Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"I  hate being cooped up with this broken leg," Jeff complained to his Uncle George.  "I can't play ball or anything.  I'm sick of my crutches."
 
"Maybe what I brought you will help," said Uncle George, handing Jeff a package.  Eagerly Jeff opened it.  He found a jar containing a little green creature about three inches long.  "It's a chameleon," explained Uncle George.  "Here, let him out of the jar.  He'll enjoy running around your mother's houseplants."
 
Jeff laughed.  "Not if Mom sees him, he won't," he said as he carefully placed his new pet on the stem of a large plant. Suddenly he looked closer.  "He looks different, Uncle George!" he exclaimed.  "His color is changing."
 
Uncle George chuckled.  "He's turning a brownish color because he's on a brownish stem," he said.
 
"He's neat!" exclaimed Jeff.
 
"He can change to gray, green, brown, or a yellowish brown.  He changes his color, not only to blend in with his surroundings, but also according to the mood he's in or how he feels," explained Uncle George. He turned to Jeff.  "But I don't want you to learn his tricks!"
 
"I couldn't change the color of my skin," said Jeff.
 
"Oh, but some Christians are like chameleons," replied Uncle George. "They smile and are pleasant and talk about the Lord when everything is going their way, but when something unpleasant happens they 'change their color' fast.  Nobody could tell by watching them that they have a loving Savior and a wonderful home waiting for them in heaven."
 
Jeff took a deep breath.  He felt guilty because he knew that ever since he had broken his leg, he'd been pouting and feeling sorry for himself.  After a few minutes, Uncle George stood up.  "I must be going," he said.  "Enjoy your pet.  The feeding instructions are on the jar."
 
"Thanks," answered Jeff.  "I'll have fun taking care of him, and I've already learned something from him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you act one way at church but another way at school and at home?  Do you "change color" according to your mood or your circumstances?  If you're willing to let Him, God will help you be a consistent Christian instead of a "chameleon" one.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 101:2)
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Scott shuffled along half-heartedly as he and his father went out to practice with their new bows and arrows.  Scott was angry because he had been grounded for going to the arcade instead of doing homework at a friend's house.
 
Dad shot first.  His arrow sliced gracefully through the air, but it completely missed the target.  Scott didn't bother to hide his snickers.  "Okay, hotshot," Dad said with a laugh, "let's see you do better!"
 
Scott took careful aim.  He gave his father a superior smile as he hit the bottom corner of the target.  After several more tries, both of them could hit the target with a fair amount of accuracy.  Then Dad saw a bent arrow.  "I wonder what happened to this one," he murmured.  "Why don't you try it, Scott?  Let's just see what happens."
 
Scott tried it.  The crooked arrow flew in a crazy arc and was lost in a tangle of prickly blackberry bushes.  "I'm not going after that one!" exclaimed Scott as they rounded up other wayward arrows.
 
"We'll leave it," agreed Dad.  "Crooked arrows aren't much good.  That's why I don't want you to be one."
 
Scott frowned.  "What are you talking about?" he asked.
 
"Well," said Dad, "in Psalm 127, God says that children are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.  God gives parents the job of keeping those arrows nice and straight.  This is so important, because when we send you off on your own, you must be able to 'hit the target' by living a life that is pleasing to God.  If we don't straighten you out when you head in the wrong direction, you'll find yourself in some pretty thorny situations."
 
As they finished collecting the arrows, Scott began to feel almost glad about having been punished.  He knew Dad was just obeying God.  And Scott definitely did not want to grow up "crooked."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you submit to your parents when they punish you?  Even when you feel they are too severe?  God has given them the tremendously important job of raising you properly.  They need to "straighten" you out when you start down the "crooked" path of sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 22:15)
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at the wind!" exclaimed Sue as she stood at the window.  "The trees are swaying back and forth, and some of the branches are breaking off."
 
"Wow!  It's really blowing!" agreed Todd as he came into the room.  "I've never seen such a big wind!"
 
Dad joined them at the window.  "You can't really see wind," he reminded them.  "You only see what it does."
 
"Like making that garbage can roll down the street," remarked Sue.
 
