Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Quick!  Someone's coming."  David's friend, Brian, whispered the warning, and David hit the button on the VCR remote control just in time.
 
	"There's the dictionary!" exclaimed Mom, as she came into the den.  She walked to the desk and picked up the dictionary.  "I've been looking all over for this," she said as she left.
 
"Whew!  That was close," exclaimed Brian.  "Turn it back on, Dave."  David knew he shouldn't turn the VCR back on.  The movie Brian had brought over had violent scenes and bad language.  But at Brian's urging, David reluctantly started it, and soon he forgot to wonder if he should be watching it.
 
 After supper, David's younger sister, Marybeth, was contentedly sucking her thumb.  "What's that in your mouth?" Dad asked.  Marybeth quickly took her thumb out of her mouth.  She knew her daddy meant that she shouldn't be sucking on it.  But a little later that evening, David noticed Marybeth lying on the couch, her head buried under a pillow.  He sneaked over and pulled the pillow off his sister's head.  Marybeth was again sucking on her thumb!
 
"Sucking your thumb may damage your teeth whether anyone sees you do it or not," Dad told her gently.
 
"That's right," said Mom.  "Hiding while you do it won't make the damage any less."  She paused, then added, "Hiding any damaging activity from others never lessens the damage done to your body-or to your mind and spirit."
 
It seemed to David that Mom looked right at him while she spoke.  He didn't think she knew about the movie he had watched earlier, but she was right-the damage was done anyway.  He couldn't forget the violence he had seen nor the bad language he had heard.  Besides that, he was very aware that God knew all about it.
 
As David prayed later that night, he confessed what he had done.  He also asked God to give him courage to say "no" the next time he was tempted to do wrong things in secret.
 
The test came a few days later.  "My dad has this great R-rated movie," Brian told him one day.  "We can watch it after school before my folks get home."
 
"No thanks," said David.  "I don't care if our parents don't know.  We know, and God knows."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read magazines, watch movies, or listen to music in secret?  If so, is it because you know it's wrong?  You can't keep a wrong activity from hurting you by hiding it from others.  And, of course, you can't hide what you do from God-He will hold you responsible, even for those things others don't know about.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:25)
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done.

[Soldier4Christ]

Josh squirmed on the wooden bench and poked at the campfire as the other campers headed to their cabins after the missionary finished speaking.  Mr. Trent, the missionary, sat down beside him.  "Is something bothering you tonight?" asked Mr. Trent.
 
Josh sighed and shrugged his shoulders.  "I just don't understand how people like you can do scary things, like going to Africa.  I know I'm supposed to trust God, but I just don't think I could."  He stood up.
 
"Why don't we talk about it a little more," suggested Mr. Trent.
 
"Maybe in the morning," said Josh.  "I have to go to my cabin, now."
 
"No, you better not.  It's dark and you might get lost," warned Mr. Trent.  "You better stay here until morning when you can see."
 
"Our cabin is right over the hill," Josh assured him.  "I just have to follow this trail.  It goes right past it.  I'll even be able to see my cabin when I get to the top of the hill."
 
Mr. Trent smiled.  "You mean you're going to exercise some faith?" he asked.  "You trust that trail.  You know that it has always led you to the cabin, and you have faith to believe that it will do so again.  Well, that's something like the kind of faith I have in God.  I know that if I stay on the trail He puts me on, I will end up in just the right place."  He stood up.  "Now tell me what would happen if you refused to move from this spot until you could see the cabin?"
 
"Well. . .I guess I'd never get there," Josh answered, "because I can't see it from here.  I have to get over the hill first."
 
Mr. Trent nodded.  "It's the same with me," he said.  "If I wait around until I know God's entire plan, I'll never go, because I can't see His entire plan.  So I have to just start out to do what I believe He wants me to do.  That's what faith is-moving ahead to where you know you should be going, even though you can't see the end of the trail."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are some of the things that scare you?  Do you worry about having to talk to someone about Jesus, moving to a new town, or doing something else frightening?  Faith in God means going ahead and doing it because you know it's the right thing to do and because you know that God will lead you there safely.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hurry, Mom," Sam urged.  He was eager to get to his Little League game.  "Can't you drive any faster?
 
 "I'm driving the speed limit," Mother assured him, "and I'm not going to break the law."  Moments later Sam's heart sank as his mother slowed down.  "Oh, oh!  There's road construction ahead, and traffic's backing up," said Mom.
 
"Can't you drive on the shoulder or go across the median to get off and take another road?" asked Sam, sounding desperate.  He could see a long line of cars ahead.
 
"Sam, you're going to have to be patient," said Mother.  "We can't do anything but sit here and wait."
 
"I don't believe this," Sam muttered as Mother turned off the engine.  "You should've taken a different road."  Mother began reading a magazine.  Finally Sam couldn't stand it any longer.  "Can't you do something?" he pleaded.
 
"Why don't you do something, Sam?" answered Mother.  "Why don't you ask Jesus to help with your problem?"
 
Sam decided that might be a good idea.  Dear Jesus, he prayed, please get this traffic started so I can get to my game.  Time passed slowly.  After a while, people got out and stood by their cars.  "See, it didn't do any good to pray.  We're stuck here."  Sam's voice broke.
 
"Maybe you prayed the wrong prayer," suggested Mother.  "Maybe the most important thing isn't getting to your game on time."  Sam looked puzzled.  "Maybe the Lord knows you need to work on patience and consideration of others," Mother added gently.  "You're getting more upset by the minute, and you haven't been speaking very nicely to me."  She put her magazine down.  "Do you know why I turned the engine off when I saw we were going to be delayed?" she asked.
 
"Sure," answered Sam quickly.  "So you don't waste gas."
 
"Right," Mother replied.  "I didn't want to waste energy.  But I'm afraid you're wasting a lot of energy by getting all upset about something we can't do anything about."
 
Sam was quiet.  Then he said, "I'm sorry, Mom.  I'll try to be more patient.  Hey!  Maybe if I develop some patience in the next few minutes, God will let the traffic open up so I can get to my game."  He saw Mother's frown and he grinned.  "Just joking, Mom," he said.  "Just joking."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you become upset when things don't go the way you planned?  Do you get angry at people for things that aren't their   fault?  God wants you to develop patience.  Decide right now to treat others kindly even when you're upset.  Ask the Lord to help you.  Thank Him for the things He sends into your life which teach you to be more patient.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:2)
(Walk) with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dad looked into Ron's room and saw Ron counting money on his bed.  "Wow!" Dad exclaimed.  "It looks like that paper route is really paying off!  Are you planning to buy something?"
 
Ron stared at the money.  "Remember those new skates I want?"
 
Dad nodded.  Ron's parents had told him that if he wanted new skates, he would have to use his own money.  "Have you saved enough?" asked Dad.
 
"Not quite," answered Ron, "but there's a big competition next week, and I was hoping to have the new skates by then.  If I use this money. . . ." he pointed to a pile of coins on the bed, ". . . I do have enough.  But this is money I put away for the Sunday school offering.  I'm not sure I should use it."
 
Dad sat down beside Ron.  "Do you remember when Grandpa found some money at the fair, last year?" Dad asked.
 
"Sure."  Ron nodded.  "When he couldn't find out who it belonged to, he gave some to me."
 
"Yes," said Dad.  "How much of it did he let you have?"
 
"Most of it," Ron remembered.  "He just kept a little to buy a souvenir for Grandma."
 
"Why didn't you ask Grandpa for those last few dollars, too?" asked Dad.
 
"Dad!" Ron protested.  "I couldn't do that.  It was Grandpa's money, and he already let me have most of it.  It would have been selfish to ask for more."
 
"You're right," Dad agreed, "And I'm pleased to know that you're not that greedy.  That's why I don't think you would really want to be selfish with God's money, either.  When you gave yourself to Jesus, you gave Him everything, including your money.  That means all your money is His.  But God is generous enough to let you use most of  it.  He asks you to return only a small amount to build up His church and Kingdom.  Would you really want to take that, too?"
 
"Not when you put it that way," Ron admitted with a sigh.  "I suppose I could work a little harder and make more money before the competition."
 
"I think that's a much better idea," agreed Dad.  "And then you'll have a little more to give to God, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has God given you a chance to make some money-maybe through a paper route, babysitting, or an allowance?  Do you give some back to God?  He doesn't ask for much, but if you're faithful to give it cheerfully, He says He will take care of all your needs.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthains 9:
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kevin watched as his little brother Gary, wearing dark glasses as usual, pedaled his tricycle full speed down the driveway.  It was getting dark out, but lately Gary insisted on wearing sunglasses in rain or shine, light or dark.
 
Then it happened.  Crash!  Bang!  Gary plowed into a skateboard left on the concrete.  Shaking his head, Kevin went to help.  "If you'd take off those dumb-looking sunglasses you could see where you're going," he scolded.
 
Gary brushed himself off.  "I'm not taking 'em off," he said stubbornly.  "I need 'em to be a motorcycle driver!"  Kevin threw up his hands in disgust and left for his boys' club meeting at church.
 
The lesson that day was about heaven.  "Can you imagine never having a cold or a stomach ache or never feeling sad?" asked Mr. Peters, the leader.  "In heaven there will be no sickness nor sorrow.  And in heaven, no one will ever sin-or even want to sin.  There will be nothing to destroy the beauty of heaven."  Kevin tried hard to think of a life that would be perfect, but he really couldn't picture it.
 
"We can't fully know what heaven is like," continued Mr. Peters, "although God has given us some clues in the Bible.  It's a little as if we're wearing dark glasses right now-we can see just enough to give us an idea of how wonderful it will be, but a good deal of our vision of heaven is not clear.  Some great day we'll experience it completely."
 
Kevin thought of Gary wearing sunglasses as he pedaled up and down the driveway, barely able to see in the dusk.  That's like what Mr. Peters is talking about, he thought.  I'm glad I'm going to see heaven for real some day.  Then he grinned.  Meanwhile, I wouldn't mind a bit if Gary would take his glasses off!



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you wondered what heaven will be like?  There are all sorts of wrong ideas about it.  One is that everyone will float on a cloud and have nothing to do except play a little harp.  Such ideas aren't from the Bible, but God does tell us some of the good things that are in store for those who have believed on his Son, Jesus.  There will be only good-no bad.  We'll want to praise God as we should, and we'll be able to please Him perfectly.  Heaven is beautiful in every way, and we'll be fully happy.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Where's Molly, Grandpa?" asked Dan.  "I want to play with her."  Dan had just come to spend a week with Grandpa, and he loved to play with Grandpa's big brown and white collie.  In reply, Grandpa took a whistle from his pocket, put it to his mouth and blew it.  "It doesn't make any sound," said Dan.  "It must be broken."  But just then Molly came running from the woods behind the barn.
 
Grandpa laughed.  "No, the whistle's not broken.  It emits a high-pitched sound that can't be heard by human ears, but a dog can hear it plainly," he explained.  "Molly's been trained to respond to the sound of the whistle."
 
Dan and Molly raced across the yard.  Then Dan threw a stick for Molly to fetch.  She brought it back and waited eagerly for him to throw it again.  Grandpa sat on the porch and watched.  When Dan was tired, he went to sit beside Grandpa, and Molly lay down nearby.
 
"May I play with your whistle, Grandpa?" Dan asked.
 
"No, Dan."  Grandpa shook his head.  "It's not a toy.  We use it only when we want Molly to respond.  It gets her attention every time."  He paused, then added, "While I was watching you and Molly play, I was thinking of some of the ways God calls us when He wants our attention."
 
"But God doesn't have a whistle," said Dan with a laugh.
 
Grandpa smiled.  "No," he said, "but sometimes He speaks out loud to us through our parents, teachers, and pastors.  Sometimes He speaks through the Bible as we read it or listen to it being read.  And sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks silently through our consciences and minds."
 
"And we're the only ones who hear Him, aren't we?" Dan asked, remembering how the guys on his baseball team couldn't understand why he went to church on Sundays even when there was a game scheduled.
 
"That's right," agreed Grandpa.  "Only God's children can hear and understand what He says to them."
 
Dan scratched Molly's ears.  "I'll try to answer as quickly when God 'whistles' for me as you do when someone whistles for you," he told her.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has God "whistled" for you?  Has He spoken to you through His Word?  Has He spoken through a parent, a teacher, or a pastor?  Has He pricked your conscience regarding something you should do or should not do?  Pay attention.  Heed His call.  Do what He asks.  It's the only way you can be truly happy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:27)
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, you should've seen the play I made!"  Jenny burst into the kitchen as she spoke.  "I won the soccer game, and kids gave me a big cheer!  Aren't you proud of me?"
 
"Yeah, she made a great play," agreed her brother Eric.
 
"Good," Dad said.  "All your practice paid off.  That was a good win for the team."
 
"It's a good win for me," Jenny answered.
 
For days, all Jenny talked about was her big play in the last game.  "Soccer is my favorite game," she told people proudly.  "I guess that's why I'm so good at it."
 
Toward the end of the week, Jenny seemed sad and quiet.  "What's the matter, honey?" asked Mom as they finished dinner.  "Don't you feel well?"
 
"I don't think my friends like me anymore," Jenny answered, trying not to cry.  "I think they're just jealous because I'm so good at soccer."
 
"Hardly!" said Eric scornfully.  "They don't like your swelled head!"
 
Dad took a large balloon from a drawer and handed it to Jenny.  "Blow it up, Jenny," he suggested.  "Make it as big as you can get it."
 
Jenny was curious, but she started to blow up the balloon.  When she stopped for more air, Dad signaled for her to keep blowing.  As the balloon got bigger and bigger, Eric put his hands over his ears.  BANG!  The balloon burst, and pieces flew all over.  Jenny looked startled.
 
"Jenny," Dad said, "I think your pride is like that balloon.  It grew and grew.  You saw how Eric covered his ears when the balloon was getting bigger.  Well, when we become conceited and think we are better than everyone else, those around us sort of 'cover their ears'-they don't like to hear what's coming.  Your friends may be tired of hearing how great you think you are.  Perhaps God is, too.  After all, you have no skills at all other than those He has given you."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you do some things very well?  Do you brag about them?  How do you think others feel when you act like you're better than they are?  Don't brag.  Instead, remember that all the abilities you have come from God.  Thank Him for them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 16:18)
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aneca, who had been exploring in her aunt's attic, stooped to go out through the little attic doorway.  "Look what I found," she said, holding out a doll.  "Was it yours?"
 
Aunt Twila's face broke into a big grin, causing even her large dark eyes to smile.  "Oh, you've found my Cabbage Patch doll-little Rosie May.  I used to play with her all the time when I was your age."  Aunt Twila held out her arms for the doll.
 
Aneca wrinkled her nose.  "What's a Cabbage Patch doll?" she asked.
 
Aunt Twila settled the soft body of the doll into the crook of her arm like a real baby.  Its round, brown face smiled up at her.  "Haven't you seen them in the stores?" she asked.  Aneca shook her head.  "Well, they're dolls that were very popular some years ago," explained Aunt Twila.  "They came with birth certificates, and we were crazy about them.  One year they were almost impossible to find at Christmas time, so Mama bought Rosie May for my birthday in April." 

She looked at the doll thoughtfully.  "You know," she said, "I remember a message our pastor gave the Christmas before I got Rosie May.  He referred to the fact that, although these dolls would lose their popularity in a year or two, people were still willing to stand in line and pay big money to get them.  He pointed out that material things can never bring fulfillment and lasting joy, but Jesus does.  He said that Jesus would never be forgotten, and His gift is absolutely free!"
 
Aunt Twila handed the doll back to Aneca.  "Pastor Smith was right!  Although you can still buy Cabbage Patch dolls in the stores today, people don't seem to get all excited about them anymore.  But I still get excited when I think about Jesus and all He's done for me!"
 
Aneca looked at the doll.  "Rosie May is nice," she said, "but I can't believe you and your friends got that excited over a doll.  I mean. . .I can't imagine getting all that excited over something like this!"
 
Aunt Twila's eyes twinkled as she quickly stepped into her bedroom and came back out with a hand behind her back.  "Then you won't be interested in this," she said, holding out her hand.
 
Aneca's eyes danced.  "A Beanie Baby!" she exclaimed.  "I don't have that one, and. . .oh!  I guess my friends and I are a lot like you and your friends after all!"
 
Aunt Twila laughed.  "Well, one thing's for sure:  Dolls and toys may have changed, but Jesus is still the same.  He's the one to really get excited about!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you stand in long lines to get certain things?  Are there some things your friends have that you'd give almost anything to have?  Don't forget that the greatest gift of all is the salvation Jesus offers.  It's absolutely free and will never be outdated!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 6:23)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mark placed the ladder against the garden shed and climbed carefully onto the roof.  He stood up slowly.
 
"Mark! What are you doing up there?" called Dad.
 
"Practicing!" Mark yelled back.  "I've got to jump off the roof of the shed at school tomorrow.  Do you think God will give me wings?"
 
"Hold it!" exclaimed Dad.  "What did you say you're going to do?"
 
"I said I have to jump off the roof," repeated Mark patiently.
 
"You'll do nothing of the sort!" said Dad.  "Come down at once!"
 
"But it's to prove my faith," protested Mark.
 
Dad looked puzzled.  "Prove your. . .climb down and explain."
 
"I was telling some guys at school about Jesus, but they laughed and said it was all rubbish and they don't believe there's a God.  Then Nick dared me to jump off the roof-if I do it without getting hurt, he'll believe in God!"  Mark climbed down carefully.  "I remembered that the Bible says you can move a mountain if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, so I'm praying that God will move me safely off the top of the shed."
 
Dad sighed.  "Mark, God can move even more than a mountain-nothing is impossible for Him.  But when you ask Him for something, you must make sure it is in keeping with His will.  And I don't think jumping from the roof to 'prove' something to a group of boys is God's will!"
 
"But Dad. . . ."
 
"When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, one of the temptations was to jump down from the highest point of the temple," Dad reminded Mark.  "Do you remember Jesus' reply?"
 
"Do not put the Lord your God to the test," said Mark promptly.
 
Dad nodded.  "And you don't have the right to put God to the test, either," he said.  	"Your friends have dared you to do something foolish; you don't have to do it!"
 
"Okay," agreed Mark thoughtfully.  "I'll tell them that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Jesus has promised that whatever we ask in His name He will do.  And asking "in His name" doesn't mean asking for something against God's will, like asking that something bad happen to another person or trying to put God to the test and make Him "prove" Himself.  Next time you ask for something make sure you are truly asking "in His name."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Deuteronomy 6:16)
Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Linda and her friend, Shawna, sat at the table, talking.  Little Zach sat on the floor nearby, playing with his new building blocks.  "Did you see Rachel today?" asked Linda.  "She got her hair all chopped off, and it looks just awful!"
 
"If she were smart, she'd dye it" said Shawna with a laugh.  "I'm so glad I don't have hair the color of hers."
 
"Did you know that Mona dyes her hair?" asked Linda.
 
"No!" gasped Shawna.  "No wonder it's so blonde.  Well, she's so fat, she may as well do something to try to improve herself."  She nibbled on a cookie.  "Did you see Susan Martin's new green coat?"
 
"I liked it okay," said Linda as she finished her milk.
 
"The coat was okay," agreed Shawna, "but she looks horrid in that color!"
 
Mother, who was listening, began to speak, but just then a horn sounded outside.  "There's my mom," said Shawna, getting up quickly.  "'Bye, everybody."  As she headed for the door, her long coat brushed against the tall block building Zach had just finished, knocking it over.
 
Zach stared at the fallen blocks until she was out the door.  "Mommy," he moaned, "Shawna tore my building down."
 
"I know, honey," sympathized Mother, "but it was an accident.  Why don't you go build it back up again?  It will make you feel better."  As Zach got busy, Mother looked at Linda and added, "I'm afraid Shawna's not the only one who knocked down something that took a long time to build.  I'm afraid you've done the same thing."
 
"Me?" asked Linda.  "I didn't even touch Zach's blocks."
 
"No," said Mother, "but you girls sat at this table and tore apart half of your friends.  How do you think God feels about that? When you belittle His creation, you belittle Him.  Don't you think that's even more serious than knocking down a few blocks?"
 
Linda stared down at the table.  "I. . .I guess so."
 
"Zach's block building was important to him," said Mother.  "How much more important are people whom God has created!  You should  build them up, not tear them down."
 
Linda nodded.  "But how do I do that?" she asked.
 
"By compliments and kind words, not by criticism," said Mother. "From now on, when you hear criticism of another person, try to replace it with a compliment.  You could begin by calling Shawna and telling her something nice about each person you knocked down."	



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you compliment or criticize?  The Bible says to speak evil of no one.  Don't tear down; build up instead.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:29)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[Soldier4Christ]

"George is such a pain," complained Ben, as he placed the Noah's Ark toy elephants side by side.  "He's always talking about how he played soccer in the school he used to go to.  Who cares?"
 
Katie picked up the pig.  "He couldn't be worse than Anna," she said. I don't think she ever takes a bath and her hair looks like a broom!  I'm going to ask Mrs. James if I can change places next week."  She set the pig down.
 
"Hey!  You better not put your pig next to Mrs. Noah," said Ben.  "I'm sure she wouldn't like the smell!"
 
Katie giggled.  "I wouldn't have liked to be Mrs. Noah, living with a boat full of smelly, noisy animals!  I bet they fought a lot, too."
 
"I like to think neither the Noah family or the animals had fights," said Mom.  "I should think they would have been so thankful to be on the ark-their safe place from the storm and flood-that they would have put up with bad smells and loud noises."
 
"I guess so," agreed Katie.  "I mean, what's a bad smell-even pigs-compared to being drowned?"
 
"But I guess you two would have grumbled and complained even inside the ark!" continued Mom.
 
"Mom!" cried Katie indignantly.  "Why would you say that?"
 
"Well, listen to you grumble about your classmates," said Mom.  "I understand that George and Anna's habits and manners may be pretty annoying sometimes, but from what you've told me before, I gather that they both come from homes where no one gives them much attention.  Have you forgotten that you are blessed to be part of a Christian family and that you know the Lord Jesus?  He provides a safe place from the storms of the world.  Perhaps George and Anna don't have that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you constantly annoyed with your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do you snap at those who are slow?  Do you ridicule those who are clumsy?  Do you ignore those you consider ugly?  Christ's Body, the Church, is like Noah's Ark-it carries all God's children, including those who look different, talk different, act different, even smell different!  It's not always easy to like or understand others, but we are called to accept them and live in harmony with them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthains 1:10)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ugh!  Mom, the smell in that house is horrible!" said Misty as she and her mother got into the car.  "How does Mrs. Brown stand it?"
 
"Honey, she probably doesn't even smell it; she's so used to it," said Mom as they drove away.  They had been visiting an elderly lady from their church who was homebound.  She had several cats and a dog living in her house with her. 
 
"Now I know why you make me change Feisty's litter box so often,"  said Misti.  "I'm sure glad our house doesn't smell like that!  I could never get used to it."
 
"Don't be so sure," said Mom.  "Remember when we went to visit Aunt Allie on her farm?  We thought we'd never be able to stay three days with her, because the smell from the cattle barn across the road was so bad.  But after several hours we hardly noticed the smell any more."
 
"That's right, I remember.  The smell was awful at first.  Aunt Allie said it was because the wind was blowing from that direction.  I thought the wind must have changed before we left, but Aunt Allie said it hadn't," mused Misty.  "You know, Mom, that's like my Sunday school lesson last week.  It was about our consciences being seared.  My teacher says it means that, little by little, we get used to things that are wrong.  Then before we realize it, our consciences don't bother us at all, and we don't even think of our sin as wrong anymore.  That's worse than Mrs. Brown and Aunt Allie getting used to those awful smells, isn't it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you growing used to the sin in your life that once bothered you?  Confess it today, and ask the Lord to keep your conscience alert and sensitive to sin.  Ask Him to remind you of things that are wrong and then to help you live a life pleasing to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Job 27:6)
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Mom, can I have this?" asked Todd eagerly.  "I found it in the garage."  In his hand, he held a flower pot with what appeared to be a dead geranium plant.
 
"Whatever do you want with that?" asked Mother.
 
"At school today, I saw a book with pictures of a desert," replied Todd.  "One picture showed the desert all bare and brown and dead-looking, with only a few cactus sticking up here and there.  Another showed it after it rained, and there were green bushes and some flowers were blooming.  The book said the rain came suddenly and got soaked up by the sand almost right away.  It said that after a rain, new life comes up from the dry soil."
 
"I see," said Mother, "and what does that have to do with this old geranium?"
 
"I want to try an experiment," said Todd.  "I want to see if this plant will come back to life if I water it good."
 
So, with Mother's permission, Todd put the plant, pot and all, into a pan of water.  After the dry soil absorbed a lot of water, he set it in a warm, sunny window.  When he went to check on it a few days later, he found that small green shoots had sprung out of the apparently dead stem.  He hurried to tell his mother about it.
 
That evening as Todd was telling the rest of his family about the success of his experiment, the phone rang, and Mother went to answer it.  "Carl Matthews has had a heart attack," said Mother when she had hung up the phone.  "He's in very serious condition, and all the church members are being asked to pray for him."
 
"Does it help to have lots of people pray?" asked Todd.  "Or to pray a whole lot about something yourself?"
 
"Well," Dad spoke up, "we certainly need to stay in touch with Jesus regularly.  Careful, consistent prayer helps us grow spiritually-just like regular, careful watering of that geranium would have kept it in better condition.  But God's Word teaches that extreme circumstances call for extreme actions.  The story of Peter's deliverance from prison demonstrates that.  Just like your geranium needed a flood of water, sometimes we need 'floods' of prayer."
 
"Yes," agreed Mother.  "God is never upset by urgent requests and large volumes of prayer when the need is great; in fact, He honors such requests."
 
"And we need to pray for Mr. Matthews right now," added Dad.  "Let's pray together."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you prayed for someone who was sick or had an urgent need?  Have you had a special need that you had no way to meet yourself?  Remember to talk regularly to the Lord about all the things that happen in your life.  And don't be afraid to ask other believers to join you in praying about special, urgent requests.  He wants you to do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 5:16)
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bethany ran up the stairs and into the church foyer.  "Dad!" she called as she marched towards her father and thrust her Bible into his hands.  "Look at this.  Noah didn't just take two of every kind of animal on the ark.  He took seven of some!  Did you know that?"
 
Dad nodded.  "But I didn't know it when I was your age," he added.  "In fact I was sixteen, and I learned it the hard way."  He smiled sheepishly.  "I was sitting in the back of a small country church," he said, "and the pastor said that Noah led in two of some kinds of animals and seven of others.  I actually stood up and corrected him."
 
Bethany's eyes grew wide.  "You didn't," she gasped.  "What did he say?"
 
"He was very gracious," said Dad.  "He smiled and thanked me for pointing out what a lot of people were probably thinking.  Then he asked everyone to turn with him to Genesis seven, and of course, I quickly saw that I was wrong."
 
"How embarrassing!"  Bethany giggled.
 
"Yes," agreed Dad, "but it was a valuable lesson.  I hope you can learn from it, too, instead of embarrassing yourself, like I did-or worse."
 
"What could be worse than that?" asked Bethany.
 
"Believing a lie," Dad answered, and his face became serious.  "A lot of people preach things that the Bible really doesn't say, and they're not going to remind you to check it out.  That's how cults get started and how people get led away from the truth.  That's why you always need to check things out with the Word of God.  Even when the pastor is preaching."
 
"But our pastor would never mislead us," protested Bethany.
 
"No," Dad agreed, "I don't believe he would.  But if he did, would you know?"
 
Bethany took her Bible back from Dad as they walked into the service together.  "I will now," she said, sitting down.  "I'll follow along when Pastor Hunt reads and preaches from the Bible."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take your Bible to church?  Do you follow along with the pastor's message?  When you hear something new, do you check it out?  Most pastors know the Word of God well, but they can make mistakes.  Others will intentionally lead you astray.  If you are fortunate enough to have a Bible, use it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:35)
Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I wish I had enough money to buy that new game I've been wanting," said Ben to his friend Jacob.  "If only there were some way I could make extra cash."  Ben thought a minute.  "Oh, I just remembered!" he continued.  "You wanted to buy the tires from my old bike, and Dad said it would be okay.  So if you still want them, I'll sell you the tires and go get the game."
 
 "My dad okayed it, too, so it's a deal," Jacob agreed.
 
When Jacob paid Ben for the tires, Ben used part of the money to buy the game he wanted.  Jacob often played with him, and the boys enjoyed it nearly every day.
 
When the weather turned sunnier, Ben and Jacob began taking long bike rides-until one day when Ben ran over a broken bottle and slashed his front tire.  "Oh, no!" he exclaimed.   "Now what am I going to do?  I wish I had kept those old bike tires I sold to you."
 
"Well, I only used one, so I'll sell the other back to you," offered Jacob.
 
"It's a deal," agreed Ben.  The boys got the tire and went to Ben's house to fix his bike.
 
When Ben's dad came home, he saw the boys at work.  "I thought you sold those tires to Jacob," he said.
 
"I bought this one back," explained Ben.
 
Dad smiled.  "You redeemed it."
 
"Redeemed it?" asked Ben.  "Isn't that a Bible word?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Yes, it's used many times in the Bible.  What you did with the bike tire is a good example of the meaning of the word.  'Redeemed' simply means 'bought back.'  God wanted to buy us back from the slavery of sin.  He knew we were sinful people and that the only way we could be redeemed was for His Son to die.  We weren't redeemed by money, but rather by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ."
 
"Wow!" said Ben.  "Now when I hear that word I'll know what it means."  He grinned as he pumped up the tire.  "I'm glad I redeemed this tire from Jacob, and  I'm glad Jesus gave His blood to redeem me, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been redeemed?  If you're not a Christian, you are a slave to sin.  This sin separates you from God.  He had to pay the price to redeem you-to buy you out of sin and back to Himself.  No amount of money can do that.  It's only through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that you can be redeemed from sin.  Believe what Jesus has done for you, and accept Him into your life.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. . .but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.