Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Kathy came bounding into the house. "Mom, you'll never guess what
happened!" she said. "Linae's aunt in England sent her some British money -- five
one-pound coins. Some of us stopped to see them after school, and Linae let us
pass them around. Jana left before the rest of us did -- and you know what?" Kathy
didn't wait for an answer, but hurried on. "When we left, one of the coins was
missing!" she reported. "Everybody thinks Jana must have taken it!"
 

"Oh, I'm sure Jana wouldn't have done that!" exclaimed Mom. "Did you see her take that money? Did you ever see Jana take anything that didn't belong to her?" Kathy slowly shook her head. "As her friend, you should have stood up for her and told Linae that you don't believe Jana would do that."

"But who else could have taken it?" asked Kathy. "We looked everywhere, but it's gone!" She glanced at the clock. "Oh, no!" she groaned. "I told Jana I'd walk to the library with her in half an hour, but now I don't feel like it. If Linae or the other kids see me with her, what will they think? I'll call and tell her I can't go."

"Listen to yourself!" scolded Mom. "You have no good reason to think Jana has done anything wrong. You made a commitment, and you need to keep it."

At her mother's insistence, Kathy reluctantly met Jana as they had planned. As the girls walked along, Kathy was embarrassed to see Linae approaching. "Wait up!" called Linae. "I'll walk with you."

"Are you out to spend your five pounds?" asked Jana.

"Oh, no!" replied Linae. "I'm going to keep them!" She laughed merrily. "You should have seen us this afternoon, Jana! We looked all over the house for one of the coins because I didn't know my mother had taken it over to show our neighbor next door."

When Kathy returned home, she hesitantly told her mother what had happened to the money. "With a friend like me, who needs enemies?" she finished. "I'm so ashamed!" 

Mom nodded. "I'm sure you've learned a lesson today," she
said. "Proverbs 17:17 would be a good verse for you to learn -- go look it up,
okay?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of friend are you? Do you refuse to listen to gossip -- or to spread gossip --  about your friends? Are you "wishy-washy " -- willing to play with someone on one day, but not the next? Be a friend that others can always depend on. Be the kind of friend God commends -- one who loves, no matter what.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 17:17)
A friend loveth at all times.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Ben," called Ryan as his friend came into the back yard.
 

"Hi," said Ben. "I've got something I want you to try. Can you . . ." His question was interrupted by Ryan, who jumped up to grab his little brother.

"Bobby!" exclaimed Ryan. "Don't touch that flower! There's a bee on it!" 

"Bug purdy," Bobby cooed, still reaching out as Ryan pulled him away from the flower. "Bobby want to pet it."

"The bee is pretty," agreed Ryan, "but bees can hurt you. Don't touch it. Okay?" Bobby didn't say anything but toddled off to see another flower. Ryan laughed. "Sorry, Ben. What did you want me to try?"

Ben looked around, then pulled a cigarette from his pocket. "Here . . . try this," he said. "It gives you a real lift -- makes you feel good."

Startled, Ryan asked, "Is that marijuana? I don't want anything to do with that -- or any other cigarette. Drugs harm your body and mind."

"You don't know how they affect you if you don't try them," declared Ben.

"That's crazy," insisted Ryan. "They've been proven to be bad. That's a fact, and I don't have to try drugs to learn that."

Just then, Bobby let out a wail. "Wyan," he called as he held up his hand. "Wyan, it hurted me!"

Ryan ran to help his brother. "I told you not to touch that bee!" exclaimed Ryan. As he looked at Bobby's finger, a car drove into the yard. "Oh, good! Mom's home," said Ryan. "Come on, Bobby."

After taking Bobby to his mother, Ryan went back out to
the patio where Ben waited. "Bobby is a good example for you, Ben," said Ryan.
"I told him that bee could hurt him, but he had to try touching it, anyway. He
learned about bee stings the hard way. We've been warned that drugs are
dangerous and that trying them could lead to getting hooked on them. I know I'm
not going to learn about drugs the hard way -- and I hope you won't, either,
Ben."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you have to try things for yourself? Don't learn the hard way. Often you can avoid sin and its dreadful consequences by learning from the examples of others. If in doubt, ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?" Then do your best to follow His example.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 15:4)
Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mr. Wilson kicked at Laddie!" declared Chad. His eyes flashed angrily.
"He tried to hurt him. Why does he hate dogs? I know we all agreed to pray for
Mr. Wilson, but I don't feel like doing that anymore!"
 

