Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

It hadn't been a good day for Mike.  Nothing seemed to be any fun since his best friend, Danny, had moved away.  "Please, dear God," prayed Mike that night, "let Danny come back and live here again."
 
"I know you miss Danny very much," commented Dad as he tucked Mike into bed, "but I don't think his family is going to move back here."
 
"Yes, they will," Mike said confidently.  "I asked God to bring them back, and He'll answer my prayer, won't He?"
 
"Yes," agreed Dad.  "God always answers prayer, but His answer isn't always what we want it to be."  After a moment, he asked, "Do you remember the time your puppy ran out the front gate and into the street?  Why do you suppose he did that?"
 
"I remember," Mike said sadly.  "Kipper almost got hit by a car.  He came out because he wanted to be where I was."
 
"If that was what he wanted, why didn't you let him stay outside the fence with you?" asked Dad.
 
"Because he wouldn't be safe there," Mike answered promptly. "Kipper doesn't know enough to stay on the sidewalk like I do."
 
Dad nodded.  "So even though Kipper wanted to be outside the fence, you knew better," he said.  "That's the way God is.  His answer to our prayers sometimes has to be 'no' because He knows what's best for us."
 
"But why wouldn't God want Danny to come back?" Mike asked.  "That couldn't be bad for me."
 
"But it might not be best for Danny's family.  His father was very sick, and the doctors said a warmer climate would be better for him," replied Dad.  "Instead of praying that Danny will come back, perhaps you should be asking God to help him and his family adjust to their new home.  This move might be harder for them than for you."
 
Slowly Mike nodded. "And I'll ask God to help me find a new best friend, too," he decided.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think God should answer all your prayers exactly the way you want?  If things don't go your way, do you think God doesn't care?  That's not true.  He does care, and He knows what is best for you.  So even when God's answer to your prayer is "no," trust Him and believe that His way is best.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:28)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mr. Henderson sure rushed out after the service this morning," observed Darin one Sunday noon.  "He usually stands around and talks a while.  I wanted to ask him about his puppies."
 
"He was having some trouble at the farm," said Dad.  "Thousands of baby chicks arrived yesterday, and last night the heaters in his chicken house went on the blink.  His wife said he actually slept in the chicken house last night."
 
"Wow!  Talk about dedication!" exclaimed Darin.  Then he asked to be excused from the table.  "The guys are all going over to Barnie's to go sledding on his hill," he said.  He paused and looked anxiously at his father.  "I can go, can't I?" he asked.
 
Dad smiled. "I think that will be all right," he agreed.  "Just be sure to get home on time to get ready for church tonight."
 
When Darin arrived home later that afternoon, his face was cold and his clothes were soaked.  "Take those boots off outside!" ordered Mother.  "And hurry!  You don't have a lot of time before we leave for church."
 
"I can't go tonight," said Darin.  He saw his father's frown.  "I. . .I mean. . .may I please stay home tonight?  Barnie's got a new ping-pong table, and his mom said we could all come back and play for a while."  Darin could see Dad shaking his head, and so he hurried on. "You've said before that my friends need my Christian influence, but if I'm going to influence them, I need to be with them."
 
"Not necessarily," said Dad.  "I remember that you marveled at Mr. Henderson's dedication when you heard he'd slept in the chicken house last night.  Mr. Henderson didn't say a word to you, but his actions impressed you quite a bit."
 
"Well. . .yeah." Darin agreed reluctantly, not sure where this conversation was leading.
 
"People who watch Mr. Henderson can tell he's committed to farming. Because of that commitment, many people find it easy to trust him for advice regarding problems in that area," explained Dad.  "That principle holds true in regard to Christians, too.  Telling others about being a Christian is good, but it has more impact when they can see your commitment to God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "committed" to God?  Can others see that commitment by the way you live and by what takes first place in your life?  Do they see that you love to spend time with other believers; that you are honest, obedient, and kind; that you honor God and  try to please Him in all that you do? Others will see the Lord through your actions as well as your words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:15)
They which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Grandpa Forgets

"Hi, Grandpa!" exclaimed Denise. "Is Grandma here, too?" Denise had come to the supermarket with her father, who was picking up a cake mix and some ice cream to celebrate her eighth birthday the next day. What's wrong with Grandpa? she wondered. He's staring at me as if he doesn't know me. Denise had noticed that Grandpa sometimes acted strange lately. She remembered that he'd recently had some medical tests, and Mom had said he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. She knew that was what caused him to forget a lot of things, but she certainly didn't expect him to ever forget her!

Just then, Grandma appeared. "Robert, I told you to wait by the magazines," she scolded gently. Seeing Denise, she gave her a quick kiss. "Are you all ready for your birthday party?" she asked.

"Party?" asked Grandpa. "Who's having a party?"

"Denise is. We talked about it at breakfast," said Grandma patiently. "Don't you remember?" She took his arm. "Let's go buy a birthday present for a certain little girl, shall we?" Her eyes twinkled as she smiled at Denise.

That night as Mom tucked her into bed, Denise told her about Grandpa's strange behavior. Mom sighed. "Grandpa isn't well," she said. "The disease he has causes him to forget names, dates, places-and sometimes even people he loves."

Denise swallowed hard. "But Grandpa and I are friends. He said so himself . . . and friends aren't supposed to forget each other."

"I know, honey," said Mom, giving Denise a hug, "but earthly friends do sometimes forget-especially if they have certain diseases."

"But I thought I would always be able to count on Grandpa," wailed Denise.

"Just remember that Grandpa can't help it when he forgets," comforted Mom. "Thank God for the good times you've had together. Thank Him, too, that Jesus is always there for both you and Grandpa. Jesus is a friend who sticks 'closer than a brother'-or even closer than a grandfather."

As Denise snuggled down, she thought about her mother's words. She thanked God that He would never leave her. And she prayed for her grandpa and thanked God for him as well.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel sad because someone seems to have forgotten you? Perhaps a friend moved away or chose someone else to play with or just simply ignores you lately. Perhaps a grandparent or some other elderly person doesn't seem to remember you anymore. Does it make you feel lonely? Then stop for a moment and thank God that He never forgets His own! Pray for the person you miss. He or she may be feeling lonely, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did you have a good week, girls?" asked Allison's Sunday school teacher.
 
Allison sighed.  "No," she said.  "I got grounded for staying in bed too long and missing my school bus, so I didn't do much all week."
 
"Yeah," said her friend Margie, "Allison always sleeps too late even though she knows she'll get grounded if she misses the bus."
 
"Oops!" said Miss Hortan.  "So you were warned ahead of time.  I guess you can blame only yourself then, right?"
 
"I know," admitted Allison, "but it's always so hard to get up. Besides, I told Mom I was sorry.  I really was, too."
 
"Well, that's good," said Miss Hortan, "but being sorry didn't bring the bus back, did it?"  Allison shook her head.  "It didn't bring the bus back, and it didn't eliminate the consequences for missing it," added Miss Hortan thoughtfully.  "You know what?  This makes me think of another trip that's going to take place some day.  People have been warned that they need to be ready, but many of them have other things they'd rather be doing right now.  Many people won't be ready at the moment it's time to leave on that trip, and they'll be left behind."
 
"What trip are you talking about?" asked Margie.
 
"I know," said Allison.  "Our memory verse for today talks about that time.  It's the trip to heaven, isn't it?"
 
Miss Hortan nodded.  "That's right," she said.  "Those who aren't ready when Jesus comes to take His children to heaven will be left behind.  I'm sure there will be lots of sorry people, but being sorry isn't going to bring back the transportation for that trip, either.  And being sorry won't take away their punishment.  That punishment  won't last for just a week;  it will last forever."
 
"That's scary," murmured Margie.
 
"It doesn't have to be," replied Miss Hortan.  "It's my prayer that no one in this class will put off trusting Jesus as Savior.  Girls, if you haven't done so before, choose today to give your life to Him.  Then you'll be ready for His return, and it will be exciting, not scary."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ready for the moment Jesus returns?  It could happen at any time.  Now is the time to ask Him into your life.  Don't wait another minute.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 23:13)
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come on, Angela, try it," coaxed Carol after taking a puff from the cigarette Jane had passed to her.
 
Angela shook her head.  "No, thanks.  I don't want to," she said.  She knew smoking was harmful to the body and displeasing to God, but she didn't say anything about that.  Carol and Jane were popular at school, and Angela was thrilled to be considered part of their group.
 
On the way home from school, Angela stopped at her grandparents' home.  She put her hand over her nose as she entered the kitchen.  "What's that horrible smell?" she wanted to know.
 
"What smell?" asked Grandpa as he seated himself at the kitchen table.  "Oh, I know.  We had sauerkraut for lunch today, and the smell  must still be in the air.  It does have a strong odor, but we've gotten used to it and don't notice it any more."
 
"What's sauerkraut?" asked Angela.
 
"It's a cabbage dish," Grandma explained.  "Sauerkraut is a Dutch word that means 'sour cabbage.'  Grandpa and I like it."
 
"It smells just awful!" declared Angela.  "I think I need a clothespin for my nose."
 
Grandpa laughed.  Then he said thoughtfully, "This reminds me of sin, Angela.  When we're first saved, we often are very aware of sin -- it's as though we can 'smell' how horrible it is.  But if we stay around it long enough, we get used to the 'smell,' and it doesn't bother us anymore."
 
"There's another thing," added Grandma.  "The smell of sauerkraut can get into our clothes, and it gets on my hands when I prepare it.  Sin is like that, too.  We could say that the 'stink' of sin can rub off on us if we're around it long enough."
 
"That's true," agreed Grandpa.  "That reminds me of when I used to go for coffee with the guys from the shop.  They often told dirty jokes, and I ignored that for quite a while.  Then one day I realized that I was laughing right along with them. They were influencing me more than I was influencing them, so I decided I better just quit sitting around with them -- it was like what they were doing was rubbing off on me."
 
Angela suddenly remembered that occasionally, without meaning to, she would say a swear word that she had often heard her friends use. Could this be one of those sins she couldn't "smell" any more?  One that had rubbed off on her?  In fact, Carol and Jane did quite a few things that Angela knew were wrong.  Maybe being around them was dulling her spiritual or moral "sense of smell."  Being part of their group might not be such a great thing after all, she decided.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who are doing things you know are wrong?  Maybe you find yourself doing those same things just to be accepted by them.  Perhaps you should reconsider whom you should have for close friends.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?

[Soldier4Christ]

"William and Millie and I taped a radio script for our English project, and it has a Christian message," said Ruth when she came in from school one day.  "We wanted to make it a testimony to all the unsaved kids in our class.  Want to hear it?"
 
Ruth played the tape while Mother finished preparing supper.  As the tape ended, Ruth glanced down the hall and saw her brother Pete go into her room.  "What are you doing in my room?" she screamed.  As Ruth raced toward her room, Mother frowned, and quickly flipping a different tape into the player, she set it to record.  "You hog!" yelled Ruth.  There was a thump as she hit her brother, then pounding footsteps as he chased her back into the kitchen. "You look like a pig, and you act and smell like one, too," continued Ruth.  "Oink!  Oink!"
 
"Oh, poor baby has to play name calling," Pete sang out.  He looked at Mother, wondering why she hadn't stopped the fight as she usually did.
 
"I can't stand you!" cried Ruth in disgust.  "You belong in the barn!"
 
The arguing continued a few more minutes until Dad came in and firmly said, "Enough!"  He sent them off to wash their hands before eating supper.  While they were gone, Mother rewound the tape.
 
After they ate, Ruth helped clear the table.  "For devotions, may I play my English project tape, Dad?" she asked.  "It has a Christian message."
 
"Good," agreed Dad.  "I'd like to hear it."
 
Ruth got the player, pushed the "play" button and eagerly listened. "You hog!  You look like a pig, and you act and smell. . . ."  Ruth's face felt hot as she quickly pressed the "stop" button.  "My tape!" she gasped.
 
"Your radio script is safe on another tape," Mother assured her, "but let's hear the rest of this."
 
"But, Mom," whined Ruth.  She could see that Mother was unyielding.  "Dad?" she pleaded.  At her parents' insistence, she again turned on the cassette player.  Soon she pressed "stop" again, feeling very embarrassed.  "I said that?"  All eyes were on her.  "I'm sorry."
 
"Your rehearsed tape had a good Christian message," observed Mother, "but what if we could play back all your unrehearsed words and thoughts?  How much of it would be a testimony that glorifies God?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you be more careful if you had to hear yourself over again at the end of the day?  Be more careful anyway. Others do hear you, and what they hear you say is a very important part of your testimony for the Lord.  Ask Him to help you say words that glorify Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:10)
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

[Soldier4Christ]

Danielle grabbed the backpack and matching lunch box from her locker and slammed the metal door shut.  Her soft brown eyes searched the crowded hallway for her friend, Elise.  The two girls had been friends ever since their first day in kindergarten, and they usually walked home together.  When Danielle saw Elise, her face lit up with a broad smile, and she skipped down the hallway toward her.
 
Elise was surrounded by several girls that Danielle recognized as the more popular kids in her class.  She didn't know them very well, and she felt a little out of place as she walked up.  "Hi, Elise!" she said with a smile, stepping closer to the huddled group.
 
The girls ignored her.  "Come on, Elise.  Walk home with us," invited one of them.  She glanced at Danielle.  "She's not your friend, is she?" she added in a loud whisper.
 
Elise bit her lip and turned away from Danielle.  "No," said Elise quickly.  She grabbed her books and coat and ran off with the girls.
 
Danielle stood still and silent.  Her heart felt empty and so very heavy.  Then she slowly shuffled down the hallway.  As she trudged wearily home, Danielle recalled a sermon her pastor had preached a few weeks before.  He had read some Scripture about denying Jesus, and then he had reminded them that Christians should not do that.  Danielle thought about the hurt she felt when Elise had denied being her friend.  This must be how Jesus feels when we deny Him, she told herself.  She knew that Elise's denial would hurt for a long time, but she also knew she had learned an important lesson -- Jesus wants me and all His friends to stand up for Him.  He doesn't want me to be afraid to tell others He's my friend.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever felt the hurt of having someone act as if he didn't know you?  Have you been guilty of hurting someone else in that way?  How about the Lord Jesus?  Have you ever pretended you didn't know Him so kids wouldn't laugh at you?  Jesus says it's important to "confess Him" before others -- to admit that you know and love Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 10:32)
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You're always scolding and punishing me," complained Alicia to her mother as she sat on the "time out" chair.  "You never get mad at Seth."
 
"Oh, yeah?"  The words came from Seth.  He had come into the room and overheard the remark.  "I used to get punished a lot -- and I still do sometimes.  So quit pouting and learn your lesson, Sis."
 
That afternoon, the whole family attended the spring festival held on the outskirts of their town.  Alicia and Seth especially enjoyed the elephant rides.  They first rode the smaller elephant and then the bigger one.  They held on tightly as a friendly trainer led them around the circle.
 
"Here are some pictures to help you remember this day," said Dad when the ride was over.  He held out several pictures he had just taken with his Polaroid camera.  They all gathered around to see them.
 
"Did you notice that the trainer sometimes used his stick with the smaller elephant?" asked Mother.  "He just spoke to the bigger one."
 
Alicia nodded.  "I thought at first that he was being mean," she said, "but he only just tapped the elephant.  He had to make it obey."
 
"I'm sure the older elephant gets disciplined from time to time," said Dad.  "But it probably learned from its earlier training."
 
Mother nodded.  "I guess Dad and I are 'trainers,' too," she said. "Sometimes we need to correct or discipline our children so they'll learn."
 
"Yeah," said Seth, "and I've already learned a lot from having had more years of training than you've had, Alicia."
 
Mother nodded in agreement.  "The Bible instructs parents to correct their children," she said.  "That's the purpose of the 'time out' chair."
 
"Maybe you should hang these elephant ride pictures near the 'time out' chair at home," suggested Seth.
 
"Yeah -- and I hope I'll never have to see them again," said Alicia.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think your parents are"mean" because they correct and discipline you?  Does it seem like you get punished more often than a brother or sister?  Remember that God uses your parents to train you to go the right way.  Be thankful for them -- and even for the discipline they give.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 22:6)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Are we going to tap all the trees today?" asked Gary as he helped his father drill a hole into the trunk of a maple tree and insert a little pipe. "This will take forever."
 
"Making maple syrup does take a long time, and it's hard work," agreed Dad, "but it's worth the effort."  They worked together until all the maple trees had buckets hanging from the pipes, ready to collect the sap that would drip out during the week.
 
Back at the house, Gary slumped into a chair.  "I'm tired!" he said with a sigh.  "In a week we'll be out there gathering all those buckets of sap.  But we won't have syrup yet!  No, we'll have to dump the sap in that big container and gather wood to build a fire under it, and finally -- what will we have?  Gallons and gallons of syrup?  No!  By the time the water is out of the sap, we'll probably have one measly little pail of syrup. I hate so much work and so much waiting and then having so little to show for all the work.  Making maple syrup takes too long!  It sure would be a lot easier to buy some!"
 
"Yes," agreed Mother, "but it wouldn't be nearly as good.  We're going for quality.  We'll reap the benefit of all that hard work -- eating the best pancakes ever -- if you keep at it."
 
"Hmmm, yes," murmured Dad thoughtfully.  "Be not weary in well doing."
 
Gary grinned.  "I know that Bible verse, Dad," he said, "but I don't think it's talking about making syrup."
 
Dad smiled.  "I don't think so, either," he agreed, "but I was just thinking that there's a comparison here.  The process may be slow in both syrup making and spiritual growth, but we need to keep at it.  If we diligently and patiently keep that fire going under the sap, we reap good results -- yummy maple syrup.  And as we trust God and strive to do His will -- as we obey Him one step at a time -- God works in us and brings out good results for His glory."
 
Mother nodded.  "I'm afraid we get impatient sometimes," she added.  "We like to see immediate results.  And unfortunately, I fear we sometimes are even more concerned about seeing those results in other people than we are in ourselves."
 
"Yes," said Dad.  "My father used to often say, 'God isn't finished with me -- or others -- yet.'  Let's remember that as we work to finish making syrup this year."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like you'll never get control of your temper?  Or learn how to witness to your friends?  Or learn to truly love the unlovely?  Does it seem like you're making very little progress in your Christian walk?  How about your Christian friends. . .are you patient with them? Remember that spiritual growth is a process.  Trust God to turn your life, step by step, into quality "syrup" -- slowly making you more like Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 1:6)
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hold still, Maribeth," instructed Mrs. Davis.  She was fitting Maribeth, who was going to take part in her cousin Sally's wedding, for a junior bridesmaid dress.
 
"Sally showed me the wedding ring she got for Dan," confided Maribeth.  "I like jewelry."
 
"A wedding ring isn't just jewelry," Mrs. Davis said.  "Engagement and wedding rings have special meaning."
 
Maribeth nodded.  "Everyone knows an engagement ring means a guy and girl are going to get married.  I know one girl who got china instead of an engagement ring, though."
 
"Rings aren't necessary," agreed Mrs. Davis, "but they're a nice part of tradition.  Can you guess the special meaning of the wedding ring?"
 
"I've heard the circle stands for unending love, and that it means 'married forever,'" replied Maribeth, "but I think it just means you're married because an awful lot of people don't stay married forever."
 
Mrs. Davis sighed.  "I know," she said, "and that's too bad."  As she helped Maribeth out of the dress, she noticed the gold cross Maribeth was wearing on a chain around her neck.  "That's very pretty," Mrs. Davis observed.  "Does it have a special meaning to you?"
 
"Well. . . ."  Maribeth hesitated.  "I accepted Jesus as my Savior in Bible club a few years ago," she said, "and my teacher gave me this cross to remind me of that."
 
"How nice!" exclaimed Mrs. Davis.  "What church and Sunday school do you attend?"
 
"Actually, I haven't gone for a long time," admitted Maribeth.  "We sleep in on Sundays."
 
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," replied Mrs. Davis.  She shook her head. "You know, Maribeth, we've been talking about wedding traditions such as wearing the symbolic rings.  The rings are nice, but the couple also needs to be fully committed to working at the relationship to strengthen it.  In a similar way, Christian symbols, such as the cross you're wearing, are nice, but Christians must also be truly committed to working at their relationship with God, or they don't become stronger spiritually."
 
"And going to church and Sunday school is the way to work at that relationship?" asked Maribeth.
 
"It's just one way," said Mrs. Davis.  "When you accepted Jesus as Savior, that was a 'forever' heart-commitment.  That doesn't change, but such things as prayer, reading and obeying God's Word, and church attendance will help you grow closer to the Lord."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know the right words, like "saved" and "eternal life," but forget the responsibilities of commitment?  Remember that being a Christian isn't just a verbal decision.  It should also involve everyday action.  Be committed to growing in your relationship with God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 16:3)
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mary, please come out and play ball with me," pleaded little Amy.
 
Mary frowned.  She did not want to play ball.  "I can't," she said.  "I have to do my homework now."
 
As Amy walked away sadly, the phone rang.  "I'll get it, Mom," called Mary.  She picked up the phone.  "Oh, hi, Audra," she said. "What?  No, I don't have anything else to do, and making cookies sounds like fun.  I'll ask Mom if I can come over, and I'll call you back."
 
As Mary turned from the phone, she saw her mother standing in the doorway, shaking her head.  "Why did you tell Audra you had nothing to do after telling Amy you had to do your homework?" asked Mother.
 
Mary looked uncomfortable.  "Well, I do have homework, but it can wait a while," she said.  "I needed an excuse so I wouldn't have to play Amy's dumb old childish games."
 
Mother frowned.  "That wasn't an excuse, Mary," she said.  "It was a lie.  If you don't want to play with Amy, simply tell her that you don't want to play right now.  Don't lie about it."
 
"But it was just a little lie," protested Mary.  "I didn't want to hurt her feelings."
 
Mother sighed.  "Honey," she said, "lately you've been acting as though a 'little' lying or a 'little' disobeying isn't very bad.  But all our sins -- whether we consider them to be little or big -- put Jesus on the cross.  We should hate them, not make excuses for them."  After a moment, Mother added, "We've told you about our scary experience when you were a baby, remember?"
 
"You mean when I swallowed an open safety pin," replied Mary.  She had heard the story often.
 
Mother nodded.  "When the doctor successfully retrieved the pin from your throat, he asked me if I wanted to keep it for a souvenir.  I shuddered.  'Oh, no!' I said.  'Please take it away.  It could have killed my baby, and I never want to see it again.'  It didn't matter that it was just a 'little' pin.  It could have killed you.  And, Mary, our sins did kill Jesus. Do you think we should want to hold on to any of them -- big or small?"
 
Mary slowly shook her head.  "I never thought about it like that," she said.  "I'll apologize to Amy and play with her a little while before I go to Audra's house."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you excuse some of your sins, calling them "little" or "not very bad"?  Was it only big sins that put Jesus on the cross?  No, He died for all sin.  Since God hates all sin, we should, too, and not find excuses for it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 38:18)
For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Aagh!" squealed Claudine when she looked into a cup on Grandma's bathroom counter.  "There are teeth in this cup!"  Grandma stopped at the doorway. She laughed, and Claudine added, "I forgot that you wear false teeth. They don't look false when they're in your mouth."
 
"Good," said Grandma.  "Then maybe only my dentist and I know for sure."  She gave Claudine a toothless grin as she added, "And you."
 
At school the following week, Claudine became friends with Ginny, a new student who often talked about God.  "We all have God in us, so we can all determine our own right and wrong," said Ginny.  "You may think certain things are wrong, but I may think they're okay.  And that's fine. We should each decide for ourselves."  Claudine was so glad to find a friend who wasn't afraid to talk about God that she blindly accepted whatever Ginny said.
 
One day, Claudine got into trouble for hitting her brother Stan. "Well, Ginny says we're all a part of God and can decide for ourselves what's right," stated Claudine.  "I think it's okay for me to hit Stan when he teases me."
 
"Oh, you do?" asked Mother dryly.  "And who is Ginny?"
 
"She's a new Christian friend at school," explained Claudine.  "She talks about God a lot."
 
"Are you sure she's a Christian?" asked Mother.  "The things she says sound like 'New Age' thinking -- and that's man-centered, not Christ-centered."  Mother shook her head.  "Many people use words that  are religious, but they're not biblical," she added.  "They're like Grandma's teeth."
 
"Grandma's teeth!" exclaimed Claudine.  "What's that supposed to mean?"
 
"You told me that Grandma's teeth look real to you, but they're false," said Mother.  "In a similar way, some people use words that may seem 'Christian,' but they're false, too. They disagree with what God says.  I think you'll have to listen carefully to the things Ginny says." Mother looked at Claudine as she added sternly, "God definitely does not say you can decide for yourself what is right or wrong.  His standard is perfect and holy.  He's the only one who is always right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you hear someone talk about God, do you jump to the conclusion that such a person must be a Christian?  Don't be fooled by false teaching.  Compare what is said with what God says in His Word so you won't be swayed by false doctrine.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:15)
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

[Soldier4Christ]

It had been a happy day for Tommy.  He had spent the afternoon at a birthday party for his friend Jeff.  "Jeff really liked the truck I gave him," Tommy told his mother when she came to tuck him into bed that night.
 
"Good," said Mother with a smile.  "Now you need to settle down.  It's time to pray and then go to sleep."
 
As Mother turned down the covers, Tommy looked up with a puzzled expression.  "Mom, how do you know for sure if you're really saved?" he wanted to know.  "I asked Jesus to be my Savior last spring, but sometimes I still wonder about it."
 
"Do you understand that Jesus died for your sins, and that you can't save yourself?" asked Mother.
 
Tommy nodded.  "Sure -- I know all about that.  But I still sin sometimes."
 
Mother picked up Tommy's Bible from the dresser.  "Remember that truck you gave Jeff at the party today?" she asked.  Tommy nodded.  "Did you bring it home again when the party was over?" asked Mother.
 
"No.  I gave it to Jeff," replied Tommy.  "It's his."
 
"What if he's mean to you tomorrow?" asked Mother.  "Then will you take the truck back?"
 
"Of course not!" said Tommy.  "It belongs to Jeff now, not to me."
 
Mother nodded.  "That's right, Son," she said, handing him his Bible and pointing to some verses.  "Read this Bible passage to me."  Tommy did so.  (See today's Scripture.)
 
"God gave you the gift of eternal life when you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and save you," Mother said when Tommy finished reading.  "You didn't earn it, just like Jeff didn't earn the truck you gave him.  You gave it to him and he accepted it.  And just like you gave it to him to keep, God gave you eternal life to keep.  He doesn't take back His gift, either."
 
"Whew!"  Tommy sighed with relief.  "I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you admitted that you're a sinner?  Have you trusted in Jesus to save you?  If not, won't you do that right now?  (See last page.)  If you have done that, do you sometimes still have doubts that you belong to Jesus?  If you really meant it when you accepted Jesus and asked Him to forgive your sins, you are a Christian.  God's gift of eternal life is yours. He won't ever take it back.  Once you belong to Jesus, you will always belong to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:28)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jonathan took out his dad's aftershave lotion and splashed it on his face before leaving the bathroom.  When Mother stepped into his room a little later, she sniffed the air.  "What do I smell?" she asked.
 
"Jonathan used Dad's aftershave," hollered Sophie from her room across the hall.  "He didn't take a shower again."
 
Mother checked the bathroom.  "His towel is damp," she said.
 
"Well, when I took a shower, the soap wasn't even wet," tattled Sophie.  "He's so disgusting!  Lots of times he just wets his washcloth and towel and pretends to have showered." 
 
"Is that true, Jonathan?" asked Mother.  She stood in Jonathan's doorway holding a bar of soap in one hand and the aftershave in the other.
 
"I just don't like getting all wet," Jonathan said defensively.
 
"You're so gross," sputtered Sophie.
 
"Shhhh."  Mother held up a finger.  "Jonathan, I'm sure you know that using this . . . ," she held up the lotion, ". . . doesn't take the place of using soap. When you splash on cologne or lotion instead of washing, you may smell nice, but the dirt remains."
 
"Yeah, Jonathan," taunted Sophie, coming to the doorway.  "You cover up with lotion, but you're still dirty as a pig!"
 
"Well, Jonathan is going to take his shower," said Mother, looking sternly at her son, "because it's important to keep our bodies clean. However, it occurs to me that we should also think about something even more important.  Just like your skin gets dirty, your life and heart and thoughts can get dirty -- only this 'dirt' is sin.  Such things as pride or an accusing, unloving attitude fall into that category, Sophie.  And so does deceiving your mother, Jonathan."
 
Both Sophie and Jonathan squirmed guiltily as Mother continued. "We all sometimes try to cover up or hide the wrong things we do, but there is nothing we can hide from God.  We need to confess our sin to Him.  Then He'll forgive us and wash us clean -- as white as snow."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to cover up your sins?  God can see through any cover-up.  You need to confess your sins to God and turn from them.  Trust Him to "wash" your heart and life and make you clean in His sight.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 51:2)
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What are those for?" asked Jason.  He pointed to the bouquet of flowers Lisa was arranging.
 
"For the dinner table," Lisa replied.  "Aren't they pretty?"
 
"Yeah, I guess so," muttered Jason as he walked over to the window. "Oh, look.  The new family is moving in across the street today."
 
"I saw the truck," replied Lisa.  She picked up a stem of daisies and added it to the centerpiece.  "I hope they have a girl my age."
 
"They do," Jason told her.  "And a boy my age.  His name is Joey."
 
As Lisa placed the flowers on the table, Dad came into the dining room.  "That's certainly a pretty bouquet, Lisa," he observed.
 
"Thank you," replied Lisa.  "I love to work with flowers.  There are so many pretty kinds and so many colors.  They make me feel beautiful."
 
"Boy, that would take a lot of doing," teased Jason.  Lisa gave her grinning brother a gentle shove.
 
Mother came in and set the salad on the table.  "I'm glad God painted our world with color," she remarked.  "It's not just flowers that are colorful.  Look at this salad -- green lettuce, red tomatoes, white mushrooms. . . ."
 
Just then Lisa gasped.  She pointed out the dining room window.  "Is that the new family getting in the car across the street?"
 
Jason nodded.  "Yep.  That's them."
 
"But. . .but. . . ." stammered Lisa, "they're. . .they're not like us."
 
"You mean they're a different color?" asked Mother.  She looked Lisa straight in the eye, and Lisa nodded.
 
"So what?" demanded Jason.  "What difference does that make? All roses aren't red."
 
Mother nodded in agreement as Dad said, "Right.  And all vegetables aren't green.  Remember, God used color to make this a beautiful world."
 
"I think Joey's neat," declared Jason.  "I like white people."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you judge people by the color of their skin?  If you do, you may miss some beautiful friendships.  God says all races are made "of one blood."  We all belong to the family of man -- we're all descendants of Adam.  God doesn't favor one race or color over another. Don't sin by doing that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 2:9)
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin.