Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Scott wiped the back of his hand across his damp forehead.  "It's time to quit," he called to his sister.  Her flushed cheeks reminded him that he was not alone in his discomfort.  "This is incredible, Carrie!  We collected lots of cans and bottles today!  We'll make good money for a few hours of work!"  Scott and Carrie lived in a resort town on the east coast and collected pop bottles and cans that had been discarded by tourists.  They received money for each one they turned in at the local supermarket
 
At the store, the children waited patiently in line to redeem their bottles.  Their favorite cashier winked at them as she finished with another customer.  Scott grinned back as he and Carrie began to unload the cart.
 
"Whoops, this one is no good," said the cashier, setting one can aside.  "It doesn't have a deposit stamp on it."  Scott quickly apologized.  He and Carrie were usually careful to check each bottle and can for the mark.  He was embarrassed to have missed one.  "No deposit, no return," said the cashier as she continued to tally up their bottles.  When she was finished, she paid them, and they headed home.
 
"Guess what, Dad," said Carrie that evening.  "Scott and I made almost fifteen dollars collecting pop cans today."  She grinned at her brother.  "Scott tried to sneak one in without the deposit stamp on it though," she teased.
 
"Did not!" protested Scott.  "You're probably the one who missed it and put that can in our bag."
 
Dad smiled.  "Isn't it handy that you can blame each other," he said.  "I dare say you're both to blame for putting in a can with no deposit stamp from time to time, right?"
 
"Yeah, I guess so," admitted Carrie.  "Oh, well."  She shrugged.  "We could make worse mistakes."
 
Dad nodded.  "Actually, a lot of people do," he said.  "They make the mistake of thinking they don't need God's stamp--His Spirit--to get into heaven.  They think that going to church and in general acting like Christians will be good enough to get them there.  But unless a person has received God's seal by trusting in Jesus for salvation, he'll be rejected, just like that pop can was.  Having the Holy Spirit in our lives is kind of like a deposit to guarantee our salvation.  That's one deposit stamp you don't want to be missing."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Examine your heart and life carefully.  Do you trust Jesus as Savior?  Is the Holy Spirit living within you?   If you are unsure of your salvation, talk to Christian parents, your Sunday school teacher, or your pastor about it.  Also, see the last page in this booklet for more help.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 1:21-22  W)
Who (God). . .hath given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

[Soldier4Christ]

David went to sit beside his mother.  "Mom," he said, "Mr. Scott has really changed."  Mr. Scott was their neighbor.  "He used to yell at us all the time," continued David, "and he'd get mad and swear at us if a ball went in his yard.  I wonder how come he's so different now."
 
"He's a Christian now," Mom told him.
 
"I know," said David, "but why does that make such a difference?"
 
Mom smiled and looked at the yarn in her hands.  "This yarn is made up of four strands, called 'plies,'" she said, snipping off a length of yarn.  She separated the yarn into four threads and handed one of them to David.  "Take this in both hands and tug," she instructed.
 
David tugged on the single strand of yarn.  It snapped in two.  "That yarn isn't very strong," he said, handing her the two torn pieces.
 
"No," agreed Mom, "and that's why I don't knit with just one ply at a time.  I leave the four plies twisted together"  She dropped the smaller of the two pieces into the wastebasket and twisted the longer piece with the three strands she had removed.  Then she handed it to David.  "Try to break that," she said.
 
David pulled and tugged and yanked on the yarn, but this time it wouldn't break.  "Wow!" he said.  "It broke so easy before; I can hardly believe how strong it is now."
 
"That's a little like what happens when we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord," said Mother.  "That first piece of yarn doesn't have just its own strength now.  It has three more plies to make it a good, strong, almost unbreakable strand.  And Mr. Scott no longer has just his own strength either.  He now has the strength of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to help him."
 
David yanked on the yarn again.  "I get it," he said. 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a problem with your temper?  With obeying your parents?  With your behavior in school?  Are you trying to improve and finding it impossible?  Perhaps you're trying in your own strength.  Learn what God wants of you. . .how He wants you to behave.  Ask Him to help you live in such a way that others can see that you belong to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:17  T)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Go away, Chase!" stormed Kelsey as her younger brother jumped and hopped through the hopscotch squares Kelsey and her friend Alisha were using.  Chase laughed and moved on down the street.
 
"He's an awful pest, isn't he?" asked Alisha.  Kelsey nodded as the girls resumed the game.  "I don't know when I've seen such an awful kid," continued Alisha.
 
"He's not all that bad," replied Kelsey.
 
"He should have a good whipping or something to keep him in line," grumbled Alisha.  "He's really too much!"
 
"He just likes to tease."  Kelsey quickly came to the defense of her brother.  "He's a good kid, really."  And when Alisha continued to criticize, Kelsey decided she'd heard enough.  She left the game and went into the house to read.
 
As Kelsey opened one of her favorite books, she noticed a torn page.  "I need to mend this, Mom," she said as she got out some tape.  As she worked, Kelsey told Mother about Alisha's unkind words.  "She's obnoxious!" fumed Kelsey.  "She's not my friend anymore."
 
"Why did you stand up for your brother?" asked Mother.  "You often criticize him yourself, you know."
 
Kelsey shrugged.  "That's different," she said. 
 
Mother smiled.  "I think it's because you actually do love him, and love is something like that tape you're using," said Mother, pointing to the mended page.  "The tape holds the edges together and covers up the tear, making the paper strong again.  And the Bible says love covers a 'multitude of sins.'  I'm glad you defended Chase, but don't be too angry with Alisha.  Since you're both Christians, she's your 'sister in the Lord,' so she's part of your family, too.  That doesn't mean you have to stand around and listen to her criticize your brother, but it does mean you should be patient and even be willing to overlook some of her faults.  Let love mend the tear in your friendship."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone hurt you?  Will you love and forgive as God commands?  Be willing to overlook differences of opinion.  Be tolerant of different ways of thinking.  Love others as God has commanded.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 4:8  A)
Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm home, Mom," called Tim.  He got a glass from the cupboard and poured milk into it.  Then he sat down and stared at it, thinking about all the things that had gone wrong that day.
 
"Hi, Tim," said Mother coming in and interrupting his thoughts.  "How do you like my new hairdo?"  She playfully paraded back and forth. 
 
"Looks nice, Mom," murmured Tim with a little grin.
 
"Why, thank you!" said Mother.  "I'm glad you like it. I had a permanent this afternoon."  She sighed elaborately.  "But unfortunately, a permanent isn't permanent," she added sadly.  "After a while it will start to lose its curl."
 
"Well, why is it called a 'permanent' then?" asked Tim.
 
Mother smiled.  "I think it's misnamed," she replied.  She gave Tim a hug.  "Many things we call 'permanent' don't last forever.  But there's something that does--God's love.  It's really permanent.  His love goes on and on."
 
Tim smiled.  "That's nice to remember after the kind of day I've had," he said.
 
"You've had a bad day?" asked Mom.  "I'm sorry, honey.  I was so busy thinking about my permanent that I forgot to ask how your day went."
 
"Well, everything went wrong," Tim mumbled.  "First I lost my science assignment, and I have to do it over.  At recess, I ripped a hole in the knee of my new jeans.  And Noah ignored me all day--I don't know why.  Besides all that, I don't understand my math problems."
 
"Oh, I'm sorry!" exclaimed Mother.  "Try not to be too discouraged though.  I'll help you work through some of those problems."  She patted Tim's back.  "And don't forget. . .God still loves you!    Even when things go wrong and it seems He's forgotten you, He really hasn't.  His love is still there, strong and true.  He wants to help you, too."
 
"Okay, Mom."  Tim nodded.  "Thanks."   



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When things go wrong, especially one thing after another, it's easy to get discouraged and forget God's love.  But God doesn't forget you.  His love is there, whether you're feeling it or not.  It's an everlasting love.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 31:3 I)
I have loved thee with an everlasting love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's so dark out," said Kathy as she and her brother Josh stumbled along the path.  They had been visiting with some friends who were camping just a little way down from their own campsite.
 
"Yeah," agreed Josh, "but at least we don't have far to go.  We're almos. . . ."  His words were cut off as he caught his toe on a tree root and fell.  "Ow-w-w!" he yelled.
 
Kathy reached down to help him up.  "Are you okay?" she asked.
 
"Yeah. . .but I think I skinned my knee a little," said Josh, brushing himself off.  "We'd better not go quite so fast."  Kathy agreed, and the two of them moved slowly and carefully along until they reached the camp where their parents were waiting.
 
"We could hear you two coming," said Mother.  "We heard a yell.  Did someone fall?"
 
"Josh did," replied Kathy, "but he's not hurt much.  It was so dark we couldn't see."
 
"Didn't you have your pocket flashlight with you?" asked Dad.  "Why didn't you use it?"
 
"My flashlight!" exclaimed Josh.  He reached into his pocket and pulled it out.  "I forgot I had it," he admitted.  Everyone laughed.
 
"You two remind me of a lot of people," observed Dad.  "They have a light for their path, but they either forget to use it, or they just don't bother."
 
"Really?" asked Kathy.  "Who else did that?"
 
"Probably somebody else with a pocket flashlight, right?" suggested Josh.
 
Dad shook his head.  "I'm talking about Christians who fail to read their Bibles," he said, picking up his own.  "God says His Word is a light to our paths to show us how to live, but it doesn't do any good if we don't use it.  Gather 'round now.  It's time for devotions."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your Bible regularly?  It contains many principles (truths) to help you in your daily life.  It has a lot of practical advice.  But unless you use it, it can't help you.  Don't stumble along in the dark.  Use your Bible every day and follow the light it gives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105  T)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can you sleep at our camp tonight?" Josh asked his friend Ben.  "My mom says it's okay with her."
 
"Can I, Mom?"  Ben looked over at his mother.  "Then I won't wake you when I get up early to go fishing."
 
Ben's mother laughed.  "Take your sleeping bag and run along," she agreed.  "It's already dark."
 
Soon the boys were on their way.  Josh snapped on his flashlight.  "Last night I left this thing in my pocket all the way home, but I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake twice!" he said as he led the way.  He turned back to light Ben's path.  As he walked along, he left the beam of light on the path behind him, making sure Ben could see.  "Last night I fell over a tree ro-o-o. . . ."  Down went Josh, and the flashlight went flying into a bush.  He got up, and the boys recovered the flashlight.  Josh turned to Ben.  "Walk up here with me now so we can both see where we're going," he mumbled. 
 
When they arrived at Josh's campsite, his family was waiting.  "We saw your light, and heard a crash," said Mother.  "What happened?"
 
"Fell again, didn't you?" asked Kathy with a smirk.
 
When they had heard the story, Dad shook his head.  "Do you know who you remind me of tonight?" he asked. 
 
Josh shook his head.  "I was using my flashlight," he said.
 
Dad nodded.  "Yes, and you were pointing it on somebody else's path.  You remind me of people who hear God's Word preached, and they think, I hope so-and-so is listening.  He really needs this.  Or maybe they read something from God's Word and apply it to somebody else's life.  They fail to see that they need it themselves."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you notice that today's Scripture is the same as yesterday's?  Read it again, and emphasize the words "I, " "my," and "me."  Then when you read other passages in the Bible, apply what you've read to yourself.  If you read "Children, obey your parents," check on how well you obey, not how well your sister does.  If you read "Be ye kind to one another," think of what you--not your neighbor--should do.  When you hear a sermon on how Christians should "love one another," don't sneak a glance at one of the other kids, hoping he's listening.  Remember,  it's for you.  Here's yesterday's verse again.  Is it true for you?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105  T)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't think Anna is a Christian at all," declared Jason as he rode his bike up the  driveway.  "In fact, I'm sure she's not.  She lied to me!"  He turned his bike around.
 
Mother looked up from her flower garden.  "Whoa!" she exclaimed.  "Don't you think you're making an awfully hasty judgment?"
 
"Well, she's lied before, too, so how can she be a Christian?" insisted Jason.  He started back down the drive.  A moment later his howl pierced the air as  he skidded on some loose gravel, lost control of his bike, and fell.  "Oh, my elbow," he  groaned.  "It hurts."
 
"I'm sure it does," sympathized Mother, who had come running up.  "It's all skinned.  Come on--we'll go fix it up."
 
When Jason and Mother went back out a little later, Jason got ready to ride his bike again.  "Oh," said Mother, taking hold of the handle- bars, "you're not going to try to ride to again, are you?"
 
"Sure," Jason replied.  "Why not?"
 
"But, Jason," protested Mother, "you fell!  Tell you what--wait until Dad gets home tonight, and he'll put the training wheels back on for you."
 
"Mother!" Jason was indignant.  "Just because I fell doesn't mean I can't ride!"
 
"Hm-m-m," said Mother thoughtfully, "slipping and falling with your bike doesn't mean you're not really a bike rider?"  She smiled at Jason.  "Well, guess what?   Slipping and falling in your Christian life doesn't mean you're not really a Christian, either.  Did you know that?"
 