Mom frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear you say that," she said. "Jesus said we should love our enemies and pray for those who are mean to us."

Chad sighed. "I know," he said, "but it's hard to do." 

The next day, Mr. Wilson called. "That vicious dog of yours got out and bit me!" he growled. "I've a good mind to report you to the authorities."

Chad and his parents discussed what they should do about it. Chad finally reluctantly agreed that it would be best to find a home in the country for Laddie. "Don't you think you should also go and see how Mr. Wilson is, Chad?" Mom asked.

Chad was dismayed. "You mean go right in his house?" he asked.

   Mom nodded. "He's hurt, and apparently your dog did it," she said. "I'll go with you."

   Chad fearfully accompanied his mother, and they went next door. Mr. Wilson was as grumpy as Chad expected. "Who invited you here?" snarled Mr. Wilson. "That beast of yours almost killed me!"

"I'm sorry," apologized Chad. "I don't know how he got out, but since he bit you, Mr. Wilson, I'm . . . I'm going to get rid of him." 

Mr. Wilson stared at Chad. "You . . . you'd do that for me?" Chad nodded. "Well, ah . . ." Mr. Wilson's voice trembled, and he hesitated. "Actually, I . . . I let the dog out," he admitted. "I thought maybe if he was loose, he'd run off. When I tried to drag him by the collar, he bit me. It . . . it wasn't Laddie's fault -- don't get rid of him." Chad stared in surprise! "Didn't mean to tell you that," muttered Mr. Wilson, "but there's something different about you folks. Time I found out what it is."

Mom spoke up. "It's the Lord Jesus," she said. "We'd
like to tell you more about Him, okay?" Chad's eyes were wide with amazement. It
does work to pray for your enemies, he thought, just like the Bible
says.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there someone who doesn't like you? Who mistreats you? Do you try to get even? Don't! Instead, pray for that person and try to find something nice to do for him or her. Even if nothing changes right away, keep praying. Leave the results up to the Lord.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:44)
Love your enemies . . . and pray for them which despitefully use you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, who marked the trees like that?" asked Kendra. She and her little
brother Alex were hiking with their parents on a trail that went around a lake
at their favorite state park.
 

"I'm not sure," said Dad. He examined colored markings on a tree along the path. "Someone probably cleared away the brush and marked this path many years ago. Then they could follow the markings and wouldn't have to find a new path every time they came here. Maybe it was an explorer."

"Wow!" exclaimed Kendra. "A trail made by some ancient explorer! Maybe like . . . fifty years ago?"

"Maybe," replied Dad, "or maybe even longer ago."

They walked on along the trail, enjoying the colorful leaves and the sounds of various birds and animals. As they wandered deeper into the woods, Kendra and Mom stopped to see some wild flowers. When Dad turned to speak to Alex, he discovered that the little boy was no longer right behind them. "Alex? Alex, where are you?" called Dad. Alex didn't answer.

Mom and Kendra also began calling. They retraced their steps, all the while trying to calm the heavy thumping of their hearts.

Suddenly, Alex burst out of the woods and jumped into Dad's arms. "I was so scared," sobbed Alex.

"Why didn't you stay with us?" asked Mom.

"I followed a pretty bird," said Alex, "but I got lost!"

As Mom and Dad comforted him, they also warned him and Kendra about the dangers of leaving the marked trail and not staying close to them. 

"It's nice to have those marks on the trees, but they don't do us much good if we don't follow them," observed Kendra.

Dad nodded. "That's right," he said. After a moment, he added. "I'm glad we have trail markers for our lives as well as for the way around the lake. We need to be sure to follow them, too."

"Trail markers for our lives?" asked Kendra.

Dad nodded. "God gave us the Bible to guide us to Him
and away from danger. We need to read it regularly and obey it
daily."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you following the trail markers -- the instructions -- found in God's Word? The Bible shows the way to salvation in Jesus. For all who trust in Him, there are instructions for Christian living. Follow them -- it's the only way they'll do you any good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 3:6)
In all thy ways acknowledge Him (God), and He will direct thy paths.

[Soldier4Christ]

Katy and Daniel rushed home to tell their parents the news. "He died,"
gasped Katy. "Jerry died!" Jerry was a neighbor boy who had been ill for some
time.
 

"Oh, that's sad, but God knows best," said Mom comfortingly. "I'm so glad Jerry came to vacation Bible school last summer and accepted Jesus as his Savior. Jerry is in heaven now."

Several weeks later, Katy and Daniel walked home from school with Jerry's sister, Rayanne. She was quite excited. "Did you know the dead can talk to you?" she asked as she turned to go up the walk to her house.

Daniel scowled. "I don't believe it," he said.

"It's true," insisted Rayanne. "Wait here a minute." She dashed into her house. When she returned, she was carrying something. "Tomorrow we're going to a seance. That's a meeting where there's a medium -- a person who contacts spirits of people who have died," she said. "We asked this Ouija Board if Jerry would come and talk to us, and it said he would." Rayanne showed them the Ouija Board. "Put your hands on the pointers with me, and ask it a question," she urged them. "The pointer shows the answer. Come on -- try it."

"No way!" declared Daniel. "I don't want anything to do with it!"

When they got home, Katy and Daniel told their mother what Rayanne had said. "To put faith in a Ouija Board or seances is wrong," Mom told them. "There are often evil spirits involved in both. The medium Rayanne spoke of is a person who yields himself, or herself, to spirits -- evil spirits who imitate and pretend to be the dead person talking. The Bible tells us to have nothing to do with such things. In fact, it says that people who do those things are an abomination to God. In other words, He hates those things."

"Wow!" exclaimed Daniel. "That's plain enough."

"It's scary," said Katy.

"Yes, it is," agreed Mom, "but remember that there are
two powers on earth -- God's and Satan's -- and God is much stronger than Satan. Let's
pray that Rayanne and her parents will learn to trust God -- the only one who knows
all about the future."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to know what will happen? Don't trust a horoscope prediction, a Ouija Board, or any kind of fortune telling. It's dangerous to play with things Satan uses and God hates. God is greater than any kind of fortune telling device. Trust Him to work out the best possible future for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 4:4)
Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" called Jodi as she ran into the kitchen. "My lamb's gone! I'm sure
I latched the door after I fed him, but it's broken now and Wooly is gone."
 

Mom sighed. "Well, we'd better go look for him," she said.

They started off, calling Wooly's name as they searched the ditch and fields along the road. When they reached the home of Grandpa and Grandma Harris, they explained what they were doing. "Your lamb is lost?" asked Grandpa. "We'll help you look for him." So he and Grandma joined the search, leaving a half-mowed yard and weeds in the flower bed.

Grandpa Harris was the one who finally found Wooly behind a neighbor's barn, and Jodi happily took her lamb home. After making sure he couldn't get out again, she went to thank her grandparents for their help. "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble," she told them, "especially since you had to leave your chores." 

"That's okay," said Grandma. "We wanted to help."

"That's right, honey," agreed Grandpa. He smiled at Jodi. "Do you remember the parable Jesus told about the lost sheep?" he asked.

Jodi nodded. "The shepherd left all the sheep that were safe in the fold, and he went out to search for one little lamb," she said.

"That's right," said Grandpa. "People are like lost sheep, and Jesus -- the Good Shepherd -- left heaven and gave His life to find us and save us. I hope our search for Wooly will help us all remember that we should never be too busy to hunt other 'lost lambs' -- other people, young or old, who don't know Jesus."

Jodi was thoughtful. "I'm pretty sure that my new friend, Shelly, doesn't know Jesus," she said, "so she's just as lost as my lamb was, isn't she?" Grandpa nodded. "I'm going to ask God to help me tell her about Jesus," said Jodi. "I want her to be found -- like Wooly -- and not be lost anymore."

Grandpa and Grandma smiled. "Good for you," said
Grandma. "We'll be praying for her, too -- and for you."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tell your friends about Jesus? Without Him, they are lost in sin. Jesus came to find and save the lost, and each person is important to Him. Do all you can to bring other "lost lambs" to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 18:14)
It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come and wipe these dishes, Dylan," called Mom.
 

"I'm sick of wiping dishes!" Dylan grumbled.

Dad looked up from his paper. "We seem to get the 'sick of something illness' too often around here," he said. "We're about as bad as the Israelites, who complained and grumbled in spite of all the good things God did for them. I have an idea for a game we can play to help us learn to stop grumbling."

"What kind of a game?" asked Dana.

"When one of us is caught saying that we're sick of something, we'll also have to tell something we're thankful for about that same thing," said Dad.

"Okay. You won't catch me," Dana declared, but all Dylan said was, "Huh!"

From then on, they were all more careful about what they said. Dana and Dylan also listened carefully, hoping to catch each other using the forbidden phrase.

One day, Dana walked in from school with a bulging backpack. "I'm so sick of all this homework!" she said.

Happily -- for Dylan -- he walked into the room at that moment. "What is it about your homework that you're thankful for, sister dear?" he asked with a grin.

"Oh, no!"exclaimed Dana. Then she smiled and said,"I guess I'm thankful I have the brains to do it." 

Of course, Dana caught her brother using the phrase, too. As he was going to the patio with a glass of milk one day, Dana came around a corner and bumped into him -- and the milk spilled on his clean jeans. "Now just look what you've made me do!" he exclaimed in disgust. "You make me sick!"

A mischievous glint came into Dana's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Dylan," she said sweetly, "but tell me -- what is it about your sister for which you're thankful?"

Dylan looked startled for a moment, and then, putting the glass on the table, he solemnly said,"Well, I'm thankful she isn't twins."

"Oh, you!" sputtered Dana, starting after him -- and the race was on.

Mom and Dad laughed as they watched. "I think this game
is doing our family good," said Dad. "I think we're all happier when we're
careful not to grumble."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a habit of grumbling and complaining? God was not pleased when the Israelites grumbled, and He is not pleased when His children grumble today. When you catch yourself grumbling, stop! Pause with what you're doing until you think of a reason to thank God for the very thing that made you complain.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:14)
Do all things without murmurings.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brad trembled as he stood in court before a judge. He had been in trouble
before -- once for shop-lifting and once for destroying public property. Because
this was his third offense, he was afraid he would be placed in a correctional
school for delinquent boys. Nervously, he glanced at Mr. Gray, a social worker
who had offered to speak on his behalf.
 

"Judge," began Mr. Gray, "Brad's just thirteen . . ."

The judge nodded. "Just thirteen, and already he has a very bad record," he said.

"That's true, but would you give me a chance to work with him?" asked Mr. Gray.

The judge frowned. "You've done fine work with some of these boys," he admitted, "but I don't know." He turned to Brad. "Are you willing to cooperate with Mr. Gray if I place you in his custody?" he asked.

Brad nodded. "Oh, yes, Sir!" he said quickly.

The judge leafed through some papers as he considered the situation. "I've decided to grant your request," he said at last, "but I want you to know, young man, that the very first time you get out of line, you will be put in a correctional school." 

Brad was very relieved as he left the courtroom with Mr. Gray. "I sure do thank you," he told Mr. Gray, "and I'll really try hard! I do want to be good."

Mr. Gray smiled. "Brad, there's something I want you to think about," he said. "You were guilty and headed for punishment when I spoke for you and saved you from it. But do you realize you are headed for an eternal punishment that is far worse than any correctional school? One day you're going to stand before God, to be judged. Who's going to help you then?"

"I . . . I don't know," faltered Brad. "Nobody, I guess."

"I was able to help you and save you from the punishment
you deserved here," said Mr. Gray, "and there is one person, and only one, who
can save you from the eternal punishment you deserve. Jesus died on the cross to
pay the penalty for your sins. You need to turn to Him and receive His
forgiveness. Then God, the Judge, will declare you to be 'not
guilty.'"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you ever tell a lie? Fight? Cheat? God says all have sinned. You are headed for punishment unless someone saves you, and the only one who can do that is Jesus Christ. Admit your guilt. Ask Him to save you today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 2:5)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men . . . Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm surprised you didn't suggest that Sam Harper join us on our camping
trip this week," said Dad as he and Daren sat beside their campfire one evening.

 

Daren shrugged. "His mother's in a psychiatric hospital!" he exclaimed.

Dad frowned. "She's getting the help she needs for her mental health," he said.

"I knew she was in a hospital," said Daren, "but I sure didn't know it was that kind of hospital until some of the kids told me. All the kids at Sunday school say Sam must be wacky, too, and . . . Dad, don't you think he's a little strange sometimes?"

"No more strange than anyone else," replied Dad emphatically. "You shouldn't judge everything Sam does by the fact that his mother is ill -- not 'wacky,' as you called it." Daren didn't say anything, but he was not convinced.

As Daren was drying off after a swim the next day, he let out a yell. "Yuck! Look here!" he squawked. Dad hurried over. "There's a yucky worm on my leg! I can't get him off!" exclaimed Daren.

"That's a leech, Daren," said Dad. "They live in the water and sometimes stick to swimmers. Hold still, and I'll try to pull it off." Dad succeeded in getting the leech off, but Daren's leg was bleeding. "Leeches give off a substance that keeps blood from clotting," Dad explained, "but don't worry -- it will soon stop." Daren shuddered as he stared at his bleeding leg. "You know, Daren," added Dad thoughtfully, "leeches remind me of gossip. Gossip also sticks tight. Even after people quit talking, those they've gossiped about continue to hurt. The talk about Sam doing strange things hurts him -- it may be sucking the joy of life right out of him." 

"I . . . I didn't mean to hurt Sam," stammered Daren.

"Maybe not, but a lot of innocent people are hurt by someone else's tongue," said Dad. "The Bible warns us against using our tongues to sin."

"I'm sorry," murmured Daren. "Should I call him tomorrow and invite him out here for a few days?"

"Good idea," said Dad. "Tell him we'll be glad to pick
him up. I have a feeling he'll be delighted to come!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you guilty of hurting someone by listening to and passing along gossip? Don't sin against God in this way. Instead of using your tongue to hurt others, use it to help and encourage 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]

Michael and his father walked toward the crowd of people who were waiting
to see a group of hot air balloons lift off the ground. "How many balloons are
there?" asked Michael.
 

"I don't know," replied Dad, "but this is a huge event. People come from all over to take part in it."

Before long, most of the colorful balloons were inflated and had ascended into the sky, floating off in various directions. As Michael watched, he remembered the day when he and a few friends had gone up in a hot air balloon. The owner, a friend of his father, had kept the balloon anchored to the ground with a rope because the wind had become very gusty, but Michael remembered how it had felt to be floating up -- up towards the clouds.

Dad turned to Michael with a smile. "Do you know what this reminds me of?" asked Dad.

"A bird," replied Michael promptly. He pointed toward a bright red balloon with bold, gold lettering. "A cardinal -- because it's red like that balloon."

Dad smiled. "Actually, I was thinking of something quite different," he said. "I'm reminded that if we truly give our problems to the Lord, He will lift them from us and carry them away."

"I've heard preachers say something like that," said Michael, "but I don't really see how we give problems to God."

"We allow Him to lift our burdens by praying and then trusting Him," explained Dad. "Sometimes we pray but fail to trust. We don't let go of our problems but stay attached to them."

"Like when I went up in the hot air balloon that was attached to the ground with a rope?" asked Michael. "I couldn't really float away."

Dad nodded. "We need to remember that the Lord doesn't
want us to worry or fret. He cares for us very much, and He can handle our
problems. We need to release our fears and trust Him to work everything out in
the best possible way."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have problems that seem too big to handle? Do you wish they would float away? God wants you to give those problems to Him. He knows just how to take care of them. Trust Him, and let Him lift your burdens and carry them for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7)
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"It kinda feels like we're deep in a jungle!" declared Shawn as he hacked
at the hedge of large, sprawling bushes in their backyard. Helping tear out the
hedge seemed like an adventure to Shawn and Alexandra.
 

"These bushes have big thorns," Dad warned them. "Be careful!"

"We will," they agreed -- but frequently one of the thorny branches would cling to a shirt or prick or scratch an arm. Then Dad had to gently and carefully remove it from someone's clothes -- or skin!

For almost two hours, they clipped, sawed, and pulled on those stubborn bushes -- even crawling into the thicket now and then. "Look at us!" exclaimed Alexandra when they finally finished pulling out the prickly growth. "We're all scratched up and bleeding -- even you, Dad."

"Those bushes were terrible," declared Shawn. "They were a lot more dangerous than they looked."

"Yeah -- they didn't look so bad. I even thought they were kind of pretty," said Alexandra, "but when we weren't careful, the branches stuck to us and scratched really bad!"

Dad nodded. "They're an example of bad things that look pretty good," he said. "Sometimes we forget that some wrong things -- some sins -- may not look so bad. But sin always hurts us. It causes more pain and harm than those prickly bushes."

"What are some bad things that might look good, Dad?" asked Alexandra. "I can't think of any."

"Well . . . things like TV programs or movies that
promote lifestyles that aren't pleasing to God," replied Dad. "Listening to
certain types of music might cause wicked lyrics to stick in our minds. Even
wanting to please other people can cause us to do wrong things and get tangled
up in sin. If we give in to sinful things that don't look so bad, they cling to
us like those thorny branches, and will eventually cause pain and hurt in our
lives."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you watch on TV? What do you read? Do you hang around with kids whose values and standards are not those that God gives in His Word? Things that don't look so bad are bad if they tempt you to do things that are wrong. Be careful! Don't allow them to entangle you in sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:1)
Let us lay aside . . . the sin which doth so easily beset us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Grandpa, have you seen Tabby?" asked Anna. She and her brother Jon were
visiting their grandparents. When they arrived, they immediately went to the
barn, but they found that their favorite kitten was missing.
 

"I haven't seen Tabby today, but yesterday she was playing on the other side of the creek," answered Grandpa. "The creek was nearly dry then, but after all that rain last night, the water is much higher. Maybe she didn't get back over here. Come on, kids. I'll help you find that kitten."

As they walked along the edge of the creek, they called the kitten. "Here, kitty," called Jon. 

"Here, kitty!" echoed Anna. "Tabby, come!" Just then, Anna tripped on a log. "Ouch! Oh-h-h! My toe!" she groaned. She limped along as she continued to call.

"Look, kids!" Grandpa pointed. "Over there on the other side of the creek -- is that an animal?"

"It's Tabby!" shouted Anna.

"How can we get her, Grandpa?" asked Jon. "The water's too deep to wade across, and it's too wide to jump."

"Let's think." Grandpa paused. "Let's get that log Anna tripped over. Maybe we could use it as a bridge."

They dragged the log to the edge of the creek. After much tugging and heaving, they had it in place, and Jon crawled across and rescued Tabby.

On the way back to the barn, Grandpa suddenly snapped his fingers. "I just thought of something."

"What?" asked Jon.

"Well, it occurs to me that Anna could react to tripping over that log in either of two ways," said Grandpa. "She could complain because she stumbled over it and it hurt her, or she could thank God for it because it made a bridge over the creek. Which do you think she should do?"

"Thank Him," said Anna quickly, hugging Tabby.

"You see," said Grandpa, "when unhappy situations come
into our lives, we should not be angry about them. Instead we should remember
that God always brings things into our lives for a good reason. We should ask
Him what it is that He wants to teach us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been complaining about situations and people in your life? Try to view them as something good from the Lord, and be thankful. Ask God to show you how they can be bridges instead of stumbling blocks in your life!


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Becky watched eagerly as Mrs. Sanders held up an ugly old stone. "This
looks like an ordinary rock, doesn't it?" said Mrs. Sanders. Then she turned it
around. The rock had been cut open, and the class could see beautiful, sparkling
crystals on the inside. "This kind of stone is called a geode," said Mrs.
Sanders, "and I have a small piece of a geode for each one of you." She handed a
box to a boy in the front row. "When the box comes around to you, you may each
take out a piece to keep."
 

Becky was delighted -- this would make a nice addition to the rock collection she had at home. She selected one of the pieces, then turned and handed the box to Claire, who sat behind her. Becky had never been interested in getting to know Claire. Claire had big, crooked teeth and wasn't very pretty. She's almost as ugly as the outside of the geode, thought Becky to herself.

As Becky was running down the school steps at the end of the day, someone bumped her. Her books tumbled down the stairs, and papers scattered everywhere. The person who bumped her didn't even stop, nor did several other kids who were leaving. Soon almost everyone was gone.

Becky was picking up her trampled belongings when she heard a voice. "Here, let me help you." Becky looked up and saw Claire kneeling beside her, gathering loose papers.

"Thanks," mumbled Becky. She was so surprised that she couldn't think of anything else to say as they gathered the rest of her things.

"Oh! Here's your stone!" exclaimed Claire. She picked up the piece of geode from the bottom step and handed it to Becky. "Rocks are interesting, aren't they?"

Becky nodded and took the stone. People can be like geodes -- not very pretty on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. Like Claire, she thought. I should have remembered the Sunday school lessons I've had -- those about God seeing what's inside a person. Becky smiled at Claire. "Would you like to come over to my house and see my rock collection?" asked Becky.

Happily, Claire nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you choose your friends by the way they look? Do you ignore anyone who is unattractive, unpopular, or overweight? God looks at the inside -- the part that's important. Be more like Him. Don't judge people just by looking at the outside. Get to know them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 7:24)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Come on, Dad. We're ready," called Leigh. She and her family were
gathered for family night. It was storming outside, but in the den, they felt
snug and cozy with plenty of games, popcorn, and soda.
 

"Coming," Dad called from the bedroom.

Just then the power went out. "Oh, no!" exclaimed Leigh. "No lights! Not on family night!"

"Honey," called Mom, "bring that big candle from the bedroom, please. There are some matches in the drawer there, too."

"Okay," agreed Dad. "I hope I can find them in the dark -- ouch! Stubbed my toe on the dresser!" A moment later they saw a glow in the bedroom as Dad lit a match, and he soon arrived in the den with the candle Mom kept just for times like this.

"I hope the power won't be off long," said Timothy. He was eager to play games and munch on popcorn.

"I like it with just the candlelight," decided Leigh.

"It's interesting to see what a difference a small light makes, isn't it?" said Mom.

Leigh nodded. "It doesn't seem possible that such a tiny flame could give out so much light," she said. "It was kind of scary in the dark, but when you brought the candle, Dad, it lit up the whole room."

"A dark room may seem scary to us," said Dad, "but that's not as scary as the darkness of sin -- the darkness in which people live when they don't know God. People in that kind of darkness have good reason to live in fear, and we need to share the light of God's love and truth with them."

Mom nodded. "If we don't, we're allowing them to go on stumbling in darkness," she said.

"Like Dad was doing in the bedroom when he stubbed his toe?" asked Timothy with a grin.

"Something like that," agreed Dad, "but with much more
serious consequences. Let's always be faithful in sharing the light -- God's
truth."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you sharing God's love and truth with those around you -- at home, at school, and in your neighborhood ? Don't hide His light because you're embarrassed about what others might think or say about you. Respond to God's call to share His much needed light.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:16)
Let your light so shine before men.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom," said Peter hesitantly one day, "did you . . . ah . . . well, did
you ever think about having plastic surgery to fix all those scars on your
face?" For as long as Peter could remember, there had been ugly, red scars on
his mother's face and hands. He was used to them and hardly noticed them, but
some kids in his class had asked him what was wrong with her. They had made
jokes about the way she looked. Recently, Peter was embarrassed to be seen in
public with her, and sometimes he even failed to tell her about school programs
or picnics because he really didn't want her to go. "I know you got those scars
in a fire," added Peter, "but what happened? Couldn't you get out?"
 

Peter's mother hesitated. "You were just a little baby then," she said. "You were in your crib in our bedroom, and that whole area of the house was ablaze. I ran in and grabbed you and wrapped you up in blankets. I'm so thankful that I was able to shelter you as I ran out of the house. We both were all right, but as you can see, my hands and face never lost their ugly scars." She put her hand up to her face. "I have had some plastic surgery, and perhaps the doctors would have the skill to do a better job now, but it would be very expensive."   Tears came to Peter's eyes. "Oh, Mom," he cried, "you got those scars saving me? I didn't know that!" Mom put her arms around Peter and squeezed him tight. Peter hugged her back. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks for saving me. I . . . I love you so much!"

Mom smiled. "You know, Peter," she said, "you've had a lot of questions lately about what Jesus did for you on the cross. Maybe my scars can help you understand. You see, we are all sinners, and we're not able to save ourselves -- we're as helpless as babies. Jesus came to rescue us. He gave Himself -- He bore the pain and suffering, and He died on the cross so that we can have eternal life. His body was scarred where the spear was thrust into His side and where the nails pierced His hands and feet. He suffered it all for us! Can you understand that, Peter?"

Slowly, Peter nodded. "Jesus suffered for me even more
than you did, didn't He?" he asked. "I love Him, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that Jesus suffered and died for you? Have you thanked Him and asked Him to save you? Don't wait any longer. Trust Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 4:19)
We love Him, because He first loved us.