Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

When the Wrights arrived at the battlefield, the twins tumbled out of the car and followed their parents through the gate.  Jonathan looked puzzled.  "This is a cemetery!" exclaimed Josh.  "I thought we were going to a battlefield!"
 
"Yeah," agreed Jonathon.  "The only soldier around here is a concrete one in the middle of the graves."
 
"That's a memorial," said Dad as they moved toward the statue.  "In fact, the whole battlefield is a memorial."
 
"What's a memorial?" asked Jonathan.
 
"Well, it could be a monument, or a holiday, or even a service designed to remind us of someone or something," explained Dad.
 
Josh's eyes brightened.  "Like Memorial Day," he said.  "On that day we remember people who have died."
 
Mother nodded.  "Right," she agreed.  "We especially remember those who died while fighting for our freedom, like the soldiers buried in this cemetery."
 
The boys began roaming around, reading the tombstones.  "Hey!" Jonathan called.  "Look here.  Here's a guy with the same name as mine --  'Jonathan Wright.  Born 1760.  Died 1778.'  Then that means he was only. . .uhh. . . ."  Jonathan counted on his fingers.  "Eighteen years old when he died.  He wasn't very old!"
 
"Do you know how old Jesus was when He died?" asked Dad.
 
"Thirty-three," remembered Josh.  He rolled a pebble under his shoe.  "Why don't we have a memorial day for Jesus?" he asked.
 
"We do have a memorial service," Dad replied.  "Every time we take the Lord's Supper, or communion, at church, we are remembering the Lord's death and the sacrifice He made that we might be free from sin."
 
The twins skipped beside their mother as they started for the gate. "And we do have a memorial day for Jesus," she added, "but it's to remember His resurrection, not His death.  And we call it. . . ."
 
"Easter!" the boys sang out.  Mother smiled and nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Men have died to give you freedom to worship God.  Jesus died to give you freedom from sin.  Have you trusted Him to do that?  (See last page.)  Give thanks for the sacrifices which were made so you can be free -- especially the sacrifice made by Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 11:25)
(Jesus said) This do (take communion) in remembrance of Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kevin listened politely as his elderly neighbor chattered on.  "I just know you and my grandson, Allen, would like each other," Mrs Crane was saying.  "He really enjoys skating.  And I believe I told you that he plays football?"
 
Kevin nodded.  "And that he's in my grade in school," he said.  "And that he has a baseball card collection."
 
Mrs Crane nodded happily as she left.
 
Kevin turned to his mother.  "I don't know how often Mrs. Crane has told me about her grandson," he said.  "I must know just about all there is to know about him.  He sounds like a nice guy, but to tell you the truth, I'm tired of hearing about him.  I wish she'd either introduce us or forget the whole thing."
 
The next Saturday, it happened!  The doorbell rang, and there was Mrs. Crane and a boy about Kevin's age.  "Hi, Kevin," said Mrs. Crane. "This is Allen, my grandson."  She smiled at Allen.  "And this is Kevin."
 
Allen was visiting his grandmother for a week, so the boys played together often.  Both had a great time.
 
"I'm glad Mrs. Crane finally introduced Allen and me," Kevin told his parents one day.  "I knew all about him for a long time, but now I actually know him."
 
Dad nodded.  "You can 'know about,' or you can 'know.'  The elimination of one small word makes a lot of difference, doesn't it?" he asked.  "It's that way when it comes to Jesus, too.  Some people know all about Him, yet they don't know Him personally."
 
"I often think of that at this time of year," added Mother.  "Many have heard the Christmas story over and over.  But 'knowing about' Jesus isn't enough.  It's as useless as 'knowing about' Allen."
 
Kevin nodded.  "That was really getting boring," he said.  "Knowing him personally is so much better.  I'm glad I know both Allen and  Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard over and over about how Jesus came to earth as a baby?  Perhaps you've also heard about how He died on the cross to save sinners.  Is it getting boring to hear the same old stories again and again?  Maybe that's because you only know about Jesus but you don't know Him personally.  You need to realize what He did for you and get to actually know Him.  Accept Him as your Savior and friend today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 1:12)
I know whom I have believed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Marcy really wanted to win the ten dollar prize that would be given for the best costume in the Christmas parade.  She had decided to go as a giant gift, so she decorated a huge box.  When she got inside, it covered all but her feet.  Two peepholes allowed her to see, and there was a hinged door in front for throwing out candy to the judges.  How will Jill be dressed? Marcy wondered as she joined the other costumed students.  She never would tell me even though I let her see my costume.
 
"Hi!  Is that you in there, Marcy?"  Recognizing Jill's voice, Marcy slowly turned around to look through her peepholes.  She almost bumped into. . .ANOTHER BOX!  Jill had a costume almost identical to her own. "I decided to surprise you so we could be the Boxy Twins," said Jill. "Aren't we magnificent?"
 
Marcy was furious!  How dare she copy my idea! she thought angrily. But the parade was beginning, so they marched off together.  They awkwardly bowed before the judges, tossing out candy.  The judges laughed and the audience cheered.
 
"We all agreed  the two boxes were the best," said a judge when it was time to announce the winner, "but there is only one prize, so we're going to divide it among the two -- each will get five dollars."  Marcy forced a smile on her face, but she was fuming inside as she walked up and accepted her money.  Not a word was said about whose idea the boxes had been.
 
"Mom, I'll never speak to Jill again," declared Marcy when she told her mother what had happened.  "Can you believe what she did?  Why should she share in the prize?"
 
"Easy, honey," cautioned Mother.  "You've been best friends for years.  Don't be too hasty."  She gave Marcy a hug.  "Think about Jesus, your very best friend, for a moment," she suggested.
 
"What about Him?" asked Marcy.  "He's not like Jill.  He's never done anything wrong to me."
 
"But you wronged Him, Marcy," said Mother, "and still He forgave you and saved you.  That's the way He wants you to treat others."
 
Marcy was silent.  "That's hard to do, Mom," she said finally, "But I will think about it.  I promise."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it hard to forgive someone who has wronged you?  You'd usually rather get even, wouldn't you?  But aren't you glad Jesus doesn't treat you like that?  Being true friends means forgiving when you've been wronged -- and loving just the same.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Isn't this fun?" said Tracie as she tramped along through the snow with the others from her church.
 
"Yeah," answered Sarah.  "It's neat.  Mr. Bailey is a good camp director."
 
Soon they came to a fork in the path.  The kids ahead of them took the path to the left.  "Wait!" called Tracie.  "Mr. Bailey said to turn right at each fork, and then we'll end up back at camp."
 
The other campers hesitated.  "Yeah, but look -- this path on the left is full of footprints, but there aren't nearly as many in the right-hand path," argued one of them.  "I think we should take the one everybody else has used."  The others agreed and started down the well-trodden path again.
 
Tracie and Sarah didn't know what to do, but they finally decided to take the path on the right for a little way.  "If we don't get back to camp soon, we'll turn around," they agreed, and they started off.  To their delight, it wasn't long before they did, indeed, arrive back at the camp.
 
When Mr. Bailey heard that the other campers had taken the wrong path, he shook his head.  "They'll come to a dead end and have to turn around," he said.  "But I'll send someone out on a snowmobile just to make sure they're all right.  I guess I should have sent a guide along, after all."
 
That evening, Mr. Bailey conducted a devotional time.  "We have some tired campers tonight," he said.  "Most of you took a longer hike than you planned."  He opened his Bible.  "I believe there's a lesson in this experience," he told them.  "Most of you didn't follow the directions you were given and chose to follow where others had gone.  Those you followed probably didn't know where they were going, either. Fortunately, they just led you out of your way and not into any danger. But I want you to remember that when you're tempted to forsake the teachings of God's Book in favor of following the crowd, the well-worn path may lead to disaster.  Choose God's way every time.  The crowd could be wrong, but He's always right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it hard for you to go a different way from others around you?  Do you hate to be called "chicken"?  Sometimes it's easier to go along with the crowd than to stand up for what is right.  But it pays to go God's way, for "the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1:6)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:14)
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Isn't Grandma too old to be teaching Sunday school?" Ryan asked one day.  "I mean, she's almost seventy!"
 
"Not at all!" Mother replied.  "Her first graders are crazy about her. And she tells me she's learning and growing as much as the kids are."  Ryan's eyebrows raised a little.  He clearly was not convinced.
 
Some weeks later, Ryan and his parents were enjoying a vacation in the Redwood and Sequoia Forests in California.  There they saw majestic, old trees.  "These are the tallest and the oldest living things on earth," a guide told them.  "And they grew from a seed so tiny that it takes more than  twelve of them to completely cover a penny.  Some of these trees were probably already two thousand years old when Jesus was a boy in his father's carpenter shop."
 
"Wow!  What makes them live so long?" asked Ryan.
 
"The bark is sometimes two feet thick," the guide answered.  "That helps the tree resist attacks from forest fires, insects, and diseases.  And they're still growing.  They grow very slowly, but they never stop growing as long as they live."
 
"Old, but still growing," Mother said softly to Ryan.  He looked puzzled.  "Like Grandma," she reminded him.
 
Ryan grinned.  "Well, she's not quite this tall, and she hasn't had her 2,000th birthday, yet," he said.
 
Mother smiled as they walked along the path.  "God's power put life into a tiny seed and caused it to grow up into a monarch of the forest," said Mother.  "And God's power also worked in Grandma's life.  As a child, she accepted Jesus by faith, and God's power caused that seed of faith in Grandma's heart to grow into a strong, mature Christian.  Like the thick bark on the redwood tree, the unfailing love of God protected her from the fires of temptation and the attacks of disappointment and sorrow."
 
"And now, even though she's getting old, she's still growing and being useful," Ryan concluded.  "Maybe I'll call her 'Grandma Redwood!'"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Christians who are serving the Lord in their old age?  Thank God for them.  How about yourself?  Are you beginning to grow into a mature Christian?  Do you trust God to surround you with His love and keep you from sin?  Begin preparing now for a long life of growth and service to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 92:14)
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.

[Soldier4Christ]

Anna sat down looking very mournful.  "Why does everything have to go wrong?" she moaned.  "First my kitten disappeared, then I ruined my favorite blouse, and now my best friend is moving away.  It's just not fair!"
 
"I'm sorry, honey," soothed Mother.  "Can you trust God to teach you through these things He's allowed to happen?"
 
"I don't want to learn," mumbled Anna.  "I just want things back the way they were before."
 
Mother looked at Anna thoughtfully and then left the room.  Soon she returned, carrying a box which she placed on the table.  "These are some stones your father and I picked up long ago when we were on a trip to the Black Hills," said Mother.  "I thought maybe you'd be willing to trade your new bracelet for these stones."
 
Anna looked at her bracelet which was made of polished stones and shook her head.  "Why would I do that?" she asked.  "The stones in this box are rough and dull and dirty.  Mine are smooth and shiny."  She glanced at her mother suspiciously.  "What are you getting at, Mom?"
 
Mother smiled.  "Well," she said, "when we brought these home long ago, we intended to have them polished and made into jewelry, but we never got around to it.  So they've just been laying around, enjoying an easy life.  Now those used in your bracelet have been tumbled around with sand and other stones.  The rough edges have been ground off, and they've been rubbed until they shine."  Mother paused.  "Our lives are something like that," she added.  "When difficult circumstances come to us, some of the rough edges get polished off.  We learn lessons from our troubles.  Although we may not like what's happening, we become more like Christ as we allow Him to 'polish' us."
 
"I don't see how," mumbled Anna.
 
