Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yuk! What's that awful smell?" Jeffrey asked as he and his dad went down the basement steps.

 

"Smells like something rotten," said Dad, "and I'll bet I know what it is." Dad pointed, and Jeffrey saw a large box of potatoes at the bottom of the stairs. "Just as I suspected," Dad said as he picked out a couple of them. "We've left these potatoes here too long. Next time I guess we'd better not buy so many at once -- even if they are on sale."

 

"Look!" exclaimed Jeffrey as he and Dad gingerly took out more potatoes and examined them. "I think the rot is spreading from the bad ones to the good ones."

 

When they finished sorting the potatoes, they went back upstairs. "Here are all the potatoes that are still good," Jeffrey announced, handing a bag of potatoes to Mom. "The rest are all yucky, and Dad's taking them right out to the trash."

 

"I've heard that one bad apple spoils the barrel," said Mom. "I guess that works with potatoes as well."

 

"And people, too," said Dad, coming into the kitchen.

 

"Yeah," said Jeffrey. "They catch stuff like chicken pox and colds from each other."

 

"That," agreed Dad, "and bad habits, too. For instance, if you hang around with kids who show no respect for authority, you might follow their lead in that."

 

"I think you might also pick up such habits from television," observed Mom. "On many programs, God's name is sprinkled like punctuation into conversations. If you hear that a lot, you could easily start using His name that way."

 

"Which is why it's a good idea to turn off those programs," said Dad. "Turn them off before bad habits spread." He paused, then added, "I think the Apostle Paul was talking about that kind of thing when he said leaven, or yeast, affects the whole lump of dough. Like yeast -- and like rotten potatoes -- sin spreads."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you can improve a rowdy group of kids by joining them? Be careful! It's more likely that you'll end up with their bad habits. Do you think bad TV programs won't hurt you? Be careful! Sinful habits heard and seen may spread to you. Choose friends and activities wisely.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:10)
If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

[Soldier4Christ]

Grandma had asked Ashley if she would like to stay overnight since it had gotten so late before her parents were ready to leave for home. But although she always had fun at Grandma's house, Ashley didn't want to be left there. "I want to go home with you," she told her dad.

 

Ashley's mother wound up the walking teddy bear that Grandma kept for Ashley to play with. Ashley loved him, and now she clutched him eagerly as he wobbled to her. "Let me take him home," she begged.

 

"No." Dad shook his head. "He's for you to play with when you're at Grandma's house."

 

"Grandpa has a new swimming pool for you," Grandma said. Ashley's face brightened for a moment, but then the smile faded. It was getting late, so she knew she wouldn't get to play in the pool until morning.

 

Ashley walked to the chair where her father was sitting. She stood begging with her eyes. "I want to go home with you," she insisted.

 

"You're tired and could sleep in one of Grandma's big soft beds," Dad told her. "Then you wouldn't have to bump along in the old van."

 

"I don't care," said Ashley.

 

"She's a daddy's girl," said her mother with a smile. Ashley didn't say anything, but Mom was right. Neither Grandma nor Grandpa nor anyone could take her dad's place. He had first place in her life.

 

"Well, it's nice to be special," said Dad. "Come on then, sweetheart." He picked her up as he added, "But you know what? Our Heavenly Father is a lot more special than I am, honey. I can't be with you all the time, but He can."

 

Ashley thought about it for a little bit. "Even if you have to leave me with Grandma and Grandpa sometimes," she added solemnly.

 

"That's right," said Dad. "I hope Jesus will always be more important to you than toys or fun or anything else -- even me!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is someone extra special to you? That's nice, but no one should be more special to you than Jesus. Talk to Him every day and learn about Him. Make Him your best friend. p> <p>Do you regularly ask God to reveal any sin in your life so you can get rid of it? Don't cling to sin or allow it to cling to you. Be willing to be made aware of it through God's Word or through His servants -- such as pastors, teachers, and parents.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 22:37)
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

[Soldier4Christ]

Emily's sweater crackled with static electricity as she pulled it over her head. She wet a comb to tame her fly-away hair and hurried downstairs for breakfast. "Why are you giggling?" Emily asked her brother, as she took her seat at the table.

 

Brian pointed at Emily's back and laughed again. "There's a pink sock stuck to your back!" he said, and Mom and Dad chuckled, too.

 

"Oops!" said Mom, removing the sock from Emily's sweater.

 

"I'm glad you noticed that," said Emily. "It would have been embarrassing if I had gone to school with that on my back."

 

After breakfast, Dad reached for the family Bible. "Let's read a few verses before you leave for school," he said. "We've removed the item sticking to your clothes. Now let's do a little spot-checking to be sure we aren't letting sin stick around in our lives."

 

"I don't have any sin stuck in my life," Emily stated confidently.

 

"Are you sure?" asked Mom.

 

"What about the way you shove stuff under your bed when Mom tells us to clean our rooms?" asked Brian with a smirk. "You do it all the time."

 

"How would you know?" asked Emily. She was embarrassed. "Besides, I don't really consider it sin when I do that. After all, I clean it up later." She scowled at Brian. "What about tattling?" she added.

 

"If we're not careful, sin can sneak up and attach itself to us without our realizing it," said Dad. "Sin can be there -- as clear as your sock was -- but somehow we don't see it."

 

"That's why each of us must talk to God every day," added Mom. "We need to ask Him to show us what's wrong in our lives. Then we need to confess any sin He shows us and ask Him to remove it from us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you regularly ask God to reveal any sin in your life so you can get rid of it? Don't cling to sin or allow it to cling to you. Be willing to be made aware of it through God's Word or through His servants -- such as pastors, teachers, and parents.

[Soldier4Christ]

Cassie sat on the beach with her sea gull and stroked his snowy-white feathers. She looked up at her mother standing behind her. "I'm not sure I can let Edgar go, Mama," she said. "He's about the only friend I've got!"

 

Mother sat down next to Cassie. "Now, what makes you say that?" she asked.

 

Cassie looked down. "Some kids at school say I'm dumb because I have to go to special classes." Cassie looked up through her tears. "Mama, why can't I be smart like other kids?"

 

Mother put her arm around Cassie. "First of all, honey, our value, or importance, is not based on what we can do," said Mother. "God made each one of us special -- with our own gifts and talents. The important thing is what we do with them."

 

Cassie wiped her eyes. "I don't have any gifts."

 

Mother smiled. "Sure you do, Cassie," she said. "I believe you have the gift of being able to help others."

 

"You do?" asked Cassie, wide-eyed.

 

Mother nodded. "You're very helpful to lots of people. When Grandma Kamp broke her hip, you went to her house almost every day to help out. You always remember to pray for kids at school who are sick -- and look at Edgar." Cassie looked down at the sea gull in her arms. He stopped preening his feathers to peck playfully at Cassie's nose. "Edgar was almost dead from that fishing line around his neck," continued Mother, "and you nursed him back to health."

 

Cassie shrugged. "Anyone would do those things."

 

Mother shook her head. "I wish that were true," she said, "but few people are that sensitive to the needs of others."

 

Cassie thought about that. It did make her feel better. She looked at Edgar. "Well, Edgar, how would you like your freedom?" she asked. She stood up and tossed Edgar into the air. He floundered a bit, then squawked what must have been a thank you and sailed out over the lake, leaving his old hurts behind and enjoying his talent for flying once again. Cassie smiled; she thought she knew a little how Edgar felt.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that each person has special gifts from God? Or do you tease kids about things they can't help? You are special to God, and He wants you to remember that every other person is special, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 12:28)
God has set . . . (the) gift of . . . helps.

[Soldier4Christ]

David held the bat steady. <span class=bodytexti>I have to get a hit, he thought.  I just have to! If I get out, our team will lose the game and be disqualified from the tournament.

 

The ball sailed toward David.  He swung as hard as he could, and the ball bounced slowly toward the pitcher. A moment later, the game was over.

 

David felt terrible. "I really blew it!" he moaned as he rode home with his dad and his older brother, Sam. "It's my fault we lost." Dad and Sam tried to tell him that wasn't true, but David wasn't convinced. "You just don't understand," he said sadly.

 

That afternoon, David and Sam went to a wood-carving show. They wandered around, admiring the many items on display -- flowers, ducks, fish, and other animals. "I'm going to learn to carve like this," announced David. "Look at that Canada goose. It's cool." He looked at the tag. "Jim Bailey, Grand Prize Winner," he read.

 

"I wonder if that's made from one piece of wood," murmured Sam.

 

"If you look closely at the neck, you can see where two pieces of wood were glued together," said a man standing behind the boys.

 

Sam studied the carving. "Oh, I see it, but that line hardly shows," he said. "I wonder what kind of wood this is."

 

"White pine," said the man.  "Winter cut, air-dried for two years."

 

"You know a lot about this goose," said David.

 

The man smiled. "I'm Jim Bailey," he said.

 

"Oh," said Sam, "that explains it."

 

On the way home David again mentioned his failure in the ball game.  "You just don't know how I feel," he insisted when Sam tried to tell him it wasn't so bad.

 

"Hey, listen," said Sam. "Mr. Bailey knew all about the goose because he made it, right? Well, God made you. Maybe I don't understand how you feel, but God does. He knows all about you -- even how you feel." He grinned as he added, "And that should make you feel better."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like no one understands you? Do you wish someone could really understand<span style= "mso-spacerun: yes ">  your feelings when you "blow it"? The Lord made you! You are His creation, and He knows exactly how you feel. Talk to Him about your problems and doubts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:14)
For He knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jacob's uncle, who was the school janitor, offered him a ticket for the Saturday afternoon matinee of the school play. Jacob thought it sounded boring and turned it down, but on Saturday afternoon, he changed his mind. The kids say the play is really good, he thought. Maybe Uncle Steve is at school and I can still get in.

 

When Jacob arrived at school, the play had already started and he could hear the crowd roar with laughter. He inched past the door to get a better look. "Wait a minute. Do you have a ticket?" asked an usher.

 

"No-o-o, but I'm looking for my uncle -- Steve Reed," Jacob replied in a hopeful tone. "He works here."

 

"Sorry," said the man, "but you can't get in without a ticket."

 

Jacob went outside and sat down on the steps, feeling disappointed and left out.  I should have taken that ticket when Uncle Steve offered it to me, he thought. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw his uncle approaching. "Uncle Steve, do you still have my ticket?" Jacob asked eagerly.

 

Uncle Steve shook his head. "I gave it to another boy. I'm sorry," he said, sitting down beside Jacob on the steps. They sat quietly a few minutes, then Uncle Steve spoke thoughtfully. "I know you're disappointed at missing the play -- especially since you could have so easily gotten in on the fun," he said. "It occurs to me that the way you feel is a little like the way people will feel who turn down the 'ticket' to heaven."

 

Jacob nodded. "That's Jesus, isn't it," he said, "and not getting into heaven will be a lot worse than not getting in to see the play."

 

"It sure will," agreed Uncle Steve. "Those people will be in torment, but the good news is that they don't have to be shut out of heaven. The ticket to heaven is still being offered, and all who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus will someday enjoy the beauty of heaven."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the "ticket" that is needed to get into heaven? Jesus is preparing a beautiful place for those who turn from sin and trust Him as Savior. Don't wait any longer. Accept Jesus today.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:6)
(Jesus said)  No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jordan went outside when he saw his friend Nathan in the yard next door. "Hey, Jordan!" Nathan called from his side of the fence that separated their yards. "Wanna play soccer? We'll have to play in your yard because Dad spent two days reseeding our lawn -- and guess what? My little brother and his friends messed it all up again."

 

"How did they do that?" asked Jordan, going over to the fence to look at Nathan's yard.

 

Nathan laughed. "Oh, they thought they were helping by spreading more seeds. But they just trampled the part Dad had done and made a general mess of everything. It had to be done all over, and now Dad says everybody has stay off it." Nathan bounced the ball. "Can you play?" he asked again.

 

Jordan shook his head. "I can't play now. I gotta go to some silly meeting at church," he said. "All we do is sing and listen to the preacher talk. It's so boring!" Hearing his father calling him from the porch, Jordan hurried off.

 

"Poor Mr. Stevens," Jordan said when he told his dad about their neighbor's lawn. "He worked so hard only to have his son ruin it."

 

"I know how he feels," answered Dad. "See . . . I've been working hard at planting seed, too -- the seed of the Word of God. I've been talking to Mr. Stevens about the Lord for three years. He finally showed some interest last week. He asked a lot of questions -- and Nathan asked some questions, too."

 

"Really!" exclaimed Jordan. He didn't realize that Nathan was interested in God.

 

"Before calling you just now, I heard you tell Nathan that church was boring," said Dad, "and I'm afraid that won't help the 'seed of the Word' to grow."

 

Jordan was startled. "Oh . . . I . . . ah, I hope I didn't mess up what you planted, Dad," he murmured. "I'm. . . I'm really sorry."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look for ways to plant the seed of the Word of God? Be sure you don't mess up what others have planted by complaining about church, by showing a lack of interest in God's Word, or by selfish, unkind behavior.Your words and actions should help the seed to grow.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 8:11)
The seed is the Word of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason popped a juicy red strawberry into his mouth before putting another handful into his bucket. "Why does our family have to go off to the mission field, Grandpa?" he asked with a sigh. "I like living where we are now. I wish Dad could have just kept his job here."

 

"I know it's hard for you to leave your friends," said  Grandpa, "but the Lord will help you adjust. He'll honor and reward you, too, for any sacrifices you make."

 

Jason brushed away a tear. "I suppose I should be happy to go, but I'm not," he said, "so I doubt that I'll get any reward for sacrifices. I guess I'm a lost cause, Grandpa, but I just can't help how I feel inside!"

 

"Jason, did you feel like helping me pick berries this morning?" asked Grandpa.

 

Jason shook his head. "Not really," he said. "You know I wanted to go swimming."

 

"Well, are the berries in your row getting picked even though you don't feel like picking?" asked Grandpa.

 

"Sure, my bucket's almost full," said Jason, holding up the pail of sweet, juicy fruit.

 

"I didn't say you had to help me, so I guess you're willing to pick even if you don't feel like it. Your will and your  feelings aren't always the same," Grandpa explained. "God understands that. I don't think Jesus really felt like going to the cross. Do you?"

 

"I guess not," said Jason slowly, "but He went anyway."

 

"Right," said Grandpa. "So . . . are you telling the Lord that you don't feel like going to the mission field with your folks, or that you will not?"

 

Jason thought for a moment. Then he grinned. "I don't think I really have a choice -- they'll make me go. But I see what you're saying, Grandpa. Maybe I can't change my feelings, but I can change my will."

 

Grandpa nodded as he stood up. "Right now I feel like having some strawberry shortcake," he added, "and since we're done picking this row, I think I will!" Jason laughed, and they headed for the house.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you felt guilty because you didn't really want to obey your parents or your teachers? Or because you don't like a boy or a girl in your school? Ask God to show you His will in any situation, and make up your mind to do the right thing -- whether you feel like it or not.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 143:10)
Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jayden was working on his electric train set when he heard his father come home. Soon Dad joined him in the basement. "How's the train project coming along?" asked Dad.

 

"Good!" exclaimed Jayden. "It's almost ready to run."

 

"And how was school today?" Dad wanted to know.

 

Jayden frowned. "Okay, I guess," he said, "but I'm getting tired of all the stupid rules we have. One dumb rule says you have to stay in at recess if you're late more than three times. They just don't want kids to have any fun."

 

"I take it that you were late?" asked Dad.

 

"Only a couple minutes!" said Jayden. "I don't see why it matters if I was a little late. At least I was there!" He reached over to hook a section of track in place.

 

"Hmmm," murmured Dad. "Well,Jayden, let's see how your train runs." He reached over, pressed the start lever, and the train began moving.

 

"Dad!" exclaimed Jayden. "What are you doing? I don't have all the tracks down yet. It's gonna wreck!" As he spoke, the train rounded the turn and rolled off the track, falling on its side. "I told you," said Jayden.

 

"So the train needs the tracks -- they don't spoil things. Instead, they're helpful and allow the train to run smoothly, right?" asked Dad.

 

Jayden nodded. "Sure," he agreed.

 

"Well, rules are like those tracks," said Dad. "When you follow the rules, they allow your life to run smoothly and even allow you to have fun. When you choose to disobey rules, you get off track, and everything seems a mess. God wants us to follow the rules of those he puts over us -- like parents and teachers."

 

"I get the point, Dad," admitted Jayden as he picked up his train. "Tracks are good for trains, and rules are good for kids."

 

"Right," said Dad,"and for grown-ups, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get tired of rules? Do you wish you had no rules at all? Rules are made to help you enjoy life, not to keep you from having fun. Be careful to obey your parents and teachers -- and most of all, God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 13:1)
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Alexis got home from school, she joined her father in the small orchard behind their house. "I'll help you pick some apples, Dad," she said.

 

"Good," said Dad. After a moment, he asked, "How was school today?"

 

"Okay," replied Alexis. She picked a small red apple from a branch and placed it in her basket. "There's a new girl, though. Her name is Jessica, and I didn't like her much. She looks funny -- all hunched over like something's wrong with her." Alexis saw Dad frown, and she hurried to change the subject. "Oooh!" she exclaimed, reaching for a big, red apple. "I think I'll eat this one."

 

"I don't know," said Dad. "I think there's a bad spot on that apple."

 

"It looks fine to me," said Alexis, and she bit deep into the apple. "Oh, yuck!" she exclaimed, spitting it out. "It's wormy!" She looked at the apple more carefully. "On the outside, there's just one tiny, little, funny spot," she said, "but inside, it's not good at all!"

 

Dad smiled and held out a gnarled, bumpy apple. Then he pulled a small knife from his pocket and cut a slice. "Here, Alexis," he offered. "Try a bite of this one."

 

Alexis looked a little unsure, but she took the slice and tasted it. "That one is really good!" she said. "It's much better than it looks."

 

"What the apples looked like on the outside didn't matter as much as what was on the inside, did it?" asked Dad. "That's important to remember about apples -- and about people, too. God calls us to love everyone."

 

Alexis gave Dad a sheepish grin. "Like Jessica?" she asked. "I guess I need to find out what she's like inside -- starting tomorrow."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you decide how to act toward people based on how they look? When you do that, you show favoritism, and God says that's sin.Find out what the person is really like inside. You might find a very good friend.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 7:24)
Judge not according to the appearance.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jon held the headless clay animal in his hand. "Look, Mom!" he wailed. "How can I take this to school without a head?" He opened his other hand slowly. In it was a clump of deformed clay, hard and crusty. "This was going to be his head," he mumbled. "I forgot to put it back in the container to keep it soft!"

 

"I'm sorry, Jon," said Mom, "but it's too late to do anything about it now. It's time you hopped into bed -- you need your rest."

 

"My animal project is due tomorrow, so now all this work was for nothing!" Jon said with a groan. He dropped the materials onto his dresser, pulled back his covers, and slid beneath the sheets. He was still scowling when he said good night.

 

Mom glanced at the Bible that lay next to the school project on Jon's dresser. "Do you still read your Bible before you go to sleep?" she asked.

 

Jon sighed. "Sometimes," he said, "but I've been so busy lately. Besides, I don't understand it very well." He pulled the covers up to his chin. "Do you think there's much point in kids reading the Bible?" he asked. "Wouldn't it be better to wait till I'm older and can understand it?"

 

Mom picked up the hardened lump of clay. She held it out toward Jon. "We're a lot like this clay," she said.

 

"We are?" asked Jon.

 

Mom nodded. "The Bible compares us to clay that God can shape," she said. "But if we want God to shape us, we need to stay pliable. One way to do that is to spend time in His Word -- the Bible."

 

Jon looked down at the hardened clay. "So if I wait till I'm older to start reading my Bible, I might get hard -- sort of like this clay," he said.

 

"That could happen," Mom agreed. "People who have kept their distance from God often seem more hardened and less open to God's shaping."

 

"Well . . . hand me my Bible then, okay?" said Jon. "I don't want to get too hard for God to shape me."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you willing to be shaped by God's hand? Do you regularly read the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding it? Spend time with God each day, and allow Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 18:6)
As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in Mine hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's prayer time now," Mom said, closing the Bible she and Travis had been reading. They were having devotions together, just the two of them, because Dad was out of town.

 

"You pray," said Travis. "I don't know what to say."

 

"I'll be glad to start," agreed Mom, "but don't you want to talk to God, too?"

 

Travis shook his head. "Not today," he said. Then he squirmed while Mom prayed aloud. He wished she'd hurry up. He wanted to go out and play. Besides, he thought to himself, God already knows everything, doesn't He? Why do we have to tell Him all this stuff that He already knows?

 

When Travis was playing later, he heard the phone ring. He went on playing until it suddenly occurred to him that the phone call might be from his dad. Travis rushed into the kitchen just in time to see Mom hang up the phone. "Was that Dad?" Travis asked her. "I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to tell him about Brian getting mad at me at school today and ask him what he thinks I should do."

 

"He wanted to talk with you, too," said Mom, "but at least he knows about Brian. I told him all about what happened."

 

"It isn't the same as me telling him," Travis insisted. "And besides, we haven't talked today. I want to talk with Dad."

 

"Well, let's call him back so the two of you can talk," suggested Mom.

 

When Travis finished talking with his dad and had hung up the phone, he grinned at his mother. "Dad was glad we called back," he told her. "He said he liked having me tell him about all the stuff I've been doing, even though he already knew about it."

 

Mom smiled. "Earthly fathers love to have conversations with their children, and your Heavenly Father does, too," she reminded him.

 

Slowly Travis nodded. "I . . . I guess He'd like to hear about  Brian from me, too, wouldn't He?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble knowing what to say when you pray? Just share with God what is going on in your life. He loves you and wants you to talk with Him. He wants to be included in your daily routine.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:18)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Eric's parents drove into the yard, he opened the back door. "Is Grandpa okay?" he asked anxiously as they got out of the car.

 

"Your grandfather isn't suffering anymore," Dad told him quietly. "He died this afternoon -- he's home in heaven now." Eric swallowed hard, forcing back tears that choked his throat. He walked away while Dad was still explaining.

 

In his room, Eric thought about all the things he and Grandpa had planned to do. "It's just not fair," he muttered. He looked up as Dad came in. "I don't get it," Eric said. "I prayed all day for Grandpa. God's supposed to be able to do anything, so He could have healed him -- but I don't think He even heard me."

 

"God always hears, but sometimes the answer is no," said Dad gently.  He paused, then added, "You know, Eric, it was time to let Grandpa go.  He was missing Grandma an awful lot lately. They're together in heaven now, and someday  we'll see them again." Eric turned away from Dad's quiet words. He wasn't ready to give  up his grandfather.

 

Dad sat down beside Eric. "When you ask Mom and me for something we can't buy you, or when you ask to do something we can't let you do, it sometimes makes you angry," Dad reminded him. "You know we love you and want what's best for you, but you also want your own way." Eric squirmed; his temper was a problem. "When you get over being mad, we talk about it and go on loving each other. We're a family even though we disagree," continued Dad. "Well, that's how it is with God, too. When we don't get our own way, we sometimes get angry and shut Him out. When you get over being angry, I believe you'll see how much God loves Grandpa and how much He loves you."

 

"But I'm going to miss Grandpa so much," Eric said miserably. He pressed his face against his dad's shoulder. He didn't care if he was acting like a baby.

 

"Hey, it's okay to cry," Dad said gently. "We can cry together. I'm going to miss Grandpa like crazy!"

 

Eric slipped his arm around his dad and hung on tight.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worry that someone you love may die? Tell God about your hurts and fears. He has each person's life planned for good -- even the time of their homegoing to heaven.  Trust His goodness, even when you don't understand.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm glad I brought my sunglasses and sunscreen today," said Mandy as she sat on the beach. "The sun is so bright!"

 

Dad nodded. "It's turning this day into a scorcher!" he agreed. "An article I read recently said that the sun sends out such enormous streams of light and heat that it could provide enough light for as many as two thousand million earths."

 

"Really?" asked Mandy. "That's incredible!"

 

Dad nodded. "The sun was created by an incredible God -- a generous God who never does things in a small way," he said. "What's even more wonderful is that His love is as incredible as His amazing sunshine  -- and He loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love!"

 

Mandy wiped her forehead. "Wow!" she said as she glanced at her watch. "I better be getting home. I have to help Aunt Carrie at the mission's Day Care Center this afternoon."

 

"Good," said Dad as they turned to leave the beach. "I think we've been in the sun long enough for one day anyway. Maybe you can bring a little sunshine to the kids at the center."

 

For five hours that afternoon, Mandy helped rock babies, warm bottles, serve crackers, pick up toys, read stories, dry tears, and stop fights. She came home exhausted.

 

"Well, Mandy, how did you do in spreading sunshine to the children today?" asked Dad. "Did you pour forth a lot of warmth and light?"

 

"I hope so," replied Mandy, "but Aunt Carrie and I felt like we didn't have enough hands. We could pay attention to only one kid at a time, but some want attention all of the time."

 

Dad smiled. "Well, when you show love, as you did this afternoon, God is working," he said. "His light and love is even more powerful than the sun, and you shared that love with those children."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think God's love can't possibly reach the billions of people on earth? God does love those billions, and He wants His children to share the sunshine of His love. What are some ways you can show His love to others?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 4:11)
If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom says we're going to have a picnic supper at the park," announced Alecia when her father arrived home one Saturday noon. "Can we go soon?"

 

"We want to have time to play on the swings before we eat," added Tori.

 

"There should be time for that," said Dad, "but before we go, I need to sweep out the garage and wash the car."

 

The girls frowned. "Why?" asked Tori. "It's not very dirty. And besides, it's such an old car."

 

Now it was Dad's turn to frown. "You're right. It is old," he replied, "but it's the only car we have -- and God calls us to be good stewards of all we've been given. You can help. Then it will get done quicker."

 

The girls grudgingly got busy. Alecia swept the garage while Tori got out cleaning cloths and Dad pulled out the hose. They washed and polished the car until it shone brightly. "There!" Dad said proudly. "It looks almost as good as new."

 

Alecia nodded and smiled. "Can we go now?" she asked, and soon they were on their way.

 

At the park, Dad pushed Alecia and Tori on the swings. Then they all enjoyed their picnic supper. "It's so beautiful here," said Mom. "The trees and the sky and the flowers are so pretty."

 

When they had finished eating, Alecia helped Dad carry the trash to a garbage can. "Look at this," Dad said. "The garbage can is full, so people have been dumping trash on the ground. It's a shame that people treat this old planet so poorly."

 

"We have an old car to ride in and an old planet to live on," Alecia said with a giggle, "but they're the only ones we've got right now. God wants us to be good stewards of both of them, doesn't He?"

 

"Good thinking, Alecia," said Dad encouragingly. "I wondered if trash cans here would be full, so I brought some trash bags along. I'll get one from the car, and we'll clean up this mess."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pick up wrappers or cans or bottles that you find on the ground? Are you careful never to make a trashy mess yourself? God gave you this world to be your earthly home. Caring for things in nature is one way you can be a good steward of it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 24:1)
The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.