Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom," called Cathy as she returned from school one day, "can we go get my birthday party invitations?"
 
 Mother shook her head.  "I'm sorry, honey, but I promised Mrs. Kettering I'd drive her to the doctor's office this afternoon.  She used to walk over there, but ever since she broke her leg last year, she's had a hard time getting around."
 
"Well," said Cathy, "we'd better get the invitations soon.  It's only two weeks till my birthday."
 
Mother smiled.  "Have you decided who you'll invite?" she asked.  "Remember, five guests is the limit this year."
 
Cathy nodded.  "I want to invite Susie, Lori, Lena, Emily, and Joanna," she replied.
 
Mother looked surprised.  "What about Pam from next door?" she asked.  "I thought you two were best friends!"
 
"Oh, we are," Cathy said, "but I can see her any time.  I want somebody different for a  change.  I suppose Pam might be mad about it when she finds out, but she'll get over it.  She always does."
 
Mother was quiet for a minute.  "I'm thinking of Mrs. Kettering's broken leg," she said.  "Even though the fracture did heal, her leg will never be quite the same.  Sometimes it hurts, and she has to be careful not to put too much stress on it.  She can't trust it fully.  It's often the same way with friendship."
 
"Friendship?" asked Cathy.  "What do you mean?"
 
"If you hurt a friend, out of selfishness or even out of carelessness, she may be willing to forgive you, but she may never be able to fully trust you again, and your relationship suffers as a result."  Mother sighed.  "I learned that lesson the hard way.  I once lost a good friend because of a cruel, thoughtless remark I made.  Friends are precious gifts from God, Cathy.  Don't take them for granted."
 
Cathy looked thoughtful.  "I think I'd better go over my guest list again," she decided.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take your friends for granted?  Do you assume that they'll always be willing to forgive you, no matter what?  Part of today's Scripture talks about how painful it is when a friend does something to hurt you.  Even a strong friendship can be broken, and healing can be difficult.  Treat your friends as you would want them to treat you -- with kindness and respect.  Don't risk causing a "fractured friendship"!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 27:10)
Thine own friend. . .forsake not.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, it's just no use," said Sarah.  "I've tried and tried to get Marcia to come to Sunday school, but she won't." 
 
Jenny flipped through a small booklet.  "And I tried giving her some of these booklets Dad bought for us, but she won't even look at them."
 
"I started telling her a story about Jesus, Mommie," said little Alicia, cradling her doll.  "But she said, 'Not interested!'   She wouldn't even listen to me."
 
"So how's she ever going to hear the gospel?" asked Sarah.
 
Mom smiled at her daughters.  "Why, she's got all of you, hasn't she?"
 
"But Mom," protested Jenny, "we just told you -- she won't listen to us or read what we give her."
 
"Well, she may not hear the Gospel the way we do -- by hearing it read in church or by reading the Bible," said Mom, "but I hope she will see it and hear it as she gets to know you better."  The girls looked at each other and frowned.  Then they looked at Mom, waiting for an explanation.  "You know that some of the New Testament books are actually  letters to churches, don't you?" asked Mom.  "And that all these letters -- which we also call God's Word -- are inspired by God Himself?"  They nodded solemnly.  "Well, did you know the Bible also says that each of you is a letter from Christ?"
 
The girls shook their heads.  "What does that mean, Mommie?" asked Jenny.
 
"That means that giving out the Gospel doesn't mean only telling it," answered Mom.  "When you live in a way that is pleasing to God, you touch people's hearts and often open the door, for you or someone else, to communicate His good news to them."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think the only way you can be a witness for Christ is by taking someone to church or Sunday school?  Or by telling him that Jesus died for him?  Of course God wants you to speak out His good news to others, but He also wants you to be a witness by the way you live.  Next time a friend refuses to listen when you talk about Jesus, don't be discouraged.  Be kind; be friendly; live as you know Jesus wants you to live.  There's a good chance your friend will soon "hear" the gospel by seeing your life and will want to also hear it in words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ. . .written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. You are a letter from Christ. . .written not with ink but with the Spirit of

[Soldier4Christ]

Mark ran to the car as Dad drove up in front of his school.  "Have a good day?" Dad asked as Mark got in.  Mark shrugged.  "Are you upset because I wouldn't let you go to the movie with the others?" asked Dad.
 
Mark shook his head.  "No.  I'm glad you said no.  It's not the kind of movie I should see," he said, truly grateful for a Christian father.  It would have been even harder to tell the guys he wasn't going if Dad had said it was all right.
 
"Your friends gave you a hard time, though, didn't they?" asked Dad.
 
"Yeah.  Even Ben thought I should tell you I was going somewhere else and then go to the movie with them."  Mark sighed.  Ben was a friend from church.
 
When they got home, Dad took an empty pop can out of a carton standing in the garage.  He handed it to Mark.  "Crush this can," Dad said.  Surprised, Mark started to ask a question, but then he changed his mind.  He set the can on the floor and easily smashed it with a stomp of his foot.
 
"Now crush this can," Dad said, handing Mark a full can of pop.
 
Mark stared at Dad.  "I can't," he replied.
 
"Why not?" asked Dad.
 
"Because it's full," answered Mark.
 
"Which can are you like?" asked Dad.  "Are you empty or full?"  Mark frowned, thoughtfully trying to figure out what Dad was getting at.  "I bet you had an empty feeling when your friends made fun of you, didn't you?" asked Dad.  Mark nodded.  "But you're not actually empty," continued Dad.  "God's Holy Spirit came into your life when you became a Christian.  He gives you strength so that no one can 'crush' you,  No one can defeat you, no matter what happens, because no one can defeat Him."
 
Mark gave Dad a small smile.  It wasn't easy having others against him, but with God's help, he could do the right thing.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you discouraged as you live your life for Jesus?  Does it bother you when others, especially other Christians, try to get you to do things you believe are wrong?  Do you feel "down" when someone makes fun of you for doing right?  If you're a Christian, God is living in you.  You may feel weak, but God's power is never weakened, and nothing is ever too hard for Him.  Depend on Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Grandma, I'm glad Mom and Dad went to that convention.  Staying with you will be a vacation for me," Megan said happily after her parents had left her at Grandma's.
 
"Aren't you afraid I'll spoil you?" Grandma asked with a wink.  Megan giggled.  She knew Grandma would do a little of that.
 
That day Grandma gave Megan all her attention as the two of them played Megan's favorite board games.  For lunch, they had ham sandwiches and chips -- Megan's favorite.  Then Grandma took out her Bible.  "This is when I usually have my daily Bible reading," she said.  "I thought we could take turns reading to each other.  I've looked forward to sharing God's Word together."
 
"Oh, Grandma, I'm on vacation," protested Megan.  "I don't want to read anything.  I don't even want to think about anything but just having fun."  Grandma looked disappointed, but she let Megan run outside and climb the apple tree.
 
As Megan got ready for bed that night, she thought about what a nice day she had spent.  But then she began thinking of her parents and feeling a little lonely.  "I wish Mom and Dad were here to tuck my in," she told Grandma.
 
Grandma smiled and said, "Your mom knew you'd be a little lonesome tonight.  She asked me to give you this."  She pulled an envelope from her pocket.  Megan opened it eagerly and read the note her parents had left her.  She felt much better after reading their words of love and assurance.
 
"Some people are so important to us that we never want to take a vacation from them.  Aren't you glad your parents left that message for you to read?" Grandma asked, and Megan nodded.  "Someone else had a message for you today, but you wanted to take a vacation from Him," added Grandma.
 
Megan knew Grandma was talking about God.  She wished she had taken time to read the Bible with Grandma.  "I know you read your Bible already, Grandma, but can we read it together before I go to sleep?" she asked.  	With a twinkle in her eye, Grandma nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you're on vacation, do you think about God?  Do you thank Him for all the things He does for you?  Do you spend time with Him and read from His Word?  You sometimes need a rest from your normal routine, but you need to hear from God every day no matter where you are.  Be sure to give Him an opportunity to speak to you through His Word.  Be sure to think about Him and talk with Him -- with no vacations.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:16)
I will delight myself in Thy statutes I will respect unto Thy ways.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, Dad," protested Dan, "I don't see why I have to be grounded!  Can't I just do some extra chores or something?"
 
"I'm sorry, Dan," said Dad, "but I trust that this will help you remember to obey next time."  He patted Dan's shoulder.  "We don't enjoy punishing you," he added.  "We do it because we love you."
 
