Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come on, Greg.  Try your luck," called Chuck.  He and several classmates stood in a group on the playground.  "Just stand on this chalk mark and throw your nickel as close to that other mark as you can," instructed Chuck.  "The one who gets closest wins all the nickels."
 
Greg hesitated.  This sounded like gambling.  Then he shrugged and joined the others.  He played three games, losing each time.  "Oh, well," he said, "I'll get my money back tomorrow, plus a little more."
 
Each day  the boys played.  Sometimes Greg won, but usually he lost all he put in.  One day he took his lunch money, changed it to nickels, and lost every one of them. Greg went home very hungry indeed.
 
When he raided the refrigerator, Mom asked, "Why are you so hungry, Greg?"  As he fumbled for words, Mom continued.  "Your sister tells me you changed your lunch money into nickels at the store this morning. What's going on?"  Knowing he couldn't hide much from his mother, Greg told her about the game.  "Why, Greg!  That's gambling," said Mom.
 
"It's a game of skill," protested Greg.  "The trouble is -- I'm not very good at it.  But I'm getting better!"
 
"I wonder if you're really being fooled, Greg.  Or maybe you just don't want to admit that what you're doing is wrong -- that it's sin," said Mom.  She frowned.  "Tell me. . .how many legs would a sheep have it you called his tail a leg?"
 
Greg laughed.  "What a funny question!  If you called his tail a leg, a sheep would have five legs."
 
Mom shook her head.  "No, he wouldn't.  He would still have four legs," she said.  "Calling his tail a leg wouldn't make it a leg.  And calling gambling by some other name -- like skill -- doesn't change it.  You've been playing a game of chance and wasting money.  That is not pleasing to God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been trying to cover up a wrong action by calling it a habit, a mistake, an imperfection -- or some other such thing?  All wrong-doing is sin.  You'll never get victory over it until you acknowledge your sin, confess it to God, and ask Him to help you overcome it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 32:5)
I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Molly!"  Mother's voice was stern.  "This is the third time I've called you."  Molly had noticed that her mother wasn't as patient as she used to be before Dad left.  And she always looked tired and sad.
 
"I'm sorry," apologized Molly as she took her seat at the dinner table.  "I'm not very hungry," she added.  Her voice trembled as she hurried on. "I'm worried about how we'll live until you find a job. . .and about doing better in school so you'll be happier.  I've been trying to clean up after myself so you won't have to yell."  Tears slipped down Molly's cheeks. "I worry that Daddy won't come back after the separation."
 
"I worry, too," Mother admitted.  She got up to give Molly a big hug.
 
"Anybody home?" interrupted a loud, cheerful voice from the kitchen door.
 
	"Uncle John!" exclaimed Molly.  She jumped up to greet her favorite uncle.  Then she pointed to his wrists and ankles.  "Why are you wearing those things?"
 
"You mean my weights?" asked Uncle John.  "I wear these when I run.  It helps me build strength for the marathon," he explained.  "But you can be sure I won't wear them for the race!"  After a short visit, he left to continue his workout.  "Chins up!" he called on his way out.
 
"I can't imagine wanting to weigh myself down like that," Molly told her mother. "Running is hard enough without those weights."
 
"It does seem silly," Mother answered.  "And yet, I think you and I are doing the same thing -- and we're wearing weights in the race itself."
 
"Not me!" protested Molly.  She held up her wrists and one leg to show that she wasn't wearing any weights.
 
"That's not what I mean, honey," said Mother.  "Our weights are on the inside -- weights like a mind full of worries."
 
Molly sighed.  "Too bad we can't take those off like Uncle John can."
 
"Ours can come off, too."  Mother spoke with new hope.  "The Bible tells us to cast our cares on the Lord.  So why have we waited so long?  Let's pray right now and really trust God to take charge of our situation.  If we let Him, He'll carry the weights for us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you worry about?  Are there family problems, school problems, or money problems that make your spirit heavy?  Ask God to carry your burdens -- big or small -- and depend on Him for strength each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7)
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"May I run the food processor to chop the zucchini?" asked Lisa.  She was helping her mother make zucchini bread.
 
"Sure," agreed Mother.  "Just be careful."
 
Lisa got out the food processor, put some of the zucchini in it, and turned it on.  She waited, but it didn't run.  "Mom, what is wrong with this thing?" asked Lisa.
 
Mother looked at the appliance.  "The container has to be placed in exactly the right spot or the machine won't work," she said.  "You should hear it snap into place."  She demonstrated what she meant.
 
After Lisa finished the chopping, the rest of the items were mixed quickly.  Lisa brushed the pans with butter, and Mom poured the batter into them.  Then they put the loaves in the oven and began to clean the kitchen.  "Picky old food processor," complained Lisa as she washed the container.  "It won't go unless it's just so."  Lisa laughed.  "Hey!  I'm a poet and don't know it."
 
Mother smiled.  "Your episode with the food processor made me think of the Apostle Paul and King Agrippa," she said.
 
"It did?  Why would it make you think of them?" asked Lisa.
 
"Do you remember the account of Paul and King Agrippa?" asked Mother.  (See today's Scripture.)  Lisa nodded.  "Well, you had the food processor set up almost right -- and when Paul witnessed to King Agrippa, the king was almost persuaded to believe," explained Mother.  "Almost right wasn't enough to make the food processor work, and almost persuaded isn't enough for salvation." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you like people who admit that the Bible might be right -- or that maybe Jesus is the way to heaven?    It's not good enough to have something almost right.  To be almost persuaded to believe is to be lost.  You need to be wholly persuaded  that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  Accept Him today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:6)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

One breezy spring day, Dad took Tara and Jimmy to the park to try out their new kites.  "I bet my kite will fly higher than yours," declared Jimmy, looking proudly at his bright yellow kite with its dark blue borders and perky red bows.
 
"We'll see about that!" said Tara, tweaking her little brother's ear and tossing her green and orange kite into the air.  Not to be outdone, Jimmy quickly tossed his kite into the air, too.
 
For a few minutes both kites sailed merrily across the sky, flying higher and higher, making Jimmy jump up and down and squeal with delight.  "Go, kite!  Go!" he yelled.  "Show 'em that you're the best."
 
Suddenly, Tara's kite plunged down toward the ground.  "See, Tara's kite can't fly right; my kite's the KING of kites!" yelled Jimmy in glee. But only a few moments later, his kite joined his sister's on the ground.  "What's the problem?  Why isn't my kite flying any more?" cried Jimmy in despair as he began winding up his string.
 
"Some king!" Tara teased him.
 
"Aha!" said Dad.
 
"What do you mean. . .'aha'?" grumbled Jimmy as they went to pick up the fallen kites.
 
 "You were so proud of your kite that you forgot what makes it fly," said Dad.  "The air is very still now -- there's almost no breeze at all --  that's why neither of your kites will fly."  He grinned at Jimmy.  "You forgot about the breeze, didn't you?"
 
"Yeah, I guess I did," admitted Jimmy.  "I guess I thought a super-good kite was all I needed, but I guess a super-good breeze is needed, too." 
 
As they walked slowly home, Dad spoke thoughtfully. "Lots of people make the same mistake you did, Jimmy," he said.
 
"They do?"  Tara was surprised.  "I thought everybody knew you need wind to fly a kite."  She looked at her brother.  "Except Jimmy, of course," she teased. 
 
Dad smiled.  "Actually I wasn't thinking of kite flying.  I was thinking that, just like Jimmy forgot that the wind was needed, people often forget that God is needed.  They think they can do things all on their own and act like they don't need God in their lives; they forget that it's God who gives them power to do just about everything, even just breathing in and breathing out."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you intelligent?  Smart?  Talented?  Do your abilities fill you with self-confidence and give you the feeling that you --  all on your own -- can accomplish just about anything you set your mind to?  Don't ever forget that without the power of the Lord you can you can accomplish nothing.  Like the breeze that sends a kite sailing across the sky, it is God who gives the power for your life -- even for the simple things that you do each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 15:5)
Without Me ye can do nothing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dawn's new puppy wriggled in her arms as she hugged him tight.  "I'll call him Duke!" she announced.
 
"Well, Duke has lots of things to learn," commented  Dad.  "You'll need to reward him when he's good and spank him when he does something bad.  That's the way he'll learn what things he's not supposed to do."
 
Dawn frowned.  "He won't be bad, Daddy.  I'll love him so much that he'll want to be good.  You'll see.  Duke will be the best dog in the world!"
 
But Duke was not a good puppy.  He dug up the flower bed and chewed on shoes.  He didn't come when he was called.  Dawn did scold and spank, but nothing seemed to help.  Duke went right on chasing the cat and getting into places he didn't belong.  "Why is Duke so bad?" Dawn asked sadly one day.  "I scold him and scold him, and he acts like he's sorry.  He licks my face and wags his tail, so I pet him and hug him. Then he turns around and is bad all over again.  I love him so much, so why does he keep on being bad?"
 
Dad put down his paper and pulled Dawn onto his lap.  "Sometimes it takes a long time to train a puppy," he said.  "I'm sure Duke will learn eventually.  But you know what?  The way Duke responds to you is something like the way we often respond to God."
 
"What do you mean?" asked Dawn.
 
"Remember what you said when you got Duke?" asked Dad.  "You said you were going to love him so much that he would want to be good and please you.  Instead, he's been a lot of trouble -- and sometimes we're that way with God.  He loves us so much that we should all want to be good and please Him.  Instead, we often want to do things our own way and do things we know we shouldn't do."
 
Dawn nodded.  "So we have to learn to obey God like Duke has to learn to obey us."
 
"Right," agreed Dad.  "And remember how bad you feel when Duke disobeys you?  Think how bad God must feel when the people He loves keep on ignoring His teaching."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you an obedient child of God?  He loves you so much and wants only the best for you.  Stop hurting Him by disobeying.  Listen to His Word and do what it says.  God will be pleased, and you will be happy, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:15)
If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

BANG!  The door slammed behind Holly.  Mother sighed.  "It seems like Holly is angry so often lately," she said.  "The house is peaceful until she comes home.  In five minutes she can have Jeremy crying and me upset."
 
Dad folded the newspaper.  "Part of being a teenager maybe?"
 
Mother shrugged.  "Maybe," she said, "but we can't live with this for very long.  Holly has to learn to control herself."
 
Just then five-year-old Jeremy burst into the kitchen.  "Holly threw my markers on the floor and called me a brat!" he said with sob.
 
Mother gave a tired sigh.  "I'll talk with her, Jeremy," she promised. "Would you like to watch for Grandpa Nels?  He's coming for dinner. He'll be here any minute."
 
"Grandpa Nels is coming?  Oh, goody!"   Jeremy went jumping down the hall, his problems forgotten.
 
During dinner, everyone -- even Holly -- laughed and talked and listened.  "I'm so glad you're here, Grandpa," said Holly with a smile. "You make us all feel so good."
 
"That's 'cause he says funny, happy things," stated Jeremy.
 
The elderly gentleman winked at the little boy.  "Let's have a little quiz.  Tell me -- how did God create the world?"
 
Holly answered quickly.  "God just spoke, and whatever He said should be there was there."
 
Grandpa Nels nodded.  "Right.  Hebrews 11:3 says that the worlds were formed by the word of God.  Now here's something interesting to think about.  God has given us the ability to create things with our words, too.  We can create happiness or gloom."
 
"Holly makes storms with her words," Jeremy declared, "but you make sunshine, Grandpa.  That's why we like you to come to our house."
 
For once, Holly did not argue.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you create with your words?  Are people glad to see you come?  Or are they glad to see you leave?  Words are very powerful.  Be careful which ones you use and how you use them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 19:14)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

[Soldier4Christ]

After supper, Grandpa asked Holly to come out and sit on the porch swing with him.  Things were pretty quiet as they watched a squirrel bury a nut.  "Grandpa, how does that squirrel remember where he buries all those nuts?" asked Holly.
 
"Well," replied Grandpa, "a magazine article I read the other day said God gave him such a good sense of smell that his nose tells him where he buried them.  It said that he can also smell which ones are good and which ones are bad -- so he stores away only good ones for the winter."  Grandpa turned and looked at Holly, and then asked, "Are you happy Holly?  I've been wondering about that."
 
"No, not really," answered Holly, lowering her head.  "Nothing seems to be going right. I hate school, too."
 
"You know, Holly, there are good and bad things in every situation," said Grandpa.  "We choose which we'll store up -- the good or the bad. Our choice will affect our hearts and our lives."
 
"But our noses can't tell us what's good and what's bad," said Holly, looking at the squirrel.
 
Grandpa grinned.  "No," he said, "but God gives us the ability to see the positive things and the negative things in every situation."
 
"What do you mean?" asked Holly.
 
"Let me give you  an example," answered Grandpa.  "You said you hate school, and I'm sure some things there are hard for you.  But try not to dwell on the negative things.  Instead, think positively -- remembering that it's a privilege to be able to go to school and get an education.  Some children will never have that opportunity."  Grandpa gave Holly a big hug.  "In any situation, look for things you can be thankful for," he said. "Store up the good."
 
"I know I really need to do that, Grandpa," agreed Holly.
 
"You can do it with God's help, and you'll be a much happier girl, too," said Grandpa, "and it will show in the things you both do and say."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to see the good in your life or do you always see only the bad?  How you look at things that happen each day will affect your heart and life.  In love and grace, God has given you much for which you can be thankful.  Each day ask Him to help you dwell on the positive things in your life and not the negative.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 6:45)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" cried Nicole as her little brother pushed the magazines off the coffee table.  "What an awful day!  Scotty threw his food at me during breakfast, then tried to drown my doll in the bathtub, and now this!"
 
"Some people call his age 'The Terrible Twos,'" said Mother, "but I prefer to think of it as 'The Curious Twos.'  It's an age when children are learning so much."
 
Nicole helped her mother rearrange the magazines.  "It must be hard having such a naughty boy after having had a perfect child like me," she said with a mischievous grin.
 
Mother laughed.  "You'll get a chance to see yourself at that age when Aunt Gina comes," she said.  "She's going to bring a video tape she made the summer we went out to her wedding."
 
"Good."  Nicole smiled. "I'll make sure Scotty watches and sees how a two-year-old should act."
 
The next week Nicole and her family all gathered in the living room to see the video tape made several years earlier.  "Oh, look!" exclaimed Nicole as the screen showed the family seated around a table. "That's me in my high chair, saying grace -- how sweet."
 
"Look again," said Aunt Gina.
 
"I can't believe it!" gasped Nicole.  "I'm pouring milk on the floor." More scenes passed.  "Why is the dog under the chair?" asked Nicole.
 
"You pulled his tail," replied Dad.  Nicole was shocked.
 
"Here you are. . .dressed for the wedding" said Mother.
 
"How cute."  Nicole smiled.  "Such a pretty white dress with blue bows."  But a moment later, Nicole again saw herself on the screen -- this time the white dress was covered with brown streaks.
 
"Just before we were to leave for the church, you got outside and stomped through a mud puddle," explained Aunt Gina.
 
Nicole grinned as Scotty climbed up on her lap.  "Hey, little brother," she said, "from now on, I'll be more patient with you.  I promise."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you judge little brothers and sisters too harshly?  You need to be patient with them.  How about your brothers and sisters in the Lord -- other Christians?  God wants His children to be patient with each and to help each other become better Christians.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:1)
Judge not, that ye be not judged.

[Soldier4Christ]

"That Keith Gordon really makes me mad!" said Joe as he sat in the living room with his parents one evening.  "He's always picking on me. No matter what I say or do, he won't leave me alone."
 
"Why not try following Jesus' advice?" suggested Dad.  "He tells us to pray for those who mistreat us."
 
Just then Joey's little brother, Troy, came into the room.  "Play catch with me, Joey," he begged.  He tossed the ball to Joey.
 
"Not now," replied Joe, tossing it back as he continued telling his parents about his problem.  "No matter how mad I get at Keith, he won't quit bugging me."
 
"Catch this, Joey!" interrupted Troy as he threw the soft foam ball into Joe's lap.
 
Joe looked at Troy angrily.  "I told you -- I don't want to play right now!" exclaimed Joe.  He tossed the ball back.  Undaunted, Troy threw the ball to him again.  Now Joe was really annoyed.  He grabbed the ball and tossed it to the other side of the room.  With a happy grin, Troy ran to retrieve it from under a table.  Once again he tossed it to Joe.
 
"You're driving me crazy" whined Joe in disgust as he kicked the ball in Troy's direction.
 
"Troy," said Mother, "Joey doesn't want to play right now."
 
Troy looked at her.  "Yes, he does," he said.  "We're playing catch."
 
"We're not either," objected Joey.  "You're the one who keeps throwing the ball."
 
"But you're the one who keeps throwing it back," said Dad.  "It takes two to keep it going.  If you would just leave it alone, he'd soon stop bothering you."
 
Joe looked doubtful, but the next time Troy threw the ball to him, he just set it on the table.  "I don't want to play now, Troy," he said.  Troy tried to get Joey to toss the ball again, but he soon grew tired of playing a one-person game and went off to do something else.
 
"Now -- let's talk about your problem with Keith," said Dad.  "It sounds like Keith enjoys upsetting you, and like Troy, he keeps after you.  So as long as you keep responding to his remarks in anger, he's not going to quit."
 
"Oh-h-h-h!  I get it," responded Joe thoughtfully. "Maybe I should just ignore him next time."
 
"You could even respond to his insult with a sincere compliment," suggested Mother.  "That would be a good testimony for the Lord.  He advises us to be nice to those who are our enemies and to pray for them."
 
"I doubt that would work," grumbled Joe.  He looked thoughtful. "But who knows?  Maybe I should try it," he decided.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you remember that it takes two to make a quarrel?  When someone irritates you, try saying something nice instead of responding in anger.  You'll be surprised at the difference it makes, and you'll please the Lord by following His example.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 15:1)
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

[Soldier4Christ]

Greg was hiding in the bushes with his friends, Tom and Alan, but he knew he shouldn't be there.  They were in a neighbor's yard.  "Let's get out of here before someone sees us," he urged.
 
"We're just gonna have some fun with old Mrs. Wilson," said Tom.  "You chicken?"
 
"No," protested Greg, "but it's just not right to be mean to old folks."
 
"Oh, c'mon," coaxed Alan as he and Tom moved toward the porch steps.  "What's it gonna hurt if we just ring the doorbell and then hide in these bushes and listen to Mrs. Wilson complain?  She'll never know who did it.  Even if she sees us, she can't see well enough to tell who we are."  Alan tiptoed up to the door with Tom close behind.
 
As Greg hesitated, Alan punched the bell.  Then he and Tom headed for the bushes, but Greg bent down and picked up a newspaper from the sidewalk.  He planted himself at the top of the steps and waited.  A moment later, the door swung open, and there stood Mrs. Wilson, squinting out of the dark hallway.
 
"Excuse me, Mrs. Wilson," said Greg, holding out the paper.  "You didn't pick up your newspaper this morning, so here it is."
 
"Thank you!" said Mrs. Wilson.  "Aren't you kind!  Do I know you?"
 
"I'm Greg Hunt."  He motioned to his friends, and they stepped hesitantly forward.  "This is Tom Newton and Alan Welch," added Greg. "We all live on this street."
 
"Oh, yes.  I know all of your parents," replied Mrs. Wilson, "and I'm going to tell them what nice boys they have.  Some children aren't nice to elderly people, you know."
 
"Yes, ma'am," said Greg.  "We know."  As he turned to go, he flashed a triumphant grin at his friends.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you treat elderly people with the respect God wants them to have?  Do you listen kindly when they talk about things that happened long ago?  Are you patient when they can't do something as well as they used to?  God loves old people as much as He loves younger ones, and He is very specific about the way He wants them to be treated.  He wants you to show them the same kindness you will expect when you are old.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Don't forget to wash your face and comb your hair," said Mother when Eric got up from the breakfast table.  "There's jam on your cheek, and your hair looks like you just got out of bed.  Go look in the mirror."
 
"Okay," agreed Eric, and he did.  But by the time he got his books together, he had forgotten how he looked.  Out the door he went -- his face dirty and his hair uncombed.
 
When Eric arrived home after school that day, he found his sister talking to Mother in the kitchen.  "You should have seen Eric at school this morning," Claire told Mother.  "He was a mess!  His face was dirty, and I don't think he even combed his hair.  My friends  called him 'Sloppy Joe' and laughed at him."  Claire finished with a giggle.
 
"Well, I went and washed my face at recess time," Eric defended himself.  "Combed my hair, too.  So there!"
 
Mother frowned.  "You should have cleaned up right away when you saw you needed it," she said.
 
At family devotions that night, Dad read from the book of James (see today's Scripture).  "How appropriate," said Mother.  "This reminds me of Eric's experience after seeing himself in the mirror today."
 
"Yeah," agreed Eric.  "I should have washed my face and combed my hair right away.  Instead I went to school looking like a mess."
 
"That's a good example," agreed Dad.  "The Bible is like a mirror.  It shows us our sins and shortcomings and gives us instructions for Christian living.  But as we read, we must not only see what's needed in our lives, we must do something to make necessary changes."
 
"And we should do them right away, so we don't forget," added Claire, grinning at her brother.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you regularly look into God's "mirror" (the Bible)?  That's the way to learn how to live the Christian life.  As you look, do you see things in your life that need changing?  Take care of them at once so you don't forget.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:22)
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'll do it later," said Danny as he stretched out on the couch.  "It's only Wednesday, and Mr. Blake won't be back until Saturday."
 
"Is he paying you to mow for him?" asked Shelley.
 
Danny grinned at his sister.  "Sure," he said, "but I would have mowed his lawn anyway just because I like him.  He's a great guy."
 
Mom took the TV remote control from Danny.  "I thought Mr. Blake said he might be back anytime this week," she said.
 
"I know," said Danny, "but what are the chances he'll come back before tomorrow morning?  Practically none."
 
"All the same," Mom said as she clicked off the TV, "you march outside and mow his lawn right now!"
 
"Oh, all right," grumbled Danny.  He got up and stretched.  "I'm going. . .I'm going."
 
As Danny got out the mower, his mother and sister left for the market.  Danny watched them drive away.  I need a drink before I start mowing, he told himself.  He returned to the house and got a glass of lemonade.  Then he jumped on the couch and watched TV while he sipped his drink.
 
Some time later, Danny heard a knock on the door.  He opened the door, and stared in surprise.  "Mr. Blake!  I didn't know you'd be back so soon!" he mumbled.  His voice quivered.
 
"I can see that by looking at my lawn," Mr. Blake replied with his arms crossed.
 
"I'm sorry, Mr. Blake," said Danny as he put on his cap.  "I'll get busy and mow it for you right away.  You  don't even have to pay me."
 
Mr. Blake shook his head.  "Too late now," he said.  "I can take care of it myself."
 
When Mother came home, Danny was again on the couch, but he was not enjoying the TV program.  Mother sighed when she heard what had happened.  "Aren't you glad it was just Mr. Blake and not someone else who came back?" she asked.
 
Danny was puzzled.  "What do you mean?"
 
"You weren't ready for Mr. Blake to return, and I'm afraid you weren't ready for Jesus to return, either," said Mother.  "Going back on your promise to Mr. Blake -- and also disobeying me while I was gone --  are things that are not pleasing to God.  Mr. Blake's surprising return should remind us all that Jesus could come back at any moment, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
If Jesus came back today, would He find you faithfully living for Him?  Or would He find you uninterested in learning about Him and pleasing Him?  Even more importantly, would you be among those who go to be with Him when He returns?  Have you trusted Him as Savior?  (See last page.)  Don't put it off till another day.  Always remember. . .Jesus may come today!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 24:44)
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul looked through the windshield at all the snow coming down.  "I know it's snowing, Dad, but can't we go faster?" he grumbled.
 
Dad kept his eyes glued to the road.  "It's too hard to see," he said.  "It would be risky to try to pass anyone."
 
"But look!" exclaimed Paul.  "Someone's passing us.  If he can pass, so can you.  You're driving like an old fogey.
 
"Old fogey or not, I'm staying right in this lane of traffic," declared Dad.  "It's very slippery."  Dad held the wheel tightly as the car swerved a little.  "From what I hear, you're on kind of a slippery road yourself, Paul.  Is it true that you smoke pot?"
 
Paul made a choking sound.  "Did Cindy say I did?" he asked.
 
"Your sister is worried about you," said Dad.  "Do you smoke it?"
 
"I only tried it once," Paul replied quickly.  "Some of the older guys met us on our way home and offered us the stuff.   I didn't have to buy it, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to try it one time.  They would have made us look like jerks if we didn't try it.  I just wanted to get them off my back."
 
"And now that you've tried it, have they left you alone?" asked Dad.  Paul shook his head, and Dad continued.  "They first get you to just 'try it.'  Then they want you to try it again and again.  Once you're hooked, they sell it to you."
 
"I have seen some kids give them money," admitted Paul.  "Some of them are even younger than I am."
 
"You've got to say no to them, Paul, even if it means looking like a jerk.  That's a lot better than getting hooked and destroying your body and mind," said Dad as the line of traffic came to a halt.  When they finally started creeping forward again, they saw a lot of cars parked along the median strip.  One car was down the embankment, upside down, with the wheels spinning.
 
"That's the car that passed us!" exclaimed Paul.
 
Dad nodded.  "To tell you the truth, Paul, I wanted to take off after that car when it passed us," he admitted.  "I didn't like being called an old fogey.  I didn't give in though, and I'm glad.  We all have to do what we know is right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that, as a Christian, you have no right to do drugs?  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  You have to say "No "!  Trust God.  He will help you handle any pressure put on you by those who sell drugs.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 56:11)
In God have I put my trust I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Chad sat silently, his head pounding.  If only he had listened to his parents and stayed away from the construction site.  "How did you say this happened?" Dr. Jones asked as he finished stitching Chad's forehead.
 
"I was running home from school and tripped over a crack in the sidewalk," Chad explained, hoping his face wouldn't reveal the lie.  He had actually gotten hurt on some machinery at the construction site.
 
"Well, you 	should be okay," said Dr. Jones, "but I do want you to get an X-ray just to be on the safe side."
 
Chad and his mother went to the hospital's X-ray department.  Chad's head still throbbed.  He wondered what it would be like to have an X-ray taken of his head.  Suddenly Chad sat straight up.  "Will this X-ray picture show my brain and all my thoughts?" he blurted out.  As soon as he asked the question, he knew it was a foolish one.
 
"Relax, Son," said Mother, chuckling.  "Are you afraid it might show thoughts that you don't want anyone to see?"  Chad didn't answer. He put his head on his hands.  He was glad the X-ray couldn't show his thoughts.  Then everyone would find out that he'd lied.
 
By the time they were heading home, Chad was feeling better.  "Your question back at the hospital reminds me of something," observed Mother.  "We should never forget that God sees all our thoughts just like you imagined the X-ray machine might have shown yours, Chad.  There's nothing we can hide from Him."
 
Chad nodded.  "Yeah," he said.  He knew he should confess what had really happened.  "I. . .I lied," he admitted.  "I hurt my head at the construction site on Main Street.  I'm sorry."  He was quite sure some punishment would be coming, but he felt better anyway.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have thoughts that you'd be ashamed for anyone else to know?   Thinking evil thoughts or hiding secret sins in your mind is wrong in the eyes of God.  He knows all about them.  Ask Him to help you keep your thoughts honest and pure.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 9:4)
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Tracy!  A bargain rack!" exclaimed Barbara.  "I'm glad Mom said I could choose my own dress.  Maybe I'll find something here."
 
"Maybe, but be careful," warned her older sister.  "Sometimes the stuff on these racks have something wrong with them.  Like this rack here."  She pointed to some small lettering on a sign above the rack, and read it aloud.  "Slightly stained.  Greatly reduced in price.  All sales final."  She looked at Barbara.  "You'd better look them over really good."
 
"I will," Barbara assured her.  "Oh-h-h-h!  This one is just what I want for the church banquet."  She lifted a dress off the rack and looked it over.  Sure enough -- there was a small spot right on the front of the skirt.  "I'll wash that out," declared Barbara.  "No big deal."  Tracy wasn't so sure, but Barbara tried the dress on and bought it.
 
After two washing and using spot remover, the stain remained. "Good thing I didn't pay much for it," said Barbara with a groan.
 
Mother nodded.  "It sure is," she agreed.  Then she frowned. "I saw Sandy at the store today," she added.  "She said you told her there wouldn't be room in our car for her to ride to the banquet.  Why did you tell her that?  We'll have plenty of room."
 
"But Linda is coming with me, and we don't really want Sandy to go with us," mumbled Barbara.  "It's no big deal."
 
Mother sighed.  "Like the spot in your new dress?" she asked.  "The value of the dress was greatly reduced by that small spot.  Something like that can happen to a Christian's testimony, too."
 
"What do you mean?" asked Barbara.
 
"Maybe what you told Sandy was 'no big deal' to you.  You might consider it on a little lie -- only a small stain," said Mother.  "But when Sandy finds out that you lied, the value of your Christian testimony will probably be greatly reduced.  Do you think this will help her want to become a Christian?"
 
Barbara looked at the floor.  She knew Mother was right, but what could be done about it?  She looked up as Mother spoke again.  "It's not too late to do something about this," she said.  "Why don't you call Sandy and tell her that we do have room, and she can ride with us?"  Barbara nodded and headed for the phone.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there some sin -- some stain in you life?  Even if it seems very small to you, it can greatly reduce the worth of your testimony in the eyes of others.  You can't get that spot out yourself, but the blood of Jesus will wash it clean when you confess your sin to Him.  If you wronged someone else, be sure to make things right with that person.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:14)
Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.