Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

It was early Saturday morning when Tim and his grandfather arrived at the farm. There had been a fire the week before, and all the buildings now lay in ruins. As they walked about the littered yard, Grandpa told Tim about his boyhood in that very place.

 

"This was where the spring-house stood," said Grandpa. "My mother stored eggs and butter here because it stayed cool inside -- a little like a refrigerator." Tim enjoyed the word pictures of his grandfather's long-ago memories, and it made him sad to see the charred ash heap, which was all that remained of the little building. The jagged, burnt trunk of a tree, which had evidently shaded the spring-house, was close by. Grandpa continued speaking. "This was a huge tree," he said, "and my father hung a rope swing  in it for us boys. When I pumped really hard, I could get high enough to see way down to the south pasture."

 

Next, Tim and his grandfather circled a rectangular stone foundation that outlined the shape of the old barn. "Not much left to see," murmured Grandpa.

 

Tim shook his head. "At least we can see where it was," he said. "Stone doesn't burn, does it?"

 

"That's right," agreed Grandpa. "The old barn is gone -- nothing left but the foundation, is there? Not even fire could destroy that. It reminds me that when we put our trust in Jesus for salvation, He becomes the foundation of our lives." He smiled at Tim. "Nothing can destroy that foundation, either," he added. "Nothing at all -- ever!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is Jesus your Savior? When you trust Him as Savior, He becomes the foundation for your life. Accept Him today. It's the most important decision you'll ever make.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim and his grandfather spent quite a lot of time poking around in the rubble of the fire-charred buildings on the old farm where Grandpa had lived when he was a boy. They were searching for anything of value that might remain. Finally, they climbed into the car and drove slowly away from the farm, down the country road, and toward the highway. They were tired and dirty. In the trunk of the car were the few things they had found -- a tin box containing an assortment of tools, a belt buckle, an old iron vise, some stone crocks, a blue china pitcher, and a few other old dishes.

 

"Well, there certainly isn't much left," said Grandpa with a wry smile. "Just some building foundations and a few odds and ends that wouldn't burn." After a moment he added, "This was a good reminder, though, that when we accept Jesus, He becomes the foundation of our lives. We talked about that, remember?" Tim nodded. "After accepting Him, we build on that foundation every day," added Grandpa.

 

"Like building on top of the stones!" Tim said quickly. "We had a lesson about that, and my Sunday school teacher said that everything we do becomes part of what we're building."

 

"That's right," said Grandpa, "and I trust God will find that my life has more of lasting value than these old buildings did. The Bible says the things we do will be tested 'as by fire.' The things that are pleasing to God will remain, but the things we do to please ourselves will be gone. When we think about that, we realize how important all of our attitudes and actions are."

 

"We need to be careful how we build!" exclaimed Tim.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
TRONG>What building materials are you using in your life? Do you please God in your attitude? Are you obedient? Kind? Honest? Helpful? Do you serve God in every way you can? See how many ways you can think of to build with "gold, silver, and precious stones."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 3:14)
If any man's work abide . . . he shall receive a reward.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bailey's little sister Ann recited the entire alphabet without one mistake. "I can write my name, too," Ann said, proud of her accomplishments. "I memorized it."

 

"Another good thing to memorize is our telephone number," Bailey told her sister.

 

"Why?" Ann asked, giggling. "Why would I call us?"

 

"What if you got lost?" asked Bailey. "Or what if there were an emergency and you needed to call Mommy from a friend's house?"

 

"Okay," agreed Ann. "I'll learn it."

 

"The more you say the number, the easier it is to remember it," Bailey told her.

 

"Just like with our Bible verses," said Ann. "At Bible club last week, I got two stickers for saying my verses."

 

"Good," approved Bailey after Ann repeated the phone number several times. "Now you should go next door and practice calling here. Using the number will help you remember it."

 

"Just like with your Bible verses," said Mom, having overheard the conversation. She looked at Bailey as she asked, "Have you learned your verses for Bible club yet?" Bailey made a face. She always put off learning her verses; it seemed boring and too hard to remember all the words. "You gave Ann a good reason to learn our phone number," Mom said. "Having a reason is an important part of memorization."

 

"But I don't care if I don't get stickers on the Bible club memory chart," Bailey said.

 

"Memorize to please God and to keep His Word fresh in your mind," suggested Mom. "Then it will be there to use when you need it."

 

"Like our phone number," said Ann. "Can I go next door and call you now?"

 

Mom nodded. She looked at Bailey as Ann dashed out the door. "The guidelines you gave Ann for learning our phone number were very good, and I think you'll find they work for learning memory verses, too. When you practice living what the verses say, it helps you remember them."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
s Bible memory work sometimes a chore? Do you just learn words, or do you think about what the verses mean? Do you put into practice the things you learn from them? When you do that, it makes it easier to remember them for a long time to come.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:133)
Order my steps in Thy word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dad rowed the boat to the edge of some lily pads. It was the best place on the lake to catch fish, but the fish didn't seem to be very hungry. As Alex sat in the boat with his father, he watched his red and white bobber closely, waiting for it to go down, indicating that a fish had taken the bait. The calm water reflected the sky and trees along the shore. Birds were singing, and a frog hopped off a lily pad and splashed into the lake. The bobber wiggled as the ripples spread under it, but it didn't go down.

 

"The fish don't seem to be very hungry today," said Dad after a little while, "but it sure is nice out here with the blue sky and water and the green grass and trees. It's all so peaceful. It makes me forget all about the office."

 

Alex turned to his dad. "We've been studying about colors in school," he said. "Scientists say that blue slows down the heart rate and green helps prevent eyestrain. That makes them restful colors."

 

Dad smiled. "Do you suppose that's why God made so much blue and green in nature?" he asked. He checked his line, but the fish still weren't biting. "Just imagine what it would be like if the sky were bright red and all the leaves were black."

 

Alex laughed at the word picture Dad had painted. "We learned that red is supposed to raise blood pressure, so I bet that wouldn't make people feel very good," he said. After a moment he added, "God sure is smart."

 

"God is very wise," agreed Dad. "We see a great deal of His wisdom in nature -- even in the colors He chose."

 

Alex looked at his fishing line. "You know what else scientists say?" he asked. "They say orange makes you hungry." He grinned at his dad. "I wish God had made these bobbers. Instead of making them red and white, I bet He would have made them orange to make the fish more hungry."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thanked God for His wonderful creation? The world He created is full of things that teach much about the wisdom and power of God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 104:24)
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Put this blue block here," Justin suggested to Sandi, his four-year-old sister. Justin was helping her build a tower with blocks.

 

When the structure was almost finished, Sandi pulled out a green block from near the bottom of the tower. The tower wobbled, and after a few seconds, it toppled over. "You ruined it," scolded Justin. "Why did you do that?"

 

"I want this green block at the top," answered Sandi. "You could hardly see it down there."

 

Just then the telephone rang. "Justin, it's for you," called Mother.

 

When he got off the phone, Justin sighed. "That was my Sunday school teacher," he said. "He wants me to come to a rehearsal for that skit they're going to do on youth night. He said he doesn't have any parts left in the skit, but they need somebody to help move props between scenes. I don't feel like doing that."

 

"Why not?" asked Mother.

 

"I'm not good enough to be in the skit," grumbled Justin with a scowl, "but I'm good enough to move the props! Well, I don't feel like going just to move some stuff around. Anyone can do that!"

 

"The production won't be nearly as effective if the props aren't in the right place," Mother told him. "Moving them may not seem as glamorous as acting in the play, but it's a very important job." She paused, then added, "It's like the block Sandi took out of the tower you were building."

 

"What do you mean?" asked Justin.

 

"When Sandi took just one block out, the whole tower came tumbling down," replied Mother. "Even though it didn't show as much as the top blocks, it was an important part of the structure. Work done for the Lord is like that. If we don't do our part, we leave a hole or a weak area. Everyone is needed to help build God's kingdom."

 

"You make it sound like moving furniture for a skit is reaching people for Jesus," murmured Justin. He sighed. "Well, I . . . I guess you're right. I better go to the rehearsal."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like you're unimportant in your church? Don't forget that you're important in God's eyes. Do your part, even if it's not glamorous! God rewards faithful service


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Cor. 12:27)
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ryan helped his dad straighten the canvas of the big tent that lay on the ground. "I love to camp!" said Ryan. "Sleeping in a tent is so cool!"

 

Dad smiled. "I think so, too," he agreed. "Okay . . . let's get this one set up. Help me get the pegs through these tent loops. We'll pound the pegs in about half way at first and then secure them when they're all in place."

 

Dad stuck a peg into a loop on the side of the tent, and Ryan pounded it with the hammer. Dad continued to put the pegs in place, and Ryan pounded them down. Then they put the poles together and raised the tent. Ryan stood back and looked at it. "All right!" he exclaimed. "I can't wait to go inside and get my sleeping bag rolled out."

 

"Well, don't try going in yet," said Dad. "It could collapse on you. Let's first pound the pegs deep into the ground. We want everything nice and snug." Ryan nodded, and they got to work. When the tent was finally secured, they put their sleeping bags inside.

 

"The wind has gotten a little gusty," observed Dad as they sat beside their campfire that evening.

 

"Yeah, but our tent won't blow down, will it?" asked Ryan. "Those pegs are holding it in place."

 

Dad nodded. "Yes, they are," he agreed. "I'm sure the wind won't get strong enough tonight to blow the tent away." He smiled at his son. "You know, there is Someone who holds our lives steady, too."

 

"I know," said Ryan quickly. "It's Jesus."

 

"Right." Dad nodded. "If the wind got strong enough, it could blow our tent down, but no matter how many difficult or bad things come into our lives, we can always count on Jesus to hold us steady and help us through them."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has your life been shaken by divorce, death in the family, crime, or loss of a friend? Things can seem very dark sometimes. That's when you need to trust Jesus most. He loves you and will always stay with you and help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 13:5)
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I think that tree must be confused," Jacelyn said, pointing to an oak tree along the bike path where she was riding with her father. "Half of its leaves are green, and half are brown. I guess it can't decide whether it's spring or fall."

 

"Those brown leaves are leftover from last year," Dad said, stopping his bike under the tree. "This kind of oak is very unwilling to let its leaves drop in the fall. Even strong winds and heavy snowfall of winter can't tear them from the branches."

 

"Well, the tree would look nicer if it would just let those ugly, useless old leaves drop," said Jacelyn.

 

"Maybe the tree is a lot like us," observed Dad. "Sometimes we cling to ugly and stubborn habits."

 

Jacelyn thought of the trouble she had gotten into just that morning, and she was sure Dad was remembering it, too. She had gotten angry at her brother and called him some nasty names. "I've heard you use that kind of language several times lately," Dad had said sternly. "It's a bad habit you've gotten into, and it must stop!" Jacelyn had sighed. "I can't help it!" she had insisted. "I try to get those bad words out of my mind, but they just won't go away!" Dad had offered suggestions to help her do better, but she hadn't really paid much attention to what he said.

 

Jacelyn and Dad got back on their bikes. "Those old brown leaves do fall eventually," he said.

 

"What makes them finally let go?" asked Jacelyn.

 

"The new leaves. As they grow and cover the tree, they simply push the old ones off. The old ones must give way to the new," replied Dad. "That principle works in life, too."

 

Jacelyn knew what Dad was really telling her. "You mean," she said, "that if I'd get in the habit of saying nice things, the mean and ugly words would drop off?"

 

Dad nodded. "God doesn't tell us just to get rid of sin," he said. "He tells us to replace it with good actions and words. That's the only way to deal with stubborn habits in our lives."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you replace bad habits with good ones? When you're tempted to say something unkind, say something nice. Replace put-downs with praise -- and bad words with words that please God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:22,)
24  Put off . . . the old man . . . put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sarah was enjoying the spring afternoon with her family. Her younger brother and sister played on the swings while Sarah and her mother dug in the flower garden. "It looks like Dad's getting ready to mow the lawn," said Sarah. He was going to cut the grass for the first time that year.

 

Mom nodded as she looked out across the lawn in front of their house. "Just look at all those dandelions!" she said. The yellow flowers had popped up everywhere. Sarah thought they were pretty, but her family appreciated their beauty more in the woods behind the house than on the front lawn.

 

Soon the mower roared to life. Sarah and Mom watched as the dandelions began to disappear. When Dad was finished, the whole lawn looked green. "That looks better," said Mom.

 

"Those dandelions will be back, though, won't they?" asked Sarah.

 

Mom nodded. "I'm afraid so," she said. "They have long, tough roots, and since they'll still be nourished by sun and rain, the plant simply grows back again after the top is cut off."

 

Mom paused, then continued. "You know," she said, "as I watched Dad mow, it occurred to me that we Christians sometimes feel 'cut down' by things that happen in our lives -- things like disappointments and sadness. But our roots are deeply planted in the truth of the Bible. As we receive nourishment and care from God's Word, and as we trust in Him, He helps us to come out of our troubles whole -- and even stronger -- than we were before."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you daily becoming more deeply "rooted" in Jesus? Spending time each day reading His Word and talking to Him will help make you stronger and better able to spring back when troubles come.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 2:6-7)
Walk ye in Him (Jesus): rooted and built up in Him and stablished in the faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

John came into the family room where his parents were watching the news. Together they listened to the report of a man trying to collect a large inheritance. "If that man's parents died, why can't he get the money that was left?" asked John.

 

"He ran away from home when he was sixteen years old," Dad explained. "That was thirty years ago, and he never contacted his family again. Apparently his parents did discover what area of the country he had gone to, and they made repeated efforts throughout the years to contact him, but he wouldn't respond."

 

"But now that he's back, won't he get at least some of the money?" asked John.

 

Dad shook his head. "It doesn't sound like it. I guess his parents gave up and decided not to leave him anything. They didn't put him in their wills. Now, after they've both died, he's finally shown up. He thinks he should have the inheritance, but now it's too late. He contested the will, but the courts upheld it. They said he was not entitled to any of the money."

 

"Wow!" exclaimed John. "According to that news report, he claims that he always intended to come back sometime. I bet he's sorry now that he didn't come sooner. "

 

"He's learned a hard lesson -- and a very common one," said Dad. "Do you realize that something similar happens every day?"

 

"You mean there are lots of people who leave home and ignore their parents and aren't left any money?" asked John.

 

"That happens often enough," said Dad, "but what I really meant is that God calls people to Himself and many ignore Him. They're too busy doing their own thing. When the end of life comes, they're going to want a piece of the inheritance God had offered, but He's going to say, 'Sorry, I don't know you. Your name isn't in the 'will' -- the Book of Life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you be able to claim the great inheritance God offers to all who trust in Jesus? He's offering something far better than money -- salvation and a home in heaven for all eternity. Receive Jesus as Savior today. Then He'll be able to say, "I know you! Welcome home! "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 2:19)
The Lord knoweth them that are His.

[Soldier4Christ]

When John came home from school, he had some exciting news. "Guess what happened at school today!" he said. "We got a new kid in our class, and you'll never guess where he came from!" John paused and waited to see what his mother would say.

 

"Well, where?" asked Mom after a moment. "You said I'd never guess, and I believe you, so tell me."

 

"From Melville, Texas," said John. He waited to hear exclamations of surprise from his mom, but none came. "You know," he prompted, "the city that guy lived in -- the one who came back here hoping to get an inheritance, but his parents had left him out of their wills, and he couldn't get the money, so he protested and said that he should get it, and he . . ."

 

"Whoa! Slow down," said Mom. "I remember! Did the boy in your class know that man personally?"

 

John shook his head. "No, but I thought it was interesting that he came from the same town."

 

Mom nodded. "Tell me," she said after a moment. "If you knew the man we heard about in the news, and if you also knew his parents when they were alive, what would you have done?"

 

"What would I have done?" repeated John. "Well . . . I would have told him his parents were looking for him and that he'd better contact them. I would have warned him that he might be left out of their wills if he didn't go back and make up with them!"

 

"Good," said Mom. "Then it would have been up to him to decide what to do. Now, John, I'd like you to tell me something else. Do you think there's anybody you know that your Heavenly Father would like to have contact Him?"

 

"Lots of people," admitted John. " I guess I should do the same thing for them, shouldn't I? I should let them know that God wants them to trust in Jesus and warn them that some day it will be too late."

 

"It's something we all should do," agreed Mom. "In a way, they're runaways from God, and we should warn them to contact Him right away."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who aren't Christians?Do you think of them as runaways from God? He wants them to come to Him, and He may want you to be the one to tell them. Will you help bring the runaways home before it's too late?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philemon 1:6)
(I pray) that the communication of thy faith may become effectual.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Alan joined his father on the cabin roof, a large striped cat jumped from the roof onto a branch hanging low over the cabin. Alan laughed. "Hey, cat, what's your name?" he called. "Do you want to help us fix this roof?" He took a step toward the cat.

 

"We'll need to replace a lot of boards up here, so be careful where you walk," warned Dad. "Some of these boards may not hold you."

 

Just as Dad finished speaking, Alan heard a creak beneath his foot. Before he had time to react, the wood splintered and gave way. Alan's leg plunged through the roof up to his knee. He swore before he realized what he was saying.

 

As Dad bandaged the slightly sprained knee, Alan spoke. "Uh . . . Dad . . . I didn't mean to say what I did up there. It just kinda slipped out all by itself."

 

Dad looked up. "Usually the words that slip out are those we use a lot," he said.

 

"Aw, Dad, I don't usually say those words," objected Alan. "I bet you've never heard me say them before!"

 

"I may not have heard them from you," admitted Dad, "but how about the kids you play with at school? Have they heard you use words like that?"

 

Alan looked down without speaking. He knew he did carelessly use the same kind of language he often heard other kids use. "I'll do better," he mumbled.

 

"Good," said Dad, "but think about the cat we saw a little while ago. It has stripes, right? And it can't change that. There's a Bible verse that reminds us that just like we can't change the color of our skin, and an animal -- a leopard, in the verse -- can't change its markings, we can't do good when we're used to doing evil. I think that principle applies to the language we use. When you're in the habit of using bad words, they sometimes slip out when you don't intend for them to do so. I'm glad you want to repair that bad habit, but you need God's help with that. Ask Him to help you control your language at school and other places, and then you won't have a problem with it at home, either."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What words do you use? Be honest! If you swear or use bad language, confess it to God. Ask Him to help you change that bad habit.You can't change yourself, but He can change you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 13:23)
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

After spending a day making repairs on their newly purchased vacation
cabin, Alan and his father got into the car to head for home. "I'm glad we
bought this place, but it sure needs a lot of work," observed Alan. "It's
falling apart."


 

"You're right about that," agreed Dad. "That's why we were able to get it so cheap, and I enjoy fixing it up." He started the car. "You know," added Dad thoughtfully, "this cabin wasn't cared for regularly, and the structure became weak. Now it needs a lot of repair work. If we don't care for our spiritual well-being -- through things like Bible study and Christian fellowship -- we may become weak spiritually. Sometimes we need to do a little 'repair work' and make changes in our lives. We talked about that kind of thing earlier today, remember?"

 

Alan fidgeted in his seat, remembering their conversation about his habit of using bad language. "Yeah, but . . ." Alan hesitated. "Well, even if I skip stuff like learning a bunch of verses or having devotions, I'm still a Christian," he continued. "That's the important thing, isn't it?"

 

Dad nodded. "It is the most important thing," he agreed, "but we shouldn't to stop there. That would be like leaving our cabin the way it is and not working on it. Would you be content to do that?" Alan shook his head. "As Christians, we need to be growing more and more like Christ, honoring God in all we do," continued Dad. "When we neglect the things of the Lord, it becomes easier to take on the ways of the world without even realizing it."

 

"The ways of the world?" asked Alan.

 

"Yes," said Dad. "Like using words we shouldn't use and watching questionable movies and cheating a little -- all sorts of things. The list is endless."

 

Alan nodded slowly. What his father said made sense.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you faithful in Sunday school and church? Do you take time for daily devotions? People in the early church worked regularly at caring for their spiritual well-being. You need to do that, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 2:42)
They (Christians) continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship . . . and in prayers.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Mom! I'm home!" shouted Alyssa as she came bounding into the kitchen.

 

"Hello, honey!" greeted Mother. "How was your day? Did you learn anything interesting?"

 

"Did we ever!" exclaimed Alyssa. "Mr. Knight, our science teacher, poured some really hot water into two glasses. One glass had a spoon in it, and the other one didn't. The one without the spoon cracked when the hot water was poured into it, but the other one was fine. Mr. Knight said the metal spoon helped absorb some of the heat and kept the glass from breaking."

 

"Hmmm, that's interesting," murmured Mother. "I hope he was holding the one that broke over the sink!"

 

Alyssa laughed. "He was," she said. Then the smile faded from her face. "You know what?" she asked. "Karen Grey's little brother fell down their basement stairs last night, and he was still unconscious this morning. They've got so many other problems, too. Her mother has a broken leg, you know, and her grandma is really sick -- she might be dying! And now this!"

 

"Oh, that's too bad," sympathized Mother. "Let's be sure to pray for them. And would you like to help me fix a meal to take over there?"

 

Alyssa nodded. "I just don't see how they can stand it," she said. "I don't think I could."

 

"Well, they know the Lord. Without Him, I don't know how anyone stands the troubles that are sure to come," agreed Mother. "Your science experiment today is a good example of what God does for us. The glasses represent our lives, and the hot water represents the problems and difficulties that sometimes seem to surround us. The spoon represents the Lord Jesus. He's the One who helps absorb our trials. It's His constant love and care that keeps our spirits from 'cracking.'"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel surrounded by problems and difficulties? Does stress make you feel like you're going to "crack"? Give your life and your fears to Jesus. He's the One who will give the courage you need.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7)
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Shelly! Don't forget to get the wastebasket from my room," said Tony as he opened the door to go out.

 

Shelly scowled at him. "I hate taking out the trash," she complained. She turned to her mother. "Tony always gets the easy stuff to do, while I have to tramp around the house collecting smelly old garbage."

 

"You chose that job for this month," Mom reminded her. "You said you were tired of dusting and folding laundry and that Tony always got the easy jobs -- like emptying the trash." Shelly muttered to herself, but she started collecting the trash.

 

A little later, the back door squeaked loudly as Tony pushed it open and came back in. "That squeaky door is driving me crazy," grumbled Shelly crossly. "Quit going in and out, Tony."

 

Tony only grinned and turned back toward the door. "I think I left something outside," he teased. "I'll be back in a minute." He swung the door back and forth.

 

"Mom, make him stop!" whined Shelly, covering her ears.

 

"Enough, Tony," said Mom. "Quit teasing."

 

Just then Dad opened the squeaky door and came in. "I guess it's about time for me to oil those hinges," he said. "They're complaining pretty loudly." He smiled. "They remind me of the Israelites after they left Egypt. They complained a lot, even though God was good to them and supplied all their needs."

 

"Yeah, and some people are still like that today," said Tony with a grin.

 

Shelly glared at her brother. "You mean me, I know," she said. She hesitated, then added, "Okay . . . sorry . . . now, who has some trash they'd like me to get rid of? I'm at your service!"

 

Mom smiled and nodded. "We need to apply the 'oil' of contentment to our lives," she said, putting an arm around Shelly's shoulder. "Instead of complaining, we are to be content with whatever God has for us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you complain about things you're asked to do? Washing the dishes? Baby sitting? Mowing the lawn? Instead of murmuring, praise God for all He has done for you and be glad that you're able to work for His glory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:11)
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look," said Steve, pointing to an insect he and his sister Bobbi had caught out in the garden. "It's praying!" Sure enough, the bug's forelegs were folded together as if in prayer. "Let's see if we can find it in my bug book."

 

The children searched through Steve's book and found a picture of the bug they had caught. "It's a praying mantis," announced Steve.

 

"Does it really pray?" asked Bobbi.

 

Steve laughed. "Of course not!" he said. "Bugs don't pray! I wonder what we should feed it?"

 

"What does your book say?" asked Bobbi.

 

Steve looked at the book. "It says they eat other insects," he said. "They like to eat their prey alive."

 

"Gross!" exclaimed Bobbi, wrinkling up her nose.

 

"If you put a small piece of meat on a string and move it in front of a praying mantis, he'll think it's alive and eat it," Steve read from the book. So with Mother's permission, they tried it. Sure enough, the mantis lunged for the tiny piece of hamburger Steve had put on the end of a string.

 

"Well, did your new pet like the food you offered him?" asked Mother, coming outdoors.

 

Steve nodded. "My book says he's really a vicious little creature. The female will even eat her husband if she gets hungry enough. "

 

"Why, you little hypocrite," said Mother, looking at the insect. "You look so pious with your forelegs folded like that, but you're a pretender; not pious at all."

 

Bobbi giggled. "That would be a good name for him," she said, and Pretender he became.

 

The rest of that day, Steve felt a bit funny inside whenever he looked at Pretender. He knew he was a pretender himself. He pretended that he loved Jesus, but he really wanted to "have some fun first" and wait until he was older before becoming a Christian. When he went to bed that night, God seemed to be whispering to him, Haven't you been a pretender long enough, Steve? Don't you want to be a real Christian? This time Steve said yes to Jesus.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you said yes to Jesus and let Him take over your life, or are you a pretender? If you are, don't you want to change that and become a real Christian today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 15:
This people . . . honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.