Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"I can't figure out how magicians do those things," said Dave as he and Phil waited outside the library to see the magic show.  "I know it's a trick, but I can't figure it out."
 
"Let's get up close and watch real carefully," said Phil.  "Maybe we can see what happens."
 
The boys managed to get right in the front row, and they paid close attention to every trick.  The magician kept saying things like, "Now, watch closely as I make this handkerchief disappear!" or, "Keep your eye on the hat to make sure the rabbit is still in there!"
 
"Dave," Phil whispered excitedly, "Let's do the opposite of what he says!  If he says to watch his hands, look at what he's holding instead.  If he says to keep your eye on the bird, watch his hands."
 
Sure enough, the boys were able to see one or two small movements of the magician which gave them clues as to how the tricks were done.  But although they tried hard, they couldn't catch on to much of what he was doing.  "I still think half the trick is getting the audience to look where you tell them to," said Phil as the boys walked home.  "When he holds up his hands and says 'look here,' it's hard not to do that."
 
That weekend, the boys told their Sunday school teacher about the tricky magician.  "That's interesting," said Mr. Pierce.  "Did you know that Satan is a great trickster, too?
 
"He is?" asked Phil in surprise.
 
Mr. Pierce nodded.  "He loves to get our attention on anything except the Lord Jesus.  If he can get us interested in the bad things he's doing in the world, or even in a good cause, he's happy as long as it keeps our attention off the Lord.  Don't be fooled by his methods."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worry so much about things going on in the world--wars, drugs, diseases--that you forget about Jesus Himself?  Do you get so busy with schoolwork, a paper route, or even church activities that you don't have time to spend with the Lord?  Remember, Satan is a deceiver.  He likes you to stay so busy--even with wholesome activities--that you neglect to think about Jesus.  Don't be distracted, like Peter was, by the "wind and waves "--by the many things happening in your life.  Keep your "eyes fixed on Jesus."  When you face difficult situations, think about Him and His love for you, and trust Him to take care of you through all that happens.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 14:25-33)
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 'You of little faith,' he (Jesus) said, 'why did you doubt?'

[Soldier4Christ]

"Get away!  Get away!"  Joanie swung her arms wildly as a bee buzzed round and round her head.  "Mother!" she screamed.  "He's going to get me!"  She dashed toward her mother who was working in the flower garden.  Mother held out her arms, and Joanie rushed into them and hid her face against her mother.  The angry bee followed.
 
Mother stood still, waiting for the bee to leave, but the excited insect seemed determined to find a victim.  As Mother brushed the bee away from Joanie, it landed on her own bare arm.  "Ow!" Mother exclaimed with a gasp.  Then she said quietly, "Look, honey.  You don't need to be afraid of this bee anymore.  It has stung me."  Fearfully, Joanie lifted her head and looked at her mother's arm.  She drew back as she saw the bee still crawling there.  "It can't hurt you now," Mother assured her.  "It has only one sting."
 
"Oh, Mom!  Does it hurt awfully?" Joanie asked as the bee tumbled to the ground.  "You took the sting for me!"
 
"I'm glad I was there to do it," said Mother.
 
As Mother treated the sting a few minutes later, Joanie spoke shyly.  "Last Sunday, my teacher said that Jesus took the punishment for our sins," she said.  "I didn't quite understand it then, but now I do.  Just like you're suffering for me, He did, too--only more.  I'd like to ask Him to save me now."
 
Mother put an arm around Joanie.  "I'm so glad," she said.  The bee sting was forgotten while Joanie and Mother knelt together to talk to the Lord.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you understand that Jesus took the punishment you deserve?  Because He died for you, you no longer need to fear death.  When you accept Him as your Savior, He removes the "sting."  If you've never acknowledged what He did for you and asked Him to save you, won't you do that right now?  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
The sting of death is sin. . .but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ken and Jessie were having a great time on a week-long visit to their grandparents' home.  The ground was covered with snow, and they stayed outside for hours--building snow forts, walking on the ice-covered lake, and tramping through the woods.  Then they'd come in and sip hot chocolate in front of the fire.
 
