Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Is Great-Grandpa wearing his shoes?" asked eight-year-old Linda. Mother patted Linda's arm and went on talking.  The room was full of talking people.  And, of course, there was Great-Grandpa.  With his eyes closed and his hands folded, he lay in a long box lined with satin -- a casket.  The funeral home was filled with the smell of flowers.  Linda's brother Rob kept going out to the drinking fountain.  Some of Linda's older cousins sat on a couch, talking.  Linda felt out of place.  Then someone put a hand on her shoulder.  It was Daddy.  His face was kind as he took her hand and led her to a sofa where they sat down.  Linda tried to smile, but her lips trembled.  "Does Great-Grandpa have his shoes on?" she asked again.
 
"Yes, he does," said Daddy.  Linda felt a teeny bit better.  Daddy didn't act like she'd asked the wrong thing at all.  He seemed to understand how strange she felt.  "Remember when you helped me plant the garden last spring?" Daddy asked.  Linda nodded.  She had planted all the radishes and half the beans.  "Tell me. . .what happened to the seeds you planted?" asked Daddy.
 
Linda smiled.  "Beans and radishes grew where I planted them," she answered.
 
Daddy nodded.  "Those tiny seeds died, but when they did, new vegetables grew.  There was new life in the garden.  Great-Grandpa was a Christian, and when his body died, his spirit went to be with Jesus.  Now he has new life, too," Daddy explained.  "His body is here, but the real person is in heaven with Jesus."
 
Linda thought about it.  "Does he need his cane there?"
 
Daddy shook his head.  "No, nor his shoes, either.  Heaven is a perfect place where he has everything he needs or wants."
 
Linda felt better as she looked toward the casket where Great-Grandpa's body lay.  "I'm glad he's in heaven," she said simply.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you visited a funeral home or seen someone who has died?  Did it give you a strange feeling?  Death is hard to understand, but it helps to remember that it's only the body that has died.  The real person -- the life -- has moved on.  For a Christian, that life goes to heaven to live with Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 25:
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces. . .for the Lord hath spoken it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Leanne slammed the screen door, threw her schoolbooks on the nearest chair, and slumped down at the kitchen table where her mother was working.  "I hate school," she announced as Mother looked up from cutting a long strip of light blue material.  "I don't even like recess," Leanne added.  Mother raised her brows and quietly continued working. "What are you making with all those tiny pieces?" asked Leanne, pointing to the strips of material laid out all over the table.
 
"I'm starting a new quilt," replied Mother.
 
"A quilt?  Can I help?" asked Leanne eagerly.
 
"Sure," agreed Mother as she handed Leanne a piece of material.  "This is marked -- just cut it on the lines."
 
Leanne carefully followed the markings on the bright pink material. As she snipped, she thought about her problems.  She decided her life was ruined.  Nothing seemed to be working out the way she wanted.  "Don't you want to hear why I hate school?" she asked, glancing over at Mother. Without waiting for an answer, she frowned and said, "I don't like the dark stuff you're cutting now.  Do we have to use it?"
 
Mother smiled.  "It will look good in the quilt," she said.  She picked up a picture from the table and held it up.  "This is what the quilt will look like when it's finished.  See where the dark pieces are used?"
 
Leanne looked at the picture.  "Wow!" she exclaimed.  "That's pretty!"
 
Mother nodded.  "When you think about it," she said, "our lives are something like a giant quilt.  Life is made up of lots of different experiences -- some that we like and some that we don't.  We only see snips and scraps, and we wonder how everything is going to work out.  But God sees the beauty of fitting each piece together.  We need to trust Him.  He knows what He's doing.  He knows the beautiful picture He has planned for our lives."
 
Leanne grinned.  I guess my life isn't really ruined, she thought to herself.  I'll just have to trust God to work it out for me.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder why God allows your friends to "be mean" to you?  Why He lets your parents fight?  Why He permits people you love to die?  We all have to go through some difficult times.  Remember that God is still in control.  Trust Him to use all the experiences you go through to make something beautiful out of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 3:5)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Farmhouse on Mars

Together, Brandon and his father watched a cartoon about creatures from another planet. "That was fun," said Brandon when it ended.

Dad grinned. "Fun, yes" he agreed, "but pretty silly." He gave Brandon a hug and got up. "And now I'm going to go finish your bookcase."

"I wonder if there really is life on other planets," said Brandon thoughtfully, following his dad to the workshop.

Dad picked up an electric screwdriver. "I read an article that said scientists sent space probes to Mars," he said, "but they didn't find any evidence of life."

"What kinds of things were they looking for?" asked Brandon.

Dad smiled. "If I had known I was going to be quizzed, I would have read the article more carefully," he teased. Brandon laughed as he held a shelf steady, so Dad could drive in the screw. "I believe they were looking for signs of either animal or plant life," added Dad. "If they found a skyscraper or a farmhouse, I imagine they'd conclude there was intelligent life on Mars."

Brandon grinned at the idea of a farmhouse on Mars. "What does that mean-'intelligent life'?" he asked.

"It means living beings that are able to reason," replied Dad.

"Like . . . humans?" asked Brandon.

"Exactly." Dad nodded. "So why would a farmhouse on Mars make a scientist think there was intelligent life there?"

"Because somebody would have had to design it and build it," replied Brandon.

"That's right. It's interesting that some of those scientists aren't very consistent" said Dad. "They look at God's creation and claim it happened by chance, but just look at a dog, a dandelion, or a human. They're not here by accident; they were designed by the most intelligent Life of all-God!"

"Yeah! You'd think that was obvious," replied Brandon.

"You would," agreed Dad. "There! All finished!" He put down the screwdriver. "Well, what do you think of this bookcase?"

"Cool-but I don't think you built it at all," Brandon teased. "It just came together by chance!" Dad laughed as they carried the bookcase to Brandon's room.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever been told the world and all the things in it just "happened"-that it all just came together by chance? Is that what they teach in your school? Is it what your friends believe? Point out to them that it makes no sense at all. Ask why similar things haven't "happened" on other planets? Remind them that everything they see and use each day required a designer and a builder-and that includes things in nature. God says the world was created by Him. Believe it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Lost and Found

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:22-24 (NIV)

As I walk through our neighborhood, I often see signs like this one.  (Hold up the flyer advertising a lost dog.)  "Lost Dog.  Our little dog, Rascal, has been missing since March 1st.  We love Rascal very much and we want him back.  If you find Rascal, please call us at 772-5512.  $25 Reward."

When I see signs like this, I feel a touch of sadness.  I can just imagine a family watching and hoping that their dog will come home.  I can imagine the excitement they must feel every time the phone rings -- hoping that the call will be from someone who has found their lost dog.  I think of how they must worry and hope that their little dog is safe.

Have you ever lost something that was very precious to you?  How did you feel?  Have you ever found something that you had lost?  If so, how did you feel when you found it?

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus told a story about a man who lost something that was very precious to him.  The story also told of the man's joy when that which he had lost was found.  This is the story that Jesus told.

A man had two sons. The younger son asked his father to give him his share of the inheritance that he had coming to him. The father gave it to him, and the boy left home to go out and see the world and have some fun.  The father was broken-hearted.  He had lost one of his sons.

It wasn't long before the boy had wasted all of his money on wild living. He had no money to buy anything to eat, so he got a job feeding pigs. Can you imagine sloshing around in the mud with a bunch of smelly pigs?  It was the worst job you can imagine, but he was so hungry that even the food that he was feeding the pigs looked good to him.

The boy looked around at the situation he had gotten himself into and said to himself, "My father's servants live better than this! I will return home and beg for the forgiveness of my father and ask him to take me back as a hired servant." As the boy approached his father's house, his loving father, who had been watching and hoping for his son's return, saw him coming and ran to meet him.  He threw his arms around him and hugged him and kissed him.

The father was so happy that his son had returned, that he gave him a robe and placed a ring on his finger.  He ordered his servants to prepare a feast.  "My son was dead and now he is alive.  He was lost, but now he is found."

Jesus told this story to show the kind of love God has for his children.  When one of God's children strays away, He always welcomes him with open arms when he returns home.  Aren't you glad that you have a heavenly Father who loves you, even when you may not deserve it?  I am!

Dear Father, we thank you for your unfailing love.  We are thankful that even when we stray, you welcome us home with open arms.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 To Laugh, or Not to Laugh

After the basketball game, Kelly's mom picked her up. "Can we drop Lynn off at her house?" asked Kelly.

"Sure," agreed Mom, and the girls climbed into the back seat.

"That girl with the purple pants sure was a mess, wasn't she, Kelly?" asked Lynn, laughing heartily. "She was so fat she could hardly run!"

"Give her credit for trying," said Kelly with a frown. "She was doing her best! Besides, I felt bad for her." Lynn shrugged and changed the subject.

At home, Kelly's mother began to fix dinner. "I'm proud of you, Kelly," said Mom as she took out a recipe book. She moved things around on the counter and appeared to be looking for something. "I'm glad you didn't join Lynn in making fun of the heavy girl who played on the other team today."

"Well, I'm not so skinny myself," Kelly said with a sheepish grin.

Mom hugged her. "Maybe that helped you to be kind," she said. "I know it's tempting to poke fun at people, but we have to remember that God created every one of us, and He wants us to respect one another. I'm sure He's pleased with the way you acted." Mom looked at all the stuff on the kitchen table. Then she opened a drawer and sorted through the things in it.

Kelly puckered her brow. "Are you looking for something?" she asked.

Mom nodded. "My glasses," she said. "I can't imagine where I left them."

Kelly looked at her mother and burst out laughing. "Look in the mirror," she suggested. "You pushed them up on top of your head." Suddenly she stopped laughing. "Oh! I guess I shouldn't laugh! I didn't mean to make fun of you."

Mom nodded. "Yes, you should laugh," she said. "It's okay to laugh at things that happen. Just make sure you're laughing at what a person does and not at the person. And don't laugh if it would hurt someone's feelings. In this case, you're not hurting my feelings at all."

Kelly relaxed. "You did look funny," she said. Laughter spilled out again-and Mom's laugh was even louder than Kelly's.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What makes you laugh? Is it hard to know when it's okay to tease? Remember that God wants you to be kind. So the next time you're tempted to poke fun at someone, put yourself in that person's place and think how it would feel to have others laughing at you. If you wouldn't mind, it's probably okay. But if it would hurt you, or if you or someone starts to laugh and the person seems to be offended, stop even if others don't. Honor God by being sensitive to people's feelings.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:

Zec 7:9  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Blank Tape

"Give me my red sweater, you jerk!" shouted Carrie as she chased her twin sister down the stairs. "You're always taking my things!"

"This isn't yours. It's mine," replied Shelly. "Yours is in the wash, dum-dum!" She ran around the kitchen table, holding the sweater tightly.

Their brother Blake grinned at them. "Want to hear what you sound like?" he asked. The twins looked at each other. They weren't sure what Blake had in mind. "The tape recorder is right here on the kitchen counter," said Blake, "so I turned it on when I heard you quarreling as you came down the stairs." He pushed a couple of buttons, and a moment later the twins heard their own voices yelling at each other. "Wait till Dad hears this!" teased Blake. "He told you just this morning that he didn't want to hear any more quarreling."

"Oh, come on, Blake! Don't play that for Dad," protested Carrie.

Shelley appealed to her mother. "Mom! Make Blake erase that," she said.

"You don't like to hear it, do you?" asked Mom. "Well, we don't, either."

"Tell you what," said Blake, "if you'll say nice things to each other for the next few minutes, I'll erase it by taping over it. So, come on! Who will be the first to say something nice?" The girls scowled, but they did as their brother told them. Soon they were all laughing as they tried to outdo each other in saying nice things.

"You know, girls," said Mom, "we're getting rid of your angry voices on that tape, but don't forget that God already heard them. He hears every word we say-He even knows our thoughts."

"Yeah!" exclaimed Blake, "and you can't erase that, right, Mom?"

"Actually, when we're sorry for the wrong we've done and desire to change, God is willing to forgive and forget," said Mom. "He promises to blot out our sins, remove them as far as the east is from the west, and remember them no more." She looked at the girls. "Are you truly sorry for the way you've behaved so often lately? Do you want God to forgive your quarreling and help you be more loving?"

Both girls nodded. "I'm sorry," they said at the same time.

"Okay," said Mom. "Talk to the Lord about it-and then go get your homework done." The girls nodded and left together.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you like something you've said or done to be erased? Did you start a quarrel today or tell a lie or cheat at school? Did you fail to do your chores or to help someone? Are you truly sorry? If so, tell God. He'll forgive you and give you a fresh start-sort of like a blank tape. With His help you can fill your life with only good words and thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

[Soldier4Christ]

 Tips from Tippy

As Linda packed the last few items into her suitcase, she looked worried. "What's wrong, honey?" asked her mother. "Aren't you excited about going to Grandma's for a visit?"

"Well, yes," Linda replied slowly, "but it's such a long way. What if we have an accident?" She was thinking of a dreadful car accident that she'd seen on the TV news recently.

Mom patted Linda's arm. "Our lives are in God's hands," she said. "We realize that an accident could happen while we travel, but an accident could just as easily happen right here at home. We're trusting the Lord to take care of us." Linda nodded, but she still felt uneasy.

Mom went to the kitchen to finish getting dinner, and Linda followed. A fluffy little ball of puppy fur was curled up on an old rug in the corner. Only a few days earlier, Dad had brought the little animal home. He had found it dripping-wet and abandoned along the road. "Hi, Tippy," said Linda softly. Tippy watched as Linda put some puppy chow into a bowl. "Come and eat," she coaxed. "Come on. It's good!" Linda held out her hand.

Tippy jerked up and shot under the corner shelves, trying to hide from Linda's outstretched hands. "You poor little thing!" she murmured, gently gathering the shaking pup into her arms and stroking the soft fur. She carried Tippy over to the bowl of food. "You need to learn to trust me."

"Why should Tippy trust you?" asked Mom.

"Because I love him, and I'll take good care of him," Linda replied promptly. "I won't give him anything that isn't good for him."

"Yes," agreed Mom, "and it will be good when Tippy learns that. It's always good when we learn to trust the One who cares for us."

Linda smiled. "I get the point, Mom," she said. "You're saying that God loves me and knows what's best for me, so I should trust Him." She nodded. "That's just what I'm going to do."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid of what might happen to you in the future? When you see someone in a wheelchair or when someone you know is hurt in a car accident, are you afraid the same thing might happen to you? When a classmate has to move away or when a friend's grandparent dies, do you worry that you might face the same unhappy circumstance? Remember that God loves you and wants what is best for you. Ask Him to take your fears away. Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Leanne slammed the screen door, threw her schoolbooks on the nearest chair, and slumped down at the kitchen table where her mother was working.  "I hate school," she announced as Mother looked up from cutting a long strip of light blue material.  "I don't even like recess," Leanne added.  Mother raised her brows and quietly continued working. "What are you making with all those tiny pieces?" asked Leanne, pointing to the strips of material laid out all over the table.
 
"I'm starting a new quilt," replied Mother.
 
"A quilt?  Can I help?" asked Leanne eagerly.
 
"Sure," agreed Mother as she handed Leanne a piece of material.  "This is marked -- just cut it on the lines."
 
Leanne carefully followed the markings on the bright pink material. As she snipped, she thought about her problems.  She decided her life was ruined.  Nothing seemed to be working out the way she wanted.  "Don't you want to hear why I hate school?" she asked, glancing over at Mother. Without waiting for an answer, she frowned and said, "I don't like the dark stuff you're cutting now.  Do we have to use it?"
 
Mother smiled.  "It will look good in the quilt," she said.  She picked up a picture from the table and held it up.  "This is what the quilt will look like when it's finished.  See where the dark pieces are used?"
 
Leanne looked at the picture.  "Wow!" she exclaimed.  "That's pretty!"
 
Mother nodded.  "When you think about it," she said, "our lives are something like a giant quilt.  Life is made up of lots of different experiences -- some that we like and some that we don't.  We only see snips and scraps, and we wonder how everything is going to work out.  But God sees the beauty of fitting each piece together.  We need to trust Him.  He knows what He's doing.  He knows the beautiful picture He has planned for our lives."
 
Leanne grinned.  I guess my life isn't really ruined, she thought to herself.  I'll just have to trust God to work it out for me.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder why God allows your friends to "be mean" to you?  Why He lets your parents fight?  Why He permits people you love to die?  We all have to go through some difficult times.  Remember that God is still in control.  Trust Him to use all the experiences you go through to make something beautiful out of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 3:5)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason pointed a long stick toward a clump of bushes.  The imaginary enemy was just behind it, ready to take over Jason's territory!  "Winning the war again?" asked Dad, who had been in a real war.  He frowned as he took the stick from Jason's hand.  "You know I don't like you to even pretend to shoot anyone, Jason," he added as they went into the house.
 
"I hope I get to be a real hero some day," said Jason.
 
"I know how you feel," said Dad, "but I hope you get to be a hero some other way than be being in a war.  Tell me, what would you like to be when you get older?"
 
"Somebody important," said Jason promptly.  "Like David in the Bible.  He killed Goliath and got to be king."
 