The three of them watched in silence for a few minutes, then Dad said, "Jesus compared the blowing of the wind to becoming a Christian.  We can't see the wind, and we can't see Jesus coming into somebody's life, because it's His Spirit that comes in."
 
"And spirits are invisible," said Todd.  He looked at his sister. "That's why Sue still looks the same.  She has a turned-up nose and freckles just like before she invited Jesus into her heart at Bible Camp last summer."  He loved to tease Sue about her freckles.
 
Dad smiled.  "We see what the wind does, though," he said, "and we also see what Jesus does.  When He comes into a person's life, He changes that person.  A Christian wants to please the Lord and be obedient.  He tries to not do the things that displease God."
 
Sue nodded.  "I still do bad things sometimes, but I try not to," she said.  "When I do, I feel awful, and I ask Jesus to forgive me.  Before I was saved, I didn't care much."
 
"And I've noticed that you don't get as mad when I tease you," admitted Todd.
 
Sue slipped her hand into her father's and looked up at him.  "I'm glad the wind doesn't always blow this hard," she said.
 
"I am, too," agreed Dad.  "But I'm even more glad that Jesus is always in our hearts.  Even though we can't see Him, we know He's always there to help us live as we should."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does your life show that you are a Christian?  Is there evidence that Jesus has come into your life?  Make sure you're really born again (see last page).  Then ask God to help you live in such a way that those around you will see what He is doing in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

[Soldier4Christ]

Lori was jealous of her brother Lance.  He was very popular with both the kids and the teachers at school.  He gets along with Mom and Dad so much better than I do, too, she often thought.  Even Timmy likes him better than he likes me.
 
"Play with me," begged three-year-old Timmy one day, pulling at Lori's arm.
 
"No," answered Lori, "play by yourself."
 
Mother came in from the yard just then.  "Lori," she said, "come help me weed the flower beds."
 
"Do I have to?" whined Lori, following her mother unwillingly.
 
"Yes, you do," replied Mother.  "You can start over here."  Mother guided her to the end of a row.
 
Lori pouted as she slowly pulled weeds.  She swatted at a mosquito.  After a little while, she noticed a ladybug on one of the plants.  "Look, Mom," she said.  "A ladybug.  Shall I whack it?"
 
"No," said Mother.  "Ladybugs are our friends.  I read somewhere that they eat harmful insects that destroy crops.  The article said that they're sometimes caught and shipped to farmers and fruit-growers all over the world, to be released in their fields and orchards.  Thank God for ladybugs."
 
"In other words," said Lori thoughtfully, "mosquitos are just pests, but ladybugs are popular because they're helpful?"  Mother nodded.
 
Just then Lance called from the patio.  "I finished cleaning the garage, Mom," he said.  "Timmy wants me to take him to the playground.  Is that okay?"
 
"Wonderful!" said Mother.  "Thank you, Lance."
 
Hmmm, thought Lori, I bet one reason Lance is so popular is because he's a helpful person.  Maybe if I'm more helpful, people will like me better, too -- like Lance and the ladybugs.  She grinned to herself.  Maybe people would even thank God for me!



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you like a mosquito or like a ladybug?  Are you "pesky" or "helpful"?  Do others like to have you around?  With God's help, become a more useful person.  Others will appreciate it, and God will be pleased -- and you will, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:19)
Let us therefore follow after the things. . .wherewith one may edify another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bill walked into the house, his arms loaded.  "Mom, I'm all signed up for football," he said, dropping a big pile of football gear on the table.
 
"Great!" said Mother.  Picking up the mouth piece, she added, "Now this protects your teeth, and your helmet protects your head and face."
 
Bill grinned.  "And these pads protect my shoulders, and these shin guards protect my shins.  I'll be well-protected."
 
"Rightùand it's important to wear all of this protective gear," Mother said firmly.  "Don't forget."
 
"I won't!" Bill assured her.  "I've learned my lesson.  I forgot my mouthpiece when I went to practice the other day.  Coach Grimes said I had to go and get it if I wanted to play, so I did.  Good thing, too. When I got back, I got a good knock on my chin in the very first play.  I might have been hurt without it.  I guess each piece really is important."
 
