Sermons4Kids

[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.

[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]

 Log on the Fire

"I don't think I'll go to church tomorrow," said Bryce. He was lying on the floor in front of the fireplace, watching the flames shooting up toward the chimney. He glanced at his father to see what Dad's reaction would be.

Dad put down his newspaper. "Why is that?" he asked. "We let you stay home last Sunday because you had a sore throat. What is it this time?"

Bryce rolled over on his back. "Dad, I've gone to church all my life," he said. "Why do I have to listen to the same things over and over again? It's always the same-sing a bunch of songs and then listen to the sermon." As he saw Dad frown, he quickly added, "I can read my Sunday school lesson and do my workbook here at home just as well, can't I?"

"Perhaps you can, but would you?" asked Dad. "As for the singing . . . can you name a song that we sing every Sunday? And have you heard any sermon more than once?"

"I suppose not!" grumbled Bryce, "but I'll be glad when I'm old enough to do as I please." He pointed to the fire which had been crackling cheerfully. "There's just one log left, Dad," said Bryce. "Shall I put it on the fire?"

Dad shook his head. "Just let it burn by itself-over there in the wood carrier."

Bryce stared. "Burn in the wood carrier!" he exclaimed. "What are you talking about? That would make a mess! Besides, you know a log won't just start burning by itself." He sat up and gave Dad a quizzical look. "I'll put it in the fire, okay?"

Dad chuckled. "Okay," he agreed. "While you do, remember that just like those logs need the heat from the other logs in the fireplace, Christians need the warmth of being with other Christians. God tells us not to neglect getting together with one another. We can grow as we study the Bible by ourselves, but God knows we also need to fellowship with other believers. They need us, too-just like those logs that still are burning need reinforcement."

Bryce stood up. "All right," he said with a half grin. "I get the point."

"Good," said Dad as Bryce added the log to the fire. "I'm pleased to hear that, and I know your heavenly Father is, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you regularly attend church services and Sunday school? Do you go because you love God and want to learn more about Him? Or do you sometimes grumble and wish you could sleep in, loaf around at home, or hang out with friends in other places? Take advantage of opportunities God gives you to fellowship and grow with other Christians. Thank Him for them, and be faithful in attendance at church and Sunday school.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.