"How about being as important as Adino the Eznite?" asked Dad. Jason looked puzzled, and Dad laughed.  "We'll talk about him later," he promised, "but now I hear Mother calling for help in the kitchen."
 
Soon Jason was busily helping Mother unload the groceries and put them away.  She told him to take some to the basement, some to the pantry, and some she kept in the kitchen.  "Mom's like a general in the army," Jason muttered.  "I don't like taking orders.  I want to be the boss."
 
At family devotions Dad said, "We're going to read about Adino the Eznite."  He read Second Samuel 23:8 to introduce his family to Adino, one of David's mighty men.
 
"That guy, Adino, was famous only because he served with King David," observed Jason when Dad had finished.
 
"Think so?" asked Dad.  "Or could it be possible that King David was famous because he had mighty men like Adino?  Adino was happy to serve His king."  Dad closed his Bible.  "For every general, there are thousands of soldiers who carry out his plans, and the general becomes famous.  We have one Lord -- Jesus Christ -- and it's our responsibility to glorify Him, not to make a name for ourselves.  I'd be happy to be an 'Adino the Eznite' in God's army."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does serving Jesus and others seem dull because you don't feel important?  Jesus instructed His people to serve one another.  In doing so, we're serving the King of kings.  Forget about your own dreams of fame and get busy serving the Lord.  That's the way to true greatness.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 20:26)
Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jim clenched the arms of the dentist's chair, hoping Dr. Jones was nearly done.  He always dreaded going to the dentist.  It was a relief when the buzzing of the drill stopped and Dr. Jones checked the tooth.  "Are you finished yet?" Jim asked anxiously.
 
"Just a little more drilling, Jim," replied Dr. Jones.  "I know this isn't pleasant, but we want to make sure the tooth won't continue to decay underneath the new filling."  He began drilling again.  "This is a little like drilling sin out of our lives, isn't it?" he added.   Jim was glad he couldn't talk while Dr. Jones was working.  He wasn't at all sure how he should answer that question.
 
"If we don't get every bit of the decay out of this tooth, it will get worse," continued Dr. Jones.  "Any decayed material left in the tooth would cause lots of problems later on.  It's that way in our lives, too.  If we don't completely get rid of a sin, it will also cause problems later on."  Jim's mouth was still wide open, so he just nodded numbly.  "For example, if I find myself telling even a 'little lie,'  I try to correct it," said Dr. Jones.  "I ask God to forgive me and help me to always tell only the truth."  	The buzzing stopped again, and Dr. Jones grinned at Jim.  "That should take care of drilling this tooth," he said.  "If there are any cavities of sin in your life, be sure to get them drilled out, too.  If fact, it's a good idea to drill them out every day."
 
Jim felt more relaxed now that the drilling was finished, and he thought about what Dr. Jones had said.  He remembered a recent discussion with his parents about his habit of putting off work he needed to do.  He had been trying to get things done more promptly, but occasionally he still told his mom that his homework or his chores around the house were all done when that wasn't quite true -- it was almost true, but not entirely true.  He also remembered that he used bad language once in a while.  As the dentist put in the new filling, Jim realized that some "drilling" still needed to be done in his life.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there some things in your life that you know aren't quite right?  Maybe just a little lying, a little cheating, or a little talking back to parents or teachers?  Get rid of those things completely before they grow bigger and become much harder to stop.  Ask God's forgiveness and His help to drill the sin out of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:133)
Let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

[Soldier4Christ]

A soldier stood near the wall, dressed in uniform, with medals on his chest.  He seemed to be looking for something as he read the names.  Then he placed a finger on one of the names and began tracing the letters.  Over and over the soldier traced the letters of that name.
 
Curious, Paul edged closer.  He was surprised to see tears on the soldier's cheeks.  He hadn't imagined that a soldier would cry.  The soldier noticed Paul, and feeling embarrassed, Paul backed away.
 
"It's all right, young man," said the soldier.  "Let me explain the reason for these tears."  He squatted down and looked Paul in the eye. "The name I was tracing belongs to a man who fought with me in Vietnam.  We were together when a grenade landed right beside us.  Glenn threw himself on top of it and took all the fury of the explosion.  He died for me.  Because of him, I'm alive today."  The soldier gave Paul a trembling smile, and Paul felt tears filling his own eyes as he watched the soldier walk away.
 
Later, Paul told his parents what the soldier had said.  "It must be a strange feeling, to know that somebody died to save your life," Paul added.
 
Dad nodded thoughtfully.  "Actually, that happened to you, too," he said.  "Someone did die to save you."
 
"When?" asked Paul in surprise.  "Who did that?"
 
"The Lord Jesus did," replied Dad.  "All that He suffered on the cross was for you, Paul.  It was to pay for your sins, as well as for those of the whole world."
 
"Oh, that's right!" said Paul.  "I guess I never thought of it that way before."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made for you?  Unless you accept His death as payment for your sin, you will have to bear the fury of punishment yourself.  By His death on the cross, Jesus took that punishment for you.  If you've never asked Him to forgive your sins, do it today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 53:5)
But He was wounded for our trans- gressions.

[Soldier4Christ]

"There was a new girl in our class today," Mary Ellen announced at the dinner table.  "I don't like her, though.  She's a snob.  She sits just like this."  Mary Ellen turned her nose up, pushed her shoulders back, and sat very erect.  "When Debi asked her if she wanted to jump rope with us, she said, 'No thank you,' so proper-like."
 
"Hmmm," murmured Mother as she passed the chicken casserole. "Don't you think you're judging a little prematurely?  God says we shouldn't do that."
 
Dad peered at the casserole.  "What is this?"
 
"A new casserole," said Mother.  "It's delicious."
 
"I don't want any," stated five-year-old Matthew.  "I don't like it."
 
Mary Ellen laughed.  "You've never tasted it," she said.
 
"I know I don't like it," Matthew repeated.  "I don't like the way it looks, and I don't want any."
 
"Well, I want you to try it," said Dad.  "Take two bites, Matthew."
 
Matthew looked pleadingly at his mother.  "You heard your dad," she said.  "Two bites."  So Matthew put a tiny bit on the edge of his spoon. "That's not even enough to taste," Mother said as she filled his spoon. "Now taste it."
 
Matthew grimaced as he put the spoon to his mouth.  He swallowed, then slowly grinned.  "It's good!" he exclaimed.
 
When the laughter had died down, Mother looked at Mary Ellen. "The way you're acting about the new girl is just how Matthew acted about the chicken casserole," she said.  "You haven't given her a fair chance."
 
"Yeah," Matthew muttered with his mouth full.  "You might like her if you get to know her."
 
The next day, Mary Ellen came bouncing in from school.  "Guess what, Mother?  I do like Jolene," she said.  "She's nice.  She sits like she does because she has to wear a back brace.  That's why she couldn't jump rope, too.  She just hated to tell anybody."
 
Mother smiled.  "I'm glad you gave Jolene a fair chance," she said. "I'm sure the Lord is pleased, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you critical when you meet new people?  If you judge them on the basis of first impressions, you may miss some wonderful experiences.  Make up your mind to give everyone you meet a fair chance to be your friend.  God warns about judging unfairly.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 6:37)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.

[Soldier4Christ]

Steve watched as his father worked on the car.  "I hear you've been increasing your vocabulary," came Dad's muffled voice from beneath the hood.  Steve felt a nervous quiver in his stomach, and he got busy searching in the tool box as Dad straightened up.  "Coach Roberts tells me you've begun joining in the locker room conversation a bit more freely. As a Christian and a member of our church, he thought I should know about it.  He told me he talked to you, too."
 
Steve shrugged.  "Well, you said yourself I was old enough to know more about girls and stuff like that."
 
Dad nodded.  "I see."  He looked at the spark plugs he held.  "I need the owner's manual," he said.  "It's in a drawer by the stove. Run to the kitchen and get it for me -- it has a blue cover."  Steve hurried away, surprised but glad his father had changed the subject.  When he returned, he handed his dad a book.  Dad began flipping through the pages.  He smiled; then he laughed out loud.  "I don't think I'll get much help from this book!  It's one of your mother's cookbooks, not the owner's manual," he said.
 
Steve laughed, too.  "Oops!" he said.  "There were two blue books in the drawer."  He went back to get the right one.
 
When Steve returned, Dad took the book.  "It makes sense to get your information from the right source, doesn't it?" he said.  "You wouldn't look in the cookbook for car repair information, and you wouldn't ask your English teacher for suggestions on skateboarding."  Dad leafed through the manual.  "You know," he added, "information about the relationships between men and women are a lot more important than a smooth-running car.  Your friends may seem to know a lot, but they may be far from understanding things from God's perspective.  For something this important, you need the best source of information you can get -- God's Word and your own family."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your friends try to impress one another with what they think they know about the opposite sex?  Does listening to them seem more entertaining or exciting than listening to your parents?  Do magazines or books that you know are wrong for you to read seem appealing?  To have rewarding and lasting friendships and marriage, get your information only from the proper source.  Learn what God says on the subject.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:6)
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tad sighed as he watched the bobber on his fishing line.  It rocked on the gentle waves.  A moment later, he sighed again.  "Something bothering you?" asked Gramps, who was stretched out lazily on the creek bank.
 
"Yeah," said Tad.  "I've invited six guys to Sunday school this week, and not one is going to come.  I don't think I'll invite them again.  I think I'll quit inviting anybody to church."  Gramps wrinkled his brow as he looked at Tad.  Then he sat up and started reeling in his line.  Tad jumped up.  "You got a bite?" he asked excitedly.
 
Gramps shook his head.  "No.  I'm quitting."
 
"But, Gramps, we've only been here a little while, and we've got all afternoon," Tad argued.
 
"Yeah, but we've been here long enough to have caught something, and we haven't caught one fish.  I'm giving up fishing for good."  Gramps stood up.  "Pull in your line.  Let's go."
 
"Please. . .let's wait a little longer," pleaded Tad.
 
As Gramps checked his bait, he gave his grandson a crooked grin. "Well, if you're sure.  I just thought you were ready to quit.  If you give up fishing for men so easily, I reckoned you would soon tire of fishing for fish, too."
 
Tad smiled.  "I get the message, Gramps.  I should have known you had something like that in mind," he said.  "Okay. . .when we get home, I'll call Cliff and invite him to Sunday school."
 
Gramps tossed his line back into the water.  "That's more like it," he said.  "Just because the fish aren't biting this minute, it doesn't mean we give up fishing."
 
Tad grabbed his rod.  "Look, Gramps!  Look!" he squealed.  "I've got a bite."  Quickly he reeled in his line.
 
Gramps chuckled as a big bass broke the water.  "Yep, you've got to keep fishing," he said.  "You never know when you'll get a bite."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does it seem like you're wasting your time by inviting your friends to church or witnessing in other ways?  Don't be discouraged.  Sooner or later, someone will "take the bait."  Just keep on "fishing."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 1:17)
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm prettier than Lisette," said Rachel, tossing her head, "and Sally says she's never seen such glossy hair as mine!"  Rachel began to flatten a stick of red modeling clay.  "And I can sing better than anyone in my class," she announced proudly.
 
"God has certainly given you a talent for singing," said Mom mildly.
 
"And boasting!" muttered Brian as he heaved a loud sigh.   
 
Rachel scowled at her brother and started fashioning a slender vase.  "I'm smarter than you are, Brian," she said loftily, "even though you're older than me."  Brian clicked his tongue impatiently, walked out of the room, and slammed the door.  Rachel's lips curved into a smile.  "Mrs. White said mine was the best essay in our writing class," she said loudly as she stood back to admire her handiwork.
 
Mother looked over her shoulder.  "Isn't that blue bowl you made yesterday a clever little thing!" exclaimed Mother.  "And that red clay vase looks really intelligent, too.  I can see that both those pottery pieces are very smart -- they're so nicely made."
 
"What do you mean?   Things aren't smart," said Rachel, frowning.  "It was me who made them."
 
"Oh, but they're so smart to turn out so pretty and neat," said Mom.
 
Rachel looked puzzled.  "Mom, I don't get it," she said.  "Those were just sticks of clay.  I'm the one who made them turn out that way."
 
"That's true," said Mom softly, "and here's something else to think about.  You may be pretty and smart, and you may sing well. . .but who made you that way?"
 
Rachel shuffled her feet uneasily.  "God did," she mumbled at last.
 
"So who gets the credit for all of that?" asked Mom.
 
"God, I guess," replied Rachel.
 
"So," said Mom, "there's nothing for you to boast about, right?"
 
Rachel sighed.  "Right, Mom," she admitted.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you pretty?  Clever?  Do you sing well, draw well, or speak well?  Whatever talents or gifts you have were given to you by God.  They are not given that you might boast about them, but that you might give thanks to God for them and use them for His glory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 4:7)
For who maketh thee to differ from another?  and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?  now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?