Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Lightning pierced the darkness, and thunder boomed.  Howling winds drove sheets of rain against the windows.  Audra began to cry, and hearing the sobbing, Mother hurried into the room.  "Don't be scared," said Mother.  "It's a fierce storm, but God will take care of us."
 
Audra wiped her eyes.  "It's not just of the storm," she said.  "My whole life is falling to pieces.  When I was sick, I missed so much school that I have to go to summer school now.  Dad ran off and left us, and now Karen, my very best friend, is moving away."
 
"Things do look bad," agreed Mother, "and this miserable weather we've had all week is certainly depressing.  But just as surely as the sun will shine again, our circumstances will get better, too.  God promises that our trials will not be more than we can bear."
 
"But why doesn't God let only good things happen to us?" wailed Audra.  "He can do anything He wants to."
 
"God doesn't keep us from hard times, honey, but He does promise to walk with us through them," answered Mom.  "You know, the parts of the earth that get almost all sunshine are deserts.  Think of our old oak tree -- it wouldn't have grown so big and sturdy with only sunshine.  We need the hard experiences, too.  They draw us closer to the Lord, so we'll depend on Him for help."  Mother squeezed Audra's hand.  "He uses those experiences to develop Christian characteristics in us and to make us strong, fruitful Christians."
 
When the storm had passed, Audra finally went back to sleep.  The next morning, bright sunshine streamed through her window.  She jumped out of bed and looked outside.  Seeing the oak tree standing tall and stout, she remembered what Mother had told her.  "Thank you, Lord," she murmured.  "I know the sun will shine again in my life, too.  With Your help, I'll become a stronger Christian with each of the storms I face."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you becoming stronger because of the troubles in your life?  Don't ask the Lord for all sunshine.  When someone you love is sick or moves away, when you have difficulties with school work, or when friends are unkind, ask God to use these things to develop your Christian character.  And thank Him that life will again seem brighter and happier for you when you have learned the needed lessons.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 4:17)
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mark squirmed as his mother talked to him.  She had recently become a Christian and was trying to explain how important it was for him to receive Christ as Savior, too.  "I want you to be in heaven with me someday," she said.
 
"Don't worry, Mom.  I'll be there," answered Mark.  He grinned at his mother.  "Uncle George says I'm such a good boy that if anybody makes it to heaven, I will."
 
"Well, I agree with Uncle George that you're a good kid," said Mother, "but he's mistaken about the way to heaven."
 
"He's a really smart guy," protested Mark.  "He knows a lot."
 
"Yes," Mom replied, "but it's not people's goodness that will get them to heaven.  Jesus Himself is the only way anyone can get there."
 
Mark shrugged and turned toward the door.  He didn't want to talk about salvation anymore.  "I have to go finish collecting for my paper route," he said, hurrying out of the room.
 
As Mark was busy on his route, he saw a little boy standing on the sidewalk, crying.  A girl walked up and talked to him.  "Don't cry, I know how to get to 102 Shelby Street," Mark heard the girl say.  "You go that way one block," she pointed to the north, "and turn right -- that way."  She pointed again.  "That's Main Street.  Then go three blocks and you come to Shelby.  Your house should be right there on the corner."  Mark frowned.  He knew those directions weren't right!
 
As the girl went into her house, the boy turned and walked toward Mark.  "Why, you're Jimmy Jones, aren't you?" exclaimed Mark.  "I deliver papers to your house.  Remember me?"  The little boy looked at him, wide-eyed, and nodded.  "That girl gave you the wrong directions," said Mark.  "You have to turn left at Main Street, not right."  Jimmy's lip began to tremble, and Mark took his hand.  "Look," he said, "I'll take you home.  Okay?"  Happily, Jimmy nodded, and soon Mark had delivered him to his family.
 
On the way home, Mark thought about what had happened.  Suddenly he realized that he was just like Jimmy!  He was trying to follow directions to heaven which were given by someone who didn't really know the way.  He needed to listen to what God said in His Word, and God said Jesus was the only way.  I was Jimmy's "way home," because I took him there, he thought.  Jesus is the way to heaven.  I want Him to be my Savior and take me there.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you following the right directions to heaven?  God knows how you can get there.  His directions are found in His Book, the Bible.  He says you must trust in Jesus, the only way to heaven.  Don't be lost!  Trust Jesus today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 14:12)
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Tomorrow evening is the mission rally at church," Dad reminded his family as they were eating at their favorite restaurant.
 
"I can't go.  I have play practice at school," said Marla.
 
"The last time we had a special service you had a band concert," Mother reminded her.  "Perhaps we've allowed you to do too much at school."
 
"Why, hello."  The voice of Marla's Sunday school teacher interrupted them.  "I missed you Saturday morning, Marla," said Miss Willis.  "We had such a good time at the nursing home."  After chatting a few minutes, she left.
 
"Why didn't you go to the nursing home?" asked Dad.
 
Marla wrinkled her brow.  "I was making posters for the student council.  They had to be done this week."
 
Mother frowned.  "It seems to me that you are too. . . ."
 
"What's wrong with that man over there?" interrupted Marla, pointing to another table.
 
Dad looked to where she was pointing, then jumped to his feet and dashed across the room.  "Are you choking, Sir?" he asked.  The man nodded frantically.  "I'm going to help you," said Dad.  He stood behind the frightened man and put his arms around him.  With his clenched fist, he gave a couple of sharp, upward thrusts.  The man gasped for air, and a moment later he was breathing normally again.  Everyone applauded.
 
"Oh, thank you," said the man when he was able to talk.  "I guess I tried to eat too fast.  I was in too big a hurry."
 
On the way home, Marla's family talked about what had happened. "We're so busy, we often eat in a rush," observed Dad.  "That makes it easy to choke.  It's also very easy to get choked by the cares of life.  We can get involved in so many things that we choke out our spiritual life."
 
Mother nodded.  "There are a lot of things we can get involved in that are not wrong," she said.  "They may even be good, except when they take so much of our time and energies that we don't have time for the things of God."
 
"How about you, Marla?  Are you choking?" asked Dad.
 
"Maybe," admitted Marla.  "Will both of you help me decide which activities I should cut out?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find many things crowding into your life? Though many of the things you do may be good, there's something even better than most of them.  Take time to get to know God through Bible reading and listening in church and Sunday school.  Take time to talk with Him each day.  Never get so busy with the activities of life that your spiritual life is neglected.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 21:34)
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with. . .cares of this life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm a beggar now!  Look at me!" squealed Ben, prancing around the room in ragged, brown pants, torn shirt, and shoes with holes in them.
 
"You certainly look like one," agreed Dad, looking in.  "What's all this for?  A costume party or something?"
 
Ben nodded.  "Yeah, Tom and Sarah are having a costume party on Saturday -- and there's a prize for the best costume.  Don't you think I'm just like the real thing?  I think I'll win that prize!"  He winced and kicked off his shoes.  "Ouch!  These shoes hurt!"
 
"Well, if you want to be realistic, that's good," said Dad.  "Beggar's shoes probably don't fit very well.  And real beggars don't always have a roof over their heads, either.  Nor do they have three square meals a day, and they have to beg for a living."  Dad grinned.  "If you really want to be realistic and win that prize, maybe you should go out and beg for your supper," he teased.
 
"No thanks!" said Ben firmly.  "I'm quite happy to just pretend.  I don't want the real thing."
 
"I thought not," said Dad.  Then his face grew serious.  "But you know what?  That's just what Jesus did!"
 
"What?  Became a beggar?" asked Ben.
 
"No, not a beggar," said Dad, "But when he came to earth, He became human -- the real thing, just like one of us.  He didn't just put on a coat of flesh or wear some divine disguise and pretend to be a man. Although He was still God, He also really and truly became a man, just like any other man except that He had no sin."
 
"It'd be tough to have to go live on the streets and not have enough food," murmured Ben thoughtfully, "and I guess it must have been tough for Jesus to leave heaven and come to live on earth."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes think that because Jesus is God and never sinned, He cannot understand the difficulties and temptations you face?  Remember that although Jesus is fully God, He also became fully human.  So when you're tempted to lie or cheat or when your friends make fun of you for obeying God or when you feel foolish because you're not doing the things everyone else does, Jesus understands exactly how you feel.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I hate this town!" stormed Timmy, dumping his bag on the table.
 
"Oh, Timmy, we've not been here very long," said Mom.  "Give it a chance."
 
"The worst part of all is that Brad's not here," grumbled Timmy, "I know I'm never going to like it here."
 
Just then three-year-old Susie came in.  "Hey, Susie! I've got a treat for you," said Timmy, digging into his pocket.  Susie immediately held out her hand, her tiny fist clenched tightly.  "Open your hand," commanded Timmy.  But Susie just smiled sweetly at her big brother and waited.  "What on earth have you got in there?" demanded Timmy.
 
Mom smiled.  "It's that odd-shaped yellow stone you gave her yesterday," she said.
 
"Oh, drop that thing, Susie," said Timmy, "and I'll give you this treat.  And I won't take your old stone away either."
 
"Give!  Give!" cried Susie impatiently, still holding the stone tightly.
 
"Open your hand, Susie," coaxed Timmy.  "Don't you trust me?" Three-year-old Susie shook her head, and Timmy clicked his tongue impatiently.  "I won't take your stone," he promised.  "After all, I gave it to you in the first place, remember?  Besides, this treat is nicer anyway."
 
"I know that and you know that," said Mom, "but Susie's afraid to risk it."
 
"She should know I won't do anything bad for her!" exclaimed Timmy.
 
Mom grinned.  "Susie's not the only one who's got her fist clenched," she remarked.  "What about you, Timmy?"
 
"What do you mean?" asked Timmy, frowning.  "I don't do dumb things like that, Mom!"
 
"Well, aren't you refusing to trust God in this new town?" asked Mom.  "Wasn't it God who gave you Brad as a friend?  And now you don't want to let go of all the old things.  Why won't you trust His plans for you in this new place, too?"
 
Timmy was thoughtful.  "I didn't think of it like that," he admitted. He grinned and held out his hands, palms facing up.  "Ok, Mom, I'll open my hands!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What is it that you are clutching so tightly that you are not willing to let go?  Is it possessions?  Friends?  Achievements?  Good looks?  If God wants you to let go of any of these, are you ready to trust Him and do so?  Maybe God has something better in store for you, but your heart is not open to receive it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:9,)
11  What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? . . . If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

[Soldier4Christ]

Katie twirled in front of the department store mirror, admiring the blue dress she had found on the "clearance" rack.  It's too short, but I bet Mom can fix that, she thought.  I really like it, so I'm going to get it, even if it still is kind of expensive.  I can always return it if I change my mind.  Katie had decided to buy a new dress with money she had received for her birthday.
 
When Katie brought the dress home, Mother showed her that the hem was too small to let any out to lengthen it.  Besides that, there was a stain on the sleeve.  "I'd better take it back to the store," Katie decided.  But when she went back the next day, the sales clerk shook her head and pointed to a large sign on the wall.  It said:  "No Refunds On Clearance Merchandise."
 
"That's not fair!" Katie pouted.  "I didn't even notice that sign yesterday."
 
"I'm sorry," said the clerk, "but that's the store's policy, and I can't change it."
 
Feeling miserable, Katie trudged home and told her mother about it.  "I'm sorry, honey," said Mother.  "Maybe we can cut off the sleeves and turn it into a short-sleeved shirt.  Then your money won't be entirely wasted.  You'd at least get some use out of it."
 
Katie frowned.  "I guess so, but I still wish I could just take it back," she said.
 
"I do, too," agreed Mother.  After a moment she added, "I think there's a valuable lesson here, and if you learn it, it will certainly be worth the price of the dress. People are often tempted to do things impulsively, without considering the Lord's will -- things that have more lasting consequences than making a mistake in buying a dress.  The decisions you make now -- whether good or bad -- will affect your whole life.  No amount of wishing can turn back the clock.  It's so important to ask Jesus to help you make right decisions."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God to help you make the right decision whenever you're tempted to lie, cheat, smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs?  You can come to Christ for forgiveness after you've sinned, but you may never be able to undo the awful consequences.  Make up your mind to obey God's Word in all things.  He will help you do so.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:7)
For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Todd, what shirt is that you're wearing?" asked Mother as she cut up broccoli for freezing.  "Where did you get that?"
 
"This shirt?" Todd asked, looking at the rock group emblem on the front.  "Brad and I each got one at the mall the other day.  All the kids wear shirts like this."
 
"Who are you trying to look like?" asked Mother.  "If it's the world, you're succeeding.  Todd, you're a Christian -- shouldn't that make a difference in the way you dress?"
 
"This isn't so bad," Todd defended himself.
 
"You know I've never minded the latest styles as long as they're acceptable," Mother reminded him, "but the way I see it, what you have on now promotes a band that pushes drugs and immorality.  That isn't acceptable.  Now, go put out the garbage and then go change into some presentable clothes."
 
Todd scowled as he took the garbage cans to the curb.  When he came back into the house, his mother was standing at the front window.  "How is it that we have three cans of garbage this week?" she asked.
 
"I don't know," said Todd.  "I just took what was there."
 
Mother went outside, and Todd followed.  "Oh, no!" exclaimed Mother when she looked into one of the cans.  "This is filled with vegetables from the garden.  Dad put them in there to store them until I have time to freeze them."
 
"Good thing you noticed the extra can before the garbage truck came," said Todd with a laugh.  "Dad wouldn't have been happy if they'd been thrown away."
 
"That's for sure."  Mother laughed, too, but then she grew serious.  "You know," she said, "those are good vegetables, but you thought they were garbage because they were stored in the garbage can. In the same way, even though you're a Christian, you don't look like one when you dress like the world."
 
"I suppose you have a point, Mom," admitted Todd reluctantly.  "I'll put the vegetables back into the garage and then change my clothes."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you avoid inappropriate clothes, such as T-shirts that have bad slogans, or clothes that imitate the look of an actor or rock star?  Your outward appearance makes an impression.  Don't let the way you dress be a hindrance in your witness for Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

Lisa raced through her breakfast.  "Gotta go, okay?" she said pushing away from the table."I told Mrs. Hart I'd come early to help paint scenery for the drama our youth group is doing. Mrs. Hart says it's an important ministry because someone might accept the Lord after hearing the play."
 
When Lisa came home at suppertime, Mom met her at the door.  "I'm glad you're home," said Mom.  "Your friend Amy has been calling all day.  She asked if you would call her when you got home.  It sounded important."
 
Lisa frowned.  "I know she wants help with her homework," she said, "and I don't have time for that.  I've got to finish working on some posters."
 
"Couldn't you give Amy a little of your time?" asked Mom.
 
"Do I have to?" asked Lisa.  "I want to get these done for Mrs. Hart."
 
Mother looked thoughtful.  "Lisa, suppose Mrs. Hart had asked you to wash and iron costumes instead of painting scenery today.  I know you hate ironing. . .so would you have done it?"
 
Lisa shrugged.  "Sure."
 
"So you're willing to do whatever job Mrs. Hart gives you," observed Mom.  "How about God?  Have you asked what He wants you to do?"
 
"God?" asked Lisa.  "Well. . .Mrs. Hart says all this work is really for Him."
 
"And I know God is happy to have such a willing servant," agreed Mom, "but what if He needs you to do something else?  For example, when someone needs you badly enough to phone six times, it just might be a call from God, too."
 
Lisa looked at the poster board and paints she had brought home.  "I suppose I could do these after I help Amy," she admitted.  Then her eyes lit up.  "And maybe Amy could help me. . .and then I could invite her to the play!"
 
"Now that's the servant I love."  Mom smiled and handed Lisa the phone.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know where God wants you to help?  Have you ever asked what He wants you to do -- and then listened for the answer?  It's wonderful to get involved in Christian ministry of all types, but sometimes God needs us to do something extra-special.  Don't ever forget to listen for a call from God.  When He calls, will you answer as Samuel did?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 3:9)
Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sherri sat in her science class, nibbling the end of her pencil, but her mind was still on the message she had heard in church the day before.  It was about how all have sinned and need Jesus as Savior.   Sherri sighed. I know I'm a sinner, and I have asked Jesus to forgive me, she thought. I know the Bible says He will, but I wonder if I should ask Him to forgive me again.  I really don't feel like I'm saved.  Actually, Sherry often didn't feel like she was saved, so several times before, she had confessed her sin and told Jesus she trusted Him to forgive her. 
 
Suddenly Sherri's thoughts were interrupted as she heard her teacher, Mr. Shanks, saying, "Did you know you're spinning right now?  Like a top, the earth spins on its axis, making a complete rotation every twenty-four hours.  The axis is an imaginary line that connects the North Pole and the South Pole.  The earth also travels around the sun at an average speed of 66,600 miles an hour. It takes 365 days to make the 595 million miles circuit.  Those are the facts.  So even though we don't feel it, we're not only moving, we're spinning!"
 
Wow! thought Sherri.  She was impressed.  Suddenly another thought struck her.  Even though I don't feel like I'm spinning, scientists say that I am.  And even though I don't feel like I'm saved, the Bible says  I am!  And the Bible is more accurate than science.
 
That evening Dad finished family devotions by asking Sherri to read several verses from First John (see today's Scripture).  After reading the verses, Sherri smiled and told her family what she had learned about the earth in science class.  "I believe what the scientists say about the earth moving and spinning, and I believe what God says about salvation," she told them.  "It's a fact that the earth is spinning even though I can't feel it, and it's also a fact that I've accepted Jesus as my Savior -- so I'm a Christian even though I might not always feel like I am.  It doesn't depend on my feelings at all."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know you have eternal life?  You can be sure of it.  The Bible says you have eternal life if you've trusted in Jesus Christ to be your Savior (see last page).  Rely on the fact of God's Word, not on your feelings.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 5:12)
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Keli returned from school one day, she stomped in through the door, ran to her bedroom, and flopped down on her bed.  She looked up when Mom came to the door.  "Keli?  What's wrong?" asked Mom.
 
Keli wiped tears from her eyes as she sat up on her bed.  "It's Jeremy," she replied.  Her voice trembled.  "Remember that science project I did?  I reported on the planets and made a model of them and everything.  My teacher put it up on the bulletin board, and Jeremy keeps making fun of it.  He and his friends keep laughing and making smart remarks about it.  They say it looks dumb."
 
"I understand how that could make you feel bad," said Mother.  "Jeremy shouldn't do that, but you know you did a good job, so try not to let it bother you, okay?  Ignore what he says."
 
The next morning Keli slipped on her favorite blue skirt as she got dressed for school.  She walked over to the mirror, tossed her hair back over her shoulder and sighed as she studied herself in the mirror.  "Oh!  I wish my knees weren't so knobby," she mumbled to herself.  "Why do I have to have freckles on my arms?"  Keli slumped in front of the mirror.
 
Mom appeared in the doorway.  "Keli, hurry or you'll be late for your bus," said Mom.  She gave her a hug.  "Did I hear you complaining?"
 
"Oh Mom, my knees are too knobby and I'm the only girl who looks like she has brown sugar sprinkled on her arms," grumbled Keli.  "Why can't I be perfect like Jenni is?"  She looked at her watch.  "Oh, I've got to go Mom. . .and I hope Jeremy minds his own business today."
 
"Me, too," said Mom.  "It hurts to have someone criticize something you've made, doesn't it.  Can you think of anyone else who might be feeling that way, too?"
 
"Well. . .not really.  Who?" asked Keli.
 
"God," replied Mom.  "The Bible tells us we are made by God.  It states we were made for His good pleasure.  How do you think God feels when you complain about your body?"
 
"Oops!  I never thought of that, Mom."  Keli glanced at herself in the mirror.  "I guess I look okay after all."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you complain about your body?  Do you compare yourself to other people and wish you looked like them?  Have you considered how God feels about your complaints?  He made you just the way you are.  You're perfect!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 139:14)
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Something's Wrong!

Cheryl and her mother were chatting about their purchases as they walked through the parking lot at the mall. When they reached the car and got in, Mom put the key into the ignition. "Something's wrong," she said with a puzzled look. "I can't get the key to go all the way into the key hole." She pushed and wiggled and wiggled and pushed the key, but it just would not go in! "It won't work," she said finally. "How strange! Come on-let's go get help."

Mom and Cheryl opened their doors and got out. "Hey!" exclaimed Cheryl, as she turned to close her door. "Where did that little teddy bear in the back seat come from?" She looked more closely. "Mom!" she called to her mother, who was already walking toward the mall. "This isn't our car. Look! There's some other stuff in the back. Where is our car?"

Mom turned and looked. "Oh, no!" She blushed, feeling embarrassed. "I remember parking next to this brown truck, and there's our car-on the other side of the truck! I can't believe we both climbed into this car and never noticed that it wasn't ours!"

"Neither can I!" exclaimed Cheryl. "How embarrassing!" She glanced around. "Let's hope nobody noticed," she added.

Mom laughed. "This car is the exact same color and style as ours," she said, "and I guess we were too busy thinking about the things we bought to notice the little differences."

Cheryl and her mother laughed and laughed as they started home. When they arrived there and told their story to Dad, he laughed with them. Then he became serious. "You know," he said, "this reminds me of the sermon I'm preaching tomorrow. Many people are a lot like you. The car you tried to get home in looked good, but there was something wrong. Your key didn't work in it because it was the wrong car. Many people try to get to heaven in the wrong 'car,' too-the 'car' of good works. Some of the things they're depending on look very good, but only Jesus can get them to heaven. If you don't mind, I'd like to use your experience to illustrate that."

"You mean you're going to let everybody laugh at us?" protested Cheryl playfully. "Well, okay. If that will help anybody understand, let them laugh!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trying to get to heaven by being good? There's something wrong with that plan. Regular church attendance, many prayers, and acts of kindness to others are not the right vehicles to get you to heaven. You can be saved from your sins and receive eternal life only through Jesus. Tell Him you're sorry for your sins and ask Him to take them away today. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:8-9)
By grace you have been saved through faith . . . not of works, lest anyone should boast.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mother-r-r!" wailed Alyce.  "Mrs. Purdy gave me a flower from her garden, and Kirk took it and wouldn't give it back.  He tore it all up!"
 
"I gave it back," insisted Kirk.
 
"One petal at a time!" exclaimed Alyce.
 
"Well, you always pull daisies apart anyway," said Kirk.  "I was just being helpful.  You could have said your stupid rhyme as I handed you each petal."  Then he chanted, "He loves me. . .he don't.  He'll marry me. . .he won't.  He. . . . "
 
"You were just being mean," interrupted Alyce.
 
"Kirk, you had no business taking your sister's flower," said Mother.  "Since you did, you can stop at the florist's and use your own money to buy her another one when you go to get these things I need."  She handed him a list.
 
After Kirk was gone, Mother mentioned that the youth pastor from church had called.  "He'd like you to play the piano for youth meeting Sunday," she told Alyce.
 
Alyce shook her head.  "I'm already working in the nursery on Sunday," she said.  "That's enough."
 
That evening, Kirk asked Alyce if she planned to attend the special junior choir practice to prepare a number for the missionary meetings which were coming up soon.  Alyce shook her head.  "I have to work in the nursery at church on Sunday," she said.  "I'm busy enough." 
 
"Well, do you want to help me hunt for pop cans at the park to make some money for the special offering?" asked Kirk.  "We usually do pretty good with that."
 
Alyce sighed.  "I told you -- I'm busy enough this week," she replied.  "I shouldn't have to do everything!"
 
"One petal at a time," murmured Mother softly.
 
"What?" asked Alyce.
 
"You wanted a whole flower, not just one petal at a time," explained Mother.  "God wants a whole life -- a whole person.  It seems to me that you want to give Him your babysitting services one week, your money another time, and maybe your voice the week after that -- 'one petal at a time.'  Now maybe that's all God will require in any given week, but He wants your whole life to be available to Him all the time."
 
Alyce was thoughtful as she glanced at the flower her brother had bought for her.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your whole life available for God's use every day of every week?  Be ready to serve Him in as many ways as He may ask of you.  Serve Him with your whole heart and life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:11)
(Be) fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jill had been having a good time helping her aunt clean out Grandma's attic.  It seemed that everything in the attic reminded her aunt of a story.  Now Aunt Sarah was reading a letter, holding it up to the light from the small window.  "Who's the letter from, Aunt Sarah?  Is it from someone you knew?" asked Jill.
 
"Yes, it is," Aunt Sarah replied.  "At least I thought I knew her, but now I see that I didn't really know very much about her."  She carefully folded the letter and put it back into the yellowed envelope.  "When we were children, this lady -- Mrs. Alexander -- attended our church.  We all loved her, but her husband wasn't so nice.  He came to church once in a while, but he was rough and unfriendly."  She paused, remembering.
 
"But what was the letter about?" asked Jill impatiently.
 
"Well, Mrs. Alexander once went away for quite a long time," said Aunt Sarah.  "We thought she was on a trip, but this letter explains what really happened.  She had left her husband.  Mrs. Alexander wrote this letter to thank my mother -- your grandma -- for praying for her and for encouraging her to come home to her husband and continue living the Christian life even though it was so hard for her." Aunt Sarah smiled and shook her head.  "We never knew!  My mother never said one word about her leaving or giving up.  Mom just went privately to the woman who was suffering and helped her get victory in her life."
 
"I'm glad that letter wasn't destroyed," Jill said.  "Otherwise you wouldn't know how your mother helped that lady."
 
Aunt Sarah smiled.  "It wouldn't matter if I'd never found out," she said.  "Jesus knows.  He's the keeper of all the good deeds and loving words of His children, and He'll reward them some day."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you doing and saying things that will pass the test of time -- things that will build rewards for you in heaven?  Do you wonder if anyone notices when you're kind, helpful, and loving?  You can be sure that God does.  It doesn't matter if anyone here knows.  God knows, and He'll reward you for what is done for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 1:12)
For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Jill and her aunt cleaned Grandma's attic, Aunt Sarah found a box of her high school souvenirs.  As she went through them, she told Jill about each one, remembering the person who had given it to her or the event that it reminded her of.  Aunt Sarah held up a long piece of yarn.  "This seems like a silly thing to have kept," she said with a laugh.  "It's the yarn I wrapped around Tommy's ring so I could wear it.  We went 'steady' for a whole month!  I haven't thought of him in years."
 
"I don't think he'd be very flattered to know that a piece of old string reminds you of him," observed Jill with a grin.  "Don't you ever forget anything, Aunt Sarah?  Everything you see reminds you of something!  Your head must be stuffed even fuller than this attic."
 
"Well, I've heard that people never really forget anything," said Aunt Sarah.  "It's all there in the brain, but sometimes it takes something like a souvenir to bring it into the part of our minds where we can use it."  She stretched her arms and yawned.  "I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired and thirsty.  Let's take a break."
 
Jill agreed, and they went to the kitchen and found some cold lemonade.  As they slowly sipped it, Aunt Sarah asked, "Jill, what do you have in your attic?"  Jill started thinking about the attic at her home, but Aunt Sarah leaned forward and tapped her on the head.  "What I mean is, what do you have stored away up here?" she said.  "You know, just as Grandma's attic is full of memories, your mind is storing things too.  Are there plenty of Bible verses in your 'storage area'?"
 
Jill shrugged.  "I try to learn as much as I can," she said.
 
"Once memories are in place, things we see or hear can bring them back," said Aunt Sarah.  "It's the same with Scripture.  When you've memorized God's Word, He can use people and events to bring it to mind as you need it.  That's one way the Holy Spirit helps you each day."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever seen or heard something that reminded you of a verse you knew?  By memorizing God's Word and associating it with everyday things, you make it part of your life.  As you become older, it will come back to you in times when you need it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 1:1-2)
Blessed is the man. . .(whose) delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

[Soldier4Christ]

Candy felt uncomfortable as Lucy read her horoscope, but all the other girls at the slumber party seemed to be having a great time.  Candy knew people used horoscopes to try to find out what would happen in the future, and she also knew that only God knows what will happen.  She didn't think He was pleased with what they were doing.
 
Then Julie, the girl who was giving the party, got out her Ouija board, and the other girls gathered around.  This was another thing used for fortune-telling.  Candy liked this activity even less than the last one, so she sat apart from the group and self-consciously leafed through a magazine.
 
Candy was relieved when Julie finally suggested that they play a game called blind walk.  "Candy, you be my partner, okay?" said Julie.  Candy nodded happily.  When it was their turn, Candy was blindfolded while Julie led her around an obstacle course.
 
"No peeking, or you lose points!" warned Lucy.
 
Candy found that it felt strange trusting her partner not to run her into the wall.  But she really wanted to win, so she moved quickly ahead and never peeked at all.  It paid off -- they won.
 
When Candy's father picked her up the next day, she told him all about the party and the games they had played, including the activities that had bothered her.  Dad nodded.  "You were right to avoid those," he said.  "The Bible teaches that 'divination,' or practices that try to foresee the future, are wrong.  God calls it witchcraft."
 
"Even if they're only a game?" asked Candy.
 
"Yes," said Dad.  "Satan can use such activities to trick you into trusting your future to something other than God."  He paused.  "Your future is like the 'blind walk' game you played," he added.  "God holds your hand, and you need to just let Him lead the way.  He doesn't want you to have any part in something that encourages you to do otherwise."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your horoscope or participate in fortune-telling activies?  Although these may seem like harmless fun, God's Word clearly speaks against them.  When you try to find out your future in these ways, you are showing God you don't trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 84:12)
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.