Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Calvin stood next to a wall, holding himself as straight as possible.  His father made a chalk mark just above his head.  When Calvin stepped aside, Dad began to measure the distance from the floor to the mark.  "Let me do it," pleaded Bernie, Calvin's little brother.  Bernie was studying measurements in school, and he had been running around measuring things all week.  "Wow!" he marveled a moment later.  "You're ten feet tall."
 
"What?" asked Calvin.  "That can't be right.  What kind of measuring stick is that you're using, anyway?"
 
"It's one I made," said Bernie, looking at the stick he held.  "I thought it looked about right."
 
"Well, it's wrong," said Calvin scornfully.  "You have to use a regular yardstick, don't you, Dad?"
 
"Correct," agreed Dad.  "An improper measuring stick will give the wrong measurements.  You can't use your own ideas about how long a foot is."  He was thoughtful as he measured Calvin's height again.  "A lot of people use their own self-made measuring sticks," he added.
 
"They do?" asked Calvin.  "I don't know anybody who made a measuring stick. . .except Bernie."
 
"I wasn't thinking of an actual measuring stick," explained Dad.  "I was remembering that many people expect to get to heaven because they consider themselves to be good.  But do you know how they measure their goodness?  By their own rules.  God's rule is in the Bible.  It says, 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.'  We all fail to measure up to God's standard, which is righteousness.  That's why we need forgiveness and for Jesus to save us.  When we put our faith in His Son, He makes us righteous, which allows us to get into heaven."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you using to measure your fitness for heaven?  You need to use God's measure, and everyone comes short of His standard.  But when you receive Jesus as Savior, God will declare you to be righteous -- or good -- as Jesus is.  Trust Him now.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Emma, don't forget that you promised to clean your closet," reminded Mother.
 
But Emma's  closet was the last thing on her mind as she finished a snack after school.  "I'm never going to speak to Katy Carter again," Emma declared.  "She told Amy that I looked like I used an egg beater to comb my hair this morning.  She's been saying stuff like that a lot lately, but not usually about me.  None of the kids like her anymore."
 
"That wasn't a nice thing to say," agreed Mother, "but instead of dumping her so quickly, maybe you could try to find our if she's upset about something.  After all, you've been friends since kindergarten."
 
"Well, not anymore," declared Emma, and with that, she stomped off to clean her closet.
 
When Emma returned, she was clutching something furry in her arms.  "Look what I found in the closet," she said, holding out her old Teddy bear to show her mother.
 
Mother smiled and patted the bear.  "That old thing," she said fondly.  "You used to take him everywhere."
 
"Teddy was my best friend," Emma recalled.
 
Mother took Teddy from Emma's arms.  "Look at him now," she said.  "The color is rubbed off his nose, the fur is gone from the back of his head, and . . .yuck. . .he doesn't smell very good.  I think it's time to throw him away."  Mother walked toward the wastebasket with the bear.
 
"No, Mom!" Emma cried, reaching for the bear.  "He's my friend, and I won't throw him away."
 
Mother stopped.  "Well. . .all right," she agreed, "but you'll have to clean him up a bit."  She looked into Emma's eyes as she added, "We shouldn't throw our friends away, should we?"
 
Emma hugged Teddy to her tightly.  "I know you mean Katy," she said.  "I guess you're right.  I won't throw her away, either."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been tempted to "throw away" one of your friends?  Perhaps someone has been mean to you, or maybe an old friend is cross or gloomy lately.  A real friend loves at all times.  God wants you to love others even when they're unpleasant and hard to love.  Don't throw anyone away.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 17:17)
A friend loveth at all times.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Mom," said Jason as he came into the house.  "Want to see the picture I painted at school today?"  He held out a paper with a scene of mountains and trees.
 
"This is really good, honey!" exclaimed Mother.  "You're a good painter."
 
Jason beamed.  "I think I'll be an artist when I grow up," he said.  "I just love to paint."  He went to a drawer and took out a fresh piece of paper and some paints.
 
"Well, that would be great," said Mother with a smile, "if that's what you feel the Lord wants you to do."  She pointed to the paper that Jason had spread out on the kitchen table.  "Have you ever looked at your blank paper and wondered what it will look like when your painting's done?" she asked.
 
"Sure."  Jason grinned at his mother.  "Sometimes I do good, but other times I mess it all up."
 
Mother nodded.  "Our lives are like this blank paper," she said.  "Our actions are like the brush that applies the colors to the page, making something beautiful or something ugly."
 
"But the brush can't paint by itself," said Jason.  "It's up to the artist to choose the colors and paint the picture."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "And we can either insist on 'painting' things our own way, or we can let the Lord be the artist holding the brush -- controlling our actions."
 
Jason looked at the blank page.  "Well, I really do want God to be in charge of my life," he said.  "By myself, I know I'd make a mess out of it."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "We need to give each day to the Lord and constantly yield to Him.  Then we'll be pleased with the pages of our lives -- and He will, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is God pleased with the pictures on the pages of your life?  Do they show kindness, obedience, and God's love?  If you've messed up, ask the Lord to forgive you and make the ugly pages clean again.  Ask Him to help you do the things that please Him.  Let Him, in His own way and time, make your life beautiful.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 6:13)
Neither yield ye. . .unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, can I watch 'Blazing Guns' on TV tonight?"  Sammy asked hopefully.  "Almost all the kids are planning to watch it.  Even my history teacher says it's worth seeing.  He says it may be a little violent, but it has a very accurate historical setting."
 
"How about helping me make a cake, and we'll talk about it," said Mother, taking a box of chocolate cake mix from the kitchen cupboard.  She poured the mix into a bowl, and studied the directions on the box.  "I know how you love a good chocolate cake, so I want to do this very carefully.  Let's see -- eggs, oil, water," she said as she began to stir in the ingredients.  She started the mixer.  "Now, about that movie -- you think that because it has some good points, it would be good to see it?" 
 
"Sure."  Sammy nodded.  "I can just ignore the bad stuff."
 
Mother turned off the mixer and looked at the batter.  "Let's see. . .  what else can we add to make this cake a little bigger?  I know!  Sammy, please go outside and get a handful of dirt for your cake."
 
Sammy laughed.  "Very funny, Mom.  The box doesn't say 'Add one cup of dirt.'"
 
"I know," said Mother, "but like I said, I know how much you like chocolate cake, and adding some dirt would add a little volume to the cake -- make it a little bigger.  And all the good things will still be there."
 
"Mo-o-o-om," protested Sammy.  "You've got to be kidding.  You know the dirt would ruin it.  It wouldn't taste good, and it might even make me sick!"
 
"That's true, Sammy," agreed Mother.  "So you'd be very unhappy if I ruined your favorite cake by adding just a little dirt?"  Sammy nodded, wondering what Mother was up to.  He found out with her next words. "I'm sure God feels that way about your heart," she said as she poured the batter into a cake pan.  "The program you want to watch may have some fine things about it, but judging from the ads I've seen, I'm afraid it also has a lot of cursing and violence.  Those ingredients don't belong in your heart any more than dirt belongs in cake."
 
Sammy sighed.  "In other words, I need to find a program with a better recipe -- one that doesn't call for dirt," he said.  Mother nodded and smiled as she put the cake into the oven.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What ingredients go into the TV programs you watch?  Are they good for your heart?  Are they pleasing to God?  Be choosy.  Your mind needs pure ingredients to produce good thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

[Soldier4Christ]

Tara and her friend Marcie plopped down on the sofa.  "Thanks for inviting me over," said Marcie.  "I was getting bored at home.  I sure wanted to go to the party."
 
"Me, too," said Tara.  "It's not fair that our parents won't let us go, just because we're not teenagers."
 
"Yeah," agreed Marcie.  "They think we're still little kids."
 
"Some of the girls our age are lucky -- they get to wear make-up and hang around with teenagers," observed Tara.  "Some of them even go on dates."
 
Marcie sighed.  "I wish we could hurry and get grown up.  Then we'd be free to do what we want."
 
Tara nodded as she inserted a cassette into the  player and turned it on.  "Oh, I don't like that song," she said as the music began.  "The next one's better."  So she pushed the fast-forward button.  But when she started playing the tape again, she found she'd gone too far.  "Oh, now I've missed a couple of songs I want you to hear," she said.  Tara paused, looking serious.  "You know, when my mom hears me wishing I were older, she tells me I shouldn't try to 'fast-forward my life.'  She says if I grow up too fast, I could miss a lot of good stuff."
 
Just then Tara's grandfather came into the room.  "Hi, Grandpa," said Tara.  She told him about the conversation they had been having.  "When you were young, did you wish you could hurry up and be grown?" she asked.
 
"Yes, and I guess all children do that sometimes," replied Grandpa.  "But your mother's right.  Trying to act like a grownup too soon causes you to miss some good times and some needed learning experiences.  God gives us childhood so we can grow, learning gradually how to become responsible adults.  He also lets us have time for the fun of childhood.  Be patient about growing up.  You'll get there soon enough."
 
"I guess so," said Marcie with a sigh.
 
Grandpa smiled.  "Enjoy your childhood," he advised.  "God wants you to do that -- but use it wisely.  Even as children and young people, you're accountable to God for the things you  do."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wish you were allowed to do what older young people do?  Give yourself time to grow and learn.  Even Jesus submitted to Mary and Joseph as He patiently waited for the time when His own ministry should begin.  The Bible says to "run with patience the race that is set before you."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth. . .but know thou that. . .God will bring thee into judgment.   Be happy, young man, while you are young. . .but know that. . .God will bring you to judgment.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rusty jumped down from his stilts.  "You try these now, Jeremy," he said.  He held the stilts while his young cousin climbed up on the picnic table to get on them.  "You have to use your arms to help your legs take steps," instructed Rusty.  "It's a bit like being a marionette and pulling your own strings."  He helped Jeremy get started.
 
When Rusty let go of the stilts, they went flying from under Jeremy's feet.  One crashed sideways, smacking Rusty hard on the side of the head.  Several swear words exploded from his mouth as he winced in pain and grabbed his head with his hands.  He kicked the stilt viciously.
 
Jeremy looked suspiciously at his cousin.  "I thought you said you were a Christian now," he said accusingly.  "Didn't you mean it when you asked Jesus to be your Savior and take away your sins?"
 
"I sure did," Rusty said with a sigh as he helped Jeremy up onto the stilts again, "I shouldn't have lost my temper and said those things.  I'm sorry."  He glanced at Jeremy's mother who had come out to watch.
 
Jeremy wobbled dangerously when Rusty let go of the stilts again.  "You're just learning to walk on those stilts," observed Mother, "and Rusty is just learning to walk as a Christian."
 
"Hey!  That's right!" exclaimed Rusty.
 
"You have to go carefully, Jeremy, and think about each step until you learn that new skill.  Otherwise you'll fall.  And Rusty has to go carefully and think about his steps as a Christian.  When he's not careful, he may fall back into old habits."
 
Just then Jeremy tipped sideways, and the stilts fell toward Rusty again.  He grabbed them just in time to keep from getting another bruise.  "I'm sorry," apologized Jeremy.  "I didn't mean to hurt you."
 
Rusty laughed.  "I know you didn't," he said.
 
Mother smiled.  "Rusty forgave you for falling with the stilts, Jeremy, and you forgave him for taking that fall in his Christian life a few minutes ago.  That's good.  It's easy to fall.  We all need to help each other."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you patient with new Christians?  Perhaps you grew up in a Christian home and never learned to swear or be violent. Perhaps you learned early to keep your temper and treat people with love. But there are those who have learned to walk the world's way, and now they need to learn to walk as a Christian.  Often it takes time for them to learn to look to God for the power they need to overcome bad habits.  Forgive and pray for the Christian who is trying to learn to walk as he should.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kari ran into the house waving a paper she'd brought from school. "Guess what special assignment my teacher gave us to do," she puffed, out of breath with excitement.  Mother smiled.  She was used to hearing news about Miss Peterson.  Kari liked her very much and talked about her constantly.  "Miss Peterson gave us these pictures of birds, and we have to look them up in a book and color them," continued Kari.  "Isn't she great?  Her projects are always fun.  She's a perfect teacher!"
 
Kari got out an encyclopedia and a book on birds.  For some time she was busy coloring.  But she was confused about one picture.  The bird that Miss Peterson had labeled "blue jay" didn't look like the blue jay she found in the books.  So she took the problem to Mother.
 
"I think Miss Peterson labeled this wrong," said Mother after looking at the picture.  "I'm not sure what this bird is, but it's not a blue jay.  Let's look in the books.  Maybe we can find one that looks like this."
 
But Kari, nearly in tears, shook her head.  "Miss Peterson knows birds," she insisted, "and she said this is a blue jay."
 
"Just leave it then," said Mother.  "You can ask her about it tomorrow."
 
When Kari came home the next day, she again got out the bird books.  "Miss Peterson wrote down the wrong name," she told Mother.  "This is a bluebird, not a blue jay."  She worked silently a few minutes, then added, "Maybe she's not perfect, but she's still a great teacher!"
 
Mother nodded,  "Yes, she is," she agreed.  "I'm glad you like her so much.  But there is only one perfect teacher, you know.  Only God never makes a mistake.  When He teaches us something, we know for sure it's right."
 
Kari thought that over as she worked.  "I never thought of God as my teacher before," she said.  "I guess He's the best teacher of all."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Even the best earthly teachers occasionally make mistakes.  But when God says something, you can be 100 per cent sure that it's true.  Let Him teach you through His Word, the Bible.  Anything God says really is so.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Samuel 22:31)
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom put down the receiver and let out a long sigh.  "Phew!  Mrs. Willis is a kind, good-hearted old lady, and she's an expert at talking non-stop!"
 
Melissa chuckled.  "Poor Mom!  I only heard you say 'Mmm' and 'Aha' occasionally!  Didn't she even ask if your broken arm was better?"
 
"She did," said Mom, "but before I could reply, she started talking about something else, and when she finished, she hung up so fast I could hardly squeeze in a goodbye."
 
Melissa giggled again.  "Janie's a bit like that, too," she said.  "She talks and talks and we have to practically scream for her to stop before any of us can get a word in.  She seems to forget that communication is a two-way thing!"
 
Dad laughed.  "I guess we're all like that sometimes."
 
Melissa shook her head.  "Not me!" she cried indignantly.
 
"What about the way we talk to God?" asked Dad.  "Don't we spend most, if not all, of our prayer time telling God what's going on in our lives, pouring out our problems and asking Him for things we need?  And perhaps occasionally remembering to say thank you for His blessings?"
 
"But Dad, that's part of prayer," protested Melissa.
 
"Oh, I agree," said Dad, "but we also need to be quiet and listen to what God has to say to us.  For instance, if you pray that God will reveal His will for your life, shouldn't you stop and listen for His answer instead of rushing on to the next item?"
 
"I guess so," said Melissa thoughtfully.  "But God doesn't actually talk to us, does He?"
 
"Indeed He does," said Dad, "though not in a voice such as mine. He  often talks to us through the Bible.  As we read it and meditate on it, asking God to show us the things He wants us to know or do, He often quietly impresses on our hearts and minds promises found in His Word and principles He wants us to follow."
 
"Dad's right," said Mom.  "Our quiet times should include a time of learning what God has to say to us.  Our conversations with other people shouldn't be one-sided, one-way communications, and neither should our times with God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a daily "quiet time" with the Lord?  How do you spend this time?  Do you spend the full time pouring out all your problems and worries?  Telling God your needs and asking Him to give you this, that, and the other?  Praying for your family and friends?  All those are important parts of prayer, but don't forget that listening to God is equally important.  Your quiet time should include a time of silence where you listen to what God has to say to you through His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 46:10)
Be still, and know that I am God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Barbi shook her head when her friend Molly invited her to a youth retreat.  "My dad and mom are going to the college playoffs on that Saturday," she said.  "I want to go with them."
 
"But that's just for one day," persisted Molly.  "The retreat is for the whole weekend.  It's going to be loads of fun!  Why don't you come?"
 
Barbi shrugged.  "I don't have the right clothes for it."
 
"Oh, honestly!" fumed Molly.  "You make up the dumbest excuses."
 
Barbi grinned.  "Besides, it costs too much," she added.
 
"Barbi!" exclaimed Molly.  "You know that's not true.  A couple of the church families offered to sponsor the group, so it doesn't cost a thing.  They've already paid for twenty kids to go, and so far only fourteen are going."  But in spite of Molly's best efforts to persuade Barbi to go to the retreat, she stubbornly refused.  Those who did go had a great time.
 
After Bible club one day, Barbi was quiet as she and Molly walked home.  "I don't get it," she said suddenly.  "Why is Miss Ellis always bugging us to 'be saved?'  I don't think I've done anything so bad."
 
Molly was thoughtful.  "Well, maybe not," she answered slowly, "but no sin at all can enter heaven, so even the 'little' bad things you've done have to be forgiven."
 
"But Miss Ellis said that Jesus paid the price for everyone to go to heaven," said Barbi with a shrug.  "If that's so, the price is paid for my salvation, right?  So I don't need to worry about it."  She smiled triumphantly.
 
Molly hesitated.  "Remember the retreat?" she asked.
 
"Retreat?" repeated Barbi.  "I wish I had gone, but I didn't."
 
"No," said Molly, "but the price was paid for you to go.  You just made dumb excuses for not accepting the offer.  It's like that with salvation, too.  Jesus paid the price for you to go to heaven, but unless you receive the gift God offers, you won't go there."   



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted God's offer of salvation?  Or are you saying, "I'll think about it," or, "I want to do some fun things first"?  Stop making "dumb excuses."  Receive Jesus as Savior today and the gift of eternal life will be yours!  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 1:12)
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Listen to this," said Jody's mother as she came into the room holding a newspaper.  "The writer of this article says that the use of the penny should be discontinued in our money system.  It says nothing can be purchased for a penny and so the nickel should be the smallest coin in our system.  What do you think about that?"
 
"I agree," said Dad.  "Pennies are a nuisance.  I have a whole jar of them on my dresser.  I dump them in there because I don't like to be bothered by all those coins that aren't worth much anyway."
 
Just then Todd came charging into the house after his youth club meeting at church.  "Guess what!" he said.  "We're going to have a penny drive to get money for our missionaries.  The money will help pay for sending all their stuff to Europe.  We can bring only pennies!  Will you help me?"
 
Mother laughed.  "Well, I guess the person who wrote this article didn't know about missionaries," she said.
 
"I guess not," agreed Leah, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book.  "But," she added, grinning mischievously, "Dad did!"
 
Dad laughed.  "Sure, we'll all help," he said, "and I'll start by contributing my jar of pennies."
 
Dad brought out the jar of pennies from his dresser while the others looked in their wallets and pockets..  Each day they all continued to gather and turn in the pennies.
 
"I've got $9.68 all together," said Todd the following Sunday.  "That will help a lot."
 
"Pennies seem so worthless by themselves," observed Jody, "but they can really add up, can't they?"
 
Dad nodded.  "I was just thinking," he said.  "God often takes something for which the world has no use and turns it into something valuable.  We changed our way of thinking about the pennies.  Perhaps there are other areas where we need to change our way of thinking.  Some things we consider worthless may be very valuable in God's sight."
 
"I think you're right," agreed Mother.  "I think that's especially true when it comes to people.  We often fail to recognize that all people are of great value to God -- and that we should value them, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever taken an object that someone threw away and made it into something useful?  Or bought something no one else wanted but that you found was just right for you?  Perhaps you know a person who seems worthless to others because of a handicap or an annoying habit.  How do you think God feels about that person?  Learn to see value in all kinds of people as God does.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 10:30-31)
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim wriggled into the little thicket of shrubs behind the garage.  It was his own special hiding place where he always went when he was feeling sad and wanted to be alone.  Today he felt very bad because he'd missed a ball in the ninth inning of his baseball game, and several kids had poked fun of him.  He sighed deeply as he thought about it.
 
A little bird rustled in the bushes, and the wind sighed softly overhead in the trees.  Tim listened to the pleasant sounds and began to forget his sadness.  He always felt better in his hiding place.  Then he heard Mother calling, "Tim!  Grandpa's here."  Tim scrambled out.  He didn't want to miss his beloved grandfather's visit.
 
Tim and Grandpa sat down on the porch to visit -- just the two of them.  "Where were you just now?" Grandpa asked.
 
"I was feeling bad about missing a ball in a baseball game, so I went to my special hiding place.  It's in those bushes behind the garage," Tim said, knowing Grandpa would never tell anyone.
 
"Say, that's a good idea," said Grandpa sympathetically.  "I had a hiding place of my own when I was a boy.  It was in the hayloft of the barn."  Grandpa's face beamed as he added, "Even at my age, I still have a good hiding place."
 
Tim looked surprised.  "You do?"  He wondered what kind of place someone Grandpa's age would use to hide out.
 
Grandpa nodded.  "Run and get your Bible," he said, "and I'll give you a clue as to where I go."
 
When Tim returned, Grandpa said, "Look up Psalm 143:9, and you'll find the answer."
 
They read it together:  "I flee unto Thee to hide me."
 
"That's right," said Grandpa.  "I go to God and talk to Him about all my hurts and sadness.  I know I can trust Him to work things out for my good.  God's presence is the best hiding place of all."  He smiled and gave Tim a hug.  "Next time you're sad, why not go to the same hiding place I do -- to God," suggested Grandpa.  "You can do that right in your other secret hiding place."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you sometimes sad and troubled?  Do you take your problems and sadness to God?  He's ready and waiting to hear and to help you.  He wants to hear about anything that is bothering you -- trouble with schoolwork, disappointments with friends, or problems in your family.  The next time you need help, go to the best "hiding place" of all -- the Lord!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 143:9)
I flee unto Thee to hide me.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's next?" asked Christine as she walked into Aunt Rose's kitchen.  Christine was helping her aunt do some fall house cleaning.
 
"This light fixture," said Aunt Rose as she climbed up a step ladder.  "It hasn't been cleaned for a very long time."  She removed the globe and looked inside it.  "The dirt has certainly built up inside this fixture," she said.  She handed the globe to Christine.
 
"I'll give it a nice, hot, soapy bath," Christine said, putting the globe into sudsy water.  "Then I bet it will give off twice as much light as before."
 
"I wouldn't be surprised," agreed Aunt Rose.  "Light fixtures give off less and less light if they aren't cleaned regularly."  After a moment she added, "And Christians are the same way."
 
"They are?" asked Christine.  "Well, I should give off lots of light then.  I shower every day."
 
Aunt Rose laughed.  "I think you know that's not the kind of cleaning I'm talking about," she said, "nor the kind of light.  Jesus is the Light of the world, and others should see Him in us.  But if we don't examine our lives and confess any sin we find and ask Jesus to wash it away, it becomes hard for His light to shine through us.  Our testimonies for Jesus generally become dimmer and dimmer."  As Christine dried the clean globe, Aunt Rose added, "We aren't effective lights for Jesus when the cares of the world build up inside us."
 
Aunt Rose replaced the globe and tightened the screws.  Then Christine switched on the light, and it was easy to see that the light was much brighter than before.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been brightening up the world or casting shadows?  Can others see the light of Jesus shining through you?  Confession of sin, regular church attendance, private devotions, and time spent in prayer will help you be a cheerful Christian who brightens the lives of others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

Laurie sighed as she closed her book.  "I've studied and studied until I can't even see the numbers on the pages anymore, Mom," she said, "but I just know I'm going to fail that math test tomorrow."
 
"Laurie, you've studied hard, and you've prayed about that test," said Mom.  "Now just do the best you can, trusting the Lord to help you.  He'll surely do it."
 
"I guess so," said Laurie.  "But I get to thinking about how terrible I am at math, and I just know I'll do the problems all wrong."
 
"Laurie, do you remember the time we got caught on that big rock at the ocean, when the tide came in and there was a storm?" asked Mom.
 
"Do I ever!" exclaimed Laurie.  "That was one of the scariest times of my life.  The winds and waves beat against that rock something fierce."
 
Mom smiled.  "They were fierce all right," she said, "and I think they seemed extra fierce to you because you were so little.  Do you remember what your father said?"
 
"He told me not to be afraid," replied Laurie.  "He said something like, 'We may tremble on the rock, but the rock will never tremble under us.'  And he was right -- the rock held firm, and we were safe."
 
Mom nodded.  "The Lord is your Rock, Laurie.  When you realize how strong He is, you don't need to tremble at all.  You can rest on Him. He promises to be with you and help you.  You can trust Him to do that -- even when you face a test in math."
 
Laurie grinned.  "You mean I wouldn't even have had to study?" she asked teasingly.
 
"You know I don't mean that," said Mom.  "You need to do your part, and you did.  So now you can trust God to help you remember what you learned.  It's true that things don't always turn out the way we hope they will, but God is always faithful and will give us help as we trust Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes pray and then find you aren't really believing God for the answer?  When you're at church or around other Christians, do you feel sure that your needs will be met, but then begin to doubt when you're facing your problems alone?  Usually this is because you begin to look at yourself or your circumstances instead of trusting God.  He's the immoveable Rock.  Rest on Him!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 18:2)
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Why look at that!" exclaimed Jimmy.  He was standing at the window in his grandparents' kitchen.  "One of these thermometers says forty degrees, and the other says seventy-two.  And they're right beside each other."  He pointed at one of them.  "This one must be wrong," he decided.  "It's warmer than forty in here."
 
"Nope.  They're both right," said his grandfather.  He pointed to a small tube running from one thermometer out through the window.  "One of them shows the temperature outside by means of this tube.  The other one shows the temperature in this room.  That's why they can be side by side and have two very different readings."  His brows knit together.
 
"Oh, oh!" said Jimmy with a grin.  "Grandpa's about to give us a mini-sermon.  I can tell by the look on his face."
 
Grandpa playfully boxed his grandson's ears.  "I was just thinking," he said, "that these thermometers are like some Christians.  They may be standing side by side, but one is warm when it comes to the things of God while the other is cold and uninterested and far from God."
 
"I thought it was bad to be a lukewarm Christian," teased Jimmy.
 
"You got me there," said Grandpa, "but I'm not talking about a lukewarm Christian.  I'm talking about one who has warmth and love and enthusiasm for God and His people -- one who spends time with the Lord and serves Him by helping others.  He prays much, attends church, enjoys fellowship with Christian friends, and reads and obeys God's Word."
 
"And I guess the cold Christian knows the Lord, but doesn't care about serving God, right?" asked Jimmy.
 
Grandpa nodded.  "He's probably often involved in the things of the world, hanging out with the wrong crowd.  He has little or no concern for the lost, whereas the warm Christian is eager to win others to Jesus." Grandpa took his Bible from a kitchen shelf.  "Time for our daily Bible reading," he said.  "Let's read some verses from Romans that describe some of the characteristics of the warm Christian."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
How would you register on a spiritual thermometer  -- hot or cold?  Is your life filled with enthusiasm for serving the Lord? With cheerful obedience?  With love for those around you and for God?  If not, perhaps you're spending too much time with the wrong friends. Perhaps you're not spending enough time with the Lord and with other Christians.  Become a warm, serving Christian.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:11)
Not slothful in business; fervent in Spirit; serving the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rodney eagerly sorted through his things, putting some away in his closet and others in drawers.  His family had moved into a new home, and he had a room all to himself at last.  He had so looked forward to that.
 
As Rodney worked, his mother came in to see how he was doing.  She sat down on his bed.  "What a mess!" she said looking out the window. Rodney looked, too.  There, at the end of the beautifully landscaped yard, was a huge pile of boxes the family had used to move their belongings. "I'm glad today is trash day," Mother continued.  "All those boxes make our beautiful home look ugly and cluttered."
 
"Yeah," agreed Rodney.  He looked at his own pile of boxes near the door.  "I've got to get these out there, too, before the garbage truck gets here."  He hurried to do so.   With the boxes out of his room, it looked so much bigger and more pleasant.
 
As they finished eating lunch a little later, the garbage truck came. The whole family watched as all the boxes were loaded onto the truck, and they cheered as it drove away.  Then Dad reached for the family Bible. "I'm reminded that our lives sometimes get cluttered with trash, too," he said, "and we need to clean it out.  We'll read Psalm 32 for our devotions today.  Would you like to read it for us, Rod?"
 
When Rodney had finished reading, Dad nodded.  "Let's sit quietly and each think over the things that have been going on in our own lives lately.  Then we'll have a short time of silent prayer.  If there are any sins that have piled up like trash, making our lives ugly, we need to confess those sins to God and allow Him to cleanse us.  After a few moments, I'll close in prayer."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there sin cluttering your life?  Sin that is allowed to accumulate can cover the beauty of your life in Christ.  Don't let that happen.  Spend some quiet time with the Lord each day.  Examine your heart.  Is there a bad attitude?  A lie you haven't confessed?  Anger against a friend?  Whatever it is, confess it to the Lord and ask Him to give you victory over it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.