Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hurry, Dana," called Mom, "Marcy's mother will be here soon and you don't want to keep them waiting."
 
Dana rushed down the stairs and looked out the window.  "Poor Marcy," she said.  "Marcy's always in a bad mood when her mother drives the car pool."
 
"Why would that put her in a bad mood?" asked Mom.
 
"Well, sometimes her mother acts silly in the car," replied Dana.  "She's really funny, actually, but it embarrasses Marcy."
 
"I see," Mom said thoughtfully.  "I hope you're not embarrassed by me when I drive."
 
Dana chuckled.  "Only when you wear your orange jogging suit," she teased.  "But don't worry.  The kids think you're neat."
 
"And that's important to you?" asked Mom.
 
"Sure," said Dana.  "I don't want them to think you're weird like Marcy's mom."
 
"I thought you told me once that Marcy's mom is really a lot of fun to be with," Mom reminded her.  "And you just said she's funny."
 
Dana nodded.  "She is.  But Marcy spends so much time apologizing for her and saying how weird she is, that the kids are starting to believe her.  Once Marcy even hid in the bathroom when her mom showed up with her lunch."
 
Mom shook her head thoughtfully.  "It's too bad Marcy's ashamed of her mom. . .I'm sure that makes her mom feel sad," she said.  "And it's even worse that Marcy makes her mom look bad to others." After a moment she added, "The saddest thing of all, though, is that people do the same thing to Jesus."
 
"You mean when He was on earth?" asked Dana.
 
"I mean now," said Mom.  "Many Christians act ashamed of Him.  Maybe they're afraid that if people know they belong to Jesus, they won't be accepted anymore.  They may not come right out and say 'Jesus is weird,' but they laugh along when people joke about things in the Bible or about Jesus, and they don't ever admit that He's their Savior."
 
"I guess that would make Him sad, wouldn't it?" said Dana.
 
"I'm sure it does," agreed Mom.  "After He gave up His life and died on the cross for us, the very least that we can do is show that we're glad to know Him."
 
A horn honked outside, and Dana hugged her mom.  "I'll remember that," she promised.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worry about what other people will think of you if they know you love Jesus?  What they think may be affected by what you say or don't say.  If you show that you're happy to know Jesus, He will look much better to them than if you're ashamed of Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 1:16)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Michele waited as Miss Hamilton passed out drawing paper to the class.  "Take out your crayons," said Miss Hamilton.  "Today I want each of you to draw a picture of your family."
 
Some of the children groaned in protest, but Michele thought it sounded like fun.  She knew just what to draw.  She first drew her parents, her brothers and sisters, and herself.  Then she added their cat, Princess.  But she didn't stop there.  She drew girls, boys, men and women.  Blondes, brunettes, redheads, and bald heads.  She used peach, tan, light brown, darker brown, yellow, and pink crayons to draw the faces.  She drew some people with glasses, braces, casts, and crutches.  She was drawing a boy in a wheelchair when Miss Hamilton asked, "Who would like to share your picture with us?"
 
Randi raised her hand.  She waved her paper proudly.  "Here's me, my parents and brother, and all my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins," she said.
 
"Aunts and uncles and cousins?" asked Benji.  "I thought we were supposed to just draw our parents and brothers and sisters."
 
"I said 'family' so that can be whoever you want to include," said Miss Hamilton.  She stopped at Michele's chair.  "Michele, please tell us about your picture," she said.
 
Michele held up her picture.  "Here's me, Valerie and Rick, our parents, and our cat.  And here are some of you and some other people from all over the world."
 
"We're not your family," said Benji, "and I don't think some of those other people you drew are either."
 
"Oh. . .well, I-I. . . ." stuttered Michele.  "See. . .last week our Sunday school memory verse was about everyone who's a Christian being part of God's family.  Well, I'm part of God's family, so all kinds of people are in my family, too."  She stopped, unsure of what her classmates, especially her teacher, would think of that.
 
"I like it!" Randi said, sketching a few extra figures into her picture.
 
"So do I," said Miss Hamilton.  "It's nice to think of all of us as one big family.  Good job, Michele."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Who fits your definition of "family"?  Your relatives?  Your fellow Sunday school and church members?  People you might not like right now?  Christians in other countries?  If you're part of God's family, then everyone who loves Him -- even people you don't like or don't know -- are part of your family.  Being family means treating each other special!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:10)
Let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!  Where are you?" called Linda.
 
"Helping Dana with her bath," answered Mom.  Linda ran upstairs.  "Actually, we're finished.  Dana just needs to get dried off and dressed."
 
Four-year-old Dana peeped out from behind the shower curtain.  "Mommy,  I want my red pants and flowered shirt," she said.
 
"But honey, you were wearing that before your bath and it's dirty," said Mom.  "You can wear this nice clean yellow outfit."
 
"But the red one's my favorite!" protested Dana, pouting.
 
"Yeah, but you're clean now," Linda told her little sister, "so you have to wear clean clothes."
 
"Exactly!" said Mom.
 
"Hey, that's kinda like what Mrs. Richards was talking about in Bible Club today," said Linda.  "She talked about accepting Jesus and putting off our old self and putting on a new one.  Like Dana needs to change her dirty old clothes for clean ones."
 
Mom nodded.  "Before we received Christ into our hearts, we were like Dana before her bath -- and you know what that's like!" she said.
 
Linda giggled as she pictured her chubby sister, clothes spattered with mud, face sticky and sweaty, arms and legs covered with dust and dirt.  "I sure do," she said.  "And when we ask Jesus to come into our lives, it's like taking a bath and getting all clean, right?"
 
Mom nodded.  "Yes, and after that, we must put aside our 'dirty clothes' -- our sinful practices of lying and greed and deceit.  Sometimes we don't want to.  We cling to them, like Dana clings to her favorite red outfit.  But our old clothes -- our old selves --  are no longer fit to be worn."  She helped Dana slip into the yellow outfit.  "We need to put on fresh, new 'clothes' -- kindness, humility, patience, love -- that are appropriate for our new life in Christ."
 
"I like this yellow outfit," announced Dana suddenly.  "I want to wear it all the time!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and make you clean?  Then you must put aside your sinful ways.  Put aside the lying, the deceit, the selfishness, the greed that was part of your old way of life.  Put on a "new self" by developing and showing such qualities as kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jim took a bite of his meatloaf.  "We learned about heaven in Sunday school today," he said, "but there's something I don't understand."  He frowned.  "I know heaven is supposed to be wonderful and all that, but it doesn't sound so great to me.  Won't it be boring, just walking around on a golden street, singing hymns?"
 
"I'm sure we'll be doing more than that," Dad said with a smile.
 
"Yeah, well, that's what Mr. Davis said, too," admitted Jim.  "The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about it, though, does it?"
 
"That's true," said Dad, "but we do know that it's a wonderful, beautiful place.  And the most wonderful part about heaven will be just being with Jesus."
 
"Right," agreed Mother.  "At your age, it's hard to understand what a wonderful thing that will be.  Maybe it would help if you think about how glad you always are to see Grandpa and Grandma when they're able to come or when we can go to see them."
 
"I guess so."  Jim shrugged as he ate the last bite of his mashed potatoes.  "I wonder why God didn't tell us more about what heaven will be like."
 
"For one thing, it would be impossible for our minds to understand all the wonderful things He has planned for us," said Dad.  He looked over at four-year-old Bobby.  "Finish your carrots, Bobby," he said.  "We're almost ready for dessert."
 
"What are we having?" Bobby asked as he took a forkful of carrots.
 
Mother just smiled.  "It's a surprise," she said, "but I promise you'll like it."
 
"Can I have mine now, Mom?" asked Jim.
 
Mother shook her head.  "Let's wait till Bobby's ready.  It's his favorite.  If he sees it, he'll get so excited that he won't want to finish his carrots," she replied in a low voice.
 
A short time later they were all enjoying strawberry shortcake.  "I just thought of another reason God didn't tell us exactly what heaven will be like," Jim announced with a grin.  "If we knew, we'd probably get so excited, we'd never be happy on earth doing the things God wants us to do now."
 
Dad and Mother smiled.  "You may be right," agreed Mother.  "We need to simply obey God and do His will now and trust that His 'dessert' will be just right!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever wonder what heaven will be like?  The Bible gives us some ideas about it, but we won't really know what God has in store for us until we get there.  Trust Him and believe that He knows best how to make us happy.  In the meantime, keep busy doing God's will on earth and telling others about Jesus so they can go to heaven, too!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 16:11)
In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

Emma waved goodbye to Sherry's family as they drove off.  Then she ran into the house.  "Hi," Mom greeted her.  "Did you enjoy going to church with Sherry?"
 
Emma shrugged.  "It was okay, but I was too dressed up," she said.  "Nobody dressed up at Sherry's church.  She says it makes strangers in the church feel uncomfortable if everybody's dressed up."  Emma shook her head. "I don't get it," she added.  "You and Dad want us to dress up to show respect for God's house, and that makes sense.  But what Sherry said makes sense, too.  Who's right?"
 
"That's not an easy question," replied Mom.  "The Bible doesn't tell  us exactly what to wear to church.  But it does give us some guidelines.  Do you know what they are?"
 
Emma thought for a moment.  "It says to dress modestly," she said.  "That means not too skimpy, right?"
 
"That's one thing," agreed Mother.  "Perhaps it means not too 'showy' either.  And we must treat people kindly no matter how they are dressed.  The Bible also says we should try not to offend others."
 
"I think some people were offended when Billy Dirks came to church in torn shorts," said Emma.
 
Mom frowned.  "It wasn't just the way he dressed that caused the problem," she said.  "His attitude showed that he wasn't being very modest or respectful."
 
"Well, maybe," admitted Emma, "but people complain about Tiffany Brooks, too, and she always looks great!"
 
"There again, they don't complain about her clothes so much.  It's that she seems to spend a lot of time -- even during the service -- checking her hair and fixing her nails," replied Mom.  "But do you know who Mr. Hales is?  He always brings visitors from the homeless shelter, and he dresses in very casual clothes so they won't feel out of place.  Nobody is offended by that."
 
Emma sighed.  "So what's the right way to dress?" she asked.
 
Mom smiled.  "As long as you follow the biblical standards of modesty, love, and respect, I don't think there is a right or wrong way," she said.
 
"So can I wear jeans to church next Sunday?" asked Emma.
 
Mom shook her head.  "In this family we dress up because we think that going to church is a special event," she said.  "When you're old enough, you'll have to ask God to show you what is proper and appropriate for you.  Remember that there is a right and wrong attitude."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you dress for church?  It's easy to put on clothes to impress people, but God is looking at the condition of your heart.  What you wear isn't as important as why you wear it.  For now, follow your parents' guidelines.  Ask God to help you in making your own decisions about what to wear when you get older.  Always, now and when you're older, have an attitude of love and respect for God and others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 1:5)
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

[Soldier4Christ]

Stacy eagerly welcomed her friends to her birthday party.  "It's my birthday, so I get to be first," she announced loudly when they were ready to play games.  She saw her mother frown.  When Stacy didn't win a game, she whined about it being unfair.  Mother frowned again.  When refreshments were served, Mother helped her cut the cake, and Stacy kept the biggest piece for herself.  And as the girls were eating ice cream, she said, "Hurry up!  I want to open my presents."
 
As Stacy was opening presents, she came to a crumpled-looking package.  "Boy, somebody sure went all out to make this pretty," she said sarcastically, avoiding the stern look her mother gave her.  When Stacy tore open the wrapping, she was surprised to find a pretty necklace.
 
"I'm sorry it looked so messy," said Kadie, the girl who had brought the gift.  "We didn't have any wrapping paper, and Mom didn't have a car so we couldn't go and get some."
 
Without a word, Stacy shrugged and reached for another package.  After opening it, she sighed.  "Well, I guess that's all," she mumbled.  Then she noticed her mother looking at her and added, "Uh -- thanks, everybody."
 
After everyone had left, Mother spoke sternly.  "Stacy," she said, "I'm very disappointed in the way you behaved today.  We've talked about this often before.  I'm afraid you had a very selfish, inconsiderate attitude."
 
"Well, it is my birthday," whined Stacy, "so I'm supposed to be treated special.  And I did say I liked the food and I thanked the girls for the presents."  She attempted to change the subject.  "Isn't this necklace from Kadie neat?  The wrapping was so messy, I never thought there could be anything very nice inside."  When Mother continued to frown, Stacy quickly added, "I even remembered to give the girls the tracts we got in Sunday school last week.  I hope they read them!"
 
Mother nodded.  "I hope they read them, too," she said, "but I'm a little concerned about what they may think about them.  I'm afraid they may think they're not any good because of the sloppy way you wrapped them."
 
"What?" asked Stacy, confused.  "I didn't wrap them."
 
Mother frowned.  "I'm talking about the poor manners you displayed while the girls were here," she said.  "You see, our lives show what the Gospel of Christ really means to us.  If we 'wrap' our actions and what we say in greed, selfishness, and unthankfulness, people are not likely to be much interested in the message we hope to give them."  She paused.  "What message do you really think you gave those girls, Kadie?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to witness to your unsaved friends?  You should!  But remember -- the way you live will have a big influence on how seriously they take your message.  The Gospel is very precious, and it has power to change lives and bring people to heaven.  So be sure to "wrap it right"!  Be sure the message you give is the message you live.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Titus 2:10)
Adorn the gospel of God our Savior in all things.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Please don't tell Dad," said Kip as he and his sister stepped off the school bus.  He looked at his science report before putting it back in his pocket.  "I didn't expect to get a very high grade on this, but I sure didn't think it would be this bad.  Promise you won't tell."
 
Sally shrugged.  "Well, okay," she agreed.  "I won't tell, but Mom and Dad will find out anyway."
 
When he got home, Kip disappeared into his room.  He stayed there until he was called for dinner.  "Your science teacher called a few minutes ago," said Mother when Kip came to the table.  "He was checking his records, and he said he thinks he put the wrong grade on your science report.  He said you've been doing much better in science."
 
Kip jumped out of his chair and pulled his science report from his pocket.  "I knew it!" he said.  "I knew I did better than what he marked on this paper!"
 
Dad reached for the paper and looked it over.  "Well, I'm glad to hear that this isn't the correct grade," he said.  "But how is it that you didn't show us this before?"
 
"I was afraid you'd be really mad at me for getting such a low grade," said Kip.
 
"Mad at you?" said Mother.  "Oh, Kip, we would have been concerned, but not mad.  We know how hard you've been working."
 
"Grades are a measure of the progress you're making," said Dad, "but they are not a measure of our love.  You're our son, and we always love you."
 
Sally grinned at her brother.  "My Sunday school teacher says God is like that, too -- He loves us even when we fail."
 
Mother nodded.  "That's a good thought," she said.  "If God were to send out report cards, how well do you think most of us would score?"
 
"Well. . .I don't know.  A lot of the time it probably wouldn't be very high," said Kip.
 
"I'm afraid that's right," said Dad.  "When you don't do well in school, it doesn't mean we don't love you.  However it does mean you need to work hard and try to do better.  And if you don't do well in pleasing the Lord and living for Him, it doesn't mean He doesn't love you, either.  But it does mean you need to seek God's forgiveness and His help in doing better."
 
"Yes," agreed Mother.  "Be sure to do that.  It's interesting that the times when you fail are often the times you recognize your need of God and feel His love the most."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid God loves you less when you don't "score high" in your Christian life?  Remember that He died for you while you were still in your sin, and He loves you now, too.  If you need forgiveness, ask Him for it.  Seek His help in obeying His commands and living as He wants you to live.  He delights in those who put their trust in Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:14)
For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, isn't that just beautiful!" exclaimed Tiffany gazing out the window and pointing up at the sky.
 
Dad came and stood behind her.  "Oh, a rainbow," he said.  "Yes, honey, that sure is beautiful."
 
"I wish I could see a rainbow every day," said Tiffany dreamily.
 
Dad smiled.  "Would you like to make a rainbow to keep in your room?" he asked.
 
Tiffany's eyes grew big and round.  "Really?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Come on, I'll show you."
 
Tiffany hopped along beside Dad, and watched as he rummaged in his "odds-and-ends" cupboard.  He picked up a ball of heavy string, a pair of scissors, and a small, triangular-shaped glass with a small hook on one end.
 
"What's that?" asked Tiffany.
 
"This is called a prism," said Dad as he tied one end of the string to the hook on the glass.  He held it out toward Tiffany.  "Cut here," he said.  Tracy took the scissors and cut the string.  "Okay," said Dad, "let's take this to your room."
 
"What are you going to do with it?" asked Tiffany.
 
Dad smiled.  "Wait and see!"  He took the glass triangle and tied the string to the curtain rod.  "Look!"
 
Dancing lightly on her desk and even spilling over onto the floor, Tiffany saw. . .a rainbow!  "Cool!" exclaimed Tiffany.  "Now I have my very own baby rainbow."
 
"You'll have it only when the sun is shining," Dad warned her.  "The prism can't make a rainbow unless the sun shines through it."  He smiled at Tiffany.  "How would you like to make something beautiful like a prism does?" he asked.
 
Tiffany laughed.  "Sorry, Dad, but I'm afraid the sun won't shine through me," she said.  "I'd just make shadows, not rainbows."
 
Dad smiled.  "I'm not thinking about the sun in the sky," he said.  "I'm thinking about God's Son -- and about God's love.  If you let His love shine through you, you can make something even more beautiful than that rainbow.  You can bring God's joy and peace and love to other people."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What can you do to make "rainbows" -- to make something beautiful -- in your world today?  How about a word of encouragement to someone who is discouraged?  A helping hand to someone who needs help?  A listening ear to someone in trouble?  If you are willing to give of your time and talents and possessions, God can use you to make a "rainbow of happiness" in someone else's life.  They will be blessed by your presence -- by having you there -- just like people were once blessed by having the Apostle Paul with them (see today's Scripture).


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 1:26)
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Okay, Dad!" Tom exclaimed as he ran into the garage.  "I'm ready to help with Ruff's doghouse now."
 
"You are?" asked Dad.  "I thought you had some homework to do for your history class, and we just left the dinner table ten minutes ago.  I can't understand how you could do a very good job on your assignment in that amount of time."
 
Tom picked up a hammer and nail.  He placed the nail carefully on the board.  "Well, maybe it wasn't the best homework job, but it'll be good enough to pass the class."  He raised the hammer and pounded in the nail.  "Perfect!  Did you see that, Dad?  I drove the nail in perfectly straight."  He stepped back to admire his work.
 
"Yes, that's fine," said Dad.  "Okay.  Let's get it done."  He picked up a hammer and carelessly pounded a nail, causing it to bend.  "Oops!" he said.  "Oh, well.  I'll just pound it down into the wood so it doesn't show too much."
 
"What are you doing?" gasped Tom.  "I don't want this doghouse to be just thrown together.  I want it done right."
 
"Well, this should be good enough," said Dad.
 
"Dad, you're always telling me that when nails go in crooked they will never hold like well-driven nails will," protested Tom.
 
Dad smiled.  "That's true, and I can't blame you for not being pleased with this," he agreed as he began to pry out the nail.  "You know," he added.  "God isn't pleased when we do a job just 'good enough' to get by, either.  A hurried, careless job is a poor testimony for Jesus Christ."
 
Tom sighed.  "You mean my homework, I suppose."
 
"Well, yes."  Dad nodded.  "Do you think the homework you did tonight would be a good testimony for the Lord?"
 
Tom frowned.  "I guess not," he admitted.  "Okay. . .I'll do it over, and I'll do my best this time.  But will you wait till I come back?"
 
Dad put down his hammer and grinned.  "I'll be right here!" he promised.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you dust, do you neglect the corners you think won't be noticed?  When you wash dishes, do you wipe the cupboard but leave the stove top?  When you mow the lawn, do you skip the grass close to the bushes?  Do you sometimes do work just "good enough" to get by?  You may not be perfect, but God wants you to do your best as a testimony to others.  Only your best is "good enough."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:23)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, I wish Dad still lived here," said Kyle as he finished getting ready for school.  He sighed deeply.  "I. . .wish I had just behaved better.  Then maybe he wouldn't have left."
 
"Honey, Dad's leaving had nothing to do with you.  He loves you as much as ever," Mom said patiently, putting an arm around Kyle.  She and Dad had told Kyle this many times.  He wanted to believe them, but there was an ache in his heart that wouldn't go away.  He was sure if he hadn't whined so much, or if he had minded more quickly, Dad wouldn't have moved out.
 
At school, thoughts of his dad often popped up between the sentences Kyle was reading.  He finally got his mind off his problems when his teacher showed the class an interesting book.  And he was thrilled when she said he could take it home for the evening.
 
Kyle tucked the heavy book under his arm and began walking home.  As he walked, the book seemed to grow heavier and heavier.  "This big book makes my arm ache," he told Mother when she met him at the end of the driveway.
 
Mother nodded.  "That book is too big," she said.  "It's a burden too heavy for you to carry."  She reached down and took it.  "It reminds me of what we talked about this morning -- about how you feel like it's your fault that Dad left,"  she continued quietly as she carried the book to the house.  "Feelings can also be a heavy burden.  The feeling that Dad's leaving is your fault is a burden too heavy for you to carry."
 
"I wish I didn't have that feeling," Kyle said.  "It hurts."
 
"Yes, just like your arm hurts from carrying the book."  Mother gently rubbed his aching arm.  "Wouldn't you like Jesus to carry that burden of guilt for you?"  Kyle nodded, and together they asked Jesus to carry Kyle's heavy burden.  "Now," said Mom, "every time you feel like Dad's leaving is your fault, remember that Jesus is carrying that burden for you.  Will you do that?" 
 
Kyle nodded.  His arm still hurt, but the ache in his heart felt some better.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a burden that's too heavy for you?  If your parents are separated, do you wonder if it's your fault?  Do you worry about someone who has a drug or alcohol problem?  Or perhaps worries about school or friends constantly fill your mind.  It's important to talk about heavy burdens to an adult who can help you turn them over to Jesus.  Jesus loves you and wants you to be free of heavy burdens.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7)
Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

It was Saturday afternoon, and Mandy was slumped in the rocker, trying to read.  Her mom knelt on the floor, surrounded by fabric, pattern pieces, tape measure, scissors, and pins.  She was cutting out a blouse to sew for herself.  Mandy put down her book and stretched.  "I don't know how you do it, Mom," she said as she glanced at her mother.  "Look at all that mess.  Right now it sure doesn't look anything like the pretty blouse on the pattern envelope!  Are you sure it ever will?"
 
Mom smiled.  "Just you wait and see," she said.  "And I'll bet you could do it, too, if you wanted to."
 
"Oh, sure!" grunted Mandy.
 
"Really," insisted Mom.  "You just need to follow the instructions."  She held up a printed paper.  "See. . .this paper says which pieces to use and how to cut and fit them together.  If I do what it says, my blouse will turn out like the one in the picture."
 
"That's because you're a good sewer," Mandy answered.
 
As Mandy resumed reading, she heard the snip of the scissors and crinkle of paper.  After a bit, she looked up again.  "Mom, do you think God has a pattern for each of our lives?" she asked.
 
"What do you mean, Mandy?" asked Mom.
 
"Well, in Sunday school last week, Mrs. Crane told us that God has a plan of the wonderful person each of us could be," explained Mandy.  "Wouldn't that be kinda like the picture of the finished blouse on the pattern?  Then she said that to become the person God wants us to be, we need to obey Him and do what He tells us in the Bible.  That might be like following the instructions in the pattern to make the blouse turn out right."
 
"That's a wonderful illustration, Mandy!" exclaimed Mother.  "God is making each of us into something special.  Even when things look confusing or impossible -- like this blouse does to you just now -- we have to keep obeying Him, and then He'll make us into a beautiful finished product.  His workmanship is good."  She grinned at Mandy.  "You're a smart girl," she added.  "Now I know you'd be smart enough to figure out how to sew a blouse yourself."
 
Mandy grinned.  "Yeah. . .well, I think I'll tackle something easier first -- like finishing my book!" she said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you letting God make you into the person you ought to be?  Do you look for His instructions in the Bible and ask Him to help you follow them?  He has a plan for your life with work just for you to do.  Are you following that plan?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:10)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Mother put bread in the toaster, she sighed.  "We have a lot to do today," she said.
 
"We always do on Saturday," Jessica complained.
 
"Yeah," murmured Justin.  "I hate Saturdays!"
 
Dad poured a cup of coffee.  "I don't like them, either, because they're days of whining and grumbling," he said.  "I'm sure the Lord is not pleased with that.  Let's do something about it."
 
Justin scowled.  "Stop the work and I'll stop grumbling."
 
Dad ignored him.  "Please find me a shoe box, Justin," he said, "and Jessica, you can bring me some paper and a pencil."  The surprised children hurried to get what he asked for.  When they returned, Dad said, "Let's write everything we have to do today on slips of paper and put them in this box."
 
"Change the sheets; vacuum the carpet; clean the bathrooms."  Mother quickly named several tasks.
 
"Trim the hedge; sweep the patio; wash the car," added Dad.  "Sweep the garage."
 
Justin groaned.  "There won't be any end to the list," he complained.
 
"Wash dishes; water the plants," said Jessica.  They each thought of a couple more jobs.
 
"Now," Dad said, "well take turns drawing out a slip and doing whatever is written on it."
 
"When the box is empty, we could pack a lunch and go to the park," suggested Mother.
 
"All right!" Jessica and Jason cheered.  This was sounding better.
 
"I want to draw first."  Jessica reached for the box.
 
Dad held up his hand.  "We forgot something," he said.  "We need to give the Lord some time, too."
 
"Read a chapter in your Bible."  Jessica wrote it on a slip of paper.
 
"Stop and give thanks for our family," wrote Justin.
 
"Memorize tomorrow's Bible verse," added Mother.
 
"Call Uncle John and invite him to church," Dad said as he wrote it down.
 
Then Dad held the box out to Jessica.  "This is going to be the best Saturday we've had in a long time" she said as she drew out a slip and looked at it.  Then she groaned.  "Even if I do have to clean the bathrooms!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
If your tasks have become boring, make an activity box.  If it won't work for your family, perhaps it will work for you.  List everything you have to do today, and don't forget to include the Lord's work.  Then do what "your hands find to do" -- cheerfully!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Eeek!" Lisa ran up on the porch screaming.
 
Kyle followed laughing.  "It's just a caterpillar," he said.
 
Lisa shuddered.  "I don't like caterpillars."  As she slammed the door behind her, she saw Mother wiping tears from her eyes.  "What's the matter?" Lisa asked anxiously.
 
"I just got a phone call," Mother said softly.  "Grannie Carter died."
 
"Oohh!" wailed Lisa.  "I don't want her to die!"  Grannie Carter, a neighbor, was one of her favorite people.
 
Mother smiled faintly.  "Grannie is happy.  She wanted to go home to heaven to be with Jesus and Grandpa Bob."
 
Lisa and Kyle dreaded the funeral service -- it would be their first funeral.  But when the time came, they found that, except for the casket and all the flowers, it wasn't so different from a regular church service.  At the end, everyone walked out past the casket where Grannie lay.  "She looks like she's asleep," Lisa whispered.  Then they all went to the cemetery where Grannie was to be buried.
 
Lisa was quiet as they sat on the patio at home that evening.  "I thought Grannie was in heaven, but she was put in the ground," she said at last.
 
Before anyone could answer, Kyle jumped up.  "Look!"  He pointed at a brown object dangling from a branch.
 
"What is that?" Lisa asked.
 
"It's an empty cocoon," said Kyle, "but before that, it was a caterpillar."
 
	Mother nodded.  "The caterpillar spun a shell, or cocoon, around itself.  After a while, the shell burst open and a beautiful butterfly came out."  Lisa was amazed.  She loved butterflies.
 
"That's a good example of what has happened to Grannie Carter," said Dad.  "Remember how crippled Grannie was?"  The children nodded.  "She has left her old shell -- her earthly body.  Now her body is like an empty cocoon.  It was buried in a grave today, but the real Grannie has gone to be with Jesus."
 
Just then a lovely butterfly fluttered past Lisa's nose.  "Look!" she squealed.  "A caterpillar in his new body."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone you love died and gone to heaven?  Don't worry about the old body which was buried in a grave.  Remember that the real person has left his old body.  The Bible teaches that those who love the Lord go to be with the Him.  God will give them a wonderful new body some day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:43)
It (the body) is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason talked excitedly about the Coast Guard ship he had just toured at  the Sea Festival.  "And just think -- our guide said the Coast Guard saved at least 6,000 lives last year!" he exclaimed.  "He said storms sometimes come up fast and people can't make it back to shore.  Other times boaters are foolish and don't pay attention to the warnings.  The reason people are in trouble doesn't matter to the Coast Guard.  They do their job.  I bet they save more lives every year than anybody!"
 
"They do save a lot of lives," agreed Dad.  "They're well trained and ready to rescue those in danger.  Do you know what their motto is?"
 
Jason nodded.  "Yep.  Our guide told us.  'Semper paratus' --  always ready."  He grinned at Dad, proud of his knowledge.
 
"The Coast Guard does a good job," said Mother, "but I can think of somebody who saves even more lives every year than the people in the Coast Guard do.  Can you guess who that might be?"
 
"Who?" asked Jason in surprise. 
 
"I think I know," said Dad.  "I think Mom means Jesus.  He's willing to save anyone who will trust Him."
 
	Mom nodded.  "You know, I can't imagine anyone struggling in the water, refusing help from the Coast Guard.  But people who are struggling in sin often refuse to accept the salvation Jesus offers.  They just keep trying to save themselves, and they never can."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you let Jesus rescue you from your sin?  You can never save yourself -- not by going to church, not by giving money, not be being a good person.  But Jesus died to rescue you.  Don't refuse His help.  Trust Him today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 19:10)
For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

[Soldier4Christ]

"At supper, Clay picked the peas out of his mixed vegetables and pushed them off to the side of his plate.  Two year old Erin did the same thing.  "Why aren't you eating your peas?" asked Mom.
 
"I don't like them," Clay answered, twisting the "WWJD" bracelet he wore on his wrist.
 
"I don't like 'em," Erin mimicked.
 
"Yes you do, Erin," Mom said, scooping some peas into Erin's spoon and holding them up to her mouth.
 
"Yum," Erin said.  "More."
 
Clay picked up his glass of milk and blew bubbles in it.  Erin picked up her glass of milk and blew bubbles in it, spilling milk all over the table.  "Clay! Get a towel and help clean up your sister's mess," scolded Mom.
 
Clay obediently got the towel and began wiping the table.  Erin grabbed it.  "Me, too," she said, trying to wipe the table.
 
"You little copycat," grumbled Clay.  "Mom, make her stop copying me."
 
"She copies you because she wants to be just like you.  That's quite a compliment," said Mom.  She frowned.  "But you sure haven't been a very good example this evening -- not eating your peas and blowing bubbles into your milk," she added.
 
"Sorry," mumbled Clay.
 
"Others are always watching you," said Mom.  "You never know when someone will copy you, so you should always try to be a good example.  The best way to be a good example is to be a copycat yourself."  She pointed to his wrist.  "Don't just wear that bracelet," she said.  "Think about what 'WWJD' means. . .'What Would Jesus Do?'"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you do when someone cuts in line in front of you?  What do you do when  someone teases or calls you names?  Do you copy what Jesus would do?  He would not shove the person back out of line.  He would not call others names or tease them.  What would Jesus do if a new person came to class?  What would Jesus do if someone dropped his pens and pencils all over the floor?  WWJD is not just four letters to wear around your wrist.  It's a reminder that you should copy Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:21)
For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.