Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

As Robert and his mother got off the ferris wheel, he pointed to a crowd of people. "Can we go see what's going on over there?" he asked. Mom nodded, and they walked over and joined the crowd.

 

Robert was fascinated as he watched a man with a white painted face acting out various skits. The crowd laughed as the man pretended to be learning to ride a bike. "Mom, why doesn't he talk?" asked Robert.

 

"Because he's a mime," Mom replied. "They never talk, but you can always tell what they're doing. Just watch -- you'll see."

 

Next, the mime pretended to wash a window. He acted as though he bumped his head on the pretend ladder. Then he pretended he was eating an ice cream cone and the ice cream fell off. The crowd applauded as he acted out one scenario after another. The show ended with the mime making a sad face and waving good-bye.

 

Robert turned to his mother. "Wow! He never said a thing, but I could follow the whole story."

 

"That goes to show you how loudly actions -- even facial expressions -- speak," said Mom. "It's good to remember that our actions really do speak louder than our words."

 

"Do my actions ever tell you anything?" asked Robert.

 

"Sure they do," said Mom. "For instance, just yesterday I told you to clean your room. When you agreed and then rolled your eyes, I knew what you were saying."

 

"Oh, Mom!" protested Robert. "I did clean my room!"

 

"Yes, you did," agreed Mom."Your actions showed me two things. First of all, they told me that you didn't really want to clean your room. They also told me that you are an obedient son, because you cleaned it anyway." She smiled. "What I really want to point out is that as Christians, we should be especially careful how we act."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that your actions speak loudly? Make sure they say good things -- things that God wants to hear you saying. Show consideration, kindness, and God's love in actions as well as in words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 20:11)
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm beginning to wonder if there are any fish in this bay," said Dad as he baited his hook with another worm. He and Sara had been fishing for nearly two hours. "We'd better catch more than we have so far," added Dad with a chuckle, "or Mom will say we have to take her out for dinner."

 

Sara laughed out loud as she looked into the pail of fish they had caught that morning. "Those two little fish certainly aren't enough for dinner," she said.

 

A little later, Dad noticed that their boat had drifted quite close to the shore. "Hmmm," he murmured as he began reeling in his line. "We better get back toward the middle of the bay. We may damage the boat if we get too close to those rocks along the shoreline."

 

Sara also reeled in her line. She watched as her father rowed away from the shore. "I can't believe how quickly we drifted from the spot where we started," she said as he pulled hard on the oars. Soon they were back in the middle of the bay, fishing again.

 

"You know," said Dad after a while, "I've been thinking how much fishing is like our lives after we become Christians." Sara looked puzzled, and Dad continued. "We were so busy fishing that we didn't notice we were drifting. And as Christians, we can be so busy with things of this life that we don't notice we're drifting away from the Lord."

 

Sara thought in silence for a moment and then slowly nodded her head. "I guess that's true," she agreed, "but not all the stuff we get busy with is wrong, is it? Like . . . is it wrong for me to play on the school volleyball team? Should I take part in only church activities?"

 

Dad smiled. "No," he said, "many of our activities are fine, but in every activity, we should remember that we belong to Jesus.  In all that we do, we should witness for Him by our attitudes and actions as well as by our words. We need to guard against being so caught up in the activity itself or in our friends that we drift away from the Lord."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you're busy with TV, school and church activities, or playing with friends, do you remember that the Lord should always have first place in your life? Don't let your activities cause you to drift away from God. Never get too busy to spend time with Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:2)
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

The pocket of Nanci's red sweater bulged. She didn't want Miss Allen to notice, so she slipped into the classroom without her usual "Good morning" and took her seat. She quickly removed a big orange from her pocket and hid it behind the box of crayons in her desk.

 

The morning dragged by. Usually Nanci liked reading class, but not today. She couldn't keep her mind on the story. Mike had said the class should wait until time for math. When Miss Allen turned to the chalkboard, he would give the signal.

 

Excitement really built up after reading class. Everyone kept looking at Mike. When he put his hand in his desk, Nanci covered her mouth. She didn't want Miss Allen to see that she was giggling. She reached inside her desk, too, and took hold of the orange.

 

At last Miss Allen had her back to the class. Nanci drew a long breath as Mike yelled, "Fruit roll!" In a flash, Nanci's orange was rolling down the aisle with lots of others. The room became noisy, and Miss Allen looked puzzled. "It's for you," Mike said, pointing to the fruit.

 

"For me!" exclaimed Miss Allen in surprise. "How thoughtful of you! Thanks, class."

 

That afternoon Nanci told her mother about the fun they'd had. "Miss Allen said she'd never heard of a fruit roll," said Nanci. "She got oranges, grapefruit, some tangerines, and even a lemon. She liked it -- and then she let us play 'Fruit Basket Upset' until lunchtime."

 

"Good," said Mother. "I was sure you'd enjoy it." She smiled at Nanci. "Did you know that you should have a fruit roll every day?" she asked.

 

"Every day!" exclaimed Nanci.

 

Mother nodded. "I'm thinking of 'the fruit of the Spirit,'" she said. "It's quite a list. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance should be 'rolling' from your life each day. I don't know if our Heavenly Father chuckles the way you did about your fruit roll, but I'm sure He's happy when He sees His fruit in you."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is a "fruit roll" a regular part of your life? If you're a Christian, the fruit of the Spirit should be evident each day. Ask God to help you display these characteristics in your attitude and actions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 1:11)
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Justin slid into the car and closed the door. He set a large birthday present on his knees and smiled excitedly.

 

Mom fastened her seat belt and turned to Justin. "You don't have your seat belt on," she said.

 

"It's only two blocks to Cameron's house," said Justin. "I don't need the seat belt for such a short trip."

 

"Oh, yes, you do," disagreed Mom. "Accidents can happen close to home, too. A seat belt could save your life."

 

"But I can't reach it while I hold this present!" complained Justin peevishly. "The box is too big."

 

"Here, let me help you." Mom reached over, pulled the seat belt down, and snapped it into the buckle. "There. Now we can go." She started the car and backed out of the driveway. "Seat belts were put into cars to protect us, and the law says we have to use them," she added.

 

"The law," repeated Justin, remembering a recent Sunday school lesson. "Are the Ten Commandments like seat belts? Miss Wren says God gave them to us to protect us."

 

"I like that thought," said Mom. "When you obey all of God's commands -- which are summarized in the Ten Commandments -- it's like putting His seat belt around your life." As she spoke, a soccer ball bounced into the street in front of them. Mom braked quickly, and the car jerked to a stop -- inches away from a little boy who dashed after the ball. Justin lurched forward, but his seat belt tightened, holding him back. The little boy grabbed the ball and ran back into his yard.

 

"If you hadn't insisted that I wear my seat belt, I might have smashed into the dashboard," admitted Justin, reaching for the present, which had slid off his lap.

 

"Exactly," Mom agreed. "Seat belts help you only if you put them on, and God's laws help you only if you obey them.  Always remember that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you faithfully wear your seat belt? Wearing it can protect you from harm. Do you faithfully obey God's laws? Obeying them protects you, too. Obey your country's laws and put on your seat belt in the car. Obey God's laws and follow His commands in every area of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 5:3)
This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You always do that, Mom," moaned Shelly.

 

"Do what?" asked Mom, waiting for traffic to pass.

 

"You drive up to the road where you need to turn," replied Shelly, "and then you wait for the traffic to go by even if you could go before it gets here!"

 

Mom made the turn onto the street. "Well, I could have gone ahead of those cars," she said, "but I didn't want to take a chance on having an accident."

 

"But we always wait forever!" protested Shelly.

 

Mom laughed. "I know you're eager to get to Kara's party, honey, but we waited only a minute -- an important minute."

 

Shelly frowned. "What do you mean?"

 

"Imagine what could have happened if I chose to do the wrong thing during that minute," said Mom. "We could have been in an accident and been hurt -- or worse! Then you'd have missed Kara's party completely. Instead, here we are, driving up Kara's street, and you'll enjoy the party!"

 

Shelly laughed. "I suppose you're right," she said.

 

That evening Shelly and her brother joined Mom and Dad for their family Bible study. They read from Psalm Ninety (see today's Scripture reading). "You know, Mom," said Shelly, "that's like the important minute when we waited for traffic today!"

 

Rob shook his head. "Shelly's a little weird," he teased. He looked at his sister. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

 

Shelly laughed and told Dad and Rob about the conversation she'd had with Mom. "The verses we just read say that our lifetime on earth is really short -- like that minute when we waited for traffic," explained Shelly. "It was important for Mom to make the right decision in that minute, and it's important to make the right decision in the short time we live on earth, too. We need to accept Jesus while we're here. That decision makes all the difference in how we'll spend life here -- and especially how we'll spend eternity."

 

"You're right, Shelly," Dad said. "Good thinking!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you've got lots of time to decide to become a Christian? Life on earth is very short compared to eternity, and you can't even be sure you'll get to be very old.You don't know how long you'll live. Now is the time to trust Jesus.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Now is the day of salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, this animal is cool!" said Caleb, looking up from his magazine.

 

Kate peered over his shoulder. "Ooh! A badger! Isn't he cute?"

 

"You say 'cute' for everything!" protested Caleb. "When I say cool, I mean it's interesting, not cute!"

 

Kate sniffed. "Well, I think that badger is cute," she insisted, "but what do you find so interesting about it?"

 

"Well, according to this article, badgers' homes are underground, and they're interconnected by a whole maze of burrows and passages," said Caleb.

 

"Hey, that is cool," agreed Kate. "That means they can visit each other."

 

Caleb nodded. "This says that badgers are nocturnal animals." He grinned. "That means. . ."

 

"I know what that means," said Kate. "It means they are awake at night and sleep during the day."

 

"You got it!" said Caleb. "Listen to this . . . 'If a badger is away from home when day breaks, he may stay and rest with another badger family for a while before heading for his own home.'"

 

Kate laughed. "Maybe the ones traveling are missionary badgers, and the ones they stay with are like our family," she joked. "Remember when those missionaries stayed with us not long ago?"

 

Caleb grinned. "There's more," he said. "It says here that sometimes the badgers even allow a fox to stay over! I haven't seen you entertain any foxes lately."

 

"Oh, I don't know," said Kate. "That's like . . . that's like . . . I can't think of anything that it's like."

 

"I can," said Caleb. "That might be like inviting someone you don't know very well -- like those new kids who have started coming to Bible club -- to come over and play."

 

"Better not let them hear you comparing them to foxes," said Kate, "but you're probably right. We'd be practicing hospitality, like our Bible club memory verse said we should."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Hospitality is one of the many virtues the Bible says you should have. Do you practice it both with friends and with kids you don't know well? Talk to the new girl in your class. Have lunch with the guy who always sits alone. Ask the lonely person to play with you at recess time. Make each one feel welcome and wanted.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:13)
(Be) given to hospitality.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I found out more about badgers," announced Kate as the family sat down to dinner. "I checked out the encyclopedia."

 

"I can't imagine you bothering with heavy stuff like research," teased Caleb.

 

"I know I'm not as good as you at intellectual stuff, but I'm better at sports than you are," said Kate. "Anyway, have you ever heard of a ratel?" Caleb, Mom, and Dad all shook their heads. "It's a small animal, like a badger, and it's sometimes called the 'honey badger,'" Kate told them.

 

"Because it likes honey?" guessed Caleb.

 

"Right!" said Kate. "The honey badger has a bird-friend called the 'honey guide.' When the honey guide discovers a beehive full of honey, it calls the honey badger and leads the way to the hive. Then the honey badger uses its claws to break open the hive, and it enjoys a treat of lovely, sticky honey while the honey guide patiently waits."

 

"Doesn't the honey guide get to eat some of the honey, too?" asked Caleb. Kate shook her head. "Well, eating up all the honey isn't a friendly thing to do!" declared Caleb. "I don't think the honey badgers are very hospitable."

 

"The honey guide doesn't want the honey," said Kate. "It likes the beeswax and larvae, and that's what the honey badger leaves behind."

 

"Interesting," said Mom. "Each one helps the other."

 

Dad nodded. "It's another example of how the Lord has blessed each one with different gifts and talents," he said. "That seems to be true both in the animal kingdom and among humans. Some people are blessed with musical ability. Some are good at sports. Some have the gift of helping others. God wants us to use our gifts, not just for our own benefit, but also to serve one another."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What special talent, skill, or ability has God given you? Think about it. There is something you do well. Use that ability to help someone. Can you visit, share your things, give money, listen, pray, or lend a helping hand? Then do it today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 4:14)
Neglect not the gift that is in thee.   Do not neglect your gift.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Jeffrey's Sunday school teacher asked for volunteers to help members of the church who were shut-ins, Jeffrey looked over the list of names. "I could help Mrs. Johnson," he offered. "She lives near me."

 

The sweet old lady was pleased to have Jeffrey's help. She asked him to water her garden because she was unable to do that. "Sure. You can count on me. I can do it every week," Jeffrey told her.

 

For a few weeks, Jeffrey faithfully kept his promise, but then he began to neglect the plants. There were other things that took his time.

 

"Dad, come see what my electric train can do," Jeffrey said one afternoon. He placed two engines on the track several feet apart and pushed some buttons. The engines raced around the track. Then Jeffrey flipped a switch. One engine ran onto a side track and stopped while the other one continued to roll along the main track. "See, Dad, I sidetracked the one and kept the other one going," explained Jeffrey.

 

Dad nodded. "I see that," he said. He looked thoughtfully at the sidetracked engine. "It occurs to me that some Christians start out serving the Lord but then are sidetracked like that engine -- they're going no place. In fact, I wonder if you're like that yourself right now, Jeffrey."

 

Jeffrey looked up. "Me? How's that?" he asked.

 

"Well, I remember that you promised to do something good," replied Dad. "You said you'd help Mrs. Johnson every week, and that's great! But I think you've been forgetting to do it lately, or maybe you've been too interested in other things. In other words, you got sidetracked." He paused a moment before adding, "I went by Mrs. Johnson's house today. The plants in her garden look pretty wilted."

 

"Uhooh! I did forget!" exclaimed Jeffrey. He looked at the two engines. "If I hurry, I can still get those plants watered before dark," he observed as he headed for the door. "Then I'll be like the engine that kept going."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you begun to serve the Lord by tithing, helping a needy person, or cheerfully working at home? Have you kept at it? Starting out to do right is great, but keeping at it is much better. Don't be sidetracked!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.   Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Mr. Brady told his Sunday school class that they would be putting on a play at the church banquet, Jake slumped down in his seat, hoping he wouldn't have a speaking part. But Mr. Brady handed him an entire page of the script!

 

That afternoon, Jake complained to his parents. "I can't get up in front of that crowd and talk," he said. "What if I goof up? I'd be so embarrassed."

 

"Oh, I'm sure you can do it," said Mom. "This will be a good way to help you overcome your shyness."

 

Dad nodded. "We all need to learn to speak out for God wherever we are," Dad told him, "and the best way to gain the confidence we need is by actually doing some speaking."

 

That afternoon Jake read over his part. It was interesting, and he found he could memorize it easily.  But how can I ever say it, standing in front of all those people? he wondered. Mom interrupted his thoughts. "Look at Jessie," she said. "She's walking."

 

Jake turned to look. His father was holding Baby Jessie's hand as she took step after step. Then Dad carefully let go, and Jessie took several steps alone. Suddenly, she wobbled and sat down hard. With a big grin, she let her father help her up, and she stepped out again.

 

"Big girl!" exclaimed Jake.

 

Mom and Jake grinned at each other, and Mom noticed the script he held in his hand. "The only way Jessie will learn to walk is by walking," said Mom. "It's the same with you, Jake. You'll never get over your fear of speaking before others if you don't start doing it. And if you make a mistake, get back up and try again, just like Jessie is doing." Jake nodded thoughtfully as Mom added, "Dad helps Jessie learn to walk, and God will help you learn to speak. Trust Him."

 

Is speaking or performing in a program difficult for you? Do you have trouble witnessing to individuals as well? To help gain confidence, begin to do the thing that is hard for you. If you "goof," get back up, "dust yourself off," and go at it again. God will help you as you learn to boldly speak up for Him.




TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 118:6)
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

[Soldier4Christ]

"But, Mom," pleaded Joey as he and his mother sat at the kitchen table, "it didn't cost so much." He had come home with an electronic game he'd seen advertised in the paper, and he was afraid his mother was going to make him return it.

 

"You spend your hard-earned paper route money on things you play with for a few days and then hardly use again," said Mom. "Why didn't you wait a while before buying this?"

 

"But, Mom, this is different," Joey insisted. "I really want this game."

 

Mom sighed. "Okay," she said. "We've talked about this before. It's your money -- you earned it, and we've said you can spend a portion of it any way you want to. I think you may be sorry you spent it so quickly, though."

 

Joey was elated. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "Thanks a lot, Mom!"

 

Joey's excitement over his new game soon fizzled. It wasn't as much fun as he had expected.

 

"I haven't seen you playing with your new toy lately," Mom said one evening after dinner.

 

Joey fidgeted with his napkin. "Are you mad at me for buying it?" he asked as he glanced at his mother.

 

Mom smiled. "Joey, I'm not angry with you," she said, "but I think God can teach both of us something through this."

 

Joey was puzzled. "Both of us?"

 

Mom nodded. "Yes, both of us," she said. "You wanted that game so much that you didn't ask my advice -- and wouldn't listen when I gave it. There have been times when I wanted something very much -- something I knew was really too expensive or that might not be good for me -- and I went ahead without asking God for His guidance. There have also been times when I've ignored what I knew He wanted me to do." Joey looked at his mom in surprise. "Let's pray that God will teach us both an important lesson in patience, shall we?" suggested Mom. Joey smiled and nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you patient? Patience is a virtue God wants to see in your life. Without it, you'll probably be grumbling, critical, and generally unhappy. Ask God to help you develop patience.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 1:11)
(Be) Strengthened . . . according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nicole, who lived along the Amazon River as a missionary kid, had a unique variety of pets. She especially loved Mickey, her kitten-sized monkey, but he was always a rascal. One day, he scampered to the bookcase and cautiously ran his hand across the tempting, paper-jacketed books. Then he began tearing off strips of paper and shredding them to bits.

 

"Mickey! What are you doing?" scolded Nicole as she entered the living room. She scooped him up and ruffled his fur. He swished his long bushy tail in aggravation. "Stop ripping the books or you'll have to go outside," she threatened. Mickey calmed down -- he didn't like to go outside. Nicole set him down and cleaned up the mess. Mickey turned and picked up his tail, combing his fingers through the long, silky, black fur while Nicole worked. But as soon as she disappeared into her room, Mickey hopped back to the bookcase and resumed the shredding.

 

The sound of tearing paper filtered down the hall to Nicole. She reappeared and gently but firmly spanked him. "Naughty monkey! Do you want to go outside?" she again asked sternly. She shooed Mickey away from the books and returned to her room.

 

Mickey immediately scooted back to the bookcase. He was having a great time when he suddenly found himself lifted into the air. He whirled his tail furiously and chattered his disapproval, but he couldn't pull himself from Nicole's grip.

 

"I don't really want to put you outside, Mickey, but you have to learn to behave!" said Nicole sadly as she opened the door. Suddenly she thought of something. "Now I know how my parents feel when I disobey them," she murmured. She tossed Mickey lightly down onto the hot cement patio.

 

As Nicole went back into the house, she thought of something else.  When we sin, it must really hurt God to have to punish us, too, but He has to do it anyway. I guess I understand that a little better now.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to get away with sin? Parents love you, but they must sometimes punish you. God also disciplines His children because He loves them and wants to keep them from harm. When discipline comes, accept it and turn away from the wrong thing you've done.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:7)
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons.

[Soldier4Christ]

From the window, Nicole watched Mickey, her pet monkey. He was not happy to be outside by himself. He sat on the step and unsuccessfully pulled at the edge of the door. Then he went behind the steps to the cool crawl space under the house. There he waited for his chance to get back into the house.

 

After a while, Nicole had to run an errand for her mother. From his hiding place, Mickey saw her leave, and he was ready and waiting when she returned.

 

When Nicole opened the door and went into the house, Mickey jumped out and ran in behind her. She didn't see him, and she let the heavy door snap shut. It closed on Mickey's tender tail.

 

Mickey turned around and grabbed his tail as though it were a rope. He chattered and cried in desperation. He pulled his hardest, but it was no use. His tail was stuck in the door.

 

"Poor Mickey!" gasped Nicole as she ran back to the door. With one hand she pushed the door open, and with the other she scooped Mickey into her arms. He swished his hurting tail and rubbed the spot where the door had slammed on it. "Oh, Mickey, your poor tail!" cried Nicole. "Why did you try to get in all by yourself?"

 

As Nicole cuddled him and tried to soothe away his hurt, she saw some of her friends outside. A thought struck her. "You're just like some of my friends who are trying to get into heaven on their own," she told Mickey. "You didn't make it into the house, and they won't make it into heaven by themselves." The little monkey snuggled into Nicole's arms. "There now," she soothed. "I rescued you, and you're safe and loved. Maybe if I use you as an example, my friends will understand about trusting the Lord instead of trying to work their way to heaven."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trying to get into heaven all by yourself or by the things you do? Why not admit you're a sinner and let Jesus rescue you? He loves you and died for you. He is the only way to heaven.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 6:23)
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Dr. Jensen talked about his "call" to the mission field, Kevin wondered what it would be like to receive a call from God. Dr. Jensen referred to it as a "strong urge to serve God," but Kevin still wondered how he would know if God ever called him to do something.

 

Kevin was especially interested in the story Dr. Jensen told about fixing a truck with the help of his thirteen-year-old son, Joel. "We didn't have the right tools, and Joel came up with one crazy idea after another," said Dr. Jensen. "When we least expected results, the engine began to roar, and I thanked God for giving Joel an idea that actually worked."

 

On the way home from church, Kevin recalled the story of the truck. "It's too bad they don't have better tools to work with, isn't it?" he said. He grinned at his father as he added, "You should have been there with your supply of tools, Dad." In Dad's business, he had tools to fix just about anything.

 

During the next few days, Kevin often thought about the lack of tools on the mission field. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to do something about it.  I have some money saved that I could use,  he thought, but then I won't have money for the bicycle I want to buy.  His thoughts went back and forth for some time.  Is God calling me to give money?  he wondered. One evening, he talked to his father about it.

 

"Dad, would the money I saved for a bike be enough to buy tools for the missionaries?" asked Kevin.

 

Dad thought about it. "Well, I can buy tools at discount prices, so that money would buy quite a lot," he said after a moment. "I'd like to throw in a few extra, if that's what you really want to do."

 

Kevin nodded. "It is," he said. "I don't know why, but it seems more important to help the missionaries than to buy a new bike. Besides, my old one works just fine." Even as he spoke, Kevin wondered if he was beginning to understand what it was like to receive a call from God. In some ways, it was hard, but actually, it was a great experience.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder if God will call you to be a missionary or a pastor? Is He urging you to do some specific thing even now -- maybe to help someone, give money, or just be a friend to someone? Be ready to answer His call, no matter what He asks you to do.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Jesse looked for a good place to hide.  That spot behind the bush in front of the house is the perfect spot for hide-and-seek, he thought, but Dad told us not to play close to the house because of the wet paint.  He hesitated.  Dad's painting around the back now, so he'll never know, Jesse decided, and he hid behind the bush.

 

Jesse's friend Rob was searching the yard. As he got close to the bush, Jesse ducked a little lower. He almost lost his balance but braced himself against the house. "Found ya!" Rob called out, and it was Rob's turn to hide and Jesse's turn to find him.

 

After Rob went home, Jesse went into the kitchen and poured himself some juice. "Did you and Rob have a good time?" Dad asked, coming in from his work.

 

Jesse leaned back against the cupboard and tried to appear relaxed so Dad wouldn't guess he had done something wrong. "Sure did," Jesse replied. As he spoke, he saw that there was paint on his fingers. He quickly put his hand in his pants pocket.

 

"That juice looks good," said Dad, opening the refrigerator door. Jesse noticed a fingerprint of paint on the juice pitcher. Dad noticed, too. "How did paint get on this pitcher?" Dad asked.

 

Jesse's heart thumped. He turned his back to Dad and put his juice glass in the sink. "I don't know. I didn't do it," said Jesse.  "Maybe you accidentally did that when you came in for a break earlier."

 

"Perhaps," Dad said, "but I don't think so. It would make more sense to think it came from you, since the whole back of your pants is marked with paint." Jesse twisted and tried to see. Sure enough! In spite of his attempts to hide what he had done, he was caught. "Always remember that, sooner or later, sin will be discovered," Dad told him. "Trying to cover up wrongdoing only makes things worse." Jesse was sure that was true! He knew he'd now be punished for lying to his dad as well as for disobeying him.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you admit it when you've done something wrong?  Attempts to hide sin eventually fail. Always be honest. Follow God's advice -- confess sin and turn away from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 28:13)
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy.

[Soldier4Christ]

Beth lay back on her inflatable raft. She wished her dad could come out and swim, too, but he was sick in bed. Her brother grinned at her. "I'm going to pop your float," he threatened. "You'll sink."

 

"No, I won't," Beth said. "My life jacket will hold me up."

 

"What if I take the life jacket?" Dylan teased.

 

"It still won't matter," Beth insisted boldly. "This is the shallow end and the water only reaches my waist."

 

"I might pick you up and dunk you under," taunted Dylan.

 

Beth grinned and pointed to Mom sitting at the side of the pool. "With Mom there, I'm perfectly safe," she said.

 

After lunch, Dad felt even worse, and Mom told the kids that their grandmother would come and stay with them while she took Dad to the hospital emergency room. When she returned home, Dad was not with her. He had been admitted as a patient in the hospital.

 

"What's wrong with Dad?" asked Beth anxiously.

 

"We don't know," replied Mom. "We hope it's nothing serious, but you know Dad hasn't felt good for a long time."

 

"I don't want him to be sick," Beth whispered sadly.

 

"I don't either," Mom said, hugging Beth.

 

Dylan felt nervous, too. "What if it is really serious?" he asked. "Are you scared, Mom?"

 

"Sometimes I am," admitted Mom, "but I'm thankful to know that Dad -- and each of us -- will still be okay because we're in God's hands."

 

"If something's terribly wrong, how could that ever be okay?" asked Dylan.

 

"Earlier today you were teasing your sister in the pool, Dylan," Mom reminded him, "but she knew that no matter what you did, she'd still be okay because I was there and would take care of her. As Christians, we can have absolute confidence that we're still okay, too, because God is watching and He'll take care of us. No matter how hard the circumstances -- or even how painful the outcome -- we can trust Him. We're safe in His hands."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has something happened that makes you feel very sad or scared? Is someone you love very sick? Has one of your parents lost a job? Did your parents divorce? Jesus knows all about it. Trust Him to watch over you and love you, no matter how difficult the circumstances.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 10:31)
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.