"I. . .I guess you're right," Jason admitted as he thought of what he had said about Anna.
 
"It does mean you need to confess what you've done and ask God to forgive you," continued Mother,  "but be careful not to judge people.  Instead, help them get back on  the right track."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you disappointed in someone who says he's a Christian?   Don't judge the person who slips and falls into sin.  Leave that to God.  Pray for the  person.  Let him know you love him though you don't like what he did.  Let him know that God stands ready to forgive and that you'll forgive him, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:10  B)
But why dost thou judge thy brother. . .for we shall  all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Laura had gotten a new bicycle--complete with a silver bell--for her birthday!  It was her first two-wheeler.  "We'll put the training wheels on when we get home," said Dad as they left the store.   "I'll help you, too."

 

"I want to ride all by myself," protested Laura.  She pictured herself zooming down the block, pretending she was on a beautiful horse!  "Since I can't have a horse, I'm going to pretend my bike is one.  It's name is Candy, short for Candy Apple, because it's red."

 

As soon as they arrived home, Laura wheeled the new bike to the front sidewalk.   She put one foot on a pedal and shoved off.  She lifted her other foot and was surprised to find that she just couldn't keep her balance.  She started to tip over every time, and had to quickly put her feet back on the ground.  Again and again, Laura tried to ride the bike, but it kept tipping over.  She choked back tears.

 

Laura was feeling very discouraged when she heard approaching footsteps.   "Looks like you could use a helping hand with this bucking bronco," said her father.  "Whoa, Candy Apple!"  Laura giggled as Dad held the bike steady while she got on.  Then he held onto the seat and ran along as she began to pedal slowly down the  sidewalk.

 

Laura and Dad rested on the front steps later and ate cold, crisp apples.  "Thanks for helping me, Daddy," said Laura.  "I guess I wasn't very smart to think I could ride my bike all by myself right away."

 

Dad smiled.  "A lot of us try to handle problems all by ourselves when we really need help," he told her.  "Sometimes I do that, too."

 

"You do?" asked Laura in surprise.

 

"Yep."  Dad grinned at her.  "God wants to help me with all of my problems," he told her, "but sometimes I get so busy trying to work them out myself that I forget all about Him.  So. . .let Candy Apple be a reminder that your heavenly Father wants to help you."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a problem you're trying to handle all by yourself?  Poor grades?  Being "picked on"?  Inability to get along with family members?  Ask your heavenly Father for help and then trust Him to give that help.  If He shows you that there's something you should do--like study more, be helpful, be kind--do it.  If He asks you to just be patient, do that, too.  He may change your circumstances and remove your problems--or He may give wisdom to handle them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 145:14  T)
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all  those that be bowed down.

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul and his parents munched freshly made caramel corn as they wandered about on the first day of the Harvest Fair.  "Well, Paul," said Dad, "today you can ride on three different things.  What would you like to try first?"
 
"The merry-go-round," Paul decided, and soon he was in line, waiting to get on.   When the attendant opened the gate, Paul quickly found the horse he wanted to ride.  As the merry-go-round began to turn and pick up speed, he jiggled the reins and bounced in  the saddle.  The ride ended all too soon.  "That's my favorite ride!" he exclaimed as he rejoined his parents.  "I want to use the rest of my tickets for the merry-go-round, too."
 
"Are you sure you wouldn't like to try something else?" asked Dad.  But Paul insisted that he wanted to ride only the merry-go-round, and he bought two more tickets.
 
A little later, Paul walked over to a bench where Mother and Dad were waiting with cups of apple cider.  "I think I should have tried something else," he said with a  sigh.  "After the first ride, it got a little boring.  I guess it was because it wasn't a real  horse, and I really didn't go anywhere--just round and round."
 
"You remind me of what Mrs. Corry, next door, said to me just this afternoon," said Mom.  "She said she used to enjoy shopping--buying a lot of new clothes or things for the house.  Those things satisfied her for a short time, but she says that now it's like going round and round, doing the same old thing.  She has found out that when we try to live our lives without Jesus, it's like we're going in circles, looking for something better.''
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "Even all of King Solomon's riches didn't bring him happiness.  (See  today's Scripture.)  Only Jesus can do that."
 
"It gave me a good opportunity to witness to her," added Mother.  "I pray that she'll think about it and turn her life over to Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you felt you would be satisfied if only you had a certain toy or video game or bike, yet later you grew tired of it?  If you're looking for contentment in possessions, you won't find it.  You can stop searching and be satisfied only when Jesus is in control.  Turn your life over to Him today.  (For more help, see the last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:10  I)
I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, guess what happened!" called Mike as he rushed into the house after school.  "My teacher's hopping mad!"  He tossed his cap on a chair and reached for an  apple.  "Tim and Pete think it's so funny.  I'll bet they did it!"  Mike took a bite and headed for his room.
 
"Whoa!" said Mom.  "Did what?"
 
"Stole my teacher's grade book," replied Mike.  "She has this book where she records our grades, and she can't find it.  She's sure somebody took it, because she had it this morning, and now it's gone.  She hasn't decided what to do about it."  He stopped, out of breath.  "Just think--all our grades are lost!"  Mike rolled his eyes, took another bite of his apple and went to change his clothes.
 
At supper time, Mike told Dad all about the missing grade book.  "I guess we can't get report cards if she doesn't find it," decided Mike.
 
"Oh, I think Mrs. Cook will manage to come up with grades," said Mother.   "They may not be accurate, but I'm sure she'll do her best."
 
"Some of the kids are mad about it," said Mike, "and some of them think it's  funny--especially some of the guys who are always getting bad grades."
 
Dad nodded.  "I guess people who do poorly always like to have their grades canceled out or forgotten," he agreed.  He reached for the Bible.  "Read for us tonight, will you, Mike?  How about First Corinthians, the third chapter.  Start with verse nine."  (See today's Scripture.)
 
Mike took the Bible.  "Wow," he said when he had read the verses, "it sounds like God is keeping records, too."
 
Dad nodded.  "That's right, " he said,  "and you can be sure no one will ever be able to steal or destroy God's 'grade book.'  His records will be accurate, and He won't fail to reward those Christians who have worked for Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your name in God's "grade book"?  It is if you're a Christian.   What kind of grade did you get today?  Were you kind?  Loving?  Helpful?  Did you do your best at school?  With your chores?  With your brothers and sisters?  Be very careful to please the Lord in your daily life so that some day you may receive His reward.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 3:14  I)
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tammy fumed inside as she walked home from Katrina's house.  The two friends had fought, and Tammy thought of some things she wished she had said to Katrina--not nice things, but she wished she had said them anyway.  So as soon as she got home, she scribbled an angry note to her ex-best friend, marched down to the mailbox on the corner, and dropped it in.  That'll fix her, she thought.
 
But as Tammy began to walk home again, the awfulness of what she had done began to sink in.  Maybe I shouldn't have sent that letter, she said to herself.  Turning around, she ran back to the mailbox.  I need to get it back out of there, she thought.  She pulled open the small "door" where the letters went in and tried to peer into the box.  It was no good.  She even tried to reach her arm into the box.  That didn't work, either.  "Oh, no," she groaned.  "It's gone for good."
 
When Tammy got home, she told her mother what had happened.  "I don't know why I sent that letter," Tammy moaned.  "I guess I was just so mad, I wasn't thinking straight.  How can I get it back?"
 
Mother shook her head.  "Sorry, honey, but I'm afraid you can't," she said.
 
"Maybe I could go and wait for the mailman to pick up the mail from that box," suggested Tammy hopefully.  "Maybe he'd find it and give it back to me."
 
"I don't think so," said Mother.  "I'm pretty sure that once something is mailed, it can't be taken back.  No one may interfere with the U.S. mail."
 
"But, Mom. . . ." wailed Tammy.
 
"That's the way it is, honey," said Mom.  "You should have thought twice before you sent that letter.  You can't take it back."
 
"Then what shall I do?" asked Tammy tearfully.
 
"You can call Katrina and apologize," suggested Mother, "and you should do that."  After a moment, she added thoughtfully, "You can't take the letter back, and none of us can take back any part of our lives."
 
Tammy looked at her curiously.  "What do you mean?" she asked.
 
"God has given each of us a certain number of days in which to live our lives," said Mom.  We have a great deal of choice regarding the things we do, the thoughts we think, and the words we say.  But once we do, think, or say them, we can't take them back again.  Just like you couldn't get that letter back and rewrite it, we can't live any part of our lives over."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about the things you do and the words you say?  Consider each day a gift from God.  Live it carefully--you can't go back and change anything.  You can, however, apologize to someone you may have hurt.  Do that if you need to.  Be able to look back on each day knowing you've done what you should.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 90:12  S)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sharon caught up with her brother on the way home from school.  "Hey, Scott!  I heard you had an oral quiz in math today," she said.  "Brad told me you didn't know very many of the answers."
 
"Yeah, but that's not the worst of it.  I didn't turn in a couple homework assignments last week," confessed Scott.  "Now Mr. Briggs is making me stay in every recess until I get my work caught up, and I've got to take this note home to Mom and Dad."  Scott shoved a paper into Sharon's hand.
 
Sharon skimmed through the message.  "Wow!" she exclaimed.  "You are in trouble!"
 
As expected, Scott's parents were greatly displeased when they read the note.  "Did you hear Mr. Briggs assign those pages?" demanded Dad.  Scott nodded.  "Well, then did you forget to do them?" Dad asked.
 
"Ah. . .well, not exactly," confessed Scott.
 
"What do you mean?" asked Mom.  "Before you went to play, you told me your  homework was finished."
 
"Uh. . .I guess I thought I'd get by without doing it," Scott admitted, "and now I  have to stay in at recess."
 
"In addition, you'll be grounded for the rest of the week for lying to your  mother," said Dad sternly.
 
For family devotions that evening, it was Sharon's turn to read the Bible aloud, and they were beginning the book of James.  "Well," said Dad, after she read the first chapter, "I think we all should make sure we do our homework assignments from God."
 
"From God?" asked Scott.
 
 Dad nodded.  "Mr. Briggs said, 'Do these pages,' but you didn't do your math homework.  God says, 'Be doers of My Word.'  When we don't do what He says, we've failed in the assignment He's given us.  When you didn't do your math, Scott, you also failed God's assignment to obey those who have authority over you.  That includes your teacher and  your parents.  You also failed His command to not lie.  But I don't want to pick on you,  Scott.  I'm sure each of us can think of an area where we need to do the 'homework'  assigned to us by the Lord."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you hear God's Word being taught in Sunday school or at home?  Have you heard such commands as "obey, " "be kind, " "be a friend, " "pray, " "love others"?  Are you doing these assignments?  Obedience to God's commands is important.  Do your "spiritual homework."  Don't just hear God's Word, obey it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:22  B)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

[Soldier4Christ]

David and his friend Matt went outside during morning recess on their first day in second grade.  They looked about the playground with interest.  Matt noticed that there were two empty swings.  "Hey!  Let's go swing!" he said to David.
 
"Okay!" David agreed.
 
The boys ran toward the swings, and as they got closer, David realized that one swing was higher than the other.  I want that high one, he thought.  It'll probably go a lot higher than the low one.  So he ran as fast as he could and grabbed the higher swing.  The boys scrambled onto their swing seats and pumped themselves higher and higher into the air.  After a few minutes, David looked at Matt and frowned.  Matt's going higher than I am, he thought, so he pumped harder.  But no matter how hard David worked, he could see that Matt was getting a better swing ride than he was.
 
At dinner that evening, David told his family all about his first day at school.  He also told them what happened on the swings.  "I thought the higher swing would go better than the lower one," he said.  "Why didn't it?"
 
"The lower swing has longer chains, so it can swing out further," Dad explained.  "It gives you a longer ride, if not a higher one."  He smiled at David.  "Did you pick the high one, thinking you were getting the best one?" he asked.  David nodded.
 
"You know," commented Mother as she cut some juicy apple pie for dessert, "that's a good example of something the Bible teaches.  Most people think they'll be happy with the 'first,' the 'biggest,' the 'best,' or the 'most'  things in life.  But the Bible doesn't teach that.  It tells us that, as Christians, we should put others ahead of ourselves.  God is pleased when we do that."
 
Dad nodded.  "That's right," he said.  "Just like that low swing lifted Matt high in the air, God will lift us up if we humble ourselves and put others first."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you often interested in getting the best for yourself?  That's being selfish.  The Bible teaches that Jesus humbled Himself by leaving heaven and  becoming a man.  It also teaches that Christians should be humble as He was.  Put others first instead of putting yourself first.  God blesses those who do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:10  H)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Our youth speaker talked about witnessing at school, but he doesn't understand.  I can't  witness there," Robby told his mother as he prepared potting soil for his school project.
 
"Oh?  You can't?" Mother asked, glancing curiously at Robby.
 
Robby shook his head.  "None of the Christians I know witness there.  It's just not a good place to talk about the Lord," he said as he brushed dirt off his hands.  "The kids laugh if you try."   He decided to change the subject.  "Can we go to the store now and get the oranges I need for my project?"
 
"Sure," replied Mother.  "I'll get my purse."
 
After they arrived at the grocery store, Robby and his mother headed for the produce department.  "All I can find are seedless oranges," said Robby after a few minutes.  "I need to have orange seeds for my project."
 
"Let's ask the produce manager if he has the kind with seeds," suggested Mother.
 
When they inquired, the manager shook his head.  "Sorry," he said, "but they haven't come in yet this week."
 
"All seedless oranges," Robby complained in frustration as he and Mother left the store.  "How's a guy supposed to grow an orange tree without seeds?"
 
Mom laughed.  "That would be a trick!" she said.  She looked at Robby.  "You know," she added thoughtfully, "I  wonder if the Lord might be feeling as sad as you."
 
"Because all the oranges are seedless?" Robby asked.  "I don't think so."
 
"No."  Mother shook her head.  "Because your school seems to have only seedless Christians."
 
"Seedless Christians?" echoed Robby.  "I don't get it."
 
"You said none of the Christian kids witness at school," said Mother.  "None of them  plant the seeds of the Gospel."
 
"Oh-h-h-h."  Robby was beginning to "get it."
 
You actually have the seeds of God's Word," continued Mother, "but as long as you refuse to scatter them--as long as you don't witness--it's as though you're a seedless Christian.  You're no help to the unsaved."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you scatter the "seed" of the Word of God?  Do you witness for Him at school?  Do you tell the kids in your neighborhood about Jesus?  God doesn't promise that it will be easy, but He does promise that it will eventually bring results.  Let Him spread the Gospel through you.  He will bless you as you do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 126:6  H)
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious  seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Joy in the Morning

Sara was a happy little girl. She had a pretty mom, a nice daddy, and a cat named Mittens. But one day, something happened that changed her whole life. Sara's daddy became sick. He stayed in bed and didn't play ball with Sara and Mittens anymore. "Daddy's very sick," Mom told her sadly one day. "The doctors have done all they can to help him. We're praying that if it's God's will, he'll get better, but right now it seems that perhaps God will take him home to heaven instead." She held Sara tightly as she spoke.

When Sara came home from school a few days later, Daddy's bed was empty. "He's in the hospital," Mom said, giving Sara a hug. "You'll stay with Aunt Ellie and Uncle Bud for a while, but I'll come and take you to visit Daddy sometimes."

Sara felt afraid when she thought about her daddy. He's going to die! she thought, and she shivered. She was glad her uncle's furry dog, Harry, always slept on the floor by her bed. It helped when she felt homesick and scared.

One morning, Sara woke up to see Mom sitting in the chair beside her bed. "Mom! You're here again!" The words tumbled out as Sara jumped into her mother's warm arms. "Is Daddy better? Are we going to see him today?"

Mom held Sara close. "Daddy has gone to be with Jesus," she said. "We won't see him for a while, honey, but he still loves us and will be waiting for us in heaven." With tear-filled eyes, Sara gazed up into her mother's face. She felt Harry's wet doggy-kiss on one bare knee. Mom spoke again. "Sara, how did you feel when you woke up this morning and saw me here?"

"Oh . . . I felt happy to see you, Mom!" Sara replied. "Surprised and happy."

"I think that's the way Daddy felt when he opened his eyes and saw Jesus." Mom's words were very quiet. "There's a Bible verse that says, 'Joy comes in the morning,' and that came true for Daddy. Now he isn't sick anymore. And he's enjoying heaven. It must be a wonderful morning for him, don't you think?"

Sara squeezed her mom's hand. "I'll miss him so much, but I'm glad he's not sick anymore. I'm glad he's happy in heaven," she said, and they cried together.

"Daddy's with Jesus." Mom smiled through her tears, and Sara smiled back. "Someday we'll be with them, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that God's plan for you may include sadness? It may even include death-for yourself or for someone you love. Does that frighten you? It's natural to feel sad, and it's okay to cry. But remember that for a Christian, death is passing from this life on earth to a life in heaven with Jesus. He'll be there to greet you. What a joyful time that will be!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5