Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

As Bryan and his dad walked through the mall, Bryan talked about the witnessing project his Sunday school class had begun. "I gathered my courage and offered Mr. Martin a tract today, but he wouldn't take it," Bryan reported. "He said he didn't even believe I was a Christian!"

 

"Hmmm," murmured Dad. "That's too bad. Have you done or said anything around Mr. Martin that would make him feel that way?"

 

"I don't think so," Bryan answered. But then he remembered something. Maybe Mr. Martin knows I'm the one who knocked a ball through his window, he thought. I was going to tell him, but the other guys said I shouldn't. They said he'd never know who did it. "Nothing much anyway," added Bryan as he noticed Dad looking at him. Dad frowned.

 

Just then, they arrived at a sporting goods store. Pointing to a football displayed in the window, Bryan exclaimed, "Look! There's the ball I want. Can we go in and see how much it costs?"

 

"How do you know they sell that kind of football here?" Dad asked.

 

Bryan gave his dad a questioning look. "Anybody knows that the stuff you see in the window is stuff they sell in the store," he said.

 

Dad nodded. "What we see out here is what we believe we'll find inside," he agreed. "That's pretty much the way it is with people, too. What they see in our actions is what they believe us to be like inside."  Bryan stood for a moment, looking down. "Well, let's go in and see if you can afford that ball," suggested Dad.

 

Bryan hesitated. Then, haltingly, he told Dad about the broken window. "I'm not going to buy a football now, Dad," he said. "I need my money to pay Mr. Martin for that window."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do people see by your attitude and actions that Jesus is living in you? Are the things you've said and done today things Jesus would say and do? What you display on the outside should show that He is in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 3:18)
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tyler lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the puffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he turned his head and glanced over at the tall trellis, which was covered with Grandma's rambling roses, he noticed that it reached nearly to the open window of his bedroom. Tyler scrambled to his feet and darted toward the house. I bet I can climb up to my room, he thought. He put his foot on a low trellis slat, pushed away a few roses, and climbed. He stretched his arms, caught the window sill, and swung himself up. Suddenly he was falling! He screamed, and he had a blurry vision of big pink roses zipping by as he fell to the ground.

 

"Tyler, can you open your eyes now?" asked a voice from far away. "Can you hear me?"

 

Tyler blinked and slowly sat up. "What happened?" he whispered.

 

"You had a bad fall," said Grandpa.

 

When Tyler was feeling better, he felt foolish about what he had done. "I wanted to climb through the window to get into my bedroom," he said sheepishly when Grandma asked him about it. "It sounded like more fun than just going in at the door, but it didn't turn out to be much fun after all! I'm sorry."

 

That evening, Grandpa turned to the tenth chapter of John. "These verses say Jesus is the door to heaven," said Grandpa when he had finished reading. "I've known people who think they can get to heaven by going to church or Sunday school, helping neighbors, giving money to charity, keeping free of drugs and alcohol, being kind to animals -- doing all sorts of 'good' things. But just like you couldn't get into your bedroom by way of the rose trellis and window, people won't get into heaven by way of their own good works."

 

Grandma shook her head. "They can get into heaven only through the Door, and that's Jesus." She turned to Tyler. "Are you sure you're trusting Jesus as your Savior?" she asked. "Are you sure you've accepted Him as the only door to heaven?"

 

With a big grin, Tyler nodded. "I'm sure," he said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that Jesus is the only way to heaven, or are you trying to get there some other way? Jesus loves you and died for you. Accept Him as your Savior today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:9)
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, what is that awful smell?" Courtney asked when she got home from school.

 

"It's that trash in the garage," replied Mom. "The city garbage collectors are still on strike."

 

"Can't we take it away ourselves?" asked Courtney.

 

Mom sighed. "We'll have to if they don't get back to work soon," she said. "For now, we'll keep the kitchen door closed. That will help. Besides, your nose will get used to it after a while." She opened a cupboard door and took out a scented candle. "Here -- light this," she said. "It might help cover the bad smell."

 

Courtney lit the candle and then sat down to watch a TV program. After hearing her friends at school discuss how interesting it was, she had started to watch it whenever she was sure her mother was busy elsewhere. She knew Mom wouldn't like the program. At first, Courtney had been shocked by the things that she saw and heard on the show, but before long, she had gotten so caught up with the story line that the many wrong things the characters did didn't seem so bad.

 

Courtney was soon engrossed in the program and didn't notice Mom standing nearby. "Have you watched this program before?" Mom asked, startling Courtney.

 

"Yes," Courtney admitted uncomfortably. "It's usually better than this," she added quickly. "Besides, the story is so interesting, I just ignore the bad stuff."

 

Mom frowned. "Maybe you're just getting used to the bad stuff," she said. "Do you notice the smell of the garbage in the garage now that you've been around it a while?" Courtney sniffed the air. She could barely smell it anymore. "You can try to cover up the smell and ignore it, and you can even get used to the smell," continued Mom, "but it's still trash -- and so is this TV program."

 

Courtney sighed. "I suppose so," she admitted.

 

"Well, at least we don't have to wait for anybody to get back to work before we can get rid of this TV trash," said Mom. "Turn it off."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you allowed yourself to get used to wrong things in the TV programs you watch, the music you listen to, or the books you read? Don't allow your spiritual "nose" to get used to trash. If it wouldn't please God, "turn it off "!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Prov. 4:14,15)
Enter not into the path of the wicked . . . avoid it . . . turn from it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sandy had spent the afternoon at the beach with her girlfriend. "We had so much fun!" she declared when she got home. She plopped down in a chair and looked around the room. "Why is it so dark in here?" she wanted to know.

 

Her brother let out a whoop. "Because you're still wearing your sunglasses," he told her, laughing. Sandy laughed, too, and removed the glasses.

 

Her father smiled. "I just thought of something, Sandy," he said. He reached for a Bible and opened it. "Put those glasses back on and come here a minute. I'd like you to read some verses for me." He pointed to the text with his finger.

 

Sandy looked at the Bible. "You mean with my glasses on?" she asked. Her father nodded.

 

Sandy held the Bible a little closer. The page wasn't very clear, but she managed to read it. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." She stopped reading and grinned at her father. "Seeing through a glass darkly describes me all right," she said.

 

"It describes all of us," said Dad. "When your cousin Jason died last month, we all were very upset -- and even angry -- weren't we?" Sandy's expression became sad, and she nodded her head. "We all had questions -- we wanted to know why -- right?" Again, Sandy nodded. She still wondered why it had happened. "In this life, we see the events occurring around us as though we had dark glasses on," Dad continued. "Things are unclear, and we wonder why. But when we meet the Lord in glory, we won't have questions like that anymore. We'll truly understand that God does all things well."

 

Sandy took her glasses off and looked at them, lost in thought. After a while, she slowly nodded her head and smiled.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to trust God when you can't see how things are going to end? Is it hard to trust when you can't understand why certain things happen? Ask God for help, knowing He can be trusted regardless of how things may appear. God loves you so much.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Cor. 13:12)
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's hard to believe you're already old enough to be in junior high school this year, Chad," said Mom as they drove home after shopping for school clothes.

 

"Don't remind me," Chad said miserably. "I wish I could stay in my old school forever."

 

"Why is that?" asked Mom.

 

"Last year there weren't any older kids to bug us or call us 'dumb kids' -- and worse," replied Chad. "I liked being one of the oldest kids in the school."

 

"Sounds like you have the Junior High blues before you even get there," observed Mom.

 

"Well, this year my class will be the youngest again, so all the bullies will pick on us," explained Chad.

 

"Remember your tricycle, Chad?" asked Mom as she watched a little girl on a tricycle cross the street with her mother. "Why don't you ride it anymore?"

 

"Ride my tricycle?" asked Chad in surprise. "Wouldn't that look weird!" He grinned at the thought. "I'm much too big to ride that thing now."

 

Mom smiled as the light turned green and they went on. "Remember, Chad, how you prayed every night that you could take the training wheels off your first bike?" she asked.

 

Chad laughed. "I guess I did, didn't I?" he said. "Well, after all, a kid doesn't want to be a baby forever."

 

"You do," said Mom, "at least when it comes to school."

 

"Oh! Well . . . school is different," Chad said defensively.

 

"Somewhat different," agreed Mom as they turned into their own driveway, "but just like you went from your tricycle to a bike with training wheels to a bike without them, you'll go from elementary to junior high to high school. Whenever you fell off your bikes, you had Dad and me to help you if you needed it. We'd often pray about your problems, too. Well, your father and I are still here for support, and you're never too big to pray. Don't worry so much about the year. Trust God to help you one day at a time, and enjoy today!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you worry about going to a new school, about moving to a new place or about graduating and finding a job? Pray about new events coming up in your life, but don't worry about them. Enjoy today -- and trust God. Look forward to the years ahead with confidence in Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:34)
Take therefore no thought for the morrow.

[Soldier4Christ]

Baby Clint toddled unsteadily from the sofa to a chair, and Brianne turned her attention back to the book she was reading. Soon her little brother was off again, this time to an armchair on the other side of the living room. About halfway there, he teetered for a moment and then sat down hard. He looked surprised, as if he wondered what had tripped him. A moment later, he was pushing himself to his feet, and he continued walking toward the chair.

 

"I'm surprised Clint keeps getting back up so quickly," Brianne told her mother. "Sometimes he falls really hard, but he picks himself up and keeps going."

 

"Most babies are determined to get where they want to go," Mother answered. She smiled as she watched the little boy. "I wish all Christians were as determined to reach their goal," she added thoughtfully.

 

"What goal?" asked Brianne.

 

"Well, as Christians we should have a goal of becoming more like the Lord Jesus," replied Mother, "but like Clint, we fall sometimes -- we fall into sin."

 

"Yeah," agreed Brianne, thinking of her struggle to break a habit of lying.

 

"When we fall into sin, we get 'back on our feet' by confessing our sin to God and to anyone else we've wronged," added Mother. "We keep going by obeying the commands in the Bible."

 

Brianne sighed. "But I always end up falling again."

 

Just then, little Clint fell with a loud thud. He whimpered and crawled on his knees a little way, but then he carefully stood back up and started to walk again.

 

"As Clint learns to walk, he falls more than once," said Mother, "but he gets back up each time. He'll get better and better at walking, and eventually he'll hardly ever fall. Like Clint, you and I fall -- we fail to obey God -- more than once. Each time that happens, we have to confess our sin. As we choose again and again to do right with God's help, we'll fail Him less often."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you "fallen" into sin -- have you done some wrong thing? Don't get discouraged and give up! Confess that sin to God. He's ready to help, and He expects you to get up and keep going. Talk to Him about it. With His help, do what you know is right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 1:9)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't see why Stewart's dad won't let him come with us to release the pigeons," Noah said as he and his father loaded a crate of homing pigeons into the back of the truck. "It isn't fair. His dad got mad over nothing!"

 

"Nothing?" asked Dad as he backed out of the driveway.

 

"Well . . . it was just because Stewart didn't come straight home from school yesterday," said Noah.

 

"You think it was okay for Stewart to let his parents worry about him?" asked Dad.

 

"Stewart was only about half an hour late," replied Noah.

 

"God gave parents the responsibility of caring for their children," said Dad, "and He gave children the responsibility of obeying."

 

After they had driven about ten miles into the country, they stopped and released the pigeons. "See you later, guys," Noah said as the birds began to circle higher and higher.

 

"They'll probably beat us home," said Dad. "They'll fly in a straighter path than we can drive."

 

When Noah and his dad arrived at home, they went right to the little building where the pigeons lived. "You were right, Dad," said Noah. "They beat us home." He went inside and looked at the birds eating and drinking after their flight. "Hey, I don't see Big Red!" he exclaimed. Big Red was Noah's favorite bird. "What if a hawk caught him?"

 

"He'll probably be along soon," said Dad.

 

"Well, I think I'll wait here a while," decided Noah.

 

For what seemed like a long time, Noah stood gazing into the sky. Finally he saw a dark speck against a white cloud. The speck got closer, and at last Big Red landed on top of the loft, hopped down to the little swinging door, and pushed through.

 

"Good boy!" murmured Noah as Big Red began eating with the other pigeons. "I was worried about you." And then something occurred to Noah. If I was worried about a bird, he thought, I guess it's no wonder parents worry about their kids!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think your parents expect too much of you? Do you resent the restrictions they put upon you? Your parents love you and want only the best for you. Obey and respect them. Give them honor the way God wants you to.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aunt Jan was brewing herbal tea when Emily stopped in to see her one Sunday afternoon. Emily gladly sat down in the homey kitchen and sniffed the air. "Orange blossom tea -- my favorite," said Aunt Jan with a smile. She pointed to a plate of cake. "Help yourself," she invited.

 

Emily got a plate from the cupboard and helped herself to the lemon cake. Aunt Jan raised her brows. "Why so silent today, honey?" she asked. "You're usually so bubbly and talk my ears off."

 

Emily looked up at her aunt's pleasant face. "I was just thinking," said Emily with a smile.

 

"Why not let me think with you?" said Aunt Jan. "What are we thinking about?"

 

Emily laughed. "My Sunday school lesson was about growing in the Lord," she said, "and our teacher wants us to find examples of what that means -- object lesson examples, she calls them. The only thing I can think of to compare it with is the way a little kid grows, and I think just about everybody will use that." She smiled at her aunt. "Maybe you can help me," she suggested. "You always see lessons in everything that happens."

 

Aunt Jan leaned back in her wooden chair and thought. "Tea," she said after a few moments.

 

"Tea?" Emily echoed.

 

"Yes, tea," Aunt Jan repeated. "When a tea bag is put into hot water, it's something like the moment we accept Jesus into our lives. When we're new Christians, we're like weak tea. Now . . . as the tea bag stays in the cup, the water is transformed into stronger tea. As we keep learning the truths of the Bible, we become stronger Christians."

 

Emily grinned. "Good idea! I can use that," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you growing spiritually -- becoming more and more like Jesus? You should be. As you spend time with Him, listening to His voice and obeying His Word, He will fill your life, and others will see Jesus in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:18)
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Love In Any Language

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. John 21:17

A few years ago, there was a song that became very popular.  The name of the song was "Love in Any Language."  Can you say, "I love you" in any different languages?  This morning we can learn at least three different ways to say, "I love you."

In German, you would say, "Ich liebe dich!"  Can you say that?

In Spanish, you would say, "¡Te amo!"  That is pretty easy -- try it.

In sign language, you would say, "I love you" like this.  (Hold up the "I love you!" sign.)  I know that you can all say, "I love you!" in sign language!

You know, it is pretty easy to say, "I love you," but it is sometimes a lot harder to show it by our actions.  That is what our Bible story is about today.

After Jesus was raised from the dead, he appeared to his disciples several times.  On the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples, he was with them on the shore by the Sea of Galilee.  He turned to Peter and said, "Peter, do you love me?"

Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Then, Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my lambs."

Jesus asked Peter again, "Do you love me?"

Again, Peter answered, "Yes Lord, I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep."

A third time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?"

Now Peter was very sad that Jesus asked him this question again, but he answered Jesus again, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?  I think he wanted Peter to understand -- and he wanted you and me to understand -- that it isn't enough just to say, "I love you."  We must show our love for Jesus by showing our love for one another and caring for one another.

Do you love Jesus?

Then feed and take care of his sheep!  Now, that is love that can be understood in any language.

Dear Jesus, help us to show our love for you by loving and caring for one another.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Flood of Prayer

"Mom, may I have this?" asked Todd. "I found it in the garage." He held out a flower pot containing a dry geranium plant. "At school today, I was looking at a book with pictures of a desert," Todd continued. "One showed the desert bare and brown with only a few cactus plants. Another showed the same area after it rained. The sand soaked up the rain, and then new life sprang up. There were green bushes and even some flowers."

"I see," said Mom, "and what does that have to do with this old geranium?"

"I want to try an experiment to see if this plant will come back to life if I water it and take care of it," explained Todd. "Okay?"

"Sure," agreed Mom, so Todd put the potted plant into a pan of water. After the dry soil absorbed a lot of water, he set the pot in a sunny window. A few days later, he found small green shoots springing out of the apparently dead stem.

Todd hurried to the kitchen where his mother was making a salad for dinner. "Remember that dead-looking plant?" he asked. "Come and see it now!" Together they admired the vigorous growth, and that evening as Todd told the rest of his family about his experiment

When the phone rang, Mom answered it. "Carl Matthews has had a heart attack," she said when she hung up. "He's in a very serious condition, and all the church members are asked to pray for him."

"Does it help to have lots of people pray?" Todd asked. "Or to pray a whole lot yourself?"

"Well, the Bible teaches that we should pray-it brings results. You flooded your geranium with water, and sometimes we feel the need to 'flood' things that are happening with prayer," Dad replied soberly. "Do you remember the story of Peter's deliverance from prison?" Todd nodded. "That's a good example an extreme circumstances that called for extreme actions," said Dad. "The Christians spent the night in prayer."

"Yes," agreed Mom, "and we need to pray for Mr. Matthews right now."

Dad smiled at Todd. "Let's pray together," said Dad, "and then, if you like, we can discuss this some more."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever joined in a "flood" of prayer? Perhaps you and many others prayed for someone who was seriously sick or had some other urgent need. Maybe you have had a special need yourself that you had no way to meet, and many people prayed for you. Remember to talk regularly to the Lord about all the things that happen in your life, but don't be afraid to ask other believers to join you in a "flood" of prayer when you have a special request.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

[Soldier4Christ]

 Singing in the Rain

"Oh, no! It looks like rain!" Robert exclaimed, anxiously looking up at the sky as the family gathered on the porch of their vacation cottage.

 "It surely does," Dad agreed. "I think we'd better postpone our picnic on the beach until later in the week."

"But I'm all ready," Robert complained unhappily. "I've got my gear all together!" As he spoke, raindrops began to fall, and his eyebrows drew together in a frown. Soon rain was pouring down, and Robert became even more grumpy. "My whole day is spoiled," he grumbled. "Besides, I told Jason to meet us at the beach."

"He won't be there in this rain," said Robert's sister, Becca. She held up a finger. "Sh-h-h . . . listen." A clear, pure song came from a treetop. A bird was singing in the rain.

"I don't care to hear a dumb bird sing. The day is ruined," Robert grumped. "What good is a vacation, if you can't do anything?"

"Why don't you get out one of your games, Robert? We may as well have some fun in spite of the rain," suggested Dad.

"Fun? Yeah, right!" fumed Robert, but he grudgingly went to get a game. Soon he, Becca, Dad, and Mom were busy playing and laughing.

Suddenly, Dad looked up at the clock. "Can you believe it's nearly dinner time? Why don't we roast hot dogs in the fireplace?" he suggested.

"We can have a picnic lunch right here in this room," added Mom. "Becca and I will get things ready. You guys can get the fire going and spread a blanket on the floor."

As they ate, Becca grinned. "This is fun, isn't it, Robert?" she asked.

"It's great!" he agreed. He pushed a gooey, toasted marshmallow off his stick onto a graham cracker. "The whole day was so much fun that I forgot about the rain. I've been thinking-that bird had the right idea after all. Sorry I grumbled."

Dad put an arm around Robert. "It's okay," said Dad. "When you think of this day, remember that grumbling didn't stop the rain, and we all had as much fun as if we'd gone on a beach picnic-well, almost, anyway. That bird was a good example for all of us. It showed us that there's always cause to sing-even when it rains."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sing in the rain? How about when it "rains" in your life-when things don't go your way? There are plenty of reasons to be happy and sing in spite of rain or other minor disappointments. There may be times of deep disappointment when you feel sad, but even then, it's a good idea to count your blessings. You please God when you remember that He is in control at all times. Trust Him and you'll find reasons to sing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Psalm 126:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can I ride Courtney's new tricycle while she takes a nap?" Whitney asked her mother.
Mom shook her head. "I think you're too big for it, honey," she said as Whitney ran to answer the phone.

A few minutes later, Whitney held her hand over the mouthpiece. "Mom, Jamie wants to know if I can go to the mall with her. Can I, please?" she asked eagerly. "Her mom will take us and pick us up."
"I'm sorry, honey," said Mom. "You'll have to wait a few more years to go to the mall with your friends."

Whitney frowned as she hung up the phone. "You let Hillary go to the mall with her friends, but I can't go with mine. I'm too little to go to the mall, and I'm too big to ride the tricycle," she complained. "I'm stuck in between. I never have any fun."

"Sure you do," said Mom. "It's lunchtime, and I know you enjoy working in the kitchen. How about making a couple of sandwiches for us?"

Whitney walked to the cupboard, pulled out a loaf of bread, and banged the peanut butter jar on the counter. Knives clattered, and two spoons "jumped" to the floor when she jerked a drawer open. "I hate being the middle kid!" she grumbled. "I'm always too little or too big."
Mom watched her for a moment. "Honey, why are you putting peanut butter and jelly on the bread?" asked Mom. "Why not make sandwiches without any filling?"
 
"You mean . . . use just plain bread?" asked Whitney. "I want something besides bread and butter!"
Mom smiled. "Filling is an important part of the sandwich," she agreed. "I think that, in a way, God gave me a special, wonderful 'sandwich.' He gave me Hillary and Courtney for my two special 'pieces of bread.' He gave me you for my 'filling.'"

Whitney leaned against the counter and thought about Mom's words. Then she spread peanut butter on a piece of bread and covered it with jelly. She put another piece of bread on top of the jelly and placed the sandwich on a plate. Mom leaned down and gave her a hug. "Careful, Mom," said Whitney with a grin. "Don't squeeze your 'filling' too hard."

Philippians 4:11-13


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you feel about your place in the family? Do you wish you were older or younger? Do you wish for things that can't be changed? God put you in a special place, and it's a place only you can fill. With His help, you can discover the good things about it, be content in it, and enjoy it.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

For the first time in his life, Jason really listened to the evening sermon. "Now is the time to come to Jesus," said Pastor Derks. "Later may be too late." But Jason just didn't want to give in. The other kids might laugh, he thought, and besides, I'm still so young. There should be plenty of time later. The service ended, and Jason had not accepted the Lord.

The next day, Jason played soccer in gym class. He was the best player in his class, and he was sure his team would win easily. But Jason failed to make any good plays. The other team got ahead, two to nothing.

There was just over a minute left to play when Jimmy, one of Jason's teammates, came from out of nowhere and skillfully stole the ball from the opponent. He darted left and right and made a goal. The score was now two to one.

Mr. Berg, the gym teacher, was looking at his stopwatch and holding his whistle in his mouth, ready to signal the end of the game, when Jimmy again made a terrific steal. This time, Jimmy passed the ball to Jason, who was standing right in front of the goal. "Kick it in!" Jimmy shouted.

"Come on, Jason! Tie the score!" another teammate yelled. Jason swung his leg and kicked, but he moved a little too late. The ball rolled uselessly off to the side of the goal just as Mr. Berg blew his whistle to end the game.

"Your timing was off today, Jason," Mr. Berg said later.

"Yeah," mumbled Jason. With good timing, he could have tied the score for his team. Suddenly, he thought of something else. What if I have bad timing -- like Pastor Derks said last night -- and wait too long to accept Jesus as my Savior? The other boys had left the locker room, but Jason stayed behind and bowed his head to quietly tell the Lord of his decision to accept Him right away.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Have you trusted Jesus as Savior? The Bible warns that some day it will be too late to do that. Don't wait until you're older. Now is the time to accept Jesus as Savior.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, can I go to The Burger Palace with Kyle and his sister Allison?" asked Alex. "Allison says she'll treat us to lunch!" Mom smiled and agreed that he could go.

They got their food, and Allison led the way to a table by a window. She glanced at Alex's tray. "Don't you want anything to drink?" she asked.

"Well, I'd like some milk if that's okay," replied Alex

"Sure," said Allison. She set her tray down. "Sit here," she said to Kyle and Alex. "I'll get the milk."
The two boys sat down, and Kyle took a big bite of his hamburger. He looked at Alex. "Why aren't you eating?" he asked.

Alex hesitated. His family always prayed before they ate, no matter where they were, but he was afraid Kyle would laugh if he did that. Maybe the people at the other tables would, too. "Uh . . . I'll wait for my milk," he said.

It seemed to take a long time, and he was relieved when Allison returned to the table. "Here's your milk," she said. She sat down and unfolded her napkin. Alex waited for her to bow her head. She didn't. She sipped her orange pop and added ketchup to her hamburger. Then she took a bite.

Alex couldn't wait much longer. He glanced at Kyle and Allison to see if they were watching. They were, but Alex bowed his head anyway. He looked at his shoes for a moment. Then he shut his eyes. "Thank You, Jesus, for the food," he prayed silently. "Amen."

When Alex looked up, Kyle was staring at him. Then Kyle turned to his sister. "Hey, Allison, we forgot to pray," he said.

Allison nodded her head. "We'll remember next time," she promised. She grinned at Alex. "You made me think of Daniel when he prayed by an open window," she said. "Even though he knew he'd be thrown in the lions' den for praying, he didn't shut the window to keep people from seeing him. We shouldn't be afraid to let people know we pray, either."

Alex popped a French fry in his mouth. "I didn't see any lions, but I was a little scared," he admitted.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you pray even when someone is watching? Why not at least bow your head and silently thank the Lord before you eat? Some kids may laugh. Others may gain the courage to thank God, too. Be like Daniel -- unashamed to pray in public -- and honor God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 2:
I will therefore that men pray every where.

[Soldier4Christ]

It was a warm day, and Dad had just finished rototilling the family garden plot. "Look at that dirt!" exclaimed Emily. "It looks like rivers of chocolate!" She flashed a smile at her Dad. "Can Tim and I walk in it, Dad? Please?"

"I suppose," said Dad with a smile.

In no time, Emily and Tim had their shoes and socks off and were enjoying the feeling of the soft, warm earth between their toes. "Hey, look!" shouted Emily. "Here's an earthworm!" She held it up and quoted a poem she had heard at school. "I fry, I stew, I bake, and I boil, but I never stop eating that good old soil!" She waved the worm under her brother's nose.
"Hey, cut it out!" objected Tim.

"Okay, you guys," said Dad with a smile. "That's enough of that. But you know what? God has something to say to us through this worm. And your little poem was on the right track, Emily."
"It was?" Tim and Emily were surprised.

Dad nodded. "The earthworm labors faithfully," he said. "As it passes soil through its body, it receives nourishment, and the quality of the soil is improved. Millions of acres of the earth's topsoil are loosened, or plowed, in this way. Even though we don't see earthworms at work, they're busy at it. That earthworm is a good example of a faithful worker."

"But, Dad, a worm doesn't decide to be faithful," said Tim. "It just does what earthworms do."
"Well, we can choose to be faithful," replied Dad, "and sometimes God asks us to be faithful in the hidden places -- places where no one notices or is there to praise us. In those times, our love for God will help us do what is right."

Emily smoothed dirt over the worm. "Thanks, faithful friend," she said. "Keep working so we can have some good sweet corn!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Are you faithful in the things God has given you to do? Do you carefully do your chores even if nobody notices? Do you follow God's commands to show love to others whether anyone notices or not? God sees even into the hidden places. He will bless and reward you when you're faithful to Him. 


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 28:20)
A faithful man shall abound with blessings.