"Perhaps losing Whiskers helps you understand how others feel when they lose someone they love," suggested Mother.  "I believe that ruining your blouse has taught you to be careful.  Having your best friend move may help you be more friendly to children who don't have a best friend.  All those things will make you a more caring person."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like you're being bumped around by circumstances?  Maybe the Lord wants to polish off a few more rough edges.  What lesson can you learn from what is happening in your life?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 5:3)
We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Isn't he sweet!" whispered Sally, gazing adoringly at her brand new brother, Sammy.
 
Mom smiled.  "Yes, he is!" she agreed.
 
Sally continued watching the baby while Mom did the ironing. Sammy stirred and opened his eyes.  He waved chubby little arms in the air.  "He's so tiny!" breathed Sally in awe.  Suddenly the baby began to cry.  "Mom! Come quick!" yelled Sally.  "He's crying!"
 
Mother came and leaned over the side of the crib.  She turned Sammy on his side and gently patted his back.
 
The baby stopped crying.  "He must have felt uncomfortable," said Mom.  "Time for a change of position." 
 
"Why didn't he turn over?" asked Sally.
 
"Well, he's still so tiny, he can't coordinate his movements very well," explained Mom, "and he hasn't developed his muscles.  He needs to become stronger before he'll be able to turn over by himself."
 
"Oh," said Sally thoughtfully.  "He's a pretty helpless baby, isn't he Mom?"
 
Mom nodded.  "Yes, he is; all new babies are," she said.  "About all they do is sleep and eat."  She smiled. 

"He'll soon be stronger and will learn to do other things," she added, "but for a while, he's going to be almost totally dependent on his family."
 
A little later, Sammy began to cry again.  "Now what's he crying for?" demanded Sally.
 
Mom smiled.  "I think perhaps he's hungry," she said.  "Time for him to eat."  She went to pick him up.
 
Soon after the baby was fed, he was again fast asleep in his crib.  Sally had a question for her mother.  "Mom, when Jesus was born, was He helpless and dependent, too, just like our baby?"
 
Mom nodded.  "Yes, He was, Sally.  You know, He could have come to earth as a fully-grown man or even as a mighty king if He wanted.  But He didn't -- He chose to be born as a helpless baby, dependent on His family to take care of Him.  That's what the Bible means when it says that 'He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.'  He did that for us, because He loves us so much.  Isn't that great?"

Sally looked at Sammy sleeping, peacefully, and nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize how much Jesus humbled Himself -- not only becoming human, but becoming human in the form of a helpless baby? As His follower, do you strive for power?  Do you try to boss others?  Or do you try to imitate Jesus by always being humble?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:5,8)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. . .He humbled himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

"oohhh!" Mark screamed as his bike flipped through the air.  A searing pain ripped through his palms and knees.  Angrily, he brushed away his tears.  "I will not cry!" he said aloud.  Picking up his bike, he hobbled home.
 
Mark's hands and knees ached almost as much as his heart did.  Ever since Grandpa had died two weeks ago, tears had been hiding right behind his eyelids.
 
Mark limped into the kitchen.  "Oh, you're hurt!" Mother exclaimed. "Come into the bathroom and let me take care of you."  Mark obediently followed her.  Gently, she washed away the dirt and poured disinfectant into the wounds.  Mark gritted his teeth as the medicine bubbled and fizzed.  "I know it stings a bit," Mother sympathized, "but it's cleansing the wounds so they can heal."
 
Mark took a deep gulp of air and sniffed.  Mother put her arm around his shoulders and drew him to her.  Mark stiffened and drew away.  I will not cry, he said to himself.  Eleven-year-old boys do not cry.
 
Mother seemed to know what he was thinking.  "Honey," she said, "it's okay to cry when you hurt."  Mark shook his head angrily.  "But it is," Mother insisted.  "Don't you know that your daddy cried when Grandpa died?"
 
Mark looked startled.  "He did?  I-I-I didn't think men c-c-cried," he stammered.
 
"But they do," Mother assured him.  "Even Jesus cried.  Tears are like the disinfectant I put on your wounds.  Tears help wash out grief and speed the healing process."  Mark kept his eyes on his stinging palms. Mother put her hands on his shoulders.  "Look at me, Mark," she ordered softly.  Mark raised his eyes.  "God knows we hurt sometimes," she said. "We don't have to hide our hurt.  You may cry -- God gave us tears to help us.  And Jesus tells us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us.  Wouldn't you like to tell Him about your hurt right now?"
 
Mark nodded, and the tears began to flow.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
God gave us laughter and tears.  Even men and boys can cry; Jesus did.  You don't have to try to be tough and pretend you don't hurt.  It's okay to cry. . .and remember that Jesus wants you to go to Him with all your hurt.  He cares for you and wants to help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 30:5)
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Gram," said Ellie, "I think Mrs. Craft is a Christian, don't you?"  Ellie was referring to a next-door neighbor.
 
Grandma looked up.  "Well. . .I don't know, but I'm afraid not," she said.  "I've talked with her about the Lord, but just last week she told me she believes that anybody who does his best to live a good life will surely go to heaven."
 
"But she's so nice," said Ellie.  "She's a lot nicer than some of the Christians in our church."
 
Grandma sighed.  "I guess that could be true," she agreed, "but you know that being nice is not what makes a person a Christian."
 
"I know," admitted Ellie, "but it just seems like somebody as nice as Mrs. Craft would have to be okay."
 
Grandma's glance fell on the poinsettia plant standing on the dining room table.  She turned it around.  "I love poinsettias," she said, "but this isn't the prettiest one I've ever had.  Do you know where I received the prettiest poinsettias of all?"
 
"In South America," said Ellie promptly.  She remembered hearing Grandma talk about her trip to a mission field in South America where she was so impressed with all the beautiful flowers that grew there.
 
Grandma nodded.  "Yes," she said.  "And do you remember what was unusual about the poinsettias I received there?"
 
"You got a poinsettia bouquet," remembered Ellie.  "I've never seen a poinsettia bouquet here."
 
"No," said Grandma, "but the flowers grew in such abundance there that they often cut them for bouquets, and they were gorgeous."  She looked at the plant on the table.  "I've had this plant for a long time -- much longer than I kept my bouquet.  Why do you suppose this is lasting so much longer than those flowers did?"
 
"Because those were cut flowers," said Ellie.  "This one is rooted in the soil, so it goes on living."
 
"Exactly," agreed Grandma.  "It's like that with people, too.  They may live in such a way that we consider them to be 'beautiful people.'  But unless they're rooted in Jesus -- unless they trust Him as Savior -- their beauty will wilt and die.  Mrs. Craft, like all the rest of us, needs to trust in Jesus."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Aren't you glad for Christmas -- aren't you glad Jesus came and that He provided the way for you to be born again?  You may be a nice, pleasant, lovely person, but that's not enough.  Nicodemus was a good person, but  Jesus told him, "You must be born again."  That's what He says to you, too.  Be born again today.  (See last page.)


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Jay's Uncle Bill was a rough but kind-hearted rancher, and Jay liked to listen to the many interesting stories his uncle told.  "Did I ever tell you about the no-feed horse?" asked Uncle Bill when Josh was visiting him one day. 
 
"No.  What's a no-feed horse?" asked Josh eagerly.
 
"Well, I heard about a fella who figured out how to raise a horse that didn't need to eat," explained Uncle Bill.  "Just imagine the money that would save us ranchers!"
 
"How did he do it?" asked Jay.
 
"He started out by reducing the horse's feed by an ounce a day," said Uncle Bill.  "Then he reduced it by two ounces, and then three ounces, and so on.  He did that until the horse was getting by on almost no food at all."
 
"Wow!" exclaimed Jay.  "Then what happened?"
 
"That's the sad part," said Uncle Bill.  "Just when he thought he was going to make it, the horse up and died."
 
For a moment, Jay sat open-mouthed.  Then he noticed his uncle's grin, and he realized that Uncle Bill was kidding.  "Uncle Bill!  You're joshing me!" he accused.
 
Uncle Bill laughed out loud.  "Yep, I reckon I am," he admitted, "but I really have known some fellas who were almost as dumb as that rancher. Always seem to think they can get something for nothing."  He chewed thoughtfully on a piece of straw.  "I've known some Christians like that, too," he added.  "They start off reading their Bibles and praying and going to church regularly.  Then they taper off, and if they don't see any bad results right away, they assume they can get by without nourishing their souls at all.  But whether they realize it or not, their spiritual life is suffering.  And like as not, they soon fall into sin."
 
"Boy," said Jay, "I hope I'm never that dumb."
 
Uncle Bill smiled at him.  "I hope not, Son," he agreed.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you can get by day after day without nourishing your soul?  Do you feel you can live your life successfully without God's help?  Watch out!  Don't let your spiritual life wither to the point where you are of little use to God.  Let Him nourish your soul through His Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 4:4)
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You should see all the stuff Mom and I got on sale today," Brianne told her father one evening.  "Cheap, too."
 
Mother sighed.  "Yes," she agreed, "but it was such a hassle getting through the crowds at the mall and pawing through the piles of merchandise, that I wondered at times if it was really worth it.  But as Brianne says, it was cheap!  It makes you wonder how the stores can afford to sell things at those prices."
 
"They know what they're doing," Dad assured her.  "They're clearing out things that are no longer profitable and making room to restock their shelves with new things from which they can make a good profit."  He paused for a moment.  "We could take a lesson from them," he added.
 
"Like what?" asked Brianne curiously.
 
"There are things on the 'shelves' of our lives that we should clear out from time to time," explained Dad as he reached for his Bible.  "Let's read about them for devotions tonight."  He read aloud from the book of Colossians (see today's Scripture).
 
"That makes me feel guilty for getting angry at some pushy women in the store today," confessed Mother.  "I need to get rid of anger from the 'shelves' of my life."
 
"Well, how much do you suppose we can sell our bad qualities for?" asked Brianne with a mischievous grin.
 
Dad smiled.  "I trust there would be no buyers for them.  Forget selling them and just trash them," he advised.  "And let's not forget to restock our 'shelves' with this list of traits which are pleasing to God."
 
Brianne nodded.  "I'm sure we can sell them for a whole lot more than the old stuff we're getting rid of," she said with an innocent air.
 
"All right!  All right!" said Dad.  "So my comparison doesn't hold up in every detail.  But I think if we include all these things when we restock, we won't even think of making a profit for ourselves.  We'll be more interested in demonstrating God's love and pointing people to Him."  He grinned at his daughter, and she grinned back.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What traits are found on the 'shelves' of your life?  Do you need to get rid of lying, filthy language, or a desire to get even with someone?  Do you need to add kindness, a forgiving spirit, or humility?  Ask God right now to help you do that.  Start the New Year by discarding old, sinful attitudes and adding the things that please God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:9-10)
Put off the old man with his deeds; and. . .put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Hannah excitedly told her Sunday school class about her trip to England.  "The funniest thing," she said, "was that many people carried umbrellas everywhere.  Even on sunny days."
 
Mr. Hunt smiled, remembering his own visit to England.  It had rained often.  "And did you take your umbrella, too?" he asked.
 
Hannah shook her head.  "Not usually," she said.  "At least not at first."
 
"And?" prompted Mr. Hunt with a suspicious smile.
 
Hannah giggled.  "One day I got really wet," she admitted.  "It rains a lot in the area where we were -- even when it looks like it won't."
 
"They've learned that it pays to be prepared, so they carry their umbrellas," said Mr. Hunt.  He opened  his Bible.  "How many of you are prepared to go out into the streets today?" he asked.
 
"Prepared for rain?" asked Peter.  "The weather report is for sunshine today, and it's not like it rains here all that often."
 
"I wasn't thinking of rain," replied Mr. Hunt.  "I'm wondering how many of us are prepared for meeting people."
 
"What do you mean?" asked Hannah.  "We meet people every day.  How are we supposed to prepare for that?"
 
Mr. Hunt smiled.  "You never know when one of them is going to 'shower' you with questions," he said.  "Are you going to have an 'umbrella' of answers to give them?"
 
The class was quiet for a moment.  Finally Hannah spoke.  "How can we prepare an answer when we don't know what the questions will be?"
 
Mr. Hunt picked up his Bible.  "The questions will be a surprise," he agreed, "but the answers are all right here.  Not always in the exact words we need, but the principles we have to follow are here.  The trick is to keep them handy."
 
"You mean we have to carry our Bibles everywhere?" someone asked in disbelief.
 
"Well, that's not a bad idea," Mr. Hunt replied, "but it might be easier to just carry the words and meanings in your mind and heart."
 
"You mean by memorizing verses, right?" asked Hannah.
 
Mr. Hunt nodded.  "Memorize and apply God's Word to your life," he said, "because you really can't tell when it's going to 'rain.'"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
If a friend at school asks you about God and how you know that you're going to heaven when you die, will you know what to say?  If someone asks about right or wrong ways to live, will you have an answer?  The Bible gives some specific answers, and it also gives principles to follow.  It's a powerful tool for witnessing.  Don't leave home without it -- have it in your heart.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:15)
Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Three more days," said Jerry, "and we can watch the best ball game of the year."  He picked up the football he had received for Christmas.  "The next best thing to playing football," he declared, "is watching the Rose Bowl game."
 
"Football!" scoffed his sister, Beth.  "Best thing about football is that the season's almost over."  She picked up the sports equipment she had received -- a tennis racquet and some bright yellow balls.  "Now these are pretty balls," she declared.  "Much better than your dumb old football."
 
Mother looked up.  "Well, I might as well get into this discussion, too," she said.  "I think the best ball of all is my new bowling ball.  It's big and beautiful.  And it's going to help increase my bowling average -- I just know it is."
 
Dad spoke up.  "It's big all right," he agreed, "but if you want to see beauty, you need to take a look at my golf balls."  Glancing around at his family, Dad grinned.  "Whoever would have thought that buying everybody sports equipment for Christmas would start a family feud?"
 
Jerry laughed.  "As Mother is always saying, we'll just have to agree to disagree, I guess."
 
"Better yet," said Mother, "let's agree that everybody's sport is great.  Not one of these balls is better than the others -- they're just all different.  Each has its own special purpose and is best for that purpose."
 
"Yeah," said Beth.  "You wouldn't knock many bowling pins over with my tennis balls."
 
"No," agreed Jerry, "and I can just imagine Dad trying to play golf with my football while Beth plays tennis with his golf balls."
 
Beth laughed.  "And while you play football with Mom's bowling ball," she said.  "That would be funniest of all."
 
"And you know what?" said Dad.  "I've just been thinking -- that's the way it is with people, too.  Some of us are skilled in one area and some in another.  Some can sing.  Others can speak well.  Still others do a good job taking care of little children, or building homes.  Some are good in science, sports, or math.  But that doesn't make one better than another. Just as it's unfair to compare a tennis ball and a bowling ball, it's unfair to compare people with each other.  God made each one different and special."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think someone is better than you because he has skills you'd like?  Wrong!  Or do you think you're better that someone else because you can do something he can't?  Wrong!  God made each person different and special.  Develop the skills He gave you. Recognize that others have different skills, and don't be envious of them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:6)
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. . .let us (use them) according to the proportion of faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I saw that new boy -- Lon -- come out to slide today," announced Beth one evening, "but Jerry and his friends were mean to him, Dad."  Jerry scowled at his sister.
 
"Is that true?" asked Dad, looking at Jerry.
 
"We weren't that bad," growled Jerry.  "But they must be poor or something.  Lon was using the cover of a plastic garbage can to slide on!"
 
"You could have shared your sled," said Beth.
 
Jerry glared at her.  "I didn't see you share," he retorted.  "Besides, just wait till his sister comes out and wants to play with you. . .he has a sister, you know."
 
"I know that," said Beth.  "She wears funny clothes, too."  She made a face.  "I think you're right.  I think they are poor."
 
"I think you're both forgetting something," said Dad.  "Just yesterday we talked about how tennis balls, footballs, bowling balls, and golf balls are all different, but that doesn't make one better than another, remember?  And it's the same with people, right?"
 
"Well. . .I guess so," said Beth uncertainly.
 
Dad continued.  "You know,  some balls have inexpensive covers. . . ."
 
"Yeah, Beth, like your cheap, fuzzy, tennis balls," interrupted Jerry with a grin.
 
"Well, I bet bowling balls cost more than your old pigskin football," put in Beth.  "So there!"
 
"As I started to say, the cost of the covering is not the important thing," said Dad.  "It's not what makes a ball valuable.  And neither does a person's 'covering,' or wealth, determine his or her value."
 
"Right," agreed Mother, who had come in.  She looked straight at Jerry.  One person can afford a sled, and another can afford a snowmobile.  Does that make one better than the other?"
 
Jerry blushed and shook his head.  "I hope not," he said.  "I know I'm not the one with the snowmobile."
 
"And," continued Mother, now looking at Beth, "some people buy rings at the discount store, and others own expensive ones.  Are people with cheaper rings less valuable than the others?"
 
Beth looked at the cheap ring on her hand.  She was glad that didn't make her a less valuable person.  "Okay," she said.  "I get the point."
 
Jerry nodded.  "Me, too."  After a moment, he added, "Actually, it was pretty clever of Lon to use that can cover.  It worked really good.  Maybe I'll try ours."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you judge people by the material things they have?  God doesn't.  In fact, He's very specific about the importance of treating all alike.  Be very careful about this.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 22:2)
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let's go to the sidewalk sale, Mom," suggested Patty.
 
Mother smiled.  "I'd love to, but we've got to get this kitchen cleaned up first," she said, "including the fridge."
 
"Okay," agreed Patty.  "Shall I start with that?"
 
Mother nodded, and they worked several minutes in silence.  Then Mother asked, "Would you like to invite Melissa to go shopping with us?"
 
"No," Patty answered shortly as she unloaded the refrigerator shelves.
 
Mother looked surprised.  "No?  Why not?"
 
Patty shrugged.  "She's probably doing something with Amy today. Melissa is Amy's friend now."
 
"Can't Melissa have more than one friend?" Mother asked.  "You could invite Amy, too."
 
"No," snapped Patty.  After a long silence, she added, "Melissa knows I can't stand Amy.  Last year Amy said some nasty things about me, and she. . . ."  Patty made a face.  "Phew!  What do I smell?"
 
Mother grimaced.  "You must have uncovered something spoiled," she said.
 
Patty pointed to a bowl she had taken from the back of the refrigerator.  "It's this old tuna casserole," she said.  "Pheweeee!"  She held her nose.
 
Mother reached for it.  "Quick.  Let's get rid of it.  There's no telling how long that's been in there."
 
After the casserole was disposed of and the kitchen was sprayed with air freshener, Mother said, "Certain foods smell really bad when they get too old, Patty, and certain attitudes do, too.  Sometimes we keep old things in our hearts until they spoil and cause our attitudes to stink."  Patty sighed.  She had a pretty good idea what was coming.  "For a year you have been carrying a grudge against Amy," continued Mother.  "Frankly, it's beginning to stink."
 
"But, Mom," began Patty, "she said. . . ."
 
"I know.  You've told me lots of times," Mother reminded her.  "And you have said some pretty nasty things about her, too."  Patty gulped.  She hadn't thought of that.  "Don't you think it's time to throw that stinking grudge out?" Mother asked gently.
 
Patty too a deep breath.  A few minutes later, she dried her hands and went to the telephone.  Mother smiled as she heard Patty say, "Amy, would you and Melissa like to go shopping with my mom and me today?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you carrying a nasty, stinking grudge?  Ask God to help you get rid of it today.  Ask Him to give you a sweet and forgiving spirit with which to start the new year.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 5:9)
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned.