Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ouch!" Ken stopped sanding the bird house he was making and looked at the sliver in his finger.  He put down his tools and went to get help from his mother.
 
She met him at the kitchen door.  "I was coming to look for you," she said.  "I was just informed that you've been teasing Todd Berry and calling him names.  Is this true?"
 
"I. . .I. . .Eric and Jason started it," murmured Ken.  "Besides, Todd is such a sissy!"  Suddenly he remembered the sliver.  He held up his finger.  "Look, Mom.  The rough wood of my birdhouse did this to me.  It hurts!"
 
"We'd better get that sliver out before it starts to fester, or it will hurt worse," said Mother.  She got a needle and tweezers, and as gently as possible, she worked on Ken's finger.  The sliver went deep, but finally she held it up in triumph.
 
Ken looked at his sore finger.  "Thanks, Mom," he said.  "I'll finish sanding down the rough wood on that old birdhouse so it won't ever do that again!"  He started for the door.  "And I'll work more carefully this time.  I don't want another sore finger."
 
"Just a minute, young man," said Mother.  "It seems to me that just like the rough wood gave you a sliver, you gave Todd a 'sliver.'"
 
"What are you talking about?" asked Ken.  "I just teased him a little.  I didn't hurt him."
 
"Yes, you did," insisted Mother.  "You hurt him by your words and actions.  The things you said are probably still bothering him.  They may be starting to 'fester.'  Can you think of a way to remove that 'sliver'?"
 
Ken looked at his feet.  He knew he had done wrong.  "I'm sorry," he said finally.  "I'll tell Todd I'm sorry, too."
 
"That should help some," said Mother.  "You also need to confess what you've done to God and ask His forgiveness.  But there's one more thing--your father and I have talked with you about this problem before, and this time we'll have to do a little 'sanding' to help you avoid giving any more 'slivers.'  That means being grounded for a few days."
 
Solemnly Ken nodded.  "Okay," he said humbly.  "My sore finger will remind me that I deserve what I'm getting."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have rough edges that give "slivers" to other people?  Do you say unkind things?  Refuse to share?  Snub others?  Thank God for parents who help "sand you down" into a likable, useful person.  Thank Him for the discipline you receive.  Ask Him to help you improve your behavior.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:11 No)
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however,

[Soldier4Christ]

"Camping is fun, but it's easier to do the washing at home, isn't it?" observed Jody.  She continued to slosh the clothes around in a bucket.
 
"Yes," agreed Mother as she wrung out a shirt, twisting it tightly.  "Would you hang this up for me, please?"
 
"Sure."  Jody hung the shirt on the clothes line.  "Can I wring out this sweater now?" she asked.
 
"Oh, don't wring that," said Mother.  "Just squeeze it gently and then roll it in a towel.  Wringing wouldn't be good for that material."  She turned to a third bucket.  "Now these," she said, "are drip-dry.  We'll hang them up dripping wet.  The water will just run right out of them and leave them almost wrinkle-free."
 
Sounds great," said Jody.  "Wrinkle-free and work-free!"  She began to hang up the clothes, and soon the washing was finished.
 
Later that day, Dad gave Jody her allowance.  She looked at the money in her hand.  "Would it be okay if I put all of this in the special missionary offering in church next Sunday?" she asked suddenly.  "Since we're camping, I don't really need any of it this week."
 
"Of course you can," said Dad, "if you really want to."
 
Mother smiled.  "You've come a long way in your giving," she said.
 
"What do you mean?" asked Jody.
 
"Remember when you first got an allowance?  We insisted that you give a tenth to the Lord, so you did.  But you weren't happy about it," Mother reminded her.  "It was kind of 'wrung' out of you, like we had to wring the water out of the cotton shirt this morning.  Later, you gave your tenth willingly, but that was all you'd give--it was as though you were 'gently squeezed' into giving that much.  I know that now you often give extra money.  That reminds me of the drip-dry clothes where the water just runs out.  And which material did we decide we preferred?"
 
Jody smiled.  "The drip-dry!" she said.
 
"Right," agreed Mother.  "That's the kind of giver God prefers, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of giver are you?  Do you give only because you have to?  Or do you gladly give a small portion of your money to the Lord?  Best of all, do you give generously and cheerfully?  That's the kind of giver God loves.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 9:7  G)
God loveth a cheerful giver. God loves a cheerful giver.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Valerie!  Over here!"  Valerie looked up in surprise as she heard her mother's voice.  Why was Mother picking her up after school?  "I thought you might like to go to the gift shop with me," said Mother as Valerie got in the car.
 
Valerie was quiet when they started out.  "Mom," she said suddenly, "I'm the only one in my class who doesn't watch those horror cartoons on Saturday morning.  Not that I want to see them, but it's no fun being the oddball."
 
"I know it's not easy to be different, Val," agreed Mother as she drove into the parking lot, "but sometimes it's necessary in order to please God."
 
"I know."  Valerie sighed.  "Our Bible verse on Sunday was about being 'a peculiar people,' and I sure feel peculiar sometimes."
 
Mother laughed.  "I'm sure you know it doesn't mean 'weird' in that verse.  It means 'a special purchase'--a rare treasure to God," she explained as they got out of the car.
 
Inside the shop, Mother began to look at vases.  "I'd like to make a new flower arrangement for the piano," she said.
 
Valerie immediately saw the vase she wanted.  "Look at this one, Mom!" she exclaimed.  "It's so-o-o-o pretty!"
 
After looking at the price tag, Mother laughed.  "Leave it to you to pick out the most expensive one in the shop," she said.  "It costs four times more than this one beside it."
 
"Why is it so much more expensive?" asked Valerie.
 
"It's hand-crafted," Mother explained.  "These others were made in molds, and basically they're all alike.  This one is special.  It's one of a kind.  There will never be another one made exactly like it--it's a 'peculiar' vessel."
 
"Just like me."  Valerie grinned.  "A rare treasure--a special purchase."
 
"Right!  Just keep on being peculiar, honey.  Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold."  Mother picked up the vase.  "Let's buy this vase even if it is expensive.  It will be a constant reminder of how special we are to God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel like an oddball because you take a stand for right?  Remember that you are God's peculiar vessel, a special treasure to Him.  Don't try to be like everybody else.  It's okay to be different.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:9  B)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did you know that Jana refuses to join our choir?" Nan asked her friend Connie.  The two girls were talking about their youth group as they baked cookies at Nan's house.  "Isn't that terrible?" continued Nan.  "We need all the kids."
 
Connie sighed.  "I know.  I asked Mary to help with posters.  She said no, too--says she's not artistic."
 
"It's too bad when no one wants to do things for the Lord," said Nan.  As she rummaged through a drawer, her mother walked into the room.  "Mom, do you know where the cookie cutters are?" asked Nan.
 
"Use this," Mother said, handing her a cheese cutter.
 
Absentmindedly, Nan took it and walked to the table.  Then she looked down.  "Mom!" she exclaimed, laughing.  "You can't cut out cookies with a cheese cutter."
 
"Oh!"  Mother acted surprised.  "Well, here then," she said, taking a kitchen scissors from the drawer and handing it to Connie.  "Or you could use Dad's razor."
 
As Connie held the scissors uncertainly, Nan spoke.  "Mother!  I don't understand you.  You know we need the cookie cutters!"
 
Mother smiled.  "I'm just trying to show you something," she confessed.  "You see, in a way, these tools all have the same job--they cut.  And yet their jobs are all different--each is good for its own particular purpose."  She found the cookie cutters and handed them to Connie.  "Christians are something like that.  In a way we all have the same task--to glorify the Lord and bring others to Him.  But that doesn't mean we all have to do exactly the same thing.  Each of us may serve in a different way."
 
"You heard us talking, didn't you?" asked Nan.
 
Mother nodded.  "Jana's mother told me that Jana has a hearing problem.  Because of that, she has trouble learning music.  But I've seen some of the pictures she drew, and they were excellent!  Maybe she'd like to help you with posters, Connie.  As for Mary, I believe her Sunday school teacher said she brought more visitors to class this year than any other person did."
 
"So we should let everyone serve in his own way, right?" asked Connie.  "I'll try to remember that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think everyone should serve the Lord just the way you do?  Remember that God has given different talents to different people.  All Christians should serve the Lord, but they may not all do it your way.  That's okay--just so each one serves God's way.  Don't judge them.  Let God decide.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:6 Ha)
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oooohhhh!  I just can't get this checkbook to balance with the bank statement," moaned Mother.
 
Dad looked over her shoulder.  "Last week I wrote a check for twenty dollars to Hanson's Hardware," he said.  "Is it listed in the checkbook?"
 
Mother quickly scanned the check register.  "No, it's not.  That helps, but it still doesn't balance."
 
"Mom!  Mom!"  Stephen burst into the room.  "Melissa hit me!"
 
"He hit me first."  Melissa followed Stephen into the room.
 
"Well, I owed you one from last time," Stephen roared.  "The Bible says if someone hits you, you have the right to hit him back!"
 
"Steve!" gasped Mother.  "That's not what the Bible teaches at all."
 
"Yes, it is," replied Stephen firmly.  "The Old Testament says, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'"
 
"Sit down," ordered Dad.  "That passage isn't talking about personal vengeance.  It was meant as a civil law, to insure justice in the nation of Israel.  People who return blow for blow find the score is never settled.  Someone always owes someone else a blow."
 
Mother sighed.  "That sounds like my checkbook.  The account never balances."
 
Dad nodded.  "Jesus did away with the law of revenge.  He told us to return good for evil.  That's the only way to settle the score."
 
"You mean when Stephen hits me, I'm supposed to do something good for him?" Melissa asked.  "That would be hard!"
 
Dad nodded.  "God says to overcome evil with good."
 
Stephen and Melissa looked at each other.  "We'll try," they said in unison.  "Hey, this will sure be different," added Stephen.
 
Mother smiled. "Great," she said.  "That balances one account.  Now if I could just get this checkbook to balance. . . ."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you keeping score of the wrongs others do to you?  Are you figuring out how you can get back at them?  God's way to settle the score is to do something good for them.  Try it.  You'll feel a lot better when the account is balanced that way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:21  B)
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian hoed carefully around the special plants Mr. Radcliffe, his employer, had pointed out to him.  Then as he stepped back, he tripped and fell.  He saw at once that he had broken one of the plants.  Very upset, he sat down and stared at it.
 
Suddenly a young man stood before him. "What's the trouble, Buddy?" the stranger asked kindly.  Brian told him what had happened.  "I see," said the young man.  "Well, don't worry about it--I promise you, it'll be all right.  You'd better get on with your work.  I'll check on you later."
 
Brian sighed and got busy again, but he was very unhappy.  He knew he'd have to tell Mr. Radcliffe what had happened.  About noon the young man returned.  "Come with me," he said, and he led Brian toward the place where he had fallen.  As they approached, Brian was shocked.  A lovely, blooming shrub, just like the one he had broken, now stood in its place.
 
"D-did you put a new plant there?" Brian asked.
 
Brian's new friend nodded.  "I ordered it from a plant nursery."
 
"But why?" asked Brian. "Who are you?"
 
The man smiled.  "I'm Jason.  My father owns this house," he said. "You see, I understand how bad you felt when you broke that plant.  I once broke something I couldn't fix, and the Son of the Owner took care of it for me."
 
"What did you break?" asked Brian eagerly.
 
"I broke God's greatest commandment--to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind.  His Son, Jesus, paid for my sin and gave me a new life," Jason told him.
 
Brian had heard about Jesus before--and as he looked at Jason, he realized what a great thing Jesus had done for him.  Having to answer to Mr. Radcliffe for the broken plant was not nearly as bad as having to answer to God for breaking His laws.  Brian was very grateful to Jason for what he had done, but he realized he should be even more grateful to Jesus for what He did.  He smiled at Jason.  "Thank you for helping me," he said.  "Now will you help me some more?  Tell me more about Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you have broken God's commandments--His rules?  Jesus, God's Son, paid the price to remove your sin and give you a new and clean heart.  Confess to God that you are a sinner, and accept what Jesus did for you.  (For more help, see the last page of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:16  F)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Greg was overjoyed one Sunday morning when his friend Chuck joined him at church.  As the family ate lunch, Greg excitedly told them that Chuck had accepted Jesus during Sunday school.
 
Dad smiled.  "That's great!" he exclaimed.
 
"Wonderful," added Mother enthusiastically.  "Your prayers have been answered.
 
Gary's sister Erin looked very discouraged.  "I pray for my friend Lynn," she said.  "Why doesn't God answer my prayers, too?"
 
"Don't be discouraged," advised Dad.  "Sometimes it takes a long time before a person will accept Christ."
 
"Yeah," added Greg, "I talked to Chuck and invited him to Sunday school a whole year before he ever came."
 
Mother nodded.  She turned to Erin.  "How often have you talked to Lynn about the Lord or invited her to church and Sunday school?"
 
"Why. . .I. . .I haven't actually invited her," stammered Erin, "but I let her know I was going."
 
"You didn't ask her to come?" said Greg.  "Have you ever told her about Jesus?"
 
"Well. . .not exactly," admitted Erin.  "I pray for her, though--all the time!"
 
"Hm-m-m," murmured Dad.  "Remember the Bible story of Nehemiah and the people of Israel building a wall around Jerusalem?  When they heard their enemies were coming, they prayed--but they also prepared to fight.  It's great that you pray for Lynn, but sometimes the Lord wants to use us to answer our own prayers."
 
Erin was silent for a while.  "May I be excused?" she asked a bit later.  "I want to call Lynn and invite her to church tonight, okay?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Hurry back," he said.  "It's almost time for family devotions, and we all want to pray for Lynn, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you praying for something special--for someone's salvation, for money you need, or perhaps for help with your lessons?  Prayer is very important, but don't "just pray" if there's something you could also do to help.  Maybe the Lord wants you to talk to somebody, to mow a lawn, to be a friend, to study hard.  Pray, and then with the Lord's help, do all you can to accomplish the task.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Nehemiah 4:9  W)
We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I need new gym shoes--my old ones are all worn out," announced Kurt as he sat down after dinner one evening.
 
"So they are!" exclaimed Mother.  "I declare--I believe you go through more shoes than a centipede!"
 
Dad laughed.  "Maybe you should have shoes of iron and brass, like Asher, the man we read about in devotions."
 
"Iron and brass!" exclaimed Kurt.  "I'm sure he couldn't run very good in those!"
 
Dad smiled.  "Actually, a lot of translations refer to iron and brass bolts or locks on city gates instead of iron and brass shoes," he said.
 
Kurt sighed.  "Well my shoes are really the least of my problems-- everything is going wrong lately.  I can't understand my math, I have to sit between two girls in band, and my friend Ian is moving out of town.  Worst of all, Dennis--my best friend--is still in the hospital.  They think he might have something serious."  Kurt was near to tears.
 
"Oh, I'm sorry," sympathized Mother, putting her arm around him.
 
"You know, along with the message that Asher would have shoes--or locks--of iron and brass, the Bible speaks of the greatness of God and the 'everlasting arms' with which He holds His children.  I believe He was assuring Asher that He was not only providing physical protection, but He would also provide the comfort, strength, and help needed for the battles of life."
 
"Right," agreed Mother, "and that promise applies to us, too.  We can rest in God and trust Him in everything."
 
"Would you like to pray about your problems right now, Kurt?" asked Dad.  Kurt nodded, and they prayed together.
 
"Let's go to town and get those new gym shoes," said Mother when they had finished.  "Each time you see them, they'll remind you that God will provide the needed 'shoes' to take care of your other problems, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are your problems piling up?  Too much homework?  Someone ill?  A divorce?  A death?  Does everything seem to be more than you can bear?  God cares.  He wants to hold and comfort you in His "everlasting arms."  Trust Him to provide whatever you need to face your problems and to help you through them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Deuteronomy 33:27  T)
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

[Soldier4Christ]

Carla stirred Jello into boiling water, added cold water, and put the bowl with the watery mixture in the refrigerator to set.  "Didn't Dana ask you to come over to play this afternoon?" asked Mother after Carla had finished washing the dishes.
 
Carla shrugged.  "Yeah," she said, "but I don't feel like playing with her.  I'm beginning to think she's hopeless.  She always wants her own way, and she says mean things about other kids--stuff like that."
 
"Hm-m-m-m.  That's too bad," said Mother.  "Well, maybe it's time to check your Jello."
 
Carla went to the refrigerator.  "It's getting there," she said. "It's ready for the fruit."  She added apples and bananas to the Jello while she continued to complain about Dana.
 
"Tell me something," said Mother.  "Dana became a Christian just recently.  Has she improved at all since then?"
 
"Oh, sure."  Carla nodded.  "She used to be just awful--nobody liked her.  Now she's not as bad, but she still has a long way to go."
 
"Like the Jello," said Mother.
 
"The Jello?" repeated Carla.  "What do you mean?"
 
"The Jello has improved since you started it, but it has a long way to go, too," explained Mother.  "It isn't hopeless, though.  In time it will be set and ready to eat.  It reminds me that Christians don't usually 'set' all at once, either.  It takes time.  As Christians grow in the Lord, they improve in outward behavior.  We need to be patient with them."
 
"Maybe we can add some 'fruit' to help them."  Carla was enjoying the comparison.  "Like. . .we can pray for them, and we can be friendly."
 
"Good," approved Mother, "and let's remember that you and I aren't finished yet, either.  Let's grow together."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Christians who need a lot of improvement?  Are you praying for them?  Are you helping them by being friendly and encouraging them to attend church and study God's Word?  Do you set a good example for them?  God finishes what He starts.  He'll finish what He has begun in them--and in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 1:6  B)
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Where is Jenna?" called Marcia in a singsong voice as she played with her baby sister one day. "Where is Jenna hiding?" Jenna peeked through the chubby little fingers she was holding in front of her face.  Suddenly she dropped her hand.  "There she is!" exclaimed Marcia.  "There's Jenna!"  The baby squealed in delight and promptly placed her fingers back over her eyes, ready to play the game again.  Marcia laughed, too.  "You really think you're hiding from me, don't you?" she said.  "Babies are silly, aren't they, Mother?"
 
"Sometimes they are," agreed Mother.  "Almost as silly as adults."
 
Marcia looked at her mother suspiciously.  "What do you mean?" she asked.
 
"I was just thinking," said Mother, "of how we sometimes try to hide from God.  We do something wrong, and we think nobody knows about it.  Isn't that silly?  We tend to forget that God sees and knows all about it."
 
Marcia nodded.  "I know I try to hide sometimes," she admitted.  She laughed as she saw Jenna once again peeking through her fingers.  "Next time I'm tempted to think that way, I'll remember how silly it is."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think nobody knows you broke that dish or toy?  Told that lie?  Snitched that cookie?  Whatever you've done, God knows all about it.  You may hide it from Mom and Dad, and your friends may never know.  But God knows--you can't hide anything from Him.  If you've done something wrong, confess your sin to Him and to the person you've wronged.  Ask for forgiveness.  You'll be glad you did.  Then remember that God sees the nice things you do, too, and live to please Him!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 23:24  C)
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see Him? saith the Lord.  Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jack wiggled impatiently as his Sunday school teacher tied a blindfold over his eyes.  Against the wall was the big picture of a donkey without a tail.  Each child had a turn to be blindfolded and turned around a few times before attaching a tail to the donkey.  When he was ready, Jack took an uncertain step.  Hey!  This is harder than I expected, he thought.  He walked forward, wobbling just a little, and reached out his hand.  He was close enough.  He thought carefully for a moment, trying to remember just which way the donkey was facing and how tall it was.  Then he reached out and. . .there!  It was done.  The other children laughed as he snatched off his blindfold.  He couldn't believe his eyes.  There stood the donkey with a tail growing right out of its nose!
 
In Sunday school the next day, Mrs. Gates reminded them of the game.  "It would be easy for you to go right now and pin that tail in the right place," she said.  "What made it hard during the game?"
 
"We were blindfolded," said one of the children.
 
"And dizzy from being turned around," added Jack.
 
"That's right," agreed Mrs. Gates.  "As Christians, we're sometimes like that, too.  We have 'spiritual blindfolds'--things that keep us from seeing opportunities to serve the Lord.  What do you think some of those might be?"
 
Jack's hand shot up.  "Selfishness," he suggested.
 
"Or being lazy or stubborn," said another boy.
 
Mrs. Gates nodded.  "We also get turned around sometimes.  Worldly things--like bad TV or companions, or even a book or ball game that takes time we should be using for the Lord--may keep us from going in the direction God wants us to go.  Let's ask God to give us the desire and strength to get rid of 'blindfolds' and serve Him as we should."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you please the Lord by carefully choosing friends, reading material, music, and jokes?  Are you careful to not let something such as jealousy or wanting your own way keep you from seeing the things you should do?  Don't wear a spiritual blindfold!  Ask God to help you do the right things--to live a life pleasing to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:8  Y)
Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord walk as children of light.

[Soldier4Christ]

A cold wind whipped through the cemetery and stung Curt's face.  He tried to listen as the minister read from the Bible.  I wonder if Grandpa went to heaven, he thought for the hundredth time in the last few days.  On the way home, Curt finally asked the question that lay heavy on his heart:  "Did Grandpa go to heaven?"
 
Dad looked sober.  "We're not sure, Curt," he answered.  "Grandpa never showed any interest when I talked to him about God."  Curt felt empty inside when he heard this.
 
"But Grandpa died on his knees beside his bed."  Mom spoke in her gentle voice.  "Just the day before that, I spent some special time praying that he would receive Jesus as his Savior from sin.  We don't know, but it's very possible Grandpa did that just before he died."
 
Curt felt a little better as he thought that over.  Then with a sigh he said, "But I wish I knew."
 
"I do, too, Curt, but we'll have to leave Grandpa in God's hands now," said Dad.  "We did all we could do.  Many times we explained to Grandpa how to be saved, and for years we prayed he would understand and accept God's gift.  We were loving and kind to him, always hoping he would see the difference Jesus made in our lives and would want to know Him, too."
 
"There are some things we'll never know while we're on earth," added Mom.  "But we told Grandpa what the Bible says, and God promises that His Word will accomplish what He sends it to do.  He also says His ways are higher than ours, and He does all things right."
 
At home Curt went to his room and rubbed his fingers over the worn leather of a baseball mitt Grandpa had given him.  "Dear Lord," he prayed, "You know I loved Grandpa and want him to be in heaven.  Thank You that he knew the way.  Thank You that You loved him, too, and that You do everything right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
It always hurts when a loved one dies, but it's especially painful when you don't know if that loved one went to heaven.  If you're in that position, try not to fret.  Rest in the knowledge that God's ways are right.  Pray for others who are unsaved.  Be kind and loving, and do all you can to help them know the way to heaven.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 55:9  F)
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Amy's father drove Amy and her new friend, Sara, to the youth banquet at church, the two girls chattered happily in the back seat of the car.  It was a dress-up event, and both girls had new dresses for the occasion.  "I'm so glad you could come with me tonight," Amy told Sara.  "Your dress looks so nice."
 
"Well, I'm glad you invited me," replied Sara.  "I don't see the inside of a church very often, you know.  How come you go all the time?"
 
"Well," said Amy, "I go to worship God and to learn more about Him."  She paused, then added, "I'm a Christian--I've asked Jesus to save me, and I love Him and want to learn how to live in a way that pleases Him."
 
"What do you mean--'save' you?" asked Sara, as Amy's dad drove up to the church and stopped.
 
"Well, we're all sinners," explained Amy, climbing out of the car, "and Jesus paid the price for our sins."  Their conversation was interrupted as other kids arrived, so they waved good-bye to Dad and went up the church steps.
 
Just as Amy walked into the church, she glanced down at her feet.  She froze in place.  "Oh, no," she gasped.  "Oh, Sara, look!  I forgot to change my shoes!  I'm still wearing my tennis shoes.  Oh, why didn't you tell me?"
 
"I never noticed," replied Sara.  She looked at Amy and laughed.  "They do look pretty funny with that dress."
 
"Well, I'm not going in there like this," declared Amy.  She introduced Sara to a friend, and then left them to make a quick phone call to her mother.  She waited at the church door for Dad to bring her good shoes.
 
"And I thought you had just the right shoes," Dad said when he finally came.
 
"You liked these?" asked Amy.
 
Dad laughed.  "Oh, I didn't notice those," he said, "but I did notice that you were ready with an answer when Sara questioned you about your salvation.  According to the Bible, you had your 'feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.'  That's so much more important than wearing dressy shoes with your new outfit."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ready at any time to tell others about Jesus--to be a witness for Him?  That may mean talking to someone about Him.  It also means living in such a way that others can see that you belong to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:14-15  S)
Stand therefore, having . . . your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tony hurried ahead of his family to reach the train that would take them down into the old mine shaft.  He could hardly wait for the trip to begin as he settled into a seat beside Dad.  "It must have been a lot of fun to dig for treasures like diamonds and gold," said Tony.  "I wish I could have been a miner."
 
Dad laughed.  "I don't think you'd really like it so much," he said as the train began to move.  "These mine shafts were cramped and uncomfortable--often dangerous, too.  You're used to a lot of comfort and convenience." 
 
Tony listened eagerly as the guide explained various aspects of mining.  "That was cool!" he exclaimed when they came up into the sunshine again.  "Mining would be hard work, but I still think finding gold would be worth the effort."  And all day he talked about how much he wished he could find treasure.
 
That evening Dad reached for the family Bible.  "Time to do a little mining," he said.
 
Tony looked at Dad in surprise.  "Mining?" he repeated. 
 
Dad smiled.  "Studying the Bible is a little like digging for treasure," he said.  "It takes work to mine for the truth and wisdom God wishes to teach us.  It's dangerous, too. . .dangerous to old habits, ideas, and maybe even friendships that are not right.  It can be uncomfortable to give them up.  But if we discipline ourselves to mine for God's truths, we discover gems."
 
Tony grinned.  "Guess I can be a miner after all. . .even though I won't find diamonds or gold," he said.
 
"Diamonds and gold are only human treasure," said Dad.  "Since the Bible shows the way to salvation and spiritual growth, the riches we get from it are far better than finding diamonds and gold."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you understand that no earthly treasure can compare with the gifts of wisdom and understanding that God wishes to give?  Choose to "mine" for Bible treasure.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 8:19  M)
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron twirled the long fork once more and withdrew it from the fire.  He removed a hot dog from the fork, put it on a bun and handed it to his little brother Joey.  Then he began to roast one for himself.
 
"Know what, Dad?" said Aaron.  "I think Kendall is a Christian-- he's the new boy in my class."
 
"Great!" exclaimed Dad.  "Did he tell you he was born again?"
 
"Well. . .no.  But I know he goes to church, and he's just real nice--he never swears or blows his cool," replied Aaron.  "He's not like most of the guys.  You'd especially like him, Mom.  When his mother gave him a list of stuff to do the other day, he just said, 'Okay,' and didn't complain at all."
 
"Well, good for him!" exclaimed Mother.  "He does sound like the kind of boy I'd like you to have for a friend!  But you know, Aaron, that doesn't make him a Christian."  She turned to Joey.  "Eat your hot dog, Joey," she said.
 
"Yeah!" exclaimed Aaron.  "I didn't roast it for you to look at!"
 
"I am eating it!" insisted Joey.  "See?"  He held up a half-eaten frankfurter roll, thickly spread with catsup.  "I like hot dogs."
 
"That's just bread," said Aaron.  "It's not a hot dog unless the meat's in it."  Joey just shrugged and went on eating.
 
"Aaron's right," said Dad.  "And here's something to think about. . . we take a hot dog bun, which is just bread.  Then we put a frankfurter in it and call the whole thing a hot dog.  It's just bread without the meat.  And just like the bun isn't a hot dog without the meat, a person isn't a Christian without Christ.  He's like that empty hot dog bun."
 
Mother nodded.  "Take you friend Kendall, for instance," she said.  "I'm glad he's such a nice young man, Aaron, but none of the things you mentioned make him a Christian."  She smiled.  "Not even obeying his mother so quickly.  You need to find out if he's trusted Jesus as his Savior.  He's a Christian only if he's done that."
 
Aaron nodded.  "I know.  I'll ask him about it," he promised.  "If he isn't already a Christian, maybe he'd like to become one.  Hey. . .may I invite him to Sunday school this week?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your life?  You may be a very nice person--but a very nice person without Christ is not a Christian.  Don't be like an "empty roll."  Receive Jesus today.  (For more help, see the last page in this booklet.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 2:20  I)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. I