Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

As Pete walked slowly along the beach, his thoughts were dark. I'm a
nobody, he said to himself. Mom and Dad are divorced, and I'm so dumb in school.
I didn't make the basketball team, and my teacher never chooses me to be the
class monitor. He sighed and tried to hold back the tears as his thoughts ran
on. I can't do anything right. I wish I'd never been born!
 

Just then an old man sitting near a dock caught Pete's attention. The man was chipping bits of wood from an old piece of driftwood. Curious, Pete watched him. "What are you doing with that junk driftwood?" Pete asked after a moment.

"Oh, I have great plans for this old piece of wood. I'm carving a whale. I like to carve sea animals from wood," replied the man. He picked up a beautifully carved dolphin and handed it to Pete. "Here's one I've done," he added.

"That's amazing!" exclaimed Pete. He held up the dolphin and then looked again at the wood the man was carving. "That driftwood you're working on now is so old and . . . and dirty. It looks worthless!" added Pete. "How can something as cool as this come from that piece of junk?"

The old man smiled. "It takes time, work, and skill," he said. "I carve the wood carefully, sand it, and polish it." He turned the wood over in his hand as he peered closely at Pete. "This driftwood is something like me," added the man.

"Like you?" asked Pete. "How's that?"

"There was a time when I felt like I might as well give up -- like everything I did and said was wrong," said the man. "In fact, even though I now know better, I still feel that way occasionally. Ever feel that way yourself?" Pete nodded. "Well, we definitely aren't worthless at all -- not to God. In fact, He has plans for each one of us. He can take poor, sinful creatures like us and make them into something beautiful. Have you allowed God to do that for you?"

Pete shook his head and settled down on the sand at the
old man's feet. He was eager to hear more about this.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you let God mold your life into something beautiful? You're special to Him, and He has a plan for your life. Be willing to live the way He wants you to live, and let Him make you into what He wants you to be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 29:11)
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts . . . to give you an expected end.

[Soldier4Christ]

Karl picked up a book and opened it curiously. "Oh, no!" he muttered. "Bob
gave me this book, but I didn't know it was like this!" He handed the book to
his dad.
 

"Hmmm," murmured Dad after looking at it. "Maybe we should all have a talk next time Bob is here."

The next week, Bob came over to work with Karl on a science project. They were studying the stars and planets. "Just think," said Dad when he came to see how the boys were doing, "there are billions of stars -- and God, the Creator, knows each one by name." He opened a book lying on the table. "Look here," he said. "This picture also shows a part of God's great creation." 

The boys turned to look. "It's just a man," said Karl.

"Just a man?" repeated Dad. "Did you know that man's heart, which is only about as big as a clenched fist, pumps about 4,000 gallons of blood a day?"

"We studied that in school," said Bob. "We learned about the eyes, too. They're set in holes, or sockets, and they're protected by seven interlocking bones."

"And our eyelashes and eyebrows keep out dust and sweat -- and each time we blink, a special fluid washes our eyes," added Karl.

Dad grinned. "Right! Now notice that the palms of your hands are sort of skid-proof so you can get a grip on things -- and think of all your fingers can do. You use them to write, paint, drive a nail, build a bridge, . . ."

"Catch a football," interrupted Karl.

Dad nodded. "God says we're 'fearfully and wonderfully made, and I think we can see that's true. His great handiwork is nothing to laugh about, is it?"

"Laugh about?" asked Bob. "What do you mean?"

"When God made the world, Bob, He made it to continue,"
said Dad. "Trees and flowers drop their seeds to bring forth more trees and
flowers. Dogs have pups, and cats have kittens. God wants man to continue, too.
He planned for a man and a woman to love, marry, and have a family -- but some
people make jokes and pictures that mock God's plan for us. To have anything but
pure thoughts about our bodies is sinful in God's sight." Dad smiled at the boys
as he added, "Always remember that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever tempted to make fun of what God created and planned? That's wrong! He wants you to give Him your heart and life, and He also wants you to use your body in ways that honor Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 139:14)
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

[Soldier4Christ]

It was dark on the porch, and Cindy let out a piercing scream. "Cindy!"
exclaimed Dad as he hurriedly opened the door. "What's wrong?"
 

