Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Mike and his friend Jeff were so excited!  They were going crab fishing with Mike's dad.  After loading up the car, they headed for the shore.  Soon all of them were in the water up to their knees.  "Here, Mike," said Dad, "tie a chicken neck to one end of your string, and tie the other end around your ankle.  Jeff, you handle this net."
 
"Why in the world would those crabs want to eat a raw chicken neck?" asked Jeff, taking the net.
 
"I don't know, but they'll go for it," replied Dad.  "Just you watch. Now, Mike, throw the chicken neck out as far as you can.  Wait a few minutes.  Then start pulling in the line real slowly so the crabs don't get scared off."  As Mike followed the instructions, Dad turned to Jeff.  "Be ready with the net, Jeff.  Wait till the crabs come close so you can scoop them up."
 
Just like Dad predicted, Mike soon felt something tugging on the line as he pulled.  "I see them!  I see them!" yelled Jeff.
 
"Wait till you can reach them with your net," cautioned Dad.  "Then drop it right behind them.  They'll see you and run backwards right into the net." And that's exactly what happened.
 
"Wow!" yelled both Mike and Jeff.  "Three at one time!"  The boys quickly put the crabs in a bucket.  Then they took turns using the net and continued to catch crabs for a couple hours.
 
On the way home, the boys talked about things that were happening at school.  "Whoever wrote all the junk on the restroom walls is going to be in big trouble when he gets caught," said Mike.
 
"Yeah," agreed Jeff.  "And those guys who got caught smoking are in big trouble already."
 
"Hm-m-m-m," murmured Dad.  "Sounds like Satan is doing the same kind of fishing in your school as we've been doing today."
 
Jeff laughed.  "I didn't see any chicken necks there," he said.
 
"No," replied Dad,  "but he's using things that lead kids into trouble and can trap them.  Satan's purpose is to lure people away from God any way he can.  Remember the crabs?  When they were being pulled in with the chicken lure, they could have looked up and seen danger, but they were intent on having what they wanted.  When Jeff dropped the net, they finally sensed danger and began to run, but it was too late."
 
"Yeah," said Jeff.  "They ran right into the net."
 
"Right," agreed Dad.  "And if you play around with temptation and sin, you can end up in Satan's trap."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find that sinful things often look like innocent fun?  That's what Satan wants you to believe.  Don't be fooled into thinking there's no danger ahead.  Get your eyes off the temptation; walk away before Satan lowers the net.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 2:26)
(Instruct them) . . .that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

[Soldier4Christ]

As the curtain dropped at the end of her school play, Tara's parents made their way backstage.  "You remembered every line perfectly," said Dad, giving her a hug.  "You were great!"  Mom heartily agreed.
 
Tara smiled.  "Before the curtain rose at the beginning, I was so scared that I couldn't remember anything," she confessed, "but when I had to start talking, the words just came back."  Tara smiled at a girl walking by. "Good job, Emma," she said.
 
"Thanks," murmured Emma.  "You did good, too."
 
As Tara and her parents drove home a little later, Tara spoke thoughtfully.  "Remember Emma?" she asked.  "I think she seems really unhappy lately, but I don't know why.  I feel like I should talk to her, but I'm afraid I might say the wrong thing.  I wish there were a script to memorize for this sort of thing."
 
"I can understand that," said Dad.  "I think the Apostle Paul was sometimes a bit concerned about saying the wrong thing, too."
 
"You're kidding!" exclaimed Tara.  She couldn't believe it.  "Paul was one of the greatest preachers ever!"
 
"But he was human -- just like you.  He had a big responsibility -- just like you," said Dad.  "Do you know what he did about it?"
 
Tara shrugged.  "Prayed?" she guessed.
 
"Yes," answered Dad, "and he also asked his Christian friends to pray that God would put the right words into his mouth."
 
"And God did?" asked Tara.  "Sort of like the way the right words to the play popped into my head tonight?"
 
"Sort of," agreed Dad, "only the words he spoke came from God, not from a script.  You may not know the right thing to say to Emma, but God knows exactly what you need to say -- and what Emma needs to hear.  He wants to help you say it.  Ask God to do that, and Mom and I will pray for you, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does the idea of speaking to others about the Lord or about how you can help them frighten you?  Do you worry that you might say the wrong thing or not have anything to say at all?  Ask God to help you speak the right words at the right time -- just like He helped Paul and Moses.  (See today's Scripture reading.)  Trust God to give you the words you need when you need them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 4:12)
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

[Soldier4Christ]

As David got close to Mr. Gordon's house, he saw his Sunday school teacher planting fruit trees in his back yard.  "Good morning, David," said Mr. Gordon.  "How are you doing?"
 
"Okay, I guess," muttered David.  He shuffled his toe in the dirt. "But I'm always getting into trouble at school," he added with a sigh. "Since I've been coming to your Sunday school class, I've been trying to change and be good -- but I just can't seem to do it."
 
Mr. Gordon leaned on his spade.  "Have you trusted the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior, David?" he asked.
 
"Well . . . no, I guess not," admitted David.  "I've heard you talk about that in class, but I don't really understand it.  I thought if I'd just go to church and read the Bible and start living better, I'd be all right."
 
Mr. Gordon picked up a small, dead branch that had fallen from a tree.  "I'm planting fruit trees," he said.  "I'm going to water them and put fertilizer around them.  One day, they'll bear juicy peaches and apples for me to eat.  Why don't you help me plant this -- it's a branch that broke off an apple tree."
 
David laughed.  "You're kidding," he said.  "That's a dead stick."
 
Mr. Gordon looked at the stick.  "But I'll treat it just like all the other trees, and then when I get fruit from it, I'll share some with you, David."
 
"I still think you're kidding," said David.  "That stick will never have any fruit.  It's dead."
 
"That's true," Mr. Gordon agreed.  "This stick has no life -- it can't produce fruit.  And you know what, David?  If you haven't accepted Jesus as Savior, you're like this stick -- you don't have true life.  You say you're trying to change and be good, but even though you read the Bible and go to church and pray, you can't produce the fruit of a Christian life because you don't have Christ within you."  Mr. Gordon smiled at David.  "Would you like to hear again how you can receive real life through Christ?" he asked.  Solemnly, David nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try hard to be good, only to fail?  You can't live the Christian life if you don't have Life -- the Lord Jesus -- within you.  Ask Him to save you now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:2)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can I watch the map and tell you where to turn, Dad?" asked Brett eagerly as he and his father got ready to leave on their fishing trip.
 
"Okay," agreed Dad with a smile, "but I'm not sure where we have to turn off the highway to get to Glen Lake.  "Maybe I'd better take a look before we start out."
 
"No . . . let me find it," pleaded Brett.  His eyes scanned the map.  "I see it, Dad.  I'll let you know when we're getting close," he promised.  So while Dad drove, Brett took charge of the map.  "This map shows some other lakes that would probably be good for fishing, too," said Brett after a while.  "I wonder how far they are from where we live."  He began to figure it out and decided they weren't too far.  "Let's go to some of these other lakes sometime," he suggested.
 
 "Perhaps we can do that," said Dad, "but you are going to tell me where to turn to get to Glen Lake, aren't you?  It seems to me we should have come to the road by now.  What's the name of the road we need?"
 
Brett took a closer look.  "I think I missed our road, Dad," he admitted. Dad stopped the car so he could check the map himself.  Then he turned the car around.  Soon Brett spotted the sign for the road to Glen Lake.  "There it is!" he exclaimed.  "See . . . right there!"  Dad nodded and turned at the next crossroad.  Before long, they were at the lake, catching fish.
 
After a delicious fish dinner that evening, Dad read some verses from his Bible.    Brett wasn't really listening.  In his imagination, he was in the process of landing a huge fish when he heard Dad say, "Amen."
 
"Like a map, the Bible gives directions," said Dad as he stood up.  "It gives directions for living."  He grinned at Brett.   "We found out that maps help us only if we pay attention to what they tell us, didn't we?" he said.  "I wonder how often we miss out on important lessons in Christian living -- or on blessings God wants to give us -- because we don't pay attention when His Word is read or taught.  I have to confess that when I was younger, I often daydreamed when I should have been listening -- sometimes that still happens. Let's guard against that, shall we?"  Solemnly, Brett nodded.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you listen carefully while the Bible is being read or while Bible lessons are being taught?  If you're in the habit of letting your thoughts drift during those times, make up your mind to break that habit.  Begin paying close attention so you won't miss out on what God has for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 25:4)
Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.

[Soldier4Christ]

"This is fun," said Kelly as she helped her teacher decorate for a Sunday school party.  Mrs. Brown filled balloons with helium, and then Kelly tied a string on each one.  "Do you suppose those new kids will come to the party?" Kelly wondered out loud.  "You know -- the Harper kids who came last Sunday?  They're kind of different."
 
"All people are different," Mrs. Brown pointed out.
 
"I guess so," admitted Kelly, "but those Harper kids wore such funny old clothes!"
 
Mrs. Brown looked thoughtful as she handed another balloon to Kelly.  "We'll do two more balloons," she said.  "Let's each choose a color, and when they're filled, we'll see which one will rise fastest."
 
"I'll have a blue one," said Kelly.  "My favorite color is blue."
 
"And I'll take this purple one," said Mrs. Brown.  "I think a purple balloon will go up to the ceiling faster than a blue one."
 
"Not if you fill them up the same," objected Kelly.  She waited eagerly until both balloons were ready, and then watched the two balloons rise side by side.  "See -- it's the helium in the balloon that makes them rise," said Kelly with a grin, "not the color of the balloon."
 
"So it's what's inside that counts?" asked Mrs. Brown.  When Kelly nodded, Mrs. Brown added, "You're right, of course, and I think that principle should also apply to people, don't you?"
 
Kelly looked at her teacher.  "I know that a person's color isn't the important thing," she said.
 
"Good," replied Mrs. Brown, "but outside appearance versus what's inside can apply to more than color."
 
Kelly looked puzzled, then asked slowly, "You're thinking about the kind of clothes kids wear?"
 
"Exactly," said Mrs. Brown.  "The important thing is not so much how people look -- what color they are or what hair style they have or how they dress -- but what they are inside.  That's what's important to God, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's important to you?  Skin color?  The right kind of clothes?  Good looks?  People come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  Some are better looking than others.  Some can afford better clothes.  But everyone has feelings, and everyone deserves to be treated kindly.  Even more important -- every person has a soul, and that soul is precious to God.  The inner person is what you should care about.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Ben knew he was in trouble.  He had come home from school late again.  He explained to his parents that his teammates wanted to play just one more inning in their ball game.  "The game was tied, and no one wants to quit then, do they?" Ben asked logically.
 
"No, I'm sure they don't," said Dad, "but Mom and I gave you a special warning to be home right on time today.  So we have decided to ground you for the rest of the week, including Saturday.  Is that clear?"
 
"Grounded!"  Ben was horrified.  "Oh, please -- I promise to come straight home from now on.  Just don't ground me on Saturday!" he pleaded.  But his parents remained firm in their decision.
 
Ben was grumpy as he turned away.  "Whoever invented grounding anyhow?" he muttered to himself, but loud enough to be sure his dad could hear.  "I don't think it's right to isolate a person from his friends."
 
After dinner, Dad picked up the family Bible and leafed through it. "Listen to this, Ben," he said when he found the passage he wanted.  "I think you'll find it interesting."  Dad began to read from Numbers 12. The verses told of Miriam, the sister of Moses, who had been a great help to him but later rebelled against him -- and God had disciplined her.  Dad read, "And the Lord said to Moses . . . let her be shut out from the camp for seven days, and after that, let her be received in again."  Dad closed the Bible and looked at Ben, whose downcast expression showed he realized that the idea of keeping a person from being with his friends hadn't been personally invented by his parents.
 
"The Lord knew the kind of discipline Miriam needed at that point," said Dad.  "She had to accept the punishment He ordered and learn from it.  We trust that you, too, will accept and learn from your grounding."
 
Ben sighed as he thought about it.  Then he grinned feebly.  "Oh, well, I guess it could be worse," he said.  "At least you're not shutting me out in the backyard for seven days.  Right?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel "picked on" when your parents punish you -- especially if you feel you had a good reason for breaking a family rule?  God has given your parents authority, and because of this, you are to honor and obey them.  Accept the discipline they give.  Learn from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:11)
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come on in, guys," invited Lance.  "My folks won't be home until five today, so we can do whatever we want and they'll never know.  We've got plenty of time."  The boys charged into the house, and Lance looked in the cupboard for some munchies.  As the boys sat around talking and laughing and eating, Lance turned the radio to a station his friends suggested.  He turned up the volume and propped his feet on the coffee table.
 
"Lance Louis Brown!"  Dad's voice boomed over the music.  Lance jumped up, trembling.  Oh, no! he thought.  What are they doing home already?  "What's going on here?" asked Dad after turning off the radio. "You know you're not allowed to have anyone in the house when we're away."  Turning to the boys, he added, "Sorry, but I have to ask you to leave," and he showed them out the door.  "All right, Lance," said Dad. "Start explaining."
 
Lance felt sick.  "I . . . I . . . ," he stammered.  "I didn't think you'd be home until five o'clock."  Whoa!  I shouldn't have said that.  That was dumb, he thought.  He was right, and he was sent to his room while his parents discussed the situation and decided on his punishment.
 
A few weeks later, Lance nodded in agreement with what his Sunday school teacher was saying.  "Many people think they have plenty of time before Jesus returns," said Mr. Grear.  "They think they have plenty of time to try out all sorts of wrong behavior and accept Jesus as Savior later.  Even Christians sometimes feel they can do as they please and then clean up their act just before Jesus comes.  But Jesus will come at an unexpected time and many people will be surprised and sorry that they weren't ready."
 
Lance raised his hand.  "I know just what you mean," he said, and he went on to tell about the time his parents surprised him by coming home when he didn't expect them.  "But that wasn't as bad as not being ready when Jesus comes, was it?" he finished. 
 
"That's right," agreed Mr. Grear.  He looked at the boys.  "What will you be doing when Jesus comes again?" he asked.  "Will you be ready?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When Jesus returns to earth, what do you want Him to find you doing -- enjoying sinful pleasures or serving Him?  If you live for Him each day, you won't be ashamed when He comes.  If you don't know Him as Savior, accept Him today (see last page).  Then ask Him to help you live a godly life.


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]

On the way home from church, Todd and Susan told their parents about the missionary who had spoken in their Sunday school department.  "He told us that the people he works with worship a false god," said Todd. "They run around and around the altar at their temple, and each time they go around they drop a piece of wood into a box.  By the time they finish, they're dead tired, but they think they've done a great service to their god."
 
"Isn't that silly?" asked Susan.  "I'm glad we know the true God and don't do stuff like that!  We worship Him when we go to church."
 
"Maybe we do, and maybe we don't," replied Dad.
 
"We don't?" asked Todd.  "Then why do we go to church?"
 
"We should worship Him," said Dad, "but, well . . . take this morning, for instance.  While Pastor Burns was preaching, Todd, you and Jeffrey started writing notes to each other, didn't you?  Do you think that's worshiping?"  As Todd slowly shook his head, Dad added, "As for me, I'll have to confess that at one point, I was thinking about a problem at work instead of thinking about God and worshiping Him."
 
"I'm sometimes guilty, too," admitted Susan.  "In Sunday school last week, I whispered to Laurie during our prayer time.  After class, Mrs. Smith talked to me about it.  I was really embarrassed."  Susan looked at her parents.  "Did she tell you?"
 
Mother shook her head.  "No . . . but I'm glad you realize that was wrong.  And now I guess it's my turn to confess," she said.  "There's a verse in the Bible that says we're to sing with the 'spirit and with the understanding.'  In other words, we should sing with real praise to the Lord, thinking about the words we're using.  Well, sometimes I catch myself thinking about something else while singing familiar songs."
 
"We all could improve our worship, couldn't we?" asked Dad.  "Let's make up our minds that each time we go to church, we'll really worship God in every part of the service.  If we don't, I can't see that we're much better than the people the missionary told you about -- those with their ceremonies and rituals.  In fact, we're worse, because we know better."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's going on in your mind when you sing in church?  Do you think about the message of the songs?  When someone prays, do you reverently pray, too?  Do you try to understand the sermon? Worship God at church by centering your thoughts on Him and His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 14:15)
I will pray . . . (and) sing with the spirit, and . . . with the understanding also.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Dad."  Melinda greeted her father as she entered his workshop. "Can you help me build a birdhouse now?"
 
Dad looked up with a smile.  "I'm ready if you are," he replied. "Let's pick out some wood."  He led the way to the bin of scrap wood.  "I thought you were playing with Angie today," he said.
 
"I was," answered Melinda as they began picking out pieces of wood to use, "but I wanted to do this instead, so I told her I had homework to do, and she went home."
 
Dad frowned as they carried several pieces of wood over to the workbench.  "You mean you lied to Angie?" he asked.
 
"Not really," replied Melinda, shaking her head.  "I do have homework, but I'll do it after we finish the birdhouse."
 
"But you purposely led Angie to believe that you were going to do the homework now.  That's a form of lying, honey," Dad told Melinda.
 
Melinda shrugged.  "Well, what was I supposed to say?  'Go home.  I don't want to play with you anymore'?" asked Melinda, handing Dad the board he was reaching for.  "Anyhow, it was just a little lie.  It won't hurt Angie's feelings or anything.  She'll never know."
 
"Lies -- even so-called little ones -- hurt the people who tell them," said Dad.  "You could have just explained that you wanted some time to work with me before doing your homework."  He held up the piece of wood Melinda had just handed him. Then using both hands, he easily split it in half.  Melinda watched, wide-eyed.  "Look closely at this wood," said Dad, holding the pieces out to her.
 
Melinda looked and saw several tunnels criss-crossing through the place it had split.  "Wow!" she said.  "Those tunnels made the wood so weak, I could probably have split it myself!  What caused that?"
 
"Possibly carpenter ants," replied Dad.  "They eat away at wood until it's soft and rotten and easy to break apart."  He looked at Melinda thoughtfully.  "Ants aren't very big, but they can do a lot of damage," he continued.  "Lies are like that.  Lies 'eat away' at your strength as a Christian.  They weaken your testimony for the Lord."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your Christian testimony strong?  Or do you weaken it by telling "fibs" or so-called "little white lies" to your friends, your parents, or even to yourself?  Being honest is sometimes hard, but remember that God wants you to speak truthfully.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:9)
Lie not one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron stood in place on the race track, alert and ready to spring into action for his lap of the relay race.  When the baton was passed to him, the two teams were almost dead even.  Sprinting along the track at full speed and pushing himself to his limit, Aaron streaked ahead of  his opponent. They were a full yard apart by the end of his run.  The opposing team -- the Panthers, who had been unbeaten for four years -- never made up the difference, and the Eagles won the race.  Aaron was so excited!
 
A few weeks later, Aaron and his mother sadly arrived home from his grandfather's funeral.  "I'm sure going to miss Grandpa," said Aaron, tears filling his eyes.  "He was the best grandfather a guy could have.  I guess he was extra special to me because Dad died before I can remember."
 
"Yes," agreed Mother as Aaron picked up a picture of his grandfather and gazed at it.  "Grandpa was a good Christian example for you.  He witnessed for Christ everywhere he went, and he always gave a lot of his time and money to help others."
 
Aaron nodded.  "A lot of people will miss him," he said with a sigh, "and I don't know of anyone who can take Grandpa's place."
 
Mother smiled.  "You can take his place," she said.  Aaron looked up in surprise.  "You see, the Bible says that living the Christian life is like running a race.  In a way, it's like your relay race," explained Mother. "The Christians who have died and gone to heaven ran in their appointed time and place in life -- some running well, and some not so well."
 
"Grandpa sure ran well," said Aaron.  "I think he was one of the best runners in life."  He paused, then asked, "Am I next in the relay?"
 
"Yes," replied Mother.  "Grandpa has run his race.  In word and deed, he carried the Word of God like a baton as he ran.  I think we can say that he's passed that baton on to you.  Take it and run the very best you can -- with God's help, living for His glory."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that as a Christian, you are a runner in life's race?  Many "heroes of the faith" have run ahead of you and have gone to their reward.  In a sense, the baton has been passed on to you. What kind of race are you running?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:16)
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron burst into the kitchen after school.  "Look what I've got," he exclaimed, holding out the golden figure of a runner.  "Each of us Eagles got a trophy like this for winning our relay race last month."  He handed the trophy to his mother.
 
"It's beautiful, Aaron, and I'm very proud of you," said Mother as she gave him a hug.  Aaron beamed as she placed the trophy on a shelf.  "I hope you'll receive even more trophies from running life's race," she added, smiling at her son, "and I have a feeling you will."
 
"I didn't know I'd get trophies for that," said Aaron in surprise.
 
"Oh, yes," replied Mother.  "Trophies, or rewards, will be given in heaven for faithful service to the Lord."
 
"I bet Grandpa will get lots of rewards," said Aaron.  He was silent a few moments.  "But don't you think it's harder to live a good Christian life now than it was when Grandpa was young?" he asked.  "Kids today have temptations that Grandpa's generation didn't have -- like bad shows on TV and rock music and drugs and alcohol everywhere."
 
"That's true," agreed Mother, "but each generation has had its own temptations.  Besides, the fact that we're bombarded with all kinds of temptation doesn't excuse us for yielding to it."  She looked at Aaron's trophy on the shelf.  "Does a good athlete face any temptations?" she asked.
 
"Oh, sure," replied Aaron.  "Lots of times I'm tempted to eat too much junk food, or to stay in bed when I should get up to exercise."
 
"Or stay up too late when you should go to bed," suggested Mother.
 
"Yeah."  Aaron grinned.  "And sometimes I want to goof off with my friends instead of practicing my running."
 
"But a good athlete controls his body instead of letting it control him, right?" asked Mother.  "In your Christian race, you need to deny self and resist temptation, too.  You need to run according to God's rules -- the Bible.  And if you run well, you'll receive rewards."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you like rewards?  Now is the time to earn the reward that God will some day give out for faithful service.  You may have to make some sacrifices, but you'll be glad you did when you see Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 22:12)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

[Soldier4Christ]

Darla knocked on the door.  "Hi, Jenna!  Can you come out and play?" she asked when Jenna came to the door.
 
"Sure," replied Jenna, "but come in and meet my sitter first.  When Mom's gone all day, Mrs. Johnson usually comes.  But she had other plans today, so she recommended Glenna.  She's cool!"
 
The girls found Glenna in the family room, reading a book.  Looking up, she greeted them. "What sign are you?" she asked Darla after being introduced to her.
 
"Sign?" Darla repeated.  "I don't know."  She held her right hand out in front of her.  "A stop sign, I guess."
 
"Don't be silly," said Jenna.  "Glenna means a sign like Gemini or Libra.  You know -- signs of the stars.  Astrology."
 
"If you tell me your birth date," said Glenna, "I can look up your horoscope in this book and tell you about your personality and your future."
 
"I'm a Scorpio," Jenna told Darla.  "Glenna read my horoscope just before you came."  Then she and Glenna talked about Jenna's horoscope and what it meant.
 
"My Sunday school teacher says the only place we can learn about the future is in the Bible," argued Darla.
 
"Oh, brother!" exclaimed Glenna. "A Jesus freak."
 
Darla was uncomfortable.  "Come on, Jenna.  Let's go outside and play," she suggested.
 
"Oh, let Glenna read your horoscope first," begged Jenna.  "You don't have to take it seriously.  Make it a game.  It's fun."  But Darla refused, and the two girls finally went out to play.
 
When Darla got home, she told her mother about Glenna and the horoscopes.  "I guess it was silly of me to not even tell her when my birthday is," said Darla.
 
Mother shook her head.  "No, it wasn't.  I'm proud of you, Darla," said Mother.  "I'm glad you said you were a stop sign and that you acted like one -- you stopped Glenna from reading your horoscope.  If you're confronted with this again, be a 'U-Turn' sign.  As soon as the subject comes up, do a U-turn -- do an about-face -- and get out of there.  Things like that may seem harmless, but they're tools of the devil.  Many people are led astray by them."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your horoscope in the newspaper? That seems harmless, but it's best to not get involved in any way. Christians do not need the devil's games to tell them how to live.  Turn away from any kind of fortune telling.  Let God's Word guide you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Deuteronomy 18:14)
These . . . hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

[Soldier4Christ]

A cold ache filled Kim's heart as she got ready for school.  "No one ever talks to me at school," she told her parents that morning.  "I hate it here!  I wish we could move back to Miami."  She sighed.  "We've been here six weeks, and I still don't have one friend -- not one!"
 
Mother looked up with a smile.  "Kim, a long time ago I learned a little poem.  Listen," she said.  "I went looking for a friend, but not one could be found.  I went out to be a friend, and friends were all around."
 
Kim wiped her hands on a napkin.  "What does that mean?" she asked.
 
Mother explained gently.  "It means that you shouldn't think so much about finding a friend.  Instead, look for someone who needs a friend and be a friend to that person."
 
"The King James version of the Bible gives the same advice in Proverbs 18:24," said Dad.  "It says a person who has friends must be friendly.  Other versions don't put it exactly the same way, but they all contain lots of verses that tell us we need to show love to other people and not be so concerned about them loving us."  He stood, ready to leave for work.  "You've been feeling sorry for yourself, honey, and that's understandable.  But it's time to think about others," he said.  "Now grab your books.  I'll give you a free ride to school."
 
As Kim got out of the car when they arrived at the school, Dad encouraged her.  "Do what God says, honey -- be friendly today," he urged.  "God knows what He's talking about."
 
As Dad drove away, Kim noticed a girl going up the walk.  That looks like the girl who sits across from me in math, thought Kim.  What's her name?  Oh, yes -- Nadine.  I wonder where all her friends are.  Maybe she doesn't have any.  Maybe . . .
 
"Nadine," called Kim.  "Wait up.  Can I walk with you?"
 
As Nadine looked up, a smile spread over her face.  "You sure can. I've been here seven weeks, and you're the first person who's noticed me."
 
A warm feeling filled Kim, and it drove out the cold lonely ache.  Dad's right, she thought.  God does know what He's talking about.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel lonely?  Left out?  Do you always wait for others to speak to you first?  Instead of waiting for someone to be a friend to you, do what God says -- show love to others.  Be a friend.  Start today.  You'll find friends everywhere.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 12:31)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mrs. McGinn posted a new list of class rules today, and they're impossible," complained Greg.  "She says she's tired of everyone acting up, and she's really coming down hard on us if we break one of her rules."
 
"Well, then you better be sure you know the rules and follow them," responded Dad.
 
At school the next day, Greg's pencil point broke.  He glanced at Mrs. McGinn.  Since she wasn't looking his way, he tapped Brad on the shoulder.  "Do you have an extra pencil?" whispered Greg.
 
"Greg Harris," thundered Mrs. McGinn, "one of our rules is that you will not whisper in class.  You broke that rule, and you'll have to take the punishment.  You will stay after school for three days, starting tomorrow."
 
Greg tried to explain, but it was no use.  When he told his parents about it, Mother shook her head.  "I'm sorry that happened," she said sympathetically, "but you knew the rule, so you really can't complain."
 
After supper that evening, Dad picked up his Bible.  "Tonight let's read some of the rules God gave," he said.  Turning to Exodus 20, he read the commandments recorded there.  "These rules are just part of God's law," said Dad, "and no one could ever keep all of it perfectly.  The Bible also tells what punishments were to be given for disobeying God's rules."
 
"Are they as bad as Mrs. McGinn's?" asked Greg.
 
"Much worse -- sometimes the punishment was death," said Mother. "Sin is a terrible offense against God, and the final judgment for sin is death -- eternal death.  That's punishment in hell forever."
 
"But Jesus paid the penalty for our sin," added Dad, "so we may experience God's grace instead of the punishment we deserve.  We need to simply believe what Jesus did for us and call upon Him for forgiveness."
 
Mother nodded.  "Although God does expect us -- as Christians -- to do our best to obey Him, we don't need to fear eternal punishment.  Jesus took that punishment for us."
 
"It would be nice if someone would take my punishment from Mrs. McGinn, too," observed Greg with a wry grin.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that you have broken God's rules?  You deserve the punishment that follows disobedience, but Jesus took that punishment for you.  However, you must believe what He has done for you.  (See last page.)  It's only by accepting Jesus as Savior that you can escape the punishment for sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:1)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Are we going to invite Dee to our slumber party Friday night?" Nicole asked her friend.
 
Patti shook her head.  "No way!" she exclaimed.  "We can do without the 'teacher's pet' at our party.  Ever since Dee moved here, Miss Parker thinks she's the only one in the class."  Patti looked at the list.  "I guess we're inviting every girl in our class except Dee," she added.
 
Nicole put a finger to her lips.  "If  my folks find that out, we'll have to invite Dee, too," she said.  "Keep it quiet, will you?"  Nicole slipped the list into her desk drawer, and the girls went out to the porch.
 
"Hi, girls," Nicole's father greeted them.  "Look what I've got."
 
"Oh!" exclaimed Patti when she saw the puppy in Mr. Hill's arms.  "He's so cute!
 
"Can we keep him?" Nicole asked as she took the puppy and cuddled him under her chin.  "Can we call him Blackie?"
 
"If you like," agreed Dad.  "Do you think you can teach him proper dog manners?"  Nicole nodded eagerly.  "Okay, then we'll keep him -- if Frisky will let us, that is," said Dad.  "Let's go see."
 
When they opened the porch door to go out, a collie came bounding across the yard.  Suddenly he stopped and growled deeply.  "Come on, Frisky.  Don't act like that," coaxed Nicole.  "This puppy wants to be your friend, don't you, Blackie?"  The puppy whined, but Frisky growled again.  "Shame on you, Frisky," scolded Nicole.  Turning to her father, she asked, "Why is he being so hateful, Dad?"
 
"Because he's jealous," answered Dad.  "Frisky doesn't want you to have another pet."
 
Patti laughed and said,  "He wants to be the 'teacher's pet,' I guess."  The girls looked at each other.  Both suddenly realized that they were acting just like Frisky because they were jealous of Dee.
 
"I think the two dogs can learn to be friends," said Dad, "but you better take the puppy inside, girls."
 
The girls carried the puppy to Nicole's room.  "Here . . . take Blackie," said Nicole, handing him to Patti.  Then she pulled out the list for the party and added Dee's name.  "Guess a teacher can have more than one pet, right, Blackie?" she said.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you allowed jealousy to creep into your life?  It is ugly and cruel.  It can rob you of friends.  If you're jealous of someone, ask God to forgive you.  Then do something nice for that person.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.