Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Mr. Arends held the adoption papers tightly in his hand as he hugged Alex.  "Now you're really mine for keeps!" he said.  "I'm so glad I finally got you for my son."
 
Alex hugged him back.  "I'm glad you wanted me, Mr. Ar -- I mean, Dad.  I'm going to be the best kid in the whole world for you."
 
A few weeks later, Dad saw Alex playing with a small car.  "Where did you get that car?" asked Dad.  "I don't remember seeing it before."
 
"It was Michael Stern's," Alex answered.  "He broke a wheel off from mine on purpose, so I took this one from his desk."
 
Dad frowned.  "Alex," he said, "when you came into my family, I had some rules for you to follow, right?"  Alex nodded.  He had quickly learned that he had to obey the rules in his new home.  At first, coming straight home from school, attending church, hanging up his clothes, and doing his homework often annoyed Alex, but he soon got used to it.  In fact, as he learned to love his new parents, he found that he wanted to do the things that pleased them.  "Not long after you became a member of this family, you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and that made you a member of God's family, too," continued Dad.  "He also has rules for you to obey.  One of them is, 'Thou shalt not steal.'  God wants you to give that car back to Michael."
 
"But, Dad, he broke mine!" protested Alex.
 
"You said yourself that the car is Michael's," Dad pointed out.  Then he asked, "Alex, why have you tried so hard to obey my rules?"
 
"Because. . .well. . .because I love you and Mom, and you love me." Alex paused as he thought about his words.  "I love God, too," he added slowly, "and I should also obey Him.  Okay, Dad.  I'll give the car back to Michael."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you become a child of God by receiving the Lord Jesus as your Savior?  Do you obey your heavenly Father?  His rules are in the Bible.  If you love Him, you'll want to obey Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:15)
If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

A police car pulled over to the curb where Todd was standing with some friends.  "Do you kids know Darian Conner?" a policeman asked.
 
"N-no, Sir," answered one of the boys.
 
"None of you know him?" the policeman asked, looking straight at Todd.  Todd said nothing, and the officer drove quickly away.
 
When Todd later told his friend Kurt what had happened, Kurt frowned.  "I think you should have told him that you know Darian," said Kurt.  "Darian's our friend, and he's probably playing ball at the park."
 
"Well, I didn't say I didn't know him," protested Todd.  "I just didn't say anything.  Besides, what if he's in trouble?
 
"Why would you think he's in trouble?  And even if he is, it seems like you should stand by him, not act like you don't know him," scolded Kurt. "After all, pretending you don't know him won't get him out of trouble."
 
Later, both boys were sorry to learn why the police were looking for Darian.  His parents had been injured in a car accident.
 
The next day, as Kurt and Todd stood in a checkout lane at the grocery store, two men behind them began talking.  "I hear your neighbors, the Connors, were in a really bad accident," said one.
 
"They sure were," replied the other.  "They both were badly injured. Be out of work at least a month.  That will give them plenty of time to wonder where their God was when they got hit.  They've been on my back for years about trusting in their God."  He glanced down at Kurt, who was staring at him.  "Don't let anybody fool you about a loving, caring God, kid," said the man gruffly.  "There isn't any."
 
Kurt looked away and said nothing, but Todd looked up and smiled at the man.  "Sir, I know the Connors," he said.  "And God is their friend, and mine, too.  He was with them when they got hurt, and He'll take good care of them.  You'll see.  Right, Kurt?"
 
"R-right, Todd," Kurt agreed nervously.  With shame he thought of how he had scolded Todd for not admitting he knew Darian.  Now by his silence, Kurt had denied his very best friend, the Lord Jesus.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you speak up for the Lord when you have a chance?  Or, by your silence, do you deny that you even know Him?  Ask God to give you the courage to speak up for Him.  The Holy Spirit will help you say just the right thing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 12:12)
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Christie was cleaning out her closet one day, she found a library book tucked away in the corner.  "Oh, no!" she groaned.  "I forgot about this book."    She checked the due date.  "It's more than a year overdue," she gasped.  "By now, the fine will be really huge.  I'll never be able to pay it, and I bet  Mom and Dad will be mad, too.  They always say I need to be more responsible for the things I have."  She sighed.  "I wonder why they haven't been sending me notices about it." 
 
Christie shoved the book back in the closet, but she continued to worry about it for days.  Finally, just before family devotions one evening, she told her parents about the problem.  "I'm really sorry I forgot to take the book back," she said.  "I. . .I would have told you before, but I thought I'd first try to save enough money to pay the fine."   She looked down at her hands.  "I just don't know when I'll ever have enough money, though, and the fine just gets bigger and bigger.  What should I do?"
 
"Oh!" exclaimed her mother.  "When I was at the library about a month ago, the librarian asked me about that book.  It was already so long overdue that it was cheaper to buy it than to pay the fine, so that's what I did."  She smiled at Christie.  "I must admit, I was a bit annoyed that you hadn't brought it back, but then I decided to surprise you by letting you keep it.  I can hardly believe I forgot to tell you!"
 
"Whew!" Christie breathed a sigh of relief.  "Thanks a lot, Mom. Just think -- I've been feeling so guilty and worried, and all the time the book was paid for!"
 
"What happened to you is similar to what happens to lots of people," said Dad.  "People often feel guilty for years about things they've done wrong.  Just as you put off going back to the library, they wait to come to God, thinking that they'll first 'clean up' their lives.  But they'll never be able to do that; they just keep on sinning more.  They don't realize that Jesus paid the full price for all their sins on the cross, and all they have to do is accept Him and receive His gift."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel guilty about things you have done?  Are you trying to do better -- to clean up your life?  Perhaps you even try to do good things to "pay for" bad deeds of the past.  Jesus already paid the price for all your sins.  Confess them to Him and accept Him as Savior.  (See last page.)  Then thank Him for purchasing your forgiveness.  Don't feel guilty anymore -- feel glad for what God did for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 6:20)
For ye are bought with a price.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Tell me if you see a speed limit sign," Mother told Rick as they approached Centerville.
 
"Okay," agreed Rick.  A few minutes later, he said, "There's one! It's forty-five miles an hour ahead."
 
"Thank you, honey," said Mom, and she slowed down.
 
After driving a few miles farther, Rick looked out the back window. "Oh, no, Mom!" he exclaimed.  "There's a police car. . .and it's right behind us!"
 
"There's nothing to worry about," Mother answered.
 
Rick's eyes opened wide in surprise.  "Why not?" he asked.  "We might get a speeding ticket."
 
Mother answered by asking Rick a question.  "How can we get a speeding ticket when we're going forty-five miles an hour?"  She chuckled, and Rick began to smile, too, as he realized Mother was right. "Actually, that policeman is helping us," Mother added.  "He sees to it that we drive at a safe speed and that others do, too.  That helps prevent people from crashing into us -- or us into them."
 
"So we think the policeman is our friend when we're going the right speed," said Rick, "but if we're going faster than the speed limit, we're afraid of him."
 
"That's right," said Mom. She glanced in her rear-view mirror.  "In a way, God is like a policeman," she added.  "See if you can think of some reasons why."
 
Rick thought about it.  "I think I know," he said after a while.  "Is this right?  If we're doing something wrong, we feel afraid of God, like people who are speeding are afraid of the police."
 
"That's right," said Mother with a nod.  "And. . . ."
 
"And if we're doing right," Rick continued, "we can feel good that God is watching us because He'll be pleased.  Besides, He protects us from lots of bad things, doesn't he?"  Mother nodded, and Rick looked out the back window once more.  "The policeman and God," he said slowly.  "They're both our friends."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel afraid of God?  It's good to fear Him in the sense that you respect Him because He is holy.  But if you're His child and you're following His commandments, you don't need to feel afraid of Him.  He loves you and protects you.  He's your friend.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 13:3)
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jeremy and Alicia were lying on the floor watching a television show when their parents arrived home.  "What's on?" Dad asked as he sat down in his favorite easy chair.
 
"Oh, some show about an undercover policeman who's trying to break the mob's secret code."  Jeremy kept his eyes glued to the television set as he answered.
 
"Oh, wow!  Look at that, Jeremy!" Alicia, too, kept her eyes fastened on the TV.  "He's breaking into the mob's warehouse where they store their drugs.  See. . .he's got a shotgun, and he's going to blast the bad guys."
 
"Wait!  There's his girlfriend -- I wonder if they're going to kill her?"
 
 Alicia sat up straight.  "I hope not!  They just fell in love at the beginning of the show," she said.  Just then a loud burst of gunfire pierced the stillness of the living room, followed by a torrent of staccato machine-gun fire.  The mobsters began to fall to the ground while the hero continued to recklessly shoot around the warehouse.
 
Dad got up, walked over to the TV set, and turned it off.  "I thought you two knew better than to watch such a program," he said.  "Doesn't that violence bother you?"
 
"It's not real," Alicia protested weakly.
 
"Real or not, this kind of entertainment is wrong," replied Dad.  "In fact, just this morning I read some verses that talk about these kinds of television shows."
 
"Aw, Dad, the Bible doesn't mention TV shows," objected Jeremy.
 
"Well," said Dad, "Psalm 101 says, 'I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.'  Wouldn't you say that could be applied to programs like the one you were watching?"
 
Mother nodded in agreement.  "You kids did not make a good choice when  you picked that show."  Jeremy and Alicia looked ashamed.
 
"But Mom," protested Jeremy, "there's nothing better on."
 
"You forgot one option," said Dad.  "You could shut the TV off -- in fact, that's what you should do."  He smiled.  "Now, how about if Mom and I challenge you two to a board game?  Alicia, you pick one out."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you watch TV programs that are filled with violence or inappropriate suggestions?  Do the programs make sin look glamorous and desirable?  Do they make you forget God and His principles?  Be very careful about what you "set before your eyes"!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 101:3)
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, at Drew's church they don't teach exactly all the same things as they do at our church," Kenny said one day.  "We had an argument about it.  He said his church is right, and I said my church is right.  Whose way is really right?  Ours is, isn't it?"
 
Before Dad could attempt an answer, Kenny's little sister and brother came into the kitchen, carrying a keyboard.  They set it on the table.  "We want to play one of the songs Daddy taught us, okay?" asked Cathy.
 
"Okay," agreed Kenny and Dad, and the children proceeded to play. As they carefully pressed the keys, Kenny thought he recognized "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."  But then it became obvious that the two  youngsters were each playing a different song.
 
"That's awful," declared Kenny.  "I think you need a new teacher. How about me?"
 
"Wait a minute!" protested Dad.  "The teacher's not the problem. They're not following my instructions."  He turned to the little musicians. "I said you should decide together which song to play and then come and show me how well you could do it," he said.  "Go practice one song, and then you may come and play for me again."
 
When the children were gone, Dad grinned at Kenny.  "That sure didn't sound the way I intended their music to turn out," he said.  "But, you know, this reminds me of what we were talking about.  Can't you almost hear God saying, 'That wasn't what I intended' as He watches us? Jesus intended for His followers to all 'play the same song.'  He wanted all Christians to be unified -- to be one."
 
"But which 'song' should we be playing?  Whose way is right -- Drew's church or our church?" Kenny asked again.
 
"God's way is right," Dad answered.  "I don't know what church Drew attends, so I don't know what his church teaches.  But obviously, we believe the church we go to teaches what God says in His Word. That's why we go there."
 
"So that's what I should tell Drew the next time we argue about our churches' differences?" persisted Kenny.
 
"Why argue?  Why don't you and Drew make an agreement to read the Bible and try your best to do what it says?" suggested Dad.  "I believe that's what Jesus would want you to do."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you argue with kids from other churches? You should attend a church that you believe agrees with what God says in His Word, and then quit arguing.  Read the Bible, put its teaching into practice, and encourage others to do the same.  This will lead to the unity Jesus wants us to enjoy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:4-6)
There is one body, and one Spirit. . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sara frowned when she overheard Mother telling Dad that she had failed to clean out her closet.  "I even gave Sara a box to put the outgrown clothes into," said Mother. 
 
Sara didn't listen to the rest of the conversation.  She went outside, feeling dejected, and sat on her swing.  Her collie, Jinx, came over to her, but Sara ignored her pet.  She thought of all the things she did do right. She considered herself to be a very obedient daughter.  Every day she faithfully did the three basic chores which were required of her.  She made her bed before school.  She set the table for dinner each afternoon. And each evening, she dried the dishes, which her mother washed.  I don't know why Mom is complaining to Dad, she thought.  What do they want from  me, anyway?  I can just as well clean that closet later.  Why does it have to be done right now?
 
Soon Dad was sitting on the other swing.  "Sara, what about cleaning your closet?" he asked.
 
"I'm going to do it, Dad," replied Sara impatiently.  "I just wanted to see that special on TV first, and. . . ."
 
Dad picked up a stick and threw it.  "Get it, Jinx," he said.  The dog was off on a gallop to retrieve the stick.  Dad turned his attention back to Sara.  "Now, that is immediate obedience.  Jinx didn't say, 'I'll do it when I get around to it.'  He just obeyed."  After a pause, Dad added, "A truck collecting clothing for needy people stopped here today.  None of your outgrown clothes were put on it, Sara, because you didn't obey Mother immediately."
 
"Well I. . .I. . .why didn't Mother tell me the truck was coming?" asked Sara.  "I would have cleaned the closet right away if I'd known."
 
"We want you to be willing to obey us without always asking for reasons," said Dad quietly.  "God didn't say 'Children, obey your parents when you understand why.'  He said, 'Children, obey your parents.'  To be truly obedient, you must be immediately obedient."
 
Sara sighed.  "Like Jinx," she murmured, giving her dog a hug.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When your parents tell you to do something, do you do it immediately?  Or do you put it off?  Do you demand reasons?  Do you argue that you'll do it later when you've nothing else to do?  Do what God says.  Obey your parents.  Obey them right away!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:1)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A deer," gasped Tommy, when he saw a quick flash of white through the trees.  Carefully picking his way across sticks and fallen tree limbs, Tommy quietly walked toward the deer.  Glancing over his shoulder, he could still see his family's campsite, so he went on.  As he tried to get closer to the deer, it bounded off through the trees.  Tommy ran after it until he reached a small stream.  "Good-bye, Mr. Deer," he called as he turned his freckled face in the direction of camp -- but where was camp?  In one quick second Tommy knew he was lost.
 
Excitement turned to terror as Tommy recalled the ranger's warning about bears in the area.  And his parents had told him to stay in sight of the tent.  Dear God, he prayed, please help me find my way back.  Suddenly he remembered that there was a stream running past the campsite.  Maybe this is the same stream, he thought.  Maybe I can follow it back to camp.  He started out.
 
After a while, he heard a voice.  "Tommy!" it called.
 
"Dad!" he called back.  He ran excitedly toward the voice and, at last, into his father's arms.
 
"Where were you?" Dad asked.  "We told you. . . ."  But the scolding stopped as Tommy's fears turned to tears.  "You're okay, Tommy," Dad said, holding him tightly.
 
Family devotions around the campfire that night were about the need to follow God's instructions.  Tommy spoke quietly.  "When we don't follow God's instructions but do what we want instead, it's like when I ran off looking for the deer.  I didn't mean to disobey, but I just went my own way without thinking about what you said and about how far away I was getting.  When we don't think about what God says, it gets us into trouble, too, doesn't it?"  Solemnly, Mom and Dad nodded in agreement.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you hear God's Word taught in Sunday school and church?  Do you read it for yourself?  That's good, but here's the most important question:  Do you follow the instructions found in the Bible?  You know God says you must not lie, cheat, or fight.  He says you must be honest, kind, and forgiving.  Knowing such instructions is not enough.  You need to follow them.  By following God's instructions, you follow Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:10)
With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brad started toward the family room.  "VAR-O-O-O-M!" sang out his little brother Kevin as he charged through the room, holding up his toy plane.  He crashed into Brad.
 
"Why don't you watch where you're going, you stupid jerk?" asked Brad angrily.  "You're a total bubble brain!"
 
"You know very well that you are not to call people names," Dad said sternly, as Kevin ran to his room.
 
Brad sighed.  "Oops!  I suppose I better go apologize."  But just then the phone rang, and Brad picked it up.  "Hello. . . .Oh, hi, Tim.  . . .Yeah, I heard what they're saying about Mrs. Simpson -- that she comes to school looking all bleary-eyed because she's an alcoholic, right?  I believe it, too.  Did you notice how she stumbled over her words in class?. . .Yeah, and she. . .oh, I have to go, Tim.  Dad wants me for something.  'Bye."  Brad hung up the phone and looked at his father.
 
"You'll have to call Tim back and apologize for that bit of gossip I just heard," said Dad.  When Brad started to protest, Dad held up a hand.  "Did you know that Mrs. Simpson's husband is dying?" he asked.  "She has to stay up many nights caring for him.  No wonder she's tired."
 
"Oh. . .I didn't know that."  Brad looked truly sorry.  Then he shrugged.  "Okay, I'll call Tim and tell him."
 
"First come with me to my shop," said Dad, leading the way.  He picked up a hammer and some nails.  "I want you to pound these nails about halfway into this board."
 
Brad obeyed with a puzzled look.  "Okay.  Now what?"
 
"Pull the nails out."  Brad did so.  "Brad, your words lately have been as sharp as these nails," said Dad.  "They've been cutting and hurting.  Then you've had to go to folks and apologize.  Saying you're sorry is fine.  But look at this board.  What do you see?"
 
"The nail holes," said Brad, glancing at the board.
 
"Exactly," said Dad.  "You can apologize -- that's what God wants you to do -- and you can be forgiven, but you can never take back all the harm you've caused."
 
Brad picked up the board.  "I get your point, Dad," he said slowly.
 
	"Good," said Dad.  "Now why don't you go hang that in your room as a reminder to be more careful with your tongue."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you carelessly say things that hurt the feelings or reputations of others?  An apology can bring forgiveness, but it can never erase all the harm done.  Ask the Lord to "keep the door of your lips."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 141:3)
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sandi sat cross-legged on the bedroom floor, surrounded by snapshots.  "Look, Mom!" she exclaimed.  "Here's another picture of me and Mousie.  I really loved that old stuffed animal."
 
Sandi's mother peeked over her daughter's shoulder at the child in the photographs -- Sandi swinging in the back yard, Sandi in a red Christmas dress, Sandi riding her first bike.  There were a number of pictures of her blowing out candles on a succession of birthday cakes.  In many of the pictures, the little girl clutched a blue stuffed toy.  "Why did you love that grubby old bear so much?" asked Mother.  She added with a smile, "It really was a bear, you know, not a mouse."
 
Sandi laughed.  "I know it, but I thought he looked more like a mouse.  I guess I loved him because he was a good guy to talk to.  He just sat and listened."  Sandi could remember long-ago times when she had sobbed her "hurts" into the fur of her faded, blue friend.  "I told Mousie all my secrets, and he seemed to understand, even though he never could tell me so or hug me back," she said thoughtfully as she gathered the snapshots and put them into a shoebox.
 
Mother nodded.  "We need a friend like that, don't we?" she said.  Then she added, "Mrs. March and her daughter Jody invited us to go with them to church tomorrow, Sandi.  Mrs. March said the pastor of their church is giving a message called 'God, Our Best Friend,' and I think I'd like to hear it?  Shall we go?"
 
Sandi snapped a rubber band over the lid of the shoebox.  "Okay," she agreed.  "I've been a little lonesome since we moved here.  Maybe if we go to church with them, Jody will be my friend.  I'd like that."
 
"And I'd like to know more about God as my friend," Mother said.
 
"Me, too," agreed Sandi.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you need a friend -- someone with whom you can share all your thoughts?  The Bible speaks of the value of friendships.  And it tells about the best friend of all -- Jesus.  He wants to be your friend throughout your whole life.  Accept Him as your Savior (see last page), and you'll have a lasting friend.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Ryan played the first page of his music; then he remembered how the kids had snickered when his mother had called him to come in and practice.  They'll probably laugh when I play in church a week from next Sunday, too, he thought.  He sat at the piano and stared at his music.
 
"Why did you quit?" Mom called from the kitchen.  "Ryan?"  When he didn't answer, she came to see.
 
"I don't want to play in church," Ryan said finally.  "Piano playing is for girls."
 
"That simply isn't true," protested Mom, placing her hands on Ryan's shoulders.  "God gave you an exceptional talent, and He expects you to use it."
 
"Well, I don't want to play," mumbled Ryan.  Mom didn't insist that he keep on practicing his special number, but she asked him to think and pray about it.
 
That week, Ryan diligently worked on a birthday gift he was making for his sister Abby.  It was a wrist band similar to those many of the kids at school were wearing.  He carefully wove it, using brightly colored cords.
 
"Thank you.  It's nice," Abby said politely when she opened it on her birthday.  But she went on to unwrap the next present without even trying the bracelet on.  Ryan felt bad.
 
"Abby, you never wear the wrist band I made for you," Ryan complained a few days later.
 
"Well. . .it's pretty, but it's not really like the ones the other girls are wearing," Abby explained.
 
After Abby left the room, Mom looked at Ryan.  "It hurts when you take special care with a gift for someone, and then that person doesn't use it," she observed.  Ryan nodded sadly.  "God must be hurt, too, when we don't use the gifts He gave us, don't you think?" added Mom.
 
As Ryan considered his mother's words, someone knocked at the door.  Ryan answered it.  "Want to play ball?" invited Adam, who lived next door.
 
Ryan hesitated.   "Pretty soon," he said.  "I'm going to practice piano first.  I have to play in church next week."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a gift you aren't using?  Maybe you're embarrassed to use it.  Maybe you don't want to take the time or make the effort to develop it.  God gave you gifts.  He wants and expects you to use them.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Laura Graham was at our Sunday school party today," announced Lindsey.  "What a bummer!"
 
"I thought you wanted her to go," said Mother.  "Didn't you invite her?"
 
"That's just the point," said Lindsey.  "I've invited her for three years in a row, and she always said no. Then today she shows up with Taylor."
 
"Well, I'm sure Mr. Paterson had a good Bible message, just as he always does," observed Mother.  "I should think you'd be happy Laura came."  She was interrupted by the doorbell.  "That must be Grandma with those marigold plants she said she'd bring over."
 
After Grandma had left, Lindsey and her mother decided to plant the marigolds right away.  It didn't take them long to change into old clothes and gather the gardening tools.
 
"You know something, honey?" asked Mother as she handed Lindsey a trowel.  "These plants remind me of you and Laura."
 
"Me and Laura!" exclaimed Lindsey.  "How?"
 
Mother dug in the dirt as she explained.  "Well, Grandma started these plants and nursed them along until they developed healthy roots," she said.  "Now we must back up Grandma's efforts and care for these plants.  And, in a way, you 'started' Laura -- you first invited her.  Then Taylor backed up your efforts by inviting her, too.  Right?"
 
"I guess so," said Lindsey.  "But why couldn't Laura have come when I invited her?"  She was still pouting.
 
Mother shook her head.  "I don't know," she said, "but remember, Lindsey, sharing Christ is not a competition.  When we tell someone about the Lord, we don't always see the final result.  God is using both you and Taylor to help Laura spiritually, just like Grandma, you, and I are helping these plants physically."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you happy whenever those you've witnessed to come to church or receive Jesus as Savior?  Even if they come at someone else's invitation?  You should be.  Work together with other Christians in winning people to Jesus. Witnessing is not a competition where one person wins and another loses.  Instead, it's a responsibility that Christians share.  When anyone comes to Christ, you should rejoice.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 3:6)
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kara hung up the phone and went into the den where her parents were working on a puzzle.  "That was Cindy Larson," Kara announced glumly.  "She called to tell me she got a job for the summer -- babysitting the Tyler kids."
 
Mother looked puzzled.  "You don't sound very happy about that," she said.  "It seems to me that it's a nice opportunity for Cindy.  The Tyler children are well behaved, and she'll probably enjoy the extra money."
 
"But I wanted that job," grumbled Kara.  "I could use the money, too.  Why does Cindy get all the breaks?"
 
"You sound a little jealous," said Dad.  "Cindy's your friend; you should be glad for her.  Besides, I'm sure you'll find lots of other things to do this summer."
 
"No, I won't," Kara pouted.  Then her face brightened.  "I bet if I call Cindy back and tell her how much I wanted the job, she'll let me have it," she said.  "After all, I've done plenty of things for her."
 
"I think you ought to let the matter drop," said Mother, "and just pray about finding some other work."
 
"But I'm sure God wants me to have this job," whined Kara.  Then she glanced at her father curiously.  He had picked up a puzzle piece and had gotten out a pair of scissors.  He seemed to be considering cutting the piece of puzzle.  "Dad, what are you doing?" Kara asked.
 
"I wanted this puzzle piece to go into this empty spot," explained Dad.  "If I cut off this little bump here and glue it onto the other side, maybe I can make it fit."
 
"Dad!" protested Kara.  "You know that won't work.  Besides, you need that piece somewhere else in the puzzle."
 
Mother laughed.  "I think I know what your father is trying to say, Kara.  That puzzle piece represents you."
 
"Right," said Dad.  "Trying to jam this piece into a place where it doesn't fit is like you trying to get your own way about that job.  Even if you succeeded, you would miss out on whatever God had planned for you."
 
"Well, I. . . ."  Kara sighed.  "I know you're right," she admitted.  She grinned as she added, "I love the funny ways you use to teach me things."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get upset when things don't go the way you want?  Remember that God is in control, and He knows what's best for you.  Don't insist on your own way.  Trust God.  Be patient and wait for God to use even what seems unpleasant to bring you blessing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 130:6)
My soul waiteth for the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I was sure I'd win the Bible quiz last night," said Gayle with a sigh.  "I can't figure out what went wrong."
 
"Yeah," agreed Kristen.  "You always win everything."
 
"Now Debbie will go to the state contest instead of me," Gayle added.  "And she'll be honored at the church party tonight.  I don't know what happened.  I'm the smartest."
 
Miss Loveland held out some crepe streamers.  "Here you go, girls," she said.  "You can hang these up while I blow up some balloons.  Then we'll be ready for the party.  Tell me about the quiz competition while we work.  I couldn't attend last night."
 
"I was just awful," Gayle said as she fastened some streamers to the ceiling.  "I couldn't remember the answers, and I misquoted Bible verses."
 
"But she's smarter than Debbie," said Kristen.
 
"Sure I am," said Gayle confidently.  "Besides, she just started going to church last year.  I can't believe she did so well."
 
"Did you study for the contest?" asked Miss Loveland.
 
"Oh, I don't need to study much anymore," replied Gayle, "because I know the Bible so well."
 
"Did you pray about the quiz?" asked the teacher.
 
"Pray?  Well. . .not very much."  Gayle was a little embarrassed.
 
"Debbie told me she'd studied a great deal and had been asking the Lord to help her do well," said Miss Loveland.  She blew hard on a balloon.  It grew bigger and bigger.  Then. . .BANG!  It burst into little pieces.  "Well!  The balloon was puffed up so much it burst," observed Miss Loveland.  "You know, Gayle, maybe that was your trouble, too.  Maybe you were too puffed up."
 
Gayle frowned.  "Puffed up?  What do you mean?" she asked.
 
 "You said you thought you were so smart you didn't need to study or to pray for the Lord's help," Miss Loveland reminded her.  "Debbie knew she had to depend on the Lord.  I think maybe that's what the difference was between the two of you.  	Maybe you were puffed up with pride.  Next time, work hard and ask the Lord to help you."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there times when you think everything's going your way, and then you fall flat on your face?  Could pride be the trouble?  Humbly depend on the Lord, and then He'll lift you up again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:2)
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

As the small rowboat rocked with the gentle motion of the water, Bill watched his father cast his fishing line.  "Dad," said Bill, "I don't want to go to the new church tomorrow.  All my friends are back at our old church.  I know we had to move because of your job, but I'm going to miss our pastor and my friends."
 
Dad slowly reeled in his line a little and looked at his son.  "I'm going to miss everybody, too," he said, "but we still need to worship God and learn more about Him."
 
"But can't we just have church by ourselves at home?" asked Bill.  "You could play your guitar, and we could sing.  Then you and Mom could teach us from the Bible."
 
"Hold on a minute," said Dad.  "I've got a bite."  In a few minutes, he held up a small bluegill.  "What would happen if we just threw this fish in the boat and left it there?"
 
"It would die," said Bill.
 
"And if we throw it back?" asked Dad as he threw the fish back into the lake.
 
"That's easy. . .now it will live," Bill answered.
 
"What if we took the fish to another lake and let it loose?" Dad asked next.  "Would it be able to live there?"
 
Bill thought a moment.  "I think so," he said.
 
"Well," said Dad, "our family is a little like a fish that's taken from one lake and put into another.  We're in a new place, but we have everything we need to go on living -- food, clothes, a home."  He paused.  "As Christians, there is one more thing we need," he added.  "We need to fellowship with other Christians, and church is a good place to do that. If we don't go, we're a little like fish out of water.  Oh, we don't actually die, but we need to be in an environment where we can be fed and encouraged spiritually and where we can encourage others, too."
 
Bill was silent a few minutes.  "Okay, Dad," he said finally, "this is one 'fish' you've convinced."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you felt out of place when you had to change churches?  If you're a Christian, you're really out of place -- like a fish out of water -- when you don't attend church.  Meeting with other Christians is an important part of worshiping God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 12:14)
For the body is not one member, but many.