"Dave locked me out!" Cindy's voice shook as she spoke. "He knows I'm afraid of the dark."

"I'm just trying to help her get over being scared," insisted Dave when he saw his dad's frown. "She will, too, if she's teased about it enough."

"Is that right?" asked Dad dryly. "You don't think her continuing screams indicate that your plan isn't working?" He continued to frown. "What are you scared of, Dave?" asked Dad.

"Nothing," said Dave.

"You are, too! You're scared of bees," said Cindy.

Dad nodded. "Do you think you'll get over your fears if someone sends hornets at you until you get used to them?" asked Dad.

"But, Dad, hornets can hurt you," Dave defended himself. "The dark can't!"

"Then tell Cindy that the dark won't hurt her," said Dad. "Don't terrify her!"   

When Mom tucked Cindy into bed that night, Cindy wanted her to stay in the room for a while. "Please, Mommy," begged Cindy. "I'm still scared."

"Okay," Mom agreed, "but just for a little while." Several minutes later, Mom asked, "Are you asleep?"

"No," murmured Cindy.

"Are you afraid?" asked Mom.

"No," said Cindy. "You're here."

"But the light is out, and you can't see in the dark. Besides, your eyes are closed, so how did you know I was here?" asked Mom.

"You said you would stay," explained Cindy, "so I knew you would."

Mom smiled and nodded. "You know, Cindy," she said, "you accepted Jesus as your Savior, and He said not to be afraid because He will never leave you. He doesn't lie. Even when you can't see Him, you can be sure He is with you -- just because He said He would be. Will you try hard to remember that?"

Sleepily, Cindy nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you trust God to take care of you? He promises always to be with His children. Learn the verse above -- and believe it. When something frightens you, believe God's promise to be with you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 41:10)
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Get married!" exploded Mike. "You're going to get married? To Jim Ford?
How can you? He's got two kids already. He doesn't want us. Why don't you marry
Dad again?"
 

"Mike, you know that after your dad left us, he married someone else. He won't be back," said Mom quietly. "I thought you liked Jim."

"Not for a father!" exclaimed Mike. He turned and ran out the door and into his neighbor's back yard. "Mom's going to get married to a man with two little boys!" Mike told Mr. Jones angrily. "I don't want someone else's dad! I've got to get away. I'm going to leave, too -- for good! I'd never be happy here." He sank down onto a porch step.

"And do you think you'll find happiness someplace else?" asked Mr. Jones.

Mike shrugged. "I sure won't find it here!"

"You know, Mike," said Mr. Jones, "happiness isn't something you find. It's something you make by trusting God. The Bible tells us that Paul and Silas sang even though they were in prison. Learn from their example. Realize that you can be happy, too, even when things aren't particularly pleasant." Mr. Jones put an arm around Mike. "You're a Christian, Mike. Won't you trust God to help you?" he asked.

"But I . . . but he . . ." Mike began to protest.

"I know this is a difficult time for you, but what about your little brother and sister?" asked Mr. Jones. "Would it be right to run off and let them face things alone? They'll need their big brother. Your new brothers will need help, too -- it will be difficult for them as well as for you. You can be a witness for the Lord to all of them."

Mike hesitated. "Well, maybe," he said hesitantly. Then he sighed. "I'll stay," he decided at last.

"Good," encouraged Mr. Jones. "I think your new stepfather deserves a chance to be a good dad for all of you, don't you?"

Again Mike hesitated. "Everyone deserves a chance, I guess," he admitted reluctantly. 

Mr. Jones nodded. "Let's both pray that God will help
you make happiness for all of you."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does something in your life make you unhappy? Do you wish you could leave it and go your own way? Happiness comes from trusting God, even in difficult times, not from running away from problems. Ask God to help you accept things you cannot change. Work hard to make life happy for those around you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 16:20)
Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

[Soldier4Christ]

With a run and a jump, followed by a slammed door, Alexis rushed into the
house. "Oh, Mom, Hallie has a new baby sister!" she exclaimed. "She's so cute,
and her name is Gabrielle. I love that name! Mom, how do people decide what to
name their babies?"
 

"Well," answered Mom, "some are named for a family member or for a person the parents like very much. Sometimes a name is chosen for its meaning."

Alexis was surprised. "Names have meanings?"

"Some do," said Mom. "For instance, 'Alexis' means 'helper' or 'defender.' I have a book that tells the meaning of many names. Would you like to see it?"

Alexis was fascinated by the book. She was out on the front steps looking up the names of her friends when her pastor came along. "Names are interesting," said Pastor White after Alexis explained what she was doing. "Did you know that the Bible says, 'A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches'?"

"But we don't choose our own names, Pastor White," said Alexis. "Our parents give them to us."

Pastor White smiled. "No matter what we are named, we can have a good name," he said. "Do you remember the story of Dorcas in the Bible?"

"Dorcas?" repeated Alexis. "Didn't she sew for the poor people? Does the name 'Dorcas' have a meaning?"

"Yes." Pastor White nodded. "It means 'gazelle,' which is a small antelope. But do you think people thought of a gazelle when they heard the name 'Dorcas'?"

"Well . . . if she was graceful, they might have, but I imagine it's more likely that they thought of all the nice things Dorcas did for them," said Alexis thoughtfully. "Oh! I get it! A good name is like a good reputation -- what you're known for."

"That's right," said Pastor White, "and there's another important thing to remember. Since you have accepted Jesus as Savior, you also have Christ's name -- Christian. God wants you to live in a way that honors His name."

Alexis smiled. "If I do that, I'll always have a good
name, too," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have the name "Christian"? You do if you've trusted Jesus as your Savior. Each day ask Him to help you do everything in a way that honors Him. When you honor God in all you do, you will truly have a good name.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:17)
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wow! That was some earthquake they had in Italy!" exclaimed Jake on the
way home from church. "I wish I had a thousand dollars! I'd sure put it in the
special offering for our missionaries next week. Then they could help a lot of
those kids that were orphaned."
 

Dad smiled. "Well, just because you can't give a thousand dollars, don't let it keep you from giving what you can," he said.

"But I don't have any money right now," said Jake, "any extra, that is. I'm saving to buy a snowboard." He paused, then added, "If I gave to all the needy people in the world, I'd never have any money."

"That's true," agreed Dad, "but there are times when we should look at special needs compared to our own needs. I think this is one of those times. Let's all think it over and pray about it -- you, too, Jake -- then make our own decision and give what we feel we should give."

After church the next Sunday, Dad had a question for Jake. "Would you mind telling us how much you put in the missionary offering?" asked Dad. "We have a special reason for asking."

"I just gave a dollar," said Jake. He sighed. "I know that's not much, but I still don't have near enough for my snowboard." Jake was surprised when Dad reached into his pocket, took out two dollar bills, and handed them to him. "Wow! Thanks!" exclaimed Jake.

"God promises joy and rewards to those who give, and your mother and I decided we'd give you a reward, too," explained Dad. "We decided to reward you according to the amount of the sacrifice you made, and give you twice as much as you gave."

"Oh, no!" Jake groaned. "If I'd only known, I'd have given more!"

"You know, Jake, the Bible tells us that Christians will
be rewarded according to what they have done for Christ," said Dad. "We can't
begin to imagine the wonderful rewards God has prepared, but I'm afraid that in
heaven some day, many people may say, 'If I had only known. .
.'"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you generous in giving to God? Do you give freely of your time, your money, and your service? Some day God will reward you for all you do for Him. Be generous so that you won't be ashamed when Christ comes.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 22:12)
I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Kate!" exclaimed Matt after eagerly opening the envelope his sister
brought from the mailbox. "A birthday card from my Sunday school teacher -- and ten
dimes! Listen to what Mr. Wayne wrote: 'These are special dimes. Be careful how
you spend them -- and how you spend your life.'" Matt glanced at the dimes. "I
wonder what he meant."
 

"I don't know," said Kate, "but you can ask him when you thank him tomorrow morning at Sunday school."

"I'm not going to Sunday school," Matt announced. "That's kid-stuff. Mom doesn't go, and she doesn't care if we go or not -- so I'm quitting."

The next morning Matt didn't go to Sunday school, but he was bored at home. To amuse himself, he took his birthday dimes and went to the corner service station where he spent them on candy and soda pop.

That afternoon, Matt had a visitor -- Mr. Wayne. "Thanks for the card and the money," said Matt.

"Did you figure out what's special about the dimes?" Mr. Wayne asked. Matt shook his head. "They're silver dimes, so each one is worth more than ten cents," said Mr. Wayne. "Give me one, and I'll show you the difference between a silver dime and an ordinary one."

"I . . . I don't have them anymore," admitted Matt. "I needed them for some stuff this morning."

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't tell you more about them in my note," said Mr. Wayne. "I thought you'd be in Sunday school this morning, and I was planning to use them to illustrate our lesson about Esau. He sold his birthright for a bowl of food. He made a foolish trade -- kind of like you did with your dimes. I'm sorry you weren't there to hear that lesson."

"I . . . I'm too old for Sunday school," Matt stammered.

"Matt," said Mr. Wayne, "I'm afraid Satan is trying to
get you to make another foolish trade. He wants your time, your talents, and
your life. In exchange, he may let you think you're your own boss, but actually
you'll be obeying Satan. All the good times he promises you won't make you
really happy. Only Jesus can do that." Mr. Wayne shook his head. "Be very
careful how you spend your life," he added.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're big enough to handle your own life? Be careful! Satan would like you to trade your honesty for cheating, prayer time for a few extra minutes of play, and reading your Bible for reading a comic book. Be very careful, or Satan will fool you into making a foolish trade.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 19:3)
The foolishness of man perverteth his way.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm quitting basketball," Theo announced flatly as his dad entered the
room.
 

"Quitting!" exclaimed Dad. "Earlier this year, you could hardly wait to join the team."

Theo frowned. "All I am is a benchwarmer," he complained. "Coach Adams hardly ever lets me play."

"Coach Adams told me that you have great potential," said Dad.

"Well, if he thinks I'm so great, why doesn't he let me play in more games?" asked Theo.

"The older boys have more experience," said Dad, "and Coach Adams is naturally going to use his best players when it's necessary for a win."

"I can play just as well as they can," insisted Theo. "At least, I could if I got to play in more games."

"Learn to be patient," said Dad. "It's something we all need to learn. We need to be 'benchwarmers' -- people who wait patiently -- in many areas of life."

"I've waited long enough," grumbled Theo. "The basketball games are nearly over for this year."

Dad picked up a Sunday school take-home paper from Theo's desk. "I see you've been having lessons about David," said Dad. "He was a benchwarmer, too."

"David never played basketball!" protested Theo.

"No," Dad said, "but he was a benchwarmer for a long time. When David was just a young boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king, but he had to wait about twenty years before he actually became king."

"Yeah," said Theo, "but being king is an important thing. I don't think God really cares if I play basketball or not."

"Maybe not," said Dad, "but basketball is not so much the issue as quitting is. I think that when God allows us to go through experiences like this, He expects us to develop important virtues -- like patience."

Theo thought for a moment. "Okay." He sighed. "I get the point." He stood up. "How about a little one-on-one, Dad?"

"You're not quitting after all?" asked Dad

"Not me," said Theo. "I'm no quitter! I just hope it
doesn't take me twenty years to get into more games."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel like giving up? Learn now, through everyday experiences, to develop patience and endurance. It's always hard to wait for things, but God rewards persistence. Don't be a quitter.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 6:12)
Be  . . . followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I love being out in the snow," said Stacey, catching a snowflake on her
tongue.
 

"I can tell," said her dad. "You're never ready to go in, but Mom sent me out to tell you it's dinner time and the food is hot and ready to eat."

Stacey and Dad went in and washed up for dinner. "Did you have a good time playing with our new neighbor?" asked Mom as they sat down to eat.

"Not really," said Stacey. "We played for a while before she went in, but she's hard to understand. Her accent's too strong. I don't think I'll play with her very much."

"Give her a chance," encouraged Mom. "After all, you don't know her very well, yet."

Stacy shrugged. "I don't care if I never know her very well. She's too different," she said as she glanced out the window. "Oh, look! It's snowing again -- big snowflakes! They're so pretty!"

"Yes, they are," agreed Mom, "and scientists tell us they're all different -- like people."

Dad nodded. "Did you know that even though each snowflake is different from all the others, all of them have something in common?" he asked. "Each one has six points. That's like people, too."

Stacey laughed. "You mean people have six points?" She knew that wasn't what Dad meant.

Dad laughed, too. "We generally think about the fact that no two people are exactly the same or have the very same experiences," he said, " but we often forget that they're also alike in some ways."

"Well . . . maybe," said Stacey.

"Each country and nationality has its own language and customs, but some things are still the same," insisted Dad. "Prejudice and selfishness are the same in any country and in any language. So are kindness and acceptance and love. Which of those traits do you think God wants us to display?"

"The last ones," murmured Stacey.

Dad nodded. "All people were created by God," he said,
"and He loves each one. He asks us, as His children, to share His love -- even with
those who seem very different."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you treat a new classmate? Do you include everyone -- even kids you think are "different " -- in your fun and games? Ask God to help you be kind and thoughtful. Ask Him to help you be friendly toward all your classmates and neighbors.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 4:11)
If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Mom," said Emma as she and her brother Robert came into the kitchen
after school one day. "Is Jimmy awake? I want to take him for a walk in the
park, okay?"
 

"Again? You sure give that baby enough attention! Don't you want to help me mow the lawn first?" teased Robert. "After all, I'm your brother, too."

Emma grinned at him. "Yeah, but you're not as cute and cuddly as Jimmy," she said.

When Emma and Robert came home from school the next day, Mom and Dad had just returned home, too. "Hi!" Emma greeted them. "You took Jimmy to the doctor today, didn't you? Did you go, too, Dad?" She held out her arms. "Come here to me, Jimmy. What did the doctor say about you? Were you a good boy?"

"He was a very good boy," said Mom with a weak smile, "but you know we've been concerned because Jimmy isn't doing some things we thought he should be doing at his age. Doctor Ervin agreed, and he wants to run some tests. But, honey, we have to be prepared to accept the fact that Jimmy may be what Dr. Ervin calls 'developmentally disabled,' or mentally handicapped." She hesitated. "Some people would say he's retarded," she added with a slightly shaky voice.

Robert and Emma were stunned! How could God allow such a thing to happen? Emma wondered. Robert asked the question aloud. "Why would God allow that? Why?" 

"We don't know why right now, and we may never know," Dad said solemnly. "We only know that God has a reason -- a good reason. Perhaps some day, in heaven, we'll know why, but for now, we'll just go on loving Jimmy and caring for him."

Emma burst into tears! "It's just not fair," she sobbed.

"This is hard to accept," agreed Dad, "but don't ever think God is unfair. For some reason known only to Him, God makes some people extra special -- with either physical or mental disabilities. He loves them and has a purpose for their lives, too."

"We need to help Jimmy and love him the way God
does -- unconditionally," said Mom. "I know Jimmy will bring special blessings and
happiness to our lives."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know people with special physical or mental challenges? Never stare at them, mock them, or say unkind things about them. They are human beings with special problems, but they have much to offer. Smile at them, talk to them and learn from them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 4:11)
Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?

[Soldier4Christ]

"Emma," said Mom one Saturday morning, "I need to run to the store for a
few things, and I'd like you to take care of Jimmy while I'm gone." "Oh, Mom, do
I have to? Can't Robert do it?" asked Emma. "I want to finish a book I'm
reading."
 

Mom frowned. Emma's attitude toward her baby brother had changed after she learned that he would never be able to do some of the things most children do. She gave him less and less attention. She helped take care of him when she had to, but whenever possible, she busied herself with some other task. "Emma," Mom said now, "you used to love to care for Jimmy and take him for a ride in the park. Why is it you never want to do that any more?"

Emma blushed. "It . . . it just isn't the same as before," she stammered.

"What isn't the same, honey?" asked Mom.

"Jimmy's not the same!" cried Emma. "He's not like other babies. Taking care of him isn't fun anymore."

"But Jimmy is the same," Mom told her. "He's still the same sweet baby he always was. I'm afraid you're the one who has changed. You're not the same sweet, happy girl you used to be."

"But, Mom," objected Emma, "you can't blame me for being disappointed!"

"We're all disappointed," Mom replied, "but we didn't all grow bitter. Emma, it disturbs me to see you avoid caring for Jimmy. You act as though you don't really love him at all -- as though you love only yourself. I hate to say this, but it seems to me that your bitterness has stopped you from growing spiritually. I'm afraid I have two handicapped children -- one who is mentally handicapped, and one who is spiritually handicapped."

Emma was stunned. She had certainly never thought of herself that way, but she knew it was true. "Oh, Mom," Emma sobbed, "I'm s-sorry! Here -- give Jimmy to me! I'll take care of him. And I'll hug and love him, too." She buried her face in his neck. "Oh, Jimmy . . . you are sweet!"

Mom smiled. "And so are you, honey," she said. "You're
growing again."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you growing spiritually -- becoming more like Jesus as you learn from God's Word and obey? Does your growth show in a cheerful, helpful, and loving attitude? Growing spiritually is more important than growing physically and mentally.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Peter 3:18)
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Sally was nervous as she sat in the hospital waiting room after her baby
brother had been hurt in an accident. Mom and Dad talked softly, and she noticed
that they frequently looked at her. "Will Kyle be okay, Daddy?" she asked
anxiously.
 

Dad nodded. "The doctors think he will, but he needs your help, honey," said Dad. He explained that Kyle needed a blood transfusion. "He has a very rare blood type, and you're the only one we know of with the same type of blood as Kyle," said Dad. "The doctors want to give him some of your blood -- he needs it in order to live, sweetheart. Okay?"

Sally hesitated a few moments. Then she said in a shaky voice, "O-okay. I love Kyle lots, so if my blood will make him live, I . . . I do want to give it to him."

Soon everything was ready, and a cheerful nurse prepared to take some of Sally's blood. Sally was very tense, and held tightly to her mother's hand. After a few minutes, she asked, "How soon will I die?"

Her mother gasped. "Die?" she asked. "Did you think giving blood would make you die, Sally?" Fearfully, Sally nodded. Sally's mother hugged her tightly. "Oh, honey," said Mom, "you're not going to die. You'll be giving only a little of your blood."

The nurse nodded. "It might make you feel a little weak, but you'll be up and running around again in no time," she assured Sally.

When Dad heard about what had happened, he gave Sally an extra big hug. "I'm so sorry we didn't explain the procedure more carefully," he said. He patted Sally's curls. "We wouldn't have asked you to give your life for your brother," he added, "but we'll never forget that you were willing to do that. I thank God for you -- and for this reminder of what Jesus has done for us."

"What do you mean, Daddy?" asked Sally.

"I'm reminded of the one who did die for us -- Jesus, God's
Son," said Dad. "He gave His blood -- He gave His life -- for every man, woman, boy,
and girl. Because He did that, we receive forgiveness for our sins when we put
our trust in Him, and He gives us eternal life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the eternal life that Jesus gives? Admit that you're a sinner and that you need to be forgiven. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died for you. Ask Him to forgive you and save you. He will! (See page 64.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 5:
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

A New Commandment

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Everywhere we go there are rules.  We have rules at home, we have rules at school, even adults have to follow the rules where they work.  You must learn to follow the rules if you want to get along in this world.   I found a list of rules called "Golden Rules for Living."  I don't know who wrote these, but they make a lot of sense.

• If you open it -- close it
• If you turn it on -- turn it off.
• If you unlock it -- lock it.
• If you move it -- put it back.
• If it belongs to someone else -- get permission to use it
• If you borrow it -- return it.
• If you don't know how to operate it -- leave it alone.
• If you use it -- take care of it.
• If you break it -- admit it.
• If you can't fix it -- call someone who can.
• If you mess it up -- clean it up.
• If it's none of your business, don't ask questions.

Those are pretty good rules, aren't they?  If all of us would follow those rules, the world would be a better place.  Living by a set of rules isn't anything new.  Even Jesus knew the importance of rules.

One day Jesus was talking to his disciples.  He knew that the day was coming when he would return to heaven, and he was trying to prepare his disciples for the day when he would no longer be with them. He wanted to leave them with something that would help them to live in such a way that other people would see them and know that they were his disciples.

"I will be with you only a little while longer," Jesus said.  "Then you will look for me, but you won't find me because you cannot go where I am going.  I give you a new commandment.  You must love each other just as I have loved you.  If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples."

Would you like for people to look at the way you live and know that you are a follower of Jesus?  Well, then obey his command, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus, we thank you that you loved us so much that you gave your life for us.  Help us to love one another as you have loved us.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Spring Clean-up

"Where are you, Mom?" called Tiffany as she came into the house.

"In the bedroom," Mom called back. Looking in, Tiffany saw piles of old clothes, jewelry, and books scattered around the room. "I'm cleaning my drawers and closets," explained Mom. "Why keep clothes or jewelry I never wear? Some of this is going to the mission store, and the rest is going in the trash."

"Wow!" said Tiffany. "Want some help packing it up?"

"Sure-but why don't you go through some of your things, too?" suggested Mom. "Get rid of what you don't use." Tiffany frowned. "Go on," said Mom. "Some of your clothes have gotten too small and should be replaced."

Tiffany brightened. "Replaced? What a good idea!" she exclaimed. She left and returned a little later with a big box. "Look, Mom! Check it out," she said with a grin as she pulled out an old, stuffed bear. "Look at this-there's hardly any stuffing left inside. And this old sweatshirt is three sizes too small for me now."

Mom smiled and nodded, and together they sorted through rest of the things.

At suppertime, Tiffany told her father about all the things they found to get rid of. "You should probably get rid of some junk, too," she said. "I bet you haven't dumped stuff for ages."

Dad grinned. "It hasn't been that long," he objected. "In fact, I got rid of a lot of junk not too long ago-right after I was saved, actually. I got rid of several old, bad habits."

"Dad! That's not anything like cleaning closets," protested Tiffany.

"In a way it is," said Dad.

"Well, I was saved when I was just a little girl," replied Tiffany. "I didn't really have any bad habits to get rid of."

"No?" Mom's brows went up. "You used to tell a lot of lies, remember?"

"Oh, yeah." Tiffany blushed. "I forgot about that. I used to get mad quickly, too. I guess I did have some garbage to get rid of-I still do sometimes."

"We all need to check our lives daily to see if they please the Lord," said Dad. "When we belong to Him we're 'new creatures' and want our lives to show that. We need to replace old, bad habits with new, good ones-like church attendance, prayer, maintaining a good attitude, and helping others."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there old, bad habits you should throw away? Smoking? Alcohol? Drugs? Hopefully, you were saved before you got into anything such as that. But how about bad language? Cheating? Lying? An unforgiving spirit? Selfishness? Get rid of bad habits and make room for new, good ones. Surrender to God and live as a "new creature" in Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

[Soldier4Christ]

Lisa listened closely as her Sunday school teacher asked some questions.
"What is the most precious thing you own?" asked Mrs. Raye. "Is it your bicycle?
Some jewelry? Money? A pet? I'm going to read a story to you. See if your ideas
about this change as you listen."
 

Mrs. Raye picked up a book and began to read. "Queen Helena ruled a tiny kingdom many years ago. She was the last of her family and had no heir to her throne, so she decided to search for a child who loved and served God as she did. 'I am looking to God to help me choose the next ruler of this land,' she told her people. 'Any child who wishes to become the next ruler must bring to me his most precious possession. It must be a gift that is worthy to be given to your Queen, and also to God Himself! The child who brings such a gift will be the next ruler.'

"When the appointed day came, hundreds of children waited with their gifts. One by one, they presented them to the Queen. She was offered money, power, land -- all kinds of things -- but all were turned away. 'They are not worthy,' said Queen Helena. 'It is getting late. I will see one more child today.'

"A young girl came slowly into the room. 'Your Majesty,' she murmured, 'I didn't plan to come today, because I am very poor and thought I couldn't possibly offer a gift you would accept. But one night as I sat praying, it seemed that God told me I should come and offer to you what I have already given Him.' The girl knelt before the Queen. 'I lay at the feet of my Queen a heart of love and devotion and a life of service.'

"'Rise to your feet, my child,' said Queen Helena. 'A heart of devotion and love, a life of service -- these are the qualities that can rightly rule a nation. God accepts them, and so do I. You will be the Queen, my daughter, for your gift alone is worthy!'"

As Mrs. Raye closed the book, she smiled. "Search your
own hearts," she said. "Give God the things that please Him -- your love, devotion,
and service."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you live for yourself, or have you fully given your heart and life to God? He wants you to love Him and faithfully serve Him each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Deut.10:12)
What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to . . . love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul?