Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

The Hamiltons, who were on vacation by the sea, visited an old lighthouse in the area.  "What does a lighthouse do, Daddy?" asked little Joanne.
 
"It shines its light far and wide, so ships out at sea are guided to a safe place to land," Dad told her.
 
"But do you know what wicked men used to do long ago?" asked Mom.  She pointed out toward the sea.  "Can you see those rocks way over there?" she asked.  "Well, sometimes evil men, called wreckers, would light their lamps and swing them over there near those rocks.  The ships' captains would think that was a safe place to land, and then they'd end up on the rocks."
 
"That's horrible!" gasped Mary Ann.  "Why would anyone do that?"
 
"Well, after the ship crashed into the rocks, the wreckers would steal the cargo," replied Mom.  "Ships often carried gold in those days."
 
"I'm glad there are no wreckers now," said Joanne fervently.
 
"Yeah, me too," agreed Jamie.
 
Mary Ann nodded.  She shuddered as she studied the sharp, cruel looking rocks.
 
"	You know, kids, there are still some wreckers around," said Dad, "though I don't mean the ship-wrecking kind."  He frowned.  "Satan is a wrecker -- a master wrecker," Dad continued.  "He makes evil things look so attractive and appealing that we're tempted to do them."
 
"Like what?" asked Jamie curiously.
 
"Well, how about some of the popular music that has a catchy tune but bad words and ideas," suggested Dad.  "Satan would like us to listen to it."
 
Mary Ann nodded.  "Or how about things like smoking or drinking?  Some of the kids at school try them in order to get in with the popular kids."
 
"Right," said Dad.  "Sometimes Satan manages to persuade us that it's all right to do those kinds of things."
 
"And like the ships that got wrecked upon the rocks, our lives get wrecked by sin  when we're misled by Satan's false light," added Mom.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is Satan making something appear good to you -- something that you really know is wrong?  Remember that he's a wrecker of lives.  He will sometimes make evil things appear good and attractive to you -- like he made the forbidden fruit seem good and attractive to Eve.  He wants you to believe that it's okay to do things God forbids.  Don't let him fool you into doing them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 11:14)
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What are you doing, Mom?" Cami asked as she walked into the laundry room.  Cami's mother was standing at the open back door and looking into the garage.
 
"Shhhh," said Mother.  Then she crooked her finger and motioned for Cami to come.
 
Curious, Cami quickly went to stand beside her mother.  A bird was flying into the garage with a piece of straw in its mouth.  Together Cami and her mother watched as two birds put together a nest on one of the rafters in the garage.
 
Suddenly Cami sneezed, and the birds flew away.  "Oh, I'm sorry, little birds.  I didn't mean to scare you away," said Cami.
 
Cami's mother shut the door and they both walked back into the kitchen.  "What kind of birds are those, Mom?" Cami asked.
 
"Those birds are barn swallows," said Mom.
 
"Do they think our garage is a barn?" asked Cami.
 
Mother laughed.  "I don't know," she said, "but they're building a mud nest in an excellent place for their coming family.  It's fun watching them build their special little home, isn't it?""
 
"A mud nest!" exclaimed Cami.  "That doesn't sound very special to me!"
 
Mom smiled.  "I guess that's because you're not a barn swallow," she said.  After a moment she added, "Did you know that Someone is making a special home for you?"
 
Cami's eyes opened wide.  "Really?  Who?"
 
"Jesus is," replied Mom.  "Jesus died for your sins so you can live in heaven with Him.  He's preparing a very special place there for you."
 
"Just for me?" Cami asked with a grin.
 
"Jesus is preparing a special home for everyone who has trusted Him as Savior.  Isn't that a wonderful promise?" Mother asked.  Cami nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is Jesus preparing a special place for you?  He is if you've trusted Him as your Savior.  Have you done that?  If not, won't you do so today?  It's a wonderful thing to know that you will someday be in heaven with Him.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:2)
In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Danny, while you were gone, Michael called," Danny's mother told him.  "He wants you to call him back."
 
Danny went to phone his friend.  There was no answer.  Then he remembered that Michael was out of town for the weekend.  "Are you sure it was Michael Burk?" he asked.
 
"No, it was Michael White," said Mother.  "I'm sorry.  I should have told you which Michael it was."
 
Just then Danny's older sister burst into the room.  "Guess what!  I'm going to the school concert with Michael!" she exclaimed.  "He asked me this afternoon."
 
Danny and Mother looked at each other.  Danny giggled. "Which Michael?" he asked.
 
"I know only one. . . ." began Tanya.  She stopped.  "Oh, that's right.  I do know two Michaels.  Well this one's Michael Watson."
 
That night, Danny looked at his list of prayer requests.  One name on it was that of a boy at church who needed surgery for a serious heart condition.  "Dear Lord, please bless Michael," Danny began.  Then he paused.  "You know, Michael Weatherbee," he added.  "The one who needs the heart surgery."
 
Suddenly Danny thought about how many Michaels there were in the world -- and he figured there must be  plenty of Joes and Janes and Pauls, too -- and Dannys!  Danny had always thought of God as his personal friend, but suddenly he felt like just one of millions of people.  He felt small and unimportant and a bit lonely.
 
A few days later, Dad, who was a doctor, called from the hospital. "Michael had his surgery today, and he's doing fine," he told Danny. "Guess what?  There are three other Michaels on this floor!"
 
"Well, I hope the doctors and nurses don't get them mixed up," said Danny.  "They'd better go by last names."
 
Dad laughed.  "Well, there's even another Michael Weatherbee here," he said, "but don't worry.  Our Michael's mother is the head nurse on this floor.  Believe me, she knows which Michael belongs to her."
 
When Danny prayed for his friend that night, he knew he didn't have to remind God which Michael was being prayed for, or which Danny was doing the asking.  Just as a mother knows her son, God knows each of His children.  As far as God is concerned,  Danny thought happily, I'm just as special as if I were the only Danny in the world!



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think God ever gets tired of caring for so many people?  Do you ever wonder if He is too busy to hear your requests, fears, or problems?  Don't worry!  God knows each of His children, and each one is special to Him.  He will never forget you!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 43:1)
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did I really wear this?" asked Michelle.  She held up the tiny, knitted bonnet.  "It's so small!"
 
Mother smiled.  "Yes," she said.  "Isn't it amazing how little we are at first and how much we grow?"  She picked up a pair of baby shoes.  "You wore these when you were about a year old and had just started walking."  Mother rubbed the soft leather.  "Before long, you were running everywhere and ready for a larger pair of shoes."
 
Michelle grinned, and they continued to dig through the box of memories, pulling out various items and talking about how they had been used.  Michelle picked up a small scrapbook and opened it.  "You wrote in this, Mom.  It says, 'Michelle's drawings from ages three to six.'"  She examined the pages.  "At least my drawings got better each year," she said.
 
"Yes, they did," agreed Mother.  "The bigger you grew, the more you learned about how to draw houses, trees, and people.  She picked up a sheet of paper.  "Look.  Here's a list of questions you asked when you were in second grade."
 
	"Really?  That was the year I asked Jesus into my heart," said Michelle.  She looked at the list.  "Listen to these, Mom.  'Are clouds made out of cotton candy?'  'Is God in all places?'  'Why did Jesus have to die?'"
 
"All good questions," said Mother.  "Do you know the answers now?"
 
"Sure," said Michelle.  "I've learned a lot since then."
 
Mother nodded.  "Good," she said.  "You grew physically and mentally, and you grew spiritually, too.  That's as it should be."
 
Michelle smiled.  "We grow physically and mentally by eating food and studying, and we grow spiritually through things like Bible reading and Sunday school and the pastor's sermons, right?" she asked.
 
	"Those things certainly help," agreed Mother.  "And don't forget that we must not only read, but obey, God's Word."
 
Michelle held up the scrapbook.  "It's like these drawings," she said. "The more I grew, the better I drew.  And the more I. . .ah. . . ."  She laughed.  "Oops!  I can't think of a rhyme to tell how I grew spiritually."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
You don't wear the same clothes you wore a few years ago, do you?  You're able to solve harder problems and do better at sports, right?  Have you also grown spiritually?  Do you know more about Jesus?  Memorizing Bible verses, faithful attendance in church and Sunday school, and studying God's Word will help you grow spiritually.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:18)
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't really see the use of praying about things," remarked Cindy, peeking in the fridge one morning.  "I've prayed and prayed, but God doesn't seem to be hearing. . . ."
 
"Mom!" Ben yelled out from the living room, "the remote's not working again."  Mom and Cindy heard him getting up to change the TV channel.  "It's such a nuisance," he grumbled.
 
"That's the second time that thing's been broken in two weeks," said Cindy.  "I hate having to get up to switch channels."  She closed the fridge.  "No orange juice," she complained.
 
"I bought some fresh oranges yesterday," said Mom.  "You can squeeze one of those if you want to."
 
"Aw, Mom," whined Cindy, "why didn't you get a carton of juice?" She sighed.  "I can't be bothered with squeezing oranges."
 
"Cindy, it sounds like you and Ben are both developing an 'instant mentality,'" said Mom.  She eyed Cindy thoughtfully.  "And judging from what you said a few minutes ago, I'm afraid that attitude seems to be creeping into your prayer life too!"
 
"What do you mean?" asked Cindy indignantly.
 
"Well, you're so used to having things quickly, conveniently, instantly, that you can't tolerate even small delays -- like getting up to switch channels or taking a few minutes to squeeze an orange," explained Mom.  "And you apparently expect God to answer instantly, too."
 
Cindy squirmed uneasily as she thought about it.  "Maybe," she admitted reluctantly.  "But we're supposed to expect answers, aren't we?"
 
"Yes, but prayer is not like turning on a faucet and expecting the water to come gushing out, you know," said Mom, ruffling her daughter's blonde curls.  "Besides, God's timing doesn't always match ours and we must learn to wait and not expect instant answers."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you developing an "instant" mentality?  Do you always want things now, if not sooner?  There's nothing wrong with owning or using time-saving, labor-saving conveniences like dish washers or microwaves or even remote controls and canned juices!  But guard against getting so used to having everything instantly that you expect God's answers to be instant too.  Sometimes God says, "Wait!" And He doesn't specify how long!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:8-9)
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jeremy was going to be flying on an airplane for the first time in his life, but he was not excited about it.  His parents were getting a divorce, and he was going to live with his grandparents for a while.  Inside, he felt as dark and gloomy as the day around him.
 
As he boarded the plane with his grandmother, Jeremy choked down the lump in his throat.  Grandmother gave him a reassuring smile. "Scared?" she asked.
 
Jeremy shook his head.  Inside, his nerves screamed, "Yes, I'm scared!  I'm scared of everything."  But he didn't say anything.  As the plane sped down the runway, huge drops of rain splattered the tiny windows.  Just like tears, Jeremy thought.  But he didn't cry.
 
When the plane lifted from the earth, Jeremy felt his heart fly up into his throat.  He took a deep breath.  All around them, dark clouds tumbled and rumbled, and so did Jeremy's stomach.  Grandmother reached for his hand.  "Don't be afraid, Jeremy," she said softly.  "God loves us.  He'll take care of us."  Jeremy knew Grandmother was talking about more than the plane ride.  He wanted to believe her, but there was so much fear in his heart.  "We'll go right up into the dark clouds, Jeremy," continued Grandmother.  "For a few minutes, we'll be in a thick fog, because that's what clouds are -- fog.  But just wait until we get above the clouds. . . ."
 
Suddenly, they were in the clouds.  The interior of the plane dimmed.  Then, just as suddenly, a brilliant light came streaming through the windows.  Jeremy squinted as he pressed his nose to the pane.  "Wow!" he gasped.
 
Grandmother smiled gently.  "Above the clouds, the sun is always shining," she said.  "Our family is going through a storm right now, Jeremy.  Things look pretty dark.  But remember, God is still in control.  Someday we'll break through the clouds, and life will be filled with beauty and happiness again."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through a storm in your life?  Are you afraid of the future?  Maybe your "storm" isn't a divorce in your family -- but whatever it is, remember that even when you can't see the sun, it is shining.  And even when you can't feel God, He is near.  Trust Him, and He will lift you above the clouds.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 12:2)
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.

[Soldier4Christ]

Amanda bowed her head and closed her eyes to pray, just as she always did before eating her lunch at school.  When she opened her eyes, her lunch bag had disappeared.  Every eye was on her, and the children were snickering.  Amanda sighed. 
 
"Who has my lunch?" asked Amanda.  "Will you give it back, please?"  At that, everyone burst into laughter.
 
"Ask God where your lunch is, Miss Christian," said Rob.  "You always talk to Him, don't you?"
 
Just then the teacher stood behind Amanda.  "The person who has Amanda's lunch had better hand it over right now, or you'll all be in trouble," she said.  Rob pulled a hand out from under the table.  The lunch bag was in it, and he handed it to Amanda.  She quietly took it.
 
When Amanda arrived home, she told her mother what had happened.  "I was so embarrassed, Mom," she said.  "Some of the kids in my class always call me 'Miss Christian.'  I just don't know how to act when they make fun of me."
 
"Follow Jesus' example," advised Mother.  "How did He act when He was persecuted?"
 
"Well. . .He didn't fight or talk back," replied Amanda.
 
Mother nodded.  "Do you remember the papers you used when you were learning to write?" she asked.  "There were letters and words printed on the top line.  They were your example.  You copied them the best you could."
 
"And now Jesus is my example," said Amanda thoughtfully.  "I'm to copy Him.  But I can't be perfect, as He is."
 
"Well, think about how your letters looked when you first started copying them," suggested Mother.  "Your writing now is much more like the letters at the top than it was when you started.  And as you follow Jesus' example, you'll become more and more like Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has anyone made fun of you for being a Christian?  How did you react?  Were you angry or spiteful?  Next time ask yourself, "How would Jesus act if He were in my place?"  By copying Him, you may even be able to influence your persecutors to be saved.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:21)
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did you invite Roger to the game?" asked Ted's father.
 
"Yeah," Ted answered with a frown, "but he's going to a Boy Scout meeting instead."
 
"Oh, really?" asked Dad in surprise.  "I didn't know he was a Scout!  How long has he been one?"
 
Ted shrugged.  "I didn't even know he belonged to the Boy Scouts."
 
"Wouldn't you like to be a Boy Scout, too?" asked Dad.
 
"Yeah, I might," replied Ted.  "I know they learn neat things. . .like they have camp outs and learn how to find their way out of the woods if they get lost -- stuff like that.  I don't know how you join, though."
 
"If you really want to join, we'll find out how," Dad said.
 
Ted frowned.  "But maybe Roger doesn't want me to join," he said. "If he did, seems like he'd have told me about it and asked me."  He jumped up to answer the phone, and the subject didn't come up again.
 
A few days later, Ted and his folks were leaving a school program when a classmate ran up to Ted.  "Hey, Ted, want to go with my dad and me to the Rockets' game Sunday?" he asked.
 
"Sounds like fun, but I can't, Justin," replied Ted.  He hesitated.  "I go to church and Sunday school on Sunday."
 
"You do?" asked Justin.  "I didn't know that."  He turned to go.  "See ya later," he said.
 
As they started home,  Dad spoke thoughtfully.  "Do you suppose Justin thinks you don't want him to come to Sunday school?" he asked.
 
Ted frowned.  "Don't want him to come?" he asked.  "Why would he think that?"
 
"Well, I remember that you were a little annoyed with Roger for not asking you to join the Scouts," said Dad.  "You thought maybe he didn't want you to join because he never mentioned them to you.  Apparently you've never mentioned Sunday school to Justin."
 
Ted felt a little guilty as he thought about it.  "No," he admitted.  "I didn't."  After a moment, he spoke again.  "I'll invite him to come now," he said with determination.  "And I'm going to keep after him, too.  I'll make sure he knows he's wanted there."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you attend Sunday school?  Do your friends know about it?  Do they know they are welcome to come, too?  Sunday school is where they can learn the most important things in life.  Invite them.  Then perhaps the following verse may be said of you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 1:42)
And he brought him to Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I sure enjoyed this camping trip," said Jeff, as he helped Dad pull out the stakes that held their sturdy blue tent in place.  "But I miss Grandpa," he added soberly.
 
Dad stretched out an arm and drew Jeff close.  "I know, Jeff," he said gently.  "I miss him, too.  But we know he's with God now."
 
	Jeff nodded.  "I know, but it's hard to understand why he had to die."
 
	Dad was silent as they folded up the tent.  Jeff patted it affectionately. "Jeff," said Dad suddenly, "I know you're a little sad to fold up our tent and leave here, but aren't you looking forward to being home again?"
 
	"Sure," said Jeff readily.  "I kind of miss Mom."  He gave an impish grin.  "Believe it or not, I even miss little Timmy!"
 
	Dad laughed.  "Yeah, you miss teasing him!"  Then he grew serious.  "Jeff, this camping trip may help us understand something about dying."
 
	Jeff raised his eyebrows and waited for Dad to explain.
 
	"We had a fun week of living in a tent and cooking outdoors, right?" 	Jeff nodded.  His eyes sparkled as he remembered their campfires and games and visits with the neighboring campers.  "The tent was a temporary home, but now it's time to fold it up and go back to our real home -- with Mom and Tim waiting to welcome us," continued Dad.  He paused.  "When Grandpa died, he 'folded up his tent.'"
 
	"You mean that big green tent he always used?" asked Jeff.
 
	"No, I mean his body," said Dad.  "His body was a temporary home for him for seventy-five years; now he's gone to his permanent home -- to be with God and Grandma."
 
	"And they've welcomed him, haven't they!" exclaimed Jeff.  "And he's glad to be with them, even though he liked it here, too."
 
	Dad nodded.  "I think you've got the picture," he said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did someone you love die?  Do you worry about your own death some day?  If you know and love God, you need not worry, even though death does bring feelings of sadness.  Your body is like a tent -- once it has served its purpose here on earth, it is "folded away" and you go to your real home with God.  That will be a permanent home which you will never have to leave or fold away.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2  Corinthians 5:1)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I know what we can do," said Jeff one hot summer evening as he and his sister, Jill, stretched out on the grass beneath the starry sky.  "Let's see who can find the brightest star.  The loser has to pay for ice cream tomorrow."
 
Jill didn't think much of the idea.  "How are we going to prove which one is the brightest anyway?" she asked grumpily.  But she suddenly pointed to the north.  "That one's mine!  That real bright one up there."
 
Jeff squinted.  "I think I see the one you mean, but I see a brighter one," he said, pointing in another direction.  "See. . .right in the middle of that cluster of stars.  That one's brighter than the one you found."
 
"Isn't either!" protested Jill.  They continued to search the heavens as they argued about which star was brighter.  When Dad came out to tell them it was bedtime, they asked him to be the judge.
 
"Hmmmm," murmured Dad as they pointed out the stars they had chosen.  "As judge, I declare that neither of those is the brightest star of all.  In fact, I think the two of you should buy me a treat, because I know the brightest star personally.  And I hope you do, too.  It's important."
 
"What do you mean, you know a star?" asked Jill.  "We're not talking about football or baseball stars, you know.  Besides, I can get along fine without knowing any of them."
 
Dad laughed.  "I'm not talking about them, but I'm not talking about a star in the sky, either," he admitted.  "I'm talking about the Lord Jesus.  He's called the 'Bright and Morning Star.'  I'd say that's the brightest star of all, wouldn't you?  And it's very important to know Him."
 
"Okay, Dad."  Jeff grinned at his father as he got up to go in.  "But no treat.  You weren't in on the deal."
 
"Right," agreed Jill.  She glanced once more at the sky.  "I wonder what my friends would say if I told them I know a star," she added.  "I'll have to try it some time."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star?  God wants you to know Him.  Even in the final chapter of the Bible, God invites you to come to Him.  But one day it will be too late to do that.  Don't wait.  Accept Him today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 22:16)
I Jesus. . .am the. . . bright and morning star.

[Soldier4Christ]

"We read about Moses and the burning bush in Sunday school today," said Kelly, as the family sat down to Sunday dinner.  "We learned that God talked to him from the burning bush and told him what He wanted him to do.  Our teacher says God still speaks to people."
 
Kevin jabbed his fork into a potato.  "Maybe, but not through anything as interesting as a burning bush," he said.  "I'd like to see a burning bush! I wish God would send me one.  Wouldn't that be neat?"
 
"Yeah!" agreed Kelly.  "Imagine one of Mom's best bushes on fire and God speaking to us out of it!"
 
Mom smiled.  "Make it a bush at the back of the yard, will you?" she said.  "I don't want the whole place set on fire!"
 
They all laughed.  "But isn't it too bad God doesn't do that any more?" said Kevin, turning serious again.  "It would be really something to have God speak to you like that."
 
"Kevin," said Dad suddenly, "what about Jim?"
 
Kevin looked surprised.  Jim was the boy next door.  He'd been in a bad accident the year before and was confined to a wheelchair.  "What about Jim, Dad?" asked Kevin.
 
"Maybe he's your 'burning bush,'" suggested Dad softly.  "Your call to attention."
 
Kevin looked startled.  "I don't get it," he said slowly.
 
"It doesn't require a real bush for God to speak to us," explained Dad.  "He can catch our attention and speak to us through any situation or any person, if only our eyes and ears and hearts are open to Him.  But do you think God would have spoken to Moses if Moses hadn't taken the trouble to go over to the bush and examine it?"
 
Kevin frowned.  "I guess not," he said, "but. . .I still don't get it."
 
"Well, you pass Jim every day on your way to school," explained Dad, "and on your way back, and on your way out to play with your friends. . .and I've seen him watching you, with a hopeful look in his eyes.  So maybe God wants you to go over to Jim, stop a while, talk to him, and help ease his loneliness.  If you do that, maybe God will speak to you through him.  What do you think?"  Slowly, Jim nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought that God no longer speaks to people today?  He speaks, first of all, through His word.  He also speaks in other ways -- not always in a dramatic way, but He uses circumstances and people to get your attention.  Is there an unpopular child in your class?  A lonely person in your neighborhood?  A friend needing help?  Is your own brother or sister in need of your loving support?  These may be your burning bushes today.  Go over, look, listen, ask questions; and God will surely show you what He wants you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 3:3)
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

[Soldier4Christ]

Trevor poured himself a glass of apple juice.  He enjoyed having a snack each day after he finished his paper route.  As he drank his juice, he watched his mother repotting an African violet at the other end of the kitchen table.
 
"Hi, Trevor," said his father as he came through the back door.  "I'm glad you're here."  He took three magazines from the kitchen counter as he added, "I've been looking at these cartoon books you got in your trade with Tim.  Some of them are all right, but these three contain language a Christian shouldn't read, let alone use."
 
"Aw, Dad," Trevor protested, "you know I don't use that kind of language.  A lot of guys do, so that's why the characters in the cartoons talk that way."
 
"Do you really think it's okay to read these magazines?" asked Mother.  She pointed to some vulgar headlines on the cover of one of them.  "Foul language doesn't honor God." 
 
Trevor's face turned a little red.  "Well, there aren't very many bad words, and the jokes are funny," he argued.  "I just ignore the words Christians shouldn't use."
 
"That may not be as easy as you think," Dad said as he took about half a teaspoon of potting soil and dumped it right in Trevor's apple juice.
 
"Cut it out, Dad," protested Trevor, pulling his glass away.  "What did you do that for?"
 
"There's not much dirt in there.  Just drink around it," suggested Dad.  "Just ignore it."
 
"Ignore it!" exclaimed Trevor.  "You've ruined my juice.  It's all dirty."
 
Dad nodded.  "The Bible says a little leaven, or yeast, 'leavens the whole lump.'  In this case, a little dirt dirties the whole glass of juice."  He put the three magazines on the table.  "Just a little dirt can do a lot of damage, can't it?" he asked.
 
Trevor was thoughtful.  He remembered that when he was delivering papers, the one he threw toward Miss Sweeney's porch missed, and he almost said one of those bad words.  "I see your point," said Trevor finally, "and I'll put these in the trash.  And then how about some clean juice?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read magazines or books that contain bad language?  You may not intend to use profanity or other bad words, but if you read or listen to them, such words may slip out.  Ask God to help you "clean up your act."  Praise Him with your lips.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 19:14)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

[Soldier4Christ]

The referee's whistle for time-out sent Dave and his four teammates to the sidelines.  "Dave, stay outside where you get your best shots," said the coach.  "Tom will pass to you.  Pete and Bob will handle rebounds, and Ted will be free to move.  Listen closely for my directions."
 
When play started, the crowd was shouting advice.  "Dave!  Get under the basket!" he heard.  "Get the rebounds, Dave!"  The noise swirled in his ears.  It was hard not to listen when he heard his name, but he concentrated on one voice, the voice of his coach, calling directions.  Dave's two baskets helped carry his team to a lead at half-time.
 
Dave sagged onto a bench, already feeling the heaviness in his chest and weakness in his legs from playing two full quarters.  "Pete, you look like you just started," he said, watching his friend pacing around the locker room.
 
"I feel great!" Pete said.  He leaned closer.  "My mother has these pills she takes when she just needs a little boost.  I've been trying 'em on game days," he confided.  "I could run forever!"  He laughed loudly.  "Do you want one?  It'll do you good.  It might even be the difference between our team winning the game or losing it."
 
Thoughts filled Dave's head like the voices of the crowd.  He thought about how tired he was, how badly he wanted to win, how much his team was counting on him.  He thought about how great Pete looked.  All the voices in his head were shouting, "Take a pill!  Take it!"
 
Then, just like he had made a decision to listen to his coach and ignore the advice of the crowd, Dave decided to listen to the voice of God speaking to Him.  It wasn't as loud in his mind as the other voices, but sure enough, it was there when he listened.  "You made a promise to Me and to your family that you would never use drugs," God reminded him.  "Remember, My Word says, 'You are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.'"
 
Dave looked at Pete.  "I don't want any," he said.
 
"Aw, c'mon," Pete coaxed.  "The coach wouldn't care."
 
"My 'Coach' would," Dave said.  "He told me so!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does it seem like everyone tries to give you advice?  Does that advice sometimes contradict what you have been told at home or at church?  God wants to lead you in the right path.  Listen for His voice, and He will speak in many ways.  He will guide you with His Word and through the Holy Spirit.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 16:13)
When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, not another essay!" Shelly groaned to herself as the teacher wrote the subject on the board:  WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP.  "I hate writing essays.  Anyway, I don't know what I want to be."
 
At dinner that night, the family discussed the news of the day.  A couple of blocks away, a house had burned to the ground.  The fire had been started by two little boys playing with matches.
 
Then Shelly complained about having to write the essay for school.  "I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, and I don't really care," she said.
 
"You should care," said her dad.  "Life is a very precious gift from God.  It must be lived very carefully, for it can be used for great good or evil."  He found a match and struck it.  "Look at this flame, Shelly.  Can you think of something good it could do?"
 
"It could light a fire to cook food or to warm people," answered Shelly.
 
Dad nodded.  "Some people's lives have been saved because they had a match to start a fire.  But the house that burned today shows the great harm one little flame can do."  He paused and looked at his daughter.  "Your life is like this flame, honey.  Do you know what I mean?"
 
Shelly nodded.  "I think so," she said slowly.  "I can use my life for either good or bad, right?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Right," he agreed.  "You don't need to know right now what you want to be, but it's a good idea to start even now to ask God to show you what would please Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought about what you want to do when you grow up?  You don't need to decide right now, but it's not too early to begin asking God to show you what He wants you to be.  Be willing to serve Him in whatever way He chooses for you, both right now and in the future.  Doing so will always bring good for yourself and others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:27)
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, guess what happened in school today?" cried Elaine, flinging her bag onto the kitchen table.
 
"What happened, honey?" asked Mom, giving Elaine a hug.
 
"A box of felt pens got stolen from our teacher's desk," said Elaine.  "And Mom, I'm sure Katherine's the thief!"
 
"Elaine!  You've no right to say that unless you have proof," said Mom at once.
 
"But, Mom, it must be her," insisted Elaine.  "She stole my felt pens once, remember?"
 
"Yes, but she told you she was sorry and returned them to you," argued Mom.  "Anyway, just because she did that once doesn't mean she'll do it again.  Please don't start spreading stories about her.  That's something God definitely does not want you to do."  Mom looked at Elaine.  "You haven't told anyone what you were thinking, have you?"
 
"She told Noelle. . .I heard her," reported Elaine's brother who had come in.  "And David and Ricky were nearby, so they probably heard her, too."
 
"Mind you own business, Aaron," grumbled Elaine.  She certainly didn't want her mother to know that by afternoon the whole class seemed to have heard the story and were casting scornful looks at Katherine.
 
When Elaine and Aaron got home the next day, Elaine crept quietly into the house and tiptoed up to her room.  "Elaine, is that you?" called Mom.  Elaine sighed and went downstairs.  "How was school?" asked Mom.
 
"Oh, all right," said Elaine listlessly.
 
"Did your teacher find out who stole her felt pens?" Mom asked. 
 
Elaine nodded.  "They weren't stolen," she admitted reluctantly.  "We found out this afternoon that another teacher had borrowed them."
 
"Yeah," Aaron piped up.  "But before that, the whole class was calling Katherine a thief because of what Elaine told them.  Katherine's eyes were all red with crying."
 
"Poor Katherine!" exclaimed Mom.  She shook her head.  "And to think, you're the one who turned out to be a thief rather than Katherine."
 
"Mom!" gasped Elaine, shocked.  "I'm not a thief!"
 
"I'm afraid you are," said Mom.  "You stole Katherine's reputation by spreading that story about her.  You need to apologize -- both to her and to the Lord."  Through her tears, Elaine nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you hear something bad about someone else, do you repeat it?  If your friends start gossiping, do you join in eagerly, or do you move away?  Gossip and idle talk can destroy a person's reputation.  If you have to talk about someone's faults, talk to the Lord about it first, and then talk to that person and not to anyone else.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:9)
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor.