Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Grandma's sweet voice whispered, "Amen" after Patty knelt at her side and asked Jesus to be her Savior.  "Now you'll always have a friend close beside you, honey," said Grandma, giving Patty a warm hug.  "You won't see Him, but He is real and He's there.  Talk to Him in prayer each day; and when you read your Bible, ask Him to help you understand what He's saying to you."
 
Patty nodded.  "He really will be with me all the time, right?" she asked.  "He'll be my friend?"
 
"He surely will," Grandma assured her.
 
For a long moment Patty sat with a faraway look in her eyes.  Then she grinned at Grandma.  "Grandma, do you remember Dayken Geehouse?"
 
"Dayken Geehouse!" Grandma exclaimed with a laugh.  "You mean the little imaginary friend you had when you were three years old?"
 
"Oh, good!  You didn't forget her!  I'm glad," Patty said happily. "Back then, Dayken was my best friend, even if she was 'just pretend.'  I couldn't see her, but I really felt like there was someone for me to play with all day long.  Because of Dayken, I was never lonely."
 
"I remember asking you about your little companion's funny name," said Grandma.  "I wondered why you called her by such an unusual one. Your reply was so solemn.  You said, 'Grandma, Dayken told me her name.'"
 
With a little embarrassed smile, Patty said wistfully, "Sometimes I sorta miss Dayken even though I'm much too old for an imaginary friend now."  She grinned at Grandma.  "But you just said I'll have my friend Jesus with me all the time.  That's much better because He's real, not just an imaginary friend."
 
"That's right, and you'll never grow up too much or get too old for your new friend, Jesus," Grandma assured her.  "He'll be the best friend you've ever had, even though you can't see Him.  And He has promised that some day you'll truly see Him, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you sometimes lonely?  Perhaps you've had an imaginary friend.  That can be fun for a while, but it's only make-believe.  Jesus is real, and he wants to be your best friend.  Have you asked Him to come into your heart?  If not, do that today (see last page).  Then you'll have a real friend with whom you may talk at any time.  Even better, you'll meet Him face to face some day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 15:15)
I have called you friends.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's just not fair," complained Kimberly, pointing to the cast on her leg.  "Why do bad things always happen to me?"
 
"Trials come to all of us," answered her mother.  "You see, no one's perfect, and we all need help in developing Christian character."
 
"Well, couldn't I get more help for my character at school and church than lying around here?" asked Kimberly.
 
"We have to leave that sort of thing in God's hands," replied Mother.  "He knows what you need."  She stood up.  "I want to show you something," she said.  She left the room but soon returned with a small box.  She opened the lid, and Kimberly peered inside.
 
"Oh, the pin Grandma used to wear!" exclaimed Kimberly.  "It's so pretty.  Is that a real pearl?"
 
Mother nodded.  "Do you know how pearls are formed?" she asked.
 
"Sure," said Kimberly.  "Something -- maybe a grain of sand -- gets inside an oyster's shell and hurts him.  So he makes some stuff to cover the sand.  And after a long time, it's a pearl."
 
"That's right," said Mother.  "An oyster makes something beautiful out of any foreign object that irritates it.  If an oyster can do that, don't you think we should be able to do that, too?"  She paused, then added, "Perhaps you could start letting your broken leg help you make your life more beautiful."
 
Kimberly frowned.  "How would I do that?" she asked.
 
"Maybe this is a good time to learn patience," suggested Mother. "The Bible says, 'The trying of your faith worketh patience.'  You do need more patience, you know."
 
Kimberly sighed.  "Yeah, I guess I do get all upset when things don't go right," she admitted.  "Okay, I'll work on doing better.  But how long am I going to have to wear this dumb cast?  It's so. . . ."  Kimberly stopped.  Then she grinned.  "There I go again!  Maybe I have to wear it just long enough to grow one tiny pearl of patience."  After a moment she added with a laugh, "But I do hope I don't have to go for a whole string of pearls!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do troubles make you cross and upset?  Everything in a Christian's life is there for a purpose.  God may use trials to teach you patience and endurance.  Through them you may learn to trust Him or to become a better Christian in some way.  Learn to be joyful and develop beautiful pearls of Christian characteristics from your troubles.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:2)
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's for dinner?" asked David.  "I'm starved!"
 
"Beef and vegetable casserole," replied Mother as she passed the dish.  She smiled at his enthusiastic response.  "I remember when you didn't like it," she added.  "In fact, you used to like very few vegetables at all.  I'm glad that's changed."
 
"Me, too," agreed David as he took a big helping.  "I used to want to eat cookies and candy and pop all the time.  I never told you, but sometimes when I ate so much junk food, I didn't feel real good."
 
"I'm not surprised," said Dad.  "And I'm not surprised, either, to see how strong and healthy you are now that you've learned to eat the things that are good for you."
 
After dinner, Dad took the family Bible from a kitchen shelf.  David glanced at his watch.  "Couldn't we skip devotions just this once?" he asked.  "The football game will be on TV in just a couple of minutes."
 
"But this is more important," said Dad.  "We talked earlier about how everything we feel like eating isn't always best for us, remember? When you train yourself to eat what is good for you, you'll reap healthy benefits.  But if you choose to fill up on junk food. . . ."
 
"You'll probably get a stomach ache," interrupted David.
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "That principle goes for your spiritual appetite, as well.  When you feed your soul the best food every day -- God's Word -- you'll soon be reaping the benefits of a stronger, healthier Christian life."
 
"You mean just reading a few verses in my Bible every day will do that for me?" teased David.  "Well, that won't take me very long."
 
Dad smiled.  "Just reading them won't, but reading, meditating on them, and obeying them will," he said.
 
Mother nodded.  "Do you remember how you learned to like vegetables?" she asked.
 
"You made me eat a little every time we had them," replied David.  "Before I knew it, I really liked them."
 
"Yes," said Dad as he opened the Bible.  "By eating them, even if you didn't feel like it, you developed an appetite for them.  That happens with spiritual things, too.  You may not always feel like reading and obeying God's Word, attending church, or participating in other wholesome activities, but doing so helps develop your appetite for those things."
 
"And I can see that I'm going to work on developing those appetites right now," observed David with a grin.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you feeding your soul?  Are you filling your heart and mind with the world's music, fashions, and literature? Retrain your spiritual appetite by feasting on the riches of God's Word, listening to Christian music, and reading good books.  Then exercise -- be a doer of the Word.  Reap the benefits of a great spiritual diet and exercise.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:2)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I still don't see why I can't go," muttered Jeanie sulkily.
 
Mom sighed.  "Jeanie, for one thing, you're too young, even to double-date, without a chaperone," she said, "and for another, Dad and I just don't think that movie is suitable for you."
 
Jeanie shoved back her chair violently.  "I hate all your rules and regulations," she stormed.  "It's mean and unfair not to let me have fun."
 
"Jeannie. . . ." began Mom sternly, but she was interrupted when the front door banged loudly and Benny limped in.
 
"Mommy!  I hurt my leg," wailed Benny.
 
"What happened, honey?" asked Mom gently, looking at the ugly red gash on Benny's foot.
 
"I was playing in that old junkyard near Mrs. Wilson's home, and something pricked my foot and. . . ."  Benny broke into sobs, ". . .and it hurts, Mommy!"
 
"I'm sure it does.  I'll clean you up and put some medicine on it," said Mom soothingly, scooping Benny into her arms.  "And we'll have to check with Dr. Mason and make sure your tetanus shots are all up to date."
 
Jeanie leaned over to hug her little brother.  "That place ought to be fenced off," she said angrily, following Mother into the bathroom.  "It's full of rusty nails and bits of barbed wire; Benny could've gotten badly hurt."  She shook her head in disgust.  "There's not even a 'danger' sign posted up there warning kids to stay away."
 
"No, but Benny does know he's not allowed to play there, don't you, Ben?" said Mom as she washed his foot.  Benny nodded solemnly. "But obviously, he and the other kids have fun playing there," continued Mother, so maybe we should adjust our rules and not tell him to keep away. . . ."
 
Jeanie stared at Mother in surprise.  "You're kidding!" she exclaimed.  "I know you won't do that."
 
"Why not?" asked Mom.  "Why should we keep that rule?"
 
"Well. . .because even though he doesn't like the rule, it's to keep him from getting hurt," said Jeanie.  "It's for his own good."
 
Mom nodded.  "That's true of all the rules Dad and I make," she told her daughter.  "They're not to punish you, honey, or to spoil your fun; we only want to protect you from harm.  The rules are to make your life better, not to make it unpleasant."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you grumble about obeying your parents' rules?  When they tell you to be home by a certain time, not to watch some program on TV or listen to a particular kind of music, do you accuse them of being cruel or trying to punish you or spoil your fun?  It's not always easy to obey, but remember that both God's rules and your parents' rules are intended to protect you -- your body, your mind, your heart, and your soul -- from harm.  They're not there to punish you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:1)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, boy!  Fried chicken!" exclaimed Jim.  "I'm glad you invited me for dinner."
 
His grandparents smiled.  "I noticed you went forward at the end of the service this morning, Jim," said Grandpa as he passed the chicken. "Was there a special reason?"
 
"Yes, Sir," said Jim.  "You know how I've always wanted to be a doctor?"  Grandpa nodded, and Jim continued, "Well, even though I'm just a kid, I really feel the Lord wants me to be a missionary doctor some day.  Today I said yes."  Grandma's eyes filled with happy tears, but Jim frowned slightly as he helped himself to a biscuit.  "I just don't know how I can ever do it, though.  Mom says it costs a lot of money to get a doctor's training, and we're pretty poor since Dad died.  Anyhow, I may not be smart enough to be a doctor," he added doubtfully.  "I'm not sure it's really possible."
 
"With God all things are possible," quoted Grandma softly.  "If that's what He wants of you, He'll help you work it out."
 
After dinner, Grandpa asked Jim to run upstairs and get a book for him.  "And let's see you leap up there in one bound," he added.  "There are seventeen steps to the top."
 
Jim laughed.  "I can't do that," he said.
 
"You have to take one step at a time, don't you -- or maybe two steps since your legs are getting so long," said Grandpa.  "Now it seems to me that reaching your goal of being a missionary doctor is like reaching the top of the stairs.  God doesn't expect you to get there all at once.  He expects you to take one step at a time."
 
Jim looked up the stairway thoughtfully.  "I guess sometimes a person can't even see how to take one step."
 
"That's where faith comes in," answered Grandpa.  "If the Lord says to step, you lift your foot, trusting Him to make your way possible."
 
"I guess I took my first step today when I said yes," said Jim.  "What do you suppose the next one will be?"
 
"Probably to study hard," suggested Grandpa.  "And maybe the third will be to get a part-time job and save your money."
 
Jim grinned.  "I guess I better go home pretty soon and start on my second step," he said.  "I've got a test tomorrow."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel God wants you to do something that seems impossible to you?  He can help you study, witness, be kind, find a job, obey.  Be sensitive to what He wants you to do both now and in the future.  Don't be afraid to say yes to God.  If He wants you to do something, it's not impossible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 19:26)
With God all things are possible.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Jenny gave her battered old teddy bear a hug before setting him fondly on her pillow, her brother, Adam, walked past her bedroom door.  "Why don't you give that ratty old thing a decent burial -- in the garbage can?" asked Adam, laughing at his own joke.
 
"Oh, be quiet, Adam," retorted Jenny.
 
Mother appeared in the doorway.  "Let's go, kids," she said.  Jenny made a face.  They were going to visit Great-Aunt Catherine, who lived in a nursing home.  Her mind was no longer alert, and the children didn't like to go there.  Mother said they had to go along with her because Aunt Catherine enjoyed seeing them.
 
At the nursing home, they found Aunt Catherine sorting through ancient photographs, as usual.  She greeted them happily.  Then Mother talked gently to her about the past while Jenny and Adam drew pictures. Jenny sketched a funny picture of her great-aunt and some of the other old folks.  When it was finished, she showed it to Adam, and they snickered together in the corner.  They didn't notice Mother coming up behind them until she pulled the sketch from Adam's hand.
 
Back home, Mother steered the children to Jenny's room.  She took the teddy bear from the bed.  "Jenny, I noticed that you didn't like Adam making fun of your bear this morning," she said.  "I guess you still love it, even though its fur is rubbed off and one eye is missing, right?"  Jenny nodded emphatically.  "Well," said Mother.  "I love my Aunt Catherine even though she's old.  She raised me after my parents died.  It hurts me deeply to see you make fun of her -- even more than it hurt you, Jenny, when Adam made fun of this bear."
 
"I'm sorry," murmured Jenny.  Both children felt ashamed for having had such a bad attitude.
 
"God commands us to honor and respect old people.  We need to do that even though they may have broken bodies and childlike minds," continued Mother.  "They have spent their lives in service to their families and friends.  Now it's our turn to be of service to them.  Will you both please try to remember that?"  Jenny and Adam nodded solemnly. Adam even gave the old teddy bear a gentle pat as he left the room.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever made fun of older people in a nursing home or hospital? Do you get impatient with the elderly members of your church or family when they cannot move fast or when they tell the same stories over and over?  God commands you to honor old people. Proverbs 16:31 says the "hoary (gray) head is a crown of glory."  Treat older people with honor and respect.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Leviticus 19:32)
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Want to come to Sunday school with me tomorrow?" Karl asked his new neighbor.  As he spoke, he tied the last ribbon to the tail of a kite they were making.
 
"Nah," replied Jacob.  "My dad says God is just in people's minds, and I think he's right.  After all, nobody ever saw God. I'd feel funny sitting in church, listening to talk about somebody who's not there."
 
Karl's heart sank.  How could he explain that God is real, even though you can't see Him?  He bit his lip and silently prayed for the right time to speak and the right words to use.
 
"Let's see if this masterpiece will fly," said Karl, changing the subject.  He held onto the string while Jacob carried the kite, and together they ran across the yard.  Karl felt the string pull taut as Jacob let go of the kite.  He turned to watch it soar high into the air.
 
"Wow!" cried Jacob.  "We did it!"
 
After a while, Karl handed the string to his friend.  "Here, you try it," he panted.
 
Jacob eagerly took the line and ran with it.  All afternoon they passed the kite back and forth until they were too tired to run any more.  At last Jacob pulled it in and collapsed on the ground.  "That was neat!" he exclaimed.  "It was almost like someone was holding it up there."
 
Karl's heart leaped with hope.  "Did you see anybody or anything holding it?" he asked.
 
"Oh course not," Jacob replied, laughing.  "You can't see the wind. But it's there, and you can see what it does."
 
"Just like you can't see God," Karl pointed out quietly, "but He's there, too.  And you can see what He does.  Just look at everything -- the trees, birds, your dog, your family, yourself.  God made them all.  Could anyone else do that?"
 
Jacob sat silently for a long moment, studying his hand.  "Maybe you're right," he admitted at last.  "I'll have to think about it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to believe in God because you can't see Him like you can see another person?  You can see what He does in all of nature.  If you know some Christians, you can also see how He changes lives.  He makes them become more kind, likable, and honest.  He gives comfort, peace, and joy.  He is real!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 19:1)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, look at this old mirror!" Carrie exclaimed.  She and her mother were checking through things in the attic to see if there were any they should put on a garage sale.  As she looked in the mirror, Carrie giggled at her short, squat reflection.  "It makes me look so funny."
 
Mom came up behind her and looked.  "That's very old," she said with a laugh.  "It was your great-grandmother's."
 
"Can we take it down to show everybody?" asked Carrie.
 
"Sure," agreed Mom, "they'd like to see it, too.  But first let's take the things for the garage sale downstairs."
 
That evening, the Stevens family laughed together over their reflections in the antique mirror.  "It's fun to look in that old mirror, but I sure am glad we have better ones to use now," said Carrie as they ate their supper.  "That old one doesn't reflect me the way I really am.  It makes me look all squashed."
 
"Yeah," agreed her brother, Gary.  "A good mirror shows you just as you are."
 
"I wonder how well all our mirrors are working," said Mom as she cut the apple pie.
 
"What do you mean?" asked Carrie.  "They're fine."
 
Mom smiled.  "I don't mean the mirrors on the walls or dressers," she explained.  "I mean us."
 
"Us!  We're people, not mirrors," said Gary.
 
"We are also mirrors," said Mom.  "As Christians we should reflect Christ in everything we say and do."
 
"And when we do, we should reflect a true image," added Dad.  "People should see Christ living in us, the way He really is -- not a 'squashed' reflection."
 
"Like what?" asked Gary.  "What would that be?"
 
"Well, for example, people sometimes get the impression that Christians are snooty," said Dad.  "Or they may hear Christians gossip. They may see them cheat or act unkind.  In such cases they are certainly not getting a true reflection of Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you reflect Christ's love in your life when you talk with your friends or when you play?  Or is your reflection of Him marred by mean and hateful actions?  Yield to Jesus each moment of the day so your life can be a true reflection of His love.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 4:7)
Let us love one another: for love is of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" Tom burst into the house, his eyes glistening with excitement.  "Guess what!  Jeff is moving, and he plays the French horn, and so now there's a French horn available, and Mr. Potter said I could use it and be in the band even though I didn't start at the beginning of. . . ."
 
"Slow down.  Slow down," said Mother.  She smiled at her son's eager face.  "I'm glad that worked out for you.  When do you start?"
 
"Tomorrow," replied Tom.  "I get my uniform then, too.  It's neat.  I'll belong to the Bartley School Middle School Band."
 
That evening when Dad heard the big news, he grinned at Tom.  "So you'll be in the band?" he said.  "That's great."
 
But Gretchen, Tom's little sister, frowned.  "I want to be in the band, too," she said with a pout.
 
"You can't.  You're too small," Tom told her.
 
Dad smiled at Gretchen.  "Tell me. . .how do you become a member of a band?" he asked.
 
"You need a horn to play," said Gretchen promptly.  "And a uniform."
 
"And you have to be big enough," added Tom.
 
Dad nodded.  "Yes," he said, "and I'm afraid it will be a few years before you're old enough, Gretchen, to belong to the Bartley School Band."
 
Gretchen looked unhappy.  "Can I join a different band then?"
 
"Well, let's see. . . ." said Dad.  He snapped his finger.  "Sure.  I've thought of a band anyone may join!"  Gretchen smiled at that news, but Tom looked doubtful.  "It's not a musical band -- it's a different kind of band," said Dad.  "It's the band of believers.  In other words, it's Christians, called the Church.  Do you know what you need to become a member of that band?"
 
"I do.  You need Christ," said Tom promptly.
 
Again Dad nodded.  "Good," he said.  "That's exactly right.  And anyone, big or small, may receive Him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you belong to the band of Christians -- the Church?  This does not mean the local congregation that you attend on Sundays.  It means the whole group of believers throughout the world -- all who have trusted Jesus as Savior.  The invitation is open for you to become a member of this group (see last page).  Become a part of the Church, the body of Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 1:14)
In Whom (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Pah-pah-pom!  Pah-pah-pom!"  Tom was practicing his horn again, and Gretchen put her hands over her ears.  She was tired of hearing it.
 
As a matter of fact, Tom was tired of it, too.  He had decided to try to make "first chair" -- to be the very best French horn player in the band -- and so he had to practice at home every day.  He had to go over and over the pieces that had been assigned.  Playing in the band had been fun for a while, but now it seemed more like work.
 
"How's your band music coming along?" Dad asked one evening.  "Have you made first chair yet?"
 
Tom shook his head.  "It's too hard," he said.  "I think I'll give up that idea.  I don't feel like practicing any more."
 
"Well," said Dad, "there's nothing wrong with not being first chair, but there is something wrong with not practicing.  No matter what chair you have, you need to do the best you can, and that takes practice."
 
Gretchen grinned.  "I'm glad I don't have to practice," she said.
 
"Oh, but you do!" declared Dad.
 
Gretchen looked at her father.  "I don't play in the band," she said.
 
Dad smiled.  "Remember that we talked about how we could all belong to a different band -- the band of Christians, called the Church? Have you received Jesus as Savior and become a part of that band?" Gretchen nodded.  "Well, then," continued Dad, "there are things you need to practice as a member of God's Church.  In His Word, the Bible, God tells us of many characteristics we should have.  He describes the kind of people we should be, and He teaches us the kind of things we should do."
 
"I guess we sometimes get tired of doing those things, too, don't we?" said Tom.  "Just like I get tired of practicing my horn."
 
	 Dad nodded.   "I'm afraid so," he agreed.  "But we're told not to be 'weary in well doing.'  We need to keep on practicing."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Were you once excited about being a Christian and learning to be like Jesus?  Are you still faithfully practicing the things God teaches -- things such as loving others, being honest, respecting authority, obeying parents, and giving cheerfully?  God wants you to keep on and not give up.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You and Dad are coming to the band concert tonight, aren't you?" asked Tom at breakfast one day.  "I've been practicing so much, I think I know our pieces backwards!  And I get to play a special number with a smaller group, you know.  A brass ensemble."
 
Mother smiled.  "We'll be there," she assured him.  "We wouldn't miss it."
 
When it was time to get ready for the concert that evening, Tom was a bit nervous.  "The timing on our piece is kinda tricky," he said.  "What if I make a mistake?  I'd feel so dumb."
 
"Just watch your conductor carefully and you'll do fine, Tom," said Dad.
 
Tom grinned.  "Mr. Potter stopped us in the middle of a piece the other day," he said.  "Pete, one of the drummers, was really going at it, and he wasn't watching Mr. Potter at all.  He played half a line before he realized that nobody else was playing.  Everybody laughed, even Mr. Potter.  But Mr. Potter gave us all quite a lecture on how important it is to follow his directions."  He paused, then added, "I really like Mr. Potter.  He's a good band leader."
 
"Mine's better," said Tom's little sister, Gretchen.
 
"You don't have one," said Tom.  "You're not in a band."
 
"Am too," said Gretchen.  "I'm a Christian, so I'm in God's band.  You forgot."  She looked accusingly at her brother.
 
"Good for you," cheered Dad.  "And who is the leader you have to follow?"
 
"Jesus," said Gretchen positively.  "He's the best leader of all, and when we don't follow Him, we can get into trouble, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
As a Christian, are you carefully following your leader?  Does your life exhibit the "fruit of the Spirit"?  Do your activities please the Lord?  Are the places you go the kind of places He would go?  Are your close friends the kind of kids He would want you to spend a lot of time with?  If not, you may find yourself in trouble -- you may fall into all kinds of sin.  Don't let that happen.  Follow Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:1)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mark maneuvered his skateboard up the front walk of his new home.  He positioned it near the place where his dad was working and sat on it, looking rather unhappy.  "Hey, pal, haven't you gotten to know any of our new neighbors yet?" asked Dad.  "What about that boy. . .uh. . .uh. . . ."
 
"Chad," said Mark.  "His name is Chad.  I was just over at his house, and we played for a while.  I told him we want to find a good church to go to around here and asked him if he knows of one.  Do you know what he said, Dad?  He said he didn't even believe in God!  He said, 'If there's really a God, why does He let so many bad things happen?  If God created people, how come He lets them suffer for no reason?'  Then Chad listed all kinds of terrible things that happen.  I really didn't know what to say."
 
"Hmmm," murmured Dad.  "Suffering is due to sin in the world, but I'm not just sure how you can best show that to Chad or convince him of God's existence.  I'll pray that God will show you how to answer him."
 
A few days later, Chad came over to Mark's house.  Chad's leg was bandaged, and he was on crutches.  "My sister pushed me over on my bike, and I hurt my leg," he explained.  "Boy, was Dad mad!  She really got it!"
 
Mark began to sympathize.  Then he thought of something.  "Your dad?" he asked.  "You mean you have a dad, and he let you hurt your leg?"
 
"What do you mean, he let me?" asked Chad.  "It's not his fault.  It's my sister's."
 
"Well, that's funny," observed Mark.  "You blame God when bad things happen to people, but you don't blame your dad for what happened to you."
 
For once, Chad found nothing to say.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Why do bad things happen?  Do they make you wonder if there really is a loving God in control?  Do you feel like blaming Him for the terrible things that happen in the world?  God is real, and He is in control.  But God has given man a will of his own, and he can either obey or disobey God's laws.  From the beginning of time, man chose to disobey, and the result is suffering.  Terrible things do happen in the world -- not because there is no God, nor because He's powerless, but because mankind chooses to disobey the God who created him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 100:3)
Know ye that the Lord He is God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron woke up early, dressed quickly, and hurried down to eat breakfast.  This was the big day he'd been looking forward to -- his family was planning a trip to the fair.
 
When they finally arrived there, Aaron went to look at all the horses, cows, and other show animals.  He rode the scrambler, and he threw darts at balloons and won a prize.  As he and his family walked through the fairgrounds all afternoon, he searched for a place to buy the biggest and best caramel apple.  Then when it was almost time to go home, he quickly ran to a booth at the far corner of the fair.  "I came to buy a caramel apple," he told the lady.  "May I pick out a big one?"
 
"Sure," she replied.  "Help yourself."
 
Aaron carefully studied the apples on display.  He found a huge one loaded with nuts and caramel, and he asked for  a box in which to take the apple home.
 
Later that evening, Aaron settled down to read a book and eat his prized apple.  He took a big bite.  "Oh, yuk!" he groaned as he looked at the apple.  He ran to the kitchen for a paper towel.
 
"What's wrong, Aaron?" asked Dad.
 
"This apple was the biggest, best looking caramel apple in the whole fair, but when I bit into it, I found a worm hole," moaned Aaron.  "It's soft and mushy inside, too."  He looked sadly at the apple.  "It was such a pretty one," he added, "but it's no good."
 
Dad nodded sympathetically.  "It's the inside that counts, isn't it? That's what God says about people, too."
 
"People?" Aaron looked at Dad in surprise.
 
"That's right," said Dad.  "We can look neat and clean -- and we may even act nice -- but God looks at our hearts.  He knows all our secret thoughts and feelings.  It's important to 	be clean on the inside."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you carefully combed your hair, brushed your teeth, and put on clean clothes?  Do you put on a smile and act nice when your around other people?  That's good.  But are your thoughts also what they should be?  Are your secret desires pleasing to God?  Ask Him to help you keep your heart pure and clean.  When you sin, ask Him to forgive you and make you beautiful and good inside.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7)
For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

When something crashed against the family room window, Timmy ran outside to investigate.  Underneath the window, among the flowers, he found a robin flapping its wings frantically.  Timmy reached down very cautiously, and anchoring the bird's wings close to its body, he picked it up.  "Dad!  Come help!" he called.
 
Dad ran his fingers over the bird's bone structure and spread its wings. "Nothing broken," he said.  "I think it just has its wind knocked out."
 
Timmy lay the bird under the lilac bush in the backyard.  Sensing its freedom, it tried to get up, but its efforts were useless.  "It can't fly," Timmy cried fearfully as the robin fell to its side.
 
"It's just exhausted," Dad assured him.  "Let's leave it alone so it won't be so frightened."
 
Timmy nodded.  He rode down the sidewalk on his bike, but every now and then he went back to check on the robin. 
 
Some time later, a choir of chirping exploded from somewhere in the hawthorn tree.  Timmy peered up through the leaves.  At the top, nestled between a thick branch and the trunk, he saw a nest.  He glanced back at his patient.  Her head was raised attentively.  After a struggle, she got onto her feet and ran across the yard.  Flapping her wings several times, she rose from the ground, landing on the branch beside her nest.
 
Timmy ran to tell Dad about it.  "She knew the sound of her babies!" Timmy exclaimed happily, "and she flew to them so they wouldn't be scared."
 
"Great!"  exclaimed Dad.  After a moment he added, "Our Savior is like that. . .He knows us, and He's always there to hear us when we call on Him."
 
"Cool," said Timmy.  "That's's like my Bible verse last week."
 
"And what was that?" asked Dad.
 
Timmy quoted it.  "Jeremiah 33:3.  'Call unto Me and I will answer Thee.'"  He grinned at Dad.  "The robin heard and answered her babies, and God hears and answers us, right?"
 
"Right," agreed Dad with a smile.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder if God has time for you?  If He knows when you are hurting?  Be assured that He knows all about what is happening to you and wants only what is best for you.  You can go to Him anytime and know that He will hear and answer.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 33:3)
Call unto Me, and I will answer thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jan clasped her hands together nervously as the plane taxied down the runway.  She had always wanted to fly, and here she was -- flying with her brother Don to visit their grandmother.  But now she was nervous.  There had been so many plane crashes in the news recently!
 
After they were airborne, Jan didn't relax at all.  "Do the engines sound funny?" she asked several times.  "Should we be flying so high?  We're not going to go through clouds again, are we?  What if there's another plane in the clouds?  Won't we crash?"  Don tried to assure her that everything was fine.  "Are you sure?" she asked.  "I think they should try to stay away from the clouds."
 
"Why don't you go up to the cockpit and take over the controls?" Don finally asked in disgust.  "You seem to think you know more about flying this plane than the pilot does."
 
"Do not," retorted Jan.
 
"Well, you sound like it, and that's dumb," Don informed her.  "The pilot knows what he's doing."  He turned to the window.  "I'm having fun."
 
"Me, too," said Jan, but she was very glad when they were finally back on solid ground.
 
"Did you have a good flight?" asked Grandma.
 
Don nodded.  "I did.  But Jan was nervous as a cat.  I told her she should take over for the pilot."  He grinned as he added, "I'm glad she didn't, though, because then I'd have been nervous."
 
"I guess so!" exclaimed Grandma, putting an arm around Jan's shoulders.  She gave her a little squeeze.  "I'm afraid we all lack trust in our Pilot from time to time."
 
Jan looked at Grandma in surprise.  "Are you afraid of flying, too, Grandma?" she asked.
 
Grandma smiled.  "Not really," she said.  "I was thinking of how we sometimes fail to trust our Pilot through life.  Do you know who I mean?"
 
Jan nodded.  "God," she said.
 
"Yes," said Grandma.  "When we've accepted Jesus into our lives, we need to let Him be our Pilot -- it's foolish for us to try to take over.  I think Don must have enjoyed the trip a lot more than you did, even though you were just as safe as he was.  I'm reminded that when I trust God, my Pilot, I can also enjoy my trip through life."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you enjoying your "trip through life"?  Have you received Jesus as Savior?  (See last page.)  Without Him, there is no real peace.  Trust Jesus.  Then stop fretting about things that happen over which you have no control.  Remember how much God loves you and how He knows what is best for you.  Trust Him -- your Pilot through life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 26:3)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.