That evening, Bill showed Dad all his football gear.  Dad smiled. "Did you know that God has protective gear for us to wear, too?" he asked.  "It's called the 'armor of God,' and each piece is important.  Who can remember what those pieces are?"
 
"I'll start," offered Mother.  "Let's see. . .we need to wear the belt of truth.  That means we have to be honest in everything we do.  And if we're wearing the breastplate of righteousness, it means we are right with God."
 
"We need the helmet of salvation," offered Bill.  "We learned that in Bible Club.  And. . .uh. . .our feet are to be ready to take us to share the gospel with others.  And we need our Swords.  We need to know the Word of God."
 
"Good!  You remembered well," said Mother.  "We also need the shield of faith to trust God, even in times of trouble and temptation."
 
Dad nodded.  "You know how important it is to wear your football gear, Bill," he said.  "Remember that it's even more important to wear the armor of God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you faithfully put on God's protective gear? Living without just one piece of God's armor opens you to the attacks of the devil.  Think about each piece daily, and make sure that it's a part of your life.  Use it when you're tempted.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:11)
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

[Soldier4Christ]

"There goes Melissa -- that new girl," said Dee to her friends at recess.  "Aren't her clothes funny?  And you should see her father!  He has a big scar on his face and looks like a criminal."
 
"Do you think he's really a criminal?" asked Leah.  "What do you suppose he did?"
 
Dee shrugged.  "Why knows? Robbed a bank maybe."
 
As Dee slid into her seat, she heard Leah whisper to Pam, "Don't play with Melissa -- her dad's a bank robber."
 
The rumor flew and grew until everyone in the class was whispering about Melissa and avoiding her.  A little voice in Dee's heart said, Dee, what have you done?  But she tried not to listen.
 
When Dee got home, she sprawled on the lawn to enjoy the sunshine.  She picked a dandelion that had gone to seed.  She blew on it, and the seeds floated off into the air like dozens of tiny parachutes.  She picked another dandelion, and then another, blowing each one and scattering the tiny seeds.  "Oh dear!" said Mother, who had come out with a glass of lemonade for Dee.  "Those little seeds are going to take root and become more pesky dandelions!  You better go pick them back up."
 
"Oops!" said Dee.  "There's no way I could pick them up again.  They're gone for good!  Sorry, Mom."
 
Mother sat down in a lawn chair.  "Well, if you hadn't blown them, the wind would have," she said.  Then she added thoughtfully, "Those little seeds remind me of words.  Once we've said words, they're gone for good, too.  The good ones bring happiness and help to people, and the unkind ones bring sorrow."  Dee squirmed uncomfortably as she remembered her words about Melissa and her father.  "Before we speak about anyone," continued Mother, "we should ask ourselves, 'Is what I'm about to say true?  Is it kind?  Would God be pleased to hear me say it?'"
 
The little nagging voice of Dee's conscience seemed to be shouting now.  Her words about Melissa's father had certainly been neither kind nor pleasing to God.  Probably they were not even true!  She knew that although she had to try to undo what she had done, she could never entirely take back those words.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of words do you speak?  Are they true?  Kind?  Pleasing to God?  Do they build, or do they destroy?  Ask God to help you speak only kind and helpful words.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Barry settled down to listen as Mr. Jensen, his Sunday school teacher, began to speak.  "I want to tell you about an article I read this week that told of some traditions in England," said Mr. Jensen.  "It said that the Queen of England has several castles, or homes.  Sometimes she lives in one, and sometimes in another.  Whenever she's in one of her homes, her flag flies on top of that roof.  It lets her subjects know their queen is inside."  Mr. Jensen paused as he looked at the boys.  "You know, as Christians, the King of Kings lives within each of us," he added.  "What are some things we could use as a banner -- things that would show that we have Jesus in our lives?  Who has an idea?"
 
Josh raised his hand.  "We could carry our Bibles," he suggested when the teacher called on him.
 
Mr. Jensen nodded.  "Of course, just because someone carries a Bible, it doesn't mean he's a Christian," said Mr. Jensen.  "Still, for those of you who are, it does give a testimony -- sort of like you're 'waving Christ's banner' for others to see.  Use it in front of your school friends as well as your Christian friends.  Who else can suggest something to use as a banner?"
 
