Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm Simon--and remember, you must always do what Simon says, not what Simon does."  Miss Elwood, Andy's teacher, was speaking.
 
Andy tried hard to concentrate.  I wish I could win this game just once, he thought.
 
"Simon says, 'Thumbs up,'" called Miss Elwood.  So Andy turned his thumbs up.  "Simon says, 'Step forward.'" As Miss Elwood spoke, she stepped forward.  Most of the children followed her example.  Those who didn't were out of the game.  "Simon says, 'Snap your finger.'" But Miss Elwood clapped her hands instead--and before Andy could stop himself, he clapped his hands, too.  Andy sank to his seat.  Once again he was out.
 
After supper each day, Andy's family learned a Bible verse.  "Tonight we'll learn First John 3:18," said Dad.  "It says, 'Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.'"  They repeated it together several times, and Dad explained that it meant they should not just say they loved one another, but they should also act as if they did.  "Our actions should go along with our words," he said.
 
"Hey," said Andy with a laugh, "Simon should learn this verse."
 
"Simon?" asked Mother.  "What do you mean?"  Andy explained the trouble he had when "Simon" said one thing and did another.
 
"That brings up a good point," observed Dad.  "As Christians, we sometimes act as though we're playing a game like that--maybe it could be called 'Christian Says.'  Sometimes Christians say one thing and do another.  Can you think of examples of that?"  Everyone thought for a moment.
 
"Christian says, 'Read your Bible,' and then he opens it only on Sundays," suggested Mother
 
"Christian says, 'Go to church,' and then he stays home to watch a football game," said Andy's brother.
 
Andy found this interesting.  "Christian says, 'Be helpful,' and then sneaks out of doing the dishes," he added.
 
"You've got the idea."  Dad nodded.  "Let's be careful not to say one thing while we're doing another."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you play "Christian Says"?   No doubt you can think of many other ways to play the game.  Don't play any of them.  Remember that people will often follow what you do rather than what you say.  So give up "playing" at living a Christian life.  Listen to what God says, and love others in "deed," not just in "word. "


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Angela dropped her books on the kitchen table with an angry thud.  "What's wrong?" asked Mom, looking up from brushing Sara's silky curls.  "You look angry."
 
Angela's eyes filled with tears.  "I prayed so hard to win a place in the art show, but I didn't get in," she complained.
 
"I'm sorry."  Mom studied Angela as she picked up little Sara.  "Maybe you need to get your mind off your disappointment.  Why don't you come shopping with me and Sara?"
 
Angela sighed.  "I might as well," she agreed.
 
At the store, Sara saw a toy that she wanted Mother to buy for her.  Angela turned over the package and read, "Not for ages three and under."  She put the box back on the shelf.  "Sorry, Sara," she said.  "This is for older kids. Maybe you can have it when you're older."
 
Sara's eyes filled with tears.  She stomped her little foot on the floor.  "I want it now!" she insisted.  "I can have it, can't I, Mommy?"
 
Mom looked at the package, then gave Sara a hug.  "Not now, honey," she said.  "You'll have to trust Mommy to know what's best for you."
 
That evening Angela's piano teacher called to let Angela know she had been chosen to play at a special recital to be held in a few weeks.
 
"Oh, wow!" squealed Angela.  "Good thing I didn't get to be in the art show.  The music recital is the same day, and I'd rather do that."
 
"So you're no longer angry that God didn't answer your prayer the way you thought He should?" asked Mom.
 
Angela stared at Mom.  "I. . .I guess I was like Sara, stomping and getting angry because I wanted something that wouldn't really be the best thing for me," she admitted.  "Now I'm glad I was disappointed."
 
Mom smiled.  "God always knows best what we should have, and sometimes He says 'no' even if it upsets us at first."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you trust God when things don't work out as you wish, or do you get angry?  Like a wise parent, God allows only what is best.  Trust Him to bless you with just the right "presents. "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 29:11  F)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, can you take me to my Bible club today?" asked Darci one afternoon.  "I'm late."
 
"Okay," agreed Mother, "but you'll have to walk home."  They went to the car.  "Do we need to stop for anyone else?" asked Mother.  "Have you invited any of your friends?"  Darci shook her head.  "The Carsons are coming over this evening," continued Mother.  "Daddy and I hope we'll have a chance to witness to them, and I thought you could share some of your Gospel music CD's and Christian videos with Tina.  I think she'd enjoy those."
 
Darci squirmed.  I wish Mom would quit suggesting stuff like that, she thought.  I don't want the kids to think I'm weird.
 
When Darci returned home late that afternoon, Mother asked her to empty the kitchen waste basket.  Darci took it out to the trash can in the garage.  When she came back into the house, she was carrying a Styrofoam tray.  After putting the wastebasket in its place, she rinsed the tray and headed for her room.  Mother frowned.  "Hold it!  What do you intend to do with that trash?" she asked.
 
"I need this for a Bible club craft," Darci explained.  "We're going to use them as frames for our shell pictures."
 
"Okay."  Mother nodded.  "I don't want you to accumulate all kinds of junk, but I see you've rescued that tray for a purpose."  She paused, then added thoughtfully, "It's a bit like us--we were like worthless 'trash,' lost in sin, but God saved us for a purpose.  We can worship Him and serve Him and bring others to Him.  We should always live for His glory.  Your picture will be a good reminder of that."
 
Darci looked at the tray and nodded slowly.  She was a Christian, but she knew she hadn't done much about fulfilling the purpose for which she'd been saved.  Tonight will be a good time to start, she thought.  I'll share those CD's and videos with Tina.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian?  Good works could never have saved you, but now that you are saved, God expects you to work for Him.  God saved you for a purpose.  What are you doing about it?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:10  F)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can I go play at Dave's house now?" asked Bryce.
 
Mother looked up from the rose bush she was pruning.  "Not until you recite your Sunday school memory verse to me," she said.
 
"Aw, Mom," protested Bryce, but he went to his room to learn the verse.  After a while, he found Mother in the kitchen and handed his book to her. "Here," he said.  "I know the verse now--but I don't understand it."  Mother listened while Bryce recited.  "Colossians 2:7.  Rooted and built up in Him and strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
 
As Bryce finished, the screen door slammed and his little sister, Mindy, came in.  "It's not growing," she wailed.  "My rose isn't growing."  She grabbed Mother's hand and led her out to the flower bed.  Bryce followed.  Mindy pointed to a limp, wilting rose plant.  "Your roses grew and made more roses.  Why didn't mine?"
 
"Oh, honey," replied Mother, "When we planted roses, I told you to plant it deeper, remember?  But you said you didn't want to bury it so far."  She knelt down and explained to the little girl how roses must get nourishment from the soil to grow.  "I'll help you plant it deeper now.  I think it will still do okay."  Standing up, she looked at Bryce.  "But first. . .back to your verse," she said.  "Just as plants need to be rooted in the soil to give them stability and to take in food and water, a Christian needs to be 'rooted' in the Lord.  As we study His Word and learn more about Him--and learn to obey Him--we're taking in spiritual nourishment and developing stronger, deeper roots so that when troubles come we're able to stand and grow."
 
"That's what my verse means, huh?"  Bryce grinned at his mother.  "And I guess the last part of it means I should be thankful when you make me study my lesson before I play."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take advantage of opportunities to be rooted in the Lord?  Do you study your Bible?  Listen in church?  Practice the things you've learned?  Take time to pray?  You need to do those things.  You need to be firmly rooted and established in your faith is Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 2:7 Ro)
Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith as ye have been taught; abounding with thanksgiving.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I was elected to the Kool Kats Klub," Barry proudly announced one night.  "Aint that neat?"
 
"Isn't that neat," corrected Mother.  "I'm not so sure it is. What do these particular 'Kats' do?"
 
Barry shrugged.  "They have meetings and talk about stuff and do things together," he said vaguely.  "It sounds neat to me."
 
"Better check them out before you decide to join them," suggested Dad.
 
Again Barry shrugged as he looked at the plate of food Mother set before him.  "What is this?  Why'd you give me so much?" he asked.
 
"It's a new recipe," said Mother, "and I figured you were hungry."
 
"Yeah, but what if I don't like it?" Barry wrinkled his nose and sniffed at the food.  "It smells funny."
 
"It's called Continental Chicken," said Mother.  "Sounds neat, doesn't it?  Eat it up."
 
"Can't tell by the name," insisted Barry.  "I'll check it out."  He took a very small bite--then tried a little more.  "It's good," he decided, "but I don't like the mushrooms.  Do I have to eat them?"
 
Mother nodded.  "I gave you only a few.  If you want another helping, you can avoid them."
 
"You checked out that food so you could take what you found to be good and avoid what was not good," observed Dad.  "That's just what the Bible tells us to do.  In Thessalonians, Paul says to 'prove'--to test or check out--all things and keep what's good."
 
Barry looked at his father.  "And that's what I did, right?" he said.
 
Dad smiled.  "Yes. . .but Paul isn't really talking about food," he said.  "I think Paul is warning us about jumping into activities we haven't checked out.  You need to check out some more things."
 
"You mean like the Kool Kats," said Barry.  "Okay, I'll check it."
 
The following evening Barry was rather quiet.  "I learned that the Kool Kats aren't so cool," he said.  "I talked to one of them, and he showed me a magazine he was taking to the meeting.  It was bad!  Then he let it slip that they buy cigarettes with part of the club money.  I'm glad I found out before I turned over half of my allowance for dues."
 
"I'm glad you took the Apostle Paul's advice," said Dad.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you so eager to join a club, read a popular book, or buy the latest "hit" CD that you plunge ahead without checking to see if it will do you harm or good?  Will it help you love the Lord, or will it draw you away from Him?  Check it out.  Participate in only the good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:21  P)
Prove (test) all things; hold fast that which is good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Abby tied a ribbon in her hair.  Turning away from the mirror, she bumped into her little sister Clara who had been glued to her side all afternoon.  "Mom!" yelled Abby, grabbing Clara by the hand and pulling her to the head of the stairs.  "Can't you keep Clara with you?  She's driving me crazy!  She follows me and copies everything I do!  She's such a copycat!"  Abby thumped her fist on the banister.
 
Mom came to the foot of the stairs.  She smiled when she saw Clara.  The little girl was mimicking her adored older sister, standing with one hand on her hip and the other thumping away in midair.  Her eyes never left Abby's face.
 
Mom motioned for Abby to bring the toddler downstairs.  "You know, honey, you should consider it an honor that Clara wants to be like you," said Mother.  "It means she loves you."
 
Abby sighed.  "I know, Mom.  I love her, too," she said, "but I'd like to be able to have some time to myself."
 
Mom nodded.  "Come on, sweetie, let's give your sister some privacy," she said,  "Come and help me in the kitchen."  Abby sighed and returned to her room. 
 
That evening during family devotions, Dad read from the fifth chapter of Ephesians.  The very first verse said, "Be imitators of God."
 
"How can anybody do that?" asked Abby.  "What does it mean to be an imitator of God?"
 
Mother smiled.  "Remember how Clara stuck close to you this afternoon?" she asked.  Abby nodded as she looked at Clara sitting on her mother's lap.  "Clara watched you and tried to do everything you did," continued Mother.  "If we are to be like Christ we need to stick close to Him."
 
Dad nodded.  "We do that by spending time with Him and studying His Word so that we get to know Him better and to know what pleases Him.  Then we need to copy the example He left us."
 
Abby smiled.  "So we need to be copycats," she said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to be more like Jesus?  Then study God's Word and become familiar with how Jesus responded to every situation.  Consider what He would do in your situation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:1-2  B)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.

[Soldier4Christ]

As fire swept through the wheat field, Mindy watched in horror.  "We've lost the crop, haven't we, Mom?" Mindy asked.
 
Mother nodded.  "Yes," she said, "I'm afraid so."  She was right.  The wheat crop was lost.
 
"I'm just thankful we were able to keep the fire from spreading to any other fields or buildings," said Dad that evening.
 
"I wish I knew who started it," Mindy stated angrily.  Just then the phone rang, and she ran to answer it.  It was her friend Rachel, and the girls talked for a while.  After Mindy had hung up, Mother looked at her thoughtfully.
 
"The fire this afternoon was not nearly as destructive as some of those fires that you just started," she said.
 
"What?"  Mindy was shocked.  "I never in my whole life started a fire.  What are you talking about?"
 
"I'm talking about the rumors I heard you sharing with Rachel--about the new girl in school," Mother replied.
 
"Rhonda?  Well, if she didn't cheat, how could she get such a good grade on her first day at school?" Mindy defended herself.  "Stacy told me some things about Rhonda.  I was only warning Rachel."
 
"Mindy, you said some very unkind things about a girl you don't even know.  You had no right to do that," scolded Mother.  "You can't be certain that any of those rumors are true, but they'll spread like a fire and ruin that girl's reputation.  I think you ought to have the courage to stop the fire instead of spreading it."
 
"But, Mom," Mindy protested.  "I was just. . . ."
 
"You were just starting a fire," Mother finished.  "The book of James says our tongues are like a fire, Mindy.  I hope you'll call Rachel and make an effort to put out the fire you helped start.  Be more cautious from now on."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever say unkind words?  Do you help spread gossip and rumors that will hurt other people?  God says a mouth that is used to bless and praise Him should not be used to hurt others.  How will you use your tongue?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 3:6  A)
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Of course I'm a Christian!  My mom and dad go to church all the time," Mark told his friend Brad.  "Dad's on the church board, and Mom teaches Sunday school."  He paused, then added, "And last week they both gave testimonies about when they were saved."
 
"So what?" retorted Brad.  "That doesn't make you a Christian."
 
"Does, too," insisted Mark.
 
Overhearing the conversation, Mark's mother decided she needed to have a talk with her son.
 
When Mark came in to report a sore finger, Mother inspected it.  "I'll get you a Band-Aid," she said.  She went to the medicine cabinet, took out a Band-Aid, tore it open, and carefully put it on her own finger.  "There," she said.  "That should take care of the problem."
 
Mark stared at his mother.  "Mom!  It's my finger that's hurt!" he exclaimed.  "I need the Band-Aid."
 
"Oh?" Mother looked at him.  "You mean the bandage on my finger doesn't help yours?"
 
"Of course not!" exclaimed Mark.
 
"Well," she said, "a little while ago I heard you claim that because Dad and I are Christians, you are, too.  We took the cure for sin--we accepted Jesus as Savior.  If that makes you a Christian, too, then I think this Band-Aid on my finger should also take care of your cut."
 
Mark stared thoughtfully at his mother.  "I guess you're right," he admitted.  "I need to accept Jesus myself, don't I?
 
Mother nodded and took out another Band-Aid to put on Mark's finger.  "Let's go talk about it," she suggested.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are your parents Christians?  Do you come from a Christian home?  Do your grandparents know the Lord, too?  Are other relatives saved?  If you answered "yes," that's wonderful.  But here's the real question--have you accepted Jesus as your own personal Savior?  If not, you are not a Christian.  Even Nicodemus, a religious ruler, had to be born again.  Won't you accept Jesus today? (For more help, see the last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:3  E)
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I like being at your house," said Mary's friend Cara as she got ready to go home.  "Everybody is so nice to each other.  At my house, it seems like all we do is fight.  Even Mom and Dad fight a lot.  I wonder what makes your family different."
 
Mary shrugged.  "Maybe we work harder at it than some people do," she suggested. 
 
After supper that evening, Mother brought in a dessert--a chocolate cake that Mary had made.  "This tastes great, Mom!"  exclaimed Mary's brother.  "You should make it more often."
 
"It's one of the best cakes I've ever tasted," agreed Dad.
 
"Thank you," said Mom, winking at Mary.
 
"Mom!  No fair!" exclaimed Mary.  "I made the cake."
 
"You made it!" exclaimed Dad.  "Good for you."
 
Mom grinned.  "Oh, that's right. . .you did make it didn't you?" she teased.  She turned to Dad.  "Actually, she made it  all by herself!"
 
As Mom and Mary cleaned the kitchen after dinner, Mom put the rest of the cake away.  "You know, honey," she said, "I've been thinking about something.  It isn't fair for me to take credit for your baking, but you weren't fair today, either.  When Cara asked what made your family different, you didn't give God credit for being the center of our lives.  One reason we get along so well is that we love Him.  His Spirit is in us.  We can't take the credit for that."
 
Mary bit her lip.  "But Cara wouldn't understand that," she said.
 
Mom smiled.  "Maybe; maybe not," she said.  "But tell her anyway.  Give God the credit He deserves."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
As you accept God's blessings, do you remember to give Him credit?  Let your friends know why your life is different.  Tell them about God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 34:1  I)
I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Brittany," said Mother as she stood in the doorway of her daughter's room one Saturday, "you've spent half the day in here just wasting time.  How about doing something constructive--like writing a letter to Grandma Nelson?"
 
Brittany pulled a face.  "That wouldn't be any fun," she said.  "I think I'll go see if there's skating or something on TV."  And she headed for the den.  A few minutes later, Mother heard shouting.  "Jody!  Shame on you!" scolded Brittany angrily.  Mother came in and saw papers spread across the floor.  Two-year-old Jody had a black crayon in her hand.  "Jody scribbled on all the pages of my new writing tablet," Brittany exclaimed.  "They're ruined!  What a mess!"
 
Mother took the crayon out of Jody's hand.  She gently, but firmly, scolded the little girl and sent her off to play.
 
As Jody scurried out of the room, Brittany bent down and picked up a piece of paper.  "Here's one Jody missed," she said.  "At least there's one good piece left."
 
But Mother shook her head. "Actually, the way it is now, it's really no better than the ones Jody scribbled on," she said.
 
"What do you mean?" asked Brittany.
 
"It's empty," Mother answered.  "Nothing has been written or drawn on it to give it any real value.  If someone wrote a letter or poem or drew a picture or designed a house on it, then it would be worth something."
 
Brittany grinned.  "Okay, I get the point," she said.  "I'll use it to write Grandma.  That will make it valuable, right?"
 
"Good."  Mother nodded.  "A day of your life is like a blank piece of paper, honey.  If you use it thoughtlessly with silly or harmful activities, it's like these pages Jody scribbled on.  Or you can waste it by simply neglecting to use it for anything worthwhile."
 
"Like I wasted my morning?" said Brittany thoughtfully.  Mother nodded.  "Well, the day isn't over yet," said Brittany, "so I still have time to make something out of it.  I'll start by writing that letter."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you waste time with unnecessary or useless activities or because of laziness?  Learn to "redeem" the time--to use it carefully in ways that please the Lord.  This may include being friendly, helping your mother, studying God's Word, reading a good book, getting needed rest, or witnessing to a friend.  Remember, this day can never be lived again.  Start now to make each day of your life worthwhile!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:15-16 Se)
See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, is Jesus really coming back some day?" asked Bob as he and his little sister, Amanda, climbed into the car after Bible club.  "I mean. . .well, it just seems like I've heard that all my life--from you and Grandpa and today at Bible club--but it never happens."
 
"See what I got in Bible club," said Amanda before Mom could answer.  She held up a balloon.  "Blow it up for me, Bobby."
 
Bob took the balloon and blew air into it, and handed it back to her.
 
"Blow it bigger," Amanda instructed, and Bob blew more air into the balloon.  He paused and looked at Amanda.  "Bigger yet," she told him.  Once more Bob blew the balloon bigger.
 
"There," he said.  "That's about as big as it will go."
 
 "No," said Amanda, crossly.  "Blow it some more."
 
"It will bust," warned Bob, but Amanda wouldn't listen.  So Bob carefully blew it again.  Each time he stopped, Amanda insisted that he blow the balloon bigger.  Finally, it happened!  BANG!  The balloon could stretch no further.  It broke, and Amanda burst into tears.
 
"It's too bad, honey, but it's your own fault," Mother told Amanda firmly.  "Bob warned you."  When the little girl had quieted down, Mother turned to Bob.  "This reminds me of your question," she said.  "Jesus hasn't returned yet because He is patient and loving and wants everyone to have an opportunity to be saved.  He doesn't want anyone to go to hell.  Amanda's balloon was stretched to the point where it would burst, and Jesus' patience will one day be stretched to the point where the last person who is going to accept Him will do so.  Then He will come again.  It may not be in our lifetime. . .but on the other hand, it could be today."
 
"So we should be patient, too, shouldn't we?" asked Bob.  "Okay.  I'll try to remember that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does it seem strange that people have been talking about the return of Jesus for 2000 years?  He has been very patiently giving men and women and boys and girls the chance to accept Him as Savior.  But the time will come when He will return as He promised.  Do you believe that?  It's a wonderful promise.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:9 Th)
The Lord is not s1ack (slow) concerning His promise. . .but is long-suffering (patient), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, will you sponsor me for the jump-a-thon our school is going to have?"  Jane waved a piece of paper.  "Each of us kids will spend time jumping rope or jumping on a pogo stick or on the school's trampoline.  People sign this list to donate a certain amount of money for every minute we jump.  If you sign up for ten cents a minute, and I jump for an hour without stopping, you have to donate six dollars.  The money we raise will be used to help hungry people in Africa."

 

Mother looked at the paper Jane gave her.  "I see this is being held on the same day as the youth outreach at the mall," she said.  "I'm afraid you won't be able to go, honey.  But it is a good cause, so I'll be sure to give a donation anyway."

 

"But, Mom!  It won't be any fun if I don't get to jump," pouted Jane.  "Besides, the school is giving prizes to the kids who get the most money donated and to the one who jumps the longest--and my teacher said the TV cameras will be there.  I'd just love to be on television!"

 

"Hold on a minute!" said Mother.  "I thought this was to benefit the hungry people in Africa.  It sounds to me like this should be called a horn-a-thon instead of a jump-a-thon."

 

"A horn-a-thon!" exclaimed Jane.  "No one will be blowing horns!"

 

"I'm afraid they might be," replied Mother.  "All that commotion over what you give reminds me of the Pharisees in Bible days.  They used to have someone go before them and blow a trumpet as they were on their way to do a good deed.  Jesus said that in God's eyes, their giving had no eternal value, because it was done out of pride instead of genuine love."

 

"But, Mom!" protested Jane.  She sighed.  "Well, okay," she said, giving in, "since I can't go to the jump-a-thon, I'll try to earn money for the project by doing yard work after school."

 

"That's the right attitude!"  Mother smiled.  "You can start by raking our lawn.  I'd rather pay for an hour of work than an hour of jumping, any day!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you give and serve the way God wants you to--simply, generously, without expecting any reward?  Don't seek recognition from others for every good thing you do.  Just obey God with the right attitude, and He'll be sure to reward you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:1  D)
Do not your alms (good works) before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Mom!" Mary Jo pointed out the window.  "Look at Susie." Mother looked, and she and Mary Jo laughed together as they watched three-year-old Susie play with her shadow in the bright sunlight.  Susie ran as fast as she could--then she turned around and saw that her shadow had come right along with her.  "Stay there," she commanded.  Turning her back on her shadow, she took a big jump.  She turned around again to find that her shadow had jumped, too.  Next she walked slowly.  The shadow walked with her.  She skipped, and the shadow skipped along.

 

At dinnertime, Mary Jo helped Mother set the table.  "I'll help, too," piped up Susie--and she did, carefully watching to see how Mary Jo placed the dishes and the silver.  She copied what she observed.

 

As they were eating, Mary Jo passed the lima beans to her younger brother, Joey.  He passed them on to Mother.  "Help yourself first, Joey," she said.  "You need to try a few."

 

Joey glanced at Mary Jo's plate.  "Mary Jo doesn't have any," he said.  As Mother passed the lima beans back to her, Mary Jo frowned but put a few on her plate.  Seeing that, Susie asked for some, too.

 

After dinner, Dad got up from the table.  "Who'd like to help me wash the car before it gets dark?" he asked.

 

After a moment of silence, Mary Jo spoke.  "I will."

 

"I'll help, too," said Joey quickly.

 

"Me, too," added Susie.

 

Mary Jo laughed.  "What is this--'copy Mary Jo' night?" she asked.

 

Mother smiled.  "Remember Susie and her shadow?" she asked.  "Whether she liked it or not, Susie's shadow was with her.  Wherever Susie went, her shadow went; there was no way she could get away from it.  The influence we have over others is like that.  Whether we like it or not, what we do and say influences other people.  We can't get away from that fact, so it's important to make sure we influence them in the right way--for good and not for bad.  Just like you're doing, Mary Jo."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of influence do you have?  As a Christian, it's important to be kind, honest, faithful.  Live in such a way that your life will cause the unsaved to want to know Jesus and will help other Christians live for Him.  Being out under the bright sun gives you a good, sharp shadow.  And living close to the Son of God--the Lord Jesus--gives you a good, strong Christian influence.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:7 Fo)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Kevin saw the flashing lights from a police car behind them, he got a tight, scared feeling in the pit of his stomach.  Mr. Casey, the neighbor with whom Kevin was riding, pulled over to the side of the road and rolled down his window.  With lights still flashing, the police car stopped behind them.  Kevin trembled as the policeman walked up to the car and asked for Mr. Casey's driver's license.  "You went through that traffic light when it was red," stated the policeman.
 
"I did?"  Mr. Casey was startled.  "I'm sorry," he said.  "I didn't notice that it was red.  I'll certainly be more careful after this."  Soon they were on their way again, but Mr. Casey had received a ticket and would have to pay a fine.
 
"I don't think it was fair for the policeman to give Mr. Casey a ticket," protested Kevin when he told his folks what had happened.  "He didn't run a red light on purpose."
 
"That may be true," agreed Dad, "but he did do it.  The red light was there for him to see.  It means 'stop,' and he didn't stop, so it's fair for him to pay the consequences."
 
"Actually, I'm sure he's glad to be getting off so easily," added Mother.  "He might have had an accident instead of a ticket."
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "You know, this reminds me of Pastor Lee's message on Sunday when he said Christians must expect to pay the consequences of sin if they don't pay attention to God's warnings.  God gives us many instructions--and tells us to stop doing many things.  If we don't listen--or don't notice--we can expect to pay.  The excuses we offer won't change the fact that we've disobeyed."
 
Kevin nodded.  "I guess you're right," he said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through "red lights" that God has established?  He says to stop lying, stop getting angry, stop using bad words, stop being disobedient, stop sinning against Him.  When you're tempted to do something you know is wrong, ask God to help you say "no."  Obey his "stop light. "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:9)
Ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

[Soldier4Christ]

"'Bye, Mom."  Kevin got on his bike to ride to town.
 
"'Bye, Kev.  Do be careful," called Mother.  "Don't forget--you have to obey all the traffic signals, just like cars do."
 
That evening, Kevin had a story to tell.  "Know what I did?" he asked.  "When I came to the traffic light at the corner of Main and Pine, I remembered Mom's warning to obey traffic signals.  The light was red, so I stopped and waited for it to change."
 
"Good for you," approved Dad.
 
"Yeah--but I started thinking about something else, and when I looked back at the light, it was just turning red again."  Kevin slapped his forehead.  "I had to sit through that light, too, and wait for it to turn green.  What a dummy!"
 
They all laughed, and Mother shook her head.  "It sounds like you and Mr. Casey both need to pay more attention to traffic lights," she said.  "This morning he didn't stop when it was red, and now you didn't go when it was green."
 
"Well, the second time it was green I did.  You can be sure of that," Kevin told them.  He thought for a moment.  "Does God have green lights for us, too?"
 
Dad nodded.  "He surely does--lots of them.  He says to 'go' and tell others about Him, to be kind, to love, to forgive, and all sorts of things--even to obey the laws of our land."
 
"And just as we need God's help to obey the 'stops,'" added Mother, "we need His help to 'go' as He tells us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "going" when you should?  Do your actions show that you love God?  Are you witnessing for Jesus?  Have you forgiven the person who hurt you?  Don't "stop" when you should be "going." Do something positive today to show your love for God and for others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:14  A)
Above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.