Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sarah, it's about time to go pick up Jenny from preschool," called Mom.
 
"Coming, Mom," responded Sarah.  She had a day off from school because of teacher conferences, and she enjoyed these rare opportunities to go along to get her sister from preschool.  "Can we go early and watch a little while?" she asked.  The preschool was also a training school for early education students at the university, so there was a large, one-way, mirrored window.  College students and parents could observe the activities through the large window, but the children could not see them.
 
"Okay," agreed Mom, picking up her car keys. 
 
"Can I have a piece of candy, Mom?" asked Sarah.
 
"No.  It's too close to lunch time," said Mom.  "Let's go."  But after Mom went out the door, Sarah grabbed a piece of candy and popped it into her mouth.  She got into the car, sure that Mom would never know.
 
When they arrived at the school, they stood at the window and watched.  "Jenny gets to do the weather chart today," said Mom as Jenny took the "cloudy" sticker up to the calendar.
 
"Look at that boy next to the teacher," said Sarah.  "He's poking the girl in the pink dress.  She looks like she's ready to slug him."  She laughed.  "If that were Jenny getting poked, she definitely would slug him."
 
Mom glanced at Sarah.  "Why is your tongue green?" asked Mom. 
 
"I. . .I. . . ."  Sarah didn't know what to say as Mom looked at her sternly.  "I had. . .I had a piece of candy," admitted Sarah.
 
Mom nodded.  "And you thought I'd never know, didn't you?" she asked.  "Even if I had never found out, God knew.  You disobeyed me, and that disappoints Him.  I don't see everything you do, but God does."  She motioned toward the window.  "It's like this one-way mirror here," she added.  "We can see Jenny and her teacher and the boy poking the little girl, but they can't see us.  We can see everything that goes on in that room, good and bad.  And God sees all that happens here on earth.  We can't hide anything we do from Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever tempted to cheat on a test or homework assignment, or to steal a pack of gum from the store when you're sure no one will see?  Even if no person ever sees you or catches you, God sees everything you do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 90:
Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Pastor Page began his sermon, Debbie yawned and began scribbling a note on her bulletin.  "Dear Carol," she wrote.  "Sorry I can't study at your house tomorrow night.  My mom and I signed up for an exercise class at the YWCA.  I think it will be fun!"  Then she added, "Much more fun that sitting here for an hour.  What a drag!"   Debbie folded the note and turned around to pass it, but she noticed Mother frowning at her.  So she stuffed it into her purse and read her Sunday school paper instead.
 
As Debbie and her folks drove home from church, Mother said, "I wish you'd pay more attention during the sermon, honey."
 
"Sermons are boring," Debbie grumbled.
 
"You're old enough to listen and take notes," said Dad.  "If you'd do that, you'd get more out of the message."
 
The next night, Debbie excitedly went with her mother to the big gym at the YWCA.  She was impressed with all the exercise equipment available to them, and she had a great time trying it out during the class.  "That sure was neat, Mom," she said happily as they drove home.  "I like using all that stuff.  Maybe we can try out the pool next time."
 
Mother yawned.  "It sure made me tired," she said.
 
"I'm tired, too," agreed Debbie, "but it was fun.  My muscles are a little sore, but I feel good.  I know that working out makes me stronger."
 
Mother smiled.  "I know what you mean," she said with a nod.  "That's how I felt after my workout yesterday, too."
 
"Yesterday?" Debbie frowned.  "You didn't exercise yesterday, Mom.  It was Sunday.  We just went to church."
 
"Ah, but I got a spiritual workout yesterday," said Mother, "and I needed that.  I'm afraid you missed it, though.  You see, you can't just sit in church on Sundays and expect to grow spiritually.  If you want to become 'strong in the Lord,' you need to pay attention and try to learn more about Him.  You need to 'exercise your mind,' like you do your body."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel that church is a waste of time-that you don't get anything out of it?  Church is not a place to sit and daydream.  It's a place where true believers in Christ meet to worship and serve God and to learn how to live for Him.  Don't let church become a bore.  Get involved.  The more you put into it, the more you'll benefit from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 13:9)
For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.

[Soldier4Christ]

In the express lane at the store, Joe stood on one foot and then the other, waiting to pay the cashier for the brown sugar he had promised to get for Grannie Moore.  The conversation of the two elderly men in front of him caught his attention.  "I declare," complained one, "that grandson of mine is good for nothin'.  His folks hire someone to mow their lawn while that kid sits in front of the TV all day."
 
"Yep," the other agreed, "this younger generation is spoiled rotten, if you ask me.  Good for nothing is right."  All the way back to Grannie's, Joe fumed.  He knew lots of kids who were good for lots of things.
 
When Joe handed Grannie her brown sugar and change, she tried to return the money to him.  "No.  No."  Joe put his hands in his pockets.  "It was right on my way.  I was glad to do it for you."
 
Mother was just getting her coat on when  Joe arrived home.  "Watch Sherrie for me, please, Joe," she said.  "I need to run a few errands."  Joe nodded, and while Sherrie played on the swing set, Joe finished trimming a hedge his dad had started.
 
At the dinner table that evening, Joe repeated the conversation he had heard at the supermarket.  Just talking about it upset him.  "Well, they did have a point," said Dad.  Joe's head jerked up.  "A lot of kids today are good for nothing," added Dad.  "Take yourself for instance."
 
Mother almost dropped her fork.  "Don, are you saying that Joe is good for nothing?"
 
"W-e-e-ell," drawled Dad, "today he ran an errand for Grannie Moore.  What did you get paid for that, Joe?"
 
Joe shrugged.  "Nothing."
 
"And then you babysat Sherrie for your mother, and it looks like you trimmed the hedge for me.  What did you get paid for those jobs?"
 
"Well, nothing," Joe responded.
 
"Then I guess you're good for nothing, Joe."  Dad laughed.  "And I reckon there are a lot more kids out there who are just as 'good for nothing' as you are."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you good for nothing, or do you expect to be paid for everything you do?  Start doing at least one good deed a day for nothing.  Don't expect anything, not even praise or thanks.  God is pleased by such actions.  In heaven you will be rewarded for the things done for "nothing."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:20)
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Matt climbed into Grandpa's car, he held out a tin can.  "Look, Grandpa!  I dug some worms for bait yesterday."
 
 Grandpa smiled.  "I've heard that the fish are really going for spawn bags-salmon eggs.  I brought some along," he replied, "but you can try the worms if you want to."
 
"Oh, they'll like these," Matt said confidently.
 
Later, as Matt and Grandpa sat on the cold concrete of the pier, they talked about fishing and the weather.  Then Grandpa asked, "How is your friend Alex?  Have you been able to witness to him?"
 
"I've tried, Grandpa, but he never seems interested."  Matt sighed.  "Like last week I saw him smoking, so I told him smoking was a sin and that if he were a Christian, he'd know better.  He just looked at me funny and walked away.  And the other day he told me he had gone to church with his uncle.  I told him his uncle's church doesn't preach the gospel, and that our church is much better."
 
"How did your friend react?" asked Grandpa.
 
"He just got mad," said Matt.  "I don't think he'll ever want to know about Jesus."  He frowned as he added, "And I don't think I'll ever catch any fish.  You've caught two big ones so far, and I haven't had a nibble."
 
"Now don't get discouraged," began Grandpa.  Then he shouted, "Whoa!  I think I've got one!"  Sure enough, he reeled in a large fish and caught it up with his net.  "Sure you don't want to try some of my bait?" asked Grandpa as he held up the fish.
 
"I guess I will," decided Matt.  "I thought all fish liked worms, but I guess they don't."
 
Grandpa shook his head.  "A real fisherman learns about the fish he's trying to catch," he said, "and uses the kind of bait that type of fish likes -whether it's worms, minnows, or something else."  Grandpa paused long enough to fasten a spawn bag to Matt's line.  "And you know, Matt, the principle of using the right bait applies to witnessing for the Lord, too.  Some people will respond to a simple, straightforward approach.  Others need a gentler touch and must be won with soft words and acts of kindness."
 
"You mean. . .like Alex?" asked Matt thoughtfully.
 
Grandpa nodded.  "It sounds like you've been pretty blunt with him.  Many people don't respond to that.  Maybe you could try to attract him by inviting him to Sunday school or other activities where he'll enjoy himself and hear the Gospel, too."  He smiled at Matt.  "And don't forget that your own actions and kind words can also attract him to Jesus." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you unsure about how to witness to your friends?  Do you get discouraged if they don't respond right away? Take time to really get to  know them.  Find out more about their backgrounds, what they believe, and what their needs are.  Then ask God to show you how to present Christ to them in the best way possible.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wasn't Dr. Franklin's message scary last night?" asked Kathy with a shiver.  She and her brother Kevin had heard a missionary speaker at their church tell about heathen practices of black magic, voodoo, and Satan worship.
 
"Yeah-creepy!" Kevin replied as they went out to play.  "I'd sure hate to meet one of those witch doctor guys in a dark alley."
 
Soon, the children came bursting back into the house.  "Dad!" shouted Kathy as her brother held out a stick with a large green caterpillar on it.  "Look at this thing.  It looks like it has great big eyes and an ugly monster face!"
 
Dad looked up from his newspaper.  He smiled as he looked at the caterpillar.  "He does look rather scary, doesn't he?" he said.  "But don't let that 'monster face' fool you.  Actually, it's not a face at all-just a pattern of markings.  I've read that he's designed that way to scare away any bird who might want to eat him.  His real head is on the other end.  See?"
 
Kathy laughed as they peered at the caterpillar.  "So he looks like a monster, but he's really just a harmless worm," she said.
 
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Dad said.  "If enough of these got into our garden, they could do a lot of damage.  So he is dangerous, but not in the way you thought."  Then Dad added, "You know, Satan is like this caterpillar-he has two sides, too."
 
"What do you mean, Dad?" asked Kevin.
 
"Well, last night we heard about what we might call the 'scary' side of Satan, causing people to commit sins like witchcraft and magic spells," Dad explained.  "That side of Satan is very dangerous, and we sometimes tend to think that if those things aren't happening in our own neighborhood, we're safe from Satan's influence.  But the main reason Satan is dangerous is because he tempts us to commit 'ordinary' sins-like lying, gossip, disobedience, pride, and unbelief.  Don't be fooled, kids.  Sin doesn't have to be 'scary' to be dangerous!  It all leads us away from God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're safe from Satan's influence because you don't worship idols or practice witchcraft?  Satan knows that even "ordinary" sins are enough to separate you from God and to keep you from doing His will.  Don't be ever think that any sin is harmless!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[Soldier4Christ]

Eric loved to take his dog, Butch, and go exploring along the creek on their ranch.  One day after they headed across the pasture.  Eric could see the cattle a safe distance away.  But when they stopped to examine some tracks, Eric heard an angry bellow and the sound of something crashing through the brush.  His feet froze as a black Angus cow charged toward him.
 
Just then, Butch, who had been taught to leave the cows alone, lunged at the cow, snarling furiously.  The cow shook her head, turned her attention to Butch, and a moment later, rammed the dog against the ground.
 
Eric pulled himself into a tree, thinking Butch could take care of himself.  But when he looked back down, he knew he was wrong.  Please, God, take care of Butch, he pleaded as the angry cow charged Butch again.
 
Eric watched until the cow finally returned to the brush.  He could see her newborn calf, half hidden by bushes.  Eric climbed from the tree and hurried to Butch's still form.  A lump rose in his throat as he picked up his dog and struggled toward the house.  "Dad!  Mom!" he called frantically.  "Help me!"  They came running, and tears streamed down Eric's cheeks as he told about the cow.
 
Dad put his ear to Butch's chest.  "His heart is still beating," he said.  "Let's get him to the vet."
 
While Eric sat in the waiting room, Dr. Colby spent a very long time examining and caring for Butch.  "Your dog is going to be okay," said Dr. Colby when he finally returned, "but he has several broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a concussion.  I'll keep him here until he's stronger."
 
Eric and Dad rode home in silence.  "Butch went after that cow so it wouldn't hurt me," said Eric finally. 
 
Dad nodded.  "Butch willingly faced death so you could live," he said, "and do you know what that reminds me of?  It reminds me of Jesus' sacrifice.  He loved us so much that He suffered pain in His body, mind, and spirit, and He gave His life to save us from death.  In doing that He showed us what love truly is."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted Jesus' sacrifice of love?  Like everyone, you have sinned, and God requires that sin must be punished.  Jesus took the punishment you deserve by willingly giving His life.  You can tell Jesus right now you are sorry for your sins and ask Him to forgive you.  Thank Him for giving His life for you.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (
1 John 3;16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Marcy screamed and sat up in bed.  She began to cry.  Her parents quickly came to her bedside, and her mother held her tightly.  "Won't it ever stop?" asked Marcy between sobs.  "I had another nightmare about the accident when Karen died.  I keep seeing the car wreck."
 
 "Try to remember your sister the way she used to be-lively, loving and beautiful," Marcy's father suggested.
 
"I try," said Marcy, "but I can't seem to remember her that way."
 
"Honey, you know that Karen was a Christian," Mother reminded her, "so she's not really dead.  She's alive in heaven-can you picture her there?"
 
Marcy shook her head.  "I can't see her that way, either," she said sadly.
 
I want to show you something," said Dad.  "I'll get it."  He left the room, returning soon with a watch, which he placed in Marcy's hand.
 
Marcy shuddered.  "Oh, take Karen's watch away," she begged.  "It's all broken from the wreck-just like Karen."
 
Dad took the watch.  "Yes," he said, "like Karen.  The case is scratched, and the crystal's broken-but let's look inside."  After some prying, Dad lifted the watch from the case.  "Look, Marcy.  It's still running," he said.  "Only the outside was ruined.  In the same way, our precious Karen is still living.  Only the 'case' she lived in here-her body-is dead."
 
Marcy looked at the watch for a long moment.  Then she looked up with a trembling smile.  "Karen truly is still alive, isn't she?" she said.  "I knew that, but it just never seemed real before."
 
"I'll get a new case for this watch, and you may have it as a reminder," said Dad.  "Remember-Karen will have a new body some day, too-her very same body, made over new.  We'll see her and know her."
 
"I'll always keep the watch near me," promised Marcy.  "When bad thoughts or dreams come, I'll see the watch ticking, and I'll think of Karen still living in heaven and waiting for her new body-and for us to join her!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has death taken away someone you love?  Does this seem very final?  A person never really dies-he just lays aside the body for a while.  If you and your loved one are both Christians, you'll meet again, and you'll be together forever.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 3:2)
When He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Kurt, there's old Tony at his newspaper stand," said Kyle.  "Let's have some fun.  You keep Tony's attention, and I'll get a magazine or comic book or something."  In the alley a few moments later, each boy held a comic book.  "Tony didn't even notice me!" exclaimed Kyle.  "He was watching you."
 
Kurt laughed.  "Yeah.  I made him think I was after a paper for my dad.  That was great fun!"
 
"Maybe you think prison will be fun, too," said a voice behind the boys.  They whirled around to see a police officer standing there.
 
Since it was the boys' first "run-in" with the law, Tony agreed not to press charges.  However, the officer took the boys to the nearby police station and called their boys parents.  Before they were released, they were given a stern lecture and warning.
 
"I can't see why there should be such a fuss just over snitching a couple of comic books," complained Kyle when they were ready to go.
 
"Yeah," agreed Kurt.  "It was such a little thing."
 
"Boys, you stole something and thought it was fun," said Kurt's father.
 
Kyle's father nodded.  "And I'm afraid you don't even feel any regret-except for getting caught.  That's serious.  It's the way a life of crime often begins."
 
"Aw, Dad, you don't really believe we'd do anything really bad, do you?" objected Kyle.  "We wouldn't take anything really big."
 
"All stealing is equally sinful," replied Dad.  He put on his overcoat.  "I find this especially disappointing since both of you claim to be Christians."  He looked at them solemnly.  "You do, don't you?" he asked.
 
"Well, sure," said Kurt, "but you can't expect kids to act like grownups.  I'll settle down when I'm older."
 
"Me, too," agreed Kyle.  "We'll end up okay."
 
"You're old enough to know right from wrong," said Dad, "and God expects you to use that knowledge to live a life pleasing to Him right now."  He began to button his coat.  When he finished, he said, "Would you look at that?  Something's wrong with my new coat.  There's one button too many on the top and one too few on the bottom."
 
The boys looked at Dad and laughed.  "You started out wrong," said Kyle.  "If you want to finish right, you have to start out right."
 
"My point exactly," agreed Dad.  "To help make sure you 'finish right,' Kyle, we have some 'business' to take care of at home."
 
"And. Kurt, we have some things to settle with ;you, too," added Kurt's father.  Reluctantly the boys turned to leave.  They knew what that "business" would be.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think it doesn't matter what you do while you're young, as long as you end up okay later on?  It does matter because the way you conduct yourself now may well be the way you'll "end up," too.  With God's help, choose the right way now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I can stay at your house till four o'clock," Emily told Sara as she looked at the round, gold-colored watch on her wrist.  "That gives us an hour to play." 
 
The girls first played with Sara's new doll house.  "Do we have time to roller skate?" asked Sara after a while.
 
"Sure.  It's only twenty after three," replied Emily after checking her watch.  "We have lots of time."  So they got out Sara's roller skates and took turns skating up and down the driveway until Sara's dad came home.
 
"Your dad's home early today," Emily said.  "It's only twenty after three."  She looked at her watch again.  "Twenty after three!  That's what it was a long time ago.  My watch must be broken!"  She grabbed her school books and hurried all the way home.
 
Mother was hanging up the phone when Emily ran into the kitchen.  The clock on the wall said four forty-five.  "I'm sorry I'm late," said Emily quickly.  "My beautiful watch that Grandma gave me-it's broken!"  She burst into tears.
 
Mother put her arm around Emily.  "I think I know what's wrong," she said after checking the watch.  "After dinner we'll go get a new battery for it."  They did, and when the new battery was in place, the watch ran as good as ever.
 
Back home, Emily ran to show Dad.  He smiled.  "The new battery gave it new power, and that did the trick," he said.  "That reminds me of God's power.  He made us to have fellowship with Him.  Sometimes sin gets in the way, and our fellowship with God is broken.  We no longer do what He wants us to do.  But when we repent and confess our sin, He forgives.  He restores the fellowship.  Then we have new power to do right."
 
Emily admired the watch  on her arm.  "It's like He gets us started running right again," she said with a smile.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you do wrong, you may think your fellowship with God must be broken forever.  That is not so.  If you're sorry and confess your sins to Him, He'll forgive and make you clean again.  Is there something for which you need to ask forgiveness?  A lie?  An unkind word?  A nasty thought?  Will you confess it to God right now?  Ask Him to forgive you and to give you new power to live for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"There was a new girl at school today," remarked Gina as she helped clear the table.
 
 Mother looked up from loading the dishwasher.  "I hope you were kind to her.  Remember how it feels to start at a new school?"
 
"But you should see this girl, Mom," Gina protested.  "She's so strange.  And she probably has lice!"
 
The front door burst open.  "Look what I found, everybody!" called Jeremy.  "Isn't he cute?"
 
Mother shuddered.  "That pup is filthy!  I'm sure he has fleas.  Where did you find him?"
 
Jeremy patted the frightened, cowering animal.  "He's been hanging around Scott's house, and his mother said they had to get rid of him.  I'm sure he doesn't belong to anybody.  Can I keep him, Mom?  Please?" begged Jeremy.
 
Gina added her pleas.  "We'll give him a bath and take good care of him, Mom," she promised.  "He won't be any trouble at all."
 
Mother laughed.  "Oh, of course he won't!" she teased.
 
Jeremy jumped up and down.  "Then we can keep him."
 
"I didn't say that."  Mother frowned.  With dark, sad eyes the puppy looked at her and whined, and she weakened a little.  "You'll have to ask your dad."
 
The children spent the next hour bathing, combing, feeding, and loving the pup.  "He certainly looks better now," Mother remarked as she patted the playful puppy.  "He's cute."
 
"He sure is," Gina said.  "All he needed was some tender, loving care."
 
"Hmmm," murmured Mother.  "I wonder what the new girl in your class would look like if someone gave her tender, loving care."  Gina's mouth fell open as Mother continued.  "Maybe all she needs is a friend."  Gina had no argument for that.  She knew it was probably true.  Anyway, she intended to find out.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who needs "tender, loving care"?  Will you love that one as Christ loved you?  He loved you even when you were a sinner-He saw you at your worst, and still loved you.  He saw not only what you were, but what you could become.  Try to see others that way.  Your love can make a big difference in a person's life.  Perhaps you will even have the opportunity of pointing him to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 6:31)
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian and his family went to visit his grandparents, who lived on a farm in a neighboring state.  Brian loved seeing the animals, climbing on the haystacks, swinging on the rope in the barn, and fishing and wading in the creek.  "This sure is a neat place!" he exclaimed as he washed up for supper one evening.
 
 Mother smiled.  "You seem to be enjoying yourself in spite of no playgrounds or ice cream stores out here, or even a TV."
 
"Yeah."  Brian grinned as he dried his hands on the kitchen towel.  "It's kind of nice to have it quiet-a guy has a chance to think out here."
 
After a hearty supper, Dad looked over at Brian.  "Grandpa and I have a surprise for you, Brian.  We thought you might enjoy camping out in the woods with us tonight."
 
Three hours later, they sat contentedly by the smouldering campfire. "Time for devotions," Grandpa announced as he pulled out his Bible.
 
As Brian reached in his duffle bag for his own Bible, he glanced upward.  "Wow!  Look at all those stars!" he cried.  "We sure can't see this many at our house.  They must be a lot closer here in Indiana!"
 
Dad and Grandpa laughed.  "No, the stars aren't any closer," Dad replied, "but we're out in the country now, away from all the city lights which tend to blot out the smaller lights of the stars."
 
"Oh, I see."  Brian nodded, still looking at the brilliant spectacle above.
 
"I think there's a spiritual lesson here," Grandpa said thoughtfully as he leafed through his Bible.  "Just as the glaring lights of the city blot out the stars, so the 'busy-ness' of everyday activities can make it hard to see how God is working in our lives.  That's why it's good to draw apart to a quiet place-a place where you can be alone and concentrate on God's Word and your relationship to Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your time so filled with school activities, sports, and recreation that you hardly ever think about God or the Bible?  Be careful!  It's a good idea to set aside "quiet times" to be alone with God and enjoy the wonderful blessings the Lord has planned for you.  You don't need to go out to the country to do that, but why not find a place where you can be alone to read your Bible and talk with the Lord.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 14:23)
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!  It looks like rain," Bob exclaimed, looking anxiously up at the sky one Saturday morning.
 
 "It surely does," Dad agreed.  "I think we'd better postpone our picnic until next week."
 
Bob was most unhappy about the delay.  As the raindrops began to fall, his eyebrows drew together in a frown.  And when the rain poured down, he became downright grumpy.  "My whole day is spoiled," he complained over and over.
 
"Shhh. . .listen."  Bob's sister Becky held up her finger.  A clear, pure song came from a treetop outside.  A robin was singing in the rain.
 
"Well, let the dumb bird sing.  My day is ruined," Bob grumped.  He knew grumbling didn't please God, but he was so disappointed.
 
"Why don't you get out one of your games, Bob?  We may as well have some fun in spite of the rain," suggested Dad.
 
Bob grudgingly went to get a game, and soon he and Becky and Dad and Mom were all busy playing and laughing.  The time flew by, and Bob forgot all about the rain spoiling his fun.  Suddenly, Dad looked up at the clock.  "Can you believe it's nearly dinner time?" he asked.
 
"We'll have a picnic lunch right here on the floor," decided Mother.  "Becky and I will get things ready, and you guys can clean up."
 
When the food was brought in, they all sat on a blanket on the floor while they ate.  "This is fun!" declared Bob.  "The whole day was so much fun I forgot about the rain.  I've been thinking-that robin had the right idea about singin' in the rain.  My grumbling didn't stop the rain from coming, and I had as much fun as if I had gone on a picnic-well, almost, anyway.  I'm sorry I grumbled."
 
Dad put his arm around Bob.  "All right!" he approved.  "That robin was a good example for all of us.  There's always cause to sing-even when it rains."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you grumble when it "rains" in your life-when things don't go your way?  There are plenty of reasons to be happy and sing in spite of rain or other disappointments.  And best of all, you please God by being cheerful even when you're disappointed.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 10:10)
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Butterfly Wisdom

"Look!" exclaimed Mom. Melissa's eyes followed her mother's pointing finger. Her blue eyes sparkled as she spotted a striking orange and black butterfly flitting daintily from flower to flower.

"He's so pretty!" Melissa exclaimed in delight. "Let's watch and see where he goes." Mom nodded, and they followed the butterfly's progress through Grandma's garden.

"Look at those red flowers," said Melissa a moment later. "They're the prettiest flowers in the garden. I'll bet that butterfly will like them." She looked around. "Where did he go?" she added. "I don't see him anymore."

Mom's eyes searched the area. Then she pointed toward a small cluster of weeds just below the red flowers. "He's there," she said.

"On those weeds?" asked Melissa. "Oh, yeah, I see him. I wonder why he's bothering with weeds, when there are so many pretty flowers."

Mom smiled. "That's one wise little butterfly," she replied. "He knows that the prettiest flowers aren't always the ones with the sweetest nectar."

"You mean those tiny purple flowers on the weeds taste sweeter to the butterfly than the red ones?" asked Melissa.

Mom nodded. "It seems they do."

Melissa frowned. "How odd!" she said.

"We should be as wise as that butterfly," observed Mom. "Sometimes, we get carried away by the way people look, how tall they are, how slim they are, how they dress, how they talk . . . all sorts of things. We forget that real sweetness and beauty comes from character-from the kind of people we are."

Melissa was thoughtful. "So it doesn't matter how we look?" she asked.

Mom laughed. "I didn't say that," she replied. "We should do our best to look nice. But when we worry and fret and spend too much time and money trying to make ourselves beautiful on the outside, that's not good. We need to give more thought to our attitudes and actions and values. Let's remember that what we are on the inside is the thing that's important in God's sight."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of person are you? It's natural to want to look attractive and wear nice clothes, but remember that real beauty in God's eyes is on the inside. Real beauty is found in your obedience to God and in the way you behave and treat others. Today's Scripture reading may sound like it's for girls, but the application can be for boys, too. If you are kind and gentle and loving, you have the kind of beauty that God loves to see-in both girls and boys.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:3-4)
Let your adornment be . . . the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Watching Eye

What a lot of cool cars, Nate thought to himself as he looked at the model cars on a shelf at the store. He picked up a bright red one and admired it. Wish I had enough money to get this one. He glanced around. No one's looking, he thought, and he quietly he put the red car under his jacket. I'll take this out to the car and put it under the seat so Mom doesn't see it.

Nate was hurrying out the door when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "I think you had better come with me, young man." Nate looked up to see a big security guard looking down at him. "Let me have the car." Frightened, Nate pulled out the car and handed it over.

The guard took Nate to the manager, who questioned him. When the manager learned that he had come to the store with his mother, he paged her over the loud speaker. Nate cringed when she came hurrying in. When they finally left the office, he was relieved that the manager had agreed not to call the police, but he also knew Dad would hear about it. Nate knew he would not go unpunished.

As they left the store, Nate noticed big mirrors near the ceiling. They can see down the aisles and watch for shoplifters, he thought. He pointed to the mirrors. "It's like a big eye is watching you from up above," he murmured.

Mom nodded. "Never forget that Someone is always watching you from up above," she replied. "Even if no one here had seen you, God did. He sees everything you do. He also sees your heart and mind. He knows your thoughts. He knows if you're sorry for what you did-or thought."

Nate was quiet as he got into the car. "I really am sorry, Mom," he said after a moment. He was a Christian and knew he had sinned. "I felt guilty about taking the car even before the guard stopped me."

"Have you told God you're sorry?" asked Mom.

"No, but I will," said Nate.

Dear God, Nate prayed silently, I know taking the car was stealing. I'm sorry I disobeyed You and took it. Please forgive me. I don't want to do it ever again. Amen. As they started home, he felt much better. He was actually glad the clerk had seen him in the mirror, because now his heart was once again right with God.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever taken something without paying for it? Perhaps you think no one saw you and so you got away with it. You didn't. God saw what happened. Are you sorry? God also sees your heart, and He takes that into account. Talk to God about it. Tell Him how you feel, and ask Him to forgive you. Then go to the person from whom you stole something, confess what you did, and return or pay for what you took.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Hook

Anna and Sue lay on the living room floor with the newspaper open in front of them. "Mine says, 'This is a good day to start a new venture.'" said Anna with a giggle.

"What are you girls reading?" asked Dad.

"It's the daily horoscope, Dad," replied Anna.

Dad frowned. "God doesn't want His people involved in such things," he said. "Astrology and fortune-telling are things Satan promotes."

"Oh, Dad," protested Sue, "it's such a little thing. We just do it for fun."

As she spoke, their brother Jon came into the room, followed by Scooter, his long-eared puppy. "Is it all right if I practice casting with my new fly rod, Dad?" asked Jon. "I'll do it in the driveway."

"Okay, but you better take the hook off the end of the line," Dad said, "or you might hook something you don't want."

"Let's go get a snack," whispered Anna while Dad and Jon talked about the way to use a fly rod, "or Dad will lecture us some more." The girls got up quietly and left the room.

Sue and Anna were still in the kitchen when they heard Scooter yelp. "Ow-w-w," he howled. The girls ran outside and saw that Jon was holding the struggling puppy while Dad tried to remove a fish hook from the dog's ear. "Jon," said Dad when he finally got the hook out, "I told you to take the hook off the line. Scooter had to suffer because you disobeyed."

"I forgot!" exclaimed Jon, picking up his puppy. "I'm so sorry, Scooter. It was such a little hook, but it hurts really big, doesn't it?" He cuddled the whimpering puppy in his arms. "I'll listen to you next time, Dad. I promise."

"All right," said Dad. "Remember that little things can cause a great deal of pain and sorrow." He looked pointedly at his daughters. "As I started to say before, reading horoscopes seems like a little, harmless thing, but it could be a 'hook' to cause you trouble later. Don't even begin to get into such things!"

"Okay, Dad," agreed Anna, turning toward her sister.

Sue nodded. "We won't read them any more, Dad," she said. "We promise!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read horoscopes to see if they have advice for you? It may seem like a small and harmless thing. The idea that you would ever plan your life according to the stars, or that you'd take fortune telling seriously, may seem impossible. It probably once seemed impossible to many people who are now caught up in those things. Be wise. Remember that God hates all types of fortune-telling. Don't allow even a little "hook" of disobedience be a part of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All who do these things (fortune telling, etc.) are an abomination to the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:12