Sermons4Kids

[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?
<P>Do you think you're too young to be a good witness or to lead someone to Christ? Don't underestimate what God can do through you. He can use anyone who is willing to be used by Him.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"I wonder why geese always fly in a V?formation," said Sam as he and his father trudged through the tall grass around Grandpa's pond. Overhead, a flock of geese honked their way southward in the cloudless fall sky.
"When I was a boy out here on the farm, I used to wonder about that, too," replied Dad. "Do you see how closely they fly together? I've read that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following it, and that by flying in this V?formation, the whole flock has about a seventy percent greater flying range than if each one flew alone."
"Hey, that's cool!" exclaimed Sam. "Smart birds!"
The next evening, there was a special meeting at church for the young people in Sam's age group. "Are you ready to go to your meeting?" asked Mom.
"Oh, no! I forgot all about it," said Sam. "Joey and I planned to work with his new chemistry set tonight."
"I think," said Mom, "that you'll have to call Joey and tell him you can't come."
Sam groaned. "Do I have to?" he asked. "Our church group is going to finish plans for our next service project, and I already know what I'm supposed to do for that."
Dad put down the newspaper. "Sam, remember the geese we saw yesterday -- and how they cooperated with one another by flying in formation?" Sam nodded. "Their cooperation helped all of them," continued Dad. "We need that kind of cooperation in Christian circles, too. You're one of the 'flock' that makes up your youth group, so even if you don't need the group tonight, they need you." He paused, then added, "But actually, you need each other."
"Well, I suppose I better go then," said Sam with a sigh. A moment later, he grinned as he added, "Each of us birds has to do his part."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you realize that regular attendance at church activities is very important? Your commitment to "the flock" could very well inspire others to learn and work better and accomplish more than if each one tries to work alone.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, please, Mom," begged Danielle. "Can't I watch the television program that Erika keeps telling me about?"
"No, you can't," replied Mom as she stirred the cake batter. "It isn't a good program -- it's not acceptable for a Christian."
"I'd watch it just this once," whined Danielle. "Erika says it's going to be really exciting this week." She glanced at her mother. "Erika says you should let me watch a few things like that. She thinks I have such old?fashioned ideas. She said this program gives her a taste of reality." When her mother still didn't say anything, Danielle added, "Besides, this program isn't so bad. Erika says some of the others are a lot worse."
"Would you like to get a scoop of the dirt from the flower pot over there and put it into this cake batter?" asked Mom, holding out the sugar scoop.
Danielle looked at her mother in amazement. She could not believe her ears. "You don't really want me to put that filthy dirt in the cake!" she exclaimed.
"Oh, no! Wait a minute," said Mom. "Instead, get a scoop of that nice, white sand from Ben's sandbox. That's new, so it's not so very dirty."
Danielle continued to stare at her mother. "But dirt is still dirt!" exclaimed Danielle.
"And you don't want any dirt in this cake?" asked Mom. "Not even 'clean' dirt -- just to give it a taste of reality?"
Danielle saw the twinkle in her mother's eyes. "Okay, Mom," she said. "I get the point."
"Good," said Mom. "The recipe for this cake -- the list of things that should go into it -- does not include dirt of any kind. Our 'recipe for life' -- the things we should put into our lives -- should not include any kind of 'dirt,' either. We should do our best to make sure that the things we see and hear are pleasing to God -- because everything we see and hear does affect us, whether we think so or not."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you think some things that aren't good are still acceptable just because other things are worse? Keep busy with things that would please the Lord. Remember that "dirt is dirt," and avoid all sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 101:3)
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside.

[Soldier4Christ]

"My English report is due tomorrow, and I'm going to have the best report in the class," announced Jonathan as he and his father got ready to play a game of ping pong. "I must be the smartest guy in my grade. I got the top score on our spelling tests for three weeks running. Math is so simple, it's pathetic. And most of the kids write the dumbest essays you've ever seen!" Dad frowned as Jonathan bragged about his schoolwork. "Let's start," said Jonathan as he bounced the ball on the table. "I'll soon have you begging for mercy with my alley slam shot!"
Dad grinned. "Well, you might, Jon," he said, "and then again, you might find you have bitten off more than you can chew. By the way, I know just the thing you should write about for your next report."
"What's that?" asked Jonathan.
"The sinking of the Titanic," replied Dad.
"That big ship?" asked Jonathan. "I read about it. It was one of the greatest transatlantic passenger ships of all time!"
Dad nodded. "It was elegant -- crystal chandeliers, velvet curtains, fine china, even a ballroom with its own orchestra. You might say it was the pride of its era. Everyone thought the ship was unsinkable. Only problem was . . ." Dad let his voice trail off.
"It sank." Jonathan finished the sentence for him. "Why do you think that's such a good topic for me?"
"You remind me of the Titanic, Jon. In some ways, I'm afraid you're a little like it," said Dad. He twirled his paddle. "It's a good thing to strive for excellence, but you need to be careful. An iceberg tore a hole in the Titanic, and pride can be like that iceberg. It can shipwreck you. God is the source of all our talents and abilities. When we get puffed up and put others down, we're heading for trouble."
"I . . . I guess I see what you mean," Jon admitted slowly. Then he grinned as he added, "But I still can't resist an alley slam shot!" He slammed the ball toward Dad's side of the net, and the battle was on!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you strive to be the best, not caring whose feelings you hurt? Do you take the credit for every good grade, every victory, every prize you win? God is the source of all good gifts. Give Him the glory, and ask Him to help you use your talents for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:2)
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Pete tried to stay out of the way of the movers as they carried furniture into the apartment. He hated moving, and it showed in his expression. "Why the long face?" asked one of the men who was helping.
"I don't like this apartment," said Pete. "It doesn't have a yard for me to play in." He didn't add that he didn't know anybody in the neighborhood and would have to go to a new school.
The man nodded. "Well," he said, "if life hands you a lemon, Son, make lemonade. In other words, make the best of what comes to you. It may seem like a sour lemon, but it can turn into something sweet. You'll see." Pete sighed. He sounds like Mom. She's always quoting that verse about God working things out for good, he thought.
As Pete sat down on the back steps, he noticed a boy sitting on the back steps of the next apartment. The boy had black hair and brown skin. Curious, Pete got up and sauntered over to talk to him. "Hi," said Pete, and the boy glanced up. He looked as if he had been crying. "What's wrong?" asked Pete.
"I no like it here," replied the boy softly. "In my country, the soldiers kill my father. My mother and sister and me -- we come to America, but I no like. I no can speak good English. American boys at school laugh when I talk."
Pete wasn't sure how to answer, but he was busy thinking. Did God send me here to help this boy? Is this how God wants me to make lemonade out of my lemons? he wondered. He sat down on the step beside his new neighbor. "I will help you learn English," said Pete. "We will go to school together. I will play with you."
The boy looked at Pete. After a moment, he smiled. "I get ball," he said. He ran into his apartment.
Pete felt good inside as he waited for his new friend to
come back. I guess God is turning our move here into something good after all!
he thought.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a "lemon" in your life -- something that is hard or unpleasant? Trust God to use that thing to work for your good. Ask Him to help you accept it and to see what good He wants to bring from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:28)
All things work together for good to them that love God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rick, who was spending a couple of weeks with his grandfather, was helping Grandpa hoe the garden. This ground sure is stony, thought Rick as his hoe hit something hard. It glistened in the morning sun, and Rick picked it up. "Grandpa," he called, "come and look at this. I never saw a stone this shape before." He wiped the dirt from the pointed stone and handed it to his grandpa.
"Oh, ho!" Grandpa exclaimed. "This is interesting! You just dug up an arrowhead."
"Cool! We talked about arrowheads in history class," said Rick. "Native Americans used them to hunt game."
"Yes," said Grandpa, "and that was many years ago. Just think -- this one was hidden in the ground for a long time -- possibly a hundred years or even more."
"I'll show this to my history teacher," said Rick as Grandpa handed the arrowhead back to him.
As Rick continued hoeing, he was more interested in his task than he had been earlier. Maybe I'll find another arrowhead, he thought as his eyes carefully searched the ground. But there were no more to be found that day.
After supper, Grandpa reached for his Bible. "We'll read from the seventeenth chapter of Acts tonight," he said, handing the Bible to Rick. "How about reading verses ten through fifteen aloud?" Rick found the verses and began reading. When he reached the eleventh verse, which says that the Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily," Grandpa smiled. "That verse reminds me of the way we dug around in the garden today," he said.
"The garden?" asked Rick. "What does the garden have to do with the Bible?"
"Well, I've dug in that garden many times, but never found the arrowhead you dug up. Who knows? Maybe we'll find more another day. I've also 'dug' into God's Word many times. It contains valuable treasures -- we can find many important instructions and promises and much wisdom as we search the Scriptures," explained Grandpa. "We'll miss a great deal if we don't keep searching."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you feel like you know all there is to learn from familiar Bible stories? You don't! Keep on "digging." Read the Bible for yourself, and listen when your pastor, Sunday school teacher, or parents talk about it. Get to know God better and see what treasures He has for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 2:3)
In whom(God) are hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Right Start

"Look, Max, there's old Tony at his newspaper stand," said Kyle. "Let's have some fun. You keep Tony's attention, and I'll get a magazine or comic book or something." In the alley a few moments later, each boy held a comic book. "Tony didn't even notice me!" exclaimed Kyle. "He was watching you."

Max laughed. "I made him think I was after a paper for my dad. That was fun!"

"Maybe you think prison will be fun, too," said a voice behind the boys. They whirled around to see a police officer standing there. He took them to the nearby police station and called their parents.

Since it was their first "run-in" with the law, Tony agreed not to press charges. However, before being released, the boys were given a stern lecture and warning.

"What a fuss just over snitching a couple of comic books," grumbled Kyle as they got ready to leave. "After all, it's not like we robbed a bank!" Max nodded.

"Boys, you stole something and thought it was fun," said Max's father sternly.

"Yes," said Kyle's dad, "and you don't seem to feel any regret-except for getting caught. That's the way a life of crime often starts."

"Aw, Dad, you don't believe we'd do anything really bad, do you?" objected Kyle.

"All stealing is equally sinful," said his dad as he put on his coat. "This is especially disappointing since you both claim to be Christians." He looked at them solemnly. "You do, don't you?" he asked.

"Sure, but we're just kids," said Max glumly.

"You're old enough to know right from wrong," his father replied. "God expects you to use that knowledge to live as you should right now."

Kyle's father nodded and frowned. "Look at this coat!" he exclaimed. "There's one button too many at the top and one too few at the bottom."

The boys looked at him and laughed. "You started buttoning it wrong, Dad," said Kyle. "If you want to finish right, you have to start out right."

"My point exactly," agreed his dad. "To help make sure you 'finish right,' Kyle, we have some 'business' to take care of at home."

"Max, we have some things to settle with you, too," added Max's father.

The boys reluctantly turned to leave. They knew what that "business" would be.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think it doesn't matter what you do while you're young, as long as you end up okay later on? It does matter because the way you conduct yourself now may well be the way you'll "end up," too. God expects His children-whether old or young-to follow His commands and to honor Him in the way they live. With His help, choose the right way now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth. Ecclesiastes 12:1

[Soldier4Christ]

 Good-For-Nothing Joe

In the express lane at the store, Joe stood on one foot and then the other, waiting to pay the cashier for the brown sugar he had promised to get for Grannie Moore. The conversation of the two elderly men in front of him caught his attention. "I declare," complained one, "that grandson of mine is good for nothin'. His folks hire someone to mow their lawn while that kid sits in front of the TV all day."

"Yep," the other agreed, "this younger generation is spoiled rotten, if you ask me. Good for nothing is right!" All the way back to Grannie's, Joe fumed. He knew lots of kids who were good for lots of things.

When Joe handed Grannie her brown sugar and the change he'd gotten back, she tried to return the money to him. "No. No," said Joe, putting his hands in his pockets. "The store was right on my way. I was glad to stop there for you."

As soon as Joe got home, his mother put her coat on. "Watch Sherrie for me, please, Joe," she said. "I need to run a few errands." Joe nodded, and while Sherrie played on the swing set, Joe finished trimming a hedge his dad had started.

At the dinner table that evening, Joe repeated the conversation he had heard at the supermarket. Just talking about it upset him. "Those guys made me so mad," he sputtered.

"Well, they did have a point," said Dad. Joe's head jerked up. "A lot of kids today are good-for- nothing," added Dad. "Take yourself for instance."

Mom almost dropped her fork. "Don, are you saying that Joe is good for nothing?" she asked.

"We-e-e-l-l," drawled Dad, "today he ran an errand for Grannie Moore. How much did you get paid for that, Joe?"

Joe shrugged. "Nothing," he said.

"Then you babysat Sherrie for your mother," said Dad, "and I notice that you trimmed the hedge for me. What did you get paid for those jobs?"

"Well, nothing," Joe responded.

"Then I guess you're good for nothing, Joe." Dad laughed. "And I reckon there are a lot more kids out there who are just as good-for-nothing as you are." Joe and the rest of the family laughed along with him.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you good for nothing, or do you expect to be paid for everything you do? Why not start doing at least one good deed a day for nothing? Don't expect anything in return-not even praise or thanks. God is pleased by such actions. You can be sure that in heaven God will reward His children for all the things they've done for nothing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:20

[Soldier4Christ]

"Welcome to Grandparents' Day!" Mrs. Perry greeted everyone in the second grade classroom. "We're so pleased to have you here," she continued. "Just sit back, relax, and enjoy our program."
The grandparents all listened while the children sang songs, recited poems, and showed pictures they had drawn. At the end of the program, the children took turns introducing their grandparents to the class. There were Grandmas and Grandpas, Nannies and Granddads, Grammies and Grampies. One boy called his grandparents, who were from Poland, "Omah" and "Opah." 
Finally, it was Matthew's turn. He went to the front of the room and proudly introduced his two grandmas and one grandpa. Then he held up a picture for everyone to see. "This is my grandpa, too," he said. "He's not here today because he's in heaven. He went there before I was born, so I don't remember him, but my dad told me so much about him that I almost feel like I know him." Matthew smiled happily and returned to his seat.
That evening, Matthew told his parents about Grandparents' Day. "I'm glad you tell me about my other grandpa and how he was always kind and helped people," Matthew said. "I feel like I love him even though I've never seen him."
Dad was quiet for a few minutes, then he said, "You know, Matthew, I love someone that I've never seen, too. Do you know who that is?"
"I think you mean Jesus," said Matthew. Dad smiled and nodded. "I love Jesus, too," added Matthew.
"You love Grandpa because I tell you how good and kind he was. Why do you love Jesus?" asked Dad.
"The Bible tells me how good He is," replied Matthew. "He loves me, too!"
Dad smiled. "That's exactly right, Matthew," he said. "We love Him even though we've never seen Him -- but some day we will see Him, won't we?
"Yep!" Matthew nodded. He grinned as he added, "And I'll
see Grandpa, too!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you love God even though you've never seen Him? He loves you -- so much that He sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment you deserve. Give Him your love. Then you can look forward to seeing Him face to face someday.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:
Whom having not seen, ye love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I know God loves everybody, but even He must have a hard time loving Hilary," Amber told her older sister as they raked leaves in the back yard.
"Is she that girl in your class who cuts in front of kids in the cafeteria line?" Kendra asked while she filled a garbage bag with leaves.
"Yes," said Amber. "She cheats, too, and she writes bad words on the restroom walls."
"Wow! She . . ." Kendra was interrupted when Amber's dog, Pepper, dashed through their pile of leaves and scattered them all over. "Bad dog!" Kendra yelled.
Just as Amber and Kendra got the scattered leaves raked into a pile again, Pepper returned with a dead mouse in his mouth. "Gross," Kendra said, jumping back from the dog. "Take it away!" Pepper ran through the leaf pile and into the alley.
The sisters decided to take a break, and they sat down on the dry leaves. Soon Pepper returned and lay down at his owner's feet. "Honestly, Amber," said Kendra, "I don't see how you can love that awful creature. Pepper is funny looking, he has doggy breath, he brings dead animals around, and he growls at Grandma every time she comes over."
"Pepper has lots of good qualities, too," insisted Amber. "And even if he didn't, I'd still love him because he's mine."
"I suppose you would." Kendra was thoughtful. "Do you think God feels that same way about Hilary?" she asked. "Pastor Brown talked about how God made us in His image, remember?"
Amber thought about that. "I guess you're right about God loving Hilary," she said at last, "but I can't love her."
Kendra got up and began raking leaves again. "You don't
have to like the things Hilary does," she said, "but you should love her because
she's made in God's image just like we are." She grinned at her sister. "Tell
you what, Amber. I'll try to find some good qualities in Pepper if you'll look
for good qualities in Hilary."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you know people who are mean and do bad things? Do you wonder how God can love them? He doesn't love the bad things they do, and you shouldn't, either, but He does love them. Learn to love people, not their deeds.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 15:12)
Love one another, as I have loved you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"You clumsy ox!" exclaimed Jill. "Why don't you watch what you're doing?"
"Don't be so touchy," retorted Rob. "I didn't mean to hit your eye. It was an accident. You're just a big baby!"
Jill reached over and grabbed a fistful of Rob's hair. "That's for calling me a big baby! And next time, watch where you're throwing your dumb paper airplanes!" Soon Rob and Jill were entangled in a nasty scuffle on the living room floor.
Dad appeared in the doorway. "That's enough," he said sternly. "Get up off the floor. I want peace in this house, starting now!" Jill and Rob glared at each other. "The two of you seem to have a lot of extra energy this afternoon," said Dad, "and the garage needs cleaning. You can do that."
Rob and Jill exchanged scowls as they went out to clean the garage. They worked without speaking to one another. Rob let Jill struggle by herself to carry out a heavy box of trash. Jill laughed out loud when Rob spilled a whole bag of potting soil on the newly swept garage floor. She didn't offer to help clean it up.
When they were finished with their work, Dad looked it over. "Hey, this looks great!" he said, but he shook his head sadly. "Too bad you two aren't following God's advice to be at peace with one another," he added with a sigh.
"What do you mean, Dad?" asked Jill. "We didn't fight at all while we worked."
"I know," replied Dad, "butI noticed that you didn't
help each other, either. You appeared to keep peace between you -- you didn't fight
out loud -- but I'm afraid you still felt angry with one another. You both took
pleasure in seeing the other have a difficult time." Rob and Jill couldn't deny
what Dad said. "When you really want to make peace with someone, you want the
two of you to be friends," added Dad, "so . . . who wants to take the first step
at being a real peacemaker by showing a little love and
forgiveness?"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you continue to hold grudges against people with whom you've had a disagreement? Don't just stop quarreling out loud. God wants you to let go of the bitterness and anger and to reach out in a loving way toward those with whom you've had a problem. That produces real peace between people.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Mark 9:50)
Have peace one with another.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ever since he was a little kid, Mark had loved the giant maple tree in his back yard. There were secret hiding places far up in its leafy branches, and at one time, a long rope swing had been available for Mark to use in all his "Tarzan" efforts. Then one night, there was a wild wind storm, and in the morning, Mark saw that it had ripped a large branch from the ancient trunk.
"Lost a big branch this time, I see." Mark's father stepped over a pile of sodden, colored leaves to come and stand beside him.
"It makes me feel bad," Mark said. Then he abruptly changed the subject. "Dad, yesterday in school, Mr. Williams told us about some doctor who helps people die when they want to. Isn't that wrong?" he asked.
"Did Mr. Williams think it was okay?" asked Dad. 
Mark shook his head. "He thinks that doctor should be stopped," he said.
Dad nodded. "Only God should control life and death, Mark," he said. "Even before we're born, He has a plan for each of our days, and it's not right for us to try to change that plan." Dad nodded toward the damaged tree and asked, "Do you think we should remove that old tree now? It's been losing branches with every big storm."
Mark spoke thoughtfully. "It still gives shade in the summer, though, and I like the sound of the wind in the leaves and, well . . . I would miss the red colors every fall."
"Even the bare, black branches against our winter skies
are beautiful, aren't they?" said Dad. Then putting an arm around Mark's
shoulder, he added, "This old tree has value even though it's old and
storm?damaged, but the time may come when it will have to be cut down. Human
life -- even when it's old or 'storm?damaged' -- has far greater value than any tree.
We're made in God's image, and there is value and purpose to our entire lives.
No matter what happens, we must leave our lives -- from beginning to end -- in His
hands."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you wonder about the value of living in pain or as a feeble old person? God gave life in the first place, and only He knows when it should end. Leave that decision to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Job 14:5)
His (man's) days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joshua shook his head sadly. "I can't believe it," he told Dad. "Andy says
he's a Christian, but last Saturday he got caught drinking. He must be really
weak to get suckered into that."

"Alcohol doesn't appeal to you at all?" Dad asked.

"No way!" replied Josh. "I don't have any problem staying away from that
stuff!"

"I'm glad," said Dad as he put fishing rods into the trunk of the
car. "I think I'm ready for our fishing trip," he added. "How about
you?"

"You bet!" exclaimed Josh. He grinned. "I can almost feel a big
northern pike at the end of my line already!"

"You packed the trout
flies, didn't you?" asked Dad.

"Trout flies?" repeated Josh. "What for? I
thought we were going to fish for northern pike. You won't hook one of them with
a trout fly!"

Dad grinned. "I can see you know a lot about fishing bait,"
he said, "but how much do you know about Satan's bait?"

"Satan's bait?" asked Josh.

Dad nodded. "Satan is something like a fisherman," he
explained. "He knows that different people are tempted to sin by different
things, just like different fish are caught with different lures, so he dangles
just the right temptation in front of each of us."

"Like what?" asked Josh.

"Well, Satan knows Andy can be tempted with alcohol, so that's what
he used as bait to catch him and draw him away from the Lord," explained
Dad. "What does Satan use to hook you, Josh?" Josh thought for a moment,
then he shrugged. "Why did you get those bad grades last quarter?" prompted
Dad.

"Oh, that! Well . . . I spent too much time playing ball with my
friends instead of studying," Josh said sheepishly. "But playing ball isn't a
bad thing, is it?"

"Not unless it keeps you from doing something you
should be doing instead," said Dad. "When that happens, even harmless things
become part of Satan's bait."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
What does Satan use to tempt you? Maybe it's TV, reading, or playing games. Don't let either bad or good things keep you from doing what you should. Ask God to help you avoid whatever lure Satan dangles in front of you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:14)
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ouch!" Kelly banged her foot hard against the floor. "I need new shoes! This one hurts my foot!"
"You probably have it on the wrong foot," said her brother William.
"I do not!" said Kelly. She scowled at William. "This shoe really hurts!" she repeated.
"You just don't know how to put shoes on right," insisted William. "You're just a baby!"
Kelly frowned. "I'm six years old," she informed him. "I know which shoe goes on which foot." 
"Let me see," said Dad, and Kelly lifted her foot for him to check. "It's the tongue of the shoe, Kelly," he said after untying it. "It's twisted and bunched up. We'll just straighten it out." Dad pulled hard on the tongue and retied the shoe. "How does it feel now?"
Kelly ran around the room and jumped. "Hey, that's a lot better! It's all fixed!"
"Did she have it on the wrong foot?" asked William.
"Be quiet!" said Kelly. "You don't know anything!"
"At least I know how to put my shoe on so it doesn't hurt!" said William. He grabbed the soccer ball and began bouncing it up with his knee.
"Show off!" shouted Kelly.
Dad caught the ball and held it up high. "It was the tongue in Kelly's shoe that was causing a problem," he said. "Tell me something else that causes trouble when it's not used correctly."
"Ah . . . that ball?" guessed William. "If it's used wrong -- like if we throw it around in the house -- we could break a lamp or something."
"I was thinking of something smaller," said Dad. He made a silly face and pointed to his tongue.
"Our tongues?" asked William. "I guess you mean we need to talk nicer to each other."
"Like . . . you shouldn't have said I'm a baby!" said Kelly.
"Right, and you shouldn't have yelled at me," replied William. 
Dad nodded. "God's Word says the tongue is small but can
do enormous damage," he said. "Our words can hurt people a lot more than shoes
can hurt our feet."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Have you listened to the words you say? Do you say encouraging things to others, or do your words make them feel bad? Ask God to help you use your tongue to help people, not hurt them!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 39:1)
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joel and Michael were at Ben's house. They were going to study together for a math test, but first the boys took time to have a snack. "This has been one terrible day," Ben told his friends. "The guys in gym class laughed at me because I wouldn't look at a magazine one of them brought. Somebody's dad got it at the adult bookstore, and it was really gross."
"My day wasn't so great, either," said Joel. "My science teacher made fun of me because I wrote about creation in my answer to one of the essay questions on the test yesterday. He called me a Christian fanatic in front of the whole class."
Michael took a cookie from the plate. "Today was pretty good for me," he said, "but yesterday I got laughed at. I bought baseball cards at the hobby store, and the clerk gave me too much change. My cousin was with me, and he said I was a dummy for returning the extra money." Michael sighed. "I don't know why everyone gives us a hard time for doing the right thing!"
Ben's dad overheard the boys talking and came into the kitchen. He helped himself to the remaining cookie. "I'm really not surprised to hear that you boys are being persecuted because of the right things you do," he said seriously. "In fact, that's good."
The three boys stared at him. "It is?" asked Ben.
Dad nodded. "The Bible says we can expect that. When we obey God, it often makes people who are watching us uncomfortable, so they try to make us uncomfortable, too. God says to pray for them and to be glad -- so cheer up!" Dad grinned at the boys.
Joel frowned. "I'm not sure I get it," he said. "We're supposed to be glad when people make fun of us?"
"Right," said Ben's dad. "I know it seems hard when it's happening, but the Bible promises blessing to those who suffer for doing the right thing. Don't give in to the temptation to get even with those who mock you or tease you."
"And I was just thinking of how I could do that!"
exclaimed Ben. Laughing at his dad's frown, he added, "Just kidding!" Grinning,
the boys began to study.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you get upset when others tease you or get angry with you for doing the right thing? Continue to obey God and pray for those who persecute you. God will bless you, and perhaps He will use your life to show them the way to Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:44)
Pray for them which . . . persecute you.