Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Matt gloomily followed his mother into the garden to help her pick tomatoes.  She glanced at him as she started putting tomatoes into her basket.  "Something wrong?" she asked.
 
"Ah-h-h, no," Matt mumbled.  But Mother knew better, and she had a good idea what the problem was.  She had seen Matt measuring himself against the door frame several times lately, and she had heard his friends bragging about how fast they were growing.  She knew they sometimes teased him about being the runt of the class.
 
"Remember when we planted these tomatoes?" asked Mother.  "The plants were all the same size."  Then she pointed to the smallest plant.  "This one didn't grow as fast as the others, but look at the tomatoes on it.  It has probably produced more tomatoes than any of the others."
 
"I don't know how it could," said Matt.  "It's about half the size of the others."
 
"Size isn't everything."  Mother stood and stretched.  "Some of these plants put all their energy into producing leaves, but this little plant produced fruit.  You don't have to be the tallest or biggest to be the most productive."
 
"Huh!"  Matt snorted.  "You don't know what it's like to be the runt."  He moved some dirt around with his toe.
 
"Don't worry about being short, Matt," Mother said.  "God made us all different in some way, and our goal should be simply to do our best.  So. . .you're short."  Mother shrugged.  "It doesn't matter.  You can be the kindest and the friendliest.  The important thing is to 'bring forth fruit' for God--to do what He wants you to do.  And who knows?  By next year you may be the tallest."
 
Matt shrugged.  "Maybe," he said, "but I doubt it.""Well, character is much more important than height, so try to quit worrying about size," encouraged Mother.  "Think more about all the things you can do--especially those you can do for God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been fretting because you're different in some way from your friends?  Remember, we're all different.  Don't waste your energy worrying about your size or looks.  Think about "bearing fruit," doing something for the Lord.  What are you going to do today to bear fruit for Him?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 15:
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

[Soldier4Christ]

Linda slammed her books down on the table.  "That Lonnie!" she exclaimed.  "I know he accepted Jesus as his Savior just last month, and I know it will take a while for him to learn a lot of things about living as a Christian, but honestly!  When I hear the language he uses sometimes, I almost wonder if he's really a Christian at all.  It's disgusting!"
 
Mother looked up from her work.  "That's too bad," she said.  "Maybe you should talk to him about it.  Then try to be patient with him, and be sure to pray for him."
 
"But, Mother," said Linda, "why would he even want to talk like that?  I mean. . .I can't imagine ever saying those words, even if I weren't a Christian!"
 
"Perhaps he does it without even thinking--out of habit," suggested Mother.  "Or maybe it makes him feel like he's 'one of the guys.'  I'm glad that using such language is no temptation to you, but remember, the things that tempt you probably don't tempt him."
 
Linda thought about that.  "What do you mean?"
 
"Remember when Dad went fishing for bluegills last week?" asked Mother.  "What kind of bait did he use?"
 
Linda made a face.  "Yucky red worms," she said.  "He says bluegills like them, but if I were a bluegill, I'm sure I'd rather have a nice little minnow.  I'd rather eat a fish than a worm any day."
 
Mother laughed.  "But the bluegills wouldn't, and that's my point exactly.  A good fisherman knows the right bait to use."  She paused.  "In a way, Satan is a good 'fisherman.'  Maybe he doesn't tempt you to say bad words because he knows they don't appeal to you anyway.  Instead, maybe he tempts you to. . .ah-h-h. . .oh, let's say to be unhappy unless you can have the very latest thing in fashion.  Now that probably wouldn't tempt Lonnie at all."
 
Linda blushed as she recalled how she had pouted when her mother refused to buy her a certain brand-name shoe.  "Yeah.  Well. . .okay.  I guess you're right," she admitted.  "I'll try to be more patient after this."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What "bait" does Satan place before you?  Clothes?  Good grades?  Sleeping in on Sunday morning?  Playing ball instead of going to a church activity?  Skipping choir or some other responsibility if you "just don't feel like" doing it?  Satan knows your weakness and will use it to his advantage.  But God is your strength.  Ask Him to help you when you're tempted to do wrong.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  Whom resist steadfast in the faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

Linda climbed into the car after Sunday school and slammed the door.  "I'm going fishing this afternoon, okay?" she said, grinning.  "My teacher said I should."
 
Dad laughed as he started the car.  "What's the catch?" he asked.  "Are you going to tell us what it is, or must we guess?"
 
"Well, our Sunday school lesson was about being 'fishers of men,'" explained Linda.  "I told the class about how we had to use the right bait when we went fishing, and we decided we should think about what would be the right 'bait' to use when we 'fish for men,' too."
 
"Hm-m-m," murmured Dad.  "And did you think of anything more wonderful to offer than what Jesus offers--eternal life?"
 
"We talked about that," said Linda.  "Mrs. Parsons pointed out that lots of people live so much 'in the present,' as she put it, that they don't really hear when we talk about something like that.  So we decided we should use some other bait to make people want to listen when the way of salvation is explained.  Do you know what special bait we plan to use?"
 
"What?" asked Mother.
 
"Love," replied Linda.  "Mrs. Parsons says that love is the basic bait we should use, but it can take different forms.  Next Saturday it's going to take the form of a party.  The way of salvation will be explained during our devotional time.  We're all supposed to try to bring an unsaved friend, so I plan to start 'fishing' by going to Joy's house this afternoon and inviting her to the party."
 
"Good," approved Dad, "but I hope the 'fishing' won't end with the party."
 
"No."  Linda shook her head.  "Mrs. Parsons says the party is just a start.  Afterwards, we still need to offer the 'bait' of loving acts if we want to see our friends come to know Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "fishing for men"?  What are you using for bait?  Winning someone to Jesus often begins with being a friend.  Something as simple as a cheerful smile, helping with a problem, or sharing a special treat may be the thing that causes a person to listen when you tell him about Jesus or invite him to church.  Will you go "fishing" by using a loving act today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 19:19)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tears trickled down Katrina's cheeks as she repeated her argument.  "It wouldn't be a real date--just Jeff and Shana and Mark and me.  I told you Jeff's folks would be there."
 
Mother sighed deeply.  "Katrina, I'm sorry.  But twelve is too young, even for a chaperoned double date."
 
"I'm too young for everything!" Katrina wailed.
 
Mother put her arm around Katrina's stiff shoulders.  "Not too young to make fudge for your entry in the pecan show.  You'll find the pecans on the table.  If you need help, call me.  I'll be in the backyard."
 
As Katrina made fudge, she sniffed, snorted, and slammed pans.  The fudge was in the refrigerator, and Katrina was cleaning up the kitchen when Mother came in carrying another pail of pecans.  "Remember when we planted our pecan tree, Katie?" she asked.  "You were just a little girl.  It took a long time, but it's finally producing!"
 
Katrina ignored her mother and opened the refrigerator to check on the fudge.  "It isn't getting hard!" she whined.
 
Mother looked over her shoulder.  "I'm afraid you got in too big a hurry, honey, and didn't cook it long enough."
 
"Can I make a new batch?" asked Katrina.
 
Mother nodded.  "Sure," she agreed, and she helped Katrina pick pecans out of the shells for a second batch of fudge.  "A lot of things in life take time," said Mother softly.  "Things like fudge and pecan trees and growing up.  When we rush them, we often ruin them.  Anything worthwhile is worth waiting for.  Be patient, honey."
 
Katrina hated to admit it, but she knew Mother was right.  She sniffed and gave Mother a tearful smile.  "I'll help you decide when the fudge is ready this time," added Mother.  "I've had more experience with it than you have.  And I'll help decide when you're ready to date, too.  I've also had a lot more experience with that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you fretting and stewing, wanting to do something your parents say you're not old enough to do?  Ask the Lord to help you be patient.  Whatever you're waiting for will be more enjoyable and valuable because of the wait.  Meanwhile, use the experiences God is giving you right now to develop Christian virtues (including patience).


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:1)
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sara was in a terrible mood.  She sat at the kitchen table, criticizing and complaining.  "I just hate school!  Mr. Martin is a jerk.  Lesley and Jodi are stuck-up.  They think they're so-o-o special."  On and on she grumbled.  Mother listened with a frown.
 
"Got anything to eat?"  Jason's entrance into the room interrupted his sister's monologue.  As he took an apple from a bowl on the cupboard, he talked excitedly.  "Brad and I are doing a science project about air waves.  Mr. Newkirk says scientists believe that everything that's ever been said is still around in space."
 
"Ahhh," Sara scoffed, "I don't believe that."
 
Jason pulled up a chair.  "He read a book about one of the first space flights, and it says that their radio picked up a program that had been aired twenty or thirty years before.  Wouldn't it be neat to develop a device that could pull voices out of the air?  How would you like everyone to hear everything you've ever said?"
 
Sara frowned at the idea of someone hearing a "replay" of her voice saying the things she had said only a few minutes ago.  She shuddered.  "I wouldn't."
 
"I don't know what method God uses," said Mother, joining the conversation, "but He keeps a record of everything we say.  One day we'll give an account for every word we've spoken.  Words, once they are spoken, never die."
 
"I didn't know that," said Sara.  She turned to Jason.  "I know what you should invent," she said.  "A device that would stop me from saying things I shouldn't."
 
Jason laughed, but Mother answered.  "There already is such a device.  It's called self-control.  All you have to do is use it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you often say things you should not say?  Then you need to pray, like David did, "Lord, set a watch (a guard) before my mouth."  You need to ask the Lord to help you practice self-control.  Remember, you'll have to answer to Him for your words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 141:3)
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

[Soldier4Christ]

Little Nadine pointed to a picture of flowers in the seed catalog.  "Mommy, can we get seed for these?" she asked.
 
Mother looked at the picture.  "Those are tulips, and they grow from bulbs," she replied.
 
"Bulbs?" asked Nadine, looking confused.
 
Mother nodded.  "Some flowers grow from seeds, but others grow from bulbs," she explained.
 
A couple of days later, Nadine showed her mother a spot near the back fence.  "I planted some bulbs here.  Mr. Jenks, next door, was throwing them away," she said.
 
"Tulip bulbs?" asked Mother, but Nadine just shrugged.
 
Every day Nadine checked to see if the flowers were coming up.  When the dirt became dry, she carefully watered it.  Several weeks later, she stood looking sadly at the bare spot on the ground.  "Nothing's growing," she said.
 
"Maybe they're planted too deep.  Let's see if they've started sprouting at all," suggested Mother.  She took a trowel and dug into the dirt.  To her amazement, she uncovered two Christmas tree light bulbs.  "Are these the bulbs you planted?" she asked.  Nadine nodded.  "Oh, honey!"  Mother gave her a hug.  "These are light bulbs, not flower bulbs.  There's no life in these, so they never will sprout.  I'll tell you what--we'll go buy some flower bulbs, and you can try again."
 
That evening, Nadine told her father about the bulbs that wouldn't grow, and she proudly showed him where she planted the flower bulbs.  "The man at the store said these will really grow," she told him.
 
Dad nodded.  "When there's life, there should be growth," he said.  "Look at you. . .you're growing taller and stronger.  As you study and learn new things, your mind is growing and developing, too.  And since you've trusted Jesus as your Savior, you should also be growing in the Lord, learning to live to please Him." 
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "Sometimes we expect people to grow when there's no life there--when they've never accepted Jesus as Savior.  They struggle to do good, but they're dead in sins--as dead as those light bulbs you planted.  They need the life only Jesus can give."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "growing in the Lord "--developing the characteristics He wants to see in you such as love, kindness, helpfulness, honesty, and a desire to serve Him?  If not, search your heart.  You can't "grow in Jesus" unless you have His life "planted" there.  If you've never done so, receive Him as your Savior today.  (See last page.)

[Soldier4Christ]

Jana sighed as she sat down at the table one morning.  "I wish I could do something important for the special services at church," she said.  "Carl and Jack are going to play a trumpet duet, and Melanie and Sherri and Tara are singing a trio number.  Holly's playing the piano one evening, and Bonnie was asked to read her poem on prayer.  I could go on and on--everybody's doing something but me."
 
"I thought you were helping in the nursery," said Mother.
 
"Oh, I always do that," said Jana, "but I'd like to do something really important for once."
 
Jana's older sister, Traci, limped into the room.  "How's the toe you hurt yesterday?" asked Mother.
 
"Much better," reported Traci, pushing a strand of hair from her face.  "Before long, I'll be able to walk normally."  She stuck out her foot.  "I never realized before how important a little toe is!  I recommend that everyone pay more attention to their little toes."
 
Mother smiled.  "Did you look at your little toes this morning, Jana?" she asked.
 
Jana laughed.  "Probably not," she said.
 
"Did you comb your hair?" asked Mother.  "Did you look at your face?"
 
"Sure," said Jana.  "What are you getting at, Mom?"
 
"Well," said Mother, "I'm just trying to point out that although we normally pay more attention to some parts of our bodies, like our hair and our face, every part is important.  Even our little toes. It's like that with the body of Christ--with believers--too.  Every member of the body of Christ is important.  We tend to pay more attention to those who play or sing or speak.  But those who work in the nursery or sweep the church or pray as they sit quietly in their seats are just as important.  We often notice them only when they get 'hurt' and can't perform their jobs, but God notices them all the time."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel unimportant?  Some jobs seem more exciting or important to us than others, but God won't reward you according to how glamorous your task is.  He'll reward you according to how faithfully you perform the task He has given you to do.  It's important in His sight--and so are you!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 12:22)
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.

[Soldier4Christ]

Hannah, whose parents were missionaries, lived in the Central African Republic.  She enjoyed many new and exciting experiences that she had never had when she lived in America.  But one day, Hannah got a letter from Ellie, a friend in the States.  "We took a trip to an amusement park," wrote Ellie.  "I wish you could have been with me, Hannah.  You're missing so much being in Africa."
 
Hannah sighed.  The exciting rides Ellie had enjoyed did sound like fun!  Ellie said her favorite was the African Safari river ride.  "There were make-believe elephants that sprayed water at us," Ellie wrote, "and monkeys chattering in the trees.  It seemed so real."
 
Just then Benji, Hannah's cape monkey, snuggled up to her.  Benji loved being around her and would often follow her to church and school.  Of course, that was a no-no, and when that happened, Hannah had to chase Benji back home.  Now she gave him a little squeeze.  "You're better than a mechanical monkey," she told him.  "You're real."
 
Hannah thought about all her other pets.  Besides Odie, the dog, there were some more unusual ones.  Frisky, a baby antelope, was a pretty brown color, with a black stripe.  And Rollo, a mongoose, was a family favorite.  She was so roly-poly and cute.  Her favorite food was eggs.  One day Hannah's mom had thrown her a ping-pong ball.  Thinking it was an egg, Rollo smacked it down hard on the ground.  After a couple of tries, she realized it was fake and gave up.  Rollo sometimes annoyed them by chirping a lot, but she made up for it by eating cockroaches and little flying worms called baboes.  When she got bigger, she would eat snakes!  Hannah grinned.  Not many kids have a pet like that! she thought.
 
Hannah turned back to Ellie's letter.  She smiled as she finished reading.  She realized that she really wasn't missing anything important, and the Lord was giving her many fun things to see and do right where she was!  She had learned to be content with what she had.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you often wish you could be somewhere else--or even be someone else? Or have you learned the secret of being content with what you have?  Learn to enjoy all the little things God has placed right around you and thank Him for each one of them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:11)
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Don't be scared, Donnie."  Erica comforted her little brother.  "Jesus will be with you when you're getting your teeth fixed, won't He, Mom?  He's with us all the time."
 
Mother smiled.  "That's right," she agreed.  Donnie's lip quivered, but he managed a tearful smile as he followed the dentist's assistant into the inner office.  And when he came back out a little later, he was smiling.  "It didn't hurt too bad," he said.
 
"See?  I told  you Jesus would be with you," said Erica as they left the office.  "I get to sit in front," she added, running ahead to the car.
 
"No!  I do!" protested Donnie.  He was close behind her.
 
"I said so first," insisted Erica.
 
"But I had to go to the dentist, so I get the front seat.  Mommy said so when we left home."  Donnie tried to push past his sister.
 
"That was just on the way down here," retorted Erica.   She shoved him away, and he shoved back.
 
Mother pretended not to notice the children fighting as she went to her own side of the car.  "God is with me today," she sang.  "God is with me always.  He's with me when I work, and He's with me when I play.  He sees all I do, and He hears all I say.  God is with me right now."  She emphasized the words "right now."  Donnie and Erica looked uncertainly at each other.  "Sing it with me, kids," said Mother.
 
Erica didn't join in the singing as she climbed slowly into the back seat.  "I know Jesus is with us when we're afraid," she said finally, "or when we need help with something, but I never thought about Him being with us when we fight."
 
"He is, though, isn't He?" said Mother.  "He promised never to leave us.  That's comforting when we're afraid.  But at other times we forget that He's with us--and even act as though we don't know Him at all."
 
"I'm sorry I was mean to you, Donnie," said Erica.  She began to sing the song.  "God is with me today. . . ."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will God be pleased with what He sees you do today?  Will He be pleased with what He hears?  If you're a Christian, Jesus is always with you.  That's a great comfort when you take a test or go to a new school.  It's good to know He's with you when you're home alone or out in the dark.  But don't forget--He's there through all the ordinary, routine things you do, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 13:5)
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The time is six twenty-one," announced Tim as he got up from the table.  "Oops!  It just changed to six twenty-two."
 
"Well, thanks heaps for keeping us informed," said his sister, Meg.  "I'll be glad when that digital watch of yours isn't so new.  I don't need to know the exact time every minute of the day."  She got up to answer the phone.  "For you, Tim," she said.
 
"Tim took the phone.  "Hello. . .oh, hi, George."  He glanced at his mother.  "I can't play tonight--got too many things to do.  See ya later."
 
"Did I hear you tell George you can't play tonight?" asked Mother.  "I thought you and some of your friends were going to the park to play football for a while."
 
"Oh. . .well. . .George is such a klutz," said Tim.  He glanced at his watch.  "The time is now. . . ."
 
"Don't try to change the subject," said Dad.  "You really lied to George, didn't you?"
 
"Oh, Dad, it was such a little thing," protested Tim.  "I mean it's no big deal--just a little white lie."  But Mother and Dad didn't see it that way.  They explained to Tim that God didn't see it that way, either, and though he refused to admit they were right, he agreed to call George back and invite him to join the football game.
 
Tim went to the phone and dialed George's number.  He listened a few moments, then hung up.  "No answer," he said, grinning.  "Well, at least I tried."  He put on his jacket.  "'Bye," he called.  "The correct time is now. . . ."  His voice faded as he closed the door.
 
When Tim returned home he wasn't quite so happy.  "What's the problem?" asked Dad when he saw Tim's face.
 
"I fell," replied Tim, holding out his arm.  Across the face of the watch, Dad saw a scratch.
 
"Oh, that's too bad," sympathized Dad, "but at least it's just a little scratch."
 
"Yeah," said Tim, "but it goes right across the numbers."
 
Mother had come to look.  "A little scratch mars a watch," she murmured, "and a 'little' sin mars a testimony for the Lord.  It does matter."  Tim thought of his conversation with George and knew exactly what she meant.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you told a "little" lie?  Failed to obey in some "small" way?  Been a "little" unkind?  Do you think a "little" sin doesn't matter?  Actually, sin doesn't come in sizes.  Every sin mars your testimony for the Lord.  Confess all of them, and ask the Lord to help you overcome them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 2:10)
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, look at Nathan!"  Missi laughed as her one-year-old brother waved his spoon and rubbed mashed potatoes all over his face.  He dipped the spoon back into his bowl and then put it to his mouth.  "Big boy!" cheered Missi.  "You got it all in, that time."
 
"Soon he'll be eating all by himself," said Mother.  She patted his curly head as she reached for a spoon to feed him the last bit of food from his bowl.  Then she handed him his glass of milk.  "There you go," she said.  "You can finish that while Mommy clears the table."
 
After a busy evening, Mother reminded Missi that it was nearly bedtime.  "Did you have your devotions this morning or do you need to save time for that this evening?" she asked.  "If you do, you'd better pick up your game now."
 
Missi sighed.  "Sometimes I think I might as well skip devotions," she said.  "I don't understand the Bible very well when I read it by myself, anyway.  Why can't I just wait till I get bigger--till I'm an adult--before I try reading it on my own?"
 
"Missy, what would you think if Nathan refused to try to feed himself?" asked Mother.  "Would you be happy to see that?  Do you think Dad and I would be happy?"  Missi slowly shook her head.  "You're right," said Mother.  "We're glad to help him when he needs help, but we're also glad to see him attempt to feed himself--even when he makes a mess--because it's a sign that he's growing.  And as he practices, he'll become better at it."
 
"I know what you're saying," said Missi.  "You're saying that as a Christian I should feed myself, too, by reading the Bible for myself."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "God wants to see signs of growth in His children, too.  It's fine for you to be fed by going to church and Sunday school and by having devotions with the rest of us, but you also need to feed yourself.  Sometimes you may 'miss your mouth' and not understand what you've read.  Then you can ask for help.  But don't stop trying.  Learn to get some spiritual food all by yourself."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you learning to feed yourself spiritually?  You should be.  You may not understand everything, but as you "work at it," you'll find you understand more and more.  Take time to read God's Word every day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:2)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

[Soldier4Christ]

"How was school today, Sheryl?" asked Mom.
 
Sheryl laughed.  "My new teacher is nice," she said, "but she just can't keep the class quiet.  She talks so softly and looks at us with such big, scared-looking eyes.  No one pays any attention to her.  We had so much fun, but I felt kind of sorry for her, too."
 
"Then you can help her by being quiet and doing what she says," said Dad.
 
Sheryl shrugged.  "What's the use?  All the other kids will still laugh and talk and play games."  As she spoke, the lights went out.  "What's wrong with the electricity?" asked Sheryl.
 
"I don't know," said Dad.  "A power failure somewhere, I guess."
 
"Well, I hope it comes back on soon!" said Sheryl. "Can we light some candles, Mom?"  Mom agreed and Sheryl hurried to the kitchen to find them. "All I can find is one little birthday candle," she said when she returned.  "I'll light it.  I found some matches, too."
 
"Only one candle?" asked Dad.  "And a small one at that.  No use lighting it.  What good would one little candle do in this huge, big darkness?"
 
"Well, one light will be better than none," insisted Sheryl.  She lit the tiny red and white striped candle.  "Hey!  This gives more light than I expected!" she exclaimed. 
 
Dad smiled and nodded.  "Sheryl," he said, "I hope you'll light your candle in school, too."
 
"What candle?" asked Sheryl, puzzled. 
 
"I mean your 'light' for Jesus," Dad told her.  "He says we are to let our lights shine, remember?  In your case, that means you are to do your part in class by keeping quiet and obeying your teacher."
 
Mom nodded.  "And if you do, just maybe some of the others will do the same,"  she suggested.
 
Slowly Sheryl nodded.  "But even if they don't, one little light does make a difference, doesn't it?" she said thoughtfully.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes feel that you are too small, too insignificant, too quiet to make a difference?  Do you decide that you may as well not do anything to improve a situation?  Remember that Jesus didn't say, "You are to change the whole  world."  He simply said, "You are the light of the world."  That means all Christians-- including you!  No matter who you are or what you look like or what you own or how clever you are, if you know Jesus, He has given you a light.  It's up to you to shine!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did you enjoy working in the nursery this morning Katie?" asked Mom as they started for home.
 
"I did--except for one little kid named Jason," replied Katie.  "All he said all morning was, 'gimme a cookie,' 'gimme a piggyback ride,' 'gimme, gimme, gimme!'  And then he doesn't even appreciate what he gets.  The minute he gets what he wants, he wants something else!"  Katie sighed.  Just the thinking of Jason made her tired.
 
"That's what two-year-olds often do," Mom told her.
 
"As a matter of fact, that's what many adults do, too," added Dad.
 
"Adults?"  Katie laughed.  "They ask for piggyback rides?"
 
"Not exactly," said Dad, "but does this sound familiar?"  He paused for a moment.  "Dear God, please give me a new job. . .and let the kids do well in school. . .and help me get a hit in our next ball game. . . ."
 
". . .and help me lose ten pounds. . . ." added Mom with a grin.
 
 Katie laughed.  "We all ask for a lot, don't we?  I guess the world must seem like a big nursery to God," she said.  "Do you think He wishes people would appreciate Him more?  I know I'd sure like to hear a big 'thank you' from Jason once in a while.   If he'd get over asking for things all the time, he'd probably be a lot of fun.  He's a nice kid when he gets distracted now and then and forgets to demand something."
 
"Well then maybe we can ask God for two more things," Mom suggested.  "Patience for you and a grateful heart for him. . .and for all of us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you ask God for help or for things you need, do you thank Him, too?  Do you treat the things as a gift from God, or do you forget where they came from?  God loves to help you, but He doesn't want to be forgotten.  Thank Him today for all the things He has done.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 107:1)
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good for His mercy endureth for ever.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Thanks for inviting me to go to church with you next Sunday, Uncle Al."  Keith and his uncle were on their way to Bonny Lake.  They had heard the fishing there was great.  "I. . .I don't want to hurt your feelings," continued Keith, "but. . .well. . .I'm not sure I want to get into this religious stuff.  Besides, Mom and Dad don't think it's a good idea."
 
"Oh?" asked Uncle Al in surprise.  "I thought you said that your parents wouldn't mind if you went with me.  You sounded quite interested last week.  You even said the Gospel was beginning to make sense to you."
 
"Yeah, but since then I've done a lot of thinking," Keith said slowly.  "I don't think I feel like getting 'saved' right now.  The crowd I hang around with at school wouldn't understand, and I like being with them.  Someday I'll start going to church, but I think I'll just go on the way I am for a while.  I know I'm not perfect, but I'm not so bad, either."
 
Keith's uncle drove on silently for a few minutes.  "Oh, no!" he exclaimed as they passed a road sign.  "I was so intent on our conversation that I missed the turnoff.  We should have gotten off this road five miles back."
 
"Guess we'll have to turn around and go back now, huh?" asked Keith.
 
But Uncle Al shook his head.  "I don't feel like turning around right now," he said.  "I guess we'll just keep going this way.  I kinda like this road, and the scenery is nice."
 
Keith looked at his uncle in amazement.  "But we have to turn around to get to Bonny Lake," he protested, "and the longer we keep going this way, the longer it will take to get back.  If we wait too long to turn around, we might not even get there in time to fish."
 
Uncle Al smiled at Keith as he slowed down for the next turn.  "You're right," he said, "and what you said just now is exactly what I've been trying to tell you about spiritual life--that when you're traveling down the wrong road, the sooner you turn around, the better.  If you wait too long, you might never get to your goal--heaven."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you need to "turn around and go in a different direction" to get to heaven?  You do if you've never accepted Jesus as Savior.  Don't let habits, the opinions of others, or even your own feelings of laziness keep you from taking the right road.  Don't wait until it's too late to turn to Jesus.  (See the last page for more help.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ezekiel 18:30)
Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

[Soldier4Christ]

Turning over to avoid the sunlight coming through the window, Cody hoped to catch a little more sleep.  Then, suddenly, he realized he was in Arizona visiting Grandma and Grandpa.  Quickly he jumped out of bed, got dressed, and went to the kitchen where Grandma was making breakfast.  "This will be ready in just a few minutes," she said.  "Now might be a good time for you to have your devotions.  Did you bring along the devotional book we sent you?"
 
Cody felt embarrassed.  "I forgot it," he confessed.
 
"Have you been reading it?" asked Grandma.  "Do you enjoy it?"
 
"Well. . .ah-h-h. . .I've read some of it," replied Cody.  "For a while I read it every day."
 
"But not any more?" asked Grandma.  "Didn't you find that it helped you grow as a Christian?"
 
Cody shrugged.  "I didn't really see that it made any difference in my life," he said.
 
"Hmmm," murmured Grandma.  "By the way, would you like some fresh oranges from our tree with your breakfast?"
 
"Do you have an orange tree?" asked Cody.
 
Grandma nodded.  "Don't you remember?  We planted one when you were here last time."
 
Cody nodded.  "Does that one have oranges already?" he asked. 
 
Grandma smiled.  "Go see for yourself," she said.  So Cody took the basket Grandma handed him.  When he saw the tree, he was delighted to find that he could fill the basket from one of the lower branches. 
 
"It was neat to pick oranges from a tree I helped plant," Cody said as he handed Grandma the fruit.  "I can hardly believe how tall it's grown!"
 
Grandma  nodded.  "Grandpa fed and watered the tree regularly, and as you can see, it has done well," she said.  "Of course, we didn't notice any great difference from day to day.  Trees need time to grow."  After a moment she added, "Christians do, too.  Don't stop having devotions when you don't see immediate growth, Cody.  Keep it up, and ask God to help you become more like Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you praying, reading God's Word, and obeying it?  Does it seem like nothing is happening as a result?  Growth may be slow at times, but when you regularly practice these things, you will become a more mature Christian.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:18)
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.