Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Praise the Lord," sang Erin with the congregation.  At the same time, she wrote a note to her friend Bethany, who was sitting beside her in the Sunday morning worship service.  "Ask your mom if you may come home with me," the note read.  Bethany nodded.
 
Erin continued to sing, she bowed her head during prayer, and she sat quietly during the sermon -- but her mind was busily planning what she and Bethany could do together in the afternoon.  She did feel a twinge of guilt because she knew she should be paying more attention to the service.  The Lord will understand.  He knows I'm excited about Bethany coming, she told herself.
 
Bethany did go home with Erin.  After dinner, she noticed a book on Erin's dresser.  "Oh!" she exclaimed.  "I heard this is a really exciting book!  Have you finished it?  Could I borrow it?"
 
"Sure," agreed Erin, thinking that Bethany would take the book home with her.  But Bethany sat down and began to leaf through it.  Although she continued to murmur replies to what Erin said, she was soon engrossed in the book.  She wasn't interested in any of the things Erin wanted to do together.  "I really want to read this.  You understand, don't you?" said Bethany, not even lifting her glance from the page.  Erin felt hurt and disappointed.
 
That evening, Erin again went to church with her family.  Once more, she had Bethany on her mind.  She said she wanted to be my friend, but she didn't really want to be with me, Erin thought. She didn't pay attention to me at all.  As she pouted over the events of the day, she again felt some guilt for not paying more attention to the worship service.  Oh, well.  I'm upset about Bethany, she thought.  The Lord understands.  Then she remembered Bethany's similar words, "You understand, don't you?"
 
I wonder if the Lord feels as disappointed with me as I felt with Bethany, thought Erin.  Church is a place to worship God and learn about Him, but I haven't really been paying attention to Him at all.  It's almost like I've been playing church.
 
Erin put Bethany out of her mind.  She sang praises with the rest of the congregation, and this time she put her whole heart into it.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worship God in church?  Or do you write notes, whisper to friends, or think about what someone is wearing that day?  Put such things out of your mind.  The Lord wants more than your presence in the church service.  Dont' just mouth the words to the songs; really praise the Lord as you sing.  Don't just look attentive during the sermon; really listen and learn.  Don't play church; really worship God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 15:
This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Mike cleaned his bike, his father was listening to a preacher on the radio.  Mike heard snatches of the message -- something about a very important book God keeps, called the "Book of Life."  The preacher said that only people whose names were written in that book would be allowed in heaven.  Mike wanted to be sure his name was there, so decided he'd be very good.
 
When Mike started to tease his little sister later that day, he thought about that "Book of Life," and so he gave Susie a ride on his bike instead. He also took out the garbage without being asked, and he didn't fuss when his mother said he couldn't have a cookie so close to supper.  That week he ran an errand for Mrs. Nelson, their neighbor, and he behaved himself at school, too.
 
Mike made a list of all the good things he had done and proudly showed it to his Sunday school teacher.  "I think God will write my name in His book now, don't you?" he asked.
 
"Well, let's think about that," said Miss Lewis.  She put her arm around Mike.  "Let me ask you something," she said.  "Do you think I should write down your name as one of the winners in our Bible memory contest because you have done all these good things?  Would that be fair?"
 
Mike looked puzzled as he shook his head.  "I didn't learn enough verses yet," he said.
 
Miss Lewis nodded.  "That's right," she agreed.  "You have to meet the requirement to be a winner in our contest, and the requirement isn't  that you be good.  It's that you learn the assigned verses.  In the same way, you must meet God's requirement to get your name in His book -- and it's not that you be good, either."
 
"Really?" Mike's spirits fell.  "What is it then?"
 
"I'll tell you," said Miss Lewis.  "You see, God knew that no one could ever be good enough to go to heaven.  We're all sinners, and heaven is a perfect place.  Do you understand that?"
 
Mike nodded.  He knew that even in the past week when he was trying hard to be very, very good, he had still done some wrong things.
 
"God's requirement is that you trust Jesus to be your Savior," explained Miss Lewis.  "He took the punishment for your sin.  Will you trust Him as Savior?  Would you like to ask Him to take your sins away?"  Again Mike nodded, and together they bowed their heads and prayed.
 
	"Dear God," prayed Mike, "I'm sorry I did so many bad things. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my punishment.    Please forgive me and put my name in the Book of Life."  As he prayed, in his mind's eye he could see Jesus writing in a big book in heaven:  "Mike Roberts."  He was in --  not because of what he had done, but because of what Jesus had done for him.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your name written in the Book of Life?  If not, receive Jesus as your Savior now (see last page).  Then thank Him for writing your name in His Book and preparing a place for you in heaven.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 10:20)
Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, may I go to the ball game with Matt?" asked Brad.
 
"I'm sorry," replied Dad, "but the answer is no.  Last time you went, you stayed out past your curfew.  The rule is that if you can't get in on time, you stay home the entire next week."
 
"Oh, all right."  Brad stalked out of the room.  "Dumb old rules," he muttered under his breath.
 
Brad went to the den and switched on the TV.  He was embarrassed when one of the actors swore just as Mother walked into the room. "Brad," she said, "you know it's against the rules in this house to watch that kind of show."
 
Brad turned off the TV.  "Nobody wants me to have any fun," he grumbled.
 
The next day, Brad was again complaining.  "We've got another new rule at school," he said.  "We're not allowed in the halls without a written permission slip.  I'm sick of all the rules -- at home and at school. . .even at church.  Can't a guy ever be left alone?  I feel like I'm caged up, the same as Pepi."  Brad glanced at the birdcage in the corner of the room. "Pepi's missing!" he exclaimed.  "He's gone!"
 
Mother sighed.  "I know," she said.  "When I opened his cage to give him fresh water, he zipped out right past me.  Because of his clipped wings, he dropped to the floor.  Smokie grabbed him.  I rescued Pepi from Smokie's mouth, but it was too late.  I'm sorry, Brad.  Pepi is dead."
 
Brad stared.  "That dumb bird!" he exclaimed.  "We had him in his cage for his own good."
 
"Brad, you're a lot like Pepi," said Mother.  "You think rules keep you 'caged' -- and in a way, maybe they do.  But they're meant for your protection."  Mother paused, then added, "Pepi's cage was good for him, and God's rules -- and ours -- are good for you.  They allow you to really enjoy life and be protected, too.  I just wish Pepi had learned to be content."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get tired of obeying rules?  Do you wish you could be free to do as you please?  If left to yourself, you'd probably follow the desires of your sinful nature right into disaster.  Thank God that you have the Bible to show you how you should live.  Thank Him, too, for parents and teachers who care enough to make rules for your good. Obeying them leaves you free to enjoy a safe, happy life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 13:13)
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jeff's family was living in Japan, where his parents were working as short term missionaries.  Jeff found everything very different from his home in the States, but he enjoyed many new friends.  One of his neighbors, a Japanese boy, attended English classes at the mission.  His classmates called him George, because he was always curious about everything -- just like a little monkey in the stories he loved to hear.
 
"I show you town," the friendly black-haired boy said one day in his best English.  The boys hopped on their bikes.  Dodging people, other bikes, and trucks on the narrow streets, they pedaled around the small town.  "Come," said George as he parked his bike in front of one of the buildings.
 
When George pushed open the door, Jeff gasped at what he saw. "God factory," explained George waving his hand at the rows and rows of half-made idols stacked on the floor of the warehouse.  "My father makes.  He paints faces.  Very nice.  Many people buy."
 
Jeff got a sick feeling in his stomach.  He knew man-made gods couldn't help anybody.  They were only pieces of wood.  George grinned at him.  "Your father make gods, too?" asked George.
 
Jeff shook his head slowly.  "No, George," he said, "we don't make gods.  Our God made us!"
 
"That what they say at mission school," replied George.  "Really true?" 
 
Jeff nodded.  "Yes, it's really true," he said.  "Our God is alive and can really hear us when we talk to Him."  Jeff had always known that God had made him, but he had never thought that was anything so special before.  Now he realized what a wonderful God he had!  He was so glad he knew the true God.  Silently he prayed, Thank You, God, for making me.  Help me tell George and other people about You so they won't have to worship a man-made god who can't even hear their prayers.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Aren't you glad you can know the living God?  He's the creator of the whole universe.  But there are still many people who don't know that.  Will you share this knowledge with them?  Begin in your own neighborhood.  Maybe some day God will even allow you to carry His message to other lands.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Chronicles 16:24)
Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvelous works among all nations.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Skippy."  Jordan plopped his homework on the table as he greeted the bouncing puppy.  Then he stared at his little sister.  Her face and arms were covered with red splotches.  Jordan burst out laughing. "Boy, you look funny," he said.
 
"I don't feel funny," Melody snapped.  "I itch all over."
 
Mother looked up from her needlework.  "Melody had a reaction to the medicine she was taking.  It's one of the side effects the doctor said could occur."
 
"I wouldn't call it side effects.  I'd call it 'face and arm effects,'" declared Jordan.
 
"The term 'side effects' refers to problems caused by the medication," Mother explained.
 
But Jordan had lost interest.  "I'm going over to Butch's for a while," he said.
 
Mother shook her head.  "Oh, no, you aren't.  Your dad told you to clean the patio yesterday, and you haven't done it yet."
 
Jordan scowled.  "All I ever get to do is. . . ."  The look Mother gave him told Jordan not to say another word, and he stomped out to the patio, with Skippy eagerly running ahead.  Angrily, Jordan picked up a stone and threw it.
 
"Yeo-o-ow!"  Skippy howled as the stone hit him.
 
Jordan ran to the whimpering puppy crumpled on the ground.  "Oh, Skippy, I'm so sorry."  Tears wet Jordan's cheeks as he yelled, "Mother!  Mother!  Skippy's hurt."  Mother hurried over, and after examining Skippy, she decided she needed to take him to the veterinarian.
 
That evening, Melody told Dad about the events of the day.  "I have 'side effects,'" she told him importantly.  "I got all spotty from my medicine.  And you know what else happened today?  Jordan got mad and threw a stone and hurt Skippy.  But the vet says he'll be all right and that it's lucky Skippy didn't get hurt worse."
 
Dad gently patted the puppy, who lay in Melody's red-splotched arms.  "Medicine isn't the only thing that has side effects," said Dad. "Sin does, too."
 
	Jordan looked at his toes, as Mother added, "That's right.  Skippy is suffering the side effects of your sin, Jordan."  She handed a paper to her husband and smiled thinly.  "And so is your dad.  Here's the vet's bill."
 
Jordan brushed a tear from his eye as Dad looked at him sternly. "When we sin, we always hurt others," said Dad.  "I believe it hurts God most of all.  We need to apologize to other people involved and also ask God to forgive us."
 
	"I know, Dad," said Jordan.  "I'm so sorry."
 
Dad reached out and gave him a hug.  "All right," he said.  "I'm going to have to take the cost of this bill out of your allowance, but if you've learned your lesson, Jordan, it will be well worth all you have to pay." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
The next time you're tempted to do something wrong, ask yourself, "What will be the side effects if I do this?  How will God feel about it?  Who else will it hurt?"  It might save you and someone you love a lot of pain.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:7)
For none of us  liveth  to himself, and  no man dieth to himself. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's not fair," grumbled Angie, pacing up and down the lawn. "Nothing good ever happens.  First we leave our home and move to a new town, then I get sick and miss school and fail that stupid math test. . . ."
 
"Look, Angie!  A bird's making a nest in our garden," interrupted Mom.
 
Angie stopped complaining and watched.  "Little bird!" she cried suddenly, "that tree's no good; its leaves have all fallen off and it hasn't any fruit.  Make your nest in the apple tree!"  But, of course, the bird ignored her.  Angie stood on tiptoe, picked up a few twigs from the nest the bird was making, and carried them over to the apple tree.  "Here, bird, build your nest here," she said.  The bird twittered angrily and carried the twigs back.
 
Mom laughed.  "It's no use. . .it's made up its mind to nest there," she said.  Angie got so interested in watching the bird finish its nest that she forgot to grumble any more that evening.
 
That night, there was a storm.  The wind howled outside Angie's window and the rain fell down in great torrents.  When Angie gazed out the window next morning, she saw that the tree with the bird's nest lay flat on the ground and bits of straw and twigs were scattered nearby.  "Mom, the bird's nest is broken," cried Angie.  "Poor bird!  Whatever will it do?"
 
"I suppose it will build another," replied Mom.
 
Angie watched the bird fly round and round the fallen tree, twittering and chirping.  Then it began to collect the twigs and straw, and to Angie's surprise, flew across to the apple tree.  "Well!" exclaimed Angie, "I guess it's a good thing that old tree fell down and the bird's nest got broken -- now it will have a home with lots of leafy branches for protection."
 
Mom smiled.  "God gave the bird wisdom and ability to make something good out of apparent disaster," she observed.  "And He'll give us the ability to do that too."  She gave Angie a hug as she added, "Even disasters like moving into a strange place and falling sick and failing exams can work for our good."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When bad things happen in your life -- you lose a friend, you have to move to a strange place, you fail an exam or you get sick -- do you think things are hopeless?  Or do you remember that God can work something good even out of what seems like disaster to you?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:28)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Katie skipped along beside Mom.  They were going to an "open house" at her sister Joanie's school.  "How will we find Joanie?" asked Katie.
 
"She said she'd be in her pottery class, and here we are," answered Mom as they walked into the school.
 
Katie and her mother soon found the room where Joanie was working, and they sat down quietly at the back of the room.  The class instructor was at his potter's wheel, demonstrating how to make a clay vase.  The students watched and then began work on their own projects.
 
"Joanie's good, isn't she?" whispered Katie, watching her big sister at work.  "She said she was going to make a flower pot for her Sunday school classroom."
 
"Yes," agreed Mom, "and that vase she's making will look lovely filled with flowers."
 
"I wish I could do something like that," said Katie wistfully.  "Brian teaches Sunday school, Lisa sings in the choir, and Joanie's always making pretty things for church and Sunday school.  But. . . ." Katie gestured towards the instructor's table, "I'm like one of those ugly lumps over there."
 
"Katie," said Mom gently, "those ugly lumps are the clay the potter uses to make his pots.  That vase Joanie is making was a lump of clay like those.  And so was the one the instructor is making."
 
"Really?" asked Katie, looking at the instructor who was again working at the potter's wheel.  A tall vase was taking shape under his skillful fingers.  "Imagine one of those ugly lumps ending up like that!"
 
"Katie, we are all like those lumps of clay," said Mom gently.  "But God, our Potter, skillfully molds and shapes us into something of His own design.  All He requires of us is that we be pliable and. . . ."
 
"What does plia. . .plia. . .plia -- whatever -- mean?"
 
"Pliable!  That means being soft and easy to mold," explained Mom. "You see, if the clay is hard, it's also hard to mold, and if we are stubborn and our hearts are hard. . .if we're not willing to do the things that please God. . .He can't shape us into something beautiful."  She hugged Katie.  "I think God finds you pliable," she added.  "You're a thoughtful little girl, and I'm sure Jesus appreciates your kindness to your friends and all the errands you run for me and Grandma and your teachers."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you learning -- and willing --  to do the things that please God?  Do you try to please Him in all your thoughts and words and actions?  You don't have to feel inferior even if you can't speak or sing or draw or study as well as your brothers or sisters or friends.  The important thing is to be willing to do what God wants you to do.  Then you'll be like pliable clay, and God will use you to accomplish His work on earth.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 64:
But now, O Lord, Thou art our father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter;  we are all the work of your hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Do you really think this thing is ever going to turn into something beautiful, Grandma?" asked Nathan, bringing a jar to the davenport where his grandmother was resting.  He had caught a caterpillar, and it had spun itself into a cocoon.  "We've been watching it for so long." Nathan liked to share things with Grandma.  She was always interested even though she was sick.
 
Grandma smiled as she looked at the dried-up, greenish thing in the jar Nathan held.  "Oh, yes.  Just wait," she answered.  "Sit down a minute, Nathan, and let's talk."  She patted the seat beside her.  "Nathan, that cocoon reminds me of myself," Grandma continued. "It's going to change soon, and I am, too.  The doctor says I won't be here much longer -- I will die soon."  A big lump came into Nathan's throat, and tears sprang to his eyes.  Grandma patted his hand.  "I don't want you to feel too bad when that happens, Nathan, because I'll be going to heaven.  My old body will be buried in the ground, but the real me will be with Jesus, because I have received Him as my Savior.  And some day I'll get a wonderful new body that won't get sick anymore.  You keep watching the cocoon, and when you see the beautiful creature that comes out of it, think about the beautiful new body and new life your grandma is going to get."
 
One night while Nathan was asleep, it happened just as Grandma had said it would.  Grandma died.  When Nathan saw her lying so still in her casket, he knew it was only her body and that Grandma was with Jesus. Thinking about that helped, but he still felt very sad.
 
The morning after Grandma's funeral, Nathan noticed something that made him very excited.  "Mom! Dad!" he called.  "Look at my butterfly!"  Sure enough, a beautiful butterfly had emerged from the cocoon.
 
As they admired the lovely creature together, Nathan decided to let it go free.  "Just like Grandma," he said as he watched the butterfly stretch its wings and fly away.  "Some day she'll have a new body, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you don't need to fear death when you have trusted Jesus to be your Savior?  Just as the caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly, so you will receive a new body that will live forever.  Thank God for this wonderful hope.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:52)
For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Why didn't God give me musical talent, too? thought Melissa as she listened to her family give a musical program.  They can all sing so good, but I couldn't carry a tune if it were in a bucket!
 
After church, she complained out loud.  "It's not fair.  All of you can play and sing, and I can't," she grumbled.  "I feel dumb sitting there -- the only Miller not in the program.  I wish I could have a part, too."
 
"We'd like you to join us, Melissa, but. . .we don't know how to use a bullfrog," teased her brother.
 
"That was uncalled for, Bill," said Mother, noticing the hurt look on Melissa's face.  "Melissa may not have a musical talent, but she has other talents."  She turned to her daughter.  "You like to draw pictures," she reminded Melissa.  "That's a special talent God has given you."
 
"But I want to be musical, like all of you," protested Melissa. 
 
The next afternoon when Dad came home, he handed Melissa a box. "Here are some paints for you," he said.
 
"Thanks, Dad," squealed Melissa.  Quickly she opened the box. "There must be a mistake," she wailed.  "There's only blue here.  I can't paint pictures with only one color."
 
"It takes different colors to paint pretty pictures, doesn't it?" agreed Dad.  He handed her another box.
 
Melissa nodded as she eagerly looked over the variety of colors in the second box.  "But why did you give me only blue at first?" she asked.
 
"I wanted you to see how uninteresting it would be if all people were just alike," answered Dad.  "God gives each person different abilities for doing His work.  How dull it would be if we were all the same."
 
Slowly Melissa nodded.  "Like having only one color to paint with," she said.  "I guess God would rather have me paint than sing, so I'll try to be the best artist I can."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you discovered your own special talents?  Maybe you can't sing or paint, but perhaps you're good at math or helping with housework.  Whatever your abilities are, develop them the best you can.  God may have a special use for them some day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

[Soldier4Christ]

Curt waved when he saw his neighbor raking leaves.  "Hi, Mr. Michaels," he called.  "Need some help?"  Curt was fond of the old gentleman and always enjoyed his stories of days long past.
 
"Now, there's an offer I can't resist," said Mr. Michaels.  Soon the two of them were working side by side.
 
"Curt," said Mr. Michaels, "you and your folks have been coming to church and Sunday school with me for quite some time now.  But tell me -- are you a Christian?"
 
"Oh, I think so," replied Curt.  "I try to be good and honest.  I obey my parents and teachers pretty well."  He gave Mr. Michaels a mischievous grin as he added, "And I help my neighbors rake their leaves."
 
Mr. Michaels smiled.  "That you do," he said, "and at least one neighbor really appreciates it.  But are you saying that you believe you're a Christian because you're good?"
 
Curt shrugged.  "Sure," he said.
 
Mr. Michaels leaned on his rake.  "Let me tell you a story," he said. "Many years ago, a man I knew decided he wanted to be the town's mayor because he didn't like the way some things in our town were being handled. However, when he filed the necessary papers, it became apparent that he was not a United States citizen.  Most people didn't know that.  He had lived here a long time, and he was a fine person.  He said he always considered himself a citizen of this country because, as he said, 'I obey the laws.  I'm a good neighbor.  I pay my bills.'  Now, Curt, do you think the government officials should have told him that he didn't have to do anything more to become a citizen?"
 
Curt shook his head.  "We studied about that in school," he said.  "A foreigner has to be naturalized.  He has to renounce his allegiance to his own country and swear allegiance to the United States government."
 
"And who makes the rules for citizenship -- a foreigner or the United States government?" asked Mr. Michaels.
 
"The government does," said Curt.
 
Mr. Michaels nodded.  "Well, Curt," he said, "you seem to expect God to make you a citizen in His kingdom based on your rules, which say you must live a good, obedient life.  But who has a right to set the rules for heavenly citizenship -- you or God?"
 
"God does," replied Curt.  "I need to apply for citizenship by God's rules, don't I?
 
"You do," agreed Mr. Michaels.  "The blood of His dear Son, Jesus, had to be shed on the cross to make our citizenship possible, and God doesn't change His rules for anybody."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you claim to be a citizen of God's kingdom?  On what do you base your claim -- doing good works, obeying the commandments, being a church member?  Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." You can be born again today.  (See the last page of this booklet for more help.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:3)
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at this odd plant," called Scott as he and his fellow campers made their way around the swamp.  As the boys crowded around, they saw a cluster of green, pitcher-shaped leaves.
 
"Hmmm," murmured Mr. Pete, the counselor.  "A pitcher plant! That's one of North America's most interesting insect-eating plants."
 
"What are all those flies doing down there?" asked one of the boys as he peered into the largest "pitcher."
 
"The plant has caught them for food," explained Mr. Pete.  "It uses a nectar-like substance to attract them.  They easily enter the opening at the top of the leaves, but the sides are slippery and have thousands of tiny hairs that all point downward, and the insects can't get back out."
 
"So they drown in that pool at the bottom, I guess," remarked Scott.  "What dumb flies."
 
"They were foolish, weren't they?" said Mr. Pete.  "The way the nectar in this plant draws flies to their doom reminds me of how  narcotics, or drugs, pull so many young people down.  They think they're getting something good, but instead they get caught."
 
Scott looked thoughtful.  "A kid gave my brother free samples of drugs, so he tried them," he said.  "Before he even stopped to think about it, he was hooked pretty bad."
 
"What happened then, Scott?" asked one of the boys.
 
"Mom and Dad sent him to a drug rehabilitation center.  I can't even send him a bag of potato chips or cheese curls, because the people are afraid someone might try to sneak him some drugs that way," explained Scott.  "I'm never going to try drugs, not even for free."
 
"I hope not," said Mr. Pete.  "It's a very foolish thing to do."
 
"My dad says alcohol is a kind of drug, too," said one of the boys.
 
"I agree," said Mr. Pete.  "Let's remember to pray for Scott's brother, and as we do, let's be sure to ask the Lord each day to keep us from ever acting like one of those foolish flies and giving in to the temptation to try drugs."  As he spoke,  they heard a buzzing sound.  A fly was circling the pitcher plant, drawing a little closer with each pass.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you attracted by the drug culture?  By its music?  By its way of dressing?  By the fun that some kids seem to have?  Keep your distance!  The closer you get, the harder it will be to turn back. Ask the Lord to keep you safe from its evil influence.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:18)
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Mom," called Tracie as she opened the front door.  "We had the best class today!  We learned about volcanos."
 
"That sounds interesting," replied Mother.  "Volcanos are a fascinating part of nature."
 
Tracie nodded.  "My teacher had a small model of a volcano.  He could even make it erupt.  Do you know what erupts from a real volcano?"
 
"Lava, hot gasses, and rock fragments," answered Tracie's brother, Jason, who had also come in from school.
 
Tracie frowned.  "I asked Mom, not you, you big show-off," she growled.  Then she went on telling about the volcano.  "Pressure builds up and the red hot ash blasts through the surface.  Do you know where it erupts from?" she asked, looking at her mother.
 
Jason answered again.  "From the mouth.  It's at the top of a cone-shaped mountain," he said.
 
"Wrong!" declared Tracie triumphantly.  "That's what it looks like, but the actual opening is lower than the top, or mouth.  It's called a vent."  She made a face at her brother.  "Shows how much you know, dummy.  Next time mind your own business and don't answer unless I ask you."
 
"Tracie," Mother scolded, "a volcano isn't the only thing with a mouth -- we have mouths, too.  Perhaps eruptions don't come from the mouth of the volcano, but our mouths can erupt with hot, vicious, unkind words that hurt other people.  I'm afraid you've been allowing that to happen.  We can't control volcanic eruptions, but we can learn to control our tongues and our mouths."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do unkind words sometimes slip out of your mouth?  Remember that God made your mouth to praise and glorify Him.  Words that hurt others don't please God.  Ask Him to help you control your tongue when you feel a hot, vicious eruption building up.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 3:10)
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Noah's Ark

"Can you help me line up my Noah's Ark animals, Benny?" asked Ben's little brother Ethan. He looked at their sister. "You can help, too, Katie."

"Okay," agreed Ben, sitting down at the table. "Tony is such a pain," he continued as he placed the toy elephants side by side. "He's always talking about how he played soccer in the school he used to attend. Who cares?"

Katie picked up the pigs. "He's that new kid in your Sunday school class, isn't he?" asked Katie. "Well, he couldn't be worse than Isobel. She thinks she's so great just because she gets good grades in everything! She won the spelling bee last week." Katie set the pigs down. "And now she won first prize for learning the most memory verses in Bible club."

Ben grinned. "Hey! You better not leave your pigs next to Mrs. Noah," he said. "I'm sure she won't like the smell!"

Katie giggled. "I wouldn't have liked to be Mrs. Noah-living with a boat full of smelly, noisy animals! I bet they fought all the time, too."

"I like animals," put in Ethan. "They didn't fight, did they, Mommy?"

Mom smiled. "I like to think they didn't," she said, "nor the Noah family, either. I should think they'd be so thankful to be safe on the ark that they'd gladly put up with bad smells and loud noises."

"Well . . . maybe so," agreed Katie.

Ben nodded. "Yeah. What's a bad smell-even a pig smell-compared to being drowned?"

"But I guess you two would have grumbled and complained even inside the ark!" added Mom.

"Mom!" cried Katie indignantly. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, I've been listening to you grumble about your classmates," said Mom. "Tony and Isobel's habits and manners may be pretty annoying, but don't we all do annoying things at times? We're blessed to have lots of brothers and sisters in Christ-all who know Him are His children. Instead of grumbling, we should be thankful to be part of God's family, and thankful that He provides a safe place from the storms of life. We should accept one another as He does."

Ben and Katie looked at each other. Then they grinned a little as, at the same time, both nodded and said, "I'm sorry!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you often annoyed by other kids? Do you snap at those who are slow? Do you ridicule those who are clumsy? Do you ignore those you consider ugly? God's family is like Noah's Ark. It contains all of God's children, including those who look different, talk different, act different, even smell different! It's not always easy to like or to understand others, but God wants you to accept them and live in harmony with them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
In honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10

[Soldier4Christ]

As Roxie sat curled up on the couch, Mittens, her cat, jumped up on her lap.  "Oh, Mittens.  Things will never be the same anymore," said Roxie sadly. "We're moving, and I'll never see my friends again."
 
"Mittens, you're not going to like moving."  Roxie was surprised to hear Dad's voice behind her.  "As far as you know, this apartment is all there is to the world, but we're going to take you out of it," continued Dad.  He sat down next to Roxie.  She stared at him curiously as he went on talking to the cat.  "Mittens, you're going to be scared when we put you in the pet carrier and put it on the plane.  You're going to think your life will never be the same."  Dad paused.  "Poor kitty," he added sadly.
 
"Dad," protested Roxie, "I know you don't really mean that, because you said Mittens will be able to climb trees and chase mice at our new house.  She'll do lots of things she's never done before.  She might not like moving, but she'll like it after she gets there. And you're trying to make me think that I will, too.  But I still don't think so."
 
"Hmmm," murmured Dad.  "Since you're not a cat, you see things from a different point of view than Mittens does, don't you?  You know that when Mittens gets to her new home in the country, she'll be happy there.  And Roxie, just as you see the cat's future from a different point of view than she does, God sees your future from a different point of view than you do.  He knows you'll hurt for a while, but He also sees past that to the wonderful things He has in store for you in our new home.  If you let Him, He'll help you get over the hurt so you can enjoy your new experiences."
 
Roxie sniffed as she stroked Mittens.  When she spoke again, it was to the cat.  "Well, Mittens, maybe there's a different world out there for both of us," said Roxie finally.  "We might even find a tree to climb together."  Roxie smiled as she gave the cat a gentle squeeze.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a circumstance in your life that is so hard you feel you'll never get over it?  God doesn't let you see into the future, but He sees what's there.  You must live by faith, trusting Him to use even the hard things to work for good in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:7)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wow!  Wait until Mom sees you, Kristy!" scolded Jeff.  "You're going to get it!"  Around his little sister's mouth, there was something that looked suspiciously like mashed strawberries.
 
As Kristy wandered away, Jeff watched a newsflash that interrupted the ball game he'd been watching.  Some well-dressed men were being led away by police officers.  The announcer gave a quick report of a successful crackdown on a large spy ring.  "How do the cops find out about guys like that?" Jeff wondered aloud as his father came into the room. 
 
"I don't know," said Dad.  "I guess they're trained to know what to look for and how to go about it."
 
Then they heard Mom's voice from the kitchen.  "Who spilled my strawberries?  Somebody made a real mess out of tonight's shortcake!  Where's the dog?  Was he in here?"  Then in a softer tone, Jeff and Dad heard, "Kristy!  Naughty girl!  Look at you!  Oh, dear. . . ."
 
Dad exchanged an amused glance with Jeff.  "See, Son," he said, "sometimes the evidence is so plain there's no denying it."
 
"Yeah," agreed Jeff.  "I saw Kristy a while ago, and it was pretty plain to see what she did."
 
Dad nodded.  "Kristy probably thought no one would know, but it was obvious to you and to Mother.  And those fellows on TV probably thought no one would ever catch them, but it was plain to the Lord.  He was watching, and He apparently let the police see what was happening, too."
 
"Too bad no one ever told those guys that God is watching," said Jeff.  Then he added thoughtfully, "Unless someone did, and they just didn't listen."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that God sees all you do?  Some people get away with wrongdoing for a very long time -- some may even manage to keep from getting caught in this life.  But God's Word teaches clearly that nobody can do wrong and get away with it forever.  God always knows what's going on, and the day will come when they'll stand before Him and answer for the deeds they have done.  If you've done something wrong, God knows all about it.  A day of accountability will come.  If you're not a Christian, you need to receive Jesus into your life (see last page).  If you are saved, you need to ask God to forgive you and help you make things right again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 15:3)
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.