Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"You got a lot of birthday cards, Mom!" exclaimed Cal.  He picked one up.  "There's a note on this one.  It says, 'Remember the old shoe and feel young.'  What does that mean?"
 
"That's from my friend Eleanor," said Mom.  She chuckled.  "It's an old joke we have about birthdays."
 
Before she could explain further, Cal held up another card.  "This one says, 'Don't forget to count to three.'  I don't get it," he said.
 
"That's from Uncle Dan and Aunt Betsy," replied Mom, taking the card.  "It's another old joke we share with each other."  She looked at a third card.  "This one's from my cousin Martha, but I'm not sure what she means by the message she wrote.  I guess I'll have to call her and ask."
 
Cal was tired of the cards.  "None of them make any sense to me," he said.  "I think I'll go outside."
 
When Mom tucked Cal into bed that evening, she noticed his Bible on the night stand.  "What did you learn from your Bible today?" she asked.
 
"Not much," replied Cal.  "I didn't really understand what it was talking about, so I didn't read very long."
 
Mom was quiet a moment, then she asked, "Remember the messages people wrote on my birthday cards?  You couldn't understand them, but I could because I was very familiar with the people who wrote them.  That kind of thing happens with the Bible, too.  People who have known the Lord longer than you -- your parents, your Sunday school teacher, your pastor -- can often understand God's Word more easily than you, and they can explain it to you."
 
"You didn't know what the message on one of those cards meant, though," Cal reminded his mother.
 
"That's a good point," agreed Mom.  "I had to check with the person who wrote it to find out what she meant.  In a similar way, we need to ask the Holy Spirit -- the writer of God's Word -- to help us understand what He wants us to learn.  Without His guidance, reading the Bible would be just as frustrating as trying to read the message on someone else's mail. You wouldn't get much of anything out of it."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read a Bible passage quickly and then feel confused and unsure of what God wants to teach you?  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what God is saying.  If you still don't understand, ask for help from mature Christians He has placed in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:18)
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Push harder!" called Seth.  "The faster we move in this direction the stronger the water will whirl."  Seth and his friends ran through the water, circling the inside of the family's above-the-ground swimming pool. "Okay!  Turn around," called Seth.  Quickly the kids faced the opposite direction, but some couldn't move against the current they had created.
 
"I can't fight it," said Hank with a laugh, and he and Seth let the water carry them along.
 
When the current had slowed, Seth looked at his dad and asked if they could make another whirlpool.  Dad shook his head.  "Not today," he said.  "I heard of a pool that split after several whirlpools in one day.  I'd rather not take any chances.  I don't know about our pool's strength."
 
After the other boys left, Seth grinned at his dad.  "I think I'm glad you wouldn't let me hang around at the mall with those other guys from school," said Seth.  "I probably would have spent a pocket full of quarters in the game alley.  This was a fun day, and I still have my money, too."
 
"It could have cost more than money to be with those boys," said Dad.
 
"Oh, Dad," protested Seth defensively, "I wouldn't have done anything bad."
 
"I'm sure you wouldn't intend to," said Dad, "but if you hang around guys who use filthy language, make rude jokes and comments about girls, spend too much money, or sneak cigarettes, you might find yourself picking up some of their habits just to fit in."
 
"Aw, Dad," grumbled Seth.
 
"After circling in the pool in one direction today, what happened when you tried to go the other way?" asked Dad.
 
"We could hardly go that way," answered Seth.  "The current was too strong."
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "It was easier to go with the current than to struggle against it, wasn't it?  It works that way with friendships, too.  If you hang around with boys who do wrong things, it's much easier to let yourself go their way than to turn back and do the right things."  Dad put an arm around Seth.  "If you want to play whirlpool, do it in our pool.  I'd rather have our pool split than have you wander from the path of God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wish you could hang out with some of the kids who get to do whatever they want?  Remember that God wants you to walk only in one direction -- and that's with Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:26)
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

[Soldier4Christ]

Betsy had been very sad ever since the doctor said her little brother's allergies were caused by her kitten.  Now they needed to find a new home for Betsy's pet, and she and her family prayed about it often.  "I'm worried about Shadow," Betsy told her friends one day.  "If we don't find a home for her soon, Dad says he'll have to take her to the humane society and let them look for a home for her."
 
That evening, however, the elderly woman next door informed Betsy's family that she had decided she would like to take Betsy's kitten! "What an answer to prayer!" exclaimed Mother.  Together they thanked God for providing a home for Shadow -- one where Betsy could see the kitten every day.
 
The next day, Betsy eagerly told her friends that the kitten had a new home and wouldn't be going to the humane society.  "I think they were almost as glad as I was," she happily told her mother that evening.
 
"Did you tell them it was an answer to prayer?" asked Mother.
 
"Well . . . not really," said Betsy.
 
"Do you remember the testimony Mr. Richards gave at church last Sunday night?" asked Mother thoughtfully.
 
"Sure," said Betsy.  "It was interesting.  He talked about how he did a lot of very bad things for many years before accepting Jesus as Savior.  He told us how God had really changed his life and turned it around."
 
"Right," said Mother, "and I was blessed and encouraged by that, weren't you?"  Betsy nodded.  "I believe the entire congregation was blessed by his testimony," continued Mother.  "That's an example of why it's good to share the things God does for us.  Christians are encouraged when they hear how God works, and it's a testimony to unbelievers.  God is glorified when we tell others how He has answered prayer."
 
"Even about little things, like a home for a kitten?" asked Betsy.
 
"Maybe especially about those kinds of things," replied Mother, "because those are the kinds of things we all deal with every day.  Let's be sure to thank God for what He does for us, and ask Him to help us share those blessings with others." 



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tell others when God answers your prayers or uses His Word to strengthen your life?  Don't hide God's blessings.  Share them with others for God's glory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 9:1)
I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvellous works.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Nicole stood near the Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, she could see patches of snow on the mountain sides.  The few trees in the alpine area above the timberline had been dwarfed and twisted by the icy winds of winter.  But summer had come, and tiny white and yellow flowers were waving their bright heads as if dancing to music.  The tundra was in bloom.
 
"Look, Nicole," said Dad.  He was kneeling among the flowers, cupping one of the fragile white blossoms gently in his large, rough hand. "See how very tiny this flower is!  But isn't it beautiful?  There must be a million of these!"
 
"That one has a torn petal, though," noticed Nicole.
 
"I know," answered Dad, "yet here it is -- adding its own little bit to the beauty of this place.  Though tiny and imperfect, it has a purpose in being here -- just like all the other things in God's world."
 
Though Nicole wondered what her father was getting at, she didn't ask.  But as they drove back down the mountain a little later, Dad said, "I think the purpose of that little flower might have been to remind me of you, Nicole.  You've lived through some cold and blustery times in your life."
 
Nicole knew what Dad meant.  She had been sick many of her early childhood years.  As a result, she had to wear hearing aids.  She was also a grade behind in school. "I know you sometimes feel very small and unimportant," continued Dad, "but I want you to remember that your Heavenly Father doesn't reject you because of the physical challenges you experience.  You have a purpose for being just where you are and just as you are."
 
Nicole thought about the little flower adding its small bit of beauty to the world, and she decided that she, too, would add whatever bit of beauty she could in the place where God had put her.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you compare yourself with others and feel you don't measure up?  Do you have some disability or scar that makes you feel self-conscious?  Do you think God must love prettier and more talented kids more than He loves you?  Then remember -- God doesn't make junk!  He loves you and He has a purpose for your life.  He sees you as precious and valuable.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 43:1,4)
I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.  Thou wast precious in My sight . . . I have loved thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joel lay on the sofa, his face pale, his bald head a circle against the white pillow.  Medical treatments had caused his hair to fall out.  His mother looked over at him just as a tear dropped from his eye and slid down his cheek.  "What's wrong, honey?" she asked.  "Not feeling so good today?"
 
"I'm scared," replied Joel in a trembling voice.  "It seems like God has gone away.  Ever since I got sick, it feels as if He isn't here at all."
 
"It may feel like that," Mom said, "but God promises to always be with us.  It's hard sometimes to keep praying and trusting Him, but we need to do that."  She sat down beside Joel.  "The way you feel isn't surprising, though," added Mom. "It reminds me of something that happened to me when I was little."
 
"Were you sick, too?" asked Joel.
 
Mom shook her head.  "No.  I was with my family on a train trip," she said.  "We stopped in a city, and my daddy got off the train.  I remember watching for him to come back, afraid that the train would leave without him.  I was so relieved when I saw him walk past the window.  But a few minutes later, we started moving, and he hadn't come back to our car.  I was terrified because I thought we had left him behind."
 
"So did you?" asked Joel.
 
"No, but it certainly felt like it," said Mom.  "Even though my mother kept saying she knew my daddy was on the train, I couldn't quite believe her.  I cried until he walked back into the car.  I would have saved myself a lot of worry if I had trusted my mom's word.  And God's Word is more trustworthy than any person's.  We can believe it when God says He'll never leave us."
 
"Show me where it says that," said Joel.  "I want to read it for myself."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
When bad things happen to you -- you get sick, your dad loses his job, your friend moves away, or your family splits up --  it may feel as if God has forgotten all about you.  It may seem that He doesn't care and has left you on your own.  But even though you may not feel His presence, the Bible assures you He is near to those who know Him. You can choose to worry and be afraid, or you can choose to trust that what the Bible says is true -- that God's loving presence is near, no matter how you feel at the moment.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What makes an earthquake start?" asked Tyler when he heard a news report on the car radio after school one day.  It told about the clean-up efforts in an area where an earthquake had recently occurred.
 
"Well, there are some places in the earth's crust that have a certain type of split, called a fault," explained Dad.  "Sometimes the sides of the fault shift against each other, and that causes the earth to vibrate, or tremble. When the sides of the fault move against each other hard enough, it may even shake the earth so much that buildings crumple."
 
Jason, a neighbor boy who was riding with them, frowned.  "Can that happen here?" he asked fearfully.  He imagined his own house tumbling down.
 
"According to the most recent geological maps, we're not living near any major faults in the earth's crust," said Dad.  "Since we're living on a more solid foundation, we're not likely to experience an earthquake."
 
"Good!" exclaimed Jason.  "I'm glad our house is on solid ground!"
 
Tyler's father nodded.  "So am I," he agreed.  He smiled at Jason and added, "But do you know that we need to build our lives on a solid foundation, too?  That's even more important than having our homes built on a firm spot in the earth's crust."
 
The two boys looked at each other.  They grinned as they started to sing.  "The wise man built his house upon the rock. . . ."
 
"Last verse," said Tyler, and Dad joined in as they sang, "So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. . . ."  When they finished, Tyler grinned at his dad.  "Just last week in Bible Club, we had a lesson about the wise man who built his house on a rock," said Tyler.
 
"And as Christians, we're like the wise man," added Jason, "because we're building our lives on Jesus."
 
"That's right," agreed Dad.  "Jesus is our firm, strong foundation, and God can hold us steady even when things in life seem all shook up. We can trust Him with every part of our lives."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you chosen the Lord Jesus as the foundation for your life?  He is the only foundation that will withstand all the trials of life and will help you avoid a spiritual earthquake.  Build your life on solid ground -- the Rock, Christ Jesus.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jenny," said Mother one Saturday morning as they got ready to go to the grocery store, "isn't your youth group doing a community service project this afternoon?"
 
Jenny shrugged.  "Yeah, but I don't want go," she said.  "It's too hot to mow lawns and hoe gardens today."
 
"But I heard you tell Pastor Jim you'd be there," said Mother with a frown.  "He's counting on you."
 
"Well, I go to lots of things," replied Jenny.  "I can't see how it would hurt to miss this one."
 
"Well, I can," said Mother.  She picked up her car keys.  "We'll take the small car today," she added as they went out to the garage.
 
"Can't we take the other car?" asked Jenny.
 
Mother shook her head.  "I think that one should be nicknamed 'Old Unreliable,'" she said.  "We've had so much trouble with it that I haven't dared to drive it since it broke down on the expressway.  I'll wait till I'm sure it's really fixed."  She opened the car door and got in.
 
"It's lots prettier than this car," observed Jenny.
 
"Well, that doesn't mean much if it's not dependable," said Mother.  Then she added, "I hope you won't be offended, honey, but in a way, you remind me of that undependable car."
 
Jenny was surprised.  "How am I like that car?" she asked.
 
"That car looks great, and it has a lot of potential," said Mother, "but unfortunately, it's not dependable.  You're a wonderful person in a lot of ways, and you have talents that could be used for God.  Lately, however, you've frequently tried to get out of commitments you've made to your youth leaders, your teachers, and your father and me.  I'm afraid people are going to feel that you're undependable -- that they can't count on you."
 
Jenny was silent as they started out, and Mother added, "I'm going to insist that you go to help with the service project this afternoon."
 
Jenny nodded.  "I guess that's just as well," she said with a sigh. "After all, I don't want anybody calling me 'Old Unreliable.'"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you keep your commitments?  Faithfulness is important to the Lord as well as to people.  God rewards those who are faithful in serving Him.  Determine now always to keep your promises and to be a reliable Christian upon whom others can depend.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Grandpa, look at that one!" exclaimed Danny as a burst of colored sparks filled the air.  "It's the best one yet."  The fireworks display was spectacular.  A variety of reds, greens, yellows, blues, and blazing whites lit up the sky in all their thundering glory.
 
After the grand finale, Grandpa and Danny stood and stretched.  "Do you know why we celebrate Fourth of July?" asked Grandpa as they folded their lawn chairs.
 
"Sure," replied Danny as they walked back to the car.  "It's a special day that's set aside to celebrate our freedom and liberty."
 
Grandpa nodded.  "We live in a country where we can choose our occupation, travel where we want, say what we think, vote for those we want to be elected, and meet for public worship," he said.  "Not everyone is so privileged."
 
"I'm glad I live in America, Grandpa," declared Danny.
 
"I am, too, Danny," agreed Grandpa, "but did you know that the greatest freedom anyone can ever enjoy is available to people in every country of the world?"
 
"It is?" asked Danny.
 
Grandpa nodded.  "Yep," he said, "but unfortunately, many people don't know that.  I'm talking about the freedom that Jesus Christ offers. When we ask Him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts, He does that.  He frees us from the power and penalty of sin, and that's the most spectacular freedom anyone will ever experience."
 
"Then we should celebrate that, too," said Danny with a grin.  "Can we have fireworks again tomorrow?"
 
Grandpa laughed.  "That might not be a bad idea," he said.  "We should certainly declare to the world that we have this freedom and let people know that they can enjoy it, too.  Let's decide on a good way to celebrate our freedom in Christ.  Then let's do it!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Jesus as your Savior (see last page)?  If you do, you are truly free -- no longer ruled by sin and free from the penalty of sin.  Do you celebrate that freedom?  Do you let others know that you belong to Jesus and that they can find peace and freedom in Him, too?  Be as noisy about your freedom in Christ as you are about other freedoms you enjoy.  You have a reason to celebrate.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 8:36)
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"That was Philip again," complained Bill as he hung up the phone.  "I wish he'd quit calling to ask if I'll help him with his model airplane."  Bill frowned as he added, "I told him I don't like model planes and that I'm not interested, but he keeps bugging me."
 
The following day, Philip called again -- and the day after that, and the day after that.  Bill finally agreed to help.  "If nothing else, we'll get the plane done so Philip won't keep calling me anymore," he told his mother. She nodded, and Bill was out the door.
 
"Well, I see that persistence scored again," observed Mother when Bill returned home.  "It's just like the man in the Bible."
 
Bill was curious.  "What are you talking about?" he asked.
 
Mother smiled.  "Philip kept calling and calling until you finally agreed to help him," she said. "That reminds me of a story Jesus told about a man who helped a friend who was very persistent (see today's Scripture)."  Mother paused and then added, "When Christians pray, they shouldn't give up, either.  We should keep asking -- keep praying in God's will -- and He'll answer our persistent prayers of faith."
 
"I gave in to Philip even though I didn't really want to," said Bill thoughtfully.  "But what if I keep praying and begging for something God doesn't want?  Will He give in -- like I gave in to Philip?"
 
"No," replied Mother, "but if you're persistent in prayer, God will answer by showing you a better way."
 
Just then the phone rang.  It was Philip again!  "I had so much fun working with you on the model plane today," said Philip, and Bill cringed.  He was afraid Philip might have another model ready to build.  "I just wanted to say thanks for your help, Bill," added Philip.
 
As Bill hung up the phone, he felt good.  It was nice of Philip to call and say thanks, he thought.  Then he thought of one more thing.  It's important to say thanks when God answers prayer, too.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pray and pray and pray?  Or do you give up when you don't get instant answers?  Be persistent.  When you remain faithful in your prayers, God will answer in His special time and in His perfect way.  And then be sure to thank Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 11:9)
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"But, Mom, what's wrong with joining the Action Club?  They play games and do crafts, and they help poor children, too," argued Mary Beth. "After all, it's a church club.  Does it matter that it's not our church?"
 
"It isn't a church, Mary Beth," answered Mom.  "It's a cult.  I know they include a lesson time, but those leaders and teachers don't believe that Jesus is God or that He died for the sins of the world and rose again.  I don't want you listening to that kind of false teaching."
 
"Oh, Mom," protested Mary Beth, "I know better than to believe that stuff.  I'll just go for the fun times and the charity projects."
 
"Don't be so sure of yourself," said Mom.  She paused, then added, "Let me tell you a true story.  When I was young, some friends and I decided to explore the trails in the woods behind our house.  I thought I knew the area so well that I could never get lost in that woods.  But before we knew it, we were lost.  I was relieved when my friend Sally said she knew the way home.  So she led the way, but you know what?  She just led us farther and farther into the woods.  The sun went down, and we spent the night out there.  We weren't rescued until the next day."
 
"How awful!" exclaimed Mary Beth.
 
Mother nodded and smiled.  "When my father found us and heard what happened, he quoted a verse from the Bible.  It was something Jesus said -- 'If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.'"
 
Mary Beth grinned.  "I guess you didn't actually fall into any ditches," she said, "but that was still a good verse to describe you and your friends, wasn't it?"
 
Mother nodded.  "Yes, and I don't want it to describe you and your friends.  Mary Beth, unsaved people are 'blind' -- they're blind to spiritual truth.  They can't understand the Bible, and they will lead others astray.  I don't want to take a chance on having you fall into any spiritual 'ditches.'"
 
Mary Beth sighed.  "Okay," she agreed.  "I understand, and I don't want to fall into any ditches, either."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about the kind of Bible teachers you listen to?  Be aware that some deny many parts of God's Word.  They may be highly educated, but they can't understand the Scriptures without the Holy Spirit to guide them.  Be sure your teachers are those who believe and teach that all of God's Word is true.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 15:14)
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brett struggled with the color chart.  Why is Mrs. Lane making such a big deal about primary and secondary colors before letting anyone paint? he wondered.
 
"Brett, please come up front and take the red color card," said Mrs. Lane.  Brett rose from his seat slowly.  He looked at the cards resting on the chalk ledge of the blackboard.  Then he lifted a card, and everyone laughed.  "That's enough, class," said Mrs. Lane sternly.  She turned to Brett.   "Take the red card, please," she said.  "Not the green one."
 
Brett frowned.  "I'm color-blind," he said softly.  "It's hard for me to tell red from green."
 
"Oh!" said Mrs. Lane in surprise.  "I didn't know that.  We'll excuse you then and let someone else help with this demonstration."  Brett returned to his seat, feeling like everyone was looking at him.
 
At recess time, Brett played with a boy of a different nationality from his own.  "Hey, Brett," called one of his classmates, "no wonder Rick is your best friend.  You can't tell that he's a different color."
 
"Ignore him," Brett told Rick.  "He's so dumb!"  Brett could never understand people who decided to not like a person based on skin color.
 
During science class a little later, the subject of color-blindness came up again.  Brett was asked several questions about it.  "You mean that lots of times you don't know what color things are?" asked one girl.
 
Brett grinned.  "It doesn't matter what color they are," he said.  "Red apples are good and so are yellow ones.  Green grapes are good and so are purple or red ones.  Color isn't what makes something good or bad."  He took a deep breath, and then continued.  "That's true of people, too.  God made every person, and He made them all the same in value."  He looked at the boy who had teased him at recess, and added, "I think everyone should be 'color-blind' when it comes to seeing people."
 
"Good for you, Brett," approved his teacher.  "You're absolutely right."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you develop opinions about others based on skin color?  Don't forget that God made everyone special.  Outward appearance -- the color of a person's skin, hair, or eyes -- does not make him any more or less valuable in God's sight, and it shouldn't make him more or less valuable in your sight, either.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 17:26)
And God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nathan carefully hung the poster on his bedroom wall.  He stepped back to look at it. "EXTINCTION IS FOREVER!  SAVE YOUR PLANET NOW!" he read.  Then he ran down the stairs, two steps at a time.
 
"Whoa, Nathan!" called Mother.  "Slow down!  Where are you going, and what do you have in that box?"
 
"Bumper stickers," replied Nathan.  "I'm selling them -- it's a school project.  The money we make is going to help with research on ways to keep people from destroying the earth.  Lots of animals and plants and things are already extinct -- that means they don't exist anymore.  Lots more are in danger of becoming extinct, so we should do what we can to keep that from happening."  He opened the box to show his mother the bumper stickers.  "Want to buy one?" Nathan asked eagerly.
 
"Sure," replied Mother.  "I'll be glad to help.  What you're doing is very good, and I'm proud of you."
 
Dad looked up from his newspaper.  "I am, too," he agreed.  Then he frowned slightly.  "But isn't it too bad that we tend to forget the thing that's in the greatest danger of all?"
 
"Like what?" asked Nathan.  "Certain rain forests?"
 
Dad shook his head.  "No, Son, I don't mean animals, and I don't mean the environment.  I'm talking about the souls of people," he said. "All those who reject Jesus will experience something much worse than extinction -- they will face eternal punishment in hell.  We should have an even greater interest in saving souls than we have in saving the earth."
 
"That's right," agreed Mother.  "People can save all the animals on the planet and yet lose their own souls.  That's sad."
 
"I never thought about that," said Nathan.  "I guess you're saying I should witness more and invite my friends to church."
 
"I'm saying we all should do that," said Dad.  "We need to find ways to warn people of the danger to their souls as well as the danger to the earth.  And we need to have the courage to do that."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you concerned about our planet?  That's good, and God is pleased when you do your part to stop pollution and to  create an awareness of the possible extinction of some of His creation.  But His greatest creation is man.  The eternal destiny of people should be your biggest concern.  Do your part to win them to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:30)
He that winneth souls is wise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kevin quietly shut the door and started down the hall.  "Kevin?"  He jerked to a stop when he heard Mother's voice as she came up behind him, and he couldn't look her in the eye.  "Have a bad day?" asked Mother. Kevin shook his head.  "Well, we're going to Aunt Betty's for dinner tonight," said Mother.  "She's having a birthday dinner for Uncle Phil. Dad is meeting us there."
 
All the way to Aunt Betty's house, Kevin's conscience tormented him.  Why did you do it?  You know better, he scolded himself.  Silently, he argued back.  No one knows.  Dad will never miss it.  I had to pay my debt, and Dad wouldn't understand.  He doesn't believe in betting.
 
When they arrived at Aunt Betty's house, Mother put her hands on her hips as she looked around.  "I'm jealous," she declared jokingly. "Your house always looks so lovely.  It's spotless.  I never see anything out of place here."  But after dinner, something happened!
 
Aunt Betty brought out the birthday cake.  "We need a picture of this," she said.  "Let's see . . . I'll need the camera from the hall closet.  I should have had that ready."
 
Kevin jumped up.  "I'll get it," he offered.
 
Aunt Betty hesitated.  "Okay," she agreed, "but you'd better wear your hard hat."  Kevin stared in amazement when he opened the door of the closet.  It was so cluttered that he was afraid to touch anything for fear he'd start an avalanche.  "Can't find it?" asked Aunt Betty as she came up behind him.  "My house is so neat because I cleaned it by shoving all this stuff in here."  Aunt Betty laughed at his expression.  "I'm a cover-up expert," she told him, "but even a cover-up expert can get away with hiding things only so long.  I got caught this time, didn't I?"
 
That night, Kevin couldn't sleep.  Finally, he got up and went to his parents' room.  "Dad," he whispered as he sat on the edge of the bed, "I've got a confession to make."  Dad turned on the light, and Kevin spoke hesitantly.  "I . . . I . . . stole a dollar from your dresser drawer.  I'd made a  bet with . . . with Joe, and I lost.  I know it's wrong to steal and to bet.  I'm sorry, and I'll pay you back."
 
"You certainly will," said Dad.  His face was solemn as he sat up and slipped an arm around his son.  "What made you decide to confess?" he asked.
 
 "Aunt Betty's closet," Kevin replied promptly.  "You can hide things  only so long by covering them up.  Sooner or later, you'll get caught."
 
"True," agreed Dad.  "And you know what?  It's impossible to ever hide anything from God -- even for a little while."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you hiding something?  Have you done something that needs to be confessed?  Don't wait.  Confess to God what you've done, and also confess it to any person you've wronged. Remember -- God already knows about it.  Ask Him to forgive you, and ask others to forgive you, too, even before they've found you out.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 10:26)
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

[Soldier4Christ]

"We did a fun thing in science," David told his mother as he packed for a weekend at his grandparents' house.  "We had to get into small groups and decide which items we would include in our survival kit if we were taking a trip to the moon.  Our teacher gave us a list of twenty things, and we had to choose eight of them for our kit."
 
"Did everyone agree on the same eight items?" asked Mom. 
 
David shook his head.  "One girl in my group kept insisting that we take a map of the earth," he said.  "What good would that do on the moon? Personally, I was disappointed that chocolate wasn't even on the list."
 
 Mom chuckled.  "You and your chocolate!" she exclaimed.
 
David laughed, too.  "Since we couldn't take chocolate, I thought we should take vitamins because there are a lot of foods we can't take, and we might not get all the stuff we need to stay healthy."
 
A little later, David announced that he was all packed and ready for the visit to his grandparents.  "Did you pack pajamas?" asked Mom.
 
"Of course," answered David.
 
"Toothbrush?" asked Mom.
 
"Yep," replied David.  "Don't forget, Mom -- I worked on a survival kit at school today.  My mind is in gear to pack all the necessary things."
 
"What about daily vitamins?" Mom asked.
 
David laughed.  "Grandma will make sure I eat well," he said.  "I won't need vitamins there."
 
"What I actually meant by 'daily vitamins' this time was your Bible," Mom told him.  "You'll need spiritual nutrition, too.  Absorbing the Word of God into your daily life will help you keep healthy spiritually."
 
David looked at the Bible on his bedside table.  "Okay.  I'll take it," he said, picking it up.  He opened his suitcase and made room for it.  "But even if I didn't, I'm sure Grandpa and Grandma would see to it that I got spiritual food.  They talk about God a lot."
 
"Yes," said Mother, "but it's good to read the Bible for yourself, too."  She smiled.  "I'm sure it wasn't on your master list at school," she said, "but it would have been a good item to take to the moon, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
If you prepared a survival kit, would the Bible be included?  Is it included in your daily life now?  Read it.  Think about what it says and how it applies to you, even while you're working and playing.  Most of all, obey it.  It should be part of your daily life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 1:2)
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mommy, when will Grandma be here?" asked Lisa as she stared out the window.  "She's going to give me a great big hug and bring me a present.  I just know it!  I'm going to watch right here till she comes."
 
"Oh, Lisa," said Mother, "watching for Grandma is fine, but are you really ready for her to come?  She'll be sleeping in your room, you know. Why don't you go and clean it up so it looks nice for her?  Maybe you can draw a picture for her, too."
 
Lisa clapped her hands at the idea and skipped off to her room.  She picked up all her clothes and tidied up the closet.  She placed her shoes neatly in a row under the hanging clothes.  Each time she heard a car, she ran to look out the window, hoping it was Grandma.  As she sat at her desk, drawing a picture, Mother called her to lunch.
 
"Mommy," said Lisa as she took a bite of her grilled cheese sandwich, "I've been waiting so long for Grandma, and she's still not here."
 
"I know," replied Mother patiently.  "Grandma wasn't sure just how soon she'd get here, you know.  Let's just keep busy.  You can help me clear the table, and then let's make her favorite dessert for dinner tonight."
 
The dessert was just finished when they heard a car slow down and turn in at their driveway.  Lisa ran to the window.  "She's here!  She's here!" shouted Lisa, jumping up and down.
 
Lisa gave Grandma a big hug, and Grandma handed her a flat, square package.  Lisa was right!  Grandma had a gift for her -- a Bible story book.
 
That night, Grandma opened Lisa's new book and read to her the story of Jesus returning to heaven.  It told of the promise He made -- that He would come back to earth again.  "We don't know when Jesus will come," said Grandma, "but we know for sure that He is coming."
 
"That's just like you, Grandma!" exclaimed Lisa.  "I knew you were coming today, but I didn't know when."
 
"Good thinking," responded Grandma.  "Your mother told me how you kept busy while you waited -- how you did things you knew I would appreciate.  And while we wait for Jesus, it's important that we keep busy, too -- busy doing the things He wants us to do."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you doing to keep busy until Jesus comes?  Are you busy with the things He wants you to do -- things like cheerfully doing your tasks each day, being helpful and obedient, and witnessing for Him?  Jesus is coming!  Keep busy serving Him while you wait for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 13:36)
(Watch) lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.