Sermons4Kids

[David_james]

These are great and very easy to understand. I have only read a few of the last 18 pages but already has given me much to think about. Also I feel like I'm getting closer to God. Thank you for posting these

[Soldier4Christ]

You're most welcome. I'm really glad that you like them.

[Soldier4Christ]

Under His Wing

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" Luke 13:34 (NIV)

How many of you know what this is?  (Hold up a picture of a hippopotamus.)  That's right, a hippopotamus.  Do you know what a female hippopotamus is called?  She is called a cow.  Well, if the female hippopotamus is called a cow, can you guess what her babies are called?  Right again!  They are called calves.

A few years ago a hippopotamus gave birth to twins at a zoo in Memphis, Tennessee.  In deciding what to name the twins, there was a problem.  The problem was that the mother hippo wouldn't let anyone close enough to her babies to determine whether they were boys or girls, so they didn't know what to name them.

The naming of the twins was delayed for a while as the mother continued to care for her babies:  feeding them, protecting them, keeping them close to herself and away from danger.  The babies didn't seem to mind that they didn't have a name and stayed close to their mother.  They knew a good thing when they saw it -- and that good thing was a  huge, funny looking, gray and pink creature who provided them with everything they needed.  Why should they stray?

This kind of love and protection by the mother is very much the same in most animals.  Some kangaroos, whose babies are called joeys, may stay in their mother's pouch for as long as nine months! Baby eagles, or eaglets as they are called, don't leave the nest until they are about three months old. so  you see, it is quite natural for a mother to want to love and care for her children.

That is a very good example of the love that Jesus has for his children. The Bible tells us that one day Jesus stood looking over the city of Jerusalem and he cried, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." What a beautiful picture of Jesus. Like a mother hen, Jesus gathering his children under the shelter of his wing.

Jesus still loves his children today. He still wants to gather them in his arms and protect them and care for them.  Sometimes, we stray away, but Jesus still loves us just the same.  That's the kind of love he has for you and me.

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and protecting us like a mother hen protects her chicks.  I want to take my place under the shelter of your wing.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Speaker Needed

After traveling all day, Jan and her family stopped at a motel. "This is so much fun," said Jan when they got ready for bed after a dip in the pool. "Tomorrow I'm going to send cards to Kristen and Katie and tell them what a good time I'm having." She looked thoughtful. "I wish they could have come, too, but you know what I wish most of all?" she asked. "I wish they would come with me to Sunday school or Bible club and believe in Jesus. I worry about them sometimes."

"Do you talk to your friends about Jesus?" asked Mom.

"Well. . . not really," Jan replied, "but I pray for them all the time."

"Prayer is important," Mom said, "but we also need to share the Gospel message with others." She kissed Jan good night and turned out the light.

Before long the travelers were all asleep. Suddenly, a loud, blaring noise burst into the night. Jan, Dad, and Mom jolted straight up in their beds. "The car horn must be stuck,"mumbled Dad, half asleep. "There's always something wrong with that car!" After dressing quickly and grabbing the car keys, he dashed out the door. The blaring sound continued as he ran to the car and fumbled in the dark, trying to get the key in the car door.

People in neighboring rooms were also stirring, and a couple of other men came out. "That won't work." A man spoke loudly at Dad's shoulder. "That's my car horn making the racket," continued the man with a chuckle. "You're trying to open my car with your keys." Dad was embarrassed. In the dark, the man's car looked just like his own, which was parked in the next space.

As Jan wrote cards to her friends the next day, her mother spoke thoughtfully. "Remember all Dad's frantic efforts to get the car open and turn off the horn last night?" Mom asked.

Jan laughed and nodded. "I'll tell my friends about that," she said.

Mom smiled. "All those efforts were of no use at all. Dad needed someone to point out his problem and tell him his keys wouldn't open that car," said Mom. "It made me think of your friends, honey. Just like Dad needed someone, your friends need you. Pray for them, but also speak up and tell them about Jesus. They need to know that He's the only way to heaven.."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid to share the Gospel with your friends? Do you realize how important it is to do that? It's great to pray for other kids, but unless someone actually tells them about Jesus, how will they know they need Him? Instead of watching quietly while your friends seek happiness in things that will not last, obey God's command to tell others. Let them know you love Jesus and that He loves you and loves them, too. They need you to speak up and tell them about Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

[Soldier4Christ]

 Listen and Learn

Mom came to tuck Austin in-a nightly ritual in the Bronson home. "Austin, you used to have your Bible propped on your lap when I came in to say goodnight," said Mom. "What's happened lately? Don't you have devotions before you go to sleep anymore?"

"Sure. I pray after you leave," replied Austin as he sat on the edge of his bed.

"How about reading your Bible?" asked Mom.

"I don't read much anymore," admitted Austin. "I can't understand the Bible anyway." As he spoke, Heather, his golden retriever, came in. She tipped her head and looked fondly at her master. "Hey, Heather, old girl," he greeted her. "Nice girl, Heather. Come on . . . come see me." As Austin spoke, Heather inched closer and her tongue began to lick the air, itching to "slobber" her affection all over Austin's face. Suddenly, she could contain herself no longer. She leaped up, and all seventy pounds of Heather landed on Austin's lap. He fell back against the pillows, laughing, while Mom coaxed his pet out the door.

Mom came back and closed the door. "Austin, why do you talk to Heather?" she asked. "Do you think she understands every word you say?"

Austin laughed. "Of course not, but I like to talk to her anyway," he replied. "She always listens. And she does understand a lot of things-like 'come,' 'sit,' 'fetch,' 'walk,' and 'roll over.' She keeps learning new words all the time."

Mom nodded and picked up Austin's Bible. "Do you know that God talks to us through His Word?" she asked.

Austin looked at the Bible in his mother's hand. He nodded. "Okay. I get the point, Mom," he said. "God likes to talk to me even if I don't understand everything, just like I like to talk to Heather. So I should keep reading my Bible even if I don't understand a lot of things in it."

Mom nodded. "Like Heather, you do understand some things. You understand some of God's commands," she said, "and you need to keep learning new things from Him." She smiled, kissed Austin good-night, and handed him his Bible.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you keep reading your Bible even if you don't understand everything? God speaks to you through His Word, and He's pleased when you "listen." So don't stop reading it for yourself. Don't quit listening when it's explained. Meditate on the parts of it that you do understand. Be comforted by them, learn new principles from them, and be sure to obey what you've learned from the Bible. The more you let God speak to you, the more He'll help you understand.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You must continue in the things which you have learned. 2 Timothy 3:14

[Soldier4Christ]

 What I Deserve . . .

"It's not fair," said Kate as she stormed up to her teacher's desk. "I don't have any wrong answers on these word problems, but you still gave me a 'B' instead of an 'A.'"

"You didn't show your work," Mrs. Anderson replied patiently. "That was part of the assignment. I said you needed to show me how you got your answers or you would not receive full credit."

"But on my last assignment I didn't show my work, either, and you didn't lower that grade," complained Kate.

"That's true, but I can't continue to be that lenient," replied Mrs. Anderson. "I warned you about that."

"But I deserve . . ." Kate began. She was interrupted by the school bell.

"You'd better hurry, or you'll be late for your next class," said Mrs. Anderson.

That night at dinner, Kate told her parents about her talk with Mrs. Anderson. She ended her story by saying, "I deserved to get an 'A' just like on my other paper."

"I disagree, honey," said Mom gently. "You knew the penalty for failing to show your work. What you really deserved was to loose points on both assignments. You should be grateful that Mrs. Anderson went easy on you the first time." Kate looked glum, but she had no answer to that.

During family devotions, Dad read a few verses from Psalm 103. When he was finished, he said, "This reminds me of your problem with Mrs. Anderson, Kate."

"What do you mean, Dad?" Kate asked.

"The Bible clearly says that we're all sinners, and we deserve death and eternal separation from God," said Dad, "but listen to verse ten again." Dad read the verse. "'He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.' Christians will go to heaven, not because they deserve to, but because of God's mercy." He closed his Bible. "Let's pray and thank God for His gift of salvation."

"And for not giving us what we deserve," added Kate.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you "deserve" to go to heaven? If so, you're wrong! Don't ask God for what you deserve-you don't really want it. He says in His Word that you're a sinner and the "wages of sin death." (Romans 6:23). Because of His mercy and grace, if you trust in Jesus, He won't give you what you deserve. Instead,  He'll give you His gift of eternal life.  (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He (God) has not . . . punished us according to our iniquities (sin). Psalm 103:10

[Soldier4Christ]

 Check It Out

Bethany hurried into the church foyer where her dad waited for the family before the Sunday morning service began. "Dad, guess what my Sunday school teacher told us today," said Bethany. "She said Noah took two of most kinds of animal on the ark, but he took seven of some. Did you know that?"

Dad smiled and nodded. "I know it now, but I didn't know it when I was your age," he replied. "I learned it the hard way when I was sixteen."

"What happened?" Bethany asked.

Dad smiled sheepishly. "Before I knew the Lord, a couple of friends and I decided to see what went on at a small church in our town. We sat way in the back row. In his sermon, the pastor said Noah took seven of some kinds of animals. Well, everybody-even I-knew Noah took two of each kind, right? I was so sure he was wrong that I actually stood up and tried to correct him-right during the service! I enjoyed the thought of embarrassing him."

Bethany's eyes widened. "Oh, no!" she gasped. "What did the pastor say?"

"He was very gracious," replied Dad. "He smiled and thanked me for pointing out what a lot of people were probably thinking. He asked everyone to turn to Genesis 7:2-and he read it out loud. Of course, I quickly saw that I was wrong. I was the one who was embarrassed, but I learned a valuable lesson. I hope you can learn from it, too, instead of embarrassing yourself like I did-or worse."

Bethany frowned. "What could be worse?"

Dad looked serious. "Believing a lie. Some pastors preach things that the Bible really doesn't say, and they don't tell the congregation to see what Scripture says about their topics. Cults get started that way and lead people away from the truth. That's why we need to check things with the Word of God-even when a pastor is preaching."

"But our pastor would never mislead us," protested Bethany.

"I don't believe so," Dad agreed, "but if he did, how would we know?"

"By checking with Scripture, right?" replied Bethany. "From now on, I'll follow along when Pastor Hunt reads from the Bible and preaches."

"Good," said Dad as the rest of the family joined them and they went into the auditorium. "We should all do that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use your Bible at church? Do you follow along when the pastor is reading or preaching? If he says something new and different, do you check it out with Scripture? Do you ask your parents or other strong Christians about what he said? Most pastors know the Word of God well, but they're only human, and they can make mistakes. It's sad but true that some will intentionally lead people astray with false teaching. God has given you His Word-the Bible. Use it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Psalm 119:35

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Lying Cereal Box

"Can you get the prize out for me?" Grace eagerly asked her father. She pointed to a picture on the back of her cereal box. It showed a huge pile of colored candy pouring out of a package.

"Well, let's see if we can find it," said Dad. He shook the box, tipped it this way and that, then reached in and brought out the prize-a small, sample size package of candy. He tossed it to Grace. "Save it till after breakfast," he said.

When Grace tore open the package a little later, a few small pieces of candy fell out. She counted them-only twelve. She started to count the pieces in the picture on the cereal box. She stopped counting at twenty, and there were still more. "It doesn't say there's a lot of candy in the box, but I thought I'd get as much as the picture shows," she complained to her dad.

"The cereal company wanted you to think you'd get a lot so you'd persuade someone to buy the cereal for you," explained Dad. "They deceived you."

"Deceived?" Grace frowned. "What does 'deceive' mean?" she asked.

"It means to get someone to believe something that isn't true," explained Dad, and Grace sighed.

That afternoon, Grace's friend Molly came to play. Grace had recently begun taking piano lessons, and she showed Molly what she had been learning. "That looks like fun! Let's play you're the teacher and I'll be your pupil," suggested Molly, so they did.

"Grace! Telephone!" called Dad.

The caller was Ella, who lived a few doors away. "Play? At my house?" asked Grace after listening a moment. "Well . . . ah . . ." Grace chose her words carefully. "We're doing a piano lesson," she said. "Ah . . . sure. Some other time."

Dad frowned as Grace hung up. "Did you tell Ella the truth?" he asked.

Grace shrugged. "I didn't lie," she insisted.

"What did Ella understand about the piano lesson?" persisted Dad. "Do you think you deceived her?"

Grace blushed. She knew the picture she'd given was just as deceiving as the picture on the cereal box. She'd gotten Ella to think her piano teacher was there. "I . . . I'm sorry," said Grace. "I'll call her back and see if she wants to come and play 'piano lessons,' too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been deceived-been given the wrong idea-by someone? Do you ever deceive other people? For example, do you give your parents the impression you're one place when you're actually somewhere else? Do you get out of doing something by making excuses that aren't quite accurate? Those kinds of actions are not honest. You can lie in ways other than by saying something that isn't true. God is as displeased with one kind of lie as with another.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You shall not . . . lie to one another. Leviticus 19:11

[Soldier4Christ]

John busily worked on a picture he was making for his grandmother, who was coming for a visit soon.  He finished drawing a house, then worked on trees and other objects.  John enjoyed art, and his teacher had told him he had a talent for it.  "There!" he said, checking the finished picture to make sure he had done it as well as he could.
 
Nearby, John's younger sister, Sara, worked on a picture of her own.  "Mine's done, too," she said, holding it up.
 
"Looks like just scribbling to me," John scoffed.
 
When Grandma arrived, John gave her his drawing.  "My, but this is good work, John!" Grandma exclaimed.  When Sara shyly held out her picture, Grandma exclaimed over it, too.  But she noticed John's scowl.
 
When John and Grandma were alone a little later, she asked him about it.  "You seemed unhappy when I praised Sara for her picture.  Why?"
 
"You sounded like it was just as good as mine," replied John, "but it wasn't half as good.  Her's was just scribbling.  Why would you like it?"
 
"I saw the love that went into it," Grandma explained.  "I saw that Sara had worked just as hard to please me as you had.  Maybe it wasn't done with a practiced hand, as yours was, but the love was there."
 
John still looked a little doubtful, but he nodded slowly.  "I guess that means you'd love me just as much if I weren't good at drawing," he said.  Then he added with a smile, "And that's good."
 
"That's right," agreed Grandma.  "Shall I tell you something else that's good?  In the same way, God sees the things we do for Him out of love.  We see some actions, or deeds, as being little or unimportant, but they're important to God because He notices the love put into them. Giving a helping hand, a friendly smile, or an encouraging word is just as important to God as any other job."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes feel that what you've done for God may be less important than what someone else has done?  Or perhaps you feel your actions are more important.  God sees the love in your deeds, no matter what they are.  All acts done in love are precious in God's sight.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 14:
She hath done what she could. She did what she could.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Be quiet, Daisy," murmured Ellen sleepily as she burrowed deeper into her bed.  The barking continued, but Ellen scarcely heard it.  Suddenly. . .THUMP!  A hairy body landed on the bed beside her, still barking furiously.  Annoyed, Ellen pushed the dog away.  "Be still!" she commanded again.  Daisy ran down the hall toward Ellen's parents' room.  Then. . .THUMP!  She was back again, pouncing on Ellen, dashing away, then pouncing again and again, all the while barking loudly.  Ellen sat up, very much annoyed.  "You dumb dog," she grumbled.  "Let me sleep!  You lie down and be still!"  But the dog ran out the door, barking and looking back to see if Ellen was following.
 
Ellen sniffed the air.  What was that smell?  Smoke!  It was smoke!  She leaped from her bed and ran into the hall where her parents were just coming from their room.  Soon they were all out in the yard, waiting for fire trucks to arrive.
 
The next morning, Ellen read about the fire in the newspaper.  "DOG SAVES HOME -- Wakes Family Before Much Damage Is Done," she read.  She hugged Daisy.  "Sorry I got mad at you," she apologized.  "I'm glad you kept on pestering me even when I scolded you."
 
Mother looked over at Ellen.  "Sometimes it's good to be awakened even when you want to sleep, isn't it?" she said thoughtfully.  "That will be a good thing for you to keep in mind when you see your friend, Alicia, again."
 
"Alicia?" asked Ellen.  "What do you mean?"
 
"The other day, you told me that you thought maybe you shouldn't invite Alicia to Sunday school, or try to witness to her any more because it seems to annoy her.  In a way she's saying, 'Let me sleep.'  But she needs to be awakened to her need of accepting Jesus into her life," explained Mother.  "Daisy loved you enough to keep after you even when you didn't like it.  Maybe you need to love Alicia that way, too."
 
Slowly, Ellen nodded.  "It's important enough to take a chance on annoying her a little, isn't it?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid to witness to your friends because you think they might be annoyed or angry?  Even if they are, how serious will that be?  Not nearly as serious as if they never awaken to their need of Jesus.  Don't give up witnessing to them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 9:22)
I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

[Soldier4Christ]

With a twinkle in his eye, Brad sneaked up behind Dad's armchair and plugged in the tape recorder.  He pushed a button, and a moment later Dad's voice came from the machine.  "Whew!  This heat is unbearable!  I guarantee you I'll never complain about the cold again.  I'd give a lot for the sight of snow."
 
Dad looked up from his newspaper, startled to hear his own voice.  A moment before, he had said almost the same thing, only this time he said the cold was unbearable and he wished for a good hot sun.  "When did you record that?" he asked.
 
Brad laughed.  "Last summer," he replied.  "We hear the same thing every summer and every winter.  I just wanted you to hear it yourself."
 
Dad frowned, but then he laughed, too.  "How quickly we forget," he said.
 
Mother nodded as she listened from the dining room.  "We so often complain about what we don't have, instead of giving thanks for what we do have," she said.  "We're hard to please, aren't we?"
 
"Oh, I don't know," said Brad.  "I like summer, and I like winter.  I'm an easy guy to get along with."  He grinned at his folks.
 
"Good!" said Mother.  "Then I assume you're going to do the lunch dishes for me without complaining?  Instead you're going to remember with gratitude the good meal you just ate."  Brad pulled a face, but he began to clear the table.
 
"And I'll shovel the driveway and give thanks that I don't have to pull weeds in the garden today," declared Dad.  He patted Brad's shoulder.  "Thanks for the good lesson!  And I hope you've recorded all this, too!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you grumble about the rain, or do you thank God that the grass is being watered?  Do you murmur about someone who ignored you, or do you thank the Lord for your friends?  Do you long for a new shirt, or do you give thanks for your new shoes?  Be thankful for what you have.  Don't always be wishing for something else.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 6:6)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

[Soldier4Christ]

On the way to church, Amber hummed along as the voices of a choir came over the car radio.  "I have decided to follow Jesus. . . ."  She considered the words.  I guess I don't really follow Jesus, she thought.  Actually, I'm not even sure I'm saved.  Maybe I should. . . .
 
Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister, Joni.  "Look at the big sale sign in that store window!"  All Amber could think about then was the clothes she wanted to buy.
 
In Sunday school class, Mrs. Tompkins spoke about Paul's experiences with Felix and King Agrippa.  "Both men heard the Gospel," she said, "but neither made up his mind to receive Christ.  I hope none of you put off making such an important decision."  Amber squirmed.  She decided to talk to Mrs. Tomkins after class and ask her about being saved.  But when class was dismissed, she spotted Becky at the door.  She hurried over and began to talk about school.
 
That morning Pastor Atkins closed his message with an invitation to trust Jesus as Savior.  I really should go and talk to him, thought Amber.  As she hesitated, a couple of small children in the row in front of her caught her attention.  She watched them until the service ended.
 
After dinner that day, Amber put the few leftovers in her dog's dish.  She opened the back door.  "Come, Spunky," she called.  "I've got something good for you."  Spunky looked up.  He romped toward the door.  Then he hesitated as a bird caught his attention.  "Forget the bird.  Come on," Amber yelled.  Spunky came closer.  He put his paw on the door step.  Another dog barked, and Spunky was off running around the yard.  Amber was frustrated.  "Spunky, come on!  Aren't you hungry?  What are you waiting for?" Spunky sniffed the grass.  "Make up your mind," Amber shouted "Either come in or stay out!"
 
Suddenly it dawned on Amber that she had been acting just like Spunky.  She allowed all sorts of things to take her attention away from the most important decision she had to make.  Spunky could take his time, and it really wouldn't matter.  But she couldn't linger any longer.  It was time for her to trust Christ and to commit herself to Him.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you made up your mind to accept Jesus as Savior?  If not, don't delay.  You might not have another opportunity.  Confess your sin and ask Jesus to come into your life today!  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 3:20)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jenna and her friends, Kathy and Anna, stopped at Jenna's driveway to finish the discussion they'd been having on the way home from school.  "Well, Joe had better start behaving, or he's gonna get kicked out of school," declared Anna.  "Mom and Dad say the teachers don't have to put up with behavior like that."
 
"Yeah," agreed Kathy.  "My parents always tell me that they're the boss at home, and the teacher is the boss at school, so it's my responsibility to do what my teacher says and be respectful to her."
 
Jenna nodded.  "That's what my parents say, too."  Remembering a recent Sunday school lesson, she added, "Even the Bible says we are supposed to obey those in authority over us."
 
Kathy scowled.  "I don't see what the Bible has to do with Joe," she said.
 
	"Me neither."  Anna shook her head.  "Well, I've got to get home," she said with a shrug.  "See ya later."
 
Kathy nodded.  "Me, too."  With a wave, they were gone.
 
Jenna told her mother about the discussion.  "We all really agreed, but it seemed to bother them that I mentioned the Bible," she said.  "Why didn't they want to hear what the Bible says?"  Just then her little brother walked into the room.  Jenna laughed when she saw him.  "Aaron, your shirt's on backward," she said.
 
	"The tag goes in the back, remember?" added Mother.
 
Aaron grinned at them.  "I ripped the tag out," he said.  "Now it doesn't matter how I wear it!"
 
	Jenna giggled and Mother sent Aaron to his room to fix his shirt.  "The shirt looks just as wrong when it's on backwards, whether the tag is still there or not!" Mother told him.  She turned to Jenna.  "You know, this reminds me of the problem you had with your friends.  Many people don't like to think that there's an absolute standard of right and wrong, or that it's found in the Bible.  Even though they admit that something is bad, they don't really want to know what the Bible says about it.  They don't want to accept the Bible as a standard for right behavior because it shows we all fall short of God's standards.  It's easier to pick at other's sin than to admit our own."
 
"Well, then. . . ."  Jenna nodded thoughtfully.  "Should I just forget about telling them what the Bible says?"
 
"No!" said Mother firmly.  "Whether they like it or not, the standard is still there.  Pray that God will open their hearts to accept His Word instead of trying to ignore it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you sometimes rather not know what God says about a particular sin?  His standards remain the same whether you acknowledge them or not, and they're always right!  God gives many instruction such as "don't lie, cheat, or steal; be kind; love one another; love God."  If you know Jesus as Savior, ask Him to help you obey His  Word.  Don't ever try to ignore His standard.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 4:12)
The Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. . .and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, you should see the new kid in our class at school!" said Tom as he reached for a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.
 
"What about him?" asked Mother.  She pulled another batch of cookies from the oven.
 
"He's weird.  Really weird!" exclaimed Tom.  "Nobody likes him."
 
"Oh?"  Mother raised her eyebrows.  "Why not?"
 
"Well, for one thing, he dresses funny."  Tom laughed as he remembered.  "He had on these clothes that look twenty years old."
 
"Maybe his family doesn't have much money," suggested Mother.
 
Tom shrugged.  "His clothes aren't all that's weird about him," he said.  "He has a really goofy looking nose. . . ."  He bit into his cookie. "Well, he does," insisted Tom when he saw Mother frown.  "And he has hair that. . . ."  He stopped short as he watched his mother sort through the cookies she had just baked.  She inspected each one and then separated them onto different plates.  "What are you doing?" he asked.
 
Mother picked up the fullest plate and walked toward the trash can.  "Some of the cookies didn't turn out quite right," she said.  "These are the rejects.  I'll just dump them."
 
"Don't throw them away!" exclaimed Tom in disbelief.
 
"But they're not perfect, Tom," explained Mother.  "Look. . .these aren't browned nice, and they're not nice and round, either."
 
"They're still good though," protested Tom.  "You have to expect them to be different. . . ."  He hesitated and then added quietly, "Just like the new kid, huh?"
 
Mom nodded.  "Just like the new kid," she agreed.  "Just like all kids  and all men and women.  God made them all different -- He made them all special.  He loves them all, and He wants us to show them His love, too."  She held out the plate of "rejects" toward her son.
 
Tom took one.  "No rejects," he said and he took a bite.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble liking people who dress or talk differently from you and your friends?  Or who are different in other ways?  Remember that God made them the way they are, and He loves them.  Don't reject them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 139:14)
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sara was a happy little girl.  She had a pretty mom, a nice daddy, and a cat named Mittens.  But one day, something happened that changed her whole life.  Sara's daddy became sick.  He stayed in bed and never played ball with Sara and Mittens anymore.  "Daddy's very sick," Mom told her sadly one day.  "The doctors have done all they can to help him.  We're praying that if it's God's will, he'll get better, but right now it seems that perhaps God will take him home to heaven instead."  She squeezed Sara tightly as she spoke.
 
One day when Sara came home from school, Daddy's bed was empty.  "Daddy's in the hospital," Mom said, giving her a hug.  "Aunt Ellie and Uncle Bud are taking you to their house for a visit.  I'll come and take you with me to visit Daddy sometimes."
 
So Sara went to Uncle Bud's house in the country.  She felt afraid when she thought about Daddy.  He's going to die! she thought, and she shivered.  She was glad her uncle's furry dog, Harry, always slept on the floor by her bed.  It helped when she felt homesick and scared.
 
One morning Sara woke up to see Mom sitting in the chair beside her bed.  "Mom!  You're here again!"  The words tumbled out as Sara jumped into her mother's warm arms.  "Is Daddy better?  Are we going to see him today?"
 
Mom held Sara close.  "Daddy has gone to be with Jesus, honey," she said.  "We won't be seeing him for a while, but he still loves us and will be waiting for us in heaven."  With tear-filled eyes, Sara gazed up into her mother's face.  She felt Harry's wet dog-kiss on one bare knee.  Mom spoke again.  "Sara, how did you feel when you woke up this morning and saw me here?"
 
"Oh, happy, Mom!" Sara replied.  "Surprised and happy."
 
"I think that's the way Daddy felt when he opened his eyes and saw Jesus."  Mom's words were very quiet.  "There's a Bible verse that says, 'Joy comes in the morning,' and that came true for Daddy.  Now he isn't sick anymore.  And he's enjoying heaven.  It must be a wonderful morning for him, don't you think?"
 
Sara squeezed her mom's hand.  "Oh, I'll miss him so much, but I'm glad he's in heaven," she said, and they cried together.
 
"Daddy's with Jesus."  Mom smiled through her tears, and Sara smiled back.  "Someday we'll be with them, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
God's plan for you may include sadness.  It may even include death -- for yourself or for someone you love.  Does that frighten you?  It's natural to feel sad, but remember that for a Christian, death is passing from this life to another with Jesus there to greet you.  What a joyful experience!


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