first place."
 
"I'm sure you do," said Dad, "but isn't Mr. Robinson counting on you to sing the solo part for the Sunday school program?  You need to practice.  You still have a few days to get Misty ready."
 
Kyleah frowned.  "I know, but I promised my friend Chelsea I'd help her, too," she said.  "We're riding to the parade together, and it's her first time to be in one."
 
"Kyleah, have you forgotten your best friend?" asked Mother.
 
"Chelsea is my best friend," said Kyleah.  But she frowned as she thought about it.  It seemed that Chelsea sometimes forgot that they were friends at all--like the time she had ignored Kyleah for days after a new girl came to school.  Kyleah had talked to her horse about her unhappiness with Chelsea, and Misty had cheered her by nuzzling her ears.  Maybe it's Misty who is really my best friend, thought Kyleah uncertainly.
 
"What about Jesus?" Mother said softly.
 
Kyleah gulped.  How could she forget Jesus?  "Oh, yeah," she said. She remembered that she had also told Jesus how she felt when Chelsea ignored her.   And Jesus helped Chelsea realize that she could have more than one friend, thought Kyleah.  She nodded.  "Jesus is always there for me," she said thoughtfully.
 
"Yes," said Dad.  "He even died for you.  Don't forget that."
 
Kyleah hurried toward the stairs.  "Where are you going?" Mother called after her.
 
"To get ready for choir practice," Kyleah said.  "I do want to win first place in the riding contest, but I'll work with Misty later.  Jesus is my best friend, and I know how bad it hurts when your best friend ignores you."
 
Dad smiled.  "Looks like Jesus just won first place," he said. 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you give Jesus the time He deserves?  He wants you to have fun and friends, but He doesn't want you to put them first and ignore Him.  Talk to Jesus every day, read the Bible--His letters to you--and do special things for Him. . .like telling others about Him and using your talents for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Ecc 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

[Soldier4Christ]

"I wish I could do more to help at Vacation Bible School," pouted Linda as she left the church with her parents.  "I do only little things--like pick up paper after the kids are gone, or show the little kids where they have to go.  Nothing exciting or important, like teaching."

 

"Why, honey, you do lots to help!" exclaimed her mother as they walked to the parsonage.  "We all appreciate it."  But Linda wasn't convinced.

 

That evening, Mom handed her a note.  "This is from your dad and me," she said, sitting down beside her daughter.

 

"A 'thank you' note!" exclaimed Linda.  She looked at the message inside and tried to read it.  She frowned.  The message was as follows:  "thankyoulindaforyourhelpatvbseachdaythelittlethingsyoudoreallyareimportant andwereproudyoureourdaughterweloveyouverymuch"

 

"Is this a puzzle?" asked Linda.  "You didn't put periods and commas in the note.  You didn't even put capital letters on any of the words.  And without spaces between the words, it's really hard to read!"

 

"Oh, well," Mom said, with a twinkle in her eye, "those are such little things.  They don't really matter."

 

"Don't matter?"  Linda laughed.  "They're little, but they sure are important!"

 

"You're right," Mom agreed.  "And guess what?  It's the same with little jobs--especially those done for the Lord.  Any time you begin thinking the little things you do in Bible school aren't important, just think about this note."

 

Linda grinned.  "Okay," she said.  "And I'll help again tomorrow."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes feel as though the jobs you do aren't important?  In God's sight, it doesn't matter whether a job is big or little, exciting or boring.  The most important thing is that you faithfully do the tasks you're called upon to do.  Whether it's washing dishes, mowing the lawn, cleaning your room, or even closing a door for someone, do it promptly and in such a way that God Himself would say to you, "Well done."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 4:2  M)
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kelley tossed her pencil and sketchbook aside and scowled into the mirror.  "How's your self-portrait assignment going?"  asked Mom, peeking into Kelley's room.

 

Kelley scowled.  "I'm too ugly for a portrait," she complained.

 

"You're not being very fair to God when you say that," Mom told her softly.  "God says that you are 'fearfully and wonderfully made.'  He thinks you're beautiful."

 

"Well then He's the only one who thinks so."  Kelley sighed.

 

"I think so, too," said Mom.

 

"You're my mother," said Kelley.  "You have to say that."

 

Mom flipped through one of Kelley's art books and stopped at a famous portrait.  'Now see," she said, pointing to it, "you are much prettier than that person."

 

"Oh, Mom," groaned Kelley, peeking over her mother's shoulder.  "That's the Mona Lisa!  She's beautiful!"

 

"Well, I don't think so," said Mom.

 

Kelley shook her head and laughed.  "The Mona Lisa is a work of art, made by one of the best artists in history!" she said.

 

"So are you," said Mom, closing the book.  "In fact, I'd say you were created by the very best artist in history--God!"

 

Kelley had never thought of God as an artist.  She peered into the mirror again.  "Why do you suppose He gave me green eyes?" she asked, still skeptical.

 

"I don't know that, but I like them.  And I do know it wasn't an accident," said Mom.  "God planned just how He wanted you to look before you were even born.  And God doesn't make mistakes.  In His eyes, you are a work of art."

 

As Kelley smiled thoughtfully, she caught a glance of her reflection in the mirror.  She hardly looked like the same girl who was scowling a few moments ago.  Hmmm, she thought as she picked up her pencil again, that smile would be perfect for my portrait.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever wish you had a nose just like your friend's, or a different color eyes and hair?  Do you complain about the way that God made you?  Try to look at yourself the way God does.  He thinks you're perfect because He made you that way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 139:14  I)
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Lisa and her sister Kristen arrived home from school, Mother was making a casserole to take next door.  "Jason and some friends had apparently been taking drugs, and they hit another car," Mother told the girls.  "That driver was killed, and Jason is in a coma."

 

Lisa and Kristen looked up in horror.  "Oh, no!" exclaimed Lisa.  After asking a few questions, the girls went to play.

 

It wasn't long before Mother heard a crash.  She went to investigate and saw pieces of an antique ceramic doll on the floor.  "What happened?" she asked.  "You know you're not to handle that doll."

 

"We. . .we thought it wouldn't hurt to play with it just once," murmured Kristen, looking at the floor, "but it fell."

 

Lisa picked up the pieces.  "Can't we fix it?" she asked anxiously.

 

"We'll try," said Mother, "but it will never be the same.  And it won't change your punishment for disobeying."

 

After finishing her work in the kitchen, Mother got the glue.  They all went to work, trying to patch the doll.  "The cracks still show," observed Lisa.  "Can't you push them tighter together?"  Mother shook her head.

 

"They look like scars," Kristen added.

 

"You know, girls," said Mother, "I keep thinking of Jason.  His life is full of scars because of drugs--he never finished school, he lost several jobs, and he had this accident."  She set the doll aside to dry.  "Jason's mother told me that he said he meant to try drugs 'just one time.'  He never intended to use them again, but he did--over and over."  She sighed.  "I hope that whenever you girls see this doll, you'll be reminded of the results of doing wrong--even one time.  Especially think of Jason, and be reminded never to take drugs--not even once."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been tempted to try drugs "just once" to see what it's like?  Once is too often for you to knowingly commit any sin.  "Doing drugs" is a sin with especially harmful consequences.  Taking them for pleasure is evil in God's sight.  It's destructive to the body--and taking them even once could hurt you for life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (I Corinthians 6:20 Fo)
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.