Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Rhonda's class gathered in a big circle around the four-square game drawn on the playground. They wondered why their teacher had brought them out there. "In the United States, there's a place where four states meet just like these four squares do," explained Mrs. Cline. She pointed to the center of the game where the four squares met. Using a big piece of chalk, she wrote "Utah" in one square, "Colorado" in another, "New Mexico" in a third, and "Arizona" in the last one.

"Many tourists visit that site and enjoy walking from state to state," Mrs. Cline told the class. "They also enjoy being in more than one state at a time. Rhonda, would you like to demonstrate how that can be done?"

Rhonda grinned and knelt on the pavement. She put her right knee in the square marked Arizona, her left knee in Utah, her right hand in New Mexico, and her left hand in Colorado. "This is how I can be in all four states at one time," she said, and the other students laughed.

"Many people who visit Four Corners, USA, do that very thing," said Mrs. Cline as the students took turns trying it.

That evening, Rhonda told her parents about the demonstration. "It was fun to pretend to be in four states at once," she said as she explained about Four Corners, USA. "I'd like to go there for real sometime."

Mother smiled. "Maybe you will," she said. Then she frowned. "This makes me think of the discussion we had in my Bible study group today," she added. "We talked about how, as Christians, we sometimes try to stand in two different states 'spiritually' -- the state of Christian living and the state of worldly living.  We say we stand on God's principles, but we also want to have one foot tip-toeing in worldly activities."

Dad nodded. "We can't be like the world and like Jesus at the same time," he said. "God wants us to be sold out for Him in every area of our lives. At Four Corners, you can't say you're actually in Colorado if one of your feet is in New Mexico or one of the other states -- and you can't say you're truly living for God if, in some area of your life, you insist on 'doing your own thing' even if it's displeasing to God."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian who says you're living for God, but you still choose to do things that don't honor Him?  If so, you're "conforming to the pattern of this world."  Living for God means giving Him every part of your being and pleasing Him in all your actions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:2)
Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sea Lion Caves," read David.  He pointed to a sign at the side of the road along the Oregon coast. "We're there!" Dad nodded and drove into the parking lot.

Soon the family stood in the underground viewing area, close enough to see, smell, and hear the roaring creatures. When a torpedo- shaped body with a whiskered, cat-like face slid through the water and clambered up onto the cave floor, Dad flipped through pages of the guide book he'd bought. "This type of seal is called the Stellar sea lion," he said. "This book says the spots that look like dimples on the side of the seal's head are tiny ears. Most seals just have openings, but the Stellar sea lion is an eared seal. When he dives, tiny ear flaps cover the openings; when he surfaces, the ears open up again."

"Wow! That's neat!" exclaimed David.

After watching the sea lions for a while, David and his family returned to their car and went on their way.  As they traveled along, they talked about the seals. "Hey! Why didn't God give me ears that would close?" David asked, chuckling at the thought of his ears flopping down. "I'd like to be able to shut out some things I hear."

"I thought you could do that already," said Mother, pretending to be surprised. "It seems like you're unable to hear sometimes when you're told to clean your room." David grinned.  He knew she was teasing, but he suspected she was half serious, too.

"That's a good point," observed Dad. "God didn't give you ear flaps, but He did give you the ability to close your ears by not paying attention, or perhaps by walking away. On the other hand, you open them when you do pay attention to what is being said."

"Yes," agreed Mother. "It's a good idea to close your ears to some things you hear on TV or on the playground. Be careful in choosing what to listen to and what to shut out. Be sure to open your ears to your parents and teachers -- and especially to God."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you close your ears to bad language, dirty jokes, or suggestions to do something wrong?  Do you open them when your parents or teachers ask you to do something?  Are they open when you read God's Word or hear it preached?   Be sure you listen to God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Job 34:3)
For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

[Soldier4Christ]

Davie's school bus arrived at his home, but he didn't get off. He must have missed his bus, thought Mother. She quickly drove to the school, but Davie wasn't there, either. From the school office, Mother phoned several of Davie's friends, but no one knew where he was. She was very relieved when a school bus pulled up at the school with one child on it -- Davie! "I got on the wrong bus!" Davie tearfully told his mother. "I forgot my bus number."

When they got home, Davie told his older brother all about it. "I wish I rode the same bus as you do, Drew," said Davie. "Then I wouldn't get lost. I knew it was important to know my address and phone number, but now I know it's important to remember my bus number, too." He looked at Drew solemnly. "It's important to remember all kinds of things."

"Right!" agreed Drew as he grabbed his jacket to go out and play.

"You'd better learn your memory verse for Bible club," said Mother.

"Why can't I do it later?" asked Drew, helping himself to an apple. "What's for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner!" exclaimed Mother. "Oh, no! I need a couple of things from the store for the meal I was planning, but in all the excitement, I forgot about dinner. I'll have to change the menu and fix something different."

"It's important to remember to feed your hungry husband -- and especially your hungry children," teased Drew. "That's something you should never forget."

"Okay," said Mother, "and while I make dinner, you can study your Bible verse. That's something you shouldn't forget."

Drew shrugged. "I don't see why I have to learn verses and remember them when I can open my Bible and read them any time.Why can't I . . ."

"I know my verse," interrupted Davie. "When I was on the wrong bus, I said it over and over so I wouldn't be scared."

Mother smiled at the little boy.  "There's your answer, Drew. Davie didn't have a Bible with him," she said, "but the verse in his memory gave him peace of mind in a scary time. Knowing and remembering God's Word will help you in all kinds of situations."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it a chore to memorize Bible verses?  Remember this -- the more Scripture verses you know by heart, the more help you will have every day of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:48)
My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tara turned a page and showed the picture of Papa Bear to her little sister, Beth. Their brother Jason looked up as Tara continued to read the story to Beth. "'Who's been eating my porridge?' growled Papa Bear."

Jason spoke up. "Papa Bear could have found out who ate it if he had lifted fingerprints from his spoon," he told them. "We learned in school that everybody has a different set of prints.  No two are alike -- ever. Match the prints and you've got the criminal."

"Yeah, well, that's nice, Jason.  Now let us finish this story," said Tara.

But Jason grabbed his magnifying glass and held it above Tara's fingers. "See those ridges?" he asked. "They leave a mark on everything you touch. Investigators use special powders to dust for fingerprints, and the powder sticks to the invisible ridge marks. The investigator carefully brushes away the dust between the ridges and then the print can be photographed and lifted with a print-lifting tape."

"Jason! We don't care about fingerprints right now. We just want to read the story," said Tara.

"All right, but just remember -- I've been practicing with the Jr. Detective kit I got for my birthday," grumbled Jason, "so you'd better keep your fingers off my stuff!" He scowled at his sisters.

"Don't be rude, Jason," warned Mother, who had come into the room. "I hope you'll make sure the 'prints' you're leaving on the lives of others are nice -- not ugly."

"Prints on people's lives? What does that mean?" asked Jason.


"Well, the impressions we make on others are something like fingerprints," said Mother. "People identify us by either the pleasant way we talk and act or by how rude we are. We develop a reputation for ourselves. And of course, it's especially important that our words and actions please God."

"Yeah, Jason," said Tara. "You better remember that, and . . ." She stopped when she saw Mother looking sternly in her direction.  " . . . and . . . and I'll remember it, too," finished Tara.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do the prints -- the impressions -- you make on others please both them and God?   Make sure the reputation you gain is that of helpfulness, friendliness, and patience.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 22:1)
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Amy walked into her classroom one morning, there was a new girl sitting at the desk next to hers. "This is Laura Dawson," said Mrs. Taylor, smiling encouragingly at the brown-haired girl. "Her family moved to our town just last week. She used to live about 500 miles from here, isn't that right, Laura?"

Laura looked down at her hands as she nodded shyly. "Reckon so." Her words sent a giggle rippling across the classroom.

This should make school a lot more interesting, thought Amy. Leaning over, she whispered, "Hi. I'm Amy. If I can help you with anything, let me know."

"Shore thang," came Laura's soft answer.

That evening, Amy laughingly told her family about the newcomer, imitating Laura's accent. "She didn't want to move here," Amy told them.  "She said that she 'bagged' her folks to stay where they were." Amy continued to tell them about Laura, pronouncing several more words the way Laura did.

"Bring her home sometime, Amy!  Sounds like she'd be more fun than a barrel of monkeys," joked Jason.

"Okay," agreed Amy. "It's fun to hear her talk -- but don't laugh out loud.á She might get mad." Amy giggled.  "I wonder what she'd say then."

"If you're thinking of bringing Laura home just to laugh at the way she talks," said Dad sternly, "you'd better think again."

Mother spoke thoughtfully. "Did it ever occur to you that our way of speaking would sound funny in other places -- like in Laura's hometown?" she asked.  "I think you would feel out of place and need a friend."

"Remember that God is 'no respecter of persons,'" added Dad. "That means He doesn't consider one person better than another because of his money, clothes, accent, or for any reason -- and we shouldn't either."

Amy's face turned pink. "Sorry, Dad," she said. "I did think her accent was funny, but I didn't intend to be mean. I want to be her friend."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know anyone who looks or talks different from you and your friends?   Do you laugh at those differences?   Be very careful; don't hurt anyone's feelings out of carelessness.  Remember, God loves everyone, and He wants you to show love to others, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:3)
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.   Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

[Soldier4Christ]

Angela was fascinated by the ten tiny, squirming, hungry piglets in the pig pen behind the barn. She enjoyed watching Mother Piggyback gently care for her babies, keeping them warm and cozy close to her side. A little, reddish piglet with several black spots and one black eye became Angela's favorite. "She's my little Miss Peggy Sue," said Angela. "She's so cute! I love the way she trots off to explore things all by herself."

One Saturday something terrible happened. It was a cool spring morning, and Angela spotted Dad coming to the house with something cradled in his arms. "I need soft rags and a hair dryer," he said as he came in.

Angela's heart sank when she saw the limp form of Miss Peggy Sue tucked against Dad's chest. "What happened?" she asked anxiously.

"This little piggy wandered off during the night and couldn't find her way back to the warmth of her mother and the other piglets," explained Dad. "She's very cold and weak right now."

Angela took the tiny pet and wiped off wet sand while Mother gently blew warm air around the unconscious little body. "Why? Why did she go off by herself?" asked Angela sadly. "Mrs. Piggyback was taking good care of her, and if she had stayed close to her, this wouldn't have happened. Do you think she'll be okay, Dad?"

"I don't know," said Dad as Mother left to find a box for the piglet. He put an arm around Angela's shoulders. "We'll do our best to help her."

After dinner that evening, Dad read the story of The Prodigal Son. "That young man reminds me of your piggy," said Dad. "What do you think we can learn from their experiences?"

"Ah . . . don't wander away from home?" suggested Angela.

Dad smiled. "Your little piglet and the boy in the story both wandered away from the place where they were safe and cared for," he said. "As Christians, we sometimes wander away from the love and care of God and other Christians. We foolishly think we can take part in worldly things and don't need either the warmth of Christian fellowship or the fellowship we have with God as we live in obedience to Him."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get tired of taking time to read the Bible and pray?   Do you become bored with church activities and think about going other places instead?  Don't do it.  Stay in close touch with God and enjoy the love and warmth offered by Him and His people.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tiny Miss Peggy Sue lay propped in a box. Her faint, wheezing breath
was the only clue that the tiny piglet was still alive. As Angela hung a heat
bulb over the box, her cousin Janelle came in. She peered at the still form as
Angela explained what had happened. Janelle shook her head. "How terrible! I'm
really sorry," she said. "It's hopeless, isn't it?" She watched Angela take
an eyedropper and trickle warm milk down the piglet's throat. Janelle sighed.
"It's hopeless," she repeated.

Angela went to the box every couple of hours all day. She fed and stroked her pet, looking for signs of life. Even her parents began to doubt that the piglet would recover, but Angela refused to give up. With her parents' permission, she even got up several times during the night to take care of Miss Peggy Sue. Dad told her she should prepare for the worst, but Angela kept hoping and praying that Peggy Sue would get well.

The next morning, Janelle came over to go to Sunday school with Angela. "Come in," Angela greeted her. "I have a surprise to show you." She led the way to Miss Peggy Sue's box.

Janelle stared. There stood Miss Peggy Sue, wiggling and squealing for Angela to hurry with the baby bottle of warm milk. "If I didn't see this myself, I'd never believe it!" exclaimed Janelle. "She looked so hopeless."

Later that day, Janelle told Angela that she was having trouble getting along with Mike, her little foster brother. "He's so gross," said Janelle. She rolled her eyes. "He chews with his mouth open, and he steals things. He swears a lot, too. He even lied to my dad last night. I want my parents to take him back to the social service people. We can't help him; he's hopeless."

"That's what you said about Miss Peggy Sue," said Angela, "but it wasn't true. Maybe it's not true about Mike, either."

Janelle was startled. "Maybe you're right," she admitted.

"Why don't you try to help Mike and pray for him -- and I'll pray for him, too," promised Angela. "After all, I prayed for Miss Peggy, and a little boy is more important than a little pig. Let's not give up on him."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know people who seem to be hopelessly lost in sin?   Don't give up.  Keep praying and helping them in any way you can.   Be sure to share the Gospel with them.   God can change a person's heart, and there is rejoicing in heaven when a soul is born again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:9)
The Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, where's Rosie?" asked Joel as he came in from school. "She's not in the yard." Rosie was their old dog.

"I'm sorry to tell you, honey," replied Mother, "but this morning I found the gate open, and Rosie was gone."  Joel groaned, and Mother continued.  "I drove all around the neighborhood, but I didn't see her."

Joel felt terrible. "Rosie's name and address are on her license tags," he said. "Maybe someone will find her and call us."

Time moved slowly that evening and Joel couldn't concentrate on his homework. He kept waiting for the phone to ring. He was upstairs when a call finally came. Mother's voice sounded excited, and Joel bounded down the stairs, two at a time. "Did someone find Rosie?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes," answered Mother as she picked up her purse and keys. "She's at the Animal Control Center, and we can go get her." As they drove to the center, Mother explained what had happened. "Rosie was running around in the parking lot of a bank, and somebody called the Animal Control Center. They sent someone to pick her up and take her to the center, so now we have to pay the redemption fee for their services."

"Pay the redemption fee?" asked Joel. "Does that mean we have to buy our own dog back before we can take her home?"

"That's what redemption means -- to buy back," said Mother. She smiled at Joel's look of disbelief. "Buying our own dog back is a good picture of what God did for us," she said.  "God made us, so in that sense, we belong to Him. But our sin separated us from God and heaven, so He had to redeem us -- to buy us back to Himself by paying for our sin."

Joel nodded."He didn't do that with money, though, did He?"

Mother shook her head. "Not with money," she agreed, "but with the blood of Jesus. á Jesus died so we could be forgiven and truly belong to God."

Soon they arrived at the center, picked up Rosie, and were on their way home. Rosie was so excited, she could hardly sit still. "Rosie's glad to be redeemed," observed Joel, "and you know something else? I am, too."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been redeemed?  Jesus paid a big redemption fee -- His own precious blood -- so that your sins could be forgiven.   Won't you accept Him as Savior today?   (See page 66.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

[Soldier4Christ]

After shopping at the mall, Audrey and her mother decided to rest a while in the food court. As they munched on some fries, Audrey fingered her new cross pendant. "Mom," she said, "at school today, Jane asked me why I was wearing a cross."

"And what did you say?" asked Mom.

"Well, I told her that I thought it was pretty, and I liked it," replied Audrey. She frowned slightly and added, "I tried talking to her about Jesus and salvation, too, but she called me strict and narrow-minded. I feel really bad about that."

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice startled Audrey. She looked up and saw an angry lady scolding the young man behind the hamburger counter. "What do you mean, my coupons have expired," the lady demanded with a scowl. "Just close your eyes and bend the rules a bit!"

The young man answered her calmly.  "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I can't bend rules I didn't make. These coupons are no longer valid." The lady continued to complain loudly, but the clerk refused to honor the coupons. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you," he said firmly. "We were given stern warnings about accepting expired coupons."

When the lady finally left, Mom turned to Audrey. "That young man must seem pretty strict and narrow-minded to that lady," she said.

"I know," agreed Audrey, "but he's only telling it like it is."

Mom nodded. "That's right," she said. "I'm sure he's sorry she got angry, but he shouldn't feel bad about having done the right thing." Mom smiled at Audrey.  "When you tell your friend about Jesus and she gives you a hard time, it's natural and right to be sorry that she doesn't understand. However, you shouldn't feel bad that you told her. Even though people don't like to accept it, they need to know that faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven."

"That's God's rule, isn't it," said Audrey, "and even if Jane thinks I'm narrow-minded, I have to tell her that -- I have to tell it like it is."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone made you feel bad for speaking the truth about Jesus and salvation?  Have you been called narrow-minded --  or some other unpleasant name?  Unfortunately, many people won't accept God's uncompromising truths.  The next time someone is hard on you for "telling it like it is," remind him that you're not giving your own opinion.  Instead, you're simply speaking what God has already said.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 4:5)
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at those jellyfish!" exclaimed Jason. "They look like tiny
parachutes!" He leaned forward, marveling at the shiny, silky-looking
jellyfish that were floating in the fish tank.

Amy nudged her way closer to the tank. "Wow!" she cried.  "Look at the colors -- pink, white, blue, yellow, green, purple, and even striped!"

Dadá was looking at the sign next to the popular attraction. "When out of the water," he read out loud, "jellyfish look like a glob of jelly dripping from your spoon. Jellyfish are invertebrates. They have no backbone and no central brain."

When Dad moved on, Jason continued to study the sign. "It says they float by opening and closing their bodies like an umbrella," said Jason. "They hardly move unless a current comes along."

That evening, the children talked about the things they liked best at the aquarium. "Those jellyfish were so pretty," declared Amy. "They're kind of carefree, too -- they just float along, going with the flow of the current."

"That's like some Christians I know," commented Dad.

"Really?" asked Amy. "Like who?"

"Well," replied Dad, "when Janis and Rachel were over yesterday, they were mocking Rebecca's lisp, and I heard you laughing about it, too -- just 'going along' with whatever they said.  I've been meaning to speak to you about it."

Amy bit her lip. "Janis and Rachel are so popular at school," she explained, "and . . . well, they've just started acting friendly toward me, so I didn't want to . . ." Her voice trailed off.

 "Jellyfish are beautiful, but they have no backbone," said Dad. "God didn't make you a jellyfish, Amy. He expects you to stand up for what is right. We sin when we just 'go along' with others who are doing wrong things -- no matter what the reason." Amy sighed and nodded.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you're with friends who watch movies or listen to music that you know is not pleasing to God, do you refuse to participate?  Do you protest if your friends make fun of others?   Do you say no when someone offers you a cigarette, drugs, or alcohol -- even if they call you "chicken"?  Don't just "go with the flow" like a jellyfish.   It not only has no backbone, it also has no brain.  Ask God to fill you with His boldness to do what is right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Titus 2:12)
Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Josh and Jennifer walked home, Jennifer told a joke she'd heard at school. Josh laughed heartily when she finished. Just then, an old man who was standing in the yard they were passing spoke to them. "Excuse me," he said, "but do you kids belong to the Joshua King family?"

Surprised, Josh and Jennifer stopped. "Yes, Sir," replied Josh. "Joshua King is our father."

The white-haired old man smiled.  "I used to live next door to your grandpa when your pa was a little boy," he said. "The two of you -- with your blond hair, freckles, and turned-up noses -- look like he did then. And that laugh of yours, young fella, sounds just like your pa's did when he was tickled about something. Yep, I just knew you belonged to the Kings."

That evening, the children told their father about meeting the old man. "That must have been our old neighbor, Mr. Wells," decided Dad. "I'll stop in to see him sometime soon." He smiled, "It pleases me to have you recognized as part of the 'King clan.' Most of the time, that is."

"Most of the time?" asked Josh. "Not all of the time?"

"Well . . . many of us Kings have been known for our bad tempers," answered Dad. "It's something I've had to work on in my own life, and with God's help, I've learned to control my temper. Like me, you tend to 'fly off the handle' too easily, Son. You need the Lord's help, too."

"It's okay to be just like the Kings in the good stuff, but not the bad, right?" asked Jennifer. "I'm glad I don't have a temper like that."

Dad frowned. "Careful," he warned. "Being proud and boastful is a trait of the 'human' family, and that's not good, either. We all need to ask Jesus to help us be more like Him. People should be able to see that we belong to God's family because we act the way He wants us to."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you become a part of God's family by accepting Jesus as Savior?   If so, can people tell it by watching you?  Keep your actions in line with God's Word, and pattern your life after Jesus. You bring glory to Him when people can tell you're a Christian by the way you act.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 2:6)
He that saith he abideth in Him (Jesus) ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.

[Soldier4Christ]

Derek sighed. He wished a fish would take the bait on his hook. When the bobber finally jiggled, he jerked the pole quickly, but there was no fish, and most of the worm was gone. "That must be the 'one that got away,'" said Grandpa with a chuckle as he helped Derek put fresh bait on the hook. "Try again."

A little later, Derek pulled up a fine-looking fish. "I got one this time!" he exclaimed, taking it off the hook and putting it in the pail of water. After Derek and Grandpa caught several more fish, Grandpa put the oars in place and rowed for shore.

"Jesus talked to his disciples about fishing," said Grandpa as he pulled on the oars. "Some of them had fished for a living, so they understood fish talk. Do you remember what Jesus said they should do?"

"Be fishers of men," replied Derek promptly. "We sing that song in Sunday school -- but I don't get it. How do you fish for people?"

"You offer them food -- spiritual food -- just like you offered worms to the fish in the lake," answered Grandpa.  "Jesus called Himself the 'Bread of Life,' so when you tell others about Him, it's like offering them food."

Derek thought about that for a moment. "Sometimes they don't 'bite,' though," he said.

Grandpa shook his head. "No, they don't," he said. "Some don't want to hear about Jesus at all. Others are like fish that only nibble. They're sort of interested, but not too much. They leave after hearing only a little about Jesus. But . . ." Grandpa's eyes sparkled like the water around the boat, "other people are like the fish we caught. They want to know all they can, and they accept Jesus as Savior."

Derek grinned as he admired the fish in the bucket. "So we have to keep fishing," he said. "Even when it seems like they're not biting, we have to keep telling people about Jesus."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian?  If you are, you should also  be a "fisher of men."   Watch for opportunities to talk about Jesus.   Let others know that you're thankful to God for saving you.  Talk about things you've learned from the Bible or about a prayer that God has answered. Tell someone about a special blessing God has given you -- some special thing He's done for you.  Learn Bible verses that you can share with others in certain situations.  Be patient and faithful -- and keep on fishing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 1:17)
Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason grinned as he sat at the kitchen table watching his mother wash the cupboards. "I told you you'd be sorry if you painted those cupboards white," he teased.  "If you had painted them a dark color, they wouldn't show the dirt, and you wouldn't have to clean them all the time."

Mother smiled. "But since they're white, I can see the dirt and wipe it off before they're so dirty that it's hard to get them clean," she said.

"Like sin," murmured Dad, looking up from the newspaper.

"What?" asked Jason. "You're not making sense, Dad."

His father chuckled. "My thoughts are making sense," he said.  "It occurred to me that dark cupboards hide dirt, and darkness in my life hides sin that may be there. That's not good."

"What is 'darkness' in your life?" asked Jason.

"It's times when I'm not walking close to Jesus," replied Dad. "He's the light of the world, and I need to live according to His light."

"Good thought," said Mother as she rinsed her cleaning cloth. "If we think of dark cupboards as lives dark with sin, then these white cupboards are like our lives when we walk in God's light. Because of the light, we see sin more quickly and clearly -- and we confess it and get our lives cleaned up immediately."

"How do we walk according to God's light, Jason?" asked Dad. "Do you have any ideas?"

Jason shrugged. "I guess we go to church and Sunday school and read our Bibles and do what God says and pray," he suggested.

"I think you're right, Jason," agreed Dad. "When we're close to God and His Word and His people, it's easier for us to see when we've done something wrong."

"And because God's light helps us see the dirt -- or sin -- in our lives, we can get rid of it quickly," said Mother, "just like I can see the dirt on these white cupboards and get rid of it."  She grinned at Jason as she added, "I'm so glad I painted them white."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you able to see any "dirt," or sin, that may be in your life?   Or do you need more light?   Read God's Word.  Listen to His servants in church and Sunday school.   Talk with Him in prayer.   As God's light reveals sin, get rid of it by confessing it and forsaking it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:
Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

[Soldier4Christ]

Moments before the morning service began, Jane walked down the church aisle and whispered in her mother's ear.  "I'm going to the nursery, okay? They need my help again." Mom looked concerned, but nodded.

Jane enjoyed playing with the babies, and time passed quickly. After the service, she was surprised to see her mother at the nursery door.  The supervisor went to greet her while Jane continued picking up toys.

"We appreciate your daughter's help," Jane heard Mrs. Jones say.

"She likes to help," responded Mom, "but I'm hoping you'll be able to excuse her next week.á She's missed so many services lately, and I'd like her to hear the missionary speaker we're having next week."

Jane held her breath as Mrs. Jones and Mom talked in low tones for a moment. Mom waited until Jane was finished with her work, and they left together.  "Jane," said Mom as they walked down the hall, "you led me to believe that Mrs. Jones asked you to help in the nursery today. She says she didn't -- neither today nor last week."

"Actually, I just said they needed my help," Jane defended herself, "and they did. It was really busy." Jane knew her argument was weak.

"How would you feel, Jane," replied Mom, "if Mrs. Jones said to you, 'I would like to pay you to take care of the babies every week'?"

"That would be great," said Jane.  "I'd earn some money."

"And what if you did the work, and she didn't pay you?" asked Mom.

"That wouldn't be fair after she promised," replied Jane.

"But she didn't promise," Mom reminded her. "She only said she would like to pay you."

"It still wouldn't be fair," protested Jane.

"No," agreed Mom, "and I'm sure Mrs. Jones wouldn't do that. But you did that to me today. You tricked me into believing something untrue so you could do what you wanted.  Isn't that some kind of lie?"

"I . . . I'm sorry," mumbled Jane.  "I thought it was good to help."

Mom nodded. "Helping others is part of serving the Lord," she agreed, "but learning is important, too. The subject of today's sermon was honesty. I'll tell you about it on the drive home."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you deceived someone or have you been deceived -- tricked into believing something untrue?  Lies take many forms.   When you twist your words to make them sound like you're saying something you're not, it's a kind of lie -- and it's sin.   Ask God to help you be completely honest.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Leviticus 19:11)
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

"La Noche Triste," murmured Scott as his sister Carrie entered the living room. "I gotta remember that -- it might be on our test tomorrow."

"What does it mean?" asked Carrie.

"It's Spanish for 'The Sad Night.'  You'll learn about it next year," said Scott as he closed his social studies book.

"Why was it sad?" Carrie wanted to know.

"Well, it's something that happened more than four hundred years ago," began Scott. "The Aztec Indians had a great city on an island. A Spanish leader, Cortes, was able to take his army into the city because the Indian ruler thought Cortes was a god."

In her mind, Carrie pictured the Spanish troops, led by Cortes, going to visit the Indian settlement.

"When that Indian ruler died, Cortes and his men had to leave," continued Scott, "but before they did, they loaded up all the gold they could carry. As they tried to escape, the Indians attacked them. Many Spanish soldiers tried to swim to the mainland, but they drowned because the weight of the gold pulled them down. It was called 'The Sad Night' because more than half of the Spanish army died that night."

"Wow! Why didn't they get rid of the gold before they tried to swim?" asked Carrie. "Then they might have made it safely."

Scott shrugged. "Too greedy, I guess."

"Apparently they were a lot like people today," observed Dad, who had been listening. "Often people load up on earthly treasure, thinking money can buy anything they want."

"But it can't, can it?" murmured Carrie. "Our Sunday school lesson last week was about that.á Money can't buy forgiveness of sins."

"Exactly," agreed Dad, "and it will be a sad night for those who stand before God without the one treasure that could give them eternal life."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
How important is money to you?  Do you think it can buy anything?  Friends? Happiness?  Even eternal life?   If you think that, you're wrong.   Some people spend their whole lives seeking more and more money for themselves, thinking that will make them happy.   The only way to true happiness and eternal life is through Jesus Christ.  Accept Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 8:36)
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?