Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Doesn't Justin ever quit talking?" complained Joanne.  "He's always bothering me.  I wish he'd leave me alone."  She snapped her fingers.  "I know what will fix him.  I'll give him the silent treatment!"
 
When Justin ran into the house a little later, Joanne retreated to her room.  Soon Justin banged on her door and called out to her, but she turned up the volume on her radio so she couldn't hear what he said.  After several attempts to get her attention, Justin gave up and walked away.
 
As Joanne was watching TV later, Justin began to tell her something, but Joanne covered her ears with both her hands and began to hum.  I'll teach him, she thought.  All afternoon, she refused to hear anything he said.
 
At dinnertime, Joanne went to the kitchen.  She noticed that Justin had changed clothes.  "Are you going somewhere, Justin?" asked Dad, who had just arrived home.
 
Justin nodded. "I'm going on a pizza and skating outing with Bob King and his family," he said.  "They have some discount tickets."
 
"That sounds like fun," said Dad.  He looked at Joanne.  "You're not going?" he asked.
 
"I wasn't invited," Joanne answered crossly.
 
"You were, too!" said Justin as the Kings' car turned into the driveway.  "I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen."
 
"Oh, no!" wailed Joanne, but it was too late for her to get ready to go along.
 
Later that evening, Joanne approached her parents.  "Can you help me with an assignment our Sunday school department is doing?" she asked. "We'll be having some lessons on prayer, and our superintendent is going to bring a treat for everybody who turns in a short essay on the subject.  There's a prize for the best paper from each grade, too.  But I don't know what to write."
 
"Hmmm," murmured Dad.  "Well, maybe you could talk about the importance of prayer.  You could tell about how you missed out on some fun today by refusing to communicate with your brother.  Then remind your readers that we all lose out on blessings when we fail to communicate with the Lord.  We sometimes give Him the silent treatment."
 
"I'm afraid you're right," agreed Mom.  "When we do that, I believe He is grieved, and it certainly hurts us as well."
 
Dad nodded.  "We need to keep open communication with Him and not try to work things out all on our own," he said.  "He wants us to talk with Him about everything."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you talk to God about your problems?  Do you ask Him to help you find the best way to solve them?  Don't give God the silent treatment and try to work things out in your own way.  He wants to help you.  Talk to the Lord about everything.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 2:
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Michelle carefully counted out the money she had taken from her drawer, her sister Rachel watched from a comfortable spot on the bed.  The girls had decided to pool their money and get their mother a special gift for Mother's Day.   "We should go around the neighborhood and ask if there are any odd jobs we can do," said Michelle.  "Then we just might make enough money to get Mom that Bible we looked at."
 
"Mrs. Stowe is always looking for someone to mow her lawn.  Let's try her house," suggested Rachel eagerly.
 
Soon the girls were mowing and raking Mrs. Stowe's yard.  It was a very hot day, and they were wet with sweat by the time they finished. Wiping her forehead, Michelle gratefully took the money Mrs. Stowe gave them.  She put it in her pocket.  "I'd give anything for a nice, cold bottle of pop right now," she said as they started down the street.
 
"That would taste great," agreed Rachel.
 
Just then the "Mr. Jiffy" truck came around the corner, music playing merrily.  "Ice cold pop," called out the driver.  "Get your ice cold pop!"
 
Michelle and Rachel looked at each other.  "Oh, this is so tempting, Rachel.  What should we do?" asked Michelle.
 
"Run!" shouted Rachel.
 
And they ran.  They ran in the direction of their home to get a glass of cold water before looking for more work.
 
Later that day, they counted their earnings.  Michelle turned and grinned at Rachel.  "We have just enough to get that Bible," she said happily.  "Good thing we didn't spend any on pop."
 
Rachel nodded.  "My Sunday school teacher says the best way to keep from giving in to any temptation is to run from it," she said.  "I'm glad we did that.  It worked!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes find it hard to overcome temptation?  When you're tempted to cheat, lie, disobey, try drugs, be unkind -- or commit any sin -- remember that God always provides a way for you to escape.  But you have to do your part, too.  Often that involves getting out of a situation that could bring about defeat.  In fact, you should run from that situation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 2:22)
Flee also youthful lusts.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Grandpa," said Alex as he came out onto the terrace.  His grandfather was watering pink and white impatiens in a flower box.
 
"Hi, yourself," replied the elderly man.  "Have you adjusted yet to being back in your father's old home town?"
 
Alex put his book bag down before he answered.  "No," he said, "not really.  I'm still praying every night that Dad will get transferred back to Oceanview.  I miss swimming in the ocean and playing tennis every day."
 
"We do have swimming and tennis here, you know," said Grandpa as he watered the plants in a large terrace urn.
 
"That's what Sam said -- he's in my Sunday school class," replied Alex.  "We went to the only place to swim around here, the city pool.  It was so crowded -- it  was no fun at all!  And Sam says it's mostly girls who play tennis in this town.  He says the boys play baseball and basketball."
 
"Sounds like you need to adjust," observed Grandpa.
 
Alex frowned.  "I don't want to, " he said stubbornly.
 
"I didn't either," sympathized Grandpa.  "Do you remember the garden I had before I moved to this small apartment?" he asked.  Alex nodded, and  Grandpa continued.  "When I first moved here, I tried to grow the same flowers on this north side terrace as I had grown in my big sunny garden.  Most of them either died or grew spindly and didn't bloom."
 
"Your flowers look okay to me," said Alex, walking around and looking at the various flower boxes and urns.
 
"That's because I adjusted to the circumstances and planted flowers that bloom in the shade," explained Grandpa.  He sat down on a patio chair.  "I learned that God has more than one kind of beautiful flower."
 
"Are you saying that I should adjust to this town by taking up baseball and basketball?" asked Alex.
 
"I've learned to like impatiens and begonias," said Grandpa simply.  "I think you should continue with your swimming and tennis, but it would be good to learn that God supplies other forms of enjoyable recreation, too."
 
Alex was thoughtful as he headed home.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have to adjust to a new Sunday school class, a new home, school, or family member?  If you see only the bad things about your new situation, you'll miss out on the good things God has for you.  Don't sit back and pout.  Instead, ask God to help you adjust.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:11)
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rick peered sadly through the steaming window.  His grandfather had said, "See you at eight sharp Saturday morning, Rick -- that is, if it doesn't rain."  But it was raining, so now the whole boring day stretched ahead with nothing to do.  A man's voice coming from the kitchen radio caught Rick's attention. "We know that when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is," the man was saying.  Rick's thoughts lingered on that last phrase -- "as He is."
 
What does that mean? wondered Rick.  I wonder what Jesus really does look like.  Was He tall?  Or short?  Did He really have long hair like the pictures in books?  I wish somebody who knew Him had written a description.  I bet He probably smiled a lot, and maybe His eyes twinkled like Grandpa's.
 
The sound of the phone ringing caused Rick to jump.  "It's for you, Rick," called Mother from the kitchen.
 
When Rick heard his grandfather's cheerful voice, he knew Grandpa was smiling.  Grandpa was calling from ten miles away, but Rick could easily imagine how he looked -- and he liked it that everybody said he looked like his grandfather.  "Hi, Rick," said Grandpa.  "What do you think of the weather?"
 
"Not much," replied Rick.  "It's raining."
 
"Well, don't worry.  I've got another idea.  Can you be ready soon?" asked Grandpa.
 
"I'm ready now!" exclaimed Rick. 
 
As Rick replaced the phone, the voice on the radio caught his attention again.  "Our hope lies in the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. We shall not only see Him but we shall be like Him. . . ."  It's nice to look like Grandpa, thought Rick, but it would be even better for people to say I'm like him, because he's such a nice person.  And it will be even better yet to be like Jesus because then I'll be perfect, like He is.  Rick smiled to himself.  He was imagining what his sister would say about that idea.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wish you could actually see Jesus?  If you know Him as Savior, you will some day not only see Him; you'll be like Him, too.  You'll be free from sin.  You'll have a glorified body -- a special body -- a body that will never suffer anymore or die.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 3:2)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and . . .we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brad was enjoying a Saturday hike with his father.  As they came to the entrance of a tunnel that went under a road, Brad called out, "Hello in there.  Hello!"
 
"Hello," repeated an echo.  "Hello. . . ."
 
"I'm Brad," shouted Brad.  "I'm Brad."
 
"Brad. . . ." his voice echoed back.
 
Soon they were through the tunnel and heading across the next open field.  "Hello there," yelled Brad once again, but there was no answering echo.  "Why was there an echo in the tunnel, but not out here?" Brad asked.
 
Dad smiled.  "When sound waves hit the hard walls of the tunnel, they bounce back as an echo," he explained.  "Out here in this open space, there aren't any obstacles like that, so the sound keeps going."
 
After a good hike, Brad and Dad headed home.  "I hope Lisa and Ellen are gone somewhere by the time we get home," Brad told his dad. "All they ever do is giggle and scream."
 
"I recall that they have complaints about you, too -- they say you pick on them all the time," observed Dad.  "I think all of you should try harder to get along with each other."
 
"C'mon, Dad," protested Brad.  "You know what a pain sisters can be.  You had three sisters."
 
"Yes," agreed Dad, "I did, but I'm afraid they'd tell you what a pain brothers can be.  Anyway, God says we're to love others and live at peace with them.  That includes sisters."
 
"I've heard that enough," said Brad.  "I hear it at home, in Sunday school, in Bible club -- love others and be kind."
 
"That's good," said Dad.  "I don't think we ever hear things like that too often."  He ruffled Brad's hair.  "Remember how everything you said in the tunnel echoed back to you?" asked Dad.  "Well, when you hear what God says about the way He wants you to live, your actions should echo His words.  Don't be like an open field and allow God's message to just go off into space.  Apply God's words to your relationship with your sisters."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does your life echo the Scripture lessons you hear?  Don't let God's words drift into space.  Apply them to your everyday relationships with others.  God blesses those who obey Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:4)
Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rodney hated riding the late bus home, but since he stayed after school for track practice, it was necessary.  "Some of the guys on the bus think they're so cool," he complained when he arrived home one day.  "They're so mean to me just because they know I go to church.  I feel like punching them out!"
 
"And what would that do for your Christian testimony?" asked Mom. She gave him a hug.  "Be patient, Son, and be true to God," she said. "He'll turn it around for His purpose."
 
Rodney wasn't so sure.  "Well, I wish He'd hurry up then," he said with a sigh.
 
After supper, Rodney got up stiffly from the table.  "Are you sure you're not overdoing it with all your after-school practice?" asked Dad. "Maybe being on the team is too much for you, Son."
 
"We get really hard workouts, and I feel pretty sore," agreed Rodney.  He stretched his body, then slowly collapsed onto the couch. "But I don't mind a little aching," he added quickly.  "It's for a good cause.  Coach says we're strengthening our bodies so we'll be ready when we go against tough competition."
 
"So I guess what seems bad now will be turned around for good, right?" asked Dad.
 
"Now you sound like Mom," said Rodney.  "That's what she tells me when I complain about the problem I'm having on the late bus.  But I don't see anything good about that."
 
"I heard that!" Mom called from the kitchen.
 
Rodney and Dad grinned.  "Mom's right," said Dad.  "The hard team workouts are for a good cause, and they prepare your team for success later.  In the same way, the difficult situations we face as Christians build us up for whatever the future holds.  So when circumstances seem unbearable, think of them as being for a good cause, too.  God will eventually turn those negative experiences into something for His good --  and for yours."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get discouraged and angry when you're treated badly?  Or when seemingly bad things happen?  Trust God to turn those difficult experiences into something good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Genesis 50:20)
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Several old albums and loose pictures were scattered over the living room floor, and Sharon and Joanna were helping their mother sort them out.  "I'd like to rearrange our albums with captions above them," said Mother.  "See what you can come up with."
 
"Lifeguard blows whistle at Joanna," suggested Sharon, picking up one of the pictures.  "This was the time we were at the beach and the lifeguard yelled at Joanna, remember?"
 
"Forget that one!" exclaimed Joanna.  "But just look at these pictures of Thanksgiving dinner.  The food looks yummy!"
 
"The caption for that could say, 'Give thanks first; then eat,'" said Sharon promptly.  "You were scolded for eating before we prayed."  She picked up another photo.  "Look at this one, Joanna.  You're pouting in this snapshot," she said with a laugh.
 
"Will you quit bringing up all the bad things I've done," protested Joanna angrily.  "After all, you're not so perfect yourself."
 
"None of these pictures remind you of bad things about me," Sharon said smugly.
 
"Is that right?" challenged Mother.  She picked up two photos.  "In these I see not one, but two sinful little girls."
 
"Mom!  Those are our baby pictures," objected Sharon.  "You can't find anything bad about a baby."
 
Mother smiled.  "You look sweet enough," she agreed, "but you and your sister are the same when it comes to sin.  Every single baby is born a sinner -- no one is better than anyone else."
 
"So there!" exclaimed Joanna.
 
"Be quiet!" snapped Sharon.
 
"There's no need to argue," said Mother.  "The Bible clearly tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."
 
"Including you, Sharon," added Joanna.  She couldn't seem to keep from making that final jab.  But then she blushed as she realized her own sinful nature had shown itself again.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever think you aren't as sinful as someone else?  Sin is sin, and it cannot enter heaven.  But it can be forgiven through Jesus Christ.  Have you asked for His forgiveness?  Have you invited Him into your life?  Do so today.  (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 3:23)
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Will you come to Sunday school with me this week, Derek?" asked Jacob who was at his cousin's house for the afternoon and evening.
 
"No," muttered Derek.  "I don't like Sunday school."
 
"But how do you know you don't like it?" argued Jacob.  "You've never been there."
 
"I just know -- that's all," said Derek.  "Let's go see what's for dinner."  He led the way to the kitchen where he peered over his mother's shoulder.  "Yummy!"  Derek rubbed his stomach.  "Shrimp!"
 
Jacob frowned.  Then he was embarrassed when he realized that his aunt had noticed.  "Don't you like shrimp?" she asked.  Jacob shook his head.  "Have you ever eaten any?" asked Aunt Betty.  Again Jacob shook his head.
 
"Then how do you know you don't like it?" asked Derek.
 
Jacob shrugged.  "I just know -- that's all," he said.
 
"That's stupid!" argued Derek.  "Fried shrimp is so good!  But if you don't want any, I'll eat your share."
 
Aunt Betty smiled.  "Before you do that, I think Jacob really should try it," she said.
 
"Yeah," agreed Derek.  "Try it -- you might like it."
 
Jacob grinned.  "I'll try shrimp," he said, "if you'll try Sunday school."
 
Derek frowned.  Then he chuckled.  "Got me that time, didn't you?  Okay," he agreed.  "It's a deal.  You try shrimp.  I try Sunday school. Okay, Mom?"  His mother nodded.
 
At dinner a little later, Jacob took his first bite of shrimp. "Not bad," was his verdict.  "I think I'll have some more.  Please pass the shrimp again."
 
And the next Sunday, on the way home from church, Derek said, "Not bad.  I think I'll try it again next Sunday.  Maybe my folks will come, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you won't like church or Sunday school or Bible Club?  Then you're missing so much!  Try attending. Listen to what God says in the Bible.  You just may want to know more and more.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 34:
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I know what you mean," said Hilary as she talked on the phone with her friend Jill.  "Bible is the most boring class we have.  You'd think a Christian school would know how to make it interesting."  Hilary's mother, who was working nearby, overheard the remarks.  When Hilary finished talking and replaced the phone, Mother turned to ask her what the problem was, but she was interrupted when the phone rang again.  Hilary answered it, and this time Mother overheard some very different remarks.  "Bible class is your favorite class?" asked Hilary after she had been talking with a friend for a little while.  She listened for a few moments.  "Oh, yeah!  I love it too," she said.  "It's the greatest!"  By the time she finished talking on the phone, Mother had gone out to the garden, and the subject didn't come up again.   
 
That evening, however, Hilary received another phone call, and she seemed to have changed her mind again.  "You're right, Janet," her mother heard her say.  "Bible class can be a terrible drag."  She talked a few minutes longer, then said, "I'll ask Mom and call you right back." Hilary hung up the phone, then asked, "Mom, may I go skating with Janet's youth group tomorrow?"
 
"Sure," said Mother.  "That's a nice idea."
 
"You might fall and break your neck," teased Uncle Tom who was visiting.  "I don't think you should go."
 
"Oh!  Right," agreed Mother.  "Tell Janet you can't go, honey."
 
"Sounds like fun to me," observed Hilary's sister.  "She'll be fine."
 
"Well, okay then," said Mother.  "Go ahead, Hilary."
 
"But then I'll have to do the chores by myself," grumbled Todd, Hilary's brother.
 
"That's right," murmured Mother.  "You'd better not go, Hilary."
 
"Mom!" exclaimed Hilary.  "Every time someone gives an opinion, you change your mind.  What does it matter what they think?  Can I go or not?"
 
Mother sat down and pulled Hilary close to her.  "First I want you to see what it's like to have someone be so easily swayed by the opinions of other people.  You see, I noticed today that you seemed to change your mind about Bible class each time one of your friends voiced an opinion. That concerns me because it tells me how easily influenced you are when it comes to your convictions regarding the way to live for God.  You need to stand firm.  Don't shift just to fit in or to win the approval of other people, honey.  Don't let anyone persuade you to compromise on what's right for any reason."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you say the same things your friends say, just because you think it's what they want to hear?  Decide what you believe, based on the Word of God, and don't let that change just because you want to be accepted by others.  Stand firm for the things that please God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I hate my feet!" declared Susan.  "They're too big."
 
"Well, not everyone can have small feet," replied Christine, her older sister, "and I don't think you'd want to do what the Chinese used to do years ago -- wrap up your feet so tight that they can't grow."
 
Susan glanced at her long feet and frowned.  "Did they really do that?"
 
"Yes, they used to."  Christine nodded.  "In school this week, we read a story about a Chinese lady.  She had her feet bound when she was very young, and they hardly grew at all.  She was proud of them, but when she was older, she had to be carried to lots of places.  Her feet were too delicate to walk over rough or uneven ground."
 
"That might not be too bad," said Susan, still staring at her feet. "Maybe mine should have been bound."
 
"Well, you wouldn't be able to skate or ski . . . or even run," said Christine.  "You wouldn't like that."  She grinned at her sister.  "But you know what?" she asked.  "You can still have beautiful feet."
 
"Who?  Me?  Yeah, right!" exclaimed Susan.
 
Christine laughed.  "No, really," she said.  "Remember the Chinese lady?  Well, she found out that a small size doesn't make feet beautiful, but something else does."  Susan looked doubtful as Christine continued. "To make a long story short, the lady became a Christian.  After she got married, she and her husband became missionaries to their own people --  the Chinese."
 
"And?" prompted Susan.
 
"Don't you see?  This lady was using her feet to spread God's Word, and the Bible says that people who witness have beautiful feet," explained Christine.
 
"Where does it say that?" Susan wanted to know.
 
"Somewhere in Romans," answered Christine.  "Let's go ask Mom to help us find it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you witness for the Lord  at school, at play, or even at home?  That's what makes beautiful feet in God's sight.  God wants you to use your feet to go and tell others about His wonderful gift.  Tell someone today about Jesus and the salvation He offers.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 10:15)
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

[Soldier4Christ]

Matthew leaned against the shed door, staring up at the sky.  His friend Kyle walked over to where Matthew stood.  "What are you looking for?" asked Kyle.  "I don't see anything unusual."
 
"I'm looking for Bettina to come flying in," answered Matthew. "She's my homing pigeon," he added, seeing Kyle's puzzled look. "We've been training her with short flights ever since she was young. This will be her longest flight yet -- three hundred miles."
 
"Where's she coming from?" asked Kyle.
 
"My aunt took Bettina home with her -- to Ohio," answered Matthew. "Aunt Kate was going to release her this morning."
 
"Well, you don't expect that bird to fly three hundred miles in one day, do you?" asked Kyle.  "That's impossible."
 
Matthew shook his head.  "No, it's not," he said.  "Homing pigeons can fly fifty or sixty miles an hour.  She'll make it today. . . . Hey!" Matthew pointed to the sky.  "I bet that's her now!" he exclaimed.  Sure enough, a bird was coming closer and closer.  "She's home!  All right!"
 
Bettina floated down to her cage where a big meal and some water awaited.  Matthew looked her over as she ate.  "Good bird," he said. "You didn't even stop along the way."
 
Kyle raised his eyebrows.  "How do you know she didn't?" he asked.  "You weren't there."
 
"No, but her feet are clean -- there's no dirt or mud or bits of grass on them," replied Matthew, "so she probably didn't stop at all."
 
Just then Matthew's father came home, and the boys told him about Bettina.  "She'll be a good homer," said Matthew.  "She came in clean."
 
Dad looked thoughtful.  "You know, boys," he said, "we're sort of like homing pigeons.  As Christians, we're on our way home to heaven. We need to come in clean, too.  Do you know what I mean?"
 
"I think so, Dad," replied Matthew.  "If we mess around with the sins of the world, we'll get dirty.  Is that it?"
 
Dad nodded.  "Yes -- spiritually dirty," he said.  "When that happens, we need to quickly confess and forsake our sin.  Better yet, don't mess with sin at all.  When you're tempted to do wrong, remember Bettina."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you on your way to heaven?  If so, are you keeping clean and unspotted by the sins of the world?  Even though you're saved, sin will rob you of rewards and make you ashamed.  Confess any sin, turn from it, and ask the Lord to help you keep pure and clean.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 5:22)
Keep thyself pure.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Stephie opened her eyes one morning, she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She felt anger rise within her as it did so often lately.  Dad came home drunk again last night, she remembered, and he was yelling at Mom as usual.  Stephie reluctantly sat up in bed.  "I hate him," she muttered.  "Why does he have to drink?"  As she tiptoed quietly out of her room and down the hall, she saw her dad, asleep on the couch.  He'll be there all day, she thought with disgust as she went into the kitchen.  She found her mother there, peeling vegetables.
 
"Good morning," Mother greeted her, smiling.  "How did you sleep?"
 
"Oh . . . fair, I guess," muttered Stephie.  She shrugged, and her eyes filled with tears.  "How do you stand it, Mom?" she blurted out angrily. "How can you stand the way Dad gets drunk?"
 
Mother thought quietly for a moment.  "I used to be quite bitter about it, especially before I knew the Lord," she admitted, "but the Lord has shown me that I need to forgive.  The feelings of bitterness or resentment didn't go away quickly, however, so I learned to deal with it one day at a time."  She picked up an onion.  "If you would peel one layer at a time off an onion, some tears would come with each layer, but eventually there would be no more onion," she said.  "Dealing with bitterness is something like that.  It takes daily prayer.  It can take weeks, months, and sometimes years before it's all gone -- but you will see victory.  You need to deal with bitterness one day at a time."
 
"So you're not really over it?" asked Stephie.
 
Mother gave Sophie a hug.  "Yes, honey.  My 'onion of bitterness' is gone, but because your dad has not yet repented, I still need to forgive him each time he slips.  Now, let's you and I pray together for Dad and forgive him once again."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you angry about things that are happening to you that you cannot change?  Does that anger keep growing and growing inside you?  That's called bitterness.  You need to ask God daily to help you overcome it.  It will take time, but as you learn to trust Him --  accepting His forgiveness for you, and granting forgiveness -- you will have victory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:31)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's a nice sunny day, so how about planting those seeds Grandma sent?" suggested Mom.
 
"Great!" agreed Cathy.  "I'll go get them."  She ran to fetch the brightly-colored packet of seeds, and soon she and her mother were busily digging and burying tiny, brown seeds in the rich, dark earth.  Cathy squatted on the grass.  "I wonder if there will be flowers in heaven," she said suddenly.  Grandma, who had sent the seeds, had recently died and Cathy knew she was now in heaven.
 
Mom laughed.  "I hope so!" she said.
 
"It's hard to understand what will happen to us in heaven, isn't it, Mom?" asked Cathy.  "I know Grandma is there now, but I don't really understand it."
 
"I know," said Mom.  "I guess that's one reason why we say heaven is a mystery."
 
"But, Mom, we'll still have bodies, right?" asked Cathy.  "I know Pastor Holmes said that Grandma left her body and went to be with Jesus, but that her body would be raised up again some day."
 
"That's right," agreed Mom.  "The Bible says that when our bodies are raised, they'll be glorious, heavenly bodies."
 
"But how can that be?" asked Cathy.  "I think of how crippled and sick Grandma was, and I wouldn't think she'd even want that old body back.  It just doesn't seem possible that it could ever become something so wonderful."
 
Mom thought a moment, then smiled.  "Cathy, do you really think those seeds you're planting will grow into flowers?" she asked.
 
Cathy looked at her mother in astonishment.  "Why wouldn't they?"
 
"How can they, Cathy?" asked Mom.  "Look . . . they're ugly, little seeds.  They don't look at all like the flowers in this picture."  She pointed to the picture on the flower packet -- a glorious mass of red, orange, and yellow flowers.  "You don't really think those seeds can turn into something as beautiful and as different as this, do you?"
 
"Mom!  You're kidding!  Of course they can!" exclaimed Cathy.
 
Mom smiled again.  "Yes, Cathy, I am kidding," she said.  "I want you to see that, just like seeds are changed into the flowers that are so different from them, we can be transformed by God into something very different from what we are now.  We can look forward to seeing Grandma in her glorious, heavenly body, and we can look forward to having a body like that ourselves some day."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder -- even worry -- about what heaven will be like?  Do you find it hard to believe that God will give you a perfect, heavenly body?  Think of how God makes plants of all shapes and sizes and colors grow out of small, uninteresting-looking seeds.  Surely He will work even greater miracles with His children whom He loves.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There i

[Soldier4Christ]

Judy's black and white kitten dug his claws into the leg of Judy's blue jeans.  She shook him off and started loading the dishwasher.  "Meow," protested the kitten.
 
"What do you want, Buster?" asked Judy.  Buster bounced to the closed door of the kitchen and scratched at it.  "Are you ready to go outside?" asked Judy.  The kitten meowed again and -- according to Judy -- smiled.  "You said, 'Uh-huh,' didn't you?" asked Judy.  "I'll open the door for you as soon as I finish putting the dishes in the dishwasher."  But Buster didn't like to wait.  He attached himself to the leg of Judy's jeans again. "Ouch!" exclaimed Judy.  "You quit that!"
 
Buster trotted back and forth between Judy and the door.  Finally, he stationed himself at the door and looked at Judy with enormous green eyes.  "You're my person," he seemed to say.  "Why don't you tend to me -- right now?"
 
Once more the kitten started toward Judy.  "You win, Buster," said Judy with a laugh.  "I'll open the door for you."  She dried her hands and walked to the door with Buster at her heels.  When she opened the door, he bounded outside and made a beeline for his favorite spot in the sunshine.  He rolled over and over, cleaning his fur with sand.
 
"Buster is pretty smart," Judy told her mother as she finished loading the dishwasher.  "He knows the door won't open until he comes to me and gets me to open it for him."
 
Mother smiled.  "So the way to the outside is through you.  In other words, you're the 'door' for him," she said.  Judy nodded, and Mother continued.  "That's an illustration of how Jesus is the 'door' to God and heaven.  As we trust in Him, it's as though He opens the door to heaven for us."
 
Judy and her mother laughed together as they watched Buster jump around on the grass, having the time of his life.  "Buster's a lot of fun for me," said Judy, "and now he's been my teacher, too."
 
"Yes," agreed Mother.  "Be sure to thank God for that pesky kitten."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you learned that you can come to God the Father only through God the Son -- Jesus?  He's the "door" by whom you  receive salvation.  If you haven't come to God through Jesus, do so today. (See last page.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:9)
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ruthe sat on her bed and looked at her mother.  "I wish I could just stay home and hide in my room," she said.  "I'm still scared."  There had been some violence at her school a few days before, and the children were going back for the first time. Ruthe slowly got up and went to the window. Looking out, she noticed a little dove all alone on the grass.  It rested peacefully until two large pigeons landed nearby.  The young dove began cooing loudly in alarm.  Ruthe frowned.  "If only that little dove had stayed in its nest, it would be safe," she said to her mom, who was standing behind her.  But before Mom could answer, the mother dove appeared and the curious pigeons flew away.  "Wow!  I'm glad the little dove wasn't left alone for long in this scary world," said Ruthe.
 
Mom gently turned Ruthe around.  "Honey, that little dove was never really left alone," she said.  "Its mother was always watching."
 
Ruthe sighed.  "Well, I wish you or Dad could go wherever I go and watch and protect me all the time," she said.
 
"We can't do that," said Mom, "but someone can -- and does -- watch over you all of the time. You're God's child, and He is constantly caring for you.  He loves you and He'll protect you -- and He'll do a much better job of it than Dad and I could do!"
 
"But we can't be sure He'll keep us safe, can we?" asked Ruthe.  "I mean . . . sometimes Christians get hurt, too."
 
"That's true," acknowledged Mom, "but you can trust God to allow only what is good for you.  Remember that no matter where you go, you're in God's sight.  When you're in school, He sees you.  When you play outside, He is with you there.  Even when you sleep, God is watching over you, and nothing can happen that He does not permit.  As our pastor sometimes says, everything that happens is 'Father-filtered.'"
 
Ruthe thought about what Mom was saying.  "So since God is my Father and He's protecting me, I don't need to be afraid anymore, even though the world is such a scary place," she said.
 
Mom nodded.  "God is watching over you at every moment," she said.  "Trust Him, honey.  He'll take care of you."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you live in fear because of the terrible things that happen in the world?  Are you afraid to leave your house?  If you're a child of God, you don't need to live in fear and dread.  You're never out of God's sight, and He'll never be unfaithful.  Trust Him with your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 34:15)
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.