One afternoon they persuaded Grandpa to go for a walk with them.  They took off down the road, laughing and talking and occasionally throwing snowballs at each other.  Suddenly Grandpa whispered, "Stop, children!  Don't move.  Look over there!"  Ken and Jessie looked where Grandpa was pointing.  A huge bird sat on the branch of a tree.  "It's an eagle," whispered Grandpa.  The children were amazed.  They had never seen such a big bird out in the wild.  Suddenly, with a powerful flap of its wings, the eagle took off over the tree tops.
 
"Wow!" Ken said.  "That's one strong bird!"
 
"You're exactly right," agreed Grandpa.  With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "You can be strong like that, too."
 
"Aw," protested Kevin, "how?"
 
"'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles,'" quoted Grandpa.  "That's in the Bible."
 
"I've heard that verse, Grandpa," said Jessie, "but that doesn't mean we can fly up in the air, does it?"
 
"No," said Grandpa, "but it's a picture--a magnificent picture--of the strength God offers us to handle problems in our lives.  We need to trust Him, and He supplies the strength we need."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have problems at school?  Do you live in a tough home situation?  Is it hard for you to make friends?  Trust the Lord to help you.  He doesn't promise to take problems away, but He does promise to give the strength needed to handle them.  The next time you see a picture of an eagle, think of God's promise.  Then trust Him to help with the problems you face.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 40:31)
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mary brushed away tears as she hurried into the house.  I never thought obeying rules would make me feel so stupid, she thought.  It seemed that more and more of her friends were rebelling against the things she knew were right.  She plopped her books onto the kitchen table and slumped into a chair.  "I walked past two girls from my class on the way home," said Mary as Mom took a loaf of bread from the oven.  "They were smoking cigarettes behind a tree.  They asked me if I wanted to smoke, too."
 
Mom frowned.  "What did you say?" she asked.
 
"I said 'no.'  I told them smoking isn't good for us and that we should take good care of our bodies," replied Mary.  "They laughed and said I was a baby and that I was following a lot of old-fashioned rules.  They said I should make my own decisions about things instead of listening to other people's rules.  They made me feel so silly."
 
"Listening to people who love you seems like a smart idea to me," said Mom.
 
Mary shrugged.  "Martha says her mom doesn't like to tell her what's right or wrong.  She thinks Martha should decide for herself what's right for her.  But God doesn't want us to decide some things for ourselves, does He?"
 
Mom gave Mary a sympathetic hug.  "No," she said.  "The Bible clearly states a lot of things we should do, as well as many we should not do."
 
"Yeah."  Mary sighed.  "It seems like life would be simpler if God didn't care what we do."
 
Mom smiled.  "Remember some of the rules I taught you when you were very young?" she asked.
 
Mary grinned.  "Look both ways before you cross the street," she said, mimicking mom's voice.  "Wash your hands before you eat."
 
Mom laughed.  "Right.  And why did I give you those rules?"
 
"Well. . .to keep me from getting hurt or sick," said Mary.
 
Mom nodded.  "That's why God gives rules, too," she said.  "His laws of right living are like loving arms that keep us safe."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who do not choose to obey God's laws?  If so, don't give in to the temptation to join them.  Remember, like the rules your parents make, God's rules are for your own protection.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:18)
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of  Thy law. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

[Soldier4Christ]

One day Lisa's grandmother told her a story.  "Once upon a time, there was a poor little girl, named Helena, who had to go about in a ragged dress and without any shoes," began Grandma.  "Each day she was given one piece of bread for lunch and one piece for supper.  Oh, how miserable she felt.
 
"One day as Helena walked through the park, she saw some children having a picnic.  Maybe they'll leave some scraps behind, she thought, and I'll have something to eat.  Quietly she crept up and crouched behind a bush.  As she waited, she overheard the children talking about all the nice things the king of that land had been giving them--food, clothes, homes, and servants.  Helena crept a little closer.  'How do they get the king to give them all those things?' she asked herself, not realizing that she had spoken aloud.  The startled children began to run away, so Helena boldly stepped out and repeated her question.
 
"'What a silly question!' exclaimed one child when she saw who it was.  'Everybody knows the answer to that.'
 
"'I don't,' said Helena.  'Nobody has ever told me.'
 
"'Oh, that reminds me,' said another child, pulling an old, wrinkled paper from his pocket.  'I was supposed to give you this long ago.  It's an invitation from the king to come to the palace.  Whenever people accept his invitation, he gladly gives them whatever they need.  In return, he asks that they pass out invitations to other people.  I'm supposed to give out invitations to all the poor children I can find.'
 
Happily, Helena skipped off toward the king's palace to accept his invitation, wondering why the other children had forgotten to give it to her.  She was sure she would never forget to give out invitations.  In fact, she made up her mind to spend her whole life doing so."
 
After Lisa heard the story, she became thoughtful.  Then she got up and headed for the telephone.  There were a few "invitations" she needed to give out.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the invitation from the King of all creation?  Have you invited others to come to Jesus so that they may be saved, too?  Are there some to whom you should give Jesus' invitation to be saved and receive eternal life?  Think about it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 61:1)
The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jalanna watched as her mother took a piece of clay from her potter's wheel and tossed it in the scrap heap in her hobby room.  Jalanna picked it up.  "Mom, why did you throw this away?" she asked as her mother began working on a new piece.  "This is a pitcher, isnt' it?"
 
Mother nodded.  "It was going to be.  I want to make a pitcher like one I saw in the store the other day," she said, "but I can't get it right.  So I decided to give up that project for now and try again later."  She frowned as she looked at Jalanna.  "By the way, did you tell your friend Amy that your brother wets his bed?" asked Mother.
 
Jalanna blushed.  "He was teasing us!" she said, trying to excuse herself.  "Besides, I told him I was sorry!"
 
"I'm glad you did,"  said Mother, "but an apology can't take away Shawn's embarrassment."  She looked at the pitcher Jalanna still held.  "God is the Potter for our lives," she added.  "He wants good vessels He can use, not vessels that crack under temptation's pressure and hurt others by leaking secrets."
 
Jalanna put the pitcher back on the scrap heap.  "Does. . .does that mean God will throw me away like you did this pitcher, Mom?" she asked.
 
Mother smiled.  "No, of course not, honey," she said.  "Actually, I'm not throwing away those defective items in the trash bin, either.  I'll break up the clay, screen out any hard lumps, and make good vessels from them.  God does that, too."
 
"He does?" asked Jalanna.
 
Mom nodded.  "Sin crushed us, but if we repent--if we're sorry when we do wrong--God reshapes us into good vessels."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a vessel God can use to pour out His love to others?  Or are you a cracked vessel, leaking out secrets that hurt or embarrass?  If you are guilty of being a tattletale, ask God to help you become a good vessel.  Ask Him to fill you so full of His love, that there will be no room inside you for mean thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 4:7)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't want to see Dr. Cook," sobbed Kerri.  "He always gives me bad tasting medicine!"
 
"He'll give you what you need," said Mother.  "Come on.  Let's go."
 
After the doctor examined Kerri, her worst fears came true.  "She has an infection," said Dr. Cook, "but some penicillin tablets should take care of it.  I'll give you a prescription for some good cough medicine, too."  He smiled at Kerri as he handed Mother a prescription.  "They make this stuff taste good these days," he said.  But Kerri frowned.  She just knew it would taste awful.
 
When Kerri's daddy came home, Kerri told him about her day.  "I'm mad at Dr. Cook," she said with a scowl.  "He said I have to take some medicine.  He said it would taste good, but it doesn't!  I don't like it!"
 
"Is that right?" asked Daddy, setting Kerri on his knee.  "And why does he say you need to take the medicine?"  Kerri had to admit that it was to make her well again, and Daddy had another question.  "Do you think he enjoys causing you pain?"
 
"N-no."  Kerri shook her head.
 
"So he's not being mean to you, is he?" persisted Daddy.  "He simply insists that you take medicine, even though you don't like it, because it will help you.  Right?"
 
"Yes," admitted Kerri.  "I. . .I'm sorry I got mad about it."
 
Daddy nodded.  "Okay," he said as Kerri jumped to the floor.  "You know, you remind me of a lot of people--maybe even of myself sometimes."
 
"I do?" Kerri asked in surprise.  "Do you get mad at Dr. Cook, too?"
 
Daddy shook his head.  "Not at Dr. Cook," he said, "but once in a while I might be guilty of being angry with God."
 
"With God?" asked Kerri.  "That's even worse, isn't it?"
 
"Yes."  Daddy nodded.  "When God lets something come into our lives that we don't want or like, we sometimes blame Him.  We need to remember that just like Dr. Cook gave you medicine to help you, all that God allows in our lives is to help us, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry at God?  Many people do.  But God doesn't send unpleasant things--the loss of a friend, a stomach ache, lack of money for something special--to hurt you.  Ask Him to help you learn from those experiences.  Thank Him for hard things and even be joyful in them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:2)
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess where Cal thinks our gym class should go for a field trip," said Jordan as he sat on the back porch steps with his friend, Ben. "He thinks we should go see a high school football game!" Jordan sounded very disgusted at the idea.
 
"Oh, no!" groaned Ben.  "It would be lots more fun to go to Sportland, U.S.A.  I suppose he'll go around trying to get everybody to vote for the dumb football game.  That makes me mad!  I can't stand that guy!"
 
"Me, neither," agreed Jordan.  He pointed up at one of the clouds floating lazily by.  "Speaking of footballs, that big cloud up there looks just like a foot kicking a football."
 
Ben looked where Jordan was pointing.  "I don't see a football," he said.  "I see a dog with a bone."
 
"How about that one?" Jordan pointed again.  "That's a dragon with big teeth and a long tail."
 
"Naw, that's an alligator," said Frank with a grin.  "You'd better get glasses."  The boys spent the next few minutes pointing out various pictures they saw in the cloud formations.  Sometimes they agreed on what the clouds looked like; sometimes they didn't.
 
"You know, it doesn't bother us that we see different things in the clouds," Jordan said thoughtfully.  "It doesn't make us mad that we don't look at them in the same way.  Maybe it shouldn't make us mad, either, if people look at other things differently from the way we do."
 
Ben looked at his friend.  "You mean Cal, don't you?" he asked.  He sighed.  "I suppose you're right.  I guess there's no law that says he has to like the same things we like.  Okay, but I'm still going to try to get kids to vote for Sportland, and may the best man win!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry if people disagree with you?  You shouldn't.  You need to be tolerant of the opinions of others as long as they're not in opposition to the Scriptures.  For example, the Bible teaches that certain things--such as stealing, murder, disobeying parents--are wrong.  You do not have to accept lifestyles that conflict with what God teaches.  But people look at many things in different ways.  Sometimes there is no definite right or wrong, and you need to agree to disagree.  Love people and accept them even if they don't see things exactly as you do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 6:37)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Here we are," said Mother as she pulled the car into a parking space.  "Remember that it's important not to handle things in an antique store.  They might break."
 
"I'll remember," Jamie assured her.  Mother used to leave Jamie home when she shopped for antiques.  "You're too young, honey," Mother had said.  "Antique stores are not for children."  But now that Jamie was older, Mother often let her come, and Jamie loved to look at the colorful hand-painted plates, delicate cups and saucers, and sparkling cut-glass bowls and vases.
 
"Look at this beautiful cheese dish!" Mother exclaimed.  "It's not too expensive, and wouldn't it be pretty on the shelf in the dining room?"
 
"Oh, Mother, could we get it?" Jamie asked eagerly.  Mother agreed, and after paying the shopkeeper, they took the dish home.
 
When Mother showed the cheese dish to Dad, Jamie asked, "Do we have to put it on the shelf?  Can't we keep it out and use it?"
 
Mother frowned.  "Well. . .I guess we can use it now and then," she decided, "but not all the time.  It's very old, and I don't want it broken or chipped."
 
"I have a riddle for you," said Dad.  "What is very, very, old, can be used all we want right now, and still will last forever?"
 
Jamie thought about it.  "I can't think of anything that will last forever if it's used," she said.  "Give me a clue."
 
"I read the answer this morning," said Dad.  "Look at this."  He opened his Bible to the book of First Peter.  "But the Word of the Lord endureth forever," he read.  He smiled and added, "And God wants us to use it over and over, again and again."
 
Jamie laughed.  "Oh, Dad," she said.  "Leave it to you to think of that!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read God's Word every day, or is your Bible lying on a shelf, not being used?  The copy you're using may wear out, but God's message will always remain.  Learn how to live for Him by reading His Word each day.  You'll never wear it out.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 13:31)
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joe peered down the long hallway.  He saw his friend Ben standing beside his locker.  Joe hurried to talk to him.  "Hi, Ben," he said.  "I've been meanin' to ask you--want to play ball with my team?"
 
"Some other guys asked me to play with them," Ben said, still pulling books from his locker.
 
"But we're good friends," protested Joe..
 
Ben grinned and nodded.  "Friends forever," he said.
 
"The other guys from church really want you to play with us, too," said Joe.
 
Suddenly Ben slammed the locker shut. He spun around and stared hard at Joe.  "Church team!" he exclaimed.  "I suppose they'd want me to come to church with them, too.  I told you before--I don't care to hear about all the church and Jesus stuff!"
 
"But it's important to know Jesus.  He's. . . ." began Joe as a small, noisy group of boys rushed down the hall toward Joe and Ben.
 
"Hey, Joe," called the tall boy in the lead.  "Ben here is going to play on our baseball team.  Want to play with us, too?  We play in a Sunday morning league."
 
"I love to play ball," said Joe.  "But on Sunday mornings I go to church and Sunday school."
 
"Joe goes to Sunday school.  Isn't that sweet?" called a boy in a blue shirt.  All the boys started laughing.
 
Joe swallowed hard.  "Play with our team," he urged, looking at Ben.  "This could be real important to you."
 
"This is important all right," said Ben.  "I'm the new pitcher."  He grinned.  "This is my big chance to pitch.  Maybe that's all I'll ever have.  One chance."
 
"Come on.  Let's go," called one of the boys.  Ben pulled his baseball cap on while the other boys grouped around him.  Soon they were laughing and joking as they headed for the exit.
 
Joe stood in the quiet hallway.  Benny's words rang in his ears like a loud echo:  Maybe that's all I'll ever have--one chance.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior and best friend?  He calls you today.  Even though other friends may not understand. . .and may even stop being friends with you. . .accept His invitation right now.  You may not get another chance.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look!" exclaimed Sarah as she ran into the house.  "I found a bird that can't fly.  May I keep it, Mom?  I found this old cage in the garage."
 
Sarah's mother looked closely at the bird.  "It's a sparrow, Sarah," she said.  "I suppose you can keep it a few days to see if its wing will heal, but in general it's not a good idea to try to make pets of wild animals or birds."
 
"I know."  Sarah nodded.  "I'll let it go soon.  I just want to watch it for a while.  Do sparrows sing?"
 
Mother smiled.  "Oh, they cheep and twitter, but they don't have the lovely call of a cardinal or turtle dove."
 
"Well, I'll put it right next to Biddy's cage," Sarah decided.   "Biddy has a beautiful song.  She'll teach the sparrow to sing."
 
Only a few days later, Sarah decided to release the sparrow.  "Instead of this bird learning to sing like a canary, Biddy is starting to chirp and tweet like the sparrow!" she told her mother.  When she came back into the house a few minutes later, she added, "Can I go to the mall with Angie this afternoon?"
 
Mother frowned.  "What will you do there?" she asked.
 
Sarah shrugged.  "Oh, just hang around," she said.
 
Mother shook her head.  "Why don't you ask Angie to come over here to play," she suggested.  "I think that would be a much better idea.  I've heard a lot of reports about kids getting into trouble at the mall recently."
 
"But we wouldn't!" protested Sarah.  "Some of the kids sit around and smoke and some of them even steal things.  But we just want to watch what's going on.  Besides, maybe we can keep some of them from doing those bad things."
 
"Just how would you do that?" asked Mother.
 
Sarah studied her tennis shoes.  "Well, ah. . .just by being with them and showing them it's better not to do that kind of stuff."
 
Mother thoughtfully looked at the cage Sarah was still holding.  "Remember what happened when you put the sparrow and canary side by side?" said Mother.  "The same type of thing often happens when so-called good and bad kids spend too much time together.  Many times the bad influences the good rather than the other way around."  She shook her head.  "Maybe some day the Lord will want you to spend a lot of time with undisciplined people, but I don't think you're ready for that yet.  But like I said, you may invite Angie over here."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think that regularly "hanging around" with unsaved people will help them become Christians?  Be very careful!  Make sure your unsaved friends aren't influencing you, instead of the other way around.  Your deepest friendships should be with Christians who will help you become more like Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 1:1)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mary waved as her sister Carmen walked to the car with her boyfriend, Jason.  "Where are you going for lunch today?" asked Mary.
 
"To that little restaurant called 'Your Special Spot,'" Jason replied with a grin, "only we call it 'Our Special Spot' now."
 
"How come you always go there?" Mary asked.
 
"We don't always," said Carmen, "but it is our favorite place.  It's cozy and quiet--a good place to talk."
 
"It's where we went on our first date," added Jason, giving Carmen's hand a squeeze, "and it's where we were when I asked your sister to marry me."
 
Mary went into the house after they left.  "Carmen and Jason sure spend a lot of time together," she murmured to herself.  "I guess that's because they love each other."
 
As Mary thought about it, she remembered a sermon she had heard the past Sunday.  "If you love the Lord, you should spend time each day with Him," Pastor Grant had said, and Mary was trying to do that.  Sometimes it was hard, though.  She shared a room with a younger sister, Mindy, and often when she thought about having her devotions, Mindy was in the room.  I know! Mary thought now.  I need a special place for talking to the Lord just like Carmen and Jason have a special place to talk to each other.  Where could it be?  She decided to ask her mother. 
 
"That's a great idea!" said Mother after Mary explained what she wanted.  "Let's see. . .I think we could rearrange things in the attic and fix up a private corner for you there.  Would you like that?"
 
Mary nodded.  "Can we go take a look?" she asked eagerly.  Mother agreed, and they headed for the stairs.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble finding privacy when you want to spend time with the Lord?  If possible, find a special place to meet with Him each day.  If you have your own room, that may be the best place for you.  But maybe you'll need to use a corner in the basement or in a storage room.  Perhaps there's a spot you could use in the back of your garage or even a large closet.  Maybe you have a tree house available or a quiet corner in your yard.  In any case, it often helps to have a special, quiet place to which you can go to be alone with God.  Then be sure to meet Him there each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 138:2)
I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, can we hike that trail?" asked Kim, pointing to a path a few feet from their campsite.  "The sign says it's only a thirty-minute walk."
 
"It's okay with me if your mother doesn't mind waiting with little Timmy for half an hour," said Dad.
 
Mother laughed.  "Go!" she ordered.  "Timmy's sound asleep, and I just happen to have a good book to read."
 
Kim and her father began their hike enthusiastically, talking as they walked.  Kim told her dad all about a problem she was having at school.  "Sometimes Paula is so friendly and even seems interested in coming to Sunday school," she said.  "At other times, she acts like she doesn't even know me.  She and some other kids snickered right out loud when I prayed before I ate my lunch yesterday.  Sometimes I wonder if it does any good to try to witness."  Dad listened sympathetically.
 
Soon the trail became more difficult.  They climbed hills, fought branches, swatted at bugs, and stumbled over rocks.  After a while Kim stopped to rest.  "Tired?" asked Dad as he sank down beside her on a fallen log.
 
Kim nodded.  "This trail seemed easy at first, but now it's really tough!  I didn't realize there were so many little hills and valleys to go through.  I feel like giving up!"
 
"You know, Kim, the Christian walk is a little like this," observed Dad.  "There are sometimes rough trails to follow, and we get weary and discouraged.  It's very tempting at times to stop and give up.  Life has a lot of ups and downs--hills and valleys, you might say.  But the Bible says we must run with patience."
 
"I suppose you're right. . .as usual!" agreed Kim with a grin.  She scrambled to her feet.  "I'm not going to give up in my Christian witness nor on this hike.  Let's go!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you weary and discouraged in your Christian walk?  Do kids at school laugh because you live for the Lord?  Do they choose other friends instead of you?  Are you tempted to stop and give up?  Remember that your Christian walk will have both lows and highs.  Don't give up now!  Keep going on.  You'll be glad you did.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 4:16)
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jenny wants me to come over this evening.  May I go?" asked Amy as she and Mother prepared dinner.  "There's a movie we want to watch on TV.  I wouldn't be late."
 
"Amy. . . ."  Mother hesitated.  "A paper fell out of your pocket when I was doing the wash today.  I thought it was a math paper, but when I looked, I saw that it was a note from Jenny, inviting you to come and watch that movie.  I've heard about that movie, Amy, and it's not a good one for you to see.  It's not suitable for a Christian.  I can't allow you to go watch it."
 
"Oh, Mother!  Everybody says it's a good story.  I'll ignore the bad parts," argued Amy.  "It won't hurt me."
 
"Yes, it will," insisted Mother, "because it will put sinful thoughts into your mind.  If you and Jenny want to spend the evening together, see if she can come over here."
 
Amy didn't argue any more, but she pouted as she helped her mother prepare the food.  "Which dish do you want me to put the applesauce in?" mumbled Amy.
 
"Take that yellow bowl from the sink," Mother replied.
 
"That bowl had chopped onion in it," objected Amy.  "It still has little pieces of onion sticking to it.  I suppose I could wash it."
 
"No, don't bother," said Mother.  "We'll just ignore the onions.  The applesauce will be fine in that bowl."
 
"We can't put clean food--food that we're going to eat--into a dirty bowl," protested Amy.  "The applesauce will taste like onions!"
 
"That's true."  Mother nodded.  "And, Amy, our minds are more important than our mouths.  Just as the onions give a bad taste to the applesauce, the sinful and dirty ideas produced by things we see and hear give a bad 'flavor' to our thoughts."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about what you see and hear?  There are many things on TV and in books that can fill your mind with sinful thoughts.  God wants your mind to be clean.  Put away the books or magazines that would displease Him.  Shut off the TV programs that "dirty" your thoughts.  Ask the Lord to help you keep pure thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It seems to me that if Mary Jane really meant it when she said she accepted Jesus, she'd be a little nicer to some of the kids at school," Alexa told her mother as they finished clearing the table.  "We've been studying the fruits of the Spirit in Sunday school, but she acts like she never heard of them."  As Alexa hung up the dish cloth, her yellow kitten jumped up on the counter.  "Buddy!  Get down from there!" scolded Alexa.  Buddy jumped down and walked calmly across the room as if nothing had happened.  "Oh!" sputtered Alexa.  "That cat upsets me!  Now I suppose I've got to wash the counter again!"
 
"Now, now," sympathized Mother.  "No need to get so upset.  Just keep after Buddy, and he'll eventually learn that he's not allowed up there."
 
Alexa quickly wiped the counter, then tromped outside and plopped down on the steps.  "Sometimes I wish I didn't even have a cat," she pouted.  "He can be such a pain!"
 
"Do you want to give him away?" asked Mother, sitting down beside Alexa.
 
Alexa quickly shook her head, reached down, and picked up Buddy.  "I guess I can't expect you to know all the rules yet," she murmured to him.   "You're still a baby.  I won't give you away."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "You need to train him and teach him the rules.  You have to be patient with him."  She gave Alexa a hug.  "Don't 'give Mary Jane away,' either," added Mother.  "She's a baby, too--a 'babe in Christ.'  She can't be expected to immediately know the whole Bible or to do everything right.  We need to have lots of patience and help her learn to be a strong Christian!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you expect too much from new Christians?  Remember that one of the fruits of the Spirit is long-suffering, which is another word for patience.  As you pray for new Christians, also be patient with them.  As you develop patience, you will be growing in the Lord along with them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 5:22)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience).