Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's not that I don't love you," Beth told her parents. "It's just that all adopted kids wonder why their mothers gave them up."

Putting down the newspaper, her father nodded. "Actually, we don't know much more than you do about your birth mother," he said. "In addition to medical information, we were told that your mother asked that you be placed in a Christian home and that your first or middle name be Elizabeth."

Just then Beth's sister, Carla, burst into the room. "Beth, you've got to do something about that overgrown puppy of yours," she declared. "He just chewed holes in my favorite shoes

Dad sighed. "We should have known that Skipper would grow too big for our small house and yard," he said. "We've talked about this before, and the workers at the animal shelter have assured us that they can place him in the kind of home he needs -- on a farm, or at least in a home with a large area where he can run." Dad put an arm around Beth. "Don't you think it's time to find him a new home, honey?" he asked.

Just then, Skipper pranced into the room carrying one of Beth's socks. "Oh, Skipper," cried Beth, "I love you too much to give you up." 

"Love sometimes means sacrifice, Beth," said Dad. "Don't you think Skipper would be happier with more room to run and grow?" Reluctantly, Beth admitted that the dog had outgrown his home.
 
A few days later, Dad drove Beth and Skipper to an animal shelter. When they got there, Beth unsnapped Skipper's leash and gave him one last hug before he was led away. Her eyes kept blurring with tears as she filled out a form she was given. 

On the way home, Beth said, "You're right, Dad. Love does mean sacrifice. As I filled out that form, I realized that twelve years ago my birth mother must have filled out a form something like that for me."
 
"Just like you want a better life for Skipper," Dad said gently, "she wanted a better life for you."
 
"She wanted me to be in a wonderful Christian home," said Beth, "and I am!" She gave Dad a big hug.


HOW ABOUT YOU?

Has someone sacrificed to give you a better, happier life? That's what real love does. Are you willing to sacrifice for those you love? Do you love God enough to give up your own desires in order to please Him? Ask Him to help you do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:10)
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nikki pointed at her cat. "Look at Kitty crouching under the bushes," she said.

"She sees the doves looking for seeds underneath the bird feeder," said Dad. "She'd like to ambush them."

"That means to make a surprise attack on them from a hiding place, doesn't it?" asked Nikki. Just then the cat sprang toward the birds. The doves quickly flew away, and the cat was left to smell the empty birdseed shells. "I'm glad they got away," said Nikki. "They're pretty smart. I think they know there's a cat in this yard, so they watch out for him while they eat."

Dad nodded. "They're good teachers for us," he said. Seeing Nikki's surprised expression, he explained. "That cat reminds me that Satan likes to hide and then spring out at us when we least expect it. We need to be alert because we know that Satan is always looking for ways to get us to sin."

The next day, the cat again caught Nikki's attention. "Come see what Kitty's doing now," Nikki called to her dad.

Dad laughed when he saw Kitty, her tail up, slowly walking across the patio toward the doves. "It looks like she's trying to pretend she's their friend and won't hurt them," he said. "That's another lesson from Kitty. Satan pretends he's a friend, too, but he's still trying to fool us into following him and disobeying Jesus."

The birds again flew away when Kitty got too close. "Good!" said Nikki. "Kitty didn't fool them at all."
Dad nodded. "God gave them an instinct -- a natural ability -- to sense danger and escape it."
"I wish we had an instinct to get away from Satan," said Nikki.
 
"When we belong to Jesus, we have something even better," replied Dad. "We have the Holy Spirit living within us to warn us of danger and to guide us and help us know how to escape. We also have God's Word -- the Bible."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Are you aware of Satan's efforts to get you to do wrong? Prepare for his attacks by reading your Bible every day and obeying God's commands. When the Holy Spirit makes you uncomfortable about something, don't shrug off the warning. Ask God to help you resist Satan and escape the temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:9)
Whom (Satan) resist stedfast in the faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come along, kids. We're going on a hike," said Dad.
Logan looked up in surprise. "Now?" he asked. "A hike at night! Cool!"

Ashley wasn't so sure it was a good idea. "It's awfully dark," she said. "I hope we don't get lost."

"We won't," said Dad, "and we'll take flashlights so we can see the path."

"Okay," agreed Ashley. "Are you coming, too, Mom?"
 
"I sure am," said Mom, and with the help of flashlights, they were soon walking along the path in the dark. They enjoyed hearing the night sounds and watching for birds and animals that ventured out at night.

"Which way should we go?" asked Logan when they came to a fork in the trail. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know," said Mom. "This hike is Dad's idea."
"We'll take the left path here," said Dad.

Whenever they had to decide which way to go, Dad made the decision for them. "We'll soon be back at our campsite," said Dad before long.
 
"We will?" asked Ashley, shining her flashlight all around. "Good thing you know where we're going. I have no idea where we are! Are you sure we're not lost, Dad?"

Dad chuckled. "Trust me," he said. As he predicted, they were soon back at their campsite.

"That was awesome!" declared Logan. "It was fun to use the flashlights. Let's go hiking every night."

"This night hike gives a good illustration of the meaning of a verse you kids memorized for Bible club last week," said Mom.

"You mean . . . the verse about God's Word being a lamp to our feet, right?" asked Logan.

Mom nodded. "The flashlights lit up a little of our path at a time -- just enough to see a few steps ahead," she explained, "and God's Word lights our path through life -- a few steps at a time. It doesn't show us the whole path at once."

"Right," agreed Dad. "I knew where we were going tonight, but you didn't. You had to trust me, and we need to trust God as He uses His Word to light the way for us."


HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you using your "flashlight " -- the Bible -- as a guide through life? It gives many principles to show how you should live. Obey  God's directions and trust Him. He has a plan for your life and will show it to you, a little at a time, as you obey Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian felt happy. Just that evening, he had decided to accept Jesus as his Savior. It was good to know he was part of the family of God, along with his parents and grandparents and some friends at church.
 
Of course, my friends at school . . . The thought of them made Brian's smile disappear like snow on a sunny day. Pete and Mike don't even go to church. Will they still want to be my friends when they find out I'm a Christian? wondered Brian.

The three boys had played together since first grade and had always been in the same classroom at school. There was Pete, the practical joker, and Mike, the story teller. In fact, they all liked to tell funny stories -- and as Brian thought of that, he realized that sometimes those stories were not the kind any of them would want to tell their mothers!

Maybe I shouldn't tell Pete and Mike that I accepted Jesus, thought Brian as he got ready for school the next morning.

"Come and eat, Brian," called Mom. "Your eggs are getting cold."

Brian slumped into his chair and took a few bites of toast. "I'm not very hungry," he said.

At school, Brian shuffled to his seat just as the bell rang. Pete waved and pointed to a plastic spider he had put on the shoulder of the girl in front of him. Brian pretended not to see him. Good old Pete; he'll do anything for a laugh, thought Brian, but he didn't feel like laughing.

At noon, he was unusually quiet as the boys ate their lunches. "Hey, Brian, know any new stories?" Mike asked. Mike laughed as he added, "I've got one that will knock your socks off!"
 
Brian squirmed and took a big breath. He suddenly knew this was the right time to tell them what had happened in his life. "Yeah, guys, I have a brand new story." He spoke quickly before he lost his nerve. "You'll never guess what happened at church last night. . . ."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Are you using your "flashlight " -- the Bible -- as a guide through life? It gives many principles to show how you should live. Obey God's directions and trust Him. He has a plan for your life and will show it to you, a little at a time, as you obey Him. 


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You'll never believe what Karl did in school today," announced Eric. He reached for a dinner roll and took a big bite.

"What did he do this time?" asked Dad. Eric's family was getting used to hearing about Karl every night at dinner.

"First, he got sent to the principal for having some of the words written on his hand during our spelling test," said Eric. "Then when he came back, he wrote a nasty poem about Mrs. Sanderson and passed it to the kid in front of him. He got caught and had to go to the principal again!" Eric rolled his eyes. "I would never do the things he does," he added.

Just then Eric's little brother Robby bumped his glass, knocking it over. Milk ran across the table and down into Eric's lap. "Hey, you creep!" yelled Eric. "These are my new jeans!"

"You don't need to yell, Eric," said Dad sternly as Eric jumped up and Robby began to cry. "It was an accident. And do not call your brother names!"

"Well, that's what he is," muttered Eric as he went to change his jeans.
 
"You know, Eric," said Dad when Eric returned to the table, "you've been telling us that you would never do the things Karl does, but it seems to me you and Karl have the same problem."

Eric was stunned. "What do you mean?" he demanded. "I'm not like Karl at all."

Dad nodded. "Yes, you are," he said. "After all, what's worse -- cheating on a test or losing one's temper? Writing a nasty poem or calling someone nasty names?"

Eric's face turned red. "Sorry, Robby," he mumbled.

Dad smiled. "The Bible warns us not to judge others when there's sin in our own lives. It calls our own sin a 'plank in our eye,' and it calls sin we see in the lives of others a 'speck,'" he said. "Let's carefully examine our lives and ask God to help us get rid of any sin we find there -- and let's leave the judging to God."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you have a hard time admitting your sins? Ask God to show you when you have done wrong. Ask Him to forgive you and help you overcome sin -- and leave the judging of others to God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 7:5)
First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

[Soldier4Christ]

One day, Greg noticed that two of his friends, Randy and Bob, were passing notes back and forth in their classroom at school. They better watch it, thought Greg. Mrs. Barnes said that anybody caught passing notes would have to stay in at recess. Greg decided to warn the other boys, so he wrote a note reminding them to be careful. 

As Greg slipped his note to Randy, Mrs. Barnes looked up. "Greg, you will stay in at recess time today," she said sternly. "Randy and Bob, you will also stay in at recess -- I've noticed you passing notes, too." So stay in they did!

That evening, Greg complained about his punishment. "All I wrote was one little note!" he said. "The other guys wrote a whole lot more."

"But you did write and pass a note, so you did deserve the punishment, didn't you?" asked Mom. Greg had to admit that was true.

"As you stayed in, did you find any comfort in the fact that you were not, as you say, as bad as the other boys?" Dad asked.

Greg shook his head. "Not really," he said.
 
"I didn't think so," said Dad. "What happened to you at school reminds me of Pastor Watson's message last Sunday. He pointed out that some people think they're not so bad -- and maybe they really aren't as bad as someone else. But God says that no one is good. All of us deserve to be punished and cannot enter heaven unless we accept Jesus as Savior."
 
Mom nodded. "When a person stands guilty before God, the thought that someone else was worse than he was will be of no comfort at all," she said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>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. 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]

At dinner one evening, Shawn was eager to share what he had learned about ants. "A book I got at the library says that every ant has a job to do in the ant community," Shawn told his family. "It says that some ants are nurses, and they care for the ant eggs and baby ants. Some are builders. Some are guards. Some are farmers who harvest seeds and plant mushrooms. Some are cowboys who find tiny green aphids and milk them by stroking them for the sweet liquid they give. They even build tiny clay barns for the aphids, and protect them from other harmful insects."

"Do they ride horses, too?"asked his sister, Emma.

"I don't think so," said Shawn, "but guess what else? The book says that some ants have drinking problems! A certain kind of beetle comes to their nest and squirts an intoxicating liquor onto the hairs of its back. The ants lick the stuff off the hairs, and it makes them drunk."

"Really?Then what happens?" asked Emma.

"The beetles steal the ants' eggs and larvae," said Shawn, "but the ants are so drunk, they don't notice. Their work doesn't get done, their babies die, and the ant community becomes a ghost town."
 
"No way!" exclaimed Emma, "I didn't know animals -- and especially insects -- could get drunk! Those beetles must know how to make that stuff they squirt seem attractive."

Shawn was startled. Emma's words made him think of TV  ads he had seen recently -- ads for alcoholic beverages. The commercials on television showed pretty girls and good?looking young men drinking, laughing, and having fun. His folks always said that drinking alcohol caused many problems and heartaches, but it didn't look that way on TV. Are those ads right? wondered Shawn. He knew the answer. The ants were deceived by the beetles, and many people were deceived by the TV commercials and alcohol. I'm not going to be one of them! thought Shawn. Not me!



HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you fooled by the way drinking alcohol is glamorized on TV? Do you think about where that lifestyle could lead you? God warns about its dangers. Listen to His warnings.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 20:1)
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, can I sleep over at Brandon's house tomorrow night?" asked Jimmy as he and his father tossed a Frisbee back and forth in the back yard. "He's a new kid at school."

Dad shook his head. "You know the rule, Jimmy," he said. "You can't go to someone's house until Mom or I have met him and at least one of his parents."

"Aw, come on -- just this once?" begged Jimmy. "You'll like him. He's a nice guy." Dad again shook his head.

Jimmy pouted. "Why do we have to have so many rules?" he grumbled.

Just then a couple of boys rode by on their bicycles. Jimmy's dog, Sheba, barked at them and ran along the edge of the lawn, stopping abruptly where her yard met the neighbor's yard. Jimmy grinned. "Good girl!" he called to the dog. "We've got Sheba well?trained, haven't we, Dad?"

"Yes," said Dad. "She knows just where her boundaries are, and she doesn't go one step beyond them. Staying within the limits keeps her safe, doesn't it?"

"Sure does," agreed Jimmy as he patted his dog. "If she didn't stay within the limits, she might get into trouble with the neighbors. She might even go out on the road and get hit by a car."

"It's sort of like that with the rules in our family," said Dad, "and with God's rules, too. We may not always like them, but they're there to protect us. Okay?"

Jimmy sighed. "Okay," he agreed.


HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you get frustrated with rules your family has? One of God's rules is that you are to obey your parents. Discuss family rules and learn how they protect you. Thank God for the boundaries He provides through your parents.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:20)
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Pastor Banks says he's going to preach about the Trinity, so he asked me to practice this song for Sunday morning," Kelsey announced, showing her mother some music. "I don't even know what the 'Trinity' means," Kelsey added. 

"It means that God the Father, God the Son -- that's Jesus -- and God the Holy Spirit are three persons, yet they are One God," explained Mother. "The word Trinity isn't found in the Bible, but the idea of God in three Persons is found in several places."

Just then the doorbell rang. Aunt Lilliana, Mom's sister, had come to ask for help with her bookkeeping, so Kelsey practiced her song while Mom and Aunt Lilliana worked.

Aunt Lilliana had just left when Dad hurried into the room. "Honey, could you help me?" he asked Kelsey's mother. "A button just popped off this shirt. Could you please sew it on for me?" Mom gladly agreed.

Kelsey frowned as she waited and thought about the explanation of the Trinity her mother had given her. By the time Mom bustled into the room again, a smile replaced Kelsey's frown.

Mom reached for her Bible. "Now," she said, "let's see if I can find some verses and think of an example to help you understand the Trinity."

Kelsey laughed. "I think I've got the idea," she said. "You're a good example yourself."
"Me!" exclaimed Mom, looking puzzled.

Kelsey nodded. "You're just one person," she said, "but you're Aunt Lilliana's sister, Dad's wife, and my mother! As a sister, wife, and mother, you do different things for all three of us, but you're still just one you! One, two, three -- simple as can be!"

Mom laughed. "Good for you," she said. "Like every other illustration I've heard, the one you're suggesting isn't perfect. God is unique -- He's really beyond our complete understanding -- but I'm glad to see that you're thinking it through."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>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. (See page 67.)


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Drops of rain glittered on the lawn, and the wet grass felt good to Jon's bare feet. The ground was muddy, but he liked the way it felt on his toes. As he inspected the garden, he was careful to keep off rows of newly planted vegetables.

"We have to leave in five minutes," called Mom. "Come and put on your shoes and socks." Jon hurried through the kitchen to the bathroom. "Jon, you're making tracks on my clean floor!" Mom scolded. "There isn't time to clean it now, but when we get back home, you'll have to take care of it."
"Sorry," mumbled Jon. He quickly grabbed a towel and rubbed his feet with it. The mud left streaks on the towel. Good thing Mom doesn't see this! he thought.

As they started out, a little blue van sped around them, almost hitting a green truck. "Look, Mom," said Jon. "The bumper sticker on that van says, 'If it feels good, do it.' I guess it feels good to him to take chances, but I bet it won't feel good any more if he has an accident or gets a ticket."

"I think you're right," agreed Mom. She glanced at Jon. "Did it feel good to you to play in the mud this morning?"

"Well . . . yes," said Jon, "but I didn't mean to make more work for you. Honest."

"I know," said Mom, "but it will still be your job to clean the floor when we get home. That may not feel so good."

Jon sighed. "Is everything that feels good wrong?"

Mom shook her head. "Of course not," she said. "Don't get the idea that God doesn't want you to have any fun. Lots of things that feel good are fine -- eating, singing, running, and playing -- but there are also things that will always be wrong. The criteria for right and wrong is not how it feels to us, but how God feels about it." She grinned at Jon as she added, "Actually, it wasn't wrong to play in the mud, though you should have been more careful about tracking it in."

"I get it," said Jon. After a moment he asked, "Mom, how do I get mud out of a towel?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you heard the phrase, "If it feels good, do it"? That's not what God says. Follow His teaching, no matter how it feels. Doing wrong things won't make you feel good in the end. Doing right things will.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 6:17)
Trust . . . God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

[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]

Renee looked at the bright pink envelope that had come in the mail. "I bet this is an invitation to Samantha's birthday party," she said. She ripped the envelope open and took out a card. Then she nodded. "Yep," she said with a sigh. "That's what it is."

"You don't look very happy about it," observed Mom. "I thought the reason you had Samantha over one day was because you hoped to get paid back with an invitation to that fantastic party she's throwing. We talked about that, remember?"

"What you mean is that you scolded me about it," said Renee wryly. "Well, I got paid back, all right, but now I'm sorry I did. Maggie asked me to go with her to a pizza place that same night. I'd rather do that, but I practically asked Samantha if I could come to her party." Renee glanced at her mother. "So I suppose I'll have to go to it, won't I?"

Mom nodded. "That's the problem with planning your own reward," she said. "Sometimes it backfires."
"What do you mean?" asked Renee.

"Jesus said that when we do things for people, we shouldn't do it with the idea of having the favor returned, because that just might be our whole reward," explained Mom. "If we do something for somebody who can't possibly pay us back, the Lord Himself will bless us with heavenly rewards."

"Really?" asked Renee thoughtfully. "Then maybe I should have Jenny over. Her dad's been laid off from work for a long time. She can't afford to do a lot of the things most of the kids do, and I'm sure she couldn't pay me back." Renee looked at her mother. "Can I have her over after school tomorrow?"


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.