Barry had a suggestion.  "We should obey our parents," he said.
 
Mr. Jensen nodded.  "And why should you obey them?" he asked.
 
"God says we should," replied Barry.
 
"That's right.  In other words, we should obey God, shouldn't we?  We should do what He says -- we should keep His commandments.  Where do we find them?"
 
"The Bible gives the Ten Commandments," said one of the boys. 
 
  Mr. Jensen nodded.  "Right, and they're very important," he agreed.  He held up his Bible as he added, "But our lesson today talks about a new commandment Jesus gave His disciples -- including us. Perhaps this is the best banner we could show others.  It's the one that Jesus says will show them that we belong to Him.  Turn in your Bibles to John 13:35 and tell me what that new commandment is."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you find the new commandment -- that you show love to one another --  as you read today's Scripture?  Do others see that you belong to Jesus?  He says they will if you show love as He commanded.  By doing this, you are holding high the "banner of love" and indicating to others that the Lord Jesus lives within your heart.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 13:35)
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sandra burst into the house after school.  "Mom," she called, "something awful has happened.  Lots of kids at school have lice!  The school nurse inspected all our heads.  She says I don't have them -- but I think I do because my head itches."  Sandra was almost in tears.  "I hate to think of bugs crawling on my head."
 
"Well, I'm sure the nurse would know if you have them, but if it will make you feel better, we'll scrub your head with some special soap that's made to kill those tiny creatures," Mother said comfortingly.
 
They took a trip to the store and returned with the soap.   "I'm sure Lisa Lewis and her brother brought the lice to our school," said Sandra as Mother helped her scrub her head.  "They live in a dumpy trailer down by the tracks and always come to school with greasy hair.  Everybody is mad at them.  They called them the Licey Lewises."
 
"I hope you didn't," said Mother.  "After all, you don't really know that the lice started with them, do you?"
 
"Well, no, but some kids say we shouldn't take any chance by being friendly with them because lice spread diseases.  I wouldn't want to get some awful disease!" declared Sandra.
 
"Keeping clean is extremely important in the prevention of disease," said Mother as she ran clean water to rinse away the soap.  "But it's even more important to keep our hearts clean from sin.  Little bugs like lice can cause a lot of trouble, and they cause us to shudder.  But 'little' sins are even worse -- we should also shudder over them.  Things like unkind thoughts make our hearts 'dirty' and lead to spiritual sickness."
 
Sandra took the towel Mother offered her and began to dry her hair.  "You mean I shouldn't be mad at Lisa and her brother, don't you?" she asked.
 
Mother nodded.  "Even if the problem did start with them, how do you think God would want you to treat them?  Would He be pleased to hear the name calling?  Or would He want you to be nice to them?" 
 
"He'd want me to be nice," acknowledged Sandra, "and I will.  I'm sorry I wasn't nice today."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there some "little" sin that you should confess to God?  Maybe you said something nasty, snubbed someone, or told a lie.  Whatever it is, confess it right now and let God make your heart clean once again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 51:10)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dark clouds covered the sky, and thunder boomed in the distance. "Look at Henny-Penny, Mom," said Michelle, pointing to the little coop near the barn.  "She's clucking for her chicks.  I guess she wants to protect them from the storm."  The mother hen stood in the doorway of the coop, clucking loudly.  The chicks came running to her from all directions.  Then she led them into the coop and settled down, covering them with her wings.  A heavy gust of wind and a spattering of rain sent Michelle and her mother scurrying into the house.
 
"We're under a tornado warning," Dad told them.  "I just heard it on the radio.  Let's go to the basement."
 
From their basement, the family heard the storm increasing in fury.  The wind raged and howled, and lightning flashed again and again. Michelle moved close to her father, and he put a strong arm around her.
 
At last the storm passed, and they all hurried upstairs, thankful that the house was still standing.  Michelle hurried to see if Henny-Penny and her chicks were all right.  "They're fine," she reported a little later.  She gave Dad a hug.  "I was really afraid, Dad, but I felt safer with your arm around me -- sort of like the chicks, safe under their mother's wings," she said.
 
"Henny-Penny sheltered her chicks, and Dad sheltered you, but it's really God who shelters all of His children," observed Mother.
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "You'll go through many kinds of storms in life, Michelle, and there will be times when things get tough and scary.  I may not always be there to put my arm around you.  But just remember what the Bible says of your Heavenly Father:  'He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.'  God is always there to watch over you in life's storms."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid of something -- storms, darkness, a new school, getting lost or hurt?  Remember that God promises to be with you always.  He's there to shelter you and take care of you.  Trust Him to do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 91:4)
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;  his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

[Soldier4Christ]

"There has been a lot of note-passing going on lately," announced Greg's teacher.  "You think I don't see it, but I do.  Anyone I see passing a note during the rest of the week will stay in at noon recess."  Greg nodded.  He had noticed a lot of the kids passing notes, too.
 
At school the next day, Greg watched as Bob and Randy passed notes back and forth.  They better watch it, he thought.  If they get caught, they're gonna have to stay in for recess.  Greg decided to remind the other boys, so he wrote a note to warn them to be careful.
 
As Greg slipped his note to Randy, Mrs. Barnes looked up.  "Greg, Randy, and Bob -- you will all stay in at recess time today," she said sternly.  And so they did.
 
That evening, Greg complained about his punishment.  "I wrote only one little note!" he grumbled.  "The other guys wrote a whole lot more -- especially Bob."
 
"How many notes did Mrs. Barnes say you could write?" asked Mother.
 
"Well. . .none," admitted Greg, "but I still think she could have let me play outside at least half the time since the others wrote so many more."
 
"But even though you wrote only one, you were guilty as charged.  So you did deserve the punishment, didn't you," said Mother, "even if you weren't, as you say, as bad as the other boys?"  Greg had to admit that was true.
 
"Your argument reminds me of a Bible verse," said Dad.  "Some people seem to think that the Lord should excuse them because they aren't as bad as other people they know.  But the fact is that all have sinned.  The Bible says that if you break God's law in even one point, you're as guilty as if you broke the whole thing.  Just as you were clearly warned, Greg, God warns all of us of our guilt and the punishment we deserve." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're pretty good?  That you're better than a lot of kids you know?  God says all are sinners.  Everyone deserves the "wages of sin" -- eternal death.  But the wonderful thing is that Jesus came to take the punishment for sin.  Instead of death, He offers you eternal life.  Accept His offer today.  (See last page for more help.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 2:10)
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

[Soldier4Christ]

Miss Norris sighed as she surveyed her Sunday school class.  Jason had left a vacant seat between himself and Joey.  On the other side of Joey was another empty chair.  Although surrounded by boys, the new boy was alone.  Across the room, Annie, with her sweet smile and simple mind, was being ignored by a group of chattering girls.  Miss Norris had an idea.  As the class was dismissed, she said, "The leaves are changing color, and next week I want each of you to bring one leaf for the bulletin board."
 
As her students gathered around the bulletin board the next Sunday, Miss Norris picked up a leaf.  "This is a beautiful leaf," she said.
 
"I brunged it."  Annie beamed.  Several of the students snickered.
 
Miss Norris picked up another leaf.  "This one is not as pretty, so we'll throw it away," she said.  Jason frowned.  He wasn't pleased at having his choice discarded.  "And this one is not big enough."  Miss Norris brushed another leaf into the trash.  She studied another critically.  "We don't want oak leaves," she said.
 
"Why not?" asked Natalie, who had brought it.  "What's wrong with an oak leaf?"
 
"Oh, it's different," said Miss Norris as she picked up the first leaf and compared the two.  "See how different it is?"
 
"Sure, it's different," Nathan said with a snort.  "Every leaf is different.  God made them that way."
 
Jason fished his leaf out of the trash.  "Annie's leaf isn't any better than mine," he said.
 
"Nor mine," Stephanie declared as she picked up the small leaf.
 
Miss Norris nodded and smiled.  "You're right.  'Different' does not mean 'worse.'  I've wondered lately if you knew that," she said.  "You see, just as one leaf is no better than another, neither is one person better than another.  God made everyone different, and He made everyone special."  She began to arrange all the leaves on the bulletin board as she added, "Let these be a reminder of that."  Solemnly the children nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you kind to everyone, even those who seem "different"?  Look in the mirror.  Have you ever seen anyone who looks exactly like you?  Of course not, because you are different yourself.  Just as you are unique, so is the person of a different race, the one with learning disabilities, and the one whose clothes  aren't in style.  God loves each one and wants us to treat them in a loving way as well.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 10:34)
Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mr. Hillis read us another story from Greek mythology today," announced David.
 
"Really?  Tell me what it was," begged Johnny at once.
 
David grinned.  He knew his little brother loved stories.  "Well, okay," he agreed.  "Those stories aren't true, you know.  But this one says that once there was a father and son called Daedalus and Icarus, who were imprisoned by the king.  One day, Daedalus took some feathers and made two pairs of wings so they could fly away.  As he fastened the wings onto his son's back with  wax, he warned Icarus not to fly too near the sun because the heat would melt the wax and the wings would fall off." David paused for breath.
 
"Did they fly?" asked Johnny impatiently.  "Did they get away?"
 
David nodded.  "Yep, they both flew away.  But as Icarus flew higher and higher, he began to feel so powerful and so proud about actually flying that he forgot what his father had said and flew too near to the sun.  And sure enough -- the wax melted, just like his father had warned him, and the wings fell off.  Poor Icarus fell into the sea and drowned."
 
"That's terrible!" cried Johnny.  Then he thought of something scary. "Hey, David, do you think that might happen when we take that plane trip next month?" he asked anxiously.
 
"Of course not," said David.  "The planes wings aren't fastened on with wax."
 
Dad, who was also listening, shook his head.  "Don't worry about the plane, Johnny," he said.  "But that story does remind me of what can happen to people -- what might even happen to us if we're not careful."
 
David frowned.  "What do you mean?" he asked.
 
"Sometimes, especially when everything is going well in our lives, we start boasting and acting real proud of ourselves and think we can get along without God," explained Dad.  "If that happens, sooner or later, we will fall.  We need to recognize that we are dependent on Him for everything -- even for what we consider our accomplishments."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you accomplish something -- such as doing well in your exams or winning a prize in a contest -- do you boast about it, or do you acknowledge that you owe it to God?  When faced with a challenge or difficulty, do you feel proud that you can "handle things," or do you turn to God for wisdom and strength?  Don't forget that you are dependent on Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 1:51)
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

[Soldier4Christ]

Pete noticed a boy sitting by himself in the school cafeteria. He's new here, and he must be lonely, thought Pete, remembering how he had felt when he was the new boy at school the year before.  Pete started to go out to play with his friends, but at the door, he stopped.  I'm going back to talk to that new boy, he decided.
 
Pete slid onto the bench across from the boy.  "Hi," he said.  "I'm Pete.  What's your name?"
 
"My name is Kim," said the boy.
 
"Where are you from?" asked Pete.
 
"Korea," answered the boy.
 
Pete wasn't sure what made him do it, but as they left to go play outdoors, he invited Kim to come home with him after school.  Kim looked pleased.
 
Playing with Kim turned out to be more fun than Pete expected.  The boys played ping pong, marbles, and lots of other games.
 
When Kim invited Pete over to meet his family, Pete went.  They served him Korean food and taught him to eat with chopsticks.  He also learned some fascinating things about Korea.  Before long, Pete and Kim became good friends.
 
"I'm so glad I got to know Kim," Pete confided to his father one day.  "I feel like I've had a trip to Korea every time I visit his home."
 
"He that watereth shall be watered also himself," quoted Dad with a smile.
 
"What does that mean?" asked Pete.
 
"It's from the Bible, and it means that your actions often work like a boomerang -- they come back to you," replied Dad.  "Kindness, for example, comes right back to the one who practices it.  When you are kind to others, you are blessed yourself."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you kind to everyone, even those who may be different from you?  Kindness always pays.  Even if the person to whom you are kind should fail to respond in gratitude, God sees all, and He will repay you.  If you are kind to someone, you generally will not only make that person happy but you will become happy yourself!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:25)
He that watereth shall be watered also himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!  A fish got my bait again!" exclaimed Robbie as he pulled his fishing line out of the water.  "That was about the zillionth time I baited that hook.  I'm quitting."  He laid his pole on the ground.  "Okay if I go check the frog pond?" he asked.  Dad nodded, so Robbie wandered off through the well-known woods on his grandfather's farm, leaving his father to fish alone.
 
When Robbie returned a half hour later, Dad grinned at him. "Look -- I believe I've hooked something!" said Dad.  He tugged on his line and brought a flapping, struggling fish to shore.  Robbie was surprised to see that there were also several other fish in their pail.
 
"How'd you do it, Dad?" asked Robbie.
 
"By just keeping at it," replied Dad.  "You'll never catch a fish with your fishing pole on the ground."
 
Robbie picked up his pole and baited his hook again.  As they continued fishing, he was thoughtful.  "Maybe Todd and Matt are like these fish you caught," he said suddenly.
 
Dad raised his brows.  "I don't think your friends would be very flattered to hear you compare them to the fish," he replied.  "What do you mean?"
 
"Well, I've been trying to win them to Jesus -- 'fishing for men,' like Jesus said we're to do," explained Robbie.  "But they never will come to Sunday school or anything.  When I try to talk to them about God, they're not interested.  Last week I decided I'd just quit, because it didn't seem like it was any use to keep on witnessing to them."
 
"Now you're wondering about that decision?" asked Dad.
 
Robbie nodded.  "Maybe it's like our fishing today.  Maybe I just need to keep at it a little longer."
 
"That's good thinking," agreed Dad.  "You need to keep on witnessing all your life.  Soul-winning is a lifetime job that God has given us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you become discouraged in trying to get somebody interested in spiritual things?  Have you stopped witnessing to someone, thinking it's just no use?  Don't give up.  Keep on 'fishing,' and trust the Lord to bring results in His time.  He promises that the work you do for Him is not "in vain" -- it's not useless.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian watched as the plane from Tokyo taxied up to the ramp.  Moments later, he and his father were greeting their friend, Mr. Sato, who had come from Japan to visit them.  Brian was excited when Mr. Sato handed him a package.
 
When they arrived home, Brian opened his present.  It was something that needed to be put together, and Mr. Sato suggested they assemble it in the backyard. When it was finished, three plastic fish billowed in the wind at the end of a long aluminum pole.
 
"In Japan we have a special day for boys," Mr. Sato told them.  "We set up a pole like this, with a fish -- a carp -- waving from it.  The carp is a determined fish.  He swims upstream and overcomes obstacles.  We try to teach our boys to be brave and strong like that."  He paused, then added sadly, "They can't do it by themselves, though.  And many of them do not know that they need to trust in Jesus to make them strong enough to 'swim upstream.'"
 
Brian couldn't forget about the carp when he went to bed.  He tossed and turned for a while.  I know I accepted Jesus as Savior, he thought,  but I wonder if I'm trusting Him for strength to "swim upstream."  Probably not, or I guess I wouldn't have tried smoking with the guys yesterday.  I didn't really want to, but if I had refused in front of all the guys, they'd probably have called me a baby.  They said smoking is something real men do, but that's not true.  I was a coward to try it -- I did it just so they wouldn't laugh at me.  But that's the last time I'm gonna do that.  I'm never going to smoke anything again.
 
"Dear Lord, forgive me," Brian prayed.  "I need You to help me say no when the other guys want me to do wrong things.  Please help me."
 
As Brian walked into the school building the next day, his friend Gary approached him.  "Come over after school," Gary said.  "I got some more cigarettes from my brother."
 
Brian took a deep breath and shook his head.  "No, I'm not going to do that any more."  There, he had said it!   The boys might tease, but Brian had never felt so grown up before -- so much like a man.  In his heart he thanked Jesus for helping him "swim upstream."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you go along with what the other kids do because you're afraid to be different?  Any dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a strong one to swim against the current.  Jesus will help you to "swim upstream."  Ask Him to make you strong.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:10)
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.