Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Adam's eyes widened in horror when his elbow knocked a paint bottle off the table. Blue paint spread in a growing circle across his grandparents' kitchen floor. Adam jumped off his chair and quickly bent to pick up the paint bottle. What am I going to do? he wondered.  I've got to clean this up before Grandpa and Grandma see it.

 

Adam rushed into the utility room and grabbed some rags. Coming back into the kitchen, he used one of the rags to soak up the paint on the floor. A large stain remained behind, so he got a bucket of water and began scrubbing . . . scrubbing . . . scrubbing the paint spot.  Oh! This isn't going to work!  Adam thought to himself.  I can't get the paint off my hands, either!  He knew he would have to tell his grandparents what had happened.

 

Grandpa frowned when he saw the stain, but he knew it had been an accident. "Well, I'm glad the floor isn't carpeted," he said. "I have some special cleaner in the garage, and I think it will work on this." Grandpa went to get the cleaner, and soon all trace of the paint was gone.

 

"You know, Adam," Grandpa said as they washed their hands with the special soap they had used to clean the floor, "maybe we can both learn a good lesson from what just happened."

 

Adam looked up at him. "Not to fool around with paint, right?" he asked.

 

Grandpa smiled. "Well, yes," he said, "but I was thinking of an even more important lesson. The Bible tells us we're all stained by sin, and no matter how hard we try, we just can't clean it away by ourselves." Grandpa dried his hands and continued. "The Bible also says that Jesus died for us, and His blood can cleanse us completely of all of sin's dark stain."

 

Adam finished washing and looked at his hands. They were completely clean. "I needed soap to clean the floor and my hands, and I need Jesus to clean my heart, right?" he said.

 

Grandpa smiled and put his hand on Adam's shoulder. "Right," he said. "That's exactly right.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have your sins been washed away? You can't clean your heart and life by being good or doing good things. It won't work. Only Jesus can make you clean. Ask Him to cleanse your heart from sin. (See page 67.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 51:7)
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess what Joseph is doing?" exclaimed Kathy as she burst into the kitchen. "He's burying nuts near the apple tree."

 

"Who's Joseph?" asked Mom. "The new boy next door?"

 

"Oh, Mom! Joseph is the squirrel who visits our garden," explained Kathy impatiently. "Why would he bury nuts instead of eating them?"

 

"He's storing them away to eat next winter," her brother Michael told her.

 

Mom nodded. "While it's warm, squirrels collect nuts and grains and hide them," she said. "Then when winter comes and food is hard to find, they have their secret store to fall back on."

 

"That's like Joseph in the Bible," observed Michael. "He collected grain for seven years, so when the famine came, the people had plenty to eat. He was smart!"

 

"Hmmmm," murmured Mom. "We can learn something from both Josephs."

 

"We need to store up food in case there's a famine here?" asked Kathy.

 

Mom smiled. "I was referring to a different kind of food -- spiritual food," she explained. "I'm afraid that when things are going well for us -- like now -- we might be tempted to be lazy and neglect prayer and Bible reading and meeting with other Christians. We seem to realize that we need God's help when difficult times come, but we don't always remember that we should use the good times to store up spiritual food and strengthen our relationship with the Lord."

 

"I get it," said Michael. "If we store up that spiritual food, we can use it when hard times come. We can remember Bible verses and lessons we've learned in Sunday school and church."

 

Mom nodded. "Yes," she agreed. "We can draw spiritual strength from the many things we've previously learned from God's Word."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is this time a "good time in your life? Is God blessing you with happy times and pleasant circumstances? Then use this time to praise and thank Him and to get to know Him better. <p>Is this a "hard time" in your life? Then draw upon the spiritual truths you've stored up.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

One day, Chris went with his grandpa to an automobile museum. "Aren't these old cars funny-looking, Grandpa?" asked Chris.

 

Grandpa smiled. "Well," he said, "they were mighty stylish in their day, you know." He pointed to one of the cars. "That's like the one my father drove when I was about your age. It came in any color you wanted, as long as what you wanted was black."

 

Chris laughed. "Some of these old cars look brand new!" he exclaimed, peering through the window of one of the cars. "This one doesn't look like it's ever been out of this building."

 

"Oh, but it has," said Grandpa. "It's very old and must have traveled many miles, but it's been restored. Worn out parts have been replaced, and the old paint has been removed and replaced with bright, shiny, new paint." After a moment he added, "It's kind of like what Jesus does for us when we confess our sin to Him. He takes it all away and makes us clean again. The Bible says He 'restores' our souls. I guess you could call Him the Divine Restorer."

 

"Before the owner restored that old car, it must have looked much different than it does now," observed Chris, "but Jesus doesn't make us look different."

 

"Well, I'm not so sure about that," said Grandpa. "I was thinking about changes He makes in our spirits and souls -- in our innermost beings -- rather than in our physical appearance, but now that you mention it, I think we often look different, too. When we've had our sins forgiven, we might wear a smile instead of a scowl. When we're restored, we should have a happy, cheerful outlook on life!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you need to be restored? When you're sorry for your sin and confess it, God will restore you and make your heart clean again. When that happens, let it show in your smile. Let others see Jesus in your cheerful, helpful spirit.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 23:3)
He restoreth my soul.

[Soldier4Christ]

THRRRIPTH! THRRRIPTH! THRRRIPTH!

 

"What was that?" Maria, who had been leaning against the back of the car seat, sat upright. She peered out the window.

 

"It's okay," answered Dad. "I strayed onto the shoulder of the road." He shifted in his seat and adjusted the rear view mirror.

 

"But what was that noise?" Maria asked.

 

"There are little bumps on the shoulder of the road to warn drivers that they're getting too close to the edge," explained Dad. "Driving over the bumps made the sound you heard. It's okay now."

 

"That scared me," Maria said, leaning back.

 

Her father grinned. "It got my attention, too. It reminded me that I'd better pay more attention to my driving," he said. After a moment he added, "It's a good thing those warning strips are there, isn't it? Otherwise we might have ended up off the road and in the ditch."

 

Maria looked at her father and nodded. "I'd have been even more scared then."

 

"It may seem strange," added Dad, "but this has reminded me that God has ways of warning us when we begin to stray away from Him." Maria looked puzzled and her father explained. "For example," he said, "God has given each of us a conscience so that when we do something wrong, we feel bad about it. Then we know we need to repent and confess our sin in order to get back onto His path." Dad smiled at Maria. "God also gives us godly teachers who help us learn His truths."

 

Maria nodded. "My Sunday school teacher says God gives us His Holy Spirit to teach us, too," she said.

 

"That's right," agreed Dad. "God uses many different ways to keep us from straying off the right path."

 

Maria smiled. "Kind of like He has 'warning strips' for us," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you felt the tugging of the Holy Spirit when you've done something wrong? Has God used parents or other people to keep you on the right path? God loves you and doesn't want you to be hurt by drifting away from Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 23:3)
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can you believe it, Mom?" asked Traci excitedly. "Lisa finally agreed to go to Sunday school with me next week! Well . . . she almost agreed anyway."

 

"Great!" exclaimed Mom. "What happened?"

 

"Lisa finally admitted the only reason she didn't want to go was because she doesn't have good enough clothes," said Traci. "I told her she looked fine, but she said she'd feel out of place."

 

"I'm sure she'd be welcome wearing whatever she has," observed Mom as she pulled towels and sheets out of the dryer.

 

"Well," said Traci as she and her mother began folding the warm laundry, "I have a solution to the problem. You know in the Bible where it says if a person has two coats, he should give one away? Well, I have so many nice things, and I want to give some to Lisa."

 

"You do?" Mom was surprised, but she looked pleased. "All right," she agreed. "If you really want to, go ahead."

 

"Can I call Lisa and tell her now?" asked Traci eagerly. Mom nodded.

 

When Traci told Lisa her plan, she was surprised at Lisa's response. "What a dumb idea!" exclaimed Lisa. "I couldn't wear any of your clothes, Traci. Everyone at your church would know they were yours. It would be too embarrassing!"

 

In tears, Traci reported the conversation to her mother. "I tried to do just like the Bible verse said," she sniffed, "but it didn't work."

 

Mom handed Traci a tissue. "I'm proud of you anyway," she declared. "I'm sure God is pleased, too. You really tried to follow the example in the Bible, and all her life, Lisa will probably remember that you offered her some of your best things." She paused, then added, "Now let's see what else we can work out so Lisa will be comfortable coming along to Sunday school."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there times when you've tried to follow the examples in the Bible, and your friends didn't understand you or made fun of you? God always understands. Ask Him to help you when things don't work out, and continue to share.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 3:11)
He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tom, who was leafing through a magazine, laughed out loud. "There's a picture in here of a funny-looking toad," he said. He laughed again. "Hey, it looks just like Clark Webster! Look at those beady eyes and those big feet. If that toad had messed-up hair, he'd be the spitting image of Clark!"

 

"Tom, that's not very nice," scolded Dad. "Instead of making fun of Clark, you should try to help him."

 

"Fat chance!" exclaimed Tom. "When I have anything to do with him . . . well, that'll be the day!"

 

"That's enough, Thomas," said Dad sternly. "Clark may not be exactly like you are, but he is your brother in Christ."

 

As Tom continued flipping pages, he saw an article on conjoined -- or Siamese -- twins, twins that are joined together and share some body parts. He read a little. "Hey, Dad, have you ever heard of the original Siamese twins?" he asked. "They were called Chang and Eng."

 

Dad nodded. "In college I did a study on twins," he said.

 

"It says here that Chang and Eng were joined at the waist," said Tom. "One was taller than the other. They had different personalities, too. Chang had a bad temper, but Eng didn't."

 

"And that's not all," said Dad. "Sometimes they fought and wouldn't speak to each other for long periods of time."

 

"Wow, that would be awful!" said Tom. "Imagine -- both in the same body and not able to get along."

 

"Yes -- a little like some members of the Body of Christ," observed Dad.

 

Tom knew that the "Body of Christ" referred to all Christians, and he felt ashamed as he remembered his remarks about Clark. Neither he nor Dad said anything for a few moments, but Tom made a decision. "Hey, Dad, remember when I said, 'When I have anything to do with Clark Webster, that'll be the day'?" he asked. Dad nodded. "Well . . . today's the day!" announced Tom. He walked over to the telephone, looked up Clark's phone number, and began dialing it.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you be embarrassed if a Christian with messed up hair and tattered clothing wanted to be your friend? All believers are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Love them as Jesus does. Think of someone who is unappealing to other kids and see what you can do to help him or her.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Why are Daddy's golf clubs by the door?" asked Mark one afternoon.

 

"Mom's selling them," answered his sister Ashley.

 

"Selling them?" Mark's voice rose. "Daddy will want them when he comes back."

 

"Stop dreaming," said Ashley. "He's not coming back."

 

"He is so," said Mark.

 

"Well, Mom's selling those," said Ashley with a shrug. "She needs the money." Mark rushed to his room and slammed the door. His dad seemed farther away than ever.

 

The following day, Mark went to play at the home of his friend Sam. "Guess what?" said Sam when he met Mark at the door. "My dad gave me his old toy train!"

 

"Cool!" exclaimed Mark.

 

Sam's dad helped the boys put the train together. Mark enjoyed having him work with them, but it made him jealous to watch Sam with his dad. Suddenly Mark picked up a piece of track and threw it. Then he banged his fists on the carpet. Sam's father put his hand gently on Mark's shoulder. "Would you like to talk about it?" he asked.

 

"No," yelled Mark. Then he changed his mind. "Mom's selling Dad's golf clubs," he said with a sob.

 

"I'm so sorry," said Sam's dad, "and I think I understand. When I was your age, my parents got divorced, too. I didn't want my dad's things sold or given away. I thought he'd come back home, but he never did."

 

"My dad will come home," insisted Mark. He wished he could really believe that.

 

"I hope so. I know the emptiness you feel," said Sam's father. He handed Mark a tissue. "Do you know the Heavenly Father, Mark? Do you know Jesus? If you'll accept Jesus into your life, God will make you His child. Not having your earthly father with you does leave an empty spot, but it helps to know your Heavenly Father is always with you. You can talk to Him anytime, anywhere."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there an empty spot in your life because a parent is missing? Do you know the Heavenly Father? You need Him whether you live with an earthly father or not. Ask Him today to come into your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 27:10)
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

[Soldier4Christ]

Andrew picked up his Bible and tried once again to memorize the Lord's Prayer. "Our Father which art in heaven," he quoted, then stopped and sighed. "I don't even know what that next big word means," he complained to his father.

 

"The word 'hallowed'?" asked Dad.

 

"Yeah," said Andrew. "Hallowed. What does 'Hallowed be Thy name' mean?"

 

"One Bible version says, 'We honor your holy name,'" said Dad. "That's what we're saying when we sincerely pray, 'Hallowed be Thy name.' We're acknowledging that God is holy and that even His name is holy. We must always use God's name respectfully."

 

Later that day, Andrew and his family went to see a parade. The President of the United States was in their city and was going to make a  at the civic center. Andrew was excited when he saw secret service men all around, and he was eager to see the President.

 

Andrew and his parents managed to find a spot close to the speaker's platform. Soon a long, black car drove up. As the President stepped out, the band played a stirring tune. Then the President was introduced amid much cheering and clapping.

 

Andrew didn't understand much of the , but he didn't care. "Seeing the President was awesome," he said on the way home.

 

"Did you notice the song the band played when the President got out of his car?" asked Mom. "That number is always played when the President arrives."

 

"Really? Why is that?" asked Andrew.

 

"It's called 'Hail to the Chief,' and it's a good reminder that our President is the leader of our country," explained Mom. "It's a position that deserves our honor."

 

"Maybe we should say, 'Hallowed be the President's name,'" joked Andrew.

 

Dad shook his head. "No," he disagreed. "The meaning of 'hallowed' includes a recognition of something holy. We'll reserve that honor for God."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought about what it means to "hallow" God's name? As you say those words, think about God's holiness and how great, how strong, and how kind He is. Let those words remind you to honor God in every part of your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:9)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aimee stirred her cup of hot chocolate. "Why the sad face?" she asked when her little sister came in.

 

"No reason," replied Alexa. She looked at the floor.

 

"Want some hot chocolate?" asked Aimee.

 

"No thanks," murmured Alexa. She fidgeted uneasily on her chair. "We cut across Mr. Jordan's lawn on the way home from school," she blurted out at last.

 

Aimee set her cup down. "You did!" she exclaimed. "You know that makes him angry. Why did you do that?"

 

"Well, the kids say there isn't anything wrong with taking a short cut and that Mr. Jordan has to learn not to be so cross," said Alexa, her eyes downcast. She paused, then added, "So it must be okay."

 

"Now how do you figure that?" Aimee asked gently.

 

"They're older than me," replied Alexa.

 

"And that means they know more and are always right?" asked Aimee. Alexa's shoulders drooped lower, but she nodded her head. Aimee looked thoughtful. "Are you sure you don't want hot chocolate?" she asked. "The water's finally cold enough."

 

Alexa wrinkled her brow. "You mean the water's hot enough," she corrected her sister.

 

"No. It's cold enough," said Aimee. "I'll get it." Alexa followed Aimee into the kitchen and watched her take a pitcher of ice water out of the fridge.

 

"Aimee, it's supposed to be hot chocolate," protested Alexa. "The water has to be hot!"

 

"Really, Alexa, you should listen to me," scolded Aimee. "I'm older. That means I'm right!" For the first time since coming in, Alexa smiled. Aimee smiled, too, as she sat down across from Alexa. "Can you see that 'older' doesn't always mean right?" asked Aimee. "Do you remember what Pastor said Sunday?"

 

Alexa's brow furrowed. "He said that no matter how old or young we are, we can know and do what God says is right."

 

"Yes, and that includes you, Sis," replied Aimee.She smiled as she hugged Alexa. "Now, how about some hot chocolate? Or would you prefer to apologize to Mr. Jordan first?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you tempted to do wrong things because older friends say they aren't wrong? If the Bible says it's wrong, don't do it, no matter what older friends say. Do what's right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 4:12)
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no! My snack is ruined," sputtered Jill when her slice of bread with jelly fell and landed upside down on the floor. "And now I have to clean the floor, too. This is just terrible." She looked as if she were ready to cry.

 

"Oh, come on, sis. Lighten up," encouraged her older sister. "I'll help you." Jordyn started to clean up the mess. "This isn't so bad -- there are a hundred worse things that could happen." But Jill continued to moan about it -- and about several other things that had happened that day. "Lighten up," Jordyn told her again. "You always see the worst side of everything that happens!"

 

On Sunday, Jill's teacher arrived just on time. "Everything went wrong this morning, but I made it!" exclaimed Mrs. Perkins as she removed her coat. She glanced down. "Oh, no! Look at me!" she added. "I slipped into my comfortable old garden shoes this morning, and I forgot to change them! Oh, well, you'll all just have to put up with these old things today." She laughed merrily, and the class laughed with her.

 

Jill was the first one to say the memory verse that morning. "Proverbs 17:22. A cheerful heart is good medicine," she recited.

 

"I hope you'll all remember that verse and let it remind you that you shouldn't take unimportant things too seriously," said Mrs. Perkins. "When we remember God's constant love and care, small mishaps shouldn't cause us to grumble. Learn to laugh about them, and let others laugh with you. That's good medicine for you and for them."

 

"Like we laughed about your shoes?" asked Jill with a grin.

 

Mrs. Perkins laughed. "Right! The fact that I wore these old shoes to church isn't nearly as important as how I react to it," she said.

 

Jill recalled the things she had moaned about that week. I need to learn to laugh about stuff like that, she decided. Next time things go wrong, I'm going to remember that God always loves and cares for me. That should help me to lighten up.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you cheerful even when you're embarrassed or when things seem to go wrong? You can't change what happened, but you can choose how you react to things that bother you. Remember that God loves you and cares for you. Thinking about that will help you "lighten up" and not be a grumbler.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 17:22)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mr. Robinson asked me to give my testimony at our youth meeting Sunday night," Rachel told her mother as they walked along a path in the woods. "I'm going to tell him I just can't do it! I'm too scared!"

 

"Why don't you give it a little more thought?" Mom suggested. She pointed. "Look -- there's the old fire tower. Looks like somebody's on duty there today, so I think they'll let us climb it if we want to."

 

"Okay," agreed Rachel, but when they walked over to the tower, she hesitated. "I don't know," she said as she looked up at flight after flight of stairs leading to the top of the tower, which rose above the highest tree. "It looks scary! I don't really like heights very much."

 

"I'll be behind you to make sure you won't fall," Mom assured her, so after they got permission, Rachel and her mother began climbing.

 

The higher they climbed, the more Rachel's knees trembled, but she could feel the presence of her mother right behind her. She knew Mom was ready and able to support her if she needed help.

 

Finally, they reached the top. Only then did Rachel look out over the forest. The setting sun had left behind brilliant colors that clung to clouds on the horizon. It made a spectacular canopy over the trees and hills below. "Awesome!" exclaimed Rachel.

 

"Was it worth being scared?" Mom asked.

 

"It sure was," said Rachel. "Besides, even though I was scared, I knew you were with me."

 

"You know, Rachel," said Mom, "I was just thinking that if you let fear keep you from sharing at the youth meeting, you may miss something as awesome as this view."

 

"What do you mean?" asked Rachel.

 

"It's awesome to see what God does when we share our lives with others," said Mom, "and just like I was with you and ready to help you on these stairs, God will be with you and ready to help when you speak at the youth meeting. You can do it."

 

Slowly, Rachel nodded. "I believe I can," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there something you believe God wants you to do? Someone you should invite to church or talk to about Jesus? God is with you, and He will help you and bless you as you obey Him in spite of your fear.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 1:7)
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[Soldier4Christ]

Stephen and his Uncle Donald were hiking in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. After hoisting himself up onto a ledge of crumbling granite, Stephen collapsed on a small patch of mossy grass and rubbed his aching legs.

 

Uncle Donald swung down his orange backpack. "That was quite a climb! Let's stop a few minutes and catch our breath," he said. He winked at Stephen. "After all, we don't want to get back to the house too soon. Our women folk might put us to work!" he joked.

 

Stephen grinned. "Yeah," he agreed. He picked up some stones. "Hey! Look at this!" he exclaimed. Uncle Donald knelt beside him, and they looked at a stone that Stephen held in the palm of his hand. Chips had been removed at regular intervals, and the rock came to an unmistakable point. "A real arrowhead," said Stephen. "I'll bet it was made by Shoshone Indians."

 

"Sure looks like it to me," agreed Uncle Donald.

 

As the two of them sat by the cool spray of a water-fall a little later, Stephen dug the arrowhead from his pocket. He washed the dirt and dust from the stone and held it up so that the light glinted off its edges. "You know," said Uncle Donald, "in the hands of its maker, that was a very useful item. A Shoshone brave carefully fashioned that arrowhead, and he knew just how he wanted to use it."

 

Stephen looked at Uncle Donald. He was sure his uncle was leading up to something. "We can learn from that," continued Uncle Donald. "We're far more important than a simple arrowhead, but to be useful we must put ourselves into our Maker's hands."

 

Stephen smiled at his uncle. "You mean God, right?"

 

"Right," agreed Uncle Donald. "God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives. Whenever you see your arrowhead, let it remind you of that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it hard to believe that God could use you for important tasks? God made you, and He has plans for you. Put your life in His hands. Talk with Him. Read His Word. Be willing to be and do what He wants -- both now and in the future.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 29:11)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you . . .to give you an expected end.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't like chicken," Daniel told Grandma as she put a drumstick on his plate, "and don't give me any green beans or carrots, either."

 

"I'll put only a little of each on your plate," said Grandma. She smiled. "Now let's bow our heads while I thank Jesus for our food." Daniel bowed his head, but he wasn't thankful.

 

Daniel picked at his food. "I think this stuff's gross," he announced. Grandma frowned. When she was finished eating, she got an apple for each of them. "Don't you have any cake or candy?" asked Daniel. "I hate apples."

 

"Daniel! Daniel! I'm afraid you have the wrong name," Grandma said quietly. "The Daniel in the Bible ate food that made him strong." She put the food away without another word.

 

That afternoon, Daniel went next door to play with his friend Robbie. While he was there, they watched Robbie's mother frost a cake. Daniel was hungry. He wished she'd give them some cake, but she didn't. She said she was making it for a new neighbor.

 

It seemed like a long time before Grandma had dinner ready. Daniel could hardly wait. She gave him the carrots, beans, chicken, milk, and apple he had refused at lunch time. "Yuck!" said Daniel, but he tasted the chicken anyway. It was better than he expected. The carrots and beans tasted good, too. He drank the milk and looked at the apple. "I wonder if the other Daniel liked apples," he said. He picked it up. "I guess he ate them anyway," decided Daniel. He took a bite of apple and was surprised at how good it was. "Now am I like the other Daniel?" he asked.

 

"Yes, I think so," said Grandma with a smile. "The Bible says he resolved -- that means he made up his mind -- to do the right thing, and that included obeying God by eating certain foods and not eating others. I believe God is pleased when we make up our minds to take good care of our bodies by eating foods that are good for us, too -- and by being thankful for them."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you drink milk and eat the fruits and vegetables your body needs? Or do you snack on chips, pop and sweets instead? Remember that God made you and wants you to take care of your body. Will you make up your mind to eat healthy food?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Daniel 1:
Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat.

[Soldier4Christ]

More than an hour after she went to bed, Lisa still had not gone to sleep. She tried everything she could think of to relax her mind, but nothing worked. Finally, she slipped out of bed and went to find Grandma.

 

"Grandma, I saw an ad on TV about sleeping pills," she said. "Do you have any?"

 

"No, I don't -- and I don't think it would be good for you to take anything like that anyway, Lisa," said Grandma.

 

Lisa sighed. She had thought Grandma might say something like that. "I know, but I just can't get to sleep," she said.

 

Grandma gave Lisa a big hug, and Lisa felt better just to have Grandma close. "You're probably worried about the divorce hearings tomorrow, aren't you?" asked Grandma.

 

Lisa nodded. She wished she could tell Grandma exactly how she felt, but she couldn't put her emotions into words.

 

"It's been bothering me, too," Grandma told her. "We need to keep on praying for your mom and dad." Grandma was silent for a moment, and Lisa guessed their feelings were much the same.

 

"Sleeping pills might make our bodies go to sleep," said Grandma, "but let me suggest a much better kind of 'medicine' for our nerves. At times like this, I know of only one place to go for help." Grandma picked up her Bible. "Let me read you one of my favorite Scriptures. It's Philippians 4:4-9 (see today's Scripture reading), and I think it will help both of us."

 

As Grandma read out loud, Lisa noticed that the Bible verses encouraged her to pray. Most of all, Lisa liked God's promise of peace. When Grandma finished reading, she prayed that God would quiet their nerves and give them rest. She prayed that Lisa's parents would turn back to God.

 

"I think I can go to sleep now," Lisa said as she hugged Grandma. "You have good nerve medicine."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are problems upsetting you? Where do you go for help? Can you resist the "quick-fix" of some kind of pill? Take all your worries to God. His promise of peace is for His children as they trust in Him. The peace He gives is lasting.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:7)
The peace of God . . . shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jerry," called Dad from under the raised hood of the car, "would you bring me the other tool box from the shed, please? I forgot that these bolts are metric."

 

Jerry went into the tool shed. After a few moments, he came back carrying a blue metal box. He handed it to his father, and Dad pulled a socket wrench from the box and ducked back under the hood. Jerry leaned over the side of the car to watch as his father loosened a bolt.

 

Finally, Dad stood upright again and tossed the wrench back into the box. He grinned and wiped his hands on a rag. "How about some lemonade?" he suggested.

 

"Good idea," agreed Jerry, and they went to the kitchen and helped themselves to a refreshing drink. "We learned a little about metric measures in school," Jerry told Dad. "My teacher explained that metric is a type of measurement, like inches and feet. She said most countries use the metric system as their standard of measurement."

 

"Yes," said Dad, "but in our country, we use two standards of measurement. Sometimes we use the metric system, but often we measure in inches and feet and so on. That makes it confusing because we have to remember which kind of measure is used on the particular item we're trying to fix." He paused. "It occurs to me," he added, "that people would avoid confusion if they all followed only one standard of measurement in other areas of life, too."

 

Jerry looked at his dad, puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Whether we use metric measurements or not isn't that important, is it?"

 

Dad smiled. "I was thinking of a different kind of standard," he said. "You see, God gave us the Bible as His standard by which we can measure our lives -- to see if we are living as we should. Many books offer other standards of conduct, and it's easy to get confused if you use more than one standard. Always remember that God's standard is the one you should use."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What standard are you using as you live the Christian life? Some people say you should accept all lifestyles and all religions. Some say there are no absolutes when it comes to right and wrong. That's not what God says. Use only His standard, the Bible, to determine how you should live.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:33)
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes.