Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

The plane trip to southern Africa had been exciting, and the train trip up to Zimbabwe had been interesting.  However, the thing Kate had looked forward to most was traveling by car through the game reserve.  Now the time had finally arrived, and she could view wild animals in their natural habitat.  But Kate's excitement was rapidly fading and being replaced by frustration.
 
"There's a spring-bok!" said their guide, pointing out the window.
 
"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Dad.  "And there's another one next to it."
 
"Where?" wailed Kate, straining to look in the direction he had indicated.  "I don't see them."  She plopped back in her seat.  "Why am I the only one who can't spot any animals even after someone tells me where to look?" she asked tearfully.  She felt a little guilty about complaining so much, but she was so disappointed that she wanted to cry.
 
"It's just that they blend so well with the trees and grasses,"  said Mom, "but I'm sure you'll learn to spot the animals soon."
 
"I don't know," moaned Kate.  "If I had to depend on finding spring-bok for my meals, I think I'd starve to death."  She managed a weak smile.
 
Dad grinned at her.  "God gave wild animals effective camouflage, didn't He?" he asked.  "That's just the opposite of the way He made us."
 
Kate rolled her eyes.  "Please, Dad," she said with a laugh, "no riddles right now.  My head is already hurting."
 
"I think Dad is talking about Christians," suggested Mom.  "Right?"
 
"You are right," replied Dad.  "God doesn't intend for Christians to lead camouflaged lives.  He wants to shine His light, His love, and His good news through us to the world.  He wants others to easily see Jesus by the way we live and talk."
 
Kate stared into the distance.  She was thinking of her Uncle Ron. They would be spending the following week at his home, and Kate knew that Uncle Ron had never made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  She didn't want to camouflage her Christianity in any way.  She truly wanted Uncle Ron to see Jesus in her.
 
Just then Kate saw a flicker of movement near a tree.  She focused all her attention on the spot and finally distinguished a shape.  "I see a giraffe -- no, a whole bunch of giraffes -- in those trees over there!"  Kate beamed triumphantly.  "Finally!" she said, with a relieved sigh.  Looking at her dad, she added, "And I do hope people -- especially Uncle Ron -- won't have as much trouble seeing Jesus when they look at me."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your actions, words, and attitudes make it easy for others to see Jesus living in you?  Those who are living in the darkness of this world desperately need to see the light of God shining out from His people.  Don't be ashamed of God and the Gospel.  Ask Him to use your life to show His love and light to those around you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 1:16)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim sat on the back steps, deep in thought.  He didn't know what to do about Mark's birthday party.  Most of the other kids were all excited when Mark announced, "At midnight, we're going to watch a cool horror video!"  Tim had just sat there and said nothing.  He knew they'd all call him a wimp if they could have seen what he was thinking, but he really didn't want to watch a horror film.
 
Pastor Jed, the youth director at Tim's church, had recently talked about such things.  Tim recalled Pastor Jed's words.  "Horror movies may sound like fun in a scary sort of way, but there's a real danger in watching them.  They could cause nervousness or nightmares for some kids.  Worse still, they could harden you and make you insensitive to suffering and fear. They also appear to be a factor in some of the horrible crimes that are committed."  Pastor Jed had looked thoughtfully at the youth group.  "I know you don't think such things could happen to you, but your eyes and ears are like doorways to your mind," he added.  "It isn't worth the risk."
 
As Tim remembered those words, he noticed a large spider web on his mom's rose trellis.  The web was a masterpiece of construction and glistened in the sun.  As Tim watched, it suddenly began moving -- a housefly was caught by a sticky strand at the very edge of the web.  The motion of the trapped insect set up a tiny vibration across the connecting network, and Tim watched in fascination as a fat, brown spider picked up the signal and came scurrying out.  In no time, the fly was snugly imprisoned in a cocoon of sticky bands.
 
The words of an old nursery rhyme popped into Tim's head.  "Come into my parlor," said the spider to the fly.  Tim grinned.  That old fly didn't even know he was in danger, he thought.  Or maybe he was just plain stupid.
 
"Well, it's a sure thing that I'm not ignorant of the dangers at Mark's party," Tim told the spider who was waiting for its next victim.  "In fact, I'm not going to be stupid either.  Wimp or no, I'm not going."  Feeling better after having made his decision, Tim went to phone Mark.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about what you allow to enter your mind through your eyes and ears?  Don't let Satan deceive you.  Ask God to help you keep your mind clean and pure.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:22)
The light of the body is the eye if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

[Soldier4Christ]

"C'mon Fritz," Gretchen called to her dog.  "Let's run outside." When she opened the back door, Fritz raced out into the fenced yard. Then he ran back to Gretchen.  He jumped up playfully before racing through the yard once again.  Finally, he stopped near his favorite bush and sniffed the ground.  "Come and play," called Gretchen, picking up a ball.  Fritz continued to sniff out the area.  He dug into the ground with his front paws and nose.  "Quit digging and come play," Gretchen called again.  She walked toward the dog and saw that he had uncovered a bone.  Fritz lay down, contentedly chewing on the bone.  "Silly dog," said Gretchen.  She sat on the ground beside him and stroked his back.
 
A short time later, they went back inside.  "Fritz dug up a bone and played with it a while, and then he buried it again," Gretchen told her mother.  "Why do dogs bury bones?"
 
"I don't really know," replied Mother.
 
"Well, you're very silly, Fritz," Gretchen told her pet.  "When I have something nice, I don't hide it."
 
"Are you sure of that?" asked Mother.  "I know of one thing you take out and use for your own pleasure, and then you hide it away when you're done -- something like Fritz does."
 
"I hide something away?" asked Gretchen.  She frowned.  "What do I hide away?  I can't think of anything."
 
"I'm talking about your musical gift from God -- your ability to play the flute so well," said Mother.  "Mr. Dunbar told me he'd like you to play a solo in church on youth night, but that you refused again."
 
Gretchen's face felt flushed and warm.  "Oh, Mom!  That's different from what I meant about Fritz," she protested.
 
"It is different," agreed Mother.  "A dog's bone is not going to bless other people the way music from your flute could.   We gave Fritz the bone for his pleasure and to strengthen his teeth.  But God gives Christians talents and abilities to be used in serving and glorifying Him. Honey, you're hiding something that God wants you to share."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a talent or ability that is "buried" and hidden so no one can see it?  God gives gifts to be used for His glory. When you honor Him with your talents, He will honor you in return. Don't hide your talents.  Use them to bless others -- use them for God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 8:16)
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Andrea makes me so mad," declared Leslie. "When we're playing, she never listens to any suggestions other kids make.  And she always whispers in class.  I wish she'd be still for once!"
 
"Well, just be sure you don't allow anyone to keep you from listening when your teacher is speaking," advised Mother.  "Listening is your responsibility."
 
After dinner, it was Leslie's turn to read a selection for family devotions.  She hurried through the Bible verses before offering a quick prayer.  "Does anyone have any comments?" she asked, sitting on the edge of her chair.  "If not, I have a phone call to make."
 
"Yes," said Dad, "I have a note of praise to share.  This morning, I read Ephesians 4:32 and realized that the Lord was telling me to forgive a man at work for something he had said about me.  I prayed about it, and then when I saw the man, I told him I'd like to forget about what happened in the past and go on from here.  It was hard to do, but I feel so much better now.  I'm thankful to the Lord for gently speaking to my heart about that matter and helping me make things right."
 
"How does God speak to you?" asked Leslie.  "He never speaks to me like that."
 
"Could it be you don't take time to listen?" asked Dad.
 
"I listen," protested Leslie.  "My teacher says I'm one of her best listeners."
 
"You may be a good listener at school," Mom told her, "but do you really listen for what God wants to tell you?"
 
"Take this evening, for instance," said Dad.  "I couldn't help but notice that you raced through the Bible reading and prayer.  It helps to meditate on what you read -- to carefully think about it, honey -- if you want to hear God speak through it.  Then ask God to help you know how and where you need to apply it to your life."
 
"Remember how you wished your friend Andrea could be still for one minute?" asked Mom.  "I think God would like you to be still and listen to Him, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a good listener when others are talking? How about when God is "talking"?  He often speaks through His Word, the Bible.  Read it and meditate (think) on what it says.  Ask Him to help you listen for what He wants you to do or say.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 46:10)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rose and her brother Chad lay in the grass, looking up at the clouds. Rose saw one that looked like a ship, and Chad saw one that reminded him of an elephant without a trunk.  "I'd love to walk on a cloud -- or ride on one," said Rose a little later as they went into the house for supper.
 
"Me, too," agreed Chad.  Hearing the telephone ring, he raced to answer it.  "Mom, it's Bruce," he called a moment later.  "Can I go to the Westside Arcade to play video games after supper?"
 
"I don't think that's a good idea," replied Mom.  "You know that a lot of drugs are circulating there at night."
 
"But, Mom," protested Chad, "we won't do anything wrong."
 
"The answer is still no," said Mom firmly.
 
"That's not a place where a Christian should be," added Dad.
 
Chad moped around most of the evening.  "Parents never want kids to have fun," he complained to his sister.  "You'd think they'd remember what it was like to be kids."
 
As the family drove home after visiting Grandpa and Grandma King the next day, they crept along slowly through an unusually thick fog.  Rose shivered.  "I hope we don't go off the road," she said.  "I don't like this."
 
"Just yesterday I heard you kids wishing you could walk on clouds," said Mom, "and that's sort of what we're doing.  Fog is like a cloud in contact with the ground -- but we're more in it than on it."
 
"Well, this cloud is no fun at all," said Chad, noticing how Dad had to concentrate on the driving.  "It's dangerous."
 
"So even though some things look like fun from a distance, being involved in them can be really dangerous, right?" asked Mom.  "That's a good thing to remember."
 
"It reminds me of what happened last night," said Dad.  "The idea of going to the arcade sounded like fun, but being in that atmosphere would have been much more dangerous than being in this cloud.  You would have had to fight off a lot of temptation.  I know.  I was a kid once."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry when you aren't allowed to do some things you think would be fun?  Be aware that some "fun" things can lead to sin.  Ask God to keep you alert to such dangers and to help you avoid them.  Be thankful for parents and others who care for your welfare.  And yes . . . they do remember how it was to be a kid.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:14-15)
Enter not into the path of the wicked . . . Avoid it . . . turn from it, and pass away.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Whatever happened to Matt Dickson?" asked Laura as she worked with her brother in the garden.  "Why doesn't he come to our youth group with you anymore?"
 
"I don't know," replied Peter.  He settled back on his heels.  "Matt seemed to fall apart when his parents got divorced.  He started hanging around with the wrong crowd and didn't have time for church anymore."
 
"He is a Christian, isn't he?" asked Laura.
 
"Yeah, I think so, but you sure can't tell it now."  Peter started to pull weeds again.  "Kinda disgusting, isn't it?  Sometimes I feel like telling him a thing or two."
 
"Watch what you're doing!" exclaimed Laura.  "That's one of Mom's lavender plants you're trying to pull up."
 
"Whatever it is, it's dead," said Peter, " and stuck.  I can't get it out."
 
Laura knelt beside him.  "Look.  It's not really dead.  There's a little green on it down here."  She pointed to the green spot.  "And it's stuck because lavender plants put their roots down really deep."
 
"Well, if it isn't dead, I'd like to know why it looks like this," responded Peter.
 
Laura shrugged.  "It just had a hard winter, I guess.  Some of Mom's plants weathered the winter just fine, but that one had a tougher time for some reason.  We'll just have to take special care of it now."
 
Peter sat and stared at the lavender plant for a long time.   Finally Laura nudged him.  "Hey, get back to work."
 
"I was just thinking," Peter said slowly, "that maybe Matt is like the lavender plant.  He's had a rough time lately, so maybe I should be taking special care of him."
 
"I think you're right," agreed Laura.  "Instead of judging him, you should pray for him -- and I should, too."
 
"And I'll be sure to include him in things at church," said Peter.  He jumped up.  "In fact, I'm going to call him right now and invite him to come with me to our youth group this week."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a friend who seems to have forgotten the Lord?  Are you praying for that person?  Are you encouraging him to come to church activities?  Are you loving him like Jesus would?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sit, Rex!  Sit!"  Rex sat, and Jenny gave the big black dog a pat on his head.  "Good boy!" she said.  "Here's a treat for obeying."  She gave Rex a dog biscuit.
 
"Rex is doing well," called Dad from the porch as he watched Jenny work with Rex in the back yard.  "He's learning to obey you."
 
Jenny grinned and nodded.  "Stay," she said firmly to the dog. "Stay."  Jenny walked away from the dog just as her cousin Brian came up the walk.
 
"Hi, Rex," called Brian.  He patted his knee.  "Come here, boy. C'mon, Rex," he coaxed.  "Come here!"
 
Rex perked up his ears and looked at Brian.  Then he looked back at Jenny and whined, but he stayed where he was.  "Good boy," called Jenny as she went back to him to give him another dog treat.
 
"Rex reminds me of the Hebrew midwives we read about during devotions last night," said Dad.
 
Brian laughed.  "What on earth do you mean by that?"
 
"We read about two women named Shiphrah and Puah," explained Dad.  (See today's Scripture reading.)  "The king told these Hebrew midwives to kill all the boy babies born to the Israelites.  But they knew it was better to obey God than man, so they decided not to do it.  Because of that, God blessed them."
 
"I get it," said Jenny.  She put her arm around Rex as he lay beside her on the grass.  "Rex had to disobey Brian in order to obey me, but he did it and I gave him a treat.  And those women had to disobey the king in order to obey God, but they did it and God blessed them."
 
"Yes, he did," said Dad, giving Rex a pat on the head.  "We must always obey our master.  In Rex's case, his master -- or mistress -- is Jenny.  As Christians, our master is God.  If we obey God, He will bless us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you steal if your friends encouraged you to do so?  Would you cheat on a test because your friend wanted the answers?  Or do you obey God rather than people?  When you're tempted to sin, ask God to give you strength to obey Him.  Then do it -- He'll bless you for it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 5:29)
We ought to obey God rather than men.

[Soldier4Christ]

Candy took the pill that Mother handed her.  "My throat isn't hurting anymore," she said.  "Why do I have to keep taking this medicine?"
 
"Dr. Banks said to take all of those antibiotic pills," said Mother. "He said that if you quit too soon, your sore throat might come back."
 
Later that afternoon, Candy stubbed her toe.  "Ouch!" she exclaimed loudly.  Then some crude, nasty words slipped out of her mouth.  Her little sister, who heard her, wasted no time in telling Mother.
 
"Candy!" exclaimed Mother.  "I'm disappointed!  You've had trouble in this area before, and now I'm wondering if you still remember the Bible verse you were going to recite to yourself whenever you were tempted to say nasty words?"
 
Candy looked ashamed.  "Psalm 19:14.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord," she murmured.  "I know the verse, but I don't say it much anymore," she admitted with a sigh.  "I used to practice it over and over in my mind, but lately I haven't needed it -- at least I thought I didn't."
 
Mother shook her head.  "Looks like you quit taking your antibiotic too soon," she said.
 
"My antibiotic!" exclaimed Cathy.  "I took one of those pills just a little while ago.  Don't you remember?"
 
"I meant your spiritual 'antibiotic' -- your Scripture verse," explained Mother.  "You see, even after your throat starts feeling better, you still need the antibiotic to control the germs that remain there.  In a similar way, you still need to rely on the Word of God to help you fight against your habit of using bad language."
 
Candy nodded slowly.  "So even though I seem to be doing better, I still need to use my Bible verse to keep from having a relapse."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "One or more doses of Scripture a day can help you fight against temptation.  Of course, just reciting the verse doesn't magically keep you from saying such things.  You need to really think about what God says and ask Him to help you overcome the temptation."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you fill your heart and mind with God's Word and ask Him to help you stand against temptation?  Even when things are going well, you need to read and study your Bible.  Following its teaching will keep you from sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:133)
Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Candy took the pill that Mother handed her.  "My throat isn't hurting anymore," she said.  "Why do I have to keep taking this medicine?"
 
"Dr. Banks said to take all of those antibiotic pills," said Mother. "He said that if you quit too soon, your sore throat might come back."
 
Later that afternoon, Candy stubbed her toe.  "Ouch!" she exclaimed loudly.  Then some crude, nasty words slipped out of her mouth.  Her little sister, who heard her, wasted no time in telling Mother.
 
"Candy!" exclaimed Mother.  "I'm disappointed!  You've had trouble in this area before, and now I'm wondering if you still remember the Bible verse you were going to recite to yourself whenever you were tempted to say nasty words?"
 
Candy looked ashamed.  "Psalm 19:14.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord," she murmured.  "I know the verse, but I don't say it much anymore," she admitted with a sigh.  "I used to practice it over and over in my mind, but lately I haven't needed it -- at least I thought I didn't."
 
Mother shook her head.  "Looks like you quit taking your antibiotic too soon," she said.
 
"My antibiotic!" exclaimed Cathy.  "I took one of those pills just a little while ago.  Don't you remember?"
 
"I meant your spiritual 'antibiotic' -- your Scripture verse," explained Mother.  "You see, even after your throat starts feeling better, you still need the antibiotic to control the germs that remain there.  In a similar way, you still need to rely on the Word of God to help you fight against your habit of using bad language."
 
Candy nodded slowly.  "So even though I seem to be doing better, I still need to use my Bible verse to keep from having a relapse."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "One or more doses of Scripture a day can help you fight against temptation.  Of course, just reciting the verse doesn't magically keep you from saying such things.  You need to really think about what God says and ask Him to help you overcome the temptation."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you fill your heart and mind with God's Word and ask Him to help you stand against temptation?  Even when things are going well, you need to read and study your Bible.  Following its teaching will keep you from sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:133)
Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hurry up!  The tide is coming in," warned Scott.  "One big wave, and your castle will be washed away."
 
"Help me build up a wall around it," said Michelle, handing her brother a pail and shovel.  Water washed around her feet and then went back toward the ocean, just missing the castle.
 
"I told you to build it farther from the water," said Scott as he added a pailful of damp sand to the wall. 
 
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Michelle as another wave of water came up fast. There was no time to protect the castle.  A big chunk from the front side washed back into the sea.  "My shovel!" called Michelle.  She chased after it into the water.
 
"A wash out!" declared Scott.  "That castle is history."  Michelle's lip trembled as she stood looking at the destroyed masterpiece.  "Your castle looked awesome, but it was built in a place where it couldn't stand up against a flood," added Scott.  He grinned.  "Cheer up!  At least you gave us a good example of what Jesus was talking about when He told the story of the foolish man and the wise man and the houses they built."  He started singing:  "The foolish man built his house upon the sand. . . ."   At first Michelle continued to look mournful, but then she grinned, and joined in to finish the song.
 
Mother smiled as she listened. "And how do you get Jesus to be the foundation upon which to build your life?" she asked them.
 
"That's easy," said Scott.  "You admit that you're a sinner and trust Jesus to save you.  When you do that, He becomes the foundation for your life."
 
Mother nodded.  "And then how do you build on that foundation?" she asked.
 
"I know," said Michelle.  "You build on it by obeying God's Word and serving Him.  When you do that, your 'building' will last."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you building your life on Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock?  Have you accepted Him as your Savior (see last page)?  Trust Him as Savior, and then think about the truth of this little poem:  "Only one life, 'twill soon be past.  Only what's done for Christ will last."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 3:11)
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kim lay on her bed in the dark, thinking about Uncle Dale.  He was in the hospital, possibly dying.  "Judy," she whispered, "are you asleep?"
 
"No," came the answer from the other bed.  "I wish Mom and Dad would get home from the hospital."
 
"Dad said the driver of the other car was drunk."  Kim's voice broke. She sobbed softly.  "How dare that man drink and drive!  Now Uncle Dale might be dying, and the other man is walking around perfectly okay."
 
When their parents finally arrived home, the girls were still awake. Dad came and knelt between their beds. "First," he said, "I want you to know that Uncle Dale is doing a little better.  And I met the driver of the other car tonight.  He's very sorry and upset."
 
"Well, he should be," stormed Judy.  "That man should be put in jail -- forever!"
 
"He may have to go to jail," said Dad.  Taking Judy's hand in his, he added, "He said that he's a Christian, but . . ."
 
"I don't believe that!" interrupted Kim.
 
"Well, I don't know, but he said his friends talked him into drinking tonight," Dad explained.  "He could have chosen not to, but he didn't. Now he's very sorry, but he can't take back what happened.  He knows he deserves to be punished."
 
"But no Christian would do what he did," protested Kim.
 
"Christians do sin," Dad reminded her.  "And people are affected by it whether we like to think so or not."
 
"I guess that's true," admitted Judy.  "I remember that my friend Sally wouldn't come to Sunday school with us for a long time because she said Christians weren't any different from other people anyway.  She knew that some of the Christian kids lied and cheated on tests and did stuff like that just as much as she did."
 
Dad nodded.  "No matter what our sin is, it does affect others," he said.  "Always remember that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think your sin isn't hurting anyone? Every sin you commit affects others.  Things like alcohol, drugs, gambling, and robbery have ruined whole families.  But things like so-called "white" lies, cheating, and unfriendliness have caused deep hurts, too.  Just one sin could hurt your testimony and make it difficult for someone else to accept Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:7)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kim and Judy were visiting Uncle Dale in the hospital.  As they were playing a board game the girls had brought along, a man entered the room. "Hi, Joe," said Uncle Dale cheerfully.
 
"Hello," Joe replied.
 
"Kim, Jody -- meet Joe Turner."  Uncle Dale introduced his nieces to the new visitor.  "Joe comes to see me every day, and we have a Bible study," he explained to the girls.
 
"Don't let me interrupt you," said Joe.  "I have some errands to run.  I'll come back in a little while."
 
"That will be fine," said Uncle Dale.  "Don't forget."
 
"No chance," replied Joe as he left.
 
The girls were silent for a while.  "Joe is the man who caused your accident, isn't he?" asked Kim at last.  "Why are you friends with him? It's his fault you can't walk."
 
"I was angry right after the accident," admitted Uncle Dale.  "Then I read Colossians 3:13 one day."  He picked up his Bible from the bedside table.  "Here, Judy.  Will you find that verse in my Bible?"
 
Judy quickly found the verse and began reading.  "Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
 
"Shortly after I finished my devotions that day, Joe came to my room," continued Uncle Dale.  "I sure had a quarrel against him!  But he asked me to forgive him."  Uncle Dale cleared his throat.  "God used the accident to bring both Joe and me closer to Him," he said quietly.
 
Kim had tears in her eyes.  "I just don't think I can forgive Joe," she said.  "Is there something wrong with me, Uncle Dale?"
 
"Nothing that God can't cure," Uncle Dale assured her.  "It's just that you love me and don't like to see me hurt.  That's natural.  But listen -- why don't you girls stay for my Bible study with Joe?  I'd like you to get to know him better."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone hurt you so badly that you feel like you  can't forgive him?  Remember that you don't deserve to be forgiven, but Jesus is willing to forgive you, and He asks you to be willing to forgive others, too.  Follow Jesus' example.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:13)
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I wish there were no such thing as dust," grumbled Pam as she dusted the dining room furniture.
 
"Well, you'll soon be finished, and then you may go for a swim at Marcie's," said Mother.  "She called to invite you."
 
In a short time, Pam was on her way, eager to jump into the refreshing water.  When she got to Marcie's house, she saw that Amanda -- another neighbor -- was there, too.  Oh, no! thought Pam.  Why did Marcie invite her?
 
"Watch this," called Amanda as Pam stepped slowly down the ladder into the pool.  Amanda dove down into the water and did a handstand.  Pam gripped the side of the pool as Amanda burst up from the water.  "Watch this," said Amanda again.  She plunged under the water, this time spinning into a somersault.  Water splashed into Pam's eyes.  "I can do more," Amanda boasted when she was back on her feet, smoothing her hair.
 
Pam swam and played with the other girls for a little while, but Amanda splashed and showed off too much for her.  Pam decided to go home. "I wish Marcie wouldn't invite Amanda to swim," she told her mother as she explained why she was back home so soon.
 
"First it was dust, and now it's Amanda that you don't want," said Mother, shaking her head.  "They seem to be your two worst problems this morning."
 
"I'd be a lot happier without them," Pam agreed.
 
"Don't be so sure," said Mother.  "Remember the beautiful sunset we watched last night?  If the particles of dust in the air weren't reflecting the sun's rays, we wouldn't have seen those beautiful colors."  Pam looked surprised.  "There's a purpose for everything God created," added Mother.
 
"Well, okay.  I guess I can put up with dust if it's needed for pretty sunsets," agreed Pam, "but I can still do without Amanda."
 
"You know that God has created her and has a purpose for her life, just as He has for yours," Mother reminded Pam.
 
"Well . . . I have seen her help the disabled kids at their swim class," admitted Pam.  "Okay.  I guess I shouldn't be so hard on her."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look for good in people and in situations? Look past the things you don't like and ask God to help you recognize something positive about them, knowing that He has a purpose for them. Then you can be thankful -- rather than angry -- in all situations and for all that God created.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God is great.  God is good," prayed Dennis,  "and we thank Him for our food.  Amen."
 
Mother frowned as Dennis poured milk on his cereal.  "You've been reciting that same prayer for an awfully long time," she said.  "Maybe it's time you use your own words when you talk to God."
 
Dennis shrugged and quickly ate his cereal.  He put the empty bowl in the dishwasher, and Mother wiped the table.  "It's supposed to be very warm today," she said.  "You may dig out some of your light-weight clothes if you like."  With a grin, Dennis went to get ready for school.
 
Soon he returned.  "Mom," he said, "my shirt is shrunk!"
 
Mother looked at him. "It certainly is too small for you," she said with a laugh, "but it didn't shrink.  You grew!  You're a growing boy, you know."  She went to help him find a different shirt, but the summer ones were all too small.  Mother left the room for a moment.  "Try this one," she said when she returned.  She handed Dennis one of his father's shirts.
 
"Way too big," said Dennis when he tried it on.  "I haven't grown that much."  He took Dad's shirt off and pulled one of his own winter ones over his head.
 
"We'd better go shopping soon and get you some clothes that fit," decided Mother.  As they returned to the kitchen, she looked thoughtful. "Clothes and prayers to fit," she murmured.  "The prayer you recite every morning was fine when you were small, just like those shirts were fine a year ago," she explained when Dennis looked at her curiously.  "But you've grown -- both physically and spiritually. You're old enough to express more of your own words to God when you pray."
 
"But I can't pray good like you and Dad do," protested Dennis.
 
"You don't need to pray the same way your dad does -- just like you don't wear his shirts," said Mother.  "But you aren't a baby Christian anymore either.  'Praying good' isn't a matter of what words you say, but being sincere -- talking to God from your heart."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you satisfied just saying the same prayers that you learned when you were little?  It's fun to grow and get new clothes that fit.  It's fun to grow spiritually, too.  Try to read God's Word more, memorize more verses, and pray in more of your own words as you grow in the Lord.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 5:13)
For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

[Soldier4Christ]

Janie plopped down in the porch swing.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine and singing birds -- a day when she should have been happy, but she wasn't.  Her friend, Karen, had just left for Disneyland.  "Hi, Janie," called Uncle Tim as he came up the porch steps. "What are you up to?"
 
"I'm just wishing," muttered Janie.  "Karen's rich grandpa paid for a cool vacation in Florida for her whole family.  He's going to meet them there, and I heard all the details at least a hundred times.  Karen says she feels sorry for me because I don't have a grandpa with money and everything."  Janie paused, then added, "Why can't I have a rich grandpa, too -- instead of a paper one?"
 
"A paper grandpa?  What do you mean?" asked Uncle Tim.
 
"Well, Grandpa Brown's picture has been standing on the desk for as long as I can remember," explained Janie, "and that's all I know of him.  What good is a paper grandpa anyhow?"
 
"Your grandfather has been in heaven a long time, Janie, but in a way, he planned a trip for you, too -- a trip even more special than a trip to Disneyland," said Uncle Tim.
 
Janie was wide-eyed.  "He did?" she asked in surprise.
 
Uncle Tim nodded.  "Your grandpa made sure his family knew what the Bible teaches about sin and salvation," he said.  "He wants to meet all of us in heaven some day."  Uncle Tim paused and smiled at Janie.  "A trip to Disneyland is only a temporary trip," he said.  "The trip to heaven is a 'forever' one.  Your grandpa may not have had a lot of money, but he had something more important.  His greatest hope was that you and I and all of his family would accept Jesus as Savior."
 
Janie gave her uncle a little smile.  "When Karen comes back, maybe I should tell her about the trip Grandpa planned for us," she said.
 
"Good idea."  Uncle Tim grinned.  "Grandpa would be pleased with that.  Maybe he's just a picture to you now, but when you meet him in heaven, he won't be a paper grandpa anymore."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does it seem that the pleasures of this life are what's most important?  For Christians, the best is yet to come.  If you have Christian parents, grandparents, teachers, or friends, thank God for them.  Thank Him for a heritage that allows you to know His Word and the importance of a personal relationship with Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 16:6)
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.