Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Brenda hung up the phone.  "You've certainly spent a lot of time talking to your friends tonight," observed Mother. 
 
We're trying to figure out what to do about Evonne," Brenda told her mother.  "She's being a 'sometimey' friend.  She wants to be our friend only when she needs our help with homework.  She ignores us when she's doing something that's fun."
 
"Well, that's too bad," said Mother, "but it's time to get ready for bed right now."  	As Brenda got up, Mother added, "Have you had your quiet time with the Lord today?"
 
Brenda yawned.  "I'll read something from my Bible in the morning," she said.  "I'm too tired tonight."  She hurried out of the room before Mother had time to reply.
 
The next morning, Brenda overslept.  As she hurried downstairs, she tripped.  "Mom!" she wailed.  "My ankle!"  Mother hurried to help.  Dear God, prayed Brenda silently while Mother wrapped her ankle and put ice packs on it, please take this pain away.  Make my ankle better.
 
Unable to walk, Brenda stayed home from school.  "Honey," said Mother after making her comfortable on the couch, "you told me about the problem with your friend Evonne.  How does it feel when she asks for your help but doesn't include you in her 'fun' times?"
 
Brenda sighed.  "It bugs me," she replied, "and it hurts, too.  Friends should be friends all the time."
 
"Well," Mother continued, "last night I thought about how you talked so long to your friends on the phone but you were too tired to talk to God."
 
Brenda squeezed her hands around the ice pack.  "Well, I prayed this morning," she defended herself.
 
"Did you?" asked Mother.  "About what?"
 
"My ankle," said Brenda quickly.  Then she blushed.
 
Mother nodded.  "You prayed because you needed help," she said.  "God is an 'all-the-time' Friend.  I think it hurts Him when we're only 'sometimey' friends with Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you talk to God as you do to a friend, or do you pray only when you have a need?  You can chat with your Heavenly Father anytime, not just in a crisis.  Thank Him for the things you see on your way to school.  Share your thoughts about people and things that happen.  Praise Him for being Lord.  Ask Him to help you with both the little and big tasks of the day.  Live in an attitude of prayer -- all the time.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Pray without ceasing.

[Soldier4Christ]

School began in the usual boring way for Jason -- first math, and then reading.  We need some action around here, Jason thought to himself.  He peeked into his desk to check on the little mouse he had in a small box there.  He wished he dared to let it out.	
 
A few minutes later, his teacher had to go to the office.  She appointed Jennifer to be class monitor in her absence.  Jennifer proudly took her place behind the teacher's desk.  Jason decided this was his chance.  Quietly he took the mouse from his desk and released it.  It scampered across the floor.  "There's a mouse!" Jason hollered.  The girls screamed, and several of them climbed on their chairs.
 
"Take your seats," Jennifer instructed.  "It won't hurt you."  The mouse dashed across the floor, running right over Jennifer's foot.  "Augh!" she shrieked.  She climbed onto her chair, too.  "Quiet!" Jennifer ordered.  "Everyone sit down.  There's nothing to worry about."  But she remained on her chair.  The boys were roaring with laughter.
 
Just then Mrs. Madden returned.  She dismissed the class for an early lunch.  While everyone was in the cafeteria, a janitor removed the little creature from the classroom.
 
After school, Jason told his mother about Jennifer and the mouse.  He told her everything except how the mouse got there.  "It was pretty funny," he said.  "Jennifer told the class to sit down because there was nothing to worry about, yet she stayed standing on her chair."
 
"That's a good example of what we discussed in my ladies' Bible study group this morning," said Mother.  "Just like Jennifer's actions didn't match her words, Christians' actions don't always match what they profess to believe.  If we claim to love Jesus, yet do things that don't please Him, we're not putting our faith into action."
 
Jason felt guilty.  He knew that disrupting the class as he had done was not Christ-like.  He knew he needed to ask God to forgive him.  And I suppose I should apologize to Mrs. Madden and Jennifer, too, he thought.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you say you believe in Jesus but carelessly lie, cheat, or treat others unkindly?  Or do you act out your faith by living a godly life?  Showing love, forgiving and helping others, and being honest are a few ways of living what you believe.  Ask God to help you act according to your faith.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 2:17)
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

After the basketball game, Kelly's mom picked her up.  As Kelly and her friend Lynn rode home in the back seat, Lynn laughed heartily.  "Didn't that girl with the black pants make you laugh?" she said.  "She was so fat she could hardly run!" Kelly just looked out the window.  When she didn't join in the laughter, Lynn soon changed the subject.
 
 At home, Mom began to fix dinner.  "I'm proud of you, Kelly," she said as she took out a recipe book.  She moved things around on the counter, looking for something.  "I'm glad you didn't join Lynn in making fun of the big girl who played on the other team today."
 
"Well, I kind of felt bad for her.  Besides, I'm not so skinny myself," Kelly said with a sheepish grin.
 
Mom hugged her.  "Maybe that helped you to be kind," she said.  "I know it's tempting to poke fun at people, but we have to remember that God created every one of us, and He wants us to respect one another.  I'm sure He's pleased with the way you acted."  She went to a hall table and moved things around.  Then she opened a drawer and rummaged through it.
 
Kelly puckered her brow.  "Are you looking for something?" she asked.
 
Mom nodded.  "My glasses," she said.  "I can't imagine where I left them."
 
Kelly looked at Mom and burst out laughing.  "Look in the mirror," she suggested.  "You pushed them up on top of your head."  	Suddenly she stopped laughing.  "Oh!  I didn't mean to make fun of you.  I guess I shouldn't laugh, should I?"
 
Mom nodded.  "Yes, you should," she said.  It's okay to laugh if you make sure you're laughing at what a person does and not at the person -- and if you're sure that by laughing you won't hurt anyone's feelings.  In this case, you're not hurting my feelings at all."
 
Kelly relaxed.  "It did look funny," she said.  "It made me laugh."  Laughter spilled out again -- and Mom's laugh was even louder than Kelly's.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What makes you laugh?  Is it hard to know when it's okay to tease?  The next time you're tempted to poke fun at someone, put yourself in that person's place and think how it would feel to have others laughing.  If it would hurt, don't do it even if others do.  God wants you to be kind.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Zechariah 7:9)
Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Linda packed the last few items into her suitcase, she looked worried.  "What's wrong, honey?" asked her mother.  "Aren't you excited about going to Grandma's?"
 
"Well, yes," Linda replied slowly, "but it's such a long way.  What if we have an accident?" She was thinking of a dreadful car accident that she'd seen on the TV news.
 
Mom patted Linda's arm.  "Our lives are in God's hands," she said.  "We realize that an accident could happen while we travel, but an accident could just as easily happen right here at home.  We're trusting the Lord to take care of us."  Linda nodded, but she still felt uneasy.
 
Mom went to the kitchen to finish getting dinner, and Linda followed.  A fluffy little ball of puppy fur was curled up on an old rug in the corner.  "Hi, Tippy," said Linda softly.  Tippy watched as Linda put some puppy chow into a bowl.  "Come eat," she coaxed, holding out her hand.
 
Tippy jerked up and shot under the corner shelves, trying to hide from Linda's outstretched hands.  "You poor little thing!" she murmured, gently gathering the shaking pup into her arms and stroking the soft fur.  Just a few days ago, Dad had brought home the dripping-wet little animal.  He had found it abandoned along the road.  "You need to learn to trust me," Linda said, as she carried Tippy over to the bowl of food.
 
"Why should Tippy trust you?" asked Mom.
 
"Because I love him and will take good care of him," Linda replied confidently.  "I give him only what's good for him."
 
"Yes," agreed Mom, "and it will be good when Tippy learns that.  It's always good when we learn to trust the One who cares for us."
 
Linda smiled.  "I get the point, Mom," she said.  "You're saying that God loves me and knows what's best for me, so I can trust Him."  She nodded.  "That's just what I'm going to do."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid of what might happen to you in the future?  When you see someone in a wheelchair, or when someone you know is hurt in a car accident, are you scared the same thing might happen to you?  Remember that God loves you and wants what is best for you.  Ask Him to take your fears away.  Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 56:3)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Give me my red sweater!" shouted Carrie as she chased her twin down the stairs.
 
"It's not your sweater.  It's mine.  Yours is in the wash," Shelly answered.  She ran around the kitchen table, holding the sweater tightly.
 
"You're always taking my things," pouted Carrie.
 
"Am not," said Shelly.  "You're the one who's always starting trouble."  She appealed to her mother.  "Carrie wouldn't walk home with me, Mom," she said.  "She told the girls I was a wimp."
 
Mom held up a hand to stop Carrie's angry retort.  "Girls," she said, "I know you love each other, but lately you seem to be quarreling all the time.  Would you like to hear what you sound like?"  The twins looked at each other.  They weren't sure what Mom had in mind.  "Your father's tape recorder is here on the kitchen counter," continued Mom.  "I turned it on when I heard you come quarreling down the stairs."  She pushed a couple of buttons, and in a moment the twins heard their own voices yelling at each other.  "What do you think Dad will say when he hears this?" asked Mom.
 
"Oh, Mom, don't play that for Dad," protested Carrie.
 
"Can't we just throw it away?" asked Shelly.
 
"It's not very nice to listen to, is it?" asked Mom.  "I can get rid of it by unplugging the microphone and pressing this button.  Then the tape will be blank again.  Shall I do it?"  The twins nodded.  While the tape was being erased, Mom spoke.  "Girls," she said, "God hears every word we say.  He even knows our thoughts."  The girls looked at each other.  "He made a way in which our wrong doing can be forgotten.  If we're truly sorry, He is willing to forgive and forget.  Our record can be erased like this tape.  Do you want to ask God to forgive your quarreling and to help you be more loving to one another?"
 
Both girls nodded.  "I'm sorry," they said at the same time.  After Mother prayed with them, they went off to do their homework together.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you like something erased from your record?  Did you start a quarrel today or tell a lie or cheat at school?  Are you sorry?  If so, tell God.  He'll forgive you and give you a fresh start -- sort of like a blank tape.  Fill your life with only good words and thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 10:17)
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

[Soldier4Christ]

Penny looked up as Alex, her younger brother, came running into the room.  "Bobby fell into the pool," gasped Alex.  "He can't swim, and I can't either."  Bobby was a small neighbor boy. 
 
As soon as she heard what happened, Penny shot from her chair and raced out to the pool.  "Hurry," gasped Alex.  "Hurry, Penny!"
 
Without a thought for herself, Penny dove into the pool.  Bobby was thrashing around, trying to stay above the water.  Penny knew she had to rescue Bobby, or he would probably drown.
 
By the time Mother ran out, Penny and Bobby were lying on the cement, exhausted.  Because of her quick action, he had swallowed only a little water and would be fine.
 
That evening, they were still quite excited about what had happened, but Penny was rather quiet.  "Were you scared?" Alex asked for at least the sixth time.
 
Penny shook her head.  "There wasn't time to be scared then," she said, "but it scares me when I think about it now.  I'm glad I took that life-saving course, so I knew what to do."  She looked thoughtfully at her parents.  "I've been thinking about something," she added slowly.  "Last Sunday my teacher said that people are 'drowning in sin,' and that Christians know how they can be saved.  I've been thinking about that.  I didn't worry about whether Bobby would like the methods I used to save him.  If I had stopped to think about that, he might have died.  But sometimes I don't tell my friends about Jesus because I'm afraid they won't like me to do that.  I guess I'm afraid they'll laugh at me or something."
 
Dad nodded.  "I think we all have that problem," he said.  "We need to stop worrying about ourselves and start helping them before it's too late."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
If you could save someone from drowning would you do it?  Of course you would.  How about if you could tell someone how to be saved from sin?  Do you realize that those who don't know Jesus are headed for punishment in hell?  What will you do about it?  Perhaps you could show someone the "ABC's" of salvation (see last page).  Do it today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthains 9:16)
Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

[Soldier4Christ]

Cheryl and her mother were chatting about their purchases as they walked through the parking lot.  When they reached the car, they got in and Mother put the key into the ignition.  "Something's wrong," she said with a puzzled look.  "I just had this new key made a few days ago, and it has worked up till now.  But I can't get it to go all the way into the key hole."  She pushed and wiggled and wiggled and pushed the key, but it just would not go in!  "It won't work," she said finally.  "Let's get some help."
 
Mother and Cheryl opened their doors to get out.  "Hey!" exclaimed Cheryl, as she turned to close her door.  "Where did that little teddy bear in the back seat come from?"  She looked more closely.  "Mom!" she called to her mother, who was already walking toward the mall.  "This isn't our car.  Look!  There's no luggage rack on the trunk.  Where is our car?"
 
Mother turned and looked.  "Oh, no!"  She blushed, embarrassed.  "I parked next to that brown truck, but our car is there on the other side of it.  This one is the same color and style as ours, and I guess we were too busy thinking about the things we bought to notice that it's the wrong one."
 
"I can't believe it!"  Cheryl was embarrassed, too.  "We both climbed into this car and never noticed that it wasn't ours!"
 
Cheryl and her mother laughed and laughed.  When they arrived home and told their story to Dad, he laughed with them.  Then he became serious.  "You know," he said, "this reminds me of the sermon I'm preaching tomorrow.  Many people are a lot like you.  You tried to get home in the wrong car.  Many people try to get to heaven in the 'car' of good works, but that's the wrong vehicle, too.  Only Jesus can get them to heaven.  If you don't mind, I'd like to use your experience to illustrate that."
 
"You mean you're going to let everybody laugh at us?" protested Sara playfully.  "Well, okay.  If that will help anybody understand, let them laugh!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trying to get to heaven by being a good boy or girl?  It won't work.  Attending church each week, praying many prayers, and doing good things for others are not the right vehicles to get you to heaven.  You can be saved from your sins and receive eternal life only through Jesus.  Tell Him you're sorry for your sins and ask Him to take them away today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:8-9)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sue is never nice to me," said Kathy.  "I hate having to be nice to her."
 
 "Well, it's a church picnic, so you have to," replied Amy.  "Just pretend."
 
Mother frowned as she looked at her daughters in the rear view mirror.  "Who said you should pretend to like someone just because you're at a church function?" she asked
 
"Isn't that the Christian thing to do?" asked Amy.
 
"Hmmm," said Mother and she tapped her finger against the steering wheel.  "Amy, do you remember when you wanted to paint that old desk last summer?"
 
"Sure," said Amy.  "It's the one in my bedroom."
 
"Yeah.  You wanted to just paint over the old paint," said Kathy, "but Dad made you sand it first."
 
"I know.  He said if I didn't, the new paint would eventually chip off and the old paint would show through," replied Amy.
 
"What's that got to do with being nice to Sue?" asked Kathy.
 
"Pretending to like someone is like painting over old, chipped paint," said Mother.  She pulled into the parking lot.  "All the old feelings are still under the surface, and sooner or later, they'll show through."
 
"So should we just not bother to be nice to Sue at all then?" asked Amy.
 
Mother shook her head.  "You didn't 'just not paint' the old desk," she said.  "You sanded it and got rid of the rough spots.  You need to get rid of the old feelings, too."
 
"But how?" asked Kathy.
 
"It isn't easy," admitted Mother, "but a good place to start is with prayer.  It's hard to dislike someone you're praying for."  She handed Kathy a picnic basket.  "Ask the Lord to help you love Sue as He does, and He'll teach you how to do that."  She smiled at her daughters.  "You can breathe a prayer right now, asking the Lord to help you with that," she suggested.  "I'm not saying you'll feel like being best friends with her, but I believe the Lord will help you genuinely treat her in a friendly way, so that you don't have to pretend."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes just pretend to like someone?  God loves that person.  Ask Him to fill your heart with His love and to teach you to love that person, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Leviticus 19:18)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Matt was quiet as he and his father raked the lawn one Saturday.  "Dad," he said finally as he leaned on his rake, "I. . .uh. . .sometimes I wonder if I'm really a Christian."  Dad looked surprised.  "I. . .well, sometimes lately I have thoughts -- bad thoughts -- that I know a real Christian shouldn't have," continued Matt, looking uncomfortable.
 
"Like what kind of thoughts, Matt?" asked Dad gently.
 
Matt's face turned red.  "Oh. . .things like bad words," he said.  "And bad pictures will come into my head -- even when I'm praying.  Why do I think things like that, Dad?  I don't want to."
 
Dad was quiet for a moment.  Then he motioned for Matt to follow him.  "I want to show you something," said Dad as he led the way to a cluster of small trees.  He moved back a branch to reveal a bird's nest.  Matthew stood on tiptoe and saw that there were three eggs in the nest.  "I found this when I was pruning some branches," said Dad.
 
"Cool!" exclaimed Matt.  He looked again.  "Hey!  One of those eggs is bigger than the others."
 
Dad nodded.  	"That's because it wasn't laid by the bird who built this nest," he explained.  "I think it was laid by a cowbird."
 
"But why would she put her egg in another bird's nest?"" asked Matt
 
"Cowbirds do that," replied Dad.  "I guess they want the other bird to think it's her own and care for the chick when it hatches."
 
"Does that work?" asked Matthew.
 
Dad nodded.  "The trouble is, the cowbird baby is usually bigger and stronger than the other baby birds, and it often takes all their food or even pushes them out of the nest."
 
"What a mean trick!" exclaimed Matt.  "Too bad the other bird can't tell that the big egg isn't her own.  Then she could quick push it out before it hatches."
 
"That's right," Dad agreed.  Then he added, "Satan is like that cowbird, Matt.  He likes to put things into our minds that don't really belong to us.  We need to trust God to help us think and do the right things.  We need to reject Satan's thoughts and push them out."
 
Matt nodded.  "Yeah, but how do we do that?" he asked solemnly.
 
"Don't dwell on those thoughts -- reject them in Jesus' name," said Dad.  "This is easier to do when you cut out bad influences -- like dirty TV shows or magazines or friends who use foul language.  It helps to read the Bible regularly, too.  Replace bad thoughts with good ones!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes have thoughts that make you doubt God, or that make you feel like doing something you shouldn't?  Have you cut out the bad influences and asked God to help you think about other things?   He will.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:7)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at Smoky lying in the sun!  Isn't he pretty?"  Jim pointed to one of the family pets, a long-haired cat.  A contented purr came from the gray form stretched out on the window sill, soaking up the warmth of the sun.
 
 A few minutes later, Jim's little sister Jenny bounded into the room.  She dashed over to the bird cage, and her quick fingers opened the wire door.  With a flutter, Chipper, the parakeet, glided gracefully to the floor.
 
"No, Jenny!" exclaimed Jim.  "Smoky's here!"  He lunged for the cat.  But he was too late.  A silent, gray shadow slid down from the window sill, and a moment later Smoky had the little bird in his mouth.  Mother was almost as quick.  She grabbed the cat, held him down, and pried his mouth open.  Carefully, she removed the fragile bird.
 
"Is Chipper hurt, Mommy?" wailed Jenny.
 
"I think he's just badly frightened," said Mother, gently stroking the trembling bird.  She placed it carefully back in its cage while Jim shooed the cat out of the room.
 
"Smoky's naughty," declared Jenny.  "Why can't he be friends with Chipper?"
 
"Yeah.  He should know better," added Jim.
 
"It's just his nature," replied Mother.  "It's a cat's nature to hunt.  No matter how tame he is, when he sees a bird, his natural instincts often take over."
 
"Well, I'm mad at him," stated Jim.
 
"And I don't blame you," said Dad, looking up from his newspaper.  "He's a lot like us, isn't he?"
 
"Huh?" asked Jim, looking at his father.
 
"We have an old nature that likes to take over, too," explained Dad.  "When we trust Christ as Savior, His Holy Spirit comes to live within us.  But sometimes we get careless and allow our old natures to take over again."
 
"Like when you hit me," Jenny accused her brother.
 
"Well, you called me names," retorted Jim.
 
"Careful!  I'm afraid those old natures are peeking out," cautioned Mother.  "We need to be on guard!  When we know Jesus, we receive a new nature with power to choose to do right.  If we choose instead to follow our old nature, we will sin."
 
"The Bible says to 'put off the old man' and 'put on' the new," added Dad.  "He gives us the power to do that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you often let your old nature take over and cause you to sin?  Be on guard against that.  Each day ask God to help you let His nature be seen in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:24)
Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Grandpa!" exclaimed Denise.  "Is Grandma here, too?"  Denise had come to the supermarket with her father, who was picking up a cake mix and some ice cream for her birthday party the next day.  What's wrong with Grandpa? she wondered.  He didn't say anything -- he's just staring at me as if he doesn't know me.  Denise had noticed that Grandpa acted strangely and forgot a lot of things lately, but she certainly didn't expect him to ever forget her!
 
Just then Grandma appeared.  "Robert, I told you to wait by the magazines," she scolded.  Seeing Denise, she gave her a quick kiss.  "Are you all ready for your birthday party?" she asked.
 
"Party?" asked Grandpa.  "Who's having a party?"
 
"Denise is.  We talked about it at breakfast," said Grandma patiently.  "Don't you remember?"  She took his arm.  "Let's go buy a birthday present for a certain little girl, shall we?"  Her eyes twinkled as she smiled at Denise.
 
That night as Mother tucked her into bed, Denise told her about Grandpa's strange behavior.  Mother looked concerned.  "Grandpa isn't well," said Mother.  "Do you remember when we took him to University Hospital not long ago?"  Denise nodded.  "The doctors discovered that he has a brain disease called Alzheimer's Disease.  It causes people to forget names, dates, places -- and sometimes even people they love."
 
Denise swallowed hard.  "But Grandpa and I are friends -- he said so himself. . .and friends aren't supposed to forget each other," she protested.
 
"I know," said Mother, giving Denise a hug, "but I'm afraid that earthly friends do sometimes forget."
 
"But I thought I could always count on Grandpa," wailed Denise.
 
"Honey, just remember that Grandpa can't help it when he forgets," comforted Mother.  "Thank God for the good times you've had together.  Thank Him, too, that Jesus is always there for you -- that He's a friend that sticks 'closer than a brother' -- or even than a grandfather."
 
As Denise snuggled down, she thought about her mother's words.  She thanked God that He would never leave her.  And she prayed for Grandpa and thanked God for him as well.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel sad because a friend moved away, chose someone else to play with, or just simply forgot you?  Aren't you glad that God will never forget His own?  Thank Him for that and let Him fill the empty place in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 18:24)
There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

[Soldier4Christ]

Pink and yellow balloons hung around the living room.  Blue and lavender streamers twisted their way across the ceiling.  A big sign saying "Happy Birthday, Denise" was over the sofa.  Many of Denise's aunts, uncles, and cousins were already there when Grandpa and Grandma arrived.  Grandma hugged and kissed all the children.  But Grandpa stood by the door, a lost, confused expression on his face.  "Who are these people?" he asked.
 
"They're your children and grandchildren," said Grandma.
 
Denise noticed that Grandma sounded like she was talking to a small child.  I guess that's because Grandpa has Alzheimer's disease and forgets a lot of things, she thought.  She went over and slipped her hand into his.  "I'm glad you came to my party, Grandpa," she said.
 
Grandpa looked down at Denise, and a soft smile spread over his face.  He patted her head clumsily, and for a minute she thought he was going to be like he'd always been.  But then he said, "Is this your house, little girl?"
 
"Of course, Grandpa," Denise  replied.  "I'm Denise -- remember?  You've been here lots of times."
 
When Denise and Daddy helped clean the kitchen after the party, Denise closed the dishwasher door with a bang.  "Why does Grandpa have Alzheimer's?" she muttered.  "It's an ugly disease, and I can't think of a single reason why God let it happen."
 
"Neither can I," said Daddy.  Denise's eyes widened.  "That surprises you, doesn't it?" he asked.  Denise nodded.  "In life we have to expect sad things to happen as well as good things," continued Daddy.  "Grandpa's Alzheimer's disease is sad.  And just like he often can't understand what's happening around him, we can't understand why such sad things happen in life.  God doesn't ask us to understand, but He does ask us to trust Him with all our hearts in spite of sad circumstances.  He promises to be with us in difficult times.  He's there to strengthen and comfort us."
 
"So I guess I have to keep trusting Jesus even when I feel like crying," said Denise soberly.  "I'm glad He'll help me through the sad times."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you puzzled, wondering why God has allowed some sad thing to happen in your life?  He wants you to trust Him, and He wants to give you comfort and help.  As you believe Him, this testing of your faith will strengthen you.  You'll find that His grace and help is more than enough.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 12:9)
My grace is sufficient for thee for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's that, Grandpa,"  Sammy pointed to some small cards and pieces of shiny red paper on the kitchen table.
 
Grandpa smiled.  "Grandma found these when she was cleaning the attic the other day," he replied.  "When I was a boy, we used to get these as prizes in cereal boxes -- they're something like your baseball cards."
 
"Wow!"  Sammy was impressed.  "They're really old!  What are all the shiny red papers for?"
 
"Ah, that's what makes these cards interesting, Sammy," replied Grandpa.  "Here -- look at this one.  It has a picture of Babe Ruth on the front."  Grandpa showed Sammy the picture, then turned the card over.  "Now. . .see this question on the back of the card?  It says, 'What was Babe Ruth's given name?'  To find the answer, we put this shiny red paper -- it's called cellophane -- right over the question, like this.  Now what do you see?"
 
"It says, 'George Herman Ruth,'" answered Sammy.  "The question disappeared, and the answer showed up!"
 
"Right," said Grandpa.  "This little piece of paper taught me a great lesson," he added, picking up the cellophane.
 
"It did?"  Sammy wrinkled his nose.  "What do you mean?"
 
"When I was a young fellow, we had revival meetings at our church," began Grandpa.  "I knew I was a sinner -- I was the church rascal." Sammy laughed.  He had heard many stories about the trouble Grandpa used to get into as a boy.  "I had often heard that only the blood of Jesus could wash away sin," continued Grandpa, "but I never really understood that.  One night, the evangelist called me up to the platform -- he said he saw these cards sticking out of my pocket and wanted to use them as an illustration.  Well, he took this very same 'Babe Ruth' card, put the red paper over the question, and said, 'Bert, read the question for me.'  I said I couldn't see the question -- only the answer.  Then he said, 'That's how it is with God.  When you accept Jesus as Savior, the blood of Christ washes away your sin.  Christ then lives in you.  Just as you can't see the question on this card when it's covered by the red paper, God can no longer see your sin when it's covered by the blood of Christ.  Just as you see only the answer on the card, God sees only Christ living in you.'  I've never forgotten it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What does God see when He looks at you?  Does He see your sins, or are they covered by Jesus' blood so that He only sees Christ living in you?  If you haven't done so before, accept Jesus as your Savior today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 2:20)
I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.'

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, can I stay over at Adam's house tonight?" asked Jared.  "I can go to church with his family tomorrow."
 
Mother looked up from her sewing.  "That's a possibility," she said.  "What church do they belong to?"
 
Jared shrugged.  "None, really," he replied.  "His parents don't think it's good to be tied down to just one church.  They like to visit lots of different churches."
 
Dad spoke up from his desk.  "They sound a bit like 'Lone Ranger' Christians to me," he said.
 
Jared gave Dad a funny look.  "What do you mean?  Isn't the Lone Ranger that guy in those old TV shows?"
 
"Yes."  Dad smiled.  "When I was a boy, I loved watching that show.  You see, the Lone Ranger was a lawman who wasn't associated with any official agency -- he worked on his own."  Then Dad added, "That idea was fine for a TV show, but real policemen don't work that way.  They know a lot more can be accomplished through teamwork.  And that principle applies to Christians, too."
 
"How?" asked Jared.
 
"Well, when we accept Christ as Savior, we become members of His Body -- the Church," explained Dad.  "Just as our eyes or hands or feet work together and need each other, Christians need each other, too.  As Christians, we need the close association with other Christians, and we can accomplish more for the Lord by working together."
 
"Right," agreed Mother.  "Uniting with a good, Bible-believing local church enables us to use our gifts to help other Christians and to be helped by them in return."
 
"I just got an idea," said Jared with a grin.  "How about if I ask Adam to stay at our house and go to church with us tomorrow?  Maybe he'll see how good it is not to be a 'Lone Ranger' Christian."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a personal relationship with Christ as your Savior?  That's wonderful!  But don't stop there.  Jesus never meant for you to live the Christian life without the fellowship and help of other believers.  Get involved in a good, Bible-teaching local church.  Don't miss out on opportunities for service and growth.  Other Christians need you, and you need them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthains 12:27)
Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

[Soldier4Christ]

Alex slouched through the kitchen door and dropped into a chair next to Mother, who was holding his baby sister, Amy.  "I have a problem," he said with a sigh.  "I'm always losing my temper, and I don't make friends that way."
 
"No, and God doesn't want you to do that, either," agreed Mother as she stood Amy on her feet.  "Guess what?" she added.  "Amy took her first step today.  And you took a first step, too -- you admitted that you have a problem.  Now you both need to work on walking.  Amy needs to learn to walk on her feet, and you need to work on your Christian walk."
 
Together they watched Amy take a few wobbly steps.  Then. . .plop!  Down she went.  Her face puckered, but she crawled to a chair and pulled herself up again.  Alex watched as Amy walked a few more steps and then fell again.  "She's sure got a long way to go," he said grimly, "and so do I."
 
"You started walking physically the same way as Amy," said Mother, "and look how strong your legs are now.	"   Alex's face broke into a wide grin -- he was a strong runner.  "Learning to walk takes time and practice," continued Mother.  "That's true of the Christian walk, too."
 
"You mean if I keep trying to stop losing my temper, I'll get better at that, too?" asked Alex thoughtfully.
 
Mother smiled and nodded as she picked up Amy.  "But the kind of strength you need comes only from God."
 
"Yeah," Alex agreed soberly.  "I already know I can't do it by myself."  He got up and headed for his room.  "I'll keep working on it, and I'll ask God to help me," he added.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you admitted that you have a problem such as losing your temper, acting selfishly, or disliking others?  Admitting it is the first step toward overcoming it.  Then look to God for the strength to gain control over it.  He wants you to have the victory, and He will help you.  Today's Bible verse promises that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:13)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.