Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Andy," whispered Matt.  "Look over there by the bushes."
 
"Wow!" Andy whispered back.  "Mr. Jones must have a new watch dog.  He's big, but he looks harmless."
 
"Yeah.  I think we can still take our regular shortcut through his back yard," said Matt a little louder.  He took a step forward.
 
"But look, Matt."  Andy pointed to a sign on a tree.  "It says, 'BEWARE OF THE DOG.'  Maybe he's an attack dog or something!"
 
"Naaah!  Just look at that baby face!" exclaimed Matt as he slowly walked toward the dog.  The dog began to growl.  "Nice doggy, nice doggy," repeated Matt.
 
"Hey, Matt," warned Andy, "maybe we'd better not go any closer.  That chain looks pretty long!"
 
"He's as gentle as a lamb.  You'll see," Matt assured his friend.  "You just have to have a way with animals, Andy."
 
Suddenly, the dog lunged toward Matt.  "H-e-e-elp!" yelled Matt as he frantically tried to free his pant leg from the dog's clenched teeth.
 
The boys heard a shout.  "What are you doing in my backyard?" Mr. Jones asked angrily as he walked towards the snarling dog.  "Come here, Dude!"  Dude wagged his tail and trotted to his master.  "You boys should read signs more carefully."  Mr. Jones spoke firmly.  "You were disobeying!  Trespassing!  See that it doesn't happen again.  Dude may look gentle, and most of the time he is, but he's been known to scare a few people.  Warnings are given for a reason.  Obey them."
 
Matt and Andy were quiet as they walked home.  "Matt," Andy broke the silence, "Mr. Jones sounded a lot like Pastor Parker."
 
Matt nodded.  "Yeah."  They were both remembering Sunday's evening message.  "Sin may look attractive," Pastor Parker had said.  "It may look harmless.  But God warns against all sin.  Heed His warning.  Say no when Satan tempts you."
 
"I guess we better not sneak over to Jim's house to watch that movie on his VCR," added Matt.  Andy agreed.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to be like "everybody else?  Do you think it wouldn't hurt you to go where they go and do what they do, even though you know it wouldn't please the Lord?  You're wrong.  God warns that sin has dreadful consequences.  Heed His warning and live for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:15)
Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Chad can't come over this afternoon," said Ken.  "He has to go with his mom on door-to-door visitation and give out church literature and stuff."
 
"Is that right?" Mother was interested.  "Are Chad and his family Christians?"
 
Ken shook his head.  "I don't think so.  They talk about faith in Jesus, but they don't believe He's God.  That doesn't make sense to me.  They seem to think they have to do a lot of good works to be saved--like this calling program.  And they think they have to be very faithful in church attendance, or they won't be saved for sure.  I don't understand it.  I don't think Chad does, either, but he does whatever he's supposed to--says it can't hurt."
 
Dad spoke up.  "Sounds to me like he needs to drop the oars and catch hold of the rope," he said.
 
"Drop what oars?" asked Ken.  "What do you mean?"
 
"There's a river with a big waterfall near the town where I grew up," said Dad.  "Just above the falls, the water is very wild and dangerous.  It's unsafe for boating, and I remember one time when a man in a rowboat got caught in the swift current."  Dad paused, remembering.
 
"So what happened?" asked Ken.
 
"The strong current pulled the man closer and closer to the falls," continued Dad.  "A crowd gathered on the bank, and people called to him to row harder.  He tried his best, but we could see he wasn't going to make it.  Then someone threw a rope to him.  Do you suppose the crowd continued to encourage him to row?  Oh, no!  Then the cry was, 'Drop your oars! Grab the rope!'  He did, and they pulled him to shore."  Dad paused, still seeing the scene in his mind.
 
"Why does Chad remind you of that?" asked Ken.
 
"Like the man in the boat, Chad needs to stop working to save himself," explained Dad.  "The only way he can be saved is to stop struggling and just trust Jesus to save him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you struggling to save yourself?  Do you hope that going to church, praying, giving, or living a "good" life will save you from your sins and earn a place for you in heaven?  It won't.  You will be saved only when you stop trying to save yourself and simply trust Christ.  Do that today."  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 18:13)
God be merciful to me a sinner.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You've been so quiet, Joel.  What's on your mind?" asked Dad when he stopped at Joel's room to tell him good night.
 
Joel put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling above his bed.  "Oh, I've just been wondering if I should be a missionary," he said.
 
"You don't seem very excited about the idea," said Dad.
 
"It seems like such a hard job," said Joel, propping himself up on one elbow.  "I have this feeling that I might not be any good at it.  What if God calls me to do something I can't do?"
 
Joel's father thought for a moment, then reached over to Joel's desk and picked up his baseball glove.  "What's this?" he asked.
 
Joel laughed.  "Don't be silly, Dad!  It's my ball glove."
 
Dad walked over to the corner of the room.  He propped the glove against the wall, found a ball, and tossed it at the glove.  Though the ball hit the center of the glove, it rolled to the floor.  Dad picked up the glove and looked at it in disgust.  "This glove is a total failure," he said, shaking his head.
 
Joel laughed again.  "Oh, Dad, you know it can't catch by itself!  It has to have a hand inside."
 
Dad smiled at Joel.  "You're just like this glove," he said.  "God has a purpose for your life, Joel, just as there is a purpose for this glove.  You put your hand inside the glove to give it guidance and strength--you give it power to catch the ball.  In the same way, God will give you power to do whatever He calls you to do.  Don't worry, Joel, God will never prop you in a corner and leave you alone.  It's His mighty hand that does the work when you are willing to be used."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought about God's plan for your life?  Are you learning to accept His guidance and use His power right now?  If He asks you to witness to somebody, He'll help you do it.  If He asks you to be cheerful when things go wrong, He'll help you with that.  If He wants you to do some particular task, He'll help you do it right.  Never be afraid of God's calling.  He will use you, if you are willing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 15:5)
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Do you mean that new kid at school?" Rick leaned on the windowsill as he talked on the phone.  "He's strange!"  Dad, who was working just outside the window, could hear the conversation.  "Yeah, I know he's tall, but we don't want him on our team," Rick continued.  "He probably doesn't know how to play.  He doesn't even speak good English!"  He paused for a moment.  "Well, I'm not going to have anything to do with him," he grumbled.  "He looks like a loser to me.  Anyway, I have to go.  Dad's going to teach me to play golf."
 
Rick hung up the phone and went to find his father, who was now starting the lawnmower.  "Hey, Dad!  You were going to teach me to play golf," called Rick above the noisy motor.
 
Dad stopped the mower.  "Well, I decided not to, Rick," he said.
 
"Why not?" asked Rick.  "Can't we mow the lawn later?  I'll help!"
 
Dad nodded and scratched his head as he looked at Rick.  "Yeah, but I'm not sure you look like a very good golfing prospect.  You're not dressed the way golfers usually dress, and you don't know the golfer's language.  I think you might be a loser when it comes to golf."
 
Rick laughed.  "You're teasing, aren't you?" he said.  "You can't tell what kind of golfer I am by looking at me.  Besides, I can learn!"
 
Putting his arm around his son, Dad walked to the front porch.  "Rick, you have a new kid in your class, right?" he asked.
 
Rick nodded.  "Yeah," he said.  "He's some other nationality.  He has an accent, and he doesn't look like us.  Pete thinks we should ask him to be on our basketball team, but. . .but. . . ."  Rick paused.  After a moment, he said, "You heard me on the phone, didn't you?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Yes, I did.  You didn't like me to make a judgment about your golfing ability without seeing it, but I think you made a judgment about that boy without even knowing him, didn't you?"
 
"I. . .I guess I did," admitted Rick thoughtfully.
 
"You know that God tells us not to judge others hastily," said Dad.  "What are you going to do about this?"
 
"I'll have to apologize to Pete for the things I said on the phone."  Rick spoke thoughtfully.  "Then I guess I better make friends with the new guy and invite him to come shoot some baskets."
 
"Good," said Dad.  "Now about the golf lesson. . .I think we should go see what kind of golfer you really are."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you form opinions about others based on how they look or talk?  God loves all the people of the world so much that He gave His Son to die for them.  What can you do to show love for someone different from you?  Can you give him a smile?  Invite him to play?  Include him on your team?  Offer a piece of candy?  Think of at least one way to share God's love today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 7:24)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

[Soldier4Christ]

Angela sighed.  "I still wish I could sing or act in the Christmas play," she said.  "It would be so nice to be important once in a while--to really be needed instead of just pressing dumb old costumes."
 
"I've told you--you are important.  You are needed, but you seem determined not to believe that," replied Mother patiently.  "Well, I'd better get supper ready."
 
Angela nodded.  "I'll set the table," she offered, going to the cupboard.  "Mom, can we use the good crystal goblets tonight?  They're so pretty!"
 
"Sure," agreed Mother.  "But first, I want you to take this casserole to old Mrs. Jenkins.  Visit with her a while, too.  She's lonely.  Tell you what. . .I'll set the table tonight.  Just be back at 5:30 for supper."
 
When Angela returned home, the family was just sitting down to eat.  She slipped into her place and looked at the table in surprise.  There were crystal goblets and glasses at each place, but no plates.  She was about to exclaim over this when Dad said, "Let's thank the Lord for our food," so she quickly closed her eyes.
 
When Dad said "Amen," Mother picked up a casserole dish and handed it to Angela.  "Help yourself," she invited.
 
Angela held the casserole uncertainly.  "What am I supposed to do with it?" she asked.  "Why don't we have regular plates on the table?"  She looked at her little brother and sister.  "I bet you guys set the table, right?" she asked.
 
"No, I did," said Mother.  "The goblets and glasses are so pretty, I thought we'd just use them."  Dad's eyes twinkled, and Angela's little brother and sister giggled out loud.
 
"But we can't use them for this kind of food," protested Angela, looking around.  "What's going on here?"
 
"So you admit that we need different 'vessels' for different jobs," said Mother.  "That's what I was trying to tell you earlier this afternoon.  You see, it's that way in God's kingdom, too.  He needs 'vessels'--people--for different purposes.  He needs some to sing, some to preach, some to visit lonely folks."
 
"And some to press costumes, right?" asked Angela.
 
"Good."  Mother nodded.  "Some jobs appear to us to be 'prettier' than others, but each is as important as the next."
 
Angela laughed.  "Okay, I get the point,"  she said.  "Well, right now, ordinary plates sound mighty 'pretty' to me.  I'll get them."  She grinned as she added, "And after supper, I'll give those Christmas pageant costumes a pressing such as they've never known before!"	



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that there is no such thing as an unimportant task when it's done for the Lord?  Today's Scripture reading pointed out that, just like each member, or part, of your physical body is important, each member of the Body of Christ (each Christian) is important, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 2:21)
He shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

[Soldier4Christ]

There was a dull thud, and the Taylors' house trembled slightly.  Not far away, construction workers were using dynamite to make a tunnel through a mountain.  Jessica covered her ears with her hands.  "I wish those men were done exploding that stuff!" she exclaimed "It makes me afraid."
 
"It is noisy, isn't it?" agreed Dad.
 
"And it crumbles things apart," Jessica added.  She had seen films showing how dynamite was used to break up big rocks.  "It won't crumble us apart, will it, Daddy?  I'm scared!"  She scooted over on the sofa, close to her father.
 
"No, honey," Dad assured her.  "It's not going to hurt us as long as we stay away from it.  You're perfectly safe here."  Reassured, Jessica went out to play.
 
Soon she returned to the house.  The door slammed behind her, and her face wore a scowl as she flung herself into a chair.  "I'll never speak to Rodney again," she fumed.  "Never!  You know what he said?  He said I looked like a monkey.  I hate him!" Her words were punctuated by the boom of another explosion at the construction site.
 
Dad looked up.  "You know, Jessica, anger is kind of like dynamite," he said quietly.  Jessica stared at him in confusion.  "Yes," Dad continued, "it's very much like dynamite.  It's loud, it's explosive, and it can hurt people."
 
Jessica thought about that.  "Can it crumble us apart?"
 
"In a way," answered Dad.  "I guess we could say that it crumbles our control.  Anger is very powerful, and if you lose control, it hurts you as well as the person with whom you're angry."
 
"So we should stay away from it, just like we have to stay away from the dynamite?" asked Jessica.
 
Dad nodded.  "That's right.  As Christians, we need to let the Lord, not anger, control our actions."
 
As another explosion rumbled in the distance, Jessica got up from her chair.  "I don't like dynamite," she said.  "I think I'll go talk to Rodney for a while." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does anger explode in you?  Do you realize the damage it can do, both to you and to others?  The next time you feel "ready to explode," say a quick prayer, asking God to help you gain control over the situation.  Ask Him to control your life and actions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 37:
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rachel leaned forward, peering out the van window.  Rain streamed down the glass, blurring the view of the trees.  The windshield wipers swished at top speed.  "Mom, when will it stop raining?  We haven't seen the sun in two weeks!" complained Rachel.
 
"I know, honey, "said Mom.  "The rain is sure coming down fast today.  I can hardly see through these windows."  She turned in at the grocery store entrance and parked near the door.

As Rachel got out of the car, a blind man shuffled by.  He gripped the harness of a golden retriever who led him through the doorway.  As Rachel watched the blind man, she bit her lower lip.  She thought of the paralyzed girl in her class who got around in a wheelchair.

"Mom, I've got some questions," said Rachel when they were on their way home again.  "There are some things about God that I just don't understand.  Like. . .why are there blind and handicapped people?  And why does God allow all this rain?  It's causing big problems for a lot of people."

Rachel's mom nodded.  "I've asked those same questions myself," she said.  "I can only tell you that such things occur due to the fact that there's sin in the world.  But God can take even the worst circumstances and turn them around to bring blessing."

"Rachel sighed.  "I don't see how," she said.  "I wish I could understand things about God better."
 
"Mom nodded.  "I do, too," she agreed, "but. . . ."  She pointed to the rain still streaming down the windshield.  "See how blurry everything looks through the rain?"  Rachel nodded.  "Well, our understanding of God is like looking through that blurry windshield today," said Mom, "but in heaven we will see God clearly and understand His greatness.  For now, we just need to trust that God loves us and has a purpose for all things."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder what God looks like?  Do you wonder why He allows sickness and poverty?  These are things that we cannot understand perfectly now, but if you know Jesus, someday you'll see Him clearly and no longer wonder about such things.  In the meantime, trust that He has a perfect plan.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 13:12)
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

[Soldier4Christ]

Denny spoke into the telephone.  "We're still at the shopping mall, Mom," he said.  "The car won't start, and a serviceman from a garage across the street is working on it now.  Dad says to tell you we'll be there as soon as we can, but it'll be a while.  He says to tell you the 'show must go on.'  I don't know what he means by that."
 
Mother knew what Dad meant.  He was talking about the surprise birthday party they had planned for Denny.  Dad had taken Denny shopping just to get him out of the house while his mother got things ready.  The guests were in the living room now, waiting for him to come home.  Mother knew that Dad was telling her to go ahead with the games and entertainment.
 
When Denny finally burst into the house, he was greeted with cries of "Surprise!  Surprise!"  His friends were wearing party hats and licking the last bit of frosting from their lips.  He was surprised indeed!
 
"About time you got here," teased one of the children.  "We were about to take the gifts and give them to somebody else."
 
"Uh-uh!"  Denny's sister, Kelli, slipped her little hand into her big brother's.  "They're Denny's.  It's his birfday."  Amid a lot of laughing and teasing, Denny opened the gifts his friends had brought.
 
Soon it was time for the children to leave.  "Glad you finally made it," some told Denny as they went out the door.  "Your birthday party just wasn't right without you."
 
After all his guests were gone, Denny sat down to eat a piece of his birthday cake.  "I wish I hadn't missed the games," he said, "but at least the car was fixed in time for me to see all the kids and open my presents.  I'm glad of that!"
 
"I'm glad, too," said Mother.  "As Kelli says, it's your 'birfday,' and a birthday party without the birthday person just isn't worth much."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you know that Christmas is celebrated in honor of Jesus' birthday?  Do you remember this as you attend various Christmas parties and events?  Does your behavior show that Jesus is with you?  Christmas without Him isn't worth anything.  Keep this in mind as you celebrate His birthday tomorrow.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 2:7)
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[Soldier4Christ]

Very early on Christmas morning, Mark jumped out of bed, slipped on some clothes, and went out into the hall where he tapped lightly on his sister's door.  Betsy quickly opened it, took a huge decorated cardboard box from her closet, and together they went down the stairs.  "Are you sure this isn't a dumb idea?" whispered Mark as they went out the front door.
 
"Mom and Dad will love it," Betsy assured him.  She lifted the cover off the box, and Mark stepped inside.  Then Betsy handed him an assortment of signs.  "I'm your errand boy," read one.  "I'll clean Timmy's room this month besides my own," read another.  "I'll clean the garage," read a third.  Mark put these, with several others, in a corner of the box.  Betsy put the cover on the box, and she put a large red bow on the top.
 
"Sure hope the neighbors aren't up yet."  Mark's muffled voice came through the air holes as Betsy rang the doorbell.  He heard the loud, persistent ring as she pushed the button again and again.  Then he heard the door close as Betsy disappeared inside the house.
 
Soon the door opened again, and Mark heard Dad's surprised voice.  "Well!  What have we here?  Mother!" he called.  "Come quickly!  I believe a present has arrived for us."  In no time, Mother was there and the box was opened.
 
"Here I am. . .Merry Christmas!" called Mark when they saw him.  He handed them the signs.  "I. . .ah. . .well, I decided to give you myself this Christmas," he said.  "These are just some of the things I can do for you.  I. . .I hope you like your present."
 
There were tears in Mother's eyes as she hugged him.  Dad spoke for them both.  "We love it!" he said.  "We really, really love it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think about the fact that God gave His very best for you?  What have you given Him in return?  What He wants most of all is the gift of yourself.  Will you give that gift to Him?  (See last page.)   Only then can He use your talents, time and service.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 8:5)
They. . .first gave their own selves to the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sarah stared at the bulky cast on her right leg.  "Christmas vacation is just starting, and I break my leg!" she moaned.  "What am I going to do now?  I'm bored already!"
 
Mother sat down beside Sarah on the sofa and gave her a quick hug.  "I'm so sorry this happened to you," she sympathized.  "Looks like you're going to have to develop some patience."
 
"But what am I going to do, Mom?" asked Sarah.  "I can't go sliding.  I can't skate.  I can't play basketball.  Right now I can't even go shopping."
 
"Instead of thinking about all the things you can't do, why don't we make a list of things you can do," suggested Mother.  "Let me get paper and a pencil."
 
Soon ideas were popping like popcorn, and they wrote:  1) Write a letter to Grandma.  2) Have devotions each day and pray.  3) Make cheery cards for people in a nearby nursing home or for friends who are sick.  4) Write a thank-you note to someone who has helped me in the past.  5) Read a book.  6) Make cookies (with Mom's help) for someone special--and for myself.  7) Work a puzzle.  Make a prayer list booklet, listing names of people and their needs.  9) Invite a friend over to play a game.  10) Phone some school friends.  11) Keep a diary of the ideas I use.
 
The list grew and grew.  "This is enough!" Sarah exclaimed at last.  "This should keep me busy way past vacation time."
 
When Sarah's cast finally came off, the doctor said her leg had healed well.  "Not only did your bone grow together properly," said Mother that evening, "but you also grew spiritually these past weeks."
 
"By doing things for other people, I quit feeling sorry for myself," agreed Sarah.  "It was fun."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you bored?  When we take our minds off ourselves and think of others, we can usually find lots to do.  Add your own ideas to Sarah's list.  Put them into practice this coming year.  In other words, don't just think about what good ideas they are; do them.  Grow in the Lord and have fun at the same time.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Well, I suppose I shouldn't have gotten mad when Kim fell and scratched my bike," admitted Dave as he and Mother drove home from town, "but after all, I'm only human."
 
"You use those words as an excuse too often," observed Mother.  "I believe you said them when you forgot to do your Sunday school lesson and when you lied about your grade in math and when you. . . ."
 
"Well, it's true," defended Dave.  "I am human."
 
"But as a Christian, you have God's Word and the Holy Spirit to help you overcome human weakness," said Mother, turning into the driveway.  "Well, here we are--home again."
 
When Mother and Dave entered the kitchen, they saw the table still cluttered with lunch dishes, and Kim was sitting in front of the television set.  "Why are those dishes still on the table?" demanded Mother.  "I asked you to take care of them while I was gone."
 
Kim shrugged.  "I'll do them later," she said.  "I want to finish watching this program now."
 
"What a lazy bum," scolded Dave.  "After all Mom does for you she certainly has the right to expect you to obey her."
 
"Look who's talking," muttered Kim as she scowled at her brother.  "Besides, I'm only human, you know."
 
Dave was startled, and Mother looked straight at him.  "You're right, Dave," she said.  "I do have a right to expect obedience from my children, even though they're 'only human.'  And who else has a right to expect obedience from His children. . .even though they're only human?"
 
"Well. . ah, God does," admitted Dave.
 
Mother nodded.  "Just like earthly parents expect obedience, God does, too.  He tells us in His Word what He wants of us.  And after all He's done for us, nothing He asks of us is too much."   She turned to Kim.  "As for you," said Mother, "go and take care of those dishes right now!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes make excuses for your sinful behavior?  If you're a Christian, you're no longer "only" human--you're a "born-again" human.  God expects you to be honest, helpful, cheerful, kind, and humble. He expects you to study His Word and obey His commands.  Ask Him to help you do this.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:17)
Walk not as other Gentiles walk.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rob and Katie were having fun looking through some old trunks in Grandpa and Grandma's attic.  Katie giggled as she held up a long black dress, covered with tucks and ruffles.  "Aren't these old clothes funny?" she asked.
 
"Yeah," agreed Rob as he tried on one of Grandpa's old hats.  "Hey, look at this trunk!  It's full of Army stuff.  There's a uniform, pictures of soldiers. . .even some medals!"  He held up a poster with the words "Loose Lips Sink Ships" printed on a dark background.  There was a picture of a sinking ship above the words.  "I wonder what this means," he said.
 
"Let's go ask Grandpa," suggested Katie.  "Maybe it was some kind of a joke."
 
They climbed down the narrow stairs, clutching the old poster.  When they asked Grandpa about it, his face grew serious.  "No, it was no joke," he said.  "These signs were posted in areas where military secrets were discussed.  'Loose lips' refers to people who talk a lot, so these signs were a reminder that talking about such things as secret plans or the location of our troops and ships could be disastrous.  Enemy spies were eager to discover such things.  If someone carelessly gave out that information, it might mean death to hundreds of American sailors or soldiers."
 
"Wow!" exclaimed Rob.  "Just think!  Hundreds of lives depended on whether or not you happened to say a few words to the wrong person!"
 
Grandpa held up the old poster and thoughtfully gazed at it.  "You know, 'loose lips' aren't always bad," he said.  "In fact, sometimes we need to loosen up our lips in order to save lives."
 
"What do you mean by that?" asked Katie in surprise.
 
"God has entrusted a very special message--the Gospel--to us," explained Grandpa, "but He doesn't want it to be a secret.  He expects us to share it so that many lives may be saved from the fires of hell."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "tightlipped" when it comes to telling others about Jesus?  Do you think it's enough that your lifestyle pleases the Lord--that you're honest, kind, helpful, cheerful?  That's good, but God also wants to use your lips to spread His message.  Don't be afraid to talk about Him.  In this case, "loose lips" could help someone to trust in Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:13)
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of Thy mouth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jenny piled her taco shell with all the things her father had prepared--meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and his own special taco sauce.  "Ummm!  Good!" exclaimed Jenny between bites.  "There's something in this sauce that makes it different from the ones in the restaurant.  What is it?"
 
"Well, besides my own magic touch, Jenny, I double the amount of ground cumin in my sauce recipe," said Dad with a smile.  "I also add a little sweet red pepper along with the green.  But I think it's the cumin that gives Mexican-style foods their unique flavor."
 
As Jenny was filling a salt shaker a few weeks later, she noticed the bottle of ground cumin in the spice drawer.  She opened it, and the smell reminded her of the delicious taco dinner they'd had not long before.  She shook a little of the powder into her hand and licked it.  "Oh, yuk!" gasped Jenny, nearly choking.  She ran to the sink, spitting and sputtering, and rinsed her mouth with water several times.
 
Jenny later told her father what had happened.  "Why doesn't that spice taste good?" she asked.   "It sure makes the tacos good."
 
Dad laughed.  "I think this is an example of having too much of a good thing," he said.  "Have you ever heard anyone refer to something as the 'spice of life,' Jenny?  They're usually talking about one of the fun things they enjoy--things like vacations or holidays or parties or maybe a favorite sport or pastime.  Sometimes we think we'd like those kinds of things all the time.  But if we had parties all the time, soon they would mean nothing.  It would be like having too much of a good spice.  The hard times God allows to come our way are needed, too.  They help us see the value of the good times."
 
"Hmmm," said Jenny with a smile.  "Whoever thought life as a Christian would be like eating tacos?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think it would be nice to play all the time and never work?  Just as there are many kinds of spices--hot, sweet, bitter, and fragrant--that lend their special touch to foods, God sends you many kinds of experiences to make your life rich.  He knows just what good times and hard times you need to help you live life at its best.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:20)
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Eric scooped up a large spoonful of cookie dough and began shaping it.  Mother laughed.  "Hold on there, Eric!" she said.  "I know that's the size cookie you like to eat, but we're going to make them a little smaller.  Here, let me make a model for you."  She scooped up some dough and made it into a round ball.  "There!  Check the amount of dough you take to see if it's this size before you flatten it.  I'll be back after I get Susie out of her crib."
 
When Mother returned, she looked at the pan of cookies Eric had made.  Some were the size of half dollars, some much larger.  "I tried, Mom," Eric said, "but they just didn't come out right."
 
"Did you compare your pieces of dough with the piece I made for you?" asked Mother.
 
"Well. . .I did for a while," replied Eric, "but then I started to judge them by the last one I had made.  If the piece of dough was too big, I made it smaller.  If it was too small, I made it bigger."
 
"I see," said Mother.  "So your standard changed for each cookie.  No wonder they're all different sizes."  She set to work, making the cookies closer to the same size.  "This reminds me that Christians have an unchanging standard for life," she added.  "Do you know what that standard is?"
 
"I think it's God's Word, the Bible," said Eric.  "That's the only thing I know of that gives us good rules for living."
 
"Right," approved Mother.  "Actually, His standard is Himself, and He is revealed to us in His Word.  Remember these cookies, Eric--and remember to judge each decision of your life on what is pleasing to God as He teaches you through His Word.  Then your life will shape up nicely."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think it's old-fashioned to stick to old standards?  Do you think Christians should keep up with the times and be free to do things if they "sound right" or "feel good"?  Times do change, it's true, and it's okay to change some things.  But when it comes to what God has taught in His Word, that never changes.  The commandments He has given (don't lie, steal, covet, etc.) must always be obeyed.  The characteristics He requires in His children (love, joy, contentment, etc.) must always be developed.  God is always the same; His standard never changes.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Malachi 3:6)
I am the Lord, I change not.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Jeff and his dad waited in line to ride the bumper cars, Jeff spotted his classmate, Amy, coming towards him.  "I hope she doesn't want to go on with us," he mumbled.
 
"Hi, Jeff!  Hi, Mr. Thompson," Amy greeted them.
 
Jeff's dad smiled.  "Hi, Amy," he said.  "You're not here alone at the carnival, are you?" he asked.
 
"No," answered Amy.  "My mom brought me, but she won't go on the roller coaster."  Amy turned to Jeff.  "Do you want to go with me, Jeff?"
 
"Naah."  Jeff shook his head.  "I don't feel like riding the roller coaster," he mumbled.  "Roller coasters make me sick."
 
"Okay."  Amy shrugged.  "I'll see you on Monday then."
 
"I thought you liked the roller coaster," said Dad suspiciously after Amy was gone.  "Since when did they make you sick?"
 
"They don't," admitted Jeff, "but I don't want to go on it with Amy!  What if somebody would see us?"  He leaned on the chain along the line up.  He could feel Dad's disapproving look.  "It was just a little lie," Jeff said, defending himself.  "It's not really important."
 
"Jeff," Dad said, "take a look at that chain you're leaning on.  It's made up of many small links, but together they support you.  What do you think would happen if one of those links was weak and broke?"
 
"I guess I'd fall," Jeff answered.
 
"Do you think it would matter which link it was that broke?" asked Dad.
 
Jeff shook his head.  "Nope," he said.  "I'd land on the ground if any one of 'em broke."
 
"You're right," Dad agreed.  "Even if all the other links were strong, the chain wouldn't hold you up."  He paused.  "Try to think of that chain as the law of God," he added.
 
Jeff looked puzzled.  "The law of God?" he asked. 
 
Dad nodded.  "His law is made up of many links--many commands--and each one is equally important," he told Jeff.  "The Bible says that if you break even one of God's commands, you're guilty of breaking the whole law.  There are no unimportant commands."
 
"Well telling a lie, especially such a little one, can't be as bad as fighting," protested Jeff.  "Or what about stealing. . .or murder?"
 
"The chain is broken when a link gives out, no matter which link it is," Dad answered, "and God's law is broken when you sin, no matter how small the sin seems to you.  It's not small in God's sight.  He hates all sin."
 
"Yeah. . . ."  Jeff hesitated.
 
"Jesus said God's first commandment is to love Him," said Dad, "and that the second is. . .what?"
 
"Uh-h-h. . . ."  Jeff thought for a moment.  "To love our neighbors," he said.
 
Dad nodded.  "And He said that love 'does no harm to its neighbor' and is the 'fulfillment of the law.'"  He paused.  "Do you think you showed love when you told that lie this morning?" he asked.
 
Jeff could see Amy standing alone at the roller coaster, watching as other children squealed and laughed as they enjoyed their rides.  "I do like the roller coaster, and actually Amy's a nice kid, too," admitted Jeff.  "I guess I'll go see if she still wants to go on it.  We could ride the bumper cars later, okay?"
 
Dad nodded and lifted the chain.  "Good idea," he said with a grin.	



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever tempted to ignore what you think is just a small command that God has given?  As you begin a new year, remember that in God's eyes liars, murderers, slanders, and thieves are all guilty of the same thing--disobeying His commands.  When you fail to keep even one of them, ask Him to forgive you and to help you obey Him in all things.


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. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.