The following week, Dan came down with a cough.  During the next few days, it grew worse and worse, "Oh, no fair," he grumbled.  "Last week I was grounded, and this week I'm sick."  He watched warily as Mother poured a big spoonful of dark brown medicine from a large bottle.  "Do I really have to take that stuff?" he asked.  Mother nodded, and Dan gulped it down.  "Oh yuck!  Gross!" he gasped.  "It tastes terrible!  I don't want any more!"  But that night, Dan woke up coughing again.  His throat hurt, and he was actually glad when Mother came in, bringing the medicine.
 
The next morning Dan felt better.  "That medicine really helped," he admitted at the breakfast table.  "Maybe I'll finally get to go somewhere."
 
"Good," said Dad.  "Now you're glad you took the medicine, right?"
 
Dan nodded.  "Yeah," he agreed, "but I sure didn't like it."
 
"I know," said Dad.  "Neither punishment nor bad-tasting medicines are enjoyable, but both produce good results."  He paused, then added, "You know, although not all the unpleasant things God allows us to go through are chastening, sometimes they are.  He uses them to bring about good results in His children, too."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "Even when you're grown up, the Lord will sometimes use difficult or painful circumstances to convict you of sin or just to help you grow in Him.  Times of chastening are always hard, whether from parents or from God, but the results are worth it.  Try to remember that and even be thankful for discipline."  Dan nodded as he watched Mother pour out another spoonful of medicine.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy being disciplined?  No one does!  But the discipline you receive from your parents helps you grow into a mature, responsible adult.  Even if you think your parents don't always seem to be fair in their discipline, remember that God is in control, and His chastening is always "just right."  Don't resent discipline.  Instead, be glad someone cares.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:6)
Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Curt!" called Dad as he hung up the phone.  Curt knew by the tone of Dad's voice that there was going to be trouble.
 
"Yeah, Dad?" he asked.
 
"That was your principal," said Dad with a frown.  "He told me you were sent to his office today for goofing off in class and talking disrespectfully to your teacher."
 
Curt looked uncomfortable.  "It wasn't my fault," he protested.  "Justin started it.  Besides, that class is boring!"
 
"Maybe it wouldn't be so boring if you studied your lessons more often," Dad replied sternly.
 
Curt shrugged.  "Aw, Dad, I'm not a brain," he said.  "Besides, if I studied all the time, I wouldn't have any fun!"
 
Dad was quiet for a moment.  Then he said, "Come down to my workroom.  I want to show you something."  Puzzled, Curt followed his father.  After rummaging around in a box, Dad pulled out a small, thick piece of wood.  "This belonged to Grandpa Williams," he said.
 
Curt looked at it curiously.  "That can't be worth much," he said finally.
 
"Maybe not as it is, but it could be.  It's solid cherry," said Dad.  "Remember the hand-carved figure Mom has on the coffee-table?"  Curt nodded.  "Grandpa Williams used to carve those and sell them to collectors," continued Dad.  "They were made from the same kind of wood as this piece."
 
Curt whistled.  "Wow!  I guess that could be valuable after all."
 
"On the other hand," said Dad, "if it were cut up into toothpicks, it would be worth only a little."
 
"Yeah.  But that would be a waste of good stuff," said Curt.
 
"Yes," agreed Dad.  "You see, the wood must be used properly.  And the same thing is true of a human life.  Life is a valuable gift from God, but it's important to use it well.  Be careful to make the best use of your time and talents.  Allow Jesus to make something beautiful out of your life.  Don't be careless with it and waste it.  That would be an even sadder thing than turning a piece of wood like this into a pile of toothpicks."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think the most important thing in life is having fun?  Are you careless in your schoolwork or lazy about prayer and Bible reading?  Life passes quickly. . .don't waste it.  Make sure you know Christ as your Savior.  Then determine to make use of every opportunity to serve Him.  Fill your life with "treasure" instead of "toothpicks."


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Josh, you should be ashamed," declared Christy when her brother gave a loud burp.  "Your table manners are dreadful!"  She gave Josh a scornful look.  "And you've got syrup all over your mouth!"
 
Josh wiped his mouth with his napkin as Mother frowned.  "Christy's right," she said.  "If you must burp, you should at least ask those present to excuse you.  Now, you kids better hurry, or we'll be late for Sunday school."
 
After Sunday school, Christy joined her family for the church service.  She enjoyed the singing and even listened quite well to the message.  But then she got restless.  It was the Sunday that the Lord's Supper was being served, and it seemed to Christy that Pastor Grayson said pretty much the same thing every time.  Soon she was thinking of other things.  She drew a few pictures on the back of the bulletin, and she even poked Josh and whispered to him.  But she quickly sat up straight and folded her hands when she saw her father frowning at her.  Both she and Josh snickered as they watched a fly crawl up Mrs. Martin's back, two rows ahead of them.  Christy straightened up again when she felt Mother's firm hand on her arm.
 
At the dinner table that noon, Christy carefully placed her napkin on her lap.  "It's not polite to lean on your elbows at the table," she scolded her brother.
 
Dad looked at Josh, and then at Christy.  "Seems to me you both need to learn some good table manners," he said.
 
"Me?" asked Christy.  "I'm sitting properly."
 
"I was thinking of a different table," said Dad.  "The Lord's Table."  Christy blushed.
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "Your manners there are really more important than your manners here at home.  I think we'd better talk about it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you behave at the Lord's Table?  Is it all so familiar that you don't pay much attention to it anymore?  Even if you don't take communion yet, remember Jesus at this special time.  Listen to what the pastor says about what Jesus did on the cross for you.  Think about His coming again some day.  Thank God for what He did for you.  Prayerfully examine your heart to see what sin may be in your life, and ask God to forgive you and help you forsake it.  Listen to the music and think of the words to the songs being played.  Have good "table manners."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthains 11:24)
This do in remembrance of Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Lessons from the Cowbird

Matt was quiet as he and his father raked the lawn one Saturday. "Dad," he said finally, leaning on his rake, "I . . . uh . . . well, sometimes lately I have bad thoughts that I know a Christian shouldn't have. Like . . . ah . . ." Matt's face turned red. "Like bad words," he said. "And bad pictures will come into my head-even when I'm praying. Why does that happen, Dad? I don't want it to."

Dad was quiet for a moment. Then he motioned for Matt to follow him. "I want to show you something," Dad said gently as he led the way to a cluster of small trees. He moved back a branch to reveal a bird's nest. Matt 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. "Hey! One of those eggs is way 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."

"Really? 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?" Matt asked.

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 and quick push it out before it hatches."

"Yes," 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 ask God to help us recognize those things and then 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-deliberately think about other things," said Dad. "That's easier to do when you cut out bad influences-like bad TV shows or magazines and friends who use foul language. It helps to read the Bible regularly, too. With God's help, replace bad thoughts with good ones!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you had thoughts that you know don't belong in a Christian's mind? Do they sometimes cause you to feel like doing things you shouldn't do? Recognize that Satan is the one who tries to put such thoughts into your mind. Resist him by telling God about it in prayer and by cutting out things that influence you to have such thoughts. God is willing and able to help you think about other things.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let the . . . meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14

[Soldier4Christ]

 Just One Step

Ashley watched her big sister leave the house. "Why can't I go to the library with Leah?" she asked. "I'll look at books while she studies."

"Ashley," Mom said patiently, "it's almost your bedtime, and Leah will be gone a couple of hours."

"But it's not fair! I want to go with her!" whined Ashley.

"Of course you do, but you're eight years old. Leah is in high school. When you're her age, you'll be able to do more things," said Mom, trying to soothe her daughter. Ashley frowned, but she turned back to her dolls.

A short time later, Mom got up from the couch. "Bedtime," she said. "Come on. I'll go upstairs with you."

As Ashley got up, she began complaining again. "Leah has a CD player in her room, and she gets to go to the mall sometimes, and . . ." Ashley's words tumbled over each other.

At the stairway, Mom stopped. "Ashley," she said, "when you were a baby, you went up these stairs very carefully on your hands and knees. Later, you held onto my hand very tightly so I could help you. Do you remember that?"

Ashley laughed and shook her head. "No, but the little kids at church do that. They're so cute."

"Now you're much bigger," Mom continued, "and you walk up the stairs. Physically, you became able to do more and more. That's the way God intends it to be. And that's the way He intends you to grow up in other areas, too. Gradually, you'll be able to do more and more things."

"Like Leah does, you mean?" asked Ashley.

Mom nodded. "Yes-but look at all you do already! Last week, you stayed overnight with your friend Lisa. You ride your bicycle in the street now. You walk to school with the neighborhood kids. You couldn't do those things when you were two, or even four-years-old, could you?" Slowly, Ashley shook her head. "God made us in a way that doesn't require us to learn everything at once," Mom added. "We have to just take one step at a time. You'll be a much happier person when you learn to let God help you wait for the right time to do all the things Leah can do."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes wish you could be grown up right now? Do you wish you would be allowed to do everything a big brother or sister is allowed to do? God has a time for everything. He has many things for you to learn right now, and other things are to be saved for later. Don't rush them. Enjoy each one in turn and be content. Enjoy being a kid!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

[Soldier4Christ]

God of the Second Chance

" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " Luke 13:8-9 (NIV)

Electric lights are so common today that we never even give them a thought. If we were changing a light bulb and dropped one and broke it, we wouldn't worry about it. We would just go and get another one. That hasn't always been true.

When Thomas Edison was struggling to perfect the light bulb, it took his team of workers twenty-four hours to put together just one light bulb. When the team was finished with one light bulb, Edison gave it to a young boy to carry upstairs. Step by step the boy carefully climbed the stairs, afraid that he might drop this priceless piece of work. You can probably guess what happened; the poor boy dropped the bulb at the top of the stairs. It took the team twenty-four hours to produce another bulb. Finally, tired and ready for a break, Edison was ready to have the bulb carried upstairs. He gave it to the same young boy who had dropped the first one. Mr. Edison gave the boy a second chance!  That's true forgiveness, isn't it? [1]

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus teaches us about God's forgiveness.  Jesus tells a story about a man who had a fig tree in his vineyard. He went to the vineyard expecting to find some figs on his tree, but there were none.  He said to the man who took care of the vineyard, "For three years I have been coming expecting to find figs on this tree and I haven't found any.  Cut it down!  It is just taking up space."

"Leave it alone for one more year," the keeper of the vineyard begged.  "I will dig around it and put fertilizer on it.  If it has fruit next year, fine.  If not, then cut it down."

In this story, the owner of the vineyard is God, the keeper of the vineyard is Jesus, and the tree represents God's children.  God has every reason to expect his children to produce good fruit.  What kind of fruit?  Things like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and kindness.  Sometimes we don't produce that kind of fruit, but we have a loving and forgiving God.  Just as the owner of the vineyard gave the fig tree a second chance, God gives us a second chance too and it is important for us to know that we don't have to do it alone.  The keeper of the vineyard helped the tree by working the soil and adding fertilizer. When we allow Jesus to work in our lives, he will help us to produce the kind of fruit that God expects.

Aren't you glad that we have a loving and forgiving God who gives us a second chance?

Dear Father, we are thankful that even though we don't always produce the kind of fruit that you desire, you give us a second chance.  Help us to allow Jesus to work in our lives so that we will produce the kind of fruit that you want from us.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Out of Tune

"Mom, are you coming to the concert at school this afternoon?" asked Katie as she finished her breakfast. "Megan and I are playing a flute duet, you know."

"I wouldn't miss it," Mom replied. As Katie stood up from the table, Mom gasped. "Where did you get that short skirt?" she demanded.

"Didn't you see it when I came in?" asked Katie. She shrugged. "All of us girls in the band decided to wear skirts for the concert. Cindy gave me this one because it was too small for her. "

"Well, it's too small for you, too!" declared Mom. "Please go up and change into something decent."

"Mom! You're so old-fashioned!" whined Katie. "All the girls wear skirts like this. Why can't I be like everybody else?" She stomped out of the room.

When Katie and Megan began their duet at the concert that afternoon, they realized at once that something was wrong. The notes they played just didn't sound right with the piano accompaniment. Embarrassed, the girls began to make mistakes. They were glad when the song was over and they could sit down.

"That was so humiliating," groaned Katie when she joined her mother after the concert. "Megan and I made sure our instruments were in tune with each other, but we didn't think to tune them with the piano. I don't know how we could have forgotten to do that. We sounded awful!"

"I have heard you play better," agreed Mom as they went out to the car, "but if you've learned from this experience, it was worthwhile."

Katie nodded as she got into the car and waved to one of her classmates. "Did you notice the other girls skirts?" asked Katie hopefully.

Mom nodded. "Yes, I did," she said. "I get the idea you think it's okay to go along with the popular fads-that if 'everyone is doing it,' it must be all right. Can you understand that you might be 'in tune' with the standards of the world but 'out of tune' with God's standards?"

Katie thought about what her mother was saying.

"If you're going to be out of tune with anybody, it needs to be with the world and not with the Lord," added Mom.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are your clothes "in style"? That's fine if they're modest and a style God would approve. Do you listen to the same music and watch the same TV programs that "everybody else" does? That's okay if they're all in keeping with God's standards, too. He expects His children to live according to His rules and principles, not those of the world. If you're a Christian, make sure you're "in tune" with God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Special Invitation!

Jennifer sighed as she put down the last of the envelopes she was stuffing. "They're all done, Mom-215 invitations for Old Home Day ready to go."

"Thanks, honey," replied Mom. "You've been a big help!"

Jennifer grinned. "I think it's going to be a fun day," she said. "I'm sure a lot of people who used to live around here will come-and I hope a lot of kids come. It's a long time since I've seen quite a few that I used to play with."

When Old Home Day arrived, Jennifer and the rest of the family joined the crowds at the local high school where the festivities were being held. "There's Mr. and Mrs. Wood!" exclaimed Jennifer. "I hope Olivia's here somewhere. We used to have so much fun together." They all hurried over to greet the Woods, who were former neighbors, and Jennifer was delighted to learn that Olivia was nearby.

"There's Mr. Burns," said Dad a little later. "He used to be the principal here at the school." Dad made his way over to talk to Mr. Burns.

Mom headed for Mrs. Smith who had been a member of the Mothers' Club many years before, and Jennifer spied a girl who'd come to her Sunday school before moving away.

That night, Jennifer and her parents talked about the fun of seeing so many former friends. "I was hoping the York family would come," said Jennifer. "I wanted to see the twins again." She frowned. "I wonder why they didn't come. Maybe they didn't get the invitation."

"I'm sure there are good reasons why some who got invitations couldn't come," said Mom.

"Well, I guess that would be true," agreed Jennifer. "I sure can't see why they'd just ignore an invitation to such a fun time."

"I suppose some might," said Dad, stretching. "But you'd better get to bed, honey, or you'll be sleepy in church tomorrow." As Jennifer got up to leave, Dad shook his head. "You know, we wonder why people would ignore the invitation for today's special event, but I'm thinking of another invitation. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for those who love Him. He invites all to come to Him. Those who come and trust in Him for salvation will take part in another special event-a gathering of all God's children in heaven. Why would anyone ignore that invitation?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the invitation Jesus gives? He invites everyone to come to Him and trust in Him. All who do will be with Him-and with all other Christians-in heaven some day. What a special event that will be! Have you accepted His invitation? It's one you cannot afford to turn down. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, whatever are you doing?" asked Tiffany as she came into the house.  Piles of old clothes, jewelry, and broken furniture were scattered around the living room.
 
"It's spring clean-up time, and I decided to clean things out," Mother replied.  "Why keep clothes or jewelry I never wear, or furniture that I'll never get around to repairing?"
 
"Good point, Mom," said Tiffany as she began climbing the stairs to her bedroom.
 
"Hey, honey," Mother called after her, "why don't you go through some of your things, too?"
 
"But I use everything I have," Tiffany protested.  A short time later, however, she brought a big box downstairs.  "Hey, Mom, check it out," she said with a grin.  She pulled out an old, stuffed animal.  "Look at this-hardly any stuffing left inside.  And look at this old sweatshirt.  It's not only stained, but it's ten sizes too small."
 
Mother smiled and nodded.  "You know," she began thoughtfully, "this reminds me of when I was saved."
 
"How's that, Mom?" asked Tiffany.  "Were you having a spring clean-up then, too?"
 
Mother laughed.  "Well, in a way.  After I was saved, I had to get rid of a lot of old, bad habits and replace them with new, good ones like helping others,  church attendance, and prayer," she explained.  "I had no use for my sinful garbage any longer."
 
"Well, I was saved when I was just a little girl," replied Tiffany.  "I didn't really have any bad habits to get rid of."
 
"No?"  Mother's brows went up.  "I seem to remember that you used to tell a lot of lies."
 
"Oh, yeah."  Tiffany blushed.  "I forgot about that.  I used to get mad quickly, too, didn't I?  I guess I did have some garbage to get rid of-I still do sometimes."
 
"We all need to check our lives daily to see if they please the Lord," said Mother.  "When we belong to Him we're 'new creatures' and want our lives to show that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there old, bad habits you should throw away?  Smoking?  Alcohol?  Drugs?  Hopefully, you were saved before you got into anything such as that.  But how about bad language?  Cheating?  An unforgiving spirit?  Selfishness?  Get rid of bad habits and make room for new, good ones.  Live as a "new creature" in Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Sherry and Taylor walked toward the ball park, they noticed a sign in front of a church.  The titles of the next Sunday's services were listed.  "One Way to Heaven," read Sherry.  "Taylor, do you expect to be in heaven some day?"
 
"Oh, sure," replied Taylor.  "I try to be as good as I can."
 
"But no one is good enough," said Sherry.  "Everyone has sinned, and sin can't enter heaven."
 
"Well, I'm sure I stand a lot better chance of getting in than a murderer does," insisted Taylor, as they arrived at the ball park.  "Here we are-got your money ready?"
 
"Money?" asked Sherry.  "My brother's playing on the team.  I think I can get in free."
 
"I doubt it," replied Taylor.  "I brought a dollar."
 
At the ticket office, the girls found that they did need to pay, and tickets cost two dollars each.  "Oh, no!  What are we going to do now?" moaned Taylor.  "I really want to see this game!"
 
The girls turned to leave.  "Taylor, this is like what I told you about getting into heaven," said Sherry thoughtfully.  "You had a dollar, and I had nothing.  Which one of us is getting into the ball park?"
 
"Well. . .neither," answered Taylor.
 
"Right."  Sherry nodded.  "And it's like that when it comes to getting into heaven, too.  You have some good works, but you're no better off than a person who has none.  You still can't pay your way into heaven."
 
The discussion was interrupted by a voice behind the girls.  "Why aren't you inside?  The game's about to begin."  They turned to see Sherry's father standing there.
 
"Oh, Daddy, I'm so glad to see you!" exclaimed Sherry.  "We don't have enough money, so we can't buy our tickets."
 
"I can," answered her father, pulling out his wallet.
 
The girls sat down in the bleachers just in time to see the teams take their places on the field.  "You know, Taylor," said Sherry, "we both got here because my father paid for the tickets.  That's like what Jesus did for us.  He paid the price to buy our 'tickets' for heaven."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you expect to get into heaven because you're better than others are?  Nobody is able to make it on his own goodness.  Be sure you're not so proud of your "dollar"-your own goodness-that you refuse Christ's free "ticket."  If you do, you'll end up outside heaven's gate.  Accept His offer today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 3:28)
A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

[Soldier4Christ]

Andy watched the red kite soaring in the bright sky.  His brother Mike grinned.  "Looks like fun, huh, Andy?  Wouldn't you like to be able to fly high like that?" asked Mike.
 
"Sure would!"  Andy grinned back.  "But if I were that kite, I'd want to break loose and fly away, high above the clouds."  His small hands clutched the spool of kite string, trying to make sure his kite didn't get away.
 
Mike laughed.  "But if you broke loose, you'd crash to the ground instead of flying away," he said.  "Without the string, that kite would just fall down here on the field."
 
Andy turned to his father.  "Would it, Daddy?"
 
"Yep."  Dad nodded.  "It flies only because the wind pushes it against the resistance of the string.  Without the control of that string, it would soon fall."	
 
"Oh."  Andy held the spool of string even more tightly.
 
"You know," Dad mused, "in a way, we're something like that kite.  The string guides the kite, and God guides and controls us.  Sometimes it's hard to live the way He wants us to, and we pull against the discipline that He uses to direct us.  We try to break loose and 'fly' our own way.  But if the bond that holds us to Him would ever break-if He'd let us go-we would plunge right down to destruction, like a kite whose string has broken."
 
"Would God ever let us go, Daddy?" asked Andy.
 
"No, Andy.  If you trust Jesus as your Savior, He'll never let you go," Dad assured him.  "The Bible says that nothing can ever separate us from His love.  But it's important to submit ourselves to God's control and not fight against it.  He wants what is best for us.  He'll give us the power to be strong and graceful and beautiful for Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes resent the "strings" you feel God has put on your life?  Do you want to be free to go wherever you like, to choose your own friends, or to pick your own TV programs?  Do you wish you could be rid of an illness, a teacher you dislike, or discipline from a parent?  Everyone feels like that sometimes, but God has a reason for everything He allows to happen in your life.  He wants what is best for you-He wants you to become more like Him.  How awful it would be if God didn't hold you with those strings!  Thank Him for loving you and making you His own.  Ask Him to help you be humble and obedient to Him.