Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Sandi swallowed hard. Ever since Dad had helped her set up her paper route accounts on the computer, she had tried to keep them up to date.  But now she appeared anything but business-like as her finger hovered over the delete key. The name on the computer screen glowed with a special brightness -- or so it seemed to eleven-year-old Sandi. As she stared at it, she tried hard not to cry.á "Mrs. Elizabeth C. Trembley, 288 Fox Street, Faris, Iowa," Sandi murmured. She swallowed again and then punched the key. The computer screen turned blank. The name was gone forever -- just like Mrs. Trembley.

A tear slid down Sandi's cheek as her mother came into the room. "Oh, honey, what's wrong?" asked Mother.

"I . . . I erased Mrs. Trembley." Sandi gulped. She gestured toward the family computer as she brushed a tear away with the back of her hand. "I feel so bad about her, Mom. She was the nicest person on my paper route."  Mother nodded. Mrs. Trembley had been a real friend to Sandi, but the kind, elderly lady had died of a heart attack two weeks earlier.  "When I pushed the delete button, I felt like I was the one erasing Mrs. Trembley's life," added Sandi faintly.

"Mrs. Trembley was a Christian, wasn't she?" asked Mother.

Sandi nodded. "She told me she accepted Jesus when she was just a little girl."

"Then Mrs. Trembley is safe with the Lord," Mother said. "Her name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and it will never be deleted."  Mom gave Sandi a hug. "You deleted Mrs. Trembley's name from the computer, but no one will ever erase her name from God's records."

Sandi thought about that. She sighed, but she nodded and looked a bit happier. "I'm glad," she said with a smile.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your name written in God's record book?  Do you know that if you are truly God's child, your name will never be erased?  Why not discuss these truths with a parent or a Sunday school teacher as soon as possible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 3:5)
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Popcorn and Christians

When Chris and Rebecca arrived home after school, they immediately noticed the mouth-watering smell of freshly popped corn. "Popcorn!" Rebecca exclaimed, heading for the kitchen.

"All right! Can we have some?" Chris asked excitedly.

"Well, 'hello' to you, too!" Mom chided lightly, smiling at their eager faces. She set a bowl of warm, buttery popcorn on the table, and the kids each quickly took a bowlful. "This popcorn reminds me of Jesus," she added.

Chris was puzzled. "I don't remember any Bible story about Jesus and popcorn," he said. He stuffed a fluffy morsel into his mouth. "What story is that?"

Mom shook her head. "It's not a Bible story," she said, "but tell me-when you came home, how did you know I had made popcorn?"

"We could smell it," Rebecca answered. "It smells good!"

Mom nodded. "Yes," she said, "and it reminds me that when we have Jesus in our hearts, other people can't see Him with their eyes, but hopefully, they notice His fragrance in our lives and know He's there."

Chris frowned. "You mean we smell?" he asked.

Mom smiled. "The Bible speaks of the 'fragrance of Christ,'" she said. "We should have that fragrance."

"Fragrance is like perfume, right?" asked Rebecca. "It would be a good smell . . . like popcorn is."

"Yes," agreed Mom. "When the fragrance of Jesus is evident in our lives-when people see Jesus in us-it often draws them to Him." The children munched silently for a moment. "On the other hand," added Mom, "sometimes it bothers people. Perhaps it reminds them that they are sinners, but they don't want to turn to Jesus."

"I guess that's why some people call Christians names and other people respect us," observed Chris.

"That's probably right," Mom replied. "Those who mock or laugh may not even know why they're acting that way. They aren't being mean because they want to be. They're often simply reacting to something they don't understand. We need to forgive them and keep showing them God's love. We need to pray that the fragrance of Jesus will cause them to realize they need Him, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Can the "fragrance of Christ" be noticed in your life? Do the kids you know see that you treat others with love and kindness? Do they observe that you're honest, cheerful, and obedient to authority? If they tease you for believing in Jesus, do you forgive them and pray for them? When you follow God's instructions and live to please Him, you are spreading His fragrance to people around you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We are . . . the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved. 2 Corinthians 2:15

[Soldier4Christ]

"My Sunday school teacher told us we should read the Bible by ourselves every day -- not just in family devotions," Marcie told her parents on the way home from church."I signed a card to say I'd try to do that.I'm going to start today."

"That's great," said Dad. "It will be good for you to have your own personal daily devotions."

That afternoon, Marcie read a chapter in her Bible. For a couple of days after that, she managed to find time to read some verses before going to bed. As time went by, however, she read less and less.

As Marcie and her mother were sitting on the porch a few weeks later, Marcie gave a little sigh. "Mom," she said, "I'm so mad at myself. When I signed the card to say I'd read the Bible every day, I really meant it.But I forget half the time, and other times it seems like I'm too busy or too tired or something."

"I used to neglect reading my Bible, too," Mom told her, "but then I made it a habit to read at a certain time every day. For me, mornings are best, and I try to not let anything interfere with my Bible reading time. By doing this, I developed a habit, and I seldom miss now."

Suddenly, Marcie pointed up. "Oh, look!" she exclaimed. "There's a spider web between the post and the telephone cable."

Mom laughed."Why, that's odd," she said."I was just thinking of something my grandmother used to say. 'Habits are first like cobwebs,' she said, 'then like cables.'What do you think that means?"

Marcie was quiet for a minute."I think it means that á habits are easy to break at first -- like cobwebs," she said."But if you keep on doing something over and over, your habit will become strong and hard to break -- like the cable."

Mother nodded and smiled. "It's good to make a strong habit of your Bible reading," she encouraged."Shall I wake you up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning so you can read the Bible the first thing each day?"

Marcie nodded. "Let's try that," she agreed.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take time to read the Bible each day? If not, why not?Do you forget?Or do you think it's not important? Knowing what God says in His Word can make a big difference in the way you live.Begin now to make daily Bible reading a "cable" in your life -- make it a lifetime habit. 


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:16)
I will delight myself in Thy statutes:I will not forget Thy word.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hell is a terrible place, Daddy," seven-year-old Kadie solemnly stated one day."It's not a place I'd like to go to."

"You're right, honey," agreed her father, who was a pastor."That's what the Bible says."

"That's what I told Jackie yesterday," said Kadie. "She said her mother doesn't believe there are any such places as heaven and hell. She doesn't even think God is real, Daddy." Kadie looked concerned.

"And what do you think?" asked Dad.

"I think God is real," Kadie stated firmly.

"Because I say so?" asked Dad. "And because I tell all the people who come to church that they should believe in God?"

"Yes," answered Kadie, "but I talk to Him, too, and He answers my prayers."

"Does He always answer right away and give you whatever you want?" asked Dad.

Kadie shook her head. "No.Sometimes He does," she said, "but not always.You told me that sometimes God knows something else is better for me. But Jackie says her mother thinks prayer is silly." Suddenly Kadie had a terrible thought. "Oh, Daddy!" she exclaimed. "Jackie won't go to hell, will she? She's my best friend!"

"I'm glad God gave Jackie a good friend like you, honey," answered Dad, giving Kadie a big hug, "but she needs an even better friend -- the Lord Jesus.She needs to know that Jesus loves her so much that He died to take the punishment for her sins."

"I told her," said Kadie. "I think Jackie wants to believe me, but she wants to believe her mother, too."

"You said that you talk to God and He answers your prayers," said Dad, "so let's talk to God about Jackie and her mother right now. Remember, God loves Jackie even more than you do. He'll help you show her His love, and He's the only One who can change her heart -- and her mother's, too."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who don't know Jesus? He wants to be their best friend. He showed His love for them when He died for them -- He "laid down His life" for them.You can show them God's love by being loving and kind, and you can tell them about Jesus.   If you really love them, you will also pray that God will change their hearts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Pray without ceasing.

[Soldier4Christ]

"My heart was full of sin . . ." CLANK! "Until the Savior came in. . . ." CLUNK! "His precious blood I know . . ." CLANK! "Has washed it white as snow." Joel walked along, singing heartily and kicking an empty pop can.

"I used to play a game called 'Kick the Can,'" said Grandpa when Joel reached the front porch where his family was sitting after dinner.

"And I remember singing that song," added Grandma.

"It's 'The Wordless Book' song. I wonder where the idea for a book without words came from," said Joel."Dad, can we search for it on the Internet?" Dad agreed, and they all went inside.

Dad sat down at the computer and typed "wordless book." "Look at all the information!" he exclaimed.After clicking on one of the articles, he read it quickly, then read a summary of it for the others. "In 1866, a preacher, Charles Spurgeon, told of an old, unnamed minister who had put black, red, and white pages together to remind himself of his sinfulness and Christ's blood, which was shed for his cleansing.Today, the familiar black, red, white, gold, and green pages are used around the world to explain the good news that Christ died for our sins.And when we believe that and accept Jesus, we have an eternal home in heaven."

"Think of the thousands of people who have believed in Christ because of one unnamed man," said Grandma. "As another song says, 'Little is much when God is in it.' That's certainly true of this little book. It's a great example of how God can take our small, feeble efforts to serve Him and use them in a big way."

"I'm only nine years old," said Joel. "I can't do much." He looked at Grandma and added, "But that doesn't matter, right?"

"Right," she agreed. "We say 'I can't' too often -- like, 'I can't understand the hard words in the Bible . . . I can't give much in the offering . . . I can't explain salvation very well.'God only asks us to do what we can."

Grandpa grinned. "Instead of playing 'Kick the Can,' why not play 'Kick the Can'ts,'" he suggested.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
What "little thing" can you do?Pray for a friend to accept Jesus as Savior?Read your Bible every day and do what it says? Give a Gospel tract to someone? Put a generous part of your allowance in the church offering?   Don't grumble about being able to do only a "little. "Get rid of the "I can'ts. "Do the best you can and leave the results to God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1Corinthians 10:31)
Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I never saw an eagle before!" exclaimed Jeremy when he and his dad spotted the huge bird.They were camping out -- roughing it -- and they had seen many wild animals in the woods and along the lakes and streams. "I bet my friends never saw a bald eagle, either," added Jeremy excitedly. "They'll be surprised when I tell them about it."He grabbed his camera. "I'll take a picture for proof," he said with a grin.

Dad nodded."You know that the bald eagle is a symbol of our country, don't you?" he asked.

"Of course," replied Jeremy. "We learned that in school, and I think it's a good symbol. Eagles are strong and graceful." They watched the eagle soaring high above them."A whole section in our nature study book told about them," added Jeremy.

"They certainly are magnificent birds," murmured Dad. "I agree with you . . .the eagle is a good symbol for our country."After a moment, he added, "You know, Son -- in a way, bald eagles are like Christians."

"Like Christians?" asked Jeremy. "What do you mean? How can a bird be like a Christian?"

"Well," said Dad, "when we watch the bald eagle, we're reminded of our country and all it stands for, right?" Jeremy nodded. "When people watch Christians, they should be reminded of God and all He stands for," continued Dad.

"So . . . when people see what the bald eagle is like, it tells them something about our country," said Jeremy slowly, "and when people see what Christians are like, it should tell them something about God."

"Exactly," agreed Dad. "You said you learned about eagles in school, and apparently there were things that make you glad to have them represent you and your country. In the same way, I trust that the Lord sees things in us that make Him happy to have us represent Him."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian?If so, are you a faithful representative of Christ?What does He see in your life?Jesus wants to see love, honesty, obedience, joy, peace, patience, kindness -- and all the other characteristics that were found in His life.    He is the example for you to follow.    As you develop those characteristics, they will be the things others see in you, too, and you will be a good ambassador for Jesus -- a good representative of Him.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sometimes when I get home from school, all I want is food that's cool," chanted Mandy, making up the rhyme as she opened the freezer and took out an ice cream bar.She grinned at her brother Michael.

Michael rolled his eyes and made up a rhyme of his own. "I think your rhyme is kind of sad; your poetry is really bad," he said.

Mandy laughed and went outside, where her mother was working in the garden."Hello, Mother with a thumb that's green.You have the best vegetables I've ever seen."

Mother smiled."Still working on that poem you need for school?"

"I'm trying, but I'm about ready to give up. We read such good poems at school, but all I can think of are silly things," complained Mandy.

When Dad arrived home, Mandy greeted him with another of her rhymes."Dad, you've had to work all day. Sit down and relax now, while you may."

"I think you're getting worse, Mandy," teased Michael. "How about this? 'Mom, that chicken looks so fine. It's time that we sat down to dine'?"

Dad laughed and joined in the fun. "My family is always such a delight. It's a joy to be home this Monday night," he told them. As he sat down at the table, he added,  "Actually, I know of a very special poem. It's mentioned in the Bible -- in Ephesians 2:10."

"That was our verse for Sunday school last week!" exclaimed Mandy."Let me think . . . ah . . . oh, I remember!It says, 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.' That doesn't say anything about a poem."

"Yes, it does," declared Dad. "I read that the word 'workmanship' comes from the Greek word 'poema.'That's the same word from which our English word 'poem' comes.So to say we are God's 'workmanship' is like saying we are His poem."

"I like the idea that I'm a poem," said Mandy with a grin.

Dad smiled."Good," he said."Always remember that God wants you to be a poem that blesses others -- one that does 'good works.'"

HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's your favorite poem?Maybe it's a serious poem about trees or flowers. Maybe it's a silly poem about cats or peanut butter.   If you're a Christian, remember that you are God's "poem. "What kind of poem are you?Are you the kind of poem He created you to be?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:10)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, what does 'redeem' mean?" asked Joey. He was sitting at the kitchen table, helping his mother sort coupons.

"Redeem?" repeated Mother. "It means to buy back.Why?"

"Well, this cereal coupon says it will be 'redeemed in accordance with company policy,'" replied Joey.

"That means that after we use the coupon to buy the cereal, the manufacturer will 'redeem' it from the store -- that is, they'll buy the coupon back," explained Mother, "but it has to be done according to their rules."She smiled at Joey. "The Bible talks about redemption, too," she added.

"You mean people in the Bible used coupons?" asked Joey.He grinned. "I don't think so," he added. "I'm sure they didn't have coupons in Bible times."

Mother laughed."No, they didn't have coupons back in those days," she agreed, "but when Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for us to be 'redeemed' by God. Everyone has sinned and strayed away from God, but Jesus shed His blood to buy us back."

"So God has a 'redemption policy' -- like this cereal company does?" Joey asked, holding up the coupon. "We have to be redeemed according to God's rules, right?"

Mother nodded. "That's right, Joey," she said. "God has a pretty simple redemption policy, but apparently many people don't want to follow it.They prefer to make their own rules.They often think they're not really so bad, or that the good things they do will get them into heaven."

"But that's not God's way of redeeming us, is it?" asked Joey.

"No," said Mother. "God asks that we acknowledge our sins and our need for Him to redeem us.Of course, we must believe that He really did die to save us.We need to accept Him as our 'Redeemer' -- our Savior."

Joey nodded."I've done that," he said."I've been redeemed."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you taken advantage of God's redemption offer? No one can make his own rules or set his own policy, and no one can pay the price of redemption by doing good works. Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins, and you can be redeemed only according to God's redemption policy -- only by receiving Jesus as your Savior.   (See page 66.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 1:14)
In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

"That dog is getting on my nerves," grumbled Linda before leaving for school."I wish we didn't have to take care of him while the Carlsons are on vacation. He never listens, and he barks and barks and barks!"

"You can be glad you go to school and don't have to listen to him all day," replied Mother with a grin. "I don't think Max is used to being tied up. The Carlsons have several acres of land where their dog can run freely, and I don't think he likes doing things our way."

"Well, he should be grateful that we tie him up to protect him from traffic, but all he does is bark," grumbled Linda.

"Max is a dog, honey," said Mother. "He can't think like humans do."

"Then he should just trust us and accept the fact that he has to be tied," replied Linda crossly. She opened the door."Be quiet!" she yelled at the barking animal as she left for school.

That evening, Linda was so unhappy about her day that she didn't even notice Max's barking."I didn't get selected for the All-State Chorus," she said, almost in tears. "I think I have a good voice -- and I even prayed about this.I think I should have been chosen to go."

"You do have a good voice, and I'm sorry you weren't chosen, honey," sympathized her father.He gave her a hug."Try to remember that God is directing your life even though you may not understand His reasons for what happens," he added.

"I sure don't like what He let happen this time," complained Linda.

"That's because you're thinking like a human and not like our perfect God," replied Dad.

Mother nodded. "We're a lot like Max," she said. "Since he's a dog and can't reason, he doesn't understand that being tied up is what's best for him.You said this morning that he needs to accept our decision and trust us even though he doesn't understand why we tie him, and you're right. On the other hand, we are able to reason -- but not the way God does.We need to accept His plan and trust Him.Whatever He allows to happen in our lives, He works out for our best. We need to accept it."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get frustrated when things don't go your way?    Remember that humans don't think the way God does, so He doesn't ask us to understand His perfect reasoning. He wants us to simply trust Him and accept His best for our lives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 55:9)
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

[Soldier4Christ]

Eric looked out the kitchen window. It had rained all morning, but now the sun was shining brightly. The leaves on the big tree next to the fence were golden and seemed to glow in the sunlight. If only those leaves could be turned into real gold, thought Eric, then Mom and I could solve all our problems. He sighed. He couldn't help feeling worried now that his mother had lost her job. Ever since Eric's father had died two years earlier, it had been hard for them to manage. Now it would be even harder. Turning toward his mother, he asked, "What are we going to do about money, Mom?"

"Don't you worry about that," said Mother. "I've been able to save a little, Eric, and I'll find another job soon.There are lots of jobs available in the computer field." As she came to stand beside him at the window, several birds swooped down and perched on the badminton net in the back yard. Together Eric and his mother watched as, under the weight of the birds, the net sagged and swayed in the wind.Soon the thin, weak poles that supported the net became uprooted, and everything crashed to the ground. Eric and Mother smiled as the frightened birds flew away.

"You know, Eric," said Mother, "money and material things are like that flimsy net.When we count on them to hold us up in times of trouble, they always fail, just like that net failed those birds.Aren't you glad we can count on someone who never fails?"

Eric nodded."God, right?" he asked."He never fails."

"Right," agreed Mother. "I'm thinking of a verse you learned in Vacation Bible School last summer -- the one about birds.Do you remember it?"

"About birds?" asked Eric thoughtfully. "I think there were a couple. There's one that says, 'Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?'"

"Very good," approved Mother, giving Eric a hug. "God takes care of the birds, and He'll provide for our needs, too.We can be sure of that."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who is out of work? Are you worried about money problems yourself?    Pray that God will provide work for those who need it, but trust God -- not a job -- to provide for your needs.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:19)
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Travis reached for the cereal box at the same time that his younger brother picked it up. "Hey, I was going to take it first," yelled Travis as he tried to yank the box out of Blake's hand.

"You were not!" retorted Blake, pulling even harder. "I had it first."

The box flipped out of their hands, and cereal flew in all directions. "Now see what you did!" they accused each other.

Dad looked stern. "Quiet," he ordered."You boys do enough fighting for a whole army.We need to find a way to bring peace into this house."

Mom nodded. "I just read in the newspaper about the peacekeeping force sent to work with several countries overseas," she said."Maybe we could start our own peacekeeping plan.What could you do differently in order to keep peace?"

Travis scowled at Blake and said, "I'd make Blake share."

Dad shook his head. "That's not the idea," he said. "The Bible teaches us to put others first, so the best way to make peace is by changing yourself, not the other person.How could you have prevented the fight over the cereal box?"

Travis scratched his head, trying to think. á "Well, I suppose I could have let go and let Blake pour his cereal first," he admitted. "I guess it wouldn't have hurt me to wait a minute."

"I guess we could take turns being the first to do things," suggested Blake."Like . . . if we're ready for the cereal at the same time, Travis could pour his first one day, and I could pour first the next day."

"Excellent peacekeeping plan," approved Dad.

Travis picked up the box of cereal and set it on the table."You can go first today," he told his brother.

"Hold it!" ordered Mom. "Before you start sharing the cereal, there's something else you need to share -- clean-up duties.Before you eat your breakfast, you can both help clean up the cereal you spilled."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have frequent fights with your brother or sister?    You can do a lot to keep peace. You can learn to be polite, thoughtful of others, and willing to share and take turns.You can learn not to be greedy and not to fight for what you think is yours.    God wants you to avoid conflict and live in peace with others as much as possible. When you do disagree with someone, do it in a pleasant way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:18)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The British are coming! The British are coming!" cried Steve as he spurred his horse past his Uncle Gary and thundered through the pasture back toward the barn. Uncle Gary soon caught up, and together they walked the horses the rest of the way. Steve grinned as he dismounted and led his horse inside to rub him down."In social studies, we learned how Paul Revere warned people that the British were coming," he told his uncle."I sure wish I could have lived back then.That must have been really exciting!I mean -- well, think about it! Riding at night to warn people that the enemy was coming, and always wondering if you'd get captured or not!"

Uncle Gary nodded his head slowly. "Exciting, maybe, but don't you think it sounds pretty scary, too?" he asked."How many of us would really have dared to do that?"

"I would," boasted Steve. "After all, somebody had to warn them, or they would have been captured."

"Yes," murmured Uncle Gary thoughtfully, "but I sometimes fail in my job to warn people now, so I wonder if I'd have done it then."

Steve looked doubtful. "To warn people now?Who do you have to warn?" he asked."And about what?"

Rubbing down his horse as he talked, Uncle Gary explained."God has given His children the task of warning people that they're sinners and need to repent before He comes to judge the world," he said."If we don't warn them and tell them about God's provision of salvation through Jesus -- and if they don't accept Him as Savior -- they'll spend eternity in hell."

"Oh!"Steve was a little embarrassed by the turn in the conversation.

"Do you think Paul Revere worried about whether or not people would believe him, or whether or not they would laugh at him?" asked Uncle Gary.Steve shook his head. á "I don't think so, either," said Uncle Gary, "but we worry about such things, don't we? We have a message far more important than Paul Revere's, yet instead of delivering the message God gave us, we often let the fear of being embarrassed keep us quiet.We need to show a little more courage and deliver God's warning."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
How are you doing as a "Paul Revere" for the Lord? God told Ezekiel to warn Israel because of their wickedness.   The Apostle Paul also warned others of God's coming judgment and their need to accept Jesus as Savior.   If you're a Christian, this is your task as well.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ezekiel 3:17)
Hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

The sound of the lawn mower next door cut through the quiet of the lazy Sunday afternoon as Andrea and her mother worked on a fresh flower arrangement. "I'm glad the Bakers moved in next door," observed Mother. "It's nice having Christians for neighbors, isn't it?"

Andrea nodded as she handed Mother two red roses, being careful not to prick herself on the thorns. "Yeah, but . . ."Alicia hesitated."I know they go to church, but they mow the lawn almost every Sunday," she said. "Dad always says we have to get it done on Saturday so we don't have to work on Sunday. He says we should keep the Lord's Day holy. Maybe the Bakers aren't really Christians at all. Otherwise, why don't they care about that?"

Mother smiled as she added the roses to the bouquet. "What makes a Christian?" she asked.

"Trusting Jesus as Savior," said Andrea, "but . . ." She paused.

"When the Bakers first came to church with us, they told us that each member of their family does trust in Jesus," said Mother.

"But . . ." protested Andrea.

"Dad and I both believe that the things we do on Sunday are what's right for our family, but there may be things we do on Sunday that the Bakers would never do."Mother held up the bouquet."Each of these flowers is different," she said."This yellow one is such a pretty color. This pink one next to it isn't quite as bright, but it makes the whole bouquet smell good." Mother took out a rose."Then there's the rose.It has thorns, but we don't throw it out.Actually, it's my favorite flower." She replaced the rose. "Like flowers, Christians are all different," she added. "We may not agree on everything, but we still recognize that anyone who loves Jesus and trusts in Him as Savior is a Christian."

Andrea nodded slowly. "I guess the Bible doesn't say exactly what we should or shouldn't do on Sunday, does it?"

"No," agreed Mother, "but it does warn us about judging other Christians.Let's leave that to God."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you accept Christians who do things a little differently from the way you do?God says some things are definitely right or wrong, but there are other areas where He doesn't give such definite guidelines.You need to be careful not to judge others.Leave that to God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 14:10)
Why dost thou judge thy brother?or why does thou set at naught thy brother?for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Lisa sang softly to herself. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. . . ."

"Time to go," called Dad.

Reluctantly, Lisa turned and followed her parents to the car.Usually she loved going to church retreats, but this year, Julie, her best friend, wouldn't be there. Julie had died just two weeks before. á A tear trickled down Lisa's cheek, and she hastily rubbed it away as she slid into the back seat of the car, closed the car door, and fastened her seatbelt.

"All set?" asked Dad. Lisa nodded and started humming the song again, trying to seem cheerful.

"I like that song," said Mother.

Biting her lip as another tear escaped, Lisa whispered, "It was one of Julie's favorites."

As Dad backed out of the driveway, he began singing the song again, and Mother and Lisa joined him.

"Dad, just what does it mean to 'mount up with wings as eagles'?" asked Lisa when they finished the song. "We can't really fly."

Smiling, Dad replied, "The eagle is a unique bird, Lisa.When there's a storm, other birds try to avoid it, but the eagle flies straight into it and uses the winds of the storm to lift himself above the clouds."

"Where he can fly better and be safe?" asked Lisa.

"Yes."Dad nodded. "With God's strength, you can be like an eagle and fly straight into the storms of life instead of running away from them. Then you can use those hurts or troubles -- even the hurt and loneliness you feel from Julie's death -- to grow as a Christian."

Brushing away the tears, Lisa nodded. "It still hurts, even though I know Julie's in heaven," she said, "but I do want to 'fly' the way God wants me to. á Will you and Mom help me, Dad?"

"We sure will, honey," Dad assured her.

"Let's sing that song together again," suggested Mother.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you sad because a friend has died or moved away?    Because your mom or dad are out of work?   Or because it seems like your world is falling apart?God loves you, and He wants to help you face your problems so you can grow and become more Christ-like.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 40:31)
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

[Soldier4Christ]

Hurry up, Dad, thought Todd as he glanced at his watch. Dad was reading some Bible verses, but Todd was anxious for morning devotions to end so the day's fishing trip could begin.It seemed like a long time before Dad finally closed with prayer.

"Ready to go!" Todd announced moments later. "The gear is in the car." He grinned at his mother.  "We'll bring fish for supper," he told her.

When they got to the river, Todd and his father quickly cast their fishing lines into the water. They waited and waited, but they didn't get even one nibble. "Maybe it's true that talking scares the fish away," observed Todd as he and Dad moved along the riverbank to try a different spot. "I won't talk so much this time. Maybe they heard us talk about frying them."

Dad just grinned as they cast their lines out again. A few minutes later, Todd felt something tugging at his line."I've got a bite!"he exclaimed. "I'm gonna get this one." He pulled in his catch. "My supper," he announced with a smile, and soon they caught a few more fish. Todd frowned as he took one off the hook."I thought talking too loud was scaring the fish away," he said, "but fish don't even have ears."

"Sure they do," said Dad. "You just can't see them." Todd examined the fish carefully as Dad explained."Fish have ears that are internal --  that is, on the inside -- not external, like yours and mine."  He tugged gently on Todd's ear. "But you know what?"

"What?" asked Todd.

"Well," said Dad, "even though our ears are on the outside, our most important hearing takes place on the inside. That happens when we listen carefully and take to heart the messages God has for us."

Dad's words made Todd remember the morning devotions. He had heard his dad's voice, but he had been so busy planning the fishing trip that he hadn't listened with his heart to hear God's message.

"When we take to heart what God is saying, we also act upon it, so it's hearing God's message on the inside that makes a real difference in our lives," finished Dad."Now let's get these fish home for our supper."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
How well do you listen?When someone reads the Bible or discusses what God is saying in His Word, do you just hear words with your ears -- are you just a hearer of God's Word?    Or do you hear the message with your heart and obey what it says?In other words, are you a doer of God's Word?You should be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Micah 6:1)
Hear ye now what the Lord saith.