Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Robin studied her doll collection thoughtfully. She thought all her dolls were beautiful, and she couldn't decide which was the best one to enter into the "Best Doll" contest.Finally, she just closed her eyes, spun around a couple of times, and reached out. Her searching fingers closed around black-haired Hiyoko. "This will be it," she decided.

The public library was crowded when Robin and her mother arrived there.Robin saw that the other girls clutched all sorts of dolls -- large, gorgeous dolls, small baby dolls in lace and ruffles, or glamorous character dolls. Robin had never seen so many dolls in her entire life.

Suddenly, Robin noticed a little girl standing alone in the registration line.In her arms, she carried a straggly-haired doll whose face was chipped and faded from use and from the hugs and kisses of many years. The doll's red dress, edged in ragged lace, was worn and wrinkled.The little girl gently smoothed it while she waited.

Robin nudged her mother. "Mom, look! That girl over there is entering an ugly old doll," she whispered.

Mother glanced toward the child who was now speaking shyly to a lady at the registration desk. "Her doll may not be beautiful, but it certainly is loved," murmured Mother.After a moment she added softly, "I think that doll must be something like the way we appear to God, Robin, but He loves us and accepts us even though we're not brand new or beautiful. People come to Him with scars from the wear and tear of sin, but like that little girl, God looks beyond what's unlovely. á He sees a helpless soul that needs Him, and He loves each one very much."

They watched as the lady at the desk pinned the number forty-seven on the doll's red dress."I really hope number forty-seven wins a prize, don't you?" murmured Robin thoughtfully.

"That would be nice," agreed Mother. "If there's a prize for the 'most loved' doll, she's sure to get it."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thanked Jesus for loving you just the way you are?   He isn't impressed by your sharp, up-to-date clothes or name-brand shoes.He looks inside to see if your heart is right before Him.    Is it?If not, accept Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 5:
God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Timmy looked at the paper his Sunday school teacher had given him. On it were written words she wanted him to remember."This says, 'Jesus loves you, and He'll always take care of you,'" she told him.

Those words didn't make Timmy feel especially happy. I already have too many people taking care of me, he thought.He had his parents, whom he didn't mind so much, but he also had two sisters who were a little bossy sometimes.Now he'd learned that Jesus was watching over him, too.

His sisters were waiting when he came out of church. "How was Sunday school?" asked Miriam.

"Good," replied Timmy. "We had a story."

"That's nice," said Miriam. She knelt down to button his coat. "It's a cold, windy day," she said. "We don't want you to get sick."

"You'd better put on your mittens, too," advised Deanne."Here, let me help you." á She took Timmy's mittens and slipped them onto his hands.

Then Timmy's sisters each held one of his hands while they crossed the street to the car.Deanne opened the car door so he could climb into the back seat.

"Hi, Timmy.Did you like Sunday school?" asked his father.

"I liked it fine," answered Timmy. "My teacher gave me this." He handed the paper to his mother.

"Jesus loves you. He'll always take care of you," read Mother. "That's a good message.I like to know Jesus is taking care of me."

"Is Jesus taking care of you, too?" asked Timmy in surprise.Mother nodded, and he added, "I have too many people taking care of me!"

Dad smiled."It must seem as if a lot of people are telling you what to do," he agreed, "but we all do that because we love you.One way Jesus takes care of us is to give us a family so we can care for each other."

Timmy turned the thought over in his mind. So Jesus was taking care of him with the help of his parents and sisters.Timmy guessed he should be glad to have his family. In fact, he really was glad.It wasn't every little boy who had so many people giving him so much attention.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you glad for all the family members God has given you?   Do you thank Him for parents, brothers and sisters, grandmas and grandpas?What other people has God sent into your life to help take care of you?   Thank God for each one of them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 20:7)
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Deborah was excited when she returned home from her horseback riding lesson."It was great!" she told her family that evening. "We went on a trail ride through the woods. My horse was spooked once, but I didn't even fall off!" Deborah beamed as she remembered the fun she'd had.

"Spooked?" asked Deborah's little brother. "Did you see a ghost?"

Deborah laughed. "No, Davie," she said."It's just that some horses scare easily. When they see something they don't expect -- like a piece of paper blowing in the wind -- they might all of a sudden jump sideways or try to run away. We call that being 'spooked.' If you're not a good rider, you might fall off when the horse does that."

"Horses are so big," said Davie. "Why would papers scare them?"

Deborah shrugged. "They just do," she said, "but if the horse knows you and trusts you, he calms down, and you can get him to go places he'd be scared to go otherwise."

"You've learned a lot about horses and about riding them," said Dad with a smile."As I was thinking about the way a horse and rider develop a trusting friendship, I decided that it's a good picture of how we should develop a trusting relationship with God."

Deborah looked questioningly at her dad. "Do you mean that we shouldn't be afraid to go wherever God wants us to go because we know He'll take care of us?" she asked.

"That's part of it," agreed Dad. "We need to trust Him in every situation. Sometimes we get 'spooked' when unexpected things happen in our lives, and they aren't the way we thought they would -- or should -- be. We need to learn to trust God to take us through the scary places."

Mother smiled at Deborah. "Next time your horse is spooked," she said, "let it remind you that a close, loving relationship with God can keep you from being spooked about things in your life."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever afraid?Sometimes you have to do things that make you nervous or scared. At such times, read and think about what God says in His Word; talk to Him in prayer; be aware of His promise never to leave you or let anything happen that He does not control. God loves you, and He wants you to have trust and confidence in Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 41:10)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"We had fun at school today," announced Lexi as she bounded up the steps and into the house."Miss Summers took us to the kitchen and helped us make cinnamon biscuits. We ate them while they were warm. They were gooey and de-e-e-licious! Can we make them at home sometime?"

"Sure," agreed Mother. "They sound great!"

Lexi nodded. "It will be even more fun making them here than at school," she said, "because I'll get to do more.At school we each put in a couple of the ingredients, and I got stuck with measuring the dry ingredients -- the flour and salt and baking powder. I pretended I didn't care, but I would have liked to fix the gooey part."

"And they turned out good -- light and fluffy?" asked Mother.

"Oh, yes!"Lexi's eyes sparkled."Miss Summers said they were as light as they could be!" she exclaimed.

Mother smiled. "Without the baking powder," she said, "they would have been flat and hard.It was your baking powder that made the biscuits light and fluffy."

"Really?" Lexi looked surprised."Well . . . maybe I had the most important job of all," she decided, "even if it wasn't as much fun to do as the gooey part."

"All the ingredients were important," said Mother. "I think it's a mistake to assign more importance to one than another, so all of your team had an important job to do."Giving Lexi a hug, she added, "We're something like recipe ingredients."

"Mom!" protested Lexi, giving her mother a perplexed glance. "What do you mean by that?You always think it's silly when people say they're like a certain animal or . . . or . . . whatever!"

Mother laughed."I mean that God has given gifts and talents to each of us -- all different, but all needed. As we all work together, God can accomplish much through us. Something we might consider to be a very small talent is as important as the more obvious talents some people have."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel hurt if you don't get what appears to be the most important job or the most fun activity?Do you say you don't want to help at all then?Don't make that mistake.Remember that your contribution is important to God, so work hard for Him.   Do a good job, even if nobody else knows about it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:5)
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Caleb and Jake watched as their little brother played soccer in the park. Their father soon arrived and took a seat on the grass next to them. "How's Cody doing?" asked Dad.

"Good," answered Caleb.

Dad smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Cody has been so excited about belonging to the soccer team. It's been a long time since I've seen that kind of enthusiasm."

"Not me," Jake blurted out. "There's this boy, Nicholas, in my class, and he's about as excited over math as Cody is over soccer. Can you believe it?All the guys make fun of him and call him names."

"I hope you're not one of them," said Dad.

Jake swallowed. "Aw, we're not really mean to him," he mumbled.

Dad shook his head in disapproval. "I hope not," he said.

"Well, you gotta admit he's kinda . . ." began Jake, but he was interrupted by Caleb, who got up and started shouting.

"Stop, Cody! Stop!" Caleb turned toward his father. "Cody is kicking the ball toward the wrong side!" he exclaimed.

Jake jumped up, too. "Oh, no!Cody!" he yelled. "You're helping the wrong side!" Unfortunately, Cody didn't stop. He kicked the ball right into the opposition's goal, scoring a point against his own team. Jake sighed heavily as he dropped to his seat. "It looks like he forgot what team he belongs to."

Dad nodded, then asked, "You're sure you don't do that?"

"Me!"Jake was shocked."No chance!"

"I hope not," replied Dad. "Just remember that any time you team up with kids who are cruel to others and mock them, you're forgetting that you belong on Jesus' team. Your actions show whether or not you're scoring points for His team or for Satan's team."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you make fun of people or do unkind things because you're trying to fit into a certain group?Do you behave in ways that you know are not pleasing to God, just so you'll be accepted by the in crowd?   Many people score points for the Devil by the way they act and the things they say. Jesus has called Christians to be on His team, and that requires treating people right.Don't forget which team you're on.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:32)
And be ye kind one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Mother tapped on Tyler's door, she could hear his voice.n"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were talking to yourself," she said when he called for her to come in.

Tyler grinned. "Just chatting with the 'Exhibit A' plants for my science experiment," he said. "Some people say talking to plants affects their growth, you know. It's going to be interesting to see if that's true."

Mother nodded. "What did you learn in Sunday school today?" she asked, noticing a Sunday school paper on the dresser.

Tyler shrugged, then grinned again. "Well, for one thing, I learned what a dummy Pete is when it comes to Bible stories. He doesn't know anything!"

Mother frowned, then walked over to the window and picked up one of the plants. "Are you using the same amount of light and the same food and soil with the plants you talk to and the ones that you don't talk to?" she asked.

"Sure," replied Tyler. "Otherwise I won't know if the talking makes any difference in their growth.But I have another exhibit, too -- I have some plants in the basement, and some others outdoors. They get different amounts of light. I have to take all the differences into account when I make my report."

Mother nodded. "I should think so," she said, "and you know what? I think you also should consider differences when you compare the various kids in your class. "She set down the plant she was holding. "Pete hasn't been coming to Sunday school very long. He's a brand new Christian, and he hasn't had as much Bible teaching as you and most of the kids in your class. Besides, God has given some people the ability to learn more quickly than others. So do you think it's fair to expect the same amount of growth in each one?"

Sheepishly, Tyler shook his head. "I guess not," he said.

"Don't forget to take these differences into account, Tyler," said Mother."Better yet -- don't judge your friends at all. Leave that to God. He's the only one Who can make fair judgments anyway."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tend to compare your friends?Don't expect them all to be the same or to grow spiritually at the same rate.   They all have different backgrounds and different capabilities.Leave judging to God and concentrate on making your own life pleasing to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:1)
Judge not, that ye be not judged.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sara, I have a surprise to show you," announced Daddy one Saturday morning. "Come with me." Sara ran to her father, and together they went out to the patio. "Some finches made a nest out here," said Daddy, pointing to a large plant that hung outside the kitchen window. "The mother bird laid five eggs in the nest, and they've all hatched."

Sara's eyes grew wide as her father lifted her onto his shoulder so she could peek into the nest. "I just see a pile of fuzz and twigs in there," said Sara. "Where are the baby birds?"

"Watch," said Daddy. He made clicking noises with his tongue, and suddenly five tiny heads popped up out of the fuzz.

"Oh, I see them!" squealed Sara. "I see them!They have their eyes closed. "Gradually the heads sank back into the fuzz."Do it again, Daddy," begged Sara. So Daddy made the clicking noise again, and up popped five heads.

Sara and Daddy visited the birds every day, and Sara watched them grow. Soon their eyes opened, and they got new, larger feathers. But it became harder to get them to respond to Daddy's clicking noise. Sara wondered why. "They're learning that I'm not really their mother coming to bring their dinner," Daddy told her when she asked him about it. "They know I'm just fooling them. "He smiled at his little daughter as he added, "We're kind of like those baby birds. We have to learn to recognize who it is that is telling us to do things. We have to be able to tell when it's God's voice."

"We do?" asked Sara. "How do we do that?"

"By learning about God through His Word," said Daddy. "God will never go against His Word."

"Satan is the one who tries to fool us, isn't he?" asked Sara."I know Jesus tells us to do good things, and Satan tries to get us to do bad things."

"It sounds like you're learning to recognize God's voice already," said Daddy with a smile.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you learned to recognize God's voice? The more you learn about God through reading and studying the Bible, the easier it becomes to know the difference between what is true and what is false.The more you learn of God, the easier it is to know when He wants you to do -- or not to do -- something.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:27)
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

As the Martin family listened to the evening news, the TV reporter told about an oil spill where many miles of beautiful, sandy beaches were being smeared with thick, black goo. "Massive damage has been done in spite of efforts to stop the spread of oil and clean up the beaches and ocean," stated the reporter. "It looks as if Mother Nature may have to do the final clean-up job here."

"Mother Nature!" said Dad in disgust. "People need to admit that only God can overrule the weather and oceans to solve a problem of this size."

"Wow!" exclaimed fourteen-year-old Noah as several forlorn sea birds stared into the TV camera -- a picture of dejection. "Those birds don't look so good! They can't even move with all that oil on their feathers." One of the oil-soaked sea birds was struggling to free itself from the hands of a rescuer."Poor thing," murmured Noah. "If that bird doesn't let that lady help him, he'll die. Too bad she can't talk bird language and tell him that she's there to save him."

"I think a lot of people are like those sea birds," observed Dad.

"People got caught in the oil spill, too?" asked Noah in horror.

Dad smiled."No, that's not what I mean," he said, "but actually, they're caught in something worse -- they're caught in sin. Those birds have to be cleaned up if they're going to live, and people who don't have Jesus as Savior need to have their hearts and lives cleaned up, too. That's the only way to live eternally, right?"

Noah nodded. "Right.And Mother Nature can't help," he observed. "In fact, I guess it's Mother Nature who got them into trouble in the first place, because it's just natural to sin."

"That's true," agreed Dad. "Only God can change lives. Your comment about the lady being unable to talk bird language made me feel grateful that God speaks our language. He tells us in the Bible that He has provided a way for cleaning up sin's mess. People have to quit struggling against God and simply trust Jesus, His Son, to do for them what they can't do for themselves."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you struggling to clean up your heart and life?    Stop trying.You can't do it by yourself, but God speaks your language! Listen to Him and let Him take care of the "clean-up" job.   (See page 66.)    Trust Jesus today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 2:3)
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mrs. Brown, Lucy's elderly neighbor, had a little yellow canary in a shiny brass cage.Lucy loved to listen as the bird fluttered around, pecking seeds and singing his happy songs. Mrs. Brown said she guessed the bird sang because he was thankful. "You know, Lucy," she said in her scratchy voice, "the Bible says, 'When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God.' That's Deuteronomy 8:10." Mrs. Brown had a Bible verse for almost everything, even happy canaries.

Lucy perched on a high stool, listening while the little bird poured cheerful notes into the bright sunny kitchen. "Mrs. Brown," said Lucy thoughtfully, "at our house we don't always pray before we eat. Sometimes Dad calls and says he'll be late, so Mom fixes a tray for me so I can eat in the family room while she feeds Brandon in his high chair."

Mrs. Brown's smile softened the directness of her reply. "Well, no matter where you're eating, you can thank God for your supper. The Bible says we're not to forget His benefits to us." Lucy didn't answer, so Mrs. Brown asked, "Do you remember the story about Jesus healing the ten lepers -- and only one returned to thank Him?"

"Yes."Lucy nodded.

"Even Jesus seemed surprised that the others forgot, didn't He?" asked Mrs. Brown. She looked at the bird cage."No one has to remind my canary to sing -- he just naturally does that. Do you suppose he's trying to teach us to sing songs of thanksgiving?"


Lucy saw the old lady's blue eyes twinkle behind her glasses. She knew that the sweet smile and contented manner reflected a thankful heart. "Because I practice giving thanks to God every day, Lucy, I've found that a prayer of thanksgiving has become as natural as a canary's song," added Mrs. Brown. "I believe God wants us to learn a lesson from this little teacher."

"I'll remember," Lucy promised with a smile. "Wait till I tell Mom and Dad that I had a lesson from a canary! They'll be surprised."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does thanksgiving come naturally to you?Do you remember to thank the Lord every day for His "benefits" to you -- your blessings?The Bible teaches us to be thankful always, not only on Thanksgiving Day. Be sure you are -- and be sure to tell Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:2)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits

[Soldier4Christ]

All week Melissa had been very busy -- so busy that she couldn't seem to find time to study for her regular Friday spelling test. There was always something more interesting to do, like reading a book, going to gymnastics, playing a game with her brothers, or watching a favorite TV program. "I'll study tomorrow," she told herself as she went to her room each night.

After school on Friday, Melissa took her time walking home. She wasn't at all eager to hear her mother's usual question:How was your spelling test? Sure enough, when Melissa finally strolled into the house, the question came. "I got a C-," admitted Melissa, embarrassed."I never had time to study." Mother looked disappointed but didn't say anything.

After dinner, Dad turned on the news. "Come and listen to this," he called. "I think you'll find it interesting." Melissa and Mother joined him to listen to a report about a lion that had escaped from a large city zoo. Those who lived near the zoo were very fearful. Many stayed in their homes when they heard about the lion on the loose. Children were not allowed to go outdoors to play. People were afraid to go out to work in their gardens.

Melissa shivered. "I'm glad I don't live there," she said.

Mother nodded. "A lion on the loose can really interfere with the things we need to do," she agreed. Then looking at Melissa, she asked, "Are you sure you haven't met any lions lately?" At Melissa's puzzled expression, Mother explained. "I once read a story about a lion named Procrastinate. I thought maybe you had come across him. You see, to procrastinate means to postpone or put things off. When Procrastinate runs loose in our lives, he prevents us from doing what we should be doing -- like studying."

Melissa blushed as Dad added, "We need to leash that lion and get busy with what God wants us to do. We have to decide which things are most important and take care of them before we take time for the things we do simply for our own pleasure."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you waiting for another day to do something that should be done now?   Don't wait. After all, you don't even know that God will give you another day.   Make a list of things you need to do today.Then get busy and do them.   Ask God to help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 27:1)
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Robert watched proudly as his toy robot marched around the room. It was made of clear plastic, and he could see the working parts and flashing lights inside the robot's body.His sister watched, too. "My robot's bigger than yours, Robert," said Tanya after a moment. "It's prettier, too. It shines like gold, and you can't see all the ugly parts inside."

"Well, robots don't have to look pretty," retorted Robert. "I bet mine can go faster than yours."

The children had just decided to race their robots across the room when the lights went out. "What happened?" asked Tanya. She sounded worried.

"It must be the storm," said Robert. "I wish Mom and Dad were home. Let's go downstairs." They headed toward the door, but in the hall it was too dark to see and they had to feel their way along the wall. "Wait a minute!" exclaimed Robert.Going back, he managed to find his robot, and he turned on the switch. The lights began to flash, and soon the children were downstairs, guided by the light from the robot.

A little later, they saw car lights in the driveway, and then Mom and Dad followed the beam of a flashlight into the living room. "I'm sure glad to see you!" exclaimed Tanya."It was spooky alone here in the dark!"

"My robot helped, though," added Robert. He proudly demonstrated how his robot had saved the day."Tanya was bragging about her big, shiny robot, but it was my see-through one that gave us light," he said.

Mom chuckled, then said soberly, "Your robots remind me of Christians. There are those who appear to be important and attractive, but when the going gets tough, they falter and aren't much help to others. They don't seem to have much inner strength. Other Christians may not seem as impressive to us, but they're strong on the inside. You can always count on them to be where they're needed. The light of Jesus shines forth from their lives!"

"That's right," said Dad. "That's the kind of Christian we should be. God's love should be seen in what we do and say."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you the kind of Christian described in today's Scripture reading?   How you look on the outside isn't nearly as important as what you're like on the inside. That's what God cares about. When you live as He wants you to, His light will shine out through your life.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Do we have to go to church this morning?" asked Brent. "Can't we stay home and get ready for the Andersons?" The Andersons, who were former neighbors, were coming for a visit.

Mom surveyed the house. "Everything is ready," she said. "The roast is in the oven, the table is set, and the house has been cleaned from top to bottom."

Dad looked at Brent as he got his coat out of the closet. "What's up, buddy?" asked Dad. "You didn't want to go to church last week, either. "Brent just shrugged and went out to the car.

After church, the family hurried home, looking forward to seeing their visitors. "I can't wait to show Noah my new bike," said Brent.

At home, they saw that there was a message on the answering machine, and Dad turned it on.Brent heard Mr. Anderson's voice."We won't be able to make it today," said Mr. Anderson. "I'm sorry, but it's been a busy week, and we don't feel up to making the fifty-mile trip."

"What kind of lame excuse is that?" protested Brent. "Mom spent all that time cleaning and cooking -- and we all helped, too. Besides, I haven't seen Noah for months! I wanted to play with him. Now they're not even coming!"

Dad looked at Brent thoughtfully. "This morning, our Sunday school teacher talked about someone who prepares a special meal each week, but some of the guests don't want to come -- some just don't even show up."

"Really?" asked Brent. "Who makes a special meal?"

"Pastor Mueller," replied Dad. "Each week he spends many hours in study, preparing a message that's like a spiritual meal for us. The choir and those giving special music spend a lot of time practicing to help prepare that spiritual meal. Even more important, God wants us to come and enjoy fellowship with Him. Think what we miss when we come up with silly reasons for staying home from church!"

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you stay home from church or youth activities to watch a special television program?Do you skip services because you're tired or just because you don't feel like going?   Many people spend time preparing for those meetings.Be there so you can "eat" the spiritual food that comes from God's Word. Be there to enjoy fellowship with other Christians.   Be there to fellowship with God and to worship Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 122:1)
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Opening the oven door, Marianne removed a pan of cookies. As she set the pan on the table, her small brother darted into the kitchen. "Cookie!" exclaimed Dylan, reaching toward the hot pan.

"No!" cried Marianne, quickly pulling him away. Dylan howled and kicked furiously. "That pan is hot!" Marianne told him. "You'll burn your fingers if you touch it."

"What's going on here?" asked Mother, coming into the room and taking hold of Dylan.

"Dylan's mad because I stopped him from picking up the hot cookies," said Marianne. Just then the phone rang, and Marianne went to answer it, leaving her mother to deal with Dylan.

A little later, Marianne slumped down on a chair as Mother took more cookies from the oven. "That was Leslie," said Marianne."She was telling me about all the rules Pastor Dan made for our youth group's ski trip. I've been looking forward to it, but I'm not sure it's going to be any fun now! Leslie says there'll be chaperons and room-cleaning requirements -- and even a curfew!I think it's totally unfair!"

"Just like Dylan thought you were unfair for not letting him touch the hot cookies?" asked Mother.

Marianne looked surprised. "I don't mind if he has some cookies," she said. "I just didn't want him to get burned."

"And Pastor Dan doesn't mind if you have fun," said Mother, "but he doesn't want you to get hurt. He's responsible before God for the young people in his youth group.And you're responsible before God, too --  He'll hold you accountable to obey the guidelines Pastor Dan sets when you're under his care."

Marianne sighed."I suppose," she said as the oven timer buzzed. She grinned at Dylan who was sitting quietly, staring at the cookies. "Come on, little brother," she said. "As soon as I get this last batch out, let's have cookies and milk.That first batch has cooled down, and they'll be great now." Marianne paused, then added, "And I'll try to remember how good the ski trip will be if I follow the rules."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes balk at rules? God says you are to obey those who have authority over you.    When you choose to do that, it will benefit you, and it will also delight your Heavenly Father.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:13)
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tyler stood in the back yard, looking up at the roof of his house. It was a busy place as the remodeling crew climbed up and down the ladders, working on the rectangular-shaped hole in the roof. "Having a skylight will really brighten up our dark kitchen," said Dad as he joined his son.

"This is like my Sunday school lesson," said Tyler as he watched the workmen carefully lifting the window. He grinned as he explained. "The lesson was about the four men who brought their sick friend to Jesus. They cut a hole in the roof and let him down through it to where Jesus was."

Dad nodded."I know the story," he said. "There was such a crowd around the house that they couldn't get the sick man in through the door."

"Even with power tools, it's a big job to cut a hole in the roof," said Tyler, standing back to watch the men work. "I always wondered how those guys in the Bible times could climb up a ladder with a stretcher and then cut through the roof."

"I'm sure that roof was flatter than ours," said Dad, "and there probably were outside steps going up to it."

"Maybe so," agreed Tyler. "Anyway, Cole and I were wishing we could put Eric on a stretcher and carry him to Jesus and let Jesus heal him."

"You can do that in prayer, Tyler," said Dad gently.

"We have, but Eric still has cancer," replied Tyler sadly. "Doesn't Jesus heal anymore?"

"Jesus still heals," Dad assured him. "Sometimes He does it with doctors; sometimes He heals with a miracle, but sometimes -- like with your great-grandmother -- He takes the person to heaven. There is no sickness there, you know."

Tyler wasn't satisfied. "What can Cole and I do?" he asked. "We want to do something to help Eric."

"Visit him whenever you can," Dad told him, "and tell him about the skylight. If I were sick, it would make me feel better just to know I had two friends who would like to put me on a stretcher, carry me up a ladder, and cut a hole in the roof to get me to Jesus. Let him know that since you can't do that, you'll keep on taking him to Jesus in your prayers."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a friend or relative who's very ill? Do you feel there's nothing you can do? You can pray for -- and sometimes with -- that person.   You can send cards, cheerful notes, or small gifts.Be sure the sick person knows you care and that Jesus does, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 8:16)
He (Jesus) . . . healed all that were sick.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The baby is crying again," Bonita told her aunt. "What do you think she wants this time?"

"She's probably hungry," replied Aunt Sue. "She lets me know when it's time to eat. "Bonita's aunt picked up five-week-old Kelsey.

"She can't do anything for herself, can she?" asked Bonita."You have to pick her up and carry her.You dress her. You feed her. You rock her, and you have to give her a bath."

"Yes, I do," agreed Aunt Sue. "Right now your little cousin depends on me for almost everything. I take care of her day and night."

When Bonita returned to her own home, she told her parents all about Baby Kelsey."I should think Aunt Sue would be tired," said Bonita. "She has a lot of work to do. She does everything but breathe for that baby!"

Dad smiled at Bonita. "We all were babies like that once," he said. "You were, too, and Mom and I did the same things for you."

"I'm not like that anymore," boasted Bonita, standing tall. "I take care of myself."

"I'm still like a baby in some ways," said Mom. Bonita giggled, laughing at her grown-up mother."I am!" insisted Mom. "I depend on my Father for everything. Sometimes I fuss because He doesn't meet my needs right at the time I think He should. But most of the time I rest, trusting my Father because I know that He is caring for me."

"Your father!" protested Bonita. "Grandpa lives in California! You don't depend on him to take care of you."

"Mom isn't talking about her earthly father. She's talking about God -- her Heavenly Father," explained Dad.

Mom nodded. "My Heavenly Father is with me day and night," she said. "I need that."

"We all do," agreed Dad. "It seems to us that Aunt Sue gives Baby Kelsey an awful lot of time and love and care, but just think -- every day God gives us even more care than human parents can give their children!"

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a baby in your family or among your acquaintances?   Do you feel much bigger and stronger and better able to take care of yourself than that baby is?   Even though you're bigger now and have learned a lot, you still need to depend on God.    He's in control of everything, and He knows what's best for you.As Psalm 23 points out, He provides all kinds of things for His children. Aren't you glad you have such a wonderful Father who cares for you?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 23:1)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.