Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Which do you want first, the bad news or the good news?" asked Mom when Morgan got home from school. 
"The bad, I guess." Morgan munched on an apple. She knew that when Mom played "Bad News/Good News" with her, the news was never terribly bad.
"Dad's job transfer is to Dalton instead of to Briggs," said Mom.
"Dalton?" moaned Morgan. "We already found a nice house in Briggs." She sighed. "What's the good news?" she asked.
"Dalton isn't as far away as Briggs, so you and your friends here can get together more often," said Mom.
"That's true," said Morgan, "but I still wish we didn't have to move at all." She jumped up. "I'm going to check on Smokey and her kittens," she said as she left the room. Soon Morgan was back. "Mom, Smokey moved her kittens again," she said. "She put them back in my room -- under my bed. I wish I could keep them there."
"I know, but that isn't a good place for them," said Mom. "It's too busy with you and your friends scooting in and out so often. The kittens are better off in the utility room."
"Yeah, I guess so," agreed Morgan. "I'll move them back."
When the kittens were moved, Morgan returned to the kitchen. "I shut the door to my room," she said, "so Smokey won't be able to move the kittens there again."
"Good idea," said Mom. 
"Too bad we can't explain to Smokey that I have a good reason for shutting her out and that her babies are better off where we put them," said Morgan.
Mom nodded. "Just like us," she said. "We thought that right here was the best place for us to live. We expected to stay here a long time, but the Lord has apparently shut the door on that idea."
"He must have a good reason, too. Right?" asked Morgan.
"Right," agreed Mom. "I'm sure He has."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Have you had disappointing changes in your plans? Sometimes change is hard to accept, but God wants only what's best for you. Trust Him even when things don't go the way you wish they would.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 29:11)
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Nicholas and his father approached the large city they were going to visit, Nicholas peered ahead through the fog that surrounded them. "Hey, Dad!" he exclaimed. "Look!" He pointed toward the distant city skyline that was almost completely hidden by the fog. "You can hardly see those huge buildings today."
Dad smiled. "Keep watching them," he said. "As we get closer, the fog will seem to disappear and the buildings will become more clear."
Nicholas nodded. "I know," he said, and for a few minutes they drove in silence while Nicholas stared at the hazy outline of the city. Just as he expected, the closer they got to it, the clearer everything began to look. Nicholas grinned at Dad.
"In First Corinthians," said Dad, "there's a verse that says, 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known.'"
"I remember that one," said Nicholas. "I had it for a memory verse once."
Dad nodded his head in the direction of the city. "From a distance, we have trouble seeing the buildings through the fog, and that reminds me that sometimes we have a difficult time understanding the love and greatness and wisdom of God," he said. "As we get closer to the buildings, we can see them clearly. As we draw nearer to God by reading His Word and learning more about Him -- and by speaking with Him and watching to see how He works things out -- we begin to understand Him a little better."
Nicholas looked again at the skyline and then back at his father. "That's pretty cool, Dad," he agreed.
"Best of all," added Dad, "the day is coming when God
will take us to heaven, and then we'll know Him perfectly!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you know Jesus as Savior? As you learn from God's Word and talk with Him, you'll get to know Him better here. Christians have a wonderful future to look forward to, seeing Jesus face to face and knowing Him fully throughout eternity.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"I will never talk to that girl again!" declared Cindy, plopping down in the grass at the side of the garden.
"Who? And why not?" asked Dad without looking up. He was planting a row of carrots.
"Marcy -- the new girl in school," replied Cindy. "I'm tired of trying to make friends with her."
"Has she made any friends at school?" Dad asked.
Cindy shook her head. "She's too rude. She just ignores everybody," she said. Cindy jumped up and began to uncoil the long, green garden hose.
"What are you doing with that?" asked Dad.
"I'm going to water my flowers," Cindy answered. She had planted a little patch of marigolds near her bedroom window.
"Oh, why bother?" said Dad. "Apparently those seeds aren't growing anyway." He fanned his face with his hat. "You put them in ten days ago," he added, "but I don't see anything happening. They must be duds."
"You've got to be joking, Dad," said Cindy. "You know it takes time for seeds to grow. Just watch. Any day now flowers will be sticking their little green leaves up out of the ground." Cindy grinned. "I think you just need to have a little more faith -- we've been studying faith in Sunday school."
"So why don't you have faith in the 'friendship seeds' you've been planting in Marcy's life?" asked Dad.
"Friendship seeds?" asked Cindy in surprise, but she knew what Dad meant -- and she knew he was right. Each time she had tried to make friends with Marcy, it was like planting seeds of friendship. And Cindy knew you couldn't always see something growing at first, not even friendship.
Cindy dropped the hose. "I'll take care of this later,"
she called as she ran across the wide yard toward Marcy's house. "I'm going to
give my 'friendship seeds' a little water first. I'll invite Marcy to our Sunday
school picnic."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you become discouraged when your efforts to reach out aren't appreciated -- or do you keep on being friendly? People don't always respond overnight. Acts of love and friendship are a lot like seeds. Trust God for growth. 


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 6:9)
Be not weary in well doing . . . we shall reap, if we faint not.

[Soldier4Christ]

Seth and his mother sat on the floor with one of Seth's dresser drawers beside them. "I want to keep that!" exclaimed Seth as Mom tossed a worn out toy into the waste basket.
Mom was helping Seth clean out his drawers, and she kept wanting to throw things away. "Why keep all this junk?" she asked. "It doesn't leave room for all the good things you have."
"Junk!" exclaimed Seth. "Those are good things."
"Good things?" echoed Mom, holding up a bent fish hook, some chipped marbles, and a small motorcycle with only one wheel. "These things belong in the dump."
Seth picked up the motorcycle. "But this was my favorite cycle," he said. "It would still be good if Reece hadn't broken it! He always wanted to play with it, and he took it even though I never said he could. When he brought it back, one wheel was gone, and he said he lost it!" Seth scowled. "It makes me mad when I think about it," he added.
"That happened a long time ago," answered Mom. She shook her head. "I think you may need to put more than this junk in the trash."
"What do you mean?" asked Seth.
"It sounds like you're hanging on to some miserable memories and to resentment," explained Mom. "I remember that not long ago, Reece asked to use something else of yours, and you reminded him of the broken cycle -- even though he has apologized many times for breaking it. The Bible says to 'put away' all bitterness and wrath. That's like putting it into the trash, and I don't think you've done that yet."
Seth was quiet for a minute as he thought about what Mom
had said. Then he slowly placed the broken motorcycle in the trash can. "You
know what?" he asked with a grin. "Reece asked if he could use my baseball mitt
tomorrow -- and I'm going to let him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Are you angry about something that happened long ago? Did someone scratch your bike? Did a friend choose someone else first for the team? Ask Jesus to help you to forgive. Put away your "trash. "


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:31)
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you.

[Soldier4Christ]

The evening was cool. The earthy smell of the forest filled the air, and stars shone brightly through the trees. A group of boys and their teacher lingered around the dying campfire at their Sunday school class retreat. "Look at those stars," Kevin said. "They're really bright tonight."
Isaac looked up toward the sky. "They just look brighter because there are no other lights around," he said. "They stand out more against the darkness."
"I see a firefly," said Kevin. "Look! Over there." He pointed to the ground a few feet from the fire. The light of a firefly flickered in an off and on pattern.
"Maybe he's sending a message in Morse code," joked Isaac. "Why don't you see if you can decipher it, Kevin?" The boys laughed as they watched the firefly blinking its ancient ritual.
Mr. Sidney, their teacher, spoke from the darkness beyond the fire. "Fireflies are interesting, aren't they?" he said. "And they have a good lesson for Christians. Can you guess what it might be?"
The boys were silent for a moment. "Maybe it's that we need to let our light shine for God," suggested Isaac.
"Yeah," agreed Kevin, "but we shouldn't let it flicker off and on like the firefly does."
"Good thinking," approved Mr. Sidney. "I'm afraid we're like that firefly too often. Our lights flicker off when we're unkind or selfish or do things we know are wrong. Do you think it matters much if our lights flicker off from time to time?"
"Well . . ." Kevin hesitated. "If my light is shining, it might help bring someone to Jesus, " he suggested, "but if my light flickers, it might not be on when that person is looking. Then it wouldn't be a testimony for God at all."
"You're right," said Mr. Sidney. "Let's be sure to let
our lights shine all the time. We never know when someone may be watching
us."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Have you sung "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"? Does your light -- your testimony -- shine clearly, or does it flicker like the light of a firefly? Let it always shine so that others will see it and want to know Jesus, too.   


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may . . . glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jane's friend Andrea had come over to play, and Jane could hardly wait to tell her about the ring she had just inherited from her Grandma Matthews. "I'll show you my new ring pretty soon," said Jane after telling Andrea about it. "Mom's keeping it for me, and I'm not supposed to get it out without permission. She's out in the garden, but I think she'll let me show it to you when she comes back in."
"Don't be a baby," said Andrea. "You have such dumb rules at your house! What good is a ring if you just keep it in a box?" So Jane did something she knew was wrong -- she got her ring from Mom's jewelry box. Andrea slipped it on her finger. "I'll wear it a while," she announced. Jane frowned but didn't say she couldn't.
Mom had said the girls could play in the park across the street, so they decided to do that. When they later crossed the street to return home, Jane asked for her ring. "I've got to put it away before Mom sees it," she said. As Andrea turned back to drop the ring into Jane's  hand, she stumbled. The ring fell to the pavement, bounced once, and disappeared down a storm drain. "My ring!" gasped Jane. She ran into the house and tearfully explained what had happened.
Mom quickly called the city street service, but it was impossible to get the ring back.
"Oh, Mom," sobbed Jane after Andrea had left, "Andrea said we have dumb rules and that I was acting like a baby. I was afraid she wouldn't like me anymore if I didn't let her wear the ring. Now it's lost forever!"
Mom frowned. "Before long you'll be a teenager, and more and more 'friends' will be telling you that our rules -- and also God's rules -- are dumb," she said. "If you listen to such friends, you may lose things more valuable than that ring."
"Like what?" asked Jane.
"Well," said Mom, "if you do some things they want you
to -- use drugs or alcohol, for example, or lie or steal -- your behavior could result
in very serious, lasting consequences. Never take the advice of friends when
what they say displeases God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you allow friends to influence you to do things that displease God? That's very foolish, and it can have unhappy, long?lasting consequences. Obey God -- His rules are never "dumb." Remember that part of what He says is that you must honor and obey your parents.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:10)
If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Colin dangled his fishing line into the pond, he watched two frogs that seemed to be fighting over a place to sit on a nearby log. Colin laughed as both frogs fell into the water and began swimming and splashing as though playing a game.
A moment later, a large snake slithered onto the log. It lay very still, and Colin decided it wanted to sleep in the sun. The frogs swimming nearby also noticed the snake and moved quickly away. Little by little, they came closer again. Maybe they're checking to see if that snake is really sleeping, thought Colin. The snake seemed to pay no attention to them, and gradually the frogs came so close that they were within his reach. Colin felt frozen to the spot as the snake suddenly came to life and grabbed the nearest frog. That foolish frog was soon swallowed, and the other one swam away quickly. Colin ran home to tell his parents what he had seen.
The next day, Colin came home from school with news. "Remember Brian? The kid I used to play with sometimes?" he asked. "He's always getting into trouble lately. Today he got caught taking money from a teacher's desk, and now he's suspended from school!" Colin shook his head. "I don't know how he got so messed up."
Colin's father put an arm around his shoulders. "Remember the frogs and the snake?" he asked. "How did the frog happen to get caught?"
"Those dumb frogs kept getting closer and closer to the snake, and they just got too close," replied Colin.
Dad nodded. "The devil likes to 'catch' us that way," he said. "At first he might get us to do something that we consider rather unimportant -- like tell a little lie or take some small thing that doesn't belong to us -- and then maybe he'd persuade us to try something a little bolder. It goes on and on from there. That's probably what happened with Brian."
Colin looked thoughtful. "And that's how kids get started on drugs and drinking and smoking?" he asked.
Dad nodded. "Yes, and other things, too. Like the frogs,
they get too close to something that can hurt them -- and before they know it,
they're caught by those things."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you get too close to things you know are wrong --  just wanting to have a little fun but with no intention of doing anything really bad? Be careful! Living close to sin is dangerous. Be smart and stay far away from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:14:15)
Go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bradley sat in the family room with his mother, his father, and two older brothers. He had belonged to the family for exactly nine years now. As they held hands, Bradley's father prayed. "Father in heaven, today we celebrate the day You brought Bradley to our family. Thank You for letting us adopt him -- he has brought us great joy. Bless our son in every way. In Jesus' name. Amen."
When Bradley looked up and saw his mother's smile, he felt warm and wonderful inside -- but fifth grade had brought questions. Being adopted held mysteries, and he had been asking about it. He listened intently when, as part of their family devotions, his father began to talk about adoption. "Historians tell us that many sons were adopted in Bible times," said Dad. "Some believe it's quite likely that Mary's husband, Joseph, adopted Jesus as his very own son, even though God Himself was Jesus' real father."
Mom smiled. "So you're in good company, Bradley," she said, giving him a hug.
"In Bible times, a man with no children would adopt a son in order to pass on all that he owned," added Dad. "That son bore his name and called him 'Father.'"
Keith, the oldest son, kicked at Bradley playfully. "Hey! No fair!" he teased. "We'll be glad to share the inheritance with you, but you don't need it all!"
"Dad was talking about a guy with no children," retorted Bradley. "Dad has children, but if you don't listen better, maybe he'll decide to disown you." 
Dad smiled. "The wonderful thing is that God not only created us, but He wants each of us to be adopted as one of His children," he said. "We can call God 'Father' when we receive Christ as Savior. What a privilege!"
Keith winked at Bradley. "And what about the inheritance?" asked Keith.
Dad laughed. "It's far greater than our little minds can
fathom," he said. "The Bible says we're 'heirs of God' and 'joint?heirs with
Christ.' It couldn't get any better than that!"



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you realize that God wants to be your Heavenly Father? He paid a great price -- His only Son -- to give you all that He owns. Accept His offer and become His adopted child.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Eph. 1:5)
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ryan, Jana, and Mom took off on horseback down the dirt road -- Ryan and Jana on Midnight, and Mom on Lady. Ryan glanced back toward the stable. "Look," he said. "Dad is feeding Buster his grain." Buster was an older horse, and when he ate with the others, he often got pushed away from his own grain by Lady, who was the boss of the barnyard.
"Oh, good," said Jana. "For once he gets to enjoy his afternoon treat in peace." She patted Midnight. "You sure don't need it, do you, Midnight?" she asked. "You're fat enough already."
Mom smiled. "I noticed that, too," she said. "Your dad says it's because all Midnight does is eat. He says she needs to be ridden or exercised every day."
"Can we canter?" asked Ryan. "That would be good for her." Mom agreed, and they were off.
As they unsaddled the horses later, the children told Dad about their ride. "One of us is going to exercise Midnight every day," Ryan said, and Jana nodded.
"Good," approved Dad. "She needs it. She's too much like a lot of Christians I know."
Ryan looked at his father. "You're not making sense, Dad," he said.
Dad grinned. "Some Christians are like Midnight -- they eat a lot but don't get much exercise," he explained. "They 'eat' by going to church and reading their Bibles and hearing good messages on the radio, but they fail to 'exercise' their faith in practical ways. They hardly ever witness or do anything to serve the Lord. They're just getting fat spiritually."
Mom nodded. "Good point," she said as she patted Buster, the old pony, "and there are also Christians like Buster. He gets enough exercise, but he doesn't always get enough to eat. Christians like him may do many things to serve the Lord, but they don't take time to get spiritual food. They don't read the Bible on their own or attend church and Sunday school regularly. They're getting spiritually skinny."
"We need a proper balance between food and exercise,"
said Dad, "not only physically, but also spiritually."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you read the Bible, attend church, and fellowship with good Christian friends? You should do those things. Are you also exercising your faith -- witnessing and serving God? Be a well?balanced Christian. Ask God to show you what area you need to work on.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:22)
Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.

[Soldier4Christ]

 TLC Needed

"There's a new girl in my class," remarked Gina as she helped clear the table. "Her name is Elizabeth-and that's what she wants to be called."

 Mom looked up from loading the dishwasher. "Well, why not?" she asked. "I hope you were friendly. Remember how it feels to start at a new school?"

"Yeah, but . . . she's stuck up, Mom," Gina objected. "We asked if she has a nickname, and she said if anybody calls her anything but Elizabeth, she won't answer. And she kept talking about the big, wonderful house they moved into."

The back door burst open. "Look what I found!" called Jeremy. "Isn't he cute?" Jeremy set a wet, muddy puppy down on the kitchen floor.

"Jeremy, get that dog out of the kitchen," Mom scolded. "He's filthy! Where did you find him?"

Jeremy picked up the frightened, shivering animal. "He's been hanging around Scott's house, and his mother said they had to get rid of him. I'm sure he doesn't belong to anybody. Can I keep him, Mom? Please?" begged Jeremy. "He won't be any trouble." Gina added her pleas.

"No trouble? Of course not!" Mom teased.

Jeremy jumped up and down. "We can keep him!"

"I didn't say that." Mom's face became serious. "A puppy needs attention every day. You'd have to take care of him whether you want to or not. He'd be your responsibility. Are you willing to take that on?" Both children nodded eagerly. "All right," she agreed. "You can keep him if it's okay with Dad."

Jeremy and Gina spent the next hour bathing and brushing the puppy. "He certainly looks better now," said Mom, "but if Dad agrees to let you keep him, he'll need care every day."

"We know," said Gina as the puppy snuggled in her lap. "All he needed was some friendly hands to give him tender, loving care. My teacher calls that TLC."

"Hm-m-m," murmured Mom. "I wonder about the new girl in your class."

Gina's stopped petting the dog. She knew what Mom was thinking. "She's not a mess like this puppy was," protested Gina.

 "No, but she seems to be trying hard to make an impression," said Mom.

"And if she had a friend, she wouldn't have to do that?" asked Gina. She paused. "Okay. I know I'd want a friend, so I'll try to be a friend to her," she decided.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who needs TLC-tender, loving care? Perhaps someone who seems to have a lot of good things is lonely and needs a friend. Perhaps someone who is "a mess" in your eyes will respond in a good way to friendship. God tells you to love your "neighbor"-all those He sends your way. You can make a big difference in their lives as you show God's love in the way you care for them. Treat them as you'd like to be treated.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Luke 6:31

[Soldier4Christ]

"This state park is really nice, isn't it, Joel?" asked Dad as they walked along a wooded path.
"Huh? Oh, yeah," mumbled Joel. But he hadn't really noticed -- he'd been too busy worrying. The place where his dad worked was going out of business, and Dad was looking for a new job. What if we run out of money for food and clothes? Joel wondered. He was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn't pay attention to where he was walking.
"Joel, watch out for that poison ivy," warned Dad, but Joel had already wandered off the path.
Joel stopped and looked down. He was standing in a patch of low bushes. "Poison ivy!" he moaned, quickly returning to the path. "Now I'll be itching all weekend!"
Dad smiled. "Maybe not," he said. "I think I see something that might help you. He smiled and pointed to a tall plant with yellow, spotted, horn?shaped flowers. "That's it!" he said.
"That's touch?me?not, isn't it?" asked Joel. "Like the stuff Mom has growing by the house?"
"That's right," replied Dad. "It's also called jewelweed." He broke off some leaves, crushed them in his hand, and handed them to Joel. "Rub these over your legs. It ought to stop the poison ivy reaction."
"Really?" asked Joel. He rubbed the leaves on his bare legs, hoping Dad was right.
When Joel was getting ready to go to bed that night, Dad grinned at him. "So how are your legs?" asked Dad.
"My legs?" repeated Joel. Then he remembered -- the poison ivy! He looked at his legs. "Wow! The poison ivy isn't doing anything. That jewelweed really worked! How about that? Medicine for poison ivy in the middle of the woods!"
Dad nodded. "God often provides for us in surprising
ways," he said. "We should always remember that. I know we've all been concerned
about my job, but if God can provide a poison ivy cure in the woods, he
certainly can provide for our family's needs as well. We don't need to
worry."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you hear reports about people losing jobs? Do you worry about not having enough money? God may not give you everything you like or want, but He does promise to provide all you need. Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:19)
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yikes!" yelled Jonathan as he ducked quickly. A bee buzzed by, barely missing his head. He watched carefully as the bee settled on a garden flower before moving on.
"That bee was so close to your head, he almost gave you a buzz cut," joked Dad as he came up behind Jonathan.
Jonathan didn't laugh. He had something else on his mind. "Dad," he said, "can I ask you something?" He hesitated. "Grandma died weeks ago, but I'm still sad about it," he said at last. "Is that bad? I mean . . . Christians are supposed to be happy all the time, aren't they?"
"It's natural to feel sad," said Dad. "We loved Grandma very much. We miss having her around us, and that makes us sad." Dad put an arm around Jonathan's shoulders. "Death is an awful thing that began when sin entered the world, but for Christians, death is not the winner. Even when we're sad, we can feel good about the fact that death can't really hurt us."
Jonathan looked up. "What do you mean . . . it can't hurt us?" he asked.
"Let's see . . . how can I explain it?" said Dad. He thought for a moment, then asked, "Why were you afraid of that little bee that flew by a few minutes ago?"
"Because it has a stinger, and I could have gotten stung!" said Jonathan.
Dad nodded. "If it didn't have a stinger, would you still be afraid of that bee?"
"No," said Jonathan, but he took a quick step backward as the bee zoomed by again. "At least not as much," he added.
Dad smiled. "That's how it is with Christians," he said. "Death is like a bee without a stinger. It's still scary, but it can't really hurt us. Since Grandma loved God and accepted Jesus as her Savior, she is now free of death and will be living in heaven forever."
"So it's okay to feel sad because I miss Grandma," said
Jonathan, "but at the same time, I should feel glad because I know she's not
really dead. She's just gone to live with God."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Has someone you love died? Does that make you feel sad? That's normal, but always remember that God gives victory over death. For Christians, He has already taken away the real sting.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Cor. 15:55  O)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hold on, Pete." Matt spoke into the telephone receiver. "Something's
wrong with our phone." He looked up and called, "Mom! The phone is beeping!"
 

Mom came into the kitchen. "Oh," she said, "I ordered call waiting. Push the hang?up button and say hello."

Matt did so and was surprised to hear Dad's voice. "Let me talk with Mom, please," said Dad.

Mom took the phone and pressed the button again. "Pete, Matt will call you back in a minute," she said. Once more she pushed the button. Then she began talking with Dad.

When she was finished, Matt grinned. "Cool!" he exclaimed as he dialed Pete's number.

Matt was telling Pete a joke when he heard the beeping tone again. I'll get it after I finish this joke, he thought, but before he was through, the beeping stopped. 

That evening, the phone rang again, and Mom answered it. She returned a few minutes later. "That was Grandpa," she told Matt. "He called this morning to see if you wanted to go fishing today. Since nobody answered, he assumed no one was home."

Dad looked surprised. "That's odd," he said. "You were home all day, weren't you? And since we have call waiting now, you should have gotten the call."

"I did hear a beep," admitted Matt. "I guess I waited too long before I answered it, and Grandpa hung up." He sighed. "I wish I could have gone with Grandpa."

"It's too bad you didn't answer his call," said Dad. Then he added, "You know, my Bible reading this morning had some verses about 'quenching the Spirit.' When God tries to get our attention, we need to be careful to listen and not ignore Him."

"He tries to get our attention? Like how?" asked Matt.

"Sometimes through pastors or Sunday school teachers or parents," said Dad. "Other times He may speak to us through verses we read in His Word -- or perhaps simply through the urging of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. If we don't respond, we miss a blessing."

Mom nodded. "It's always a shame to miss an important
message," she added, "especially a message from God!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have there been times when you knew God was warning you about something or was urging you to do some work for Him? Have you quickly responded and followed His leading? Always answer His "call" right away!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 3:10)
Speak; for Thy servant heareth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Eva came running into the house as her mother was taking the last batch of
cookies out of the oven. "Mom, come quick," said Eva breathlessly. "I think
something's wrong with the wren that has a nest in our holly bush. It's making a
strange sound -- it must be hurt."
 

Eva and Mom hurried out to the yard, but when they stopped to listen to the wren, it was singing as usual. "Are you sure it was the wren that you heard?" asked Mom. "There are a lot of other birds around here."

"It was the wren," insisted Eva. "I saw it on that branch, and it was making a strange sound." She pointed to a branch of the big holly bush.

Mom began walking slowly across the lawn. The wren kept singing merrily. But as Mom came close to the holly bush, the wren's song changed. "Chrr?rr?rr." It watched Mom closely, its voice getting softer as she neared the bush. Mom stopped and quietly pointed to a nest of baby wrens deep in the branches. "I think the wren was talking to the babies," she said. "I've read that birds have a way of telling their little ones to keep quiet when danger is near."

"You mean birds tell their babies things like that?" Eva had never heard that before.

Mom nodded. "That's what I read. God teaches all birds and animals how to protect their young," she said. "He also tells human parents to protect their children from harm. That's why we must sometimes say no to things you want to do or places you want to go." She smiled at Eva. "Many stories in the Bible show how parents protected their children," she added. "One very special story tells how God used Joseph and Mary to protect Baby Jesus when he was in danger."

"I remember that story," said Eva. She moved closer to
her mother. "I'm glad God gave me you and Dad to take care of me -- even though you
do sometimes say no to things I want," she added with a grin.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you unhappy -- or even angry -- when your parents say no to some things? Or are you glad they love you enough to keep you from harm? They're doing the task God gave them. The task He gives you is to honor and obey them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:2)
Honor thy father and mother.

[Soldier4Christ]

I was so mad when Sarah got an 'A' on her spelling test, and I got only a
'C,'" Mandy told her mother as they drove down a mountain road toward town. "I
can't believe she really knows how to spell all those words, but I know I
shouldn't have called her a cheater."
 

"Why don't you call and apologize?" suggested Mom.

"Oh, Mom," whined Mandy, "that's so hard. I think I'll just wait a few days -- I'll probably get a good chance to make friends with her again."

Mom frowned as she slowed the car and turned down a side road. "This is a shorter way to get to town," she said. "I don't know how good the road will be after all the rain we had, but let's try it." For a short distance the road was good, but then the pavement ended and the road became very muddy. 

"I think we should go back," said Mandy.

"I think you're right," agreed Mom. "We'll have to find a place to turn around." She drove on.

"If you're careful, you can probably turn around there," said Mandy, pointing to a narrow path leading into a field.

Mom slowed down, but she shook her head. "No," she said, "those ditches at the side of that path are awfully deep. I think I can find a better spot."

As they drove farther, Mandy motioned toward a wider spot in the road. "How about here?" she asked.

But Mom passed by it, too. "That's not exactly the perfect spot, either," she said.

"Mom!" protested Mandy. "If you ask me, the first possible spot is the perfect spot!"

"I'm beginning to think you're right," agreed Mom as she slowed down and turned into a narrow path off the road. "I guess we'll turn around right here."

When they were on their way again, Mom turned toward
Mandy. "Waiting for a perfect spot was foolish, wasn't it?" asked Mom. "We made
a mistake in coming this way, and the first chance to correct that mistake was
the best chance. That's true when we make other mistakes, too, and need to
apologize for something. It's foolish to wait for a better time to do
it."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
<P>Do you find it hard to apologize? Do you put it off instead of doing it right away? Don't wait. Apologize! You'll feel much better, knowing you've done the right, wise, and honorable thing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 20:3)
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.